I think the atheists may be winning

Not because they've succeeded in placing what I maintain is a mean-spirited billboard amidst Christmas decorations in the state Capitol, but because people have allowed themselves to be whipped into a frothy state of angry indignation.

As I said in an earlier commentary, I think the sign shows how petty and denigrating some atheists can be, but I also think that the public clamoring to have the sign torn down shows how fragile people are when confronted by something that challenges what they believe.

The "atheists among Christmas" issue has been elevated to new levels by the bombastic Bill O'Reilly, who has mustered his conservative minions into action by urging them to rise up and smite Governor Chris Gregoire with phone calls.

Responding to their master's voice, the mostly Fox TV faithful have been dialing at the rate of about 200 calls an hour, demanding that the atheist sign be scuttled.

The governor says she can't legally do that.

I say that if Christmas can't handle a mean-spirited poke from a Godless grinch or two, then the atheists may be winning.

God bless us, everyone.

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