The Mind Wanders
Yeah, my LAUNCHcast station is now playing WDOA (the original version).

So I will read.

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In this study, losses due to earthquakes are modelled for a realistic insurance portfolio in Italy. In order to study the impact of uncertainty of the occurrence model and different vulnerability functions on AAL estimates, historical earthquake data was analysed with respect to completeness and the average annual losses (AAL) have been calculated to demonstrate the sensitivity of the vulnerability on loss estimates.

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A new report by the independent Pew Research Center has found that American voters are acutely worried about the loss of international respect for the US. For the first time since the Vietnam era, foreign policy and national security issues are dominating the presidential election. Two thirds of Americans believe that America is less respected in the world than in the past, and, by roughly two-to-one, see this loss of respect as a major problem for the country. Not surprisingly, a majority of Americans believe that winning back respect from our allies is a top priority for the nation.

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It's sad, but true: our society does not value the contributions of SAH [stay at home] parents much. My professional associates thought I'd retired in luxury, free to watch soaps and eat bon-bons all day while making no more than an occasional check on the sleeping bundle who'd been my ticket out of corporate America.

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We live in a culture of death which springs forth from a loss of respect not only of the sacredness of life, but of the sacred, a loss of respect for the Son. As a result, there is so much suffering in our community. So many are both victims and victimizers in this culture of death that surrounds us. But there is hope, there is mercy, there is forgiveness! "I am the way, the truth, and the life," says the Lord. In a world where so many are willing to sacrifice another out of fear, vengeance, or even convenience, the Savior says, "this is my body given up for you! While we have entered into the political debate, we must also be aware of the great need for healing that so many have who have fallen.

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This does not mean a wife is indifferent to contempt herself. If she feels her husband's contempt, it can affect her too. But she doesn't see or view or interpret marital conflict as that which will result in loss of respect. Through her pink sunglasses she sees the conflict as having the potential of resolving the conflict, reconciling hearts and experiencing love. She sees the potential for love. L.O.V.E.

But her husband sees through blue sunglasses, seeing a loss of respect. He filters his world through the respect gird more than she does. This is why a husband concludes his wife is sending a message of disrespect.

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If integrity is determined by respect, and respect is earned by one's actions and words, I believe that both the unions and the Administration have lost a great deal of respect in many people's eyes. It is this loss of respect that causes students to become simply fed up with the entire situation and ignore the picketers. It is this lack of respect that causes students to resent the union members they pass on the street, in much the same way that students resented the boycotters on Broadway last semester. And it is this loss of respect that causes students to simply throw away the contract-negotiation updates they receive, and to wish for that $105 check every week.

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What about here in the U.S.? Why it is that for many years the Chevra and the traditions it stood for were often ridiculed and largely ignored? Why would Funeral Directors scorn the Chevra and avoid involving it unless forced to do so by the family of the deceased or his Rabbi? It is regretful that in this respect the Chevra Kadisha as an institution, appreciation for the beauty of its customs, has declined to a great extent. I daresay that even in the most traditional quarters of the Jewish community, there was a loss of respect and appreciation for the work of the Chevra. Why?

The loss of prestige for the work of the Chevra would be more understandable and less painful if the customs and traditions were not so beautiful and full of meaning. However, in truth, Tahara is very rich in its significance, its every ritual is a reflection of the most basic concepts of our faith. Proper performance of the Tahara and Shmira are a unique expression of the ultimate respect for the dignity and the nobility of man.

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When we look at those we love and clearly see their blinders we wish they could change like we did. It's now obvious to us how ridiculous they sound, and it's very normal to experience that loss of respect you mention.

Please be careful and give this process some conscious thought. Your visceral reaction to their ignorance is understandable, but you can do something about it. Regardless of what they choose to do, I hope you realize that you can only do something about YOUR problem, not theirs.

Try refocusing your thinking to their efforts to do "the best" for you and each other. Think about their good qualities. To them, loyalty is very important. To them, the church is true and it will remain so, no matter how much evidence you put in front of them. Better to give them a good measure of unconditional love and focus on some of their qualities that deserve your respect.

This forum is the ideal place to see the utter tomfoolery of mormonism, but in our healing from mormonism we should try not reject our loved ones for their beliefs. They are the honest ones who believed the warm fuzzies story, not the decievers and con artists who started it all. Let's not transfer our indignation to innocent people who try their best to do the right thing, just like we did while under the mormon spell.

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