America's Son - Tom Douglas

America's Son - Tom Douglas
Love this song about about a man we owe so very much. George Washington is a hero of mine and as I listen to this I am in awe of the man he was and the sacrifices he made. It gives me a greater sense of duty and purpose in my own life. I hope every day of my life, to become more like this great hero.

The Proper Role of Government

God created us with unalienable rights.  These rights, as the great philosopher John Locke explained, are “life, liberty, and property.”  Government exists only to secure and safeguard these rights.  It is therefore proper for the government to maintain a national military as well as police forces to protect against the losses of life, liberty, and property.  But when the federal government proceeds to think it knows best for me, to regulate what my children learn in school; and to force me to buy health care; it has obviously overstepped its bounds.  Not only are these things blatantly unconstitutional, but also any wise person knows that problems are best solved at the lowest level possible.  A parent knows best how to teach and care for their children.  It is a firm principle that the smallest level that can possibly undertake a task is the one that should do so.  This concept of local self-government implemented by the founders in great measure originated from the government that was instigated by Moses for the children of Israel.  Another issue is the idea that the redistribution of wealth is a necessary use of government.  But think about it.  Would you go into your neighbor’s house and take his things?  Of course you wouldn’t.  If you did he would do with you what he wished, and you would be punished for breaking the law.  Yet this is precisely what the redistribution of wealth is.  Taking from one person and giving to another what he does not deserve and could not have gained without committing a crime.  Bastiat called this “legal plunder.”  In conclusion government is necessary. But only as it stays within it’s constitutional bounds.  We as a people must work to make government as limited as possible so that we may have maximum freedom. 

Bourne Vivaldi - ThePianoGuys

Bourne Vivaldi (Bourne Soundtrack/Vivaldi Double Cello Concerto) - ThePianoGuys  Such an awesome video. The Piano guys are amazing. I feel like they bring what's good back into the world. They are so talented and they love what they do. I can't get enough of them.

Pachelbel Meets U2 - Jon Schmidt Great song! Combines Pachelbel's Canon and U2's "With or Without you."

The Piano Guys

Peponi by the Piano Guys ft. Alex Boye The Piano Guys are amazing! Subscribe to their page, they make awesome videos and awesome music!

General Conference

Savior, Redeemer of My Soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_ig_aM3zgw
This is an amazing song. It invites the spirit so well. It helps to remind me of what is really important in this life, and how much my Savior has done for me. Sometimes we (I) get distracted by things that aren't so important, so its really important for me to continually refocus on the things that really do matter. I've been blessed with so much, and when I remember that, and when I go out and serve people, my trials don't seem so tough anymore. I'm so very grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I'm also thankful for the opportunity I'll have to listen to modern-day prophets during General Conference in a couple of weeks. It should be great!

Bracket result

So according to the Bracket matrix--which you can find on the right in the links section--My projected bracket finished tied for 9th with an overall score of 341. I had 65 teams +/- 1 seed. This was the most of anybody among the 115 brackets. I missed just South Florida and Iona. Only 7 people had Iona in! So I'm pretty happy at how well I did. I did a lot of resume searching and I ended up putting a lot of stock on the RPI top 50 wins that teams had.
     For the bracket I filled out after the tournament was selected I had Baylor, Michigan State, Ohio State, and North Carolina in the Final Four. I have Ohio State defeating Michigan State in the Final. I'm doing pretty well with these picks so far but the rest of my bracket isn't great. Of course who could have known that two number 2 seed would go down in the 1st round! I was in utter amazement when I heard Duke lost.
     Big game for Purdue tomorrow! Hopefully they can knock off the Jayhawks!

March 11th Final Bracket

I will be watching the games tomorrow on tape delay so here is my final bracket.

Last teams in: Dayton, NC State, Oral Roberts, Drexel
Last teams out: Mississippi St, Seton Hall, Iona, South Florida, Marshall, Northwestern, Washington

If St. Bonaventure beats Xavier they would steal Dayton's spot in my bracket. Most people do not have Oral Roberts or Dayton in the field. Dayton is 4-4 against the RPI top 50, and 8-8 against the top 100. This is better than many of the other bubble teams. Oral Roberts--much like Drexel--is a very good basketball team with a gaudy record that slipped up in their conference tournament. I don't understand why their resume isn't getting more consideration as it is very similar to that of Drexel's. Oral Roberts has two top 50 wins over Xavier and South Dakota St. The Committee will have some tough decisions to make as to wether they want mediocre teams from tougher conferences, or teams that have won the games on their schedule; albeit against lower competition. Personally I think an Oral Roberts team that has won 20 of their last 22 is more deserving then a Mississippi St. team that has lost 6 of their last 8. ORU also has a better RPI and a much better road record. Mississippi State has not played well at all lately. So I think ORU warrants serious discussion about a bid, and I have them in the field.    

March 8th Bracket Update

Now in: Lehigh, Texas
Now out: Bucknell, Seton Hall
Selection Sunday is only 3 days away!

March 7th Bracket Update

Last Teams in: Oral Roberts, Tennessee, Seton Hall, Drexel, California, Xavier, West Virginia, Mississippi St

Last Teams out: Northwestern, Texas, Miami (FL), South Florida, Oregon, Dayton

Feb 29th Bracket update

Last 8 teams in: Texas, Saint Josephs, Northwestern, West Virginia, Xavier, VCU, Miami (FL), Connecticut.

Last 4 teams out: Colorado St, South Florida, Dayton, Oregon

New in the Field: Saint Josephs, VCU, Miami (FL), Montana.

Out of the Field: UCF, Colorado St, Mississippi St, Weber State.

Feb 22nd Bracket update

Here is my updated bracket. My last 4 teams in are Mississippi St, Texas, Northwestern, and Colorado St.
The bubble is really weak this year. Its actually quite hard to find teams that deserve to be in. I hope there will be some upsets in conference tournament play so that some of those mid-major leagues will get multiple bids. This would knock some of the bubble teams out. For example. If Murray State loses to Tennessee State in the conference tournament final, Tennessee State would then get the automatic bid. This would force Murray State to get an at-large bid to get in. Because of their resume I think Murray State would definitely do just that. Bye-bye Mississippi St.

Feb. 19th Bracket

Here is my first bracket. I did it mostly off the top of my head so don't get too upset about anything. And go Cougars!

An Apostle's witness

Elder Bednar's Testimony
Here is an amazing witness by an Apostle of God to the reality of the Priesthood and of God's love for his children. Elder Bednar explains the way in which the priesthood was restored to the earth and bears testimony of Jesus Christ, and his gospel. I add my testimony that I know Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer. I also know that families can be together forever through the saving ordinances of the priesthood. I am so thankful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Common Sense

I recently finished reading the pamphlet Common Sense published on January 10th, 1776 by Thomas Paine.
Here is a quote from it.
"O! ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose not only tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the Old World is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive and prepare in time an asylum for mankind."       


I can imagine the impact this pamphlet must have had on the people then. Indeed it convinced many that independence was the only option. It motivated them to go and fight for their country. I hope that today, we are able to remember what they fought for. Be able to remember the great lives lost by those who so selflessly went to serve; who went to serve so that we may live in a land of freedom. We owe it to them to not only remember, but to fight to preserve the freedoms that are gradually, but consistently being taken from us. An asylum for mankind! May it continue to be.

Bracketology

I am going to start doing Bracketology for this year! Last year I was reluctant, I didn't like the 68 team format. But I am excited to get back to it this year!

Eagle Scout!

I finally got my Eagle Scout at the end of last year! It felt so good to finally be done. For my project I built a fence around the Montessori School in West Lafayette. The day I did it on was a very cold morning the Saturday after Thanksgiving back in 2010. I will soon be having my Eagle Court of Honor! I don't like ceremonies much but I guess I'll have to go through with it!