Thanksgiving

To name a few things I am thankful for: I am thankful for my family and especially my brothers who I can surf with and have so much in common with. I'm thankful for America and our freedom and ability to come together in hard times. I'm grateful for my friends and their support. I'm thankful for all the opportunities to interview and will be really grateful when this process is over! I'm thankful for Jesus Christ and the example of love and service He gave and that He paid the price for my sins and makes happiness and forgiveness possible. I'm thankful for California weather and for the ocean and mountains. I'm thankful for MW2 and that I have Kayle and Greg as wing men.

Apostle Says Religious Freedom is Being Threatened

Exerpts from an LDS news brief:

An apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said religious freedom is being threatened by societal forces intimidating those with religious points of view from having a voice in the public square. (See the full text of the speech here)

Noting that the students he was addressing were among the generation that would face continuing challenges to religious freedom, Elder Oaks offered five points of counsel:

• Speak with love and show patience, understanding and compassion to those with differing viewpoints.
• Do not be deterred or coerced into silence by intimidation from opponents, insisting that churches and their members be able to speak out on issues without retaliation.
• Insist on the freedom to preach the doctrines of their faith.
• Be wise in political participation, remaining respectful of those who do not share their religious beliefs and contributing to reasonable discussion.
• Be careful to never support or act on the idea that a person must subscribe to a specific set of religious beliefs in order to qualify for public office.

“Religious values and political realities are so interlinked in the origin and perpetuation of this nation that we cannot lose the influence of Christianity in the public square without seriously jeopardizing our freedoms,” Elder Oaks concluded. “I maintain that this is a political fact, well qualified for argument in the public square by religious people whose freedom to believe and act must always be protected by what is properly called our ‘First Freedom,’ the free exercise of religion.”

RIP

“Always love your country — but never trust your government!

“That should not be misunderstood. I certainly am not advocating civil disobedience, must less insurrection or rebellion. What I am advocating is to not expect too much from government and be wary of it power, even the power of a democratic government in a free country.

“Ours is one of the mildest, most benevolent governments in the world. But it too has the power to take your wealth and forfeit your life. ... A government that can give you everything can take everything away.”

- Robert Novak

Superfoods

My mom recently sent me an article that perscribes natural foods for various health problems. Check it out! Ailments included: Heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, diabetes, asthma, allergies, arthiritis, depression, vision problems, irritable bowels and PMS! I wish we could get rid of all the processed shiz America eats and GO NATURAL! Just think how much healthier we would be and how much we'd save on health care; individually and collectively. Put down the Fritos. Read the article.

Eat for Your Health

Eating healthy feels SO GOOD! Here is a list from Oprah on 10 natural foods that do wonders for your health. Enjoy.

1. Acai (What? I thought this was a little sales pitchy of Oprah.)
2. The Allium Family (Onions, Scallions, Garlic, etc.)
3. Barley (Fiber helps colon among other things)
4. Beans and Lentils (The magical fruit)
5. Buckwheat (Little rascal?)
6. Green Foods
7. Hot Peppers (I love salsa.)
8. Nuts and Seeds
9. Sprouts
10. Yogurt and Kefir

Martyrdom

I wouldn't be surprised if the spark of indignation caused by gay marraige activists will lead to increased persecution of faithful believers. I hope it fizzles out. Regarding persecution, keep this in mind-

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:10.) This Beatitude is often referred to as the blessing of the martyrs. In the days of the New Testament, the words witness and martyr were virtually synonymous. Bearing testimony has always brought persecution. Stephen could have continued preaching, like many pagans did, as a kind of “entertainer” in the central squares. But he looked up into heaven and bore his testimony:

“I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

“Then [the people] cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

“And cast him out of the city, and stoned him.” (Acts 7:56–58.)

Joseph Smith was not murdered primarily for political or economic reasons, but rather for bearing testimony that he had seen the Father and the Son:

“I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JS—H 1:17.)

The Savior was not crucified for giving the Sermon on the Mount or for walking on water or healing the sick. Ultimately, he was condemned to death for testifying that he was the Son of God, the Messiah for whom all Israel had been waiting.

“Again the high priest asked him, … Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

“And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

“Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

“Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.” (Mark 14:61–64.)

Why? Because he testified of the truth!

It is inevitable that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints find themselves looked upon with suspicion by many today. The prophets have said that in the last days persecution will come again. But we have the assurance that persecution will not destroy the Church. The Prophet Joseph Smith has reassured us:

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” (History of the Church, 4:540.)"

(From The Beatitudes: Pattern for Coming unto Christ by Robert E. Wells)

Cheeseburger Sandwich for the Soul - getting your facebook fix

Since quitting facebook on 1/1/09 I have spent dramatically less time surfing the net, and consequently less time blogging. The social aspect of the internet is so hollow and to all out there who keep in touch through facebook, linkup, blogs or anything else- I submit my personal experience from scaling back on internet social tools; Less facebook with people = more face time with people.

Go offline. Don't be afraid. People have phone numbers and adresses. You will be able to keep in touch. People have been staying in contact without the internet since... forever. Consider the cost of convenience. How has your life changed as a result of online social networking and are you happier because of it? For me the answer was no. So I canned it and my life is more enriched, my relationships more fulfilling, and there is more time in the day to run, work, read and spend quality time with family and friends.

Think of your needs. You need social time like you need to eat. Maybe not as badly, but still. You can eat flaming hot cheetos, baby bottle pops, cookies and drink Red Bulls and satisfy your appetite; but is that good for you? Fulfilling a need doesn't mean the filler is good. Facebook is junk food filler for your social needs. As is gchat, blogging, whatever. We do it for the same reason we eat fast food while on the go. Its quick and easy. No risk, no rejection, no hassle. Well, you reap what you sow. If you eat crap you will look and feel like crap. The more you socialize through crappy channels of communication, the crappier your relationships.

I know because of experience on both sides. Take my word for it! Social life is better when you put your neck out there. Make real friends. Talk to strangers. Share experiences. Socialize like Jesus did. Be more like Him. I don't imagine He would have traded His time teaching and blessing others to sit in front of a screen typing and looking at pictures. When it comes down to it- fulfilling socialization is about communicating love. The best way to do that is in person, through service and kindness.

Singularity

Google and NASA back new school for futurists

Google and NASA are teaming up to make the Singularity University. What??! This inventor wrote a book called "The Singularity is Near" about a day coming when Matrix style technology will overcome mankind and the universe within the next century. Google and NASA must be smoking crack to buy this guy's ideas. Check them out!

The Singularity is Near

ABC report on Mormons

Still banging on that key

Bad cat, Jerry Brown.

    This is an excerpt from one of many good mice, Tom Harman's (Republican in CA Senate, and a small mouse among mice) weekly newsletter regarding the current status of the Prop 8 battle to ban gay marriage. 

Update on the Status of Proposition 8

    "Many of you have contacted my office with questions regarding the current status of Proposition 8. Proposition 8, passed by the voters this past November, defines marriage in the California Constitution to be between one man and one woman. Opponents of the initiative immediately challenged its constitutionality. It is awaiting a hearing in the California Supreme Court.

    This will not be the first time this issue has come before our Supreme Court. Just last May, the constitutionality of Proposition 22, an earlier voter-approved same-sex marriage amendment, was challenged in the same manner. Because the Court chose to overturn that proposition, proponents of traditional marriage gathered signatures and had Proposition 8 placed on last November’s ballot.

    In reviewing the measure, the Court is being asked to decide three issues:

-What is the status of the approximately 18,000 same sex marriages granted between May, when Proposition 22 was overturned, and November, when Proposition 8 passed?

-Is Proposition 8 a revision of, or an amendment to, the state’s constitution? California voters may only amend, not revise the state constitution.

-Is Proposition 8 a violation of the separation of powers doctrine? When the people vote by the initiative process they act as legislators, and not as the sovereign, by directly approving a new law and bypassing the legislature.

    To add further to the confusion, last month Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a legal brief claiming the same-sex marriage ban " is itself unconstitutional because it deprives a minority group of a fundamental right." This argument has never been used before and has raised some legal eyebrows. Some are questioning whether it is the Attorney General’s role to take a 

position contrary to the will of the people in a duly held election.

    Opponents of Proposition 8 believe the initiative actually revised the constitution and since, in their opinion, the voters have no legal authority to revise – only to amend –the initiative should be overturned. Proponents of the proposition argue the initiative was nothing more than an amendment and thus perfectly legal. They cite Proposition 13, passed in 1978, as precedent for their position. Prop. 13 drastically changed the fiscal policies of the state and was upheld by the U.S. Court. It has been law for over 30 years. Proponents believe if the same legal arguments are applied, the Court would be hard pressed to find Proposition 8 anything more than an amendment.

    The issues before the Court are highly charged with people on both sides of the debate vocally advocating their position in the media. There has even been talk of a ca

mpaign to recall the justices should the Court once again go against the will of the voters and overturn a ban on same sex marriages. While a judicial recall has yet to be tried in California, state Supreme Court Justices have been defeated in their bids for re-appointment – most famously, Chief Justice Rose Bird in 1986. Though it may not come to such measures, the threat of a recall is very serious.

    No doubt the California Supreme Court has quite a task at hand with this issue of constitutionality. The coming months will unveil many opinions, a very thorough and contemplative reading of the constitution and a raucous public debate."

I know. Tom is the cat and Jerry the mouse. Whatever.

Passenger Complaint Letter

This letter had me laughing out loud at 8 AM, alone in my room. Its a Virgin Air passenger (from India) complaining to the CEO about the flight food.

Here is the link- Virgin: the world's best passenger complaint letter?

and my favorite chunk of excerpt (its best if you imagine the Brit-Indian accent too)-

"I’ll try and explain how this felt. Imagine being a twelve year old boy Richard. Now imagine it’s Christmas morning and you’re sat their with your final present to open. It’s a big one, and you know what it is. It’s that Goodmans stereo you picked out the catalogue and wrote to Santa about.

Only you open the present and it’s not in there. It’s your hamster Richard. It’s your hamster in the box and it’s not breathing. That’s how I felt when I peeled back the foil and saw this: [see image 3, above].

Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking it’s more of that Baaji custard. I admit I thought the same too, but no. It’s mustard Richard. MUSTARD. More mustard than any man could consume in a month..."

Wee man

This cracks me up.

Just not

Women are so empowered these days with all their self-help dating books to nab men. For whatever reason, these books are far less common for men. Maybe because; we don't have women figured out, don't care to buy books like that, think we already know, etc.

Anyways, I tried to find a relevant book for men and stumbled across this askmen.com article written by a woman for men to know if a woman is just not that into you. Enjoy-

She's just not that into you.

Summary:
1. She says she's not ready for a relationship.
2. You're always the one calling her and/or she doesn't return your phone calls
3. She avoids eye contact and physical proximity
4. She mentions other guys she finds attractive
5. She tries to set you up with other women
6. She doesn't laugh at your jokes
7. She is always vague about making plans
8. She regularly cancels plans with you
9. Her description of the perfect man sounds nothing like you