SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY: 1984-2011

With a safe landing just before Noon, Eastern Standard Time today, the Space Shuttle Discovery completed its 39th and last mission. While the Endeavor and Atlantis shuttles have yet to take off on their final missions, NASA is discontinuing the shuttle program between government budget cuts and the hopes of building a new vehicle, spurred by the possibility of resuming missions to the moon as a first step in building a permanent base there.
One tradition astronauts have enjoyed since the first trip to the moon has been the morning wake up call.
Over the years, this ritual has been spotlighted by various pieces of music and guest performances by celebrities and dignitaries alike.
The following video of William Shatner's prerecorded wake up call that was sent to the shuttle Discovery March 8th is making the rounds on the Internet.
While it has yet to go viral, it definitely sums up the feelings of many supporters of the space program.
Enjoy the clip, courtesy of You Tube.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

Today marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, whereupon we take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate all the good things that women have, do, and will bring into our lives.
Women, individually and as a gender, have faced a lot of hardships over the past centuries, and it is nice to know that they have been able to overcome some, if not all, of the problems that society and misconceived perceptions have heaped upon them over the years.



Video (c) Schoolhouse Rock, Ink Inc.; courtesy of You Tube.

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: MARCH 6, 2011

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITORIAL.


Hello Everybody. Autumn the Puppy here.
Now although there is such a thing as political humor, and personally, I find a lot of what humans call politics funny; I feel that the Sunday Funnies is (usually) just not the proper place. We're here to entertain, not take a stand on something.
Unfortunately, one cannot always stay neutral on an issue.
And trust me, I could talk for hours on end about being neutered!
Anyway...
I'm sure everyone's heard about the situation in Wisconsin, USA by now.
If not, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker offered a contract to the state unions that, amongst other things, would take away their collective bargaining power. If that contract is approved by the state legislature, then whenever it is up for renewal again, Wisconsin could offer the unions whatever they wanted under what would basically be the principle of "take it or leave it". The outcome of this remains to be seen.

I know times are ruff. Everybody and everything is tightening their economic belts as much as possible. My dog food is now coming in smaller cans and doesn't taste as good as it used to!
Cities and states are cutting back expenses wherever they can. But one area that always seems to get trimmed is education.
Less money is put into educational resources. Some schools are closed and the classes combined in other areas, making the larger classes harder on everyone.
One resource that is always cut, and I feel it shouldn't be, is TEACHERS.
Let's face it folks, after the parents, teachers are the next biggest asset to a child's education. After all, the students of today are supposed to become the leaders of tomorrow, and I think a potential leader should have more qualifications than the ability to ask: "Do you want fries with that?"
With that in mind...

A teacher was trying to instruct her pre-school class of 5 year olds how to read. One of them pointed to a picture in a storybook and said, "It's a frickin' elephant!"
The teacher asked, "Why did you call it that?"
The student replied, "Because it says so."
And underneath the picture, it did.

"AFRICAN ELEPHANT"

Aren't shortcuts like Hooked On Phonics wonderful?
Support Education! Support Teachers!

And if you can read this, thank a teacher!
We'll be back next weekend with more Sunday Funnies!-AtP,

REPUBLICANS VERSUS THE WORLD

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITORIAL

This is the lastest in our longstanding series NEWS THAT MAKES YOU THINK, where The Free Choice E-zine focuses upon specific news stories for more coverage.
And the items in this installment have a specific theme, as indicated by the title of this post.

*Protests continue in Wisconsin, USA over Governor Scott Walker's proposed contract with the state unions that would end collective bargaining. Meanwhile, the Republican controlled Senate has issued arrest warrants and passed a measure to start fining their missing Democratic members $100 US Dollars a day until they return to create the quorum necessary to vote on Walker's proposed contract.

The Free Choice E-zine has already posted one specific article on current events in the state of Wisconsin ("Budget Woes") and has been keeping a close eye on events there.
But here's what we would like to know:
If the 14 Wisconsin Sentorial Democrats fled to keep Governor Walker's proposed contract from coming to a vote, HOW can the remaining Republicans have a quorum to LEGALLY issue arrest warrants, let alone start imposing fines upon their missing members?

*US Congressional Republicans have submitted a bill to remove the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate pollution emissions!

Now as everyone knows, coming up with an idea and submitting a proposal is a long way off from actually having it become law, but with all due respect to the members of that august organization behind the proposal, The Free Choice E-zine has to humbly ask one question:
ARE YOU ALL NUTS?

The staff and management of this website, along with the majority of Americans in this country and just about every citizen of the world, happen to like breathing, and prefer to have our air as fresh and clean as humanly possible.
We sincerely hope that not only does this bill fail to gain any support and become official, but that everyone involved with this STUPID IDEA fails to win their next reelection bid and never serves in a public office again!

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 5, 2011

Amongst events that have happened around the world this past week include:

*After all the unrest in that country, the Egyptian Stock Market will reopen this coming Tuesday. Meanwhile unrest continues in Lybia over the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, including sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

*United States President Barack Obama IS willing to work with Congressional Republicans to make deeper cuts within the proposed governmental budget. Although uncertain where said cuts would be made, he is hoping the two sides (Republicans and Democrats) can agree on a budget soon. The country is currently running on an emergency financial measure that expires March 18.
*Protests continue in Wisconsin, USA over Governor Scott Walker's proposed contract with the state unions that would end collective bargaining. Meanwhile, the Republican controlled Senate has issued arrest warrants and passed a measure to start fining their missing Democratic members $100 US Dollars a day until they return to create the quorum necessary to vote on Walker's proposed contract.
*US Congressional Republicans have submitted a bill to remove the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate pollution emissions!
*Frank Buckles, the last surviving veteran to have served during the first World War, has passed away of natural causes at the age of 110.
*Apple announced the impending release of the IPAD TWO.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
*Mike Myers can keep a secret. The actor married his fiance Kelly Tisdale FIVE MONTHS ago! And are just now making the news public.
*Due to his recent actions, Charlie Sheen has been the subject of jokes from every conceivable source. But the final outcome of his personal problems and the sitcom Two and a Half Men remain unknown.
*The King's Speech was the big winner at the 83rd Academy Awards Sunday night, including Best Picture and Best Director Tom Hooper.

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: MARCH 5, 2011

Today is our esteemed Editor-In-Chief's birthday! Let's celebrate!

COMMON BONDS
The following group of people share something in common. What is it?
{Dean Stockwell, Brad Mills, Niki Taylor, Penn Jillette}

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many words can you make out of the letters in the big event: BIRTHDAY?

We'll blow out the candles, cut the cake, and open the gifts to reveal all next weekend.
But for now, let's peek inside THE ANSWERS BOX, for the results of our Academy Awards Quiz from the February 26 Puzzle Corner.

01. Although Peter O'Toole was nominated EIGHT times, he never won a Best Actor award!
02. What year was the very first Academy Awards ceremony held? 1929, celebrating the films of 1928.
03. Wings won Best Picture that year.
04. What three awards from that very first ceremony have NOT been presented since?
Best Engineering Effects, Best Title Writing (for the silent movies), and Best Unique and Artistic Quality of Production.
05. What was the very first musical to win the award for Best Picture? Broadway Melody in 1930.
06. Do you remember what movie won the award for Best Picture last year (2010)? The Hurt Locker.
07. 1960 was the first televised Academy Awards ceremony. But for whatever reason(s), telecasts were sporadic until 1973.
08. Ben Hur won Best Picture during that broadcast.

BUDGET WOES

The following is an editorial.
.
In these current times of economic problems; individuals, companies, even cities and countries, have had to start tightening their proverbial belts and cut costs wherever possible.
We have all heard tales of woe and even some stories of civil unrest at various points around the globe.

The current conflict within Wisconsin, USA is just a sign of the times.
There, Republican Governor Scott Walker made an offer to the state unions, which they promptly rejected because part of the proposal would have done away with collective bargaining. If the unions had accepted Governor Walker's plan, they would have lost all rights to negotiate in the future. The state could offer anything it wanted to on future contract renewals and that was it. Take it or leave.

Now employees' union ARE aware of what is going on in the world and ARE willing to talk with their potential employers.
But to totally remove the discussion option from any agreement sat so badly with the people, a recent poll of Wisconsin voters now wish they never elected Scott Walker governor, and it will be a major miracle if he ever wins another election.

While the 'no bargaining' measure passed practically unanimously in the all Republican Wisconsin State House of Representatives, the 14 Democrats in the minority of the Wisconsin Senate have fled the state and are currently in exile to keep the measure from coming up for a vote there.
Protests are still ongoing, although those against Walker's plan are no longer allowed inside the Wisconsin capitol!
But although many eyes are turned to see how the Wisconsin situation plays out, there ARE signs of positive economic recovery on the horizon!

Under Mayor Kasim Reed, the city of Atlanta, Georgia in the southern part of the United States has managed to cut its operating budget while not only maintaining existing city services, it has even improved them!

Makes one stop and take notice, doesn't it?