Body Worlds 3

Eric and I went to The Leonardo on Sunday to see the Body Worlds 3 display. I would say that if you get the chance to see this, do it! It was fantastic to see how the body, muscles, bones, ligaments and everything else under your skin works together. It reminded me a lot of my anatomy class.

Some people find it a bit creepy due to the fact that the bodies are real. But they have gone through a plastination process for preservation purposes. You can look on wikipedia for more on that process. It wasn't creepy. Far from it.
There were four things that REALLY stood out for me in the exhibit:

1. The lungs - one display had non-smoker's lungs next to smoker's lungs and when you walked up, there was no doubt which was which.
We saw the lungs with emphysema and there is no wonder why people suffering from it cannot breathe.

2. The Brain - post stroke. I couldn't find a good picture of this specifically, but it was incredible to see what happens inside the brain after the hemorrhage! And it makes sense why the body suffers and struggles to gain mobility.

3. The Heart - healthy hearts verses a heart a with pace maker or valve replacement or post heart attack heart. It's incredible to think about all that the heart does to keep us moving...how much blood is pumped through the body in a day. Maybe my interest stemmed because my grandma had the pace maker and other heart issues, but I found it very interesting.

4. The fetus display - I opted NOT to put pictures of this in this blog entry. It was fascinating to see the growth represented. From 5 weeks all the way to 32 weeks. I found it oddly sobering to be in this area of the display. All of the other displays were fascinating and I soaked it up, but I struggled a bit through this area. Maybe because Eric and I want a family of our own and it was weird to see this.

As a whole, I think the money is WELL worth the expense to see the human body in this fashion. I loved learning more about the body than I did in anatomy - which is strange.

And I am SO much more motivated to put my own body back in shape - the body works SO HARD when it's healthy and ever so much harder when it's not.

There is a lot of controversy regarding how the bodies were obtained. I researched it and found that all bodies were donated - all had to include a death certificate and signed authorization. Any body that did not have both, was cremated. As a side note, there are 9,000 donors lined up for this display in the future.
All in all, it's worth it. See it if you get the chance!

Presidential Debate #1

Many around the United States and around the world watched as Barack Obama and John McCain had their first true squaring off moment on Friday night. I won't go into all the details of my thoughts as I watched because if you want to know what was said, you can go and watch it and form your own opinions.
I do, however, want to share my thoughts on one thing that stood out for me (as it did for many): What was John McCain doing?
I was shocked at his general demeanor and truly disappointed by his obvious lack of respect, not only for his opponent, but for the millions of AMERICAN supporters - both his own supporters and Obama's. About ten minutes into watching the debates I became enraged by his body language. He didn't look at Barack Obama EVEN ONCE - even when shaking his hand! In fact on a couple of occasions, he turned his back on him.
I thought: How can he claim to be this maverick who stands up to his opposition and then stand at this debate and not look his opponent in the eyes!? Is this how he'll lead, if God forbid, he gets elected? Of course it is. He's already made multiple statements that he plans on keeping this war alive - he doesn't have to sit down AND TALK with the opposition if he's bombing them and sending other people's kids into needless battles. THIS IS HOW HE WANTS TO LEAD!
Even when shaking his hand, McCain didn't look at Obama

Here are the results of a CNN poll conducted on Friday night immediately following the debate:
Who did the best job tonight?
Barack: 51
McCain: 38

Who would better handle Iraq?
Barack: 52
McCain: 47

Who would better handle the economy?
Barack: 58
McCain: 37

For a GOOD summary of the debate go to Time Magazine’s summary

As to the "facts" thrown out by each candidate, you can look for yourself on a couple of sites:
As the debates were playing out, the NY Times kept the true facts up and running. As a candidate made a statement, they would post the facts about it.
OR
Another great resource to help keep the facts straight is Fact Checker

For my fellow Utah residents, if you want to know what's on the ballot, Utah.gov will allow you to enter your name and zip code and you will see your polling station AND your ballot. In addition, it will allow you to see the statements made by candidates and their web sites. I encourage all voters to do their homework before heading to the polls.
Here’s the ballot I’ll see in November

Sold!

Yes! Yes! Yes!
22 minutes of a fantastic speech of Obama's plan!

Be sure to catch the first debate this coming Friday night (9/26/08).

Yes! Yes! Yes!
Loved this guy!! He handles the 'interviewer' so well and he's only 19 years old!

and Heroes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Loved it!
Fans have waited so long for the next big step and we got it last night! What is up with Peter-from-the-future? Will Peter from the current world find his way out of that evil man's body? And more than that, will he have that man's powers? Hey, and what are those powers? Will Claire be able to feel her body or will she go all psycho-killer? A what is up with Mohinder? Is he changing into an animal? He's definitely changing, but into what? And my personal favorite big question: What about Sylar???

My mom came over for dinner and joined me and Eric for our Heroes Season 3 opener. I hope we make that a weekly habit for three reasons:
1. Heroes is a great show!
2. Mom makes for good company
3. Mom makes and brings good food

American Blackout Trailer

Have you ever thought about how you would feel if your vote wasn't counted?

I have been registered to vote since I was 18 years old. My first election came in my 19th year - 1992. This is the election where George Bush Sr lost to Bill Clinton. As a young, naive, truly uninformed voter, I felt an unexplained obligation to vote Republican...I believed the hype - that the republican party is somehow the more righteous of the two parties - that it was the "right" thing to do. How wrong I now know I was.

Since that election, there has not been one where I haven't read up on the candidates and followed the debates closely. With each election, I've become more aware of my own politics and become more involved. As an American citizen I know that it is my right to vote, it is my duty to vote and how disinfranchized I would feel if I were ever to find out that my vote didn't get counted. Now, some might argue that a vote for a democrat in the state of Utah doesn't count, but to that I say this: the day WILL come when this red state turns to a yellow then blue state. I look forward to that day when REAL conversations happen here. Believe it or not, it's a lot closer a race here than it has ever been.

That all said, I was angered and re-energized toward action by the trailer for American Blackout; it revisits the 2000 and 2004 elections where so many voters (mostly Black voters) were either turned away from their polling stations or their votes were simply not counted. More than that, I was shocked and outraged by the response from the Senate and House (shown near the end of this video clip). How can our elected officials not care? Republican, Democrat, Independent, we ALL matter! We should all be counted.

Watch the entire video. It's well worth the time and I hope that you, too, feel the call to greater action in defending our American right to vote - EVERY American regardless of race, skin color, religion or party affiliation should be heard and counted!


Frankly, after watching, I hope you feel that something needs to be done. What state will it be this election? Who's vote won't be counted this time? What if it's you? How would you feel? What would you do? What action would you expect your elected officials to take?

In an election year where there is so much at stake, when we are struggling in our economy due to an arrogant and careless president, it's time to stand up against that oppressiveness and be counted. It's time to know the issues - what each candidate actually stands for...and not just the party or the looks of the candidates.

You know who I want as my next president. I have already become actively involved in the campaigning and will continue to do so until Election Day. One thing I love that Obama has done, is actually lay out his plan on a variety of issues. He's taken the time to formulate a plan. Want to know where he stands on universal healthcare, you can read up on the specifics. How nice is that?
click here for Obama's main page.

I've become a big fan of the blog Think on These Things

AND I'm now infatuated with the Obama staff due to this video - which is so cute!!


I think that's all I have to say tonight. Truly, there is so much more to say, but I'll stop there for now.

Saturday Night Live Palin/Clinton Skit

I loved this!!! Tina Fey did such a fantastic job!! If you haven't seen it, enjoy!

A Heroes Lover At Heart

One of my favorite TV shows will be premiering the 3rd season on September 22 and I couldn't be more excited.

Eric and I stumbled onto the show by accident and have been in love with it since.
This is one trailer:


Another Season 3 Trailer: Villains


Here's the preview for Season 3:


I can't express how excited I am to watch this on my HD TV with my HD Cable!
I guess you all know where I'll be on the evening of September 22....glued to my TV.

Lipstick Jungle

There's been so much sexism talk in the news and in both parties. It's not new talk, of course, it was seen when Hillary Clinton was a candidate.

The big statement this week was the lipstick on a pig comment made by Obama:


Is he the first to use this comment?

Nope. Let's take a look.

McCain made the same comment in reference to Hillary Clinton - it's the same comment and it's in reference to a woman candidate.
Time Magazine wrote this:
"While campaigning in Iowa in October 2007, Senator John McCain used the popular expression to criticize Hillary Clinton's revamped health care plan, arguing that it wasn't much different from the one she unsuccessfully pushed in 1993. "I think they put some lipstick on the pig, but it's still a pig," he said. McCain brought up the phrase again in May of this year to describe Clinton's health care plan at a town hall in Denver: "I don't like to use this term, but the latest proposal I see is putting lipstick on a pig," he said."


Let's look back even further, shall we? Here's one from Dick Cheney:


So what does it mean?
Wikipedia gives us this:
"Putting lipstick on a pig" is a slang rhetorical expression, used to convey the message that making superficial or cosmetic changes is a futile attempt to disguise the true nature of a product."

So do I think that Obama's comment was meant as a sexist comment about Palin? I don't. Obama went on to say that McCain will be like President Bush: a fish put in a newspaper will still stink after eight years. Not exactly sexist...really it is what it is: A reference indicating that dressing up Bush's policy is still Bush's policy...no matter how much you dress it up.

Let's have a look at the republican candidate's own sexism. In addition to the "lipstick on a pig" comment made in reference to Hillary Cliniton (which wasn't sexist unless it applies to Palin), it seems that McCain is rather fond of his new running mate: near the end of the video, Sarah Palin looks a bit uncomfortable. But the question remains: what is he looking at? It looks very much like he's checking her out from behind. A bit sexist? You be the judge. Watch his lips about half way through the video. His lips mouth the word "Damn." It's her ass he's looking at. (Thanks to Eric for noticing.) As my cousin, Tyler, put it: he's a dirty old man.


The last point I want to discuss, is one of McCain's approved ads regarding Obama's desire to teach your kindergarten children all about sex. The ad says: "...Obama's one accomplishment? Legislation to teach comprehensive sex education to kindergartners. Learning about sex before learning to read? Barack Obama. Wrong on education..." and, of course, John McCain approves the message.


1. Obama was not the sponsor of this bill
2. Obama was not a co-sponsor of this bill
3. This bill did not pass
4. factcheck.org shows that this bill would have allowed for "age appropriate" material - and parents could opt out.
5. The education was to teach children about inappropriate touching by another person.

Happy Birthday to Eric

Tomorrow is Eric's Bday and I'm excited to give him his present....I, of course, can't say what it is, but I know he will be surprise and very happy with it.

I saw that it was delivered to the house today so I might (might) let him open it today to help aleviate some of the pain for losing Tom Brady to a knee injury in yesterday's game. So disappointing and we hope for a speedy recovery.

So to Eric I say:

Oh, McCain, McCain, McCain...

The Republican Convention is over (thank all the powers that be). I watched various parts of the convention and speeches with interest. I was looking for answers to the SAME questions I had while watching the Democratic Convention. In fairness, I decided to list some of my thoughts as I watched the Republican Convention this week. There's been so much buzz around Sarah Palin and I would say that it's exactly what the McCain camp and Republicans wanted: A distraction.

I should preface all that I have to say herein with this:
1. I have never voted based on party lines - that is a blind vote.
2. I always read up on the candidates and vote for the one I feel most closely represents my views, regardless of party. I have voted for a republican representative in the same election that I've voted for a democratic one.
3. I consider myself to be moderately liberal-conservative (a bit of an oxymoron, I know).
4. As recently as a year ago, I was willing to throw all my support behind McCain because I believed he was willing and able to cross party lines. I have since seen a new side to McCain, and I DON'T like it. I have been especially disappointed by his demeanor and tactics and "plan."
5. As recently as five months ago, I knew little about Obama and decided I needed to read up on him and his plan. I was pleasantly surprised.
6. I watched both conventions looking for answers to SPECIFIC questions regarding each candidate's plan so I can compare them to my own thoughts and expectations.
7. Neither party is closer to Godliness than the other; neither has a corner on the market on morals, religious values, family values or prayer. And really, it's a moot point since both sides break with their morals and values with relative ease.
8. My choice has become clear (and is displayed proudly on this blog). Based on what I heard in the conventions and days leading up to them, and by reading articles in reputable news articles and the candidates own websites, I have found who I want to lead us into they kind of changes I can support.
9. Watching both conventions boosted the strength in my position.

Knowing all that, let's evaluate the Republican Convention, shall we?

Tuesday, September 2
Speakers of interest:
Fred Thompson

Good Point: "we know that we live in the freest, strongest, most generous and prosperous nation in the history of the world and we're thankful for that."
Missed the Point: "Listening to them (the democrats), you'd think that we were in the middle of a Great Depression, that we're down, disrespected, incapable of prevailing against challenges that face us."
Final Impression: A lot of claims that McCain is great but no specific examples of that greatness in bi-partisanship.
A lot of dripping sarcasm and bully-like comments that were also unsubstantiated. Specifically the claim that Obama doesn't have enough experience (like you need to look further than Palin, but, let's do look further). Obama has 12 years under his belt in elected office - that's more than our current president had when he went into office...more than President Carter and President Lincoln each had. So let's not put that up as if it's the ONLY factor to consider.

Joe Lieberman:
blah! I didn't like this man when he was Al Gore's running mate.
I liked NOTHING about his speech. Frankly I was disappointed that Guiliani was moved to another day.
He reminds me of Ben Stein, "Bueller, Bueller, Bueller" - that's what he reminded me of when he was the DEMOCRATIC vice presidential candidate and nothing has changed.
If you are reviewing any of the speeches from the week, skip this one.

Wednesday, September 3
Speakers of interest:

Mitt Romney
Where to start...where to start.....wait, what?
I've met Mitt Romney. I liked him. He did a phenomenal job here in Utah with the budget issues and with his help, the 2002 Winter Olympics were a hit. Unlike most host cities, we came out ahead financially...He worked hard to make it a profitable Olympics.
Since that time, he's flip flopped on issues to gain votes and support. He hasn't stayed true to himself or any issue. During his run for governor he stood in one place on gun control and abortion...he flopped from that stance once he became a serious contender for the republican nomination.
His speech was full of rhetoric (not that it's any different than most politicians). He made a lot of points about lowering taxes and anti big government - but this comes on the heals of a president who has increased our country's debt significantly AND who increased the size of the government. One of the most serious contradictions throughout the convention was that no one seemed to agree where the mortgage crisis fits into the economy....some of the speakers acknowledged there is a crisis and others denied that people are losing their homes by the dozens.
Over all, if you didn't catch this speech, you aren't missing much. I was disappointed by his speech.

Rudy Giuliani
America's biggest and bestest and brightest shining star and he's called "America's mayor." I've seen him speak in person and was moved by his thoughts and stories. I like him as a person, he always seems so personable. He was the perfect person to put on before Sarah Palin.

Good points: "Every four years, we are told that this Presidential election is the most important election of our lifetime. This year - 2008 - IS the most important. This has already been historic. It is the longest Presidential campaign in history. And it sometimes felt even longer."

"'We the people' - the citizens of the United States - get to decide our next president...not the media, not Hollywood celebrities, not anyone else."

Missed Points: The classic "POW card" - similar to the"race card," it's meant to make the people feel guilty and that they owe John McCain the presidency...that he has earned it by being a POW. Sorry, but we don't owe you that. We heard the story from nearly EVERY speaker. Got it. Done. Let's get to something real.

What I liked the most: he was the only one to really talk about what John McCain wants to do. He was short of specifics, though, and that was disappointing. I also didn't like that suddenly the new slogan is "change" and "shake things up"....what? since when?
Over all, he gave a tremendously strong and powerful speech and it deserves the time to read it or listen to it. Of course, I don't agree with his points, but I like that he was more specific than all the previous speakers had been.

Sarah Palin
My assessment: she was the strongest speaker all week....she out shined John McCain and became his attack dog. Be careful that we don't make the same mistake as with President Bush and fight the veep rather than the man himself.

I like that she told her story.

Good Point: "I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.
Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests."

"No one expects us to agree on everything. But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and a servant's heart."

"I also drive myself to work. And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef - although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her."

Missed Point: "And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people."
Fact: She was able to lower property taxes because there had been a tax increase on groceries.
Fact: When she became mayor, her little town was 100% debt free. When she left office, the debt had increased by 33%.
Fact: She line-item vetoed a law that would have given financial assistance to single teen moms.
Fact: She line-item vetoed to cut funding to special education programs by nearly 40%
Fact: Even with all that, she has an 80% approval rating in her state (apparently it's dropped some insignificant amount in the last week). Her state likes her.

"While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for. That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay." Great idea, but it didn't sell...In the end, I don't care about this one way or another, I just thought it was misleading.

Overall: This was an incredibly strong tongue lashing to the media and the democrats. If she wrote it, praises to her because it was incredible and powerful. And like I said, she out shined McCain by a long shot. I've read so much about her in the last week (good and bad), and she's frighteningly right wing...frankly she scares me to death. She hides her evil behind a pretty face and a lovely smile.

Last, but not least, regarding community organizers: as I read in one blog - "let us not forget, Jesus was a community organizer" (not that I'd EVER compare ANY politician, including my Obama, to my Savior...but I thought it was funny.)


Thursday, September 4
Speakers of interest:
Jon Huntsman spoke but I didn't read it or listen to it. I like him...he is our governor...I voted for him...and I think he's done a fine job here. BUT, I wasn't interested in his thoughts on McCain.

John McCain:
I went in, wanting to hear the specifics of his plan...the same questions I had for Obama. I was gravely disappointed. There was NOT one mention of a specific plan....lots of words like "shake things up" but I want to know HOW! In what way? Be specific!

"And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming." okay, tell me what you mean. You've been there for 26 years - TWENTY SIX YEARS!

POW or not, you are now part of the very essence of what you pretend to condemn.

"We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network; from the way we train our workers to the way we educate our children. ... We have to catch up to history, and we have to change the way we do business in Washington"

What? What have you been doing with President Bush for the last eight years? Oh, I know, I know: supporting him on nearly every move he makes and NOW you want to play maverick and change your mind? And again I ask, where are your specifics?

And the last thing I want to say about this is: I sure am tired of that POW card...It's not that I don't think he was tortured or that he suffered tremendously because he's an American. I know that I would not be able to endure it and I am grateful for the military who stands tall to help defend our great nation....BUT, enough! We've heard it. We've been on the guilt trip before; with ever speaker, in fact. Let's move on.

Give me credit! Don't tell me to look at your character. I have. And I don't like it...multiple affairs? The republicans condemned John Kerry four years ago because he married an heiress and signed a prenup? Sound familiar? It's EXACTLY John McCain's story, so where's the liberal media on that?

Let's take a look at the difference in the tax plans of Obama and McCain:
(this was in the Washington Post)

This is something real! Tangible! Our future!

Yup! Looks familiar! Garsh! That's because McCain's plan looks startlingly like President Bush's plan.

The last thing I want to say isn't about McCain or Obama. It's in reference to those fabulous radio and TV hosts who just love to contradict themselves in the most self righteous ways. It's shocking that a comedian has to make these comparisons, and really goes to prove that our media is NOT, in fact, as biased as republicans think or this would have been produced by them.

You know, there is so much untrustworthiness about Palin - she's scary and she grossly misrepresents herself. I know it's not her lone corner on the market. I'm sure I will join the chorus of other bloggers in the next few weeks as we all join in against her and McCain....and I still say it: Can't wait for the debates! I hope Obama and Biden fight - fight fair but fight hard.

We Can Solve It

My evaluation of the Republican Convention IS coming (tonight), but I wanted to post a video that I stumbled upon - one, I'm sure you may have already seen.