Head in the Sand: Ed Emery Plays Dumb

I'm still trying to understand the statement released by Rep. Ed Emery (R-LaMARS) last Friday. In it, Emery defended his attendance of Dr. Orly Taitz's conspiracy theory rally in Jefferson City -- which he called a "non-event." He then attacked the media for accurately reporting on the substance of Taitz's theories, and expressed dismay at reporters' interest in his presence. But this is what puzzles me: Ed also claimed to have had no prior knowledge of Taitz or her legal campaign against President Barack Obama.

"I had never met or heard of Dr. Orly Taitz before and was the only legislative member in attendance," Emery wrote. Then why was he there? Does Mr. Emery routinely attend gatherings with socialists or atheists or Islamic radicals, just to hear what they have to say and peruse their literature? Probably not.

On the subject of willful ignorance, it would be nice to get a clear explanation from Speaker Ron Richard, Majority Leader Charlie Shields and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder about how the Missouri GOP plans to address these conspiracy theories. Richard has at least five legislators on board with Orly -- maybe more. Shields has at least one member backing the looney lady, and his local Platte County Republicans are supporting Taitz. And Kinder fancies himself as the leader of the Party. So let's hear it.

These boys have their heads in the sand.