By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News June 21, 2005
WASHINGTON - An Indiana congressman accused Democrats of waging a "war on Christianity" on Monday, as a debate over religious tolerance at the U.S. Air Force Academy erupted in shouts and finger- pointing.
Work in the House of Representatives ground to a halt for 30 tense minutes after Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., blasted Democrats for trying to amend a $409 billion defense spending bill with language condemning "coercive and abusive" proselytizing at the academy's Colorado Springs campus.
Academy officials have acknowledged dozens of complaints about incidents of religious intolerance in recent years, prompting investigations by the military and outside groups. Some results are to be released by the Pentagon this week.
Hostettler said the legislation condemning the situation was part of a "long war on Christianity" being waged by "the usual suspects, Democrats."
"Like a moth to a flame, Democrats can't help themselves when it comes to denigrating and demonizing Christians," Hostettler said.
That remark brought Democrats to their feet, pointing and shouting.
Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., who sponsored the amendment, demanded that Hostettler's words be "taken down." That's a rare parliamentary sanction for a breach of decorum.
Had it been approved by a House vote, it would have taken away Hostettler's right to speak for the rest of the day - in effect treating him like a child who is forced to stand silent in the corner.
Republicans huddled around a stoic Hostettler and Democrats rallied around Obey.
At one point, Rep. John "Jack" Murtha, D-Pa., wandered across the aisle, put his imposing, former Marine's frame just behind the seated Hostettler and said that he goes to church as often as Hostettler does.
Pointing into Hostettler's face, Murtha, a Vietnam veteran, kept repeating: "Ever been to combat? Ever been to combat?" Hostettler stayed seated and Murtha walked away, visibly scowling. <SNIP?
-- Michael Pugliese