Huckabee's pandering

There seems to be no end to the hypocrisy of politicians.

Recently, Gov. Mitt Romney was tacitly forced to go before the nation to assert that the LDS Church would hold no sway over his possible presidency. This was clearly forced upon him by evangelical Christians who worry that he would be more beholden to Gordon B. Hinckley than John Q. Citizen.

We now read that Gov. Mike Huckabee has enlisted the help of evangelical pastors in Iowa and elsewhere. One of his strongest campaigners is Pastor Rick Scarborough of Vision America. Scarborough makes no attempt to hide his intensely partisan support of Huckabee and has launched a campaign to get him elected. The hypocrisy is startling.

The LDS Church has done no campaigning for Romney. Reasonable LDS members would be highly offended if a clergy member, acting as a clergy member, ever asked them to vote for Romney simply because he too is LDS.

Scarborough has every right to campaign for whom he pleases. But as a clergyman he must answer for his actions as they relate to Christianity. Is it righteous to use religion or our Savior to campaign for a politician? Is this a blatant use of the Lord's name in vain?

Who is more likely to be beholden to their church leaders? Romney, who has no formal support of the LDS Church, or Huckabee who has formal and zealous pulpit support of countless evangelical Christian churches?

Who is more likely to pander to their church? Romney, a member of a church with 4 million American voters, or Huckabee, a member of a religion with 80 million American voters widely known for dominating Republican politics?

Get your speech ready, Gov. Huckabee. You have some explaining to do.

Mark A. Smith
Springville

Thank you

I wanted to thank The Daily Universe for hosting the 12 days of Christmas contest. Even though I didn't win anything I think it was a great idea, especially at a university that doesn't host many contests.

I also really liked the article that had tips about driving in the snow. I would love to see more tips in the future.

Finally, I'd like to thank whoever was giving out apples in the Wilkinson center before Finals. With rising obesity rates all over the U.S., that was a great healthy alternative. Plus the apples were delicious. Thank so much.

Jen Holtkamp
San Diego, Calif.

Referee apology

Before the Christmas break, there was a letter was published about a thoughtless referee, who exercising unrighteous dominion, sent out to the cold the parents of a player on a semifinal game that was being played at the IPF on a cold and snowy night.

I also think that what that referee did was not very nice, yet I am not ashamed to acknowledge that I am that referee. I do not say this because I am proud of what happened. It is just that I won't turn around and leave if I have made a mistake.

Unfortunately, some things happened that night that led to this uncomfortable situation. I just would like you to know that fortunately the parents of our friend did not stay outside of the IPF too long, so they didn’t have to watch their son play through "the frost encrusted doors of the IPF." They came back in right away and for some reason rejected the offer to go back and stand at the same place they were standing before they were asked to leave.

After the game, I took the time to go back and give my personal apologies to this family, and I really meant it. It is sad to know that an apology might sometimes not be enough to some people that hold anger in their hearts and that cannot let go.

Nevertheless, that does not change the way I feel about what happened, and hoping that this will make the author of that letter feel better. I extend my apologies once again to that family, and to all of those that might have been offended. I’m sorry for what happened. To my friend, I say, Have a good day and I hope you are doing better. And by the way, congratulations on winning the championship!

Mario Hidalgo
Zacatecas, Mexico

Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Jan 2008