For the first time ever yesterday, a sitting member of the United States Congress recognized the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Reason, celebrated by millions of Americans as a more inclusive alternative to the congressionally mandated National Day of Prayer

I don’t rejoice at Osama bin Laden’s death, but I’m relieved he is dead. He can no longer mastermind or inspire the deaths of others. However, I cringe when I see people waving American flags as they cheer and shout "USA! USA!" War is a last resort, not an Olympic sport.

Rachel Maddow, the popular MSNBC news anchor who is openly gay, caused a stir this week when she said that closeted gay anchors "have a responsibility to come out." The statement renewed an old debate about whether coming out is a right or a responsibility.

It only seems fitting for a tradition that has outlived its usefulness (if ever useful) to take place within another tradition that has outlived its usefulness (if ever useful). Kings, queens, and princes aren’t what they used to be.