My credentials: White, agnostic, admirer of Obama, sometimes admirer of Hitchens. Not this time.

I carefully toured the Web site of Obama's church, and do not recognize what Hitchens sneered at. For just ONE thing, the church offers 60 different "ministries" -- everything from senior citizens to AIDS victims to children's and disabled services. That's a lot more than most white mainstream churches offer.

Hitchens sneers at the pastor and claims that the church sells "creationist listerature"). I looked but didn't find.

This was unfortunately a wildly misplaced "Swiftboating" of a young, viable candidate who could cleanse the Augean stables that will have been left by the Bush Jesus-freak team. What's wrong with having a white mother?

And yet, it IS important that we elect someone other than white males to the Presidency. Enough already!!!