Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Cruise Ship

Volume 12, Issue 11 Friday, March 12, 2010

Hello All,

Happy Birthday David!
~~~~~
Can Nancy Pelosi pull together enough votes to get the healthcare bill through the House? Well, so far she hasn’t failed in getting the administration's agenda through the House.
I’m noticing some traction from the President’s attacks on his opponents. For instance, many folks agree with the President that health insurance company profits are too high.
Of course this charge is pure fantasy. Health insurance companies are among the LEAST profitable of all businesses (with average return on investment of <2.5%) and many (if not most) of them are nonprofit organizations.
So why did “evil” Anthem raise rates “exponentially” in California? (By the way, I’m an Anthem customer and my rates and co pays went up significantly this year.) Because their costs went up. Due to the poor economy, more “healthy” folks dropped their insurance which raised the cost of insurance coverage for those who could still afford to keep it.
~
But don’t we need “Health Care Reform?” Yes, I agree that our present system is not sustainable. But I also contend that the current “plan” is a nightmare of pork and special interest pay offs. And it’s going to get worse as Nancy seeks to twist arms to get it passed.
I have one answer to those who advocate for government control of our health care ... Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Here’s one of the acknowledged greatest government hospitals in the nation and they weren’t able to overcome bureaucratic inertia and neglect to properly care for patients. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Reed_Army_Medical_Center_neglect_scandal]
~
We do need to look at fundamental changes to the way we provide health care. A good place to start would be Medicare and Medicaid. But not by cutting reimbursements.
We need to look at the red tape and counterproductive guidelines that prevent doctors from treating their patients. Also, get those two current federal programs to pay for preventive care.
I challenge you to speak with a doctor who worked before Medicare and ask them how the law changed the way they cared for their patients.
[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703574604574501261650483596.html ]
~
Every doctor I've spoken to is terrified of what a new bigger government program will do to their patients.
Please, join me in calling for a reduction in federal control. Instead of establishing a huge new bureaucracy, let’s “fix” the current programs. And if that’s not possible, consider replacing the Medicare and Medicaid bureaucracy by subsidizing purchase of private insurance for those folks.
~~~~~
Speaking of health, this week three court cases upheld the science behind vaccination safety [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/03/autism-vaccine-ruling-sparks-a-lot-of-comment.html] Along with folks sending me emails daily that have no basis in fact, one of the most irritating subjects in my world is the false belief that vaccination doesn’t work or worse, causes damage.
The truth (supported by decades of research) is that vaccination does help the overall health of community’s. It not only protects the person vaccinated, but it also protects others in the community. This is because the vaccinated person doesn’t get the disease and therefore doesn’t pass it along to others. (See "Flu vaccines, herd immunity and randomized trials" in the "Pump Handle" posting this week.) And I’m not ignoring the fact that a small minority of folks vaccinated have severe adverse reactions. It’s just that those reactions are far less severe than the disease the vaccinations are preventing.
The vaccinations required and/or provided by our local health departments are directly due to thousands of lives damaged or destroyed by diseases in the past. I remember when “Iron Lungs” were common in American cities because so many kids were rendered unable to breathe on their own by polio. Just a couple of years ago, we had a whole nation in Africa subscumb to false rumors of the “evils” of polio vaccine and the result was a terrible resurgence of the disease that killed and maimed thousands of their citizens.
Even so this latest court ruling will probably not convince the diehard anti vaccination folks, but maybe it will wake up a few parents and save some kids who, otherwise, would fall ill to dreaded diseases.
~~~~~
My dream is getting closer. It is now possible to purchase a Hasselblad H3DII-31 kit (camera body, 80mm lens and viewfinder) for a new low price of just $11,995. Compare this special to the “normal” price of a H3DII-50 kit w/len of $27,995.00.
~~~~~
A BIG reason that I moved back to Magnolia was to reconnect with the network of folks who I could go to when I had a problem. That was 38 years ago and I'm still using that network.
We have an insurance agent that we know and can call anytime day or night to get results. We have an auto mechanic that knows how to fix what ails our vehicles. We have doctors who we trust and can talk to. We have judges, lawyers, law enforcement, emergency management, etc. folks whom we can contact to get results.
Those of you who live all over the world, my hat's off to you. But as for me and my house, we like to be able to reach out and touch someone when things aren't working in our lives.
And this is the crux of my opposition to health care "reform." Almost 100% of their "plan" involves moving decision making for us from local folks to Washington. Even now, having a health policy from a company based in Virginia, I can call those folks and argue with them. Try that with Medicare or worse, Obama Care.
Yesterday, they were discussing the latest federal plan to "turnaround" our educational system. It involves more direction from DC to "fix" the problems caused by the "ignorant folks in the hinterland."
With all the billions being spent on federal studies of idiotic subjects, it seems someone could take the time to correlate our educational systems decline with the increase of federal funds and guidance to those systems.
~~~~~
CenterPoint Energy is increasing the energy efficiency programs it offers to help residential and business customers lower their energy costs. The company’s new programs now offer in-home visits by energy efficiency experts, which will perform a home energy analysis and make energy efficiency improvements and feature new insulation and hearth rebates.
~~~~~
One of my face book friends asked: “... how people decide what biblical disagreements are "just between them and God," and which ones are worth disfellowshipping for.“

One of her friends answered; “I would say that disfellowshipping ought to be only after disputes on essential points of doctrine, and only after serious, humble attempts at correction and reconciliation have been made. Plus, after the disfellowshipping, those still "in fellowship" ought to have a prayerful and forgiving attitude in hope that God will restore the wanderer to the church.

For example, an unrepentant adulterer or someone who denies the substitutionary atonement of Christ would have to be put out of the church - in sorrow and humility. But church members should be earnestly praying for God to work and to bring repentance and restoration so that the church may joyfully welcome them back.

In other areas of doctrine, I would say that Christian grace and liberty ought to apply. For instance, someone who thinks women shouldn't wear dresses or who has a different order of worship or who refuses wine of any sort are not violating any essential point of doctrine. They may have very valid reasons for their positions, including a tender conscience. In that case, Christian liberty dictates that, so long as they don't shackle the consciences of other Christians, then we can all live together celebrating the fact that God doesn't make cookie-cutter people....”

I like the response. What do y’all think?
~~~~~
There was a tornado fatality in north Arkansas Thursday night. Y'all know that the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management will rebate up to $1,000 on the cost of a home storm shelter.
Google "Tornado 'Safe Room' Design" for construction information.
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/fema320.shtm
www.adem.arkansas.gov
~~~~~
The Dirty Dozen: Your Embarrassing Diabetes Questions Answered
When it comes to diabetes management, some questions are easier to ask than others. Talking about blood sugar numbers is one thing, but how do you ask your doctor about the potentially embarrassing topics, like sexual issues, rashes, and other medical unmentionables?
[http://www.dlife.com/photoGallery/viewGallery.php?albumId=191&ts=1268337625846&utm_source=Update-20100312&utm_medium=eNewsletter&utm_content=Update-newsletter&utm_campaign=dLife-eNewsletter]
~~~~~
W.Va. lawmaker seeks 2-year delay on GHG rules for stationary sources
West Virginia Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller unveiled legislation last week that would delay, for two years, the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating stationary sources of greenhouse gases. The two-year suspension would "give Congress enough time to consider a comprehensive energy bill to develop the clean-coal technologies we need," Rockefeller said. The Examiner [http://www.examiner.com/x-36925-Clay-County-Environmental-News-Examiner~y2010m3d11-Sen-Rockefeller-introduces-legislation-to-delay-EPA-power-to-regulate-greenhouse-gas-emissions]
~~~~~
Harry Truman was a different kind of President than what we have now. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there. When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them. When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food. Modern politicians (especially the current one) have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale (example: Illinois). Good old Harry Truman - he had more moral fortitude in his little pinky than many today have in their entire self!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman
~~~~~
1. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
2. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
3. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
4. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
5. A hole was found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking in to it.
6. A sign on the lawn of a drug rehab center said: "Keep off the Grass."
7. A backward poet writes in-verse.
8. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.
9. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
10. Don't join dangerous cults, practice safe sects.

Thanks to Waneta
~~~~~
Impatient Gardener


Rock in its place,
But the shoe's on the floor.
One job is a pleasure,
The other, a chore.

Sunshine in winter,
When the days are still brief,
Keeps me out gardening,
To my housekeeping's grief.

These days are a blessing,
Though the air is yet brisk,
And those early set posies,
Are well worth the risk.

But a frost lingers near,
And I'll scurry to cover,
Those freshly sprouted hybrids,
From one genus or another.

Fate claims the weakest,
And I'll sadly replace,
But the gun has not sounded,
And who's leading the race?

Soon the days will grow longer,
And the prize will be mine,
When buds shout their freedom,
Warmed by longer sunshine.

Impatient through winter,
Not frightened by frost,
The early gardener indulges,
Whatever the cost.


Thanks to Paula Porter
~~~~~
Second Coming?

If Jesus were to do His same ministry on earth today, He would be in trouble with:

the FDA for turning water into wine without a license,
the EPA for killing fig trees,
the AMA for practicing medicine without a license,
the Dept. of Health for asking people to open graves, for raising the dead and for feeding 5,000 people in the wilderness,
the NEA for teaching without a certificate,
OSHA for walking on water without a life-jacket and for flying without an airplane,
the SPCA for driving hogs into the sea,
and the National Board of Psychiatrists for giving advice on how to live a guilt-free life.

Thanks to Waneta
~~~~~
My heart sank as I read the spam that began, "By opening this e-mail, you have activated the Amish computer virus."

Then I realized that not only was my computer in jeopardy, so was my reputation as it continued, "Since the Amish don't have computers, this works on the honor system. Please delete all your files. Thank you."

Submitted to Reader's Digest by Tracie Walker.

Received from Marly.
~~~~~
A very old man lay dying in his bed. In death's doorway, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookie wafting up the stairs.

He gathered his remaining strength and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands.

With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven.

There, spread out on newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.

Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?

Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table. The aged and withered hand, shaking, made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when he was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.

"Stay out of those," she said. "They're for the funeral.

Thanks to Gary Foreman
~~~~~
HOW OLD AM I?

During this past week after the quake, I’d run into neighbors in our gated community, and we’d discuss our different situations. Invariably, the conversation would get down to

CHUCK: Yeah, I wasn’t able to get word to my mother and sisters that I was all right till Sunday noon.

NEIGHBOR: Your mother?

CHUCK: Yeah, she and my sisters live in Arkansas.

NEIGHBOR: Your mother is still living?

I don’t know how old these people down here think I am. They probably just look at my waist and figure I’m the same age as a tree of similar diameter.

Chuck Jackson
~~~~~
The Safest Place To Be in 2010

How to stay safe in the World today

1. Avoid riding in automobiles Because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.

2. Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.

3. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks Because 14% of all accidents Occur to pedestrians.

4. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water Because 16% of all accidents involve These forms of transportation.

5. Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals. So,.. Above all else, Avoid hospitals.

But.... You will be pleased to learn that only .001% Of all deaths occur in worship services in church, And these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at church!

....And....Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths During Bible study is even less.

So,
Attend church,
And read your Bible
IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
~~~~~
A man goes to a psychiatrist.
The doctor says, "You're crazy"
The man says, "I want a second opinion"
The doctor replies, "Okay, you're ugly too"

Thanks to Daryl Cox
~~~~~
What did the green grape say to the purple grape?
. . .
Breathe! Breathe!
~~~~~
You’re missing a feast for the mind and spirit if you’re not reading Jimmy’s blog [http://jhmalone2.wordpress.com/]
~~~~~
DarynKagan.com - - March 12,2010

I have some great stories about giving for you today. I'm featuring people who go about their lives without giving back, yet are choosing to do it differently.

Builder Gives Injured Vets New Homes Mortgage-Free
Dan Wallrath has been building custom homes for more than 20 years. When a buddy told him about an injured veteran coming home from Iraq, he knew he had to do something. One phone call to his builder buddies led to a string of dreams coming true for returning heroes---brand new homes they will own mortgage-free.
Watch Video >> [http://darynkagan.demo.nimbussoftware.com/heroism/2010/he_100312_vethomes.html]

NFL Players Show Their Generosity
You get a new job that takes you out of town. Can't wait to leave? Not these two NFL stars who know how to be class acts and say thank you to the communities that have cheered them on.
Watch Video >> [http://darynkagan.demo.nimbussoftware.com/sports/2010/SP_100312_generousNFLplayers.html]
~~~~~
America is not at war. The military is at war. - - America is at the mall, or watching the movie stars.
~~~~~
Rosemary Cragan Dolliver’s Son In Law, Chris Miller, just got the Sailor of the Year Award for the whole Pacific Navy bases!!!! Her daughter is in San Diego with Chris for the awards ceremony.
~
Kudos to Chris and Family!
~~~~~
Posted at the Jeremy Wise Memorial Face Book Page this week: Missing you so much... Hard to see our friends without you. All I can think about is how much you would love to be with us. Ethan still thinks there’s a chance you will come back. I tell him we'll see you with the angels soon enough. He likes that song "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood. Love you my love
~~~~~
Please read this account of the death of an American soldier. [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/adam-ray.htm]
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/] - - David Bursac - - # Hometown: Florissant, MO - - # Awarded: The Bronze Star - - As the Infantry Headquarters Company Commander of during a 2005 to 2006 deployment to Iraq, U.S. Army Major David Bursac spent much of his time in the field working with the Iraqi Police in the town of Hawijah, located near Kirkuk in Northern Iraq.

“We were primarily responsible for being out there, providing security for the locals in the area, training up the Iraqi Security Forces”, as well as conducting Counter Insurgency operations, Bursac said, taking a positive spin on a challenging job.

The battalion’s mission, said Bursac, “was to provide a secure environment within the Hawijah area, while simultaneously developing the capabilities of the local Iraqi Security Forces [Army and Police] so that the ISF could assume full responsibility for the securing their own area of operations.”

Daily operations, said Bursac, included dealing with “IEDs, daily enemy contact, securing check points, helping the Iraqi Security Forces, and targeting insurgent forces in the area.”

When he wasn’t supervising Iraqi police on patrol in the field, Bursac focused on headquarters activities, such as training Iraqi Army Soldiers, and Iraqi Army Police on the forward operating base (FOB).

It was a job which was a “combination of frustrating at times, and rewarding at times,” he said.

“It was certainly a challenging task,” he said, but it was ultimately satisfying “to see the progress we made in building up the Iraqi Security forces, and knowing we helped the Iraqis.”

Another one of the smaller challenges of the position, Bursac said, came from the language barrier between the American and Iraqi Soldiers, he said. While there were many interpreters on hand to translate and communicate, it got complicated when a third language was introduced: military terminology.

Working with and getting to know the Iraqi Army Soldiers and Police was interesting, said Bursac, who was commissioned in 1999.

“It was interesting considering that it was a diverse cross section of Iraq,” he said. “Some of them had been enlisted in the former army in the former regime…Some were the same forces that we were fighting 2003. But some were just regular guys looking to feed their families and make their country better.”

At the end of the day, Bursac said, he found they were alike in many more ways than he had thought.

“Once we were able to put the Iraqi Soldiers and Police in the lead and empower them with more responsibility, they were able to take that and go from there. That was the key overall…Holding them accountable for securing their own country gave them a sense of ownership in the job they were doing,” he said.

Being away from home, said Bursac, was the biggest challenge of the deployment.

“The hardest thing about any deployment is the separation from family and friends,” he said, but cited how improved internet access, telephones and other Army support systems helped to mitigate that hardship.

“Overall, keeping everyone focused on the mission and not letting feelings of being separated get in the way of staying focused,” is what’s important, he said.

“The most important thing,” he said, “is to get the job done.”

Bursac earned a Bronze Star for his service during the deployment.
~~~~~
The latest from Michael Yon, the foremost “milnews” blogger on the web.
~
Greetings

Disturbing revelations from Afghanistan. A contingent Spanish troops appears to be intentionally endangering American flesh.

Please read Of Concern [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/of-concern.htm]

Please note that it's expensive to operate here to collect this vital information. Support is crucial. [https://www.michaelyon-online.com/support-the-next-dispatch.htm]

Your Writer,

Michael Yon
Kandahar

Please remember that this website accepts no advertisement and is dependent on your support.
Very Respectfully,
PS Please sign up for my Twitter.com updates at "Michael_Yon" [http://twitter.com/Michael_Yon] (not Michael Yon).

http://www.facebook.com/#/MichaelYonFanPage?ref=sgm
~
www.michaelyon-online.com
~
Http://www.michaelyon_online.com/index.php
~~~~~
We’ve Watched:

The Closer: Season 1: - - rated this: 7.5
Hobson's Choice: - - rated this movie: 9.0
People Will Talk: - - rated this movie: 10.0
Starman: - - rated this movie: 8.0
7 Wonders / Industrial World: Great Ship: - - rated this movie: 6.0
Ball of Fire: - - rated this movie: 9.5
Widows' Peak: - - Average rating: 7.433
Shades of Ray: - - rated this movie: 8.0
The Land That Time Forgot: - - rated this movie: 4.0
Lost: Ssn 4:: - - rated this movie: 6.0
Green for Danger: - - rated this movie: 8.0
Vanity Fair

~~~~~
Paper We’ve recently read:
The honor of spies : W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV: - - rated this book: 7.5
Empire / Orson Scott Card: - - rated this book: 8.0
Hidden empire / Orson Scott Card: - - rated this book: 8.0
Kindle books we read this week:
Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat Victor Appleton: - - rated this book: 7.0
Tom Swift and His Airship Victor Appleton: - - rated this book: 7.0
Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat, or, the Rivals of Lake Carlopa Victor Appleton: - - rated this book: 7.0
~~~~~
http://www.shelfari.com
http://www.shelfari.com/bugsbleat/shelf
~~~~~
Photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” include snapshots from 40 years ago. The Civil Air Patrol Color Guard for the “new” post office dedication, Frank Elcan - a classmate gone but not forgotten, and Lee Jones.
~~~~~
We’ve now got several addresses on the web for "Da Bleat." For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com. Other issues can be seen at http://www.bugsbleat1q09.blogspot.com.
Our photos are posted at http://www.bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com.
If you want to see photos of the April ’08 train wreck in Magnolia, go to http://www.bugsbleattw.blogspot.com/
~~~~~
Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
~~~~~
Be sure and keep Dr. Pat Antoon and his lovely wife Mandy in your prayers.
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - - St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse for turning dinner into a mini-party. A few easy Irish classics and a drop or two of green food coloring are all it takes to bring the fun home. Treat your favorite leprechauns to a taste of the Emerald Isle this year. Even non-Irish eyes will be smiling!

Irish Soda Bread • Low Fat
Irish Soda Bread is one of the easiest breads to make. Prepare it for St. Patrick's Day, or anytime of the year for teatime or breakfast.
Makes 16 servings. - - Prep Time: 10 minutes - - Cook Time: 50 minutes


ingredients
2 ½ cups flour
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons MCCormick® Caraway Seed (optional)
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins or currants
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
½ teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract


directions
1. Preheat oven to 350̊F. Lightly grease 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Mix flour, sugar, caraway seed, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Stir in raisins. Mix buttermilk, eggs and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients. Spread in prepared pan.
3. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.


nutrional_information - - per serving
Calories: 129
Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Cholesterol: 28 mg
Sodium: 182 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 4 g

~
Corned Beef Pinwheels
Serve this twist on the timeless Irish favorite as appetizers or as lunch the next day with your corned beef leftovers.
Makes 18 (2-piece) servings. - - Prep Time: 20 minutes - - Refrigerate Time: 1 hour


ingredients
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
8 drops McCormick® Green Food Color
6 green onions (green part only)
4 flour tortillas (10-inch)
6 ounces sliced cooked corned beef


directions
1. Mix cream cheese, horseradish and green food color in medium bowl until well blended and smooth. Chop two green onions and stir into mixture. Reserve 1 tablespoon cheese mixture.
2. Spread 1/4 cup cheese mixture on 1 tortilla. Top with several slices of corned beef. Place 1 green onion top at edge of tortilla. Starting at this edge, roll tortilla up tightly. Seal opposite edge of roll with reserved cheese mixture. Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients. Wrap each tortilla roll individually in plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Unwrap and cut tortilla rolls into 1-inch slices to serve.


nutrional_information - - per serving
Calories: 115
Fat: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Cholesterol: 23 mg
Sodium: 290 mg
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 4 g

~
Luck of the Irish Crispy Treats
Scatter golden foil-wrapped chocolate candy coins over and around these emerald green crispy treats. You'll think you've found the Irish pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Makes 24 (2-inch square) servings. - - Prep Time: 15 minutes - - Cook Time: 15 minutes


ingredients
1/4 cup (½ stick) butter
1 package (10 ounces) marshmallows
½ teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
½ teaspoon (50 drops) McCormick® Green Food Color
6 cups crispy rice cereal


directions
1. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil. Lightly butter or spray foil with no stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Melt butter in large saucepan or Dutch oven on low heat. Add marshmallows; stir constantly until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in vanilla and food color until smooth. Quickly add cereal to marshmallow mixture and stir until well coated.
4. Press into prepared pan using a buttered spatula. Cool. Cut into bars or use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter.

Tips
Microwave Directions: Melt butter and marshmallows in large microwavable bowl on HIGH for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Continue with Step 3.


nutrional_information
per serving
Calories: 82
Fat: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 84 mg
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 1 g


http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes.aspx
~~~~~
BreakPoint
Do You Know Jack?
The Prudential Case Against Suicide
By Chuck Colson|Published Date: March 12, 2010

There are good reasons why even secular society ought to disapprove of suicide. I’ll share them with you.

According to an upcoming HBO movie, “You Don’t Know Jack,” folks. The “Jack” in this case is Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a.k.a., “Dr. Death.” The title also means “you don’t know anything.”

Actually, we know quite a bit about assisted suicide—it’s those who insist otherwise that need instruction.

While the movie hasn’t aired or even been viewed by critics, we can infer its perspective on Kevorkian from the comments made by its stars, Al Pacino and Susan Sarandon.

According to Pacino, viewers “don’t know this guy.” Kevorkian “is more than meets the eye...[the film is] a portrait of a zealot. I don’t think we see that often.”

Kevorkian’s “zealotry” also appealed to Sarandon, who said that people who dedicate themselves to a cause at the expense of anything else in their lives “are really fascinating people.”

For his part, Kevorkian is said to be “enthused about helping with the film.” His lawyer thinks the film won’t be “scathing and critical.”

I guess not. I certainly doubt that three Oscar-winners—Pacino, Sarandon, and director Barry Levinson—have come together to make a film that won’t be at least a little sympathetic to its subject.

What viewers will probably see is a story about a man whose excesses hurt an otherwise noble cause and led to his downfall at the hand of religious zealots.

Of course, there’s nothing noble or “compassionate” about physician-assisted suicide—and you don’t have to be religious to believe that.

No one would call the British magazine Spiked religious or even traditionalist. Yet, it recently ran two pieces about why assisted-suicide should remain illegal. In one of them Kevin Yuill of the University of the Sunderlands makes clear what many assisted-suicide advocates try to obscure: The ultimate goal isn’t to alleviate suffering, but to enshrine in law “the right of any person to end their life.”

This “right,” according to Yuill, threatens the “assumption that human life is valuable.”

He calls suicide a “deeply anti-social act” that destroys “possibilities”—not just, obviously, for the individuals themselves, but for others too. Yuill insists that it’s this social harm and not what he terms “outmoded religious beliefs” that lies behind the “taboo against suicide.”

In the other piece, editor Mick Hume adds that the “right to die” is the result of a “loss of faith—not in God, but in humanity.” Hume decries the lack of belief in “the human capacity to transcend the limitations of our lives.” In this “demoralized” setting, the wish for a “good death” replaces “the aspiration for a better life.”

What Hume and Yuill miss completely is the connection between Christian ideas and the beliefs whose passing they lament. What Hume calls “faith in humanity” is inseparable from the idea of our being created in the image of God. What Yuill calls “possibilities” is derived from Christian ideas about hope.

But that’s OK. When it comes to assisted suicide, the next big so-called rights campaign that the left will wage, we Christians welcome good, prudential arguments. So that even non-believers can come to understand the “aspiration for a better life.”
Further Reading and Information

HBO Film Inflames Dr. Death's Critics
ABC News | http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MindMoodNews/story?id=7989806&page=1

Why Society Should Not Tolerate Suicide
Kevin Yuill | http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8264/

How Did the ‘Right to Die’ Become the Liveliest Cause?
Mick Hume |http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8263/

Copyright © 2010 Prison Fellowship. All Rights Reserved _ _ http://www.breakpoint.org/
~
Residents of Columbia County, Arkansas are represented in Congress by:

Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D_ AR)
Phone 202_224_4843
FAX 202_228_1371
http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
~
Senator Mark Pryor (D_ AR)
Phone 202_224_2353
FAX 202_228_0908
http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/
~
Representative Michael A. Ross (D _ 04)
Phone 202_225_3772
FAX 202_225_1314
http://ross.house.gov/?sectionid=77§iontree=7677

Other states congresspersons can be found at: [http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/]
~~~~~
Words of the Day:
masticate: to chew.
inveterate: deep-rooted; of long standing.
languor: lack of energy or vitality.
sachet: a small bag containing perfuming powder, to impart a pleasant scent.
phantasmagoria: a shifting series or succession of things seen or imagined.
salient: noticeable; also, projecting; also, leaping.
solecism: a nonstandard usage or grammatical construction.
from http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/
~~~~~
"The one common experience of all humanity is the challenge of problems." - R. Buckminster Fuller

"Everybody knows if you are too careful you are so occupied in being careful that you are sure to stumble over something." - Gertrude Stein

"It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required." - Winston Churchill

"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open." - Elmer G. Letterman

"The one thing more difficult than following a regimen is not imposing it on others." - Marcel Proust

"Conscience is a mother-in-law whose visit never ends." - H. L. Mencken

"Depend not on fortune, but on conduct." - Publilius Syrus
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

February 12th: The Day 2 Chronicles 7:14 became Reality in Haiti - -Aimee Herd (Mar 8, 2010)
On February 12, 2010, President Préval of Haiti called his nation to 3 days of fasting and prayer in place of the regular Mardi Gras celebration....Read Full Story [http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=7647]
Wyoming Governor Signs Law Adopting "Cowboy Ethics—the Code of the West"
Teresa Neumann-Commentary (Mar 9, 2010)
It "admonishes residents and lawmakers to live courageously, take pride in their work, finish what they start, do what's necessary, be tough but fair, keep promises, ride for the brand, talk less and say more, remember that some things aren't for sale, and know where to draw the line." ...Read Full Story [http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=7656]

310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541_928_2642
E-mail editor@breakingchristiannews.com
US Orders: 1_866_358_7426

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
GCF: Cruise Ship

Emailed to me from another humor list (Humor_G) -Tom To subscribe to Humor_G, send a blank email to: Humor_G-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to Good Clean Fun. It's free! Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
-----------------------------------------

There was a nice bathroom scale in our ship's cabin on our recent cruise. Since the sign in front of the fitness center claimed that the average cruiser gained 7 to 10 pounds during a cruise, I figured the scale was a way to help the cruiser avoid the weight gain.

I stepped on the scale.

It was 10 pounds too low.

I asked my wife to try it. She said that it was registering about 10 pounds too low.

The thing was broken.

The ship had excellent service and I was super impressed with the cabin steward. I didn't mention it to him, but he must have known that our scale was out of whack and not measuring correctly. When I stepped on the scale on the last day of the cruise my weight was reading perfectly.

Excellent cruise service!
_ ____________________________ _
Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks, Martha) -Tom
-----------------------------------------

GCF: Wild Cuisine

I love the outdoors, and because of my passion for hunting and fishing, my family eats a considerable amount of wild game.

We eat so much wild game, in fact, that one evening as I set a platter of broiled venison steaks on the dinner table, my ten-year- old daughter looked up and said:

"Boy, it sure would be nice if pizzas lived in the woods."
_ ____________________________ _
Emailed to me from another humor list (A Joke A Day) -Tom Subscription info is at the website http://www.ajokeaday.com/
-----------------------------------------

GCF: Clerk-Typist

A soldier was asked to report to headquarters for assignment. The sergeant said: "We have a critical shortage of typists. I'll give you a little test. Type this," he ordered, giving him a pamphlet to copy and a sheet of paper, and pointing to a desk across the room that held a typewriter and an adding machine.

The soldier, quite reluctant to become a clerk typist, made a point of typing very slowly, and saw to it that his work contained as many errors as possible.

The sergeant gave the typed copy only a brief glance.

"That's fine," he said; "Report for work at 8 tomorrow."

"But aren't you going to check the test?" the prospective clerk asked.

The sergeant grinned. "You passed the test," he replied, "when you sat down at the typewriter instead of at the adding machine."
_ ____________________________ _
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
-----------------------------------------

GCF: Corn Problem

We were eating corn on the cob two weeks ago and my 5-year-old daughter Rachel seemed to be struggling with it a little bit.

I said "Rachel, eat it like a typewriter".

She looked at me with pure innocence in her eyes and said "Mommy, what's a typewriter?"
_ ____________________________ _
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
-----------------------------------------

GCF: Corn Problem

We were eating corn on the cob two weeks ago and my 5-year-old daughter Rachel seemed to be struggling with it a little bit.

I said "Rachel, eat it like a typewriter".

She looked at me with pure innocence in her eyes and said "Mommy, what's a typewriter?"
_ ____________________________ _
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
-----------------------------------------

GCF: Enlistment Choices

"Daddy," said my 11-year-old daughter, "I think I want to join the Army."

"Baby," I answered, "I think the Air Force would be a better option for you."

"But I don't want to be a pilot."

"You don't have to be a pilot," I told her. "There are other jobs in the Air Force."

Her answer: "I don't want to be a flight attendant either."
_ ____________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )___________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ /I just bought a used UPS truck,\ \_/ ////
\ / which you may not think is very \ /
\ _/ cool, but at least I can park \_ /
/ / anywhere I want. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )___________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / I just checked a height/weight \ /
\ _/ chart and found out that \_ /
/ / I am 4 inches too short. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )___________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / I just checked a height/weight \ /
\ _/ chart and found out that \_ /
/ / I am 4 inches too short. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )___________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / It doesn't matter what \ /
\ _/ temperature the room is; \_ /
/ / it's always room-temperature. \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )___________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / The best prayer ever said: \ /
\ _/ "Lord please make me the kind of \_ /
/ / person my dog thinks I am." \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )___________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Does the name "Pavlov" \ /
\ _/ ring a bell? \_ /
/ / \ \
_ ____________________________ _
/ )| Thomas S. Ellsworth |( \
/ / | tellswor@kcbx.net | \ \
_( (_ | http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor | _) )_
(((\ \>|_/ )___________________( \_| ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
WHERE DO RED-HEADED BABIES COME FROM?

After Their baby was born, the panicked Father went To see the Obstetrician. 'Doctor,' the Man said, 'I don't mind telling you, but I'm a Little upset Because my daughter has red hair. She Can't Possibly be mine!!'

'Nonsense,' the doctor Said. 'Even Though you and your Wife Both have black hair, One of your ancestors may Have Contributed Red hair to the gene pool.'

'It isn't Possible,' the man Insisted. 'This Can't be. Our Families on both sides had Jet-black hair For Generations.'

'Well,' said the doctor, 'let Me ask you this. How Often Do you have sex???

The Man seemed a bit Ashamed. 'I've Been working Very Hard For the past year. We only made Love once or twice Every Few months.'

'Well, there you have it!' The doctor said Confidently.

'It's Rust.''

Thanks to Gary Foreman
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he’s lost. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old German Shepherd thinks, “Oh, oh! I’m in deep doo-doo now!” Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly, “Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?”

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. “Whew!” says the panther, “That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!”

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.
~
The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, “Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what’s going to happen to that conniving canine!”

Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, “What am I going to do now?” but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd says ... “Where’s that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!”

Moral of this story ....

Don’t mess with the old dogs ... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery!
BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

Thanks to Waneta
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
What the Bible Means

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"

His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?"

The son replied, "I do know!"

"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"

"That's easy, Daddy," the young boy replied excitedly. "It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'''

Received from Larry.

(_:][:_)

Amish Computer Virus

My heart sank as I read the spam that began, "By opening this e-mail, you have activated the Amish computer virus."
Then I realized that not only was my computer in jeopardy, so was my reputation as it continued, "Since the Amish don't have computers, this works on the honor system. Please delete all your files. Thank you."

Submitted to Reader's Digest by Tracie Walker.

Received from Marly.

(_:][:_)

Weddings and Funerals

Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next."

They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

Received from ArcaMax Jokes.

(_:][:_)

What's the Difference?

As a sergeant in a parachute regiment, I took part in several night-time exercises. Once, I was seated next to a lieutenant fresh from jump school.

He was quiet and looked a bit pale, so I struck up a conversation. "Scared, lieutenant?" I asked.

He replied, "No, just a bit apprehensive."

I asked, "What's the difference?"

He replied, "That means I'm scared, but with a university education."

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(_:][:_)

Yard Work

The homeowner got into his old work clothes one Saturday morning and set about all the chores his wife had been urging him to do all week. He cleaned the garage, pruned the hedge, and was halfway through mowing the lawn when a woman pulled up in the driveway and called out her window, "Say, what do you get for yard work?"

The fellow thought for a moment and then answered, "The lady who lives here lets me live with her."

Received from ArcaMax Jokes.

(_:][:_)

_=+=_
Rate this funny at http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny060113
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?funny060113
The latest GCFL funny can always be found on the web at http://www.gcfl.net/latest.php
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/humor_blog/2010/01/19/car-dashboards-internet/ - - Just What Drivers Need — More Distractions!

I’m as big a web addict as the next woman. But do we really need Internet-enabled dashboards in our cars? Don’t drivers already have enough to distract them? Sorry, but this concept just isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Insane auto technology like this cries out for a limerick:

Just What Drivers Need — More Distractions!
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Are you feeling too focused while driving?
Well, help from your dashboard’s arriving:
Watch the net in your car.
Yes, wherever you are
You can surf. Wish you luck with surviving.

© Madeleine Begun Kane. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.madkane.com/
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
TOURBUS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _:) _ :)_ :)
TOURBUS Vol 15, Number 57
09 Mar 2010

Free Online Faxing / Track a Cell Phone / Speed Up Your Laptop / Computer Hijacking / Geekly Update / Make a Windows Recovery Disc In today's TOURBUS, I ask the question Does Anyone Use Fax Machines Anymore? Get the scoop on free Internet faxing! You'll also learn How To Track and Locate a Cell Phone, even if you're not a spy. And I've got tips on how to Speed Up Your Laptop.

Has your Computer Been Hijacked? You might not even know... learn the signs and the remedy. See my tutorial on how to Make Your Own Windows Recovery Disc. Oh, and don't miss this week's must-read Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you smarter and more popular in social media. Read on!

Does Anyone Use Fax Machines Anymore?
Why use an expensive and finicky old fax machine when there are so many Internet alternatives? Think of the savings on toner, paper, and time when you go digital. Free online fax services let you SEND and RECEIVE faxes, even if you don't own a fax machine. You can even get a real phone number that people can use to send faxes to your PC.
Dump your fax machine, the Internet has made this dinosaur obsolete. Here's a roundup of free Internet fax services...
SEND A FREE FAX ONLINE [http://askbobrankin.com/free_internet_faxing.html?tbart]
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How To Track and Locate a Cell Phone
Even if you're not a spy, you might have a perfectly legitimate need to track the location of a cell phone. Perhaps you lost your phone and would like it back. You might be an anxious parent, a government agent, or you could be part of a group of friends who want to keep tabs during a night on the town.
Whatever your reason for tracking a cell phone, there are several ways to go about doing it, and some are even free. Here's the scoop on cell phone tracking...
[http://askbobrankin.com/track_cell_phone.html?tbart]

Speed Up Your Laptop
A reader asks: "My laptop is only a year old, but it seems to be running slower than when it was new. And it's definitely a lot slower than my desktop for most things. What can I do to speed up my laptop?" Portability is lovely but speed definitely matters, too. Laptops are generally slower overall than desktops, dollar for dollar.
But here are some ways to speed up your laptop, and some "don't try this at home" tips too...
[http://askbobrankin.com/speed_up_your_laptop.html?tbart]

Has Your Computer Been Hijacked?
Police in Spain have reported the arrest of three men thought to be responsible for the Mariposa Botnet, a network of 13 million hijacked computers around the world -- in corporations, government agencies, schools, and private homes. Computer hijacking happens when someone snatches control of your computer and uses it to steal your personal info or even attack other computers.
Here's how to defend yourself against computer hijacking...
[http://askbobrankin.com/has_your_computer_been_hijacked.html?tbart]

Geekly Update
We know for sure that video killed the radio star, but did email really kill the Postal Service? Does using the Internet make you smarter or more stupider? And why is it that "going green" always seems to make us see red?
Get answers to these questions, and 146% more Facebook friends, just by reading the most recent installment of the Geekly Update... [http://askbobrankin.com/geekly_update_march_9.html?tbart]

Make Your Own Windows Recovery Disc
When you buy a new PC these days, it's rare to receive a bundled CD-ROM or DVD disc containing the Recovery Disc software that you can use to try to repair or reinstall your operating system in the event of a catastrophe. Some computer vendors add the Recovery Disc software to your hard drive, but what if your machine won't boot from the hard drive at all?
Here's how to create a Recovery disk that you can use when your computer won't boot up normally from the hard drive...
[http://askbobrankin.com/recovery_disc_for_windows_vista_or_windows_7.html?tbart]

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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_2009, Rankin & Crispen _ All rights reserved Be Smarter & Better Looking Than [_99.959040_] Percent of Users Hop On the Bus and Join 80,000 Others Around the World!
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========================
.~~~. ))
(\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen
/o o \/ .~
{o_, \ { crispen@netsquirrel.com
/ , , ) \ http://www.netsquirrel.com/
`~ _' \ } )) AOL Instant Messenger: Squirrel2K
_( ( )_.'
___..{____} Warning: squirrels.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.

Flu vaccines, herd immunity and randomized trials

March 11, 2010 in Influenza, Research by revere, cross-posted from Effect Measure [http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/]

The latest study on flu vaccine effectiveness in children has been well discussed in the MSM and the flu blogs, so I’ll point you to those excellent pieces (Branswell [http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iEYGEZLvNosgJWZR3ABtldr5SXOQ], crof [http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2010/03/todays-must-read-vaccinating-kids-protects-the-whole-community.html], Mike Coston at Avian Flu Diary [http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2010/03/study-vaccinating-kids-promotes-herd.html]) and just add some things not covered elsewhere. The full text of the article is available for free at JAMA [http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/303/10/943?home] and it’s a pretty good read, so if you want to see for yourself what is involved I urge you to read it, too. First, let me back up a bit and connect this to the controversy about observational and randomized clinical trials we’ve been discussing here of late (before my grant writing [http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2010/02/why_writing_my_grant_takes_so.php] interfered, anyway).

Read the rest of this entry » [http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/flu-vaccines-herd-immunity-and-randomized-trials/#more-8412]

http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
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.

Man dies in Waseca grain bin accident - - March 4, Austin, Minnesota - A popular father of four died after becoming trapped in a grain bin on his farm in Waseca Thursday morning. James Eaton, 49, was trying to dislodge frozen corn inside the grain bin when the corn shifted and buried him, according to the Waseca County Sheriff's Office. Rescuers worked for two hours, using pails, shoves and a shop vac to move the corn, in an attempt to try to free him. But by the time they reached him, he had suffocated. Eaton's friend Odean Johnson said he was, "A good farmer well-respected person."

Dump Truck Rolls, Kills Worker - - March 4, Phoenix, Arizona - A construction worker is dead after the dump truck he was driving rolled off the road and pinned him, a representative of the Peoria Fire Department said. The incident happened at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the vicinity of the new Loop 303 under construction and 75th Avenue. Helicopter footage showed the truck on its side and at least one fire engine at the scene.

Pueblo County man killed in tractor accident - - March 4, Pueblo, Colorado - A 64-year-old driving a farm tractor in southern Colorado was killed when his tractor was hit from behind by a minivan. Sixty-4-year-old Paul Bregar died Wednesday afternoon on a highway east of Pueblo. The Colorado State Patrol says that the farmer was hit by a minivan, flipping the tractor. Bregar was pinned under his John Deere tractor and pronounced dead on the scene. The van driver has not been named.

One Peoples Gas worker killed in Chicago mishap - - March 3, Chicago, Illinois - One Peoples Gas company worker was killed and another injured on Wednesday in a mishap involving a pipe they were pressure-testing, Chicago authorities said. The workers were pressure-testing a 20-inch main pipeline with compressed air inside a reinforced hole near the Willis Tower in downtown Chicago when the incident occurred, a Peoples Gas spokeswoman said. It was not immediately clear what happened, but no gas was involved and service was not interrupted, the spokeswoman said. A passerby told local radio he heard a "boom and then a whoosh" followed by a cloud of dust emerging from the hole. Another passerby climbed in to help before firefighters arrived to remove the workers.

Navajo Oil Refinery Tank Fire Kills Two Workers (Update2) - - March 3, Artesia, New Mexico - A fire late yesterday at an asphalt tank at Holly Corp.’s Navajo oil refinery killed two workers, a local police spokesman said by telephone. Two contractors working at the tank died and two were transported to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas for treatment, said Sergeant Lindell Smith of the Artesia, New Mexico police department, where the Navajo plant is located. Holly, the owner of refineries and pipelines in the U.S. Southwest, earlier said the fire at an asphalt storage tank under construction “likely” killed a worker, in a statement on PRNewswire. The blaze occurred at about 12:40 p.m. local time and was extinguished in about 90 minutes by the refinery’s fire fighting units.

Construction worker killed in Hanford accident - - March 2, Tri-Cities, Washington - A backhoe operator was fatally injured in a construction accident at a Bonneville Power Administration substation on the Hanford nuclear reservation. BPA spokesman Doug Johnson says Kelly Loyd of Castle Rock was doing some excavation work Monday at the White Bluffs substation when he was injured. He was taken to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland where he died. Loyd was employed by Christenson Electric Inc.

Cops: Dunkin Donuts employee dies after fall into sewage pit while dumping garbage - - March 1, Smithtown, New York — A snow plow might have jarred loose the cover of a sewage pit where a teenager doughnut shop worker fell and died while taking out the trash, investigators said Monday. Amiri Zeqiri, 17, slipped into an open cesspool behind a Dunkin' Donuts Sunday night in Smithtown, about 40 miles east of New York City, police said. There usually was a manhole cover over the cesspool, a hole in the ground that collects waste from toilets and sinks, they said.

http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed since or last Bleat was published. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/

01. Sgt. Anthony A. Paci, 30, of Rockville, Md., died Mar. 4 at Gereshk, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered during a vehicle rollover. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

02. Spc. Alan N. Dikcis, 21, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., died March 5 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 630th Engineer Company (Clearance), 7th Engineer Battalion (Combat Effects), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat) (Airborne), Fort Drum, N.Y.

The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died March 8 north of Al Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. They were assigned to the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga. Killed were:
03. Sgt. Aaron M. Arthur, 25, of Lake City, S.C.
04. Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey, 23, of Columbus, Ga.

05. Pvt. Nicholas S. Cook, 19, of Hungry Horse, Mont., died March 7 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Italy.

The Department of Defense announced the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died March 9 in Khowst province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small-arms, indirect and rocket-propelled grenade fires. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Killed were:
06. Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, of Bald Knob, Ark.
07. Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, N.Y.

08. Lance Cpl. Garrett W. Gamble, 20, of Sugarland, Texas, died March 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
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"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." __ Franklin D. Roosevelt
"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle."
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
“A political class of Republicans and Democrats that look after themselves, not the Nation. A media hostile to the very precepts of this nation. A generation of Americans who see morals as vices, and are ignorant of America's Actual History.”
"The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life." - - Theodore Roosevelt
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Scheduled Activities
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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Interested in getting in touch with the Banner_News through e_mail?
E_mail addresses for communicating with the newspaper’s various departments are:
editor@bannernews.net For the editor, news@bannernews.net For news and sports items, Coming Events, Diary, Church News, school and civic events.
advertising@bannernews. net For retail and classified advertising.
circulation@bannernews. net To start, stop or cancel newspaper delivery or for comments about delivery.
outfitters @bannernews.net For Office Outfitters, the office supply division of the Banner_News.
[http://www.bannernews.net/]
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"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
“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 John "Fuzzy" Thurman
~~~~~
Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.
"Remember Pearl Harbor? Remember 9/11!" __"Bug"
God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Titus 3:10-11 Titus 1:10-12 Rom 8:15-16 John 16:12-14 http://www.e_min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT_I KC5HII

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