Is Lawrence O'Donnell Channeling Glenn Beck?

Dear Madame L,

Did you see "The Last Word" with Lawrence O'Donnell last night (Tuesday, April 3, 2012)? He claimed that Joseph Smith started the Mormon Church in 1830 to keep from getting his wife mad about his having sex with their maid.

Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Sincerely,

Astounded

Dear Astounded,

Yes, unfortunately, Madame L has heard of such things as this, specifically in attacks on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; in attacks on its members who, like Mitt Romney, have the temerity to enter politics to try to perform their civic duty; and generally in attacks on any individual group that any random "pundit" or news "commentator" may want to smear. Or, Madame L must add, any individual or group that such a pundit or commentator may want to provoke into a response.

Madame L occasionally watches "The Last Word"---less often lately, now that Lawrence O'Donnell has gone into full attack mode against Mitt Romney---and happened to see the very report to which you're referring. Madame L also happened to see Mr. O'Donnell begin his attack the evening before (Monday, April 2, 2012), when he said Mr. Romney has "a religion problem."

You can find videos of both segments on "The Last Word" --- though there's no reason to look at them because you'll just see Mr. O'Donnell stooping to the level of Glenn Beck, making outrageous statements he can't possibly back up, and even standing in front of a special screen (a step up from a ridiculous black-board, Madame L supposes) to make those statements.

Mr. O'Donnell, even though Madame L agrees with you that Mitt Romney shouldn't be the next president of the United States, Madame L strongly condemns your willingness to lie and make outrageous statements you know are not true in order to make a point that (if it needs to be made, which Madame L doesn't believe) could be made in a balanced and professional journalistic manner.

Stop stooping, Mr. O'Donnell. And get your facts straight.

Sincerely,

Madame L