The Warrior Song

Yeah, yeah, yeah...so, it's been what??? More than four months since I last blogged. Boy took off like a rocket, fizzled like a tablet of Alka-Seltzer. Oh well. I'm just glad I came back and found the blog still here, LOL. Besides, I forgot what a cool jukebox I use on the site and missed it.
Anyway, I stumbled across this video entitled, "The Warrior Song", recently and really got a kick out of it. It's a tribute to the American soldier and their stalwart desire to defend our land, freedoms, and people.
I also downloaded the song to my MP3 player. It's a good one to work out to. Enjoy!

Health Care Debate

For all you Americans that are under the impression that government run health care, or government run anything for that matter, is the way to go, you are sadly misinformed. Those American citizens in the know are terrified of what may happen if President Obama has his way with the health care system. You are going to see more and more citizens confront their representatives and hold them accountable over this issue.
The majority of the citizens in this country are wise enough to recognize a piece of garbage legislation like Health Care Reform, or as our President refers to it now, Health Insurance Reform. As more and more citizens become knowledgeable of the impact this legislation will have on a global scale for our nation, their voices will grow mightily and soon, even a renegade president and liberal Congress will have to listen.

Take note:

Bruce Lee Rocks!

If you didn't have enough to reasons to believe Bruce Lee was the greatest martial artist ever, here's another one for you.

Evian Babies

If you haven't seen this commercial for Evian, you're in for a treat. I understand Evian held off on releasing it over television in favor of the Internet. It has now been downloaded 8 million times. Get ready to smile.

Evian Roller Babies U.S.

My Belated Happy 4th of July Post

OK, I was bad. I completely, though not intentionally, overlooked posting anything for the July 4th Independence Day recognition. Shame on me. So for the sake of time and just because I like this article, I am posting the following:

The Real Meaning of July 4

July 2, 2009 | By Nathaniel Ward

What is the Fourth of July? Just a convenient summer holiday with barbecues and fireworks? Or is there a deeper meaning?

"The Fourth of July is a great opportunity to renew our dedication to the principles of liberty and equality enshrined in what Thomas Jefferson called "the declaratory charter of our rights," writes Heritage scholar Matthew Spalding.

Chiefly the work of Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was America's proclamation to the world "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." And it held that the purpose of government is to "secure these rights," rather than to determine what rights the people could enjoy.

The Declaration of Independence marks our nation's conception of liberty. Its truths, grounded in a higher law and applied to all men, are "self-evident." President Abraham Lincoln once praised the document as an "abstract truth, applicable to all men and all times."

"What is revolutionary about the Declaration of Independence is not that a particular group of Americans declared their independence under particular circumstances," writes Spalding. "But that they did so by appealing to -- and promising to base their particular government on -- a universal standard of justice."

This universal standard of justice endures for all time and cannot be reversed or rewritten. In a speech marking the 150th anniversary of independence on July 5, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge elaborated this point:

About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning cannot be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If govern­ments derive their just powers from the con­sent of the governed, that is final.

His next point is a direct rebuke to the so-called "Progressives" -- those on the Left who believe their views are the next step in historical "progress":

No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propo­sitions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction cannot lay claim to progress."

Just Some Food for Thought...or in this case, the lack thereof.

Have you ever pondered the unlikely success of the American Revolution? I mean really sat back and imagined the overwhelming odds of a small, rag-tag group of freedom fighters defeating the greatest military nation on earth, Great Britain?
It boggles the mind and can only be attributed to the hand of Providence.
Scripture is full of accounts of overwhelming odds being defeated by God-fearing men and armies. The inclusion of God in the mindset of those who have fought for freedom, liberty and peace in the past enabled them to obtain their objectives and conquer their foes.
Like I said, here's some food for thought.

Congress proclaimed days of fasting and thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War. The proclamation set by Congress on May 17, 1776 was a "...day of humiliation, fasting and prayer..."

The United States of America won the war with England. We were outnumbered, outgunned, lacking in strategy, scraping the bottom of the barrel for supplies, and yet we won. The victory was won by a nation who revered God, who called upon Him to deliver them from bondage and who fought with the moral courage and fortitude that can only be found in a God-fearing people.
Congress certainly believed it back then. I wish they could do so now.

USA Soccer Almost Rocked the World Again...but that was another moment.

Oh so close...Ohhhhh so close. Is it too much to ask of our Team USA men's soccer team to hold a lead until the final whistle blows?
Taking a 2-0 lead into halftime during the FIFA Confederation Cup championship game was Team USA. Who would have ever thought they could score two goals against Brazil in the first half, much less a whole game? I'll be honest, not I.
But there I was getting ready for church Sunday afternoon, buttoning up my shirt, tying my tie, grooming the best I could and watching this match unfold before my eyes.
The first USA goal was a stunner. I literally had to pinch myself to make sure I was awake. However, the second USA goal was a thing of beauty. Brazil on the offense and near our goal box with all but two of their players pressing offensively. Then it happened, Team USA's defense popped the ball out to Landon Donovan and the race was on. He had three-quarters of the length of the field to run with only two defenders in his way. He makes a great pass to a teammate - I forget who - and both USA players blew by one Brazilian defender. One defender to go. The teammate passes back to Donovan just outside the Brazilian goal box and Donovan takes advantage of the Brazilian defenders over pursuit by dribbling the ball - one touched it actually - the opposite way then, SHOT....SCORE...Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal! I nearly passed out from the jig I was dancing and all the screaming I could muster.
I decided with Team USA up 2-o, that would be a good time to head for church. Oh how safe and secure I felt throughout the block meeting. I was sure I would come home and find that Team USA had one its first ever FIFA tournament championship. I was 99.87% sure. Oh man, how that last .13% nagged me throughout Gospel Doctrine and Priesthood lessons though.
I kept saying to myself, "...but this is Brazil we're talking about...BRAZIL!" True to form, and true to history, I came home and jumped on the Internet to see the score...and there it was in all its awful glory...Brazil 3, Team USA 2.
Crap. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.
Well, I was hoping for a chance to run to my wife and Eddie and scream, "TEAM USA WON, HALLELUJAH!!!" But instead I got to fill them in on the loss, what a missed opportunity it was and how Team USA always seems to find ways to lose.
Blah!
So where does that leave USA soccer? Well, we did beat number one ranked Spain and we came thisssssssssssss close to beating Brazil. You would think that was a huge step in the right direction. I wonder though, because in both games Team USA was out shot almost 3-1 on goal. Them's is not good numbers.
Hopefully by the 2010 World Cup, we will find Team USA capable of creating more scoring chances.

Go USA!

USA Soccer Rocks! (At least for the moment)

Oh my, oh my, oh my...for those of you that don't know, I am a huge soccer fan. Always have been, always will be. So, watching Team USA defeat number one ranked and European Champion Spain was astounding, amazing, and just plain pleasurable. Can USA soccer really be this good? Man, I hope so. We either play South Africa or Brazil in the finals of the Confederation Cup on Sunday. Please, please, please let it be Brazil.

Take a look...

Barack Obama Superhero?

You know, it was never my intent to turn this blog into my own personal, political bull horn. I really have so many other interests besides politics that I would much rather blog about. It's just that...you know, when you come across some of this stuff you can't help but post it because it's so creative and funny.
On a more serious note, I continue to shake my head in disbelief as more and more people cling to the notion that Obama's charisma is what sets him apart from the typical politician, or world leader for that matter. It seems that as more people realize Obama can't deliver on his campaign promises, it is his charisma that keeps their faith in him alive.
History is full of charismatic leaders whose philosophies of socialism, communism or totalitarianism regulated every aspect of public and private life.
Charisma can be an important tool used to keep a society complacent and misdirected.
Adolf Hitler is an excellent example of charismatic oratory. He fooled a whole nation into believing they were the elite of the world, that they were destined to rule, and while speaking all of this propaganda from the pulpit, he was robbing his own citizens of their rights, liberties and freedoms. One night you go to bed believing you're a citizen of the supreme race, then get up in the morning with the Gestapo escorting you, your wife and children out the door for destinations unknown.
Other examples can be found in the Book of Mormon. Check out Alma Chapter 47 and read about how a very charismatic leader named Amalickiah - a Nephite and an enemy of the Lamanite people - used charisma as a means to become King of the Lamanites in a few short years. Oh, and what about the Adversary? Was he not so charismatic in the Pre-existance that he took one-third of God's children with him when he was expelled from God's presence?
Charisma can be a tremendously positive trait in a leader, but only when it is coupled with the adherence to, and promotion of, gospel standards and principles. I point out examples such as; Joseph Smith, Gordon B. Hinckley, and our current Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thomas S. Monson. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan would be other examples.
Anyway, if this video brings a chuckle to your day, I've done my job.

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The Death of the San Joaqin Valley

I grew up in Fresno, CA, the heart of the San Joaquin Valley located in central California. For those of you who don't know, the San Joaquin Valley is quite often referred to as the "Bread Basket" of the United States and the "nation's salad bowl" due to the amount of fruits and vegetable crops produced there. The San Joaquin Valley is quite possibly the most fertile farmland in the world.
Geographically, the San Joaquin Valley extends from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in the north to the Tehachapi Mountains in the south and from the Coastal Range in the west to the Sierra-Nevada Mountains in the east. That's over 300 miles in length and 80-120 miles in width. All told the San Joaquin Valley covers 42,000 square miles.


For years, even decades, I have frequently heard and read about a small minnow-like fish called the Delta Smelt. It is about two inches long and has a lifespan of about one year. The Delta Smelt primarily inhabits the waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that intertwines itself for over 700 miles between Sacramento, Stockton and the San Francisco Bay area. It is a fish that has been on the decline for decades. Environmentalists claim that this decline is due in large part to the volume of water that is pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta into a large canal system that feeds the farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley. The canal system includes aqueducts, canals and irrigation ditches.



If left to the whims of mother-nature, the San Joaquin Valley would never be the food producing resource that it is today. Over the decades the bloodline (aqueducts, canals and irrigation ditches) that feeds the valley is dependent upon the Sacrament-San Joaquin Delta and the many man-made reservoirs that dot the landscape throughout the region. Without these water resources, the San Joaquin Valley would be nothing but an arid region of the state producing nothing in the way of crops.

Due to the declining population of the Delta Smelt, environmentalist groups have long sought federal protection for this fish. In August of 2007, a California Federal Judge, Oliver Wanger, declared the Delta Smelt a protected fish and ordered significant reductions in water delivery to the San Joaquin Valley from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. In essence, all water resources from the delta have been shut off to the valley.

In addition to crops, the San Joaquin Valley is home to large cattle and sheep ranches that are depended on this same water supply. It is also the state of California's largest petroleum production region.

My grandfather worked and retired from Getty Oil while living in Coalinga, CA. My uncle's family has farmed land outside of Tranquility, CA for decades. My family has lived in Fresno, Clovis, Sacramento, Coalinga, Dos Palos, and other San Joaquin Valley communities even before I was born.

Now, don't get me wrong here. I am not insensitive to the environmental issues of the day. I do believe in conservation and caring for what God has blessed us with on this planet. I do believe that proper management and laws need to be in place to safeguard our environment and natural resources. I do not believe in global warming, but do not excuse our individual and collective irresponsibility when it comes to pollution and waste.

However, when weighing the pros and cons of the need to maintain the population of the Delta Smelt at the expense mankinds needs for food, employement...basically the livlihood of tens of thousands of valley residents and millions of people who benefit from the goods produced in the San Joaquin Valley, I truly believe that a tragedy is occurring here. One that is unjust and detrimental to the very lifeblood of the people who live in central California. Whole farms, even whole regions of farmland have become nothing but arid dust bowls producing nothing becuase of this federal intervention. Crops have died, water is gone, farmers are going bankrupt and our nation is going to suffer at the checkout line, suffer through higher unemployment and unemployment claims, which is paid for by the American taxpayer.

Following is a video from Fox new - Shaun Hannity - regarding the issue. The guest is Paul Rodriguez, celebrity comedian and actor, and son of San Joaquin Valley farmers. He of all people knows the dramatic effects of this issue...namely, the lack of water to our farmlands, and how it's hurting people, famalies, whole communities. The two communities mentioned in the video - Firebaugh and Mendota - are communities I know quite well. Both are within an hour of where I grew up. Unemployment in those communities is 41%. Can you imagine 41% unemployment??? It's absolutely ridiculous and it doesn't need to be.







Environmental issues have their place, but in this case the government is wrong.



This video takes it outside the scope of the Delta Smelt, but this Congressman gives a straightforward presentation and makes it easy to put into perspective.

Freedom Isn't Free, but Socialism is a Whole Lot More Expensive

The Sun, or Sol, heats our planet and provides life to every creature that exists upon the earth. It is an amazing creation that sits 93 million miles from the earth. Light, which travels at 186,000 miles per second, takes eight minutes to reach our planet from the sun. It's circumference is so large that 2 million planets the size of earth could fit within it. By itself, the sun makes up 98.6% of the Solar System's total mass. It's surface temperature is almost 10,000 degrees F. All of this is astounding to say the least.
So, how many Americans ever take the time to learn this information for themselves? How many Americans go about their lives, business as usual, and never give any thought to how the sun effects them? For the most part, the majority of us just take the sun for granted. We do that with so many things in our lives. In essence, most Americans are apathetic towards many things they should be attentive to, or appreciative of. That's just kind of the natural man, or natural attitude, in us all.
So what does it take to get an American citizen thinking about the cause and effect of certain things like...government spending, stimulus packages, bailout, financial ruin, state and/or national bankruptcy, or even borrowing unimaginable amounts of money from a financial institutions like...China?
I think it takes understanding. Once we begin to understand something then we can act. We have the responsibility to act when faced with a trial or challenge. You can't just continue to mosey on down the road of life and pretend that the ills of society, or the ills of government, don't exist. Every man and woman has a duty to act, and to do so responsibly.
So yes, I am talking about the financial direction our country is heading. It is scary, even downright terrifying. Yet, many Americans don't seem to care one bit about it. Maybe that's because terms like, 'millions', 'billions', and 'trillions' of dollars are bantered about so much in the media that we become desensitized to what they actually mean.
Take a look at the following video and see what you think. A word of caution though. Once you watch it, you will then be informed. What you do with it is your responsibility.

"Love Story meets Viva la Vida"

O.K., for all you Jon Schmidt fans out there check out this fabulous compilation instrumental that has just become the number one music video of all time on YouTube. This guy is brilliant.

You Just Gotta Love Bob Hope.

OK, so I'm not looking to offend anyone by posting this video. It's just that it was hilariously funny and I couldn't help myself. It is titled:

Bob Hope and a Truism

Obama's Concerned About Illegal Immigration? Is This Another Letterman Joke?

Hallelujah, the man can do more than read from a teleprompter. It's surprising to see how many Bush administration policies Obama now supports when during the campaign he made so many promises to end them.
The last thing I expected from our new President is an aggressive stance on Illegal Immigration or any part thereof. As of this past May, the following news report was made by MSNBC - that's surprising in of itself - regarding Obama's plan to implement a Bush era program that would identify Illegal Aliens upon arrest for criminal activity.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Are we a Demorcracy or a Republic?

The United States of America has a history of providing military and economic aid to foreign countries in need. That tradition has been symbolic of what makes this country and her citizens so special. It has also been given at great cost and sacrifice.
As our top leaders, and in particular our President, refer to this aid in public forums (news media), they quite often make the comment that, "...it is done to help spread and/or establish Democracy in these lands..." (Paraphrased).
Both Republican and Democratic Presidents have used that same term, "Democracy", in describing the efforts the United States is making to bring "freedom" to the citizens of foreign lands.
However, a Democracy is not what the United States is. At least it was not intended to be by our Founding Fathers. The country created by those inspired men was a Republic. There is a big difference between the two.
This 10 minute video provides an excellent summary of those differences. It speaks to the challenges our government is facing at the present, and provides a warning of sorts that could be realized by this nation if steps are not taken to put us back on the correct path.

Sweet! The California Supreme Court Gets It Right This Time!

Bravo to the California Supreme Court!!!!! It just hit the news that they upheld the terms and conditions of California's Proposition 8 passed by voters this past November. The link to the news article can be found here:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/26/california-high-court-rule-gay-marriage/

Speaking for myself, I was really worried the CSC would rule against Prop 8. It's nice to see they recognize the right of California citizens to establish the rule of law in their state by majority vote. Previous rulings by the CSC regarding this issue were in error as California had already passed a vote in 2000 or 2001 to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The CSC interference was absurd to say the least.

Not only did the CSC uphold the proposition, but they did so on a 6-1 vote. That's amazing in and of itself. I half expected it to be 4-3...really tight.

Anyway, not a long post, but one I had to jump on ASAP.

Memorial Day!

Freedom and Liberty!

There are few words in the English language that stir our souls with such reverence, respect and awe.


Can we ever fully understand the meaning of these words, or the price that is paid to guarantee our everlasting privilege to live under such circumstances?









The countless souls who went home to our Heavenly Father for love of family, of homes, and country.

The fallen heroes of today...

























and of yesterday...

The ones who live, we can shake hands with...













and the ones who sorrow, we can embrace.


Do we remember the fear we felt when our freedom and liberty were in jeopardy?













Or when brother fought against brother, each believing they were doing the right thing?
















Can we understand the fear they felt when landing in harms way?















Do we honor the memorials to their sacrifices?



















































The names and faces?

















Do we understand the commitment each American soldier makes on behalf of his/her fellow citizens?











Can we ever thank them enough for all they do?















What does it take to preserve freedom, to guarantee liberty?

It takes courage, dignity, honor, commitment, and above all...Love of one's fellowman.

God bless our soldiers serving this great nation...


and God Bless America!

Steve Perry "The Voice"

About this time last year the website votenumber1.com held a contest to determine the "Best Male Rock Singer of All-Time". The results can be found at:

http://www.votenumber1.com/results1malerocksinger.html

Fans from over 40 countries cast their votes for several months. I was one of those that not only voted, but kept track of the online vote throughout the process. It was extremely close up to the end with Freddie Mercury beating out Steve Perry by a fraction of a percent. Personally, I think Perry is much better, but that's just my Constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression talking. See for yourself...

I'll admit I was sorely disappointed because I grew up with Journey playing on my turntable day in and day out, and Steve Perry's voice is the standard I have always compared every other singer to. However, coming in 2nd place to the lead singer of Queen, who was himself a unique and legendary singer, is no small accomplishment.

My ties to Steve Perry are mostly imagined – yes I wish he was my long, lost brother, my next door neighbor, Disc Golf partner, etc. However, he did grow up less than 30 miles from my hometown of Fresno, CA (he was born and raised in Hanford, CA and lived in Lemoore, CA while attending high school). Like me, Steve Perry has a special place in his heart for the San Joaquin Valley and has mentioned it in song and interviews.

Steve Perry's musical idol was the legendary Sam Cooke. Listening to Sam sing songs like Cupid, Good Times and You Send Me reveals the similarities in both singing styles. Steve Perry has been, and still is, my singing idol. Over the past 30-plus years of being a Perry fan, I have also developed some similarities in singing style. Oh heck, what am I saying? I can sing like Steve Perry and if you catch me in a good mood, I may even regale you with a sample sometime.

I have seen Journey in concert a handful of times back in their heyday...Fresno, San Francisco, Salt Lake City. They have always impressed. The band members are true musicians, exceptionally gifted at their respective musical talents.

Journey - Don't Stop believing - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Unfortunately, Journey is and has been without Steve Perry since the late 90's. They continue to actively record and perform with a new lead singer Arnel Pineda (their third lead singer in the last decade), and have recently released a new CD titled, "Revelation", which is pretty good.

Will there ever come a day when "The Voice" of Steve Perry will unite once again with the Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valery and Steve Smith? Who can say? It would be quite the event. However, I don't think it is likely. I would be very happy if Perry would just come out of his decade-long musical isolation and release a solo album once again. The man is 60 years old as of this past January. He needs to get on the ball. So here's to wishful thinking .

My First Post on my New Blog (What am I getting myself into?) Overcoming Temptation

So my lesson for the Priest Quorum today is titled, "Overcoming Temptation". Yeah, I scored on that one...lucky me, LOL. This coming from the guy who can't pass up a bag of Tostito's Hint of Lime chips whenever he shops the grocery store. Oh, and by the way for those wanting to know, Tostito's Hint of Lime chips now come in a bag that offers 20% more. Isn’t that great? This is how it's advertised on the bag:

HEY! THERE'S 20% MORE FREE FUN TO SHARE IN HERE
15.625 oz. FOR THE SAME SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE AS 13 oz.

Fun to share, FUN TO SHARE...are you kidding me? Who wants to share when you can down all 2,400 calories and 2,560mg of Sodium during an episode of Lost? I'll be honest, not me! Also, you want to see some rationalization here? I have scoured through D&C Section 89 with a fine-tooth comb and nowhere, and I do mean nowhere, do I find any reference to Tostito's Hint of Lime chips being against the Word of Wisdom. To take it even one step further, I honestly believe Tostito's Hint of Lime chips builds health in my navel and marrow to my bones. How's that for justification? Actually, I do believe the Destroying Angel resides within each bag and the Adversary is the CEO of Frito Lay. 'Nuff said about that!

So back to the lesson. Teaching is great. Especially teaching 16 and 17 year old young men. The challenge is imagining and understanding the temptations they face nowadays. See it's been over a quarter century (NO OLD JOKES ALLOWED!) since I was their age and times have changed. Oh I know they face many of the same temptations I did as a youth, but somehow in this day and age those temptations seem more sophisticated in their presentation. Convenience has become a common theme in our society. So much is laid in our lap without us having to lift a finger literally (o.k., so you lift a finger when you use the T.V. remote, the computer mouse, the game console control pad, etc.). Entertainment is so easily accessible without leaving the confines of our home, our couch, or our desk. At least when I was a kid and wanted to get into mischief, I had to go looking for it. Now it seems like the mischief comes looking for us.

Anyway, Chris Stewart is an LDS author I have really come to enjoy. He wrote a series of books titled, "The Great and Terrible", and from it I have retained an excerpt from his writings that I find very enlightening, very applicable to our day. It's something I will include in my lesson today and it's something I give a lot of thought to as our society, and I do mean American society in particular, struggles with moral right and wrong.The setting is the Pre-existence and Lucifer is counseling with his angels as to how they can better convert the children of God to his plan for mortality. Like present day LDS missionaries, Lucifer's angels go about the kingdom spreading their message, however their success is minimal. So Lucifer decides on a new approach and provides an orientation to his angels where he teaches them the following...

"...Now listen to me, people, for this is the key...evil can be twisted into virtue if you phrase it just right. Any vice is acceptable if you cloak it as an issue of freedom. Any immorality is worth fighting for if you tell them they are fighting for choice, if you wrap it in the mantle of privacy and freedom. So take their moral agency and turn it on them...Only lie when you have to. Speak the truth when you can; for the truth, once it's twisted, is the most effective tool we have. Coat your lies with enough truth, and they will swallow it down. But be patient...be patient...it takes time to turn the truth upside down."

If that paragraph does not describe the state of our society so accurately, I don't know what does. Hopefully, I can convey that message to my Priest Quorum effectively. It is vital they understand the necessity of putting on the whole armor of God. We must all understand it and do it, or we risk losing everything that matters most.