Fri 19 Nov 2010
Greg Patterson at Espresso Pundit alerted me earlier to Arizona Daily Star Cartoonist David Fitzsimmons' Facebook post regarding Mormons. Fitzsimmons, on his Facebook page has the following to say:
Can I just say my favorite comment is from Meloe Ba, who said, “You spelled it wrong [referring to Mormons] it’s Moron.” Clever.
Patterson is right, that in any other professional setting, Fitzsimmons' behavior would warrant a reprimand, or worse. As a Mormon, I try not to get too upset about people being critical of my faith. It is the left that likes to inflame insensitivities in the name of cultural or religious respect. As a conservative I am even less fond of the politically correct world that we are all forced to live in. I do however believe that newspapers should be held to a higher standard, as Patterson notes.
In either case, Fitzsimmons doubled down on his "bigotry" of Mormons. Patterson posted an email response from Fitzsimmons:
From: David Fitzsimmons
Date: November 19, 2010 7:34:24 MST To: Subject: Re: Your Facebook comment about Mormons
Thanks for writing.
Mormonism affects Pearce's political views. Russell Pearce, when asked about cutting healthcare for the poor, said they'll be okay. Thousands of chronically poor will be okay. The man's either a cretin or living in an insulated fantasy world where he believes everyone will be taken care of by the church on the corner. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he beleieves that the sick and poor are the lillies of the field.
I am familiar with the Book of Mormon. All I'll say is I must respect another man's belief much as I respect his belief that his children are bright and his mate beautiful.
As for myself I am a happy atheist. As Twain said,"There's only one Christian in history I know of and they crucified him early on."
You owe an apology to the next person who dies because of Pearce's witless cruelty"”inspired and strengthened by his version of a loving God. And die they will. Mormons prefer to control social services within their own community and believe in extremely limited government. All of the political leadership in this state emanates from one district and one religion and one ethnic group and as a consequence, with that philosophy this state is a disaster. A joke. A tragedy.
I hope you are embarrassed by these individuals and will hold them accountable.
Perhaps his fellow compassionate Mormons will hold him to task.
And perhaps angels fly.
I miss Mo Udall.
Be well. Cheerfully, David
First, I wish the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is as conservative as Fitzsimmons believes it to be. Fitzsimmons' fantasy would make me a very happy conservative. Unfortunately my faith is filled with a myriad of viewpoints on all manners of political issues, from abortion to immigration. Forgetting Romney and Pierce, to my everlasting shame, Senator Harry Reid is a Mormon. Fitzsimmons points out that he misses "Mo Udall," an Arizona Democratic icon and a Mormon.
Second, regarding immigration, my church has recently endorsed the Utah Compact, a statement urging a moderate solution to our immigration problems. As a Mormon, I disagree with the Utah Compact and its disingenuous portrayal of the Utah legislature and individuals who do not adopt a "moderate" position on immigration. Regardless, it is clear that within my own faith, immigration is a complicated issue with a variety of viewpoints.
Lastly, we will explore Fitzsimmons' fascination with bashing on Mormons, a fairly chic past time since Proposition 102 and California's Proposition 8; a pastime that has a rich history in Arizona and an apparently rich history at the Arizona Daily Star. Patterson correctly points out that Fitzsimmons' critique of Mormonism would not be so palatable if it was directed at people of the Jewish faith.
Can I just say that Fitzsimmons does not know what he is talking about, regarding Mormonism, and be done with it? Listen, I get it, Fitzsimmons is a cartoonist who is an expert in hyperbolic language and imagery. He hates Mormons and blames the Arizona Mormon voting bloc for a large portion of the state's problems. He is entitled to his opinion as an individual, an apparently as an employee at the Arizona Daily Star. This aside, he incorrectly characterizes our doctrine and our political positions. The reality is Fitzsimmons is as familiar "with the book of Mormon," as I am familiar with Cartoon[ism].
Can we please keep the debate somewhat civil by refraining from disparaging a faith that is very sacred to the hundreds of thousands of Mormons in Arizona, including myself. Thanks.
The only conspiracy theory about Mormonism that is true is that we own Pepsi Co. Just kidding, we own Dr. Pepper.
Thomas Grier is the Creative Director at Revolution Strategies, a consulting company that specializes in grassroots organization and new media. He is also editor of Rebel Politics, a political blog that focuses on election coverage. Thomas graduated from Arizona State University in 2009. He is currently attending The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law where he is completing his juris doctorate. He currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and son.
I agree that Pearce is not the most compassionate LDS I have encountered, and he may be wrong about the people left out of ACHHS being “all right.” But the Mormon foudation in this state has been the rock upon which much of the population stands and what has been the basis for our “western capability.” Although not a Mormon myself, I certainly respect most.
Mormons don’t own Dr. Pepper. The former CFO of PepsiCo. is a Mormon. He is also the same moron who was the head of the Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee, when they found out that Salt Lake was paying off Olympic voters with bribes, prostitutes, and college scholarships for their kids.
He was kicked out of the position & the squeaky-clean Mitt Romney was whisked in to save the day. And I must say that Mitt did a heckuva job!
Oops. I said that Salt Lake was paying off people. It wasn’t Salt Lake City. It was the committee itself or wealthy members of the organizing committee.
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
Read Full Article »