Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the Alabama Candidate for Lieutenant Governor debate, hosted at the Hoover Public Library Theater, with Rightside Media and Alabama Policy Action. This was a conservative debate.

In a previous episode, Dr. Croswell—our scrapper-in-chief—helped me, co-editing and responding to Reverend Dean Odle’s January 18, 2026 sermon. I was unsettled by his abuse of the pulpit, particularly how he twisted my own words. Odle’s sermon selectively quoted me, deliberately omitting his own attacks and name-calling, and even falsely claimed to have responded to me—though he couldn’t, because I had blocked him.

Dr. Croswell also leveraged AI to dig deeper, uncovering a timeline that shows us what Dean Odle is about and the experiences that have shaped him. As it turned out, Dean not only cultivated a cult-like following and espoused a flat earth theory long disproven centuries ago, but he also seems to have a knack for stirring conflict wherever he goes.

2026-01-25 Update/Note:
Dean Odle responded in his sermon today, saying that he was slandered as to the tomahawk that he brought, contending that a tomahawk is not a weapon.

In my judgment, this tomahawk is made of the same material as an actual weapon, wood and metal, with an edge which if thrown or used as a weapon, would most certainly do damage like a weapon would. The LTC Allen West Black Robe Regimen tomahawks as shown/sold on Etsy and by its creator, are actually functional CRKT tomahawks, which are sold on CRKT's website, which are most certainly able to be weapons when thrown or swung.

The Debate

Rightside Media hosted and streamed the debate, which can be viewed in full [here] or [here]. Please take a moment to watch it and thank them for making this opportunity possible. It was a chance to see the candidates in action, hear their positions, and understand how they think. The rules required the audience to remain silent and for the candidates to avoid direct attacks on each other, focusing instead on themselves and their beliefs.

I sat toward the back as the room was already filling. At one point, I considered bringing a mug with a CIA logo and sitting in the front row near Odle—glad I didn’t, since he had a weapon on stage. I alerted someone to it, and shortly after, the debate moderator had Odle remove the weapon, which was handed to his family (as if that made it any safer).

A key moment in the debate came when Odle tried to bait Wes Allen on his prior vote for the unpopular gas tax. Allen chose not to respond directly, instead pointing out Odle’s flat earth beliefs and conspiracy theories. The reaction from one side of the room—likely Odle’s family and supporters—was immediate and noticeable, prompting the moderators to remind the audience of the rules to remain silent.

My Reaction

Dean Odle clearly drew first blood in the debate. But Wes Allen’s response landed like an epic smackdown—Odle’s attempt fell flatter than the pancake Earth he believes in. I’ll admit I have an informed bias against Odle after my one private conversation with him (which a tiny part, became part of a sermon).

I have noticed, that any time you disagree with Odle, you are suddenly a Democrat, a satanist, part of a conspiracy, propagandist, unbiblical, or not a real Christian. He is comfortable with attacking the person first. If the Bible is true, and it says test the spirits, Odle reacts in hostility with the easiest test - my earlier Constitution question.

In fairness, some observers later suggested that Allen may have lost votes based on how he responded. That could be true for anyone who hasn’t done their research—Allen can come across as “another D.C. career politician.” It is a fair strategic observation, that Allen perhaps may have miscalculated in his strategy/response.

What will likely hurt Odle’s chances for Lieutenant Governor, however, is his arrogance, his attitude, and his unpolished performance. He behaves as if he’s Donald Trump 2.0—but love him or hate him, Trump is far more complex than just “a guy who acts like a bombastic jerk.”

He seemed a little obsessed over on X, which is why we need to understand the value of civility..

On Odle's official campaign page on Facebook:
Followers fully believe Dean won the debate.

I'll revert to a point I express almost daily:
Being a conservative doesn't mean you are required to be a jerk to people. That doesn't get votes, nor does it further our country.

Rightside Media's Follow-On Coverage

Rightside hosts a show on their Facebook presence, and tonight's show is [here]. It's clear that others noticed the axe, and Odle was there watching this coverage as it unfolded. It was mentioned a couple of times, jokingly that Odle could use the axe with Allen.

Dean Odle's Reaction

Dean Odle himself responded to Rightside Media's discussion, well before I noticed Rightside was on live.

I want truth.

There is a May 12, 2025 article, where Odle described receiving that tomahawk. This man should have left the axe in his vehicle, not bring it on stage. He brought a weapon to the venue. It was made of materials which was just as capable as an authentic artifact as a melee weapon.

I was unable to find any evidence that LTC West actually presented that to him, unlike a few other pastors. That doesn't mean Odle lied, but I used Google, 5 AI engines, and found nobody other than Odle recounting that event. Here's a clear picture of what that tomahawk is supposed to look like, from a Facebook Video.

Looks different from what Dean had with him, but there's multiple videos of the tomahawks being issued.

The tomahawks are also available for sale on Etsy now, from the original designer. Looks pretty good!

Allen west has a Youtube channel with presentations on it as well. However, I was unable to locate one for Dean Odle, so... we will ask. Maybe we'll get a response?

Is the Tomahawk story true? I don't know. However...

I do not believe Dean. He is very good with re-framing, pivoting, and utilizing scripture almost with weapon-like precision. I believe he is a false teacher, and here's why...

In my dealing with Odle, he had intentionally lied about our conversation, and his reply that didn't really happen - which I shared screenshots of. The man pretended that sharing his beliefs from his own website/media was a "threat" in his sermon.

What else would he be willing to lie about?
Is he who you would want to be your governor?

Response to recent posting:

This was not said anywhere in this article, or any other produced by me, nor Dr. Croswell. What I will say, is....the Bible is correct, even when Dean Odle isn't.

I would be concerned that if Dean is elected, he would not "bury the hatchet" to work with our lawmakers. That's where George Bishop made it clear, he wants to work.