A break from politics and Mormonism for a moment (or is that now the same things?).
So, being in the center of the NFL experience this week, and owning my very own Super Bowl 46 Committee jacket, I’d like to know how y’all think the game is going to go this Sunday? (not that any of you will be watching it, of course).
Winner:
Point Spread:
MVP:
I’ll reserve my thoughts until I hear from others.
Listening to some news shows lately (such as Morning Joe), it is interesting to hear them discuss how vituperative the campaign between Romney and Gingrich has become. They discuss how such do not speak much on what they will do, but more on why the other person should not be elected.
As I’ve thought about this I see two issues not being considered.
First, we live in the Internet age. When they say that Reagan and Thatcher did not have to go uber-negative, they neglect to realize that there was no 24 hour news cycle back in the 1980s. Nor were there websites, blogs, or Drudge report. It is easy to destroy the other person by gaining control of the media cycle. Afterward, one can then establish his own credo by explaining his views without a strong competitor.
The second issue is that there have been extremely negative campaigns since the beginning. The media of the day discussed the possibility of Thomas Jefferson having an affair. Reagan was very negative towards Pres Ford in 1976, and would not support him in the convention. There were some very negative campaigning between McCain/Huckabee against Mitt Romney just 4 years ago, including a huge attack on Mormonism.
That today super PACs can be established with endless cash flow for media issues, one can also understand why so much more money will flow through the system this time around.
Does anyone think that there could ever be a successful campaign today with just nice, clean ads?
Interesting articles attached below by R. Emmett Tyrell (American Spectator) and Elliot Abrams (asst Sec of State under Reagan) regarding the “real” Newt Gingrich.
While Gingrich states he is nothing like Bill Clinton and was a key supporter of Ronald Reagan, these two writers show that Gingrich was as narcissistic as Pres Clinton and a major Republican critic of Reagan’s foreign policy.
One thing that leaders of the Gadianton Robbers had in common: they were great flatterers, believed that their own methodologies were good, and while saying nice things to the people, supported those that were in cahoots with them. Someone who will leave two wives, when they are suffering from serious illnesses, and create his own version of history, seems like someone who will do almost anything to get gain.
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/289159/gingrich-and-reagan-elliott-abrams
http://www.nysun.com/opinion/william-jefferson-gingrich/87674/
Lesson 5 is now online. It discusses key locations, such as Nahom and Arabian Bountiful. Also, Liahona as an ancient computer, Nephi as Moses, etc.
http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-of-mormon-lesson-5-hearken-to.html
Read there / comment here!
In an interesting post at Patheos, Catholic scholar Francis Beckwith notes a discussion he had with Robert Millet:
” (Robert) told me of a Mormon friend who in conversation with an Evangelical Protestant had asked him whether a Christian who committed adultery would lose his salvation. The Evangelical answered, “No.” The Mormon followed up with this query, “What if the Christian had murdered someone? Would he then lose his salvation?” The answer, again, was “no.” Then the Mormon asked, “Well, what if he had become a Mormon?” The Evangelical answered, “That’s a good question. I don’t know.” I joked with Bob, “Perhaps your friend should have asked what would be the state of the person’s salvation if he had murdered, or committed adultery with, a Mormon?”
While I realize many Christians do not think that a murderer is better than a Mormon, many now do. We at least can see that many are ready to support a serial adulterer (Gingrich) over a Mormon (Romney).
For those who are focused on the social conservative issues, just how do they embrace Gingrich and hate Romney? I understand if someone wishes to elect Gingrich because he is a better debater, or lead the Contract with America, etc; but to choose solely because of religion?
It seems to me that America is dying because we swallow camels (murder and adultery), and strain at gnats (Mormonism).