Top 12 in the Whole World!!!

Believe it or not, sometimes Shrimp wonders every now and again if one of our posts occasionally crosses the line from pointed satire to just plain rude meanness. And if truth be told, the close of our most recent post was one of those that, even after putting it up, raised second-thoughts along those lines.

Then a few moments ago, an ELCA pastor forwarded the following that appears to have been sent to every ELCA rostered leader whose e-mail address is included on the roster. Note: all emphases are from the original.

From: "David Swartling, ELCA Secretary"
Date: December 20, 2007 6:03:05 PM CST
To: [Name deleted to protect Shellfish source]
Subject: ELCA in CBS Prime Time Special, Dec. 23

Please feel free to include the following in your announcements on Sunday, December 23:

Tonight the CBS television network will air a two-hour prime time program entitled "In God's Name." This special will feature extraordinary footage of 12 of the world's most influential religious leaders, including our very own Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and president of the Lutheran World Federation.

Tune in at 9:00 p.m. (Eastern and Pacific), 8:00 p.m. (Central) as these diverse and powerful voices offer provocative, compelling and enlightening perspectives on issues in our post-9/11 world, including the rise of terrorism, fanaticism, intolerance and war. For more information go to http://www.elca.org/ingodsname .

Never mind.

(Did Lowell Almen ever send an e-mail like that?) Shrimp out.