This Weeks Sound Off

This week President Obama singed the expanded hate crimes law named after Matthew Shepard who was brutally murdered simply because he was gay.

This new expanded law protects gay’s lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders. Though I applaud this new bill, I have an issue including bisexuals … this group of people should not have been included. Bisexuals are nothing more than, by choice, sexual flip-floppers.

Bisexuals have no clue as to how it feels to be hated, injured or discriminated against, thus are an insignificant group in the fight for equality and protection. To include this group is a slap in the face to all gays, lesbians and transgenders! To claim that bisexuality is a disadvantaged group is insane and to bring them in under the umbrella of the hate crimes bill is unconscionable. Bisexuality is nothing more than a choice whereas being gay, lesbian or transgender is not.

If bisexuals want a bill of their own then they should stand alone and not ride on the coattails of us who have been through the fire. I have little to no sympathy for bisexuals!

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White House says the recession is over and that 650,000 jobs were created or saved by $150 billion in stimulus funds.

650,000 jobs is not a whole heck of a lot. Here in Myrtle Beach people are hurting … seriously hurting!

Think the White House needs a reality check! Cause the recession certainly isn’t over and it’s being said that the job market isn’t due to see significant improvements till mid 2010.

I still maintain that the recession ain’t over yet … I think that darker days linger on the horizon. We haven’t hit bottom yet!

Locally Speaking

Myrtle Beach Mayor Candidates Offer Goals, Plans

Here's how the Myrtle Beach mayoral candidates responded to a series of questions about the city.

Beatrice Catalano

What are your goals and priorities for the city?

My main project for the city will be to bring tourists back to Myrtle Beach to support our businesses and put people back to work.

2. What about the city is working well?

Nothing. Need drastic change to bring business back, bring back bikers, Shriners, church groups, shaggers, the Sun Fun and Pavilion.

3. What about the city is not working well, and how would you fix it?

Marketing, tourism, jobs, taxes [the citizens' right to vote], crime, and the way to fix these issues would be marketing, bring back the magic, let the citizens have a say-so in their community.

Bill Howard

1. What are your goals and priorities for the city?

The re-establishment of small business as a jobs incubator for our economy is important. This will also address or help address other issues, such as unemployment, redevelopment of blighted or vacant areas, and security in surrounding neighborhoods. I would also strive for inclusion and empowerment to every area of our city and work to more equitably deliver governmental services such as public safety. To be a world-class resort, we must also be a world-class place to live.

2. What about the city is working well?

Most of our city employees are dedicated and loyal public servants. Our emergency management system works extremely well, particularly the cleanup after a storm. The planning staff does a good job of guiding growth through the implementation of our comprehensive masterplan. As the current zoning re-write proceeds, care and monitoring of this process is critical from council's role as policymakers.

3. What about the city is not working well, and how would you fix it?

One person, whether mayor or council member, is not capable of "fixing" anything alone. Moving forward in any direction or any issue will require a healing process to get beyond the wounds created by the last several administrations. A mayor or council willing to empower the residents, business owners, working public and taxpayers through inclusion, attitude and a simple willingness to listen will go along way. We have to find a more equitable way to serve the entire city with services and amenities. We should encourage, in whatever means possible, the creation of small business and entrepreneurship. I believe the City Council could benefit from a complete analysis of our public safety department from an efficiency and service delivery perspective. We must do everything possible to ensure a safe environment in our homes, businesses, neighborhoods and areas frequented by our visitors. And finally, a mayor should be able to build consensus among the electorate and among council. It is only then that Myrtle Beach can truly claim its rightful place on the stage with the premier cities in S.C. and the premier resorts in the U.S.

Mark Struthers McBride

1. What are your goals and priorities for the city?

A. Support tourism;

B. no ad tax;

C. reduce crime;

D. unify the city, not just the City Council;

E. Positively promote the city with a "friendly" environment

2. What about the city is working well?

We still have visitors in spite of all the negative actions taken by the current mayor and council.

3. What about the city is not working well, and how would you fix it?

The city has been divided with the current mayor and council. If this is what the citizens believe and disagree with it, then they must elect new leadership.

Matthew McCarty

1. What are your goals and priorities for the city?

I want to continue to strongly promote tourism. I want to help bring more year-round business to the area that offers full-time jobs to our residents. I want to see to it that the current 1 percent ad tax goes on a referendum. Our citizens deserve a chance to decide on that issue for themselves. I want to develop the downtown area and the old mall site into attractions that will draw more tourism and promote business growth. I want to change the council meetings to the evening so that more working citizens can attend the meetings.

2. What about the city is working well?

We have a beautiful, well maintained and manicured city. We have fantastic police and fire departments that do a great job. Our parks and recreation seem to constantly be improving.

3. What about the city is not working well, and how would you fix it?

The ad tax should have never happened without a vote by the people, so I will fight to have it placed on a referendum. I agree with the idea of promoting the entire city by mass advertising, but so far I think we are giving too much responsibility to the Chamber of Commerce to do so. I would like to see the city be more of a watchdog when it comes to our tax money and how it is spent. I also feel that the city needs to improve the way that we all work together on achieving a common goal. I feel that all contributors to our cities economy need to be given a forum where they can be heard without confrontation. We spend too much time fighting over who will suffer the most and we lose sight of how the city can benefit from good ideas. As mayor, I would offer a monthly town hall meeting at different locations where anyone who lives or works in the city could ask questions and share their thoughts.

Mayor John Rhodes

1. What are your goals and priorities for the city?

The city has accomplished much in the past four years. It's my intention to continue working toward retaining and increasing jobs in Myrtle Beach; to continue to attack crime; to promote Myrtle Beach nationwide and make more people aware of what the city has to offer; and continue to be an ambassador for the city of Myrtle Beach.

2. What about the city is working well?

The council and the administrative and city staff work well together for the betterment of the city; we are transparent with our city finances; we've been able to start the construction of the new boardwalk ahead of the anticipated starting time; we've worked closely with the county to begin construction of the Harrelson Boulevard extension; we worked closely with Horry County Schools to renovate and improve the Doug Shaw Stadium complex for our children and the citizens of Myrtle Beach; we completed The Market Common and are well on the way to completing the new recreation complex that especially serves south-end residents; the city has a balanced budget despite the recession; we have better city finances; and this administration has been able to increase the city's credit rating.

3. What about the city is not working well, and how would you fix it?

There are some projects and goals that must move to the front of the list, including the city and local business owners getting together to brainstorm ideas that would help spark even more redevelopment downtown and draw more people. Part of that discussion has to include how to finance any plans we come up with, too. We also need more parking for day-trippers and residents, but we need to find property to invest in that will benefit everyone. The city needs to be part of the cleanup of Withers Swash, and to put the funding in the budget for this project. We need more stormwater outfalls, and we need to get federal funding for them. –SunNews

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Atlantic Beach Mayor Rethea Pierce was indicted by an Horry County grand jury on a charge related to an April hit-and-run case.

The Horry County grand jury met Thursday and the indictment against Pierce for leaving the scene of an accident with property damage was released Friday morning after a circuit court judge signed off on it.

Pierce was charged in April with hit-and-run/leaving the scene of an accident after a woman told police she was traveling south on U.S. 17 inside Atlantic Beach town limits when her vehicle was sideswiped by a white Chevrolet Blazer.

Town Council members and state Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, have asked Gov. Mark Sanford to remove Pierce from office after her latest charge last month of a misdemeanor driving under the influence.

Pierce had been charged on three other occasions since 2007.

Benjamin Fox, spokesman for Sanford's office, has said the governor cannot remove Pierce from office unless she is indicted by a grand jury for a crime of moral turpitude.

Maybe now Atlantic Beach can rid themselves of this undeserving Mayor … she’s a NUT case!!!!

After writing the above, this headline followed and I have to say, It’s About Freaking Time!

“Gov. Sanford suspends Atlantic Beach mayor after grand jury indictment in hit-and-run case.” To the complete pathetic story click here.

I’m pretty confident that this ain’t the last of it!

Ragbag Neadliners

New Role On Marijuana

For years, since the first medical marijuana laws were passed in the mid-1990s, many local and state governments could be confident, if not complacent, knowing that marijuana would be kept in check because it remained illegal under federal law, and that hard-nosed federal prosecutors were not about to forget it.

But with the Justice Department’s announcement last week that it would not prosecute people who use marijuana for medical purposes in states where it is legal, local and state officials say they will now have to take on the job themselves.

In New Hampshire, for instance, where some state legislators are considering a medical marijuana law, there is concern that the state health department — already battered by budget cuts — could be hard-pressed to administer the system. In California, where there has been an explosion of medical marijuana suppliers, the authorities in Los Angeles and other jurisdictions are considering a requirement that all medical dispensaries operate as nonprofit organizations.

“The federal government says they’re not going to control it, so the only other option we have is to control it ourselves,” said Carrol Martin, a City Council member in this community north of Denver, where a ban on marijuana dispensaries was on the agenda at a Council meeting the day after the federal announcement.

At least five states, including New York and New Jersey, are considering laws to allow medical marijuana through legislation or voter referendums, in addition to the 13 states where such laws already exist. Even while that is happening, scores of local governments in California, Colorado and other states have gone the other way and imposed bans or moratoriums on distribution even though state law allows it. –For rest of the story see CNN

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Oral Sex Cause Of Throat Cancer Rise

Experts Say They Fear Epidemic of Throat Cancer Caused by HPV Infection

Changing sexual practices have led to a dramatic rise in throat cancer in the United States over the past two decades, and experts say they fear an epidemic of the disease.

The comments were made Wednesday at a news conference held by the American Association for Cancer Research to discuss research into the role of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus ( HPV) in head and neck cancer.

Increasing rates of HPV infection, spread through oral sex, is largely driving the rapid rise in oropharyngeal cancers, which include tumors of the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue, said Scott Lippman, MD, who chairs the thoracic department at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Studies of oropharyngeal tumor tissue stored 20 years ago show that only around 20% are HPV positive, Lippman said. Today it is estimated that 60% of patients are infected with the virus.

“The percentage of oropharyngeal cancers that are HPV positive is much higher now than it was 20 years ago,” he said. “This is a real trend, and that is why there is concern of an epidemic given that fact that oropharyngeal cancer is increasing at an alarming rate.”
Changing Face of Throat Cancer

Smoking and alcohol abuse were once considered the only major risk factors for these cancers, but this is no longer the case.

American Cancer Society Chief Medical Officer Otis Brawley, MD, said as many as half of the oropharyngeal cancers diagnosed today appear to be caused by HPV infection.

“Changing sexual practices over the last 20 years, especially as they relate to oral sex, are increasing the rate of head and neck cancers and may be increasing the rates of other cancers as well,” he said.

He added that there is some evidence that oral HPV infection is also a risk factor for a type of cancer of the esophagus.

“The paradigm is changing,” Lippman said. “The types of patients we are seeing now with oropharyngeal cancers are not the patients we have classically seen who were older, smokers, and have lots of other problems. These are young people, executives, a whole different population.”

Oral Sex Not Safe Sex [specially if you don't know who you're sleeping with]

The experts agreed that it is critical for the public to understand that oral sex doesn’t equal safe sex.

The message was unofficially promoted in the early days of the HIV epidemic and it is still widely believed by many, especially teens.

Studies suggest that teens are often unaware of the risks associated with unprotected oral sex, including the transmission of HPV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

“There is a huge public health message here,” Brawley said. –WebMD

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Obama Signs Hate Crimes Bill

President Obama on Wednesday signed a law that makes it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.

The expanded federal hate crimes law, hailed by supporters as the first major federal gay rights legislation, was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill that Obama signed at a packed White House ceremony.

The hate crimes measure was named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998, and James Byrd Jr., an African-American man dragged to death in Texas the same year.

Shepard's mother, Judy, was among those at the ceremony that also included Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Attorney General Eric Holder and leading members of Congress and the Pentagon, who were on hand for the appropriations bill signing.

To loud applause, Obama hailed the hate crimes measure in the bill as a step toward change to "help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray."

Noting reports of 12,000 crimes based on sexual orientation over the past 10 years, Obama called the bill another step in the continuing struggle for protecting human rights.

Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality. However, Holder has said that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, not to prosecute speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs.

Among other things, Obama has called for the repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military -- the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. He also has urged Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act.

The Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage, for federal purposes, as a legal union between a man and a woman. It allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages. The Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act would extend family benefits now available to heterosexual federal employees to gay and lesbian federal workers. –For rest of the story see CNN

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President Barack Obama may have one less problem to worry about.

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit that claimed Obama is ineligible to be president because he isn't a bona fide U.S. citizen.

The lawsuit represented the claim by the so-called "birthers" movement that Obama was not born in Hawaii - despite a birth certificate to the contrary - or that if he was, his citizenship was invalidated by living overseas as a child.

In a 30-page ruling, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter of California said his court lacked the jurisdiction to rule on a case intended to unseat a sitting president.

Carter's ruling said the plaintiffs were trying to persuade him to "disregard the constitutional procedures in place for the removal of a sitting president."

"The process for removal of a sitting president - removal for any reason - is within the province of Congress, not the courts," the ruling said. –For rest of the story see CNN

Daylight Savings Time Ends Tonight!

Don't Forget To Turn Your Clocks Back 1 Hour

Here We Go Again!

Poor ol' Pat! He's like SO out of touch
and SO not Christian-like!

Bitche’s To The End!

Man, I'll tell ya, women can be cold until the end!

The doctor, after an examination, sighed and said, 'I've got some bad news. You have cancer, and you'd best put your affairs in order..'

The woman was shocked, but managed to compose herself and walk into the waiting room where her daughter had been waiting.

'Well, daughter, we women celebrate when things are good, and we celebrate when things don't go so well. In this case, things aren't well. I have cancer. So, let's head to the club and have a martini.'

After 3 or 4 martinis, the two were feeling a little less somber. There were some laughs and more martinis. They were eventually approached by some of the woman's old friends, who were curious as to what the two were celebrating.

The woman tol d her friends they were drinking to her impending end, 'I've been diagnosed with AIDS.'

The friends were aghast, gave the woman their condolences and beat a hasty retreat.

After the friends left, the woman's daughter leaned over and whispered, 'Momma, I thought you said you were dying of cancer, and you just told your friends you were dying of AIDS! Why did you do that??'

'Because I don't want any of those bitches sleeping with your father after I'm gone.'

And THAT, my friends, is what is called, 'Putting Your Affairs In Order.'

Author Unknown

An Obama Fan

A teacher, a die-hard California Democrat, asked her 6th grade class how many of them were Obama fans. Not really knowing what an Obama fan is but wanting to be liked by the teacher, every kid's hand went up, except Johnny's. The teacher asked Johnny why he did not raise his hand like the rest of his classmates.

Johnny answered, 'Because I'm not an Obama fan.'

The teacher asked, 'Why aren't you an Obama fan?'

Johnny answered, 'Because I'm a Republican.'

The teacher asked, 'Why are you a Republican.'

Johnny answered, 'Because my Mom's a Republican and my Dad's a Republican.'

Annoyed by the answer, the teacher asked, 'If your Mom is a moron and your Dad is an idiot, then what would that make you?'

Johnny answered, 'An Obama fan.'

Author Unknown

The Cake

A customer called the local Wal-Mart Superstore to order a cake for a friend's "going-away" party. After being connected to the bakery department, the conversation between the customer and bakery department employee went as follows:

Wal-Mart bakery employee: "Hello, dis' ees de bekery, how I can hel' ju?"

Customer: "I would like to order a cake for a 'going-away' party."

Wal-Mart bakery employee: "Wha' ju wan' on de kek?"

Customer: ". . . . 'Best Wishes Suzanne' underneath that 'We will miss you'. . . ."
The day of the party came, and the customer went to pick-up the cake on the scheduled time.

Below is a picture of the beautiful cake.

Ok Stop Laughing!

This Weeks Sound Off

Somer Thompson’s little body was found in a landfill. To date no one has been implicated in her murder.

As you know I am insanely abscessed with changing the laws when it comes to harming, even murdering children. The system we have in place today isn’t curbing the slaughtering of innocent children. IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE!

When it comes to murder, whether it be man, woman or child, once found guilty the accused has one appeal. If they loose their appeal then the guilty is immediately put to death. As a society, we cannot tolerate someone murdering fellow citizens. Murder is the highest form of immorality and it should have stiff and swift results … you kill, you die! Pure and simple.

Locally Speaking

The fatal shooting of a student, Trevor, at Carolina Forest High School is, without question, tragic. I remember my days in school when all I had to worry about was studying hard and a bit of bulling. However, in today’s world, going to school is no longer just about reading, writing and arithmetic … it’s so much more complex than it once used to be. But aside from the complexities I cannot imagine having to attend school and worry, even fear, that I may be wounded or even killed by a fellow student. This simply boggles my mind!

In looking at the events surrounding the incident, could more have been done to avoid such a tragedy? Perhaps! But no matter how much we may want to depend on sound policies, even technology to avert such a tragedy, nothing is full-proof. Those who are on a mission to harm or kill will always find a way around whatever safe guards we put in place. Reality is, whether in church, school, work or play, in today’s world safety is nothing more than an allusion. No matter where we may be, there will always loom the possibility that someone could very well end our lives.

Since the shooting a lot of finger pointing has been going on. A lot of should haves, could haves and would haves have been tossed around. From blaming the parents, school officials, even Trevor, opinions have been running high … rightfully so! But instead of trying to place blame, cause it’s really to late for that, I think it’s more important to pray for the family who lost their son, as well as pray that this tragic event will not revisit the hallways of Carolina Forest High School again. Also, it’s time to hold our children close to our hearts and let them know that they are unconditionally loved, as well as take time to teach them to respect life no matter what.

Though one life lost is one to many, thankfully this incident did not escalate into a blood bath like we’ve seen in the past. And last but not least, I’m like so thankful that I wasn’t the officer, Cpl. Marcus Rhodes, who had to make the decision which lead to Trevor’s untimely death.

Scariest Faces

Tiffany’s

A lady walks into Tiffany's. She looks around, spots a beautiful diamond bracelet and walks over to inspect it.

As she bends over to look more closely, she lets out a fart.

Very embarrassed, she looks around nervously to; see if anyone has noticed her little accident and prays that a sales person doesn't pop up right now.

As she turns around, her worst nightmare materializes in the form of a salesman standing right behind her.

Cool as a cucumber, he displays all of the qualities one would expect of a professional salesman in a store like Tiffany's, and greets the lady with,Good day, Madam. How may we help you today?'

Feeling uncomfortable, but still hoping that the salesman may not have been there at the time of
her little 'accident', she asks, 'Sir, what is the price of this lovely bracelet?'

He answers, 'Madam, if you farted just looking at it, you're going to shit when I tell you the price.

Author Unknown

Serious Swine Flu Advise

If You Wake Up Looking Like This, Don’t Go To work

Ancient Chinese Mystery!

Once upon a time in China, lived two Chinamen. One named I Cum, and one named No Cum. No Cum marry pretty Chinese girl named No Cum Tu.

For velly oblious reason No Cum and No Cum Tu not have any childlen.

One day, No Cum went out of town on business and I Cum came over and spent the night with No Cum Tu. That night I Cum came and No Cum Tu came, too. This make both velly happy.
However, about 7 or 8 months later, No Cum see he about to become father but he not know how come, so when baby come he named it How Cum U Cum.

Of course, I Cum and No Cum Tu know How Cum U Cum came, but to this day No Cum not know how How Cum U Cum came!

Author Unknown

Flu Update

What is the difference between Bird Flu and Swine Flu?

For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment

“I Got A Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas

He's A Goner

A man and a woman were dating.. She, being of a religious Nature, had held back the worldly pleasure that he wanted from her so badly. In fact, he had never even seen her naked.

One day, as they slowly drove down the freeway, she remarked About his slow-driving habits. 'I can't stand it anymore,' She told him. 'Let's play a game. For every 5 miles per hour Over the speed limit [60 MPH] you drive, I'll remove one Piece of clothing.

He enthusiastically agreed and sped up the car.

*He reached the 65 MPH mark, so she took off her blouse.

* At 70 off came the pants.

* At 75 it was her bra...and

* At 80 her panties.

Now seeing her naked for the first time and traveling faster than He ever had before he became very excited and lost control of the car. He veered off The road, went over an embankment and hit a tree!

His girlfriend was not hurt, but he was trapped. She tried to Pull him free but alas he was stuck.

'Go to the road and get help,' he said.

'I don't have anything to cover myself with!' she replied.

The man felt around, but could only reach one of his shoes.

'You'll have to put this between your legs to cover it up,' he told her.

So she did as he said and went up to the road for help. Along came a truck driver. Seeing a naked, crying woman along the road, He pulled over to hear her story.

'My boyfriend! My boyfriend!' she sobs, 'He's stuck and I can't pull Him out!' The truck driver looking down at the shoe between her legs replies, 'Ma'am, if he's in that far, I'm afraid he's a goner!'

Author Unknown

This Weeks Sound Off

Here We Go Again! Political Correctness.
First It Was Christmas …Then Easter.
Now Halloween!?!
!!!! PLEASE !!!!
Get Over It!
IT’S FREAKING HALLOWEEN
As the saying goes, “if the shoe fits wear it.”

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What, no increases for social security recipients because of “low consumer prices”? How absurd it this? Basing an annual raise on “low consumer prices” isn’t exactly fair. After all, with higher costs in basic living expenses affording extras like clothing and household items isn’t exactly a top priority for most receiving social security benefits.

Lower consumer prices don’t include increases in utilities, gasoline, food, insurance and medical necessities, etc. These basic necessities have drastically increased over the year and now that there will be no cost of living adjustments for social security recipients will further cause them to cut back on spending just to maintaining a roof over their head and staying healthy. With our economy still in total shambles not passing on a cost of living increase will further hurt the recovery process.

Now under consideration is another stimulus package of $250.00 emergency payments to assist those on social security is basically nothing. When you brake this stimulus payment down, all one is gaining to offset increases in basic necessities is $20.83 per month. This is hardly enough for anyone to meet their needs, let alone afford a few luxuries along the way … in other words, the Obama’s administration is basically feeding social security recipients cake without the icing and definitely without sprinkles. And according to social security, not only will there be no cost of living adjustments in 2010, but there will be none in 2011.

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Some state and local police are having second thoughts about working with the federal government to enforce immigration laws.

Under what's known as the 287(g) program, agencies sign a voluntary agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are trained to check legal status of prisoners and crime suspects, and to initiate deportations. The contract can specify enforcement in jail, in the community or both.

Several police agencies have complained that new rules set by the Obama administration would cost too much time and money and, in some cases, damage their relationship with immigrants. –For rest of the story see USA Today

What caught my eye about this story was that some police agencies were “afraid” that ICE would “damage their relationship with immigrants.” WHAT???? Who gives a flying shit about a feel good policy with illegals? If you don’t belong on our country take the son of a bitch to the boarder and kick his ass back to where he freaking belongs. Who cares about their rights or wanting them to have fuzzy feel good emotions about police officers. If this fuzzy feel good policy is ever enacted, illegals will get better treatment than US citizens … what’s up with this bull crap? Being an American citizen is an honor, but anymore I’m beginning to think otherwise … I’m just saying.

Mel & Bud

Melvin & Bud saw an ad in the Starkville Daily News in Starkville, Mississippi, and bought a mule for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day.

The next morning, the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night."

Melvin & Bud replied, "Well, then just give us our money back."

The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already."

They said, "OK then, just bring us the dead mule."

The farmer asked, "What in the world ya'll gonna do with a dead mule?"

Melvin said, "We gonna raffle him off."

The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead mule!"

Bud said, "We sho' can! Heck, we don't hafta tell nobody he's dead!"

A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Melvin & Bud at the Piggly-Wiggly grocery store and asked, "What'd you fellers ever do with that dead mule?"

They said, "We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna do."

Bud said, "Shucks, we sold 500 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a profit of $998."

The farmer said, "My Lord, didn't anyone complain?"
Melvin said, "Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him back his two dollars."

Melvin and Bud now work for the government. They're overseeing the Bailout Program.

Author Unknown

Boy I've Wanted To Use 4 Muscles On A Few People I Know!
Haven't You?

'Obama, I know you are listening'

Judy Shepard stood before a massive crowd at the Capitol on Sunday for a single, painful reason.

"I'm here today because I lost my son to hate."

Her gay son, Matthew Shepard, was kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998. He died five days later in a hospital.

More than 10 years later, Judy Shepard addressed the thousands of gay rights activists in Washington who wrapped up Sunday's National Equality March with a rousing rally at the Capitol.

"No one has the right to tell my son whether or not he can work anywhere. Whether or not he can live wherever he wants to live and whether or not he can be with the one person he loves -- no one has that right," Judy Shepard told the crowd. "We are all Americans. We are all equal Americans, gay, straight or whatever."

The activists marched through Washington, calling for an end to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and equality in marriage.

The National Equality March coincided with National Coming Out Day, and came a day after President Obama delivered a supportive speech to the nation's largest gay and lesbian rights group. –For complete story see CNN

Life is like a penis …
When it’s hard, you get screwed!!
When it’s soft, you can beat it!!

Author Unknown

A Must Watch & Forward

This is worth every minute (only 4 minutes) to watch this! To date this video has had some 24,048 hits and counting.

The video was taken during a debate in congress over the new health care bill and it sheds light on how the bill is unacceptable for all of us.

IT IS IMPERATIVE EVERYONE SEE THIS!! PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE ON YOUR MAILING LIST.

Click Here To Watch Now

Locally Speaking

COME NOVEMBER
Vote Mayor John Rhodes
OUT OF OFFICE

As A Matter Of Fact
Clean HOUSE Completely

It’s Not All About The Economy Stupid
It’s All About Our Asinine City Leaders
Myrtle Beach City Council
Is Out Of Touch and Needs Booted To The Curb

Mark McBride
For Mayor All The Way

Domestic Violence As 'Pre-existing Condition'

Top House Democrats on Tuesday slammed insurers who claim that domestic violence is a pre-existing condition that can be used to deny coverage to battered women.

They pledged to incorporate a ban on the practice in the health care reform legislation winding its way through Congress.

Forty-two states have passed such a prohibition, according to a recent report from the National Women's Law Center. Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming and the District of Columbia have not, however.

"Think of this," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "You've survived domestic violence, and now you are discriminated [against] in the insurance market because you have a pre-existing medical condition. Well, that will all be gone."

The ban would be part of a broader prohibition against the use of pre-existing conditions to deny care, a component of all the reform bills now under consideration. –For the complete story see CNN

Dog Fighting Videos vs. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court voiced deep free speech concerns Tuesday about a law designed to stop the sale and marketing of videos showing dog fights and other acts of animal cruelty.

The justices heard an hour of lively debate about the scope and intent of the decade-old statute that supporters say has done much to stop the spread of profiting from the torture and abuse of animals.

But media groups and the National Rifle Association were among those who say the law is overly broad.

"It's not up to the government to decide what are people's worst instincts," said Justice Antonin Scalia. "One can contemplate a lot of other areas, where government could say: You are appealing to people's worst instincts, and, therefore, movies cannot be made" showing dramatized depictions of animals being abused, for example.

"What about people who like to see human sacrifices?" asked Justice Samuel Alito, somewhat sarcastically. "Suppose that is legally taking place someplace in the world. I mean, people here would probably love to see it. Live, pay-per-view, you know, on the Human Sacrifice Channel. They have a point of view they want to express. That's okay?" He seemed to indicate strongly it was not, and that lawmakers would have discretion to block it.

The specific case before the court dealt with tapes showing pit bull dogs attacking other animals and one another in staged confrontations. –For the complete story see CNN

Sex In The Shower

In a recent survey, people from Detroit have proved to be the most likely to have had sex in the shower!

In the survey, carried out for leading toiletries firm 'Brut', 86% of Detroit residents said that they have enjoyed sex in the shower.

The other 14% said they hadn't been to prison yet.

Source Unknown

Expanded Hate Crimes Bill

The House voted Thursday to expand the definition of violent federal hate crimes to cover those committed because of a victim’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Democrats and advocates hailed the vote of 281 to 146, which put the measure on the brink of becoming law, as the culmination of a long push to curb violent expressions of bias such as the murder in 1998 of Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming college student.

“Left unchecked crimes of this kind threaten to ruin the very fabric of America,” said Representative Susan Davis, Democrat of California.

The hate-crimes measure was approved as part of a broad $681 billion Pentagon policy measure, a strategy that infuriated House Republicans who accused Democrats of employing a form of legislative blackmail.

Republicans said Democrats were essentially forcing through contentious social policy by tying it to a highly popular Pentagon measure that authorizes military pay, benefits, weapons programs and other essentials for the armed forces. Even Republican members of the Armed Services Committee who helped write the underlying legislation said they would oppose it solely because of the hate crimes proposal

“We believe this is a poison pill, poisonous enough that we refuse to be blackmailed into voting for a piece of social agenda that has no place in this bill,” Representative Todd Akin of Missouri, a senior Republican member of the committee, said.

Republicans also criticized the substance of the legislation as an effort to prosecute “thought crimes” in which the motivation of the attacker has to be discerned.

The hate crime provision had passed both the House and Senate in previous years but the bill could never clear its final hurdles. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was fitting that Congress was acting since Monday is the 11th anniversary of Mr. Shepard’s killing. The legislation is known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, for Mr. Shephard and a black man killed in a race-based attack in Texas the same year. –For rest of the story see New York Times

Sex, Church, & Pancakes (in that sequence)

Sex

The mother of a 17-year-old girl was concerned that her daughter was having sex.

Worried the girl might become pregnant and adversely impact the family's status, she consulted the family doctor.

The doctor told her that teenagers today were very willful and any attempt to stop the girl would probably result in rebellion. He then told her to arrange for her daughter to be put on birth control and until then, talk to her and give her a box of condoms.

Later that evening, as her daughter was preparing for a date, the woman told her about the situation and handed her a box of condoms .

The girl burst out laughing and reached over to hug her mother saying:

'Oh Mom! You don't have to worry about that! I'm dating Susan!'

Church

A man went to church one day and afterward he stopped to shake the preacher's hand. He said 'Preacher, I'll tell you, that was a damned fine sermon. Damned good!'

The preacher said, 'Thank you sir, but I'd rather you didn't use profanity.'

The man said, 'I was so damned impressed with that sermon I put five thousand dollars in the offering plate!'

The preacher said, 'No shit?'

Pancakes

Brenda and Steve took their six-year-old son to the doctor.

With some hesitation, they explained that although their little angel appeared to be in good health, they were concerned about his rather small penis.

After examining the child, the doctor confidently declared, 'Just feed him pancakes. That should solve the problem.'

The next morning when the boy arrived at breakfast, there was a large stack of warm pancakes in the middle of the table.

'Gee, Mom,' he exclaimed. 'For me?'

'Just take two,' Brenda replied . 'The rest are for your father.

Author Unknown

This Weeks Sound Off

Woody Allen, Pedro Almodovar and Martin Scorsese have "demanded the immediate release" of fellow filmmaker Roman Polanski, who was arrested in Switzerland on a U.S. arrest warrant related to a 1977 child sex charge. Hold on here Hollyweed? Polanski must be returned to the U.S. to face his sentencing and prison time. Molesting a child in any way is just wrong! No matter how many years may have past, like murder, the case shouldn’t be closed until the individual is sentenced, pictured, finger printed, DNA extracted, booked and placed on the national sex offenders registry for life. I will never buy or watch another film by this director until he has paid his debt in full.

<><><>*<><><>

Lets face it, oil is the world’s economic currency. Any country, specially countries that are the world’s enemy, will always hold the trump card. We need oil, they have an abundance, and more than likely we will have to sleep with the enemy in order to keep the world’s economic system going. Otherwise, life could come to a stand still. Like it or not, Iran and neighboring countries that have a vast reserve of oil will control our lives and standard of living unless America becomes less dependant on their oil gold. Unfortunately, American’s will always be a slave to the enemy. We don’t have the balls to stand up to them!

<><><>*<><><>

Ann Culter, Rush Limbaugh and those like these personalities are the American version of the Taliban. If these individuals held any position of power, freedom’s we enjoy would look a whole lot different. Ann and Rush in particular are nothing more than demagogue’s who would lie to bolster their narrow minded rhetoric in order to deceive, divide and conquerer. And unfortunately, these individuals are successful at their craft of deceit.

How sad that respect for our President

has become the thing of the past ...
no matter how we may disagree with him.

Murder In The Worst Degree

There are some things we should never allow ourselves to get used to.

Yes, ours is a violent society. We take ghastly acts, and, almost out of exhausted resignation, we categorize them with convenient labels.

The mowing down of people walking along city streets? "Drive-by shootings," as if the carnage is part of some video game. The attacks, sometimes deadly, upon motorists on their way home? "Road rage," as if the brutal assaults are understandable, a traffic-related offense.

We probably shouldn't be blamed for at times letting all of this wash over us. There is only so much cruelty that can be absorbed before a kind of numbness sets in.

Yet there is a certain kind of crime we must not let ourselves become accustomed to. Because if we do, then we are truly adrift.

Twice during the last week, reports of such crimes have been presented to us.

In North Naples, Florida, a woman and her five children were found slain in their townhouse. The throats of Guerline Damas and her sons and daughters, their ages ranging from 11 months to 9 years, had been slashed. Damas' husband, Mesac Damas, faces six counts of first-degree murder.

A family, erased.

And just as that news was sinking in came the report from the tiny town of Beason, Illinois. Raymond Gee, 46, his wife, Ruth, 39, and three of their children were found dead in their home, all five the victims of blunt-force trauma. Logan County Sheriff Steven Nichols said it was "a brutal homicide against an entire family." Police were looking for the killer or killers.

The violent obliteration of families, either by members of those families or by outside intruders, crushes something elemental in us, something sacrosanct. The murder of families is like no other crime, because to carry out such an act speaks of -- there is no other proper phrase for it -- utter soullessness.

We have always been taught: When there is nothing else, there is family. When, in times of the deepest despair, there is no one to lean on, there is family. Family is -- or at least should be -- the synonym for safety. Life's protective barrier against the world's dangers.

For people in families with agonizing problems, this can be tested and can fail. And the concept of family has been trivialized by some who would use it to further their own ends: certain political operatives and entertainment conglomerates and marketing firms, who know that "family" is such an emotionally powerful word that it can be used to sell just about anything.

But the power of the word is based on something profound and real, which is why, when someone decides to eradicate entire families, the implications are not just Shakepearean in their force, but something approaching biblical. This is not supposed to happen. No one has the right.

And although it is not an everyday occurrence, it transpires enough that we begin to forget the names and places.

In Mason, Ohio, last year, police said that Michel Veillette stabbed his wife, Nadya, and then set fire to the family's home, killing their four children, Marguerite, Vincent, Jacob and Mia. Veillette hanged himself in a jail cell while awaiting trial. In a Towson, Maryland, hotel room in April, police said, William Parente killed his wife, Betty, and daughters Catherine and Stephanie, before taking his own life. In Columbia, Illinois, this year, Sheri Coleman and her children Garett and Gavin were found strangled in their home. Coleman's husband, Christopher, has been charged with first-degree murder.

It is not an American phenomenon. In the village of Kabulpura in India this month, seven members of a retired teacher's family were found strangled. A 19-year-old woman and her boyfriend have been arrested; police said that the dead included the young woman's parents and her brother.

In South Africa four years ago, 15 people died in a single weekend when men opened fire on their own family members. Liz Dooley, director of the Family Life Centre in Johannesburg, told the South African Press Association that news reports of such crimes were potentially dangerous, because if people read or hear about them, "it becomes catching."

Meaning: Others may copy the crimes and commit them against their own families. As if such a thought is even comprehensible.

Often a motive, after the fact, is ascribed: jealousy or money problems or alcohol or drugs. Sometimes robbery, with the families selected at random.

All of which, in a law-enforcement sense, may be factual.

But the willful and violent ending of a family's life must never become one more story at which we glance briefly and then turn the newspaper page or zap to another channel on the cable box or click to the next screen on our laptop.

For if we lose our capacity to be shattered when this happens, then we have lost a part of ourselves. -Bob Greene CNN Contributor

Friendship is like peeing in your pants,
everyone can see it,
but only YOU can feel the true warmth.

Author Unknown

Hand Washing & Swine Flu

"Washing hands really is wonderful for preventing many diseases, such as the common cold, but it's not very helpful to prevent influenza," said Arthur Reingold, professor of epidemiology at the University of California-Berkeley.

A spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees there isn't strong evidence that hand washing fights H1N1.

"We don't have solid data on the effect that hand washing has on the transmission of H1N1," CDC spokesman Tom Skinner wrote in an e-mail.

But he said there's still reason to be vigilant about hand washing. "There are studies that show hand washing was effective in reducing transmission of other respiratory diseases," he said.

Dr. Peter Palese, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, said hand washing isn't all that helpful against the flu because the flu isn't like other respiratory diseases.

"The flu virus isn't very stable on the hand," he said. "The virus has a lipid membrane that flattens out when it's on your hand, and it gets inactivated."

The rhinovirus, on the other hand, which causes the common cold, can live quite nicely on someone's hand. "It has a different architecture than a flu virus," he said. "It's much more stable."

The flu virus thrives in droplets of water, such as the kind that come out of your mouth when you sneeze or cough. "The lipid membrane stays intact when it's surrounded by a droplet of water that's ten times bigger than the virus itself," Palese says.

Infectious disease experts and the CDC agree the flu is more likely to be transmitted through airborne particles than through hand contact. However, they disagreed on the extent to which flu is caused by hand contact compared with inhalation of particles.

Mark Nicas, an adjunct professor at the University of California-Berkeley School of Public Health, thinks a significant number of flu cases do indeed spread from hands touching one another. "I think that hand contact accounts for maybe one-third of influenza infections," he said.

Hand washing: A false sense of security from H1N1?

Some infectious disease experts said they're concerned messages from the CDC to wash hands to prevent H1N1 have given people too much faith in hand washing.

"Everyone's eager to promote hand washing, and certainly it won't do any harm, but to rely on a hand washing as a way to prevent influenza is a serious mistake," said Reingold.

"Don't kid yourself that you're going to protect yourself from the flu completely by washing your hands," said Arnold Monto, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

The CDC has emphasized other prevention techniques, such as vaccination, as well, Skinner said. "CDC has communicated from the get-go that hand washing is only one tool in the toolbox used to prevent the transmission of influenza," he said. –CNN

New Uses for Old Things

Make no-mess pancakes with the help of a ketchup bottle: Pour in batter, then squeeze out precise portions.

At a party, stash ice in a colander set on top of a bucket or a bowl. Water will drain out, and guests will get only the solid stuff.

A toothbrush's bristles lift away stray threads of silk from fresh ears of corn quickly and efficiently.

Repurpose an old frame for a vanity tray that's pretty as a picture. Place a piece of colored paper or fabric inside as a finishing touch.

Chalk is a moisture absorber: Tie up a few pieces in cheesecloth and store them with your good silver to slow any tarnishing.

Vegetable oil will put a shine on leather shoes. Use a damp cloth to remove any dirt, then run a soft cloth with a drop of oil over the surface to (literally) add polish.

Tuck a few needles, pins, and thread into a matchbox for an instant sewing kit.

Transform a six-pack holder into a condiment tote that's ideal for summer picnics.

Have an old cassette case hanging around? (Oh, you know you do.) Coil iPod earphones and tuck them in to keep wires uncrossed.

One of readers' all-time-favorite ideas: the LifeSaver as birthday-candle holder. (Candies in the original rolls provide the best fit―LifeSavers sold in big bags are larger and don't work as well.)

Forget unruly plastic bags that seemingly regenerate under your sink. An empty tissue box keeps them neatly corralled and ready for use.

A giveaway shower cap becomes the perfect wrapper for shoes when traveling, preventing them from dirtying clothes packed in your suitcase.

Brand anything as yours―books, binders, Tupperware, a stapler―with a return-address sticker.

A clever way to keep straight whose drink is whose: Mark each glass with removable window decals.

A hard plastic soap case is the perfect size to protect a camera stashed in a carry-on bag.

A supermarket bag, tightly secured with a rubber band, will keep a brush (or roller) moist for a day or two in between painting sessions: the end of dried-out bristles.

No more worries of camisoles and sundresses slipping off hangers when you wrap the ends with rubber bands.

Pretty ribbon revives an old lamp shade. Apply a thin layer of glue and press on each piece of ribbon, matching the ends neatly.

Save a countertop with an old mouse pad turned trivet. (Make sure it has a nonplastic coating.

A clear hair elastic binds blooms together for a better arrangement in a wide-mouth vase. Stretch the elastic around the stems, then let the flowers fall naturally.

Why pack with Styrofoam peanuts when you can pack with popcorn (plain and air-popped). No air popper? Be sure to cover the item with a plastic bag.

An unused glasses case makes a convenient storage spot for beauty items on the go.

The cardboard tube from a spent roll of toilet tissue is a wonderfully simple tool for keeping extension cords tangle-free.

A lemon works to remove tough food stains from a plastic or light-colored wood cutting board. Squeeze on the juice of one half, rub it in, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Change dirty water in a flower vase by using a turkey baster to suction up the liquid without disturbing your arrangement. Add fresh water directly from the tap.

Give Easter eggs a year-round use (and save on resealable bags) by filling them with snacks like crackers or Cheerios.

Organize bills―arranged in the order in which they need to be paid off―in an unused napkin holder.

Bridge the gap between too-short stems and too-deep vase by sliding on trimmed clear plastic straws.

Shower-curtain hooks provide sturdy storage for heavier items, like purses.

Liberally apply cooking spray to both sides of a plastic or metal shovel before clearing away snow, and ice will slide right off instead of building up.

Attach a magnet to the inside of a metal medicine cabinet, and you can promptly pluck tweezers (or nail clippers) when needed.

Give cocktails extra pop with lollies in complementary colors subbed in for stirrers. -Source: MSN Life

All I can say about 2006 ... Ouch!

A Damn Good Explanation

The wife came home early one day only to find her husband in bed with a very attractive young woman.

Needless to say she was mad as a hornet and fuming as she yelled: 'You disrespectful pig! How dare you do this to me -- a faithful wife, the mother of your children? I'm leaving you. . .I want a divorce right away!'

The husband replied, 'Hang on just a minute and allow me to at least explain what happened.' 'Fine, go ahead,' she angrily blurted, 'but they'll be the last words you'll ever say to me!' And so the husband began. . .

'Well, I was getting into the car to drive home, when this young lady here asked me for a lift. She looked so down and out that I took pity on her and let her into the car.

I noticed that she looked tired, dressed in rags, and very dirty. She then told me that she hadn't eaten for days. So, in my compassion, I brought her home and warmed up the enchiladas I made for you last night, the ones you wouldn't eat because you said you're afraid you'll put on weight. The poor thing devoured them like a ravenous wolf.

Since she looked filthy and ragged, I suggested that she take a shower, and while she was doing that, I noticed that her clothes were really dirty and full of holes, so I rummaged through your closet to see what I could find which she could use.

I saw the expensive designer jeans which you have not worn in years because you claim that they are way too tight for you.

I also saw the underwear which I bought for you, but which you have never worn because you cIaim that I have a lousy taste.

Then, I saw the sexy blouse my sister gave you for Christmas years ago, but because you despise and hate her, so just to annoy and spite her, you have deliberately never worn it at all. I also gave her the designer boots you bought at the expensive boutique but have never used after you saw someone at work who had a similar pair.

The husband paused to catch his breath and then he continued: She was so grateful for my help that as we walked to my car in order for me to drive her to the local mission where she is staying, she turned to me with tears in her eyes and asked, 'Please, Sir, do you have anything else which your wife no longer wants to use?'

Author Unknown