Pastors Meddling Again

A group of pastors from a couple of different organizations are complaining to the Bush Administration about the potential penalty facing the lady who vocally protested the Chinese president during the welcoming ceremony the other day:

Tomorrow morning, representatives from the Christian Defense Coalition and the National Clergy Council will hold a news conferences at Georgetown University that coincides with a conference on religious freedom and tolerance there.

"We are extremely disappointed that the Bush administration is bringing charges against Dr. Wenyi Wang that may result in her spending six months in federal prison," said the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, in a statement.

"Her crime? Shouting out for President Bush to help stop the killing and religious persecution of Falun Gong. We believe these federal charges are sending a horrible message to the worldwide community concerning America's commitment to protecting religious freedom and liberties.

"It seems extremely hypocritical for the White House to roll out the red carpet for a world leader whose government supports the trampling and crushing of human rights. And, at the same time pursue prison time for a women fighting to end religious persecution and violence. Our message is clear: President Bush, support religious freedom and the First Amendment, and drop all charges against Dr. Wang."

Commented the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council: "With all due respect to President Bush, this incident demands leniency. This is an extraordinary case. Wenyi Wang was persecuted by one of the last totalitarian communist regimes left on Earth. Communist China is an enemy of the United States, and Hu Jintao embodies one of the worst, most abusive and morally bankrupt regimes in the history of the human race. Wenyi Wang had proper press credentials to be where she was. Her only crime was to interrupt Chinese President Hu Jintao, the chief of this illegitimate, murderous, repressive and repugnant government.

"The Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant church leaders of the National Clergy Council appeal to President Bush and federal prosecutors to drop these charges. The president should reinforce the inalienable God-give rights of Wenyi Wang, not accommodate the harsh ego of a cruel dictator."

I'm no fan of the Chi-Coms, but the pastors are punching way over their weight class here. Although our country has freedom of speech and religion, we are also a nation of laws and Mrs. Wang broke one. While I agree with her in principle, if you do the crime you've got to do the time.

I doubt that she'll get the full 6 months, and even if she does, she made her point. I think she'd probably tell you it was worth it. I applaud her for her courage, but cannot let her off just because I agree with her. When we start enforcing the law based on our "feelings", we become a nation of chaos, not law.