Monthly Archives: June 2012

Slim book ‘Talking with Mormons’ makes a lot of sense

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Doug Gibson

On page 38 of theologian Richard J. Mouw’s new book, “Talking with Mormons: An Invitation to Evangelicals” (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.), the author recounts a telephone call from an LDS man who, 10 years after his baptism, was questioning … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged "Talking with Mormons: An Invitation to Evangelicals", Anti-Mormonism, Christianity, Richard J. Mouw, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tolerance, Wm. B. Eerdman's Publishing Co. | 33 Comments

High court majority reaffirms Citizens United, rubs opponents noses in it

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Everyone’s talking about the U.S. Supreme Court’s call to strike down three of four provisions of Arizona’s immigration law. And there’s a lot of chatter about what SCOTUS will say on ObamaCare when it rules on Thursday. But there’s another … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged American Tradition Partnership, Campaign finance, Citizens United v. FEC, Corporations, Inc. v. Bullock, Montana, National Review, Stephen M. Hoersting, United States Supreme Court | 3 Comments

More hostile races this GOP primary season

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Hostile rhetoric and attacks have been the norm for two Utah statewide elections and one Davis County Commission seat. The big race is for the U.S. Senate, where if you listen to Dan Liljenquist supporters, Sen. Orrin Hatch — seeking his … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 2012 Davis County Commission race, 2012 Utah Attorney General race, 2012 Utah U.S. Senate race, Dee Smith, John Petroff Jr., John Swallow, Political rancor, Scott Howell, Sean D. Reyes, Sen. Orrin Hatch, State Sen. Dan Liljenquist, Super PACs, Terry Spencer | 1 Comment

Book of Mormon Musical songs may be profane, but that profanity has heart

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here.) I haven’t seen “The Book of Mormon Musical” but if it gets to Utah I’ll pay the scores of dollars it will cost to see it. I enjoy … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Andrew Rannells, Book of Mormon Musical, Farce, Jon Stewart, Matt Stone, Missionary Work, Profanity, Satire, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Trey Parker | 18 Comments

We need more rancor and polarization to solve the really tough problems

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Doug Gibson

Ron Brownstein, of NationalJournal, has a “clucking hen” column on the Wisconsin vote where he waggles a disapproving finger at Gov. Scott Walker’s direct, in-the-face efforts to reform public unions in that state. Brownsten approvingly cites Connecticut, where that state’s governor, … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Collective bargaining, David Warren, Gov. Scott Walker, Health Care Reform Law, Mickey Kaus, National Journal, Partisanship, President Barack Obama, Ronald Brownstein, Universal health care, Wisconsin | 5 Comments

LDS Church, pols failed to enforce cigarette prohibition in 1920s Utah

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here.) One of the more amusing episodes in Utah history is the LDS Church-directed effort to ban cigarette smoking in the state. Passed by a compliant legislature after a … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 1921, Anti-tobacco crusade, Church and politics, Church and state, Deseret News, John H. S. Smith, President Heber J. Grant, Senate Bill 12, Sheriff Benjamin R. Harries, Standish amendment, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Improvement Era, Utah, Utah Historical Quarterly, Utah Legislature | 5 Comments

Debate over public workers unions is about sustainability

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Doug Gibson

President Barack Obama is not going to waste political capital joining progressives in protesting the loss of benefits and collective bargaining for most public employees unions in Wisconsin. Obama won’t act like this, or this.

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Calif., Collective bargaining, Deficits, Gov. Scott Walker, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, President Barack Obama, Private sector workers, Public unions, Retirement plans, San Diego, San Jose, Sustainability, Union benefits, Wisconsin | 10 Comments

Polygamy opponents were swept aside in Nauvoo turmoil after Joseph Smith’s death

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post click here) The months in Nauvoo following the murder of the LDS Church founder Joseph Smith were not surprisingly, filled with turmoil and political intrigue. The recent publication of “The … Read More