Obama's Iron Shot Through the Trees.

On the 18th hole, last Sunday, Tiger Woods hit a difficult five-iron to the green, setting up a long, 25-foot putt for a birdie and a win. It was classic Woods. He could have played for par and a tie. He didn't, he shot for the win.

Last night, Barack Obama did likewise. He could have played it safe. He could have laid back, discredited his Pastor, play to the crowd and, in effect, play for a tie. He could have simply said, "in retrospect, I should have left the church." He didn't. He attacked and defended in what was both a rhetorically good speech, and a speech with the ring of integrity.

To not recognize the skillfulness with which he played the hole is to close ones eyes to the truth.

I not only disagree with Senator Obama on political policy, I disagree with his fundamental presuppositions about man, and man's place in the polis. His is a more utopian vision than mine, and his role of government, more paternal. His vision of hope, I believe, is rooted in the politics of envy, ironic as that sounds. You can hear it more in Rev. Wright than you can in Barack Obama, but it is still there.

Those disagreements notwithstanding, I can not but recognize a guy with courage and integrity, that took and made an amazing, rhetorical 25 foot putt. Congratulations.

Wright and Brite -- Bosom Buddies?

So, Barack Obama's pastor is getting an award from Brite Divinity School of TCU. He, they say, links Divine justice and social justice. Hmmmm . . .

I'm not a reactionary type. The Rev. Wright and his ilk are not what America needs to worry about. If their criticism is legitimate it should be considered, if it is not, then who cares what they say. Frankly, I think what bugs most people is not that Reverend Wright makes statements false and misleading, but that it is confrontational and abrasive. He is abrasive.

But you can tell a lot about a school by whom they honor. It says much about Brite Divinity School.

And it ain't good.