Wednesday, July 29, 2015

LOOKING AROUND: ABOUT US (1500th post!)

This is The Free Choice E-zine's 1500th post on Blogger!

For those who came in late, or haven't read the "About Us" section of the left hand side bar, your humble e-zine started life as a project amongst college students on another host service provider, who succumbed to the economic problems of the day and left us homeless and recordless, for all our past archives were lost when the server disappeared without warning.

Our very first post here at Blogger was a public service announcement on September 5, 2008. It was at this point that I not only received my promotion from content provider under the previous administration to Editor-In-Chief, because the college students who started this e-zine under its previous name (The Alternative) had all graduated and moved on; but I also gained ownership of the domain name too, because the last man out the door made the arrangements since he liked the fact that I was still contributing and trying to keep the site active when everyone else had left.
Our Editor-In-Chief

While I wasn't on the ground floor creating this e-zine, I like to think that I have done its legacy proud and helped it to flourish in the process.
The Free Choice E-zine currently averages over 2000+ page views every month!

That first weekend of operation, I started two of our regular features: THE PUZZLE CORNER on Saturday and THE SUNDAY FUNNIES the next morning.
Although we covered major news stories on a regular basis, the weekly news round up didn't begin until much later.
(All links above lead to the first posts of the referenced material.)

We've come a long way from those early days between Google improving Blogger features and functions over the years, along with me refining things and adding graphics. Maintaining this e-zine has certainly been a learning experience.

Of course, when I refer to the editorial "we", it is mostly me, myself, and I.
The Free Choice E-zine is basically operating on a shoe string budget, when I can afford to buy the laces.
There have been plenty of opportunities to monetize this website, but I have refused them all under the belief that there should be at least one ad free e-zine on the Internet; and The Free Choice E-zine shall remain ad free at least as long as I'm at the helm.

My friend and creator of Waxy Dragon, Roger Stegman provides a lot of the jokes that Waxy and our other hostess Autumn the Puppy post in every SUNDAY FUNNIES. Otherwise, he prefers to remain behind the scenes.
Autumn the "Puppy"
Waxy Dragon
I like to think of the ladies as our Gracie Allen (Waxy) and George Carlin/Robin Williams (Autumn) of this e-zine. As a running gag, I give them US holiday weekends off as I struggle to come up with a SUNDAY FUNNIES column on my own.

While The Free Choice E-zine is based within the United States of America, we are not xenophobic when it comes to the rest of the world.

There have been other contributors on and off over the years, but for those wondering about why mine is the only name listed in the "Posted By" credits, it is not out of egotism (although I do compile the weekly news and create the puzzles), but because in the end the final responsibility for everything that appears on your screen is mine. That I take very seriously.

Which is why at one point I opened the floor to let our readership decide what (if any) political stand The Free Choice E-zine would take, and the response was overwhelmingly pro-Democratic.

This decision was made by our participating audience at that time, and apparently based solely upon the old adage of "Actions speak louder than words."

Given their actions during the entire presidency of Barack Obama and the impending Presidential election in 2016, current Republicans continue to prove that saying to be very accurate.

So, now that we've briefly covered the past and the present, what lies ahead?
While we have no ideas or plans at present for expanding our regular features, we are always open to suggestions.

Questions, comments, suggestions, etc.; can either be posted at the end of any specific article or sent to FreeChoiceEzine@gmail.com

BOOK REVIEW: MORIARTY BY ANTHONY HOROWITZ

The world mourns the (apparent) death of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, who plunged over the Reichenbach Falls fighting his arch nemesis Professor James Moriarty, in what creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle hoped would be his last Holmes story: "The Final Problem".

Yet while Doctor John Watson slips quietly back into the private sector, Moriarty's absence creates a vacuum as others seek to declare themselves the new Napoleon of Crime, without the devious subtlety and non-violent approach that the Professor was known for.

One of these would be candidates hails from America, which leads Pinkerton agent Frederick Chase to join forces with Scotland Yard Inspector Atheleny Jones (introduced in Doyle's Holmes novel The Sign of Four) in hopes of bringing this rogue to justice, and perhaps creating a new team to take on the mysteries and criminals of Victorian London in the process.

While Doyle eventually bowed to fan pressure and brought Holmes back to literary life, Anthony Horowitz explores those dark days with both a modern writer's sensibilities and a fan's respect and knowledge of the original Sherlock Holmes canon. The twist ending within the finale completely caught me by surprise, because it was the last thing I was expecting during the story's climax. I will not reveal those details here and spoil the surprise, but I sincerely hope Horowitz eventually writes a sequel, picking up where this novel ended.

This adventure is written and reads like the worthy addition to the Holmes legacy it is. The novel has even been endorsed by the Conan Doyle estate, along with Horowitz's previous Holmes story The House of Silk. Although it isn't necessary to read one before the other, I do urge Holmes fans to seek it out as well. 

Sunday, July 26, 2015

SUNDAY FUNNIES: ANIMAL ANTICS! (animal jokes)

Hello Everybody! Waxy Dragon here!
I had so much fun telling cow jokes during my last post, that this time I'm going to extend the fun to the WHOLE animal kingdom!
Ready?

What do snakes learn in school?
Reading, writhing and arithmetic.


What do you call a bee that can't make up his mind?
A may bee.

What well-known cartoon character do moths like a hole lot?
Micky Moth!

What happened to the shark who swallowed a bunch of keys ?
He got lockjaw!

Where do fish wash?
In a river basin!

Which big cat should you never play a board game with?
A Cheetah.

A bookworm
What does a worm do in a corn field?
It goes in one ear and out the other.

What do you have when a pony has a sore throat?
It’s a little horse.

Did you hear about the glowworm that failed to pay its electric bill?
It was delighted.

What did the Momma Kangaroo say when she found her baby missing?
Somebody picked my pocket.

How does a leopard change its spots?
When it gets tired of sitting in one spot, it moves to another.

"THAT was supposed to be funny?"
And on that note, I'm out of space and it's time for me to move on, for now.
Have a great week everybody, and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—wd.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JULY 19-25, 2015

IT'S CONSTITUTION DAY IN PUERTO RICO!
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 50th ANNIVERSARIES OF MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND THE HOUSTON ASTROS OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved the Nuclear Pact with Iran.
*Greek banks have reopened with strict capital control guidelines.
*Pierre Nkurunziza has been re-elected to a third term as President of Burundi.
*Cuba and the United States have restored full diplomatic relations.
*Lockheed Martin has agreed to buy United Technologies Corp.'s Sikorsky Aircraft for $9 Billion US dollars.
*Professional hockey is considering adding teams in Quebec, Canada and Las Vegas, Nevada USA; starting in the 2017-2018 season.
*Exoplanet Kepler-452B is the closest in comparison to Earth discovered, to date.


TERRIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES...
*A suicide bombing in the Diyala Province of Iraq has left over 120 people dead and many more injured.
*Suicide bombers still seem to be a popular weapon amongst terrorist groups, leaving one to wonder where they are recruiting these people, considering the high turnover rate.
PASSING PARADE...
*The victims of the Chattanooga, South Carolina shooting: Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist, Petty Officer Randall Smith, Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells, and Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt.
*Formula One driver Jules Bianchi passed away while in his coma from injuries sustained during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
*Actress Mildred Joanne Smith (No Way Out) has taken her last bow on life's stage.
*Screenwriter Douglas S. Cook (The Rock, Double Jeopardy) has passed away.
*Big Band Leader/songwriter/composer Van Alexander (too numerous to mention) is no longer with us.
*Cartoonist Tom Moore (the Archie franchise) is gone.
*Songwriter Wayne Carson ("The Letter", "Always On My Mind", "Neon Rainbow") is gone.
*Author E. L. Doctorow (Ragtime, Billy Bathgate) has left us.
*Actor Theodore Bikel (My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Actress Natasha Parry (Romeo and Juliet, OH! What A Lovely War!) has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
POLITICALLY...
*The United States and Cuba have restored full diplomatic relations.
*Congressional Democrats are accusing Republicans of trying to sneak provisions within pending bills that would weaken Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Potential cutting passages to Social Security were removed from a pending Highway Infrastructure bill on Thursday.
*Congressional Republicans have (allegedly) vowed they will never support a measure that grants LGBT people the same equal rights as anyone else. While the Supreme Court recently ruled that same gender marriages are legal and constitutionally protected, other discriminating practices towards that community still exist.
*Someone has been posting negative attack ads against Medicare and Planned Parenthood.
*Ohio Governor John Kasich has officially become the 16th person to announce they are hoping to secure the 2016 Republican Party Presidential nomination; compared to only 5 people hoping to be the Democratic nominee. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are still the front runners in that race.
*The current GOP polls show billionaire Donald Trump now ahead of Jeb Bush, despite Bush's recent comments concerning government programs he'd eliminate if elected and opinions of the working class, while several veterans say they are NOT part of a group called "Veterans For Trump" who the candidate claims is on his side.
ELSEWHERE...
*Seven people were wounded with 3 confirmed dead during an attack on a movie theater in Louisiana.
*Lockheed Martin has agreed to buy United Technologies Corp.'s Sikorsky Aircraft for $9 Billion US dollars.
*The Anthem Insurance Company wants to buy the Cigna Insurance Company for $48 Billion US dollars.
*The Artist Once More Known As Prince says his forthcoming new album is "highly experimental".
*The National Hockey League is considering expanding to Las Vegas and Quebec, starting in the 2017-2018 season.

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: JULY 25, 2015

FUN FACT
Hummingbirds are the only birds capable of flying both in reverse and vertically!

TRIVIA TIME
Jackie Robinson is known as the first athlete to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers starting in 1947.
But who was the second player to get through that barrier?

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


We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the automobile themed Puzzle Corner of July 18, 2015.

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

TRUE OR FALSE: It has always required just one key to start the car and open the trunk/boot.

FALSE! Until the 1980s, it required 2 separate keys.

TRIVIA TIME
Who invented the windshield wiper?
The device was first created by Mary Anderson in 1903.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: LOCA THE PUG

A salute to a fellow canine
Hello Everybody! Autumn the Puppy here!
Once again, I've been surfing the Internet and look at what I dug up this time.

Over in Belfast, Ireland there is a cute pug that has become a canine celebrity.

Loca the Pug was born with a condition that does not allow her hind legs to fully cooperate with the rest of her body whenever she tries to run and play with her family and friends. One would think such a situation would have a serious impact upon your life, but that certainly hasn't slowed this lady down.

With the help of her family, Loca has become the star of several videos. She now has her own YouTube page, as well as a growing following on Facebook.

Now sadly, neither I nor The Free Choice E-zine have the licensing budget to post any of those funny and endearing videos featuring Loca and the rest of her friends; but besides the fact I urge you to watch them when you can, you can also read more about Loca in this 2013 article from The Daily Mail.com

This is just another example of how when life hands you lemons, it's time to open a lemonade stand and live your life to the fullest, no matter what others might think.
Title card to debut video, via Google.

Have a great week and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—AtP.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JULY 12-18, 2015

IT'S CONSTITUTION DAY IN URUGUAY!


AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*An agreement has been reached between world leaders concerning the Iranian nuclear program, although Republicans in the American Congress are vowing to veto the United States participation in it.
*The Eurozone leaders have agreed upon a new bailout plan for Greece. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is taking measures in hopes of avoiding their own economic disaster.
*Georgia has accused Russia of resetting some of the border markers between the two countries, since this act places part of an international oil pipeline that originally went totally through Georgia now under Russian control.
*NASA's New Horizons space probe has reached Pluto, sending back amazing photos of the (dwarf?) planet.
*Within professional tennis, Novak Djokovic has won the Men's Singles, Serena Williams the Women's Singles, Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau the Men's Doubles, and Martina Hingis & Sania Mirza the Women's Doubles at the 2015 Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

TERRIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES...
*Once again, suicide bombers seem to be the weapon du jour this past week in several Middle Eastern locales.
*A suspect is in custody after allegedly attempting to bomb a Boston, Massachusetts university on behalf of ISIS/ISIL.
*A shooting at a Chattanooga, Tennessee US Navy Recruiting office has left 4 unarmed Marines killed, and a wounded sailor died from injuries sustained during the attack. A suspect is in custody.

PASSING PARADE...
*Actor Olaf Pooley (Doctor Who, Star Trek: Voyager) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Actor Aubrey Morris (A Clockwork Orange, The Wicker Man) is no longer with us.
*Artist Alan Kupperberg (Spiderman, Thor, Little Orphan Annie) has passed away.
*Noted songwriter and singer José Manuel Figueroa Figueroa is no longer with us.
*Noted video game programmer and executive Satoru Iwata of Nintendo has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
POLITICALLY...
*An agreement has been reached between world leaders concerning the Iranian nuclear program, although Congressional Republicans are vowing to veto America's participation in it.
*Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has entered the already heavily populated contest to acquire the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination. However, he will never have the support of the AFL-CIO labor unions. Meanwhile, the top two contestants in the current polls are Jeb Bush and Donald Trump, with no actually ballots to be cast until next February.
*In hopes of easing prison overcrowding, President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of 46 non-violent offenders.
*Congress has said no to a bill that would make bullying LGBT minors officially illegal.
ELSEWHERE...
*The suspect in the 2012 Colorado movie theater massacre has been found guilty of all charges.
*Game of Thrones leads the nominees for the 2015 Emmy Awards in television.
*The American League defeated the National League 6-3 in the 2015 All Star Game of Major League Baseball, thus earning their side home field advantage in the World Series this fall.

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: JULY 18, 2015

FUN FACT
1885 Benz Motorwagen
There was a time when automobiles only had THREE wheels!

Today, The Puzzle Corner spotlights automobiles.

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

TRUE OR FALSE: It has always required just one key to start the car and open the trunk/boot.

TRIVIA TIME
Who invented the windshield wiper?

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results of the July 11, 2015 Puzzle Corner.

COMMON BONDS
The items within each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?
01. {For Me and My Gal, Xanadu}
The first and last movies of Gene Kelly
02. {The Dancing Lady, Ghost Story}
The first and last movies of Fred Astaire
03. {Your answers to Groups 1 and 2}
Famous actors who also dance.
Ghost Story was not a musical.

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate items share at least one common word, and can be combined to form something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what it is?

Horace Greeley's advice to Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Stonheim.

Go West Side Story.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

SUNDAY FUNNIES: STOP ME IF YOU'VE HERD THIS ONE (more cow jokes)

"MOO!"
Hello Everybody! Waxy Dragon here!
I've done it before and am about to do it again.
I've got a whole new herd of cow jokes, so I'm going to milk this routine for all I'm worth unless I make an udder disgrace out of myself.
Ready?

What does a cow say when it meditates?
"OOM."

Would a film about cows taking over a ship be called Mooooooo-tiny on the Bounty?

What TV program is watched mainly by cows?
"That's udderly silly!"
The Evening Moos.

Where do baby cows go for lunch?
To the calf-eteria.

Where do cows live in apartments?
Moo York City.

What REALLY happens when you talk to a cow?
It goes in one ear and out the udder!

What do Hawaiian Cows wear?
Moo-moos!

Where do cows go when they want a night out?
To the mooooo-vies!

What happens when you cross a great white shark with a cow?
I don't know... but no farmer wants to milk it!

What games do cows play at parties?
Moooosical Chairs!

What do you call a cow who works for a gardener?
A lawn moooooooo-er!

What do you get when cow gets hiccups?
Milkshakes!

What is a cow's favorite TV show?


And on that note, I'm going to fly out of here and hitch a ride through all Time And Relative Dairies In Space.

Have a great week everybody and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—wd.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JULY 5-11, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC CELEBRATES ITS 225th ANNIVERSARY JULY 16th.
DISNEYLAND CELEBRATES ITS 60th ANNIVERSARY JULY 17th.
AMAZON.COM CELEBRATES ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY JULY 15th.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*Greek voters rejected the bailout offer from the European Union. Several high government officials have since resigned their posts. Greece has since submitted their own economic bailout plan for the European Union's consideration.
*The Chinese Stock Market crashed earlier this week. Their government has since issued a six month moratorium on selling stock in hopes of preventing a further economic crisis.
*Some Russian soldiers face desertion charges after they left, fearing deployment to the Ukraine.
*British Columbia was plagued by a series of wildfires this past week.
*Puerto Rico will soon start allowing same gender marriages.
*NASA's New Horizons space probe is on its final approach to Pluto.
*Driver Lewis Hamilton won the 2015 British Grand Prix.
*The 2015 Tour de France was stopped short due to crashes, but cyclist Chris Frome was awarded the yellow jersey.

TERRIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES...
*Boko Haram terrorists attacked Jos, Nigeria; leaving over 40 dead. A subsequent attack in Zaria left over 30 dead, while an attack near Lake Chad left over 20 dead.
*In a hopeful crackdown on ISIS/ISIL forces, Turkey has arrested 20 people with suspected terrorist ties.

PASSING PARADE...
*Sculptor/animator Blaine Gibson (Disney's versions of Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan) is no longer with us.
*Movie producer Jerry Weintraub (George Clooney's version of Ocean's 11, Diner, the original Karate Kid) has passed away.
*Actor Irwin Keyes (House of 1000 Corpses, The Jeffersons, movie version of The Flintstones) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Songwriter Michael Masser ("Saving All My Love For You", "Theme from Mahogany") is no longer with us.
*Actor Omar Shariff (Doctor Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, Funny Girl) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Actor Roger Rees (Cheers, The West Wing) is no longer with us.
*Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, former Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, has passed away.
*Burt Shavitz, founder of environmentally friendly line of products under the Burt's Bees label, is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
POLITICALLY...
*The Republican Party wants to exclude Donald Trump from the FOX sponsored debate next month of the top GOP contenders for their 2016 Presidential nomination because of his comments towards Mexicans and other statements, despite the fact he is currently second in popularity polls.
*Congress has denied extending bail out protection to Puerto Rico as it faces an impending economic crisis.
*While southern states are taking down Confederate era flags in the wake of the Charleston, South Carolina shooting tragedy; Congress is considering a measure to allow the flags to stay on display in southern national parks.
IT'S LEGAL PEOPLE!
*Kansas joins Texas in opposing the Supreme Court's recent ruling that same gender marriages are legal and constitutionally protected.
*President Barack Obama has authorized the creation of three new national parks: Berryessa Snow Mountain in California, Waco Mammoth in Texas, and the Basin Range in Nevada.
ELSEWHERE...
*The FBI has extended their investigation to examine Jared Fogle himself, after the head of his charitable foundation was found in possession of child pornography.
*The Washington Redskins of professional football no longer possess that name or trademark, because a federal court has declared it offensive to Native Americans.
*Wyoming celebrated its 125th anniversary of statehood July 10th.
*Serena Williams has defeated Garbiñe Muguruza to win the 2015 Wimbledon Women's Singles title of professional tennis.
*The United States defeated Japan to win the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

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: JULY 11, 2015

FUN FACT
The average adult eagle has roughly 7,000 feathers.

COMMON BONDS
The items within each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?
01. {For Me and My Gal, Xanadu}
02. {The Dancing Lady, Ghost Story}
03. {Your answers to Groups 1 and 2}

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate items share at least one common word, and can be combined to form something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what it is?

Horace Greeley's advice to Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Stonheim.

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results of the July 4, 2015 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME
Everybody knows George Michaels left WHAM! to pursue a solo career, but who were the other member(s) of the group?
Andrew Ridgeley

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
We're trying something a bit different this time.

If your significant other said "Love it!" when given a violet, what flower would elicit the response "A big one!"
Begonia (A BIG ONE = BEGONIA)

Sunday, July 5, 2015

SUNDAY FUNNIES: POULTRY IN MOTION (chicken crossing jokes)

Hello folks! Editor-In-Chief Lee Houston, Junior with you today because it's a holiday weekend here in the United States where The Free Choice E-zine is based and those ladies of comedy (Autumn the Puppy and Waxy Dragon) are off with their respective families.

So it's up to me to entertain you. Hope I don't get egg all over my face or crack up as I try to answer the second oldest question after "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"



WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?
Besides the obvious reason of wanting to get to the other side, that is.

Why did the chicken cross the playground?
To get to the other slide.

Why did the chicken cross the Möbius Strip?
To get to the same side.

Why did the rubber chicken cross the road?
To stretch its legs.

Why did the frozen chicken cross the road?
To warm up.

Why did the chicken run across the road?
It wanted to get there faster.

When a chicken does cross the road, does it do so around the cluck or by the hour?

Why did the turkey cross the road?
Don't you think the chicken needs a day off once in a while?

So in the end, why DID the chicken cross the road?
Why are you asking me? I asked you first.
Seriously, considering how much we talk about it, you have to admit that's one famous chicken.

Now that these fowl proceedings are over, have a great week everybody, and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—lth,jr.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JUNE 28-JULY 4, 2015

IT'S INDEPENDENCE DAY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
IT'S REPUBLIC DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
JULY 5 IS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR ALGERIA AND CAPE VERDE.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*The known cases of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome has stayed below 200 in South Korea, but the death toll from the outbreak has risen to 32.
*Greece's economic crisis continues as Puerto Rico's begins to develop, while China has been warned to take measures to prevent entering an economic crisis themselves. Meanwhile Greece will be voting on a bailout referendum July 5.
*Philippines' Supreme Court has been asked to repeal the country's ban on same gender marriages. No word from government officials on whether or not they will when this was posted.
*The Danish general election has resulted in Lars Rasmussen becoming Prime Minister and Kristian Jensen as Foreign Minister as part of the first single party government in 33 years.
*London based British Petroleum has agreed to pay the United States $18.7 BILLION US Dollars in damages resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
*Tupou VI has officially be crowned King of Tonga.
*Cuba and the United States have announced that they will be (re)opening embassies in each other's country, the first time since 1961!
*Chinese based hackers are suspected in another computer attack against the United States government.
*Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has announced plans to give his entire fortune to charity.
*The 2015 Tour de France has begun.
*Space X has lost its third Falcon 9 rocket while attempting to send an unmanned supply ship to the International Space Station.
*Astronomers have observed signs of active volcanoes on Venus!

TERRIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES...
*Egypt's Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat was killed during a (suicide?) bomber attack.
*Tourists are being attacked at random, without provocation, in Tunisia.
*ISIS/ISIL forces have attacked Egyptian checkpoints along the North Sinai border.
*Boko Haram gunmen attacked the Nigerian towns of Nukawa and Mussaram without mercy Thursday, with over 150 innocents confirmed dead.

PASSING PARADE...
*Nicolas Winton, known as "The British Schindler" for saving many children from Nazi concentration camps during World War 2, has passed away at age 106.
*Actor/Comedian Jack Carter (Cavalcade of Stars, Dr. Kildare) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Artist Leonard Starr (Mary Perkins On Stage, Little Orphan Annie revival, Thundercats) is no longer with us.
*Country singer Red Lane ("Till I Get It Right") is gone.
*Actor Edward Burnham (To Sir With Love, Doctor Who) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Entertainer Val Doonican ("Walk Tall", "Elusive Butterfly") is no longer with us.
*Chris Squire, singer/songwriter, founding bassist of YES has passed away.
*Yevgeny Primakov (Russian Prime Minister from 1998-1999) has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
POLITICALLY...
*Governor Jerry Brown has finally made childhood injections mandatory in California.
*The Department of Justice is investigating whether or not airlines intentionally conspired to keep air fare prices high.
*In their final week before summer recess, the Supreme Court upheld lethal injection as a viable application of the death penalty, ruled against a provision of current air control regulations, and said Arizona state lawmakers cannot create congressional districts on their own.
*President Barack Obama signed the Defending Public Safety Employees Retirement Act into law.
*Cuba and the United States have announced that they will be (re)opening embassies in each other's country, the first time since 1961!
*London based British Petroleum has agreed to pay the United States $18.7 BILLION US Dollars in damages resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
*New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has entered the already well manned race to acquire the Republican Presidential nomination in 2016.
*After making some questionable comments about Mexican-Americans, Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump has been losing business contracts and sponsors.
*Democratic Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has pulled ahead of Hilary Clinton in polls, although no actual primaries will be held until 2016. Meanwhile, former Senator Jim Webb has announced his hopes to be the Democratic Presidential nominee.
ELSEWHERE...
*Chinese based hackers are suspected in another computer attack against the United States government.
*While McDonald's is in the middle of a major business restructuring plan, a new survey shows their customer satisfaction rating is down.
*Former professional baseball player Pete Rose's hopes of ever getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame became smaller this past week, as new evidence arose supporting the claim that he DID bet on the outcome of baseball games while a player; something he has always denied.
*Meanwhile, professional golfer Phil Mickelson is now facing gambling accusations.
*Bill Cosby now has a grand total of 30 women accusing him of sexual misconduct.
*Singer Meghan Trainor ("All About That Bass") must take time off to recover from a vocal cord hemorrhage.



The Free Choice E-zine would like to thank its loyal readership for giving us 2,141 pages views during the month of June 2015.



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.