This morning I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to Joe the Plumber and Cherilyn Eager on their state-wide book/campaign tour. The blessed privilege allowed me to not only listen to Cherilyn's wisdom as she advocated herself to be the next senator from Utah. Do not get me wrong, I have plenty of reasons to oppose Bennett; however, she did not highlight a single one of them.
Her biggest complaint is that he was an incumbent. She really didn't say much about why he needed to be replaced. She did harp on him over and over again for voting for the bailout. Lest she forget that it was President Bush who called for such an extreme measure. She also explained that the bailout is the reason for the massive budget deficit. Sure it added to the pain, but America's misadventure in Iraq did too.
However the highlight of the event was when she spoke about her hero and role-model-- Phyllis Schlafly. This is where I lost all interest. Any candidate endorsed by the fringe Eagle Forum loses all credibility. This group is anti-public education, anti-women, anti-equality, and, anti-choice. Cherilyn also lauded Sarah Palin and said she hopes she will become President. If you think Obama lacked experience, try out this beauty-queen.
However, I did find Joe the Plumber slightly refreshing. He wasn't running for office, just using his so called 'noteriety' to bring a little cash home. No shame in that. However, he did have the quote of the day. And this is a direct quote: "The ones I really hate are the liberals, I really just want to shoot them." This said only two minutes after his big speech on why the values of Christianity matter so much to him!!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Election Night
It's late, well not that late, but after three consecutive hours of pushing the reload button, I need to call it a night. I don't know how to weigh this election day. Last year was mostly cheers as Barack Obama was elected president. However, this year the Republicans get the victory in the two gubernatorial elections. This isn't unexpected, Corzine sucked as a governor and Creigh Deeds never learned how to campaign. However, the Republicans are the clear losers in the NY-23. The Dick Armeys and Sarah Palins of the world should have stayed home and let Dede Scozzafava run as the only Republican. Maybe this will signal to the myopic leaders of the tea-party movement that Republicans need to be inclusive and cannot set a litmus test on every moderate within the party. This district was a Republican stronghold, but now it is represented by a Democrat. And for this I am happy.
Maine decided that marijuana isn't going to kill us all and extended medicinal use of the drug. However, voters removed the right for homosexuals to be granted same-sex marriage. Another state opposed to equality I guessed. But on a brighter note for the gay rights movement, Washington extended benefits under domestic partnerships and Kalamazoo voters rejected a proposal that would have ended the non-discrimination policy for homosexuals within housing and employment.
In the end it was a win-lose night. Republicans take the governorships, Democrats take the two House seats. One state advanced progressive ideals, another rejects them. However, given time, I am hopeful that a liberal agenda will gain a majority status among American voters.
Maine decided that marijuana isn't going to kill us all and extended medicinal use of the drug. However, voters removed the right for homosexuals to be granted same-sex marriage. Another state opposed to equality I guessed. But on a brighter note for the gay rights movement, Washington extended benefits under domestic partnerships and Kalamazoo voters rejected a proposal that would have ended the non-discrimination policy for homosexuals within housing and employment.
In the end it was a win-lose night. Republicans take the governorships, Democrats take the two House seats. One state advanced progressive ideals, another rejects them. However, given time, I am hopeful that a liberal agenda will gain a majority status among American voters.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Ashamed
I am sorry that this is a duplication from my facebook status, but this is really pissing me off. A certain conservative blogger was recently quoted as saying she is a ashamed to be a member of the same church as Harry Reid. I certainly hope she was misquoted; if she wasn't, I really feel bad for her. To think that anyone would be ashamed to be a member of the same religion as someone who has different views politically literally offends me. Harry Reid once explained that he was Mormon because of Christ's teachings to care for the poor and needy. Does this blogger not care about those issues.
Who cares if Harry Reid says fighting for Prop 8 was a horrendous waste of funds. I agree with him!!!! Mormon politicians are counseled to vote for the needs of their constituents, not for the First Presidency. Since when does being Mormon mean voting for a crazy right-wing agenda. If that is what being Mormon is all about, count me out. I firmly believe that it is a shared religious belief in certain prophets and books that makes one a Mormon believer, not whether support health-care reform or voted for Barack Obama.
Many LDS historians are familiar with the disagreement between members of the First Presidency over the New Deal. In fact, it was even discussed in General Conference. I really wonder if those who can't fathom the idea of a Mormon Democrat would have left the church over those arguments? If they would have, it certainly says a lot about their testimony.
Who cares if Harry Reid says fighting for Prop 8 was a horrendous waste of funds. I agree with him!!!! Mormon politicians are counseled to vote for the needs of their constituents, not for the First Presidency. Since when does being Mormon mean voting for a crazy right-wing agenda. If that is what being Mormon is all about, count me out. I firmly believe that it is a shared religious belief in certain prophets and books that makes one a Mormon believer, not whether support health-care reform or voted for Barack Obama.
Many LDS historians are familiar with the disagreement between members of the First Presidency over the New Deal. In fact, it was even discussed in General Conference. I really wonder if those who can't fathom the idea of a Mormon Democrat would have left the church over those arguments? If they would have, it certainly says a lot about their testimony.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Nobel Peace Prize
So, the news is out. Despite being only 9 months into his administration, Obama shockingly received a Nobel Peace Prize. I won't lie, I thought it was a joke. You know those Scandinavians, they are always good for a joke!!! I will admit it, I do not think that Obama actually has done the most for humanity for world peace; that being said, this prize should be seen as an acknowledgement from the world that America matters again.
After eight dreadful years of the Bush go it alone strategy, America is once again seeking to become a leader in the international community. This should be viewed as good thing, by the right and left. American interests can be protected when our leader is respected. Obama's attempts to heal the wounds of the past are not weak liberal giving in. Instead it takes balls to say, "you know what, we were wrong, sorry" Admitting the past is sometimes harder than ignoring it.
Now some on the right are attacking this prize as proof of Obama's world celebrity status. Does it matter that Obama is loved around the world? I think it does actually. What did we gain by Bush being hated world leader? It gained us nothing; instead we lost respect and credibility. Maybe there is a cult-following of our President, so what!!! If they love him, they will listen to him.
To the right, I say, "Give it a rest!" Obama could find cures for cancer, end world hunger, and win 10 wars, but Republicans would still attack him. It is time to grow up. An American President has just been awarded a major international prize. Did he deserve it? Maybe not, but we can still be proud of what it represents. This wasn't an award only to Obama, but to America's role in the world. We should all share in his achievement!
After eight dreadful years of the Bush go it alone strategy, America is once again seeking to become a leader in the international community. This should be viewed as good thing, by the right and left. American interests can be protected when our leader is respected. Obama's attempts to heal the wounds of the past are not weak liberal giving in. Instead it takes balls to say, "you know what, we were wrong, sorry" Admitting the past is sometimes harder than ignoring it.
Now some on the right are attacking this prize as proof of Obama's world celebrity status. Does it matter that Obama is loved around the world? I think it does actually. What did we gain by Bush being hated world leader? It gained us nothing; instead we lost respect and credibility. Maybe there is a cult-following of our President, so what!!! If they love him, they will listen to him.
To the right, I say, "Give it a rest!" Obama could find cures for cancer, end world hunger, and win 10 wars, but Republicans would still attack him. It is time to grow up. An American President has just been awarded a major international prize. Did he deserve it? Maybe not, but we can still be proud of what it represents. This wasn't an award only to Obama, but to America's role in the world. We should all share in his achievement!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Torture Investigation Needed
The debate over the legality of "enhanced interrogation techniques" (i.e. torture) seems to have run its course; however, a new debate has been ignited regarding Department of Justice investigations into the interrogation techniques used by the CIA. Republican politicians, including Senator Hatch (R-UT) and former Vice President Chaney, have attacked Sec. Holder's investigations as purely political. I hardly think that investigations into this serious matter should be cast aside, just because there are political consequences. The American public and the world have right to know if illegal techniques were used and who used them. I am not referring to water-boarding, which was sadly considered to be legal under the Bush administration, but to techniques which were either expressly forbidden under the DOJ memos. Regardless of who was in office, if the acts were expressly forbidden, the perpetrators of those horrendous acts should be brought public and punished, national security dilemma or not.
I, for one, believe that national security should not be considered the eternal justification for evil that it has become. When is the line going to be drawn, and where? First it was interrogating foreigners, but I hardly think it unlikely that Bush and his crony lawyers would have found it difficult to justify interrogating American citizens. However, in my opinion it does not matter the nationality of the person. TORTURE IS WRONG! It should never be done, never discussed, and never justified. Crimes were committed and justice should be taken. If Clinton administration officials engaged in these acts, pre-9/11, they should be brought public too.
After WWII, the world demanded to know what had happened under fascist Germany. The Nuremberg trials helped bring to light the atrocities of a corrupt nation justifying murder for the Reich security. Now in our day and age we deserve an investigation and trial to uncover what went on in the name of Homeland security. The names change, but the justifications remain the same.
I, for one, believe that national security should not be considered the eternal justification for evil that it has become. When is the line going to be drawn, and where? First it was interrogating foreigners, but I hardly think it unlikely that Bush and his crony lawyers would have found it difficult to justify interrogating American citizens. However, in my opinion it does not matter the nationality of the person. TORTURE IS WRONG! It should never be done, never discussed, and never justified. Crimes were committed and justice should be taken. If Clinton administration officials engaged in these acts, pre-9/11, they should be brought public too.
After WWII, the world demanded to know what had happened under fascist Germany. The Nuremberg trials helped bring to light the atrocities of a corrupt nation justifying murder for the Reich security. Now in our day and age we deserve an investigation and trial to uncover what went on in the name of Homeland security. The names change, but the justifications remain the same.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Utah County's Anti-Equality Newspaper
Anyone who follows Utah politics already understands that Utah County is the bastion of conservatism. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that The Daily Herald, headquartered in Provo, has a conservative edge in its writing, especially editorials. Normally I don't even pay attention to this small paper, but the recent ridiculous nature of one of the editorials has incited me to write a response. The argument in the editorial, "Crazy quilt gay agenda in SLC," is moronic. The article contends that the Salt Lake City should not adopt non-discrimination policies regarding the GLBT community because having different rules in that city would be confusing because there are different rules in the surrounding municipalities. The editorial also concludes that housing policies regarding the GLBT community should be the sole domain of the state government.
The logic of their first argument is beyond faulty, it's desperation. Housing policies are very much within the purview of municipal governments. Salt Lake, New York, Boston, Provo, all cities have their own zoning ordinances and policies regarding housing. If Salt Lake City wants to do the same, it has ever legal right to do so. It shouldn't matter if the law changes once you enter Salt Lake, housing rules change every time you enter a new city or township. The only ones who will need to notice are landlords. These land-owners already have to deal with a multitude of unique to Salt Lake rules, this won't be any more of a hassle than what already currently exists.
Salt Lake is willingly, almost daringly, moving forwards in its efforts to grant civil-rights to all its citizens. It should be commended and be allowed to serve as a model to other local governments in Utah, not harassed by a no-name paper that isn't even in the same county as Salt Lake. This looks like another method by backwards journalists to hinder and impede equality. But what would you expect, this is Provo!!!
For your convenience I have attached the hyper-link to the editorial: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_ea22bac1-72f4-500a-be0b-eb10dcd93970.html
The logic of their first argument is beyond faulty, it's desperation. Housing policies are very much within the purview of municipal governments. Salt Lake, New York, Boston, Provo, all cities have their own zoning ordinances and policies regarding housing. If Salt Lake City wants to do the same, it has ever legal right to do so. It shouldn't matter if the law changes once you enter Salt Lake, housing rules change every time you enter a new city or township. The only ones who will need to notice are landlords. These land-owners already have to deal with a multitude of unique to Salt Lake rules, this won't be any more of a hassle than what already currently exists.
Salt Lake is willingly, almost daringly, moving forwards in its efforts to grant civil-rights to all its citizens. It should be commended and be allowed to serve as a model to other local governments in Utah, not harassed by a no-name paper that isn't even in the same county as Salt Lake. This looks like another method by backwards journalists to hinder and impede equality. But what would you expect, this is Provo!!!
For your convenience I have attached the hyper-link to the editorial: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_ea22bac1-72f4-500a-be0b-eb10dcd93970.html
Saturday, August 22, 2009
My First Blog
So, I have finally taken the plunge, I have entered the bloggers world!!! I figured that I had annoyed my Facebook friends enough with all of my political rants. So I thought to myself, self, what is a better way to voice my opinions? The answer, like a voice from heaven, much like Obama receives when receiving revelation on how to run our country, was crystal clear, create a blog. So here it is, a Bret Evans production- The Progressive's Perspective. Although I am sure that much of my discussion will be about politics, I am sure that there will be sprinkles of movie reviews and random satirical thoughts on BYU life. Anyhow, I hope it is at least entertaining for those of you who read it. So until my ranting begins.......
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