Letters to the Editor

I love to read the Public Forum in the Salt Lake Tribune. I know some of you out there are wincing at the mere mention of the Trib. Still, when you read something once - it's easy to dismiss. Read it everyday and well.... This little gem was in Sunday's Public Forum.

A Neocon Checklist

Directions for supporting the troops the neocon-artist way:

1. Fabricate intelligence to scare the people into pre-emptive war with an enemy who had no connections to 9/11 terrorists, and denounce the pacifists as unpatriotic.
2. Spend more than half of the country's discretionary budget on defense (not including pre-emptive wars).
3. Make sure that special interest contractors get plenty of the war dollars.
4. Decrease funding for veteran benefits and make sure to extend tours of duty on a whim.
5. Advocate for huge tax cuts while increasing defense and military spending.
6. Ignore the American people and veto war-spending bills sent you by Congress.
7. When facts about the bad policies surface, claim they are all politically motivated.
8. Threaten that anything less than continued war will "embolden the enemy."
9. Continually change the rationale for the war, making sure to keep troops there as long as possible.
10. Ignore the wishes of the majority of the now "democratic" Iraqi citizens.

Rob Ross
Sandy

Diary of a Jazz Fan

I don't know what to say about last night's game except YES!!!! I will totally admit that I had jumped off the Jazz bandwagon way too early a couple weeks ago. They hadn't even played a home game in the series and I was already writing them off. No longer. They may not win in the next series against Golden State, but the Jazz slump is over.

Carlos Boozer is the man! There wasn't a point in last night's game where I didn't think he could, and would, score inside. He is so strong and can finish with either hand. Every time Houston made a run to get back into the game, Boozer took control. With and-ones, monster dunks, and 15 foot jumpers the Rockets didn't have an answer for Boozer.

Every one of the Jazz players made a contribution to the game 7 victory. AK hit one of the biggest shots of his career. Memo regained the swagger that made him Boler's "Moneyman" - I hate that nickname, but he is pretty clutch. Deron Williams is making everyone ask - Chris who? The Jazz were solid last night and reminded us of the magic they had throughout 3/4 of the season.

I don't know what's going to happen in the next round. Golden State is the kind of team that traditionally gives the Jazz fits (athletic and can shoot 3's), still I think Utah has regained their swagger and I don't think the Warriors want any part of our Jazz. Let's bring em' on out - How about this Jazz!!!

Rocky vs. Hannity

As if things in Utah weren't already weird enough, last night the mayor of SLC engaged in a two hour debate with a Republican talk show host. Rocky Anderson has been very outspoken over the Bush administration over the past year and this led to a war of words with Sean Hannity over the airwaves, and eventually to the debate at Kingsbury Hall.

This place has been crazy in preparation for the big night. Yesterday was commencement on campus, but the Rocky/ Hannity debate was the main draw to the U. Tickets were made available on Wednesday and the line stretched around President's Circle. You would have thought it was the event of the year. For those of us who didn't have tickets, Fox 13 decided to televise the debate without commercial interruption. It was labeled as Rocky vs. Hannity - the Smackdown.

The title of the debate was appropriate, as it carried on the air of a WWE event. From the onset the sellout crowd was in an uproar. As either man made a point, he was greeted by a chorus of jeers from one side and a round of applause from the other. I thought both Rocky and Hannity were a bit over the top in stating their opinions. Each was given 30 minutes to present their individual cases. Rocky was systematic in presenting the evidence against the Bush administration, Hannity was the showman - with impressions, name calling, and video clips to indite Democratic leadership. After all the rhetoric from each participant, the best part of the debate was when the audience was allowed to question both men. These answers gave us some real insight, instead of simply hearing the same repeated spin.

In the end, each man made their main points. Rocky showed that the Bush administration has covered up a lot of important information under the 9/11 umbrella and that they should be held accountable. Hannity stressed that we need to support our troops or we'll be attacked again. I don't think anyone was swayed one way or the other, but everyone was entertained. One thing's for sure - for one evening in Utah both sides of the argument were heard, loud and clear.

TV Review: The Mormons

As much as I liked day 1 of The Mormons I enjoyed day 2 even more. I think that were some really inspiring moments that I observed in the last two hours of this program. I've always liked Elder Marvin K. Jensen, but I have such an unbelievable respect for him. His ability to bear his testimony of the gospel, while tackling difficult issues truly makes him an effective messenger for the Church. When he talked about how hard it must be for homosexual individuals who can't enjoy marriage within the Church, he expressed tremendous empathy and truly reached out to those who feel marginalized (I'm glad he was the one they interviewed on the topic of homosexuality, instead of Elder Packer. I'm not sure he came off very well with his interview).

I was curious how missionary work would be treated on a national scale. Would it be seen as inspired service given by young men and women or would it be portrayed as religious zealotry by misguided youth. Hearing the various stories of men and women who devoted their time as missionaries gave an accurate account of what it's like to serve. Well, except for the guy who said he'd blow himself up if asked. I think he was in the wrong religious documentary. Still, this segment showed that as hard as it can be to go away for two years, it is truly a special time of growth for a young man or woman.

The segment dealing with church discipline was extremely interesting. Of course, we mostly heard from individuals who have been asked to leave the church. The scene where all the chairs were lined up in a form of Puritan tribunal was a bit dramatic. Still, it can't be all bad when the individuals who've been excommunicated long to have parts of the gospel back in their lives. I was particularly touched by the artist from Alpine who missed the feelings he had when he was active in the church.

In the end, I feel that this was a thought provoking look at our church. Even if there was some license in the way certain ideas were presented - was that painting supposed to be Angel Moroni - the world was introduced into the Mormons in a way that shows us for who we are. We are a people who love our families, who love our God, who love our prophets, and are trying to love everyone else - even if it doesn't always work out that way.

TV Review: The Mormons

So, like much of the community I've been waiting on The Mormons for the past several months. Overall, I thought it was an insightful look at the Church. Going in I knew I was going to hear several things I didn't like, but there would also be some ideas that would reaffirm my faith.

It was fascinating to hear the accounts of Joseph Smith. Many of the people being interviewed were non-believers, but none could discount the tremendous role he played in bringing together people in a "uniquely American" religion. I know that the Joseph Smith story doesn't play well with most; however, one scholar made the comment that all religion has some sense of miracle at it's core - why should Mormonism be any different.

About the only down side I had with last night's program was the extent to which modern day polygamy was depicted. Of course, the producers were quick to point out information about Wilford Woodruff and the Manifesto, but many people would come to the assumption that polygamy's end was more a matter of political convenience than any other reason. Showing many members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints played too much into the stereotypes that Mormons are still polygamists regardless of the Church's official positions against the practice.

I'm interested to see where tonight's program takes people. Some of the promo comments were a bit overblown (Elder Dallin H. Oaks coming across as the Mormon Gestapo - any member who disagrees with the Brethren will be silenced, even if the disagreement in valid.), but it's what brings in the ratings - if that even matters with PBS. I want to know how missionary work is depicted, and what they think the future of the church holds. All in all I hope a lot of people are watching the series and I hope it encourages them to look past the stereotypes about The Mormons.