Monthly Archives: February 2012

Supreme Court is ready to end affirmative action

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Affirmative action received its death notice by the U.S. Supreme Court recently, several years after former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor loftily declared it would last another quarter century.

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Affirmative Action, Fisher v. Texas, Grutter v. Bollinger, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, U.S. Supreme Court | 2 Comments

Apocryphal Hale vision underscores LDS passion for baptism for the dead

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here.) With my faith’s practice of baptism for the dead under fire and, in my opinion, so misunderstood, it was interesting that this five-page Heber Q. Hale “vision,” apparently … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Baptism for the Dead doctrine, Dreams, Hale vision, Heber Q. Hale, LDS apocrypha, LDS Spirit World, Mormon history, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 13 Comments

Strange editing follows Deseret media story on BYU Universe changes

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Doug Gibson

On ksl.com, there is a January article (read) that notes that the BYU newspaper, the Daily Universe, is going mostly digital. The plans are that by April the Universe will be a “long-form” weekly and the “Daily Universe” will be … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Brigham Young University, Daily Universe, Deseret Digital Media, Erin Kulesus, Journalism ethics, ksl.com, McKay Coppins, Stephanie Grimes | 5 Comments

Santorum is wrong on insurance and prenatal testing

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Doug Gibson

When a pol angers those already opposed to him or her, it’s not a big deal. But to alienate supporters or those who might be supportive is a big mistake. Rick Santorum made a big mistake by blasting ObamaCare for … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Abortion, Amniocentesis, Health insurance, Prenatal care, Rick Santorum | 20 Comments

It is becoming easier to hate personal religious beliefs

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here.) I ask readers for their reactions to the following: Sexual intercourse is a sacred act, a gift from God to his children as a celebration of marital love, … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Andrew Sullivan, Anti-religious bigotry, Bill Maher, Christians, Contraception, LDS Church, Mitt Romney, Personal religious beliefs, Rick Santorum | 37 Comments

A long Republican race awaits Romney

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Rick Santorum’s surprising sweep of two Republican presidential caucuses and one primary recently offers the strong possibility that the Republican presidential nominee may not be decided for several months. That may thrill political junkies, but it’s disconcerting for Republican leaders, … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 2012 Republican presidential primaries, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Republican Party, Republican Party base, Republican presidential convention, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul | 7 Comments

1850s LDS publication touts grandeur, threatens celibacy to promote polygamy

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here.) I have the privilege to own, hold and read the Saturday, April 9, 1853 edition of The Latter Day Saints’ Millennial Star, published in London. I procured this … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 1853 issue, LDS Church, London, Millennial Star, Mormon history, Polygamy, Propaganda, Utah | 16 Comments

Judges are tailoring gay marriage opinion to appeal to Justice Kennedy

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Most stories treated the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision upholding a federal judge’s opinion striking down California’s ban on gay marriage as significant. Technically, perhaps, but there was no suspense. The federal judge who struck it down is very … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged California, Gay marriage, Judge Stephen Reinhardt, Judge Vaughan Walker, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Perry v. Brown, Proposition 8, Romer v. Evans, U.S. Supreme Court | 14 Comments

Mormon apostles are treated like superstars

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here) There’s an elderly member of my LDS ward, in his mid-80s, who told me that when he was very young, the LDS Church prophet would greet church members … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Elder Richard G. Scott, LDS Church, LDS General Authorities, LDS President George Albert Smith, LDS Stake Conferences, Quorum of the 12 Apostles, Sycophancy | 56 Comments

Political duck speak politics ensnares Romney

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Mitt Romney is apparently in hot water for not caring about the poor. That’s funny, I thought he gave a poor woman some cash recently. That’s better than I. I stiffed a panhandler who wanted some cash when I was … Read More