An Afghan man named Abdul Rahman is facing the death penalty because he converted to Christianity.
This is his only crime, and it is not excusable that a regime that is supposedly democratic will not protect a man's religious freedom, or that our military is fighting to uphold such a government. All the foreign nations (Italy, Canada, Germany) stationed there are fighting for this man's freedom, and the U.S. must join them. Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the foriegn relations commitee has already released a strong statement condemning this move, and we must urge all other national Democrats to back up the basic civil right of religious freedom, one of the very pillars of liberalism.
I feel terrible pointing the self-interest angle out, as this is truly a disgusting thing that I really feel is right for our party to fight, but here is an issue which religious groups will stand with us on, and not just our usual religious allies like Jim Wallis. It also affirms a principal that is both liberal, patriotic, and American. It will also call attention to other undemocratic and illiberal regimes this administration props up whil epretending to epouse an belief in international democracy.
Most important though, this man has done nothing wrong, and an evil fascist theocracy is about to judge him and murder him simply for thinking something. This should turn the stomachs and boil the blood of every American. You can see the story as the current banner headline on www.cnn.com.