Mick,

I don't understand your "pro-life" question. I'd never dodge it -- just don't understand it.

"For a Conservative to be "bugged" that someone adopts a "holier than thou" attitude really is the height of short term memory. If you will recall, it was Gingrich and company that started this whole business of who is more holy"

that's why it's ironic. For the pedants here (and I know they are legion) I'm assuming that that is a miss-use of the proper meaning of "irony". Sue me. *grin*

These are the folks that branded those of us on the left side of the political spectrum as less than Christian

...uh, I don't think so. I think it is those on your own side who don't wish the association (especially if the mudcat is any indicator! ha ha!)

and less than patriotic

...again, the left, when pushed to into the intellectual corner, doesn't really favor this appelation for itself either. To them it's that li'l problem of...what's that word? .....rhymes with "Ringoism" and has nothing to do with the Beatles.

As to the Right's view of how to end poverty, I would surely like to see the signs that it works

I was specifically referring to the "Christian Left"'s contention -- made publically by folks like Tony Campolo and Jim (the sojourner guy....can't think of the name right now and too lazy to google!!) Wallis! that's it....Wallis. Anyway, it's their contention that the "religious right" is unconcerned with issues of poverty because they don't choose to address it in the manner in which Campolo and Wallis prescribe.

You think the left is going to end poverty? You think they would if the right got out of the way?

Truth is, I know wonderful people from both sides. They usually seem to get along by focusing on what they have in common. And they're rarely so dogmatic when they realize that they're in the presence of the other.

The floating marker had writing all over it but I couldn't decipher a word -- along came a little boat bearing a sign "Read Here: Bouys"

Code fixed by Mudelf