Harass: To impede by repeated raids. Exhaust, fatigue. To worry continually and chronically. The aftermath of Matthew Shepard's sad death in Wyoming shows that while homosexuals may be targets for a few low-rent thugs, anyone who states God's word accurately is now a target for the media elite. Christians like Gary Bauer who merely repeated what God says repeatedly in Scripture-that homosexuality is a sin, and that sinners need God's life-changing grace-were classified as purveyors of "hate speech."

As winning candidates contemplate the election returns this week, some exude Titanic sentiment: "I'm the king of the world." Losers often feel they're the king of nothing. And yet, the last may be first.

I wrote a column four months ago about corrupt Henry Clay, the 19th century's Bill Clinton, and noted that he came to Christ only after losing his last attempt at the presidency. Some readers have wondered how that happened, and what happened to Clay afterwards.

As our Oct. 10 cover story pointed out, the Clinton impeachment debate has pushed otherwise reluctant conservatives to close ranks behind the GOP. Discontent remains, however, and mention of an Idaho bumper sticker- "Don't Vote: It Only Encourages Them"-still brings laughs and nods.

Recovery time

Over the past generation those who aspire to be intellectuals have often won applause by putting down sports. Sportswriter Robert Lipsyte, formerly of The New York Times, grew tired of his calling and began to equate events like the upcoming World Series with scripted pro wrestling matches or roller derbies. "A baseball game is a staged entertainment, and baseball players are paid performers," he wrote.

Frank Lane, a baseball general manager during the 1950s and 1960s, is a minor legend for the multiple trades he pulled off. In 1960 he masterminded a 1-for-1 swap, the American League home run champion (Rocky Colavito) for the batting champion (Harvey Kuenn). At other times he went for big numbers, with dozens of players changing uniforms. He was said to have three teams: One coming, one going, and one on the field.