The Doctor Himself is Sick
Posted on December 18, 2008
Filed Under Politics, Society | 1 Comment
Last night I was listening to a commentary by Daniel Schorr, an OLD hand in Washington journalism, and an unabashed liberal. I really enjoy Mr. Schorr’s commentaries, because they usually tell truth to power, hold people’s feet to the fire, and he does it so well. Last night citing the Blagojavich and Madoff scandals and recent news of corruption in the allocation of funds for Iraqi reconstruction, Schorr had them on the ropes, and I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the knock-out punch. He set them up with a jab, “I am unhappily reminded of my time in the Soviet Union, where bribery and other corruption were so commonplace as to be accepted as a dismal fact of life. Health care was nominally free, but it took a bribe to see a doctor. America isn’t there yet, but it badly needs. . . .”
Needs what, Dan? A good swift kick in the pants? A return to morality and honesty? Fire from heaven? What? Read more
This Land is Whose Land?
Posted on December 10, 2008
Filed Under Politics, Religion, Society | 5 Comments
How many times have we read Christ’s parable of the vineyard and assumed its application is long in the past? It’s easy to interpret as the history of the Jews, who were given the Abrahamic Covenant but then failed in their stewardship by rejecting the prophets and ultimately killing the Master’s Son.
But recently, reading Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy, I saw the parable in a whole new light. Tolstoy says: Read more
An Explanation of Mormons’ Support of Proposition 8
Posted on November 26, 2008
Filed Under Religion | Leave a Comment
I’m no theologian nor do I speak for the LDS Church, but I would like to lay out the doctrinal reasons I think the Church supported a ban on homosexual marriage under Proposition 8 in California. I will try to cite as much as possible from the Church’s publications, primarily from chapters 2 and 47 of Gospel Principles. Read more
Two Tries for Small-Fries
Posted on November 14, 2008
Filed Under Cringers | 1 Comment
When I went back to college after my mission, I decided to fill my Phys. Ed. requirements with a volleyball class. I had played the same game most Americans have played that we generously call volleyball, where the only thing more lacking than knowledge of the game is talent to play it. I remember my first volleyball experience being at a family reunion where the only consistent rule was “two tries for small fries,” meaning if a young player missed a serve, he got a second chance. I liked this rule, being a small fry at the time. In my teens I played in some more competitive, competent games, but never seriously. So I decided to take a beginner volleyball class. Read more
America’s Religion of Wealth
Posted on November 11, 2008
Filed Under Politics, Religion, Society | Leave a Comment
In the New Testament, there are two occurrences of the word wealth: a silversmith of Ephesus said to his fellow idol-makers “. . . ye know that by this craft we have our wealth” (Acts 19:25); and from Paul to the Corinthians, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Cor 10:24). It is interesting to see these two statements juxtaposed onto America today. Our idol is wealth itself, the accumulation of which has become the American Dream. Whereas seeking another’s wealth, or the prosperity of another, is seen as anti-American. Read more
Some questions for Sen. McCain
Posted on September 26, 2008
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Sen. McCain,
1. Why was it necessary to suspend your campaign; can you not do two difficult things at once? The presidency is a tough job that will require you to juggle many important and urgent things at any given time; should we assume from your suspending your campaign that you cannot do this? We all understand prioritizing, but we feel that hearing your thoughts on foreign policy is a very high priority. Read more
“The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution” book review
Posted on September 24, 2008
Filed Under Movie/Book Reviews, Politics, Society | 2 Comments
Last week I finished a new book called The Summer of 1787: the Men Who Invented the Constitution by David O. Stewart. The author does a good job of weaving together vignettes of the Framers, notes on the contemporary situation, and the actual goings-on in the Convention. I came away with more knowledge, understanding, cynicism, hope, and respect. Read more
McCain Sells Out
Posted on September 17, 2008
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
When Sarah Palin was chosen as Senator McCain’s v.p. candidate, I wondered why, with all the capable people in the pool of potential candidates, he would choose a novice governor from a small, solidly-red state. I think I have figured it out—and it’s ingenious. Read more
Presidential Election 2008 – Update a la Dave
Posted on September 10, 2008
Filed Under Politics | 1 Comment
With only 55 days left until the election, and since the dust from the conventions is starting to settle, it’s time to talk about the election, because I can’t influence it—living in Utah. Read more
“John Adams” book review
Posted on September 2, 2008
Filed Under Movie/Book Reviews, Politics | 1 Comment
I just finished John Adams by David McCullough. What a fine rendering of a great, courageous, intelligent man! To begin with, the book is very well written and readable; McCullough does a great job of making a compelling story out of facts, quotes and dates.
But the treasure he uncovers for the readers is incredible. A little-known, one-term president squished between Washington and Jefferson comes to life as a giant of his time, at least equal to his presidential bookends. Read more
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