According to this ridiculous logic, people can't appear in the same place in public with others who don't share their opinions. It's people like you, Jason, who are dividing this country as never before with your twisted rhetoric and uncompromising attitude. How will we ever get out of the mess we're in if we can't sit down at the table with people who we don't agree with. You are really turning into the thought police!

Jeremy - There are thousands of respectable religious leaders who hold conferences every year. I am sure that Senator Lieberman is invited to speak at many of them. The fact that he would choose to align himself with a kook like Hagee is a whole different matter.

By someone of Lieberman's stature going to his conference, it is saying that Hagee is a viable political spokesman.

Why validate his hate? The constitution allows him every oppurtunity to speak, but it doesn't mean we all have to listen, much like people like Obama were free to walk out on Rev. Wright, which Oprah, not Obama, did.

Same thing with David Duke or Pat Buchanan. They had every right to run for office on morally bankrupt platforms cause no rational person could vote for them or give them the time of day.

Or do you support Hagee's rhetoric?

Of course I don't support Hagee's rhetoric! That's the kind of ignorant logic I'm talking about. If I defend someone's right to have an opinion, I agree with them? How is Joe Lieberman attending a conference with Hagee the same as "aligning" himself with him? This is a country of vastly differing opinions. There are always people who we disagree with. There are always people who will hate us simply because of who we are. I'm Jewish: people hate me. I'm Gay: other people hate me. I'm a proud American: some more people hate me...If we don't sit down at the table with people who have hatred in their hearts, it gives them all the more reason to hate us. To me, Lieberman is attempting to assuage the hate, not validate it.

Love the way Fark.com summed this up:

"John Hagee thinks Hitler was sent by God to massacre the Jews, and supports Israel so that it can be destroyed in the rapture and all its residents converted or sent to hell. The "supports Israel" part is enough for Joe Leiberman."

It's the hypocrisy here that is bothersome. Sure, this religious and probably most religious leaders has made disgusting comments, but people like Jason throw their support around the candidate/party they favor and in so doing establish a double-standard. No pastor/religious leader is as insane as Rev. Wright, but the Jason's of the world defend the close association.