Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Time Management

Volume 7, Issue 39

Hello All,

This is the last post to this address. To see future editions of "Da Bleat" go to bugsbleat4q.blogspot.com.
~~~~~
Rita came into Columbia County with a vengeance, trees down, signs damaged, power out. The fair closed a day early. Then it was over and we realized no worse than a typical strong thunderstorm.
~~~~~
However, south of us, it was a monster. We’re feeding evacuees again and making new friends who hope to have a home to return to.
~~~~~
All our AR-1 DMAT folks are back in the County. John Burge came by Wednesday afternoon and shared some of his thousands of photos with us.
I can’t explain how proud I am of Ricky and Sarah Shepherd, John and Steve Savoy. They all went way beyond the golden rule and represented Arkansas well.
~~~~~
Mindy Phillips Lawrence, another old friend, wrote to let us know that Red Engine Press has published her second book. She’s co-author of a wonderful writing tool called THE COMPLETE WRITER, which came out this month. If you want to know more about it, go to www.redenginepress.com and look it up.
If you’d like to have a copy, she can mail one to you. They are $17.95 + $2.00 shipping and handling. The book has a TON of helpful information on every type writing you can think about.

Incidentally, Mindy also just became a grandmother of two lovely granddaughters. BOTH HER SONS now have kids. One baby is a month old and one is a week old. How cool is THAT!

Mindy Phillips Lawrence, Assistant Editor
Scribe and Quill magazine, www.scribequill.com
Course Facilitator: Query Magic, Editing Essentials and Refreshing Your Grammar

Co-Author: The Complete Writer, Red Engine Press, 2005
Author: One Blue Star: Poetry about the Military, Families, War and Peace, Red Engine Press, 2004
COMING in 2006! They Came Home: Iraqi Freedom Veterans, Red Engine Press
www.redenginepress.com
~~~~~
Congratulations to Chris and Jennifer Chambers on the birth of their daughter! Peyton McKenzie was born September 18 at 9:18 a.m. -- she weighed 7 lbs., 10 ½ oz and was 20 inches long.
~~~~~
Steak and Bingo Dinner Rescheduled - October 22
~~~~~
Springhill Lumberjack Festival - October 7 & 8
Springhill La. is having their annual Lumberjack Festival Oct 7 & 8.
Activities will run from noon Friday through late Saturday. There will be arts/crafts booths, food booths and live music throughout that period. Parade will be Saturday at 10:00 AM. Antique tractors and cars will be in
the parade among other things. The professional Lumberjack Contest will begin noon Saturday. Car show will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday as will
Antique Tractor and Engine Show and will continue until 3:00 PM.
~~~~~
Health Fair - Thursday, October 13, 2005 in the Maintenance Complex Communications Room.
~~~~~
"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once." -Jennifer Unlimited
~~~~~
Here is a link to a web site that has a good, sound, scientific argument against evolution. I think all school kids should have this ammunition in their hands. - Daphne Roberts

http://www.rinconhosting.net/users/bibletest/articles/evolution.htm
~~~~~
We were saddened to learn of the death of Paul Vaughn's brother. Funeral services for Eddie Vaughn were held today, Friday, September 30, at 10:00 at Lewis Funeral Home Chapel with burial at the New Hope Cemetery.
~~~~~
Don't forget ... "Da Bleat" is now on the web. Just go to http://bugsbleatnew.blogspot.com
~~~~~
Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
~~~~~
www.aaa.com Regular Mid Premium Diesel
Current Avg. $2.815 $2.989 $3.098 $2.887
http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - Pizza is America’s favorite fast food, but its roots lay deep in Italy. The dough recipe is simple, and although shaping it can be tricky, it is definitely fun. For a quicker pizza snack, buy a premade crust. These recipes are for the most basic and classic Italian pies, but feel free to ditch Italian authenticity and get creative.

Fun facts about everyone’s favorite slice:
* Pizza became popular in the US after soldiers stationed in Italy brought the idea back after World War II
* There is one theory that pizza evolved from early Egyptian flatbread
* The word pizza literally translates to "pie"

Basic Pizza Dough - Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2004


Prep Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Yield: dough for 1 (15-inch) pizza
User Rating: 5 Stars



1-cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1-teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1-teaspoon salt
Yellow cornmeal, for sprinkling the baking sheet


In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, honey, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, stirring to combine. Let sit until the mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.

Add 1-½ cups of the flour and the salt, mixing by hand until it is all incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Continue adding the flour, 1/4 cup at a time, working the dough after each addition, until the dough is smooth but still slightly sticky. You might not need all of the flour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes.

Oil a large mixing bowl with remaining olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place, free from drafts until doubled in size, about 1-½ hours.

Variations:

Parmesan Pizza Dough: Substitute 2 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour and ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese for 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour. Use a pinch of salt instead of 1 teaspoon. Proceed as directed above.

Oregano Pizza Dough: Stir 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano in with the flour and proceed as directed above.

``````
Garlic Knots


Prep Time: 45 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: about 2 dozen



½ cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1-tablespoon olive oil
1-teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley


Prepare Basic Pizza Dough as recipe instructs and set aside to rise.

Combine butter and garlic in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover, remove from the heat and set aside. Keep warm.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease 2 large baking sheets. Set aside.

Remove risen dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough out into a large rectangle, about 16 by 12 inches. Brush the dough lightly with the olive oil. Cut the dough in half lengthwise and then cut crosswise into strips about 1 1/4 inches wide. Tie each strip loosely into a knot, stretching gently if necessary, and place on prepared baking sheets about 2-inches apart. Sprinkle the tops of the knots with salt. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes.

Bake until golden brown and risen, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss gently with the warm garlic butter, Pecorino Romano cheese, and parsley. Add salt to taste if necessary. Serve immediately.

```````````````

Pulled Pork BBQ Pizza


Prep Time: 30 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 1 large (15-inch) pizza, serving 4 to 6



1-cup apple cider vinegar
1-cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1-tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1/4-teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Yellow cornmeal, for sprinkling the baking sheet
1 recipe Basic Pizza Dough, recipe follows
2 ½ cups Pulled Pork, recipe follows
½ small onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
6 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese


In a medium saucepan, combine vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, yellow mustard, Worcestershire, garlic, salt, red and black peppers. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Allow sauce to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Set aside to cool.

Place a pizza stone on the lowest rack of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F.

Sprinkle about 2 to 3 tablespoons of yellow cornmeal on a baker's peel or baking sheet. Place the rolled out pizza dough on the prepared baker's peel or baking sheet.

Spoon 1 cup of the cooled barbecue sauce over the pizza dough, leaving about 3/4-inch of dough uncovered around the edge. Spread the pulled pork over the sauce, then top with the onion slices and chopped bell pepper. Spread the cheeses evenly over the top. Using a quick flick of the wrist, slide the prepared pizza onto the hot pizza stone and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and golden and cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with remaining barbecue sauce, if desired.

Pulled Pork:
1 pork shoulder roast (Boston Butt or Picnic roast), about 6 to 8 pounds
4 teaspoons Emeril's Original Essence, recipe follows
1-tablespoon salt
1-teaspoon cayenne pepper

Remove the pork from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before proceeding.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a roasting pan with aluminum foil. Season the roast well on all sides with the Essence, salt, and cayenne pepper. Place a roasting rack inside the roasting pan and place the seasoned pork on the rack, fat side up. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 4 hours.

Remove the foil from the roast and continue to bake until the roast is very tender and will pull apart easily with a fork, about 2 hours longer. Remove the pork from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Remove any excess fat from the roast and discard. Using two forks or your hands, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.

Yield: about 10 servings

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

2 ½ tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1-tablespoon black pepper
1-tablespoon onion powder
1-tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme


Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_30266,00.html
~~~~~
Here is a post storm summary prepared by the Shreveport National Weather Center Office.

....hurricane/tropical storm Rita slams the four state region with very heavy rainfall and strong damaging winds...

The remnants of hurricane Rita began to spread north across deep east Texas and north-central Louisiana Friday night...with the remnants of the center of circulation moving along a Broaddus Texas...to san Augustine...to center...Joaquin...and Shreveport Louisiana line during the day Saturday. Widespread rainfall amounts of two to four inches were common across the region as Rita lifted slowly north-northeast across the area. However...a large corridor of five to eight inch totals fell across extreme eastern Texas and western Louisiana...with amounts totaling eight to twelve inches were common across deep east Texas...along a Zavalla...to San Augustine...to center line...closest to the remnant eye wall of hurricane Rita.

Peak wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph occurred Saturday across extreme southeast Oklahoma...southwest Arkansas...the western sections of northeast Texas...and also across all of northwest and north-central Louisiana as Rita pushed northward...but peak wind gusts were much greater closest to the remnant eye wall over deep east Texas...with estimated gusts near 85 mph in center Texas...and also recorded wind gusts around 100 mph near Sam Rayburn reservoir in lower east Texas. The more widespread structural damage occurred in Angelina and san Augustine counties...but widespread tree and power line damage was also reported in Angelina...san Augustine...Sabine... Nacogdoches...and Shelby counties in deep east Texas...and in Sabine parish in northwest Louisiana...as the minimal hurricane Rita moved north. Unfortunately...one fatality occurred in Lufkin Texas in Angelina county...where a tree fell on a person as a result of the hurricane force winds. Scattered tree...power line...and minimal structural damage was reported across the remainder of northeast Texas...northern Louisiana...and extreme southern Arkansas as Rita weakened to a tropical storm.

While the reporting stations in Lufkin and Nacogdoches Texas were down much of the day Saturday due to the loss of power and/or phone line communications...the Shreveport regional airport did record a minimum central pressure of 29.05 inches of mercury (983.7 millibars) at 6 pm Saturday evening. This pressure marks the second lowest pressure ever recorded in Shreveport...behind the 29.04 inches of mercury (983.4 millibars)..., which occurred on February 27, 1902. However...the pressure recorded Saturday evening is the lowest pressure ever recorded with a tropical system to affect Shreveport/bossier city.

Listed below are the peak winds gusts recorded Saturday across various locations in the four state region:

Location: peak wind gust:
Sam Rayburn reservoir, TX 100 mph
Center, TX ~ 85 mph
Shreveport, la 53 mph
Texarkana, AR. 52 mph
Longview, TX 51 mph
Downtown Shreveport, la 49 mph
Tyler, TX 49 mph
Idabel, ok 49 mph
El dorado, AR. 46 mph
Monroe, la 43 mph
Broken bow, ok 36 mph
DeQueen, AR. 33 mph
Mount Herman, ok 27 mph


Listed below are the cumulative rainfall totals this weekend from selected locations across the four state region:

Location: rainfall total:
Center, TX 10.48 inches
Logansport, la 9.81 inches
Bentley, la raws 8.55 inches
Dreka (Sabine north), TX 7.26 inches
Shreveport, la nws office 6.72 inches
Shreveport southern hills, la 6.60 inches
Stonewall, la 6.46 inches
Karnack, TX 6.32 inches
Bienville, la 6.20 inches
Benton 5e, la 5.96 inches
Longview (city), TX 5.60 inches
Taylortown, la 5.50 inches
Lufkin, TX (estimated) 5-6 inches
Shreveport airport, la 5.54 inches
Natchitoches, la raws 5.16 inches
Location: rainfall total:
Downtown Shreveport, la 4.62 inches
Prescott, AR. 4.37 inches
Marshall, TX 4.28 inches
Texarkana, AR. 4.03 inches
Parkers chapel, AR. 4.00 inches
Clarence, la 3.85 inches
Monroe, la 3.50 inches
Gregg co. Airport, TX 3.43 inches
El dorado, AR. 3.16 inches
Idabel, ok 2.86 inches
DeQueen, AR. 2.47 inches
Tyler pounds field, TX 2.00 inches
Broken bow, ok 1.92 inches
Tyler (city), TX 1.89 inches
Mount Vernon, TX 1.81 inches



A great many thanks goes out to the many emergency managers...law enforcement agencies...and cooperative observers...who took their time and supplied us with these damage reports and rainfall totals in wake of this storm system.
~~~~~

Words of the Week:
modicum: a small or token amount.
fetid: stinking.
gimcrack: a showy but useless or worthless object.
banal: commonplace; trivial.
halcyon: peaceful; undisturbed; happy.
adamant: not susceptible to persuasion; unyielding.
jocund: light-hearted; mirthful.
segue: to proceed without interruption.
from Dictionary.Com

~~~~~
"Property may be destroyed and money may lose its purchasing power; but, character, health, knowledge and good judgment will always be in demand under all conditions." - Roger Babson

"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one’s self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all." - Thomas Szasz

"He who fights against monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster in the process. And when you stare persistently into an abyss, the abyss also stares into you." - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

"I am the inferior of any man whose rights I trample underfoot." - Horace Greeley

"Our dangers, as it seems to me, are not from the outrageous but from the conforming; not from those who rarely and under the lurid glare of obloquy upset our moral complaisance, or shock us with unaccustomed conduct, but from those, the mass of us, who take their virtues and their tastes, like their shirts and their furniture, from the limited patterns which the market offers." - Learned Hand

"This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." - William Shakespeare

"The compulsion to take ourselves seriously is in inverse proportion to our creative capacity. When the creative flow dries up, all we have left is our importance." - Eric Hoffer

"Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly often attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults." - Thomas Szasz

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it." - Alan Kay
~~~~~
September 30th in History:

1452: First book published (Guttenberg's Bible);
1630: First execution in America;
1955: James Dean killed in car crash;
1960: Flintstones premieres.



><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
GCF: Time Management

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom
Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website:
Subscribe

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to Good Clean Fun. It's free! A smile will enhance the quality of your life. Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@egroups.com or visit the Good Clean Fun web site http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor/ UNSUBSCRIBE INFO for Good Clean Fun is at the end of this email. This email was scanned by Norton AntiVirus 2005 before it was sent.
----------------------------------

The church wanted to help their congregation cope better with the stresses of modern life, and decided to offer a course in Time Management.

Soon after the course was announced, a member telephoned the Pastor.

"What time does the course start, Pastor?"

The Pastor replied, "Oh... six-ish, seven-ish...."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Seen This?

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website: Subscribe
----------------------------------

I had trouble with the idea of turning 30 and was oversensitive to any signs of advancing age. When I found a prominent gray hair in my bangs, I pointed to my forehead and asked my husband, "Oh no, have you seen this?"

"What?" he asked. "The wrinkles?"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Anniversary Gift

Emailed to me from another humor list (Marty's Joke of the Day) -Tom To subscribe to Marty's Joke of the Day, send a blank email to: martysjotd-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
----------------------------------

For their anniversary, a couple went out for a romantic dinner. Their teenage daughters said they would fix a dessert and leave it waiting. When they got home, they saw that the dining room table was beautifully set with china, crystal and candles, and there was a note that read: "Your dessert is in the refrigerator. We are staying with friends, so go ahead and do something we wouldn't do!" "I suppose," the husband responded dryly, "we could clean the house."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: College Cure

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website: Subscribe
----------------------------------

Two men sank into adjacent train seats after a long day in the city. One asked the other, "Your son go back to college yet?"

"Two days ago."

"Mine's a senior this year, so it's almost over. In May, he'll be an engineer. What's your boy going to be when he gets out of college?"

"At the rate he's going, I'd say he'll be about thirty."

"No, I mean what's he taking in college?"

"He's taking every penny I make."

"Doesn't he burn the midnight oil enough?"

"He doesn't get in early enough to burn the midnight oil."

"Well, has sending him to college done anything at all?"

"Sure has! It's totally cured his mother of bragging about him."
_ ____________________________ _
/ ) Thomas S. Ellsworth ( / / tellswor@slonet.org \ _( (_ http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor _) )_
(((\ \>_/ )_______________________( \__/ )_______________________( \__/ )_______________________( \__/ )_______________________( \__/ )_______________________( \_<> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
[GCFL.net] Landscapers

Two landscapers were working diligently alongside the streets of a huge office complex. One would dig a hole and the other would follow behind him and fill the hole in.

They worked up one side of a street, then down the other, then moved on to the next street, working furiously all day without rest, one guy digging a hole, the other guy filling it in again.

An onlooker was amazed at their hard work, but couldn't understand what they were doing. So he asked the hole digger, "I'm impressed by the effort you two are putting into your work, but I don't get it -- why do you dig a hole, only to have your partner follow behind and fill it up again?"

The hole digger wiped his brow and sighed, "Well, I suppose it probably looks odd because we're normally a three-man team. But today the guy who plants the trees called in sick."

Received from Mark Stephenson.

(-:][:-)

[GCFL.net] Cartoon Characters

Most cartoon characters remain frozen in time. Though they've been around for more than 50 years, the members of the Peanuts gang are in some unspecified elementary school holding pattern. But what if they had been allowed to age like the rest of us? With apologies to the late Charles Schulz:

Charlie Brown: Operates Good Grief Counseling Inc., which specializes in manic depressives and people who are just having a bad day. Moonlights as a pitching coach at high school and college levels. Married to Marcie. They have a roundheaded son who wears glasses.

Linus: Developer of Security Blanket Software, which is a hot item on the New York Stock Exchange. Worth millions but is actively involved in charitable causes, including the Great Pumpkin 5K Fun Run every Halloween. The only man who makes Bill Gates nervous.

Lucy: Serving her seventh term in Congress. On her third husband. Claims she hasn't thought about Schroeder in years, but the background music on her answering machine is Beethoven.

Schroeder: After years on the classical performing circuit, he runs a piano bar in Carmel, Calif. Won't let anybody lean on his piano.

Sally: Never quite got over being spurned by Linus. Has a cat named Sweet Babboo. Sells Mary Kay.

Peppermint Patty: Women's athletic director at a Midwest university. Her fashion credo: "Sandals go with everything."

Snoopy: In dog years, he'd be 350. What do you think would've happened to him? Linus has created an endowment at Daisy Hill Puppy Farm in Snoopy's memory.

by John C. Davenport

Received from FranCMT2.

(-:][:-)

[GCFL.net] What a Hoot

Each evening a bird lover, Tom, stood in his backyard, hooting like an owl. One night an owl called back to him.

For a year, Tom and his feathered friend hooted back and forth. He even kept a log of the "conversation."

Just as he thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough in inter-species communication, his wife had a chat with her neighbor.

"My husband spends his nights calling out to owls," she said.

"That's odd," the neighbor replied, "so does mine."

Received from George Sheppard.

(-:][:-)

[GCFL.net] Ten Commandments, Cowboy Style

People here in Texas have trouble with all those "shalls" and "shall nots" in the Ten Commandments.

Folks here just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some folks out in west Texas got together and translated the "King James" into "King Ranch" language:

The Cowboy's Ten Commandments
(posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas)

(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No tellin' tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin.'
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

Now that's kinda plain an' simple, don't ya think?

Y'all have a good day.

Received from Roswell Evans Jr..

(-:][:-)

[GCFL.net] How The Dog Rules Evolve

1. Dogs are never permitted in the house. The dog stays outside in a specially built wooden compartment named, for very good reason, the dog house.

2. Okay, the dog can enter the house, but only for short visits or if his own house is under renovation.

3. Okay, the dog can stay in the house on a permanent basis, provided his dog house can be sold in a yard sale to a rookie dog owner.

4. Inside the house, the dog is not allowed to run free and is confined to a comfortable but secure metal cage.

5. Okay, the cage becomes part of a two-for-one deal along with the dog house in the yard sale, and the dog can go wherever he pleases.

6. The dog is never allowed on the furniture.

7. Okay, the dog can get on the old furniture but not the new furniture.

8. Okay, the dog can get up on the new furniture until it looks like the old furniture and then we'll sell the whole works and buy new furniture... upon which the dog will most definitely not be allowed.

9. The dog never sleeps on the bed. Period.

10. Okay, the dog can sleep at the foot of the bed.

11. Okay, the dog can sleep alongside you, but he's not allowed under the covers.

12. Okay, the dog can sleep under the covers but not with his head on the pillow.

13. Okay, the dog can sleep alongside you under the covers with his head on the pillow, but if he snores he's got to leave the room.

14. Okay, the dog can sleep and snore and have nightmares in bed, but he's not to come in and sleep on the couch in the TV room, where I'm now sleeping. That's just not fair.

15. The dog never gets listed on the census questionnaire as "primary resident," even if it's true.

Received from K D Kribbs.
(-:][:-)

-=+=-
– NEW! Go to http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20050124 to rate this funny from 0 to 5.
-=+=-
Brought to you by GCFL.net: The Good, Clean Funnies List "A cheerful heart is good medicine!" (Prov 17:22a) Go to http://gcfl.net/mlfrontend.php to change your subscription options or unsubscribe. To email this funny to a friend, go to http://gcfl.net/emailit.php?funny=20050107 The latest GCFL funny can always be found on the web at http://gcfl.net/latest.php
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
If you can’t smile about it, you need to learn how to.

FEMA showed up in Chicago this week. When the mayor asked them why, they said "We heard there was a fire."
---------------------------------------
Someone asked Kathleen Blanco what she thought about Roe v. Wade. She said "I don't care how you do it, just get out of New Orleans."

Thanks to Joe Tudor
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Welcome to You Make Me Laugh, a free newsletter from Crosswalk.com, the world's largest Christian website.
Today's Clean Laugh

Resume Blunders

How bad a mistake can you make on your resume? Here are some real-life examples:

"My intensity and focus are at inordinately high levels, and my ability to complete projects on time is unspeakable."

"Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting."

"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store."

"Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet."

"I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse."

"I am a rabid typist."

"Created a new market for pigs by processing, advertising and selling a gourmet pig mail order service on the side."

"Exposure to German for two years, but many words are not appropriate for business."

"Proven ability to track down and correct erors."

"Personal interests: Donating blood. 15 gallons so far."

"I have become completely paranoid, trusting completely nothing and absolutely no one."

"References: None, I've left a path of destruction behind me."

"Strengths: Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining composer."

"Don't take the comments of my former employer too seriously, they were unappreciative beggars and slave drivers."

"My goal is to be a meteorologist. But since I possess no training in meteorology, I suppose I should try stock brokerage."

"I procrastinate--especially when the task is unpleasant."

"I am loyal to my employer at all costs...Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voicemail."

"Qualifications: No education or experience."

"Disposed of $2.5 billion in assets."

"Accomplishments: Oversight of entire department."

"Extensive background in accounting. I can also stand on my head!"

Cover letter: "Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty!"

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

"Eye Laugh"
It's Morning
http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=119

(-:][:-)

Songs, Jokes, Sad Stories

Three men worked in the Empire State Building on the 102nd floor.

One day the elevator was out of service, so they had to walk up to their office. To pass the time, they decided that one would sing a song, one would tell a joke, and the third would tell a sad story - each taking a turn every floor until they reached the top.

Finally, as they reached the 100th floor, one man sang his last song. As they reached the 101st floor, the second guy told his last joke. As they ascended the flight to the 102nd floor, the third man said, "I forgot the key.."

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

"Eye Laugh"
Facelift
http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=140

(-:][:-)

Just Pretend

Although this married couple enjoyed their new fishing boat together, it was the husband who was behind the wheel operating the boat. Still, he was concerned about what might happen in an emergency.

So one day out on the lake he said to his wife, "Honey, take the wheel... Pretend that I am having a heart attack. You must get the boat safely to shore and dock it."

So she drove the boat to shore and safely docked it. Later that evening, the wife walked into the livingroom where her husband was reading a novel. She sat down next to him, switched the TV channel, and said to him,

"Honey, go into the kitchen. Pretend I'm having a heart attack and set the table, cook dinner and wash the dishes."

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

"Eye Laugh"
Paint Crime
http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=141

(-:][:-)

Does That Hurt

We live in a small town where we have a volunteer Ambulance Corp. We are blessed with many dedicated and fully qualified attendants, who staff our ambulances and give freely of themselves. I was chatting with one of the EMS responders one day and she could hardly stifle a chuckle, so I asked her what was so funny and she told me this story...

It seems that she had gone to an automobile accident and was checking a patient who was lying on the road for injuries. As she knelt beside him and probed him, she asked, "Does this hurt or does that hurt?" After each probe, he replied, "No." When she had nearly completed her examination, she shifted to a better spot from which to finish the examination when after one of her probing questions, he exclaimed very loudly, "That hurts!"

When she asked where, he looked up at her with a look of real pain on his face and said, "Your kneeling on my fingers!"

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

"Eye Laugh"
Lawsuit Sign
http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=143

(-:][:-)

Secret Of Life

A woman walking down a residential street, noticed a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. She called out to him as she passed.

"Hello there! I couldn't help but notice how happy you look. What's your secret for a long happy life?"

"I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day," he replied. "I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat nothing but fast food, and never exercise."

"Wow!" The woman was amazed. "How old are you?" she asked.

"Twenty-six," he replied.

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

"Eye Laugh"
Dog Prayer
http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=144

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
Daily devotionals are available at http://link.Crosswalk.Com/UM/T.asp?A1. 39. 17757. 1. 494611 You can access more information on Crosswalk's Fun page http://www.Crosswalk.Com/fun/! Crosswalk gives credit to the author of a joke when author is known. Feel free to send notification to admin@cybersalt.org in cases where credit has not been given to the author! -SUBSCRIPTION INFO- * Copyright2004 Crosswalk.Com, Inc. and its Content Providers. All rights reserved. Introducing www.Crossguide.Com Where Christians find Products, Services & Ministries.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Don't strive for recognition, but work for achievement." -- Vanessa Malone
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/garbage.html - - Garbage Out, Garbage In "How would you like to own a precocious trash bin? If Ohio based NCR Corp. has its way, your next garbage can will have a higher IQ than you..."
http://www.madkane.com
http://www.madkane.com/notable.html (Notables Weblog)
http://www.madkane.com/bush.html (Dubya's Dayly Diary)
Subscribe to MadKane Humor Newsletter (weekly) here:
http://www.madkane.com/email.html
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
MyPyramid Food Guidance System - - http://mypyramid.gov/ - - This site by the U. S. Department of Agriculture provides information about the new food guide pyramid released in 2005. MyPyramid Plan can help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you. For a quick estimate of what and how much you need to eat, enter your age, sex, and activity level in the MyPyramid Plan box. For a detailed assessment of your food intake and physical activity level, click on MyPyramid Tracker.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
The 1900 Storm: Galveston, Texas - - http://www.1900storm.com/ - - Remembering the Great Hurricane in Galveston Island, Texas, September 8, 1900. Related sites: The Galveston County Daily News / Hurricane Rita: Houston Chronicle
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Be Car Care Aware - - http://www.carcare.org/index.shtml - - Taking an active role in maintaining your vehicle is the best way to avoid costly repairs down the road. This site will help you learn how.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Supervolcano - - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/supervolcano/index.shtml - - The beauty of America's Yellowstone National Park masks one of the rarest and most destructive forces on Earth - a supervolcano. A new two-part BBC factual drama asks: 'What if Yellowstone erupted?' This is the companion site to this series.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Tyndall Report - - http://www.tyndallreport.com/ - - Tyndall Report monitors the American television networks' weekday nightly newscasts. The statistics quoted in Tyndall Weekly measure the time devoted to each story in minutes on all three networks (ABC, CBS and NBC combined) on Monday through Friday each week.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Are You Ready? - An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness - - http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/ - - This site from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking the reader through how to get informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that affect their local area, and how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Other topics covered include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities. NOTE: Adobe Reader needed to view some pages.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Nationwide Gravesite Locator - - http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1 - - Search for burial locations of veterans and their dependents in VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries and various other Department of Interior and military cemeteries. The National Grave Locator includes burial records from many sources. These sources provide varied data; some searches may contain less information than others.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Great American Health Check - - http://www.cancer.org/healthcheck - - This new online tool by experts at the American Cancer Society, is aimed at increasing awareness about the importance of early cancer detection and to encourage people to get tested. The Great American Health Check is an easy-to-use, confidential online health assessment tool. It asks users questions about gender, age, height, weight, family history of cancer, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and alcohol and tobacco use.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Consumer Price Index - - http://www.bls.gov/cpi/ - - The Consumer Price Indexes program produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. A U.S. Department of Labor site.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Ten companies have won U.S. government approval to offer Medicare prescription drug benefits to seniors across the nation starting in January, health officials said on September 23, 2005. Several firms and organizations also will offer other options regionally. Residents of states such as Alaska will have at least 11 options, while up to 20 choices may be offered in larger states such as New York, officials said. The companies that received approval to offer plans nationally were Aetna Inc., Cigna Corp., Memberhealth Inc., PacifiCare Health Systems Inc., Caremark Rx Inc., Wellpoint Inc., UnitedHealth Group and Wellcare Health Plans Inc. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) later announced Medco Health Solutions Inc. also was cleared to offer a nationwide plan."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"More than 1 million children in the USA take care of sick or disabled relatives, shopping, feeding, dressing, medicating and even changing adult diapers, a government-financed study finds. It is the first to document what advocacy groups call a hidden national problem. The 1.3 million to 1.4 million child caregivers, ages 8 to 18, have responsibilities more suited to adults, the national survey says. It will be presented at a conference by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the United Hospital Fund, with financing from the U.S. Administration on Aging. 'This is a failing of our health-care system,' says Gail Gibson Hunt, president of the alliance, a non-profit coalition of family groups. It estimates that 44.4 million adults in the USA provide unpaid care for another adult. But child caregivers largely have remained hidden and often stay silent because they fear being separated from parents."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Use of prescription drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is growing at a faster rate among adults than children, new research shows. Between 2000 and 2004, use of drugs that help keep ADHD patients focused doubled among adults aged 20 to 44, but rose only 56 percent among children, according to data compiled by Medco Health Solutions, one of the country's largest prescription benefit managers. Franklin Lakes-based Medco's study, to be released Thursday, shows use rose 113 percent among women 20 to 44 and 104 percent among women 45 to 64, both far more than among men. Meanwhile, spending on the medicines quadrupled. Experts say reasons for the surge range from better drugs and advertising, to parents of children newly diagnosed with ADHD realizing they have the same symptoms."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"As many as 18,000 people dead. More than $250 billion in damages. Hundreds of thousands of people left homeless. That's not the latest estimate of Hurricane Katrina's toll on the Gulf Coast. That's a worst-case scenario if a major earthquake were to hit Los Angeles. The figures are hypothetical, from a model published in May by government researchers studying the Puente Hills fault under the city. Scientists warn that there's little doubt a major quake will hit California in coming years or decades, though many scenarios are not as disastrous as Puente Hills. As was the case with Katrina, experts say the federal government hasn't done enough to prepare."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"The number of hurricanes in the most powerful categories - like Katrina and Andrew - has increased sharply over the past few decades, according to a new analysis sure to stir debate over whether global warming is worsening these deadly storms. While studies have not found an overall increase in tropical storms worldwide, the number of storms reaching categories 4 and 5 grew from about 11 per year in the 1970s to 18 per year since 1990, according to a report in the journal Science. Peter J. Webster, of the Georgia Institute of Technology, said it's the warm water vapor from the oceans that drives tropical storms, and as the water gets warmer the amount of evaporation increases, providing more fuel for the tempests. Between 1970 and 2004 the average sea surface temperature in the tropics rose nearly 1 degree."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Bank customers know to shield their ATM passwords from prying eyes. But with the rise of online banking, computer users may not realize electronic snoops might be peeking over their shoulder every time they type. In a twist on online fraud, hackers and identity thieves are infecting computers with increasingly sophisticated programs that record bank passwords and other key financial data and send them to crooks over the Internet. That's what happened to Tim Brown, who had account information swiped out of the PC at his Simi Valley store. 'It's scary they could see my keystrokes,' said Brown, owner of Kingdom Sewing & Vacuum. 'It freaks me out.' Brown learned of the scam only after security researchers stumbled onto a computer harvesting information from hundreds of PCs and felt compelled to alert some of the people who had the most data exposed. Realizing he was lucky to get the call last month, Brown changed his passwords and is hoping for the best."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Before the end of the next decade, NASA astronauts will again explore the surface of the moon. And this time, we're going to stay, building outposts and paving the way for eventual journeys to Mars and beyond. There are echoes of the iconic images of the past, but it won't be your grandfather's moon shot. This journey begins soon, with development of a new spaceship. Building on the best of Apollo and shuttle technology, NASA's creating a 21st century exploration system that will be affordable, reliable, versatile, and safe. The centerpiece of this system is a new spacecraft designed to carry four astronauts to and from the moon, support up to six crewmembers on future missions to Mars, and deliver crew and supplies to the International Space Station. The new crew vehicle will be shaped like an Apollo capsule, but it will be three times larger, allowing four astronauts to travel to the moon at a time. The new spacecraft has solar panels to provide power, and both the capsule and the lunar lander use liquid methane in their engines. Why methane? NASA is thinking ahead, planning for a day when future astronauts can convert Martian atmospheric resources into methane fuel."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"As the floodwater recedes in New Orleans, scientists are testing it and the mud it leaves behind to answer a big question: Is the Big Easy on its way to becoming the Big Risky? The answers aren't all in yet, but many experts are optimistic that most of New Orleans could be safely resettled in a few months. The search for hazardous chemical contamination in the water and flood sediment are part of the larger question of what the long-term environmental impact of Hurricane Katrina will be across the broad region it struck. The hard data scientists need to gauge the long-term risks are still emerging. So far, though, results of the testing in New Orleans are encouraging, says Jerry Fenner, who's leading a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team that is assessing the city's environmental health risks."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"More than six million children - approximately 1 in 12 - are living in households headed by grandparents (4.5 million children) or other relatives (1.5 million children). U.S. Census 2000 data tell us that 2.4 million grandparents are taking on primary responsibility for their grandchildren's basic needs. Many of these grandparents have assumed this responsibility without the parent of the child being in the home. These grandparent and other relative caregivers often lack information about the range of support services, benefits and policies they need to fulfill their caregiving role. In an effort to remedy this situation, a group of child and aging advocacy and research organizations has prepared State Fact Sheets, which provide helpful state-specific data and information for all the states and the District of Columbia."
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
------------ Safety From The Heart ----------
September 26, 2005
Today's Safety From the Heart message is from Pam Kemp.
_________________________________

Some information on how to deal with those pesky ants - Inexpensive and Effective

Several ways to rid yourself of Ants........spread the word, I have.

Ants: Instead of buying ant killer, buy a box of saltine crackers. Crumble the crackers and sprinkle over the ant pile. The salt in the cracker will make the ant explode. (A personal apology to ant lovers out there if there are any!)

If these creatures are ruining your life, whether it's in the house or outside, there is a way to rid yourself and your family of these intruders. GRITS...good old fashion grits...Not the instant kind either. Last year some people who had huge ant hills in their yards used this suggestion. After spending many dollars at the local hardware store, got rid of hundreds of ants.

For ants, sprinkle cinnamon along the doorways, outside window sills and other openings to the house. It's like an ant-shield!

For problems with ant piles just pour bleach all over the pile.. This will not only kill the ants, but keep them from coming back.

If you have ants in or outside your home, simply fill a spray bottle with alcohol. Treat infected areas in and around your house. Then, sprinkle baby powder over treated area. This will not only kill the ants, but prevent them from coming back.
------------ Safety From The Heart ----------
September 23, 2005
Prepared by Nancy O'Malley
Safety Tips

With natural disasters such as hurricanes fresh in our minds, it is a good time to review what we did right or wrong in the most recent events. The following is taken from the Hurricane Safety Website and reminds us not to let down after the hurricane winds have passed.

"It's good to have hurricane safety tips in mind before, during and after a hurricane. It shouldn't end just because the hurricane is over. A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year. Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on you and your home. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to use the following fire safety tips to help protect yourself, your family and your home from the potential threat of fire during or after a tornado or hurricane. You can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a fire casualty by being able to identify potential hazards and following the outlined fire safety tips.

Avoid using candles or light sources with flammable fuels
Have fire extinguishers on hand and serviced before hurricane season
Look for and replace frayed or cracked extension and appliance cords, loose prongs, and plugs.
Exposed outlets and wiring could present a fire and life safety hazard.
Appliances that emit smoke or sparks should be repaired or replaced.
Review emergency generator operation procedures and never refuel a generator in operation
Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage if there is chance of water or wind damage
Have maps showing evacuation and alternate routes readily available - detours may be required to avoid downed power lines

When it comes to hurricanes, fire safety should definitely be taken into consideration. Being stuck in a closed area for days with items such as kerosene lamps and candles could be a recipe for disaster. Take fire safety as seriously as you take hurricane safety. And if a fire should spark, always have an emergency fire safety plan, a way to get out and somewhere to go. Safety is safety, be it fire safety or hurricane safety."

Nancy A. O'Malley, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Toxicology Advisor
Albemarle Corporation
451 Florida Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801
Tel: 225-388-7611 FAX: 225-388-7046
Nancy_O'Malley@Albemarle.com
------------ Safety From The Heart ----------
September 23, 2005
Presented by Baton Rouge Tower Employee, YF Huang

After hurricanes, some of us may have to do a lot of lifting to clear tree branches, debris, and boxes of miscellaneous things. The following safety tips can prevent us from having back injuries.

Lifting Safety: Tips to Help Prevent Back Injuries

Have you checked the object before you try to lift it?

Test every load before you lift by pushing the object lightly with your hands or feet to see how easily it moves. This tells you about how heavy it is.
Remember, a small size does not always mean a light load.

Is the load you want to lift packed correctly?

Make sure the weight is balanced and packed so it won't move around. Loose pieces inside a box can cause accidents if the box becomes unbalanced.

Is it easy to grip this load?

Be sure you have a tight grip on the object before you lift it.
Handles applied to the object may help you lift it safely.

Is it easy to reach this load?

You can be injured if you arch your back when lifting a load over your head.
To avoid hurting your back, use a ladder when you're lifting something over your head.

What's the best way to pick up an object?

Use slow and smooth movements. Hurried, jerky movements can strain the muscles in your back.
Keep your body facing the object while you lift it. Twisting while lifting can hurt your back.
Keep the load close to your body. Having to reach out to lift and carry an object may hurt your back.
"Lifting with your legs" should be done only when you can straddle the load. To lift with your legs, bend your knees, not your back, to pick up the load. Keep your back straight.
Try to carry the load in the space between your shoulder and your waist.
This puts less strain on your back muscles.

How can I avoid back injuries?

Pace yourself. Take many small breaks between lifts if you are lifting a number of things.
Don't overdo it--don't try to lift something too heavy for you. If you have to strain to carry the load, it's too heavy.
Make sure you have enough room to lift safely. Clear a space around the object before lifting it.
Look around before you lift, and look around as you carry. Make sure you can see where you are walking. Know where you are going to put down the load.
Avoid walking on slippery, uneven surfaces while carrying something. Don't rely on a back belt to protect you. It hasn't been proven that back belts can protect you from back injury.

Get help before you try to lift a heavy load. Use a dolly or a forklift if you can.
------------ Safety From The Heart ----------
September 22, 2005
Today's Message is from Bob Weber (a Houston Albemarle employee).
_________________________________

I just love bar-B-Q!

Using my $99 special gas fired bar-B-Q grill last night reminded me of the risk that we are exposed to handling ethylene, propylene, butene, and isobutylene. I opened the gas valve, turned the burner switch to light, and started pushing the rusty ignitor switch. It was like striking a match on a wet matchbook. Finally...WHOOSH!...it lit off and almost singed my eyebrows.

Flammable vapor clouds are extremely dangerous. From now on I'm going to light a match first, before I open the gas, so it doesn't have time to build up.
_________________________________
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
TOURBUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -:) - :)- :)
Volume 11, Number 15 -- 27 September 2005
Tourbus Home - http://www.TOURBUS.com
Best of Tourbus -- http://tourbus.com/best.html
+---------------------------------------+
TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: The Worst Problem on the Internet

If everyone was just a little smarter, would spam, viruses and spyware be banished from cyberspace? Can using Firefox get you in trouble with your Internet service provider? And what's the deal with RSS? Read on...

+---------------------------------------+
---------------------------------
Do You Know Bits From Byte-ola?
---------------------------------

What's the worst problem on the Internet? Is it the mountain of spam that fills your inbox daily? Or perhaps the twin plagues of viruses and spyware? How about hackers and identity theft? The surprising answer, according to 600 people surveyed by Net Patrol, is (D) Stupid Users. At first glance, you might think it's just a bunch of geeks casting aspersions on the not-so-techie, but do they have a point?

http://www.askbobrankin.com/worst_problem_on_the_net_stupid_users.html

------------------------------------
Aggregate, Syndicate, Rah Rah Rah!
------------------------------------

Have you been wondering what in the world all those little RSS and XML buttons you've been seeing on websites are for? Do you get a vague angst when you hear about RSS feeds? Did you break into a cold sweat when that guy at the office party asked which aggregator is your favorite?

Simply put, RSS is a nifty way to track just the topics you want to keep tabs on and pull that info off the web without spam getting in the way. This article explains why you should care about RSS, how it works, and how to get started.

http://www.askbobrankin.com/what_is_rss.html

----------------------------
Is Earthlink Anti-Firefox?
----------------------------

After reading my recent article "I Use Internet Explorer, And I Feel Fine!" [ http://www.askbobrankin.com/is_firefox_for_everyone.html ], some folks might think I'm anti-Firefox. Actually I think it's a good browser, and I do use it sometimes. But the folks at Earthlink may actually be discouraging people from using it at all. A reader asked me today:

> I've heard that I should switch to Firefox, but my ISP Earthlink > tells me that Earthlink can only use Internet Explorer as its > default browser and made it sound like I'd get into a bunch of > trouble if I even used Firefox on occasion. Is that true?

If your ISP tells you that you MUST use a particular browser or email program, chances are it's for THEIR convenience, not yours. Here's my complete answer to the question, and if you're an Earthlink user who prefers Firefox, I welcome you to comment.

http://www.askbobrankin.com/firefox_and_earthlink.html

----------------------------
How Safe Is Your Computer?
----------------------------

Did you know... a survey conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and backed by the US Department of Homeland Security found that more than 70% of computer owners falsely believed they were safe from online threats such as adware, spyware and viruses?

The truth is, it's easy to get infected without even knowing it. Downloading free software or visiting tainted Web pages can often infect your computer. What's an unsuspecting computer owner to do? No need to worry - you can take steps to eliminate this false sense of security by taking a few precautions to protect yourself. And Smart Computing can help. Sign up for your 3 RISK-FREE ISSUES now!

https://www.smartcomputing.com/secure/3freetrialissues.asp?source=SC13300

That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin
+---------------------------------------+
==[ Tourbus Rider Information ]==
The Internet Tourbus - U.S. Library of Congress ISSN #1094-2238
Copyright 1995-2005, Rankin & Crispen - All rights reserved
Tourbus News Service - http://tourbus.com/news.html
Subscribe, Signoff, Archives, Free Stuff and More at the
Tourbus Website - http://www.TOURBUS.com
========================
.~~~. ))
(\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen
/o o \/ .~
{o_, \ { crispen@netsquirrel.com
/ , , ) \ http://www.netsquirrel.com/
`~ -' \ } )) AOL Instant Messenger: Squirrel2K
_( ( )_.'
---..{____} Warning: squirrels.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Our Church, Magnolia Christian Center, has the following mission statement. Our purpose is to build a great church for the glory of God through the great commission and the great commandment. MCC' Vision - That MCC will be a place hopping with children, energized with teenagers, balanced with diversity and transformed by the power of God! We want to turn uninterested people into interested people and win the lost to make fully devoted followers of Christ.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Obituary for Mr. Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense. Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and Reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).
His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Thanks to Anita McNatt
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
To my friends and family: From a Mc Comb Resident

What I have seen since Katrina:
The poor and the wealthy hurt by the storm.
Black, white, Hispanic, Oriental and Indian all hurt by the storm.
Christian people giving, giving, giving.
Churches going all out to minister in Jesus' name.
Neighbors going door to door helping one another.
Thugs and hoodlums going door to door looking for someone vulnerable.
Ice and water being fought over as police tried to keep the peace.
People coming up from New Orleans taking over empty houses because shelters are full.
Out of town volunteers coming with food and staying for now a week still serving it.
The Churches all over this part of the country doing what Christians do in a crisis.
The Red Cross doing a great job in the shelters.
The Salvation Army doing a great job in the community.
Four Hundred crewman from everywhere bring back the power to our homes, churches and businesses.
Lines at service stations a block to a mile long.
National Guardsman patrolling the streets of Mc Comb along with Kentucky policemen protecting us from the hoodlums and thugs of Mc Comb, Pike County and New Orleans (the most dangerous city in the world before Katrina.)
Drug dealers working outside shelters.
Doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel working tirelessly, even sleeping in the hospital to do the job God called them to do.

WHAT I HAVE NOT SEEN:
The ACLU setting up a feeding line.
People for the American Way helping in the shelters.
The NAACP doing any work whatsoever.
The American Atheist organization serving meals in the shelters.
Jesse Jackson directing traffic at the gas stations.
I could go on but you get my message. Its the Christian people with love and compassion who do the work.
The gripers in Congress should come on down and get in line to pass the water and the ice.
Are you listening Hillary, Chuck, Teddy and all the sorry loafers we call Senators and Congressmen. They don't have a clue as to what this life is all about here on the Gulf Coast.

Boy I feel better now!

Thanks to Daphne Roberts

This was originally posted to Fire Departments last February. Understand that I’m a Bush supporter but no one on this earth is perfect. There has been tons of money thrown at emergency services over the last few years, however many of us in Emergency Management have been concerned about, what we see as, the dismantling of FEMA and a lack of understanding of first responder and “Command and Control” needs.

*HEATHER CASPI*
/Firehouse.Com News/

The President's proposed budget for 2006 calls for deep cuts to programs for first responders.

The budget calls for $500 million to fund the FIRE Act, down from the $650 million budgeted for 2005. This would be the second year in a row the program has been slashed; in 2004 the program was budgeted for $750 million.

"It makes no sense whatsoever," said New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell, author of the FIRE Act. He said Bush is following the same pattern as the past four years, of attempting to reduce support for first responders despite a need for basic equipment. He said requests from fire departments in 2004 totaled $2.5 billion.

"Every firefighter, from departments large and small, better understand that elections have consequences," Pascrell said. "This president couldn't care less about first responders."

In addition to cutting back the FIRE Act, the proposed budget eliminates funding for SAFER, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act. The program was intended to support the hiring of up to 75,000 firefighters over several years to help communities meet national standards for firefighter staffing.

The proposed cuts imply an attitude of, "To hell with the firefighters," Pascrell said. He said SAFER received support for $50 million in the House and for $65 million in the Senate, but none from the administration.

Pascrell applauded the firefighters who fought for these programs but warned that the rest of the fire service can't just take the "gain without the pain." They need to stand up for these programs, Pascrell said.

"This is not a Democratic/Republican issue," he said. "This is the security of our nation."

The IAFF called the budget proposal disappointing, especially in light of the Boston Globe's recent report on the decline in the nation's fire response.

"Both Republicans and Democrats have championed providing sufficient resources to the FIRE Act and SAFER, the program that provides funding to add fire fighters to local departments, since the programs were authorized," said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger in a prepared statement.

"Our hope is that we can work with members on both sides of the aisle in Congress to once again bring the funding for emergency preparedness in our nation's communities back to levels that begin to address the major shortages we see in more than two-thirds of the communities in America."

Congress will now take on President Bush's budget proposal and determine the final numbers. Each of the last few years Congress has exceeded the President's numbers in the final appropriation.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
The Washington Nationals Suspend A Chaplain For Not Thinking 'Religiously Correct'

The Washington Nationals professional baseball club has suspended a volunteer chaplain and rebuked a baseball player because they hold religious beliefs that are "Religiously Incorrect."

Volunteer chaplain Joe Moeller and outfielder Ryan Church were having a conversation concerning Christianity. Church asked Moeller a question about Jesus and salvation. "I said, like, Jewish people, they don't believe in Jesus. Does that mean they're doomed?" Church asked.

Volunteer chaplain Moeller simply nodded his head in agreement. For his "religiously incorrect" thinking—even if it was simply a nod of the head—Moeller was suspended.

Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, leader of an Orthodox Jewish congregation in Washington, said, "The Nationals did a good job about bringing hate into the locker room." A chaplain and a baseball player are accused of hate speech because they were discussing a basic tenet of their faith!

Wow! Now it is not "religiously correct" for Christians to just "think" that salvation comes through Christ alone. The Nationals immediately suspended Chaplain Moeller and Church issued an apology for asking the question.

Dr. Richard Land, head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, had this to say: "The worst this chaplain could be convicted of is ascribing to orthodox Christian faith, which is what you want from a Christian chaplain."

Click here to read the entire Washington Post article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/20/AR2005092002093_pf.html
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
TGIF-Today God Is First


Situational Ethics
----------------------------
Monday, September 26, 2005
by Os Hillman

Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart. ~ Psalm 15:1-2

"I cannot believe they are not going to honor my bonus agreement," said the executive who was about to take another position in a new city. Her understanding of her present work agreement called for a bonus at the end of the year. Management saw the situation differently. "It's not right. I am entitled to that bonus," she complained.

It was time to leave. The company had given her a laptop to use. However, when she left, she decided that because the company was not going to pay her the bonus she was entitled to, she would simply keep the laptop as compensation due her. "And they would never miss it," she reasoned. She was now in the employment of the new company. As each day passed, she grew uneasier about her decision. She could not get it off her mind. Finally, she concluded that the Holy Spirit was telling her this decision was wrong and that she needed to call her former boss to confess her action. She called him and confessed what she had done and why she had done it. Her boss accepted her confession and forgave her. Strangely enough, he allowed her to keep the laptop computer.

Truth never changes. It is absolute. When we make decisions based on other actions that are taken, we move into making decisions based on the situation, not truth and righteousness. The executive may indeed have been wronged, but she had to address the wrong in the appropriate way. Trying to compensate for the wrong by doing something that violates another scriptural principle is called situational ethics. If the employer had never wronged the executive, do you think she would have felt justified in taking the computer? Probably not. When you isolate the two situations, you see that one action was taken in response to the other action.

Have you had any experiences in which you have used situational ethics? The Lord desires His people to have a higher standard, even at the cost of being wronged. Ask the Lord to reveal any business practices that may indicate situational ethics. You might be surprised what will happen when you do the right thing.

-=+=-

A Joseph Story
----------------------------
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
by Os Hillman

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

"I'd like you to help us develop our marketing program beginning in January," said the CEO of a sports product company. The consultant was delighted to have the opportunity. It was the first new business opportunity he'd had in some time. He had just come out of some very difficult business and personal circumstances in the last few years. A few months into the relationship, the CEO asked the consultant to manage the entire marketing department, placing him over the current marketing staff. It appeared that God was blessing his efforts with several successful initiatives. The consultant began to build a relationship with a few of the executives. One day, the sales manager came into his office and asked for help on a personal crisis. One thing led to another, and two months later, the consultant found himself leading the sales manager in the sinner's prayer in the sales manager's office.

God prepares His servants in many ways to accomplish His purpose. The story of Joseph is repeated every workday in the lives of His people. The circumstances may be different, but the results are the same. God trains His servant through sometimes difficult "boot camps." When that training is complete, He places them in strategic places to be a provider-both physically and spiritually.

Is God preparing you to be a provider in the workplace? Do not fret at the difficult training ground you may be required to endure. He has a plan. If you'll allow Him to carry out His plan, you'll be privileged to be used by the Master's hand. I know because I am that consultant.

-=+=-

Be as Little Children
----------------------------
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
by Os Hillman

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! ~ 1 John 3:1a

"I have an important business meeting in the morning. Would you please set the alarm for 5:30 a.m.?" I said to my wife.

"Oh, that won't be necessary. Just tell the Lord what time you want to wake up. He does it for me all the time," my wife said.

I rolled my eyes in disbelief. "Well, I'd feel more comfortable if we set the alarm."

"Okay, ye of little faith. But just to prove my point I am going to ask the Lord to wake us up just before 5:30."

The next morning I awoke before the alarm went off. I looked at the clock. It read 5:15. I looked at my wife, who had just awakened at the same time with an I-told-you-so smile.

Sometimes we wrongfully view God as someone we go to for only the "big things." The idea of "bothering God" for such a trivial matter seems foolish and presumptuous. However, when you were a child and had to get up in the morning for school, didn't your mom or dad come wake you up? They were your parents, and you could come to them with the most trivial concerns or requests. Why would our heavenly Father be any less approachable? Perhaps our problem is that we simply have not developed a level of intimacy with God so that we feel the freedom to approach Him at these daily, routine levels. We often operate with an unwritten code that says our needs must have a certain degree of importance or crisis before we come to God with them. This is not God's character towards us.

Does the Lord desire this level of intimacy with you and me? The apostle Paul exhorted us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17 KJV). There is never a caution to pray only about matters of greater importance.

Today, go to God with matters that you might view as trivial and would normally avoid bringing to God. Ask God to increase your level of intimacy with Him. You may even be able to get rid of your alarm clock.

-=+=-

Visions and Dreams
----------------------------
Thursday, September 29, 2005
by Os Hillman

In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions; your old men will dream dreams. ~ Acts 2:17

"I need to meet with you," said the man from England during a break at a conference overseas. We walked outside to have a coffee break and sat down. "God wants you to know that He removed your finances in order to reserve His reward for you in Heaven. He has done you a great service."

I was shocked. I'd never met this gentleman before. How would he have known I had lost a half million dollars in the previous few years, virtually all of my financial net worth, to some unusual calamities? We shared for the next several minutes.

That week, during our lunch and dinner times, I had been enjoying wonderful, juicy oranges from this island in the Mediterranean Sea. It came time for the gentleman and I to conclude our coffee break. We bowed in prayer. As we prayed, the man began to describe a picture he was seeing in his mind. "I see a picture of a large orange tree. The tree is full of large, ripened oranges. They are beginning to fall to the ground. You are the tree!"

Again, I looked at the man with shock and amazement, and now tears in my eyes.

"You are the third person in three years that has had a similar vision during a prayer time like this. The first two people were also strangers to me."

I went back into the meeting rejoicing that God could be so personal in my life. He used a servant who had gone through similar trials to supernaturally speak a word of encouragement in a way that I would know it was God who was speaking.

There are times when God supernaturally speaks into our lives. He does this to demonstrate His power, His love, and His intimacy with us. Do not be surprised if God sends one of His messengers to speak into your life when you need it most. Be open to how God might want to speak into your life today.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers (Psalm 1:3).

-=+=-

The Booster Rocket
----------------------------
Friday, September 30, 2005
by Os Hillman

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses My servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites. ~ Joshua 1:1-2

A rocket launch is truly an amazing phenomenon to me. Tons of weight is stacked vertically to the sky with thousands of gallons of fuel exploding in a matter of moments. Soon the rocket drops its take-off boosters and uses additional boosters to move the rocket to the next stage of the mission. The first engines have a unique purpose...to get the rocket to the next stage.

Joshua was known for almost 40 years as "Joshua, servant of Moses." God's preparation for him required years of selfless service, training in the desert, and tests of faith. Those preparation years were booster rockets designed to move Joshua into each new stage of his development and his ultimate calling.
God allows each of us preparation times to lay a foundation that He plans to build on. Some of those foundation times appear to be laborious and meaningless, yet these varied experiences are what God is using to frame your life for the message He plans to speak through you. Without these foundational experiences, the Jordan River can never be crossed and we cannot enter the Promised Land.

Embrace these times of seeming inactivity from God. They, too, are a rocket booster to your next stage of your walk with God.

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

-=+=-

Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org
---------------------------------------------------
To contact Os Hillman, request reprint permission, or to book Os to speak in your town write to os@marketplaceleaders.org. Marketplace Leaders Website: http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/ Copyright 2005
--------------------------------------------------
Please recommend this TGIF daily devotional to everyone interested in applying their faith to their worklife. Tell them to subscribe at http://www.TodayGodIsFirst.com

Os Hillman Copyright 2005
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Activities and Events of Interest
~~~
Springhill Lumberjack Festival - October 7 & 8
Springhill La. is having their annual Lumberjack Festival Oct 7 & 8. Activities will run from noon Friday through late Saturday. There will be arts/crafts booths, food booths and live music throughout that period. Parade will be Saturday at 10:00 AM. Antique tractors and cars will be in the parade among other things. The professional Lumberjack Contest will begin noon Saturday. Car show will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday as will Antique Tractor and Engine Show and will continue until 3:00 PM.
~~~
HazWOpER Awareness Level (with Emergency Response Guidebook Instruction) CCAS October 11 @ 6:00 pm
~~~
Health Fair - Thursday, October 13, 2005 in the Maintenance Complex Communications Room.
~~~
Steak and Bingo Dinner Rescheduled - October 22
~~~
The Emancipation Proclamation will be on display at the Clinton Library September 22-25, 2007.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"September 11 WDYTJWD" W. P. Florence
Justice first, then peace."
"September 11" Never forget.--Tony Moses
"ONE NATION UNDER GOD ...the only way"--Phillip Story
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Keeping my head down but face toward Heaven" - - Jody Eldred, ABC News Cameraman in Kuwait
"Remember Pearl Harbor? Remember 9/11!" --"Bug"
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. - - George Carlin
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!" - - Queen E. Watson
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed weekly. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink. mil/releases/

01. Spc. Kevin M. Jones, 21, of Washington, N.C., died near Al Taqaddum, Iraq, on Sept. 22, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Jones was assigned to the 181st Transportation Battalion, 7th Corps Support Group, 3rd Corps Support Command, Mannheim, Germany.

02. Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap, 34, of Vista, Calif., died Sept. 24 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Taqaddum, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Los Alamitos, Calif. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 23, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M113 armored personnel carrier. They also were attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Oakdale, Calif.
Killed were:
03. Staff Sgt. Daniel R. Scheile, 37, of Antioch, Calif., who died on Sept. 24.
04. Sgt. Paul C. Neubauer, 40, of Oceanside, Calif., who died on Sept. 23.

The Department of Defense announced the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, on Sept. 25, when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. Killed were:
05. Chief Warrant Officer John M. Flynn, 36, of Sparks, Nev. Flynn was assigned to the Army National Guard's 113th Aviation Regiment, Stead, Nev.
06. Warrant Officer Adrian B. Stump, 22, of Pendleton, Ore. Stump was assigned to the Army National Guard's 113th Aviation Regiment, Pendleton, Ore.
07. Sgt. Tane T. Baum, 30, of Pendleton, Ore. Baum was assigned to the Army National Guard's 113th Aviation Regiment, Pendleton, Ore.
08. Sgt. Kenneth G. Ross, 24, of Peoria, Ariz. Ross was assigned to the Army's 7th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Giebelstadt, Germany.

09. Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, 35, of Fernley, Nev. Stewart was assigned to the Army National Guard's 113th Aviation Regiment, Stead, Nev.

10. Pvt. Elijah M. Ortega, 19, of Oxnard, Calif., died Sept. 26 as result of a non-hostile gunshot wound at Camp Baharia, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

11. Sgt. Shawn A. Graham, 34, of Red Oak, Texas, died on Sept. 25 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained earlier that day in Baghdad, Iraq. The vehicle in which he was riding accidentally rolled over. Graham was assigned to the Army National Guard's 124th Cavalry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, Fort Worth, Texas.

12. Sgt. Howard P. Allen, 31, of Mesa, Ariz., died in Baghdad, Iraq on Sept. 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Allen was assigned to the Army National Guard's 860th Military Police Company, Phoenix, Ariz.

13. Spc. Mike T. Sonoda, Jr., 34, of Fallbrook, Calif., died in Baghdad, Iraq on Sept. 22 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M113 Armored Personnel Carrier on Sept. 21. Sonoda was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Fullerton, Calif.

14. Sgt. Andrew J. Derrick, 25, of Columbia, S.C., died on Sept. 23 near Baghdad, Iraq when his dismounted team came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Derrick was assigned to the 411th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Shaibah, Iraq, on Sept. 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during convoy operations. They were also attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Brigade, Fond du Lac, Wis. Killed were:
15. Sgt. Andrew P. Wallace, 25, of Oshkosh, Wis.
16. Spc. Michael J. Wendling, 20, of Mayville, Wis.

17. Lance Cpl. Steven A. Valdez, 20, of McRea, Ark., died Sept. 26 from enemy mortar fire at Camp Blessing, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained near Ar Rustimayah, Iraq, on Sept. 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 314th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 78th Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Killed were:
18. Master Sgt. Tulsa T. Tuliau, 33, of Watertown, N.Y.
19. Sgt. 1st Class Casey E. Howe, 32, of Philadelphia, N.Y.

20. Staff Sgt. Robert F. White, 34, of Cross Lanes, W.Va, died west of Kandahar, Afghanistan on Sept. 26 when his mounted patrol was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire. White was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

21. Seaman Apprentice Robert D. Macrum, 22, of Sugarland, Texas, was lost at sea. He was last seen the evening of Sept. 12 while the ship was underway. Macrum was assigned to the USS Princeton, currently deployed to the Arabian Gulf conducting maritime security operations as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.

22. Staff Sgt. Jason A. Benford, 30, of Toledo, Ohio, died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 27, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Benford was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

23. Sgt. Steve Morin, Jr., 34, of Arlington, Texas, died west of Umm Qasr, Iraq, on Sept. 28, when an improvised explosive device detonated, overturning the HMMWV in which he was riding. Morin was assigned to the Army National Guard's 111th Engineer Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, Mineral Wells, Texas.

24. Airman 1st Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 21, of Riviera Beach, Fla., died Sept. 28 near Camp Bucca, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle. Jacobson was assigned to the 17th Security Forces Squadron, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died on Sept. 28, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, where their M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire. The soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, New Milford, Pa. Killed were:
25. Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Arnold, 27, of Montrose, Pa.
26. Staff Sgt. George A. Pugliese, 39, of Carbondale, Pa.
27. Sgt. Eric W. Slebodnik, 21, of Greenfield Township, Pa.
28. Spc. Lee A. Wiegand, 20, of Hallstead, Pa.
29. Pfc. Oliver J. Brown, 19, of Carbondale, Pa.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Please remember to pray for the American soldiers stationed everywhere around the globe and especially in Iraq. Times have been and are very tough and it would be nice if you would all just say a prayer for their safety and for their families.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Scheduled Activities
~~~
Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Monday - Friday. At noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and at 7 p.m. Sunday at 914 N. Vine
~~~
Columbia County Amateur Radio Club meets Every second Thursday @ 7:00 p.m. Union Street Station. And YOU'RE invited. Net is every Sunday at 20:30 on 147.105.
~~~
Columbia County Diabetes Support Group - Every third Monday, 7:00 p.m. room 222, Magnolia Hospital
~~~
"Focus on the Family" with Dr. James Dobson weekday afternoons at 1 PM on KVMA am 630 it's a great show!
~~~
MCC - Abraham Prayer - Sunday at 5:00 p.m and Wednesday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
~~~
MCC - Early Morning Prayer - Monday - Friday, From 6:30 am to 8:00 am
~~~
MCC - "Beth Moore" Video Class - Thursday nights at 5:45 pm
~~~
MCC - "Faith Builders" Small group meets at 1051 Columbia 36 the second and fourth Tuesdays, 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm.
~~~
MCC - Firm Foundations Class, Sunday 9:30 to 10:15 a.m
~~~
MCC - Meadow Brook Nursing Home Ministry Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m
~~~
MCC - Mom's Day Out - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 2.$10 for the first child, $5 for the second. Call 234-3225 for reservations.
~~~
MCC - Nursing Home Ministry - Meadowbrook Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 am. Taylor, the last Thursday each month.
~~~
MCC - Over comers: Fridays @ 7:00 p.m- Director, Traci Foster invites you to a 12 step Christian support program. For anyone with a life controlling problem. Child care is provided.
~~~
Men's Prayer Breakfast held every Tuesday morning at 6 AM in Miller's Cafeteria. If you aren't a regular participant at the Men's Prayer Breakfast, you're missing some great food, fellowship and inspired teaching of the Word. Hope to see you there.
~~~
Narcotics Anonymous 5-6 pm every Monday at 220 Pine street.
~~~
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5 pm every Tuesday in the Magnolia Hospital break room.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Emergency Phone Number 911
(Fire, Police, Ambulance, Sheriff, etc. )
Central Dispatch 234-5655
(Non - Emergency Number)
Direct Numbers
Ambulance - 234-7371 (24 Hour)
Jail - 234-5331 (24 Hour)
Poison Control - 800-222-1222 (24 Hour)
http://www. aapcc. org/
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Fight till you win!" - - Mark Brazee
"Bring 'em on!" - -President George W. Bush
"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle."
"Laugh whenever you can and cry if you need to." -- "Bug"
"I read the end of the book. We win!" -- "Bug"
"We may not be able to cure the world, but we don't have to make it sicker." -- "Bug"
"There just ain't enough fingers for all the holes in the dike." - - "Bug"
"It's no big deal doing what God tells you to do. A big deal would be NOT doing what God tells you to do. Just ask Jonah." - - Paul Troquille
"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in ... and how many want out." - - Tony Blair
"Information is the currency of democracy." - Jefferson
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - - Margaret Mead
~~~~~
Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.

God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Luke 22:7-9 John 12:9-11 1 Sam 15:19-22 John 16:33 Luke 8:18
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

P. S. If you'd like to be added to the distribution, just drop us E-mail at KC5HII@Magnolia-Net.Com. We offer "Da Bleat" as text, a "Blog" and as a newsletter with pictures in Word and PDF format. For the "Blog" version just go to http://bugsbleatnew.blogspot.com/ to see the latest issue. This week, "Word" and "PDF" subscribers get to see photos of some of my favorite people.
Let us hear from you if we can switch you over to the "Word" or "PDF" version of "Da Bleat".
If you'd prefer to read "Da Blog" version, just drop us a note at KC5HII@Magnolia-Net.Com and we'll switch you from e:mail delivery to "Da Bleat" Blog. Of course "Da Bleat" is now on the web. Just go to http://bugsbleatnew.blogspot.com to see the latest issue (usually updated sometime Friday evening or Saturday morning. We appreciate your encouragement. We also appreciate your communication when you desire to be taken off our mail list. If you are on this mail list by mistake or do not wish to receive "Da Bleat," please reply back and tell us to discontinue service to you. This email was scanned by Norton AntiVirus 2005 before it was sent.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>

Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Great Cheese

Volume 7, Issue 38

Hello All,

We’re “hunkered down” waiting to see what Hurricane Rita does to the ArkLaTex. I was in Wal-Mart in Shreveport and Magnolia today (that should fill my quota for months) and it was pandemonium at both stores with people grabbing flashlights, food and water.
~~~~~
Our DMAT guys are in Houston, with three trucks of medical supplies, ready to treat up to 15,000 people after the storm. I spoke with them Thursday and their only request was that we all pray for them.
~~~~~
Everyone's been asking for my hot-water bread recipe (hot water, cornmeal, mix until the consistency of thick grits, take a fork and drop in hot oil in a cast iron skillet.) Then Nancy Terry told me of a sacrilege. They sell hot-water bread in the frozen foods section at Brookshire’s. Just take it out of the package and plop it in the grease.

Our culture is doomed.
~~~~~
Last Saturday, Columbia County Volunteers were treated to “Evacuee Bingo and Gumbo” by the Albemarle crew. Steve Miller and Buzzy Landry did a GREAT job on the gumbo and Kerry Franks was “thrown into the breach” as Bingo Caller. This was our last meal for the evacuees so we wanted it to be special.
I had the privilege of winning Bingo for “William”, a young evacuee who has a grin wider than me. He was so excited he almost knocked me down getting to the front to receive his prize.
~~~~~
MCC is 25 Years young. We celebrated last Sunday with messages by Brother G. C. Kirksey and Brother Paul Troquille, songs by Kerry Wooten and family and a HUGE “dinner on the grounds.” I ate dumplings till I was gonna pop.
One highlight of the morning was Stephen Burton’s imitation of our previous pastors. He had them nailed.
Pastor Walthall will be here on October the second to kick off our next 25.
~~~~~
Our friend Norma Kay had her surgery Tuesday and is doing great. There was no cancer in her lymph nodes and the cancer it was contained to that one area. She will be taking Chemo followed by radiation. Thanks for praying for her and please continue praying for her and her family. As she said, “God is a great God and I know he is watching over me.”
~~~~~
We’ll be teaching HazWOpER Awareness Level (with Emergency Response Guidebook
Instruction) for CCAS Personnel on October 11 @ 6:00 pm
~~~~~
We've been getting multiple e-mails about the "horrors" of rampaging evacuees. In the meantime, over a thousand people ended up here in Columbia County. For the most part they've been a real credit and a pleasure to deal with (there may have been one or two minor "problems" but certainly nothing like the “panic” e-mails tell of.)

Our Governor spoke to an Emergency Managers meeting I was attending the Friday after Katrina. He told us that he expected 50,000 evacuees (we ended up with almost 80,000 in Arkansas) and that we should treat them like we'd want to be treated. Wise words.

Locally, we fed our last "group" meal Saturday evening. Most of the evacuees that are going home have left. We've gained some new citizens and we welcome them.

I've had evacuees refuse offers of help "because I never took a hand out and I ain't startin now!"
I've had evacuees stay here and work to help the others even though their home was O.K. and they could have left.
I've had evacuees do almost everything but act in a negative or disrespectful way.

Robert Lyons daughter Teresa, shared the truth from "down south" with us.
~
James,
I sent my daughter a story allegedly true and bashing the NO evacuees. She has been heading up a Gonzales LA Episcopal Church's work with the evacuees. Teresa is frustrated from finding her life going from stay at home mom to Relief worker. However, Teresa who has had much first hand experience with the situation has a story that you would never see on MSNBC et al.

Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: Stuart & Teresa
RE: West Bank of N.O.

I can tell you that I work with "these" people EVERY day and this just sounds completely false. At one point early into this our Sheriff came across our TV emergency system to calm the citizens of Ascension Parish after the RUMORS had everyone terrified. I have sent several people over to the St. Elizabeth Hospital (only hospital in Gonzales) walk in clinic, and I have heard nothing negative from either evacuees or personnel. In fact, we have gone there and picked up supplies to be donated. We transport evacuees from Lamar Dixon ("evacuee center") to the local Dr.'s and dentist......these people are donating their services for the evacuees. Not once has any one of our drivers had a negative remark to make. Yes there have been some bad seeds in the bunch, but the most common is just people who are lost and needing help. The numbers are quickly dwindling in the shelters. People are finding places to live and others are getting back into their homes. There are still many staying with others and some still homeless, but life is getting back to some sense of normalcy. Like I read in the paper today, we will have to get used to our new "normal" because this is the way it is going to be for a long time to come. I'm not sure if this is what you wanted to know, but it is what I have to give. Hope it enlightens you.
~~~~~
Don't forget ... "Da Bleat" is now on the web. Just go to http://bugsbleatnew.blogspot.com
~~~~~
Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
~~~~~
www.aaa.com Regular Mid Premium Diesel
Current Avg. $2.748 $2.918 $3.025 $2.826
http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - Introduction to Whole Grains
The latest USDA dietary guidelines-which will form the basis of a revised Food Pyramid released in spring 2005-place a new emphasis on whole grains and whole grain products. Incredibly as it may seem in these anti-carb times, the base of the Food Pyramid is still called the "bread, rice, pasta, and cereal group" - with no mention of the quality or types of grain products, which should be eaten. Eleven pieces of squishy white sandwich bread would technically fulfill your quota for the day! The guidelines are reviewed every five years and the new recommendation is that everyone should eat at least three servings per day of whole grains or at least half of the total servings from this group.

A whole grain is simply the most minimally processed version of any grain. Grain kernels are made up of bran, germ, and the endosperm. As the brain and the germ are stripped away in the refining process, much of the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are removed along with them. Most grains are processed in some way before we can eat them and there's a wide spectrum from whole to fully refined. If you look at the list below, you'll see that it's easy to incorporate a wide variety of healthy and delicious whole grains into your diet!
The benefits of whole grains seem to expand with every new scientific study--from helping prevent diseases from cancer to cardiovascular disease to keeping weight down by lowering the glycemic index and providing a long-lasting feeling of satiation.

How can I incorporate whole grains into my diet?
You can quickly get into the habit of substituting whole grains for their refined versions whether it’s in home cooking or selecting products at the supermarket. Use whole-wheat flour in your baked goods. Make the switch to brown rice and steel cut oats. Try a quinoa pilaf or creamy polenta as a side instead of white bread or mashed potatoes. Add a half-cup of cooked whole grains to a salad. And always read labels to see that whole grains or whole grain flour come as the first ingredients in the list—many products, which look healthy, may actually be quite refined.

How do I store whole grains?
Because whole grains have more of the kernel intact, they go bad more quickly than super-refined products. Any whole grain flours, where the milling process has exposed the healthy oils in the germ, should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Other whole grains such as barley, millet, quinoa, oats, and brown rice can be kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container—they’ll stay fresh for months or longer.

How can I cook with whole grains?
Whole grains should always be washed well before use and will generally take longer to cook than refined grain products, although quinoa and quick-cooking brown rice are both speedy whole grains. Most whole grains need two times as much water as the amount of grains you’re cooking and just need to be simmered until the water is absorbed, but check the recipes below for more details. For richer flavor, after washing you can "toast" the kernels in a pan over medium heat until they are mostly dry and begin to smell nutty and add a little salt to the pot as they cook. You can also soak most whole grains overnight to cut down the cooking time—this works great with brown rice and oats, which end up a bit softer than without the soaking.

How do I bake with whole grains?
You can always throw a handful of millet or oats into whatever you’re baking for a little nutritional boost, but the real basis of most whole grain baking will be whole-wheat flour. Wheat and spelt are the only grains with enough gluten to give you that chewy texture that you want with many baked goods, but you can try mixing in small amounts of other types of flours such as millet, quinoa, rye, or barley for different flavors and added nutrition. An easy way to start baking with whole grains is to substitute half of the flour in any recipe with whole wheat. If you go all the way to whole wheat, you may find that the end result is too heavy, so increase the baking powder by one teaspoon for every three cups whole wheat flour or use more yeast and increase rising times for yeasted breads.
~~~
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough - - Recipe Courtesy of Curtis Aikens


Prep Time: 3 hours
Yield: 4 (7-inch) pizzas
1 package dry yeast
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-tablespoon olive oil
1-tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon salt


Proof yeast in a measuring cup with lukewarm water.
In a food processor add whole wheat and all purpose flours, proofed yeast, oil mixed with honey and salt. Pulse processor to combine all ingredients. Then process until the dough forms a ball on the blade. Remove dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or until dough has doubled in bulk.
Punch down dough and transfer to a floured board and knead briefly. Divide dough into 4 equal portions and roll each piece into a ball. Place the balls of dough, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Bring the dough to room temperature before proceeding.
On a floured board roll and stretch each piece of dough into a 7 to 8-inch circle. Place each circle on a wooden pizza peel or pizza pan and top as desired.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. and bake 7 to 8 minutes per pizza.


Toppings for Pizza:
Grated mozzarella cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese
Ricotta cheese
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced onions
Sliced mushrooms (chanterelles)
Roasted red bell peppers, peeled, seeded, sliced
Calamata olives, pitted and sliced
Japanese eggplant, sliced thin
Leeks, washed well, outer leaves trimmed, sliced into "rings"
Broccoli florets
Spinach leave


~~~

Organic Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread with Oats and Pecans - - Recipe courtesy of Amy Scherber

Mildly sweet and slightly crunchy, our version of whole-wheat oatmeal bread is great for tuna sandwiches. Cut in thick slices, it's perfect for French toast. Shape it into rolls for a dinner party or a family picnic. For variety, add one and a half cups (seven and a half ounces) of golden raisins to the dough and shape half of it into twists; crusty and delicious, they're good for breakfast-on-the-go and afternoon snacks. This versatile bread is sure to become one of your favorites.

Difficulty: Easy - - Prep Time: 6 hours 30 minutes - - Cook Time: 50 minutes


1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup (2 ounces) very warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
3 3/4 cups, or more if necessary (18 ½ ounces) organic whole wheat flour
2 3/4 cups (12 ½ ounces) organic unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups (6 ounces) organic old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) Sponge Starter
2 ½ cups (20 ounces) cool water ( 75 degrees F)
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) honey
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces ) molasses
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) Canola oil (or other vegetable oil)
2 cups (8 ounces) pecan pieces, toasted
Additional rolled oats for topping
Two 9 by 5-inch loaf pans, oiled


Place the yeast and warm water in a large bowl and stir with a fork to dissolve the yeast. Let stand for about 3 minutes.
Whisk the whole wheat flour, unbleached flour, oats, and salt together in a medium bowl.
Add the sponge starter, cool water, honey, molasses, and oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with your fingers for 1 to 2 minutes, just long enough to break up the sponge (the mixture should look milky and be slightly foamy). Add the flour mixture to the bowl and stir with your fingers to incorporate the flour, scraping the sides of the bowl and folding the dough over itself until it gathers into a shaggy mass. Don't be concerned if the dough feels very sticky at this point.
Lightly flour a work surface. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes, until it becomes compact and elastic. It should be very moist but not mushy. If it feels too stiff to knead, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until you have a soft, malleable dough. If it's sloppy wet and impossible to knead, add another 1/4 to 1/3 cup (1 1/4 to 1 2/3 ounces) of whole wheat
flour. Shape the dough into a loose ball and let it rest, covered with plastic wrap, on the lightly floured work surface for 20 minutes. (This rest period is the autolyse.)
Flatten the dough and stretch it gently into a rectangle about an inch thick. Spread the pecans and raisins evenly over the dough. Fold the whole mass into an envelope and knead and fold it gently until the nuts are well distributed, about 2 to 3 minutes. If the dough resists, let it rest for 5 minutes and then continue kneading. Some of the nuts may pop out of the dough, but they can easily be incorporated again after the first rise, when the dough has softened.
Shape the dough into a loose ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, along with any loose nuts. Turn the dough to coat the top with oil, and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature (75 to 77 degrees F) until it has doubled in volume, about 2 ½ to 3 hours. (You can also refrigerate this dough overnight and shape it and bake it the next day: Let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature, or until it looks slightly puffy but not doubled, before refrigerating. The next day, let it rise for 2 hours at room temperature before shaping it.)

When the dough has doubled, loosen it from the bowl with lightly floured hands and gently pour it onto a floured work surface. Press any loose pecans into the dough and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a log. Spread the oats for topping on a flat plate or baking sheet. Use a pastry brush or a plant sprayer to lightly moisten the top of each log with water, then roll the tops of the loaves in the oats. Place each loaf seam side down in an oiled 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. Cover them with plastic wrap and allow to rise for about 2 hours, or until they have doubled in size (a finger pressed into the dough will leave an indentation).
Thirty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place a baking stone in the oven to preheat and place an empty water pan directly below the stone.
When the loaves have doubled, place the pans on the baking stone. Quickly pour 1 cup of very hot water into the water pan and immediately shut the door. After 1 minute, using a plant sprayer, mist the loaves quickly 6 to 8 times then shut the oven door. Repeat the misting procedure 1 minute later.
Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for 20 to 25 minutes longer, until the loaves sound slightly hollow when tipped out of the pan and tapped on the bottom. The sides and bottom of the loaf should feel firm and slightly crusty. If the tops are browned but the sides are still somewhat soft, place the loaves directly on the stone to bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer. Transfer the loaves from the pans to a rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/lf_hl_whole_grains_guide
~~~~~
BREAKPOINT Commentaries
by Chuck Colson. - Prison Fellowship

Rome
Christianity and the Civilization of the West

September 23, 2005

You’ve probably heard about the new HBO series Rome. Costing more than $100 million, it’s the most expensive television production ever. Whether the producers succeeded at re-creating ancient Rome for the viewers or not, they have succeeded in doing something else: making the case for Christianity.

The goal of Rome’s producers was to depict “the complexity and color that was ancient Rome,” which, according to the series co-creator and writer Bruno Heller, had “more in common with [desperate] places like Mexico City and Calcutta than quiet white marble.”

The quest for authenticity went beyond sets and costumes to morals and religion. According to Heller, what makes the Romans so dramatically interesting is that they were “a people with the fetters taken completely off. They had no prosaic God telling them right from wrong and how to behave.” In Rome, “mercy was a weakness, cruelty a virtue, and all that mattered was personal honor, loyalty to yourself and your family.”

Heller’s creation depicts this brand of morality in two ways: the first is through what the characters do. They consistently act and speak like people for whom might makes right. Promises made to others are broken without a qualm, and they are supremely indifferent as to how their actions affect others.

The second way is less subtle: sex. Rome is filled with sex, nearly all of it gratuitous. It shows a culture that was depraved—which, incidentally, Christianity, when it came to Rome, cleaned up.

But, as Rome amply demonstrates, the greatest difference between pagan Rome and the Christian era was ideas that we now take for granted: the sanctity and dignity of human life.

You see, life was cheap in pagan Rome. Even the most powerful Roman could not count on dying peacefully in his bed. Unwanted children were left out in the woods to die in what came to be called “exposure,” and the poor and sick usually went unattended.

Then there was slavery. Rome’s chief way of financing the empire was to invade its neighbors, loot their wealth, and enslave its people. By some estimates, one-third of all those living within the empire were slaves. That’s why slavery is treated in the series so matter-of-factly. There was no moral reason to treat it otherwise.

Finally, there was the status of women. Even if they weren’t slaves, Roman women “belonged” to their husbands or oldest male relative. Men literally held the power of life and death over the women in their lives.

It was Christianity that changed all this and created what we think of as “civilization.” Christianity kept much of the best of the Greco-Roman civilization while purging it of its pagan cruelty and excesses.

By depicting what Rome before Christianity was really like, Rome, the TV series, makes a powerful, albeit unintentional, case for faith in what the film calls the “prosaic God” who tells us “how to behave.” Now, I don’t recommend you watch Rome—it is violent and pornographic. But you ought to know about it, because when you hear people denounce Christianity as the chief source of oppression, tell them that HBO has spent $100 million to prove that’s not the case.

For further reading and information:

Spend a year studying with Chuck Colson: Learn how to identify, advocate, and apply biblical truth in every arena of life. Apply for the Centurions Program.

Learn more about the HBO show Rome.

Roberto Rivera, “Roaming,” The Culture Beat, 5 September 2005.

Melanie McFarland, “See HBO’s ‘Rome’ and Sigh,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 26 August 2005.

Dana Stevens, “Toga Party: HBO’s Rome is an expensively mounted, lovingly researched snore,” Slate, 26 August 2005.

Andrew Wallenstein, “HBO renews ‘Rome’ for second season,” Reuters, 13 September 2005.

Chase Squires, “If ancient Rome had hair gel,” St. Petersburg Times, 28 August 2005.

Robert Bianco, “HBO’s ‘Rome’ burns with realistic depiction of ancient life,” USA Today, 25 August 2005.

BreakPoint Commentary No. 031205, “The First and Only Abolitionists: Christianity and Slavery.”

Thomas Hibbs, Shows about Nothing (Spence, 1999).

Alan Jacobs, A Visit to Vanity Fair: Moral Essays on the Present Age (Brazos, 2001).

http://www.pfm.org/Content/NavigationMenu5/BreakPoint/LearnMore/About_BreakPoint/default.htm 2005 Prison Fellowship.
~~~~~

Words of the Week:
hauteur: haughtiness; arrogance.
xenophobia: fear or hatred of what is strange or foreign.
bacchanalia: a revel.
immure: to enclose within or as if within walls.
deliquesce: to melt away or become liquid.
capitulate: to surrender under agreed conditions.
adventitious: added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.
modicum: a small or token amount.
from Dictionary.Com

~~~~~
"He who fights against monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster in the process. And when you stare persistently into an abyss, the abyss also stares into you." - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

"Men are afraid to rock the boat in which they hope to drift safely through life’s currents, when, actually, the boat is stuck on a sandbar. They would be better off to rock the boat and try to shake it loose, or, better still, jump in the water and swim for the shore." - Thomas Szasz

"A child-like man is not a man whose development has been arrested; on the contrary, he is a man who has given himself a chance of continuing to develop long after most adults have muffled themselves in the cocoon of middle-aged habit and convention." - Aldous Huxley

"Fear less, hope more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours." - Swedish proverb

"It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which more than anything else will affect its successful outcome." - William James

"Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Never let yesterday use up too much of today." - Will Roger

"Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life." - Brigham Young

"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one’s self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all." - Thomas Szasz
~~~~~
"It is in the compelling zest of high adventure and of victory, and in creative action, that man finds his supreme joys." - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) French Writer

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
GCF: Great Cheese

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom
Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website:
Subscribe

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to Good Clean Fun. It's free! A smile will enhance the quality of your life.
Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@egroups.com
or visit the Good Clean Fun web site http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor/
UNSUBSCRIBE INFO for Good Clean Fun is at the end of this email.
This email was scanned by Norton AntiVirus 2005 before it was sent.
-----------------------------------

The customer in the Italian restaurant was so pleased with his meal that he asked to speak to the chef. The owner proudly led him into the kitchen and introduced him to the chef.

"Your veal parmigiana was superb," the customer said. "I just spent a month in Italy, and yours is better than any I ever had over there."

"Naturally," the chef said. "Over there, they use domestic cheese.
Ours is imported!"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Bad Trip

Emailed to me from another humor list (Marty's Joke of the Day) -Tom
To subscribe to Marty's Joke of the Day, send a blank email to:
martysjotd-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
-----------------------------------

My co-worker at the travel agency needed to send a letter of apology to a customer whose trip was a complete fiasco from start to finish. I reminded her of a similar situation a year earlier and dug out the letter I'd written then.

"All you have to do," I told her, "is to change the details, the date, and the name."

She looked it over and smiled, then said, "We won't even need to change the name."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Career Change

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom
Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website:
Subscribe
-----------------------------------

When Ruth's grandson Jordan was 5, he always told everyone he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up. One day he was running through the house and into the corner of a chair and hurt his eye. He cried for a while and kept saying, "Oh no, oh no, now I can't be a doctor when I grow up."

Ruth assured him he could still be a doctor and Jordan kept telling her he couldn't.

Finally she asked, "Why can't you be a doctor?"

Holding one hand over his eye, Jordan said, "Because now I will have to be a pirate!"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Withheld Pay

Emailed to me another humor list (Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List) -Tom
Subscribe to Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh list at the website:Subscribe
-----------------------------------

After being laid off from five different jobs in four months, my Uncle Joe was hired by a warehouse. One day he lost control of a forklift and drove it off the loading dock.

Surveying the damage, the owner shook his head and said he'd have to withhold 10 percent of Uncle Joe's wages to pay for the repairs.

"How much will it cost?" asked my uncle.

"About $4,500," said the owner.

"What a relief!" exclaimed Uncle Joe. "I've finally got job security!"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Where?

Emailed to me from another humor list (Marty's Joke of the Day) -Tom
To subscribe to Marty's Joke of the Day, send a blank email to:
martysjotd-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
-----------------------------------

Torrential rainstorms were knocking down power lines all over town.
That meant, as a customer service rep for the electric company, I was dispatching repairmen right and left. When one lineman called a customer to get her exact address, he was told, "I'm at Post Office
Box 99." The weary lineman replied, "Ma'am, I'll be coming to you in a truck, not an envelope."
_ ____________________________ _
/ )| Thomas S. Ellsworth |( / / | tellswor@slonet.org | \ _( (_ | http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor | _) )_
(((\ \>|_/ )_______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / TV news people have \ \_/ ////
\ / the hardest job in the world \ /
\ _/ ...trying to cram 10 minutes \_ /
/ / of news into a two-hour show. \ (((\ \>|_/ )_______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / OK, I'm weird, \ /
\ _/ but I'm saving up to be eccentric.\_ /
/ / \ (((\ \>|_/ )_______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / All of me is beautiful and \ /
\ _/ valuable, even the ugly, \_ /
/ / stupid and disgusting parts. \ (((\ \>|_/ )_______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 \ /
\ _/ = 12,345,678,987,654,321 \_ /
/ / \ (((\ \>|_/ )_______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / If white wine goes with fish, \ /
\ _/ do white grapes go with sushi? \_ /
/ / \ _ ____________________________ _
/ )| Thomas S. Ellsworth |( / / | tellswor@slonet.org | \ _( (_ | http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor | _) )_
_( (_ | *** Good Clean Fun *** | _) )_
(((\ \>|_/ )_______________________( \_|Stop for a visit, leave with a smile! To join Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.Com To leave Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.Com Or visit the Good Clean Fun web site at http://www. slonet.org/~tellswor/
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
[GCFL.net] Give me your hand!

A man in a blue J.C. Penney suit had fallen between the rails in a subway station. People were all crowding around, vainly trying to get him out before the train ran him over. Everyone was shouting, "Give me your hand!" Alas, the man would not reach up.

Suddenly, Baba Ben Bebo, the wise guru, elbowed his way through the crowd and leaned over the man.

"Friend," he asked with compassion, "what is your profession?"

"I am an income tax inspector," gasped the man in the blue suit.

"Please, sir, take my hand," said Ben Bebo.

The man immediately grasped the guru's hand and was quickly pulled to safety. Ben Bebo then turned to the amazed bystanders and said, "Never ask a tax man to *give* you anything, my friends..."

Received from Joke of the Week.

(-:][:-)

[GCFL.net] Mother-in-Law Dies

A man, his wife, and his mother-in-law went on vacation to the Holy Land. While they were there, the mother-in-law passed away.

The undertaker told them, "You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for $150.00."

The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your mother-in-law home, when it would be wonderful to have her buried here and spend only $150.00?"

The man replied, "A man died here 2,000 years ago, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."

Received from Ray.

(-:][:-)

[GCFL.net] Kids Repeat What They Think They Hear

Sometimes it's hard to make out the words...

1. "God bless America through the night with a light from a bulb!"

2. "O Susanna, Oh don't you cry for me, for I come from Alabama with a band-aid on my knee!"

3. "Give us this day our deli bread! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Whole East Coast."

4. "We shall come to Joyce's bringing in the cheese."

5. "Yield not to Penn Station."

6. "While shepherds washed their socks by night."

7. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all
creatures, here we go."

Many of the above are obvious, but for those that are not, here is the original wording, with the corrections marked with *asterisks*:

1. "God bless America through the night with a light from *above*!"

2. "O Susanna, Oh don't you cry for me, for I come from Alabama with a *banjo* on my knee!"

3. "Give us this day our *daily* bread! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the *Holy Ghost.*"

4. "We shall come *rejoicing,* bringing in the *sheaves.*"

5. "Yield not to *temptation.*"

6. "While shepherds *watched* their *flocks* by night."

7. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures, *here below.*"

(Explanation added by GCFL.)

Received from Rick & Jini Watson.

(-:][:-)

[GCFL.net] Well-Dressed Elderly Gentleman

A very elderly gentleman (mid-nineties), very well dressed, hair well groomed, great-looking suit, flower in his lapel, smelling slightly of a good after-shave, presenting a well-looked-after image, walks into an upscale cocktail lounge.

Seated at the bar is an elderly looking lady (mid-eighties). The gentleman walks over, sits along side of her, orders a drink, takes a sip, turns to her, and says, "So tell me, do I come here often?"

Received from FranCMT2.

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
– NEW! Go to http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20050124 to rate this funny from 0 to 5.
-=+=-
Brought to you by GCFL.net: The Good, Clean Funnies List "A cheerful heart is good medicine!" (Prov 17:22a) Go to http://gcfl.net/mlfrontend.php to change your subscription options or unsubscribe. To email this funny to a friend, go to http://gcfl.net/emailit.php?funny=20050107 The latest GCFL funny can always be found on the web at http://gcfl.net/latest.php
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Welcome to You Make Me Laugh, a free newsletter from Crosswalk.com, the world's largest Christian website.
Today's Clean Laugh

Alternative Baptism

As a young preacher, my small church had limited facilities, so we held baptisms in a creek. With alligators in the area, however, that was less than ideal.

Then a minister friend suggested I bring my next group of baptismal candidates to his church for a joint baptismal service. Naturally, I accepted.

The baptismal pool had a clear front so the congregation could see everything. When the baptisms were finished, curtains were drawn, and I was left alone in the pool for a moment. The building had no air conditioning, and it was quite hot. I thought how nice it would feel to take a little dip. I glided to one end, turned, and backstroked to the other end.

Hearing a riotous uproar in the church, I looked toward the congregation.

The curtain was down only to the top of the glass! An astonished and amused congregation had been watching my every move.

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

(-:][:-)

House Points

"This house," said the real estate salesman, "has both its good points and its bad points. To show you I'm honest, I'm going to tell you about both.

The disadvantages are that there is a chemical plant one block south and a slaughterhouse a block north."

"What are the advantages?" inquired the prospective buyer.

"The advantage is that you can always tell which way the wind is blowing."

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

(-:][:-)

Chair Philosophy

An eccentric philosophy professor gave a one question final exam after a semester dealing with a broad array of topics. The class was already seated and ready to go when the professor picked up his chair, plopped it on his desk and wrote on the board: "Using everything we have learned this semester, prove that this chair does not exist."

Fingers flew, erasers erased, notebooks were filled in furious fashion. Some students wrote over 30 pages in one hour attempting to refute the existence of the chair. One member of the class however, was up and finished in less than a minute.

Weeks later when the grades were posted, the rest of the group wondered how he could have gotten an A when he had barely written anything at all. His answer consisted of two words: "What chair?"

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

(-:][:-)

Cereal Adjustment

Deciding to eat healthier breakfasts, my brother-in-law declared that oatmeal would now be his cereal of choice.

But after eating his first bowl, he told my sister, "I hope I develop a taste for the stuff. It goes down real rough."

"Well," she asked, "how long did you cook it?"

"You're supposed to cook it?" he said.

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

(-:][:-)

Friends Like That

A knight and his men return to their castle after a long hard day of fighting.

"How are we faring?" asks the king.

"Sire," replies the knight, "I have been robbing and pillaging on your behalf all day, burning the towns of your enemies in the west."

"What?!" shrieks the king. "I don't have any enemies to the west!"

"Oh, no..." says the knight. "Well, you do now."

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

(-:][:-)

"Eye Laugh"

"Coffee Blink"

http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=114

"Moose Size"

http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=136

"Time Away"

http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=137

http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=138

Yesterday Sign
http://www.cybersalt.org/g05.php?id=139

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
Daily devotionals are available at http://link.Crosswalk.Com/UM/T.asp?A1. 39. 17757. 1. 494611 You can access more information on Crosswalk's Fun page http://www.Crosswalk.Com/fun/! Crosswalk gives credit to the author of a joke when author is known. Feel free to send notification to admin@cybersalt.org in cases where credit has not been given to the author! -SUBSCRIPTION INFO- * Copyright2004 Crosswalk.Com, Inc. and its Content Providers. All rights reserved. Introducing www.Crossguide.Com Where Christians find Products, Services & Ministries.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Don't strive for recognition, but work for achievement." -- Vanessa Malone
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/poodle.html - - A Poodle Tale "I read recently that elegant dog garb and pricey canine day-care are "in" these days. Frankly, I was pleased to learn this. For until I acquired this seemingly frivolous bit of information, I was seriously concerned about my parents..."
http://www.madkane.com
http://www.madkane.com/notable.html (Notables Weblog)
http://www.madkane.com/bush.html (Dubya's Dayly Diary)
Subscribe to MadKane Humor Newsletter (weekly) here:
http://www.madkane.com/email.html
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Hospital Compare - - http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/ - - This tool provides you with information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions. This information will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide. Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and organizations that represent hospitals, doctors, employers, accrediting organizations, other Federal agencies and the public.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Internet Broadway Database - - http://www.ibdb.com/default.asp - - IBDB (Internet Broadway Database) archive is the official database for Broadway theater information. IBDB provides records of productions from the beginnings of New York theater until today. Details include pertinent people involved as well as interesting facts and production statistics. Get a list of every production of Hamlet on Broadway or a list of your favorite actor's credits. Find out what played at a particular theater or what shows opened in a specified Broadway season.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
The Meaning of Food - - http://www.pbs.org/opb/meaningoffood/ - - This PBS site is an exploration of culture through food. What we consume, how we acquire it, who prepares it, who’s at the table, and who eats first is a form of communication that is rich with meaning.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Drugs of Abuse - - http://www.dea.gov/pubs/abuse/index.htm - - The site by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, presents the 2005 edition of Drugs of Abuse. This DEA magazine delivers clear, scientific information about drugs in a factual, straightforward way, combined with scores of precise photographs shot to scale.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
familydoctor.org - - http://familydoctor.org/ - - This site presents health information for the whole family. The site is operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a national medical organizations representing more than 93,700 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students. All of the information on this site has been written and reviewed by physicians and patient education professionals at the AAFP.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Google Maps - - http://maps.google.com/ - - Maps are great for getting around, but online maps could be a lot better. So Google decided to make dynamic, interactive maps that are draggable - no clicking and waiting for graphics to reload each time you want to view the adjacent parts of a map. Want to be able to type in the name of a region or neighborhood and see any part of it as easily as with a regular street map? Now you can with Google Maps. Since these maps are draggable, you can use your mouse or the directional arrows to pan left, right, up and down to see areas that are hidden offscreen. You can also use the slider to zoom in and zoom out.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
National Geographic Online - - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ - - On the evening of January 13, 1888, thirty-three men traveled on foot, horseback, and in horsedrawn carriages through the streets of Washington to the Cosmos Club, then on Lafayette Square across from the White House. They convened around a large mahogany table to discuss 'the advisability of organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.' The entity they were about to create would become the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institution in the world.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
The 1900 Storm: Galveston, Texas - - http://www.1900storm.com/ - - Remembering the Great Hurricane in Galveston Island, Texas, September 8, 1900. Related sites: The Galveston County Daily News / Hurricane Rita: Houston Chronicle
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"About 1.7 million U.S. children live in homes that have loaded and unlocked guns, according to what is described as the first comprehensive survey of gun storage in homes across the country. The study, published September 6, 2005, in the journal Pediatrics, found that 2.5 percent of children live in homes with loaded and unsecured firearms. Estimates from the early 1990s had put the percentage at 10 percent. The new results suggest a decline, but that doesn't mean there's cause for celebration, said Catherine Okoro, a study author. 'That's still too many children to be put at risk,' said Okoro, an epidemiologist with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study is based on a 2002 telephone survey of about 241,000 adults and is the first to provide data on gun storage in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, its authors said." - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Japanese automaker Toyota has developed a safety technology that it says will keep the driver's eyes on the road. An image-processing computer system developed by Toyota Motor Corp. and a Toyota affiliate uses a camera near the steering wheel to detect when the driver stops looking straight ahead. The system flashes a light on the dashboard display and emits a beeping noise when the eyes start to wander. If the driver still doesn't respond, brakes kick in, Toyota said September 6, 2005. The feature will be offered in Lexus luxury models set to be sold in Japan in spring next year. Toyota won't comment on whether it will be offered in models sold abroad, company spokeswoman Keiko Nakajima said. Research shows that most accidents happen because the driver isn't paying attention, according to Toyota." - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"The long hours and overnight shifts that are a rite of passage for young doctors may leave them so sleep-deprived that they function as poorly as if they'd had a few cocktails, a new study finds. In findings published in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, 34 young pediatric residents showed similar impairments in vigilance, attention, and driving skills on standardized tests after they had been on duty overnight in the hospital and worked a month of 90-hour weeks, compared with when they had consumed three to four alcoholic drinks after a month of 44-hour weeks with no overnight duties. The study involved medical residents from Brown University Medical School and was led by a sleep researcher from the University of Michigan Health System. Most subjects were tested before new national requirements limited resident work hours to an average 80-hour work week and maximum 24-hour work day." - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Is suburban life making people overweight? Or could it be that overweight people tend to choose the suburban life? In a study recently published in the Journal of Regional Science, researchers from Oregon State University found that the relationship between obesity and urban sprawl may be a two-way street. Economists Andrew Plantinga from OSU's Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Stephanie Bernell from OSU's Department of Public Health expanded previous studies that showed that people living in areas of urban sprawl tend to have higher body mass indices. Their analysis suggests that the relationship between obesity and urban sprawl may be due to personal preferences when choosing a home location rather than to direct impacts of the suburban environment on physical activity and weight." - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Black hole creation is crazier than previously thought, new observations reveal. Over the course of just a few minutes, as a massive star dies and a black hole is born, multiple explosions cause the black hole to powerfully eject matter as well as greedily consume it. It all starts with a gamma-ray burst - the most powerful type of explosion in the universe and an indicator that a massive star is dying in what astronomers call a hypernova. A surprising chain reaction ensues as the black hole forms from the collapsed remains of the star. 'Stars are exploding two, three, and sometimes four times in the first minutes following the initial explosion,' said David Burrows of Penn State University. 'First comes a blast of gamma-rays followed by intense pulses of X-rays. The energies involved are much greater than anyone expected.' " - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Researchers fear the growing popularity of portable music players and other items that attach directly to the ears - including cell phones - is contributing to hearing loss in younger people. 'It's a different level of use than we've seen in the past,' says Robert Novak, director of clinical education in audiology at Purdue University in Indiana. 'It's becoming more of a full-day listening experience, as opposed to just when you're jogging.' Increasingly, Novak says he's seeing too many young people with 'older ears on younger bodies' - a trend that's been building since the portable Walkman made its debut a few decades back." - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Better treatments for chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer have led to a drop in the U.S. death rate since 1970, but Americans face increasing threats from obesity and smoking, a study said on September 13, 2005. An American Cancer Society analysis of annual U.S. mortality rates found deaths from all causes declined from 1,242 deaths per 100,000 in 1970 to 845 per 100,000 people in 2002 - a 32 percent decrease. The look at six leading causes of death found mortality rates over three decades declined 63 percent for stroke, 52 percent for heart disease, 41 percent for accidents and 3 percent for cancer. The death rate from chronic lung disease doubled and it rose 45 percent from diabetes, an outgrowth of an aging population that smoked and rising rates of obesity." - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"More than 1 million children in the USA take care of sick or disabled relatives, shopping, feeding, dressing, medicating and even changing adult diapers, a government-financed study finds. It is the first to document what advocacy groups call a hidden national problem. The 1.3 million to 1.4 million child caregivers, ages 8 to 18, have responsibilities more suited to adults, the national survey says. It will be presented at a conference by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the United Hospital Fund, with financing from the U.S. Administration on Aging. 'This is a failing of our health-care system,' says Gail Gibson Hunt, president of the alliance, a non-profit coalition of family groups. It estimates that 44.4 million adults in the USA provide unpaid care for another adult. But child caregivers largely have remained hidden and often stay silent because they fear being separated from parents." - Source
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
|------------ Safety From The Heart ----------|

September 22, 2005
Today's Message is from Bob Weber (a Houston Albemarle employee).
_________________________________
I just love bar-B-Q!

Using my $99 special gas fired bar-B-Q grill last night reminded me of the risk that we are exposed to handling ethylene, propylene, butene, and isobutylene. I opened the gas valve, turned the burner switch to light, and started pushing the rusty ignitor switch. It was like striking a match on a wet matchbook. Finally...WHOOSH!...it lit off and almost singed my eyebrows.

Flammable vapor clouds are extremely dangerous. From now on I'm going to light a match first, before I open the gas, so it doesn't have time to build up.
|------------ Safety From The Heart ----------|

September 21, 2005
Today's Safety From the Heart message is from Woody Young.
_________________________________
Handling 55-Gallon Drums Safely

In the typical workplace drums are used to store material, to ship it, to dispense it for use, and to store wastes. All these drums must be moved from time to time. Like most things, there's a right way to move a drum--and several wrong ways to do it.

At least four serious injuries can occur if a drum is not handled safely:
fractures
lacerations
hernias
back strain

All these injuries are painful and require a long time to heal. By taking a few precautions before you attempt to move a drum, you can help prevent these serious and painful injuries. Before you move a drum, put on a pair of thick gloves. The gloves will help protect your hands. Also follow this preliminary checklist:

Check to see how much room there is to move the drum.
Plan your route in advance. Don't wait until the drum is in motion.
Check the route for anything that might cause you or your equipment to trip or slip.
Check the drum to make sure it isn't warped. This could cause the drum to slip.
Check the drum for burrs which could cause a laceration.
Check the drum for liquids which could cause you to lose your grip.
Check the bung to make sure it is tight enough to prevent leaks.
If you are moving the drum using a pallet, make sure the pallet is in good condition.

There are four ways to "break," or initially move a drum from its standing position. These are pulling, pushing, or combinations of pulling and pushing, the drag/pull method and the push/pull method. Pulling is necessary when drums are grouped closely together. Pushing is used when there is ample room to work. The drag/pull method is used when there are tight spots in the area you are "breaking" the drum. The push/pull method is used when drums are located beside a wall.

To pull the drum, grip the near chime with one hand and the far chime with the other. Brace your foot at an angle across the bottom chime. Your hands and feet should form a straight line. Check the position of your fingers for possible pinch points. Now you are ready to pull back on the drum.

To push the drum, place your hands near the chime at shoulder width. Move your shoulders low and close to the drum. Slowly push forward with your legs until you feel the drum reach its balance point.

When using the drag/pull method, place your hands at the near position at shoulder width. Brace the drum with your foot to prevent it from sliding, and shift your weight to the rear foot. Pull and drag it a few inches to the left then to the right.

To use the push/pull method, use one hand to pull the far chime. Use the other hand to push against the wall.

If a drum starts to fall, get away from it as quickly as possible. If the contents spill, follow your work site's procedures for reporting a spill.

If two people are moving a drum, both people can push the drum, pull the drum, or one can push while the other pulls. When rolling the drum, it is safer for one person to roll it.

To roll a drum, in this case to the left, follow these steps:

Place your left hand high on the chime and your right hand low.
Use both hands to roll the drum.
As your right hand reaches the top, quickly switch the left hand to the top position.
Lift your hands and place them into position. Do not slide your hands because you may cut or burn them.
Keep your feet separated and do not slide them. Use the side step.
Turn your body slightly away from the drum, but not too far away.
Stay close and ahead of the drum.

When you reach your destination, place the drum in its position using the reverse of the push, pull, drag/pull, or push/pull method.
http://www.webworldinc.com/wes-con/drums.htm
|------------ Safety From The Heart ----------|

September 20, 2005
Today's Safety From the Heart message is from Pam Kemp.
_________________________________
Hurricane Checklist: It is better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and NOT be prepared.

Pre-Hurricane
*First aid kit including any essential medications.
*Canned food and a manual can opener.
*Three gallons of water per person available.
*Protective clothing including rainwear.
*Bedding or sleeping bags.
*Battery powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
*Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
*Instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water in case authorities advise you to do so.
*Hurricane shutters or plywood boards for each window of your home.
*Remove diseased or damaged limbs to make trees more wind resistant. Then strategically remove branches so that the wind can blow through.

During a Hurricane
*Use flashlights not candles.
*Turn off electrical equipment in use when the power went out.
*Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
*Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
*Boil water prior to consumption.

Post Hurricane
*Take photographs of any damage.
*File a claim with your insurance.

Claim Tips
*Make immediate repairs to prevent further damage.
*Keep receipts of any repairs that are made.
*Create list of contents that have been damaged.
*Take photos of damaged property.
*Contact only licensed vendors for repair estimates.

As the Insurance Company who put this out stated, "Life Comes At You Fast: Be prepared."
|------------ Safety From The Heart ----------|

September 19, 2005
Today's Message is from Bob StClair (a Houston Albemarle employee).
_________________________________

DID YOU STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN THE LAST TIME YOU CROSSED THE PARKING LOT?
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
TOURBUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -:) - :)- :)
Volume 11, Number 14 -- 20 September 2005
Tourbus Home - http://www.TOURBUS.com
Best of Tourbus -- http://tourbus.com/best.html

+---------------------------------------+

Howdy, y'all, and greetings once again from deep behind the orange curtain in beautiful Irvine, California, where we welcome our new sea lion overlords. [See http://tinyurl.com/drf7o ]

+---------------------------------------+

On with the show...

Each year or so I create a list--well, it's actually a handout-- titled "The Internet Tourbus Guide to the Most Useful Sites in the World." It's been a while since I've updated my Tourbus Guide, so over five posts we're going to stop at 22 of my favorite internet sites and tools.

Today is the second post in our five post servies. You can find my previous post in the Tourbus archives at http://archives.tourbus.com

------------------------
5. Slashdot
------------------------

Okay, I'll admit I STILL don't understand half the stuff that is posted to Slashdot. But that doesn't stop me from visiting Slashdot several times a day.

Eight years ago this month, Rob Malda created Slashdot.org, a free web site that is part technology news summary, part blog, part threaded discussion board, part online community, and part geek snowball fight. In fact, the name "Slashdot.org" was specifically chosen to confuse newbies [Read the following full URL out loud and you'll hear what I'm talking about: "http://slashdot.org"]

Several times a day the Slashdot editors post summaries about and links to technology news stories from around the world. For example, as I write today's post, Slashdot's 20 top news stories include:

- IT: Computer Security Still Totally Inadequate
[Apparently Firefox and/or Mac users are in for a rude awakening in the not-too-distant future.]

- Wikipedia's New Archnemesis
[There is a new online encyclopedia named
"Uncyclopedia" that stands for everything Wikipedia opposes: misinformation, satire, and lies.]

- Linux: Ulrich Drepper On The LSB
[Mr. Drepper is less than pleased with LSB.]

Most of the people who visit Slashdot daily are techies so expect to see a LOT of articles you won't understand [like, for example, that last one about LSB.] But mixed in with the geek stuff are technology news stories that actually apply to everyone [like, for example, that story about Firefox and Mac users not being a secure as they expect.]

What separates Slashdot from other tech news sites is that in addition to providing you with [relatively] up-to-date technology news, Slashdot readers also have the ability to leave comments about any of Slashdot's news stories. Just click on "Read More" beneath a story's summary to see the comments.

If you have ever read an online discussion board, you know that the conversation often gets off-topic or even downright inappropriate ["*cough* USENET".] Slashdot tries to overcome this problem by using a moderation system where every comment posted can be "modded" up or down based on the comment's content. Helpful, insightful, or just plain funny comments get a high score [up to a score of 5] and bad comments get a low score [all the way down to -1.] When you read Slashdot's comments, just choose a pretty high "threshold" in the pull-down list before the first comment to weed out the garbage. If you do this, I guarantee you that at least one Slashdot comment will provide you with information that the accompanying news article failed to include. I can't begin to tell you the number of insights [and laughs] I have gained from Slashdot's comments over the past eight years.

Even with a high threshold, though, be prepared for foul language. The tech community is not the most genteel group. You'll also soon discover that the Slashdot community is violently pro-Linux, pro- Apache, pro-BSD, and anti-Microsoft, anti-RIAA, and anti-SCO. That said, Slashdot is still well worth the trip, especially if you want to stay up-to-date with what is going on in the tech world.

-----------------------
6. Gizmodo
-----------------------

Created by Peter Rojas back in August of 2002, Gizmodo is a constantly updated collection of stories and reviews about the latest must-have gadgets. Gizmodo is a little like Slashdot with pictures and fewer flame wars. The site offers one paragraph snippets of gadget information from other sources along with links to where you can find more information about a particular tech product or issue.

http://www.gizmodo.com/

Gizmodo's editors do a great job of finding both neat and weird gadgets to talk about each day, and most of Gizmodo's entries are downright informative. For example,

- Iogear [one of my favorite hardware companies] is now selling a Wi-Fi detector that can fit on a keychain:
http://tinyurl.com/3scbp

- LaCie [another cool hardware manufacturer] has made an 8 Gb external USB drive that is no bigger than a credit card:
http://tinyurl.com/5v7so

- Apple may be integrating web cams into the cases of future
laptops: http://tinyurl.com/btaqu

------------------------
7. Engadget
------------------------

Gizmodo-founder Peter Rojas left the site in 2004 to create a new blog called "Engadget" that is, in my humble opinion, a touch more family- friendly than Gizmodo. [Gizmodo occasionally links to stories that might offend some people, but that really doesn't happen all that often.] You can find Engadget at

http://www.engadget.com/

Like Gizmodo, Engadget offers one paragraph snippets of gadget news and reviews with links to more in-depth coverage. The site also offers some entertaining, informative, and extremely popular podcasts at http://podcasts.engadget.com/

While both Gizmodo and Engadget talk about the latest gadgets, I've discovered that the two blogs complement each other quite nicely.

--------------------
8. Woot!
--------------------

According to our anonymous friends at Wikipedia,

The term "w00t" is a slang interjection used to express happiness or excitement, usually over the Internet.

Updated daily at midnight central time [GMT -6, I think], Woot.com is an online shopping site that sells one name-brand electronics item a day at insanely cheap prices, hence the site's "one day, one deal" motto. The only catch is that the site has extremely limited quantities. You snooze, you lose.

http://www.woot.com/

You may find a digital camera one day, a data projector the next, and a DVD-burner the day after that. That's one of the cool things about Woot: You have no idea what the site is going to offer next. Even if you never buy anything at Woot, the site's product descriptions are downright hysterical as is the FAQ.

---------------------
The Next Best Thing
---------------------

Linda from Marlinton, West Virginia recently wrote and said "The next best thing to Tourbus is the Smart Computing magazine that you guys recommend. I've been getting it since last summer and it has solved numerous problems for me and my friends." Thanks, Linda!

We hope other Tourbus riders will discover the Plain English answers to their computing questions that Smart Computing delivers every month. Do you want to speed up your PC? Eliminate the threat of computer viruses? Get rid of spyware and keep hackers out? Try Smart Computing today -- get your FREE TRIAL issue NOW!

https://www.smartcomputing.com/secure/FreeMultiYear2.asp?source=SC13300

That's it for today. Next week we'll look at sites 9 through 12.
Have a safe and happy week, and we'll talk again soon.

+---------------------------------------+
==[ Tourbus Rider Information ]==
The Internet Tourbus - U.S. Library of Congress ISSN #1094-2238
Copyright 1995-2005, Rankin & Crispen - All rights reserved
Tourbus News Service - http://tourbus.com/news.html
Subscribe, Signoff, Archives, Free Stuff and More at the
Tourbus Website - http://www.TOURBUS.com
========================
.~~~. ))
(\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen
/o o \/ .~
{o_, \ { crispen@netsquirrel.com
/ , , ) \ http://www.netsquirrel.com/
`~ -' \ } )) AOL Instant Messenger: Squirrel2K
_( ( )_.'
---..{____} Warning: squirrels.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Our Church, Magnolia Christian Center, has the following mission statement. Our purpose is to build a great church for the glory of God through the great commission and the great commandment. MCC' Vision - That MCC will be a place hopping with children, energized with teenagers, balanced with diversity and transformed by the power of God! We want to turn uninterested people into interested people and win the lost to make fully devoted followers of Christ.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
The Joy of Love

THIS IS SOME GOOD ADVICE!

If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout..! run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Thanks to Pam Burton
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
TGIF-Today God Is First


Discovering the Source of Problems
----------------------------------
Monday, September 19, 2005
by Os Hillman

After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. ~ 2 Samuel 21:14b

During the reign of David, there was a famine in the land for three successive years. So David sought the Lord regarding this famine, "Why is there famine on this land?" The Lord answered David, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death" (2 Sam. 21:1b).

Years earlier, Joshua made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites. This, too, was an act of disobedience. When God called Israel to come into the Promised Land, they were to destroy all the enemies of God. Joshua failed to see through the ruse of deception when the Gibeonites portrayed themselves as travelers. The Israelites signed a peace treaty only to discover who the Gibeonites were after the fact. Now, they had to honor the treaty. However, this led to intermarriages and much sorrow for Israel. Years later, Saul made a decision to kill the Gibeonites.

The nation was now receiving the punishment for their sin of disobedience through a famine. David knew that famines could have a spiritual source, so he inquired of God and God answered. The source was Saul's murder of the Gibeonites. Once David knew the source of the problem, he took action. He repented on behalf of the nation and made restitution. The famine was then lifted.

Do you have a problem that seems to be a continually unresolved issue? Have you asked God to tell you the reason for the problem? It may have a spiritual root that is still unresolved with God. He may be allowing this pressure to bring attention to an issue He wants you to take care of. Ask the Lord today to give you revelation on your problem. As a loving Father, He desires to make known anything that stands in the way of fellowship between you and Him. However, His righteousness must always be upheld.
-=+=-
The Pitfall of Being Entrepreneurial
----------------------------------
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
by Os Hillman

When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark.... ~ 1 Chronicles 13:9-10

There are good things we can do, but only God-things we should do. Those activities not born out of the Spirit will result in wood, hay, and stubble. What seems good in our eyes may be an abomination in God's eyes. For instance, if you decide to build an orphanage but God has never directed you to do so, then God will not see that work as good; it was born out of your own strength, even though it was a "good work."

The most difficult challenge a Christian workplace believer will ever have is to know what things to be involved in and what things not to be involved in. Many workplace believers have a great ability to see opportunity. What appears to be a "slam dunk" may come back to haunt us if God never ordains us to enter that arena.

There are many good things we can be involved with. However, there are God-things we are supposed to be involved with. Uzzah was a good man in David's sight. It was a time of celebration, and David and the people were transporting the ark of God. However, the ark hit a bump, and Uzzah reached for the ark to hold it steady. He touched the ark, and he immediately died. David became very upset with God about this situation; he questioned whether he could serve God.

God's ways are not our ways. The most important quality God desires to develop in us is our dependence on Him and Him alone. When we begin to make decisions based on reason and analysis instead of the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit, we get into trouble with God. David later learned the importance of this principle in his own life. This encounter was one of the stepping-stones in his pilgrimage. David was an extraordinary entrepreneur. He ran the nation very successfully, but he, like each of us, had to learn the difference between "good things" and "God-things."

Are you involved in anything in which God has not directed you to be involved? Do you seek God about every decision, every action before you take it? This is where God wants you and me to be. Ask Him to show you how to walk with Him in this way.
-=+=-
When a Problem Turns Into a Calling
----------------------------------
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
by Os Hillman

As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father's family? ~ 1 Samuel 9:20

Saul and his servant were out seeking his father's lost donkeys. This was symbolic of the waywardness of the nation of Israel. The people of Israel had just asked the prophet Samuel to have a king rule over them. This saddened God greatly, yet God granted their request.

Saul and his servant heard of a man of God named Samuel. "Perhaps this man of God can tell us where to find our donkeys," said the servant. Isn't that just like us? We seek God to solve the issues related to material life. Saul was about to receive the greatest opportunity of his lifetime. He was about to be crowned as king of Israel. His life would never be the same. What was he concerned about? His donkeys. We don't have to be worried about the material things of life if we are about the things He's called us to do.

God called Saul to be the next king in order to free the people from the Philistines. God sent a messenger, the prophet Samuel, to inform him of his new career. The messenger also had to ease his mind about his donkeys. Donkeys often represent commerce in the Bible. They were the primary means of transporting goods; therefore, in essence, what was Samuel saying to Saul? He was saying, "You don't need to worry about your business if you respond to the call of God on your life. All the material things will take care of themselves."

Jesus said the same thing to the disciples years later. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mt. 6:33).

When God calls us, it often involves making major adjustments in our lives. Saul went from one kind of business to another. He went from working for his father to being a king. What changes is God calling you to make today in order to join Him in His work?
-=+=-
Gently Leading
----------------------------------
Thursday, September 22, 2005
by Os Hillman

So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir. ~ Genesis 33:14

Work often determines that we move at a pace that can put incredible stresses upon people and relationships. Jacob was a man who learned to manipulate and control outcomes. He even stole the birthright of his brother, Esau, through trickery. The Bible speaks of Jacob as a man who strived with God. He knew how to force situations to his advantage. It took years for God to break down all the rough edges of Jacob so that he could be worthy of becoming the patriarch of the 12 tribes of Israel. God saw something in Jacob that He could use.

Robert Hicks, in his book Masculine Journey, describes five biblical stages of manhood that must be passed through before a man becomes a mature man of God. One of those early stages is known as the "warrior stage." In this stage of manhood, the man is known by what he does, what he accomplishes, and he is totally defined by his performance. It can be a tumultuous time for the man and those close to him. It is often signified by broken relationships because the goal is often more important than the way the goal is accomplished. When I meet with a man, I can easily determine what stage of life he is in by hearing him talk.

Jacob had successfully passed through these five stages based on the verse above. It takes someone mature to be able to "move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children." Leaders who never come to understand this may be successful materially but fail at the most important aspect of leadership-leading at a pace that his followers can maintain. The roads are full of wives, children, and workers who cannot keep up with the pace of leaders and are left behind with broken dreams, broken hearts, and unfulfilled promises.

Are you a person who is more concerned with outcome than how you achieve the outcome? Can the people around you describe you as someone who leads at a pace that ensures respect and admiration? Ask the Lord for the ability to be a godly leader who understands the condition of his flock and the pace in which you can lead without alienating.
-=+=-
Your Irrevocable Calling
----------------------------------
Friday, September 23, 2005
by Os Hillman

For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. ~ Romans 11:29

It is dangerous to align your calling and your vocation as dependent on each other. God calls us into relationship with Him. That is our foremost calling. It is from this relationship that our "physical" calling results. Whether that is to be a teacher, a stockbroker, a nurse, a pastor, or any number of vocations, we must realize that when He calls us, the change in vocation never changes His call on our lives. It is a mere change in the landscape of our calling. This is why it is dangerous to associate our purpose and calling too closely with our work. When we define our work life exclusively as our calling, we fall into the trap of locking up our identity into our vocation. This promotes aspiration because of a need to gain greater self-worth through what we do.

Os Guinness, author of The Call, describes the great artist Picasso, who fell into this trap.

"When a man knows how to do something," Pablo Picasso told a friend, "he ceases being a man when he stops doing it." The result was a driven man. Picasso's gift, once idolized, held him in thrall. Every empty canvass was an affront to his creativity. Like an addict, he made work his source of satisfaction only to find himself dissatisfied. "I have only one thought: work," Picasso said toward the end of his life, when neither his family nor his friends could help him relax. [Os Guiness, The Call (Nashville, Tennessee: Word Publishing, 1998), 242.]

What happens when you lose your job? Do you lose your calling? Do you lose your identity? Do you lose your sense of well-being? No. Calling involves different stages and experiences in life. Disruptions in your work are an important training ground for God to fulfill all aspects of His calling on your life. Trust in your God who says your calling is irrevocable and that all things come from Him.
-=+=-
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org
---------------------------------------------------
To contact Os Hillman, request reprint permission, or to book Os to speak in your town write to os@marketplaceleaders.org. Marketplace Leaders Website: http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/ Copyright 2005
--------------------------------------------------
Please recommend this TGIF daily devotional to everyone interested in applying their faith to their worklife. Tell them to subscribe at http://www.TodayGodIsFirst.com

Os Hillman Copyright 2005
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Activities and Events of Interest
~~~
CANCELED Due to Weather - Steak & Bingo (Sep 24 06:00 PM CDT in Jr. High cafeteria)
~~~
The Emancipation Proclamation will be on display at the Clinton Library September 22-25, 2007.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"September 11 WDYTJWD" W. P. Florence
Justice first, then peace."
"September 11" Never forget.--Tony Moses
"ONE NATION UNDER GOD ...the only way"--Phillip Story
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Keeping my head down but face toward Heaven" - - Jody Eldred, ABC News Cameraman in Kuwait
"Remember Pearl Harbor? Remember 9/11!" --"Bug"
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. - - George Carlin
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!" - - Queen E. Watson
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed weekly. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink. mil/releases/
01. Sgt. Matthew L. Deckard, 29, of Elizabethtown, Ky., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 16, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A1 Abrams tank during patrol operations. Deckard was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
02. Staff Sgt. Regilio E. Nelom, 45, of Queens, N.Y., died near Al Asad, Iraq, on Sept. 17, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during an escort mission. Nelom was assigned to the 249th Quartermaster Company, 1st Corps Support Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.
The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 16, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their M1A1 Abrams tank during patrol operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. Killed were:
03. 1st Sgt. Alan N. Gifford, 39, of Tallahassee, Fla.
04. Spc. David H. Ford IV, 20, of Ironton, Ohio.
The Department of Defense announced the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 19, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during patrol operations. Killed were:
05. 1st Lt. Mark H. Dooley, 27, of Wallkill, N.Y. Dooley was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 42nd Infantry Division, Jericho, Vt.
06. Sgt. Michael Egan, 36, of Philadelphia, Pa. Egan was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Philadelphia, Pa.
07. Spc. William V. Fernandez, 37, of Reading, Pa. Fernandez was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Philadelphia, Pa.
08. Spc. William L. Evans, 22, of Hallstead, Pa., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 19 of injuries sustained earlier that day in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. Evans was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Williamsport, Pa.
09. Staff Sgt. William A. Allers III, 28, of Leitchfield, Ky., died in the vicinity of Khalis, north of Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 20 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. Allers was assigned to the Army National Guard's 198th Military Police Battalion, 75th Troop Command, Louisville, Ky.
10. Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence E. Morrison, 45, of Yakima, Wash., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 19, of injuries sustained earlier that day in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Morrison was a reservist assigned to the U.S. Army Civil and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.
11. Spc. Scott P. McLaughlin, 29, of Hardwick, Vt., died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 22 as a result of enemy small arms fire. McLaughlin was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor Regiment, 42nd Armor Division, St. Albans, Vt.
12. Sgt. Travis M. Arndt, 23, of Bozeman, Mont., died in Kirkuk, Iraq, on Sept. 21 as a result of a vehicle accident during convoy operations.
Arndt was assigned to the Army National Guard's 163rd Cavalry Troop, 116th Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, Missoula, Mont.
13. Sgt. Pierre A. Raymond, 28, of Lawrence, Mass., died at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, on Sept. 20, of injuries sustained in Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 15, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire. Raymond was assigned to the Army Reserve's 228th Forward Support Battalion, 28th Infantry Division, Harrisburg, Pa.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Please remember to pray for the American soldiers stationed everywhere around the globe and especially in Iraq. Times have been and are very tough and it would be nice if you would all just say a prayer for their safety and for their families.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Scheduled Activities
~~~
Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Monday - Friday. At noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and at 7 p.m. Sunday at 914 N. Vine
~~~
Columbia County Amateur Radio Club meets Every second Thursday @ 7:00 p.m. Union Street Station. And YOU'RE invited. Net is every Sunday at 20:30 on 147.105.
~~~
Columbia County Diabetes Support Group - Every third Monday, 7:00 p.m. room 222, Magnolia Hospital
~~~
"Focus on the Family" with Dr. James Dobson weekday afternoons at 1 PM on KVMA am 630 it's a great show!
~~~
MCC - Abraham Prayer - Sunday at 5:00 p.m and Wednesday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
~~~
MCC - Early Morning Prayer - Monday - Friday, From 6:30 am to 8:00 am
~~~
MCC - "Beth Moore" Video Class - Thursday nights at 5:45 pm
~~~
MCC - "Faith Builders" Small group meets at 1051 Columbia 36 the second and fourth Tuesdays, 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm.
~~~
MCC - Firm Foundations Class, Sunday 9:30 to 10:15 a.m
~~~
MCC - Meadow Brook Nursing Home Ministry Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m
~~~
MCC - Mom's Day Out - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 2.$10 for the first child, $5 for the second. Call 234-3225 for reservations.
~~~
MCC - Nursing Home Ministry - Meadowbrook Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 am. Taylor, the last Thursday each month.
~~~
MCC - Over comers: Fridays @ 7:00 p.m- Director, Traci Foster invites you to a 12 step Christian support program. For anyone with a life controlling problem. Child care is provided.
~~~
Men's Prayer Breakfast held every Tuesday morning at 6 AM in Miller's Cafeteria. If you aren't a regular participant at the Men's Prayer Breakfast, you're missing some great food, fellowship and inspired teaching of the Word. Hope to see you there.
~~~
Narcotics Anonymous 5-6 pm every Monday at 220 Pine street.
~~~
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5 pm every Tuesday in the Magnolia Hospital break room.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Emergency Phone Number 911
(Fire, Police, Ambulance, Sheriff, etc. )
Central Dispatch 234-5655
(Non - Emergency Number)
Direct Numbers
Ambulance - 234-7371 (24 Hour)
Jail - 234-5331 (24 Hour)
Poison Control - 800-222-1222 (24 Hour)
http://www. aapcc. org/
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Fight till you win!" - - Mark Brazee
"Bring 'em on!" - -President George W. Bush
"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle."
"Laugh whenever you can and cry if you need to." -- "Bug"
"I read the end of the book. We win!" -- "Bug"
"We may not be able to cure the world, but we don't have to make it sicker." -- "Bug"
"There just ain't enough fingers for all the holes in the dike." - - "Bug"
"It's no big deal doing what God tells you to do. A big deal would be NOT doing what God tells you to do. Just ask Jonah." - - Paul Troquille
"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in ... and how many want out." - - Tony Blair
"Information is the currency of democracy." - Jefferson
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - - Margaret Mead
~~~~~
Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.

God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Phil 2:3-5 Job 32:17-20 Job 38:1 Luke 21:25-26,34-36
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

P. S. If you'd like to be added to the distribution, just drop us E-mail at KC5HII@Magnolia-Net.Com. We offer "Da Bleat" as text, a "Blog" and as a newsletter with pictures in Word and PDF format. For the "Blog" version just go to http://bugsbleatnew.blogspot.com/ to see the latest issue. This week, "Word" and "PDF" subscribers get to see photos of Jimmy and Josiah at the Fair, MCC Family in line for “Dinner On The Ground” and Albemarle’s Katrinia Evacuee Serving Team.
Let us hear from you if we can switch you over to the "Word" or "PDF" version of "Da Bleat".
If you'd prefer to read "Da Blog" version, just drop us a note at KC5HII@Magnolia-Net.Com and we'll switch you from e:mail delivery to "Da Bleat" Blog. Of course "Da Bleat" is now on the web. Just go to http://bugsbleatnew.blogspot.com to see the latest issue (usually updated sometime Friday evening or Saturday morning. We appreciate your encouragement. We also appreciate your communication when you desire to be taken off our mail list. If you are on this mail list by mistake or do not wish to receive "Da Bleat," please reply back and tell us to discontinue service to you. This email was scanned by Norton AntiVirus 2005 before it was sent.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>