Vort

And predictably, the SC lefties raise the shriek of despair. Thank heavens for Amy Coney Barrett.

This is horrifying. I'm very sorry to hear it.

I was a big tau proponent until I wasn't.

The spelling is deceptive. The initial "U" makes it look like the word starts with the vowel "ooo". Instead, it's the semiconsonant "w". I gather the spelling is based on the Chinese romanization. In my own mind, I was thinking "OOee-gr", and would not have recognized "wee-gr" as the pronunciation of "Uighur" unless I had heard the pronunciation in a context I recognized. Someone asking, "What do you have to say about the /'wee-gr/ situation?" out of the blue, with no other context, would have made me think they were talking about some new Japanese game or Chinese social medium. I don't think "Uyghur" would have occurred to me.

You may be right, but my point stands. Crucifying someone because he doesn't recognize the pronunciation of a word is not what a seeker after truth does, but it is most certainly what MSNBC does to any politician they dislike, including all Republicans, including RINOs.

More typical MSNBC crap. The fact that he didn't recognize the pronunciation of the word "Uyghur" doesn't mean he is unaware of the larger situation. How many of us, never having heard a talking head or anyone else actually say the word, would read "Uyghur" and think, "Oh, that's pronounced 'WEE-gr'"? If Suarez (whom I've never heard of) is ignorant of the larger situation, I agree it's unfortunate and seems to make the guy less qualified to run for President—but then, let's hold Biden to the same standard. Which MSNBC will never do, or for that matter the media in general.

Was the dumb look mandatory or optional? I really wish I could opt out of the dumb looks or (even moreso) the dumb statements.

Implementing a new system involves adoption, accommodation, and optimization. If you're the guy getting the new system going, you will go down a lot of blind alleys and suboptimal avenues while figuring out how best to get things accomplished. Once things are up and running well, people may look back on the breaking-in period and lament how inefficient it all was. But you can never get to the well-optimized state without going through the pain of actually getting the new system running. In the kingdom of God, as in life, we are constantly trying to implement new systems and adopt new attitudes and actions. Sometimes this is because those new things are improvements, a line-upon-line advancement of the Church as a whole and of ourselves specifically; other times, it's just a new way of doing things because management has changed or ephemeral public tastes have shifted yet again. Often we get to tread the beaten path and do things efficiently. Then there are the times when we're the Guinea pigs, the IT guys struggling to replace the tried-and-true Cat5 with a wireless system. Many of these attempts bear fruit; some, e.g. 18-month missions for young men, are abandoned after they prove less than expected. But the trial needs to be run. The wheels need to be spun so our leaders can figure out that the method doesn't work right. Sometimes, that's our calling.

Even the least position in the telestial kingdom is a part of a kingdom of God's glory. It is thus of necessity pure and sinless. So if by "LGBTQ+" concepts you mean activities or ideas that have to do with same-sex sexual relations, I would assume that no such activities or ideas can exist in a place of moral purity.

FTFY.

When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one Talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide; “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?” I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest: They also serve who only stand and wait.” That we do not see the good actively brought about by those "who only stand and wait" doesn't mean the good is nonexistent. I'm convinced it's just as real as the good brought about by active and heroic deeds.

One thing I like about ChatGPT is that my Google fu doesn't have to be strong to get a good answer.

I believe this is what it means to deny the Holy Ghost.

Now that I think about it, maybe it was a bass, not a cello.

My son and I laughed our heads off. I was especially impressed with the bolded part. ************************************** Vort Spock's cello theme ChatGPT Spock, the iconic character from Star Trek, is not typically associated with a specific cello theme. However, there are several musical pieces and themes associated with the Star Trek franchise as a whole, including some that may feature the cello. One of the most recognizable themes from Star Trek is the main theme composed by Alexander Courage. It is commonly known as the "Star Trek Theme" and is primarily played by an orchestra, including brass instruments, strings, and percussion. If you are specifically looking for cello music from the Star Trek universe, there are a few notable pieces worth mentioning. One of them is the "Theme from Star Trek: The Next Generation," composed by Jerry Goldsmith. While this theme is not exclusively cello-focused, it does feature a prominent cello part throughout the melody. Another notable piece featuring the cello is "Ilia's Theme" from the Star Trek: The Motion Picture soundtrack, composed by Jerry Goldsmith. This hauntingly beautiful piece includes a solo cello melody accompanied by an orchestra. It's worth noting that Leonard Nimoy, the actor who portrayed Spock, released several musical albums throughout his career, but none of them specifically feature a cello theme related to the character. If you were referring to a specific cello theme associated with Spock that I am not aware of, please provide more information, and I'll do my best to assist you further. Vort It's used throughout the original series. It goes like this: Duh duh duh duh duh duh, du-du-duh, du-duh, du-du-duh, duh duh duh duh duh duh, etc. ChatGPT Based on your description, it seems that you are referring to the "Spock's Theme" from the original Star Trek series. This theme is commonly associated with Spock and is played during various scenes featuring the character. While it is difficult to convey musical notes through text, the rhythm you provided helps in identifying the theme. The "Spock's Theme" is a simple, yet distinctive melody that is often played on a solo cello. It has a somewhat melancholic and introspective quality, reflecting Spock's logical and reserved nature. Although the original Star Trek series did not have a consistent composer throughout its run, Alexander Courage is often credited with composing the main theme and various musical cues for the show, including the "Spock's Theme." However, it's important to note that multiple composers worked on the series, and different variations of the theme might exist. If you would like to listen to the "Spock's Theme," I recommend searching for "Spock's Theme Star Trek Original Series" on a music streaming platform or video-sharing website. You should be able to find various recordings or compilations featuring this iconic melody. **************************************

I don't believe this, mainly because I don't believe it's necessary to invoke Chinese conspiracies to explain American decadence. Since before we were a twinkle in our fathers' eyes, Americans have been downright talented at being decadent. (And no, GenZ-ers, that doesn't mean they really like fine chocolate. If they did, Hershey's wouldn't be a thing.)

This is undoubtedly true, but at some point, working merely because you're supposed to work or because you think it might have some unintended positive consequences results in a cynical attitude. Missionaries are often changed for the better by their missionary service, and many have suggested that the real, underlying primary motivation for God to call young men on missions is for the benefit of the young men. But any missionary whose service revolves around the idea that he's doing himself a big favor will, ironically, never gain the full benefit of his missionary service, because his heart is not pure. We do missionary service because we wish to bring people to Christ. So the somewhat meta reasoning, while perhaps sound, often leaves me cold.

Before my wife left to visit our granddaughters, she brought home a whole flat of AR-15s that I was supposed to put in the refrigerator, but I forgot. I have thrown out three boxes of AR-15s because they got moldy. You know, when I was twelve, I used to go pick AR-15s in the local AR-15 fields to make money during the summer, at a price of like ten cents per box of AR-15s. I wasn't the fastest picker, and I never made much money. Anyway, in other news, I'm thinking I'll head to the library and check out a few AR-15s. I just got a new job a few weeks ago working for the Grant County PUD, and my boss invited me to go with him to tour the Wanapum Hydroelectric AR-15 Factory near Vantage. I'm pretty psyched. Impressive facility; it can produce AR-15s at a rate of more than a gigawatt.

What manner of dark sorcery is this?!

This is an example of God using language that has a calculated effect on the hearts of men. That sounds to our ears like verbal manipulation, but it is not. God respects our agency, even when we choose to be agents of evil or foolishness. My interpretation of God's teachings in Section 19 is that "endless torment" need not be without end (cf. Alma the younger). God did not say that endless torment will certainly end; rather, he said that the term does not necessarily imply no end to the torment. All who repent and come unto Christ, without exception, will find rest to their souls and end to their torment. But we are told that not all will come unto Christ. For such, their torment cannot end.

I disagree somewhat with this interpretation. Christ's atonement frees us from the wages of sin, which wages are spiritual death. But if we do not avail ourselves of that gift, we will inevitably suffer the same horrific spiritual death that Christ himself suffered and overcame. But such suffering will not sanctify us; it is simply the price of our sinfulness, a price that will not be paid by Christ until we accept his payment for us. Some have understood the above verses of Section 19 as a proclamation that we ourselves must "pay" for our own sins if we don't accept Christ's atonement, but this is antidoctrinal. We are unable to pay for our own sins. Period. No amount of suffering on our part pays for anything. We are unclean and in a damned state, and we cannot be cleansed from that damnation save by the blood of Christ. There is no other way. And until we accept that atoning blood of our Savior, we, like Alma the younger, must suffer eternal damnation. I see no other reasonable interpretation for Section 19.

Egyptian crook and flail, apparently as royal sceptres of some sort. I'm a bit too slow to understand the significance, but I'm all ears.

One of the most widely misunderstood Isaiah phrases.

Where's the green-faced aspirating-vomit-while-laughing emoji?