Who wouldn't love a Jesus and America loving baker whose "welcome" sign tells anybody who doesn't love Jesus and America to take a hike?!
On this morning's Fox & Friends, Jesus BFF and super-mom Elisabeth Hasselbeck provided a gushing report on the sign, posted by devout Christian and uber patriot Trent Schuler, at the door of his bakery. The sign provides a warm, Christian welcome: "Notice. This store is politically incorrect, we say Merry Christmas, God bless America, we salute our flag, give thanks to our troops, police officers, and firefighters. If this offends you, you are welcome to leave. In God we trust."
Hasselbeck asked her guest, Trent Shuler to explain the sign. He responded that "a lot of these issues have been pressed down in our zeal to not offend a small number of people while the majority isn't getting an opportunity to speak their mind." He cited, as examples, "oppression of police" and troops not being treated well. He articulated a tedious, tired and bogus right wing trope with his comment about how "we've forgotten that this country was founded on God" whom he thanked "for being a small part of his greater message." He said that he has gotten messages of support from "all over the world."
In creating an imaginary evil, secular straw man, Hasselbeck asked what he would say to people "who say you're creating an imaginary threat, this is offensive, and we're gonna make sure it costs you your business." (Note that nobody has threatened his business). He responded that he "has a right to freedom of speech" and all he has done "is express my opinion." He acknowledged that others have a right to their opinion and he encourages them to do so. He asserted that he's not saying that people aren't welcome in his store if they don't agree. (Excuse me?)
Schuler is so perfect for Fox News is that he is the living embodiment of the ongoing Fox narrative of God fearing conservative Christians constantly battling the slings and arrows of outrageous political correctness which, in the real world, is about sensitivity towards people . But in the bizarro reality of Fox News conservative Christian audience, it is an unfair impediment to full blown bigotry.
Seriously, Schuler, nobody is objecting to God and country and Merry Christmas. But thanks to Fox News, you're able to take your silly message to the big screen. In criticizing entertainers who make political statements, Laura Ingraham said that they should "shut up and sing." Maybe Schuler should shut up and bake!"
And they salute the flag? How many do you suppose the guy has in his store? And, when exactly do they stop to salute the flag? Every 10 minutes? Every time a fresh batch of bread loaves come from the oven?
And “give thanks to troops, police and fire fighters?” How specifically do they “give” those “thanks?”
We already know that Hasselhack’s problem is the result of a lifetime overdose of peroxide fumes but this guy sounds like he’s, um, well, operating three cookies short of a dozen.