Connor’s Conundrums

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The Bare Minimum

Posted by Connor on June 30th, 2008

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photo credit: valooran

In the past couple of weeks I’ve been pondering the general reaction to the Kirby Heyborne Miller Lite commercial. It’s been interesting to witness the entire gamut of responses, ranging from stinging rebukes to absolute indifference. One of the responses that most caught my attention, however, was authored by Orson Scott Card.

A syndicated columnist, his article was featured in the Deseret News “Mormon Times” section. The title, “Heyborne in the age of purity” paints a picture of the basis of Card’s arguments. Essentially, Card uses the excuse mastered by young children the world over: “Well if Johnny can do it, why can’t I?” This appeal for equality in opportunity has long been a tool used by kids to get their parents to lower their chosen standards or amend their rules. After all, Johnny’s mom is a great woman, and if she lets her child do X, then X really can’t be all that bad, right?

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CotM: Aura’s House

Posted by Connor on June 29th, 2008

The charity I’ve decided to highlight this month is Aura’s House. This organization started in early 2004 and works in cooperation with Children International. The site regularly features projects for which the founders are currently raising money.

One of the things that I enjoy the most about Aura’s House is the small scope of each project. Each project is small and targeted to either the individual or the family (usually the family), and information about the recipients’ situation is shared by way of photos and stories.

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Affirmation, California, and the LDS Church

Posted by Connor on June 25th, 2008

photo credit: Diogioscuro

The internet has been aflame in the past couple of days with the news of a new letter from the First Presidency of the LDS church that is to be read in all California congregations this Sunday (PDF download of letter). The focus and conclusion of the letter reads:

We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage.

Prophetic political involvement is not easily accepted by some—especially (and obviously) those who have an opposing viewpoint. People who consider themselves wiser than prophets, seers, and revelators have declared (and surely many more will likewise declare) their opposition to the letter and its intended purpose.

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A Curse on Machines!

Posted by Connor on June 22nd, 2008

photo credit: waxident

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on Barack Obama’s economic platform as follows (h/t Russ):

Sen. Obama cited new economic forces to explain what appears like a return to an older-style big-government Democratic platform skeptical of market forces. “Globalization and technology and automation all weaken the position of workers,” he said, and a strong government hand is needed to assure that wealth is distributed more equitably.

Reading this article reminded me of the old adage “He who does not learn from the mistakes of others is condemned to repeat them.” So it is today, with Barack Obama arguing something that has been argued since the industrial revolution and beyond: that technology hurts the position of workers, that it cheapens labor to the point of potential unemployment, and that it should be heavily regulated to provide and guarantee employment for all human workers.

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Treading Water—America’s Long Term Unsustainability

Posted by Connor on June 20th, 2008

photo credit: lslphoto

The United States government, both in terms of current and future obligations, is insolvent.

A government declaring bankruptcy necessitates a dissolution of the nation and a complete restructuring of leadership and policy, so the powers that be prefer to tread water and keep floating, even if only for a few seconds more. Thus, the futures of our posterity are mortgaged in an effort to delay inevitable consequences for just a little longer.

Sooner or later, the fiscal chickens will come home to roost. America is broke and broken, and only drastic measures will assure her longevity and vitality. Measures that are tantamount to pushing on a string continue to be promoted in Washington, such as the recent “stimulus” program. This inevitably (and perhaps intentionally) diverts the nation’s attention to accepting band-aids when a gangrenous, festering wound is staring us in the face.

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Military Desertion: A Fundamental Right

Posted by Connor on June 17th, 2008

photo credit: SmilingMonk

Recently I became aware of the story of Matthis Chiroux, an Iraq war veteran who has refused to return to military service. Just this past Sunday, Chiroux reaffirmed his desire to not participate in what he called the “Iraq Occupation”, offering his position as a Father’s Day present to his father who stood by his side as he read his remarks.

Sergeant Chiroux is one of over four thousand U.S. soldiers who refuse to continue their military employment each year. Unlike many others, Chiroux is not fleeing to Canada for refuge; he has decided to remain in this country, and through civil disobedience face whatever action the military may initiate.

Let’s rewind a few years and observe what this young man’s life might have been like in a parallel universe. Fresh out of high school, let’s imagine that Chiroux was a talented athlete who signed a contract to play with a national sports team. Excited for this opportunity and being a fan of the team for which he was recruited, he willingly signs on the dotted line and looks forward to participation. A few years down the road, he begins to witness more and more things happening in management of the team with which he disagrees. It reaches boiling point, and Chiroux decides to quit the team in favor of other pursuits.

Would he make the news? Would he face potentially severe punishment for his change of heart? Would his actions be labeled “desertion”? Clearly not. Why, then, do his actions become entirely offensive to many if his employer is the military?

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Kirby Heyborne’s Promotion of Babylon

Posted by Connor on June 10th, 2008

A recent commercial for Miller, a beer company, has been causing a small stir amongst some groups of Latter-day Saints. The commercial, which can be viewed here, features LDS actor Kirby Heyborne, made famous from such movies as “The Singles Ward” and “The Best Two Years”.

The commercial features Kirby as one of two men who are trying to find out where bottles of beer are being opened, so that they can presumably join in the fun. The other actor is the lead person pursuing the alcohol with Kirby in tow. Upon finding their desired bounty, both men grab a bottle of the beer.

Some of the more orthodox Latter-day Saints have expressed disgust and disappointment when viewing Heyborne in the promotion of an item that is prohibited by the code of conduct to which he claims to adhere. Is their reaction justified?

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The Utah Congressional Delegation: Establishment Sellouts

Posted by Connor on June 7th, 2008

photo credit: jmdspk

This op-ed article by Utah state senator Bill Hickman is absolutely spot on.

Utah’s congressional delegation sold out long ago to the establishment. Having ensconced themselves in the status quo, they have come to feel secure from and supported by the so-called conservative base that continues to put them in office. Ignorant voters in Utah, most likely unaware of their representatives’ political catastrophes (both of commission and omission), continue to look the other way so long as the media doesn’t convince them that their leaders have committed something either blatantly illegal or immoral.

And since we can’t count on the majority of the media to do their job, the delegation rests easy—content knowing that their reneged promises, their abhorrent allegiances, their political absurdities, and their unconstitutional garbage of a voting record will not be the focus of any news broadcast, local or otherwise. So much for investigative journalism.

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Standing Armies

Posted by Connor on June 6th, 2008

photo credit: Mike

Just over 1% of United States citizens are members of its military. With 1.5 million individuals in active duty and roughly the same amount in the reserves, the nation’s military employs as many people as its entire food service industry (Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2007).

While underwhelming to some, this simple fact demonstrates the sheer magnitude of our current military force. The logistical administration required by a standing army necessitates a business-like model, meaning that war and death has become institutionalized as a legitimate form of employment in our society. Indeed, our youth are often allured with promises of free college, signing bonuses, and other monetary incentives for signing on the dotted line.

To support such a military force, resources of necessity must be diverted from other societal programs and spheres. President (and former General) Eisenhower, noting the cost of war, pointed out several monetary comparisons to illustrate the price tag on certain aspects of the military:

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The Return of the FLDS Children

Posted by Connor on June 2nd, 2008

photo credit: Grundy

Various media outlets have been reporting today that Judge Walther (the most recent foe of liberty) has finally signed an order to release the children of the FLDS community to their parents. This after two superior courts knocked down her ruling, essentially saying to the world that this power-hungry woman was dead wrong.

After delaying her consent over the weekend (claiming that she wanted every FLDS mother to sign the order before she would), Walther finally today ordered the release of all children, with one exception. The childrens’ release is not without its caveats, for Walther has stuck her foot in the door of these families’ homes by mandating that the parents comply with the following:

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NASA, Legalized Theft, and a Waste of Money

Posted by Connor on May 27th, 2008

photo credit: pingnews.com

This week has brought us new images from Mars, as NASA’s latest mission gets underway on the red planet. While a few media pundits are reporting on the mission’s progress, not a single one is soliciting or encouraging debate on the existence of the agency itself.

Students of government know perfectly well the truth of the following maxim uttered by the pre-presidential Ronald Reagan:

No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth! (Ronald Reagan, via Quoty)

Since its inception, so-called leaders in government have been quite fond of this un-Constitutional agency. NASA’s $17 billion annual budget is a taxpayer black hole of astronomical proportions, providing scientists with the resulting bounty of legalized theft. Max Raskin eloquently portrayed the NASA problem thusly:

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War in Heaven Today

Posted by Connor on May 23rd, 2008

photo credit: j.cliss

Actions have consequences.

This maxim is easily understood by most individuals, especially when their actions have produced negative consequences. With the help of hindsight, we can look back at previous actions and see their consequences—both intended and unintended. But do we keep this principle in mind when pondering future actions?

The war in heaven was a major determining factor in shaping our eternal lives and the path we would follow. Our decision as to whether we would follow Christ or Satan had a simple consequence with everlasting implications. We all know this, but do we understand the impact of this war? The principles we fought over are at the root of ongoing struggles around the world in our own day. Thus, the action we took in response to the war in heaven is one we must continually take if we are to follow God’s path. Then-Elder Benson agreed:

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