http://beehivestandardweekly.com en-us http://beehivestandardweekly.com N/A rgraham@lawyerswest.net Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:37:07 PDT 20 http://beehivestandardweekly.com/blogs/8/Graham-Stand----Excommunicated-Mormon-Not-Telling-the-Whole-Story Man Excommunicated from LDS Church for Taking Pictures?Being excommunicated from the Mormon Church is not as easy as it may appear. Additionally, taking a few pictures of half-dressed missionaries would normally not qualify a person for the privilege. This is why the recent story of a man from Las Vegas being excommunicated for taking pictures of half-dressed return missionaries for a calendar makes one curious as to what is not being discussed in the media.It is not surprising that Chad Hardy, the photographer in question, has not been active since 2001. There are apparently many issues in his personal life that have not been exposed by church leaders that are more likely the cause for his forced departure from the Mormon faith. Neither Hardy, nor the religious leaders have commented on what the other issues may be; however, it is clear that he is not repentant regarding his role in the calendar expose.The message of the Mormon Church of fidelity and chastity is central to their mission. The calendar in question mixes a message of infidelity and loose morals with a religious message.  Frankly, it sounds like an enterprise one would expect to arise out of a city like Las Vegas.  The message to the world is "don't judge me because I'm a male stripper -- I love God too."To be honest, the calendar is not pornographic from the perspective of an average person, but the mix of messages is not what a member of the Mormon faith should be promoting as it is a mix of vinegar and water.Hardy was likely excommunicated for failing to humbly recognize the error of his ways and for other issues in his life that have not been disclosed. As a good example as to why there are other things likely "at issue" other than just the calendar, one only needs to look at the models who were also called in for "a chat."  No disciplinary action was taken against these half-clad men. More than likely, they recognized that such mixed messages were not the way to preach the gospel of Christ and had no other issues outstanding.Hardy was honorable in not condemning the Church for taking the actions it did. Hardy wants to make a few dollars on his calendar and needs some time away from the Church to work on some other moral issues. The Church needs to protect its core mission.  We wish Mr. Hardy well and hope he will eventually see that you can be in the world, but you don't have to take your shirt off to preach the gospel. Rob Graham Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://beehivestandardweekly.com/blogs/7/Graham-Stand July 9, 2008Iran and Israel Conflict a Danger to Us AllWith the recent testing of long-range missiles, Iran has announced to the world that it is enemy number one.  North Korea has politely handed the crown over in search of food. Now Iran, with all of its oil and radicalized Muslims, has one objective -- to rule the middle east.Make no mistake about it, the Persians are back in business.  What this means to the world is that we have allowed a mouse to grow into an elephant.If Iran were a peaceful country, we would not have as much fear. If Iran were India, for example, we would know that democracy would prevail over ideology. Even if Iran were Pakistan, we would know that a strong military dedicated to peace and capitalism would keep the president's finger off the red button.In Iran, however, we have no such guarantees. It is a wicked theocracy that uses religion as a means to control the behavior and beliefs of its people. Of course, without nuclear arms and military might, Iran is a terrible country in economic and social terms.  It beats its citizens, puts them in brutal jails for saying anything out of line, suppresses any language that could be deemed as contrary to the ruling party, punishes and suppresses women because they are women, and tries without any success, to control commerce.There is nothing wrong with being proud of your country. Pride, however, from Iranians, must now include so many corrupt concepts ingrained in their society that one must question one's patriotism to the father land in balance with the realities of such an evil government. Iran is filthy from the bottom up.  Though many of the people in Iran are unable to change the regime, they cannot wait for the world to do it for them. If the world steps in, it will be the destruction of the entire civilization, e.g., Iraq Conflict.It is time that the rank-and-file Iranians wake up and realize that they are walking down a path of ultimate destruction.  If they persist in their path, the famines of North Korea and the complete destruction of their civilization like what has happened in Iraq is obviously in their future.The western world, with its democracies and capitalism will not long stand for the interruption of Iran in the Middle East.  There is too much at stake. Iran accounts for nearly 25% of the world's oil supply.  Of course, it sells its cheap oil to China. As oil continues to spike, even China must be concerned whether the current regime and backward mentality of Iran is working in its best interest.Iran has made a decision that it does not need the rest of the world in order to succeed. It believes it can be isolated and can enforce its isolation with nuclear weapons.  At the same time, the isolation is not entirely isolated in terms of what Iran wants to accomplish.  Iran wants to continue to destabilize its neighbors in order to avoid any competitors in the neighborhood. It is this interference within other nations that is most troubling.In essence, Iran is broadcasting a message to the world that it will cause chaos and conflict in all neighboring countries while at the same time developing nuclear capabilities so the world will leave Iran alone.The real reason for their actions of anarchy is to take the focus off of the target. Their population is hurting financially. A sizable 25% of their youth are unemployed, with no prospects. Inflation is running out of control. Common food is becoming more and more scarce, e.g., rice. It does not have a bread basket farming region and as such is increasingly reliant upon other nations to provide its citizens with the essentials they demand day-to-day.Ultimately, the people of Iran need to overthrow what amounts to a propaganda machine that looks like a government. Their religious leaders need to step aside and run the religious aspects of the nation as a non-political entity. The division of religion from politics in Iraq has worked well over decades and serves as a good model for Iran. Of course, giving up the reigns of power to a more secular government will ultimately result in the decrease of influence over the people of Iran.  In short, the religious leaders cannot give up the reigns of power because without control of the government and military it is doubtful that they would or could retain a loyal body of Pilgrims. Without power and might, the religion would fail miserably.  No one would follow the extreme religious doctrines that call for the beating of people simply because their heads are not properly covered or as a result of speaking out against an antiquated culture that has little practical use or application in the modern world.The religious concepts adhered to by Iran's supreme leaders is untenable in today's world and they know this simple fact. Without absolute control, they would loose their subjects absolutely. Clearly, there would always be a pocket of radicals willing to put on a headscarf and waive a rifle, but the rank-and-file Iranian citizen isn't willing to follow such extreme views or lifestyles.The citizens of Iran are loyal to their nation, but ultimately are not loyal to their politicians. Fortunately, they are smart enough to understand that Iran is going down a very bad path and it is being led down this path by a religion that does not allow for any alternative views.The uprising is coming. I can sense it.  The more Iranian leaders must pound their chest and showcase their wares of war, the more I believe that they are loosing control in the streets.  Of course, the next battle is likely to take place in the streets as the leaders try their hardest to keep control of a population more and more unwilling to accept their leadership as currently constituted.If the population doesn't rise up and demand real fundamental change, then the future of Iran can be read in the history books of other nations too bold and too cowardly to face real change. It is always the pride before the fall. When the fall comes, it is always a disaster for the people of the country. The people are always the ones to suffer as a result of wicked leaders. The suffer during the reign of terror and they suffer after when the leaders are forcibly removed. It is always the most dark just before the dawn of a new age. Rob Graham Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://beehivestandardweekly.com/blogs/6/America-Needs-to-Rely-on-Compressed-Natural-Gas THE PRICE OF FUELThe regulations regarding emissions for compressed natural gas and propane conversion kits for diesel and standard gas engines need to be immediately removed or trimmed back. This would create an immediate reduction in price for the kits and result in a significant reduction in petroleum in the southwest where CNG is readily available and cheap.  CNG is only .87 cents a gallon in Utah and Oklahoma.Wake up America. The gas companies have created artificial barriers to entry to alternative fuels to prevent cross-over use.  As we speak there are conversion kits on the market that can decrease emissions for diesel engines, increase performance by 20% on these same engines and increase gas mileage by nearly 50%.  Yes -- that's right. I have personally tested the conversion kit on a Ford 250 diesel and these results are documented.  To add insult to injury (to the gas companies), the fuel cost was .87 cents a gallon. HELLO, HELLO IS ANYONE LISTENING!!!This is technology that works now.  The manufacturers of vehicles cannot use these kits because the barriers to entry into the market are significant.  It can take up to two years to get a device approved by the EPA as well as up to $200,000 per vehicle model, per engine.  That is millions and millions of dollars for technology that improves emissions, mileage and costs less -- significantly less -- than petrol.SHHHHH. DON'T TELL ANYONE.CNG is ALL domestic.  It is a by-product of coal production -- another ALL domestic fuel source.  They can't get rid of the stuff fast enough to mine the coal. It is also renewable as it is a by-product of GARBAGE.ARE WE REALLY THIS STUPID IN AMERICA?The oil companies have no interest in CNG because it is a competative fuel that doesn't use their infrastructure, e.g., those big, expensive ships that import foreign oil. CNG is controlled in the most part by domestic companies.  How much do oil companies despise CNG?  Drive by a refinery and look at what is burning at the top of the smokestack.  That would be natural gas -- also a by-product of oil production.  They don't want it and they don't want to catch it to supply Americans with an additional source of energy that would compete with their oil products.PLEASE PEOPLE, LISTEN!Let's take that SUV that you have that is sitting in the driveway.  Assuming it is a diesel, you could be getting twice the mileage at half the cost (or less) and 20% more power to pull that RV.  But don't tell the environmentalists because they don't want you to justify your driving about in such big rigs.  Consider the savings, however, to the trucking industry that ships our food across country.  Do you want your food prices to come down? Let them convert over to CNG.  They would do it in a second if they had a clear path to conversion and no hurdles to jump over.The cost of conversion is about $6,000, but that would come down with mass production, which could occur overnight.  On a big rig or an expensive SUV that cost could be absorbed.  Given the lower cost of fuel and increased gas mileage, the cost can be recaptured within a single year.Another potential problem is the number of refueling stations.  Most major cities have many different spots to refuel, however, it would have to be a major priority to install these units at major refueling spots across the nation.  Each refueling station costs between $150,000 to $500,000.  Home units cost about $4,000.00.That may sound steep, but the cost of putting in a new gas station can be five times that cost.  Refueling stations sit above ground.  Liquid CNG is brought in by the local natural gas company and the unit converts the LCNG to CNG using decompression.  LCNG is highly compressed to reduce the space necessary to store the fuel.  CNG is readily available at most homes in the southwest.  The home units could be easily financed over 3-5 years.  The home units take 4 hours to refuel a vehicle.  Commercial stops are pressurized and take the same amount of time as a regular refueling station for gas.The long and short of it:We need to use CNG in the southwest.  Demand would drop dramatically for gas, creating a surplus in the U.S. that would significantly reduce the price of gas nationally.  That is a win-win situation. So President Bush (oil man), let's act for the national interest (consumers) and make an executive order suspending regulations on CNG and Propane conversion kits -- at least for diesel engines -- for the peiod of five years for any device installed within one year.  You can have the order expire in one year, but by then the results will be in and America will have buried the oil industry (your buddies).As a Republican, I am appauled that the President would ignore the obvious.  The CNG industry obviously doesn't have his home number.  Exxon does. Too bad for his "legacy" that he will put America's interests behind those of his friends.  This isn't about drilling in Alaska, it is about using the resouces sitting in front of our faces.Shame on you Mr. Bush. Rob Graham Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://beehivestandardweekly.com/blogs/5/Terror-Profiling-by-the-New-World-Order Editor's Note: Recently, Associate Press writer Lara Jakes Jordan wrote an article entitled "Profiling a Terror Tool?." This opinion article is written in response. By Jonathan H. Westover I hope that the general populous is very concerned with the Justice Department's efforts to extend the role of the FBI from primarily a federal crime fighting agency, to an intelligence collection agency.  Even more worrisome is the new effort to "root out terrorists before they strike" by making a concerted effort at profiling those of Muslim and Arab race/ethnicity.  The suggested profiling factors include: (1) travel to regions of the world known for terrorist activity, (2) access to weapons or military training, and (3) the person's race or ethnicity.  Given this suggested profiling criteria, an Arab-American who serves in the U.S. military and wants to travel to the Middle East to visit relatives, would be subjected to an investigation as a terrorist, with no other probable cause or evidence whatsoever.  What about this person's civil liberties and constitutional rights?  Are we prepared to just throw them out the window?  Some would argue that if there is nothing to hide, the subject party would have no problem being under surveillance or investigation, but that is an easy position to take when you are not the minority group that is being targeted.  We must be vigilant in sustaining and upholding the rights and liberties for which so many brave men and women have fought, even when faced with the modern threat of terrorism. Jonathan H. Westover Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://beehivestandardweekly.com/blogs/4/Politico-Says-Romney-Is-McCain%26%2339%3Bs-Top-VP-Choice July 4, 2008ROMNEY'S VP RUNPolitico.com reports that Mitt Romney heads the list of potential VP candidates for John McCain. The only potential problem is the bad blood that developed between the two during the primary campaign.This sounds more like John McCain's ego getting in the way. Romney conceded defeat and did what every role player with the Republican party is supposed to do when it appears they will only hurt the leading candidate by continuing to run. Romney didn't do a "Hilary" by staying in the campaign even when it was obvious he wouldn't win.Romney was right about the economy going into the tank. If Huckster hadn't drawn votes away from Romney, he would have been the candidate of choice for the south. People didn't know him as well back then, but they are regretting their votes for the Huckster now.Romney is the putative choice for 2012 which means McCain would be wise to put him on the ticket and give it a go with the business turn-around expert. How exactly would Obama counter?  He has no one the equal to Romney on the economy. With a McCain-Romney ticket we get both national defense and economic leadership.Certainly, we get a chunk of the midwest and some of the northeast in Michigan and Massachusetts. We also get Florida, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, most of the south, Montana, etc.Republicans would then also be very competitive in New York and California and would likely take the states of Oregon and Washington.It is the economy stupid.  If we had it to do again, Romney would be on the top of the ticket and McCain would be off the map.If McCain chooses someone else -- someone undeserving who hasn't paid their dues, he will lose most of the southwest, Michigan and Massachusetts. He can't spare that many states in what would then be a very difficult battle.The focus of a McCain-Romney ticket would be to revitalize the industrial and manufacturing base.  That strikes at the heart of Obama's campaign as he could not win over this group of Democrats. The unions can endorse all that they want, but the heart and soul would go to McCain-Romney. Obama cannot win without that base.Message to McCain:  Be a Maverick and choose the Mormon businessman. He will dominate the VP debate and bring conservative values and image back to the Republicans. Even more important, he will re-engergize the base -- something McCain needs desparately. Rob Graham Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PDT