Monday, May 29, 2023

MEMORIAL DAY 2023

 THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITORIAL.

Please remember the fallen.

Today is Memorial Day here in the United States of America, a time when we pause to honor the fallen who died defending this country against its enemies to preserve our democracy, freedom, and all the other inalienable rights we are supposed to have.

Other countries have similar celebrations at different times to honor their heroes.

It would be so easy to point out all the bigotry and hatred, especially just within the last decade or so, directed towards those who are different; regardless of how slight or major those differences might be.

However there is one group that has become a growing concern over this past decade that a lot of people talk about, but not that many follow through and address the issues afterwards.

I'm referring to the innocents that have lost their lives in battles that they were unaware of, since no declarations were made until the trigger was pulled by an armed assailant on a shooting spree.

The current statistics as I post this are alarming!


WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS END?

While there has been some action taken by individual states, Congress on a Federal/National level has apparently yet to do anything significant.

WHEN WILL WE STOP SACRIFICING INNOCENT CHILDREN AND OTHER HUMAN BEINGS TO PROTECT THE "RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS"?

While it might be the basic concept of the Second Amendment to the United States' Constitution, the FULL text is “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
The fledgling country that America was back then needed such groups to protect our freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We now have police departments and the various branches of the United States military to protect us.

PLEASE DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND OUR POSITION.
THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE IS NOT ANTI-GUN.
WE ARE PRO GUN RESPONSIBILITY!

Even after last year's Memorial Day editorial addressing this issue, there are still too many empty beds and broken hearts in this country as it is.

THE ABOVE WAS AN EDITORIAL.

Lee Houston, Junior
Editor-In-Chief: The Free Choice E-zine
All links were active at the time of posting.
*Denotes 2/TWO links within that sentence.

Sunday, May 28, 2023

SUNDAY FUNNIES: SIGNS OF SUMMER?

Please remember the fallen.

 Hello Everybody!
The Free Choice E-zine's Editor-In-Chief Lee Houston, Junior here. Piper D. Katt and Koda Canine are off today because it's the Memorial Day weekend here in the United States.

Now I'll be discussing Memorial Day in greater detail tomorrow, but one aspect of the holiday that most people get wrong is that it's the start of Summer.

In the past, that might have been right to a point because most schools used to let out for the Summer the Friday before the holiday at the latest, although seasonally Summer doesn't officially start until sometime in June.

But anyway, although we are not officially at Summer yet, we can still have some Summer fun.
Ready?

Have you ever gone to the park to enjoy yourself, only to discover that you can't?

What about the beach?
Of course you can always substitute the word Hurricane for Tidal Wave, but if either was coming, I'd skip Rule # 2 and worry about the debt later.

Hotels are nice to stay at, if you can afford the luxury. But not all of them were carefully designed.

Whenever you do get to wherever you're headed on vacation, this is the last thing you want to see.

Then again, you have to admire the hopefulness of whoever posted this sign...
I can understand keeping off the grass if you're trying to rebuild the sand dunes, but what grass is the sign referring to here?

Of course, not everyone either obeys the signs or can read them.

If you use the hotel pool, is this sign really important?

If you get bored at the beach, there's always this activity...

But unfortunately all good things come to an end, and there's all the stuff waiting for you to face at home...

So on that note♫, have a great week!
Take care.
STAY SAFE! 😷
And someone other than me will be back next weekend with more Sunday Funnies!lh,jr.

Saturday, May 27, 2023

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 21-27, 2023: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 
WE NEED MORE
GUN RESPONSIBILITY
NOW!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS AND BURNINGS!
THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.
PLEASE GET VACCINATED,
WEAR YOUR MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

MAY IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.🎗
MAY IS ALSO ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH.
MAY 28 IS REPUBLIC DAY IN ARMENIA.
MAY 28 IS ALSO INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR AZERBAIJAN.
MAY 29 IS MEMORIAL DAY FOR SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD.
MAY 29 IS THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL ASCENT OF MOUNT EVEREST.
MAY 31 IS WORLD PARROT🦜 DAY.
JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH.
JUNE MARKS THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF
SUPERMAN DEBUTING IN ACTION COMICS’ FIRST ISSUE.
JUNE 1 IS WORLD REEF DAY.
JUNE 2 WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF
QUEEN ELIZABETH II’s CORONATION CEREMONY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
Please remember the fallen.
*The COVID state of the world, as of May 27, 2023.
*The global M(onkey) Pox status, as of May 27, 2023.

*Japan plans to help the Ukraine, whose counter offensive is pending. (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…
*May 31 is World Parrot🦜 Day.
*June 1 is World Reef Day.

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Actor Ray Stevenson (the Thor franchise, Rome, Punisher: War Zone, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Singer/actress Tina Turner (way too many credits to mention!) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Jazz musician/film music composer Bill Lee (numerous credits) is no longer with us.
*Actor/stuntman Gary Kent (Battle Flame, Bubba Ho-Tep, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
POLITICALLY…
*Ron DeSantis has officially launched his bid to become President, after signing a bill that allows him to remain active as Florida’s Governor while on the campaign trail. Usually that state's Lieutenant Governor takes over when the Governor is on the Presidential campaign trail. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
💲THE BUDGET BATTLE…
*With the default deadline looming, will the May 23 Budget meeting yield results??? Nope.
*Negotiations continue, but is someone leaking meeting details??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS M(ONKEY) POX…
*The state of your state, M(onkey) Pox wise.
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
TRUMP’S TRIAL(S)…
ELSEWHERE…
*Opinion: THIS from a PASTOR???😲
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…
*May 29 is the 175th anniversary of Wisconsin joining the United States.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 27, 2023

 😎FUN FACT
Although June 1938 is the cover date for Action Comics #1 and the debut of Superman, the issue actually hit news stands months before that as part of the publishing industry’s original dating practice to get as much shelf time as possible for any magazine.

TRIVIA TIME
Who created Superman?

WHO ARE WE?
Can you identify the people (real or fictitious) based upon the clue below?
We completed the first successful ascent of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953; making 2023 the 70th anniversary of that historic event.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 20, 2023 Puzzle Corner.

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?
The Rocket Man soars Rocky Mountain high. = Elton John Denver.

THE 50/50 CHANCE
Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?
Which came first? ♫Witch Doctor♫ or ♫The Chipmunk Song (Please Christmas Don’t Be Late)♫
ANSWER: ♫Witch Doctor♫. While David Seville (aka Ross Bagdasarian Senior) created what would become their unique voices for that song; Alvin, Simon and Theodore came later, although there is an official Chipmunks’ version of ♫Witch Doctor♫.

Sunday, May 21, 2023

SUNDAY FUNNIES: SPRING FLING

Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here! 
Spring is finally on the horizon!
Or at least the weather's getting better.
Hopefully as things improve we can open a few windows around here because I'm getting tired of smelling my litter box when I'm no where near it!
In any event, how about some Spring jokes.
Ready?

Scientists have determined how trees🌲🌳 communicate with each other.
They Bark.

Where do trees keep their belongings?
In their trunk.

A weed is a plant that mastered every survival skill except learning how to grow in rows.

Does February march?
No, but April may.

Which month is the shortest?
May. It only three letters.

Did you know the bed store is having a spring sale?
Unfortunately the rest of the bed is still full price.

How do brand new flowers🌻🌹 great each other?
"Hey Buddy!"

Florists look forward to their business blooming.

How do bees brush their hair?
With honey combs.

Did you know the sun🌞 loves music?
It's always playing the ray-dio.

April showers bring May flowers but when it starts raining ducks🦆🦆, that's some fowl weather!😼

So on that note♫ have a great week!
Take care.
STAY SAFE! 😷
And please be back next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!PDK.

Saturday, May 20, 2023

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 14-20, 2023: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS


WE NEED MORE
GUN RESPONSIBILITY
NOW!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.
PLEASE GET VACCINATED,
WEAR YOUR MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

MAY IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.🎗
MAY IS ALSO ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH.
MAY 20 IS REMEMBRANCE DAY IN CAMBODIA.
MAY 20 IS ALSO WORLD BEE DAY.
MAY 21 IS CULTURAL DIVERSITY FOR DIALOGUE & DEVELOPMENT DAY.
MAY 21 IS INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY.
MAY 22 IS INTERNATIONAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY DAY,
or in Star Trek terms: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.
MAY 23 IS WORLD TURTLE🐢 DAY.
MAY 24 MARKS THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE OPENING.
MAY 25 IS AFRICA DAY.
MAY 25 MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY CONCLUDING WITH STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI.
MAY 29 IS MEMORIAL DAY FOR SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD.
MAY 31 IS WORLD PARROT🦜 DAY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*The COVID state of the world, as of May 20, 2023.
*The global M(onkey) Pox status, as of May 20, 2023.


*“We only want to secure our freedom and reclaim what Russia took.”—Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in regards to his country’s military strategy while visiting Germany during his European tour. (There are 3/THREE 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…🌐
*May 23 is World Turtle Day.🐢
*May 31 is World Parrot Day.🦜

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
*Comedian Bill (“You can call me Ray”) Saluga has passed away. (News only recently reported and confirmed.)
*Actor Helmut Berger (many credits over a decades long career) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Football🏈 Hall of Fame member Jim Brown has passed away.
*Wrestler “Superstar” Billy Graham (aka Eldridge Wayne Coleman) is no longer with us.
*Poet, lyricist, singer Pete Brown (Cream, other acts) has passed away.
*Former professional football🏈 player and on the winning team of Super Bowl 16 Craig Puki is no longer with us.
*Author Martin Amis (London Fields, Money, more) is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*Former 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 fully 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 FIVE detainees (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
POLITICALLY…
💲THE BUDGET BATTLE…
*Yet it won't be May 20, as Republicans walk away from the discussions. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS M(ONKEY) POX…
*The state of your state, M(onkey) Pox wise.
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*“Who’s the expert?”—Comment at latest Committee hearing.
ELSEWHERE…
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MAY 20, 2023

 😎FUN FACT
Scientists have confirmed Oysters🦪🦪🦪 possess a nervous system, but no brain.

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate items share at least one word, and so can be combined to create something new. Based upon the clue below, do you know what the new thing is?
The Rocket Man soars Rocky Mountain high.

THE 50/50 CHANCE
Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?
WHICH CAME FIRST? ♫Witch Doctor♫ or ♫The Chipmunk Song (Please Christmas Don’t Be Late)♫

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the May 13, 2023 Puzzle Corner.


AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS
Who is Minerva Mouse?
She’s known better by her stage name Minnie Mouse, who debuted with Mickey Mouse in Plane Crazy 95 years ago on May 15, 1928.

RHYME TIME
The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?
Seasonal object. = Spring thing.

Sunday, May 14, 2023

SUNDAY FUNNIES: HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY 2023

 
Meow Mom!
 Hello Everybody!
Hi Mom!

Today you have both Piper D. Katt AND Koda Canine here as we celebrate MOTHER'S DAY!

That's right Koda. Motherhood has been called many things, a lot of which we can actually repeat in a family based forum.😼 Mothers do so much for us that it's a shame there is only one over commercialized day set aside to honor them.

Well, we're wasting time so what do you say we get right to it?

Okay...

What did the mother bee ask the cranky baby bee to do?
Beehave.

What did the baby porcupine ask the cactus?🌵
Are you my mother?

Why is a computer💻 so smart?
Because it listens to its motherboard.

What did the mother broom🧹 say to the baby broom?
It’s time to go to sweep!

What did the momma horse🐎 say to her foal at night?
Its pasture your bedtime.

What kind of candy do moms love for Mother’s Day?
Her-she’s Kisses.
Who do flowers honor on Mother’s Day?
Their chrysanthemoms.

A mother is trying to get her son to eat carrots.🥕🥕🥕
“Carrots are good for your eyes,” she says.
“How do you know?” the son asks.
The mother replies, “Have you ever seen a rabbit🐰 wearing glasses?”

Daughter: "Mum, what’s it like to have the greatest daughter in the world?"
Mum: "I don’t know dear. You’d have to ask Grandma."😉

Why don’t they have Mother’s Day sales?
Because Mothers are priceless.

And on that note♫ have a great week.
Take care.
STAY SAFE! 😷
And one of us will be back next time with more Sunday Funnies!PDK and KC.