The enemies' list

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Sep 03, 2004

Speaking at New York's Riverside Church during the Republican convention, former President Bill Clinton condemned religious conservatives, with "their absolute certainty that they are so right that they can kill people who disagree with them."

Fundamentalists, Clinton continued, "believe that all who disagree with them are somehow almost non-human, certainly not deserving of basic consideration." Deftly comparing the religious conservatives who support President Bush with the Islamic fanatics who blew up the World Trade Center, Slick Willie concluded: "that is our enemy."

And what is "that" to which Clinton objects so strongly? Actions based on religious principles? Any religious principles, without distinction? That's a funny sort of message to deliver from the pulpit.