Quote of the Day: "The enemies of virtue may be on the march, but they have not won..."

Those were the almost laughable words of disgraced - and indicted - U.S. representative Tom Delay (R-TX), who spoke at something called the "War on Christians" conference this week. Clearly, Delay's very public fall from grace in the House has turned him into a delusional mess, lashing out at phantom "enemies" intent on destroying both him and his Christian faith.

In short, he's just lost all touch with reality.

There are those who would say Tom DeLay lost his job as House majority leader because he was indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges of money laundering and conspiracy, or because of his extensive ties to lawbreaking lobbyist Jack Abramoff. But they would be wrong.

In fact, the Texas Republican fell from power because he is a Christian.

That, at least, is the view of Rick Scarborough, convener of a conference this week called "The War on Christians."

"I believe the most damaging thing that Tom DeLay has done in his life is take his faith seriously into public office, which made him a target for all those who despise the cause of Christ," Scarborough said, introducing DeLay yesterday. When DeLay finished, the host reminded the politician: "God always does his best work right after a crucifixion."

This would seem to be an odd time to declare Christianity under siege. A Christian conservative president has just nominated two Supreme Court justices who take an expansive view of religious rights, and religious conservatives are ascendant in a Republican Party that controls both chambers of Congress.

Sadly, regardless of one's religious views, it is people like these - along with the likes of the Pat Robertsons of the world, of course - who give religion a bad name. They hide their agendas of hate and greed behind a filthy veil of virtue and piousness. Meanwhile, they take advantage of their weak-willed believers, who collectively cough up cash into the millions as they lash out at "enemies" unseen.

Of course, it's all a big political ploy that exploits religion for personal gain. Delay has done it before and he's doing it again. Apparently, the many times he's been cited in the House for ethics violations, along with his recent indictments and the conviction of close associates like Jack Abramoff, have taught Delay nothing. Once a carpetbagger always a carpetbagger, I suppose.

Delay's only true enemy of virtue seems to be staring right back at him from the mirror. Take a good look, Tom. It's not a pretty sight!