A really inspiring piece in today's NYTimes by John C. Danforth should be a must-read for every person of faith — Christian and otherwise — who feels even slightly uncomfortable with the hijacking of religion by extremists in this country.

Unfortunately for John Danforth’s hopes, however, Newt Gingrich (remember him?) instituted and taught his followers to follow the Commandment for Calumny. Until we get rid of its practitioners, Danforth’s gentle proposal, hope though he might, won’t have much chance of going anywhere.