Monday, May 31, 2021

MEMORIAL DAY 2021

The following is an editorial.

Today is Memorial Day here in the United States of America.

I have said it before and it bears repeating.
This holiday signifies A LOT more than the end of a three day weekend or the unofficial start of summer.
Brave men and women have fought for and defended—some at the expense of their own lives—this country against threats foreign and domestic (like the January 6 Insurrection in Washington, DC) so that everyone here can enjoy (or take for granted) the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution.

To have the right to your opinions, among other things, is part of the First Amendment.
Regardless of your political beliefs America was, IS, and can still be a great country.
But the social, economic, racial and other divisions that some try to enforce will tear us apart if we let them.
DON'T LET THEM!

This land is based upon a lot more than the hatred and bigotry that rule the dark hearts of some.
Just ask a Veteran why and what they fought for.
It certainly wasn't for chaos like the Nation's Capital experienced January 6.

The above was an editorial.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

SUNDAY FUNNIES: FUN SONGS

Hello Everybody! The Free Choice E-zine's Editor-In-Chief Lee Houston, Junior here today because both Autumn the Puppy and Piper D. Katt have the weekend off.

This is the Memorial Day weekend here in the United States, when we pause to remember everyone who has served to defend this country and its freedom(s) past, present, and future.

It would be WAY too easy for me to hop on my soap box and share my opinions with you on a variety of pertinent topics; but other than a humble request to please remember those brave men and women who fought for so much more than just a three day weekend, that's not why any of us are here.

We've all heard them from time to time. Artists like "Weird" Al Yankovic have even made a career out of them.
Fun tunes that give us a couple of moments of pleasure between the more traditional songs of love, social messages, attempting to sell us stuff and everything else music can do.

Like "Brand New Key" by Melanie.

"In The Summertime" by Mongo Jerry.

"My Ding-A-Ling" by Chuck Berry.


"Jump In The Line (Shake Shake Shake Senora)" and "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" by Harry Belafonte.

"Fins" or "Volcano" by Jimmy Buffet.

"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by The Beatles.

And there's hundreds more for every one I've listed above.
The point is to kick back, relax, and have some fun once in a while!
On that note♫, take care.
STAY SAFE!😷
And please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!lh,jr.
ALL LINKS WERE ACTIVE AT THE TIME THIS ARTICLE WAS POSTED.
The Free Choice E-zine did not post any videos to YouTube. We're just sharing the links.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 23-29, 2021

 

“THEY SHALL BEAT THEIR SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES AND THEIR SPEARS INTO PRUNING HOOKS. NATION SHALL NOT LIFT UP SWORD AGAINST NATION. NEITHER SHALL THEY LEARN WAR ANY MORE.”—Isaiah 2:4.


GET VACCINATED & BEWARE ANY VERSION

MAY IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. 🎗
MAY 30 CROATIA CELEBRATES ACHIEVING STATEHOOD.
MAY 31 IS MEMORIAL DAY IN AMERICA.
JUNE 5 IS WORLD ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS DAY.
JUNE 5 IS CONSTITUTION DAY IN DENMARK.
JUNE 6 IS D-DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 HISTORY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*Despite vaccine programs continuing, there are more COVID problems in Argentina, India, the Maldives, Belgium, Malaysia, and Japan. (There are 7/SEVEN separate links in this item.)
*Will we EVER figure out the pandemic’s origin??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The state of the world, as of May 29, 2021.
*As the Myanmar coup continues, teachers are being suspended for opposing military rule. So who will teach in the upcoming school year??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The Malian coup continues too. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
* Is England's Prime Minister Boris Johnson broke, let alone now married??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*June 2 marks the 55th anniversary of Surveyor 1 landing on the moon and transmitting photographs of its surface in preparation for future moon landings. (1966)

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*June 5 is World Environment Awareness Day. How are things in your corner of the globe???

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Actor Samuel E. Wright (numerous credits, including Sebastian the Crab) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Make up artist and film director Robert Green Hall has passed away.
*Actress Desiree Gould (many film, TV and stage credits) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Singer John Davis (half of the REAL Milli Vanilli) is no longer with us.
*Author Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar, more) has passed away.
*Actress/playwright Robbie McCauley (numerous credits) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Singer/comedian Rusty Warren (numerous credits) is no longer with us.
*Photographer/activist Kay Lahusen has passed away.
*Former Miss Spain and Miss Europe Maruja Garcia is no longer with us.
*Actor Gavin MacLeod (McHale’s Navy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Actor Kevin Clark (School of Rock) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*“President” Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious, ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to discuss the health and safety of all the “detainees” as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR “detainees” (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
*Democrats: “Investigate!” Republicans: “DON’T!” and block probe! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*“With or without them, we’re going to find the truth.”—Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
POLITICALLY…
*“When?”—President Biden to Congress.
*June 2 marks the 135th anniversary of then President Grover Cleveland marrying Frances Folsom in the White House. (1886)
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
*HUH???
*A look at Critical Race Theory, and why it is currently not allowed in Oklahoma. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
*The state of your state, from two different sources. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Will we EVER figure out the pandemic’s origin??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Some good news for the US. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Opinion: Are vaccinations along political lines??? And how do we get EVERYONE vaccinated??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*Opinions on Marjorie Taylor Greene, even from her own party. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
ELSEWHERE…
*There will be no Class of 2021 for the Baseball⚾ Hall of Fame.
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…
*June 5 is National Donut🍩 Day in the United States.
*2021 marks the 150th anniversary of the Atlanta Braves.⚾

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 29, 2021

😎FUN FACT
This is the Memorial Day weekend in the United States. Wherever you are, regardless of nationality, please remember those past and present who helped protect and defend your freedoms.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many new words can you find within the letters of MEMORIAL?

COMMON BONDS
The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?
01. {Board, Piece}
02. {Ted Williams, James Stewart}

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 22, 2021 Puzzle Corner.

NUMBER PLEASE
Get ready! We ask the question, but the answer is just a number.
In Wham’s ♫Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go♫, how many times is the word JITTERBUG mentioned?

NEXT?
What is the next item(s) in the sequence below?
Catherine, Anne, Jane, Anne, ???, ???
Believe it or not Catherine and Catherine, because the list is the first names of the six wives of Henry the VIII. In order: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.

Monday, May 24, 2021

SUNDAY FUNNIES: CITING SIGNS

Hello Everybody! Autumn the Puppy here!
Now next weekend is the Memorial Holiday here in the United States, so our esteemed Editor-In-Chief will be hosting The Sunday Funnies while Piper D. Katt and I have the weekend off.
One of his favorite bits is to talk about Burma Shave signs, those comedic and sometimes poignant road side markers of the past.
However, there are also other funny signs out there in the world if you know where to look for them.
For example...

Wouldn't you hate to be out and about, in need of a building's facilities, only to see: “TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW.”
Now hopefully they meant the restroom on the lower level.
Me, I always go outside when I need to, but do prefer my privacy to take care of business.

In a Laundromat, seeing a sign that reads  "AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT." actually means to empty the device when it's done.
If any of you had other ideas just remember, this is a FAMILY e-zine!

You can just imagine going through a Safari Park and seeing a sign to the affect of "WILD ANIMALS, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR."
What I want to know is how did those animals ever get a license, let alone a car?
And don't even get me started on how any of them ever managed to squeeze into a vehicle.
It still irks me that I have a dog license and my people still won't let me drive when they let me in their car.
It's even worse that the only time I'm ever allowed in their car to begin with is when they take me to the Vet, but that's another matter.
Moving on...

When you see a sign on a repair shop door that says: "WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - BELL DOESN'T WORK." it makes you wonder just how good their skills actually are, let alone whether or not they know about Truth In Advertising Laws.

Some husbands would joke that it's their dream to see outside a second-hand shop: "WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING! BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?"
They don't get the point that the business is hoping to increase sales by having you bring your spouse in to shop too but remember, how would the husbands feel if the sign suggested women bring their men in?

And on that note♫, that's all the time and space I have for now.
As previously mentioned, The Free Choice E-zine's Editor-In-Chief will be here next weekend because of Memorial Day but in any event TAKE CARE and STAY SAFE!😷—AtP.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 16-22, 2021


 “AND DO NOT KILL YOUR CHILDREN FOR FEAR OF POVERTY. WE GIVE THEM SUSTENANCE AND YOURSELVES TOO. SURELY TO KILL THEM IS A GREAT WRONG.”




GET VACCINATED & BEWARE ANY VERSION

MAY IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. 🎗
MAY 24 IS VICTORIA DAY IN CANADA.
MAY 31 IS MEMORIAL DAY IN AMERICA.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*The COVID news is mixed as war against the pandemic continues. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Unfortunately, variants are spreading.
*The state of the world, as of May 22, 2021.
*“Don’t hinder our advancement!”—Russian President Vladimir Putin to the world.
*Microsoft will soon discontinue support for Internet Explorer. The program had already been replaced by Microsoft Edge.


THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Human rights activist Felicia Elizondo has passed away.
*Kabang the Dog has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.🌈
*Actor Charles Grodin (numerous credits) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Former professional baseball⚾ players Joe Beckwith and Rennie Stennett are no longer with us. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Former professional hockey🏒 player Gilles Lupien has passed away.
*Actor/comedian/writer Paul Mooney (numerous credits) has passed away.
*Actor/stuntman Roy Scammell (Alien, Willow, Flash Gordon, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Manga creator Kentaro Miura (Berserker, more) is no longer with us.
*Writer David Anthony Kraft (DC, Marvel, independent projects/publishers) has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
*A brief look at Republican guilt as they try to ignore the Insurrection. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Congress, or at least its Democratic members, want to conduct their own Insurrection Investigation.
POLITICALLY…
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*Opinions are one thing. Actions another
*Not only a bad idea, but against the WRONG GUY!
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
*The state of your state, from two different sources. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
*Even under President Biden, the United States is still NOT interested in buying Greenland!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*Are Georgia’s House of Representatives member Marjorie Taylor Greene and her husband guilty of tax fraud???
ELSEWHERE…
*Why isn’t Trump helping Rudy??? After all, he allegedly went after a “cow”🐄. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Yet how good was former Attorney General William Barr??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is expected to testify, whether she wants to or not.
*Microsoft will soon discontinue support for Internet Explorer. The program had already been replaced by Microsoft Edge.
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 22, 2021

😎FUN FACT
There IS a hidden message within Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”! 

NUMBER PLEASE
Get ready! We ask the question, but the answer is just a number.
In Wham’s ♫Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go♫, how many times is the word JITTERBUG mentioned?

NEXT?
What is the next item(s) in the sequence below?
Catherine, Anne, Jane, Anne, ???, ???

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 15, 2021 Puzzle Corner.


AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS
Who do we know Gordon Sumner better as?
Sting, with or without The Police.

REBUS
Something familiar is represented in the image below. Do you know what it is?
ECNALG = Backwards glance.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

SUNDAY FUNNIES: FORTUNE FAVORS THE FUNNY

Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here.
The other day my family brought home something called "Chinese Take Out". Not sure what everything was but it smelled good and they certainly dug into it big time.
By the time they finished, there were no leftovers left for this cat to eat check out.
But I did find a whole lot of these little pieces of paper that I heard one of my people call "Cookie Fortunes".
Now, I absolute no idea how much each slip of paper is actually worth, but the comments on them are pretty funny, so I'd like to share some of them with you right now. Ready?

Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Maybe, but knowledge helps make dreams a reality.

Face facts with dignity.
I've heard a lot of politicians have trouble with this. What about the rest of the world?

Correction does much, but encouragement does everything.
I get that. After all, why keep repeating the same mistakes when you can make all new ones?

Don’t get so caught up in the daily grind that you never find any time to enjoy yourself.
Geez, why do you think cats take so many naps? Especially in sunny spots.

Bide your time, for success is near.
Really? What does it look like? Is it something cats will like?

Experience is reflective, like a still pool.
That's deep, but a pool of what?

If you want people to like you, like yourself first.
From what I know of life, truer words were never spoken.

In any event, that's all the room I have for this week.
Take care.
STAY SAFE! 😷
And please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!PDK.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 9-15, 2021



♫I JUST WANT TO ASK A QUESTION.
WHO REALLY CARES, TO SAVE A WORLD IN DESPAIR?
WHO REALLY CARES?♫
From “Save the Children” by Marvin Gaye, with Al Cleveland and Renaldo Benson, from Gaye’s landmark album ♫What’s Going On?♫


BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

MAY IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. 🎗
MAY 19 IS THE 115TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.
MAY 20 IS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
MARVIN GAYE’S ALBUM WHAT’S GOING ON?

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*The state of the world, as of May 15, 2021. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Actor Norman Lloyd (St. Elsewhere, Dead Poets Society, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Actor Jaime Garza (The Falcon and the Snowman, 1982’s Missing, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*“President” Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious, ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to discuss the health and safety of all the “detainees” as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR “detainees” (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
POLITICALLY…
*The Biden Administration has restored LGBTQ+ protections, at least for health care workers.
*“So what are your ideas?”—President Biden to Republicans on the Infrastructure.
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
*The state of your state, from two different sources. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*A friendly reminder. Air travelers MUST wear masks!
*But elsewhere??? That is the question. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
*What Republicans are saying about Dr. Fauci. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*Liz Cheney, calling “Trump a threat” and his supporters “A danger to democracy,” will not back down on her position. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*But her fellow Republicans still removed her Congressional status anyway. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Does Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) think his phone contents are more important than debating the future of voting rights??? Tweeting about Dr. Pepper apparently is. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Dr. Fauci before Congress over the “allegations” in IT’S FACT CHECK TIME! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
ELSEWHERE…
*First Arizona, now Virginia. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Is Trump "unhinged"??? Maybe. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*WHERE'S THAT TIGER??? 🐅 HERE! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…