8: Mormon Proposition

[Matthew0059]

I think the church, itself, could have handled the whole situation more tactfully (and the church lobbyist who I talk to quite often agrees with me), but I think the gay community could have handled the backlash more tactfully as well.

Church lobbyist?

[Just_A_Guy]

... I thought it was pretty proven that 60-75% of the funds donated to Yes on 8 came from members of the church.

Isn't the proof in the film? If not I might have to find those stats...

Perhaps so; I was objecting to the implication that the money was funneled directly through the church via the church's standard donation slips.

That's just plain balderdash.

I think the church, itself, could have handled the whole situation more tactfully (and the church lobbyist who I talk to quite often agrees with me), but I think the gay community could have handled the backlash more tactfully as well.

Amen, amen, and amen.

I'll respond to your excellent points regarding Perez later.

[Soulsearcher]

Church lobbyist?

People really think the church doesn't have political power players paid to help them achieve their goals?

[Moksha]

I disagree, have you seen the film? This money went directly for the fight against prop 8.

While the Church may be in a unique position of asking members to contribute and the members actually delivering, for the purposes of tallying the numbers, individual Mormon donations cannot be counted as Church donations.

So while LDS members may have contributed 40 million dollars, that in no way can be viewed as Church contributions.

[Moksha]

Personally, I think that huge political campaign contribution on the part of individual members would have been better off being rendered unto God rather than ending up in the pockets of Caesar and Mammon.

[Wingnut]

Isn't the proof in the film?

Of course not! It's in the pudding.

Duh.

[Dravin]

Of course not! It's in the pudding.

Duh.

So what you are saying is we should ask Bill Cosby?

[Matthew0059]

People really think the church doesn't have political power players paid to help them achieve their goals?

I'd like more information on this so-called 'lobbyist'.

[Soulsearcher]

So called in which way?

[Matthew0059]

So called in which way?

"So-called" as in "that's what GaySaint called him/her".

[Soulsearcher]

And we have reason to doubt it because...........?

[Matthew0059]

And we have reason to doubt it because...........?

I don't know. I've never heard of the Church having lobbyists. Hence the reason I'm asking for more information.

I don't doubt so much as wonder if GaySaint applied a title that didn't exactly "fit the bill", so to speak.

[Soulsearcher]

One Example

LDS News Article

[Matthew0059]

Well, I stand informed.

Thanks for the information, Soulsearcher.

[GaySaint]

Matthew: The church has an entire Public Relations department which employes multiple lobbyists to ensure the church's point of view is defended legally. When the church initially filed its "in kind" contributions (totalling somewhere around 2000 dollars) it claimed the money was for hotel accomidations and food for their prop 8 lobbyist (which is the one I'm talking about - the one directly involved in prop 8. PM me if you want his name, as I promised him I wouldn't announce it publicly) who was sent to California multiple times.

I don't see anything wrong with the church having a public relations office, or ensuring that the desires of the religious community are represented before legislative bodies.

[astral]

California gears up for ruling on same-sex marriage

California gears up for ruling on same-sex marriage - CNN.com

Edited August 4, 2010 by astral

[FunkyTown]

California gears up for ruling on same-sex marriage

http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/33777-8-mormon-proposition-7.html

Astral? You linked to this page. You have created a mobius strip. That requires congratulations.

[astral]

The link is corrected.

[Just_A_Guy]

Drudge is reporting that a federal court struck down Prop 8 as violating the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution.

I'm going to guess that the 9th Circuit will affirm, which will force SCOTUS to take up the issue.

This is going to be fun.

Edit: CNN reports.

[GaySaint]

There is a copy of the full ruling here: Prop 8 Ruling FINAL

[Spencer]

KALW : Prop 8 overturned

[Wingnut]

Church Statement on Proposition 8 Ruling - LDS Newsroom

[Spencer]

Church Statement on Proposition 8 Ruling - LDS Newsroom

A statement full of love indeed.

[astral]

Today is a good day!

[Moksha]

Seems like some Judge understands that Equal Protection Clause in the Constitution. Who would've thought?

Hopefully this does not lead to another even more costly round of donations, telephone banks, pamphlets, full moons, book burnings, torch-bearing villagers storming the castle, wild hounds on the moors and door-to-door campaigning.