Episode #261 - Four More Years (Ode to Mitt Romney)

Episode #261 – Four More Years (Ode to Mitt Romney)

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Former Mitt Romney and Rick Scott communications guru Susan Hepworth joins us to talk about Brother Romney’s 2008 and 2012 runs for president, as well as Mitt Romney’s decision not to compete in 2016, and how Mormonism factored into the whole thing. She also tries to convince us to move to Florida, which, no.

Aside from plenty of Mitt Romney talk, we have other news, including a fast for the Rome Temple, which has been met with all sorts of road blocks and is years behind schedule with construction. Keep it in your prayers.

Nary a week after leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encouraged lawmakers to find a balance between religious freedom and fundamental civil rights for the LGBT population, Idaho lawmakers – many of them Mormon – thumbed their collective noses at the idea, voting down a bill that would have afforded gays and lesbians with new protections. So… way to be, Idaho.

Also, check out the Trib Talk below where Elders Oaks and Christofferson are a bit more off-the-cuff, and Elder Oaks responds to his comment on the Church “never apologizing.”

This year’s biggest Oscar snub is not anything related to Selma missing out on acting and directing nominations, or The LEGO Movie getting snubbed for Best Animated Feature. No, this year’s snub is the failure to nominate Meet the Mormons for Best Documentary. Sure, we could blame this on not sending out screeners early enough. *cough* However, now you can watch Meet the Mormons on digital demand, currently on iTunes and Amazon Instant, but soon on Netflix, Google Play, and a host of other nondescript streaming services. Also, for physical medium adherents, you can get it on Blu-ray or DVD.

Did you see the survey that the Church put out on temple garments? It’s closed now, but it was rad.

An atheist is making money selling bibles, and journalists want to know if he feels morally compromised.

Nightline ran a great segment on sister missionaries, which included questions about their bras. Keep it classy, ABC.

Links:

Meet the Mormons digital download

Idaho doesn’t listen to SLC

Garments survey

Rome Temple fast

Atheists make money on Bibles

Sister missionaries on Nightline

Follow Susan Hepworth on Twitter

Mark Pugner

I was a little put off by Geoff’s constant left wing bias in this episode. It was cool to hear the experience of one the people working for the campaign. Geoff should have tried harder to not been so mocking to the guest.

The main question I have is why is everyone so concerned about Mitt being a Mormon, but no one seems to care about Harry Reid. It might have something to do with the dominant, liberal, establishment mass media, and their overwhelming support of the democrat party.
- G-Off
  
  And you just demonstrated terrific conservative bias.
  
  Please explain the left wing bias I espoused in this episode. I hardly took any partisan positions. And if we are going to gripe about partisan stuff, Susan pretty much cleaved unto the party line and talking points the entire time.
  - Mark Pugner
    
    Typical response from a left wing ideologue. They always know that they are right! Your response reminds me of a recent column by Terry Orme, editor of the SL Tribune, where he refuses to admit that he and his staff have an obvious bias towards the left.
    
    I would expect Susan to be biased because she worked on a campaign, but she appeared to be very gracious and didn’t respond with more joking when you mocked Mitt or republicans.
    - G-Off
      
      I don’t think I’ve said I’m right. I’ve asked you for examples of the bias I expressed. You’re the only one so far muckraking. I want to know what I’ve said that you perceive as a certain way, and I’ll own up to anything if I’m able to explore the example.
      
      I don’t assume I’m “always right,” and that’s a very slippery slope for you to be on to assume that “liberals” always know such a thing. I’m happy to be schooled on things, happy to learn more from others, and I welcome others’ point of view.
      
      All I’m seeing so far is that you might be an upset Romney supporter who can’t fathom anyone saying something critical of the man, or better yet, his poorly-run campaign (which isn’t a reflexion of him – it just had muddled messaging).
      
      Also, who says I’m a liberal? You don’t even know how I’ve voted.
      - Mark Pugner
        
        My main gripe is not with what you said, but rather your responses. You came across as mocking and rude. I do agree with some of your criticism of the Romney campaign, but that was two years ago, and as a typical GOP voter I don’t remember things that far in the past.
        
        My proof you’re a liberal is how you respond to Sarah Palin, FOX news, the TEA party.
        
        Thanks for your response, I still enjoy your show, you all are the second best Mormon podcast out there.
      - G-Off
        
        Questioning Palin, Fox News, or Tea Partiers is proof that I’m sane and attempting to be measured in my analysis of news and policy.
        
        Really, what I’m seeing here is that you have a problem with the expression of a moderate-liberal point of view. You obviously wouldn’t be complaining if I had right-wing bias.
        
        And was I going to sit there while Susan touted opinions about Mitt Romney, couched in assumptions that they are true? Of course not. Talking points and party speak are the name of the game, but an opinion isn’t fact.
        
        As far a mocking and rude, I’ll give it a listen. Bear in mind we do play something of characters, or exaggerated versions of ourselves, on the show. I’d still love more specific examples, which you’ve yet to provide.
      - Mark Pugner
        
        Thanks for your generous responses. You all do a great job producing the second best Mormon themed podcast out there. We probably agree on more things than we realize, but no two people ever agree on everything. That is part of what makes life fun.
        
        BTW, the democrats created and run FOX news. 😉
    - G-Off
      
      I’ll give you a free one, since it popped in my head. I think Susan mentioned something about loving living in Florida due to the lack of income taxes, and I mumbled under my breath, “Yes, and they also have a lack of public services.”
      
      So there we go. I’ll admit that one. I’m not for high income taxes, but I think eschewing the income tax entirely results in taxation coming from other, less reasonable means (like the ill-conceived aborted attempt to tax 529 accounts), or deprives the municipality of funding for public works and/or services.

Episode #261 – Four More Years (Ode to Mitt Romney)

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Episode #261 – Four More Years (Ode to Mitt Romney)

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