tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.comments2023-05-10T04:12:00.830-06:00Krista's CogitationsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875615042494162401noreply@blogger.comBlogger402125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-71243248919775732822010-07-20T17:42:21.211-06:002010-07-20T17:42:21.211-06:00nice to read your thoughts again :) (completely u...nice to read your thoughts again :) (completely understand the needed breaks, though!) :)Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08354008285781898221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-22225617411818586312010-05-13T14:16:35.161-06:002010-05-13T14:16:35.161-06:00Krista:
Well said! In my discussions regarding t...Krista:<br /><br />Well said! In my discussions regarding this issue, EVERYONE who disagrees with AZ's stance on this and makes it about racism and specifically about racism against Hispanics (I guess white people coming over the northern border are less of a threat?). I believe in State's rights and the people of AZ have the right to pass their own laws. <br /><br />I totally agree with you on the Federal law issue as well...where was everyone when that was passed (it wasn't an election year I'll bet)?<br /><br />I have a problem with amnesty on any level. I have many good friends who are LEGAL immigrants to this country and it is a slap in the face to those people who made the effort, spent the time, etc. to obey the laws to give amnesty to those who don't. <br /><br />I do have compassion for those who do come here because they have no hope where they're from...and I don't think they should be deported either, but maybe there could be a "pending" classification given to them and then they'll have to go through the red tape like everyone else...here's another thought which will stoke the fires ;-)...how about an "illegal immigrant tax"? They could stay here, get "pending" status, but then have to pay a special "tax" for the privilege which can be withheld from what ever income sources they have...Same tax could apply to those who employ illegals (maybe at a much higher rate). Of course the down side to this is how to collect/enforce such a tax.<br /><br />This issue will never be resolved without first securing our borders. (Insert image of the great wall of China here). <br /><br />Funny thing about this issue that I hear from people on the "left" is example after example of the poor, hard working, law abiding {illegal} immigrant just trying to make a better life for him/herself and their family and never about the drug running, kidnapping, murdering thugs plaguing Arizona. It's like back in the 70/80s when smoking came under fire and everyone had a "friend/grandfather/uncle/neighbor who smoked 3 packs a day and lived til he was 92" argument. There will always be extreme examples on both sides. Good policy shouldn't be based on extremes in either direction.<br /><br />Lastly, (I know, I'm going way beyond my limit here), America is the BEST place on Earth to live...people literally die to get here because we stand for freedom and opportunity. No where else on Earth can someone with nothing come and with hard work, education, perseverance, and a little luck have the opportunity to create a good living for themselves and their families. All of our ancestors immigrated to this country at one time or another and generations later we enjoy the blessing of their efforts. <br /><br />Unfortunately, there is a lot of anger and hatred on both sides of this debate and the scary thing is it will take just one spark to really ignite a lot of violence over this issue. Hopefully smarter people will emerge to find a better solution.Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08091821007543557643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-70785156066173818722010-05-13T09:54:37.647-06:002010-05-13T09:54:37.647-06:00Thanks, ladies!
As for when the police can stop...Thanks, ladies! <br /><br />As for when the police can stop someone, the language in the bill says that the police can inquire during "any lawful contact." Hubby, having taken a criminal justice course and knowing considerably more than I do about the specifics of criminal law, says that that means you have to have done something first to have them stop you. <br /><br />I'm not sure if I see that limitation in the bill, but according to him, that's what it means. I do wonder whether "Hi!" constitutes "lawful contact," though. However, if you're not breaking any laws at that moment, you can refuse to answer any such inquiries. It's once you break the law that you're vulnerable to questioning.<br /><br />And Jennifer, your posts are really well-thought-out, too - I just so seldom have a chance to think enough to respond, LOL!!! Wish I had more dedicated "discussion" time...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15875615042494162401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-41068458730319457962010-05-13T09:49:48.418-06:002010-05-13T09:49:48.418-06:00Sorry I'm not done--I wanted to comment on you...Sorry I'm not done--I wanted to comment on your first and second points--I have read a lot of contradicting information on various news sources about the bill. And I don't see how it is possible to present conflicting information when reporting the news objectively. And so you're absolutely right that we are being baited into hating and arguing with each other instead of discussing and listening. The media's handling of this makes me so angry! (I guess I've taken the bait myself...)Happy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-66186581950326948342010-05-13T09:35:25.421-06:002010-05-13T09:35:25.421-06:00I wasn't able to finish my comment above. Any...I wasn't able to finish my comment above. Anyway...<br /><br />Someone said, and I agree, that the U.S. should have a wide gate and a high fence. Those trying to get here legally go through mountains of work and long waiting periods to do so. And yet, illegal immigrants seem to feel that they have a Constitutional right to hop the border. <br /><br />The U.S. could help deter illegal immigrants without even addressing immigration itself by un-doing its progressive tax. At first, I was going to say, "let's give amnesty, and see how these new citizens like paying into the system from which they are taking," but then I realized that they would likely fall into the 50% of those who pay no taxes. The U.S. cannot be both a welfare state and have a free illegal immigration policy. We are insolvent on so many levels already--and this is one policy that undermines both our economy and our security.<br /><br />Thanks for your post. I applaud you for taking time for your family. But you are a very good thinker/writer when you get the time!Happy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-77763196220962412502010-05-13T09:29:15.733-06:002010-05-13T09:29:15.733-06:00From what I understand, and no, I haven't read...From what I understand, and no, I haven't read the bill which makes me under-quallified to comment, AZ police will not be asking people to verify their citizenship UNTIL they are already apprehending them for criminal activities. My advice to illegal immigrants: Don't break the law, and you'll be just fine!Happy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-22202141495956952642010-05-12T22:20:50.765-06:002010-05-12T22:20:50.765-06:00excellent thoughts...you always seem to have a way...excellent thoughts...you always seem to have a way of putting what's been churning around in my brain into concise words.<br /><br />I especially appreciated what you said about the employment of illegals. It is wrong, for many reasons, and truly has created many many problems for society, and for the immigrants themselves.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08354008285781898221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-45875957376029971262010-05-10T14:05:18.091-06:002010-05-10T14:05:18.091-06:00Sure thing! I'll work it up and post it later ...Sure thing! I'll work it up and post it later tonight or tomorrow ~ thanks for the idea! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15875615042494162401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-59207014984942532292010-05-10T13:36:04.892-06:002010-05-10T13:36:04.892-06:00So this is for my own personal queries BUT could y...So this is for my own personal queries BUT could ya give me a glance into how you feel about the new law in Arizona?Debbie Murdockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05007124044953360494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-56293502713711780122010-01-14T16:03:20.463-07:002010-01-14T16:03:20.463-07:00I agree with the basic argument here and that we s...I agree with the basic argument here and that we shouldn't be using labels so frequently as people do, and especially not be so quick to label an individual as a way of ending an argument rather than understanding them.<br /><br />However, I think there might be some cases in which it would make sense to use labels.<br /><br />In a political discussion with others, for the sake of making a point quickly, I might say so and so is a "neo-con" or a "constitutionalist" and that gives others a general understanding of the person without having to go into too many specifics.<br /><br />If someone asks what religion I am, I'll tell them LDS or Latter-day Saint... I'm not going to commence explaining the entire doctrines of the Church, because people will typically understand based on a simple label.<br /><br />I don't think we can outright say labels are bad - I think it just depends on the circumstance.<br /><br />By the way, if you want to know what labels I would give myself, it's Disciple of Christ, LDS / Latter-day Saint, Mormon, Husband, Father, Constitutionalist :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-61945704325777159922009-12-16T13:41:59.383-07:002009-12-16T13:41:59.383-07:00OY... it's already happened. I was hoping to ...OY... it's already happened. I was hoping to postpone it until after the holidays, when I'm not wracking my brain for other purposes.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I don't think it'll take much wracking!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15875615042494162401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-41581857313062787932009-12-08T22:29:36.978-07:002009-12-08T22:29:36.978-07:00You'd better start writing, and have it in the...You'd better start writing, and have it in the mail soon--I predict he will whine about his "inheritance" before the week is out. It's really not a question of "if" but "when!" I wouldn't be surprised if the words come out of his mouth during his trip to Copenhagen. Hm...I could turn this into a betting game, if I did that sort of thing. :oHappy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-9110872270697650582009-12-03T15:33:31.094-07:002009-12-03T15:33:31.094-07:00Charles D - First, thanks for commenting! :)
Seco...Charles D - First, thanks for commenting! :)<br /><br />Second, your thoughts are interesting; please allow me to explain where and why I disagree.<br /><br />I'll totally grant that ideas matter, especially as they are so effectively propagated through the mass media.<br /><br />And I'll grant that people *are* grouped in a limited fashion, in marketing circles, for the purposes of marketing, PR, etc. <em>(Note: I don't think it's such a good idea - and really, it's probably part of why politics is such a messed-up field - to group people in such an individually-varying field as politics.)</em><br /><br />That said, I see a HUGE difference between sending me a coupon for infant formula because I bought diapers - or even marketing a product within my zip code - and lumping non-criminals in with a criminal by some common trait. <br /><br />Re: violent acts - *no one* cogitates in a vacuum. Yet the vast majority of individuals do not commit violent crimes. The question, for me, is not what the criminal's environment was like and how I can make sure no one has an environment like that, but whether that individual is accountable for his actions, or someone else is. <br /><br />It's the individual.<br /><br />If you disagree, then here's my follow-up question: For the purposes of this post's example, would you take the position that Christian preachers *are* responsible for Matthew Shepard's murder?<br /><br />I see lots of people condemning violent acts, and no one (at least in my menu of media consumption) encouraging them. Is there something I'm missing about society and widespread media consumption, where people with soapboxes are encouraging violence? Are we seeing mass hysteria?<br /><br />Additionally, I'm not entirely comfortable with your addition of "such" to the word violence; is there some different category of individual violence that you feel could be justified or tolerated?<br /><br />Re: government control of media - It's interesting that you call out Fox and Clear Channel, rather than, say, CNN or MSNBC. ;) To the issue at hand, though, you propose what I consider to be invalid alternatives: <b>censorship</b> or <b>a climate of violence</b>. (Your assertion that the government surrounding us with SWAT teams is a way to keep us safe would take another discussion entirely... ;)<br /><br />As far as I can tell, I don't believe in government censorship. There are neither "political subjects to be avoided," nor opinions that "should not be voiced." Does the word, "thoughtcrime," sound familiar? If so, you'll know that it was not an indicator of societal well-being.<br /><br />You wish that Americans would reject "divisive" and "hate-filled" speech. Does division necessarily imbue one with hatred for others? I don't believe it does. I can drive a Toyota without hating Ford owners, or vice versa... at least in most areas of the country, right? ;) <br /><br />What do you believe would qualify something as "hate-filled" speech? Do you believe that most Americans hate?<br /><br />I don't. And I don't think that speech should be censored even if it *is* "hate-filled." Instead of masking over opinions to create a society as artificial as the housing bubble, let people speak openly. Ugliness, exposed, will eventually wither. We have nothing to fear from honest opinions, and much to fear from dishonest ones. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15875615042494162401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-35419468827580002442009-12-02T09:27:58.807-07:002009-12-02T09:27:58.807-07:00Krista, if "ideas and groups" did not h...Krista, if "ideas and groups" did not have a significant effect on the behavior of individuals, we would have no advertising or public relations or politics for that matter. Ideas do matter, particularly when they are purveyed through the television screen regularly to millions of people. <br /><br />The violent acts you mention are of course the work of deranged individuals, but those individuals do not cogitate in a vacuum. We know that millions of people can be moved to violence or the tolerance of violence by propaganda and mass hysteria. <br /><br />I don't want the government telling Fox or Clear Channel what political subjects should be avoided or what opinions should not be voiced, but I also don't want a climate of violence in this country that forces government to surround us with SWAT teams in order to keep us safe. <br /><br />I wish Americans simply rejected the kind of divisive hate-filled speech that makes people feel justified in violence against others, but they don't. At the very least, we need to make it clear that such violence is never justified and will never be tolerated.Charles Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975241234146573609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-73386332066173610662009-11-23T11:07:47.545-07:002009-11-23T11:07:47.545-07:00freedom of conscience... where have I heard that p...freedom of conscience... where have I heard that phrase??<br /><br />Oh, here it is:<br />"all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE" D&C 134:5<br /><br />According to good old wiki:<br />"Freedom of thought (also called freedom of conscience and freedom of ideas) is the freedom of an individual to hold or consider a fact, viewpoint, or thought, independent of others' viewpoints."Carissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17988930527965599270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-18837086934905489562009-11-10T21:37:04.106-07:002009-11-10T21:37:04.106-07:00You can see how far this has gone when an emotiona...You can see how far this has gone when an emotionally unstable jihadist shoots up a military base, and the media attempts to blame the victims for his actions.Happy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-6001431972451772122009-11-10T18:11:41.899-07:002009-11-10T18:11:41.899-07:00Amen!Amen!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03761497655336919906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-3088645402336102122009-11-10T12:26:01.184-07:002009-11-10T12:26:01.184-07:00very well said, Krista. I am so upset lately with...very well said, Krista. I am so upset lately with the fact that more and more, responsibility is NOT on individuals. As you put it, it's on anyone BUT them. And you're right. It's enslaving our entire population.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08354008285781898221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-28072525997675772192009-10-27T23:17:32.494-06:002009-10-27T23:17:32.494-06:00Well said... I wish I was as good at expressing m...Well said... I wish I was as good at expressing my feelings and thoughts into words as you...Jessiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950346596441142363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-80186850521120091702009-09-20T00:19:19.801-06:002009-09-20T00:19:19.801-06:00wow, I really needed to read that tonight...both t...wow, I really needed to read that tonight...both to "feel better" myself, but also as a reminder not to do it to others who disagree with me. thank you for your insights.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08354008285781898221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-75751809317122222382009-09-19T22:17:10.616-06:002009-09-19T22:17:10.616-06:00My latest battle-wounds are still a little raw, an...My latest battle-wounds are still a little raw, and I needed to read this post. (Not that I can give myself credit for standing up and speaking out, but finding myself in a few unpopular categories has shaken me!) <br /><br />You reminded me that I need to remember that we are all individuals of worth, and that these labels are meant to divide us, so that we can be conquered. <br /><br />And I can't help remembering 4th Nephi, where it describes a peaceful society as one that has no "ites."Happy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-12725579640987419112009-09-19T18:01:51.566-06:002009-09-19T18:01:51.566-06:00Great thoughts! I feel the same way... so sick of...Great thoughts! I feel the same way... so sick of labels.Carissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17988930527965599270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-68759854987665160542009-08-25T23:04:07.018-06:002009-08-25T23:04:07.018-06:00This article may be a little off-topic, but I foun...This article may be a little off-topic, but I found it interesting and thought of it as I read the links in your post. It reinforces what you said about elitist attitudes. <br /><br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550604574361202393461372.html" rel="nofollow">WSJ College rankings list</a><br /><br />If Harry Reid can find silver lining in the lack of stinky tourists, I see silver lining in the fact that more and more of us are recognizing the arrogance of our elected leaders, and I hope that the disillusionment will last long enough to oust them out of power, and that we will elect candidates who maybe aren't quite so elite. <br /><br />Granted, it's an uphill battle with campaign finance laws, not to mention the media. Not to mention the votes Government handouts will garner, no matter how sneering leaders are at their own constituency.Happy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-25331133834405309232009-08-25T09:07:08.541-06:002009-08-25T09:07:08.541-06:00I feel like you so perfectly put into words exactl...I feel like you so perfectly put into words exactly the frustration that I am feeling right now! I am so frustrated, so tired, and so angry at the "god-like" role that legislators put themselves into. They look down on us as poor little creatures who are either too stupid, too corrupt, or, worst of all, too apathetic to do anything, so they must make decisions for us. I have never been more stunned by my legislators than I have been this year...they used to write me back and say something at least placating, if they didn't agree with me. "Thank you so much for your time," at least. <i>Now,</i> they write to me and flat out tell me I'm wrong, and that they are right, and that <i>they</i> are in charge and will fix things according to their "rightness." It's infuriating.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08354008285781898221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11302922.post-10382059519657050852009-07-31T22:25:05.270-06:002009-07-31T22:25:05.270-06:00I think it is amazing when I hear someone say esse...I think it is amazing when I hear someone say essentially that we have "no right" to keep what we earn. <br /><br />The last issue of the BYU magazine that Dave gets had a really interesting article about Charity, or more specifically charitable giving. (http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=2441) And I particularly like where he says, "the day the government takes over for you in your private charity is the day we get poorer, unhappier, and unhealthier. We must demand to take our place as givers and support the communities and people who need the services we can provide. "<br /><br />p.s. You are really on a roll with great posts--not that you ever waste blog space!Happy Thought, Indeed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09922829384557710870noreply@blogger.com