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No protests expected during Reid's BYU visit

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A Convert Too | 6:34 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
I don't know whether I am more digusted that this "story" exists at all or at the depth of bigotry represented. Brigham Young UNIVERSITY, attended by scores of returned missionaries, is simultaneously upset that a Democrat would be invited to speak and accusing Reid of not being a "real" Mormon because he is a convert. We invite all to come unto Christ unless they are Democrat, oppose Bush & Cheney's war policies or wnat to join us.
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Roy in Bremen | 7:11 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Bobby Kennedy at BYU 29 years ago (last paragraph)?
I think I remember shaking his hand there 39 years ago.
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cg | 7:35 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, associates with ducks, it's probably A DUCK !!! Even if it says it's a Mormon.
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Not Rude | 7:43 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Limbaugh insults everyone he disagrees with on a daily basis and yet I'm supposed to believe Republicans are less rude? Give me a break!
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Mormon Democrat | 7:45 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
I don't hear Democrats around the country taking issue with Reid's religion despite his being the top ranking Democrat in the nation. That only seems to be an issue in the Republican primary for Romney. That's what happens when you run for national office in a party which thrives on prejudice and exclusion.
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Jeff James | 7:49 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Harry Reid is coming to Utah? Well, whoopitee-freaking-doo. Where did all of those politically independent protest leaders run off too? Oh, wait, it only gets their dander up when a Republican speaks. Raging hypocrites.
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Another Convert | 7:59 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
To 'A convert Too' - this article is written to maximize any shred of controversy surrounding the Reid and Cheney visits (as well as the recent Limbaugh flap). BYU itself is not "upset", I guarantee you that at least 99.7% of the students there are not "upset" - no more than 10 or 20 percent will even have it on their calendars (less will even attend).

Try to read the article objectively - with the understanding that the author is trying to get you interested/involved/persuaded in some way.

FWIW - there are people (members even!)that try to say Reid is not "really" LDS and Reid himself has at times shot the same rhetoric back at Republican or more conservative members of the Church. Such judgemental stupidity and strife IS disgusting, I agree. It IS contention, and it IS from you know where.
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Rise and shout | 8:28 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Why would BYU protest Reid visiting campus? He's the best basketball coach BYU ever had!
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Earl | 8:39 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
The reason people are not particularly upset that Reid is coming to BYU is that, unlike Cheney, he didn't play anywhere near the same role in deceiving the American public in the run-up to the Iraq invasion. Those of us who believe Cheney was at the forefront of the deception also believe that congress was among those deceived. Reid, along with us, is one of the many victims of the Cheney/Bush/Rumsfeld cabal that lied us into Iraq. Please don't ask me to prove all this because you can find the information yourself if you really care to look. What I'm saying is, that's why so many protested Cheney and nobody protests Reid. There's a huge difference.
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Darwin | 9:07 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
If a sign or poster is not to be used, where is the Free Speech guaranteed by the 1st Amendment?
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Uninterested bystander | 9:17 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Harry Reid is a disgrace and unworthy of any attention. I urge all to boycott his little speech.
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Yet Another Convert | 9:19 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
That's the thing I like about the Church is how open minded we are.

Pres. Kimball said something to the effect if it wasn't for converts the Church would die on the vine.

I think we should listen to Mr. Reid with respect and an open mind - maybe we will learn something.
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Not a Reid supporter | 9:26 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
I'm glad that people at BYU are a bit more polite than elsewhere--I wasn't in favor of Cheney's visit to the Y, but I'm not in favor of "protests" either--they smack too much of intimidation and temper tantrums to me. I would have signed a petition to the University President against Cheney's coming, but not protested.
I met Harry Reid in Washington years ago when a group of area LDS Church Public Affairs people had a meeting with him--and I was surprised at some of his positions on things that the LDS church has pretty strong positions on--abortion, for example. I'm not qualified to judge his commitment to religion, but I do think he has a strong commitment to the ideals of the most liberal positions of the Democratic Party.
And I agree that it is interesting that Romney gets heat from the media about being LDS and Reid is hardly mentioned. I wonder why the same evangelical Christians who are terrified of Mitch don't seem to object to Harry! Strange since they claim to be against Reid's political positions.
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Steve | 9:28 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Dirty Harry Reid is the most corrupt Senator of his era. Land deals, questionable loans. Mormons should be ashamed by him. This is the guy we should protest.
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Matthew | 9:28 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Let's see, Harry Reid opposes war and torture. Dick Cheney promotes war based on lies and advocates torture (by another name). So who should good, faithful, LDS students at BYU want to hear from?

Of course the Campus Republicans aren't going to protest. There is nothing to be opposed to!

It isn't a Republican/Democrat thing. It is about what is moral and what is immoral.

Jeff James, you got the right word but seem to apply it to the wrong people.
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RE: A Convert To | 9:28 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Bigotry? "...there are no protests planned..." "...opposition has been limited to relatively mild editorials..." as the article pointed out the BYU democrats were far more antagonistic towards the VP when he came to town.

The very heart of bigotry is making broad generalizations about a group of people in ignorance. Pot meet Kettle.

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Jake in Brussels | 9:33 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Hey, I'm a Republican, but am very glad to have Harry Reid leading the Senate. He is a good man and a devoted Sunday School teacher in my old stake in Maryland.

We, LDS or humans in general, are not clones; it's great to hold differing opinions as they are the product of real thought. It's part of Senator Reid's job and the Constitution's checks and balances to act as a watchdog toward the opposing party and the Executive Branch. He takes his job seriously and although I often disagree with his rhetoric, I admire the effort and am glad to see him accept the invite back to the Y.
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J | 9:35 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
To Rise and shout:
Good one...Roger Reid would be proud.
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Jake | 9:45 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
Darwin, the forum is taking place on private property. By your argument, an institution also couldn't ask an audience member yelling at the top of his lungs during a speech to leave. I believe the house can lay down the ground rules in this case.

I think your point is a good one to bring up, however, in regards to a lot of these "public" forums being held by presidential candidates where the question-posers are "handled" so strictly that nothing deviates from script. If you're going to give the impression that you're holding a "town hall" or public meeting in a public place, as many of these are, then by all means, the audience should be able to express themselves in any respectable way they choose.
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Reids a clown | 9:48 a.m. Oct. 9, 2007
What a disgrace Reid is! He claims to be an active member of the LDS church, yet he supports abortion and gay marriage, two policies that destroy families. Last time I checked both of those are in opposition to church views. He leads a double life and thinks he can separate his religious views from his political views. How interesting that Bush, a non-mormon, is more pro-family than Reid! Reid is a waste for a political leader.
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