Song Of The Day: Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City (Bob Weir, Heaven Help The Fool)

It was a paradise for lizards when young Brigham saw it first
He said "I've seen some nasty deserts, lord, but this one here's the worst"
Then the lord called down to Brigham, said "I got a great idea --
I want a mighty city and I think I want it here"

Salt Lake City that town of righteousness and fame
Salt Lake City don't sound like much but hell, what's in a name
Nobody ever sings about it But lord I be goin' there just the same
Salt Lake City where it's so easy keepin' straight
Salt Lake City just really makes Des Moines look second-rate
Ain't makin' no big deal about it
But I hear the Mormon girls are really great

Salt Lake City hey dig that Tabernacle choir
Salt Lake City yea they be bound to take you higher
There just ain't no two ways about it
Yes lord, they really light fire

Well, Brigham kicked a prairie dog and muttered in his beard
Said "you've put me through some changes, lord, but this one's really weird
The lord just laughed at Brigham, said "you'd better get to work --
The next time I check in here, I want paradise on earth

Salt Lake City where Brigham made the desert bloom
Salt Lake City put a color TV in every room
And they got them crazy Mormon chicks
Yes I'll be goin' there real soon

Salt Lake City hey feel that magic in the air ...

Prop 8: How Mormons See It (Wrong!)

Religion sucks. Mormons suck more than most. And look how they write the date? So European!

SALT LAKE CITY

7 November 2008

The Church issued the following statement today:

It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.

Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.

While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.

Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information.

Um, fuck you. Here is a little more...

Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and are simply wrong. The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.

And fuck them a little more. They don't condone hostility? Riiiight. Why do we allow religious institutions to fund anything public? They should not be allowed. Religion Poisons Everything. I can't wait for Prop 8 to get shot down. And for anyone who thinks marriage should be between a man and a woman, what do you suggest I tell my students with 2 moms or 2 dads? Wait, I know, Fuck You.

Update: I was going back and reflecting on students I have had in my class who come from families with same-sex parents. Just the last 2 years (yes, I have had many students from same-sex families), these kids have been far above--far, far, far above--average in terms of academic ability, social consciousness, and societal awareness. They show empathy, a desire to learn, decorum, consideration, and kindness. They are humble, helpful, and a friend to those who need one. They are also clearly the result, at least in part (in large part, IMHO), of their same-sex parents. They are, in short, our future. The future looks bright, don't it?

Update II: It'll be a good day when I can just type the word parents.

Update III: About the last sentence in the second LDS blockquote--"blah blah constitutional rights of churches"--how long do they think those rights will last? Maybe they better play ball and stay the fuck out of peoples personal lives and the country's elections!