Swine Flu and Government Intervention

I saw this headline on a news report and I was intrigued but perhaps not for the reason the article intended. The headline reads, "Mexico shuts down non-essential services amid swine flu". Mexico's president mandated that all government and private sector businesses that are non-essential to the sustaining of human life be shut down for a period and asked everyone to not work and stay indoors to help contain the spread of the virus.

On the one hand I actually find this to be a good move on the government side. Instead of taking this opportunity as a power grab and a launching pad for more government control, the President acknowledged that sometimes it is better to shut down and regroup for a short period than it is for the government to screw things up in the long term through extra legislation (perhaps something the automakers should think about).

On the other hand, I wondered, what is the Mexican government doing that is not essential for the sustaining of life; and should those programs stay shut down? Why does the government have programs that are not essential to the protection and sustaining of human life and the management of public affairs such as fire and police protection? I wonder if this will actually save the country money? Obviously it could have its backfires in lost tax revenues from the private sector portion of this move, etc. But I wonder if after seeing the books, the government goes "look at how much money we saved by not spending on non-essential services!"

As for me and my house, I am actually glad that there is government intervention in a time like this. I don't feel that a virus epidemic is something that the private sector can handle adequately on their own and this is something I feel the government is responsible to see an end to.

Obama-Nation

I'm sorry, I know I just posted last night. However, this is just too good to pass up. Alan Keyes is the MAN!

Champion of Liberty

I attended the Legislative District 18 Republican meeting this evening to listen to their guest speaker on gun rights, Alan Korwin. He slipped in that he is a libertarian in a very discreet way and I'm not sure how many picked up on it, but I have to say I was overall impressed with the meeting. Granted this is a very conservative district, but I left somewhat troubled. I'm fed up with the Republican party, I have been for a while now. I traded them for Independent registration status and with a completely clear conscience voted for the man I felt best suited for the job as president; Alan Keyes, via write in.

I am so tired of voting for the so called "lesser of two evils". Whatever happened to voting for the candidate you felt would do what's right for the country? That said, I came away from this meeting thoroughly impressed with Senator in the AZ state legislature, Russell Pearce. He's taking heat for his part on the State Appropriations committee, because he is proposing State program cuts. He stated that he is firmly opposed to raising taxes and the only way to balance the budget is to start cutting programs. THANK YOU!!!! Finally someone gets it. There is not endless money and he's doing the unpopular thing by decreasing government spending and he's taking a lot of flak for it. He addressed taking the heat by saying that he represents the voters and if next go around the voters don't like what he's done, then vote him out and he'll be able to spend more time with his wife.

So a great meeting, but it has resurfaced the question for me. Is the Republican party salvageable? Could the true Conservatives push out the Liberal Republicans like McCain and return the Republican party to its better days, the days of Reagan and Goldwater? Or is the only solution to let the liberal Republicans have it and create a new Conservative party?

Sad Reality

For those that have not heard the story from back in October of last year, but the national debt ticker in Times Square New York ran out of spaces for numbers because the debt got so large. The national debt is over 10 trillion dollars, so the owners of the sign took off the dollars sign and is using that space to add another digit.

Call it a sad commentary on the state of our union, call it a symbolic prediction that the dollar itself will be taken away someday soon, call it HOPE because that is somehow how this whole bailout stimulus garbage is being sold to the American People and to the world.

However, in honor of such an event we have added a national debt ticker to the side of our main blog page... enjoy!

Ruin my wedding day and I'll sue you!

I wanted to toss out this story to have a little change from the politics talk and jump over to a little bit of social and legal commentary. No this story is not a commentary on the word of wisdom or the law of chastity because those topics are too one dimensional in this story. Instead I want to focus on suing, or bringing aggressive legal action against people and and influence there is from the gospel.

In New York, a young couple was looking to get married. The day arrived and they were going through the ceremony when a woman from the crowd who had obviously been hitting "the sauce" as part of the reception stood up and screamed in a drunken stupor the accusation that she has an affair with the groom. Since this woman just happened to be the groom's boss, it was not only uncomfortable by nature, but plausible.

This giant elephant in the room caused enough of a raucous that the 70 reception guests had to leave and the evening was over - and ruined. The bride now is suing the former boss (as the groom quit his job over this incident) for the emotional damage from the incident and probably a few other things including loss of consortium if she had an aggressive attorney.

First question...
Is there a good case for the Bride to recoup any damages? If so, what price tag could you put on those damages?

Second... (since this is an LDS blog)
Is there a standard by which Latter-Day Saints can determine whether or not it is a righteous pursuit to sue someone as opposed to showing forgiveness? Regardless of if the affair happened or not, was what this x-boss did something that has righteous remedy in the law, or is this an offense that is better left to forgiveness?

Dino museum in Utah gets 13 million in federal stimulus money

Talk about trying to raise the dead. The Dinosaur National Monument in Utah is getting 13 MILLION DOLLARS in federal stimulus money. Why? Because they need a new visitors center... duh! The visitors center for the national "monument" was condemned two years ago because it was unsafe. So far not even PETA is complaining that the center was shut down and this was for a monument to animals!

Perhaps this would be a little more justifiable if the place hadn't already been shut down years ago. No, life has gone on quite well without this visitors center I have to say. Sure a few archeologist's might have to find a new place to hang out on weekends and pick up chicks, but for now, on the list of national emergencies and problems that the government is facing, a dinosaur national monument in nowhere Utah is hardly at the top of any list.

13 MILLION DOLLARS!!! What rationale could be used to resurrect an dilapidated building for a tourist trap that no one cared about enough to save and rebuild years ago? I can understand to a certain extent the desire to preserve parts of our nation's history and sites that have some historical significance. The church has many such sites relating to the church's history all over the world. However, dinosaurs are dead, and have been for a very long time. No matter how real Jurassic Park may eventually be - if at all, there still exists NO VALID REASON why 13 million dollars needed to be spent here if at all.

Yea thats right, screw Earth Day.

Isn't every day earth day?

I mean really where else are we going? We don't have Mars day do we? The whole concept of earth day is ridiculous when you consider that the guy who invented the whole thing, Gaylord Nelson, was a commie and deeply tied to the hippie new left movement. He wanted to tie the two movements into each other to draw on the strength of the youth movements that where being funded by the commies. All of these people are what Cicero called "hostis humani generis" or enemies of the human race. Like every other politician driven movement it is nothing more then a drive to control humanity, this time by putting the earth before humans and their needs. Think about their arguments, who will disagree with arguments like " don't you want clean air?" or "We want clean water." the real question is how do we achieve these things we all clearly want. However by allowing the hippies/commies to establish the argument we allow them to control the out come. For this reason we can not allow ourselves to celebrate or accept in any way the idea of their stupid holiday.

Here are a few other observations about those who like the idea of Earth day.

Why is it that Hippies who claim to care about the earth all live in cities? There is literally millions of uninhabited acres of land in this country where they could go and live without ever seeing another human being and yet they all live in cities, the very centers of the things they claim to hate. Answer, if they lived in the wilderness they wouldn't be able to define themselves by what they ware, how they act and so on. Basically there is no one else who will say "Wow Moon Flower you must really care about he environment, your lack of personal hygiene sends that message through so clearly. Tell me how to better live in harmony with our world." Once the validation is gone the need to set ones self apart is gone.

How is that the people who scream the loudest about protecting the environment spend the least amount of time out in in it? As some one who has spent a large amount of his life living in the mountains, like years I can tell you that the earth will chew humanity up and spit it out. the earth doesn't care about us, the idea that we could permanently screw it is absurd, every action we take on it is in reality something that naturally occurs anyway and over time will correct itself. Heck even the term "correct itself" is wrong, things like fires and oil spills happen in the wild all the time the problem is that with our limited life span we think all things are permanent. Only by experiencing the harshness of the world do we really understand our actual place in it.

For a better understanding of the environmentalist movement I recommend Ayn Rands The New Left: The Anti Industrial Revolution. specifically she has a chapter in the book called Return of the Primitive which clearly lays out the reality the environmentalists what to create for us.

Pay Day loans are of the devil! Keep them at least a 1/2 mile apart!

Here is a story that actually plays to yesterdays post on economic regulations. This legislation was voted on last night by the Salt Lake City Council and is a great example of not only a poorly written piece of legislation, but a demonstration of how such efforts do nothing but place an annoying burden on a legitimate business.

Here is Salt Lake City, a group of Utah religionists (no clear LDS affiliation) fought to see legislation passed that would not allow for those title loan/payday loan and check cashing businesses to operate within 1/2 mile of each other. The issue the proponents of the legislation claimed was that individuals are getting loans through one place and then compounding their debt by going to another close by establishment and getting another loan to pay off their first loan. This pattern is repeated over and over again creating increasingly binding debt. The group representative went so far as to say that these businesses are predators to the low income individuals and the uneducated. I say you can't rape the willing. Unless these individuals are legally handicapped, then they are cognitive adults capable of self-improvement as much as they are capable of destroying themselves.

This group is right however, in that this kind of debt service is a bad idea. On the other hand, it is not illegal, and eventually that person will be cut off by one of the lenders who will not be willing to take the risk. If a lender is willing to take on the risk of not getting paid back, that is their issue and it should be of no concern for the city. Plus, anyone who is desperate and stupid enough to bounce this kind of debt around like that is going to be willing to drive or even walk further than 1/2 mile to find another pay day loan to satisfy their debt addiction.

As far as I see this legislation, no one wins. Agency in this case, the right to fail, has been scaled back, and the right for business owners to decide when they don't want to take a risk on a loan is interrupted. That is of course if this legislation does anything at all. One person in the video feels that such legislation might actually injure those "being preyed upon" cause because it would decrease competition allowing these lenders to charge more for their services instead of a competitive rate. Additionally, 1/2 a mile is nothing as far as a deterrent. People can bike that is less than a minute. Great deterrent people! Well crafted morons!

Too much legislation or just bad legislation

I have seen a debate started oversea's with the G-20 summit claiming that capitalism and poor regulations are what has caused the economic crisis that we have been facing in the world. On the other side of the isle, Capitalists believe that there is too much legislation that has gotten in the way of the business world and has caused its own set of problems. I believe there is a third viewpoint that might be the best answer as I see it.

I believe that there is room for some, but very little, legislation in the economy. My feelings that the legislation that has been coming out and some of the work that has been done as far back as the great depression in the late 1920's early 1930's has brought about the continual and repeated instances of recessions.

There is an ebb and flow to economy that seems to exist. Many view this as an up and down economy. I see things as a shift in opportunities. True capitalists change with the times and follow opportunity where it leads. Not that legislation in and of itself is the cause of economic problems as much as it is impractical and poorly written legislation that is to blame. I don't feel that the tides of change in economies will go away with legislation regardless of how well it is written, but perhaps it will be less of a roller coaster ride and more like a change in the tide bringing with it new opportunities as others fade.

Here's to Public Transpo!

This is no joke. While I've never been on a train that packed. I have ridden on a bus that full. One of the tactics the busses do is idle forward a little bit and then slam on the brakes so everyone expels the air from their lungs and compress forward a little bit. This makes slightly more room in the back of the bus for others to get pressed inside. Clearly Al Gore is on to something. Public transportation is better for the environment, therefore we should be willing to make sacrifices such as overcrowding in order to improve the life quality of trees and the spotted owl. Of course by making sacrifices he means that he will cut down on his Gulfstream G5, and personal limousine ridership, because we all have to make sacrifices in our own way, at our own individual levels.

Phoenix Tea Party.

Don’t let anyone tell you that going to a protest is a waste of time. If nothing else it made M.Galt realize he is not the only one who is proud of being a capitalist pig. Considering that only 1/3 of the people I know who complain about the government or who have voiced their opinion in opposition to the government showed up at the Tea Party in Phoenix last night I would say it was a good turn out. Estimates I heard where between 5-6 thousand people. Don’t believe it? Here is the video.

These where not high school and collage kids who had nothing better to do, they where all like you and me working class stiffs who want their voice heard. I will say however it is clear that working class people need to learn a few lessons on protesting and get a stage and decent PA system next time. The lack of having a platform made it hard for people to really get involved. So maybe there is something we can learn from the rent a mob operations. My favorite sign was this one, I know it’s a little crass for a “Mormon” blog but you have to admit it is funny. There was a few trust fund kids out in opposition carrying a sign that said “smash the police state” Funny thing was though that there where a couple cops right beside them that they could have “bashed” at any time but they didn’t. Funny thing I always notice about “anarchists” they are always the first people I would expect to die in anarchy because they clearly have no survival skills…or guns. The douche in the little green hat latter went on a rant in the crowd calling everyone there racist. Not sure where that came from but I am sure he had his reasons. The other surprising thing was A) the amount of attractive women and B) the number of young people. It seems to me that libertarian principles are catching on with the young and will hopefully soon become a viable third party. Bottom line, next time get out and let your voice be heard, there are more of you out there then you may think.

New Border Czar

The department of Homeland Security is making a gesture towards protecting our southern border to Mexico through the appointment of a Border Czar. Alan Bersin who had some involvement in cracking down on illegal immegration in the 1990's is going to take the post. Seeing as I remember no great dip in the problem during the 90's I figure that this is simply another Obama attempt to make it look like we are fixing a problem, but all we are doing is throwing more money at a government position.

I will maintain hope as the Brethren have asked us to do in General Conference. I hope that in fact something will be done. Not because of any hatred towards Mexicans, and not because I want Obama to succeed. I want this to be successful because I want some sense of order and security. I don't care much for the idea of any enemy, foreign or domestic, placing fear and control over our lives and our rights to life.

Who needs a teapot for your tea party?

I know a great place to get your tea pots for your tea party protest: The Sparta TeaPot museum in North Carolina! Perhaps some of you have heard of this story but it bear a striking irony to recent tea party protests against government wasteful taxation and spending.

This video and accompanying article do a decent job explaining the story behind the museum. Back in 2007, $900,000 tax dollars were given to build a tea pot museum in Sparta North Carolina. When given the given the opportunity to explain why the republican representative voted to approve the bill she stated that the money was going to be spent anyway, why not spend it on her constituents? Why not... NOT SPEND IT!!!!

It is for these such projects that we all should be protesting and giving voice against. Not only is this museum not a nati0nal priority or a national issue, it is not alone by any means as an example that our government is way beyond legal. The constitution never was meant to give this kind of power or authority to the government and the last I checked, the people never approved these measures.

History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives. ~Abba Eban

Taken it to the streets.

It looks like it is time for us to play dress up and follow the example of our ancestors by protesting an oppressive government. I for one plan on attending my fist actual protest in 30 years of life in this free nation. Tomorrow I will be joining with other like minded people to take issue with government spending and the resulting taxation at the Arizona state capital. I would encourage all people everywhere to take to the streets and stand up for what we believe, not in a revolution but a restoration of our constitutional law.

On the same side I plan on pointing out all the fake “right wingers” that will no doubt be there to try to make us look bad. For this and many other reasons I hope people will not let others represent them and stay at home. I will return and report.

Oh say what is truth

“All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.” -Friedrich Nietzsche-

What is truth in the world today? Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints possess spiritual truths, and to a certain degree there are principles of truth taught with respect to temporal matters. Much of what happens in the world today doesn't seem to place much weight on truth but expends efforts to do or say whatever necessary to gain power and influence. Businesses are being rewarded publicly for dishonesty, many are caught up in lies surrounding debt obligations, and political leaders of the world have made a science out of deceiving their constituents. Yet it seems that the honest are the ones truly suffering - but are not powerless.

However, I wonder if what I see as lies are as Nietzsche states, simply interpretations of experiences and examples rather than something that is absolutely true or false. Is what is going on with the federal bailouts a true or false principle? Does something like this fall into true and false?

For me I always thought that power came from truth. When truth is taught and lived by that person or organization they increase in power or influence that far exceeds the power that comes from lies or misrepresenting the truth. That means that if we simply seek for and implement true principles our power and ability to overcome the opposition we face is very real and sure.

Are we functioning in society that is more power hungry than they are hungry for the truth or the right way? I think our society has long surpassed any point where the populous majority care much for truth as much as they are preoccupied with the obtaining of temporal power and influence over others regardless of the method used to obtain it. Truth is liberating and enlightening. Power from this world is corrupting and lies at the heart of our nations problems. So I ask again, is there truth in the world today and who is to be found in possession of it?

Survelliance of the populace

So this video presented by the Communist News Network addresses the placement of surveillance cameras around big cities in order to prevent crime and help first responders. I personally am not too keen on the idea, but if they are merely observing public areas and are used only in the prevention of or solving of crime I am ok with it. However, considering our government is anything but benevolent and I don't trust any member of government farther than I could throw one of 'em, I don't like the idea at all.

Obama is currently piecing together an agreement with other European nations to collect data on people's personal computers. This is being crafted under the disguise of National Security, and preventing music piracy. Suprise, Suprise they are spending more focus on the prevention of music piracy spin because telling people you need to look through their hardrive for National Security purposes just doesn't sound as good.

The last charismatic leader that drew kool aid drinking crowds as big as this guy, lead to a world war and the destruction of tens of millions of people. Let's hope and pray it doesn't come to that.

It's the illegal alien's fault!

So there is a recent rash of posts from our writers in Arizona about illegal immigration. There really is no room for disagreement in saying that there is an immigration problem in the United States. There does seems to be a divide on what is the center of the problem and how to go about fixing it. Some feel that the problem lies in lack of enforcement, some feel it is in a poorly designed and prohibitive system of immigration.

A couple of days back, Thunderlump posted a short article based on a TIME magazine article supporting the legalization of Marijuana. Some of the argument used in support of legalization is that when something is legal it is less attractive or less taboo for those possessing a spirit of rebellion, and that legalizing it would also help control the use, abuse, and trafficking of the narcotic. I am sure that one could also make the argument that if Marijuana was legal it could therefore also be taxed like tobacco related products currently are bringing in some much needed revenue.

Okay, so lets take that that train of thought and pass it on to the problems surrounding illegal immigration.

Almost in true opposite, the argument that I have heard is to be tougher on illegal immigration to the shutting off of the border, and harsher punishment for those that are doing this crime that causes so many other social and legal conundrums. One could make the argument that these two issues are more alike than has been analyzed.

So I ask, would you find fault with those very same illegal aliens if they were made legal? If these people were given legal status, would that also help to lower the problems and the issues that come along with illegal immigration? They would then be taxed as Americans, and fall under the laws of this land. What is the harm in that? Or is there an unchristlike hatred for our fellow man that goes beyond the choice to come to this country illegally, and borders on true racism? In other words, is the only reason for protesting illegal immigration because of the act that has been committed or because of some other reason more hateful? Why is the resolution not the same when the problems seem to be so similar in consequence and principle?

For those of you that feel the need to do something with your time play this game. Post your best scores. See if the game makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

OCTOMOM: Who is worse, mom or the media?

At the grocery store, as I was waiting in the checkout area, I saw the latest garbage trash gossip magazine with the "tell all" story from the nannies of the Octomom, Nadya Suleman. This possibly falsified or artistically elaborated story of something that may possibly be true gave me pause. The media along with its adoring public communicate displeasure and disgust with a woman who, as a single mother has artificially been fertilized and birthed 18 kids without a father figure in the child's life, has been nothing short of the best example of "everything wrong with the welfare system" to date.

As I sat there waiting for the cashier to get a price check on an item I couldn't help but think, "Who is worse, the Octomom, or the media and public's obsession with her?" I realize that the Octomom's actions are a huge cry for attention as well as her way of marketing a life worthy of a reality show on TLC. As deplorable as her actions have been up and to this point, would this act have ever happened if the media and the obviously bored public would not cover or pay attention to such pathetic outcries?

I don't mean to place blame on the media for her actions entirely as the Octomom is free to chose her brand of stupidity. At what point does the media become as guilty, if not more so, of the very things they find wrong with those they cover?

All barak, no bite.

Well...... Barack has about as much bite as a 12 oz can of Barqs rootbeer. In other words..... not much. And he's still playing his campaign game of not taking an official side on anything.

According to the Associated Press, "President Barack Obama promised a 'stern' response to North Korea" for the launch of it's new intercontinental ballistic missile, I mean sattelite. Which by the way has the capability of reaching portions of Alaska and can be fitted with a nuclear warhead.

Barack backed his promise of a "stern response" with....well..... uh. Oh that's right. He didn't back those words up.

According to the AP, His new statement released after North Korea tested the "bark" of the free world by actually following through and launching their missile....er sattelite - "The issue was top of the agenda Thursday when Obama met with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in London. Obama pledged to push for 'peace and stability.'"

Well all I have to say, is thank you Mr. President. Thank you for stepping up as a leader and letting the world know that we will not stand for aggression, such as North Korea's launch of their test missile...er sattelite. We will not stand for aggression.... unless it's really scary mean looking agression. Then we will change our stance to one of peace and stability, because that can never be achieved through military actions.

When is it time to fight?

As I have thought about what writing over the last few weeks I have just felt overwhelmed with so many targets and ideas. When Comrade Obama got elected I mistakenly told a friend that I thought there would really be no change in the route we are taking as a country nor in the speed. While the route has not changed the speed at which we are arriving certainly has.

What is truly disturbing to me is all the chatter on online message boards about revolution. I was on Fox news this morning reading a story and was surprised to see so many, an overwhelming majority even saying that a day of revolution within our country is fast approaching. My question to these people would be “who are you going to fight?” There is no way in my estimation that this could be a clearly defined revolution such as the one our founders fought but rather the only way I see it working out is like the French revolution. If you have done any reading on that there is now way in hell we want that kind of upheaval. The result of such actions would have us living no better then this guy packing an AK, Ipod and lip plate.
There is something that separates us, or should separate us from the rest of the world and that is our ability to reason. Perhaps our public schools have taken that ability away from us but there still should be some people capable of it out there.

On further contemplation on the idea of revolution I thought “what would be my line of demarcation?” where would I say “alright, its time to fight.” About three weeks ago I realized it would be when we moved to a “global currency” Then this monkey came out last week saying he was ok with the idea.
Could there be anyone who is clearly more of a puppet then tinny Timmy here? The guy looks like nothing more then a stooge. But at the same time like Rush points out we don’t even know who is telling Obama the supposed great orator of our time what to say. Who is behind what he says?
Then there is the convenient distraction at the G20 of “protesters” fighting what they are calling “capitalism” News flash you trust fund cake eaters, the very people gathered at the G20 are the biggest enemies of capitalism ever gathered. However having these brain dead walkers fighting them gives the appearance that these guys actually stand for capitalism, something their actions clearly contradict. We should be the ones there fighting the G20 and their globalist ideas that are crushing true capitalism. It’s a case of all the wrong people there for all the wrong reasons.
In the mean time all these douches pose for a picture, revenge of the nerds G20 style. Can this picture even be real?

Gore wants the Mormons!

Those in Utah may have heard this, but other states may not have cover this little event. So here you go...

Al Gore requested a meeting with the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They obliged. President Monson was one of those that attended I believe. Of course the topic was environmentalism. I found the event interesting for a few reasons. One, Al Gore made no big deal of coming to visit the church leaders. As a matter of fact the news media didn't even really know he was coming till last minute. Even then the meeting was closed doors. In a time where the liberals are attacking the Mormons it would seem like whatever Al Gore had to say with the Mormons would have been bigger news.

Second, I laughed at the video below when I saw how Al Gore carried himself in front of the bretheren. Did he look a little intimidated to you? There was a unique expression on his face that was markedly different than when you see him on the campaign trail or in his Oscar winning role. Watch for yourself and see what you pick out.


In any case, the church has placed its mark on environmentalism in a very balanced way. Going green has not been a public campaign and they are not shoving it in the face of anyone. But the church building all new structures to be energy efficient and using sustainable operating practices to take extra care for the world in which God has given us - not to prove to everyone that we are following a trend.