Pastor Rick Warren, the phenomenon of modern Christianity that projects a sense of reasonableness, is hosting an interview with both Barack Obama and John McCain. This is an exciting time because a presumably reasonable man - thick with faith - is going to challenge Obama and McCain on a variety of issues.

Thefiresidepost.com will be posting with live updates through the evening.

It begins in a moment.

Warren starts with noting the separation of church and state - but not the separation between faith and politics.

Obama will go first on one hour interviews - separate from the other candidate.

The world is in grave trouble, potentially on the brink of World War Three. The hard liners in Russia are giving an ultimatum to America - that means they are giving an ultimatum to the Cowboy in Chief, George W. Bush. CNN is reporting that Russia has demanded that America choose between continued relations with Moscow or support of the country of Georgia.

Do the Russians realize who our President is? Do they understand his capacity for deep thought, for mature action, for valuing the power at his disposal? Worse yet, the Republican candidate for President is playing with emotional appeals to the American people in order to bolster public support.

John McCain is driving a deeper wedge of religious animosity to promote his own version of Cowboy Diplomacy. In a speech this morning on the conflict between Russian and Georgia McCain was quick to note that Georgia is a country that has embraced Christianity.

Does this religious embrace, by itself, justify their defense. No, an McCain does not suggest so. But McCain is using the ‘religion card’ to play on the emotions of the American public. If a Christian chooses to jump into the lion’s den, is it automatically our responsibility to declare war on Rome? Would McCain have mentioned religion if Georgia had embraced Islam?

Does anyone think for a minute that George W.l Bush will ever realize the tragedy of his Presidency? He smiles and cavorts around the world, giving profound speeches while sternly looking into the camera. Does he not realize that everyone in the world is laughing at him?

Barack Obama was received in foreign lands as a celebrity. John McCain is making sure that we are all quite aware of this fact. But McCain does not understand. Obama is not received as a celebrity for his own charisma and intelligence - the world is hoping for something other than George Bush. McCain does not offer the promise of anything different.