There I Go Again

I can't help it. I see things, and I just jump into the fray.

Take, for instance, over at Brett Kittridge's http://majorityinms.com/, I got into it with the comment "Franks the Conservative?" I find this objectionable on a number of issues, but the funniest one is the part where Mr. Franks trots out his (at least) twelve year old line (and back-handed slap at anyone who disagrees with him):

“I didn’t get my values from the national Republican Party or the national
Democratic Party, but from a little rural Church of God on Briar Creek Road in
Mooreville, Mississippi,” said Franks, moving his platform visibly right of
center.

First of all, being pro-life in Mississippi is like being scared for your cornhole in San Fransisco: It's just a good idea, but it's really meaningless, you know? It's like someone in Chicago being pro-corruption, or hating the Yankees in Boston. That alone does not define conservatism. Neither does going with the political flow of banning homosexual marraige (or doing it for a third time, as Mr. Franks apparently wants to). It's like being anti-war at a Democratic debate.

I find it hard to buy him as a bastion of traditional morality; I've heard too many lude jokes and comments come out of the man's mouth to fall for that one. My grandparents are members of the same denomination as Mr. Franks (so were my great-grandparents, and great-...oh, you get it). Three of my cousins are ministers. I can't imagine some of the things I've heard come out of Mr. Franks mouth being said by my grandfather, and he was in the Navy!

Second, I know where the church he goes to is located-I'm from there, remember? He hasn't shown his face in the Church of God in the Mooreville area since he hung his shingle. The church he goes to is located in East Tupelo, and is closer to the Mall at Barnes Crossing than it is to Mooreville. It's about as rural as I am an astronaut. Heck, he doesn't even get the street right-it's on Briar Ridge, not Briar Creek. I hope he pays more attention to the sermons than he does the street signs.

Third, I don't remember there being any part of Church of God theology (and maybe I missed it all those mornings I was in Sunday School; I did play with action figures and color below the pews, though I have shouted "Amen!" when prompted) that encouraged people to sue their neighbors, or not paying for some work on their mansion, or charge for work never finished-or started for that matter. Maybe I missed "cheat thy neighbor" but I doubt it. I also missed "steal thy opponent's campaign signs" too.

He can play the simple poor pious farmboy schtick all he wants; only the simple part is true.