First Friends!

Tommy's first good friend is our neighbor's boy, Simon. They've actually become pretty good friends over the past several months and they both know and remember each other quite well. I love going outside and seeing Tommy immediately run for their door, which he promptly begins knocking on, and repeating "Bimon, Bimon!" When they're not home, he'll still stay on their patio area and play and keep knocking on the door every few minutes. It makes me so excited to see Tommy get so happy to play with his friend. Alice and I truly believe that friends are part of the foundation to leading a fulfilling and happy life. Faith, family, friends, and freedom are the four primary keystones of our life. As such, I guess it simply makes me feel kind of good inside to know that blessings that come from those keystones are beginning to play a key role in Tommy's life, too. Seeing him play with Simon and the excitement he displays is a physical manifestation of what I hope is the internal development of a core character trait--the recognition that people outside of your immediate family can still bring you joy and even guidance. Good friends are truly a God send. Alice and I absolutely love our friends and seeing Tommy show his love for his first true friend has been very heartwarming and exciting.

Some Thoughts on Politics.....(hopefully more clear than politicians)

Having been inspired by my brother's recent post on the political situation of our nation, I'm going to offer some of my thoughts.

First off, I agree that the political situation in Washington has become dire...extremely dire. Our politicians have indeed become bogged down in selfishness and pandering to people with votes and money while trying to please every voting block possible by slipping ear marked projects through that squander our tax dollars on pointless programs that are never debated but simply slipped through on the back un-read pages of other more prominent bills. While I am optimistic about our great nation, I am pessimistic about the current situation in Washington....at least for the short term (5-10 years). The mess back there is much to big for any one politician to come sweeping in from Mt. Olympus as a god sent from heaven and suddenly throw a bolt of lightning and have everything be restored to peace and harmony. I don't ask for peace and harmony, that hasn't existed in the days of Washington ever. However, is it too much to ask for politicians that have respect for each other and agree to disagree? I'm sick of partisan politics that has sunk to the level of actually accusing others of being un-patriotic or not having the best intentions for this country at hand. I, for one, refuse to believe there's an entire party of politicians hell bent on ruining our great nation. A select few, perhaps, but none that I know of. What happened to actually acknowledging that our end goals are all the same, but we simply differ in how to achieve them?

As for the current candidates, this election has often been called one of choosing between the lesser of two evils. I agree somewhat to that comment in principal, but trying to be an optimist, I choose to rephrase that into choosing between who can do the most good and who is most in harmony with my political views. If you remove the exremities and leave just the core of Obama and McCain, I'm definitely a McCain man by virtue of the fact that I'm adamantly opposed to big government which I equate to intrusive, controlling, and beauracratic government. Not to mention a government that only serves to strengthen the freeloading population who believe that it's the government's responsibility to put their dinner on the table. While I believe government's should help people who can't help themselves, I do not believe they should cater to the habitually lazy and unmotivated. Figure out a program that does that and I'll buy you a free dinner (but only once). McCain was not my candidate of choice, but I certainly don't think Obama's a better politician because McCain admitted to not knowing how to send an email (as used in Obama's newest ad that came out today, claiming McCain is too old to bring change to Washington because he's simply out of touch).

As for thoughts on certain issues, here's a few:
Illegal Immigration: One of my #1 issues. Why? Because you solve this and a plethora of other problems suddenly become solved. I'm sick of paying skyrocketing insurance because illegals think a benefit of living in America is FREE health insurance. Hospitals are obligated to offer certain care to patients in need, and while I am not advocating not offering services to those in need (by ANY means), there needs to be accountability and fairness in paying for those services. Health care certainly has grave ailments because of the strain of illegals. The face of our education system is being completely changed. Fairness is blown out the window by those who believe that they can enjoy American benefits simply because God placed them next door while those who wish to legally enjoy American benefits go through a painstaking, drawn out process to legally become an American citizen. Having lived in Korea for 2 years, I know that their desire isn't any less than those in Mexico. Their necessity to come to America isn't any less, either. Let anyone who wishes to become a citizen line up and do it legally. And even then, once they get here, help them actually become a citizen by offering language assistance training so I'm not suddenly being issued a spanish driver's license. As for those who are here, I think it's totally asinine to advocate removing them in any way. Not only is it uncompassionate, it's unfeasible. I do, however, advocate a STRONG border enforcement including building a wall or whatever it takes to keep others from coming in. You've got to stop the flow before dealing with what's already in the tub.

TAXES: Has anyone out there heard of the FAIR TAX proposal that is currently before Congress? It abolishes the unconstitutional IRS as well as income taxes and replaces it with a consumption tax, allowing Americans to actually keep all they earn and only pay taxes when they choose to purchase a product. It is NOT a 23% or 30% tax increase as critics claim--that is ignorance of how it actually works or a blatant lie. I'll probably devote a whole post just to this pretty soon to offer more details. In the meantime, read more at fairtax.org

EDUCATION: I support the idea of school vouchers (at least the kind introduced in Utah last year and oddly defeated in such a conservative state). I do not believe the best education is a government controlled education. I believe parents should have a choice in what education their children receive, not being forced to use public education because they can't afford anything else. Competition breeds greatness, and I believe fair competition in the school system will breed better education. Let private schools become options for more families, not just the rich. I am a product of public education and believe it works in many cases. I hate it when people turn this into a "You support vouchers and thus are destroying public education" argument. My sister teaches in public schools and yes, they do much good and are filled with genuine teachers who care. Unfortunately, genuine teachers who care can only do so much when their hands are tied behind their backs by inadequate funding and government control over a system they have essentially monopolized for the poor and middle class in America.

NATIONAL SECURITY: Was I a proponent of the Iraq war? Yes. Did I come to that conclusion quickly, or simply becuause in Fall 2003 it was popular (at least for 73% of Americans)? No. I studied and even prayed for a while and came to genuinely believe it was best for the security of our country and others. I still support it. Yes, it could have been planned better. I do not advocate a blanket policy of pre-emptive strikes, but I do not advocate a policy of blanket defense which involves waiting to be hit and then fighting back. I believe America has a moral responsibility in the preservation of freedom and liberty, but the manner in which that is done should not give us the authority to walk willy-nilly into any country and depose its government. I agree with Regan on this issue, be strong and hope that is enough to deter others. Let them know we have the military and strength to basically blow them off the map if they mess with us. Peace through strength. Diplomacy first. Always wave your gun before shooting.

Yikes, this is longer than I thought, so I'll stop for now. More later!

A Fable from Franklin....

I am currently reading an excellent and lengthy biography of Benjamin Franklin entitled "The First American." One thing I love is that the author consistently uses Franklin's own words throughout the narrative, helping you feel you are truly getting to know Franklin himself. While I have read much that I could post here for it's truthfulness and universal applicability, I want to share one fable I especially loved that illustrates the futility of trying to please everyone (something too many people are loathe to do) and simply reiterates a fact I believe in and that is be yourself in a way that allows you to be content with your standing before God. If you can stand before the Great Judge with peace of mind, don't worry what anyone else has to say about you.

A certain well-meaning man and his son were traveling towards a market town, with an ass which they had to sell. The road was bad, and the old man therefore rode, but the son went afoot. The first passenger they met asked the father if he was not ashamed to ride by himself and suffer the poor lad to wade along through the mire; this induced him to take up his son behind him. He had not traveled far when he met others, who said they were two unmerciful lubbers to get both on the back of that poor ass, in such a deep road. Upon this the old man gets off and let his son ride alone. The next they met called the lad a graceless, rascally young jacka-napes to ride in that manner through the dirt while his aged father trudged along on foot; and they said the old man was a fool for suffering it. He then bid his son come down and walk with him, and they traveled on leading the ass by the halter; till they met another company, who called them a couple of senseless blockheads for going both on foot in such a dirty way when they had an empty ass with them, which they might ride upon. The old man could bear no longer. My son, he said, it grieves me much that we cannot please all these people. Let us throw the ass over the next bridge, and be no farther troubled with him.

One World, One Dream

Was anyone else blown away by the sheer perfection of the Olympic's opening ceremonies? The coordination of thousands of performers...walking in the right places, forming symmetrical lines and perfect shapes....all with no markings on the ground?!! China sure put on a great show....one that had us totally enthralled (at least until the drudgery of the Parade of Nations). Even Tommy was amazed! All the color and movement and sounds were enough to keep him entertained. I love these events every two years....essentially because they represent a global celebration of the human spirit, of doing one's best, and coming together despite differences to strive for a single goal that we all share--to be the best we can be. Despite China's turbulent 20th century, they were an amazing nation for several centuries before that. Having focused my studies on Modern 20th Century Chinese history, I know of some atrocities their leaders (namely Mao Zedong) have committed resulting in the deaths of over 50 million of his own people. But the Olympics are about coming together for an all too brief period of unity. And in doing this, one doesn't have to forgive the past and especially not forget it. Hosting the Olympics doesn't wipe away a nation's past blemishes, so people shouldn't act like the world is condoning China's mistakes simply because we do condone their sincere efforts to host a successful Olympic games. China has a long way to go.....and sadly I feel she will never recapture her diminished place of glory and honor among the elite nations of the world. But here's to now, to coming together, striving for a goal of one's best, and hoping for U.S. gold in Beijing!

We have a pulse....and are still alive

Guess what...our 4 month absence doesn't mean we were both suddenly incapacitated by a debilitating car accident. We've been around, living life like normal, just without updating our blog for a while. And for all 3 readers out there, we haven't forgotten you (especially considering that Alice and I account for two of those three readers....reader 3, who are you?). There's certainly been plenty to blog about, especially with Tommy and his astounding cuteness. That boy is awesome! Not to mention that we're in the heat of a presidential election, and the absolute wrong candidate for this country is leading in the polls. I guess that's because the past two months every major news outlet has forgotten there's more than one man in this race and has turned my television into "Obamavision." Oh yeah, and I've officially sworn off Wal-Mart since my last posting. Nothing to do with their crappy customer service....I've just done a lot of research into their overall affect on America's economy, America's citizens, and America's business ethics. I began ignoring most of it because some of their influences can be attributed simply to free enterprise, which I'm all for. I don't support any socialist programs or ideals. But Wal-Mart specifically......don't get me started now. Watch for a future post dedicated solely to that. Anyways, more later! Just wanted to provide a fresh breath of life to this blog.....reader 3 will be excited!

Oh happy day!

It seems we often only think of bad things happening all at once...well, good things can come all at once too! Within only a few days, Ryan, my brother, got sealed to his true love Jodi, I got an acceptance letter to George Washington University in D.C. (one of the highest rated graduate schools in history), AND Alice and I found out we are going to be having another baby that is due only two days before my birthday (the due date is Oct. 20)! Suffice it to say, we had a WONDERFUL weekend. We were initially filled with some trepidation over dealing with a possible move far away for graduate school while Alice is pregnant because her last pregnancy was awful. On top of that, simply changing locales to such a foreign location while preparing for another baby is quite overwhelming. Both incidents are major life changes and require significant emotional and financial investments. And after considering all this, now seems like the right time to remind ourselves that a life without difficulty is not a life worth living. How much the better can we become by sitting around doing only what is minimally required to simply keep us comfortable...to maintain the status quo? Anyways, this is the first graduate school we've heard back from, so we may still end up in New York/London or Seattle instead. Nonetheless, important and difficult decisions lie ahead--but so does a whole ton of joy and happiness!

"True Conservative?!"

I'm sorry, I have to get this off my chest...I'll be brief. I saw a John McCain commercial on CNN the other day touting him as, get ready, the "true conservative" (no, it wasn't produced by the National Enquirer). Yeah, and Steve Martin's a Mormon. Of course, they highlighted his conservative aspects, but a TRUE conservative?! Wouldn't you actually have to be near the MIDDLE of conservative values, not radically to the left, to tout that label? I'll admit, McCain has some conservative aspects....maybe better described as "conservative inklings." But as far as I'm concerned, any Republican candidate who won't stand with the party's platform on preserving traditional marriage, who supports a Ted Kennedy bill offering amnesty to illegals, and who votes against Bush's tax cuts is NOT a true Republican. Oh, anybody remember McCain/Feingold? Yeah, true conservatism at its best... I'm sorry, McCain may have Conservative leanings, but he's certainly nowhere close to being able to advertise himself as a TRUE conservative. It's too bad Romney and Huckabee are splitting the true conservative vote, meaning we're going to end up voting for a full liberal or half liberal come November, and we can kiss goodbye any sort of a constitutional amendment protecting the family. And about that split vote with Huckabee and Romney....don't get me started on that either!