December 6, 2023; Newsom-DeSantis Debate, Truth in Media, Musk Loses Twitter Advertisers, Mark Cuban and Gambling in Texas, Doctrine vs Policy in the Church

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Discussion of the Devate
Thought Provoker:
Since 2008, there has been a remarkable evolution in Russia's approach to propaganda. Described in this article, they focus on high numbers of channels using rapid, continuous, and repetitive messages that lack commitment to consistency. Like using a rapid fire shotgun as opposed to a precise sniper rifle. It uses text, photo, video and audio on multi-channels and in high-volumes. They employ huge armies of internet trolls and hackers to execute their strategies. According to a former paid Russian Internet troll, the trolls are on duty 24 hours a day, in 12-hour shifts, and each has a daily quota of 135 posted comments of at least 200 characters. Has this strategy become a pervasive source of information in America? Is it possible to discern truth from lie in our day and age? How?

Mark Cuban recently announced that he is selling part of his ownership in the Dallas Mavericks to Miriam Adelson for $2 billion. What was not as widely reported is that this is part of a larger plan that Cuban announced last year to build a new arena in the middle of a Vegas-style hotel and casino resort complex in Dallas. But gambling is illegal in Texas. This is why Cuban is selling majority ownership to the president of Sands Casino. The Adelson family are big donors to the Texas governor and Lt. Governor and this infusion of cash will help pave the way for a campaign to legalize gambling in the state of Texas. If Cuban can get the law changed, he and Adelson will have played a large role in writing the laws that will regulate a new industry in Texas. Is this another example of how billionaires exploit the system to give them an unfair advantage in our capitalist system?

Big Question: In October GC, Elder Pingree of the Seventy talked about the difference between truth, doctrine, and policy. He said when seeking truth, it helps to understand the difference between doctrine and policy. Doctrine refers to eternal truths, such as the nature of the Godhead, the plan of salvation, and Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice. Policy is the application of doctrine based on current circumstances. Policy helps us administer the church in an orderly way. He went on to say that doctrine never changes, but policy adjusts from time to time. He also said that there is danger in confusing policy and doctrine. We have talked before about activism towards the church. But if policy is simply the application of doctrine based on current circumstances, doesn't that suggest that it might be appropriate for members of the Church to engage in some lobbying or activism to change policies? When is such behavior appropriate?