DCP Returns to MAD and Immediately Launches Smears

[_Doctor Scratch]

I had scarcely noticed that Dr. Peterson was absent when lo and behold! A message arrived in my inbox, informing me that the Good Professor has his comfortable place in the cushy throne of online Mopologetics. Rumor has it (per Will Schryver) that Dr. Peterson was off vacationing somewhere, but this apparently did nothing to dampen his appetite for vituperative attacks and smears (even on believing Latter-day Saints).

First of all was his strange thread in which he attacks posters on the SLTrib's website:

The discovery involves the New World Archaeological Foundation and John Clark, among others:

http://www.sltrib.com/D=g/ci_15129548

And, predictably, the article is followed by scores of comments from hate-filled idiots who apparently have no lives. Feel free to skip their contributions.

Certainly, I found it odd to see this coming from someone who has devoted a substantial portion of his adult life to smearing people, blackening innocent scholars' reputations, and generally trying to stomp critics into oblivion---scruples be damned.

Later, the poster called Bunk made a striking point:

And, predictably, the article is followed by scores of comments from hate-filled idiots who apparently have no lives. Feel free to skip their contributions.

Yeah, those Meldrumites really need to get a life.

Whoa! I guess we now have the first official citing of a FARMS-led character assassination of Meldrum. I hadn't expected this at all. I had been convinced that the warnings from the Packer Faction had been sufficient to shut up the boys at the Maxwell Institute. Immediately sensing his error, Dr. Peterson begins backpedaling:

It wasn't the "Meldrumites" that I had in mind.

Right. Of course not.

Later, in a thread admitting to the fact that "Mormon Scholars Testify" is slowing its pace of posting testimonies, DCP takes a swipe at the founders of MST's copycat site, "Mormon Athletes Testify":

In fact, it appears that the Mormon athletes site is up and running, though it has only a few entries at this point:

http://mormonathletestestify.org/

I hope that it prospers, though I worry that its founder is of a generation that finds computers and the Internet intimidating and difficult.

One of the founders is Tanya Spackman... So, is this supposed to be a joke? If so, it seems terribly condescending. One has to wonder if this is a reaction to the mirror site "ex-Mormon Scholar Testify," which had continued to grow and flourish. I bet that the founders of exMST find it gratifying on some level that people in certain quarters are so bent out of shape over its existence.

In any event, I found it very interesting that Dr. Peterson dove straight back into his de rigueur program of attack and character assassination so quickly. I guess the old chestnut holds true: You can take the man away from Mopologetics, but you can't take the Mopologetics out of the man.

The two threads can be read here:

http://www.mormonapologetics.org/topic/ ... as-mexico/

http://www.mormonapologetics.org/topic/ ... ge__st__40

[_harmony]

He's home. How nice. I hope he had some fun on his vacation... maybe got in a little fishing or sunbathing.

[_Doctor Scratch]

Ttribe requested that I mention this (actually, he seemed to be hoping that I would launch a whole new thread), so I thought I would do him a solid and post this here. Take a look at the lengths to which the apologists are willing to go:

I tend to be interested in what scholars have to say, even on topics beyond their specialties, though I don't care much about the opinions of professional golfers. But some people would be curious to know what their favorite golfers believe, and People magazine has flourished for many years. The Osmonds were the catalysts for possibly hundreds of baptisms. So long as it's ethical, I don't care much what the "hook" is.

Notice that there's yet another subtle swipe here against "Mormon Athletes Testify": "I don't care much about the opinions of....golfers." I wish The Dude would turn up to respond, "Obviously, you're not a golfer."

[_The Dude]

Notice that there's yet another subtle swipe here against "Mormon Athletes Testify": "I don't care much about the opinions of....golfers." I wish The Dude would turn up to respond, "Obviously, you're not a golfer."

LOL!

[_harmony]

I tend to be interested in what scholars have to say, even on topics beyond their specialties, though I don't care much about the opinions of professional golfers. But some people would be curious to know what their favorite golfers believe, and People magazine has flourished for many years. The Osmonds were the catalysts for possibly hundreds of baptisms. So long as it's ethical, I don't care much what the "hook" is.

How sad, to only be interested in people who think like you. Seems sorta narrowminded. But then... well... let's look at where he works. But to be fair, maybe he'd be that way, no matter where he worked.

[_Doctor Scratch]

I tend to be interested in what scholars have to say, even on topics beyond their specialties, though I don't care much about the opinions of professional golfers. But some people would be curious to know what their favorite golfers believe, and People magazine has flourished for many years. The Osmonds were the catalysts for possibly hundreds of baptisms. So long as it's ethical, I don't care much what the "hook" is.

How sad, to only be interested in people who think like you. Seems sorta narrowminded. But then... well... let's look at where he works. But to be fair, maybe he'd be that way, no matter where he worked.

I agree, Harmony. It is unfortunate. People have asked Dr. Peterson many times why he opted for a "Scholars" website rather than a more general, all-encompassing one. I guess we now have his answer.

[_The Nehor]

You're seriously suggesting that ignoring the comments in an online forum is a hate-filled smear.

Do you also conscientiously read all the rational input you find in the comments section while watching YouTube videos? View the comments at Deseret news by viewers as scholarly contributions?

I realize you're sad that he won't play your sad little games anymore but you're really reaching here.

You really need to get over it and move on with your life.

[_Gadianton Plumber]

You're seriously suggesting that ignoring the comments in an online forum is a hate-filled smear.

Do you also conscientiously read all the rational input you find in the comments section while watching YouTube videos? View the comments at Deseret news by viewers as scholarly contributions?

I realize you're sad that he won't play your sad little games anymore but you're really reaching here.

You really need to get over it and move on with your life.

I cannot believe I am typing this but +1

Maybe you should take up running, Doctor Scratch.

[_Gadianton]

Doctor Scratch,

I have to admit I am saddened a little by this report. I knew the apologists were egomaniacs and all, but this just takes it to whole new level. Hugh Nibley is the inspiration for this attitude, the way he talked, pretty much nothing in life was worth doing except "scholarship" and more specifically, "studying the gospel" or what we know as Mopologetics. If everyone gave up their sports and other distractions and focused entirely on gospel study, then DCP would essentially be ruling the world since he's the big fish in that little pond. These kinds of statements show a very narrow, power hungry way of looking at things.

The irony is that I would take the religious or spiritual advice of the average golfer way, way before I'd ever lend a serious ear to the snake-oil scams coming from the MI.

[_Doctor Scratch]

As usual, you're right, Dr. Robbers. And did you notice this?:

I'd like to be as reassuring as I can be, though I need to be candid. The academic job situation right now is pretty bad, because of the national and international economic situation. There is pretty much a hiring freeze at BYU, for example, and we're actually doing better than many colleges and universities are, financially speaking.

[SNIP!]

Be sure that you get the kind of training that will qualify you to work at places beyond BYU and Mormondom, and on subjects other than Mormonism.

He said this in response to Nathair, who has said that he's interested in a career in Mopologetics. Personally, I find this very bizarre. I was told by an "informant" that the MI was in trouble, financially speaking, and yet DCP stridently denied the allegation. Well, if the MI is as healthy as he claimed, why should Nathair have anything to worry about? You would think that DCP would be telling this young up-and-comer to sign right up! There's a job waiting for him right now!