Are a candidate for president of the United States critical thinking skills important? Do you care whether that person can tell the difference between truth and utter nonsense? And, if they readily admit to making utter nonsense a centerpiece of their personal belief system, should that be a concern? And, finally, is it really wrong to even ask that question? Assuming it is not wrong...

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"And if any man mingle his seed with the seed of Cain (Negros) the only way he could get rid of it or have Salvation would be to come forward and have his head cut off and spill his blood upon the ground- it would also take the life of his children."

-- LDS Prophet Wilford Woodruff

"And if he Joseph Smith have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.... for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfill the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified."

-- Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132, Verses 62-63 - with Joseph Smith, Jr.

Questions Posed: Mainstream beliefs? Or crazy? Should we care? Shouldn't someone in the media at least ask Romney how these beliefs might shape his decision making processes as president, since he clearly is able to internalize and embrace teachings that are demonstrably untrue?

And the larger question: Just how crazy does a candidate's personal belief structure have to be before it becomes "a concern?"

I just ask. You decide.

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newsforreal.com



About author Stephen Pizzo is the author of numerous books, including "Inside Job: The Looting of America's Savings and Loans," which was nominated for a Pulitzer. His web site is Stephen Pizzo is the author of numerous books, including "Inside Job: The Looting of America's Savings and Loans," which was nominated for a Pulitzer. His web site is News For Real