Apparently it was "Heterosexual Pride Day" last week and it caused quite a bit of controversy.
I don't think you should be ashamed of being homosexual anymore than you should be ashamed that you have blue eyes. It's pretty silly to be ashamed of something you are born as. I understand the gay pride movement though-I'm also proud to be English (ethnically) which is something I was born as. I'm proud to be American too. I didn't have a choice to be either English (again, ethnically) or American just like gay people don't have a choice to be gay either. So I get the whole pride movement. Since gay people were swept under the rug for hundreds of years I also understand them being more vocal with their sexuality. In my view there is nothing wrong with that either.
But here's an interesting thing. In the 1950's Playboy magazine published a story that described heterosexual repression in a world where homosexuality is the norm. Hefner got a lot of flack for publishing it-even in the 1950s (!) and he stood by it's publication saying, "If prejudice against homosexuality is wrong, so is prejudice against heterosexuality." Despite his flaws, he was right about that for sure.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Hillary and Nixon
It's fairly obvious to those of us who are not true believers that Hillary Clinton will be the most corrupt president since Richard Nixon. In fact, because Nixon had a little "R" near his name he is viewed by history as a scoundrel, a liar, and a corrupt bastard. Because Hillary agrees with the left on the majority of issues and the left controls academia and a large portion of the media-her scandals will be treated vastly different.
Look, I understand it depends on what side of the fence you are on. Republicans will rally around republicans and democrats will rally around democrats. While I'm more sympathetic to the republican side, that doesn't mean I'm not critical of republicans. I've noticed that the GOP is more self critical of it's candidates than the left is because the GOP doesn't attach morality to politics. Ask yourself this-would a true believing democrat rather you be a bad parent and a liberal on the issues or a good parent but a conservative? A conservative is more likely to wish that you are liberal but a good parent rather than a liberal wishing that you are a good parent-but a conservative.
Which brings me back to Hillary and this election. The FBI recommended that the justice department not bring charges against her. If you think the justice department is going to bring charges against her or recommend that they be brought against her-then I admire your naivety. In the 70's with the Watergate drama many people in Nixons own party resigned or publicly announced they would no longer support him rather than being associated with him. Will Liz Warren or Harry Reid announce that they won't support her if she becomes indicted or more illegal activity comes out around her? Of course not.
I get it, we all want to support "our guys/girls". But you don't want to be a true believer-Eric Hoffer wrote a wonderful book about those people called (surprise!) The True Believer. It's a book I love and have read many, many times.
Look, I understand it depends on what side of the fence you are on. Republicans will rally around republicans and democrats will rally around democrats. While I'm more sympathetic to the republican side, that doesn't mean I'm not critical of republicans. I've noticed that the GOP is more self critical of it's candidates than the left is because the GOP doesn't attach morality to politics. Ask yourself this-would a true believing democrat rather you be a bad parent and a liberal on the issues or a good parent but a conservative? A conservative is more likely to wish that you are liberal but a good parent rather than a liberal wishing that you are a good parent-but a conservative.
Which brings me back to Hillary and this election. The FBI recommended that the justice department not bring charges against her. If you think the justice department is going to bring charges against her or recommend that they be brought against her-then I admire your naivety. In the 70's with the Watergate drama many people in Nixons own party resigned or publicly announced they would no longer support him rather than being associated with him. Will Liz Warren or Harry Reid announce that they won't support her if she becomes indicted or more illegal activity comes out around her? Of course not.
I get it, we all want to support "our guys/girls". But you don't want to be a true believer-Eric Hoffer wrote a wonderful book about those people called (surprise!) The True Believer. It's a book I love and have read many, many times.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Glass houses
We've heard it a dozens times before, the "people living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" or "pot calling the kettle black." This is used by people who are for the most part, clueless and used to justify their own bad behavior. It doesn't address the problem.
Just pointing out that the accuser is guilty of something doesn't mean that you are innocent of it. IE-swearing. I've seen people say "Hey, I've heard you curse. Why do you say that others shouldn't?" Just because you have a bad habit doesn't mean you endorse the behavior in others. I've also heard people say "You were divorced. How dare you say I shouldn't be!"Again, just because you have done things in your past that aren't the greatest doesn't mean that someone should follow your own lead. Not only that, but circumstances change and no one knows the entire story.
People say "pot calling kettle" to try and show that you aren't perfect either. It's their way of absolving themselves. These are people who generally lack the ability of self critique and in therefore, they think they are more moral than the rest of us. Those who think they are the most moral are almost always without question the least.
Just pointing out that the accuser is guilty of something doesn't mean that you are innocent of it. IE-swearing. I've seen people say "Hey, I've heard you curse. Why do you say that others shouldn't?" Just because you have a bad habit doesn't mean you endorse the behavior in others. I've also heard people say "You were divorced. How dare you say I shouldn't be!"Again, just because you have done things in your past that aren't the greatest doesn't mean that someone should follow your own lead. Not only that, but circumstances change and no one knows the entire story.
People say "pot calling kettle" to try and show that you aren't perfect either. It's their way of absolving themselves. These are people who generally lack the ability of self critique and in therefore, they think they are more moral than the rest of us. Those who think they are the most moral are almost always without question the least.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Happy fourth of July!
Another July 4th, and another Sailor Jerry patriotic tattoo! God bless America, the greatest country in the history of the world.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Scripture Sunday Alma 19:9
I am not this woman.
I need witnesses, I need evidence, I need history. I'm not someone who can just believe. In fact, when some someone tells me to take something just on faith it's like asking me to speak a language I've never heard before. That doesn't mean I'm bad, it doesn't mean I don't believe and it doesn't mean I'm not LDS. It just means I need a slight bit of evidence to take things on faith.
But this passage is nice. Ammon is happy that this woman has faith, apparently the Nephites are more like me and need evidence. This woman is the anti Doubting Thomas.
I need witnesses, I need evidence, I need history. I'm not someone who can just believe. In fact, when some someone tells me to take something just on faith it's like asking me to speak a language I've never heard before. That doesn't mean I'm bad, it doesn't mean I don't believe and it doesn't mean I'm not LDS. It just means I need a slight bit of evidence to take things on faith.
But this passage is nice. Ammon is happy that this woman has faith, apparently the Nephites are more like me and need evidence. This woman is the anti Doubting Thomas.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Antoine Walker and regret
Ever wonder how athletes go broke? It seems impossible, doesn't it? All that money that seemingly never ends. It would be so hard to spent 45 million, wouldn't it?
Watch this and find out how.
It's a documentary from the outstanding 30 for 30 series from ESPN. I normally don't like ESPN but I make an exception in this case.
Another piece that I read that really made me think was here. As a Celtics fan, I've always had a special place in my heart for Antoine Walker, even though I've never been able to spell his name right. In the dark ages of the Rick Pitino era Celtics fans were desperate for a star. Walker wasn't the greatest player, but we embraced him. This was before the big three of Pierce, Garnett and Allen and how they saved the day and brought back Celtics pride. Walker was one of the players I watched as I transformed from teenager to adult. I went through a period of disliking basketball then having it grow on me again.
Like many athletes Walker blew through his money through bad decisions and poor life choices. In this letter to himself he says that he wished he understood how to say "No" as a young man to those who didn't have his best interests at heart. I won't spoil the letter for you. It's a really insightful read, I highly suggest it.
The letter to himself ends with "And tonight, maybe you should just stay home and watch a movie." I love that advice. I've seen marriages fail because they don't know how to, in the common jargon of the day "Netflix and chill" together. They need constant drama, feast or famine. I think it's because people get bored easy today and I've never understood that. Learning how to stay home and enjoy doing so is a skill that will save you a lifetime of drama.
Watch this and find out how.
It's a documentary from the outstanding 30 for 30 series from ESPN. I normally don't like ESPN but I make an exception in this case.
Another piece that I read that really made me think was here. As a Celtics fan, I've always had a special place in my heart for Antoine Walker, even though I've never been able to spell his name right. In the dark ages of the Rick Pitino era Celtics fans were desperate for a star. Walker wasn't the greatest player, but we embraced him. This was before the big three of Pierce, Garnett and Allen and how they saved the day and brought back Celtics pride. Walker was one of the players I watched as I transformed from teenager to adult. I went through a period of disliking basketball then having it grow on me again.
Like many athletes Walker blew through his money through bad decisions and poor life choices. In this letter to himself he says that he wished he understood how to say "No" as a young man to those who didn't have his best interests at heart. I won't spoil the letter for you. It's a really insightful read, I highly suggest it.
The letter to himself ends with "And tonight, maybe you should just stay home and watch a movie." I love that advice. I've seen marriages fail because they don't know how to, in the common jargon of the day "Netflix and chill" together. They need constant drama, feast or famine. I think it's because people get bored easy today and I've never understood that. Learning how to stay home and enjoy doing so is a skill that will save you a lifetime of drama.
Friday, July 1, 2016
Album of the weekend
Volbeat-Beyond Hell/Above Heaven
Voltbeat sounds unique and different. One reviewer correctly called them "a combination of Rock-a-billy and heavy metal." I love that quote, and it's so true. Apparently they've been influenced by performers from Johnny Cash to some heavy metal bands. That sounds dead on, you can hear the influence of those types of performers in their music.
My favorite song on the album is Heaven Nor Hell-it sounds amazingly upbeat for a metal song and it's also perfect to mosh too. Basically it's Andrew WK meets Anthrax. It should sound like Anthrax too, given that Rob Caggiano is originally from that legendary thrash band.
"A Warriors Call" was written for the boxer Mikkel Kessler, a pretty good pugilist from Denmark. Being originally from New England though, when I heard this song I thought of Mickey Ward from Lowell, Massachusetts. Either way, it's a great song to get your blood pumping for a work out.
People wrongly think that the only good music is from their childhood. It's a foolish way to think-good music is timeless and is from any era. If someone starts complaining to you about music in 2016, tell them about Volbeat. Fresh, innovative and really, really good.
Voltbeat sounds unique and different. One reviewer correctly called them "a combination of Rock-a-billy and heavy metal." I love that quote, and it's so true. Apparently they've been influenced by performers from Johnny Cash to some heavy metal bands. That sounds dead on, you can hear the influence of those types of performers in their music.
My favorite song on the album is Heaven Nor Hell-it sounds amazingly upbeat for a metal song and it's also perfect to mosh too. Basically it's Andrew WK meets Anthrax. It should sound like Anthrax too, given that Rob Caggiano is originally from that legendary thrash band.
"A Warriors Call" was written for the boxer Mikkel Kessler, a pretty good pugilist from Denmark. Being originally from New England though, when I heard this song I thought of Mickey Ward from Lowell, Massachusetts. Either way, it's a great song to get your blood pumping for a work out.
People wrongly think that the only good music is from their childhood. It's a foolish way to think-good music is timeless and is from any era. If someone starts complaining to you about music in 2016, tell them about Volbeat. Fresh, innovative and really, really good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)