Faith eludes the faithful when death comes knocking

This study tells me one thing: The religious aren't less afraid of death and neither are hey more certain about an afterlife. It's just a show.

For awhile, I suspected that religion fills a need for certainty in an uncertain world.

Certainty is a pipe dream. Nothing is fixed and no one knows what happens after death, despite what religion tells us.

Too many willingly believe in an afterlife, but studies such as this give credence to the fact that those beliefs provide little guidance when death calls.

It takes great courage to face death with the knowledge that the end is near. Holding onto beliefs in spite of supporting evidence may be fine while death seems distant, yet when those beliefs get tested the truth hits like a slap in the face.

True courage requires no fantasy of an afterlife to soften the possible truth of existence, viz., that this is all there is.

Attacks on ACORN have class warfare at their base

I have no dog in the supposed fight against the voter registration group ACORN.

Republicans are fighting tooth and nail to pin the voter fraud tail on the ACORN donkey.

This attack doesn't pass the smell test.

First off: It wasn't Democrats who claimed class warfare in this election. It was John McCain during the last presidential debate.

McCain spoke the words class warfare.

Secondly: ACORN, regardless of their problems and issues, focus primarily on registering the poor and minorities (who are over-represented amongst the poor).

The Republicans are using the political version of that old childhood chestnut: The one who smelt it is the one who dealt it.

Not only are the Republicans engaging in class warfare against the poor, like they've done for years with their advocacy of trickle-down economics, but they are attacking a group whose intention is to help the poor and under-represented participate in the system that treats them so poorly.

Of course the Republicans don't want the poor and minorities to participate. If they participate, chances are they will vote against policies that everyone knows helps the rich at the expense of the poor.

In another transparent attempt to diminish voter participation, the Republicans are engaging in a pretext attack using ACORN as a proxy for the poor and minorities.

What is a Pretext Attack?

It occurs when someone targets actions and groups associated with those they cannot tolerate rather than directly attacking those they cannot stand. In this case--The Poor and minorities.

I find this whole thing shameful and lacking in honor and courage. A pretext attack is the mark of douchebags and craven wusses.

If there is any reason for disliking a party, cowardice and dishonor tops my list. Why John McCain, who claims to be for honor and integrity, affiliates with such cowardice makes me feel sorry for him.

ACORN may be engaging in fraud, but there are better ways for Republicans to tackle that issue. They need to show the spine to acknowledge openly the truth--that truth being that they don't want the poor or minorities to vote.

That's the truth.