the Ogre

Bah . . . skinny hips . . . I celebrate the "wide load" bumper sticker on my can.

I am THE Ogre, I am antagonistic it is who I am, but I have yet to attack your beliefs (unlike your unrelenting assault regarding possible deceit regarding our beliefs), I am spending my energy on your methods. I do not go to EV forums and attack their theology, practices, historical figures, and ideology like you are doing here. To do so would be internet-trollery. I do not think anyone here should be trying to align LDS doctrine to your way of thought through the bible and general-philosophy, but that seems to be what you are insisting on.You are expecting some type of surrender and acknowledgment. I told you this is not some interfaith forum, where compromise is expected and required. Do not expect compromise. To compromise would be a betrayal to every Latter-day Saint world wide and through time. You have had enough explanation. We love the Holy Bible, but do not consider it the final word on all things regarding LDS doctrine. Stop insisting that we should. That you do is fine, extend the same consideration. Oh brother . . .

Oh . . . and I thought I was. (very cool article though)

Dude, you need to stop reading the anti stuff. It was designed to confuse and obfuscate and stretch (and sometimes just lie about) the truth. Ignore it. None of it is intended to uplift or edify, only destroy and ridicule. Next, ignore the apologists too, they might be trying to explain and defend the church, but most of the time they are merely showing off their recent Ph.Ds and enjoying the proceeds from their book sales.

Eventually, the missionaries write-off a contact who is so antagonistic and confrontational and insincere (and as he just acknowledged: "condescending") that nothing they say is making a difference. There are better ways to spend your time and energy.

Hey, nice to meetcha.

Soon to be 31, I'm sure.

OR that we do and you still refuse to allow that we believe differently."Oh, those silly mormons . . . they are deluded by their false prophets and their false ideas about G-d . . . ONLY THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF G-D . . . I should go preach what I feel, what is my opinion, ignoring their beliefs, ridiculing their doctrines until all 13million of them concede . . . after all they, and their false doctrines, their false Chr-st, are only lying to the world and who can stand liars and deceivers." Some of the questions you are now asking are beginning to sound as if you are quoting the Tanners. Just another one of thousands who think Latter-day Saints are a bunch of brainwashed cultists.

Nah, it's simpler than that, you refuse to pay attention, so why should anyone bother anymore.

This is a big part of the myth, however, I have witnessed some people trying to exclude others (From the RS Pres. this Sunday: "Oh, the hispanic ward meets at 1, the bishop's a real nice guy." "I'm from Texas, I don't even speak Spanish." "Oh, but you'll probably be more comfortable there anyway" -- To me when I first met her: "Brother [the Ogre], don't you think you'll be happier in the single's ward?" -- She thinks she is being helpful, but what she is doing is trying, actively, to do is keep her ward as lily-pure as possible . . . real wonderful lady, no wonder I cussed her out a few weeks ago).

How about a new iPod with some of his favorite tunes on it (makes sure you give him copies of those tunes on a CD).

And I thought we were making progress. I guess not.

That is exactly right. Plus, my maternal Grandparents were Jews. I don't want to hear it from Grandma after I die.Have you ever had a Jewish Grandmother. Nice to the point of red cheeks and raised eyebrows. Being haunted by her doesn't sound like fun.

As far as taking charge, I think it has to be the US to do it. We can not depend on the UN, the problems there have happened under their watch (and besides the UN is most likely as corrupt as any government in Africa).The problems with modern globalization is that Africa's poverty classes have been left out. This is not a solution (there doesn't have to be a prize).

It was an editorial, but the contents (though biased towards feminism) is accurate.BTW: CNN is not too bad, it's bias just reflects the politics of its owner, editors, sponsors, and readers. I read loads of sites. I was attracted to this piece because I like the writer.

Progress . . . oi me achin' head

No you are quite right, he is more interesting in conservative "toning-down" the rhetoric. It would be nice to not be labeled misogynist just because of my opinion regarding abortion.

Okay, there is a state department, but where are the American People? By not doing anything, it's like a sin of omission--one is still guilty.

I agree with you. I think race is a big part of it. I think a lot of people feel Africa is unresolvable because Africans typically are poor and not white.

The following comes from Eve Ensler's CNN.com article: Commentary: War on women in Congo - CNN.com . I recommend the article, but it is graphic. I have to wonder why the US is not more involved in places like The Congo and Darfur. The inhumanity of these places should put these country's on top of our nation's diplomatic priority list. Bush was active in Africa affairs, but not enough. Obama is going to Egypt, but is focusing more on improving Middle-Eastern affairs. I do not care if these countries have nothing to contribute to the US, it does not mean the abuse to women, children, and men there is forgivable or ignorable. We ought to be doing something more.

Geriatric stretch?

I am a culinary stunt-person. I do not understand your DH. Back in the day when I was married, I ate whatever my then wife cooked with thanks and appreciation (we had one food-fight . . . I hate pori-cha a traditional Korean barley-tea, I lost and drank it without comment up to the day she left). We ate loads of Korean, Chinese, and American dishes (as she is Korean, we never had Japanese . . . I had to sneak around for that stuff). My son is a chef. I love all the crazy stuff he brings home. Food is great. Eating is my biggest WoW challenge. Personally, I love cheeseburgers and think hoagies are one G-d's greatest creations, but salads, pizza, kim-chee, humas, steaks, fungus (what I'm not allergic to), tofu, and thousands of other dishes are fantastic. The only things I draw the line at are: bugs (I never had one I like, but I did try them . . . note this does not include sea-bugs, I love shrimp, crabs and the like), grape-jelly (my mom made grape-jelly sandwiches everyday of my life until I joined the army . . . she still makes them for my dad), and live, sea-cucumber (except for live octopus, I do not like arguing with my food as I'm trying to eat it especially as it tastes like acid and has the consistency of raw-eggs).

If what you are saying is accurate, I'd say you have nothing to fear regarding your recommend or church standing. Regarding the rest: I have always had trouble with people at church (most of the time, people in the Relief Society). Ignore them. I am sorry about the bishop yelling at your grandmother. That is unfortunate and pretty sad. Be patient with your doubts and go straight to G-d about them and trust H-m that you will learn the truth. Taking rash action is the biggest problem, don't do anything without prayer. Good luck with everything and sorry about that test. I know a few people who have failed it. They were very bummed as well.

Traveler:I read his speech, too. I don't think he wants compromise. I think he wants people to use less antagonistic language. I could be missing something and most likely am. I think he feels that opposing sides often share commonalities, but because the language people choose is so polemic there is no way to come to together to talk. I TA'd a class where the professor was very liberal. I'm a moderate and so the professor used me to sometimes bridge the gap between her and many of the very conservative students (ENGL 1010 and ENGL 202H and UVU). Often, it was a choice of language to help calm things down. With that in mind, I do not think any amount of moderate language is going to over-come the suspicions both sides harbor. Personally, I understand every-side of the abortion debate, but my opinion stands firm: abortion, except for the exceptions the church allows, is murder. I do not think anyone is going to demonstrably change their opinions either, even if people adopt more civil tones of voice. I think calling pro-choicers murderers and baby-killers is what he is trying to avoid.

Sorry, about that. Here is the poll I tried to write: