UVU student body elections get ugly

[_Runtu]

UVU student running for office lambasted in email for being gay

[_quaker]

Not to detract from the seriousness of such statements as were included in the e-mail but it really smells of a troll.

The quotes in the article, like many of the sockpuppets and trolls who toil on LDS message boards online, use cliches to the point that I can't help but think it is parody.

For certain I can't say it is not a sincere e-mail. Given the circumstance, and the ever increasing amount of nastiness in politics combined with increasing campaigns to smear the LDS church, I don't think any reasonable person can automatically jump to the conclusion that the e-mail is not a troll.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

Not to detract from the seriousness of such statements as were included in the e-mail but it really smells of a troll.

I thought the same thing, especially when I read the over-the-top last paragraph of the email. But we are talking about Utah County, so who knows?

In any event, it is time for UVU to include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination policy. But I wonder if the apostle's son (who is the current UVU president) would ever do something like that.

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

I think that if it's satire, it can't be true. What in the email would, say bcspace, take issue with?

[Guest]

UVU officials released this statement, "As an institution, we pride ourselves on being a place that is hospitable to all. We condemn intimidation, harassment and discrimination against any student. Inclusivity is one of our core themes and values as a university.

I agree. But voting where there are at least two possible selections IS discrimination and imposing a view that homosexuality is acceptable IS harassment. In other words, the school's word usage here is merely PC.

The reported viewpoint represents one anonymous individual's perspective and is not shared by the university.

Probably true.

In fact, we denounce such vitriolic, uncivil and counterproductive dialog."

I disagree. This contradicts the school's prior admission of this being an individual's viewpoint. There is no way for this student to express this viewpoint without the school considering it "vitriolic, uncivil and counterproductive" thus the school is suppressing speech.

"Being gay has nothing to do with my merit or platform or ability to do my job," Hawkins said. "I have never talked about anything to do with that subject. I hope that people can look at my platform and vote based on that, not my sexual preference."

I disagree.

The email concluded by saying, "If we allow Tom Hawkins to be elected, we are all admitting to ourselves that homosexuality is ok. Stand true to your beliefs. Hold true to the rod, and do not let this sinning student win."

I agree.

Basically the school is suppressing freedom of thought and speech and the emailing student is expressing a valid personal view.

[_Buffalo]

bcspace: proud bigot

[_bcspace]

The school is the bigot in this case.

[_Buffalo]

The school is the bigot in this case.

It's bigoted to disagree with bigots. You heard it here first.

[_Darth J]

But voting where there are at least two possible selections IS discrimination and imposing a view that homosexuality is acceptable IS harassment. In other words, the school's word usage here is merely PC.

I think schools should teach the controversy. In this case, the modern scientific consensus that homosexuality is not an arbitrary choice that people just wake up one day and decide to do, versus the sexual taboos that Bronze Age Hebrew shepherds thought were imposed by their tribal god, which were subsequently pantomimed by the followers of a serial adulterer who purported to marry teenage girls and other men's wives.

[_moksha]

It will be interesting to see how this shakes out in the school elections. Will the students comply with the stand their religion has taken on homosexuality or will they they set it aside as a non-issue?