Wednesday, December 27, 2023

WE'RE DOWN!

 I am on a borrowed system for a moment to let everyone know that The Free Choice E-zine's main computer has crashed and there is no estimate at this time for it being repaired.

We WILL resume our blog posting schedule once all the technical issues have been resolved.

Sorry for the inconveience.

Lee Houston, Junior
Editor-In-Chief: The Free Choice E-zine

Sunday, December 24, 2023

SUNDAY FUNNIES: ALONE AGAIN

 Hello Everybody! The Free Choice E-zine's Editor-In-Chief Lee Houston, Junior here because Piper D. Katt and Koda Canine, your resident comedians, have the holidays off and won't be back on duty until after the new year begins.
So I'm all alone here in the TFCE office, but don't feel too bad for me. I'll only be here long enough to post this and set the Blogger Timer to post our Christmas and Kwanzaa/Boxing Day greetings afterwards.

A look at any calendar reveals those aforementioned tree-mendous🎄 holidays ahead! Then after Christmas everyone can look forward to New Year's Eve parties and 2024.

I'm sure everyone's done their decorating by now and are trying to rush through at least gift wrapping🎁 and meal planning, if not crazily dash through stores for that last moment whatever.

Except for my brief sojourn here today, all my work is done except waiting for "the big day", December 25th, to arrive.
I am decent in my gift giving, doing the best I can with what I've got, but my presents get a bad wrap.

What is the perfect gift?
A broken drum. Nobody can beat that.

How much does Santa pay to park his sleigh?
Nothing. It’s on the house.

But wait, there’s myrrh!

You all know the religious story behind the baby Jesus' birth and the nightmare his parents went through around his arrival. Back then there was at least just as many people who were afraid of an unborn child as there were those who welcomed its arrival.
But isn't it ironic?

The Christmas season is supposed to be about peace and love, let alone goodwill toward all.
Why this isn't all year round is another matter but among all the topics in and out of current news, many hate illegal alien refugees coming from foreign lands.
Whether fleeing war, poverty or whatever, they all arrive on the shores of America.
From their perspective, a legendary and historic land of promises and dreams in hopes of finding a new start.
Yet these same illegal alien haters set up nativity scenes showing two famous refugees desperately looking for shelter.
A poor couple expecting their first child who were following their nation’s laws to the letter; because then Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus wanted a census of all Jews and they had to go to Joseph's home town of Bethlehem to comply.
Need I go on?

In any event...
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza or whatever; there is one gift I wish and sincerely hope everyone eventually receives.


Enjoy the holiday(s) and the Sunday Funnies will return next weekend to celebrate New Year's Eve.🥳
Lee Houston, Junior
Editor-In-Chief: The Free Choice E-zine.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 17-23, 2023: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 
WE NEED
MORE GUN
RESPONSIBILITY
NOW! 

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS AND BURNINGS! 
WEAR YOUR MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

DECEMBER 23 IS FESTIVUS.
DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE.🎅
DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS DAY.🎄
DECE BER 25 IS ALSO THE 205TH ANNIVERSARY OF SILENT NIGHT’S FIRST KNOWN PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AT THE CHURCH
OF SAINT NIKOLAUS IN OBERNDORFF, AUSTRIA.
2023 IS IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY.
DECEMBER 26 IS THE START OF KWANZAA AND BOXING🎁 DAY.
DECEMBER 26 IS ALSO CANDY CANE DAY.
DECEMBER 27 IS FRUIT CAKE DAY.
DECEMBER 31 IS NEW YEAR’S EVE.
JANUARY 1 IS THE START OF 2024!

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*Two United States’ submarines are near South Korea as that country’s guest, wondering about North Korea’s next impending “missile test”.
*A lone gunman went on a senseless shooting spree before killing himself at the Charles University in Prague before killing himself December 21.
*The COVID state of the world, as of December 23 2023.
*The global M(onkey) Pox status, as of December 23, 2023.

*There are 4/FOUR separate links in the header.
*The Gaza death toll is estimated at over 20,000! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The United Nations has declared there must be at least a temporary cease fire to give Gaza humanitarian need. (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…
*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.
*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

🌟SPACE POSTS
*The James Hubble Telescope on the expansion of the universe. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
*Economist Robert Solow, who won the 1987 Nobel Prize for Economics Science, is no longer with us.
*Film producer Shuji Abe (the Godzilla franchise, much more) has passed away.
*Singer/Song writer Essra Mohawk (♫Change of Heart♫, ♫Suffering Until Sufferage♫, much more) is no longer with us.
*Former professional Major League Baseball⚾ and National Basketball Association🏀 player Ryan Minor has passed away.

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.
CAPITOL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
POLITICALLY…
*Donald Trump has been ruled INELIGIBLE for any Colorado ballot in 2024! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…
*The Court has announced it will not make a decision as to whether or not Donald Trump has any immunity at this time.
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…
*The House went in recess last week. The Senate this week, so Congress is now off until after the new year. Before everyone left…
TRUMP’S TRIAL(S)…
ELSEWHERE…
*Despite filing for bankruptcy, Rudy Giuliani still has a debt obligation. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 23, 2023

 😎FUN FACT
Happiness and joy are not the same thing. Happiness is dependent on what happens. Joy is a decision on how to look at your situation.  

THE 50/50 CHANCE
Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question, except there are just two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?
TRUE or FALSE: the Christmas song ♫I Want A Hippopotamus🦛 For Christmas♫ was recorded as a fund raiser for a local zoo.

TRIVIA TIME
With everything that has been on TV this holiday season, only 3 specials have the unique distinction of being aired EVERY year since their debut! Can you identify this trio? 

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the December 16, 2023 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME
Considering December 22 was the 75th anniversary of the classic song, who was the first Pogo character to actually sing ♫Deck Us All With Boston Charlie♫?
Churchy La Femme, although Walt Kelly portrayed other characters performing the song over other Christmases until the Pogo strip ended in 1975.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many new words can you spell out of the letters in CHRISTMAS?🎄
A, act(s), ah(s), aim(s), air(s), am, amiss, arc(s), arch, arm(s), art(s), as, ash, ass, at
Cam(s), car(s), cart(s), cash, cast(s) cat(s), char(s), chair(s), charm(s), chart(s), chasm(s), chat(s), cram(s)
Ha, hair, ham(s), harm(s), has, hat(s), hi, him, his, hiss, hit(s)
I, I’m, is, it, its, it’s, itch
Ma, mach, march, mart(s), mash, mass, mast(s), mat(s), match, math, mint(s),mirth, miss, mist(s)
Racism, racist(s), ram(s), rash, rat(s), rich, rim(s)
Sash, sat, scam(s), scar(s), scat, sham(s), shirt(s), Sir, sis, sit(s), smash, smart(s), stair(s), star(s), starch, stash, stir(s)
Tar(s), this, Tis, trash, tram(s), trim(s), Tsar
Besides the 135 words listed above, Chris, Christ, and Sam might be eligible, depending upon your position of counting proper names in a game like this. Other words might also be possible.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

SUNDAY FUNNIES: 2023 CHRISTMAS PARTY

Piper D. Katt
 Hello Everybody! It's an embarrassment of riches today, for you have ALL of us here hosting The Sunday Funnies!
That's right Piper because the way the calendar is arranged, both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are on Sundays this year, meaning both you and Koda will be off enjoying the holidays with your families since Christmas Day and the start of 2024 are both on Mondays this year.
Oh no! That means our readers and fans will be stuck with, that is, I mean...
That means I'LL be entertaining them for the next two Sundays and you guys pick up where you left off on Sunday, January 7.


Koda Canine
Let's worry about that later and get to the Christmas jokes. Ready?

Why does Santa🎅 like to go down the chimney?
Because it soots him.

What do elves🧝🧝 do after school?
Their gnome work.

What is a parent's favorite Christmas carol?
Silent Night.


Lee Houston, Junior
What is Tarzan's favorite Christmas carol?
Jungle Bells.

 What do snowmen⛄⛄ eat for breakfast?
Frosted Flakes.

What do reindeer🦌 always say before telling a joke?
"This one will sleigh you!"

Depending upon where you live, why is it so cold on Christmas?
Because it's Decembrrrrrr.....

What do reindeer have that no other animal does?
Baby reindeer!

Considering how commercialized the holiday season has become, can you imagine if Christmas characters started getting sponsors?
Wii three kings of the orient are...♫
"Bah. Humbug!" exclaimed Scrooge. "And if you are bothered by pests this holiday season..."

Imagine a reporter in Bethlehem covering the big event some believe December 25th revolves around...
"The mother and child are in stable condition."

Would a holiday seasoning be Christmas Thyme?

Did you hear about the crisis in Gutenberg's print shop.
No. What happened?
They ran out of a letter. That was the first Noel. No L. Get it?
Wow. Now there's a running gag with a lot of mileage on it!

And on that note♪, remember: it's not what you receive this year, it's what you give. Being with those you love in peace and joy are the greatest gifts of all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!
What does Santa's wife have to do with this?
Oh Koda...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM PIPER, KODA, AND LEE.
The Sunday Funnies will be back on Christmas Eve. Hope you're there too!

Saturday, December 16, 2023

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 10-16, 2023: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 
WE NEED
MORE GUN
RESPONSIBILITY
NOW! 

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS AND BURNINGS! 
WEAR YOUR MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

2023 IS THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS.
DECEMBER 16 IS NATIONAL DAY IN BAHRAIN
AND SOUTH AFRICA’S DAY OF RECONCILIATION.
DECEMBER 17 IS THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS HISTORIC FLIGHT
AT KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINA.
DECEMBER 17 IS ALSO THE INTERNATIONAL DAY TO
END VIOLENCE AGAINST SEX INDUSTRY WORKERS.
DECEMBER 18 IS NATIONAL DAY IN QATAR.
DECEMBER 19 IS THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF
RANKIN-BASS’ THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY.🥁
DECEMBER 22 IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ♫DECK US ALL WITH BOSTON CHARLIE♫ FROM WALT KELLY’S CLASSIC POGO COMIC STRIP.
DECEMBER 22 IS ALSO THE WINTER SOLSTICE.
DECEMBER 23 IS FESTIVUS.
DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE.🎅
DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS DAY.🎄
DECE BER 25 IS ALSO THE 205TH ANNIVERSARY OF SILENT NIGHT’S FIRST KNOWN PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AT THE CHURCH OF SAINT NIKOLAUS
IN OBERNDORFF, AUSTRIA. 
DECEMBER 26 IS THE START OF KWANZAA AND BOXING DAY.
DECEMBER 26 IS ALSO CANDY CANE DAY.
DECEMBER 27 IS FRUIT CAKE DAY.
DECEMBER 31 IS NEW YEAR’S EVE.
JANUARY 1 IS THE START OF 2024!

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*The COVID state of the world, as of December 16 2023.
*The global M(onkey) Pox status, as of December 16, 2023.

*There are 4/FOUR separate links in the header.

*Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United States December 12, hoping to get the Ukraine more aid.

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…
*As the Climate Conference, aka COP28, continued, so did the debate over fossil fuels. At one point the matter was dropped from any pending climate deal! But the issue prevailed in the end. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.
*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

🌟SPACE POSTS

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Artist Dærick Gröss Senior (worked for multiple comic book companies as well as other projects) is no longer with us.
*Former professional football🏈 player turned sports talk show host Frank Wycheck has passed away.
*Actor Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life On The Streets, Brooklyn 9-9, much more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Singer/song writer Richard Kerr (♫Brandy♫, ♫I’ll Never Love This Way Again♫, more) is no longer with us.
*Artist Ian Gibson (Judge Dredd, Halo Jones, more) has passed away.
*Drummer Colin Burgess of AC/DC is no longer with us.
*Actor/stuntman Kenpachiro Satsuma (the Godzilla franchise) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Actor Steve Halliwell (Emmerdale, Coronation Street, more) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Former professional Major League Baseball⚾ player Ken MacKenzie is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
CAPITOL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
POLITICALLY…
*Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United States December 12, hoping to get the Ukraine more aid.
*On the off chance Trump is reelected in 2024, he will NOT be able to remove the United States from NATO.
THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…
*Apparently it is now up to the Court to decide if former President Trump has any immunity and how it might apply to his various court trials. Yet, considering he appointed three Justices during his Presidency, Trump is furious at the situation. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Will Justice Thomas recuse himself on the Immunity question??? What about the Court's Trump appointees???
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…
*Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Congress, but did he accomplish anything??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.) R/DK
*Instead of appearing in private before Republicans, Hunter Biden held an open/public press conference to answer questions.
*Although Kevin McCarthy is no longer Speaker, will the House still honor his promises???
*The House is now on vacation until 2024, the Senate is working until sometime next week.
TRUMP’S TRIAL(S)…
ELSEWHERE…
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…