Witt's End

I think we all should think that the Amendments of the Constitution Should Matter. That they define a large part of the rights and responsibilities of the subjects and nation we all live in. I worry that is not the case. Why? They're looking at three terms. And the option mentioned in news reports is literally Putin's playbook.  That's what we're dealing with.  We are looking at a body of people fighting for a third term. And I can't believe it.  This administration doesn't care one bit about the constitution. Let's review the 22nd amendment . "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President" It's pretty cut and dry. Now I don't always think the originalism of the supreme court has got it right. But most of the time those my hesitance and disagreements are about differences of recognizing historical precedent and analogues. That was always ...

Process matters. How we do something is as important as the what and the why in government. I'm an institutionalist. And I'm worried about the long term ramifications of what we're seeing happening.  I'm all for putting in the work to streamline our national budget. We need to examine for waste, fraud, and abuse. I would argue the largest factor is waste with a lot of redundancies. We can do what we can to increase efficiency. But the executive needs to be restrained in how they do it. For two major reasons.  One, congress is delegated the purse. Period. Article one of the Constitution. Congress handles the budget and taxation. The most democratic portion of the the entire federal system (the house) is supposed to originate all related legislation. It's their job to fix this. To work on it. Now the executive can veto and can provide guidance. They're in the perfect place to address these issues. They could impound and work with congress through the proper proced...

I grapple with where I am. I do not understand how so many people have such surety over all of their decisions. Especially when it comes to faith. This isn't meant to be a critique. No this being approached from a place of envy as a doubting Thomas. And that cuts two ways. Doubting what I learn and doubting myself.  I'm of the opinion that we have to analyze all sides. We need to gain as much information as possible, determine what's credible and analyze it. We also need to be humble enough to admit when we can't determine credibility or have the ability to properly evaluate what we're learning. We also have to be open to changing our minds.  This works so well in academic, research, clinical, or scientific environments. It's also a place where I've spent a lot of time and study to develop the skills to do it more effectively.  The problem is that doesn’t work with spirtuality and faith. At least not for me.  I’ve tried the apologetics games. Really really d...

"Change your thoughts, change everything." I keep seeing variations of this quote or idea all over. And it's not horrible. But it's not universally beneficial either.  I don’t disagree with the idea that our thoughts can be the difference. That they can set moods. That they can make the difference in outcomes, mental, emotional, and physical. Thoughts matter. We have to learn how to control them. Develop them. Use them. It’s a more than worthwhile endeavor. It’s just not an equal one. All people have different struggles. Different trials with this.  Uncontrolled moods, intrusive thoughts, physical addictions, traumatic events, neurodivergent struggles, and even brain damage. They all wreak havoc on one’s cognition. Purposeful thought isn’t as easy for some as it is for others. The amount of effort required is different.  At one point in my life, I'd convinced myself I still had pain. There was racing anxiety that accompanied my every move. The line between physica...

177 years ago today was the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. It occurred June 27th 1844. Their martyrdom ended a life of service, dedication, and faithfulness in the light of some of the greatest hardships. Together they endured the death of children, a spouse, tar and feathering, beatings, imprisonment, isolation, and the seemingly continual loss of home. Today I would like to reflect on the accomplishment of Joseph, the prophet. During his lifetime he brought about the translation of the Book of Mormon, was chosen to receive the restoration of the priesthood, and reestablished Christ's church on this earth. Christ told us that "by their fruits ye shall know them." I think he brought forth fruit that has benefited my life to this day. I am astounded by him. Both as a man, and for the office I truly believe he held. I'm in awe at the trials he faced.  Now I know a lot of people have different conclusions of the man I'm lauding. Some believe him to be a charlatan....

The following letter was written to Benjamin Franklin in Latin as it was the only common language that was intelligible between the two men corresponding. The opening line is personally an underrated piece of American literature.  --- Most Illustrious Sir: Golden freedom cannot be purchased with yellow gold. I, who have the honor to present this letter to your Excellency, am also following the call of the Fathers of the Land, as the pioneers of freedom always did. I am a free man and a Hungarian. As to my military status I was trained in the Royal Prussian Army and raised from the lowest rank to the dignity of a Captain of the Hussars, not so much by luck and the mercy of chance than by most diligent self discipline and the virtue of my arms. The dangers and the bloodshed of a great many campaigns taught me how to mold a soldier, and, when made, how to arm him and let him defend the dearest of the lands with his best ability under any conditions and developments of the war. I now a...

I've stopped and started this three or four times already. Just having trouble finding a way to express how I'm feeling. So here goes. Too many of us believe our country, our world would be better if everyone thought like us. We also are increasingly believing that those not like us are less than human. We are empathizing less and less. It's scaring me. We've forgotten how to disagree. How to listen to opposition and apply it. As we become more and more divided I'm fearful. I'm so worried that the extremes are high jacking the discourse of the nation. Driving us further and further apart and toward extremes. One faction though worries me most. Mostly due to the fact it was where I identified with more. This push for nationalism is the most concerning thing for me. This idea that there is a singular historical national identity worries me. It's always a euro-centric ideology, typically conservative and focused on conformity. Personally it antithetica...