OUR COLUMNISTS Energy Insanity Guest Commentary by James L. Lambert America's reliance on foreign oil is potentially very dangerous, especially today when Western culture is so actively threatened by radical militants and Wahabee terrorists. It would only take one coup d'etat to upset the world's energy markets. All of our political leaders must clearly understand the need to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Fan Psychology 101 Commentary by Brad Locke Watching an individual who is totally engrossed in a sporting event can provide us a psychological snapshot of that person. Observing fans en masse gives us a picture of societal tendencies and how individuals can easily be swallowed up in the mob mentality. God Bless America's Fighting Men and Women Commentary by David Sisler In recent days the memories of those who have given "the last full measure of devotion" have been darkened by other news. But President Bush has reminded us to honor their memory, honor their sacrifice, and give thanks for what they did. Simply Rearing Pagans Commentary by Mark Creech Between 12 and 15 million evangelical Christian children attend public schools. If the mass majority of these students were to leave public education, it would cripple the one system that is doing more harm to our nation than any single thing except perhaps the popular media.

...The Anglican Church of Canada has a new leader, a man described as one of the church's most liberal and politically polished individuals. The Globe and Mail newspaper says the election of Montreal archbishop Andrew Hutchinson this weekend came as a surprise, given his excessive liberal views -- especially in the area of supporting the blessing of same-sex unions. Hutchinson was one of a group of senior Anglican clerics from around the world who publicly dissented with the church's decision in 1998 to oppose homosexual priests. In a resume posted on the Anglican Church website, Hutchinson describes himself as having particular concern for those who live in the margins of society, including homosexuals. Associated Press reports the delegates to the Canadian Anglican meeting face another showdown this week. They will decide whether to give their churches permission to provide so-called "blessing" ceremonies for homosexual couples. [Fred Jackson]

...Texas officials have reversed an earlier decision denying tax-exempt status to a controversial religious cult in that state. The state's comptrollers office initially ruled that the Red River Unitarian Universalist Church was not a religious organization for tax purposes since it did not have one unified system of belief. However, after a review by the agency's general counsel, that ruling was reversed. Members of the group include atheists, Buddhists, Jews and pagans, and are known for their resistance to dogma. Unitarian Universalists, who do not even agree whether to describe their meeting places as churches or call themselves a denomination, generally support homosexual "marriage" and emphasize "the right and responsibility of each individual to search for his or her own religious truth and meaning." [Sherrie Black]

...Rev. Todd Pyle thought it was the perfect spot to baptize 12 new members of his church -- the Rappahannock River was calm and shallow and there was a shaded area offshore for people to stand. But officials at Falmouth Waterfront Park near Fredericksburg, Virginia, tried to break up the religious ceremony, claiming it might be offensive to swimmers nearby or others using the park. So after Pyle finished the baptism, they asked him to leave. Now free-speech advocates are threatening to file a lawsuit unless the park allows future gatherings by religious groups -- something the park has no written policy against. Pyle said he chose to baptize outdoors because it is meant to be "a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ" and because his Baptist church does not have an indoor baptismal pool. [AP]

...A Christian organization dedicated to helping people with eating disorders says its researchers are learning new things about how those disorders develop. Marian Eberly is with the Remuda Ranch treatment facility in Arizona. Eberly says the media do have a strong influence on people with eating disorders, but that is not really where such problems start. In fact, she notes, new studies point to genetics. Studies being done with the National Institutes of Health are finding that "persons who are vulnerable to an eating disorder may have genetic vulnerabilities to perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and low self esteem," Eberly says, "so that is one very important area to be very aware of -- at least, specifically talking about anorexia." Still, though genes may create a disposition toward certain problems, she emphasizes that God is greater than genetic vulnerabilities and can bring freedom for someone with an eating disorder. [Mary Rettig]

...President George W. Bush is renewing his push to let religious groups compete for government money to help the needy. His faith-based initiative is the focus of a national White House conference of community leaders today. Opponents of the effort worry that government will wind up paying for religion. They also object to letting tax-funded groups hire only fellow believers. Thwarted by Congress, Bush has sidestepped lawmakers with executive orders and regulations to give religious organizations equal footing in competing for federal contracts. He is still fighting for legislation that would give religious groups access to federal funds as long as their services are available to anyone. The White House is offering participants in today's conference networking opportunities with Cabinet agency officials and is urging participants to lobby Congress while they are in town. [AP]

...A Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Special Forces believes the military is dealing with the prison-abuse controversy in a timely manner -- and that the media and the public need to move on. One U.S. military policeman has already been sentenced to the maximum year in prison after pleading guilty to mistreating detainees. And three others have been arraigned and are set to appear before a military judge next month. Ted Sampley is publisher of U.S. Veteran Dispatch and head of Vietnam Veterans Against John Kerry. He says those responsible for the abuses must be punished, but the U.S. must not lose sight of its primary objectives in the war on terror. "We have a standard that we need to live up to -- but we also need to win this war," Sampley emphasizes. "I'm not justifying in any way the type of abuse that went on behind those walls. The good thing is, we're working on cleaning it up." Sampley says he remembers the same thing happened in Vietnam when the media focused on any mistake the military made, especially the notorious My Lai massacre. [Chad Groening]

...A conservative leader is blowing the whistle on another liberal conspiracy theory. Just days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, while U.S. air flights were still grounded, authorities gave permission for one plane to take off. There were 26 passengers on board, most of them extended members of Osama bin Laden's family. The Saudi government feared the bin Laden family members would be in danger if they remained in the U.S. Gary Bauer says the conspiracy theory developed by the radical left in the wake of that incident suggests that President Bush gave the order allowing the plane to take off as "payback" to his friends in the Saudi government. But Bauer says the truth has now been revealed. Richard Clarke, whose book attacking the White House made multiple headlines a few weeks ago, now admits he was the one who gave the order allowing bin Laden's relatives to flee, even though they may have had useful information about the attack. As Bauer puts it, "If that's an example of Clarke's decision-making abilities, I'm relieved he is no longer in a position of responsibility for our nation's security interests." [Fred Jackson]

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