Mar 26, 2010
Mar 22, 2010
This Weeks Sound Off
Harley-Davidson Pulls Out Of North Myrtle Beach
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company along with the local Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson dealer have pulled out of the planned North Myrtle Beach motorcycle rally event, according to the event organizers.
Businessmen Harold Worley and Mark Lazarus, a current and former Horry County Councilman respectively, had planned to have a representative from Harley-Davidson's corporate office offering test rides of their latest motorcycles.
The local Harley-Davidson dealer would have rented a storefront owned by Worley near the intersection of Ocean Drive and Main Street in North Myrtle Beach and a tent on Ocean Drive with Harley merchandise. A site visit by a corporate representative on Tuesday indicated the event was getting a green light, Worley said.
The two were notified Friday that the corporate office along with the local dealer were concerned about several tooled down elements of the event, including the lack of outside vendors being allowed by the city.
Worley said the corporate representative said the company also had concerns about whether they would be welcome in North Myrtle Beach because of a flier that had been circulated by the city to explain the differences between the partners' original request and the current request.
"When Harley-Davidson saw that flier on Wednesday they became very alarmed that if they did come to Ocean Drive that they would be harassed by the city of North Myrtle Beach. It’s obvious that they are not welcome, so they’ve decided not to come," Worley said. "Another concern for the local Harley dealer was that without the other vendors, there might not be enough draw for people to come to the event."
A Harley-Davidson corporate representative was not immediately available Friday and a message was left with the North Myrtle Beach spokeswoman Friday afternoon. –Sun News
What would teach Myrtle Beach a lesson is if everyone one who visits the area would not stay, shop or dine within the city limits. In other words, boycott the city! Once the city begins to loose money and sees that their inhospitality is at the core of loosing valuable vacation dollars then maybe the city will once again become a fun place to visit, as well as put thousands back to work. But until we get rid of our current baboon of a Mayor and the dimwitted city council Myrtle Beach will continue to loose its appeal to much needed tourist dollars.
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company along with the local Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson dealer have pulled out of the planned North Myrtle Beach motorcycle rally event, according to the event organizers.
Businessmen Harold Worley and Mark Lazarus, a current and former Horry County Councilman respectively, had planned to have a representative from Harley-Davidson's corporate office offering test rides of their latest motorcycles.
The local Harley-Davidson dealer would have rented a storefront owned by Worley near the intersection of Ocean Drive and Main Street in North Myrtle Beach and a tent on Ocean Drive with Harley merchandise. A site visit by a corporate representative on Tuesday indicated the event was getting a green light, Worley said.
The two were notified Friday that the corporate office along with the local dealer were concerned about several tooled down elements of the event, including the lack of outside vendors being allowed by the city.
Worley said the corporate representative said the company also had concerns about whether they would be welcome in North Myrtle Beach because of a flier that had been circulated by the city to explain the differences between the partners' original request and the current request.
"When Harley-Davidson saw that flier on Wednesday they became very alarmed that if they did come to Ocean Drive that they would be harassed by the city of North Myrtle Beach. It’s obvious that they are not welcome, so they’ve decided not to come," Worley said. "Another concern for the local Harley dealer was that without the other vendors, there might not be enough draw for people to come to the event."
A Harley-Davidson corporate representative was not immediately available Friday and a message was left with the North Myrtle Beach spokeswoman Friday afternoon. –Sun News
What would teach Myrtle Beach a lesson is if everyone one who visits the area would not stay, shop or dine within the city limits. In other words, boycott the city! Once the city begins to loose money and sees that their inhospitality is at the core of loosing valuable vacation dollars then maybe the city will once again become a fun place to visit, as well as put thousands back to work. But until we get rid of our current baboon of a Mayor and the dimwitted city council Myrtle Beach will continue to loose its appeal to much needed tourist dollars.
Locally Speaking
Two Men Charged After Standoff In Socastee
Two Myrtle Beach men have been charged today after a shooting and standoff that happened Wednesday.
Michael Jamel Willis, 24, has been charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a news release from Sgt. Robert Kegler with the Horry County Police Department.
Brandon Martell Horton, 25, has been charged with accessory after the fact of a felony.
Both men are currently at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.
Horry County police arrested both men Wednesday after a two-hour standoff outside a condominium complex.
Police initially were looking for one suspect and had chased him into the Villas at Palmetto Pointe on Maypop Circle, off Palmetto Pointe Boulevard, in the Socastee area of Horry County.
Two people eventually came out of the condo.
The first man came out of the building voluntarily at about 8:30 p.m., but police had to go into the condo to get the second man.
Officers had spent hours speaking to who they believed to be the sole suspect through the patrol car's speaker system, trying to get him to surrender.
SWAT team negotiators, Horry County police and Horry County Fire Rescue reported to the scene.
Over and over, police droned the phrases, "Come out with your hands up," "We want to make sure you're OK," and "We are not going to leave."
During negotiations, police supplied the suspects with a phone and unsuccessfully asked them to pick up and talk with negotiators.
Several shots and explosions were heard throughout the ordeal. At about 7:55 p.m., an officer shot an object through the window, and officers appeared to enter the ground-floor condo. Another loud bang was heard inside the unit at about 8 p.m.
One of the suspects was reportedly involved in a shooting on Palmetto Pointe Boulevard at about 3 p.m.
"There were law enforcement in the area and heard shots," Kegler said.
There was a foot pursuit, and police chased the suspect into the complex. Kegler said the first man to leave the condo was not the one the police had chased.
The victim of the shooting was taken to the South Strand Ambulatory Care Center for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, Kegler said.
Police evacuated the nearby apartments and closed off two roads in the area: the entrance to the Villas and Ivystone apartments at Palmetto Pointe Boulevard and April Pine Drive; and the entrance to the Sea Palms development on Palmetto Pointe Boulevard. –Sun News
Foot Note: This just happened down the road from my house.
Two Myrtle Beach men have been charged today after a shooting and standoff that happened Wednesday.
Michael Jamel Willis, 24, has been charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a news release from Sgt. Robert Kegler with the Horry County Police Department.
Brandon Martell Horton, 25, has been charged with accessory after the fact of a felony.
Both men are currently at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.
Horry County police arrested both men Wednesday after a two-hour standoff outside a condominium complex.
Police initially were looking for one suspect and had chased him into the Villas at Palmetto Pointe on Maypop Circle, off Palmetto Pointe Boulevard, in the Socastee area of Horry County.
Two people eventually came out of the condo.
The first man came out of the building voluntarily at about 8:30 p.m., but police had to go into the condo to get the second man.
Officers had spent hours speaking to who they believed to be the sole suspect through the patrol car's speaker system, trying to get him to surrender.
SWAT team negotiators, Horry County police and Horry County Fire Rescue reported to the scene.
Over and over, police droned the phrases, "Come out with your hands up," "We want to make sure you're OK," and "We are not going to leave."
During negotiations, police supplied the suspects with a phone and unsuccessfully asked them to pick up and talk with negotiators.
Several shots and explosions were heard throughout the ordeal. At about 7:55 p.m., an officer shot an object through the window, and officers appeared to enter the ground-floor condo. Another loud bang was heard inside the unit at about 8 p.m.
One of the suspects was reportedly involved in a shooting on Palmetto Pointe Boulevard at about 3 p.m.
"There were law enforcement in the area and heard shots," Kegler said.
There was a foot pursuit, and police chased the suspect into the complex. Kegler said the first man to leave the condo was not the one the police had chased.
The victim of the shooting was taken to the South Strand Ambulatory Care Center for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, Kegler said.
Police evacuated the nearby apartments and closed off two roads in the area: the entrance to the Villas and Ivystone apartments at Palmetto Pointe Boulevard and April Pine Drive; and the entrance to the Sea Palms development on Palmetto Pointe Boulevard. –Sun News
Foot Note: This just happened down the road from my house.
Ragbag Headliners
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of death in men with cardiovascular disease, according to new research out this week.
German researchers said in the current issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association that men with cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, and ED were twice as likely to die from all causes than men who did not have erectile dysfunction. And those with ED were 1.6 times more likely to suffer from a serious cardiovascular problem such as a heart attack or stroke.
The study focused on 1,519 men from 13 countries who had heart disease. The men were asked in a questionnaire whether they suffered from ED and at what degree they were impotent (mild, mild-to-moderate, moderate or severe). They were given follow-up questionnaires after two years and at their final visits five years later.
During the five years, some men were given specific drugs for heart disease, such as ACE inhibitors including ramipril, telmisartan or a combination. These drugs relax blood vessels and decrease the heart's workload. Others were given placebos.
After the five years, researchers found that patients with ED tended to be older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, stroke, diabetes and lower urinary tract surgery than those without ED. And deaths from all causes occurred in 11.3 percent of the patients who reported ED but in only 5.6 percent of those with no or mild ED at the start of the study.
Approximately 50 million U.S. men, including 50 to 52 percent of men ages 40 to 70, have some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, one of the largest U.S. studies on the disorder.
Researchers said the risks of death from all causes increased with the progression of ED.
"Erectile dysfunction is something that regularly should be addressed in the medical history of patients; it might be a symptom of early atherosclerosis," said Dr. Michael Böhm, lead author of the study and chairman of Internal Medicine in the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care at the University of Saarland, Germany.
"Men with ED [who] are going to a general practitioner or a urologist need to be referred for a cardiology workup to determine existing cardiovascular disease and proper treatment," Böhm stressed. "ED is an early predictor of cardiovascular disease."
Dr. Robert Stein, professor of cardiology at the New York University School Medicine, agrees. A spokesman for the American Heart Association, Stein called the study a wake-up call.
"If I suffered from ED, I would start changing my lifestyle. Eat better, watch my cholesterol, stop smoking, exercise and see my doctor," Stein warned. "This is important for all men, not just those with cardiovascular problems.
"It's something we've suspected for a long time," Stein said. "That's because ED is associated with endothelial dysfunction that occurs in cardiovascular problems. But this study is the first to really put it into perspective."
Endothelial dysfunction is a chemical breakdown of the thin layer of cells that line the blood vessels. The condition also can be found in diabetes and hypertension.
Stein also noted that researchers found that although the medication given to the participants could reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, the drugs didn't influence the course or the development of ED.
And according to Böhm, drugs for erectile dysfunction may cure the initial problem, but they don't protect against cardiovascular or other life-threatening illnesses.
"The medication works, and the patient doesn't show up anymore," Böhm said. "These men are being treated for ED, but not the underlying cardiovascular disease. A whole segment of men is being placed at risk."
Böhm continued, "if a man has erectile dysfunction, then he needs to ask his physician to check for other risk factors of cardiovascular disease." -CNN Health
Erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of death in men with cardiovascular disease, according to new research out this week.
German researchers said in the current issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association that men with cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, and ED were twice as likely to die from all causes than men who did not have erectile dysfunction. And those with ED were 1.6 times more likely to suffer from a serious cardiovascular problem such as a heart attack or stroke.
The study focused on 1,519 men from 13 countries who had heart disease. The men were asked in a questionnaire whether they suffered from ED and at what degree they were impotent (mild, mild-to-moderate, moderate or severe). They were given follow-up questionnaires after two years and at their final visits five years later.
During the five years, some men were given specific drugs for heart disease, such as ACE inhibitors including ramipril, telmisartan or a combination. These drugs relax blood vessels and decrease the heart's workload. Others were given placebos.
After the five years, researchers found that patients with ED tended to be older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, stroke, diabetes and lower urinary tract surgery than those without ED. And deaths from all causes occurred in 11.3 percent of the patients who reported ED but in only 5.6 percent of those with no or mild ED at the start of the study.
Approximately 50 million U.S. men, including 50 to 52 percent of men ages 40 to 70, have some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, one of the largest U.S. studies on the disorder.
Researchers said the risks of death from all causes increased with the progression of ED.
"Erectile dysfunction is something that regularly should be addressed in the medical history of patients; it might be a symptom of early atherosclerosis," said Dr. Michael Böhm, lead author of the study and chairman of Internal Medicine in the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care at the University of Saarland, Germany.
"Men with ED [who] are going to a general practitioner or a urologist need to be referred for a cardiology workup to determine existing cardiovascular disease and proper treatment," Böhm stressed. "ED is an early predictor of cardiovascular disease."
Dr. Robert Stein, professor of cardiology at the New York University School Medicine, agrees. A spokesman for the American Heart Association, Stein called the study a wake-up call.
"If I suffered from ED, I would start changing my lifestyle. Eat better, watch my cholesterol, stop smoking, exercise and see my doctor," Stein warned. "This is important for all men, not just those with cardiovascular problems.
"It's something we've suspected for a long time," Stein said. "That's because ED is associated with endothelial dysfunction that occurs in cardiovascular problems. But this study is the first to really put it into perspective."
Endothelial dysfunction is a chemical breakdown of the thin layer of cells that line the blood vessels. The condition also can be found in diabetes and hypertension.
Stein also noted that researchers found that although the medication given to the participants could reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, the drugs didn't influence the course or the development of ED.
And according to Böhm, drugs for erectile dysfunction may cure the initial problem, but they don't protect against cardiovascular or other life-threatening illnesses.
"The medication works, and the patient doesn't show up anymore," Böhm said. "These men are being treated for ED, but not the underlying cardiovascular disease. A whole segment of men is being placed at risk."
Böhm continued, "if a man has erectile dysfunction, then he needs to ask his physician to check for other risk factors of cardiovascular disease." -CNN Health
Hello Everyone,
I don't know about most of you, but I know for me and mine we were not going to fill out the Census form. But, being that by law we must, I got in touch with some people who are very knowledgeable in our Unites States Constitution and what I learned is that there is only ONE question out of the 10 you are REQUIRED to answer. NONE of the other questions are required under the Constitution.
Personally I think that the other questions are way to invasive. My government doesn't need to know what color my skin is. What does the color of my skin have to do with how much money is allotted for my county? Not a damn thing. It's all about big government and I REFUSE to be part of it. So, having said that I will be answering the one and only question required and that includes NOT putting my name or date of birth. ONLY THE ONE QUESTION and that question is:
"How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
From my Friend, Robyn
Foot Note: She’s right!!!!
Personally I think that the other questions are way to invasive. My government doesn't need to know what color my skin is. What does the color of my skin have to do with how much money is allotted for my county? Not a damn thing. It's all about big government and I REFUSE to be part of it. So, having said that I will be answering the one and only question required and that includes NOT putting my name or date of birth. ONLY THE ONE QUESTION and that question is:
"How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
From my Friend, Robyn
Foot Note: She’s right!!!!
Experienced Lemon Picker Wanted
A woman applied for a job as a lemon picker in a Florida lemon grove.The foreman who interviewed her asked, "Do you have any actual experience in picking lemons?"
The applicant replied, "Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I recently married a bum, I've been divorced three times, I previously owned two Toyotas, and I voted for Obama.
Author Unknown
Oops!
Norfolk Naval Air Station, Virginia -- One of the military's largest air transport planes got stuck at the end of a runway atop the I-564 overpass for more than 16 hours. It was unable to turn around at the west end of Chambers Field at the Norfolk Naval Station. The incident forced the closing of the field to all but helicopter traffic and made for a dramatic sight for hundreds of motorists passing beneath it during morning rush hour."That thing's like a big building sitting there. The nose of the aircraft actually stuck out over the Interstate highway!" according to one motorist. The aircraft's nose was so far over the end of the ramp, the crew was unable to see the runway where it was supposed to turn around. So, the pilot simply had to leave it at the end of the runway. A specially made tow bar had to be trucked in from Dover, Delaware. When the tow bar arrived, it was used to hook the C-5 to a tractor which then pulled the aircraft back in order to turn it around. Fortunately, the plane was not damaged.
The Air Force C-5 Galaxy, one of the largest airplanes in the world, is almost as long as a football field and as high as a six-story building. Weighing 420 tons when fully loaded, it uses a system of 28 wheels to distribute its weight.
The female copilot was overheard telling the male pilot as they exited the plane, "I told you we should have stopped and asked for directions!"
New Mexico Chili Cookoff
If you can read this whole story without laughing, then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end. This is an actual account as relayed to paramedics at a chili cook-off in New Mexico.
For those of you who have lived in New Mexico , you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Santa Fe Plaza . Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chile taster named Frank, who was visiting from Smithton, Missouri.
Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native New Mexicans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge #3.”
Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These New Mexicans are crazy.
CHILI # 2 - EL RANCHO'S AFTERBURNER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.
CHILI # 3 - ALFREDO'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t-faced from all of the beer.
CHILI # 4=2 0- BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. Woman is starting to look HOT ... Just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?
CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Jalapeno peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the jalapeno peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.
CHILI # 6 - VARGA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.
CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing. It's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.
CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?
Judge # 3 -- No report.
Author Unknown
For those of you who have lived in New Mexico , you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Santa Fe Plaza . Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chile taster named Frank, who was visiting from Smithton, Missouri.
Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native New Mexicans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge #3.”
Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These New Mexicans are crazy.
CHILI # 2 - EL RANCHO'S AFTERBURNER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.
CHILI # 3 - ALFREDO'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t-faced from all of the beer.
CHILI # 4=2 0- BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. Woman is starting to look HOT ... Just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?
CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Jalapeno peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the jalapeno peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.
CHILI # 6 - VARGA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.
CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing. It's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.
CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?
Judge # 3 -- No report.
Author Unknown
Mar 15, 2010
This Weeks Sound Off
Ahmadinejad: Sept. 11 Attacks A 'Big Lie'
Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday called the official version of the Sept. 11 attacks a "big lie" used by the U.S. as an excuse for the war on terror, state media reported.
Ahmadinejad's comments, made during an address to Intelligence Ministry staff, come amid escalating tensions between the West and Tehran over its disputed nuclear program. They show that Iran has no intention of toning itself down even with tighter sanctions looming because of its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
"September 11 was a big lie and a pretext for the war on terror and a prelude to invading Afghanistan," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by state TV. He called the attacks a "complicated intelligence scenario and act."
The Iranian president has questioned the official U.S. version of the Sept. 11 attacks before, but this is the first time he ventured to label it a "big lie."
In 2007, New York officials rejected Ahmadinejad's request to visit the World Trade Center site while he was in the city for a U.N. meeting. The president also sparked an uproar when he said during a lecture in New York that the causes and conditions that led to the attacks, as well as who orchestrated them, still need to be examined.
At the time, he also told Iranian state TV the attacks were "a result of mismanaging and inhumane managing of the world by the U.S," and that Washington was using Sept. 11 as an excuse to attack others.
He has also questioned the Sept. 11 death toll of around 3,000, claiming the Americans never published the victims' names.
On the 2007 anniversary of the attacks, the names of 2,750 victims killed in New York were read aloud at a memorial ceremony. –Yahoo News
Ahmadinejad is a freaking moron! This guy who claims there are no gays and lesbians in Iran and that the holocaust was a lie is an absolute piece of shit! The more this idiot opens his mouth the stupider he sounds. And now he’s calling the 911 attacks a lie? Go to hell Ahmadinejad! You are a waist of human existence and a disgrace to humanity.
Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday called the official version of the Sept. 11 attacks a "big lie" used by the U.S. as an excuse for the war on terror, state media reported.
Ahmadinejad's comments, made during an address to Intelligence Ministry staff, come amid escalating tensions between the West and Tehran over its disputed nuclear program. They show that Iran has no intention of toning itself down even with tighter sanctions looming because of its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
"September 11 was a big lie and a pretext for the war on terror and a prelude to invading Afghanistan," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by state TV. He called the attacks a "complicated intelligence scenario and act."
The Iranian president has questioned the official U.S. version of the Sept. 11 attacks before, but this is the first time he ventured to label it a "big lie."
In 2007, New York officials rejected Ahmadinejad's request to visit the World Trade Center site while he was in the city for a U.N. meeting. The president also sparked an uproar when he said during a lecture in New York that the causes and conditions that led to the attacks, as well as who orchestrated them, still need to be examined.
At the time, he also told Iranian state TV the attacks were "a result of mismanaging and inhumane managing of the world by the U.S," and that Washington was using Sept. 11 as an excuse to attack others.
He has also questioned the Sept. 11 death toll of around 3,000, claiming the Americans never published the victims' names.
On the 2007 anniversary of the attacks, the names of 2,750 victims killed in New York were read aloud at a memorial ceremony. –Yahoo News
Ahmadinejad is a freaking moron! This guy who claims there are no gays and lesbians in Iran and that the holocaust was a lie is an absolute piece of shit! The more this idiot opens his mouth the stupider he sounds. And now he’s calling the 911 attacks a lie? Go to hell Ahmadinejad! You are a waist of human existence and a disgrace to humanity.
Locally Speaking
With hundreds of jobs on the line and summer on its way, Freestyle Music Park officials have given no signal of when the park will open.
The park was originally scheduled to open in mid-March, but has been delayed as owners FPI MB Entertainment search for new investors. The company has until April 1 to pay the $570,000 debt it inherited from its predecessor, Hard Rock Park, which operated the park for one season before going bankrupt.
[Sportelli said] "With this town of Myrtle Beach and the mayor chasing away the bikers and the marathon ... I think another failure will be a black mark on Myrtle Beach. –Sun News
The park was originally scheduled to open in mid-March, but has been delayed as owners FPI MB Entertainment search for new investors. The company has until April 1 to pay the $570,000 debt it inherited from its predecessor, Hard Rock Park, which operated the park for one season before going bankrupt.
[Sportelli said] "With this town of Myrtle Beach and the mayor chasing away the bikers and the marathon ... I think another failure will be a black mark on Myrtle Beach. –Sun News
Healthier Men Want More Sex
Healthier men, no matter their age, are going to have better sex more frequently and desire it more often than healthier women.
And a healthier sex life could mean a longer life.
That's according to a paper written by University of Chicago researchers that was published Tuesday in the British Medical Journal. While the supposition that men think about sex more than women isn't new, the paper's findings have wider implication for attitudes toward public health and how patients respond to doctors' advice, said Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and geriatric medicine who spearheaded the research.
"If you are a man diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure and I tell you that you need to lose weight and take medication, and I can say the benefit is five extra years of sex life, you might be more inclined to do what I tell you," she explained.
Lindau said that women generally reported wanting less sex or receiving it less often for three reasons: Women outlive men by an average of five to six years and without a partner, women are less likely to engage in sex. Secondly, there's a Western cultural acceptance -- and removal of stigma -- of men who have erectile dysfunction and have turned to relatively recently marketed drugs such as Viagra; women don't have that.
"Also, there's a difference in how we treat women for other diseases that affect their sexual desire," Lindau said. "If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and she has, for example, her breasts removed, and we never counsel her about her sexual function, we start to realize how many years of life she's losing. Not doing those things could mean 10 years of lost sexual activity."
There are no FDA approved treatments for female sexual dysfunction other than estrogen to treat pain with intercourse, she said.
Lindau's paper was sponsored by the nonprofit National Institutes of Health.
The paper considers data from two previously published studies that included more than 6,000 men and women, split into two co-ed groups: The first was age 25 to 74. The second group was age 57 to 85. Ninety-eight percent of participants reported having sexual partners only of the opposite sex, she said. Roughly 80 percent of men and 65 percent of women in the study were married or living with a partner.
None of the study's participants was in a nursing home.
Questions were presented that asked them to give their relationship status and rate their health and the quality of their sex life from poor to excellent.
Excellent was defined not by the number of times someone had sex but the emotional and physical satisfaction of the experience. But, the survey described having sex "regularly" as two to three times a month, said Lindau.
Sex was defined to the 57- to 85-year-old group as "any mutually voluntary activity with another person that involves sexual contact, whether or not intercourse or orgasm occurs" in the past year. For the same time frame, those in the 25-74 age group were asked if they had "had sex with anyone."
Participants had the option of assigning a number rating to their sex life, including "0" for "the worst possible situation." That phrase was up to them to interpret, said Lindau.
The physician concluded that men are more likely to be sexually active, have what they believe is better sex and are consistently more interested in sex than women. This drive for sex among men and the feeling that the sex they get is high quality doesn't diminish with age. Lindau said it was difficult to ascertain exactly how many of these participants might have taken erectile dysfunction drugs.
If men stay in good shape, they can enjoy more years of good sex, the study says. At age 55, men in very good or excellent health on average gained five to seven years of sexually active life compared with their peers in poorer health. Women in very good shape gained 3 to 6 more years of a quality sex life than women who are less healthy.
For women 60 years and older, sex dropped off significantly overall and was even lower among those without partners. For men in that age range, having a partner didn't matter -- they still wanted sex consistently, the study found.
Among 75- to 85-year-old men, four out of 10 were still having sex, compared with two out of 10 women that age. Women whose partners were still alive, however, were having just as much sex as men, said Lindau.
"I don't want to perpetuate the notion that older women don't desire sex," she said. "There's a glass half full here. There's a big hunk of older women still having sex. Women who initiate relationships later in life -- they describe passionate love and sex like the way younger people do."
Lindau said she was frustrated that her sampling was limited to heterosexuals, a typical quandary many experience when testing this topic, she said. She hopes to conduct another study focusing on aging homosexuals, bisexuals or people whose biological sex cannot be classified as either male or female. –CNN Health
And a healthier sex life could mean a longer life.
That's according to a paper written by University of Chicago researchers that was published Tuesday in the British Medical Journal. While the supposition that men think about sex more than women isn't new, the paper's findings have wider implication for attitudes toward public health and how patients respond to doctors' advice, said Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and geriatric medicine who spearheaded the research.
"If you are a man diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure and I tell you that you need to lose weight and take medication, and I can say the benefit is five extra years of sex life, you might be more inclined to do what I tell you," she explained.
Lindau said that women generally reported wanting less sex or receiving it less often for three reasons: Women outlive men by an average of five to six years and without a partner, women are less likely to engage in sex. Secondly, there's a Western cultural acceptance -- and removal of stigma -- of men who have erectile dysfunction and have turned to relatively recently marketed drugs such as Viagra; women don't have that.
"Also, there's a difference in how we treat women for other diseases that affect their sexual desire," Lindau said. "If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and she has, for example, her breasts removed, and we never counsel her about her sexual function, we start to realize how many years of life she's losing. Not doing those things could mean 10 years of lost sexual activity."
There are no FDA approved treatments for female sexual dysfunction other than estrogen to treat pain with intercourse, she said.
Lindau's paper was sponsored by the nonprofit National Institutes of Health.
The paper considers data from two previously published studies that included more than 6,000 men and women, split into two co-ed groups: The first was age 25 to 74. The second group was age 57 to 85. Ninety-eight percent of participants reported having sexual partners only of the opposite sex, she said. Roughly 80 percent of men and 65 percent of women in the study were married or living with a partner.
None of the study's participants was in a nursing home.
Questions were presented that asked them to give their relationship status and rate their health and the quality of their sex life from poor to excellent.
Excellent was defined not by the number of times someone had sex but the emotional and physical satisfaction of the experience. But, the survey described having sex "regularly" as two to three times a month, said Lindau.
Sex was defined to the 57- to 85-year-old group as "any mutually voluntary activity with another person that involves sexual contact, whether or not intercourse or orgasm occurs" in the past year. For the same time frame, those in the 25-74 age group were asked if they had "had sex with anyone."
Participants had the option of assigning a number rating to their sex life, including "0" for "the worst possible situation." That phrase was up to them to interpret, said Lindau.
The physician concluded that men are more likely to be sexually active, have what they believe is better sex and are consistently more interested in sex than women. This drive for sex among men and the feeling that the sex they get is high quality doesn't diminish with age. Lindau said it was difficult to ascertain exactly how many of these participants might have taken erectile dysfunction drugs.
If men stay in good shape, they can enjoy more years of good sex, the study says. At age 55, men in very good or excellent health on average gained five to seven years of sexually active life compared with their peers in poorer health. Women in very good shape gained 3 to 6 more years of a quality sex life than women who are less healthy.
For women 60 years and older, sex dropped off significantly overall and was even lower among those without partners. For men in that age range, having a partner didn't matter -- they still wanted sex consistently, the study found.
Among 75- to 85-year-old men, four out of 10 were still having sex, compared with two out of 10 women that age. Women whose partners were still alive, however, were having just as much sex as men, said Lindau.
"I don't want to perpetuate the notion that older women don't desire sex," she said. "There's a glass half full here. There's a big hunk of older women still having sex. Women who initiate relationships later in life -- they describe passionate love and sex like the way younger people do."
Lindau said she was frustrated that her sampling was limited to heterosexuals, a typical quandary many experience when testing this topic, she said. She hopes to conduct another study focusing on aging homosexuals, bisexuals or people whose biological sex cannot be classified as either male or female. –CNN Health
A Camel, A Nun, And A Priest
A nun and a priest were traveling in the middle of the Sahara desert on a camel when the camel suddenly dropped dead without warning. After dusting themselves off, the nun and the priest surveyed their situation. After a long period of silence, the priest said, "Well, Sister, this looks pretty grim."
'I know, Father. In fact, I don't think it likely that we can survive more than a day or two. . .'
I agree,' said the priest. 'Sister, since we are unlikely to make it out of here alive, would you do something for me?'
'Anything, Father.'
'I have never seen a woman's breasts and I was wondering if I might see yours.'
'Well, under the circumstances I don't see why it would do any harm.'
The nun opened her habit and the priest enjoyed the sight of her shapely breasts, commenting frequently on their beauty.
'Sister, would you mind if I touched them?' She consented and he started fondling them. As he was enjoying himself, the nun spoke.
'Father, could I ask something of you?'
'Yes, Sister.'
'I have never seen a man's penis. Could I see yours?'
'I suppose that would be all right,' the priest replied as he lifted his robe.
Oh, Father, may I touch it?'
The priest consented and after just a few seconds of her fondling his manhood, he soon sported a huge erection.
'Sister, you know that if I insert my penis in the right place, it can give life.'
'Is that true, Father?'
'Yes, it is, Sister.'
'Oh, Father, that's wonderful. Why don't you stick it in the camel and let's get the hell out of here!'
Author Unknown
'I know, Father. In fact, I don't think it likely that we can survive more than a day or two. . .'
I agree,' said the priest. 'Sister, since we are unlikely to make it out of here alive, would you do something for me?'
'Anything, Father.'
'I have never seen a woman's breasts and I was wondering if I might see yours.'
'Well, under the circumstances I don't see why it would do any harm.'
The nun opened her habit and the priest enjoyed the sight of her shapely breasts, commenting frequently on their beauty.
'Sister, would you mind if I touched them?' She consented and he started fondling them. As he was enjoying himself, the nun spoke.
'Father, could I ask something of you?'
'Yes, Sister.'
'I have never seen a man's penis. Could I see yours?'
'I suppose that would be all right,' the priest replied as he lifted his robe.
Oh, Father, may I touch it?'
The priest consented and after just a few seconds of her fondling his manhood, he soon sported a huge erection.
'Sister, you know that if I insert my penis in the right place, it can give life.'
'Is that true, Father?'
'Yes, it is, Sister.'
'Oh, Father, that's wonderful. Why don't you stick it in the camel and let's get the hell out of here!'
Author Unknown
Austria - 1938
What I am about to tell you is something you've probably never heard or will ever read in history books.
I believe that I am an eyewitness to history. I cannot tell you that Hitler took Austria by tanks and guns; it would distort history. We elected him by a landslide - 98% of the vote. I've never read that in any American publications. Everyone thinks that Hitler just rolled in with his tanks
and took Austria by force.
In 1938, Austria was in deep Depression. Nearly one-third of our workforce was unemployed. We had 25% inflation and 25% bank loan interest rates.
Farmers and business people were declaring bankruptcy daily. Young people were going from house to house begging for food. Not that they didn't want to work; there simply weren't any jobs. My mother was a Christian woman and believed in helping people in need. Every day we
cooked a big kettle of soup and baked bread to feed those poor, hungry people - about 30 daily.
The Communist Party and the National Socialist Party were fighting each other. Blocks and blocks of cities like Vienna, Linz, and Graz were destroyed. The people became desperate and petitioned the government to let them decide what kind of government they wanted.
We looked to our neighbor on the north, Germany , where Hitler had been in power since 1933. We had been told that they didn't have unemployment or crime, and they had a high standard of living. Nothing was ever said about persecution of any group -- Jewish or otherwise. We were led to believe that everyone was happy. We wanted the same way of life in Austria . We were promised that a vote for Hitler would mean the end of unemployment and help for the family. Hitler also said that businesses would be assisted, and farmers would get their farms back. Ninety-eight percent of the population voted to annex Austria to Germany and have Hitler for our ruler.
We were overjoyed, and for three days we danced in the streets and had candlelight parades. The new government opened up big field kitchens and everyone was fed.
After the election, German officials were appointed, and like a miracle, we suddenly had law and order. Three or four weeks later, everyone was employed. The government made sure that a lot of work was created through the Public Work Service.
Hitler decided we should have equal rights for women. Before this, it was a custom that married Austrian women did not work outside the home. An able-bodied husband would be looked down on if he couldn't support his family. Many women in the teaching profession were elated that they could retain the jobs they previously had been required to give up for marriage.
Hitler Targets Education - Eliminates Religious Instruction for Children:
Our education was nationalized. I attended a very good public school. The population was predominantly Catholic, so we had religion in our schools. The day we elected Hitler (March 13, 1938), I walked into my schoolroom to find the crucifix replaced by Hitler's picture hanging next to a Nazi flag. Our teacher, a very devout woman, stood up and told the class we wouldn't pray or have religion anymore. Instead, we sang "Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles," and had physical education.
Sunday became National Youth Day with compulsory attendance. Parents were not pleased about the sudden change in curriculum. They were told that if they did not send us, they would receive a stiff letter of warning the first time. The second time they would be fined the equivalent of $300, and the third time they would be subject to jail. The first two hours consisted of political indoctrination. The rest of the day we had sports. As time went along, we loved it. Oh, we had so much fun and got our sports equipment free. We would go home and gleefully tell our parents about the wonderful time we had.
My mother was very unhappy. When the next term started, she took me out of public school and put me in a convent. I told her she couldn't do that and she told me that someday when I grew up, I would be grateful. There was a very good curriculum, but hardly any fun - no sports, and no political indoctrination. I hated it at first but felt I could tolerate it. Every once in a while, on holidays, I went home. I would go back to my old friends and ask what was going on and what they were doing. Their loose lifestyle was very alarming to me. They lived without religion. By that time unwed mothers were glorified for having a baby for Hitler. It seemed strange to me that our society changed so suddenly. As time went along, I realized what a great deed my mother did so that I wasn't exposed to that kind of humanistic philosophy.
Equal Rights Hits Home:
In 1939, the war started and a food bank was established. All food was rationed and could only be purchased using food stamps. At the same time, a full-employment law was passed which meant if you didn't work, you didn't get a ration card, and if you didn't have a card, you starved to death. Women who stayed home to raise their families didn't have any marketable skills and often had to take jobs more suited for men.
Soon after this, the draft was implemented. It was compulsory for young people, male and female, to give one year to the labor corps. During the day, the girls worked on the farms, and at night they returned to their barracks for military training just like the boys. they were trained to be anti-aircraft gunners and participated in the signal corps. After the labor corps, they were not discharged but were used in the front lines. When I go back to Austria to visit my family and friends, most of these women are emotional cripples because they just were not equipped to handle the horrors of combat. Three months before I turned 18, I was severely injured in an air raid attack. I nearly had a leg amputated, so I was spared having to go into the labor corps and into military service.
Hitler Restructured the Family Through Daycare:
When the mothers had to go out into the work force, the government immediately established child care centers. You could take your children ages 4 weeks to school age and leave them there around-the-clock, 7 days a week, under the total care of the government. The state raised a whole generation of children. There were no motherly women to take care of the children, just people highly trained in child psychology. By this time, no one talked about equal rights. We knew we had been had.
Health Care and Small Business Suffer Under Government Controls:
Before Hitler, we had very good medical care. Many American doctors trained at the University of Vienna . After Hitler, health care was socialized, free for everyone. Doctors were salaried by the government. The problem was, since it was free, the people were going to the doctors for everything. When the good doctor arrived at his office at 8 a.m., 40 people were already waiting and, at the same time, the hospitals were full. If you needed elective surgery, you had to wait a year or two for your turn. There was no money for research as it was poured into socialized medicine. Research at the medical schools literally stopped, so the best doctors left Austria and emigrated to other countries.
As for healthcare, our tax rates went up to 80% of our income. Newlyweds immediately received a $1,000 loan from the government to establish a household. We had big programs for families. All day care and education were free. High schools were taken over by the government and college tuition was subsidized. Everyone was entitled to free handouts, such as food stamps, clothing, and housing.
We had another agency designed to monitor business. My brother-in-law owned a restaurant that had square tables. Government officials told him he had to replace them with round tables because people might bump themselves on the corners. Then they said he had to have additional bathroom facilities. It was just a small dairy business with a snack bar. He couldn't meet all the demands. Soon, he went out of business. If the government owned the large businesses and not many small ones existed, it could be in control.
We had consumer protection. We were told how to shop and what to buy. Free enterprise was essentially abolished. We had a planning agency specially designed for farmers. The agents would go to the farms, count the live-stock, then tell the farmers what to produce, and how to produce it.
"Mercy Killing" Redefined:
In 1944, I was a student teacher in a small village in the Alps . The villagers were surrounded by mountain passes which, in the winter, were closed off with snow, causing people to be isolated. So people intermarried and offspring were sometimes retarded. When I arrived, I was told there were 15 mentally retarded adults, but they were all useful and did good manual work. I knew one, named Vincent, very well. He was a janitor of the school. One day I looked out the window and saw Vincent and others getting into a van. I asked my superior where they were going. She said to an institution where the State Health Department would teach them a trade, and to read and write. The families were required to sign papers with a little clause that they could not visit for 6 months. They were told visits would interfere with the program and might cause homesickness.
As time passed, letters started to dribble back saying these people died a natural, merciful death. The villagers were not fooled. We suspected what was happening. Those people left in excellent physical health and all died within 6 months. We called this euthanasia.
The Final Steps - Gun Laws:
Next came gun registration.
People were getting injured by guns. Hitler said that the real way to catch criminals (we still had a few) was by matching serial numbers on guns. Most citizens
were law abiding and dutifully marched to the police station to register their firearms. Not long after-wards, the police said that it was best for everyone to turn in their guns. The authorities already knew who had them, so it was futile not to comply voluntarily.
No more freedom of speech.
Anyone who said something against the government was taken away. We knew many people who were arrested, not only Jews, but also priests and ministers who spoke up.
Totalitarianism didn't come quickly, it took 5 years from 1938 until 1943, to realize full dictatorship in Austria. Had it happened overnight, my countrymen would have fought to the last breath. Instead, we had creeping gradualism. Now, our only weapons were broom handles. The whole idea sounds almost unbelievable that the state, little by little eroded our freedom.
After World War II, Russian troops occupied Austria.
Women were raped, preteen to elderly. The press never wrote about this either. When the Soviets left in 1955, they took everything that they could, dismantling whole factories in the process. They sawed down whole orchards of fruit, and what they couldn't destroy, they burned. We called it The Burned Earth. Most of the population barricaded themselves in their houses. Women hid in their cellars for 6 weeks as the troops mobilized. Those who couldn't, paid the price. There is a monument in Vienna today, dedicated to those women who were massacred by the Russians. This is an eye witness account.
By: Kitty Werthmann
I believe that I am an eyewitness to history. I cannot tell you that Hitler took Austria by tanks and guns; it would distort history. We elected him by a landslide - 98% of the vote. I've never read that in any American publications. Everyone thinks that Hitler just rolled in with his tanks
and took Austria by force.
In 1938, Austria was in deep Depression. Nearly one-third of our workforce was unemployed. We had 25% inflation and 25% bank loan interest rates.
Farmers and business people were declaring bankruptcy daily. Young people were going from house to house begging for food. Not that they didn't want to work; there simply weren't any jobs. My mother was a Christian woman and believed in helping people in need. Every day we
cooked a big kettle of soup and baked bread to feed those poor, hungry people - about 30 daily.
The Communist Party and the National Socialist Party were fighting each other. Blocks and blocks of cities like Vienna, Linz, and Graz were destroyed. The people became desperate and petitioned the government to let them decide what kind of government they wanted.
We looked to our neighbor on the north, Germany , where Hitler had been in power since 1933. We had been told that they didn't have unemployment or crime, and they had a high standard of living. Nothing was ever said about persecution of any group -- Jewish or otherwise. We were led to believe that everyone was happy. We wanted the same way of life in Austria . We were promised that a vote for Hitler would mean the end of unemployment and help for the family. Hitler also said that businesses would be assisted, and farmers would get their farms back. Ninety-eight percent of the population voted to annex Austria to Germany and have Hitler for our ruler.
We were overjoyed, and for three days we danced in the streets and had candlelight parades. The new government opened up big field kitchens and everyone was fed.
After the election, German officials were appointed, and like a miracle, we suddenly had law and order. Three or four weeks later, everyone was employed. The government made sure that a lot of work was created through the Public Work Service.
Hitler decided we should have equal rights for women. Before this, it was a custom that married Austrian women did not work outside the home. An able-bodied husband would be looked down on if he couldn't support his family. Many women in the teaching profession were elated that they could retain the jobs they previously had been required to give up for marriage.
Hitler Targets Education - Eliminates Religious Instruction for Children:
Our education was nationalized. I attended a very good public school. The population was predominantly Catholic, so we had religion in our schools. The day we elected Hitler (March 13, 1938), I walked into my schoolroom to find the crucifix replaced by Hitler's picture hanging next to a Nazi flag. Our teacher, a very devout woman, stood up and told the class we wouldn't pray or have religion anymore. Instead, we sang "Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles," and had physical education.
Sunday became National Youth Day with compulsory attendance. Parents were not pleased about the sudden change in curriculum. They were told that if they did not send us, they would receive a stiff letter of warning the first time. The second time they would be fined the equivalent of $300, and the third time they would be subject to jail. The first two hours consisted of political indoctrination. The rest of the day we had sports. As time went along, we loved it. Oh, we had so much fun and got our sports equipment free. We would go home and gleefully tell our parents about the wonderful time we had.
My mother was very unhappy. When the next term started, she took me out of public school and put me in a convent. I told her she couldn't do that and she told me that someday when I grew up, I would be grateful. There was a very good curriculum, but hardly any fun - no sports, and no political indoctrination. I hated it at first but felt I could tolerate it. Every once in a while, on holidays, I went home. I would go back to my old friends and ask what was going on and what they were doing. Their loose lifestyle was very alarming to me. They lived without religion. By that time unwed mothers were glorified for having a baby for Hitler. It seemed strange to me that our society changed so suddenly. As time went along, I realized what a great deed my mother did so that I wasn't exposed to that kind of humanistic philosophy.
Equal Rights Hits Home:
In 1939, the war started and a food bank was established. All food was rationed and could only be purchased using food stamps. At the same time, a full-employment law was passed which meant if you didn't work, you didn't get a ration card, and if you didn't have a card, you starved to death. Women who stayed home to raise their families didn't have any marketable skills and often had to take jobs more suited for men.
Soon after this, the draft was implemented. It was compulsory for young people, male and female, to give one year to the labor corps. During the day, the girls worked on the farms, and at night they returned to their barracks for military training just like the boys. they were trained to be anti-aircraft gunners and participated in the signal corps. After the labor corps, they were not discharged but were used in the front lines. When I go back to Austria to visit my family and friends, most of these women are emotional cripples because they just were not equipped to handle the horrors of combat. Three months before I turned 18, I was severely injured in an air raid attack. I nearly had a leg amputated, so I was spared having to go into the labor corps and into military service.
Hitler Restructured the Family Through Daycare:
When the mothers had to go out into the work force, the government immediately established child care centers. You could take your children ages 4 weeks to school age and leave them there around-the-clock, 7 days a week, under the total care of the government. The state raised a whole generation of children. There were no motherly women to take care of the children, just people highly trained in child psychology. By this time, no one talked about equal rights. We knew we had been had.
Health Care and Small Business Suffer Under Government Controls:
Before Hitler, we had very good medical care. Many American doctors trained at the University of Vienna . After Hitler, health care was socialized, free for everyone. Doctors were salaried by the government. The problem was, since it was free, the people were going to the doctors for everything. When the good doctor arrived at his office at 8 a.m., 40 people were already waiting and, at the same time, the hospitals were full. If you needed elective surgery, you had to wait a year or two for your turn. There was no money for research as it was poured into socialized medicine. Research at the medical schools literally stopped, so the best doctors left Austria and emigrated to other countries.
As for healthcare, our tax rates went up to 80% of our income. Newlyweds immediately received a $1,000 loan from the government to establish a household. We had big programs for families. All day care and education were free. High schools were taken over by the government and college tuition was subsidized. Everyone was entitled to free handouts, such as food stamps, clothing, and housing.
We had another agency designed to monitor business. My brother-in-law owned a restaurant that had square tables. Government officials told him he had to replace them with round tables because people might bump themselves on the corners. Then they said he had to have additional bathroom facilities. It was just a small dairy business with a snack bar. He couldn't meet all the demands. Soon, he went out of business. If the government owned the large businesses and not many small ones existed, it could be in control.
We had consumer protection. We were told how to shop and what to buy. Free enterprise was essentially abolished. We had a planning agency specially designed for farmers. The agents would go to the farms, count the live-stock, then tell the farmers what to produce, and how to produce it.
"Mercy Killing" Redefined:
In 1944, I was a student teacher in a small village in the Alps . The villagers were surrounded by mountain passes which, in the winter, were closed off with snow, causing people to be isolated. So people intermarried and offspring were sometimes retarded. When I arrived, I was told there were 15 mentally retarded adults, but they were all useful and did good manual work. I knew one, named Vincent, very well. He was a janitor of the school. One day I looked out the window and saw Vincent and others getting into a van. I asked my superior where they were going. She said to an institution where the State Health Department would teach them a trade, and to read and write. The families were required to sign papers with a little clause that they could not visit for 6 months. They were told visits would interfere with the program and might cause homesickness.
As time passed, letters started to dribble back saying these people died a natural, merciful death. The villagers were not fooled. We suspected what was happening. Those people left in excellent physical health and all died within 6 months. We called this euthanasia.
The Final Steps - Gun Laws:
Next came gun registration.
People were getting injured by guns. Hitler said that the real way to catch criminals (we still had a few) was by matching serial numbers on guns. Most citizens
were law abiding and dutifully marched to the police station to register their firearms. Not long after-wards, the police said that it was best for everyone to turn in their guns. The authorities already knew who had them, so it was futile not to comply voluntarily.
No more freedom of speech.
Anyone who said something against the government was taken away. We knew many people who were arrested, not only Jews, but also priests and ministers who spoke up.
Totalitarianism didn't come quickly, it took 5 years from 1938 until 1943, to realize full dictatorship in Austria. Had it happened overnight, my countrymen would have fought to the last breath. Instead, we had creeping gradualism. Now, our only weapons were broom handles. The whole idea sounds almost unbelievable that the state, little by little eroded our freedom.
After World War II, Russian troops occupied Austria.
Women were raped, preteen to elderly. The press never wrote about this either. When the Soviets left in 1955, they took everything that they could, dismantling whole factories in the process. They sawed down whole orchards of fruit, and what they couldn't destroy, they burned. We called it The Burned Earth. Most of the population barricaded themselves in their houses. Women hid in their cellars for 6 weeks as the troops mobilized. Those who couldn't, paid the price. There is a monument in Vienna today, dedicated to those women who were massacred by the Russians. This is an eye witness account.
"It's true … those of us who sailed past the Statue of
Liberty came to a country of unbelievable freedom and opportunity.
Liberty came to a country of unbelievable freedom and opportunity.
America Truly
is the Greatest Country in the World.
Don't Let Freedom Slip Away.
"After America,
There is No Place to Go"
is the Greatest Country in the World.
Don't Let Freedom Slip Away.
"After America,
There is No Place to Go"
By: Kitty Werthmann
Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets..
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crime doctor; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book "Burglars on the Job".
If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.)
Wasp Spray
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.
The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.
Wasp And Hornet Spray
On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.
Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.
Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."
Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants
everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.
"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."
Maybe even save a life.
Please share this with all the people in your life.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets..
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crime doctor; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book "Burglars on the Job".
If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.)
Wasp Spray
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.
The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.
Wasp And Hornet Spray
On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.
Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.
Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."
Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants
everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.
"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."
Maybe even save a life.
Please share this with all the people in your life.
Today's word: Fluctuations
The line at the bank was short, there was just one lady ahead of me, an Asian lady who was trying to exchange some Asian currency for dollars.
It was obvious she was a little irritated. She asked the teller, "Why it change? Yesterday, I get two hunat dolla fo yuan. Today I only get hunat eighty? Why it change?"
The teller shrugged his shoulders and said, "Fluctuations."
The Asian lady exclaimed, "Fluc you white people, too!"
Author Unknown
It was obvious she was a little irritated. She asked the teller, "Why it change? Yesterday, I get two hunat dolla fo yuan. Today I only get hunat eighty? Why it change?"
The teller shrugged his shoulders and said, "Fluctuations."
The Asian lady exclaimed, "Fluc you white people, too!"
Author Unknown
Mar 6, 2010
This Weeks Sound Off
NMB To Host Spring Harley Rally
The Myrtle Beach area Harley-Davidson dealer plans to open a storefront in North Myrtle Beach during the May motorcycle rallies, and the corporate events team for The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. may follow suit next week.
North Myrtle Beach city staff talked this week with business partners Harold Worley and Mark Lazarus over the specifics of an arrangement with The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. to set up shop at the site of the O.D. Pavilion amusement park on Main Street during the Spring Cruisin' the Coast Motorcycle Rally, city spokeswoman Nicole Aiello confirmed. Worley and Lazarus, a current and former Horry County councilman respectively, said they will be making about $250,000 in improvements to the property to bring the local and corporate Harley groups to the site.
Lazarus and Worley said they plan to move forward with the event, and that a representative from Harley-Davidson's corporate office will visit Monday to make sure the site is suitable for test drives and motorcycle rentals. If she gives the OK, the Harley Owners Group would likely set up a pin stop at the location and could attract as many as 10,000 Harley riders to the event.
"We believe in this event and are offering our property and financial support to bring it to the area this year because of the impact it could have for our and other local businesses," Worley said. "There could be as many as 10,000 people staying in the hotels, eating at the restaurants and buying souvenirs and other local goods during those five days."
Lazarus added, "I think with the work that has gone into planning this event, that it will be a benefit to the businesses and have the least impact on the day-to-day life of residents. We've taken care to make sure that this is a controlled event that avoids some of the concerns for the community in other locations during the rally." -Sun News
The only thing I can say; Eat Your Heart Out Myrtle Beach. Hosting the spring rally, specially the Harley rally is the right thing to do since it is a money making event for the city. Sure it’s going to be noisy, congested and a bit rowdy, but so it is even when the rally’s aren’t in town. I mean, trying to get around the city during the “normal” tourist season is just as much of a headache and an inconvenience. Anyway, I’m glad to see North Myrtle is hosting the bike rally and I hope it’s successful … causing Myrtle Beach to feel the pain of loosing the event and putting thousands out of work. NMB rocks!
The Myrtle Beach area Harley-Davidson dealer plans to open a storefront in North Myrtle Beach during the May motorcycle rallies, and the corporate events team for The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. may follow suit next week.
North Myrtle Beach city staff talked this week with business partners Harold Worley and Mark Lazarus over the specifics of an arrangement with The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. to set up shop at the site of the O.D. Pavilion amusement park on Main Street during the Spring Cruisin' the Coast Motorcycle Rally, city spokeswoman Nicole Aiello confirmed. Worley and Lazarus, a current and former Horry County councilman respectively, said they will be making about $250,000 in improvements to the property to bring the local and corporate Harley groups to the site.
Lazarus and Worley said they plan to move forward with the event, and that a representative from Harley-Davidson's corporate office will visit Monday to make sure the site is suitable for test drives and motorcycle rentals. If she gives the OK, the Harley Owners Group would likely set up a pin stop at the location and could attract as many as 10,000 Harley riders to the event.
"We believe in this event and are offering our property and financial support to bring it to the area this year because of the impact it could have for our and other local businesses," Worley said. "There could be as many as 10,000 people staying in the hotels, eating at the restaurants and buying souvenirs and other local goods during those five days."
Lazarus added, "I think with the work that has gone into planning this event, that it will be a benefit to the businesses and have the least impact on the day-to-day life of residents. We've taken care to make sure that this is a controlled event that avoids some of the concerns for the community in other locations during the rally." -Sun News
The only thing I can say; Eat Your Heart Out Myrtle Beach. Hosting the spring rally, specially the Harley rally is the right thing to do since it is a money making event for the city. Sure it’s going to be noisy, congested and a bit rowdy, but so it is even when the rally’s aren’t in town. I mean, trying to get around the city during the “normal” tourist season is just as much of a headache and an inconvenience. Anyway, I’m glad to see North Myrtle is hosting the bike rally and I hope it’s successful … causing Myrtle Beach to feel the pain of loosing the event and putting thousands out of work. NMB rocks!
Ragbag Headliners
Hidden Debt Bombs
When anyone talks about U.S. debt, they typically refer to two numbers.
The first is the debt held by the public. That's money owed to those who have bought U.S. Treasurys, most notably big bond mutual funds and foreign governments. Debt held by the public today is roughly $8 trillion and rising.
The second number is the money the federal government owes to government trust funds, such as those for Medicare and Social Security. The government has used revenue collected for those programs to cover other outlays. Currently, the debt to the trust funds is approaching $5 trillion.
The two combined is the total gross debt that's accounted for. But deficit hawks also worry about what's not on the books.
Here is just a sampling of the unseen or underplayed obligations that could worsen the debt outlook:
Losses from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are private companies that for years had the implicit backing of the federal government. That backing assured investors that if anything went seriously south for the companies Uncle Sam likely -- although not absolutely -- would step in.
Well, things did go south, and now both are run by the federal government.
While the implicit guarantee has become explicit for Fannie and Freddie, its treatment in the budget is up in the air.
"Our budget doesn't have Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on it, even though it's owned lock, stock and barrel by the American taxpayer," said Rudolph Penner, a former director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) during a conference held by the Peterson-Pew Commission on Budget Reform.
Last year, the CBO did start to account for both companies as if they were federal agencies on the budget. But the White House Budget Office only includes some potential costs because the future of the two companies is still under consideration. Last week, a Republican congressman introduced a bill that would require the two agencies be put on the budget.
It's still not clear what the companies' total hit to the federal budget will be. Amherst Securities, a broker-dealer in residential mortgage-backed securities, estimated that the total loss on the mortgages backed by the companies could reach $448 billion, with a portion of that covered by reserves or assumed by outside parties. The CBO estimated the net costs to the government could top $370 billion by 2020.
These are just estimates. But what's clear is that Fannie and Freddie are not cheap dependents.
That's why some argue that lawmakers should assess the potential costs of implicit government guarantees well before things go to pot. -CNN Money
States May Ban Credit Checks
It's hard enough to find a job in this economy, and now some people are facing another hurdle: Potential employers are holding their credit histories against them.
Sixty percent of employers recently surveyed by the Society for Human Resources Management said they run credit checks on at least some job applicants, compared with 42 percent in a somewhat similar survey in 2006.
Employers say such checks give them valuable information about an applicant's honesty and sense of responsibility. But lawmakers in at least 16 states from South Carolina to Oregon have proposed outlawing most credit checks, saying the practice traps people in debt because their past financial problems prevent them from finding work.
Under federal law, prospective employers must get written permission from applicants to run a credit check on them. But consumer advocates say most job applicants do not feel they are in a position to say no.
Most of the bills being proposed this year resemble laws in Hawaii and Washington that prevent employers from using credit reports when hiring for most positions. The laws contain exceptions in cases where such information could be relevant to the job - for example, if the person is applying to work in a bank or an accounts-payable office.
On a national level, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., introduced a similar bill last summer in Congress, where it is still bottled up in committee. –Sun News
When anyone talks about U.S. debt, they typically refer to two numbers.
The first is the debt held by the public. That's money owed to those who have bought U.S. Treasurys, most notably big bond mutual funds and foreign governments. Debt held by the public today is roughly $8 trillion and rising.
The second number is the money the federal government owes to government trust funds, such as those for Medicare and Social Security. The government has used revenue collected for those programs to cover other outlays. Currently, the debt to the trust funds is approaching $5 trillion.
The two combined is the total gross debt that's accounted for. But deficit hawks also worry about what's not on the books.
Here is just a sampling of the unseen or underplayed obligations that could worsen the debt outlook:
Losses from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are private companies that for years had the implicit backing of the federal government. That backing assured investors that if anything went seriously south for the companies Uncle Sam likely -- although not absolutely -- would step in.
Well, things did go south, and now both are run by the federal government.
While the implicit guarantee has become explicit for Fannie and Freddie, its treatment in the budget is up in the air.
"Our budget doesn't have Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on it, even though it's owned lock, stock and barrel by the American taxpayer," said Rudolph Penner, a former director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) during a conference held by the Peterson-Pew Commission on Budget Reform.
Last year, the CBO did start to account for both companies as if they were federal agencies on the budget. But the White House Budget Office only includes some potential costs because the future of the two companies is still under consideration. Last week, a Republican congressman introduced a bill that would require the two agencies be put on the budget.
It's still not clear what the companies' total hit to the federal budget will be. Amherst Securities, a broker-dealer in residential mortgage-backed securities, estimated that the total loss on the mortgages backed by the companies could reach $448 billion, with a portion of that covered by reserves or assumed by outside parties. The CBO estimated the net costs to the government could top $370 billion by 2020.
These are just estimates. But what's clear is that Fannie and Freddie are not cheap dependents.
That's why some argue that lawmakers should assess the potential costs of implicit government guarantees well before things go to pot. -CNN Money
<><><>*<><><>
States May Ban Credit Checks
It's hard enough to find a job in this economy, and now some people are facing another hurdle: Potential employers are holding their credit histories against them.
Sixty percent of employers recently surveyed by the Society for Human Resources Management said they run credit checks on at least some job applicants, compared with 42 percent in a somewhat similar survey in 2006.
Employers say such checks give them valuable information about an applicant's honesty and sense of responsibility. But lawmakers in at least 16 states from South Carolina to Oregon have proposed outlawing most credit checks, saying the practice traps people in debt because their past financial problems prevent them from finding work.
Under federal law, prospective employers must get written permission from applicants to run a credit check on them. But consumer advocates say most job applicants do not feel they are in a position to say no.
Most of the bills being proposed this year resemble laws in Hawaii and Washington that prevent employers from using credit reports when hiring for most positions. The laws contain exceptions in cases where such information could be relevant to the job - for example, if the person is applying to work in a bank or an accounts-payable office.
On a national level, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., introduced a similar bill last summer in Congress, where it is still bottled up in committee. –Sun News
Hero!
It would be interesting if a poll were taken where people were asked to guess what they thought was happening in the two photographs above. The pictures certainly suggest a joyous homecoming of a US sailor, a reunion of a mother and son. Unfortunately, the truth about the photographs is not so heart-warming. Most would never be unable to guess the true story. The lady in the picture is actually the mother of an American soldier whose unit was ambushed in Fallujah, Iraq. Her son was murdered, and whose body was dragged around the streets of the city, then burned, and hung from the upper trusses of a bridge. The murderers gathered to celebrate and have their photos taken with the trophy.
The young sailor in the picture is one of the US Navy SEALs, who later captured the leader of the band of terrorist murderers.
However, that is not the end of the story end. The young Navy SEAL is now facing criminal charges. Thanks to the news media and America's love for "political correctness", the US sailor, [like several US service personnel before him], is now being charged with "war crimes" and is facing possible imprisonment and dishonorable discharge.
Instead of a celebration of justice being served and honoring a US soldier as a hero, the photos record betrayal, compounded mourning, and the effects of America's corrupting sickness called "political correctness"---the anomaly of not wanting to offend the enemy---a form of insanity which has been corrupting the United States.
The case against the US Navy SEALs goes to court in Norfolk, Virginia.
"It's been very stressful," said US Navy SEAL Mathew McCabe, 24, moments after his arraignment in military court at the Naval Station in Norfolk on charges that he allegedly "mistreated an Iraqi detainee".
The woman in the above photos, the mother of the slain soldier, Jerry Zovko, drove from Ohio to give each of the accused SEALs a rosary and lend them her support.
"These young SEALs are in this situation because they caught the mastermind behind the death of my son, and not only my son and his co-workers but also the Marines who went into Fallujah after their death. I am very proud of these young SEALs and thankful to them. They did not do anything wrong!" said Donna Zovko.
What kind of mentality do Americans have who send their best to defend the country and her allies, and then betray them? To what can one attribute the attitude of people who criminalize and persecute their heroes while they defend their enemies? What kind of citizens deify the corrupt but crucify and demonize the noble? That is what political correctness has done to insane Americans!
The news media and prosecutors who vilify the soldiers who fight for the nation's freedom exhibit symptoms of a sickness, a corruption of the nation's heart and soul. 'Liberalism' or 'progressivism' are just symptoms of the infection. But the disease is nothing new. The symptoms of the disease have been recognizable for decades in the shameful treatment of US soldiers returning from Vietnam, the lack of national outrage for the bombing of US military barracks in Beirut and Al-Khobar, the ho-hum yawn of the news media coverage of the US Black Hawk downing in Mogadishu, the return to mental numbness after 9/11, the prosecution of the Marines at Haditha, the assault of recruiters across the country, and the warped-minded zeal of anti-war protesters at the gates of Walter Reed Army Hospital.
This sickness, this infection has gone untreated for far too long. Americans are a tolerant bunch. We've patiently waited for the ingrates among us to grow up and develop a sense of pride and awe in the greatness of America. Unfortunately, it's not happening.
There comes a time when the treatment for an infection cannot be postponed any longer, lest the patient dies. Through history how many nations have habitually betrayed their defenders and survived?
Donna and I left our home and drove to Norfolk. We were in the company of four other patriots from North Carolina: Don Gray [of Military Appreciation Day and the North Carolina Gathering of Eagles]; Patrick Holbrook [North Carolina Gathering of Eagles]; Russell Pope [NCFreedom.us]; and Randy Dye [Randy's Right blog and NCFreedom.us].
We joined a hundred or more others at Gate 5 of the Norfolk US Naval Base to demonstrate support for US Navy SEAL, Mathew McCabe.
HIV/Aids Leading Cause Of Death In Women
At the start of a 10-day conference in New York, UNAids launched a five-year action plan addressing the gender issues which put women at risk.
One of the key issues, it says, is that up to 70% of women worldwide have been forced to have unprotected sex.
UNAids says such violence against women must not be tolerated.
"By robbing them of their dignity, we are losing the opportunity to tap half the potential of mankind to achieve the Millennium Development Goals," said Executive Director Michel Sidibe.
"Women and girls are not victims, they are the driving force that brings about social transformation," he said.
The agency says that experiencing violence hampers women's ability to negotiate safe sex.
It warns that, nearly 30 years from the beginning of the epidemic, HIV services do not respond to the specific needs of women and girls.
Women, it says, continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/Aids.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% of those living with HIV are women and in Southern Africa, for example, young women are about three times as likely to be infected with HIV than young men of the same age.
The programme - which will include improving data collection and analysis of how the epidemic affects women, and ensuring the issue of violence against women is integrated into HIV prevention programmes - will be rolled out in countries including Liberia. –BBC News
One of the key issues, it says, is that up to 70% of women worldwide have been forced to have unprotected sex.
UNAids says such violence against women must not be tolerated.
"By robbing them of their dignity, we are losing the opportunity to tap half the potential of mankind to achieve the Millennium Development Goals," said Executive Director Michel Sidibe.
"Women and girls are not victims, they are the driving force that brings about social transformation," he said.
The agency says that experiencing violence hampers women's ability to negotiate safe sex.
It warns that, nearly 30 years from the beginning of the epidemic, HIV services do not respond to the specific needs of women and girls.
Women, it says, continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/Aids.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% of those living with HIV are women and in Southern Africa, for example, young women are about three times as likely to be infected with HIV than young men of the same age.
The programme - which will include improving data collection and analysis of how the epidemic affects women, and ensuring the issue of violence against women is integrated into HIV prevention programmes - will be rolled out in countries including Liberia. –BBC News
Genius!!!!
Once in a great while these college professors come up with a pretty decent idea . . .
Here's a solution to all the controversy over full-body scanners: Erect a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on you.
It would be a win-win for everyone, and there would be none of this crap about invasion of privacy or ethnic/racial profiling!!!!!
Might need a second one to use when the first one is being cleaned out.
Author Unknown
Here's a solution to all the controversy over full-body scanners: Erect a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on you.
It would be a win-win for everyone, and there would be none of this crap about invasion of privacy or ethnic/racial profiling!!!!!
Might need a second one to use when the first one is being cleaned out.
Author Unknown
Texas A&M Vet School
First-year students at Texas A&M Vet school were attending their first anatomy class, with a real dead cow. They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet.
The professor started the class by telling them, "In Veterinary Medicine it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor: The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the animal body".
For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the butt of the dead cow, withdrew it and stuck his finger in his mouth. "Go ahead and do the same thing," he told his students.
The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took turns sticking a finger in the butt of the dead cow and sucking on it.
When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and said, "The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention. Life's tough, but it's even tougher if you're stupid."
Author Unknown
The professor started the class by telling them, "In Veterinary Medicine it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor: The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the animal body".
For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the butt of the dead cow, withdrew it and stuck his finger in his mouth. "Go ahead and do the same thing," he told his students.
The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took turns sticking a finger in the butt of the dead cow and sucking on it.
When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and said, "The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention. Life's tough, but it's even tougher if you're stupid."
Author Unknown
John’s Question
John asks his grandpa: 'Do you still have sex with Granny?'
Grandpa says: 'Yes, but only Oral'.
John says: 'what is oral?'
Grandpa: 'I say f**k you, and she says f**k you too'
Author Unknown
Grandpa says: 'Yes, but only Oral'.
John says: 'what is oral?'
Grandpa: 'I say f**k you, and she says f**k you too'
Author Unknown
Mar 1, 2010
Locally Speaking
Ropes Park Coming To Myrtle Beach
A new attraction featuring zip lines, climbing walls and a high ropes course is on its way to the south end of Myrtle Beach. –Sun News
Sanford's Divorce To Be Finalized
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has nearly a year left in office, but his marriage is almost over.
Sanford's divorce from his wife, Jenny, is expected to be finalized on Friday in family court in Charleston.
The first lady filed for divorce in December. The former Wall Street executive said she had unsuccessfully tried to reconcile with her husband after he disappeared last summer, returning to publicly confess a yearlong affair with an Argentine woman he called his soulmate.
Sanford is the first sitting South Carolina governor to divorce. In December, he also became the first governor to be censured by the state's lawmakers.
Jenny Sanford and the couple's four sons moved out of the Governor's Mansion last year. She has released a memoir about her ordeal. –Sun News
A new attraction featuring zip lines, climbing walls and a high ropes course is on its way to the south end of Myrtle Beach. –Sun News
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Sanford's Divorce To Be Finalized
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has nearly a year left in office, but his marriage is almost over.
Sanford's divorce from his wife, Jenny, is expected to be finalized on Friday in family court in Charleston.
The first lady filed for divorce in December. The former Wall Street executive said she had unsuccessfully tried to reconcile with her husband after he disappeared last summer, returning to publicly confess a yearlong affair with an Argentine woman he called his soulmate.
Sanford is the first sitting South Carolina governor to divorce. In December, he also became the first governor to be censured by the state's lawmakers.
Jenny Sanford and the couple's four sons moved out of the Governor's Mansion last year. She has released a memoir about her ordeal. –Sun News
Ragbag Headliners
Using Antiretroviral Drugs Early May Curb HIV/AIDS Spread
Antiretroviral drugs that are being used to prolong the lives of patients infected with HIV/AIDS could also be greatly effective in slowing its spread, epidemiologist Brian Williams said.
"We could effectively stop transmission within five years," Williams said.
About 33 million people are living with HIV, according to 2008 estimates by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS. That year, 2 million people died of AIDS and 2.7 became newly infected.
Because people who have HIV are living longer, and because in some parts of the world behaviors that facilitate transmission have not decreased, there are more new infections every year than deaths, and the epidemic continues to grow, said Dr. Kenneth Mayer, professor of medicine and community health at Brown University.
In a 2009 article in The Lancet, Williams and his colleagues at the World Health Organization advocated for broader use of antiretroviral drugs, proposing that everyone over age 15 should be tested annually for HIV, and that anyone who tests positive should begin antiretroviral treatment immediately.
These ideas have been gaining support worldwide, Williams said. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases plans to start a pilot study in New York and Washington, he said. The International Aid Society is doing something similar in British Columbia, and another trial in South Africa will be funded by the French AIDS Research Agency.
Using antiretroviral drugs early to curb transmission is "an important goal" but will take many years to get right in different settings, Mayer said. Beyond the expanded use of medicine, the details of how to get enough people tested and to change their behaviors is "a whole package that needs to be worked out," he said.
Williams agreed that much operational research still needs to be done to determine if people agree to take the drugs and comply with them, and to see if it leads to the predicted stemming of transmission, Williams said.
In the United States, 20 to 25 percent of Americans living with HIV are unaware of their status, Mayer said. When people are unaware, there are more likely to have unprotected sex and engage in other risky behaviors, increasing the risk of transmission, he said. About 1 million Americans have HIV, he said.
Some people are at high risk for getting AIDS by virtue of where they live, he said. A black male in Washington has about a 1 in 15 or 1 in 16 chance of being infected with HIV, and the probability for a black woman is 1 in 30, Mayer said. This is similar to Detroit, Michigan, and other urban centers. Transmission also is relatively high in gay communities where people who do not engage in risky behavior have risky partners.
"The need [for treatment] will continue to go up over the next few years, and the question is, can we keep up with the pace of the need?" Mayer said. –CNN Health
Pediatrician Faces First-degree Rape of A Child
A pediatrician who parents trust with their kids is now accused of molesting more than 100 children. Cops seized disgusting videos from his home. The victims are kids 13-years-old to just 3 months. The doctor is now facing first-degree rape and sexual exploitation of a child. This case could be the worst our nation has ever seen.
New revelations about a trusted pediatrician accused of raping little kids … We’re now finding out that parents reported this doctor years ago for excessive kissing and inappropriate touching. Other doctors and nurses were suspicious… his own sister went to a medical society with her fears, five years ago … but nothing was done. –CNN
Antiretroviral drugs that are being used to prolong the lives of patients infected with HIV/AIDS could also be greatly effective in slowing its spread, epidemiologist Brian Williams said.
"We could effectively stop transmission within five years," Williams said.
About 33 million people are living with HIV, according to 2008 estimates by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS. That year, 2 million people died of AIDS and 2.7 became newly infected.
Because people who have HIV are living longer, and because in some parts of the world behaviors that facilitate transmission have not decreased, there are more new infections every year than deaths, and the epidemic continues to grow, said Dr. Kenneth Mayer, professor of medicine and community health at Brown University.
In a 2009 article in The Lancet, Williams and his colleagues at the World Health Organization advocated for broader use of antiretroviral drugs, proposing that everyone over age 15 should be tested annually for HIV, and that anyone who tests positive should begin antiretroviral treatment immediately.
These ideas have been gaining support worldwide, Williams said. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases plans to start a pilot study in New York and Washington, he said. The International Aid Society is doing something similar in British Columbia, and another trial in South Africa will be funded by the French AIDS Research Agency.
Using antiretroviral drugs early to curb transmission is "an important goal" but will take many years to get right in different settings, Mayer said. Beyond the expanded use of medicine, the details of how to get enough people tested and to change their behaviors is "a whole package that needs to be worked out," he said.
Williams agreed that much operational research still needs to be done to determine if people agree to take the drugs and comply with them, and to see if it leads to the predicted stemming of transmission, Williams said.
In the United States, 20 to 25 percent of Americans living with HIV are unaware of their status, Mayer said. When people are unaware, there are more likely to have unprotected sex and engage in other risky behaviors, increasing the risk of transmission, he said. About 1 million Americans have HIV, he said.
Some people are at high risk for getting AIDS by virtue of where they live, he said. A black male in Washington has about a 1 in 15 or 1 in 16 chance of being infected with HIV, and the probability for a black woman is 1 in 30, Mayer said. This is similar to Detroit, Michigan, and other urban centers. Transmission also is relatively high in gay communities where people who do not engage in risky behavior have risky partners.
"The need [for treatment] will continue to go up over the next few years, and the question is, can we keep up with the pace of the need?" Mayer said. –CNN Health
<><><>*<><><>
Pediatrician Faces First-degree Rape of A Child
A pediatrician who parents trust with their kids is now accused of molesting more than 100 children. Cops seized disgusting videos from his home. The victims are kids 13-years-old to just 3 months. The doctor is now facing first-degree rape and sexual exploitation of a child. This case could be the worst our nation has ever seen.
New revelations about a trusted pediatrician accused of raping little kids … We’re now finding out that parents reported this doctor years ago for excessive kissing and inappropriate touching. Other doctors and nurses were suspicious… his own sister went to a medical society with her fears, five years ago … but nothing was done. –CNN
Lifesaver Candy
A kindergarten teacher read an article about learning by association. So she decided to try and see if the theory really worked. So, one day, the teacher handed out Lifesaver candies to her kindergarten class to teach the children colors. Sure enough, before long, they began to identify colors by associating a color with a flavor:red.....................cherry-flavored
yellow.................lemon-flavored
green..................lime-flavored
orange ...............orange-flavored
Then, the teacher decided to see how well the kids could distinguish a shade of a certain color.
The teacher gave each one a honey-flavored Lifesaver to associate with a shade of yellow. After no one was able to associate the shade of color with the taste, the teacher tried another form of association, and she told the kids, "Here's a hint. It's what your mom may sometimes call your dad."
In a matter of seconds, one little girl's hand shot up and waved wildly in the air as she eagerly and loudly proclaimed, "I know! I know! I know!"
And so the teacher asked, "So what is it, Susie?"
And little Susie exclaimed, "Asshole!"
The teacher had to leave the room!
Author Unknown
Who's Da Daddy, Honey?
Actual responses on Child Support application forms in the section regarding details about "the child's father'" [or to put it another way: "Who's da daddy, honey?"] filled out by the child's mother at the welfare agency in Detroit, Michigan.
1. Regarding the identity of the father of my twins, Makeeshia was fathered by Maclearndon McKinley. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of Marlinda, but I believe that she was conceived on the same night.
2. I am unsure, as to the identity of the father of my child as I was being sick out of a window when taken unexpectedly from behind. I can provide you with a list of names of men that I think were at the party if this helps.
3. I do not know the name of the father of my little girl. She was conceived at a party at 3600 East Grand Boulevard where I had sex with a man I met that night. I do remember that the sex was so good that I fainted. If you do manage to track down the father, can you please send me his phone number? Thanks.
4. I don't know the identity of the father of my daughter. He drives a BMW that now has a hole made by my stiletto in one of the door panels. Perhaps you can contact BMW service stations in this area and see if he's had it replaced.
5. I have never had sex with a man. I am still a Virginian. I am awaiting a letter from the Pope confirming that my son's conception was ejaculate and that he is the Saver risen again.
6. I cannot tell you the name of Alleshia dad as he informs me that to do so would blow his cover and that would have cataclysmic implications for the economy. I am torn between doing right by you and right by the country. Please advise.
7. I do not know who the father of my child was as they all look the same to me.
8. Tyrone Hairston is the father of child A If you do catch up with him, can you ask him what he did with my AC/DC CDs? Child B who was also borned at the same time.... well, I don't have clue.
9. From the dates it seems that my daughter was conceived at Disney World; maybe it really is the Magic Kingdom.
10. So much about that night is a blur. The only thing that I remember for sure is Delia Smith did a program about eggs earlier in the evening. If I had stayed in and watched more TV rather than going to the party at 8956 Miller Ave, mine might have remained unfertilized.
11. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of my baby, after all, like when you eat a can of beans you can't be sure which one made you fart.
1. Regarding the identity of the father of my twins, Makeeshia was fathered by Maclearndon McKinley. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of Marlinda, but I believe that she was conceived on the same night.
2. I am unsure, as to the identity of the father of my child as I was being sick out of a window when taken unexpectedly from behind. I can provide you with a list of names of men that I think were at the party if this helps.
3. I do not know the name of the father of my little girl. She was conceived at a party at 3600 East Grand Boulevard where I had sex with a man I met that night. I do remember that the sex was so good that I fainted. If you do manage to track down the father, can you please send me his phone number? Thanks.
4. I don't know the identity of the father of my daughter. He drives a BMW that now has a hole made by my stiletto in one of the door panels. Perhaps you can contact BMW service stations in this area and see if he's had it replaced.
5. I have never had sex with a man. I am still a Virginian. I am awaiting a letter from the Pope confirming that my son's conception was ejaculate and that he is the Saver risen again.
6. I cannot tell you the name of Alleshia dad as he informs me that to do so would blow his cover and that would have cataclysmic implications for the economy. I am torn between doing right by you and right by the country. Please advise.
7. I do not know who the father of my child was as they all look the same to me.
8. Tyrone Hairston is the father of child A If you do catch up with him, can you ask him what he did with my AC/DC CDs? Child B who was also borned at the same time.... well, I don't have clue.
9. From the dates it seems that my daughter was conceived at Disney World; maybe it really is the Magic Kingdom.
10. So much about that night is a blur. The only thing that I remember for sure is Delia Smith did a program about eggs earlier in the evening. If I had stayed in and watched more TV rather than going to the party at 8956 Miller Ave, mine might have remained unfertilized.
11. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of my baby, after all, like when you eat a can of beans you can't be sure which one made you fart.
The Statue
This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace, now home to the 4th Infantry division.It will eventually be shipped home and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood , TX.
The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad.
Kalat was so grateful for the Americans liberation of his country; he melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers and their fallen
Warriors.
Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months.
To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.
Do you know why we don't hear about this in the news? Because it is heart warming and Praise worthy. The media avoids it because it does not have the shock effect. But we can do something about it. We can pass this along to as many people as we can in honor of all our brave military who are making a difference.
Quote Of The Week
"Frankly, I don't know what it is about California, but we seem to have a strange urge to elect really obnoxious women to high office. I'm not bragging, you understand, but no other state, including Maine, even comes close. When it comes to sending left-wing dingbats to Washington, we're number one. There's no getting around the fact that the last time anyone saw the likes of Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi, they were stirring a cauldron when the curtain went up on Macbeth. The three of them are like jackasses who happen to possess the gift of speech. You don't know if you should condemn them for their stupidity or simply marvel at their ability to form words."
Burt Prelutsky, San Francisco Chronicle columnist
Burt Prelutsky, San Francisco Chronicle columnist
The Blond Painter
This blonde decides one day that she is sick and tired of all these blonde jokes and how all blondes are perceived as stupid. So, she decides to show her husband that blondes really are smart.
While her husband is off at work, she decides that she is going to paint a couple of rooms in the house. The next day, right after her husband leaves for work, she gets down to the task at hand.
Her husband arrives home at 5:30 and smells the distinctive smell of paint. He walks into the living room and finds his wife lying on the floor in a pool of sweat. He notices that she is wearing a heavy parka and a leather jacket at the same time. He goes over and asks her if she is okay. She replies yes. He asks what she is doing and she replies that she wanted to prove to him that not all blonde women are dumb, and she wanted to do it, by painting the house ...
He then asks her why she has a parka over her leather jacket. She replied that she was reading the directions on the paint can and it said ...,
“For Best Results, Put On Two Coats”
Author Unknown
While her husband is off at work, she decides that she is going to paint a couple of rooms in the house. The next day, right after her husband leaves for work, she gets down to the task at hand.
Her husband arrives home at 5:30 and smells the distinctive smell of paint. He walks into the living room and finds his wife lying on the floor in a pool of sweat. He notices that she is wearing a heavy parka and a leather jacket at the same time. He goes over and asks her if she is okay. She replies yes. He asks what she is doing and she replies that she wanted to prove to him that not all blonde women are dumb, and she wanted to do it, by painting the house ...
He then asks her why she has a parka over her leather jacket. She replied that she was reading the directions on the paint can and it said ...,
“For Best Results, Put On Two Coats”
Author Unknown
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