Former LDS temple president in Mexico kidnapped by masked-gunmen (Mitt Romney relative)

Standard Net ^ | 06/17/09 | Standard Net

[AKSurprise]

CHIHUAHUA, Mexico -- Multiple sources are reporting that a prominent member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been kidnapped on Monday afternoon.

Meredith Romney, an American citizen and the former president of the LDS temple Chihuahua, Mexico, was abducted from his ranch property near Janos, according to KSL.com and ESPN.com. Romney, is also distant relative of former Salt Lake Olympics chief and one-time presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

The U.S. State Department, the FBI and Mexican authorities are working jointly on the investigation.

Romney's nephew, professional bull-rider Rocky McDonald was interviewed in an article posted on ESPN.com. McDonald said that Romney, his wife and grandson were leaving their ranch when the truck they were riding in was cut off by another vehicle waiting out on the main road. Then masked-gunmen shot out the tires of Romney's truck. The kidnappers appeared only interested in Romney, and after forcing him into the other vehicle, the gunmen sped off in a direction away from town.

McDonald told ESPN.com the family is waiting for a ransom call.

Chihuahua is a state in northern Mexico -- bordering Texas and New Mexico -- with a total population of 3.2 million residents, and is known for its namesake the Chihuahuan Desert.

[AKSurprise]

Hopefully this turns out well for the Romney family. I may end up making immigration policy, and Mexican relations all the more personal to Mitt Romney, leading to stronger stands during the 2012 campaign.

[americanophile]

In my experience this never turns out very well, but prayers for the family.

[pissant]

Holy Smokes. We need to start sending in special forces to kill these scumbags.

[cripplecreek]

This is about money and hopefully will turn out as well as can be afforded.

[trumandogz]

Just pay the ransom and hopefully things will turn out okay for Mr. Romney.

[americanophile]

I know, one of my friend’s fathers was abducted in Mexico. They demanded money the family couldn’t afford, and ended up murdering him, it was a horrible thing.

[marron]

The place is out of control.

Yesterday’s news:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272566/posts

Gunmen kill priest, 2 seminarians in Mexico

That, with articles about Mexican cops looking for asylum on the American side of the border.

[nmh]

Heavy duty prayers for this man.

I don't care what anyone says ... Mormons are decent, good people. Unlike these embarrassing Evangelicals that revel in their unabashed bigotry, I pray for Mormons too ... to find Christ. They are just as worthy.

[marron]

Unlike these embarrassing Evangelicals that revel in their unabashed bigotry

Easy there fella.

[marron]

Mormons are decent, good people

On that part we agree.

[jagusafr]

“these embarrassing Evangelicals that revel in their unabashed bigotry”

Yeah, how ‘bout identifying your target there, sparky?

Colonel, USAFR

[ansel12]

There is something deeply wrong with you.

[AKSurprise]

I don’t think anyone evangelical or otherwise would intentionally wish harm on anyone else. If your upset about the political issues that’s one thing, and shouldn’t be directed at a person’s religion, but rather at their knowledge of candidates or issues. Minds can be changed on candidates or issues, but not religious beliefs. You don’t win political support for your candidate by attacking your opponents religion. Instead point out the similarly held beliefs, and stances on issues.

[trumandogz]

At least in Colombia, if the ransom is payed, you will be returned alive. Everyone, knows the rules but such a policy has led to ransom inflation which has led to longer stays for abductees.

I know a few people that have been kidnapped in Colombia and each say that they were treated well by the kidnappers. However, there are different rules in Mexico and if I had my choice, I would rather be kidnapped in Colombia than Mexico.

[cripplecreek]

and Mexican relations all the more personal to Mitt Romney, leading to stronger stands during the 2012 campaign.

Yes, lets avoid politicizing this. LOL

[Badeye]

‘Yeah, how ‘bout identifying your target there, sparky?’

(laughing)

[umgud]

Given the state of things in Mexico, I still marvel at the number of US citizens that visit or live there. I quit going many years ago. It’s just too risky.

[starlifter]

you might want to look at the cheap shot post on the underwear, below yours.

There are more than a few religious bigots who frequent FR.

[AKSurprise]

Nothing wrong with politicizing it, it’s religionizing it that would be bad.

[FreepShop1]

Cha-ching for the kidnappers. she’ll be returned and they will walk away with at least $10 million.

[cripplecreek]

Well your comment only hurt Romney a little more.

[AKSurprise]

Your opinion, and I don’t really see how.

[cripplecreek]

Your comment shows just how low Romney supporters will sink for votes. How pathetic is it to hope a kidnapped relative will lead to stronger standing in 2012?

Bunch of political bottom feeders.

[AKSurprise]

Right....Your comment shows just how irrationally hostile you are to Mitt Romney. My comment just showed that I think his immigrations policies were not strong enough during the primary, and he should have come out strongly against illegal immigration, and the utter hypocrisy of Mexico when it comes to immigration policies.

[cripplecreek]

LOL keep talking, you’re doing a real fine job.

[HelloooClareece]

Trolls are all over this thread.

Here’s hoping for the safe return of these poor people.

[PghBaldy]

I hope he is safely returned to his family ASAP.

[DelphiUser]

"Yeah, how ‘bout identifying your target there, sparky?"

You want me to link you to a few threads or are you asking for names? (Cue McCarthy references)

I can ping you to a few threads next time they go at it, or you could just do a search on Mitt Romney and look at some threads from the past election, your choice...

(a Mormon who battles with evangelical bigotry on FR all the time, we call them anti Mormons.)

[DelphiUser]

I don’t think anyone evangelical or otherwise would intentionally wish harm on anyone else.

You are sadly mistaken.

You don’t win political support for your candidate by attacking your opponents religion. Instead point out the similarly held beliefs, and stances on issues.

Please tell that to Huckabee.

[AKSurprise]

It didn’t seem to do much for Huckabee, he’s languishing on Fox.

[Logophile]

I don't care what anyone says ... Mormons are decent, good people.

As a Mormon, I thank you for your kind words. Most of us, most of the time, try to do what is right; sometimes we succeed.

Unlike these embarrassing Evangelicals that revel in their unabashed bigotry,

Alas, there are bigots and other associated sinners in every group, whether they be Evangelicals, Mormons, or whatever. Fortunately, most Evangelicals I have known have been good and decent people.

I pray for Mormons too ... to find Christ.

Amen.

I would add that the original news item is not really a religious story. The kidnappers likely chose their mark because they think he has money, not because he is Mormon. If the victim's name were not the same as a former presidential candidate, I doubt this would even be considered newsworthy.

[DelphiUser]

OK.. but does the underwear provide protection or not?

Trying to decide to answer a flip question, well, why not?

The Pope's hat does not make him holier, nor does the Priests collar, nor the nun's habit provide them with any extra righteousness. The Quaker's lack of buttons, provides no extra humility, the Monk's robe bequests no additional wisdom. However all of the religious clothing (and we could have a thread on just that) is an outward display of an inward commitment. The Pope has committed to listen to the spirit of God and lead his church accordingly, so the priest, nun, Quaker, monk, and all who wear religious clothing have more of a spiritual meaning than a physical one.

Yes temple garments provide protection for the person who wears them in keeping with their covenants, it protects us from the world by reminding us every day and in every way that we have made a commitment to God and not to break our covenants with him. There is no guarantee of it stopping a bullet, or a sword or any other bad thing that could happen to a person physically. There is a promise of spiritual protection.

Your question at this time, on this thread reminds me of those who taunted Jesus to save himself from the cross if he was truly God's son (which would have doomed us all, for he had to shed his blood willingly for us, to save us)

Re read your requests and see if you cannot also hear the echo of their voices in your own.

Go with God and have a great day rejoicing in both your physical freedom and your freedom to make comments here (thank you Jim Rob!)

[DelphiUser]

It didn’t seem to do much for Huckabee, he’s languishing on Fox.

The ineffectiveness of his tactic does not mean it will not be used again; and not just against Mormons.

[jagusafr]

I guess my quarrel is with the overbroad “evangelical bigotry” statement. Are all evangelicals bigots? If so, your statement meets the test for bigotry in that it attributes to all members of a single group the same mindset. As an evangelical Christian myself, I acknowledge that there are a number of doctrinal issues on which we will never agree, but bigoted seems an extremely strong characterization.

Colonel, USAFR

[starlifter]

I think humblegunner might be on your list...

[DelphiUser]

Logophile, thank you for reminding me by your example, that I must admit that by far the evangelicals that I have met are good and decent people... and they make really great Mormons, "just add water!" (It's a joke guys, OK?)

Seriously, I have a lot of friends who are non Mormons.

I would rather hang around with a person who lives their religion seven days a week, than a Mormon who just goes on Sundays.

Thanks Logophile

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Remember this motto!

Pedicaris alive or Rassuli dead!

Oh wait! We had a REAL president then who was not afraid to act!

Kumbya, Ombyma, Ombyma.

[Texan Tory]

"OK.. but does the underwear provide protection or not?

Trying to decide to answer a flip question, well, why not?

The Pope's hat does not make him holier, nor does the Priests collar, nor the nun's habit provide them with any extra righteousness. The Quaker's lack of buttons, provides no extra humility, the Monk's robe bequests no additional wisdom. However all of the religious clothing (and we could have a thread on just that) is an outward display of an inward commitment. The Pope has committed to listen to the spirit of God and lead his church accordingly, so the priest, nun, Quaker, monk, and all who wear religious clothing have more of a spiritual meaning than a physical one.

Yes temple garments provide protection for the person who wears them in keeping with their covenants, it protects us from the world by reminding us every day and in every way that we have made a commitment to God and not to break our covenants with him. There is no guarantee of it stopping a bullet, or a sword or any other bad thing that could happen to a person physically. There is a promise of spiritual protection.

Your question at this time, on this thread reminds me of those who taunted Jesus to save himself from the cross if he was truly God's son (which would have doomed us all, for he had to shed his blood willingly for us, to save us)

Re read your requests and see if you cannot also hear the echo of their voices in your own.

Go with God and have a great day rejoicing in both your physical freedom and your freedom to make comments here (thank you Jim Rob!)"

Your comment seems appropriate considering the fact that the poster's first comment on this subject (now deleted by the moderator) seems to have been made in the spirit of taunting and ridicule.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Yeah, how ‘bout identifying your target there, sparky?***

You mean you haven’t heard of..(GASP)..”THE LIST!” ;-)

Prayers still up!

[DelphiUser]

Yeah, that does not seem to have worked so well in this case.

What do you have information that this abduction has caused the Romney's to sin?

Thought not, there is no guarantee in the temple that garments will protect you physically.

It causes one to wonder what other tenets of this cult are simply "made up".

Golly, you called the Mormon religion a "cult" I guess that makes it one... LOL!

Cult

1.	a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.

2.	an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.

3.	the object of such devotion.

4.	a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.

5.	Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.

6.	a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.

7.	the members of such a religion or sect.

8.	any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.

All religions are by definition, cults.

Maybe you ought to think about that

Been there, thought about that, got the underwear... you know?

If anyone is looking for a religious Bigot, follow this line of comments and see if you can spot one, 'K?

[Eaker]

Post# 12 seems to be missing?

[Texan Tory]

“Post# 12 seems to be missing?”

Look below comment 11 and you’ll see this:

“Comment #12 Removed by Moderator”

I guess the moderator thought the commment was kind of a cheap shot, although I’ve seen much worse that has not gotten removed.

[DelphiUser]

I guess my quarrel is with the overbroad “evangelical bigotry” statement.

I did not make that statement, and I don't think AKSurprise meant that all evangelicals are bigots, AKSurprise, do you want to chime in here and clarify?

Are all evangelicals bigots?

Absolutely not, there are even Mormon Bigots (who are prejudiced against other religions) I fight against them too.

If so, your statement meets the test for bigotry in that it attributes to all members of a single group the same mindset.

I never intended that to be the meaning, and I have posted that in response to Logophile's post.

As an evangelical Christian myself, I acknowledge that there are a number of doctrinal issues on which we will never agree, but bigoted seems an extremely strong characterization.

I would agree that there are doctrinal issues we will never agree upon (until you convert that is :-) but since you are not damning me to hell, calling me a demon from the pit, or saying I am unqualified to be president based on my religion, I don't think you qualify as a bigot

If that makes you feel good, then great, either way, have a great day!

[DelphiUser]

Your comment seems appropriate considering the fact that the poster's first comment on this subject (now deleted by the moderator) seems to have been made in the spirit of taunting and ridicule.

Well, *I* didn't report him or hit abuse, that was mild compared to what I have seen go unpulled by the moderators... That said, everybody play nice!!!

[marron]

Not denying it, but set your spread too wide and you’ll start hitting your friends, too.

[humblegunner]

Post# 12 seems to be missing?

It happens.

I though it was a valid question.