Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Politically Correct NFL

Volume 10, Issue 27 Friday, July 04, 2008

Hello All,

This holiday, we took our oldest grandsons out to lunch. Now I remember why we never visited the same restaurant twice when their dad was small. It wasn’t really an issue of him acting “bad.” Rather it was the amount of damage one small child can do when penned up against a table.
When we were young marrieds, our finances were rather tight. As I’ve explained before, “We had to save up for a year to go to the drive-in on “dollar night.”’ But occasionally, very occasionally, we could afford to eat out. Like the time we got a Christmas bonus at work.
We could have saved that money and put it toward David’s college tuition but we decided to eat it right away. The finest restaurant we knew then was “Steak and Ale” so that’s where we headed.
David wasn’t yet a year old but he was a “good” baby. We propped him in the booth between us and fed him crackers, which he gummed and mashed into the leather upholstery. Everything was fine through the salad course right up to the moment our steaks were served. As soon as the plates touched the table, David began to scream. We tried everything and nothing would calm him down so I stepped outside to spare the other patrons.
Lo and behold, as soon as the door shut behind us, he quit crying and started giggling, so I attempted to reenter the establishment. No dice. As soon as I cracked the door open, he “tuned back up”. So I stayed on the sidewalk outside while Annette ate. Then she came out and held him while I ate. It wasn’t the romantic meal we’d planned, but with a kid like that, romance wasn’t on our minds anyway.
On another occasion, we got a chance to go to Victors, an Italian place on Lemon Ave. This time David didn’t cry. He did spread his spaghetti around a four or five table area of the restaurant. David had a great time, but the Maître de wasn’t smiling when we left.
The last time I remember venturing out with our little redecorator was a visit to “Jamie’s”, another well healed eatery on Lemon Ave. They specialized in Hamburger, served over a dozen ways, including “Steak tartare.” Another memorable facet of “Jamie’s” was their dinnerware, copper plates and bowls that were polished to a fine sheen. Dinner there always started with a bowl of their spicy beans and tortilla chips. These bowls of beans were equipped with a spoon so you could serve yourself, even though each adult diner got their own bowl. With little David sitting between us, we were astounded to learn of his incredible ability to simultaneously slap the spoons in both our bowls, sending a piping hot serving of spicy beans onto the diners in two different directions.
When we left that time, it wasn’t only the Maître de that was frowning.
Even when David got older, he could cause Maître des heartburn as happened at “Arnaud's” in New Orleans when he was 8 or 10 years old. At that time, David was full swing into his “Meat and Potatoes, plain” stage and not really impressed with Arnaud's menu. While we were looking forward to our meal of smoked pompano bourgeois, crab claws provençale, mushrooms veronique, oysters bienville, turtle soup, crabmeat karen, Creole bouillabaisse, gulf snapper pontchartrain, pompano en croute, roast Louisiana quail elzey, veal tournedos Chantal, and petit filet Lafitte, I had to find something simpler for David. So I asked the waiter if he could have a Hamburger (plain) and fries. The waiter said that this wouldn’t be a problem and when we received our food, there was David’s “Happy Meal.” It was obvious that the meat was fresh ground, the bun a fine roll that had been split and the fries were hand cut and probably fried in EVO.
So far so good, until David said, “Dad. I need ketchup.” So, I signaled the waiter and asked, “Could we have some ketchup please?” You’d have thought I’d slapped him. He became flustered and asked if there was something wrong with our food. No, I explained, but my son likes ketchup on his fries. He looked pained but told me he would see if they had any. Several minutes later, the Maître de approached the table and, from under his coat, produced a brand new bottle of ketchup. He discreetly opened it and stood by, blocking the view of other diners until David had applied this banned substance to his French fries. Whereupon, the Maître de whisked the bottle back under his coat and removed it from the dining room.
A couple of years later, we were in Houston at Thanksgiving for a church conference at Lakewood. After several days of conference and hotel food, Thanksgiving evening, we decided to find a different place to eat. Bad idea. Everything was closed. I was cruising through downtown Houston on I-10, searching for a place to feed several hungry mouths when Annette spied an open Chinese Restaurant below the elevated freeway. It only took 10 or 20 minutes to find an exit and wind our way back through some pretty rough streets to this place which was indeed open and had a packed parking lot.
We got a table for five (we had our nephew Mike Waller with us that trip) and began perusing the menus. Now Annette, David, Vanessa and I love Chinese food (real Chinese, not that stuff served at the buffets around the country.) And this was a real Chinese place, filled with Chinese people sitting around Lazy Susan equipped tables spooning noodles and other fare with their chopsticks out of shared bowls. However, Mike wasn’t thrilled at the idea.
When the waiter came to take our order, I was going to ask if they had some “American” dishes for Mike to choose from (maybe they could cook him a hamburger and French fries like Arnaud's had done for David a couple of years earlier.) But before I could explain, the waiter had turned to Mike and asked him what he’d like to have. Mike blurted out “I don’t like Chinese!”
As in many café’s run by and for our foreign born citizens, English was a second language and it wasn’t always easy to communicate one’s desires. But this waiter got the wrong idea without hesitation.
“You no like Chinese?” he shouted. Every head in the place turned toward us. I started explaining as fast as I could that Mike didn’t dislike anyone; he just didn’t prefer Chinese food. It took a couple of minutes, but we finally got everybody calmed down and were able to order without being run out of the establishment.
~~~~~
This week’s energy discussion centers on the arguments for and against drilling for oil on U.S. property and off our coast. Some say that drilling won’t help the cost of energy. That’s like saying that working at a low paying job won’t help your finances.
Like Mr. Joe Gillespie told me when I was a kid; “A dollar is a dollar whether you get them one at a time or ten at a time.” If we can produce more oil and natural gas, we will increase the supply (at least incrementally) and consequently, lower the price of fuel.
Others say that drilling will do too much environmental damage and we can’t allow that. I invite you folks who think that to come to South Arkansas. I’ll take you to many well sites and show you that there is little or no environmental impact. In fact, many of these well sites opened up the forest to better use by hunters and wildlife.
Yes, there was severe damage years ago when drillers and producers did not care how they damaged the land. In fact, one of my first jobs when we moved back to South Arkansas was working for lawyers getting photographic evidence of property damage by oil companies. But that was in the past and doesn’t apply to current technology and practices.
O.K. you concede the point that some drilling in the “States” might not hurt too bad but we don’t want to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or off the coasts. Continuing to share actual FACTS and SCIENTIFIC evidence with you, please check out the following site to Learn & see what ANWR really is and how drilling there might affect it [http://www.plnewsforum.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/35374/] and check out the site I shared with y’all last week, a CNBC inside look at an offshore rig [http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=779171562&play=1]
~~~~~
Do you have some money to “burn”? Then Amazon’s announcement that they have reduced the price of their “Kindle” Wireless Reading Device to Only $359.00 will be music to your ears. They have also expanded their selection to include over 130,000 books, blogs, newspapers,
and magazines. Plus, all New York Times bestsellers are $9.99 or less.
~
Humm ... I admit that I have a mild case of “TechnoGeekItis” but I still have to run the numbers here. $359 to purchase a Kindle and then $9.99 per book. Or, I can e:mail my local library (Columbia County Library [http://www.youseemore.com/Columbia/default.asp]) and they will call me when the book is there. A dollar’s worth of gas and up to $2 to pay postage on an interlibrary loan if they didn’t have the book on the shelves. $3 vs. $375, which do you think is a better deal these days?
~~~~~
Our favorite commercial this week is Lowe’s “Paint Me” spot.
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For us “Cranky Old Guys” new things are a constant challenge. Why won’t they just leave things alone? Check out the latest assault on our comfort. - - [http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=122653]
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The link below is a video of a son and father participating in an “Ironman” together.
For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island. - [http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513]
For more information on this pair, go to [http://www.teamhoyt.com/]
~~~~~
Speaking of inspiration, Daryn Kagan has a great story today; "Tail-less Dolphin Inspires Vet and Special Little Girl" [http://darynkagan.demo.nimbussoftware.com/animals/index.html]
~~~~~
Yes, it's July 4. But did you know that on this day in 1802, Thomas Jefferson signed legislation establishing the United States Military Academy? To read more about West Point, check out [http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/West+Point,+New+York]
~~~~~
Delicia Torrence will co star in “South Pacific” July 13th - 20th in El Dorado. In addition to the 7:00 pm show, there will be Sunday Matinee at 2:30 pm on the 13th and 20th. Tickets $20. Call 870-862-5474 for tickets - No show on 15th
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Gary Foreman sent us a news story about the recovery of a World War II tank. Check out the photos and story at [http://www.12mbdragoons.com/panzer/]
~~~~~
PEAS FOR SALE - - Pink-eyed peas for sale (just as good as purple hull)
$12.00---per bushel / you pick
$17.00---per bushel / picked
$20.00---per bushel / shelled
CALL Tim Wooley @ 234-0178 - - Thanks and may God bless you
~~~~~
Grilled Hamburger Lunch Fundraiser for Youth & Children's Camp, Thursday, July 10 @ Atwood’s parking lot. Please remember on this day to go by Atwood’s and buy your lunch. You will get a hamburger, chips and a drink for $5.00. If you would like to help with this fund raiser, you can see Miss Karen or Donna.
~~~~~
GCF: Independence Days (Serious, Not Humor)

Dear GCF,

Those of you who have been around this list for awhile know that there are a few times during the year that I post something serious. 99.9% of what is sent to the Good Clean Fun mailing list is humor, however tonight I need to be serious for a moment.

Most of us, and by that I mean most of us in the United States, know that the Fourth of July is the "birthday" of the United States of America. It actually marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress. Often marked by parades and community celebration, it is a symbolic time for American families to gather and reflect on their heritage.

Most of us take for granted that this day and all the other U.S. holidays are "national" holidays. Did you know that the United States observes no national holidays? Specifically, that means holidays mandated by the Federal Government. The United States Congress and/or President can only legally establish an "official" holiday for the District of Columbia and for federal employees. In fact, it wasn't until the 20th Century that an order was issued giving federal employees a "day off" from work. A public holiday can only be established at the local level. Typically the observance of holidays happens at the state level with the enactment of a state law or by an executive proclamation by a state governor.

I first started posting this piece in July 2000. After I posted it, I received an email from Jen in Alberta, Canada. She asked me why I only mentioned the U.S. holidays. She surmised that it was because I was from the U.S. and to that extent, she is right. The U.S. holidays, especially the ones dealing with independence, veterans, and those who died for this country, are special to me. And since Good Clean Fun is 99.9% humor, I certainly don't want to veer from that basic premise and turn this into a history site. But Jen did start me to thinking, so I did a bit of research about my neighbors: Canada and Mexico.

Look back at the subject of this email. It is Independence "Days", plural. So let me take a moment and briefly honor my neighbors:

1. Canada celebrates its Independence on July 1st. The British North America Act created the Canadian federal government on July 1, 1867. This Act proclaimed "one Dominion under the name of Canada," hence the original title of the holiday as "Dominion Day." July 1st has also been known in Canada as "Confederation Day." On October 27, 1982, the Canadian Parliament officially renamed the holiday as "Canada Day."
2. Mexico celebrates many national and religious holidays. I must admit that I always thought that Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May, was Mexico's Independence Day, but a bit of research proved me wrong. While Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday, it honors the Mexican defeat of the French army at Puebla in 1862. September 16th is Mexican Independence Day and it celebrates the day that Miguel Hidalgo delivered "El Grito de Dolores", and announced the Mexican revolt against Spanish rule.
3. Let me add a third "neighbor" albeit one a bit farther away than just north or south of the US. A ways back, Michelle emailed me to tell of Australia Day which is celebrated down under on January 26th. That is the day Australia became a nation in its own right.

So, let's all be proud of and reflect on our heritage.

Have a great holiday,
Tom

PS: Don't forget to fly the flag!

As an added thought, why not visit "Don't Get Me Started," written by Former Sergeant of Marines, Andrew C. "Andy" Hefty. Andy's column comes from Jacksonville, Florida via Jacksonville.Com. In 2004 he wrote a piece about the Star Spangled Banner where his thoughts include breaking the lyrics down into individual phrases and explaining what each one meant. That piece can be found at:

http://www.jacksonville.com/community/cc/hefty/stories/062804/062804075059.shtml

My favorite piece of this genre was done many, many years ago by Red Skelton where he broke the Pledge of Allegiance down into individual words and phrases in order to explain the meaning of each one. The piece can be found at:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/7478/redskel1.htm

It also contains a link where you can hear Red's comments in his own voice. I highly recommend it.

Finally, let's remember that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July is more than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

-Tom

Visit the Good Clean Fun web site at http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor/
~~~~~
The Lighthouse Church Report:

Growing
Saturday, June 28, 2008 - jimmy Malone
"First you were a baby. Then you were a boy. Then you were a man. Then you were my Daddy," Josiah told me as I put him in bed. He is four (Why is grass green, Daddy?) and he wants to understand how everything relates to everything else.

"My eyes are shaped like yours, and Ethan's are shaped like Mama's."

"Yes, Josiah, that's right."

"But Ethan's eyes are blue, like yours, and mine are green like Mama's."

"That's true, baby."

"Why?"

Growing up is sometimes confusing, but always exciting. I thought about Josiah's progression for a minute. Baby, then boy, then man, then Daddy. I thought about all the other roles that I have taken on. Husband, Pastor, Friend...I got a driver's license, got my first job, moved out of the house, registered to vote, was fired from my first job...But all the while I am growing. I am either growing more like Jesus, or more like the world. I am learning to forgive, or I am building up my defenses, or both.

I have come to realize that I am called to change the world, but I cannot even change myself. Only Jesus can work any good in me. Why do I think I can change others by myself? All I can do is point them to Christ.

You know, the more my son grows up, the more independent he becomes. But the more I grow up in Jesus, the more dependent I become.

Why?

http://thelighthousechurch.publishpath.com/growing
http://thelighthousechurch.publishpath.com/
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/] - - Dexter Brookins - - Hometown: Jackson, MS - - Awarded: Bronze Star

When most people think of the Bronze Star, they think of an award given to someone because of their deeds under fire. But in the case of then-Captain Dexter Brookins, United States Army, that isn’t entirely true. Brookins was given this award for protecting his fellow soldiers, by operating a defensive umbrella to prevent things from going wrong.
From March to May of 2003, during the invasion of Iraq, Brookins was in command of a Patriot anti-missile battery in Camp Doha, Kuwait. This 85-man unit was responsible for protecting the base and the invasion point from Kuwait into Iraq from Iraqi missiles that were feared to contain chemical and biological warheads. Camp Doha housed both Army Forces Central Command-Kuwait and Coalition/Joint Task Force-Kuwait, effectively making it a major nerve center for US operations in Iraq and throughout the entire Middle East. Prior to his deployment to Camp Doha, the base had previously come under attack from ballistic missiles, and after he left, it would again be attacked. But during Brookins’ unceasing watch over the camp, he kept an attentive eye out for danger. The key to his success were the soldiers under his command.
~~~~~
The latest from Michael Yon, the foremost “milnews” blogger on the web.
~
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=34&Itemid=55 - - Helmand Province and the wider “War on Terror”. From British Member of Parliament: Adam Holloway - - Speech Delivered to British Parliament
Http://www.michaelyon-online.com/index.php
~~~~~
This week we watched [Ratings are my own]:
Key Largo (1948) [8] Starring Humphrey Bogart ... Edward G. Robinson ... Lauren Bacall ... Lionel Barrymore ... and Claire Trevor
The Grass Is Greener (1960) [9.0] Starring Cary Grant ... Deborah Kerr ... Robert Mitchum ... Jean Simmons
Fool's Gold (2008) [7.5] Starring Matthew McConaughey ... Kate Hudson ... Donald Sutherland
To Have and Have Not (1944) [9.0] Starring Humphrey Bogart ... Walter Brennan ... Lauren Bacall
Murder on the Orient Express (1974) [7.5] Starring Albert Finney ... Lauren Bacall ... Martin Balsam ... Ingrid Bergman ... Jacqueline Bisset ... Sean Connery ... John Gielgud ... Anthony Perkins ... Vanessa Redgrave ... Richard Widmark ... Michael York
~~~~~
This week we read; “Devil may care” / Sebastian Faulks, writing as Ian Fleming.
We’re currently reading; “Shadow of power : a Paul Madriani novel” / Steve Martini.
We intend to read; “Honor Bound: Inside the Guantanamo Trials” by Kyndra miller Rotunda, and “The steel wave : a novel of World War II” / Jeff Shaara.
We recommend: Final salute : a story of unfinished lives / by Jim Sheeler.
~~~~~
http://www.shelfari.com/BugsBleat/shelf?ec=7D790D174EFS18012
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The photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” include the bill board celebrating Claiborne Sharp’s birthday this year and our South LA grandkids.
~~~~~
We’ve now got several addresses on the web for "Da Bleat." For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com. Last quarter’s issues can be seen at http://www.bugsbleat2q08.blogspot.com.
Our photos are posted at http://www.bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com.
If you want to see more photos of April’s 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.
~~~~~
Dr. Pat Antoon’s New Address:
Pat Antoon 06669-010
Federal Prison Camp
P.O. Box 9300
Texarkana, TX 75505
Be sure and keep him in your prayers.
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - - - Turkey-Mushroom Burgers Recipe courtesy EatingWell.com

Ground turkey is the standard lean alternative to ground beef--and a good one--but burgers made from it can be dry and bland. These turkey burgers are particularly moist and flavorful because mushrooms are used to extend the ground meat.


2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, crusts removed, torn into pieces
8 ounces white mushrooms, wiped clean
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise (recipe follows), optional
1 pound lean ground turkey breast (see Ingredient note)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 ½ tablespoons coarse-grained mustard
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
6 whole-wheat buns (optional)
Lettuce leaves & tomato slices for garnish


Place bread in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl. Pulse mushrooms in the food processor until finely chopped.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and the mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add to the breadcrumbs and let cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, if using.

Preheat grill to medium-high.

Add ground turkey, egg, dill, mustard, salt and pepper to the mushroom mixture; mix well with a potato masher. With dampened hands, form the mixture into six ½-inch-thick patties, using about ½ cup for each.

Oil the grill rack. Brush the patties with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Grill until no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side. (An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should register 165̊F.) Meanwhile, split buns and toast on the grill for 30 to 60 seconds, if using. Serve burgers on buns, garnished with lettuce, tomato and Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, if desired.

Ingredient note: Lean ground turkey breast has 110 calories and 1 gram fat per 3-ounce serving, compared to 193 calories and 11 grams fat in regular ground turkey (which may include leg meat and skin).


Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis Per serving (without buns or garnishes) Calories 193
Carbohydrate Servings ½ Carbohydrates 9 g
Protein 17 g Fat 10 g
Saturated Fat 2 g Cholesterol 95 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5 g Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sodium 418 mg Potassium 383 mg
Nutrition Bonus 383 mg potassium (19% dv).


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/lf_hl_eatingwell/recipe/0,,FOOD_30878_100730,00.html
~
Roasted Corn with Basil-Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe courtesy EatingWell.com

A simple combination - roasted corn with a basil vinaigrette - has a fresh flavor that is pure summer.


3 cups fresh corn kernels
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste


Preheat oven to 450̊F. Toss corn and oil to coat and spread out on a large baking sheet. Bake, stirring once, until some kernels begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Combine basil, shallot, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the corn; toss to coat. Serve warm or cold.


Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis Per serving Calories 165
Carbohydrate Servings 1 ½ Carbohydrates 23 g
Protein 4 g Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 1 g Cholesterol 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 6 g Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sodium 163 mg Potassium 332 mg
Exchanges 1 ½ starch, 1 ½ fat Nutrition Bonus Vitamin C (15% daily value).


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/lf_hl_eatingwell/recipe/0,,FOOD_30878_100825,00.html
~
Herbed Couscous with Tomatoes Recipe courtesy EatingWell.com

A fast grain, dressed up with fresh tomatoes and herbs.


1 ½ cups reduced-sodium chicken broth or water
1 cup whole-wheat couscous
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or infused oil
½ cup chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon, parsley or thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper


Bring broth (or water) to a boil in a medium saucepan; add couscous, olive oil (or infused oil), tomatoes and tarragon (or parsley or thyme). Stir, remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and season to taste with salt and pepper.


Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis Per serving Calories 257
Carbohydrate Servings 2 ½ Carbohydrates 47 g
Protein 10 g Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 1 g Cholesterol 2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 3 g Dietary Fiber 7 g
Sodium 199 mg Potassium 67 mg


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/lf_hl_eatingwell/recipe/0,,FOOD_30878_100505,00.html
~
Watermelon Slush Recipe courtesy EatingWell.com

A refreshing Middle Eastern street drink.


3 cups diced watermelon
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup crushed ice
½ cup water


Blend watermelon, lime juice, sugar, ice and water in a blender until smooth.


Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis Per serving Calories 48
Carbohydrate Servings 1 Carbohydrates 12 g
Protein 1 g Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sodium 2 mg Potassium 137 mg
Nutrition Bonus What you get: A natural sports drink with vitamins A and C, potassium.


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/lf_hl_eatingwell/recipe/0,,FOOD_30878_108963,00.html
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Deep-Dish Apple-Blackberry Pie Recipe courtesy EatingWell.com

With a traditional high-fat pie dough, it's easy to go wrong because the dough must be chilled and rolled out while the butter or shortening is still cold - a relatively small window of time (especially for beginners). Nuts and nut oil replace most of the butter in this pie crust, so the timing is less particular. The dough doesn't need to be refrigerated, which cuts down on preparation time, and because it is rolled out between sheets of plastic wrap, it won't stick to the countertop and it can be easily lifted.


1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ pounds tart apples (about 6 apples)
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries (not thawed)
1 recipe Walnut Pastry Dough (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350̊F. Coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan with nonstick spray.

Combine lemon juice and vanilla in a large bowl. Peel, core and cut apples into 3/4-inch chunks, tossing them in the lemon juice mixture as you work.

Mix 2/3 cup sugar and cornstarch and toss with apples. Add blackberries.

Place 2 overlapping sheets of plastic wrap on a work surface. Set the larger disk of dough in the center and cover with 2 more sheets of plastic wrap. Roll the dough into a 13-inch circle. Remove top sheets and invert dough into the prepared pan, letting excess dough hang over the edges. Gently press the dough into bottom and sides of pan. Pull off plastic wrap. With a rubber spatula, scrape the apple-blackberry filling into pie shell.

Roll out smaller disk of dough as above, making an 11-inch circle. Remove top sheets of plastic and invert dough over filling. Pull off plastic wrap. Press together edges of pastry to seal. With the tip of a sharp knife, cut 3 or 4 short slashes to vent steam. Moisten a pastry brush with water and lightly brush top of pie. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Place the pie on a baking sheet with sides.

Bake until crust is golden and filling bubbles, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for about 1 hour. Serve warm or at room temperature.


Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis Per serving Calories 377
Carbohydrate Servings 4 Carbohydrates 62 g
Protein 5 g Fat 13 g
Saturated Fat 3 g Cholesterol 8 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2 g Dietary Fiber 5 g
Sodium 293 mg Potassium 221 mg


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/lf_hl_eatingwell/recipe/0,,FOOD_30878_108990,00.html

Copyright © 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.
~~~~~
BreakPoint
Pray for the Liberators
By Chuck Colson
7/4/2008
Special Forces for Special Times

It is easy to grow weary over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As for me, a former Marine, I ache for the families of the men and women who have paid the ultimate price. But I also know why our military personnel are doing what they are doing. They enlisted, as I did many years ago, to defend our nation and to defend liberty. And in Iraq and Afghanistan, they truly do see themselves as liberators.

And while the reasons for service are the same, there is no doubt the times are different. Instead of waves of North Korean soldiers and Chinese tanks (as I was trained to confront), our service men and women must deal with roadside bombs and 14-year-old suicide bombers.

“We are currently locked in an insurgent war, one that’s likely to go on for a very long while,” writes Dick Couch, author of Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior. Today, the enemy is woven into the civilian communities where our soldiers fight. So to root them out, our military must gain the trust of the people.

“Simply stated, if we lose or fail to gain the popular support of the people, we lose it all,” writes Couch. “Our initial victories in Afghanistan and Iraq will have been for nothing.”

According to Robert Kaplan, author of the book Imperial Grunts, “[T]he next few decades will see a blending of the . . . rudimentary techniques of counterinsurgency and unconventional warfare (in which language skills could trump technology) with the use of heavy bombers and other conventional assets.”

In Chosen Soldier, Couch describes the critical need for Army special forces in this war—that is, the Green Berets. These soldiers not only battle physically—but intellectually. They infiltrate the culture, win over the locals, and gather critical information about embedded terrorists.

For example, do you recall that deck of cards depicting Saddam Hussein’s Baathist loyalists? “Thirty-nine of the forty-six rogues in that deck,” writes Couch, “were captured by, or taken into custody as a result of intelligence developed by Army Special Forces.” It is that kind of on-the-ground intelligence that will one day snare bin Laden.

The Green Beret is not looking to see how many insurgents he can kill, but rather how many he can “get [the local citizenry] to kill—or to expose or expel from their village.” The Green Beret works to change the culture he is in: from fear to freedom. As such, the Green Beret not only is a warrior, but a teacher.

The motto of the Green Berets is “De Oppresso Liber,” or “To Liberate the Oppressed.” Having liberated the people of Iraq from Saddam and the people of Afghanistan from the choking grip of the Taliban, our Green Berets—and all of our men and women in uniform—risk their lives every day to help the Iraqis and Afghans rule themselves in peace, free from totalitarianism and terrorism.

Sure, we all want these wars to be over. But while they last, so long as our fighting men and women are in harm’s way, they deserve our full support: from the President, to the Congress, to the media, to the people in the pews.

I hope you will join me today on this 4th of July, the birthday of American independence and freedom, in praying for the safety of the members of our armed forces who are in harm’s way. They deserve no less, and much, much more.

Chosen Soldier: the Making of a Special Forces Warrior by Dick Couch.

Robert Kaplan, Imperial Grunts, (Random House, September 2005).

BreakPoint Commentary No. 061110, “Unexcused Absence.”

Visit this site to read a Special Forces Creed.

Catherina Hurlburt, “‘Chosen Soldier’: Liberators or Occupiers?” The Point, 30 June 2008.

Catherina Hurlburt, “‘Chosen Soldier’: ‘Our Most Essential Warrior,’” The Point, 17 June 2008.

Catherina Hurlburt, “I’ll Never Mock that Beret Again,” The Point, 11 June 2008.

Kim Sengupta, “The 14-Year-Old Afghan Suicide Bomber,” Independent, 10 June 2008.

© 2008 Prison Fellowship - - http://www.breakpoint.org/site_hmpg.asp
~~~~~

Words of the Week:
condign: deserved; adequate.
laconic: using or marked by the use of a minimum of words.
tutelage: guardianship; protection; also, instruction.
dapple: a small contrasting blotch; also, to mark with spots.
mazy: resembling a maze; intricate or confusing.
interpolate: to insert between; also, to alter or corrupt by insertion.
indigent: extremely poor.
from Dictionary.Com

~~~~~
“Chicken Little has taken over the newsroom and bolted the door.” Steve Martini

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." -- Thomas Paine,

"Happiness is a how, not a what; a talent, not an object." - Hermann Hesse

"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle." - George Orwell

"Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are your own fears." - Rudyard Kipling

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin

"The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get into the office." - Robert Frost

"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls." - Joseph Campbell

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind." - William James
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

Ten Things I Love About America
Testimony of a Resurrection: Stillborn Baby Raised by Praying Teens after 27 Hours
Pro-Life Progress: Abortion Providers in South Dakota are Required to Admit Abortion is Ending a Life
Colombian Guerilla Melts Beneath Love of Jesus becomes Pastor
Treasure Maps Found Among the Dead Sea Scrolls Keep Archaeologists and Historians in Suspense
New Reality Show May Show Teens what Parenthood is Really Like
Baby who Fell into Thames and was Pronounced "Dead" Comes back to Life

310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-2642
E-mail editor@breakingchristiannews.com
US Orders: 1-866-358-7426

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GCF: Politically Correct NFL

Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks Joseph) -Tom

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

The National Football League recently announced a new era. From now on, no offensive team names will be permitted. While the owners of the teams rush to change uniforms and such, the National Football League announced, yesterday, its name changes and schedules for the upcoming season:

The Washington Native Americans will host the New York Very Tall People on opening day.

Other key games include the Dallas Western-Style Laborers hosting the St. Louis Wild Endangered Species, and the Minnesota Plundering Norsemen taking on the Green Bay Meat Industry Workers.

In Week 2, there are several key matchups, highlighted by the showdown between the San Francisco Precious Metal Enthusiasts and the New Orleans Pretty Good People.

The Atlanta Birds of Prey will play host to the Philadelphia Birds of Prey, while the Seattle Birds of Prey will visit the Phoenix Male Finches.

The Monday night game will pit the Miami Pelagic Percoid Food Fishes against the Denver Untamed Beasts of Burden.

The Cincinnati Large Bangladeshi Carnivorous Mammals will travel to Tampa Bay for a clash with the West Indies Free Booters later in Week 9.

And the Detroit Large Carnivorous Cats will play the Chicago Large Mountain Mammals.

Week 9 also features the Indianapolis Young Male Horses at the New England Zealous Lovers of Country.
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Managers and Engineers

Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks Joan) -Tom
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A group of managers were given the assignment to measure the height of a flagpole. So they go out to the flagpole with ladders and tape measures, and they're falling off the ladders, dropping the tape measures -- the whole thing is just a mess.

A group of engineers arrive and see what the managers are trying to do. They walk over to the flagpole, pull it out of the ground and lay it flat on the ground. They measure it from end to end, give the measurement to one of the managers, and then walk away.

After the engineers have gone, one manager turns to another and laughs. "Isn't that just like engineers? We're looking for the height and they give us the length."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Pronouns

Emailed to me from another humor list (Joanna's Jokes) -Tom To subscribe to Joanna's Jokes, send a blank email to: JoannasJokes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
----------------------------------------------

Teacher: Billy, name two pronouns.

Billy: Who, me?

Teacher: Very good!
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Bosses Night

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

At an annual Bosses Night dinner in Helena, Montana, where legal secretaries sponsored their lawyer bosses, it was time to announce the Boss of the Year.

The master of ceremonies began: "First of all, our winner is a graduate of the University of Montana. So that already eliminates some of you as candidates."

"Our winner also is a partner in a downtown Helena law firm. That eliminates some more of you. "Our nominee is honest, upright, dedicated..."

A voice from the audience cut in: "Well, there go the rest of us!"
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Pants

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

Doug had always been teased by his friends that his wife was more successful than he was. Some even went so far as to insinuate that he was henpecked.

Doug had a sense of humor and always laughed it off. One day, one of his fiends asked the tiresome question again, "Who wears the pants in your family?"

"I do," Doug answered. Then, after a pause, he added, "I also wash and iron them."
_ ____________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / There is no snooze button \ /
\ _/ on a cat that wants breakfast. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / "Of all the things I've lost, \ /
\ _/ I miss my mind the most." \_ /
/ / --Mark Twain \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / No sense being pessimistic. \ /
\ _/ It wouldn't work anyway. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / I spilled Spot remover on \ /
\ _/ my dog. Now he's gone. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / "Veni, Vidi, Vegi" \ /
\ _/ (I came, I saw, I had a salad) \_ /
/ / \ \
_ ____________________________ _
| Thomas S. Ellsworth |
| tellswor@kcbx.net |
| http://www.kcbx.net/~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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Texas Department of Water representative stopped at a ranch and talked with an old rancher. He told the rancher, 'I need to inspect your ranch for your water allocation.'

The old rancher said, 'Okay, but don't go in that field over there.'

The Water representative said, 'Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me. See this card? This card means I am allowed to go WHEREVER I WISH on any agricultural land. No questions asked or answered. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?'

The old rancher nodded politely and went about his chores.

Later, the old rancher heard loud screams and saw the Water Rep running for the fence and close behind was the rancher's bull. The bull was gaining on the Water Rep with every step.

The Rep was clearly terrified, so the old rancher immediately threw down his tools , ran to the fence and shouted out..... 'Your card! Show him your card!'

Thanks to Gary Foreman
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Years ago, there was an old tale in the Marine Corps about a lieutenant who inspected his Marines and told the 'Gunny' that they smelled bad. The lieutenant suggested that they change their underwear. The Gunny responded, 'Aye, aye, sir, I'll see to it immediately' .

He went into the tent and said, 'The lieutenant thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your underwear. Smith, you change with Jones; McCarthy, you change with Witkowski; Brown, you change with Schultz. Get to it'.

The moral: A candidate may promise change in Washington; but, don't count on things smelling any better.

Thanks to Waneta
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Do you enjoy GCFL? If so, please consider a small donation to help keep things running. Please visit http://www.gcfl.net/donate.php for details.

America's Independence Day

A father took his five-year-old son to several baseball games where The Star-Spangled Banner was sung before the start of each game.

Then the father and son attended a church on a Sunday shortly before Independence Day.

The congregation sang The Star-Spangled Banner, and after everyone sat down, the little boy suddenly yelled out, "PLAY BALL!!!"

---

This is a day when we know we are free
We can live as we want, yes you and me.

But let us remember that a price had been paid
Many who fought for us lay in an unknown grave...

So let's stay safe and enjoy this day with friends,
Knowing that freedom, for us, has no ends.

Smile at that flag as it hangs there with pride
We, who are free, never having to hide.

Bring it in with a bang and yell and a shout
But remember to put all those camp fires out.

Happy Birthday, America!

Received from Joke du Jour.

(-:][:-)

The Salesman's Robot

John was a salesman's delight when it came to any kind of unusual gimmick. His wife Marsha had long ago given up trying to get him to change. One day John came home with another one of his unusual purchases. It was a robot that John claimed was actually a lie detector.

It was about 5:30 that afternoon when Tommy, their 11-year-old son, returned home from school. Tommy was over two hours late.

"Where have you been? Why are you over two hours late getting home?" asked John.

"Several of us went to the library to work on an extra credit project," said Tommy. The robot then walked around the table and slapped Tommy, knocking him completely out of his chair.

"Son," said John, "this robot is a lie detector. Now tell us where you really were after school."

"We went to Bobby's house and watched a movie," said Tommy.

"What did you watch?" asked Marsha.

"The Ten Commandments," answered Tommy. The robot went around to Tommy and slapped him again, knocking him off his chair once more. With his lip quivering, Tommy got up from the floor, sat down, and said, "I am sorry I lied. We really watched an R-rated movie."

"I am ashamed of you, son," said John. "When I was your age, I never lied to my parents." The robot then walked around to John and delivered a whack that nearly knocked him out of his chair.

Marsha doubled over in laughter, almost in tears, and said, "Boy, did you ever ask for that one! You can't be too mad with Tommy. After all, he is your son!"

With that the robot immediately walked around to Marsha and knocked her out of her chair.

Received from Becky Day.

(-:][:-)

Star Wars Punny

One day, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi were at a very fancy dinner party they had hosted. They were seated in full view of the rest of the people in attendance, and Luke, his table manners somewhat lacking, was devouring his bantha meat with his bare hands.

Obi-Wan, sensing that this display of savageness was rather disturbing to their guests, leaned over to Luke, and whispered: "Use the fork, Luke!"

Received from Pooky Warner.

(-:][:-)

Dirty Magazines

Soon after being transferred to a new duty station, my Marine husband called home to tell me he would be late - again. He went on to say that dirty magazines had been discovered in the platoon's quarters and they had to discipline the whole squad. I launched into a tirade, arguing that many men had pictures hanging in their quarters at our previous post, so his new platoon should not be penalized for something trivial.

My husband calmly listened to my gripes and then explained, "Honey, dirty magazines: the clips from their rifles had not been cleaned."

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

GCFL Donation Drive

About once every six months or so, we humbly ask for a small donation to keep things running here at GCFL.net.

Wait! Before you run off to unsubscribe from the list thinking, "I thought they said this thing was free!!!" let me reassure you: GCFL IS, AND WILL ALWAYS REMAIN FREE! There is no obligation to pay for GCFL mailings.

It does cost money to run GCFL.net (just like everything else), but instead of peppering the mailings with advertisements every day, we prefer to just ask for a small donation. If we do a good job, some people will be willing to donate a dollar or two, and if we keep our costs down, it will be enough.

Since 1996, we've been mailing good, clean funnies to GCFL members and they have always come through wonderfully, giving when they can.

We receive emails and letters nearly every day from members saying how much they enjoy GCFL, and how it helps them start their day. It seems people from 12 to 101 (seriously!) enjoy our funnies, and we sure enjoy making GCFL what it is.

We only ask for one dollar because we feel it's not too much to ask, and just about everyone should be able to handle it. However, if you can't afford it, don't worry about it! We'll continue the best we can.

So, if you feel so inclined, please send your donation to:

GCFL
Box 100
Harvest, AL 35749
USA

Send a dollar bill (or two) (yes, it's OK to send cash in the mail for this purpose), or if you want to, write checks to "GCFL." You can also use PayPal (www.paypal.com) if you prefer. Please use email address gcfl@gcfl.net. Remember PayPal charges 2.9% + 30 cents for each transaction, so maybe you PayPal people can send $1.34 to cover that cost? It's your call.

Thanks for helping us keep GCFL alive and kicking!

John Price
GCFL Director

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
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/2008/05/09/email-hell-limerick-haiku-prompt/ - - Email Hell (Limerick & Haiku Prompt) - Today’s limerick and haiku theme is email and/or spam. First, my limerick:

I’m out of the office right now.
Do I hate answering email? And how!
Missed your missive? I’m glad,
So I won’t say I’m sad.
Pester some other worker-bee. Ciao!

And now my three spam-related haiku:

Suffocating spam
Pours into my computer,
Drowning out meaning.

Virulent spammers
Take over my computer,
Devouring its core.

My email pours in,
The meaningful lost,
Strangled by spam.

http://www.madkane.com
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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A Japanese company ( Toyota ) and an American company (Ford) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River . Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile. The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing. Feeling a deeper study was in order, American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion. They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing. Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents, and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners, and free pens for the rower. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes, and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The next year the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India Sadly. The End.

Here's something else to think about:

Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US , claiming they can't make money paying American wages. TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US The last quarter's results: TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses. Ford folks are still scratching their heads. IF THIS WEREN'T TRUE, IT MIGHT BE FUNNY.

Thanks to Gary Foreman
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SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
No t see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die Cause you never had time
To call and say, "Hi"

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere You
miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Thanks to "Royce Prince"
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| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
July 1, 2008
Summer is Here - Don't Take Shortcuts!
Today's Message is from Becky Wofford (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).

Don't let the temptation to rush through any job, whether at home or at work, to be able to spend more time relaxing and enjoying the long days get to you. Whether you are doing yard work, setting up a camper at a campground, heading for the beach, preparing to grill some tasty BBQ,
cleaning house . . . . . be sure to use the right tools for the job, wear the proper clothing and PPE and take your time!
Spend a few extra minutes doing a SCAN to make sure that you have thought of all the possible points where something could go wrong. Don't spend the rest of the summer wishing you had!
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The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.
http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/

Candidates Should Pay Attention to Science
July 3, 2008 in Politics, Science by Liz Borkowski | No comments

Obviously, the economy and Iraq are big issues on voters’ minds, but a new poll from Scientists and Engineers for America shows that candidates would also be smart to demonstrate their support for science. In fact, SEA’s Michael Stebbins reports that although the organization expected positive answers to their questions, they were stunned by the overwhelmingly affirmative response:

Eighty-six percent of those polled, for example, say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who is committed to preparing students with the skills they need for the 21st Century through public investments in science and technology education.

Similarly, 84 percent said they would be more likely to support a candidate who is committed to reducing the cost and improving the quality of healthcare through public investments in science and technology. And 52 percent indicated they would be much more likely to support candidates who expressed that science and technology is a priority for them.

http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/
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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.

Pipe falls on worker at FPL plant site, killing him - - FL - A 61-year-old construction worker building a Florida Power and Light Co. plant in western Palm Beach County was killed Friday, after a pipe fell on him. The 24-inch-wide pipe fell on the man while he was working on a scaffolding about 20 feet high, said county Fire-Rescue Capt. Don DeLucia. FPL employees used a crane to lower the worker to the ground, on a stretcher. But the man, whose name has not been released, was dead by the time rescuers arrived, DeLucia said.

Crews Recover Body From Collapsed Trench - - VAN BUREN, Ark. - Recovery teams have removed the body of a worker trapped in Friday's trench collapse in Van Buren. Richard Hardgraves, 48, died when the trench walls gave way, trapping him in mud and water. Work crews spent more than 11 hours trying to remove his body. Another man, Tony Webb, was also trapped while trying to rescue Hardgraves. Webb was able to get out. Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating whether Kirby Construction crews followed proper safety measures and whether the accident could have been prevented.

Officials probe Yellville man's death at factory - - HARRISON, Ark. - Federal inspectors are investigating a Harrison factory where a worker was apparently electrocuted earlier this week. Authorities say Tim Souther, 46, of Yellville was killed Tuesday morning while working on some electrical equipment at Tankinetics. Bill Nichols, director of operations at Tankinetics, says Souther was on a "man lift" elevated above the floor at the time of his death. Nichols says inspectors from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating Souther's death. His body has been sent to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy. Tankinetics makes composite materials used in corrosion-proof storage tanks and piping.

Disney Employee Dies After Being Injured At Resort - - OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A Disney employee has died two weeks after being injured at a Disney Resort. 52 year old John Swearingen was injured while working at Disney’s All Star Music Resort on June 13th. Osceola County deputies were called to the resort after the employee was hurt while operating a hi-lift machine. According to the police report, the man somehow became pinned between the machine and a wall. He sustained serious chest, neck and head injuries, Swearingen was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he died Thursday, Osceola County detectives have been working with OSHA and now are conducting a death investigation. Officials said the death appears to be accidental.

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/

The Department of Defense announced the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died from wounds suffered June 26 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when their convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Killed were:
01. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., who was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, Mich.
02. Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.
03. Spc. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.

04. Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, of Goshen, Ind., died on June 27 of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device while on combat patrol near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

05. Spc. Estell L. Turner, 43, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died July 2 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds suffered on June 28 in Malikheyl, Afghanistan, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
~
Department of Defense officials participated in a ground-breaking ceremony to begin construction of the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda yesterday.
“Our warriors are our country’s most important resource and when they return injured or ill from war, we must care for them without fail,” said Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England. “This new joint facility will provide America’s heroes and their families the most advanced medical care in the world.”
~
The rapid response by the Department of Defense to protect the warfighters reached a major milestone yesterday when the 10,000th Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle rolled off the assembly line and into government hands.
In February 2008 the MRAP program office, headed by Marine Corps Systems Command, recorded its 5,000th MRAP vehicle acceptance. That milestone was reached less than a year after the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made MRAPs the DoD’s top acquisition priority. Since then, the program has advanced at near-unprecedented speed, doubling production of the life-saving vehicle in just over four months.
~
Pilot Missing In Action From The Korean 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 Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Capt. William K. Mauldin, U.S. Air Force, of Pickens, S.C. He will be buried on July 18 in Easley, S.C.

On Feb. 21, 1952, Mauldin departed Kimpo Air Base, South Korea, on an aerial reconnaissance mission of enemy targets in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (D.P.R.K.). While over Odong-ni, Mauldin’s RF-51 Mustang was hit by enemy fire and crashed near Sinan-ri, Hoeyang County, D.P.R.K. An aerial search of the crash site was conducted that day and the next, but found no evidence that Mauldin escaped the aircraft before it crashed.

Between 1991-94, North Korea turned over to the U.S. 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. One set of remains turned over in 1993 included fragments of aircrew life-support equipment, and were reported to be those of an American pilot recovered near Sinan-ri.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of Mauldin’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 - - Coming Events
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Grilled Hamburger Lunch Fundraiser for Youth & Children's Camp, Thursday, July 10 @ Atwood’s parking lot. Please remember on this day to go by Atwood’s and buy your lunch. You will get a hamburger, chips and a drink for $5.00. If you would like to help with this fund raiser, you can see Miss Karen or Donna.
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“South Pacific” July 13th - 20th in El Dorado
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Albemarle Employees Steak and Bingo Supper (Aug 16 @ 6:00 PM in Jr High Cafeteria)
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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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Interested in getting in touch with the Banner-News through e-mail?
E-mail addresses for communicating with the newspaper’s various departments are: 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.
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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!!!
Rev 21:2-4 Heb 11:1,2,6 Luke 19:29-32 Lam 3:52-58 http://www.e-min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

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