I got your evolution right here!

May 9, 2005 10:39 AM

Move Over Darwin!
Do you believe God belongs in government?
Do you believe President Bush is doing The Lord's Work?
If so, then show your love for God & the USA!
posted by nofundy (67 comments total)

Oh man...

I really can't wait until the pendulum swings back so hard the other way that it chunks itself into the wall and gets stuck there.
posted by Balisong at 10:42 AM on May 9, 2005

Baby Jebus want one for my Hummer!
posted by drinkmaildave at 10:48 AM on May 9, 2005

Balisong, I hope you're right!!

Thanks for warning me about these stickers and magnets. I'm CERTAIN that I'm going to start seeing these on cars all over this town. (I live in the same city as Focus on the Family).

... someone helllp meeee ...
posted by Spencerinc at 10:50 AM on May 9, 2005

Pendulum's not going to swing. we have to push it.
posted by By The Grace of God at 10:52 AM on May 9, 2005

reverting to my junior high mentality - am I the only one tickled by the name bushfish.org?
posted by killy willy at 10:53 AM on May 9, 2005

what By The Grace said.

altho i'd rather have them spend their money on stupid car magnets than giving it to FOF or any of the many other hateful unAmerican extremist groups.
posted by amberglow at 10:54 AM on May 9, 2005

Sometimes I'd like to push it with a gun.
posted by baphomet at 10:54 AM on May 9, 2005

You keed, you keed...or so you thought.

Members of the small East Waynesville Baptist Church say Chandler led an effort to kick out congregants who did not support President Bush. Nine members were voted out at a Monday church meeting in this mountain town about 120 miles west of Charlotte. Forty others in the 400-member congregation resigned in protest.

During the presidential election last year, Chandler told the congregation that anyone who planned to vote for the Democratic nominee, Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.), should either leave the church or repent, former member Lorene Sutton said.

[more here]
posted by wah at 11:02 AM on May 9, 2005

Is this really well-camouflaged satire, or are these folks actually starting to parody themselves unconsciously?
posted by gurple at 11:03 AM on May 9, 2005

*cries, then mutters "fishybush" and snorts*
posted by Specklet at 11:08 AM on May 9, 2005

Sweet merciful Mary.

The radical fundamentalist interpretations of the Bible with respect to war, social justice, and women is old-hat. Their questionable interpretations regarding homosexuality and sex-related matters is a matter of discussion, as well.

But this, this, aren't these the people who demanded the Ten Commandments be in schools and courthouses? Are they doing it simply for its association with the Judeo-Christian beliefs? Did they not read them?

If anything goes inside one of the oldest commonly recognized symbols of Christianity, it's "??T?S" (or "Jesus" if you like to abandon historical accuracy). I don't know how putting "Bush" in there doesn't violate the Second Commandment, if not the First.
posted by schroedinger at 11:10 AM on May 9, 2005

This will go great right next to the bumper sticker on my Hummer that says "You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers!"

I'll be easy to find, I'll be waiting in line at the gas station to drop another hundred bucks in the tank. God Bless George Bush, Hallelulahgobble!
posted by fenriq at 11:11 AM on May 9, 2005

reverting to my junior high mentality - am I the only one tickled by the name bushfish.org? - killy willy

Nope. My first thought was

One fish, Two fish
Red fish, Bushfish.
posted by dejah420 at 11:11 AM on May 9, 2005

Would you like so [sic] send a BushFish to a friend via email??

I... well... there's just... is that even legal?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 11:14 AM on May 9, 2005

Blasphemy!
posted by NewBornHippy at 11:15 AM on May 9, 2005

Gragh! It worked in preview . . . The nonsense characters are supposed to be the Greek letters iota, chi, theta, upsilon, and sigma, in that order.

It's so damn blatantly blasphemous, I don't know how they ever thought that thing could be a good idea.
posted by schroedinger at 11:20 AM on May 9, 2005

Because we all know how highly Jesus prized conformity of thought and submission to authority.

But seriously-- whatever it takes to make a buck in this post dot.com economy, huh?
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:27 AM on May 9, 2005

You know, it just dawned on me that if you rotate it 90 degrees to the left it looks like a falling bomb with W's name on it. And 90 degrees to the right makes it look like a missile.

I might just get one as a sign of protest. It would be a beautiful thing if this red state icon turned into a blue state sign of defiance!!

Then again, maybe I'm just being immature. Either way... it's funny as hell!

-MM
posted by minderbinder at 11:29 AM on May 9, 2005

My response to this: elect Jesus Christ as President. See if he shows.
posted by graymouser at 11:30 AM on May 9, 2005

Now I am really happy that I'm moving back to Europe. This country is becoming a scary place to live.
posted by joaovc at 11:32 AM on May 9, 2005

"Join the bumper fish wars today!" (not affiliated)
The fish wars blog also mentions excommunication
posted by stFire at 11:35 AM on May 9, 2005

I really can't wait until the pendulum swings back so hard the other way that it chunks itself into the wall and gets stuck there.

Same here. Might the Roarin' 20's (ver. 2.0) be 2020?
posted by mr.curmudgeon at 11:40 AM on May 9, 2005

I've always kinda wanted the nietzsche version of the bumper fish...A fish with "God" inside it, intentionally placed upside down, dead fish style...
posted by schyler523 at 11:46 AM on May 9, 2005

A world-wide symbol of the Great Mother was the pointed oval sign of the yoni, know as vesica piscis, Vessel of the ......
Kwan-yin, Kali Ma, Minaksi, what have you, the symbol comes right out of your pagan handbook, worshiping of the "yoni of yonis".

A medieval hymn called Jesus "the Little Fish which the Virgin caught in the fountain." Mary was equated with the virgin Aphrodite-Mari or Marina, who brought forth all the fish in the sea. In Cyprus where stands Aphrodite;s greatest temple, Mary is worshipped as Panaghia Aphroditessa. Mary seems to be the fish-mother.
Hebrew Mem=sea and Mother
alphabetical Nun=fish
posted by Viomeda at 12:02 PM on May 9, 2005

schroedinger: I don't think this is all old hat just bizarre historical formulation.
posted by Viomeda at 12:06 PM on May 9, 2005

Two minute hate!!!
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 12:18 PM on May 9, 2005

PLEASE NOTE: The BushFish does not suggest that President Bush is Divine. It is intended to represent Christian Republicans who support the President's position on God's role in government.

Don't these people have to go to Sunday School or something? You'd think they'd have a clue about their own symbolism.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 12:19 PM on May 9, 2005

I mean "old hat" in terms of the amount of outrage it generates--fundamentalists have been perverting the Bible and Christianity in those topics for years. You can argue that everything that comes out of the King James is the perfect, original word of God and still pass as legitimate in front of most people. But this is an entirely new formulation, one so obvious in the wrongness that I'm surprised anybody who's attempted to connect themselves religiously to the Ten Commandments had the audacity to present it.
posted by schroedinger at 12:19 PM on May 9, 2005

Hard to believe that this isn't satire. The fact that it isn't is as scary as hell.
posted by TheDonF at 12:23 PM on May 9, 2005

Ugh. Why don't we just physically segregate into red & blue states and keep to whom we like?
posted by yoga at 12:25 PM on May 9, 2005

(I live in the same city as Focus on the Family).

As do I. Before moving here, I removed our "Focus on Your Own Damn Family" bumpersticker in the interest in being civil (and not getting run off the road by a Promise Keeper all hepped up on that old time religious road rage). Looks like it's time to get another one (and avoid the north suburbs). Can't fall behind in the ideological bumper wars.
posted by bibliowench at 12:25 PM on May 9, 2005

I... wha...? Is this...
I don't know how to respond to this. I was sure it was a joke when I looked at the thread. I mean "bushfish"?! it's ridiculous, obviously satire. But the site itself... I don't know, it's really hard to pin down any evidence that it isn't serious,

Maybe it was started as a sort of trolling-for-bushies type thing? And it may have hooked a few but that doesn't mean we're totally fucked?

hoo boy.
posted by mdn at 12:26 PM on May 9, 2005

Is that a bushfish in your pants?
posted by papercake at 12:27 PM on May 9, 2005

Lady Liberty decided she liked his style.
posted by Mean Mr. Bucket at 12:45 PM on May 9, 2005

I think I'm going to throw up.
posted by mike3k at 12:52 PM on May 9, 2005

Wanted: someone to start selling a combination of the Bushfish with this fish.
posted by longdaysjourney at 12:52 PM on May 9, 2005

If this is not 'well-camouflaged satire', I am:

a) amazed, and,

b) of the opinion that those of us who find this patently ridiculous buy as many as we can, give them to all our friends, and co-opt this sucker into true satire.

Who's with me?! </crickets>
posted by BlackPebble at 1:01 PM on May 9, 2005

That website made me vomit a little.
posted by C17H19NO3 at 1:05 PM on May 9, 2005

BlackPebble... I'm with you. Let's turn this symbol against them! I think it has more relevance as an anti-war symbol than a pro-right icon.
posted by minderbinder at 1:13 PM on May 9, 2005

Does anyone else notice that the Bushfish is looking to the Left? What does that mean?

Have I officially started reading too much into this?
posted by indiebass at 1:30 PM on May 9, 2005

This worries me. I fear for the country my children are living in. It seems to becoming more like a theocracy everyday.
posted by the_barbarian at 1:46 PM on May 9, 2005

how about we come up with our own 'support our president' gimmic, create a site with sun shining through the clouds picture and rake in the cash. You probably wouldn't have to pay taxes if you created your own church to sell it through either.

You hit two birds with one stone, you create more ridiculous right wing stuff to point out on metafilter (complete with 'buy it all up and turn it around on 'em' posts) and make some cash in the process.
posted by kookywon at 1:51 PM on May 9, 2005

This BushFish, it vibrates?
posted by OmieWise at 1:53 PM on May 9, 2005

One Nation, under Scrod!
posted by prodigalsun at 2:00 PM on May 9, 2005

I, for one, welcome our new cult worshipping overlords..

You know why? Because they'll mark their cars easily so I'll know who to stay away from... or, when the second civil war comes, shoot.

Oh crap.. I don't have a gun... and all the fundies do...

Ok. That symbol officially means RUN.
posted by twiggy at 2:23 PM on May 9, 2005

In this picture it looks like the BushFish is going to eat the Support Our Troops fish.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:52 PM on May 9, 2005

Anyone know this little ditty in E-minor?

There's a fish on my Honda; there's a fish on your Ford.
With my fish I can tell the world I'm drivin' for the Lord.
Let them see how much God's blessed me by the car I can afford.

Yes, they'll know we are Christians by the fish on our cars,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our cars.
posted by straight at 2:57 PM on May 9, 2005

(I live in the same city as Focus on the Family).

I live in Colorado Springs, too. I try to explain the way it is to my friends in Oregon, Illinois, and New Mexico, but they think I'm exagerating..
I was born here, so I have the right to monkeywrench their systems from taking over whenever I can.
posted by Balisong at 3:02 PM on May 9, 2005

a portion of every purchase goes to Compassion.com, a group dedicated to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

it's always about the coin with these people.

jesus seems to spend far more than he saves.
posted by three blind mice at 3:28 PM on May 9, 2005

One other thing I notice the site supports are pages that don't work properly in Mozilla. Must be IE optomized.
posted by sotonohito at 3:33 PM on May 9, 2005

How about just making a bumbersticker that says clearly "GWB is God!"
posted by filchyboy at 3:37 PM on May 9, 2005

Baby Jebus want one for my Hummer!
posted by drinkmaildave at 10:48 AM PST

GAAAHHHHHH!!!
posted by jimray at 3:54 PM on May 9, 2005

Balisong, even the people in Denver and Boulder don't understand! This city is like an entirely different world. We are living in the Bible Belt of the North. My friends in Denver who knew me when I lived there think that since I've moved to Colorado Springs, I've turned into the anti-Christ because I get so overly sensitive when people start preaching at me. I used to be able to let it roll off my back.
posted by Spencerinc at 5:15 PM on May 9, 2005

So, these are made in Red China by slave labor?
posted by warbaby at 5:51 PM on May 9, 2005

If they're "releasing children from poverty," that means they're killing them, right? I mean, if heaven is so great, why not just club the little whelps like seals and send 'em off to God?
(And by the way, the fish comes from "Iesous Christos Theou Uiou Soter," or "Jesus Christ, God's Son the Savior." Which, in Greek, spells Icthus, or "fish." The yonic thing from about.com looks totally specious, especially because they give no links to any sources.)
posted by klangklangston at 5:59 PM on May 9, 2005

'course, Schroedinger, it might be more appropriate to have Heh Vav Shin Heh Yod (spelled out, as Hebrew's not installed on this computer) inside that fish.

Oh, and klangklang, just for you...

MetaFilter: Club the little whelps like seals.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:08 PM on May 9, 2005

I really can't wait until the pendulum swings back so hard the other way that it chunks itself into the wall and gets stuck there.
posted by Balisong

haha! Balisong you crack me up.
posted by nola at 6:44 PM on May 9, 2005

DNAB, I think ancient Greek was the language often used for communication and spoken word when the ichthys was used among early Christians--the Greek lettering is an acronym for the phrase KlangKlang mentioned. The Wikipedia article gives a pretty good overview.
posted by schroedinger at 6:58 PM on May 9, 2005

Oops, forgot to mention I used their contact form to notify them of the potential blasphemy.

I got this in response:

Thanks for your email. As we mention on the home page, we are not trying to suggest that George Bush is Divine. This symbol is intended for Christians who wish to show their support for the President and his faith-based ideals. Nothing more.

They're either completely clueless about the symbolism or they're dancing around the issue on purpose.
posted by schroedinger at 7:01 PM on May 9, 2005

Schroedinger... yes, I know. Greek was the (pardon me) lingua franca (if that is the correct term?) of the time. But His name would have been originally rendered in Hebrew, of course.

There's all sorts of very interesting Hebraic/Judaic prophecies and ideas related to His name.. one wonders, given that the Messiah must have the HVSHY (YHVSH) as his name, how many Jewish women in history gave their sons names conforming to the prophecy, just in case..
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:15 PM on May 9, 2005

Smeg, got the Hebrew mixed up, sorry. HSVYH, of course.

And I suspect that they're partially clueless about the symbolism (how many Christian churches no longer orient their altars to the East, for example?) but mostly they do not care. They're co-opting what can be a beautiful religion for political purposes; the deeper meaning is supremely unimportant, alas.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:18 PM on May 9, 2005

Smeg, got the Hebrew mixed up, sorry. HSVHY, of course.

And I suspect that they're partially clueless about the symbolism (how many Christian churches no longer orient their altars to the East, for example?) but mostly they do not care. They're co-opting what can be a beautiful religion for political purposes; the deeper meaning is supremely unimportant, alas.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:18 PM on May 9, 2005

Okay. Enough drunken posting. Sorry.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:20 PM on May 9, 2005

• Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's
• Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

He's insulting both of us.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:04 PM on May 9, 2005

Balisong: "I live in Colorado Springs, too. I try to explain the way it is to my friends in Oregon, Illinois, and New Mexico, but they think I'm exagerating..."

Spencerinc: "Balisong, even the people in Denver and Boulder don't understand! This city is like an entirely different world. We are living in the Bible Belt of the North. My friends in Denver who knew me when I lived there think that since I've moved to Colorado Springs, I've turned into the anti-Christ because I get so overly sensitive when people start preaching at me. I used to be able to let it roll off my back."

Springs and Boulder are Colorado's two 'poles of insanity.' That's how it seems to me, at least; Boulder's got the Ward Churchill freaks and the hippy-kids who smoke way too much dope (though they're good people, really), and puts on a weird, Frisco-like facade, though there are more conservative people there than there seem to be at first; while Springs is a weird conglomeration of 'christian institutions' bent on locking down the neighborhood. As such, there are really only two kinds of people in Springs: rich white 'christians' intent on running things and the angry, angry people who stalk around putting up with them. Everyone I've ever known that grew up in that town was either very, very strong or very, very messed up. Or both.

I was lucky enough to observe this from my safe little town in the hills, Gunnison. I'm still thankful that I got to grow up with real Christians. Of course, most of them were aging hippies, so I don't know how well they would've gone over with the Springs crowd.
posted by koeselitz at 8:18 AM on May 10, 2005

You've almost got it right, Koeselitz.
Except you forgot the whole military faction.

US Air Force Academy, Ft. Carson, NORAD, Peterson AFB, and Schriver AFB (US Space Command?). They play a big part in how Fupped up this town is. We were also the home to CRAY computers until they went under, Brown Disk, Hewlett Packard, Lockheed-Martin mission controll, TRW (with everyone's credit scores), Laser-magnetic storage, and we even have an Intel plant.

I am one of the strong, very angry stalkers that put up with them and probably more than a little messed up over it.
posted by Balisong at 9:00 AM on May 10, 2005

The two poles of insanity are have always been circumnavigated by the off-center, eccentric planet of Real Christians, hence Gunnison. The rest of Colorado is warmed by their shinning evangelical radiance beaming from their lofty conservative eyes, encouraging the off-kilter Christianity from all of us (in Boulder).

{Sings theme from Twilight Zone}
posted by Viomeda at 11:45 AM on May 10, 2005