Redford disses Mormons

[_Runtu]

From the National Review online:

Robert Redford, Aging Pretty Boy, Assesses Mormons

If you've ever wondered if a lifetime of being Robert Redford could turn someone into a jerk — not merely spoiled, or full of themselves, as many Hollywood stars are, but more or less bigoted toward some unpopular religious faiths, and quick to denounce them — well, the evidence is in...

Mr. Redford may be staying out of the presidential race, but he makes some highly provocative comments about Republican Mitt Romney, based on his many years among the Mormons of Utah.

"They are very adept at not being fazed and speaking fluently and gracefully. Why? Because every single male who's a Mormon goes on a mission for two years when they're 19 or 20," he says. "They learn how to deflect blows and stay on message. No wonder Utah is the place that all these Republican senators go. It's perfect. So when you see Mitt Romney, he's already been practicing how to deflect blows and stay on message. But it's plastic."

"Utah is where all these Republican senators go." Yes, all two of them.

First they rip George W. Bush for not seeing enough of the world beyond America's borders. Then they rip Romney for doing missionary work. As usual, it's acceptable to make derisive remarks about Mormonism that would never be tolerated about other faiths.

(The rest of the article is full of his co-stars gushing about Redford as a "really decent, generous human being." Of course! His decency just stops when it comes to Mormons, but hey, he lived in Utah, his assessment of the character traits that all members of the faith share must be accurate.)

[_Sethbag]

Let me guess, before looking it up. Is this another Smac job?

[_Jersey Girl]

I have to say that this:

If you've ever wondered if a lifetime of being Robert Redford could turn someone into a jerk — not merely spoiled, or full of themselves, as many Hollywood stars are, but more or less bigoted toward some unpopular religious faiths, and quick to denounce them — well, the evidence is in...

Bugs the living hell out of me. When the author says "more or less bigoted toward some unpopular religious faiths, and quick to denounce them" doesn't the author really mean that (in his/her world) no one in this freedom of speech country is permitted to voice an actual opinion?

I'm getting sick of the twistedness of political correctness.

[Guest]

From the National Review online:

(The rest of the article is full of his co-stars gushing about Redford as a "really decent, generous human being." Of course! His decency just stops when it comes to Mormons, but hey, he lived in Utah, his assessment of the character traits that all members of the faith share must be accurate.)

It helps to remember that Robert Redford was married to a Mormon, Lola Van Wagenen, for many years and they had four children together. He's also lived and worked among the Mormons in Utah for half a century. Many of his close friends and associates are Mormon.

I wasn't surprised that someone posted this topic for discussion, but was surprised when the source material quoted was from blog commentary rather than from the original article:

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 80103/1001

For the record, Redford also called Mitt Romney a "faceless, methodic jerk" (as noted in the Boston Herald's Inside Track).
http://www.bostonherald.com/track/insid ... t=comments

[_Jersey Girl]

hana

For the record, Redford also called Mitt Romney a "faceless jerk" (as noted in the Boston Herald's Inside Track).

Does that make Redford a bigot?

[_moksha]

Is this what provoked that vitriolic comment in the first post? Hardly seems enough provocation for that.

Mr. Redford may be staying out of the presidential race, but he makes some highly provocative comments about Republican Mitt Romney, based on his many years among the Mormons of Utah.

"They are very adept at not being fazed and speaking fluently and gracefully. Why? Because every single male who's a Mormon goes on a mission for two years when they're 19 or 20," he says. "They learn how to deflect blows and stay on message. No wonder Utah is the place that all these Republican Senators go. It's perfect. So when you see Mitt Romney, he's already been practicing how to deflect blows and stay on message. But it's plastic."

[_Runtu]

Let me guess, before looking it up. Is this another Smac job?

Nope. I saw it linked from the DesNews. Thought it might be interesting what people on both sides of the divide made of a pretty minor statement.

[_harmony]

From the National Review online:

Robert Redford, Aging Pretty Boy, Assesses Mormons

Aging pretty boy. Wow, that's a pretty snide thing to say!

If you've ever wondered if a lifetime of being Robert Redford could turn someone into a jerk — not merely spoiled, or full of themselves, as many Hollywood stars are, but more or less bigoted toward some unpopular religious faiths, and quick to denounce them — well, the evidence is in...

There are lots of jerks out there, people who don't have a lifetime of being Robert Redford. What makes them jerks? And since when is Mormonism unpopular? Most people know nothing about it at all!

Mr. Redford may be staying out of the presidential race, but he makes some highly provocative comments about Republican Mitt Romney, based on his many years among the Mormons of Utah.

Romney does not equal Utah Mormons. I guess no one told Redford that.

"They are very adept at not being fazed and speaking fluently and gracefully. Why? Because every single male who's a Mormon goes on a mission for two years when they're 19 or 20," he says. "They learn how to deflect blows and stay on message.

He says this like it's a bad thing. Staying on message has always been a good thing, in my book.

No wonder Utah is the place that all these Republican senators go.

Huh? This makes no sense. There's more Republicans in the Senate than just the 2 from Utah.

It's perfect.

Lord, haver mercy. He sees Utah as perfect?????

So when you see Mitt Romney, he's already been practicing how to deflect blows and stay on message.

So? Being focused is a good thing!

But it's plastic."

I don't see how staying on message is plastic. What does he mean by plastic?

It's a good thing Robert is a movie star. His own lack of focus is abundantly clear.

[_Coggins7]

Folks, its really quite simple.

Air + head = Robert Redford.

But of course, you knew that. This is, after all, a product of the culture of Hollywood to which we are referring.

[_asbestosman]

Folks, its really quite simple.

Air + head = Robert Redford.

But of course, you knew that. This is, after all, a product of the culture of Hollywood to which we are referring.

You forgot to mention "leftist"