The Prez vs. Congress

Another attempt at live-blogging. Will we see a feisty Prez or a conciliatory Prez? The Repubs have been playing this fairly well, passing on the theme the media, and even some Dems, that they have outmaneuvered him and he is weak, no leader. But isn't that how it works when you hold a majority like the Repubs do in the House? They should be able to outmaneuver. Let's see if he can challenge them for things they may actually have to accept because they are their sort of issues, or have to respond to the People, who may respond to the Prez's call for action.

Bug-Bombing the Immigration Debate

Facebook, we all know, is a blessing and a curse. I've been able to restart at least casual conversation with family and friends I haven't seen for years. Mostly, that's good. Occasionally, something pops out of the woodwork on the postings or comments that makes me scratch my head - or at least remind me to be careful about what I post. And I have slapped my own fingers to stop typing something that was too negative, or  demeaning. And there are a few, rare occasions when I have blocked or "unfriended" someone for inappropriate comments or lost connections.

Last night I was very concerned by a comment on a posting by a relative of mine. This is a fairly close biological relative, yet we haven't had a lot of contact over the years and while committed to the same religious tradition, we view life in very different ways. This has been one of those connections that has been fun to make after all the years in spite of our differences. One of those generic postings against illegal immigration appeared which I think I've even seen before and take as a matter of course. I didn't respond as I have learned that Facebook arguments are rather pointless. (And I have this forum uniquely under my control for self-expression!) But then this comment popped up:

Republicans & Airplanes: LIVE Blogging (attempted)

From the odd venue of the airplane hanger at the Reagan Library. (If they don't believe in Science, well, except for Huntsman and maybe Mitt, how do they explain mechanical flight?)

What a coup that MSNBC snatched Michael Steele. He reminds me of that guy from our freshman dorm we parodied (very kindly) in the end-of-year skits. He had so much fun with it, he joined right in!

Peggy Noonan is good to have - solid Reagan Republican who has it out for the tea party.

More Heaven In Britain

We may be a little slow, but we finally saw Harry Potter 7.2 for a family Labor Day activity. Remembering the book, I was looking forward to Harry's "out-of-body" experience at King's Cross Station in between death and return to life. The scene did not disappoint. How glad I am that my wife and I used that extra little hour to take a ride on the tube on our last evening in London! We can now say we have been to heaven - at least the one in Harry's head.

Son of a Welshman!

I don't have any confirming data, but I hear that the biggest use of the internet world-wide is for, er, pornography. The second most popular usage may be for genealogical, family history research. I find that quite a stark contrast. On the one hand is an activity of questionable propriety in building solid family relationships, or at least feeling close to a Godly spirit. And the other is an attempt, in LDS religious terms, to connect with our ancestors and perform sealing ordinances in sacred Temples to actually heal families, including those who in life were never well connected due to sometimes very ugly circumstances of illegitimacy or even much worse. I mean, the very prurient, sometimes horrifyingly vile behavior occasionally resulting in unintended innocent birth ends up as a purified connection through the Lord's priesthood authority. The Light and Life of the world will conquer sin and death. That is Atonement at its most astounding.

Seattle Kids' TV: A Rich Legacy

I had good parents. Yet, as a child of the 60s I watched a lot of TV. It helped shape my personality.  Some, like my wife, might even say it warped my personality. But that's from somebody who sees this picture:

. . . and thinks "clown." Any true child of Seattle will not see a "clown," rather a real person who had more influence, certainly more time with us, than any grade school teacher and maybe almost as much as our own parents. He was on for an hour in the morning and an hour after school. And then there was another hour on Saturday mornings. That's eleven hours a week. Certainly more time than I spent in Sunday School and Primary.

Dick "Gadianton" Cheney

In family scripture reading this morning we were in Helaman 6. I was mentally likening unto us and thinking of suspects who might be the Gadianton Robbers among us today. The usual suspects came to mind, urban gangs, the Mafia, terrorists, the Tri-lateral Commission (just kiddin'). And then it came to me, Dick Cheney!

Don't ever ask your crazy Uncle who he thinks should be your Vice President