Justin and Susan: U of A Tribute to Susan

Justin and Susan: U of A Tribute to Susan

Hitler's response to BYU's loss to Utah.

Worth Watching

Canadian Car Chase

Toy Story - Dark Knighted

Robot Chicken - Star Wars

Jeff Dunham - Achmed the Dead Terrorist

I'm a little concerned.

Over the past couple weeks, my wife has been making some comments that are really making me nervous.  It's been over a myriad of topics but when we have a conversation about something, periodically she will tell me she already had this conversation with me.  When I ask her when, she simply says, "Well, it was in my head.  I just already know what you will say."

Does anyone have any counsel for me?  I'm starting to feel uncomfortable with this idea that I'm going to get in trouble for things that I told her... but didn't really tell her.  

Mohawk

We're liking the new dew Sim!

An LDS Perspective on Socialism

Today is Halloween.  Traditionally it's the day we're supposed to get dressed up and scare people. Frankly, my fear is not of the little kids asking for candy, my fear is for them.  What are we creating now politically that we're going to pass onto them in the future?

I'm amazed how quickly we've forgotten our history.  

Too often in conversations with others, they speak nonchalantly about the redistribution of wealth.  I've been told this redistribution through taxing is patriotic.  I wonder what George Washington would say to that.  I've read in an opinion column by a dear friend that says it is very similar to the United Order.  If you don't take the time to learn about the United Order, let me clarify and say, it is nothing like it.  

Let me ask these questions of things that are acquired and developed.  Can you redistribute knowledge?  A grade point average? Experience? Love and/or charity?  Beauty?  Can you divide up and redistribute somebody's home?  Somebody's children or family?  

I hope you agree the questions above are ridiculous, but why do so many think it's okay to redistribute wealth?  

I've heard others say, "Well we're not taking the money from the people, we're just going to tax the businesses." Or, "Well, the money is coming to you isn't it?"

Really?  Come on!!!  Do we not believe in standing for something? That way of thinking is robbing America of her and us of INDEPENDENCE.

Did we learn anything from the American Revolution.  Anything about the Boston Tea Party?  The Tea Party was mostly about "Representation" but about taxes nonetheless. 

Take a look at the definition provided through Wikipedia about "Redistribution of Wealth."

All political and economic systems facilitate the redistribution of wealth including capitalism, communism and socialism; however the favored method of redistribution vary from system to system.  Capitalism relies primarily on the more or less voluntary purchase of sale of goods and services, whereas communism and socialism typically use involuntary methods such as taxation and nationalization of property.

Did you notice the two keywords? Voluntary and Involuntary.

On the 4th of July we celebrate our country's Independence day.  I believe this country was made Independent by volunteers, not by all of the involunteers. (My spell check tells me "involunteers" is not a word, but yet we're so excited about "involuntary methods".)

If you don't know me, let me quote a friend of mine that describes me as well. "I have chosen religion as my guiding precept to which I adhere in this life." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) specifically.

Here's an LDS perspective on Socialism and another explanation as to why I'm so scared of these "Involuntary Methods". This is only a portion of President Marion G. Romney's “‘In Mine Own Way’,” Ensign, Nov 1976, 123.  If you're curious of his last name, Mitt Romney is in fact related to him.

"As our modern societies follow the course which led to the fall of Rome and other civilizations which succumbed to the deceptive lure of the welfare state and socialism, I think it not inappropriate for me to emphasize again the Lord’s plan for the temporal salvation of His mortal children.

To emphasize the contrast between the Lord’s plan and some of the absurd practices of our day, I shall read a clipping or two from my miscellaneous file.

The first concerns a hippie couple who were walking down the street. They both had long hair and were dressed in typical hippie attire, complete with beads, sandals, and headbands. The fellow said to the girl: “I’m going over and pick up my unemployment check. Then I’ll drop in at the university to see what’s holding up my check for my federal education grant. After that I’ll pick up our food stamps. Meanwhile, you go over to the free clinic and check your tests, pick up my new glasses at the city health center, then go to the welfare department and apply for another increase on our eligibility limit.

“Then I’ll meet you at five o’clock at the federal building for the mass demonstration against this rotten establishment.

”I clipped the following from the Reader’s Digest some time ago.

“In our friendly neighbor city of St. Augustine great flocks of sea gulls are starving amid plenty. Fishing is still good, but the gulls don’t know how to fish. For generations they have depended on the shrimp fleet to toss them scraps from the nets. Now the fleet has moved. …  

“The shrimpers had created a Welfare State for the … sea gulls. The big birds never bothered to learn how to fish for themselves and they never taught their children to fish. Instead they led their little ones to the shrimp nets.

“Now the sea gulls, the fine free birds that almost symbolize liberty itself, are starving to death because they gave in to the ‘something for nothing’ lure! They sacrificed their independence for a hand-out.

“A lot of people are like that, too. They see nothing wrong in picking delectable scraps from the tax nets of the U.S. Government’s ‘shrimp fleet.’ But what will happen when the Government runs out of goods? What about our children of generations to come?

“Let’s not be gullible gulls. We … must preserve our talents of self-sufficiency, our genius for creating things for ourselves, our sense of thrift and our true love of independence.” (Reader’s Digest, Oct. 1950, p. 32.)

Now a contrasting clipping entitled, “It’s a Good Thing There Wasn’t Anybody Around to Help the Pilgrims”:

“They landed in a forbidding wilderness. No Federal Housing, so they went to work and built their own. No Free Stamp Program, so they raised what food they ate, and when they didn’t raise enough, went without.

“No Free Schools, so mothers taught their children. No Recreational Programs—they were too busy working. No anti-draft riots—everyone was expected to share in the protection of his country. No Social Security—no security at all, except what each provided for himself.

“But there were compensations. No rioters demanding something for nothing. No unwashed ‘students’ telling their mothers what to teach. No wasteful bureaucrats paying themselves out of the workers’ production.

“Nothing, really, for the Pilgrims but hard work and a lot of it.“Did it pay off?

“Our standard of living proves it.” (Christian Economics, Nov. 1972, p. 25.)Now to the Lord’s plan.“I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth,” He said, “… and all things therein are mine.

“And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.

“But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.

“For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.” (D&C 104:14–17.)

The underlying principles of God’s economy for the temporal salvation of His saints are clearly revealed in this scripture. Proclaiming Himself the creator of the earth and all things therein, He speaks of Himself as supreme landlord. He announces that it is His purpose to provide for His saints, at the same time declaring, “The earth is full, and there is enough and to spare.” He warns, however, that providing for His saints “must needs be done in mine own way.”

“And … this,” He continues, “is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.

”Following His way is indispensable to a well-ordered society.

We Latter-day Saints know that all men are brothers and sisters—“begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24)—that we are responsible for the welfare of one another. These concepts are inherent in all the doctrines of the gospel.

We know that the ills of this troubled world have come about because men have failed to do what the Lord has commanded them. This applies to economic problems as well as to all other ills. We know also that the only cure for them is to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God commands us.We know that the day will come when “every man” shall share equally in the good things of earth, “according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.” (D&C 51:3.) We also know that attaining such equality must await the time when all men willingly work to sustain themselves and, motivated by love for their fellowmen, liberally “impart” of their substance unto the poor and the needy, “according to the law of [the] gospel.” (D&C 104:18.)

It is the responsibility of every Latter-day Saint to work and so impart of his substance, regardless of the shifting standards of this world. We must uphold these principles and oppose every derogation of them. We must be careful not to adopt the commonly accepted practice of expecting the government or anyone other than ourselves to supply us with the necessities of life.

The practice of coveting and receiving unearned benefits has now become so fixed in our society that even men of great wealth, and possessing the means to produce more wealth, are expecting the government to guarantee them a profit. Elections often turn on what the candidates promise to do for voters from government funds. This practice, if universally accepted and implemented in any society, will make slaves of its citizens.

We cannot afford to become wards of the government, even though we have a legal right to do so. It requires too great a sacrifice in self-respect and in political, temporal, and spiritual independence.Let us work for what we need. 

Let us be self-reliant and independent. Salvation can be obtained on no other principle. Salvation is an individual matter, and we must work out our own salvation, in temporal as well as in spiritual things."

Lee Family Reunion * 1988

It's about time for another Lee Family Reunion.  Here are a couple of clips from 1988!

Here we our meeting our dinner.

And here we are interviewing our dinner.

"Rough & Tough" and "Space Invader"

When I was much younger, my older brothers loved making movies. It's kinda crazy that I can even date back to silent movies. Anyway, here's "Rough & Tough" starring Russ Foster and Darren Nicoll directed by Kevin Nicoll. Since my brothers had to babysit me when they made their movies... I always had cameo roles.

Before you watch these... I should point out that our mom always made us end every fight scene with a handshake.

This second movie is "Space Invader". I won the Little Brother award for my work in this short film. Be sure to look for my facial expressions.

WARNING: Excessive exposure to Depeche Mode will warp your souls into music video making fools. Just can't get enough.

1997 - Mesa, Arizona High School Hall of Fame

Probably to the extreme displeasure of my dad, John Nicoll, here is a clip from when he was inducted into the Mesa, Arizona High School Hall of Fame .  I need to find the exact date  but I believe it was in 1997 while I was away on my mission.  I really wish I could have been there for this.

Bird Feeders

Somone at work sent this to me.  I think it's pretty funny and makes a good point.

******************************************

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it is, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.

Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table... everywhere!

Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket.

And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. 

Soon, the back yard was like it used to be .. quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see .

Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.

Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder. If you agree, pass it on; if not, continue cleaning up the poop!

Another High School Video

This was a high school dance my Junior year. 1995.

If you're like my kids who don't recognize me with hair... I'm in the back on the right.

High School Videos

In my ever diligent effort to digitize my life, here are a couple videos I just converted from VHS to DVD.  

Some things aren't worth sharing, but if that were really true in this case, why did we bring along the video camera?

This first clip is an edited version of me getting answered for a dance in '95.  Jake Allen went around with me and taped it.  If he gives me any grief about this, I'll be sure to post the clip I have of him dressed up as a cheerleader.  If I remember right, he actually shaved his leggys for that.

This is when I opened my mission call at our ranch in northern Arizona.  Looking back, there's no other place I would have wanted to open it than there.  July 7th, 1996.  

I'm really not that bad at reading, but if you knew Dumb & Dumber was my favorite movie... you'd understand.  

I was called to the Lithuania Vilnius Mission, however, that mission at the time consisted of Estonia, Latvia, Lithunaia and Belarus.  Since I was called to speak Estonian, I stayed in Estonia the whole time.  (Yes, that's where "Encino Man" is from.)

For as cheesy as I was/am... I could have used a little more COWBELL!

Is this really coming from Howard Stern's show?

No need to worry, even though this is from Howard Stern's show, nothing needed to be edited.  Take a listen at some of Obama's followers.  I know all of his voters aren't like this but...

http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3

Naegle Land & Cattle Co.

For those interested, particularly those interested in the family's cattle ranch, I've been collecting and scanning as much history as a I can from whatever is available.  Today I scanned in some documents that my Great Uncle Alma Christopher Naegle had. 

These documents date back to the late 1930's and early 40's.

http://picasaweb.google.com/knnicoll/NaegleLandCattleCo#

Enjoy!

It's a Jib Jab Life

This is the safest way I think I can poke fun at my In-Laws.

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Dangers Facing America

Utah State vs. BYU

I definitely do not agree, but this is funny.  I am glad I found my wife at BYU!  

Considering how BYU played against Utah St., I think their fans had the right to talk some trash.

Is the right CHANGE coming?

I know there are a lot of well meaning people in America, but please know that socialism in any form is not the way.  I need to tread lightly here because even one of my dearest friends considers himself a Mormon Socialist. He knows how I feel about this topic so he's not hearing anything new from me. 

In my insignificant opinion, America needs to start owning up to its own problems.  I listened to the Presidential debate last night and got so frustrated at the bickering.  I'm sick of hearing all of the wining, blaming, crying and fussing.  This vote is coming down to who can point the finger the best.  The only finger I wanted to see was the one I saw a Utah State fan give to the BYU faithful on live TV last weekend.  

I was actually wanting to see Tom Brokaw take control and do what we do at our house.  When two of the kids are fighting, we tell both of them to sit against the wall until they're done fussing.  Would any one else have appreciated that?  Both Obama and McCain sitting against the wall on live TV until they were ready to come clean.

There's no doubt that I'll vote for McCain but not because that's how I wanted it.  Some of his personal choices really bother me.  Unfortunately, unless the change I want comes to Washington, I'm really scared that Obama's change is what I'm going to get.  See the images below.  I'll admit they seem a little drastic now but watch out for the first step of a darkened stairwell... it's a loo loo.

I probably wouldn't be so earnest about this unless I had spent time in Eastern Europe where they had seen their fair share of socialist behavior.  I love those people dearly but it was painful for me to see some of them express their gratefulness for their freedom, but then admit their regret that they still want their check from the government.   

I get even more frustrated when I hear comparisons of Socialism to the United Order.  It's definitely a topic for discussion but there are a couple of big difference that separates the two, CHARITY and LOVE.  You can't force charity on someone.  One way to define 'Charity' is that it's one person willingness to give what he has for the benefit of another.  Charity can not be forced or regulated.  In a free market, people will eventually do what they LOVE, not love what they're forced to do.

Regardless of all my negativity above, here's a positive thought.  I'm still an American.  I'm still in America, I've never wanted to be anywhere else.  I'll vacation anywhere but my roots are here.  I believe there are still good people out there.  

My hope for the next four years is that fewer people will stop blaming Bush for all their problems and look even more at their own decisions.  I even hope they won't blame Obama.  If I have the audacity to hope, I will then hope they they don't blame McCain.  I hope they'll starting owning up to their own problems and not blame the government.  The government is the people's puppet.  You can talk to Yoda all you want, but it's still Frank Oz acting it out.  They do want we tell them by how we vote.  The unfortunate thing is that the problems we have right now are because of everything we did, not them.  We the people...

Alright, I'm done ranting.

Wait... one more thing... ah nah... forget it.

Ezra Taft Benson said a lot of good things about the proper role of government... enjoy.  Go to the link and read the whole thing.  Below is just a short part of it.

http://www.zionsbest.com/proper_role.html

The Proper Role of Government by The Honorable Ezra Taft Benson

Former Secretary of Agriculture [The Eisenhower Administration - ed.] Published in 1968

But What About The Needy?

On the surface this may sound heartless and insensitive to the needs of those less fortunate individuals who are found in any society, no matter how affluent. "What about the lame, the sick and the destitute? Is an often-voice question. Most other countries in the world have attempted to use the power of government to meet this need. Yet, in every case, the improvement has been marginal at best and has resulted in the long run creating more misery, more poverty, and certainly less freedom than when government first stepped in. As Henry Grady Weaver wrote, in his excellent book, THE MAINSPRING OF HUMAN PROGRESS:

"Most of the major ills of the world have been caused by well-meaning people who ignored the principle of individual freedom, except as applied to themselves, and who were obsessed with fanatical zeal to improve the lot of mankind-in-the-mass through some pet formula of their own....THE HARM DONE BE ORDINARY CRIMINALS, MURDERES, GANGSTERS, AND THIEVES IS NEGLIGIBLE IN COMPARISON WITH THE AGONY INFLICTED UPON HUMAN BEINGS BY THE PROFESSIONAL 'DO-GOODERS', who attempt to set themselves up as gods on earth and who would ruthlessly force their views on all others - with the abiding assurance that the end justifies the means." (p. 40-1; P.P.N.S., p. 313)

The Better Way

By comparison, America traditionally has followed Jefferson's advice of relying on individual action and charity. The result is that the United States has fewer cases of genuine hardship per capita than any other country in the entire world or throughout all history. Even during the depression of the 1930's, Americans ate and lived better than most people in other countries do today.

What Is Wrong With A "Little" Socialism?

In reply to the argument that a little bit of socialism is good so long as it doesn't go too far, it is tempting to say that, in like fashion, just a little bit of theft or a little bit of cancer is all right, too! History proves that the growth of the welfare state is difficult to check before it comes to its full flower of dictatorship. But let us hope that this time around, the trend can be reversed. If not then we will see the inevitability of complete socialism, probably within our lifetime.

Three Reasons Americans Need Not Fall For Socialist Deceptions

Three factors may make a difference. First, there is sufficient historical knowledge of the failures of socialism and of the past mistakes of previous civilizations. Secondly, there are modern means of rapid communications to transmit these lessons of history to a large literate population. And thirdly, there is a growing number of dedicated men and women who, at great personal sacrifice, are actively working to promote a wider appreciation of these concepted men and women who, at great personal sacrifice, are actively working to promote a wider appreciation of these concepts. The timely joining together of these three factors may make it entirely possible for us to reverse the trend.

How Can Present Socialistic Trends Be Reversed?

This brings up the next question: How is it possible to cut out the various welfare-state features of our government which have already fastened themselves like cancer cells onto the body politic? Isn't drastic surgery already necessary, and can it be performed without endangering the patient? In answer, it is obvious that drastic measures ARE called for. No half-way or compromise actions will suffice. Like all surgery, it will not be without discomfort and perhaps even some scar tissue for a long time to come. But it must be done if the patient is to be saved, and it can be done without undue risk.

Obviously, not all welfare-state programs currently in force can be dropped simultaneously without causing tremendous economic and social upheaval. To try to do so would be like finding oneself at the controls of a hijacked airplane and attempting to return it by simply cutting off the engines in flight. It must be flown back, flown back, lowered in altitude, gradually reduced in speed and brought in for a smooth landing. Translated into practical terms, this means that the first step toward restoring the limited concept of government should be to freeze all welfare-state programs at their present level, making sure that no new ones are added. The next step would be to allow all present programs to run out their term with absolutely no renewal. The third step would involve the gradual phasing-out of those programs which are indefinite in their term. In my opinion, the bulk of the transition could be accomplished within a ten-year period and virtually completed within twenty years. Congress would serve as the initiator of this phase-out program, and the President would act as the executive in accordance with traditional constitutional procedures.

 

The Singing Revolution will be in Tempe - 10/10 through 10/14

I just received the following email regarding the documentary "The Singing Revolution".  It's going to be in Tempe October 10th through the 14th.  

PHOENIX/TEMPE, AZ

ONE NIGHT CINEMA

October 10, 2008 - October 14, 2008

OneNightCinema 

Pollack Tempe Cinemas 

1825 East Elliot Road 

Tempe, AZ 85284 

480-897-0677

theater website

I realize most people don't have the sentimental connection to Estonia that I do, but regardless, the story and history make it a great documentary.  Within the next few weeks, the DVD is coming out as well.

Dear TSR Friends,

The Singing Revolution is still in theaters.  No one anticipated this extensive of a theatrical run!  We have played in over 120 theaters, and there are still many more cities opening in October & November.

We write to THANK all of you -- those who called the theaters, emailed asking how they could get it to their city, handed out the postcards and emailed friends across North America to let people know of the various openings.  This is what drove people to the theaters on opening weekend, got the film held over for multiple weeks in many cities, and encouraged the next theater to book the film.

So over 100,000 people have seen the film thus far.  But there are millions more to reach!  It's now time to move to the next stage of sharing this story as far and wide as possible.

Within two weeks, the DVD of The Singing Revolution will be available through the film's website.  And we're even more excited about the Educational 3 DVD set and Collector's Edition that's been created.  With over 4 hours of additional interview segments, 30 historical documents, 7 newsreels, 15 maps, and teacher's guide, we hope to share an even more in-depth experience with young and old alike.

The companion book and various Estonian music CDs will be available on the website as well.

Even with the DVD coming out soon, many theaters are still motivated to share The Singing Revolution in their communities, and we of course feel it is truly suited for the big screen (300,000 people singing illegal songs in a field needs to be seen & heard in a theater!)

So please continue to support the openings coming in the next month (see list below). We'll be sure to send an email as soon as the DVDs, CDs and book are available on the
website.

We're often asked what is it about the film that people are drawn to, and we're very clear the film has little to do with it.  It is the power of this story, and the strength and intelligence of the people who fought the Singing Revolution.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help in sharing this story.

Maureen & James Tusty
Producers/Directors of The Singing Revolution
www.singingrevolution.com

UPCOMING THEATER OPENINGS:

Corvallis, OR (10/3-10/9)

Suttons Bay, MI (10/3-10/9)

Bloomington, IN (10/4 & 10/7)

Powell River, BC Canada (10/8- 0/9)

Gloucester, MA (10/9-10/13)

Geneva, NY (10/10-10/14)

Phoenix/Tempe, AZ (10/10-10/14)

Mount Shasta, CA (10/10)

McPherson, KS (10/16)

Salt Spring Island, BC Canada (10/24-10/26)

Salmon Arm, BC Canada (10/31-11/5)

Boulder, CO (11/14)

Oliver, BC Canada (11/26)