Conor and Michael kick things off by discussing the trial of Anders Breivik, the far-right Norwegian terrorist, who is trying to turn his trial into an attack on multiculturalism. They next turn their attention to Katie Roiphe’s controversial Newsweek cover story about female submission fantasies. Conor argues that there is a bipartisan interest in making women feel bad. Do American voters have a psychological need to be frightened? Both diavloggers muse on why Republicans continually fail to nominate the most conservative candidates in presidential primaries. And Michael heretically argues that Pete Campbell is his favorite character in Mad Men.
On The Posner Show, Sarah and Tresa discuss Mormon feminism. What does Mormon theology and culture have to say about motherhood? Do Mitt and Ann Romney’s statements about Hilary Rosen and stay-at-home motherhood more reflect their place of privilege or their Mormonism? How has Mormon teaching shaped Romney’s views on contraception and abortion? Tresa argues that being a feminist Mormon housewife is not an oxymoron. Sarah and Tresa discuss efforts to block menstruating women from performing rites such as baptisms for the dead. Plus: what is the Mormon concept of Heavenly Mother, and why have Mormon feminists been excommunicated for trying to reclaim it?