Josh Claybourn

This is the second in a series of interviews with bloggers who are part of The Blogdom of God. The Blogdom of God is a loose group of Blogs that identify themselves as 'God blogs'. Today's interview is with Josh Claybourn. His self-titled blog has been around for two years, practically an eternity in blog time.

Q: You seem to have a predilection for latin phrases. Is that because
you're a law student or some kind of right-wing wacko?

A: Ha, the answer is both.

Next question...

Q: Do you still feel like MTV is sending you subliminal messages to do
perverted things?

A: It certainly seems like it. Why do we feel like MTV symbolizes our generation? MTV and pop culture live off a lie that they are somehow "real" because they are rebellious and different. But we were raised by the '60s generation and grew up with Bart Simpson. Our parents taught us to distrust authority, and if we didn't we were laughed at in school (Remember Nelson, a laughingstock of the Simpson's Springfield?). MTV isn't "different," it's merely an extension of what we've been taught by friends, parents, and society.

The point is that rebellion is so ingrained in us that when one "rebels," one is actually just conforming according to what a very un-cool and un-real producer has in mind. In my experience, most of pop culture's biggest adherents are merely following the crowd and behaving like they're told they should. Indeed, a truly rebellious youth today is one that respects adults, pursues a one-partner marriage, and listens to music that takes creativity to write.

Q: Do you think you'll be following in Matt Labash's (of the weekly
standard) footsteps by pursuing a career in journalism?

A: Definitely not. Journalism is an honorable field, and my life's work will probably always be tied to it in some manner, but my path leads down a different road. I have a number of goals in the law, business, and the public sector. As the sun starts to set on my life, I may once again take up the pen in a journalistic sense. But for all intents and purposes my career is elsewhere.

Q: Is Ann Coulter really good looking in person or is it just the blonde hair that tricks people into thinking that when they see her on tv?

A: Well she's attractive, but thinner than a stick. I was scared that if the wind blew too much she might fall over. She's also a chain smoker, which in my book is pretty unattractive.

Q: What's up with the hebrew script and link to the Jewish Bible on your website?

A: The script on my site is my name in Hebrew. I love Hebrew as a language, but especially ancient Jewish history and culture. Also, as a Christian, an understand of Judaism truly makes the Old Testament come alive and offers a deeper understanding of New Testament teachings.

Q: With your previous debate success, you're obviously a good public speaker. What led you to doing that sort of thing in the first place?

A: Competitive debate offers many elements I love - competition, intellectual explorations, polished presentation, and a search for truth. It attracted me from the beginning and it turned out to be a good fit. It's been over four years now since I've competed, though, and I worry that I'm getting rusty. Moot court competitions will begin next fall at the law school and I suppose we'll find out just how rusty I am then.

Q: It looks like you might have some career aspirations in politics? Any specific political office in mind?

A: I love everything about politics, including the gritty stuff that turns so many people away, so I do have aspirations in the field. I have a passion for the state of Indiana and also my hometown, Evansville. I'll run when and if I can make a significant different toward improving the two.

Q: From where I sit, (here in Northern Illinois) Indiana seems to be a hotbed of conservatism. Even the Democrat Senator is pretty darn conservative. How do you think that's affected you?

A: Not all that much. I'd like to think that any positions I have are the result of studied deliberation, reason, and personal experience. Our Senator is indeed relatively conservative, and I think that's because Hoosiers believe in local independence and states' rights. They're concerned about civil liberties and fiscal discipline. Indeed, Indiana has one of the largest per capita libertarian populations in the country.

Q: From reading your past stuff, you seem to have always had some pretty deep conservative convictions. Have your views on anything changed over the years? Why?

A: "Conservative" carries all sorts of connotations, so it all depends on what definition you use. More than anything, I'm not a partisan. When I feel the Republican party looses its bearing, I don't hesitate to point that out. Catastrophic spending and a disregard for free markets and civil liberties are just a few examples. I'm not a close-minded person at all, so nuanced changes in viewpoints occur occasionally. But as a general rule I favor limited government and individual liberty; that will always be the case.

Q: I've only recently started in Politics (at a local level) and so far I think it's both fun and a challenge. What attracts you to the political arena?

A: It has such an enormous impact on us and, more importantly, our posterity that it can't be ignored.

Q: What role has your Christian faith played in your journalism and political career?

A: My faith is the guiding and controlling influence in everything I do, so its role cannot be overstated. I live my life to honor God and I hope that shines through in all I do.

Q: What kind of a church were you raised in and how do you think that's affected you?

A: For much of my early childhood I attended an old Methodist church that my great-grandfather had helped to build. But it was somewhat far away from my house and more spiritually nurturing opportunities became available. Here in Indianapolis I attend a relatively large non-denominational church and a somewhat similar one when I'm home in Evansville.

Church has never really affected me all that much. It offers fellowship and, at times, guidance but it will always be a human institution. Faith itself is much more significant.

Q: It looks like you've been blogging for a long time. What led you to start blogging in the first place?

A: It was mainly my good friend Paul Musgrave, who also blogs, that served as my inspiration over two years ago. Together we started Hoosier Review, a blog for Indiana University, and eventually I started my own as well.

Q: What would you like people to bring away from reading your blog?

A: I hope it pushes people to think critically about issues, but I also hope they walk away entertained. The blog offers me an opportunity to develop and test my own ideas while simultaenously influencing others. I hope everyone involved, including myself, comes away for the better.

Q: You seem to be a pretty normal good-looking young guy, why haven't you gotten married and started a family?

A: Ha! I'm in no rush, that's for sure. I think patience in that area has been one of the best decisions I've made in life. Besides, I'm just a picky guy.

Q: What year are you in Law school and what do you think of it?

A: I'm only a lowly first year (or 1L as they call us). Law school is everything I hoped it'd be and then some. It's a highly competitive and intellectually stimulating environment.

Q: What kind of law are you thinking you'd like to get into?

A: Right now my problem is that too many areas of law interest me. My undergraduate degree is in business economics, so business law is a possibility, but I like all of it too much now to decide for sure.

Q: Who do you think gives a better interview, you or Adrian?

A: Definitely me.

Josh did an interview for Adrian Warnock in January of this year. Adrian asked a lot better questions so you might want to read his interview here.