Rarely has my passion for EU politics collided with the general insanity of the Pacific Northwest. Thus, I've been eagerly following this unfolding tale (as reported in The Stranger's blog)... a saga of Baltic diplomacy run haywire, of titles bestowed (or not bestowed?), and (of course) of those silly gays. Won't they we ever learn that LATVIA is off limits?
A quick summary:
1. Conservative pastor opposes gay rights from his Puget Sound pulpit.
2. Pastor begins to forge ties with evangelical Christian denominations, both here and abroad (specifically, in Latvia).
3. After several trips to Latvia, claims surface that the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives allowed this pastor to represent the administration.
4. The title: Special Envoy for Adoptions, Family Values, Religious Freedom, and Medical Relief.
5. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives denies this title was bestowed upon the pastor.
6. Local Seattle attorney complains to the F.B.I., since apparently it's a crime to pretend to represent the U.S. government.
7. Local Pastor (and possible Special Envoy for Adoptions, Family Values, Religious Freedom, and Medical Relief) claims he has video proof, and will be able to release it in a few days.
I'm hoping there are more thrills and chills to come. Surf through the story links if you wish, and hopefully a full article will be printed once more details emerge. In today's latest update, Mr. Sanders (the reporter covering this unfolding he-said-she-said spat between the White House and the pastor) began one sentence thus: "If, like me, the whole Hutcherson affair has you suddenly interested in Latvian politics..."
Do I lose points if I was already interested in Latvian politics?
Posted by James at March 21, 2007 07:20 PM