I am so glad that we have this taken care of.

Thank you UN for taking care of the concern I have had for years.

Just a thought

I have had something I have wanted to do for a little while. It is one of those things that is always on my mind, something I think I would enjoy, but it just has never had the urgency (and likely never would) to make it to the top of my to do list. So I need a little bit of motivation.


The goal: Have some fun


The background: One of my entrepreneurship professors at Notre Dame gave a really cool assignment to his undergrad students (wish he would have given it to us, but we were operating on a shorter schedule – still not a good excuse). He gave every student $20, and they had to turn that $20 into as much money as they could by the end of the semester. Since he told us about that, I’ve been wanting to do it.


The idea: Sell some of my unused and unwanted possessions and raise $20. Use the proceeds and invest it into something that will turn into more than $20. Then reinvest. Then reinvest. Then reinvest….you get the idea.


Why I’m telling you all about it: It would motivate me if I knew other people were doing the same thing with me. All of our end goals would be different so while it could be a contest just for fun (who could do X by a certain date, or who could do X the fastest, etc.) it wouldn’t have to be. I would like to see personally what I could turn the $20 into in 5, 10, 25 years and occasionally, start it all over again with another $20 just for fun.


So if anyone would like to join me and share in the stories of what you did with $20 let me know. I need a little push and a little motivation.

Economic Rap

This rap does a surprisingly good job of touching on the basics of the two big macro-econ philosophies. I had a good laugh and had to share.

This bothers me

New supreme court ruling

Can you attorney friends explain how this can be ok? Rather than eliminating the problems of political corruption and buying elections, this seems to make it worse.

First, I wanted to say how much I enjoyed our Christmas gathering with everyone. It was great to see all of those who were able to make it.
Second, I wanted you all to know how much I loved the trip we all took to Cancun. However, due to some computer crashes, I lost all the photos and videos of the trip, twice! But the other day my two kids were down stairs and suddenly it got quite, which means trouble! So I went down to check it out. I was so excited when my youngest boy walked up to me with a CD in his hand, and it read CANCUN backup. Folks, who knows where he found this CD, but what was once lost, has been found. So for any of you who care, I have a copy of the trip to Cancun.

BYU vs New Mexico Women's Soccer Video

This is video showed on ESPN SportsCenter of a women's soccer match between BYU vs. New Mexico. New Mexico women's soccer player, Elizabeth Lambert #15 wouldn't be kicked out of a MMA match with some of those moves.All I can say if you have children reading blogs with you, you may want to ask them to leave the room, this is ugly.



Here is the quote from New Mexico's coach Kit Vela, after the game: "We showed a lot of character out there tonight... I think we dished out everything we were getting and it was a heck of a game." I was going to past a link to the quotes but New Mexico has since removed that paragraph from their website.

So my question is, are these actions coming from the player acting independently or encouraged by the coach? It doesn't seem any discipline will come from the coach, and after the debacle that is New Mexico's athletic program this year, is New Mexico going to take any disciplinary actions? If this happened in football or basketball the NCAA would come down hard and fast, since it is women's soccer I am doubtful anything will happen but hope I am wrong.

Going through some photos the other day...
Ahhh....remembering the skinny days!

Religious Freedom

I wanted to get all of your takes on this talk given by Elder Oaks.

"As I address this audience of young adults, I invite your careful attention to what I say on these subjects, because I am describing conditions you will face and challenges you must confront."

Religious Freedom

Open mind, close mouth

As I woke this morning to get my daily blog stalker fix, I had two friends write about the same thing. Yesterday Tabbi posted a link on her facebook about this subject. I have been thinking about the last week as well. It is the subject of the political parties and people who belong to them, not being open to any change unless it was the idea of their party. I could site a number of examples of things that Bush did that had Obama done, the conservatives would have had a conniption fit. Likewise, there are some things that Obama has said, that if Bush would have said the same thing you would have thought the world was ending. Without further adieu here is the article.

I would also recommend reading George Washington's farewell address. Here is the part that I thought was the most applicable to this discussion:

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.

Guyana orders Mormon missionaries to leave

I came upon this story today on MSNBC:

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - Authorities in Guyana grew "uncomfortable" with the presence of Mormon missionaries who have been ordered to leave the South American country, a governing party leader said Thursday.

About 40 missionaries were briefly detained Wednesday and told to leave within a month as authorities said their travel documents were out of date.

Comments by Donald Ramotar of the governing People's Progressive Party, however, suggested the crackdown went beyond immigration issues.

"While we tolerate all religions, it appears that some officials had become uncomfortable with them around," said Ramotar, the party's general secretary.

Ramotar declined to elaborate. But some government officials and party members said privately that leaders felt the Mormons were too close to opposition figures and also were wary of the church's independent charity work in the interior.

The sources agreed to discuss the matter only if they were not quoted by name because they feared angering their bosses and losing their jobs.

Links to opposition?
Church spokesman Leslie Sobers also raised the issue, saying he thought the government might have been uneasy over perceived links between the Mormons and the opposition.

He said opposition legislator Volda Lawrence traveled to Utah as a guest of the church two years ago, although the church also invited the pro-government head of the race commission, Juan Edghill, to visit.

A lawyer for the church, Nigel Hughes, expressed puzzlement over the deportation order.

"This whole thing is very strange. These people have about $2 million in property in Guyana, do great missionary work and cultivate farms in the country. Why then expel them?" Hughes said.

The main opposition party said the roundup of the missionaries, mainly U.S. citizens, denied the church workers due process and set a bad example as Guyana complains to neighboring countries about the deportation of Guyanese citizens.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been sending missionaries to this former British colony for more than 20 years. About 100 of them are now in Guyana, many of them deep in the country's interior where the government has little presence.

Really?

Can one of you law students please explain the legal basis of this decision? Even if you disagree, I'd like to understand the legal point of view of the judge who made this decision.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108084

What do you think?

For one of my classes I have to write a paper on the following topic:

"How best to conceive and measure success in life"

I have some ideas and thoughts but would love to hear the take of those who read this blog (both of you)

I look forward to hearing what you have to say and will post all or portions of my paper next week after it is turned in.

Work environment

I've been a little surprised at the lack of professionalism (or substitute in morals/standards/values etc) at work, even among degree-holding, married people with children. I can't believe some of the things that are said and talked about here. It's like I'm back in the locker room in high school. My classmates at Tech were much higher caliber people than what I've experienced so far here in the "corporate world". I guess we ride the line between blue collar and white collar here, so it makes some sense. I think when I move to my next rotation at the corporate office in September things will probably be much different. It's hard to believe anything gets accomplished here with people being so unbelievably petty, crude, immature, and disrespectful. Just to be clear, I haven't been targeted or mistreated at all. It's just what I see and hear that is disturbing. If anyone has any suggestions about the right response to this stuff let me know. Keep in mind I am the new guy and low on the totem pole, and my boss is one of the worst offenders in the office.

This would be a great way to spend your 3rd weekend in August!

http://runforthefallen.org/

Interesting article I found on the Volokh Conspiracy about race as it pertains to Sotomayor and Gates...

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/openingargument.php

One more reason why I hate paypal!

Just one more reason why Paypal sucks!
http://smallestminority.blogspot.com/2009/07/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished.html

I came across this joke the other day:

I recently asked my friends' little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, 'If you were President what would be the first thing you would do? '

She replied, 'I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people.'

Her parents beamed.

'Wow...what a worthy goal.' I told her, 'But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that.. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and rake my yard, and I'll pay you $50.

Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house. '

She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, ' Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?

I said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party.'

Her parents still aren't speaking to me.

PRAVDA: 'American descent into Marxism happening with breathtaking speed'...

Please read this article from the Russian News, this is serious stuff:

http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/107459-0/

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.
August 28, 1963


Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been a hero of mine. He was a man that put his principles above everything. I truly believe that he meant his words to apply to all of mankind. I believe that if the tables had been turned and he would have been born into a world where anyone else was judged by the color of their skin he would have stood up for them, even if he wasn’t categorized with them.

Today I was going to talk about a couple of experiences I had this week: one with the wife of a deceased WWII veteran and another with an Iraq War hero. I will have to get back to those because this topic has been eating at me.

We have made enormous progress since King’s time. I would even say that we are at the verge of living his dream. I would never compare what we are going through now with the atrocities faced during the civil rights movement. In this case, I truly hope history doesn’t repeat itself. With that being said, there are some areas that need serious improvement.

I’m not talking about the way we think and react in social settings. I know that unfortunately there will always be differences, misunderstandings, and stereotypes between races. What I am talking about are the public and corporate policies that propagate the judgment of others by the color of their skin.

I know what it’s like to be turned away from a job because of my skin color, even though I am best qualified. This may seem trivial to some, but it is an experience that first heightened my awareness of race issues in America. When I was 17 I applied for a job at a retail store and got an interview. I nailed the interview, and was even told that I was a shoo in. I have to say that I appreciated the manager’s honesty when she told me that she got word from corporate that if there were any acceptable black or hispanic applicants that they had to hire them to meet their quota. So, I’m still not sure if this was just a corporate policy or if there was some affirmative action law in effect. Who knows, it may have just been an effort to create a more diverse appearance for marketing purposes. At any rate, the manager was very frank with me by letting me know that I was the most qualified applicant and her choice for the job, but she couldn’t hire me because I’m white.

I thought that I would never be subjected to any sort of racism worse than being turned away from a job. But I was wrong. A large part of my job now is government contracting. I routinely turn down proposals that are the most qualified because they are not from minority owned businesses (and minority has a very narrow definition). I have now been on the other side of the coin, and it feels much worse. I hate racist policies. They degrade the people they are trying to elevate. They are telling them that they aren’t good enough to make it on their own so they need the government’s ruling hand to interfere.

You could probably also guess that another reason I brought this subject up is the recent nomination of the self-proclaimed racist, Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. In her own words, “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life.”

Moreover, it sickens me that no one will stand up to her. She has no chance of being judged by the content of her character (or lack thereof) because she has already been judged and deemed flawless because of her race (and gender). I think that the way she ruled in the New Haven Firefighter’s case should disqualify her from being a judge let alone on the Supreme Court! Here is a link to the left’s defense of her on this case, no matter how you spin it, it’s still a bunch of bunk.

On the bright side, to finish this post on a positive note, my recent outlook has been very optimistic. I have faith that good people everywhere will begin to unite and draw the line very clearly where they stand. At that point the “tent” under which they stand will grow bigger, not because the good people compromise their values to meet others half way, but because they stand firm until others recognize that they share the same values and then they will flock to the tent regardless of the color of their skin. In that day, Martin Luther King’s dream will be a reality.

You Are Not Forgotten

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots...

-Thomas Jefferson, 1787


More than 1.3 million Americans have fought and died on behalf of our country during the past 233 years. Except for Afghanistan and Iraq, those wars have receded into the pages of history books. But our country was not built on history books. It was built on the backs of men and women who believed in the fundamental principles of freedom – principles for which they were willing to put their lives on the line.



I recently had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery while TDY to Washington D.C. Buried there are more than 300,000 Americans who gave their lives defending the freedom of others. It is just one of many cemeteries around the world where we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

On Memorial Day, we owe these people more than a day off of work, a backyard barbecue, or a day at the water park. I plan to stop wherever I am and whatever I am doing on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. for the National Moment of Remembrance. I hope you will too. Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made and the lives lost in the name of freedom.

Our history is full of stories of ordinary people who displayed extraordinary heroism. No doubt our future holds more amazing stories of heartache and heroism. Some of those stories are playing out now in current conflicts around the world. These are stories that bind us together, as one, under the Stars and Stripes of the United States of America. They’re the stories of real people whose loved ones suffered and mourned. Let us never forget to honor them all.