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.

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!