Friday, December 31, 2010

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2010

As another year comes to a close, many people will be out and about tonight celebrating.
The Free Choice E-zine hopes all involved parties responsibly so that 2011 can begin as bright and shiny as possible.

AN INTERESTING WAY TO CELEBRATE

While many television stations will be running marathons and specials tonight to attract the attention of those staying home on New Year's Eve, BBC America has found a most interesting and unique way to celebrate the passage of time.
Tonight they will be counting down towards the New Year with a Doctor Who marathon, ending at midnight with the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) regenerating into the current/Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith.

2010 turning into 2011.
Get it?

If interested, check local listings for times and channels.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IN MEMORIUM 2010

As another year draws to a close, while best and worst of everything lists are compiled by others, The Free Choice E-zine continues it annual tradition of pausing to briefly look back and remember those that are sadly no longer with us.
While unfortunately we cannot post the whole list; amongst our family, friends, and loved ones; as well as those within law enforcement, medical/emergency services, and the military who lost their lives helping and/or protecting others during 2010, we have also lost...

ACTORS
Tom Bosley: Happy Days, The Father Dowling Mysteries
Maury Chaykin: Dances With Wolves, My Cousin Vinny
Gary Coleman, Different Strokes
Robert Culp: Demon With A Glass Hand; I, Spy; Greatest American Hero
Tony Curtis: Some Like It Hot, Spartacus
John Forsythe: Bachelor Father, Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty
David Froman: The Edge Of Night, Mattlock
Buddy Gorman: Bowery Boys/Dead End Kids
Peter Graves, Mission: Impossible, Airplane! Biography narrator
Dennis Hopper, Easy Rider, Speed
Andrew Koeing, Growing Pains
Steve Landesberg: Barney Miller, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Art Linkletter, Kids Say The Darnest Things
James MacArthur: original Hawaii 5-0, Swiss Family Robinson
Kevin McCarthy: Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, Twilight Zone: The Movie
Leslie Nielsen: Forbidden Planet, Airplane! Police Squad/The Naked Gun movie series
Fess Parker, Davey Crocket
Meinhardt Raab, The Munchkin Coroner in The Wizard Of Oz
Pernell Roberts: Bonanza, Trapper John MD
Virgilio Teixeria: Return of the Seven, Fall of the Roman Empire
James Wall: Stage Manager, Mr. Baxter on Captain Kangaroo

ACTRESSES
Barbara Billingsley, Leave It To Beaver
Dixie Carter, Designing Women
Ina Clare, EastEnders
Jill Clayburgh: Silver Streak, Semi-Tough, Bridesmaids
Lena Horne: Stormy Weather, The Wiz
Rue McClanahan, The Golden Girls
Shirley Mills, The Grapes Of Wrath
Patricia Neal, Hud
Ingrid Pitt: Vampire Lovers, Countess Dracula
Denise Borino-Quinn, The Sopranos
Lynne Redgrave: Tom Jones, Of God and Monsters
Zelda Rubenstein, Poltergeist
Gloria Stuart: The Invisible Man, Titanic
Helen Wagner, As The World Turns
Gloria Winters: The Life of Riley, Sky King
Lorene Yarnell of Shields and Yarnell

ATHLETES/SPORTS
Sparky Anderson, American baseball player/manager
Bennie Briscoe, boxer
Walt Dropo, American baseball
Eric Hill, cricket
Bill Jones, International football/soccer
Ken Lehman, American baseball
George Steinbrenner, owner of New York Yankees American baseball team
Artie Wilson, American baseball

CREATIVE PERSONNEL
Aron Abrams, producer: Everybody Hates Chris, King of the Hill
Alex Anderson, animator who did character designs for most of Jay Ward’s characters (Rocky and Bullwinkle, etc.)
Peter Andry, record producer
Douglas Argent, TV producer (Fawlty Towers)
Stephen J. Cannell: The Rockford Files, A-Team, Greatest American Hero
Art Clokey, creator of Gumby and Davey and Goliath
Leo Cullum, cartoonist for The New Yorker
Jimmy Dean: country music singer, actor, business man
Blake Edwards, movies including The Pink Panther series and Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Mike Esposito, comic book artist/inker
Frank Frazetta, artist/painter
Dick Giordano, comic book artist/inker
Dino De Laurentiis, film producer: Barbarella, Scorpio, Red Dragon/Hannibal Rising
Irvin Kershner, director: The Empire Strikes Back, Never Say Never Again
Carl Macek, anime adaptor/producer: Robotech, Captain Harlock for America
Jim Marshall, noted photographer
Peter O’Donnell, creator/writer: Modesty Blaise
Robert B. Parker, author: Spenser, Jesse Stone, Sunny Randall, Virgil Cole
Harvey Pekar, American Splendor
Arthur Penn, director: Bonnie and Clyde
Aaron Ruben, TV producer: The Andy Griffith Show, Sanford and Son
J. D. Salinger, author: The Catcher In The Rye
Furio Scarpelli, screenwriter: Casanova 70, Il Postino
Erich Segal, author: Love Story, Yellow Submarine screenplay
William Self, TV producer: Batman, Lost In Space, Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea
Takeshi Shudo, creator of Pokemon
Joseph Stein, playwright: Fiddler On The Roof, Zorba
Allen Swift, voice actor: Simon Bar Sinister, Riff Raff, Diver Dan
Janine Pommy Vega, poet
Al Williamson, comic book artist
David L. Wolper, producer: North and South, Roots, The Thornbirds

ENTERTAINERS
Fred Foy, radio and television announcer (The Lone Ranger)
Mitch Miller, bandleader
Charlie O’Donnell, radio and television announcer (Wheel of Fortune)
Charles Reynolds, magician
Agathe Von Trapp, of the Von Trapp family, whose life story was the basis for The Sound of Music

HISTORIC
Geraldine Doyle, inspiration for Rosie the Riveter from World War II
Walter Hauessermann, rocket scientist
Nestor Kirchner, President of Argentina 2003-2007
James F. Neal, Watergate prosecutor
Paul the Octopus, accurate results predictor of 2010 World Cup
Thomas C. Peebles, isolated and identified measles virus
Kermit Tyler, a pilot who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor

MUSICIANS
Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) rocker
Slim Bryant, country singer/songwriter
Bus Byok, fiddler
Larry Dale, blues singer/guitarist
Doug Fieder of The Knack
Eddie Fisher, crooner
Marvin Isley of The Isley Brothers
Ted Kowalski of The Diamonds
Billy Maddox, drummer
Jack Parnell, drummer
Trudy Pitts: jazz organist, pianist, and vocalist
John Sekula, guitarist
Mississippi Slim (Walter Horn, Junior) blues singer
Carl Smith, country singer/songwriter
Billy Taylor, jazz pianist and composer
Bernard Wilson, singer with Harry Melvin and the Blue Notes
Tom Winslow, folk artist
Ali 'Ollie' Woodson of The Temptations

NOTE: All categories and the names within them are alphabetical.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

HAPPY KWANZAA

For those of our readership who observe the week long festival honoring the principles of life that begins today: HAPPY KWANZAA!

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: DECEMBER 26, 2010

Hello Everybody. Ms. Waxy Dragon and Autumn the Puppy both have the holiday weekend off to share with their respective families.
So I'm afraid it's just you and me: Lee Houston, Junior, Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.
But that doesn't mean you will go completely joke less today. Both Autumn and Waxy left me some gags to relate to you.
Hope I don't mess this up.
Anyway...

What do you call the fear of getting stuck while sliding down a chimney?
Santa Claus-trophbia.

What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmas time?
Sandy Claws.
Why does Santa Claus go down the chimney on Christmas Eve?
Because it soots him.

What can you give away and still keep?
A cold.

Why do giraffes get Christmas gifts every year?
Because they are such good animals that they'll stick their necks out for anyone.

Why did the elf push his bed into the fireplace?
He wanted to sleep like a log.

What did the briefcase salesman say to all his customers?
Valise Navidad!

What do elves learn in school?
The Elf-abet!

Why does Scrooge love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Because every buck is dear to him.

What do you call a bunch of grandmasters of chess bragging about their games in a hotel lobby?
Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.

How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?
Fleece Navidad!

Aw geez, I was worried about messing those up?
But before we go, on behalf of the entire Free Choice staff, I would like to thank all our readers for their continued patronage to this website.
Whatever aspect of this time of year you celebrate, may it be the best it's ever been and we look forward to serving you now and in the years to come.
So we'll see you next weekend for the start of a new year and more Sunday Funnies!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

For those amongst our readership who celebrate today, The Free Choice E-zine wishes you and yours the Merriest of Christmases!

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 19-25, 2010

As some of us pause to celebrate Christmas, let's take a brief look at some of the events that have occurred around the globe this past week.

*President Barack Obama has signed into law the United States' repeal of its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy from the Clinton Administration. Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Bidden theorizes that some day same-gender marriages might become totally accepted by society, while pundits and critics believe there will be new issues and challenges on the horizon of same sex couples' rights because of the repeal.
*Toyota has agreed to pay the United States over $32 million US dollars because of its (mis?)handling of car recalls this past year. Over 10 MILLION vehicles were recalled between 14(!) separate events.
*On the WikiLeaks front: The United Nations is looking into allegations that the United States is torturing one of their own soldiers to determine if he leaked classified material to the website.
*Nigeria has withdrawn all corruption charges against Halliburton and Dick Cheney after the company agreed to a $250 Million U.S. dollar out of court settlement.
*North Korea is allegedly prepared to wage a 'sacred' (nuclear?) war against South Korea.
*Larry Palmer better not pack his bags for Venezuela just yet. Because of disagreements over his opinions of their military, that country has vowed to deport him if he is named the United States new ambassador.
*It may be a double royal wedding next Spring as the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips has announced her engagement to Mike Tindall.
*Initial reports of the data from the 2010 United States Census show that America's population was 308,745,538 as of April 1 of this year.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen, or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 25, 2010

We hope all our Free Choice E-zine readers who choose to celebrate today are having the Merriest Christmas they possibly can.
And for your puzzle enjoyment, here is a little quiz featuring all those beloved holiday classics produced by the Rankin-Bass studio.

Can you match the Narrating Host to their special?
Note: Since not every narrator was actually a character within the story, some of them either appeared as "themselves" or did not actually appear on screen at all. And the possibilities in both lists are presented alphabetically.

THE NARRATORS            THE SPECIALS
a. Fred Astaire                        01. Frosty The Snowman (1969)
b. Shirley Booth                      02. Frosty Returns (1992)
c. Jimmy Durante                    03. Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976)
d. Greer Garson                     04. The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
e. Andy Griffith                       05. Jack Frost (1979)
f. Buddy Hackett                    06. Nestor, The Long Earred Christmas Donkey (1977)
g. Burl Ives                             07. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
h. Roger Miller                        08. Rudolph's Shining New Year (1976)
i. Red Skelton                         09. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1970)
j. Jonathan Winters                 10. The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)

We'll unwrap and open THE ANSWERS BOX to reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's see what the results were from the December 18 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS
01. Frosty The Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer were both first recorded by Gene Autry.
02. Eartha Kitt and Madonna have both recorded Santa Baby, although personally I think Ms. Kitt purred it better.

REBUS

NOEL. Because alas, no matter how festively decorated our tree looks there is NO L.

Friday, December 24, 2010

YES VIRIGINA, EVEN TODAY...

"Is there a Santa Claus?"
Although the story is more commonly recounted during the Christmas season, the famous response of then New York Sun editor Francis Pharcellus Church to eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon's historic inquiry first appeared in the September 21, 1897 edition of that newspaper; whereupon Mister Church categorically stated beyond all doubt that there is indeed a Santa Claus.
The question has since gone on to be presented and pondered in other media, including various adaptations of the Virginia story and the tale known as Miracle on 34th Street.
The Free Choice E-zine concurs with Mister Church's original response, but would like to humbly add the following addendum for more modern times:

While much has happened in the world and to our understanding of it since that more simpler time of little Virginia's original inquiry, Mister Church's perception of skepticism is still as accurate today as it was then.
It is sadly all too easy to lose that sense of wonder and awe any Human being initially possesses upon their birth. Those are very precious commodities that are quick to disappear as we grow older if we are not careful.
The belief in anything is a question of faith, and although that is an enigmatic subject mostly associated with religions, it is by no means restricted to them alone.
It is faith, as much as love, gravity, etc.; that makes the world go round.
But there are so many different religions in the world, each with their own beliefs and followers, and while some share similar perspectives on many issues, all believe that theirs is the "one" way.
Yet theological debates come and go. Sone religions have gone as far as to change their tenets and edit their respective tomes from time to time. Wars and terrorism have even been conducted in 'holy' causes.
So isn't it interesting that the concept of Santa Claus transcends global boundaries and cultures?
Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Christkind, Juelmanden...
There are as many different names for him as there are countries upon this world we all share that express the same belief in him.
But this is by no means a suggestion that a belief in Santa Claus should replace any religion.
Santa Claus first and foremost should always represent the ideals of peace and good will to the masses during this time of year, no matter how much commercialism some try to add on. There have been too many attempts to "cash in" on this icon, which risks diluting the intended message.
And it is within those lofty beliefs of peace and good will, along with love and hope, that each and every one of us should strive to achieve and pass on not just today, but always, to better this world so that our children, and the generations yet to come, can be.
THAT is why Santa Claus has existed in the past, does exist today, and will still exist tomorrow.

As you spend this holiday with your family and loved ones dear readers, remember that it is not what you receive, but that which you already have in your hearts that makes the season truly special.
After all, there is no age limit to believing...

An Editorial by Lee Houston, Junior; Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.

Monday, December 20, 2010

(BELATED) SUNDAY FUNNIES: DECEMBER 20, 2010

Hello Everybody. Ms Waxy Dragon here.
My apologies for posting this week's Sunday Funnies on Monday, but my flight back from the North Pole this weekend took longer than I thought it would.
Boy, are my wings tired!
I had to stop several times along the way to rest and get de-iced.
A good hot mug of cocoa always did the job.
How Santa Claus manages to travel the whole world in just one night in a sleigh full of toys with nine (counting Rudolph) reindeer is beyond me.
Now granted, he works with the setting sun, going from east to west to buy himself some time, but still...
THAT is a long trip!
Just think, it took Phineas Fogg 80 days to do it according to Jules Verne, and that guy wasn't even stopping at every house delivering presents to all the good boys and girls around the globe either.
But why did I go to the North Pole, you ask?
Because Santa Claus thinks I've been a BAD little dragon, but I haven't!
Over the past year, a rainbow colored dragon has been raiding a lot of chocolate factories, but it wasn't this rainbow colored dragon.
Besides, I don't know how all those empty chocolate wrappers wound up in my trash cans. HONEST!
So I flew up to the North Pole, under my own power I might add, which is quite an accomplishment for a baby dragon; and pleaded my case before the jolly big guy in the red suit himself.
I hope he believed me. I believe in him.
Of course some of those chocolate factories are really mad about their goodies getting stolen.
Especially the ones that make Belgosian dark.
Hmmm.... choc-o-late....
Oh, excuse me. Anyway, come Christmas morning, I might wind up being like the kid who got batteries for Christmas with a note that said "Toy not included".
But I met Mrs. Claus while I was up there. Did you know her first name is Mary?
What? You haven't heard of Mary Christmas?
Well, that is her maiden name.
Anyway, me and Mary got along real good. I hope she puts a good word in to her husband for me. I'd hate to wind up with coal in my stocking this year. Considering where it comes from, that lump might be some long lost ancestor of mine I didn't know about!
While I was there, I also got to attend the Snowball. It was a lovely dance. Or at least all the snow people there tell me it usually is. For some reason they got mad whenever I tried to turn up the heat in auditorium.
But now I'm back and like all the other children around the world hoping that Santa visits me Christmas Eve.
Yet I know that even if I don't get any presents this year, he will still have to stop by.
I left one of my mittens at the North Pole and he has to return it.

I hope everyone has the merriest of holidays, and hopefully the next Sunday Funnies will be on time.
Take care everyone.-wd.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 12-18, 2010

Amongst the events that have happened around the world this past week:

*South Korea has postponed its latest scheduled military exercises after North Korea threatened a "nuclear" response if they were conducted.
*A tax bill of compromises has been passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law with mixed reviews from both supporters and critics alike.
*The widow of suspected Bernard Madoff accomplice Jeffry Picower has returned over $7 BILLION (U.S. Dollars) to be refunded to the victims of that infamous ponzi scheme.
*Legal action has been initiated by the Obama administration in hopes of making back some of the governmental expenditures from clean up efforts of the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
*In the WikiLeaks saga: Bank of America will no longer be handling any financial matters for the organization while Julian Assange is out on bail pending trial and in house arrest pending trial on two counts of alleged rape.
*After passing both houses of the United States Congress, a bill to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy started during the Clinton Administration will be going to President Barack Obama for approval.
*While no actual sales figures will be released until after the holidays, retailers are concerned about the growing trends that consumers are not only passing up on big ticket purchases for more practical items as Christmas presents, but they are preferring to buy only what they can afford using cash instead of credit.
*Time magazine has declared Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg its 2010 Person of the Year.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
*Larry King retired his CNN nightly talk show this week. Piers Morgan will begin hosting a new program in that time slot starting this January.
*On the holiday special front, this is the tenth anniversary of Grandma Got Runned Over By A Reindeer, despite the fact that the song has been with us since 1979; and the 40th anniversary of the Rankin-Bass special Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

For more news at any time, just scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature or visit any reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 18, 2010

We're still celebrating the Christmas season with some more specially themed puzzles.

COMMON BONDS
Each subset has something in common. Do you know what it is? Hint: Think Music!
01. {Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer}
02. {Eartha Kitt, Madonna}

REBUS
Something familiar is represented in the image to the left. Do you know what it is?

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's peek inside THE ANSWERS BOX, and discover the results of our FAMOUS FIRSTS' CAROL QUIZ. And remember, we were looking for the tunes first appearance this time, not who sang it first. Ready?
01. White Christmas actually first appeared in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
02. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas first appeared in the 1944 movie Meet Me In Saint Louis with Judy Garland.
03. Silver Bells first appeared in the 1951 movie The Lemon Drop Kid with Bob Hope.
04. We Need A Little Christmas was first declared in the Broadway musical Mame! featuring Anglea Landsbury in the title role.
05. Christmas Time Is Here was the opening musical number in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: DECEMBER 12, 2010

Hello Everybody! Autumn the Puppy here.
It was supposed to be Ms. Waxy Dragon's turn this week, but she said something about having to fly to the North Pole to convince Santa Claus that she really has been a good dragon, despite all the reports about raiding chocolate factories and other things that she isn't supposed to do.
So while unfortunately I'm not as prepared as I would like to be, let's see what I can dig up this weekend.

It's been raining like crazy all day. I've been cooped up in the regular people house all day, apparently driving all the humans crazy because I have nothing to do. Well, since they won't let me behind the steering wheel of their cars, this dog license I have must allow me to drive something.

Are slugs just snails with a housing problem?

Should a math book seek counseling because it has a lot of problems?

A witness, tired of trying to testify, turned to the judge and said, "I swore to tell the truth. The whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Yet every time I open my mouth one of those lawyers objects!"

Why do sharks avoid eating lawyers? Out of professional courtesy.

Is a dogwood tree's bark really worse than it's bite?

Well, I just looked out the window and discovered that it's been raining so much, my dog house just set sail! I better go catch it before it floats away.
Luckily I can swim.
After all, I certainly can dog paddle.
In any event, I hope everyone has a much nicer, or at least drier week than I am, and we'll be back next weekend with more Sunday Funnies! -AtP.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

NEWS THAT MAKES YOU THINK: JOHN LENNON

AN EDITORIAL.

From time to time, events happen that need more space than what can be originally allotted upon this website, hence taking a closer look at some of them here.

*JOHN LENNON: 1940-1980
What can be said here that hasn't been elsewhere?
That the world lost a good man that fateful night of December 8, 1980 is obvious.
That his loss to his family, friends, and the music world is immeasurable.
In many ways, Lennon was a voice of a generation and a voice that spanned generations.
One can only wonder what his opinions would have been on some of the more key historic events since his passing, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the War on Terror.
What compositions and other creative endeavors he might have undertaken in those years since will sadly never be known.
His assassin, who shall remain nameless, is still in prison. Although repeated denied parole, he will eventually have completed his sentence and be released.
One can only wonder what the world will be like for him upon that day. The rest of the populace knows what it's like for us.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 5-11, 2010

Amongst the events that have happened around the globe this past week...

*President Barack Obama is trying to work with Congress to establish a tax package everyone can agree with., but attempts to compromise with Republicans angers his fellow Democrats, and trying to address their concerns makes the Republicans unhappy.
*A decision by the United Kingdom's Parliament to increase university tuitions has sparked some serious reactions from students, including some local rioting.
*The WikiLeak saga continues, including: the website being forced offline again, its founding head Julian Assange being arrested on suspicion of rape, and an attempt to seize the organization's financial assets as some government agencies seek to take legal action against the website. Meanwhile, another group only known as "Anonymous" has been coming to WikiLeak's defense in various instances even as classified documents continue to be made public around the world.
*Former Vice-President of the United States Dick Cheney was officially charged by a Nigerian court in regards to a bribery scam when he was an executive at Halliburton.
*Mark Madoff, son of convicted investment banker Bernard Madoff, was found dead in his New York City apartment Saturday. While suicide is suspect, authorities are currently investigating.
*Attorney Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Presidential candidate John Edwards, has lost her battle with cancer.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
*Singer Aretha Franklin is fighting pancreatic cancer.
*This month marks the 45th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas, and sadly, the 30th anniversary of the world losing John Lennon.

For more news at any time, feel free to scroll down to the IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or check any reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 11, 2010

Our Christmas season celebration continues with some more holiday themed fun.

FAMOUS FIRSTS>The Christmas Song Edition
Below is a list of some famous holiday songs. We are not asking for who sang them first, but where they first appeared.
01. White Christmas
02. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
03. Silver Bells
04. We Need A Little Christmas
05. Christmas Time Is Here

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open THE ANSWERS BOX and see the results from December 4's Puzzle Corner.

REBUS
Peace on Earth

TRIVIA TIME
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was first created as a Christmas mascot for the now defunct Montgomery Wards department store chain, but "the most famous reindeer of all" has since taken his place amongst the canon of the season.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: DECEMBER 5, 2010

Hello Everybody! Autumn the Puppy here, and look at what I've dug up for you fine folks this weekend.
I thought I'd share some more funny photos with everyone. You can click any image for a closer look.
First up: Now I'm sure everyone has heard of Pegasus, the flying horse, but did you ever hear about this?
What is it?
Glad you asked!
This is actually a picture of a gazelle being chased by a goose, but given the photographer's camera angle and the position of the subjects at the time, it actually looks like the gazelle has wings!  Of course everyone knows that the ONLY animal that flies without wings are Santa's reindeer.

Now for our next contestant.
Everyone wants to obey the law, or at least most of us do, and part of that is heeding traffic signs.
But in this situation, WHICH of the two signs on the same post are you supposed to heed?
Then again, my owners would love to be wherever this photo was taken, because look at what the price of gasoline was way back when!

Unfortunately, it is far from the first time something like this has happened on the road, although you always hope it will be the last.
Yet this must have been one too many for whoever is in charge of the emergency message board.

That's all for this weekend folks! Have a great week, stay warm!
And be back next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!
Atp.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

NEWS THAT MAKES YOU THINK: DECEMBER 4, 2010

AN EDITORIAL.

The following is the latest installment of an occasional feature that takes a closer look at some of the things that have happened around the world this past week when necessary.

*Presented without comment: there is a very interesting article here http://yearinreview.yahoo.com/2010/blog/8246/most-expensive-votes/ about the money some candidates spent in the last election versus the actual results.

*Meanwhile, the state of California is struggling to overcome a serious (Six BILLION dollars!) budget deficit, yet it continues to buy/lease transportation for its legislature!

The Free Choice E-zine's comment:
Most people have to provide/find their own transportation to work and are happy just to get an assigned parking space! At best we consider ourselves lucky to find a parking space close to the building on bad weather days.
Obviously they should cancel the program and sell the vehicles immediately. Such actions won't totally resolve their budget crisis, but it won't hurt the problem either.
You can read more about this here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/ap_on_re_us/us_california_legislative_vehicles

*The outgoing Congress is currently arguing over whether or not to extend tax credits. The Republicans swear that unless the Bush Administration cuts to the rich are extended, they will take no action on anything, which risks not only any other business before Congress between now and January 2011, but would end the current tax cuts to the middle class December 31 if they are not extended.
Now obviously the Republicans do not speak for everybody, especially this group: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20101119/ts_yblog_theticket/millionaires-to-obama-tax-us

The Free Choice E-zine's comment:

BRAVO!

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 4, 2010

Amongst some of the events that have happened around the world this past week:

*European Union financial ministers have been overseeing Ireland's economic recovery. While various loans/funds have been made available to avoid any immediate problems, a long term solution is still being sought.
*North Korea threatened 'all out war' if South Korea continues joint military exercises with the United States, including the possibility of using nuclear weapons. Meanwhile South Korea is still protesting the North's recent actions, including the bombing of the inhabited Yeonpyeong Island. Representative from Japan and South Korea will meet in Washington DC to discuss the matter.
*Despite being attacked by a computer hacker and warned it will be endangering lives by doing so, WikiLeaks has released more 'classified/secret' documents. Amongst the leaked material: China allegedly considers North Korea a 'spoiled child' and acknowledges reunification efforts of the two sides under South Korean rule are 'gaining ground'; a previously unknown friendship between the prime ministers of Italy and Russia; and United States diplomats were allegedly ordered to spy during their various assignments if such actions could be safely conducted. Meanwhile, fallout from these new releases include Amazon cutting off all customer access to WikiLeaks, the website having to switch servers due to 'cyberwarfare', and a look into possible legal action against the organization.
*Nissan has started selling "The Leaf", its first mass market electric car.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS...
*Actor Leslie Nielsen (Forbidden Planet, Airplane! The Naked Gun) has passed away at age 84.
*Director Irvin Kershner passed away at age 87.

For more news at any time, just scroll down to the IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or access any reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 4, 2010

The month of December 2010 finds us with four Saturdays, including Christmas Day. So I thought we would use the space this month to celebrate the holidays and hopefully find the true spirit of the season, instead of the preciou$ one the retail industry is always searching for.

To wit:

REBUS
Something most everybody wants is represented by the image below. Do you know what it is?

PEACE
EARTH

TRIVIA TIME
This holiday icon has overcome his origins as a shill for a now defunct department store chain and taken his place amongst the stories and fables of holiday canon. Do you know who it is?

We'll have the answers for you next weekend. But for now, let's peek into THE ANSWERS BOX and see the results from our TV SHOW INTRO QUIZ from last weekend.

01. "You unlock this door with the key of imagination." Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone.
02. "He awoke to find himself trapped in the past." Quantum Leap.
03. "But in that darkness, fate moves its huge hand." Believe it or not, that line is from the first season opening to The Fugitive with David Jansen.
04. "We travel through time to help history along." Voyagers!, a good science-fiction series that unfortunately only lasted the 1982-83 TV season.
05. "To seek out new life and new civilizations." Star Trek, whether it be The Original Series, The Animated Series, or The Next Generation. The other series (to date): Enterprise, Voyager, and Deep Space Nine did not use the classic intro.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

HANUKKAH 2010

For those amongst our readership who celebrate the Festival of Lights, The Free Choice E-zine wishes you and yours a HAPPY HANUKKAH!