LJWorld Reader blogs

Some signs this week that leading lights among religious conservatives like Sen. Sam Brownback's presidential bid.Brownback's [overnight stay in prison last week][1] is the subject of two glowing profiles - one by Marvin Olasky, the other by Chuck Colson.You might know Colson's name already. He was a Nixon Administration official who was jailed for Watergate offenses - where, it seems, he underwent a literal jailhouse conversion, and emerged as a ministerial-political leader. [Olasky is the editor of World magazine][2] - and, not incidentally, is credited with coining the term "compassionate conservatism."With that background out of the way, we look at what they're saying about Brownback.![][3]First Olasky, [who decided to spend the night in the cell next to Brownback.][4] He writes:_Brownback walked by 15 dimly lit cells, saying hello to inmates who paid little attention to him. Two, though, engaged him in conversation.One, Patrick Kennedy, told Brownback, "I hear you're pro-life. I am also. I'm the only one sitting on death row not for murder. I'm here for the rape of a child who's still living. Should the death penalty be for me?" Brownback replied that the "death penalty should be very limited in its use . . . for the Osama bin Ladens. . . . I'll pray for you."A second, who put down Ralph Ellison's novel Invisible Man as Brownback approached, was politically curious: "Do you look beyond the fight against gay marriage?" Brownback replied, "I am pro-life and I do think marriage should be between a man and a woman, but we need to expand our vision." He spoke of his defense of the residents of southern Sudan and Darfur, and his advocacy of effective malarial treatments elsewhere in Africa. The prisoner condemned to die commended him for his help in keeping others alive._But Olasky also suggested that Brownback won't win this contest on charisma, saying that it's "clear that he's not going to receive the Brad Pitt vote."[Colson adds:][5] It's not often that you hear a possible presidential candidate saying, "We don't want to build more prisons in this country," or that we're not addressing the "problems and needs" of prisoners. In fact, I can't recall any presidential candidate ever saying anything like this. (And let me add, I don't endorse political candidates, and I am not doing so now, though I think the world of Brownback.)Knowing Sam as I do, I'm not surprised that he spent a night in prison. He has been a strong supporter of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative launched by Prison Fellowship in his home state and has stayed in those prisons as well. A practicing Roman Catholic, Brownback understands that a Christian worldview isn't bound by the categories that have rendered American politics empty and stale.Other headlines today:Sen. Sam Brownback (R)[(Hutch News) Progress aside, beef biz still faces threats:][6] Plus, agriculture's sheer importance to the nation's economy and food supply has given rise to fear that terrorists might try to exploit safety or security gaps in beef production. "If you look at the importance of that industry and the devilishness of the terrorists to really try to probe for weaknesses in our security, impact our economy and terrorize us, this is one route they might try," said U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, a former Kansas agriculture secretary. Economic repercussions of a biological calamity in the Kansas beef industry would be substantial for the entire nation.Rep. Jerry Moran (R)![][7][(CNSNews.com) Farm-State Lawmaker Talking Trade in Cuba:][8] Rep. Jerry Moran, a farm-state Republican, is heading to Cuba this week to meet with trade officials. His congressional office said Moran may even meet with Raul Castro, the brother of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who is leading the country because of Fidel's declining health. "I have long fought for the opening of trade and easing of the embargo of Cuba," Moran said in a news release. He said the meetings "come at a unique time," as Castro's health deteriorates. "I want to get a better understanding of the political situation in Cuba," explore further opportunities to export U.S. agriculture commodities and work to establish a framework for our countries' relations during this time of transition in Cuba," he said [1]: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,235727,00.html [2]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Olasky [3]: http://www.worldmag.com/images/covers/2006-12-23tn.jpg [4]: http://www.worldmag.com/articles/12530 [5]: http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/ChuckColson/2006/12/14/campaigning_for_non-votes [6]: http://www.hutchnews.com/news/regional/stories/beef121506.shtml [7]: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/97/Moran_Jerry.jpg [8]: http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewFlash.asp?Page=/ThisHour/Archive/NTH20061215a.html