Call me crazy. Call me weird. But I'm an FLDS defender.
That's right. After the raid on the Yearning for Zion Ranch on April 3, 2008, I followed the story of Warren Jeffs and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. During online discussions, I voiced my disapproval about how the raid was carried out. I also defended the women and children who lived on the YFZ Ranch.
Why? I'm the daughter of a WWII veteran. From the time I was a young girl, my parents taught me that it is morally wrong to mistreat a religious, racial or ethnic group. My parents were disgusted by the way that Adolf Hitler and the Nazis mistreated Jews, Gypsies, gays, the mentally ill, the disabled, etc. during WWII. Their generation worked together to stop Hitler and end the Holocaust. My parents, who were of German descent, said that Hitler had brought shame to Germany. Dad was quick to point out that Adolf Hitler was not a German -- he was an Austrian. My parents also taught me that we must work together to prevent genocide in the future.
I'm not advocating polygamy -- I'm advocating tolerance!
I'm following my parents' good example by speaking up for Mormon Fundamentalists, the Roma (Gypsies), and other oppressed minorities. It's wrong to discriminate against people because of their religion or traditional lifestyle. We should be embracing diversity, not promoting hatred or intolerance.
The United Nations considers transferring children from one group (i.e. Mormon Fundamentalist) to another group (i.e. Baptist) to be a form of genocide. Genocide is against the rules of the Geneva Convention. Genocide is against international law. How can we teach other countries that genocide is morally wrong if we allow it to take place within our own boundaries?
I also believe that women should help women. I don't believe that a woman should lose custody of her children because of her religion. Yes, I know that the LDS church and the FLDS sect are two separate and distinct churches. Yes, I know that the FLDS is a Mormon Fundamentalist sect that still practices polygamy. Yes, I know that many people believe that polygamy is harmful to women and children. However, if an adult woman wants to be a plural wife for religious purposes, I feel that is her personal, private business. I don't feel compelled to "rescue" her. Our government should butt out.
If a person wants to leave the FLDS sect, I certainly wouldn't try to stop him/her. I'm acquainted with several former members of the FLDS sect. I like them. They are good people. But I don't think our government should force people to leave a religion, a church, or a sect against their will. I don't have an issue with people leaving the FLDS, but I think they should do so on their own volition. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion to all Americans.
Finally, I think it is wrong to say that "Everyone who belongs to a certain religious, racial, or ethnic group is a ________." (Fill in the blank with derogatory word of your choice.) That's stereotyping. I was taught in junior high that stereotyping is wrong. People are individuals. I believe that there are good and bad in every race, religion and ethnic group. If you're lumping people into groups and saying that everyone who belongs to a certain group is "a bad person," maybe the problem isn't them. Maybe it's you.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Baby Boomers Beware! Hepatitis C can be a Death Sentence
On May 18, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that anyone born between 1945 and 1965 should be tested for hepatitis C.
Baby boomers are the generation most likely to be infected with hepatitis C., but only about 25% of us have been tested for it. Many people do not know they are infected because they do not look or feel sick. The CDC believes that hundreds of thousands of hepatitis C infections occurred in the 1970's and 1980's among baby boomers.
Hepatitis A, B and C are contagious diseases caused by different viruses. First identified in 1989, the hepatitis C virus is a blood borne pathogen normally spread by contact with an infected person's blood. The disease is most common among current or past injection drug abusers. Before 1992, hepatitis C was sometimes transmitted by blood transfusions. Having sex with an infected person is a less common mode of transmission. The virus may be spread by sharing razors, toothbrushes, getting tattoos, body piercings or manicures with contaminated instruments.
A spokesperson for the CDC warned that baby boomers might not remember their risky behavior. A dollar bill rolled up to snort coke and passed from one person to the next might contain enough blood to transmit the virus.
The virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, coughing or sneezing, or through food or water.
Acute hepatitis C occurs within the first six months of exposure. Most people with acute hepatitis C develop the serious, lifelong chronic form of this disease.
Chronic hepatitis C can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver or liver cancer. This infection is the leading cause of liver transplant today. The virus may damage other parts of the body as well. The number of people who died of hepatitis C related illnesses nearly doubled between 1999 and 2007. The CDC estimates that more than 15,000 Americans die of hepatitis C related illnesses every year.
My interest in hepatitis C is personal. About two years ago, I located my former roommate's adult daughter. She told me that her mother had died of liver cancer in 2006. She said her mother had hepatitis C for about 30 years before she developed liver cancer. This was surprising to me because we lived together for several years, but her mother never told me that she was infected with hepatitis C.
The CDC has announced that living with a person who has hepatitis C slightly increases your risk of contracting the virus.
The CDC is hoping to save more lives by encouraging baby boomers to take the one time blood test for hepatitis C. There are medications that can be taken to fight the infection. So please call your doctor and schedule an appointment to be tested. The life saved might be your own.
Baby boomers are the generation most likely to be infected with hepatitis C., but only about 25% of us have been tested for it. Many people do not know they are infected because they do not look or feel sick. The CDC believes that hundreds of thousands of hepatitis C infections occurred in the 1970's and 1980's among baby boomers.
Hepatitis A, B and C are contagious diseases caused by different viruses. First identified in 1989, the hepatitis C virus is a blood borne pathogen normally spread by contact with an infected person's blood. The disease is most common among current or past injection drug abusers. Before 1992, hepatitis C was sometimes transmitted by blood transfusions. Having sex with an infected person is a less common mode of transmission. The virus may be spread by sharing razors, toothbrushes, getting tattoos, body piercings or manicures with contaminated instruments.
A spokesperson for the CDC warned that baby boomers might not remember their risky behavior. A dollar bill rolled up to snort coke and passed from one person to the next might contain enough blood to transmit the virus.
The virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, coughing or sneezing, or through food or water.
Acute hepatitis C occurs within the first six months of exposure. Most people with acute hepatitis C develop the serious, lifelong chronic form of this disease.
Chronic hepatitis C can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver or liver cancer. This infection is the leading cause of liver transplant today. The virus may damage other parts of the body as well. The number of people who died of hepatitis C related illnesses nearly doubled between 1999 and 2007. The CDC estimates that more than 15,000 Americans die of hepatitis C related illnesses every year.
My interest in hepatitis C is personal. About two years ago, I located my former roommate's adult daughter. She told me that her mother had died of liver cancer in 2006. She said her mother had hepatitis C for about 30 years before she developed liver cancer. This was surprising to me because we lived together for several years, but her mother never told me that she was infected with hepatitis C.
The CDC has announced that living with a person who has hepatitis C slightly increases your risk of contracting the virus.
The CDC is hoping to save more lives by encouraging baby boomers to take the one time blood test for hepatitis C. There are medications that can be taken to fight the infection. So please call your doctor and schedule an appointment to be tested. The life saved might be your own.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Lifting the Ban
When I started this blog, I decided to avoid discussing religion and politics because those subjects often lead to arguments. Mormon Fundamentalism, Mormon polygamy, the FLDS, and the anti-polygamy movement are so controversial that discussions about them tend to bring out the worst in people. My decision to avoid these topics was influenced by a lawsuit between Gregory Prickett (who may use the screen name "TexasBluesMan") and Hugh McBryde, Bill Medvecky, Scott Ledbetter and others. I was not part of the lawsuit. I don't want to go into the details or take sides. I'll simply say that the lawsuit stemmed from an online argument about the FLDS that got out of hand.
Yes, I am Mormon. I don't claim to be a good Mormon, but I'm Mormon. I don't want to argue with anybody. I don't want anyone's feelings to get hurt. I don't want to "out" anyone either. I won't try to convince you to change your religion if you don't try to convince me to change mine.
I have friends who are LDS, ex LDS, FLDS, and/or ex FLDS. I like them all. Some of my friends are Protestants; others are Catholic. I daresay that some of my friends are Atheists. My favorite co-worker is a gay Asian-American who was raised in the Roman Catholic Church. If I like you, I like you. Your skin color, ethnic origin, religion or sexual preference aren't important to me. I want everyone to feel welcome and safe here.
That being said, I have found that deliberately avoiding one issue is rather stifling.
So I'm lifting the ban. We can talk about Mormon Fundamentalism, polygamy, the FLDS and the anti-polygamy movement, provided that we behave as mature, responsible adults. No fighting. No arguing. No lawsuits.
One more thing. There are different types of Mormons. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The LDS Church and the FLDS sect are two separate and distinct churches. The LDS Church abandoned the practice of polygamy in 1890 and excommunicates anyone who practices or advocates polygamy.
Yes, I am Mormon. I don't claim to be a good Mormon, but I'm Mormon. I don't want to argue with anybody. I don't want anyone's feelings to get hurt. I don't want to "out" anyone either. I won't try to convince you to change your religion if you don't try to convince me to change mine.
I have friends who are LDS, ex LDS, FLDS, and/or ex FLDS. I like them all. Some of my friends are Protestants; others are Catholic. I daresay that some of my friends are Atheists. My favorite co-worker is a gay Asian-American who was raised in the Roman Catholic Church. If I like you, I like you. Your skin color, ethnic origin, religion or sexual preference aren't important to me. I want everyone to feel welcome and safe here.
That being said, I have found that deliberately avoiding one issue is rather stifling.
So I'm lifting the ban. We can talk about Mormon Fundamentalism, polygamy, the FLDS and the anti-polygamy movement, provided that we behave as mature, responsible adults. No fighting. No arguing. No lawsuits.
One more thing. There are different types of Mormons. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The LDS Church and the FLDS sect are two separate and distinct churches. The LDS Church abandoned the practice of polygamy in 1890 and excommunicates anyone who practices or advocates polygamy.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Meet Julie Andrews: Actress, Singer, and Author
On Saturday, April 28, 2012, my girls and I had the honor and privilege of meeting stage and screen legend, Julie Andrews, at Costco in Seattle, Washington.
Julie Andrews was the guest of honor at four book signings in the Seattle area on April 28 and 29. She came to the Pacific Northwest to promote the new children's book that she and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have written. This book is entitled "The Very Fairy Princess Here Comes the Flower Girl." It is the third of their bestselling "The Very Fairy Princess" series. This delightful series is about a little girl named Geraldine who believes she is a fairy princess because she feels a certain sparkle inside. The latest book tells about how Geraldine prepares to be the flower girl in her Aunt Sue's wedding.
Born in Surrey, England in 1935, Julie Andrews has appeared in more than 40 movies. Her first film appearance was in "The Singing Princess" in 1949. At age 19, she first performed on Broadway in "The Boyfriend." She received an Oscar for her role as the practically perfect nanny in "Mary Poppins" in 1964. She was also nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Maria Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" in 1965. Her roles in "Hawaii," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and "Victor/Victoria" were among her other noteworthy performances. She is probably best known to the younger generation as the reigning queen of Genovia in "The Princess Diaries."
At age 76, Julie Andrews is still as beautiful, elegant and refined as she was ten years ago in "The Princess Diaries." Her second husband, director Blake Edwards, passed away in 2010. But don't worry about Julie. Her life is very active. She and her daughter have written two other books that will be released this year. She will also be the director of the stage adaption of another children's book that she and her daughter wrote called "The Great Mousical."
Costco's manager told us that at midnight people began lining outside their store for the chance to meet the actress. Costco gave 200 tickets to the book signing to its members. My girls and I were lucky to receive Ticket 196. Not only did she autograph the copies of her books we purchased, Ms. Andrews spoke briefly with us. Tears welled in my eyes when I told her I had loved her since I was five years old when she was in Mary Poppins. She smiled and said, "Well, that dates both of us."
Julie Andrews was very kind to children. Korinna proudly told her that she and Alyson are dancers. Ms. Andrews told them that she started her career as a dancer. Ms. Andrews explained that dance teaches girls to sit up straight and to be graceful.
P.S. Information about Julie Andrew's acting career was taken from Wikipedia.
Julie Andrews was the guest of honor at four book signings in the Seattle area on April 28 and 29. She came to the Pacific Northwest to promote the new children's book that she and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have written. This book is entitled "The Very Fairy Princess Here Comes the Flower Girl." It is the third of their bestselling "The Very Fairy Princess" series. This delightful series is about a little girl named Geraldine who believes she is a fairy princess because she feels a certain sparkle inside. The latest book tells about how Geraldine prepares to be the flower girl in her Aunt Sue's wedding.
Born in Surrey, England in 1935, Julie Andrews has appeared in more than 40 movies. Her first film appearance was in "The Singing Princess" in 1949. At age 19, she first performed on Broadway in "The Boyfriend." She received an Oscar for her role as the practically perfect nanny in "Mary Poppins" in 1964. She was also nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Maria Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" in 1965. Her roles in "Hawaii," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and "Victor/Victoria" were among her other noteworthy performances. She is probably best known to the younger generation as the reigning queen of Genovia in "The Princess Diaries."
At age 76, Julie Andrews is still as beautiful, elegant and refined as she was ten years ago in "The Princess Diaries." Her second husband, director Blake Edwards, passed away in 2010. But don't worry about Julie. Her life is very active. She and her daughter have written two other books that will be released this year. She will also be the director of the stage adaption of another children's book that she and her daughter wrote called "The Great Mousical."
Costco's manager told us that at midnight people began lining outside their store for the chance to meet the actress. Costco gave 200 tickets to the book signing to its members. My girls and I were lucky to receive Ticket 196. Not only did she autograph the copies of her books we purchased, Ms. Andrews spoke briefly with us. Tears welled in my eyes when I told her I had loved her since I was five years old when she was in Mary Poppins. She smiled and said, "Well, that dates both of us."
Julie Andrews was very kind to children. Korinna proudly told her that she and Alyson are dancers. Ms. Andrews told them that she started her career as a dancer. Ms. Andrews explained that dance teaches girls to sit up straight and to be graceful.
P.S. Information about Julie Andrew's acting career was taken from Wikipedia.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Alyson's Duet
I want to share some of the photos of Alyson's duet with you. They were taken at the MOVE dance competition at the Tacoma Convention Center on March 23, 2012.
Alyson is my granddaughter. She is nine years old. She has been dancing since she was three years old.
Her partner, Jake, is also nine years old. At the MOVE competition, they danced to a song called "Howling for You" by the Black Keys.
The MOVE competition was the first time that Alyson and Jake have ever performed together at a dance competition.
Alyson, Jake and my youngest daughter, Korinna, belong to a tap dancing team called "Tap Time." Tap Time performed to the old Blues Brothers' song, "Soul Man," at the competition.
Tap Time also appeared as the X Men in Center Stage Dance Academy's production of "Super Heroes." Nikki German is the owner and artistic director of the dance academy.
Alyson and Jake won first place for their duet performance at the MOVE competition. Congratulations to both of them!
Alyson is my granddaughter. She is nine years old. She has been dancing since she was three years old.
Her partner, Jake, is also nine years old. At the MOVE competition, they danced to a song called "Howling for You" by the Black Keys.
The MOVE competition was the first time that Alyson and Jake have ever performed together at a dance competition.
Alyson, Jake and my youngest daughter, Korinna, belong to a tap dancing team called "Tap Time." Tap Time performed to the old Blues Brothers' song, "Soul Man," at the competition.
Tap Time also appeared as the X Men in Center Stage Dance Academy's production of "Super Heroes." Nikki German is the owner and artistic director of the dance academy.
Alyson and Jake won first place for their duet performance at the MOVE competition. Congratulations to both of them!
Danube Bistro Brings a Little Bit of Europe to Bellevue
In the heart of downtown Bellevue, Washington stands the Danube Bistro, a restaurant reminiscent of the quaint bistros and cafes found on the European mainland.
What makes the Danube Bistro different from other restaurants is that it doesn't limit its menu to food from one country. The menu offers appetizers, entrees, desserts, wines and beers from the countries in which the Danube River flows. Patrons can enjoy foods and beverages from Romania, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia. I was told that the restaurant's owner, Lubos, is from Hungary.
One of my complaints about western Washington is that there are not enough German restaurants here. My family and I once drove to Leavenworth, Washington in search of the perfect jagerschnitzel. We were disappointed with both the food and the service we received in Leavenworth. On Saturday, we were more than willing to drive to Bellevue, hoping to find German cuisine more to our liking.
Kristina ordered weinerschnitzel. She enjoyed the veal cutlet very much. I ordered the jagerschnitzel. I thought the creamy mushroom sauce covering the pork cutlet was superb. You don't have to drive over the mountains to enjoy fine German cuisine any more!
My husband ordered the Hungarian goulash. Served with white rice and vegetables, bite-sized chucks of roast beef were slowly cooked in a paprika sauce until they were so tender that they melted in your mouth. The goulash was a real hit with my husband.
For vegans, the Danube Bistro offers stuffed cabbage rolls.
For dessert, the restaurant offers vanilla ice cream, homemade apple strudel or creme brulee. We sampled the creme brulee and thought it was delicious.
The Danube Bistro is located 11000 NE 10th Street in Bellevue, Washington. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Prices for dinner entrees range from fifteen dollars to twenty-five dollars. The lunch menu costs less. We are looking forward to going back to the bistro during the summer so that we can dine outside.
What makes the Danube Bistro different from other restaurants is that it doesn't limit its menu to food from one country. The menu offers appetizers, entrees, desserts, wines and beers from the countries in which the Danube River flows. Patrons can enjoy foods and beverages from Romania, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia. I was told that the restaurant's owner, Lubos, is from Hungary.
One of my complaints about western Washington is that there are not enough German restaurants here. My family and I once drove to Leavenworth, Washington in search of the perfect jagerschnitzel. We were disappointed with both the food and the service we received in Leavenworth. On Saturday, we were more than willing to drive to Bellevue, hoping to find German cuisine more to our liking.
Kristina ordered weinerschnitzel. She enjoyed the veal cutlet very much. I ordered the jagerschnitzel. I thought the creamy mushroom sauce covering the pork cutlet was superb. You don't have to drive over the mountains to enjoy fine German cuisine any more!
My husband ordered the Hungarian goulash. Served with white rice and vegetables, bite-sized chucks of roast beef were slowly cooked in a paprika sauce until they were so tender that they melted in your mouth. The goulash was a real hit with my husband.
For vegans, the Danube Bistro offers stuffed cabbage rolls.
For dessert, the restaurant offers vanilla ice cream, homemade apple strudel or creme brulee. We sampled the creme brulee and thought it was delicious.
The Danube Bistro is located 11000 NE 10th Street in Bellevue, Washington. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Prices for dinner entrees range from fifteen dollars to twenty-five dollars. The lunch menu costs less. We are looking forward to going back to the bistro during the summer so that we can dine outside.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
What to Do about Colton?
Yesterday defense attorney John Henry Browne announced that Colton Harris-Moore, who is affectionately known as the "Barefoot Bandit," is currently in solitary confinement in Walla Walla State Penitentiary.
After confirming that Mr. Browne is correct, a Department of Corrections spokesperson stated that high-profile convicts are normally put in solitary confinement for their own protection.
Mr. Browne stated that Colton Harris-Moore has been in solitary confinement since April 11. He neither wants or needs this type of protection. Mr. Browne said that it is "absurd" that a non-violent felon is being housed with the hardened men on death row. He expressed his concern about how solitary confinement might affect his client's mental health. Mr. Browne indicated that he has spoken with officials in Governor Gregoire's office on Colton's behalf.
What should the prison officials do about Colton? Whether or not Mr. Browne wants to admit it, his client isn't just an infamous, modern-day outlaw. The Barefoot Bandit is a celebrity. At 21, Colton Harris-Moore is so well-known that he presents a problem for the Department of Corrections.
Do Walla Walla's inmates want to harm Colton? I'm sure that there are many people who feel envious of him because his two-year crime spree attracted international attention. Twentieth Century Fox movie studio paid $1.3 million for rights to the Barefoot Bandit's life story -- monies which will be used to pay restitution to his victims. Author Bob Friel has already written a book about him. That type of publicity is bound to cause some jealousy.
When a defendant is convicted and sent to prison, people often post comments in the newspaper, cheering that he will soon meet "Bubba" and become a sex slave. They don't realize that if an inmate is raped, injured or dies in prison, he and/or his family may sue the Department of Corrections for failing to protect him. If they win, any monies awarded to them come out of our tax dollars. Years ago, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered by another inmate in a Wisconsin prison. I admit that I felt relieved when I read that Dahmer was dead. I felt that the inmate who killed him had done what the State of Wisconsin should have done. But I don't want Colton to share the same fate because he isn't a monster. A modern-day Robinhood, the Barefoot Bandit stole from the rich and gave to the animal shelter. He only injured his victims' pocketbooks.
I'm sure the Department of Corrections has also taken into consideration the type of crimes that Colton committed. When I was reading about the Barefoot Bandit in the newspaper, I felt that I was reading about a highly trained and talented circus performer -- an escape artist as great as Houdini. He was able to elude law enforcement for two years. Perhaps prison officials still consider him a flight risk. That might explain why the warden is reluctant to put him with the general population.
Like Mr. Browne, I am also concerned about how solitary confinement will affect Colton's health and well-being. I hope that Mr. Browne, Christine Gregoire, and the Department of Corrections find a better way to protect the Barefoot Bandit soon.
After confirming that Mr. Browne is correct, a Department of Corrections spokesperson stated that high-profile convicts are normally put in solitary confinement for their own protection.
Mr. Browne stated that Colton Harris-Moore has been in solitary confinement since April 11. He neither wants or needs this type of protection. Mr. Browne said that it is "absurd" that a non-violent felon is being housed with the hardened men on death row. He expressed his concern about how solitary confinement might affect his client's mental health. Mr. Browne indicated that he has spoken with officials in Governor Gregoire's office on Colton's behalf.
What should the prison officials do about Colton? Whether or not Mr. Browne wants to admit it, his client isn't just an infamous, modern-day outlaw. The Barefoot Bandit is a celebrity. At 21, Colton Harris-Moore is so well-known that he presents a problem for the Department of Corrections.
Do Walla Walla's inmates want to harm Colton? I'm sure that there are many people who feel envious of him because his two-year crime spree attracted international attention. Twentieth Century Fox movie studio paid $1.3 million for rights to the Barefoot Bandit's life story -- monies which will be used to pay restitution to his victims. Author Bob Friel has already written a book about him. That type of publicity is bound to cause some jealousy.
When a defendant is convicted and sent to prison, people often post comments in the newspaper, cheering that he will soon meet "Bubba" and become a sex slave. They don't realize that if an inmate is raped, injured or dies in prison, he and/or his family may sue the Department of Corrections for failing to protect him. If they win, any monies awarded to them come out of our tax dollars. Years ago, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered by another inmate in a Wisconsin prison. I admit that I felt relieved when I read that Dahmer was dead. I felt that the inmate who killed him had done what the State of Wisconsin should have done. But I don't want Colton to share the same fate because he isn't a monster. A modern-day Robinhood, the Barefoot Bandit stole from the rich and gave to the animal shelter. He only injured his victims' pocketbooks.
I'm sure the Department of Corrections has also taken into consideration the type of crimes that Colton committed. When I was reading about the Barefoot Bandit in the newspaper, I felt that I was reading about a highly trained and talented circus performer -- an escape artist as great as Houdini. He was able to elude law enforcement for two years. Perhaps prison officials still consider him a flight risk. That might explain why the warden is reluctant to put him with the general population.
Like Mr. Browne, I am also concerned about how solitary confinement will affect Colton's health and well-being. I hope that Mr. Browne, Christine Gregoire, and the Department of Corrections find a better way to protect the Barefoot Bandit soon.
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