Why Reed Cowan is wrong.

Earlier this week we went to a screening of 8: The Mormon Proposition at the Sundance Film festival in Park City. Overall I thought the film was well-done and it renewed my anger about this massive injustice and the pivotal role the LDS church had in bringing it about, which is what it was supposed to do.
At the screening, filmmaker Reed Cowan called for the resignation of famed bigot and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars, calling him a liar. Buttars, who was seen making a grand ass of himself in the film, claims he was decieved by Cowan and his crew wearing BYU t shirts and talking about serving LDS missions, which made him feel "pretty comfortable talking to them." Cowan shot back that he was wearing no such thing and released pictures to prove it - although he soon admitted his photographer (a BYU grad) was wearing a BYU jacket (I'm assuming the same one he had on that night).
I'm not one to jump to the defense of Chris Buttars. I think he's a standard bearer for religious bigotry and should step down, but I think in this case his rotten brain is just confused. I do not believe that Cowan and his crew were dishonest or deceptive in their interview. I also do not believe they went out of their way to disclose their intentions for the film. Several, including Cowan, are LDS or former LDS, and co-director Steven Greenstreet spoke honestly and positively about his experience as a missionary to the audience, so it's no stretch to think he would answer honestly and positively if asked about it. By standing on neutral ground, they allowed Sen. Buttars to believe what he wanted to believe about them - that they were good Mormon boys and he could candidly talk to them about how the gays are "probably the greatest threat to America".
By calling for Buttars' resignation on account of his lie, Cowan has shifted focus to a battle of who-said-what-and-what-were-they-wearing, rather than where it should be: Chris Buttars thinks it's okay to be a bigot if he's surrounded by fellow churchmembers.
I'm fully on Reed Cowan's side on this issue, but I think a more cool-handed approach to the hot-headed Buttars would serve him better.

How many are there?

The 2010 Sundance Film Festival has begun here in Utah, along with all the craziness it produces. One of the most talked-about films is 8: The Mormon Proposition, a documentary about the LDS church's involvement in the passing of Proposition 8 in California. I'm going to see it tomorrow in Park City, so I'll be able to comment on it soon.
I work in the same building as the Sundance Main Box Office. On Friday morning someone dropped off a flier at our business condemning the makers of this film for "promoting hate" against the LDS church and Utah Sen. Chris Buttars, who has been an outspoken critic of gay rights. It was a fallacy-ridden screed lamenting the "homosexual agenda" and their desire to turn our nation against God. At the bottom of the page was a invitation to watch the Obama Killer Song at the organization's website. I couldn't resist, so I looked it up after I got home. It's a mangling of Simon and Garfunkle's The Sound of Silence. To give you a taste of the level it's operating on, it refers to President Obama as "darkness" and a "donkey god", while portraying him stabbing a pregnant woman's belly as she sleeps with a Bible on her chest and taking aim at political enemies with an assault rifle.
Of course I rolled my eyes at its absurd hyperbole. But then I started to wonder: how many people that I encounter don't? This little think tank is located just down the road in Sandy, UT. I am somewhat buffered from the rest of this state's stridently-red politics by living in the relatively tolerant Salt Lake City, but how far do I have to ride the train before things like the Obama Killer Song pass for valid commentary? I would like to think trash like this would be laughed at anywhere, but this is Glenn Beck country.

I have a special place of contempt in my heart for this kind of stuff.

As I'm sure you know, a massive earthquake struck near Port au Prince Haiti yesterday, killing thousands. Whenever something like this happens, an outpouring of sympathy and aid comes forth to help the victims. This is a wonderful thing. Modern technology makes helping even easier. I was able to make a small donation by sending a text message to Wyclef Jean's foundation. I understand the American Red Cross has enabled the same type of donation channel.
Amid this spirit of helping, something uglier comes to the surface. Those who claim to be crusaders for morality open up their mouths and give you a glimpse of what goes on in their rotten brains.
Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson's exchange after 9/11 lives in infamy. Falwell doesn't live in any sense anymore, but his stalwart partner spoke up with enough asininity for both of them, suggesting that the Haitian people had it coming because of their 1804 deal with the Devil. "True story," Robertson insists. These hateful old men and their head-bobbing followers just can't resist. Extending the hand of charity in the time of crisis, yet pulling it back for  just long enough to whisper "you deserved this" before handing it over and applauding their own Christian love.
I would say I hope Robertson lives to regret his foolish words, but he's amassed quite a collection of them over the years and shows no sign of letting up. His website has issued a press release, stating that "Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God’s wrath." Not in so many words. He said the island was "cursed", which would indicate its misfortune arrived either through God's wrath, or the Devil's evil, while God sits by idly, presumably because he's still angry at those poor people's great grandparents.