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Show Where's the good Queer Mormon lit? IHlstretlon by MARCUS JONES/UVU Review I have a permit for this important issue are as accurate as their authority and expertise would Asst. Opinions editor lead the American people to believe, what should we do? The American Bar Association Last week, the UVU College claims, "There is probably less Republicans sponsored a class on agreement, more misinformation, concealed carry permits for the and less understanding of the right slightly-below-average cost of to keep and bear arms than any other $45. A concealed carry permit is current controversial constitutional something that I personally have issue." Our very campus, experienced wanted for some time, and not a dustup last March when the manynecessarily in order to actually titled Nick Moyes, Club President/ carry a firearm with me. A lifelong Chair/Captain of the UVU College interest in firearms along with an Republicans, was, as reported by the "Deseret News" on March 9, told that almost habitual dedication to the films t)f Clint Eastwood has given me "he would need written permission a fascination with guns in general, from campus police to openly carry and any concealed carry permit a gun on campus and that such class worth its salt is largely based permission had never been granted." in safety and education regarding Moyes agreed to conceal his handgun, guns and their use. As a staunch a Sig Sauer P226 9mm; probably proponent of knowledge in general, I out of shame that it wasn't a Glock, considered signing up for the College but that's just this writer's brand Republican's class. preference. ANDYSHFRWIN I once heard an unsubstantiated anecdote that Ted Nugent carries around a laminated copy of the Bill of Rights in his pocket and refers to it as his "gun license." However, if the American Bar Association's acknowledgment of the massive ambiguities regarding such an * But I don't want them to have my money, even if it's only the cost of dinner for two at a moderately good steakhouse. In the "Deseret News" article, Moyes claims that he is "not an activist," yet on March 5, he posted a lengthy diatribe of his encounter with law enforcement on www. UtahConcealedCarry.com, a Web site that describes itself as "Utah Premier Gun Talk Forum." In his post, titled "UVU cops detained me for OCing [open carrying] on campus," Moyes, who posts under the username "MajorNickmo," wrote that the police officer that initially spoke to him was "...BEHAVING LIKE HE [was] ON THE VERGE OF TAZING ME!" Moyes' capitalization remains unchanged. This is not a group of folks with which I care to be associated. I have known former Boy Scout leaders, religious authorities, family members, neighbors, and countless supporters of firearm rights that carry quietly and legally, not making a fuss over what they believe to be a personal political issue. They are trained, well-versed in safety and purpose, and don't let a hip-held sidearm declare to the world that they're a Big Tough Man. So I'm going to get my concealed carry permit at Rangemasters in Springville, where, for $29.99, you receive your training, passport photos, range instruction, and safety/reference letters, all while in the educating hands of professionals. Sounds like a better deal to me. Party of "No'Vember TREVOR ZOBELL Opinions writer The Republican Party lost control of Congress, the Senate, and the presidency in just a few short years. Things looked down and hopeless. "What do we do now?" % Republicans asked each other, but no one seemed to be sure. However, when Massachusetts elected a Republican senator, there was a glimmer of hope for the GOP. They were quickly re-energized and went forward with a new and exciting war plan. "Say no to anything and everything proposed by the Democratically controlled White House!" the Republicans yelled, as Scott Brown stepped into the White Jiouse. "We are all but guaranteed victory in November!" Sadly, saying "No" isn't really a plan at all. The expected re-enereization. for the most part, has been short lived, and has had no real direction. Recently with health care, Republicans were betting that Americans would not support it. However, new Gallup Polls now show there has been a turn around in support, with most Americans on board. As a result, Democratic approval rates are higher than those of Republicans. For the Republicans to gain any type of support in the near future, they need to focus less on meaningless cat fights. Enough with the land of nothing and "party of no" platform. Instead they need to support ideas that are clearly in line with their ideals, and come up with original and better ideas for problems. Tax cuts,fiscal• responsibility, and reduced government have all been things the Republican party stands for. The stimulus package was mostly tax cuts, but it had too many tax cuts for the Republicans' liking. Obama proposed a bi-partisan commission to put a three year freeze on non-essential spending, but Republicans were too scared that a commission with equal amounts of Republicans and Democrats might utter the word "taxes." And how could a Republican possibly support fiscally responsible health care reform that leaves the industry privatized, a far cry from Canadianstyle health care? It's shocking how many recent measures widely opposed by Republicans seem to be in line with traditional Republican ideas. Where are the new ideas from the GOP? During the health care debate, Republicans were sitting on the sideline flying "no" and requesting a complete do-over after trudging through a year-long debate. Instead of just altogether opposing the bill why not support it and campaign for amendments that would infuse and enhance it? Opposing something the American people mostly support after fear tactics and myths have gone bottom up won't give you many votes. But being able to put something on your reelection resume about an innovative aspect of health care, or any other bill, you were directly involved in just might win you some fans. Republicans could engage themselves with legislation. They could think of new ideas and solutions to issues and problems to spark America's interest. They could have supported things they have always supported in the .past. But instead they just say "no" like a baby refusing to eat its vegetables. Good luck in November, Republicans. MATTHEW A. JONASSAINT with children and young men either about to go Asst. Features editor into the MTC or freshly returned from a mission, "No Going Back" hook up in bathrooms on by Jonathan Langford is UVU and BYU campus the latest offering from grounds, in parking lots the Mormon community and bedrooms on a daily, to address the difficult perhaps even hourly basis. internal struggle young And these men, numerous Mormon youth may feel as they are, are rendered as they learn they have invisible by the appeal to what the LDS books like "No Church terms Going Back." To as same-gender The success most Mormons, attraction. It's of books like these men do not been generally and cannot-exist. "No Gowell received It's a rampant and is up for underground ing Back" awards. culture at least I'm . is that they as old as I am, concerned forcing hundreds advocate the reason for of men to its positive live in silence refusing the acclaim is because there is not due to its "homosexno institutional relevancy. or ual lifestyle" memory This may be community to personal on and remain- represent them. my part; like The dominant the protagonist ing in the narrative told Paul, I was about men in the raised Mormon, Church to Church with SGA and like Paul is that they A: stick it out. I came to """^^^™ serve a successful mission and B: get married discover my in the temple. If that fails, own feelings in middle then C: live out your days school in 2003, and like Paul I had a very close best single and celibate. Those who successfully do this friend who was the first person I told, and although - and feel happy - are more the exception than he was the only person . the rule, but the fact that I could.feel safe around, this narrative is marketed that revelation affects our as "the standard," like relationship to this day. other narratives that make Hence, I feel that this Mormons feel comfortable book strays so much from with themselves, it is much what I think is realistically more damaging to men and experienced by gay their friends and families teenagers that I wonder than productive. if - like most narratives about young Mormon This reproduction of men "with SGA" - it is comfortable narratives a representation mainly about SGA is essentially depicted through the eyes Church policy. The most of a straight male with honest queer Mormon leadership experience in stories I know of are Carol the Church laying claim Lyn Pearson's "Goodto a narrative that, frankly, bye,! Love You" or simply isn't his to tell. the anthology "Peculiar In other words, the People" by Ron and success of books like "No Wayne Schow. But given Going Back" is that they all the men and women advocate refusing the who, like me, are in a "homosexual lifestyle" and Post-Prop 8 Mormon remaining in the Church Church, we need more to stick it out. And in my contemporary narratives experience, this is a much that can address a broad * more problematic and range of experiences. An complex phenomenon than entire group of people is even the Brethren would being erased from Church like to admit. history. The simple truth is: So those with a voice to there are more Mormon speak, let it be heard. You college guys in Orem and are not alone, and what's Provo with homosexual or more, you have a story to bisexual behaviors than the tell. Stop letting those in dominant Mormon culture power tell that story for knows about - or wants to you. know about. 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