Non-Memorial Comments Regarding President Hinckley

[_MishMagnet]

I don't see the man as a villian and I find it in extremely poor taste to be so flippant about a fellow beings passing.

[_Some Schmo]

Well, the Mormons should be happy for him. He finally gets a chance to talk to god.

I'll never understand why religious folks would be upset about someone passing (at least, not for that person - understandable for the person's family). It's heaven time for them now, isn't it?

[_RAJ]

I dunno how long he will last as he has been a diabetic for many years.

Interesting you should mention that! I was unaware of his diabetic condition, but suspected it. In a recent BYU commencement activity photo, his face was somewhat swollen from water retention, and through his socks, the ankles were visibly swollen too. that's a tough condition to deal with in the advanced years for sure.

Hopefully he'll last long enough to prevent Packer from ever becoming President. That would be a real contribution to the Mormon organization.

[_guy sajer]

Frankly, I almost couldn't care less. The only significance Hinkley has for me is that he heads a Church I once belonged to and to which certain of my loved ones belong. As far as I'm concerned, he's no different than the thousands of other people who died today and for whom I also feel nothing, no because I'm callous, but because, like most people, I don't take it hard when people totally uconnected to my life pass on. It happens every day to millions of people. I don't have the emotional energy to get worked up about everyone who passes on.

As far as I'm concerned, Hinkley was a nice old man, but a seriously deluded one. He was the CEO of a large corporation that I believe to be a fraudulent and, on balance, harmful one. I feel no more sadness at Hinkley's passing that I did when Ken Lay passed on to his eternal reward. And why should I?

I'm not happy in any way at his passing, but neither am I sad. Goodbye Gordo, and I hope for all of us that you've found that there is something after this life, and if there is, I hope you're not too disappointed to find out that you devoted your long life to a fraud.

[_Mister Scratch]

President Hinckley---RIP.

What are my thoughts on his passing? In the end, I think that it is hard to imagine a better man to have led the LDS Church into the 21st century. The years during his presidency saw the ascendancy of the Internet, and even now, the Church hierarchy continues to face a crisis of information control. Pres. Hinckley was perhaps the most P.R.-savvy leader the Church has ever had. Of course, this led him into some sticky terrain, such as his infamous "I don't know that we teach that" gaffe, and his spin during the dedication of the MMM memorial. But ultimately, these failings don't reflect badly on him per se so much as they point the way to endemic problems within the Church---problems of information control and image which even Pres. Hinckley could not surpass.

It will be interesting to see what direction the Church takes from here. I know that Monson suffers from diabetes, and that he's not likely to live much longer. The key question, it seems to me, is whether BKP will ever get a shot at the presidency.

[_Dr. Shades]

Do I think that some of the details that we all struggle and complain about should be more openly presented? Yes. Do I understand how difficult a balance the Church leaders have in this area? Yes. It is not a simple thing.

Actually, it is a simple thing. What could possibly be a better course of action than telling the truth?

[_harmony]

It will be interesting to see what direction the Church takes from here. I know that Monson suffers from diabetes, and that he's not likely to live much longer. The key question, it seems to me, is whether BKP will ever get a shot at the presidency.

If TSM goes quickly, I hope BKP goes even more quickly. Although the idea of Oaks having a shot at the president's chair fills me with as dread as Packer.

[_LCD2YOU]

It is a sad day for all members of the church as well. He was beloved and with good cause. Sad, indeed.

Why is it sad? He was 97 for cripes sakes!

Were people hoping for 10 more years?

Were there some things he did not complete? Besides the Mega Mo'mall.

In these immortal words of John Donne, "No man is an island unto himself, so do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee"

Perhaps you should rethink your tactics and how you bring up certain topics.

Or is it just me?

[_Rollo Tomasi]

It is a sad day for all members of the church as well.

My thoughts on GBH's passing, for what they're worth:

I thought he was a good man and was sad at his passing (although he had a very long and fulfilling life). I think he's been the most influential LDS "president" (I put that in quotes because I believe he effectively ran the Church for over 25 years, such as when he was a counselor to feeble superiors in the FP) in over a century. I think he was also the most candid president in a very long time. Although I liked his efforts in reaching out to others not of the LDS faith, I also recognize his leadership in guiding the Church to greater homophobia (i.e., Proclamation, support of constitutional amendment against gay marriage, etc.). I think he truly had a testimony of the LDS gospel, but I also believe he was more aware than most of the many troubling issues in LDS history (which he simply pushed aside, or outright tried to conceal. All in all, I think he led an incredible life and did many good things (despite many mistakes, but none of us avoids that).

[_karl61]

155,000 people die each day - he was one of them.