Jacob Weisberg of Slate

Posted by Mike on 12/21/06

Jacob Weisberg of Slate says the following: "But if he gets anywhere in the primaries, Romney's religion will become an issue with moderate and secular voters—and rightly so. Objecting to someone because of his religious beliefs is not the same thing as prejudice based on religious heritage, race, or gender."

http://www.slate.com/id/2155902/

How did Jacob get his Job at slate? Did someone ask him what religion he was, or did someone ask what experience he had? Perhaps someone asked to see his Resume.

Jacob Weisberg said, "Such views are disqualifying because they're dogmatic, irrational, and absurd. By holding them, someone indicates a basic failure to think for himself or see the world as it is."

Jacob can pre-judge religious people based solely on their religious beliefs? He does not need a Resume. He does not want to look at their IQ, ACT scores, or accomplishments to judge them. All he needs to know is what religion we belong to in order to classify us as "dogmatic, irrational, and absurd". Jacob actually said, "by holding them (these beliefs), someone indicates a basic failure to think for himself or see the world as it is."

Is that how Jacob Weisberg got a job at slate? They asked him for a Resume, and he said, "don't worry, I'm an atheist". And the head-honcho at Slate, said, "Good, I don't have enough time to look at people's qualifications. I hate Résumé's with all those stupid things like, 'graduated from Harvard Business and Law School Cum Laude. Valedictorian. These don't really mean anything. All I need to do is hear a profession of faith (testimony), or lack thereof, depending on what is fashionable in this day and time. By proclaiming your religious beliefs or lack there of you have told me everything I need to know about you. Welcome to Slate.'"

No, I assume that Jacob had to show some qualifications maybe even a Resume. It would have been against federal law for his boss to ask him what religion he was, wouldn't it? Jacob thinks that he should be able to disqualify individuals because of their religious beliefs when they run for president. I wonder if that is how he runs things at slate. Has Jacob ever hired someone who was not an atheist, or is that a pre-requisite at slate? You know, we don't know what is going on over their at slate, but the rest of the world, Jacob, does not just look at a religious litmus test. There is at least some talk of qualifications. If that is all you need in order to be disqualified to be president, if it is that obvious that Mormons do not deserve any respect, no matter how hard they work or what they accomplish, why should they be allowed into college? All Mormons and the other religions that Jacob should be mentioned should be outlawed from college for the reasons that Jacob outlines. He says; "Such views are disqualifying because they're dogmatic, irrational, and absurd. By holding them, someone indicates a basic failure to think for himself or see the world as it is." Sorry Mitt, we are going to have to take away your degrees from Harvard Law and Business school. You are an irrational, dogmatic, and absurd Mormon. You do not deserve them.

Jacob says, "By the same token, I wouldn't vote for someone who truly believed in the founding whoppers of Mormonism." Is that so Jacob? If you owned a business would you hire a Mormon? They have obviously proven to you that they are stupid. Do you want stupid people working for you? Do you feel comfortable admitting to the world that you are a bigot?

Jacob says that Mitt Romney is an "Elder" in the church. If Jacob would have spent 30 seconds talking to someone from the church, he would have realized that Romney is not an Elder.

I think it is great that Jacob wants America to be more like Northern Ireland and Iran were people are judged based on which religion they belong to.

I'm glad that Jacob can take a short cut to intellectualism. He doesn't have to debate Mitt Romney, he doesn't have to read the Old Testament, New Testament, or Book of Mormon. He doesn't have to do better in school, on the ACT's, SAT's or in life than Mitt Romney in order to be smarter than he is. All he has to do is reject Mormonism, and therefore he is smarter than Mitt Romney, and deserves more than Romney does, to be president. Forget that Romney balanced the budget without raising taxes; forget that he came up with a new way corralling people away from the emergency rooms and into insurance plans. None of that Matters. Jacob Weisberg is more qualified to be president, in his view, because he is not a Mormon.

Then Jacob says about the stupidest thing I have ever heard. It is his only argument that he brings to the table besides that Mormons are too stupid to be president. The rest of his article is him parading around in his naked bigotry. But here is the only argument that he bring to the table and it makes me wonder how he got a job working anywhere, even at slate magazine.

He says, "Perhaps Christianity and Judaism are merely more venerable and poetic versions of the same [transparent fraud]. But a few eons makes a big difference. The world's greater religions have had time to splinter, moderate, and turn their myths into metaphor." So according to Jacob every other time there was a religious movement were people left one church and joined another, it was healthy. It was good, because it was a reformation. But when my ancestor, George Laub, who was a Baptist preacher left his church to become a Mormon it was not part of this refining process? He does not think that Mormonism had anything to draw my grandparents to it? It was not a healthy splintering or moderation? Why are all the other new religions good, but Mormonism was bad? Jacob does not tell us. He wants us to judge mitt Romney, without looking at any of the details of his life, and he wants us to agree with him (that religious bigotry towards Mormons is good) without giving us any reason to agree with him. No substance. No reasons to come to his conclusion. No logic. No independent way of judging Mitt. No use of a Resume. No looking at his skills or experience. And Jacob gives us no reason to agree with him, except other religions have been around longer, and for some reason their leaders that started new churches were good, and our leaders were not. We are just supposed to jump to his side without any substance, without any reason besides his self righteous mockery.

I would like to see Jacob Weisberg's Resume, and I can get Mitt Romney's resume, and we can see who America thinks is smarter.

~~~Mike

This is kind of a rough draft. I got my degree in electrical engineering, and I don't write very well. Could someone who can use words better than me take a stab at this?

Barack Hussein Obama

Obama was right about:

Religion

Evolution

Culture

Anti-Intellectualism

Education

Crime and Punishment

That some crimes deserve the death penalty.
Justice Reform

Obama was better on crime than Trump.

Race

Virtues

Obama was a better person and father than Trump.

Taxes

Obama was Wrong About

Crime and Punishment

Race

Obama passed on urban legends that harmed race relations.

Politics

Business and Economy

Abortion

Education

Private Schools

Belief: Obama Opposed Conservative Supreme Court Nominees

Reasons to Agree:
1. Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito
2. Voted NO on confirming John Roberts
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Seen as obstructing qualified nominees for partisan reasons

Belief: Obama Supports Abortion Rights

Reasons to Agree:
1. Led Illinois legislature on protecting a woman's right to choose
2. Supports Roe v. Wade
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Opponents argue life begins at conception and abortion ends a human life

Belief: Obama Voted Against CAFTA

Reasons to Agree:
1. Concern for American labor standards and jobs
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Free trade can stimulate economic growth and development in partner countries

Belief: Obama Opposed Arctic Oil Drilling

Reasons to Agree:
1. Voted to ban drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Limits domestic energy independence and potential economic growth

Belief: Obama Supports Health Care as a Right

Reasons to Agree:
1. Expanded health coverage to 85,000 Illinois residents
2. Advocated for universal coverage
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Government-mandated coverage can increase bureaucracy and cost

Belief: Obama Opposes the Death Penalty

Reasons to Agree:
1. Led reforms in Illinois on capital case procedures
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Some argue capital punishment deters serious crime and delivers justice

Belief: Obama Supports Affirmative Action

Reasons to Agree:
1. Endorsed race-conscious policies in education, hiring, and contracts
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Critics claim it can result in reverse discrimination

Belief: Obama Opposed Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Reasons to Agree:
1. Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Some believe marriage should be defined traditionally

Belief: Obama Opposed the Patriot Act Wiretap Provisions

Reasons to Agree:
1. Voted NO on extending FBI's roving wiretap powers
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Proponents say it enhances national security capabilities

Belief: Obama Opposed Bankruptcy Reform Bill

Reasons to Agree:
1. Believed it would harm consumers
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Aimed to reduce abuse of bankruptcy system

Belief: Obama Supports Immigration Benefits for Legal Immigrants

Reasons to Agree:
1. Supports Medicaid and welfare benefits for legal immigrants
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Critics argue it encourages dependency on state resources

Belief: Obama Supports Gun Control

Reasons to Agree:
1. Advocates banning semi-automatic weapons
2. Supports child safety locks and purchase restrictions
Reasons to Disagree:
1. Opponents claim it infringes on Second Amendment rights

Belief: Obama Criticized Israeli Policy

Reasons to Agree:
1. Willingness to challenge U.S. allies on human rights grounds
Reasons to Disagree:

Risk of undermining strategic alliances in the Middle East

In Case You Missed It: Romney Interviews

Governor Romney on Fox News
In case you missed it, Governor Mitt Romney recently discussed several issues with Fox News' Carl Cameron. Here are some excerpts of what Romney said.

On Life Issues:
"Upon a full examination of the sanctity of life and when life begins, there is no question, when you put together all the DNA, you've got life and it's human. And I recognize that every civilized society respects human life. And on that basis, I came out and said, look, I am pro-life. Let there be no ambiguity."

On Gay Marriage:
"I want gay individuals to have equal rights in housing and equal rights in education. I don't believe in discrimination and I don't believe the American people do. That's a fundamental principle. At the same time, just as fundamental is the principle that marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. And to suggest somehow that those two things can't co-exist, that respecting rights of people who think differently and make different choices in their life that that can't go together with preserving marriage is just not right."

On Religion:
"The name on my church is actually the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I do believe in Jesus Christ is the son of God. But of course there are many others in our country that don't believe that They believe in other faiths and whether that's the Jewish religion or Muslim religion or others and they are entitled to do that. Look, the sixth article of the Constitution of the United States got it right. It said no religious test shall ever be required for qualification for office or public trust in these United States."

Governor Romney Interviewed by National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez
Governor Mitt Romney recently discussed some issues with National Reviews' Kathryn Jean Lopez.

Below is a partial transcript; see the full interview

Lopez: What did you make of the Iraq Study Group report that was released last week?

Gov. Romney: The members of the Iraq Study Group deserve credit for their hard work. But their recommendations read like the product of a flawed process — one more focused on reaching consensus for the sake of reaching consensus. There were a few recommendations that I found especially striking: Suggesting that somehow the Israel-Palestine conflict is a root of sectarian and insurgent violence in Iraq is just wrong. Sunnis are killing Shia and vice versa. Pressuring Israel won't change that.

Proposing that we negotiate with terrorist regimes like Syria and Iran — without a rigorous analysis of how our incentives could ever be aligned — is just counter-productive. I have no quarrel with talking, especially if it yields valuable intelligence and insight about an adversary. But that's a far cry from actually negotiating with Iran, which sponsors Hezbollah, has nuclear ambitions, and has been clear in its intention to wipe our ally Israel off the map. And Syria is systematically undermining the sovereignty of Lebanon and funding and arming terrorists. Any suggestion that we might trade something for their help or forbearance is out of the question. When considering a negotiation, one must ask what kind of leverage we have, and recognize that there are situations where we have more to lose than gain by negotiating.

Finally, inferring that our troops may be withdrawn from combat positions before Iraq is secure runs counter to my view and to the views I have heard from some of America's most accomplished military leaders. I am not suggesting that there are simple solutions for Iraq. But it is clear to me that some of these recommendations will not meet our objectives in Iraq, or in the broader long war America is fighting today.

Lopez: As you know, in recent days the Boston Globe and the New York Times, as well as the Boston newspaper, Bay Windows, have run pieces about your 1994 race against Ted Kennedy and your run for governor that appear to be in conflict with your current position against gay marriage. Are they?

Gov. Romney: These old interviews and stories have frequently been circulated by my opponents ever since I took a stand against the Massachusetts supreme-court ruling on same-sex marriage. This being the political season, it is not surprising this old news has appeared again. But I have made clear since 2003, when the supreme court of Massachusetts redefined marriage by fiat, that my unwavering advocacy for traditional marriage stands side by side with a tolerance and respect for all Americans.

Like the vast majority of Americans, I've opposed same-sex marriage, but I've also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same-sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance. It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law.

I agree with 3,000 years of recorded history. I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman and I have been rock solid in my support of traditional marriage. Marriage is first and foremost about nurturing and developing children. It's unfortunate that those who choose to defend the institution of marriage are often demonized.

Lopez: And what about the 1994 letter to the Log Cabin Republicans where you indicated you would support the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and seemed open to changing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military? Are those your positions today?

Gov. Romney: No. I don't see the need for new or special legislation. My experience over the past several years as governor has convinced me that ENDA would be an overly broad law that would open a litigation floodgate and unfairly penalize employers at the hands of activist judges.

As for military policy and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, I trust the counsel of those in uniform who have set these policies over a dozen years ago. I agree with President Bush's decision to maintain this policy and I would do the same.

Lopez: In a 1994 debate with Senator Kennedy, you said "I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my Mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it." Further confusing matters, the Boston Globe reported in 1994 that "as a Mormon lay leader [you] counseled Mormon women not to have abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother's life was at risk." Governor: What is your position on abortion today? On Roe? How do you account for what is obviously a change — certainly publicly — on the issue?

Gov. Romney: My position has changed and I have acknowledged that. How that came about is that several years ago, in the course of the stem-cell-research debate I met with a pair of experts from Harvard. At one point the experts pointed out that embryonic-stem-cell research should not be a moral issue because the embryos were destroyed at 14 days. After the meeting I looked over at Beth Myers, my chief of staff, and we both had exactly the same reaction — it just hit us hard just how much the sanctity of life had been cheapened by virtue of the Roe v. Wade mentality. And from that point forward, I said to the people of Massachusetts, "I will continue to honor what I pledged to you, but I prefer to call myself pro-life." The state of Massachusetts is a pro-choice state and when I campaigned for governor I said that I would not change the law on abortion. But I do believe that the one-size-fits-all, abortion-on-demand-for-all-nine-months decision in Roe v. Wade does not serve the country well and is another example of judges making the law instead of interpreting the Constitution.

What I would like to see is the Court return the issue to the people to decide. The Republican party is and should remain the pro-life party and work to change hearts and minds and create a culture of life where every child is welcomed and protected by law and the weakest among us are protected. I understand there are people of good faith on both sides of the issue. They should be able to make and advance their case in democratic forums with civility, mutual respect, and confidence that our democratic process is the best place to handle these issues.

And yes, as a private citizen I have counseled women not to have abortions.

Lopez: Does that mean you were "faking it" — as one former adviser has suggested — as a pro-choicer in your previous political campaigns? Why should anyone believe you're really pro-life now?

Gov. Romney: I believe people will see that as governor, when I had to examine and grapple with this difficult issue, I came down on the side of life. I know in the four years I have served as governor I have learned and grown from the exposure to the thousands of good-hearted people who are working to change the culture in our country. I'm committed to promoting the culture of life. Like Ronald Reagan, and Henry Hyde, and others who became pro-life, I had this issue wrong in the past.

Lopez: Will an exposé on Mormon Christmas celebrations hurt you in the primaries?

Gov. Romney: This may sound strange to some, but my grandchildren will be eagerly awaiting presents to be delivered to their homes by a bearded man in a red suit led by a pack of flying reindeer. The lead reindeer, by the way, has a red light bulb for a nose — certainly a YouTube scandal waiting to happen.

Lopez: Read anything good lately?

Gov. Romney: A few of my current favorites are:

The Cube and the Cathedral by George Weigel,
The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright,
America Alone by Mark Steyn,
The Places in Between by Rory Stewart, and
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, Bill Bryson's latest book.

Romney Reading

Romney Books

"What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is a collection of books."
** Thomas Carlyle

I've tried to make a list of other books that Romney has read and referenced. I know he liked the John Adams book by Mccullough. What books have you heard him reference?

1. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, by Bill Bryson
2. The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, "But number five, the culture of America is under attack. Now some people say wait, when you talk about culture, Governor, that's not of the same order of magnitude as the things you just mentioned: jihadists and the emergence of Asia, spending too much money, using too much oil. And I disagree. There was a book written some years ago by a fellow named David Landis; he's a Harvard professor. The book was given to me. It's called The Wealth and Poverty of Nations. The jacket cover included an endorsement by John Kenneth Galbraith. I said, oh boy, this is going to be some liberal diatribe. I read through it and found it pretty scholarly. And after about 500 pages, he concludes with roughly these words: If anything can be learned from the history of economic development in the world, it is this--culture makes all the difference."

3. Does anyone know what book he is talking about? When he mentions "Jim" is he talking about, "James A. Phillips". When he says, Paul is he talking about "Paul Weyrich"? "The sea change applies to our military as well. At one time, we were content with the idea that the military was responsible for winning wars. Increasingly, we find ourselves responsible not only for winning the war, but also for keeping the peace. We play, increasingly, peacekeeping roles; how we prepare for those and train for those is something which Jim and Paul in their book have spent some time talking about." Governor Mitt Romney, Heritage Lecture #904

4. The World is Flat, "Amazingly, these rankings don't even include the countries that are our real competition. India and China, in the words of Tom Friedman's latest book, just brought three billion more people onto the playing field." Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce Hearing on "High School Reform: Examining State and Local Efforts"

5. Theodore Rex and The Rise of Teddy Roosevelt, "Well, I happen to believe that one of the most important things a president of the United States does is set a culture of integrity, character, vision, patriotism, that the values that a president is known for and lives by live on well beyond some of his or her policies -- I guess all his, at this point. His policies. And, you know, I will go back -- and read a couple of books about Teddy Roosevelt last year, "Theodore Rex" and "The Rise of Teddy Roosevelt," I looked at some of his policies and said, gosh, I have exactly the opposite view today. The Republic Party has a different view then it did back in 1900." Governor Mitt Romney, C-Span Transcript, BRIAN LAMB, HOST