Sunday, October 29, 2006

Vote

Ok. I am getting pretty unabashed in my views here. But election time is coming near, and I've never felt more passionate about a cadidate. For those of you who missed the golden opportunity to meet Pete Ashdown you can make it up to me by voting for him. If you are still holding to some party line logic, here's a little something to help. Peace out. ZB
Why Mormons should vote Democratic
By Fred Voros
Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:10/28/2006 03:55:02 PM MDT
"Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major political parties," declared the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is certainly true of the Democratic Party.
Mormon descriptions of a just social order read like a Democratic manifesto. The Book of Mormon decries a society in which every man prospers according to his genius, and every man conquers according to his strength (Alma 30:17). It condemns those who ignore the plight of the hungry, needy, naked and sick (Mormon 8:39).
This brother's-keeper principle animates government programs pioneered by Democrats. In 1937, Franklin Delano Roosevelt saw "one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished" and acted.
LDS scripture warns incessantly against economic stratification: " . . . it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin" (D&C 49:20). Yet Republican tax cuts on one end of the economic spectrum and aid cuts on the other have widened the gap between rich and poor. Thanks to our Republican Congress, the world lies a little more in sin.
LDS scripture also calls us to "renounce war and proclaim peace" (D&C 98:16), and condemns offensive wars (Alma 43:45-47; Mormon 3:8-16). Yet the Republican administration misled America into invading Iraq, a nation that had not even threatened the U.S. Nor does LDS teaching justify the administration's fall-back rationale that the invasion was justified by our attempt to impose democracy.
In 1942, Church President David O. McKay declared, "Nor is war justified in an attempt to enforce a new order of government . . . however better the government . . . may be."
Astoundingly, the Republican Congress is borrowing money - from China, Saudi Arabia and federal trust funds - to cover the war, lavish tax cuts and their own profligate spending.
Even on abortion, the Democratic position is friendlier to LDS Church teachings. Mormonism does not teach that life begins at conception. President Gordon B. Hinckley declared that abortion inevitably brings "sorrow and regret."
Yet Church policy makes allowance where pregnancy results from rape or incest, where the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or where the fetus suffers from fatal defects. In such cases, Latter-day Saints are to consult with priesthood leaders and seek confirmation of their decision in prayer before proceeding.
The 2004 Democratic national platform says Democrats uphold Roe v. Wade; "strongly support family planning and adoption incentives"; and believe abortion "should be safe, legal and rare." This position grants Latter-day Saints freedom to follow the prophet.
The Republican position does not. The 2004 Republican platform declares that "the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed." In other words, it would prohibit all abortions. Consequently, a Latter-day Saint's decision to seek an abortion may be allowed by church policy, approved by priesthood leaders, confirmed by the Lord in prayer, but forbidden by the Republican Party.
We need both parties. As the First Presidency foresaw in 1891, "The more evenly balanced the parties become the safer it will be for us in the security of our liberties; and . . . our influence for good will be far greater than it possibly could be were either party overwhelmingly in the majority."
This will never be achieved in Utah, however, until Mormons see the light and vote their values. By which I mean, of course, vote Democratic.
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* FRED VOROS is a lawyer living in Salt Lake City.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Nest





Yup. That's my house. It's pretty cute. I like it. Ash and I found it during a 45 minute crazed housing search in Provo. We got lucky. We have the main floor with two large living rooms, a spacious kitchen, two bedrooms, cellar, and lots of awesome features like the big picture window festooned with stained glass, the fireplace, the wood stove (that is so far our sole sourse of heat thanks to wood harvested at the ranch this summer), super high ceilings that are wooden and look like a cabin, red formica in the kitchen nook, and our great landlords/neighbors the Polos. I live here with Ash, Mo, and Pack. They rock. I got a lot of furniture from my grama which makes for it feeling a little more like a real house. It's a super close bike ride or walk to both campus and downtown Provo. Just now I rode my bike to the post office, sewing store, bagel shop and back. There is a bakery across the street. Mmmm. So come visit! I gots a double bed! and a couch! Here's some more views, and details from my room.


Monday, October 23, 2006

Ashdown

Well, voting season is in the air, time to don your bright orange jackets and woodsie camo pants and head out with a rifle and some hot cocoa. . . hunting for the issues, the answers, the candidates. Well folks, I'm here to make your job easier. I'm providing free for the taking meeting with Pete Ashdown, the democratic candidate running against Orrin Hatch, this Saturday right here in good 'ol Provo.
Originally my roomie Ash and I thought we'd have it at our humble abode, but quickly realized that wouldn't suffice. So here are the deats:
Saturday, Oct. 28th
3 pm
Gallery One Ten, 110 S. 300 W. Provo
Come be informed, bring your questions, see your friends! Bring your friends!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Autumnal times

I love the fall. I love the air that can turn like a gypsy from enveloping mellow warm to a sharp lick that bites under your nose and chin. I love the daily shifting palette in the sky, on the mountains, and in the streets as greens slide to yellows and oranges to russet, then brown. I love days shrouded in a wet gray cloak, and those infused with a harvest sun. I love scarves in the morning and tees by afternoon. I love needing tea before bed and slippers on my feet. I love voluptuous gourds in my soup and stove smoke lacing the roof. A few weeks ago I took a lovely fall hike up to the top of Horseshoe Mountain near my hometown, with my sister (in from New York) and my friend Magnus (here from Norway). It was a riot of color, with seasons from late summer to early winter (it snowed on the top!). Needless to say we had a most enjoyable time.
Other fallish activities have included a host of suppers made from fall veggies (usually curries!); getting doughnuts from the bakery across the street and taking Saturday morning walks through the streets of my neighborhood so brightly festoned with colorful leaves; riding my bike fast in the morning turning my nose and cheeks red; knitting a new scarf; sleeping with two down quilts and the window open (well it's broken so I have no choice); generally delighting in the fine quality of this beautiful time of the year. So here's wishing you all a most enjoyable fall.