Jaden's face

face
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

Jaden was born on April 5, 2006 at 11:46am. I met him for the first time today. His first name was Seven Aidan (nine and ten), which fit with his birthday of 4-5-06. Weighing in at 5 pounds and height of 17", (and all nose:), he has a winding road ahead of him. His final name is Jaden Christian, which means devout (full of fire) christian. May he help to make the world a better place for all creatures, great and small.

eye spy

eye
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

this reminds me of the DARPA logo, before they decided to not be so public with their intent...we are watching you!

elements

Your Love Element Is Water

In love, you connect deeply and commit totally. For you, love is all about taking risks and moving into unknown territory. You attract others with courage and confidence. Your flirting style is defined by your flexibility and ability to adapt. Nurturing and shared learning are the cornerstones of your love life. And while you may jump in to love too quickly, you always come out the wiser for it. You connect best with: Metal Avoid: Earth You And another Water element: will pull each other down into a dark place

What Element Is Your Love?

chicken little redux

I have, sadly, been avoiding my blog since I seem to have totally messed up the template I love by adding a Flickr badge. My knowledge of html is quite limited, but apparently enough to be able to do some damage. It is in abyssmal state, but I don't want to wreck it any worse than it already is at this point.

My intent on Tuesday night was to meet like-minded people at the NBC affiliate in Tulsa at 7:30 to drown out in protest Mr. Bush's speech. After much internal conflict I opted to take the safe route and avoid any possibility of being shown with the group I thoroughly support. I am in critical need of employment and don't want to risk any possible repercussions for exercising my 1st amendment rights that are currently included in our bill of rights. I understand that economics are a valuable tool to those demagogues that seek to instill their will on the masses, and blacklisting is not beneath them or their sheeple.

I did not watch the SOTU on Tuesday, but I did spend Wednesday reading various articles on buzzflash.com, my lifeline to the news. Of the many enlightening articles I read, I was totally flabbergasted at one from a San Antonio station. The lead to the link implied that Halliburton (via KBR) had gotten another sweetheart deal much like the ones in the many theaters of the US military. Upon reading it I realized that it was much more sinister than the lead stated and what it said really hit home. The INS, a division under the so-called Homeland Security, has contracted with KBR (on a contingency basis) to build large processing/detention/deportation centers in the US.

This article was jaw dropping, so just for posterity I am going to commit an illegal act and include it below. I wish blogger allowed us mac users to to the many lovely things to highlight specific passages, but that is not possible. What really is striking is that it talks about building these centers (which may never be built) for OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS that might arise. I firmly believe that this is paving the way for the new US style concentration camps for dissenters, homosexuals, liberals, intelligentia, non-believers, etc. I have often wondered how the Nazis managed to do this very thing, and it was because the educated, thinking people did not accept the fact it could happen and the masses couldn't care less.

I wish I was wrong, but I fear I am connecting the dots and yelling "the sky is falling." I guess this makes me a wacko conspiracy theorist out of touch with reality. So much to be fearful of, and it is not foreign terrorists!!

Halliburton unit's immigration contract is repeat deal
LAST UPDATE: 1/31/2006 5:10:48 AM
DALLAS - When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was picking someone to plan and perhaps build centers to handle a crush of immigrants, it turned to a familiar name.

The Corps last week awarded a contract worth up to $385 million to KBR, a subsidiary of engineering and defense contractor Halliburton Co. KBR held a similar contract from 2000 through 2005.

The contract calls on KBR to set up temporary processing, detention and deportation facilities in case of a surge of people trying to enter the country, according to immigration officials.

"It's part of (the government's) planning should there be some sort of emergency, say some sort of upheaval in Latin America, that would cause a mass migration," said Jamie Zuieback, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Zuieback called it a "contingency contract" and that the Halliburton unit might never be asked to build any such centers.

Halliburton said KBR might also be used to open more detention centers if they were needed for new government programs.

The Army Corps issued an open call for contractors, but only KBR bid for the work, said Clay Church, a Corps spokesman.

KBR has been paid just $5.9 million so far under the 2000-2005 contract, although up to several million dollars in additional claims from last year are awaiting routine auditing, Church said. That contract, like the new one, included a one-year base period and four one-year options.

Halliburton announced last week that it will sell a minority stake in KBR through an initial public offering of stock.

Houston-based Halliburton, which was led by Vice President Dick Cheney from 1995-2000, is the largest government contractor in Iraq. It recently passed $10 billion in orders to provide housing, meals and other services for U.S. troops and to rebuild Iraq's oil industry.

Several military audits have questioned Halliburton's work in Iraq, and some congressional Democrats have accused the Bush administration of favoring the company with noncompetitive contracts. The Justice Department is considering whether to investigate how the Army Corps gave Halliburton a no-bid contract for restoring Iraq's oil fields.

Charlie Cray, who helps run HalliburtonWatch.org, a group critical of the company's government contracts, said Halliburton should be barred from new government contracts until all investigations into its work in Iraq are finished.

Halliburton officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has denied receiving favored treatment because of its political connections.

never say die?

Your Ideal Relationship is Marriage

You've dated enough to know what you want. And that's marriage - with the right person. You're serious about settling down some time soon. Even if you haven't met the person you want to get hitched to!

What's Your Ideal Relationship?

How many options are there for a committed relationship? Marriage is legal protection for many things beyond just the commitment. It is good to have a partner in life. I really wish that there was the equivalent of civil unions here in the US. A legal bond that gives the union certain rights, a legal contract for partnership, like any business contract. Marriage seems to have too many expectations and religious overtones.

"Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind." Bertrand, Lord Russll (1872-1970)

Guess I could be a citizen--not just a consumer

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

every picture tells a story...

Seems I am going overboard on the blogthings, but it is so much fun. I am a maniac when it comes to taking tests and have done most of the tests offered on Tickle. Even though I think I know who I am I like finding confirmation in my beliefs.

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Belief

Funny, I always describe myself as an agnostic and define it as "I don't know and I don't care." Guess that is the truth...

You are Agonistic

You're not sure if God exists, and you don't care. For you, there's no true way to figure out the divine. You rather focus on what you can control - your own life. And you tend to resent when others "sell" religion to you.

What's Your Religious Philosophy?

The keys to my heart

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was insecure and in constant need of reassurance.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

morning sun

morning sun
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

I prefer the sol photo, but we both got blogged on Sunrise/Sunset. What an honor, and surprise!

Now I know...I am somewhat a product of environment!

Your Linguistic Profile:

70% General American English

15% Dixie

5% Midwestern

5% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

1012

Your Birthdate: October 12

Being born on the 12th day of the month (3 energy) is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, sometimes "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. Your mind is practical and rational despite this tendency to jump about. You are affectionate and loving - but very sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I fall down on the death penalty, as I believe in it in extreme cases

Your Political Profile

Overall: 5% Conservative, 95% Liberal

Social Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

Beach on the lagoon, Cameleon Marival AI in Puerto Aventuras

Beach on lagoon Cameleon Marival in Puerto Aventuras
Originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

This is the first photo that I took on my trip to Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico in May 2003. Wonderful place to visit, but would have been nicer with a friend along, too. Loved this photo so much I had it as my wallpaper for a while. I think I am ready for another vacation to someplace similar, if not the same. I am afraid that the growth of Quintana Roo over the last couple of years would be too sad to see, particularly in Puerto Aventuras.

Ipanema Sunset

Ipanema Sunset
Originally uploaded by Jase Apparent.

I have to blog this photo, even though I didn't take it. Takes me back to when I lived in Ipanema back in 1981-2. What a beautiful place to live, particularly if you like lots of people and highrises. Lived across the street from the beach on Avenida Viera Souto on the fifth floor. I don't expect to ever see this sight again, in person, but one never knows....

Ancient Rome zoom from atop a hill

Ancient Rome zoom, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

The best possible shot of Rome full of landmarks. The Pantheon, St. Peter's, the Colosseum...amazing. It took a while to realize what all is in the photo and probably still not totally aware.

Rome is my favorite city in the world. Spent 2 days there in 1965 and 5 days in 2001. I would love to live there, someday. So much history in the world's greatest city!

Ti amo, Roma!

Just enough knowledge to be dangerous...

...is what a friend told me and I have now proved him right. Couldn't leave well enough alone and decided to turn off what I thought were extensions for a Palm Pilot, as they are not needed. Bottom line is that I have totally crippled/incapacitated my Mac which now has a system error and I can't get it to start up to try to rectify that problem I created. I am now in Mac hell and will have to call a Mac nerd/geek to help my out of the hole I dug for myself. The thought of going home to no internet is horrifying and it is the first time I have cratered my baby.

I am drooling over the G5 with the dual processor, now, and would love to get one (and go into major debt for it). Don't know when I will be back up at home, but maybe I can get the OS X actually operating, too, after having installed it a year and a half ago. Tonight I will be calling Mac specialists to see what can be done for me. Very depressing. Guess I will have to do housework tonight!

Damn computers! I was so proud of myself for keeping it up and running as long as I have on my own...maybe a little too much hubris on my part.

Philtower Lobby East

Philtower Lobby East, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

The awesome Gothic lobby of the Philtower building, built in 1927 by Waite Phillips. They are turning several of the upper floors into lofts, that look like they will be very nice (and expensive). As the building is on the National Historic Register, it is safe from destruction or radical change.

The stone used in the lobby is travertine and was imported from Italy. The Phillips were big fans of Italy and since it was built during the depression it was a steal. The Phillips never suffered from want of money as demand for oil did not go down to zero.

I love this building.

Holland Tunnel NJ entrance

Holland Tunnel, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

Monday night, April 12, 2004, around 8 pm. The beginning of a 3 hour 'tour' of New York. My first visit there since 1965, and long a dream of mine to return. An added touch that it was raining and dreary. Got to see the Statue of Liberty through the truck window through the rain at night.

It was still a thrill to set foot there for any length of time. Having lived in Rio I have developed an appreciation for the big city and NY is the greatest to me. A place where one can walk and public transportation is abundant is so foreign to Oklahoma. I know that I love downtown Tulsa because of the ease of travel by foot.

Perhaps someday soon I will make it back to the big city and will be able to spend many more hours.

Clint seems to really love it in the city and he is just a small town boy from Joplin, MO. His 33rd birthday is next week and I wonder if he has yet come to terms with his sexual identity? Religion had such a strong hold over him, plus the fact he did not want to disappoint his parents--that was his morbid fear. Would they have rejected their only son? We had so much fun together at the ballet, and we could be so silly. We enjoyed each other and the relief through clowning around from too much work. He is still so dear to me. New York next year....

BOK reflection in Williams Tower 1

BOK reflection in Williams Tower 1, originally uploaded by liberalmind1012.

A reflection of BOK Tower and the Crown Plaza Hotel off the side of the Williams Tower 1. This is the sister building of the Williams Tower II, which i2E will be moving to at the end of June.