Greatest Movie Line Ever

This expresses my sentiments quite well. Dad

montana trip, longest post ever!

Our trip to Bozeman, MT....

A few comments

Dad is a frightening driver. He was emailing people from his blackberry in one and while swerving all over the mountainous road in the other. He could not keep the car on a steady course. But he did drive all the way there. We stopped in Deer Lodge on the way back and saw the old prison where grandpa evans worked and their old house and gravestone. It was a fun trip, even tho it was mostly driving! Amy did awesome in her race, she placed in the top 10 and beat her previous time. It was fun to hang out with her!

Thanks dad and amy!

Deer Lodge, MT...

Evans' old house...



Pics of Amy's race...

This is wear I began to have a problem. There was so much flesh at this event that I felt like it should be rated NC-17. Runners do not care how they will appear to others, ie: being almost nude. they do not care about making a spectator completely uncomfortable by performing their risque "stretches" right next to you...
Dad, completing enjoying Amy's race, and hobbling from spot to spot. Can we please think about suspenders?

Thoughts on Death Penalty

I thought I'd post my comment on the front page so that it doesn't go unnoticed. I was afraid that I am coming late to the discussion. I think dad's comment gets to the heart of the issue. People are often incapable of detaching themselves from their passions and prejudices.

When a particularly heinous crime is committed, it is natural to want to make someone pay. If someone is placed in front of a crowd by the police, then the crowd is more likely to give the police the benefit of the doubt rather than the defendant. This is supposed to be the other way around. So my stance is that in the event of admission of guilt or irrefutable empirical proof, then a death sentence is deserved. However, if a trial yields anything less then a death sentence is inappropriate.

In all cases, however, higher courts should review sentencing whenever a death sentence is issued. As penalty for losing the Civil War, when any state from the southern U.S. issues a death sentence, a northern state should review the decision. Just kidding. But that is where most of the problems with the death penalty have come up--southern juries finding a black man guilty based on nothing.

Basically, I think it is fine how it works now. Both the death sentence and life imprisonment probably deter some criminal behavior. Society knows that you can't kill people and expect to have a comfortable life afterwards.

Ryan

Death Penalty

In one of my Criminal Justice classes, we were discussing the death penalty. I know this is kind of a horrifying topic, but I'm honestly curious about what everybody thinks about it. Here are my views: I believe in using the death penalty for those that commit aggravated murder. When I say aggravated murder, I mean not only murder, but additional circumstances that make it worse then shooting someone. For example, when someone tortures another and then murders them, that's aggravated murder. The murdering of a child is definatly a reason that should get a person in the electric chair. I'm sorry if this topic makes anyone uncomfortable but I'm just curious.

I'm not sure how Christlike it is for me to decide who should live and who should die, but I have hard time letting a child rapist/murderer live.

Those against the use of the death penalty argue that it is a violation of our Eighth Amendment of cruel and unusual punishment. I must ask this about the children that are raped and brutally murdered, was that not cruel and unusual for those victims to endure that? Was it not cruel and unusual for those people that suffered the Oklahoma City bombing? I don't think it's cruel and unusual to use lethal injection or the firing squad. That's an easy death compared to what their victims went through. I guess I'm just a natrually vengeful person and I don't care if those terrorists and child murderers are put to death.

That's just what I think. What's your opinion?

Amy

We aren't very good at this blog thing

I definitely don't do my fair share of posting anything but really and truely, I'm not sure if you want me to. I'd probably just share with you the deal I got at Target or how I can't wait for the new season of TV to start because this last couple of weeks Ryan has had homework have kind of stunk. Or maybe I'll share my thoughts on how much I love Obama with Jon because you all know that I'm so dang liberal. So here are some questions I have for the fam.

Amy, how is your last cross country season going? Are you sad to be so close to finishing or are you ready to be done? What are your plans after school ends?

Jon, how's BYU? Are you still working? Has your ward improved? How's your best friend, Jon McCain?

Evan, how's the band? Have you had any gigs lately?

Janelle, how does it feel to have a child in kindergarten now?

Does anybody want to go on a cruise with us?

What are everybody's plans for Christmas?

Oh and by the way, I was totally kidding about the whole Obama thing. I can honestly say I haven't decided on who I'm going to vote for yet. I would, however, like to see Cindy McCain take it down a notch.

Reactions to Sarah Palin

What is everyone's reactions to Sarah Palin?  I think it is interesting that liberals accuse her of being a bad mother because she will be working full-time while she has a young baby at home.  Strange to hear that argument coming from the left-wing.

Ryan