In the instant flashlight of celebrity, the rumors, allegations, and "glamor" surrounding the Palin pick has obscured the most frightening development of the last two weeks.  It is pretty clear, by now, that John McCain has either consciously sold out to the theocrats in his party or, worse still, is not able to keep them under control.  By choosing a rabidly conservative hard-core Christian fundamentalist as his running mate, the table is set for a nightmare scenario in which she ascends to the Presidency.

The talismanic issue here is that of creationism/intelligent design.  I don't for one second believe that the evangelical nuts who seem to be in control of the Republican party actually care for a second about what kids are taught regarding the origins of the cosmos and the human race.  No, rather this issue is a deliberate attack on science in particular, and the primacy of expertise and established fact in general.  The insidious notion that we should teach creationism "alongside" evolution as if both are equally plausible is as disingenuous as it is dangerous.

Yes, Barack is a once-in-a-lifetime inspirational leader.  Yes, he clearly wins on every policy issue.  Yes, the war must end.  Yes, the economy is disastrous; but more important than anything else in this election is the preservation of the separation of church and state.  These lunatics want a theocracy.