Texas lawmaker mocked over Jesus-for-aliens tweet

IN the Republican Party’s battalion of religious nutjobs Texas State Representative Jonathan Stickland, above right, is more deranged than most – a fact confirmed yesterday (Friday) when he tweeted that aliens would have to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts if they wanted a shot at paradise.

The “Christian Conservative Liberty Loving Republican,” who had the rare distinction of winning Texas Monthly‘s first-ever Cockroach of the Year Award in 2019, instantly became a national laughing stock with this gift to Twitter:

The “cockroach” was commenting on a report that the US military is continuing to study mystifying encounters between military pilots and unidentified aerial vehicles via a programme called the Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force.

His tweet was immediately seized upon and mocked by many on Twitter – and  our very talented resident artist, California-based Shell Fisher rushed to put pen to paper.

Texas Monthly explained why Stickland earned his sobriquet:

Nobody likes a cockroach. They’re nasty and always seem to be lurking where you least want them. You can fight cockroaches, but you can’t get rid of them. They’re one of nature’s hardiest and most persistent creatures, and if nothing else, you have to admire ’em for their cussed persistence. This year, we’re giving Jonathan Stickland our first-ever Cockroach Award and enshrining the term for a lawmaker who accomplishes nothing but always manages to show up in the worst possible way.

For the last two sessions, Sticky—as both his enemies and his friends (he has a few!) call him—has made the Worst list, and he was a strong contender again this year. But since Stickland would doubtless have seen that as an achievement to boast about, we had to come up with something else.

The problem with Stickland isn’t his hyper-libertarian philosophy that the government that governs least governs best. (Though, come on, the guy once wanted to defund a community swimming pool in his hometown.) Nor is it his tea party posturing. It’s that Stickland is a completely ineffective messenger for even his own causes. He hogs the House microphone with his ravings so often that other legislators have quit listening to him.

On his website, Stickland says:

The family is the foundation of society and I believe it is under attack. As our government continues to extend itself into our lives, it is our families that pay the price. We can strengthen the families of this great state by returning to the idea of personal responsibility and accountability.

I believe marriage is between a man, a woman, and God. These are fundamental principles and are essential in maintaining strong families in our state.

A cockroach indeed, but one who’s mercifully scuttling away from politics. Last year it was reported he’s not standing for re-election.

Stickland, first elected to represent House District 92 in 2012, broke the news to supporters in an email, saying he had:

Determined it is not in the Lord’s will for me to seek re-election. Instead, I intend to dedicate more time to my family, my church, and my business.

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