Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thanksgiving - humility is the enemy of pride

Well I say it all the time (in my class not on this blog)... Pride is the father of all sin. Humility is the cure for pride and it is a funny thing humility - because once you think you have it you've lost it.

The act of sincere thanksgiving is one we should practice often. This time of year, especially in these hardships most face, it is important that we remember the purpose of the holidays before us. First off we have Thanksgiving. Associated with gorging ourselves... All well and good but lets actually use this time of year to be thankful.

Christmas is about the birth of the Savior and all that it implies for our salvation and exaltation. We celebrate the miracle of Christ. As we struggle with the usual barrage of gift giving in economic hardships let us realize that we are being humbled and return to worship our Lord this season and not the merchant.

The New Year is a time of renewal and rebirth. Let us prayerfully make goals that we can realistically keep and write them down. Life is beautiful and miraculous.
Albert Einstein said it well, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Regarding Thanksgiving I want to quote Abraham Lincoln and his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation:

"No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. … I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens … to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father, who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged and fervently implore the interposition of the almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and union."


Many men have failed, governments have failed, businesses and creditors have failed. The Lord warned us about relying on the arm of flesh. We must return to the Lord humbly and gratefully.

Regarding our great country. We take for granted the sacred duty we have to elect and promote better leaders. "In a Democracy, the people get the government they deserve" - Alexis de Tocqueville

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Obama the next FDR?

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is quite often revered as the savior of the US economy by pulling us out of a Great Depression that lasted for nearly 15 years. His socialist laws and policies are the hallmark of the Democrat party today. Some policies were short lived but many continue today and the idea of the welfare state began with him.

Obama is an intelligent man. He must be to graduate from Harvard Law. But intelligence alone doesn't prevent someone from having misguided ideals. In fact many times it is our own intelligence that gets in the way of understanding things greater than ourselves. In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read:

8 ¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Government intervention is not going to help us in this present economic crisis nor did it help during the Great Depression. It will HURT us more. The government can't run healthcare better than healthcare administrators and providers. It cannot raise your children better than parents. It cannot educate better than educators. It cannot run business better than business owners and governing boards - just look at the governments bottom line, they don't know how to MAKE money just spend it and give it away.

You may argue that FDR was a great leader and that he was compassionate and did a lot to help the little guy. Well I am not going to argue whether or not he was compassionate or that he was a great leader. Point I want to make was that his welfare state/socialist/liberal policies made the Great Depression last almost TWICE as long as it should have.

Want proof? Well read this report of a study done at UCLA 4 years ago:
FDR's policies prolonged Depression by 7 years, UCLA economists calculate

A couple quotes from this article are poignant given current and recent past events:
"Why the Great Depression lasted so long has always been a great mystery, and because we never really knew the reason, we have always worried whether we would have another 10- to 15-year economic slump," said Ohanian, vice chair of UCLA's Department of Economics. "We found that a relapse isn't likely unless lawmakers gum up a recovery with ill-conceived stimulus policies."

The economy was poised for a beautiful recovery, but that recovery was stalled by these misguided policies.

"The fact that the Depression dragged on for years convinced generations of economists and policy-makers that capitalism could not be trusted to recover from depressions and that significant government intervention was required to achieve good outcomes," Cole said. "Ironically, our work shows that the recovery would have been very rapid had the government not intervened."

Unfortunately I fear that Obama and his advisors are far more liberal and socialist than FDR.

Conservatives we need to revamp our party and get our house back in order and unite so that in 2 years we can get more Representatives and Senators in the Halls of Congress.

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is Liberty

2 Corinthians 3:17 states that "...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

We can also read in Proverbs 14:34 that "Righteousness exalteth a nation."

Try telling that to certaian factions in this great country. Like the Ninth Circuit Court where they wanted to take God off the currency and out of the Pledge of the Allegiance last December.

What a contrast to the First Prayer in Congress September 1774. Where members of Congress prayed on their kness with our frist President.

Contrast what we see in our nation and in our media today with George Washington praying in Valle Forge. A rag tag, underfunded, undertrained, out numbered, group of Revolutionaries took on the most powerful nation on the earth. Our forefathers believed it was God's will and power that made that happen.

George Washington stated. "It is impossible to govern the world without the Bible."

In his Farewell Address Washington said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports... Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Lincoln stated, " I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that i had nowhere else to go."

He also said, "God rules this world - It is the duty of nations as well as men to own their dependence upon tge overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow... and to recognize the sublime truth that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."

This is the First Prayer of Congress:

"Lord our Heavenly Father, High and Mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech thee, on these our American States, who have fled to thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent on Thee, to Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. all this we ask In the Name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.
Amen."

September 7th, 1774 by Jacob Duche in Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia


This is the artist depiction of that occasion


Where have we strayed as a nation?

J Edgar Hoover said, "Today as never before, America has need for men and women who possess the moral strength and courage of our forefathers - modern-day patriots, with pride in our country and faith in freedom..."

J Reuben Clark spoke out against Socialism and Communism - both Godless beliefs in October 1941 at General Conference.
I have been preaching against Communism for twenty years. I still warn you against it, and I tell you that we are drifting toward it more rapidly than some of us understand, and I tell you that when Communism comes, the ownership of the things which are necessary to feed your families is going to be taken away from us. I tell you freedom of speech will go, freedom of the press will go, and freedom of religion will go.

I have warn you against propaganda and hate. we are in the midst of the greatest exhibition of propaganda that the world has ever seen, and all directed toward one end. Just do not believe all you read."


Fight for liberty and freedom it is God's plan. Fight for God.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Compassion and Socialism

If you are a conservative you have probably heard that we are uncaring and that we lack compassion. The Almighty dollar is all we care about. I am sure that is true of some conservatives but not the vast majority. If you are a liberal you probably think that your caring and compassion requires you to create a welfare state to give aid to those in need.

Well a Welfare State is just a euphamism for a Socialistic State. A Socialistic State just following the Marxist line of thought. Socialism has been creeping in for decades and it is no accident. We still have many liberties in this great land but I fear that we are going to lose a great deal more in the next four years. The soon to be ruling party is having no qualms in speaking openly about the socialist agenda. They have no qualms in telling us that redistribution of wealth is that best idea since sliced bread.

This nation is filled with good hearted people. I am afraid that too many of those good hearted people vote their concious without understanding the decisions they are making. Fact is that their are many people in need in this country but it is not the role of the government to take care of them. It is OUR role as individuals.

We are going to bankrupt this country and its people. The Bush administration was definitely not fiscally conservation unfortunately but the Obama administration will put Bush's spend mentality to shame.

Thomas Jefferson said:

To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must take our choice between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and in our comforts, in our labors and in our amusements.

If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under pretense of caring for them, they will be happy. The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the disposition of public money. We are endeavoring to reduce the government to the practice of rigid economy to avoid burdening the people and arming the magistrate with a patronage of money which might be used to corrupt the principles of our government. . . .

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

What happened to Conservatives in Hollywood?

I liked this article written by Chuck Norris 3 weeks ago:
Clandestine Conservatives in Hollywood

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Humorous anecdote on taxes and tax cuts

I am sure some of you have seen this anecdote in one of its many forms. I just wanted to republish it here and hear your comments on it. Please keep in mind that it is over simplified but it makes a powerful point (even if you don't drink beer).

Bar Stool Economics

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers", he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20". Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his "fair share?"
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Be A Square

Be A Square... The sound of it is kinda funny. It is 'antiquated' speech. What does it mean? It is the title of a talk given by Ezra Taft Benson. In this talk to the youth (MIA program) he quotes a Scouting magazine article written by Charles H Brower:

Back in Mark Twain's day, 'square' was one of the finest words in our language. You gave a man a square deal if your were honest. And you gave him a square meal when he was hungry. When you got out of debt you were square with the world. And that was when you could look your fellow man squarely in the eye.

...

It is easy to prove that Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and almost every one else you care to include among our national heroes was a square. Think what they might have said had they not been squares.

Nathan Hale: Me spy on the British! Are you kidding? Do you know what they do with spies they catch? I'll give you a flash, chum, they hang them.

Paul Revere: What do you mean, ride through every Middlesex village? And in the middle of the night yet. Why me? AM I the only man in Boston who has a horse?

Patrick Henry: Sure I'm for liberty - first, last and always. But we've got to be a little realistic. We're a pretty small outfit. If we start pushing the British around someone is going to get hurt.

George Washington: Gentlemen, I am honored. But try someone else - say General Gates. I'm just getting things organized at Mount Vernon. Also you might say I already served my time. Against the French, you know.

Benjamin Franklin: What we really need as Ambassador to France is a young man. I'm over 70 years old. It's time a new generation took over.


Well I don't know about you all but I could sure use a few better choices at the ballot box. Someone who was a 'square' would be very refreshing right about now.

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

LIAR >> "Socialism is the only route to the salvation of the world." << LIAR

"Socialism is the only route to the salvation of the world.". This is according to Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez.

This is a bunch of BULL. The economic crisis we face today was largely created by government intervention into the way mortgages are handled. Starting with Jimmy Carter and then put on steroids with William Jefferson Clinton - mortgage brokers were told to create sub prime mortgages to sell to those that would otherwise be unable to afford housing.

Read this article in its entirety to better understand - I will be quoting it heavily below as well.

From the opening of the Investor's Business Daily article we read:

One of the most frequently asked questions about the subprime market meltdown and housing crisis is: How did the government get so deeply involved in the housing market?

The answer is: President Clinton wanted it that way.

Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac, (FRE) even into the early 1990s, weren't the juggernauts they'd later be.

While President Carter in 1977 signed the Community Reinvestment Act, which pushed Fannie and Freddie to aggressively lend to minority communities, it was Clinton who supercharged the process. After entering office in 1993, he extensively rewrote Fannie's and Freddie's rules.

In so doing, he turned the two quasi-private, mortgage-funding firms into a semi-nationalized monopoly that dispensed cash to markets, made loans to large Democratic voting blocs and handed favors, jobs and money to political allies. This potent mix led inevitably to corruption and the Fannie-Freddie collapse.


Clinton went further to protect his actions to give minorities easy access to housing as Congress was switching from Democratic to Republican control and he wanted to ensure things remained as he wanted.
Clinton got the Department of Housing and Urban Development to double-team the issue. That would later prove disastrous.

Clinton's HUD secretary, Andrew Cuomo, "made a series of decisions between 1997 and 2001 that gave birth to the country's current crisis," the liberal Village Voice noted. Among those decisions were changes that let Fannie and Freddie get into subprime loan markets in a big way.

Other rule changes gave Fannie and Freddie extraordinary leverage, allowing them to hold just 2.5% of capital to back their investments, vs. 10% for banks.

Since they could borrow at lower rates than banks due to implicit government guarantees for their debt, the government-sponsored enterprises boomed.

With incentives in place, banks poured billions of dollars of loans into poor communities, often "no doc" and "no income" loans that required no money down and no verification of income.

By 2007, Fannie and Freddie owned or guaranteed nearly half of the $12 trillion U.S. mortgage market — a staggering exposure.


Fannie and Freddie became a home for out of work democrat politicians and 384 politicians got donations for campaigns from Fannie and Freddie. Banks were given incentives to lend to sub prime homebuyers. Minorities made up 49% of new home buyers between 1995-2005. Many of them have now lost their homes.

The ripple effect of these bad loans - caused by SOCIALISTIC intervention - is that our capitalistic economy world wide is suffering. They want to fix this problem with more intervention and more government aid. Fannie and Freddie are now completely government controlled. Even institutions that didn't make sub prime loans are hurting.

From the president of Arizona Federal Credit Union:
At Arizona Federal, we choose to not directly participate in these mortgage products, and thus we aren’t facing the same type of risks as other financial institutions. Our loan portfolio is a solid mix of traditional equity products, vehicle loans and personal/credit card loans. However, that doesn’t mean that we are not facing challenges in today’s economy. A small percentage of our members are facing financial difficulties brought on by mortgage loans they obtained elsewhere. Combine this with rising fuel prices, wage or job loss, falling home values and/or other economic forces, and this same group of members have been unable to fulfill their financial obligations related to car loans, credit card balances and equity loans. As a result, Arizona Federal has incurred increased loan losses which have caused short-term losses for the first half of 2008.


I wish to quote from Ezra Taft Benson from his talk "The American Heritage of Freedom" given in the October 1961 Conference:

When socialism is understood, we will realize that many of the programs advocated, and some of those already adopted in the United States, fall clearly within the category of socialism. What is socialism? It is simply the governmental ownership and management of the essential means for the production and distribution of goods.

...

No true Latter-day Sainf and no true American can be a socialist or a communist or support programs leading in that direction. These evil philosophies are incompatible with Americanism, with Mormonism, and the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

What can priesthood holders do?

...

First, we should become informed about communism, about socialism, and about Americanism.

...

Second, we should accept the command of the Lord and treat socialistic-communism as the tool of Satan.

...

Third, we should help those who have been deceived or who are misinformed to find the truth.

...

He [each priesthood holder] should see that his party is working to preserve freedom, not destroy it. He should join responsible local groups interested in promoting freedom and free competitive enterprise, in studying political issues, appraising the voting records and proposed programs, and writing to members of Congress, promoting good men in public office and scrutinizing local, state, and federal agencies to see that the will of the people is carried out.


I am no great economist, but there has to be another way to fix this crisis without yoking the taxpayer into bondage and having the government take over more control of the free market or creating another government agency.

Mr Chavez you are a liar and a tool of Satan. May we all fight for freedom. Benson ended his talk by saying "May God give us the wisdom to recognize the threat to our freedom and strength to meet this danger courageously."

Comments?

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Things that make me go...#%#@#

Pardon the use of symbols in the title of this post.

I am having a hard time deciding what to post on today. Not for lack of ideas - on the contrary I have too many.

I will highlight a couple and then try to make some sort of point. Hang on, it might get bumpy.

First off I was checking out news at the John Birch Society (www.jbs.org) yesterday when I ran across this article. Basically the article states that Sharia Law has been quietly implemented in the United Kingdom. WHAT!?!?! Are you kidding me?? Apparently they are dead serious. Over 100 cases have already been tried in Sharia Courts. In 6 cases of domestic violence the man was reprimanded and told to get counseling. The women dropped the charges and the police dropped the investigations. According to the articles I read on the subject the High Court of the UK will regard the rulings of the Sharia Courts as law as long as both parties entered the court recognizing it as their deciding authority. This is just insane. If you aren't familiar with what Sharia Law is, it is the legal system for Islamic religious law. Many people in the UK are worried it will create a parallel legal system in their country - YA THINK?

*****

That was yesterday. We are all hearing a lot about the elections and about the credit crisis/bailout. So I am trying to tune into the stories that seem to get overlooked, LIKE THIS ONE: In Ecuador they are about the give NATURE the same rights as human beings. WHAT!?!?! Nuf said. Except to make a point with this: Genesis 1:28-30

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.


We have been given dominion. That means that we are the masters and not the slaves to nature. We should be responsible no doubt, but we do not worship nature and we do not bow down to it.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

"My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge"

"My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6)

Elder Ezra Taft Benson started his talk in Conference in April 1960 by reading that scripture. He followed with this statement:

As in Old Testament days we need knowledge today. We need to know our enemies. We must assess clearly and accurately the perils that face the free world. At the same time we must assure ourselves of the knowledge which brings confidence and trust in our ability and that of our friends around the world to face the future - not in fear but with vigilance. From knowledge comes strength and from strength comes the power to preserve freedom both at home and abroad.

In this the Information Age the ability to arm ourselves with knowledge is much easier. At the same time the task may seem daunting as we are inundated by information - and much of it is false. We must be aware that there are both good and bad people in this world. We must also be aware that some of the bad people are at work in our own media and in our local, state, and federal governments. We must also we aware that there are good people in positions of power that have bad ideas and are influence by bad advisers. What we really need to be on the lookout for are those that are tearing away at our freedoms. Bad ideas cloaked in white robes are still bad ideas - I don't care how many people the idea may or may not help. Check your Machiavellian ideals at the door please. Satan is using deception to get us to believe he is in the right - does this shock you? If it doesn't then why do we seem to think that people under his influence (some are intentionally following him and others are just dupes) don't use lies and deceptions?

Big shocker - they do. Some of them are writing newspaper articles and news casts. Some are in political office, while others are seeking to obtain offices. Many, many, many people see things going on around them and just let it slide - they are complacent - uncaring.

Anyone seeking to remove freedoms does so for power. PERIOD. It is the formula for the Gadianton robbers, and all other secret combinations. In modern days that includes all totalitarian regimes, despots, dictators, terror organizations, neo nazis, communists, extreme environmentalists, extreme left liberals, etc. They are not all the same and they are not all equal, but they are all in league to remove power from the people to give to themselves. They all deceive to obtain it. They all justify there actions. And KNOWLEDGE is their ENEMY. FREEDOM is their ENEMY. These are SATAN's ENEMIES as well.

In 3rd Nephi there are lawyers and judges and their kindred (read politicians and their friends and families) that are in league to destroy the Nephites that are preaching the gospel and preaching freedom. So they have them put to death - illegally. Then they COMBINE against those that would punish them for their crimes and take oaths. 3 Nephi 6:29-30:
29 Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice, which was about to be administered according to the law.
30 And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings.

The cost of liberty is high. It is the very battle that was waged in Heaven. The cost: 1/3 of all God's spirit children, damned for eternity. Is the cost still high? Yes it is but the reward is much greater than the cost. We must seek out liberty for all God's children.
The world is full of people combining against God and his people. If they can take away freedoms then they can also take away knowledge. When this happens then it becomes much more difficult for us to live the gospel and spread its truths to the world. This is war - it always has been.

The prophet Moroni seeing our day has warned us against all the flavors of evil that would combine in the latter-days. Ether 8:23-25:

23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies;


I would like to read comments if you have any thoughts on this subject.

I will end this post with another scripture. 2 Nephi 28:21,24-25:
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!
25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

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Thursday, September 18, 2008

Israel/Iran the coming conflict

Tensions are rising between Israel and Iran - trust me, do a search on google for the two names you will find a lot of news.

Well many of us have heard of the 6 Day War. This may be a refresher or new to you. Just want to point out what Israel is capable of doing. Remember that there are also many prophecies concerning conflict in that area in the last days.

The 6 Day War lasted... 6 days. It took place in 1967 - 41 years ago for all us math majors. Things had been boiling over for a few years in the area - I don't want to go into detail, not the point of the post. Egypt kicks out UN peacekeepers and starts blocking any ship flying the Israeli flag. Then Egypt masses 100,000 troops in Sinai. Israel performs a pre-emptive strike and other Arab nations join in the conflict (mutual defense pacts and all).

After 6 days Israel comes out victorious and with more territory.

Nations that fought against Israel were Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.






Israeli forcesArab forces
50,000 + 214,000 reservists547,000
300 aircraft957 aircraft
800 tanks2,504 tanks


Clearly Israel was outnumbered and they were being attacked from a few different fronts. However don't underestimate the skill of the Israeli's.






Israeli CasualtiesArab Casualties
800 killed21,000 killed
2,563 wounded45,000 wounded
15 prisoners6,000 prisoners


The Arab nations that despise Israel are very aware of the superior training of the Israelis. They despise them and curse them. It won't be long until they try to harm Israel again by very destructive means.

Check out this article from the Jerusalem Post: Ahmadinejad: Israel causing Palestinian holocaust

Your thoughts?

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

More Mottos: BE PREPARED

Maybe Boy Scouts seems corny to you, but it is serious business, and the Boy Scout Motto is no laughing matter:

BE PREPARED

This is going to be a long post so sit back and grab a snack. What I am about to write we all need to hear and we all need to take seriously. Some people don't like hearing stuff like this but we all need to be informed so that we can BE PREPARED.

My last post talked about IN GOD WE TRUST. Well guess what folks we have to do more than just trust in the Lord. We are required to do our part. I myself am feeling quite unprepared so I am writing this for myself as well.

We are told from time to time by our leaders in this Church to have food storage. We really need fuel, water, food, camping/hunting/fishing gear, skills in gardening, hunting, mending, etc. Truly we need to take some time and learn the basics. Why? Well at any moment we can be thrust into chaos. It can be from a natural disaster or a man made cataclysm.

It is the man made destruction that I want to discuss. It is fool hardy to suppose that a major attack on the United States is not forthcoming. We can see the hatred many people have for our Christian ways and our democracy. It may be hard for us to comprehend but there are many that want to destroy us simply because we believe in freedom. For those that are Christian we have the Bible to tell us of great destruction in the Last Days. For those of us blessed with the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and modern day prophets we have been told that this destruction will happen. Satan is working hard and bringing this to fruition. We must not fear. We should we not fear? Because of 2 things: We will trust in God and we will Be Prepared. If we do not have one our both of those things in our lives then we do need to fear.

Let us not be like the ancient Jews in Jerusalem that said they could not be destroyed. The United States is a great land and has great power. This does not mean that we cannot be brought to our knees. Nuclear attack is possible, but it is not a nuclear attack that I want to address. There is an attack that is much easier, more effective, and harder to defend against.

What would we do if the power grids stopped working, our vehicles failed, refrigeration was nonexistent, gas pumps stopped working, all communication lines failed, planes and trains no longer functioned? How would we eat? How could we live without a department store to sell us clothes? How would we cook if we had food? How would we drink water if the treatment plants could no longer clean the water? Sickness and disease would be rampant and so would wide spread starvation. Banks with all their electronic data would lose it all. Our money would be gone. Only bartering with precious metals and the like will be possible. It scares me because I am unprepared. Lets do something about it.

What kind of attack am I talking about? It is called an EMP or electromagnetic pulse. One small nuclear device (about the power of the bomb dropped at Hiroshima) fired 298 miles into the air in a simple inaccurate missile (like a Scud) over the United States would destroy all devices that operate on electricity. It can be fired from a small freighter(ie any small vessel that is non military) off our coast. We have no defense against such an attack currently. One device like that would almost be 100% effective in bringing this nation to its knees. 2 or more devices would finish the job and destroy the infrastructure of our neighbors, Canada and Mexico. It could take years to finish rebuilding the infrastructure. This is a very real possibility. See the image below.



Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona wrote an article for the Washington Post in April 2005 entitled "Unready For This Attack". Take the time to read it. Let it settle in our minds. Let us take action and be prepared and trust in the Lord.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Our Nation's Motto: Do you know what it is?



"In God We Trust".

Do we? Do we base our political views on our religious beliefs? Should we?

For me the answer is clear. We should trust in the Lord in all we do. We should rely on Him. Captain Moroni was a strong patriot that believed in the Lord and gave all glory to God. His political views were very strong to the point that all who opposed freedom (the king men) were put to death. It was treason. All who oppose freedom and all who oppose protecting life and liberty are people that want more power. More power only comes in this form by relying on the trust in man not God. Satan wants us to take power and rights from those around us.

Our nation's motto is "In God We Trust". While our Founding Fathers were very religious it was not them that instituted this motto. The original motto was "E Pluribus Unum" adopted in 1782 by Congress.

In God We Trust first appeared on coinage in 1865 the final year of the Civil War on the 2 cent piece pictured above. It was later added to other coins and paper bills over time. It was in the 20th century that "In God We Trust" became our nation's motto. It was also in the 20th century that the words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clearly the belief in God and in trusting in Him was common from the Founding Fathers through the Civil War and into the first half of the 20th century. What has happened? From my experience with the people in the Midwest is that many many people are still God fearing people that believe in freedom and liberty. The voice of opposition has simply gotten stronger and louder. Satan rails at all sides all day and all night. His followers increase in number and strength.

We need to remember to Trust in God and to stop giving away power to those whose interests are selfish and motivated by removing freedoms and adding to their own power.

It was in 1861 that Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P Chase, wrote the following to James Pollock, the director of the Philadelphia Mint:

Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.
You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.

Let us all be inspired to be strong in the strength of God. Let us all declare it to be our belief and not shrink from those that scorn.

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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Immigration as a Human Right

I recently read in a statement (it is in Spanish) that on August 21, 2008 the Presidents of Mexico and Honduras (Calderon and Zelaya respectively) have agreed that immigrating is a basic human right and not a privilege. They lamented the stringent immigration policies of the United States and the European Union.

Read the full article here if you know Spanish

I have thought about this for a few days. My mind can't understand how anyone can seriously believe that to be true. We are not born with the right to immigrate to anyplace we choose. There must be rule of law. Countries have to be able to protect their sovereignty and without a defined border with define guidelines then sovereignty becomes unenforceable. A Driver's License is a privilege not a human right for crying out loud.

I start doing a search on Google for human rights and immigration and find numerous websites and blogs and pro bono legal etc that all talk about the violation of human rights when it comes to illegal immigrants. What about the violation to my rights? What about a violation to the rights of the immigrants that got here through legal channels? If things get rough for them because they decide to hop a few fences and cross a hot, arid desert is that my fault? What ever happened to being responsible for your own actions? Is it my fault if they get caught? Wake up people! I care a lot about the people of this planet. We are all brothers and sisters. We all have divine potential. We also all must be ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR OWN ACTIONS. That was capitalized for emphasis not for anger.

This is the greatest country on earth. I understand why people want to come here. That still does not excuse lawbreakers. Why should I reward those that break the law with Section 8 housing benefits, Food Stamps, AHCCCS Insurance, etc. Why should I reward those that conspire with criminals (ie human and drug traffickers) to gain 'safe' passage into this great land? What kind of mentality do we breed by not enforcing our borders and by dangling incentives in the form of welfare?

A legal immigrant will respect his new country. He will respect the laws. He has worked too hard to obtain his citizenship. He will take care of his community. An illegal immigrant has only a few cares and they are purely selfish. How can I get more money and how can I avoid getting caught. Even the most pure hearted illegal alien that is here just trying to live a better life has to have deception in their heart - they must always be trying to hide their status as a lawbreaker. They risk having their family torn apart. They risk so much. It is a shame and it is mournful. So it is a shame and mournful when a mother loses her children for drug use.

Again people need to learn accountability. Innocent people get hurt and become victims when people make bad decisions. FYI breaking the law is a bad choice. The ends DOES NOT justify the means.

Is immigration a human right? What do you think?

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Monday, August 25, 2008

VIDEO: Dark Horse Candidate is Gaining Momentum

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Friday, August 15, 2008

POSTED: No Trespassing

If you were to drive down my street and the streets in my neighborhood you would find that all the homes have something in common.



They all have a fence.

In my neighborhood there are white people, African Americans, Mexicans, Chileans, Samoans, Tongans, and other ethnic and racial groups. Some people are LDS, some are Catholic, some are Jehovah's Witnesses, some are Protestants, some are atheists. Some are married, some are widowed, some are divorced, and some are single.

They all have a fence.

I lock my doors during the day and at night. My fence has combination locks on it. Some people in the neighborhood even have a fence in their front yard. Is it because we are unfriendly that we have a fence and lock our doors? Is it because we are racist that we have a fence and lock our doors? Is it because we are paranoid nut jobs that we have a fence and lock our doors? Is it because we think everyone that might come in our yard or home is a hardened criminal that we have a fence and lock our doors?

No

It is because it only takes ONE thief, or ONE sexual predator, or ONE murderer to cause serious problems for a household. So we have a fence and lock our doors for protection and security and no one questions me or my neighbors for doing it. We allow people into our home on our terms. It is my family's domain. Some people in the neighborhood, myself included, have weapons in our homes that can be used for protection as well.

Why is it racist then to build a fence to protect our soil, the soil of the United States of America? Why is it uncompassionate to protect our families by blocking others from coming in uninvited? Why can't it just be to protect our freedom, our liberty, and our families?

Do I think that all or even a majority of those coming in from the southern border are violent criminals? No a very small percentage are. It only takes a few to cause serious damage to a community. Keep them coming in and those few will add up to become a serious problem for a nation.

Let us make a list of what gets blocked out by a fence and then we will determine if it is racist and uncompassionate to build it:

1. Drug traffickers
2. Coyotes - ie human traffickers
3. Gang members - ie La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
4. Al Qaeda and other terrorists
5. Poor people that want a better life

Clearly the 5th in the list makes up the majority of the people coming into the country. So what. So what.

Does that sound harsh? Well if you could see into my mind - kinda scary thought - you would see compassion in those words.

1. Those poor people are being taken advantage of by coyotes. They are often stolen from one coyote to another. They are in great danger and are often conned out of more money and other favors to get here.
2. The border fence will prevent more deaths in the desert of innocent people
3. Some of those poor people that want a better life end up as sexual slaves, especially in border towns and they start them as early as age 8. If a border fence could stop one little girl or teen from becoming a sex slave her whole life then it is worth it.
4. What about compassion for those already here inside the US? I am against the welfare state and socialized medicine because I think we can be relied upon ourselves to help each other. But we need to help those already here not poor more into our communities.
5. What about those who are already here and struggling to make ends meet? What about there jobs and homes and families?
6. Though they may not be hardened criminals they are still breaking the laws. If I shoplift I am not a violent criminal but I will be made to pay for what I did and I will most likely not be allowed in that store again.

There are many other reasons for the fences. The coyotes that bring them in are violent criminals - we need to take away the business that keeps them coming into our backyard everyday.

I agree that there are things that need fixed in the legal ways to entering the country, that is still no excuse for entering here illegally. There is no 100% way to stop illegal immigration but we can make it less enticing and more difficult to enter. We may in the process save a few lives and stop some drugs from entering. We may also save some from slavery and possibly thwart another terrorist attack. What we need to do is:

1. Build the fence
2. Enforce employer-sanction laws
3. Require citizenship for financial assistance by at least one parent in a family.

This doesn't address schooling or healthcare. This doesn't address rounding up people already here. Attrition is the key. If there are no jobs and no welfare then many will move back to where they are legal and fewer will enter. This is the easiest way and less intrusive way to alleviate the problems we have.

THE END.

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Am I Angry?

I feel a need to apologize. It has been brought to my attention that I have an angry tone to my blogs. I can see that. Truth be told I am not angry in general. I have deep and strong convictions. Those convictions are that we must do something to bring about a change in this GREAT country. This is a blessed and promised land. However every blessing has its cursing. It is a 2 edged sword. The Lessons of the Book of Mormon strongly warn us against Secret Combinations. It is difficult to just come out and say that there are many such combinations now in our land and our government and across the world in governments and institutions without sounding like a conspiracy nut.

However if history is a good guide we can see both in the secular history and in BofM history the constant drive for power and the lengths men will go to to obtain that power.

I struggle with what I can do about it myself. I honestly have a strong desire to run for public office. I am in no way able to do that for a number of reasons at the present anyway... So I use this blog as a way to share with others my strong convictions so that we can share knowledge and ideas and get people excited to at least go out and vote. So it is not anger (most of the time - I am pretty frustrated though many times) rather it is urgency and determination and energy that I write these posts. I want to energize people to action in anyway they are capable.

Brigham Young stated in the Journal of Discourses, "We all believe that the Lord will fight our battles; but how? Will he do it while we are unconcerned and make no effort whatever for our own safety when the enemy is upon us?...it would be quite as reasonable to expect remission of sins without baptism, as to expect the Lord to fight our battles without our taking every precaution to be prepared to defend ourselves. The Lord requires us to be quite as willing to fight our own battles as to have Him fight them for us. If we are not ready for the enemy when he comes upon us, we have not lived up to the requirements of Him who guides the ship of Zion, or who dictates the affairs of the Kingdom."

Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

I want to protect the Constitution of this land. To do this we must not give up more freedoms and we must defend our borders, our sovereignty. We must defend ourselves against socialist ideals and laws. We must defend ourselves from terrorists that would want to control the world. We must defend ourselves from elitists in the government and their special interests. This my soapbox to call all to action, to disseminate my convictions and ideals.

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Friday, August 8, 2008

Video update on Georgian/Russian Conflict



This conflict in the Caucauses may seem remote but it is another East vs West comflict. We need to follow this one.

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East vs West - WAR?



Believe it or not there has been conflict and war on this planet unceasingly since the Civil War.

From Section 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants:

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;
2 And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.
3 For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations.
4 And it shall come to pass, after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war.
5 And it shall come to pass also that the remnants who are left of the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceedingly angry, and shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation.
6 And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations;


Russia has just invaded its neighbor, Georgia. The Georgian government attacked a rebellious, separatist group that the Russian government supports (it is reported that the Russian government had given many of these Georgian rebels Russian passports).

Why does this concern us? Well all conflict on this small planet should concern us first of all. Secondly the United States is a ally to Georgia. Thirdly, Georgia has the right to defend their nationality and the separatists are trying to breakaway from Georgia and Russia is backing the rebels. Russia has been moving in the wrong direction for a few years now in regards to the United States and her allies. Russia has been supporting North Korea and Iran in their nuclear ambitions and supplies them with arms. This conflict just adds more tension to already tense diplomatic relations in parts of the world.

Read the Reuters article. There have been bombings and jets being shot down and tanks rolling in. Citizens and soldiers have been killed and injured.

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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Mexican Soldiers Get Lost Again

I read 2 articles about the recent incursion of Mexican soldiers into the US. This time the 4 soldiers pointed their rifles at the Border Patrol agent. The articles can't agree on some details however.

The Washington Times reports that Border Patrol agent was held at gunpoint by the Mexican Soldiers and that they left because he called for backup. The Arizona Republic reports that the agent spoke to them in Spanish and apparently they just left.

One thing I want to quote from each article and I would love to hear your comments on.

From Washington Times

It was unclear what the soldiers were doing in the United States, but U.S. law enforcement authorities have long said that current and former Mexican military personnel have been hired to protect drug and migrant smugglers.

"Unfortunately, this sort of behavior by Mexican military personnel has been going on for years," union Local 2544 of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) said on its Web page. "They are never held accountable, and the United States government will undoubtedly brush this off as another case of 'Oh well, they didn't know they were in the United States.'

From the Arizona Republic

In Washington, D.C., State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said the encounter "stemmed from a momentary misunderstanding as to the exact location of the U.S.-Mexican border."


ADDED INFO from the Local 2544 National Border Patrol Council in Tucson, AZ:

A Tucson Sector Border Patrol agent was held at gunpoint by the Mexican military last night south of Ajo. Mexican military personnel crossed over the border and pointed rifles at him. Backup units arrived from the Ajo Border Patrol station, and the Mexican military personnel eventually returned to Mexico. Unfortunately, this sort of behavior by Mexican military personnel has been going on for years. They are never held accountable, and the United States government will undoubtedly brush this off as another case of "Oh well, they didn't know they were in the United States." A few years ago the Mexican military went a step further and put a .50 calibre rifle round through the rear window of a Border Patrol agent's patrol vehicle south of Ajo. Nothing was ever done. Nobody was ever held accountable. Particularly galling is the fact that the Mexican military often pulls these stunts in Humvees donated to them by the American taxpayers (although they were apparently on foot this time). We note that Border Patrol agents have historically driven worn-out, junk vehicles.

We will withhold further comment on this incident until we see how our leaders handle it. We don't have much confidence in most of them.

It is fortunate that this incident didn't end in a very ugly gunfight.


Read Washington Times article
Read Arizona Republic article

I would like to add to this post a few unrelated comments. I had hoped when I started this blog to get a little interaction with people that read it. By the dismal number of comments I get I have to assume that there is a reason for this. Some likely reasons are:

1. You don't agree with what I post
2. You do agree and don't feel the need to add your comments to it
3. You don't care about the issues one way or the other
4. I completely bore you
5. What I post makes no sense at all to you

Please whatever the reason if it is one of the above or a different reason, please make even a short comment. 'I agree' or 'I disagree' or 'why should I care?' or 'so?' or 'this is just a bunch of political tripe'. Just say something it would make me happy and I know you all care about my happiness.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Video: Barry O and Saving 3-4% Energy


Barry Obama insists that we can save 3-4% Energy by insuring our tires are properly inflated. Funny how did he calculate that? Does the Annointed One have the power of knowing how many cars in America are running on underinflated tires? And for that matter just how underinfalted they are? He sure can speak and get the people on their feet though.

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Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Get One of These and Save the Planet and the US Economy - Be a Part of the Solution!



Once I get one I can start fixing our dependence on foreign oil and reduce the cost of fuel. Weeeeeeeee!!!

You can get one by donating $25 to the McCain Campaign. That is a small price to pay in the name of saving the planet and the US Economy.

Of course there is another way to reduce dependence on oil that is just as valid as checking your tire pressure. Recycle. Many plastics use crude oil in their manufacture. Every ton (that is 2000 lbs or about 15,120 empty milk jugs) of plastic you recycle saves 685 gallons of crude oil. Woooot! Finally a plan that will save the economy and the planet at the same time. Now to do a few more calculations we need some numbers... In 2007 the US consumed 7.55 billion barrels of oil. The US produced 1.86 billion barrels of oil (click here for more oil figures). That is over 70% dependence on imported oil. In the 1970s our dependence was close to 20% so lets aim for that, as 0% is too unrealistic at this point. So 20% of 7.55 billion is 1.51 billion barrels. Subtract from our 2007 oil consumption our 2007 oil production and the 20% dependence we find acceptable and this is the equation:

7.55 billion - 1.86 billion - 1.51 billion = 4.18 billion barrels of oil that we need to conserve in our recycling program.

for those who don't know a barrel of crude oil is equal to 42 gallons so we convert from barrels to gallons we get 175,560,000,000 gallons of crude oil we need to conserve.

Each ton of plastic recycled (again 15,120 milk jugs) conserves 685 gallons of oil. That means we need to recycle approximately 256,291,971 tons of plastic or the equivalent of 3,875,134,598,540 milk jugs. Never fear fair citizens of the land this plan will work because we will pass a law requiring that every man, woman, and child recycle all plastics. Coercion in the name of saving the planet is a good thing. That means each individual will need to personally recycle, under pain of prosecution, 12,868 TONS of plastic EACH YEAR. A family of 9 like I have would need to recycle the equivalent of 1,751,107,156 milk jugs a year.

Sounds ludicrous because it is - just like Obama's energy plan.

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Gotta Love Good News



When I read this it made me happy:

"Just west of El Paso, near where Spanish conquistador Juan de Onate crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico in 1598, construction crews have completed a steel fence authorities say is a new model for border security.

The five-meter (18-foot) tall fence has a mesh woven so tightly that feet and fingers cannot grab hold, but it still allows people to see through. Steel pylons are set close enough to stop a truck from bursting through, and two meters of reinforced concrete underground deters any tunneling."


Reading this also made me happy:

Oil prices kept falling Tuesday, sinking as low as $118 a barrel on growing concerns that a U.S. economic slowdown and high energy costs are curbing consumer demand for gasoline and other petroleum products.

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Monday, August 4, 2008

More innocents die over the weekend

In Pakistan 6 police officers and 3 paramilitaries are killed by Islamists using a remote controlled bomb.

In Afghanistan 13 people on a wedding bus were killed including the bride and groom by Islamic militants using a roadside bomb.

In Somalia 20 civilians are killed, mostly women street sweepers by a bomb.

These are just 3 attacks that happened over the weekend. All told there were 9 attacks in 8 different countries, resulting in more deaths and many more injured. Each injury and death brings grief and hardship to many family and friends.

Those of us who are American citizens stand solidly with the president of our nation. The terrible forces of evil must be confronted and held accountable for their actions. This is not a matter of Christian against Muslim. I am pleased that food is being dropped to the hungry people of a targeted nation. We value our Muslim neighbors across the world and hope that those who live by the tenets of their faith will not suffer. I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent. Rather, let us be friendly and helpful, protective and supportive. It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down.

We of this Church know something of such groups. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Gadianton robbers, a vicious, oath-bound, and secret organization bent on evil and destruction. In their day they did all in their power, by whatever means available, to bring down the Church, to woo the people with sophistry, and to take control of the society. We see the same thing in the present situation.

We are people of peace. We are followers of the Christ who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty.
President Gordon B Hinckley, October 2001 General Conference

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Friday, August 1, 2008

Socialism at its Finest

"When socialism is understood, we will realize that many of the programs advocated, and some of those already adopted in the United States, fall clearly withing the category of socialism. What is socialism? It is simply the governmental ownership and management of the essential means for the production and distribution of goods.

We must never forget that nations may sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.

The socialistic-communist conspiracy to weaken the United States involves attacks on many fronts. Their press and other propaganda media are therefore constantly selling the principles of centralized or federal control of farms, railroads, electric power, schools, steel, maritime shipping and many other aspects of the economy - but always in the name of public welfare" Ezra Taft Benson, October Conference, 1961


Socialism redistributes wealth and goods in the name of public welfare. Hmm... do we see that at all today. Well in fact TODAY a press release:

"Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Friday announced an “Emergency Economic Plan” that would give families a stimulus check of $1,000 each, funded in part by what his presidential campaign calls “windfall profits from Big Oil.” "

Agree or disagree with the way 'Big Oil' handles their finances or how much they charge the consumer it doesn't matter - point is who has the right to take away the profits of any company in any industry and redistribute that money to the people? What every happened to Free Enterprise?

"We have seen in the past quarter century a tremendous shift from individual to governmental responsibility in many phases of economic and social life. We have seen a rapid shift of responsibility from the States to the Federal Government.

Deep in their hearts, the American people instinctively know that great concentration of power is an evil and a dangerous thing. They do not need to have it proved.

What lies behind this conviction? Basically, it is an intuitive knowledge that, sooner or later, the accumulation of power in a central government leads to a loss of freedom. Once power is concentrated, even for helpful purposes, it is all there, in one package, where it can be grabbed by those who may not be helpful in its use.

[...]

We must never make the catastrophic blunder of putting the chains of big government on our basic economic freedom. Yet there is that very danger today.

The pillars of our economic system are being threatened by a strange and unlikely coalition of subversives, do-gooders, and self-servers.

There are, in this country, a hard core of subversives who hate the free enterprise system and are dedicated to its overthrow. There is a host of do-gooders, who constantly criticize our free choice system, ready to solve all human problems with legislation, willing to impose their version of the millennium on you and me, unwilling to rely on the judgment of the individual. There are the self-servers, who view the government as a way to gain an advantage, to restrain competition, or to obtain special favors.

But the most dangerous threat of all comes from the disinterested, that great group of otherwise intelligent people who shrug off any responsibility for the public affairs."
Ezra Taft Benson, Joint meetings of Salt Lake Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and Chamber of Commerce, Salt Lake City, UT, April 5, 1960.

I couldn't agree more with Elder Benson and I couldn't agree less with Senator Obama. We need to fight against socialism in America and shout for individual rights and responsibilities.

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The Need to Fight Against Terrorism

Since September 11, 2001 there have been over 11,000 CONFIRMED deaths due to terrorist attacks. It is believed, with good reason, that this number is quite low.

For more info click here
For a list of terrorist attacks in the last 2 MONTHS click here

Who besides the United States of America and a few of our allies are standing up against these attrocities? Do we want more of this to happen on our own soil? It has almost been 7 years since we had a terrorist attack on US soil. I for one believe it is better to fight the terrorists in their own backyard than in our backyard.

Terrorism is a great evil that we must be willing to fight against.

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Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Surge is Working

The mainstream media is reporting that the the US death toll in July was the lowest level since we invaded Iraq in 2003.

Read the article

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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

New Blog

I am pleased to announce that I have launched a new blog. This blog will continue on in the same vein. The new blog The Iron Rod Will focus on LDS principles and will follow the Gospel Doctrine lessons.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Good News for Mesa, AZ! (or is it?)

I just read another article in the Arizona Republic. It is titled "Latino neighborhood slowly disappearing in central Mesa"

The article states that due to new employers laws and crack downs on illegal immigration that the neighborhood I live in is have a lot of vacancies in homes and apartments and that businesses near the neighborhood that cater to Latinos are experience a significant drop in business. Well this looks like all good news to me. This looks like the sanctions laws and Sheriff Arpiao's round ups are working.

But for the poor poor people at the Arizona Republic this is extremely bad news. Everything that I would take as great news was doom and gloom for them.

For example:

"The Reed Park area, already known for its high crime rate, now must contend with a growing number of abandoned residences, which often leads to more crime."

Did it occur to them that the high crime rate might possibly, partially be caused by some of the illegals? After all they got here by breaking our laws?

Sorry that people who cater to the illegals are now facing hard knocks. That to me is like feeling sorry for the johns because all the prostitutes have been removed from the streets.

Your thoughts? Even if you don't live in Arizona do you think illegal immigration affects you?

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Pelosi and the Dem Horde are WUSSES

I was going to post this yesterday but that would have made 2 posts in one day. I don't want to look like an overachiever.

So we have this little oil problem - it costs way to much. And a solution that I think is reasonable would be to suck that black gold out of the ground or water here in the good ole US of A. Let us forget all the arguments for or against drilling. Let us instead focus on the fact that the Dems are too chicken to even let the matter come to a vote. It is such a problem for them that they are afraid to introduce a spending bill for fear someone will amend it with drilling for oil.

I can't seem to find the words to describe how spineless and childish Pelosi is acting.

The Wahington Post even questions, "If drilling opponents really have the better of this argument, why are they so worried about letting it come to a vote? "

Read the entire Washington Post article.

Any Dems out there want to stand up for your party and explain why they are too yellow to vote on the matter?

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Monday, July 28, 2008

Drug addiction in Mexico is America's fault

Just thought you should know that drug addiction in Mexico has quadrupled in recent years and it is OUR fault. At least that is what Mainstream Media wants you to believe.

"Mexico confronts a growing problem with drug addiction, a phenomenon that some experts blame on the Mexican government's crackdown on drug cartels and stepped-up U.S. border enforcement."

Read the entire article here

Not sure how you feel, but I think the Mainstream Media is all about blaming the problems of any less fortunate country, group, or person on the shoulders of the US Government. Why shouldn't they? They are liberal and think that the government should control our lives anyway so it must be the government's fault when someone's life is gone down the garbage chute.

I must state the obvious (obvious to any free thinking person that has common sense): We are responsible for our own lives and in this case our own drug addictions. The US government and the Mexican government are not at fault. There I said it. Anyone care to argue that? The ridiculous article makes it sound like we should stop securing the borders and take pressure off the Mexican government to curb the drug cartel. Well that sounds like an excellent idea.

Please feel free to counter my remarks. Go ahead and play the devil's advocate. Or if a lost liberal found their way to my blog then please try and explain to me why this is our fault.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Do you like yours Supreme?

Not talking pizza here people.

Lets get back to the basics shall we?

Let us remember what is Supreme in this great land.

Article VI of the Constitution of the United States:

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;
Basic points:

  • The Constitution is Supreme Law in this land
  • It supersedes any law
  • Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Officers must take an Oath to support the Constitution

Example of an oath used currently:

I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. [So help me God.]
Do they truly support the Constitution? There are many who do not from the Federal governemnt on down. There are many many who do not. Why is this important? Because this Constitution we speak of is the power behind protecting our freedom. Even in this great land there are men and women whose only goal is to seek after power. Do the names of Hitler or Lenin ring a bell? These were men who had no power or influence in their youth. They were impoverished and yet they desired to conquer and rule the world. The fastest most effective way to gain power in this world is through government. If Hitler and Lenin can kill millions of human beings and enslave millions more coming from a background of no money and no education then is it not possible that today in our time there are men and women with money and with education seeking after power?

History is full of examples of men using government to subject their will to the people. Augustus Caesar is a well known example. Is it impossible for us to think that in America their are men and women that command millions or even billions of dollars and the finest education man has to offer that would use that money and education to subject others to their whims and ambitions? All the while claiming to be looking out for the 'little people'? Do not these kinds of people lie, cheat, and steal and are masters at covering up the truth? These kinds of people operate in secret.

We must educate ourselves and be alert and informed.

Ezra Taft Benson stated in the Logan Tabernacle in 1963 prior to leaving to preside over the European Mission,

"There is safety in an informed public. There is real danger in a complacent, uninformed citizenry. This is our real danger today. Yes the truth must be told even at the risk of destroying, in large measure, the influence of men who are widely repected and loved by the American people. The stakes are high. Freedom and survival is the issue.

We are at war."


I will reiterate that we must return to the basics. We must uphold laws that are Constitutional and try to remove laws that are not.

President George Albert Smith in General Conference April 1948 said that, "The Constitution of the United States of America is just as much from my Heavenly Father as the Ten Commandments."

Make your local, state, and federal governments support the Supreme Law of this land. They took an oath to do so - put their feet to the fire!

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Why the Lies Mr Obama?

There is very compelling evidence that the Mainstream Media is avoiding like the plague that Mr Obama's Certificate of Live Birth (COLB) is in fact a forgery.

This COLB appeared on a far left blog, Daily Kos, see it here. Obama's campaign came out and confirmed that it was his legitamate COLB.

Now it appears it is all a fabrication. If Obama was not born in the USA he cannot be El Presidente. If he was born here then why lie about the COLB? We need answers Mr Obama.

To see the compelling evidence in full forensic science detail then visit Atlas Shrugs.

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Monday, July 21, 2008

The Internal Threat Today - Dec 19,1963

I enjoy quoting Elder Ezra Taft Benson. Each Apostle in our Church has had strengths in various areas of science, arts, politics, philosophy, etc. Benson excelled in shouting out for the Constitution of the United States.

Below are a few quotes that give me pause. The title of my post is the title of a speech given in 1963 by Elder Benson. This was shortly after the JFK assassination.

"It was communism that sowed the seeds of treason in the mind of President Kennedy's accused assassin. This is something that must not be forgotten.

In fact, this harsh historical fact should have served as a shock therapy to that segment of our population who like to call themselves 'liberals.' America is big enough to make room for many different kinds of thinking, but many liberals have claimed to see virtues in socialism and communism which I, for one, have not been able to find. To promote their ideas, American liberals have become a highly organized, hardcore establishment in the United States and they have been excusing their appeasement and coddling of communism on the ground that they were being 'tolerant,' 'broadminded,' and 'working for peace.'"

This is the thinking of the left. I know there are liberals that aren't this far left. I also know there are RINOs on the Right. This doesn't change the fact that the left wing establishment is rife with socialists and ideology that permeates with tolerance. They want us to abide by UN charters and international law. One CANNOT wholly abide by these and the Constitution of the United States.

Liberals are communists and hippies that want to force the world to all get along and play by their rules. They are conspirators at the highest level with the intent to rob you and I of our GOD GIVEN rights so that they may gain more power. They take God out of the schools and the courthouses. They claim tolerance when what they tolerate is only that which is for them and gives them more power. Free Thinking people who rely on their Creator are something that they cannot tolerate. They need more people to rely on them for sustenance so that their voter base cannot do anything but continue to vote for them. They hide behind this tolerance and create such monsters such at 'political correctness'. This is an attempt to limit free speech.

For the hardcore liberal socialism in any form is the preferred society. They want us to be tolerant of criminals, terrorists, mothers that choose to abort their babies, and drug addicts.

To quote Elder Benson in the same speech:

"The liberals hope you'll believe them when they tell you how anti-communist they are. But they become alarmed if you really inform yourself on the subject of socialistic-communism. For after you inform yourself you might begin to study the liberal voting record. And this study would show you how much the liberals are giving aid and comfort to the enemy and how much the liberals are actually leading America towards socialism itself.

For communism is just another form of socialism, as is fascism. So now you can see the picture. These liberals want you to know how much they are doing for you - with your tax money of course. But they don't want you to realize that the path they are pursuing is socialistic and socialism is the same as communism in its ultimate effect on our liberties. When you point this out, they want to shut you up - they accuse you of maligning them, of casting aspersions, of being political. No matter whether they label their bottle as liberalism, progressivism, or social reform - I know then contents of the bottle is poison to this Republic, and I'm going to call it poison."

The USSR is no more but socialism in all its forms is very much rampant in this world today. Call it what you want. Even the terrorists want socialism - they want us all to be like them, to live like them, to pray like them - or die.

If liberals are socialists and terrorists support socialism as well then you would think that terrorists and states that sponsor terrorism would have an active interest in the liberal agenda of the left right? Well of course - take a look at this little gem from yesterday in the World Net Daily:

"Members of the most active West Bank terror organization are set to serve in security forces being deployed to protect Sen. Barack Obama during his trip to the West Bank tomorrow, WND has learned.

Obama is due to visit Israeli officials in Jerusalem and leaders of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank city of Ramallah as part of a wider Middle Eastern and European tour that includes Jordan, France and Germany.

According to security officials coordinating deployments of forces with the PA for Obama's Ramallah visit, members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's declared military wing, have been called upon by the PA to participate in the protection of Obama, particularly in securing the perimeter during a scheduled meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Brigades is listed as a terror organization by the U.S. State Department. The group took credit along with the Islamic Jihad terror organization for every suicide bombing in Israel between 2005 and 2006 and is responsible for thousands of shootings and rocket firings. Statistically, the Al Aqsa Brigades perpetuated more terrorism from the West Bank than Hamas, according to the Israeli Defense Forces."

All I can say is WHAT THE HELL! I could go on and on about how the terrorists closely watch our politics - you can bet they want a liberal Congress and a liberal President. You can bet they want 'tolerance' from us. They want us to rollover and die - they want us to leave our borders unprotected. They want us to have better gun control too.

Is this all just right-wing whacked out conspiracy theory? What are your thoughts?

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

I Hate Nancy Pelosi and Her Tool, Harry Reid

The International Herald Tribune reports on Pelosi's asinine decision to fight the call to allow for more offshore drilling. This woman is a real piece of work.


"The president of the United States, with gas at $4 a gallon because of his failed energy policies, is now trying to say that is because I couldn't drill offshore," Pelosi said in an interview. "That is not the cause, and I am not going to let him get away with it."

Her voice carries considerable weight since, as speaker, Pelosi is in a position to prevent a vote on expanded drilling from reaching the floor

And she and Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, appear intent on holding the line against calls to approve drilling in areas now off limits.

Does she really think that we are going to blame President Bush for the price of oil? Some of us aren't stupid. We understand that oil is part of a GLOBAL market. Other countries also demand oil from our suppliers. Since OPEC is a cartel run by despots, dictators, and terrorists the best solution is to lower our dependence on foreign oil. We also know that a liberal Congress has been blocking Bush and the conservatives on many issues for over 3 yrs.

What about alternative fuels? I have nothing against them - in fact more power to you if you find a viable, marketable alternative fuel that can compete with gasoline and diesel fuels. (Just don't force anyone to use it or subsidize it with my tax dollars!)

Lets look at some facts about petroleum - I gathered these myself so if you find any errors please let me know. (based on information from the Energy Information Administration of the US Department of Energy)
  • 2007 the US produced 1.86 Billion Barrels of crude, sounds like a lot but it is actually about the amount the US produced in the late 1940s.
  • The height of US oil production was 1970 with over 3.5 Billion Barrels of crude.
  • This means that US oil production is down 47% from 1970.
  • 1989 was the first year since 1970 that US oil production was under 3 Billion Barrels, the number of barrels drops every year.

  • In 2006 the US oil reserve was 20.9 Billion Barrels, again similar to the mid 1940s.
  • 1970 was the year with the largest US oil reserve at 39 Billion Barrels.
  • This also is a 47% drop in the oil reserves.

  • Accounting for all petroleum products the US consumed 7.55 Billion Barrels in 2007.
  • When compared to the 1.86 Billion Barrels produced in the US this means we are 76% dependant on foreign oil.
  • During Nixon's administration our dependence on foreign oil was about 20%.
  • This amount of consumption means that with foreign oil out of the picture the US only has a little over 3.5 years worth of oil in the reserves with the current production rate of US oil included.

Knowing these facts tells us that we are in a precarious position in regards to oil. In 2007 almost half of all oil imports came from OPEC (1 billion barrels from Saudi Arabia and Venezuela combined). Other imports came from countries that have tense ties with the US including Russia, Mexico (half a billion barrels), China, and other Middle and Far Eastern States.

It tells me that we need to hold on to our diminishing reserves. We need to drill now. It is a crock of crap to say that it will take 10 to 30 years to see the benefit of drilling now. Economically it will make OPEC rethink their prices which will give an immediate benefit. It didn't take 10 years to get a significant amount of oil out of the ground during the oil boom at the turn of the 20th century. Surely our technology for extracting oil is faster and cleaner now. We should also pursue renewable sources of energy. If we can reduce dependence on oil without government intervention I am all for it. If the government hadn't intervened in drilling and exploration we wouldn't be in this predicament.


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