Guest Commentary

I was a sideline observer to the "Return to Honor" rally in Washington D.C. two weekends ago. Void of cable and satellite television, I do not watch Glenn Beck in the evenings. My work schedule and other responsibilities very rarely put me in the car during his radio show.

To be quite honest I haven't even checked if Glenn is spelled with one "n" or two. I am sticking with two. Yet, during the past primary season I was accused of being a 9/12, Beck-loving nut because of my intention to vote for a new senator. The only 9/12 event I have attended was a sponsored meet the candidate night for the past senate contenders. It was held in a Presbyterian church -- which brings me to my transition and point.

Who knew that a Wildcat could ever become a Lion?

That revelation came to light in April when Tim Toone, the Weber State University Wildcats all-time receiving leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, was selected by the Detroit Lions as the final pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

His draft position led the media to dub him "Mr. Irrelevant," but Wildcat fans will tell you, as a student-athlete, Tim proved his relevance on and off the field.

Muslim critics of western civilization are partially right about decadence therein. I'm most inclined to believe them when seeing what many of us go "gaga" over in this country. I mean, have we become a nation of vampire worshipers? Is there no part of the human body that won't be tattooed?

The Standard-Examiner Editorial Board took a bold stand in this conservative state on Aug. 19 by writing an "Our View" editorial titled "Obama is right on mosque." I am sure it was taken to task by many. And just below the editorial was one by Susan Skordos, a member of the editorial board, entitled "Going Muslim!" She described the interesting experience of her daughter shopping at Gateway wearing a Muslim veil.

Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

With back-to-school just around the corner, plenty of people are wondering if this will be another year of putting school off. No money, no day-time available hours for classes, no transportation, no child care help. Most grants and loans seldom help the person working through adverse circumstances.

The November mid-term elections are less than three months away. In the coming weeks, we will see rhetoric heat up as political candidates seek to garner public support for their stances on illegal immigration. In the midst of the mayhem, voters should seek to pledge their support to candidates and legislation which make use of both compassion and common sense.

My oldest daughter, as a project in diversity for a master's program in school counseling, decided to dress as a Muslim woman. Her plan was to venture out into the marketplace in order to get a feel for how it is to be different, in this case, Muslim, in America.

"Oh, so you're going to don a burka and head to the mall? I asked.

"It's not a burka I'm going to wear, Mom. It's a hijab," she quipped.