May 2008 @ 3:26 pm

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What are these parents thinking?

For reasons likely to puzzle baby name experts around the world, American parents have become infatuated by names, particularly for their sons, that rhyme with the word “maiden.” These names for boys include: Jayden (No. 18); Aiden (No. 27); Aidan (No. 54); Jaden (No. 76); Caden (No. 92); Kaden (No. 98); Ayden (No.102); Braden (No.156); Cayden (No.175); Jaiden (No.191); Kaiden (No. 220); Aden (No. 264); Caiden (No. 286); Braeden (No. 325); Braydon (No. 361); Jaydon (No. 415); Jadon (No. 423); Braiden (No. 529); Zayden (No. 588); Jaeden (No. 593); Aydan (No. 598); Bradyn (No. 629); Kadin (No. 657); Jadyn (No. 696); Kaeden (No. 701); Jaydin (No. 757); Braedon (No. 805); Aidyn (No. 818); Haiden (No. 820); Jaidyn (No. 841); Kadyn (No. 878); Jaydan (No. 887); Raiden (No. 931); and Adin (No. 983). This startling trend was present, but less pronounced, with girls names: Jayden (No. 172); Jadyn (No. 319); Jaden (No. 335); Jaiden (No. 429); Kayden (No. 507); and Jaidyn (No. 561). Social Security spokesman Mark Lassiter indicated that the agency would resist any legislative efforts to standardize the spelling of these names.

It’s an interesting and amusing press release, especially coming from a government agency.

[via The Corner]

27 May 2008 @ 3:26 pm | No comments

Memorial Day

26 May 2008 @ 11:36 pm | 2 comments

My wife had the great idea that we visit Arlington National Cemetery to see what Memorial Day is all about. I thought she was crazy to go there on its busiest day of the year, but it was the best and most meaningful Memorial Day we’ve ever had.

Arlington National Cemetery

The Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknowns

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Just across the street from Arlington is the The Marine Corps War Memorial.

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Sadly, the Mormon Wasp bids adieu. He did the best Mormon History blogging from the perspective of this non-Mormon history buff. Also, the Wasp offers some lessons learned from blogging.

23 May 2008 @ 11:54 am | No comments

American Idol’s Davids = Obama vs. Romney

23 May 2008 @ 11:10 am | 10 comments

I think “Subversive Mormon Pop Culture” is going to be a regular feature.

A Slate columnist projects her choice to win American Idol, “David (Hussein) Cooke”, as a Democrat and David Archuletta as the Republican:

And an especially sinister kind of Republican:

Archuleta, meanwhile, is a 17-year-old fuddy-duddy from Utah who grew up singing show tunes and Elton John . . . I’ve always imagined him as home-schooled but I have no evidence, outside his large family and unyouthful musical tastes. A Los Angeles Times blog suspected he skipped the first verse of “Imagine” on Idol because he’s a Mormon and would take offense at the line about “no religion.” I think of him more as a Mitt Romney-type—weekly transmitting secret religious messages only his fellow conservative Christians would pick up. Every week I scrutinized his song choices and his outfit, and quizzed no one in particular: Why did he choose Neil Diamond’s patriotic song “Coming to America”? Why does he have a huge anchor sewn onto his jacket? Is there some Jesus parable about an anchor?

I haven’t watched AI but it sounds like a LOT of reading between the lines is going on here. Makes me wonder who really belongs to the reality-based community.

LDS & Mormon Blogs – May 23, 2008

23 May 2008 @ 10:05 am | 1 comment

Bedrock of ‘87 Blog
Issues of interest in a constitutional society

Renaissance Woman
Sort of stream of consciousness, this blog reflects the varied interests and ideas of a modern Renaissance woman — or one who dabbles in myriad activities and topics.

Finding Joy in the Journey
A journey of pain and anguish made beautiful by our loving Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ. This blog is written sequentially so if you are new to this blog you may want to start at the beginning.

“…that all beholding my light may see.”

Quest for the True North
the world is my oyster.

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Meridian Magazine taken down by a SQL Injection exploit. Not sure how that all works but it sounds nasty. Hopefully they can get back up soon. Sounds like its not alone.

23 May 2008 @ 9:43 am | No comments

President Bush to meet with church leaders next week in SLC.

21 May 2008 @ 3:08 pm | No comments

Utah won’t be going for Obama.

McCain, the GOP’s presumptive nominee, was the choice of 65 percent of those polled over Clinton, and 62 percent when matched up against Obama. That’s a big change from February, when McCain mustered support from only 30 percent of Utahns surveyed.

Not exactly a shocker but that should put some speculation to rest.

21 May 2008 @ 9:52 am | 3 comments

Advertising to Explain Where Polygamy Isn’t

21 May 2008 @ 12:42 am | 7 comments

How bad does the Church want to explain that LDS Mormons don’t practice polygamy?  

It’s placing Google ads linking to its Newsroom article explaining that “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates that it has no affiliation whatsoever with any polygamous groups.”


Mormon Church ad explaining no polygamy

I suppose it’s a cheap way to spread the message around.

(Who knows what the garments ad is all about).

A UK teen is being prosecuted for calling Scientology a cult.

A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word “cult” to describe the Church of Scientology.

The unnamed 15-year-old was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion.

Officers confiscated a placard with the word “cult” on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

As annoying as it is to be called a “cult,” why is prosecution necessary? The LDS Church has likely been called a cult a time or two in the UK. Has that ever been prosecuted? Hopefully, no.

20 May 2008 @ 4:07 pm | 3 comments

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled today that paper money discriminates against the blind.

A federal appeals court today upheld a lower ruling that the U.S. currency system discriminates against blind people because bills of different denominations are the same size, shape and color and cannot be easily distinguished by the visually impaired.

Judge Thomas B. Griffith, formerly General Counsel of BYU , concurred in today’s opinion.

20 May 2008 @ 2:29 pm | 1 comment

The greatest actor (or at least my favorite) was born 100 years ago today: Happy Birthday Jimmy Stewart. Watch TCM today or enjoy Mr. Krueger’s Christmas on this fine day in May.



20 May 2008 @ 12:04 pm | No comments

LDS & Mormon Blogs – May 20, 2008

20 May 2008 @ 9:43 am | No comments

Once Upon a Time…
Smile Adventures begin at Home and carry Love around the globe.

Natural Sceptre
Just a blog about being married, being pregnant, going to school and living in Utah.

Go Ask Laurel
Let’s Chat… I might not know all the answers to the questions you have. But, I bet together we can figure things out. So, let’s talk about YOU and your amazing life…

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About LDS reminds us how we can use a tithing slip to direct offerings for humanitarian crises.

19 May 2008 @ 5:34 pm | No comments

Orson Scott Card is now doing talk radio on a weekly show.

19 May 2008 @ 3:19 pm | No comments

Nearly 40 years ago, the story of how chiasmus were discovered in the Book of Mormon.

19 May 2008 @ 2:45 pm | No comments

LDS & Mormon Blogs – May 19, 2008

19 May 2008 @ 1:35 pm | No comments

Be Not Weary
Be not weary in well doing….D&C 64:33

Mormon Moxie
Perspectives on LDS members and the “World”

Mush
I’m happy to be me. I’m a wife. I’m a mother. I’m a Mormon. I’m a dreamer. I have passions for so many things. I’m happy when I’m running. I’m happy when I’m snowboarding. I’m especially happy when I’m with my family. I need a good belly laugh…as often as possible. I love all things beautiful, and all things true. I love my friends. I love my family. I’m happy to write about all the things that make me happy. Life really is beautiful (except when it’s not.)

1 LDS MOM
The Events of an 1 LDS Family and the ramblings of 1 LDS Mom.

Remember Always
A Mormon mother, wife, daughter, etc. etc. etc.’s life in thoughts and comments.

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Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) was on satellite radio last week applauding California’s gay marriage decision. While bemoaning how “born-again Christians and their right wing loonies” were going to make a democratic ballot inititiave “nasty” he turned his attention to Mormons.

I wonder what they’re going to do with the Mormons. I’d like to put polygamy up if they want to fight this battle. Let’s go into Utah and have it out. I mean, I don’t have any quarrel with polygamy, as long as they leave little kids alone, which is child abuse.

But if you want to have three husbands, be my guest. I think that to me, that’s your decision.

I think it’s kind of humorous you’re going to find the Mormons leading the fight against gay marriage, which is an interesting commentary on what you believe.

It would help to avoid getting nasty if he got his facts straight.

19 May 2008 @ 1:15 pm | No comments

Marriott meets with anti-porn family groups:

“Marriott told us they are about to unveil a new chain of hotels called Nickelodeon, aimed at families, where there will be no pornography,” Minnery said. “We thanked them for that and we praised them for that. We’d like to proclaim from the rooftops steps in the right direction. We’d rather be their friend than their enemy.”

Marriott says it will offer a formal response by July 1.

15 May 2008 @ 7:04 pm | No comments

LDS & Mormon Blogs – May 15, 2008

15 May 2008 @ 6:10 pm | No comments

Back and then…
My journey back to the LDS church

Buckley Blog
Buckley Coupures de Journaux

Rhonda’s Rants, Ravings and Cravings
Life, family, food and fun!! What more can you ask for!

My Time to Blossom
A life coach and mother of 5 inspires women to be their best.

Diet Divas
Come on over & join the fun!
We are women on a Mission to Get Healther & Live Longer!
Everyone Is Welcome To Join!

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LDS Church statement on California gay marriage decision:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes that same sex marriage can be an emotional and divisive issue. However, the church teaches that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is the basic unit of society. Today’s California Supreme Court decision is unfortunate.

15 May 2008 @ 5:36 pm | No comments

From David Archuletta to Stephenie Meyer: the LDS Newsroom looks at reconciling fame with Mormon faith.

One notion some reporters bring to their interviews with Mormon celebrities is that all Latter-day Saints are the same: squeaky clean and somehow unsuited to fame. The reality is, however, that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all different, and those rising to prominence in their respective fields will handle the spotlight in their own ways. Some choose to push their beliefs aside, to varying degrees, as they make their way in fast-paced, high-profile industries such as movies, music and professional sports. Many, though, find ways to stay grounded and true to their faith while seeking to excel in their chosen pursuits.

15 May 2008 @ 5:33 pm | 1 comment

Eugene Volokh (who approves of same-sex marriage recognition) looks at how today’s and other decisions prove the slippery slope argument can be valid.

[I]t seems to me that decisions such as the California, Massachusetts, and Vermont ones illustrate that it’s a mistake to just factually dismiss the claims that slippage is possible. When we’re dealing with a legal system that’s built on analogy and precedent (both binding precedent and persuasive precedent), slippery slope risks have to be taken seriously.

15 May 2008 @ 4:08 pm | 3 comments

As Goes California . . .

15 May 2008 @ 1:08 pm | 21 comments

Same-sex marriage is coming to California.

In a 4-3 ruling, the California Supreme Court opinion finds [PDF]

limiting the designation of marriage to a union “between a man and a woman” is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute, and that the remaining statutory language must be understood as making the designation of marriage available both to opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

The LDS Church took part in arguments in hopes of preventing this kind of decision.

So goes the rest of the country? It will be interesting to see how this affects the presidential campaign. While all remaining candidates officially oppose same-sex marriage, the introduction of a potentially damaging wedge issue can’t help Democrats.

On the other hand, Sen. McCain opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment and has not been eager to engage the issue. While McCain may be lukewarm, already flailing Republicans are at risk of overeaching while voters are more concerned about the war and economy.

It is expected that there will be a November ballot initiative (again) to amend the state constition and overule today’s decision.

UPDATE: Gov. Schwarzenegger approves of the ruling:

“I respect the court’s decision and as governor, I will uphold its ruling,” Schwarzenegger said within minutes of the ruling. “Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.”

LDS & Mormon Blogs – May 14, 2008

14 May 2008 @ 12:11 pm

The Dawning of a Brighter Day
Experiences and personal reflections on life, faith, the latter-day restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Due West!
The story of a country band trying to make it big. All 3 band members are LDS.

Interstate 50
Finding joy in the journey

The Clear Walk
A journal of my life since I now see my path clearly and passionately.

Karen Kelsay
Quiet Poetry

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