re: "The undoing of a Manchurian Mormon"

Gerald Owen, National Post (The Manchurian Canadian, Gowen@nationalpost.com),

I am responding to your "The undoing of a Manchurian Mormon" article published in the National Post on Friday, January 19, 2007.

I have questions as to what exactly you mean by "Manchurian Mormon". You must be confused. Mitt Romney was born in Michigan. Manchuria is region of northeast China comprising the modern-day provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. Are you trying to say that Mitt Romney is Chinese?

The Manchurian Candidate is a 1959 thriller novel written by Richard Condon, later adapted into films in 1962 and 2004. The central concept of the book and the subsequent 1962 film is that the son of a prominent political family has been convinced into becoming an unwilling assassin for the Communist Party; in the 2004 version, the villain was instead a giant corporation called "Manchurian Global". Are you trying to say that Mitt Romney works for the Communist or "Manchurian Global"?

No you are trying to do something more sinister. You call him the "Manchurian Mormon." Much like Joseph McCarthy, you accuse Mitt Romney of something sinister, without participating in a forum where you present any evidence, or even invite people to respond with reasons to agree or disagree with your conclusion.

You never define what exactly a "Manchurian Mormon" is, because doing so would expose your bigotry. With a wink-wink you label him the "Manchurian Mormon" and let the reader's imagination run wild hysteria of all the possibilities.

Should any Mormon be allowed to participate in the work force? I work for an architecture and engineering firm as an electrical engineer. Should you inform you write my boss about the "Manchurian Mormon" electrical engineers union (MMEE)? We are a secrete organization trying to take over the field of electrical engineers. As Mormons only make up 3% of the US population, we have not done a very good job of taking over the field of electrical engineering. Those darn "Manchurian Jews" and "Manchurian African Americans" are keeping us "Manchurin Mormons" out of power (do you see how bigoted that sounds when you replace Mormons with other groups?)

re: "The Mormonism of Mitt Romney, one of the most plausible candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, has become an issue on church-and-state grounds."

How has this become an issue and with whom?

re: "This issue was raised notably in a New Republic article by Damon Linker, excerpted on these pages a week ago. A back-and-forth debate in that magazine followed."

Mr. Linker did not bring up any separation of "church-and-state issues". He forwarded the belief that Mitt Romney proves his incompetence because he is a Mormon. Mr. Linker did not assert that Mitt Romney would affect any "church-and-state" issues.

re: "The religious views of political candidates should be open to question; they are not merely private, inner matters."

You are very good at stating the conclusions that you have adopted as truth, but you are not very good at stating any REASONS to agree with your conclusion. So where do I began, when you don't even make a case for your beliefs?

Again, you state: "The religious views of political candidates should be open to question; they are not merely private, inner matters."

Mitt Romney has indicated that his beliefs cause him to love his country, love his family, and try to do right by his neighbor. Mitt Romney does not believe in lying, stealing, or killing. Mitt Romney thinks that when he dies he will be judged according to his actions and the intent of his heart with regard to the way that he treated his wife, kids, and those that he came in contact with. What does any of this have to do with politics?

Perhaps there is an overlap of religious and political issues with regard to questions of ethics in government, but you don't want to be bothered by the details and go into these, you would rather engage in insinuation name calling (the Manchurian Mormon).

The only obvious question of where politics and religion overlap would be abortion and gay rights. Mitt Romney, like many others, believes that Abortion should be decided on a state-by-state basis. Atheist and those from every religion agree and disagree with Romney. Romney's religion does not say when life begins, and so his religious views are not an issue when it comes to abortion.

Here is the LDS church's position on same sex marriage.

http://lds.org/newsroom/issues/answer/0,19491,6056-1-202-4-202,00.html

To summarize, the LDS church does not say weather same-gender attraction is Nature, Nurture, a choice, or something someone is born with. The church teaches love, acceptance and tolerance of those with same-gender attraction.

Some high-lights: "The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction. Those are scientific questions — whether nature or nurture — those are things the Church doesn't have a position on."

But the church's teaches don't really matter. The official religion of the largest country on the planet is atheism (China). And in People's Republic of China, same-sex marriage is not allowed. Many ethical atheist believe children deserve both a mother and a father. So religion, really, is not the problem. The advocates of same sex marriage shouldn't change the subject to a person's religion, or practice politics of personal destruction by saying that someone from a particular religion should not be elected president. What they should do is stay on the subject and hand, and try to advance the argument that children advance just as well when they have two mothers or two fathers.

But people don't want to have a logical debate on the issues. Gerald Owen doesn't want to deal with the specific tenants of Romney's faith that he finds objectionable. He would rather operate on the level of name calling. Well two people can play that game. Gerald Owens, is a Bigot. Anyone who brings up Romney's religion as a disqualification for office, without specifically saying which beliefs are objectionable is a bigot. Romney's religion may be so stupid that it should disqualify him for president, but you are a bigot if all you do is say that he is a Mormon, mention some thing or other about "the Manchurian Mormon", and play on people's illogical fears.

Once again, I'm not saying EVERYONE who says Romney's religion disqualifies him from being president is a bigot. Only those who leave the world of logic, and go to the world of name calling and insinuation.

Regards,

Mike

Mitt Romney Interview With Mike Gallagher

Mitt Romney Interview With Mike Gallagher

Mike talks the former Massachusetts governor.

   Length: 00:06:29

Re: Romney retreats on gun control; Ex-governor woos Republican votes, By Scott Helman, Globe Staff, January 14, 2007

Re: "Former governor Mitt Romney, who once described himself as a supporter of strong gun laws, is distancing himself from that rhetoric now as he attempts to court the gun owners who make up a significant force in Republican primary politics."

 

Is this accurate? You be the judge. Lets lay out the time line of Romney's position on Gun Control, and see if Romney has changed or if the Boston Globe is guilty of working for the Democratic party when they assert the above statement

 

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy

According to his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Romney "is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms." July 1st, 2002 Mitt Romney signed a permanent ban on Assault Weapons. "Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts," Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen's groups and gun safety advocates. "These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people."

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy

2007

• "Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I'm proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms." - Governor Mitt Romney, 01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show

2005

Also, in 2005, Romney designated May 7 as "The Right to Bear Arms Day" in Massachusetts to honor "the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense."

2004

• "Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts. These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people." Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen's groups and gun safety advocates. 07-01-2004 Press Release

• "By making this common-sense change to the law we will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in our state and allow enthusiasts to practice the sport they love." - Governor Mitt Romney, 07-01-2004 Press Release
• "Mitt Romney supports the strict enforcement of gun laws. He is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms." - www.romneyhealey.com/issues/, no longer active, see Web Archive
• "Stun guns have proven time and time again when used by law enforcement officers in other states that they are an effective tool in stopping suspects. It is high time for our men and women in blue to utilize this modern crime fighting technology." Governor Mitt Romney 07-15-2004 Press Release

2002

In 2002, even as he was pledging to uphold the state's strong gun laws, Romney still garnered a "B" grade from the NRA.

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy Press Releases

2004

07-01-2004, Romney signs off on permenent assault weapons ban

• The bill enjoyed the support of Massachusetts gun owners because it also encompassed several measures they favored -- including a lengthening of the terms of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry. (Asked about the bill Friday, Romney described it as a "consensus measure" and a "positive step.")

2006

07-26- 2006, Governor Romney Approves Exemption for Target Pistols

2006

01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show

 

 

David Brody of The Christian Broadcasting Network has the following report:

Let's talk about the war. Not the Iraq war. This war is between Mitt Romney and the anti-Romney grassroots groups in Massachusetts. I've never seen anything like this. My email inbox is scorching hot from the rhetoric flying from both sides.

But here's where it gets real interesting. Normally, groups like Mass Resistance, led by the leader Brian Camenker get minimal attention. But they have been pretty diligent in consistently pounding home this "Romney's a hypocrite" theme. They haven't received too much attention from the mainstream media but the Boston Globe has run with some of their research and the blogosphere is talking about it.

Let's do a reset here. Mitt Romney wants to be President. A Group called Mass Resistance thinks he's a phony. Romney calls himself a true conservative. This group thinks he's anything but citing what they say are his flip flops on gay rights, abortion and a host of other issues. They detail all of their claims in a 28 page report called "The Mitt Romney deception".

So what does the Romney's campaign do? Do they ignore the group? To the contrary. They have come out with an aggressive campaign to discredit Camenker and Mass Resistance. They are fighting fire with fire. Romney's press shop knows that they must stop this group now or risk having their charges gain steam. They are trying to cut this thing off right now.  They actually put out a press release attacking this group and Camenker personally.

It seems to me Romney must be reading the book by Mark Halperin and John Harris called "The Way to Win. Because in that book, it talks about how it's vital for a Presidential candidate to keep control of his image. Don't let others define you. It seems his team is determined to define Romney on their terms, not others.

Mitt Romney won't let democrats get away with playing games

This is an actual Press Release that Mitt Romney released. We are letting the democrats get away, and no one confronts them. Romney would change this.

~ Myclob

July 23, 2004

ROMNEY, DECRYING POLITICS, VETOES SENATE VACANCY BILL

Says Democrats are putting interests of party ahead of the people

Governor Mitt Romney today vetoed a bill that would leave empty the office of U.S. Senator for as much as five months while a special election is carried out in the event of a vacancy.

Romney's veto comes after the Legislature rejected a proposed amendment by the Governor that would have allowed the Senate President and House Speaker a consultative role in an interim appointment.

"The bill deprives the people of Massachusetts from continuous representation in Congress," said Romney. "This would put Massachusetts at a disadvantage relative to every other state and would deny our citizens an equal voice on important issues that affect the Commonwealth and the nation."

Currently, if a vacancy occurs due to a senator's death, resignation or expulsion, state law empowers the Governor to appoint a replacement to hold office until a special election can take place. This is the prevailing practice across the United States.

If the veto is overridden and a vacancy occurs, Massachusetts would be under-represented in the highest lawmaking body in the land for almost half the year, with no ability to participate in votes to declare war, appoint federal judges or decide tax policy.

Romney, a Republican, blamed politics, saying the overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature has put the interests of their party ahead of the people.

"This is partisanship pure and simple," Romney said. "The Democrats would rather not have someone fighting for transportation money, for pollution regulations, to prevent base closures in our state if it means a Republican governor is going to make an appointment."

Since the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, which provided for the direct election of senators, 174 people have been temporarily appointed by Governors to unexpired Senate terms. Of those, 55 went on to win election; 55 tried but failed to win nomination or election; and 64 people chose not to seek election at all.

Mitt Romney and the Surge

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney, in direct consideration of the proposed increase in troop deployments in Iraq, issued the following statement today putting an emphasis on the need for clear and measurable strategic objectives.

"I agree with the President: Our strategy in Iraq must change. Our military mission, for the first time, must include securing the civilian population from violence and terror. It is impossible to defeat the insurgency without first providing security for the Iraqi people. Civilian security is the precondition for any political and economic reconstruction.

"In consultation with Generals, military experts and troops who have served on the ground in Iraq, I believe securing Iraqi civilians requires additional troops. I support adding five brigades in Baghdad and two regiments in Al-Anbar province. Success will require rapid deployment.

"This effort should be combined with clear objectives and milestones for U.S. and Iraqi leaders.

"The road ahead will be difficult but success is still possible in Iraq. I believe it is in America's national security interest to achieve it."

~ by Myclob

What a great cartoon hu?

You think you're tough, but even my democratic opponents stand behind me to help defeat you!!

Romney, unlike I heart Huckibee, supports Bush. Its not only the democrats pooring A-1.

Governor Mitt Romney and Islamist

• "The key issues we face, of course, are first, the conflict with the jihadists. This is a conflict which is going on within the world of Islam, and the jihadists are attempting to overcome the moderate, modern factions of Islam and replace them with a caliphate. It's going to require the involvement of the U.S. as a leader of the world to help move Islam away from that kind of extremism and violence."
• Governor Mitt Romney, Q&A: Mitt Romney Discusses Iraq War, Reagan's Influence and Gay Marriage

• "The defeat of this radical and violent faction of Islam must be achieved through a combination of American resolve, international effort, and the rejection of violence by moderate, modern, mainstream Muslims. An effective strategy will involve both military and diplomatic actions to support modern Muslim nations. America must help lead a broad-based international coalition that promotes secular education, modern financial and economic policies, international trade, and human rights."
• Governor Mitt Romney's, PAC

• "Romney wants the public to know that Jihadists are not an 'armed group of crazed maniacs in the hills of Afghanistan.' Rather, Romney says the United States is facing a 'far more sinister and broad-based extremist faction' with a 'very 8th century view of the world.'"
• Governor Mitt Romney, ABC News, April 30, 2006

• "The jihadists are waging a global war against the United States and Western governments generally with the ambition of replacing legitimate governments with a caliphate, with a theocracy."
• Governor Mitt Romney, Omaha World Herald, January 23, 2006

• "The president is right to point to an international jihadist movement aimed at the collapse of the United States. He has gone after that threat in the right way and with great energy and vigor, and I applaud the fact that he has taken it on very seriously and has not considered it just a criminal action but instead a war action, which requires a military…response."
• Governor Mitt Romney, A Mitt Romney candidacy would test the religious right, BY JAMES TARANTO, Saturday, December 31, 2005

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Islamist