This is Week 34 of 2010►Day 236 with 129 days left.
FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS
I had a nice lunch with a former co-worker from TC and Kaibeto. Annie is retired and is looking over her diary from her youth and turning it into a manuscript. She is still very political and had some good observations about the upcoming Navajo elections. She is always an interesting conversationalist. I always have to spend a few days thinking about what she has said to let in sink in and work itself into my understanding of reality.
I learned something interesting today; I did not know who was the first US President to add the Qur’an to the White House Library right next to the Bible. I did not know which President honored Muslim World Leaders with not one, but five iftars—the Muslim dinner held during Ramadan after sunset—in the White House. It is very sad that the crazies against the Mosque in NY and the crazies who are spreading lies about Obama’s faith and the crazies who are scaring Americans with lies don’t remember that President George Bush—after the 9-11 bombings spent the rest of his administration telling the American people and world leaders that Islam is not bad. I was never a fan of Bush; I enjoyed collecting ‘Bushisms’ that were so easy to find; I did not want us to invade Iraq; I didn’t want him leading our country. One thing he did, and quite well, was to not allow the American people or any sector of the press to persecute innocent Muslims or Islam. He stated over and over that Muslim was not a synonym of terrorism. The War on Terror was exactly what he said—a war on terror and not a war on Islam or Muslims.
Obama is in a very difficult situation. He is seen as a Black President. He has never denied that his father was a Muslim. He has always stated that he is Christian. He tells all who ask that his faith is important to him, that he prays daily, that he gets a morning devotion on his Blackberry every morning. The crazies out there are scared. Many are anti-Black, anti-anything not their form of Christianity. We are a free country and people can say just about anything they want to. As a free country we don’t have to listen to the crazies, anymore than we listen to those who wear tinfoil hats to keep out the space aliens brainwave signals.
It was a good day in Flagstaff. Our high of 80° with 70% humidity was not as bad as it sounds, we had a nice breeze to keep that sticky air moving. My back yard neighbor continues to have workers adding a hot tub and a small redwood patio. The guys start about 8am every work day and finish about 4pm. I know these times because the building has been going on for about a week—the power saw, the air hammer, and the banging of boards has greatly reduced my bird population’s feeding habits. It is going to be very nice when it’s finished and that day can’t come any too soon. I’m sure the lady having it built feels the same way.
QUOTES FOR THE DAY
President George W. Bush—all quotes were AFTER 9-11.
Here in the United States our Muslim citizens are making many contributions in business, science and law, medicine and education, and in other fields. Muslim members of our Armed Forces and of my administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation's ideals of liberty and justice in a world at peace.
Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity. Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need. Charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns. And gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance. Muslims often invite members of other families to their evening iftar meals, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance"
America treasures the relationship we have with our many Muslim friends, and we respect the vibrant faith of Islam which inspires countless individuals to lead lives of honesty, integrity, and morality. This year, may Eid also be a time in which we recognize the values of progress, pluralism, and acceptance that bind us together as a Nation and a global community. By working together to advance mutual understanding, we point the way to a brighter future for all.
Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my country, and to more than a billion people worldwide. Ramadan is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind.
Ours is a war not against a religion, not against the Muslim faith. But ours is a war against individuals who absolutely hate what America stands for, and hate the freedom of the Czech Republic. And therefore, we must work together to defend ourselves. And by remaining strong and united and tough, we'll prevail.
Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans. Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others. Ours is a country based upon tolerance and we welcome people of all faiths in America.
We see in Islam a religion that traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. We share your belief in God's justice, and your insistence on man's moral responsibility. We thank the many Muslim nations who stand with us against terror. Nations that are often victims of terror themselves.
HOLY MACKEREL: 1912 NYC ticker tape parade for Jim Thorpe & victorious US Olympians
SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION about the Christian Bible
§There are 66 books in the standard Bible: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
§The Israelites were forbidden to eat rabbits and camels.
§The Israelites were required to free their servants in the seventh year of service.
§Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as the twelfth apostle.
§With 150 chapters, Psalms is the longest book in the Bible.
GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1—Jeopardy Answers: Trivia
In 1983 Americans used over 1¼ million gallons of this beach product
When it was rung for Chief Justice John Marshall's funeral, it cracked
"Kingdom" that Khrushchev couldn't visit in 1959 U.S. trip
Dr. Seuss' egg-hatching elephant who was "faithful, 100%"
It spent the night in a discount-house parking lot before heading to L.A. Coliseum
UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM
NEW YORK — A copper casting of the tip of the Statue of Liberty's nose is among a collection of iconic items that will be auctioned off next month in New York City.
Guernsey's auction house President Arlan Ettinger says the casting of Lady Liberty's nose is one of four that was made during a restoration effort in the 1980s. One of the four was used on the statue, one was destroyed, and another is in a private collection.
He says the piece is about 2 feet wide, consisting of the tip and the area around the nostrils. He says it's "actually quite good-looking."
The sale also includes a motorcycle from John F. Kennedy's Dallas motorcade and James Dean's sunglasses. The auction is scheduled for Sept. 24.
A LITTLE LAUGH
'Writing: For the Sell of It' was the theme of our community college's annual writers' conference. When I called a widely published author and asked him to be our keynote speaker, my request was met with a long silence. He finally said, "I don't know what I would say to that audience."
"You're just being modest," I replied. "I'm sure you're extremely qualified to speak on that subject."
He suddenly broke into laughter. "I thought you said, 'Writing for the Celibate!'"
GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2--Riddle
There is a boy who lives in a hotel on the 15th floor, when he goes to school he presses button number 1 to the ground floor however when he comes back from school he presses number 10 and walks to the 15th floor, why does he walk all the way to the 15th floor instead of using the lift?
FOUND ON ‘YOU TUBE’
Obama White House Dinner/Iftar 2009: Click Here!
GREY MATTER PICTURE
This is a close up of what object?
SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION
♦ Weekly Observances ♦
23-27: National Safe at Home Week
♦ Today’s Observances ♦
Knife Day
Vesuvius Day: Remembering 79AD eruption
National Waffle Day
Liberia: Flag Day (1847)
Sierra Leone: President's Birthday
Ukraine: National Day or Den' Nezalezhnosti, independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
♦ Hit Songs on this date ♦
1892 ... The Old Folks at Home…Len Spencer Hear a version here!
1902 ... Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home…Arthur Collins (Della Reese sings) Hear a version here!
1912 ... Ragtime Cowboy Joe…Bob Roberts (Ann Gibson sings) Hear a version here!
1942… Jingle Jangle Jingle…Kay Kyser (Fallout sings) Hear a version here!
1952… Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart…Vera Lynn Hear it Here!
1962… The Loco-Motion…Little Eva
1972… Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)…Looking Glass
1982… Eye of the Tiger…Survivor
♦ Today’s Births ♦
• The Arts
Orla Fallon, 36, Irish Vocalist for Celtic Woman…born Knockananna, County Wicklow,Ireland
Oscar Hijuelos, 59, author (Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love)…born New York, NY
Louis Teicher, pianist: duo: Ferrante & Teicher: Exodus, Tonight, Theme from "The Apartment", Midnight Cowboy…born 1924… Wilkes-Barre, PA
~~~
Rupert Grint, 22, actor (Harry Potter films)…born Hertfordshire, England
Steve Guttenberg, 52, actor (“Billy,” Three Men and a Baby)…born Brooklyn, NY
Craig Kilborn, 48, late night TV personality…born Hastings, MN
Marlee Matlin, 45, actress (Oscar for Children of a Lesser God; Walker, “Reasonable Doubts”)…born Morton Grove, IL
Durward Kirby, TV announcer (Garry Moore Show) …born 1912… Indianapolis IN
• Athletics
Gerry Cooney, 54, heavyweight boxer, born New York, NY
Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, 100m swimmer (Olympic-gold-1912, 20) …born 1890… Waikiki, HI
• Business & Education
Betty Dodson, 81, American feminist and sex educator…born NYC, NY
Hideo Kojima, 47, Japanese video game director…born Tokyo, Japan
• Politics
Mike Huckabee, 55, former Governor of Arkansas…born Hope, AR
Geoffrey Plantagenet, conquered Normandy…born 1113…France
Wilbur Wilberforce, crusaded against slavery…born 1759… Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England
• Science/Religion
Gregory Jarvis, aircraft engineer: astronaut; killed Jan 28, 1986 in Challenger space shuttle explosion…born 1944…Detroit, MI
♦ Today’s Obituaries ♦
Bernard Castro, patented convertible couch, @t 87 in 1991
E.G. Marshall, actor - "The Defenders", "Nixon", "Absolute Power", @ 88 in 1998
♦ Today’s Events ♦
• The Arts
1902 A statue of Joan of Arc is unveiled in Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier.
• Athletics
1989 Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hits leader, was out - of baseball (banned for life).
• Business & Education
1456 The printing of the Gutenberg Bible was completed.
1853 1st potato chips prepared by Chef George Crum (Saratoga Springs, NY)
1869 Waffle iron invented
• Indigenous People
1818 The Quapaw Indians sign a treaty (7 stat. 176) at St. Louis covering lands along the Arkansas and Red Rivers.
1835 The United States signs a treaty (7 Stat., 474.) with the Choctaw, Comanche,Creek (Muscogee), Cherokee, Osage, Quapaw, Seneca and Witchita at Camp Holmes "on the eastern border of the Grand Prairie, near the Canadian River."
• Politics (US)
1814 British sack Washington, DC, White House burned
1909 Workers start pouring concrete for Panama Canal
1912 Territory of Alaska organized
1912 The U.S. Post Office got heavy -- by abolishing its rule that only parcels up to four pounds could be sent through the system.
• Politics (International)
1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established
• Science / Religion
79 Mt Vesuvius erupts, buries Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae
1662 Act of Uniformity requires English to accept book of Common Prayer
1932 1st transcontinental non-stop flight by a woman, Amelia Earhart
1987 Announcement of possible Martian tornado
2006 The International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefines the term "planet" such that Pluto is considered a Dwarf Planet.
GREY MATTER ANSWERS
↔ 1
In 1983 Americans used over 1¼ million gallons of this beach product: What is suntan lotion?
When it was rung for Chief Justice John Marshall's funeral, it cracked: What is the Liberty Bell
"Kingdom" that Khrushchev couldn't visit in 1959 U.S. trip: What is Disneyland—the Magic Kingdom?
Dr. Seuss' egg-hatching elephant who was "faithful, 100%": Who is Horton?
It spent the night in a discount-house parking lot before heading to L.A. Coliseum: What is the Olympic torch?
↔ 2
He can't reach the 15th floor button.
↔ Picture
Vending machine coin slots
TODAY’S NATIONAL PARK PHOTO SHOTS
Wind Cave National Park is 7th National Park since January 9, 1903: Wind Cave in South Dakota is distinctive for its calcite fin formations called boxwork and needle-like growths called frostwork. The cave, which was discovered by the sound of wind coming from a hole in the ground, is the world's densest cave system. Above ground is a mixed-grass prairie with animals such as bison, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs. Photo of Boxwork.
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