Why I'm Proud to Be a BYU Sports Fan

Everyone knows that society is a complex combination of social norms, laws, rules, and regulations. We cannot exist as a group, a government, or a species without organization and boundaries. They provide safety, order, and protection.

If a guy knocks on your door wearing no pants, it's not smart to answer. If an adult has sex with a child, they're going to jail. If a truck is driving down the street, you don't want to jump out suddenly into the crosswalk. If you drive 15 miles over the speed limit, you very well may get written a ticket.

But when it comes to sports, these things tend to get left behind. The NFL is filled with violent, abusive individuals. The NBA is permeated with selfish me-first personalities. I get sick of it. And that's where Brigham Young University comes in.

The Cougars are a breath of fresh air for me. They stand for something a little different when they compete. Sure, they're a little odd, a little peculiar, but so am I. When they say, you can't be unmarried and have sex and play football here ( http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/13256720/oldschool-byu-wins-with-honor-code-and-without-sex ), I say, wow, it's great to see an institution actually honoring moral values! When a team of players refuses to play a post-season game on Sunday ( http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700026094/BYU-womens-rugby-team-enjoys-national-support-for-forfeiting-rather-than-play-on-Sunday.html , http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700026097/BYU-teams-have-long-history-of-resting-on-Sunday.html ), I think, isn't it amazing to see individuals standing together for something?

Maybe I'm alone on this one. I think it's pretty safe to say I may be in the minority. But to me, choosing to do something because you feel that it's right, that's a pretty special choice. And that's why a lot of kids choose to go to BYU. That's why a lot of those people honor their commitment to the school and its honor code. And that's why I can't help but cheer for the Cougars.

We Have A Winner!

The Madness is over! And with the Duke Blue Devils beating the Butler Bulldogs in a National Championship Game for the ages by a mere two points, it's time to crown the Queen of the Dance! Without further ado, congrats to old family friend Wendy Chapman, who finished with 1190 points to end in the 99th percentile of the millions of brackets filled out nationally! Great job Wendy!

Our other loyal Dukies this tournament finished in 2nd and 3rd place respectively: Work buddy Jon Bowers and our own Star Hulet! Congrats to these two as well! Star was still in 19th place in my last blog, so let this be a lesson to you all on just how important the last couple rounds are in this game!

The best non-Duke believer this tournament was my brother-in-law, Tyler Erickson, who placed 4th. Kansas let him down, but the rest of his picks were spot on. Keep in mind, this was Tyler's first year playing too! Good work!

Also beating me these year was Bryant Casteel (for the 2nd time in his 2nd attempt) and my cousin Rachel Roller (also in her 1st bracket ever!). Rachel's jump was from 28th place to 7th. Ridiculous!

And for the record, the top 3 finishers for those who had neither Butler nor Duke in the Title game were myself, my sister Kiernan, and my wife Lauren. So there.


And here's the complete standings:

1 Chapman 1, W. Chapman 1190
2 adenbowman 1, J. Bowers 1060

3 starkid55 1, S. Hulet 1000

4 tbone-88 1, T. Erickson 840

5 wikidnurse 1, M. Nielsen 790

6 nullFX 1, B. Casteel 780

7 RollingPenguin 1, R. Roller 730

8 Mars, E Mars 700

9 MarsSis19 1, K. Andrews 690

KarenOjai 1, K. Erickson

11 MrsElderMars 1, L. Andrews 680

pradmilovic, P. Radmilovic

13 MarchMadnessFanatic 1, J. Armstrong 670

14 ojosazules112 1, L. Christensen 660

15 Dannysaur 1, D. Abenroth 650

16 Mars Mom, S. Andrews 640

17 Doug Abenroth 2, D. Abenroth 630

18 Maranda1283 1, M. Anderson 620

19 BarackObama, E Mars 590

rollerna 1, N. Roller

21 Stevan_A 1, S. Andrews 580

randerson415 1, R. Anderson580

23 wammabammajammakelly 1, K. Casteel 530

24 Ojai Steve 1, S. Erickson 510

25 BYUroundy 1, a. roundy 500

slarmohulk 1, J. Davies

27 Rusty , R. ANDREWS 490

SteffyPie222 1, S. Steelman

29 Andrew002002 1, A. Smith 470

30 valarab 1, v. abenroth 440

http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/group?groupID=42986&entryID=617892

Another big thanks to all who participated, helping make this my biggest and best group of friends and family making NCAA picks ever!

I'm already looking forward to next year. I think we can grow even bigger next time! Some people I'm looking at hopefully joining the game in 2011: Garrett and Adam Erickson, Steve Wolfanger, Joel Roller, Dan Warren, Eric and Breann Farlow, Emily and Mike Bishop, Deana Christensen, Sam Burgess, Adam Zockell, Annie Traynor, Stephen Joel Jensen, Ryan and Laura Lillywhite.

March Madness Standings- 1st Weekend in the books

It's been a fun year so far. Baylor won their first game since 1950 or so. Cornell won their first game for their entire conference in over a decade. And of course BYU got their first win since 1993 (12th overall).

5 of 16 remaining teams are "little" schools: Northern Iowa (which upset #1 Kansas -my pick for National Champ- in one of the best Tourny games ever played!), Xavier, Butler, St. Mary's, and Cornell. Good luck to the underdog in the next round!

Here's the current standings:

1 Chapman 1, W. Chapman 470
2 Mars, E 460
3 MarsSis19 1, K. Andrews 450
Dannysaur 1, D. Abenroth
5 BarackObama, E Mars 430
6 randerson415 1, R. Anderson 420
ojosazules112 1, L. Christensen
8 SteffyPie222 1, S. Steelman 410
9 MrsElderMars 1, L. Andrews 400
pradmilovic, P. Radmilovic
Mars Mom, S. Andrews
12 wikidnurse 1, M. Nielsen 390
rollerna 1, N. Roller
Doug Abenroth 2, D. Abenroth
15 Maranda1283 1, M. Anderson 380
adenbowman 1, J. Bowers
nullFX 1, B. Casteel
18 Rusty , R. ANDREWS 370
19 valarab 1, v. abenroth 360
starkid55 1, S. Hulet
tbone-88 1, T. Erickson
22 MarchMadnessFanatic 1, J. Armstrong 350
23 BYUroundy 1, a. roundy 340
slarmohulk 1, J. Davies
Stevan_A 1, S. Andrews
26 KarenOjai 1, K. Erickson 330
27 Ojai Steve 1, S. Erickson 310
28 RollingPenguin 1, R. Roller 290
29 Andrew002002 1, A. Smith 270
30 wammabammajammakelly 1, K. Casteel250

Also, Wendy, Nathan, Valerie, Roundy, and Jason all have especially strong late round picks remaining, and are real threats to shoot up the standings over the last couple of games.

Thanks again everyone for playing! Here's to the Sweet Sixteen games that start Thursday, and the Elite Eight on Saturday and Sunday!!

~Marshall

http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/group?groupID=42986&entryID=617892

March Madness Bracket Challenge- JOIN NOW!

Dear Andrews family and friends, and friends of friends!

Alas, that glorious time of year has finally once again arrived, where talks of 5-12 match-ups abound, and painful worrying over who will win each 8-9 seed contest fill our minds! March Madness is finally HERE, the Big Dance! Will Cinderella's foot fit the glass slipper in 2010? Is Duke a lock to win it all? Can New Mexico really make the Final Four?

Will BYU end my misery by winning a 1st-Round game?!? (against 10 seeded Florida, no doubt you already knew)

Please, JOIN in my favorite holiday this time around! Doug Abenroth won last year, with Aaron Roundy and Bryant Casteel rounding out the winners podium. Lauren won this thing in 2008, barely beating our Eric Farlow. Emails and bloggings shall keep you informed of just how smart you are. Or at least how bold your picks prove you to be. We love our friends and family that take 20 minutes to at least fill out a bracket and give it the ol' college TRY (pun intended)- It can be fun! Just ask Karen, Kiernan, Londa, and Star!

Join for free online through ESPN.com. The link is http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/group?groupID=42986 . Group is named "Andrews and Friends".

Good luck, and may Utah State upset Texas A&M!

~Marshall

HOW TO: Make National News as a College Women's Soccer Player (Do Not Try At Home)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvEobeNfGcc&feature=player_embedded

Happy Liberoween!

USA's History of Violence

My brother is a nerdy History teacher. This one's for him!

Jesus Said Love Everyone

Even Raptors.

Great Fablehaven Quotes

From "Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary" (which is interesting enough that Lauren put down a Stephanie Meyer book to start reading it):

"Get a clue, Russ!" ~pg. 80

"I... had to settle for a less than adequate specimen [Russ]." ~Vampiress, pg. 83

"Less talk, more Yahtzee." ~Troll, pg. 400

Things I Learned on Monday

If you live on the ground floor and you sleep with the window open, make sure that you have a screen.

Don't attack wild cats, you'll lose the fight.

If you call 911, make sure your front door isn't locked.

Crazy people can still have a good sense of humor.

My wife can make cool things. Secret things.

Two unreturned RedBox movies from last Monday are expensive.

The word "flag" and a Where's Waldo-esque hunt for them is very exciting for a near-two year old.

Carly doesn't like to share corn-on-the-cobb.

My brother and his fiancee make a mean strawberry shortcake.

No dead tree can defend itself from twins.

Lauren can't throw a frisbee.

Star remains the RockBand Maps drum master.

Carly calls Balloons "moons".

Unless you teach her that they're called "moon pies". Then she calls them that instead.

Lauren doesn't like me teaching Carly fake words.

Tie a balloon loosely to a toddler's wrist, and pretty soon it ends up floating away.

There's a new Fablehaven book out now, Karen (Book 4).

I miss Percy Jackson.

Political Cartoons are Crazy

The recent cover of Newsweek (surprisingly, NOT a photo-shop):


And today, from the New York Post:

Yes, Obama is the monkey.

Commercials Think We're Stupid

I'm at home watching TV, and a Wendy's commercial comes on. At the end, they throw out the marketing slogan, "It's way better than fast food, it's Wendy's!" I laugh. Wendy's IS fast food! Duh.

I get in my car and turn on the radio, and a Weight Watchers commercial comes on. "Stop Dieting, Start Living!" it croons. Okay, good, no Weight Watchers then- That's a diet system. I'm not stupid.



Then I got to thinking... they must really think that I AM stupid. Why else would they spend money on these? I was offended. For a second. Then I started thinking of other great ad campaigns these geniuses could come up with. Here's a short list of my ideas (feel free to add your own!):

American Idol Season 8 -- "Like nothing you've seen before!"
Trix -- "Buy your kids a healthy cereal. Buy Trix!"
Blockbuster -- "If you hate renting movies, you'll love us!"
Pizza Hut -- "We're not just a pizza place!"
Transformers 2 -- "Tired of special effects based movies? Want to see a film with a great plot and talented acting instead? Transformers 2, coming June 26!"
Mountain Dew -- "Don't do soda, do the Dew!"
Las Vegas -- "Good clean family fun!"
XBOX -- "Are you sick of playing video games? Play XBOX!"
Wal-Mart -- "Support the little guy!"
Target -- "Go Quality!"
Starbucks -- "Be unique- Work at Starbucks!"
Barack Obama -- "MORE than a politician!"
Major League Baseball -- "America Loves a Hero!"
FORD -- "Get Out And Walk!"

The Ugly Side of "No on 8" continues to get Uglier

The Great & Spacious building and those who dwell within are doing more than just pointing their fingers and mocking this time around...



http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081110hate.html
http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081110hate2.html

Prop 8 Passes; Mormon Appreciation Day!

As most of us know, Proposition 8, the California state Constitutional amendment that clearly defines marriage as between a man and a woman, PASSED today with the strong support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of the Church gave up thousands of hours of their time to help "get out the vote" for the passing amendment. This is the 2nd time the state has upheld traditional marriage, after unelected judges of the state court illegally overturned the last vote in which Californians spoke up for what they believed. Arizona and Florida also passed traditional marriage amendments, bringing the total number of states supporting The Family up to 30, a strong majority in the country. Could a national constitutional amendment be in store for the future?


The religious coalition that supported Prop 8 gave their thanks today to the LDS Church, and especially its members who were attacked for their religious beliefs during the course of this voting period. It's clear that bigots and hate-mongers run the "No on 8" pro-gay marriage groups, but they did not succeed this time, and our fellow Christians and friends wanted to show us their appreciation for all the cheap attacks we had to suffer in the process.
Today is International Mormon Appreciation Day
http://jennifer-roback-morse.blogspot.com/2008/11/today-is-international-mormon.html

"GLOBAL COOLING" Confirmed!

Farmer's Almanac Predicts Global Cooling

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oukoe_uk_almanac_weather

The world is set for a "big chill," possibly a mini-ice age, according to the venerable Old Farmer's Almanac, first published in 1792 and the United States' oldest continuously published periodical. The 2009 edition, published earlier this month, predicts that the earth already has entered a sustained period of global cooling.

"The next 20 years, it's going to be colder," said Sarah Perreault, assistant editor of the Old Farmer's Almanac. "We're trending toward the cool period now."

The almanac is predicting a period of global cooling partly due to the lack of sunspots, a situation which some scientists believe causes cooling on the sun and, subsequently, the earth. Perreault said the staff still uses the weather prediction method devised by almanac founder Robert B. Thomas, using a combination of solar sciences, meteorology and climatology.

The almanac has an 80 percent success rate for its weather predictions, Perreault said. In its early years, the almanac was one of the chief sources for weather forecasts for farmers and other businessmen.

I'm Now A Published Author

Yes, they're websites. And no, I didn't get paid. But I'm still proud of my written work nonetheless.

http://www.fanblogs.com/georgia/007693.php

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/50505-top-25-preview-what-if-georgia-was-non-bcs

New SpringWidget

Get this widget!

Play Free College Football Sim Games

Gina Carano Scheduled to Fight Again

10/04/2008
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25988886/

For those of you waiting for Crush's next fight, the word of the day is "October". As in the 4th, when she'll take on EliteXC on CBS versus Kelly Kobold-Gavin. Many fans wanted to see her fight Cris "Cyborg" Santos, who won an impressive fight in July; In fact, Santos will fight the same day and venue as Carano (Yes, 2 female fights in one night!). It's all building towards a Gina Carano-Cris "Cyborg" Santos Pay-Per-View fight people! And for now, Crush remains undefeated at 6-0.
http://mma.fanhouse.com/2008/08/08/gina-carano-cris-cyborg-to-fight-not-each-other-at-next-cbs-e/


P.S. Don't let this post bump you past the last one too soon...

http://www.drhorrible.com/

Dr. Horrible, Singing Super Bad-Ass

This is one of those things that makes you say "Dang, people have got to see this!"

It's why the internet was invented:


http://www.hulu.com/watch/28343/dr-horribles-sing-along-blog

In other almost blogs--
I don't really know: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_mars_monkey
Artest sucks, and then he's gone: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_rockets_artest_5
Global Warming was Never real: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24036736-7583,00.html
Christian Bale = Terminator 4-6, The Blog!: http://rss.warnerbros.com/terminatorsalvation/
New Harry Potter Trailer: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b148373_rate-a-trailer_harry_potter_vs_lil.html
Iron Man 2 Materializing: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b22319_robert_downey_jr_checks_his_ego_iron.html

Batman, King of the Universe: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b21926_batman_unbeaten.html
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b20687_dark_knights_road_600_million8230or_not.html
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b148533_titanics_been_unsinkableuntil_dark.html
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b148004_another_titanic_weekend_dark_knight.html
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b147161_dark_knight_reigns_1553_mil_weekend.html

Sometimes I Wish I Was A Teacher

I like kids. They're creative. And good creativity so often goes unrewarded these days.












Creative children are good, because they grow up to become creative adults.



And, of course, the best creative adults become teachers.



And as far as everyone else, there's always game shows.

What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Liahona, Nov 2005, 41–44

As your leaders, we call upon members of the Church everywhere to put family first

Brothers and sisters, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the proclamation to the world on the family, which was issued by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1995 (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). It was then and is now a clarion call to protect and strengthen families and a stern warning in a world where declining values and misplaced priorities threaten to destroy society by undermining its basic unit.

The proclamation is a prophetic document, not only because it was issued by prophets but because it was ahead of its time. It warns against many of the very things that have threatened and undermined families during the last decade and calls for the priority and the emphasis families need if they are to survive in an environment that seems ever more toxic to traditional marriage and to parent-child relationships.

The proclamation’s clear and simple language stands in stark contrast to the confused and convoluted notions of a society that cannot even agree on a definition of family, let alone supply the help and support parents and families need. You are familiar with such words from the proclamation as these:

• “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.”

• “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”

• “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.”

• “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”

• “The disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”

And the last words of the proclamation express the simple truth that the family is “the fundamental unit of society.”

Today I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s “title of liberty,” and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. As we are all part of a family, the proclamation applies to everyone.

Public opinion surveys indicate that people everywhere in the world generally consider the family as the highest priority; yet in recent years the broader culture seems to ignore or misdefine the family. Consider some of the changes of the past decade:

• Many larger national and international institutions that used to support and strengthen families now try to supplant and even sabotage the very families they were created to serve.

• In the name of “tolerance,” the definition of family has been expanded beyond recognition to the point that “family” can be any individuals of any gender who live together with or without commitment or children or attention to consequence.

And yet most parents throughout the world continue to know both the importance and the joy that are attached to natural families. Friends of mine who just returned from speaking to families and parents on several continents reported to me that the hopes and concerns of parents are remarkably similar throughout the earth.

In India a concerned Hindu mother said, “All I want is to be a bigger influence on my children than the media and the peer group.” And a Buddhist mother in Malaysia said, “I’d like my boys to be able to operate in the world, but I don’t want them to be of the world.” Parents from all different cultures and faiths are saying and feeling the same things we are as parents in the Church.

The world needs to know what the proclamation teaches, because the family is the basic unit of society, of the economy, of our culture, and of our government. And as Latter-day Saints know, the family will also be the basic unit in the celestial kingdom.

In the Church, our belief in the overriding importance of families is rooted in restored doctrine. We know of the sanctity of families in both directions of our eternal existence. We know that before this life we lived with our Heavenly Father as part of His family, and we know that family relationships can endure beyond death.

If we live and act upon this knowledge, we will attract the world to us. Parents who place a high priority on their families will gravitate to the Church because it offers the family structure, values, doctrine, and eternal perspective that they seek and cannot find elsewhere.

President Harold B. Lee spoke of the Church as a crucial “scaffolding” that helps build the individual and the family (see Conference Report, Oct. 1967, 107). The Church is the kingdom of God on earth, but in the kingdom of heaven, families will be both the source of our eternal progress and joy and the order of our Heavenly Father. As we are often reminded, we will be released one day from our Church callings; but if we are worthy, we will never be released from our family relationships.

Joseph F. Smith said: “There can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from the home, and every effort made to sanctify and preserve its influence is uplifting to those who toil and sacrifice for its establishment. Men and women often seek to substitute some other life for that of the home; they would make themselves believe that the home means restraint; that the highest liberty is the fullest opportunity to move about at will. There is no happiness without service, and there is no service greater than that which converts the home into a divine institution, and which promotes and preserves family life” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 382).

Create meaningful family bonds that give your children an identity stronger than what they can find with their peer group or at school or anyplace else. This can be done through family traditions for birthdays, for holidays, for dinnertime, and for Sundays. It can also be done through family policies and rules with natural and well-understood consequences. Have a simple family economy where children have specific chores or household duties and receive praise or other rewards commensurate to how well they do. Teach them the importance of avoiding debt and of earning, saving, and wisely spending money. Help them learn responsibility for their own temporal and spiritual self-reliance.

In today’s world, where Satan’s aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. But their efforts may not be enough. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family and the public institutions that surround us. Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins can make a powerful difference in the lives of children. Remember that the expression of love and encouragement from an extended family member will often provide the right influence and help a child at a critical time.

The Church itself will continue to be the first and foremost institution—the “scaffolding,” as it were—to help build strong families. I can assure you that those who lead the Church have great concern about the well-being of your families, and thus you will see increasing efforts to prioritize and to focus on family needs. But as your leaders, we call upon members of the Church everywhere to put family first and to identify specific ways to strengthen their individual families.

Further, we call upon all public institutions to examine themselves and to do less that might harm families and more that will help them.

We call upon the media to offer more that promotes traditional family values and is uplifting and supportive of families and less that popularizes immorality and materialism.

We call upon government and political leaders to put the needs of children and parents first and to think in terms of family impact in all legislation and policy making.

We call upon Internet providers and Web site creators to become more responsible regarding their potential for influence and to adopt the conscious objective of protecting children from violence, pornography, filth, and sleaze.

We call upon educational entities to teach universal values and family and parenting skills, supporting parents in their responsibility to raise children to become the leaders of families in generations yet to come.

We call upon our own Church members to reach out in love to neighbors and friends of other faiths and include them in the use of the many resources the Church has to help families. Our communities and neighborhoods will be safer and stronger as people of all faiths work together to strengthen families.

It is important to remember that all larger units of society depend on the smallest and most fundamental unit, the family. No matter who or what we are, we help ourselves when we help families.

Brothers and sisters, as we hold up like a banner the proclamation to the world on the family and as we live and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will fulfill the measure of our creation here on earth. We will find peace and happiness here and in the world to come. We should not need a hurricane or other crisis to remind us of what matters most. The gospel and the Lord’s plan of happiness and salvation should remind us. What matters most is what lasts longest, and our families are for eternity. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Further reading from other resources on strengthening the unit of the family in our communities, societies, and governments:

Why Marriage Matters:
http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000440.cfm

Defending Traditional Marriage:
http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm

The Problem with Pro-Gay Social Arguments:
http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000777.cfm

The Problem with Pro-Gay Theology:
http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000780.cfm

ARE SAME-SEX FAMILIES GOOD FOR CHILDREN?
http://www.citizenlink.org/pdfs/fosi/marriage/Citizen_Health_of_SSF.pdf

What No-Fault Divorce Can Teach Us About Same-Sex Marriage:
http://www.citizenlink.org/FOSI/marriage/ssuap/A000000991.cfm

Bill Clinton got Something Right

"Seek Dialog with People Who Disagree with You"
http://foratv.blogspot.com/2008/07/seek-dialog-with-people-you-disagree.html


There are a whole lot of ignorant people in the world. There are liberals. There are Democrats. There are Utah Ute fans.

Yes, we should have compassion for them. Pity them. Reach out to them.

But there are many who take their positions and stances knowing that they are wrong. Knowing that they are unsupportable. Knowing that they fly in the face of reason and a sound mind, or even their religion and their God.

Maybe you're an American who thinks that Barack Hussein Obama sounds like a good guy. Maybe you're a Mormon who thinks that they know better than Jesus Christ and His Church when it comes to legalizing gay marriage. Maybe you believe that "global warming" is real.

To those of you, I am reaching out. I want to ask you, "WHY?!?" WHAT IN THE WORLD COULD YOU POSSIBLY BE THINKING??

Perhaps you are just stupid. And I just might tell you that, if you refuse to open your mind to your own weak foolishness. Perhaps that's just what you need to hear.

After all, that's simply another way of saying "I love you- please come back to your senses."

The worst thing in the world to say to a person like this is "I agree". You might as well tell them to rot in hell.

Remember, a person who refuses to disagree with someone who is wrong can't correct a waitress who messes their order up at a restaurant, let alone get a full refund of their last month's rent check at their old apartment.

And before you know it, you'll end up agreeing with Satan himself, or his minion Loyd... maybe even defending them. And how miserable, pitiful, disgusting would you have to be to find yourself in that kind of situation?


Have a good day folks.

Sad News

We lost the pregnancy.

Mountain New

Rank the Dew!
1. Code Red (Cherry)

2. Baja Blast (Tropical Lime)

3. NEW Voltage (Rasberry Citrus)

4. Pitch Black (Black Grape)

5. Live Wire (Orange)

6. NEW Revolution (Wild Berry Fruit)

7. Mountain Dew (Lemon-Lime)

8. NEW Supernova (Strawberry Melon)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In other news, American Idol has announced their Audition Dates and Locations for Season 8! Make sure to pass them on to your friend with the great singing voice.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b144288_idol_auditions_get_cooking_in_cali.html

There are 8 different places being visited (7 of them for the first time), including:

• San Francisco, California: July 17
• Phoenix, Arizona: July 25
• Salt Lake City, Utah: July 29
• San Juan, Puerto Rico: Aug. 2

Hopefully Utah can represent themselves well. Or at least manage to be extremely entertaining in how bad they are.

Also, Puerto Rico? Could be good. You think they'll audition any Latin singers?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, and finally, check out some rad "Batman Begins 2: The Dark Knight" video trailers-

http://www.comcast.net/thedarkknightmovie/#/videos/exclusives

http://www.fancast.com/movies/The-Dark-Knight/139608/main/?cmpid=FCST_TDK

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Big Steve E!

And any and all Lakers fans- Please, please, PLEASE watch this video!!

http://www.tmz.com/tmz_main_video?titleid=1626146951

Shaq even lost a couple of Honorary Sheriff's Badges due to this little rap. Yes, he's a Big 12 Year Old!

Snoop-a-loop!

Why does Snoop Dogg carry an umbrella?
For drizzle!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZzSDEwHc3A

P.S. Snoop comes to Salt Lake City, Utah with 311 Monday June 30th, 2008 (Tickets start at $54.00).

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http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2008052913

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http://www.sltrib.com/collegesports/ci_9424645

http://unlv.scout.com/a.z?s=86&p=8&c=1&nid=2399122

http://byu.scout.com/2/758609.html

http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/26151-Riley-Nelson-is-a-Cougar-So-what-s-the-big-deal--290508

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/268448/163/

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-02-judge-polygamists_N.htm

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b139500_wilson_rainns_on_transformers_parade.html

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucac/20080605/cm_ucac/obamawasselectednotelected

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_bonds_indicted_8

http://mormontimes.com/MITN_entertainment.php?id=1287

http://thesockobama.com/

Riley Nelson & The Mormon College Football Recruiting Controversy

If you don't know who Riley Nelson is, read this blog.

Coming out of high school in 2006, college football coaches knew him as the 6'1" 195 pound Quarterback from Logan high school in Logan, Utah. You know, the All-State / Parade All-American / Deseret Morning News Mr. Football Utah / Gatorade Utah Football Player of the Year kid that set a new national high school football record for touchdowns (84--53 passing and 31 rushing), averaging six TDs per game. He also set nine Utah state records, including career total touchdowns (130), career passing touchdowns (79), season completions (277), season passing yards (4,041), season passing touchdowns (53), season total touchdowns (84), season total yards (5,815), single-game completions (38), and single-game touchdown passes (7). His senior year Nelson led Logan High Grizzlies to the 3A state championship game, which they won in a massive blow-out.

Unfortunately, the QB of the losing team (Pineview HS of St. George, UT) was also a 4-star record-setting high school football leader in the state of Utah (3800 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 650 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs), James Lark (6'3", 200 lbs.). Lark was taller, bigger, had been more visible for longer on the recruiting scene, and was one of three quarterbacks who had already accepted a scholarship that year to play at BYU (choosing the Cougars over Arizona State, Oregon, and Utah), along with fellow QBs Max Hall (a 6'2" 201 lb. transfer from Arizona State) and Sam Doman (a 6'4", 200 pounder from Oregon).

Riley Nelson was offered a chance to walk-on at BYU to try to earn a scholarship later down the road. Utah State, where his father had played football and his grandpa had been the athletic director (back when it was USAC, or "Utah State Agricultural College"), offered him a full-ride, tuition and everything. The Utah Utes came late to the table and tried to match USU's offer, along with Stanford and Washington. Nelson committed to play for his hometown Utah State Aggies of Logan, Utah. One news article declared "USU Lands Local Hero!"

Nelson was supposed to redshirt his freshman year. He made it about half the season, but after his team had played 5 games without a single offensive touchdown among them, his coaches got desperate. His first start came as a true freshman against Fresno State, one of the strongest football programs in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference, former conference home of BYU). And in one of the greatest upsets of the year, Nelson threw a 30-yard touchdown in the final minutes to lead Utah State to a 13-12 victory over the FSU Bulldogs. That made Riley the first USU QB to win his 1st career start since 1992! He continued to trade time at QB with the original starter for the rest of the season, experiencing very minimal success on a team that seriously lacked talent (925 yards passing, 7 passing TDs, 55.4% completion rate, 277 yards rushing on the partial season). He did manage to set another record though, completing 84% of his passes (21-of-24) against San Jose State. Not bad for a true freshman on a very poor team!

And this is where the story begins to go a different route. You see, Riley Nelson is LDS, and he wanted to go on a Mormon mission. He left after one year at Utah State to serve in Barcelona, Spain full-time for two years. Unfortunately for Latter-day Saint football players, this doesn't always work out well for them in the college football world. Many coaches don't appreciate missions interrupting their football plans. When the missionary get back, they may no longer have a scholarship waiting for them. They might not have the same head coach or assistant coaches in the program, due to firings or better offers. Their team may have gone downhill in their absence, or the team may have brought on additional players for their position who have taken over their spot on the starting roster. No matter what happens the returned Mormon missionary will be two-years out of shape (two years away from football entirely), rusty and older and more easily injured, and sometimes even lacking that same competitive fire.

It doesn't always work out well for their original college of choice either. The usual college football player who decides to leave their school of choice and transfer to another must sit out one year, unless they transfer down to a lower division school (from I-A or FBS to I-AA/FCS). That means they either use their redshirt or lose a whole year of eligibility. BUT, the LDS missionary is released from their contract after 18 months away from school (the same as with a military man, a Peace Core member, etc.). This makes them completely recruitable again, with no negative repercussions. In other words, they can transfer schools when they get back home without having to sit out a year. It happens all the time, and the NCAA is just fine with it. That's how BYU lost 5-star QB Ben Olsen, and it's how they gained Max Hall.

While Riley Nelson has been gone, a lot happened with the quarterbacks at BYU. James Lark broke his leg and left for a mission of his own, along with 4-star QB Jason Munns (6'5.5", 226 lbs.). Max Hall replaced John Beck as the Cougar QB. Sam Doman, 4-star Cade Cooper, and 3-star Jacob Bower all transferred out of the program. 3-star Brenden Gaskins (6'5", 220 lbs.), Kurt McEuen (6'2", 213 lbs.), and Stephen Covey (5'11", 185 lbs.), a recently returned missionary, remain.

So now we're finally getting to the point of the story- This week, 15 months after Nelson left on his mission to Spain, his father Keith announced that Riley has accepted a scholarship offer to play for BYU and will transfer to the Cougars in March of 2009. And boy did that set off a firestorm of public opinion!!

This is how it all went down: BYU quarterback coach Brandon Doman and BYU wide receivers coach Patrick Higgins are friendly with Riley's ex-high school head football coach, Logan's Mike Favero, who they talk with casually from time to time. Favero asked if BYU was still interested in Nelson, and he was told that they were. Favero then contacted Riley's father and passed on the interest. Keith Nelson emailed his son on a preparation day and asked if he was open to transferring to a different school when he gets back, and the answer was yes. Mr. Nelson then emailed his son's Mission President to ask if it was okay for BYU to email Elder Nelson. BYU sent an email offering a scholarship which Riley quickly accepted, informing Utah State coaches of his decision at the same time. Listen to Keith Nelson tell the story himself!

BYU's head football coach Bronco Mendenhall is strongly against actively recruiting missionaries away from other schools, but at the same time he isn't going to ignore a player with interest in the Cougar program if they are dissatisfied with their own. But when they make a commitment to Brigham Young University, he expects them to act like men and not boys, and for their word to him to be their bond.

Now, Utah State fans are NOT happy about the transfer, for obvious reasons (though many saw this coming). The Aggies have always been in BYU's shadow, so this incident is just adding insult to injury for them. You can read some of their comments at THIS blog, including: "Shame on Riley... Now, he'll just be one of a thousand nameless Zoobies" and "Someone should really get the NCAA to investigate BYU. Let's be honest here, they are using the mission field as their recruiting grounds... [they] prey on the poor twenty year old with all of their religious mumbo jumbo". The reality is that USU's football program has gone 3-21 over the past two years, while BYU has gone 22-4, including two bowl wins to cap two Top 15 ranked seasons. BYU has won 18 of the last 19 games against Utah State.

The reaction of Utah Ute fans to this story is harder to explain. Yes, they also have to live in the wide shadow of BYU's storied football program. But this doesn't directly involve them. Yeah, they offered him a schollie when he was in high school. Yeah, they've offered him again while he's been gone on his mission. But he's leaving Utah State to go to BYU, leaving the Utes to their lonely selves. With Utah fans, though, that doesn't matter- BYU has always been their primary concern, not their own school. Read THIS Utah blog for an example. The author states "The immediate concern now, rather than worrying about how the Utes are going to stop the guy when the teams play, is how the recruitment of Riley happened... Were the Cougars wrong in recruiting Nelson? ...I'd say Mendenhall wasn't thinking things all the way through... Coaches need to be concerned with is how the church is going to handle such recruitings. Supposedly, Nelson's mission president approved the contact between BYU and Nelson. I have to wonder if such permission would be granted to BYU's biggest rival, Utah? ...Is the church going to treat all schools equally or give BYU, its private institution, favored access? ...We can't be naive to think athletes haven't been recruited while on missions by BYU coaches or others, but how much is the church going to get involved in approving such matters?" Like Utah's main concern should be the LDS Church, instead of going 10-6 in conference play the last two seasons, while BYU went 16-0.

Some recent transfers that BYU has lost:
DL Isley Filiaga
QB Cade Cooper
QB Sam Doman
QB Jacob Bower
RB Ray Hudson
WR Joe Griffin
DL Michael Marquardt
TE Antwaun Harris
OL Ofa Mohetau
DB Greg Lovely
DB Billy Skinner
QB Ben Olsen

Other suspended players that might leave:
RB Manase Tonga
DL David Angilau
DL Kyle Luekenga
DL Russell Tialavea

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My Blog News: Phoenix Spacecraft Successfully Lands On Mars

The Bull-whipper fights aliens in his terrible new movie and still manages to rake in the cash: Indiana Jones Unearths $126MM & The Indy 151

And in "They don't have to follow The Law in Texas" news: FLDS Win Big Victory & Texas Appeals To State Supreme Court

What I respond to for a living: A Typical 911 Call -or- Photographer Speared By Javelin

Twilight Trailer & NBA's 100th Game 7

This is for the ladies (who don't like reading my sports-related blog posts):The Twilight Trailer
Behind the Scenes: Making the Twilight Movie


For the guys (who don't like romantic teen vampire novels):When the 3-seeded San Antonio Spurs beat Chris Paul and the 2nd-seeded New Orleans Hornets, not only did they become the first team to start out 0-2 and win the series this post-season, but they also won the 100th Playoff Series Game 7 in NBA history. Fitting for the defending champs. Still, the NBA has got to be hoping that the Lakers win the Western Conference Finals, for ratings sake. And I'm still wondering just what the 6-seeded Phoenix Suns did so badly to get beaten in the first round. I really thought they would still be around at this point. Shaq sucks shooting free throws. But the Suns former Coach-of-the-Year head coach D'antoni still didn't deserve to get fired. I digress.

Both #1s are still in it, the Las Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Expect both to win, thanks to this year's amazing home court advantages. I'm foreseeing Game 7s 101 and 102. The NBA doesn't want the 2-seeded Detroit Pistons to win either, for ratings sake. Unfortunately, the Celts just can't seem to win on the road in the post-season, despite leading the league in road wins in the regular season. They can't afford to lose any at home in the Eastern Conference Finals or they just might be done for.

And yes Sis, I'm ordering your hat today. So Odom and Oden are two different people. Dang it. I never claimed to have a great memory did I? I still hate losing bets.


P.S. I heard back from the Phoenix Fire Department. It's good news. I'm through to the oral interviews.

A Visual Tour of the Presidential Candidates

Barack Hussein Obama refuses to salute the American flag

Barack Hussein Obama grew up in Indonesia and Kenya. He was raised by his father as a Muslim. His parents are now divorced. Obama became a heavy drug user in college, as he describes in his first book "Dreams from My Father". Obama promises if elected to meet with the terrorist leaders of Cuba and Iran without requiring any changes from them.

Reverend Jeremiah Wright of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ.

Wright (quote): "God Damn America!"

Of 9/11 (quote): "We have supported state terrorism... and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is brought right back in our own front yards... America's chickens are coming home to roost!"

Barack Hussein Obama has attended Jeremiah Wright's Trinity Church for the past 20 years. Wright married Obama to his wife Michelle. Obama asks Wright to speak at the announcement of his presidential candidacy.

At first- Obama (quote): "The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation... he has been like family to me. He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptized my children... I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother... I will not repudiate that man!"

Later- Obama (quote): "Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes... [My chosen pastor of more than twenty years presents] a world view that contradicts who I am and what I stand for... [Wright has given] a bunch of rants that aren't grounded in the truth... [and is] giving comfort to those who prey on hate."

Barack Hussein Obama's wife, Michelle Robinson Obama.

Michelle Obama on her husband's presidential run (quote): "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country."

Barack Hussein Obama embraces the Reverend Al Sharpton

(Sharpton's Mitt Romney quote to come later in this blog...)

Billary

A fake Hillary photo

Probably, a fake Hillary Clinton photo

A real Hillary photo

Hillary Clinton forgets her make-up

John McCain is really really old and has a bad temper.

"Thanks for the question, you little jerk." -- John McCain, after being asked by a high school student if he was too old to be president.

"F**k you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room." -- to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), during a testy exchange about immigration legislation.

"Only an a**hole would put together a budget like this... I wouldn't call you an a**hole unless you really were an a**hole." -- to Budget Committee Chairman and fellow Repulican Sen. Pete Domenici, during a Senate budget hearing.

"No, I'm calling you a f**king jerk." -- to fellow Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, when Grassley asked "Are you calling me stupid?"

"I had something picked out for you, too - a little IED (improvised explosive device) to put on your desk." -- to Jon Stewart

McCain was in talks with Democratic Party officials about joining their party back in 2001:
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/democrats-say-mccain-nearly-abandoned-gop-2007-03-28.html

McCain's crazy old mother attacks Mormons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSqmWC30ZRY

Mike Huckabee (quote): "When we were in college we used to take a popcorn popper -because that was the only thing they would let us have in the dorms- and fry squirrels in the popcorn popper."

Huckabee supporters created a website on why Mormons aren't Christians:
http://pastors4huckabeeblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/the-biblical-case-against-voting-for-a-mormon-for.pdf

Huckabee wishes to donate to my blog (quote): "Whether we need to send somebody to Mars, I don't know. But I'll tell you what, if we do, I've got a few suggestions, and maybe Hillary could be on the first rocket."

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyway." -- Al Sharpton, on Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

"I think the reason that some 28, 29 percent are not comfortable voting for a Mormon is they think they're voting for Harry Reid." -- on Senate Majority Leader Democrat Harry Reid, who is also a Mormon

A John Kerry Classic!!!


And, why not? Just for fun. The Miss Teen USA South Carolina quote!