Short Takes

1) No Love for Conservative Economics
The New York Times reports that state income is rising as "a result of both a general upturn in the economy and conservative budgeting". When is the press going to give conservatives (read: tax decreases and budget limits) some credit.

2) Democratic Positioning
I can't help but believe that the Dems are just watching what the administration is doing in Iraq and they are reading the tea leaves. The Pres has said that he wants to stay the course and stay in Iraq supporting the country until we can leave, leaving Iraq in a stable condition. Dems are saying that we can start drawing down our military men and women soon. That in the coming year (after the elections in December) we can bring our deployment level down, below 100,000. Well, that's just what the administration says. The Dems just want to take credit when the time comes...

Revised Purposes

I guess I am entitled to revise my purposes for this blog. I am going to tailor my entries to hit those topics that I love: Church, Politics, Entertainment (Music/Books/TV/Movies/Sports). How's that? I basically can cover every and anything I want to under that umbrella.

SPORTSNOTES
So, in that vein, I am going to high school tonight to watch the Hart Indians take on the Glendora Tartans. our high school is going through a trauma self-induced. A hazing incident results in 3 varsity starters being kicked off the team. I know what happened but since no newspaper is printing the facts, I guess I won't either. But apparently, no one was physically hurt in the incident which lasted a matter of a fwe seconds. It will be interesting to see how the team handles this. Will they rally or will they fracture?

It's a little tough because the Lakers-Clippers matchup is tonight too. Thank goodness for tivo. I want to see both games. I am such a die hard Lakers fan that I may be totally blinded by my affections that I can't see the truth. But I really believe that, despite what the pundits are saying, the Lakers are going to win. I just would never bet against KB. I have never seen someone so focused.

Newdow is Back....

Michael Newdow is at it again. He wants the court to order the United States government to remove the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” from our coins and currency. Remember that the inscription on each coin and bill is in capital letters. There is no reference to "God" (as in the one and only God). So there is no definition of the word "god". Nonetheless, he claims that this language violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. If you have forgotten, here is the text of the relevant section of the First Amendment:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”

Which god does the currency/coin language refer to? The Jewish god, the Catholic god, the Hindu god, the secular god (man, flowers, money, fame, peace of mind, whatever)? Is a reference to the same as an establishment of religion? What action by any individual is required by reason of this language? Does this language stop anyone from exercising their chosen religion? I can’t see how.

Hopefully, the Court will make short work of this lawsuit.

Alito's Job App

So Judge Alito told the Ed Meese AG's office that he was personally opposed to abortion and found no right in the constitution supporting the practice. So what? Many Americans feel the same way and Dems have no problem telling us that we are wrong, outside the mainstream, extremist, etc. etc. Their view is that no one who holds such a belief is qualified to hold a public office. It is outrageous. Especially as to this nominee.
Everything we have about him (15 years of decisions) say that he is a conservative judge who does not look for opportunities to impose his own personal view upon a case. A judge has to be able to set aside his own views to decide a case according to the law. Alito's history shows him to be faithful to that approach.
Ted Kennedy is pro-life in his personal views right? As a good Catholic. It certainly hasn't stopped him from doing what he thinks he must do under the law. Why should Alito be any different?

Political Fundraising

Uh-oh... The Washington Post is reporting that the Dems are lagging behind in the money race. Through September Dems have raised $42M (and have $6.8M in the bank) and the Republicans have amassed $81.5M and still have $34M in the bank.
Two questions: 1) Where have the Republicans spent $45M this year. Certainly not here in California where I live. Arnold's measures got hosed and had little in the way of advertising support. 2) Former Democratic Congressman Vic Fazio (now an evil lobbyist in DC) says that the discrepancy is "obviously troublesome". How long before the Dems abandon Howard Dean realizing that he can't create the confidence in the left party that will inspire the big money donations? I know he says that he wants to do it with small internet donations, but is that really possible in this day and age?
I hope that Dean stays as Chair of the party. I think he helps the Republicans more than he helps the Democrats...
Bob

Libby Pardon

Did anyone suggest to Harry Reid that President Bush was considering a pardon for Libby? Of course not. This is outrageous politicking. It's politics by suggestion. This is one of the worst examples of evil manipulation of the press I have seen, and, of course, the press breathlessly reports it. What possible value is there in such an announcement of a letter by Reid? President Bush could do it if he wants to (see, Mark Rich et.al.) and nothing Reid says could stop him. On the other hand President Bush has not shown that he has an inclination to pardon anyone, especially since Libby has not even been convicted of anything yet.
Is the press not permitted to ask why this was done by the Dems? y e s . Then why don't they?

Election Night

My 21 year old and I talked about the propositions and voting and he was quite proud to have cast his ballot in this election.
So far (17.8% of the precincts in) Arnold is doing better than I expected. But it looks like very few of the ballots from northern cali counties have been counted. My question is how long will the litigation take to sort out once the lefties lose one or two of these.
Election time is exciting to me. My political science degree comes creeping around and prompting me to stay up late and track the results on the County Election Board website.
Go Arnold!

11-12-05 ADD-ON
OK. My early enthusiasm was misplaced. Oh well keep on fighting. California is about as lost a state as there is if we can't pass these simple props.

Effort

I got a call from Matt today. He has a thought about making money via a book that he thinks he can create. Jeff told me today that he found someone to print shirts for his label at a good price. I love their enthusiasm and hope that they can put these plans into action.

I need to do the same.

Topics of the Day

Book of Mormon ----
Martin writes me that he has done some analysis on external support for the Book of Mormon. He says he "... was listening to the news on the radio. A segment was aired discussing how scientists have linked a cycle in solar flares to droughts on earth. Specifically, the scientists were able to determine through soil samples and other evidence that severe droughts occurred in Central and South America every 206 years coinciding with the solar flare cycle." When he investigated he found that the exact years of the droughts have not been determined. Scientists give the dates in terms of a range of years. One such range is from 81 B.C. to 4 A.D. (85 years). Scientists believe these droughts to have been severe and last 3 to 5 years.
Helaman 11 describes a severe 3-4 year famine due to drought occurring between around 20 B.C. and 17 B.C. Martin says he checked the dates in the Book of Mormon and found that the abridgement of the Book provides little detail for some of the other periods. He points out however, that famine and drought are mentioned in the BOM in various places.
It's fun to find things like that that provide some historical support for the veracity of the Book of Mormon. Of course, the Book is really not a history, nor a geographic or geologic text. So don't worry too much about these "proofs". Read it for the counsel and spirit of the Book. See if it's true.
I'm telling you it is.

Ads in California against the Propositions
The ads seem outrageously inaccurate. I think that the current campaign finance law is completely wrongheaded. Anybody should be able to spend as much money as they want as long as it is properly disclosed (which is so easily done today via the internet) AND so long as they may be held accountable for any lies or errors made. The penalties would be civil (not criminal) in nature. If they are inaccurate and close to an election there might be a presumption that inaccuracies are intentional.
I need to think that through and look for the problems. The truth is that the parties raise a huge amount of money and you know that they will spend it. There just needs to be transparency in the process.

Sports
My BYU Cougars smacked last place Nevada Las Vegas. Nephew KC Bills played well and I saw him make a couple tackles. UCLA took a beat-down and USC killed. Son Jeff went to the Clipper-TWolves game tonight. Listening to the game, it sounds like the ever losing Clips are actually outplaying Garnett and his gang.

T.O.

Why can't some people see how they come across to others. Terrell Owens offends everyone with his comments about his quarterback and he doesn't seem to understand why anyone feels bad. It's why you can't guess about anyone's intentions. You can only gauge their actions. I am guessing the TO's intentions were not bad. However, that has no effect on the impact of his statements (his actions).
I think I don't want credit for my good intentions if I have to take responsibilty for my bad intentions as well. I am pretty sure that God will judge me on these things but no one else should or really can do so.