Mormons

Today's question: What is your view of what would happen to the estimated 11,000 or more gay and lesbian marriages that already have been performed in this state since the state Supreme Court ruling, should Proposition 8 pass? Previously, Jean and Broyles debated what ripple effects, if any, Proposition 8 would have on the nation if it passes One group can't take away rights from another Point: Lorri L. Jean We have a long-standing legal principle in the U.S. that says it isn't fair to make laws today and then apply them retroactively.

Newport Mesa Christian Center will have a Harvest Festival from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. $5 admission includes food, unlimited rides, games and candy. The center is at 2599 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. (714) 966-0454. First Congregational Church of Santa Ana will have a Country Western Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday. The fair will feature crafts, Christmas gifts, plants, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, baked goods and a silent auction. Lunch will be served. The church is at 2555 N.

I am starting to feel sorry for Mitt Romney. On an international tour of three countries, he made news in two of them by dissing the London Olympics and infuriating the Palestinians. The poor guy - for months, people have complained that he never says what he really believes. Now he's in trouble for too boldly saying what he actually thinks. First, during an interview with NBC News anchorman Brian Williams, Romney had this to say about prospects of success for the London Games: “It's hard to know just how well it will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials -- that obviously is not something which is encouraging.” Well, the queen's government was disconcerted enough about the failure of the security contractor to provide enough guards that an extra 1,200 British troops were called in to help.

Americans are still interested in the White House race, but maybe a little less so if it interrupts their favorite sports. Monday's third and final debate between President Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney drew a total of 59.2 million viewers across 11 networks, according to Nielsen. That was down sharply from the 65.6 million who tuned in for the second debate on Oct. 16, and the 67.2 million who watched the first meet-up back on Oct. 3. But this week the debate faced competition from two popular sports telecasts.

Prosecutors rested their bigamy case against an avowed polygamist Wednesday after focusing on such matters as toothbrushes and welfare. Prosecutors presented a photograph of the Green family bathroom--complete with 19 toothbrushes in their holders--in an attempt to show that he, his five wives and 25 children all live together in polygamy.

Mitt Romney is going into the second presidential debate with almost everything going for him: fresh momentum, an enthused Republican base, improved polling numbers, his own impressive array of debating skills and an opponent desperate to make people forget his own limp-noodle performance in the first debate. But Romney could face one very big problem: He has nearly run out of flip-flops. The man has, of course, made a career out of changing positions on just about every major issue.

In June, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a fateful decision. They called on California Mormons to donate their time and money to the campaign for Proposition 8, which would overturn a state Supreme Court ruling that permitted gay marriage. That push helped the initiative win narrow passage on election day. And it has made the Mormon Church, which for years has striven to be seen as part of the American mainstream, a political target.

Something about the way Americans eat isn't working -- and hasn't been for a long time. The number of obese Americans is now greater than the number who are merely overweight, according to government figures released last month. It's as if once we taste food, we can't stop until we've gorged ourselves. Taking that inclination into account, some people are adopting an unusual solution to overeating.

"Faith and Betrayal" tells the remarkable story of Jean Rio Baker Pearce, an intrepid woman who converted to Mormonism in England, immigrated to America in 1851 and traveled to Utah by wagon train, then moved on to California after abandoning her Mormon faith.

Mitt Romney is the first major-party nominee for president who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormons. Here is a brief primer about Mormon history and beliefs: Who are the Mormons? The LDS Church claims some 14 million members, more than half outside the United States. Most American Mormons live in the West, with more than a third concentrated in Utah. American Mormons are overwhelmingly white (88%) and Republican-leaning (74%), according to the independent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.