Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan - Mormon and Catholic to save the Constitution of the United States

Every once in a blue moon something epic happens with the potential to change life as we currently know it.  The Blue Moon is happening at the very end of August 2012.  The Blue Moon is when a full moon shows itself twice within the same calendar month.  Appropriately named, “It only happens once in a blue moon.”  Though not indicative of an actual color change of the moon the occasion is uncommon, and therefore creates excitement among those who reside below it’s majesty.   
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The Blue Moon is not the only event going on of big proportions.  In fact and truth, the more pressing reality that will affect our future is the race for the White House in the 2012 election.  This article supports Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for President of the United States and is composed in the wake of the Republican National Convention which just concluded last evening, 30 August.  It was a very uplifting and positive convention.  In my opinion it was among the best since the Ronald Reagan years.  In relative proportions it ranks right up there with President Ronald Reagan’s “ Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall” speech.
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I’ve never known such a dark and dismal outlook of our nation’s future as I have at this time in history.  As I’ve mentioned numerous times on other writings we’ve become a nations of moral and ethical compromises of personal principles.  On top of that we’ve just come out of a major war of bankrupting proportions.  In addition, we are in the midst of skyrocketing government corruption and expansion.  Never has the United States questioned even the very citizenship or agenda of it’s President as it has President Barack Obama.  The loom of endless debt reigns over this nation like a dark and cold tomb.  

This isn’t what we, as a nation, need in the highest office in all the land and world.  It is not the virtue and character our Founding Fathers envisioned to lead a free people of liberty.  When Barack Obama was elected I gave him my benefit of the doubt.  I did not support his campaign and the superficial promises sickened me.  His endless rhetoric of entitlements and programs designed to bring men to bondage was very disturbing.  Yet, the people voted for him and I had hopes that I was wrong and that the country would take a path promised us by this man.  To submit willingly, at this point in time, that our great country is on a prosperous track under this administration would be to blindly walk onto an active railroad track.  We are not on a road to recovery.  We are on a bobsled to financial collapse and moral quagmire.  
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Though unpopular in today’s world of unbelief I truly believe in modern revelation and living inspiration.  To me this was reinforced at the acceptance speech of Governor Mitt Romney.  Let me explain what I mean.  I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Yes, the same as Mitt Romney - a Mormon.  As such we believe that revelation is ongoing and continues today as it did in days of old such as laid out in the holy scriptures.  We believe this to be vital to prepare and arm these current generations with knowledge and discernment in perilous times.   We believe that God’s house is a house of order and authority.  We believe in a living prophet who guides the people and corrects our wayward condition as an anchor to a ship.  This he does, under the mantle of authority and power of the Priesthood under the lineage of Jesus Christ.  Prophets, seers and revelators are a part of this plan and order.

A few short years ago we were in a General Conference which takes place twice a year in the Church.  These conferences are broadcast via satellite across the globe into virtually every nation.  At this particular conference a member of the First Presidency of the Church spoke.  His name was Thomas S. Monson.  His address was particularly powerful.  Powerful in word, yes, but also because of the unseen power about him.  For those hundreds of thousands who were looking with spiritual eyes, we saw before us a man who was being prepared for the mantle of Prophet.  It wasn’t many months after that our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, went the way of all the earth and joined his lovely wife beyond the veil.  This process was remarkable and highly inspired.  To those who “saw,” it was an unmistakable testament to the living workings of God.  But why would I bring up this experience now?

The GOP Republican National Convention was filled with great addresses.  Words were spoken from the heart and bore witness of the character and history of Mitt Romney and his family.  A positive outlook for the future of this nation resounded the walls of the convention.  A true belief was prevalent that America can get back on a productive track under the leadership of Mitt Romney.  However, when Governor Romney offered his address Thursday evening a familiar tone and look became clear.  His words were strong and confident but supporting the words were an unseen mantle of leadership preparing to manifest itself before the world.  To the eye and heart it was a living will of the Father that this man should be the next President of the United States.  It was evident and refreshing to see answers manifesting in such as manner.
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It is a joy to see Mitt Romney’s running mate choice of Wisconsin U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan.  Aside from similar political views I believe there is a great opportunity for their two separate religions to be more connected.  Romney, of course, is a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) and Ryan is a Catholic.  Catholics and Mormons have a history of working together for the welfare of those in need.  Yet, in many places they have a history of ill-will and animosity.  I believe that the union of these two individuals may open the way to improved relations and opportunities between the two remarkable faiths.

I have particular interest in this area of their relationship.  My wife and I were invited to the home of a good friend who is a priest among the Catholic faithful.  He graciously invited us to dinner and to view the Mitt Romney acceptance speech.  We’ve developed a great relationship of trust over the past several years.  We share common views of the world and how we can be stronger as one then separate as a people.  We know that hearts can be changed and strengthened by understanding one another.  And so it was, a Catholic and a Mormon watching the nomination acceptance of a Catholic and a Mormon.  Uncanny but interesting - or perhaps a chosen destiny.

Make no mistake that these are perilous times.  Like our Fathers in succession from Revolutionary times, extraordinary individuals are called upon and raised up in these days to save the Constitution of the United States from collapse.  At the root that is what’s at stake here.  The Constitution of the United States is the code and order of law for a free people under a banner of liberty.  It outlines that men are individuals with equal rights and opportunities.  It was never meant to offer a blanket health care plan for all Americans.  Obamacare is a farce, and was falsely designed to bankrupt a health care system and demoralize a people.  The Constitution was never meant to guarantee entitlements that aren’t worked hard for.  People now have no reason to find work.  It’s far easier and the benefits of entitlement outweigh the honesty of labor.  Entitlements equals the redistribution of wealth which is an abhorrence to the inspiration of our Fathers.

I support Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States.  Not because I am also a Mormon, but rather because he poses a unique hope that America has longed for.  Actually, until his speech I’ve been open to facts, figures and influences regarding all candidates.  I believe that being open encourages the acceptance of new information.  I’ve leaned Romney’s way while being objective of all involved.  I’ve been searching with my heart for answers regarding the future of our country.  I’ve looked at the wreckage of the road behind us and the lack of construction workers to fix the road ahead.  Then, just as was manifest at General Conference, that burning fire within presented itself during Mitt Romney’s speech.  I believe that he will strive to save the Constitution of the United States and to restore this country to it’s former glory of prosperity, independence and education.  Whether or not it happens depends largely on the rest of us.  Will we act on the impressions we received at his speech?  Will we retain that drive in our hearts clear to election day?  Let us hope so, even amid the counter-attacks at next week’s Democratic National Convention.  Mark my words that the race will get pretty ugly as we draw closer to that epic day.  

My countrymen brethren and sisters, choose wisely while we still have the chance to correct the damage.  If we don’t, I promise that we will not recognize America with hope four years from now.  I still have faith that America will act on the greater God-inspired impression on the heart.  Though we make mistakes, I believe that America will not be utterly wasted.  Yes, by our actions and moral decay we will go through the peril of strife, sickness and even death in America.  Our Founding Fathers were inspired to prepare the foundation of something permanent - a beacon and light on the hill for all to see.

Psychology of Preparing for University, Community College or Higher Education

Preparing for college is part of the anticipated exit of the student from the home but this event also affects the parents.  The outlook of both parent and child is that the college dorm room will soon be a home.  The following are psychological feelings and emotions of this life changing event.  These human sentiments culminate into an apex of which the sum total ultimately places the child out of their known home and on their own.

As a parent it really doesn’t seem that long ago my older son was born to us.  We’ve watched him grow and developed.  We had all the little birthday parties as well as school and religious events surrounding his various age stages.  We’ve even watched as he entered close relationships.  All along, especially in the latter teenage years, we’ve grown anxious for that great day when this chapter would end and the college life begins.
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There are things in life that a young man or woman cannot fully grasp or contemplate fully from the view of a parent.  Some things just have to be learned through trial, error and the natural course of mortality.  The feelings of a child physically separating from the parents’ care is quite similar to the feelings on the parents’ side.  I believe it is a designed defining moment that connects two generations through a budding maturity.  It cannot be disputed that the separation itself catapults a young person onto a certain field of maturity and responsibility.  Still the feelings of the parent differ somewhat from the child.  It is a deeper sense of perpetuation of one’s self and lineage.  Though a loss has also become a gain the feelings dual as both sorrow and joy.  I believe that the similar nature of this bonding moment is by design and enhances the relationship and eternal perspective of parent and child.

Having conditioned myself up from youth to be strong and suppressing sentimental emotion I’ve often avoided or procrastinated situations that may “break” me.  The birth of my children is one event though multiplied by four.  The death and burial of my firstborn is another.  All along building myself up to be stronger and tougher until we get to the big day when a child gets to move out and dwell in the college dorms.
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Unfortunately I may have been too adamant in teaching my kids to “toughen up” and stop being so soft.  To a degree I believe its imperative and vital to growth.  That principal induces control and sound decision making.  It keeps in check one’s own faculties.  Yet the boundary line couldn’t be any fuzzier and gray.  That suppression within me became very painful spiritually and emotionally.   Until at that pinnacle moment when the view becomes clear and the depth of your love becomes manifest.

This feeling doesn’t have to be accompanied with college.  It may be multiplied when sending a young man or woman into the military especially during wartime.  The prospect of never seeing that child again can be very unbearable.  Still the purpose of this article is to bring home the precious nature of that separation.  For me that moment accompanied with it the flashing of memories and the final report card of how I did as a father to this young man.  I guess that my grade point average will continue to modify in the decisions of my son.

I’ve leaned the growth toward the side of the child, though that is but half the experience.  As a parent we’ve got to learn to eventually let go and treat that next generation as an adult with a sound mind and will.  That can be very difficult for some.  Aside from that college student there is also the matter of picking up the home and putting it back together.
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Now that the chaos is over, you now have a household that is minus a constant attendee.  That leaves a huge void that affects parents and the rest of his or her siblings.  Modifications in how you carry out your household duties may be required.  It is the growth process unto the final realization that the home is now empty and the tally of all your efforts are stacked up in the achievements of all your children.

May all graduates, parents and newly moved in college students find new joy and renewed relationships.

Movie Theater Industry Upgrade at a Theater Near You!

Movie theater companies are now mandating digital movies be show in their theaters.  With new advances in technology the industry is rushing to comply with the times and the demands of patrons.  Digital cinema projectors are vital to this service, however they are not cheap and small to medium theater establishments are struggling to find the financing to procure such equipment.  There are various avenues of acquiring funding.  This article will establish one way in which smaller communities may maintain their theaters and their allure for visitors and much needed out-of-town dollars.

With the dawn of home entertainment and eventually Internet streaming came the slow decline of movie theater patronage.  In relative motion the cost of running a theater every day of the week have gone up exponentially.  Due to these facts many, if not most, theaters have opted to open only on select days of the week.  In steady decline we see the enjoyed American pastime of theater experience disappear.
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According to a cinematic study by Drew Borst and Fred Krom of Goldman Sachs we are now at a 25-year low of cinema attendance.  Though some developing countries are seeing a moderate rise in attendance the American market tends to rely heavily on sparked interest fads like 3-D movies and even the Imax to bring people to the silver screen.  3-D is not performing as expected because generally the price to enter such movies is higher than the already inflated cost of regular films.

It is interesting, though.  Smaller communities throughout the United States that are actively engaged in downtown vitalization see the need for this centralized entertainment.  A good quality movie theater or cinema can be few and far between in moderately rural areas.  According to the National Association of Theaters Owners there are only about 5,500 movie theaters in the United States.  Considering the size of this nation that makes the movie theater experience very spread out especially in out-of-the-way places.A cinema that is well-maintained can attract out-of-town visitors from tens of miles to put their dollars into that community.  This is obviously a “win-win” situation for any one city’s businesses, the theater and also the greater city at large.
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The cost of digital cinema projectors is staggering.  The cost of upgrades can easily run upwards of $150,000 depending on many factors including the number of screens that theater accommodates.  This is not chump change for smaller communities and theaters.  One idea for theater and community survival would be for a city government to purchase the property and lease the building to the movie theater company.  Some arrangement similar to this would allow joint responsibility in funding the digital cinema equipment project.  A city could take out a capital loan note to cover the cost of the equipment upgrades.  The theater company could then pay that back over the life of the lease agreement with the city, after which the company would then take ownership of the equipment.  Operating within the law using various means of shared funding is an excellent avenue to save a small community’s prize projects such as cinematic entertainment.  Often, extremely low interest loans can be arranged.

In 2012 a deadline for theaters is in effect for conversion to digital projection.  Film companies are helping to facilitate the transition in various ways.  No longer will big reels of film be distributed to theaters.  Instead, film entertainment will all be on disc.  Many film companies are offering to reimburse theaters for these reels thus helping to offset the expense of conversion.

Taking in a movie at a theater is a great activity for couples and families.  I would encourage you to patron your local theater and support their efforts to expand and improve their services.  Home entertainment is fine but there will never be quite the experience as going out and catching a flick at a public cinema.

So grab a pop and some popcorn and remember - all cell phones off during the show!

At Risk! Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Gun Control Laws

Rifles, pistols, shotguns, firearms and the right to carry them openly and concealed continues to be a hot topic in light of recent gun shootings and rampages.  Stricter gun control laws are not the answer to preventing the obscenities of the grim of Aurora, Colorado, or even Columbine and the Sikh Temple.  People spitting venom at those diligent in their right to bearing arms take no responsibility in addressing the core root of the problem.  Instead they want to stick a Band-aid on the problem without addressing what caused the wound in the first place.  One need only look at places like Chicago to understand the failures of excessive gun control laws.

Our Founding Fathers knew how fragile the infant nation was yet holding the historical knowledge of tyranny and the inner ring of hierarchy of the British Crown of Great Britain.  According to the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights included in the Constitution of the United States any free state must have the ability to protect itself and, therefore, must enable its citizens the right to bear arms.  This is among the basic mortal tangible means of protecting one’s family, property and self.  It is also among the simple means of sustaining them as well in providing food and raiment whether on a regular lifestyle basis or in times of emergency.  
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King George lll through the channels of his tyrannical authorities and aristocracies provided the establishment of the necessary right to bear arms for the colonies.  Because of Britain’s plunderings, deceits and overarching taxes, the government of Great Britain spawned that innate God-given quality in man to be inspired into pursuing happiness through freedom.  They enabled that personal power and drive in the hearts of the colonies to protect what they have and to stand by that human right to do so.  

Though despicable the deeds of the Kingdom, their actions surfaced many of the cherished rights that the Fathers outlined as provided of God in the Constitution of the United States of America.  Is it not the twisted tyranny of King George lll to authorize the seizure of proud colonists on the seas and coerce them into turning on their brethren or suffer death themselves?  Is it not insufferable of a king-ruled government to incite natives of the New World to rise against the colonists thus making them desperate under the thumb of the King?  Is it not oppressive to prevent a people to expand economically via trade with the rest of the world just to keep them suppressed in liberty under the King?  These such oppressions have given the luster to the carefully crafted and simple Second Amendment of the right to bear arms.  It is because liberty is not free!  It must be constantly protected from dangers and threats both foreign and domestic.  That which continually encroaches on personal liberty will eventually reach a point of charging the individual instinct of a person into protecting themselves.
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All things are preparatory to something else.  The King was raised and allowed to inflict his madness on the colonists.  In turn, the hearts of choice men forged a document, a stance, providing the means of expanding the greatest nation the Earth has ever seen.  They understood that happiness through liberty can be achieved through worshiping as one sees fit.  They knew that what a man earns a man may own - and protect!  They empowered a people to form a representative government.  Through the right to bear arms they empowered a people to govern and protect their own dominion, property and life.  Through the establishment of this pristine nation we’ve seen an unprecedented advancement in medicine, technology, sciences and even a knowledge of greater negative challenges.

The horrors of James Holmes in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 are not indicative of the evils of arms.  The Sikh Temple shootings killing 7 in Wisconsin are not red flags of the evils of arms.  Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 at Columbine High School but yet the guns didn’t pull the triggers themselves - people did.  Charles Raymond Starkweather killed 11 people in Nebraska and Wyoming with a shotgun.  These incidents sparked outrage and invoked scores of gun control laws throughout all states across the nation.  Sure, we need laws amenable according to our times but are we not obviously missing the mark?  Is it not possible that by gaining a negative attitude toward firearms from these incidents we thus endanger a basic right of protection and lifestyle secured by the ink of the Founding Fathers?
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According to Wikipedia gun violence carried a heavy toll in 2007.  31,224 deaths occurred by way of gunfire.  Sounds pretty steep and good cause for emotional uprising?  Well, let us take a look at the the same year for vehicle deaths.  41,059 people lost their lives on the roads but where’s the outrage?  Far less tight regulations are placed on automobiles and the acquisition of licences thereof than are placed on firearms.  The exact cause of unbalanced outrage is unsure but it seems that people are much more apt to place blame on things that are much less common (guns or firearms) for American households than on things considered vital and necessary (automobiles).  After all it’s easier to manage and less intrusive on the American family than to go after automobile legislation.

Illinois has some of the most stringent gun control laws in the United States.  However, just look at Chicago’s record and understand the foolishness of the bureaucracy.  Since 2001, we’ve lost more than 2,000 servicemen and women in Afghanistan.  Compare that up to Chicago alone which graces an outstanding 5,000 gun deaths.  Continual gun legislation has done nothing to the death rate attributed to firearms in Chicago.

Are we at risk from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?

I’ve stated it many times before that in order to cure a problem you don’t bandage the symptoms or by-products.  You attack and solve the root problem at the source.  The men and women pulling the triggers of firearms against other human beings are doing so for some skewed perspective on their environment.  Whether suicide or homicide it is an illness of the mind how they currently view the world.  Most, I submit, stems from the home and the upbringing of that person.  It’s not this in all cases but the home is where most all the foundational social and spiritual nourishment comes from.  Should we not start seriously addressing the home in this country?  Should not our focus be on the positive prosperity of the home and less on the legislative orders against firearms?  It’s a proven fact that the tighter your grip the more slips between your fingers.  Politicizing firearms has only expanded them on the underground.  Work to enable families to solve problems at home and I bet you’ll prevent many future gun rampages.

In closing I link a quote by President Ronald Reagan whereby he exhorts the people to reject the idea that when a law is broken it is society to blame instead of the lawbreaker him or herself.  The premiere silent snake infecting the hearts and minds of the United States citizen is the idea that there should be no personal responsibility.  There should be equal or more punishment placed on society than on the individual trespassing the laws.  This idea is repulsive and has been the cause of the downfall of many nations throughout history.  We need not condemn firearms, the prime focus of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, for the tragedies of mass murder but rather ourselves for not addressing where the problems originate - the home.

How Do You Mine for Gold or Copper? Where is Gold or Copper Found?

Technology has progressed at an astonishing rate.  The ability to make a profit out of copper, silver and gold chemical extraction from rock is now feasible and very lucrative.  We are at the site of one of only two man-made creations that is seen from space - the open-mine pit of Bingham Canyon, Utah.  A quarter of the total copper demand in the United States is quenched by production of Bingham Canyon.  Prospecting with a pan as in days of old is out and mass production of essential minerals with the use of high dollar and high tech machinery is in.

What was once a mountain is now a massive crater.  Intricately and carefully carved over the past century are all the tunnels and roads that lead to the bottom of this open pit.  What would the Bingham family, Mormon pioneers of 1847, think of the fruited seed they planted so long ago?  At first, the precious ore was in such minute concentration in the rock that it was unfeasible to make a large scale profit from the excavation and extraction.  However, new technology and knowledge of chemistry opened the door to mass production and paved the way for modern industries of computers, aviation, military, construction, plumbing, refrigeration and a host of others.

Through 55-foot test drilling, sonar, and other methods, extraction sites of best concentrations of copper are determined.  These are plotted in chronological order and synced on the production schedule.  1,000 pounds of special explosives are often used to open up the production area.  The rock is loaded onto 2-story earth movers that are able to haul 255 - 360 tons and delivered to the In-Pit Crusher which reduces the ore to the size of soccer balls.  It is then delivered via a 3-mile conveyor system to the Copperton Concentrator where the chemical process of copper extraction raises the copper concentration from 1% in the ore to 28%. 

Here at the Copperton Concentrator the ore is crushed to face powder consistency.  Through a process called flotation this powder is mixed with water.  The result is the precious minerals are brought to the open pool surface via separation.  Yet, copper is not the only product reaped from this process.  Molybdenum is a by-product hardening agent that is sold to steel manufacturers.

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The precious ore and water is pumped seventeen miles to a facility near the Great Salt Lake.  The Smelter super heats this ore in a purification process.  Through flash smelting the copper becomes 99.5% pure.  A by-product of this process, sulfur, is collected and sold to the agriculture and livestock industries for their valuable use.  The copper is molded into anodes and shipped to the Electrolytic Refinery.  

At the Electrolytic Refinery the anodes of copper are further purified to 99.9% through an electrolytic process.  It is in this stage of the entire process that gold and silver is harvested.  The finished product of copper are called cathodes which are then shipped to companies in the industries that each and every one of us use every day.  

All this from the rock of the earth...

I marvel at the immense resources given us to use for our use in our allocated time.  Mining is no longer a massive drain on natural resources.  It's a growing production practice to utilize all or most of the by-products and waste created in the streamline process.  Becoming modern and consumers is not a bad thing.  With any increased population it is also an inevitability that more resources are needed to sustain them.  Responsibility is proven to be achieved in the harvesting process of precious minerals and ores of any terrain.

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Let us support these efforts that we may progress as a people into a bright future.  We can equally support conservation efforts and herald mining companies that already do.