Nancy Astor: “If I were your wife, I would put poison in your coffee.”
Sir Winston Churchill: “And if I were your husband, I would drink it.”

Captain’s Quarters (Ed Morrissey) Gray Lady Misrepresents FISA Testimony — “The New York Times has panicked into a serious misrepresentation of the testimony given to the Senate Judiciary Committee by five former FISA judges. Power Line looks at the transcript of the committee hearing and discovers that reporter Eric Lichtblau, who predicated his new book on the supposed illegality of the secret NSA terrorist surveillance program, wrote dishonestly about their appearance in yesterday’s hearing.”

Sister Toldjah TIME magazine publishes hit piece on Rahman and the Christian right — “Since when did Rahman become a “poster boy” for the Christian right? Does the Christian left not support religious freedom or something? Is the Christian left not concerned with the fact that a man was nearly put to death over the “crime” of converting to Christianity in a country where our military (and that of our coaltion) has shed blood and lost lives fighting for things like religious freedom?”

The Jawa Report (Bluto) Cynthia McKinney: Why She Punched That Pesky Cop — “Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) allegedly assaulted an officer of the law earlier today, when he failed to recognize her as she rushed past a metal detector. While members of Congress are not required to go through the Capitol metal detectors, they are supposed to present their credentials. McKinney was in too big a hurry to be bothered complying with one of the people who help ensure her safety.”

Michelle Malkin DOCUMENTS OF THE “UNDOCUMENTED” — “Search Google News for the term “undocumented.” You’ll get thousands of hits like these:” [Great visuals. -- Jim]

Blogs for Bush (Mark Noonan) The Death of the Guest Worker Program? — “While the Senate bill on immigration reform has a provision for allowing illegals currently here to remain (in a sort of modified guest worker program), Senator Frist – testing the waters for a Presidential bid and also understanding of political reality – seems to be backing away from support for anything hinting of amnesty.”

Abdul Rahman has found refuge in Italy.

The Afghan man who faced the death penalty after converting from Islam to Christianity flew to Rome on Wednesday after the Italian government granted him asylum. Abdul Rahman, 41, “is already in Italy. I think he arrived overnight,” Premier Silvio Berlusconi said.

The powers of a man’s mind are directly proportioned to the quantity of coffee he drinks ~ Sir James Mackintosh

Right Wing News (John Hawkins) The Pro-Illegal Immigration Rallies — “Here’s the situation in a nutshell: we have illegal aliens, the businesses that hire them, immigrants whose first loyalty seems to be to Mexico, and the democrats who want to turn the illegals into citizens to get more votes being given preference over a much larger group of law abiding Americans who believe, correctly, that we need to secure our borders and that we should not reward people for breaking our laws.”

The Strata-Sphere (AJ Strata) GMU Class of ‘85 and ‘89! — Final Four bound George Mason Alums AJ and LJ Strata let their school spirit show. “We are so proud of you!”

TMH’s Bacon Bits (The MaryHunter) Islam, the Religion of Peace (Part 3) — “So, it seems that the Afghan Abdul Rahman, the Christian convert from Islam who was to be condemned to death, has been saved from execution. But what does this whole episode, from a budding Muslim democracy (no less), tell us about the Islamic countries for which thousands Christian and Jewish soldiers from America, Great Britain, and the West have risked – or lost – their lives, in order to save said countries from evil Islamofascism?”

Spring break started today, so naturally the kiddies are up earlier than they would be if this were a school day. What’s up with that?

Good news this Sunday morning:

An Afghan court on Sunday dismissed a case against a man who converted from Islam to Christianity because of a lack of evidence and he will be released soon, officials said.

The announcement came as U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai faced mounting foreign pressure to free Abdul Rahman, a move that risked angering Muslim clerics who have called for him to be killed.

An official closely involved with the case told The Associated Press that it had been returned to the prosecutors for more investigation, but that in the meantime, Rahman would be released.

“The court dismissed today the case against Abdul Rahman for a lack of information and a lot of legal gaps in the case,” the official said Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Very good news, but not yet over. As Captain Ed points out,

Earlier today, before the decision was announced, Afghan authorities transferred Rahman to a maximum-security prison where former Taliban soldiers and al-Qaeda terrorists are detained. One can imagine how precarious Rahman’s fate will be when word gets around the yard about his conversion to Christianity — which will probably be obvious five times a day when Rahman doesn’t kneel in the direction of Mecca.

This story still needs to be monitored. The larger question — will Afghanistan truly commit to freedom of religion — still must be answered.

Well, let’s have some coffee and then take a swim. ~ Johnny Weissmuller

Today’s First Cup is all about the Rally in support of Abdul Rahman

Hugh Hewitt (Mary Katherine Ham) A Rally For Abdul Rahman — Her favorite picture is mine as well.

Cam Edwards The Rally for Rahman — “. . . this isn’t a conservative vs. liberal issue, or even a Christian vs. Muslim issue. It’s a human rights issue. And I said if the media ignores the reality of Abdul Rahman being put to death because of his religious beliefs because they’d rather portray this as “Conservatives angry at the President”, then they’re falling down on the job.”

Michelle Malkin WHAT ARE YOU PRAYING FOR? — Pictures and links to many bloggers and news stories. “You will not be surprised to learn that there were no members of Christian Peacemaker Teams there today. Thanks to all who did come to show their support for Abdul Rahman. Keep praying for his life.”

The Shape of Days (Jeff Harrell) At the Afghan embassy — “But for lunch on a Friday on Embassy Row in an inconvenient and hard-to-get-to part of D.C., the turn-out was outstanding, and the message got out.”

The Volokh Conspiracy (Eugene Volokh) It’s Not Islamophobia When There Really Is Something To Fear — “The striking thing about the Abdul Rahman prosecution — in which an Afghanistan court is considering whether to execute Rahman because he converted from Islam to Christianity — is how Establishment the prosecution is.”

Coffee is a beverage that puts one to sleep when not drank. — Alphonse Allais

Wizbang (Kim Priestep) Bush: Use Blogs to Spread the Truth About Iraq — “If the truth about the progress in Iraq isn’t getting onto the MSM, then it needs to be communicated throughout the blogosphere.”

In The Bullpen (Chad Evans) U.S. Officials Concerned Iran and Al Qaida are Cooperating — “The Los Angeles Times reports U.S. intelligence is trying to determine what relationship, if any, there is between the Iranian leadership and the known Al Qaida leaders that reside in the nation. Previous reports indicate there could be up to 25 high-ranking Al Qaida leaders inside Iran that are known to reside inside the nation by the Iranian government.”

TMH’s Bacon Bits (The MaryHunter) Away, GOP Gloom! Spring Is in the Air! — “C’mon Republicans and conservatives! Let’s win — not just for The Gipper, but for America.”

Danny Carlton — alias “Jack Lewis” (Danny Carlton) Adbul Rahman, accused Christian — “The latest news is that the Afghani government may be pretending that Rahman is mentally unfit to stand trial. It sounds, though, as if the entire reason to declare him so is that he adheres to his faith as a Christian.”

PoliPundit (Lorrie Byrd) Hillary’s Immigration Sermon — “Preach on Sister Hillary. Just keep on talking and supplying ammunition to Republicans.”

The story of Abdul Rahman, on trial for his life in Afghanistan, is disturbing to anyone who loves the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. Saturday’s story from Voice of America explains that Rahman is on trial not for becoming a Christian, but for being a “traitor to Islam.” The prosecutor in the case, Abdul Wasi, is seeking a punishment that he says would fit the crime. “Under Islamic law and under the Afghan constitution, he says, the defendant should be executed.”

There are three considerations at play in this case — Societal, Political, and Religious. The three are both intertwined and conflicting.

Looking at the societal aspect I am talking about society as a whole, The Brotherhood of Man if you will. The possibility that Rahman could be executed for his conversion is an abomination to the large portion of the world which believes in religious freedom. True religious freedom, including the right to worship in the way you choose or to not worship at all.

There appears to be a stunned silence from most of the world, a disbelief that someone could loose their life because of the religion they practice. We get rightly outraged at the atrocities committed by radical Islamists, but this event is taking place in court under the umbrella of the laws of a so-called moderate government.

The reaction of much of the world reminds me of own feelings when the shuttle exploded or when the terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center — a conflicting feeling of something so wrong that even the evidence right in front of me could not totally erase the thought that I must be missing something; That something so horrible could not possibly be happening. I believe that a large portion of the world sees this the same way; Something that can’t really be happening in our society.

While the societal aspect is pretty clear cut, the political aspects are more conflicted. On the one hand is the fact that the Afghanistan government is legitimate and has every right to determine their own laws. Our own intervention helped to create the power they now wield.

The United States and all other nations would be offended if Afghanistan attempted to dictate how we should run our affairs. However this does not, and should not, preclude those who see this as an outrageous injustice to speak out against it.

President Bush and Secretary Rice have both made statements saying they are troubled by the implications of this case. Some would argue that being troubled is far to mild, but for the time being I am willing to accept the possibility that additional pressure is being applied behind the scenes. Pressure that puts forward a strong argument against execution and in favor of religious liberty while not undermining the sovereignty of their government.

Finally there is the religious component. Two things strike me in this regard.

First it points out the stark contrast between radical Islam and Christianity. I realize that the Christian religion has it’s own history of atrocities carried out under it’s banner. Not to be glossed over, they are not germane to the current argument.

A highly simplified version of the differences in the two religions can be seen in the way they think about conversion. As a Christian, I see my role in converting others as two pronged. One, to live in such a way as to accurately represent my faith and in doing so to attract others. Secondly, I should be unashamed of my faith and willing to gladly tell others what I believe.

Islam, and the radical elements that control much of it today, follows a violent agenda that seeks to impose their religion on others. All others. The brutality that takes place in the name of Islam is the visible, public face of it’s intolerance. However, the actions of a legitimate government and their court system is, in some ways, scarier than a direct physical assault.

More important than all of this is the life of Abdul Rahman. Via Michelle Malkin come several ideas on how to help.

Write the embassy of Afghanistan:

Ambassador Said T. Jawad
Embassy of Afghanistan
2341 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
info@embassyofafghanistan.org

Contact the State Department:

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Main Switchboard:
202-647-4000

She also point to a rally being organized for Friday 3/24.

Cam Edwards of OnTap e-mailed me yesterday with an excellent idea–a rally for Abdul Rahman outside the Afghan embassy in Washington, D.C. Thanks to the D.C. Freepers, a permit has been submitted to the D.C. police.

[...]

Please join us if you can (and if you can’t, why not organize an event/prayer service/etc. in your own neighborhood?):

Friday March 24
Noon to 1pm
Outside the Afghan Embassy
2341 Wyoming Ave NW.
Washington DC

Our prayers are with Abdul Rahman as this case moves slowly forward. And with those in power who have the ability to make a positive statement about religious freedom and true tolerance.

Linked with the Picnic at basil’s blog and TMH’s Bacon Bits Bacon Break — Under The Radar.

Coffee makes us severe, and grave, and philosophical. Jonathan Swift

Blogs for Bush (Matt Margolis) The Partisan Economy — “According to the Gallup Poll, the only people who are admitting that the economy is in good shape are Republicans.”

Captain’s Quarters (Ed Morrissey) WaPo’s Positive Review — “The Washington Post editorial board gave George Bush a glowing review on his press conference yesterday, showing the extent to which Bush succeeded in the forum he likes the least. The praise comes as a surprise for the normally critical Post, but the clear ease and openness that Bush demonstrated in this last press conference has them asking for more:”

Confederate Yankee Civilization vs. Barbarity — “As Tony Blair’s speech states, we are not in a clash between civilizations, but a clash about civilization. What Blair has not directly stated is that most Muslim countries have precious little civilization, or practice civilized behavior.”

Stan Guthrie The New Rushdie — “Hollywood’s self-congratulators have sprained their shoulders attempting to pat themselves on the back for “courageous” films about homosexuality and rightwing conspiracies in the Middle East. Unfortunately, these same movie moguls have said next to nothing about a true profile in courage who lives in their own backyard: Wafa Sultan, a Los Angeles-area psychiatrist.”

Blogs for Bush (Mark Noonan) Religious Freedom in the Islamic World — “The case of , the Afghan Christian facing execution for his apostasy from Islam, has focused attention on just how Islam views other religions.”

Outside The Beltway (James Joyner) Condi Rice to Pass on NFL Commissioner For Now — “Condoleezza Rice has repeatedly stated that being commissioner of the National Football League is her dream job. There will be a vacancy come July. Unfortunately, she’s a little busy at the moment.”