Tacenda

Not at all if they were just as qualified. I think often these DEI's are fairer in the segments that are not allowing the equality. And after reading the below, it's making a world of color, instead black and white thinking. Benefits of DEI Hiring Enhanced Business Performance: Studies show that companies with diverse leadership and teams are more likely to achieve higher financial returns and outperform their peers. Boosted Innovation: Diverse perspectives and experiences lead to more creative problem-solving and innovative ideas within teams. Wider Talent Access: Inclusive hiring practices tap into broader talent pools, accessing skilled candidates who might otherwise be excluded. Improved Retention: Employees are more likely to remain with a company where they feel valued, heard, and respected, contributing to lower turnover. Stronger Employer Brand: A commitment to DEI enhances an organization's reputation, making it a more attractive place to work. Better Market Understanding: A diverse workforce provides deeper insights into global markets and diverse customer bases. Addressing Misconceptions Meritocracy: Opponents of DEI often claim it compromises meritocracy, but supporters argue that it actually challenges outdated power structures and broadens who is considered for positions based on merit. Reverse Discrimination: DEI is not about discrimination but rather about correcting historical inequities by opening doors for all qualified individuals to thrive and contribute their diverse skills and experiences. Zero-Sum Game: DEI is not a zero-sum game where benefits for some mean losses for others; rather, it creates a work environment where everyone can benefit from wider perspectives and improved collaboration.

I'm not sure this is going to go well, but I actually like some of this advice for dating people from Kirk. So hey, open mind, but it's like the poster in the LDS church for the youth back in the day, with the cockroach in the ice cream. See c/p at the bottom. The video below, I don't mind and actually like most of. And an article among many that show Kirk saying Simone is a sociopath, maybe he's immature or riding some wave of downing those on the left or liberals. I'm sure now he'd be saddened with his actions after seeing what Simone actually has been through. And BTW, if one today sees a video with Simone Biles saying something about Charlie and his death, it's probably AI. https://www.newsweek.com/charlie-kirk-brands-simone-biles-shame-country-after-olympics-exit-1613809

I understand some of your complaints, I had similar experiences. But it's really up to the member to be proactive and find out why the visits are lame I guess, something I'd never do in a million years though. The ball is dropped a lot in this area, I was a gung-ho, RS visiting teacher back when it was called that. I loved my visits and the friendships I made. Then when getting different partners, so missed my former ones, they maybe gave me partners that hated doing VT'g because I had to nearly be a stalker to coordinate going. Plus, the ladies we'd visit weren't excited to have us come anyway. So that was when it all changed for me, sadly. I'm glad you have your friend circles. I've been wanting to go visit a meeting held every Sunday at my local Harmon's store upstairs that has nothing to do with the church or anti LDS. It's a discussion group where they talk about feelings, and what's happening in the world, and so many topics. I've yet to go, but want to. Now I forgot the name of the meetings' group.

That's one of many things I like about the church, it's organization to help serve others.

How exciting, I'll never forget my experience when my stake invited the Baptist Choir in SLC, UT during the Christmas season and we combined our ward choirs with them. We were given permission to clap and when that song came up there were the LDS stake leaders swaying and clapping and singing on the stand, that was a first. I tell ya, I did feel a strong spirit while participating that evening and singing that song that the Baptist Choir had us sing a long with them. Now the problem as I've watched, the songs that have been added already, such as "Amazing Grace", aren't really being sung in Sacrament Meetings is it? I get the ward program every week on my email, and look for it every time. I would just love to sit in Sacrament and actually be a witness to these songs. And now, "Go Tell It On The Mountain"! That would be awesome! Has anyone sung these songs much in Sacrament Meetings? I'd love to know.

I'm so sorry sunstoned. It changed so many lives in many ways.

EXACTLY

no words

I like the female star, I think I'll give it a try.

I'm watching, "Barefoot in the Park", in honor of Robert Redford, and I love it! The quality of film is amazing compared to nowadays. And the acting, comedy, etc. So good!

Believe me, I'm surrounded by those that think the same as you juliann. My sisters, my friends, my neighbors. It might be what we watch, the countless social media posts, etc. I do like facts and try to find the real news. But I do find I'm wrong when I read the Snopes website and other fact checking places, when I think I'm right. But, we all need to see something that just might be truth! The elite billionaire crowd, or those behind Project 2025 (white Nationalists) may just have planned this from years ago. They want the parties (us) to fight each other within, that's how they're going to get to us. We will fight, and then they will think a king is in order and bring on the troops and there goes the America our forefathers dreamed of and made happen, and our soldiers by the hundreds or thousands, died to keep. Audios, Au revoir, Adiós, Sayonara, Arrivederci, Auf Wiedersehen, Zàijiàn, Chao, Ciao to the great US of A! https://www.americanprogress.org/article/project-2025-would-destroy-the-u-s-system-of-checks-and-balances-and-create-an-imperial-presidency/

Never thought I'd see this in my lifetime.

The many firings of people for saying negative things about Charlie Kirk is getting scary. The latest is Jimmy Kimmel's firing. All he said was that the shooter (Robinson) could be a Trump supporter and Republican. Or I believe this is the exact quote, "The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."The FCC, or Brandon Carr who was put in by Trump's admin went after ABC to fire Kimmel, same as what happened to Stephen Colbert. And Pam Bondi's going after those with hate speech and feels like that's just fine, my words. https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2025/07/29/brendan-carr-fcc-trump/85415115007/ It seems to me, Democracy is very close to vanishing.

My thoughts to add to you and your sons' input is that a short time ago there was shooter that was a trans person and the backlash for that and the Pam Bondi's out there it made me wonder if Tyler Robinson was afraid for his lover, the soon to be transitioning transsexual, and took out those feelings on Charlie Kirk. But for sure, the kind of gaming you mentioned, could be a piece of the puzzle. And if Tyler Robinson is gay and LDS, it's pretty difficult mentally, IMO.

Kirk mentions a lot of people being DEI hires as if they didn't put in a lot of study and work in educating themselves to become what they did. May I mention the Supreme Court judge, Ketanji Brown Jackson? I listened to her book on Audible and she isn't how Kirk portrayed below, along with the others. "If we would have said three weeks ago […] that Joy Reid and Michelle Obama and Sheila Jackson Lee and Ketanji Brown Jackson were affirmative-action picks, we would have been called racist. But now they're coming out and they're saying it for us! They're coming out and they're saying, "I'm only here because of affirmative action." Yeah, we know. You do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You had to go steal a white person's slot to go be taken somewhat seriously." This quote and others are new to me, since his death. I had watched in the past, maybe two times his debates. And in those debates both black's and women's rights were spoken of. Kirk, would probably have loved to live in the 1950's, IMO. Which sometimes, seems ideal. For the men especially. Me, myself and I was conditioned to believe it's best for a mother to be in the home and raise children. Until I think that if the mother is so unhappy, she may not be the best situation for the child, and many children do just fine in a daycare in that situation. It has so many variables. Back to your question, I thought it great for the students that disagreed to be able to say what they felt and good that Kirk encouraged opposite viewpoints, as long as it was for the right reasons, Kirk wanting debates. I think we cannot change the fact that there are actual LGBTQ, and there are women with different likes etc. That we shouldn't put them in a box. And there is a reason to be diverse, equal, and inclusive. The only reason this is so, is because there are people that want a white race only, and only one faith belief, which is Christian. But the Lord or God or ? that created us, may not have wanted that. The Bible has a lot wrong in it. And that is maybe where Kirk should be given a break among some other reasons. He was a Bible basher for lack of better words. Sorry for the long answer bluebell, I respect you and others on this board and tried my best to answer. ETA: I may just delete. This is such a personal subject to all of us.

I don't celebrate his death, nor do I celebrate the words he spoke that I think can do damage.

Sure does exclude so many, it's like being invited, but not totally accepted. All about the committing and promising or covenanting. But the journey in Mormonism, or being a member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be a great way of living. A safe haven for those that come from unsafe situations or horrible childhoods with no guidance or love. So I look at it like if I were to go back I will be a cafeteria Mormon and pick and choose. And I think the church is okay with that. It's all in how you believe I guess. If you have a belief in some kind of maker or Saviour that will get you far enough in the church, maybe not to the very top, but enough that you may get some spiritual and social experience in the church. But look who I'm talking to?? You and your wife experienced the church for years, and sadly there was a bad egg who really choked the good feelings you'd had. Sadly the members in the wards you attended will now miss out. I hope you find the place physically and spiritually that will be the best place. Maybe you already have, so glad you're posting because I like the things you say.

Here is a Snopes on a comment Kirk made that is enough to make me worry of what could come if these statements became actions. Still sorry he was killed, still think he could have made a switch to not having these types of ideas. https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/09/15/charlie-kirk-public-executions/?utm_source=mail.snopes.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=what-kirk-said-about-children-watching-public-executions-chris-hayes&_bhlid=9316b1c2a713189c1243253863ec28051e06f63f

nevermind

Totally agree with you, wouldn't it be awesome if the Republican leaders in congress did do something about gun control after Charlie's violent death? But pretty ironic if this is what it took. They'd be in a rock and a hard place. Because after all the deaths, children, precious children and their families, and this is what it might take. But I'd take it over not having something happen. Here's something I'd seen a while back that is startling, but doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that it's what works: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/studies-gun-massacre-deaths-dropped-during-assault-weapons-ban-increased-after-expiration https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-is-clear-gun-control-saves-lives1/

Yes, I could have come up with a different scenario for a comparison than using "A Passion of the Christ". I've never seen it even. Just know it was graphic. When I saw a video of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, very soon after it happened and it came up on social media, it looked like it just grazed the neck area and I was so hoping that was all it did, so hoping. I don't like a lot of Charlie's statements, some are pretty terrible. He's young and may have changed his mind eventually. Probably not a terrible human. Just his thinking is extreme. And in our world we need to stay in the middle IMO. Thanks for your input as always.

Maybe the MAGA movement or some in it, want people to see something similar to Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ". Since so many put Kirk on a pedestal. In Utah I saw the vigils, interviews etc. about their sadness of losing Kirk. And the movement, "The Turning Point" might be like a rolling stone and gather more than if this didn't happen. Here's a Wiki that I thought goes into the life of Charlie Kirk pretty well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Kirk

Thanks for that quote, I've read it often, and the awesome thoughts throughout your post. Posting the poem again for reference: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. —Martin Niemoller

Okay, I'm for that, and I'm not all innocent on this. Thanks Nemesis, for your great patience.

Thanks @Stargazer! I'd forgotten it was there. In my memory I thought it was as we came in the front door, not to the left of it. It is a beautiful sight. Sometimes change to some isn't always best.