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Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
Almost 200 years ago, my ancestors were being raped, murdered, tarred and feathered. Not because of the color of their skin, but because of their religion. It took my ancestors a while to understand the 'why's' of this treatment. Bigoted men and women who thought they had a corner on religion, and did not want something new around. They came by wagon trains and by handcarts to this land, which we now call Utah. Some walked. Many died along the way. Too many to count. I have read account after account of my people who each morning would bury their loved ones in the shallow graves, then begin walking or moving the train West. They had no time to mourn. They had to move on because to stay, would mean death for them as well. Through the snow, rain, no food. The truged onto the safety of the mountains. We were not welcome . Now I don't feel welcome in the GOP.
The Bigots faction of the GOP won this round.
So, on Tuesday (Monday being a Holiday) I will go and switch my part affiliation to Democrate. Do I agree 100 percent on what the DNC stands for? Not even. But also had problems with some of the GOP issues as well. Do I think that Obama will make a better president than McCain? No. I think they will be equal in that respect. I do think Obama's thought process is a better one, based on thoughts and weighing decisions, and not based on the bigotory of others. In the GOP, where you worship on Sunday is more important than what you stand for. Yes, I'm a Romney supporter. I"m LDS and I've been told that my money is demanded, my vote is expected. But there is no way in this world a LDS man or woman will ever rise to the level of President or Vice President. This was our last slap. It's now time to cross that River and head straight into the unknown wilderness.
I did think third party. But those are usually full of one issue voters and the disinfranchised bigots rove in and out of there. Why the democrates? Because in the DNC, Harry Ried has never been told he can't rise up, because he's LDS. Because the Udall's can run for office and not have to answer the very slanted questions of if Satan is Jesus 'brother' or not. Because in the DNC, Scott Mattheson has never had the rug pulled out under him because on Sunday's he's in a quiet Sacrament meeting, and not clapping his hands, banging drums and being told from the pulpit who to vote for. The democrates 'get' article 6 of the consitituion. The GOP have twisted it. The democrates don't have Huckabee and his 'army' trashing fellow party members. Then tell us in code and veiled languague that 'it's not about his religion....". Yea, we dumb momrons bought that one. In the GOP my African American LDS daughter cannot grow up to be President - regardless of her outstanding qualifications. In the DNC she can.
I do not agree 100 percent with the DNC. But on the one issue that is vital to my existence and my families - freedom to practice the religion I see fit - the DNC is more in line with than the GOP. I say to all my LDS friends: Come across the River. The water is fine.
The Washington Post offered an opinion stating democrats who have traditionaly voted on economic issues no longer vote a straight democratic ticket. As economic conditions they turn to their religion for comfort. Many of the faithful are strongly opposed to abortion and gay marriage rights. Perhaps it is because of this Obama said they are "bitter."
The Post claims they are bitter about how the party has changed. It is not the party it was many years ago when JFK was president. Different times, different issues. Things change and Obama has answers for our time.
However, even as a Utah resident, I find faith based organizations. I learned of a group called Catholics for Obama, and another faith based group - Mormons for Obama. I believe his position on other issues has swayed many voters and turned them in our direction. Toward doing just that, I email my friends and family who are republican articles, videos, and excerpts from blogs. I trust when they know where the candidates really stand, they will make the choice for change.
The republican campaign is already shaping up as a nasty, deceptive, attack strategy, McCain doesn't seem to be willing to focus on the issues and deliver "straight talk" as he said he would. What's new? He's changed his position on many things (but that's a subject for another post).
That's why it is important to inform our friends, family, and as many others as possible where the candidates stand on substantive issues. We can't afford to volly insults along with him. Those tactics have never been a part of this campaign (although Obama and campaign have had to defend against the deceptions republicans have hurled at him). He maintains the high road and it will affect voters, faith-based and otherwise, he is the candidate voters will decide should be in the White House.
Latter-day Saints might be interested in this post on my blog: The Restoration of the Laborer, The Role of Government, and Michelle Obama. Among other things, you might find it to be a helpful deterrent to your LDS friends about the supposed elitism of the Obamas.
Plus, you know you can't resist your curiosity, given the title. I'd be intersted in hearing what you think.
Hey Obamicans! I need some support! I have been part of the Obama movement for almost a year now and nothing like what happened tonight has EVER happened before. I went to mutual at my local meetinghouse here in Walnut Creek, CA and I was attacked! I must have had 10 people hounding me about my support for Obama all at once when I decided to wear my "Mormons for Obama" shirt to mutual tonight! I used to live in Utah and could understand the shallow, narrow-minded conservitive attacks there, but not here in California! After being sorounded on all sides, one leader finally stood up for me by saying, "Well he's not Hillary, and that's a plus in my book!" Gee, thanks. I bet if you were to ask any Mormon why he or she hated Hillary, he or she wouldn't be able to come up with anything solid (anything prior to her smear-tactics she's been using as of late anyway). But I wasn't going to fight a war for Hillary; just for my man Obama! I heard everything from "people in the Middle East want him to become president" to "he's not even black...or Christian! He's been lying about his religion!". I heard "him and his wife aren't patriotic!". "He's a terrorist!" I must say I was shocked, disgusted, and appauled!
I have been attacked by the conservitive right about my religion time and time again, but my fellow Mormons were always there by my side. Where were they now? I was completely alone, helplees. The very same people that come to my aid when defending the gospel were now at my throat. I have never felt so defeated, so betrayed! It pierced me to the core. They had just stabbed me in the heart, twisted the blade, ripped out my still-beating heart, and stomped all over it. Is this what it feels like to stand for what I believe is right? The quote "just because you have silenced someone doesn't mean you've converted them" comes immediately to mind. I am saddened and very disapointed in my ward family right now. I wish I could say the situation left me "livid", but it just crushed my spirit into the ground.
I am an active member of the Church, and this situation will not hamper my church attendence or testimony in the slightest. But it makes me think, what if I wasn't a strong member with my testimony anchored deep beneath the social aspect of the church. I now question to myself why my fellow ward members are blinded so thick with this ultra-conservitive mentality. I question their character. I question everything I used to find respect in once before. Do they even listen in sacrament meeting when the 2nd counselor specificly states that the church doesn't endorse any party or political stance?
I don't really know what I'm asking for here exactly. I would just like to hear something to lift my spirits, some support would be great. I know that not all Mormons are blinded. I know there are progressive Mormons out there. Please, help me to be pround of my church members once again!
The Obama-Mormon compatibility queston rages on.
See my latest blog post, Mormons and Obama: Yes we can! No you can't! Yes we can! No you can't! YES WE CAN!
I recently posted a blog post called, "Why Mormons Should Consider Backing Obama." Take a look: http://thinkinginamarrowbone.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/why-mormons-should-consider-backing-obama/.
I just talked to my 70-year-old mother who is a devout Mormon living in Utah. She and my father, also a lifelong devout Mormon, are thinking of voting for Obama if McCain and Obama end up in the general election. I tried to play it cool when she told me this but I was so excited (and shocked).
This is such an important statement... do people realize that Utah was the only state in the Union where Bill Clinton came in 3rd behind Ross Perot in 1992? Well my parents (and Mormons like them) are the epitome of Utah Mormons. They go out of their way to help a fellow neighbor, would never consider drinking a cup of coffee, and never, never vote for a democrat as president.
I know sometimes on this site we can really over-psyche ourselves into thinking that change is coming. We're our own rapt audience. But I can't stress enough that the idea that my family members might vote for Barack Obama really means something. Something is in the air.
People are drawn to Barack because of his positive message and cool demeanor. His distaste with partisan politics. People are really beginning to feel a sense of hope (even if sometimes a small sense) and optimism, and the idea that we could have a president that could get congress (and our country) to come together and get things done means a lot to Americans!
Let's be who we are capable of being. Barack asks Americans to participate again. He's a true leader.
