Yours, Mine, and Theirs

Symbols, I mean. Two stories that, strangely enough, sort of clung to each other this morning:

What's odd about this story is that the Armed Forces recognize Wicca and the chaplain's guidebook (whatever it's called -- I've forgotten) has a section on Wiccan ritual practice.

The widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan saw a Wiccan symbol placed on a memorial plaque for her husband Saturday, after fighting the federal government for more than a year over the emblem.

Not really having a conspiracy-theory mentality, I think it's probably just another case of the Pentagon not being able to find its ass with both hands.

And then:

If you thought Dennis Prager was just trying to get some attention with the whole Keith Ellison piece, read his comments in this story when faced with the fact that the actual swearing in does not use a Bible or any other book -- that's for the commemorative photo:

But Prager argued in a telephone interview that the ceremony was no less significant than the actual swearing-in.

"Oh, that's the whole point - it's exactly because it's ceremonial that it matters to me," he said. "Ceremonies matter. Ceremonies are exceedingly important. That is the way a society states what is most significant to it."

Prager argued that the issue wasn't about freedom of religion.

"I want Jews like myself to take the oath on the Bible, even though the New Testament is not our Bible," he said.

Asked if it would be a problem for a Jewish lawmaker to take the oath on a Bible that included only the Old Testament, Prager responded, "Yes, it would," because he said the point is to honor the "Bible of this country."

This man has problems. Serious problems.

Lindsay Beyerstein has something to say about AP's coverage of this non-news item:

So, who, exactly, is faulting newly-elected Muslim congressman Keith Ellison for asking to pose with the Quran for his post Oath of Office photo op? Townhall fixture Dennis Prager, unnamed right wing bloggers, and...that's it.

In fairness to the AP reporter, I'm sure he tried unsuccessfully to find a man-on-the street who gave a shit before calling up Dennis Prager.

Don't forget that of course, the Wildmon Gang got itself involved. Do you suppose they pay people to keep a lookout for non-issues that can be slanted and then blown way beyond any sense as a fundraising method? And do you suppose their followers could possibly be stupid enough to fall for it? Oh, wait. . . .