Boycott Mania

First El Coyote (read about it here) and now Leatherby's. What these protesters and boycotters can't seem to keep straight is that those who supported Proposition 8 lent their voices and votes to a pro-marriage campaign. They are not anti-gay, they are for protecting the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. The backlash of proud gay rights activist activities, with rainbow flags a-flyin' and cries for tolerance and acceptance of the gay lifestyle, would suggest that they seem to have lost sight of this clear, and important, distinction.

The following article is taken from the ABC News10 website:

SACRAMENTO, CA - The after-church crowd got more than lunch and a scoop of ice cream at Sacramento's Leatherby's Family Creamery on Arden Way Sunday afternoon.

Customers also got an earful from yet another group of Proposition 8 protesters.

Protesters Amanda Booth and Erin Domingo, along with a handful of vocal supporters, said they wanted everyone who eats at Leatherby's to know that the family behind the business donated money to help pass Proposition 8.

"We're protesting Leatherby's because they contributed over $20,000 to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign," Booth said. "That money went toward defeating my equal rights."

"We just thought it would be nice to let people know where their money is going when they buy ice cream from Leatherby's," Domingo said.

Despite the turmoil outside, Leatherby's was packed Sunday, filled mostly with people who said they support the family-run business and Proposition 8.

"The people have spoken. We won," said customer Craig Abi-Nader. "The Supreme Court was wrong and they should end it there."

At one point, Dave Leatherby Jr. greeted the protesters and shook some of their hands. Leatherby said he doesn't have any animosity or hatred toward anyone.

"Our vote was not a vote of hate. It wasn't a vote against them," Leatherby said. "It was a vote to support something that we though was good. I have no animosity toward anyone."

Leatherby said since his family's donation has been made public, they've received threats and hate mail.

"Sending mail that said, 'We're going to put you out of business, you're hate mongers, you people are evil,'" Leatherby said. "That was startling."

Despite some harsh words, Sunday's protest was peaceful. Booth said she would not give up the fight for her rights any time soon.

"We just want to make people aware of what's going on in their neighborhoods and communities and that there are those people who don't support equal rights," Booth said.

Still Here, Still Chagrined

I know I haven't done much on this blog since we voted and passed Proposition 8 here in California. But, I'm still here and I'm definitely still following the violent and childish reactions to the final results with disgust and mortification. LDS Temples being defiled and vandalized with stomping protesters climbing up on the walls and screaming slogans into bullhorns, vile and offensive graffiti left written on the walls in their wake. Domestic terrorism threats to the SLC Temple, LA Temple, and Knights of Columbus Catholic organization in the form of an unidentifiable white powder sent through the mail - both temples had to shut down with patrons inside. Churches up and down the Wasatch Front in Utah have had their windows shot out and their welcome signs spray painted on. Copies of the LDS Church's Book of Mormon have been burned. Supporters of Prop. 8 have been threatened to the point of job resignation. Those who donated $1000 or more have been identified through public records and blacklisted. In the case of donors being connected with businesses, those businesses are now being boycotted. Beatings, threats, vandalism, terrorism, protests, shouting voices, angry voices. Will the insanity never end? The people of California spoke through the democratic process and the backlash has been horrendous, unprecedented, and, frankly, unwarranted. And yet.... And yet, among the leaders of our state, the silence in response to this mob movement is deafening. Governor Arnold, Senator Diane, will neither of you stand up and defend the democratic process that served to put you in office? Will neither of you stand up and defend the California State Constitution which now holds that, according to the will of the people (who voted you into office, I might not-so-subtly add), marriage is between one man and one woman? If nothing else, put aside your personal opinion to uphold the democratic process this country (and state) was founded upon. Now, I am not opposed to people picketing and protesting, but I am absolutely opposed to people protesting violently and unfairly targeting individuals and churches for the part they played in pulling out the yes vote on Proposition 8. So, people, seriously - if you want the democratic process to work for you in the future, I'd suggest you calm down, take a step back, and learn what, exactly, that process is. Because I can tell you for sure what it isn't: it's not beating up an elderly neighbor couple while you're trying to put No on 8 signs in their yard; it's not boycotting a place of business due to a co-owner's personal contribution to Proposition 8; it's not drive-by harassment of individual Prop 8 donors; it's not perpetuating Unibomber-esque terrorist mailing strategies; it's not defacing churches; it's not burning sacred religious books; it's definitely not intimidating children as they walk to worship services; it's not scribbling offensive mandates on temple walls; it's not attacking women for trying to take propaganda off of temple gates; it's not, it's not, it's not.... It's pretty sad how long that list is already. And I feel so badly for the greater homosexual community which probably would prefer not to have this kind of behavior and attention attached to it. Stop shooting yourselves in the feet! Suck it up and start over with a new plan. Pick up the pieces and move forward instead of getting caught up in this frenzy of violence and hate. In case you haven't noticed, the Yes on 8 side hasn't been gloating. Not one peep from this camp. I quietly took down my yard signs and peeled off my car sticker and moved on with my life. I didn't quickly start a phone tree of congratulations and celebrations. I didn't go march in front of the No on 8 campaign headquarters screaming and waving a "Neener, Neener, Neener" sign in your face. I didn't seek out my homosexual neighbors and whip out my mallet and Yes on 8 sign to plant in their front yard. All of that sounds completely absurd and so, too, is what you're doing now.

The Facts

1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.

2. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.

4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.

7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.

8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims - all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The Church as always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do - we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted.

*Thanks for these facts, M.
*And thanks for posting these pictures and accompanying text, Jenn.

I know I am so unoriginal by borrowing from your blogs, but I would like to perpetuate the truths that both of you have found. So, I hope you'll forgive me my theft. :)

"Unfair and Wrong"*

"Equality for all"*

*Common catchphrases employed by the 'No on 8' campaign. It would seem that while they vehemently champion these phrases, however, they don't actually live by them.

Much Appreciated

International Mormon Appreciation Day

President Obama

Well, I can't say that I am surprised with tonight's outcome, or excessively overjoyed. However, I did listen to President Obama's victory speech a few minutes ago and felt emotional as he spoke of our country and our legacy of freedom. Tears came as I heard all the things I long to hear, promises and assurances, coming from a man I am not sure can deliver. I hope to be proved wrong. I thought it was powerful when he reminded the American people that we are in the driver's seat. We must help realize our own destiny. I completely agree and pray that we are up to the challenge. I still have numerous worries, mostly concerning the moral issues of life and marriage, and the issues of national security and terrorism, but I can still be hopeful that other issues such as our failing economy will be able to be resolved. My prayers are with President Obama as I recognize that the office of President of the United States of America carries no small responsibility indeed. Congrats to the Obama contingency. I can feel your elation and I am honored right along with you to witness this historic event! Long live the USA!

The Story of Prop 8

Ahhh...the truth is revealed and opponents of Prop 8 shown for the cruel people they have been throughout this debate. We have been called intolerant bigots, yet it is they who have vandalized, stolen, defaced, abused, cursed, and threatened. I hope many people see this video. A very many.

A "Must Watch" For Every American: Religious & Non-Religious

On the Moral Purposes of Law and Government
Robert George

This man says it all. He delves into the most fundamental difference between same-sex unions and heterosexual marriage and comes out with the purest of reasons to reject homosexual marriage.

My favorite quotes from this discourse are as follows:

"Our task, as I see it, should be to understand the moral truth and speak it - in season and out. Speak it lovingly, speak it civilly. Engage those with whom one disagrees in civil discourse. Speak it lovingly, speak it civilly, but firmly and vigorously, because so much is at stake. Now we will be told by those who are pure pragmatists, that the American public is too far gone in moral relativism, or even moral delinquency, to be reached by moral arguments. Sometimes they say 'Give it up...the public's too far gone...they've drunk the cool-aid of moral relativism....' But we must have faith that truth is luminous and powerful....Our problem is not so much that people are gone and sunk in moral relativism and so won't listen. Our problem is that we don't make the argument, or we don't make it often enough or well enough, with enough conviction, determination."

And, in closing:

"These moral causes [defense of life and marriage], because they are foundational, because so much else depends on them, should not be regarded, should never be regarded, as distractions from other pressing goals, even though there are other pressing goals - the fight against terrorism, the struggle for economic prosperity, the need to assist those who are needy, the need to deal with the problem of poverty in our cities, the needs for environmental protection. These are all important. But the moral causes, the moral causes of life and marriage, are not distractions; they are rather causes that spring from the foundational moral purposes of law and the state. And today, they are certainly among the most urgent causes."

*Though a guest speaker at a BYU forum, Robert George is not LDS. And how sad that I feel I must make that distinction in order to ensure he will not be written off as "one of those fearful Mormons." He is a man of great understanding and intelligence and should be regarded as such.