Wednesday, November 26, 2008
My Take On Homosexuality
Note: This article was written by a good friend, Greg Wendel. I liked the way he argued his point. I agree with him.
My Take On Homosexuality
By Greg Wendel
November 24, 2008
It is a big issue these days, so I thought I'd organize my thoughts.
There has been evidence (at least I've heard there is some though I can't link to it) that the state of Homosexuality can be seen in the brain. When exposed to certain stimuli the brain reacts in certain ways, showing that there is a true biochemical reaction to go along with the name it has been given. What does it prove? That homosexuality exists, and that its existence can be verified scientifically.
Do I think that people are born with it? I think it is possible, but what I believe to be more probable is that the tendency is born into people. Given certain environments and stimuli the tendency can remain dormant. Given other environments and stimuli the brain will begin to react to those stimuli in what is now called a "homosexual" way.
I think that given these conditions homosexuality can be compared pretty fairly to say, depression. Are people born with it? I don't think so, but I do believe that their brains are wired in certain ways so that the tendency is there, and given certain stimuli, conditions, and stressors the brain will begin to react in certain ways so that a person's mental state can be defined as depressed. The existence of depression can be proved through the manifestation of its symptoms, and analysis of how the brain works. It can be verified scientifically.
That being said, we know that depression (as a manifestation of how the brain is working) is not an ideal or natural condition for a brain (or person) to be in. Constant fatigue, apathy, pain (all over), and suicidal thoughts are just a few ways in which depression effects every day life. It would be considered ridiculous inhumane to tell people that since depression exists (it can be identified scientifically) it is an ideal or acceptable way to live. Should we tell those with depression or other mental ailments that they should expect to be sad, and that is the way they were meant to be, and who they are? Should we encourage them to be depressed just because that is how their brain currently works? The answer, I believe is obvious. Yet, when confronted with the issue of homosexuality society employs a double standard much to the detriment of those who could be helped. We do a great disservice to either group when we tell them that what they are dealing with is normal, or even ideal.
Don't get me wrong. I do not believe that those who are born with the tendency for homosexuality are any more to blame (for that tendency) then those who are born with the tendency toward depression. It is how their brains came wired, and it not something that they could control. However, I do believe that each group can decide how to deal with it.
I do not believe that we should deny work to those who deal with homosexuality. I think they should have hospital visitation rights, and (if they are in a stable living arrangement with their partner) that they should be able to have insurance plans together. We should treat those who deal with homosexuality with as much kindness and respect as we would with any other person who deals with any other issue. Marriage has always been a union between man and woman. Marriage (given what it is) is as available to those who struggle with depression as those that struggle with homosexuality. That right is available to them as it is to any other man or woman. Any other union or binding agreement between partners is not marriage, and it should never be described as such.
What makes me think this way? I have known people who have lived the homosexual life and been a "homosexual," who have later married and found love and marriage with one of the opposite sex. I have friends who are "gay." I believe them to be generally good people (like I am a generally good person,) who are nonetheless deceived about the true nature of their condition. Perhaps most importantly I have the tendency toward depression. I know what it feels like to be different, and not to fit in. Sometimes even the simplest of relationships and activities are colored by this, but I will not let it rule me. There are steps I (and others like me) can and do take to overcome. A tendency toward depression does not mean that I cannot be happy, only that I must take care of myself.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
An Entertaining Application Essay
Hey everybody, I read this again recently, and I still think it's pretty funny. It is my friend Grant's BYU college application essay. He's currently in the Missionary Training Center, and when he says he speaks spanish he's not lying - his skills cut his 11 week stay at the MTC to 4.
He tempered his final draft a bit, but here's the original version :-)
I have studied extensively in the arts. I have earned the Sterling Scholar Award for Brighton High School in the area of visual arts. I have studied in music for many years, and have learned to play the piano, guitar, and the Navajo Wood Flute. I can cry on queue. I have participated in community service, and have achieved the rank of Eagle in the Scouting program. I am a certified Black Belt in Tae Kwon Doe. I have two aunts who are 1/8th Navajo, a full Taos Pueblo Uncle, a full Goshute great aunt, and my sophomore crush is 1/8th Cherokee. I am Swedish. I have participated and lettered in Track and Field, served as a Cross Country Captain, finished first in JV Region Wrestling, and can cut my own hair without a mirror. And I never lie. I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and live its values. I don't drink, do drugs, or smoke, and as such, I am healthy, on track and on task. I love trains. I am a bright, capable, and hard working student, and am a good representative of the values that BYU is governed by. My palms do not sweat. I have an unusual ability to understand many things in many fields, and as such, I have cultivated my talents broadly, developing a wide range of skills. I speak a lot of Spanish, and am fluent in Pig Latin. I am spirited and friendly, and get along well with all types of people. I can count to three using only two fingers. I learn very quickly, and don’t forget what I’ve learned. I have a keen sense of smell, and thus, I realize that I have a pleasing aroma. BYU is my lover.
He tempered his final draft a bit, but here's the original version :-)
I have studied extensively in the arts. I have earned the Sterling Scholar Award for Brighton High School in the area of visual arts. I have studied in music for many years, and have learned to play the piano, guitar, and the Navajo Wood Flute. I can cry on queue. I have participated in community service, and have achieved the rank of Eagle in the Scouting program. I am a certified Black Belt in Tae Kwon Doe. I have two aunts who are 1/8th Navajo, a full Taos Pueblo Uncle, a full Goshute great aunt, and my sophomore crush is 1/8th Cherokee. I am Swedish. I have participated and lettered in Track and Field, served as a Cross Country Captain, finished first in JV Region Wrestling, and can cut my own hair without a mirror. And I never lie. I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and live its values. I don't drink, do drugs, or smoke, and as such, I am healthy, on track and on task. I love trains. I am a bright, capable, and hard working student, and am a good representative of the values that BYU is governed by. My palms do not sweat. I have an unusual ability to understand many things in many fields, and as such, I have cultivated my talents broadly, developing a wide range of skills. I speak a lot of Spanish, and am fluent in Pig Latin. I am spirited and friendly, and get along well with all types of people. I can count to three using only two fingers. I learn very quickly, and don’t forget what I’ve learned. I have a keen sense of smell, and thus, I realize that I have a pleasing aroma. BYU is my lover.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Dear Apple... About Proposition 8...
October 24, 2008
Cupertino, CA 95014
Apple, Inc. Headquarters
1 Infinite LoopCupertino, CA 95014
To Whom it May Concern:
Today I was very disappointed upon learning of your decision to publicly oppose the Proposition 8 resolution. I would like to communicate to you my deep sadness that you have made such a decision. I am currently a college student, and for many years I have always supported and loved your company and its products. I respect Steve Jobs immensely for the many contributions he has made to the world and to society, while at Apple and also at Pixar. Generally, Apple has advocated ideals which are friendly to moral and religious people, and to those who feel that the family is an immensely important part of a healthy society.
Today, Apple has decided to oppose a resolution designed to protect the family from one of the largest affronts it has ever faced. Please understand that I do not wish to be discriminatory in any way toward those who choose a homosexual lifestyle. However, one must also understand that while there are certain lifestyles which the government should never discriminate against, there are also certain lifestyles it should never condone, especially if it would damage the very fabric with which our society is composed. Each citizen in this country is born to a mother and a father, and ought to be raised in an environment which would give them the greatest chance for happiness and success. This environment, time and time again, has been shown to be a healthy family with both a mother and a father. The government has an obligation to condone and support such units of society, and does so through the institution of marriage. If Proposition 8 were to fail, it would further infringe on children’s right to be taught the proper and correct moral principles of morality and chastity, and would further deprive them of role models whose example is honorable to follow. Many children would grow up with the false impression that homosexuality is as normal and proper as a marriage between a man and a woman, which it is not. People who choose same-sex partnerships are already fully within their legal rights to do so, but for the good of our society, it is imperative that the government only condone traditional marriage.
I hope you understand my deep disapproval of this action by Apple, and also understand that there are many thousands of Apple costumers and employees who have the same view. I hope Apple will make a better choice in the future.
Sincerely,
Steven Schmidt
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Beyond the Space Shuttle: Rouge Scientists have a better plan
...and they need our help to spread the word...
What problem would be so important that NASA scientists and engineers would be willing to work independent, unpaid, on their own time, to find an alternate solution?
For the last two years those familiar with and interested in space, science, and technology (like me) have heard and have been excited about the development of a new rocket, one planned to not only replace the Space Shuttle, but also to eventually return to the moon. This project is called "Ares", with the two designations, "Ares I", and "Ares V", being the names of the two rockets being built. Upon hearing about it, I thought the plan was done, the course was set, and NASA and the scientific community's mind was made up. It seemed like a good idea to all-- or so I thought.
A couple weeks ago I learned about something that has radically changed my view of the Ares project -- it is that there is a problem big enough with the Ares project that at least 57 NASA and some other independent scientists and engineers are willing, unpaid and during their free time, to develop an alternate proposal to that of Ares, called Jupiter.
Wow -- that caught my attention. However, the first article I read didn't give a whole lot of details, and primarily gave NASA's point of view on the issue. But since learning more, I'm beginning to understand where these scientists are coming from.
The issue is political
I have noticed that many articles about the Jupiter project miss the whole reason these scientists are doing what they're doing. Many of the articles emphasize that the proposed Jupiter design claims to be "safer" and "cheaper", which is true. But if all these scientists had was a safer and cheaper design, would that be sufficient cause to risk losing their job over? Nobody is doubting that NASA is capable of building a safe and operational rocket, that can do everything they have outlined it to do. The real issue is political. These 57 scientists strongly believe that if NASA were to go the direction they are going now, and then lose political backing half-way through, then America would end up losing much of our space program's infrastructure that is in place today. We would be set back to the days prior to the Space Shuttle!
The original plan of the Ares project was to reuse tried-and-true technologies in a new form so to be a new and more capable rocket then we've had before. However, it hasn't happened quite like that. The Ares design today is much different than the Space Shuttle, and uses many technologies which are new or still in development. It's different enough that many aspects of the current shuttle, such as the shuttle launch-pads, manufacturing processes, etc., in addition to the skills and knowledge of experienced engineers on these topics, will all be replaced. If at the point of transition political backing was lost, that is where so much would be lost. Also realizing that these changes are causing the completion date of Ares to be pushed all the way to 2015, and realizing that Ares requires the development of two rockets, not just one, the chance of losing political backing is too big for comfort.
Instead, these rouge scientists have come up with an alternate plan. They propose to do what we were going to do in the first place -- stick with what we have: the space shuttle parts that already have established designs and fabrication plants and experienced engineers to support them. Use those parts and build us a rocket that does the exact same thing as Ares! And we'll build ONE rocket which can fulfill the purpose that the two Ares rockets fill, cutting development costs even further. These scientists have a preliminary design, and have named their concept "Jupiter". Yes, not only is it a bit safer, but the important thing is that it'll be developed faster and with smaller development cost, thus having a far greater chance of being completed within the timeframe of political support! In addition, it offers to maintain the vast majority of the current infrastructure of engineers, manufacturing facilities, launch pads, and other important parts of the space program. It also offers to do with one general rocket design what the Ares project intends to do with two. All in all it has a far greater chance of overcoming political hurtles.
**
More and more people need to know about this project, because for the good of our country's space program, this proposal deserves a full-fledged review by NASA. So far it has only received an unofficial review, and in some cases NASA is simply ignoring it. Maybe NASA knows what they're doing, and for reasons unknown to the outside public there are better reasons to stay with Ares. But on the other hand, maybe NASA just doesn't want to lose face when their much-publicized Ares project is abandoned! Either way, the answer will only become apparent after a full official review. After so much work, unpaid, and putting their own jobs on the line, these scientists deserve it.
Spread the word!
Link to News Article about the Jupiter Project
What problem would be so important that NASA scientists and engineers would be willing to work independent, unpaid, on their own time, to find an alternate solution?
For the last two years those familiar with and interested in space, science, and technology (like me) have heard and have been excited about the development of a new rocket, one planned to not only replace the Space Shuttle, but also to eventually return to the moon. This project is called "Ares", with the two designations, "Ares I", and "Ares V", being the names of the two rockets being built. Upon hearing about it, I thought the plan was done, the course was set, and NASA and the scientific community's mind was made up. It seemed like a good idea to all-- or so I thought.
A couple weeks ago I learned about something that has radically changed my view of the Ares project -- it is that there is a problem big enough with the Ares project that at least 57 NASA and some other independent scientists and engineers are willing, unpaid and during their free time, to develop an alternate proposal to that of Ares, called Jupiter.
Wow -- that caught my attention. However, the first article I read didn't give a whole lot of details, and primarily gave NASA's point of view on the issue. But since learning more, I'm beginning to understand where these scientists are coming from.
The issue is political
I have noticed that many articles about the Jupiter project miss the whole reason these scientists are doing what they're doing. Many of the articles emphasize that the proposed Jupiter design claims to be "safer" and "cheaper", which is true. But if all these scientists had was a safer and cheaper design, would that be sufficient cause to risk losing their job over? Nobody is doubting that NASA is capable of building a safe and operational rocket, that can do everything they have outlined it to do. The real issue is political. These 57 scientists strongly believe that if NASA were to go the direction they are going now, and then lose political backing half-way through, then America would end up losing much of our space program's infrastructure that is in place today. We would be set back to the days prior to the Space Shuttle!
The original plan of the Ares project was to reuse tried-and-true technologies in a new form so to be a new and more capable rocket then we've had before. However, it hasn't happened quite like that. The Ares design today is much different than the Space Shuttle, and uses many technologies which are new or still in development. It's different enough that many aspects of the current shuttle, such as the shuttle launch-pads, manufacturing processes, etc., in addition to the skills and knowledge of experienced engineers on these topics, will all be replaced. If at the point of transition political backing was lost, that is where so much would be lost. Also realizing that these changes are causing the completion date of Ares to be pushed all the way to 2015, and realizing that Ares requires the development of two rockets, not just one, the chance of losing political backing is too big for comfort.
Instead, these rouge scientists have come up with an alternate plan. They propose to do what we were going to do in the first place -- stick with what we have: the space shuttle parts that already have established designs and fabrication plants and experienced engineers to support them. Use those parts and build us a rocket that does the exact same thing as Ares! And we'll build ONE rocket which can fulfill the purpose that the two Ares rockets fill, cutting development costs even further. These scientists have a preliminary design, and have named their concept "Jupiter". Yes, not only is it a bit safer, but the important thing is that it'll be developed faster and with smaller development cost, thus having a far greater chance of being completed within the timeframe of political support! In addition, it offers to maintain the vast majority of the current infrastructure of engineers, manufacturing facilities, launch pads, and other important parts of the space program. It also offers to do with one general rocket design what the Ares project intends to do with two. All in all it has a far greater chance of overcoming political hurtles.
**
More and more people need to know about this project, because for the good of our country's space program, this proposal deserves a full-fledged review by NASA. So far it has only received an unofficial review, and in some cases NASA is simply ignoring it. Maybe NASA knows what they're doing, and for reasons unknown to the outside public there are better reasons to stay with Ares. But on the other hand, maybe NASA just doesn't want to lose face when their much-publicized Ares project is abandoned! Either way, the answer will only become apparent after a full official review. After so much work, unpaid, and putting their own jobs on the line, these scientists deserve it.
Spread the word!
Link to News Article about the Jupiter Project
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