Posted on 03/03/2010 12:02:12 PM PST by Colofornian
The MMO takes the media pulse in three areas: slimy tabloids intrude into the Osmonds' sacred space in the wake of a tragedy, the media still can't move beyond Mitt Romney's faith, and U.K.'s Guardian takes a jaded view of Mormon-Catholic cooperation.
Intrusion into a family moment
Leave it up to the tabloid press to exploit the Osmonds once again as they reported on the suicide of Marie Osmond's son, Michael. The Mormon Media Observer will not reprint or link to the myriad of tabloid articles filled with speculation and innuendo. Let's just say this, the kind of press coverage the suicide got in the British and American tabloids is journalism (if you can call it that) at its worst. At least, more mainstream newspapers played the story with a bit more respect, but how do journalists balance celebrity without exploiting it for sensational value. I appreciated the Mormon Times post by cousin Don Osmond which gave us insight into this tragedy. A Belief.net blogger also took a much gentler approach.
Media can't move beyond Romney's Mormonism
On Feb. 22, USA Today ran a front-page story about Mitt Romney, "Is it Romney's Time?" The paper points out that the book doesn't "try to explain or defend his Mormon faith, an issue in 2008." It continues: "And the refusal of some to support a Mormon? 'There will always be some who do, and that's unfortunate,' he says. But for most Americans, 'when it comes to voting, and they think about who's going to lead the country, they select the person that they think will do the best job'."
So the question to the reporter is why this even important to the story? Doesn't the media bear some responsibility for making his faith an issue in the public mind?
Scott Hindes of Gig Harbor, Wash., wrote in a letter to USA Today: "If one wants an explanation of the faith, then read the Book of Mormon, and visit Salt Lake City or a house of worship belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since when is religion a requirement or a subject that should be raised as an issue?"
A recent article from Reuters also raises the faith issue this way:
"Romney has been a controversial figure in national politics, in part because of his Mormon faith -- he would be the first Mormon president if elected -- and in part because of his personal fortune, estimated at more than $200 million."
So why does his faith make him controversial? Journalists need to do better than just throwing unsupported terms like "controversial" around.
Catholics and Mormons
The U.K's Guardian newspaper picked up on the story of a U.S. Cardinal speaking at Brigham Young University. Could the columnist, Riazat Butt, be any more skeptical? Here's her take:
"So why the cosying up? There is an increasingly secular mood in the US and religious groups are all too aware of it. The Roman Catholic hierarchy knows it cannot rely solely on its congregations to campaign on touchstone issues and a 'vital bulwark' -- in the shape of the devout, wealthy and organised LDS church -- is just what's needed to help it."
Give me a break.
While I voted for Romney here in OK...it was basically a protest vote..against McCain. As the race was OVER by the time Okie's were able to vote....
Neither one of them were acceptable candidates, IMO....And IF, the GOP foists Romney on us in 2012...I will be greatly disappointed.
But unfortunately...I think that's probably going to happen..Considering their support of Scozzi, Spector, and others.....
We are screwed.............
“C. S. Lewis”
Lewis was not a Catholic. He was Anglican.
You got that right. They'd like nothing better than Obama vs. Romney...waiting til the campaign was underway to emphasize that Romney was a 30-yo tithing member of a church that still had on their temple doors, "No black priestholders alive."
This would cater to the MSM's desire to make the election the referendum on racism they didn't quite get with McCain.
That's good, since I am not Mormon...
Sounded like fair political analysis to me. Many o fthe same things were said about Joe Libermann ( how can he do his job if he is an observant Jew?) or Jack Kennedy ( he’ll be loyal to Rome not the US). Frankly, this comes with the territory of running for office. If Mitt doesn’t want the scrutiny, then don’t run.
The State Run Media will definitely go after Romney for two main reasons: 1) They do not like Romney’s views. 2) They do not like a socially conservative religious faith. I have my theological disagreements with Mormonism, but they are politically conservative although I do not know how a Mormon can justify supporting Harry Reed. This may be a case where being a Mormon means more than being a conservative.
I don’t think I said you were one.
And yet still a better Catholic than Mel. What a disappointment.
If you think so...
Perhaps it was the tone of your post to me.
uh, DUH....magritte
We shall see.....
Hopefully by then...I'm sipping cool drinks on Utila.
Make no mistake about it, the NCC and the WCC are communist fronts.
I left the day the minister started raising funds for Handgun Control Inc, and to build field hospitals for the Viet Cong.
Ah....
What just is mormon bashing?
The MSM will to some degree "hold their fire until they see the whites of Romney's eyes."
2) They do not like a socially conservative religious faith. I have my theological disagreements with Mormonism, but they are politically conservative although I do not know how a Mormon can justify supporting Harry Reed. This may be a case where being a Mormon means more than being a conservative.
Please avoid political naivete -- in assessing Mormon candidates simply because grassroots Mormons are generally conservative. Here's the facts:
(1) Almost 30% of Mormon congressmen are Democrats:
* Thomas Udall of NM (& the CO Udall, too)
* James Matheson of UT
* Leonard Boswell of IA
* ex-Congressman Baron Hill of IN is, too & is re-running for an IN seat
(2) Look @ even the Mormon Republicans:
* Sen. Bennett of UT -- 8th most liberal voting record among Senate Republicans;
* Sen. Gordon Smith (OR)(National Right to Life gave Smith a 50% rating...@ Web site "on the issues" is this comment about Smith: "Works often with Sen. Wyden (D-OR) & Sen. Obama (D-IL). (Oct 2008)"
* Rep. Dean Heller of NV also socially liberal
Romney likewise IS NOT socially conservative:
Not on healthcare (Mittcare)
Not on embryonic stem cell research (told Katie Couric in Dec 07 that 'twas "OK" for a parent to give their embryo child up for either adoption or "research" [Uh, "research" = death]
Not on abortion (the great waffler of all wafflers on this)
Not on protecting employers from ENDA-like legislation (ENDA = Employment Non-Discrimination Act pushed by homosexual activists)
Etc.
Well, if you don’t see (first post), then perhaps, for you, mormon bashing doesn’t exist.
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