Saturday, May 31, 2014

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 25-31, 2014

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has been elected President of Egypt.
*Dalia Grybauskaite has won re-election as President of Lithuania.
*Narendra Nori has been sworn in as the new Prime Minster of India.
*Peter Mutharika has been sworn in as the new President of Malawi.
*Nigeria forces claim to know where the 300 girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram are being held, but are concerned any rescue attempts might endanger them. Meanwhile, the terrorist group killed 33 security personnel while attacking Yobe State.
*Medical personnel are in Sierra Leone to combat an outbreak of Ebola Virus.
*Search efforts still continue in hopes of discovering Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and solving the mystery of its disappearance.
*Pfizer says it has ended any attempts to buy AstraZeneca, but does intend to soon start selling an over the counter/generic version of the anti-heartburn medicine Nexium, which is an AstraZeneca product.
*Japan won the 2014 Thomas Cup of badminton and the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup of football/soccer.
*Nico Rosberg won the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix.
*Civil unrest continues in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Syria.

FROM THE UKRAINE...
*Petro Poroshenko has been elected President of the Ukraine, despite
activities by pro-Russian militants, including the forced closing of Donetsk International Airport and keeping anyone in that city from voting.
*The new President vows to continue the fight against such militants, citing the 30 known dead during the airport takeover amongst the reasons.
*Meanwhile, Chechen Republic leader Ramzan Kadyrov says he has not sent troops into the Ukraine on either side of the continuing conflict.
*A Ukrainian military helicopter was shot down over Sloviansk, while the pro-Russian Vostok Battalion seized the Donetsk Peoples' Republic's headquarters.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
*Army Sgt. Bowe Berghdahl, held captive by the Taliban since 2009, has been exchanged for 5 "prisoners of war" from Guantanamo Bay.
*Meanwhile, President Barack Obama has announced that some non-combat troops will remain in Afghanistan at that government's request for up to an additional year.
*The United States has announced a "terrorism partnership fund" to help allied countries fight that situation.
*Eric Shinseki has resigned as the head of the Veterans' Affairs because of the problems within the Veterans' Health Administration.
*Josh Earnest will replace the resigning Jay Carney as White House Press Secretary.
*Sriram Hathwar of New York City and Ansun Sujoe of Forth Worth, Texas tied as winner of the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
*Author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou has passed away at age 86.
*Apple, Inc. plans to buy Beats Electronics for $3 billion US dollars.
*Ryan Hunter-Reay has won the 2014 Indianapolis 500 professional auto race.
*Jimmie Johnson won the 2014 NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.
*Los Angeles Dodger Josh Beckett pitched the first no-hitter of the 2014 Major League Baseball season against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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: MAY 31, 2014

Greetings everybody. A fresh batch of enigmas awaits.

COMMON BONDS
The items within each subset below have something in common.
Do you know what it is?

01. {Captain Marvel, The Atlanta Braves}
02. {Luann Degroot, The Arizona Diamondbacks}
03. {Groups 1 and 2}

TRIVIA TIME
Pending the results of the Belmont Stakes June 7th, "California Chrome" might become the first horse since 1978 to win professional horse racing's Triple Crown. But who was the last horse to do so?

We'll reveal all next weekend, but for now, let's peek inside THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the May 24, 2014 Puzzle Corner.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
With the letters in the word MEMORIAL, you can spell the following:
A, aero, ail, aim, air, ale, alm, am, amor, amore, are, arm
Ear, elm, el, em, era
I, ire
La, lair, lam, lame, lea, leo, liar, lie, lime, limo, lira, lire
Ma, mail, male, mare, me, memo, mer, mile, mime, mire, mole, more
Oil, oiler, ole, or, ore
Rail, ram, real, realm, ream, rile, rim, rio, roe, roi, roil, role, rom

For American readers, you will note some acceptable "foreign" words amongst the answers in light of our International audience.
Otherwise, more than the 61 listed above might be possible.

THE 50/50 CHANCE
Believe it or not, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" IS a word, at least according to the Oxford English Dictionary since 1986.

The song was written by Richard and Robert Sherman for the 1964 Walt Disney movie version of Mary Poppins. While the Disney Corporation maintains its copyrights on the tune and film, the following video is courtesy of YouTube, featuring Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews, as this year marks its 50th anniversary!


Monday, May 26, 2014

MEMORIAL DAY 2014

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITORIAL

While other nations honor those who bravely served within their military forces at other times throughout the year, today is Memorial Day here in the United States of America.

Most look at today as the unofficial start of summer with the advent of warmer weather, outdoor activities, and plenty of sales from various retailers; no country should forget those brave men and women who thought not of themselves, but of others as they stood bravely to protect and defend the freedoms and liberties you enjoy today.

So please take at least a moment to remember the Veterans. Without them, life wouldn't be as we know it today.

THE ABOVE WAS AN EDITORIAL.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: "SIGNS OF THE TIMES"

Hello Everybody! Free Choice E-zine Editor-In-Chief Lee
Spring at last!
Houston, Junior with you today because since this is the Memorial Day weekend here in the United States, both Autumn the Puppy and Waxy Dragon are off to be with their families.
So once again it falls upon me to entertain you for a few minutes.

Therefore, we are going to take a brief trip through the funny signs section of The Free Choice's photo album.
Ready?


Take a good look at the image on the left.

Notice anything wrong?

Unless you're driving a submersible, I think the sign should have been hung on a post somewhere on the opposite side of the road!





The reference in the sign on the right should be obvious.

I also had a picture of one that said "Back Road", but unfortunately that didn't come out right, so I will have to retake it another day.






I believe the image on the left originated somewhere in Australia.

But wherever that sign is, I hope you have a fully charged cell phone and good reception if there is an emergency!







I'm sure the mistake in the image at right is obvious, but it makes you wonder what's happening in the world today.









At first I thought the sign in the image on the left was another mistake, until I read it.

Here's hoping that, if you were able to read the sign correctly, you simply tilted your head and didn't discover what the sign said the hard way.



And finally, let's end with a classic image.

On the right is proof of eternal optimism and a friendly reminder that better days are ahead.

Well, have a great week everybody and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!--lh,jr

Saturday, May 24, 2014

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 18-24, 2014

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. 

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND
THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*The Royal Thai Army has declared martial law in that country after allegedly staging a successful coup d'etat.
*Pope Francis has begun a papal visit to the Middle East.
*In the aftermath of the MV Sewol ferry disaster, the South Korean Coast Guard will be reorganized. Meanwhile, the South Korean Navy is busy protecting its waters from North Korean naval intrusions.
*Narendra Modi has been elected the new Prime Minister of India.
*Astra Zeneca has rejected another take over bid from the Pfizer Corporation.
*Jacob Zuma has officially begun his second term as President of South Africa.
*Civil unrest continues in Libya, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

FROM THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIA...
*Although Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered their withdraw in specific Ukrainian areas, NATO allies report no such troop activity.
*During a state visit to China, Putin signed a 30 year natural gas contract, while Russia and China vetoed the United Nations' request for the International Criminal Court to investigate charges of war crimes in Syria.
*Russia is in negotiations with Iran to build that country two additional nuclear reactors.
*The Luhansk People's Republic of the Ukraine has declared martial law and requested Russia to send peace keeping forces to protect its civilians.
*Putin has officially declared he will respect the outcome of the impending May 25th Ukrainian Presidential election.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
*General Motors has recalled an ADDITIONAL 2.4 million vehicles!
*The House of Representatives' Republican controlled Agricultural Committee has decided to save money this summer by REDUCING the Children's Summer Meal Program to just "rural" areas.
*President Barack Obama has nominated San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to be the next Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development department and promised the VA will improve their current appointment system.
*The Indy 500 auto race will be held this Sunday.
*Same gender marriages are now legal in Oregon and Pennsylvania.


ONCE AGAIN, THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANKS ITS LOYAL READERSHIP FOR GRANTING US 3000+ PAGE VIEWS!



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: MAY 24, 2014

This is the Memorial Day weekend here in the United States, where The Free Choice E-zine is based, so we are starting out this edition of The Puzzle Corner with something (kind of) appropriate.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many new words can you make out of the letters in MEMORIAL?

THE 50/50 CHANCE
This is just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question, except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?

TRUE OR FALSE: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is a real word.

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results of the May 17, 2014 Puzzle Corner.

REBUS

Whether you're a fan of the novel or the movie adaptation, the image on the left represents A Clockwork Orange.

TRIVIA TIME
We originally gave you their surnames, but the trio of JOSIE Jones, MELODY Valentine, and VALERIE Smith are better known as Josie and the Pussycats.

Enjoy a sample of their music below, courtesy of You Tube and have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend while remembering those who served to protect your freedoms and liberties.


Sunday, May 18, 2014

SUNDAY FUNNIES: SPECIALLY PICKED JOKES!

The round file!
Hello Everybody! Waxy Dragon here, winging your way with a fresh load of jokes.

I can guarantee these jokes are fresh. I just
picked them from those special round containers that are quite abundant throughout The Free Choice E-zine offices!

Ready?

Have you heard the joke about the bed?
I'd be surprised if you did, because it hasn't been made yet.

Do you know what it means if your roof is leaking?
Yeah. It's raining outside.

Here's a leftover from May Fourth. What do you call two suns fighting each other?
Star Wars.

Did you hear the one about the husband who was happy his mother-in-law only visited him once?
The problem now is he can't get her to leave.
"Okay. Now what do I do with it?"

What is grey and has a trunk?
A mouse on vacation.

What did one magnet say to the other magnet?
"I find you attractive."

Well, unfortunately that's all the space I have for this weekend, which might be a good thing considering some of these jokes are starting to get stale.
In any event, have a great week everybody and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!--wd.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 11-17, 2014

The king of the kaiju (giant monsters) Godzilla
celebrates his 60th anniversary this year.

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*The Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram claims to have 100 of the kidnapped Chibok girls and wants to start exchanging them for imprisoned members of their group.
*A new Facebook page called "My Stealthy Freedom", where Iranian women can post images of themselves NOT wearing their hijabs, is quickly becoming popular. The act is akin to ladies burning their bras in the 1960s for Women's Lib.
*A pregnant Sudanese woman has been sentenced to 100 lashes for marrying a Christian man and death for not renouncing Christianity.
*After the Soma mine collapse in Turkey, 282 miners are confirmed dead while 120 others are trapped within the cave in.
*Rescue efforts after the sinking of the MV-Miraj 4 ferry have been (temporarily?) ended after recovering 54 bodies. It is unknown how many passengers might have been on board that are still missing.
*The remains of the historic Santa Maria have allegedly been found north of Haiti.
*The largest dinosaur remains ever discovered have been unearthed in Patagonia, Argentina.
*The Bharatiya Janta Party has won a majority in India's recent general elections.
*Civil unrest continues in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

WITHIN THE UKRAINE...
*Pro-Russian insurgents have declared the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk "independent states" that will allegedly soon join the Russian Union.
*Talks have begun in hopes of settling the regional unrest, but without any Pro-Russian representatives present.
*The United Nations is concerned about the deterioration of Human Rights in the region.
*The Ukrainian Presidential election is still scheduled for May 25th.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
*The National September 11th Memorial and Museum near Ground Zero is officially open.
*"California Chrome" won the Preakness horse race, leaving many to wonder if it can win the Belmont Stakes in June to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
*Journalist Barbara Walters has officially retired, but will continue as Executive Producer of ABC's The View.





Our streak continues as The Free Choice E-zine's readership has granted us 2000+ page views for the 9th straight month!



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: MAY 17, 2014

Another weekend is upon us, and puzzle lovers know what that means!

REBUS
Something famous is represented in the image below.
Do you know what it is?

Rebus image




TRIVIA TIME
A trio with the surnames of Jones, Valentine, and Smith is better known by their first names as who?

We'll reveal all next weekend.
But for now, let's peer inside THE ANSWERS BOX and see the results from the May 10, 2014 Puzzle Corner and our Mothers' Day Quiz.

01. Who is accredited with the creation of this observance, at least in the United States?
Anna Jarvis
02. Trying to establish the event, who first recognized Mothers' Day?
Jarvis' first success was when West Virginia began celebrating it in 1910.
03. Which President nationally recognized Mothers' Day, and when?
President Woodrow Wilson in 1914
04. Do you think Mothers' Day has gotten too commercial?
Anna Jarvis believed so. She wanted a day of "reverence and contemplation to honor motherhood", but by the 1920s started lobbying for its repeal because of all the merchandisers and retailers taking advantage of the event.
Makes you wonder what Jarvis would think of Mothers' Day now?

Sunday, May 11, 2014

SUNDAY FUNNIES: HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY 2014

Woof Mom!
Love you Mom!
"Hello Everybody! You have both Autumn the Puppy and Waxy Dragon here to celebrate Mothers' Day."

"That's right Autumn, and we have something very special planned for today: a guest comedienne!"

Phyllis Diller, circa 2007

"Phyllis Diller (1917-2012) was one of the first ladies of comedy, breaking into the male dominant field of stand-up performances before turning to humorous acting, and later voice over work for movies and television. Usually in regards to her fictitious husband Fang, Diller joked about marriage and housekeeping, although she had plenty of experience being both a wife and a mother herself."


"And now folks, Autumn and I are proud to present some of Phyllis' classic Mothers' Day themed jokes."


Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.

The best way to get rid of kitchen odors? Eat out.


I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford in life. Then I'll move in with them.


Sometimes children threaten to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going.


We spend the first 12 months of our children's lives teaching them how to walk and talk, and then the next 12 telling them to sit down and shut up.


My cooking is so bad, my kids think Thanksgiving is to commemorate Pearl Harbor!


I've been asked to say a couple of words about my husband Fang. How about short and cheap?


Fang's finest hour only lasted a minute and a half.


And on that note, take care everybody and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!--AtP and WD.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 4-10, 2014

SUNDAY IS MOTHER'S DAY
WITHIN SEVERAL COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES.

Amongst events happening around the world this past week...
*While authorities are still pursuing leads in the Chibok kidnappings that resulted in 203 missing girls, and additional 8 females have been reported missing.
*South Korea claims that 3 North Korean drones violated their air space.
*Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a measure that prohibits all profanity at any art, cultural, or entertainment event.
*Thailand's Constitutional Court has found Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawarta guilty of abusing her office's powers when she transferred the National Security Council Chief in 2011 and removed her from office.
*Barclays has announced they will cut 19,000 jobs over the next 3 years as they exit the retail bank market in Western Europe.
*The Coca-Cola and Pepsi companies have promised to no longer use brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in their products.
*Evidence of a new species of dinosaur, dubbed "Pinocchio Rex", has been discovered in Ganzhou, China.
*Mark Selby won the 2014 World Snooker Championship.
*Civil unrest continues in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

CONCERNING RUSSIA AND THE UKRAINE...
*As the ongoing situation continues, neighboring Moldova has placed their border sentries on a higher alert status.
*Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, doubts there will be continued peace talks in Geneva over the current situation unless pro-Russia groups are included.
*The Ukrainian Presidential Election is still scheduled for May 25th.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
*In a cost cutting measure, Office Depot has announced it will close 400 stores between now and the end of 2015.
*Monica Lewinsky has released a "tell all" book about her affair with Bill Clinton, although some still question the accuracy of her details.
*The Saint Louis Rams of the National Football League have drafted Michael Sam, the first openly gay collegiate football player, to play for them professionally.
*Actress, producer, director Nancy Malone has taken her final bow from the stage of life.




WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR LOYAL READERSHIP FOR CONTINUING THE STREAK OF 1000+ MONTHLY PAGE VIEWS!*


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.

*Streak began September 2011.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 10, 2014

Greetings! Sharpen those wits because we have a special quiz to celebrate MOTHERS' DAY!
While the observance is International (although not every country celebrates it on the same day), the following questions deal with its start here in the United States.

01. Who is accredited with the creation of this observance?
02. What was the creator's first success in getting Mothers' Day officially recognized?
03. Which President nationally recognized Mothers' Day, and when?
04. Do you think Mothers' Day has gotten too commercial?

We'll reveal all next weekend, but don't wait that long to honor your mother.
Meanwhile, let's peek inside THE ANSWERS BOX, and discover the results from the May 3, 2014 Puzzle Corner that played The Letter Shuffle with the names of the United States.

Our quiz questions did not include the District of Columbia or any U.S. territories, but did you know:
01. What was the most used letter when spelling out the names of all 50 states? A!
02. What letter is not used at all? Q! Although it does appear in some city names.
03. What letter starts the most state names? There is actually a tie between M and N, at 8 states apiece!
04. What letters do not start any state names? There are 7: B, E, J, Q, X, Y, and Z.
And finally:
05. Can any words be spelled out of the letters that answer Question 4?
Only 3: BE, BY and BYE.

Monday, May 5, 2014

CINCO DE MAYO > MAY 5, 2014

Hello friends!
Today some of us celebrate May 5. The day of the battle of Puebla.
Back in 1862, the Mexican Army defeat the oppressing French forces of the time to protect their country.
While this is not Mexico's actual Independence Day (that's actually September 16), it is a celebration of that country's heritage and pride.
So enjoy the party and please CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY.





Hola Amigos!
Algunos de nosotros celebran hoy el 5 de Mayo. El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla.

Detrás en 1862, la derrota mexicana del ejército las fuerzas francesas de opresión de la época de proteger su país.
Mientras que éste no es Mexico' Día de la Independencia real de s (that' s realmente el 16 de septiembre), es una celebración de eso country' herencia y orgullo de s.
Disfrute tan del partido y CELEBRE por favor RESPONSIBLY.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

SUNDAY FUNNIES: MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

Doesn't need a Millennium Falcon
Wants to meet a Wookie
"Hello Everybody! We have a very special Sunday Funnies for you today, with both Waxy Dragon AND Autumn the Puppy!"

"That's right Waxy. Today is May the Fourth, adopted by science-fiction fans everywhere as International Star Wars Day! May the Force Fourth be with you. Get it?"

"I get it Autumn. But while we have celebrated every year at The Free Choice E-zine offices, this is the very first time since the event's been established that May the Fourth has ever fallen on a Sunday, so we're going to celebrate in style this year with some Star Wars themed jokes!"

Another galaxy; far, far away...

What do you call Storm Troopers playing cards?
A game of clones!

Why did the evil Jedi cross the galaxy?
To get to the dark side!

Why is a droid mechanic never lonely?
Because they're always making new friends!

Since Disney now owns the Lucas Films properties (and the reason why we can't post official Star Wars images), what is Darth Vader's favorite song?
♪ When you wish upon a death star... ♫

Do Star Wars fans going shopping at the Darth Maul?

"Okay everyone, true story!" said Autumn. "Once upon a time, a company wanted to hold a contest to drive up their sales income. The winner was supposed to get a Toyota, or so the employees thought. When a winner was announced, she got a stuffed Toy Yoda! Mad, she threatened to sue, and the case went all the way to Federal court, where the judge said the company didn't actually violate any laws because nothing was ever written down! Makes you wonder if Emperor Palpatine had pointy hair?"

"Well, I don't think we did too bad for our first Sunday Funnies Star Wars," added Waxy. "Too bad that, because of leap years, May 4th doesn't fall on a Sunday again until 2025!"

"There, there, Waxy. Don't cry. We're going to close this out with something VERY SPECIAL! Courtesy of You Tube, the officially authorized video to The Saga Begins by 'Weird' Al Yankovic!"



Here, next weekend be, for more Sunday Funnies,
And May the Force Farce be with you!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: APRIL 27-MAY 3, 2014

MAY IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*Microsoft has discovered a critical vulnerability within Internet Explorers 6-11 that could allow hackers to gain access and users' rights to customers' computers!
*The search continues along the waters of the Indian Ocean for the remains of Malaysia Flight 370.
*The death toll in the sinking of the MV Sewol ferry in South Korea has risen to 205, with 97 people still unaccounted for. Authorities are still looking for the ferry captain, seen leaving the vessel as the incident happened! Meanwhile, North Korea warns it will soon be conducting live weapons testing along the maritime border.
*Former Popes John Paul II and John XXIII have been canonized into sainthood.
*India is now the world's third largest economy in purchasing power.
*More than 50 royal mummies have been discovered by archaeologists in the KV40 tomb within Egypt's Valley of Kings.
*Civil unrest continues in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

FROM THE UKRAINE
*More sanctions have been imposed as pro-Russian gunmen have begun seizing towns along the current Ukraine border.
*Ukrainian authorities have announced they are reinstating conscription for military duty as they launch offensive attacks against pro-Russian terrorists.
*Slovakia and the Ukraine have made arrangements for natural gas from Central Europe to enter the Ukraine from Slovakia.

PASSING PARADE
Sadly, actors Bob Hoskins and Efrem Zimbalist, Junior
have taken their final bows from the stage of life.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
*Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned for life from professional basketball after severe racist remarks he made became public. The NBA is trying to broker a deal for ownership of the team to change hands.
*Comedian Craig Ferguson has announced he will leave The Late, Late Show at the end of the 2014 calendar year December 31st.
*California Chrome has won the 2014 Kentucky Derby of professional horse racing.
*For those interested, The Free Choice E-zine closed April 2014 with 3936 page views, falling shy of having two straight months of 4000+ page views.

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.