Several of our readers have asked for the Beehive Standard Weekly to speak out on the recent raids on polygamists in Texas. Uniquely, our staff consists of lawyers who also happen to be Mormon, who also happen to be journalists. To that end, perhaps we can't avoid having or expressing an opinion.
To that end, we offer the conclusion before the commentary, so no one can misquote us without knowing that they are misquoting us.
Conclusion: Our conclusion is that though there may be specific and individual examples of violations of several laws of the State of Texas relating to underage marriage, the state and federal authorities have also violated the most sacred law of all, the United States Constitution. In the balance, religious prejudice and bigotry has tainted the actions of authorities, the media and the peeping-tom public. It may be one of the ugliest displays of religious intolerance since -- well, since the Mormons were driven out of the United States.
With that said, this is not an apology for those who have violated the law or abused children. Those participating in such low crimes should be brought to justice. The FLDS cannot hide behind their faith for attrocities against children. Religion is not an excuse for violating the laws which are clear and unambiguous.
Collective persecution, however, is not the way to obtain justice. In the majority, the people who were subject to the raid were living peaceful lives, though their religious practices are clearly not mainstream.
Some may view this act of Texas authorities as America taking a stand against abusive religious doctrines. In many ways, this is a test of the American system. Either we believe in religious freedom, or we don't. If we don't, then let's not act like hypocrites and let's rescind the right under the Bill of Rights. We can't continue to hold up litmus tests for public office and persecute those who don't hold mainstream religious beliefs and claim at the same time to have religious freedom. We either do, or we don't.
Shunned Mormons Could Serve Up the West for Obama Mormons learned a hard lesson from the presidential campaign of Mitt Romney. The message Southern Evangelicals made loud and clear was "you are not welcome." Despite sharing substantially similar values, Mormons and Evangelicals are deeply divided on the issue of theology. To Mormons, voting for Evangelical candidates is routine. For Evangelicals, voting for a Mormon candidate is now seen as nearly heresy -- hence the reason Mormons may abandon the Republican Presidential nominee in November
As one blog contributor noted recently, this election was never about the Mormons supporting Evangelicals, as there is a history of such support coming from Mormons. This election was about turn about and fair play. Mormons believed that the Republican Evangelical base in the southwestern portion of the United States would accept a Mormon candidate on shared values, despite theological differences. In other words, Mormons incorrectly assumed that where common values prevailed over theology, Evangelicals would return the favor and vote for a Mormon candidate.
Romney Dominates in Maine Caucuses Despite the State's Leadership Endorsing McCain
Mitt Romney is popular in Maine. Despite ice storms and dreadful weather, republicans turned out in record numbers to express their concern with the McCain Express -- and squarely rejected it. Whether this is a sign of a resurgence for Romney cannot yet to be determined, however, his win with 52% of the State Delegates is an important signal that Super Tuesday may not be Super after all for John McCain who came in a very distant second at 22%.
Romney's win in Maine did not come from a "Mormon" base like Nevada or Wyoming, nor could he claim Maine as a home or neighboring state like Michigan. In short, Maine simply has fiscal conservatives who like Ronald Reagan. This should have been a big win for the likes of McCain as Maine is considered fairly secular and independent, however, Romney wiped the slate with McCain.
Admittedly, Maine is more of a beauty contest as the actual binding vote for delegates doesnt come until May from the State Convention; however, the people voting in that convention made their voice heard today by an early poll of attending state delegates who will be electing the national delegates who will attend the National Republican Convention. Even those attending the National Convention are not bound to vote for any particular candidate, but Maine has successfully chosen the eventual nominee of the party since 1988.
That screeching sound you hear is McCain's Straight Talk Express getting derailed by the grassroot conservatives.
In the Maine Presidential Selection, local delegates are selected for the state's convention which is held in May. During the local elections, the candidates are asked to express their preference among the presidential candidates. By rule, the delegates chosen at the local level and those eventually chosen to represent the state in the National Republican Convention are not bound by their earlier choice. The purpose of the early polling among the election of state convention delegates is to make an impact on the national election as to the preference of the elected delegates.
It is anticipated that the early poll will ultimately translate into delegates for the preferred candidate in May, which is approximately 18 delegates to the national convention, with three super delegates. The caucus is closed to only registered Republicans. It is the first caucus that has been held in any state since conservative commentators and politicians have expressed their discontent for John McCain and endorsed Mitt Romney. On the other side, more liberal and moderate Republicans have lined up behind McCain, including Rudy Giuliani, as he stepped out of the presidential race.
The Associated Press is projecting that all of the State's 18 delegates will be awarded to Romney along with at least one "super delegate" for a total of 19 delegates.
A respected Washington, D.C. news source has resurfaced information from leading Democratic Leaders that Presidential Republican Frontrunner Sen. John McCain came close to abandoning the Republican Party in 2001.
A Bob Cusack report in 2007 has resurfaced stating that several Democratic leaders were in discussion with McCain and his representatives to switch over to the Democratic Party after his defeat in the 2000 presidential campaign to George W. Bush. According to a well-connected lobbyist and former Senator, Tom Domney, the change in party affiliation was "almost a certain deal."
Senators Harry Reid (Nev.) and Ted Kennedy (Mass.), were heavily involved at the time and their work with liberal members of the Republican Party eventually resulted in the defection of Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.) to a Democratic-leaning Independent status. McCain was considered an important and strong candidate for defection at the time by the senators and despite not making the switch, McCain did co-sponsor a great deal of legislation with Democrats immediately following his discussions with the Democratic leadership.
Though McCain and Weaver deny the content of the discussions, Tom Daschle (S.Dak.) included the accusations in a book he wrote in 2003, which was not well circulated. According to the article, the Washington Post also ran a headline at the time speculating that McCain might jump parties.
According to Domney, he and Weaver met in 2006 and wondered in awe and joked that the news regarding the defection had not yet been exposed by the popular media.
Downey commented in the article that he was hopeful that McCain would be the Republican Nominee. Though he believed Sen. Hilary Clinton (N.Y.) would be the next president, if she did not prevail, Downey believed that McCain would be a good alternative.
"Although I think Democrats are going to win," Downey said in the article, "if they don’t, McCain is the sort of man I would feel comfortable [with] as the president of the United States. I’m not trying to hurt him."
The loss by Mitt Romney to moderate and liberal Republicans in Florida should sound a very loud alarm to conservatives nationally. It is a call to action. If conservatives want to regain control of their party and ultimately have a chance at a real win in November, they must act now.
The only logical course of action to preserve the conservative agenda and protect the party from a humiliating loss will be an alliance between Romney and Huckabee. To some, it may be like kissing an ugly step-sister, but it is the only way to preserve the ideals and character of the GOP.
ALL NEWS HEADLINES
full story
printer version
