Confirmed: Jon Huntsman is a wanker

[Jeff Lebowski]

I have no case to build. I was just trying to explain why people might be reacting negatively to his current statements about his faith. I haven't lived in Utah for almost 30 years so I don't know how he behaved in public while governor. But now that you mention it, I do recall seeing him in attendance at general priesthood meeting a couple of times, sitting in the VIP section in the very front. I also remember being kind of impressed that he showed up. That's so anecdotal as to be almost meaningless, but if he did that sort of thing often then it's fair for people to wonder, in light of his current vagueness about his faith, if he was just posturing while governor of Utah. That's all I am saying. If I had lived in Utah I am 100% sure I would have voted for Huntsman and I think he did a good job as governor.

If something so benign as attending a meeting can be construed as posturing, then I guess he was posturing. But I don't that is fair at all.

BTW, I know many members who support civil unions. In fact, I think a large chunk of the church membership who don't live in a bubble (Cache County, Utah County, the Mesa, AZ area, for example) also support them. I always have.

His civil union stance was kind of a big deal here in Utah.

[tooblue]

For example, if someone were to say, "RobinFinderson might live in California, but he has never really left the state of Utah," that metaphorically implies that some aspect of Utah-ness continues to color my worldview.

Can you please offer a similar explanation for this metaphor that you keep using, and then explain how it applies to Huntsman?

Has Jay Z left the Empire State?

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8&feature=related"]YouTube - "Empire State of Mind" Jay-Z | Alicia Keys [OFFICIAL VIDEO][/nomedia]


How 'bout Billy Joel?

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZh8YjbDiVk&feature=related"]YouTube - New York State Of Mind / Billy Joel[/nomedia]

[LA Ute]

If something so benign as attending a meeting can be construed as posturing, then I guess he was posturing. But I don't that is fair at all.

Well, I said:

If he did that sort of thing often then it's fair for people to wonder, in light of his current vagueness about his faith, if he was just posturing while governor of Utah.

I don't know "if he did that sort of thing often."

[RobinFinderson]

Has Jay Z left the Empire State?

YouTube - "Empire State of Mind" Jay-Z | Alicia Keys [OFFICIAL VIDEO]


How 'bout Billy Joel?

YouTube - New York State Of Mind / Billy Joel

You still aren't explaining what you meant when you said that the word 'physically' was used metaphorically. My own explanation example of "RobinFinderson might live in California, but he has never really left the state of Utah," fits both the Billy Joel and Jay-Z metaphors, neither of which hangs the metaphorical meaning on the word 'physically,' which, I think for most people, tends to imply literal physical presence.

Again, metaphorically speaking, what are you trying to say when you argue that, metaphorically speaking, Huntsman has never 'physically' left the state of Utah?

I would appreciate just a simple explanation of the meaning, because honestly, perhaps due to some personal defect in my metaphorical literacy, I'm just having a hard time understanding what it was that you were trying to say. So please be nice and stop picking at my personal metaphorical literacy defect and just spell it out for me.

[tooblue]

You still aren't explaining what you meant when you said that the word 'physically' was used metaphorically. My own explanation example of "RobinFinderson might live in California, but he has never really left the state of Utah," fits both the Billy Joel and Jay-Z metaphors, neither of which hangs the metaphorical meaning on the word 'physically,' which, I think for most people, tends to imply literal physical presence.

Again, metaphorically speaking, what are you trying to say when you argue that, metaphorically speaking, Huntsman has never 'physically' left the state of Utah?

I would appreciate just a simple explanation of the meaning, because honestly, perhaps due to some personal defect in my metaphorical literacy, I'm just having a hard time understanding what it was that you were trying to say. So please be nice and stop picking at my personal metaphorical literacy defect and just spell it out for me.

Robin, you're not going to win. There's nothing to win. You made a mistake by contending with one small aspect of my entire post. Move on.

[Borderline Divine]

When he announced he was in favor of civil unions my first thought was Damn, he's not going to run again.

[TripletDaddy]

Tenacious D shuts down RobinFinderson.

Denied!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Well, I said:

I don't know "if he did that sort of thing often."

What difference does the frequency make?

[RobinFinderson]

Robin, you're not going to win. There's nothing to win. You made a mistake by contending with one small aspect of my entire post. Move on.

I'm not looking for a 'win.' I'm looking for understanding. I want to understand what you meant. I've backed off of my original interpretation, which was that you had probably made a mistake, and have accepted you at your word that the use of the word 'physically' was both metaphorical and intentional. I don't understand the metaphor, and I don't understand why you won't just explain what you meant.

[Jacob]

Robin, you're not going to win. There's nothing to win. You made a mistake by contending with one small aspect of my entire post. Move on.

I'm not looking for a 'win.' I'm looking for understanding. I want to understand what you meant. I've backed off of my original interpretation, which was that you had probably made a mistake, and have accepted you at your word that the use of the word 'physically' was both metaphorical and intentional. I don't understand the metaphor, and I don't understand why you won't just explain what you meant.

I can't wait to see the next post in this ridiculous pissing match.

[LA Ute]

What difference does the frequency make?

Oh, come on. A Mormon politician who repeatedly shows up in high-visibility worship situations that are almost exclusively attended by active members is doing that because (a) he really wants to be there to worship, or (b) he wants to be seen there for the political benefit, or both (among other possible reasons). I'm just saying that if now, while running for president (when it doesn't pay to be an active, believing Mormon) he starts to distance himself from the church, it's fair for people to wonder how sincere he really was back when he was governor.

Again, apart from seeing him at GC twice, I have no idea how he handled such things.

[TripletDaddy]

Oh, come on. A Mormon politician who repeatedly shows up in high-visibility worship situations that are almost exclusively attended by active members is doing that because (a) he really wants to be there to worship, or (b) he wants to be seen there for the political benefit, or both (among other possible reasons). I'm just saying that if now, while running for president (when it doesn't pay to be an active, believing Mormon) he starts to distance himself from the church, it's fair for people to wonder how sincere he really was back when he was governor.

Again, apart from seeing him at GC twice, I have no idea how he handled such things.

It is probably fair to wonder how sincere you are in your professed beliefs if you are using someone's Church attendance over the course of a decade to assess the overall piety of that person.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Oh, come on. A Mormon politician who repeatedly shows up in high-visibility worship situations that are almost exclusively attended by active members is doing that because (a) he really wants to be there to worship, or (b) he wants to be seen there for the political benefit, or both (among other possible reasons). I'm just saying that if now, while running for president (when it doesn't pay to be an active, believing Mormon) he starts to distance himself from the church, it's fair for people to wonder how sincere he really was back when he was governor.

Again, apart from seeing him at GC twice, I have no idea how he handled such things.

C), not showing up was determined at the time to be more damaging politically.

D), he wanted to give more ammo to those who steadfastly believe the church runs the state, as an inside joke.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Oh, come on. A Mormon politician who repeatedly shows up in high-visibility worship situations that are almost exclusively attended by active members is doing that because (a) he really wants to be there to worship, or (b) he wants to be seen there for the political benefit, or both (among other possible reasons). I'm just saying that if now, while running for president (when it doesn't pay to be an active, believing Mormon) he starts to distance himself from the church, it's fair for people to wonder how sincere he really was back when he was governor.

Again, apart from seeing him at GC twice, I have no idea how he handled such things.

Tell me one thing that he has said recently that would be incompatible with regular church attendance (now or in the past).

While you are at it, show me how anything he has said should result in any change in his pattern of church attendance.

[LA Ute]

Tell me one thing that he has said recently that would be incompatible with regular church attendance (now or in the past).

While you are at it, show me how anything he has said should result in any change in his pattern of church attendance.

You are getting me wrong. I don't know if he is doing any of those things. I was just saying that given certain assumptions, I can see how people might think he is cynical. I don't know if the assumptions are valid.