Climb On

Landon is the cutest boy ever, but he's exhaustingly 100% boy. He's a monkey and climbs up everything and everywhere. For which he is usually being told "Get down!" So he quickly warmed up to the idea of us telling him to climb everything. When we left we hadn't even got to the car and he wanted to know if we could come back the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that.

It took two hours of climbing to finally wear him out. His mom wants me to take him more often. And he loved the "squishy" floor.

#18, Awareness

According to #18 on Stuff White People like, I am white. However, in my defense, I am not looking for the government to fix this issue, nor am I having a benefits dinner, I just found this problem interesting/appalling and sadly true.

I read this article on Today called "Grade-school Lolita: 'So Sexy so soon'" and was scared about the issues facing children. Yes, despite the things cited in the article, they are still children. But the best part of the article was at the end where it so truthfully proclaims, "Each of these stories has a lot to do with sex and sexuality. But they also have implications — that go far beyond sex — for children’s overall development, attitudes, and behavior...We also see examples of the objectification of oneself and others as both girls and boys learn that how you look rather than who you are determines the value others place on you. Unfortunately, it’s not a very big leap from this kind of objectification to a range of unhealthy emotional consequences such as eating disorders and depression."

Thank you Dove, for shedding light on the real issues facing girls. And the root of so many other problems.

This one, "Amy," is my favorite, the second one, "Onslaught," I think is the most telling.

My dad is usually right

My dad just read my blog and said I need to go on another trip so I blog about something other than politics. He's right, I do need to go on another trip. Don't worry, I do have a few planned. But I think his comment was as good as saying he'd like to help pay for one of these trips. Right dad, right?!

p.s. Don't be discouraged by the length of the previous post, it's really good!

If Mormons really had clout, Romney would have won

Yes, I'm still fascinated (strong word, but still probably an understatement) with the whole Prop 8 "saga" for lack of a better word. How could I not be? It involves my home of California and all my family and friends, on both sides of the issue. In addition, since the election, my church has been the target of unjustified hatred, abuse, and--dare I say--intolerance.

We are beginning to see the truth in what Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon cited back in 2004 during the same-sex marriage debate in Massachusetts, ''the experience in other countries reveals that once these arrangements become law, there will be no live-and-let-live policy for those who differ. Gay-marriage proponents use the language of openness, tolerance, and diversity, yet one foreseeable effect of their success will be to usher in an era of intolerance and discrimination...The ax will fall most heavily on religious persons and groups that don't go along."

All around us, we see the ax falling, trying to use fear to silence religious groups. George W. Dent, Jr., wrote of this conflict in the Kentucky Law Journal, "[T]his war is not amenable to compromise. [T]he goal of the gay movement is not primarily economic; most gays already have above-average incomes. The goal, rather, is approval of homosexuality as legally and socially equal to heterosexuality. Because of the tremendous influence of religion in America , this goal cannot be achieved unless religious groups either surrender, thus affirming this equality or, at least, those that do not are reduced to a despised minority compelled to keep its views to itself. In other words, the goal of the gay movement is to confine its opponents in the closet."

This letter is from Kevin Hamilton, an LDS seminary teacher, and cited in an excellent article written by the author Orson Scott Card. It speaks of reason and hope concerning the Latter-Day Saints' involvement in Prop 8. For those who question our involvment, read on:

"In the aftermath of the recent election, we may find ourselves oddly on the defensive regarding our support for the Yes on Proposition 8 cause. Our young people have been especially subject to mean spirited comments by high school friends and teachers. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We did nothing wrong. In fact, we did everything that a civic minded American can and should do. I have put together a few facts that help me to appreciate our position better. For example:

1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.

2. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8. (And I would add my home county of Solano)

7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8

8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims – all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The Church has always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do – we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted.

Hold your heads up high – you did a great job on this most important cause. We will have more opportunities in the future to participate in our democratic process. Let's remember the lessons learned and do an even better job next time. "

p.s. Bring on the Utah boycott. We really don't care if CA liberals boycott Utah liberals at Sundance, or save all the good powder for us at the resorts this winter.

Hap Hal Birt Da

Because half birthdays are just as important as regular ones. And I'll always celebrate them.

The founding fathers are frowning

I'm politically annoyed again. I don't want my blog to become one of those rant blogs. So instead of viewing this as ranting, lets say it's informative. The information is just too good to keep to myself. My last post was dedicated to supporting our new president, who I didn't vote for, but because that is the way this country works. And that is what is great about it.

You know the generation of people who grew up playing T-ball where they didn't keep score, or science fairs where everyone got a "participant" award? The generation that thinks there are no winners and losers. Now that this generation (admittedly my generation, but I'm not proud) is in the grown up world, where there are losers, they have found if they complain enough they can get their way. So where are these all-winners-no-losers T-ball players and science fair contestants? They're busy demonstrating and protesting the election results from Prop 8.

It is so frustrating and discouraging to see all the demonstrations and law-suits in California right now. Our country is great because of democracy, but it seems that the same principles that allow one to demonstrate and speak your voice are being attacked. This in no longer a civil rights issue (as the No supporters claim) or a moral issue (as the Yes supporters claim). I'm not even sure what "issue" to call it. But it has become an attack on the democratic way. They are trying to supersede the checks and balances in our country that protect it from "tyranny by the minority."

Back in June when they began performing same sex marriage, there were no demonstrations from those who didn't agree with it. They did things the American way. They put a measure on the ballot to see what the people think about it. Although it was close, the people spoke, again, against gay marriage.

This was written after June, but before the election obviously:
"If gay marriage advocates want to change the definition and institution of marriage, they should have to put a ballot measure before the voters to do so, in order to have this vital matter be decided by the vote of the people. That’s how we do things in America. And we did that! In November 2000 over 61% of Californians voted in favor of Proposition 22 to reaffirm that only man-woman marriage would be valid or recognized in California. But what radicals can’t accomplish by legal means, they try to do by extra-legal ones. They went behind the backs of the voters and convinced four activist judges in San Francisco to redefine marriage for all of society. That violates the principal of majority rule, a rule which safeguards democracy. We cannot let that happen."

And now, it happens again. California voted, but because it didn't go in the favor of the minority, they will continue to side-step the law to get what they want. The generation that doesn't want to believe that they can't have everything they want are trying to overrule the majority. These are not the principles that make America great, and this is not how life works.

I still contest that this is a moral issue, but that doesn't seem to matter to most.

And after I wrote all that, I found this letter to the editor in the San Francisco Chronicle, and I think he says it much better than I did. But I spent too long writing that do just delete it in lieu of this:

"Democracy thwarted

Editor - Regarding "Legal challenges: Same-sex marriage issue back in high court" (Nov. 6) Please, please, please! Somebody correct me if I'm wrong - but isn't the point of voting that the citizens vote, the votes are counted, tallied and the majority declared?

How can I respect anyone's wishes to marry, when they don't want to respect the voters in California (in 2000 and now in 2008) and the very fibers of democracy?

Why are we spending millions of dollars and countless hours of energy when supporters of same-sex marriage continue to use up valuable resources to fight something that the majority already voted down? I support anyone in their quest to find a lifestyle of their own, but I do not support any group that is so blatantly defiant of democracy. If a vote is put forward, both sides must honor and abide by the outcome. Otherwise what's the point?"
-ALDEN OLMSTED

I promise I won't post political stuff, at least for a few more, if I still have people reading, that it.

I'm Really Trying Not To Be A Sore Loser

Remember when I said I'm not one to talk politics? I've changed. Ugh, this election thing has gotten me very involved the more I realized how much things will affect me. I can't say it was a a horrible Tuesday, Proposition 8 passed, at least for now. But in related political news, ugh. I won't list the reasons I didn't vote for Obama, as I don't want counter arguments of why others voted for him and love him and worship him. I'm trying to a least see the good in him winning so I don't have to be angry for the next 4 years. And I'm trying to come up with genuine reasons, the satirical reasons were pretty easy to come up with. I'm looking for actual reasons. Here's what I've come up with, and others are welcome to add, in fact, the more reasons the better, but please no comments that are too pro-Obama. I'm already prone to vomitting.

Legitimate reasons I can tell myself I'm glad Obama won:

~We're still in a democratic country

~It's always fun to say, "See, I told you so."

~It will be fun to justify all the work I put into my food storage

~Democrats may stop blaming Republicans for EVERYTHING


~Mitt has a better chance next time (?)

~With a Congressional majority, the damage should happen quickly, no more worrying about what "could" happen

~No riots

~Good people with good intentions will stop being villianized

~No more Obama commercials

~I won't have to work extra shifts at work, no sense working more to be taxed more. Ah, socialism in action


And just for fun, another one of my favorite Colbert Reports...