But I can't deny that I'm happy to see the Romney camp call out Al Sharpton on what certainly sounds like an anti-Mormon comment. Here it is:
"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation," Sharpton said during a debate with [Christopher] Hitchens at the New York Public Library.Not everyone in America signed on to Sharpton's elevation to National Moral Arbiter during last month's Imus imbroglio. (The news networks, on the other hand, were happy to acquiesce. That Tawana Brawley messiness was wiped from the record in an instant.)
"In no way did I attack Mormons or the Mormon Church when I responded that other believers, not atheists, would vote against Mr. Romney for purely political reasons," Sharpton said.Last month Sharpton insisted, when asked if Imus was bigot, that he couldn't know what was in Don Imus' heart - i.e., perception matters as much intent. Fair enough.
Well then, all we have to go on are Sharpton's words and how they sound. And they certainly sound, um, bigoted.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 7)
31. Clarence Witt,
I heard Sean Hannity speak about the 'gotcha mentality' and I can see that you're speaking with your tongue in your cheek, but I disagree with his premise on several levels:
sharpton's apology is back handed in my opinion, and sounds more like an accusation.
why should the mormons (lds) have to sit down at the emperor's throne and meet with him. they were minding their own business when al decided to shoot off his mouth.
al has a history of making outrageous statements and never takes responsibility for them. he has yet to apologize for the Tawana Brawley insodent, where he made some terribly vicious statements and has not apologized, even when they found out that she lied and produced the entire episode.
he recently insisted that Don Imus be fired for bigotted remarks, but imus is a shock jock, while sharpton is a minister and a former candidate for the presidential nomination. we should expect shocking things to come out of the mouth of imus, but we have every reason for a man that says he believes in God and is responsible for being an example of that fact to temper his words.
This is not a 'gotcha mentality' to criticize al sharpton. it is the realization that he is an abusive bully that needs to be held accountable and his words should be criticized, because he is operating in the public square: he chose to be on a high platform and he deserves the scrutiny that comes with it.
Cdalealden at 7:11PM on May 10th 2007
32. No one really cares what he says or what Imus says or any of the many others. Should he apologize? NO- He is really not that important. Neither is Don Imus. We need to focus on the bigger picture, like whats going on in our states and the national level. This other stuff is only a distraction and not even a good one!!
marya at 7:12PM on May 10th 2007
33. Don Imus' apology wasn't good enough for Al Sharpton, so why should his be good enough for us? It's about time that all of us see how worthless this guy really is. Kind of makes you think about that do-unto-others thing, doesn't it.
Mark R-B at 7:24PM on May 10th 2007
34. Mormonism is a cult. They believe that God lived on earth & was a good man & so got to go to heaven , taking his wife, & become God.Also they think that, ic they are good enough, they can have a planet & be God there. Newsweek,Sept. 21, 1980, page 68
K.Frasier at 7:33PM on May 10th 2007
35. If this inarticulate bully ever decides to start handing out all the apologies he owes, the Mormons would have to stand in line behind a lot of people, including the Duke lacrosse players, Don Imus and damned near everyone associated with the Tawana Brawley mess.
sherry at 7:37PM on May 10th 2007
36. tawana brawly, tawana Brawly, Tawana Brawly need more be said??????
Paul at 8:02PM on May 10th 2007
37. I agree the Rev.title is a disrepectful use of the word when it comes with Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson. They both are true 100% RACISTS! As long as THEY can alienate, & oppress Black Americans THEY are happy! Mormons are Christians. Old "playa" Al (the Pimp) Sharpton is too stupid to even know it! He should ask Gladys Knight, and I wonder did he know that the Former Black Panther the late great ELDRIDGE CLEAVER WAS A MORMON!
Marcelle at 8:00PM on May 10th 2007
38. Al Sharpton is pathetic a racist with no credibility.
mary a mitchell at 8:20PM on May 10th 2007
39. Sharpton is a racist. By the way Sen. Harry
(We Lost The War) Reid is a Morman. Oh! Right he
is a liberal Democrat they can say and do no
wrong. The same goes for Ku Klux Clan Sen. Byrd.
Patricia at 8:44PM on May 10th 2007
40. I think he should get his publicist to have Al Sharpton come on his program so he can talk about it and hopefully be pardoned.
Oh wait.
Putting this specific issue aside, it's completely legit in my book to criticize and challenge a person's religion. A person can always change religions, but you can't escape your heritage. More importantly, I would argue that there is absolutely no reason that a person should feel compelled to change his or her race, but there are an infinite amount of reasons that people should be be rethinking their religious viewpoints. It's always good and healthy to have your passions challenged once in a while, otherwise you sink into a state of blind faith.
Maya at 9:57PM on May 10th 2007
41. I would also like to add:
Perhaps a dislike of Mr. Sharpton is what is really behind these results. Given that 33% of Americans say that they would never even consider voting for a Mormon candidate, I doubt they would take much offense to his comments.
Maya at 9:57PM on May 10th 2007
42. the best way for al sharpton to fade away is for people to forget about him. he is getting way to much free publicity. forget him and he will go away, he is nobody.......
jerry at 9:45PM on May 10th 2007
43. i read the book of mormon back in college(i was trying to gain "biblical knowledge"of a certain young mormon lady)...anyway, i got to the part where it says that black folk are cursed and forbidden to enter unto the gates of heaven...ICEWATER ON THE GONADS...
the truth at 9:46PM on May 10th 2007
44. Don't expect and I'm sorry" from Sharpton the black racist. He never said sorry for the Tawanna Brawly debacal, draging the names of good man through the mud. It's about time someone took his sorry hide to task! Nail him Mit!
chrisbfl at 12:54AM on May 11th 2007
45. Is Sharpton a racist? 2 words..........Tawana Brawley..
Will he apologise? Never...that's not in his make up.
don stack at 10:17PM on May 10th 2007