Buddha comes out of the closet

Mormons are a strange breed. When it comes for fighting for other peoples' rights like the right of an innocent child to be born or the right to freedom of conscience, they will put up their time, talents, and money to support the cause. But when it comes to standing against anti-Mormon prejudice and discrimination they are milquetoast. The gay movements' vandalism, intimidation, and character assassination have been met with this mild response from the church, "People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation....some of what we have seen since Californians voted to pass Proposition 8 has been deeply disappointing. We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other." Those bad, bad Mormons! Aren't they just filled with hate?

Thank goodness there are those freedom-loving individuals who are willing to stand up and expose the hatred and bigotry. Thanks to Dennis Prager, Jewish rabbi and talk show host, who stood up and said "Today I am a Mormon". Thanks to the editors of the National Review who said here 

"In truth, Mormons are a target of convenience in the opening salvo of what is sure to be a full-scale assault on much of America’s religious infrastructure, which gay activists perceive as a barrier to their aspirations. Among religious groups, Mormons are not the biggest obstacle to same-sex marriage — not by a long shot. But they are an easy target. Anti-Mormon bigotry is unfortunately common, and gay-rights activists are cynically exploiting that fact....They’ve already burned the Book of Mormon. The First Amendment is next." 

Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in La Mesa, California responded in a multi-pronged defense of the Mormons including this, "I put out an email to 7,200 pastors on Friday - to speak boldly affirming the Mormons for their role, and to get their congregations to speak out in defense of the Mormons."  Thank you Pastor Garlow.

The battle against hatred and bigotry against the Mormons is a battle that must be fought by the evangelicals, and the Catholics, and the Jews for it is their battle. It is a battle against, as the National Review put it, "Legislating immorality". It is a battle for the right to be free to believe in one's own religious faith of whatever persuasion. It is a battle that should be fought by every voice in talk radio and on the Internet because that's where the gun will be aimed next. The "fairness doctrine" will be invoked to be sure that only "approved" doctrine will be allowed. Political correctness will be our way of life. 1984 is late in coming, but Big Brother still is ready to watch all of us.

P.S.  thanks to Kathryn Jean Lopez.

Why I like Sarah Palin

re: Emily's comment "I don't know a ton about Palin but I'd love you to post a blog about why you think a woman with limited gov't experience, young children at home, and a less than stellar academic background would make a good president or V.P. There are some things I really like about her but I'd love to hear your thoughts."

All the talking points you have quoted can be turned into positives as far as I am concerned: 1) Limited government experience; the experience she does have is good -- mayor & governor, executive positions requiring ability to make decisions. The non-experience in Washington is a good thing. Many who have gone to Washington have been corrupted by the power and blindfolded by the inside-the-beltway mentality, losing touch with us citizens. Besides, versus Obama (2 years Senator, state legislator and community organizer) or Biden (many years of making the wrong decisions in Washington), her experience is outstanding. 2) Having young children at home; when did having a family become a negative in American politics? Abraham Lincoln had young children at home. Or is the question raised because she is a woman with young children at home? Are Barack's two young girls a problem? I would be embarrassed to be a women and raise this issue. 3) Academics; Does George Bush's Ivy League MBA impress you? In many cases an impressive academic record is simply a sign of radical indoctrination, as in the case of the Democratic nominee.

Frankly, the things that impress me most about Sarah Palin are not her so-called "Maverick" qualities, but her solid, conservative life and positions. I am pleased with her choices for life and liberty. I feel good that she has skepticism about man-caused global warming. I know that she supports a child's right to be born, even if not perfect. I think she is more likely to support letting keep what we have earned rather than taking from some groups to give to others.

I heard a prophet today. He talked about protecting our way of life by supporting Arizona's marriage amendment. Then he told a story about his family which I took as a parable. He was talking about listening to the Spirit.

A family member came to him for advise. A man had offered to buy the family farm. He was to pay with a cashiers' check. Everything on its face appeared to be on the up and up. But the family member didn't "feel" right about it. What should he do. The prophet told him to ask the man for references. He told his kinsman that if there was something wrong the man would get angry if he was asked for references. Sure enough, the meeting was held, the cashiers' check was offered in exchange for the land, and the man was asked for references. The man responded with anger over being asked. The kinsman canceled the transaction.

I think we have a candidate before us making us an offer of prosperity for everyone. All we have to give up is our way of life; our right to keep what we have earned, courts that will enforce the laws rather than be empathetic to groups, security in the face of evil forces (we have to believe that terrorists and radicals will respond to smooth talk while we reduce our defense capability), and even the protection of a constitution that was written to preserve our freedoms. Our other choice is not for a white knight who will lead us in pure, conservative principals, but instead a man who, at least, has courageously fought for his country, has supported the right to life whenever he has had a chance to vote for it, and talks about cutting the cost of government. And one other thing -- he does not get angry when we ask about his references. He does not try to hide who he really is.