Nate

To seek the high concord, a man looks not deeper within, he reaches farther out. -Blue Highways

[Robert Rosenthal @ALionEye]

If you only knew the absolute accuracy of “this guy probably hasn’t even seen a game Illinois isn’t playing in all year.”

I’m not a college football fan. I’m an Illinois football fan.

[Jaye T. @JayeJaybird54]

#ProudBlue
I saved this from several years ago. I don’t know the man who posted it, but I love it. It’s empathy, people, it’s empathy.

I am white.
I am male.
I was raised as a Christian.
I am heterosexual.
I am a military veteran.
I am a business owner.
I live in Texas.
I own two houses, rarely worry about money, and my children want for nothing.

So why am I a progressive? I certainly don't fit the profile.

Simple.

Empathy.

I don't need to be black to feel the seething rage sparked by injustice when a cop shoots an unarmed man in the back, and then walks free.

I don't need to be a woman to feel that each of us should have full and sole control of our own bodies--or to recognize the arrogant absurdity of elected men in suits legislating to the contrary.

I don't need to be a Muslim to feel that no faith deserves to be characterized by the abhorrent actions of a perverse minority--and that people of all faiths deserve equal access to the country I call home.

I don't need to be gay to feel that love shared between two people is good and healthy, no matter their gender identity--that every couple should have the right to marry, raise a family, and receive equal protection under the law.

Though I served my country in the military, I do not feel more deserving of my country's benefits than those who serve and sacrifice in other ways.

Though I own a business, I do not feel that I deserve better tax breaks than the single mom or dad who works two jobs to make ends meet.

Though I live in a place that fiercely values individual rights and freedoms, I do not feel that these should be put on a higher pedestal than social responsibility.

Though *my* children have enough food and a safe home and access to good schools, good healthcare, and clean water, I feel the anguish of parents whose children do not.

Empathy.

Empathy for others fills my heart in place of fear of the "other."

That is the reason I am a progressive.

I invite you to join me.

[Anthony Mason @AnthonyMasonCBS]

“Tell the truth. Sing with passion. Work with laughter. Love with heart. ‘Cause, that’s all that matters in the end.” -Kris Kristofferson (1936-2024)

[Nate @NateEricson]

@PuttinOnAirsPod @CoreyRForrester

[Silky Johnson @Sharkman_Quint]

.@thenewarea51 @Aviation_Intel RIP Chappy-a real and fictional legend is gone

[Visegrád 24 @visegrad24]

KGB defector tells the Americans about the methods Soviet intelligence agencies used to weaken the West

[Nate @NateEricson]

@Hush_Kit FL470 in a Global 5000

[Nate @NateEricson]

@brainpicker West with the Night is not only a great book about early aviation and Africa (which appealed to me) it’s a great book period. Great adventure and great writing.

[BBC Archive @BBCArchive]

#OnThisDay 1982 The ever-erudite Sylvester Stallone spoke to Gloria Hunniford about his career whilst promoting 'Rocky III'.

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

Fred never got nervous even once the whole goddamn trip. He was the rock of that Coors run.

[Nate @NateEricson]

@ackeeling

[Nate @NateEricson]

@CoreyRForrester GREAT song

[Nate @NateEricson]

@BurritoBrosShit Reminiscing about the wait for my White Tacoma PRO back in 2017. When it came in I blindly signed all the papers. Very exciting. That new Bronco looks great.

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

Smokey and the Bandit has a 79% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. To the other 21%, I say fuck you, you didn’t deserve Jackie Gleason.

[I am become Life. @MikePerryavatar]

Sympathy for everyone just now figuring out that their government is bullshit. Love and deep breaths. Solidarity with those who already knew it. Peace and goodwill.

[bbs @BurritoBrosShit]

MFW I’m taking my ZMAs after several hours of doomrscrolling and talking with my natsec bros:

[Willie Geist @WillieGeist]

Pardon the language here, but I asked a House Democrat who is locked in his office whether Congress will reconvene tonight and finish its business. He replied:

“Yep. We’re going back. Fuck these assholes.”

[Nate @NateEricson]

@BurritoBrosShit Samesies...tonight fried wings, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, PBR, Tito’s for dessert(s) then laser tag with my kids to keep me off this godforsaken platform

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

Today in 1977, Lou Rawls wakes up and decides he's gonna be cool as shit. He succeeds.