Sen. DeMint Accuses Democratic Colleagues of Being Hostile Toward Religion

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Lack of Faith

Republican Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina is accusing his Democratic colleagues of being hostile toward religion. Senators defeated DeMint’s amendment to the economic stimulus bill that would have eliminated language prohibiting colleges from using the funds on buildings used for — as stated in the bill — "sectarian instruction, religious worship or a school or department of divinity."

DeMint says “this is a direct attack on students of faith, and I’m outraged Democrats are using an economic stimulus bill to promote discrimination... this language is so vague, it's not clear if students can even pray in a dorm room renovated with this funding."

Pork Platter?

We told you Wednesday the U.S. Conference of Mayors has put together a wish list of almost 19,000 proposals to receive stimulus funds.

While most proposals are for shovel-ready projects like roads and sewers, some are more controversial and subject to ridicule.

So Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is refusing to release his list. The Chicago Tribune reports Daley is breaking ranks with hundreds of other mayors who are making their requests public.

"We have our list, we've been talking to people. We did not put that out publicly because once you start putting it out publicly, you know, the newspapers, the media is going to be ripping it apart... it's very controversial."

True to His Word?

President Obama has twice violated one of his campaign pledges about transparency. Wednesday he signed into law the State Children's Health and Insurance Program — or SCHIP— three hours after the house approved the bill. Last week he signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act two days after it was approved and that bill was not posted on the White House Web site until after he signed it.

But the Obama campaign Web site states, "As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the white house website for five days."

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor indicated to the Saint Petersburg Times, that the process is still being worked out. “The White House has posted legislation expected to come to the president's desk online for comment. We will be implementing this policy in full soon."

Blind Shot

And finally, a New Hampshire man who blinded himself while playing golf is suing the golf course, claiming the owners are to blame. The Albany Times Union reports 67-year-old Paul Sanchez was playing a round with friends in 2006 when a ball he hit bounced off a yardage marker and struck him in his right eye. His attorney, Barry Scotch, says "before he could even — pardon the expression — blink, he was hit. It just ricocheted right back at him."

The lawsuit says the course's owners should have warned him about the markers, which the lawsuit claims are made of a material too rigid to be safe. Like at many courses, the 150-yard marker was in the middle of the fairway. Adding insult to injury, the Web site for the Candia Woods Golf Links says it is "the friendliest course in New Hampshire."

— FOX News Channel's Zachary Kenworthy contributed to this report.