Do you feel Safer?

Here's an article I found on the Yahoo homepage. This is the nation that we are becoming. Does it make you feel any safer?







http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/education/12discipline.html?no_interstitial

Letter from a humble citizen

Dear President Obama,

In the light of your recent declaration of the month of June as Lesbian, Gay, and/or Trans-gender month I have the following suggestion for the month of July. In light of the great work done for our country by "Adulterers" I submit that the month of July be devoted to a celebration of their contributions to American society (here I could drop some prominent names that have cropped up in the news recently). This declaration of July as "Adultery" month would help unite American society against the vicious, unethical and negative stigmatization that are heaped upon Adulterers by the religious members of American society. And blah, blah, blah, so forth. . .

Thank-you President Obama for all that good things that you have done with your presidency so far.

The End.

This is America?

June 15, 2009
MEMORANDUM
To: All DOI Employees
From: Kathleen J.H. Wheeler (Signed)
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary – Human Capital, Performance and
Partnerships

Subject: DOI EVENT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month 2009

The Department of the Interior (DOI) joins the Nation in observing the month of June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, the contributions of LGBT Americans are remembered and acknowledged.

As stated in the attached Presidential Proclamation, “LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities.”

Bureaus and Offices are encouraged to conduct activities across the country in observance of LGBT Pride Month. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to participate and encourage the participation of their employees in programs and activities in observance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month.

Attachment

___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Another Political Rant

So here I am meandering my way around the internet, scrolling through current headlines to keep abreast of the current events of this troubled world. What would you guess I found?

This heartwarming story about the Obama's dog.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090619/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_white_house_dog_card

What a joke.

It is completely ridiculous how the media fawns over president Obama. He's the knight in shining armor, the "ninja" president (because he killed a fly on television to which PETA issues a mild disappointment. . .PETA? MILD???)

Nothing Obama does, according to the media is wrong. If President Bush had killed a fly on national television PETA would have crucified him. But no, the media celebrates it.

Unfortunately the only way to put a positive spin on Obama as a president is to gloss over his spending policies, his federalization of private businesses (GMC), and all sorts of other sordid and ineffectual liberal policies.

When Bush was president, I don't remember any cutesy stories about his dog's baseball cards.

*Speaking of PETA, their latest push to rename fish "sea kittens" is quite laughable. Apparently, nobody would want to eat something with such a cute name. Look at their website and laugh until you can laugh no more. What morons!

Yes we can? Maybe we shouldn't.

How do you feel, liberal America, now that your golden candidate for change is proving to be nothing of the sort? How do you feel now that his spending is going surpass the previous administration's? I'll tell you what, the liberals who trumpeted the advent of Obama at the beginning of the year now maintain an embarrassed silence. I guess that's worth something. . .

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090321/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_budget

A Two State Solution

I recently read an article that implied that the new US administration is going to actively seek the creation of a Palestinian state. I have mixed feelings about this. On the surface it sounds good, nobody can deny that the Palestinian people need and deserve a state of their own. However, nothing ever turns out well when politicians get together to redraw the lines on a map. I can't help but think that this attempt will not go any better. . .

Bring on the End of the World

I've just spent the last several hours reading an article about California's Prop. 8 and the subsequent responses on the discussion board. I am constantly shocked by the pure hatred that exists in the world today, especially as demonstrated by the liberal community who opposed prop. 8 against the LDS community. It makes me want to weep.

Romney/Palin 2012!

Well, I can't say that I am pleased with the results of this election. I certainly hoped that it would go the other way, but reality prepared me for the worst.

I hope Obama proves me wrong. I hope he IS the saint that the media has portrayed him to be. I hope he somehow possesses the political savvy to solve all of the problems which he will face; the economy, Iraq, etc. . . I hope there is something deeper than his charisma. I hope he will stand firm on the rights which are granted to Americans in the constitution. I hope he really will fight for the people (and not just vocal minority groups; Brady campaign, PETA, Gay rights activists, etc. . .).

On the other hand, I have many fears, too many to list here. Suffice it to say that I will be watching how Obama treats the key issues in which I believe; 2nd ammendment, marriage, abortion, etc. . .

With that said, Romney and Palin for 2012!
Romney should have been the Republican nominee anyway.
And even if Palin did come off a little clumsily during some of her interviews I still think she would have been an awesome VP. Give her 4 more years to get herself situated on the national stage (hint: she can do the same thing Obama did) and she'll be in the running.


That's all I have time for tonight. Later!

Palin vs. Biden

I just finished watching the VP debate and I just want to say that I think Palin did quite well. A small town Alaskan, 2 year governor, took on a 30 year career politician and DID NOT LOSE! And considering the media bias against her over the last few weeks I think that this is a great victory for her.

Biden was a little more polished and spouted off more numbers, as expected; tonight he showed himself for what he is, a career politician. Palin was much more eloquent than even I expected, though she tended to give broader answers at times, but it's like she said at one point, she's only been doing this for five weeks.

Anyway, Biden had a strong showing, but I have to give the victory to Palin for exceeding all expectations.

Politics Again!

It's just that time of season. Here are my latest thoughts on politics.

First of all, I'm surprised with the intensity of the liberal media's attack on Sarah Palin. She is NOT running for President. One of the major things that they are throwing against her is her lack of political experience. Somehow there is something wrong here. The liberals are using Sarah Palin's lack of political experience as a smoke screen to hide Obama's--and I do realize that he has more than twice as much political experience as Palin; 4 yrs as a Senator and 7 yrs in the Illinois Senate, but, he is running for PRESIDENT. Relatively that's barely any experience at all.

Also, I've been reading Internet comments from readers of the Salt Lake Tribune, who's readership seems to be largely liberal. I'm restraining myself from calling them names, but the word ignorant comes quickly to mind. They are using instances from Alaskan politics in an effort to discredit her. Please people, if you don't understand Alaskan politics, keep your comments to yourselves. Hunting predators from airplanes (And I'll state right now that I am NOT a hunter) is important for a significant portion of Alaskans who SURVIVE by living off the land. When the predator populations are out of control, these humans have nothing to eat. And please, don't say that they can go to the store. The vast majority of communities in Alaska live off of any established road system and all the goods have to be flown in, if there even is a store. I'd invite anybody (SL Tribune readers!!!) to pay $20 for a jar of peanut-butter WITHOUT that cushy job. Suddenly hunting becomes a good option, and suddenly wolves become a danger to your existence. Idiots!

Now let me talk a little bit about the 2nd amendment. I may not be a hunter, but I strongly believe in the right to bear arms. I don't understand how any man, or woman, would not desire to possess a way to protect themselves or their family. I'm sorry people, I wish it didn't, but crap happens ALL the time, even in peaceful cities like Provo, UT. People can't depend on the rule of law, or Police, or somebody else to protect them. Therefore, they should have the means to protect themselves, if they wish. A gun is a tool, a tool that allows an individual to protect themselves, and others. When a benevolent government can ensure that crime does not exist, and that the neighborhood pit bull isn't going to maul my child (this is a little more important in Alaska), then I will gladly beat my guns into plow blades or whatever, until then, I keep a loaded gun with me as much as legally possible.

If man is the cause of Global Warming, I would really like to know what we have been doing on the planets other than Earth. I didn't know that my driving an SUV would raise the temperature on other planets in the solar system. I wish someone would explain the physics of that to me.

This kind of turned into a rant. Sorry. On a lighter note, BYU thrashed UCLA on Saturday 59-0. That was an awesome game to watch. By the end I felt really bad for UCLA, especially after they couldn't even score on our third string defense.

Palin raises McCain

I don't usually get into the whole political dialogue. Talking politics with people requires way too much research to keep abreast of all the issues and candidates and blah, blah, blah. To me, at this point in my life, it's just not worth it. I find it enough to support politicians who support the main ideals that I do: the 2nd amendment, anti-abortion, and traditional marriage.

With that said, I will now express how awesome it is that Sarah Palin is McCain's VP pick. First of all, she is from Alaska. I'm not biased or anything, but she gets major points just for that fact alone. She not only supports gun rights, but unlike most politicians who try to pander to gun totin' Americans, she actually knows how to operate one and has done so. I hear tell that she has a bear pelt on her couch which she obtained for herself. No small task. She is also intelligent, and has iron determination; I think her pit bull analogy is much closer to her character than people realize. She is also a real world mom. Unlike other female (and otherwise) political figures, Sarah Palin hasn't lost touch with the real world. She really is a fresh face in the political scene. And, from what has happened in Alaska during her governorship, it seems that she gets things done. Go Alaska!

I wasn't too excited about McCain before, but because of Palin, he will get my vote.

I'll also add that I do not support Obama. When he said that "[people] cling to guns and religion because they are bitter," he revealed himself--for the first time to my eyes--as an elitist who does not believe in the ideals upon which this country was founded, and he has nothing in common with the roots of American society. He's popular because he is charismatic and a media darling, but I think he would be a disaster as President.

Liberty

Americans are the luckiest people in the world.

Sure, we may whine and complain about our politicians, the price of gas, the price of food, how much we hate the Yankees/Lakers (insert least favorite sports team here), or whatever else it is that we dislike at any given time, but in truth, we have so much to be thankful for.

Freedom for one.

Our society gained, through the wisdom of our founding fathers and the Revolutionary War, a society that has been dreamed of by all men since the beginning of recorded history. A place where all men and women have the potential to be free; a place where, by the sweat of our brow, we can achieve a life that is good.

Name another society that had as much potential for individual freedom, where an individual can receive as much reward for their work ethic. This IS the land of opportunity. We can have what we want, all it takes is a little determination, a little elbow grease, and sometimes a little bit of luck. As Ayn Rand says (and I'm loosely quoting here), "Americans are the first people to use the phrase 'to make money.'" Basically, she says that we are the first people who realized that we build our own fortune, we forge our own path. And that has been the American way since the very beginning.

Sure, I'll grant that America has problems. Some people will say we have racial/minority issues. And I suppose that is true, but it's nothing close to what is going on in the middle east. Compared to what goes on in the rest of the world, American racial issues are on the level of squabbling children. Others despair because of the American political situation, but once again, we're pretty stable compared to the rest of the world (I think Zimbabwe is a mess right now). And others say that we are destroying the environment, to them I say, "your mom. . . already did it." Oh, my mom (who is AWESOME) pointed out poverty, but I have to say that our poor are rich compared to the rest of the world (My family for instance is pretty "poor," but with five cars (three iffy), two houses (unfinished), three TVs, two pianos, running water, indoor plumbing, a billion books, like eight computers, and other typical family junk, we don't sound bad off at all, we live the American dream).

We have much to be thankful for.

The problem that this creates is that we become victims of our success. Today's America is much softer/weaker than the America of 100 or even 50 years ago. We become apathetic to the cause for which our ancestors sacrificed so much. As John C. Calhoun said, "It is harder to preserve than obtain liberty."

And this is the stage that we are at today. Today, the 4th of July, the day where we gained our independence from the English crown, we must remember that it is our job to not squander away this marvelous gift that we have been given. Our love of freedom must not die.

Part II

And continuing from my previous post:

What the heck is going on with "no child left behind?" The only thing that this accomplishes is holding the best and brightest on the level of the not best and brightest. That means that countries like Japan, India, and Germany are producing the bulk of the worlds scientists and doctors. What does America produce? Almost 70% of the world's lawyers. Does that inspire any confidence? Not that the amount of lawyers that America provides the world has anything to do with "no child left behind," but it is something else to think about. Anyway, America can't afford to let herself lose the advantage that she has. We as a country have always survived because of our creative intelligence and engineering spirit. If we lose that, I don't think that we'll survive long. . .

Conspiracy Theory. . .

I'm not a person who looks for conspiracies behind everything that happens, but I do believe in the prophesies by prophets, both ancient and modern, that indicate that secret societies will cause great damage before the second coming of Christ.

Here are a few things that are causing me some concern. . .

I don't understand the continual increase in the price of oil. It really doesn't make any sense at all. I've been reading on the Internet about speculators and unrest in Nigeria? (not really sure which African country it really was) but whatever the case, these don't seem like sufficient reasons for the obscene cost of oil right now. Also, it's not like we have a shortage of oil or anything. I was talking to a guy who works in the oil industry, and he told me that there are more than 3,000,000,000,000 barrels of known, accessible, and develop able oil in the world right now. All the world's oil use, since the beginning of oil, is somewhere around 1,000,000,000,000. He also indicated that fossil fuels regenerate faster than previously thought and said that it was possible to re-tap old oil wells for more oil. But nobody is developing any of this oil. . . Go Green!

Speaking of which, this idea to mandate ethanol production seems like a stupid and blundering political move. Food costs are skyrocketing because of it. All of the sudden it is more expensive to feed cattle (my mom paid $6 a gallon for milk yesterday), there is more corn being produced (but it goes to ethanol). . . and less wheat and whatever else. And on top of that, I've heard that the cost of producing ethanol isn't even beneficial or significantly healthier for the environment. Dumb move. . .

Global Warming! Ahhh, we're all going to die, die, die. Catastrophe! Doom! The End of Life as We Know It! Blah, blah, blah. And we were all going to die for Y2K too, and whatever else. Alarmists are all over the place, and they suck, but they seem to have more power than they deserve. Sometimes, I wish to rend them asunder.

Errr, I thought I had more things to talk about, but I must of forgotten them. But I tell you, it seems like all this is more than just happenstance. It feels like there is someone in the background pulling strings, making things as bad as possible so that they can step in and become a "savior" or something. You know, somebody wants power and all. We've all read the stories where the bad guys try to get power; evil stepmothers, plotting kings/princes/dukes, greedy wizards, and dragons; those sort of people. Some people just want power. . . and organizations too. Anyway, I'm just rambling now, but there it is. Prophecy indicates stuff like this happening. . . why are we surprised, and why are we not prepared?