Saturday, April 13, 2013

Why Are You a Democrat?

I have a lot of really awesome friends who claim to be Democrats. So, help me out with this guys, because I can’t wrap my head around it. The people in San Francisco are trying to pass a law to ban circumcision. These are the same Liberals who claim the right to have Pro-choice laws allowing women to kill their babies in their wombs. You can’t have it both ways. Do we have the choice to kill our babies, but not have the choice to circumcise our baby boys?

So, my question to you is: Why are you a Democrat? I’d dead serious. What are the reasons you support and vote for Democrat politicians? I know there is a difference between a Democrat and a Liberal. If you group all Liberal causes into one giant tent of “Democrat”, how can you justify the double standards and juxtaposition of opposites? I’m not being facetious; I’m really trying to understand this. Here are some of the things I’m hung up on:

Women’s Rights/Homosexual Rights/Muslin Rights/Jewish Rights: Wow, where do I start? Is it okay with the women’s rights activists that the Muslims treat their women like dirt? Is it okay to the homosexuals that Muslims kill homosexuals? Is it okay with the Jews that the Muslims want to wipe them off the map? Is it okay with the Jews that the politicians in San Francisco want to ban a religious practice that goes back to the Old Testament? They’re all Liberal causes…yet they all contradict one another! I don’t get it!

Separation of Church and State: In some parts of the country, the courts are allowing Muslims to practice Sharia Law, but won’t allow a young child to bow his head and silently say a prayer over his school lunch. There is also a section in the new ObamaCare health care law allowing Muslims to claim an exemption from all regulations within the law based on religious freedom.

Health Care in America: Okay, this one deserves a whole blog post in and of itself. Sticking with the topic of exemptions from regulations, this CBS news story shows how at least 1,000 waivers have been granted to companies and organizations who have claimed that they will not be able to stay in business if they are forced to abide by these regulations! If they can’t afford it, how are we supposed to? I’m not going to even think further about all the atrocities that this law is bringing upon our country. My ranting and frustrations will go on for several pages.

Taxes or Salary Cuts: The Democrats in Congress (and in the Obama Administration) are quick to try to raise taxes in the name of raising “revenue” but go crazy with anger if any union-run company/organization/public administration jobs need to make any cuts. Recently in Michigan (where I live), the congress and Snyder Administration have passed laws that will cut government salaries by 5%. Okay, so here’s my confusion: If I make $50,000 and my current tax rate is raised by 5%, I will pay an additional $2,500. If I make that same $50,000 and the company/organization/government I work for lowers my salary by 5%, my salary goes down by $2,500. Either way, the amount of money that comes into my home is reduced by $2,500. How is that any different? Any time the government wants to raise our taxes, they threaten to lay off police/fire fighters/prison guards/teachers which causes the people to jump up and say “No, no! Please don’t take away our essential services! Raise our taxes instead!” The government officials never consider cutting “non-essential” programs to balance the budget instead. Don’t get me started on this!

Jobs or Profits: The Administration keeps telling companies to “start hiring”, yet they also continue to make the word “profit” a four-letter word. How exactly would you like a company to hire workers if they are not allowed to make a profit? Also, how will the stocks for those companies go up if they are not allowed to make a profit? Also, how can companies stay in business when there are so many regulations that they can’t keep up? Also, the tax laws keep changing, making the owners of companies unsure about the future.

Punish the Rich: Boy am I glad I’m not rich! Then you’d hate me too! Why should a person not be allowed to be rich? If I work hard and create wealth for myself, why should I be punished for working? If Liberals call for welfare reform, does that mean that they want to bring all the rich people down to the level of the money received by those who are on welfare or to give welfare recipients the same amount of money that the rich have? So, then will Liberals hate the welfare recipients after that because now they’re rich? What about taxes? If there are no rich people to collect taxes from, where is the government going to get the money to pay for the welfare programs?

Freedom from Foreign Oil: Liberals claim they want freedom from foreign oil, yet won’t let us drill for oil within our own country. They also claim they need “green energy”, but fail to realize that it takes more energy to create bio-fuels than it is saving. Also, they get all upset about birds flying into wind turbines and dying, but keep preaching that we need more wind turbines. Which is it? You can’t have it both ways. Also, we’re the only country in the world that is destroying our food and using it to create fuel. Meanwhile they complain that food prices are too high and that we need to be able to feed the world.

Fat Cat CEO’s or Spoiled Politicians: If it’s not okay for CEO’s to live it up with private jets, fancy trips, and lots of golf, why is it okay for politicians to do the same thing. I could go on and on about the politicians, but I want to make two key points. One, the politicians are spending OUR money for private jets, fancy trips, and lots of golf. And two, as of March 2011, Barack Obama has golfed over 60 times. That means that he has spent over two months of his presidency on the golf course!

Limousine Liberals? The Number of Government Owned Limos Has Soared Under Obama

Have I ranted long enough? Please, help me out here. What’s your opinion? -Julie

Here's a funny picture a friend of mine just posted on Facebook. It pretty much ties everything together!



Books I'm Interested in Right Now:
(Have you read any of these? What's your opinion?)
Known and Unknown by Donald Rumsfeld
Decision Points by George W. Bush
Crimes Against Liberty by David Limbaugh
Why Are Jews Liberals? by Norman Podhoratz
Going Rogue by Sarah Palin

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Movie Review of Breaking Dawn Part Two

I went to see the movie of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part Two on opening night and it is fabulous! That is to say it is by far the best movie of the series, but it is possibly the best movie I’ve ever seen! I thought I’d never love a movie as much as The Notebook, but Breaking Dawn Part Two blows that out of the water!

The special effects were perfect! They weren’t overdone and things really looked realistic. I was impressed.

The fight scenes were intense and even my son and his friend were on the edge of their seats.

The love scenes were tastefully done and left plenty to the imagination. They were not overdone the way some movies are.

Pretty much all of the new vampires were well-cast and I particularly loved Garret and Benjamin, and the Amazons! I have some previous blog posts that share more information about those characters that I’ll link to below.

One thing that took me by surprise was how much I laughed! There were so many one-liners that weren't necessarily in the book! The same information was portrayed; in fact, the movie followed the book quite well. It was just done in a way that brought humor in.

Then I cried…and cried out along with the rest of the theater patrons…when some of our favorite characters were…hurt. I can’t even tell you how many times the whole lot of us yelled at the screen “Noooo!!! They can’t doooo that!!!” and cried…and cried. We cheered for the good guys, and sometimes the bad guys, and sometimes it was hard to remember who the good guys were and who the bad guys were.

And the final scene of the movie, oh, wow, there are no words. Even if you don’t like Twilight…this is a must see!

Now I need the soundtrack!



Here are some of my blog posts about the new vampires!

Exploring the Egyptian Coven

The Romanians

Alaskan Coven (the Denali Sisters, Carmen & Eleazar, and Garrett)

All about the Volturi Guard!

Journey to Ireland!

If you’ve never read the Twilight series, check out these other Twilight books, music, and movies:

Twilight
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
The Twilight Saga Complete Collection
The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide
Twilight: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
The Twilight Saga: New Moon: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
Twilight Soundtrack
Twilight: the Score
New Moon Soundtrack
New Moon: the Score
Eclipse Soundtrack
Eclipse: the Score
Twilight DVD
The Twilight Saga: New Moon DVD
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Movie Review of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part One

It is the wee hours of the morning as I write to share my opinions and a movie review of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part One based on the bestselling novel Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. A group of my friends, along with several thousand of my fellow Twi-hards, have stayed up late to watch the Midnight premier of this much anticipated movie event.

It's the final book of the Twilight series and they've broken the book into two movies. In this first movie Bella officially marries her Edward. They honeymoon on Esme's Island and it is paradise. I have envisioned what this island would look like in my mind for so long, and they painted my picture perfectly! I think someone should use that island and put a nice bed & breakfast there and rent it out as a vacation package! It's amazing! I hated Bella's white bathing suit though, ugh! Also, Edward didn't seem to sparkle at all the whole time they were on the island. Aren't vampires supposed to sparkle in the sun? For the most part, the honeymoon scenes were tastefully done as honeymoon scenes go. Didn't really need to see the bed breaking...but I know there are millions of screaming Twilight fans who disagree with me!

I think Taylor Lautner deserves an Academy Award for his performance when he learns that Bella has 'died' and for the scene where he imprints. It was my favorite part of the movie, by far.

Other thoughts: I wasn't impressed with the casting of the Denali sisters. They didn't fit what my mental picture held, and Bella's wedding dress was way too modern. I thought it was supposed to be from the early 1900's. I liked the lace, but that was about it. I loved seeing Stephanie Meyer smile at Bella as she walked down the isle! That was priceless. I didn't like all the references to drinking. That was not in the book, and I don't think it was what Stephanie would have wanted. I don't know...maybe that's just my prudish ways!

I can’t believe we have to wait until next year to see Part Two! If it’s as good as Part One, it’s going to be amazing! What's your opinion?

I look forward to the release of The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part One: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion coming on December 13th, 2011. It can be pre-ordered here on Amazon!


If you’ve never read the Twilight series, check out these other Twilight books, music, and movies:

Twilight
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
The Twilight Saga Complete Collection
The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide
Twilight: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
The Twilight Saga: New Moon: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
Twilight Soundtrack
Twilight: the Score
New Moon Soundtrack
New Moon: the Score
Eclipse Soundtrack
Eclipse: the Score
Twilight DVD
The Twilight Saga: New Moon DVD
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Thursday, August 23, 2012

A Lovely Morning...excerpt from The Farmer's Daughter

A misty fog covered the world, especially in low-lying areas around the rolling hills of pasture. The little grove of trees sat in the distance, seeming to hover within the fog rather than sitting rooted to the ground. Ashley sat on the top rung of the fence looking out over the early morning scene and pondering again, as she’d done so many times since the big storm, how her cows had instinctively stayed safe in that little haven of trees. It was early enough that she hadn’t felt compelled to spend time in the barn yet to do the chores. She just wanted to enjoy the solitude of the morning. It was early spring and the frost had just recently stopped coating the ground each night. Soon it would be time to start plowing. She wasn’t ready for that, and she didn’t quite know why. She wasn’t the one who would be up on the tractor; in fact the change in farming routine really wouldn’t alter her life in any way. She was in class everyday at the university and wouldn’t really be involved in the plowing. Still, it was something about the changing of the season that bothered her. It was another little chapter in her life that reminded her that the really important decisions had yet to be made. Even as her heart was weighed down by her frustration, she pushed them to the back of her mind to focus on the peace of the morning. It had been an irresolute few months, getting through the fall clean-up from the storm and the tense holiday season. But today she just wanted to relax in the moment and enjoy the morning.

She wasn’t surprised to hear soft footfall behind her, but she didn’t turn to look at him. Paul’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and she leaned back against him with a content sigh. It felt so good to have him holding her. Neither of them spoke for a long time. She reached up and rested her hands on his arms, folding them around him in a soft hug. She wasn’t afraid of falling as she released her hands from the fence post, because she felt the security of his embrace. She was reminded again of how comfortable it would be to be his wife. She wouldn’t have to change her life in any way. He was already buying his father’s farm. All they would have to do is build a little house off in one corner of his property, get married, and take that one last step to complete their lives. They would be happy and content. They were in love. They would finally be able to let down the curtain that had been holding them apart all these years. They would be able spend every day together…every night together. The thought made Ashley smile and she sighed again. She had always tried not to let her physical attraction to Paul dictate her decision. Yet, she knew it was impossible to deny how her body reacted to being in his arms. She wanted to finally be able to let those feelings flow through every part of her life. They always had to be so careful, so controlled. She didn’t want to be controlled anymore. She wanted to be able to let down her guard and just see where it would take them. She wanted to finally tell him that she wanted to marry him. Even as she thought it, her heart pulled her away again. It wasn’t time. She still wasn’t ready. She knew that there was another man who made her feel the same way. She closed her eyes, trying to push away all feelings for Caleb so that she could focus on Paul. But it wouldn’t work. He was still there.

When she opened her eyes, the sun finally poked its head over the horizon and light flooded across the landscape. They both held their breaths as they were taken aback by the beauty that suddenly surrounded them. The mist was highlighted by the soft white rays of light. It took Ashley a moment to express with words how it made her feel.

“Oh how lovely was the morning,” she whispered.

“It is lovely,” Paul whispered back. His breath was so close to her ear that it made her shiver in the cool morning air.

“It reminds me of how Joseph must have felt that day,” she whispered again.

“Who’s Joseph?” he asked. He almost sounded jealous and it made her giggle. She turned and smiled at him softly, then planted a quick little kiss on his lips.

“Joseph Smith,” she said with finality, as if he should just know what she was talking about.

“That prophet who started your church?” Paul fitted the pieces together in his mind. For all the time that he had spent with Ashley and her family, he actually knew very little about what they actually believed. But he knew who Joseph Smith was, or at least a little about him. What he didn’t know was why she was reminded of him because the sun came over the horizon. “What is it about this lovely morning that reminds you of him?” he whispered.

“Because this is how he described the morning when he knelt in a grove of trees and prayed about which church he should join,” Ashley explained, still whispering.

“Why would he pray about which church to join, but then go and start his own church?” Paul asked in confusion. Ashley turned to him again and looked into his eyes. She was surprised that he hadn’t heard this story before. How could she have been with him all these years and not shared with him the story of Joseph’s first vision.

“He was fourteen at the time,” she told him.

“A fourteen year old started your church?” he looked at her in confusion.

“No, he was fourteen when he had his first vision of God.” She stopped, letting him take that in. “He was confused by all the ministers in his area telling the people that the only way to be saved was to join their church. Of course he wanted to be saved, so he decided to pray about which church was the right church, the true church…God’s church.”

“So what happened?” He was curious now.

“He saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.” She paused a minute again. “He knelt in a grove of trees,” she paused and looked back out at the little forest off in the corner of her father’s land, now bathed in the soft light of dawn. “Joseph said that he saw a pillar of light above his head that descended upon him and within the light he saw two personages. The one pointed to the other and said ‘this is my beloved son, hear him.’ Joseph saw God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.”

“But I thought they were one person,” Paul whispered, confused.

“That’s what the world had always thought,” Ashley agreed. “But Joseph couldn’t deny what he had seen, even as the people in the community mocked him. He knew that he’d been told not to join any of the churches, and so he didn’t. Over the next few years he saw lots of other visions too, and it wasn’t until years later that he organized the Church.”

“Hmm,” Paul wasn’t sure what to think.

“But his first vision was on a morning just like this,” Ashley added. “It must have been beautiful that day, if it was anything like today.”

“It must have been,” Paul agreed. He nuzzled his face against her neck and breathed deeply. He wanted so badly to turn her around and kiss her, but knew that she wouldn’t want him to, so he just rested there, holding her. He felt special that she had shared this beautiful story with him and this beautiful day. He whispered to her, “If I had a chance to see God, I would want it to be on a day just like today.”


Check out another excerpt from The Farmer's Daughter: I told you that I tip well!

Check out other exerpts from my novels here.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Get Out and Play at the Capitol!



















What an amazing day to get out and play...at the Capitol! Michigan Association of Conservation District's was one of twenty activity providers who transformed the Lansing State Capitol into a giant playground! I had the opportunity to participate in this fun event as one of five representatives of MACD.

On June 19th over 1,300 kids from local day camps were brought in on buses and traveled around the Capitol lawn to learn about nature, hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, and yes...conservation!

Our display had a giant watershed map, tree identification games, soft animal pelts to pick up and try to guess who used to live inside, and the highlight - a giant stream simulator to walk through and learn about pollution! The kids loved seeing the difference between the clean side of the river and the polluted side of the river. They especially liked the plastic frog who was stuck inside the two liter pop bottle! Check out these photos to see how much fun we had!