Phil Robertson opens NASCAR race with prayer to his god to put a "Jesus man" in the White House. Because you know, who needs those silly elections?

Courtesy of The Friendly Atheist:  

We got here via bibles and guns. I’m fixed to pray to the one who made that possible. Father, thank you for founding our nation. I pray, Father, that we don’t forget who brought us — You. Our faith in the blood of Jesus and his resurrection. 

Help us, Father, to get back to that. Help us, Dear God, understand that the men and women on my right are the U.S. military. On my right, and on my left, our faith in you and the U.S. military is the reason we’re still here. 

I pray, Father, we put a Jesus man in the White House. 

Help us do that, and help us all to repent, to do what’s right to love you more and to love each other. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

So, just reading between the lines here, Robertson wants his god to overrule the will of the people who are showing up to the polls to choose our next leader and simply "put a Jesus man in the White House?" Did I get that right?

I also assume that since he only wants a "man" that Hillary Clinton is a non-starter, and the definition "Jesus man," whatever that is, certainly seems to exclude the Jewish Bernie Sanders as well.

I don't know why he's even trying to be coy since he is already on record as endorsing the super icky Ted Cruz.  Which works out perfectly because according to Cruz's pappy he was chosen by God to win the presidency anyhow.

You know I predict that by the time we get to the 2028 election cycle that there will be so few of these religious zealots left that their opinions, and religious bullshit, will virtually have NO impact on the way anybody votes anymore.

And I can hardly wait for that day to arrive.

I better start taking my vitamins so that I don't miss it.

When your flag is too racist for Alabama and NASCAR, you know it's pretty damn racist.

Courtesy the HuffPo:  

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) ordered the removal of four Confederate-era flags from the grounds of the state Capitol Wednesday morning, saying it was simply "the right thing to do." 

The flags were part of a confederate memorial at the Capitol in Montgomery. Two state workers came out Wednesday morning and "with no fanfare quickly and quietly" took down the first of the four, the battle flag, according to AL.com. 

About 90 minutes later, workers came out and removed the three other Confederate flags that were part of the memorial.

I know right?

But if you think that is amazing, and it is amazing, get a load of this:  

"As we continue to mourn the tragic loss of life last week in Charleston, we join our nation's embrace of those impacted. NASCAR supports the position that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley took on the Confederate Flag on Monday. As our industry works collectively to ensure that all fans are welcome at our races, NASCAR will continue our long-standing policy to disallow the use of the Confederate Flag symbol in any official NASCAR capacity. While NASCAR recognizes that freedom of expression is an inherent right of all citizens, we will continue to strive for an inclusive environment at our events." 

That is an official statement from NASCAR. Freaking NASCAR!

And that is after South Carolina's Governor Haley called for the flag's removal, Wal-Mart removed them from store shelves, and Mississippi lawmakers started the process to have it taken off of their state flag.

I swear it's like black is white, and up is down.

But you know in a good way.

Even freaking NASCAR comes out against Indiana's anti-gay law. Update!

Courtesy of Deadspin:  

Here is the statement from NASCAR: 

"NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race."

I'm sorry but if you are a Republican politician in a red state and you lose support from NASCAR you might as well call it a day.  Because you are toast!

However rather than learn from Indiana's mistake, yesterday the Arkansas Legislature have stumbled into the exact same briar patch:

Arkansas passed a religious freedom bill on Tuesday that is similar to an Indiana law that has faced national backlash for legalizing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. 

The bill cleared the Arkansas Legislature and now heads to the governor's desk, where it is expected to be signed.

Damn these people are slow to learn!

Update: I may have to take that last line back. Apparently the Governor of Arkansas has refused to sign the bill.

Man shoots himself in the head during first ever NRA sponsored NASCAR race.

Courtesy of Talking Points Memo: 

A medical examiner says a man who died in the infield during a NASCAR’s NRA 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway shot himself in the head. The event was the first NRA-branded race in NASCAR’s premier series. 

The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office on Sunday said the death of 42-year-old Kirk Franklin of Saginaw was a suicide. 

Fort Worth police have said a man who was camping in the infield died of a “self-inflicted injury” after getting into an argument with other campers. The incident happened late in the Sprint Cup race.

The great American lobby, meets the Great American sport, and ends with the great American tragedy.

Not really much more to add is there?

There really are two Americas and I will never, and I mean NEVER, relate to this one!

But I do have to say that there are several members of my family who would feel right at home listening to that prayer and watching those cars drive around, and around, and around, and around, and....well you get the idea.