I don't know about you, but I'm not interested in having a Socratic dialogue with strangers about my family's spiritual beliefs, be they atheist or Zoroastrian. Ain't nobody's business but my own. Seen through the generous lens of my bi-focals, the ice cream girls were being kind-hearted and friendly. Seen though my less-generous lens, these girls - children themselves - were trying to chum new recruits into their church. And what do new recruits bring to church? In addition to energy and enthusiasm, they bring $5 and $10 bills for the collection basket. Some of that money may go to further the church's good work, and some of it may go to reupholster the pastor's Porsche. If you don't believe me, ask a few of Jim Bakker's, or Jimmy Swaggart's, or Ted Haggard's former congregants. The world is full of hustlers, with magazine salesmen at my door, credit card come-ons in the mail and robocalls on my phone. Fairly or not, I lump evangelicals in with other worldly annoyances/William Brock, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.

• Treasure Valley blogs; and: Daily politics briefs/Treasured Valley
• Closed primaries maybe/Randy Stapilus
• "Suborned in the USA"/Clayton Cramer
• To hell with skepticism/F-Words
• Reaction to Obama's speech/IdaBlue

Question: Do you get annoyed when someone tries to share their faith with you?