After President Bush’s State of the Union Speech last night, it was interesting seeing a fellow Latter-day Saint stand before the cameras and offer the Democratic response. Without getting too deep into political issues here on this blog, let me just say that it’s often been difficult for me to praise Democrats, but Harry Reid looked and sounded pretty good. (Here’s the text of his comments.) Of course, he had an unfair advantage: I was still in shock at the previous announcement that we’re going to give $350 million to the Palestinians (i.e., the Palestinian Authority – Yasser Arafat’s gang – long associated with the kind of terrorism we are supposed to be fighting), among other things. But that’s not for this blog. There are other places for such rants.
Well, it will be interesting watching Harry Reid in the Senate.
Any word on Ken Jennings’ campaign for Senate?
Interesting is one way to put it…
He opposes abstinence education funding…
He supports seeking UN approval (not advice) for military action…
And the list goes on. As a Latter-day Saint, Reid is an embarrassment. President Benson must be spinning in his grave.
I don’t see how those are Latterday Saint virtues Chris.
What I found interesting was how Reid used those common Mormon intonations and way of speaking in his address. Come on, admit it. It sounded like a Sacrament meeting talk. The downside to that is that I realized just how monotone and undynamic our speaking styles are.
Go listen to some conference talks from the 30’s or 40’s and hear how much more dynamic we used to be.
I wonder if that will change and we’ll get more dynamic again. Makes me wish I could have attended a talk or two by Brigham Young or Joseph Smith to hear how they talked.
Of course there is always J. Golden Kimball…
Abstinence education as a political issue doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Nobody said, “Hey, we should educate our kids about not having sex!” The context is abstinence versus promiscuity in sexual education. Abstinence is most certainly an LDS value. Nobody ever said that we say, “You know what sex is? Don’t do that.” BUT, abstinence education teaches (accurately, I should add) that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy, AIDS, and other STDs every single time.
As for the second one, President Benson was a very strict constitutionalist and had very strong feelings about the inspiration behind our constitution and our role as a leader rather than a follower in the world.
And was he boring? Oh yeah. I don’t think it’s a sacrament intonation because Pelosi was the same way. I just think that most legislators (republicans included of course) are just not very good speakers.
Harry Reid should be applauded and im so thankful that at least one other mormon understands that their political ties to the republican party would have christ emberassed. sacrificing the poor for the betterment of the rich, revenge killing, murderous wars, demonizing of gays, torture, outright lies and manipulation, intimidation and corruption are not christian values, nor was christ into destroying the environment for profit or desecrating others faiths all of which the republican party has done and will do forever, finally someone in our church is fighting the good fight and not blaspheming christs ideals, I applaud you harry reid and keep up the good work, maybe then some of these other “christians” will reevaluate their values. Anyone else notice the incredible number of gay GOP coming out, or the stories of illicit affairs and even child molestation against many politicians who claim to be fighting for christs ideals, the bible says it best-Some who believe they are fighting evil will cry to the Lord, and he will say “I never knew you.“ (Matthew 22)
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1025-25.htm
Harry Reid has proven his inate ability to focus on important issues at hand and make those hard decisions that everyone else is afraid to make. Harry Reid is a strong constituent supporter for his state, and a excellent Latter-Day Saint!
I have begun to wonder whether or not Harry Reid is LDS. Many of his comments throw me off and I started to assume he’s less-active.
does anyone know if Harry Reid is pro-choice or pro-life. member or not he unfortunetly seems as greasy as any of the politicians in washington. its pretty sad.
Harry Reid opposed the gay marriage ban. Way to go!
Reid is a sleazy, liberal Democrat, and just loves face time on any and all news shows so he can get his foul “sound bites” on the air read:always critical of 43 . He is to dubya as Alan Cranston was to Ronald Regean. Cranston was against EVERYTHING RR did, just as Reid is against everything GWB tries to do. He is the Nancy Pelosi of the Senate. He should be embarresed to show up at a sacrament meeting.
Kellyman
Reid is a sleazy, liberal Democrat, and just loves face time on any and all news shows so he can get his foul “sound bites” on the air read:always critical of 43 . He is to dubya as Alan Cranston was to Ronald Regean. Cranston was against EVERYTHING RR did, just as Reid is against everything GWB tries to do. He is the Nancy Pelosi of the Senate. He should be embarresed to show up at a sacrament meeting.
Kellyman
Reid is a sleazy, liberal Democrat, and just loves face time on any and all news shows so he can get his foul “sound bites” on the air read:always critical of 43 . He is to dubya as Alan Cranston was to Ronald Regean. Cranston was against EVERYTHING RR did, just as Reid is against everything GWB tries to do. He is the Nancy Pelosi of the Senate. He should be embarresed to show up at a sacrament meeting.
Kellyman
Reid is a sleazy, liberal Democrat, and just loves face time on any and all news shows so he can get his foul “sound bites” on the air read:always critical of 43 . He is to dubya as Alan Cranston was to Ronald Regean. Cranston was against EVERYTHING RR did, just as Reid is against everything GWB tries to do. He is the Nancy Pelosi of the Senate. He should be embarresed to show up at a sacrament meeting.
Kellymankeggtjt
I just came across this web site. I live in Reno NV. I am an active member of the Mormon church. I have NO idea how Harry Reid was ever voted into office. I do not know of one mormon person who voted for him. I am ashamed that he is affiliated with the mormon church. He is a disgrace to Nevada and a disgrace to mormons everywhere. He is being watched-closely. Maybe one day he will remeber who he is and where he came from and learn how to “be humble, be prayerful, be clean, be true and be smart”. We’ll see.
Jennifer A
How about some dialog that doesn’t involve “Senator Reid is awesome!” or “Senator Reid should be excommunicated!”. I’d like to know some real reasons, instead of rants vs. raves. This is beginning to sound like a session of congress.=)
I am an Active Mormon from California and am not affiliated with either party. I like the political stances that Reid has taken, including his opposition to an amendment to the federal Constitution. That is primarily because I think it is a state issue. If I was going to criticize him for taking a stance that is odds with church teaching it would be for his support of the gaming industry in Nevada (but then you would have to be critical of many Republican Mormon Nevadans). Some people have speculated that I am not truly a hard and fast member of the church because I don’t always take the Conservative hardline on issues. I have read interviews with Senator Reid that would suggest he has experienced the same. But this is exactly the kind judgments that members of the church are not supposed to make. I have a testimony of the church and Senator Reid has stated likewise elsewhere. To suggest that he should be ashamed to enter a Sacrament meeting is the kind of Pharasitical thinking that divides God’s children from eachother and keeps us from being one with Christ. I have personally shook the hand of Ezra Taft Benson – I know he was a prophet. I strongly disagree with the political stance he took regarding civil rights for blacks and his involvement in the John Birch Society (as did certain LDS apostles). I don’t think however that he was an embarrassment to the church – nor do I think that anyone who would state Senator Reid is an embarrassment to the church is speaking out of Christlike love for all man kind.
Jake H.
And yet, we give money to Israel, probably one of the greatest terrorist states on the planet. It seems only fair that we be equal to both sides.
Gambling is an abomination. Reid is an advocate for the gaming industry, and takes contributions from the political action committee (PAC) funded by the Mirage and MGM Grand casinos (http://www.adherents.com/largecom/lds_Reid.html).
“Fine Line: ‘Gambling is a personal choice,’ Reid answered when asked by The Tribune in 1998 if a devout Mormon could promote gambling in Nevada with a clear conscience. ‘I do everything I can to protect Nevada’s No. 1 industry but I have no obligation to protect gaming in other places.’ (http://www.adherents.com/largecom/lds_Reid.html) — WHATEVER, DUDE! Any reasonable person can read “hypocrite” in those words.
Alcohol consumption is wrong. Reid has taken contributions from the National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC .(http://www.adherents.com/largecom/lds_Reid.html)
“We have many very conservative people in the church, and I’m not a very conservative person in a lot of things,” Reid said. (http://www.adherents.com/largecom/lds_Reid.html)
On May 18, 2006, Reid opposed an amendment to make English the national language, calling the proposal “racist.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Reid) — Can you disagree with the policy without calling me a racist? There is nothing racist about wanting to preserve our culture and our heritage. There are a million non-racist reasons for wanting this law, so don’t judge me unrighteously, Harry.
Although Reid does “believe marriage should be between a man and a woman,” on June 6, 2006, he opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, contrary to the pleas of his own church leaders. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Reid) Please, nobody start calling me a homophobe. Homosexuality is indeed a sin; our nation was indeed founded on Judeo-Christian (and really just Christian) values; this nation’s constitution will one day hang by a thread; this nation is moving constantly towards immorality and decadence; a stand for right is what was needed here. This is one issue where the church is uncommonly vocal and adamant in the political realm, but Harry let his Democratic just-vote-no-on-everything politicing get in the way of sound moral legislation.
Corruption/ethics issues — Take a look at these sections on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Reid). Contacts from Jack Abramoff’s lobbying firm; Boxing tickets; Las Vegas land deal; Condo gifts; Earmark Appropriations. Too many to be coincidence?
This is my favorite, though not the most serious issue:
Reid made headlines in May 2005 when he said of George W. Bush, in front of a group of schoolchildren, “The man’s father is a wonderful human being. I think this guy is a loser.” Reid later apologized for these comments. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Reid) How classy. But at least he apologized.
It seems clear that Harry Reid goes against church teachings in most of the citations above. I’m sure me being a conservative Republican who supports the Iraq War to this day, I can’t deny that Reid’s Democratic hate-Bush party affiliation doesn’t irk me, too. But I definitely can’t say I’m proud he’s a Mormon.
Bottom line, Reid is not perfect. Of course, none of us are.
I am so proud of Senator Harry Reid who becomes MAJORITY Leader when the 110th Senate resumes in January.
He will do an excellent job and we are incredibly proud of one of our own.
Mike Jesops
This is Jennifer from Nevada again. I can certainly respect what Jake in California has said. We are to show and teach and act in a Christ like manner at all times. I agree with that and of course it is not our job to be judge and jury. BUT I really appreciated what Mark from Texas has said. We certainly live in a time when we need to stand strong and live up to our convictions. We would really benefit in having a righteous man in a powerful position. Harry Reid would really benefit if he took some classes from President George W. Bush. Although he is not a Mormon he has been nothing but truthful and stood fast to his convictions. I am proud of our President and the kind of man he is and how he has always conducted himself. I wish I could say the same for Harry Reid. I wish Harry Reid would take this opportunity to “stand for something”. To be a real leader in these perilous times. He has a chance to make a difference. I just don’t think he is the man up for the challenge.
To Jennifer in Nevada,
How blind are you too think that our current President stands for what he believes in and is honest and steadfast, blah, blah, blah… That is the problem with “W” is that he only listens to one person, himself. He is closed minded to any other options. And about honesty, what do you make of his staff? Oh, but he wasn’t informed about that, and the President of the United States was in the dark about what events were transpiring right under his nose. Yeah, that makes no sense at all. He knew in some degree of what was going on and has done nil to remedy that situation, except for call for their honorable resignation. Harry Reid needs to take lessons from no man, especially in this case, the President. Give me a break!
To Jennifer in Nevada,
How blind are you too think that our current President stands for what he believes in and is honest and steadfast, blah, blah, blah… That is the problem with “W” is that he only listens to one person, himself. He is closed minded to any other options. And about honesty, what do you make of his staff? Oh, but he wasn’t informed about that, and the President of the United States was in the dark about what events were transpiring right under his nose. Yeah, that makes no sense at all. He knew in some degree of what was going on and has done nil to remedy that situation, except for call for their honorable resignation. Harry Reid needs to take lessons from no man, especially in this case, the President. Give me a break!
I have never been ashamed of my religion until last week when Harry declared the “War in Iraq is Lost.” If sedition were still prosecuted in this country, I would load the guns for the firing squad. Shame on you, Harry. Do me a favor and sleep with your secretary or something…ANYTHING that will get you excommunicated so we don’t have to claim you.
The church’s stance on politics is NEUTRAL.
It is possible to be a Democrat and have differing points of view than other Democrats. I think that John McCain does not belong in the Republican party. The two parties have been catagorized by the reletively recent events in history – but not every Democrat is pro-abortion and not every republican is pro-life (Rudy Giuliani). I think that people should take a good look at his voting record and listen to his reasoning before making their own judgements. I think that if he was going to be excommunicated for his views, it would have happened a long time ago. Everything that I read tells me he is a member in good standing. I fear more for the salvation of the self-righteous members who think that he is an embarassment to the church, than I do for Harry Reid. By the way, I am a republican and politically opposed to Harry Reid on many things.
I posted the last comment about the church being NEUTRAL.
Here is a quote form Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Grandeur of God,” Ensign, Nov 2003, 70.
“…and in the words of that prophet [Joseph Smith] I, too, declare: “Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive. … God does not look on sin with [the least degree of] allowance, but … the nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.””
A true Latter Day Saint would not be so quick to condemn.
>the nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.
That’s why I hope that Harry Reid (MINO: Mormon In Name Only) repents of his far-reaching and blatant opposition to the doctrines and official stances of the Church and comes back into the fold. Anybody who thinks that his political stances are anywhere in line with LDS doctrine either doesn’t know Harry’s stances or doesn’t have the faintest clue about LDS doctrine.
A recent letter sent to Mr. Reid… “Mr. Reid,
I guess you can call this hate mail, in a respectful manner. I don’t understand how you can stand for what you do and be Mormon. Why is it you think the federal and state governments should have more control over my life than me? I also don’t understand how you could call members of our armed forces “incompetent” when they devote their lives to the service of our country. And good grief, do you honestly think President Bush is in it for anything else than what he feels is best for our country? If you do, than shame on you and the majority you represent.
Sincerely,
Aaron
Queen Creek, Arizona USA”
Some of you posters are terrible members of the church! I don’t agree with many of Brother Reids opinions, HOWEVER, I think he has a much better grasp of the plan of salvation than you do. Legislating morality was satan’s plan from the beginning. War is part of Satan’s plan. Caring for the poor is part og the gospel. You may disagree with how he chooses to go about some of these things, but you need to repent for your accusations of sin.
When I went to highschool, my highschool had one of the highest pregnancy rates in the western United States. We had a 93% enrollment in seminary. Manyof thse kids I went to school with kept their children with no way to provide for them. And you have the audacity to impune Brother Reid’s character while advocating a policy that leaves children without fathers. It’s not advocating promiscuity, it is preventing, what is for all intents and purposes, child abuse.
I heard a quote once from a Stake President (I don’t know if its original or not) “You can’t achieve Celestial Results using Telestial Means!” To Comment on Wes Werners assertion that passing laws prohibiting evil, wicked or amoral acts through a civil/government system is like unto Satan’s plan is absurd! Choosing to make law that supports and follows the teachings of Christ and His church helps bring all mankind closer to Christ. Men/Women are still free to choose not to follow law and live with the consequences. Making laws that support His teachings limits the number of individuals that actually participate in those acts. This would be seen if laws were passed to bring the society more in line with the Word of Wisdom. (obviously there would be problems b/c of society dependence on these substances, but politicians that supported such changes would “Stand for Rightousness” and bring about dialoge.)
Passing laws that ban same-sex marriage, as supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, would not likely decrease homosexuality in the US, but would support the teachings of chastity and that the act of sex belongs between a man and women, who are married. Standing for truth and rightousness is an all incompassing task. It requires our efforts (or Sen. Reid’s) in ALL aspects of our life; home, work and church. Senator Reid is no different then most politicians who leave there personal/spiritual beliefs at the Capital steps! I would like to see this change.
I have to agree with the last post and this little except from an excellent talk given by Elder Oaks supports it. It uses abortion as the example, but the principle is the same:
“If we say we are anti-abortion in our personal life but pro-choice in public policy, we are saying that we will not use our influence to establish public policies that encourage righteous choices on matters God’s servants have defined as serious sins. I urge Latter-day Saints who have taken that position to ask themselves which other grievous sins should be decriminalized or smiled on by the law due to this theory that persons should not be hampered in their choices. Should we decriminalize or lighten the legal consequences of child abuse? of cruelty to animals? of pollution? of fraud? of fathers who choose to abandon their families for greater freedom or convenience?
Similarly, some reach the pro-choice position by saying we should not legislate morality. Those who take this position should realize that the law of crimes legislates nothing but morality. Should we repeal all laws with a moral basis so that our government will not punish any choices some persons consider immoral? Such an action would wipe out virtually all of the laws against crimes.” – January 2001 Ensign. ‘WEIGHTIER MATTERS’
Harry Reid a Mormon? Could have fooled me… but then again, no offense, the LDS people in the Rocky Mtn. States have blinders on as to the evil Reid and others like him bring upon this nation. Am I a Republican. No I am a Constitutionalist from the South.
WO. Poor Harry Reid, a light on a hill shining dimly! He just shows that there is diversity in the L.D.S. church-hey we are all human!
Excommunicate Harry Reid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDfuO_zevfo
The "bottom line" as I see it is; if we as LDS, believe that prophets are led by God, and they've said that gambling is wrong, then Sen/Bro. Reid is promoting that which is wrong aka sin.
I'm not suggesting that he be excommunicated, for we all sin, however, I can't understand how Reid"s supporters can say he's not sinning and promoting sin.
And his stance on welfare, while great in theory, goes against church theory and practice. Anyone familiar with Church welfare knows that you can't just go in to the bishop and say "give me something, but I don't want to work/earn it" We been told that self-esteem is enhanced by work.
All through our scriptures there's mention of work. ( The field is white, ready to harvest etc) So his reasoning that it's the moral thing to do to give free loaders a free ride also goes against church teachings.
I realize that all this is from a conservative point of view, I'm a RM and am very curious what other returned missionaries think. Anybody?
Joe
Korea Pusan/Utah Salt Lake Missions
Once again here comes Dingy Harry.
In the begining of the Church. If any member well know or not was saying things not in line with the church they where punished. I wonder how many non mormons hear hom and think, How can they (mormons) believe these thiongs.