What a disappointment it is to see the Deseret News become an apologist for Mayor Anderson. Anderson is portrayed as a poor misunderstood soul that "conservative critics" don't "get." This is contrary to the truth. We do get him. Anderson was an ACLU lawyer!
He claims that he is not "working against the values" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This also is just not true. Instead of listening to his pleas for understanding, we should examine what he has done or is trying to do.
First, he killed the DARE (anti-drug) program without implementing a replacement. Second, he wants a "radical change" in drug policy, replacing mandatory jail sentences with drug treatment.
Third, Anderson wants grocery stores to be able to carry wine to make alcohol "more convenient and less complicated for those who visit our state." The reality is that visitors to Salt Lake City generally drink wine with meals at restaurants, not by going to the grocery store and taking a bottle to the restaurant or by driving around in taxis while sipping their freshly purchased wine.
Anderson says his critics are "afraid of change," and this time he is absolutely right. What he advocates is clearly pro-homosexuality, anti-family, pro-alcohol, and he's soft on drugs. If he is not working against the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then who is using his name and body?
Arnold S. Grundvig Jr.
Salt Lake City