Let's face it folks, it was not a very good week.
Layoffs, layoffs, and more layoffs. Businesses are trying to cut corners, balance budgets and stay operational. Now many express the opinion that if all those decisions could be applied to the executives who make those decisions to begin with...
But just to give you some indication as to how things have been this past week, the United States Post Office is considering asking Congress if it can stop delivering mail on Saturdays. Of course some comedians are probably joking that we're still waiting for the post office to complete mail deliveries from any other day of the week. My father remembers in the past that if you lived in a bigger city, the post office used to deliver in-town mail TWICE a day during the week!
Even Mad magazine is planning to switch from a monthly to quarterly publication schedule after releasing its 500th issue this Spring. Remember when there never used to be any advertisements in Mad unless they were a parody? I can just imagine Alfred E. Newman saying: "Now, me worry!"
President Barack Obama is doing his best to keep his campaign promises and spent most of this past week addressing economic issues. Yet the Republicans in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, for whatever reason(s) seem determined to at least stonewall, if not outright oppose his efforts at every opportunity.
And Vice President Joseph Biden is now heading the Middle Class Task Force to try to help those in this category, when you come right down to it, is much of the United States!
Meanwhile Kathe Stam went from representing her home state of Indiana to be crowned the new Miss America and the Arizona Cardinals enter their first Super Bowl game tomorrow against the veteran Pittsburgh Steelers.
For more news and information, just visit the In Other News... box at the bottom of the screen.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
THE PUZZLE CORNER: JANUARY 31st, 2009
Okay, it has not been a great week in the world at large. Maybe we can relax with a couple of mind teasers.
WHAT'S THIS SONG?
I got a lot of positive e-mails on this little ditty of a game, so I've decided to put it into the regular puzzle rotation.
This week's lyric quote is:
REBUS
A simple picture puzzle where you guess what is represented by the picture.
The answers, as usual, will appear next weekend. But for now, here are the results from last week's puzzles.
THE LETTER SHUFFLE: THE CASE OF THE MISSSING VEGETABLES
The words, plus the healthy part missing from their diet, to form the new words are:
1. Right + BEAN = Breathing
2. Fin + BEET = Benefit
TRIVIA TIME
The ice cream mavens are Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
WHAT'S THIS SONG?
I got a lot of positive e-mails on this little ditty of a game, so I've decided to put it into the regular puzzle rotation.
This week's lyric quote is:
"When I kissed you girl I knew how sweet a kiss could be."
REBUS
A simple picture puzzle where you guess what is represented by the picture.
E N U T R O F
The answers, as usual, will appear next weekend. But for now, here are the results from last week's puzzles.
THE LETTER SHUFFLE: THE CASE OF THE MISSSING VEGETABLES
The words, plus the healthy part missing from their diet, to form the new words are:
1. Right + BEAN = Breathing
2. Fin + BEET = Benefit
TRIVIA TIME
The ice cream mavens are Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: JANUARY 25th, 2009
Whatever game of chance you might play, whether it be low risk like Chutes and Ladders or high stakes like Texas Hold 'Em Poker, involves a certain amount of luck.
But luck was certainly an interesting phenomenon last week in the Nebraska State Lottery.
It is reported that last week the same "Pick 3" numbers were drawn TWO NIGHTS in a row, AND in the EXACT SAME SEQUENCE: 1-9-6.
While one person got the entire jackpot to themselves from Monday night's drawing, three lucky people shared Tuesday's.
Makes you wonder what all the people who lost during that 24 hour period have to say about the event.
Anyway, here is our resident comedienne Ms. Waxy Dragon with some appropriate jokes.
And if we're lucky, maybe they will actually be funny. -lhjr.
Thank you Lee.
I think.
Okay, here's an oldie but a goodie:
Why was 6 afraid of 7?
Because 7 8 9!
Seven ate nine. Get it? If you have to explain a joke...
Anyway:
What do you get if you cross a four leaf clover with poison ivy?
A rash of good luck!
Are superstitous people afraid to iron four leaf clovers because they don't want to press their luck?
And last but certainly not least:
Did you hear about the glowworm that won the lottery?
It was delighted beyond belief!
See you next weekend with more Sunday Funnies everyone! -wd.
But luck was certainly an interesting phenomenon last week in the Nebraska State Lottery.
It is reported that last week the same "Pick 3" numbers were drawn TWO NIGHTS in a row, AND in the EXACT SAME SEQUENCE: 1-9-6.
While one person got the entire jackpot to themselves from Monday night's drawing, three lucky people shared Tuesday's.
Makes you wonder what all the people who lost during that 24 hour period have to say about the event.
Anyway, here is our resident comedienne Ms. Waxy Dragon with some appropriate jokes.
And if we're lucky, maybe they will actually be funny. -lhjr.
Thank you Lee.
I think.
Okay, here's an oldie but a goodie:
Why was 6 afraid of 7?
Because 7 8 9!
Seven ate nine. Get it? If you have to explain a joke...
Anyway:
What do you get if you cross a four leaf clover with poison ivy?
A rash of good luck!
Are superstitous people afraid to iron four leaf clovers because they don't want to press their luck?
And last but certainly not least:
Did you hear about the glowworm that won the lottery?
It was delighted beyond belief!
See you next weekend with more Sunday Funnies everyone! -wd.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JANUARY 18 to 24, 2009
Although The Free Choice e-zine unfortunately does not have the resources and staff of other websites, in our continuing efforts to report the news, we proudly present the first installment of THE WEEK IN REVIEW.
Of course the big story this past week is the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States and his actions since.
Although Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed the recital of the oath of office during the official ceremony on Tuesday January 20th, which prompted Obama to have a more informal "do over" the following evening, the new President has not wasted any time going to work trying to keep his campaign promises as his administration started tackling the issues that affect the United States and the world.
Actions have been initiated to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba within a year while moving prisoners to more appropriate venues of justice.
Meanwhile, work has begun on tackling the economy and it is hoped that an economic stimulus package will go before Congress for approval by mid-February.
And in other news, New York State Governor David Paterson, appointed Kirsten Gillibrand to serve the remaining Senate term of the new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. This has not thrilled some citizens of the state, for allegedly Gillibrand is pro-NRA, having voted in favor of the National Rifle Organization in every issue that has involved them; although this has not had as much news coverage (yet?) as when the Illinois State Governor allegedly tried to sell the vacant Congressional seat when Obama was elected President last November.
Of course the big story this past week is the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States and his actions since.
Although Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed the recital of the oath of office during the official ceremony on Tuesday January 20th, which prompted Obama to have a more informal "do over" the following evening, the new President has not wasted any time going to work trying to keep his campaign promises as his administration started tackling the issues that affect the United States and the world.
Actions have been initiated to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba within a year while moving prisoners to more appropriate venues of justice.
Meanwhile, work has begun on tackling the economy and it is hoped that an economic stimulus package will go before Congress for approval by mid-February.
And in other news, New York State Governor David Paterson, appointed Kirsten Gillibrand to serve the remaining Senate term of the new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. This has not thrilled some citizens of the state, for allegedly Gillibrand is pro-NRA, having voted in favor of the National Rifle Organization in every issue that has involved them; although this has not had as much news coverage (yet?) as when the Illinois State Governor allegedly tried to sell the vacant Congressional seat when Obama was elected President last November.
THE PUZZLE CORNER: JANUARY 24th, 2009
Okay, you solvers out there know the drill, so let's get right to it!
THE LETTER SHUFFLE: THE CASE OF THE MISSING VEGETABLES!
Within our lives, we have all been told at one time or another that we need to eat more vegetables, but not everyone heeds that advice. Especially words.
The letters of a vegetable can be added to each of the words below to help spell out a new word.
Do you know what that will be?
1. RIGHT
2. FIN
TRIVIA TIME
Now that we have had a good dinner, it's time for desert.
What are the full names of ice cream moguls Ben and Jerry?
The answers will appear next weekend in place of the ones for January 17th below.
WHAT'S THAT SONG?
The quoted lyric came from Brandy by Looking Glass.
TRIVIA TIME
Cher's first solo release was "Ringo, I Love You" from Annette Records, recorded under the alias of Bonnie Jo Mason, circa 1964.
THE LETTER SHUFFLE: THE CASE OF THE MISSING VEGETABLES!
Within our lives, we have all been told at one time or another that we need to eat more vegetables, but not everyone heeds that advice. Especially words.
The letters of a vegetable can be added to each of the words below to help spell out a new word.
Do you know what that will be?
1. RIGHT
2. FIN
TRIVIA TIME
Now that we have had a good dinner, it's time for desert.
What are the full names of ice cream moguls Ben and Jerry?
The answers will appear next weekend in place of the ones for January 17th below.
WHAT'S THAT SONG?
The quoted lyric came from Brandy by Looking Glass.
TRIVIA TIME
Cher's first solo release was "Ringo, I Love You" from Annette Records, recorded under the alias of Bonnie Jo Mason, circa 1964.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
...IN WITH THE NEW
Barack Obama is now official sworn in as the (active) 44th President of the United States.
Many have noted this achievement from a perspective of race and equal rights stemming from the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, if not from earlier circumstances of bigotry, segregation, and slavery.
While this is a historic event of note, your humble Editor-In-Chief: News would just like to point out that like I tried to express in my earlier post (MLKJR, OBAMA, and HISTORY) that I judged the candidate by the content of his character and strongly felt he was the best person for the job, hence casting my vote the way I did last November.
But there is no denying that there are tough times ahead not just for this country, but the world as well.
Yet as President Obama himself said in his Inauguration speech earlier today:
What lies ahead for all of us still remains shrouded in the mists of the unknown.
But I for one feel that the warmth and light of Hope are both stronger now than they were before.
Many have noted this achievement from a perspective of race and equal rights stemming from the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, if not from earlier circumstances of bigotry, segregation, and slavery.
While this is a historic event of note, your humble Editor-In-Chief: News would just like to point out that like I tried to express in my earlier post (MLKJR, OBAMA, and HISTORY) that I judged the candidate by the content of his character and strongly felt he was the best person for the job, hence casting my vote the way I did last November.
But there is no denying that there are tough times ahead not just for this country, but the world as well.
Yet as President Obama himself said in his Inauguration speech earlier today:
"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of
purpose over conflict and discord.
...What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a
recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves,
our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather
seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the
spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. "
What lies ahead for all of us still remains shrouded in the mists of the unknown.
But I for one feel that the warmth and light of Hope are both stronger now than they were before.
OUT WITH THE OLD...
As of noon today Eastern Standard Time, George W. Bush is no longer the active President of the United States.
Many have said a great deal about his time in the White House, with mostly negative comments.
The only positive remark I have heard in recent days, besides various statements about the fact that he was (finally) leaving, was Bruce Tinsley of Mallard Fillmore noting that the Bush Administration had succeed in keeping America safe from internal terrorist attacks for over six years.
Of course the clock on that achievement started ticking after September 11th, 2001; but anyway...
The fact that the responsibilities of being the President of the United States is a serious undertaking goes without saying.
A couple of generations from now, history might be a little more unbiased towards the man and judge his performance more fairly, but that remains to be seen.
In the meantime, it's just best to remember the old adage: "If you can't say something nice..."
Many have said a great deal about his time in the White House, with mostly negative comments.
The only positive remark I have heard in recent days, besides various statements about the fact that he was (finally) leaving, was Bruce Tinsley of Mallard Fillmore noting that the Bush Administration had succeed in keeping America safe from internal terrorist attacks for over six years.
Of course the clock on that achievement started ticking after September 11th, 2001; but anyway...
The fact that the responsibilities of being the President of the United States is a serious undertaking goes without saying.
A couple of generations from now, history might be a little more unbiased towards the man and judge his performance more fairly, but that remains to be seen.
In the meantime, it's just best to remember the old adage: "If you can't say something nice..."
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