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You are in my prayers Rory. I was 14 stone for over twenty years, my weight the dropped to 12 stone (sorry not familiar with other metrics). Earlier this year, my weight went to 13 stone. I think this was body responding to retirement, managed to get to 12 stone 6, which my doctor thinks is about right for my size and natural body shape. Hopefully, I can get the right diet, food and drink wise, for my ongoing health. Also back to a regular sleep pattern, as I worked shift/rota system for a number of years.

Soviet-style Whataboutism. Keep it up Comrade. Can you give me an example of "Soviet-style Whataboutism" ? Would that be their tactic of foisting constant war of words and Tturning victim classes against each other? Check your copy of Saul Alinsky's book: "Rules for Radicals". Comrade? I am not some ant-hill communist drone. You know me to be a rock-ribbed constitutional conservative. I prefer the appellation of brother or patriot. Why did you put that in quotes? Are you suggesting it is not actually insanity? Based. The constant barrage of subversion is massive and pervasive. We could use multiple descriptors for identifying the various programs being orchestrated by the many woke social engineers: bodily mutilations of minors (depraved, viscious) claims of men being "able" to conceive, give birth and lactate milk (what planet are you on ? ? ?) claims of women being "able" to do anything that men do including going into combat (unwise) etc etc etc

I have a friend about my age, 70, who happily mentioned that he broke a personal record on "the elliptical", (whatever that is) of burning over 600 calories in either a half hour or an hour. When it isn't religion or sports, we talk fitness. I retired over a year ago and have put on weight. I have started walking, and like Teddy, my friend says that we need more. I don't think it is realistic to do an elliptical. I just want to see my grandkids grow up, and not die early because I have abused the Lord's temple. I have returned one notch on my belt. I have a way to go and we can do it. I am only walking regularly and fasting one or two days a week. I count mowing my overgrown big lawn as a walking day too. I am looking for some reasonable way to start with the goal of feeling like Teddy and my friend do...after 70. I know God gave us bodies that endure a lot of mistreatment, and have amazing recuperative responses as well. I think I need to add some form of resistance training like Teddy said. Let us begin by being encouraged. Not waiting, figuring out the right way to start to add what's needed to what we are already doing. I don't recommend the 36 hour Friday or Wednesday fasts that I try to practice, unless you know how to break that long fast. But the benefit is great. I chose those days as a Catholic because they have become a custom over the centuries, as it corresponds with the betrayal of our Lord on Wednesday and His Passion on Friday. We can offer up our fasts to the Lord as a spiritual penance as well as pleasing Him with taking regard for "our body" which he gives to us as "His temple" to glorify Him. But Catholics should not fast unless we feast! After 1st Vespers for Sunday around five, Saturday evening, we can enjoy a special beverage, and on Sunday as well, with our best healthy feast of the week. With a freely chosen resolution, we can rejoice in every waking hour of the next week as we do our physical and spiritual exercises, which support each other. We are encouraged by our knowledge that if we keep our resolutions until the Vigil on Saturday, we will rejoice more than ever as we restfully enjoy the Sunday feast, the Day of the Lord. The above is my ideal. I don't always make it. Pray for me, Tony. We can help each other! God bless. Rory

I thought "Madonna" was a stage ("fabricated") name, but it turns out her legal name is "Madonna Louise Ciccone." On the other hand, the person who plays "Maui" in Moana has a legal name (Dwayne Johnson) and a fabricated one ("The Rock"). I know a young woman who "identifies" as male. Her legal name is Rebecca, but she now goes by a fabricated (that is, not legally recognized) name of "Kee." Several in the cast of Jersey Shore had fabricated names ("Snooki," "The Situation," "Sweetheart," "JWoww"). And so on. Trans folks are not the only ones who adopt fabricated (not legally recognized) names. Thanks, -Smac

Yes. We are talking about the state punishing the use of a deadname. The specific context using the links you provided were for punishing harassment of one student by another. Following your links, among other things, using a deadname as a form of harassing could lead to punishment. You strongly object to this on first amendment grounds stating "I think the State and its extensions should not regulate speech as to ... 'deadnaming.'" I never said you did. None the less this is exactly the scenario linked to in your post. Your concern is specifically about Universities regulating harassment on campus. I followed your links and read some of the harassment policies. There are quite a few limits in there on speech when it comes to religion, race, sex, national origin, etc. Who exactly is compelling speech? Banning the use of someone's temple name is not compelled speech. Banning the use of someone's deadname is not compelled speech. In what way can that be construed as compelled speech? Do we have different definitions of compelled speech? Isn't that exactly the context you linked to? Students attending university using a deadname to harrass a classmate? Because that's what you linked to. I'm still not seeing how banning a deadname on campus is akin to a faith affirmation. We are in agreement that if someone got up in a classroom and said "F*** the Mormons", that's not protected speech right? But for some reason you think a student using a deadname as harassment is protected speech on campus?

Apart from my walking exercise. I've been taught to do press ups from a wall, on two sets of forty reps. The reason for the 'wall' press ups, is to ease the pressure of the repaired hernia in my abdomen. Also have a pedal machine to help with circulation. A slow start but aim to pick up. Also have stretching exercises to help with ligament issues. Hopefully I will be able to pick from there.

One of the things I’ve learned is that the body has a remarkable ability to renew and repair itself if you eat right and consistently push it to work beyond your comfort zone. In your case, you may have to start out very slowly and cautiously, but once you get your blood really cascading through your body good things will begin to happen, Another benefit I’ve noticed is that adequate exercise not only strengthens the body it but also toughens the mind. Constantly pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone (within reason) will cause you to be far more emotionally resilient. It sure worked for me! Things that used to throw me for an emotional loop now leave me unfazed.

Ok so "fabricated" was used as a term of legal art, not a transphobic Freudian slip.

Many thanks, very welcome information. I turned 57 this year, I think my body has aged out aged my body. Apart from a health issue that I have with my blood since childhood. I have managed to pick up a hernia, operated on. And the onset of arthritis in various parts of anatomy. It would seem that I am a walking disaster at times.

No but you want to ban ALL transgenders from using the bathroom that fits their sexuality. Would you be interested in banning all bishops from attending church? The list of Mormon bishops who have groomed and actually had sex with minors is way longer than your list of performances. Should we compare lists and then decide who gets to use bathrooms and who is allowed in churches?

So if a person doesn’t have a legal name, that individual doesn’t have an actual name? Legally? No. But since everyone does have a legal name these days... Again, I was speaking in a legal sense. "Actual" = "legally recognized." "Fabricated" = "not legally recognized." Thanks, -Smac

So are you consistent on this? I think so. Discipline from the State? No. None. At all. Private parties generally lack authority to mete out "discipline." No. None. At all. I think so, yes. "{A}llowed to be jerks" seems to presuppose that the State is doing the allowing or disallowing. Are there segments of society, outside of the "trans" community, that is seeking - with some success - to use the coercive and punitive power of the State to compel others to speak certain words (e.g., pronouns, former names, etc.) or be punished for failing/refusing to? I can't think of any offhand, but I am open to any input on this point. The State and its extensions should not regulate speech as to either "preferred pronouns" or "deadnaming." Doing so is inimical to the First Amendment. Thanks, -Smac

Many thanks for that information. Very much appreciated.

I'm not very old but I'm getting there. I attend a physical therapy gym. It's a very cheap membership and they are open to 8pm. So, I've been going at random times when I'm free 3 or 4 times a week for an hour. I use the weight machines because it keeps me engaged but I should do more easy but long duration aerobics and keep taking fish oils. You see, my trygliserids are high by genetics and because most foods have bad oils in them. You can only absorb so much fats, so picking to consume a good easy released oil will compete with other oils to be absorbed in a day, and you can only get rid of them after 30+ minutes of aerobics, ideally 1 hour on a treadmill or bike. My ADHD often rebels against it at 10 minutes, but I'll do all the strength training machines too, so maybe it adds to keeping my heart rate up.

Again: "I think those in the trans community who are sexualizing/grooming children ought not be doing those things." I am not condemning the entire community, just those within a portion of it who "are sexualizing/grooming children." I likewise condemn any bishop - or any other Latter-day Saint - who engages in sexual misconduct against any person. "This...er...performer? In spandex, standing next to men in thongs, shouting 'We have bandanas and lube!' from a float parading in front of young kids." "Christina Aguilera sporting a green strap-on penis at a concert advertised as an 'all-ages' pride event in Los Angeles." "This man in drag exposing his pantyhose-clad crotch at a 'kid-friendly' brunch." "A toddler watches as men in thongs and bondage gear whip one another at a pride parade." "A group of half-naked people - including men and women - gyrate on stage and simulate sex acts at a 'family-friendly' drag and pride event in Austin, Texas." "This drag queen wearing pop-up prosthetic genitalia that actually sprayed liquid on to a crowd that included kids." "Drag queens and men in women's lingerie danced provocatively in front of a crowd that included one very confused little girl." "This bare-breasted person twerking and gyrating near a cop, only feet from children marching in the same parade in Washington, D.C. " Children watching a public event involving "a bunch of men that are butt naked and they’re riding around on bicycles ... exposing their genitalia to children who came to attend the event, which was advertised as a family friendly event." "{S}ome of these cyclists were covered in body paint while the majority were fully exposed, leaving nothing unseen to the eye." "{D}ozens of fully naked men and women playing in the fountain with children." "'{A} man with breasts' marching ahead of young children wearing little more than a bikini bottom walking straight up to a police officer, bending over, and shaking his rear at the cop." "{O}ther men walked by {children}, clad in rainbow-colored speedos with tight bulges on display." "{A} drag queen standing on an eggplant emoji float, proclaiming — with young children present — 'We have genitals and lube.'" "{A}n adult forcing her reluctant child to watch the Pride parade." "Young children can be seen handing money to twerking drag queens. A bright pink neon sign saying 'It’s Not Going to Lick Itself!' added an extra layer of creepiness." "{Yale University associate professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Joseph J. Fischel} attempts to justify his argument that children should be exposed to public displays of kink and gay sexuality by taking the laughable position that such exposure will help combat 'racism and homophobia.'" "{Fischel inquires} 'What is the presumptive harm if a child …. sees an adult’s butt cheeks, or even an adult’s genitals or breasts?'" "Fischel continues, asking if a child would feel violated after witnessing any of these things, or if they’d be 'as likely to respond with curiosity?'" "{Fischel states that 'children might like'} public indecency at Pride." "{Fischel states that} we ought to celebrate kink, butts, and boobs… especially for {children}." "'Kids in general aren't at all fazed by seeing nudity.' ... 'It's such a fun and colorful day, it helps to let the little ones express themselves as well. Go with an open mind and be ready to have fun.'" "{T}wo men pantomiming perverse sexual practices, as their truck rolled slowly down the street before gazing hordes of adults and children." “{W}e’re here, we’re queer, we’re coming for your children.” "{R}eporter Taylor Hansen interviewed multiple nude men on the street who attempted to justify their public nudity in front of children as natural and sometimes even good for them." "{N}aked adults in front of children at the parade, including one man who positioned himself at the front of the crowd as multiple school districts and the Boy Scouts of America marched by in the parade." "A 9-year-old girl Hansen spoke to recounted how she saw a man wearing a Darth Vader helmet and cape 'with nothing else,' which she said made her feel 'grossed out.' "Hansen also posted a thread on X detailing more footage he captured of naked adults in front of children at the parade, including one man who positioned himself at the front of the crowd as multiple school districts and the Boy Scouts of America marched by in the parade." Would you find these behaviors objectionable in that situation? I sure would. In fact, I would separate myself from any group or subgroup or ideology that not only tolerates, but celebrates these behaviors, platforms them, endorses them. As Andrew Sullivan put it: Any bishop who behaves inappropriately is doing so in gross violation of the policies and procedures of the Church, of the trust reposed in him, and likely also in violation of secular law. And there is nobody going around attempting to justify or legitimize any such behavior. In contrast, the foregoing events are happening intentionally and in public, and with the tolerance - or even endorsement - of secular officials and law enforcement. And lots of people are going around attempting to justify or legitimize any such behavior. Thanks, -Smac

I’m a 77 year old male who’s in excellent health and in prime athletic physical condition (for example, my resting heart rate is presently 36 beats per minute). I achieved this present state of good health and high level fitness by means of a rigorous 6 day per week program of weight resistance training and aerobic exercise. Quite honestly, I don’t enjoy my workouts but the benefits derived therefrom far outweigh any of the discomfort, ‘muscle burn’ and heavy breathing. In all honesty, I feel as I did in my mid-30’s As we age, one of the biggest health problems we humans face is the process of muscle atrophy and deterioration called sarcopenia. In order to stave off the debilitating scourge of sarcopenia I need to be sure I’m getting sufficient protein in my diet. That’s why I drink the following protein shake concoction every day: 1 raw organic egg, 1/2 cup of quality whole milk plain Greek Yogurt, 1 container scoop of high quality protein powder, a handful of frozen blueberries, 1 container scoop of Black Forest brand high flavanol cocoa powder, 1 heaping teaspoon of Navitas brand raw cacao powder, 2 teaspoons of freeze dried pomegranate powder and 10 ounces of purified water. Mix in a blender. And don’t hesitate to throw in whatever else suits your fancy. A final note: The only way to truly arrest the onslaught of incapacitating sarcopenia is to do at least a moderate amount of weight resistance training. Walking isn’t enough. Even if you can only manage to regularly do some squats, pushups and sit-ups, these 3 calisthenic movements will do you a world of good. Personally I started out very slowly, and now, in addition to all the other exercises I do, I can easily do 100 pushups, 100 deep knee bend squats and 100 bent leg sit-ups a day in 5 sets of 20 for each movement. Like I say, it’s no fun but it’s so much more than worth it! In fact my doctor recently told me I’ve succeeded in turning back my biological clock 20 years! Good luck and best wishes.

So if a person doesn’t have a legal name, that individual doesn’t have an actual name? If my parents home birthed and didn’t register me with the state would I have an actual name? Just a fabricated one to use your language?

Oh good. Let’s start judging all Mormon bishops by those who have raped women and groomed teenagers to have sex with them you do rather there are far more bishops who have groomed teenagers and rsprd women than transgenders doing drag shows and reading in libraries

I had a longer reply, but I'd like to understand this a little better. What makes a person's name fabricated vs actual? I was speaking in the legal sense. If someone legally changes their name from "John" to "Mary," then that becomes his legal ("actual") name. Otherwise, the name has just been made up by the individual. In a legal sense? Neither. In a sociological sense? Neither, since it is never used in society. In a religious sense? I'm not sure. See here: Thanks, -Smac

My wife admired her. I'm not sure what "live our life on our own terms" means. It sounds . . . untethered. For my part, I have found that my living by my "own terms" only really works insofar as I make those terms congruent with the Lord's will. I think those in the trans community who are sexualizing/grooming children ought not be doing those things. Same goes for anyone else who sexualizes/grooms children. I have provided ample instances of events which I think amount to the sexualization and grooming of children, and of endorsement and justification of those events/behaviors. Children as Sex Objects: Why NYC Gay Pride Parade Is Being Called a 'Celebration of Pedophilia' Dallas Club Investigated After Drag Show for Kids DC Pride parade marked by depravity, grooming of children despite ‘family friendly’ billing Don't Look Away: These Are the 'Family-Friendly' Pride Events the Left Is Pushing On Kids Graphic “Pride” Parades Attacking the Innocence of Children Journalist Witnesses Naked Men Playing with Kids at Pride Prepping Kids for a Pride Parade Pride Month Jumps the Shark Pride Parade Clips Show Shocking and Bizarre Moments — with Children in Attendance San Francisco Pride Parade features public nudity around kids, 'Fetish Zone' with urine SF Cop Says Nudity Around Kids is OK at Pride Parade Why drag queen performances are not appropriate for children Yale Professor Wants Your Kids To See Sex At Pride Parades So They’re Not ‘Homophobes’ Yes, kink belongs at Pride. And I want my kids to see it. Some excerpts from the above links: I think much/most of the foregoing events constitute the sexualization/grooming of children. "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." For me, my pursuit of happiness works best when I follow the foregoing counsel. The pursuit of happiness based on untethered, do-whatever-you-want sorts of things does not work for me. In the end, we each must do what we think is right. There was much to admire in her life. I belief God wants us to live our lives on His terms. I feel I am better off having accepted the moral framework of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, rather than having fabricated one for myself. Nonetheless, he has given us agency. Thanks, -Smac

I had a longer reply, but I'd like to understand this a little better. What makes a person's name fabricated vs actual? Is a temple name fabricated or actual?

Not quite. First, your scenario is not about the State punishing speech, not compelling it. Second, that the legalities play out as they do does not mean I endorse "deadnaming." Third, abstaining from "deadnaming" should, I think, be a matter of personal choice, and not a matter for compulsion or punishment by the State. Fourth, the courts have allowed some constraints student student during school hours on school property. That's a fairly narrow circumstance relative to "Speech" overall and in other circumstances. Fifth, I do see some distinctions, both ethically and legally, between preferred pronouns/deadnaming and your scenario. A person can have a legitimate and good faith and non-harassing basis for declining to use preferred pronouns, or for declining to use a person's fabricated name rather than their actual one. Preferred pronouns and using someone's fabricated name (instead of the "dead" name) are, if required, compelled speech, whereas using someone's temple name is not. The Tinker test would, I think, put targeted religious harassment within the category of speech which a school can regulate, but I am less persuaded that the test would put preferred pronouns or "dead names" there. Sixth, your hypothetical scenario is fairly contrived. I doubt it has ever happened in the real world. Seventh, I have strong sentiments about the State compelling the use of "preferred pronouns." It is Orwellian. It is anathema to Free Speech to coerce U.S. citizens into speaking words they do not want to speak, particularly when they disagree with those words. "Deadnaming" is slightly different, as if a person legally changes his name, then I think there is less justification to use his/her former name. But even then, I object to the State compelling use of the new name or punishing use of the old one (subject to narrow exceptions, such as for student speech during school hours on school property). Eighth, if I were to refrain from using preferred pronouns, it would not be to "mock" anyone, but rather to decline to go along with a falsehood or delusion, and to protest against compelled speech. Ninth, if there were some effort by the State to compel you to refer to Joseph Smith as "the Lord's prophet," or if it were to punish you for speaking critically of him, I think you would object to that. Tenth, I think efforts by some in the trans community to use the power of the State to compel and/or punish speech is one of the faster ways for it to lose legitimacy and respect in society. Thanks, -Smac

My husband had the same attitude. Family first over callings. Now that our kids are grown and gone, he is very committed and devoted to his calling in the young men’s. He’s made a huge difference and a lot of their lives. Many of them if not, most of them are autistic and it is a very challenging class, but he has made a tremendous difference in their lives. It’s been good for me to be exposed to something other than what I was raised with, where church took the priority over family in every way.

Same can be said of parents in long term high demand callings in the church. My father was either in a bishopric, a stake presidency or the actual stake president literally from the time I was born till well after I graduated high school. due to the endless meetings and endless Sundays I literally do not know tha man as he was never around. I am very sure I have sat with him in church less than ten times in my entire life. not his fault- just being obedient. I have had my own opportunities long ago for a few high demand callings. I just said no and told them yea I pretty much had an absentee father who regarded every church meeting as more important than his kids. I will not subject my kids to that. I was in the military and deployed all the time. I still spent (no exaggeration) at least 100x more time with my kids than my father spent with us. It wasn’t even close.

How far back in history with much revelation in between you allow yourself to go to require yourself and others to follow the dictates of leadership, which is often taken out of context of cultural realities? Do you stop at 1970? Because there is PLENTY of directives over miriads of topics since creation of earth that havecsince been overruled by current leadership. where is your faith in present leadership?