Fortunately, October did not prove to be the calm before the storm! Surprisingly and thankfully, we've had a peaceful election and post-election process. And also thankfully (but not that suprisingly)...Trump won! And he won decisively, which I think is what helped cut down on any post-election chaos. The voting processes around the country were watched much more carefully this time, which helped to either eliminate or tamp down on any cheating that might have happened otherwise and in the past. I was about 90% sure that Trump would win, and obviously, I'm very glad that he did. America gets a reprieve and another chance to get back on track.
International relations
I was worried that this would blow up (truly no pun intended) into something big last month and the potential beginnings of WWIII, but it didn't.
Gender issues
"The best studies of gender dysphoria (studies that even transgender activists cite) show that between 80 and 95 percent of children who express a discordant gender identity will come to identify with their bodily sex if natural development is allowed to proceed." The hormone treatments and surgeries on the developing bodies and minds of children, teenagers, and young adults must stop. It's a travesty.
"The highest risks [of suicide] come from transitioning rather than from resisting the practice."
Media literacy
I read an interesting article in Penn's alumni magazine about media bias, and it was refreshing to read it in a liberal Ivy League university's alumni magazine. There is hope yet!
This
website designed and run by Penn students is well done.
So important to remember...
Immigration
Also from the alumni magazine, the cover story was about a Wharton professor who has extensively studied the business and economic effects of immigration, and guess what? His sister is one of my best friends here in Massachusetts, and her son is one of John's best friends! I love the connection!
Roberto Hernandez (Zeke's dad) is in my ward!
I'd like to read Zeke's
book. I think I'll agree with most of what he says, but I'm very hawkish about immigration and I'm not sure that he addresses the effects of illegal immigration enough and the impact it has on the economy and the well-being of the country as a whole. I support immigration wholeheartedly as long as it's done
legally and in accordance with the laws of the land. Yes, the laws and processes need reforming and refining. But they need to be followed. When they're not, then you've broken the law and have therefore done something criminal. I think the Church tends to be too soft on this. Yes, have compassion and love for your fellow man (and I truly do love my Spanish immigrant friends), but find the right balance between that and obeying the law.
