On Saturday, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) doubled down on remarks she made at Friday’s town hall meeting in Parkersburg when questioned about cuts to Medicaid in the House-passed reconciliation bill. In response to an attendee interrupting her defense of the legislation, shouting “People will die,” Ernst told the audience, “We are all going to die.”  The following day, an Instagram post, which the Des Moines Register described as a “sarcastic apology,” included the following.

Hello everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall.  I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth.  So I apologize. And I’m really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.

But Ernst went one step further, closing her tone-deaf declaration of contrition by adding:

But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Which is why an article by New York Times reporter Lauren Jackson seemed to be a counterpoint to Ernst’s diatribe.  What may be the best lede in the history of religious journalism, Jackson wrote:

Some Mormon women are obsessed with something illicit. They’re phoning friends, calling in favors and paying for international shipping to get it: a sacred tank top.

If you were not drawn to this story by the headline, “The Secret Garment That Has Mormon Women Buzzing,” Jackson’s opening had to solidify your curiosity.  To accommodate members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) who happen to live in warmer climates, the Church approved modifications to the Temple Garments, sometimes referred to as “magic underwear” which followers wear to remind themselves of their obligation to follow the teachings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

As a self-described devout agnostic, I believe that everyone has the right to worship however they desire, even when the foundations and practices of their faith seem less than rational.  So you can imagine one of my favorite Broadway musicals is “The Book of Mormon.”  However, the above news reports made me reevaluate my perspective.

Let’s start with Senator Ernst.  She is only the latest example of the flaming hypocrisy exhibited by the MAGA-dominated evangelical Christian movement.  Despite her oath to “defend and protect” the U.S. Constitution and her membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), she violates the essential tenets of both.  Despite claiming “religious freedom is a pillar of our nation, a value worth fighting for, and a right our constitution guarantees (March 28, 2023 press release),” she has no problem using her bully-pulpit as a U.S. Senator to promote Christianity as the only path to salvation.  Not to mention, her support of the Trump agenda is a direct infringement of ELCA’s stated “commitment to social justice issues, such as advocating for human rights, promoting peace, and caring for the poor and marginalized (my emphasis).”

Ernst is not alone when it comes to MAGA hypocrites wearing their religion on their sleeves or in the case of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, around her neck.  Somehow, Leavitt failed to appreciate the irony of violating the commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” when she told the American people the non-existent medical studies cited in the Make America Healthy Again report were “formatting errors.”  Of course, as she always does, Leavitt’s accessorizing included a gold cross necklace to remind us what a devout Christian she pretends to be.

But my favorite symbol of recent MAGA hypocrisy was final passage of Senate Bill 10 by the Texas Senate on May 24, 2025.  This legislation amends the state education code, requiring that “…a public elementary or secondary school shall display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments.”  Clearly, the 21 Republican senators who carried the day did not bother to read the text of the commandments, especially the fifth commandment as quoted in Senate Bill 10, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”  Otherwise, they might have chosen another day to come to work and vote on the legislation since May 24, 2025 was a SUNDAY!

Which brings me back to the LDS Church and the Times story about the availability of sleeveless tank tops for women.  Jackson used the occasion to educate her readers about the spiritual importance of Temple garments.

The garments are an integral part of the faith. They are worn by most faithful adult members as a reminder of covenants they make with God in the church’s temples. Many members also believe they provide spiritual protection.

But it was the first sentence in the next paragraph that really caught my attention.  “The garments aren’t supposed to be seen in public.”  In other words, their sole purpose is to remind the wearer of his/her fealty to the teachings and traditions of the church.  There is no public message.  No “See what a devout Mormon I am.”  No “don’t you realize you will end up in ‘spirit prison’ (the Mormon alternative to hell for the disobedient) if you do not jump on the LDS bandwagon.”

How refreshing.  Instead of wearing one’s faith on their sleeves, Mormons have decided they do not even need a sleeve.  Of course, Mormon’s have other methods of populating their ranks.  Pairs of young missionaries on bicycles and the truly surreal practice of “proxy baptism,” a ritual by which a member of the church is baptized on behalf of a deceased non-Mormon.  This explains why the Mormon Church maintains the largest collection of family records in the world.

The level of bizarreness associated with proxy baptism increases with the caveat, according to Wikipedia, “The Church teaches that those who have died may choose to accept or reject the baptisms done on their behalf.”  Exactly how does that happen?  Is there an “OPT OUT” button at the gates of heaven?

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

Much is being made about the difference in Easter messaging from President Joe Biden and presumptive MAGA nominee* Donald Trump.  The official statement from the White House reads as follows.

Jill and I send our warmest wishes to Christians around the world celebrating Easter Sunday. Easter reminds us of the power of hope and the promise of Christ’s Resurrection.

As we gather with loved ones, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice. We pray for one another and cherish the blessing of the dawn of new possibilities. And with wars and conflict taking a toll on innocent lives around the world, we renew our commitment to work for peace, security, and dignity for all people.

From our family to yours, happy Easter and may God bless you.

Biden added a more personal statement on Twitter.

To all those gathering in churches and homes around the world today: Happy Easter.

May God bless and keep you.

Trump chose this occasion to post 77 screeds on his grossly overvalued Truth Social.  Rather than s message of renewal it focused on retribution.  He began with Wisconsin representative Mike Gallagher, who announced his retirement last month after being hounded by colleagues for not endorsing the impeachment of Homeland Security secretary  Alejandro Mayorkas, despite the lack of evidence either a high crime or misdemeanor.  Trump wrote, “Never forget our cowards and weaklings!  Such a disgrace.”

He then went after his laundry list of “enemies” including Jack Smith, Fani Willis and Alvin Bragg.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL, INCLUDING CROOKED AND CORRUPT PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES THAT ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO INTERFERE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2024, AND PUT ME IN PRISON, INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE THAT I COMPLETELY & TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, A NOW FAILING NATION.

However, as Arlo Guthrie would say, “That not what I came here to talk about.”  The split screen I referred to in the title involves the difference in Easter messages from Joe Biden’s and that of my congressman Aaron Bean, who sent the following email to ALL his constituents.

As we enter this Easter season, families across the nation will soon gather in their homes, churches, and places of worship to remember the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
From the very beginning, God so loved us that He planned and prepared a place for us to receive everything that we need for life now and eternally. We see God’s great love for us displayed on the Cross and His power demonstrated through an empty tomb.
 
In Isaiah 60:2, the prophet records, “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” As your voice in our nation’s capital, I look to the light of God to guide my steps. I trust Him for wisdom and strength and praise Him for the gift of His only begotten Son.
 
On behalf of the Bean family, we wish you and all Floridians a happy Easter.
 
Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

First Joe Biden addresses his good wishes to “Christians  across the world,” those who have chosen to accept Jesus as the son of God and their savior.  But more important is the theme in the second paragraph.  Without reference to Jesus’ divinity, he instead talks of Jesus’ sacrifice for spreading a message of love and acceptance, something with which both Christians and non-Christians can identify.  Sacrifice is not the sole purview of the divine.  Ask Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. or Nelson Mandela.

In stark contrast, Bean does not differentiate between his Christian and non-Christian constituents.  

As we enter this Easter season, families across the nation will soon gather in their homes, churches, and places of worship to remember the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
From the very beginning, God so loved us that He planned and prepared a place for us to receive everything that we need for life now and eternally. We see God’s great love for us displayed on the Cross and His power demonstrated through an empty tomb.
 
In Isaiah 60:2, the prophet records, “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” As your voice in our nation’s capital, I look to the light of God to guide my steps. I trust Him for wisdom and strength and praise Him for the gift of His only begotten Son.
 
On behalf of the Bean family, we wish you and all Floridians a happy Easter.
 
Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

He wishes “all Floridians” a happy Easter.  Nor does he mention the one thing on which non-Christians, many of whom, myself included, can agree.  Acknowledgement of Jesus as a sage prophet and teacher and his message of peace, compassion and acceptance of all.  Can you imagine if Ilhan Omar told her constituents?

As your voice in our nation’s capital, I look to the light of Allah to guide my steps. I trust Him for wisdom and strength and praise Him for the gift of Islam.

Cries of “Sharia Law” would echo across the MAGA universe.

Aaron, before you try to convince me to accept Jesus as my Lord and savior, I suggest you try just a little harder to live by his words and teachings.  When you vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, remember Jesus said, “I did not some here to heal the healthy.  I came here to heal the sick.”  When you promote Christian nationalism, remember the parable of the Good Samaritan.  When the crowd asked, “Who is your neighbor,” he chose the “other,” not one of his own followers.  And when you endorse a man who hawks Bibles during Holy Week to make a quick buck, remember that the one you claim as “your light and guide” cast out all those who bought and sold in the temple and said, “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

In other words Aaron, during this season of renewal, you might try being a better role model rather than a hypocrite. 

*Beginning with today’s post I will no longer refer to those on the other side of the aisle as the Republican Party.  It is an insult to the party’s founders and pre-MAGA members who understood politicians are elected to serve the voters not vice versa.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

Friends and readers of this blog often ask me, “Why, first thing every morning, do you watch Joe Scarborough?”  The answer is quite simple.  Joe reminds me of the relationship I used to have with Republican governors and their staffs during my time at the National Governors Association (NGA), some with whom I remained friends long after I left the confines of the D.C. political scene.  Those relationships evolved while working on policy issues on which we often held what sometimes appeared to be diametrically opposed positions.  The interaction, however, made me a better analyst and advocate for two reasons.  First, there was a legitimate conservative viewpoint on most topics, and since any official NGA position required the support of two-thirds of the chief executives of the nation’s states and territories, that conservative bent needed accommodation.  Second, and perhaps more importantly, any disagreement in direction forced me to develop a compelling argument that a more liberal approach did not necessarily violate core conservative principles.  And in the end, though this may sound trite, I would realize we had more in common than we had differences.

This morning I found myself metaphorically back in my NGA office in the Hall of the States when Scarborough explained the difference between his world view and that of the MAGA dominated Republican party.  He compared his personal value system to a pyramid in which his priorities began at the top.  He ticked them off.  God.  Country.  The Constitution. Politics and Party.  He then suggested the current iteration of the GOP was a totally inverted pyramid with Donald Trump at the top and God at the bottom. 

It reminded me of the 1964 song “Barry’s Boys” by the original Chad Mitchell Trio which began, “We’re the bright young men who wanna go back to 1910, we’re Barry’s boys,” referring to GOP presidential nominee Barry Goldwater.  It was the closing which captured the tenor of that era and ours today.  Chad Mitchell would mimic a Goldwater supporter, “I’m an American first and a politician second.”  Mike Kobluk’s bass voice would respond, “Spoken like a true American politician.”  But I digress.

Scarborough’s primary allegiance to a divine presence is no surprise.  He is an unapologetic evangelical Southern Baptist.  Which raised the question, “What would a devout agnostic, like me, put at the top of my pyramid?”  The second segment of “Morning Joe” provided the answer.  The topic was the terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall in which 137 (to date) audience members were killed and more than 120 others wounded.  Marc Polymeropolous, former senior intelligence analyst at the CIA, described how the CIA had alerted Russia to that very possibility two weeks before the attack and had issued a warning to U.S. personnel stationed there.  Scarborough jumped in.  He reminded viewers the U.S. had done the same thing before an ISIS terrorist attack in Iran on January 4, 2024.

He then went into a typical Joe Scarborough rant.  These are people who shout, “Death to America” or commit war crimes against civilians in Ukraine.  Yet we still shared intelligence about an imminent terrorist attack.  Why?  Because it was the right thing to do.  It was what Americans do.  It was then I realized where Joe’s and my world view came together.  His moral compass gravitates toward God, Jesus Christ and the words of the Gospel.  I attribute mine simply to the fact that I am a member of the human race.  How we got there makes no difference.  I could now draw my pyramid.  Therefore, at the top of my pyramid is “humanity” followed by country, the Constitution and last, like Joe, party.

Listening to Joe Scarborough did not change my world view.  It did, however, help me clarify it.  And made me realize I share the road on which I travel with many kindred spirits.  The only difference being our choice of vehicles and the north star which guides our journey.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP