The Political Surf

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

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 2012 presidential race, Duck speak, Dumbing down of politics, Middle Class, Mitt Romney, Poor, President Obama | 17 Comments

The Death of a Disco Dancer another edgy Mormon novel

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here.)There’s good Mormon fiction out there. If you know where to look for it. (Hint: It’s not at Deseret Book) Zarahemla Books, “The Death of a Disco Dancer,” by David … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Ariz., David Clark, Dementia, Disco, John Travolta, Mesa, Mormon culture, Mormon fiction, Novel, The Death of a Disco Dancer, Zarahemla Books | 4 Comments

Plan Newt From Outer Space

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Doug Gibson

“… Can your heart stand the SHOCKING FACTS, about Grave Robbers from Newt Gingrich’s past!!! …” OK, I was told by a writer — more esteemed than myself — that no one has grabbed “Plan Newt From Outer Space” yet, … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 2012 Republican presidential race, Anti-Mitt Romney Republicans, Establishment Republicans, Florida Republican primary, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Ronald Reagan, Tea Party movement | 19 Comments

Extend benefits to domestic partners

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see a Cal Grondahl cartoon that goes with this blog, click) It’s long past time for the Utah Legislature to extend employee benefits to domestic partners. A bill from Rep. Brian Doughty, D-Salt Lake City, doing just that should … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Domestic benefits, Rep. Brian Doughty, Utah, Utah Legislature | 10 Comments

LDS Church once thought stances on polygamy, blacks would not change

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here) It is possible to believe that out, sexually active, married gays and lesbians will one day be accepted as faithful, temple-worthy members in the Church of Jesus Christ of … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Civil rights, Different eras, Elder Delbert L. Stapley, Elder Mark E. Peterson, Gay marriage, George W. Romney, Polygamy, Racism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 62 Comments

Capital gains taxes are an additional tax

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Doug Gibson

The capital gains tax is based on investment income on a foundation of income that was already taxed. It’s an additional tax, another way for government to profit from productivity. I’m not necessarily opposed to capital gains taxes, which understandably are at … Read More