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  1. I found an interesting speech from Thomas Klingenstein: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/10/13/claremont_institute_chairman_thomas_klingenstein_trump_2020_a_man_vs_a_movement.html I realize that it is long, but I found it to summarize the beliefs of many Trump supporters, who otherwise would probably not be Trump supporters. THOMAS KLINGENSTEIN: My name is Tom Klingenstein. I am the chair of the board of the Claremont Institute which is a conservative think tank, managing partner of a New York investment firm and playwright. I wish to make three points. First, Trump is the perfect man for these times, not all times, perhaps not most times, but these times. Second, Republicans are not doing a good job explaining the stakes in this election. They must explain, and this is my third point, that the Democratic Party, which has been taken by its radical wing, is leading a revolution. This makes the coming election the most important one since the election of 1860. Let’s begin there. Unlike most elections, this one is much more than a contest over particular policies—like health care or taxes. Rather, like the election of 1860, this election is a contest between two competing regimes, or ways of life. Two ways of life that cannot exist peacefully together. One way of life, I’ll call it “the traditional American way of life,” is based on individual rights, the rule of law, and a shared understanding of the common good. This way of life values hard work, self-reliance, volunteerism, patriotism, and so on. In this way of life there are no hyphenated Americans. We are all just Americans. Colorblindness is our aspiration. The other way of life I call multiculturalism. Others call it “identity politics” or “cultural Marxism” or “Intersectionality”. The multicultural movement, which has taken over the Democratic party, is a revolutionary movement. I do not mean a metaphorical revolution. It is not like a revolution; it is a revolution, an attempt to overthrow the American Founding as President Trump said in his excellent Mt. Rushmore speech. Republicans should say the same thing. Republicans everywhere, at every level, and at every opportunity. Multiculturalism conceives of society, not as a community of individuals with equal rights but as a collection of cultural identity groups—defined by race, ethnicity, gender, and so forth. According to the multiculturalists, all these identity groups are oppressed by white males. Their goal is to have each identity group proportionally represented in all institutions of American society. As should be immediately clear, achieving this proportional representation requires a never-ending redistribution of wealth and power from some groups—and not just from whites—to other groups. Such a massive redistribution can only be achieved by a tyrannical government and like in all tyrannies, one where dissenters are silenced. In order to achieve this proportional representation, the Democrats require not just endless affirmative action but genuine socialism, open borders, unrestricted trade, seizing guns, sanctuary cities, and much more. The Black Lives Matter/Democrats understand (which Republicans seem not to), that if they are to achieve this policy agenda they must get Americans to change their values, their principles, and the way they understand themselves. They must get us to believe that national borders and colorblindness are racist; that we are not one culture but many; that the most important thing in our history—the thing around which all else pivots—is slavery. More broadly, the multiculturalists must get us to believe that we are unworthy—not just that we have sinned (which of course we have)—but that we are irredeemably sinful, or, in the language of today, “systemically racist.” And sexist, homophobic, Islamophobic and all the other “ists” and phobias. Simply put, multiculturalism must get us to believe we are bad This suggests one way to frame the coming election: as a contest between a man, Trump, who believes America is good and a man, Biden, who is controlled by a movement that believes America is bad. I do not think it is any more complicated than that. For the multiculturalist to change traditional values and principles they must destroy, or radically restructure, the institutions that teach those values and principles. The most important of these institutions is family, but also very important is religion, education (which they have mostly destroyed already) and community life, replacing the latter with government bureaucrats. It is here—in these value-teaching institutions—that we see the underpinnings of the Revolution. This is where the real action is. Republicans seem to be missing in action. Republicans need to explain that BLM and their Democratic enablers wish to destroy the traditional mother-father family. To substantiate this claim, Republicans have only to point to the BLM mission statement. The mission statement, written by avowed Marxists, also lets us know that BLM holds transgenderism to be the burning issue of our time. Republicans must also explain that religion, because it teaches American values, is also on the chopping block. Republicans also must make American see that the taking down of statues is not about removing a few confederate generals; it’s about destroying America’s past, as is the New York Times 1619 Project. The rioters, and their BLM-Democrats enablers, are tearing down the statues even of people like Frederick Douglass who fought against slavery. This is not an accident. It is not collateral damage. Frederick Douglass was a great American. He believed that America in her soul was not racist. He believed in hard work and self-reliance. And because of his embrace of American values the BLM-Democrats have to get rid of him. They must also get rid of Abraham Lincoln, for it is he who best explains what we should aspire to. And it is he who is the best defender of the American Founding. In one sense, this election is a referendum on the Founding. Whether America was founded in 1619, as the BLM-Democrats contend, or, in 1776 as Lincoln, and, until recently, all Americans believed. Republicans must make more of political correctness and cancel culture, which, as we have seen so vividly of late, brutally punishes apostates. Who does Twitter think it is, censoring an American president? Republicans simply cannot stand for that. And Republicans must explain, as I earlier explained, that the multiculturalists are trying to get us to believe that we are systemically racist so that we will surrender to their policy agenda. This too must not be allowed to stand. The American people need to hear what they know in their hearts: they are not racists. Republicans should stand up and say, “no, America is not racist.” Period. If Americans are systemically anything, it is a systemic commitment to freedom and equal rights for all. Perhaps most importantly, Republicans must say over and over that America is “incredible,” to use President Trump’s adjective of choice. They must remind the American people that, as a friend of mine is fond of saying, America has brought more freedom and more prosperity to more people than any country in the history of mankind. Most Americans know this, but this too they need to hear from their leaders. In order to make the case that the Democrats are leading a revolution, Republicans must delegitimize Black Lives Matter—the organization, of course, not the sentiment. To BLM and their Democratic enablers, Republicans must say: “Absolutely, black lives matter. They just don’t matter to you. You don’t care about Mr. Floyd, the black businesses you have destroyed, the blacks who are getting killed because you have forced the police to back off. You’re here for destruction. Not black lives, not any lives.” After delegitimizing Black Lives Matter, the next step for Republicans is to tie BLM’s revolutionary agenda around the necks of Democrats. The BLM wing of the Democratic party has captured the entire party. Run-of-the-mill Democrats may not agree with all of the BLM agenda but they go-along, so they might as well agree. Joe Biden is one of the go-along Democrats. So do not expect all Democrats to sing the BLM tune; even so, most will kneel before them. Listen to Biden. On one occasion Biden said, “Let’s be clear, transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.” A year ago, Biden may not have even known what transgenderism is. He does not seem to know it, but he has been radicalized. Biden now regularly talks about “systemic” racism. On one occasion Biden said, though without evidence, there is “absolutely systemic racism in law enforcement.” “[But] it’s not just in law enforcement,” he continued, “it’s across the board. It’s in housing, it’s in education . . . It’s in everything we do.” He is wrong on every count, but if indeed he believes that racism is in “everything we do,” that it is systemic, then he believes, whether he admits or not, that the system must be overturned. Biden does not realize it, but he is calling for the overthrow of the American way of life. I presume that is not his intent, but when the words he is reading off his BLM teleprompter get translated into policy, that will be the consequence — the destruction of the American way of life. Biden demurs. There is nothing to fear from Biden says Biden: “Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters?” No, he does not, but what he does look like is a sap. Republicans must make it clear that these are the “Biden riots.” This brings me to my last point: Trump. I know President Trump has many faults. I myself sometimes cringe listening to him. Sometimes he is his own worst enemy. He is a braggart, often misinformed, petty, sometimes even vengeful. And more. And yet, we are very lucky to have him. I am almost prepared to say that having him is Providential. How else to explain that we find ourselves with this most unusual, most unpresidential man who has just the attributes most needed for this moment. At any other time, he might well have been a bad president. But in these times—these revolutionary times—he is the best president we could have had. He has the indispensable attribute of a leader: courage. As a leader must, he goes where others are afraid to go. And he has common sense, which means he generally wants to go to the right place. Above all else, and above anyone else, Trump is committed to America. He is unreservedly, unquestionably pro-America. He feels no guilt for America’s past. He makes no apologies. He concedes nothing. These may not always be the attributes one wants in a President, but in this day of woke guilt they are the most essential things. And Trump has unlimited confidence in America. In this time of national doubt, this too is just what the doctor ordered. He thinks our culture is “incredible” and that’s the way he wants to keep it. Trump not only thinks America is incredible, he knows we are in a fight for our lives. And despite what one hears ad nauseum from the Democrats, Trump is perhaps among the least racist presidents we have ever had. Trump is not defending the white way of life; he is defending the American way of life, a colorblind way of life which is open to anyone who is willing to embrace it. If we want to save our country, then we should support him—unequivocally. I am. I think this election is that important, and I think Trump is that good. I hope you agree. Remember, Trump versus Biden is the choice between a man who believes America is good and a man who is controlled by a movement which believes America is bad.
    2 points
  2. The following quote from President Benson has really resonated with me this morning: So it led me to wonder, how is your ward, your Relief Society, your Elders Q, etc. doing in the "fight for freedom"? Awake or asleep? I wonder how many faithful members would step forward only "if" the Church said we are going to do 'X' to fight for freedom but are unwilling to do so unless the Church does the thinking, planning & lifting for them? In my Church circles, Ward, EQ & High Council I feel like I only see about a 10-15% 'awake' attitude. I don't know if more are awake, but don't want to publicly rock the boat, or are oblivious or what? So, curious, what do you see in your area? It appears, according to Pres. Benson, it will be the members who step forward to save the Constitution, not the Church. Thoughts?
    1 point
  3. Any mention of the John Birch Society gets immediate eye-rolls from many. The accusation is that they are quick to condemn as Communist those they disagree with. Perhaps they would be accused of being a right-wing version of cancel culture. I hunger for civility, a return to intelligent public debate, and an embrace on both sides of the aisle to the concept of "loyal opposition." We're Americans. We love our country. We disagree on how best to improve society.
    1 point
  4. Great timing for this question. Joint this post with @Colirio's post in the other thread, and we get some answers to some things I've been pondering. Of the many criticisms that I see coming from the left as well as from never-trumpers is that he is DIVISIVE. My knee jerk reaction says this is undeniable. But is that really the case? And even if it is, is that a bad thing? Jesus, Himself was divisive. How is it that the Prince of Peace came NOT to send peace on earth, but a sword? I guess we can kiss a lot of Christmas carols goodbye. No, instead, the Lord did not bring a physical sword to force people with physical violence to His way. Instead his sword was the Sword of His Spirit. It was taking an unwavering stand for something. It was refusing to back down from what was right. I know it is always inviting flack when comparing Trump to Christ. Obviously, not similar people. But the standard the Lord set is always a yardstick by which we may see if something is right or wrong. I am always wondering why people compare Trump to Hitler. Here are some things that prove he's not. We have a majority of Americans who are very vocal about hating him and everything he stands for. I don't see them being hauled away to concentration camps. The fact that he has issued "guidelines" for the shut down and allowed governors to apply them in any way they want -- or not at all (as in several states). He has begged governors to allow him to send in federal forces to help quell the violence taking over cities controlled by Democrats. But he clearly, overtly stated that he has to obey the law that says he cannot send them in without a governor's permission/request He has called the press the "enemy of the people" and "fake news" which was simple fact. But I don't see him shutting any of them down through force. And there are many ways that he could have legally enforced such shut downs given the number of inaccuracies the MSM has published over the past four years. But he hasn't taken any action to close them. NONE!!! What does this have to do with peace? Again and again, he has shown that he is abiding by the law. He's probably the most Constitutional President in my lifetime. So, why do they call him divisive? Any time someone takes an uncompromising position, they are divisive. It doesn't matter if they are good or bad principles. It is the unwillingness to compromise that makes a person divisive. And he has refused to compromise on anything I am aware of. So, how does this play into the idea of waking up or saving the Constitution? I would answer that with a question: Why do so many people find Trump to be so engaging? Why do they think he's such a HERO? The average hard working patriotic American knows what is right. And we believe in freedom. Freedom of Religion, Speech, press, etc. But we all feel that we are losing such rights. Most people are "waiting for Superman." It is a phrase that means that the issues have become so big that no one thinks they can really do anything about it. But they hope that someone who does have some power can actually come forth and do what we all WANT him to do. We had hope with Kennedy. But he did the Bay of Pigs and handled the Cuban Missile crisis poorly. And he started us down the path to Vietnam. Then he was assassinated. So, there's that. Then there was Johnson. I honestly don't know of anyone who thought he did any good. He he got us even further into the quagmire that was Vietnam. Nixon. 'nuff said. SALT -- oh boy. Ford. Nothing. Have a nice trip. See you next fall. He was actually a very decent man. But he was completely ineffective in such a powerful executive role. He was simply harmless as a dove, but not wise as wolves among a swamp of crocodiles. Carter. Worse than nothing. Oil crisis, anyone? SALT II (face palm). We thought it was Reagan. And while he did a lot of good. He compromised on many things as well. Although, I don't think enough credit can be given to him for bringing about the end of the Soviet Union and their stranglehold on all their satellite countries. We didn't really have much faith in Bush Sr. And he mostly did... nothing. And sometimes I wish Presidents would do more of that. We thought it was Clinton. And while he was good for the economy, he destroyed any semblance of honor for the Presidency, and did absolutely nothing else that was lastingly noteworthy. So, between Bush and Clinton, pretty much nothing happened. We thought it was Bush Jr. And he got us into an eternal war, took away a lot of our freedoms, increased the federal bureaucracy, and made it virtually impossible for us to do things without the Federal government knowing about it. We thought it was Obama. He increased freedom for the progressive agenda while curtailing religious freedom at every turn. We got all sorts of additional freedoms at the expense of the freedoms found in the First Amendment. Most of us refused to believe Trump was going to be "it". But he was the flip side of Ford. He was in no way as decent as Ford. But he was absolutely effective at navigating the swamp and rooting out the crocodiles. How many actually expected this? Not the majority. He got us out of several wars. He kept us out of several other wars. He brokered the Middle East peace agreements. He's provided the best economy in history. He's restored religious freedom on a level unparalleled by anyone on this list. He's brought more minorities out of poverty than any 10 liberal politicians. We wake up by noticing that this may be "Superman" (per the figure of speech I outlined earlier). There are two movie quotes that are perfect to describe what I think of Trump. Waiting for Superman. It's the tendency of the human race. Not that we're to be ruled, but that we are to be led. Today, with the Constitution supposedly guaranteeing freedoms, we stand today with surprisingly little. With a Constitution meant to limit governmental power, we find ourselves ruled by politicians who use their power to extort millions (and billions) of dollars with impunity. Mark my words, Obama, Hillary, and neither one of the Bidens will see a single day of prison time over this. Wake up? Yes, we're all awake. But most of us are sitting here saying,"What are we supposed to do about it? We have no power to do anything but vote. And in this election, scams and other fraud is going to take that away from us." What are you (to everyone) doing about it?
    1 point
  5. The best thing you can do to prepare in my opinion is build up your food, water storage (also take an inventory and get an idea of what you have as you can forget what you already have in your storage) and have a decent first aid kit. Listening to the Holy Spirit on what you should do for other preparations that you need to do is essential. Exercise as well and do what you can to keep your body in decent physical condition.
    1 point
  6. And now we're back to cutting and pasting excerpts as specifically pointed out by your anti-Mormon sources. Yes, from the Church website. But specifically couched in context that doesn't actually say what you purport that it says. That was written in a CHILREN'S MAGAZINE. Written to a childish audience with a child's understanding. But that seems to be what you agree with. News for you: There's more to learn from the story. Let's see what the Book of Mormon says: Now, if your goal is to be "as a little child" then be meek, humble, and innocent. But if your intent is to be a brattish know-it-all who won't listen to anyone, who tries to prove everyone else wrong... I don't believe that was what Jesus was talking about.
    1 point
  7. @Jonah, rather than actually addressing my post and questions (you know actually having a theological discussion), you've completely ignored me to instead focus on a 50 year old printing of a children's magazine. I'm sorry, but such is incredibly disrespectful, disregarding me, showing that you've no interest in real Christian study or behavior, and is downright trolling.
    1 point
  8. Either way it actually appears to be Trump vs. Harris this election. The Dems have to be holding someone ready to go on the sideline for Harris's new VP.
    1 point
  9. No one, including Litchman with his 2000 vs. 2016 interpretation flipping, knows for certain what the results of the election will be. Saying someone will be president vs. someone will win the popular vote isn't the same thing. He was correct, according to himself. He was right that Gore won the popular vote BUT then still lost the presidency. He can't have it both ways and still be a guru. He is always careful to give himself an out if he is wrong, after all he couldn't sell as many books unless he has an out. The out this year is Russian interference and voter suppression. With really only two players in the game, we all have 50/50 odds of being right or wrong. Time will tell. Independent of Litchtman, one thing I'm certain of is that the mainstream media hates Trump. He has called them out for being fake news since the beginning. He has done his part to expose their heavily biased agenda. In so doing, he has crippled their credibility, hurt their viewership and ultimately put a bleeding hole in their pocketbook. Thus the hatred. If any poll suggested Trump would win, I would never expect them to freely offer up that information. Suppression is key. Trump didn't create the far left's hatred, he only helped expose them for who they are.
    1 point
  10. Perhaps the Senate is his back up plan once the Harris Administration is in place?
    1 point
  11. CV75

    Apocryphal Prophecies

    I think the prophets of the Restoration build upon their predecessors' bona fide instructions from the Lord. Those things that are meant to be perpetuated would be preserved and acted upon (for example, the First Vision, Restoration of the Priesthood, other canonized visions and revelations, etc.).
    1 point
  12. pam

    Biden Corruption Emails

    I didn't vote for Trump last time (didn't vote for Hillary either) but this year I am. While I may not like his mannerisms or his cockiness, I have been impressed in the job he has done in office.
    1 point
  13. pam

    Biden Corruption Emails

    Ted Cruz is calling for Jack Dorsey to attend some kind of a hearing to answer as to why twitter and facebook are deleting and censoring all of the NY Time's articles regarding Biden and his son's dealings.
    1 point
  14. I've actually noticed a lot of people leaving the left because of cancel culture. They still remain pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-universal healthcare, etc. But they believe in free speech so much that they feel the right is more tolerant than the left. The right will actually have a real discussion about a difference of opinion. The left will cancel you for one word out of line.
    1 point
  15. I get all my relevant news from TikTok these days. And I'm astounded by the amount of #WalkAway liberals who have had enough of multigenerational betrayal by democrats, and they are ticked off enough to publicly come out as supporting Trump. The prospect of a guy who has been making the same promises to fix things for 4+ decades, and a Veep pick of the only person out there who has put more black people behind bars than he has, is just too much for them.
    1 point
  16. It stands to reason. Very few 2016 Trump voters will change sides. And some never-Trumpers (like me) shifted and decided Trump is actually doing a good job. He's proved us wrong on many fronts. We still don't like the guy and hate all his character flaws. But we can't avoid admitting the good he's done. MANY people are in this boat. Yes, leftists who hated him before still hate him now. No change there. On the other hand we have Biden... 'nuff said. So, if we can't decrease the number of Trump voters (because it really doesn't seem like those numbers are diminishing) then the only way for Biden to win... 1) "Get out the vote" with a whole bunch of people who didn't vote for Hillary to come vote for Biden. 2) Cheat. Given that Biden is pretty much the only choice that could have been worse than Hillary, I doubt option #1 is viable. But if the Dems focus on Kamala and the 25th amendment... that could work. Not that I'm a fan of Kamala, but liberals will certainly take her over Trump any day. Short of that, yeah, they're going to cheat. What am I saying, they've already been cheating. We've uncovered at least a dozen incidents of voter fraud all over the country. And every one of them has been to push the votes towards Democrats. It is no wonder all the liberals are expecting a landslide in favor of Biden even though there is no rationale for believing such a voter shift would occur. Suzie points out "too many things have happened". Yeah, and? I was a Never-Trumper and I've listened to everything that has gone on. And I have listened to both Fox and CNN. From time to time I can even abide some words from MSNBC. I had every motivation and desire to hate Trump as much as any liberal. I just didn't have TDS. And when I consider all the sides and all the arguments, I'm still seeing that "it's Trump's Fault" simply doesn't pass the mustard.
    1 point
  17. 15-20% awake. Yep, get your preps in.
    0 points
  18. Suzie

    Biden Corruption Emails

    Kanye West is also running for President. I was going to say how in the world.... but again, you have Trump running again so anything can happen. I watched him yesterday but I was too distracted by the nodding lady in the background, it was constant and at some point it was just irritating.
    0 points
  19. pam

    Biden Corruption Emails

    What scares me is that someone who doesn't even know he's running for President could possibly win. Twice now he has announced he is proud to be running for the Senate.
    0 points
  20. mirky gets to work 12 hour shifts tomorrow and Wednesday because of the VP debate. Tuesday is going to really suck cos I have to work my part time job too. That means 0600-2030 I will be working.
    0 points