The mustache says “I’m reasonable.” Everything else says he isn’t.
When I came back from Egypt to Oklahoma and American politics, I was disappointed to find similar political currents in the two countries.
Just like advocates of the Muslim Brotherhood, there are some people in the states who would love to see the ascendance of religion in government. And I’m not talking about Muslim extremists plotting a White House takeover.
Rather, I’m talking about a bunch of rather special conservatives who are doing their darndest to take American politics back a few hundred years.
Take Paul Blair, for example. This is a man from Edmond, OK, a pastor at a local church, who has decided that he wants to run for Senate in order to keep the government from getting any bigger (or better), and defend “traditional, Biblical values and our constitution.”
His biggest selling points are his mustache and his exclusively conservative voting record, if that tells you anything about the environment here. And despite how much I attempt to ignore politics, I have heard about this man and seen his ridiculous mustachioed political advertising, which means he has a crap ton of money to campaign with. Plumber Joe, don’t believe Blair when he says he’s just like you.
One of the things that pisses me off the most about Mr. Paul Blair’s campaign is his logo, which is really dumb. Take a look at it here. It’s an American flag topped with a tiny cross.
I’m sure what Blair meant to convey with this truly horrendous act of campaignage was that he’s going to haul his Christian morals to Capital Hill so they remain in our government where they belong.
What I understand from the flag/cross hybrid is quite different. I understand that Mr. Blair either knows very little about American history and government or is willing to bait voters with dangerous religious rhetoric. I understand that Blair does not respect the division between church and state and would prefer the two again become one. In this way, we can re-create ourselves in the image of great nations like Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Egypt, where religion is an integral part of state identity.
I understand that just like supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, Blair believes that the government should have a central role in regulating morality, especially through legislation based on a holy document.
Between me and Blair, I believe I am the only one that has lived in an extremely conservative society with a poorly functioning government. (Just to clarify, I’m talking about Egypt here.) There were aspects of Egypt that I liked, but for the most part, I don’t want to see America becoming like it politically in any way, shape, or form. Pluralistic societies are awesome.
So, Mr. Blair, please put down your American cross bayonet before you march into office and start any more ridiculous wars or legislation, and think about the fact that many Christians would be disgusted to see you using a symbol of their religion in order to promote your campaign. While you’re at it, consider how scary it is for many people to see that you are a “Patriot Pastor,” part of an organization called “Reclaiming America for Christ.” Yikes.
Snotting black 
Life and Health
If someone tries to tell how the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Health Care Act (aka: Obamacare), is going to effect the economy, small or large businesses, poor or rich people…Don’t believe them! It does not matter is that person is the most scholarly economic professor or a lawyer, doctor, fortune teller, or successful bookmaker… all sides; left, right and center are wrong.
NO ONE CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE.
However, we can all work toward a common “united” goal. The U.S. economy is a fluid creature that has the ability to reshape and form itself to fit whatever the mold. There are good and bad sides to every equation and Americans have proved time and time again that they are quite adaptable. You’ve got to (as Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen apply put to music), accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, don’t mess with Mister In-Between.
Amen!! Amen!!! And Amen ten times again!!! But… Amen for what you’re preaching, and NOT for the distorted and toxic message of Paul Blair, and all who think(?) like him!
Thinking doesn’t often have much to do with his messages. Images that cause powerful and immediate emotional reactions make the best propaganda.
You are correct about the absence of reasonable thinking and the nature of the propaganda, and how well I know… I’ve been fighting against the Paul Blair types and all their allies for almost 40 years now, and to be honest, the battle is not going well these days.
But I and others with me, will never stop fighting, and I really appreciate your message in this post, because we need all the help we can get, and thanks for putting this out there.
Not really into politics either.
Hear Hear. My political interest stops at Jon Stewart, or right after him I guess.
In my country, there is no one to follow or no party to follow, all say`s the same crap and bla, bla, bla…. Bull Shit. So no, i will only get a heart attack if i really should get into politics.
His wife looks like a good honest babe though!!!
Which is all that really counts! He really made a big deal of the fact he was a father in his campaign…because voting should be based on reproductive ability
Now,,,,That is a joke,,,,,Isn’t it ???
I just knew he had to be Baptist and I can say that because I was raised one.People like him and there are bunches of the contemptible bastards out there,feed off the fear they generate.Makes the masses do dumb things. There are a lot of people in the U.S.of A. and around the world that are just plain scared stupid as of this date…..
Totally agree on separation of state and religion. But unfortunately, these idiots find a lot of support somehow. Shame on them!
And shame on the people who support them. The thing is, even people who think they know “better” don’t want to talk to them to try to get them to change their mind.
They’ve all just decided to wipe their asses with the First Amendment, haven’t they? Someone should really point that out to them.
I read one recently who had it clearly pointed out to him. His reply was that it was a MISTAKEN belief, which he intended to CORRECT. My mind is made up! Don’t confuse me with the facts.
But I forgot to mention that what you feel most to be true probably is true.
Despite being “constitutionalist” a term that I equate with “Islamist”—the infallibility of a doctrine? That’s right.
The Right isn’t crazy, they’re screaming, uninformed, running with the shithouse rats, batshit nuts. The kind of people our Victorian forebears would have locked up in an attic room and never spoken of. The scary part is, some reasonable folks think they’re a good choice because the current POTUS didn’t wave a magic wand and make everything nice, like back in the fifties.
I’m surprised they haven’t started saying that our problems would go away if women weren’t allowed to wear pants anymore.
I’m sorry but that tache is screaming “issues” . . . . great post!
Haha thanks. Mustaches are always a risky choice, and in this case it’s definitely a poor one.
I read your blog for its humorous wit, but when you get serious you hit the proverbial nail right squarely on the head. Government and politicians should “morally” govern …not govern “Morality.” Further more, one does not need to believe in a religion in order to lead a moral life.
Thanks! I agree, and especially in a pluralistic society such as America it’s ill-advised to base our system of government off of one religion and one interpretation of “moral.”
Big fat LIKE on this post. Thank God-ness that MOST Americans were not created in Paul’s image, a hearty narcissist who want his rise to power cloaked by The Good Book.
If they actually followed Jesus’ model of politics, they would end up dead. His way is much easier.
It’s amazing to see people like this. Their beliefs tell them that the only time when Church and State can be combined is after the Second Coming. (I believe this too). But, if you believe this why are you, a weird-o HUMAN BEING, trying to do what you say only Christ can do?
The inconsistencies in his being are too many to count.
Eeeeuuuuuuu! Look at his eyes! I am a visual person and they scare me. He should be required to listen to ALL of Christopher Hitchens essays and Debates on religions before he is allowed out in public!
He should also probably consider a new facial hairstyle.