Images - Left in the Dust

Can had to watch as Dec sped away down the trail. We went out for a family run/bike ride on the American Tobacco trail today. Mom ran 7 miles. I only ran one, jogged one and walked two, but I've only been run/walking for two weeks. My time on the mile was 8:07. Pretty slow, but it was my first timed mile in a long, long time, so hopefully I will improve. (taken 03/10/07)

Images - Dec Swinging

Dec Swinging in the backyard.

"Abortion is better for the baby" Huh?

I was listening to the Michael Medved show yesterday and he was talking about another report that denigrates marriage as a just a quaint tradition of the past and a trifle for the rich. The report is based on a skewed interpretation of statistics which show that wealthier people tend to get married. As Michael points out, the more accurate interpretation of these results is that those who get married tend to do better financially.

While taking calls, the discussion turned to children born out of wedlock. Then a girl called in who said that she had been living with her boyfriend for two years before finding out that she was pregnant. She stated that after weighing her options, "The best thing for both me, my boyfriend and ultimately the baby was to have an abortion." Am I missing something here? How is abortion ever better for the baby? What she should have said is that she and her boyfriend are so selfish that it was better to kill a baby than to take any personal responsibility for their actions. Instead, she tries to make it sound like she is doing something noble for the baby by sacrificing it's life.

Those icky Mormons

An article by Alex Beam of the Boston Globe explains why he thinks that a Mormon, Mitt Romney, could not be elected as the President of the Unites States. He attempts to cast a shadow on Mitt Romney and all Mormons, but really only ends up rambling through a few stale "insights" into Mormon theology, doctrines and history. It was a pretty poor attempt to slander the church, but I found a couple of quotes amusing.

"The Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormons call themselves"

Like we are really "The Mormons" but just refer to ourselves by some other name. Alex Beam, as the Anti-mormon calls himself.

Another good quote.

On the plus side, Romney and many observant Mormons seem to lead exemplary, enviable, and productive lives centered on the traditional nuclear family.

We only "seem to" lead exemplary lives. Don't be fooled by the appearance that the Mormons are an enviable and productive people. The really only "seem to" lead exemplary lives. They really believe that founding prophet Joseph Smith received a "revelation that the Garden of Eden was in Independence, Mo., and that Jesus Christ visited America shortly after his resurrection." How shocking.

I kept expecting the author to say, "Don't tell anyone, but do you know what I heard about the Mormons?" Maybe he should have submitted it as a fourth grade language arts essay.

Mark Steyn summed up Mr. Beam's hightly intelectual rationale as:

"The Mormon church creeps out Mrs and Mrs America. It’s all just too freaky weirdy icky."

Mark also provides some interesting information about LDS population and demographic statistics.

Images - Spikey Dec

Another picture of Dec on crazy outfit/hair day. (taken 03/01/07)

Images - Boys, Sticks and Water

Boys, sticks and water. Plenty to smile about.

Can doesn't like Mom sweaty

Yesterday morning I brought Can in as we gathered for family prayer and proceeded to set him on my lap. He immediately balked and wanted to sit on mommy's lap until I told him that she was sweaty from working out. Then he stopped, made this disgusted face and decided that my lap wasn't so bad after all. He has been turning into a momma's boy lately and wants her to do everything. However, he doesnt' like it when she gets "wetty," as he says. When she puts on her excercise clothes, he asks, "Mommy get wetty?"

VDH compares Iraq to past US wars

Another perspective check by Victor Davis Hanson on the current situation in Iraq.

The high-stakes war to stabilize the fragile democracy in Iraq is a serious, costly and controversial business. But so have been most conflicts in American history. We need a little more humility and knowledge of our past — and a lot less hysteria, name-calling and obsession with our present selves.

Dentist week

This is dentist week in our family. Yesterday morning I went and had three more cavities filled. Fortunately, these were not deep and so they were not as painful as the one from last week. Only one more to go for me. Dec is going in today to have some cavities filled and Mom gets to go for some fillings tomorrow. One might think that we never brush our teeth but for Mom and I it has been over 10 years since we have been to the dentist, so it is surprising that our teeth aren't worse than they are.

French scientist now against global warming

The real scientists are starting to jump off of the man-made global warming ship, or should I say circus train (via Drudge). Its only a matter of time now till the pendulum swings and we start hearing about immanent man-made global cooling. Expect the headline: "Subarctic temperatures will force us underground for a billion-billion years."

Also, a new documentary is set to become the antithesis to Al Gore's work of fiction.

More of Sul's B-day party

Here is another picture from Sul's birthday party.