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In related news, Newsweek International reports that gospel music is huge among the Japanese. Now where was original reporting like this when the U.S. version of the magazine did its Christian music cover story?

Gay D.C. councilman threatened Salvation Army
Remember back when the media was all in an uproar about a reported deal that the Salvation Army had struck with the White House? (If not, a reminder: it pledged to support the faith-based initiative so long as there were guarantees it wouldn't be told who it had to hire.) Well, apparently the media didn't report everything. At a "Redefining the Gay Agenda" panel for the Liberty Education Forum, District of Colombia councilman David Catania explained how he bullied the local office:

I had an opportunity to talk to a senior person in the Salvation Army's head of command center and I wasn't—for those of you who know me in the district, I was on a kind of hypoglycemic high which is I was very moody at this point. And, so, I said—and I really have the worst foulest mouth. And I said to the [Colonel], I said, "You know I read in the paper that my local folks aren't doing this, but I hear you're attempting to do this. Well, well,"—I said, "Let me just break it down for you." I said, "This faggot controls federal grants in the district as well as local and you'll never see another cent as long as you live. I'll subpoena every one of you mother-[expletive]s and I'll bring you down and I'll turn my chamber into a national circus. Do we understand each other?" "Yes, Councilman." "I want a letter within the hour denouncing that you have any intentions of discriminating against gays and lesbians." "Yes, Councilman." And that's the importance of being at the table. [Laughter and applause] Rarely will that hit the papers. Sometimes it does.

Liberty Education Forum president responded, "It will now." It hasn't yet, but it has been picked up by the Culture and Family Institute, which was founded by Concerned Women for America. Asked to reply, Salvation Army Major George Hood told the CFI, "We just have to turn the other cheek and be who we are."

Sudan:

• Danforth named as envoy to Sudan | Ex-Senator will seek peace pact in civil war (The Washington Post)
• Sudan plan launched as Danforth challenge | Bush names ex-senator to head peace initiative. Both, however, have no illusions about a quick end to the African nation's long civil war. (Los Angeles Times)
• Earlier: White House to launch Sudan peace initiative | Ex-Sen. John Danforth is expected to be named point man. U.S. is also planning an aid program of at least $25 million. (Los Angeles Times)
• Sudan bishops accuse oil companies of fueling war | Companies "complicit" by accepting money, protection (Reuters)

Christianity in England:

• Report says archbishop of Canterbury needs help | Review team urges Carey to delegate much of his present work (Associated Press)
• Also: Archbishop should 'concentrate on international role' (The Daily Telegraph)
• Also: 'Papal' role for leader of Anglican Church (The Times)
• Not quite vanquished | Although the social neglect of Christianity may not be exactly welcome, it does present Christians in Britain with an opportunity to get themselves started again without the props of society. (Editorial, The Daily Telegraph)

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September (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45