Comments on: Like Lowell Said, “Hmmmmm…..”

By: CarlH

CarlH — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:56:48 +0000

Last Sunday's New York Times, of all places--but in the business section [!]--took a look at the fallout from public disclosure laws as applied to foment "intimidation" (yes, the Times actually used that word in this context!) of individual Proposition 8 donors--and their employers, as an example of the law of unintended consequences as applied to public campaign disclosure statutes, including the extreme irony of the fact that the sponsors of at least one website promoting the intimidation manage to remain anonymous. Terry Mattingly at GetReligion.org looks at the piece for its curious lack of media discussion of the ethical issues of such tactics.

By: CarlH

CarlH — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:38:25 +0000

GetReligion.org took a look at reporting about spending on Proposition 8 from some other angles. As if anyone needed any additional proof that for most reporters, it much less about reporting than about furthering an agenda. Interestingly enough, NPR of all places actually noted that California teachers, despite their union's opposition spending on Prop 8, individually contributed 2-to-1 in favor of Prop 8.

By: K.G.

K.G. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:19:26 +0000

And that, of course, is the game plan of many in the “evangelical” movement: Make Mormonism a target from all sides.

Even though Latter-day Saints might make common cause on social and political issues, the cost for that help is too high if it lends any credibility to Mormonism. Some Mormons I know believe that making a significant contribution will finally earn us some respect; we will be allowed into the club.

I say nay; the stronger and more effective the Mormons become, the more they will become a target of evangelicals. One evangelical was quoted as saying: If, by my voting for a Mormon POTUS, one person were to become a Mormon, that person’s damnation would be on my head. God would hold me accountable.

For such people, the current situation is a win/win. The cause received Mormon money and support, but Mormons are publicly demonized for their efforts.