We Have Seen Thee, President of Cheese

[dr_pretentious]

This engaging article lays out the forgotten history of the evangelical movement's long support of the separation of church and state. Steven Waldman opens with this scenario:

Thomas Jefferson stood, dressed in a black suit, in a doorway of the White House on Jan. 1, 1802, watching a bizarre spectacle. Two horses were pulling a dray carrying a 1,235-pound cheese—just for him. Measuring 4 feet in diameter and 17 inches in height, this cheese was the work of 900 cows.

More impressive than the size of the cheese was its eloquence. Painted on the red crust was the inscription: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” The cheese was a gift from religious leaders in western Massachusetts.

The article goes on to explain why Jefferson's opposition to government involvement in religion made him, in the eyes of 19th century Baptists, "cheeseworthy."

Comments

Gotta love those founding fathers

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

The New Hampshire sate slogan is "Live free or die," a sentiment I've always tried to honor. Several years ago there was a movement to declare "Eat cheese or die," the state slogan of Wisconsin. Sadly, it failed.

Re: Gotta love those founding fathers

[wombats.livejournal.com]

It was sad. In addition, the rejection of the slogan "Smell our Dairy Air" for the license plates was a sad moment. And lastly, the "Prim and Proper" crowd further rejected the idea that the state adult beverage should be beer. It's symptomatic, imnsho.

Re: Gotta love those founding fathers

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Yeah. And Born to Run didn't make it as the NJ state song. What is wrong with these puritanical legislators?

Have you ever smelled dairy air? I mean, really? It's disgusting - all methane and manure.

Re: Gotta love those founding fathers

[wombats.livejournal.com]

Have I ever smelled it???? I work right near the Ag Building on campus... As an old coworker used to put it, "It's not the smell, it's the stinging of the eyes..."

And since I'm a chemist... methane does not have that sort of aroma :) It's the ammonia and organic amines (smell like rotting meat, cadavers - hence names like putrescine and cadaverine), volatile organic acids (smell like sweaty feet, vomit, bad cheese...), and sulfur compounds (skunks, farts) that cause the comments.

Re: Gotta love those founding fathers

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

And since I'm a chemist... methane does not have that sort of aroma :)

Well, thank you for that! I always assumed that the fart-smelling stench that wafts up the hill from the local dairy farm was from methane. Now I know otherwise. You've given me a great gift.