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Show Monday * April 20, 2009 Can we get back to the America we grew up to believe in? Kurt Christensen Guest writer The weather was frigid and snowy on April 15, but the fires of passion and faith glowed warm in the heart of patriots. The tea party demonstration at the court house in Provo sent a message using the three simple words "We the people." This comes as a reminder to all that have forgotten who is in charge of this country: the small business man, the factory worker, and all hard working tax payers, the American people. The reasons for meeting on this cold snowy day were as varied as the more than 500 people there. A main message was a plea to stop spending the children's future, referring to the federal debt, emphasized by a small boy carrying a sign that read "I owe twelve trillion dollars."" Many people held signs that expressed the fear of socialism. David Kirkham, an automobile manufacturer, spoke about opening a factory in a post Soviet country, and how terrified he was that this country is heading down the same road that he vividly experienced. I looked around at the emotional faces of a group of war veterans carrying signs that read, "Don't ruin the America that my friends died for." Here was a generation of men, who many years ago stood together in the face of extreme evil. They worked, fought and many died to ensure this country remained free. To see intense sorrow in their faces, with tears in their patriotic eyes, believing the sacrifice of their brothers and youth may have been in vain, jerked at my heart. Once again these brave men stood shoulder to shoulder on a new battlefield, joined by a new generation of young men and women, all united by the same goal: not to let our nation be destroyed. stay true to our goal, we can get back to the America that we grew up to believe in. There was an awe inspiring amount of youth in the crowd. Looking on with fearless faces, they knew that the fight to keep the American Dream alive would some day fall upon their shoulders. This is a daunting burden to befall anyone, but with steadfastness and inextinguishable hope, the youth stood ready and willing to accept their responsibility of carrying the torch. Twelve-year-old Nicholas Kirkum, delivered a stirring speech. He emphasized that if this country is to survive the hardships it has encountered, we must forget about being republican or democrat and unite as Americans. I asked a veteran going by the name of "Simon Jester," what scared him the most about the way things are going. He paused only for a moment, and with sincerity and conviction replied "Nothing, because the pendulum will keep swinging. It always does, but the resilience and determination of the American people will always prevail. In the darkest times is when true courage and strength will emerge." This very idea is what has made America the great nation it is. It started with a group of brave men in July of 1776 who stood and together declared that they had had enough. What would Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Washington say? Would they have some profound advice to give? Or would they simply shake their heads in disgust at the chaotic circus our leaders have turned this great nation into? In these turbulent times,we must remember . that it is "we the people" that made this country great. With the American people's unity, hard work and courage, it will with no doubt continue to be great. ore blessed than thou Material wealth viewed as God's carrot-on-a-stick tactic Trent Bates/UVU Review Guest writer I love Disney movies! Especially the old classic animated films like Dumbo, and Snow White. Similar to a lot of the Dr. Zeus books there's a moral dilemma that resolves in such a way that you can't help but be ethically reshaped. The most resent one that I dug out from a dusty shelf was Pinocchio. I can't believe all the symbolism hidden in this judeo-christian-capitalism reinforcing masterpiece. The last time I saw it I was only a child and missed out on all the depth; for example, the children start smoking, drinking, gambling and they are transformed into Jackasses. What a slap in the face to idiots that do these sacrilegious acts. So the story goes, Pinocchio is a fake wooden boy that wants more than anything in the world to be a real boy. He is confronted by afairy (or should we say, angeP.) who tells him he must learn to be good in order to become a real boy, or in other words, like Adam and Eve he must learn right from wrong in order to be mortal. Like all seekers of divine grace, he must choose the right in order to be reunited with his father. Now, pay close attention this is where it gets really deep. The angel appoints Jiminy Cricket to become Pinocchio's conscience, or still small voice that helps him "CTR." In other words Jiminy is symbolic of the Holy Ghost. Before Jiminy's divine promotion from poor beggar to holy consular, Jim- iny's clothes are battered and torn, dirty and stinky, messed and unkempt. After he is promoted and climbs up the gleaming later of righteousness, he is blessed with shiny new shoes, new hat, socks, jacket, and a gold studded umbrella. I thought about this idea for a long time, and my conclusion was.... two thumbs up! It's brilliant! The movie taps into the real grit of spiritual ideals. And that is.... the closer to God you are the richer you become, and vise versa, the richer you are the closer to God you are. Now think about this deeply and your eyes will open to the ways of God. On Sundays, many Churchgoers apply to our bodies the best shoes, tie, earrings, jewelry, watches, hair products, perfumes, and lotions. We are transforming ourselves for God to transmit his word through us, and the better we look and more expensive our attire is, the stronger that signal will be. Now we Mormons know that gold is a symbol of divinity. Just as we are the chosen people, the small square on the periodic table of elements reading "Au'* holds a special place. In Pinocchio, Jiminy is even rewarded at the end with a solid gold star to place amongst his breast. Gold is like a barometer to measure the divine in one's self. Besides our original Golden Plates, the statues on our LDS temples are gold plated and sit up on the highest pinnacles of our temples. This represents our closeness to God and the Heavens. Moroni will be the first to awaken us to See Blessed* A6 Trent Bates/UVU Review Guest author Russ Adler wonders aloud whether or not an emphasis on materialism pervades some religious practices. Does donning one's 'Sunday best9 create feelings of inferiority for church-goers of meager means? Adler critiques 'outward signs' of material bounty in houses of worship. Jeff Jones, a concerned student, spoke to the crowd. His message was that if we your opinion counts ;\. 1 ?r- 1 .' 1 . 1 . • V , . . : - . - : • • Are you a member of a student club or other organization on campus that addresses issues pertinent to the larger community? Contact the UVU Review about authoring a guest editorial. I uvu.review.opinions@gmail.com; v check us out online at uvureview.com |