Huntsman and story behind the story

[_Doctor Scratch]

Hi there, J Green.

What's most interesting to me about your participation in this thread is your apparent two-facedness. On the one hand, you boast about your "deep" connections--sharing your "intel" w/ Bro. Huntsman and so on--and yet you go on to make light of all this, suggesting that secrecy and the sharing of "intelligence" within the Church and within Mopologetics is all some kind of big joke. And that's just kind of weird. I mean, I asked recently about the list of people who are involved with FAIR and Mike Parker (the former secretary) kicked up a royal stink, acting as if this were practically a matter of National Security. So, I have to ask: what is the difference between you "debriefing" Bro. Huntsman, and the apologists sharing gossip on Skinny-L? Why is one worthy of bragging about whereas the other is the object of your ridicule?

ETA: As a father to at least one daughter, what (if any) are your thoughts on Will Schryver's misogynist actions, J Green? Shall I go ahead and predict that you won't be saying anything whatsoever on this subject?

[Guest]

Everytime it starts to look like well of insanity has gone dry, a thread like this shows up and proves that the fountain of invention is adequate to supply even the most fantastic demands.

I confess that I have heard DCP's flying high on the hog during his Middle Eastern jaunt--what with his own private jet, personal trainer and personal chef. Them's pretty good terms, if you can get 'em.

[_Doctor Scratch]

It's nice to know that we can count J Green among the apologists who are aware of your antics, Will. I hope he re-appears to offer up some judgment.

[_J Green]

Hi, Scratch.

On the one hand, you boast about your "deep" connections--sharing your "intel" w/ Bro. Huntsman and so on--

No boasting intended. On the issue of whether Huntsman has a slight intellect or not, I simply tried to provide context for my opinion. Does first-hand knowledge on any subject carry more weight with you, or is it all considered boasting?

and yet you go on to make light of all this, suggesting that secrecy and the sharing of "intelligence" within the Church and within Mopologetics is all some kind of big joke.

Not trying to make light of your perceived issue with secrecy among Mopologists. I simply found humor in what was suspected of me. When I logged on late last night and saw theories about a donation connection between Huntsman and the MI and that I had apparently been called in as a handler to put Will in line, it just made me laugh for so long that my wife was worried about me. It made me think of Graham Greene and vacuum cleaners in Havana. If I gave you the wrong impression by enjoying the conspiracies about me, then I apologize.

For the record, I’m not on Skinny-L and never have been. I have zero participation in the Maxwell Institute, although I admire its achievements. I’m not an academic, and nobody there consults with me about any issue, apologetics or otherwise. If any of the mopologetic “intel” channels you speak of exist, I’m not involved. If I’m amused, it’s not because I’m ridiculing your concerns; it’s because this has become a The Man Who Knew Too Little scenario. And that is still funny to me.

I asked recently about the list of people who are involved with FAIR and Mike Parker (the former secretary) kicked up a royal stink, acting as if this were practically a matter of National Security.

I’m not involved with FAIR in any way, so I can’t speak for them. I can say that the years I attend the conferences, I see a number of members who list their FAIR status on their name tags. I’m not sure it’s so much a matter of national security as it is poking fun at the conspiracies about it being a matter of national security.

So, I have to ask: what is the difference between you "debriefing" Bro. Huntsman, and the apologists sharing gossip on Skinny-L? Why is one worthy of bragging about whereas the other is the object of your ridicule?

Neither trying to boast on the one hand nor ridicule your issues about gossip on the other. I don’t participate in Skinny-L and was simply amused that I was being cast as a handler sent to influence Will on a public message board (as opposed to, say, a private visit or call). I found humor in it. Sorry.

ETA: As a father to at least one daughter, what (if any) are your thoughts on Will Schryver's misogynist actions, J Green? Shall I go ahead and predict that you won't be saying anything whatsoever on this subject?

I don’t want to rehash the other thread here, but if I’m being asked, I will admit to having cringed at his level of discourse occasionally. For example, I find the word used for Harmony and Beastie to be unacceptable under any circumstance. Ever. I have issues with the way Trevor’s FAIR paper was handled, if the versions presented here are accurate. (I understand that I don’t have all the facts and am not owed all the facts.) I’ve also been disappointed with some of his exchanges with David, whom I admire.

But a verdict on the posts in question culled from among tens of thousands isn’t the entire picture. I admire Will. He’s talented and very witty. I laugh at a lot of the things he writes. And it’s been fun to watch his engagement on the Book of Abraham issues, whether I agree with all his arguments or not. I’ve learned a lot about the issues from following his posts. As a guitar player myself, I love his passion for music and think it would be great to jam with him. He would be fun to know in real life, and I’d love to have him in my High Priests Group. Discussions there would certainly be a lot better with his participation. I think I’d be lucky to be his friend.

But let’s expand the circle. I’m also occasionally extremely uncomfortable with your level of discourse. Of course, I’ve told you as much (although I’d also be willing to jam with you as well). I think all of us have room for improvement, including me. I hardly post at all, but there are a handful I’d like back.

Fair enough?

[_harmony]

I confess that I have heard DCP's flying high on the hog during his Middle Eastern jaunt--what with his own private jet, personal trainer and personal chef. Them's pretty good terms, if you can get 'em.

Uh... now that is just not believable. I mean, I like the guy, but still...

[_moksha]

Wonder if Huntsman was hesitant because he did not want his Mormonism dividing him from the rest of humanity?

Something else he has done which puts him outside the Mormon mainstream: Huntsman and his family go down to the local soup kitchen and help serve meals to the homeless on Thanksgiving, rather than just taking comfort knowing that the Bishop's Storehouse has given out free turkeys to those members who have a bishop's food order.