The plumber pontificates

Markwayne Mullin takes on the Constitution

In 2005, Associate Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote, “Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?”

Anyone? Class?

“We’re going to do what we want to do because it’s our schools. It’s our public schools.”

That was Oklahoma’s Second District Congressman Markwayne Mullin, answering a question at an hour-long town-hall teleconference¹ last month. He covered a number of topics, including Israel, about which he proclaimed, “The Bible is very clear that those that stand with Israel will be a blessed country.”

Perhaps, but if you’re traveling to the region, don’t rely on the maps in the back.

I digress.

Things jumped the rails, as mentioned, when Mullin expounded on prayer in public schools, saying he believes young’ens need more than a moment of silence—they need the wisdom of the town elders. A woman from Antlers had called in to comment on “the way they’ve taken prayer out of school and the direction this country is headed with this one-religion ideal.”

He parked that one three rows deep.

“If we want to put prayer back in our schools, our communities have to stand up; the churches have to stand up; the parents have to stand up. They have got to say, ‘No, we want it in our schools,’” he said.

For those scoring at home (and if you’re not, why not?), the plumber-congressman just snaked the Constitution and poured lye over it.

The “one-religion ideal” is only a bad idea if it’s not yours.

“How can we ask our kids to do something we’re not willing to do ourselves? It’s hypocritical,” Mullin said.

Some say ‘hypocritical,’ some say Establishment Clause.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

We know he knows the Second Amendment, but shouldn’t Mullin be familiar with the First, as well? And how a school superintendent, a state employee, say, leading prayers could be a violation?

But what are the chances of that?

Mullin said, in fact, his own children attend a public school where “the superintendent stands up and prays every morning.”

James Madison, line one…ACLU, line two. Somebody, anybody—pick up.

Mullin, let’s not forget, isn’t sure how many branches² of government there are; he dismissed Global Warming because, hey, we’ve always had hot and cold days³; judges SNAP⁴ recipients by how they look in shorts; voted against Hurricane Sandy relief but in favor of federal money for Moore⁵, because in Oklahoma, “We started taking care of ourselves, neighbor taking care of neighbors,” (as if New Yorkers told their neighbors, “Oh, quit bitching! It’s just a little water”); reportedly⁶ couldn’t remember if he endorsed his business in TV and radio commercials after becoming a congressman; and he was awarded stimulus money while decrying the Stimulus⁷ Package.

And—you knew this was coming—Mullin thinks the president’s birth certificate is a forgery⁸, even though he doesn’t “give a shit.”

Okay, maybe he gives a little shit.

“Don’t get me wrong,” he told constituents, “I’m not defending this guy.”

It’s one thing to be incurious and contemptuous, but Mullin just took the gold. First, Congressman, he’s not “this guy.” He’s the president of the United States. Show some respect for the office and the majority of Americans who voted for him…twice.

Secondly,  surely you don’t believe we should proselytize in public schools?

“Prayer is the root of this country,” he said in the teleconference.

The Constitution is not the Shroud of Turin. Mullin could examine the Constitution with radiocarbon dating and six plumbers candles and he still wouldn’t find a mention of God.

“The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”

That’s not Rachael Maddow, by the way. That’s George Washington.

There’s a great story about a woman who approached Benjamin Franklin after the initial draft of the Constitution was completed and asked what type of government had been created.

“A republic, madam,” he replied, “if you can keep it.”

It’s not looking good.

1 tulsaworld.com: “Markwayne Mullin calls for school-led prayer, support for Israel during telephone town hall”
2 msnbc.com: “These are the people who are running the country”
3 youtube.com “Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) denies existance of manmade climate change”
4 politicsusa.com: GOP Congressman Displays Contempt and Ignorance While Blasting Food Stamp Recipients
5 opposingviews.com: Rep Markwayne Mullin defends voting against Hurricane Sandy aid, tornado aid in Oklahoma
6 blogs.rollcall.com: Mullin Facing Ethics Inquiry for Plumbing Business Ties
7 kjrh.com: “Okla. Congressional candidate Markwayne Mullin critical of federal stimulus”
8 freedomoutpost.com: Oklahoma Congressman admits Obama ID is a Fraud, but says “I don’t give a s**t”