Bug's Bleat - - GCF: The "Real" World

Volume 10, Issue 03 Friday, January 18, 2008

Hello All,

Annette’s mother, Dorothy Jean Montgomery, 77, of Magnolia, Ar. went to be with her Lord Wednesday, January 16, 2008. She was born June 13, 1930 in Magnolia, Arkansas to Elmer L. and Evelyn E. (Wilson) Green.
She was preceded in death by her parents and Jessie Montgomery, her husband.
She is survived by two daughters, Beth Waller and husband Gary of Willisville, Ar., Annette McClellan and husband James of Magnolia, Ar., one son, Michael Kelley of Camden, Ar., eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, two brothers, Wayne Green and Gary Green of Magnolia, Ar. and one sister, Shirley Albright and husband Herb of California, Mo.
She was a member Magnolia Christian Center. She was morning manager / waitress at The Chatter Box Café for 25yrs. and worked at the Magnolia Bake Shop the last 18 years before she retired.
Graveside Service was held at 10:30am, Friday, January 18, 2008 at Lydesdale Cemetery with Pastor Jimmy Malone and Brother Herb Albright officiating under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in Magnolia.
~~~~~
Mamaw suffered a stroke Thursday, January 10. This was followed by a heart attack, pneumonia, and other systemic failures. She was treated at Magnolia Hospital and South Arkansas Medical Center. I want to thank her sitters (Linda, Irene, Nikita, and Trina) Columbia County Ambulance Service as well as the Doctors and Nurses at both hospitals and especially Dr. Barnett, her primary care provider. They all did an excellent job.
As her condition deteriorated, we were comforted by our friends, family and church. Her sitters all came by the hospital to check on her and to ask if they could help us.
Annette stayed with her mother almost the whole week she was in the hospitals. When Annette wasn’t there, Beth, David, or I stayed with Mamaw. Beth understood that her baby sister needed to be with their mother but also that she needed a break once in a while. I really appreciate Beth for supporting Annette through this.
After we’d moved Mamaw back to Magnolia Hospital and Dr. Barnett told us that there was little that could be done except keep her as comfortable as possible, we started making arrangements for Hospice. But Mamaw was eager to go on and didn’t wait on our arrangements.
Tuesday evening, Annette said that she believed that her mother would “go home” on Wednesday. Mamaw was still communicative but she had quit eating and her breathing difficulties were worse. On Wednesday morning, Mamaw told Annette that she loved her. That day, I’d gone in to work but I went by the hospital at lunch. I’d been there a couple of minutes when Mamaw quit breathing. I checked her, then opened the door and asked RN Mitzie Ammons to check her. Mitzie came in, assessed Mamaw, and then looked at Annette and said “Honey, your mother’s gone.”
Thanks to the Lord that I and Annette were both there.
~~~~~
Beth and Annette gathered with family to plan the service. Claiborne was in Magnolia Wednesday and, as always, was a great help to us. He went to the funeral home with us and provided a calm presence as we struggled with basic decisions. David and Bobbie were true servants, ensuring that anything we needed was taken care of. Wednesday evening, family started arriving and we had the pleasure of having all our kids with us through this. Beth’s family and ours had a great time visiting and reminiscing.
It was a little bit of a challenge arranging sleeping quarters for so large a group but with David and Bobbie’s help, everyone had a bed or pallet or couch to sleep on. In our own small home we had an inflatable double bed in the living room, one in the kitchen and one in the dining room.
Close fellowship is the best kind.
~~~~~
One of Jimmy and Vanessa’s challenges was to explain to Josiah that his great grandmother Mamaw Dorothy had died. He listened and then went on irritating Ethan. On Thursday morning, Beth and Annette headed to the funeral home to perform the first stage of the old Southern ritual of “viewing the body.” Josiah asked where they were going and Annette said that they were going to see Mamaw. Josiah replied; “Mamaw’s dead.” So another explanation ensued. Then, on Friday morning when the larger family went back to the funeral home, they found Josiah sitting in the room with the casket calling out for “Mamaw”. They thought he was calling for his great grandmother but he wasn’t. He was calling for Annette to tell her he’d found her mother.
After the family came into the room, Josiah asked; “Is this Heaven?” It seemed logical since we’d told him that Mamaw went to heaven.
~~~~~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MPL Creative Resources
Mindy Lawrence
614 Wal-Mart Drive #114
Farmington, MO 63640
Mplcreative1@aol.com

Two more chances to hear Dr. Dan Skelton, former professor at SAU, speak online.
[Farmington, MO] January 5, 2008 -- Dr. Dan Skelton, a former professor of English and theater at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, has two more Podcast interviews scheduled in the first months of 2008.
Skelton will be the guest at the International Order of Horror Professionals, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/IntlOrderHorrorPros, on January 20 at 8pm Central. Listeners may follow the link to hear him and call (347) 205-9157 to ask questions about his writing while he is on the air.
Perceptive Marketing of Houston, Texas will host Dr. Skelton on February 11 at 7:00 pm Central Time. Tony Kay of Artist First (www.artistfirst.com) will talk to Dr. Skelton about his previous work and about Renascence, his Christian fantasy told through the voice of a teenaged drug addict, which he hopes to finish by the end of 2008.
Dr. Dan Skelton holds a doctorate in education from the University of Mississippi, Oxford and a Masters from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway and at Arkansas State University, Beebe. As well as a novelist, he is a poet, an actor, and a board member and play director at the Conway Community Arts Association in Conway, Arkansas where he recently won Best Director in 2007 for his direction of the play, “Greater Tuna” by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard.
For more information on Dr. Skelton, or to schedule him for a speaking engagement, book signing or workshop, send a note to Mindy Lawrence at mplcreative1@aol.com with [Query – Skelton] in the subject line. A full media kit and photos are available upon request.
~~~~~
First Baptist Church Open Taco Supper tickets are now on sale at $8 each. It’s scheduled for Feb 21, 5-7:00 pm @ First Baptist Church & includes beverage & dessert.
~~~~~
Romney 'Disses' Amateur Radio In Televised Town Meeting
Governor Mitt Romney dismissed the role of Amateur Radio operators in emergency communications during a televised 'town meeting' program last night on WCVB's 'When Disaster Strikes: Segment Two.' The program featured public safety and volunteer organization officials from across Massachusetts among its audience.
Host and moderator Natalie Jacobson asked an increasingly-agitated Governor Romney questions about communications interoperability, and communication without commercial power. Romney was next asked by Jacobson, '...so does it come down to ham radio?...'
The Governor replied in a disgusted tone, 'No, we don't need to deal with ham radio operators...'
Embarrassed public safety officials later tried to put in a good word for Amateur Radio. National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Glenn Field was prepared to state the importance of Amateur Radio, when Salvation Army Colonel Fred Van Brunt was called upon. Van Brunt remarked about his organization's quest to improve its communications capabilities and how Amateur Radio has aided his organization. 'The ham radio situation helps a great deal,' he stated.
'I have already written and submitted a letter to the Governor's Office,' wrote Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY. 'I have also written an email to Natalie Jacobson.'
ARRL Section Manager Mike Neilsen, W1MPN sent a section-wide email today to all Eastern MA ARRL members describing the incident along with actions he and his staff were taking to mitigate the situation.
'[Romney's] attitude about us sets an unfortunate tone within the state's executive branch,' wrote Neilsen. 'As a former military officer, I see
this as a failure in leadership. My immediate concern is our working relationship within the [Massachusetts Emergency Management Team] environment.' Neilsen intends to address the Governor's comments as 'an urgent matter' at a meeting on November 17 with Don Carlton from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
'I was very disturbed about what the Governor stated on the program,' wrote Ron Wood, W1PLW, the section's Public Information Coordinator. 'It does show that more work is needed by all hams in the section. It's a great idea to write letters explaining the good we do.' Wood is attempting to schedule a meeting with the Governor's office tomorrow so that EMA ARRL staffers might discuss the matter further.
Tom Kinahan, N1CPE wrote that Governor Romney's comment has made 'a PR problem' for Kinahan in his role as MA State RACES Officer.
'I've got a roster of over 150 Amateur Radio operators that support local communities, and those of us that directly support the state government. There are at least double that in terms of people that are actually out there that I don't have formal paperwork on that support Amateur Radio emergency communications in some organized manner... The Governor has said that he 'certainly doesn't need to rely on ham radio' -- where does that leave the RACES program now?'
'I am ashamed tonight that I am a Republican!' remarked one ham radio viewer. '[Romney] speaks in derogatory tones about hams. He certainly shows an ignorance as to what we do and are capable of. I suggest a grass roots campaign of local hams calling the State House and The Governor's Office to protest.'
Thanks to Joe Mullins
~~~~~
We recently received an e-mail from what appeared to be from the IRS. They said that I had a refund coming and to download a form to fill out in order to receive this refund.
I called the IRS who gave me a number to call and report phinsing as they DO NOT send info through e-mails.
Thanks to Ricky and Sarah Shepherd
~~~~~
January 11, 2008 The KATV, Channel 7 transmitting tower, built in 1965 which was 2000 feet high. fell.
It was one of eight towers of that particular design in the world, and the only one left standing.
At the time it was built, it was the second highest man-made structure in the world, second only to a tower in the then Soviet Union. The analog antenna was at the very top of the tower. A new digital antenna had been mounted on the side about a year and a half ago.
Evidently, there was some sort of work being done to the tower at the time. Initial reports are that there was one slight injury. And no, I didn't have anything to do with it.
This is really sad. I climbed this tower many times and there were some great views from up there.
Bill Dailey
~~~~~
Congratulations to Justin and Laura Gage! They have a new baby boy. Francis Persing Gage, 8 lb. 10 oz, born January 8, 2008, will be welcomed home by older brothers, Brandon and Bridger.
~~~~~
From the “As If We Didn’t Have Enough To Worry About” list:
Low-energy or compact florecent light bulbs pose an own environmental risk. Experts recommend that if such a bulb is broken, the room in which it smashed should be vacated for at least 15 minutes, a vacuum cleaner should NOT be used to clean up the mess, and rubber gloves should be used when putting the debris into sealable plastic bags.
All florescent bulbs contain mercury. There’s not enough of the toxic substance in one bulb to be of concern. However, mercury can accumulate in the environment and any quantity, no matter how small should be handled with care.
We should encourage our retailers to accept used bulbs for recycle. They don’t want to, but it’s better than putting them in landfills.
~~
The FAA and airplane manufacturers are studying onboard systems planned for the next generation of jetliners to make certain that in-flight Internet access won't have any unintentional or unwanted impact on a plane's vital systems. Like a hacker using an on-board Internet system to infiltrate a plane's computer, seizing control of its navigation systems, communications and flight controls.
In a little publicized Federal Register notice published in April and updated this month, the FAA imposed "special conditions" on Boeing, manufacturer of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which will be the first plane to offer Internet hookups. The notice requires Boeing to demonstrate the safety and security of its systems.
Who needs box knives when you can sit at your seat and fly the plan into the White House?
~~~~~
And a report of another Hoax email from a Marine who says some Marines wrote to Starbucks to say how much they liked Starbucks coffee and to request some donated coffee for the Marines.
The eRumor says Starbucks responded by saying they don't support and war and will not send any coffee. The writer urges a boycott of Starbucks.
The Truth TruthOrFiction.com contacted Starbucks about the story.
Starbucks says that the originator of the email, Sgt. Howard Wright, and talked with him about his complaint. He has now sent a follow-up email to his email list, which appears below.
~~
Almost 5 months ago I sent an e-mail to you my faithful friends. I did a wrong thing that needs to be cleared up. I heard by word of mouth about how Starbucks said they didn't support the war and all. I was having enough of that kind of talk and didn't do my research properly like I should have. This is not true. Starbucks supports men and women in uniform. They have personally contacted me and I have been sent many copies of their company's policy on this issue. So I apologize for this quick and wrong letter that I sent out to you.
Now I ask that you all pass this email around to everyone you passed the last one to. Thank you very much for understanding about this.
Howard C. Wright
Sgt USMC
1st Force Rcon Co
1st Plt PLT RTO
~~~~~
Pajamas Media reported that Milblogger: Andrew Olmsted, was killed in Sadiyah, Iraq on January 3. “Pajamas Media offers its deepest condolences to the friends and family of Major Andrew Olmsted, a brave soldier and blogger killed in Iraq on Jan. 4. Olmsted’s moving final post, which he asked to be published in the event of his death, is here.
[http://andrewolmsted.com/archives/2008/01/final_post.html]”
We published The Department of Defense report of his death last week when they announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Jan. 3 in As Sadiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small arms fire during combat operations. A sniper killed Olmsted as he was trying to talk three suspected insurgents into surrendering. A sniper's bullet also cut down Capt. Thomas J. Casey. They were in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. Killed were:
08. Maj. Andrew J. Olmsted, 37, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
09. Cpt. Thomas J. Casey, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M.
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/] - - James Herring
Hometown: Roanoke Rapids, NC
Awarded: Silver Star

Just two days before Christmas 2006, then-Chief Warrant Officer 3 James B. Herring, 46, was leading a five-vehicle patrol near Baquabah, Iraq, searching for a Sunni-Arab insurgent cell responsible for assaults on Coalition Forces, when they were attacked. His heroic efforts saved the lives of 23 American and Iraqi men and earned him the Silver Star.

On December 23, 2006, CW3 Herring, a North Carolina National Guardsman, was the Detachment Commander for Operational Detachment Alpha 2084, Special Operations Task Force – North and was serving as the Ground Force Commander of the mission.

As he led his force down the narrow streets of the nearby village of Tahrir, they were fired upon by three insurgents with machine guns. As they moved forward, Sgt. Broughton Aragon, the gunner on Herring’s Humvee, was able to kill the first three insurgents, only to face 20 more pouring over a concrete wall less than 30 feet away.

As the gunner began to fire upon the large group of insurgents, the driver Spc. Stephen Haas was shot through his right thigh, and the vehicle came to stop. As Sgt. Aragon continued to fire, CW3 Herring noticed another group of insurgents coming from the opposite direction.

CW3 Herring jumped from the vehicle and fired his rifle, killing two of the enemy gunners. The other insurgents then fled into nearby buildings.

Alone against the larger enemy force, CW3 Herring, his gunner, a medic, and a now-wounded driver were blocked from support by an immobilized Iraqi vehicle. Realizing his driver was critically wounded, immobile and in need of immediate medical care, CW3 Herring left the relative safety of the vehicle again. He was knocked to the ground by the impact of a rocket propelled grenade, but got up and – covered by his gunner – ran to the driver’s side of the vehicle. Fearing that Spc. Haas’ femoral artery was hit, CW3 Herring successfully removed Spc. Haas from the vehicle and placed him in the rear seat so the medic Sgt. 1st Class John Masson could continue treatment.

CW3 Herring then climbed into the driver’s seat, advised headquarters of the situation, called for medical evacuation, and maneuvered the vehicle – with a heavily damaged ballistic windshield obscuring his view – and led the combined ground assault force through the narrow side streets and back to Forward Operating Base Gabe.

CW3 Herring’s heroic efforts turned the tide against a well-prepared enemy, killing many and preventing any member of the combined force from being killed or wounded. The decorated law enforcement officer in the Chesterfield County (Va.) Police Department remains on leave from his civilian job and continues to serve on active duty with the North Carolina National Guard.

He told the Army Times, “I think that we spent about 400,000 minutes in Iraq and you get recognized for something that took three minutes. I want to reiterate I wasn’t the only hero out there. All those guys out there are heroes to me. They did things that warrant the same award, in my opinion.”
~~~~~
Greetings:
01/07/2008 - - Back to Iraq, Again
I will leave the US Tuesday morning for another long year of war reporting.
The latest dispatch is up: Men of Valor, Part V of VIII [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/men-of-valor-part-v.htm]
~~
01/14/2008 - - A Moment of Truth in Iraq
There have been tremendous changes in Iraq over the past year. Folks who are tracking the war might notice an upsurge in US casualties over the next couple of months. Al Qaeda is on the ropes in Iraq and suffering strategically due to operations at this time. These operations will likely lead to an increase in our own losses in the short term. My advice would be this: Do not despair if you see our casualties increase in January and February. Our forces are in hot pursuit and I plan to be back there with them soon. (Contingent on Army blessings.)
Progress in Iraq is clear and palpable, but is of course tenuous. We can do well there if we listen to those commanders on the ground who know what they are doing, and if we do not let politicians unravel the growing strategic progress for short term political gains.
My book, "Moment of Truth in Iraq" [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/moment-of-truth-in-iraq.htm] is scheduled for April release and is available for sale now. In this book, readers will find information they've not seen anywhere else. By purchasing an advance (signed) copy before the book hits stands readers can help support my work now, as a result of a special arrangement with the publisher that is explained at the end of the linked dispatch.

Separately, my first book "Danger Close" is available online for immediate shipment. Readers of "Danger Close" should come away with a few answers to any questions about to why this writer is wary of some media outlets, while constantly on the lookout for the good ones. Please read the first chapter [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/danger-close-chapter-one.htm].
I have strived to bring you truth no matter what the repercussions, and there have been many for me. I was first to deliver the news about the Civil War in Iraq (which has mostly ended), and to openly call the emperor naked in Afghanistan where we are still losing ground. I've exposed problems with the military's media interface that were contributing greatly to the problems with the quantity and quality of the news coverage coming out of Iraq. Along the way, I've discovered quite a few people who speak the truth about the war. Many of these people will be discussed in the book.
Recent updates to the site will make it easier for readers to search the hundreds of dispatches and news items in the archives to find particular titles or look at the work from a year or more ago. We've added a series of pages that contain links to all the archived content, organized according to various schemes. Please click [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/archives-table-of-contents.htm] for the Table of Contents for the new archive pages. Reader support made this enhancement possible, and it is much appreciated.
~~
01/16/2008 - - Ebay and Intsum
There is a new (brief) dispatch on the site. Please click [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/news-flash-dragon-skin.htm] to read it.
Also, I have published material about my first book, Danger Close [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/danger-close-chapter-one.htm] and also about my newest book, Moment of Truth in Iraq. [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/moment-of-truth-in-iraq.htm]
We have added new directories that will make it easier to search the archives [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/archives-table-of-contents.htm] to find dispatches from 2005 forward.
V/r
Michael
~~~~~
http://www.shelfari.com/BugsBleat/shelf?ec=7D790D174EFS18012
~~~~~
This week we read; “Justice denied” : a J.P. Beaumont novel by J.A. Jance, Book of the dead / by Patricia Cornwell, Vanishing act, and Dance for the dead by Thomas Perry.
Now we’re reading; The face-changers by Thomas Perry.
We plan on reading: "The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War" by David Halberstam and An Innocent Man, by John Gresham
~~~~~
An Innocent Man, by John Gresham - - In the major league draft of 1971, the first player chosen from the State of Oklahoma was Ron Williamson. When he signed with the Oakland A’s, he said goodbye to his hometown of Ada and left to pursue his dreams of big league glory. Six years later he was back, his dreams broken by a bad arm and bad habits—drinking, drugs, and women. He began to show signs of mental illness. Unable to keep a job, he moved in with his mother and slept twenty hours a day on her sofa. In 1982, a 21-year-old cocktail waitress in Ada named Debra Sue Carter was raped and murdered, and for five years the police could not solve the crime. For reasons that were never clear, they suspected Ron Williamson and his friend Dennis Fritz. The two were finally arrested in 1987 and charged with capital murder. With no physical evidence, the prosecution’s case was built on junk science and the testimony of jailhouse snitches and convicts. Dennis Fritz was found guilty and given a life sentence. Ron Williamson was sent to death row. If you believe that in America you are innocent until proven guilty, this book will shock you. If you believe in the death penalty, this book will disturb you. If you believe the criminal justice system is fair, this book will infuriate you.
~~
On April 11, 2007, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper dropped all charges and declared the three players "innocent." Cooper stated that the charged players – Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty, and David Evans – were victims of a "tragic rush to accuse."[5] The initial prosecutor for the case, Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, who had been denounced as a "rogue prosecutor" by Cooper, withdrew from the case in January 2007 after the North Carolina State Bar filed ethics charges against him. That June, Nifong was disbarred for "dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation," making Nifong the first prosecutor in North Carolina history to lose his law license based on actions in a case. Nifong was found guilty of criminal contempt and served one day in jail.[6]
~~~~~
If you’d like to write Dr. Antoon, he’d like to hear from you. This is his current address, the latest of the three federal prison’s he’s been in.
Patrick Antoon #06669-010
Federal Prison Camp-La Tuna
P. O. Box 8000
Anthony, NM/TX 88021
~~~~~
The photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” include Jimmy Malone and “Uncle Herb” Albright conducting Mammaw’s service. Uncle Herb, and Beth Rowan visiting with Tammy Waller as Mike Waller looks on.
~~~~~
We’ve now got several addresses on the web for "Da Bleat." For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com. Last quarter’s issues can be seen at http://www.bugsbleat4Q07.blogspot.com.
Our photos are posted at http://www.bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com.
~~~~~
Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
~~~~~
Treat Breast Cancer? Not in My Backyard

Saving lives, if we let them
Nuclear plants do more than provide energy and jobs, writes Linda Halderman. Their radioactive products are the linchpin in various medical treatments and techniques — not that it’s any concern to anti-nuclear activists.
http://pajamasmedia.com/2008/01/treat_breast_cancer_not_in_my.php
~~~~~
Link List
[http://gasprices.mapquest.com]
[http://thelighthousechurch.publishpath.com/]
[www.terryscomputertips.com]
[www.mcc2000.net]
[http://blog.safetyservicescompany.com/Default.aspx]
[http://www.team-ninja.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=41321]
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - - - Chicken stir-fry with eggplant and basil
Dietitian's tip: This colorful main dish requires a fair amount of chopping, slicing and dicing, but the cooking takes only minutes. Wait to cut up the eggplant until just before cooking to prevent discoloration, which occurs when the flesh is exposed to air. SERVES 4

Ingredients
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
3/4 cup chicken stock or broth
3 green (spring) onions, including tender green tops, 2 coarsely chopped and 1 thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon peeled and chopped fresh ginger
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small eggplant, with peel, diced (about 4 cups)
1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into julienne
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into julienne
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

Directions
In a blender or food processor, combine the basil, mint, 1/4 cup of the stock, the chopped green onions, garlic and ginger. Pulse until the mixture is minced but not pureed. Set aside.

In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant, yellow onion and bell peppers and sauté until the vegetables are just tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add the basil mixture and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the chicken strips and soy sauce and sauté until the chicken is almost opaque throughout, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 cup stock and bring to a boil. Return the eggplant mixture to the pan and stir until heated through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a warmed serving dish and garnish with the sliced green onion. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis
(per serving)
Calories 248 Monounsaturated fat 5 g
Protein 30 g Cholesterol 66 mg
Carbohydrate 13 g Sodium 408 mg
Total fat 8 g Fiber 4 g
Saturated fat 1 g

Source: This recipe is one of 150 recipes collected in The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, published by Mayo Clinic Health Information and Oxmoor House, and winner of the 2005 James Beard award.

By Mayo Clinic Staff
Aug 5, 2005
© 1998-2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/NU00610
~~~~~
BreakPoint
With Chuck Colson

Pascal's 'Pensées'
1/18/2008
Thoughts Worth Thinking

With the help of Dr. Ken Boa, each month on “BreakPoint” we discuss one of the monumental books of Christendom. This month, we focus on a work by a man who most people agree, secular and Christian, was a genius: Blaise Pascal.

Pascal’s legacy of scientific achievement is almost without equal. By age 30, Pascal had made vital contributions to mathematics, physics, meteorology, and what would become computer science.

But as impressive as all of these accomplishments are, Pascal’s most important legacy is his apologetic for the Christian faith, the Pensées.

At age 31, Pascal had a religious experience that made all of his achievements seem insignificant by comparison. He described his experience: “ . . . about half past ten in the evening until about half past twelve, fire.” The God he encountered was the “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob,” and “not of the philosophers and scholars.”

The experience so changed Pascal that he devoted the rest of his life—sadly, only eight years—to defending the Christian faith. The Pensées, which is French for “thoughts,” are the product of this desire.

Unfortunately, the Pensées live up to their name. They were literally written one thought at a time. Pascal never finished them, and what he wrote was never systematically organized.

So, you need a guide to the Pensées, and you cannot do better than Ken Boa, whose “Great Books Audio CD” series will help you appreciate the Pensées and other seminal works of Western civilization.

As Boa tells us, the Pensées are “300 years ahead of [their] time.” In them, Pascal anticipates much of the way our postmodern world thinks and feels: our sense of boredom and the desire for distraction that it creates. As Pascal put it, “if we were happy, the less diverted we would need to be.”

But we are not happy. According to Pascal, the human condition was characterized by pain, ambiguity, and a lack of clarity, all of which gave rise to anxiety and angst. But rather than deal with “the tough questions of life,” we distract ourselves with what Pascal calls “vanity,” including the desire for fame and notoriety.

Sound familiar?

The goal of his Pensées was to create an apologetic that described and spoke to the “whole of our experience”: our hearts and wills, as well as our minds. As Pascal famously put it, “the heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing.”

According to Boa, the message of the Pensées is that man is both fallen and is redeemable. As Pascal put it, “the grandeur of man is great in that he knows himself to be miserable.” This misery can make us aware of our need for God and point us in the direction of the only One who can deliver us from our misery: Jesus Christ.

The Pensées’ insight into the human condition is why Pascal is probably more influential 340-plus years after his death than during his short life. His ability to depict postmodern man is even more remarkable than his anticipation of the computer.

That is why you should learn more about Blaise Pascal. And a good place to start is by listening to Ken Boa. To find out how you can subscribe to this wonderful “Great Books Audio CD” series, visit our website, BreakPoint.org.

Subscribe today to the “Great Books Audio CD” series from Dr. Ken Boa and BreakPoint. Call 1-877-322-5527 to learn more.

Blaise Pascal, Pensées (Penguin Classics, 1995).

T. M. Moore, “Desperate for Significance,” BreakPoint Online, 8 February 2007.

Gary D. Robinson, “The Price of Fame,” BreakPoint Online, 23 March 2007.

BreakPoint Commentary No. 060721, “Who Needs Philosophy?: Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult.”
~~
For Such a Time as This
By Chuck Colson
1/11/2008
The Suffering Church

For the next 10 months, presidential candidates will be telling us how they plan to make the world a safer place for Americans. Now, that’s good, of course, but there are other people whose safety American Christians ought to be concerned about: that is, Christians suffering for their faith around the world.

Sadly, as you know, there are many examples of this suffering. A recent story in Al Jazeera’s English-language service described how Islamic radicals are “testing” Indonesia’s reputation for “for tolerance and moderation.”

Moderation? I wonder what the Christians of East Timor, an estimated 200,000 of whom died during Indonesia’s 25-year occupation, would say about that reputation. Needless to say, this example of Indonesian “moderation” goes unmentioned in the Al Jazeera article.

Instead, we are told about a Muslim group called the “Anti-Apostasy Alliance.” This group targets churches and Christians throughout the island of Java, Indonesia’s most-populous island.

As its name suggests, the greatest object of the Alliance’s ire are converts to Christianity. A spokesman told Al Jazeera that “Conversions to Christianity in Indonesia . . . have become increasingly serious.” He then added that “in my judgment I think it is a bigger evil than terrorism.”

Given the well-documented willingness of Islamic radicals to use violence to further their ends, calling anything a “bigger evil than terrorism” is no idle threat. It is the verbal equivalent of painting a “bull’s-eye” on the back of every Javanese Christian.

While Islam is the religion typically associated with the persecution of Christians, it does not have a monopoly on the practice.

In the week following Christmas, Hindu extremists burned 14 churches and killed one Christian in the Indian state of Orissa. The attacks are part of a larger campaign of violence prompted by Hindu fears over—that’s right—people converting to Christianity.

As I have told you all before, many of the converts come from India’s lowest castes, particularly the Dalits. Rather than allowing these poorest of the poor the consolation that Christianity offers, Hindu nationalists attack them, their churches, and target their clergy.

Worst of all, they often do so with the complicity of government officials: Orissa is governed by an ally of the Hindu nationalist BJP party. An archbishop told local television that the “government has allowed [the attackers] to continue.”

You probably will not hear this issue brought up at a presidential debate. That is why American Christians have to make the mistreatment of their brethren an issue in this year’s elections.

This is especially true given our privileged position: We are citizens of the most powerful nation on earth, a nation for whom freedom of religion is, arguably, the first freedom.

We also have experience at bringing the suffering of people in faraway places to the attention of our fellow Americans, whether it has been the plight of North Koreans, the Sudanese, or the global AIDS crisis.

God has put us in this privileged position so that we will speak out for those around the world who are being persecuted. So, pressure the candidates whom you encounter. They want to know what you think? Tell them.

The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters by Chuck Colson with Harold Fickett. Call 1-877-322-5527 to pre-order! (Suggested donation: $13)

For Further Reading and Information

“Radicals Test Indonesia Tolerance,” Al Jazeera, 27 December 2007.

“One Killed, 14 Churches Attacked in Orissa,” Reuters, 26 December 2007.

“Christians Fear Attacks by Indian Hindus,” New York Times, 29 December 2007.

Ashok Sharma, “Hindu Extremists Burn Down Village Churches,” Independent (London), 27 December 2007.

Yaroslav Trofimov, “Brutal Attacks in India Shows How Caste System Lives On,” Wall Street Journal, 27 December 2007, A01. (Subscription required.)

David Aikman, “Suffocating the Faithful,” Christianity Today, 17 December 2007.

Mariam Bell, “Freedom and Dignity for the ‘Untouchables’,” BreakPoint WorldView, November 2007.

BreakPoint Commentary No. 071109, “The Other India: Dalits and Religious Persecution.”

BreakPoint Commentary No. 021024, “Carnage in Bali: The West Learns What Indonesian Christians Already Know.”

BreakPoint Commentary No. 051110, “Our Particular Concern: Praying for the Persecuted Church.”

The BreakPoint Web site and BreakPoint WorldView Magazine feature Colson’s commentaries as well as feature articles by other established and up-and-coming writers to equip readers with a biblical perspective on a variety of issues and topics. © 2008 Prison Fellowship
~~~~~
Words of the Week:
lacuna: a blank space; a missing part.
friable: easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder.
scrabble: to scrape or scratch with the hands or feet.
mimetic: imitative.
pertinacious: holding obstinately to a belief, purpose or design; also, stubbornly persistent.
remonstrate: to present and urge reasons in opposition.
imprimatur: approval or sanction.
raillery: good-humored banter or teasing repartee.
supplicate: to make a humble and earnest petition.
primogeniture: the state of being the firstborn; also, an exclusive right of inheritance that belongs to the eldest son.
inculcate: to teach and impress by frequent repetition or instruction.
nonagenarian: someone whose age is in the nineties.
upbraid: to scold or criticize harshly.
stoic: indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain; also, one who is stoic.
from Dictionary.Com
~~~~~
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing." - Michael Pritchard

"Eat a little of everything and a lot of nothing." Anonymous

"If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves." - Confucius

"I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure - which is: Try to please everybody." - Herbert B. Swope

"Almost all our faults are more pardonable than the methods we resort to to hide them." - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

"Let your capital be simplicity and contentment." - Henry David Thoreau

"There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second." - Logan Pearsall Smith

"I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing." - Katherine Mansfield

"Not being able to govern events, I govern myself." - Michel De Montaigne

"Most of us love from our need to love, not because we find someone deserving." - Nikki Giovanni

"Explore, and explore. Be neither chided nor flattered out of your position of perpetual inquiry. Neither dogmatize, or accept another's dogmatism." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." - Robert Frost

"Those who say they give the public what it wants begin by underestimating public taste and end by debauching it." - T.S. Eliot

"The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of human arrogance from one pedestal after another of previous convictions about our centrality in the cosmos." - Stephen Jay Gould
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

President Bush's Proclamation: January 16th is Religious Freedom Day
Dallas Man's First Amendment Right Restored so He can continue to Share His Faith
Newly Published "French Anne Frank" Journal is Enthralling France
Record number of churches to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 in Europe

Patient Treated with their Own Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury
Three Pro-Life U.S. Congressmen in Israel to Promote Cooperation against Abortion
Church Offers "Ask Anything" Sunday Night Meeting to Address Sensitive Spiritual Issues in the Open
Patriotic Woman Honored in Washington, D.C. for Blessing Wounded Soldiers with Blankets and Words of Encouragement

New TV Documentary: THE BETTER HOUR: The Legacy of William Wilberforce to Air in February
VeggieTales Creator Shares Hollywood Insights; Personal Struggles
Healing Properties of the Lowly Cranberry Extend Beyond UTI's
Deer vs. Man and the Battle to Prevent Collisions; Experiments in Two States are Working

Majority of Unsaved Adults Willing to Listen to a Christian Discuss their Faith
New Barna Report on Growth of Charismatic Churches Debunks Myths—Indicates Growth Will Continue
Twenty-Six Words to Change the World—an Interview with Max Lucado on his New Book, 3:16

President Bush Visibly Moved During Visit to Holocaust Memorial
Christus Gardens: A Man and His Dream
Students Desire to Grow Spiritually during College, According to Study

"Jesus Moment" at Colorado Springs Church Where Gunman's Parents Visit for First Time With Family of Murdered Sisters and Security Guard
Save Our Kids Petition Effort Gathers More than Enough Signatures to Overturn Dangerous California Legislation
Former Klansman and His Victim Reconcile During an "Extraordinary Event" in Alabama
A Blessing of Snow in Baghdad

Symptoms of Alzheimer's Reversed in Minutes
Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11th
GM Announces Revolutionary Driverless Cars Could be For Sale Within a Decade
Pro-Life African-Americans Set to Tackle Abortion Crisis this Month in Berkeley

In First Lawsuit of Its Kind, Brave Chinese Couple Confront Chinese Officials in Court to Stop Forced Abortions
New Jersey First Northern State to Offer Official Apology for Slavery
Residents of Wichita, Kansas, Tell Adult Businesses to "Get Out of Dodge"
Mission Aviation Fellowship Doesn't Ask Who's a Christian or Not When Evacuating Refugees from Kenya

Two Missing Families Rescued After Surviving Three Days in a Blizzard
Jesus-Loving Warden at Angola Prison Credited with Prison's Miraculous Turnaround
Two Brothers Honor their Father's Martyrdom in Award-winning Movie: A Cry From Iran
French-American Evangelist Reiterates Sarkozy's Gratitude to America

Sarkozy Offers French Christians Hope for Change
Wife of Slain Missionary Husband and Sons Appeals to Indian Prime Minister to Quell Violence against Christians
Chief Rabbinate of Israel Rules that Abortion is "Grave Sin"

2,500-Year-Old Seal of First Temple Family Mentioned in Nehemiah Discovered in Jerusalem
arrow Curator at Library of Congress Discovers Four Rare Photos of Abraham Lincoln's 1865 Inauguration
arrow Abortion Rate in the U.S. Falls to its Lowest Level in Decades
arrow On Heels of Abortion Decline Stats, Cal Thomas Makes Plea to End Abortion Once and For All

310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-2642
E-mail
US Orders: 1-866-358-7426
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GCF: The "Real" World

Emailed to me from another humor list (Marty's Joke of the Day) -Tom To subscribe to Marty's Joke of the Day, send a blank email to: martysjotd-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to Good Clean Fun. It's free! A smile will enhance the quality of your life. Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit the Good Clean Fun web site http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor/ Unsubscribe info for Good Clean Fun is at the end of this email. This email was scanned by F-Secure before it was sent.
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My brother was recently launched into the "real world" and, shocked by the expenses that came with it, he was complaining about the high cost of auto insurance.

"If you got married," teased my dad, "the premium would be lower."

He smiled and said, "Dad that would be like buying an airline just to get free peanuts."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Potato Problem

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

GCF: Wedding Blessing

At a wedding ceremony that I was performing, I raised my hand to give the final blessing. The bride misunderstood my gesture and surprised me with a high-five. Not wanting to exclude the groom, I offered him a high-five, too.

I was finally able to get my blessing in, amid the laughter of the guests.
_ ____________________________ _
Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website: Subscribe
---------------------------------------------

Upon going away to college, my former brother-in-law received a hand mixer from his mother because of his fondness for mashed potatoes.
Later that semester, she asked him how the mixer was working for him.

"Not very good," Terry said, "the potatoes keep flying all over the kitchen."

After a perplexed pause, his mother asked, "Terry, did you cook the potatoes first?"

To which a surprised Terry responded, "You have to cook the potatoes first?"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Piedmont Doors

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website: Subscribe
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We got lucky when we heard that the old Piedmont Hotel in Atlanta was getting a face-lift and its beautiful maple doors became available for sale as salvage items. We bought several and had them installed in our 19th-century home.

Showing a friend around the house, I pointed out the doors saying, "You know, these doors are from the Piedmont Hotel."

He raised an eyebrow. "Most people just take the towels."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Calling in Sick

Emailed to me from another humor list (Marty's Joke of the Day) -Tom To subscribe to Marty's Joke of the Day, send a blank email to: martysjotd-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
---------------------------------------------

My co-worker was being let go due to a nasty habit he had of not always showing up for work. As the union steward, I was preparing to argue on his behalf when he took matters into his own hands and insisted, "But I really WAS sick this time!"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Age Barometer

Emailed to me a friend (Thanks, Paul) -Tom
---------------------------------------------

How many of these do you remember?
(No right or wrong answers, just a measure of how old you are and what you remember).

Blackjack and Beeman's gum
Powerhouse candy bars
Licorice records
Wax teeth, lips and mustaches
Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water
Candy lipstick
Candy cigarettes
Fizzies
Soda pop machines that dispense bottles
Pull tabs that snapped off soda cans
Tableside jukeboxes in coffee shops
Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
Movies preceded by cartoons and newsreels
Party lines
Rotary phones
Drive-ins with car hops
Sock hops
Winter rubber boots with metal latches
Coonskin caps
P.F. Flyers
Angora sweaters
Bouffant hairdos
Spoolies
Hair dryers with plastic caps
Butch wax
Dart guns with rubber-tipped darts
Tin-can telephones
Peashooters
Cork popguns
Roll of cap-gun caps
Howdy Doody puppets
Beanie and Cecil dolls
Two-bladed ice skates that clip onto shoes
Roller skates that clip onto shoes
Roller skate keys
S & H green stamps and Plaid stamps
Metal lunchboxes
Winky Dink kits for drawing on the TV screen
Crystal radios
Console hi-fi's with 78's
45-rpm records
Hand-crank wringers on tub washing machines
Slide rules
Levered metal ice trays
Mimeograph paper
Carbon paper
Flash bulbs
Eight-track tape decks
8mm Home movie cameras
Dick and Jane readers
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Alligators

Emailed to me a friend (Thanks, Herman) -Tom
---------------------------------------------

A New York boy was being led through the swamps of Louisiana by his cousin.

"Is it true that an alligator won't attack you if you carry a flashlight?"

The cousin smirked and replied, "Depends on how fast ya carry the flashlight."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Pink Humvees

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

Before our division was deployed, we had to repaint our Humvees from their normal "olive drab" camouflage to a "sand" color.

The result was a pinkish hue ... and then the jokes began.

One guy renamed us the Pink Panzer Division, but the best was the bumper sticker that said: "Ask me about Mary Kay."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Busy Button

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website: http://cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/
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I was shopping with my roommate, and I saw a humorous button that said, "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but on a cellular level, I'm quite busy."

I showed it to her, and her response was, "Oh, I should buy that one, I'm always talking on mine."
_ ____________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Ambivalence may or \ /
\ _/ may not be my problem. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / I wish the chemists who \ \_/ ////
\ / successfully removed the lead \ /
\ _/ from gasoline would try the \_ /
/ / same with our congressmen. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\ \_/ / If you become dissatisfied \ \_/ ////
/ and want to go back \ /
_/ to your youth, \_ /
/ just think of Algebra. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\ \_/ / "Government is like a baby: \ \_/ ////
/ An alimentary canal with a big \ /
_/ appetite at one end and no sense \_ /
/ of responsibility at the other." \ \
- Ronald Reagan
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
/ "People will believe anything \ /
_/ that is whispered." \_ /
/ \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
/ I hate mornings. \ /
_/ They're so early. \_ /
/ \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
/ Too many couples marry for \ /
_/ better or for worse, \_ /
/ but not for good. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
/ How do those dead bugs get \ /
_/ into those closed light fixtures? \_ /
/ \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\ \_/ / Some people try to turn back \ \_/ ////
/ their odometers. Not me, \ /
_/ I want people to know "why" I look\_ /
/ this way. I've traveled a long way \ \
and some of the roads weren't paved.
_ ____________________________ _
| Thomas S. Ellsworth |
| tellswor@slonet.org |
| http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor |
|____________________________|
Stop for a visit, leave with a smile! To join Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.Com To leave Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.Com Or visit the Good Clean Fun web site at http://www. slonet.org/~tellswor/
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This is a hoot, but I suspect the minister didn't appreciate it.

A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he Said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into The river."

With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had All the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."

And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he Said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."

Sermon complete, he sat down.

The song leader stood very cautiously and announced With a smile, nearly laughing, "For our closing song, Let us sing Hymn #365, "Shall We Gather at the River."

Thanks to Anne Oldham
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The owner of a drug store walks in to find a guy leaning heavily against a wall. The owner asks the clerk, "What's with that guy over there by the wall ?"

The clerk says, "Well, he came in here this morning to get something for his cough. I couldn't find the cough syrup, so I gave him an entire bottle of laxative."

The owner says, "You idiot ! You can't treat a cough with laxatives!"

The clerk says, "OH YEAH ? Look at him, he's afraid to cough!"

Thanks to Denni Peek
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Babysitting

A young man volunteered to babysit one night so his mom could have an evening out. At bedtime he sent the youngsters upstairs to bed and settled down to watch football. One child kept creeping down the stairs, but the young man kept sending him back.

At 9:00 p.m., the doorbell rang. It was the next-door neighbor, Mrs. Brown, asking whether her son was there. The young man brusquely replied, "No."

Just then a little head appeared over the banister and a voice shouted, "I'm here, Mom, but he won't let me go home."

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Hardware Store Sign

My local hardware store puts its customers in their place before they even enter. The sign on the door reads:

"Shoes required, because you might hurt yourself. Shirts required, because you're not as good-looking as you think."

Received from Becky D..

(-:][:-)

Fast Driver

My mother has a "lead foot," so I was not surprised when a state trooper pulled us over as we were speeding through Georgia.

Hoping to get off with a warning, Mom tried to appear shocked when the trooper walked up to the car.

"I have never been stopped like this before," she said to the officer.

"What do they usually do, ma'am," he asked, "shoot the tires out?"

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Two-Day Course For Men

EVENING CLASSES FOR MEN!

OPEN TO MEN ONLY - ALL ARE WELCOME

Note: Due to the complexity and level of difficulty, each course will accept a maximum of eight participants. The course covers two days, and topics covered in this course include:

DAY ONE

HOW TO FILL ICE CUBE TRAYS
Step-by-step guide with slide presentation

TOILET ROLLS - DO THEY GROW ON THE HOLDERS?
Round table discussion

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LAUNDRY BASKET & FLOOR
Practicing with hamper (Pictures and graphics)

DISHES & SILVERWARE - DO THEY LEVITATE/FLY TO KITCHEN SINK OR DISHWASHER BY THEMSELVES?
Debate among a panel of experts.

REMOTE CONTROL
Losing the remote control - Help line and support groups

LEARNING HOW TO FIND THINGS
Starting with looking in the right place instead of turning the house upside down while screaming - Open forum

DAY TWO

EMPTY MILK CARTONS - DO THEY BELONG IN THE FRIDGE OR THE BIN?
Group discussion and role play

HEALTH WATCH - BRINGING HER FLOWERS IS NOT HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH
PowerPoint presentation

REAL MEN ASK FOR DIRECTIONS WHEN LOST
Real life testimonial from the one man who did

IS IT GENETICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT QUIETLY AS SHE PARALLEL PARKS?
Driving simulation

LIVING WITH ADULTS - BASIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR PARTNER
Online class and role playing

HOW TO BE THE IDEAL SHOPPING COMPANION
Relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques

REMEMBERING IMPORTANT DATES & CALLING WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE
Bring your calendar or PDA to class

GETTING OVER IT
Learning how to live with being wrong all the time

Received from Max Lee.

(-:][:-)

Let's Be Honest

Taking his seat in his chambers, the judge faced the opposing lawyers.

"So," he said, "I have been presented, by both of you, with a bribe."

Both lawyers squirmed uncomfortably. "You, attorney Paulson, gave me $15,000. And you, attorney Hendren, gave me $10,000."

The judge reached into his pocket and pulled out a check. He handed it to Paulson. "Now then, I'm returning $5,000, and we're going to decide this case solely on its merits!"

Received from Steve Sanderson.

(-:][:-)

Legal Eyesight

The old man was a witness in a burglary trial.

The defense lawyer asked Sam, "Did you see my client commit this burglary?"

"Yes," said Sam, "I plainly saw him take the goods."

The lawyer asked again, "Sam, this happened at night. Are you sure you saw my client commit this crime?"

"Yes," said Sam, "I saw him do it."

Then the lawyer asked, "Sam, listen: you are 80 years old and your eyesight probably is bad. Just how far can you see at night?"

Sam replied, "I can see the moon -- how far is that?"

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Car Wash

A church choir was putting on a car wash to raise money for a special trip to Bethlehem.

They made a large sign that read:

CAR WASH FOR CHOIR TRIP.

On the scheduled Saturday, business was very good. But, by two o'clock the sky clouded, the rain poured, and there were hardly any customers. Finally, one of the soprano singers had an idea.

She printed a very large poster with the words:

WE WASH. GOD RINSES.
(Next to the words was an arrow pointing skyward.)

Business boomed!

Received from Lift and Laugh.

(-:][:-)

Jump Start

About five years ago, the battery in my beat-up VW Beetle had died because I left the lights on overnight. I was in a hurry to get to work on time, so I ran into the house to get my wife to give me a hand in starting the car.

I told her to get into our second car, a prehistoric oversized gas guzzler, and use it to push my car fast enough to start it. I pointed out to her that because the VW had an automatic transmission, it needed to be pushed at least 30 MPH for it to start. She said fine, hopped into her car, and drove off.

I sat there fuming, wondering what she could be doing. A minute passed by, and when I saw her in the rear view mirror coming at me at about 40 MPH, I realized that I should have been a bit more clear with my directions!

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Little Old Lady

There was a little old lady, who every morning. stepped onto her front porch, raised her arms to the sky, and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD!"

One day an atheist moved into the house next door. He became irritated at the little old lady. Every morning he'd step onto his front porch after her and yell: "THERE IS NO LORD!"

Time passed with the two of them carrying on this way every day.

One morning, in the middle of winter, the little old lady stepped onto her front porch and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD!
Please Lord, I have no food and I am starving, provide for me, oh Lord!"

The next morning she stepped out onto her porch and there were two huge bags of groceries sitting there.

"PRAISE THE LORD!" she cried out. "HE HAS PROVIDED GROCERIES FOR ME!"

The atheist neighbor jumped out of the hedges and shouted: "THERE IS NO LORD; I BOUGHT THOSE GROCERIES!!"

The little old lady threw her arms into the air and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD! HE HAS PROVIDED ME WITH GROCERIES AND MADE THE DEVIL PAY FOR THEM!"

Received from Donald Pohlner.

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
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Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/madness/2008/01/16/hey-pundits-stifle-yourselves/ - - Hey Pundits, Stifle Yourselves! (Limerick)
I can’t decide what’s more annoying — when pundits are wrong, or when they insist on finding meaning in the meaningless, deep significance in utter nonsense. Digby provides a fine example of the latter:

Matthews, Olbermann, Norah O’Donnell and David Gregory are sitting around interpreting the Michigan Democratic vote and examining the exit polls to determine meaningful trends about the upcoming primaries.

Michigan means nothing, good or bad, for Democrats. … [CLINTON] WAS THE ONLY ONE OF THE TOP THREE ON THE FRIGGING BALLOT! …

… The primary doesn’t count. …

But they’re out there spewing crap anyway, trying to impact the race, making predictions, being fortune tellers as usual …

And that brings me to my latest limerick:

Hey Pundits, Stifle Yourselves!
By Madeleine Begun Kane

The pundits opine and expound:
On sheer nonsense they chew and they pound,
Finding meaning in stuff
That means nothing. Enough!
Watch them frown as they wax so profound.

http://www.madkane.com
http://www.madkane.com/notable.html (Notables Weblog)
http://www.madkane.com/bush.html (Dubya's Dayly Diary)
Subscribe to MadKane Humor Newsletter (weekly) here:
http://www.madkane.com/email.html
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"Don't strive for recognition, but work for achievement." -- Vanessa Malone
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Pastor Doug McAllister has worked hard for Jimmy and Vanessa, helping them get started with the Light House Church in Covington, LA. I was looking at Pator Doug's website and he recommended that we look at his friend Mark Batterson's manifesto at www.markbatterson.com It is on his January 1st post. You can read it for yourself. I did and it was inspiring. It's called the Lion Chasers Manifesto. Good stuff.

Lion Chaser's Manifesto

As we kick off a New Year, I thought I'd post the lion chaser's manifesto.

Read it. Print it. Post it. Live it.

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.

Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church ( www.theaterchurch.com ) in Washington DC . Targeting emerging generations, 73 percent of NCCers are single twentysomethings that live or work on Capitol Hill. Currently one church with three locations, the vision of NCC is to meet in movie theaters @ metro stops throughout the DC area. The theaterchurch.com podcast is one of the fastest-growing church podcasts in America . Mark is also a daily blogger @ www.markbatterson.com . Mark lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and three children.

www.theaterchurch.com

pastordoug@jfcemail.com
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
January 10, 2008
Deers
Today's Safety From the Heart message was submitted by Keith Black.
.......................................................................
MAN!!!! And I thought the deer that landed on my windshield did some damage!
They were traveling in southern Arkansas , between Mena and DeQueen. Oncoming car clipped a deer and sent it straight up into the air. The deer came down head-first into Clayton's brand new truck. The deer's head went thru the front windshield, cutting the head (plus some) off, and landed in Jill's lap. The body of the deer flipped up, smashed in the top of the truck, and landed in the bed. Clayton couldn't see Jill from his side, because the top of the truck was smashed in so horribly.
He got out of the truck, went around, and opened the door on her side...only to start flipping out, because she was literally drenched in blood. However, neither one of them was hurt. Her parents were following in a separate vehicle and didn't see it happen...but drove up on it right afterward. I can't imagine what they were thinking!
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
January 2, 2008
Today's Message is from Karen O'Connor (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).
------------------------------------------------------
The ABC's of Managing Anger...

Aim to be a good role model by learning to control anger.
Breathe slowly and deeply 10 times to cool down.
Count to 10 before you respond or react.
Discuss minor problems so they don't grow into arguments.
Eat right and exercise regularly-your health makes a difference.
Forgive others instead of holding grudges.
Go for a quick walk or bike ride to blow off steam.
Have realistic expectations of others.
Identify "triggers" that spark your anger and do your best to avoid them.
Jot down a list of proper ways to handle your anger.
Keep calm when someone else is angry. Don't take it personally.
Learn to accept the things you cannot change.
Make time to relax and do something you enjoy every day.
Never use physical violence, no matter how angry you are.
Offer an apology to others, if anger gets the best of you.
Practice patience with everyone-including yourself.
Question why something upset you and what you could do differently next time.
Repeat a calming word of phrase to yourself, such as "take it easy" or "relax".
Splash cold water on your face to cool off.
Try writing down your feelings to get them out.
Use humor when appropriate to lighten tense situations.
Visualize a relaxing scene or pleasant experience from your past.
Walk away if a situation causes you anger.
eXpress your frustration by using "I" statements. "I feel angry because______".
You sometimes need help to make changes. Seek a counselor's advice if needed.
Zzzzzz.. Get enough sleep. Your patience level is lower when you're tired.

Have a safe Holiday!!!
Karen
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
December 21, 2007
Have a safe Holiday,
Dorothy
Christmas Safety Poem
On the night before Christmas you and your spouse Should check all plugs and light cords throughout your house.
Make the stockings that hang on the bricks near the fire Safe from combustion before you retire.
Inspect that old furnace that warms up your hide For deadly leaks of carbon monoxide.
Look in on your children, nestled snug in their beds, And check all the smoke alarms fastened tight o're their heads.
These few safety items I ask you to remember, For a safe holiday season, this end of December.
By Gord Taylor
http://siri.uvm.edu/ppt/christmas/xmaspoem.htm
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
December 19, 2007
Safety Guards
Today's Message is from Jamie Lemley (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).
Many tools are equipped with a safety guard, for example, a table saw. The purpose is to keep you safe, so do not tie back or remove them.
REMEMBER
S - saving
A - arms
F - fingers
E - ears & eyes
T - takes
Y - you
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
December 14, 2007
Worst Disaster in Chemical History
Today's Message is from Joe Coury (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).
.............................................................
On December 3rd, 1984, the worst disaster in the history of the chemical industry occurred in Bhopal. Methyl isocyanate had been contaminated with water and chloroform which caused a runaway reaction. Because a number of safety systems were shutdown at the time, the relief valves relieved directly to the atmosphere. As a result, 2000 people were killed.
One of the most important lessons to be learned from Bhopal has been overlooked by most commentators. The material, methyl isocyanate was not a raw material or product in the plant. It was an intermediate. Plant designers did not hesitate at that time to design large storage facilities for raw materials, intermediates, and products. Keeping large inventories of hazardous materials is often not really necessary. Within a year of the Bhopal disaster, Union Carbide, the owner of the Bhopal site, reported world-wide reduction of methyl isocyanate inventories by 75% -- without affecting business operations.
All of this illustrates an important safety principle: "What you don't have can't leak."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
TOURBUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -:) - :)- :)
Volume 13, Number 16 -- 08 Jan 2008
Tourbus Home -- http://www.InternetTourbus.com
---------------------------------------------------

TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: Leopard / Blu-Ray or HD-DVD / Tech Reviews

Happy New Year! I'm back after a bit of holiday merriment, a little skiing, and a valiant attempt to do a really hard jigsaw puzzle. :-) In today's TOURBUS, you'll find a review of the new features in OS X Leopard, the latest operating system for Macs. Will it convince you to switch? I've also got some facts on the Blu-Ray versus HD-DVD controversy, and some advice for folks who want to buy a high-def DVD player.

Oh, and if you're thinking of buying a cheap desktop computer, a touchscreen laptop, a portable inkjet or fast laser printer, a digital camera, pocket-sized videocam, or a kid-friendly MP3 player... I have some great advice and product reviews for you. Read on!

-------------------------------
Mac OS X Leopard: What's New?
-------------------------------

Apple's newest operating system, released in the Fall of 2007, is Mac OS X Leopard. Like it's feline namesake, this OS is slick and sleek and features all the multimedia bells and whistles Apple users have come to expect.

>From Stacks to Spaces, to the new Finder that looks just like iTunes, Leopard has some cool new features, and even a Time Machine! Apple claims the new Safari browser will render pages 2-3 times faster than Firefox v2. Is it really true? Read on to take a look at some of the new features of Leopard, the pros and cons, and see how it compares to the competition...

http://askbobrankin.com/mac_os_x_leopard.html
-----------------------------
DVD Players: HD or Blu-Ray?
-----------------------------

Remember the days of VHS versus Betamax? Consumers didn't know which type of VCR to buy while that battle raged. In a similar scenario, backers of the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats are each hoping to triumph in the marketplace. Blu-Ray is generally regarded as technically superior, but it could flop in the marketplace like Betamax.

Today you can find high-def DVD players that are able to play HD-DVD or Blu-Ray DVD discs. A few combo players will accept both formats, but they're much more expensive. So what should you do? Here are my reviews of three high-def DVD players, and my recommendations:
http://askbobrankin.com/dvd_players_hd_or_bluray.html

Want more background info on Blu-Ray? Read this article:

http://askbobrankin.com/what_is_bluray.html

---------------------
Out With the Old...
---------------------

Just before the holidays, I wrote a series of articles about buying desktop computers, laptops, printers, cameras, and related gadgetry. Many manufacturers are still offering great deals or sales this month so if you're thinking of a post-holiday purchase to replace some of your electronic stuff, I'm sure you'll find these articles helpful:

* Cheap Desktop Computers
http://askbobrankin.com/cheap_desktop_computers.html

* Touchscreen Laptops

http://askbobrankin.com/touchscreen_laptops.html

* Portable Inkjet Printers

http://askbobrankin.com/portable_inkjet_printers.html

* Fast Color Laser Printers
http://askbobrankin.com/fast_color_laser_printers.html

* MP3 Players for Kids
http://askbobrankin.com/mp3_players_for_kids.html

* Automatic Digital Cameras
http://askbobrankin.com/automatic_digital_cameras.html

* Pocket Sized Video Cameras
http://askbobrankin.com/small_video_cameras.html

+-------------------------------------------------+
That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin
~~~
Volume 13, Number 17 -- 10 Jan 2008
-----------------------------------------------------

TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: Blu-ray wins / Ad-Aware / YouTube Research

Howdy, y'all, and happy new year from deep behind the orange curtain in beautiful Irvine, California, where cake and grief counseling will be available at the conclusion of today's post. Thank you for helping us help you help us all.

After taking a much-needed break to study for my first semester in the doctorate program at USC, deal with some family issues back in Alabama [see http://tinyurl.com/28vdmn and http://blog.crispen.org/], and spend WAY too much time playing Bioshock and The Orange Box on my Xbox 360, you fearless bus driver is back! Thank you for your patience during my absence. On with the show...

---------------------------------------------
Over, the high definition DVD format wars are
Audience: Everyone
---------------------------------------------

In my "Crispen's Guide to What's New and What's Next" presentation at http://www.netsquirrel.com/powerpoint/, I *strongly* recommended that you stay away from next generation DVD players until the HD DVD/Blu- ray format war is over.

It's over. Blu-ray won.

Last week Warner Bros. announced that they would exclusively support Sony's Blu-ray format, leaving only Paramount, Universal, and Dreamworks aligned with the HD DVD camp. You can read Warner's announcement at http://tinyurl.com/ysuljw

There's more. According to the Financial Times [via Gizmodo], Paramount has

a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros backing Blu-ray, according to people familiar with the situation. [Source: http://tinyurl.com/2lorj6 ]

Without Paramount, Blu-ray now has 70% of Hollywood's next generation DVD market. That's *without* Paramount. And don't forget that Paramount distributes Dreamworks Animations films, making it hard to imagine that Dreamworks won't follow if Paramount abandons HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray.

Folks, it's over. Blu-ray won. The HD DVD camp may not realize it yet, and Universal may drag its feet for a few months before finally throwing in the towel and following 20th Century Fox, Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, Sony, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. and the rest of the Blu-ray camp, but Blu-ray won.

Long story short: if you're in the market for a next generation DVD player, make sure it can play Blu-ray discs.

--------------------------------------------
It's time to upgrade Ad-Aware
Audience: All Windows users who use Ad-Aware
--------------------------------------------

I've been a huge fan of Lavasoft's free Ad-Aware for the past three years and have strongly recommended that you download, install, and use the program frequently. Ad-Aware is a program that scans for, and removes spyware and malware from, your Windows-based computer.

In his most recent Washington Post Security Fix blog entry [see http://tinyurl.com/3y75ul ], Brian Krebs points out something that I forgot to mention earlier: It's time to upgrade from Ad-Aware SE to Ad-Aware 2007. Why? Lavasoft stopped shipping updates for Ad-Aware SE on December 31. Yikes.

Fortunately, the upgrade process is relatively painless. Just download the free Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007 at http://tinyurl.com/3xsz48, install it, and ... well ... that's it. The installer removes the old version and installs the new version.

That's the good news. The bad news is that if you're still running Windows 95, 98, or 98SE, or ME, you're kind of stuck. Your old version no longer works, and the new version only works on Windows 2000, 2003, XP, or Vista. Fortunately, Spybot Search & Destroy--available for free at http://tinyurl.com/yrwy2 --still works with legacy versions of Windows.

-----------------------------
Bonkian Youtubian Researchian
Audience: Everyone
-----------------------------

If you have been to an educational technology conference in the last few years, you've most likely seen a presentation by Dr. Curt Bonk. Bonk is a Professor of Instructional Systems Technology and adjunct in the School of Informatics at Indiana University (IU). One of the topics he's currently researching is YouTube, in particular

why people post, view, share, comment on, or subscribe to a YouTube video. Areas of interest include motivation, engagement, instructional design, and learning or educational value in a YouTube video.

So, Bonk and his colleagues at Indiana University recently created a survey that asks about 40 questions ranging from "how often do you watch YouTube videos" to "have you ever shared a YouTube video link with a friend?" If that sounds like something that interests you, point your favorite web browser to

http://trainingshare.com/video/

and click on the link at the top of the page to start the survey. You can preview all of the survey questions before you participate, and you don't have to enter any personally-identifiable information other than your email address ... and even that's optional. [You only need to enter your email address if you want to be entered into a drawing to win an Apple iPhone.]

If you don't want to participate in Bonk's survey but would like to view the results when they are published, that's cool too. Just make sure to bookmark Bonk's "Bonkian Youtubian Researchian" page at
http://indiana.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6703696942

or his blog at

http://travelinedman.blogspot.com/

because I am betting that Bonk will post the results to either or both of these pages in the not-too-distant future.

And if you know anyone who would be interested in Bonk's YouTube research--or, for that matter, in having a chance a winning an iPhone for taking an online survey--feel free to forward today's post to others.

That's it for today. Have a safe and happy week, and we'll talk again soon. No, really.
+---------------------------------------+
==[ Tourbus Rider Information ]==
The Internet Tourbus - U.S. Library of Congress ISSN #1094-2238 Copyright 1995-2005, Rankin & Crispen - All rights reserved Tourbus News Service - http://tourbus.com/news.html Subscribe, Signoff, Archives, Free Stuff and More at the Tourbus Website - http://www.TOURBUS.com
========================
.~~~. ))
(\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen
/o o \/ .~
{o_, \ { crispen@netsquirrel.com
/ , , ) \ http://www.netsquirrel.com/
`~ -' \ } )) AOL Instant Messenger: Squirrel2K
_( ( )_.'
---..{____} Warning: squirrels.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.
http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/

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

** "CPSC's New Budget Needed for Long-Overdue Tasks" by Liz Borkowski Congress didn't pass a comprehensive overhaul of product safety before leaving town last month, but it did give the CPSC its biggest budget increase in 30 years. The agency will need to replace an iconic toy tester on its staff and deal with some of the many products it hasn't adequately addressed, including waterproofing sprays linked to respiratory problems. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/cpsc%e2%80%99s-new-budget-needed-for-long-overdue-tasks/
** "Science Debate on Science Friday" On January 11th, the NPR show Science Friday will cover the campaign for a presidential science debate – something The Pump Handle supports, and for which we supplied questions we'd like candidates to answer. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/science-debate-on-science-friday/
** "Occupational Health News Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Investigations by labor rights groups find that dangerous and unfair working conditions persist in China, despite high-profile efforts by corporations; plus, there's news about asthma and pesticides, an update to OSHA's shipyard standard, and death by overwork in Japan. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/occupational-health-news-roundup-47/
** "NIOSH Too Slow Answering a Simple FOIA" by Celeste Monforton Why is NIOSH taking so long to respond to a simple Freedom of Information Act request about part of its process for awarding mine safety research grants? http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/niosh-too-slow-answering-simple-foia/
** "Salvaging EPA Libraries" by Liz Borkowski Congress is requiring the EPA to restore the library services it had begun to cut. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/salvaging-epa-libraries/
** "Open Laboratory 2007" by David Michaels A post from The Pump Handle is included in an anthology of 2007's best science blogging – along with several other posts likely to interest those in the public health field. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/open-laboratory-2007/
** "Where Old Computers Go to Die" by Liz Borkowski A National Geographic article explains how discarded electronics flow to developing countries, where the workers who break them down end up with a small amount of cash and a lot of hazardous exposures. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/07/where-old-computers-go-to-die/
** "Jacksonville T2 Site Still Too Dangerous for Investigators" by Celeste Monforton Three weeks after the deadly explosion at the Jacksonville T2 laboratory that claimed the lives of four workers, the accident scene is still too hazardous for investigators to enter. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/07/jacksonville-t2-site-still-too-dangerous-for-investigators/
** "Mazzocchi Book Events in DC" by David Michaels Les Leopold, author of The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor: The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi, will be in DC to talk about Tony's life and legacy. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/mazzocchi-book-events-in-dc/
** "Friday Blog Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Bloggers are summing up developments from 2007 and looking ahead to 2008; responding to news that a highly successful hospital infection-control program was shut down by the federal Office for Human Research Protections; and looking at sources of mercury in water. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/friday-blog-roundup-56/

** "Oy! Not Good-bye to MSHA's Stickler?" by Celeste Monforton Rather than nominating Richard Stickler to head MSHA – which isn't allowed because Stickler's recess appointment has ended – President Bush has "designated" him as MSHA chief. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/oy-not-goodbye-to-mshas-stickler/
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Weekly Toll - - http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com/
Death In The Workplace w/News & Updates
John Donne - ...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
A partial list of workplace fatalities.

NFPA WORLD SAFETY CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION

June 2-5, 2008
Pre-Conference Seminars May 31-June 1
Las Vegas, Nevada
Registration and housing are now open for the NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition. Join your peers in Las Vegas, June 2-5 and take advantage of this powerful professional development opportunity!
• Learn from the most respected code experts in the industry at over 150 select education sessions in 11 tracks including the enhanced Building and Life Safety Code® track and sessions in the expanded necforum™ track
• Experience the magic of the award winning duo Penn & Teller as a Special Presentation during the General Session
• Save 25% off regular seminar prices when you register for one of 24 pre-conference seminars scheduled May 31 - June 1. These intense one and two-day seminars taught by leading experts cover a wide range of topics, and meet the highest standards for professionalism and technical expertise
• Take action on the codes and standards you use every day and make your voice heard in the Association Technical Meetings
• Earn valuable CEUs and AIA LUs
• Save an additional 20% off Conference Registration costs as a Technical Committee member
• Meet with over 300 exhibitors at the expo. - See the latest products and services for the fire, life safety, electrical and security industries
• Register now for a Free Expo Only Pass! - Free when you register online (A $50 savings!)
• Learn from industry experts and network with colleagues
Click here to register for this dynamic event for life safety, fire protection, electrical and security professionals!

http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
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NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed weekly. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/
01. Cpl. Jason F. Lemke, 30, of West Allis, Wis., died Jan. 5 in Ibrahim Al Adham, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
02. Petty Officer Second Class Menelek M. Brown, 24, of Roswell, N.M., was declared dead Jan. 4 after apparently going overboard from USS Hopper in the Arabian Sea Jan. 3. Navy aircraft and ships conducted an extensive search but did not locate him. USS Hopper is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
03. Cpl. James D. Gudridge, 20, of Carthage, N.Y., died Jan. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

04. Pfc. Timothy R. Hanson, 23, of Kenosha, Wis., died Jan. 7 in Salmon Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered from small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Jan. 7 of wounds suffered when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Laghar Juy, Afghanistan. Killed were:
05. Maj. Michael L. Green, 36, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, who died in Laghar Juy, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Headquarters, V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany.
06. Sgt. James K. Healy, 25, of Hesperia, Calif, who died at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 703rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Fort Knox, Ky.
The Department of Defense announced the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Jan. 8 of wounds sustained during combat operations in Samarra, Iraq. The incident is under investigation. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Killed were:
07. Sgt. David J. Hart, 22, of Lake View Terrace, Calif., who died in Balad, Iraq.
08. Pfc. Ivan E. Merlo, 19, of San Marcos, Calif., who died in Samarra, Iraq.
09. Pfc. Phillip J. Pannier, 20, of Washburn, Ill., who died in Samarra, Iraq.
10. Sgt. David J. Drakulich, 22, of Reno, Nev., died Jan. 9 in Chagali, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
The Department of Defense announced the death of six soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Jan. 9 in Sinsil, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany. Killed were:
11. Cpl. Todd E. Davis, 22, of Raymore, Mo.
12. Staff Sgt. Jonathan K. Dozier, 30, of Rutherford, Tenn.
13. Staff Sgt. Sean M. Gaul, 29, of Reno, Nev.
14. Sgt. Zachary W. McBride, 20, of Bend, Ore.
15. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew I. Pionk, 30, of Superior, Wis.
16. Sgt. Christopher A. Sanders, 22, of Roswell, N.M.
17. Lt. Col. Richard J. Berrettini, 52, of Wilcox, Pa., died Jan. 11 in San Antonio of wounds suffered on Jan. 2 in Khowst Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Medical Detachment, Erie Clinic, Erie, Pa.
18. Pfc. Keith E. Lloyd, 26, of Milwaukee, died Jan. 12 in Tal Afar, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
19. Lance Cpl. Curtis A. Christensen Jr., 29, of Collingswood, N.J., died Jan. 11 from a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The Department of Defense announced the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Jan. 16 of wounds suffered in Balad, Iraq, when they were attacked by grenade and small arms fire during combat operations. They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Killed were:
20. Pfc. Danny L. Kimme, 27, of Fisher, Ill., who died in Balad, Iraq.
21. Pfc. David H. Sharrett II, 27, of Oakton, Va., who died in Pallouata, Iraq.
22. Spc. John P. Sigsbee, 21, of Waterville, N.Y., who died in Balad, Iraq.
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Please remember to pray for the American soldiers stationed everywhere around the globe and especially in Iraq. Times have been and are very tough and it would be nice if you would all just say a prayer for their safety and for their families.
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"September 11 WDYTJWD" W. P. Florence
Justice first, then peace."
"September 11" Never forget.--Tony Moses
"ONE NATION UNDER GOD ...the only way"--Phillip Story
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Keeping my head down but face toward Heaven" - - Jody Eldred, ABC News Cameraman in Kuwait
"Remember Pearl Harbor? Remember 9/11!" --"Bug"
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. - - George Carlin
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!" - - Queen E. Watson
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Activities and Events of Interest
~~~~~
GARDEN SEMINAR - - Sponsored by Columbia County Master Gardeners
Saturday, January 26 - 9:00 am - 12:00 noon - - Immanuel Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
~~~~~
To all members and prospective members, the next AR-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team meeting will be Saturday, January 26 at the AR-1 Cache in Little Rock. [http://www.ar1dmat.com/]
~~~~~
First Baptist Church Open Taco Supper tickets-they are $8 each.
It is Feb 21, 5-7:00 pm @ First Baptist Church & includes beverage & dessert.
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Scheduled Activities
~~~
CQ CQ all Hams. We have restarted a 2 meter net on the Willisville repeater, 146.655, every Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Please check in and spread the word. We would like to get some renewed interest in amateur radio and the ARKLA Amateur Radio Association. Will be listening for everyone next Tuesday night.
~~~
Columbia County Amateur Radio Club meets Every second Thursday @ 7:00 p.m. Union Street Station. And YOU'RE invited. Net is every Sunday at 20:30 on 147.105.
~~~
MCC - Mom's Day Out - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 2.$10 for the first child, $5 for the second. Call 234-3225 for reservations.
~~~
MCC - Nursing Home Ministry - Meadowbrook Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 am. Taylor, the last Thursday each month.
~~~
Men's Prayer Breakfast held every Tuesday morning at 6 AM in Miller's Cafeteria. If you aren't a regular participant at the Men's Prayer Breakfast, you're missing some great food, fellowship and inspired teaching of the Word. Hope to see you there.
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Emergency Phone Number 911
(Fire, Police, Ambulance, Sheriff, etc. )
Central Dispatch 234-5655
(Non - Emergency Number)
Direct Numbers
Ambulance - 234-7371 (24 Hour)
Jail - 234-5331 (24 Hour)
Poison Control - 800-222-1222 (24 Hour)
http://www. aapcc. org/
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"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle."
"Laugh whenever you can and cry if you need to." -- "Bug"
"I read the end of the book. We win!" -- "Bug"
"We may not be able to cure the world, but we don't have to make it sicker." -- "Bug"
"There just ain't enough fingers for all the holes in the dike." - - "Bug"
"It's no big deal doing what God tells you to do. A big deal would be NOT doing what God tells you to do. Just ask Jonah." - - Paul Troquille
"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in ... and how many want out." - - Tony Blair
"Information is the currency of democracy." - Jefferson
“Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.” Knowledge is power. - Francis Bacon
"The problem is here and now. The time for talk is past. The time for action is now."
Comments on the first Earth Day - James F. McClellan via "Fuzzy" Thurman
~~~~~
Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.

God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Luke 1:30-35, 38 Rom 3:20-24 Psa 119:162-165 Acts 14:3,5-7 Rev 19:19-20 Mat 22:15-18 Jer 6:27-29 http://www.e-min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

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