I am working on a theological case against guns. Not so much for gun control, but against guns. My thinking keeps coming back to a recent appearance by Jeff McMahan on the podcast Philosophy Bites. You can listen to the podcast here. Philosophy Bites can also be found on iTunes. Take a listen. I would love to hear your thoughts. McMahan makes a similar argument in more detail in the New York Times. Gun advocates and criminals are allies in demanding that guns remain in private hands. They … [Read more...]
LDS Church Supports Move to Include Gay Scouts
April 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a statement in support of the shift by the Boy Scouts of America that will allow gay Scouts to fully participate within the Scout program. I want to share part of that statement: "While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain 'among the most … [Read more...]
Community of Christ Extends Marriage to Same-Sex Couples
April 22, 2013 By 1 Comment
In their National Conference held April 19-21, The Community of Christ (formerly The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) moved to extend marriage to same-sex couples. The specific recommendations of the Conference to the Community of Christ First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are as follows: The 2013 USA National Conference recommends the sacrament of marriage be extended, where legal in the USA, to persons of the same sex/gender. Thus the 2013 USA National … [Read more...]
Why do bad things happen to good innocent people?
April 15, 2013 By 7 Comments
Why do bad things happen to good innocent people? Again, I consider this question today in the aftermath of the bombings in Boston. As I did in the aftermath of Aurora, Newtown, Columbine, Mumbai, and 9/11. I still do not have an answer to this question. I have yet to hear an answer that satisfies me. Many attempts to answer this question are more maddening than no answer at all. I do not think anyone really knows. … [Read more...]
Happy Tax Day!
April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
George Harrison and Eric Claption perform the Beatles classic Taxman: I was going to write a post about viewing ourselves as citizens rather than taxpayers. Since that will have to wait, I hope the above song and video will bring you joy on this Tax Day. :) … [Read more...]
NFL, LGBT, and Me.
April 12, 2013 By 1 Comment
Sports seems to play a big role in our conceptualization of gender. American Football is particularly heavily connected to the American conception of masculinity. As a result, I am very interested to see how football, more specifically the corporate entity of the National Football League, addresses and handles the matter of homosexuality as American society itself rapidly evolves in its attitudes. Corporate American, for all of its failings, has been ahead of the curve when it comes to … [Read more...]
Discussing Hillary Clinton and the Death Penalty on HuffPost Live
April 4, 2013 By 1 Comment
I briefly commented on two stories today on HuffPost Live: Hillary Clinton and her new book deal: The Death Penalty and the Craiglist Killer: My most recent appearance on HuffPost Live, before today, was on March 20. It can be viewed here. Check out my Feb. 28 Huff Post Live appearance HERE. My March 14 can be viewed HERE. … [Read more...]
Wallace Bennett on Compromise in Government
March 26, 2013 By 2 Comments
The June 1976 Ensign magazine has long been a favorite of mine. It deals with a number of political and social issues from a variety of LDS perspectives. One brief entry has been coming to my mind lately. Wallace F. Bennett served in the United States Senate from 1951 through 1974. My uncle served on his staff for a period of time. So I am biased in my deep respect for the Bennett family. In this issue of the Ensign, Sen. Bennett addresses the following question: What is the role of … [Read more...]
I will be on HuffPost Live Wednesday at Noon Eastern/10am Mountain (UPDATED).
March 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
UPDATE: It looks like we will be talking about withdrawal from Afghanistan, Autism, shampoo, and Michael Jackson. Should be interesting....watch at the link below. I will be on the Huff Post Live’s News Block tomorrow (Wednesday) at Noon Eastern/10am Mountain. I will be commenting on a variety of issues. I will post those topics when I am informed of them shortly before the live chat. Check out my Feb. 28 Huff Post Live appearance HERE. My most recent appearance (March … [Read more...]
Sen. Portman (R-OH) Embraces Gay Marriage
March 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio has publicly reversed his position on gay marriage and has come out in support of it. I really like this quote for the above NBC new clip: "I have come to the conclusion that, for me personally, this is something we should allow people to do. To get married and to have the joy and stability of marriage that I have had for over 26 years," said the Senator. "I want all … [Read more...]
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