It is troubling that the growing theocracy in this country and connections between church and state has increased in me a distrust of religion - and thus religious people - when the fact is that there are many good religious people and most religions are built upon good ideals such as peace, justice and harmony with each other and with nature. I was delighted to be reminded of this when a friend pointed me to an audiocast by Father John Rausch, Glenmary priest and missionary, coordinator for peace and justice for the diocese of Lexington, Kentucky and Director of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia. Please listen and perhaps look at some of the associated links:

• ProvokeRadio Archives or
  http://76.12.87.139/shows/Provoke_68_Appalachia_WEB.mp3 (direct link)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountaintop_removal_mining
• http://www.appalachian-center.org/

Peace,
=Fen