The subject of considerable outrage in the Colorado House this morning is the request by an as-yet unknown Republican House member for former Rep. Gordon “Dr. Chaps” Klingenschmitt of Colorado Springs to deliver the morning prayer ahead of the day’s floor work:
At the request of a GOP lawmaker, the House prayer this morning is being offered by “Dr. Chaps” — who once (jokingly) said now-Gov. Jared Polis, who is gay and Jewish, wanted to “join ISIS in beheading Christians.”https://t.co/2h7GPzTuYa#copolitics #coleg #cogov
— John Frank ☀️ (@ByJohnFrank) April 5, 2019
That’s just the tip of the iceberg of the issues with Rep.-cum-Rev. Klingenschmitt, who gained nationwide infamy ahead of and during his single term in the Colorado House of Representatives for his virulently anti-LGBT remarks both in his official capacity as well as on his Youtube “video ministry” taped programs. Klingenschmitt once claimed that a grisly attack on a pregnant woman in Longmont was “a curse of God upon America” for allowing abortion. He said that LGBT people “want to rule you” and that that gay Scoutmasters should prefer to be “drowned in the sea” than face God’s wrath.
At a moment when Republicans are facing hard questions about the avowedly hateful people working to recall Gov. Jared Polis and more recently Rep. Rochelle Galindo of Greeley–notably House Minority Leader Patrick Neville’s alliance with Pastor Steve Grant, who has vowed to recall what he called his “homosexual pervert” representative–bringing in a figure as uniquely polarizing as “Dr. Chaps” to stare down the House in his clergy robes and expect to be joined in prayer cannot possibly be an accident.
This was a very intentional provocation. The ugly message was loud and clear.
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Wasn't there any way that the Democratic majority could have vetoed having him lead the Morning Prayer?
Let him yammer, but turn your backs.
Actually, Gertie, it is NEVER a good idea to turn your back on Klingsmith. There is a REASON he's so obsessed with gays.
And not in a good way.
Oh Klingonshit. Another phony pastor.
Just for fun?
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Doesn't it make you long for the days when being left-handed was the real problem?
Is that why Pols called him "Rep.-cum-Rev." K.?
Klingenschmidt obviously knows nothing about quality public speaking, as evidenced by the picture.
You put the clock at the back of the room where only the speaker can see it. Putting it in front leads to people thinking "how much more of this b.s. can I take?"
In fairness to Chaps, I think he has to give the invocation from the speaker's desk.
It would have been a better show if he delivered it in tongues.
^^this^^
Don't expect much from the CO GOP, and you won't be disappointed. Just like with the national party, there is no bottom and the cruelty is the message.
Here in rural western Colorado, in a small oil and gas town, it is difficult to surround yourself with free thinking, educated, compassionate people. They are around but keep a low profile. This is a heavily Republican area.
The cruelty is born of ignorance and fear. Many people in our/my socioeconomic circumstances are of the un-curious variety. They hear enough in 10 minutes to validate their prejudices…then they don't pay any further attention. They are desperate to justify their selfishness and bigotry.
They seek their validation by public chest thumping designed to bait any unsuspecting liberal into a string of vituperation and possibly some sort of violence. They will never admit they are wrong.
You sort of have to keep a low profile. Out here, a "Coexist" bumper sticker earns you a broken tail light in a parking lot, and they'll consider it "Doing God's work".
Yet a statewide majority for a liberal candidate or issue still depends on the gallant and enlightened rural voters like Duke,Gertie, Bowman, MJ, Curmy and so many more. Be of good heart, for help is on the way!
Next move in the Holy Wars:
Invite an imam in to give a blessing with the Q'uran.
Then a rabbi cantor can pray over the proceedings.
A buddhist priest with a prayer bowl.
A new age healer can have people center, breathe, and imagine themselves to be a tree.
Hell, I'd even come in and sage the place to drive out the evil spirits and call the four directions.
It's all "freedom of religion", right, fellas?
And witches and warlocks!
How about an athiest . . .
. . . “Why can’t we all just get along (with getting a little of the peoples’ business accomplished here today)?”
”Amen, . . . or something”
Sure….swear on the Colorado Constitution, or something. Remind people of their oaths of office.
Wouldn't the atheist want to offer appropriate guidance towards ethical humanism?
That may be considered by some an attack on at least a few in the chamber, I admit …
A little education, Gertie: The word warlock means "oath-breaker" It was a crime in Puritan England in which a professed Christian was found consorting with pagans.
Thanks, Cookie. I can dig pagans.
But MJ, If you chase off all the evil spirits, won't the Republicans (already in the minority) be down by another half?
You're right, cook. They're down by at least one half evil spirit since Grantham's mustache was term-limited out of the chamber.
Gordon K is running for Colorado Springs City Council At Large. So is former Secretary of State Wayne Williams, and ~ five other people. It could be some tasty red on red action there.
Speaking of red on red, what the hell is going on with Chaps' outfit? He isn't a pastor of any real church. He has an online "ministry", which mainly functions as a way to get people to hate gays, Muslims, and immigrants, while sucking up the savings of gullible elderly people. Chaps is a millionaire. So I guess he had enough money to order the gaudy Vestments Du Jour.
If I read the results right, he did not win, being fourth on a "pick up to three" ballot. Wayne Williams was #1, Bill Murray was #2, and Tom Strand was #3.
Thank you, god!?
Thanks for pointing that out, Gorky. I guess Colorado Springs City Council dodged an annointing with the Chapstick.
MJ — are you sure that isn't just Klingenshit's polyester bathrobe?
Looks like he's elevated himself to Cardinal.