Mormon Armchair Pundits

Weekly Caption Contest and other general pictures

2008-11-06T14:30:00.001-08:00

This weeks caption...(by the way they were playing she's not really that evil..most of the time)

Funniest picture of the day. She wasn't this person for Halloween but it was a funny suit.

Grace in her costume

It's a Shame

2008-11-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

Too bad no armchair pundits were around to cover the election, prop 8, et. al. This blog has lost its former glory. By the way, what do you all make of this:

What? No Global Warming? Dude

2008-05-19T18:46:00.001-07:00

"There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate," the petition states. "Moreover, there is substantial scientific evidence that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide produce many beneficial effects upon the natural plant and animal environments of the Earth."

So let me get this straight... I thought all the scientists believed that man was causing global warming.

Q&A with Bob Barr

2008-05-19T18:36:00.001-07:00

Who is Bob Barr? This Q&A is a great start to understanding the views of this Libertarian presidential candidate. I agree with most of what he says and and am agreeable to his candidacy. It is time we as conservatives take a stance and stand up for change.

Bob Barr is conservative. Why do Republicans get that only label. I believe conservatives can flock to Bob and feel comfortable that he will stand up for fiscal conservatism, defense of our nation and limiting the size of the federal government.

clipped from www.townhall.com

A lawyer, former U.S. Attorney and ex-CIA official, Barr, 59, was born in Iowa, but thanks to his military parents he lived in such exotic locales as Lima and Teheran, where he graduated from high school. He served in the House from 1995 to 2003, where he was known as a hard-line conservative who hated the IRS and fought tirelessly for privacy rights and other civil liberties.

Real Straight Talk -- Bob Barr

2008-05-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

Bob Barr wants to win. I for one am a believer...

He wants to cut government spending...

Why Libertarian?

The Government in our lives

On Taxes... HECK YA!

Health Care and reform

A little more "straight talk"

2008-05-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

And he's going to run our economic program for the largest economic engine in the world?

John McCain is playing us a fool

2008-05-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

John McCain, like most politicians, is less than honest. In a time of uncertainty we don't need a politician who is not grounded firmly in conservative principles nor ideals that make us the base of his party.

I don't believe that John McCain will support any real plan that will save this country from economic ruin nor implement policies that will encourage sound conservative principles. I don't really believe anything that comes out of his mouth and here's why.

The splitting of the evangelical political front?

2008-05-18T13:50:00.001-07:00

This is an interesting article regarding a shift in the evangelical political front.

I for one am relived that there may be a chink in the evangelical political front. The evangelical right has had far too much power over the conservative agenda over the last decade and I hope that this division proves to separate and divide the evangelical community.

The FLDS and the losss of Liberty

2008-05-17T06:29:00.001-07:00

This is a great article by Joseph Farah from WND. I think he is spot on about the relationship between the State and the individual liberties that this country used to protect. No longer are we free to choose for our own we know have to run everything by the State.

The State of Texas doesn't wish to protect the children of the FLDS they want to "save" them. This case is really much more than a cult that is allegedly abusing children, it is about the power grab that the State of Texas and our country in general is undertaking. No longer do they respect that family or the parent instead they respect themselves and the "professional" to decide how, what and why in every aspect of our life.

Finally someone worth voting for!!

2008-05-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Vote Bob Barr... if he isn't on your ballot then sign the petition to get him there.

Do you see Jesus?

2008-04-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

Dude

2008-04-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

Is this the face of your next bride?

FLDS Teens Pregnant -- But are they really 14-17 year olds

2008-04-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

A new report calls into question how the State of Texas is determining the age of the girls.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352966,00.html

Now, I don't know exactly what is going on in this whole deal. No doubt the FLDS there are doing some shady things and are most likely in the midst of pedophiles but the State is not helping their cause by lying to the public and providing misleading information.

In my opinion this is not a case that was well thought out. Claims, information, charges and evidence have been pretty sketchy and seem to need a required "spin" to make them fit the State's case.

It is possible that this is the greatest trampling of civil rights since the 1950's raids on the polygamists compounds. Or it simply could be a good call on Texas's part to protect the children. Time will tell.

New Revelation on McCain

2008-04-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure this is incredibly damning but it raises interesting questions on McCain's exact position on Iraq.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/28/mccain-strongly-rejected_n_99082.html

Polygamists Framed?

2008-04-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that the FLDS sect in El Dorado Texas were framed? I have had a feeling all along that this was a set up by someone who wanted to trample the freedoms of religion.

Now I must admit that these FLDS are fairly wacko and most likely they are abusing children in someway. In that regard the State must help them but I fear that this incident had nothing to do with abuse but rather this was an excuse to raid the compound.

And what about those beds they found in their temple? Not really for sex. Surprised that the media jumped all over this story with claims that some weird sex ritual was going on? This shouldn't surprise any LDS member.

Mitt's Got Class

2008-04-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Mitt needed a lot more of this on the campaign trail

Royals are only .5 games back

2008-04-17T17:44:00.001-07:00

Next stop... World Series! I thought I would blog this moment since we may never see it again.

clipped from sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Central	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	Last 10	Streak
White Sox	9	5	.643	--	4-3	5-2	7-3	Won 2
Royals	9	6	.600	0.5	3-3	6-3	6-4	Won 1
Twins	7	8	.467	2.5	4-4	3-4	5-5	Won 1
Indians	5	10	.333	4.5	3-6	2-4	3-7	Lost 3
Tigers	5	10	.333	4.5	2-6	3-4	5-5	Won 3

They both have a wierd twitch

2008-04-14T20:02:00.001-07:00

I personally liked Bob Dole. I was on my mission and he was the first President for which I ever voted. I was young and focused on other things during the election but since my Dad was Republican, and I figured I was Republican, I voted for him. I don't regret it but as time has gone on I get a sense that he was much like McCain in that he was a pragmatic conservative.

Find the article here. http://nymag.com/news/politics/45997/

clipped from nymag.com

Is John McCain Bob Dole?

Or is he Dwight Eisenhower? (Actually, that may depend on whether Barack Obama is Mike Dukakis or John Kennedy.) A handicapping.

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By
John Heilemann

Published Apr 13, 2008

Democrats are turning on each other

2008-04-14T19:53:00.001-07:00

I like this headline. The dems are now questioning their own bias media. In another post on the Huffington Post the schrill herself argues that McCain doesn't need to run since Hillary is doing it for him. Pretty interesting to see the an implosion in slow mo.

clipped from www.huffingtonpost.com

Clinton's Pennsylvania Lead: Is It Really 20 Points?

Is little Jimmy getting sick from the zero carbon emitting wind farm?

2008-04-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

I guess not all is well on the farm. Are wind mills making people sick? If so I doubt you'll hear it from Project Green.

Read the article here.

Soon the sounds from the blades swooshing through the air and other noise were driving Porter and his family crazy, he said.

“The sound gets in your head like a saw and you can’t get rid of it,” Porter said. “Some people compare it to a train that never arrived.”

I've Got My Wheat, You?

2008-04-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

Interesting blog and article from the N.Y. Times about the impending food storage. I for one don't believe the N.Y. Times but I do believe prophets and scripture. If I were you I'd store up.

Here is the article from the N.Y. Times.

clipped from www.nytimes.com

Last year, the food import bill of developing countries rose by 25 percent as food prices rose to levels not seen in a generation. Corn doubled in price over the last two years. Wheat reached its highest price in 28 years. The increases are already sparking unrest from Haiti to Egypt. Many countries have imposed price controls on food or taxes on agricultural exports.

Barack's Friends

2008-04-13T19:39:00.001-07:00

I found this article particularly disturbing. Are we really ready to elect a person with such flimsy credentials and an affinity to the the social elitist, anti-American dregs of society.

The Terminator gets weak kneed

2008-04-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

So even the Terminator feels political pressure. Why am I surprised? Why should anyone be surprised these days at a politician bowing under the political pressure of the Left or even the Right?

Arnold's capitulation brings an eerily dark crystal ball about what it to come for America if John McCain is elected President. McCain is no defender of the conservative principles and will be will bow to any agenda that threatens him. It is no coincidence that McCain and the Govna are friends and have shared views.

Paul proves his unelectability and why I like him.

2008-04-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hey, I like Ron Paul. I l am a libertarian leaning conservative and believe in non-interventionism. However, I cannot agree that we can keep looking back on the reasons why we went to Iraq and continuously harp on all the fumbles, bumbles and possible falsehoods that lead us into Iraq.

Now, I do like his question at the end on whether the President of U.S.A. has the power to take us into war without Congress first declaring it.

It seems evident that we have lost the balancing power that the Congress offers when it comes to war if the President can take us into any conflict without consent.

Fly Safe!

2008-04-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

I want to know what guy is pissed that American Airlines grounded a few planes because they wanted to do a safety check to make sure all the wiring was done right? I mean, really?

Wouldn't you want to know that the plane you were getting on was being checked BEFORE the fact? Really?

Wouldn't you be be delighted to know that the airline company wasn't just taking your money and then putting you on a crazy roller coaster ride without any tracks? Really?

Some flights were canceled to keep you alive! Get over it!

Long live Canadiausmexicopolis

2008-04-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

So much for all that talk by the right wing wackos that the U.S. is being overtaken by some secret combination planned by Canada, Mexico and the U.S., a couple of wealthy liberals and a few Muppet's babies.

Blame Canada for ruining all their fun!

Here is an article by a couple of those "blame liberals" rightey's that ruin any legitimate conversation we can have with the American people about why true conservative principles are correct and life changing.

The perpetual cry baby

2008-04-08T20:45:00.001-07:00

Huck-a-bust just can't get catch a break. He wins Iowa but can't win much of anything else. He spends the next months kissing McCain's back pocket and sharing his hatred of Mitt and now could it be that McCain is going to reward him by appointing Mitt 08' to be his Vice President? Only in heaven could that be possible.

See the Ad here:

Too Late

2008-04-08T20:37:00.001-07:00

I can't wait to dishonor this man publicly and then just send an apology.

clipped from hotair.com

Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a Barack Obama supporter, apologized to John McCain Tuesday for suggesting to a West Virginia newspaper that the Arizona senator does not care about “the lives of people” caught in the wars he champions, dating back to his Navy service in Vietnam.

The apology came after Barack Obama’s campaign swiftly criticized the West Virginia senator for the remarks quoted Monday in his hometown newspaper. Rockefeller told The Charleston Gazette that McCain is too far removed from the repercussions of war to deal with them. …

On Tuesday, Rockefeller issued a statement, saying, “I have deep respect for John McCain’s honorable and noble service to our country. I made an inaccurate and wrong analogy and I have extended my sincere apology to him.

“While we differ a great deal on policy issues, I profoundly respect and appreciate his dedication to our country, and I regret my very poor choice of words,” he said.

WOW!!

2008-04-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

Reported from ABC News

In the Charleston Gazette Sunday, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, who has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said that Sen. John McCain "has a temper" and, according to the story, "believes McCain has become insensitive to many human issues.

"McCain was a fighter pilot, who dropped laser-guided missiles from 35,000 feet. He was long gone when they hit. What happened when they [the missiles] get to the ground? He doesn't know. You have to care about the lives of people. McCain never gets into those issues."

A McCain campaign surrogate, Marine Lt. Col. Orson Swindle (Ret.), said that "Senator Rockefeller's statement is an insult to all the men and women who are serving or have served in America's military. Had Senator Rockefeller served himself, he would appreciate and understand that most who have been to war emerge with a much deeper concern for humanity than they otherwise might. If he knew what he was talking about, he would know that John McCain wasn't dropping laser-guided missiles at 35,000 feet in 1967. Barack Obama has a responsibility to denounce Senator Rockefeller's smear against John McCain's character and military record. The question remains: Does Senator Obama have the courage to stand up and hold himself to the principles of 'new politics' he outlined in his book, "The Audacity of Hope?"

Holla Back Liberman!

2008-04-08T20:28:00.001-07:00

I love this guy if only for the reason that in a world of extremes he is so level.

Also, I love the military. I love the honor it brings. I love that in a time when everyone has lost their patience, patriotism and loyalty there are a few proud that honor us with their service.

clipped from hotair.com

Link: sevenload.com

Sucka Punch

2008-04-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Why did he go outside and around the building after he heard knocking at the door?

Any chance of vigilantism from the Mormon Mafia? Mount Up!!!

2008-04-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

Finally! Someone gets a little discretion.

My Second Most favorite Time of Year

2008-04-01T20:23:00.001-07:00

I love storm season. Take a look at these gems

clipped from www.dailymail.co.uk

2008-04-01T20:18:00.001-07:00

Not really the look of an anti-mormon

2008-04-01T20:15:00.001-07:00

She looks sweet....

clipped from news.yahoo.com

Do my udders look big?

2008-04-01T20:14:00.001-07:00

What's next?

clipped from www.timesonline.co.uk

A team at Newcastle University announced yesterday that it had successfully
generated “admixed embryos” by adding human DNA to empty cow eggs in the
first experiment of its kind in Britain.

Credit from the Dems

2008-03-31T13:26:00.001-07:00

Good article from the Huff. This is turning out to be a pseudo pre- 2000 election controversy.

clipped from www.huffingtonpost.com

What a probe might have discovered was a rationale for doing, at worst, what the RNC did to its own overeager primary schedulers in the same two states -- cutting the delegations by half. That's precisely the penalty specified in DNC rules, but the committee, exercising powers it certainly had the legal discretion to exercise, upped the ante as far as it could. In a bizarre reversal of public policy, the RNC, surely aware that the principal miscreants in both states were Republicans, applied a sane yet severe sanction. The Democrats opted for decapitation.

McCain's New International Democracy

2008-03-31T12:57:00.001-07:00

I like where McCain is going with this. It appears he is more driven by the principle of Democracy and less on America's role as the lone "Superpower".

I agree with him that the world will be better off by creating an international unity among the democratic nations who have, TOGETHER, a vested interest in securing freedom throughout the world. Think how great it would be if the world democratic powers took on their role in helping build Iraq and Afghanistan and if the USA didn't feel the need to go save the world on their own.

Anyways, great article.

clipped from www.weeklystandard.com

JOHN MCCAIN'S FIRST MAJOR foreign policy speech as the presumed Republican nominee for president, delivered last week in Los Angeles, was widely viewed as an effort to distance himself from President George W. Bush. The Washington Post said his agenda "contrasts sharply" with the "go-it-alone approach" of the Bush administration. London's Telegraph discerned a "more practical, less ideological approach" to the war on terror. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh accused McCain of rejecting America's superpower status and "pandering to the hate-America crowd." New York Times columnist David Brooks claimed that unlike Bush, McCain wants to "protect the fabric of the international system."

Majerus is an Idiot

2008-03-26T05:37:00.000-07:00

It looks like former U of U basketball coach Fat Rick didn't learn anything in his years at the University of Utah. He's back to offending every religious body he can while desecrating his own. Maybe that's a metaphor that he hates himself. Or, maybe he just hates religious folk.

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/stlog/2008/03/rick_majerus_is_no_underwear_s.php

Mitt as McCain's Running Mate?

2008-03-25T14:34:00.001-07:00

The question was asked to me by a infrequent poster on this blog whether my fervent dislike of John McCain could be quelled by putting Romney on the ticket. Of course I said no but that doesn't mean that I'll pull a Mitt and change my mind and actually vote McCain.

An article that I found may help dissuade or persuade my inner political devil to whether to vote the ticket. What does it do for you?

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/23/mccain_and_romney_mitts_moment___at_last/

Part 2 of Milt's Libertarianism

2008-03-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a name like Milton so I could be called Milt.

Hillary Exposed -- Again!

2008-03-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

I.. um...lied... no, I misspoke!

Carville Call Richardson "Judas"

2008-03-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

Talk about calling the kettle black. James Carville, on the eve of Easter no less, is calling Bill Richardson a "Judas" for endorsing Bill Richardson. I sure hope Richardson doesn't have any skeletons in the closet cause' I get a feeling that they're are about to be unleashed. It appears that the Clinton machine may swiftly enact some Easter like Justice.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22richardson.html?_r=1&ei=5090&en=31393242dd61f808&ex=1363924800&oref=slogin&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

Libertarianism -- You know I love it

2008-03-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

I am a great advocate for Libertarianism and here is the the first of our foray into helping you understanding it better. Meet Mr. Friedman.... Video 1 of 4

The Right and Left Worrying About Who Hates More

2008-03-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

I'd like to present two articles that I found interesting that talk about hate, which side has more and the meaning of it. It is an interesting paradox that our current political system has to deal with. Each side thinks they are right. Each side claims that they are not hateful and each side believes they are just pointing out what is really there.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/RobertKnight/2008/03/20/scoring_points_by_demonizing_falwell

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/catherine-crier/religious-bigotry-across-_b_92663.html

Also a good video about why it is so dangerous to condemn the words and actions of others while promoting yourself as "free" of any wrong doing or being "above" such actions.

A Libertarian You Could Vote For

2008-03-21T13:04:00.001-07:00

A remarkable Libertarian that I could find myself voting for. I like him and his ideas but I would struggle perhaps voting for a man that has made his fortune in Vegas. More to come on this subject... http://www.rootforamerica.com/

clipped from www.rootforamerica.com

Wayne Root on The Stu Show (producer of Glenn Beck Show)- as heard on Premiere Radio Network and at www.GlennBeck.com

Hardball Does Ellen

2008-03-21T12:58:00.001-07:00

Great video of my favorite Chris Matthews acting a fool and feeling up Ellen.

What is conservatism?

2008-03-20T18:35:00.001-07:00

Good article on the great questions facing post-Reagan / Newt Conservatism.

clipped from www.heritage.org

The Trouble with Limited Government

The point of departure for my essay on "The Trouble with Limited Government" in the Claremont Review of Books was a National Review cover story that Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru wrote last November. In that article, he said that:

[T]he real crisis of conservatism…can be boiled down to two propositions. The first is that, at least as the American electorate is presently constituted, there is no imaginable political coalition…capable of sustaining a majority that takes a reduction of the scope of the federal government as one of its central tasks. The second [proposition] is that modern American conservatism is incapable of organizing itself without taking that as a central mission.

by William Voegeli, Ph.D.

Ron Paul Revolution

2007-09-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

I love him! I don't support everything he says but I respect what he says and I agree with his foundations of limited government, less global intervention and more personal liberties. Not only does he believe these things but his record proves that he lives by them as well.

I plan on writing a post of my fall from Mittism but I believe until the primaries I will be supporting Ron Paul for the Republican nomination.

See what turned me to the REVOLUTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRi8tswSkB4

This Is What I Have Been Saying!

2007-05-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

I gave a speech in my rhetoric class a year ago on why illegal immigrants are not really all that bad, and that they are not really as big a strain on our economy as as some people say. I found this op-ed on the Opinion Journal's website. They make the same arguments that I made in my speech, so of course my ego is doing quite well now.

Great way to listen to music!

2007-04-16T14:58:00.001-07:00

I found this site and thought I would pass it along. It allows you to put in any artist and then through a unique sequencing it finds other musicians out there that have similar sounds. Pretty cool.

clipped from computershopper.com

Pandora

Pandora acts like your personal DJ. Just name an artist you like, and this free Internet radio service instantly starts streaming music. You'll hear not only from your selected artist, but also from others with a similar sound. It's a great way to discover new music, and Pandora is uncannily accurate in suggesting songs with comparable musical qualities. As you listen, you can rate each song with a thumbs up or thumbs down so Pandora can better tailor the station to your preferences. Of course, you also have the option of buying songs and albums from Amazon.com or Apple's iTunes Music Store. A recently added bookmark feature lets you replay your favorite songs later on. This is one Pandora's box you'll be glad you opened.

Maybe THE best Web 2.0 Tool

2007-04-16T14:55:00.001-07:00

Here is a great tool for clipping the best of the web and converting it to a blog, email or other applications. I think it will revolutionize the blogging world.

http://clipmarks.com/

clipped from computershopper.com

Ever wish you could "clip" a piece of a Web page the way you'd tear an article from a magazine? Clipmarks lets you do exactly that, then tag, store, organize, and share your clips. The site's simple toolbar is available for both Firefox and Internet Explorer; once it's installed, click the Clip icon on the toolbar, then mouse over the area of the page you wish to clip. Clicking on the toolbar again allows you to name, tag, and save that clip. Clipmarks is better than bookmarking because it saves only the data you want, not the entire page. Students, researchers, and even online shoppers are sure to find it
invaluable.

The Good with the Bad

2007-01-20T20:05:00.000-08:00

Its letters like this one that give me hope that there really are thoughtful, intelligent people out there. Hopefully this trend will continue; with every bad, disrespectful and uninformed article about Romney posted on the web, a good one will match it.

Romney's Religion and the Media

2007-01-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

There was a great piece in the LA Times recently about the media attacking Romney's Mormonism. The elections are far, far away, but this discussion will dominate as long as Romney is a candidate. I wonder if Romney will ever get to talk issues?

Mormons on PBS

2007-01-18T20:33:00.000-08:00

A four-hour documentary on Mormons will air on PBS this spring. "Award-winning filmmaker Helen Whitney has one over-arching goal for her four-hour production "The Mormons," I hope that most of the stereotypes — ideally, all of them — will be blown away." It will air April 30 and May 1st. "The Mormons" is not a film about Utah. Whitney traveled across the country, from New York to California; she sent a film crew to Ghana. Mormons are everywhere, and I wanted to make that point." It sounds like it will be very good, and fair. I look forward to seeing this on TV. PBS has aired a lot of things about the church. Recently, there was a documentary about the Willie and Martin handcart companies. Over the Christmas holiday season, PBS aired a christmas concert that was taped at the confrence center several times--I actually got tired of seeing it it was on so much.

The First of Many

2007-01-15T06:44:00.000-08:00

Another Step Closer

2007-01-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

It's going to be for real this week: "Gov. Mitt Romney this week will submit the necessary paperwork to form a presidential exploratory committee, but not until funeral services for former President Gerald R. Ford have concluded, according to a top aide familiar with his plans. While the committee filing will be labeled "exploratory," it will declare Romney as an official presidential candidate and commit him to the same fundraising and reporting rules he will have to follow when, as is expected, he transitions to a formal presidential campaign committee."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070102/ap_on_el_pr/romney2008

They Made A Funny!

2006-12-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

Al Gore Caught Warming Globe To Increase Box Office Profits

Al Gore Caught Warming Globe To Increase Box-Office Profits

2006-12-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

Frank Caliendo on Letterman

Many of you may have seen this already, but if you haven't, enjoy! Caliendo's impression of Bush is perfect!

Views on the War

2006-12-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

We as civilians have to rely on the media to give us our information. We trust them to give us accurate, unbiased information. We aren't on the ground in Iraq, so we don't personally know what is going on there. Our elected officials also tell us what is going on in Iraq, but it is hard to get good information out of them due to their desire to hang on to power; they tell us what we want to hear, as opposed to the truth.

Depending on how partisan you are, you might think that either we are not hearing enough "good news" coming out of Iraq, or you don't want to hear any good news because you want President Bush to fail in "his" war. This may be an over simplistic view, but it seems like the hard right complain that we don't hear the good news (which the media say they cannot find due to how dangerous it is on the ground) and the hard left give us only the bad and perhaps don't want to find any good coming out of this war. Where does that leave the majority of us in the middle who just want to know what the hell is going on? Because of technology, we have soldiers on the ground, who can update us in real-time on their experiences over there. What I have found though, is that depending on the soldier, some have only positive things to say (you have probably gotten the email forwarded to you, where a soldier emails home to let his family know how he is doing, and that the "media don't tell you the good things that are happening over here") while others post on blogs how miserable they are, and how the Iraqis don't want them there, etc. Whom do we believe?

I ran across this essay posted today on the web by a guy who has done one tour already, and is deploying for another one next April. I also found this blog from a contractor, who is LDS who is back in Iraq for a second time and just loves it over there. He says it has been one of the best experiences of his life. Why the disparity? What causes some people over there to only see the good, and others with such low moral? My brother-in-law has done one tour which lasted a year, and he has to go back for another one next year, which will be 18 months. Obviously, he is not excited. He has a family that he does not want to leave, but of course will since it is his duty to serve. He told me that there is no tangible enemy--there is no one to shoot at! He said bombs just go off every day. All of our men are getting blown up because you can't shoot at a bomb. Moral is very low, and they are all very excited about Rumsfeld retiring. Now, I must note that my brother-in-law is not political at all. He is not a partisan left or right winger, so I trust his explanation on what is going on on the ground. He is a moderate independent who doesn't really care who is in the White House, since no matter who is there is still the commander-in-chief. The bottom line is, I just find it interesting how so many people in the same situation seeing the sames things, actually see them differently. I suspect that partisan politics has something to do with that, but I don't know for sure.

Gingrich and his foul mouth -- and his foul head

2006-12-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

Shame on Mr. Gingrich. I was starting to like him and think that he was on his way back to sealing a new contract with America. Like a recovering alcoholic on a lonely Saturday night, I have changed my tune. I have posted multiple times that I like what Keith Olbermann has occassionaly said and this rant is no different. I'm not sure how many things I have to agree with him to actually give him credit, but so far I haven't been able to go that far. Anyways, here is a rant, typical of what Olbermann has become, and I love it.

My favorite quote is the below,

"It is in those groups where you would have found your kindred spirits, Mr. Gingrich.
Those who had no faith in freedom, no faith in this country, and, ultimately, no faith even in the strength of their own ideas, to stand up on their own legs, without having the playing-field tilted entirely to their benefit."

Here is the link ... http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/11/30/olbermanns-special-comment-on-gingrich-we-fight-for-liberty-by-having-more-liberty-and-not-less/

A Positive Move by Evangelicals

2006-11-28T06:31:00.000-08:00

Good article on Mitt winning the Evangelical vote. http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2006/11/27/mitt_romney_and_whether_a_morm.html

Brace Yourselves Mitt's "Mormonism" Is Getting Personal

2006-11-28T06:16:00.000-08:00

Wow...Here we are 2 years before the next presidential election. Mitt Romney hasn't even declared his presidency but yet the "real" attacks against what Mitt is all about are beginning. I have copied an email that maybe some of you have seen. It is patently offensive and I post it only to show the horror of what the opposition is not afraid to do or say about Mitt and his fellow LDS. This is only the beginning, I imagine that the questions will become more difficult, the attacks more personal and the faith of our fathers more questioned. I see this as an opportunity to stand and be heard.

-----Below is the article -----

RunMittRun Progress Report, November 27, 2006

Garments on the Internet:
A Type and Shadow of Things to Come

If any of us had any doubt that someone would stoop so low as to attack Mitt Romney’s candidacy by attacking his religion, events of the last few days should have erased them.

In a matter of days, Andrew Sullivan, a prominent blogger and writer for “Time” magazine, posted a photograph of a man and woman in temple garments, an article highlighting the Mormon Church’s “racist past,” and a link to the ”South Park” episode ridiculing Joseph Smith.

Two things that should give us all pause: 1) Mitt isn’t even a declared candidate yet, and 2) Andrew Sullivan is a conservative who claims to be a fan of Romney on many issues. It’s just that Romney’s religion isn’t one of them.

Sullivan, it turns out, is a fiscal conservative and a social progressive. He accurately points out in his thoughtful article in “The London Times” that Romney is really the only shot “theoconservatives” have of installing a president friendly to their values in 2008. But he then makes clear that most of those theoconservatives are evangelical Christians, who frequently loathe Mormons for the many reasons he has been detailing in his blog the last few days.

Garments on the internet two years before the general election, served up by a supposedly conservative fan of Mitt Romney?
Brace yourselves.

Mitch

P.S. Please forward this email to everyone you know! Please donate financially to our effort to fight the misinformation!

Link to donate: http://runmittrun.org/website/index_contribute.html

Link to website: http://runmittrun.org/

Link to volunteer: http://www.runmittrun.org/volunteer.php

13 Things We Don't Know...

2006-11-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

Geesh, from what I understood scientists knew everything about everything. I guess not, here are a mere 13 things that we just don't know or can't explain. Some were way over my head but nevertheless, very interesting. Take a look...

http://space.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18524911.600

Interesting article from other pundits

2006-11-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

I think there are a lot of perspectives here. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15917591/

I like what Carter said, "It’s no wonder we’re in denial on Iraq: the reality is unbelievably painful. But the denial will wear off in ways that could re-shape our politics, favoring more change, newer faces, and a political watershed."

We are in total denial I think right now on what we can reasonably expect in Iraq. With Cheney, Rice and the presidential dog going to the Mid East, I commend them for their efforts but I hope a bit of reality soon kicks in.

Also, 3rd party? Hopefully, I think it's about time.

Darfur

2006-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

African Children Given 30,000 Unused 'Save Darfur' T-Shirts

SAN FRANCISCO—Citing poor U.S. sales, San Francisco-based Me Tees T-shirts announced Tuesday that nearly 30,000 of their cream-colored,...

Muslim-American Speaks Out

2006-11-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

Islamic Society of Nevada director Aslam Abdullah wrote an open letter to Al-Qaida criticizing them. A lot of people have been calling on Muslim leaders to speak out against the terrorists--lets just hope that more Muslim leaders actually in the middle-east start doing this more.

One of my favorite parts of his letter is this excerpt:
"Many among us American Muslims have differences with our administration on domestic and foreign issues, just like many other Americans do. But the plurality of opinions does not mean that we deprive ourselves of the civility that God demands from us. America is our home and will always be our home. Its interests are ours, and its people are ours. When you talk of killing Americans, you first have to kill 6 million or so Muslims who will stand for every American's right to live and enjoy the life as commanded by God."

If we can convince more Muslims of this, especially the very poor ones in the middle east who feel like killing westerners is their only option, then we will be far better off in this "war on terror." Convincing them of this is a lot harder when their houses are being destroyed and their family members are being killed by our bombs. Diplomacy at gunpoint can only take us so far. This is obviously a very complicated issue, and it is not going away any time soon. I am glad I am not the one making all the decisions, and I don't envy our leaders who do, but I want the correct ones to be made. I think education is key, and the more education those people have, the less belligerent they will be. Is it any coincidence that the American Muslims are not blowing themselves up? They are educated, and they have everything they need to sustain life and live comfortably. This is something that the poor Muslims elsewhere in the world do not have, and their ignorance is killing themselves and other innocent people. Killing one fanatical leader only leads to another one taking his place.

This is surely a debate that can and will go on for a long time.

A follow up to my Rush Limbaugh post

2006-11-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

A little backing to my Rush Limbaugh party being bad for the Republicans in the last election. It seems like many Democrats agreed with my posting on how Rush Limbaugh was bad for the republican party. It just goes to show that the smallest miscalculation can destory momentum on the field of political elections.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/15965553.htm

A quote from the Nazi Hermann Goring

2006-11-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

I stumbled on this quote from the Nazi war criminal Hermann Goring. His observation on power and leadership are eerily familiar. I am not equating anyone in our government to Nazi's, I only am drawing a similarity of philosophy between the things we do to protect ourselves (i.e. Patriot Act) and all out war on civil rights.

Göring spoke about war and extreme nationalism during the Nuremberg trials in an interview with Gustave Gilbert, a Jewish German-speaking intelligence officer and psychologist who was granted free access by the Allies to all the prisoners held in the Nuremberg jail:
"Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

Wow! I'm humbled and awed.

2006-11-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

I just love this photo from the hubble telescope. Everytime I look at it I think of how great the works of God are and how truly insignificant we should be to God but because of his providence and love, we are not. Each particle of light represents a galaxy consisting of billons of stars. This represents an obscenly small fragment of our universe. Incredible.

21st Century War... what are we to do?

2006-11-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

In this new era of warfare, it is difficult to define our enemy. They are numerous, but all different in many ways. They all have a common goal however.. to kill western republics. Liberty is their enemy... in all its forms. They are at war with a concept. As long as it exists, their religious dogma can not be forced on all inhabitants of the earth. They don't care what country has it, they want it destroyed. Many on their side call it the "war with the west.." So, they are at war with a direction too... cool.

Why can't we define the enemy the same way? If Liberty is their enemy, why can't ours be a concept as well? Are we not at war with Fascism? In all its forms? Ultimately, they only way for us to be truly free is to stomp out authoritarian governments. We spread our way of life through liberty and allowing people to make their own choices. The Islamic Fundamental groups believe the opposite. They believe they must force their beliefs on others. So, they must kill the movement of Liberty.

Aren't we then in a catch 22? If the only solution to upholding Liberty is to destroy Fascism, and the only way to do that is to kill people and overthrow Fascist governments... would we not be doing exactly what they want to do to us? Are we then better simply because when we are done killing, we leave the people with Liberty and the ability to create a republic? Maybe we are?

Are we willing to go this far? Are we willing to just destroy Fascism? Period? If not, we will always be living in fear, playing defense and getting irritated with men like George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld because the world hasn't given them the political backing to go all the way. To use ALL our might to kill the enemy and everyone around them and never look back. Our men and women in uniform will continue to die and it will NEVER end. This is the question of our time everyone... so.... Let's open the floor here... what are we to do???

Republicans Furious at GWB

2006-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Great article from the hill. http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/110906/rumsfeld2.html

While I think Pres. Bush has handled this war like a coyote handles a rooster, I think he was right in not accepting the resignation of Rumsfeld just a couple of weeks before the election. This would have looked like an attempt to make the war more political than it already is.

Had the Pres. been truly interested in helping the republicans keep their majority and show the American people that he truly cared about how the war was being run he would have accepted the resignation of Rumsfeld the first time he tried. This looks like a ploy to save face in his final years.

What a complete mess of a president Bush has been. I'm selling " I voted for Bush...and I'm sorry " bumperstickers for $10 anyone want one?

Will a Mormon Save the Constitution?

2006-11-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

I ran across this article by chance on the WSJ website. It talks about the prophecy Joesph Smith made regarding the "Constitution hanging by a thread." Many of us LDS folks my be inclined to vote for a Mormon candidate because of our belief in the possibility that there will be a Mormon who "saves the Constitution." This prophecy has also apparently inspired many LDS people to run for office. Mike Otterson pointed out that the prophecy is not official canon--something I was not aware of, and many other LDS people may not have known. He says, "There may be some members of the church who think that in supporting a Mormon candidate and seeing the possibility of a Mormon president, there may be some sort of scriptural validation." But Mr. Otterson explains, "It begins to take on almost a zealous tone that I find a little worrisome."

Read this article now! It is very, very interesting.

Nasty Ads Keeping Good People Out of Politics?

2006-11-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

There is a piece on the Opinion Page of WSJ.com talking about all the money spent on negative ads this year. I know I speak for everyone when I say I am glad those ads, the phone calls, and the junk mail is over. I literally got 2-3 pieces of mail and 1-2 calls every day for the last several weeks from Bill Clinton, anti cloning, and other interest groups.

The author suggests that one of the effects of all the negativity is this: "The reaction to the onslaught is aversion; qualified, capable people avoid politics and the political process at all costs, thus diminishing the talent pool. The subtextual message of political advertising is: You'd be crazy to get involved. It's bad and it's only going to get worse." It would seem that this is true--just look at who is in Washington. Its no wonder to me, why so many Americans are now calling themselves Independents. We now have two Independent Senators. The two parties are, to quote the article, "spending the hundreds of millions of dollars they raise microtargeting supposedly single-issue voters and bombarding them with negative messages about the opposite party's alleged disdain for those concerns. Put more simply, they send you junk mail you don't open, and leave robo-calls on your answering machine that you immediately erase."

We need reform. Some have suggested banning commercials all together by the candidates, but that simply lets the hundreds of interest groups spend the money and air the commercials. The bottom line, to me anyway, is that most Americans fall somewhere in the middle on the political spectrum, and all the people on the fringes spending the most money are ruining politics for everyone. We are getting more polarized and divided, in a time when we desperately need to be united.

Media Bias Illustrated

2006-11-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

I hear the term media bias thrown out there everyday primarliy from the talking heads on the right side of the aisle. Here is an example of blatant bias found in the leftie enclave, the New York Times. Read it here. It is regarding the John Kerry joke gone bad. Here is what he said:

"..you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well.."
"..if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.."

You won't see this quote anywhere in the article, written the day after said comment. In fact, it states on more than one occasion that Bush attacks Kerry for his comments. So Kerry is painted as the victim of a "vast right wing conspiracy."

Very interesting....

Romney, Bush Ticket

2006-10-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

Interesting article about Mitt and Bush younger. I think we need to start thinking of the bumper stickers. http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=164837

Any suggestions?

Mormon Armchair Pundits

2006-10-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

Gov. Mitt Romney is tapping the seasoned political team of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, leading to speculation that the Mormon from Massachusetts may be courting the Bible Belt blueblood for a possible Romney-Bush ’08 ticket.

Earlier this month, Jeb Bush’s former chief of staff and top political adviser, Sally Bradshaw, jumped to Romney’s Commonwealth political action committee.

Days after the meeting, Bush’s chief finance director - Ann Woods Herberger, whose association with the Bush family dates back to George H.W. Bush’s presidential first campaign - also joined Romney’s political action committee

The moves have set political circles abuzz with rumors of a Mitt-Jeb ticket.

http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=164837

This could make for powerful combo!

Mormon Armchair Pundits

Rush, Friend or Foe?

2006-10-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

You know I'm not sure if Rush does more good or bad for the conservative cause. For every smart thing he does he does something stupid. If there is one person who epitomizes the racist, ego-centric, socially careless, money hungry and down right jerk republican it is freak'in Rush Limbaugh. He has become a one man democratic smear commerical. They don't even have to pay for it anymore, it comes free on his show.

His remarks about Michael J. Fox are excruciatingly painful to bear. I mean this is Alex P. Keaton we are talking about! Have some decency man! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15408508/

Rush, do us all a favor and just shut your pie hole long enough so that your brain can process that what you are about to say is insensitive and harmful. How arrogant is he that he thinks that he can say whatever he wants and repent for it later. For all his antics and shameful self- engrandisment he is also petty and belligerent. In an election year where his party is looking from the outside in he says something to add to the already bitter pill that the American people are feeling for republicans. And you call yourself a friend to the cause? With friends like these, who needs the democrats.

Fantasy Congress

2006-10-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

Fantasy football has a monopoly on fantasy this time of year. Welcome, Fantasy Congress, where people play politics! I ran across this website where you draft a team of congress people, and you score points based on the amount of legislation they push through congress. Check it out here.

This is a very interesting idea; maybe we should form a league.

Blogged with Flock

Mormon Armchair Pundits

2006-10-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

Once again I think the Boston Globe has it in for Romney and the LDS Church. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/22/consultants_e_mails_show_mormon_plan_for_romney/
I hate to see them dragging the leadership of the church into this. I'm sure this is not what they want. This may be the hardest thing for Romney to over come. He is going to want as much Mormon help as he can, but yet he doesn't. The more help he gets from LDS Members the more the media is going to spin him as a Spokesperson for the LDS Church.

Mormon Armchair Pundits

Romney, evangelicals and a site worth supporting

2006-10-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Mitt Romney if nothing else is creating quite a stir in the ranks of the GOP. Can the Grand Ol' Party survive the storm that is a brewin? Here is what I mean.

The internal fight between the various wings of the "Christian Right" has started. In a recent interview with the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MO Jerry Falwell said, "If he's pro-life, pro-family, I don't think he'll have any problem getting the support of evangelical Christians," Falwell's Moral Majority organization may not have a problem in supporting Mr. Romney but others outside of his group may. James Dobson, the influential evangelical founder of Focus on the Family, stated recently on the Laura Ingraham shown, "I don't believe that conservative Christians in large numbers will vote for a Mormon but that remains to be seen, I guess," I say, why would Christians would fail to support Mr. Romney? Mr. Dobson stated that the governor's stands on social issues are similar to those of many religious conservatives. Dobson says,
"He's a nice guy. He's a very attractive man. He's got a beautiful wife and a lot of his principles and values are consistent with ours," The opposition mounting on both sides is thickening and deeper questions are starting to be asked. There are good signs however that Mitt can get support from the evangelical base. A site that is comforting and worth supporting is, http://www.evangelicalsformitt.com/ . A group of evangelical supporters of Mitt Romney who think despite his particular "sect", he is the best candidate. This is a great pro site. The question is when will the anti sites start coming?

I can feel the tension already! I would dare say that the greatest battle in the GOP this up coming presidential election won't be between the "Moderate" republicans and the "Conservative" elephants who jockey over how much torture is too much tortue, but instead between the factions of the Christian Right.

Oh my gosh, if I could be a fly on the wall while those folks meet!

Make no mistake however, what question that will be decided. The magical question that the religious right will debate is, who's worse, a Mormon president or Hillary Clinton? The answer should be very interesting.

Mormon Armchair Pundits (edit -- Church response posted)

2006-10-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm all for Mitt Romney running for President, but this kind of stuff is going to hurt the LDS Church along with his chances of getting into the presidency. You would think the Dean of Business at BYU would have more sense then this.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Governor Mitt Romney's political team has quietlyconsulted with leaders of the Mormon Church to map out plans for anationwide network of Mormon supporters to help Romney capture thepresidency in 2008, according to interviews and written materialsreflecting plans for the initiative."http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/10/19/romney_camp_consul

Mormon Armchair Pundits

(edit with the response from the LDS Church in the Deseret News, published 10/20/2006)
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650200241,00.html

Olberman on a roll

2006-10-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

Usually the most vocal, beligerent and honest folks are those on their way out. Could Olberman be on the verge on joining the ranks of Phil Donohue and Michael Savage as the latest members of the MSNBC staff to get the ax?

No matter, I love what he has been saying lately. It is most likely an abberation of agreement but in any case I think he is right. And as our beloved prophet GBH has said, "We invite all those of faith to bring their truths..." I think what right is right no matter who says it, and for the love of Thors hammer, he is right.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15321167/page/2/

These guys are ruining it all for everyone!

2006-10-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

Geesh, every time I think they are being marginalized they go and do something tragic. The Christian Right, specifically Evangelicals since they're the only ones going to heaven, now "Broaden their moral agenda". Not only do we have to hear about their endless yapping on male on male unions, Abortion and monkey's to man we now have to hear them telling us that to be saved we have to eat more tofu and drive a 2hp Honda Insight. Where will their pious regard for the human soul stop? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15322221/

Is the Mormon machine ramping up? (edit -- Church response posted)

2006-10-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

Interesting article in the Boston Globe... http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/10/19/romney_camp_consulted_with_mormon_leaders/

Could the Mormon cogs finally start turning in support of a political candidate? Could the standing policy of neutrality finally be shelved in favor of the church's other long standing policy of political activism? Probablly not, but I don't doubt that the ex-facto Church machine will be in full force to help elect Mitt Romney. As well as it bloody well should be! For a church that claims the Constitution of this great country as revelation it is about time we stood up to defend the darn thing.

I'm sure that the Church will not suffer this to story to get its feet but I know somewhere in the back of the minds of our leaders they are privately pushing Romney 08 and will quitely do their part to put the greatest service army into force to elect one of their own and in my opinion, the best candidate.

For those interested in supporting Romney, I have included a link to his PAC. Donate once, donate often. In my humble but correct opinion, Romney is the greatest candidate for those "movement" conservatives and I believe the great equalizer of the Christian Right.

http://www.thecommonwealthpac.com/

(edited with response from the LDS church, published 10/20/2006)
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650200241,00.html

--- Salt Lake Tribune Chimes in as well ---
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4521108

Swami Buchanan

2006-10-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

He wrote a great article, see link

http://www.theamericancause.org/

Rush's Rant ( Edited with Scarborough link )

2006-10-18T19:54:00.000-07:00

--- Below is an article by Joe Scarborough for reference ---

Ok, I have to respond to Rush. Look at the monologue : http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_101806/content/landmark_rush_monologue.guest.html

I understand what Rush is saying and what he is trying to do but it is still poop. The republicans of this administration and congress have been utter failures, traitors of the faith and at best wolves lying in wait to deceive. Wake up Rush! Just as Buchanan and Scarborough stated, "movement" conservatives are lost in the Republican party. People who voted for true conservative principles are once again realizing that republicans don't stand for their values. These "movement" conservatives are people of principle and characters of consciousness. They are not party hogs and they certainly don't care what whether they lose an election if it means they have to give up their principles. This idea of leadership and values at any cost is what Reagan and Gingrich were all about. That is what we loved about them and why we long for the return of their principles.

What Rush doesn't seem to understand is that a people so moved and idealistic do not give up easily, and that no amount of fear of the "other" side can so move them to quit themselves. What most conservatives are saying is that we don't care who wins, the two groups are the same. Republicans dressed as conservatives should get as much respect as men dressed in women's clothing.

The conservative movement within the republican party is no more. They are ex-conservatives, they are conservatives that have passed on, conservatives that have gave up the ghost, they are picking up daisies. As good members of society we should respectfully bury them and hope they were believers and can be made whole again. The way we restore ourselves is by once again making a contract with the country to restoring American values and vote our conservative, moral and down right kick butt conscious.

--- See Joe's Article ---
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.scarborough.html

Wavering Faith?

2006-10-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Alright, alright! Call me what you will but I have lost confidence in our so called "plan" to win the war in Iraq. Forgive me for no longer bleeding red, white and blue but I can no longer believe that our President and his administration have a control over Iraq. The war is not getting better, after years of being entangled in Iraq we are no closer to winning.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15314207/

I am willing to concede under heavy sedation that we are not worse off but I sure as heck know that it is not getting better. And for that matter, look at the world. Nukes in North Korea, evil in Iran and a world that the U.S. no longer has respect. Heck, I even agreed with Keith Olberman of MSNBC, Keith Olberman! I can hardly look at myself in the mirror. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9g8fzNSOrY

This is how I see it. In a post Sept. 11th world our country needs to have strength of character, clear direction, unity or purpose and someone we can look to for leadership. We don't have any of these. What is to become of us?

Muslim Arabs and the Rest of the World

2006-07-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

As news continues to come in about the violence occurring in the middle east between Arabs and Jews, and our military and insurgents in Iraq, Kim Jong Ill and North Korea; I can't help but think the world will be ending soon. I am always looking for insight into this problem; I want to understand it more, so it makes sense to me to look to Arab journalists, or just your average Mohammed on the street to help make sense of everything. I found in interesting blog entry here. The author gives his thoughts "Regarding the deafening Arab silence in condemning Israel."
I also read a very interesting interview of a man named Pierre Rehov, a French filmmaker who has filmed six documentaries on the intifada by going undercover in the Palestinian areas. Pierre's upcoming film, "Suicide Killers," is based on interviews that he conducted with the families of suicide bombers and would-be bombers in an attempt to find out why they do it.
The following are parts I found very interesting(which ends up being nearly the entire transcript):

Q - Why is this film especially important?

A - People don't understand the devastating culture behind this unbelievable phenomenon. My film is not politically correct because it addresses the
real problem, showing the real face of Islam. It points the finger against a
culture of hatred in which the uneducated are brainwashed to a level where their
only solution in life becomes to kill themselves and kill others in the name
of a God whose word, as transmitted by other men, has become their only
certitude.

Q - What insights did you gain from making this film? What do you know
that other experts do not know?

A - I came to the conclusion that we are facing a neurosis at the level
of an entire civilization. Most neuroses have in common a dramatic event,
generally linked to an unacceptable sexual behavior. In this case, we are talking
of kids living all their lives in pure frustration, with no opportunity to
experience sex, love, tenderness or even understanding from the opposite
sex. The separation between men and women in Islam is absolute. So is contempt
toward women, who are totally dominated by men. This leads to a situation of
pure anxiety, in which normal behavior is not possible. It is no coincidence
that suicide killers are mostly young men dominated subconsciously by an
overwhelming libido that they not only cannot satisfy but are afraid of, as if it is
the work of the devil. Since Islam describes heaven as a place where
everything on Earth will finally be allowed, and promises 72 virgins to those
frustrated kids, killing others and killing themselves to reach this redemption
becomes their only solution.

Q - What was it like to interview would-be suicide bombers, their
families and survivors of suicide bombings?

A - It was a fascinating and a terrifying experience. You are dealing
with seemingly normal people with very nice manners who have their own logic,
which to a certain extent can make sense since they are so convinced that what
they say is true. It is like dealing with pure craziness, like interviewing
people in an asylum, since what they say, is for them, the absolute truth. I
hear a mother saying "Thank God, my son is dead." Her son had became a shaheed,
a martyr, which for her was a greater source of pride than if he had
became an engineer, a doctor or a winner of the Nobel Prize.

This system of values works completely backwards since their
interpretation of Islam worships death much more than life. You are facing people whose only dream, only achievement goal is to fulfill what they believe to be their
destiny, namely to be a Shaheed or the family of a shaheed. They don't see the innocent being killed, they only see the impure that they have to destroy.

Q - Is there a suicide bomber personality profile? Describe the
psychopathology.

A - Generally kids between 15 and 25 bearing a lot of complexes,
generally inferiority complexes. They must have been fed with religion. They
usually have a lack of developed personality. Usually they are impressionable
idealists. In the western world they would easily have become drug addicts, but not
criminals. Interestingly, they are not criminals since they don't see
good and evil the same way that we do. If they had been raised in an Occidental
culture, they would have hated violence. But they constantly battle against their own death anxiety. The only solution to this deep-seated pathology is to be
willing to die and be rewarded in the afterlife in Paradise.

Q - Are suicide bombers principally motivated by religious conviction?

A - Yes, it is their only conviction. They don't act to gain a territory
or to find freedom or even dignity. They only follow Allah, the supreme
judge, and what He tells them to do.

Q - Do all Muslims interpret jihad and martyrdom in the same way?

A - All Muslim believers believe that, ultimately, Islam will prevail on
earth. They believe this is the only true religion and there is no room,
in their mind, for interpretation. The main difference between moderate Muslims
and extremists is that moderate Muslims don't think they will see the
absolute victory of Islam during their lifetime, therefore they respect other beliefs. The extremists believe that the fulfillment of the Prophecy of Islam and
ruling the entire world as described in the Koran, is for today. Each victory of
Bin Laden convinces 20 million moderate Muslims to become extremists.

Q - Describe the culture that manufactures suicide bombers.

A - Oppression, lack of freedom, brain washing, organized poverty,
placing God in charge of daily life, total separation between men and women,
forbidding sex, giving women no power whatsoever, and placing men in charge of
family honor, which is mainly connected to their women's behavior.

Q - What socio-economic forces support the perpetuation of suicide
bombings?

A - Muslim charity is usually a cover for supporting terrorist
organizations. But one has also to look at countries like Pakistan,
Saudi Arabia and Iran, which are also supporting the same organizations
through different networks. The ironic thing in the case of Palestinian suicide bombers is that most of the money comes through financial support from the Occidental world, donated to a culture that utterly hates and rejects the West (mainly symbolized by Israel).

Q - Is there a financial support network for the families of the suicide
bombers? If so, who is paying them and how does that affect the decision?

A - There used to be a financial incentive in the days of Saddam Hussein
($25,000 per family) and Yasser Arafat (smaller amounts), but these days
are gone. It is a mistake to believe that these families would sacrifice their
children for money. Although, the children themselves who are very
attached to their families, might find in this financial support another reason
to become suicide bombers. It is like buying a life insurance policy and
then committing suicide.

Q - Why are so many suicide bombers young men?

A - As discussed above, libido is paramount. Also ego, because this is a
sure way to become a hero. The shaheeds are the cowboys or the firemen of
Islam. Shaheed is a positively reinforced value in this culture. And what kid
has never dreamed of becoming a cowboy or a fireman?

Q - How can we put an end to the madness of suicide bombings and terrorism in
general?

A - Stop being politically correct and stop believing that this culture
is a victim of ours. Radical Islamism today is nothing but a new form of
Nazism. Nobody was trying to justify or excuse Hitler in the 1930s. We had to
defeat him in order to make peace one day with the German people.

Q - Are these men traveling outside their native areas in large numbers?
Based on your research, would you predict that we are beginning to see a
new wave of suicide bombings outside the Middle East?

A - Every successful terror attack is considered a victory by the
radical Islamists. Everywhere Islam expands there is regional conflict. Right
now, there are thousands of candidates for martyrdom lining up in training camps in
Bosnia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Inside Europe, hundreds of illegal mosques
are preparing the next step of brain washing to lost young men who
cannot find a satisfying identity in the Occidental world. Israel is much more
prepared for this than the rest of the world will ever be. Yes, there will be
more suicide killings in Europe and the U.S. Sadly, this is only the
beginning.

Pretty sobering stuff. This interview both answers questions, and begs more. Regarding his comments about the suicide bombers' libidos--He is saying that because they are not getting laid, they are killing themselves. That may be overly simplistic on my part, but I don't see any young Mormon men going out and killing people because they haven't gotten any. I realize though, that there is much more to it than just being horny. The filmmaker talks about "organized poverty" aiding the leaders' ability to "brainwash" these young men. I think that is a very good point, just look at all the young Muslim men in western Europe and in America; they are enjoying more economic prosperity (more so to the ones in America) and are not as a result volunteering their lives for a cause.

Anyway, just my two cents on probably the biggest issue facing all of us in the world right now: what to do about radical Islam.

Capitalism and Democracy

2006-06-28T18:14:00.000-07:00

I came across an interesting article about the necessity of capitalism in a society to ensure freedom and peace. Click here to read it. It was written by a local Kansas City man, Carl J. Schramm, who is president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kaufman foundation. I am a pro free-market kind of guy, but I also don't want to rely on capitalism and coporations too much. I would advocate a sort of responsible capitalism, whatever that might mean. I suppose it means that the market is free up to a point where no one gets hurt or trampled on by big corporations; and I also suppose that would mean that it would limit how big and powerful, or influential corporations could get. I don't know, what say all ya'll?

Myths of Iraq

2006-03-20T09:32:00.000-08:00

Nothing better to break the blogging silence than a piece on Iraq.
Given the anniversary of "shock and awe," this op-ed gives an insiders view of Iraq as it stands now and allows us a chance to reexamine the issue. Iraq has become a tired story trying many Americans patience. Bleak depictionsn night after night, with seemingly no end in sight. I used to look forward to Sunday mornings with the Fox News roundtable followed by Little Russ, until the subject matter turns to Iraq, then I tune it out. This piece addresses that issue by stating that its the medias fault for inaccurate reporting. That may or may not be true. Most likely it is somewhere in the middle, as with any story we read these days. This anniversary is the perfect time to examine what progress and failures have been made, reexamine our own personal stance on such a devisive issue, and look forward to 'sucess' in the Middle East.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/03/myths_of_iraq.html

Evangelical Bias, The Great Threat of Modern Conservatism

2006-02-20T17:02:00.000-08:00

This article below illustrates only a certain aspect of why I believe the evangelical right is destroying the Republican Party and moreover, it is why I believe they are destroying the conservative movement. It is their narrow zeal that keeps us from signficant progression. It is not about equality, it is not about morals or prosperity but about their "christian kingdom". A single idea based on a narrow world view of christianity, and all those that oppose that idea. This narrowly defined world view of nothing or all why I fear the evangelical movement to my very core.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/02/19/is_america_ready_for_a_mormon_president/

Romney, One Step Closer

2006-02-20T06:16:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, I will be starting a State of Kansas Elect Mitt organization. Go to Americansformitt.com and join (if you are so inclined) the new national group to elect Mitt. Here is a recent article from Mitt's last trip to South Carolina.

By Dan HooverSTAFF WRITERdchoover@greenvillenews.comStepping up his soundings as a potential 2008presidential candidate, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romneytold Greenville Republicans on Saturday that thefederal government, without naming President Bush, isspending too much money and has "underappreciated" theterror threat's scope."Look at the numbers," he said of Washington'sspending habits, and warned that by 2020, entitlementswill consume 70 percent of the budget. "That wouldmean defense would get 15 percent. How can you be thesuperpower of the planet and only have 15 percent ofyour budget go into national defense?"Romney told more than 300 Republicans attending abreakfast before the county party's convention thatthe threat to America is bigger than many believe andis aimed at bringing down the nation, not just bombinga shopping mall.At the most critical period in U.S. history, whenAmerica and the world are under attack by "globaljihadists," not just a small group of terrorists,Romney said some leaders have "underappreciated andunderestimated" the threat's magnitude.Romney said America's foes' "global view is that theywere given a huge part of the planet for their people,and it's their job to go back and recapture all thatportion. One nation keeps all that from happening,from combining all those nations under one element:the United States."But Romney went on to express appreciation for Bushfor "being willing to declare war on terror."In recent weeks, Romney has emerged as a terror warhawk who supports increased monitoring of foreignstudents and shifting from programs geared to reactingto attack to those aimed at preventing them.He made no direct reference to the presidentialsweepstakes, but turning to South Carolina Gov. MarkSanford, said, "You're lucky to have this man as yourgovernor, and he'd make a good president, too."Sanford has sought to end speculation he's interestedin a White House bid of his own.Romney was followed by South Carolina Sen. LindseyGraham of Seneca who weighed in on spending by theGOP's congressional majority, saying, "We've forgottenwhat it's like to be a Republican when it comes tospending money. I want the president to start vetoingsome bills. Veto some," he added for emphasis.For Romney, the appearance was sandwiched between aFriday night dinner in Spartanburg and another speechThursday to the Lexington GOP convention, all part ofthe run-up to South Carolina's first-in-the-Southpresidential primary in two years.

Good Quote

2006-02-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." - Ronald Reagan

What is Al Gore Thinking??

2006-02-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

I think this one goes without saying. To make outrageous unsubstantiated claims against your country, in "enemy territory" during a time of war, is this a smart move Al? Not only is it completely stupid, and dangerous, its treasonous. What is this guy thinking? It's one thing to disagree with the administration, or even dissent, but this is over the line.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-17-Fri-2006/news/5930845.html

Religious Tolerance?

2006-02-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

This guy makes a compelling argument about the Danish cartoon controversy and the consequent fallout among followers of, as he calls it, a religion of peace. Freedom of expression taken too far, maybe. Overreaction, most definitely. How would we react if The Prophet was depicted in like manner? I can tell you for certain there would not be riots, burning, destruction and death in the Salt Lake Valley. Quite the opposite. Aside from a PR statement denouncing any such depiction, from a religion of peace, 'turn the other cheek' would be the end result if such slander should befall the Saints.
Thoughts?
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3497863

Walter E Williams on "Rights"

2006-02-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

This is one of the great classics of Mr Walter Williams. It think this needs to be preached from the rooftops because it is the very core of the social debate.. "now"... read on.

http://www.townhall.com/opinion/column/walterwilliams/2006/02/08/185444.html

State of the GREEN Union

2006-02-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

Energy independence, Alternative energy sources, and Dick Cheney's resignation? All part of the State of the Union, according to Thomas Friedman. This commentary brings up some great points about U.S. dependence on a commodity that is indirectly, and in some cases, directly, funding global terrorism, and how to best change the direction of our nation to become more self-sufficient and green? In this case, being green is not a leftist crazy ideology, but a long-term pragmatic view of a cleaner, self-sufficient, secure nation.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635180292,00.html

Hot In the Hot Tub!

2006-01-24T20:07:00.000-08:00

Wow, it looks earth hit record temperatures in 2005! Is it Global Warming? A Heat Wave? Liberal Conspiracy?

The real question...How in the double heck do these folks know that this is hottest the earth has ever been? They state that this is the hottest the earth has been since they started taking the temperature of the earth in the late 1800's. I'm sorry but weren't these folks crapping in outhouses in the 1800's? Running water? Electricity? Micro-Evolution? Weren't the hustlers, women of the night, and the 8 year old kid who cut his toe on the plow share dying of infection because they didn't know that little micro-organinisms were destroying them from the inside?

And we are supposed to believe that they could take the core temperature of the earth?

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2006-01-24T230108Z_01_N24226172_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENVIRONMENT-WARMING.xml&rpc=22

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

2006-01-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

We watched the classic film "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" in one of my classes today. I had heard a lot about this film and had always wanted to see it, and today I got my chance.

This film was incredible, and I will tell you why. It is a timeless film, especially during this time when we are learning about corrupt senators associated with Abramoff, and defense contractors, etc. This film is as valid today as it was back in 1939 when it was made. It makes one realize that that perfect, honest idealogue that goes into the black hole known as Washington D.C., becomes corrupt and falls into the money trap. There is a great scene in the film where Jimmy Stewart's character is listening to a veteran senator explain why it is he did what he did. He explains that there has to be compromise in bills brought before the senate, and how things work on the senate floor. It was very telling, and depressing. This is sort of an expose on how things really work in Washington.

Anyway, if you all havent seen it, then put it in your Netflix queue, or go to your local video store and rent it, you wont be sorry.