Monday, November 24, 2008
|
|
What's Truly Hateful . . .
|
|
Posted by:
Carol Platt Liebau at
3:23 PM
|
I've never been a fan of hate crimes legislation. But if the laws are on the books, they should be enforced on behalf of -- and against -- all groups equally. That's the essence of equal protection of the laws.
Yet, as this National Review op/ed points out, there has been a dramatic targeting of Mormons in the wake of the passage of California's Proposition 8. So far, there has been little of the denunciation in the press that would be heard loud and clear across the land if, for example, Mormons were treating gays the same way that gays are now treating them.
Feminists lost their "moral authority" to opine on the treatment and status of women as a group when, first, they decided to give Bill Clinton a pass on some of the most obvious inappropriate workplace behavior ever and then when they ganged up on only the second woman to have a real shot at national office. Those in the gay rights movement and the press, who have treated the American public to pious denunciations of "hate" in all its forms are about to meet the same fate as the feminists, whose hypocrisy has been laid bare.
It's a sorry day for America when any kind of hatred is ignored or condoned. It's an even sorrier day when some groups are deemed to be "entitled" to engage in behavior that would be denounced as (and would be) wrong if it were indulged in by another group.
Contrary to the accusations lodged against the supporters of Prop. 8, it isn't inherently hateful to believe that marriage should be restricted to one man and one woman who aren't related to each other (as it has been since the dawn of time). It is hateful to assault -- in word or deed -- those who are exercising their freedom of conscience to vote in the way they believe is best.
|
|
"Hate crime victims -- for better or worse -- are generally people identified as members of groups which have suffered from contemporary oppression."
Your mouth is moving, but you aren't saying anything. |
|
Then you agree that the Mormon Church and its members are not on your liberal "approved" list because they are self reliant, steadfast and strong in their religious beliefs, willing to assimilate, become mainstream, and refuse to ask for special consideration due to some past discriminatory practices.
Which of the following would you consider to be a hate crime or merely a crime?
"The Mormons must be treated as enemies and must all be terminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public health."
~Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs, Oct. 2, 1838.
In 1839, Joseph Smith led the Mormons from Missouri to Illinois where they built the city of Nauvoo. In 1844 Smith was jailed in the nearby town of Carthage, Illinois. An angry group of people entered the jail and murdered Smith. |
|
|
for sharing a part of history that many do not understand nor care to find out about. We ARE loyal americans and loyal voters. |
|
At the Seminary one of my daughters attends next to her Jr. High school here in Utah, a package was sent which contained an unknown substance. My daughter is not old enough to vote. She is innocent. This is their taticts? Scaring our children? Their fight is with us adults. Last time I looked, California did not have a high precentage of Mormons to pass this all by themselves.
The primary's showed us that being LDS makes us free game. This election taught us that when we stand up for our values, we get our children terrorized. That's not fair, and it is not right. |
|
|
It's the incredible, successful mainstreaming of Mormons into American society, culture and politics that accounts for why Mormons are not going to be the first people to come to mind as the victims of hate crimes. Hate crime victims -- for better or worse -- are generally people identified as members of groups which have suffered from contemporary oppression. When the motive of a criminal act is to terrorize the whole group, that's a hate crime. When you target people who are part of a powerful group for their political actions that's just a crime, not a hate crime. |
|
In 1844, while under the avowed protection of Governor Thomas Ford of Illinois, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were shot to death in Carthage Jail.
Now on this 24th of July in 1849, free at last from the mobbings, they planned to celebrate.
Everything the Saints owned would come across a thousand miles of desert by handcart or covered wagon. It would be 20 more years before the railroad came as far as Salt Lake City. With almost nothing to work with, they determined that the celebration would be a grand expression of their feelings.
They built a bowery on Temple Square. They erected a flagpole 104 feet tall. They made an enormous national flag 65 feet in length and unfurled it at the top of this liberty pole.
It may seem puzzling, incredible almost beyond belief, that for the theme of this first celebration they chose patriotism and loyalty to that same government which had rejected and failed to assist them. If you can understand why, you will understand the power of the teachings of Christ.
Their brass band played as Brigham Young led a grand procession...
Then followed 24 young men dressed in white pants; black coats; white scarves on their right shoulders; and a sheathed sword at their left sides. In their right hand, of all things, each carried a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. The Declaration of Independence was read by one of those young men.
Almost but not quite as amazing as their choice of patriotism for a theme was what came next: 24 aged sires (as they were called) led by patriarch Isaac Morley. They were known as the Silver Greys—all 60 years of age or older. Each carried a staff painted red with white ribbon floating at the top. One carried the Stars and Stripes...
The Lord told them, “I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up...
Boyd Packer
This the Mormon Church. Hate it if you will, we are still patriots to the end. |
|
who supported Prop. 8 in
CA has become the sport of gay activists, in particular against the LDS voters.
Early LDS history had a role in setting up the first printing press in SF, settling San Diego, blazing trails in the desert and taming the
Wild West, assisted in finding gold at Suttor's Fort, and a thousand other events that helped open up California.
In San Diego in Old Town is a monument to the Mormon Battalion recruited when the LDS people were being driven out of the East. 500 able bodied men marched the longest march in US history - to California when they were needed to help their families already on the wagon trail!
Even in the infancy of the church when lawless elements murdered, plundered, and raped LDS citizens, the church was still loyal to the US Government.
And that is true today.
The NATIONAL REVIEW editorial is a must read by all who support law and order.
Attorney General Jerry Brown has made his bed on the other side of fairness and respect for the laws of California.
Proposition 8 is now part of the Constitution of the State of California.
He is sworn to uphold the laws of California, yet he openly supports those who are violating property rights, intimidating, and commiting acts of tresspass and vandalism. He has looked the other way about death threats and general threats such as the Mormons had better watch their backs.
I think the media has fanned the fire one again, using the gay's anger towards LDS. (Plays well on the evening news and ups ratings.)
In truth, LDS people are quite tolerant towards gays. I am, but I am not tolerant of government officials being petty and turning a blind eye towards the injustices LDS people who voted or supported Prop. 8.
Where is the governor? Where is the outcry in the media? Where are the tv cameras showing damage to chapels, temples, homes, cars and other property? Etc. Where is the outcry over the white powder!!!!
|
|
|
This is remarkable. I know this post will get many responses of "no, not me," but Conservatives made it okay to beat up on Mormons. No matter how much they put themselves out in the public sphere in ardent support of Conservative issues, and no matter how much heat they take for it, many here go on making jokes about polygamy and refusing to vote for a guy because he is Mormon. Until the "silent majority" rejects the idea that being Mormon disqualifies someone for political office, until they realize that being Mormon is okay, at least on a political level, this will continue. Don't you see that the gay lobby is trying to form an alliance with you Evangelicals by manufacturing a common enemy? As someone who is Mormon, I listened for months as people on blogs like this skewered Mitt over his church and accepted others because of theirs, even if they were pro-life liberals. I listened in disgust. You may not agree with some of our doctrines, but we are fighting the good fight and getting abused for it. True, other groups contributed to the Prop 8 campaign, but these people that some of you sneer at walked the streets and spent millions to protect marriage. Don't just tolerate us because we're the useful heathens, ask how we can work together to keep this country from going down the tubes. Mormons are an extremely motivated, well organized group of people. There are exceptions to this, but Prop 8 certainly proves that Mormons should not be automatically rejected in the public sphere. We are simply trying to live a Christian life and help others do the same. If you are shocked by the hate against Mormons by the gay community, don't be. Look instead at how you might have made that hate seem acceptable. You may be surprised. |
|
who supported Prop. 8 in
CA has become the sport of gay activists, in particular the LDS voters. |
|
|
My questions are this: since these people, the straight people, were attacked and are still being attacked for their beliefs and ideals on this matter, where is the ACLU and all of the other Civil/Civic Organizations that are supposed to defend people in this situation? Were any of the attackers who were attacking the others arrested or prosecuted for their crimes, these possible hate/race crimes? |
|
It is difficult for supporters of gay rights to understand why those who oppose gay marriage feel the way they do. It is a moral and religious issue to many and that is a foreign concept to some.
The fact of the matter is, if you allow gay marriage to happen then there are a lot of other marriage configurations that should be made legal simultaneously. I don't want this to happen but if gays can marry, polygamy should also be legal. I wonder if gay people would oppose that?
Marriage is for one man and one woman. Let's keep it that way and let people who call themselves do whatever they choose. |
|
|
all about finding someone to blame... |
|
case of their lack of discernment and conflicted emotional approach to issues of importance.
They purport to be opposed to hate crimes yet cannot bring themselves to apply the concept equally to all groups that are targeted.
They defend groups that are subjected to hate crimes (Hispanics, black, etc.,) but initiate the attack against a group (Mormons) that is not on their "approved" list.
|
|
What is sorely needed is laws against hate crimes to the majority. The majority have no rights whatsoever. They are labeled the majority merely to distinguish a group of tax payers who provide an unending source of monies to spend-thrift senators and congressmen so they can dole out this money to minorities (who are really the majority) thus buying their vote. They also use a great deal of this money for earmarks which also buys them votes. The remaining monies they dole out to their friends, supporters and running for office which in effect is also buying or chasing votes.
In sum, our elected government officials take "our" (one Michigan senator disagrees it is ours) tax money and use it to run elections and buy votes. We need protection.
|
|
|
There's not more you can do to rile up folks than taking away rights they've already got. |
|
The primary season offered up some vile anti-Mormon behavior that amazed me. This militant anger over Prop. 8 is just more crazed behavior against a group that presents an easy target at first blush. The Mormons are just too polite.
I've never had anything but respect for the Mormon assemblies that send their young to mission, tithe income and protect their aged as they do.
If anything, non-Mormons should be in awe of the phenomenal genealogical records that the Latter Day Saints make available to the public for research use as well as their work ethic and sense of family and love of nation.
Just cowardice by unhappy zealots.
|
|
you're partially correct.......
in California, voting on Prop 8, the Hispanics were split down the middle, 50% pro & 50% against.....
the Blacks are the ones who hosed the gays.......
they voted 70% for Prop 8 and only 30% against...... |
|
|
Notice the liberals are attacking Mormons and picketing their churches and have left the black and Hispanic churches alone. Ironically blacks and Hispanics voted overwhelmingly in favor of Prop 8. |
|
|
|