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“The America of my time line is a laboratory example of what can happen to democracies, what has eventually happened to all perfect democracies throughout all histories. A perfect democracy, a ‘warm body’ democracy in which every adult may vote and all votes count equally, has no internal feedback for self-correction. It depends solely on the wisdom and self-restraint of citizens… which is opposed by the folly and lack of self-restraint of other citizens. What is supposed to happen in a democracy is that each sovereign citizen will always vote in the public interest for the safety and welfare of all. But what does happen is that he votes his own self-interest as he sees it… which for the majority translates as ‘Bread and Circuses.’ ‘Bread and Circuses’ is the cancer of democracy, the fatal disease for which there is no cure. Democracy often works beautifully at first. But once a state extends the franchise to every warm body, be he producer or parasite, that day marks the beginning of the end of the state. For when the plebs discover that they can vote themselves bread and circuses without limit and that the productive members of the body politic cannot stop them, they will do so, until the state bleeds to death, or in its weakened condition the state succumbs to an invader—the barbarians enter Rome.” Robert Heinlein

In the old days, immigrants wanted to learn English, they wanted to fit in with society. It was a matter of pride to them when they could speak English. I miss the old days sometimes.

Keep in mind you see Church people for 3 hours a week at their very best (usually) and you only hear what they want you to hear. What their own personal struggles are the rest of the time you don't see or hear. I'm not going to tell anyone at Church I loath my brother and hope he dies soon. (example only) I'm not going to say a word about him or if someone knows he's now living with us I am going to say him moving in is a struggle sometimes and leave it at that.

I used to get 50 cents an hour babysitting and $2 for mowing a lawn, that was in the late 1960's and early 70's however. It was still below minimum wage. Come on, I'm not financing their college education, they're going to watch TV with the kids and maybe play a game or two, you really think that's worth big $$ ?? why? Even with inflation $5 an hour should be fine for 1 or 2 kids. Now if you expect them to clean and cook, that's different. Thankfully I have no kids at home these days.

No towels supplied in any Ward I've lived in. I certainly wouldn't count on any so Bring your own. Bring a complete set of Church clothes for after the baptism and anything you need to 'get ready'

Yet you feel free to condemn them?

A Friday morning wedding/sealing?! what were they thinking? "Sorry, we won't be able to make it." is all you need to say.

The Church has been testing new procedures here in Dallas, in Denver and someplace in CA (I'm thinking LA but may be mistaken, its been a while since the 5th Sunday meeting they used to introduce us to this) They no longer proselyte during the daytime, they do service instead; volunteering at a number of places, some long term, some short term, some only once or twice. Reasoning behind this is two fold - daytime proselyting has become almost worthless since in most of the free world men and women both work so its become; knock on a door, no one answers, knock on the next door, no one answers - repeat all day. Secondly, they are actually working with people that see the service they give which leads to questions about why they are doing it, what they believe, etc - its been found they actually teach more lessons by not proselyting than they did by knocking on doors all day long. Home | JustServe.org This Church owned website is a companion to this idea that members and non-members can both post projects/service opportunities to or to find opportunities to serve.

Joseph Smith being SEALED (not married) to a number of women. Yes, the Church hides it on their websites and in books including the Doctrine and Covenants. From the heading to D&C 132 If the revelation was given to Joseph Smith, do you really think he would not follow it? What does it have to do with your salvation?

Are you aware that a number of his "wives" were sealed to him after his death? There is a difference being sealed to someone and being married to someone.

There are more worlds than this one (Moses 1:33). All of Gods children (who kept their first estate) will have the opportunity to gain bodies.

I agree - the parents of the losers should realize their kids are probably just not meant for the football field. Or maybe the coach is one of those - "make everyone feel good and don't worry about actually teaching the kids the game" - kind of coach that should be fired.

Sorry - snake hater here. Can't imagine why anyone would want one for a pet other than for the shock value.

As an amateur writer there is no way I can put out 50,000 words in one month. I just don't have the time with family, work, church, etc. Maybe when I retire (in 2023). Finished a 70,000 word story a few months back - took me two years to write. I usually work on 3 or 4 stories at a time so it wasn't constant on the one, but I get stuck and move on to something else and then come back when I have more ideas. I've never successfully outlined a full story before writing it and stuck to it, as my characters always develop ideas of their own and usually take the story in ways I never dreamed of. Example: in the above story I had planned on killing off a certain character fairly early in the story, I found he was so interesting that he became one of the main characters, the story wouldn't have been nearly so good if he hadn't convinced me to give him a chance.

True in Dallas also, and that's been established quite a while.

To a Carpenter with a Hammer, Every Problem Looks Like a Nail. Since you said "I have been a child abuse educator", you may see each adult as a potential abuser. Warning your children is always warranted - stunting their growth because of different possibilities is wrong. Something for you to think about.

So, correct me if I am wrong, but couldn't he rob a bank (or commit any crime) and escape punishment legally since he's dead?

I H-A-T-E roundabouts, no one knows what to do in them. There's one by my office, (the only one I know of in Dallas) and there's an accident there a couple times a week. its 3 lanes with the two right lanes being turn lanes, invariably someone is in the outer lane trying to (illegally) go around when someone in the middle lane (legally) turns. I go a different way 99.9% of the time

Family History missions are available also (at the FH center in SLC). That's kind of what DW and I are thinking of when we retire. Heres a link for Senior Missionaries in general: https://www.lds.org/callings/missionary/senior?lang=eng And here is a link for all the current (and near future) mission opportunities: https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/callings/missionary/senior-missionary/senior-missionary-opportunities.pdf?lang=eng

The first time I went to Utah after converting I learned that: The streets are not paved with gold. Stores are mostly open on Sundays There are still bad parts of town. You can buy coffee and lottery tickets People there are mostly like people everywhere.

If you've ever seen the Choir on TV when all the women were wearing red, they looked like heads sticking out through holes in a red curtain. Very disconcerting. I like it when they wear colors.

You'd rather it was at the local bar? Sorry, most LDS I know don't spend the big $ on weddings that many non-LDS people do, making the cultural hall the perfect place for a reception. And besides, who doesn't like KFC?

My wife said the same thing. She usually tolerates my Marvel Movies, but said she enjoyed SHIELD

I always liked the 'Nick Fury Agent of Shield' comic books and I am liking the show so far. Was nice seeing Nick (Samuel Jackson) in the last episode. Tahiti - they've already mentioned that something is up when one character said (in the first episode)when Tahiti was brought up; "He doesn't know, does he?" makes me think he's a clone or raised from the dead or something.

I have no idea to what extent man is affecting climate change, HOWEVER we have been pouring tons and tons of crud into the atmosphere and the oceans for centuries and I can not believe that has no affect. I believe in common sense and in being good stewards. Cap and Trade is ridiculous, developing alternate cleaner sources of energy is wise. I hear people complaining that solar energy is not efficient right now so there's no sense in using it, but without people using and developing it, it will never get more efficient. Gasoline engines were not efficient when they first came out either, it took decades of use to get to where we are today. Electric cars are not fantastic today, but they continue to move ahead. Electricity is mainly made from coal and natural gas in this country and we are a net exporter of that, meaning we have more than we use, so it makes sense to switch to that rather than continue to import oil (from countries that mostly hate us anyway) As more and more electric vehicles get in use, battery technology will improve. Most city dwellers live and work within battery range for an electric car today, the week or two a year they might need longer range they could rent a gas powered car. Vehicle prices continue to drop, GM just announced a $30K all electric vehicle that has a 200 mile battery range, Telsa has a low cost long range electric car close to being released. Common sense - Yes Good Stewardship - YES! Money making schemes that do no real good - NO!