Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Open and Shut Case

Volume 9, Issue 51 Friday, December 21, 2007

Hello All,

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the McClellan household. The snowman is on the porch. The Angel is in the yard (standing behind the Christmas Trees). The tree is up and surrounded with presents. Our annual Christmas “Trash” (over 100 servings) has been distributed.
We’ve begun our annual “25 Days Of Christmas” (yes, it used to be 12 days, but inflation is affecting everything) countdown. Annette gets to open a present (or two) a day. This is supposed to keep her occupied and away from her “real” presents. So far she’s opened her two “real” presents by “mistake.” She’s also opened several new DVDs as well as other stocking stuffers. Annette uses the same technique that my mother used when identifying packages. ... She doesn’t like to mess up a beautiful package with an ugly label or card. So a big part of our Christmas celebration is trying to figure out whose gift is in what package.
Many times we get to see a guy open perfume or a lady open a buck tool before we remember who was really supposed to get that package. It really adds a little mystery to Christmas morning.
I can’t really say anything about her opening presents when she’s been working so hard delivering food and presents to needy families the last couple of weeks. Of course she’s had a lot of help from Shelley and others, but “unstoppable” Annette is the driving force behind this activity.
I’ve always liked Christmas. It matches my mood. For instance, this morning, I came into the office to find a Christmas feast layed out in the conference room. There weren’t a lot of people at work on the Friday before Christmas but those who were feasted on candy, party mix, “pigs”, and assorted brittles and dips.
All our Christmases haven’t been perfect, but they’ve all been memorable. I’m going WAAAAY back to recall the first Christmas that I remember. My dad had purchased a HUGE Lionel train set for this, my fourth Christmas. The engine blew smoke (with the help of a small tablet that Dinah Sue, Charles and I quickly found other uses for) and had a real train whistle sound. The control was about the size of a small end table with two levers on it, one for speed and one for the whistle. It came with a crane car, a missile car, a searchlight car and a log car as well as the routine cattle, box, etc. The logs could be dumped and reloaded and the cattle could be unloaded and loaded again out of a pen.
I was playing with it, in front of the Christmas tree when someone knocked on the door. (I think that this was after my dad had died and we were living with grandmother in Taylor, on what is now US 371.) I ran to the door to discover a man covered in blood. There had been an accident and he was looking for help. Uncle Bob and my mother went out and started assisting the injured. It seems that another log truck had turned over in the curve toward town and these kids truck had hit a log and wrecked there pickup.
My mother ended up driving one of the kids to the hospital in Springhill. I sat in back and held the girls head.
I guess that was my first “ambulance” run.
~~~~~
A news item this week pointed out that, contrary to popular belief, on average; there are fewer suicides on holidays compared to other days of the year. And, there is a dip in suicide rates before and after the Christmas Holiday. It's thought that the gathering of friends and relatives, surround and protect vulnerable people. And, Christmas celebrations may evoke positive memories for those in distress. Also, there is an increased awareness of "safety-nets" available during this period (i.e. food banks, shelter and outreach programs.)
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XM Radio Subscribers can enjoy Christmas music on the following channels:
Holly* 103 Contemporary Holiday Hits
Holiday Traditions* 104 Traditional Holiday Hits
Music City Holiday* 105 Country Holiday Hits
A Classical Christmas* 106 Classical Carols
Special Xmas* 107 Novelty Holiday Fun
Classical XM Classics* 110 Traditional Classical
Channels 103-107 are also available online to subscribers.
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The weather is supposed to turn colder this week, just like Christmas is supposed to be. I don’t mind the cold as long as the central heat keeps working. I remember cold mornings when we were kids. There were only three sources of heat at Grandmother’s where we lived. The living room heater, the bathroom heater and the kitchen stove. None of which were left on while we were sleeping.
I slept under a pile of quilts, snug and cozy but dreading having to get out of bed in the cold.
My mom or grandmother would light the living room heater, lay my clothes out in front of it to warm and then wake me. I’d run across the cold hardwood floors to the living room where I’d huddle on the oval rug in front of the gas heater getting dressed. The preferred technique involved rotating front, back and sides to the heater as you dressed so no side got too hot or too cold. By the time I was dressed, my breakfast was ready, served on the warm oven door.
Once I was dressed and fed, it was time to head to school, carrying my Roy Rogers school bag.
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As many of you know, Santa Claus received his ham license some time ago. His call is W6S, and he's operating on 20 meters [14.270 MHz] right now (5:45 p.m., December 18). If you've got youngsters in the house, thought you might like to know. 73,
Thanks to Bill Dailey, WB5FKG
~~~~~
Have you got your Christmas Feast planned? You might want to wait till after you’ve had Christmas dinner before reading Michael Pollan’s comments. He’s the author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and writes in the latest New York Times Magazine about two stories that “may point to an imminent breakdown in the way we’re growing food today.”
The first is the rise of community-acquired MRSA (that’s Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a nasty antibiotic-resistant bacteria) and the growing body of evidence linking it to the overuse of antibiotics in industrial pig production.
The second is Colony Collapse Disorder [http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/bees-as-canaries/], which is wiping out many of the honeybee colonies that farmers rely on for crop pollination.
“We’re asking a lot of our bees. We’re asking a lot of our pigs, too. That seems to be a hallmark of industrial agriculture: to maximize production and keep food as cheap as possible, it pushes natural organisms to their limit, asking them to function as efficiently as machines,” Pollan explains, offering these stories as examples of the unsustainability of our current industrial-agriculture system.
He also discusses problems with fertilizing the nation’s corn crop with millions of pounds of nitrogen-based fertilizer. And when that nitrogen runs off fields in Corn Belt states, it makes its way to the Mississippi River and eventually pours into the Gulf, where it contributes to a growing “dead zone” - a 7,900-square-mile patch so depleted of oxygen that fish, crabs and shrimp suffocate.
If you’re up to it, you can read the full article at:
http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/asking-too-much-of-pigs-and-bees/
~~~~~
A fresh look at an old standby: [http://www.mannyliban.com/room_to_live/room_to_live.html]
Thanks to Joe Tudor
~~~~~
While there are inequities in the system, Worker’s Compensation has provided medical care and compensation for untold numbers of US employees. And, under current laws, the use of open courts to deal with injuries and illness would be the death knell for many undeserving businesses. I’ve watched over the years as workers who were injured on the job were immediately cared for and received compensation for their injuries without having to resort to the court system. I’ve also seen “shyster” lawyers get honest workers to agree to give the lawyer 40% of their settlement for doing nothing. Under Worker’s Compensation, that money is coming to the employee practically automatically.
On the other hand, I’ve seen case after case of individuals not covered under the Worker’s Compensation law who were given exorbitant settlements by juries who were swayed by the “big bad business” vs. “poor little fellow” argument. Not only did this anger me, but it frustrated me that it was so easy to rob honest businesses. (Yes, I said rob. That’s what it is when someone get’s $250,000 for a broken toe that was the result of their own idiotic actions.)
Most Business will pay promptly for injuries they are responsible for. Just as most employees won’t blatantly steal from their employer. But we believe in the First Amendment here at “Da Bleat” so I invite you to check out this week’s “Weekly Toll” posting.
http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
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On Wednesday, Congress gave final approval to a plan that will spare millions of middle-class taxpayers higher tax bills for 2007.

The tax reprieve postpones for one year only an expansion of the alternative minimum tax, a parallel tax system enacted in 1969 to prevent very wealthy investors from using deductions and tax shelters to avoid paying income tax altogether. The alternative tax has ensnared a growing number of middle-class Americans in recent years because the 1969 law was not indexed to inflation.

The alternative minimum tax was originally known as the "millionaire's tax,'' but without Congressional action, as many as 23 million of the nation's 90 million taxpayers will be facing it when they file taxes next April, some with incomes as low as $30,000 to $50,000.

The tax was created in 1969 to prevent the very rich from using the many loopholes then available to avoid all federal income taxes. How did the tax's reach expand? In 1986, when President Ronald Reagan and both parties on Capitol Hill agreed to a major change in the tax system, the law was subtly changed to aim at a wholly different set of deductions, the ones that everyone gets, like the personal exemption, state and local taxes, the standard deduction, certain expenses like union dues and even some medical costs for the seriously ill. At the same time it removed and revised some of the exotic investment deductions. A law for untaxed rich investors was refocused on families who own their homes in high tax states.
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Unlike taxes, Cadbury Chocolate's gorilla add is a spot of joy in this season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F54KOFdUWm8&NR=1
~~~~~
Now here's a reality check!

What is a 'billion'? The next time you hear a politician use the Word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about Whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, But one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division. Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans. Interesting number, what does it mean?

A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.
B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.
C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family Gets $2,066,012.

Washington, D.C. HELLO!!! ... Are all your calculators broken??

And I still have to 'press 1' for English.

Thanks to Daphne Roberts
~~~~~
Michael Yon writes this week from England. Read what he has to say about British Troops, British Media and our activities in Afghanistan.
~
Greetings from London,

Been a long but productive year. Great progress in Iraq. The country has made a dramatic turnaround. But of course, there is still a long way to go, and sharper fighting in the months ahead before anyone should consider declaring this mission accomplished.

Please keep an eye on Afghanistan. When we watch, the politicians watch more closely. Iraq is improving month by month, but I believe we are in danger of ultimately losing the Afghan war.

Please click [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/one-step-forward.htm] for latest dispatch, One Step Forward.

I'll return to America on Sunday to close out the year and plan for spending most of 2008 in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thank you to all my readers for the support that makes my work possible.

Happy Holidays.
Michael
~
Michael Yon does not receive funding or financial support from any network, movie, book or television deals. He is entirely reader-supported. He relies on his readers to help him replace his equipment and cover his expenses so that he may remain in Iraq and bring you the stories of our soldiers. If you value his work, please consider supporting his mission. [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/support-next-dispatch-from-iraq/]
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/] - - Marco Martinez:

In the spring of 2003, the 1st Marine Division drove north toward Baghdad – the tip of the spear that would lead the American assault against Saddam Hussein’s elite Fedayeen and Republican Guard throughout central Iraq. It was no easy road. Then-Cpl. Martinez’s actions during the battle of Tarmiya dealt the regime’s forces a serious blow – so much so that he was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest decoration in the United States armed forces.

On April 12, 2003, Martinez, serving with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, responded to a call to reinforce a platoon that had been ambushed. Under fire, Martinez moved his team into supporting positions to assault the enemy force. He eliminated two hostile fighters on the initial attack after his squad leader was wounded by a grenade blast. Martinez took control and led the assault into the area where the ambush had originated. Martinez and his outnumbered men moved through and cleared a nearby building occupied by enemy fighters. As they entered another compound they took stronger small-arms fire from the hostile forces inside. Martinez and his men fought their way through the building and into a courtyard, where the Fedayeen continued to engage the Marines from a garden shed.

Martinez saw that the enemy left a rocket propelled grenade launcher and two rounds on the ground on their way to the bunker. As his team provided cover fire, Martinez ventured into the open and grabbed the RPG launcher and sprinted behind a palm tree. After enemy fire wounded a member of his team, Martinez fired an RPG, 15 yards from the shed. The hostile forces continued targeting Martinez – but his assault had allowed his men to safely evacuate the wounded Marine. While the rest of the team took care of the injured man, Martinez single-handedly attacked the bunker. Dodging bullets, he ran up to the shed and lobbed a grenade into the building, killing four enemy forces and ending the firefight.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England presented Martinez with the Navy Cross in May 2004. The first Hispanic-American to receive the Navy Cross since the Vietnam War, Martinez repeatedly credits the Marine Corps for turning his life around. Having been a member of a gang for several years as a teenager, Martinez became drawn to the Marines after an encounter with a recruiter as a high-school senior. Today, Martinez emphatically states that “All I ever am, or will become, I owe to my beloved Corps.”
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Too many times we tend to forget the members of the military who are serving away from home. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy (65-69), I know what it means to be away from your family and loved ones. Holiday times can become especially lonely. Please see the message at the end of this email. It contains links that can be used to send messages of support to troops overseas.
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I have been sharing this with the Good Clean Fun list since in 1997. The poem has been circulated freely on the Internet, sometimes as “author unknown" but usually attributed to "A Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan" However, after September 11, 2001 it was attributed sometimes to "A Soldier/Marine stationed in Afghanistan." Sometimes it was attributed to a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. I found that the piece was researched thoroughly by the folks at the Urban Legend website and I believe that their attribution of authorship is correct. That website, for the curious, is:

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/soldier.htm

The piece is attributed to James M. Schmidt, then a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in Washington D.C. The piece appeared in "Leatherneck" (Magazine of the Marines) in 1991.

That being said, the message of the piece is still just a powerful, regardless of the authorship. As a former Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy, I have a profound respect for all members of the military, but especially for the U.S. Marines. Because of that, I have chosen to reproduce the original "Marine" version here. This version differs slightly from the one circulating on the Internet in that is contains some Marine-specific wording.

To all my Marine friends, Simper Fi.

- Tom (HM2 1965-69)
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A Soldier's Night Before Christmas
(Original Title is "Merry Christmas, My Friend")

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play, And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more. My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head. Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure." One look at my watch and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.
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Messages of Support:

You don't have to look too far to know of someone deployed overseas ... perhaps a member of your own family, or the family of a co-worker or friend. Let's not forget them this holiday season. I know the joy which results by receiving messages from "home". This year is it even easier than taking pen to paper. You can do it on the Internet.

Here are two web sites that can help.

The first is America Supports You. The web address is: http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx

Listed there several links. One can be used to send messages of support to our troops overseas. The other contains addresses where you can send letters to wounded service members. This service is free.

The second is Let's Say Thanks! The web address is: http://www.letssaythanks.com/

Let's Say Thanks is a service of Xerox Corporation and is also free. It is a web site that allows you to send a FREE printed postcard to U.S. servicemen and women stationed overseas. All you do is pick your favorite card, enter your message and then Xerox does the rest! You can't choose to whom the card is sent, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

Make a soldier's day today!
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As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer:

"Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in Your loving hands and protect them as they protect us."

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before, in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

Thanks to Thomas S. Ellsworth
~~~~~
The Department of Defense today announced a contract award for an additional 3,126 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to be manufactured and completed by end of July 2008. Four manufacturers received the delivery orders totaling just under $2.66 billion.

MRAPs, with more than 1,200 in theater, have proven their value by saving the lives of warfighters by mitigating blast effects through the uniquely designed V-shaped hull and raised chassis. This contract award by the MRAP Vehicle Joint Program Office continues the rapid procurement and acquisition process for these life-saving vehicles with the release of four delivery orders resulting in a total of 11,941 vehicles in the life-saving fleet by mid-summer. The total approved acquisition objective for all services is 15,374 which includes vehicles produced for training and testing purposes.
~
I hope our local soldiers will get some of these. Two of our soldiers stopped by to thank us for flying the flag and helped me replace our torn flag with a new one that Annette had purchased. We’d been waiting for our grandkids to stop by and help us.
Our local units are deploying the first of the year. They’ll stay stateside for several months to complete their training and then travel to Iraq to join the forces there.
I gave these guys our email address and hope that we’ll be able to share their news with you.
~~~~~
This week, we’re continuing to read; "God's Harvard" by Hanna Rosin and “Dead Certain : the presidency of George W. Bush” by Robert Draper.
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http://www.shelfari.com/BugsBleat/shelf?ec=7D790D174EFS18012
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Great Books CD Series
Timing Is Everything
Some of the best literature in the world comes to us at a time when we’re not ready to receive it. Such as in high-school English class, when the classics merely seem old-fashioned. Or before life’s experiences have opened our curiosity to the real meaning of life. So some great books we simply pushed aside. Or if we read them, we didn’t really grasp how they spoke something of value to our own lives.

Here’s Another Chance at Greatness

This new CD series by Dr.Kenneth Boa—a fascinating teacher and prolific author himself—helps you delve into the greatest books ever written that were influenced by a Christian worldview. Each month you will receive a CD that gives insights into a particular book and its author—gems of knowledge and perceptions that give new clarity to what you’re already reading or whet your appetite to dive into the book.

Each CD includes a brief introduction from Chuck Colson, an audio version of Dr. Boa’s teaching (about 1 hour), as well as a printed transcript that you can download and print out. For each book, Dr. Boa will: Give you interesting glimpses into the life of the author, Explore the main themes of the book, Pull out some favorite passages (to give you a taste of the good stuff), Make some relevant connections to our lives today.
You will NOT receive the actual book on CD—or in print. But you can order the book from Amazon.com. For each book you buy, Amazon.com will donate part of the payment to the ministry of BreakPoint.

What Are These “Great Books”?

Here’s what you’ll get for the first 13 months:
Month 1: The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis
Month 2: The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky
Month 3: Paradise Lost, John Milton
Month 4: Confessions, Augustine
Month 5: Pensees, Blaise Pascal
Month 6: The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan
Month 7: Christian Perfection, Francois Fénelon
Month 8: The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis
Month 9: The Love of God, Bernard of Clairvaux
Month 10: Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Month 11: The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer
Month 12: The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
Month 13: A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, William Law

And we’ve got at least 100 more books after that, both riveting fiction and nonfiction.

Don’t Miss Out on Any of Them!

Subscribe now for only $12 a month—one CD each month—and you can unsubscribe at any time. To subscribe, call 1-877-3-CALLBP
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If you’d like to write Dr. Antoon, he’d like to hear from you. This is his current address, the latest of the three federal prisons’ he’s been in.
Patrick Antoon #06669-010
Federal Prison Camp-La Tuna
P. O. Box 8000
Anthony, NM/TX 88021
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The photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” include some of our favorite kids.
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We’ve now got several addresses on the web for "Da Bleat." For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com
Our photos are posted at http://www.bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com.
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Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
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Recipe(s) of the week - - - Baked Brunch Omelet - - "This is so easy to prepare and everyone raves about it. The best part is that you can put it together the night before and just pop it in the oven the next morning. Delicious!"

Baked Brunch Omelet
Submitted by: Carole
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour Ready In: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Yields: 12 servings

"A baked egg casserole with cheese, ham and green onions."

INGREDIENTS:
½ (1 pound) loaf white bread, cut into cubes
1 ½ pounds Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup cubed cooked ham
8 eggs 2 cups milk
1 pinch salt
1 dash hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1/4 cup chopped green onion

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. Place half of the bread cubes on bottom of baking pan. Sprinkle with half of the ham and then half of the cheese; repeat.
3. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, salt, hot sauce and green onions. Pour egg mixture into pan.
4. Place pan on top of a baking sheet with a rim and place in oven. Pour water into baking sheet and bake for 60 minutes, or until eggs have set.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/PrintFull.aspx?RecipeID=20703&servings=12
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BreakPoint
With Chuck Colson

Do It for Mom
By Mark Earley
12/21/2007
Divorce and the Environment

Note: This commentary was delivered by PFM President Mark Earley.

Is divorce bad for children? The data strongly suggests that it is. There is no shortage of studies that show a correlation between divorce and what social scientists call “adverse outcomes,” such as drug use, teen pregnancy, depression, and other bad things.

Yet, even with the data, many scientists and academics decline to tell people that they should stay married for the sake of children.

If Americans will not stay together for their children’s sake, would they do it to save the planet?

That is the question being asked in the wake of a recent Michigan State study. Researchers there found that divorce “exacts a serious toll on the environment.” How? It boosts “the energy and water consumption of those who used to live together.”

Why this should be the case is not hard to understand: Divorce turns what used to be one household into two. The efficient use of resources, including money that comes naturally to families living under the same roof no longer applies. In its place are two of just about everything. The researchers calculated that, as the result of divorce, an additional 38 million rooms had to be heated and lighted.

The impact of this divorce-induced consumption is not trivial, they say. The researchers calculated that if divorced couples had stayed married, the “United States would have saved 73 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and 627 BILLION gallons of water”—and that’s in 2005 alone.

That is approximately as much electricity as American households use in three weeks and nearly as much water as all of American industry uses in an entire year.

Clearly, the study’s authors were right when they said that after blaming “industries for environmental problems,” it is time to look at the impact of households. But if you are expecting environmental groups to emphasize or even mention getting and staying married as a way to “save the planet,” well, you are mistaken.

The head of the Earth Policy Institute told the Washington Post that “shifting to more energy-efficient appliances is the answer, not trying to prevent divorce or trying to make divorce more difficult.” In other words, get divorced if you like—just make sure your new home has an energy-efficient dishwasher and compact fluorescent light bulbs.

No surprise here. Environmentalism, as Los Angeles Times columnist Gregory Rodriguez puts it, increasingly resembles a “religious awakening.” But, like most modern religions, its aim is to make the adherent feel righteous, not to be righteous.

Thus, given the choice between personal fulfillment and “saving the planet,” the choice is easy: The environment joins the kids on the list of those things whose well-being is sacrificed on the altar of our autonomy. Just as our children have to settle for “quality time,” “Mother Earth” will have to be content with energy-efficient appliances and a check to an environmental group. Any real sacrifice is for other people to make.

Of course, that does not change the impact that our choices have on both people and now, it seems, the planet. We can violate the moral order for only so long before the stones themselves begin to cry out.

Please give a generous donation today to help Prison Fellowship and BreakPoint continue strong in the new year. Donate online or call 1-877-322-5527. Thank you!

Roberto Rivera, “Do It for Mom!” The Point, 5 December 2007.

“A Really Inconvenient Truth: Divorce Is Not Green,” Michigan State University press release, 10 December 2007.

Juliet Eilperin, “Divorce Found to Harm the Environment with Higher Energy, Water Use,” Washington Post, 4 December 2007, A02.

Gregory Rodriguez, “Greenness Is Next to Godliness,” Los Angeles Times, 10 December 2007.

Meghan Daum, “Save the World: Stay Married,” Los Angeles Times, 8 December 2007.

See this table showing the “Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000” and this table and the “Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000—Total Water Use.” Also see “End-Use Consumption of Electricity 2001.”

BreakPoint Commentary No. 071211, “Fruitless Folly: Voluntary Self-Extinction.”

BreakPoint Commentary No. 071102, “Just Do It: Good Stewardship and Global Warming.”

Regis Nicoll, “The New World Religion: Environmentalism and the Western World,” BreakPoint Online, 31 January 2005.

The BreakPoint Web site and BreakPoint WorldView Magazine feature Colson’s commentaries as well as feature articles by other established and up-and-coming writers to equip readers with a biblical perspective on a variety of issues and topics.
© 2004-2006 Prison Fellowship
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Words of the Week:
frangible: capable of being broken; easily broken.
draconian: excessively harsh; severe.
complement: something that fills up or completes.
unfledged: not fully developed; immature.
pari passu: at an equal pace or rate.
discursive: digressive; rambling; also, marked by analytical reasoning.
tocsin: a warning.
finical: finicky.
from Dictionary.Com
~~~~~
"Future shock [is] the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time." - Alvin Toffler

"I've never been poor, only broke. Being poor is a frame of mind. Being broke is only a temporary situation." - Mike Todd

"Astonishment is the root of philosophy." - Paul Tillich

"It is the formidable character of the species to routinely seek the improbable, the difficult, even the impossible, as a source of pleasure and self-justification. Who would try to write poems, or novels, or paint pictures unless he is an optimist?" - Lionel Tiger

"Humor is emotional chaos remembered in tranquility." - James Thurber

"We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our worst enemies." - Roderick Thorp

"Mistakes are at the very base of human thought ... feeding the structure like root nodules. If we were not provided with the knack of being wrong, we could never get anything useful done." - Lewis Thomas
~~~~~
Link List
[http://gasprices.mapquest.com]
[http://thelighthousechurch.publishpath.com/]
[www.terryscomputertips.com]
[www.mcc2000.net]
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

# Family, Lost in Snowy Mountains for 3 Days, Fights Fear with Faith and is Rescued
# White House Christmas Card Includes Scripture again this Year, Despite PC Pressure
# Uganda Planning to bring in the New Year with Christian Celebration
# Colorado Tragedy Shines a Light on the Ministry of YWAM to the World

# Five Women Raise Money for Billboard Advertisement to State the Real Reason for the Season
# Churches Remembering Soldiers this Christmas
# Former Redskins Quarterback Darrell Green Shares His Faith
# Christmas in North Korea

# Tennessee Woman Miraculously Healed of Painful Blood Disease
# Traveling Healing Teams Minister to First Nations in Canada
# Correspondent Chuck Holton Offers Encouraging Reports and Prayer Points from South Baghdad
# Preparations Underway for Huge 2008 Gospel Outreach to Orphans in Zambia

# Home School Mom Elected Head of South Carolina's Public Schools
# Mother and Daughter Reunited 14 Years After Father Abducted Daughter, Taking Her Overseas
# Ugandan Christians Believe Kampala Can Truly Become City of God

# Gunman's Family "Overwhelmed by Act of Christian Love and Forgiveness" as Victims' Families Meet Privately with them in Colorado
# New York City Approves the Public Display of a Nativity Scene in Times Square during this Christmas Season
# A Briefing, and a Sensible Response to The Golden Compass

310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-2642
E-mail
US Orders: 1-866-358-7426
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GCF: Open and Shut Case

Emailed to me another humor list (Tickled by Tony - Clean) -Tom Subscribe to the Tickled by Tony list by sending an email to: tickledbytony_clean-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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@yahoogroups.com or visit the Good Clean Fun web site http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor/ Unsubscribe info for Good Clean Fun is at the end of this email.
This email was scanned by F-Secure before it was sent.
--------------------------------------------

Nathan is talking to his lawyer. "Here's the deal, Frank. If you're absolutely sure I'll win the case, I'll give you the business."

"Okay," replies Frank, "but before I can give you my opinion, I obviously need to know the facts."

So Nathan goes into great detail about his failed partnership and ends up saying, "So now you've heard everything, do you think I can sue my partner and get my money back?"

"Well," replies Frank, "from what I've just heard, it's clear to me that you will win. It's rare to have such an open-and-shut case."

Nathan goes very white when he hears this.

"What's the matter?" asks Frank.

"I told you my partner's side of the case," replies Nathan.
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Marine Recruiter

Emailed to me another humor list (Tickled by Tony - Clean) -Tom Subscribe to the Tickled by Tony list by sending an email to: tickledbytony_clean-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
--------------------------------------------

Serving as a Marine recruiter in western North Carolina, I found a young man who met all the requirements and was ready to enlist. I explained the importance of being truthful on the application and he began filling out his paper work.

But when he got to the question: "Do you own any foreign property or have any foreign financial interests?" he looked up at me with a worried expression.

"Well," he confessed, "I do own a Toyota ."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Grace

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
--------------------------------------------

Our son had only heard his grandfather pray at Thanksgiving, Easter, and other special occasions; when he typically would say a long prayer over the food.

One night, after a fun camp-out and fishing trip, Grandfather (to our son's surprise) asked a very brief blessing on the food. With a gleam in his eye, our son grinned at his grandfather and said, "You don't pray so long when you're hungry, do you Grandpa?"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Life Insurance

Emailed to me another humor list (Tickled by Tony - Clean) -Tom Subscribe to the Tickled by Tony list by sending an email to: tickledbytony_clean-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
--------------------------------------------

"Do you know the present value of your husband's policy?" the life insurance salesman asked his client.

"What do you mean?" countered the woman.

"If you should lose your husband, what would you get?" asked the salesman.

The woman thought a minute, then brightened up and said, "Probably a poodle."
_ ____________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / The most efficient labor-saving \ /
\ _/ device is still money. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / When I'm feeling down, \ \_/ ////
\ / I like to whistle. It makes \ /
\ _/ the neighbor's dog run to the \_ /
/ / end of his chain. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Learn from the mistakes of \ /
\ _/ others. You can't live long \_ /
/ / enough to make them all yourself. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Birthdays are good for you; \ /
\ _/ the more you have, \_ /
/ / the longer you live. \ \
_ ____________________________ _
| Thomas S. Ellsworth |
| tellswor@slonet.org |
| http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor |
|___________________________|
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/
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4 Worms and a Lesson

A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.

4 worms were placed into 4 separate jars.

The 1st worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The 2nd worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The 3rd worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The 4th worm was put into a container of good clean soil.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:

The 1st worm in alcohol - Dead.

The 2nd worm in cigarette smoke - Dead.

3rd worm in chocolate syrup - Dead.

4th worm in good clean soil - Alive.

So the Minister asked the congregation -

What can you learn from this demonstration?

Maxine, who was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"

Thanks to David Lamb
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Four Stages of Life

1) You believe in Santa Claus.

2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3) You are Santa Claus.

4) You look like Santa Claus.

Received from Doc's Daily Chuckle.

(-:][:-)

1 Corinthians 13 For Christmas

An interesting adaptation of 1 Corinthians 13 for Christmas. Enjoy.

If I speak in the tongues of Christmas materialism and greed but have not love, I am only a tinny Christmas song or an out-of-tune choir.

If I have the gift of knowing what Aunt Agatha will give me this year and can even understand last year's present, and if I have the faith that I won't get yet more socks and ties this year but have not love, I am nothing.

If I clear out the house and give everything to charity and my credit cards are snapped in half but have not love, what can I possibly gain?

Love is patient when the fourth store you've tried doesn't have a bottle garden.

Love is kind and lets the couple with only a few items go in front of you and your bulging shopping cart.

Love does not envy your friend who gets mega-presents from everybody.

Love does not boast about the expensive bike, the PlayStation 3, the TV, VCR, and computer your dad gave you.

Love does not attempt to out-buy, out-wrap, and out-give the rest of the family just to impress.

Love doesn't cut Aunt Flo off your Christmas card list because she forgot you last year.

Love is not self-seeking and leaves a copy of your Christmas list in every room of the house.

Love is not easily angered when the young girl at the checkout takes forever because she is just temporary staff.

Love doesn't keep remembering how many times your mom forgets you don't like Brussels sprouts.

Love does not delight in the commercial bandwagon but rejoices with the truth of a baby born in the stable.

Love always protects the family from Christmas hype.

Love always trusts that the hiding places for presents will remain secret for another year.

Love always hopes that this year more neighbors will drop in to your open house coffee morning.

Love always perseveres until the cards are written, the presents all bought, the shopping done, and the Christmas cake iced.

Toys may break, socks wear thin, but love never fails.

Where there is the feeling of the presents to guess their contents, and Mom going on about being good so Father Christmas will come, and searching through the cupboards to find your hidden presents, they will all stop.

For we think we know what we are getting, and we hope we know what we are getting, but when Christmas Day arrives, all will be revealed.

When I was a child, I talked with big wide-open eyes about Christmas, I thought that Christmas was all about me, I reasoned that Jesus should have been born more often. When I became an adult, I forgot the joy, wonder, and excitement of this special time.

Now we just hear about the angels, shepherds, and wise men; then we shall see them all the time. Now I know as much as the Bible says about the first Christmas; then I shall know just how many wise men there were and where they came from.

Now three things remain to be done:
- To have faith that the baby born in a stable is the Son of God.
- To hope that the true message of Christmas will not get discarded with the wrapping paper and unwanted gifts. - And the most important, to have a love for others like the one that God has for us.

Copyright 2001 Claire Jordan (caleb@eurobell.co.uk). Permission is granted to send this to others, but not for commercial purposes.
(Minor edits by GCFL.net)

Received from Mikey's Funnies.

(-:][:-)

Twelve Things You Probably Didn't Know You Could Do With A Fruitcake

1. Paint a few white and place them outside on the grass so people won't park on your lawn.

2. Use it as building material. (This is actually what the Ancient Egyptians used to build the Great Pyramids.)

3. Keep one under your pillow for home defense.

4. Send one to the junk mail company with a note asking them to take you off their list.

5. It's colorful, use it as a Yule Log.

6. Carve the Presidents' faces in it and submit as a science or art project.

7. Give one to your boss and tell him it's a life preserver.

8. Use it as a base for flower arrangements.

9. Donate to the local airport for use as airliner wheel blocks.

10. Grind a few up and give it back to your in-laws in a bag marked "lawn fertilizer."

11. For a community project, sink a few in the ocean and build an artificial reef.

12. Tie one to each foot when you walk through deep snow to keep your feet dry.

Received from Mikey's Funnies.

(-:][:-)

The Night Before Christmas (Legal Style)

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.

A variety of foot apparel, e.g., stockings, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick aka St. Nicholas aka Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter.

The minor residents, i.e., the children, of the aforementioned House were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e., dreams, wherein visions of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts, and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort, and otherwise appear in said dreams.

Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as "I"), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the parts of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g., kerchief and cap.)

Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to said House, i.e., the lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause, and/or circumstance. The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the cause of such disturbance.

At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter "the Vehicle") being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be, and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus.

Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction, and guidance to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen (hereinafter "the Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is further asserted that an additional co-conspirator named "Rudolph" may have been involved.)

The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle, and the Deer intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys, and other items of unknown origin or nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the chimney.

Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items. He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances and health regulations.

Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stockings of the minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.)

Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and flew, rose, and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as "lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination.

However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer, and Claus from said House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim: "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect.

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Mistletoe

The weary holiday traveler looked in disbelief at a bunch of mistletoe hanging above the luggage check-in center.

Turning to the attendant, he said, "Okay, I give up. Why is the mistletoe hanging there above the luggage scale?"

The attendant said, "So you can kiss your luggage good-bye."

Received from DOC'S DAILY CHUCKLE.

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
Rate this funny at http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20060113
Brought to you by GCFL.net: The Good, Clean Funnies List A cheerful heart is good medicine... (Prov 17:22a) Mail address: GCFL, Box 100, Harvest, AL 35749, USA
To print or email this funny to others, go to http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20060113
The latest GCFL funny can always be found on the web at http://www.gcfl.net/latest.php
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Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/humor_blog/2007/10/25/fishing-for-company/ - - Fishing For Company
I’m an insomniac and I must admit to taking a bit of solace at learning from a podcast that “zebrafish - a common aquarium pet - can have a genetic mutation linked to sleep problems.”

That calls for a limerick, don’t you think?

Fishing for Company
By Madeleine Begun Kane

I can’t sleep. I don’t know what to do.
Troubling thoughts seem to come, right on cue.
But my iPod distracts me
With news that attracts me:
“Sometimes fish get insomnia too.”

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
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"Don't strive for recognition, but work for achievement." -- Vanessa Malone
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This is a special message from Randall Vaughn, Founder of E-MIN Global Ministries, and is not your regular Today's Seed message

If you have been a Today's Seed subscriber for some time, you know that I keep "extra" messages to a minimum, but from time to time I need to say more. Please take a few minutes to read this. If you are unable to read it now, please print it to read later.

We had to put a new roof on our home because of storm damage, and in deciding whether to re-roof a storage shed, the contractor gave this advice: "If it is worth keeping, it is worth covering. If it isn't, tear it down." We decided it was worth keeping, so we covered it.

I feel the same about Today's Seed. If it has been an encouragement or help in your life, I would say to you the same thing the contractor said to me. "If it is worth keeping, it is worth covering. But if it isn't. . ." then you must decide.

We need the "cover" of your prayers and your financial support. That is why I am writing you now, at the year's end.

When you cover E-MIN, what are you covering? People. Real lives like Joshua Goebel, a U.S. soldier who wrote on 12.17.2007:

"My name is Josh and the last three years of my life have been extremely hard. I am deployed to Kosovo. I have a Bible, but it is extremely hard for me to pick it up and read it. I thank God that through my frustrations in life, he can use e-mail and you guys to still let me hear His inspiring Word, which helps me pray and come a little bit closer to Him. Sometimes I really don't know what to say when I pray, but you seem to help me with the prayers and they always seem to be exactly what I need to be praying. So I just thought I would write you and tell you "Thanks" for going through with this daily mission of yours. Keep up the work. It has helped me greatly. Thanks again from your soldier and brother in Christ, Joshua Goebel."

I have received many other testimonials from people who accepted Jesus as Savior, renewed their relationship with Him, grew in their faith, were encouraged to "hang on" longer, or received answers to spiritual questions. Some abandoned plans to commit suicide because of something they read in a Today's Seed message.

God is using this work powerfully, but you are often unaware of these results because we cannot communicate all this in the few minutes we have with you each day. And because we are web-based and people cannot see us face-to-face, we are often perceived as less "real" than other ministries seen on TV or in church.

To respect your time, I will skip the details, but most people understand that any organization needs funds to operate, whether they understand all the details or not. They understand that without enough coming in, it will not be able to continue to operate as it is.

If you are one of those who support the ministry regularly, I want you to know how deeply you are appreciated! Words cannot express how much you mean to us.

But if you are like many who have never given a "second thought" as to what it takes for the message to appear in your e-mail every day or assumed we were doing all right because we haven't said much about support, please think about it now. This is a critical time for E-MIN.

If Today's Seed doesn't do anything for you, don't support it. But if it does, I will be direct and say,

"If we're worth keeping (to you), please "cover" us."

"Cover" us in your prayers, and "cover" us financially, if you are able. EVERYONE can do one or both, and they are equally important.

If you will pray for us, e-mail us at prayingforyou@e-min.org and let us know. Also, if E-MIN has helped you in some way, we would like to know about that too. (Same e-mail address.)

If you can help financially, it doesn't have to be a large amount. Just a modest gift from a reasonable number of subscribers would cover a lot of needs.

You can mail a check to our mailing address below, or give online at http://www.e-min.org/give.htm

Our support has also been low because many people think that things on the Internet should be "free". Many are, or at least appear to be, because they are funded by advertising, sales of products from their website, or they are the "web presence" of a larger organization.

We are not any of the above. We are just a traditional mission’s ministry laboring in a "non-traditional" mission field (the Internet).

I believe E-MIN has earned the privilege to ask you for help because of what we give to you every weekday. Please pray about your response. We need your help now.

In His service,
Randall Vaughn

P.S. There is still time to include us in your year-end giving! Donations to E-MIN are tax-deductible in the U.S. We will make sure it counts for 2007 if you need it to.

- Our mailing address: E-MIN, P. O. Box 559, Hayden, AL 35079 (USA)

- Online giving by credit or debit card & PayPal http://www.e-min.org/give.htm
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Moody's Investors Service said it has placed Chemtura Corp's'Ba2' corporate family rating under review for possible downgrade following the announcement that the US-based specialty chemicals maker's board has authorized management to consider a wide range of strategic alternatives.

Moody's (nyse: MCO - news - people ) said the review will examine the company's ratings given the lack of improvement in financial metrics over the past year, the potential impact of a slowdown in the US economy in 2008, potential further weakness in the company's Non-Flame Retardant Polymer Additives businesses, and the likelihood of additional restructuring charges.
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NBC says some find bookcase and Christmas lights offensive
Candidate wishing voters Merry Christmas upsets some folks

The latest effort to spread the idea that religion has no place in the public square comes as a response to a TV spot produced by presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. First, Click [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xn7uSHtkuA] to watch the 30-second ad by former Governor Huckabee wishing people a Merry Christmas.. Next, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKMDJ46G4M4] is a clip from the Today Show (Dec. 18), hosted by Meredith Vieira, on which Governor Huckabee was a guest. Vieira opens the interview talking about how some say the ad is sending an overt religious appeal to voters. Some have become so openly hostile to the Christian faith that they are upset when a candidate simply wishes viewers Merry Christmas and mentions that --after all-- Christmas is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Christ. The governor is accused of putting a cross in the background of his add The 'cross' they find offensive is nothing more than a bookcase. The critics say also the three lights stand for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! What is disappointing is that the media grabs such a concoction and makes big news out of this add To me, these accusations are utterly silly, and biased. Watch the clip from the Today Show. There are those who feel that nothing religious, especially wishing people Merry Christmas, should be made by anyone seeking public office. That is the attitude of those who want to drive religion from the public square.

Thanks to Jake Miller
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Johnny the bagger...
If you have a minute, please watch the following video clip it is a beautiful story of Johnny, the grocery store bagger. It is very short, but it will remind you of why and how we make an impact in what we do. [http://www.stservicemovie.com/]
Thanks to Norma Kay Rowe
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| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
December 19, 2007
Safety Guards
Today's Message is from Jamie Lemley (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).

Many tools are equipped with a safety guard, for example, a table saw. The purpose is to keep you safe, so do not tie back or remove them.

REMEMBER
S - saving
A - arms
F - fingers
E - ears & eyes
T - takes
Y - you
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
December 15, 2007
Christmas Safety Tips
By BRT Employee Tristan Watkins

The leading cause of Christmas tree fires and property damage was short circuit or ground fault (21%). In this category, electrical failure other than short circuit ranked second in number of fires, injuries and property damage with the exception of the "other known" category.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cords and plugs were the leading type of equipment involved in the ignition of Christmas trees.

Safety points to remember:

Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used.
Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches.
Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source and try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances.
Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
For the best chance of survival without significant permanent damage, it is important for a stroke to be recognized, diagnosed, and treated with clot-busting drugs within 3 hours.

The warning signs of a stroke include sudden onset of the following: headache, trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, numbness/weakness of the face, arm or leg (particularly on one side of the body), confusion, trouble speaking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. These may be pronounced or subtle. The simple steps below can help you determine if a loved one may have suffered a stroke.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters.. S.T.R

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK - SAY A SIMPLE SENTENCE COHERENTLY (e.g., It is sunny out today).

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If the person has trouble with any of the above, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

Thanks to Kay Babbitt
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
A recent e-mail message claims that using cruise control can actually cause the vehicle to accelerate through the air if it hits standing water and hydroplanes. While the core claim (don't use cruise control in wet conditions) is valid, the message seriously mangles the facts and is therefore misleading and overly alarmist.

Certainly, using your vehicle's cruise control in wet or icy conditions can be dangerous. If cruise control is engaged when aquaplaning occurs, the driver's subsequent reaction could make the encounter worse than it may have otherwise been. For example, the driver may hit the brake heavily to disengage cruise control and this could lock up the wheels completely. Furthermore, drivers often move their feet away from the pedals when cruise control is engaged and they may also be a little less attentive than normal. In an aquaplaning situation the small delay caused by these factors could equate to the difference between a safe recovery and a serious accident. Also, an inattentive driver could hit the accelerator instead of the brake to disengage cruise control, and this could of course speed up the vehicle and lead to loss of control.

"... Cruise control systems are deactivated as soon as the brake is applied. As braking is usually an automatic reaction in most emergency situations, the scenario of cruise control causing an increase in vehicle speed is highly unlikely."

Thus, there is no inherent factor in the cruise control mechanism itself that could lead to a hydroplaning vehicle speeding up and flying through the air.

The bottom line? Using cruise control in wet conditions certainly can be dangerous but it will NOT cause your vehicle to speed up and fly through the air. Engaging cruise control in any road situation that is less than optimal is ill-advised. Such road situations include not only wet and rainy conditions , but also icy roads, high traffic, poor visibility and rough, narrow, hilly or excessively bendy roads. However, do we really need an unverified and factually dubious email forward to make us aware of such factors? I would hope that not using cruise control in wet or other potentially dangerous conditions would simply be common sense for any responsible driver.
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PRICE OF GAS AROUND THE WORLD
Prices are quoted in US dollars per gallon for regular unleaded.

Oslo, Norway $6.82
Hong Kong $6.25
Brussels, Belgium $6.16
London, UK $5.96
Rome, Italy $5.80
Tokyo, Japan $5.25
Sao Paulo, Brazil $4.42
New Delhi, India $3.71
Sidney, Australia $3.42
Johannesburg, South Africa $3.39
Mexico City $2.22
Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.09
... YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS ...
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia $0.91
Kuwait $0.78
Caracas, Venezuela $0.12
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TOURBUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -:) - :)- :)
Volume 13, Number 15 -- 18 Dec 2007
Tourbus Home -- http://www.InternetTourbus.com

TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: Digital Cameras / DRM Removal / Joost

In today's TOURBUS, you'll find my recommendations for automatic Digital Cameras and pocket-sized Video Cams. I also have tips on how to free your iTunes and Windows Audio music from the shackles of DRM. Learn how to get Free TV without worrying that thugs in dark glasses will come knocking on your door. Find long lost friends, or dig up dirt on yourself. And translate your home page into Martian. It's all in this issue of TOURBUS. Read on!

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Digital Cameras for the Casual Photographer
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Are you a camera klutz? Don't know the difference between an f-stop and a fill flash? Then today's new automated digital cameras are just the thing for you. Shouldn't it be EASY to take a perfect picture?

I want to aim the lens at my kids, the dog, or a beautiful flower, press a button, and get a great shot. I want my camera to auto-focus, adjust the exposure, turn on the flash, stabilize the image, find faces, remove red-eye, sit up, and bark on command. So I scoured the digital domain and found three cameras that fit the bill.

Just point and click, and they do the rest. Here are my picks for the top three automatic digital cameras for everyday picture takers...
http://askbobrankin.com/automatic_digital_cameras.html

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Pocket-Sized Video Cameras
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Because digital video cameras are so popular, they come in all sizes, with many different feature sets. But when it comes to capturing video clips on the spur of the moment, smaller is better. If you're looking for a pocket-sized video camera with a price tag that's just as small, I have good news.

You don't have to spend a fortune to capture family memories or make viral videos with a digital camcorder that's small enough to fit in your pocket. I found three mini-sized video cameras under $150 that can create movie files that are ready to burn to a DVD or upload to YouTube. Here are my reviews:
http://askbobrankin.com/small_video_cameras.html

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"Out, DRM'd Spot!"
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Perhaps you've purchased music from iTunes and you want to play those tunes on a non-iPod music player. APPLE SAYS NO. Maybe you've become a Mac/Linux user, and you need your Windows Audio files in a standard, portable format. MICROSOFT SAYS NO. How about making backup copies of your music library? Or burning your favorite tunes to a CD so you can listen in the car? THE RIAA SAYS NO.

But that doesn't mean you can't. Yes, you CAN free your iTunes music from the shackles of DRM (Digital Rights Management). Yes, you CAN move your Windows WMA audio files to other operating system platforms. Yes, you CAN make a backup copy of your music to protect yourself from hard drive failure. And yes, you CAN listen to your music without a computer, on that expensive stereo system in the living room, in your car, or with a non-iPod music player.

If you're frustrated by the DRM protection roadblock, check out my big list of audio converters here:

http://askbobrankin.com/drm_removal.html

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Joost - Free Online TV?
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If you remember the woman from Minnesota who was fined over $200,000 for downloading and "sharing" music with Kazaa, then you may be wary of Joost, which claims to offer free online TV. I investigated and learned that Joost's promise of free TV is for real, and 100% legal.

Joost transforms your computer into a TV screen, without a cable box or satellite dish. Currently there are offerings from CBS, Warner Brothers, MTV, and Comedy Central on Joost, along with sports and lots of music programming. But don't expect to find all your favorite shows just yet. To learn more about Joost, and how to watch television on the Web, read on...

http://askbobrankin.com/what_is_joost.html

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People Search - Finding People Online
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Are you searching for an old friend? Trying to find someone's street address or phone number? Maybe you're looking for information on a potential employee, or checking out tonight's hot date.

There are plenty of resources on the web to help you find people, and information about them. Some are free, but generally those can only dig up publicly available information. If you need to dig further, there are some fee-based online sleuthing tools that can help.

You might be surprised to see what you can learn about others, and what they can learn about you, with just a few clicks...

http://askbobrankin.com/people_search.html

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Free Online Language Translations
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Here's an interesting question I got recently: "I have a site that attracts visitors from all over the world, so I often get emails in Spanish, French, and German. Is there a tool that will help me translate them to English? I also want to write back in their own language..."

Fortunately, there are some excellent (and free) online translation tools available. Remember the babel fish in "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy"? It could instantly translate from one language to another. The web version of Babelfish can translate words, paragraphs or entire web pages to and from English, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.

Babelfish can't translate text into Bostonese, Martian, Smurfish, Jive, Elmer Fudd, or Swedish Chef, but of course clever programmers have found a way. Read on to learn about Babelfish and eleven other online language translation tools here:
http://askbobrankin.com/free_online_translations.html

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That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin
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(\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen
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The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.
http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/

The Pump Handle will be on hiatus for the rest of 2007. We wish
everyone a happy and healthy new year!

Here are links to items posted on The Pump Handle over the past week:

** "EPA Administrator Ignores Law, Science, and Consistency" by Liz Borkowski In denying California's petition to set stronger tailpipe emissions standards, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson ignores the counsel of his own technical and legal advisors – and belies a previous Bush administration claim about addressing climate change by allowing state-level innovation. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/epa-administrator-ignores-law-science-and-consistency/

** "Tony Mazzochi Book Events in DC" by David Michaels Les Leopold, author of a new book about labor leader Tony Mazzocchi, will be reading and signing books at two DC events on January 7th. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/tony-mazzocchi-book-events-in-dc/

** "Explosion Kills 4 Workers at Florida Lab" by Celeste Monforton A violent explosion at a Jacksonville lab that manufactures a gasoline additive killed four workers and injured at least 14 people. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/explosion-kills-3-workers-at-florida-lab/

** "Energy Bill: A little good news for public health" by Celeste Monforton Although the new energy bill doesn't do as much as environmentalists and health advocates hoped, it contains provisions that should benefit public health. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/energy-bill-a-little-good-news-for-public-health/

** "Occupational Health News Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Nurses, construction workers, and cleaning industry employees have some new resources available to them; plus, news about journalists, poultry workers, and Ethiopian civilians conscripted into military service. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/occupational-health-news-roundup-45/

** "Asking Too Much of Pigs and Bees – and Workers and Waterways" by Liz Borkowski Michael Pollan's latest article uses the spread of MRSA and colony collapse disorder to illustrate the unsustainability of our food system. News about polluted waters and health problems among meat and poultry workers provide still more examples. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/asking-too-much-of-pigs-and-bees/

** "Erin Brockovich Revisited: New Evidence Linking Cancer With Chromium in Drinking Water" by David Michaels The journal Epidemiology has just published new evidence that drinking hexavalent chromium — also called chromium 6 — increases risk of stomach cancer. It's only the latest piece in an ugly saga that illustrates how polluters manufacture doubt to impede regulation. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/erin-brockovich-revisited/

** "Black Lung: Enough Study, More Action" by Celeste Monforton News about black lung disease often treats it as though it's a mysterious condition that needs more research – but we already know that the solution is to reduce exposure to respirable coal dust. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/black-lung-enough-study-more-action/

** "In Bush Administration, Public Health Loses Out" Susan Wood's new Boston Globe op-ed focuses on the Bush administration's failure to staff important health-related positions with qualified individuals willing to provide science-based advice — a problem that's particularly glaring when it comes to reproductive health issues. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/in-bush-administration-public-health-loses-out/

** "MSHA's Stickler: Will He Stay or Will He Go?" by Celeste Monforton The clock is running out on Richard Stickler's recess appointment to head MSHA, and it would be wise to keep him on. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/14/mshas-stickler-will-he-stay-or-will-he-go/

** "Friday Blog Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Bloggers address the Science Debate 2008 initiative, breast cancer, and a court decision on California's proposed tailpipe emission standard. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/12/14/friday-blog-roundup-54/
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Weekly Toll - - http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com/
Death In The Workplace w/News & Updates
John Donne - ...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
A partial list of workplace fatalities.

“Depraved Indifference: The Workers' Compensation System” by Patrice Woeppel, Ed.D.

We have been waiting a long time for Patrice's book to be released. It will contain many family members experiences and Patrice's understanding of how the system works and what it will take to fix it. This book will add a new voice to the ranks, Patrice previously had no transactions with the system therefore no preconceived ideas and I feel this is a wonderful book for the families who will find acknowledgment and guidance and H&S to get a real feel for the families and injured.

Patrice has had a long career in hospital, health care and mental health administration, as well as serving on many state and community boards, and as a hospital board officer. But it was a fall with permanent injury, at a hospital at which she worked, that ended her career and created the impetus to write this book.

All across America’s workplaces; workers are being injured, killed or exposed to toxic chemicals from which they are dying. An estimated 66,000 persons die each year from occupational illnesses and injuries in our country: An epidemic of monumental proportions. Almost a century after the introduction of Workers’ Compensation; workers, their families, communities – all pay the price for the devastating human and environmental consequences of this failure to hold corporations accountable for their actions.

The stories in Depraved Indifference are the stories of ordinary people. Discarded and forgotten by their employers, denied medical coverage by the workers’ compensation insurers; many have been left to die, slowly and agonizingly, unnoticed by all but the ones who really care - their grieving families.

Depraved Indifference represents over five years of research and interviews. It lays bare a Workers’ Compensation system that cavalierly exposes workers to severe injury, toxic exposure and death; while throwing the major cost unto the family and the taxpayer, without fear of lawsuit, prosecution or even public outcry. It is a call to action.

http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
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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. 1st Class Jonathan A. Lowery, 38, of Houlton, Maine, died Dec. 14, in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.

02. Pvt. Daren A. Smith, 19, of Helena, Mont., died 13 Dec., in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Polk, La.

03. Sgt. Austin D. Pratt, 22, of Cadet, Mo., died Dec. 15 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, in an incident that is currently under investigation. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.

04. Pfc. Juctin R. P. McDaniel, 19, of Andover, N. H., died Dec. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident in Taji, Iraq. He was assigned to the 524th Combat Service Support Battalion, 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

05. 1st Lt. Jeremy E. Ray, 26, of Houston, Texas, died Dec. 20 in Kanaan, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an enemy attacked using an explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
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Air Force Officer Missing In Action From Vietnam War Is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Maj. Perry H. Jefferson, U.S. Air Force, of Denver, Colo. He will be buried April 3, 2008 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.

On April 3, 1969, Jefferson was an aerial observer on board an O-1G Bird Dog aircraft on a visual reconnaissance mission over a mountainous region in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. The pilot of the aircraft, then U.S. Army 1st Lt. Arthur G. Ecklund, radioed Phan Rang airbase to report his location, but contact was lost soon after. An extensive, three-day search and rescue effort began, but no evidence of a crash was found. Hostile threats in the area precluded further search efforts.

In 1984, a former member of the Vietnamese Air Force turned over to a U.S. official human remains that he said represented one of two U.S. pilots whose aircraft was shot down.

In 1994 a joint U.S./Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), interviewed two Vietnamese citizens regarding the incident. The witnesses said the aircraft crashed on a mountainside, the pilots died and were buried at the site. They said two other men were sent to the site a few days later to bury the pilots. The team excavated the crash site described by the witnesses and found aircraft wreckage. No human remains were found.

In 2000, the remains turned over in 1984 were identified as Ecklund’s.

In 2001, a Vietnamese national living in California turned over to U.S. officials human remains that he said were recovered at a site where two U.S. pilots crashed. These remains were identified in 2007 as Jefferson's.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in identifying Jefferson’s remains.
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Soldier Missing in Action From Korean War is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Cpl. Robert S. Ferrell, U.S. Army, of Dallas, Texas. His burial date is being set by his family.

Representatives from the Army met with Ferrell’s next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.

On Feb. 12, 1951, Ferrell was assigned to Battery A, 503rd Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, then occupying a position about 70 miles east of Seoul, South Korea. The 503rd was providing artillery support for friendly units coming under heavy attack by Chinese Communist Forces. In danger of being overrun, the 503rd was forced to withdraw to the south. Records indicate that Ferrell was captured near Hoengsong, South Korea, during the fighting. He later died in captivity at the Suan Mining POW camp located about 40 miles southeast of Pyongyang, North Korea.

Between 1990 and 1994, the North Korean government repatriated what they claimed to be 208 sets of remains, including a 1991 turnover of several servicemen recovered near the Suan Mining POW camp. Ferrell’s remains, along with cold-weather clothing and uniform buttons worn by U.S. infantry, were included in the 1991 repatriation.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of Ferrell’s remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
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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.
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"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
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Activities and Events of Interest
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Christmas!
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Scheduled Activities
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CQ CQ all Hams. We have restarted a 2 meter net on the Willisville repeater, 146.655, every Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Please check in and spread the word. We would like to get some renewed interest in amateur radio and the ARKLA Amateur Radio Association. Will be listening for everyone next Tuesday night.
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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.
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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.
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MCC - Nursing Home Ministry - Meadowbrook Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 am. Taylor, the last Thursday each month.
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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.
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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/
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"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
“Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.” Knowledge is power. - Francis Bacon
"The problem is here and now. The time for talk is past. The time for action is now."
Comments on the first Earth Day - James F. McClellan via "Fuzzy" Thurman
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Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.

God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Luke 1:30-35, 38 Luke 2:6-8 Luke 2:1-6 Luke 2:12-14 http://www.e-min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

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