Monthly Archives: November 2016

The morning after election night I found myself whistling “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.” And it did. And it was beautiful. I was reminded of the words from conservative godfather Russell Kirk, “Politics is not the whole of life.” Indeed, it’s not even the most important part of life.

Of course, I was as shocked as any person watching Donald Trump’s victory unfold late into the night. Frankly, it was unbelievable. But true nonetheless. Watching Fox News, as soon as they announced that Hillary had conceded to Trump, the Trump supporters outside the studio began chanting, “Lock her up!” – the same chant heard throughout the Republican National Convention that nominated Trump. I thought of all of the good (i.e. not crazy) people who voted for Trump. Is that what they were thinking, “Lock her up”? read more

Now that the circus we call the 2016 presidential election is coming to a close, the biggest election year story has to be the Mormon vote. The Republican nominee calls it the “Mormon problem.” The Democratic nominee campaigns in deeply red Utah like she actually has a chance to win. And a third party candidate, a Mormon, looks as if he might actually win Utah.

It’s a proud moment for me. All throughout my professional career I’ve expounded the idea of Mormon exceptionalism. Many times I’ve been deeply disappointed in the Mormon vote. A few times I have been gratefully surprised. Mostly I’ve been concerned at the ongoing indifference expressed civically by members of my faith. I’ve applauded the Mormon stand for family and marriage, not to mention expressions of human dignity and reasonableness that surfaced in the state immigration debate. I shake my head in disbelief over our lack of insight and foresight pertaining to issues such as gay rights and the legalization of pot. read more