Midterm Cartoons

I thought of a couple cartoon ideas in light of the midterm elections.

Here's the one that ended up in the paper today:


And here's one I drew but didn't fit on the opinion page (that's what a blog is for!):

Ansah learns all about football, America and life

I'm a little late getting this one up. This is the profile I wrote about Ezekiel Ansah, a BYU football player from Ghana.

(photo by Luke Hansen)

Ansah learns all about football, America and life*
(If that link doesn't work, click here and go to page 3: http://newsnet.byu.edu/pdf/du20101029.pdf)

This story took a long time to get in the paper. I wrote it way back before the Air Force game. We didn't want to run the story without photos, even if it was a photo of him on the sidelines. But I didn't realize that not only did Ansah not play, he didn't travel with the team. And then for the next home game, he didn't dress down.

I finally looked for pictures of Ansah online and asked the websites' permission to use their photos. But they didn't respond quickly enough for the story to run on Oct. 22., so the story had to wait. (They did respond, but it was a day late.)

Then, on the Oct. 23 home game against Wyoming, Ansah played! We got some pictures (thanks, Luke!), and the next week at practice I interviewed Ansah again and updated my story.

Anyway, on Oct. 29, the story was finally in the paper.

Enjoy!

BYU's get-'Rich'-quick scheme

So it was my turn again to write a football viewpoint. Coming into the BYU vs. Wyoming game, I had no idea what to write about. Then, in the second quarter I saw Andrew Rich dive for a ball and crash into one of Wyoming's card tables. That's when I knew to write about Rich and what I've observed over the season.

BYU's get 'Rich' quick scheme

Even when BYU's defense has been in trouble, Rich has been able to make things happen. Against Wyoming, Rich only had four tackles ... but that's actually a sign of progress. (Read my viewpoint to find out more.)

Here are the other two football stories:

Not pretty, but it's a win - by Sarah Gambles

BYU fans rewarded for braving rain - by Alex Hairston

The last one was about something really cool that happened. At kickoff, the stadium was basically empty. Alex, Sarah and I were talking about how empty the stadium was. But soon after, the stadium filled up a bit more and the official attendance was recorded as 60,505. When someone brought it up in the postgame press conference, Bronco Mendenhall actually teared up a little bit. It was cool to see.

We also had a cool page for an NBA preview.

Here's the page: 2010-11 NBA Preview (go to page 5)

And here are the stories:

Newness Abounds - by Dallin Turner (not one of our sports writers, but the sports expert on the copy desk)

Predicting the East - Sarah Sanders

Predicting the West - Josh Bolding

Oh, and I received the grand honor of being invited to write for the Man Stuff blog. It was started by a few guys in my ward, and at an elders quorum activity Mike Smith and I were talking about sports and journalism and he asked me if I was interested in their blog. Pretty cool. I plan on writing an introductory post soon.

This Week at the Sports Desk

1) I wrote another swimming story! The BYU swim and dive team will be part of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation next year, which takes care of one of the sports that would be left out of a conference when BYU goes to the West Coast Conference.

Our swim beat writer had gymnastics practice the same afternoon we wanted the story done. So since I wasn't too busy, I went and did it myself. It was fun to see the swimmers again. And, I whipped out the story in less than an hour. I've come a long ways since I was a 321er.

BYU swim, dive finds a home in the MPSF

2) O'Neill Chambers was suspended for the rest of the football season, and will likely transfer to another school once this semester is over. Of course, BYU and Bronco Mendenhall don't give too many details on what Chambers actually did. But, we found out anyway.

Chambers offers his version of suspension

One of our football writers, Alex Hairston, found a way to talk to Chambers himself and get his side of the story. And we got it before Jay Drew or Greg Wrubell did. In less than 24 hours, the story got 1,700 hits on the website. Pretty impressive. Good work, Alex!

3) DU Halloween Party!

(I hope Kaye doesn't mind that I stole this picture from her Facebook page.)

I'm in the back with the sunglasses and the comb, I went as a '50s greaser. My wife Erin is in the witch hat and orange Halloween shirt, and she's holding our little kitty cat baby girl Allisyn.

To contribute to the massive collection of treats, Erin made "bone breadsticks." They are regular breadsticks, but before they are cooked each end is slit and spread apart to make the shape of a bone. Like this:


We also made a cool drink that I remember my family making when I was younger. The drink can be anything (we did a fruit punch mixed with vanilla ice cream, to sort of look bloody and gory). But the main feature is a floating hand in the punch bowl. All you do is fill a plastic glove with water (or anything, really) and put it in the freezer overnight. When it's time to serve the drinks, peel the plastic glove off the now solid hand and let it float.

(I had a bit of trouble getting the gloves off, because the fingers were stuck together. Most of them broke off. Hmm, maybe that adds to the Halloweeniness?)

This Time, a Response in The Daily Universe

The passionate reaction to my now infamous "Much Ado About Nothing" blog post continues on. Well, actually it seems to be dying down, which is fine by me. But there was a response in today's edition of The Daily Universe that I thought I would share.

The letter itself isn't on the DU website yet, but you can go here and look for it on page 3: http://newnewsnet.byu.edu/pdf/du20101014.pdf

I don't think Mackenzie Mayo is necessarily claiming that I think homosexuality, same-sex marriage, etc. is "much ado about nothing." I think what Mackenzie is saying that, in general, none of us should treat these issues like "nothing."

In case it was a criticism, I would answer by repeating what I said here.

Good-lookin' Sports Stuff Today

Today had some particularly interesting sports stuff:

Hoops Hype - Cougars picked 2nd in MWC preseason poll; Jimmer named preseason player of the year - BYU also got Preseason Freshman of the Year thanks to Kyle Collinsworth. (by Josh Bolding)

Where does BYU go from here? - We did something a little different at the DU sports desk and had our two football writers answer some questions about the rest of the season for BYU football. Very well done. (by Alex Hairston and Sarah Gambles)

If nothing else, or perhaps most importantly, go here and look at pages 1, 3 and 5.

(Trivia: The comedian featured in the Humor U ad on page 3 is none other than Josh Bolding, our men's basketball beat writer himself.)

Update - Church's Response

For anyone interested, here's the official statement from the Church on the outcry over President Packer's talk:

Church Responds to HRC Petition

My favorite parts:

"We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason. Such actions simply have no place in our society."

"Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex."

"As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness."

"The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation."

"There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God."

"We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation."

Follow Up to Five Black & White Movies You Must See - Even in 2010

Today there was a nice letter to the editor in response to my black & white movies article.

Love the classics*

*Click on the link and go to page 3.

Much Ado About Nothing

Another cartoon! Two in one week!


Has anyone seen the ridiculous brouhaha the Salt Lake Tribune is making of President Boyd K. Packer's talk in General Conference?

I didn't realize President Packer had said anything new or controversial when I was watching conference. But apparently the Tribune reporter covering conference (who happens to be a former member of the church) decided it was time to start a fire.

So what did President Packer say? His talk isn't written out on the LDS website yet, but it should be done today sometime. Check here periodically until you see it (he spoke in the Sunday morning session). There is audio and video already available on the website.

These are the quotes that the Tribune is using as ammunition:

“There are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God’s laws and nature. A law against nature would be impossible to enforce. Do you think a vote to repeal the law of gravity would do any good?"

Some argue that “they were pre-set and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural. Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember he is our father.”

I'll get into my personal beliefs a little later. First I'll just describe the Tribune's response.

Here are their articles on the subject:

Apostle: Same-sex attraction can change

Although I would agree with that statement, President Packer never said that. I suppose it was somewhat implied, but it wasn't his point and wasn't a direct quote he made. I'm guessing the Tribune went with a more controversy-provoking headline, one that would anger people and lead them to believe that the Church wants to simply "fix" gays, with something crazy like electroshock therapy*. Not true.

Mormons divided on LDS apostle's speech on gays

This is one that tries to explain that President Packer's statements are somehow contradictory to other recent action from the church in response to same-sex issues. But they're not, something else I will get into a little bit later.

Besides, how can the Tribune say that President Packer is saying something new and shaking things up, and at the same time give a subheadline that says, "Apostle declares that church will 'stay the course' in opposing gay marriage despite opposition."

LGBT advocates criticize LDS apostle's remarks

Thanks to press like the Tribune, people are acting out against the church, holding rallies and protests, etc. Of course, discrimination against gays that leads to extreme bullying and even suicide (something that has been in the news quite a lot lately) is absolutely wrong. But if a teen struggling to figure out his or her sexual orientation really listens to President Packer's talk, he or she should not feel pressure. He or she should feel relief, and look to Christ's Atonement for comfort and guidance.

Now, for my own beliefs and testimony.

I firmly believe that sins of homosexuality go against God's plan of salvation, as does any sin. Whether or not same-sex marriage is legal, it will never fit with God's purpose of marriage and family.

Because homosexual acts go against the plan of salvation, it wouldn't make sense for God to create us in such a way that some of us are "born gay," at least not in a way that we have no other choice but to be gay. People are born with weaknesses and imperfections, and some may have a personality that makes them more susceptible to certain temptations. But any temptation can be overcome.

And it should be emphasized that temptation itself is not a sin. It only becomes a sin when it is acted upon. Whether it be cheating, lying, stealing, being selfish and proud, marital infidelity, sexual immorality or homosexual acts, no one should feel guilty for the temptations that come to them. They should only feel guilty after they decide to act on those temptations.

That said, just because homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle does not mean homosexuals should be persecuted, mocked or attacked. The church is against legalizing same-sex marriage, but in many instances the church has come out to say that gays should be treated fairly. Recently the church supported a law in Salt Lake City that would make illegal any discrimination against gays in housing and employment.

And just like Jesus Christ did, we can be intolerant of sin but still be compassionate toward the sinner. After all, we're all sinners.

(The Tribune brought up an example of Church's recent compassion to those struggling with homosexuality, describing a meeting Elder Marlin K. Jensen held with youth in California. But what Elder Jensen did and what President Packer said do not conflict.)

You might think all those ideas I just described are incompatible with each other. But it makes sense to me that we can have Christlike love for our fellow man and also be clearly against anything that goes against the gospel.

I hope what I have said does not come across too harsh. I do believe it all to be true, and I won't be changing how I feel about it any time soon.

Anyway, enjoy the cartoon.

*This video on Hulu expires soon!

Five Black & White Movies You Must See - Even in 2010

I haven't had a cartoon in the paper for a long time, so it was nice to get this in there on Tuesday's opinion page:


If 2010 is tough for the BYU Cougars, wait until next year when we go independent.

Then today, I had one of my articles from my feature writing class on the front page, as part of The Daily Universe's new "FYI" column. The "FYI" is going to be a weekly front page column that will be not so much hard news, but interesting, sometimes humorous, things like profiles or how-to articles.

Anyway, my "Five Black & White Movies You Should See - Even in 2010" was the first installment of the new column. Pretty cool.

Five black and white movies you must see

I collected a lot of art to go with the story, knowing that the copy desk couldn't use all of it but I figured the more I give them to work with the happier they'll be with me. :) I decided to get a movie poster and a still photo for each of the five movies. They ended up only using the Casablanca poster. But for you lucky blog readers, you get to see all of them!

It Happened One Night (1934)




Dr. Strangelove (1964)




Some Like It Hot (1959)




All About Eve (1950)




Casablanca (1942)