I know there are some places where you can get a diverse set of links in one place (for instance, I have a liberal and conservative leaning blog on my roll for such a purpose), but admit my reading is somewhat limited. For instance, I don't go to feminist law blogs are any regular basis, which might be better than regularly going to Balkanization to watch Professor Levinson's latest anti-Constitution screed. It's getting mighty old. OTOH, I happened to pass a religion in public policy blog not too far back, and it's a helpful addition to my reading.
A comment on one of the entries led me to this quote by Sarah Palin that got some people upset:
Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan.
This from another comment that criticized the somewhat flip opposition to this statement, which is also cited at Huffington Post and other liberal leaning blogs, if you follow the links. This does sound like Palin is praying that we are right, not that God supports the war in Iraq. If one prays, one should pray that our leaders are guided toward the right path. The last sentence clarifies what might be unclear. Not that others cross the line to arrogance and thinks God directly on our side, akin to a baseball player not just honoring God but thinking God is a Mets fan.
The blog (on my blogroll) also cites a local story that discusses Gov. Palin's faith and its affects on her policy. Real life tends to be a bit less blatant. Take the same sex partnership benefits -- she opposes them, but did her job, and followed the command of the state supreme court. Her state also is libertarian, so besides having other policies to worry about, conservative social policy per se is not front and center for her administration. But, it is not like she doesn't support such things (she actually focused upon conservative talking points in her first local election) thus we avoid worrying about it. This is so even when she provides some wiggle (she is not "anti-contraception," but in practice wants limits on core choices in that area) as any good politician must do.
Finally, Obama and Biden addressed the contrast between their private and public views on abortion. Biden particularly hit the right note, not surprisingly given both Justices Brennan and Kennedy are/was Catholic, and supported abortion and homosexual rights:
MR. BROKAW: But if you, you believe that life begins at conception, and you've also voted for abortion rights...
SEN. BIDEN: No, what a voted against curtailing the right, criminalizing abortion. I voted against telling everyone else in the country that they have to accept my religiously based view that it's a moment of conception. There is a debate in our church, as Cardinal Egan would acknowledge, that's existed. Back in "Summa Theologia," when Thomas Aquinas wrote "Summa Theologia," he said there was no--it didn't occur until quickening, 40 days after conception. How am I going out and tell you, if you or anyone else that you must insist upon my view that is based on a matter of faith?
Word!