Monthly Archives: April 2012

Can Obama use Supreme Court decisions as a campaign tool?

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Although decisions have not been released, the U.S. Supreme Court have appeared very cool to the Obama administration in two very high-profile cases: the review of the president’s health care insurance reform law and the administration’s opposition to Arizona crafting … Read More

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 2012 campaign, 2012 presidential race, Arizona immigration law, Democrats, Health Care Reform Law, Mitt Romney, President Barack Obama, Republicans, U.S. Supreme Court | 12 Comments

High court appears skeptical of sole federal oversight of immigration

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Based on arguments today, the U.S. Supreme Court appears ready to throw away the idea that federal immigration laws automatically disqualify any state’s efforts to control illegal immigration.

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Arizona immigration law, Federal versus states on immigration, Illegal Immigration, U.S. Supreme Court | 11 Comments

Memo to high priests: the 1950s were not better

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Doug Gibson

“Boy, I wish we lived in the 1950s.” “We are definitely in the last days.” “The amount of sin and unrighteousness has tripled since I was a young man in the 1950s.” “I’d prefer to live in the 1950s.” Those … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 1950s, 2012, High Priests, Nostalgia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Today | 21 Comments

It appears Hatch will avoid a last-hurrah scenario this year

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Nine months ago, I wouldn’t have bet a nickel on Sen. Orrin’s Hatch’s chances of getting re-elected. Trying to ask Utah voters for 42 years as U.S. senators seemed galling. Hatch reminds me of a character in a Harry Potter … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 2012 Utah U.S. Senate race, Mirror of Erised, Sen. Orrin Hatch, State Rep. Chris Herrod, State Sen. Dan Liljenquist, Utah Republican state delegates, Utah state Republican Convention | 10 Comments

Same-sex relationship sent LDS Church patriarch into exile

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Doug Gibson

In October 1946, Joseph F. Smith II, LDS Church patriarch, was released from his calling in LDS General Conference. He had not served for several months, the official reason being that he was ill, confined to his home in Centerville, … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Byram Dow Downing, Disfellowship, Excommunication, Gary James Bergera, George Albert Smith, Hawaii, Homosexuality, Joseph Smith II, Journal of Mormon History, LDS Church patriarch, Mormon history, Ruth Pingree Smith, Same-sex attraction, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 39 Comments

Most married women favor Republican presidential candidates

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Lost in the controversy over Democratic PR consultant Hilary Rosen’s now apologized-for remark that Ann Romney, wife of presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney, never worked a day in her life, is that while women overall tend to vote more Democrat, … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Ann Romney, Hilary Rosen, Married voters gap, Married women, Mitt Romney, President Barack Obama, Single women | 38 Comments

Distinct anti-Mormons, the O’Donnells and the Jeffresses

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Doug Gibson

There are two groups opposed to Mitt Romney’s candidacy based on his Mormon beliefs. One is using Romney’s Mormonism for political expediency. The other’s animus is deeper and based in theology. The latter group is far more likely to support … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 2012 presidential race, Anti-Mormonism, Jeffesses, Lawrence O'Donnell, Mitt Romney, O'Donnells, Pastor Robert Jeffress, President Barack Obama | 50 Comments

80-plus years ago, book by Davis author served as gift to missionaries from LDS prophet

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Doug Gibson

More evidence that the bookshelves and basements of Latter-day Saints’ homes provide historical value: I’m holding in my hands a book titled, “Flashes From the Eternal Semaphore,” written by Leo J. Muir, published by The Deseret News Press, third edition, … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Flashes From the Eternal Semaphore, LDS missionary program, Leo J. Muir, Mormon history, President Heber J. Grant, Raymond D. Kingsford, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 1 Comment

Obama, Democrats want to tether middle class to more reliance on government

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Doug Gibson

The president of hope and change had some harsh words for the only serious budget proposal out there. He called Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan, which outlines a fiscal austerity plan that includes providing more budget autonomy to states, “social … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Deficits, Entitlements, Medicaid, Medicare, Middle Class, President Barack Obama, Rep. Paul Ryan, Ryan budget plan, Senate Democrats, U.S. budget | 21 Comments

Police, no-knock raid caught an LDS apostle in another woman’s bed

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here). On Nov. 11, 1943, LDS apostles Joseph Fielding Smith and Harold B. Lee gathered with Salt Lake City police officers, including Chief Reed Vetterli, outside the small Center … Read More