nbblood

Yeah, New York City, Chicago, and Boston all have similar reputations....to name a few. Why take your money off shore? We have plenty of corruption right here in U.S.! I propose everybody gets an appropriate sized mayonnaise jar and buries their savings in their own back yard! You only get interest if the planted money somehow grows into a money tree. Those proceeds are, of course, tax free!

Just to put that in perspective, anybody that claims tithing as a charitable contribution on their tax return is indeed practicing tax avoidance. You could say the same thing about a laundry list of credits, deductions, and/or processes to reduce your taxable income.

Don't forget that one lucky parent each game would get tagged to provide pickled beet slices for refreshment at half-time (in lieu of the orange slices of course).

I didn't say the NY judge would revoke the permit. A weapons violation anywhere, however, is grounds for the issuing authority to revoke a permit. That is what I was implying. I'm not saying it is certain, but it is certainly likely, particularly in a case that has gained this much publicity. I also said "unfortunately", indicating that I don't necessarily think that is the best recourse for her actions. Agreed. I said "likely", I didn't say they would "for sure" be helpful. Ultimately it is up to the permit holder to know the laws and abide by them. LOL....agreed again. I used to have a CC permit. Then I realized it really didn't do anything for me. I rarely, if ever, carried a gun in a manner that required it. I decided it was more of a bother than it was worth. I carry my guns in a manner that is legal without a CC permit (usually just hunting). I transport them in my vehicles in accordance with applicable laws. I register my guns when I'm required to do so (military installations and, yes, I was in New York at one time.) Guns in my home are in appropriate locations to lend themselves for self defense and at the same time are inaccessible by my children. I don't keep them loaded, but in a self defense situation, I could get them into action in a hurry. Ultimately, I'm more concerned about my kids getting hold of a loaded weapon than I am worried about needing them instantly in a defense situation. So, I choose not to leave unlocked, loaded weapons in my home. While all of these may seem a little bit stray of the topic, I use this example to illustrate that it is reasonable to not have a CC permit, keep guns legally, and still maintain sufficient defense. I think I'm supporting your claim that permit holders tend to be emotional over the wrong things.

Probably President Benjamin Franklin.

The law in New York is that you must register your handguns, not that you cannot carry a gun. Additionally, if you are carrying a concealed weapon, you must also have a concealed carry permit. Therefore, a person, with the appropriate registration and permits, may carry a concealed gun in New York. BUT, establishments may forbid guns on their premises at their discretion, thereby pre-empting the concealed carry permit. BUT, they MUST post a sign that clearly indicates that guns are not allowed on the premises. In that case, concealed carry permit or not, a person may not legally carry their weapon in that establishment. Any concealed carry permit holder should know all this. In this particular case, had the woman had her firearms legally registered in New York and held a New York concealed carry permit, she would not have been in violation and should not have been arrested. However, she apparently was not aware that handguns must be registered in New York to be transported or possessed within the state. Hence, she was indeed in violation of the law. She simply failed to do her homework and found herself on the wrong side of the law. Yes, she tried to do what was the right thing, but the problem was she was already wrong. Unfortunately this violation will likely lead to the repeal of her concealed carry permit and prevent her from ever getting one again. However I hope the judge realizes that this was apparently an honest mistake and is lenient on her. After all, she was trying to do what she thought was the right thing. The lesson here is that a concealed carry permit is not all-encompassing, regardless of reciprocation laws. There is inherent responsibility in knowing the applicable laws for wherever one plans to carry any firearm or other weapon. If google doesn't help, call a local law enforcement officer, they will likely know the answers. Don't ever assume that a concealed carry permit allows you to carry a concealed weapon anywhere!

If you do choose to fake a $1 million bill, don't expect the cashier at Walmart (or anywhere for that matter) to have enough change in the register to actually break it. I mean seriously, what did this guy think was going to happen when he presented this bill? Lets say the cashier could break it but had nothing larger than $20s. How was he going to carry 50,000 $20 bills? How long would it have taken to count them out? Ok, that's 45,139...45,140.....45,142......err......I lost count......1,2,3,4...... This just goes into the books as one of the dumbest criminals EVER!

Just to follow up, I did use the snowball fight idea. It was great. We hosted my wife's sister and her family (they have two boys). They also have elves (Bob and Leroy). So they got in on the snowball fight too. Alas, the elves have retired to the North Pole once again. But in 11 months I'll need more great ideas like this one! Thanks again for the tip. It was great!

I know! I know! I should be better at being active on here. I'll try harder. I always need improvement! As for the kids, I'm sure taking advantage of the fun younger years! I'm not sure who has more fun with the elves, me or them!

Ah, that's a great idea! I think I see a snowball fight in the future for Ellie Mae and Sally! Thanks!

My wife and I do this for our kids. It's fun. Our elves are "Ellie Mae" and "Sally", one for each of the girls. They show up on Dec 1st and stay through Christmas. So far this year Ellie Mae and Sally have gone out to the garage to drive the truck, played "go, fish" with cards, cleaned the wall mirrors, cooked some vegetables in a pot on the stove, rode the ceiling fan round and round, put up their own Christmas tree, ate the gingerbread cookies, vacuumed the floor, played putt-putt golf, and last night they stole my daughters underwear and decorated the tree in the kitchen with them. My oldest is 4 and she can't wait to go see what the elves have been doing at night. She gets pretty excited to go find them. My youngest is 18 months and she just doesn't get it. Maybe next year. I'm seriously running out of creative things for elves to do though!

I think that once a user makes his/her first post you should immediately ban them for a week. You know, post in the Intro forum, " Hi my name is _________. I found this site and think it's great. Hi everybody." Pam: "Welcome, you're banned!" And they'd be or maybe even It'd kind of be like Seinfeld...."No soup for you!" That way, we could tell if they were really tough enough to hang around and take it, you know, test their mental toughness right out of the gate. Sure, sure there may be those that get their feelings hurt. I'd just refer them to that Geico commercial "Maybe we should head on over to Mamby-Pamby land and maybe we could find you some self confidence!" And hey, if the "site rules" wouldn't allow this type of electronic hazing, that's ok, just make a new rule then it'll all be good. Ok, there you have it. My plan. Go ahead, you can ban me now. I can take it.

Just think, Pam, ten good-looking guys, one place, one time, there to serenade just you! Oh, sure, there'll be other people around, but really, they're there to serenade you, Pam!

Sorry. Hey, Idaho Falls isn't that far! Road Trip!

Got to see them in KC again last night. Whole lotta new material and stage setup. They're getting better and better and they were awfully good before. Don't miss these guys if you get the chance! Unfortunately they had to cancel their SLC show. But Boise, Idaho Falls, Albequerque, Denver, Colo Spgs, Mesa, LV, et al. all on the schedule. Just got great tickets for somebody for the Boise show last night.

So your wife is not in the ward? Or you don't date your wife because of your policy?

I'm gonna guess that EQG has an interest in somebody in his ward, which started this conversation. But then there's this other girl, that's 1000 miles away, and something has developed since the start of this thread that has made EQG decide to put the issue of ES/ward member aside because he is really focused on #2, 1000 miles away right now. At least that's the best sense I can make of this. Perhaps I'm way off base, but that's how I put the puzzle together.

Wow! You are quite a bit older than I thought! And it took 103 years to get rid of the desire! You should be proud of yourself for resisting the urge for that long!

I have a 4-month old. I am fluent in ga-ga goo-goo.

I've skied at Alta and Brighton......and Solitude and Snowbird and Park City and......

I'm Army. There are plenty of places that are permanent stations that don't have wards or branches or didn't have wards or branches at some time. If you're thinking about the traditional type assignments, the major posts and bases, you are correct. But we now have permanent stations, throughout the middle east in particular, that have small contingents of U.S. forces that don't have wards or branches, or didn't at some time. AFRICOM is just getting underway. There is likely to be many permanent stations in Africa that don't have wards or branches, at least initially. Sure, in most cases that is not the case, but there are several that don't. They are the exception and not the rule, of course. Regardless, that's not the point about chaplains performing marriages, which is what you quoted. They could be at home station and attending services in their wards and still be performing marriages. It happens all the time. In many cases they are not even LDS marriages. Sometimes they are, just not temple marriages, in cases where one or both of the parties does not have a recommend. Could the Bishop do it? Sure. Could a chaplain do it? Sure. It comes down to who the bride and groom ask to perform the marriage. Is it common for an LDS couple, being married but not in the temple, to ask a chaplain to perform the marriage rather than a Bishop? Probably not. Does it happen? Yep! Sometimes it's a matter of who's available on a certain date.

I don't know of any marriages that have occurred while deployed. I think that is highly unlikely to occur. I am talking about back at home station. Chaplains can perform marriages. You are correct about temple marriages and the similarities of being married by different denomination chaplains. An LDS chaplain can perform a non-temple marriage just as other clergy do, but not temple marriages. I should have been more clear. You are absolutely correct. Thanks for pointing that out.

Fair enough. I certainly understand. The juice may not be worth the squeeze. A forum like that would certainly be catering to a small population of users. Whatever you decide is cool as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure you feel comforted by my approval.

Well, groups get very little or no attention. I would venture to say that most users don't know they exist and once they figure it out, they're going to spend about as much time filtering through the groups as I did.....which is about 30 seconds. About long enough to realize that there are way too many groups to go through to pick out which ones you're interested in and very little subscription to most of the groups anyway. So, no thanks. If I have something to say I'll do it in existing forums. But I certainly understand not wanting to generate another forum. I can only imagine the second and third order effects that would cause the site and moderators. I don't even want to know.

There is not much incentive...at least monetarily. All true. However I think when you consider a theology degree being "worthless", that is quite narrowly thinking of professionally. I would love to have the time and money on my hands to obtain a theology degree, merely for the personal education. It's not the piece of paper that is the degree that is valuable. It is the knowledge and spiritual fulfillment gained during the process that has value. But as far as value that is applicable professionally or in church operations, correct, virtually useless. I would contend that there are career opportunities available for retired Chaplains without having to go back to school. However, they certainly would be at a competitive disadvantage to other retired officers if the only degree they held was theology. I'd grant that. Agreed. I'm sure most chaplains would agree with you too. No, the chaplain is not a bishop. He does not hold the keys of a Bishop. He will tell you that. He can however, do some things that a normal Melchezidek PH holder cannot. For example, he can perform marriages and is recognized by civil authorities to do so. He cannot, however, collect tithes. He also cannot conduct interviews for baptism or PH ordination or conduct those ordinances without the authority of Bishop or Stake President, or in some cases Mission President. He can conduct some ordinances and interviews on their behalf with permission and direction though. I think it's also interesting and potentially valuable to know who and where they are too. Hence, this post. As I said in an earlier post, I am proof that they can make a difference. I will forever be grateful for the military chaplains I've met. I went through 16 years of service without ever meeting and LDS chaplain. But when the time was right, the Lord had them there for me. Thanks for your comments and insights.