Here we go again. He's back. The hypocritical, Bible-thumping bigot has again emerged from the twice-daily published, and doubly tedious "Swank's Swamp," the sadly but badly bruised, if not gangrenous small portion of this otherwise quality web site.

In "Christ Weeps For Infants," (July 30Th), J. Grant "Not-So-Reverend" Swank took yet again another unprovoked swipe at Catholics. Apparently this must be our week, considering on the alternate weeks, he instead blathers on incoherently and contemptuously about Muslims. Guys like Swank are why we Catholics have a "Catholic League," and no, that is not a reference to baseball, just bigots.

Swank stated that more Catholics are now leaning more toward voting for Barack Obama, or as the thespian of theology prefers to call him, B. Hussein Obama," in ignorant hopes of playing to anti-Muslim sentiment while clinging to the false premise that Obama is a Muslim. Swank notes that this sordid migration of some Catholic voters ("some" was my word, for correction purposes) to Obama stands in contrast to the Church's pro-life stance.

I call them like I see them. Swank's right. Much to my chagrin, some Catholics are drifting toward Obama and abortion. Liberalism has infiltrated many urban areas of the northeast and Midwest, and these are strong Catholic areas as well.

I don't dispute what Swank said. I just detest his haughty and hypocritical bias. The truth, when not told in its entirety, is no longer the truth. You see, Swank just can't resist taking pot shots at Catholics - and Muslims - via the front, or in this case, the back door. Yet, he also is grossly remiss in not reporting to you the existence of Christian/Evangelical groups like "Matthew 25" and "Evangelicals 4 Obama," that are also head over heels in love with the media-made Messiah of infanticide. He would rather deceive you into thinking that only Catholics are rejecting their faith for Barack The Baby Butcher. Facts, after all, do tend to be pesky speed bumps for those myopically driving on the road to hatred.

Swank also seems to dismiss the many reports earlier in the campaign year that revealed how liberalism has also infiltrated and turned around many Evangelicals at the voting booth. More Evangelicals are now weighing other issues heavier than the traditional trademark life and family issues. Memo, Swank: the 80's are over with your minions as well. In fact, some Evangelicals and at least one Evangelical leader earlier on were considering swaying support to the very pro-abortion Rudy Giuliani during the Republican primaries. Evangelicals also form a large contingent, if not a majority of the farce known as the Christian Coalition, which early on, favored then candidate George W. Bush in the 2000 race when several other Republican and third party candidates held much stronger, loyal and credible pro-life credentials. But the Evangelicals (or, in all fairness, "some" of them), much like the equally feckless, impotent and unprincipled GOP itself, seem to favor big names and big money over their hypocritical so-called religious agenda and true principle, even in the face of adversity. I was a new member of the Christian Coalition then. I twice wrote to them, asking them to explain their position. They declined to respond both times, apparently too busy counting their "Judas silver." As for me, I terminated my membership.

I don't need my faith or anyone else's to define my morality, and last I heard, the only perfect human being is the one who was crucified and whom we (supposedly) try to emulate in our lives. If Swank was as "Reverend" as he thinks he is, he wouldn't be bashing Catholics, Muslims or any other denomination different from his own as frequently and gratuitously as he does. For that matter, his regurgitated rants under different names stopped making a point (other than venting his anti-Catholic and anti-Muslim vitriol) long ago. The Bible doesn't give you enough cover, Rev, nor does it fool thinking people when you snipe from behind it. You're a bitter, angry old hypocrite, and a coward. What you are not is "reverend." And your veiled (and sometimes not so veiled) joining of others in the all-too trendy Catholic and Muslim bashing flies in the face of what you claim to preach, and in fact, seems more in the pocket of the liberal, secular, Hollywood types whom you supposedly oppose. You're an empty suit without collar. The kind of clergy I have come to know and respect, from any faith, preach love, not hate. Actions not only speak louder than words, they also unmask actors. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I have never seen a wolf in sheep's clothing before; it's just that I have never seen such a creature ever attack with rocks from a glass house before. You are the textbook illustration of why many on the left think anyone that is even remotely religious and/or conservative is a kook. Sadly, many of them see you, and then think we're all that loathing and loony.

We've had this open conversation before haven't we, "Rev"? (Despite the absence of your response. I guess dishing it out is easier than taking it, huh?) Well, keep it up, and we'll do it again, too, (or at least I will), and then again after that if necessary, and so on. Don't go mistaking me for one of those spineless and/or apathetic "cafeteria" Catholics you are probably more used to kicking around and feel more comfortable rubbing elbows with and sneering down at. This Catholic canine bites back. After all, I only have so many cheeks to turn, and just as my Savior knew when to make a whip out of ropes and not at all too gently chase the money changers from His temple, I don't think I'll be giving you any more free lunches to continually defile my faith. You utterly disgust me. I know Catholic-bashing is trendy, Swanky, but I'm not a real trendy kind of guy. I'm not going way any time soon, so get used to me. So when you tap out your keyboard again to spew more of your preachy poisonous pabulum against Catholics on this site, don't be surprised to look up and see me right back in your face again, exposing you in print for the hateful, pathetic phony "Pharisee" that you are. Then again, you could stop writing this anti-Catholic bilge, but obviously you can't, because for some dark, deep, personal reason, you seem to need to write it. Or you might even just get lucky, and maybe I'll die young.

But barring either of those two scenarios, I'll see you soon, "Rev." Make no mistake about it, your free ride with your boot heels on the back of the Catholic Church for your cheap jollies ends today. From here on, you're going to have to earn it.

For those of you who are not Catholic and don't understand, stop reading the vacuous and vitriolic ramblings of "Reverend" Swank and read a famous and historically prophetic poem by a true "Reverend named Martin Niemoller, circa World War II. Then, perhaps, you'll begin to get it.

Doug Wrenn
Magic City Morning Star