Okay. I am going to say this here, because it is slightly more private than Facebook, and if you read it here, that means you wanted to read it, because you actually had to click on the link. :)
Anyway...this is what I have to say.
I obviously do not know this for certain, but I would wager that if you were to look at all the people who voted for President Barack Obama vs. all the people who voted for Gov. Mitt Romney I would ALMOST GUARANTEE you that the vast majority of Romney's supported would be educated (meaning college degree and/or successful career) where as the vast majority of Obama supporters would be one or more of the following, uneducated/unemployed/illegal immigrant.
If you really think about it, you will know that this is true. And if it really is, that is saying something people. Our nations President was chosen mostly by the uneducated. There is something seriously wrong with this. Either, one we need to educate these people about how the world works, which of course we need to do regardless. Or two, we need to create some kind of IQ criteria to vote for our President.
Well, requiring an IQ test is not ethical and does not support my beliefs about agency. (Although secretly I wish we could require one). So we must educate these people. And I hope my little spat helps in some way.
Now, before you freak out (Obama supporters). Notice that I said majority. I did not say everyone.
It is obviously possible to be educated and/or successful and vote for Obama. I really don't understand you or your logic. At all. But nevertheless you exist.
Second, you may think from this that I am against immigrants and immigration. Well, I am not. I am more than happy to welcome people into this country. People should be allowed to come here and make a better life for their families. But it must be apparent to every thinking mind that it is wrong to let it be done illegally. We must have a law and we must uphold it. It will not work if we just let everyone and their dog through our borders.
Now, this does not mean that I support the current procedures and processes that immigrants have to go through to get here. I have learned about it and it is ridiculous. It should not be that difficult to come here. It should require some work, but the process needs to change. I am not sure how, but it does need to change. But this does not mean that all of a sudden we should just ignore law and let everyone who broke it slide by.
That is why I support self deportation (and one of the many reasons why I voted for Romney); nobody should be forcibly rounding up people and shipping them away against their will. They should let them know nicely that they need to leave because they are in the country illegally, and let them arrange a way to leave on their own terms, and/or they should help them find a way to become legal quickly so that they can be with their family. If they have broken a law there needs to be some kind of consequence for it. It is only logical and fair.
Okay. I think I am done for now. But this is how I feel. I am incredibly disappointed in our country for voting for a man that is not NEAR as qualified as Mitt Romney, and I needed to express it in some way.
I (gulp) welcome any comments below. :)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Cultural Diorama
4 "Artifacts" That Represent My Culture
First Artifact: My Violin
This artifact represents many characteristics about mine and my family's culture. First of all, I have been involved in learning to play music since I was about 8 years old. I started with the piano and then began learning to play the violin when I was about 11 years old. Being the oldest, while pursuing my talents in music, I somewhat set the musical trend for my siblings. My youngest sister, Alyssa, also learned to play the piano, the violin, and now the guitar. Sarah, my other little sister, just older than Alyssa, learned to play piano, too, in addition to the flute. Parker, my brother only eighteen months younger than me, started piano, but did not pursue it much after the first two years. However, he still took to music just as strongly by being the record-setter song collector in our family collecting hundreds and hundreds of songs in many varieties to his I-Pod. To this day he says that music is the one thing in this world that he loves the most, besides his family of course. :)
Because of our musical talents, my sisters and I have always been, and continue to be, regulars in our family and ward's musical numbers as well as faithful ward choir members ever since we could carry a tune.
And if this is not enough music to swallow, ever since I can remember my dad and his brother Jonathan have always assumed the unofficial roles in every family gathering as the family DJs. They were always mixing a new CD, discussing a new artist, song, soundtrack, etc. I owe my contemporary musical knowledge and appreciation to them. Among my friends I have always had a slight edge against them in being familiar with the good old classics. All because of my dad.
Second Artifact: A Classic Film
My family and I have always been major movie buffs. At least, to us, we feel like we know a lot about movies. To any other American family, we probably aren't that knowledgeable. Movie going and movie watching are very popular cultural activities in America so everybody probably thinks that they know everything about movies. Nevertheless, apart from traditional family vacations, movie watching and reminiscing are probably the top two regular family bonding activities that I have experienced throughout my life. Because of this I have really learned to love movies and respect the movie making process.
My brother and I always had this game that we would play in the car during long drives. We called it "Movies and Guessing." The name pretty much speaks for itself, but basically, one person would recite a line from a movie and the others would have to guess the movie it came from. This would go on forever. We loved to try to stump each other by picking the most random and insignificant lines that we could remember so that no body could guess our movie.
Third Artifact: Good Food (imagine your favorite meal :D )
For as long as I can remember family get togethers were always about the food. Maybe it was because my mom had an important role in helping out my grandmas and aunts with the meals, but our lives always evolved around the meals. At least, this is the way it was every time we would get together with the extended family. The "food" issue was always more pressing with my dad's side of the family because my Grammy was always very concerned that we had what we needed to feed everyone. It was never near as pressing on my mom's side. Nevertheless, the food was always amazing. Especially my Grammy's food. That woman new how to cook. And she always made sure that everything was cooked just right. It was a great strength of hers, but I know that it drove my mom nuts sometimes. Anyway, good food has always been a great cultural importance to me and my family. Without fail, nearly ever Sunday afternoon was spent gathered around the kitchen table enjoying a wonderful meal that my mother had prepared. Now that I am older I can see why this was so important. It brought us together. It gave us chances to talk to each other while enjoying ourselves. Without these special times I know that my family would not be near as close as we are now.
Fourth Artifact: The Standard Works
(If you cannot read that it reads: Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The gospel of Jesus Christ has always been an important cultural artifact in my family. Not only because our family line consists of a long line of covenant-born members until the pioneer times, but also because we have been fortunate enough to be related to some great spiritual examples. On my dad's side, the Richards side, we are descendants of great church leaders like Willard Richards, LeGrande Richards, and Lynn Richards. This heritage, I think, has always pushed us to try a little harder and follow their examples. Part of this effort has translated into many spiritual firesides, conducted by my Grandad, together at the end of a good meal. :) It is because of this that I have come to appreciate and internalize the gospel a little bit more in my life.
First Artifact: My Violin
This artifact represents many characteristics about mine and my family's culture. First of all, I have been involved in learning to play music since I was about 8 years old. I started with the piano and then began learning to play the violin when I was about 11 years old. Being the oldest, while pursuing my talents in music, I somewhat set the musical trend for my siblings. My youngest sister, Alyssa, also learned to play the piano, the violin, and now the guitar. Sarah, my other little sister, just older than Alyssa, learned to play piano, too, in addition to the flute. Parker, my brother only eighteen months younger than me, started piano, but did not pursue it much after the first two years. However, he still took to music just as strongly by being the record-setter song collector in our family collecting hundreds and hundreds of songs in many varieties to his I-Pod. To this day he says that music is the one thing in this world that he loves the most, besides his family of course. :)
Because of our musical talents, my sisters and I have always been, and continue to be, regulars in our family and ward's musical numbers as well as faithful ward choir members ever since we could carry a tune.
And if this is not enough music to swallow, ever since I can remember my dad and his brother Jonathan have always assumed the unofficial roles in every family gathering as the family DJs. They were always mixing a new CD, discussing a new artist, song, soundtrack, etc. I owe my contemporary musical knowledge and appreciation to them. Among my friends I have always had a slight edge against them in being familiar with the good old classics. All because of my dad.
Second Artifact: A Classic Film
My family and I have always been major movie buffs. At least, to us, we feel like we know a lot about movies. To any other American family, we probably aren't that knowledgeable. Movie going and movie watching are very popular cultural activities in America so everybody probably thinks that they know everything about movies. Nevertheless, apart from traditional family vacations, movie watching and reminiscing are probably the top two regular family bonding activities that I have experienced throughout my life. Because of this I have really learned to love movies and respect the movie making process.
My brother and I always had this game that we would play in the car during long drives. We called it "Movies and Guessing." The name pretty much speaks for itself, but basically, one person would recite a line from a movie and the others would have to guess the movie it came from. This would go on forever. We loved to try to stump each other by picking the most random and insignificant lines that we could remember so that no body could guess our movie.
Third Artifact: Good Food (imagine your favorite meal :D )
For as long as I can remember family get togethers were always about the food. Maybe it was because my mom had an important role in helping out my grandmas and aunts with the meals, but our lives always evolved around the meals. At least, this is the way it was every time we would get together with the extended family. The "food" issue was always more pressing with my dad's side of the family because my Grammy was always very concerned that we had what we needed to feed everyone. It was never near as pressing on my mom's side. Nevertheless, the food was always amazing. Especially my Grammy's food. That woman new how to cook. And she always made sure that everything was cooked just right. It was a great strength of hers, but I know that it drove my mom nuts sometimes. Anyway, good food has always been a great cultural importance to me and my family. Without fail, nearly ever Sunday afternoon was spent gathered around the kitchen table enjoying a wonderful meal that my mother had prepared. Now that I am older I can see why this was so important. It brought us together. It gave us chances to talk to each other while enjoying ourselves. Without these special times I know that my family would not be near as close as we are now.
Fourth Artifact: The Standard Works
(If you cannot read that it reads: Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The gospel of Jesus Christ has always been an important cultural artifact in my family. Not only because our family line consists of a long line of covenant-born members until the pioneer times, but also because we have been fortunate enough to be related to some great spiritual examples. On my dad's side, the Richards side, we are descendants of great church leaders like Willard Richards, LeGrande Richards, and Lynn Richards. This heritage, I think, has always pushed us to try a little harder and follow their examples. Part of this effort has translated into many spiritual firesides, conducted by my Grandad, together at the end of a good meal. :) It is because of this that I have come to appreciate and internalize the gospel a little bit more in my life.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Black and White
There are some issues in life that are not so black and white. Sometimes there is a necessity to exercise the spirit of the law. Because if we never recognized a need for spirit of the law sometimes, we would drive those around us crazy. But, at the same time, there are some moral issues that are black and white, to me.
The definition of marriage is one of them.
I love my husband, very much. And I would do anything for him. And now, having the opportunity to be sealed to him for eternity, and having the chance to connect to him on the deepest level the two individuals can connect, I now know just a little bit more about why men were created the way they were and why women were created the way they were. I know that there is a reason why women and men have been connecting together for thousands of years and I know that it is a very sacred connection. ESPECIALLY, and ONLY when it is treated as such. Until now, throughout the history of the world this connection and vow of loyalty between a man and a woman has been defined as marriage. Now, a large portion of society would like to redefine marriage as the connection between any two people, whatever gender they may be. This hurts me. How can they define the connection between two men or two women the same as the connection between a man and a woman? It must be apparent to any thinking mind, that there is a difference between a heterosexual couple and a homosexual couple.
This is a difference, a BIG difference. And it is not just about gender.
That difference calls for a definition. That definition is marriage. Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman. When it is sealed properly at the right time, in the right place and by the right authority, it is recognized by our Heavenly Father and can unite two people together forever, for all time and for all eternity.
Now do not mistake me. I am not against homosexual people. I believe all people should be treated with love and kindness, no matter what their circumstance. I am only defending the definition of marriage. That is it. That is all that it is about; A simple, yet clear, and consistent definition of marriage.
The definition of marriage is one of them.
I love my husband, very much. And I would do anything for him. And now, having the opportunity to be sealed to him for eternity, and having the chance to connect to him on the deepest level the two individuals can connect, I now know just a little bit more about why men were created the way they were and why women were created the way they were. I know that there is a reason why women and men have been connecting together for thousands of years and I know that it is a very sacred connection. ESPECIALLY, and ONLY when it is treated as such. Until now, throughout the history of the world this connection and vow of loyalty between a man and a woman has been defined as marriage. Now, a large portion of society would like to redefine marriage as the connection between any two people, whatever gender they may be. This hurts me. How can they define the connection between two men or two women the same as the connection between a man and a woman? It must be apparent to any thinking mind, that there is a difference between a heterosexual couple and a homosexual couple.
This is a difference, a BIG difference. And it is not just about gender.
That difference calls for a definition. That definition is marriage. Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman. When it is sealed properly at the right time, in the right place and by the right authority, it is recognized by our Heavenly Father and can unite two people together forever, for all time and for all eternity.
Now do not mistake me. I am not against homosexual people. I believe all people should be treated with love and kindness, no matter what their circumstance. I am only defending the definition of marriage. That is it. That is all that it is about; A simple, yet clear, and consistent definition of marriage.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Best Value Ever!
This really is the best value that I have ever experienced in my life of consumption. Period. End of story.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
I Need to Vent
OK. I confess. I like attention. And who doesn't? Everyone likes a certain amount of attention. I do not like too much attention; that is just annoying, burdensome and intrusive. What I mean by "I like attention" is that I like to do things that I love to do, for people who care enough to pay attention to me, and I like to do them well enough that it pleases me and everyone around me. Is that so much to ask? That is what I want to do. But it just so happens that I like to sing, dance, play the piano, the violin, make people laugh and just in general, entertain people. So, according to some people’s line of thought, therefore I am shallow and I only want to be seen and to be famous and I am the scum of the earth. At least that is what I feel like it means to like to do what I want to do. Which is very frustrating!!! I mean, because of my hobbies I have thought about trying out for American Idol. Is that a sin? Because of my hobbies, I have wanted to be an actress. Is that a sin? Because of my hobbies, I have wanted to be in films and sign with a talent agency. IS THAT A SIN?? For Pete’s sake. Really. I feel like I live in world where if I told my friends that I tried out for American Idol then everyone would instantly think, "Oh, she is one of THOSE people. Yeah, she must think she is really great. Goodness, she just dropped down a couple of levels on my scale of sophistication. I am going to judge her right now as look her straight in the face and tell her how excited I am for her." I mean, come on. We all know that we all have thought it at some time or another, or at least have thought that someone else was thinking it. I just hate this world we live in sometimes. Isn't there any such thing as an innocent desire anymore? Why do we all have to be so judgmental and critical? It makes me feel like I cannot be myself. Which is one of the worst feelings in the world. Trust me. I feel it. All. The. Time.
Please forgive my bashing. I just really needed to vent somewhere.
Please forgive my bashing. I just really needed to vent somewhere.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Fighting
I am sick and tired of fighting. And it is not the kind of fighting that you would first think of. It is the constant fighting against all of my natural desires. I am sick and tired of fighting against sleep to get my homework done. I am tired of fighting against all urges to spend time with my husband and family in order to get homework done. I am tired of fighting against time in general, just so that I can get a stupid homework assignment turned in on time. I am tired of it!! I am tired of fighting. I am tired of homework. I know it is important, I know that I cannot understand what I am doing without having some take-home work. But I hate it. I am tired of it.
THE END
THE END
Monday, February 13, 2012
Trust Ourselves
So, I have discovered something today. Something that took me entirely too long to discover. I discovered, that we need to trust ourselves in the decisions we made yesterday. I understand that know one is perfect. Heavens! I know better than anyone that I am not perfect. But I also know that I really do try my best...a lot. I will admit, not all of the time. But most of the time I really try. And I am sure a lot of other people are like that, too. But I also think a lot of other people forget to remember that they are trying and they have been trying for a long time. It is so easy to always say, "I can do better." Yes. It is true. We can always to better. But because none of us will ever be perfect...EVER, I think it is important to also remember that we have done well. We should never stop trying to be better, but we should never stop remembering the best that we have done.
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