The preacher and Johnnie Byrd, sittin in a tree. G.r i n n i n g... manger

[madfloridian]

The lawyer for the manger scene church in Polk County is none other than former Speaker of the House for Florida, Johnnie Byrd, himself. Sittin and grinnin at how they managed the whole manger affair. Still think this is being mean to Christians? Think this whole thing was not planned well in advance.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041223/NEWS/412230359/1039

Allowing the manger to remain prompted Richard Blank, a retired lawyer from Winter Haven, to head to Tampa seeking injunctive relief from a federal judge.

However, Blank said late Wednesday afternoon that he did not have enough time to make revisions to documents.

He was informed by the clerk's office in Tampa that even if he did get the paperwork in order, there was only a slim chance the case would be heard because the courts are closed Friday.

"Really, they (commissioners) cut it down to what they wanted to do in the first place, which was leave it there," Blank said. "I think it was fairly calculated . . . It should have been taken off (the grounds). But they were playing politics -- playing politics with the Christian right."

Yes, Richard, my friend, they were.

See Johnnie Byrd grin? See the preacher grin back? Geez!


From the Lakeland Ledger, December 23, 2004. Not in the online edition.

[madfloridian]

1. Kick for Johnnie Byrd's cute grin.

:kick:

[madfloridian]

2. Night kick for mixing politics and religion.

:kick:

[magellan]

3. There's only one thing worse than a religious bigot

...and that's a religious bigot with friends in government.