11/17/2008
Mormons Have Embedded Police Officials Watching Out for Them?
A reader pointed me to this article in the Sacramento Bee about stepped-up security around Mormon churches as a result of the recent protests. One would hope that law enforcement is there to serve and protect all citizens on an equal basis but according to one LDS official they have embedded officers watching out for them:
"They are hiring extra security to watch over the Folsom temple, and asking members to drive by church buildings late at night. Mormons in law enforcement are keeping track of Internet chatter to find out where protests will be held. 'Our members in law enforcement know where to look for this kind of stuff,' said Lisa West, spokeswoman for the church in the Sacramento region. She added that they are doing this on their own time. 'There's a lot of volatility in the air, so we're asking people to keep their eyes and ears open.'"
Our reader writes: "I think this is newsworthy. The Mormon church openly admits that it's embedding members into police departments then using them to advance their agenda... They're not saying that they're working with police like everyone else does, they're admitting that they're engaged in a conspiracy to advance their agenda using their police officer members in a possible circumvention of the law, and a definite violation of basic police ethics."
Here are a couple more related updates:
The NYT published a major article on Friday, highlighting the Mormon church's significant role in the passage of Proposition 8.
The L.A. Times also noted in a major weekend article that the LDS church is feeling the heat.
It was also revealed over the weekend that the main cinema used by the Sundance Film Festival is a Cinemark cinema. The CEO of Cinemark, Alan Stock, gave $9,999 to 'Yes on 8'. Cinemark operates the 'Century', 'CinéArts', and 'Tinseltown' theater chains. Sundance won't pull out of the anti-gay cinema. While Sundance is one issue, Cinemark also stands to profit from showing the Gus van Sant film Milk in its theatres. A group has sprung up online boycotting Cinemark theatres and encouraging viewers to see Milk at an alternative theatre chain.
Utah gay rights advocates oppose a boycott of the state. State senator Scott McCoy: "Now is no time to boycott Utah. Now is the time to stand up in solidarity ... We need to show Utahns that we are not going to go away and that we need to be paid attention to. We need rights for our families."
Tiny but visible counter-protest seen in Salt Lake City over the weekend.
The Mormon church blamed white powder it received in envelopes on gay activists, calling it domestic terrorism: "'We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few,' church President Thomas S. Monson said in a statement. The Utah Pride Center, a gay rights group, put out its own statement calling the powder hoaxes and acts of vandalism 'deplorable.' However, the group said, 'It is false to conclude that yesterday's suspicious package came from gay protesters. Overwhelmingly, gay and allied Utahns have expressed their pain, frustration and commitment to securing rights through peaceful demonstrations and marches.' The coalition that ran the campaign to defeat Proposition 8 also issued a condemnation Friday. 'The NO on 8 campaign was about civil rights and seeking equality for all Californians. We have said time and again that the Mormon church deserves the same respect as any other religion,' said Ali Bay, a spokeswoman for Equality California, the state's largest gay rights group. The FBI is still investigating both cases, spokesman Juan T. Becerra said, noting that it's a crime to release a substance to threaten harm and stoke public fear."
Posted 3:32 PM EST by Andy in California, Gay Marriage, Mormon, News, Religion, Sacramento, Salt Lake City | Permalink
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What's the over/under on this being another case of a scarlet B?
Posted by: Jonathan | Nov 17, 2008 3:48:57 PM
So when Mormons have members in law enforcement they're "embedded" and it's a conspiracy?
But when it's gays in law enforcement they're nobly looking out for the rest of us and it's great?
The hypocrisy on this site has sadly increased by dramatic leaps and bounds for the past year.
Mormons and blacks being so instrumental in denying others their marriage rights was sadly ironic and so is this bigoted backlash coming from gays.
Millions of people voted...most weren't Mormon or black. Stop trying to target individual groups with hatred and bile and start focusing on changing minds of the MILLIONS of voters through positive and constructive means.
Posted by: paul c | Nov 17, 2008 3:54:42 PM
well, what did you all expect? I'm afraid you queens started a battle that you are bound to lose. (will andy censor this post, too?) when you start attacking religious people, their churches, etc. you are only giving them the greatest ammunition of all -- a chance at "martyrdom." that's the mistake nero made and look what he did for x-tianity. and that holds for any people of any faith. they are bound to get the most sympathy in the end. so why make new enemies?
I still don't see what good all these protests are going to do for anybody. gays already have civil unions and domestic partnerships with all the rights, etc. so let the hetties have their marriage. why make new enemies? and remember not all hetties want to get married either. that's why they have THEIR civil unions.
...the people voted, the majority won, now get over it. in a democracy you don't always get your way, that's part of the process....
Posted by: the queen | Nov 17, 2008 4:05:08 PM
... and I forgot to say that i totally agree with Paul C...
Posted by: the queen | Nov 17, 2008 4:06:50 PM
I'm sorry, after the backwards 'B' carved in that broad's face, I just don't buy that the 'white powder' was sent by a No on 8 supporter.
Remeber Karl Rove bugging his own office and blaming it on the Democrats? This smells like the same pile o' crap!
Posted by: MikeinSanJose | Nov 17, 2008 4:11:18 PM
...and you know what...?
Continuing to throw our hands up in despair and play the good little victim every time the church decides it's time to flog the gays is REALLY GETTING OLD!!
Just because it's the church attacking us, as they have been doing since the church began, is no reason to continue to roll over and let them fuck us. Eventually, enough is enough.
And I'm willing to risk the chance that maybe people are finally waking up to the scam that is religion - THE LONGEST RUNNING HOAX IN HISTORY!!!
Gays have been here a LOT longer than xtians, and oddly enough, the world is still here. Boys are STILL fucking girls and popping out babies. Indeed, the only trouble that ever seems to involve the homos is the trouble the church starts. And then, everyone thinks it should be the gays who back down.
BULLSHIT, I SAY!! (Angrily shaking fist at no one in particular!)
Posted by: MikeinSanJose | Nov 17, 2008 4:19:37 PM
Listen Queen...
Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions do not afford gays and lesbians over 1000 rights that a marriage does.
You don't have to be religious to get married. Marriage is a civil right. If you want to have a religious ceremony there are several churches willing to perform such a religious ceremony. But most LGBT people are looking for the civil ceremony to grant the equal rights that are afforded to straight couples.
You're not "The Queen" by the way, more like "a queen." Telling us to "get over it." I don't think so. This shouldn't have been on the ballot in the first place. It's ridiculous. And if you want to keep your apathy go ahead, but for a great number of us--we will continue on our quest for equal rights for all.
And Paul C, every newspaper including the NY Times is showing the hypocrisy of the Mormon church and they embedded themselves into a political process and won by lies. The majority of CA citizens were asked how they felt about gay marriage--the overwhelming response was "I don't care. It has nothing to do with me." But when Mormon's brought children and religion into the argument with lies, it simply overstepped a huge line. And thankfully, gays and lesbians finally got off their asses and said Enough is Enough.
Posted by: Rob | Nov 17, 2008 4:21:16 PM
Hey, Queen, I can't get a civil union, so what are you talking about?
And yea, heteros who get civil unions are known as married in America. Like heterosexual atheists for example. The legal distinction only exists for gay people.
And even so, civil unions do not carry all the benefits of marriage, and even if they did would still be 'separate but equal'.
No one is making an anti-gay church recognize anything they don't already. They don't recognize atheist marriage, or Hindu marriage, etc. but those people can all marry under civil law. And of course, churches that do marry gay people are pretty much ignored in this arguement.
And finally, in America the rights of minorities should never be put to a vote by a majority. Thats how interracial marriages were successfully kept banned until the COURTS overturned the injustice. I don't know what kind of mob rule utopia you think America must be but if you had your way a lot of things would still be backwards, unfair and I guess just dandy because "you don't always get your way" in a democracy.
I don't know what place you're talking about but it can't be America.
Posted by: Wes | Nov 17, 2008 4:23:55 PM
Embedded? Get a clue. The Mor(m)on church has a lot of members. They just happen to have members who are cops. Protests of any nature can turn illegal so it's certainly not wrong for a cop to take interest.
Posted by: Pecos Bill | Nov 17, 2008 4:30:15 PM
I agree...people are treading and/or crossing the line of hate by attacking the Mormon Church and/or blaming other minority groups for their votes on election day.
Rather than blame get the message out about why H8 is wrong.
Posted by: tofer david | Nov 17, 2008 4:40:58 PM
Sorry, I was referring to the last item in the post regarding the Scarlett B. I completely lost track of the fact that it was at the end of the longer post.
Posted by: Jonathan | Nov 17, 2008 4:41:23 PM
I got 50 down that the white powder was sent by a mormon. Carved B is right. Prop8 will be overturned too silly xtians.
Posted by: Jersey | Nov 17, 2008 4:43:02 PM
PECOS BILL: you are half-right. The Mormons may be getting advice from their members, that is one way to read the comment. But if an off-duty officer is using Police equipment, or wrangling on-duty officers, it could be "embedded".
On the other hand, I do not believe FOR ONE SECOND that the Mormon Church received white powder. Has any homo ever used the old "Anthrax scare" technique? I call bullshit.
Posted by: Strepsi | Nov 17, 2008 4:49:15 PM
then ROB and WES, work on what can be done... work on civil unions, work on domestic partnerships... you have a hell of better chance of making that a reality than upsetting the hetereosexual/religious applecart...
Posted by: the queen | Nov 17, 2008 4:56:00 PM
Off duty cops who belong to a church providing security during a contentious time in the community is perfectly understandable.
Law enforcement agents tracking protests for the Church, however, steps over the line. If a Mormon liaison is assigned to keep the Church up to speed on what disruptions it can expect, that's one thing.
Law enforcement officials using public resources to provide information to private citizens without oversight of their superiors is a very, very bad precedent.
Posted by: Jonathan | Nov 17, 2008 4:56:09 PM
re: The Queen
you're a douche.
Posted by: Ben | Nov 17, 2008 5:03:12 PM
What is the song playing over the slideshow from the Sacramento rally (in the towleroad TV side box on the main page). The chorus goes "I believe that because I breathe I'm free..."? Is this song written especially for the No on 8 movement? Anyone know the name and singer?
Posted by: Lewis Payton | Nov 17, 2008 5:07:56 PM
Howdy, fascists! Seen those pics from Saturday? How you liking the tens of thousands of new activists you've created?
The tipping point has passed. Be very afraid.
Posted by: Snappyback | Nov 17, 2008 5:12:21 PM
Queen, you seem to be missing the point. Civil marriage has NOTHING to do with religion, and that is what we are fighting for. You know, the same kind of marriages that heterosexual atheists get in this country without a peep of protest from the religious folks whose god does not recognize them?
A heterosexual atheist can get married before a gay christian in this country, because marriage is solely the domain of religion? That makes absolutely no sense.
CIVIL MARRIAGE ≠ RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE
The church has intentionally confused the two to get a leg up on this issue, and so far have been successful. But its still a lie. This issue really has nothing to do with religious freedom.
Posted by: Wes | Nov 17, 2008 5:13:11 PM
I wrote Cinemark expressing my disappointment over their CEO's contribution. They replied:
We received your correspondence regarding your concerns about the
Proposition 8 vote in California. Please know that Cinemark made no
financial contribution to either side on this issue. The company does
not take a formal position on political issues that do not directly
affect our business. It would be inappropriate to influence our
employees' position on personal issues outside the work environment,
especially on political, social or religious activities. Cinemark is
dedicated to providing high quality entertainment for all of our
customers.
As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race,
creed, religion or sexual preference. We appreciate the importance of
this matter to you. We hope that you equally appreciate that any
individual act or contribution is just that, individual acts of personal
expression and do not reflect company positions or policy.
Kindest regards,
James Meredith
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Cinemark USA, Inc.
Posted by: Dave | Nov 17, 2008 5:16:34 PM
Gay audiences are still paying the CEO's salary. Therefore a boycott still makes sense.
Posted by: Wes | Nov 17, 2008 5:18:10 PM
Queen, I think it's time for you to meet the guillotine. Seriously, your first post here just exposed you for the fraud you are. Obviously you have none of the LGBT interests in mind and could obviously give a flying fuck. Do you have ANY idea of queer history? Or civil history for that matter? It is EXACTLY people like YOU that are doing the most harm to our community. Sit your old, wrinkly ugly ass down and just shut the fuck up. Take your Metamucil and go sit on the shitter! For ever!
Posted by: Mr. E | Nov 17, 2008 5:19:02 PM
Hey, THE QUEEN, I know it's not New Year's yet but here's a new resolution for you: don't post about something you're completely ignorant about. Really. It's distressing when people arrogantly espouse their opinions on things they haven't even done cursory research into.
"...the people voted, the majority won, now get over it. in a democracy you don't always get your way, that's part of the process...."
Actually 'the process' also involves a judicial part as well. You should Google "checks and balances" and, while you're there, "a clue".
Posted by: UnionStayshyn | Nov 17, 2008 5:25:12 PM
Ex mormon in SLC here. I want everyone to know how much the protests around the country have been noticed by the faithful. They see we are unified and strong. I don't think they realized what they were doing when they supported Prop 8. They need time to change their minds now. Our cause will be best served by insisting on equality and deflecting religious arguments. We have representatives working on writing the law in Utah to give us some of the recognition we need. The LDS church claims to be accepting of some change here. The day may still come when we need to riot, but it isn't today. The noise we made in response to defeat has our oponent's attention. What we say now and how we say it will bring the change. Majority may rule, but the minority has freedom to speak out about the injustice until the change comes.
Posted by: Rikard | Nov 17, 2008 5:29:35 PM
Rikard gets a smile from Seattle :-)
Posted by: Alan D | Nov 17, 2008 5:52:18 PM