House of Pain: Republican State Rep Kicks Photographer, Then Gets Sworn In

In an incident that draws the issues of hypocrisy and the separation of church and state in to sharp relief, Republican representative-elect Douglas Bruce "brought his shoe down hard" on the knee of a photographer who snapped his picture during the traditional morning prayer. Bruce, with his Bible in his hand, refused to apologize, stating:

"If people are going to cause a disruption during a public prayer, they should be called for it. He owes an apology to the House and the public."

Rocky Mountain News Editor John Temple had this to say:

"The House floor is a place where journalists are allowed to operate. It's outrageous for Mr. Bruce in a public place to assault a photographer."

Bruce had delayed his swearing-in until Monday -- a day when the House was not in session -- to avail himself of a loophole in the state term limits and will permit him to serve eight years instead of six. That extra two years will serve him, and Colorado, in fact. He can spend the time learning how to turn the other cheek -- it's one of those things he'll learn about when he cracks open that Bible he carries around. As a gesture of comradery, here's two versions of relevant excerpts to help him find his way, via BibleGateway:

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:38-40 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter)

Luke 6:29
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
Luke 6:28-30 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)

It's nice to know that turning a state legislature into a proxy for a House of worship and opening up state business with a "traditional morning prayer" can bring out such humble qualities in people, not at all like the religious singlemindedness and fervor that Taliban-like regimes are known for. After all, isn't prayer supposed to be shouted from the rooftops, and aren't people supposed to actively recruit others to join them in joyous celebration, to the exclusion of all else?

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[a]

            -- some guy named Jesus¹ allegedly said this...

Yes, I can't imagine why anyone would object to or reject the obviously holy, sanctimonious and wholly hypocritical notion that separating church and state could conceivably lead to the formation of theocratic state or -- to quote a laughable term -- an "American Taliban."

"People place their hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution; they don't put their hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible,"

            -- James Raskin

The integration of Church and State, instead of the separation of Church and State, would make some of the hot-button issues of the day simply go away. Immigration? Bah -- via non-starter.

Leviticus 19:33-34² (New King James Version -- NKJV) ^{Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.} 33 ‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. 34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Ah, but I digress... Perhaps I need to get my mind back on other issues, like impeachment, accountability, pending war crimes tribunals for soon-to-be former executive branch officials, and trying to get this country back on track where the rule of law, the integrity of the Constitution and freedom of (and privacy of) speech matter once more. ____________________________ ^1. via BibleGateway.com. The excerpt provided is from the New King James version, but the link lists several quotes of the same passage from different versions of the Bible, for the discerning and devout who may have a slightly different take on things. Hat-tip to Bane of Monotheism for the link to the relevant excerpts. ^2. via BibleGateway.com. Here's the New International Version:

Leviticus 19:33-34 (New International Version -- NIV) ^{Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society} 33 " 'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.