Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Former Co-worker?

Volume 10, Issue 18 Friday, May 02, 2008

Hello All,

What a great live performance of Prairie Home Companion at the Summit Arena in Hot Springs last Saturday evening. We arrived there just after 4 pm and I dropped Annette off at the southeast Arena door while I started looking for a parking place. Even an hour before show time, all the lots in the area were full. I circled the Embassy Suites and decided to try the lot north of the Arena where I lucked out and got the space vacated by a hotel guest right across the street from the Arenas main entrance.
Thanks to our early arrival time, we not only had a parking space, but we had time to visit with the other “Wobegonites” in our seating section. As we visited with fans from Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas and even Magnolia, the Arena filled up. Not surprisingly, many of the folks in our section also related that their friends and coworkers had no idea what they were talking about when they told them they were going to see “Prairie Home Companion.”
About 15 minutes before the five o’clock show time, that gangly guy with the socks, Garrison Keillor came down into the seating area to warm up the audience. He mugged for cameras and kept up an entertaining monolog. Looking back, I wished I’d climbed down from our seats in the stratosphere section and gotten a good close up shot of him. But most of the fans were as reserved as I was and he didn’t get mobbed.
In addition to Garrison Keillor and the Royal Academy of Radio Actors: Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, the special guests Saturday evening were Nashville's honky-tonk hellions BR5-49 [http://www.br5-49.com/], and gospel grandmaster Jearlyn Steele [http://www.thesteelesmusic.com/bio/JearlynImage-Bio.pdf] who can really belt out a tune.
If you get a chance, go to [http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2008/04/26/] and listen to the podcast. Our favorite skits this week were Guy Noir helping bring back a little Baptist girl who had gone over to the Episcopalians and was hanging out at Oaklawn Race Track [http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2008/04/26/scripts/noir.shtml]. And the Cowboys, Dusty and Lefty who had stopped at the Buckstaff Baths to clean up when they were joined by Bill, Hillary, Obama, Al Gore and John McCain [http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2008/04/26/scripts/cowboys.shtml].
Of course the pleasure we had attending the show is tempered just a little bit by the fact that almost no one else knows what we’re talking about when we tell them we saw A Prairie Home Companion. So far Annette has found one person at church who listened to the program and I’ve found three folks at work.
All of the rest of you are missing a great radio program, full of biting satire and enjoyable music.
~~~~~
We celebrated our anniversary Thursday. It’s amazing that I’m more in love with “The Bride Of My Youth” every day. And it’s impressive that the whole world celebrates this day with us. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7378305.stm] [http://www.theholidayspot.com/mayday/history.htm]
~~~~~
We started reading “Moment of Truth in Iraq” by Michael Yon this week. I plan to donate this copy to the CCLOC when I finish it. This should be required reading in our schools as well as book clubs. The tag line is “How a New 'Greatest Generation' of American Soldiers is Turning Defeat and Disaster into Victory and Hope.”
~~~~~
You’d have thought after the bad publicity surrounding the treatment of wounded veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center that the Army would have taken steps to prevent another embarrassing incident. They didn’t. A father’s outrage, channeled onto YouTube and showing poor barracks conditions at the Army's Fort Bragg in North Carolina, is providing a dark look at how our soldiers are being treated by the Defense Department, the Congress and the Administration. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4P-camUjjk] [http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/decrepit-army-barracks-exposed-on-youtube/?hp]
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, after watching the YouTube video, said Thursday that what he saw was "appalling" and that all commanders must ensure that their troops have decent living quarters.
"Soldiers should never have to live in such squalor," Gates said during a speech to a packed auditorium of senior enlisted soldiers.
~
We encourage all our readers to Call, Write and Email our leaders to let them know that this is a TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE way to treat our soldiers.

President George W. Bush
Washington Office
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1111
Email president@whitehouse.gov
---------------------------------------
Arkansas State Officials

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln
Washington Office
355 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4843
or: (501) 375-2993
Email [http://lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html]
---------------------------------------
U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor
Washington D.C. Office
257 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2353
or: (501) 324-6336
Email [http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/]
----------------------------------------
Congressman Mike Ross
Prescott
221 West Main Street
Prescott, AR 71857
(870) 887-6787
314 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
1-800-223-2220
Email [http://ross.house.gov/?sectionid=77§iontree=76,77]
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/] - - Moses Cardenas - Hometown: Fullerton, CA - Awarded: Silver Star

On one hot August morning near Rawah, Iraq, Lance Corporal Moses Cardenas of the Marines 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion found his platoon barraged by an insurgent suicide bomb, numerous rocket-propelled grenades, and heavy machine gun fire. In the chaotic moments that followed, Cardenas would have to decide between attempting the rescue of his wounded sergeant or remain in his covered position until reinforcements arrived. The choice was simple.

Cardenas thought, "He was my sergeant; I had to do something," and with that he courageously charged 50 meters through the kill-zone to his wounded comrade. Running the gauntlet through enemy fire, he was shot in the neck by the spray of weapons’ fire. Undeterred, he arrived at Sgt. Randy Roedema’s exposed position and performed first-aid to stop the flow of blood from Roedema’s severe wounds.

With both Marines wounded and under the sights of numerous insurgents, Cardenas knew if he was to save his friend he must evacuate both of them to safety. With his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon charged and a grip on his injured sergeant, Cardenas rotated between firing his machine gun and pulling Roedema across the battlefield. Reaching the relative safety of his platoon’s convoy, Cardenas continued laying down suppressive fire until the situation came under control and medics could tend to the wounded Marines.

Cardenas was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military award. Roedema would later reflect "I owe him my life." Four days after Cardenas saved his life, Roedema’s wife gave birth to their first child – a child that will have a father because of the selfless act preformed by Cardenas on that summer morning in Iraq.
~~~~~
The latest from Michael Yon, the foremost “milnews” blogger on the web.
~
I am in Washington DC in meetings and doing television and radio shows on Moment of Truth in Iraq [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Moment-of-Truth-in-Iraq/Michael-Yon/e/9780980076325/?itm=1] before returning to the war. We do not know how long the book will be discounted at BarnesandNoble.com, but it is selling for $13.96 right now.
My apologies that I have been focused on promoting the book lately, but this message is necessary. This book is important for people to read.
Sincerely,
Michael
~~~~~
Here’s a great article on Prince Harry’s service in Afghanistan [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1580450/Prince-Harry-hails-real-heroes-of-Afghanistan.html]
~~~~~
To help the oil companies, we’ve been making multiple trips to Little Rock in the last couple of weeks. Ted Bounds shared another of his favorite places to eat with us - Prego Café Restaurant,
5510 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72207, (501) 663-5355 We enjoyed the great Northern Italian food and it really brought back memories of meals with Tammy Duke. You can see a street level view if you search for this address on Google maps.
~~~~~
To offset the fuel we’re using going to the doctors in Little Rock, Texarkana and Shreveport, we’ve started paying our bills using Check Free [https://mycheckfree.com]. Stuart Williams, Director of Payment Services at CheckFree/Fiserv and a member of the PayItGreen Alliance, said the average American household would, every year:
* Save 0.08 trees.
* Save 6.6 pounds of paper.
* Not release 63 gallons of wastewater.
* Save 4.5 gallons of gasoline for transportation.
* Not produce 171 pounds of greenhouse gases.
Now, that might not sound like much. But if only 2% of American households switched from paper to online bills, payments and statements, it would save 15 million pounds of paper, and be equivalent to taking 32,572 cars off the road. If 20% of households switched, it would save 150 million pounds of paper and avoid producing 3.9 billion pounds of greenhouse gases!
~~~~~
The Feds started sending out our “Recession Recovery Rebate Checks” this week. Gary Foreman has a recommendation on how to spend yours;
“As you may have heard, the Bush Administration said each of us would get a rebate check to stimulate the economy.
If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China. If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs, if we purchase a computer it will go to India, if we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala, if we purchase a good car it will go to Japan, if we purchase useless stuff it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy.
We need to keep that money here in America. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it at yard sales, since those are the only businesses still in the US.”
~~~~~
Looking for a disease that can result in blindness and/or sterility? How about one that causes birth defects in the womb? Well, we’ve got a real winner here folks.
~
U.S. Faces Largest Measles Outbreak in Seven Years as Kids Head to Camp
By KATE BARRETT
May 2, 2008—

The United States is facing its largest measles outbreak in seven years -- and measles spreads fast. After someone with measles coughs or sneezes, the virus lingers for up to two hours after that person walks away. “...it's extremely contagious," said Anne Schuchat, director of the CDCPNCIRD. "Somebody could get measles without ever having been in the office at the same time as the first child."

What to Look For
A rash, high fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes are all symptoms of the measles, according to the CDC.
Other distinguishing symptoms, include a "very, very characteristic" rash that starts on a person's trunk and spreads to the limbs, face and the neck. Upon closer observation, doctors also see tiny white spots on the inside of the infected person's mouth.

How to Prevent Getting Measles
Getting vaccinated is the most surefire way to prevent catching the disease, as the CDC reports that the vaccine is 99 percent effective.
While about 96 percent of U.S. kindergarten-age children are vaccinated, there are, increasingly, pockets of people across the country who opt out of vaccines for personal or religious reasons.
Of those who got measles this year, just one had received the full two doses of vaccine that the CDC recommends getting before age 6. The measles vaccine is administered as MMR, a vaccine that protects people from measles, mumps and rubella.

"Get 'em vaccinated," Vanderbilt's Schaffner said. "We have two obligations -- to ourselves and to everyone else that we live with."

Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
~~~~~
Vanessa wrote us to check out Jimmy’s Blog on their church website. I did and I’m sharing three of his latest post with y’all.
~
Hey, friends,
You've just got to read Jimmy's blogs for April 14th, 17th, and 30th. Way cool. http://thelighthousechurch.publishpath.com/, Click on Pastor's Blog.
Much love,
Vanessa
~
Blessings (Mixed and Otherwise)
Monday, April 14, 2008 - jimmy Malone
Today I've been thinking about blessings. You know, "Count your blessings one by one..." Of course, one of the great secrets of the faith life is knowing how to recognize a blessing when you see one. In the course of life, every action, occurrence, accident or circumstance weaves into the fabric of fate..or happenstance, whichever you believe. Remove the one, you alter the whole. Irrevocably. For instance, most of the success I saw in my second pastorate was directly related to the mistakes I lived through in my first church. But I wish sometimes I would have never made those mistakes. The could-have, should-have, might-have-beens...the pain I carry from my unkind words, or the embarrassment I feel from my foolish presumptions never totally leaves me. But I carry it a better man. Blessing? You bet. But I would rather escape a few more like that.

They say you live and learn, but all this living and learning has nearly killed me at times. I am reminded of the young married man who told me he sometimes felt like hitting his wife. I rebuked him sharply. He never confided in me again. He was divorced sometime later. Why didn’t I have compassion on him, tell him I understood how frustrating relationships could be, and help him get a grip on God’s grace? But I am a more considerate, and careful, counselor for it. Blessing? Sure doesn’t feel like it. But maybe this festering, decaying regret has served to fertilize the roots of fruitful ministry.

I also remember going to the nursing home to visit an avowed agnostic. His son, worried for his soul, had asked me to share the Gospel with him. He was on death’s door. But by the time I got to see him, he was better. I found him very friendly and delightful. “I need to build some report with this fellow and build up to talking about his eternal condition,” I said to myself. We laughed and chatted. I left him with the promise to check on him in a week. He died three days later. This fuels my righteous passion for lost souls. So it is a blessing, right? I do not think so.

The true blessing is that God is still gracious to use me, even after my callous ineptitude. Even when I have sinned. When I was well-intentioned but wrong. In the end, His grace is the only real blessing. In a world that is cursed with Adam’s fall (and my fall…and yours) only the interjection of His Cross could bring the possibility of blessing. Paul told the Galatian Christians that Jesus endured the curse of hanging on a cross so that we could be blessed of God. It is not my regret that causes me to be a better person, but rather His forgiveness and His Holy Spirit redeeming my foolishness.

In light of my list of failures and regrets, I truly am blessed.
~
Sunday {be the} Church
Thursday, April 17, 2008 - jimmy Malone
I have had a paradigm shift...a sea change...an epiphany. OK, maybe not an epiphany, but I am seeing things in a whole new way. As a church, how much of our effort, resources, planning, concern, and emotional capital go to the "church service"? How much for souls? Hmm. Now, if your weekly services are winning souls [i.e. Doug McAllister] cool. I 'm with you. But my weekly services, like most churches' weekly services, rarely win souls. And I have gone to every length to make them win souls. Thus the quasi-epiphany: There are more people outside the building than in the building on Sunday...Hey, are you still there?... I thought I lost you there for a minute. Pretty shocking , huh?

Here's the shift--We are trimming down our weekly services to simple worship and teaching on Saturday night. Yes, that's what I said. But we still get together on Sunday mornings to pray and then [hang on to something] go OUTSIDE. Yes, there. I know, I know, that's not how we do it. We are supposed to tell them to come in here. We don't just show up out there. But that's the genius of it: They will never see this coming!

What if, while we are waiting for the world to come, Jesus is waiting for the Church to go? All right y'all, I'm busting out of here.

Maybe it was an epiphany...
~
Contemplating Revival
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - jimmy Malone
Thank God for revival. Real, soul-wrenching revival. Not everyone agrees on what it is, but most of us in the church believe we need it. Is it God's response to man's impassioned prayers, or a sovereign, unexpected move of a holy God? Like everything else in God's plan, I can't nail down a simple answer. I can only tell you that there are times that I seek Him with a new hunger (hunger He alone can give, by the way) and the Holy Spirit brings me into a fresh experience of the love, power, and majesty of Jesus Christ. But other times, I am really caught up in my routine and find myself arrested by an inescapable grace. The blows of sweet love break my heart like a twenty pound sledge. I'll take either.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come.
~~~~~
ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.
There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America .
If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the up-coming election, world peace, the safety of our troops, and for the revival of Christianity in this great country.
Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.
Thanks to Robert Lyons
~~~~~
Barksdale Air Show May 10 & 11 - [http://www.barksdaleafbairshow.com/]
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14th ANNUAL ALBEMARLE BASS TOURNAMENT - May 10, 2008
Where: Lake Columbia – North Shore Landing
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $40.00 per boat plus $10.00 per team for Big Bass Contest
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PRE-REGISTRATION CONTACT:
Jim Hall 235-6225 or 235-6462
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The Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-off is coming - MAY 17TH
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Magnolia Blossom Festival (May 16-17) T-Shirts are now on sale! S - XL $11, XXL $13 and XXXL $15.
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Mark Your Calendars!!!! Albemarle Kids' Fishing Tournament - May 31
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COMMUNICATION NOTICE: We have switched Internet Service Providers and our e-mail address is now kc5hii@suddenlink.net.
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Last week we watched (from NetFlix) [Ratings are my own]:
Charlie Wilson's War [4.5] Starring Tom Hanks ... Amy Adams ... and Julia Roberts
Veronica Mars: Season 1: Disc 2 [7.5] Starring Kristen Bell and Enrico Colantoni
Veronica Mars: Season 1: Disc 3 [7.5] Starring Kristen Bell and Enrico Colantoni
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This week we read; The dark tide / by Andrew Gross. Sleeping dogs / by Ed Gorman. Death by sudoku / by Kaye Morgan.
We’re currently reading; Deluge, bk.3 / by Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. And Moment of Truth in Iraq by Michael Yon
We recommend “Artisan bread in five minutes a day : the discovery that revolutionizes home baking” / by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois ; photography by Mark Luinenburg. .
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http://www.shelfari.com/BugsBleat/shelf?ec=7D790D174EFS18012
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"Carrier" started Sunday, on AETN, the Arkansas Educational Television Network. I've been catching pieces of this PBS Series and hope someone (hear this kids) will give me the complete set for Christmas.
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The photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” were taken during the Prairie Home Companion Show in Hot Springs. If you look behind Garrison you can see folks sitting on the set porch. Those are the seats Annette and I want next time we see this show.
~~~~~
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.bugsbleat4q08.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.
~~~~~
A Senate committee is looking into a report that says the Bush administration is hampering the ability of Environmental Protection Agency scientists to assess the health dangers of toxic chemicals. The Government Accounting Office has just concluded an investigation of the EPA's chemical risk assessment program.
The GAO report, obtained by The Associated Press, said the EPA's ability to conduct timely, science-based risks assessments was being undermined by allowing greater involvement in the process by nonscientists, often in secret.
At issue is the EPA's screening of chemicals used in everything from household products to rocket fuel to determine whether they pose serious risk of cancer or other illnesses.
A review process begun by the White House in 2004 and imposed formally by the EPA earlier this month is adding more speed bumps for EPA scientists, the GAO said in its report.
GAO investigators said extensive involvement by EPA managers, White House budget officials and other agencies has eroded the independence of EPA scientists charged with determining the health risks posed by chemicals.

[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=2008-04-29_D90BEBM80&show_article=1&cat=breaking]
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BATON ROUGE, La., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The board of directors of leading global specialty chemicals manufacturer Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) has approved a move of its corporate headquarters to Baton Rouge from Richmond, Va., continuing a series of strategic changes designed to strengthen the sustainability of the company and establish a platform for future growth.
"We are focused on maximizing Albemarle's global position to create long-term value and momentum, and relocating our corporate headquarters to Louisiana is a key element of this strategy," said Albemarle President and CEO Mark C. Rohr.
The company had considered combining executive and administrative offices for some time and evaluated several cities in the southeast.
"There were many factors that drove our decision, but we were particularly impressed with the level of collaboration between the State administration, the City-Parish and the local business community to meet our needs and drive the process," Rohr said. "Ultimately, the combination of the new administration's ability to drive progressive initiatives for the State, our confidence in the direction of the City of Baton Rouge, and the close proximity to many of our key customers and suppliers, made it clear that Louisiana is the right choice for Albemarle.
"Albemarle has a rich history in Baton Rouge, with over 600 employees and nearly 700 retirees living in the area, so we are very pleased to formally name Louisiana as our corporate headquarters," Rohr continued. "With a $15 million catalyst manufacturing expansion well under way, a new, $6 million polymer R&D lab under construction, and a multi-million dollar renovation of our downtown offices in progress, Albemarle is raising its stake in both the state and local economies. We look forward to continued growth and remain committed to the region's economic success."
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Recipe(s) of the week - - - Taco Bake
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 can corn, drained
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups baking mix (I lean toward Bisquik)
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Cornmeal
Mix the hamburger with the taco seasoning, corn and tomato sauce. Spread into a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle cheese evenly over. Stir baking mix, milk and eggs together until well-blended. Pour/spread over cheese layer. Dust with cornmeal. Bake at 350 uncovered for about 35 minutes. (Poke a hole in the middle to make sure.) Serve with beans, salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips.
Mmm! Enjoy.

http://www.publicradio.org/columns/prairiehome/sundberg/
~~~~~
BreakPoint
With Chuck Colson
Why We Whisper
5/2/2008

The Economic Costs of Sin

Imagine the following social experiment: You divide up Americans into two groups. Those who agreed to live by traditional moral values live in certain states. Those who reject traditional values take up residence in other states that would allow them to do whatever they pleased, morally speaking.

After 20 years, which states would be better off—economically speaking? The traditional values states would be far better off, because the liberal states would be spending $500 billion dollars every year dealing with the economic costs of their moral decisions.

Senator Jim DeMint and David Woodard outline those costs in their book, titled: Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It’s Wrong. As the authors note, “As elected officials and judges continue to throw traditions overboard from the ship of state,” conspicuously absent from the political debate “is the mounting cost in dollars [and] debt.”

For example, there is the cost in treating sexually transmitted diseases. Research shows that more than half of all Americans will contract a sexually transmitted disease at some point. The cost: Some $17 billion in higher taxes and health insurance costs every year. And that does not include secondary costs, like treating cervical cancer, infertility, birth defects, and brain damage. And yet, our government does little or nothing to discourage premarital sex.

And then there are the huge costs of out-of-wedlock childbearing. Welfare costs alone to single-parent families amount to $148 billion per year. We pay indirectly, as well, through costs associated with child abuse—much more common in single-parent homes—and in higher crime rates.

We know about this at Prison Fellowship. We see it in the faces of the inmates day after day. Crime and incarceration rates are soaring—so much so that corrections budgets in many states exceed education budgets. And what is the leading cause of crime? Fatherless families, the lack of moral training during the morally formative years, according to respected studies.

Americans spend billions on abortions—mostly to single women—not counting the expense of treating post-abortion medical and psychological problems.

We also pay huge economic bills associated with pornography and government-sponsored gambling. We pay for the easy availability of divorce and for the choice of many to cohabit instead of marry. In time we will, like Scandinavian countries, be asked to pay the economic costs of destroying traditional marriage.

As DeMint and Woodward write, the quest for unfettered moral freedom has come at a very steep price—a price we all pay, whether we engage in these behaviors or not. And at the same time as we pay—more and more each year—we are being told we are narrow-minded bigots if we speak out against the destructive behaviors that are causing the increased costs.

The economic costs—not to mention the costs in human suffering—are why you and I need to speak out. We ought to insist that our lawmakers support policies that make good economic sense and relieve human misery. Instead of making biblical arguments, which sadly, most people do not listen to anymore, we ought to make prudential ones: that encouraging destructive behavior is destroying the economic health of our nation. And it is demonstrable.

If special-interest groups and liberal lawmakers tell us to pipe down and stop trying to “impose our morality” on everyone else, we need to remind our leaders of that little clause in the Constitution: the one that talks about promoting the general welfare.

This is part two of a two-part series.

Charles Colson on Politics and the Christian Faith—call 1-877-322-5527 to learn more about this four-part DVD curriculum.

Jim DeMint and J. David Woodard, Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It’s Wrong (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., January 2008).

Star Parker, White Ghetto (Thomas Nelson, March 2006).

Dave Kopel, “Fatherlessness: The Root Cause,” National Review Online, 2 May 2000.

BreakPoint Commentary No. 080501, “The Whisper Zone: Why We’re Losing Our Right to Speak Out.”

BreakPoint Commentary No. 040624, “Take Your Choice: Parents or Prisons?”

Stephen Baskerville, “The Politics of Fatherhood,” Fathers for Life, December 2002.

Stephen Baskerville, “The Criminalization of Fatherhood,” Fathers for Life, September 2000.

Sara McLanahan, “Father Absence and the Welfare Children,” Network on the Family and the Economy.

Fathers for Life also provides statistics on Children of Divorce and Separation: Consequence of Father Absence.

Also for further study, see a full statistical overview on the Myths and Facts about Fatherlessness.

For further reading of the effect of fatherlessness visit links on Fathers for Life homepage.

David MacRae, “The Root Causes of Crime,” The Contrarian, June 2000.

Catherine Claire, “Abortion Changes You,” The Point, 30 April 2008.

© 2008 Prison Fellowship - - http://www.breakpoint.org/site_hmpg.asp
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Words of the Week:
cloy: to weary or become distasteful through excess.
halcyon: peaceful; undisturbed; happy.
epigone: an inferior imitator.
confluence: a flowing or coming together.
posit: to postulate; also, to suggest.
maelstrom: a large, powerful whirlpool; also, a violent, disordered, or turbulent state of affairs.
gimcrack: a showy but useless or worthless object.
lenity: the state or quality of being lenient.
from Dictionary.Com
~~~~~
"When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other." - Eric Hoffer

"To do the opposite of something is also a form of imitation, namely an imitation of its opposite." - Georg Lichtenberg

"There are persons who, when they cease to shock us, cease to interest us." - F.H. Bradley

"Be careful how you interpret the world: it *is* like that." - Erich Heller

"A very popular error - having the courage of one's convictions: Rather it is a matter of having the courage for an attack upon one's convictions." - Friedrich Nietzsche
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

Iran's Unprecedented Crackdown on Youth is Driving them to Christ
Character Wins Out over Competition in Oregon College Softball Game
The Western Wall is Crumbling; Discovery Prompts Delicate Repair Plans
United Methodists Vote to Uphold Traditional Marriage
Young Girl Goes to Heavenly Surgery Room; Receives Healing From Crippling Diseases
Remarks by the President on the National Day of Prayer
Man With Severed Finger Says Revolutionary "Extra-Cellular Matrix" Powder Regrew His Finger—Nerves, Nail, Skin and All
Commander of Famed Holocaust Refugee Ship Exodus Dies; Honored in Israel as One of a "Generation of Giants"
"Never again" Holocaust Remembrance Day begins Wednesday Evening in Israel
Virginia Residents Count their Blessings and Take Stock of Miraculous Events amid Devastating Tornadoes
Millions United, One Day, One Voice—the National Day of Prayer May 1st, 2008
Christian Author and Rancher John L. Moore Asks Americans to Pray for Rain on National Day of Prayer
Family of Fallen Marine Tells the Press their Faith Sustains them
Messages of Hope Saturate Jamaica in 3-City Festival with Andrew Palau
Outrage as Accusations of Racially Targeted Abortions by Planned Parenthood Grow
Citizen Link Reminds Values Voters to Thank Representatives Who Support Abstinence Education
C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters Plays in the Nation's Capitol
Brazilian Judge Rules Rape Induced Abortion Law Unconstitutional
President Bush Attends White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools
Huge Oil Finds in Brazil May End Reliance on Middle East Crude

310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-2642
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US Orders: 1-866-358-7426
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GCF: Former Co-worker?

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

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to Good Clean Fun. It's free! A smile will enhance the quality of your life. Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit the Good Clean Fun web site http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor/ Unsubscribe info for Good Clean Fun is at the end of this email. This email was scanned by F-Secure before it was sent.
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At the outpatient surgery center where I work, the anesthesiologist often chatted with patients before their operations to help them relax.

One day he thought he recognized a woman as a co-worker at the VA hospital where he had trained.

When the patient confirmed that his hunch was correct, he said, "So, tell me, is the food still as bad as it used to be?"

"Well, I suppose," she replied, "I'm still cooking there."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Tax Tip

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

Worried about an IRS audit? Avoid what's called a red flag. That's something the IRS always looks for.

As an example, if you have some money left in your bank account after paying your taxes. That's a red flag.
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Rush Hour

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

My friend, a trucker, is often caught in commuter rush-hour traffic. One morning when everything came to a standstill, he sat high up in his 18-wheeler singing and whistling.

A passenger in a nearby car, frustrated by the delay, yelled up at my brother, "What are you so happy about?"

"I'm already at work!" he cheerfully replied.
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Car Won't Start

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
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A husband came home from work one evening. He walked in the house and saw his wife sitting on the couch watching TV. She told him she was having trouble with her car.

"My car won't start," she said. "But I know what the problem is."

"OK, What's the problem?" the husband asked.

"There's water in the carburetor," she replied.

"Come on, honey," the husband said. "You don't know how a car works, much less what the parts look like, so how can you tell me there's water in the carburetor?"

"There's definitely water in the carburetor," the wife insisted.

"OK," the husband said. "I'll go take a look. Where is it?"

The wife said, "In the lake."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: British Speed Trap

Emailed to me another humor list (Good Clean Funnies List) -Tom To subscribe The Good Clean Funnies List, (not to be confused with this list, which is Good Clean Fun) send an email to: gcfl-request@gcfl.net with subject = add
---------------------------------------------

Two British traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident while checking for speeding motorists on the A-1 Great North Road. One of the officers used a hand-held radar device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill, and was surprised when the speed was recorded at over 300 mph. Their radar suddenly stopped working and the officers were not able to reset it.

Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact latched on to a NATO Tornado fighter jet, which was engaged in a low-flying exercise over the Border district, approaching from the North Sea.

Back at police headquarters, the chief constable fired off a stiff complaint to the RAF Liaison office. Back came the reply in true laconic RAF style:

"Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it.

"Furthermore, an air-to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment.

"Fortunately, the pilot flying the Tornado recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile systems alert status, and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was destroyed. Good Day..."
_ ____________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / I've tried to find a suitable \ \_/ ////
\ / exercise video for men my age, \ /
\ _/ but they haven't made one called \_ /
/ / "Abs of Putty." \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ /Never, under any circumstances,\ \_/ ////
\ / take a sleeping pill and \ /
\ _/ a laxative on the same night. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / I'm going to live forever, \ /
\ _/ or die trying! \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / A computer lets you make more \ \_/ ////
\ / mistakes faster than any \ /
\ _/ any invention in human history \_ /
/ / - with the possible \ \
exception of tequila.
(((\ \>|_/ )_____________________________( \_|\\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / \ /
\ _/ Dyslexics have more nuf. \_ /
/ / \ \
_ ____________________________ _
| 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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Found in a Newspaper from Holland this week...................

"We in Holland cannot figure out why you are even bothering to hold an election.

On one side, you have a lawyer, married to a lawyer, and a lawyer who is married to a lawyer.

On the other side, you have a true war hero married to a good looking woman who owns a beer distributorship.

Is there a contest here?"

Thanks to Gary Foreman
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Southern Thinking

Georgia:

The owner of a golf course was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help. He called her into his office and said, ' You graduated from the University of Georgia and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off? '

The secretary thought a moment, and then replied,

'Everything but my earrings. '
******************************
Alabama:

A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck ' Where ' s Henry? ' the others asked.

'Henry had a stroke of some kind He ' s a couple of mil es back up the trail, ' the successful hunter replied. '

You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back? ' they inquired.

'A tough call, ' nodded the hunter.

'But I figured no one is going to steal Henry! '
******************************
Louisiana:

A senior at LSU was overheard saying , 'When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana . '

When asked why, he replied he ' d rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world.
*****************************
Mississippi:

The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, ' Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot! '

Bubba replied, ' Did you see who it was?

'The young man answered, ' I couldn ' t tell, but I got the license number. '
*******************************
Tennessee:

A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65.

The trooper asked, ' Got any ID? '

The driver replied, ' Bout whut? '
*******************************
Arkansas:

A man in Little Rock had a flat tire, pulled onto the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait.

A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The man replied, ' I have a flat tire. '

The passerby asked, ' But what ' s with the flowers? '

The man responded, ' When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither. '
************************
And my favorite:

You can say what you want about the South, but you never hear of anyone retiring and moving North...

Thanks to David Lamb
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Vegetables

A single friend of mine probably won't make a great mother. She was visiting with a friend and her friend's baby when the friend had to use the restroom.

Being left to watch the infant for a bit, the single friend asked, "What'll I do if he cries?"

"Feed him some vegetables," the mother called back.

It turns out that jalapeno isn't the baby's favorite.

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

Funny Guys

Three comedians are shooting the breeze at the back of a nightclub after a late gig. They've heard one another's material so much, they've reached the point where they don't need to say the jokes anymore to amuse each other -- they just need to refer to each joke by a number.

"Number 37!" cracks the first comic, and the others break
up.

"Number 53!" says the second guy, and they howl.

Finally, it's the third comic's turn. "44!" he quips. He gets nothing. Crickets.

"What?" he asks. "Isn't 44 funny?"

"Sure, it's usually hilarious," they answer. "But the way you tell it..."

Received from ArcaMax Jokes.

(-:][:-)

Who Says Rednecks Are Dumb?

"Hello, is this the sheriff's office?"

"Yes. What can I do for you?"

"I'm calling to report 'bout my neighbor Virgil Smith. He's hidin' marijuana inside his firewood! Don't quite know how he gets it inside them logs, but he's hidin' it there."

"Thank you very much for the call, sir."

The next day, the sheriff's deputies descend on Virgil's house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept. Using axes, they bust open every piece of wood, but find no marijuana. They sneer at Virgil and leave. Shortly, the phone rings at Virgil's house.

"Hey, Virgil! This here's Floyd. Did the sheriff come?"

"Yeah!"

"Did they chop your firewood?"

"Yep!"

"Happy birthday, buddy!"

Received from Trey Nolen.

(-:][:-)

Poorest Preacher

After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money."

"Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?"

"Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."

Received from DOC'S DAILY CHUCKLE.

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
Rate this funny at http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20060113
Brought to you by GCFL.net: The Good, Clean Funnies List A cheerful heart is good medicine... (Prov 17:22a) Mail address: GCFL, Box 100, Harvest, AL 35749, USA
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Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/revelwithaclause.html - - REVEL WITH A CLAUSE
Your closest friends keep badgering you to join them on a trip. You're running out of excuses and may be forced to go along. Can friendship survive seven days of constant contact? Will you loathe each other by the time you return?

Joint vacations can be a challenge to any relationship. But with patience, a sense of humor and the help of this agreement, you can take that trip and keep your friendship intact.

AGREEMENT entered into this __________, 20__ by two close couples who would like to remain friends.

WHEREAS, Couples A and B are about to embark on a shared vacation;

WHEREAS, Couple B would rather stay home, but has agreed to give this trip a try;

WHEREAS, Couples want to work out ground rules so their friendship won't self-destruct.

NOW, THEREFORE, Couples agree to the following vacation terms:

1. The trip shall commence on a date determined after consulting Couples' children, employers, and baby-sitters. It shall not involve backpacks or a tent.

2. Once a date has been chosen, Couples shall enter into vacation spot negotiations. The following factors shall be duly considered in the course of site selection:

(a.) Wife A burns if she glances out a window.

(b.) Wife B loves to sprawl out on the beach.

(c.) Husband A considers himself an art aficionado.

(d.) Husband B admires prints of large-eyed tots.

(e.) Couple A likes to read while listening to Rossini.

(f.) Couple B would rather meander through discount shops.

(g.) Couple B enjoys aquariums and dolphin shows.

(h.) Couple A favors trout broiled with soy sauce.

3. When Couples have narrowed the site down to a particular city or town, they shall select accommodations giving due consideration to the following:

(a.) Couple A likes to splurge while on vacation and sometimes even self-indulge.

(b.) Couple B's concept of luxury is four walls, a door lock, and no kids.

4. If Couples can not agree on mutually satisfactory accommodations, each Couple shall choose its own lodgings within a ten mile radius of the other Couple's selection, subject to the following:

(a.) Couple B shall not complain about the clanging AC or mattress-induced back-aches.

(b.) Couple A shall not brag about the beach side view, the canopy bed, or the bathroom phone.

5. Each Couple shall rent a car to accommodate quick escapes when Couples are tempted to throttle each other or can't agree on where to eat.

6. Meal selection shall be made with the following factors in mind:

(a.) Couple A prefers hotly seasoned food.

(b.) Salt is Couple B's favorite spice.

(c.) Wife A vigilantly avoids red meat.

(d.) Husband B is a beef and potatoes guy.

(e.) Couple A favors fancy, gourmet fare.

(f.) Couple B figures if it's good enough for Bill Clinton, it's good enough for them.

7. Each time any of the parties wants to eat, Couples shall take an appetite survey. If two or more individuals are hungry, Couples shall dine. However, if only one person is hungry, he or she shall munch on a candy bar selected in his or her sole discretion.

8. Thirty minutes per meal shall be allotted for restaurant selection. If Couples can not agree within said period, Couple A may pick a restaurant without giving any consideration to the likes or dislikes of Couple B. The next meal negotiations breakdown shall be handled in the same manner, except that Couple B shall make the restaurant choice.

9. Martyr-like dining activity shall not be engaged in. For example, nobody shall frown at the menu for fifteen minutes and then say "That's okay. I really wasn't hungry." Additionally, eating off someone else's plate is banned without the plate owner's express written permission.

10. Couples acknowledge that they have differing vacation activity preferences. In choosing joint activities, they shall attempt to ensure that neither Couple is miserable more than half the time. Moreover, Couples shall be open to new experiences and willing to partake in each other's favorite leisure pursuits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no scuba-diving, bungee jumping or opera attendance shall be required.

11. Couples shall avoid comments such as the following:

(a.) "Is this supposed to be fun?"

(b.) "You want to what?"

12. If either couple really detests an activity or just can't stand the sight of the other Couple for another second, the following shall be deemed proper get-away etiquette:

(a.) Claiming you're desperate for a nap.

(b.) Developing an allergy to wherever you happen to be.

(c.) Suddenly recalling that you forgot to check on the kids.

Such excuses shall be followed by feigned disappointment, a hasty exit, and a deep sigh of relief had by all.

13. Before leaving for their trip, Couples shall list the reasons why they are friends. Couples must re-read said lists as soon as they get home and promptly phone and beg for forgiveness.

WHEREFORE, We affix our signatures.

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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| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
May 2, 2008
Stress
Today's Safety From the Heart message was submitted by Pam Kemp.

If we could do this it could eliminate many hours of stress! Lower Blood pressure and increase positive safe concentration.
Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... 'Love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don't.'
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
April 30, 2008
Potential Energy
Today's Message is from Lisa Coen (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).

I'm no Physics whiz, but one of the concepts from Physics I recall that relates to Safety is that of Potential Energy. An object has potential energy if it is in an elevated location, because it has the potential to fall. Objects have more energy with increased size and weight. Relate this concept to falling objects at the plant, and falls in general. Consider any unsecured item (a toolbox, hose, water cooler, yourself) above ground level as having the potential to fall and strike with the force of that energy.
Be aware of the laws of physics so that potential energy doesn't hurt you or someone else!
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
April 29, 2008
Weather is Changing
Today's Message is from Dick Waller (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).

The weather is changing. Right now its still somewhat cool and with low humidity you can get a sunburn without even knowing. Protect your skin from the sun. Use sunscreen, skin cancer is on the rise. Don't fall victim to something you can prevent.
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The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.
http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/

Here are links to items posted on The Pump Handle over the past week: ** "EPA Official Tries to Make Dow Clean up Dioxin, Gets Forced Out" by Liz Borkowski Mary Gade, the Bush administration's top environmental regulator in the Midwest, has been forced out of her job after trying to make Dow Chemical clean up four dioxin hot spots. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/epa-official-forced-out/

** "Washington Post on the Global Food Crisis" by Liz Borkowski A Washington Post series on the global food crisis looks at the forces shaping corn and wheat supplies, and how global shortages of these staples is affecting businesses and families around the globe. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/washington-post-on-the-global-food-crisis/

** "FDA Hiring for Public Health" by Liz Borkowski FDA announces plans to hire hundreds of new employees to help it fulfill its responsibilities to assure the safety of food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/fda-hiring-for-public-health/

** "Occupational Health News Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Stories this week focused on artisanal mining in Congo, the need to strengthen OSHA penalties, and paid leave laws. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/occupational-health-news-roundup-63/

** "Mining Industry Sues MSHA Over Asbestos Rule" by Celeste Monforton Just as the 60-day deadline approached for filing a legal challenge to a new health standard to protect mine workers from asbestos exposure, mining industry trade associations submitted their petitions in federal court for judicial review of the rule. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/mining-industry-sues-msha-over-asbsestos-rule/

** "OMB Slows EPA Chemical Assessments" by Liz Borkowski A new Government Accountability Office report explains how a new policy from the White House Office of Management and Budget slows the addition of new information on chemicals' health effects to the EPA's IRIS database. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/omb-slows-epa-chemical-assessments/

** "Workers' Memorial Day" by Liz Borkowski On Workers' Memorial Day (April 28) we remember the victims of workplace deaths, injuries, and illnesses. According to the International Labor Organization, 2.2 million people die from work-related accidents and diseases every year, and another 430 million suffer from work-related illnesses or nonfatal accidents. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/workers-memorial-day/

** "30 Years Ago: 51 Workers Die at Willow Island" by Celeste Monforton Thirty years ago, 51 workers died at the construction of the cooling towers at the Pleasants Power Station at Willow Island, West Virginia - and many of the problems that existed then are still present today. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/04/27/30-years-ago-51-workers-die-at-willow-island/

** "Friday Blog Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Bloggers report on drug regulation, abstinence-only sex education, and the Zombie Squad approach to public health preparedness. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/friday-blog-roundup-72/

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.

The Nation

Esther Kaplan of the Nation has written a wonderful article that has highlighted the site, blog, petition, HR5522, the Imperial Sugar explosion, Workers Meorial Day and what I have been up to lately. [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080512/kaplan]

Esther has been very eloquent and kind with her written words she has a way of not only packing information in but getting the point across. To be honest I think this is the first time have ever felt like tooting my own horn;o) but through Esther's words I feel like a pat on the back and hey I'll do it myself.

Alas back to reality. I am a firm believer that it takes a village so I never take credit for any accomplishments, they ALL will and have been made with many who persevere and care enough to make a difference.

During this Workers Memorial Day we have had several families involved in events some old timers (meaning 4/5 years) and some newbee's but all have shown they have what it takes. The have given the issues a human side one of the key components of real change.

I want to thank all those who have included the Family Bill of Rights and the families in there efforts once we join have all joined forces our (the video used where families could not be) battle cries will be heard!

As wonderful and encouraging as the events were this year I am tired and ready for a break but that doesn't happen in my world so looks like there will be more from me on the blog once again like it or not.

God Bless you all!

Oh I almost forgot Esther and I will be interviewed by (RadioNation) by Laura Flanders
and I am not sure on this one but i think it is aired on Air America...I may be wrong so if anyone out there knows pass along the info please.

http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
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NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed weekly. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/

01. Spc. David P. McCormick, 26, of Fresno, Texas, died April 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his forward operating base came under rocket attack. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

02. Senior Airman Jonathan A. V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, Calif., died April 29 near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

03. Sgt. 1st Class David L. McDowell, 30, of Ramona, Calif., died April 29 in Bastion, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

04. The Department of Defense announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pfc. William T. Dix, 32, of Culver City, Calif., died April 27 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, I Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their forward operating base with indirect fire. Killed were:
05. Pfc. Adam L. Marion, 26, of Mount Airy, N.C. He was assigned to the 171st Engineer Company, North Carolina Army National Guard, Saint Pauls, N.C.
06. Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills, Fla. He was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.
07. Sgt. Mark A. Stone, 22, of Buchanan Dam, Texas. He was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.

08. Staff Sgt. Clay A. Craig, 22, of Mesquite, Texas, died April 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when he received small arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

09. Sgt. Merlin German, 22 of Manhattan, N.Y., died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Feb. 22, 2005. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif., while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. German’s parent unit was the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was medically retired Sept. 28, 2007, as a result of his injuries.

10. Staff Sgt. Bryan E. Bolander, 26, of Bakersfield, Calif., died April 29 in Baghdad from wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were:
11. Cpt. Andrew. R. Pearson, 32, of Billings, Mont.
12. Spc. Ronald J. Tucker, 21, of Fountain, Colo.

~

Soldiers Missing from the Korean War are Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

They are Cpl. Robert L. Mason of Parkersburg, W.Va.; and Pfc. Joseph K. Meyer Jr., of Wahpeton, N.D., both U.S. Army. Both men will be buried Saturday. Mason will be buried in Belpre, Ohio, and Meyer will be buried in Wahpeton.

Representatives from the Army met with the next-of-kin of these men to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.

Mason was assigned to B Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, and Meyer was assigned to K Company, 31st Infantry Regiment. Both were attached to the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 7th Infantry Division. The team was engaged against the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, from late November to early December, 1950. Both men died as result of intense enemy fire, and their bodies were not recovered at the time.

Between 2001 and 2005, joint U.S. and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted excavations of several burial sites near the Chosin Reservoir. The sites correlate closely with defensive positions held by the 31st RCT at the time of the Chinese attacks. The teams recovered remains there believed to be those of U.S. servicemen. Analysis of the remains recovered from the sites led to the identification of several individuals, including Mason and Meyer.

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

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) 699-1420.
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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

14th Annual Albemarle Bass Tournament - May 10, 2008
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Barksdale Air Show May 10 & 11
http://www.barksdaleafbairshow.com/
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The Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cookoff is coming - MAY 17TH
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Mark Your Calendars!!!! Albemarle Kids' Fishing Tournament - May 31
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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!!!
Psa 145:18-21 Psa 145:2-5 Phil 3:7-9 Luke 24:36-38 http://www.e-min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

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