Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Law School

Volume 10, Issue 45 Friday, November 07, 2008

Hello All,

It’s an election, not the end of the world. - One thing this presidential election did was pull off the scab of racial prejudice in the United States. A wound that hasn’t healed as completely as I’d thought.
I’ve heard more “Racist Rhetoric” in the last week than in the last 20 years. I feel like apologizing to every person of color I know.
When will we wake up and learn to see people for who they are and not what they look like?
I voted for Senator McCain because I believed he was the best equipped to guide our country and I agreed with his stand on most of the issues facing us today. However, Mr. Obama is our President Elect and I trust God and this nation’s institutions to bring us together and to smooth the left leaning edges off of our President Elect.
And, Senator McCain’s concession speech was all I hoped for, conciliatory and encouraging us to come together as a nation and support the new President.
If we’re going to “weather” this economic crisis (which is really a crisis of faith) we’re going to have to quit throwing stones at one another and cooperate wherever and whenever we can.
I’ll admit that my “flesh” would like to see Mr. Obama fail to show those who voted for him how wrong they were. But my spirit tells me “I know whom I have believed in and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him...”
We all need to pray for and support our new President. If he fails, our country will not be better for it.
~~~~~
Woo Pig Soouie - My South Louisiana Grandsons showed up wearing LSU purple and gold. The jokes on their dad. It’s only taken me a few days to have them “callin the hogs.” Earlier this week, Josiah told one of our friends that a “Woo Pig Soouie” could eat a Tiger. And yesterday, both boys put on the Razorback “tattoos” I’d bought them. I didn’t waste any time in sending a photo of those “hog equipped” kids to their dad.
~~~~~
The Greatest Job In The World - I work with some of the finest folks on earth. To say that the “Gang” in my office are competent, skilled and hard working doesn’t begin to describe their dedication to the job and each other. They not only do their job, but they also pull my feet out of the fire on a regular basis.
My other “team”, the Albemarle Emergency Response Team, is also made up of men and women who are a “cut above.” This week they really went the extra mile to make our annual fire fighter mutual aid training a success. Mary Alexis ensured that everything was organized and we had a great meal both nights from Mules. Mary even arranged for the door prizes. And, our Albemarle Fire Brigade Captains and members all worked hard to ensure that our guests had a great training experience. Special thanks to David Pry, Pat Hammock, David Kirkpatrick and John Kennedy who picked up where I’d forgotten or failed to arrange for vital training activities.
~~~~~
Praise God! The Department of Defense only reported two Casualties this week.
~~~~~
I had the privilege of speaking to the Springhill First Assembly Of God Choir and Musicians Appreciation Dinner, at The Rails. The food and fellowship was great and they laughed at most of my jokes.
~~~~~
The New Post-Election Narrative: ‘Blame Palin!’ - The moderate Republicans who have destroyed the GOP brand are preparing to deflect the blame if McCain loses.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-new-post-election-narrative-blame-palin/
~~~~~
Dooley says natural gas must be part of federal energy plan - Cal Dooley, CEO of the American Chemistry Council, writes that natural gas is key to the U.S. chemical and manufacturing industries, and he calls for a federal energy plan that encourages natural gas production. "Chemistry is used in 96% of U.S. manufactured goods, and our industry is developing the innovations and technology that are empowering our families to live more sustainable lifestyles," he writes. National Journal [http://energy.nationaljournal.com/2008/10/climate-change-efforts.php#1166404] (11/4), ICIS news [http://www.icis.com/Articles/2008/11/06/9169739/us-acc-to-press-obama-on-energy.html] (11/6)
~~~~~
Don’t forget to use GoodSearch [http://www.goodsearch.com/] when you search the Internet!
~~~~~
DarynKagan.com - - I can't believe we are looking at the second anniversary of DarynKagan.com. It's coming up next week on November 13th. In honor of the occasion, I decided to get all of you a big gift. The big reveal won't happen until Thursday. Meanwhile, you can get some clues on my blog [http://darynkagan.demo.nimbussoftware.com/DarynsBlog.html].
Today's Story: Truly Friendly Skies
Delta flight attendant Jewel Van Valin needed a way to relax her passengers following 9/11. She came up with crayons. More than 3,000 drawings later, Jewel has created an art gallery in the sky. [http://darynkagan.demo.nimbussoftware.com/artists/stories/ar_081107_friendlyskies.html]
~~~~~
Pretty Interesting if you have time to look at. WORLDMag.com [http://www.worldmag.com]/

Read WORLD's post-election issue right now!

Visit WORLDmag.com, where you can read the online edition of WORLD's post-election issue right now. If you're a print subscriber, your magazine is on its way to your mailbox, but why not get a head start on reading news and views from a Christian perspective?

Here are some highlights from the November 15, 2008, issue:

WORLD Magazine, November 15, 2008COVER STORY America spoke: The election of the nation's first African-American president marks for Democrats a historic milestone and for Republicans a time to begin again.
MILITARY Ground realities: As female soldiers die in Iraq, the push for women in direct combat gains momentum. [http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14642]
ENTERTAINMENT Cinematic stunner: Although cinematically breathtaking, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas leaves no room for butterflies and sunsets. [http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14627]
JOEL BELZ Get real: It's time for conservatives to learn what it's like to be a minority. [http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14655]
Click here to start reading now! [http://www.worldmag.com/archives/2008-11-15]
Thanks to David Lamb
~~~~~
We extend our sincere sympathy to Audrey Bossier in the loss of her father. Funeral services for Mr. Reynold Borne, were held Thursday at Millet Funeral Home in Reserve, LA.
~~~~~
November is Warrior Care Month

The Secretary of Defense Robert F. Gates announced that November is Warrior Care Month today. Warrior Care Month is a DoD wide effort aimed at increasing awareness of programs and resources available to wounded, ill, and injured service members, their families, and those who care about them.

“I am pleased we have made significant strides to improve treatment for our service members. But frankly, much work remains to be done. We need to make it easier for our troops and their families to take advantage of all the assistance now available to them,” said Gates.

The department offers myriad resources to service members and their families, from prevention to injury-specific treatments, to ensure military well-being.

In addition, each military service has instituted programs to provide personalized medical and non-medical assistance to wounded, ill and injured service members and their families. These include:

 U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition Program and the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)
 U.S. Navy Safe Harbor
 U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment
 U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior

To simplify access to care the department has created http://www.WarriorCare.mil to serve as a portal to all warrior care resources. This site describes available resources and links users to the correct sources for additional information. Through it, service members, their families, and those who care about them can easily identify and access care.

Throughout November numerous events and educational activities will focus on educating the military community about the different aspects of the continuum of care provided to service members during the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration process.
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/] - - Christopher J. Frost - - Hometown: Campbell, CA - - Awarded: Bronze Star

On May 18, 2008, while conducting a counter-improvised explosive device mission in Iraq, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher J. Frost was seriously wounded when the vehicle in which he was riding struck a large, buried IED.

“The explosion severely injured three personnel and killed one,” Frost said. “I lost my right leg below the knee, sustained severe injuries to my left foot and ankle and broke the orbit of my right eye. Other than losing my right leg, the physical therapy I need for my left foot, and learning to use a prosthetic, I do not feel that my injury has changed me. I did not suffer a brain injury, nor do I suffer from any [post-traumatic stress disorder].”

As Weapons Intelligence Flight team leader for Weapons Intelligence Team 1, Multi-National Division – North Weapons Intelligence Section, in Joint Task Force Troy at Forward at Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, Iraq, from Dec. 9, 2007, to May 20, 2008, Frost is described as providing “flawless” support to the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, and associated units.

When he first arrived in Iraq, Frost was directly responsible for the acquisition, distribution and maintenance of more than $2 million worth of technical exploitation and force protection equipment. His efforts resulted in the overwhelming success of more than 400 combat missions conducted in the most lethal area of Iraq’s Salahuddin province.

Despite his injuries, Frost plans to remain in the Air Force for seven more years until retirement. He also plans on keeping his Air Force specialty code of 3E871, explosive ordnance disposal.

Frost is in the process of moving from the Royal Air Force base at Lakenheath, England, to his next assignment at the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and plans to re-enlist in December. “I strongly believe in the mission that the Air Force and the other services are performing in assisting Iraqi government, military and civilian forces in bringing peace, stability and eventually renewed prosperity to Iraq,” he said.

Frost currently is an outpatient staying at the Mologne House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., recovering from his injuries.
~~~~~
The latest from Michael Yon, the foremost “milnews” blogger on the web.
~
Greetings,

A surprising new Presidential candidate is sweeping the streets. This was published on National Review Online on Friday. Now see its source. [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/advertisement-and-the-virtue-of-audacity.htm]

Please VOTE! for William Gurley.

V/R, Your correspondent,
Michael
Http://www.michaelyon-online.com/index.php
~~~~~
America is not at war. The military is at war. - - America is at the mall, or watching the movie stars.
~~~~~
Last week we watched [Ratings are my own]:
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (1954) [8.6] Starring Howard Keel ... Russ Tamblyn ... Jane Powell ... Julie Newmar
Spencer's Mountain (1963) [8.6] Starring Henry Fonda ... Maureen O'Hara ... James MacArthur ... Wally Cox
Ratatouille (2007) [8.2] Starring Brian Dennehy ... Peter O'Toole ... Janeane Garofalo ... John Ratzenberger
Cinderelmo: Sesame Street (1999) [6.7] Starring Keri Russell ... French Stewart ... Paul Cruz Frank Oz
I Heart Huckabees (200) [3.6] Starring Dustin Hoffman ... Lily Tomlin ... Mark Wahlberg ... Naomi Watts
~~~~~
Last week we read; They marched into sunlight : war and peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 / David Maraniss. - - The Faith: Chuck Colson
We’re currently reading; They marched into sunlight : war and peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 / David Maraniss. - - The Faith: Chuck Colson
We intend to read; - - The shadow of Reichenbach Falls / John R. King. - - In a strange city / Laura Lippman. - - Foreign body / Robin Cook. - - The faithful spy : a novel / Alex Berenson. - - Breathing the Fire by Kimberly Dozier
We recommend: The Faith: Chuck Colson
~~~~~
http://www.shelfari.
com/BugsBleat/shelf?ec=7D790D174EFS18012
~~~~~
Photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” include; Sarah Shepherd teaching a refresher CPR class for our local Hospice Nurses, County Fire Fighters at our annual Mutual Aid Training, Ethan and Josiah visit the Magnolia Fire Department and Josiah shows off his new “Hog Tat”.
~~~~~
We’ve now got several addresses on the web for "Da Bleat." For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com. Last quarter’s issues can be seen at http://www.bugsbleat3q08.blogspot.com.
Our photos are posted at http://www.bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com.
If you want to see more photos of April’s train wreck in Magnolia, go to http://www.bugsbleattw.blogspot.com/
~~~~~
Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
~~~~~
Dr. Pat Antoon’s Address:
Pat Antoon 06669-010
Federal Prison Camp
P.O. Box 9300
Texarkana, TX 75505
Be sure and keep him in your prayers.
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - - - Chicken Hash on Pecan Waffles
CHICKEN HASH

4 Cups diced, cooked chicken
½ Cup diced celery
1 Cup chicken broth or stock
2 Cups Supreme sauce (See below)
2 Tbsp Escoffier sauce
2 egg yolks
1 Tbsp cream
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp paprika
½ Cup Madeira/port


Heat the diced chicken and celery in ¾ cup of the chicken broth. In a separate skillet, heat Supreme sauce and Escoffier sauce. Blend egg yolks and cream into the pan, whisking/stirring constantly and briskly. Add wine and seasonings. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the remaining broth. Blend chicken and sauce together.

SUPREME SAUCE

½ Cup butter
4 Tbsp flour
1 tsp onion juice
2 Cups broth
½ tsp salt

Melt butter, stir in the flour. Add broth, salt and onion juice, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.

PECAN WAFFLES - Depending on waffle iron... makes four waffles

2 Cups sifted flour
3 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¾ Cup chopped pecans
2 eggs, separated
1-½ Cups milk
6 Tbsp salted shortening

Sift dry ingredients together, stir in pecans. Combine beaten egg yolks, milk and shortening. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake on greased waffle iron until done.

Serve Chicken Hash over waffles, hot of course.

http://www.mychefsfavorites.com/recipes/arkansas/chicken-hash-on-pecan-waffles.html
~~~~~
BreakPoint
Election Results
By Chuck Colson
11/7/2008
Opportunity Unlimited

Over the last few days, I have been besieged with calls from Christian friends in deep despair over the election. I understand the feeling. The President-elect, along with his newly strengthened allies in Congress, opposes almost every pro-life and pro-family position conservative Evangelicals and conservative Catholics have fought for so hard.

The election was tough in another way, as well. We lost some good friends in Congress. I think particularly of Robin Hayes, an outstanding Christian Congressman from North Carolina. And Marilyn Musgrove from Colorado, who courageously led the initiative for the marriage amendment and was targeted by gay activists, who spent $14 million dollars to defeat her.

But as I told the hand-wringers who called me, we must never despair. It is a sin to deny the sovereignty of God. We just have to learn how to live differently. But I’ll talk more about that in the future.

First, this is the new President’s hour. And we should be praying for him. Major decisions which affect the welfare of us all are in his hands.

Second, we ought to take pleasure in the joy expressed by African Americans over Obama’s election. They have fought hard for civil rights, and now one of their own is President. I was moved to tears myself election night watching Jesse Jackson standing in the crowd, alone, tears flowing down his face. This can be a good thing for the United States of America.

We should also be pleased at the jubilation around the world at the election of America’s first black president, which has smashed the stereotype of America as an oppressive white superpower throwing its weight around. This could build unprecedented good will for us among many other nations—nations with whom we must cooperate on many important issues.

Third, this may be a teachable moment for all of us. Ever since the 1960s, liberal political leaders have built their power bases by telling minorities that they are the exploited victims of racism.

Tragically, many African-Americans feel, rightly or wrongly, that there is nothing they can do to help themselves except to elect politicians who promise to pour money into their communities. All these politicians have done is feed the grievance mentality and stay in power; the poor remain as poor as ever.

Obama’s election shatters that delusion. How could any young African-American any longer believe that he is destined to a life of crime and poverty simply because he was born black? Obama’s election demonstrates that America truly is the land of opportunity for every citizen regardless of the color of his skin, the circumstances of his birth, or the community from which he comes. If this new attitude takes hold, I could see us rebuilding the pits of despair and depression that many inner cities neighborhoods have become.

Having said that—I have my differences with the incoming President and the majorities in Congress—and I, for one, will continue for one to fight hard for the unborn and for traditional marriage, among other issues.

So don’t give up, or retreat into your sanctuaries, as some are suggesting. Stay tuned to BreakPoint. I’ll be back in due course with some strong ideas for us on how the church ought to now live.

For Further Reading and Information

“The Day After: Pray for Our President and Our Nation,” BreakPoint Commentary, 5 November 2008.

“The Solzhenitsyn Challenge: Restoring Public Courage,” BreakPoint Commentary, 4 November 2008.

© 2008 Prison Fellowship - - http://www.breakpoint.org/
~~~~~
Words of the Week:
abate: become less in amount
addle: mix up or confuse
aquiline: curved like eagle's beak
epicure: devotee to food, drink
footless: lacking substance
mot juste: appropriate expression
olfactory: pertaining to smell
from Dictionary.Com
~~~~~
"What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god - the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!" - William Shakespeare

"If you are able to state a problem, it can be solved." - Edwin H. Land

"I know nothing grander, better exercise, better digestion, more positive proof of the past, the triumphant result of faith in human kind, than a well-contested American national election." - Walt Whitman

"The most important political office is that of the private citizen." - Louis Brandeis

"Advice is like snow --- the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind." - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

"The heart of a fool is his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is his heart." - Benjamin Franklin

"The poker player learns that sometimes both science and common sense are wrong; that the bumblebee can fly; that, perhaps, one should never trust an expert; that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of by those with an academic bent." - David Mamet
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

New Prayerline for British Troops and their Families Debuts on Armed Forces Day of Prayer
Teresa Neumann (November 7, 2008)
"Through prayer we may be able to reach people before the crisis breaks, bringing hope to those in despair, encouragement to those who are dispirited and comfort to those who are suffering."
(United Kingdom)—United Christian Broadcasters launched a new prayer line this week in London, to support members of the British Armed Forces and their families. The opening of the "Forces Prayerline" coincided with the Armed Forces Day of Prayer on Thursday, November 6.
Colonel Paul Eaton, who led the planning committee said, "The Forces welfare services are brilliant when there's a crisis...but through prayer we may be able to reach people before the crisis breaks, bringing hope to those in despair, encouragement to those who are dispirited and comfort to those who are suffering. Of course, if the Prayerline saves lives or marriages, that's brilliant. But it's not just for those in dire straits; it's for everyday situations too, when we're concerned about work, the kids, our mates, our family, our next posting. So even for those everyday issues, I believe the Prayerline will be a tremendous help for those that use it."
According to the report, on the Armed Forces Day of Prayer Christians were asked to pray specifically for God's protection over Britain from enemies, that He will "turn their hearts to peace and justice for men and women."
Source: Anne Thomas - Christian Today [http://www.christiantoday.com/article/ucb.to.launch.prayer.line.for.armed.forces/21813.htm]

310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-2642
E-mail editor@breakingchristiannews.com
US Orders: 1-866-358-7426
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GCF: Law School

Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks, Harry) -Tom
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If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to Good Clean Fun. It's free! Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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One day in Contract Law class, Professor Jepson asked one of his better students, "Now if you were to give someone an orange, how would you go about it?"

The student replied, "Here's an orange."

The professor was livid.

"No! No! Think like a lawyer!" the Professor instructed.

The student then recited, "Okay, I'd tell him, I hereby give and convey to you all and singular, my estate and interests, rights, claim, title, claim and advantages of and in, said orange, together with all its rind, juice, pulp, and seeds, and all rights and advantages with full power to bite, cut, freeze and otherwise eat, the same, or give the same away with and without the pulp, juice, rind and seeds, anything herein before or hereinafter or in any deed, or deeds, instruments of whatever nature or kind whatsoever to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding..."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Jury Selection

Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks, Wyatt) -Tom
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An important and very well publicized murder trial was soon to begin. In preparation for the trial, the tiresome jury selection process took place, each side hotly contesting and dismissing potential jurors.

One prospective juror, Dan, was called for his question session.

He was asked, "Property holder?"

Dan replied, "Yes, I am, Your Honor."

Then he was asked, "Married or single?"

Dan responded, "Married for twenty years, Your Honor."

Then the judge asked, "Formed or expressed an opinion?"

Dan stated with certainty, "Not in twenty years, Your Honor."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Beats Shopping

Emailed to me from another humor list (Humor_G) -Tom To subscribe to Humor_G, send a blank email to: Humor_G-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Last summer my wife and I met a couple who were friends of my wife at a restaurant. After lunch, the women decided to go shopping, and I invited the man to go sailing. While we were out on the water, a storm blew up. The tide had gone out, and we were down wind trying to work our way back through a narrow channel. At one point the boat grounded and we had to climb overboard and shove with all our might to get it back in deep water.

As my new friend stood there, ankle deep in muck, the wind blowing his hair wildly, rain streaming down his face, he grinned at me, and with unmistakable sincerity said, "Sure beats shopping."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: The Birthday Gift

Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks, Andrew) -Tom
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When my three-year-old son opened the birthday gift from his grandmother, he discovered a water pistol. He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink. I was not so pleased. I turned to Mom and said, "I'm surprised at you. Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water guns?"

Mom smiled and then replied....."I remember."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Ship Movie

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website: Subscribe
----------------------------------------------

On many U.S. Navy ships the movie screen is suspended amid-ship so that it can be viewed from both sides. This procedure makes it available to larger crowds at popular movies, but usually the junior officers get a reverse image from "the wrong side of the screen."

One evening at dinnertime an enterprising young ensign passed the following word over the officer's IMC circuit: "The movie to be shown in the wardroom tonight for the senior officers is on the right side of the screen - The Right-Handed Gun, starring Paul Newman."

"For the junior officers on the wrong side of the screen - The Left-Handed Gun, starring Namwen Luap."
_ _________________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / "Warning: Dates in Calendar \ /
\ _/ are closer than they appear." \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / There is a thin person \ /
\ _/ inside me screaming to get out. \_ /
/ / Fortunately I keep him sedated \ \
with chocolate.
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Repetition is always \ /
\ _/ better the second time. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ /The word "aerobics" came about \ \_/ ////
\ / when the gym instructors got \ /
\ _/ together and said: If we're going \_ /
/ / to charge $10 an hour, we can't \ \
call it Jumping Up and Down.
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / "Always remember you're unique; \ /
\ _/ just like everyone else." \_ /
/ / \ \
_ ____________________________ _
| Thomas S. Ellsworth |
| tellswor@kcbx.net |
| http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor |
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|Stop for a visit, leave with a smile! To join Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.Com To leave Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.Com Or visit the Good Clean Fun web site at http://www. slonet.org/~tellswor/
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NO NURSING HOME FOR US !!!

No nursing home for us. We are checking into the Holiday Inn!
With the average cost for a nursing home care costing $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old & feeble.
We have already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn. For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $49.23 per night. That leaves $138.77 a day for: Breakfast, lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities and special TV movies. Plus, they provide a swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer-dryer , etc. Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.

$5 worth of tips a day will have the entire staff scrambling to help you. They treat you like a customer, not a patient.
There is a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free. The handicap bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp).

To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays.

For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there. While you're at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise, the cash keeps building up.

It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today. And you are not stuck in one place forever, you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city. Want to see Hawaii ? They have a Holiday Inn there too.
TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.

The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are ok. If not, they will call the undertaker or an ambulance. If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.

And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.

The grand kids can use the pool. What more can you ask for?

So, when we reach that golden age, We'll face it with a grin. Just forward all our email.

Is this what they mean by you get smarter by staying at a HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS?

Thanks to Waneta
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Any Telephone employee should be able to relate to these. HELLO OPERATOR Actual call center conversations!

Customer: 'I've been calling 700-1000 for two days and can't get through; can you help?'
Operator: 'Where did you get that number, sir?'
Customer: 'It's on the door of your business.'
Operator: 'Sir, those are the hours that we are open.'
+++
Samsung Electronics
Caller: 'Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about.'
Caller: 'On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I think it means the telephone plug on the wall.'
+++
RAC Motoring Services
Caller: 'Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am traveling in Australia?'
Operator: 'Does the product name give you a clue?'
+++
Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while traveling in Europe) 'If I register my car in France, and then take it to England, do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?'
+++
Directory Enquiries
Caller: 'I'd like the number of the Argo Fish Bar, please'
Operator: 'I'm sorry, there's no listing. Are you sure that the spelling is correct?' Caller: 'Well, it used to be called the Bargo Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off.'
+++
Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: 'Woven? Are you sure?'
Caller: 'Yes. That's what it says on the label -- Woven in Scotland.'
+++
On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phonebox told a worried operator: 'I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on.'
+++
Tech Support: 'I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop.'
Customer: 'OK.'
Tech Support: 'Did you get a pop-up menu?'
Customer: 'No.'
Tech Support: 'OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?'
Customer: 'No.'
Tech Support: 'OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?'
Customer: 'Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'.'
+++
Tech Support: 'OK. At the bottom left hand side of your screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?'
Customer: 'Wow! How can you see my screen from there?'
+++
Caller: 'I deleted a file from my PC last week and I just realized that I need it. So, if I turn my system clock back two weeks will I get my file back again?'
+++
This has to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the WordPerfect organization for 'Termination without Cause.' Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations! ):
Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?'
Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect. '
Operator: 'What sort of trouble??'
Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?'
Caller: 'They disappeared'
Operator: 'Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?'
Caller: 'Nothing.'
Operator: 'Nothing??'
Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.'
Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?'
Caller: 'How do I tell?'
Operator: 'Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen?'
Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?'
Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?'
Caller: 'There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type.' Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??'
Caller: 'What's a monitor?'
Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?'
Caller: 'I don't know.'
Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??'
Caller: 'Yes, I think so.'
Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Caller: 'Yes, it is.'
Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one? '
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.'
Caller: 'Okay, here it is.'
Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.'
Caller: 'I can't reach.'
Operator: 'OK. Well, can you see if it is?'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?' Caller: 'Well, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark.'
Operator: 'Dark?'
Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.'
Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.'
Caller: 'I can't.'
Operator: 'No? Why not?'
Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.'
Operator: 'A power .... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff that your computer came in?'
Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.'
Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.' Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?'
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.'
Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?'
Operator: 'Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!'

Thanks to Anne Oldham
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AAADD
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS.....PLEASE READ!

Thank goodness, there is a name for this disorder.
Somehow, I feel better even though I have it!!

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. -
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden.
As I turned on the hose in the driveway. I looked over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage,
I notice mail on the porch table that
I brought up from the mailbox earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table,
Put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table,
and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back
on the table and take out the garbage first.

Then I think, since I am going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table,
and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Pepsi I had been drinking.

I am going to look for my checks,
first, I need to push the Pepsi aside
So that I do not accidentally knock it over.

The Pepsi is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator or to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi, a vase of flowers on the counter
catches my eye--they need water.

I put the Pepsi on the counter and
discover my reading glasses that
I have been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I am going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote.
Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote,
but I will not remember that it is on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I will water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers,
but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.
So, I set the remote back on the table,
get some towels and wipe up the spill.
Then, I head down the hall trying to
remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
the car is not washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my checkbook,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
Then, when I try to figure out why nothing was done today,
I'm baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm tired.

I realize this is a serious problem,
and I'll try to get some help for it,
but first I'll check my e-mail....

Thanks To Waneta
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Two brooms were hanging in the closet and after a while they got to know each other so well, they decided to get married.

One broom was, of course, the bride broom, the other the groom broom.

The bride broom looked very beautiful in her white dress. The groom broom was handsome and suave in his tuxedo. The wedding was lovely.

After the wedding, at the wedding dinner, the bride-broom leaned over and said to the groom-broom, 'I think I am going to have a little whisk broom!'

'IMPOSSIBLE !' said the groom broom.

'WE HAVEN'T EVEN SWEPT TOGETHER!'
............ ..........................
Oh for goodness sake... Laugh, or at least groan.

Sounds to me like she's .......
......been sweeping around!!!

Thanks to David Lamb
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Bragging

At the company water cooler, I bragged about my children's world travels: one son was teaching in Bolivia, another was working in southern Italy, and my daughter was completing a year-long research project in India.

One co-worker's quip, however, stopped me short. "What is it about you," he asked, "that makes your kids want to get so far away?"

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Case Closed

Several women appeared in court, each accusing the others of causing the trouble they were having in the apartment building where they lived.

The women were arguing noisily even in the court.

The judge, banging his gavel to quiet them, said, "We are going to do this in an orderly manner. I can't listen to all of you at once. I'll hear the oldest first."

The case was dismissed for lack of testimony.

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

How to Attend a Meeting

How to Attend a Meeting
by Dave Barry

To really succeed in a business or organization, it is sometimes helpful to know what your job is, and whether it involves any duties. Ask among your coworkers. "Hi," you should say. "I'm a new employee. What is the name of my job?" If they answer "long-range planner" or "lieutenant governor," you are pretty much free to lounge around and do crossword puzzles until retirement. Most jobs, however, will require some work.

There are two major kinds of work in modern organizations:

1. Taking phone messages for people who are in meetings, and
2. Going to meetings.

Your ultimate career strategy will be to get a job involving primarily No. 2, going to meetings, as soon as possible, because that's where the real prestige is. It is all very well and good to be able to take phone messages, but you are never going to get a position of power, a position where you can cost thousands of people their jobs with a single bonehead decision, unless you learn how to attend meetings.

The first meeting ever was held back in the Mezzanine Era. In those days, Man's job was to slay his prey and bring it home for Woman, who had to figure out how to cook it. The problem was, Man was slow and basically naked, whereas the prey had warm fur and could run like an antelope. (In fact it was an antelope, only nobody knew this).

At last someone said, "Maybe if we just sat down and did some brainstorming, we could come up with a better way to hunt our prey!" It went extremely well, plus it was much warmer sitting in a circle, so they agreed to meet again the next day, and the next.

But the women pointed out that, prey-wise, the men had not produced anything, and the human race was pretty much starving. The men agreed that was serious and said they would put it right near the top of their "agenda." At this point, the women, who were primitive but not stupid, started eating plants, and thus modern agriculture was born. It never would have happened without meetings.

The modern business meeting, however, might better be compared with a funeral, in the sense that you have a gathering of people who are wearing uncomfortable clothing and would rather be somewhere else. The major difference is that most funerals have a definite purpose. Also, nothing is really ever buried in a meeting.

An idea may look dead, but it will always reappear at another meeting later on. If you have ever seen the movie, "Night of the Living Dead," you have a rough idea of how modern meetings operate, with projects and proposals that everyone thought were killed rising up constantly from their graves to stagger back into meetings and eat the brains of the living.

There are two major kinds of meetings:

1. Meetings that are held for basically the same reason that Arbor Day is observed - namely, tradition. For example, a lot of managerial people like to meet on Monday, because it's Monday. You'll get used to it. You'd better, because this kind accounts for 83% of all meetings (based on a study in which I wrote down numbers until one of them looked about right). This type of meeting operates the way "Show and Tell" does in nursery school, with everyone getting to say something, the difference being that in nursery school, the kids actually have something to say.

When it's your turn, you should say that you're still working on whatever it is you're supposed to be working on. This may seem pretty dumb, since obviously you'd be working on whatever you're supposed to be working on, and even if you weren't, you'd claim you were, but that's the traditional thing for everyone to say. It would be a lot faster if the person running the meeting would just say, "Everyone who is still working on what he or she is supposed to be working on, raise your hand." You'd be out of there in five minutes, even allowing for jokes. But this is not how we do it in America. My guess is, it's how they do it in Japan.

2. Meetings where there is some alleged purpose. These are trickier, because what you do depends on what the purpose is. Sometimes the purpose is harmless, like someone wants to show slides of pie charts and give everyone a big, fat report. All you have to do in this kind of meeting is sit there and have elaborate fantasies, then take the report back to your office and throw it away, unless, of course, you're a vice president, in which case you write the name of a subordinate in the upper right hand corner, followed by a question mark, like this: "Norm?" Then you send it to Norm and forget all about it (although it will plague Norm for the rest of his career).

But sometimes you go to meetings where the purpose is to get your "input" on something. This is very serious because what it means is, they want to make sure that in case whatever it is turns out to be stupid or fatal, you'll get some of the blame, so you have to escape from the meeting before they get around to asking you anything. One way is to set fire to your tie.

Another is to have an accomplice interrupt the meeting and announce that you have a phone call from someone very important, such as the president of the company or the Pope. It should be one or the other. It would a sound fishy if the accomplice said, "You have a call from the president of the company, or the Pope."

You should know how to take notes at a meeting. Use a yellow legal pad. At the top, write the date and underline it twice. Now wait until an important person, such as your boss, starts talking; when he does, look at him with an expression of enraptured interest, as though he is revealing the secrets of life itself. Then write interlocking rectangles like this: (picture of doodled rectangles).

If it is an especially lengthy meeting, you can try something like this (Picture of more elaborate doodles and a caricature of the boss).

If somebody falls asleep in a meeting, have everyone else leave the room. Then collect a group of total strangers, right off the street, and have them sit around the sleeping person until he wakes up. Then have one of them say to him, "Bob, your plan is very, very risky. However, you've given us no choice but to try it. I only hope, for your sake, that you know what you're getting yourself into." Then they should file quietly out of the room.

Received from Colton R.

(-:][:-)

Railroad Woes

Two drunk farmers are helping each other home late one night, staggering down the railroad tracks. After about half a mile, Vern declares with some annoyance, "Shoot, this sure is a long staircase!"

At that Chet slurs back, "Well, it isn’t the stairs that're botherin' me so much as these stink'in low handrails."

Received from Charity A Miller.

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
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Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - -
Dear Obama, congrats on your win.
You have done it. You’ve won it. You’re in!
Now your job will be tough.
(Please don’t take any guff.)
Let the national healing begin!
http://www.madkane.com
Subscribe to MadKane Humor Newsletter (weekly) here:
http://www.madkane.com/email.html
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"Don't strive for recognition, but work for achievement." -- Vanessa Malone
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| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------
November 5, 2008
Today's Safety From the Heart Message was submitted by Keith Black.
Space Heater Safety
The Proper Use of Space Heaters in the Work Place

The use of space heaters in offices is quite common in the winter. Even in warmer climates, winter mornings can bring a chill. And while these seemingly harmless devices may be an efficient way to heat a cold or drafty space, they can pose certain safety hazards when used incorrectly.

Even though a space heater does not have an open flame, the heating elements of some are hot enough to cause nearby combustibles to ignite. Additionally, fires can be caused by improper use, and burns by contact with the heating element or a hot surface.

Therefore, taking appropriate safety measures is vital in preventing an accident. It is also important to review space heater policies with building management.

Space Heater Safety Precautions:

Choose a space heater with a guard around the heating element.
Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions on how far the heater should be placed from other objects.
Use a heater certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Buy a heater that is the correct size for the area you want to heat.
Never leave an unattended heater turned on.
Ensure proper ventilation.
Never use or store flammable liquids around a space heater.
Never use heaters to dry clothes or equipment or thaw pipes.
Do not place a heater where objects could fall on it.
Follow the instructions and safety precautions for operation and maintenance.
Never use a portable heater in a bathroom or near a sink.
Do not run the heater's cord under carpeting or where someone could trip over it.
Never touch an electric heater if you are wet.
Never operate a defective or broken heater.
Install and maintain a smoke detector in the area where the heater will be used.

For more information on space heater safety:

AlliedBarton Security Services at 1.866.825.5433 or AlliedBarton.com Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov The US Department of Energy at www.eere.energy.gov
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TOURBUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -:) - :)- :)
Vol 14, Number 6 - - 03 Nov 2008

The Hard Drive Issue Today's TOURBUS is all about the hard drive. Learn how to reformat your hard drive, clean up space hogging files, or fix a failing drive. Get the scoop on repartitioning your hard drive, recover deleted files, or add a second drive to your computer. Find out how to share your drive online, and the benefits of defragging your drive. Optimize a new drive or revive an older one. Get the facts on buying, using and maintaining your hard drive without the geeky jargon... Read on!

REFORMAT YOUR HARD DRIVE - - A reader disappointed in his system performance asked me this: "I have Windows XP and the system has gotten very slow and flaky. I would like to learn how to reformat the drive. Can you teach me in simple English how to completely format the drive and then re-install the operating system?" Read this article to find out how to do exactly that, and why you might NOT want to reformat... [http://askbobrankin.com/reformat_hard_drive_under_xp.html]

CLEAN UP YOUR HARD DRIVE - - Do you have a clean hard drive? If you're selling a computer or discarding a hard drive, you'll want to clean off your personal files first. Or maybe you're getting that annoying "low disk space" message. Don't ignore it, or your computer could soon begin to malfunction. Here's how to clean your hard drive and make sure your computer is running smoothly. [http://askbobrankin.com/clean_hard_drive.html]

HARD DRIVE RECOVERY - - Picture this... you're working away on an important project and the computer freezes. You reboot, but instead of the familiar startup screen, you see a black screen with one of these ominous messages: DISK BOOT FAILURE... ERROR READING FIXED DISK... or HARD DRIVE FAILURE. Don't panic just yet, there may be hope for recovery of that damaged hard drive. [http://askbobrankin.com/hard_drive_recovery.html]

RECOVER DELETED FILES - - It's happened to all of us at some point. One stray mouse click, and poof! You've deleted an important file. But is it gone forever? Maybe not. Here are my tips and recommended tools to recover deleted files from the nether regions of a hard drive... [http://askbobrankin.com/recover_deleted_files.html]


FIX YOUR MASTER BOOT RECORD - - Sounds like a country music song, but a messed up Master Boot Record can prevent your computer from booting up. If you try to start Windows and get 'MBR Corrupt' or 'Error loading operating system' here's what to do... [http://askbobrankin.com/fix_mbr.html]

ADD A SECOND HARD DRIVE - - Adding a second hard drive to a computer system is an easy way to alleviate storage problems without buying a whole new computer. But what kind of drive? And are they easy to install? Read on for my hard drive buying tips and installation help... [http://askbobrankin.com/add_a_second_hard_drive.html]

PARTITIONING YOUR DRIVE - - If you just got a shiny new hard drive with several hundred megabytes of storage, you may be wondering about partitioning strategies. Is it best to go with one large partition, or many partitions for various types of data. Read these articles for my advice on partitioning, the Three Partitioning Myths, and what tools to use when (re)partitioning your drive.
PARTITIONING STRATEGIES [http://askbobrankin.com/partitioning_your_hard_drive.html]
PARTITIONING TOOLS [http://askbobrankin.com/changing_disk_partitions.html]

DEFRAG YOUR HARD DRIVE - - Have you noticed your computer running a bit slow lately? It might be time to defragment your hard drive. Your hard drive does need to be cleaned out regularly and defragmented in order to keep everything working better. Here's the why and how of defragging... [http://askbobrankin.com/defrag_your_hard_drive.html]

SHARING A HARD DRIVE ONLINE - - Did you know that you can share all or part of your hard drive online, and control which people can access your files? Learn how to securely share your hard drive on the Internet, and explore web-based file storage options... [http://askbobrankin.com/sharing_a_hard_drive_online.html]

POPULAR ARTICLES

# Send a Free Fax - - [http://askbobrankin.com/send_a_free_fax.html]
Learn how to send and receive faxes for free, using online fax services.

# Make Windows Run Faster - - [http://askbobrankin.com/make_windows_xp_run_faster.html]
Here's my special recipe to clean that icky goo out of your computer's pipes, so Windows will start quicker, run more reliably, and go faster on the info-superhighway.

# Free Calls With Skype - - [http://askbobrankin.com/free_calls_with_skype.html]
Skype is a software package that lets you make free calls to almost anyone, anywhere in the world. Here's how to get started...

# Free Internet Security Software - - [http://askbobrankin.com/should_i_buy_antispyware_or_antivirus_software.html] Staying safe on the Internet doesn't have to cost big bucks. Here are my recommendations for the best FREE anti-virus, anti-spyware, and popup blocker software.

+ ------------------------------------- +
That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin
+ ------------------------------------- +
==[ Tourbus Rider Information ]==
The Internet Tourbus - U.S. Library of Congress ISSN #1094-2238 Copyright 1995-2008, Rankin & Crispen - All rights reserved Be Smarter & Better Looking Than [-99.386605-] Percent of Users The Best of Everything - http://www.InternetTourbus.com/best.html Subscribe, Signoff, Archives, Free Stuff and More at the Tourbus Home - http://www.InternetTourbus.com
========================
.~~~. ))
(\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen
/o o \/ .~
{o_, \ { crispen@netsquirrel.com
/ , , ) \ http://www.netsquirrel.com/
`~ -' \ } )) AOL Instant Messenger: Squirrel2K
_( ( )_.'
---..{____} Warning: squirrels.
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The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.

Here are links to items posted on The Pump Handle over the past week: ** "High C8 Levels in DuPont's Chinese Workers' Blood" by Celeste Monforton Ken Ward of the Charleston Gazette writes that workers at DuPont's Changshu, China plant had high blood concentrations of an agent used to make the non-stick compound Teflon, despite company promises to greatly reduce exposures and emissions. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/high-c8-levels-in-duponts-chinese-workers-blood/

** "Occupational Health News Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Milwaukee overwhelmingly passes a referendum requiring paid sick leave; a crane accident in China's Sichuan province kills 11; and NIOSH has initiated several programs aimed at identifying and eliminating safety and health hazards experienced by immigrant workers. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/occupational-health-news-roundup-88/

** "Obama Day 1: Unshackle FOIA at Labor Department" by Celeste Monforton If Mr. Obama wants to restore the public's trust in government, it would be wise for him to instruct senior officials on Day 1 that his Administration is going back to first principles of FOIA—full agency disclosure, sooner rather than later, and when in doubt, disclose. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/obama-day-1-unshackle-foia-at-labor-department/

** "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by Celeste Monforton Reflections on a historic election. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/lift-every-voice-and-sing/

** "Feeding a Family on Food Stamps" by Liz Borkowski As the new president and Congress consider economic stimulus, they should realize that food stamps deliver a great amount of economic benefit per dollar spent, and that current benefits aren't enough to support nutritious diets. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/feeding-a-family-on-food-stamps/

** "Worker Involvement: Critical to Health and Safety" by Celeste Monforton Only 14 days after Gloria McInnis died in an explosion at a Goodyear plan in Houston, her husband Raymond McInnis testified before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Homeland Security. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/worker-involvement-critical-to-health-and-safety/

** "The Supreme Court's Influence on Public Health" by Liz Borkowski In a reminder about the importance of the Supreme Court justices the next president will select, contributors to The Nation explain how the Court has shaped the legal landscape on workers' rights, healthcare, and consumer safety. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/the-supreme-courts-influence-on-public-health/

** "Bush Administration's Final Deregulatory Push" by Liz Borkowski A front-page story in today's Washington Post confirms that the Bush administration is racing to enact several new regulations that will weaken consumer and environmental protections. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/bush-administrations-final-deregulatory-push/

** "Friday Blog Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Bloggers weigh in on the Supreme Court preemption case Wyeth v. Levine; tell the story of insulin's discovery; and highlight New York subway ads encouraging caloric awareness. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/friday-blog-roundup-98/

http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/
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Weekly Toll - - http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com/
Death In The Workplace w/News & Updates
John Donne - ...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
A partial list of workplace fatalities.

- “Reform” of Penalty Structure: Cal/OSHA has proposed eliminating the regulatory classification and removal of “severity,” “extent” and “likelihood” factors in penalty calculations; eliminating penalties entirely in certain situations; and reducing base penalty amounts for both general and serious violations, all of which will further diminish the limited effectiveness of existing penalties.
- Standards Setting and the Health Expert Advisory Committee (HEAC): HEAC is a volunteer committee that is responsible for evaluating the risks to workers from toxic substances in their work environments; it has made little or no progress in setting standards (Permissible Exposure Limits or “PELs”) that will adequately protect workers from chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious health problems. While a handful of dedicated worker advocates work hard to move the process along, the painfully slow PEL-setting process is dominated by representatives of the chemical industry, which benefits from the delay.
- Multi-Employer Liability: Although we are in the middle of multi-employer litigation (Harris) in State Court, Len Welsh has proposed holding a stakeholder meeting in December, which could lead to a weakening of California’s strong multi-employer regulations.
- Appeals on Abatement of Serious Violations: Len Welsh has stated that he believes that 90% of employers who file appeals abate the cited hazard and that revising the Policies and Procedures on inspections and issuing citations that call for more dialogue between inspectors and employers is the answer to abating hazards. We believe this to be an unrealistic approach, which will not be adequate to ensure abatement by employers.
~~~
Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

Another death at BP Texas City - - OCT 9, TEXAS CITY, TX -- A contractor was killed this morning while working at the Texas City land farm, which is located one mile south of the BP Texas City refinery. Authorities say he died from injuries sustained after he was pinned by a backhoe against a fence. An employee of Gai Environmental, he was the 4th to die in accidents at the facility since the tragic 2005 explosion that killed 15.

Worker dies trapped in manhole - - OCT 9, BROOKLYN, NY --An employee off Consolidated Edison was splicing cable this afternoon in Brooklyn's East New York section when heat and smoke began pouring out of the manhoole. George Dillman, 26, was trapped inside the manhole. His partner, Craig Penney, 28, tried to lower a ladder into the manhole to help Mr. Dillman, but the ladder burned. Said an observer who was trying to get Mr. Penney away from the whole when an explosion occurred, “He fell to his knees crying.” Mr. Dillman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Worker killed in bulldozer rollover - - OCT 8, BENSON, NC -- A construction worker making repairs to railroad tracks died this afternoon when the bulldozer he was riding slipped over an embankment and overturned, pinning him beneath. Chris Smith, 33, an employee of Mideast Railroad Services, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Construction worker crushed - - Quarry worker killed - - OCT 7, PERRY COUNTY, PA -- Friends and family are mourning the death of Larry "Ric" Trimmer, 56, a welder who had been working at Pennsy Supply since 1990. Mr. Trimmer was working on a conveyer belt this morning when a collapse occurred and he was pinned under rocks. Despite efforts of his coworkers to save him, Mr. Trimmer did not survive. His wife of 25 years, Tracy Trimmer, remembered kissing him goodbye that morning and telling him that she loved him. "We did that every day," she said. "We got along so well that people called us Ken and Barbie. He was my sweetheart, an awesome husband. We always worked so good together. Our honeymoon never ended."

Channahon man falls to his death, Accident occurs at ExxonMobil - - Oct 7 JOLIET, IL - An autopsy was to be performed today, Wednesday, on the body of a Channahon construction worker who died Tuesday when he fell at the ExxonMobil refinery in Channahon Township. Will County Coroner Pat-rick O'Neil reported Ralph Lowdermilk, 63, of Chan-nahon, was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. Tuesday in the emergency room at Provena Saint Joseph Med-ical Center. The Will County Sheriff's Department said Lowder-milk fell about 45 feet while inspecting stacks at the refinery. The sheriff's department indicated there were safety lines on the stacks and Lowdermilk had a utility belt. According to the coroner's office, exactly what occurred to cause Lowdermilk to fall is under investigation.

Blast Victim Welded Near Tank Before Explosion, Officials Say Exploded Tank Held Used Fuel Oil - - Oct 7 HONOLULU, HI - The Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office on Wednesday released the identity of the worker killed in an explosion at a Campbell Industrial Park business Tuesday. Sean Miguel Norva, 23, of Waipahu, died in the blast. Norva died from multiple internal injuries, the medical examiner said. Investigators were on the scene of the explosion Wednesday at Philip Services Corp. in Campbell Industrial Park.

Worker dies after fall from heights - - CHANNAHON TOWNSHIP - A 63-year-old construction worker from Channahon died Tuesday after "a fall from heights" at the ExxonMobil refinery, according to the Will County coroner. Ralph W. Lowdermilk was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, the coroner's office said. Lowdermilk was inspecting some stacks at the refinery when he "fell about 44 feet," sheriff's spokesman Pat Barry said. Lowdermilk had a utility belt, and the stacks had safety lines, Barry said, but it's unknown at this time what went wrong. "That part is still under investigation," Barry said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also looking into the incident.

Construction worker killed when beam falls from crane - - Oct. 7 Columbus, OH - Westerville police say a construction worker died today at a site along Polaris Parkway after a large metal beam fell from a crane. The name of the man has not been released. Police say someone called 911 at 11:40 a.m. and said there had been an accident at 460 Polaris Parkway. The man was trapped under the beam. He was taken to Mount Caramel St. Ann's hospital and pronounced dead, police say. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

Pittsburgh construction worker dies in roof fall - - Oct. 7 Wilkes Barre,PA - A construction worker fell 20 stories from the roof of a downtown building to his death Tuesday, apparently while he was trying to get to an adjacent building that is being renovated, police said. Police Cmdr. Thomas Stangrecki said there were no immediate signs of foul play, but investigators were trying to determine why the worker fell at about 10:15 a.m. The name of the 33-year-old worker was not immediately released, pending notification of his family. The worker was part of a crew that is renovating the former Union National Bank building. He was last seen getting off an elevator on the 20th floor and heading toward stairs that lead to the roof, Stangrecki said.

Man fatally crushed at Muncie auto salvage yard - - Oct. 7 MUNCIE, Ind. - A Muncie auto salvage yard worker was killed when a sport-utility vehicle fell from a winch, crushing him underneath. The Delaware County coroner says 30-year-old Michael L. "Tiny" Bodenhofer probably died instantly when the SUV fell Monday. Coroner James Clevenger calls the death "a very unfortunate accident." Clevenger says Bodenhofer had used a flatbed wrecker and a winch cable to lift the 1,200-pound SUV by the bumper, so he could climb beneath it and remove some parts. The coroner says the bumper gave way, dropping the vehicle on Bodenhofer's chest. Co-workers at Northwest Auto and Truck parts found his body about 10 a.m., but Clevenger says the accident occurred earlier in the morning.

http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
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NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed weekly. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/

01. Pfc. Bradley S. Coleman, 24, of Martinsville, Va., died Oct. 29 at Qayyarah Airfield, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 51st Transportation Company, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Mannheim, Germany.

02. Sgt. Daniel W. Wallace, 27, of Dry Ridge, Ky., died Oct. 31 in Badin Kheyl, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 201st Engineer Battalion, Kentucky Army National Guard in Cynthiana, Ky.
~~
Airman Missing In Action From WW ll is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Staff Sgt. Martin F. Troy, U.S. Army Air Forces, of Norwalk, Conn. He will be buried on Nov. 20 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.

Representatives from the Army’s Mortuary Office met with Troy’s next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.

On June 30, 1944, Troy was on a B-24H Liberator participating in a mission to bomb an oil refinery in Blechammer, Germany. The plane was shot down by German aircraft and crashed into a swampy area near Nemesvita, Hungary beside Lake Balaton. Seven of the crewmembers parachuted to safety where they were captured by enemy forces and subsequently released. Three crewmen died in the crash and the remains for two of them were eventually recovered and identified. Troy’s remains were not recovered.

In 1999 and 2003, Hungarian citizens turned over to U.S. officials human remains supposedly recovered from Troy’s crash site. In 2003 and 2005, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) teams surveyed the site.

In 2007, another JPAC team excavated the site and recovered human remains and non-biological evidence.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of Troy’s remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
~~
Marines Missing From Vietnam War Are Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of four U.S. servicemen, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

They are Lance Cpl. Kurt E. La Plant, of Lenexa, Kan., and Lance Cpl. Luis F. Palacios, of Los Angeles, Calif. Remains that could not be individually identified are included in a group. Among the group remains are Lance Cpl. Ralph L. Harper, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Pfc. Jose R. Sanchez, of Brooklyn, N.Y. All men were U.S. Marine Corps. Palacios will be buried Friday in Bellflower, Calif., and the other Marines will be buried as a group in the spring in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.

On June 6, 1968, these men were aboard a CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter that was attempting an emergency extraction of elements of the 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment, 3rd Marine Division then engaged against hostile forces in the mountains southwest of Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. The helicopter was struck by enemy ground fire and crashed, killing 12 of the 23 crewmen and passengers on board. All but four of the men who died were subsequently recovered and identified.

Between 1993 and 2005, joint U.S./Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), investigated the incident in Quang Tri Province, interviewed witnesses and surveyed the crash site three times. The team found a U.S. military boot fragment and wreckage consistent with that of a CH-46 helicopter.

In 2006, a team began excavating the site and recovered human remains and non-biological material evidence including La Plant’s identification tag. While at the site, a Vietnamese citizen turned over to the team human remains the he claimed to have found amid the wreckage. In 2007, another team completed the excavation and recovered additional human remains, life support material and aircraft wreckage.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1420.
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Please remember to pray for the American soldiers stationed everywhere around the globe and especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. Times have been and are very tough and it would be nice if you would all just say a prayer for their safety and for their families.
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"September 11 WDYTJWD" W. P. Florence
Justice first, then peace."
"September 11" Never forget.--Tony Moses
"ONE NATION UNDER GOD ...the only way"--Phillip Story
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Keeping my head down but face toward Heaven" - - Jody Eldred, ABC News Cameraman in Kuwait
"Remember Pearl Harbor? Remember 9/11!" --"Bug"
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. - - George Carlin
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!" - - Queen E. Watson
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Activities and Events of Interest - - Coming Events
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Scheduled Activities
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CQ CQ all Hams. We have restarted a 2 meter net on the Willisville repeater, 146.655, every Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Please check in and spread the word. We would like to get some renewed interest in amateur radio and the ARKLA Amateur Radio Association. Will be listening for everyone next Tuesday night.
~~~
Columbia County Amateur Radio Club meets Every second Thursday @ 7:00 p.m. Union Street Station. And YOU'RE invited. Net is every Sunday at 20:30 on 147.105.
~~~
MCC - Mom's Day Out - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 2.$10 for the first child, $5 for the second. Call 234-3225 for reservations.
~~~
MCC - Nursing Home Ministry - Meadowbrook Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 am. Taylor, the last Thursday each month.
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Men's Prayer Breakfast held every Tuesday morning at 6 AM in Miller's Cafeteria. If you aren't a regular participant at the Men's Prayer Breakfast, you're missing some great food, fellowship and inspired teaching of the Word. Hope to see you there.
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Emergency Phone Number 911
(Fire, Police, Ambulance, Sheriff, etc. )
Central Dispatch 234-5655
(Non - Emergency Number)
Direct Numbers
Ambulance - 234-7371 (24 Hour)
Jail - 234-5331 (24 Hour)
Poison Control - 800-222-1222 (24 Hour)
http://www. aapcc. org/
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Interested in getting in touch with the Banner-News through e-mail?
E-mail addresses for communicating with the newspaper’s various departments are: news@bannernews.net For news and sports items, Coming Events, Diary, Church News, school and civic events.
advertising@bannernews. net For retail and classified advertising.
circulation@bannernews. net To start, stop or cancel newspaper delivery or for comments about delivery.
outfitters @bannernews.net For Office Outfitters, the office supply division of the Banner-News.
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"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle."
"Laugh whenever you can and cry if you need to." -- "Bug"
"I read the end of the book. We win!" -- "Bug"
"We may not be able to cure the world, but we don't have to make it sicker." -- "Bug"
"There just ain't enough fingers for all the holes in the dike." - - "Bug"
"It's no big deal doing what God tells you to do. A big deal would be NOT doing what God tells you to do. Just ask Jonah." - - Paul Troquille
“Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.” Knowledge is power. - Francis Bacon
"The problem is here and now. The time for talk is past. The time for action is now."
Comments on the first Earth Day - James F. McClellan via John "Fuzzy" Thurman
~~~~~
Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.

God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Eccl 1:3-9 Jer 17:7-8 Jonah 1:15-2:2 Col 2:20-3:2 Col 2:6-7 http://www.e-min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

P. S. If you'd like to be added to the distribution, just drop us E-mail at kc5hii@suddenlink.net
. We offer "Da Bleat" as text, a "Blog" and as a newsletter with pictures in Word and PDF format. The latest issue is usually updated sometime Saturday. For the "Blog" version just go to one of the several addresses on the web. For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com. Older issues can be found at http://www.bugsbleat_q__.blogspot.com, where _ is the quarter (1, 2, 3, or 4) and __ is the year (05, 06, 07, or 08). We also have a site [http://bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com/] where we post photos that I like.
Let us hear from you if we can switch you over to the "Word" or "PDF" version of "Da Bleat".
If you'd prefer to read "Da Blog" version, just drop us a note at kc5hii@suddenlink.net and we'll switch you from e:mail delivery to "Da Bleat" Blog. We appreciate your encouragement. We also appreciate your communication when you desire to be taken off our mail list. If you are on this mail list by mistake or do not wish to receive "Da Bleat," please reply back and tell us to discontinue service to you. This email was scanned by Norton AntiVirus 2008 before it was sent.
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Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Shoe Shopping - - Photos

  Master David
 
  Some of our favorite friends at MCC’s “Halleliujah Night”

Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Shoe Shopping

  What's better than Grandsons on Trick Or Treat Night
  Josiah
  Ethan

Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Shoe Shopping

 
 
 

Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Shoe Shopping

 
 
 

Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Shoe Shopping

  MCC has some of the Cutest Kids in Arkansas
 
 

Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Shoe Shopping

Volume 10, Issue 44 Friday, October 31, 2008

Hello All,

Tax and Spend vs. Borrow and Spend. One leads to depression and the other leads to hyperinflation. How about we work together as citizens to require our federal government to live on a balanced budget? Yes, it will hurt. But not as bad as it’s gonna hurt when this house of cards falls down.
~~~~~
Annette rode a camel last weekend. She was feeling better Saturday afternoon so we got out to see the sights around Magnolia. There was an animal show in Fred’s parking lot that I thought we could drive close enough for her to see the animals. She saw the animals and she saw that they were offering camel rides for $5.
When our kids were little, a similar group of “carnies” brought a camel to town. We took David and Vanessa to ride but we didn’t have enough money for Annette to ride.
However, this time, I had $5, so the “camel crew” and I helped Annette up the steps and she rode the camel. The grin on her face was priceless. The frustration on my face was also priceless. I’d left my camera at home and didn’t get a picture.
~~~~~
Vanessa, Josiah and Ethan went Trick or Treating after they played all the games and rode all the rides at MCC’s Hallelujah Night. I took them to Kenny Kendrick’s, David and Bobbie’s and Kay and Darrel’s house. Kay’s “living scarecrow” was the best of the night.
~~~~~
Speaking of Hallelujah Night, thanks to Jo Ann and Calvester for running the bingo booth. Annette was able to set it up but she wasn’t strong enough to work it that night. They did a great job and had a crowd all evening.
~~~~~
Daylight Saving Time/Summertime Period Ends - Nov 2 - - Check out this website for more information about Daylight Saving Time [http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/]
~~~~~
Don’t forget to use GoodSearch [http://www.goodsearch.com/] when you search the Internet!
~~~~~
Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
and God approves this message! ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL?!!

Thanks to Waneta
~~~~~
We extend our sincere sympathy to Chris White in the loss of his father, Billy "Rocky" White.
~~~~~
DarynKagan.com - - For anyone who is positive that a dog can be your best friend, you will love this story. It's also for anyone who never wants to feel alone. It's a beautiful story of devotion.
Today's Story: Dogs Refuse To Leave Owner's Side
A Colorado family gets the tragic news that their husband and father who had been suffering from Alzheimer's has been found 4 weeks after he went missing. The incredible news, the information that is giving the family so much comfort---his two dogs were found alive, right by his side. [http://darynkagan.demo.nimbussoftware.com/animals/stories/an_081031_dogwontleave.html]
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/] - - Michael A. Manning - - Hometown: Fairfax, VA - - Awarded: Bronze Star

Lt. Col. Michael A. Manning’s actions in connection with combat operations involving conflict with an opposing force while serving as the operations officer, Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Jan. 1, 2007, to Jan. 22, 2008, have been marked by an exemplary record of accomplishments. This is directly attributable to his courageous leadership, sound judgment, meticulous planning and consistently superior personal example.

Lt. Col. Manning’s peerless ability to lead and plan is widely recognized throughout Multi-National Force – West. Several samples of his efforts include the planning and executing:

Operation EIN NESSIR, which rid the city of Hit of insurgents and terrorists, killing an operational enemy 82mm mortar crew and uncovering over 100 weapons caches. The overall success of the operation was evident in the fact that there was not a single hostile incident in the Hit for 54 days after the operation.

Operation HARRIS BA'SIL (March to May), designed to hunt al-Qaida in Iraq and insurgents, deny them their caches and safe havens and seize enemy held areas. The operation netted enough explosives and bomb making materials to make over 1,700 improvised explosive devices. Additionally, over 200 known insurgents were detained during this operation.

Operation MAWTINI I-III (July to November), which involved numerous clearing and disruption operations across all of the area of operation Denver. The results of MAWTINI included 29 insurgents killed, over 1,200 suspected insurgents detained and 476 caches discovered. Five high-value individuals were captured or killed. This operation kept the enemy on his heels and unable to muster the annual Ramadan offensive.

FAJR JADEED (December to January), which focused on continuing security in the vast desert areas of Anbar province, Iraq, and returning the urban population centers to normalcy.
One unique aspect of Lt. Col. Manning’s operational design was his ability to control and secure 500,000 Iraqi citizens. This was accomplished through extensive use of Biometric Automated Tool Sets in every village and city in the area of operation.

Throughout his entire 13-month combat deployment, Lt. Col. Manning, 40, demonstrated exceptional poise under pressure. His combat leadership, professionalism, steady devotion and war-fighting spirit were the foundation for the success and high operational tempo of Regimental Combat Team 2 in the area of operation Denver. These heroic efforts leave a lasting legacy for Iraqis and Americans alike in the fight against global terrorism.
~~~~~
The latest from Michael Yon, the foremost “milnews” blogger on the web.
~
Greetings,

The outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections will have a profound impact on the war. Meanwhile, the day to day fighting continues. If Senator Obama is elected, I expect to spend a great deal of time covering the fighting. Judging by his words, Senator Obama must be watched closely or we might see some terrible decisions. I expect 2009 to be the worst year so far in the Af-Pak war, which has serious potential to eventually become far worse than Iraq ever was. If Senator McCain is elected, I'll breathe easier in regard to the war.

For a short dispatch, please read, "Are you Connected."

Also, please read Bloody Border, Messy Politics [http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/syria-iraq-bloody-border-messy-politics/]

V/R,Your correspondent,
Michael
Http://www.michaelyon-online.com/index.php
~~~~~
America is not at war. The military is at war. - - America is at the mall, or watching the movie stars.
~~~~~
European studies show safety of BPA, group says - - In response to a new U.S. report critical of bisphenol A, the trade group PlasticsEurope points out that the chemical has been deemed safe by governments around the world. The group argues that after undergoing one of the most rigorous and conclusive safety evaluations of any substance, BPA was judged safe for its intended uses in a June update of the European Union Risk Assessment. The European Food Safety Authority also cleared BPA for food contact applications in a report published in July. Plastics & Rubber Weekly (U.K.) (10/31) [http://www.prw.com/subscriber/headlines2.html?cat=1&id=1225458043]
~~~~~
Plymouth, Mass., drops proposal for plastic-bag ban - - The town of Plymouth, Mass., has dropped a plan to ban plastic bags at retail stores and instead formed a committee to work with stores and promote recycling while finding other ways to reduce plastic-bag waste. The American Chemistry Council sent a letter to the Plymouth Board of Health expressing its opposition to the plan, and business owners, including Wal-Mart, also opposed the ban, saying it would be too costly and would hamper their recycling efforts. The Boston Globe [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/10/30/plastic_or_paper_the_debate_continues/]
~~~~~
Plastics that conduct electricity could open many doors - - Scientists are breaking ground with the ability to synthesize plastics that conduct electricity and behave as semiconductors such as silicon. In addition to reducing costs, plastic electronics could create new market segments, such as computer forms that depart from the traditional desktop or laptop. Techradar.com/PC Plus (U.K.) [http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/processors/the-plastic-revolution-477871]
~~~~~
'Postcard' or 'Postcard from Hallmark' Virus Hoax

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Some versions of this hoax claim the information was "verified" on Snopes.com. This is NOT true. What has been verified on Snopes.com is a different e-card virus threat with a similar name.
DO beware of phony "Hallmark" (or other) e-card notices -- they may carry a real virus.

False email alert warns of 'the worst virus ever' circulating in the form of an attachment labeled 'POSTCARD' or 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK'
Description: Email hoax

Comments: With so many real viruses in circulation bearing names almost identical to the bogus threats you may read about in hoax messages, it is crucial to know how to distinguish between the real virus threats and the fake ones. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

1. It is true that there are real viruses, trojans, and other malicious programs currently being distributed by means of fake e-card notices.
2. Generally speaking, forwarded email warnings such as the 'POSTCARD' alerts above cannot be trusted to provide accurate information.
3. Protecting yourself from real virus and trojan threats entails a few simple but critical measures. Follow them religiously:

Always be very careful concerning which attachments you open and which files you download. If you can't be reasonably sure they are safe, don't open or download them.

Maintain up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, configure it to detect trojan horses and other malware automatically, and scan for viruses and other threats regularly.

Always be careful concerning which links you choose to click, especially in messages from anonymous or unfamiliar sources. Clicking on these links can instantly download malicious software onto your computer. Again, if you can't be reasonably sure a link is safe, don't click on it.
~~~~~
Last week we watched [Ratings are my own]:
Bigger Than the Sky (2005) [6] Starring Marcus Thomas ... John Corbett ... Sean Astin ... Patty Duke
Beauty Shop (2005) [7] Starring Queen Latifah ... Alicia Silverstone ... Andie MacDowell ... Alfre Woodard ... Della Reese ... Keshia Knight Pulliam
The Italian Job (1969) [6.5] Starring Michael Caine ... Noel Coward ... Benny Hill
The Thin Man (1934) [8.5] Starring William Powell ... Myrna Loy ... Maureen O'Sullivan
After the Thin Man (1936) [8.5] Starring William Powell ... Myrna Loy ... James Stewart
Another Thin Man (1939) [8.5] Starring William Powell ... Myrna Loy ... Otto Kruger ... Ruth Hussey ... Nat Pendleton
Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) [8.5] Starring William Powell ... Myrna Loy ... Barry Nelson ... Donna Reed
The Thin Man Goes Home (1944) [8.5] Starring William Powell ... Myrna Loy ... Anne Revere ... Harry Davenport
Song of the Thin Man (1947) [8.5] Starring William Powell ... Myrna Loy ... Keenan Wynn ... Dean Stockwell
~~~~~
Last week we read; They marched into sunlight : war and peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 / David Maraniss. - - The Faith: Chuck Colson
We’re currently reading; They marched into sunlight : war and peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 / David Maraniss. - - The Faith: Chuck Colson
We intend to read; - - The shadow of Reichenbach Falls / John R. King. - - In a strange city / Laura Lippman. - - Foreign body / Robin Cook. - - The faithful spy : a novel / Alex Berenson. - - Breathing the Fire by Kimberly Dozier
We recommend: The Faith: Chuck Colson
~~~~~
http://www.shelfari.
com/BugsBleat/shelf?ec=7D790D174EFS18012
~~~~~
Photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” include some of our favorite friends at MCC’s “Hallelujah Night”. “Big David”, Ethan, Josiah and the guys in costume.
~~~~~
We’ve now got several addresses on the web for "Da Bleat." For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com. Last quarter’s issues can be seen at http://www.bugsbleat3q08.blogspot.com.
Our photos are posted at http://www.bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com.
If you want to see more photos of April’s train wreck in Magnolia, go to http://www.bugsbleattw.blogspot.com/
~~~~~
Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
~~~~~
Dr. Pat Antoon’s Address:
Pat Antoon 06669-010
Federal Prison Camp
P.O. Box 9300
Texarkana, TX 75505
Be sure and keep him in your prayers.
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - - - http://www.landolakes.com/mealIdeas/ - - CHICKEN 'N RICE BAKE
Rice, chicken breasts and vegetables all cook together for this easy oven-baked combination.
Preparation time: 10 min Baking time: 1 hrs - -Yield: 4 servings

2 cups frozen broccoli cuts
2 cups water
½ cups sliced water chestnuts
1 (6-ounce) package wild & white rice mix
4 (5 ounces each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup LAND O LAKES®® Sour Cream
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon LAND O LAKES®® Butter, melted

Heat oven to 350°̊F. Combine broccoli, water, water chestnuts and rice mix in 8-inch square baking dish. Arrange chicken breasts on top. Cover with foil; bake for 50 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed.

Remove chicken breasts. Stir to move center rice to edges, if necessary. Replace chicken breasts on rice.

Combine sour cream and mustard in small bowl; spread evenly over chicken breasts. Combine almonds and butter in small bowl; sprinkle over sour cream mixture. Continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes or until topping is lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts (1 serving): Calories: 520, Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 115mg, Sodium: 270mg, Carbohydrates: 43g, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Protein: 41g

http://www.landolakes.com/mealIdeas/ViewRecipePrint.cfm?RecipeID=10990
~~~~~
BreakPoint
Re-Ordered Priorities
By Chuck Colson
10/31/2008

Turning Back to God

It sounds like the storyline of an old Frank Capra film—You Can’t Take It With You, or maybe Meet John Doe.

The story is one of economic collapse, followed by a reassessment of values. People gather in their churches for prayer and pastoral guidance. As the economy worsens and soup lines form, people begin finding ways to help needier neighbors—and telling their children to earn some money if they want the latest toy.

But the story springs, not from an old movie, but from a modern neighborhood, and it is told in, of all places, the Washington Post. Staff writer Donna St. George spoke with local citizens who say the economic meltdown has led them to re-order their priorities.

Among them is Kerri Wright Platais of Garrett Park, Maryland. Platais, the mother of two children, says that she has been listening to conversations in the neighborhood, at church, and near the grassy fields where her children play the games of autumn.

As she told the Post, as the economy melts down, she’s hearing people ask themselves “about life’s larger priorities—about what is important and why.”

“We have to go back to the things that are really important,” Platais explained—“people and relationships, and … love, and your faith, and your neighbors.”

Platais told St. George that her neighbors are recalling the hardships endured by their parents and grandparents, who lived through the Great Depression and World War II and learned the meaning of sacrifice. Her own generation has never been called on to make these kinds of sacrifices but, Platais notes, the economic downturn “is a reality call to get back to the basics.”

I’m old enough to remember it—the sacrifices my family experienced in the Depression and World War II. I can’t ever remember anyone complaining. We were too busy helping neighbors who were worse off than we were.

St. George also found that, at local churches and synagogues, clergy are now retooling their messages to address the spiritual needs brought on by the economic downturn—and retooling their kitchens to keep up with the suddenly long lines at church food banks.

Well, hallelujah! I have prayed for years that God would do something to get our attention, to shake the Church, so that we would repent of buying into the consumerist culture and ignoring our call to be salt and light in the world. And if it meant an economic slowdown, well, painful though it is for all of us—myself included—we can thank God He may use it for that purpose.

This little story in the Post is a parable of the times, a sign of what is redeeming about hard times. The bad economy is driving people to back to the Church, back to thinking about more important things than the color of their new car.

And as God is tearing down these false idols, we are seeing healthy signs of renewed spiritual yearnings. You and I ought to take advantage of this with our neighbors, who may be willing for the first time to talk about the faith that sustains us. Be sure to find sensitive ways to be a blessing to them—both physically and spiritually.

And while you’re at it—perhaps after you finish planting your own vegetables—rent one or two of those old Frank Capra movies, films that taught Americans how to trust God and love their neighbor even in the toughest of times.

For Further Reading and Information

Donna St. George, “In Tough Times, Rethinking Wealth,” Washington Post, 19 October 2008.

“Earn, Save, Give: Christians and Money Management,” BreakPoint Commentary, 24 October 2008.

“Earn, Save, Give,” The Point Radio, 29 October 2008.

“A Sign of Hope: The Witness of Faith in Tough Times,” BreakPoint Commentary, 10 October 2008.

“The Bill Comes Due: Consumption and Crisis,” BreakPoint Commentary, 24 September 2008.

Read about or purchase Frank Capra movies from Amazon.com.

© 2008 Prison Fellowship - - http://www.breakpoint.org/
~~~~~
Words of the Week:
limn: to draw or paint; also, to describe.
quandary: a state of difficulty or perplexity.
genuflect: to bend the knee, as in worship; also, to grovel.
corroborate: to strengthen or make more certain with other evidence.
execrable: detestable; extremely bad.
bivouac: a usually temporary encampment; also, to encamp.
hubris: overbearing pride or presumption.
gloaming: twilight; dusk.
from Dictionary.Com
~~~~~
"Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing." - Thomas Henry Huxley

"Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." - George Bernard Shaw

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

"Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact." - George Eliot

"Our culture peculiarly honors the act of blaming, which it takes as the sign of virtue and intellect." - Lionel Trilling

"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

Renowned UK Stem Cell Scientist Moves to France: Says UK Too Focused on Embryonic Research
Tim Waggoner (October 28, 2008)
"Cord blood has already cured around 10,000 people, but despite this, much of the UK stem cell funding goes towards other types of stem cells including embryonic stem cells, which are not expected to cure people in the next 50 years."
(Newcastle, UK)—A leading UK adult stem cell scientist has left his post at Newcastle University and is heading to France, alleging UK universities and funding agencies continually prioritize embryonic stem cell research over his work—despite the superior clinical success of adult stem cells.
Colin McGuckin, professor of regenerative medicine at Newcastle University, told Times Higher Education that he had to put his patients and staff first. "The bottom line is my vocation is to work with patients and help patients and unfortunately I can't do that in the UK." He said France offered a "much better environment" both to "cure and treat more people" and to "do good work".
The Catholic professor's research on umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells at Newcastle has led him to conclude that the UK is fixated on embryonic stem cell research to the "detriment" of adult stem cell research, and therefore is taking his research team of 10 to the University of Lyon because France sports a "much more reasoned balance" between the two stem cell branches.
"(France) is very supportive of adult stem cells because they know that these are the things that are in the clinic right now and will be more likely in the clinic," said McGuckin. "A vast amount of money in the UK from the Government has gone into embryonic stem-cell research with not one patient having being treated, to the detriment of (research into) adult stem cells, which has been severely underfunded."
"You would barely know that adult stem cells exist at Newcastle," he added.
Addressing the specific barriers he faced while employed at the north-eastern university, McGuckin mentioned he had to turn down £1.8 million in funding because of insufficient laboratory space and more notably, he said that he was forced to decline a £10 million investment towards a company he was attempting to initialize because the university's business development office "could not get it together."
Newcastle is finding it hard to keep top stem cell scientists, as McGuckin's forerunner Miodrag Stojkovic quit his post in favor of one in Spain in 2006.
Newcastle has released a statement saying they never received a £10 million offer but did try extensively to come to an agreement with McGuckin and are currently taking measures to increase the school's academic facilities.
McGuckin is not alone in criticizing the UK's lack of attention to adult stem cell research. Anthony Hollander, a professor of rheumatology and tissue engineering at the University of Bristol reiterated McGuckin's concerns.
"We desperately need more funding for adult stem-cell research because with these cells we really can make a difference to patients' lives, and we can do it now, not in ten years' time as is promised for embryonic stem cells," said Hollander.
In related news, Last Friday, MP David Burrowes presented his Umbilical Cord Blood (Donation) Bill in second reading to the House of Commons, which if passed will, among other things, require the Secretary of State to promote the effectiveness of umbilical cord blood and encourage women to donate their babies' after-birth umbilical cord blood.
This bill stands in stark contrast to the just passed UK Labour government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which legalized the creation of cloned human/animal embryos for experimentation.
McGuckin commented on these recent controversial happenings: "Cord blood has already cured around 10,000 people, but despite this, much of the UK stem cell funding goes towards other types of stem cells including embryonic stem cells, which are not expected to cure people in the next 50 years. Value for public money demands that this is addressed and patients get what they need."
Source: LifeSiteNews.com

310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-2642
E-mail editor@breakingchristiannews.com
US Orders: 1-866-358-7426
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GCF: Shoe Shopping

Emailed to me another humor list (Tickled by Tony - Clean) -Tom Subscribe to the Tickled by Tony list by sending an email to: tickledbytony_clean-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to Good Clean Fun. It's free! Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
--------------------------------

A guy walks into a shoe store and asks for a pair of shoes, size 8.

The obviously well trained salesman says, "But sir, you take an 11 or eleven-and-a-half."

"Just bring me a size eight!" the man replies.

The sales guy brings them and the man stuffs his feet into them and stands up in obvious pain. He turns to the salesman and says, "I've lost my house because of foreclosure, I live with my mother-in-law, my daughter ran off with my best friend, and my business has filed Chapter 7. The only pleasure I have left is to come home at night and take my shoes off."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Speeding Ticket

Emailed to me another humor list (Tickled by Tony - Clean) -Tom Subscribe to the Tickled by Tony list by sending an email to: tickledbytony_clean-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
--------------------------------

Rushing to a bridge tournament, I was pulled over for going 43 in a 35 MPH zone.

"What'll I tell my husband?" I worried, explaining to the police officer that my spouse was a self-described "perfect" driver.

The cop took a second look at the name and address on my license. "Did your husband go duck hunting this morning?"

"Yes," I said, baffled as to how he knew.

The officer finished with, "I stopped him for going 47."
_ _____________________________________ _

GCF: Barking Dog

Emailed to me from another humor list (Joanna's Jokes) -Tom To subscribe to Joanna's Jokes, send a blank email to: JoannasJokes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
--------------------------------

Chris and Pat are in their residence listening to the neighbor's dog, who has been barking for hours and hours.

Finally, Chris jumps up and says, "I've had enough of this!"

He rushes downstairs and a bit of time passes before he finally returns.

Pat says, "The dog is still barking, What have you been doing?"

Chris says, "I've put the dog in our backyard. Let's see how they like it!"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Reading Glasses

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website: Subscribe
--------------------------------

I took my 5 year old grandson to the optometrist to pick up his new glasses. The glasses were prescribed "to help him read and be able to see the computer better".

When we got back home, he got on the computer to play a game. In a few minutes he called me and said there was something wrong with his glasses.

I asked him what was the problem and he said, "I still can't read."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Away From His Desk

Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks, Andrew) -Tom
-----------------------------------------------

A fellow, who frequently left the office to play golf, instructed his secretary to tell all callers that he was away from his desk.

After he left the office, a member of his foursome forgot which course they were playing that day, and called for information. The loyal girl would only reply that her boss was away from his desk.

"Just tell me," the golfer persisted, "Is he five miles away from his desk, twenty miles away from his desk, or thirty miles away from his desk?"
_ ____________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / You can train a cat to do \ /
\ _/ anything it wants to do. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Is it possible to separate \ /
\ _/ the cheese from the whiz? \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / A man with one watch \ \_/ ////
\ / knows what time it is. \ /
\ _/ A man with two watches \_ /
/ / is never sure. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / "Politics is the gentle art \ \_/ ////
\ / of getting votes from the poor \ /
\ _/ and campaign funds from the rich, \_ /
/ / by promising to protect each from \ \
the other." - Oscar Ameringer
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Dogs come when called. \ /
\ _/ Cats take a message \_ /
/ / and get back to you. \ \
_ ____________________________ _
| Thomas S. Ellsworth |
| tellswor@kcbx.net |
| http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor |
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|Stop for a visit, leave with a smile! To join Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.Com To leave Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.Com Or visit the Good Clean Fun web site at http://www. slonet.org/~tellswor/
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WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT?
(taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)

Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people's.
A grandfather is a man & a grandmother is a lady!
Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money.
When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
They show us and talk to us about the colors of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on 'cracks.' They don't say, 'Hurry up.'
Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes.
They wear glasses and funny underwear.
They can take their teeth and gums out.
Grandparents don't have to be smart.
They have to answer questions like 'Why isn't God married?' and 'How come dogs chase cats?'
When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.
Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us.
They know we should have snack time before bedtime and they say prayers with us and kiss us even when we've acted bad.
A 6 YEAR OLD WAS ASKED WHERE GRANDMA LIVED. ''OH,'' HE SAID, ''SHE LIVES AT THE AIRPORT AND WHEN WE WANT HER WE JUST GO GET HER. THEN WHEN WE'RE DONE HAVING HER VISIT, WE TAKE HER BACK TO THE AIRPORT.''
GRANDPA IS THE SMARTEST MAN ON EARTH! HE TEACHES ME GOOD THINGS BUT I DON'T GET TO SEE HIM ENOUGH TO GET AS SMART AS HIM!
It's funny when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.'

Thanks To Gary Foreman
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Contact Lens

The teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he went inside and told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found.

Undaunted, she went outside, and in a few minutes, she returned with the lens in her hand.

"How did you manage to find it, Mom?" the teenager asked.

"We weren't looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150."

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Cleaning Out the Refrigerator

/* Admin note: At user request, we have changed our RSS feed so it includes the full funny, not just the title. We hope the RSS feed users will appreciate this.

If you have ideas to make GCFL.net better, whether it be the mailing list or web page, please pass them on to us! If you are a developer or programmer and want to donate your time and talent, please let us know! We have only the one coder now. He's OK, but getting old cranky. Some help might put some pep in he step. :)

Thanks for being a part of GCFL.net! */

My brother lives in New Mexico. As the weather slowly shifts from winter to spring, he has been cleaning, fixing up, and preparing for the gardening season. He sent this message last week:

My refrigerator no longer qualifies for a superfund site, but you know that you may have waited a little bit too long to clean out the refrigerator when:

1. There is a plastic bag that used to have a vegetable in it, but now there is an unidentifiable dark soup in said leaky bag.

2. You have six bottles of mustard, four of which are the same brand.

3. The sliced meat is no longer pinkish but mottled with white spots.

4. The stuff in the plastic container qualifies for a science fair project on molds and fungi.

5. The various barbecue sauces date from last summer sometime.

6. Four different catsups (ketchups) -- three of the same kind.

7. The salsas are very pungent with rust around the lid.

8. The small pieces of something are no longer named cheeses, but something to support molds and fungis.

9. Then there were the unlabeled containers and jars with unknown substances that didn't even grow molds and fungis.

Most of the substances were given a decent burial.

Received from Les Myers.

(-:][:-)

Trids

There were these little people called the Trids, and they lived up at the top of a mountain in South America. One day a Rabbi went to help out the Trids.

Once he got there, a giant came out of his cave and started kicking the Trids around. The Rabbi had hid once the giant appeared, but when it went back into its cave, the Rabbi came back out and asked some of the Trids why the giant had not come after him.

One of the Trids said, "Silly Rabbi, Kicks are for Trids!!"

Received from Jessi.

(-:][:-)

Cannibals

Three men were canoeing down the Amazon River when they were captured by cannibals. They were told they would each get one last wish before they were skinned and made into boats.

The first man wished for a last meal. He was given a sumptious meal, which was specially prepared with all the best ingredients.

The second man wished to be married to the most beautiful woman in the tribe. His wish was granted for his last remaining day.

The third man wished simply for a fork. The confused village elders gave him a fork, then watched in horror as he poked himself full of holes and said, "Ain't nobody making a boat out of me!"

Received from Donna.

(-:][:-)

Tournament Weather

Our pastor, an avid golfer, was once taking part in a local tournament. As he was preparing to tee off, the organizer of the tournament approached him and pointed to the dark, threatening storm clouds that were gathering.

"Preacher," the organizer said, "I trust you'll see to it that the weather won't turn bad on us."

Our pastor shook his head. "Sorry," he replied. "I'm sales, not management!"

Received from Pastor Tim.

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
Rate this funny at http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20060113
Brought to you by GCFL.net: The Good, Clean Funnies List A cheerful heart is good medicine... (Prov 17:22a) Mail address: GCFL, Box 100, Harvest, AL 35749, USA
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The latest GCFL funny can always be found on the web at http://www.gcfl.net/latest.php
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Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/speech_humor.html - - HOW TO GIVE A SPEECH
In a moment of weakness you agreed to give a speech. What are you in for? If you're lucky, it won't be any worse than this:

1. Receive invitation to speak because of your expertise in tapestry, arachnids, the World Wide Web. Succumb to flattery and say yes.

2. Spend the next week scheming to extricate yourself from your commitment. Suffer from nightmares featuring you, your microphone, and three angry apes.

3. Rehearse potential excuses. Try to talk your spouse into phoning your regrets. Wonder if your doctor would give you a note diagnosing laryngitis of indeterminate duration.

4. Decide you should really give speech because it will enhance your reputation, be educational, build character. And because it's too late to pull your name from the publicity.

5. Talk about writing speech. Read about writing speech. Obsess about writing speech. Notice an entire month has passed and you haven't started writing speech.

6. Sit down in front of computer and stare at screen. Vow to start writing this very minute and not leave room until you've finished first draft. Leave room to fetch snacks.

7. Enjoy leisurely coffee break, basking in your new found discipline. Start laundry, read mail, make several phone calls. Check e-mail for the fourth time today. Decide it's too late to start speech, but you'll definitely write it tomorrow.

8. Spend the next few days studying books on "writer's block." Decide all you need is a really good title. Once that's in place, your speech will surely write itself.

9. Wake up in cold sweat, overwhelmed by realization that you're giving the speech in fewer than 48 hours and all you've written is title. Wonder whether Toastmasters operates a crisis hot-line.

10. Write feverishly, without taking time to think, proof-read, or visit the john. Read speech many times to spouse, parents, children, pets. Watch spouse vacuum house for first time in recorded history --- anything to avoid another encore.

11. Attempt to memorize speech. Practice eye contact techniques in front of mirror. Practice reading speech while appearing not to be reading speech. Practice presenting speech to bellowing vacuum cleaner. Pretend it's an unruly audience.

12. Ransack closet searching for appropriate speech-giving garb. Something dignified, yet not stuffy. Stylish and attractive, but not sexy. Comfortable and easy to move around in. Something you don't own, so your stodgy, confining, dark navy suit will have to do.

13. Travel to speech venue by train, car, plane. Arrive late and/or in the wrong city because of breakdowns, traffic jams, canceled flight. Unclench your fingers just long enough to shake hands with fellow speakers. Realize you're the only one who doesn't have an Ivy League degree.

14. Politely listen as presenters ahead of you speak eloquently about their areas of expertise. Make noble efforts not to hate them. Fail.

15. Hear your name called and struggle out of seat. Panic. You've lost your speech. No, it's merely squashed into a ball in your fist. Attempt to smooth wrinkles as you stagger up aisle.

16. Disappear behind podium. Discover the mike's been set for someone twice your height. Enter a trance-like state during which you presumably gave speech. Awaken to enthusiastic applause.

17. Bow and skip off stage, fantasizing about new career earning hefty speaker's fees.

http://www.madkane.com
Subscribe to MadKane Humor Newsletter (weekly) here:
http://www.madkane.com/email.html
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"Don't strive for recognition, but work for achievement." -- Vanessa Malone
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Finally, a definition of globalization that I can understand and to which I now can relate:
Question: What is the truest definition of Globalization?
Answer: Princess Diana's death.
Question: How come?
Answer An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, (check the bottle before you change the spelling), followed closely by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles; treated by an American doctor, using Brazilian medicines.
This is sent to you by an American, using Bill Gates's technology, and you're probably reading this on your computer, that uses Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian lorry-drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by Mexican illegals.... That, my friends, is Globalization!

Thanks To Waneta
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Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on an 'Obama 08' tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference -- just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved the money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

Thanks to David Lamb
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A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.'
So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?'
She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!

'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.

Thanks To David Lamb
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| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------
October 31, 2008
Cough CPR - FALSE
Today's Message is from Joe Sanders (a Baton Rouge Tower Albemarle employee).
I thought you might find the following article from snopes.com interesting: http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/coughcpr.asp
----------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------
October 29, 2008
Recalled Halloween Candy-please notify everyone/Snopes warning
Today's Message is from Meritha Toston (a Baton Rouge Tower Albemarle employee).

Coin chocolates=Chinese poison.

http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp - Snopes warning about recalled chocolate coin candy from China . For those of you with little ghosts and goblins in your lives. Don't eat the chocolate coin candies! The little chocolate coins are not safe for kids to eat this Halloween. They are made in China and contain the Melamine that childrens deaths were related to recently!!!!!!! With Halloween coming soon, pass this on to your family and friends. Sherwood's Milk Chocolate Pirate's Gold Coins from China contain melamine. It is true, Read the full story at the following link from Snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp
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TOURBUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -:) - :)- :)
Vol 14, Number 5 - - 28 Oct 2008

People Search / Cell Boosters / Nanny Cams / Gmail Labs In today's TOURBUS, you'll learn how to use People Finders to find long-lost friends or dig up facts before that big date. And if you're suffering with a weak cell phone signal, you'll want to read up on Signal Boosters. You'll also get the scoop on setting up an Internet Security Camera, and the cool stuff that's happening in Gmail Labs. Read on!

FREE PEOPLE SEARCH TOOLS [http://askbobrankin.com/free_people_search.html]

Have you Googled yourself lately? You might be surprised to see what turns up. But there are lots of other free people search tools online that can help you find college classmates, high school sweethearts, long lost relatives, even dig up facts about neighbors, potential tenants or job seekers.

The Internet can be a great tool for background checking, public records access, or finding out if any of your neighbors are convicted felons. It also makes it much easier to find and connect with people from your past. Learn how to search by Name, Address and Phone Number, where to do genealogical research, how to use social media sites and other tricks to find people. Here are my recommendations for the best free people and fee-based people finders as well.

NO BARS? NO SIGNAL? TRY A CELL PHONE BOOSTER [http://askbobrankin.com/cell_phone_signal_boosters.html]

Sometimes your cell phone can't pick up a good signal inside a building, on the road, or in remote areas. In some cases, a cell phone signal booster might help. The boosters work sort like of a TV antenna. It gives you more range, and a better connection to the cell phone signal outside of your house, car or building. Some boosters really work well, but there are some scams you should avoid.

For the boosters that work, the prices can range from $100 to $500, and are generally easy to install. Read on to learn how cell phone signal boosters work, and What To Expect From a signal Booster. I've also got reviews of some systems from Zboost, Wilson Electronics, and which products to avoid...

INSTALL AN INTERNET SECURITY CAMERA [http://askbobrankin.com/internet_security_cameras.html]

A reader asked: "I have someone in my home during the day to clean and do childcare. Can I install a wireless security camera that can be monitored over the internet? I'd like to be able to look in during the day from my office computer. If so, how expensive are internet security cameras, and what features do you recommend?"

Yes, the technology to remotely monitor a real-time video feed from a security camera is available. Internet security cameras (sometimes called nanny-cams) allow you to access your security videos from nearly any place in the world, if you have access to a computer (or a mobile phone) and the Internet.

Some Internet security cameras allow you to pan, tilt and zoom the camera remotely. Others offer two-way audio, motion detection and email alerts. Is your cleaning lady snooping around in the jewelry cabinet? Is your childcare provider kicking the dog or letting little Johnny cry for hours? Now you can find out. Here's the scoop on installing an internet security camera, and my reviews of three systems:

WHAT'S COOKING IN GMAIL LABS? [http://askbobrankin.com/gmail_labs.html]

Gmail has been my favorite web-based email service for several years, and one of the things I like is that they're always adding new features and experimenting with various options to make it easier to use. Gmail Labs is a secret underground bunker, far below Google Headquarters, where caffeine-fueled programmers try out experimental new features for Gmail. Even cooler, you can try out these new Gmail features to see if you like them.

I like Gmail Labs because I get to use fun and useful features before they are officially released to the great unwashed masses. Another advantage of using Gmail Labs is that you get to learn how to use a tool before everyone else, this means by the time the general public is using the tool you'll be a regular guru.

I've been enjoying Quick Links, the Supers Stars feature, the Forgotten Attachment Detector and of course Old Snakey when I need to put my brain in neutral. There are lots more cool features in Gmail Labs that you can experiment with. Read on to learn more about Gmail Labs and what it can do for you...

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The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.

Here are links to items posted on The Pump Handle over the past week:

** "The FDA Flunks" by Sarah Vogel The Science Board Subcommittee on Food Contact Applications of BPA, the expert panel assigned to evaluate the FDA's Draft Assessment on BPA, released a report that gives the agency failing marks on the scientific quality and rigor of its recent assessment. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/the-fda-flunks/

** "Occupational Health News Roundup" by Liz Borkowski With concerns growing about a nursing shortage, hospitals are looking at ways to improve retention of the nurses they have on staff; also, emergency medical helicopter crashes have killed 35 people over the last 11 months, and landscaping fatality rates are similar to those of agriculture and mining. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/occupational-health-news-roundup-87/

** "Canada's Deadly Export" by Liz Borkowski Canada exports 95% of its asbestos – mostly to developing countries – and opposes designating asbestos as a hazardous substance under the Rotterdam Convention. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/canadas-deadly-export/

** "Congratulations to Occupational Health and Safety Award Winners" The American Public Health Association is holding its annual meeting this week in San Diego, and members of the occupational health section are gathering to congratulate the winners of this year's awards. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/congratulations-to-occupational-health-safety-awardees/

** "Rotavirus vaccine: fingers crossed" by revere Early results indicate that a vaccine against the top cause of infant diarrhea is leading to a drop in hospitalizations and ER visits. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/rotavirus-vaccine-fingers-crossed/

** "Bolten's Memo on Midnight Regs? Ignore it" by Celeste Monforton Members of the administration are ignoring a memorandum that called for agency heads to resist the historical tendency of administrations to increase regulatory activity in their final months. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/boltens-memo-on-midnight-regs-ignore-it/

** "Friday Blog Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Bloggers consider the economic crisis's effect on health issues; a transportation law that's up for renewal; and the backlash the next president will face over climate change. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/friday-blog-roundup-97/

http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/
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Weekly Toll - - http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com/
Death In The Workplace w/News & Updates
John Donne - ...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
A partial list of workplace fatalities.

Explosion kills worker - - SEPT 17, EAST CAMDEN, AR - An "unplanned ignition of a rocket motor" at the Aerojet plant in East Camden claimed the life of Maurice Mitchell, 29. Mr. Mitchell was working on the motor in a bay area when the motor exploded and caught fire. Authorities believe he was killed in the explosion, not the fire. He is survived by his wife-- also an employee at the plant-- who is 4 months pregnant.

Worker electrocuted at nuclear plant - - SEPT 17, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Ricky D. Cummings, 47, of Delano, died Wednesday morning just outside the gates of the nuclear plant in Monticello. Officials say Mr. Delano came in contact with a power line, and his death was caused by thermal injuries due to electrocution.

Trash Worker Killed, Another Injured In Crash - - SEPT 17, EDINBURGH, ID - A Rumpke trash worker was killed and another was injured early Wednesday morning when they were struck by a motorist in southern Johnson County. The workers were out of their truck at the time of the crash, said Edinburgh Police Chief Patrick Pankey. Investigators said the driver of a car was not able to see the workers because of the sun.

Man dies after falling through skylight - - SEPT 17, CHICAGO, IL - A 43-year-old man died Sunday, three days after crashing through a skylight while working on the roof of a Southwest Side building. Krzyszto Zelasko, of Chicago's Southwest Side,was initially taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in “extremely critical” condition. He was pronounced dead Sunday at Mount Sinai Hospital at 9:35 a.m of head injuries sustained in the fall. His death has been ruled an accident, according the medical examiner's office.

Worker dies after being thrown from bucket truck - - SEPT 16, KOKOMO, ID - City employee Jeff Berry, 45, was pronounced dead today after he was removed from life support. Mr. Berry was in a bucket lift changing a light bulb in traffic light last week when a tractor-trailer struck his truck, throwing him 30 feet to the pavement. He sustained a severe head injury and was flown by helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Utility worker killed in Mercer while making repairs - - SEPT 16, PITTSBURGH, PA - A utility worker making repairs in Mercer County died yesterday after he stepped on a live wire. Robert Lempke, 43, of Columbia, NJ, an employee for New Jersey Central Power and Light, was pronounced dead at UPMC Greenville, Mercer County, police said. His death was ruled accidental.

Construction worker killed by saw - - SEPT 16, MOUNT VERNON, OH - Subcontracted construction worker Roger A. Ferenbaugh, 54, of Mount Vernon, was killed today while working at Rolls-Royce Energy Systems. Investigators believe Mr. Ferenbaugh was trying to cut through concrete pipe with a saw when its blade kicked back and struck him in the neck. The investigation is ongoing.

Municipal employee killed by mower - - SEPT 15, HOLLAND TWP, PA - John Dinmore, 79, of Upper Black Eddy, had lunch with a friend today before heading off to mow 2 acres of land at Riegel Ridge Community Center. Investigators believe Mr. Dinmore may have been replacing a blade in the parked ride-on mower when the mower fell on top of him. Friends say Mr. Dinmore had worked at the community center for the past 6 years. "When I asked him about retirement, he said he never really gave it any thought at all," said Holland Mayor Bernie O'Brien, who was at the scene of the accident. Councilman and friend John DiSarro described Mr. Dinmore as "a darn good man."

Construction worker falls to death - - SEPT 15, MOORESVILLE, NC - An employee of SSC Construction Company lost his life today at a construction site near Mooresville. Investigators say Ruben Gomez, 56, was working on scaffolding when he lost his balance and fell about 20 feet. He was killed insantly.

Worker killed in fall - - SEPT 14, LOS ANGELES, CA -- Hermelindo Montes Valencia, 56, of Anaheim died today from injuries sustained September 9th while replacing a skylight on top of the Huntington Beach transfer station. According to Ron Shankman, chairman of the Rainbow Disposal Co., Mr. Valencia was wearing a safety harness but unhooked it. Shortly thereafter, he fell through a chute and onto a concrete floor. "It was a tragic accident that was caused by human error," Shenkman said. "Why he unhooked the safety harness, we do not know."

Construction worker dies after 6-foot fall in Morton Grove
SEPT 12, CHICAGO, IL - Further investigation is needed to show what caused the death of a Chicago construction worker who fell 6 feet from a scaffolding outside a home in Morton Grove Thursday. Marrecin Waz, 30, landed on his head and broke his neck when he fell as he and his crew were tuck-pointing a home. Mr. Waz may have had a medical condition that caused the fall. An autopsy later Friday could not determine an exact cause of death.

Cell tower technician falls to death - - SEPT 12, PORT ANGELES, WA- An employee of Emerald Wireless died just after midnight this morning after falling 40 feet from a cell-phone tower atop the Elks Navel Lodge building. Jeremy Combs, 33, of Bonney Lake, was still alive when paramedics arrived at the scene, but was pronounced dead not long after at Olympic Medical Center. Mr. Combs is survived by his wife and two children. UPDATE, SEPT 19: Authorities have determined that Mr. Combs was not wearing safety equipment when he fell to his death.

Worker killed in tank explosion - - SEPT 12, AZTEC, NM - Around 1:20 pm this afternoon at a well site in San Juan County, a semi truck carrying a nitrogen tank exploded. A 21-year old worker, whose name has not yet been released, was killed in the explosion. The incident is being investigated.

4 die in trench collapse - - SEPT 12, VERDEL, NE -- Four men were working on a drainage trench this morning when part of it collapsed, trapping Travis Lunn, 24, of O'Neill. Lunn's three coworkers tried to save him but in the process also became trapped. Lunn, David Peterson, 35, of O'Neill, Gary Forsch, 61, of Spencer, and Brad Kelly, 43, of Lynch, all lost their lives in the incident. Investigators said flooding of the Missouri River created the potential for erosion.

Sanitation worker struck by truck - - SEPT 11, MARKSVILLE, LA - A sanitation worker was killed early Thursday morning after being struck by a pickup truck. Tony L. Kelley, 32, of Marksville, was stopped partially in a northbound lane and partially in the shoulder when the incident occurred. Mr. Kelley was pronounced dead at the scene. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau said that the accident was in no way the fault of the driver.

Worker killed in scaffold collapse - - SEPT 11, NEW YORK, NY - A scaffold-rigging foreman, Miguel Rodriquez, 38, was killed today in a scaffold collapse while working on a building in Manhattan. Investigators say his safety harness was not tethered to the building. Update: SEPT 15- Two employees of Classic Painting & Restoration, Inc.-- including the owner-- have been arrested in the aftermath of the incident. In violation of building codes, the company did not have a certified rigging foreman on site when the incident occurred, and the owner reportedly gave a foreman's card to an uncertified worker and asked him to pose as certified foreman if asked. Both were charged with criminal impersonation on Sept 12th.

Firefighter dies two weeks after injuries - - SEPT 11, HAPPY CAMP, CA - Firefighter Curtis Hillman, 77, of Happy Camp, died today at Mercy Medical Center in Redding. Mr. Hillman sustained head injuries on August 25 when he either jumped or fell off of a road grader in the Six Rivers National Forest, near the Oregon Border. A member of the Karuk Indian tribe, Mr. Hillman was the 15th firefighter to die from job-related causes this summer.

http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
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NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed weekly. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/

01. Pfc. Cody J. Eggleston, 21, of Eugene, Ore., died Oct. 24 at the National in Bethesda, Maryland, of wounds suffered on October 16 in Baqubah, Iraq, when he received indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Oct. 27 in Baghlan, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when a suicide bomber detonated explosives as they were preparing to enter a building. Killed were:
02. Sgt. Nicholas A. Casey, 22, of Canton, Ohio, who was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
03. Sgt. Kevin D. Grieco, 35, of Bartlett, Ill., who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery, Illinois Army National Guard, Sycamore, Ill.

04. 1st Lt. Trevor J. Yurista, 32, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., died Oct. 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

05. Sgt. Scott J. Metcalf, 36, of Framingham, Mass., died Oct. 29, in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
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SECNAV Names New Zumwalt-Class Destroyer USS Michael Monsoor - - Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter announced last night at a Navy SEAL Warrior Fund Benefit Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, the name of the newest Zumwalt-class Destroyer will be USS Michael Monsoor. Designated as DDG- 1001, the name honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 29, 2006.

Winter discussed the qualities, values, and dedication to duty that Navy SEAL’s exemplify, including the extraordinary acts of Michael Monsoor.

“Tonight I would like to single out one of those heroes from the community of Navy SEAL’s,” Winter said. “Those who served with Michael Monsoor will remember him always as a consummate professional who faced terrorist enemies with aplomb and stoicism.”

“The full extent of Michael’s courage, gallantry, and self-less heroism were revealed on the 29th of September, in Ramadi. When his team was surprised by an enemy grenade, Michael could have escaped and saved himself,” Winter said. “But he chose a different path, a path of honor that embodies the way of a Navy SEAL. For having chosen that path, Petty Officer Michael Monsoor joined the ranks of those who have earned our nation’s highest distinction, the Medal of Honor.”

Winter concluded that Michael Monsoor’s heroism and self sacrifice for his teammates and his nation epitomize the Navy’s core values, and will forever provide prideful admiration for our sailors.

“Michael Monsoor’s name will now be linked with one of our nation’s most visible examples of military power, a U.S. Navy warship,” Winter said. “His legacy will inspire the hearts of future Sailors who serve on the ship that bears his name.”

The USS Michael Monsoor will be a multi-mission surface combatant tailored for advanced land attack and littoral dominance. The ship's mission is to provide credible, independent forward presence and deterrence and to operate as an integral part of naval, joint or combined maritime forces.

The USS Michael Monsoor will be the 2nd Zumwalt-class destroyer. She will be 600 feet in length, have a beam of 80.7 feet, and displace approximately 15,000 tons. Michael Monsoor will have a crew size of 148 officers and sailors, he will make speed in excess of 30 knots.

Additional information about Monsoor and Winter is available online at
http://www.navy.mil/moh/Monsoor/ and
http://www.news.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=325 .
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Please remember to pray for the American soldiers stationed everywhere around the globe and especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. Times have been and are very tough and it would be nice if you would all just say a prayer for their safety and for their families.
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"September 11 WDYTJWD" W. P. Florence
Justice first, then peace."
"September 11" Never forget.--Tony Moses
"ONE NATION UNDER GOD ...the only way"--Phillip Story
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Keeping my head down but face toward Heaven" - - Jody Eldred, ABC News Cameraman in Kuwait
"Remember Pearl Harbor? Remember 9/11!" --"Bug"
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. - - George Carlin
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!" - - Queen E. Watson
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Activities and Events of Interest - - Coming Events
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Thursday, November 06 at the Columbia county fairgrounds - - The Arkansas Health Department is conducting a series of one day clinics to administer flu vaccinations in health units across the state.
The special clinics offer a way for the department to practice its plan for mass distribution of vaccines that would occur during a public health emergency. The clinics began Thursday and will run through Nov. 8. The clinics will be conducted at 81 health units.
Folks getting flu shots are asked to bring their insurance cards or Medicaid or Medicare cards. There is no charge for people unable to pay.
The department says the mass dispensing plan is in place to ensure health professionals and volunteers are prepared to vaccinate or provide medication quickly to a large segment of people. Such an action would be needed in the case of a pandemic influenza or another disaster.
"The time to practice dispensing large amounts of medication is now before we have , a disaster " said Dr. William , Mason, department director of emergency preparedness.
Mason also said it is important for state residents to get their flu shots to they are pro tected from the virus.
"This exercise gives us the opportunity to practice our plans for emergency response and protect the public against the flu at the same time," Mason said.
About 100,000 doses of flu vaccine will be dispensed during the exercise.
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Scheduled Activities
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CQ CQ all Hams. We have restarted a 2 meter net on the Willisville repeater, 146.655, every Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Please check in and spread the word. We would like to get some renewed interest in amateur radio and the ARKLA Amateur Radio Association. Will be listening for everyone next Tuesday night.
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Columbia County Amateur Radio Club meets Every second Thursday @ 7:00 p.m. Union Street Station. And YOU'RE invited. Net is every Sunday at 20:30 on 147.105.
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MCC - Mom's Day Out - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 2.$10 for the first child, $5 for the second. Call 234-3225 for reservations.
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MCC - Nursing Home Ministry - Meadowbrook Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 am. Taylor, the last Thursday each month.
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Men's Prayer Breakfast held every Tuesday morning at 6 AM in Miller's Cafeteria. If you aren't a regular participant at the Men's Prayer Breakfast, you're missing some great food, fellowship and inspired teaching of the Word. Hope to see you there.
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Emergency Phone Number 911
(Fire, Police, Ambulance, Sheriff, etc. )
Central Dispatch 234-5655
(Non - Emergency Number)
Direct Numbers
Ambulance - 234-7371 (24 Hour)
Jail - 234-5331 (24 Hour)
Poison Control - 800-222-1222 (24 Hour)
http://www. aapcc. org/
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Interested in getting in touch with the Banner-News through e-mail?
E-mail addresses for communicating with the newspaper’s various departments are: news@bannernews.net For news and sports items, Coming Events, Diary, Church News, school and civic events.
advertising@bannernews. net For retail and classified advertising.
circulation@bannernews. net To start, stop or cancel newspaper delivery or for comments about delivery.
outfitters @bannernews.net For Office Outfitters, the office supply division of the Banner-News.
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"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle."
"Laugh whenever you can and cry if you need to." -- "Bug"
"I read the end of the book. We win!" -- "Bug"
"We may not be able to cure the world, but we don't have to make it sicker." -- "Bug"
"There just ain't enough fingers for all the holes in the dike." - - "Bug"
"It's no big deal doing what God tells you to do. A big deal would be NOT doing what God tells you to do. Just ask Jonah." - - Paul Troquille
“Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.” Knowledge is power. - Francis Bacon
"The problem is here and now. The time for talk is past. The time for action is now."
Comments on the first Earth Day - James F. McClellan via John "Fuzzy" Thurman
~~~~~
Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.

God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Rom 1:14-16 Psa 104:13-15 Psa 98:4-9 Psa 84:5-7 http://www.e-min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

P. S. If you'd like to be added to the distribution, just drop us E-mail at kc5hii@suddenlink.net
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