Some Important Questions

Who was it over at Disney that thought The Hunchback of Notre Dame would make a great kids' movie? Why do I own a copy of this movie? (I think it may have been the music.) Why do my kids keep pulling it out and watching it? (Maybe that person at Disney wasn't so dumb after all.) But most importantly, why is Esmeralda not included with the Disney Princesses? I mean, if they are going to include Mulan (not a princess in any way) and Pocahontas (also not a princess) then why not Esmeralda? And why not Jane (from Tarzan)?


When you think about it, the only real princesses are Snow White, Aurora, Ariel and Jasmine. Cinderella and Belle only became princesses by marriage, although if you think about it, was the Beast even a prince? Maybe he was at one point, but he certainly didn't have a kingdom to rule over any more when he married Belle. And while we are on the subject of princes, don't you think that Snow White's prince is the lamest guy ever? I mean, he lets the dwarves do all the difficult and dangerous stuff and waltzes in to kiss the princess when it's all safe and convenient. Loser! Prince Phillip, on the other hand, totally rocks.


He fights a dragon with the shield of faith and sword of truth to get to his princess. Now that's a prince! Okay, I'm done.

Oh My Congress!

I got an email this morning from a political site listing a bunch of bills that are under consideration by the new Congress. This is like having a horror film emailed right to your home. Actually, it's more like getting the theatrical trailer emailed to your home, because it's a lot worse in its entirety.

This Congress convened on January 5th, and already more than 700 bills have been introduced in the two Houses. Here's a small sample:

H.R. 15 creates a nationalized system of free health care.
This is a great idea. I can't wait to see how this works out.

H.R. 414, the Camera Phone Predator Alert Act, requires cameras in cell phones to make an audible sound to alert others (such as in locker rooms) when a picture is taken.
Right, because there definitely isn't any way to get around this solution.

H.R. 346 repeals the automatic pay raises Congress receives.
This actually is a good idea, therefore, it has no chance of being passed.

H.R. 390 addresses "college football playoff games" while H.R. 187 says let Cubans play American baseball.
If we don't fix college football and allow Cubans to play baseball, the economy will collapse and the world will come to an end.

H.R. 227 states that human life begins at fertilization.
This seems like a good idea. Of course, if I actually read the bill, who knows what else might be lurking in there?

H.R. 254 moves voting to the weekend.
That way, people will be even less likely to be paying attention, if that's even possible.

H.R. 113 requires anything funded by an earmark to be audited. Perhaps things like H.R. 202, which creates a "Museum of Ideas."
Here's an idea: Go home, Congress!

H.R. 116 ends political "robocalls" if you are on the "Do Not Call" Registry, while Senate bill S. 30 wants there to be caller ID honesty.
You mean, there's dishonesty in the caller ID system? I'm shocked!

H.R. 126 would limit citizenship at birth only to those who have at least one parent who is a citizen or legal resident. H.R. 160 would limit Social Security benefits to only legal citizens or residents.
We should just stop the charade and admit to everyone that the ponzi scheme that is the Social Security system will not be around in 10 years.

H.R. 155 would ban taxes on unemployment benefits for two years, while H.R. 162 bans taxes on Social Security benefits.
Nothing like taxing the second time around, eh?

H.R. 87 says "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," and invites those who like to pay taxes to voluntarily pay extra taxes.
Hear, hear! While I agree with the sentiment, who's wasting time on this one?

Or how about just a "Fair Tax" as called for in H.R. 25.
Any tax reform proposal is scary coming from these jokers.

H.R. 70 would make it a hate crime to display a noose with the intent to intimidate. And H.R. 40 explores paying reparations to African-Americans.
Aaaaaaugh!

S. 213 would create an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights.
Cool. Another Bill of Rights that can be totally misinterpreted.

And Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is back in the swing of things. He's introduced S. 151, a bill to protect Indian arts and crafts.
I'm sure that's just a drop in the 10 trillion dollar debt bucket...

So, there you have it. Aren't you proud to be an American?

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I was once lost, but now I'm found.
Was blind, but now I see.

My New Years resolution is to seek grace daily. I count 87 verses in the topical guide dealing with the Savior's grace. Here is my favorite:

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

And some other good ones:

Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.

Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being jusitified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

2 Nephi 10:24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

2 Nephi 11:5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

2Nephi 25:23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

Moroni 8:3 I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end.

Moroni 10:32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

D&C 17:8 And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day.

D&C 76:94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace.

D&C 109:44 Help thy servants to say, with thy grace assisting them: Thy will be done, O Lord, and not ours.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be.
Let thy grace now, as a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it.
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above!

Pill!

Maybe I just don't remember, but it doesn't seem like my other kids were quite as much trouble as Xander is. That kid spends every waking moment looking for something to get into! There are so many things to unload: dishes, games, CDs, movies, books, dirt out of the plants, garbage . . . There are toilets to splash in, and toilet paper to unroll and sidewalk chalk to eat. Maybe it's because I'm older now, but it sure is tiring. Here's his latest trick:

The dish towel drawer.

The craft supply drawer.

The baggie drawer, by way of the dish towel drawer.

He's also sat in drawers in the bathroom, my bedroom, the office, and under the stove. Great fun, eh? Of course, being a tiny tornado can really take it out of you.