In the stratosphere

Condemned by many mainstream theologians and mocked by literary critics, the "Left Behind" series of right-wing Christian novels climaxes today with the 12th and supposedly final volume (though at least one prequel is said to be in the works). Two million copies of "The Glorious Appearing" were ordered by bookstores. Combine that with the proceeds from the Mel Gibson flick, and that's about a billion dollars spent on right-wing Christian crap in two months. Meanwhile, in California and most other states, art, music and even sports programs are being cut so Republicans can brag about "lower taxes."