People who've followed the hijinks of the Assemblies of God in regards to televangelist scandals--and the history of televangelism, for that matter--know that the denomination has a long association with televangelism--and as the Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart and Ted Haggard scandals have shown, often a quite unsavoury one at that.

So today's news that the Assemblies are hip-deep in the latest televangelist scandal is no shocker--the thing is, they may have tangled themselves rather deep, as the latest association is with an explicit defense of Kenneth Copeland--one of six televangelists targeted in a Congressional investigation.

Even worse, the Assemblies are now trying to use the very scandal as a wrecking-ball to knock down the separation of church and state and scuttle all attempts to require accountability.

In case there was any doubt that former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson is now performing the same role for the Republican Party on the Washington Post opinion pages, today's column should put it to rest.  Labeling former comedian turned Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken a "vulgarian," Gerson proclaimed the Democrat's satirical writing of the past the "Federalist Papers of lifestyle liberalism." As it turns out, Gerson not only has no sense of humor, he has no sense of balance: the legion of Republican vulgarians whose stench still taints Washington needless to say go unmentioned.

Just days after rejecting the endorsements of his "ministers of war" John Hagee and Rod Parsley, John McCain may be about to confront another faith-based conundrum.  Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) is facing withering criticism from prominent conservatives and evangelical leaders over his Senate probe into the finances of Kenneth Copeland and other so-called "prosperity gospel" televangelists.  Republican nominee McCain may have to choose between his party's increasingly disgruntled religious right base and a fellow Republican Senator he once called a "f**king jerk."

(This is the third and hopefully final installment in a series.)

Heading into Super Tuesday, the faith-based candidacy of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is running on fumes.  Falling short in South Carolina in what was his last best chance to turn the GOP nominating process into chaos, Huckabee limped to a distant fourth place showing in Florida.  Now out of momentum and out of cash, Mike Huckabee is being left behind, so to speak, by John McCain and Mitt Romney.

While Mike Huckabee seems destined to leave the Republican stage, the extremist assault on the separation on church and state he represents (see here and here) will remain a fixture in American politics for years to come.

As the old adage goes, you reap what you sow.  For many years colleges and university endowments, which receive very advantageous government tax breaks, have grown at extraordinary rates. Now, two high-powered senators are starting to ask questions about just what these wealthy institutions have been doing with their funds. While we applaud Congress’ efforts, we are afraid that too much of a focus by the Senators on tuition, rather than low-income student access, could lead to more improperly tilted financial aid policies — and an increasingly bifurcated educational system.

My pledge
I will NEVER vote for any of my Representatives/Senators who does not take clear and decisive action against torture, waterboarding, and more recently, the destruction of tapes of detainees.

As some of you may have noticed representatives is plural, this is because I am currently a student and I have not decided in which district to vote yet. And I may be moving back there for Law School.

Also, this will be linked to my letter (I am writing this first) as a way to  show them how I feel about this. Sections in italic blockquote are not part of my letter.  Last, please recommend and/or comment, I want to show how many people care about this issue.

File this in the "long overdue" department.

CBS News has learned Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is investigating six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct.

Letters were sent Monday to the ministries demanding that financial statements and records be turned over to the committee by December 6th.
[...]
According to Grassley's office, the Iowa Republican is trying to determine whether or not these ministries are improperly using their tax-exempt status as churches to shield lavish lifestyles.

The six ministries in question:  Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn.  In other words--six of the biggest tigers on Christian TV.

In a moment very reminicent of the infamous Schiavo Memos where Republican staffers discussed how they could take political advantage of the horrific conflict and suffering of the Schiavo family - Thinkprogress has obtained a text message from  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConell's communications director Don Stewart which was apparently sent to reporters.

Seen the latest blogswarm? Apparently, there’s more to the story on the kid (Graeme Frost) that did the Dems’ radio response on SCHIP. Bloggers have done a little digging and turned up that the Dad owns his own business (and the building it’s in), seems to have some commercial rental income and Graeme and a sister go to a private school that, according to its website, costs about $20k a year ‹for each kid‹ despite the news profiles reporting a family income of only $45k for the Frosts.

Could they get any lower?

Yes, they could, and did. (Crossposted from Truth2Power)

If one wants any proof that the years of tireless advocacy for healthcare reform and protecting the rights of children have paid some dividends, one need look no further than the Republican outrage over Bush's plan to veto the pending State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  Years have shifted the Overton window to the point where Republicans have to at least pretend to care about sick children.

That's right.  

Republican outrage.

In defense of federal spending on behalf of children.

The remarkable pull quotes below.