Anything as cool as this deserves a post
Posted by jacobroecker on 30 March 2009 under Projects, Technology | 
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Revolution #2009!
Posted by jacobroecker on 25 March 2009 under Homeless | 5 Comments to Read
Although I was never a big fan of the Beatles’ song Revolution #9, I’ve got to tell you that I’ll gladly take “Revolution 2009!” This guy’s awesome!
And the British aren’t the only ones!
Now it’s your turn. Write your representatives today. They’re elected to represent you (whether you voted for them or not–Don’t get confused, even if you didn’t vote for them, they still work for YOU). It’s not their choice–it’s their obligation. Demand it!
I hope I’m not the only one thinking that Michelle Bachmann ought to be a 9/12 Candidate.
Why not take a minute to invite her?
Send her this letter.
More from Cavuto:
A Facebook Discussion
Posted by jacobroecker on 24 March 2009 under Homeless | Be the First to Comment
I seem to be having a few conversations on Facebook these days that are worth sharing elsewhere. I haven’t made a blog post for it yet, but I’ve started http://912candidates.org to serve as a list of reps who are willing to commit to basic values. I mentioned this on my facebook and the following conversation ensued:
MATT: Another friend posted this one yesterday.
I’m not sure 9/12 is where we need to be. If you hear of a 1776 program let me know. Like I told the other friend though, this may be a step in the right direction, just not the desired end state. We need to get back to the desires of the founding father’s. A lot went into the documents prepared that we have as a framework today. Research into what works and doesn’t, but we have strayed so far from that path.… Read More
We now have a socialist leader in the White House. If you deny it, I’ll call you a socialist to.
Socialism is not the direction to head. It has broken every country it has been instituted in.
*steps off his soap box*
Not yelling at you Jake, this is just a bit of a sore point for me, and it’s refreshing to see others are also sick of it. Keep up the good work.
Jake: I’m fine with a 1776 program or a 1775 program, but I don’t think it’s going to work. I mean I was like -202 years old then. The U.S. consisted of primarily agrarian businesses. At least a third of the population was still loyal to the crown and America’s most celebrated general (Benedict Arnold) thought the cause was so hopeless he committed treason.
On top of that even though there was enough courage to declare independence there wasn’t enough of a government to provide food to the Army. If you’ve read Joseph Plumb Martin’s book you’ll realize that the Army was in Mutiny on at least two occasions. That’s why we have a famous painting of George Washington praying at Valley Forge. It’s the values we need to get back to, not the time period.
We can’t go back 200 years. We can hardly go back a few years. People have already forgotten 9/11. They’ve become desensitized. … Read More
9/12 is the best we can do for now. It’s not an end. It’s a starting line.
Where it goes from there will be up to us. We’ve seen what the “Patriot Generation” did with their ideals. We’ve seen what “The Greatest Generation” did with their values… Let’s see if we can create a “9/12 Generation.” Once we know if there is one and we can identify, codify, live, and support our values, then we’ll know if the “9/12 … Read MoreGeneration” will earn a positive place in history.
Sure, give me the ideals of 1776 for the Patriot Generation. Give me the ideals of Pearl Harbor, for the Greatest Generation.
SGT Alvin York, Joseph Plumb Martin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Hancock, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Joshua Chamberlain, Joseph Smith, and Thomas S. Monson all held values that survive the test of time. Whether they’re used by one dispensation or another, one generation or another, it matters not. They all seem to be catalysts for a miracle. They take hard work and turn it into joy and prosperity.
Matt:“Looks like you understand exactly what I mean. Count me in.”
Stallblog
Posted by jacobroecker on 20 March 2009 under Technology | Read the First Comment
Ok, I’m working on another political commentary blog that is causing my wordpress site some issues. Until I work them out I’d like to share a bit of humor about a post-apocalyptic future.
Are Violent Video Games Adequately Preparing Children For The Apocalypse?
Panic!! !!
Posted by jacobroecker on 16 March 2009 under Friends, Technology | 2 Comments to Read
No, this isn’t a political blog. This is an attempt at satire… Read more and let me know how I’m doing.
The world’s soccer mom’s may pride themselves on individuality, but I’ve noticed that a lot of them are off driving minivans these days. Recently our friends the Fishers purchased a very nice van that they are über proud to own. It’s one of those things where the family scrimped and saved to be able to avoid as much debt as possible, and now they’re reaping the rewards of their frugality. *digital bow of sincerity*
So back in the day when you got a new car you were instantly transformed into the envy of the neighbourhood. Now our excitement spills over to the online audience of grandmas, friends, and obscure relatives with facial hair (you know who I’m talking about–every family has one). So they posted photos on their blog. I managed to snag one of them I’d like to share with you tonight.
Now I’ve grown up with remote controls my whole life. Call me dated, but our first remote was corded to our Beta VCR (now I realize that some of you might not know what I’m talking about so I’ve linked to the article to help you). Back then remotes used to have their own separate section of the instruction booklet. In the early 80’s you literally had to teach people that pressing a button caused something to do something. Like “Play” meant the VCR would “Play” the movie. “Fast-forward” and “Re-wind” were new terms justifying at least a paragraph each in the user’s manual.
Now look at this remote. No instruction manual is needed. Press the lock and it locks. The open lock unlocks it. The “trunk x2″ button probably means you press it twice to open the trunk–or that you press it and get twice as much space in the trunk. There’s a button to make the left door and right doors bigger or open depending on how futuristic the car actually is.
Then there’s the red button. It contains the word “Panic.” Now what exactly do they intend this button to be used for? Ok, so it makes the horn honk and lights flash. It’s a good attention getter. If “panic” were something you’d look for in a date I’m sure more single guys would be driving minivans cruising the boulevard for chicks and pressing the “Panic” button. Sure, it get’s folks to notice you, but probably not in a good way.
Yeah maybe it’s to help work you up into a “Panic.” Ok this might have some merit. Blaring horn and blinking lights are annoying. Press the button and in a couple of minutes you may wish you had installed the optional “gun rack” and nuture your desire to start shooting something. Yeah, there’s a good chance the buton is there to help inspire panic.
One second thought, I’m pretty sure I know what’s it’s not used for… It’s not used to actually tell people you’re panicked. After all, you’re driving a minivan. The back seats probably have the sweet innocent children you’ve brout into the world who suddenly turn on you when you get them in the car. Sure, you swear you’re never going to give them food–not in your new car. Then you fudge the rules–just once–and trust them to be good. Eventually you’ll have gummi-bears stuck in the seats, milk splattered across the side windows, and remember that time you thought your husband was being sweet and took the kids out so you could have a nap? French fries and milkshakes. French fries and milkshakes….. It’s coming.
Yeah, you don’t need to tell the world you’re in a panic. They already know…. you’re driving a minivan.
There is one last possibility… One last reason for this innocent looking red button…
It’s there so the kids can practice pressing buttons. Yup, that’s right. If they get a hold of your keys that’ll be the first one they press. When you hit the unlock button your range is probably a few feet. When you hit the panic button the remote’s range magically increases. Suddenly it’ll reach from the inside of your church building, through the cinderblock walls, and out into the parking lot. Yeah, it’ll happen. Be prepared to hear your license plate from the pulpit.
It’s a good thing my wise readers are well aware that life is full of unaswered questions like: “Why are people sending our current president bags of tea to be delivered on April 1st?” Can’t figure that one out.
Can’t figure out what the usefulness of that panic button is either…. Got an idea? Let me know.
Sunday Night–The Big Toe of the Week
Posted by jacobroecker on 15 March 2009 under Religion | 3 Comments to Read
What to write about? What part of my cognizance is worth sharing? I’m not really sure, so this may amount to no more than random thoughts.
I’ve got ideas. I’ve been comparing Alma 53 to Jihadist documents, especially the one released this week by the 9/11 conspirators in GITMO. The Book of Mormon has some magnificent parallels. These are best saved for later. 
At times like this when my head is swimming for a direction, I’ve often found myself bearing my testimony. So tonight, if you’re reading, I’d love to share some small part of things with you.
Sunday night is the “big toe” of the week. Here’s what my Sunday Night looks like. Right now I’m staring at the computer, but I haven’t been doing so much of that lately. The weather’s gotten warmer and the kids and I have been spending time together doing things. It’s just “stuff” but it’s time together. A month ago I went to an LT’s luncheon where we sit down with our Battalion Commander, a LTC who has worked before with my dad (years ago). He’s a good man. Each month the LT’s take turns preparing the topic of discussion.
I volunteered last month to lead this month’s class. I asked if I could discuss Islamic Jihad. Considering the open declarations of war justified by various believers in Islam resulting in the WTC bombings on 9/11 numerous attacks on soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan all of which culminate to over 12,000 attacks since 9/11.
Yeah, so I thought I was good with this topic. It’s relivant to those of us in uniform and it’s something I’ve done a lot of reading about. A week before I was going to present what I’d found the topic got nixed. I was told it wasn’t the right setting to present this material. It’s true. It’s not my LT session, it’s the LTCs. So I had to switch gears. I was really stuck, and couldn’t think of anything.
About last weekend I chose to talk about communicaiton using Fisher and Ury’s “Getting to Yes.” I’ve been walking on some thin ice at work. They’re getting used to me. I’m getting used to this new environment. It’s the usual growing pains in a new place. I didn’t want to screw up this training. Wednesday night I didn’t have any idea how to apply the material. I was at the church with Chrissy. It was YM/YW night. I asked the bishop for a priesthood blessing.
Friday morning I had scheduled time to prep the class. I knew the book’s points, but I didn’t know how to make them work in the military. Somehow Friday morning it clicked. The class was at noon. It didn’t go exactly the way I’d planned, but I’d say it turned out better than planned. I didn’t try to be the guy with all the answers. Instead I ended up learning more than probably anyone else in the group. Priesthood blessings really do work. God really does hear his children.
So there’s still the threat of Islamic Jihad. There’s still immorality abounding. I still feel betrayed. Then the scriptures come into play. Perfect love casts out all fear–if you make room for it. I’ve been making more and more room for the things of God in my life. At first there’s a void, then it gets filled, then you move on.
I don’t know if you can tell how really concerned I’ve been feeling for these things in the news, and the things that aren’t in the news. I mean really we’ve got a President who’s birth certificate is being contested in court! These things matter, but they’ve happened before. They’ll happen again. This is the time for my generation to address these issues. Let’s see how we do. I’ve got good reason to hope for tomorrow being better than today. Let me list a few:
- The Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are in full operation around the world.
- The Book of Mormon is True
- The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored upon the earth
- There’s a living prophet on the earth today.
- I’ve got a fantastic wife who’s actually pretty ok with being called a “Roecker”
- I’ve got three kids and a peanut with a heartbeat
- Activists like Glenn Beck and Chuck Norris haven’t been silenced.
- Robert Spencer and Geert Wilders are still alive despite death threats
- A friend of mine from Simsbury High School wrote on her facebook wall that one of her kids was sick. This started a whole lot of folks praying, and now her son’s doing much much better. God answers prayers irregardless of what church we go to! That’s huge.
- Miracles are everywhere
- “Our Mr Sun” a documentary about the science of the sun that includes religious references is able to be downloaded and watched. Previous generations left us lots of good things to use today.
- The list contiues… but not here–just not enough room.
When you want to blow your nose you reach for a kleenex. When you want to keep something cold you put it in the fridge. In Canada they call their couches “Chesterfields.” Brand names have somehow made their way into being common household names. Irregardless of politics or persuasions my children will bear my name. It may not be as well known as “kleenex” but where it is known it should be known for good. I’ve been, and need to continue, placing effort into securing that the name I give them is a good one.
If you’ve got a media player like VLC installd and would like to download the videos to watch on your computer with out the internet click on the links below.
9/11 National Fast Update
Posted by jacobroecker on 12 March 2009 under Projects | Be the First to Comment
Another 11th day of another month has gone by. This week it is my duty to ask that you recruit 6 people to this group before the next time the calendar reads “11.” There’s been a lot of news… too much to cover really. I’d just like to focus a bit of your attention on one item the media has breezed past. Today’s technology allows us to get first hand information. You don’t have to take someone else’s word for it any more. You can look it up yourself.
This month I would like you to take a look at the words of the 9/11 terrorists in GITMO. I have quoted an excerpt here, and have further comment below.
Therefore, killing you and fighting you, destroying you and terrorizing you, responding back to your attacks, are all considered to be great legitimate duty in our religion. These actions are our offerings to God…..
Keep reading at http://911.trailbrain.com
The Church’s Response
Posted by jacobroecker on 11 March 2009 under Religion | Be the First to Comment
It seems the Church has responded. This is copied from: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma
9 March 2009 Like other large faith groups, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes finds itself on the receiving end of attention from Hollywood or Broadway, television series or books, and the news media. Sometimes depictions of the Church and its people are quite accurate. Sometimes the images are false or play to stereotypes. Occasionally, they are in appallingly bad taste.
As Catholics, Jews and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice. Yet Latter-day Saints – sometimes known as Mormons – still wonder whether and how they should respond when news or entertainment media insensitively trivialize or misrepresent sacred beliefs or practices.
Church members are about to face that question again. Before the first season of the HBO series Big Love aired more than two years ago, the show’s creators and HBO executives assured the Church that the series wouldn’t be about Mormons. However, Internet references to Big Love indicate that more and more Mormon themes are now being woven into the show and that the characters are often unsympathetic figures who come across as narrow and self-righteous. And according to TV Guide, it now seems the show’s writers are to depict what they understand to be sacred temple ceremonies.
Certainly Church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding. Last week some Church members began e-mail chains calling for cancellations of subscriptions to AOL, which, like HBO, is owned by Time Warner. Certainly such a boycott by hundreds of thousands of computer-savvy Latter-day Saints could have an economic impact on the company. Individual Latter-day Saints have the right to take such actions if they choose.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.
Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in his own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today. As someone recently said, “This isn’t 1830, and there aren’t just six of us anymore.” In other words, with a global membership of thirteen and a half million there is no need to feel defensive when the Church is moving forward so rapidly. The Church’s strength is in its faithful members in 170-plus countries, and there is no evidence that extreme misrepresentations in the media that appeal only to a narrow audience have any long-term negative effect on the Church.
Examples:
- During the Mitt Romney election campaign for the presidency of the United States, commentator Lawrence O’Donnell hurled abuse at the Church in a television moment that became known among many Church members as “the O’Donnell rant.” Today, his statements are remembered only as a testament to intolerance and ignorance. They had no effect on the Church that can be measured.
- When the comedy writers for South Park produced a gross portrayal of Church history, individual Church members no doubt felt uncomfortable. But once again it inflicted no perceptible or lasting damage to a church that is growing by at least a quarter of a million new members every year.
- When an independent film company produced a grossly distorted version of the Mountain Meadows Massacre two years ago, the Church ignored it. Perhaps partly as a result of that refusal to engender the controversy that the producers hoped for, the movie flopped at the box office and lost millions.
- In recent months, some gay activists have barraged the media with accusations about “hateful” attitudes of Latter-day Saints in supporting Proposition 8 in California, which maintained the traditional definition of marriage. They even organized a protest march around the Salt Lake Temple. Again, the Church has refused to be goaded into a Mormons versus gays battle and has simply stated its position in tones that are reasonable and respectful. Meanwhile, missionary work and Church members in California remain as robust and vibrant as ever, and support for the Church has come from many unexpected quarters — including some former critics and other churches.
Now comes another series of Big Love, and despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show’s fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints.
If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Big Love without Decency
Posted by jacobroecker on 9 March 2009 under Philosiphy, Religion | Be the First to Comment
Dear Reader:
Nearly nine years ago my wife and I were married in the LDS Temple in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. The ceremony was simple, and bound us together for time and all eternity. Close friends and family were invited, and it was an exciting, beautiful, and spiritual time. What a great way to start off our marriage!
In the nine years since. Lots of things have happened. Chrissy and I have welcomed our children, moved four times, and survived two deployments. There have been times when all the hope I’ve been able to stand on was the sacred promise of that ceremony. The details are sacred. The results are real.
HBO’s show “Big Love” now plans on airing sacred parts of the temple ceremony as part of its programming. I would encourage all who read this to voice their opinion in protest. Things this sacred are meant to be carried in your heart, not over cable TV.
Please use this form to contact HBO.
You may also want to join the facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/group.php?gid=80399776872
Please take action.
Thanks to B!
Posted by jacobroecker on 3 March 2009 under Friends, Projects | Be the First to Comment
Sometime last month I asked a talented artist to come up with the logo for the 9/11 national fast project. My original logo was terrible. So she came up with this one, and it’s only fitting that I add her logo to this blog.
If you’d like to add the 9/11 logo to your blog just use the code below.
