David Neiwert at FireDogLake seems to think so:

This trivialization of American political discourse reached a real nadir last night with ABC's handling of the Democratic presidential debate. The gossipy, absurd nature of the questions in the first hour were so obvious that the audience reacted loudly -- not to the candidates themselves, but to the questioners.

That booing you heard last night, ABC? It was for you.

Welton Gaddy Critiques Compassion Forum

At Talk to Action, Fred Clarkson reprints excerpts of a recent e-mail from Interfaith Alliance president Welton Gaddy. Here's a snippet:

Article VI of the Constitution promises that, "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." So why did the Compassion Forum's moderators ask about Senator Clinton's belief in the Trinity, and what Senator Obama would tell his children about creationism?

Americans would be much better served by hearing Senators Clinton and Obama talk about how they will respect their constituents' religious diversity and how they plan to balance their private faith with their public oath to uphold the Constitution and the separation of religion and government.

Another thought-provoking assessment of the Compassion Forum comes from Omri Elisha at the Revealer. I'm still processing the implications of Elisha's article (and trying to decide whether or not I agree); it's worth a read.

We Need an Expanded Farm Bill NOW!

Reuters reports that Congress is requesting a one-week extension of the current Farm Bill, in hopes of soon hammering out a new Farm Bill.

The current Farm Bill (which funds Food Stamps) is inadequate to meet the needs of hungry Americans as food prices rise and food banks are under stress.

America's Second Harvest president and CEO Vicki Escarra reports of the growing strain on food banks:

...The recent spike in food and gasoline prices has only made a terrible situation worse.

At the same time, donations of food from the USDA bonus commodity program have fallen by more than 75 percent in the past four years, forcing our food banks to spend more and more money buying food to meet demand. Last year alone, our food banks spent more than $127 million on food purchases..

RESULTS has more general information about the stronger Farm Bill.

Pope's Visit

In its close reading of a recent Baltimore Sun article about the Pope's visit, GetReligion asserts that:

The question, for the pope, is how he can reconcile ancient Christian teachings with a strong commitment to religious liberty and tolerance. I predict we will hear more about that at the United Nations this week.

Has anyone not made an endorsement yet?

Springsteen endorses Obama (read all the meaty political commentary at Reuters).