Are We Divided or United...

Polarization…“The process by which the public opinion divides and goes to the extremes” (Wikipedia). This is a huge problem in American Society. If you don’t believe that it is, think of how many times in the past few years that different states have been classified and either red or blue. This portrayal of ideals from the media and government that you are either “with us or against us” gives the perception that there is only extreme ways to think. I was watching the “Today Show” this morning and they had a person on promoting a book and the purpose of this book was to promote one way of thinking, while condemning the opposing view. Not trying to promote a line of thinking on its merits solely, but at the expense of the other. How does that help to bring a solution to any situation?

What happened to compromise? What happened to looking at the information and then together finding the appropriate solution, not attacking the other person until somebody gives in? That would be an awful way to have a marriage or any relationship; they would be over before they grew to anything worth value. Seeing in black and white values would make life very difficult. You could never accept less than perfect. Imagine if the father of the prodigal son was that way, the son could have never returned. I am sure glad that things are not really that way. People actually have the opportunity to change and make their lives better.

The person on the “Today Show” was promoting a book, so they were there for one reason; money. There are people that make their living polarizing people. There are people who get elected using fear to polarize people. This is both on the liberal and conservative and in-between sides. I don’t believe that people are only red OR blue; I think there are quite a few shades of purple out there.

This image is from the 2012 Presidential Election

Map Source- http://gizmodo.com/5960290/this-is-the-real-political-map-of-america-hint-we-are-not-that-divided

Fact-check Friday! It's the census...

Confused about the Census? I was a little too, until I got mine in the mail a week ago. I happily filled it out and I think of it like I do my right to vote. Some don't see it that way. Luckily the folks at factcheck.org help clear things up.

The Captain has spoken...

The Captain has spoken. The man that a majority of our people deemed MOST CORRECT to lead us, has given his view of what has happened on this ship and how to proceed on the correct course. You may not agree with the captain. You may have hoped that another was our captain. That is not the reality. Could've, should've, would've... What is important that we have a captain on our ship. He is our captain, whether you chose him or not he is YOUR captain. By the simple act of being the CAPTAIN he deserves ALL our respect.

Last night was the State of the Union Address. It was President Obama's first. Whether or not you like or approve him. He is the President of The United States of America. The peacefully elected President should be given the chance to lead. Constant fighting between people and parties only makes it more difficult to really help people; OUR PEOPLE. AMERICANS.

Just like you can't complain about the elected officials if you don't vote- you can't complain about what was said in the State of the Union, unless YOU listened/ watched it. Sound bites from talking heads on TV news or talk radio does not absolve a person from actually reading/ listening to the address themselves. Media whores from both sides will take snips of what they like an dislike and use it to prove their point. Take the time to learn for yourself. Do your own homework, we demand that of our kids. Listen with an open mind, just like you would want to be listened to without prejudice.

You can watch it below. Then entire speech, not just a snippet!

Did you know...

Here is an interesting video that shows how quickly things change. Remember; change is good. With a new baby.. CHANGE IS GOOD! No matter who's turn it is to take out the diapers.

Walk a mile in their shoes....

Here is an interesting story from the LA Times with connection to Idaho. Makes you wonder if everyone had to deal with the hoops this couple had to jump through if it might be more simplified.

Source:
latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tobar3-2009nov03,0,1602661.column

Walking a mile in an immigrant's moccasins
Ben Reed was once a conservative shock jock in his native Idaho. But meeting and falling in love with a Mexican national brought about a change in philosophy. They now live in Mexico.

Hector Tobar

9:16 PM PST, November 2, 2009

The wedding was all set. The bride would travel from Mexico City to Rexburg, Idaho, where she would walk down the aisle of the Mormon temple in her white dress. She would marry that crazy guy from the radio who had been courting her.

Then it all fell apart, here in Los Angeles, in the bowels of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX.

Got the call...

This happened a few nights ago, but with searching for pictures of Grandpa Crummett, getting the kids together and going to the funeral I did not have time to post this week.



Anyway, while looking for pictures I got a phone call; a survey call. This was a political survey done by the NRA. I am not anti gun or anti hunter, but I do not own a gun, nor do I see myself owning a gun in the future. I have gone shooting many times and I enjoy it. I an a life-long/ native Idahoan and have been around people who use and enjoy firearms. Well this call was fairly simple. First, they verified who I was. Then asked if I would be willing to listen to a message from the executive director or vice president or something like that. Anyway the message complained about how the "gun haters" in congress were going to take away "our rights" and make us register our guns. After the message the person returned to the call to ask the survey question "Do you think that the gun hating congress will protect your second amendment rights?" My response was "Yes, I do." I guess they called the wrong Idahoan that night.



I don't think that the government is going to round up gun owners just because they register their guns. There are manny other things that the government could use to round people up, but they don't because our nation is a nation of laws. We believe in the rule of law and with the exception of the past eight years, it is not common practice for the United States government to round up groups of people and take away their rights.



I have two things about this situation that I have to say.
First- what a loaded question. Apparently they only want biased opinions that agree with their position.
Second- What is wrong with registering guns? We have to register our cars, motorcycles, boats, and pets. I have said this before that I believe in personal responsibility. That entails having knowledge of the location and usage of the firearm at all times. If that firearm is lost, stolen, or otherwise misplaced then the owner of the firearm should report the indecent to the authorities and if they neglect to do so, then they should be held responsible for anything that happens with that firearm. "With great power comes great responsibility".



I believe that the "gun hating congress" IS trying to protect us and not serve the purposes or the gun lobby, firearms manufacturers, or those fringe groups who would hoard weapons to endanger the lives of law abiding citizens.

...More about that story.

The song that brought that story to mind was a song by Maná, Pobre Juan. It recounts the story just as I told it, but with more details about where it takes place. John and Mary are actually Juan and Maria. They live in a small village in Mexico. Juan dreams of providing well for his family. Not being rich, but a modest home, clothes to wear, and food on the table. He wants what all fathers want for their family.

The only way to provide this to his family is to come north to the US and work. He doesn't want to steal a job from an American citizen, but there are many jobs particularly in agriculture that Americans don't want and won't do. He knows that he can work those jobs and still make an hundred times more than the peasants wages he might get in Mexico.

That story is what happened to him. There is another part of that story. What about the employers hiring illegals over and over again attracting people to cross the border and subject themselves to the dangers that exist. What about the US? In 1942 the Bracero program was started to help with the manual labor shortage during WWII. The program didn't end until 1964. That was the US begging workers to flood over the borders and work. Did we really think that just "ending" a program would stop that flow? Employers in the US needed the cheap labor and for decades families in Mexico had supported their families by working in the US. It was all some of them knew how to do.

The immigration issue is complex. Anyone who thinks otherwise has not researched enough. I don't believe that people should just walk across and be citizens, but those drawing them in need to be dealt with too. With illegal drug use both the user and dealer are punished. I don't see too many employers treated the way that illegal immigrants are.

There are many sides to any issue. Immigration is no exception. I hope the tragic story of Juan and his journey helps to illustrate that this issue is about people. We are all people. Children of God.


Here is the text of the song, "Pobre Juan"

Juan se lanzo marchándose al norte iba en busca de una vida digna. Cruzando México por valles y por montes iba Juan lleno de fe.
La historia es que Juan se iba a casar con María embarazada. Pero él no tenía ni un centavo ni un clavo que darle.
Pero este Juan iba muy decidido y a la frontera el llegó con todo el filo. Se conectó con el mero mayor de los coyotes y la historia le conto. Mire usted que yo quiero cruzarme ya a San Diego o Chicago, dígame usted lo que hago qué precio le pago.
Juan ya nunca regresó, en la línea se quedó.
Pobre Juan.
O la migra lo mató, o el desierto lo enterró,
Pobre Juan.
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Juan le ensenó al coyote una foto de María con la cual se casaría. Le prometió que el regresaría para formar todo un hogar.
Pero el coyote a Juan lo traicionó dejándolo al olvido, de tres balas se tronaron a Juan.
Pobre de Juan.
No regresó.
No, oh.
Juan ya nunca regresó, en la línea se quedó.
Pobre Juan.
O la migra lo mató, o el desierto lo enterró,
Pobre Juan.
Y María lo fue a buscar y ella nunca lo encontró.
Desapareció.
Oh...

Here is the song with an amateur video.

Friday Funnies...

Friday Funnies....
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is pretty funny. He calls them as he sees them. Here is a clip from last night's show that I thought was great. You have got to be sure that when you're a TV commentator that you don't contradict yourself eight years later. It's hard to keep credibility that way. Enjoy!

Tea Party Day!!

In honor of Tea Party Day I thought I would share this, enjoy:

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

For more information on The ED Show click here.

Respect for all...

Students chant 'Assassinate Obama' on school bus






I share this so that we all can see how important it is to share with our children the respect that our elected officials deserve. As with the gentleman in the story I don't think that most Idahoans are racists, but even a joke heard by a child can be taken out of context. Threats to the President of the United States are against the law...

§ 871. Threats against President and successors to the Presidency

(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b) The terms “President-elect” and “Vice President-elect” as used in this section shall mean such persons as are the apparent successful candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, respectively, as ascertained from the results of the general elections held to determine the electors of President and Vice President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 1 and 2. The phrase “other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President” as used in this section shall mean the person next in the order of succession to act as President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 19 and 20.

source: http://www.2news.tv/news/local/34274374.html

REXBURG - Controversial words spoken by kids on a school bus have some Madison County parents concerned.

Matthew Whoolery and his wife aren't blaming the school district for what happened on the bus but they do think all parents need to be careful about what they say and teach their children.

Whoolery and his wife couldn't believe it when their second and third graders got off the bus last week and told them what other students were saying.

"They just hadn't heard anything like this before," said Whoolery. "They were chanting on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama. Assassinate Obama.' Then adding in a name sometimes of a classmate on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama and Kate.'"

The Whoolery's explained to their kids what assassinate means then contacted the school about what was happening.

"I think the thing that struck us was just like, 'Where did they get the word and why would they put that word and that person together?'" said Whoolery.

It's not that the Whoolery's are big Obama fans they just don't like people joking about a serious matter concerning any leader of the country.

"I'm assuming if it were, 'Assassinate McCain' you'd feel the same way?" asked reporter Nate Eaton.

"No question about it," replied Whoolery.

After the incident, the Madison School district superintendent sent an email to all teachers, principals, and bus drivers saying that all students should show proper respect for elected officials.

If a student does say something inappropriate, the adult is to calm them down and tell them the behavior is unacceptable.

"I don't think that the majority of people in Rexburg have extreme ideas like that but we were just surprised that it would go that far," said Whoolery.

The Whoolery's moved to Rexburg a year ago. They came from the Middle East where they lived for three years.

In all their time living there, they never heard any comments similar to these about any leaders there or here.

A Day to Remember...

Today is Veterans day. As an adult I don't have an assembly to go to this morning to honor those who have served our great nation. I don't have a moment of solidarity with my fellow students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. In my heart I can hold dear the memories of those who served. Of Grandpa Crummett and Grandpa Peterson who both served at Farragut Naval Base (although at different times). Of the brother who made the journey across the nation to Arlington National Cemetery to see the remains of a beloved sibling laid to rest. There are many who have served and do serve that deserve our appreciation today and everyday. We are the nation we are because of the sacrifice they made. If you have the chance always, thank a Vet!

Here is the story of the first Idahoan to receive the medal of honor. Here is the Wikipedia article.

NEIBAUR, THOMAS C.

Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company M, 167th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and Date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 16 October 1918. Entered Service At: Sugar City, Idaho. Born: 17 May 1898, Sharon, Idaho. G. O. No.: 1 18, W .D., 1918.

Citation:

On the afternoon of 16 October 1918, when the Cote-de-Chatillion had just been gained after bitter fighting and the summit of that strong bulwark in the Kriemhilde Stellung was being organized, Pvt. Neibaur was sent out on patrol with his automatic rifle squad to enfilade enemy machinegun nests. As he gained the ridge he set up his automatic rifle and was directly thereafter wounded in both legs by fire from a hostile machinegun on his flank. The advance wave of the enemy troops, counterattacking, had about gained the ridge, and although practically cut off and surrounded, the remainder of his detachment being killed or wounded, this gallant soldier kept his automatic rifle in operation to such effect that by his own efforts and by fire from the skirmish line of his company, at least 100 yards in his rear, the attack was checked. The enemy wave being halted and Iying prone, 4 of the enemy attacked Pvt. Neibaur at close quarters. These he killed. He then moved alone among the enemy lying on the ground about him, in the midst of the fire from his own lines, and by coolness and gallantry captured 11 prisoners at the point of his pistol and, although painfully wounded, brought them back to our lines. The counterattack in full force was arrested to a large extent by the single efforts of this soldier, whose heroic exploits took place against the skyline in full view of his entire battalion.

Presidential History!

Tonight history was made. No matter how you voted it was an historic night (John McCain even said so). The election is over. The people have spoke. Those who did not prevail it is time to put hurt feelings aside and come together with our new President. For those who have said they would move out of the country if Obama won; I hope you don't. We are "One Nation Under God".

Congratulations President-Elect Obama!

Election Memories

I turned eighteen May 01, 1992. The Presidential Primary election season was already in full swing and I was a senior in high school. I will admit that I was not too involved in politics at that time. I was looking forward to voting in the general election in November 1992.


In the fall of 1992 I was a freshman at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID. Now I grew up in Idaho, but Eastern Idaho and Southwest Idaho are like, well Oregon and Utah. I grew up in as much of an urban area as possible in an agricultural state. Urban enough that I did not see a potato truck until I lived in Rexburg. I lived in an apartment off campus, not the dorms. My five other roommates were all freshmen, like me. I knew one of them before moving in, my friend Dylan McDonald. He and I have been friends since his mom taught me kindergarten.


Growing up my Dad was a teacher and my mother a nurse. Dylan's parents were both teachers. So needless to say we had some mid to left leaning ways in our households. Now that is not that uncommon. In Idaho in 1990 the legislature was split almost 50/50 Democrat and Republican. But in Rexburg things are a bit more red, especially at Ricks College.


Anyway back to the election. Since we were living away from home our parents helped Dylan and I get absentee ballots. So we voted a few days before the election and then mailed in our ballots. Our roommates three from California and one from Kentucky voted locally. They had to register as residents. But that was not a big deal as they were not living with their parents and had moved out. (Idaho did not have same day registration until 1994) So we all voted.


Election night we did what many people did we watched the election results on TV. As the returns came in you could tell with each announcement of a winner how each roommate had voted. In our apartment we were really divided along economic lines. See the roommates from California were from a higher tax bracket then the roommate from Kentucky, Dylan and myself. So as it became clearer and clearer that Bill Clinton was going to win there was a little excitement from us. I remember that at the end of the night we watched MTV as they had a "Rock The Vote" party with many performers and the President-Elect.


This was my first experience voting in a Presidential election. For me it is like a New Year's Day bowl game to see how the election turns out and watch the activity as the returns come in. Even if my candidate does not win it is great to see everyone take part in the democratic process.

Election Day!

Remember there are some who do not want you to vote!

VOTE...GO VOTE...GO VOTE...

VOTE...GO VOTE...GO VOTE...
IT IS YOUR DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY!
THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE HAVE DIED FOR!
If you don't know where...click on the picture below you Google can help you find the location.

Factcheck Friday! The End Is Near!

Only four more days and it will be over (for a few months). Here is the latest update from Factcheck.org to help clear the misconceptions and half-truths.

Important Public information!!!

The following is a public service announcement. Pay attention. It could save your life.

Spread the wealth...

I have been doing some reading and it is interesting that there has been a lot of talk about "spreading the wealth". I guess this means that you would take money from the wealthy and redistribute it to the lower income level of the population. This has been a thought of the federal government for a long time. Here are two examples of this thought, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. The two big socialists (as you know).



Teddy Roosevelt was for a progressive tax system. That means that the higher your income, the higher percentage of tax you would pay. Theodore Roosevelt championed the idea that the rich should not only pay more money but a higher rate, arguing explicitly that it contradicted the spirit of socialism. (source: http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/10/teddy-roosevelt-socialist-advo.html).



Ronald Reagan helped promote one of the most widely used tools of redistribution of wealth, the Earned Income Tax Credit.

The United States federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC or EIC) is a refundable tax credit. For tax year 2007, a claimant with one qualifying child can receive a maximum credit of $2,853. For two or more qualifying children, the maximum credit is $4,716. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings can also claim a child as their qualifying child provided they shared residence with the child for more than six months of the tax year. However, in tie-breaker situations in which more than one filer claims the same child, priority will be given to the parent. A foster child also counts provided the child has been officially placed by an agency or court. There is a much more modest EIC for persons and couples without children that reaches a maximum of $428.^[1] (Source: Wikepedia)

Enacted in 1975, the initially modest EIC has been expanded by tax legislation on a number of occasions, including the more widely-publicized Reagan EIC expansion of 1986. Many people have used this to better their lives.

Neither of these two past presidents were socialists. Nor are either of the current presidential candidates.

Funny Debate re-mix

If you are sick and tired of the election...watch this!

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

Factcheck Friday!

It's Friday again. Time to get our fill of accurate information from the gang at Factcheck.org. Do your research, fight the smears and learn the truth.