Off topic.

So I went to the gym today with my lady and as we're nearing the end of our vigorous work out, one of the gym trainers started his personal work out. Up to that point I was looking in the mirror, seeing the definition and what I thought were relatively decent sized muscles. I was feeling good.

Then homeboy starts his workout and, maybe I'm alone on this one, it shredded my blown-up self image. The man looked like he'd been carved out of stone. He lifted twice, three times as much as me and made it look easy. I'm struggling with ten whilst he lifts 30 with ease and precision.

My excuse to myself and my lady is that he looks good for a living. People want to learn how to look good from people who look good. I accept that. But why does he have to embarrass everyone else who has unfortunately stumbled into the gym at the same time as him. Have some decency man...

I don't get them darned Repubs.

Now, I realize that I'm not in the center of it all, living the day-to-day drama and I don't have to make decisions that affect the face of the political landscape. But you know, I just don't get some of the decisions the Repubs have made in terms of who they have chosen as the face of their party. The Repubs have Colin Powell who is a hero in my book and one of the only voices of reason in the Bush administration. And instead of vaunting Powell as a leader and a reason why people would want to be Republican they've ostricized him and given him reason to doubt the vision and direction of their party.

When Colin Powell, a person of high moral character who has accomplished much in the face of adversity begins to question his own party, it is time to look at the Republicans and wonder what has caused him to have doubts. The fact that he endorsed Barack Obama means that he has lost complete confidence in the Republican party.

In addition to being highly critical of Powell the Republicans have seemingly chosen to rely on the message and ideas of Rush Limbaugh of all people. Powell: a former four-star general, National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Limbaugh: college drop out, radio talk show host, tv personality. I tend to give credence to people of substance.

If someone can explain Republican logic to me I'm all ears.

Trevor.

New.

As the recent presidential race indicates, Utah is a heavily Republican state. It is also a state whose people are predominantly LDS, and, therefore, a majority of Utahns have an inherently conservative outlook on life and politics. I too am LDS, but grew up in a home that allowed and encouraged free thinking. Many of my values and beliefs align with some conservative thought and many completely differ.

I call myself a blue dog democrat because many of my ideas of how a society should look and behave is often conservative. But I am democrat because I believe that Government, in the right hands, is capable of having a positive influence on society.

I think it's also worth mentioning that I came of age during the reign of Bush II and quickly became disenchanted with his administration and the Republican party. Bush was content to be a president for only half the country and I quickly realized I wasn't part of that half.

I hope people read some of my ideas and have something to say. Something constructive to say at least. My idea is to write my personal thoughts and ideas about current events. If anyone else has anything to add then please do.

Straight up now tell me.

Trevor.