Confessions of a Mormon Liberal

I'm Moving!!!

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 22:23:00 +0000

I've started a new blog that's more accomodating to my needs, so I'll be leaving this site behind. It's been fun.

Please come visit my new site at jeffwinget.com.

Cheers,
Jeff

102 Yards of Cowboy-Butt-Kicking Bliss!

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 03:32:00 +0000

I'm a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. My history with them goes way back, and I watched in horror last year as they fell apart in the midst of the Terrell Owens scandal and several key injuries. And, I cheered when Owens was suspended and left the team to head for Dallas.

Since then, I have waited for today, the day that T.O. and the Cowboys would come to play in Philly. The game lived up to all the hype. It see-sawed back and forth, both offenses firing well and both defenses causing turnovers. At the end of the game and with a 7-point lead, Michael Lewis committed pass interference on Terry Glenn, putting the Cowboys inside the 10 and eying a game-tying score. On second down, Drew Bledsoe fired a pass toward his tight end that was intercepted by Lito Sheppard and taken 102 yards for the score, sealing the win for the Eagles.

The win proved that the Eagles are a serious contender in the NFC this year and puts them at 4-1 and solidly on top in the NFC East. To all the critics who thought they were a last place team this year, I have to say that they never should've doubted a team with McNabb at the helm and a great defense. The rest of the season looks promising.

Cheers,
Jeff

Amen, Mr. Olbermann

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 04:16:00 +0000

Hat tip to Crooks and Liars

I'm not sure that I can add to what Keith Olbermann said the other night, but I agree totally. Watch for yourself:

Special Comment by Keith Olbermann

Please God, Protect Our Children

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 02:26:00 +0000

For the third time this week, one of our nation's schools was attacked by a new brand of terrorist. I'm appalled and frightened by this trend. Schools should be a place of security and trust, but that is not the case. Even more disturbing is that the attacks have come in rural schools, places that normally don't have the threat of violence.

I teach at a school with a population of 38 students (K-12). I've always thought that we were safe, that nothing bad would ever happen to us. The school that was attacked today had a smaller population than mine. It appears that this new breed of terrorist could strike anywhere.

Please God, protect our children. Please God, help us all.

MoonDawg's Den: Semantics and the Right-Wing Fear Rhetoric

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 02:40:11 +0000

I'll be getting back into blogging now since school is about to start. For my first post of the new school year, I'm posting a link to a post at Moondawg's Den. I apologize for just posting a link, but these words belonged on that blog although they're pertinent here as well.

MoonDawg's Den: Semantics and the Right-Wing Fear Rhetoric

Cheers,
Jeff

Thumbs down to Nancy Grace

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 07:51:00 +0000

This will be a quick post just because I'm mad. Nancy Grace recently interviewed Elizabeth Smart, the Utah girl who was kidnapped from her room when she was 14. Smart did the interview to help push through a bill to stop child molesters, and Nancy couldn't stop talking about the abduction. She seemed to be digging for some juicy tidbit that hadn't been released yet. She even asks the completely stupid question, "how did you see out of that burqua?" Yuck!

Crooks and Liars has the transcript and the video.

The worst moment of all is when Elizabeth tells Grace that she wants to talk about the bill and not her abduction and Grace snaps back, "I thought that you would speak for other victims." Please, Nancy, that's what she was there to do, and you didn't have the brains or the sense to let her do it. Two thumbs, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down!

Cheers,
Jeff

What a great little course!

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 22:48:00 +0000

Picture from Webshots

This wonderful little picture is taken from the tee box of the second hole at Millsite Golf Course in Ferron, Utah. As you can see, it's quite an intimidating shot over a canyon to a narrow fairway. It would be an amazing hole on any course, but it's just one of many stunning holes at Millsite--one of Utah's best kept secrets.

Millsite is a 9-hole course in central Utah set close to Millsite Reservoir. It's narrow, challenging, and beautiful. It's the type of course that can eat up a scratch golfer and yield some birdies to higher handicaps. There is trouble everywhere, but scoring opportunities as well. It's my home course, and I love it.

To show you the intrigue of Millsite, I'll show you a hole-by-hole breakdown of my score today. I'm an eight handicap, and I played well today. Check these scores out:

Hole #1 (404 yards, par 4): 4
Hole #2 (274 yards, par 4): 5, bogey
Hole #3 (606 yards, par 5): 5
Hole #4 (396 yards, par 4): 3, birdie
Hole #5 (164 yards, par 3): 3
Hole #6 (489 yards, par 5): 9, quadruple bogey
Hole #7 (213 yards, par 3): 6, triple bogey (#7 is Millsite's signature hole. It was rated the 16th toughest hole in Utah.)
Hole #8 (306 yards, par 4): 4
Hole #9 (350 yards, par 4): 3, birdie
Total (par 36): 42

I'm posting this round because it is typical of Millsite. I played 7 holes at 1-under par, but I was 7-over on the other 2 holes. I hit two bad shots all day, and they cost me 7 strokes. That's the beauty of Millsite.

There is a great slideshow of the course and the surrounding area here.

Cheers,
Jeff

The Right's Take on Leaks

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 06:12:00 +0000

Tom Delay was on Hardball with Chris Matthews trying to justify the Plame leak while vilifying the NYT leak. Anyone with a brain can see that Delay's justification just doesn't add up. Matthews gets so baffled that he actually laughs at Delay at one point.

Watch for yourself.

Matthews makes a great point: whether Rove was indicted or not, he still leaked. It's a matter of public record. The right can't say, "we're against all leaks," and still support this one. It's illogical, and Delay's bumbling in this clip demonstrates how truly silly his position is.

Cheers,
Jeff

PS- I hate to keep beating on this subject, but I do hope people will see how silly it is.

Big Vote in the Senate

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 04:42:00 +0000

The Senate votes tomorrow on important legislation regarding what has been dubbed "Net Neutrality."

These are the senators who have yet to take a position. They need a phone call or two from people in their states:

Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)
Phone: 202-224-3004

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Phone: 202 -224-2235

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)
Phone: 202-224-2353

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)
Phone: 202-224-5274

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
Phone: 202 224 3224

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.)
Phone: 202 224-4623

Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.)
Phone: 202-224-6253

Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.)
Phone: 202-224-2644

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.)
Phone: 202-224-6551

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.)
Phone: 202-224-6244

Sen. John E. Sununu (R-N.H.)
Phone: 202-224-2841

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.)
Phone: 202-224-3753

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)
Phone: 202 224-6121

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)
Phone: 202-224-5922

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.)
Phone: 202-224-4024

Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)
Phone: 202-224-6472

This is an important issue that people on the far left and the far right are coming together on. We need to do our part.

For more information visit savetheinternet.com.

Cheers,
Jeff

PS- Blogging will still be slow until August when I go back to school. It's easier to blog regularly when I'm on a schedule. Until then, I'm enjoying golf.

Bullying is not leadership, Mr. Bolton

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 04:51:00 +0000

In a recent interview with FOX News, UN Ambassador Bolton gave a grim analysis of the state of affairs with Iran. He said the following as an answer to Neil Cavuto's question if the U.S. would act alone in a military campaign against Iran:

Thats why he says no option is taken off the table. But its also why he has, the President, has reached out President Putin and other leaders in the past couple of days to say, Were making a significant step here, that will be criticized by many of the presidents staunchest supporters here at home. But hes taking this step to show strength and American leadership and to say hes willing to do something that may be unpopular even with some of his supporters, to remove all excuses from Iran and its supporters to say, We went the extra mile. We gave Iran really, this last chance to show that they are serious when they say they dont want nuclear weapons. This is put or shut up time for Iran. (emphasis mine)

There are two things that disturb me with this quote:

First, the CIA has reported that Iran is about 10 years away from developing a nuclear weapon. While a nuclear Iran would be completely unacceptable, 10 years is an awfully long time to negotiate. Why are we even discussing a military option now? Why talk like it's the eleventh hour when it's not?

Second, the administration has tried to paint the concept of leadership as having a big, bullying mouth. Statements like "wanted dead or alive," "bring 'em on," and now "put up or shut up" are far from constructive in the diplomatic discourse. Blind aggression is not leadership, it is a sign of fear. Bullies fight because they fear looking weak. The Bush administration is showing bully leadership, not because they are strong, but because they fear being seen as weak. Contrast this with Reagan's toughness or Truman's toughness, and you will see an entirely different strategy. A true leader never takes the military option off the table, but he also doesn't neglect diplomacy by shooting his mouth off in false bravado either.

Cheers,
Jeff

Gore's New Movie

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Thu, 25 May 2006 00:50:00 +0000

Al Gore was on the Today Show promoting his new movie on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. I'm excited to see the new film, and I'm glad Gore has turned up the heat (pardon the pun) on the issue.

Here's the video:

Everyone should go see the new movie. Unfortunately for me, the nearest theater showing it is in Salt Lake City, a 6-hour drive.

Bummer,
Jeff

Why We Should Be Very Worried

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Mon, 22 May 2006 22:19:00 +0000

I've been really busy for the last couple of weeks trying to survive the end of the school year, so I haven't been a consistent blogger at all. I apologize, and I think I'm back on the right track now--hopefully!

This last week brought news that is very disturbing to me and to many people in America. I want to discuss why it's disturbing and also what I believe should be done about it.

First the news. USA Today published a story on the 11th (I know, I'm way behind!) that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been collecting the phone records or millions of Americans. It says:

The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.

The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans--most of whom aren't suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews. (emphasis mine)

It goes on to say:

"It's the largest database ever assembled in the world," said one person, who, like the others who agreed to talk about the NSA's activities, declined to be identified by name or affiliation. The agency's goal is "to create a database of every call ever made" within the nation's borders, this person added. (emphasis mine)

So, our phone records are being garnished to fight terrorism. They aren't listening to every call, but they are making a database of who we call, when, and how often. My first question about this is why? What benefit can be garnished from spying on people "who aren't suspected of any crime"? I could see collecting this type of data from terror suspects (with the proper FISA warrant, of course), but I can't for the life of me see how my records would be of benefit.

My second worry about this is that there is a huge potential for abuse. And, it seems like there have already been abuses. ABC has been reporting that the NSA program has been targeted at journalists in order to catch leakers. They report:

A senior federal law enforcement official tells ABC News the government is tracking the phone numbers we (Brian Ross and Richard Esposito) call in an effort to root out confidential sources.

"It's time for you to get some new cell phones, quick," the source told us in an in-person conversation.

Now, the piece does go on to say that they are not sure if this type of surveillance is part of the NSA program or not, but it sure sounds like the same thing. There are several follow ups on ABC's Blotter that are helpful.

Why is it worrisome that the government is spying on reporters? I'll leave that answer to Joe Scarborough, the conservative pundit and former congressman. He says, "It is a chilling scenario. Had this alleged power been used during the Nixon administration. Deep Throat would have been exposed before Watergate erupted." In the same segment, Scarborough attacks the whole NSA, Patriot Act, domestic spying mumbo jumbo with this scathing critique:

We don't trust you anymore. We don't trust you with our phone bills. We don't trust you with our bank records. We don't trust you with our medical histories. From now on, if you want to look at American's private records, get a damn search warrant.

Amen Joe! I've been quite a critic of Mr. Scarborough in the past, but I think he's right on here. The problem with spying on reporters is that they are there to keep the administration honest. If they no longer have freedom to report the truth, and if the congress refuses to be a check on the President like they have, our nation, and our democracy for that matter, is in huge trouble.

Now, here's what I think needs to be done.

First, congress needs to hold hearings and find out exactly what is happening. If the nature of the program is classified, have a closed hearing. That's fine, but congress needs more info than they have.

Second, the program needs to be changed in order to fit with the existing FISA law. If FISA needs to be amended, that's fine, but until it is, it needs to be followed.

Third, the Bush administration needs to level with the American people. Watching this unfold is like reading Karl Rove's and Scooter Libby's testimonies in the Plame case--"Oops! The press reported that? Oh yeah, I forgot that part. Now, you've got the whole truth. Wait? They told you more? Yeah, I forgot that too. I'm so busy, you know, I forget lots of things. That's the truth now. There's more..." You get the point. They need to quit thinking that more won't come out, and they need to level with us. Who is being spied on? What types of checks and balances are in place? Why collect the records of everyone? What arrests and prosecutions have come because of this? Why not follow FISA? Why not brief congress about everything, not just parts? Candor has been sorely lacking throughout this whole fiasco, and it is sorely needed.

Fourth, if members of the administration broke the law, they should be held accountable. Period.

I can't believe this whole mess. It makes me ill. I'm glad to be back on the blog.

Cheers,
Jeff

Jon Stewart: Funny and Right On

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Thu, 11 May 2006 04:12:00 +0000

Jon Stewart of The Daily Show uses humor and wit to make his audience laugh, but he also brings to light the often hilarious contradictions in politics. Watch Jon pick apart the Rumsfeld/McGovern confrontation with far more balance--and a lot more wit--than FOX or any other network.

Crooks and Liars has the video.

Cheers,
Jeff

Bush's Greatest achievement

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Tue, 09 May 2006 04:21:00 +0000

It's well known that President Bush isn't much of a communicator, but this takes the cake. When asked what his greatest achievement was as president, Dubya responded as reported by Reuters:

"You know, I've experienced many great moments and it's hard to name the best," Bush told weekly Bild am Sonntag when asked about his high point since becoming president in January 2001.

"I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound (3.402 kilos) perch in my lake," he told the newspaper in an interview published on Sunday.

Bush said the worst moment was September 11 when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.

"In such a situation it takes a while before one understands what is happening," Bush said. "I would say that this was the hardest moment, once I had the real picture before my eyes."

At at time when he was expected to toot his own horn, Bush could only say, "I caught a big fish." Sheesh...I guess he didn't get the memo about hyping up the situation in Iraq.

The funny thing is that Bush has done some good things in his presidency. I think one of his greatest accomplishments is the disarmament of Lybia. Why couldn't he say that? Why couldn't he talk about anything presidential? It's simply incredible to me.

The Huffington Post has a pretty funny cartoon about it.

Cheers,
Jeff

My Political History

wingetj@wingets.net (Jeff) — Sat, 06 May 2006 04:35:00 +0000

Well, it's been an interesting week here on the blog and in life. After my debate on my post from Monday in which I was called "pathetic," "confused," and "socialist," I thought it might be helpful to lay out my political history and philosophy.

First, I consider myself a moderate. I grew up in conservative Utah, and many of my teachers in school showed a conservative bias. My first vote for president was cast for Bob Dole in 1996, and then I voted for Bush in 2000 (fresh of a mission for my Church in Chile). At that point in my life, I wasn't a real educated voter. I thought I understood both platforms, and my family is full of Republicans, so I tended to vote more conservative. Then, I went to college and was exposed to the other side's point of view.

In college, I learned that many beliefs that I had held my whole life were actually better supported by the Democrats. I met wonderful people who both shared my religion and opened my eyes to a more liberal way of thinking. However, I still stayed moderate in my views.

Here's an overview of some of those views. It's impossible to condense a complete political philosophy into a few paragraphs, but I'll try:

Abortion: I'm pro-life. I do think that some exceptions need to be made in the cases of rape, incest, and life-threatening complications; however, absent these special circumstances, I believe that abortion is wrong. We need to better educate people about avoiding unwanted pregnancies and about all the options available to a pregnant woman, especially adoption.

Environment: I live in beautiful southern Utah, and I'm in awe at the wonders of God's creations here. I believe that we need to take every precaution in how we use the land in order to preserve it, not for future generations, but because it is worthy of our protection regardless. I oppose drilling for oil in Alaska. I would like to see a concerted effort by our government to drastically reduce our consumption of oil and gas. I would also like to see better education into proper treatment of the outdoors.

Economy: I'm a capitalist, who believes in the power of competition to fuel innovation. I believe that in order to inspire that innovation, the middle class needs to be empowered through incentives to use their entrepreneurial spirit. To me, trickle-down economics is a farce aimed at making the rich richer. I thought Clinton had many good ideas on the economy--balance the budget, control gas prices, promote middle class achievement, improve education, etc. I do, however, believe in universal health care as a right to every American. Something after the model of the bill signed by Gov. Romney in Mass. would do nicely I think.

Education: I'm a teacher, so I feel quite passionately about this one. The most pressing issues facing education today deal with the No Child Left Behind Act and school vouchers. As for NCLB, I'm a little split. I believe that it is a good idea in theory, require schools to prove achievement or face consequences and give financial benefits to schools who are making the grade. It's a business model, in essence. Now, the problem is that students are not a product, and so the business model doesn't quite work. Standardized tests are inadequate measures to assess the achievement of students, and there is no intrinsic or extrinsic motivation for students to excel on these exams. One of my students asked me this week during tests, "What do I get out of this?" The answer under our current system is unfortunately that they get nothing. I think that we need to drastically rethink our public school system and work hard to promote parental and community involvement. Also, we need to push learning for learning's sake, not for the sake of getting a good job. Learning for a lifetime is crucial, and right now we're ignoring it. As for vouchers, they're a terrible idea for many of the same reasons stated above. Students are not products, and they are affected by many forces other than school. We need to address those other forces as well (and, rethink the public ed. system as I stated above). I'll have to do another post to fully cover this one.

War: Ayn Rand, hardly a liberal, said that "Men have the right to use force only in self-defense and only against those who initiate its use." Jesus took the idea farther by saying, "If a man smites you on the right cheek, turn to him the other" (loosely quoted). I believe that a nation and even individuals need to be prepared to defend themselves against attack. I don't believe, however, that it is okay to strike first. I don't believe in pre-emptive war. For that reason, I supported the war in Afghanistan from the beginning, and I opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I could go on and on. I think my views can be summed up this way. I think government is way too big and way too intrusive. Our current economic policies favor the wealthy way too much. The war in Iraq was not justified because they didn't "initiate its use." Life should be protected--I'm pro-life and against the death penalty. The free practice of religion should be protected, but religion should be lived privately, not in the public sphere ("Pray in thy closets"--Jesus). Government has two main functions, protect liberties and enable people to succeed.

It would be valuable for some of you who still think I'm a crazy, socialist, anti-American liberal to read the first post I ever made on this blog. You might find it helpful.

God Bless America (I really mean that).

Cheers,
Jeff