Day: October 29, 2012
Of Americans now express explicit anti-black attitudes, compared with 48 percent in a similar 2008 survey. When measured by an implicit racial attitudes test, the number of Americans with anti-black sentiments jumped to 56 percent, up from 49 percent during the last presidential election. In both tests, the share of Americans expressing pro-black attitudes fell, a new AP Poll finds.
Adelson the Largest Political Donor Since — Forever
$54.44 million
Amount casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, along with members of his family, has given to super PACs to help elect a variety of Republican candidates, from presidential hopeful Mitt Romney down to a House of Representatives race in New Jersey. Adelson, “among those whose contributions are disclosed, is far and away the largest donor to independent political efforts in both the 2012 election and in any single election in modern history,” the Huffington Post reports.
Christie Urges New Jerseyites to Not Be ‘Stupid’
Don’t be stupid. Get out.
— New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), quoted by the New York Post, warning residents in low lying areas not to try to ride out Hurricane Sandy.
Despite Storm, Clinton Remains on the Stump for Obama
We’re coming down to the 11th hour. We’re facing a violent storm. It’s nothing compared to the storm we’ll face if you don’t make the right decision in this election.
— Bill Clinton, quoted by the CT Mirror, campaigning in Connecticut.
Blind Obedience and Mitt Romney
Mormon blind obedience
Since the days of the founding “prophet” of Mormonism, Joseph Smith Jr., presiding officers of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) have mandated obedience to Church officials. The LDS Church is a patriarchal religion rooted in the traditions of the Old Testament. Unquestioning loyalty to LDS leaders is an immutable demand placed on Church members — and a fundamental characteristic of Mormonism.
LDS authorities believe they have a divine right to impose their will upon others.
Mormon culture emphasizes the need for members to be obedient to the authoritarian control of Church leadership. LDS authorities believe they have a divine right to impose their will upon others. A member cannot be considered a good Mormon unless he or she is subservient to LDS leaders and demonstrates compliance with Mormon teachings. Mormons may insist they sustain Church officials on a voluntary basis, but if they do not conform to the directives of their leaders, they may be judged to be in a state of apostasy.
Blind obedience compels the subordination of individual LDS Church members to the hierarchical superstructure. It is the invisible glue that binds the LDS Church and the principal ingredient that fuels the wealthy and powerful Mormon machine. Questioning the edicts of LDS authorities is viewed as subversive behavior that undermines religious faith. Blind obedience keeps Church members in check, via an uncomplicated, orderly world, where dissent is largely prohibited and Mormons obediently do as they are told — a psychological pattern generally valued above critical thinking by faithful Mormons.
