MDF33487
Originally uploaded by heterotopias.
December 30, 2004
December 22, 2004
dissenting minorities
Eric Hoffer:
It is maintained that a society is free only when dissenting minorities have room to throw their weight around. As a matter of fact, a dissenting minority feels free only when it can impose its will on the majority: what it abominates most is the dissent of the majority.
December 13, 2004
christmas78
christmas78
Originally uploaded by Vaughan.
I scanned this slide for my Mom a couple years ago. Ran across the image again. I like it. We figured out it was probably taken in December of 1978, right before we moved East from Brawley, California.
December 07, 2004
November 17, 2004
left vs. right
I don't know why this concept suddenly struck me as being so profound, and I know it's going to sound generalistic, but think about it:
The Left is concerned primarily with economics and divides the world into "rich" and "poor." The Right is concerned primarily with values and divides the world into "good" and "evil."
How about "legal" vs. "moral?"
Are you a liberal?
The Left is concerned primarily with economics and divides the world into "rich" and "poor." The Right is concerned primarily with values and divides the world into "good" and "evil."
How about "legal" vs. "moral?"
"To the Left, legality matters most, while to the Right, legality matters far less than morality. To the Right and to the religious, the law, when it is doing its job, is only a vehicle to morality, never a moral end in itself."Dennis Prager
"In fact, since it lacks the self-control apparatus that is a major part of religion, the Left passes more and more laws to control people. That is why there is a direct link between the decline in Judeo-Christian religion and the increase in governmental laws controlling human behavior."
Are you a liberal?
November 10, 2004
November 05, 2004
November 04, 2004
November 03, 2004
November 02, 2004
October 27, 2004
October 26, 2004
October 21, 2004
franks on tora bora
Tommy Franks in the New York Times:
On more than one occasion, Senator Kerry has referred to the fight at Tora Bora in Afghanistan during late 2001 as a missed opportunity for America. He claims that our forces had Osama bin Laden cornered and allowed him to escape. How did it happen? According to Mr. Kerry, we "outsourced" the job to Afghan warlords. As commander of the allied forces in the Middle East, I was responsible for the operation at Tora Bora, and I can tell you that the senator's understanding of events doesn't square with reality. [more]
October 18, 2004
red leaves
red leaves
Originally uploaded by vaughan.
found these today beside the korean sda church, berrien springs, mi
October 11, 2004
electoral vote predictor
This is a pretty cool website, click on the icon to see all sorts of cool charts & graphs!
October 02, 2004
September 21, 2004
September 19, 2004
more pictures from alberta
Howdy all... Posting from the Detroit airport waiting for our final flight home. We had a blast the last two days. We drove from Calgary to Banff and enjoyed the view from the Banff Gondola. Drove the scenic route to Lake Louise, stopping to hike up to the upper falls in Johnston Canyon. Visited Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, stayed at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise.
Yesterday, we drove through a snowstorm from Lake Louise to the Columbia Icefield and took a trip on an Ice Explorer out onto the Athabasca Glacier. The weather on the glacier changes quickly and when we got out there, it was literally blizzard conditions. But when we got back down, there was a beautiful view.
It's hard to imagine we did so much, saw so much beauty, and experienced so many different climates in the last 48 hours.
Click here to enjoy the pictures!
September 16, 2004
from alberta
Howdy all... Greetings from Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Nadine is recruiting today at Canadian University College and I'm tagging along. We will be driving back to Calgary tonight, and visiting Banff and Lake Louise this weekend.
Click on recent pictures in the sidebar to your right, or find more (when I post them) at www.flickr.com/photos/nelsva
Click on recent pictures in the sidebar to your right, or find more (when I post them) at www.flickr.com/photos/nelsva
September 13, 2004
September 11, 2004
September 10, 2004
forged bush national guard docs
CBS News supposedly got their hands on documents regarding W's Texas Air National Guard service and ran this story about it. Turns out the documents were most certainly forgeries. Not gonna look good for Kerry and the democrats, whether or not there was any involvement. And REALLY doesn't look for the media establishment. CBS has got some explaining to do... Check out this analysis of the documents proving forgery. From this post I got a kick out of what the forger's Microsoft Word program had to say about it: 
September 09, 2004
September 08, 2004
September 05, 2004
September 01, 2004
zell miller
Wow! What a speech by Democrat Senator Zell Miller of Georgia tonight... If you missed it, do yourself a favor and go read it, or click here to watch it.
August 30, 2004
rudy giuliani
Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a few minutes ago at the Republican National Convention:
In choosing a President, we really don’t choose a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or liberal. We choose a leader. And in times of danger, as we are now in, Americans should put leadership at the core of their decision. There are many qualities that make a great leader but having strong beliefs, being able to stick with them through popular and unpopular times, is the most important characteristic of a great leader.
john mccain
Senator John McCain (AZ), a few minutes ago at the Republican National Convention:
My friends, we are again met on the field of political competition with our fellow countrymen. It is more than appropriate, it is necessary that even in times of crisis we have these contests, and engage in spirited disagreement over the shape and course of our government. We have nothing to fear from each other. We are arguing over the means to better secure our freedom, and promote the general welfare. But it should remain an argument among friends who share an unshaken belief in our great cause, and in the goodness of each other. We are Americans first, Americans last, Americans always.
democracies
My mother forwarded this to me... I think it's worth sharing:
At about the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution, in the year 1787, Alexander Tyler (a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinborough) had this to say about "The Fall of The Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years prior.
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship.
"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From Bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the most recent Presidential election, in which Al Gore won the popular vote:
Square miles of land won by:
Gore= 580,000
Bush= 22,427,000
States won by:
Gore= 19
Bush= 29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore= 13.2
Bush= 2.1
Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the tax-paying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off government welfare..."
Olson believes the U.S. is now somewhere between the "complacency" and "apathy" phases of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy; with some 40 percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
another democrat for bush
Read about Zell Miller, a democrat who gives the keynote address at the republican national convention. Miller says that "There's no room in the Democratic party for moderates and conservatives." Ouch.
August 29, 2004
tonight's fortune cookies
For supper this evening, we ate at a Chinese restaurant in South Bend. This was Nadine's fortune. It's rather sweet...
But what was even more amazing was how accurately my own fortune described myself. It's uncanny...
August 24, 2004
real heroes don't brag
Ralph Peters in today's New York Post:
"...real heroes don't call themselves heroes. Honorable soldiers or sailors don't brag. They let their deeds speak for themselves."
"...real heroes don't call themselves heroes. Honorable soldiers or sailors don't brag. They let their deeds speak for themselves."
August 23, 2004
democrat ed koch supports bush
Yahoo! News - Koch: I Support Bush, His Stance on Iraq
"Calling himself a "liberal with sanity," former mayor Ed Koch — a lifelong Democrat — said he decided to support President Bush in the 2004 election because of Bush's stance on Iraq"
"Calling himself a "liberal with sanity," former mayor Ed Koch — a lifelong Democrat — said he decided to support President Bush in the 2004 election because of Bush's stance on Iraq"
August 22, 2004
August 20, 2004
August 19, 2004
August 17, 2004
south africa wins gold!
go South Africa! 
from the Mail & Guardian Online:
from the Mail & Guardian Online:
South Africa's golden boys led Olympic news in Greece and the United States after Roland Schoeman, Lyndon Ferns, Darian Townsend and Ryk Neethling broke the world 4x100m relay record for gold in the biggest upset of the Athens Olympics so far.
"South Africa's relay men cause upset of the Olympic Games," crowed the Olympic early-morning update on national Greek TV station Alpha. The station showed the entire relay, then focused on the jubilation of the foursome at the edge of the pool where Ferns, who turned 21 last month, stood on the block flexing his muscles and waving the South African flag.
August 14, 2004
sunset/storm panorama
From the roof of the Howard Performing Arts Center at sunset after a rainstorm. Click the picture to see it bigger. If you have a high-speed internet connection and Apple Quicktime, click HERE to open an interactive 360° pan&zoom view (15Mb).
August 11, 2004
renita sings
Check out my sister, Renita, singing a section of "The Prayer"
She thinks her voice is a little rusty cause she hasn't been singing much, but I think it's pretty good. You wouldn't want to hear me singing something by myself, that's for sure. (This is why I only sing in groups)
She thinks her voice is a little rusty cause she hasn't been singing much, but I think it's pretty good. You wouldn't want to hear me singing something by myself, that's for sure. (This is why I only sing in groups)
August 10, 2004
all by myself
...All by myself
Don't wanna be
All by myself
Anymore...
Yep, my baby left me again. This week she has to work at the Faith on Fire Pathfinder Camporee in OshKosh, WI
...Oh we are the Pathfinders strong...
Can't believe I remember that dorky song. Pathfinders was so pathetic, at least that's how I remember it. Somewhere I've still got that stupid yellow bib with the plastic choker thingy and the black clip-on tie and the ugly green sash with like 4 or 5 patches on it; trees, knots, marching... forget what else. Seems to me I do remember a couple fun camporees and "girlfriends." 'Course that was back when holding hands was a big deal...
August 09, 2004
August 06, 2004
political rant
I think a person shouldn't necessarily feel like they have to choose to be a democrat or a republican. There are so many things about this two-party "system" we've got that alienate a lot of people who would rather be in the middle somewhere.
I think Bush is a pretty cool guy. I like the fact that he has an MBA and has management experience and good decision-making skills. He's got most of the qualities that make a good leader, in my opinion. And he doesn't come from a background quite so steeped in Washington politics, like a lot of the other Senators, etc. who run for president. It's a shame that his public communication skills aren't the type that engender respect like some orators do. But at the same time, there's something about the way he speaks that doesn't sound he's "talking down" to you. He respects the position of President of the United States and takes his job as Commander-In-Chief very seriously.
Other republicans that I admire as leaders or whose beliefs I tend to agree with are people like John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I like the opinions and viewpoints of people like Dennis Miller and Bill O'Reilly.
But there are many ideas in the more conservative, right-wing spectrum that I just don't agree with, and I think it's a shame that everyone who chooses to call themselves republicans get bundled in with that bunch.
For me, I think it's more about core values. It's amazing to me, and very telling, I think, that party lines tend to break along religious lines as well. By far the majority of people who say they attend church regularly also typically vote republican, and democrats refuse any mention of religion, many times espousing ideas and values that go against most religious values I can think of. There are always the exceptions, of course, but I just ask myself which candidate for president has the record showing most of the values I would want in the leader of the country.
For me, the answer to that most basic of questions is very clear, whether I choose to call myself a republican, democrat, or anything in between.
I think Bush is a pretty cool guy. I like the fact that he has an MBA and has management experience and good decision-making skills. He's got most of the qualities that make a good leader, in my opinion. And he doesn't come from a background quite so steeped in Washington politics, like a lot of the other Senators, etc. who run for president. It's a shame that his public communication skills aren't the type that engender respect like some orators do. But at the same time, there's something about the way he speaks that doesn't sound he's "talking down" to you. He respects the position of President of the United States and takes his job as Commander-In-Chief very seriously.
Other republicans that I admire as leaders or whose beliefs I tend to agree with are people like John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I like the opinions and viewpoints of people like Dennis Miller and Bill O'Reilly.
But there are many ideas in the more conservative, right-wing spectrum that I just don't agree with, and I think it's a shame that everyone who chooses to call themselves republicans get bundled in with that bunch.
For me, I think it's more about core values. It's amazing to me, and very telling, I think, that party lines tend to break along religious lines as well. By far the majority of people who say they attend church regularly also typically vote republican, and democrats refuse any mention of religion, many times espousing ideas and values that go against most religious values I can think of. There are always the exceptions, of course, but I just ask myself which candidate for president has the record showing most of the values I would want in the leader of the country.
For me, the answer to that most basic of questions is very clear, whether I choose to call myself a republican, democrat, or anything in between.
August 05, 2004
kittens
John Kerry is out jogging one morning and notices a little girl on the corner with a box. Curious, he runs over to her and says, "What's in the box?" The girl says, "Kittens, they're brand new kittens." Kerry laughs and says, "What kind of kittens are they?" "Democrats," the girl replies. "Oh that's cute," he says and goes on his way.
A few days later, John Kerry comes by with his buddy Ted Kennedy and he spies the same little girl with her box. He says, "You gotta check this out. Look in the box, Teddy, isn't that cute? Look at those little kittens. Hey, tell my friend Teddy what kind of kittens they are."
The little girl replies, "They're Republicans." "Whoa!" John Kerry says, "I came by here the other day and you said they were Democrats. What's up?"
"Well," the girl explains, "their eyes are open now."
A few days later, John Kerry comes by with his buddy Ted Kennedy and he spies the same little girl with her box. He says, "You gotta check this out. Look in the box, Teddy, isn't that cute? Look at those little kittens. Hey, tell my friend Teddy what kind of kittens they are."
The little girl replies, "They're Republicans." "Whoa!" John Kerry says, "I came by here the other day and you said they were Democrats. What's up?"
"Well," the girl explains, "their eyes are open now."
msn web messenger
Hey, cool... You can run MSN Messenger from a web page now!
Check it out: webmessenger.msn.com
Check it out: webmessenger.msn.com
August 04, 2004
July 29, 2004
recording clips
Everybody Everybody! Give thegreengrape mucho props for a great recording session yesterday. She gave me permission to share some of it, so, grab some decent headphones or turn up those kickin' speakers and click HERE!
And HERE's some of the lovely "tango sounding piece!"
July 28, 2004
dead flowers
I can't win. I killed the flowers I planted while Nadine was gone. They're in the flowerboxes on the front of our house. But only one side is dead. Go figure. Anyway, come to find out, she wanted petunias anyway.
July 27, 2004
michael moore
Well, I thought Michael Moore handled himself well on The O'Reilly Factor tonight. Better than Al Franken would have... I was actually more impressed with Ben Affleck at the beginning of the program. He really came across well, and I like the fact that O'Reilly gave him props for being well-informed and well-spoken. Moore and O'Reilly wasted too much time arguing over semantics, and it was obvious neither was going to back down. That's fine though. At least Moore finally appeared on the program. And they eventually agreed to disagree, and ended with a handshake.
Now, I'm going to warn everyone... If it's not obvious already, I'm a bit of a news/politics junkie. Just don't hate me because I'd consider myself a "moderate conservative," if I had to pick a label. That just happens to be where my values and opinions are at the moment. I realize it may not be "cool" to align myself with the republican party or President Bush, but I challenge anyone to examine your own core values and ideals. This is a deeply divided country, but I don't think it needs to be. There will always be extremes on the right or the left. It's ok to be in the middle somewhere. If you're not cool with the politics or news posts, just ignore them. I'll try to post other stuff, too. I'm still cool, and I think you are too... Seriously.
We began watching Amazing Race from the beginning tonight. It's Nadine's favorite show. I'm falling asleep at my laptop. Came to a moment ago to find several hundred o's chasing each other across this post. Must... go... sleep...
Now, I'm going to warn everyone... If it's not obvious already, I'm a bit of a news/politics junkie. Just don't hate me because I'd consider myself a "moderate conservative," if I had to pick a label. That just happens to be where my values and opinions are at the moment. I realize it may not be "cool" to align myself with the republican party or President Bush, but I challenge anyone to examine your own core values and ideals. This is a deeply divided country, but I don't think it needs to be. There will always be extremes on the right or the left. It's ok to be in the middle somewhere. If you're not cool with the politics or news posts, just ignore them. I'll try to post other stuff, too. I'm still cool, and I think you are too... Seriously.
We began watching Amazing Race from the beginning tonight. It's Nadine's favorite show. I'm falling asleep at my laptop. Came to a moment ago to find several hundred o's chasing each other across this post. Must... go... sleep...
o'reilly tonight
Wake the kids, phone the neighbors, hang on to your wigs and keys, get ready for the fireworks... Michael Moore is on O'Reilly tonight!
she's coming home!
Date: 26 Jul 2004
Flight: SA - South African - 211
Departs: 19:40 JNB - Johannesburg International
Arrives: 8:20 27 Jul 2004 ATL - Hartsfield Jackson Intl Arpt
Date: 27 Jul 2004
Flight: DL - Delta - 4408
Departs: 11:03 ATL - Hartsfield Jackson Intl Arpt
Arrives: 11:49 SBN - Michiana Regional Arpt
Now perhaps my life will return to some semblance of normality.
Hallelujah! I was about to go insane.
Flight: SA - South African - 211
Departs: 19:40 JNB - Johannesburg International
Arrives: 8:20 27 Jul 2004 ATL - Hartsfield Jackson Intl Arpt
Date: 27 Jul 2004
Flight: DL - Delta - 4408
Departs: 11:03 ATL - Hartsfield Jackson Intl Arpt
Arrives: 11:49 SBN - Michiana Regional Arpt
Now perhaps my life will return to some semblance of normality.
Hallelujah! I was about to go insane.
July 26, 2004
dennis miller
My favorite show on TV these days, automatically Tivo'd for me nightly: Dennis Miller, M-F, 9pm/12am, CNBC, "featuring reasoned discourse, opinion and humor." Oh, and a chimp, too...
From an interview with The Weekly Standard:
"I don't think of myself as a classic conservative," says Miller. "I think of myself as a pragmatist. And these days, pragmatism falls into the conservative camp. We have to depend on ourselves in this country right now because we can't depend on anyone else. We are simultaneously the most loved, hated, feared, and respected nation on this planet.
From an interview with The Weekly Standard:
"I don't think of myself as a classic conservative," says Miller. "I think of myself as a pragmatist. And these days, pragmatism falls into the conservative camp. We have to depend on ourselves in this country right now because we can't depend on anyone else. We are simultaneously the most loved, hated, feared, and respected nation on this planet.
anti-social hermit
Yay! My wife comes home tomorrow! No more anti-social hermit behavior, gotta finish cleaning the house. Three weeks is too long to be alone. Yeah yeah, I played with the dogs and stuff, but the cat will definitely be happy when Mommy's home. Daddy just doesn't give her as much attention as she wants. Yuck, it looks weird typing "Mommy" and "Daddy" but I guess that's how we talk, so yeah, we're a little dorky like that. At least no plans for human children anytime soon. Ok that also looks weird. Doesn't preclude alien children I guess.
doggies
Took my doggies to the vet last week, and Zulu had a pretty bad ear infection,but I've got drops for his ear, and he's feeling a lot better already.
aaaaaargh!
Aaaaaargh! Stuck in a staff meeting since 8:15.... It's now 11:05. Glad I have my laptop and wireless and the power cord, cause my batteries would be dead by now. Problem is, everyone else in this meeting keeps talking circles around the same subjects. And frankly, we're wasting time discussing most of it.
July 24, 2004
homepage updates
I recently updated my homepage at http://aboutthenelsons.com. I hope to update what's there, and maybe add some more goodies (pictures most likely) soon.
Oh by the way, DirecTV DVR rocks!
Oh by the way, DirecTV DVR rocks!
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