I was going to jump into the Monique Davis fracas a few weeks back, but since there seemed to be enough people who participated I felt I could safely not be missed if I kept to myself.

But now I have my own story. I'm really here just to vent; to be heard. I don't know if I want advice, because that was precisely my problem, I did not in this case.

My cousin, who lives two miles from here, came to visit me for the first time in the three years since my father died, the second time in the six years I have lived here. She was at his memorial, a year later she and her mother specifically invited me to a memorial dedicated to all those who had died in the previous year, knowing that I am an atheist, and practically so was my father.

I'm a screwed up mess because of religion.

I came here to talk about things with teeth, because as we know religion and politics being two of the three things polite people don't talk about in public (the other having no shortage of attention) I wanted a place to throw out some red meat and not get banned or followed home.

I wish I could have this discussion at Fox, or RedState, or the Heritage Foundation, but they don't have an open door policy. You do, so I start here, but I didn't want my first act to be a flamethrower and spoil the spirit I was welcomed with.

Mike Huck-a-be-president's comments the other day convinced me it was time to ask the faithful aligned with the D team where I stand. Because if the book of Leviticus becomes law, even Texas is going to have their hands full keeping up with all of the people we will have to put to death.

Promoted by Wolfie : Since NYT readers and bloggers from everywhere will all be peering in, I figure this would show 'em what us Street Prophets are made of !

No sense hiding that fact. I see the banner for Street Prophets every time I visit DailyKos, and I have been touched, inspired, and absolutely fascinated by the writings of PastorDan. I'm here because I am so genuinely afraid that the brand of 'religion' that the Republican party seems to think there is freedom of is absolutely antithetical to anything we would recognize as democracy.

Republicans seem to treat democracy as means to an end, after all have been evangelized there isn't much need for it.

So for that reason amongst many others, I have voted Democratic since 96. I voted for Perot in 92 hoping to avoid both parties, and we know how that turned out. Since that time, I am happy in the Democratic party, but seeking guidance/company during those times I have been held up by a religious zealot as a threat to mankind for my lack of adherence to any religious dogma.

I am a democrat, and an atheist. Can we talk?