Family Reading Time

I just had a fond memory, and I thought, "I should write that down somewhere." This seemed like the best place to do that, so here I am. It is kind of mushy, especially as a follow-up to a response to an article about Google, so beware.

When I was little, I remember my mom reading to me all the time. Even well after the time when I could read myself, we would lie on her bed and she would read to my sister and I. I don't actually remember what she read, although I do remember that there were chapter books that would take days to finish, but I always thought that that was fun, and now that I look back on it, I think it helped me relax at night. I have a serious problem of not being able to go to sleep because my mind gets caught up on one topic or another. I also remember visiting my parents a year or two after getting married, and walking in to find my mom reading to my sister who was like a junior or senior in high school at the time. It may sound a little silly, but I think it just shows that reading is important in my family.

Recently I thought that I should read to my boys, and so when we were at the library I picked up a smaller kids chapter book (Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, it is a classic) and we spent a couple of nights reading it. It was fun for the boys, and although it did seem like one more thing to do at night, it was fun for me as well.

Anyway, that is my thought for the day, and now it is recorded for my posterity, yadda yadda yadda. If any of my siblings read this, I would be interested to know if you have any similar memories. Mom, if you want to validate or refute any facts here, feel free. We all tend to remember history the way we want to.

Do you fear the Googleplex?

So you have to read this article about Google's rise to domination.

I think they really hit the nail on the head. We are head to a web-centric world, and Google is at the wheel with the accelerator slammed against the floor. And what are to do about it? What can we do? For me personally, so far I have embraced it.

Why would I do that? Google's products are free and meet my needs. It is that simple, and isn't that what we all dreamed of for the Internet from day one? Free tools to make our lives easier and our businesses cheaper to run? What I don't think anyone envisioned was one massive for-profit company out there making it all happen under one roof.

I admit that is a little scary, but I have a growing number of google docs, I love my iGoogle page and I will admit that Msoft and friends don't find what I want to find on the Internet anywhere near as well as the big G.

So what are your thoughts? Should we start fighting this teenage giant now before it grows up and squashes us all? Or should we blissfully kiss Microsoft goodbye and cling to our new Big Brother?

Number 17 is down, now for 18

The move is more or less complete. Yes, there are still a few items at the other place, maybe even enough for a couple of loads, but the lion's share is here with us in the new old house (old new house?) It is true that with a larger family with older kids, we have a lot more stuff and so moving is more painful. That is just how it is I guess. I'm not getting any younger and the couches, armoires, dressers and bookshelves aren't getting any lighter.

So all that is left is to start planning move number 18. I don't like to move, and I don't want to move again, but recent events have convinced me that our wandering days are not quite over yet. The end is near, I can tell that much, but I am not going to lie and say that I think we will be here very long.

*sigh*

I'd better get some rest.

The scariest news I heard today . . .

Since I was sick of Weird Al--Collin's new favorite CD--I was flipping through the radio stations on the way to work and I ran across an NPR news station and paused to hear what I thought was the scariest news of the day. Lloyds of London, a huge bank in the UK is buying out the Bank of Scotland (HBOS) making it the largest holder of mortgages in the UK, holding a full 1/3 of all UK home loans. Now, I don't have anything against mergers or acquisitions, in fact they play an important part in contemporary business strategy. So we does this one freak me out? Well, we don't seem to be learning from our mistakes.

Why did Fannie and Freddie pose such a significant risk to the economy? They own almost all US mortgages. Now Lloyds finds themselves in a similar situation. To paraphrase the reporter, she said that "under normal times the UK government would never have signed off on this merger, but these aren't normal times." She continued on to report that the government in the UK even stepped in to help the parties come together, to help the deal go through. It is seen as a short-term fix to a problem, but to me it screams of a long-term problem in the future of gigantic proportions. Really, don't these guys read the news? You want to insulate your economy from giants collapsing? Don't let your giants get too big. Sure, help HBOS find a buyer, but don't set up a bigger collapse.

US tax payers will be bearing the burden of Fannie, Freddie, Lehman and others for years to come. I guess our friends in the UK just feel like they are missing out.

Here is a summary of the transaction from Bloomsberg:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aACIIha0JBvE

More Politics . . .

Ok, so I have given up trying to merge the email and blog conversations, however, I am going to post my responses. I will keep my correspondants' thoughts private.

I don't think I am waiting for a perfect election or candidate. And I realize that our system is not perfect. My concern is that perhaps the system, election or candidate may not at all represent the values I want to represent. And yes, I think there are single issues that make the situation a no-go for me. For instance, if I had no other experience or history about Pres. Clinton, I would say that I absolutely do not want him as a president because he is an adulterer. I am not saying that he can't work out his own forgiveness or whatever else, but to me that rules him out as a leader of this country. Obviously millions of people disagreed with me, but that is just an example.

Every BYU undergrad student has to take a class called American Heritage, and it is generally taken your freshman year. They approached questions like mine in an auditorium setting and I remember the day they talked about the importance and role the two-party system played in our politics. They also showed videos of "democratic" proceedings in new democracies where the representatives ended up in fistfights in meetings and how the smallest percentage of the population could control the entire country. So I am not offering that as a solution. The BYU answer was that when either party strayed from its constituents, a third party would form and grow until it was big enough to get the respect of the larger party and pull it back the direction the constituents wanted, be it right or left.

That is one of those ideas that looks good on paper, but I don't know if it works in real life. What I see is a lot of people that go along with their party no matter what. It is almost a religious matter for some. If the people aren't keeping the party honest, then what keeps the party from controlling the people? And in either case, what keeps the party upper-crust from pre-selecting candidates? If the candidates are pre-chosen then why do we vote?

Don't get me wrong, I believe in democracy. I want to have a say in how the country is run. Right now I don't think I have a chance for meaningful input because I don't know who I am voting for. I don't trust the media. They have their own agendas from profits to political ties. I don't trust the campaigns, as they are obviously dis-incentivized to give objective information. As I have shared with some of you before, I took a marketing class where they showed how the public is manipulated in every election not by charismatic candidates, but by master marketers that control the emotions of the masses.

I think this is similar to economics. One of the few things I learned in my econ classes was that there is one big all-encompassing caveat to every theory held in the field of economics (at least that they taught me.) All of the equations, graphs, etc depended on the consumer having perfect knowledge of the product. Without that, there was no telling what the fickle consumer might do. How can I vote when I am constantly being fed skewed data?

For example, lets go back to Rush's website. Take a look around for about 30 seconds. just take in a few headlines, get the flavor of it. Then go to Micheal Moore's website and do the same. Do you see the similarity in writing style, design, etc.? Each trying to be a little funny while seriously attacking the opponent and defending their side. Granted, I like the content on Rush's website a lot more as a conservative, but that type of content does not inspire trust. Realistically, if one side can lie, why can't the other?

About our armed forces, I have a lot of respect for them, and I respect and feel gratitude for what they do. They allow us to have discussions like this. However, it seems to me that to vote just to vote is not honoring their sacrifice. If I risked my life to defend someones right to vote I would hope that they thought about what they were doing, and didn't just vote for someone because the guy on the radio or TV said they were good, or because they attended the right convention.

An obvious comment: It hasn't come up yet, so I'll bring it up. One strategy we can and should employ as church members is to pray and ask for wisdom and guidance in choosing who we vote for. This is a good plan. When Joseph Smith prayed with a similar question, asking which church to join (casting a vote through attendance perhaps?) he was told that he should attend none of them. He wasn't told that he should exercise his religious freedom by joining the one that was closest to the truth, but he was told to hold out and do what was necessary to promote the real truth. Do you think this is a possible answer in my situation (without meaning to sound presumptuous, of course)? That it might be better to not vote and continue studying the problem until I have a solution?

A parting thought to muddy the waters just a little more: We haven't mentioned it yet, but should it matter that no matter how I vote, or whether or not I vote, McCain is going to win Utah? I mean doesn't make the whole thing a little pointless?

As always, great conversation. This is very enlightening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

(Nate, I read your comment. All I would add to the above is that my ego is apparent in my haughty expressions, sexy Walmart wardrobe and witty golf-course banter. Sorry, this is just a sincere question ;-) )

Your chance to influence an Undecided vote in the next election . . .

--OK, so the political discussion has continued outside of the blog via email, and once again I am going to try to merge them. I am interested in getting lots of varied input, so we will see how this goes. Here is my most recent email response.


So I have to admit that I don't feel like anyone has answered the real question here. I agree that politics have changed over the last 20 years, and even more so in the last 100 years, but I wonder if the situation has changed and rather than address the change we are just making up reasons to avoid change.

So to avoid ambiguity, I will restate one of my main questions:

How is it OK to vote for someone who doesn't share your values, therefore not representing your interests?

More of my thoughts to flesh out the question:

Isn't that the basis of democracy? Are we really "participating" in democracy when we vote for one of two options even though we don't believe either represents our interests? What if there is a conspiracy out there, and they own both candidates? Are you going to feel good when you leave the polls having just put your vote with the "less evil" candidate? To use a sports analogy, in the end it doesn't matter if you lose by 2 points or 20 points, either way you lose. Pres. Bush isn't a hero right now, and Dad mentions some questionable ties in his background, (which I heard about during the last race btw), but I certainly don't think things would have been any better had Gore won the last go-round. In short, we were all hosed before the election even happened, many people knew we were hosed, but our current form of democracy didn't offer us any solution to the problem. I think we are in the same boat this time. Being in the most conservative state in the nation, you think I would have heard good things about McCain during the primaries, but I did not hear one positive thing about him at that point in time. And now all of those critics are telling me to vote for him, making them hypocrites in my mind.

Now for my opinion (OK, this is all my opinion, but I wanted a new section):

I think we need to change as a nation to survive as a democracy. We may call it a democracy, but names change. Isn't it true that the "democrats" used to be the conservative party? I think the bad guys, whoever they are, are changing the definition of democracy in this country. They can use the same words, the same rallying cries that our predecessors used, but be supporting completely different ideals.

The current voting scenario is like going to Walmart. You only have two options on most products: The leading name brand for that product and the store brand. We need to either change our parties to make sure that we are getting a choice that we want to vote for or we need to change the system.

My solution:

I don't have one. I would like to develop a solution that at least gives me a direction on voting day, but I'm not there yet. So what do I do? First, I abstain. I am not convinced that voting for the sake of voting isn't doing more harm than good, so unless I have a specific candidate I believe in, voting day is just like any other day. Second, I keep bringing this discussion up with anyone who will discuss it with me. I annoy family members with active discussion. Whatever it takes. What I don't do: Listen to Rush. If there is a world-wide conspiracy that owns presidential candidates, financial institutions, etc., then I certainly am not going to get out from under their umbrella by listening to a nationally syndicated radio personality. Especially one that is voting for McCain (ie, not fixing the problem I see in the system). Just to be fair I just visited [Limbaugh's] website and it is so full of one-sided spin that it is comical. I got nothing of value. I might as well listen to all of the democrats on NPR (our buddy Garrison Keillor, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, etc.)

Opening the floor . . .

So here is your chance to influence my political views. Go ahead, let me have it. Tell me why I am crazy, wrong, stubborn, or whatever. I'm not saying I will agree, but I am listening:)

What is your Big Bang theory? Or theory on the Big Bang?

So I have been trading a few emails with family members (mostly Jeff because he is the only one who talks to me) about politics, life, and now a current event. I think it is both interesting and fun, so I decided to put it to a larger audience. Plus, the email thing gets annoying after a while. This is what blogs are for.

Here was my jab this morning to get things rolling:

Since yesterday's conversation was so interesting, what do you think about this article that came out today?


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24748826/

Of course, I am referring to the Big Bang machine doo-hickey that they plugged in over in Switzerland. Here was the one and only response I got. (Sorry for making your email public.)

Okay, you want to get the day started with a Bang (pun intentional) ! I mean a really Big Bang...get it...
Were you wanting to discuss the quantum physics of this machine, or the fact that every stinking article in the news for the next two months has a political spin going on? Not to mention the fine print saying the US is still in the lead, they are only Fear Mongering to the crowds that the title could be lost at some future point due to a lack of money. It is funny how this could sound like a less fortunate individual living in the projects in Philly (or anywhere) whining that all of their problems in life come from the government not greasing their wheels...


Now that it is getting interesting, here is my response. Feel free to comment from here.


HA! Yep, this is a good way to start the day.

I did think it had a spin to it. I was amazed that the US Government kicked in $531 million to the Euro project, but that they were whining about losing a $91 million budget in a time of war. At the same time, I think it is obvious that the US is losing dominance in a number of areas (maybe you don't think so?)

So, my question is this: Do you think it is important that the US continues to be an unquestioned world power, or should we be looking at things as a world-community?

Things to consider: military and political threats, linked economies, lack of national self-sufficiency, the affects of isolationism on your own lifestyle, the affects of globalization on your future.

Lets hear what you think. Don't worry, no one reads my blog but you and me.

It is all about the shadow

This is my first posting from my phone. i don't know why i haven't blogged about my phone before, but It has made all of my wildest dreams come true. more or less.

anyway, i can surf the internet, play games, take pictures and movies, check my work email... the list actually doesn't end. So here I am in the emergency room, AGAIN, with Collin who got crap in his eyes, AGAIN, but this time the whole world (ie the internet) is at my fingertips. This is awesome.

Football, Life, and Roots

I like sports. I just do. I am not a big sports fanatic, and I never feel like I have the time to follow a team for a whole season (except for the Diamondbacks in ’99 when they won the World Series), but I enjoy it when I can. I like playing sports, but similar to watching them I never seem to be available to play when people I know are playing. Obviously I need to practice better time management. That aside, I can honestly say that I have never been as excited for college football season as I am this season.

Last week we had family in town and I got to go to the BYU home opener against Northern Iowa. It should have been a blow-out from the first quarter, but for some reason the Cougs couldn’t get around to really finishing them off until the fourth quarter, and the 41-17 score doesn’t tell the story of the fumbles and long running plays that kept the game close until the last 12 minutes or so. It wasn’t the best game I have ever watched, but there was something perfect about being there, packed into my 18” square assigned space like a sardine and getting baked by the late summer sun. Honestly I couldn’t figure out what it was, but I enjoyed the game from the minute I walked up to the stadium to the minute I got into the car to go home.

Later it hit me as I reviewed the schedule and was lamenting my lack of tickets to the Homecoming Game vs New Mexico. I realized that I haven’t missed a BYU Homecoming game since I have lived in Utah. That is 4 years in a row, and now in the 5th year the tradition will be broken. The truth is that for a lot of reasons I like living here, and BYU, be it Football, Basketball, Volleyball, you name it, is a part of living here for me. I love a good football game as much as the next guy, but BYU Football is different. It is a part of where I live, and now it is a part of my history.

So as I am typing this I realized something else. Something awful has happened. I knew it would happen someday, but I always expected to have more say in the matter. It was supposed to be part of a master plan or something.

I have put down roots. Dang.

Oh well. We’ll see how that goes in the long run. Until then, Go Cougars!