Tom Hanks Apologizes for Calling Mormon Supporters of Proposition 8 'Un-American'

Friday, January 23, 2009

Fox News

Tom Hanks says he's sorry he told FOXNews.com that Mormons who supported California's constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage were "un-American."

"Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California's Proposition 8 as 'un-American,'" the actor said in a statement through his publicist. "I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination."

"But everyone has a right to vote their conscience; nothing could be more American," the statement continues. "To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are 'un-American' creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use 'un- American' lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have."

The "Big Love" producer made his original remarks at the Los Angeles premiere of the HBO series last week.

“The truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen,” he told FOXNews.com. “There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them. I do not like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of paper, any of the 50 states in America, but here's what happens now.”

Read Tom Hanks' original statement in full.

Kim Farah, a spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, responded that "expressing an opinion in a free and democratic society is as American as it gets."

Bill McKeever, a rep for the Mormonism Research Ministry, added, "Personally, I find it un-American to tell people that they shouldn’t vote their conscience."

Rocking Chair

We finally bought a rocking chair a little while ago. I love it. It is a metal glider, which reclines and swivels. Best yet, it was a really good price. It has been wonderful with little James.

Fremont, Ohio

Jon and James had their first unit conference on Sunday. We went to the Fremont Branch. Our stake has changed the way they are doing unit conference for this year. All of the Stake Presidency, High Council, and Stake Auxiliaries are going to every unit conference this year. I like it better this way, because we get to know all the units, and the units get to know all the Stake Leadership.

This was the first Conference for the year. I think it went really well. We were asked to teach the Young Women about three things, (1) New Young Women's Value and the theme, (2) preparing to go to the temple, and (3) chastity and moral purity. Sister Chase did a very good job with the lesson. It seemed that all of the Young Women were listen through the whole thing. Always a good sign. Jon said the lesson in Young Men's seemed to go well too.

It has been a long weekend, and I am glad to be home. It was fun to travel to a new part of the stake and get to know some of the youth a little better. Next week is our ward's conference, so we will not have to travel far for this one.

Stake Youth Super Saturday

We all had a long day on Saturday. James got to experience his first Stake Youth activity. We were at the Stake Center from 1:45 until 9:45. It was a long day, but I have heard mostly good from the youth about it.

The day started with a speaker, Barbara Barrington Jones, who entertained the youth. Then, the was a dinner of pizza, salad, and soda pop. To end the evening, there was a dance for the older youth and a square dance for the beehives and deacons. The beehives seemed to enjoy it more than the deacons, and in the future, we have decided there will not be a special activity for the 12-13 year-olds. It just did not work out to keep everyone separate.

Here are the few pictures I took of the night. James spent most of the day with his pal Jenni. Thanks for all your help with James!

Square dancing.Did not want to square dance, so she spent her time in the kitchen where all the food was.Line dancing.James's first slow dance. He did not like how loud the music was so we left the big dance right after this picture was taken.

More James

Just a few pictures I found on my camera for his grandparents to see.

A Sunday nap. He looks really cute in overalls.

Holding his binkie in his mouth.

Thanks to our friends, the Chase family, it looks like James will be a Michigan fan. "Go Blue!"

I just noticed he is sleeping in all of these, but he does that a lot. Just not for long periods of time yet, but I am hoping he will soon.

Freezing!

I just wanted to let all our family know just how cold it is here in Toledo right now. I woke up to -16 degrees. That is not all. With the windchill it feels like -35 degrees. I have been glad that James and I do not have any where to go (until tomorrow), but poor Jon has still had school. Here is dreaming of a little warmer weather.

Jon has just decided that since it is so cold he is going to wait until the sun comes up and it feels a little warmer before he heads off to school. His classes are not cancelled that he knows of, but we doubt our car would start anyway.

My Sister is So Talented!

Here are a few things that my sister, Lori, crocheted for James. I am always amazed at the things she can make.

A blanket with hoodie thing.

Hat with puff-ball and ear flaps.Slipper/shoes.Yoda Rattle.

6 weeks

Yesterday, James had his one month doctor's appointment. He is now 11 pounds, 3 ounces and 22 inches. He is in the 50th percentile for height and weight, and in the 90th percentile for the size of his head. I didn't think his head was really that big, but I guess it is. He did really well at his appointment. He did not scream the whole time, like he did at his last visit. In four weeks, he will be getting his first shots since he was in the hospital right after birth.

Here is a picture of James and I laying on the floor playing.

I also had my 6 week postpartum appointment yesterday. Everything is healing well, and I get to start working out again! I am really excited to get back to where my back does not hurt as bad again.

New Calling

For those who do not know, Jon received a new calling on Sunday. He was really sad to give up his calling as the Sunday School President, because he like being lazy. Oh well. He is now the Second Counselor in the Stake Young Men's Presidency. Since we are now both in the Stake Youth Presidencies, we will be traveling as a family around the stake for Unit (Ward/Branch) Conferences, Stake Meetings, and Stake Youth Activities.

How Much Does 17 Days in the Hospital Cost?

The results are in. There were five people who guessed the right range. One of them was me and I have a feeling that one was someone that I told. So that would mean only three guessed right. Sorry Mom Felt. It was more than $2500 a day for room and board. Everyone is in suspense right? Well, room and board at the Toledo Hospital for 17 days is $43,653. Right now our insurance company is trying to get out of paying anything. Who knew pregnancy could be considered a preexisting condition. I guess that is what happens when you are on the school's insurance plan and the change providers half way through your pregnancy. Do not worry. If Aetna decides they do not have to pay it, I am also on Medicaid, and they will cover it all.

For a running total, James has already been $45,131.15 in hospital bills (and worth every penny), but that is just from my stay before the actual birth. I have a feeling it will be a lot more than that before we are done.

Bath Time

James has really started to enjoy bath time. It is great to not have him screaming the whole time. Jon took these pictures of James enjoying the warm water.

Swing

James loves his swing (thanks Wahlquists), and you might notice there are a lot of pictures of him sitting in it. Half the time the only way to get him to sleep is to put him in his swing with this really annoying music going. Sadly, the batteries died in it. Jon is getting more after school on Monday. Here are a few more pictures of James in his swing.

How Much Does 17 Days in the Hospital Cost?

I know I have not blogged in a while. I have had lots of things to blog about, but just have not been in the mood to do so. I will catch up someday, or not.

In the mail today was an "Explanation of Benefits" from our insurance company to let us know how much it was for my stay in the hospital. For fun, I thought I would do a poll for a week to see if how many people know how much this would be.

For fairness I will give you the details. I was in the Toledo Hospital for 17 days. The total I am looking for is just room and board. It does not include labs, medication, or doctors charges. Anything else you would like to know to help you decided the cost?