I think Joe Biden will be a good running mate for Barak Obama. That is not because I entirely agree with Biden or his policies (I have not even done the research yet) but I do know that Biden knows his stuff when it comes to foreign relations and, even though Obama was part of the foreign relations committee, he could certainly use some help in the world, especially now.
Biden compliments Obama's style as well, it seems. I do like the fact that he seems to be willing to state issues bluntly.
Politics is interesting. There is no perfect candidate. For example, I disagree with Barak Obama on several points. However, of every candidate out there, I agree with him the most on some of the most crucial issues for me. He and I agree much more than we disagree, it seems. As a result, he will get my vote (unless he changes position on something outright).
I have heard of people that do not vote because they disagree with all the candidates in some way or another. To me, that is just silly. Unless you run for president yourself, you will always have some disagreement with every candidate. Vote for he or she who you think would run the executive branch of the USA better than anyone else.
...and don't get me started about those who vote solely based on party affiliation...
(Just as a side note:
According to the 2008 Presidential Candidate Selector on Select Smart, Obama is the best candidate for me at 76% compatible and Joe Biden is 63% compatible.
Give that quiz a try - it of course is not perfect or absolute but it is fun and interesting.)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Musings
I have no particular subject to write on. A lot of time has passed since my last post so I wanted to put a new one up to let people know I have not died from the plethora of homework suddenly required of me.
School is an awesome and wonderful thing, though many disagree (hopefully most with their tongue in their cheek). My Calculus professor recently reminded us that we come to class as a supplement to our learning - it is not learning in and of itself. We study the textbook and complete homework for the same reason - to supplement our learning. The learning itself seems to come as we practice that which we are told over time. Hey! That might even have a scripture associated with it:
School is an awesome and wonderful thing, though many disagree (hopefully most with their tongue in their cheek). My Calculus professor recently reminded us that we come to class as a supplement to our learning - it is not learning in and of itself. We study the textbook and complete homework for the same reason - to supplement our learning. The learning itself seems to come as we practice that which we are told over time. Hey! That might even have a scripture associated with it:
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. (Alma 32:28)
Let me put forth that not only does one obtain spiritual knowledge by such a process (this being the beginning of the process to bring one to perfect knowledge) but all knowledge can be obtained this way.
For example, when my mathematics professor tells me that "the limit of f(x) as x approaches c is equal to L and that the limit of g(x) as x approaches c is equal to K and that if you take the limit of the sum of f(x) and g(x) as x approaches c, that last limit will be equal to the sum of the former limits" I have two options: to believe him and try it out or not. What I have found (as he said) is that such a law can help me solve problems and simplify them. By acting upon what someone told me to test it out, I found that it was good.
Now, as I continue applying that principle or law (as the verses following the one above state), I will come to see that not only is it good but it is actually true. I will find proof in further experience (including further knowledge).
So it is with The Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hear a teaching from somebody (perhaps that Christ can change our very desires if we do what He asks us to do to be blessed with such) and we then apply it (we do what He asks). As we do this, we start to see good changes come. We then know it is good. As we continue to apply the teachings we have heard we come to know for ourselves that it is true. We actually experience a change in our very desires.
I have experienced that. I know it is true. Not only do I know from experience, I know through the Holy Ghost. "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." I have both a spiritual, temporal, and experiential witness (in this case, the last two are the same for me).
Now, back to what I started out moving toward. I enjoy learning very much. The more knowledge I gain, the more knowledge I want! It is sort of like intellectual aperture fever. Knowledge truly is power if it is used in the right way.
In light of all that is above, I close with the following quotation from my Humanities textbook:
For example, when my mathematics professor tells me that "the limit of f(x) as x approaches c is equal to L and that the limit of g(x) as x approaches c is equal to K and that if you take the limit of the sum of f(x) and g(x) as x approaches c, that last limit will be equal to the sum of the former limits" I have two options: to believe him and try it out or not. What I have found (as he said) is that such a law can help me solve problems and simplify them. By acting upon what someone told me to test it out, I found that it was good.
Now, as I continue applying that principle or law (as the verses following the one above state), I will come to see that not only is it good but it is actually true. I will find proof in further experience (including further knowledge).
So it is with The Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hear a teaching from somebody (perhaps that Christ can change our very desires if we do what He asks us to do to be blessed with such) and we then apply it (we do what He asks). As we do this, we start to see good changes come. We then know it is good. As we continue to apply the teachings we have heard we come to know for ourselves that it is true. We actually experience a change in our very desires.
I have experienced that. I know it is true. Not only do I know from experience, I know through the Holy Ghost. "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." I have both a spiritual, temporal, and experiential witness (in this case, the last two are the same for me).
Now, back to what I started out moving toward. I enjoy learning very much. The more knowledge I gain, the more knowledge I want! It is sort of like intellectual aperture fever. Knowledge truly is power if it is used in the right way.
In light of all that is above, I close with the following quotation from my Humanities textbook:
Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer. - Rainer Maria Rilke
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
