two words make good sense. read enjoy and feel proud

Declaring "no mob veto," a full-page ad in the New York Times on Friday denounced the "violence and intimidation" directed at members of the LDS Church who supported California's ban on gay marriage. "When thugs ... terrorize any place of worship, especially those of a religious minority, responsible voices need to speak clearly: Religious wars are wrong; they are also dangerous," reads the advertisement paid for by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, based in Washington, D.C.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has come under fire from gay rights activists across the country since coming out in support of California's Proposition 8, an amendment to the state's constitution that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. In a statement Friday, church officials expressed gratitude to the dozen civil rights and religious leaders, ranging from Catholic to evangelical Christian to Orthodox Jew, who attached their names to the advertisement. "This was a thoughtful and generous gesture at a time when the right of free expression of people of faith has come under attack," said Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve, in a statement. "We join with those of all religious faiths and political persuasions who have called for reasoned and civil discourse on matters that affect our nation."
"We're about religious liberty," he said. "When houses of worship are being attacked, we're concerned. We're against violence against anyone. The fact that they are willing to step forward and, in such a prominent way, be so supportive is something that we haven't really seen before,"

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning

Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.



My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,


Ben Stein

Prop 8 demonstration response

Antonio Villaragosa – Mayor – City of Los Angeles
William Bratton – Chief – Los Angeles Police Department

Honorable Gentlemen,

A funny thing happened to me this week on the way to my working at the Mormon Temple. I was blocked from my assignment and threatened for my support of a political proposition. The temple had been closed by un hallowed hands by the foes to the passage of proposition 8. Though they exercised their right to demonstrate the outcome of the election, in the process, they decided to violate the rights of others. All this was accomplished in full view of the LAPD, challenged with the task of maintaining the peace. Some of the demonstrators exercised civil dis-obedience and in such committed hate crimes. By far the demonstration was peaceful, however a few of the leaders, by their speeches whipped the crowd into a frenzy and let their peaceful demonstration get out of hand. Though not the result of the organizers and participants of the events, they are all now guilty of serious hate crimes.

Proposition 8, in no way was about HATE….. simply stated, Marriage is only recognized as a union between one man and one woman…. Leaders of the, “No on 8’” were wrong to assert such hate in their post election and statements and threats…. Through their process to alert the public to their side of the issue, they promoted and committed the hate crimes. The association of a few rowdy members of their group, who knew no better than to throw a temper tantrum because they did not get their way, is deplorable.

To deface ones house of worship, be they Black, White, Yellow, Red, Jew, Catholic, Baptist or Mormon is a hate crime and for one to commit such an un-holy act should not go on un-prosecuted. To threaten members of any such organization such as the Mormon Church for their support of a noble cause with all manner of un-called for remarks is deplorable. To act unlawfully and seek re-dress because of the way a person voted, or at the least supported is just not the American way of Democracy.

The task to keep a demonstration peaceful falls not only upon the heads of organizers but also to LAPD who stood by and let what happened occur un-checked. This is not acceptable by a law abiding society. I was called a Bigot, only because I stood up for Marriage and the Family, as has been the cause of decent people everywhere since the very inception of not only California, but our Great United States. What about the others, including the 51% of the voters of Los Angeles County who voted and passed proposition 8. What about the 70% of the Black population of California who voted in favor of proposition 8. What about the vast majority of church going, voting members of the state, who also voted in favor of proposition 8. Should this have occurred with any other group of the populace, the action would not have been tolerated and immediate action would have transpired.

I love my country and state, but I do not love what I see happening by the failure of others to observe and defend the laws of our society. I am saddened by such leaders and peace officers, as well as yourselves, in the obvious failure to be fair and provide the appropriate and proper protection as deserved. In other words, I call on you to do your jobs and see that appropriate action transpire.

Sincerely



William J.B. Steele
Brentwood Village, CA

Happy with election results

Well sorta happy. I would have loved a different outcome of the presidential election, however I can accept the out come. I am worried for Saturday Night Live. Their ratings will now drop because they dont have Palin to kick around any more. I am happy right now for prop 8 here in California as it looks like it passed. the attached article was just boosted from the Sacramento Bee and is pretty good with some comments following. Read and enjoy

Six months after the California Supreme Court sanctioned same-sex marriage in the state, voters Tuesday were repealing the landmark decision with 12 percent of precincts reporting. Proposition 8, the most passionately debated and costliest measure on the ballot, was ahead 56 percent to 44 percent.
The vote on the constitutional amendment came eight years after voters approved a referendum with the same 14 words: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." In May, the state Supreme Court ruled that it violated the state constitution's equal protection clause. Since then, an estimated 17,000 same-sex couples have been married in California.
The campaign generated more than $60 million in contributions from every American state and more than 20 foreign countries. The Yes on 8 campaign - chief contributors were members of the Mormon and Catholic churches – who raised more than $28 million.
After trailing by wide margins in early polls, the Yes on 8 campaign narrowed the gap with TV ads featuring San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who in 2004 gained national attention when he issued a directive to city officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, became the face of the marriage ban campaign in mocking ads when he publicly stated, “The doors open now, whether you like it or not, its coming anyway.”
The next statement is in response to the above article is and is by my observation correct;
The reason why Prop. 8 will pass and Obama will win California is because of the African-American vote. Most blacks are huge supporters of traditional marriage and they believe the Bible. Obama helped to get the black vote out, which in turn was a big boost to Prop. 8. The Hispanic vote, to a lesser extent, also swayed Democratic for the presidency, but would be more for Prop. 8. Same with the Jews. Combine them with Catholics and Mormons from all colors of the spectrum, and you've got groups who have been persecuted and killed for their skin color and religion, all voting for Prop. 8 with the "No" side is claiming we're the haters. Sheesh! The true haters were the "No on 8'ers." Thank goodness, it looks like the good guys will win this time.

Additional comment from a gay couple; No! No! No! This is not about rights. The idiot that compares this against the old testimate is way off base. Bless his heart! This is talking about a behavior. It has no place in our judicial system. If you have strong feelings for someone of the same sex then protect yourself with the existing laws. Once you start getting laws passed specifically for you, then you are asking for preferential treatment and that is just another form of descrimination. My partner and I do not believe we need any more attention and descrimination. Get real! If we start passing laws for every feeling we may want we wont be free very long. Too much big brother already. wake up people! be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.

Hope you all enjoy.

Dad

this week

This is the week that was…(I just showed my age… that was the name of a television news program back in 1963)…. Old right?

the week started with a fire burning up Lopez Canyon above Grand Ma's house in Pacoima.... It actually jumped the 210 freeway but stopped short of burning into the city. The smoke was so thick that it looked like brown fog as far away as Malibu and Santa Monica.

Other than that, the week was a great one… Kaylee wore out mom after staying for the week with both flying to Salt Lake on Wednesday… Now mom is watching Jon’s three chillins till they return from the Carribean. Mom attended church up there and Tyler found a friend from school so he ended up staying for the entire meeting block… this was un solicited, he actually asked his G-Ma to take him. I hope that Jon and Shannon aren’t too upset. I understand that Jon is also interviewing when he returns for a position in Eugene, Oregon. All this has been quite the task for an old lady…. Even though she can still beat Tyler in air hockey.

As for me, Adam and Rachel came home for his 10 year high school reunion… (Are we really that old).... Nice football game however. Adam reported that the final score was the same at half time as the final of 41-0. Young Peiton decided that she didn’t want to go to the game and spent the evening with me… of all people. It was a nice bounding moment…. Evidently she has developed a trust of her papa, strange as it sounds, she actually enjoyed her one on one with me.

Saturday we left early for a nice day trip to Avila and Pismo. I can remember taking a lot of these trips when you were all younger, however with gas being so high these days it gets harder and harder to take such trips. The Avila Barn was crowed with many pumpkin hunters but it was still very nice. Daken mastered the the Hay Maze by running through it four times… once was enough for me. They had put a tarp over the top for weather protection so it was kinda muggy inside and without being able to see the sky it was also kinda claustrophobic. Kinda… it was and then to top it off it set off my hay fever just breathing in the hay fumes. Now that will really make you feel old… the pumpkin ice cream was a good antidote however.

Splash Café made for a great lunch just prior to a romp in the Pacific…. I took pictures of Adam attempting to keep his family dry…. Very unsuccessfully… but I ended up leaving the pictures on the house computer. I will try to attach some of them later on.

Work was work as usual. A producer came in and asked for someone to come on set and put a cast on a patient in and emergency room scene for a popular TV show (Greys Anatomy) So one of the Docs suggested we send one of our cute girls to do the job…. What’s up with that? Any case she went off on Friday to film the scene… I would have loved to gone and just advised her what to do… since I am the most experienced tech in the office… Oh well just sour grapes I guess.

Well that’s it folks… that was the week that was,

TTFN

Dad

This week

This week was short for work but a busy one to boot. Mom came down and spent the better part of the week a grand ma’s house, and I worked through Wednesday, and then went down to San Diego for the ACHD Medical conference. I had the unique opportunity to meet with Willie Brown who was supposed to speak on healthcare, but it was anything but. Mostly he pontificated on how the voters of California were wrong to have voted in term limits and in the process the speaker of the house assembly is unable to build the consensus to pass a budget… thus this year the July 1 budget for the state didn’t pass till the end of September. Oh well other than that it was good to get away. The weather was very hot towards the end of the week but cooled for the weekend and even rained all day Saturday. After I met up with mom and grandmas house we drove home after dinner at Applebee’s. Saturday I had the opportunity to work the Hospital Health Fair and ended up taking blood pressure and handing out emergency medical information cards for Emergency Responders.

Sad news… David was laid off from his accounting position due to the down turn in the economy and people not needing to utilize the services of the local accounting firm. He has placed a number of resumes out and even has one interview tomorrow with the Brian Head Ski Resort. Though it is only seasonal it will give him the opportunity to look elsewhere should he get the job. I also set him up with the Tehachapi Hospital who needs a good numbers person for their business office. I hope it all works out for them... Heaven only knows how much stress this will cause the family. I know they didn't need it and I hope you all will help out where you can.

Conference was really great this weekend if you missed any of the sessions you missed out on a lot of excellent messages. Five new temples were mentioned, Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/Rome, Italy/Cordoba, Argentina, & “the Kansas City areas.” I found the last one to be the most interesting, most people didn’t realize that the Kansas City area is actually Jackson County Missouri. (very interesting… do you think that it could be at the temple block in Independence? As prophesized.)

Mom is at grandmas again and will drive down to Long Beach to pick up Kaylee this week. She will spend the week with Mom (mom is still trying to figure out what she will do to keep her busy for the whole week) and mom in turn will fly back with her next week to take care of Jon’s family while they vacation in Cancun….(take me with you) So all of you in the Salt Lake area, be prepared to see mom for a week or so prior to Halloween.

Well, take care for now and have a great week. It was good speaking with most of you today on the phone…. Well at least half of you.

Dad

P.S. Political snipe of the week attached, “Vatican Attacks Democrats as ‘a Party of Death’” An outspoken Vatican authority has issued a sharp rebuke of Democrats in the U.S., and party leaders Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, over the abortion issue. Former St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, who was named prefect of the Vatican’s Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature in June, told the Italian newspaper Avvenire that the Democratic Party risked “transforming itself definitively into a party of death for its decisions on bioethical issues.” He said House Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Biden “while presenting themselves as good Catholics have presented Church doctrine on abortion in a false and tendentious way.” Pelosi was criticized by Catholic leaders last month for saying the Church itself had long debated when human life begins. (In whose bible and in who’s church was this ever considered? The Catholic church has always stated that life begins at inception and has never debated this fact). Senator Biden also supports abortion rights. Burke said pro-life Democrats in power are “rare” and complained that the party that helped “our immigrant parents and grandparents” prosper in the U.S. had changed so much over the years, Archbishop Burke also created a stir during the 2004 presidential campaign when he said Democratic nominee John Kerry, a Catholic, should be denied Communion because of his views on abortion.

It’s about time someone noticed the hypocrisy of these politicians and held them accountable for their actions. They say what that can to get elected or get ahead in their parties and forget where and when they came from.

quick trip

Flew in on earlier flight to Las Vegas and just missed shuttle. Had to wait an additional hour and half and then had a slow shuttle driver on the way to St. George. Made it to Marshae's #1 Birthday party at 7PM... Was quite surprised to see that I was not the last to arrive. Enjoyed the party as well as the in n out afterwards. I actually went out to Adam's office and delivered a few to his crew as well. Saturday drove up to Cedar and went to Discovery park to enjoy the #5 birthday party this time for Joshua. It was great and then just kicked back and relaxed. Left with Mom and drove back to L.A. my car, and then grandma's for dinner. BTW it was also Jon's Birthday and we were not able to get together with him for a party.

I understand that we missed the thunder storm that was building up for a few days. Got back to the valley and it was 101 degrees hot. Got to Brentwood and it was foggy.

This week I have a meeting in San Diego to attend so it will be a short week at work. I was a little distressed because my replacement is actually our secretary and highly un-qualified. I pointed this out to our supervisor and her response was, we will have someone close to step in if she needs help. Yeah like that will work. I took a look at the patient load schedule and it is one of the worst I have seen in over four years (she's the one who scheduled it all). Lots of injections to prep, lots of pre-ops (she doesn't know how to do bp and take a pulse), and lots of other work. I guess they will get what they pay for. Makes me kinda want to look to move on to another place. If it wasn't for working for a great doctor that one can actually learn from I would leave in a minute. I guess I do need a few days off.

Well take care all. Keep up dating those blogs.

As Always... Dad

Busy couple weeks

By now most of you are aware that mom made the monthly pilgrimage to Utah and is spending the week in St. George prior to my arrival this Friday. We had a fairly busy week in that mom drove down with me to Grandma’s house on Sunday. Drove back home in the van on Monday. Drove back down with me on Wednesday after the hospital board mtg. and stayed until I picked her up for date night (Soup Planation) and a stay at the temple apartments. Saturday morning we attended the Stake day at the temple and off to Missy’s shower and then finally back home. Kevin Grotts sealed the house while we were gone and it really looks pretty good with the new roof, new floors and new coat. All this and Mom left for St. George on Sunday. Whew!

By the way, I was re-elected to the hospital board with-out any one running against me,…… again. Quite the honor considering the community voted two years ago to support three additional M.D.’s on the board, thus making me the only non physician on the board. I threatened to not run this time but a few of the old timers told me that I was the only independent vote on the board and they wanted me to run again, if not, they would run me out of town on a rail…. Perhaps I should have taken them up on their offer.

Well this week is Jon, Marshae, & Josh’s Birthday. Last week Shannon and David had theirs…. And in two weeks Tyler has his 9th birthday.

Well I had best sign off for now… my next political letter will be separate.

Always,

Dad

Political Post

Well, since my earlier political post seemed just a little too political, I have decided to continue with similar, with a little more positive note…. For each negative, I will now try to post at least two positives.

On Thursday, Susan Sarandon commented on national TV with re: Sarah Palin, “Jesus was a community organizer, and Pontias Pilate was a Governor." Did she really just compare Barak to Jesus and Palin to the person who murdered the Savior? Talk about calling the kettle black… oops I cant say that any more. Needless to say, it was not original, she stole the comment from a Memphis congressman who BTW is Jewish.

John Binkley, the former Republican state senator, who ran against her in the 2006 GOP gubernatorial race, made the mistake of under-estimating Palin's appeal, when he reminded voters that she was a little-known, small-town mayor and unaware of the serious issues facing the state. "I watched as she got into the campaign, worked and studied the issues. She really came into her own as the campaign progressed and she won not only the nomination but the Governorship. Needless to say, I am now a Palin supporter."

Former Sen. Mike Gravel is a liberal and sought the Democratic presidential nomination this year, he is staunchly defending fellow Alaskan, Sarah Palin, as the Republican vice presidential nominee. He noted that Palin, who became governor in December 2006 after serving as the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, “has more executive experience than Obama, McCain and Biden combined. Obviously she holds some ideological views that I disagree with, but McCain, in my mind, made a very good choice… “She has the courage to put integrity above party.”

James Carville (Democrat strategist) “The strategy the Democratic Party is using, too much reassurance, and not enough passion. Something that Palin does not lack.” –

With re: for Sarah, the negative comment from Matt Damon seemed to exhibit quite a bit of arrogance in his put down comment, that Sarah Palin is, “….like a… Disney movie…” What’s the matter with a Disney Movie? I can’t think of a more positive thing to say about a person… I don’t think he realizes it though.

I spoke with a Catholic Priest in the office the other day, who is supporting Barak. He told me that Sarah Palin is speaking in code with her speeches, speaking to her fellow Christians and Pentecostals, she communicates that she is one of us by saying she is, “Our servant and ready to serve.” To me, that just sounds warped. We all should think about being better servants and ready to serve our community and country in a truly humble way.

Hope y'all look at this lightly and can have a good laugh.

Just Dad

sacramento trip

Meeting in Sacramento this week. Thank you Suzi for making the travel arrangements. It all went off without a hitch and I even got back to Long Beach and to the car in a timely manner. Mom wanted to go to the coast after arrival back but I am glad I didn’t get back early and get on the train to go over to the coast…. The train crashed head on into a freight train. I learned of this by watching CNN on the jet blue flight (At this time there are 18 fatalities). I had lots of kill time after the meeting so I went out on a drive. I didn’t exactly know where I was headed but ended up at the Sacramento Temple. I will try to attach a picture but not sure it will work. Any case, I was sorta impressed. The temple sits on a hill overlooking US Hwy 50 in Folsom. High on a hill with a nice park like setting, with a grove of trees close to the parking area and stake center on the same property. It is difficult to find if you miss the proper road, you will end up and a 10 mile round the block trip. Anyone interested in finding it can go east on Hwy 50 and get off at Hazel. Turn South to Folsom Blvd and then left to Alabama. Turn right and follow signs and road up the hill. Road turns into California Circle. (Do not go straight and into the Aerojet plant on Alabama). All and all it was great day.

Took y'all long enough

It only took a week for most of you to notice that I had mis-spelled grandfather... That was done purposely. The following people have made me angry today.... # 1 Barak.9/9/08.. no matter how much you may deny it or say it was taken out of context... you called Sarah Palin a Pig and you know it. #2 Matt Damon 9/10/08 for saying if McCain is elected with Sarah Palin as VP it will a disaster. #3 Brad Sherman 9/10/08 for the comment, "Sarah Palin, White trash in the White House." He should know. #4 Joy Bahar 9/10/08 for her constant put down of Sarah Palin. I will not watch, go to, or participate in, or have any thing to do with any of them.

Surprisingly most of the people I have spoken to here in Santa Monica feel that Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air.

Latest survey shows prop 8 here in California loosing 51 /49 in defense Marriage here in California. We are all afraid that if it fails, all churches that will not preform same sex marriages will be sued and have property confiscated to cover damages.

Sorry this is so political today but thats what happening. I will repeat one more statement I heard today re: the election. Barak Obama... prey who the pig and who the pit bull? Share this with whom ever you like, and if you are offended... too bad.

TTFN

Dad

P.S. I am making a list of all the negative star power statements against McCain and Palin. I will not hesitate to use and publish it later on as one persons observation

family reunion

It was great to see you all this past weekend. As well I am amazed we managed to get all six of you... spouses, and all thirteen munchikins. Has a great time and mom wants to make the Raging waters an annual event. We need to post the picture of the grand kids on the rafts if any of you have it.

Dad