http://billingsgazette.co...f818a.html

If I were to grow and sell corn, I am not responsible for those who turn it into whiskey any more than the person who sells ephedrine in a pharmacy is responsible for those who turn it into meth. I also don't believe that pharmacists who sell day after birth control are responsible for the results of that.

Ah, but these folks are growing barley specifically FOR brewers. You sign the contract before you plant. So, they know they are making beer but, hey, if you are a farmer, you need the money.

Ah, It seems greed eventually triumphs over thriftiness.

Just because you eschew (yeah, I said it) a practice doesn't mean that you think everyone who does it is evil. I avoid artificial sugar but I don't cast an evil eye at those who drink Diet Coke. An example from popular TV: The baker at Charm City Cakes, from the TV show Ace of Cakes, is vegan. Yet everyday he breaks open dozens of eggs to make the cakes for the bakery. Do I think he's a hypocrite? No. The proscription against alcohol is a health measure more than anything. Some in the church see it as a gentile evil but Brigham Young himself spoke of its medicinal uses. The prohibition was mostly against excessive consumption. Over time it's become a general prohibition. Like the farmer in the article says,"People will look at me and say, 'You're a Mormon, why do you grow barley?' I just don't have a problem with it. I don't think people who drink beer are bad."

Criminy, they must really be having a hard time filling up the pages in the Billings Gazette this week.

If you were to expand this logic, what else couldn't a Mormon farmer grow? Corn has been mentioned already, but other grains including wheat can be used to make alcohol. You also couldn't grow fruit of any kind and make sure the weeds are killed to because you wouldn't want somebody to make dandelion wine.

I really don't think this is a big deal.

As has already been mentioned, spirits can be made from many kinds of agricultural products whether grains, fruits or what have you. In Russia (and other parts, too, I'm sure), they even make vodka from potatoes...the product that put Idaho on the map, isn't it?

A farmer, whether Mormon, another faith or no faith at all, just grows the crop to make a living. As long as the crop, itself, is legal then what the buyer does with it is not the farmer's concern nor should it be.

I think it should be up to their conscience and not for us to comment on.

Wendy, I do not shun your religion. Some of my dearest friends in the world are Morman. I have a high regard for many of the LDS teachings. I just throw things out from time to time to agitate, (for pure pleasure). Of course, I am not LDS because there are specific things with which I personally disagree. This is my right and I respect your right to believe as you wish. My ancestors were farmers and I am behind them all the way in profitable farming operations.

I agree with Cheryl. We should all respect Wendy's right to be a mormon and wear secret underwear and worship salamanders and that sort of stuffs.

Lets all try to be a little bit more tolerant of others here.

First, I don't think Wendy is a member of LDS, I believe she is very familiar with the religion because she lives in an area with a high population of Mormons.

Second, what do people make of this scenario: I'm friends with a "Jack Mormon" whose family is deeply religious. She has had me over to her family's place many times and we have also gone to dinner with them. She has requested on all these occasions that I not bring alcohol to the home (which seemed like a no brainer) but also not to order alcohol when dining out with her family. Seems to me if they would be upset with me drinking in front of them they would be against other members of the church growing grains for the purpose of making alcohol.

Not salamanders, Gunnar. It's newts, newts. I've told you a thousand times.

I have seen Mormons refuse dijon mustard, due to its heavy wine content. I have been present at a discussion regarding the possibility that Johnny Corino's was spiking its olive oil decanters with wine, to increase the amount of free bread that was consumed (no, I have no idea how or why this would work).

I would also note that these things were done by LDS members who grew up outside the "core", and it seemed to be done as an attempt to suck up to the "core" LDS who were present at the time. So, some complex interactions all around.

Now, I fully support Wendy's right to wear the underwear of her choice, and if the planet Kobol can only be found by following a giant salamander spirit guide, well, I guess that's her call as well.

Newts? I don't think so. Maybe in your liberal biased mainstream media. A fair and balanced look says "salamander"....

http://wikiality.wikia.com/Mormon

Gunnar, I just read the article you referred. It reads as though it were written by a third grader. (not worthy of comment)

Cheryl, I respectfully have to disagree with you. That "article" is in fact an entry for an on-line encyclopedia, which by that very nature, makes it a fact.

If you want to question the veracity of blogs, opinion pages, etc......fine. But please do not question the encyclopedia, as many skilled on-line editors have worked hard to make it the final source of truthiness.

If Wendy is LDS, then I am a devout Mooslim.

>> We should all respect Wendy's right to be a mormon and wear secret underwear

DependsT . . . I suppose on the circumstances.

You may be at that point in your long life, Hal. I, however, am not.

Nah . . . I'm not quite ready yet to be pampered. Though I did get a start the other morning while taking a short cut through the brush and came close to needing some backup : -) : -)

I think Wendy needs a Huggie.

What have we come to that we are telling puny diaper jokes?

What have we come to that we are telling puny diaper jokes?

Everyone Luvs a good joke!

Dear Webmaster,

Please delete all my posts from this thread. I'm ashamed to be associated with it.