Time Lapse: The Southern Lights

Time-lapse footage of the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights.
This is the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.
Filmed during the Antarctic winter in the general vicinity of McMurdo Station and Scott Base, where the sun is below the horizon for 4 months of the year.
Most of the individual clips here were each taken over about a 10 minute period to give you an idea of how much they were moving in real time.

Source: Frostbytes

I have some local time lapse footage to put up, and while I was researching methods of converting my material into a video, I ran across this. One day, I'd like to see aurora in the sky first hand. That would be cool.

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Coming Friday Night: Uncle Abdul’s Madrassa

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For immediate release. Old Glory Radio Network will begin a programming schedule for children starting July 18th 2008 with a debut on it’s regular live program, the Old Glory Radio Hour. 6:00pm P.S.T.

Speaking from the network headquarters in Northern California, programming Director Tom Fredriksen related: ” there is a growing need to devote time and resources toward the education of our youth. Old Glory is very proud to be able to offer this new programming.”

The complete new children educational line up will be announced later this summer.

Beginning this week will be the educational live studio show “Uncle Abdul’s Madressa” Starring, Uncle Abdul and The Little Sheik. Special guest, country singing star, Six Gun Sally.

For more information, visit Old Glory Radio

I plan on embedding the show here, but if I forget this is the Live Show Page, where you can watch other episodes of the show on demand 24/7.

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Mumpower Interviewed On The Morning Report By Jerri Jameson

The host of WWNC's The Morning Report, Jerri Jameson, interviewed Dr. Carl Mumpower regarding his latest press release. I was able to record the interview and put together a slide show to accompany the audio.

Previously:

Mumpower Challenges District Party Leaders To Stand On Principles,
Puts Campaign On Hold

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Mumpower Challenges District Party Leaders To Stand On Principles, Puts Campaign On Hold

**update** 10.06 AM Mumpower was interviewed on WWNC-AM this morning, and I recorded the interview.

Here are two Press Releases from the Mumpower e-Express:

July 12, 2008

From: Carl Mumpower, 11th District GOP Congressional Candidate
To: Mr. Steve Duncan, 11th District Chair
Subject: Principles First Campaign

Dear Mr. Duncan:

As you know, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has defined the 11th District to be a "frontline race". I am looking forward to an accelerating campaign that finds us earning versus purchasing a seat in Congress. To that end, it is my belief that as Republicans, we must reestablish a foundation of trust and authenticity with the conservative and independent voters of Western North Carolina. There is a keen and widespread belief, that at a local, state, and especially national level, the GOP has betrayed promises made to the American people. I believe that reestablishing our credibility with the voters is and should be Job One and would offer the following observations-

* When you have no party operating from principles, then the party with the least principles will win.
* That is why the Democrats are successfully using an appeal to people's selfish interests as a ticket to power.
* Unless we Republicans return to being Republicans, America's drift toward big government socialism will continue.
* The Republican Party has a defined platform of principles that have been sacrificed to power and other priorities.
* There are many in the 11th District who wish to 'unite and ignite' our party around the core principles of being careful with other people's money, keeping people big and government small, and protecting the sanctity of America.
* It is our responsibility to uphold and ground our own party - not a Democrat party kidnapped by extremists and special interests.
* Job Two, successfully challenging Heath Shuler, requires the foundation of Job One. Without that foundation, I will be just another puppet for a corrupt party - like our current congressman.

With these concerns in mind, I am formally requesting the following-

* That a majority of counties in the 11th district commit to a renewed dedication to our core principles.
* That each develop a sincere process for challenging local, state, and national Republican elected officials on votes that sidestep or otherwise betray our core guiding principles.
* That these communications be shared with the District Chair, me, and others at each county's discretion.

Effectively immediately, my direct fight against Heath Shuler will be on the back burner until the Republican Party has achieved a rededicated focus in the 11th District. At that point it will no longer be necessary for me to publically challenge my elected colleagues, as there will be a persisting and credible system in place that will help assure accountability by our Republican elected officials. I can then focus my full attention on holding Congressman Shuler accountable for the mismatch between his words and actions and unprincipled efforts to purchase a seat in Congress. I welcome your help and assistance with each of these goals.

With regards,

Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate

Copy(s):

----------------------
Principles of the Republican Party

I'm a Republican Because...

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.
I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.
I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.
I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

---------------------

"I will always place principle before party, power, or popularity - and take the heat that comes with that position."

Carl Mumpower - 11th District Republican Congressional Candidate
###



Then the second one:

Mumpower Puts Congressional Campaign On Hold

In a Saturday open letter to 11th District GOP officials, Congressional candidate Carl Mumpower has taken the unusual step of putting his campaign on hold, calling a "Principles First" campaign to be Job One. Stepping away from his fight against Shuler in the interest of the betterment of the Republican Party is courageous, considering that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has called this contest "a frontline race".

Mumpower says that Job One has always been to unite and ignite his party around their stated principles - most of which center on being careful with other people's money, keeping people big and government small, and protecting the sanctity of America. "In that there has been no timely action on an earlier call toward principles, it falls on me to press for action," says Mumpower. "Without that foundation, I will be just another puppet for a corrupt party - like our current Congressman."

"When no party is operating from principles, then the party with the least principles will win," notes Mumpower. "The Democrats are successfully appealing to people's selfish interests as a ticket to power. Unless we Republicans return to being Republicans, America's drift toward big government socialism will continue. Republican leaders and elected officials have been sidestepping their principles and courage buttons for years. Hopefully, this will be a refresher course on the good things that can happen when one voice refuses to give into the herd running toward a cliff."

"To this end, I am asking for a majority of counties in the 11th district to commit to our guiding principles and develop their own process for challenging local, state, and national Republican elected officials on votes that ignore those principles," said Mumpower. "Until we get that commitment in place, campaign efforts with Republican organizations are on hold. WNC will know shortly whether the Republican Party of this District is going to stand for something voters can count on or not."

"The fight for 'Principles First' can begin here and now in the 11th District," says Mumpower. "We will unite and get back to our roots, or I will fail knowing that I tried. Not until this fight is out of the way will I focus my full attention on holding Congressman Shuler accountable for the mismatch between his promises and actions."

Carl Mumpower - 11th District Republican Congressional Candidate


Principles before party, power, or popularity - always.

###


Candidate Website

Commentary

Mumpower is correct. The Republican Party nationwide has shirked from standing on principles, and as a result (deservedly so), lost it's majority in Congress. Aside from The Hit Men who are removing RINOs from office by convincing them to "take early retirement", I see little evidence the party leadership has changed.

Locally, some of the party leadership took umbrage at Mumpower's stand that Bush had not fulfilled his oath of office when it came to Illegal Immigration. I am glad these people have exposed themselves so the party members can work on elected new leaders when the time comes in Polk and Jackson Counties.

While I do not agree with Mumpower on every issue, I am assured that he will follow his principles, and not the dictates of corrupt party interests.

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Keep The Change, Obama: FISA

Senator Obama voted against immunity before he voted for it. Priceless!

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The John Batchelor Show For July 13th

It's Sunday night, and that means it's time for John Batchelor!

KFSO has added the show to it's Sunday Night lineup!!! The show will air from 7pm to 10 PM Pacific Time (10 to 1 Eastern).

Here is his website.


New York, WABC-AM 770 7-10PM ET;

Washington DC, WMAL-AM 630 7-9PM ET; 

San Francisco, KSFO-AM 560; 

Los Angeles, KFI-AM 640;

Schedule for Tonight:


First Three Hours

Last Three Hours




Enjoy!

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Report Says Bush Backs Israeli Plan To Strike Iran, Part LXIV

I think I have heard this report at least 100 times since the summer of 2003:

President George W Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be prepared to approve a future military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations with Tehran break down, according to a senior Pentagon official.Despite the opposition of his own generals and widespread scepticism that America is ready to risk the military, political and economic consequences of an airborne strike on Iran, the president has given an “amber light” to an Israeli plan to attack Iran’s main nuclear sites with long-range bombing sorties, the official told The Sunday Times.“Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you’re ready,” the official said. But the Israelis have also been told that they can expect no help from American forces and will not be able to use US military bases in Iraq for logistical support.Nor is it certain that Bush’s amber light would ever turn to green without irrefutable evidence of lethal Iranian hostility. Tehran’s test launches of medium-range ballistic missiles last week were seen in Washington as provocative and poorly judged, but both the Pentagon and the CIA concluded that they did not represent an immediate threat of attack against Israeli or US targets.

Source: Times Online

Commentary

I should hope he backs a plan to strike Iran!!!

I support a strike on Iran, and am confident that we and/or Israel will strike when the time is right, and in a way which will minimize our casualties and civilian casualties in Iran. Iran, however, will not. They will seek to kill as many innocent people as possible in a reverse human shield scenario ala the Scud Attacks on Israel in Desert Storm.

Having worked in the field in the past, I believe that part of what is taking us so long in striking Iran is the rolling up of Iranian supported terror cells in the USA like we did in 1990-91 prior to striking Iraq. Someday, these stories will be told. The Democrats, Progressives, and other anti-war types will be exposed for being completely clueless about the threat posed by these groups. My only regret is that it will be decades before they will be declassified.

What will be hard is locating the "leaderless resistance" type of cells formed by Muslim volunteers that operate completely offline from the internet and do not use telephones or mail, only person to person contact.

I expect that the first 24 hours after the strike, the anti-American war protesters will go nuts...and there will be a very short-lived hiccup in the supply chain in America.

I would advise everyone to keep your larder stocked and keep your fuel tanks topped off, and only if you can store fuel safely...a week's worth of fuel for your automobiles and other needs if you have power generators. Although I only expect a 24 to 72 Hour disruption (if at all), I live by the credo of preparation overkill as taught to me by my mother and father.

If you are interested in being prepared, I can suggest the following Websites:

Survival Blog (also on my right-hand sidebar)

Survival Topics

Backwoods Home Magazine

Urban Survival Tools

Ready.gov

It never hurts to be prepared. And with Hurricane season upon us, being prepared may help you coast through the supply chain hiccup and brief uptick in fuel prices.

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John McCain Weekly Radio Address July 11

I have been unable to find the file embedded any where, so I am making it available here:

John McCain Radio 07 11 2008

Download the File.

The text is below:

Good morning. I'm John McCain, and this week I've been on the road in Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. I've been holding town hall meetings to talk over the subject on most everyone's minds these days -- our slowing economy.

More than 400,000 Americans have lost their jobs since December, and the rate of new job creation has fallen sharply. Americans are worried about the security of their current job, and they're worried that they, their kids and their neighbors may not find good jobs and new opportunities in the future. It's a big problem when gasoline, food, and other necessities of life carry the price tag of luxury goods, and that's what it feels like to millions of Americans.

I have a plan to grow this economy, and it starts with getting a handle on the cost of gasoline and regaining America's energy security. I believe we should immediately suspend the federal gas tax for the remainder of the summer driving season. We also have billions of dollars of oil in the United States, and vast reserves of natural gas as well. So we must commit to producing more of both, to send a message to the market and trigger lower prices for oil and gas.

We will develop more clean energy, and especially zero-emission nuclear energy. We will build at least 45 nuclear plants that will create over 700,000 good jobs to construct and operate them. At the same time, we will develop clean coal technology -- which alone will create tens of thousands of jobs in some of America's most hard-pressed areas.

Under my energy plan -- the Lexington Project -- we will also accelerate the development of wind and solar power and other renewable technologies. And we will help automakers design and sell cars that don't depend on gasoline. Production of hybrid, flex-fuel, and electric cars will bring America closer to energy independence. And it will bring jobs to auto plants, parts manufacturers, and the communities that support them.

My opponent has an answer to the Lexington Project, and it's "no": No to more drilling, no to more nuclear power, no to more use of coal. For a guy whose "official seal" carried the motto, "Yes, we can," Senator Obama's agenda sure has a whole lot of "No, we can't."

We need to think as well about small businesses and the jobs they create. Small businesses are the job engine of America, and I will make it easier for them to grow and hire more workers.

My opponent would make it harder by imposing a healthcare mandate that will add a crushing $12,000 to the cost of employing anyone with a family. My plan attacks the real problems of health care -- cost, availability and portability.

In an economic downturn, the worst of all ideas is to raise taxes. And Senator Obama will do just that. If you are one of the 23 million small business owners who files as an individual rate payer, watch out -- because as your business grows, my opponent proposes to raise your taxes. If you have an investment for your child's education or own a mutual fund or a stock in a retirement plan, watch out -- because Senator Obama intends to nearly double the taxes on capital gains. He will raise estate taxes to 45 percent. I propose to cut them to 15 percent. For those of you with children, I will double the child deduction from $3,500 to $7,000 for every dependent, in every family in America.

To promote job creation, we must also get government's fiscal house in order. Government has grown by 60 percent in the last eight years, because this Congress and this Administration have failed to meet their responsibilities. When I'm president, I will order a stem to stern review of government, and I will veto every single bill with wasteful spending.

For his part, Senator Obama proposes to create sprawling new federal programs that will increase government spending even more. As for earmark spending, I have never asked for a single earmark in my entire career. In his Senate career, Senator Obama has requested some $930 million for earmark projects. That comes to more than a million dollars in pork for every working day since he became a United States Senator.

In America, the most important measure of the economy is the opportunity -- the chance for every man and woman to find a better life, and to make one better still for their children. That is all a part of the promise of our country. And if I am elected president, I will see that promise kept.

We're passing through a very tough time, my fellow Americans. But we've been through worse, and beaten longer odds. And very soon, we're going to get this economy running again at full strength.

Thanks for listening.

What do you think?

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U.S. 4th Fleet Officially Re-established

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead officially re-established U.S. 4th Fleet and named Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan as its commander during a ceremony at Naval Station Mayport July 12.

The ceremony followed the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) change of command, during which Kernan relieved Rear Adm. James W. Stevenson Jr.

Kernan, the dual-hatted NAVSO and 4th Fleet commander, is responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines assigned from east and west coast fleets to operate in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America and surrounding waters.

"Re-establishing the Fourth Fleet affirms our support for, and our desire to, enhance cooperative relationships with the navies and maritime services in the Caribbean and Central and South America. It recognizes the immense importance of maritime security in the region," said Roughead.

"Our maritime strategy raises the importance of forming global maritime partnerships by working with international partners as the basis for global maritime security. Re-establishing Fourth Fleet allows us to more effectively employ naval forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on mutual interests."

Fourth Fleet was first established in 1943 as one of the original numbered fleets. During World War II, the United States needed a command in charge of protecting against raiders, blockade runners and enemy submarines in the South Atlantic. Fourth Fleet fulfilled that mission until it was disestablished in 1950, and U.S. 2nd Fleet took over its responsibilities.

Source: U.S. Navy
Related: Community Participation
Related: Wikipedia
FAS: Numbered Fleets
BBC: Chavez Warns of Invasion

Commentary

My guess is that this fleet will be doing a lot a drug interdiction work, and will be keeping an eye on Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and incursions by Eastern Hemisphere Navies.

The fleet will be headquarters at the Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Right of Center Bloggers Choose Least Favorite Elected Republicans

Here are a few I cherry-picked from the list:

14th least favorite Libertarian Ron Paul

7th least favorite   Princess Lindsey Graham

5th least favorite  John Kerry's 1st Veep Choice John McCain

Tied for least favorite are Chuck "Hussein" Hagel and Arlen "The Sphincter" Specter.

Check out he rest at Right Wing News

There is also a link to the favorites, which include Bush, McCain and Jindal.

It's funny that McCain made both lists.

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Tony Snow Has Died

Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary and conservative pundit who bedeviled the press corps and charmed millions as a FOX News television and radio host, has died after a long bout with cancer. He was 53.

A syndicated columnist, editor, TV anchor, radio show host and musician, Snow worked in nearly every medium in a career that spanned more than 30 years.

Snow joined FOX in 1996 as the original anchor of FOX News Sunday, and hosted Weekend Live and a radio program, The Tony Snow Show, before departing in 2006. A sometime fill-in host for Rush Limbaugh, Snow said he loved the intimacy of his radio audience.

"It's a tremendous loss for us who knew him, but it's also a loss for the country," Roger Ailes, Chairman of FOX News, said Saturday morning about Snow, calling him a "renaissance man."

Source: Fox News
Related: Wikipedia

Commentary

This is sad. I used to listen to his radio show on XM Radio. He was a good guy, and it is President Bush's loss that he never realized the precious gem he had on his White House Staff.

Another Great Man has gone on to his reward.

**update** 11.03 AM The posts in the blogosphere are rolling in, but I think the best I have seen so far is a post on News Busters replaying Tony Snow's acceptance speech at the 2nd annual MRC awards dinner of the William F. Buckley, Jr. Award For Media Excellence:

That was one of the things I loved about Tony Snow, he could find the humor in most anything.

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Old Glory Radio Live Show

I have been remiss in posting the Old Glory Radio Live Show due to poor time management skills. The show starts at 9 PM Eastern Time.

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The Carolina Stompers Are Back!!!

The heroes of every right-thinking conservative in western North Carolina are back, and they have a new commercial airing in the Durham area:


Carolina Stompers

I especially love their tribute to my favorite Senator, Jesse Helms.

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Old Glory Radio Interviews Imran Raza Maker of Karachi Kids

The above interview is about 14 minutes. Find out more by visiting Old Glory Radio.I will be embedding his live show tonight, which begins at 9 PM Eastern Time. The post will be embedded at 8.30 PM, so come back to check it out. He has some interesting new segments and collaborators on his show.

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Former State Senator Has Questions Regarding Ethics Bill

A letter regarding the North Carolina General Assembly's ability to police itself in ethics investigations has been posted on WNC Citizens Blog.

The letter writer brings up some good points, especially about past unethical behavior, and I provided the links in the letter to provide evidence of the letter writer's varacity.

The key system has been used by the Democratic Party for over thirty years, and it is still in place.

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Foggy Sun

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Memorial Ride and Dinner Planned For Trooper Blanton

I have posted information on upcoming benefits planned for the family of slain Highway Patrolman Shawn Blanton on WNC Citizens Blog.

If you cannot attend any of these events, please visit this memorial website, which has information on how you may contribute to the family.

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Congressional Candidate Dr. Carl Mumpower: Taking A Stand On Principle

This is a video of Dr. Carl Mumpower, who is challenging Congressman Heath Shuler for the US House Seat representing the North Carolina 11th Congressional District, speaking and taking questions at the monthly meeting of Citizens For Change in Buncombe County.

He goes over some of his principles, and discusses recent activity and controversy in his campaign, and takes a few questions from attendees.

What makes this video different is that it is the work of longtime conservative activist, Kathy Rhodarmer. She will be another set of of eyes and ears on the ground for the people of North Carolina, and Buncombe County. Another Citizen Journalist is being born!

I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future, and collaborating with her, and others in Buncombe County on event coverage.

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Ithaca by C.P.Cavafy

I am in a weird mood, and to convey it to you, here is the poem Ithaca by C.P. Cavafy as recited by Sean Connery with music composed by Vangelis:

As you set out for Ithaca
hope that your journey is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
angry Poseidon-don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare sensasion
touches your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
wild Poseidon-you won't encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Hope that your journey is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you come into harbors you're seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind-
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and learn again from those who know.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so that you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you would have not set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you'll have understood by then what these Ithacas mean.

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The Yellow Daisy Diner

Nothing could "Bee" finer than a diner in Caroliner.

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