Truth Wanted about Roy Moore

            I am troubled on several levels about the accusations against Judge Roy Moore, and I do not know where I actually stand on the matter. I certainly do not support sexual assault of any kind, but I do believe in repentance and second chances – even in politics.

            The first level that bothers me is that Democrats have a history of digging up dirt on Republicans – real or imagined – and destroying careers, but no Democrats are ever denied the opportunity to run for office or forced to leave office over alleged “sins.” I do not feel that I can believe anything that they say because they have lost every bit of credibility with me.

            A second level of my concern is why these women would wait 30-40 years to say anything about the alleged assaults. Surely there were other Moore campaigns or appointments in which they could have come forth! Why didn’t they challenge his appointments to be a judge? Why didn’t they come forth at previous times when Moore was in public office? Why now? The whole thing smells like politics to me.

            A third area of apprehension for me involves the fact that there are no recent claims. Surely, Moore worked and associated with many women over the past 30-40 years. Are any of them alleging that he assaulted them? If not, maybe he came to his senses. Shouldn’t he be given credit for becoming a better person and serving the public?

            Why are the GOP leaders throwing him under the bus without any proof being shown that the charges are honest? More important to me, why are my fellow Mormons – such as Mitt Romney - so quick to judge Moore? They must know that people can say anything about anyone at any time without there being any truth to the matter. Even President Gordon B. Hinckley had a smear campaign going on about him!

            Does Moore have skeletons in his closet that should prevent him from becoming a Senator? Is he any different than any of the other members of Congress? Are all the Senators and Representatives in Congress honest, moral, law-abiding citizens? Is there anyone in Congress or other leadership positions that has never done anything wrong? Why is everyone so judgmental and expecting perfection, particularly in GOP candidates?

            I hope that Moore does bring legal challenges against the women and have them state their claims under oath. The statute of limitation has mostly passed and most likely no legal punishment would take place, but there are other ways to bring him to accountability if he truly assaulted the women. However, if the women were only “uncomfortable” with something he said or outright lying, they should be proven as liars and held accountable.

            I personally am tired of all the “he says, she says” claims in the media. If there is a real problem, take it to the courts. I want to know the truth before the election is held!

            

Michelangelo

            Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese near Arezzo, Tuscany. (The area is now known as Caprese Michelangelo.) His parents were Ludovico di Leonardo Buonarroti Simoni and Francesca di Neri del Miniato di Siena. The “family had been small-scale bankers in Florence” for several generations, but his father took a job with the government when the bank failed. His father was the Judicial administrator in Caprese as well as the local administrator of Chiusi at the time of Michelangelo’s birth. They moved to Florence several months later.

            Even though unproven, Michelangelo believed the family claim of descent from the Countess Mathilde of Canossa. His mother endured a prolonged illness and died in 1481 when Michelangelo was only six years old.  During the illness and after his mother’s death, Michelangelo lived in Settignano with a nanny and her husband. His father owned a marble quarry and a small farm in Settignano, and the nanny’s husband was a stonecutter. It is little wonder that Michelangelo learned to love marble. Giogio Vasari quotes him as saying:

If there is some good in me, it is because I was born in the subtle atmosphere of your country of Arezzo. Along with the milk of my nurse I received the knack of handling chisel and hammer, with which I make my figures.

            Michelangelo was sent at a young age to Florence to study grammar, but he preferred “to copy paintings from churches and seek the company of painters.” Since Florence was “the greatest centre of the arts and learning in Italy” at the time, Michelangelo was in the right spot.

During Michelangelo’s childhood, a team of painters had been called from Florence to the Vatican, in order to decorate the walls of the Sistine Chapel. Among them was Domenico Ghirlandaio, a master in fresco painting, perspective, figure drawing, and portraiture who had the largest workshop in Florence at that period.

In 1488, at the age of 13, Michelangelo was apprenticed to Ghirlandaio. The next year, his father persuaded Ghirlandaio to pay Michelangelo as an artist, which was rare for someone of fourteen. When in 1489, Lorenzo de’ Medici, de facto ruler of Florence, asked Ghirlandaio for his two best pupils, Ghirlandaio sent Michelangelo and Francesco Granacci. From 1490 to 1492, Michelangelo attended the Humanist academy that the Medici had founded along Neo-Platonic lines. At the academy, both Michelangelo’s outlook and his art were subject to the influence of many of the most prominent philosophers and writers of the day…. At this time, Michelangelo sculpted the reliefs of Madonna of the Steps (1490-1492) and Battle of the Centaurs (1491-1492). The latter was based on a theme suggested by Poliziano and was commissioned by Lorenzo de Medici. Michelangelo worked for a time with the sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni. When he was seventeen, another pupil, Pietro Torrigiano, struck him on the nose, causing the disfigurement that is conspicuous in all the portraits of Michelangelo.

            Michelangelo became “an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance” and “exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art.” He Statue of David is considered “one of the most renowned works of the Renaissance.” He worked in Renaissance and Italian Renaissance. He is also well-known for his painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a work that took about four years to complete (1508-12).

            Michelangelo apparently never married nor had children. He died on February 18, 1564, in Rome, Italy, and was buried in Santa Croce, Florence, Italy. The following quotes seem to tell us what drove Michelangelo to greatness.

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.

Gorsuch and the Constitution

            The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday is the liberal concerns about judges, using the Constitution to weigh decisions. It seems that liberals prefer judges to pull their decisions out of thin air rather than use the Supreme Law of the land. However, the Founders had different ideas when they created this law.

            The Constitution grants “the power to interpret the law of the United States” to the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts. They are to hold office “during good behavior” and to be paid for their services. The Judicial Learning Center site has the following statement. 

Our founders understood that judges who are able to apply the law freely and fairly are essential to the rule of law. The Constitution guarantees our rights on paper, but this would mean nothing without independent courts to protect them.

In our unique judicial system, courts are protected from the influence of other branches of government, as well as shifting popular opinion. This allows the judiciary to make decisions based on what is right under the law, without political or personal consequences.

            Liberals have tried to undermine the Constitution for years, so it should be no surprise to see them attacking the newest Justice on the Supreme Court. According to Elizabeth Slattery of The Daily Signal, liberals are currently upset with Justice Neil Gorsuch because he frequently reminds listeners of the need to follow the Constitution. He habitually cites this necessity by saying, “Let’s look at what the Constitution says about this … It’s always a good place to start.”  

            Slattery reports that Nina Totenberg “took aim at Gorsuch” on a recently aired “First Mondays” on NPR. Her objection with him is that he brings “things back to first principles at oral argument.” He has a long-standing habit of standing on the originally understood meaning of the Constitution.

            After quoting numerous compliments as well as complaints about Gorsuch, Slattery gets to the real problem with liberals. “According to the left, Gorsuch shouldn’t be on the Supreme Court, and Trump shouldn’t be in the White House. In other words, these criticisms of Gorsuch can be explained as simply another iteration of the resistance movement.”

            The liberals are still resisting the fact that Americans chose Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton to lead our nation as well as the fact that this lawfully-elected President is selecting judges who follow the Constitution in their arguments and decisions. After an entire year of this resistance, it appears that the left has doubled down in their attempt to destroy the Constitution and do not appreciate Gorsuch for upholding it.

Events of the Millennium

            My thoughts frequently go to the words of the prophets and their prophecies of the latter days because of the many natural disasters in recent weeks and months. We know from the prophecies that there will be earthquakes in divers places, seas will go over their boundaries, and the air will be thick with smoke from fires. We have seen and/or heard of all these disasters in our own nation lately. I wonder, like many of you, what is happening. Are these catastrophes simply part of the cycle of nature, or are they increasing in preparation for the final destruction of the earth?

            Along with questions about the last days, I am thinking increasingly about the millennium. We know that the millennium will followed the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth and will last for one thousand years. We also know that those years will be filled with activity – preaching the gospel and uniting families for eternity.

            Because I am thinking more about the millennium, my interest was immediately caught when I saw this headline, “5 Things You Didn’t Know Will Happen in the Millennium” for an article written by Alexandra Mortenson. The author describes (1) the physical changes that will take place in our bodies, (2) the way that resurrected Saints will visit the earth to help with the work, (3) the revealing of new scripture, (4) the way we will do missionary work with good people of other beliefs, and (5) the coming together of all the lands of the earth into one continent.

            My understanding was increased by several of the author’s comments, the first one being about the changes in our bodies. I either did not understand or had forgotten that our bodies will be changed from a telestial state to a terrestrial state. We will be mortal and not resurrected, but our bodies will have no disease or pain. When we reach the age of 100 years (see Isaiah 65:20), we will not taste of death but be “twinkled” into eternity.

            I learned that we will receive more scriptures during the Millennium. The author quotes Elder Neal A. Maxwell as the source for the idea that “these additional scriptures will include the account of Enoch, the writings of the Apostle John, the records of the lost tribes of Israel, and the sealed portion of the gold plates.” Her words answered some questions that I have pondered for years. I understood that additional scriptures would be given to us when we have faith like the brother of Jared, but I did not know that we would be waiting until the millennium to get them.

            As to the missionary work during the millennium, the wicked people will be destroyed. This means that many good people who do not belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be living during the millennium. They will each be given the opportunity to accept or reject the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

            There will be only one continent during the millennium. The author suggests that we look at the outlines of the continents of the earth to see how easily a few earthquakes could move the continents back together. I have heard that the City of Enoch was taken from the area of the Gulf of Mexico, so I always imagine that it will come back to fill that hole. Only time will tell if it does, but imagining it being there does not hurt my faith.

            There are definitely exciting events in our future and the future of the earth. If we are righteous, we will be taken to heaven, while the wicked are burned with the earth. We will return to the new earth with the Savior and live out our lives during the millennium.

Abstract vs. Global

            Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when individuals understand the different types of thinking needed in learning. In order to gain this understanding, one must have some concept of how the brain works.

            As part of a personal effort to improve my own study skills, I am reading a book titled The World Book of Study Power, volume 1, and attempting to share a little of what I learn with my readers. Teaching others what I have learned helps to solidify the information in my own brain and is, therefore, a valuable learning tool. Most of the information that follows, including quotes and ideas, come from this book.

            The brain is the organ where thinking and learning take place. It is capable of performing many tasks automatically, such as breathing, which happens without any instructions from the person. The brain is capable of performing many complex tasks at the same time as well as being able to think in many different ways.

            The brain has two halves called hemispheres that communicate with each other through a “cable of nerves” called the corpus callosum. The two hemispheres work together but differently.

Different parts of the brain perceive and interpret information in different ways. One kind of thinking is in play when you act rationally and logically, analyze information, follow steps in directions, plan, keep track of time, or put your thoughts into words. We refer to these types of thinking as “analytic” because when you analyze information, you do so step-by-step, part-to-whole.

The root of the word “analyze” means “to understand by taking apart.” If you were programming a computer, building an engine, or conducting a scientific experiment, you’d have to think analytically. Unless you code information into your computer in a specific order, your computer couldn’t do what you want. When you put something together, such as a car engine, you must start with the most basic parts and build from there. If you are conducting an experiment, you must do things in a certain order to get the correct result.

But analyzing is only one way in which your brain functions. Other times, you daydream, imagine, or listen to the voice in the back of your head. We think of this as using intuition, acting on a hunch, or getting a message from a “sixth sense.

When you do this, you use intuitive, holistic, and subjective thinking because you’re relying on more than meets the eye. When you decide whether to trust someone, how to carve a block of wood into a statue, or which way to turn when you’re lost your way, you use this kind of thinking. Improvising songs on the piano or imagining the perfect world in your mind also falls into this category.

When you’re lost in these thoughts, time becomes less relevant because you’re wrapped up in the experience. These brain functions often are called “global.” When you think globally, you synthesize, or combine, information by making parts into a whole. This is the opposite of analyzing, which is breaking down a lot of information into small parts.

            We do not have to choose a certain way of thinking for every single action. For instance, most people do not have to think about breathing because breathing is regulated by the brain. Most people do not have to consciously think about getting to a place where they have to go every day (school) or a task they do often (washing dishes) because the brain remembers. At other times, we do have to actually think about what we are doing. Runners, swimmers, weight lifters, etc. have to consciously think about their breathing in order to perform well. We have to think about where we are going if we are walking or driving in a new area. If we are washing the china that Mom inherited from Grandma, we pay close attention to what we are doing.

               Most of us face problems fairly often, and most problems demand some thinking. However, whatever “problem you’re facing, you can choose how to respond,” and either way is okay. One example is grocery shopping. One can shop with a grocery list or simply walk through the store trying to remember what is needed. A second example is moving furniture to a new configuration. No one wants to move furniture any more than needed, but some people choose to draw out the new scheme on paper while others do it in their mind. In such cases, one should choose the way that works best for them.

               Parents can help children to learn the two basic ways that the brain works. They can give a child a list of items needed from another room. The parent can see if the child can remember all the items or if they work better with a written list. A parent can ask a child to visualize what the room would look like if their bed or their dresser was in a different spot. Maybe they can do it better by drawing a picture. Another task that might be suggested is to decide whether a flower garden should be - alongside the driveway or in the corner.

            Putting Lego sets together is analytical because the set must be built in a certain process in order for it to become what it is supposed to be. However, simply building with whatever Lego pieces one chooses is more “global.” Both types of thinking are important for each individual to learn, and each has its purpose. Individuals who learn to think both analytically and globally are stronger and can strengthen their families, communities, and nations.

Veterans Day 2017

            The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday is the need to commemorate the service of the men and women who serve, fight, and die in the military service of the United States. Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor all military veterans.

            Veterans Day this year will be commemorated on Saturday, 11 November 2017. The federal holiday will be Friday, 10 November 2017. This means that Americans will have a long holiday that weekend.

            Veterans Day, an official public holiday in the United States, is observed annually on November 11. This holiday honors military veterans, meaning all men and women who have served or currently serve in the United States Armed Forces. Other nations observe the same day, but they call it Armistice Day and Remembrance Day.

            The holiday celebrates the end of World War I. The Armistice with Germany took effect at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918. The holiday was once known as Armistice Day in the United States, but it was changed to Veterans Day in 1954.

            Americans should not confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day or Armed Forces Day. While Veterans Day honors the service of all U.S. military veterans, Memorial Day, a federal holiday held annually in May, honors those who died while serving in the military. Armed Forces Day, also held in May, remembers those men and women who currently serve in the U.S. military.

            On this Veterans Day weekend, a conservative group called Main Street Patriots is urging Americans to join a rally called Flags Across America. They encourage Americans to fly their flags November 10-12 to “show solidarity against national anthem protests” of the NFL. Here is their press release. 

The US flag and the freedom for which it stands, at levels never before witnessed in our country, is under constant attack from the left and now pampered sports figures! We cannot allow these attacks to go unanswered! Now is the time to be united standing in defense and proper recognition of Old Glory!

All across our great country this Veterans Day weekend, Americans will be coming together to not only support our veterans — but to embrace and show the proper respect to our US Flag that our veterans so proudly served to protect.

We are encouraging Americans & liberty loving groups across our great country to host or attend a Flags Across America Rally the weekend of Veterans Day 11/10 – 11/12/17.

The group has hopes that people will fly American flags in all places and venues over Veterans Day weekend.

From shows of support at High School football games on Friday, Saturday College games to NFL games on Sunday, town squares, bridge overpasses, major intersections, etc … join in the nationwide show of support!

            I believe that it is important for Americans to show their patriotism by flying their U.S. flags, especially on major holiday. I encourage you to fly your flag on November 10-12 whether or not you support the NFL boycott.

Election Bombshell

            Donna Brazile, former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, recently released an excerpt from her new book, Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns that Put Donald Trump in the White House. The excerpt was quite the “bombshell” revelation and could stir up interest the book. 

            Even though the excerpt surprised everyone, it was actually only an admittance to what many Americans knew long before Donald Trump was elected as the President of the United States. Brazile admits in the excerpt that Hillary Clinton had control of the Democrat Party long before she “won” the nomination from Bernie Sanders. Now, other Democrats, such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, are saying that they believe the nomination was rigged.

            If so many Democrats are willing to admit the rigging of the nomination, why did they stay quiet when so many people on the Left were protesting and rioting because “Trump stole the election” from Hillary? What is the cause that Democrats are throwing Hillary under the bus now? Maybe they are finally seeing that she does not help the cause of the party. I believe it is because they do not want to be buried under all the evidence of Clinton corruption that is piling up all around her. I do not think that even Slick Willie can protect her this time!