BYU and the "Strategic" Use of Alcohol

[_Gadianton]

I think this is a thought-provoking question. And I have to agree that it's highly likely that alcohol servings and certainly monetary encouragements have taken place.

Now what I'm skeptical about, is there being alcohol stored at BYU itself? I could be wrong, of course. I had been in Bateman's office a couple of times, and I don't remember any signs of a minibar unless they go to more extreme lengths than I'd think they would.

What I can nearly guarantee has happened, just knowing how the business world works, is that in off campus excursions with the scholar or the VIP to be dined, the VIP is taken to an expensive restaurant and then allowed to order freely and then BYU foots the bill for the alcohol. I can also image that since some VIPs might feel awkward about it, they'd be encouraged to order freely, perhaps the LDS administrators justify this by recalling the several occasions in the Book of Mormon where Mormons serve alcohol to non-church members in order to drop their guard and carry out a mission.

How far has BYU or the Church gone to "grease the wheels?" I don't know. I'm sure into the hundreds of thousands in donations or financial backings depending on the cause. I'd also be willing to bet that there have been a few "rogue" "black ops" caterings where BYU or the church has ended up footing bills for entertainment at gentleman's clubs.

[_harmony]

I'm sure into the hundreds of thousands in donations or financial backings depending on the cause. I'd also be willing to bet that there have been a few "rogue" "black ops" caterings where BYU or the church has ended up footing bills for entertainment at gentleman's clubs.

My tithing dollar at work.

My agency's policy is to never use donor dollars to pay for alcohol. If I take a potential donor to dinner and he orders a glass of wine, I ask for the bar tab to be separate from the dinner tab. I pay for both, but I use my personal credit card for the wine and my business credit card for the dinner. I cannot imagine that no one at BYU has thought of this process.

Galas though... that's a different story.

Maybe this is why the books aren't open... all that alcohol flowing at BYU fundraisers? Okay, that thought just made me giggle.

[_harmony]

I'm sorry, Ray, but I can't agree with you here. Academics (as DCP will be glad to remind you) tend not to make a whole lot of money. So, when some politically- or ideologically- motivated party offers to kick you, say, $50,000 in order to write up a study favorable to its position, do you think you would automatically turn it down? Or, suppose you were an academic who knew that another academic had accepted $50,000 in order to support an ugly political position. Would you turn down, say, $25,000 offered to you in order to counter that position? Sure, sure: people might say that your work was "compromised" because you were "bought out," but if your work was sound, then does that criticism have any merit? Don't academics deserve to be rewarded for their work?

I don't see what this has to do with serving alcohol at BYU.

[_The Nehor]

Well, yes, basically. Certain BYU LDS are willing to "compromise" when it comes to certain individuals. Credibility is something that can be bought, and plenty of academics are willing to sell it.

"These people have alcohol and are willing to buy me the house red!!! This shows they know what they're talking about!!!"

You live in a strange and scary world.

[_collegeterrace]

Well, yes, basically. Certain BYU LDS are willing to "compromise" when it comes to certain individuals. Credibility is something that can be bought, and plenty of academics are willing to sell it.

How else were they expected to get the Winter Olympics to Utah?

They called the most corrupt active Mormons.

[_JustMe]

Scratch

Rather, I was under the admittedly skeptical impression that certain non-LDS scholars were "persuaded" to adopt positions favorable to certain LDS apologetic viewpoints.

Persuaded? Nay, let us be bold in our manuevering of the facts good brother, we flat out torture them til they succumb.... Whaddya think the basements of our temples are for after all? Merely sacrificing babies?

[_harmony]

Whaddya think the basements of our temples are for after all? Merely sacrificing babies?

And eating lunch. Let us not forget where the cafeteria is located.

[_Daniel Peterson]

I have to agree that it's highly likely that alcohol servings and certainly monetary encouragements have taken place.

Gad plays the part of a devout Scartchist very convincingly.

He's one of the finest caricaturists I've ever beheld, and I thoroughly enjoy watching him in action.

[_Doctor Steuss]

Whaddya think the basements of our temples are for after all? Merely sacrificing babies?

And eating lunch. Let us not forget where the cafeteria is located.

I knew it was for baby-eating!

*Gasp*

[_harmony]

And eating lunch. Let us not forget where the cafeteria is located.

I knew it was for baby-eating!

*Gasp*

[Swift]Surely you didn't think it was really chicken.[/Swift]