Napster Relics Must Go

I'm currently going through my MP3 list and attempting to single out all the ones I once downloaded from the original free Napster. I'm methodically deleting them. I can't live with the idea of having illegal downloads--it kind of gnaws at the conscience, pestering me to get rid of them, which I intend to do.

I guess the reason I'm doing so is because it doesn't take much waffling in any area to find yourself on a slippery slope, and I'm climbing off that slope, one measly step at a time. Give it a try. You'll be happy you did.

Climbing Denali

I've been mulling over trying to climb our nation's (and continent's) highest peak...Denali in Alaska, a.k.a. Mt. McKinley. I just got some info from a guy at bogley.com who was a guide there for quite a few years. It looks like it's feasible if I can come up with the money to do it. It looks like it'll cost $7000 to $8000 when it's all said and done, counting the guide, the equipment, the flights to and from Alaska and everything else. I think I'm going to have to sell a book first before I'll be able to do it. That and get a bunch of practice climbing in between now and then. I guess I'll make those two things my goals: climbing a bunch of mountains, and getting a book published. And if anyone wants to come along, let me know.

The Guitar Life: Starting Back In

I've made up my mind that I need to get back to my guitar playing with a lot more dedication. I've just been letting it slide, maybe doing too many other things that kept me from playing. I'm working a lot of ten hour days now and that really has cut into my free time, so I need to be more organized. I'm thinking that if I prioritize things I can get them done more to my liking. I really want to become a good player, so I need to dedicate more time to it. If not now, when?

My New Article at Examiner.com

So, my new article "Winter Camping: Eight Tips to Staying Warm" is up. Check it out and let me know what you think on the comment section at the bottom.

Barack Obama is a God

Many people have come to look at our President as some kind of god-like figure. They seem to almost worship him. Even songs have been written about him that seem to deify him. I've actually come to believe that he is god like. He's like Loki. According to Norse mythology, Loki was a trouble-maker and represented change and chaos. Sounds like our esteemed leader a bit, doesn't it?

I Can't Stand You. Prepare to Be Silenced.

In the midst of listening to the Michael Medved Show today, I was floored by what I heard. Medved was talking with a spokesman for the Alliance Defense Fund about the new hate crime legislation that is awaiting the President's signature when a female caller called in. She stated that she was a lesbian and proceeded to state that anybody who said homosexuality was immoral, was wrong and should go to prison for saying such things. Medved continued to query her about freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but the woman went on saying that no, if someone denies that homosexuality is good, they should have to do time. Medved said, and I'm paraphrasing, "so you think that someone who stands up before their congregation in a church and preaches that one man and one woman is the only way a marriage should be, that person should got to prison for saying that?" The woman replied, "I most certainly do."

That's the way of people on the left, isn't it? If your opinion doesn't agree with theirs, you are in need of some jail time. You are the most hideous person on the earth for stating what you believe. I don't know about you, but to me, that sounds like the old Soviet Union or Castro's Cuba. Funny, I kind of liked the old America that I grew up with, where people could say anything they wanted and not have to worry about the thought police corralling them and jailing them for the crime of speaking their minds.

On the Eve of the Utah Elk Hunt

I remember several years ago when I went on my first elk hunt. I had been lucky enough to draw out for a cow tag. As the hunt progressed, I found myself in a clearing, watching and waiting for some elk to come through. It wasn't long before I heard the cracking of brush, and the sound of many large animals coming directly toward me through the trees. They broke into the clearing and I aimed my 30-30 at a nice, fat cow, then pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. It suddenly dawned on me that I had failed to jack a shell into the chamber. By the time I now did so, the elk heard me and took off at a run. I fired a shot at a running elk, but missed, and then they were gone, over the ridge.
I can look back and laugh at that now, but at the time I was kicking myself for missing a golden opportunity. I guess the moral of the story is, when opportunity knocks, we need to be ready.

My Outdoor Articles

So, I'm writing these articles on the outdoors for examiner.com. I hope you'll take a look and subscribe, or comment and let me know how you like them. They can be found here: clicky-clicky

Utah's Budget Shortfall

Utah Governor, Gary Herbert seems to be on the right track when he says: "I think raising taxes at a time of economic downturn is absolutely the wrong thing to do. We want to grow the economy, we want to stimulate opportunity in the business community. To put taxes of any kind on top of a repressed market would have, I think, the negative result of actually repressing the economy even more and styming the ability for us to turn the corner."

I hope he sticks with it. To raise taxes to cover our bases is what California has routinely done, and look at their economy. Better to cut things to the bone now, and hope thing get better in the future to avoid the upward spiral of more and more taxes to cover more and more services, or even to cover current services. In my family, when we can't afford something, we don't do it. Utah should do the same.

The Power of Good Health

A few months ago, a good friend of mine and I were discussing exercise. Somewhere in the conversation, my friend said, "But you like to run, I don't." I replied back that, no, I don't like to run. I like being healthy. There is a difference between liking exercise and liking the benefits of exercise. I exercise because it allows me to remain young, to do things most people my age cannot, or won't go through the effort to accomplish. Here's an example. On Saturday, I ran my first 5k race in 13 years. My time was 25:15--not world class, but it was within one minute of times I ran 14-15 years ago. I guess my message is, start to day to turn back the clock. You'll be glad you did.

Who's Your Daddy?

I continue to be surprised and chagrined at the number of people who want the government to provide all things for them. It's as if they want the feds to be their "daddy", instead of working hard to be successful on their own. Whatever happened to the can-do spirit of America? Now we seem to be saying, I can't make it on my own. I need help. I need to rob from Peter to pay Paul. The government under the U.S. Constitution, was never meant to be like that. I think we have a large percentage of Americans who would advocate for throwing away the Constitution if they really understood what it meant.

It's frightening, really, what's happening within our government right now. Banks being taken over by the feds, Barack Obama passing out handouts with no means to pay for them. The largest deficit spending in history---four times the amount spent during the Bush administration.

This administration is quickly becoming the worst in American history.

So, who's your daddy? Do you have the courage to stand up for the principles that were set forth on this continent more than two centuries ago? Or will you let the country slide into socialism, where all of us are taken care of by a benevolent government, but none of us has any further reason to try and excel? Think about it.

Miss California Gets Slammed for Answering Honestly

When Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was asked the question regarding whether or not she believed in "gay marriage" and answered honestly, and bravely that no she did not, the outcry from the left was deafening. She is so hateful some said, what an intolerant person. Now, it seems, you can't even voice your opinion without being taken to the cleaners for doing so. I, for one, am glad she had the courage to answer that question honestly. And what a ridiculous question it was any way. I don't watch beauty pageants, but some of the low-lifes they have on those panels tick me off in their smugness. I hope brave people will continue to speak out for what is right. The term "marriage" means a man and a woman joined together in matrimony. If two men or two women want to have the same kind of relationship, it needs to be called something else. Sort of like, we shouldn't call a cow a dog.

We Need Background Checks Now

In light of California Angel's young pitcher, Nick Adenhart's death because of a drunk driver, and the thousands of other deaths caused by inebriation, I propose that all those wishing to purchase alcoholic beverages be first asked to provide their thumb print. This thumb print could then be run through a national database to find out if the potential buyer had anything in his or her background, such as an arrest for DUI, or any kind of obnoxiousness or disturbing the peace complaints. This person would then be denied the ability to buy the alcohol. As it is currently, anyone over the age of 21, and sometimes younger, can purchase alcoholic beverages, no questions asked. Many of these same people go out and drink, and injure or kill innocent people on the roads.

I'd also like to apply this to cell phone users who've been ticketed for traffic accidents that occurred while texting or talking and driving at the same time. These people should be stripped of their cells and forced to use only land lines or pay phones.

Hiking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Saturday morning, myself, my son, and my son-in-law went on a small hike along the old Lake Bonneville Shoreline Trail. The part we were on was from Bountiful to Centerville, but the trail is actually much longer than that. I basically stumbled upon one geocache, then I pulled out the GPS and found out which one it was. We hadn't started looking for any of them yet, but after I wandered off in the trees, I turned around and there it was. We found two others that I had downloaded the coordinates for earlier that morning.
The hike itself was pleasant, although I think I'd much rather be up among the pines and quakies somewhere--or even above timberline. Oh well, that's still a couple of months away. It was just nice to get out.

What the #!%**@ is happening to our country?

I don't know about you, but I'm peeved, frustrated, and wanting a bunch of people impeached. This bailout/stimulus package is horrifying beyond belief for the future of our country. The people in control are sending the future of our children and grandchildren out the window--either through unparalleled debt, run away inflation (perhaps their plan to solve the debt), and socialism. The New Deal never worked when FDR tried it, and throwing the nation into horrendous debt because its citizens are over their heads in debt will not solve any thing either. Better to let people fall, then help them pick up the pieces.
Frankly I can't believe enough people were bamboozled by the Democrats to allow this to happen. But I see it on several fronts. Those who were tired of Bush cutting taxes and at the same time raising expenditures, the unpopularity of the Iraq war (fueled by many, but not all Richard, members of the press) and those who wanted to make history by helping to elect the first black president. Heck, I have no problem with electing a black president, but we should've made sure he wasn't a socialist before doing so. We should've looked at his campaign promises and seen the light, we should have realized that with Nancy Pelosi in charge of the House, that a veritable cornucopeia of socialist programs would make it through as a blank check to be signed by President Obama.
Then there are those who wouldn't vote for McCain because he's liberal for a Republican, supposedly. So instead, they voted for a third party candidate, helping to ensure the election of the most liberal regime in American history. I hope you can one day justify this to your grandbabies. Warren Buffet said that the stock market was in a shambles the other day. He was right, but not complete. The country is in a shambles. Hold on to your hats, it's a long ride down. I hope in the next few years we can see this as a wake up call and make the changes necessary before it becomes too late--if it isn't already.

And Here's Another Uinta Photo

This is my son Ben and I atop King's Peak, Utah's highest point.

View from Bald Mountain

Here's one of my Uinta pictures, a view from landmark, Bald Mountain.

Not to Leave Out the Uinta Mountains

I have recently added a group on Facebook called "High Uinta Lovers". The Uintas are a unique mountain range that runs east and west in the northeast corner of Utah. They are stunning and Utah's highest point, King's Peak, can be found within these rugged peaks. I will post a picture here, but if you go to the Facebook page, there is already a link to some amazing pictures of the Uintas.

Thinking About the Mountains

Wow, the Wasatch Mountains are beautiful when they're snow covered. Actually, they're stunning any time of year. I love living near them and am impatiently awaiting spring, so that I can once again traverse their wooded paths and climb their rugged peaks. I'm not looking forward to the annual inversions that we have around here, that obscure my view of those fantastic spires. The lower photo is of the Big Cottonwood Canyon area, covered in snow, shrouded in clouds. I have a better winter picture somewhere--I'll just have to dig it up. The photo on the right is Sun Dial Peak, with Lake Blanche in the foreground.

The Puppet President Begins?

Barack Obama's naming of Leon Panetta as CIA director can only be interpreted as a cave in to the extreme left. Why else would the President-Elect name someone with zero experience to head the organization charged with finding out plots against America and Americans? It's not only a huge risk for America, but a huge risk for Obama as well, for if American's are attacked and killed because of an intelligence gaffe, he and Panetta will be squarely to blame. Unbelievable, that at a time when terrorism plots and attacks are at their highest, our new President selects a rookie for the job.

What Will You Do in the New Year?

I'm thinking I might actually try and achieve something this year. Like last night I asked my friend Boyd, who is an artist, if he'd be willing to try and illustrate my cowboy Christmas poem "The Cowboy's Mile", and he said, "sure". I'm thinking it might do best if we put together the book, and then try and sell it. I'm not really much of a self-publishing fan, but I'm thinking in this case, it's a book that needs to be seen first, gather a following, and then it may just take off. At least that's what I'm hoping.
Another thing I want to do this year is work on becoming a better musician. To do that I have to be organized and that isn't my strong point. I am one of the five most disorganized people on the face of the earth. That may be an exaggeration, but it's not much of one. Anyway, I plan on playing my guitar and banjo daily, on a regular schedule in order to accomplish this goal. I've already printed out some free daily schedules. All I need to do is fill them in.
I will become a better writer this year. Whether or not I will actually sell something this year is questionable--back to those organizational skills----but I will write a lot, and I will improve. I will learn how to be a better newsletter editor. I'm the current editor for The Lariat, which is the newsletter for the League of Utah Writers, and I just completed my first one in November. It's a quarterly newsletter, so the next one is coming up soon.
I will do several hikes, mostly in Utah. I love hiking and seeing things, so I will also do some road trips, or maybe a flight or two, though flying isn't really my thing.
I think that's about enough for one year, though it won't be all. There are home projects and church assignments, family gatherings and all sorts of fun and exciting stuff awaiting me in 2009. I hope the same is in store for you.

The Utes Rip the Tide

It wasn't supposed to happen. The University of Utah Utes were supposed to lose to the vaunted Alabama Crimson Tide. At least, that's what all the "experts" said would happen. But it didn't. Millions of stunned fans watched as the Utes jumped out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back. For those of us who are Utah fans, even though the lead looked good, we worried. In earlier games this season, Utah had rushed to an early lead, only to see that lead crumble in the second half, pulling miracles out of nowhere to get some of their victories. No miracle was needed this night! And my family and I watched and waited for the experts to eat their crow. And they did. Already though, the excuses are happening. Alabama's offensive line was missing its best player is being heard time and again. Funny, but they knew he was missing before the game and they still thought Utah would get crushed. Stop making excuses and start realizing that Utah belongs with the big boys.

Bird Watcher

Our first cat, Ralph, was a true hunter. Even in winter, he dreamed of being out there, catching prey.
Ralph died about four years ago of squamous-cell carcinoma--caught from too much sun exposure. Well, actually he was dying from it when we had him put to sleep. But he was a great cat with superb feline reflexes.
This is looking out the south window of our house. The trees are quakies, and I believe the birds are finches.

This was me, just after finding my first geocache. I'm looking kind of bald in this picture, but it's only because my Peruvian hat was pushed back. This is in Arizona, on the slopes of Mt. Graham.

Out Near Middle-of-Nowhere

This is near my home in Middle-of-Nowhere. The mountains in the background are the Oquirrh Mountains, and the mine is Bingham Copper Mine.

This is Scout.

Scout was named after the little girl in "To Kill a Mockingbird", one of my wife's favorite films. Scout's actually a pretty cool cat--she rarely brings home mice, but I think our previous cat did more than his share in that area. Anyway, in this picture, Scout is looking out our front window.
More pics to come.

Conservatives Are Nicer Than Liberals

Okay, okay. I know you're out there cursing at me, saying how ignorant I am about the reality of it all. I mean, don't conservatives want to keep the poor from getting food and shelter? Don't conservatives want to take away rights for gays to get married? Aren't conservatives more often than not, in favor of capital punishment? Well, the answers are a bit more complex than that. Conservatives want to feed the poor, but they want to do it by private donations, not tax dollars. We believe that the best form of charity is that that is given willingly, and not forced upon us by a tax increase. In my second example, yes, conservatives are much more in favor of not changing the definition of marriage to include two people of the same sex. Marriage, by definition, is the union between two members of the opposite sex. On the other hand, most conservatives are in favor of extending gay couples all the legal rights that married couples have--a position with which gay entertainer, Elton John, concurs.
Finally the third example--capital punishment. Yes, conservatives by and large, are much more interested in seeing vicious murderers, or even child rapists, killed. Conservatives are much more interested in using punishment to "fit the crime" instead of using it to rehabilitate the offender.
So that brings us to, why I think liberals are meaner. This is why: because they use every means possible to push their agenda upon the country--including enlisting the press. Despite contrary protests, it is a given fact that there were more positive news stories about Barack Obama, and more negative news stories about John McCain in the days leading up to the recent Presidential election. Liberals also regularly complain about their rights being violated, but when a majority of citizens of California voted for Proposition 8, the liberals on the left were the first to try and take away these citizens rights to vote for something they believed in. Liberals are in favor of free speech, as long as it's their free speech and not conservative free speech--just see how many of them want the "Fairness Doctrine" implemented.

I think Americans as a whole worry too much about what the rest of the world thinks of us---and the vast majority of Americans focus too much on the press and how it interprets the way things are going in the country. Worrying too much about a national self-image is going to lead to the demise of our country. We need to forget about it.

It's Crunch Time

Thomas Jefferson once said, "And to preserve their independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude." How true that appears now, as we look back with perfect vision hindsight. Did the Founders have vision to last through the ages, or was the document and nation they created, an entity destined to last only a couple of centuries? I've watched the march through history, the increasing intrusiveness of the welfare state, the plodding toward the removal of "freedom of speech" from our society, the steady trudging away from that divine document, and toward a "living and breathing" interpretation which allows for nearly any kind of change of the original intent.
Sad to see that our nation, once proud and free, is quickly becoming a mirage of her former self, our freedoms ripped from us with ever increasing frequency as we march toward socialism with slumbering steps. Should we haste its demise with a poor election choice, or try to slow the collapse with a one that might not be perfect, but might stall the slippage of our liberty. You make the call.

The Failing American Press

The institutions which the Founders of our great country thought would protect us against the corruption of government, namely our newspapers and other sources of news, have become the American equivalent of Pravda. I don't say this lightly, but the news sources of today have become left-wing propaganda machines, many of them openly routing for Obama to win the presidency. Pravda Amerika now rules the roost and has played a huge role in this year's election. I haven't seen a single investigational report on Barack's ties to Bill Ayres. Not one. And if anyone tries to bring it up, it's pooh poohed as bringing up the past. "Forget about that," they seem to say, "we've got a black man running for president for the first time. A legitimate candidate at least."
Which brings up my next point. Why are we so concerned about skin color in this country? Many are voting for Obama only because he's black and it's time for a black man to be president so we can prove to the world how far we've come as a nation. Have we become so insecure that we need to vote in thisblack man? The other day someone I heard on a radio program made the analogy that if O.J. Simpson were somehow running for president, would people vote for him simply because he's a black man? I find that ludicrous. Vote for a person because you agree with him or her politically, not because he's black, white, or because she's a woman. Think instead of immersing yourselves in the constant blathering of Dancing With the Stars, House, or American Idol. This isn't some kind of popularity contest, or a game we're playing here. It's the future of our society as we know it.
Another thing that's troubling me is that too many people are letting their emotions rule the way they're voting. They're angry because of the economy, or the war, or whatever else. Wow, I let me anger rule my decision once, and I threw a lawn spreader and then needed surgery. That's the kind of thing that impulsive emotion gets you. Think and reason calmly. Turn off the cell phones, the video games, the TV, and make an informed decision. It will be the best thing you could do for your country.

Congressional Wimps Fighting to Save Our Country and Their Votes

The recent financial crisis in the U.S. Is the result of several years of neglect and greed. Neglect by the very people we vote in to protect us from things like that, and greed of the banking and mortgage industry in trying to bring in every possible dollar from every prospective home buyer. Once again our do-nothing Congress has let something slide that should've been handled years ago. Looming on the horizon is the Social Security crisis, which Congress again refuses to do anything about, and the illegal immigrant crisis---again, Congress neglecting their responsibility. Though there are a few good and courageous members of Congress, for the most part, they are a collection of moral cowards whose soul goal of staying permanently in office precludes them from making any hard decisions that might alienate voters. And now it has brought us to the verge of a financial meltdown. Thanks cowards. I appreciate all you've done for the future of my children and grandchildren. Geez I wish I had the money to run for Congress.

Can George Blanda Still Kick It?

George Blanda turned 81 on September 17th. Fans of the NFL know who Blanda is, but for the uninitiated, he was once a quarterback/placekicker for first, the Chicago Bears, second the Houston Oilers, and third, the Oakland Raiders. Blanda once threw for 7 touchdowns in a game, while with the Oilers, and became the oldest player in the NFL. I remember him kicking field goals when in his fifties. I wonder if old George could still kick it now. He's probably out there practicing a kick or two.

Which of course brings up the question, how long should we be doing things like sports and other activities? And the answer, as long as we want. As long as we like what we're doing, there's no reason to stop other than injury. So my message is--keep following your dreams.

Authentication

Okay, this is here for authentication purposes only: Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Why We Vote

A few weeks ago I heard one woman, being interviewed by a reporter say that she couldn't decide if she was going to vote for Obama, because he's black, or if she'd vote for Hillary, because she's a woman. Wow. I wonder whatever happened for voting someone because you believe in their policies. No wonder our country is in trouble if we vote for some based upon the color of their skin, or their sex. Or maybe even voting for a particular candidate seems the popular thing to do. That really saddens me. We already have enough of the do-nothing types working for our federal government without voting for people for the wrong reasons. Just my take.

Sorry for the Length Between Posts

Well, we had a wedding in May (my son Ben got married), and then in May all of us got sick, especially my wife who ended up in the ICU for 8 days with pneumonia and 11 total days in the hospital beginning June 2nd. So it's been a harried last couple of months and posting to my blog hasn't been tops on my list. I hope to post on a continuous basis now.

One thing I'd like to mention is the best banjo players website. That's banjohangout.org
It's got great tips for the beginner to the experienced banjo player. I'll be posting more later, probably tomorrow. I feel the need to vent.

China Demands Apology

Well, well, well. China has demanded an apology from CNN's Jack Cafferty for calling them "thugs and goons". Here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/15/cnn.china/index.html

Cafferty should apologize. He should apologize for not calling them thieves and murderers as well. I'm going to apologize for him. China, I'm sorry that you poisoned people in Latin America, by cutting costs. I'm sorry you murdered those people. China, I'm sorry you put lead in many products you shipped to America and around the world. I deeply apologize for that. I'm sorry that you fill the air with more pollution than any country in existence. I feel real bad that you swindle software makers by not cracking down on software piracy. I'm sorry you are using the Olympics as a propaganda tool, reminiscent of the Nazi propagand machine of the 1930s. I'm sorry you keep killing children if they aren't male. I'm sorry you oppress millions, including, but not limited to those who dare protest in Tienemen Square, and the people of Tibet.
Hey China--if one of your blue-coated thugs tried to brutally stop me from getting too close to the Olympic torch in my own country, he'd be in the hospital. I'd apologize for that of course.

The Cowards of the Country

Once again Congress shows its spinelessness in passing a huge budget without reductions in earmarks. Our beloved representatives also would pass on to us an increase in taxes, again, failing to reduce spending. Here's a related article from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-03-13-senate-tax_N.htm?csp=34
Of course, what else is new with the Cowards of the Country?

Now everyone considered them
the cowards of the country.
They never did one single thing
to prove the country wrong.


I can hear that tune now, as sung by Kenny Rogers. Just think of how our country would be if the federal government got back to Constitutional principles and only had their fingers in those things that they are supposed to have their fingers in. Geez, how did it get to this point? I'll tell you how. The do-gooders found an outfit that actually had the power to help everyone--at least so they think. Never mind that this isn't the responsibility of our government, but the responsibility of the citizens themselves. These are the same liberals that think society has more of a claim and responsibility for children than parents, and increasingly, the generational effect of this mindset is reaping its destruction amongst America's families. These are the same liberal, teacher's union supporting freaks that have taken away home-schooling rights from parents in California--creating a law in which parents who would teach their children at home must have a teaching degree. Never mind that many of the people who have such degrees couldn't teach a kid how to butter bread.
So with the cowards in charge, anything and everything is happening. And it ain't good.

We the Sheeple

I keep wondering what the attraction is for Barack Obama. He's done nothing to make anyone think he could be a good president. His one message is repeated constantly--albeit, it's a hopeful message, but what substance is there behind it? Have we become a nation that's so easily fooled into doing the foolish? Do we respond so readily to the emotion and enthusiasm of a train that is on tracks to who knows where, simply because he's a fresh face and speaks words of encouragement? Are we so bereft of our own optimism that we need to grab on to whatever form of optimism comes our way? We seem to have become a nation of unthinking, idol-worshipping, Hollywood idolizing, followers instead of people who spend some time thinking. Put away the cell phones, the ipods, the headphones, the American Idol, and actually do some thinking and looking at the issues as they really are. Stop following like sheep or lemmings some leader whom you know nothing about. I guess charisma is what drives people these days---instead of well-though out selections at the voter booth. May God save us all.

Now That's Funny!

I was listening to the Dennis Miller radio show the other day and a caller called in and said that Mike Huckabee reminded him of the black knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, because he virtually has no arms or legs and he's still trying to win. Funny!

For Some Good Music. . .

Consider listening to Blackmore's Night. It's a band formed by former Deep Purple Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, and features his wife (I forget her name), as the lead singer. It's really kind of an acoustic, classical band, very melodic and easy to listen to. Here's a youtube link, but you could also just go to youtube and type in the bands name yourself. Anyway, here's the link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7I49R72EnSQ

Super Tuesday - Fat Tuesday for McCain

So my thoughts on McCain taking a commanding lead in the Republican Primaries of Super Tuesday? Well, I'm a bit ambivalent on McCain. I vote for him, but in Utah, 90 percent voted for Romney, so I basically tossed my vote out into the wind. I think I'd have voted for Romney if he'd had any chance of beating Clinton or Obama. He just couldn't make himself well-known enough, and I think in large measure it was due to the negative campaign commercials he ran, instead of running strong ads that showed his strengths and his passion. He hasn't ever infused the public with any fire--there's nothing that he's laid out a strategy to accomplish. I feel bad for the guy, really. I think he's a good man. What I don't think is good is the number of Mormon bashers that are still out there. What a bunch of bigots.
Anyway, once this primary season settles down and McCain is firmly the Republican candidate, conservatives must unite behind him to stop whichever of the Democrats is nominated. Look at this for example. At American Conservative Union, McCain has a lifetime 82 rating, while Clinton's lifetime rating is 12, and Obama's is 8. That should be enough to scare you.

It Takes a Village

After the polls came out showing Barack Obama leading in the New Hampshire Primary, Hillary did an interview in which she appeared to nearly break down and cry. I'm not sure if she was going for the sympathy vote or not, but Hillary, never fear. If Obama wins, you can still be part of the village.

I used to be a big Mitt Romney supporter--and I still like the man. But one thing about me really bothers him--actually there are more than one, but this one disturbs me tremendously, and that is that he seems to get rattled very easily. I'm not sure I want a man at the head of the greatest nation on earth that gets easily rattled. My bet's on McCain for today's primary.

This political year is interesting. No one seems to be grabbing the primary season by the horns as of yet--though Obama has caused quite a stir. Still, remember Howard Dean in the last elections? He looked good to the dems at the beginning too--then he self-destructed.

When Bill O'Reilly moved a really big dude out of the way of his cameraman the other day, I thought it was actually a good thing. All other major news services were having no problems taking footage of Obama--so why was this Barack supporter trying to keep Fox from filming his guy? That's in violation of Constitutional principles guy.

Whazzup?

Hey, I'm just thinking about the whole Christmas thing. I'm a mail carrier, and often find the Christmas season to be stressful and hard to take. I've often thought about quitting the postal service so that I can begin liking Christmas as I once did long ago. It was like that this year too. But then the last couple of days I've had some things happen to me that have changed my perspective just a bit. Last night I was able to go to Temple Square with my wife and my RM (Returned missionary). We checked out a few of the displays and of course, the lights. What a beautiful night it was. We had taken Traxx, which is our public light rail system, downtown and as we waited to return, the three of us broke out into some Christmas carols. An older couple who were standing next to us commented on how good we sounded. Maybe it was the attitude of the people around us, or perhaps it was the act of spontaneously singing, or even the company I was with, but somehow that feeling of stress that had predominated the last couple of weeks fled, and I was left feeling exhilarated.
And then again, maybe that's what God wants me to feel this time of year and perhaps the whole year. As I further contemplated life, I felt the greatest sense that He is involved in our lives and cares about us as individuals. I know He lives. I know this. I know Jesus Christ atoned for our sins that we could live with Him again. I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true and that Gordon B. Hinckley is our living prophet today.
Those things that I know give me comfort in this world of turmoil and sin.

w00t ain't a word, irregardless of Meriam Webster

The internet word w00t, that's "w" followed by two zeros and a "t" has been named "Word ऑफ़ the Year" by Meriam-Webster. Check this link: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071211-the-wisdom-of-crowds-w00t-voted-word-of-the-year.html However, this "word" isn't really. English words can only be created using the 26 letters of the alphabet. A zero isn't a letter. If I can't spell it using Scrabble tiles or Boggle cubes, it ain't a word.

Racial Hatred in Louisiana

The recent racial tensions that have erupted in Jena, Louisiana show that some of us in America aren’t all that far removed from the tenets of radical Islam. Think of what spawns incidents such as these–it is the way children continue to be raised to hate. In much the same way that Wahabism is preached to the school children of Saudi Arabia, so too racial hatred is still preached in many homes across the south and other areas of our country. Shame on all of you who continue to build hate instead of bridges. Shame on you for your shortsighted doctrine that only leads to bloodshed and violence and never to peace. One day, you will grow up and become a caring human being. Until then, shame on you.

And Now a Proud Grandpa Brags

Here are a couple of pics of my two grandchildren. . .That's Gillian with the Easter basket, and the other cutie is Anna.

A Visit to the Shrine

On July 4th, my wife Ann and I visited one of my family's old hunting grounds. I added a postscript to my dad's old "Roe Clan" tree. Here's the pic:

Here's a Picture of My Son Sam

That's him on the right. The other two people are President and Sister Ringwood of the Korea Seoul West Mission.

Here's a Picture of My Son Ben

This is Ben on his mission in Peru.

Death of a Good Man

My dad died Sunday, June 24th. Here's my journal entry from Monday: My dad died yesterday. For genealogy purposes, it was June 24, 2007. I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet. It’s hard to have your father die. I keep thinking about him and all the things he did, and the places we went together and that kind of thing. He died of a heart attack, and I think that’s what it would have had to have been to kill him as he had a big heart. He may not have gone to church, and he may have actually turned against religion, but he was good to his family and he had reasons why he turned away from God. His life was mixed up in some ways, and I think those ways formed him in the way he was—kind at times, rough at other times, smart, yet letting reason and intellect get in the way of intuition and allowance for there being a God. In many ways he was heroic, but in some ways, he was childish. Like all of us, he had his moments of greatness–and his moments of blackness. I loved him, but disagreed with him on any number of important issues.
Dad was the finest hunter and fisherman I knew. He knew more about the woods and the wildlife in them than most people who have ever lived. He knew how to make things with his hands–he was a very creative person, one who figured out how to do things and then did them. I think everyone close to him has something that he gave to them that he created. He was generous, and thought little of his money, thought of it as a means to share good times with his family and others—not as something to horde for a future time. He lived life big and he lived life hard at times, but he was my dad, and by golly, I’m going to miss him.

The NBA Playoffs part two

It looks like I was right about Cleveland finishing off Detroit. Now the question is, will the Spurs win in a sweep, or will Cleveland somehow squeak out a win or two? Only time will tell.