Our new Speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) hasn’t much of a profile in the limelight, though if truth be known the same could be said for most of the 435 House members. In fact, his low profile is probably why he was easily elected - he hasn’t irritated many colleagues, his views not controversial because largely unknown.
I’ve known and worked with folks from his part of the country, near Shreveport. A key thing to know about them is that “separation of church and state” is more an abstraction or glittering generality with them than something they actually practice in daily life.
Example: Two decades ago I visited for a year on the faculty of a state university in the South. At a welcome BBQ for new faculty given at the president’s home said president stood before the meal and “returned thanks” in a truly non-perfunctory way.
Not for him a mere “Bless those present and the food, Amen” kind of thing. Nope, he had thought about it and customized his blessing to the audience and dwelled at some length on the role of “the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior” in our work and lives.
As a then-visitor from CA, where his behavior at a state function would be deemed borderline criminal, I was amazed. Then I wondered how several new faculty with normally Jewish family names felt listening to it? The State of Texas was funding the uni but he was letting us all know the culture was pure Southern Baptist.
Make no mistake, the South is another “country.” To be fair, so is the mountain west where I now live. In these parts it is okay if you don’t hunt, but best not be anti-hunting. Folks hunt for the table hereabouts. Camo caps defining PETA as People Eating Tasty Animals are a local favorite.
I liked Texans, I’d probably like Mike Johnson if I knew him, I truly do wish him well.
