Reader comments: Utahns rally in quest to improve the planet

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samhill | 7:48 a.m. April 6, 2008
How ironically typical that Rocky Anderson denounces the "culture of obedience" (code for: Mormon Church) while participating in a series of rallies whose presumable purpose is to get people to, "do what we are telling you to do."

It’s like Steve Martin’s old routine where he stands before an enormous crowd of people and starts them chanting a series of statements like, “I promise to be unique”, and “I promise to be different”. It concludes with, “I promise not to repeat things other people say.” (much laughter)

I’ve always said that someone with the ego and arrogance of Rocky Anderson would always make a better activist than mayor. But, that’s not really saying much.
are they serious? | 8:30 a.m. April 6, 2008
While it would be nice to always avoid war and have free health care for everyone, most of us know that such things are unrealistic and would harm our safety and health. Can someone help me understand why some people think that through the 'magic' of government we can have whatever we desire, such as socialized medicine? Anyone who is not satisfied with the current health care system needs to spend time visiting a socialized system in another country. While not perfect, our system is by far the best. Does anyone really believe that 383 parts of CO2 out of 1,000,000 is polluting our air? Scientists (algore doesn't count) don't and I don't either.
Bush Republicans | 9:00 a.m. April 6, 2008
The Left likes to talk to itself because authentic lefties are too scared to talk to their neighbors. Rallies full of boring speeches where everyone nods their heads have no impact on the issues so all they do is reinforce the status quo.

Question: Rocky Anderson has endorsed more Republicans than Jim Matheson so who is the Bush Republican? Answer: Everyone at the rally who thought going home feeling self righteous meant they had done their part.

Don't whine, organize.
Comments continue below
Truth in Advertising | 9:09 a.m. April 6, 2008
The protesters are correct to wear masks. Their liberal agenda amounts to robbery.
Chuck | 9:30 a.m. April 6, 2008
They show a sign that says "Intelligence Failure". That accurately describes these people protesting. They have not unbiasedly looked at the facts, or they would not oppose the war in Iraq.
Greg | 12:23 p.m. April 6, 2008
Just another of Ross Anderson's "I hate Bush" festivals. Boring.
Tammi Diaz | 1:14 p.m. April 6, 2008
I am a member of THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS I am VERY PROUD of it. Do know about want is going in Iraq there solders coming now disabled not getting the HEALTHCARE they need.
Families are falling apart do under insured or lack
of health insurance, there alot disabled individual
that cannot be married or they lose there healthcare. FAMILY VALVES!
Toxined Utah | 1:45 p.m. April 6, 2008
Your too late!
existentialism | 2:26 p.m. April 6, 2008
samhill, I find it funny that you think Rocky has some secret underground conspiracy against the Mormons, and your reasoning for this thinking this is he uses the phrase “Culture of Obedience”. If you weren't so busy in that ethnocentric bubble of yours, and took some time to read the words of the speech, you would have realized he was talking about America, not Utah. He was talking about people who are “obedient” to the corporate news they watch, don't check the facts told to them through their magic box sitting in their living rooms that are “incapable of lying to them”, not Mormons. But if it makes you happy to think he is running some conspiracy against the LDS religion, and thats why there was a peace rally Saturday, then all i can say to you is, what ever floats your boat....
Anonymous | 2:28 p.m. April 6, 2008
To CHuck: What are those facts on why we are in Iraq?

Please tell me. I am a liberal therefore expect a well thought response. However, I did support the Iraq war based on my childhood fascination of war. In other words, I wanted the war because I thought it was awesome.

Now I see my flaws as well as the president's.
How many? | 3:19 p.m. April 6, 2008
I'm interested in how many people attended the rally. The pictures attached to the story appear to show a very sparce turnout.
DJ | 3:47 p.m. April 6, 2008
There were a lot of people at the rally-at least several hundred, and the messages were uplifting, like War is Not the Answer. And those of you who talk about socialized this and that and the government shouldn't have to provide, I would suggest that big religion and big government have their own little socialized societies. During bad times, I've been told to go join a certain church for the handouts. And govt. has socialized medicine. Look closely and you'll see it! Promise. We want that for the rest of us, and socialized medicine works great in other countries. I've been told that people have to wait for surgeries, etc., but here in America, there are millions who don't even get a chance at the surgery no matter how long they wait. And would I rather have health care for all rather than billions spent on war? Yeah, you bet. War is not the only way to solve problems. In fact, we're not at war in Iraq. We're merely occupying their country and have already killed and displaced millions of innocents. And at least those of us at the rally were participating in the democratic process. And we do more.
liberal larry | 3:57 p.m. April 6, 2008
Only in the conservative mind are peace and health care unattainable goals!
Just a Guy | 4:33 p.m. April 6, 2008
Yup Larry...and only in the Liberal mind don't you get something for nothing...EI health care for everyone....especially those that don't pay for it. What a joke. It's time to get rid of welfare too!!!!
Someone with half a Brain | 6:08 p.m. April 6, 2008
Lets start with something interesting. There is absolutely no proof that global warming exists. The last few years have been some of the coldest years on record....but we continue to talk about global warming. There are just as many scientists out there that argue against it as argue for it.

Second....Rocky...would you please just disappear??? No one other than the few liberals that live in SLC care about your agenda. The rest of the state is tired of you!!!!
Independent | 8:00 p.m. April 6, 2008
Hey DJ - US Gov't welfare is based on a handout, the bishop's storehouse is based on a hand up. Of course healthcare for everyone is attainable - so is world peace and a clean world to live in. Republicans and Democrats in Washington just have the same problem - they spend our money (and our children's that hasn't been made yet) as if it were their own, usually to get power. They should read about widow's mite as well as the fall of a welfare state named Rome. The only real solution is to truly embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It makes people better, more productive members of society and want to find ways to help others. I know -it has for me. Latter-day prophets have told us its not about Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal. Truthfully I think we all have some of all 4. Its really about doing what's right.
whateva | 7:18 p.m. April 7, 2008
Independent... save it for testimony meeting.

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Cyclists wear masks to protest air pollution as they take part in Saturday's Healthy Planet rally, which also targeted the Iraq war and U.S. health care. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret Morning News)
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret Morning News
Cyclists wear masks to protest air pollution as they take part in Saturday's Healthy Planet rally, which also targeted the Iraq war and U.S. health care.