Romney claims Israelis culturally superior to Palestinians

[_Drifting]

I think Peterson is, subtly, trying to twist the knife where he can to pay the Church back for his canning.

[_DarkHelmet]

I think Peterson is, subtly, trying to twist the knife where he can to pay the Church back for his canning.

Mitt should hire Peterson as an adviser on Islamic affairs. And if Mitt somehow gets elected, he could give Peterson a job in the administration and DCP can tell his church bosses to go eff themselves.

[_Kevin Graham]

It turns out that Mitt Romney completely misrepresented a book written by Jared Diamond and it has the author furious:

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Scientist and author Jared Diamond said that Mitt Romney mischaracterized his book, "Guns, Germs and Steel," to theorize why Israelis and Palestinians have such vastly different levels of economic development at a fundraiser in Jerusalem Sunday.

He said that Romney "misrepresented my views" by stating that the book "basically says the physical characteristics of the land account for the differences in the success of the people that live there. There is iron ore on the land and so forth."

"That is so different from what my book actually says that I have to doubt whether Mr. Romney read it," he wrote in The New York Times on Tuesday. He also said that he focused mostly on "biological features" and there was no mention about iron ore in the book.

Diamond is a bestselling author and UCLA professor. "Guns, Germs and Steel," published in 1997, has sold more than 1.5 million copies and sparked a PBS series.

He said that the other author Romney cited, Harvard economist David Landes, would find Romney's thesis that culture accounts for economic differences "dangerously out of date."

Romney, speaking to a crowd -- which included GOP mega-donor Sheldon Adelson -- of about 40 Sunday at the famed King David Hotel, talked about why the Palestinians and Israelis had such drastically different levels of economic development.

"And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things," he said. Romney also mentioned the "hand of providence," and how the Jews have "long recognized the purpose in this place and in their lives that is greater than themselves and their own particular interests."


Romney did not mention how the occupation of the Palestinian territories has severely hampered economic development for decades.

Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, called his statement "racist," and added, "it seems to me this man lacks information, knowledge, vision and understanding of this region and its people."

While Romney may have scored points with some right-wing Jewish voters, his remarks were another distraction from time he could be speaking about the economy, his strongest claim against President Barack Obama in the presidential election.

He repeated the argument in a subsequent National Review article, entitled "Culture Does Matter."

"The linkage between freedom and economic development has a universal applicability," he wrote, citing the differences between East and West Germany and North and South Korea. But South Korea was an authoritarian country until the late 1980s, and China and Singapore are strong counterexamples to the notion that freedom and economic development are universally linked.

This isn't the first time Romney has seemingly mischaracterized a book he's read. Journalist Noam Scheiber said he wrongly used his book, "The Escape Artists," to accuse Obama of pushing the Affordable Care Act to intentionally slow down the economic recovery.

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What does this say about Mitt's "intelligence" Richard?

His comprehension is in the same league as Loran Blood's. -

[_Dr. Shades]

Everyone who does not interpret the gospel of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of his Church as the First Presidency and The Twelve interpret them, is in the thrall of Satan, some witting, some not. Many not.

Did Noah's Flood cover every square inch of Planet Earth?

[_Droopy]

EAIllusion is absolutely correct, which is why I called out DCP's name. I have more than once seen him defend Muslims from the likes of bcspace and Droopy.

Why on earth would Danial ever have to defend "Muslims" from me? What have I ever said against Muslims in general, as a group?

In my lifetime I have met two Mormons who know more about Islam than I do, and he is one of them (and he knows FAR more than I do). And to his credit, Dan has in fact responded to Romney's remarks:

“

If I could sit down and talk to him,” said Peterson, “I’d like to say, but Governor, remember, the Palestinians are too from our point of view theologically descendants of Abraham, and they deserve concern and consideration too.” While a Latter-day Saint would believe, as Romney claimed, that “the hand of Providence” is on Israel, Peterson cautioned, “I would be really careful about saying that in a political context, I would really want to balance it out if I were speaking publicly as a politican to express concern and support for legitimate Palestinian aspirations.” Peterson said he worried about Romney’s statements because “I don’t want Mormons to be seen as so pro-Israeli that we discount actual grievances that I think in some cases the Palestinians really have."

Keep in mind that Danial has publicly said that, in political and personal realms, there are certain things he believes and opinions he holds that he would rather not express due to present professional and academic associations.

I leave that as it is.

Everyone on this board should know by now that I am generally not a fan of Dr. Peterson, but I also like to give credit where it is due.

No. Peterson is Satan personified here. You're only doing this to take a politically correct, multi-culti, pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel, anti-American position, which is the boilerplate position of the Left, so you can pat yourself on the back for having the "correct" politics here.

So easy to see through, really...

[_LittleNipper]

At the very least Mr. Romney is a Statesman and does not seem to be a political liar. He says what he believes and believes what he says and doesn't seem to be speaking out of both side of his mouth.

Gasp! Guffaw! OMG!!!!!!

You're joking, right?

The guy changes position with every shift in the breeze!

You honestly think he is not a political liar?

He is notorious among fellow Republicans for being a political liar!

So what exactly is President Obama? A saint? Or is this just an issue of race trumping religious affiliation.

[_LittleNipper]

At the very least Mr. Romney is a Statesman and does not seem to be a political liar. He says what he believes and believes what he says and doesn't seem to be speaking out of both side of his mouth.

Seriously? One of the biggest criticisms of Romney, from both his Conservative and Democrat opponents, has been his ability to talk out of both sides of his mouth. Even on this issue he is back peddling and claiming he never said it.

And the only thing that can be said for Obama is that he sounds like he knows what he is talking about...

[_Cicero]

No. Peterson is Satan personified here. You're only doing this to take a politically correct, multi-culti, pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel, anti-American position, which is the boilerplate position of the Left, so you can pat yourself on the back for having the "correct" politics here.

So easy to see through, really...

What the hell is your problem? You take an inordinate amout of pleasure in painting others with the broadest strokes possible in order to make every one your enemy and yet you wonder why people here and on MD&D react hostilely against such treatment??? I am no "leftist" sir, and I don't disagree with everything you have said (e.g., I thought your assesment of Arafat on this thread was pretty much spot on). I am very much pro-Israel, but like Daniel, I believe that the Palestinians have some legitimate grievances. That doesn't mean I condone suicide bombings or Hamas. If you read what I've said carefully instead of jumping to assume that I am some kind of sycophantic lemming to other posters on this board, then you would have seen that I said that I AGREE WITH YOU that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unlikely to have a happy ending. While I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinians, as long as they refuse to recognize Israel and refuse to drop unreasonable demands such as the "right of return" or control of Jerusalem, then there will be no peace and Israel has the right to defend itself.

And don't you EVER call me anti-American again. Seriously, who do you think you are? I love my country and refuse to be smeared by such a despicable label.

And for the record, I posted it to give credit to Daniel because he deserves it. Kish said that he never criticizes his own team and, like EAIlusion said, that is NOT true.

[_MeDotOrg]

I think what Romney was trying to say was:

"If you're an Israeli, and you have a successful business, you didn't build that. Your CULTURE built that."