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As schools across the country deal with protests regarding mask and vaccine requirements and Covid cases continue to surge, schools in Alabama are apparently facing an even more dangerous threat.
Yoga.
At least according to Tim James, the son of former Republican Alabama governor Fob James who, after two failed runs for governor in 2002 and 2010, is reportedly considering challenging sitting Republican governor Kay Ivey in 2022.
In a press conference at the Alabama State Capitol this past Wednesday, James announced that his decision as to whether or not he would run was "yet to be determined."
"My family, my children, my wife, we're praying about it and will make a firm decision later this year."
Instead of officially announcing his candidacy, James took the press conference as an opportunity to deliver a prepared speech to address what he called "the beast with three heads" which is attacking Alabama's schools.
As reported by The Montgomery Advertiser,those three heads appeared to be critical race theory, transgender rights, and teaching yoga in public schools.
"They're like a cancer, metastasizing over time infecting the minds of children"
"They are symptoms of a cultural tsunami that has reached critical mass in America and if left unchecked is toxic to Alabama children."This past spring, the state of Alabama lifted a three-year old ban on teaching yoga in public schools, though restrictions still remain, as it can only be taught as an elective, and student's would have to opt-in in order to take it.
But those restrictions didn't appear to be enough for James, who made a plea to the the state legislature to reinstate the ban, apparently owing to its origins in the Hindu faith.
In a fairly blatant attempt to sway social conservatives and evangelical voters, James warned of the "culture war" which he claimed was threatening the country as well as traditional Judeo-Christian values.
"Many problems exist today in America, but they are pale compared to what this nation will look like if we lose this cultural war, and America becomes a secular, godless nation flowing to and fro in the wind, with no plumb line."
James confessed at the conference that he would probably be mocked for what he said, which proved to be one of the few pieces of factual information he delivered during his impassioned speech.
People wasted no time taking to Twitter to express their confusion, amusement and disbelief at James fear-mongering over yoga, particularly when there are far more serious problems plaguing Alabama schools.
Covid rages in his unvax'd state, killing thousands.\n\n#MAGATerrorists plot further insurrection.\n\nAlabama ranks near the bottom in income, education & racial equality.\n\nSo what's Tim James' biggest election promise?\nBan Yoga. \n\n@ALGOP = #Idiocracyhttps://www.rawstory.com/kay-ivey-tim-james-2022/\u00a0\u2026— Mindful Primate (@Mindful Primate) 1631878847
Tim James wants to save Alabama from CRT, transgender people and yoga. He\u2019s an idiot. Please don\u2019t elect him. Just say no to Tim James.https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2021/09/15/tim-james-considering-2nd-run-alabama-governor-son-of-fob-james/8349234002/\u00a0\u2026— Ned Ryerson (@Ned Ryerson) 1631847382
Tim James says he is combatting "a beast with three heads," which he identified as 'critical race theory, transgender rights, and the use of yoga as exercise in public schools.\nDear Lord, please make it stop.https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2021/09/15/tim-james-considering-2nd-run-alabama-governor-son-of-fob-james/8349234002/\u00a0\u2026— Pitt Griffin (@Pitt Griffin) 1631843955
Just when you think Alabama can't get any more Alabama, along comes Tim James and his war on yoga.\n\n.@jamesrbrennantz @KevinBLee1https://twitter.com/Josh_Moon/status/1438218922612903936\u00a0\u2026— Alabamafication (@Alabamafication) 1631733403
After a rough few weeks of COVID coverage, and the stress of having kids in school and getting multiple close contact calls from school, I'm here for the return of the yoga battle in Alabama politics. Was needing a mental health break but namaste for this. (I'll see myself out.)— Eddie Burkhalter (@Eddie Burkhalter) 1631729010
A few others pointed the disturbing irony of Black man hold an umbrella for James considering he was attacking critical race theory at the press conference.
Who did Alabama Governor candidate Tim James force to stand out in the rain and hold an umbrella over his head?https://www.rawstory.com/kay-ivey-tim-james-2022/\u00a0\u2026— Joey Putin (Vlads Democratic Brother) (@Joey Putin (Vlads Democratic Brother)) 1631839881
While some had trouble believing this was actually something James said, believing it must have been a parody or a joke.
I thought this was an Onion quote. If he thinks those are problems, he's got a big shock coming when he actually looks at performance.— Mike Dardeau (@Mike Dardeau) 1631740796
I hate so much that I have to ask this question but\u2026is this real?— Niki Winters (@Niki Winters) 1631807154
Governor Ivey was also among those who joined in mocking James' speech, in a statement released by her campaign.
"We appreciate his unwavering commitment to the important fight on yoga."
"As for Governor Ivey, she doesn't do any yoga."
Three other candidates have already filed paperwork to challenge Ivey for the GOP nomination, creating a fairly steep uphill battle forJames should he decide to run.