AP: Utah faces boycott after Mormon work for Prop 8

[Bluebear]

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah's growing tourism industry and the star-studded Sundance Film Festival are being targeted for a boycott by bloggers, gay rights activists and others seeking to punish the Mormon church for its aggressive promotion of California's ban on gay marriage.

It could be a heavy price to pay. Tourism brings in $6 billion a year to Utah, with world-class skiing, a spectacular red rock country and the film festival founded by Robert Redford, among other popular tourist draws.

"At a fundamental level, the Utah Mormons crossed the line on this one," said gay rights activist John Aravosis, an influential blogger in Washington, D.C.

"They just took marriage away from 20,000 couples and made their children bastards," he said. "You don't do that and get away with it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081108/ap_on_re_us/mormon_backlash_boycott

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Why? Utah isn't entirely the LDS Church. This is stupid.

Why punish non-Mormons and Mormons who disagree with the LDS Church because of something they did?

I hate boycotts. Oh well, it won't have much of an impact anyway.

[Bluebear]

2. Because 80% of the money for this came from Utah Mormons. Thanks for your support.

"Oh well, it won't have much of an impact anyway." - I won't even dignify that with an answer. Just do yourself a favor and become educated about something before commenting.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. Why should I support YOU when YOU could be fucking up MY economy?

I am a non-Mormon Utahn and if tourism bolts the state, if the state takes a hit economically, it impacts a lot of innocent Utahns.

Yes, punish Utahns for something a CHURCH did. That makes sense. Boycott the LDS Church, but Utah is not the LDS Church. Sundance isn't owned by the LDS Church. The ski slopes aren't owned by the LDS Church.

[Bluebear]

4. I cited a news article. YOU said it was stupid & "oh well" won't work anyhow

[Drunken Irishman]

5. I said the idea is stupid to punish innocent people.

This is why I never support boycotting, because a lot of innocent people are hurt by it. Will it impact me? Probably not, but I'd rather not face that chance. With the economy already shit, I don't want things to get worse. I have family members who work for the state and they aren't Mormons.

Don't punish the innocents.

[JI7]

7. but the fucking hateful mormon church benefits from tax dollars from the ski slopes

and sundance.

[Drunken Irishman]

9. And a lot of other people benefit from the tourism.

A lot of innocent people who own shops and restaurants and hotels in this area. If you boycott the state, they take a hit too. The LDS Church is going to be fine, they always are. They have enough money saved to last them a lifetime. It's the local people, maybe they're Mormon and maybe they're not, who depend on business from Utah tourism. It's the shops in LIBERAL Park City, often owned by non-Mormon gay-friendly LIBERALS who can only sustain because of the ski industry and Sundance. If you boycott those tourist attractions, you're telling all these innocent people to fuck off.

See this is why I hate boycotting. It's never the corporation or the higher ups who suffer. They always get by. It's those at the bottom who are impacted. It's the same thing with corporate America. The fat cats aren't hurt when a factory shuts down in an industrial city in the Rust Belt. But that community, people who have invested their lives into their jobs, are. They are the ones who get the shaft, not the corporations.

So yeah, boycott the LDS Church, but if people decide to boycott the state, it has a far more damning impact on innocent people and it's risking stripping their economic security. People who may agree with the gay and lesbian communities. Hell, it might hurt gay and lesbians themselves -- who I might add make up a very large part of Salt Lake City (the city has consistently had one of the most active gay populations in America).

[6000eliot]

13. As opposed to the guilty gay people suffering from Prop. 8?

[Drunken Irishman]

17. Oh, I get it.

So instead of fighting this suffering, you'd rather force others to suffer with you?

And here I thought we were liberals who did not believe in the failed ideology of an eye for an eye.

Two wrongs do not make a right. There is a large gay population here in Salt Lake that openly wept and protested the results Tuesday. But that's ok to send their lives in a spiral because of something CALIFORNIA VOTERS did, right?

Thanks.

Real compassion. Just because the LDS Church threw money at this does not mean Salt Lakers and Park City citizens did.

Salt Lake is 30% LDS and Park City is even smaller than that. We protested, we fought and we lost, too. You don't think that upsets the people here in Utah? You don't think the local gay population is devastated? So you want to hurt them more?

[TeeYiYi]

85. Your numbers are not correct...

"Utah is one of four states that has one religious group comprising more than 50 percent of all religious followers in every county of the state." That's the Mormons. (Per the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce website.) http://www.saltlakechamber.org/relocation_info/religion.htm

Other numbers have the figure statewide at 69% with Salt Lake over 50%. It's not expected to fall below 50% until after the year 2030. (Per the Salt Lake Tribune who cites 62.4%.) http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2886596

At over 50%, Utah is guilty and deserves to be boycotted. The church owns Utah and would suffer from a boycott. And rightfully so!

They have no business getting involved in politics. Especially, the civil rights politics of another state. They should lose their tax exempt status...

TYY --->> A life long Utahn who witnessed first hand, the rabid Mormon response to Prop 8.

[JI7]

18. i really think those liberals who support gay rights need to publicly show they do

i have attacked the people of my state for supporting Arnold and passing that disgusting prop 8 .

[Drunken Irishman]

23. Oh they have.

They've been doing it for months. There have been protests and rallies every week here in Salt Lake fighting against the LDS Church's involvement. And tonight, 2,000 strong marched downtown protesting the LDS Church.

We are not silent here. I was there tonight and many Salt Lakers support the cause. But boycotting this city, a progressive city, does not help anyone. It does not hurt the LDS Church, it just hurts many who have invested in Salt Lake's economy. And since we aren't a world city, much the economy is built around the local market.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4728411

[Chulanowa]

61. I don't get this mentality

"Don't boycott, it'll hurt innocents!"
"Don't protest, you might offend someone!"
"Don't speak up, you might cost us a vote!"

Now, I'm not gay myself. To the best of my knowledge, I know only one gay person, even. But this shit in California, Arizona, and Florida is kind of my last straw. And I can recognize the "toss them under the bus!" mentality coming from your post. Your message is to sit down and shut up because the proposal isn't perfect.

Yes, it's unfortunate that people not involved will be hurt in some fashion by a boycott. But that's the way it goes. The bus boycott in Birmingham no doubt took a nibble at the salaries of drivers and washers and mechanics and pump attendants, a number of whom were probably on the side of those making hte boycott.

It's called solidarity. I'm willing to take a punch in the gut if it means you don't have to. Does anyone in this country remember this? Hell, does anyone in our party remember this? If Utah has any friends of the California GLBT community (or those of any state, really) then they will be willing to come short a few bucks for the rights of their friends. And if a few bucks less on hteir paycheck is going to make them turn away, then they can go to hell - they weren't friends, they were feel-good opportunists looking to cash in on a fad.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

72. No, boycott the state. You guys give them a break on state taxes.

they take that money and fuck up california. That is akin to undeclared war on social issues. Fuck Utah. Boycott Utah. Until Utah feels the pain, they won't understand the pain they caused.

If you don't like it, personally, then you do something. you live there. If you don't like the boycott, move. or act. run for office. but to bitch at us, well, you have the wrong target.

[Pab Sungenis]

73. Because the people fueling your economy took away our rights.

That's why. If the non-Mormons in Utah stop doing business with the Mormons along with us, then maybe things will change.

[Malikshah]

101. Then become and activist in your state to have the Mormon church and any other church who has

acted politically to be taxed.

Clean up the state.

In Florida we need to do the same thing.

[Zhade]

102. So... you only support equal rights for all when it's convenient for you?

NT!

[cboy4]

22. Sorry, you can't have it both ways.....you can't support the

LDS Church and then expect to be exempt of a backlash.

Tell you what .. I'd be willing to to NOT boycott any company that made a donation to the No on 8 people.

Otherwise, fuck 'em. Maybe they'll learn something.

California has far better skiing than Utah can ever dream of anyway.

[Drunken Irishman]

24. Yet you'll support California, who ultimately VOTED FOR IT.

Yeah, that isn't twisted logic.

Boycott Utah, whose voters didn't have much of a say in this.

But don't boycott the state that actually voted for it!

[cboy4]

31. It was your Mormon Church that was instrumental in

pumping enough money into my state to air outright lies on television.

The businesses in your state should have recognized this ahead of time and attempted to separate themselves from the CLDS.

Sorry you don't like it, but I think it's a good lesson for Utah.

You should have seen this coming.

[Drunken Irishman]

34. What about the voters?

You might think the LDS Church was instrumental in this, but in the end, it was the voters who cast the ballots. Your fellow citizens. Your fellow state!

Boycott them as well, ok? Or are you just going to pawn this off on Utah because you can't accept the fact that a good majority of California is just as bigoted as a majority of Utah?

[cboy4]

37. Oh there's no question about it that the ultimate responsibility

lies with the voters, but large numbers would not have voted the way they did had it not been for your state church and the multi-millions it spend on despicably deceptive television ads.

Therefore, the Mormons and Utah will not get off the hook.

Don't blame us Drunken Irishman, blame your church for causing this.

Perhaps the business community should submit a bill the the LDS to cover what I hope will be huge losses.

I would suggest next time the Mormons stick their noses where they don't belong, your so-called progressive communities in SLC and PC do more to head off this type of outcome.

Again, any business in Utah that contributed to No on 8 should be exempt from any boycott.

As for everyone else....oh well. It's a good lesson. Right?

[Drunken Irishman]

42. How do you know they wouldn't have voted that way?

Or are you suggesting Californians are dim and susceptible to false advertising?

Ultimately, though, there won't be huge losses because the boycott won't work. It won't work because the only way it'll ever work is if Hollywood decides to skip out on Sundance and they never will. It won't happen and as much as you want it to, Hollywood is just as phony in the end as most Americans. They talk a good talk, but they realize what is at stake and I guarantee you come January, Sundance will be as large and successful as it always has been.

I don't like what he LDS Church has done. I am not a member, I was never a member, but I realize their opinion is not mine or the opinion of many in Utah. Yes, Mormons by a large number are bigots. But Salt Lake isn't Mormon and most of its local businesses aren't Mormon, either.

[cboy4]

51. Did you watch all of the ads? One after they next .. they did

nothing but frighten people by lying that gay marriage would be taught in school.

That was their theme bud.

And you don't have to be dim or susceptible to false advertising to believe that, because anybody could theoretically wonder if that's true.

So it's not like the ads were so outrageous that they were next to impossible to believe. They were crafted very cleverly and they were outright lies.

As for whether the boycott will work .. who knows?

But I'm in favor of initiating it and see what happens.

This movement has gained so much traction in less than a week .. I've never seen anything like it.

Yea, SLC may not be Mormon (even though that huge headquarters is located there) and most of its businesses may not be Mormon.

But you guys didn't do enough to help. Bottom line. The business community should have donated or done more to obstruct LDS.

It did nothing, so far as I've been able to determine, except for march after they fact .. which is nice, but a little late now.

[Drunken Irishman]

54. How do you know what the local community did or did not do?

I guess anything short of burning down the LDS Temple and killing the president of the LDS Church was a failure in your eyes. We have our own battles here with the LDS Church. We've been fighting them for years and it hasn't been easy. We're not super human here, we don't have the power to just scream "STOP!" and have it stop. Just as we didn't have the power as citizens to stop the Bush administration, yet I doubt you'd want everyone to pin the blame of the last eight years on the whole country. Every community, from liberal to conservative. We didn't elect Bush and many here don't support the LDS Church. They have protested, held rallies, thousands of Utahns have joined anti-Prop 8 groups and invested money into the cause.

But it wasn't enough.

Maybe the LDS Church helped, but it isn't like California hasn't done this before. In 2000, a large number of Californians (even larger than today) voted to ban gay marriage without the help of the LDS Church.

So yeah, I think it's pretty petty to blame us all the way here in little Utah for something your people did.

[cboy4]

58. No, you're not able to use some silly vote back in the

dark ages of 2000 to defend what just happened with 8.

You know as well as I do that times have changed dramatically since 2000.

Even our Republican governor opposed Prop 8.

So stop defending the Mormons by blaming Californians.

I've already stated that the buck stops with the voters.

But there's no question Prop 8 would have been defeated had the Mormons from your state not pumped millions into this state to swiftboat gay people.

We can respectfully disagree on whether a boycott is the correct route to take and/or whether it would work.

But for you to continue to blame Californians who were swiftboated by slick ads instead of criticizing LDS first and foremost is sickening.

[MattSh]

67. OK, you say....

Ultimately, though, there won't be huge losses because the boycott won't work.

Then why spend the time to make 22 posts on this thread alone?

[Pab Sungenis]

74. Look at every poll before the LDS started their ad blitz.

That was the turning point.

If Utah revokes the LDS's tax breaks, maybe we'll change our minds.

[Unvanguard]

92. Living in Utah somehow implies supporting the LDS Church?

Do explain.

[JVS]

97. All the people from Utah that I know have serious beefs with the LDS church

[JI7]

6. innocent people ? i bet a large majority of the state opposes gay rights

i'm not sure if i support the boycott or think it would change anything.

but to describe these people as innocents ? they should condemn the mormon church then. and contribute towards gay rights organizations.

[Drunken Irishman]

12. That's some fuzzy logic.

Why not boycott California? Obviously a majority of Californians voted for this, so under your logic, you should boycott that entire state.

There are people here who did nothing wrong. They may hold their beliefs, but they did not endorse the LDS Church action. You don't see what I see. You don't see the 2,000+ strong that went downtown to protest the LDS Church tonight. You don't see the hundreds who rallied around this state prior to the election Tuesday -- many of whom were Mormon. You don't get Salt Lake City has a very open and accepted gay community, one that has established itself in Utah. Yet to make a point, these people would rather hurt those who rely on tourism FAR more than the LDS Church?

That's not cool. It's not cool to take it out on people who didn't have anything to do with this.

[ReadTomPaine]

8. K&R.. Utah is a right wing cesspit that gave Bush 71% of the vote last election...

and was one of states that supported McCain the most strongly this year. They are a perfect target for this.

May them pay. "Bleed" this "beast" until the people responsible run like whipped dogs from anything resembling political involvement again. Back into the attic with this crazy uncle.

[Drunken Irishman]

20. But Salt Lake & Park City aren't.

These two towns rely on the tourism dollars of the ski industry and Sundance. These are two of the most progressive cities in the western United States. The city of Salt Lake has embraced the gay and lesbian population and has worked on their behalf for over two decades. We have a very pro-gay rights mayor in office (on the heels of Rocky Anderson) and they have fought long and hard for equality. They were downtown (as was I) protesting the LDS Church. The vote Tuesday devastated many of them, many who have invested in the business community here and rely on tourism dollars.

Salt Lake isn't just a one dimensional economy. The city is roughly only 30% LDS and of that, most aren't even active.

I don't get why you're taking it out on Utah when it was Californians who voted against this. The LDS Church may have invested a lot of money, but Utah is not the LDS Church. Salt Lake City is not the LDS Church.

[ReadTomPaine]

29. If conservative Utah (71% for Bush) can reach across state lines to slap Californians...

Then progressive California and others can slap them right back. Don't play with fire. California is a big fish, Utah is a pipsqueak. I want to see progressive money poured into investigation of Utah Mormons as well, so we have some Texas FLDS style justice served up on a drumhead. Make these people rue that day for the rest of their miserable lives. I want them scared to death of politics. I want them to shutter the doors and the windows when election season rolls around.

Oh and the KoC and others don't get a free pass either, but that's a topic for another thread.

[Drunken Irishman]

32. I see how it goes.

You're not talking about the 71%. You're talking about Salt Lake City & Park City. Salt Lake City did not vote for Bush. Salt Lake City has not voted Republican in many elections. It isn't the Republicans you're going to hurt, because they all live outside of the city. They don't have anything to do with the skiing industry or the Sundance, those are built around the two lone progressive Utah towns: Salt Lake City & Park City.

So when you come and slap us, you're slapping the people on your side. You're slapping the thousands of Salt Lakers who have been protesting the LDS Church long before they even got involved in the California vote. You're slapping the thousands of Salt Lakers who went to the streets tonight on the behalf of gay Californians (http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4728411).

Yet no discussion about boycotting the voters of California who actually voted for this. Why? Why does the entire state get a pass, yet you take it out on Utah? We here in Salt Lake didn't force the millions of Californians to vote for it. We didn't have a say. But we'll be the first to take the hit and all because the Mormon Church is located here?

Well boycott Italy!

[ReadTomPaine]

35. You haven't seen the half of it yet.

If you don't want to suffer, fix your Mormon problem and do it quick before you become collateral damage in a culture war, because otherwise it will be fixed for you and you won't like the consequences one bit.

This isn't going away. It's only just begun.

[Drunken Irishman]

38. Why don't you fix YOUR problem?

You know, the fact a majority of voters voted against it? You want to throw out threats, yet ignore the fact that when it comes down to it, Californians voted for this. Not Utahns. Not Salt Lake.

But you know, California always gets a pass. They're such an awesome state! It's cool! You know, everyone loves California and they can never do any wrong and when they do it's someone else's fault. Utahns are to blame because a majority of Californians voted for this. That is the most fucked up logic I have ever heard on DU and you should be ashamed of yourself for pushing it.

Always need to find a scapegoat, while ignoring the real issue here: California is just as bigoted as Utah. They just hide it better. So instead of looking at your own fellow citizens, you'll come here and take it out on me. Wow, it kind of sounds like the world's mindset toward America during the Bush years.

Do what you want. I don't care. I'm done because I think your petty boycott won't do a damn thing. When Sundance rolls around, everyone and their fucking dog will fill the state, pour millions of dollars into the economy and then leave, returning a year later. The same folk who opposed the measure in California are the same folk who invest in Sundance and will be here bright and early January 2009. They'll kiss Robert Redford's ass, the blogs will go live celeb hunting down Main Street in LIBERAL Park City and you and I both know this.

So I'm done defending Utah. I know there are bigots here. I know the LDS Church is filled with hate toward gay & lesbian couples. But I don't believe you should take YOUR pain out on people YOU believe are responsible for it. Especially when they're right there in your own back yard. Yes, the LDS Church pumped a ton of money into it, but in the end, they didn't force people to vote yes. They voted yes on their own and those people are the ones you should REALLY blame.

Your fellow hate-filled citizens.

[ReadTomPaine]

44. Other conservatives than just those responsible in Utah will come to rue that day...

bank on it, but Utah is going to be the poster boy and they deserve every kiss of the whip they are going to get.

[BostonMa]

45. BOYCOTT SUNDANCE

[Drunken Irishman]

48. Go right ahead!

[ReadTomPaine]

52. That's just the tip of the iceberg. I want to see Texas FLDS style investigations started.

I want to see the sick, misogynistic practices and financial fraud of this cult at last exposed and given the legal treatment they have so long deserved. I'd frankly prefer that Sundance simply be moved to another state. Conservative Utah doesn't deserve it. It should be in a blue state.

[Drunken Irishman]

55. Well Redford ain't moving it.

He loves Utah and he calls the shots. Maybe when he dies you'll get your hope, but it isn't moving anywhere for the foreseeable future.

[Drunken Irishman]

47. Uh huh, I'll believe it when I see it.

The boycott is all talk because let's be honest, how many gay & lesbian couples even come and vacation in Utah? The only time they're here is for Sundance and that isn't going to take a hit. Utah is a family oriented state and its tourism is geared toward that. The bottom line is that this has never been a hotbed for liberal tourism. The only liberals who vacation here are celebs and they couldn't care less about the gay & lesbian cause. They might say they do. They might cut ads for it and they might say they were against Prop 8, but in the end, they'll go on living their lives just like they do every time something they believe in gets the shaft. They'll be here January for Sundance and they'll continue vacationing in their Park City and Deer Valley homes, while families from back east, mostly Republican families (you know, it's not cheap flying a family out to Utah for a weekend of skiing) won't give two shits about a progressive boycott.

I get you want to feel you'll hurt little tiny puny Utah, but in the end, you won't. You might pick off a few locally owned businesses, but unless you get Robert Redford to move Sundance, it's not going to be major.

And Robert Redford -- as liberal as he is -- won't do that.

[Zhade]

104. "You know, the fact a majority of voters voted against it?" Um...

I wish the majority HAD voted against it. Then we wouldn't be having this conversation!

"petty boycott"? You think our fight for equal rights is PETTY?

[cboy4]

40. Excellent meme. "Fix your Mormon problem."

That's exactly how I feel.

And you're right, it has only just begun.

Yes indeed.

[orleans]

43. has there been any backlash against the morman church in utah?

are people doing anything to protest the church that so heavily promoted prop 8?

(i honestly don't know--that's why i'm asking)

[Bluebear]

46. There was a protest tonight, and the church released a statement whining they were being persecuted

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4412694&mesg_id=4412694

[orleans]

59. from your link:

"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election."

i didn't realize a church has a "democratic right" to speak up in a "free election."

since when?

they should have their tax exemption revoked

[Zhade]

105. I also didn't realize that taking away others' rights was a democratic right.

Pretty sure it's not, actually.

[Drunken Irishman]

49. They've been protesting for weeks.

The LDS Church and Salt Lake Citizens do not get along. They never have.

The LDS Church has been a thorn in Salt Lake's side for years. Hell, the city even took the Church to court over a swath of land a few years back. It's a rocky relationship and always has been. Unfortunately, it's not like Salt Lake can say, "Hey, why don't you go relocate to Boise, Idaho, where most of the Mormons are flocking."

[orleans]

60. what have they been protesting for weeks about?

i was talking about their backing of prop 8--and it just passed.

were peole protesting about *this* before nov. 4th?

[Pab Sungenis]

75. Sure you can.

Revoke their tax benefits.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

10. Well, then...

It might be time for the good, non-LDS people of Utah to stand up to the church and say "enough", rather than attack those who have already had their lives ripped asunder by a lot of LDS meddling and money.

Sad for those who didn't have a dog in this hunt, but if you play with shit, you get it on you. The LDS may be tolerable and acceptible for you in the good times, but now? The coin flips.

[Bluebear]

11. Hey, how are you feeling?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

14. Incrementally better.

Still sore and swollen, stamina is for shit. That said, it beats the alternatives. ;-)

[Bluebear]

16. You have been missed and thought of.

All the best :)

[Drunken Irishman]

15. Come to Utah and see that they're doing just that.

Like I said above, it's not going to be the LDS Church who hurts from this. It's going to be Salt Lake City -- which is a very progressive city and Park City -- which is a very progressive city. Those towns depend largely on the ski industry and Sundance and they will be impacted greatly by it. The same Salt Lake City that elected Rocky Anderson, the same Salt Lake City which has embraced the gay and lesbian population more than most cities ever would.

The LDS Church won't be impacted at all in this event. They can withstand a boycott because they have money up the ass. They're corporation and because of it, they can take the hit. But it's the citizens who run locally owned shops and hotels that will suffer if tourism tanks. It's the businesses in progressive Park City and Salt Lake City that will take a hit and Salt Lake City and as a citizen of Salt Lake, I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN TO MY CITY.

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. Boycotting a state for the actions of SOME of its citizens is counterproductive and wrong.

The mormon church DOES NOT represent the whole of Utah. Boycott the entire state and you/me/we run the risk of sending mimimum wage workers (such as those who work in Utah's tourist industry) further into poverty. How many of them do you think have ANY power over the voting public? Boycott them and run the risk of alienating people who might have voted NO on Prop H8te had they had the chance. Boycott them, cause them to lose their jobs, and send them to the other side through NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. THAT'S the ticket! Fuck them all!

Ever been to Utah? Have an opinion of Utah based on ANYTHING other than what you've heard from people who hate it? Does the narrow field of vision in your goggles account for ANYONE who lives in the state but DOESN'T support the mormon church?

Fuck them all, right? Fuck them all for being born in Utah? Fuck them all for LIVING in Utah? Fuck EVERYONE from Utah? Your boycotts don't affect ANYONE BUT the people who DON'T have enough money left over after paying for food and utilities to buy a Mercedes Benz. You want to guarantee that THE POOR in Utah will suffer WHETHER THEY SUPPORT THE mormon CHURCH OR NOT. Because that's what boycotts do; Fuck EVERYONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE MONEY, regardless of who they work for, or where they might have been born regardless of their own PERSONAL BELIEFS.

Forget that there are mormons in ARIZONA, in Idaho, New Mexico, and a whole bunch of neighboring states. Fuck them too! Who CARES whether or not they ascribe to the tenets of the mormom religion.

WE HAVE TO FUCK SOMEONE over this debacle; Why don't we make it the citizens of states who live where the mormons do, whether they are believers or not?

Fire up my torch and WHERE'S MY WHITE HOOD?

[Bluebear]

21. Are you yelling at me or at the Associated Press? ("Your boycotts")

The idea of this reported boycott certainly is stirring up a lot of 'fucks' and outrage!

[cherokeeprogressive]

26. Boycotting a STATE because of the actions of a FEW of its citizens is FUCKED.

I'll yell at YOU, your friends, your compatriots, and anyone else who believes that citizens who have no dog in this fight should be FUCKED because of your anger over the way voters in CALIFORNIA voted.

Have you ANY clue as to what areas mormons control and who may live there?

[Bluebear]

27. FUCKED FUCKED FUCKED is what you are getting riled up by reading an AP article.

Why don't you write Aravosis and tell him what a fucked idea it is, k?

[donheld]

25. Sounds like a plan to me

[Bluebear]

28. See some of the hot-tempered reaction here.

Wow.

[ReadTomPaine]

30. Too bad for them. n/t

[cherokeeprogressive]

33. Too bad for the citizens of Utah who are NOT mormon, and who did NOT vote yes on Prop H8te.

Progressive.

If you think boycotts will affect those who HAVE money, you're daft. If you think your boycott does anything other than further the divide between those who HAVE, and those who HAVE NOT, you're daft.

[ReadTomPaine]

36. Utah is a right wing cesspit.

The faster the economy of that state is brought to its knees, the better.

[Drunken Irishman]

57. Actually, I wouldn't mind.

The problem with Utah is that so many people are moving here, especially Californians. It's one of the fastest growing states in the country and the problem with that is Salt Lake City is expanding. It's becoming essentially a suburb of LA and it's losing its western charm. The reason I enjoy living in Salt Lake is because it never felt as crowded as most cities its size (the valley has about a million people). So in the end, if the growth stagnates and the population declines, we get to keep the small, western progressive, outdoors town. Instead of the overpopulated, smog filled LA Junior it's becoming.

Unfortunately, I do not see this finding any traction. But you can try. Hey, PM me and maybe I can give you a list of places locally to boycott.

[Zhade]

106. Why in the world are people moving TO Utah?

NT!

[a la izquierda]

77. Some compassion you have...

for your Democratic brethren in that state.
I don't agree with this thread AT ALL, but your tone in every single post is revolting.

But you have crossed the line with every post as it relates to "red" states and "conservative cesspits". I live in a "conservative cesspit" and i'll be damned if your rhetoric is ever going to work to change anybody's mind here.

[ReadTomPaine]

83. This isn't about compassion. It's about consequences.

Utah is one of the most conservative states in the union and no one there responsible for this travesty is about to change their mind anytime soon. This isn't about giving anyone a carrot. It's about using the stick instead.

They are going to learn that actions have consequences, and to keep their sick mouths shut if their closed minds refuse to open. I save compassion for people who deserve it. Those who don't deserve something else.

[azurnoir]

39. What I see here is

a couple of people who are "Oh so supportive" at least until it could conceivably cost them something.

[Bluebear]

41. A lot of anger for something that "won't have much of an impact anyway"

:crazy:

[Drunken Irishman]

50. You're right, I jumped the gun.

I jumped the gun because I'm tired of everyone assuming we all hate the gays here in Utah.

Every time I say I'm from Utah I get a dirty look, like I'm either some freak or some ultra-right fucktard that can't think for myself.

I love Salt Lake City. I love the mountains and I love the progressive nature of my city. I get defensive when people slam it. I jumped the gun because of that. But you're right, it won't have much of an impact because tourism here isn't based around the gay & lesbian community, it never has been.

[Bluebear]

53. Here's what you don't realize. Gays & lesbians don't tour because of "communities"

I could give a shit about visiting a gay community, I travel with my partner of 23 years (who I can't marry). But we do go skiing, we do go to historical places, restaurants, etc.

You assume that gays need to visit some gay-related parcels and that is just not always true. Maybe single 22 year olds.

[Drunken Irishman]

56. No, but I think gay & lesbian couples like to vacation in more progressive places.

And Utah ain't progressive. It hasn't been progressive since the Roosevelt administration.

It's no secret the skiing industry targets families over anything. And those who generally come to Salt Lake to vacation are from back east (not California, since they have their own slopes) and are upper middle class white straight couples.

[WVRICK13]

70. I'm Confused

I think I read in several of your other posts that SLC and lots of Utah is very progressive. Am I missing something?

BTW, I agree the entire state should not suffer because of LDS, you suffer enough by having so many cultist living there.

[Bluebear]

94. Well, good question!

[Chulanowa]

63. Exactly

They'll be your drinking buddy until the tab comes due.

[TexasObserver]

62. I think this kind of action is well advised.

The LDS has stepped into the middle of this controversy and declared war on gays.

An appropriate response is to target the church and the one state it controls for a boycott, as well as targeting their tax exempt status.

[Greyhound]

64. Just as Arizona lost the Superbowl and untold billions of tourist dollars

for refusing to allow a holiday in honor of MLK about 20 years ago, Utah will have to pay for letting the nut-bars run their state too.

If you don't think the LDS Church runs Utah, try being a non-Mormon and open a business there.

[Hansel]

84. And threatened boycotts of South Dakota over the anti-abortion law.

I don't remember anyone arguing against that.

[Greyhound]

86. Good point. n/t

:kick:

[kath]

91. Wasn't there also a travel boycott on one of the Carolinas because the State House flew the

Confederate flag?

Boycotts CAN be effective.

[JanMichael]

95. yep. and it worked.

;)

[JVS]

98. Both the AZ and SC boycotts were triggered by action of those state Governments.

This is akin to boycotting Michigan as a consequence of GM's actions.

[ColbertWatcher]

65. Good, they earned it! Congratulations, Utah! n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

66. Utah had anticipated this problem by advertising on tv here in NY. I have never seen a Utah tourism

ad here before. My first thought was, hell would have to freeze over before I would ever think of going to Utah.

[Greyhound]

68. "Frozen Hell" so you have visited...

:rofl:

Seriously, it is beautiful but the people that run the place...

unbelievable.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

82. I've heard it's a beautiful place! An old customer lives there. She is a fish out of

water. She's originally from Long Island, NY and she's Jewish! Just think about it. lol!

The only experience I've had with Utah is by watching a favorite show of mine. :)

[catgirl]

69. Punish the Sundance Film Festival?

That's ridiculous. He had nothing to do with anything. He's a leading environmentalist
and a great guy, who runs a great film festival. Get with it.

[Bluebear]

87. What do you mean "get with it"?

[catgirl]

88. That wasn't meant to you directly...

It was meant for anyone who would want to include the film festival, or Redford's
resort in a boycott, since he is an activist on another important issue. Robert Redford
is a prominent environmentalist who is involved in the NRDC. He has nothing to do with
Mormons.

I was reacting to this part of the article:

Utah's growing tourism industry and the star-studded Sundance Film Festival are being targeted for a boycott by bloggers, gay rights activists and others seeking to punish the Mormon church for its aggressive promotion of California's ban on gay marriage.

"seeking to punish the Mormon church...."

[Bluebear]

89. Ah.

Yeah Redford rocks. The ski trails etc can go to hell lol.

[POAS]

71. GOOD, Just in time for ski season!

[Joanne98]

76. Good

[MountainLaurel]

81. Ditto that. n/t

[MiniMe]

78. I've been seeing a ton of Utah tourism commercials lately

And I'm on the East Coast. They may be bankrupting themselves with the advertisements.

[kiranon]

96. We were going to vacation in Moab, Utah but not now.

Straight mom of 4 kids who voted NO on Prop. 8 and deeply resent the money spent by the Morman faithful to write discrimination into the California Constitution.

[Corkey Mineola]

79. Fucking A

Starve those bastards out.

[nichomachus]

80. I propose just the opposite

Actually, someone here on DU proposed it and I stole the idea.

Instead of going to Gay Pride marches in NYC, LA, SFO, Chicago, etc., every gay and lesbian person in the country should save their pennies and descend on SLC for their pride march. I would love the sight of two million gays and lesbians massed in front of the Temple shouting "Shame." So, would the TV cameras.

[dana_b]

103. that's an excellent idea!

I hope it happens.

[Crabby Appleton]

90. I'm boycotting California

[NorthCarolina]

93. I agree, keep the pressure up n/t

[JVS]

99. Boycotting Utah will only strengthen the LDS hold on the state.

They're already one of the biggest shows in town. When the other wielders of influence are winnowed out, they'll be in a better position.

[ellie]

100. Good.

Reason #5697021 why I hate religion. And southern Utah is beautiful. It's a damn shame. But these people need to be taught a lesson: mind their own goddamn business. Solidarity!

[Dorian Gray]

107. Interesting

I'd like to see if the Hollywood types would go through with an actual Sundance Boycott.

I wonder how influential something like this could be, and the tourism aspect could really hurt Utah overall.