Confessions of a Geek

What writing

2011-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

So, I can only speak for myself, but when its been a while since I've read Tolkien, I seem to forget just how good a writer he is. Its easy to remember that his stories are awesome, but just how good the prose is, wow. I'll give you a couple examples I came across while reading The Two Towers on the train.

Dreadful as the Dead Marshes had been, and the arid moors of the Noman-lands, more loathsome far was the country that the crawling day now slowly unveiled to his shrinking eyes. Even to the Mere of Dead Faces some haggard phantom of green spring could come; but here neither spring nor summer would ever come again. Here nothing lived, not even the leprous growths that feed on rottenness. The gasping pools were choked with ash and crawling muds, sickly white and grey, as if the mountains had vomited the filth of their entrails upon the lands about. High mounds of crushed and powdered rock, great cones of earth fire-blasted and poison-stained, stood like an obscene graveyard in endless rows, slowly revealed in the reluctant light.

I particularly liked this one.

...like men on the edge of a sleep where nightmare lurks, holding it off, though they know that they can only come to morning through the shadows.

Anyway. There's a little Tolkien for you, what a great author. That is all.

When did compromise become a bad word.

2011-07-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ever since the last election, I have been confused over the current stance (I'll use the right as my example because I spend more time in that crowd), that compromise is wrong, in all its forms. It seems that people don't understand that their stances shouldn't be taken completely and put into action. Why is it that Republicans (and Democrats, but currently its Republicans), cannot understand that losing the Presidential election means something. We lost, they won, how is it that we now think that our policies should be the ones put into effect? Why is it considered traitorous to enter into negotiations where give and take brings you to a middle ground?

To take it to its simplest, at least half the country disagrees with the Republicans, and the Democrats. Why is it that both parties on a given issue believe they have a mandate from the people to hold firm and refuse the bargaining table that will require giving up some of what they want to get a resolution?

The current debt crisis is a wonderful example of this problem. I am not going to claim the Democrats are blameless. Many things have led us up to this point, more politicians than statesman. More rhetoric than desire to solve problems. However, as we sit right now, it seems that the Republicans must shoulder the lion's share of the blame. They have drawn a line in the sand on any and all revenue increases via changes to the tax code. And to be clear we're not talking about raising tax rates. We're talking about doing away with loopholes and tax breaks that bring the richest in America's taxes down.

I know, I benefit from tax breaks as well. I have, in my time, benefited from child tax credits, EIC, mortgage interest deduction, tuition deduction, student loan interest deductions, etc.. The tax code, rather than being a right and wrong, and a good vs. evil proposition, is one of opinion. However, when you don't bring in enough revenue for all the things you have to pay for, it becomes a problem.

I believe in the proposition that lowering taxes on the wealthy stimulates the economy, but I do not believe it is a constant. When the tax rates were up somewhere around 70% pre reagan, and then they were dropped significantly, I do believe that helped stimulate job growth and the economy. However, I do not believe that it is a 1 for 1, if taxes are lowered, things get bettered. There is a point of diminishing returns. Our current tax rates are very, very low. The highest rate is currently lower than at any time during Reagan's presidency. And many tea party candidates are pushing for it to be even lower. This makes no sense to me. We clearly are not bringing in enough revenue, and we are spending too much. Any argument that it is only one, or only the other to me seems absurd. The idea that the problem can be fixed merely by raising taxes, or that it would all be better if we cut spending is in my opinion ludicrous. Of course, neither idea is as asinine to me as the idea that the real fix is cutting taxes. That, to me, seems pure pandering with absolutely no care to whether or not it causes incredible harm.

Do Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid need massive changes, I think so. Do we spend to much money on all sorts of things, in my opinion, yes. But I do not think taxes are too high, in fact, I do not really have any opposition to the top bracket being raised by a percent or two. If we want to look to data, if 38%~ helped bring us one of the best economies under Reagan, why is it imperative that it be 35% now, or heaven forbid, even lower?

The main point I wish to make is this. To draw a line in the sand and take any and all talk of taxes off of the table with the current debt crisis is immature and irresponsible. I look to George Bush I, and see a very good president, who when he realized how wrong headed his "read my lips" stance was, raised taxes for the good of the country. When partisan hacks decide that the will draw a line over each and every issue, as if their opinion has descended from Sinai, they hurt the country. Hopefully, this standoff will not continue much longer. But already, I find myself blaming the tea party for the vast majority of this debacle.

The Bridge Builder

2011-07-17T09:05:00.001-07:00

The Bridge Builder

by Will Allen Dromgoole (1860-1934)

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray
To a chasm vast and deep and wide
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The rapids held no fears for him.
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” cried a fellow pilgrim near,
“You’re wasting your time in building here.
Your journey will end with the closing day;
You never again will pass this way.
You have crossed the chasm deep and wide;
Why build you this bridge at even-tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head.
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There follows after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This stream, which has been as naught to me,
To that fair youth may a pitfall be.
He too must cross in the twilight dim —
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”

I first heard this poem while working at Boy Scout camp. It was used by one of the staff members who manned one of the stops on the Honor Trail. For those who don't know, the Honor Trail was a short hike at night that had several stops talking about portions of the Scout Oath, and its continued relevance and importance. I loved this poem, as I always enjoyed the Honor Trail.

As it is often lately, my mind is often consumed by the ideas and state of our society today as it deals with the idea of immigration. Now, I know, seeing that I may be talking about immigration, some will probably automatically leave. My ideas and stances are fairly well known I think, but it fills my mind, and my heart so often I cannot help but at least let these ideas out here.

I have been confused in the past as I hear some who have navigated the convoluted immigration system successfully. Some speak very strongly against amnesty, or easier options for those already here, or those still wishing to come. How unfair it would be for them to not have to go through the same time, money, and effort that they did to come out the other side. On some level, I can understand the frustration with having to jump through so many useless and punitive hoops, and then see others not have to do the same. However, I would suggest that the frustration and dissappointment with the needless complexities of the system would better be aimed at the system itself. Who better knows the heartache and anger of trying to get through that labyrinth than those who have managed to come out the other side. On some level, I guess I can understand directing the frustration in the direction of the next one to come, but I don't think thats where it should go.

Infinitely more baffling to me, however, are those to whom there were no obstacles, to whom their were no fences or roadblocks. Whose ancestors came here and besides perhaps a stop to make sure there were no infectious diseases, had the gates of the country opened to them. No extra fees, no endless paperwork, no confusing and pointless rules and regulations. Nobody standing in England on the dock saying, okay, fill out this paperwork, and if you are lucky, we'll get around to looking at it within the next decade, and we'll let you know. I can never understand why those who enjoy all of the multitude blessings of this amazing country want it to be difficult, and in some cases impossible for anyone new to come here. It seems that in those cases, when the old man got to the other side of the ravine that had been spanned by a very nice bridge, he turned around, set charges, and blew it up.

We have an opportunity in my generation to build the bridge. And I believe it to be not just a worthwhile endeavor, but one that will help return this country to a state that I believe it was meant to be in.

Beautiful place.

2011-06-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

So, I love Camp Loll. Not only is it, in my opinion, the very pinnacle of scout camps in the U.S., but I finally caught Alisa there, and drove back in there at the beginning of November after camp to propose. Anyway, here is a link to a blog of the guy who runs that camp, this post that I am linking has some incredible pictures of when they tried to get in to camp just a week or so ago. Here.

Is Anybody There.

2011-06-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

I highly doubt anyone comes to this blog anymore, I mean, why would you when I don't even come here much anymore. Unfortunately it lost a lot of appeal when some random dude found the blog and reported something I had written to my superiors at work. I guess its not a good idea to bag on the legislature when you work for the government. I hear things all the time that interest me, and that I would like to talk about, but somehow it never gets written down on the blog. Maybe my expectations were just too high, thinking I needed some long in depth post in order to blog. I think perhaps I will begin blogging again with shorter posts about stuff I just happen to be thinking about at the time. Again, it will probably just be for me, but who knows, maybe I will be reaching some random nosy people who want to make sure I don't say anything inappropriate.

"Skin in the Game"

2010-09-21T05:22:00.000-07:00

(Forgive the length of the post, but I found it all necessary to discuss the topic)

I've never liked this phrase. Perhaps, I will admit, because I don't like the political ideology that it is currently used to describe, but we'll get into that in a minute. As anyone who knows me is aware, I have been more and more disillusioned by the political landscape of late. Will has pointed out that he feels bad for me, as my side of the political spectrum over the last ten years has moved further from what I stand for, his has moved closer to what he stands for. But I guess thats what you get when you are a communist (Will, not me), but I digress.

I decided this last year, that it was wrong of me to sit on the sidelines and complain about this migration that the party most closely aligned with my beliefs is experiencing, and I should get active. So, as the time for political activity approached, I studied up on the various Republican candidates for Senate in Utah. I read everything I could find that the various candidates themselves said or printed. I then studied the various stances they espoused. I did everything that I could to prepare myself for the upcoming local meeting where we would pick a delegate. I had never before registered with a political party, and had never before attended one of their meetings, but being a spectator no longer seemed like an option, so I got ready and went to the local caucus. I would have loved to be a delegate, but didn't feel comfortable nominating myself, so I ended up being an alternate. To the credit of the delegates that represented our district, my voice and opinions were always very sincerely listened to, and sought after, though in the end my delegates and I did not at all see eye to eye, this is not a commentary on them, as I believe them to be sincere, and wonderful people as I know them personally. This is all back story, because the true point of this post is to point out the multitudinous problems with a phrase that became popular as it was championed by the likes of Mike Lee, and portions of the current political movement on the right. Skin in the Game.

Now, what is actually meant by this. As far as everything I can gather from reading and discussions with the proponents of this ideology, it means that we need to have everyone, every single adult, paying taxes. The basic theory is that if everyone, no matter how poor, paid taxes, they would be less likely to support candidates and legislation that spent more money. I don't find fault with the goal, to encourage the government and our representatives to be more fiscally responsible, I too would champion such an outcome. I will, however, through this post, lay out the reasons for my very strong opposition to this idea, and line of thinking.

Poor people don't pay taxes. Its an oft used phrase, one I have myself used. Though it is not wholely accurate. While it is true that up to a certain income, people don't pay income tax (by the way, its not just the poor, with my number of children and the amount of money I make, I don't pay federal income tax either), its not accurate to say that they don't pay any taxes. Property tax, sales tax, and the payroll taxes are not income discriminate. Anyone that lives in anything pays property tax, anyone that buys anything pays sales tax, and anyone that has a job pays payroll tax. So, to set the foundation for the discussion, lets just clarify. There is a segment of the populace, that pay no income tax. It is wide ranging, as I pointed out, in my current situation that includes me. However, even the poorest do already pay some taxes.

Taxes are, by their very nature, unfair. It was the first thing my Basic Income Tax professor told us the first day of that class in Law School. You can waste your time arguing it if you want, but I believe it to be indisputable. We (the government) are taking your money, and you get nothing assured in return. Now of course in practice there are a multitude of things that everyone gets in return from the taxes taken, but bear in mind that those aren't guaranteed, whoever happens to be in office decides how much of your stuff to take, and what to spend it on. People, I think, really need to understand that. There isn't a 'fair' level of taxation and an 'unfair' level of taxation. All taxation is unfair, but some taxes or kinds of taxes, or taxing paradigms may be more palatable to one person or another.

So, lets get to it. Skin in the game, the idea that everyone should pay taxes, or rather, the idea that everyone should pay taxes, the way Mike Lee (using Mike Lee as an archtype, as I know he stands for this, and I can't really say 'Republicans' or 'Tea Partiers' as I don't think all of any one group has this stance) thinks is the fairest. The most common proposal I have seen is for a 'fair tax' (I hate this term, but they came up with it, not me). This is usually denotes a complete repeal of income tax as it is now, and institution of a consumption or national sales tax, estimates I have seen put the national sales tax in the range of 26%. Lets talk about that for a second. You don't pay your income tax, but everything you purchase costs 26% more. To put that in real world situations.

When I was going to Law School, I didn't have a job, Alisa worked. We made very little money, had our first child 7 months into Law school, and lived frugally in the old married student housing at the U. For the first year, Alisa was also finishing her degree, to say we had little money is accurate. We didn't buy much, but there is, of course, a basic level of stuff that has to be purchased. Earned income credits, child tax credits, and college tuition credits were incredible blessings every February, I grew to love doing my taxes. Now, I imagine losing all of that money, and my expenses going up by 26%, and I don't think I could have done it. Our options would have been Alisa or I getting a second job, moving in with my parents, dropping out of Law School, or going into even more student debt than I did. Now, while all of those are things we could have done, what is the benefit? Bear that question in mind as I continue.

Someone who makes minimum wage grosses 1260 per month (believe me, I deal with incomes constantly in my job). Lets take a single mom with two kids. She works full time, but only makes minimum wage. She lives in a government subsidised apartment, so that rent is low, and she is on food stamps already. She is on medicaid, because of course her minimum wage doesn't have benefits. She pays no income tax, obviously, but of course she does pay payroll taxes, so after all her fixed expenses her take home from a minimum wage job is only a few hundred dollars. She has utilities, and a car payment, school supplies, clothes for her and her kids, cleaning supplies, basic household neccesities and any unforseen expenses. Maybe, if she is lucky, she has enough for some Christmas, and Birthday stuff, and an occasional fun activity or extra curricular for one of her kids. All in all, stuff is tight. Now, say we take away all the Earned income credits and child tax credits, and on top of that, we make everything she buys 26% more expensive. So, her buying power is now 26% less. She obviously can't buy as much stuff, so stores sell less stuff to her, her quality of life, and that of her kids goes down further. Lets say she spends 400 dollars a month on various things, 26% of that is 104 dollars. She doesn't just magically get that much money more per month, so she really only is able to purchase 296 dollars worth of stuff now, but still spends 400, 104 of that goes to the federal government. So, what is our benefit. We have made her have 'skin in the game'. She now pays 104 dollars per month in taxes to the government. We'll be out of debt before you know it. Sales drop by 26% to the segment of the society that have no extra disposable income in their monthly budgets. But we do get 104 dollars per month from a single mom who makes minimum wage. So surely, with all these new tax payers on the rolls, the budget problems will be more balanced, right? Well, bear in mind, you've also lost all the income tax of people who make more than 7.25 per hour.

You see, there is a finite amount of stuff that most people will purchase in a given month. Everyone needs a certain amount of stuff, now, some of us buy an amount more than we need, but at a given point, you can just only purchase and consume so much. So a national sales tax has a break off point. A person making minimum wage, 7.25 per hour, may spend 400 dollars per month and pay of that 104 dollars in taxes. Making their relative tax burden 8.25%. But in order for that to actually be 'fair' or even, a person making 120.19$ per hour, or 250k a year, would have to pay $1718.75per month in this national sales tax spending roughly 6610.57 every month on purchases. It strains credulity to claim that there is not a natural cut off on how much people actually spend each month, to believe that everyone that makes 250k per year will spend six and a half thousand dollars a month on taxable purchases, does not ring true to me.

Taking all of that into account, what is the benefit to the nation of taxing the minimum wage earner 26% on all purchases? Does it make them go get a degree, so they can earn more? Does it relieve the national budget burden, and bring in enough money to pay the bills? Does it force congress to spend less? I would say the answer to all of these questions is a resounding no.

There is only one thing that, in my opinon, this tax system would do, only one, and that is lower the tax burden exponentially the more money you make. Thats right, it would lower the taxes on people who make more money. I would ask anyone who cares to, to explain how raising the taxes on the poor, while lowering the taxes on the more well off solves any problem?

A Modest Proposal (but no baby eating)

2010-07-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

So, I was asked what I would do about Illegal Immigration so I'll lay it out here. I'm more than happy to entertain suggestions, but from all of the thought I have given it, I've come up with the following. (In the spirit of disclosure, not all of the ideas are mine, but I take what I like and run with it).

First, to get some basic foundational things out of the way. I do think illegal immigration is a problem. I do think our society would be better off with 0 illegal immigration. There are obvious problems with tax implications, working under the table, and most importantly in my mind, id theft. Plus, the influx of people coming over the border makes enforcement nearly impossible, which I also believe is very problematic. I see those as the main problems, and I do believe that they need to be fixed. Here is my basic plan for what to do.

First, to be perfectly clear, I think trying to deal with only half of this problem at a time is just ridiculous. To compare it to say, the oil leak in the gulf, makes absolutely no sense, you do not have to 'plug the leak' before any 'clean up' takes place. If the system to get here legally, and the system for dealing with people already here is not fixed at the same time the border is fixed, the border fix will not work. They must go hand in hand.

Okay, here we go. There are 3 basic problems that need to be dealt with. First, the border. Second, the system of entering the country legally. Third, what to do with the millions of undocumented people already here.

First, the border. Having a secure border is absolutely necessary for national security. Immigration proponents that do not believe that, in my opinion, are just as self-deluded as immigration opponents who think all we need to do is enforce harshly and the rest cares for itself. I will forego a giant list of reasons for enforcing border security, the necessity is a given. I believe in a multi prong approach. I believe that there needs to be a combination of physical barriers, increased border patrol presence (i.e. more agents), and a high reliance on advanced technology. Currently, our best weapon, the advanced technology, is basically crippled. So many people come across that it is hard to use the technology to its utmost, to pinpoint spots that bad guys are crossing. This is fixed with dealing with the second basic problem, but we'll get there. Once there is a way for those who want to come here for work/school/medical care/freedom etc. legally, then those who are sneaking across, and are caught with the technology, we know they are the bad guys. All of these things, in my opinion, will be very successful, but only if we drastically cut the number of people crossing the border everywhere.

(to be clear though, no matter how much security at the border is stepped up, there will always be ways to cross the border illegally. But if we can expend the resources to stop drugs, criminals, and all around bad people from coming in, instead of the good guys, we'll be much more effective)

Second, we need to fix the system of entering the country legally. Currently, for someone to enter the country legally requires a lot of money, time, and luck. The system imposes burdensome fees at almost every crossroads of legal entry and residence and citizenship. The fees themselves are a giant fence keeping out the poor. Then there is the beauracracy. Paperwork, and waiting periods. The yearly alotment of guest worker visas is routinely gone by January or February. People's requests for entry into the country can take literally (and its very important that that is understood, this is not hyperbole) years. YEARS. However, if you have luck on your side it might work. A labyrinth of rules on which people we want to let in and who we don't make it so that there are some (professional athletes, maybe someone a big corporation wants to come in and work, basically someone that a very wealthy person/corporation is interested in), are able to get through the system fairly quickly, while someone unskilled or 'less desireable' may for all intents and purposes be barred from entry.

It would be my proposal that we simplify the process. People wishing to come here could. A criminal background check would be used. And everyone entering would be fingerprinted, and obviously have to go through a search for drugs etc.. There would be a few specific entry points, anyone entering at any other spot would be assumed to be a criminal. We could have two separate systems, one for those who just want to come work (guest worker program) and another for those who want a path to citizenship.

Third, what to do with those that are here. Honestly, I have no problem with the word amnesty. I think its a great word, and I embrace it fully. If estimates are to be believed, there are between 12-20 million undocumented people here. In my opinion, the only workable option is to provide a plan to let these people make themselves right with the law. A system whereby individuals need to come forward, pay a fine, and register. They then can enter one of the two systems, guest worker, or path to citizenship. I don't care if we put them at the end of the line (I actually don't think it matters, since we are blowing up the line anyway), but those that are here that want to become citizens should have that opportunity.

This takes care of all of the problems I have heard associated with illegal immigration. Taxes are now paid, they pay into the system that they benefit from, and most importantly, identity theft is left to the tweakers. Immediately the demand for false/stolen ids plummets, which cuts into the money of criminal elements.

On top of this, once these problems are taken care of, I have no problem with huge penalties for those who employ anyone illegally. Giant fines, and possible criminal penalties for knowingly employing someone here illegaly.

Any thoughts?

Tone of Discourse

2010-06-16T07:10:00.001-07:00

I was asked to speak in church this last week based on a comment I made in Bishopric meeting. Thats what I get for opening my mouth right? Who am I kidding, I enjoy speaking in church. But, I have to admit, I was more nervous about this talk than any before. I actually wrote the whole thing out, instead of just having an outline. I wanted to make sure that the things I was saying were not just my opinions, but that they were doctrine. So, I reined in some of the things I wanted to say, and kept it very specifically from conference talks, and the scriptures. After two youth speakers and an intermediate hymn, I still had 30-35 minutes to talk. So, what was my talk about? It was about working towards Zion, with a particular focus on being unified. It all blossomed from thoughts I have had about the level of political discourse, on all levels of society today.

I have been very disappointed over the last few months as I have watched this new wave of angry citizens use their collective political might. Its not so much their political stances (which I don't particularly agree with), its more in the tone. And don't for a second think that I believe that the tea partiers, or any specific group is solely responsible for political tone, I don't, but the current atmosphere is just a great example of where we have come to. And where we are is a place I am uncomfortable with.

In a talk entitled, "Instruments of the Lord's Peace" Elder Robert Wood of the Seventy asked the following,

"Have we who have taken upon us the name of Christ slipped unknowingly into patterns of slander, evil speaking, and bitter stereotyping? Have personal or partisan or business or religious differences been translated into a kind of demonizing of those of different views? Do we pause to understand the seemingly different positions of others and seek, where possible, common ground?"

How often do we get email forwards filled with jokes about those who disagree with us, and not really funny ha ha jokes, but jokes that are filled with cruel stereotypes or vicious denunciations? How often do we assume and attribute the worst motives of human nature to those on the other side of an issue, instead of giving the benefit of the doubt that though we disagree, others motives are as sincere as our own?

Elder Wood went on to say,

"We should avoid caricaturing the positions of others, constructing “straw men,” if you will, and casting unwarranted aspersions on their motivations and character. We need, as the Lord counseled, to uphold honest, wise, and good men and women wherever they are found and to recognize that there are “among all sects, parties, and denominations” those who are “kept from the truth [of the gospel] because they know not where to find it.” Would we hide that light because we have entered into the culture of slander, of stereotyping, of giving and seeking offense?"

Those of us in the church hear ever election season the letter from the First Presidency stating that the Church does not support or endorse any candidate, party, or platform, and that we should support good men and women, and that they can be found in all parties. Do we believe it? I'm serious, how many people tune out when that letter is read, because they have heard it before. I think it may contain some of the most important counsel for us today we could have. It is too easy to assume that because our personal opinions coincide with one political party or another, that that is the party where truth and right are, that these are the good stances, and the other side is bad, wrong, and evil.

For those of us that are members of the church, it may be instructive to go to lds.org and look at the church's political stances. There aren't many, which should be incredibly telling. It is easy to slip into the idea that because the church is conservative on several major social issues, that conservatism is the way of the church. It is not. The gospel of Christ is not bound by such man made labels. It deals in eternal principles, not these things. Examples, do I think that taxes should be low, and that a more free market system is better for a country and an economy? Yes, does the gospel require, or suggest that? Not anywhere I can see. Embryonic stem cell research? Thats a hot button topic for a lot of people. Surely it is a moral question, right? Well, check out the website, the church is neutral on it.

It may seem that I am picking on more republican leaning people, and that is probably because members are usually right leaning, but it can go both ways. How about when the church has come out with a stance, and it disagrees with what we have come to believe? Gay marriage, abortion, mothers staying home to care for their children?

The problem that we must watch for is when our political beliefs, those temporary temporal subjects that hold little to no eternal value become so important in our lives that they overshadow those things that are eternally important. One such eternal value is unity. The Lord said in Doctrine and Covenants 38:27 ". . .be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mind."

We can't be unified if our hearts are filled with animosity towards those who think differently politically. Elder Wood counseled in his talk,

"President George Albert Smith observed, “Whenever your politics cause you to speak unkindly of your brethren, know this, that you are upon dangerous ground.” Speaking of the great mission of the latter-day kingdom, he counseled: “This is not a militant church to which we belong. This is a church that holds out peace to the world. It is not our duty to go into the world and find fault with others, neither to criticize men because they do not understand. But it is our privilege, in kindness and love, to go among them and divide with them the truth that the Lord has revealed in this latter day.”"

Also, quoting President Hinckley,

“Now, there is much that we can and must do in these perilous times. We can give our opinions on the merit of the situation as we see it, but never let us become a party to words or works of evil concerning our brothers and sisters in various nations on one side or the other. Political differences never justify hatred or ill will. I hope that the Lord’s people may be at peace one with another during times of trouble, regardless of what loyalties they may have to different governments or parties.”

I used to be so interested in politics. I was kind of a junkie, and constantly read and kept up on everything, and consequently, had very strong opinions that I would argue tooth and nail. I can't do it anymore. Politics, for the most part, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I am grateful for any good man/woman who can get involved and serve with integrity, but so much of it has become so distasteful. And I don't think we have anyone to blame but ourselves. Conservative or liberal, both sides inject so much vitriol to gain ground, to one up the other. We must learn to do differently if we are to be one.

Return of REAL.

2010-03-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it officially started last week, with a 3-0 road win I might add, but it won't really be here until I walk up the Grand Staircase at Rio Tinto and look out over that beautiful soccer field. Their first home game is against the team I most like to see come to town, Seattle. I don't have any special attachment to Seattle, but Kasey Keller is my favorite soccer player of all time, so I kind of dig getting to watch him play, even if he does have to lose. Its soccer season people, and if you don't have tickets, get on the ball, you will never have more fun at a professional sporting event.

Two wrongs don't make a right.......

2009-11-29T20:02:00.000-08:00

But, this does not mean that all wrong things are wrong to the same degree. Let me explain.

I have found the fallout of Max Hall's comments about Utah very interesting. I have seen 3 different reactions to his comments. First, BYU fans that are cheering the comments, obviously stupid. Second, fans, non-fans, and others who think he was wrong to say it, but understand where the animosity comes from. Third, people who refuse to aknowledge the source behind the comments and merely decry him as a classless jerk.

This got me to thinking about the idea of fans and to a larger extent people defending or at least explaining away bad behavior with the response that the opposition does it as well, as if that somehow makes it okay, or at least pulls the other side down to the same level of shame. I will try to illustrate my thought process with a few examples.

First, this one came to mind after I read Camille's comment about sports fans getting as bad as the political arena. I found this comment particularly astute. The animosity that has grown up around the BYU-Utah game is absolutely ridiculous. The anger, vitriolic comments, and actions that would shame people to their core at any other time seem fair game during the 'Holy War' week (a title I absolutely abhor). But, I also think the political analogy particularly helpful to my point as well. Just because two sides of an issue/contest whatever are both stupid, does not mean the are wrong/abhorrent to the same extent. For example. I had never before seen such anger and hatred spewed by a large portion of one group politically as I saw directed at our former President. It was sickening to the extreme, and though I continued to be more and more disillusioned with any politician on the right side of the aisle during the same time period, never did I feel as much disgust as I did for the left (generalizations used for conciseness), though they were both stupid, I was more disgusted with the left. This has now been eclipsed with the blind hatred spewed by those (mostly self-styled conservative republicans) who have taken up the banner of anti-immigration. Though I still disagree with much of what the left does, I am ultimately more disgusted by this faction of the right. They are not equal in stupidity.

Second, soccer fans. As I am sure Mark and Hilda will be quick to tell you, when they had to sit in the midst of Sam's Army during the U.S. v. Costa Rica game, that group of fans is rather disgraceful. I would not feel comfortable taking a child of mine to watch a game if they had to endure the profanity and obscenity spewed by the collection of idiots who have dubbed themselves Sam's Army and follow the U.S. men's national team around the country. That being said, their stupidity does not rise to the level of Mexican national team fans. I have never been more disgusted with a group of sports 'fans' as I am consistently with the Mexican fans. Batteries chucked at opposing players, bags filled with urine and worse dumped or thrown on opposing players/fans at any chance. I have more than once said that FIFA should not allow games in Azteca stadium until Mexico shows that they are willing to rein in their own fans. Sam's Army is a collection of idiots, Mexico's fans are a disgraceful stain on world sport that in my opinion should not be allowed to have a game played before them.

Utah and BYU. Now, I know that many of you will merely chalk this up to my own personal bias, but I think you should actually take a second to think over my points before you do. There are idiot BYU fans and there are idiot Utah fans. I don't think this can be disputed. I have attended many BYU football games (never against Utah, and I never will), I have also attended a BYU home basketball game, Alisa has been to several UofU Basketball games, and a few gymnastics meets, she has also been to a couple football games at the U. I felt disgusted at the BYU fans at the Basketball game, and frankly don't have any desire to go back, I found them immature and insulting. Alisa had nothing but good experiences at both the Basketball games, and gymnastics meets. The only complaint I have ever had at a BYU football game, was when the fans booed BYU's coaching decisions, I find that childish. Alisa was forced to move at one of her games, because of the incredibly large group of drunk and offensive fans in the student section. The question is what type of behavior is acceptable. At Utah football games, being drunk, loud, and profane seems not only to be accepted, but in some ways encouraged. While beer is not sold at the stadium many have been drinking for hours before the game at tailgating parties, and as I was informed by many Utah fans while in Law School, sneaking alcohol into the games was one of the easiest things ever. Whether the individual is a better person or not, a student who was drunk or profane at BYU would not go over well at all. This isn't to comment on the individual 'righteousness' of the fan, but what the culture of the stadium and school foster. Utah does its best to distance itself from all things Mormon and 'Utah-like'. You can list all the Apostles and GA's you want who graduated from Utah, besided the LDSSA, you won't find many on campus that care to remember that. Now, if you truly think that I am merely pulling opinion out of thin air, ask yourself this. Which campus has to completely cover every statue so that they aren't painted red? A BYU student caught drunk and profane at a BYU football game could very easily be kicked out of school, a U student might be escorted from the stadium. There is a different level of what is acceptable. While the idiots in blue are still idiots, and their actions are in no way acceptable, that does not make their actions equal to the idiots in red.

Now, how does this all pertain to Max Hall's comments? Well, to me, it helps me understand them. Are all of the U fans classless idiots, of course not, I have some friends who are season ticket holders, they are good people and would be incensed to see some of the stuff happen to people that U fans do. But, Max Hall's experience with U fans is thus, they verbally abused his family, and dumped beer on them. Then, for years, have used some of the most debased languange in chat rooms, message boards, and editorials including the school sanctioned 'paper' if you want to call the tripe that is the Utah Chronicle a paper, to describe him. Given him an obscene nickname that is freely bandied about by the majority of the vocal U fans. It is clear by the fact that no one does anything to rein in the Chronny that the administration of the U has no desire to foster any different attitude. Several of these things would not be found on the other side. Some of them would be, but not all. I really don't think it can be disputed, though both have their idiots, Ute fans, as a group are worse. It does not surprise me that Max Hall hates the U, their program, their fans, and the school. I understand it. Does that excuse it? No, he was out of line. He should be, and will be reprimanded by the league, and the school.

Anyway, the end result is this, the whole rivalry is getting stupid. And its being pumped up by media, and stupid fans. But the obscenity, the vulgarity, and the vitriol has to lay much more on the Utah side. Just read the articles in each schools newspaper, and the filthy comments that are posted on the U's. That wouldn't fly in BYU's paper.

The Gathering Storm

2009-11-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

This is the latest installment in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I will continue to refer to it as Jordan's even though Brandon Sanderson is, quite wonderfully, finishing off the series for the deceased Jordan. Luckily for all of us fans, Jordan left a plethora of notes and outlines, as well as haven already written somewhere in the range of 10-20 thousand words already. The 'final' book ballooned to a reported 800 thousand words, and subsequently is being published in three different volumes. So, basically, it went from a 12 book series to a 14 book series. Some may cynically see this as a money making ploy. I frankly don't care if it is, as long as I get more great story, and honestly when you pick up this latest book, it couldn't have been three times this size and been manageable.

On to the book itself. I will not put down any spoilers, I hate spoilers. (The most shameful experience of my life is giving the ending away to a movie for some inexplicable reason that I still can't comprehend, sorry Mark). Anyway, many Jordan fans began to be turned off around books 8-10. Admittedly, the story slowed to a snail's pace. I will not spend time defending the books as good, which they are, or explaining that on a second or third reading there are parts that you really get to appreciate, which is true, I will simply say that in books 11 and 12, the story jumps back to the amazing form that fans were used to at the beginning of this series.

The first thing I must say is that Sanderson did a masterful job at picking up where Jordan left and weaving Jordan's notes into a book that, frankly, is impossible to distinguish from Jordan's writing. I was leary that the books would have a different feel, being authored by a different person, but it did not. For you fans, do you remember the way you couldn't put down The Shadow Rising because of how compelling the story was, or the excitement of Fires of Heaven. The Gathering Storm should be placed firmly in the very top of these books, as good as any of them. Story's begin to resolve and it is clear that this series is headed quickly and decisively to an amazing conclusion. I wish I knew more people who have read it, so I could start talking with them about it, so far its just Alisa and me, as far as I know.

For those fans who gave up back in the slow time, come back and catch up with this series, I promise you won't be disappointed. For those who were tempted away by that flash in the pan George R.R. Martin, or any other of a myriad inferior writers/series, you need to catch up and read The Gathering Storm, it was a masterpiece, plain and simple.

400 thread count sheets

2009-11-09T08:06:00.001-08:00

Holy cow. Just bought some 400 thread count sheets from Sam's Club the other day, put them on last night. I can't adequately describe how awesome they are. I'm used to just the cheapo 100-150 thread count sheets, which are fine, but wow, what a difference. If you have the chance, splurge, get some of these, its worth it.

Fourth on its way.

2009-09-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

So, Alisa is pregnant with our fourth. We are both very excited. It will be interesting to see if the trouble making continues to be distilled in each subsequent child we have. Its like an exponentially growing amount so far. Anyway, she is due sometime in April, so at least she won't ever be cold this winter.

My Blog

2009-09-23T07:34:00.001-07:00

So, its been quite a while since I posted anything here. This was kind of my outlet for my thoughts. Unfortunately, I realized how it can be taken and twisted, so, I kind of lost the passion for it for a while. This was the place that I wouldn't have to censor myself to make sure that everyone was okay with it, but now I have to worry as I post, who is going to read this? And what will they do with it. Its stupid, I know, but that is how it is.

Lance, yet again.

2009-07-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I am a huge Lance Armstrong fan. He is the only person, in my opinion, who can make the Tour exciting. When he doesn't race, I can understand everyone else's opinion about bike racing being like watching paint dry. But when he races, I'll get out of bed at the crack of dawn to watch a stage where he is going to make a move, go flying up a climb, and fight past people to cross the line first.

The most recent issue of Sports Illustrated had two separate articles about Lance, the first basically talking about how Lance is a giant hypocrite for not admitting that he dopes. It talked about how many people dope, about how in Europe its pretty much agreed upon that all of them dope, and that Europeans don't care that much, get caught, serve a supspension, all is forgiven. It hammers Lance for pages about how ridiculous it is for him to think that anyone would believe that he could be that much better, and not dope. The second article talks about the following commercial.

The person who wrote the second article took Lance to task for what she saw as almost unforgivable arrogance in trying to tie criticisms of him to the fight against cancer. She argued that he was making it impossible to critique him without coming off as being an opponent of what he stood for. Finally she finished with saying that he should be less forceful in his tone about his critics.

Thats a load of crap.

In the same magazine that she spouted that tripe, her editors felt the need to put in pages denouncing Lance as a fraud, and a doper, and a hypocrite. His tone seems to be right on the money to me.

There are many who claim there is no way he could be as good as he is, so automatically assign him to be a doper and a cheat. I find it amazing that the same label is not automatically put on Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lebron or Kobe. No one claims that Barry Sanders must have been a juicer to run like he did, especially with the sieve of an offensive line that the Lions had. No one says you must be blind and naive to think that Joe Montana, or Steve Young must have been cheating to have the success that they saw.

You want hypocrites, look to the people who, because cycling isn't America's pasttime, are so quick to denounce someone who dominates the sport when they don't hold their sports heroes up to the same standard.

Is it possible that Lance has taken some performance enhancing drugs, of course. Of course it is possible that he has access to drugs that are impossible to detect over literally thousands of tests given at completely random times with more scrutiny that any other athlete in the history of the world....its possible. But it is out of the realm of logic to make the claim that because doping exists, that because people in his sport have doped, and because he has beaten those same people consistently for years, that he too must be guilty absent any and all evidence to back it up.

I'll still be excited to watch him win the Tour this year, and make no mistake, when they finish in Paris he'll be wearing the Yellow Jersey. The critics can continue to say whatever they want, this guy actually makes it exciting to watch men race bikes for hours at a time, tell me one other professional athlete with that kind of charisma.

Me and the BSA are gonna have a fight.

2009-06-05T10:45:00.001-07:00

I couldn't be more enraged by the stupidity of this new BSA policy. Story here.

Apparently the BSA thinks its a grand idea to say that any scout or leader who is overweight, as decided by the BMI scale, will be banned from participating in many activities. It seems the rule is that if one is overweight you cannot participate in any activity that would take you more than 30 minutes from emergency medical help.

I have more than one problem with this. First, the BSA already required a physical to go to scout camp etc.. If someone were unable to safely participate the doctor would not clear them. Second, with the state of health in the youth of the country, is banning them really the good option here. But, if these were the only problems, I would just be annoyed, what enrages me is the use of the BMI to label kids and leaders.

I hate the BMI, I hate how it makes its blanket labels with no real differentiation between body type, or variables.

Now, I am the first to admit that I am overweight, and I am currently working on losing weight. But, I would direct you to this BMI website. It will tell you what weight you need to be to be considered not overweight according to them. For me? I would need to lose 78 pounds to finally drop into 'normal' weight. I would have to weigh 191 lbs. If this rule were actually enforced, I would have never been allowed to go to scout camp, work at scout camp, go rock climbing, etc.. I would have been unable to take my Varsity scouts down the Snake river a couple years ago.

It is hard enough to find adults who are willing and able to help out with scouting, if this is actually enforced, it would really be the death of any sort of outdoor/high adventure scouting.

I couldn't be more enraged at the BSA.

Already getting excited.

2009-06-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

Granted, all these guys are still seniors this next year, but its always exciting to see future good news. ESPN story here.

The top QB prospect in the country decided to commit to BYU, with him came one of the top WR prospects (decommitted from Texas, committed to BYU), and a top linebacker from California.

For those who are BYU football fans, its always good news to get the big name Mormon recruits (no all you BYU haters, not because they 'should' come to BYU, but if we can't get big name recruits with the BYU/mormon thing going for us, how are we ever going to get big name non-mormons.)

And, as I always do, I hope these guys choose missions, I'd rather wait an extra two years to see them succeed on the field.

Troubled by Judge Sotomayor

2009-05-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

I always hate to have even close to the same opinion as people like Ann Coulter, but I do have some serious reservations about Pres. Obama's nomination for Supreme Court Justice.

Judge Sotomayor has said, and I quote,

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life,"

Now, some of Obama's supporters have given explanations such as this,

"Charles J. Ogletree Jr., a Harvard law professor and an adviser to Mr. Obama, said Judge Sotomayor’s remarks were appropriate. Professor Ogletree said it was “obvious that people’s life experiences will inform their judgments in life as lawyers and judges” because law is more than “a technical exercise,” citing Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.’s famous aphorism: “The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.”

I do not disagree with Mr. Ogletree at all. I do think that people's life experiences will to some extent affect their judgements, however, nothing he says seems to go to the heart of her comment. She says, and feel free to disagree or point out where I am misunderstanding her statement, that one judge would 'more often than not' rule better from the bench, or be a better judge if they were a) hispanic and b) female. At least, they would make a better judge than a white male, I guess we cannot extrapolate where a black man/woman, white woman, hispanic man, etc. etc. etc. fall on her scale of who makes the best decisions.

As much as I feel that this process has become too obstructionist, I would have to oppose her confirmation, if it were up to me.

Things I don't get; heavy bass.

2009-05-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

So I was running an errand yesterday, and behind me, at a stoplight, was some moron with his bass pumping. I don't get the bass thing, I don't get why it makes you 'cool'. I find it nauseating, literally, whatever it is doing to my inner ear or insides is incredibly uncomfortable. When I get stuck by someone blasting their bass away I get the urge to take a baseball bat to their sound equipment.

My Anniversary

2009-05-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

I know, 4 posts in a row, but I was thinking about it, and had to post a bit.

So, on May 18th Alisa and I had our 7th anniversary. For some of you that's small beans, but then you're old so.... Anyway. I find it kind of odd, on the one hand it seems like only yesterday and its wierd to think that its been 7 whole years, but on the other hand, I can hardly remember my life without her. Alisa is amazing. I am so grateful for her.

Star Trek

2009-05-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

To follow up on the post a few inches down, I went and saw this movie with Alisa, it was awesome. I give it *** 1/2 stars, and I am quite confident it will be just as good the second time around. Probably one worth owning. Go see it.

C.S. Lewis

2009-05-21T07:10:00.001-07:00

I just finished rereading The Chronicles of Narnia. Its been said so many times that I don't really know what I could add to it, but those books are fabulous. I would implore anyone who hasn't read them to read them. They are some of the most beautiful literary works ever. Yes, you read that right, not just in children's lit, or fantasy genre. Of all literary works ever written, these are some of the most touching and beautiful. I love these books. As I reread them I was at time amazed at times moved by the simpleness of the story, and the wonderful way he is able to convey such deep religious themes in what on the outside seems to be a children's tale of centaurs, dwarfs, and magic.

Read them, you won't regret it. Read them again.

Back: Something about Obama

2009-05-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

So, I have been meaning to blog about something now for weeks. So, today I'll drop two quick little entries, and hopefully be back in the full swing of things.

Pres. Obama just signed into law a regulation that will require auto makers to up their fleet mpg to 35. I like this. Before anyone starts talking about free market etc. etc., I don't buy it. When the consumer has true choice you might be able to argue free market. However, that is not the case. The vast majority of people either cannot afford some sort of hybrid car, or the cars currently in manufacture will not meet their needs (large families, etc.). Furthermore, I believe that as a country we have a flat out security/environmental need here. Our petroleum based economy is absolutely flawed, and we need to get off the oil kick (not just because of foreign oil, I frankly don't care that much where it comes from), and we have a need to lower emissions in any responsible way possible. And in case you've never read my environmental opinions before, that stance isn't because I implicitly believe that we are causing global warming or any such thing. It is because I believe we are required to be wise stewards and I do not think, as a society, we are....at all.

So, thumbs up Pres, I think that is a great move.

Prediction

2009-03-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

So, I have mostly sworn off of making sports predictions. One always looks bad when the vagueries of chance turn out to not be in your favor. I am going to suspend that rule for March Madness however. I'm not going to talk about BYU, or Utah. I am going to talk about a blow out in the making. Marquette vs. Utah State.

Utah State won 30 games this year, thats insane. They beat Utah, nearly beat BYU, and blew through the WAC like they were playing High Schools. Marq is from the Big East (this is where you are supposed to gasp in awe). They've probably never heard of Boise (where the game will be played) and barely are able to condescend to play there. Utah State fans will drive up to Boise and they will be able to watch Marquette get lit up, this thing is going to be a blowout. You can take that to the bank.

Back to geek stuff. Star Trek: The Movie.

2009-03-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Go here watch the trailer, it is awesome. If we are lucky the movie will live up to that trailer.

Chiropractors Part 2: Unknown

2009-03-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

So, I went to the Chiropractor. A lot of things that he did were pretty awesome, he has this table with rollers on it that you just lay on as it massages your back with a heat pad and electric things on your back. It felt great, wish I had one at home. Then he did get a few good pops out of my back when he messed with it. However, I think I am now sure that it is/was a muscle thing. Either a pull or a tear. I felt pretty good as I left the place, then as I cooled down, my back just tightened back up and this morning I hurt again, but I can pretty much tell that it is muscle pain. So, to be fair to chiropractors, I don't think there is anything he could have done to help a pulled/torn muscle.

Final determination, unable to quantify his overall effect. So, I don't know how well chiropractors work.

But I still hurt.

Chiropractors Part 1: Do they work

2009-03-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

So, I was helping my neighbor move last night and something in my back popped. I wasn't lifting or twisting (the two big killers), I was pulling a big appliance dolly with a freezer on it. Who knows what kind of irreperable harm I have done to myself, right now I'm willing to have back removal surgery. Anyway, I have made an appointment with a chiropractor for this afternoon. Part 2 of this stirring in depth investigative report will be whether or not I will survive to perform my Elder's Quorum duties again.

Two more Obama decisions, one indifferent, one bad.

2009-03-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

Yucca mountain. So, after we have spent 16 billion dollars to prepare Yucca mountain to be the depository for the nations spent fuel rods, the Obama administration has decided to scrap it because, as the energy seceretary says "we can do better". Thats all fine and good, and may even be true, but I think that is beside the point. We currently have spent fuel rods that have to be stored on site. By law, the federal government is supposed to take possesion of those, and store them, they currently are not. In order to comply with the law, Yucca mountain was chosen as the site. We have spent the money, but now, I guess, the mountain will just sit unused. Is there possibly a better option, who knows. Is the status quo better than Yucca mountain, by no stretch of the imagination. Anyway, it seems to be political pandering that doesn't help anything, and is actually harmful, and wasteful. Big disagreement from me.

Second, stem cells. Here I could have done an entire post on this topic, but something else has me a little more miffed, so this one will stay on the shorter side. Stem cells are a hotly debated topic, problem is, I think the argument is on the complete wrong portion of the process in my opinion.

Currently those who go through the in vitro process harvest and fertilize more eggs than they use, when they are not used, the vast majority get dumped down the sink (maybe not the exact technical process, but the result is the same.) Anyway, the arument is over whether or not these embryos should be used (or actually whether or not federal funding should be used) in research. So, people can have their safe moral stance against it, because surely a human life > research, right? I would agree, but don't think that is the comparison. When these embryos are going to be flushed, shouldn't our debate be about whether or not its moral to create so many embryos that will never be used, and discard the excess? By the time we hit research stage, these embryos are disposable either way. But it is harder to take a moral stance against people who want to have a baby. It makes the debate more complex, but I think its more intellectually honest.

So, I am kind of indifferent to Obama's lifting of the ban on research money.

How to fix Utah's education problems.

2009-02-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

Now, I realize this idea may well catch on and run like wildfire through all 3 people who frequent this blog, but the whole subject infuriates me so much, I have to put down my solution to it, its cathartic.

Every year around legislation time here in Utah we hear the same thing, not enough money is going to schools, why aren't we putting more money into schools, etc.. I found it especially nauseating this year as people were wanting to 'hold education harmless' in this budgetary crisis, even though they got like a 10% funding increase just last year, when everyone thought the State was flush with money. Heaven forbid they feel the bite of the budget axe like everyone else.

This post won't be about how we should decrease funding for education, I'm not espousing that position (though it is important to note that we spend more on education as a state than any other thing budgeted). This post will be about how that vast sum of money could actually be put to some sort of efficient use.

One of the biggest problems is the popular idea that we need 'local' control over our schools. I don't even know if anyone has ever defined that in the debate, as it makes no logical sense. Are people fearful that those in Vernal will push their Godless views on us Davis Countians? Or maybe that the special and unique needs of the student in Washington County couldn't possibly be addressed through the same curriculum as the kid going to Bear River. "Local Control" has acheived near unimpeachable status, it is good because it is good. We value it, because it is valuable. Ridiculous.

I would like to tear local control from the cold dead fingers of the bloated beasts that are school districts, and give all that power to the state. Let me explain. If one were to do a little reasearch (which I have), one would find that the number of administrators in a fairly good sized school distric (say Davis County), is just seven people fewer than the population of Albania. There are 5 curriculum supervisors for special education alone. Now we are not talking about Special Ed teachers, no, we are talking about district level administrators, making well over what the top teacher in the district is being paid. Now, forgetting for a moment that it shouldn't take 5 people to administer special ed for Davis County, let alone just the curriculum; does anyone really think that every single school district in the state needs a duplicative position, coming up with curriculum for the special ed needs of a school that may be within walking distance of the next district to the North, or South?

This is the bare bones of my proposition.

All local school districts are disbanded. There is a superintendant of schools for the state of Utah. This superintendent then has around 2 dozen assistant superintendants (or whatever title makes people happy). Each of these individuals, like VP's in a corporation, are in charge of a different area/geographic locale. When there is a local issue, this assistant can meet with the principles, teachers, whoever is needed from the local area. And guess what, instead of having some giant monstrosity of a district building, that meeting could take place in any number of buildings that the government already owns....called schools.

There can be a curriculum committee, for the entire state, as the kids in different areas of the state do not need separate curriculums. You can have specialists (either serving as assitant superintendants, as previously mentioned, or on the curriculum committee), for things like Special Ed. or ESL.

There can be one, count em one purchasing agent, so that instead of each district having separate contracts for books, paper, etc., there is one. Guess what, paper is the same in St. George as it is in Logan, and Houghton Mifflin doesn't have different Chemistry textbooks in Tooele.

There are 200+ individuals on Davis County Schools payroll that make more than the highest paid teacher. People scream that teachers need to be paid more. Well, from the way it looks, its not because there isn't money being spent on the State level.

The current division in the school districts in the Salt Lake Valley is going to cost the State an estimated 1 million dollars, just this year. And what was the purpose of that? Why did the people rise up and kick out the west side of that school district? That's right 'local control', which in this case was a catch phrase that merely covered up the idea that the wealthier east siders just didn't want their money going to the poorer west side schools. Nice.

I would love anyone, please, to point out how anything that a local school district does couldn't be done better on the state level. I would love for anyone to point out what would be worse through State control, without using the phrase 'local control'.

The education budget in this state could be cut significantly, and I'm not even talking about taking that money away, but think how much more could be done with that money. Of course, the UEA would collectively crap a brick at the very idea. Why? Who knows. They like to be contrary, case in point.

What about local school boards you say? I again throw down the gauntlet, please tell me what benefit they give the community. The only thing of substance that I know of that the Davis county school board did, was effectively end the Church's allowing missionaries to do service in public schools, everywhere in the country. Thank your local school board member, it was the best service I got a chance to do, until we were told we couldn't anymore, because of the consequences of a Davis County School Board decision.

So, please, I beg of you, anyone who thinks this is a flawed idea, please give a better one, or somehow try to defend the current system. Its not that I have to be right, its that I want a better system. So if this isn't it, let me know what would be.

Big fan of Energy Solutions

2009-02-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

So, ES is back in the news. They have been trying to find a way to be allowed to expand their business to accept a very, very, lucrative contract. For those of you who don't know, ES specializes in disposal/management of radioactive material. Now hold on, I know the term radiactive makes you think of Marty McFly in his big yellow suit putting the Plutonium in the Delorean, but there are lots of types of radioactive material. I'm not an expert on radioactive materials, however, there are different levels. What Energy Solutions wants to do is bring in low level waste from Italy. Italy, not surprising, has no where to really put it, so they are willing to pony up big dollars (or Lira, though I would suggest that ES gets dollars), for somewhere to put it. Think about it, Italy is only 116,000 square miles with a population of 59 million, Utah itself is 85,000 with like 2.5-3 million. So, space wise, we're pretty open. But I am getting ahead of myself, I'll get back to our natural resource later.

Many people are completely against ES being allowed to do this, at the forefront is Gov. Huntsman. Though, I really think the reason people are against it is more PR and scare tactics than anything else. People seem to imagine glowing liquid being poured into their sewer's when they think of radioactive waste disposal. Please take a moment to go to this site. It is an aerial satelite view of Clive Utah, the only thing in Clive, is the ES disposal site.

ES has been blocked at every turn in trying to get authorization to bring in the italian waste. They have come up with a new proposal. With the state in such dire straights, economically, ES has proposed that in consideration for getting authorization to bring in the waste, they would give Utah 50% of the profits of the italian contract. That portion is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Now, I frankly think that ES should have already been allowed to do this, as I don't understand the roadblocks put in front of this legal, legitimate, and very successful employer in our state. But, with this to sweeten the deal, I cannot fathom saying no. However, our Governor has vowed to veto any legislation that allows it. Some are hailing him as a hero, standing on the tracks, not allowing the death sludge into our state. I think he's being a grandstander.

With the clear boon to our state, and the fact that we are talking about a very good employer, and business, it baffles me that the State seems to be doing anything and everything they can to stand in the way of this businesses expansion and success.

Pride

2009-02-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

So, I think in his being incredibly naughty, my son Hyrum gave my Dad a greater surge of pride than any of us ever did in our obedience. So, yesterday we left our kids at my parents for an hour or so while Alisa and I ran to Target. When we came back we were just in time to catch the tail end of his being in trouble. Apparently, he crawled under the piano and found a complex system of pegs, springs, levers, etc. that I didn't even know where there. Well, as Hyrum is wont to do, he messed with it, and took it completely apart. This resulted in all the pedals falling off. It took my Dad a while to get it all put back together again. Anyway, the result was my Dad saying that Hyrum would have to be an engineer. He then said we needed to get Hyrum an erector set, lincoln logs, tinker toys, et. al.. I think my Dad is hoping for an engineer in the second generation, since none of us turned out to be one.

Stimulus, as I see it.

2009-02-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

So, I am filled with a dual sense of anger and joy about the stimulus bill passing. I am of the opinion that one was needed, and not just one filled with tax cuts, I don't think that would have helped much of anything. However, I am angry at how it seems people (see democrats in the House and Senate for the most part), decided that this was the time to increase spending on so many of the things that they support. Now, some of these can be argued that they are good and worthwhile or not, but thats not what this bill was supposed to be about. This was emergency stimulus, meant to be money injected into our economy to create jobs, stop losses, boost the economy, and in general begin to right the ship of the American economy. Some of it did that, and I am grateful that it passed, some I think is the worst kind of irresponsible spending forced through under the guise of stimulus, and peppered with the threats of 'if you don't pass this, people will lose their jobs'.

As of now, I will be referring to the house bill, as that is the one that I could readily find this specific info on. This won't be the final product, but I doubt it will be too much better. I will be referring to this chart I found it helpful.

Good Things: Military construction, Highway construction, federal building repair, water infrastructure, defense facility repair, national park renovation, anything construction related.

Maybe: modernizing nations electricity grid (depending on what is meant by this), Elementary and secondary school renovations (again, depending on what they mean specifically), community development grants (" "), Rural development, Extend unemployment benefits (this one is a big iffy for me, it really depends on how it is implemented)

Things I don't like at all:

18.5 billion for renewable energy programs. The only way I would be on board with this is if it were actual construction, this shouldn't be a research bill (though I support research funding, just not here).

17 billion for pell grants. This has nothing to do with stimulus, again I am not against pell grants as a rule, but it doesn't belong in this bill.

20 billion for food stamps. Before anyone gets up in arms about me wanting kids to starve, if this program is getting stretched thin, then they need to look at how it is run. I found this on the internet. It has a chart of maximum amounts you can get based on number in family and income. One example, the maximum for 5 people in the household (same as I have), is 643 dollars. I make what I consider to be a fairly good living, and we budget 200 dollars a month for groceries. Now, that is low end, because we choose to put money on other budget things, and we could definitely spend more. But 643 dollars as a monthly grocery budget is frivilous. Flat out frivilous and irresponsible. The fact of the matter is, if we needed to, we could survive on less (and I don't mean just eating ramen). 200 dollars a month is eating well, but making choices, and shopping sales etc. I in no way support 20 billion more to food stamps, not until there is a complete overhaul of their evaluation system, then if they still need more money, I would be behind it.

11.1 billion, other unemployment compensation, I don't even know what that means, they already added more on for unemployment insurance.

29 billion on education programs. This is not an education bill, its supposed to be stimulus. I don't care if the programs are awesome, this is the wrong place.

20.2 billion to the Dept. of Health and Human services. Their budget is wildly bloated if they actual can claim to need 20 billion more. I would love to know what they specify this money is needed for.

5.6 billion in expanding broadband. Again, this is not stimulus. It can be argued (and is elsewhere on this blog), whether its something the feds should get involved in, but certainly not in a stimulus bill.

3 billion in research grants. Wrong place, period.

40.8 billion in health insurance assistance for the unemployed. This looks like an end run frankly. I'm not sure exactly how or in what way this is supposed to be implemented, they already have 90 billion in temporary federal medical assistance (I assume medicaid and medicare).

So, just those things are 165 billion dollars. None of which I see as even remotely stimulus. Oh well, whats done is done. But I don't like how it was done.

The dangers of Nitrous Oxide

2009-02-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Three things so far.

2009-02-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

So, Obama has been in place for a few weeks now. Personally I think the whole first 100 days idea is pretty dumb, because I don't think any presidency can or should be judged on their first 100 days, but that is a different rant.

Anyway, I wanted to comment on three things I have seen so far, and how I judge the administration on those.

First, I was ecstatic to see that the Obama administration is taking the BLM by the scruff of the neck and shaking some sense into them. Now, I may not agree with the reasons, I think Obama's administration will be more against domestic drilling as a blanket stance, and that isn't my opinion on it, however, I do love the fact that they are going to hold the BLM to the rules and regulations that are already in place to protect natural resources. Utah's BLM in particular has been running roughshod over regulations playing fast and loose with rules that I frankly agree with that require certain levels of research and discretion with our natural resources. No more energy corporation rubber stamps from Utah's BLM. I give the Obama administration an A+ on this one. Good job.

Second, Obama has been talking a lot about the new stimulus package, and how it must be passed now. My opinion is similar, I do think a stimulus package is necessary, and I do think the quicker the better. However, I think it does require a big level of scrutiny to make sure this doesn't become (or isn't already) a big Christmas tree for everyone to hang their own pet projects on. I do not think rhetoric like mentioning how many people will lose their jobs every day this package is debated is helpful, or productive. I think it is a bullying tactic to get Republican Senators to pass the bill and shut up about those parts they think are excessive, or unhelpful because they aren't actually stimulus. So, I agree there needs to be a stimulus, but I am very disappointed by the tone of the rhetoric that seems to be trying to stifle debate in a hurry up don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain, because this is important, way. Because of the importance of the issue, and how much I hate that kind of rhetoric: D+

Third, I am conservative, I do like the idea of smaller government in areas that I don't think the government is necessary. Case in point. Obama is talking about trying to take broadband internet access to everyone in America. Now, in theory I think it would be great if everyone had access to broadband internet. In fact, I thought it was a great investment for all of the Utah communities to decide to get on the wagon for the Utopia project. But, that is my point, I thought it was a great idea for the communities. I in no way think it is a good idea for the federal government to get involved in providing access to the internet for all citizens. This is not a vital bit of anything. Are there benefits to having the internet, sure, but I don't think they are a federal government interest. I remember that I was the first person in my family to have a private email address, and it was only a few months before I left on my mission, so, I do know that one can get along without the internet all together, let alone high speed broadband access. For going off on a completely uneccessary tangent that is stupid, and is nothing the federal government should be getting involved in: F.

So, not a lot of surprises so far. Because of our differences on what government should be involved in, there are sure to be lots of disagreements between me and this administration, but I like to give credit where it is due, and hope that good decisions keep coming.

Adoption

2009-01-26T14:55:00.000-08:00

So, Thomas and Erin are trying to adopt. They have gone through all the paperwork etc., and are now just in the waiting stage through LDS social services. Apparently at this point, there is a lot to do with who the birth mother wants to choose, so PR is a big deal. Thus I am posting a link to their adoption bio via lds social services, if you happen to know anyone, link to here, or send them here.

Wall E

2009-01-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

So, I know I am way behind, but we just saw Wall E this last weekend. So, here's the review.

Wall E *****

I loved this movie. It was funny, touching, and completely entertaining. It was amazing how much emotion Pixar conveyed with the robots who spoke only a couple of words. Wall E may be the most loveable animated character I have ever seen. Completely wonderful movie. Most likely the best movie of 2008 (I loved Dark Knight, don't get me wrong, but I think I'll have to say that it was merely a very close second place in '08)

Anyone who hasn't seen it (which I don't know if there is anyone left, it may have just been me and Alisa), you need to see this as soon as you can, it was great.

Movie Reviews

2009-01-24T11:34:00.001-08:00

The Forbidden Kingdom ***
I remember when this one came out in theaters, I thought it looked intriguing. It stars Jet Li and Jackie Chan, as well as the kid who played Jack's son on Will and Grace. It is about a kid who finds a staff that takes him back to ancient China. I know what you are thinking, you've seen/heard/watched a movie like this before. And you are right, it isn't very original. But what it is, is made well. And it has some surprisingly good actors doing it. I like both Jackie Chan and Jet Li, and they can definitely make an exciting fight scene. It has a lot of top notch people working on the movie as well, and was mostly filmed in China, some very, very pretty backdrops. Anyway, I found it funny, interesting, and an enjoyable watch. Nothing objectionable, Alisa and I were both struggling to figure out why the PG-13, even the 'reasons' given on IMDB are stretching it big time. All around good movie.

Horton Hears a Who ***

I don't think I liked this as much as the kids did, but it was because of their enjoyment that I give it 3 stars. Its a cute little movie based on the Dr. Seuss book. Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell, and several other names you would know, including my favorite one in the film, Carol Burnett as the evil Kangaroo. It was cute and fun and like I said, the kids loved it.

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 ** 1/2
I found this to be the weakest of the trilogy. It still has some good action, and I liked Chow Yun Fat in it. I continue to find Davy Jones the most interesting of the characters, and found myself by the end hoping that he and Calypso would end up together, kind of winning. But, alas, no one kills Keira Knightly, who is at her most annoying in this movie. And I think of Orlando Bloom like I always do, unless you are an elf, you need to stay out of movies altogether. Depp was good, and I enjoyed the fact that Keith Richards showed up. So, it was a pleasant enough diversionary movie, but I thought it really was a disappointment after 2, which was my favorite of the 3.

FINALLY.

2009-01-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

So, finally a judge has ruled (at least on a temporary basis), that you cannot flout the law, and get away with it. Go here to read the full story.

The Bill Barret Corporation, with the aid of the BLM has been busy destroying resources left and right to get to some natural gas in the most invasive and harmful way possible. And now, a temporary restraining order has gone into place stopping the further development (or sale) of new leases in Nine Mile, and other possibly sensative sites.

To be clear, and to have full disclosure. I have no problem with domestic drilling. I do think that it is a short term solution, that isn't as important as many others think, but I do not think there is any real reason to block domestic drilling. I do, however, have a problem with going after natural resources in an irresponsible manner. I do not believe that the government should rubber stamp the path of least resistance for a company to get to the resources. I don't think we should give the okay to the most irresponsible way of extracting those resources so that the company can save a few bucks. And I especially do not believe that the required safeties, and hoops that are supposed to be jumped through should be ignored, or side stepped to green light a project.

Also, I, and my family, have enjoyed Nine Mile Canyon for decades. It is, in my opinion, one of the top 2 or 3 greatest most amazing sites in Utah. My uncle has been the BLM archaeologist there for decades, and my aunt is the head of the Nine Mile Canyon coalition and quoted in the above article.

The BLM has been underhanded, deceitful, and duplicitous throughout this entire process. And to say that I believe that there are corrupt individuals on the local level in this organization would be an understatement.

There are only a few corporations that I feel are truly evil (I'm not one of those big evil corporation people, I like corporations, they create jobs, and make stuff, etc..), but my top four in no particular order would be C&H (yes, the sugar people), Uncle Ben's, Dole, and the Bill Barret Company.

I'm sure there are worse ones, but this is my list, go make your own.

It will continue.

2009-01-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

So, apparently on Friday Tom Hanks opined on how un-American Mormons are. Or at least those who voted for Proposition 8. I won't bother to quote him, for those interested in the story, you can go here.

I will forego the discussion of whether its ever unamerican to vote, but will point to a different point I want to make.

I first heard about this while we were discussing the Joseph Smith lesson. And the first thing that came to my mind was a quote from the Prophet.

The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

This isn't a list of hypotheticals, nor is it symbolic. I truly believe these things have, are, and will continue to happen. Calumny has been, and will continue to be used to defame the Church. The point that I made in Elder's Quorum today was that we have a choice. We can either choose to follow as the work of God goes forth boldly, nobly, and independent, or we can choose to be ashamed of our testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately more and more people in positions where their words will be heard will choose to badmouth the Church. I say this not as a position of victimhood. I say it as a statement of how I see reality. I am disappointed that Hanks chose to take this stance, I have been a big fan of his work, but more importantly been a fan of his dedication to remembering the veterans of WWII. Being an actor doesn't give one common sense, or intelligence, nor does fame, but, I have enjoyed his work for WWII monuments, etc..

I am glad that in a world of constantly shifting values, I know exactly where I stand.

The end of his era.

2009-01-16T11:13:00.000-08:00

So, as I drove home last night, I heard a good portion of Pres. Bush's farewell speech. I have to admit I liked it. There has been so much acrimony, so much divisive anger over the last eight years, I have become fairly dismissive and cynical about politics as a whole. Much of the animosity directed at Pres. Bush is in reaction to some policies and practices that caused anger. I think that the best that can really be said about this administration is that they did a mediocre job at an incredibly difficult time. But, as I have mentioned before, I think the reaction from the left has been unreasonable and overreaching.

As I listened to him speak, admit mistakes, and talk about his reasons for doing what he did, I came to a conclusion. I truly believe that he based his decisions on what he felt was best for the country. Was he always right, no. Did he surround himself with people whose interests were contrary to those of the country, absolutely. I think that he had many people telling him things that were calculated, and meant to steer him down a path that was not best.

Does this excuse the mistakes, and the problems of this administration, no. But as I listened to Pres. Bush speak, I once again felt sorry for this country. People revel in their hatred of him. They excuse it, and their reactions to him, blaming him for how they act and speak.

Anyway, just my thoughts of Bush as he exits.

Movie Reviews: Get Smart, Indiana Jones.

2009-01-15T11:55:00.001-08:00

So, I caught up on two other movies I didn't get in theaters.

Get Smart: ***1/2

I really enjoyed this movie. I thought Steve Carrell was very funny, and likeable. The Rock was great, Anne Hathaway was really good (and I have hated her in movies before *cough* The Princess Diaries *cough*) It was just what it intended to be, funny. I could definitely hope for a sequel here, it was a fun watch, recommended.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: *** 1/2

I went into this having heard mixed reviews. I will start out by stating that I think that this movie fell victim to the same thing as the first three episodes of Star Wars, too much anticipation. Expectations were raised, flaws in earlier movies are downplayed as the epic nature of those movies are cemented in the mind. This Indiana Jones movie was good. It wasn't the best of the four, but I don't think it was necessarily the worst either (bear in mind, being the worst I.J. movie wouldn't necessarily be bad). I have heard criticism about too much blue screen vs. old school doing actual stuntwork (reasonable critique). And complaints about the alien nature of the story (a complaint that I don't agree with, Indy is always about supernatural, I didn't find this too far off the beaten path for him). In this one he is up against Soviets instead of Nazis, but it still works. Good performances by Cate Blanchett, and Shia Lebouf, and the chick from the first Indy is still unattractive, but thats okay too. You should see this if you haven't.

Luxury. Yeah, I can get behind that.

2009-01-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

So, on Monday the Jazz played the Indiana Pacers. Nothing unusual about that you say, but you would be wrong. My Dad had been gifted by his company with a couple tickets to their luxury box. Being the only sibling that really follows non-soccer sports, I got the nod.

Wow.

So, we got their and hung our coats up in the private luxury box closet, next to the private luxury box bathroom (that, creepily enough, had a mirror that covered the entire wall you faced while standing up to pee, so, yeah, that was a little wierd).

We then proceeded to feast on appetizers (I came straight from work, so was a bit hungry by this point, 7pm), they had chips and guac, shrimp cocktail, fried shrimp, some sort of asian salad, and hand munchies, like party mix and nuts, and m&ms. Got myself a drink out of the fully stocked fridge, and started watching the starting lineup, etc.. The game started, and our personal chef came in (you read that right). You could then go up to him and direct him in making a personal serving of stirfry, which was quite tasty. I took my plate and went to sit on my well padded luxury box seat to watch the game. Okur played awesome, which is good because he is on my fantasy basketball team, and the first half was great, food in hand that was free, comfortable padded seat, etc.. Then came halftime.

A nice young woman came in and announced that the dessert cart was here, if we would like to come out and select something. There was tiramisu (which I personally find repellent), tarts, pastries, cheesecake with fresh blueberries, chocolate mousse cake, key lime pie, and the biggest slices of carrot cake ever. I love carrot cake, so I went that route. A couple more bottles of ice cold water from the fridge as I sat in the second half eating my carrot cake on my well padded seat completed the evening as the Jazz went on to win the game.

On top of all of this, Will had given me a hint on the greatest parking spot ever which got us out of the game and home in like 35 minutes.

Thanks Dad, you're awesome.

I'll never be able to satisfactorily watch a Jazz game again.

I am going to hate the next 8 years (at least in part).

2009-01-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

Lets face it, I'm pretty convinced that the next 8 years will all be Obama presidency years. That being said, I'm going to loath them. Hold up, not for the reason you may think. I'm not going to hate them because Obama will be president, no. I am going to hate this continuation of what the Dems have been doing for the last 8 years.

For the last eight years, Democrats as a whole, and definitely as an entity, have rejoiced at every stumble, have cheered every misstep, and have basked in the perceived glory of anything that has happened to degrade, denounce, or attack the current president. It is a level of classlessness that is completely unparralleled in my experience.

I found it sickening. Did I like W? No, I think he is at the best, a mediocre president, that performed less than stellar during a very difficult 8 years. But it doesn't bring me joy to say that I think he failed in many ways. I don't say it with an 'I told you so' grin on my face. I refuse to join that mob as it forms beginning January 20th, as I can promise you it will. Except now it will be made up of Republicans, waiting with baited breath at any problem that comes up, almost hoping for problems, so they can point and snicker at Obama.

Now, to be clear, I didn't want him to be President. There are basic principles that we disagree about. I didn't vote for him, and wouldn't. That having been said, I hope and pray for his success. Its my country he will be leading, his failures will be our failures, and his success' ours. I want him to lead this country out of economic turmoil, I want him to make those policy decisions that will successfully fight world wide terror, and protect this country. Even when he does things I disagree with, I will hope that he does better.

I do not hate Barack Obama. I will not vilify anything he proposes, because he proposes it. I will not oppose him on some twisted principle. This is how I feel the Democrats have worked for the last 8 years. It has been one of the most disgusting displays I have ever seen, and I fear it has set a new standard, that the Republicans will be more than happy to live down to.

As he embarks on his first term, I will hope that it is successful, because I will gain nothing if he should fail.

Great article

2009-01-07T18:15:00.000-08:00

I found this over on ESPN today. Its a great one. It points out many of the problems with the BCS. I always liked Reilly when he wrote for SI, he seems to be doing just as good over with ESPN.

Follow up on the last post.

2009-01-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

So back in Oct., I beleive right after BYU lost to TCU I got the following email.

Danny boy,

My condolences. Last night your misguided notions and ill-founded fantasy world about byu football completely collapsed. Like your anemic rhetorical skills, the cougars were woefully inadequate. In short, byu SUCKS!!! Go UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It came from someone named Jill Taylor, her(I assume) email is greenapple3@live.com.

I sat and puzzled it out, and couldn't for the life of me figure who she? is. So I sent the following email.

I have tried, and for the life of me can't figure out who you are. Where do we know each other from?

Dan

I thought that was pretty nice, after all, I have lots of friends who razz me if BYU loses, and I'm fine with it. Imagine my surprise when I get the following response.

A more enlightened source than you on several topics, including college athletics. That's who I am. Also one that has laughed at your insufferable blather in matters where you have paltry understanding. Don't bother yourself to know more; after all, facts are often contrary to your nature. Just know that humble pie down your gullet has been and continues to be highly entertaining. Thanks

Are you picking up the animosity? I sure did, and still have no idea what its source is. Apparently this person has disagreed with me before, I don't know if its from things I have posted on this blog, or others. I don't know if I even personally know this individual. So, I responded thusly.

Okay, whatever. Just for your own info, I really don't care about peoples opinions when I don't know them, or respect them. And since I have no idea if either would be the case with you, I won't have to worry about it.

Dan

I never heard back....until this morning. When I got this.

Any more room down your gullet for extra crow and humble pie? You and your laughable byu bias. Go UTES!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, I will tell you the same thing I told her(?). I sat in front of the TV and cheered Utah every play of that game, and loved seeing them beat up on a big SEC powerhouse. This proves to me that this individual has no idea how I stand on anything. I love seeing MWC teams do well, I have no raving Utah animosity. I only talk smack about Utah in relation to BYU. Do I have BYU bias? I hope so, I am a huge fan. Any fan that doesn't have at least some bias for their team isn't much of a fan.

So, I guess I will continue to wonder who this mystery emailer of anger filled barbs is, but I will sleep fine knowing that they clearly don't know me, as anyone who has even had a short conversation with me about college football, or read my posts, or replies on other people's blogs, knows where I stand with Utah football, or any MWC team.

Congrats Utes, your win was huge, it was great for the MWC, it was great for BYU, it was great for spitting in the BCS' eye. All wonderful goals.

The U. Wow, well done.

2009-01-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

Unlike most U fans I run into, I actually want 'the enemy' to win. I didn't think the U would win, but that kind of wild optimism is for fans. But man, I watched the game, they kicked can. Frankly, unless Florida or Oklahoma blows the other out of the water, I think Utah should be number 1.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -**

2009-01-02T21:45:00.000-08:00

Not sure how I feel about this movie, thats why the somewhere between 2 and 4 stars. It was incredibly well acted, and was an intriguing story, to say the least. I'll have to mull over it to decide how I feel though. Just saw it tonight.

If this is Ice Cream, what have I been eating all my life?

2009-01-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

Holy cow. I just had cold stone creamery ice cream for the first time tonight. It was amazing. Best ice cream ever.

Wonderful Christmas Story

2008-12-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

I would encourage all of you to read this. The high school in this story, Grapevine, is just a few minutes to the northwest of one of my areas in Texas, Frisco. Anyway, its a great story, reminds me of the movie Gridiron Gang, which I liked and recommend.

Wolverine. Thats right, he is awesome.

2008-12-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE HD

So, as some of you may know, Wolverine is the coolest superhero ever. So he isn't the most powerful, thats fine. (the most powerful is clearly Professor X, Jimmy).

Anyway, this movie looks great. I am glad that they decided to ignore the fact that they ruined Sabertooth in the original X-Men movie (one of many, many complaints I have with that movie). I am also glad that Marvel got to write this story, instead of a bunch of idiots who have Hollywood stuffed shirts telling them what they can and can't do. Marvel has its own movie studios now, and we get such winners as Iron Man and The Hulk this last year. Soon to have Captain America, Thor, and The Avengers. Its a great time to be a geek.

Anyway, this movie looks great, I'm excited for it.

And, speaking of movies, Alisa and I just watched The Greatest Game Ever Played. It was quite good. I was impressed. Shia Lebouf stars, and it has a pretty good supporting cast. I especially liked the guy who played Harry Vardon (british golfer), he also played Thomas Jefferson in the recent John Adams miniseries, and the british guy who discovers the soccer player in Goal!

Good movie, I recommend it The Greatest Game Ever Played ***

Hold the freaking phone.

2008-12-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

So, wait a minute, I just read that the State of Utah has a rainy day fund in excess of 400 million dollars. The governor is planning on slashing the budget, in these bad times by 300+/- million dollars resulting in the loss of at least hundreds, if not thousands of jobs. I'm sorry, does the government have a different definition of rainy day than I currently have?

I would think, the last thing anyone would want in a time of economic turmoil, and lost tax revenue, would be less people working and paying taxes into the system. While I am in no way saying that budget cuts aren't appropriate, why are there people who are saying the rainy day fund should be left alone....are we envisioning worse than this????

If there is a way to trim the fat, and keep as many people employed as possible by both cutting budgets and dipping into the rainy day fund, isn't that the smartest move?

I think back to the Great Depression, we got out of that by employing as many people as possible. Cutting jobs, and leaving a giant pile of money alone for 'real troubled times' seems to be the stupidest possible idea right now in the state. And for full disclosure, yes I am employed by the state, no I don't think my job is in too much trouble, but yes I know several people in my office who are legitimately worried for their jobs. Putting them out, when there is no market currently for them to get new jobs, doesn't help us out of the current budget/economic crises. I know that sometimes there just aren't any options, lay offs have to happen, its sad, its regrettable, but it is absolutely necessary. But, if the state has money, that has specifically been squirreled away for a time when there are big problems that some extra cash could be used to help, isn't now exactly one of those times? Does anyone disagree?

Why the U is a crappy school for Anthropology.

2008-12-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

I just saw this article on KSL (I also heard it on the news this morning, then read it, and then read the article about the 'study').

I already had a pretty low opinion about the U's Anthro department. In the nature of full disclosure, let me just say, I graduated from Weber with a degree in Anthropology, and feel their department was stellar, because the professors there were more interested in teaching, and being available to the students then they were in their own aggrandizement.

But, besides the problems I have with the 'anthropology' taught at the U (Alisa took several classes in it after we were married, I was less than impressed), this so called study is some of the worst anthropological 'research' I have ever seen.

It seems clear that the woman came up with her thesis, that anthropologically hourglass figures for women are worse, and then went about 'proving' it with some very sloppy pseudo-science, conjecture, and leaps of logic. Apparently, not being curvy, or hippy, makes you better able to deal with stress, and means you are stronger, and not submissive to men. Okay......

Generalizations aside, this just puts a stain on Anthropology, which many people already think is assumptions based on unproveable theories. I love anthropology and find it bar none the most fascinating of any intellectual area, but this stuff was just crap.

Why, Utah Legislature, why?

2008-12-02T06:42:00.000-08:00

Riding in to work today, I heard a new story about our esteemed Chris Buttars. If you don't know who that is, it is too long to go into, suffice it to say he is the biggest joke/embarrassment of a state representative possible. I do not understand how he keeps winning his re-election bids, but that old man will not die (figuratively....or literally, either would solve the problem).

His most recent storm of genius comes in the form of a proposed non-binding resolution telling businesses to use the term Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays. Now, ignoring for the moment the fact that there may well be many business owners that are not Christian and may celebrate various holidays religious or otherwise during this time, a non-binding resolution is just that......non-binding. It has no authority. Its basically an issued opinion, not legislation.

Non-binding resolutions are the worst form of pandering. They waste time, they accomplish nothing, and they usually are about subjects that are either unconstitutional, or unpopular, hence the fact that legislators will not actually pass legislation on them.

This kind of stupidity goes on at all levels, things like resolutions honoring the World Series Champ and the like. They are annoying. But this one is not as innocuous as simply a pat on the back for some sports team that did well this year. Let's return to the previously ignored points. What about a business owner who doesn't wish to alienate customers who don't celebrate christmas? Now, I for one don't see why anyone would be alienated or offended to go to a store that said Christams in big bold letters, frankly I think its stupid to be offended, but shouldn't that be the business owners call? And why should the legislature even offer an opinion on the matter?

Moving on from that, what about those business owners who themselves celebrate something else, and so in an effort to be inclusive to their own culture they choose to use the all inclusive term holidays? Why is that wrong. I don't see how that is an assault on Christmas, and vicariously on Christ. That I guess is the bottom line of my annoyance. I frankly don't think that the Savior cares one way or another about the survival of the tree filled, present giving, Jingle Bells singing holiday. A Jehovah's Witness, or Hindu that spent his year caring for the sick and needy, and giving of his substance would have more of Christ in his life than anyone who puts up a tree, slaps some lights on his house, and lavishes his family with expensive christmas presents while belting out carols about the fat man in a red suit coming to town.

Please don't misunderstand me. I love Christmas. I get super geeked out about Christmas. For my whole life it has been a time when as much family as possible came to town, we got to spend time with them doing fun things and just being together. I like the spirit of Christmas, I like the lights, I like the carols, I like the tree, yes...I even like the presents. And I don't think there is anything wrong with anyone who does love Christmas. However, there is a perceived 'War on Christmas' constantly talked about by the right wing media talking heads, people like Glenn Beck *shudder*, and Sean Hannity.

There are people who hate all things religious, and want to wipe it from the face of the earth, however, no one will ever stop Temple Square from being lit up, or any person from decking their halls with boughs of holly.

Trying to force (albeit non-bindingly) businesses to specifically wish people Merry Christmas, is just as stupid as trying to force a business to not have anything Christmas/religious during this season. Why can't someone beat him in an election.

Update: What I been watching.

2008-11-29T10:24:00.000-08:00

So, I have seen several movies lately, not all of them new, but definitely some good ones.

Philidelphia: *** 1/2 I've seen this movie a couple times, but Alisa hadn't ever seen it, got it off of my DVR, and watched it this week. Almost anything with either Denzel Washington or Tom Hanks is going to be good, put them both in this, and it was fantastic.

On the Waterfront: ** 1/2 Also off the DVR. Wanted to see it because it is considered a classic. It was good. It has solidified in my mind the position that Marlon Brando is overrated. He is good, but I haven't seen him in anything that was great except for The Godfather, and that is really Pacino's movie.

The Chronicles of Riddick: ** (or *** 1/2 on the aweseomely bad scale). This movie has two different reviews. It could have been so much better, had they just had a writer involved. On the other hand, for awesomely bad movies, it rocks. Vin Diesel is the king of awesomely bad.

Quantum of Solace: *** 1/2 This movie was pretty awesome. I have heard some haters bagging on it, but it was pretty good. Ten times better than any of the old bond movies, which I hate. Daniel Craig is actually a bond that you feel could beat you up, unlike Timothy Dalton, who I think if he threatened me as a super villain, my only real chance of dying would be laughing myself to death.

Prop 8

2008-11-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

I haven't really posted about this. Its volatile, and from what I have seen, there hasn't been a calm discussion about it, unless all the parties are in agreement. So, not really wanting to get into a debate/discussion, but willing if someone else wants to go there, I thought I would post this link. I was emailed this article, and thought it was incredibly good. It was written by a police detective of some 30 years in LA, and its talking about the campaign, and the protests in his precinct around the temple afterwards.

Here is the article.

After reading his post, I can't help but think that this exact situation may have been the reason for the conference talk in October about how we as a church, and as members should respond to attacks.

Hyrum

2008-11-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

So, Hyrum wants to see his name on here. So I thought I would do this.

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T00:17:00.000-08:00

Its about 1am. Alisa and I just finished watching Saving Private Ryan, which she had never before seen. She had been fairly adamant that she wasn't going to watch it, I have it on video, but it was on TV, and I recorded it on our DVR. So, I got her to watch it with me tonight.

By the end of the movie, both of us had tears running down our faces. I love this movie, and the strong emotions of gratitude it gives me. I think of my own Grandpa, who spent WWII island hopping in the Pacific, and what he and those who were with him must have experienced. I think of the men who must have known that there was more than a good chance they would die when the front gates dropped on those personnel carrier watercraft on D-Day. I love those men and women who sacrificed so much to help protect the entire world, and I don't think that is overstating their contribution in the least. Though Veteran's Day is for more than just WWII, and I feel a debt of gratitude to all veteran's, I am going to more specifcally talk about that time.

I have had the opportunity to see Pearl Harbor, and go out to the Arizona Memorial. It was, without a doubt, the highlight of my trip to Hawaii. I have visited the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific, and felt the incredible spirit of that massive cemetary in Hawaii as well. On a statue at that cemetary is a portion of a letter written by Abraham Lincoln. It is one of the most profoundly moving statements that I have ever read. I will copy his letter here in its entirety, and bold the portion found at the cemetary.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

One of the reasons that I love the movie Saving Private Ryan so much, is that I have an incredible desire that these sacrifices not be forgotten. And I don't mean actually wiped from history. Kids will always read about D-Day and WWII in their history books. I feel, however, that the further we move from the society of those who lived through this time, the easier it is to intellectualize the entire thing. To forget the cost on a more personal level. To truly feel the sorrow for the horror and loss that accompanied that time. Though I am quite sure that there are no WWII vets who actually read this, I write this post in honor of them. I hope that I can personally remember the importance of their sacrifice, and the obligation that I have to live so that it wasn't in vain.

Go Real

2008-11-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

What a great season to get the new stadium. We find ourselves in the wonderful position of having one more home game here at Rio Tinto stadium. After Real played Chivas USA to a tie, thus moving into the second round of the playoffs, New York Red Bulls did us a favor, and beat Houston. This brings the Red Bulls to Rio Tinto for the Western showdown. If we win Saturday, we will play for the MLS cup in L.A.

These games are awesome, for anyone who hasn't gotten out to see one, you should try to get to this one, you won't regret it.

I was disgusted.

2008-11-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

I turned on the TV tonight, curious about the election results. I have known for weeks that Obama would win, there was no doubt in my mind. So, as I turned it on, and saw the pollsters calling the election, it was confirmed.

Thats fine. I didn't vote for him, there are many things he stands for that I disagree with, some very strongly. All that aside, I hope that he will do at least some of the things he has promised to, though being a politician I won't hold my breath, just as I wouldn't have for McCain. I don't believe tomorrow (or late January) will see any revolutionary bipartisanship. I think the powers that be in each party will continue to publicly eviscerate one another. Nancy Pelosi won't all of a sudden quit being one of the most shrill and divisive people in America.

That being said, if he can do something about green energy, if intelligent immigration reform happens, etc. etc. all the better. I am not one who thinks the country will now hit a tailspin and fall into the depths of depravity. The guy I voted for didn't make it, its not the end of the world.

HOWEVER

I nearly threw up with the 'journalists' talking as soon as they called the election. These supposedly unbiased purveyors of information where nearly in tears, speaking of how emotional this was. And spoke of how now, we were finally able to, as a country, overcome racism. WHAT???? So, those who voted for Obama were voting for an end to racism? And those of us who voted for John McCain did it out of a deep seeded sense of hatred for the black man?

I have seen racism, some pretty awful examples while I lived in Texas. This isn't an end to racism anymore than a McCain victory would have proven we were still steeped in it. Seriously, I wanted to punch Tom Brokaw in the jaw.

Then came McCain's speech. While on the whole, I thought it was fine, I was again disturbed by how much race was brought into it. As he said that Black people should feel a special feeling of something.

So, individuals, who happen to be black, should feel more for this president that another?

I'm sorry, I am sickened by how pervasive is the idea that race has anything to do with who a person is. Until it becomes truly irrelevant, both those who espouse to fight racism, and those who are steeped in hate, will be helping it to stick around.

Legend of the Seeker

2008-11-03T07:36:00.001-08:00

So, I am a big fan of Terry Goodkind. Love his books. They are probably my second favorite series. I got Alisa to read them, she loves them too. It was with guarded excitement that I heard that Sam Raimi had bought the rights to them and was making them into a miniseries. I have seen enough books/comic books/etc. that I have enjoyed made into movies that have been absolutely atrocious that I was gaurded in my optimism, and was fully prepared for these to be awful. Alisa, with less experience in this realm, didn't have her defenses prepared.

The first episode was on Saturday, and after returning from a great soccer game that Real won, and watching a so-so BYU game off of our DVR that BYU won, we set down to watch Legend of the Seeker, also recorded on our DVR from earlier that evening.

I don't know if words can adequately describe how truly terrible it was. I have watched some stupid stuff. I have enjoyed stupid stuff. Heck, there is a whole genre that some of us have dubbed 'Awesomely Bad' that I really enjoy, guilty pleasures if you will. This show could not have been worse. It hearkened back to the day when hollywood thought all they had to do was make a comic book movie, and they would at least get geeks to come. You know, before the time of real actors, writers, and directors being involved. When such gems as Batman & Robin, or STEEL starring Shaq came out.

I can't think of a single facet of this show that wasn't reprehensible in its mind-numbing, face melting stupidity. I couldn't hate this thing more. And I was prepared for it to suck, I feel really bad for Alisa, who really thought it was going to be good.

Clarification

2008-10-27T12:59:00.001-07:00

So, I mentioned the hamburgler in my last post. This is how I refer to my sister Katie's boyfriend. I realize it is mostly lost on them, as they basically became conscious after the Berlin Wall fell down. So, this is who my sister is dating, except he's 6'10"

Some awesome things

2008-10-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

So, I am going to have more of a list post here, rather than several little short ones. Its a bit of a change up, but there were several things I wanted to blog about.

Trains: First off. I love trains (not the real ones, I'm talking toys here). I always wanted a train, and never got one as a kid. Alisa rectified that a few christmas' ago. It was, of course, a rather cheap one, as I didn't have a real job yet, and nice model trains are expensive. Nevertheless, it is a really cool train. I get it out now and again, and play with it. Hyrum and Cora both got me to set it up this weekend, like I said, it isn't fancy, but we put it together, and set it to going. Needless to say, there were three childish grins watching that little toy train going around the track for a substantial amount of time. I will eventually get nicer ones, but that will always be my first train. Thanks Alisa, you rule.

Real Salt Lake. So, after a crap filled game on Saturday, with a last second goal, our soccer team is headed to its first ever playoff appearance. This saturday at Rio Tinto, be there, or be like Bryan.

Movies. So, I saw a couple of movies this last week or so. The first was The Incredible Hulk with Ed Norton. I missed it in the theater, and have wanted to see it. Luckily, Katie and the Hamburgler brought it over on Friday night and we watched it. It was really quite good, and it gave me yet another teaser glimpse at what is coming, i.e. The Avengers.

So, The Incredible Hulk ***

Then, on Saturday night, while I was missing a party at Amelia and Breanne's, I laid on the couch and watched Constantine. I am sure that many of you have no idea what that movie is. Here's the trailer. Now, I remember when this one came out, I thought it looked cool, saw that it was R, and didn't waste much more time on it. But this weekend it was on cable, and I caught it. It was actually really cool. I know I'm going to be spitting right in Bryan's cheerios, but I thought it was much cooler than Hellboy, which had at least a somewhat similar idea (fighting demons, etc., etc.).

Rio Tinto Stadium

2008-10-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

So, last night was the home opener of Real Salt Lake's new stadium. I wish I could find a good picture, or that I had taken one myself, to give you an idea of what it was like coming in. The whole group of us went down there last night. Luckily, Will suggested that we go around the stadium and come in from the NW, which is right about where our tickets are. So we walked up the grand staircase, and when I came up over the top, I was starring lengthwise down the field, it was awesome. I felt like I was walking into some stadium in England, or Germany where they know how to watch soccer. The stadium couldn't be cooler, it was dark with the bright lights and the two great white overhangs, it was sweet. Our season tickets are like 6 rows up, about 2/3rds of the way between the goal and the corner flag along the NW baseline.

While the game left a little to be desired, would have liked a win, it was an incredible experience, and several of us were as giddy as school girls.

We have a stadium, and I own a seat in it.

Too much emotion.

2008-10-08T06:21:00.000-07:00

I think emotions are good things. I have emotions, I ocassionaly display emotions. However, I think in the realm of politics, people should really try to set their emotions aside. You will have noticed that I have not blogged much about politics. Part of that is that no one that reads this will much comment on political things (not that I get many comments anyway, most people tell me in person they read this, I just take their word for it, as far as I know, me and one nerd named letterman are the only ones who remember it exists), and the other part is that I find myself caring less and less about politics.

Some foundational points. I don't consider myself a member/adherent/dedicant/believer in any political party. I was at one time a died in the wool republican, but can hardly muster any feeling besides disgust for that party now. And I can't follow any party so willing to stake its claim to the pro-abortion position as the democrats (not my only problem with their platform, but just a reference to one of my biggest problems with politics right now).

This election cycle, I think, has highlighted so many of the things that I dislike about politics now, but one of the overarching problems is the amount of emotion. It has really seen an escalation since Clinton was president. For some reason, a deep abiding, visceral hatred of Bill Clinton began on the right wing side (don't get me wrong, I didn't much like him, and think he is really smarmy). It fed upon itself until it was almost a religion of enmity from the right directed at all things Clinton. Funny thing is, as far as politics go, its hard to come up with too many things Clinton did, thus its hard to come up with real reasons for the hatred.

This of course was like a challenge to the Democrats/liberals, who rose admirably with their undying hatred of George W., to the point that I have a friend who will look at me and with a straight face blame the democratic legislators shortcomings on George W.. The cycle continues. People who once could agree with, or at least admit some admiration for McCain now hate him. Obama is just this side of the devil for many, and worse for a lot of the rest. And don't even mention Palin around someone planning on voting for Obama. They hate her with a passion that is usually reserved for those who have done you a personal harm, or emanating from the clinically insane. Not sure why. Disagree with her, go ahead. Think she is a horrible choice, fine. But the vehement level of animosity is amazing.

This all brings me back to my point. Too much emotion. We are not talking about choosing between someone who will save your childs life and someone who advocates running children over. This is politics. I cannot think of a decision that would be more helped in this country by a dose of reason and rationality, but that is falling further and further away from both. This is why soundbites, and scripted debates work so well in this day and age. Adherents to both can walk away claiming victory, and the candidates don't have to go to the trouble of actually giving information to the voter, because information is not what the voter desires. A pep rally is what he wants. Someone he can chant for, or hate his neighbor over.

I have a buddy at work who likes to say democracy has now failed (its more than a bit tongue in cheek, but he is trying to make a point). Now, I don't believe that. I believe our govt. (please don't bother with the definitional distinctions between what the U.S. actually has and a democracy, I know them, I get it, move on), was divinely inspired. However, it really only works in a nation of virtuous people (John Adams said that, not me).

Too often, today, people believe that they can have their moral/religious lives/selves, and also have their political selves, and their business selves, etc.. As if the different facets of their lives are and should be governened by a different set of maxims. Its a tragedy. Especially when its members of the church, who should know that all of our lives are meant to be governed by one set of maxims, and our character shouldn't have a different hat it puts on in the public sphere and the private sphere. There is no, I have to play by this set of rules because I am in the political/business world, and if I want to get stuff done and be successful, I have to play by those rules.

Anyway, this has gone on longer than I originally anticipated. But this is the kind of stuff that goes through my mind during an election cycle. Its sad, but this is how I see our current system.

Random

2008-10-02T08:41:00.001-07:00

So, as Will was giving me a ride to the train the other night, I look over, and who is in a car right next to us. Thats right.

This is what a stroke must feel like.

2008-10-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Follow up on the story below.

So, the stupid attorney asked me why we were collecting child support. Again, since I had no file, I turned it around to him. Well, is there a court order? I asked. No, he said. So I said it must be an administrative order. AS THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO POSSIBILITIES.

So, I told him I'd fax him our admin order.

I get back to the office, and guess what. No, wait for it, let it build. Roll his stupidity around in your mind for a minute and imagine what it could be......

They have 2 court orders. That's right. What's that you say, wouldn't an attorney know if his client had a DIVORCE DECREE that ordered child support, seeing as that attorney was currently in court arguing over said child support?

You would think, but just remember, lawyers are stupid.

Self-deprecation, the pinnacle of arrogance

2008-10-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

So, I have had to deal with stupidity in other attorneys, multiple times. I have had to deal with arrogance, even more than stupidity. But, today took the cake. It was the biggest waste of time in the court ever.

I was sitting at my desk in my jeans (thats right, I wear jeans to work, every day unless I have court, take that), and the court called saying I needed to get down there ASAP because there was a hearing going on that involved us. So, I put on my emergency court clothes, and head down. No file, no referral, nothing. I don't actually have this case, and my client, the State, doesn't care in the least what happens, so you can imagine my enthusiasm to get right off to court.

When I get there, I am acosted by an attorney that is equal parts stupid, arrogant, and self-deprecating. Every single question he asks me could have been answered with a quick 5 minute phone call to the agent over this matter. But no, he prefers dealing with 'someone of my astute abilities' (at that point I dry heaved a little). Irony was, I couldn't answer any of his questions. They aren't my area, I don't know, and even more importantly, there is no conceiveable way I could have cared less. I told him *BUM BUM BUM BAH* the AGENT could answer all these questions. Through the entire thing, he keeps saying stuff like, "I know I'm not that smart, so I can't understand this, if you could explain to me ______" To which I would continue to answer, no, I don't know, you'd have to ask the agent, who actually has that information.

Here's the problem. He doesn't think he's stupid. I know he doesn't think he's stupid. So, the self-deprecation could only be one of two things. Either he a) thinks that I am stupid enough to believe him, so I will do his work for him, or b) he is fishing for compliments.

Most of the time that you run into self-deprecation, it is b. But in this case it was clearly a. He was lazy, and more than a little stupid, but he really thought if he kept up this poor me act, that I (as a sub par lawyer, I mean really, I just work for the state), would do all his work for him.

Either way, I hate self-deprecation. Its only basis is arrogance.

I'd like to stab him in the eye with something. Preferably something much larger than his ocular cavity.

Football Weekend

2008-09-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

You may think nothing exciting is going on this weekend, since BYU has a bye, but you would be wrong. TCU is going into Norman, Oklahoma (where they have won two in a row). TCU winning this game would be the biggest win bar none for the MWC this regular season. It would catapult TCU up to at the very least, the top 15. And, should BYU beat TCU, make our bid for a BCS bowl that much stronger. I, for one, am very excited for that game. Go Hornfrogs.

Utah is playing Weber State. Now, I even went to WSU, and I think this is the worst possible homecoming game ever. Why not invite Skyline high up to play...I mean really. This is stupid. There is no reason that Utah should ever play Weber State.

Oh, and I was looking into tickets for the BYU game next weekend....YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME, the cheapest seats in Logan are 30 bucks. Explain to me how Utah State has the gall to charge more for their cheapest seats (as an uber craptastic football program), then BYU does for its cheapest seats. Seriously.

Funny.

2008-09-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Can't wait for it to come out.

The intelligence of the ESPN sports analysts.

2008-09-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

MWC 5 PAC-10 0

nuff said.

And BYU 59 UCLA 0. Take that Kirk Herbstreit.

People (entities) I can't stand

2008-09-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

I can't stand stupidity, it drives me nuts. Thus my trifecta of stupidity for the day is as follows.

Qwest

Jason Chaffetz

Glenn Beck

I can't stand these three. I could elaborate on Qwest, but I spent almost two hours on the phone with them, yet again today, finally (hopefully) getting everything resolved.

Jason Chaffetz was on Doug Wright this morning, and apparently was advocating tent cities for all the illegals we need to round up to send back home.

And Glenn Beck is a long standing hatred, that guy is a tool of the first order, but more importantly, I expect more from him than the average shmo, some may disagree, but I hold him to a higher standard, and frankly think he is the worst of a rotten lot of political talking heads.

That's it. I just really, really can't stand the trifecta.

We're through

2008-09-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

I am taking this opportunity to announce the dissolution of a relationship that has lasted a long time, but, in the end is no longer fulfilling, or worthwhile to me.

I am officially severing all ties, actual or implied, and any and all relationships with, the Raiders organization. I have been a fan for a long time, the genesis of this is frankly, even unknown to me. I have loved the Raiders through good times and bad, but, in the end, feel that this is a toxic relationship that has nothing good for me.

I would like to say that this is an amicable separation, but it is not. I hold nothing but malice towards Al Davis. In this separation, the Raiders retain their losing seasons, and inablity to make anything resembling a good decision. I keep what dignity remains after 20+ years of being a Raider fan.

I don't yet know who I will be a fan of. I am not for bandwagoning, so I don't just want to hitch up with a lame trendy option, I also hate the Patriots. I have enjoyed the Colts the last couple of years, big Peyton Manning fan, and I really like Brett Favre. But, I don't know that I can come out and claim to be a Colts or Jets fan. If John Beck was actually going to play for Miami, then I might sign up with them (my first actual intense rooting for someone memory is rooting for the Dolphins to beat the Redskins in the Superbowl.) I would have been 4 and a half.

But, alas, as of right now, there are no such plans for Beck. So, I will float an unclaimed fan, rabid intensity awaiting an appropriate outlet. In the mean time, I will step up my hatred of the Denver Broncos to compensate. It doesn't matter if I am still a Raiders fan or not, I will forever hate the Broncos.

I........Am....Very.....Excited.

2008-09-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so as a previous post said, I have enjoyed the tour de France in the past, but haven't been able to get into it for a while. But, Thomas just clued me in to this story.

I hope its true, I don't care what people say about people coming out of retirement, if this happens, I will get up at 5am to watch races again. I will watch 2 hour long bike races, with wild anticipation of how it will end. I will enjoy the tour tremendously.

Astana is an interesting pick, that team is full of big names, if they all ride, I can't imagine another team even competing, the competition this year seemed really weak sauce.

And yes, I know, there are lots of people who think he's a doper, and have all their reasons, and well thought out arguments (no I don't just mean Thomas, lots of people think it.) Thats why I included the following, great commercial.

Unsatisfied.

2008-09-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

So, BYU played again this weekend, and they won. Being 2-0 is a good place to be, and I shouldn't have anything to complain about. I am still less than satisfied so far this season. Yeah, we beat N Iowa 41-17, and yes, Max Hall and Dennis Pitta are having great years so far stat wise. But it still seems like they aren't playing up to their potential. Which is annoying, because until/unless they do, potential isn't anything but hot air.

Let's look at the UW game this last Saturday. There is no way it should have been so close. Usually rock solid Unga fumbled the ball on the one yard line, Hall threw an interception that stopped a drive we were rolling down the field to end the half with, and the defense would play great, put UW in a 3rd and long or 4th down situation, and then let them convert.

Stat wise we dominated the game, but we never put it away. We can't keep playing like that. That won't work against UCLA, in my opinion, and we would be hard pressed to get that to work on the road against TCU, or Utah. A win is a win, but we should be able to play better.

On a side note, I am getting really sick and tired of all the sports people whine about how the flag at the end of the UW game was a bad call. It wasn't, it was the right call, following the letter of the stupidest rule in all of sports. There could not be a worse rule, if you put together a committee and said, go come up with a rule more out of step with watching a sports event, they couldn't do it.

However, it is the rule. Everyone knows it is the rule, because people complain about it all the time. Everyone knows that if you throw the ball high into the air after scoring, you have broken the rule, and could get a flag. Locker knew it, he shouldn't have done it, why tempt fate?

So, to sum up......the rule is stupid, but the flag was appropriate. And its hard to complain about it as a UW fan, when your kicker got his kick blocked by a guy whose feet were not even off the ground, and his hand was straight out, instead of up.

Why both parties are stupid.

2008-09-04T15:06:00.001-07:00

So, I found this interesting article over at MSNBC. Apparently ten senators (also known as traitors by their own parties I am sure), got together over the break to try to hammer out some sort of energy compromise. There was give on both sides, which, of course, means both sides hate it, and it is more than likely doomed to failure. I'll give you a synopsis of what the two parties dislike.

Dems:

Dems dislike the fact that it does open up more drilling, they dislike the fact that it eases restrictions on nuclear, and they dislike the fact that if it passed, they couldn't sit back and complain that the energy crisis is a reason they must be voted for, because only they can solve it.

Repugs:

The republicans dislike this bill becase it focuses money towards wind and solar, it doesn't open up as much drilling as they want, it pays for this program by repealing tax cuts to the gas and oil industries. And, probably the most asinine reason for the republicans?.....Because it takes away one of McCain's best attacks on Obama, that we need drilling and the dems are standing in the way.

So, awesome. These are the people at the helm. I couldn't disagree more with any of the above problems, and I applaud the ten (now up to 16), senators for at least trying something. I will be the first to admit that I don't know every facet of this bill (or proposed bill), and there may well be parts I don't agree with. However, that is how major legislation has to happen, compromise.

One quick note, while I am usually staunchly in the camp that raising corporate taxes just gets passed down to the consumer, I don't think that will be the case, necessarily when it comes to repealing the tax breaks for gas and oil companies. Why? Because they are already coming too close to pricing themselves out of existence. They can't raise prices much more, they would destroy the market, and usher in their own demise.

So, will eight Dem senators, and eight Repug senators who have kicked the party line be able to make a difference on energy? Maybe, but I am pretty sure the rest of them will destroy this effort to make actual changes to our energy policy, because in the end, it doesn't help either party to solve the problem.

Vaccinations

2008-09-04T14:49:00.001-07:00

So, I know that there are people out there that have concerns when it comes to vaccinations. Some of them, I believe, are because of irresponsible research, that is then unfortunately passed on to a segment of the public that for good or bad, has their concerns about groups like the FDA. The other problem is that the dangers bandied about in these discussions carry serious repercussions, i.e. autism.

I was happy to see this article in the news. It didn't just say, man those people with concerns are crazy, a knee jerk reaction by those who believe vaccines to be perfectly safe (for the record, I think vaccines are perfectly safe, and a vital component of our society's health). This, instead, is a scientific study, with so many big names attached that the reactions were as follows:

Dr. Neal Halsey, a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children's Center who specializes in infectious diseases, told CNN, "They have shown the Wakefield study was incorrect." The new study shows "there's no temporal relationship between the vaccines and the gastrointestinal disorders and autism."

Dr. William Schaffner, vaccine expert and chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University, called the study results "conclusive."

Its not that I believe that anything that the FDA approves is automatically good. However, I find it highly dangerous to take the opposite stance, especially with no good evidence other than suspicion.

Odd mind wanderings

2008-08-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

So, last night I was talking to Alisa, and I don't know how it came up, but I was thinking, they just don't advertise coffee like they used to. I remember back in the day coffee commercials were all over the place. Folger's crystals, Juan Valdez, Sanka, whatever that international thingy was were you drank it while you remembered that wonderful holiday in Paris, the one were some older son who had been gone for a long time came home on Christmas morning as a surprise, I mean they were everywhere.

I don't see coffee commercials anymore. Is it just me? Do I not watch enough T.V.? This seems odd to me. It can't be that they don't need to advertise, there are still plenty of different companies vying for that lucrative home brewed coffee dollar I would think. But I just don't see them anymore.

Weird.

Not sure exactly why this is hard to understand.

2008-08-22T22:24:00.001-07:00

There are many things the church doesn't have a specific stance on. There are some things that the church has suggested stances on. And there are many things that the church has a specific stance on.

Now, no one is required to walk in lock step with the church. The church cannot compel one's obedience, nor does it have desire to. As it has been since the days of Joseph Smith, the church seeks to teach correct principles, and let people govern themselves. Because of this, I think some people mistakenly believe that church doctrine is somehow up for debate, or discussion, or vote. Agency doesn't mean the freedom to decide what is right, merely what one is going to do with the knowledge of what is right. You can always disagree, but your opinion doesn't change what is right and what is wrong.

On MSNBC today I read this article. It is annoying to read comments like the following:

We need a place where people can have a discussion and get information," said Laura Compton, a contributor at MormonsforMarriage.com. "And people need to know that it's not coming from an anti-Mormon place, or a gay Castro district place. It's coming from a faithful place."

Its not coming from a faithful place. Its coming from one of two places, either someone who has no problem standing in direct opposition to the public stances the church takes, or someone who just flat out does not understand how the church works.

There is a great quote by a church spokesperson in the article, its says:

"The Church, of course, recognizes and accepts that some among its very large membership may view the issue differently," Farah said in a statement."Church leaders teach important principles and invite our members to govern their lives by those principles. We do not desire to compel them, nor can we do so."

No one is compelled to believe anything. But, just because an individual decides that they do not want to stand with the brethren, doesn't mean that those aspects of doctrine can be ignored, debated, or argued over hoping to change them. Not while at the same time claiming to be a faithful member of the church.

This goes right on the list of responses by supposedly faithful members that make no sense to me with responses to Pres. Benson's talk imploring mothers to come home, and Sister Beck's talk about Mother's who know.

Can't wait

2008-08-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

So, the new season of shows is coming out, it is looking good. I am especially
excited for The Office.

Mark had wanted to see that one, so I found it. They have had some great commercials on during the olympics. Still my favorite show, hopefully season 5 keeps it going.

Also looking forward to:

Heroes (though I will need to catch up on last season.)
Lost (yeah, I know that doesn't start until like January, I can still think its awesome, though again, because Alisa and I watch it on DVD, we still need to see season 4).
BYU football. I don't care if it isn't a TV show, I'm still excited, and its my blog and my list, so there.

facebook

2008-08-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed facebook because it lets me find people. But now I have a new reason to like it, mob wars. This game has been pretty fun.

All of you who are my friends on facebook have been sent invites, you need to join my mob now, even if you don't ever want to play, joining my mob helps me out, so join. Now.

Traveling

2008-08-09T13:55:00.001-07:00

So, Alisa and I have been traveling a bunch in the last week and a half. First we went to Yellowstone. It was a great trip, we took the kids, and went with both my siblings, and Alisa's. It was a great trip.

This is us at the crest of the upper falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. I don't think I had ever been here before, but the north rim of the canyon is currently closed, so we went to some new spots to see the falls.

This one is of the lower falls, as seen from artists point.

Anyway, this trip was tons of fun. We wrapped it up by going to Loll for a staff reunion. This was also tons of fun. There were way too many mosquitoes, but Loll is always fabulous. Our kids loved it, I think.

After we got home from yellowstone (I won't mention how on the way home, we got a flat again, and I won't mention how that happens every, single, time, that I take Amelia to Loll. I wouldn't do that, I'll just stay quiet.) Alisa and I headed out for San Francisco. Me on business, Alisa to take advantage of a great hotel room.

San Francisco is a wonderful city to visit, it was like 67 degrees every day, and it is a great city to walk around in.

Here is Alisa in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Anyway, we had so much fun, it was a great week of trips.

George Hincapie

2008-07-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many of you have ever watched the Tour de France. Alisa and I got super addicted to it a few years ago, and watched as much as possible for Lance Armstrong's last three tours. If you didn't ever see Lance riding in the tour, you really missed out. He was incredibly exciting to watch. I know some of you may say, oh man, the tour, bike racing, that has got to be boring. I can tell you right now, that Alisa and I watched 160km+ races start to finish, and they were exciting. I can't explain it, because I don't find them too exciting now, but they were awesome in the three years we watched Lance race.

But this post isn't about Lance Armstrong, its about George Hincapie. Who is Hincapie? you might ask. Well, he was Lance's right hand man. He is currently riding in his 13th Tour de France, and in August will be in his 5th olympics for the USA. I am a huge George Hincapie fan, and if he were really in the GC race for the tour (GC is the term for overall leader, so if he were in contention to win the whole thing), I would be more interested. George is the consumate team guy. In the tour, you will find that the other 8 dudes, on successful teams, are there for one reason, to get their GC guy to win. George raced in all of Lance's victorious tours, and is, in my mind, a big reason Lance was able to win them. This guy is awesome. He has been successful in his own right, he has had the yellow jersey in the Tour, and he has won other races besides the Tour de France.

This may be a post many people couldn't care less about, but I wanted to give a big shout out to George Hincapie, thirteen time Tour racer, (soon to be) 5 time olympian. I will be excited to watch him in Beijing.

Pet Peeve: people who don't understand the law.

2008-07-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

This is the second, I believe, in my Pet Peeve line of posts. My first was about the constitution, so its kind of related.

Now, much like the constitution, I don't expect everyone to know or understand all the minutia or vagueries of the law. However, if you are going to go on a rant about this and that, calling for prosecutor's heads, or planning the demise of a judge's career, then I think you should at least know what it is you are talking about.

I use this story as an example. I know some of you never, ever, go to the links I provide, which frankly really cuts down on how much you can understand about what I am saying, but for you, this is a story about Kamilyn Hadley, who left her child in her car, and the child died. Now, this post is not for me to say how I feel about what she did. It is clear that it is a tragedy, and I cannot fathom such a lapse in the regular everyday thought process. But, this post isn't dedicated to hashing and rehashing her guilt or how she should be punished, she is merely going to be used as an example. Or, maybe more specifically, the comments on the trib story will be used.

If you go to the above link, and read the comments that people left, you will find pages of wild eyed anger. Anger at her, anger at the prosector, but mostly anger at the judge for this 'travesty'. My post here will mostly be in response to some of the rantings of a poster named Utahlady. This 'lady' spews her vitriol mostly surrounding the idea of getting Judge Allphin voted off the bench, and putting in place a law that would be minimum 15 years for this crime. There are two massive flaws with her anger. I'll touch on each in turn.

First, a judge can only (or at least should only) rule on what is in front of him. In this case, what was in front of Judge Allphin was a class A misdemeanor. From my experience prosecuting misdemeanors in SLC, I can tell you this, the vast majority are resolved through plea agreements. The vast majority never spend one moment in jail. Probation is the rule rather than the exception, and this is even more especially true for a first time offender. That is the way of it, you can disagree with the why, but one cannot argue against the reality that that is how misdemeanor prosecution is handled. Anyway. Judge Allphin had a misdemeanor in front of him, the most he could find her guilty of was a misdemeanor. The biggest penalty he could give her would be a year in jail. He could not have punished her any more than that, period.

To be angry at the judge for not giving her serious prison time is asinine.

Second, several people voiced the desire to change the law, to make this crime punishable by 15 years, minimum. Here is where my biggest pet peeve comes into play, and also the idea that people ranting, should really understand at least a little about something, before the go off on a rant. Let me lay out a little basic criminal law. In order to be guilty, one has to have intent (if you've seen law and order, or legally blonde, thats the Mens Rea, criminal mind). The only exception is in strict liabilty, which there is only one strict liability crime that I can think of, so that doesn't pertain. Here are the different intents as spelled out in Utah Law (you'll find this at Utah Code Annotated 76-2-103 for anyone interested).

Intentional

Knowingly

Recklessly

Negligently (and since this is criminal law, this refers to criminal negligence)

In the example of the recent death of the baby, it seems that everyone can agree that it was negligence, some just want it to be punishable as if it were one of the higher culpabilities.

These different intent levels are a foundational part of criminal law. They put into law the idea that the more one knows about the consequences of ones actions, and the more willingly one does it, the more culpable. In my opinion it is one of the least arguable portions of criminal law, period.

Unfortunately, in cases like this, people think (or don't think) with their emotions. Luckily, these people rarely have enough power to do anything. And, luckily, we have Judges like Michael Allphin.

In the interest of openness, it should be mentioned that Judge Allphin was my Stake President for years and years. I personally know him, and think he is a great man. That does not, however, affect the legal analysis I put forward.

Pride of the Yankees ****

2008-07-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

So, Alisa and I just finished watching Pride of the Yankees. Its the story of Lou Gehrig. It stars Gary Cooper. He is excellent in it. I am a big Gary Cooper fan, I really enjoyed Sergeant York, (don't bother with High Noon, it was horrible).

This movie was well done, and sad. Of course, it would be impossible to not have the movie be sad, its a tragic story, but its one filled with happiness as well.

Again, we both really enjoyed it, and highly recommend it.

The Eye of the World

2008-07-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

I am reading Jordan again. Don't know exactly what got me in the mood for it, but it has been a while since I read the first book cover to cover. I have probably read each book in The Wheel of Time an average of 5 or 6 times. It is my favorite series, bar none (Tolkein is still in my opinion the best, but for rereadability, for me Jordan wins).

This book is fabulous. I had been under the mistaken impression that Jordan had gotten a lot better over time (with the exception of books 8-9), but as I am reading The Eye of the World again cover to cover, no skimming, I realize how engrossing this book really is. I first read it over Christmas break 96. I bought it with my usual Hastings gift certificate that I got for Christmas from Ruth Ann (still one of the greatest ongoing gifts ever, just look at my bookshelves). I finished it in a couple days, and that was with all of the activities that we did over the holidays to contend with.

I would strongly, strongly suggest this book to anyone. I would dare you to read it, and not immediately upon finishing want to read the next one. I have especially enjoyed going back, and being reminded of how the characters all were at the start.

Breanne currently has borrowed The Eye of the World (I have at least 3 copies of it), I hope she is reading it, or planning to.

Even for those of you who don't particularly think you enjoy, or would enjoy fantasy, I would suggest this book, I doubt that any of you would be disappointed.

Movie catch up.

2008-07-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

I love netflix, but Alisa and I were a little slow on this one, so I am going to give a couple reviews to catch up.

King Arthur: ***. I really enjoyed this one. I had heard mixed reviews, mostly saying it was just okay, but then I caught a few minutes of it on cable a couple weeks ago, and thought, this looks okay. It was great. It has its weaknesses, biggest in my mind are 1. I don't buy for a second one of the final sword fights between the Saxon leader and Tristan 2. Why, oh why would you open the gate to Hadrian's wall and let the saxons in. Just throw your wode covered archers up on top of it, and fire away as the advance, duh. But, it was great. Ioan was Lancelot, the bad guy from Casino Royale that cries blood was Tristan. Good movie overall, recommended.

Bella: ** 1/2 to ***. This was a movie that Breanne did a post on a bit ago. I enjoyed it. Some parts were much better than others, it was fabulous at times, and at times a bit slow. The main character, the chef, was great. Some of the supporting cast I found uninteresting. On a whole it was a movie I enjoyed, it was sad, but does a good job laying out a compelling story of redemption. Worth your time to see, I believe.

SCOTUS

2008-07-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

So, for those of you that don't know, scotus is an abbreviation for the Supreme Court of the United States. Don't worry if you didn't know that. I didn't know it for a long time. Also, really only two type of people use the abbreviation. People who want to sound really smart, and people who are actually smart. The way to tell the difference is that someone who wants to sound smart will act like they can't believe you didn't know what SCOTUS means, everyone knows what SCOTUS means. Those of us who are smart, will just explain it to you, because lots and lots of people don't know what it means.

Anyway, the Supremes (another way the court is referred to, mostly in legal circles, this way has always made me laugh, makes me think Diana Ross is deciding major constitutional issues), just made two fairly big decisions in recent weeks. I have been meaning to put in my two cents on the issues. One of them, I believe, is one of the biggest most foundational constitutional rights cases heard in quite some time luckily I agree with their decision, the second I disagreed heartily, but honestly am not that surprised.

First: District of Columbia v Heller. In this ruling, the supremes struck down a D.C. law that banned all handguns, including in the home, and required that rifles be dismantled or have a trigger lock on them. In this ruling the court found (for the first time) an individual right to bear arms, or own and possess guns. Gun rights, quite a contentious little thing. And the editorials and opinions have been flowing freely around this one. Why? Well, to someo extent some people just don't want anyone owning guns. They believe, extremely naively in my opinion, that if regular joe schmo citizens didn't own guns, violence would magically disappear. Some actually have disagreements with the interpretation of the second ammendment itself.

Now, I will be the first to admit, I will agree with anyone who says the second ammendment was screwed up from the start. The guys back in the day really dropped the ball on this one. Why did they feel the need for the preamble portion of this amendment? The whole crafting, from the standpoint of trying to interpret it hundreds of years later, is truly abysmal. You don't see the first amendment saying "The free exchange of ideas being necessary to keep the public informed, congress shall pass no law restricting the freedom of the press, or assembly, etc." That preamble, though not meant to control what follows (in my opinion), just screws things up.

Anyway, that aside, I agree with the outcome, I do believe the constitution was meant to give an individual right to bear arms. No, despite what some doom and gloom people say this does not make all gun control unconstitutional, there are already restrictions on every single right enumerated in the Bill of Rights. This one, I think, they got right.

Second: Kennedy v Louisiana. In this case the supremes held a LA law allowing for the death penalty for child rapists to be unconstitutional. If you are interested, the full opinion can be found here I'll warn you that in the facts section, they do have to lay out some of the facts of the crime, it isn't pretty. I read the entire thing, including dissents. I agreed with Justice Alito's dissent. I think the court got this one wrong.

Movie catchup.

2008-06-16T06:32:00.001-07:00

So, Netflix has brought me a few more movies recently, thought I'd give my opinion on the latest three.

The Four Feathers: *** Starring Heath Ledger, in a part I would have preferred someone else, maybe Ioan Gruffud (sp). It wasn't bad. It didn't flow well, I don't know how else to describe it. It jumped around and wasn't a smooth movie. I liked the story, but to be really good, probably needed another 40sh minutes of really good character development (or maybe they could have done it in less if the character development they had had been done better). Anyway, it was enjoyable, and I can recommend it.

P.S. I Love You: ** 1/2 to ***. This has Gerard Butler, Hilary Swank, Harry Connick Jr., Lisa Kudrow, etc. This movie was good...ish. It is definitely not what you would classify as a 'romance'. Nor is it a comedy, though there are funny parts of it. It is drama, and it is sad drama. Gerard Butler dies within like 6 minutes of the movie's opening, and he is probably the best character. I found Harry Connick quite amusing at times. And Kathy Bates does her normal above average performance. If you don't like sad, don't watch it. It doesn't really have a happy lift you up at the end moment. Its just, yup, thats sad, and we will work through it, because we have to. So, go in with that in mind. I will not recommend it, not because it wasn't any good, but I'm still not sure if I liked it, and I don't think Alisa is sure yet either.

Goal: *** 1/2. Maybe it being about soccer bumped it up in my view, but Alisa really liked it too. No big stars, no hoopla, but it was a nice story, with great action, some impressive cameos (if you know who they are *Real Madrid stars hint hint*). I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Highly recommended.

Credit where its due.

2008-06-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

I do not always agree with the senior senator for my state. But while discussing my last post with Bryan, who most know works for Hatch, I have to give credit where it is due. Here and here. I like that my Senator is doing something, in a field where it seems not much is being done.

Cap and Trade

2008-06-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

So, the other day Alisa was telling me about something she had heard Sean Hannity say, (our radio is usually on KSL for news, neither of us listen to Hannity as a rule, he's a colossal tool). Anyway, he was spouting something about the current Cap and Trade bill co-sponsored by Joe Lieberman and John Warner in the Senate. Now, as far as democrat Senators go, I like Lieberman pretty well. Not because I agree with all of his stances, but more because he seems to have them, and I respect that. I would rather someone I disagree with, that actually stands for something, then someone that I agree with a bunch of their stances, but I can tell they only hold them as long as they are politically expedient, but I digress.

Anyway, as I knew very little about the bill, I googled it. I found this article that I thought was a fairly simple, and merely informative piece. Its not long, and if you want to get just a rudimentary bare bones idea of the proposal, it will clue you in. It also, thankfully, seems to just provide information, gives both sides stances and the basic arguments for both. Interesting thing is, everyone on this one has a pretty good point. I guess it just comes down to what you think is the most important thing in the debate.

Here is the basic (very basic) idea to the proposal.

First, carbon emissions are damaging to the environment (whether or not you believe in global warming doesn't matter here, you should still be able to, out of intellectual honesty, admit that more emissions are worse, fewer emissions are better). This bill would set up a system of permits allowing companies that use fossil fuels to emit a certain amount of junk into the atmosphere. The cap portion of the bill comes in in the fact that the number of permits is limited. This cap continues to decrease over the next few decades, forcing businesses that use fossil fuels to either become more efficient or to find alternate ways to power whatever it is they are using the fossil fuels for, because at the end of the day, they will just not be able to do business the same way they are now.

Second, the trade aspect of the bill. Companies can use the permits themselves, bank them for later, or trade (sell) them to other companies who need more than they have. This is a little shout out to free market system creating an incentive to pollute less, thus use less of your own permits.

The money raised by this program, in theory, would be used in part to offset rising energy costs, and in part to fund incentives to alternate energy sources, i.e. wind and solar.

Is this idea perfect, no. Without a doubt this will raise costs, pretty much across the board. It will cost corporations money, money they aren't just going to eat, it will be passed on to consumers. Probably most visibly in the energy industry. Energy will cost more. While I think that will bring about some positive changes: looking for more ways to conserve what you use as a personal household, encouraging the growth of alternate forms of energy (see my post about blue sky from last month), and all together making those that don't care see that there is a need for change; it will without a doubt have bad consequences. Some may already be doing all that they reasonably can to be efficient and resourceful, not wasting etc.. These people will also be hit with energy cost increases. I don't think thats a good thing.

I look at these two ideas, the pros and the cons, and I still have to say that on the whole, the idea sounds pretty good. It is not perfect, and their will be costs. I don't for a second believe the real doom and gloom prognosticators who claim millions of jobs will be lost, etc.. And I guess in the end, I don't believe there is any way to change our countries mindset and wild dependence on fossil fuel driven energy (which I see as a major catastrophe just waiting to happen, as well as being horrible stewardship of the earth), without some cost to the public. It will be hard, and may be extremely hard for some. However, the alternate costs of doing nothing will, in the end, be much, much greater.

So, do I think that this is THE ANSWER? Eh, I'm not going to proclaim this idea perfect, I've heard some variations that people argue would be better, I don't know if they would be or not. But I do believe that in the long run this program would be helpful in setting us down the road to a less fossil fuel dependent energy producing people, which I see as an incredibly important thing. So, I give it my support, with a few reservations.

Just so you can read more of an opposition type article, this guy seems to hate the idea. He lays forth pretty much all of the opposition reasons to oppose the plan. But, to be honest, I guess where I disagree with him the most is that I get the idea while I read his article, that he really doesn't see our current system as that big of a problem, so if nothing changes, oh well, not that big of a deal.

Anyway, thats my take on it.

Everquest

2008-05-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

So, as some of you know, I play Everquest. Its a really fun game, and one of the top things on my geek resume. I just wish I could get Will back into it, and Jimmy to start. (seeing as he's the one who got me to originally buy the game back in 00).

So, I just thought I'd let people see what it looks like, this isn't a long video, its just an anniversary video someone put together, it shows what the game looks like, so even if you would never in a million years play it, you can at least maybe see why I think its cool.

Prince Caspian ****

2008-05-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, Alisa and I saw this movie on Saturday, and we both loved it.

Just so you know (and if you saw the first one, you should expect this), this doesn't follow the books 100%. However, I do think that even with the changes the movie stayed true to the story. There were bits I would have done differently, or even emphasized more or less, but I think thats because I loved the book, and I don't personally feel the need to pull in large crowds. But, seeing as that is what will pay for the next installment, I don't begrudge them that.

The same four kids are back, they did great in their parts. The choice of Prince Caspian (while much older than he is supposed to be), worked well. If you like the books, or liked the last movie, you should go see this one. I think its even better than the first.

One note, they need to take a page from Peter Jackson and film several of these together, these kids are going to get way too old, soon.

The right decision

2008-05-23T07:10:00.001-07:00

So, most of you have been following the huge case down in Texas involving the removal of more than 450 children from the FLDS Yearning for Zion ranch. Well, yesterday an appeals court in Texas overturned the courts ruling, stating, in part

"The existence of the FLDS belief system as described by the department's witnesses, by itself, does not put children of FLDS parents in physical danger"

If you want to read the whole MSNBC article on the court ruling, go here.

While I won't claim to have called this one exactly, I have been pointing out that I thought that Texas has screwed this one up from day one. My belief is that the authorities in Texas have been waiting at the gate of the compound (sometimes literally), hoping for any excuse to rush in and break up what they see as heathen's and freaks.

Now, I lived in Texas for a couple years. Love a lot of the people there. But I have never been around more intolerence in my life. I know some people think Utah is wildly intolerent, those people are, in my opinion, wildly sheltered.

For those who don't go read the linked article let me sum up what the court said, and what it means.

First, the court said that the state didn't have any right to take all of the children from the ranch to begin with, Texas law requires immediate danger in order for children to be taken without a court order, and the court said there was no proof of immediate danger. Second, the court said that the state failed to provide evidence that would allow the removal of all of the children. Third, the court found that the lower court should not have considered the entire ranch as 'one household' for determination purposes.

So, the state was arguing that the children were in danger because girls aged like 13-16 could be forced into marriages. Half of the children they took away were under 5, which makes the immediacy of that danger questionable at best. Another example of their argument not comporting with reality is in the underage mother 'evidence'. Of the 31 girls that the state originally claimed were underage mothers, 15 have been reclassified as adults, one as old as 27.

What does this all mean. The way I read it, the lower court has ten days to vacate its ruling, which would send the kids back to their parents. And I think that is the right thing to do.

Now, does this mean that I don't find many of the things that were purported to go on there creepy, or even possibly abusive, absolutely not. That is why I am so frustrated with Texas. They screwed this one up from day one. There are more than likely girls on that ranch that desperately need help, but because Texas was more worried about making a huge statement, and running those freaks out of the State once and for all, they didn't bother to do it right. And when it comes to the courtroom, and proving your case, you have to make sure that you go by the book as much as possible.

I think this whole mess kind of backs up Mark Shurtleff on this kind of issue. Yes, we would like to do something about a situation that we think is wrong, but we can't just go marching into Hilldale/Colorado City because we don't like what we think is going on, we have to have proof of something. Because even people we disagree with, most especially people we disagree with must be afforded all of the protections of the constitution. If we want the system to work, we must ensure that it works for the most heinous of criminals/miscreants, or it doesn't work at all.

This is only a test.

2008-05-21T07:01:00.001-07:00

Okay, testing some stuff.

Now i know how to put on pictures, still can't figure out videos.

This last weekend.

2008-05-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

Was fairly busy. We got sprinklers up and running (thanks Mark), garden mostly tilled and awaiting planting tonight for family home evening, the swamp cooler up and running (thanks Dad, no really, its gotten super hot, you're a life saver), Cora's dance recital, and Alisa and my sixth wedding anniversary (thanks again Breanne and Amelia).

Working in the yard is still not my favorite thing, but I have to say, it becomes so much more enjoyable when its your yard. I am very excited about our garden this summer. I bought 16 tomato plants, 8 pepper, 4 broccoli, 1 cucumber, and 1 zucchini. Also plan on getting corn in the ground tonight, to go along with the raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries we already have. Very exciting.

Cora's dance recital was just as I thought. I love seeing her, she is adorable, and she clearly has a great time. The rest of it is brutal.

Alisa and I had a good time for our anniversary, and got to see a movie we had both been wanting to see. But that is in a different post.

Iron Man ****

2008-05-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

Alisa and I went to see Iron Man on Saturday night. It
Was
AWESOME.

First, I have to thank Amelia and Breanne. After taking the time to come up from Provo to see Cora's dance recital, which she appreciated so much, they stuck around to watch the kids while Alisa and I got to go out for our anniversary. Thanks, it meant a lot, and was very, very appreciated.

Now to the movie itself. As you can see, I gave it 4 stars. I can't say enough good things about this movie. It was well acted, it was well written, it was action packed. I loved it, and so did Alisa. I can't wait for the inevitable sequel. Good news, reportedly Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man in the movie) loved doing it, and is up for any and all sequels they want to make. Also, I noticed on IMDB that he will be making an appearance in the upcoming Incredible Hulk (as Stark). If you like comics, you'll love this movie, if you don't like comics, you'll love this movie. It lives by the rule of good comic book movies, it got real actors (Jeff Daniels, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr. *look for a little cameo by Sameul L. Jackson*), was written very well, staying true to the story, but not being overly comic book cheesy.

I cannot recommend this movie enough, fabulous from start to finish. And, I would highly recommend that you stick around after the credits, there is a little teaser scene setting up the sequel.

For those really into comics, you will enjoy that S.H.I.E.L.D. makes an appearance, as does Nick Fury. And, the hint of a new government program called 'The Avenger Initiative' got me super juiced for summer 2011. July is the tentatively slated release date for The Avengers. By then Captain America should have come out. The plan is that they will do several individual marvel superhero comic -> Movie then they will coalesce into The Avengers, using all the big stars that are in the individual movies. It is highly exciting.

If you have the chance, you must go see Iron Man. I think its second only to Batman Begins for awesome comic book movies. It outshines the others.

Obama

2008-05-15T13:40:00.001-07:00

So, I know that several Obama supporters read my blog. I love you anyway. Often people think that I am partisan for the sake of being partisan. I like to think that I'm not.

Early on, I mean early, early on, I kind of liked Obama. Said I'd probably vote for him if Huckabee was the VP candidate etc..

This changed when I really started to see his stances on the issues. I'll give you the fact that the guy can give a good speech. He is very charismatic. I'm afraid, however, that I strongly disagree with more than one of his stances. I'll provide some examples. You may agree with him, that's fine, I don't on these, I think he's just wrong.

First. I firmly believe that the purpose of the Senate in the judicial nomination advise and consent is to see if the person is qualified. Period. I don't think it is to see if they agree with you, etc.. Reading this statement by Obama convinces me that we couldn't be more different on our view of the judiciary. I think on the really tough cases, the ones that are really, really difficult, where the judges end up disagreeing. You need to go to the law. To the constitution. I don't think feel good opinions are the answer to tough legal problems. And what bothers me the most here is this statement,

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind Judge Roberts is qualified to sit on the highest court in the land. Moreover, he seems to have the comportment and the temperament that makes for a good judge. He is humble, he is personally decent, and he appears to be respectful of different points of view."

So, then you would assume Obama voted to approve Judge Roberts, right? Nope. He goes on to say this,

"what matters on the Supreme Court is those 5 percent of cases that are truly difficult. In those cases, adherence to precedent and rules of construction and interpretation will only get you through the 25th mile of the marathon. That last mile can only be determined on the basis of one's deepest values, one's core concerns, one's broader perspectives on how the world works, and the depth and breadth of one's empathy."

I don't want Ginsberg's values deciding U.S. law. Heck, I don't want Scalia, or Roberts, or Alito's values deciding U.S. law. I want their best interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

Here is a clip from a debate. Most of you probably won't watch it, though if you are going to vote for Obama, I wish you would. If you agree with him, thats fine, I just hope you know what his stances are first. I disagree with him on two things here. First, it seems that nobody disagreed with the idea that when capital gains tax was cut revenue went up, no one on the stage disagreed with that statement, so I assume the agree with that. Charlie Gibson pointed out that whenever capital gains was raised, revenue went down. Obama said he was still for increasing it, in order to get more revenue. Doesn't that seem like he is ignoring the statistics?

Second thing he said there that I have severe heartburn with is that the President didn't jump on the housing crisis early enough. I'm sorry, that is not the President's job. Where was congress on this one? Or, heaven forbid, lets have someone in the public eye cast a little blame on greedy, shortsighted individuals that set themselves up for horrible consequences on their homes. There are plenty of reasons to not like the current administration. But it is too easy of an out to blame the administration for things that could have been handled by the congress and weren't. This shouldn't be a talking point, with three Senators in the race for the white house. None of them seems to have gotten off their keesters to do anything about the housing crisis.

In general, I find Obama to be disingenuous. He spouts moderate, bridge building, etc. But his rhetoric is no different than any other candidate I have heard. He is 100% wrong on the war in Iraq. He states that from the month he is put in office he will remove 1 brigade per month from Iraq until they are all gone. He doesn't put any stipulations or conditionals on it, just one per month until we're gone. I know that Jimmy believes that he will change his mind after he gets in office and sees more info. I don't have that kind of faith.

To be open and honest. There are things I disagree with McCain about. I don't believe that now is the time for a increased tax-cut. As long as we are spending lots of money on Iraq/Afghanistan, anything that cuts our revenue shouldn't be pushed forward, unless that revenue is picked up in a more desireable way.

My hope here isn't to convert people away from Obama. My biggest fear is that people like him, because he is likeable and a good speaker. If you actually go read up on his stances, now what he believes and wants to put into action (not just the soundbites you hear every now and again), thats your deal. And we can disagree and what kind of programs are right, economically. I just hope people who 'like' him, actually know him first.

Sports

2008-05-14T07:30:00.001-07:00

So, it may be cliche, but I am a big sports guy. I love football, love soccer, love basketball. I have never been able to get into watching baseball, don't know why, just don't find it interesting, though I love playing (softball). I enjoy playing just about any sport you can come up with. I wish I could have been an adult back in the hay day of church sports. I know church sports have a bad reputation, but I remember going as a family (or at least several of us), to watch my Dad play softball. It was a blast, lots of people came to watch, and there were always enough people to field teams. That's my biggest pet peeve about church sports now. I think my generation of adults is too busy watching T.V. or playing computer games, or just sitting on their can to get out and play sports. (Don't get me wrong, I love watching TV and playing computer games, but I love playing sports even more).

I don't have a lot of opportunity anymore. For a brief moment, I got to play some indoor soccer last year, which was awesome. I've been thinking about seeing about the possibility of doing that again. I know Mark would be in, I think we could get Will to play on a team, Mark probably knows a couple guys that would play, and I have a ward that had 38 guys play basketball this last year, with that number, I would hope I could stand up in priesthood, ask, and get at least 2 or 3 guys who were seriously interested in playing. I don't know what the cost would be, but I have some practically unused indoor soccer shoes, and I want to play.

I also am an avid fan of sports. Currently the Jazz are in a playoff series with the Lakers, tied 2-2. Game 5 is tonight in LA. Man I would love to see us win tonight. I think if we can steal the game tonight in LA, we will win the series in 6 with a win back at home for Game 6. Then, if New Orleans wins, like it seems more and more likely they will. We have a great shot at reaching the NBA finals again, as we own N.O. in basketball.

I am also a Real Salt Lake fan. As I said I love soccer, and this year is the first year of season tickets for Alisa and me. These games have been great. They have yet to lose at home, though they have had two heartbreaking ties there so far. But also three spectacular wins, a combined 12-4 scoring at home. Which is more offense than I ever saw at all the games combined I went to prior to this season. I think we will make it to the playoffs this year, and if the team continues to gel, we could go far.

I know this is getting long, but the team I am getting extremely excited about is BYU football. The cougars have won ten straight games, and they return 10 offensive starters. TEN, that is huge for a team who's offense last year averaged more than 400 yds, and more than 30 pts per game. We return a thousand yard rusher, thousand yard receiver, and a QB that threw for 3900. Can't wait for the fall.

My sports life is going well, very well.

Pet Peeve: Astronomical Selfishness

2008-05-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

Let me get some people's responses out of the way, yes, I am sure that I am selfish too. But, I don't do these two things, and they are what I am complaining about today, so deal with it.

Case 1: I was at church on Sunday, imagine that. It was Mother's Day, and our ward decided to bless all of the mothers with a particularly crappy set of speakers. Now, I know that I am sometimes too harsh. I shouldn't judge others based upon their speaking ability, as that is something that many cannot help. HOWEVER, even Alisa thought it was bad, and she can find the silver lining on almost any bad lesson or talk, because she is much less judgemental than I. The first two speakers were merely bad, the final speaker, I wanted to stab in the eye.

He got up to speak with approximately 2 minutes left in the meeting. Granted, this is not his fault, I don't blame him for how late he got up, its totally out of his control (though maybe he should have a talk with his wife about how to STOP TALKING, however after listening to him, he may not be the best person to give that lesson). I looked at the clock and though, alright, he better keep it short, because Hyrum has already had it and Sacrament meeting only has 2 minutes to go. I will forgo complaining about the vast amounts of wildly harsh comments he made that wouldn't have made any mother feel better, and I will even sidestep lambasting him about the reams of false doctrine he taught. Suffice it to say, he finished speaking at 10:30! You read that right, half past ten. Hyrum had screamed himself to sleep by this time, which I highly envied.

My pet peeve. This guy felt like his talk was more important than any lesson that any sunday school teacher had prepared, or priesthood and relief society. Not to mention the problems caused in Primary by the huge chunk taken out of the schedule. Nooooo, his incredible thoughts were much more important than those, not to mention the people with little kids who can already hardly make it through the entire sacrament service, let alone an extra twenty minutes. Yeah. Pure selfishness. sprinkled liberally with arrogance.

Case 2: This has always bothered me, and I'd love to meet a person, individually that does this, so I can vent on them. Saturday night I was at the Real Salt Lake game (we won 2-1 by the way). As we were leaving, I turned to Alisa and said that I can't comprehend how people can just get up, and leave all of their piles of trash at their seat and walk away. I'm flabbergasted. I mean, you walk out right past a garbage can. I am completely astounded by this mindset. If you are one of these people, you are an idiot, pick up your trash, and throw it in the garbage. Great honk.

Bacon

2008-05-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll admit, its an odd heading. But, I just had some thoughts about bacon, and heck, this is my blog so deal with it. The thoughts were actually brought about by this comic. Many of you have probably seen the recent taco bell, or whatever, commercial where the girl takes a bacon chalupa into a night club to attract men. Its hilarious, in my opinion. Mostly because its true. Bacon makes everything better. Bacon may be the best smell around. Bacon is the unimpeachable argument for the fact that fat is what gives meat its wonderful flavor.

Bacon is a slab of pig fat.

I say that for only one reason, to prove how good bacon is, because even if that phrase grosses you out, it won't matter, you'll still eat bacon the next time you have the chance, its just that good.

Mmmmm....bacon.