John Boehner Lights a Spliff for Religious Freedom

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Which way is right? With Chris Ladd

Admittedly, I had assumed that all the umbrage on the far right over the Obama Administration's new insurance regulations was just one more cynical attempt to manufacture a phony culture war issue out of a mundane example of regulatory overreach. However, Boehner's appearance in Washington with Rastafarian leaders shows a level of authentic concern for religious liberty that I've frankly never seen from social conservatives. Perhaps this issue deserves to be taken seriously.

According to the Fox News report:

Speaker Boehner appeared with Rastafarian leaders in Washington to protest the Obama Administration's ongoing War on Religion. In prepared remarks the Speaker explained,

"Today, Republicans stand with faith leaders persecuted by this out of touch Administration. Ordinary Americans are tired of arrogant Washington elites interfering in matters of faith and 'crushing the groove' of religious freedom."

Marijuana use is a crucial element of Rastafarian religious observance. Boehner's remarks highlighted the longstanding US government refusal to grant an exception to marijuana laws for Rastafarian ceremonies. But the Speaker went beyond a mere statement of solidarity.

Stepping back from the podium Speaker Boehner accepted a lit marijuana cigarette from one of the Rastafarian leaders, inhaling deeply at first, then coughing loudly. The men passed the cigarette several times. Capital police gathered at the back of the conference room, but appeared reluctant to intervene in the surprising protest.

Returning to the podium Boehner dropped the papers that contained the rest of his speech. When aides scurried forward to scoop them up he waved them off saying,

"Don't worry about it. It's cool. I got this."

Speaking without the benefit of notes or a teleprompter, Boehner continued his comments,

"Obama is wrong, you know? I mean, these guys…"

and he embraced the religious leaders,

"are so cool. They're just…being spiritual and all. This Administration is a total buzzkill."

There was long pause during which Boehner was overcome with emotion, weeping through a broad smile. He continued, arms still around the Rasta men,

"I feel super connected with these guys …"

he muttered.

"Can you make my hair do that?"

Boehner concluded his remarks with a stirring challenge,

"I call on all American political type guys to like, relax. Leave these dudes alone, you know? People should just…mellow."

At the prompting of an aide nearby on stage Boehner added,

"Oh, and Catholics shouldn't have to buy insurance for the pill or something, and… whatever."

Stepping away from the podium Boehner seemed to be addressing the crowd of reporters when he muttered,

"Do you guys want pizza? I really want pizza right now. Doesn't that sound good?"

Boehner's unconventional protest is raising the ante for Republicans on the campaign trail. Anonymous sources suggest that the Santorum campaign is contracting for a large shipment of tie-dyed sweater-vests.

Ron Paul followed Boehner's lead with an appearance this afternoon at an East Tennessee church where he danced with rattlesnakes. Newt Gingrich held a press conference where, citing a dozen passages from the Old Testament, he claimed a right to tax deductions for his concubines. Reports indicate that the Romney campaign is weighing whether their candidate should demonstrate his commitment to religious liberty by taking two additional wives.

Edited February 10, 2012 by luckytxn

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