Dane-geld

In light of Sony Corporation's recent capitulation to cyberterrorist demands to cancel release of a stupid comedy movie about North Korea and write-off a $100 million investment, I share the following:

Danegeld, literally translated "Danish tribute", was an unreasonably outrageous extortion shake down by Viking raiders during the Middle Ages in return for a "promise" to not exact the even worse consequence of having your city or country plundered and burned. Naturally, once the ransom is paid and the enemy is emboldened and strengthened, the next ransom demand is always exponentially higher. (Reference Somali pirates.)

English writer-poet/novelist Rudyard Kipling wrote an appropriately named poem called Dane-Geld that warns of the dangers of capitulating to these kinds of demands.

Dane-Geld
A.D. 980-1016
It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation
  To call upon a neighbour and to say: --
"We invaded you last night--we are quite prepared to fight,
  Unless you pay us cash to go away."

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
  And the people who ask it explain
That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld
  And then  you'll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
  To puff and look important and to say: --
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
  We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
  But we've  proved it again and  again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
  You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
  For fear they should succumb and go astray;
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
  You will find it better policy to say: --

"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
  No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
  And the nation that pays it is lost!"

Not withstanding the poor management decision by Sony to make "The Interview", their even worse decision to capitulate to the demands of cyberterrorists who are likely working for North Korea will embolden rogue nations and unethical groups world-wide to use cyberterrorism and blackmail as tools to attack other nations, companies, groups, and individuals who they perceive to be opposed to their agenda.


The nation (or society) that pays extortion will be oppressed, shamed, and eventually be destroyed. 

Planning for Long-Term Care and End-of-Life Decisions

No, this is NOT a feel good topic, but its important, so please read it anyway.

While commuting to work or traveling busy freeways, many of us listen to traffic reports on the radio or monitor smart-phone apps that leverage first-person reports of actual conditions to educate or warn those who follow after to warn them of potentially dangerous conditions or serious delays ahead.   

I can recall several occasions where people I know who had recently been through the experience of helping a loved who needed long-term care or who needed to make (of should have made) important decisions relative to end-of-live planning, have found the experience so difficult that they went out of their way to warn others to better prepare for this phase of life.

On one occasion a human resources professional at work compiled useful information and shared it with interested employees in a meeting to discuss these topics.

In the past year or so our regional church organization (LDS stake) has asked several subject matter experts to prepare educational and resource information to be shared with church members related to the topics of striving for self-reliance, fostering reasonable expectations for receiving assistance from others, discussing options for long-term care giver services, important legal and financial considerations for incapacitation and death,  and available community and government social services.

I have had the opportunity to be associated with coordinating this effort and would like to make some of this information available to others so that it might benefit as many people as possible.

What follows are some of these educational and resource materials being shared with local church leaders and members. While some of the resource information is specific to cities in central Orange County, California the principles are universally applicable and similar resources are likely available in your cities, county, and state.

SOCIAL SERVICES EDUCATION (outline of one hour presentation)

OVERVIEW
 The family is the first line of assistance
 Overcome obstacles and hold a Family Council with parents or older family members to discuss and agree upon financial and health care decisions
 Do it now. Procrastinating until a crisis occurs makes decisions much harder.
 If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.
 Do not expect yourself or others to run faster or labor more than you/they have strength.
 The Lord has promised to help us bear up under our burdens that they will feel lighter and become easier to bear.

LONG TERM CARE GIVING SERVICES
 Adult Day Care Centers
 Home Health Care
 Independent Living
 Residential Care
 Assisted Living
 Memory Care
 Skilled Nursing Facilities
 Hospice Care
 Acute Hospital
 Care Management
 Insurance: Private, Medi-cal, Medicare
 Family Councils are critical for making consensus care decisions
 Checklist for services or facility evaluation

LEGAL AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Proper planning will provide you and your heirs protection against excessive costs required for any kind of convalescent health care needs and will also provide for effective and efficient passing of title of your assets.

If we fail to plan, the legal option for both financial administration and health care decisions is a court procedure known as Conservator-ship, which is expensive and burdensome.

 Estate Planning for Incapacity (~50% likelihood)
 Financial Needs
 Asset durable power of attorney document (if advised)
 Living Trust
 Health Care Decisions
 Health Care Directive (Health Care Power of Attorney document)
 HIPPA medical information release
 Right to Die document
 POLST (Physician’s Order for Life Sustaining Treatment)
 Estate Planning for Death (100% likelihood)

COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SERVICES
  verbal discussion of available resources (content available on stake website)



INTRODUCTION FOR SOCIAL SERVICES EDUCATION

In 2013, our stake president recognized a regional need for improved leader and member awareness about the importance of individuals and families preparing for the long term care that they or a loved one will likely require as they advance into the later stages of life or deal with a long term disability.

He called a member who had extensive first hand experience with these issues to spearhead the compiling and publication of resources and training that ward leaders and members can utilize to help arrange for long term care for elderly and disabled persons. Since she has received an honorable release, we are all indebted to for her dedicated service, as well as our Stake Social Services Specialists, some of whom you will hear from today.
 
An increasing percentage of our stake members are either single or seniors. In ten years, 20% of county residents will be elderly, with 70% of them requiring some kind of care.
The same principles of provident living and self-reliance that motivate emergency preparedness and food storage efforts should also inspire preparation for our own senior years and those of our older family members. Some critical considerations for this important planning are:
 Do NOT procrastinate until a crisis occurs.
 Since the Church teaches that the family is the first line of assistance, one of the main goals of today’s meeting is to prompt adult children and their older parents to have the important Family Council conversations necessary to arrive at consensus decisions about senior care choices that become much more difficult if left until a moment of crisis.
 Some elderly persons just assume that adult children and church members can and should shoulder complete responsibility for their care. “After all, since I took care of my kids when they were young, it’s their duty to take care of me when I’m old, right?.” “And isn’t the Relief Society motto “Charity Never Faileth”? We’ll talk more about this in a minute.
 Some factors that can complicate this important planning are:
 Many individuals and families feel overwhelmed just dealing with the here and now and therefore procrastinate planning for the future
 Dysfunctional family relationships make uncomfortable conversations and decisions even more difficult
 Its not uncommon for family members to be geographically dispersed
 Meager financial resources or excessive debt may limit some options
 Unwillingness to recognize the difference between short term needs and long term disability or elder care
 there may be unrealistic optimism (denial) about one’s ability to remain self-reliant or for children to care for parents long term without assistance (share example of relative)
 There may be inflexibility by both the caregiver and care recipient about changing the status quo. This includes, but is not limited to, considering options such as the sale of assets (such as selling a home or utilizing a reverse mortgage), use of funds intended for retirement or inheritances to pay for part or full time care services, evaluating a variety of care services and resources, temporary or permanent relocation of care giver or care recipient, willingness to move to a care facility that separates them from their pets, etc.
 improper and unrealistic expectations that Church leaders or members should shoulder responsibility for care of the elderly or disabled before individuals and family have done their best to provide such care themselves or have availed themselves of available professional, community, and government resources.
 Unwillingness of elderly to be honest with their doctors about their symptoms or heed their doctor’s recommendations. Uncooperative or non-communicative seniors, combined with HIPAA laws prevent other family members from knowing the gravity of their loved ones situation until a crisis occurs.
 Families are often dismayed to discover that a simple do-it-yourself will or a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order may not provide the intended legal or medical results.

(D&C 10:4) Do Not Run Faster or Labor More Than You Have Strength
Families who choose to provide long term care for aged family members should share that load across multiple family members and avail themselves of other resources to make the service sustainable.

Most Relief Society sisters in our stake do not have the kind of discretionary time that their forebears did a generation ago.
o Time volunteered to help needy families is too often concentrated on the Bishop and members of the Relief Society Presidency, whose families repeatedly sacrifice as they serve.  Service is important, but there should be reasonable limits and the load should be shared by many ward members.

The gospel of Jesus Christ does teach us to be charitable to others, to serve selflessly, and to bear one another’s burdens that they may be light. However, after personally taking care of the beaten stranger’s short term needs, the good Samaritan did not personally take care of the injured man’s long term needs. He enlisted the help of others so that he could continue to meet his other responsibilities. We need to be considerate of one another and not place excessive expectations on those who are called to serve in key callings or those who have volunteered to help.

As in the story of the Savior accompanying his disciples on the road to Emmaus, the Lord walks besides us and teaches us, but cannot take our journeys for us. Scriptural examples demonstrate that usually our burdens are not removed, but rather we are taught and strengthened to enable us to bear up under our burdens that they feel lighter and more manageable.

We will next hear from three members of our Stake Social Services Committee who are subject matter experts in their respective fields related to social services
 will discuss care giving options, in and out of the home
 will address legal and financial planning considerations.
 will discuss available community and government resources
The presentations shown today, as well as additional Social Services related resource files, are available on the Regional Links tab of the OrangeStakeLinks.webs.com website. (currently items 17-22)
 

John W. Hess and the Prophet Joseph Smith

 

(click on photo to view large version)

While reading family histories on the website (http://spokt.com/hubs/933304) belonging to the John W. Hess Family Organization (my 2nd great grandfather), I came across the following stories told by John's descendants of his (John's) interactions with, and testimony of, the Prophet Joseph Smith.
  

Excerpt #1
"I've studied the life of Joseph extensively, and I can see why they loved him so. I'm personally a believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in Joseph Smith, his teachings, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As I read of the experiences that my ancestors had with Joseph, it only strengthens my resolve to be dedicated to the Church he was directed by God to restore & organize. When I hear nonbelievers who try to assassinate the character of Joseph Smith, I have to smile! All I have to do is read what my family had to say about the man, to know what he was really like. He was a simple, down to earth man in some ways, but he was also a Prophet of God!

Here's an encounter John W. Hess had with Joseph: "Elder John W. Hess, who was for a long time President of the Davis Stake of Zion, has given exceedingly interesting reminiscences of the Prophet Joseph. When Elder Hess was a boy, about twelve years of age, his father rented a house at Richmond Landing, or, as the place was also called, Pomeroy's Ferry. There the Saints landed who came by water from Kirtland to go to Far West. And there the Prophet Joseph, in company with his brothers Hyrum and William, and others, thirteen in all, stopped as they were returning from laying out the city of Far West. They stayed with the family of Father Hess for thirteen days.

The Prophet was studying Greek and Latin. He would study intently until he was very tired. Then he would come out of his room and engage in a game, perhaps it would be "hide and seek," with the children, showing the childlike simplicity which characterized the life of that great man. And oh, how he was beloved by every member of that family!

Brother Hess says he has never seen anyone else that he has loved as he loved the Prophet Joseph Smith. He can remember of Joseph's taking him on his lap at different times, and of putting his own arms around the beloved Prophet's neck and being embraced by him; and that, being thus clasped to the noble, generous, mighty heart of the Prophet, gave him a heavenly sensation never to be described or forgotten.

Upon one occasion, the little boy heard some of the brethren talking of the strength they felt they possessed in resisting temptation, and he never forgot what the Prophet said to them; it was: 'Brethren, if you get onto the Devil's ground, he will handle you! Keep away from him, the farther the better!'

When the Prophet went away from the home he had found with Father Hess, you would have thought there had been a funeral in the family, the children all loved him so! This is as Elder Hess remembered those days and events." (Taken from the Improvement Era, Vol V pg. 943. This event took place in 1838).

Ann Eliza and her folks, the Addison Everett family, were actually neighbors to Joseph in Nauvoo, Ill. She delivered milk to Mother Smith, as the Prophet's mother was called. Ann Eliza told her children that she saw the Egyptian Mummies that were buried with the scrolls that the Book of Abraham in The Pearl of Great Price was translated from. Mother Smith kept them stored in a large cupboard. Ann Eliza described them as being preserved or "cured" with spices. One of these mummies was said to be the Pharaoh's daughter, the same that rescued Moses in the rushes. She also begged Mother Smith to show her the Urim & Thummim, but of course she couldn't, but she did show her the peep stone that the Prophet had. (See the life sketch of Elizabeth White Hess).

On one occasion, the Everetts had purchased a milk cow with a young calf. Ann Eliza was out enjoying the fun of seeing the young calf frisk around with its tail stuck straight up in the air. The front gate to their yard had been left open, and the calf made a break for it into the street! In a state of alarm she ran after the animal to bring it back. It refused to cooperate to return to the yard. Just then the Prophet Joseph came along riding his favorite steed. Seeing that little Ann Eliza's efforts were futile, and the calf wasn't going to cooperate, he rode after it and drove it back through the gate into the yard for her. The great Prophet was never too busy to help a child! Ann Eliza was but a little girl of nine at this time, but this left a vivid impression with her.

The Prophet visited the home of the Everetts on several occasions on Church business. Ann Eliza's father, Addison Everett, was a prominent member of the Church in Nauvoo, Ill. It was not unusual for Joseph to take the little hazel-eyed Ann Eliza upon his lap. It was with feeling of unusual pride that she related the fact to everyone she met, that when she was a child, she dangled from the knee of Joseph Smith! (See appendix 9, life of Ann Eliza Everett).
James Steed, James H.'s Grandfather, actually traveled from Nauvoo, Ill. to New Orleans with Joseph and George A. Smith to meet a boat loaded with Saints who had sailed from Liverpool England.

So as you can see, the Prophet Joseph and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were a key element in the lives of all these people. They followed the Church he restored through all the persecution and hardships to the mountain west and helped settle the territory."

Excerpt #2
"Joseph was truly a Prophet of great visions. He had a peculiar, almost supernatural aura about him. John W. Hess noticed this when Joseph stayed in his home a few years later, "there was something heavenly & angelic in his looks that I never witnessed in the countenance of any other person. During his short stay I became very much attached to him, and learned to love him more dearly than any other person I ever met." (See Appendix 1, memoirs of John W. Hess).

Excerpt #3
Again quoting from John W. Hess, "About May 1, 1836 my father and his family moved to the State of Missouri and we settled in Ray County of that State, near Pomeroy's Ferry, or Richmond Landing on the Missouri River, where we lived on a farm which we rented from John Arbuckle, until the expulsion of the Saints from Caldwell County." The appalling events they witnessed there were grievous.

As you recall, the prophet Joseph was a house guest of the Hess family during this period. The mob even kept a close surveillance on Joseph while he stayed in their home. Here’s what David Hess had to say, “I was a mere child,” says Mr. Hess, “and do not remember the incidents but have been assured by my mother that the Prophet Joseph, and Patriarch Hyrum Smith, while waiting for a ferry boat to go down the Missouri River, spent several days at my father’s house, and that the Prophet often held me in his arms. She also related that on certain morning, at an early hour before breakfast, while Joseph and Hyrum were there, the Prophet, with his hands behind his back, was walking to and fro across the floor (obviously he was nervous about something), when a knock came at the door and a stranger said, ‘I understand that the pretended prophet, Joe Smith, is here and I would like to see him.’ The Prophet turning to him quickly responded, ‘I am the man.’ At these words the stranger hurriedly departed.”
(See Appendix 1, Statement of David Hess)

 Excerpt #4
In the Autumn of 1838, Joseph the Prophet and others came to my father's house near the Richmond Landing and stayed there thirteen days. Father was the only Mormon in that part of the country. At that time Joseph was studying Greek and Latin. When he got tired of studying, he would go and play with the children in their games about the house, to give him exercise. Then he would go back to his studies. I was a boy then about fourteen years old.
He used to take me upon his knee and caress me as he would a little child. I relate this to show the kindness and simplicity of his nature. I never saw another man like Joseph. There was something heavenly & angelic in his looks that I never witnessed in the countenance of any other person. During his short stay I became very much attached to him, and learned to love him more dearly than any other person I ever met, my father and mother not excepted.
The next time I saw the Prophet was at Richmond Court House, in chains after the surrender of Far West. I used to walk six miles every day to see him during his stay in the Richmond Jail.
Although a boy of about fourteen years, I became convinced beyond doubt that he was a prophet of God, and that testimony has never left me.
(The Juvenile Instructor, XXVI (15 MAY 1892) PAGES 302-303)

This is an artist's depiction of 14-year old John W. Hess sitting on the knee of the Prophet Joseph Smith.








(click on photo to view large version)

TED

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design

It started out as an invitation-only conference for elite decision makers that has morphed into a non-profit organization whose goal is to identify and share good ideas. The following website shares videos of the 20 most popular TED talks. 

http://www.ted.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all

All of these are interesting and several are exceptional (IMO). The one I want to highlight the most is presentation #17 by Shawn Achor about the science of happiness entitled "The happy secret to better work". I hope you will watch his 21 minute presentation, but if you believe you don't have time, here is his talk in a nutshell.

"Normal" is only average.

The lens through which you choose to view the world shapes your reality and your happiness.

The absence of disease is not health.

Only 25% of success is determined by IQ. The other 75% is determined by your level of optimism, your social support, and your ability to view stress as a challenge instead of a threat.

Traditional Model

Work Harder==>Success==>Happiness

New Paradigm

Happiness/Positivity==>Productivity==>Success

How to be Happy?

Do these things for 3 weeks to rewire your brain and develop new habits.

1- Gratitude

2- Journaling

3- Exercise

4- Meditation

5- Random acts of kindness

I haven't yet watched all of the Top 20, but I can recommend these TED talks:

1- How schools kill creativity

11- The surprising science of happiness

12- The power of introverts

 

Leap of Faith

A month or so ago, our LDS ecclesiastical leader, Bishop Peters, challenged ward members to re-read the Book of Mormon. So I did. My belief was reinforced that the book is a divinely inspired ancient record whose primary purpose is to testify that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah of ancient Hebrew prophecy and scripture. In answer to sincere prayer, I received another spiritual confirmation by the power of the Holy Ghost that the record is true.

I have just finished reading what I found to be a very interesting book written by Senator Bob Bennett, entitled, "Leap of Faith- Confronting The Origins of the Book of Mormon. From an intellectual analysis perspective, I learned more about the Book of Mormon, and attempts by some to explain it away as being a hoax or forgery, than I ever before knew. My testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened.

I would be happy to loan this book to anyone interested in reading it. The book was recently on sale at Deseret Book for less than $5.

This is one of several summaries of "Leap of Faith" printed on the back cover:

"In this penetrating and eminently readable book, Senator Bennett lays out the major criteria for forgery and then systematically examines the Book of Mormon against those criteria, leaving to the reader the judgement, the decision, and the resolve in addressing the question: What shall we do with the Book of Mormon?"

"This highly original study is both intellectually fascinating and spiritually stretching. I highly recommend it."  Robert L. Millet, professor of ancient scripture, Brigham Young University"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1606410539

The Mormon Channel

The Mormon Channel is the media channel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The channel originates from Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, and broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Content for the station comes from the vast archives of the Church, along with several new series created specifically for this station. The Mormon Channel also features great programming from various partner organizations.

There are three (3) live Internet radio channels: Mormon Channel, a music channel, and a Spanish language channel: Canal Mormon. In addition to these three live streaming channels, the Mormon Channel has a vast amount of on-demand audio and video resources.

Mormon Channel content and social media is also available on the following platforms; iTunes, YouTube, Roku, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter. The Mormon Channel also provides content on free mobile applications for IOS and Android users.

I have been a fan and advocate of the Mormon Channel for most of its 5 years of existence and listen to it frequently. But even I did not realize just how much uplifting, educational, and entertaining content it contains. Our loving Heavenly Father, through living prophets and apostles, has provided a vast amount of online content that is "virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy" for disciples of Jesus Christ and good people everywhere to utilize to bless and strengthen individuals and families.

If you have not already done so, I invite you to check out this wonderful resource. (the numbers in parenthesis denote the number of entries or sub-categories currently available)

MORMON CHANNEL: www.mormonchannel.org

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE: http://www.mormonchannel.org/schedule

ON DEMAND AUDIO, INTERNET RADIO, AND VIDEO RESOURCES

SERIES (13) www.mormonchannel.org/series
1- Mormon Messages (114) http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages
2- Extreme Genes: Family History Radio (23) http://www.mormonchannel.org/extreme-genes
3- Stories from General Conference (80) http://www.mormonchannel.org/stories-from-general-conference
4- Gospel Solutions for Families (78) http://www.mormonchannel.org/gospel-solutions-for-families
5- Bible Videos (74) http://www.mormonchannel.org/bible-videos
6- Conversations (56) http://www.mormonchannel.org/conversations
7- Mormon Channel Daily (60) http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-channel-daily
8- Enduring It Well (80) http://www.mormonchannel.org/enduring-it-well
9- Teaching, No Greater Calling (35) http://www.mormonchannel.org/teaching-no-greater-call
10- I'm a Mormon 164 http://www.mormonchannel.org/Im-a-mormon
11- The District (8) http://www.mormonchannel.org/the-district
12- Mormon Messages for Youth (59) http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-videos
13- Archived Programs (22) http://www.mormonchannel.org/archives
    Everything Creative(10), Faith in Action(50), For the Youth(28), History of Hymns(40), Insights(39), In All the World(58), The Joseph Smith Papers(4), Legacy(93), The Light of Men(11), Mormon Channel Daily Archive(311), Mormon Channel Q&A(67), Mormon Identities(42), Music with a Message(40), Past Impressions(63), Perspectives on the Prophet Joseph Smith(11), Poets of the Restoration(13), Relief Society(44), Tech Savy(13), We Will Stand(25), Weekly Edition(14), Why I Believe(73), Youth Voices(16)

COLLECTONS
Introduction to the Church [Mormons] (12) http://www.mormonchannel.org/introduction-to-the-church
Films (6) http://www.mormonchannel.org/films
The Holy Spirit (5) http://www.mormonchannel.org/power-of-the-holy-spirit
TV Ads (55) http://www.mormonchannel.org/tv-ads
Church Education System [CES] Devotionals (32) http://www.mormonchannel.org/ces-devotionals
Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2) http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-tabernacle-choir
God's Plan (6) http://www.mormonchannel.org/our-heavenly-fathers-plan
Faith and Family http://www.mormonchannel.org/faith-and-family
Family and Addiction Resources (3) http://www.mormonchannel.org/family-and-addiction-resources
Mormon Channel Videos (25) http://www.mormonchannel.org/more-videos
Holiday Media (3) http://www.mormonchannel.org/holiday

YOUTH
Come Unto Christ (19) http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-theme-2013
Mormon Messages for Youth (59) http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-videos
Come Follow Me (12) http://www.mormonchannel.org/come-follow-me
For The Youth (28) http://www.mormonchannel.org/for-the-youth
Youth Voices (16) http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-voices

CHILDREN (10) (no hyperlink available- access it from the Mormonchannel.org webpage)

SCRIPTURES AND MAGAZINES
Old Testament (39) http://www.mormonchannel.org/scriptures/ot
New Testament (27) http://www.mormonchannel.org/scriptures/nt
Book of Mormon (15) http://www.mormonchannel.org/scriptures/bofm
Doctrine and Covenants (138) http://www.mormonchannel.org/scriptures/dc-testament
Pearl of Great Price (5) http://www.mormonchannel.org/scriptures/pgp
Ensign Magazine (past 10 years) http://www.mormonchannel.org/magazines/ensign
New Era Magazine (past 10 years) http://www.mormonchannel.org/magazines/new-era
Friend Magazine (past 10 years) http://www.mormonchannel.org/magazines/friend
Liahona Magazine (past 10 years) www.mormonchannel.org/magazines/liahona

Active Citizenship

A friend of mine recently posted on Facebook that "the only time and place the voice of citizens matters, or has an impact, is when you elect your leaders...we either hope those you voted for do the right thing or go be a politician yourself...we have no control over this country".

I believe that this kind of detached, defeatist attitude by citizens about not being able to exert any influence over our government or hold elected officials accountable, is one of the reasons our government is in the mess that its in.

I really like, and highly recommend, this 27 minute April 1, 2014 BYU Devotional by Professor Larry Walters about the crucial need for active citizens if the American experiment with a democratic republic form of government Of the People, By the People, and For the People is to remain successful.

View video of devotional on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ownP47EtfQ

Listen to audio of devotional.
http://www.byuradio.org/episode/6d32df77b6f14a71ad2033cdd29752bb/byu-devotional-larry-walters

Audio and Video links are also available here.
The text of this devotional will also eventually be available here.
http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2173

March 28, 2014 La Habra 5.1 earthquake

Wow, has it REALLY been 3 months since I posted on my blog? Its not because I don't have anything to share, but usually because I just take the path of least resistance and post it on Facebook, where it gets difficult to find and retrieve after a week or so. I should post more on here and then link to it from FB.

At 9:09pm last night, just as I was returning home from home teaching and walking in the front door, Kim and I felt the house start to creak and wiggle. Kim said our flat screen TV was shaking. A few pictures on our walls were crooked, but we sustained no other damage. I immediately went to our laundry room and turned on my ham radio and announced myself as monitoring. I was soon joined by one or two dozen other hams from our stake reporting in.

The TV news stations quickly downgraded the quake from an initial magnitude 5.3 to a 5.1 shallow quake in La Habra, a distance of about 12 miles or so northwest of us in northwest Orange County. Quakes larger than magnitude 5 are considered to be moderate quakes. Although the much larger 6.5 Big Bear and 7.3 Landers quakes in 1992, 6.7 Northridge quake in 1994, and the 7.1 Hector Mine quake in 1999 quakes all felt stronger, this was the closest  earthquake of at least moderate size since the 5.9 magnitude Whittier Narrows quake way back in 1987.

USGS summary info

There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries; however, I'm fairly sure there were people with bare feet who sustained injuries from walking on broken glass. There were reports of damaged buildings and destroyed property, such as masonry walls and broken main water pipes.There was a report that the garage door at one Fullerton fire station was jammed in the closed position and would not open. There was a rock slide in Carbon Canyon that resulted in an overturned car. Some apartments and homes suffered structural damage, such as detracked garage doors or collapsed chimneys. A few were so badly damaged that they had to be red tagged and the occupants evacuated.

Bob LaBarge who is in charge of LDS emergency communication for the LDS Orange County Emergency Response, reported that the lead ham net control for the Fullerton Stake was returning from business travel and their stake president was personally impacted by the quake and was therefore unable to coordinate their emergency response. This is a valuable lesson that disasters don't necessarily happen at a convenient time and place where all trained resources will be available to help implement an emergency response plan. Therefore its vital to have sufficient numbers of adequately trained people who can fill in when someone else is absent.

Here are some photos off the Internet of damage from this quake. Click on the thumbnail image to view the full size photo.