After getting thrown out of the Supreme Court on a technicality, Michael Newdow is back and appears headed for another showdown in a SCOTUS whose makeup is anyone's guess.

On the one hand, this is a lovely distraction from issues of actual importance. On the other, it's a handy bellwether for the appetite of the nation for theocracy. Expect the usual "Christian nation" suspects to come out in full throat, even more so since their favorite President currently enjoys dismal poll numbers. A substantial number of Americans sincerely want Biblical rule, and we'll likely hear from most of them on this issue.

For students of irony, however, the prospect of right-wing Christian dominionists rushing to the defense of a loyalty oath originally written by a socialist is always a cheerful sight. Plus, there's sure to be much waxing nostalgic for the non-existent good old days when everyone in America was a fundamentalist, when in fact "under God" has only been in the Pledge since 1954.

This may be the case that launches a thousand attack ads in 2006.