Saturday, February 16, 2008

Delegates and Debates: The political games Clinton brings to the table

It's a pretty clear -

Michigan and Florida violated national democratic convention rules by moving their primary dates up. The DNC voted to take away their delegates for this violation. As a result of this violation and the stripping away of delegates Barack Obama did not campaign in these states. With Hillary Clinton the only viable candidate in those primaries she won easily.

But now that Clinton and Obama are neck and neck guess who is calling for the Michigan and Florida delegates to be seated despite their party's ruling? Ofcourse, it's Hillary Clinton! And what makes the situation even more spectacular is the spokesman, Harold Ickes, for Clinton's campaign that is pushing for this personally voted IN FAVOR of taking away these states' delegates! What was his reasoning?

"There's been no change," Ickes said. "I was not acting as an agent of Mrs. Clinton. We had promulgated rules and those rules said the timing provision ... provides for certain sanctions, automatic sanctions as a matter of fact, if a state such as Michigan or Florida violates those timing provisions."

"With respect to the stripping, I voted as a member of the Democratic National Committee. Those were our rules and I felt I had an obligation to enforce them," he said.

So he is openly admitting that the reason for the change in position (which he admits to but denies at the same time!) is that he is now speaking for Clinton's campaign and not the DNC.

This is just a prime example of the Clintons at work.

Another beef that Clinton is expressing in her campain's commercials is Obama's decline to invitations to debate. Her staff was calling for 4 extra debates within a four week period. Obama's staff wisely saw this as a way to take away their momentum and declined. All Clinton had to do is throw in some racial comments or other controversial statements and presto - we have her back in the spotlight.

Clinton is exploited these declines as Obama not willing to express or discuss his positions. What a joke!

Please America - See Hillary Clinton for who she really is.

A Lesson in Diversity

Please read my second post over at The Waters of Mormon.

I have been wanting to write about this experience for a long time and a break in school work has given me the chance!

A Lesson in Diversity

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Headline: Romney endorses McCain


This just in...

Romney endorses McCain


Two thoughts come to mind.

1. Romney is showing class and desire to put the welfare of his party above himself. Huckabee is a joke and is willing to prevent that unification of the party because of his selfish desires to have more delegates than Romney.

2. My gosh is John McCain looking older and older! I don't think he'll make it through his first term.


Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Righteousness and the War on Terror

I have received an invitation to begin posting on "Waters of Mormon." I am very grateful that they are willing to look past my boring commentary and horrible grammar to allow me an opportunity to contribute.

Below is a link to my first post:

Righteousness and the War on Terror

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Headlines: Gay Mormons seek meeting with new leader

After preparing my things for Church this evening I hopped unto news.yahoo.com to get my secular fill before drifting off to bed. Once I scrolled past the political news of the day I was greeted with this interesting headline -

Gay Mormons seek meeting with new leader

A group known as Affirmation that consists of 2,000 gay and lesbian members of the Church has requested a meeting with the First Presidency.

I can only assume that with the Church's newfound media appeal due to Mitt Romney's run for the presidency we will enjoy more coverage on events like these which in the past the media would have been filed under "Who Cares."

A simple search using the key words "Affirmation" and "Mormon" linked me to this group's website - www.affirmation.org

I read through the website. It only left me with unanswered questions...

What are they proposing the LDS Church do? Are they hoping that the Church and its membership reach out and be respectful to those who are gay and lesbian, something most members would agree with? Or are they desiring that the Church actually change positions on homosexuality and accept it as a normal and holy practice?

All I can say is...

Good Luck President Monson! The mantle is heavy.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Thoughts on Mitt Romney


Yesterday Mitt Romney formally stepped away from his run for the presidency. After less than stellar results from Super Tuesday's primaries Romney announced to CPAC he was "standing aside" in an effort to help the Republican party unite and prevent Clinton or Obama from winning the National Election.

"I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror," stated Romney.

"If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror."

I am not a supporter of Romney, but as I heard the news I found myself sad. As a fellow-Mormon I have enjoyed watching someone of our faith compete for the highest office in this nation. In some strange way it made me feel more comfortable and proud as an American citizen. It seemed to justify our place and value in American culture.

As a tribute to Romney, and what he has accomplished I wanted to present a short list of the great things that have resulted from his run for the presidency.

1. 4 million people out of roughly 10 to 12 million were able to willfully vote for Romney as the Republican nominee despite him being LDS.

2. 11 states were willing to give Romney the majority vote even though he was LDS.

3. Romney brought almost as much attention to the Church as the Salt Lake Olympic Games. All attention, even negative, helps to forward the Work of the Lord.

4. Romney has come closer than any Mormon before him in becoming President of the United States. When Joseph Smith announced he would run for President to many it was a ridiculous claim. But now we can say that a member of our faith had a legitimate and realistic chance.

5. Romney has helped millions of American Mormons get involved and active in politics.

While some may dispute this, I feel that Romney ran a respectful and worthy campaign. Some question his political views, the negative campaign ads and the endorsements, but overall I have to say that I was impressed with the dignity and respect he campaigned with.

I am grateful for this time in history and wish I could give Mitt Romney a personal pat on the back.

Thank you, Mr. Romney. As a Mormon you have made me proud.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Is God that cold and callous?

There is one belief among many mainstream Christian churches that is impossible for me to accept. That belief is that someone has to accept Jesus Christ in this life in order to be saved. The manner in which someone accepts Christ is contested among the many denominations but I think it is safe to say whatever that manner is, it must be done in mortality.

To the average Christian this appears to make sense. But I find it difficult to believe that God, being the Father of all of humanity, would consign 90% of his children to Hell because they never had the opportunity to hear or accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Is God that cold and callous?

Maybe we should turn the tables and put the condemnation of those who have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel on the heads of those that have it, and have failed to get the message out to all Father's children. To me, that seems much more appropriate.

As we become aware of the world around us, I see this limiting belief being dissolved. I am sure that the protestant faiths will come up with an explanation that will offer Christ's salvation to more. I am surprised this hasn't happened yet.

But how lucky I am to have gospel truths NOW that enable me to see my brothers and sisters, who live their lives the best they can with the light and knowledge they have, with compassion and hope that we will see one another in Heaven.