Posted on 12/30/2009 1:32:39 PM PST by Colofornian
The Mormon Media Observer looks back at the year filled with LDS newsmakers. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., tops the list, based on a newsmaker's frequency in the news as well as the significance of their stories.
1. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada
The Senate Majority Leader led the battle to push through health reform in the Senate. News coverage of Reid made a household name and the divisive debate made him out to be both villain and saint. He may still face a tough battle in his home state of Nevada to save his seat.
On Christmas The New York Times wrote:
"WASHINGTON -- It was the pinnacle moment of his political career. The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, on the verge of making history by shepherding through far-reaching health care legislation, was called upon by the clerk to cast his vote. And Mr. Reid, who had fought tirelessly for months to get the health care bill adopted, looked up from his desk and said, "No." ...Mr. Reid's oh-no vote capped one of the more remarkable stretches in what is shaping up to be one of the more remarkable careers in American politics, characterized in no small part by the sheer inscrutability of much of what he says and does. In the end, of course, Congressional leaders are judged on one thing alone: whether they come up with the votes. And Mr. Reid -- the miner's son from Searchlight, Nev., the amateur boxer who worked his way through law school as a Capitol Hill police officer, who has a knack for mumbling and off-the-cuff gaffes -- had the votes."
2. Stephenie Meyer
The release of "New Moon" attracted media attention around the world. Here's a sampling of the some of the worldwide headlines: "New Moon takes biggest bite," "Vatican denounces the 'deviant' Twilight Movie," "Mormon who put new life into vampires."
The Sunday Mail of London wrote: "Her teenage vampire books outsell Harry Potter -- but she's a devout Mormon who lives modestly in Cave Creek, Ariz., and eats at the local burger joint. For a woman who has sold more than 85 million books and has been hailed as the new J. K. Rowling, it is a remarkably modest home. Set down a dusty dirt trail, the four-bedroom property blends seamlessly into the desert landscape -- low and sand-colored with just a few cacti for decoration. Only a high-tech camera and newly installed metal gates give some hint of the occupant's desire for privacy."
3. Elizabeth Smart
The young woman endured brutality and came to court this year to face her abuser, Brian David Mitchell. After attending Brigham Young University, she is preparing to serve a mission in France. She was named Utahn of the Year by the Salt Lake Tribune. The excellent tribute by Trib columnist Peg McEntee reads:
"She had wanted to confront Mitchell with her eyes and words, but, predictably, he sang his hymns and was removed from the courtroom. When it was over, Elizabeth Smart strode, tall and straight, into the rest of her life. For so many of us, her astonishing homecoming restored hope when there seemed to be none, and the knowledge that even terrible times can end, and end well. And she taught us this: Faith, whatever its source, can make amazing things happen."
4. Jon Huntsman Jr.
President Barack Obama named Utah's former governor U.S. Ambassador to China. He took his post in August. Huntsman played host to Obama during a visit to China in November. Chinese media lauded Obama for the choice for Huntsman's understanding of Chinese language and culture. Huntsman previously served a U.S. ambassador to Singapore.
5. Orrin Hatch
Sen. Orrin Hatch was a key opponent to health care reform and taken on foes like the Bowl Championship Series. He also played a role in honoring the Sen. Edward Kennedy at his death. Over the years, the pair made an interesting senatorial odd couple. Along with speaking at Kennedy's memorial service, Hatch penned this piece in Newsweek. He also penned a Hanukkah song which was both complimented and parodied on "The Tonight Show."
6. Glenn Beck
The firebrand talk show host continued to attract attention on his national radio and TV shows, through his books and in the news media. The picture of Beck sticking his tongue out made it on the cover of Time magazine and parodied on several comedy shows. Here was Time's assessment:
"Glenn Beck: the pudgy, buzz-cut, weeping phenomenon of radio, TV and books. Our hot summer of political combat is turning toward an autumn of showdowns over some of the biggest public-policy initiatives in decades. The creamy notions of postpartisan cooperation -- poured abundantly over Obama's presidential campaign a year ago -- have curdled into suspicion and feelings of helplessness. Trust is a toxic asset, sitting valueless on the national books. Good faith is trading at pennies on the dollar. "
7. Mitt Romney
Emboldened by conservative supporters, Romney is keeping his eyes on 2012 presidential prize. Romney has been delivering a lot of keynoters and political endorsements around the nation and is getting ready to launch a book-promotion tour. A National Public Radio blog recent said this about who is a GOP frontrunner for 2012:
"Answer: No one so far. Mitt Romney, the venture capitalist and former governor of Massachusetts who ran a pretty good campaign in 2008, remains the class of the field but kept a low profile in 2009. Mike Huckabee led in some polls of Republicans that also found Sarah Palin popular. But Huckabee ended the year uncertain about running (and damaged by a clemency scandal from his days as Arkansas governor). Romney remains too much a general election candidate, a problem for the Democrats to be sure but far from the average Republican activist's cup of tea. His past positions on social issues were too styled to Massachusetts, and his Mormonism still leaves the party's religious base lukewarm at best."
8. Max Hall
BYU football quarterback Hall got his 15 minutes of national fame after the BYU-Utah football game when he said: "I don't like Utah. In fact, I hate them," Hall said. "I hate everything about them. I hate their program. I hate their fans, I hate everything. ... I think the whole university, their fans and their organization, is classless." He later issued an apology and was sanctioned by the Mountain West Conference.
9. John Yettaw
The Missouri man widely noted in international media for his Mormon faith was held for a time in a Burmese prison charged with crime related to a swim across a lake to one of the world's best-known democracy figures, Aung San Suu Kyi. He left Myanmar with a U.S. senator. Despite his good intentions, Yettaw gave an unfortunate impression of Mormons to the world.
10. Michael Otterson
He was the spokesman behind the LDS Church statement at the Salt Lake City council meeting in early November that appears to be changing the politics in Utah for gays.
"The Church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage. They are also entirely consistent with the Church's prior position on these matters. The Church remains unequivocally committed to defending the bedrock foundation of marriage between a man and a woman. I represent a church that believes in human dignity, in treating others with respect even when we disagree -- in fact, especially when we disagree."
Yes. Posed as a question, it is not mind reading but tentative.
Ah, an atheist. That clears some things up.
your belief in religion is fantasy. Believe what you can see, not what you have faith in.
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Two points.
1) Faith is different than religion. I am actually opposed to many “religious” practices b/c they can become rote and hollow.
2) Do you believe in air? Can you see it? Taste it? Smell it? What about a thought? Can you see that?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Pitches in the dirt.
Of course : ) What did you expect, someone who wasn't knowledgeable about religion and the Bible?
I should have said he’s a MINO in my humble opinion.
So reaganaut tricked me into answering that question? [legrand]
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No trickery involved.
Your orig post #65 - knowing that you think reality is fantasy [legrand]
my question #71 - So, tell me “Legrand”, what exactly is the “reality” that I think is fantasy?
The mod responded to your orig post, not your response to my question.
Aren't they all?
2) Do you believe in air? Can you see it? Taste it? Smell it? What about a thought? Can you see that?
Of course I can see air. I can also measure it, break it down into its constituent parts, etc., etc.
A thought? Belief in Despator or Elohim is a thought isn't it? Does that make Despator real?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Is that your evidence that despator or Allah exists? Really I was hoping for more from you : (
Nope...
KNOW what you can see; have faith in what you can't.
What did you expect, someone who wasn’t knowledgeable about religion and the Bible?
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Very very few Atheists are, they all THINK they are but are not.
You are as I expected.
I should have said he’s a MINO in my humble opinion.
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Aren’t MINO’s usually called “Jack Mormons”? That was at least what we called them.
Aren’t they all?
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NOPE. Goes to show a lack of understanding.
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A thought? Belief in Despator or Elohim is a thought isn’t it?
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Non-belief is a thought also. That does not make God unreal.
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Is that your evidence that despator or Allah exists?
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My belief is based upon years of experience. The quote is an accepted definition of faith for Christians.
And I do not equate “despator” or Allah to Elohim/Jehovah/YHWH. Your equation of them shows your apparent goal.
The attempt at riling me up has failed. I am not thin skinned, if I were I would not be on RF.
G’day Troll.
It has been my experience that seeing and understanding are two entirely different things. Often we only see what we expect to see.
No gentle rebuke? Or does the admonition only apply to atheists? : )
To answer your implied question reaganaut, I have actually read the standard works of all the major religions.
Just a mere denial, with no explanation? Surely you can do better than that.
Non-belief is a thought also. That does not make God unreal.
That wasn't the question. Does a thought make Despator (god) real?
My belief is based upon years of experience. The quote is an accepted definition of faith for Christians.
Much like the Celts, don't you suppose?
And I do not equate “despator” or Allah to Elohim/Jehovah/YHWH. Your equation of them shows your apparent goal.
Yes, I was rather obviously transparent wasn't I? : ) Is not Allah the God of Abraham? The same god worshiped by all the People of the Book? You seem to be big on denials but low on evidence. Do you have any objective evidence that Allah doesn't exist?
The attempt at riling me up has failed. I am not thin skinned, if I were I would not be on RF.
RF? Religious Fundamentalist? No I didn't think you were thin skinned, I don't expect that on an anti Mormon thread. Are you willing to defend your beliefs or do you want to run away?
No gentle rebuke?
I have actually read the standard works of all the major religions.
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It was not directed at you, it was a comment about atheists in general, therefore fair game. :)
Yeah, so? So have I, several times and many in their original languages (I am fluent in several). Point?
Familiarity with the stories does not equal a detailed or scholarly knowledge. That applies to believers as well as non. A knowledge of a religion goes far, far beyond a reading of the “standard works”.
And reading does not equal comprehension. A book knowledge is entirely different from a faith. Christians usually refer to it as a “head” knowledge vs. “heart” knowledge.
RF = RELIGION FORUM
Is not Allah the God of Abraham?
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No. They claim so, but an examination of Islamic theology shows a complete incompatibility.
It's irrelevant whether I deny it or not. You made an accusation about me in the previous post, post 65. Back it up.
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