Goes for our language, patriotism and political views too! 

Good morning readers, as you were, slurp it if its scalding hot but lets settle down as we’re a very full issue today with some very important information you’ll be wanting to be sure you have time to read.

As some of you might have heard Indiana got hammered pretty hard on Monday with severe T-storms and tornado activity. I’m very happy to be able to say that Impish and family came through this relatively unscathed, with just a very near miss. Here are a few words by our fearful leader:

 Dear Friends,

As some of you may have seen on TV, there were tornadoes and nasty storms that came through our area tonight. All of us are fine, although our house didn’t fare so well attached are 4 pictures of the tree sized branch that smacked our garage.

So, how was your day?

Here is the clearest picture that Impish sent me . Understandably all the photos were a little blurry owing to their being taken with a cell phone and Impish probably shaking a little while he took them.

 Today (Tuesday) will be my turn in the barrel for pretty much the same treatment as Impish, violent T-storms, high winds heavy down pours and possible tornado activity. As of 8 Am here they were already posting warning for the front which is not expected to arrive until the start of the afternoon commute (Unwritten weather rule in Texas…if its bad weather and impairs your ability to travel it MUST ABSOLUTELY start during the morning or afternoon commute and last ONLY as  long as peak commuting time) According to the weather guessers this is all a good thing as we are likely to pick up as much as one half to one inch of much needed rain from this front as it beats the hell out of us. Only thing scaring me is the trees that would endanger my place are about 3 or 4 times the size of those that got Impish!

Lastly on an administrative note, so as not to dash any expectations, I will warn you all ahead of time that Impish and I agreed there was no need for a special issue for Thanksgiving. Most of you will be too involved in making or eating mass quantities of food, traveling to get to said food or hosting a hoard of guests bent on eating all of your food. Then there is the whole football all afternoon before repeating the gorging. This doesn’t leave much time for reading a special issue.

I will be traveling for the holiday and ending up in an extremely rural area where my only Internet access will be at the hotel early in the morning or very late at night. Also it would be my 4th Special issue in 4 months with a probable Christmas Special Issue that would make 5 in 5 months. Given each takes about a week to assemble and tweak that’s WAY too much extra work right now.

I will be including some Thanksgiving recipes this week and next however. This week we’ll look at recipes for the big day, next week we’ll cover some options for creatively dealing with any leftovers.

That concludes our opening remarks briefing now get back to your Leprechaun Laughs reading there is a LOT of it today

TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing to all who are grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of relationship to the deceased, geography, or circumstance of the death.
Founded out of tragedy in 1994, TAPS has grown and established itself as the front line resource to families and loved ones of our military men and women. TAPS meets its mission by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources.  http://www.taps.org/

Get their coffee and still help them out here: http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=41&parent=1

 

 

 “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” – Samuel Adams

 

Why is there never something THIS frightening around for the Halloween issue?

 

 

 

Lethal here- (big surprise right?)

Actually we have two announcements today. I’m not 100% sure they exactly qualify as PSAs but I wasn’t in the mood to mess around with a new header for this sort of thing just yet. Besides I wasn’t sure what else to call it to insure it got read.

First, You’re probably used to scrolling right past it but at the top of the blog page right below the permanent header there is a black strips with some white lettering in it. A few really observant of you might have noticed that area appears different today. That’s because there was a slight change and some additions to one of the areas linked to from there. The section that used to be called “WAYS TO HELP TANGIBLY SUPPORT OUR TROOPS” is now labeled “WAYS TO HELP TANGIBLY SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMLIES”.

See I recently realized that we here at DragonLaffs had been somewhat remiss in our support of our troops. We were constantly harping on support of the troops, but ONLY the troops. Any service person will tell you their family also sacrifices and endures hardships when they deploy. For some families that suffering unfortunately does not end when their family member comes home. That’s because the notification that there loved one is coming home is generally done in person by a 3 man team and the uttering of the words everyone with a loved one in the military prays to never have to hear :

‘The secretary of defense regrets to inform you your (loved one), was killed.’

To this end I have added 2 new entries to the page after renaming  it to remind us that the sacrifices are not only made by the troops but by their entire families.

  Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen are deployed across the globe, going in harm’s way to preserve and protect our freedom. Our military families make heavy sacrifices, particularly as a result of the prolonged war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the continued war on terror. The military men and women serving our nation face personal and financial hardships. Family budgets are strained and those who remain at home face a mounting workload at a time when our economy is unstable and unemployment remains high. The large activation of reserve and National Guard personnel has further strained the resources required to take care of our troops and their families.

The four military aid organizations – Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society – have come together to address these escalating needs by creating the Armed Forces Relief Trust – a non-profit fund that makes it easier for donors to make a single charitable contribution that supports all branches of our Armed Forces and their families.

The mission of the Armed Forces Relief Trust is to assist the military aid organizations by providing a single vehicle to accept contributions that benefit the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. These valuable funds enable family members to be at the bedside of an injured service member undergoing treatment at National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, or other military medical treatment facilities; enable a soldier to fly home for his father’s funeral; provide support for medical costs associated with an airman’s expectant spouse, and more.

http://www.afrtrust.org/

The American Widow Project

The American Widow Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter. Military Widow to Military Widow.

Since 2001, over 6,200 U.S. service members have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Around half of these service members were married, leaving an estimated 3,000 military widows across our country. While the service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a widow of war. Oftentimes the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding.

http://www.americanwidowproject.org/about/

Secondly in our Tenth Anniversary of the Sept 11th Attacks we offered a commemorative limited edition DragonLaffs mug. We pledged that fifty percent of the proceeds from the mugs would be donated to a Sept 11th charity and asked that you readers suggest one or we would use the one we had selected which aided the still suffering First Responders to the WTC.

Well we finally received the royalties for the somewhat disappointing sales of the mug as of Friday 11-11-2011. We had hoped to donate in the name of our over five hundred plus readers a minimum of One Hundred Dollars. Unfortunately we only sold 24 mugs and THAT was largely due to one individual who purchased an entire dozen themselves! To that person and all those others on behalf of Impish and myself I offer our sincere thanks for their support of this worthy endeavor.

The net profit on 24 mugs was $103.00. We had pledged to donate half the proceeds of the sale but given the relatively poor sales after microseconds of consultation between us Impish and I, we elected to donate the entire proceeds to The FealGood Foundation in the name of DragonLaffs readership.

As you are reading this, it has already been accomplished via the PayPal account we maintain for DragonLaffs finances as per the charity’s preference. We were waiting to hear back per instructions before transmitting the funds as of Saturday. I imagine Impish will be posting any correspondence between himself and the charity in his next issue.

 

 

 

There is finally conclusive evidence that Osama bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi are dead:
Yesterday, they both registered to vote in Chicago.

I just hope they both registered as Democrats!

 

 

 

A Child’s First Book of Government Regulations

The Obama Administration’s Official Alphabet Guide for Learning Government’s Role in Your Life
Hi, I’m Omar, the Obama administration’s official kid’s ambassador. Today I’ll be guiding you through some of the many necessary regulations that government imposes on us for our protection — and we’ll learn the alphabet at the same time!

A is for auto. The size, speed, fuel and bumpers of autos must be regulated to protect us from ourselves!

B is for business. Government must levy taxes, regulations, fees, surcharges and paperwork on businesses, lest they take advantage of workers.

C is for cupcakes. Every aspect of child nutrition must be controlled — because we can’t leave it up to the parents!

D is for doctor. Health care guidelines make sure every doctor practices medicine the same way.

E is for electricity. Americans must expect to do without electricity from time to time, because we use so much of the world’s resources. That is why American coal, nuclear, gas and other sources of energy must be restricted.

F is for fare. Cab fares must be tightly controlled down to the tenth-mile because small business owners simply can not be trusted.

G is for ginkgo and other medicinal herbs, which can not be sold without oversight by the FDA, state and local agencies. They’re looking out for us!

H is for Happy Meals. Selling toys with food is an evil marketing tactic, which kids and parents should not be exposed to!

I is for immigrants, documented or not. We must welcome everyone into our country, because open borders and a welfare state promote tolerance and unity.

J is for junk-mail. No longer can marketers promote their products without a complete review by federal, state and local authorities.

K is for knives. Even pen knives and bottles of shampoo represent threats to airline safety and must be confiscated for our protection!

L is for lollipop. Only organic lollipops that contain less than 25 grams of sugar can be sold in the U.S. It’s for our protection!

M is for MRI machine. Overrated tests and diagnostics aren’t always needed for seniors, based upon the government’s “Complete Lives System“, which ensures fair and equitable treatment for most healthy Americans.

N is for NEA, the teacher’s union that has its first priority educamating us kids (after electing big government politicians, that is)!

O is for oil, the source of automotive energy around the world. Government must prevent drilling for oil because cars represent freedom to move around the country.

P is for prescription drugs. For safety reasons, government must put drug manufacturers through decades of testing and regulatory hoops even if certain patients could use experimental drugs. These dying patients could actually die if they’re exposed to drugs that aren’t ready for the market!

Q is for QWERTY keyboards, the electric current, operation and safety for which must be reviewed by multiple agencies for our protection.

R is for the rich. At some point, they’ve made enough money. Those who have grown too wealthy on the backs of the workers should have their excess riches confiscated for redistribution.
S is for shower-head. Unrestricted flow wastes water, which is why government must regulate how all shower-heads work.

T is for toilet. All toilet designs must be reviewed by federal officials to ensure less wasted water.

U is for unions. Unions are collectives of workers who band together to protect workers and elect big government politicians.

V is for vending machine. Government needs to set standards for what kinds of drinks and snacks may be sold to gullible consumers.

W is for warmal colding, the climate change phenomenon caused by humans which results in crazy streaks of hot and cold weather.

X is for X-ray machine. X-rays are discouraged in medical settings (for cost reasons) but used extensively in airline security.

Y is for yacht. Democrat leaders like John Kerry use yachts to visit constituents, but others who own them should be considered overly rich.

Z is for zebra-suits — the nickname for federal prisoners who violate the hundreds of thousands of regulations that protect us 24 hours a day!

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2010/12/childs-first-book-of-government.html

 

 

Feel stuck in a rut with all those traditional pies for Thanksgiving? Well here is a fall dessert that’s definitely NOT in a rut!

Pear Upside-Down Cake

total time 55 min

prep 20 min

servings 16 servings

What You Need

3 fresh pears (1 lb.), peeled

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

4 eggs

1-1/4 cups water

1/4 cup oil

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make It

HEAT oven to 350ºF.

CUT pears lengthwise in half; remove cores, then cut pears lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange on bottom of 13×9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Mix sugar and spice; sprinkle over pears. Top with berries.

BEAT next 5 ingredients with mixer until well blended; pour over ingredients in pan.

BAKE 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and cake begins to pull away from sides of pan. Cool 10 min. Run knife around edges of pan to loosen cake. Place large platter over cake; invert cake onto platter. Gently remove pan. Cool cake slightly. Serve topped with COOL WHIP.

Special Extra

Stir additional 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice into COOL WHIP before serving over cake.

Note

If you don’t have a large platter, invert cake onto baking sheet instead.

Make Ahead

Cake can be made ahead of time. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers.

nutritional information per serving:

Calories 300 Total fat 10 g Saturated fat 3 g

Cholesterol 55 mg Sodium 330 mg Carbohydrate 50 g

Dietary fiber 1 g Sugars 38 g Protein 3 g Vitamin A 0 %DV

Vitamin C 0 %DV Calcium 6 %DV Iron 6 %DV

For those of you who really don’t like turkey all that much ( or worse yet have to suffer through over cooked dried out turkey year after year), those of you who really go to Thanksgiving just for the desserts and you few who are not afraid of dying happy in a diabetic coma this next one is for you:

Chocolate Caramel Banana Upside-Down Cake

Topping:

1 stick butter
3/4 c light brown sugar
3 ripe bananas, cut into 1/4-inch slices
(I thought the caramel was a little too much. I would use 3/4 stick butter, 1/2 c brown sugar next time)

 

Cake:

3/4 c plus 2 T unbleached all-purpose flour (I used King Arthur flour)
6 T (1/4 c plus 2T) unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
3/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
6 T (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 c granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temp)
2 t vanilla
2/3 c buttermilk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a 9″ x 2″ cake pan.
2. Topping: Heat butter over medium heat until melted and foamy. Whisk in brown sugar, turn heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, for two minutes or until the mixture is thick. Spread on the bottom of the 9″ cake pan.
3. Arrange the bananas in a circle on top of the sugar mixture. Set aside.
4. Sift together flour, cocoa, soda and salt.
5. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy (I used my KitchenAid mixer on medium for 3 minutes). Scrape down sides of bowl.
6. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
7. Stir in vanilla.
8. On low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk (3 flour and 2 milk additions).
9. Scrape down the sides and then beat batter on high for 30 seconds.
10. Pour batter over the bananas and smooth out.
11. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let sit on wire rack for 5 minutes. Then carefully invert onto your serving tray. Let sit at least 20 minutes before diving in. The author says it keeps for 2 days in a cake keeper at room temp.

Its Thanksgiving, don’t worry about having to keep this for two whole days…you won’t.

Now in a more “traditional” vein

Pumpkin Cranberry Walnut Muffin

Adapted from Very Culinary Blog who adapted it from Betty Crocker

In large bowl, mix together:
2 c all purpose flour
3/4 c sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t ground ginger
1/4 t salt

Combine the following in a small bowl. Then quickly fold into dry mixture with a spatula until just moistened. Do not over mix!!!
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 c canola or vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 c dried cranberries
1/2 c chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Scoop into muffin tray greased with cooking spray or lined with muffin cups (I use an ice cream scoop). Top with sanding sugar or sugar in the raw (turbinado). Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

 

OK having addressed the dessert issue fairly well, lets move on to Breakfast. Those pesky overnight guests either the night before  or Thanksgiving night will expect breakfast when they awake ( you think they’d take YOU out for breakfast even at McDonalds but NOOOO!) You one can be made a head of time to take the pressure off. Leftovers? Surely you jest! Slap some Cool Whip on it and serve it for dessert!

Gingery Pumpkin Breakfast Bundt

Cake:

3 1/3 cups (18 ounces, 492 grams) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (I used kosher salt)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 2/3 cups (15.5 ounces, 450 grams) dark brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs, room temp
12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
2/3 cup water, room temp
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 Tablespoon freshly grated fresh ginger
2/3 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
2/3 cup golden raisins (I used regular raisins)

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
2-4 Tablespoons milk

Oven: Preheat to 350 degrees.

Pan: 12-cup Bundt pan. Spray with Pam with Flour or Baker’s Joy, or butter and flour pan generously.
1. Dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
2. Cream & Combine: Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream the brown sugar, eggs, and melted butter until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.Scrape down the bowl. Beat in the water. Add the pumpkin and ginger and beat until smooth.
3. Combine dry & wet: Using slow speed on mixer, add 1/2 the flour mixture until just combined. Scrape down the bowl. Add the rest of he flour mixture. Beat until just combined. Don’t over mix batter.
4. Fold: With a spatula, gently fold in the walnuts and raisins.
5. Bundt Pan: Spoon batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth out the top.
6. Bake: Place pan in the oven (never put a Bundt pan on a tray – air needs to circulate through the hole in the center of the Bundt pan). Bake until a skewer inserted comes out clean and the cake springs back lightly when touched. The recipe says 80 to 90 minutes, but mine was done at 70 minutes so be sure to check early.
7. Cooling : Place Bundt on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Invert and let cool on a wire rack.
8. Glaze: (This wasn’t part of the original recipe and just something I threw on the cake to jazz it up). Mix together powdered sugar and enough milk to get a pourable glaze until smooth, and pour over fully cooled cake.

 

 

 

Impish complained to me that wife told him: “I need you like the desert needs the rain… once, maybe twice a year, for no more than twenty minutes.”

 

 WHY do I suspect that the first one is how Obama sings it and as far as the second one…THE HELL I DO!!!

A Great Online Collection of Audiobooks, Videos, Textbooks, Courses And More

Have you ever thought that the internet lacks, well, a degree of culture?  That there’s too much content that is irrelevant, superfluous, wrong, or pointless?  Would you like a portal site that points you to lots more interesting, educational resources?

If so, then check out Open Culture, at www.openculture.com.  It comprises links to lots of free courses, books, audio books, language learning courses, videos, textbooks, and loads more besides.  

Access to the site, and to almost all of the content, is free.  Though there are some optional extras, which cost money, such as the ability to print out chapters from certain books (you can still read them on screen for free, and copy the text to your clipboard).

 

I stopped by the Chevrolet Dealership yesterday, for a look at the new Silverado1500 pickup. Just for fun, I took it out for a test drive.. I wanted to sense that new “feel” before they become extinct.

The salesman (a black man wearing an Obama “change” lapel pin) sat in the passenger seat describing the truck and all its “wonderful” options. The seats were of particular interest. He explained that the seats directed warm air to your butt in the winter and directed cool air to your butt in the summer heat.

Feeling like messing with him, I mentioned that this must be a Republican truck.

Looking a bit angry, he asked why I thought it was a Republican truck. I explained that if it were an Obama truck, the seats would blow smoke up your ass year-round.

I had to walk back to the dealership…damn guy had no sense of humor

 

 

A frequent subject of debate among Theologians and an even more frequent test question in Divinity Schools and Seminaries is ‘Who was Jesus’?’. I’d like to share with you some of my conclusions after over 25 years of reading about religions but still failing to arrive at any hard answer to the question.

 

Who Was Jesus?? – EVEN GOD ENJOYS A GOOD LAUGH!

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone brother
2. He liked Gospel
3. He didn’t get a fair trial (had a public defender who didn’t want the case and got the maximum sentence too!)

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1. He went into His Father’s business
2. He lived at home until he was 33
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1. He talked with His hands
2. He had wine with His meals
3. He used olive oil

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1. He never cut His hair
2. He walked around barefoot all the time
3. He started a new religion

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian:
1. He was at peace with nature
2. He ate a lot of fish
3. He talked about the Great Spirit

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all – 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:
1. He fed a crowd at a moment’s notice when there was virtually no food
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn’t get it
3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do.

 

 

Check out Wyman Meinzer’s West Texas

Wyman is a Texas Photographer of some renown known for his scenic photos. Check out some of his work here.

Wyman Meinzer’s West Texas

 A guide to who is doing right and whose doing doing wrong by the American Consumer and his family.

General Electric is planning to move its 115-year-old X-ray division from Waukesha, Wis., to Beijing. In addition to moving the headquarters, the company will invest $2 billion in China and train more than 65 engineers and create six research centers.

This is the same GE that made $5.1 billion in the United States last year. but paid no taxes-the same company that employs more people overseas than it does in the united States.

So let me get this straight. President Obama appointed GE Chairman Jeff Immelt to head his commission on job creation (job czar). Jeff Immelt is supposed to help create jobs.

I guess the President forgot to tell him in which country he was supposed to be creating those jobs.

If this doesn’t show you the total lack of leadership of this President, I don’t know what does.

Please pass this information to others and think about it before you buy a GE product.

http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LOUVYE1A74E901-5NJ1IVKV8LVLITS4VGNO46MQH9

Please pass this information to your friends and think about it when you decide to buy a GE product

You remember good old GE? The company that shirked ALL tax responsibility in 2010 and got off paying NOTHING? This is a great time to pay them back and return the deed!

 

Sears – Christmas shopping this year.

I know I needed this reminder, since Sears isn’t always my first choice. It’s amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn’t withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up for active duty.

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears at least once, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement & feedback it well deserves.

Pass it on.

I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:

I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it’s cheaper at that store.

This is their answer to my e-mail:

Dear Customer:
Thank you for contacting Sears. The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.
Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358

Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!
It’s verified! By Snopes.com <http://snopes.com/>; at: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp

Sears Holdings Heroes at Home Program

Read about Sears Holdings Heroes at Home.

 

 

Well we’re a short week and a day away from Thanksgiving and you know what Thanksgiving signifies right? Yup its stopped being about being thankful for ones blessings and become the opening bell to the most heavily commercialized event of the year. I’m talking the Season of Spending until it hurts come January 3rd when the bills arrive  (which then marks the start of suicide season) and leads up to Christmas.

The starting gate for those of you who still insist on doing it the hard and old fashion way is 6AM the morning after the Day of Gorging and Football, or as those in the business of taking your money call it “Black Friday”. This is followed by 2 days or relative sanity (and credit/debit card recharging) before Cyber Monday which is the equivalent of Black Friday for those of us loathe to go anyplace near a retail store during The Christmas Buying Insanity Season.

To help you plan your assault on all those sales here’s a little Intel from the Leprechaun a week early and DON’T FORGET Impish and I like nice presents too! We’re very fond of gift cards and donations especially!

Black Friday 2011 Deals! Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and Target!

by Jim Brogan

Black Friday 2011: Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy & Target et al. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are always one of the biggest shopping days of the year, 2011 will be no different.

For people who abhor the holiday crowds, online shopping can be a refuge for its speed and convenience. In this season’s tough economy, experts expect online consumers to be increasingly reluctant to pay for shipping, and more proactive about asking for discounts, incentives and coupons.

You can find out nearly every store’s 2011 Black Friday deals at blackfriday.info. Black Friday deals are plentiful so be sure to score the best bargains by doing your research.

Go to DealTaker.com, TheBlackFriday.com & black-friday.net for more Black Friday deals.

You can check also:

ShopLocal.com claims to be the Web’s leading multi-channel comparison shopping site, providing consumers with choice and control in their shopping experience by presenting millions of timely
online and in-store offers on one easy to use site. It features offers from some of the nation’s largest retailers, including Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, CVS, Albertsons and Sears, broken down by category and location.

PriceSpider.com: The advantage of PriceSpider.com is its active search engine technology that continuously scans for pricing and product information. PriceSpider.com compares prices at online and brick-and-mortar stores and even factors in shipping. The site also provides consumers the ability to receive price change alerts via email, view up to six months of price history in order to monitor pricing trends and check sale prices against true average prices, and view aggregated product reviews.

Freeshipping.org: Here you can search for free shipping codes by store, category, expiration date and alphabetical order.

DealAlerter.com: At this site you can set price alerts for items you wish to purchase. E-mails alerts arrive when the price drops below the limit you specify.

Retailmenot.com: Find discount codes for thousands of retailers by entering the store name or browsing popular coupons.
Shipgooder.com: It is here where you can find the most cost-effective
way to ship a gift by typing in the package weight and the ZIP code for your recipient and yourself. The site then compares rates from FedEx, DHL, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service.
Cashbaq.com, Extrabux.com and eBates.com: At these sites you can get automatic cash rebates when you register and shop through links on each site. Compare rebates, which range from 1-30 percent, before you shop.

Related

Black Friday 2011; Radio Shack Ad Flyer

Harbor Freight Black Friday 2011 Ad Flyer

Sears Automotive & Electronics Black Friday 2011 Ad Flyer  <<= remember Sears and their support of our Soldiers!

Staples Early Bird Black Friday Specials 2011 Flyer – NJ & NY Laptop Deals

 

 

Today we have an excellent Parting Shot sent in by Reader Paul Bader in the form of a discussion by Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), a retired Army lieutenant colonel, serves on the Armed Services Committee concerning why we are not having better results in the “War on Terror” which he points out is badly named and I agree. That’s not the only point of Representative West’s with which I agree. Unfortunately I did not receive it in time for the Veterans Day Issue.

Once again, Rep. Allen West hits the nail on the head

Rep. West was the keynote speaker at this year’s sold-out ACT! for America National Conference and Legislative Briefing.

With Veterans Day tomorrow, we considered it most appropriate to bring you a recent column by the highly decorated retired Army Lt. Colonel, and now U.S. Rep. Allen West. In his op-ed that appeared in Roll Call (highlights added), U.S. Rep. West explains, cogently and concisely, what we must do to win today’s battle against what he terms “Islamic totalitarianism.”

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West: U.S. Must Understand 21st-Century Combat
By Rep. Allen West
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_52/allen_west_united_states_must_understand_21st_century_combat-209937-1.html

Today’s paradigm of battle and combat operations is completely different from what I experienced in 1982 when I was commissioned as a young lieutenant in the U.S. Army. At that time, the battlefield was much simpler.
In broad strokes, there was the Soviet Union on one side and the United States on the other. We were familiar with their tactics and equipment, and they with ours. Both sides wore uniforms, and every now and then we would stage war games on border control missions.

That paradigm has completely disappeared, leaving in its place an asymmetrical battlefield with non-uniformed, non-state belligerents using unconventional weapons and tactics. If the United States is going to be successful in protecting its citizens and interests, it must quickly understand and adapt to this new battlefield and be prepared for success and victory.
While America may lack an appropriate strategic level perspective, we will never lose at the tactical level on the ground because the United States has the best soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen the world has ever known. But without the correct strategic and operational goals and objectives, we will find ourselves on the proverbial hamster wheel. No matter how much effort we exert on the wheel, we will not make forward progress.

To begin with, we must correctly identify our enemy. It is frankly naive to say we are at war with “terror” because a nation cannot be at war with a tactic. Imagine, if during World War II, the United States went to war against the “blitzkrieg” or the “kamikaze.”

Further, we cannot narrowly define the enemy as simply al-Qaida or the Taliban. It is just as ridiculous to say we declared war against the 12th German Panzer Division or the 55th Japanese Infantry Regiment in World War II or the 7th Guards Tank Division during the Cold War.

Before the rise of al-Qaida, the terrorist group which had inflicted the most damage on the United States was Hezbollah. Now Hezbollah has become a very capable military force, albeit one without state or uniform — so capable in fact, it has armed missiles within striking distance of every city in Israel.

The Obama administration has failed to identify Hezbollah as an enemy. On this 21st century battlefield we are not fighting against a single organization, leader or nation. We are fighting against the ideology of Islamic totalitarianism, manifested at a tactical level as terrorism, which knows no country and recognizes no borders.

Until we, as a nation, are able to correctly and openly identify our enemy, we will continue to put our men and women on the ground in harm’s way without a clear mission for success. Once we have identified the enemy, we must ensure we have clearly identified the specific strategic level objectives to effectively fight. I believe there are four:

1. Deny the enemy sanctuary. The number one asset our military has is strategic mobility. When that is curtailed by a focus on nation-building or occupation-style warfare, we eliminate our primary advantage, and worse, our military forces become targets. Because this enemy has no respect for borders or boundaries, we must be willing to take the fight directly to him.

2. Cut off the enemy’s flow of men, material and resources. We have to interdict the enemy’s flow of resources in order to prevent the ability to fund, supply and replenish his ranks.

3. Win the information war. Unfortunately, the enemy is far more adept at exploiting the power of the Internet, broadcast media and dissemination of powerful imagery. In addition, I fear our media now sees itself as an ideological political wing. If we cannot fully use our own national informational power as an asset, we will lose the strategic battle, if not our country.

4. Cordon off the enemy and reduce his sphere of influence. We must shrink the enemy’s territory, but we are not being effective. We are allowing, if not welcoming, the enemy into the United States. What happened with Maj. Nidal Hasan, the alleged Fort Hood shooter, should not have happened in this country. We must not turn a blind eye to a very bold enemy who is telling us exactly what he wants to do and is willing to bring the battle to our doorstep.

We must recognize that Afghanistan and Iraq are not distinct wars, but combat theaters of operation. It is up to our elected leaders and our senior military officials to identify and agree on the correct strategic goals and objectives in order to be successful on these battlefields and others. When we have a proper national security strategy, we will have a focused national military strategy, preparing the defense-industrial base to develop the right weapons systems for victory.

We must be mindful of the wise words compiled by Sun Tzu in “The Art of War” more than 25 centuries ago, “to know your enemy and to know yourself and to know the environment and countless amounts of battles, you will always be victorious.” If we do not understand this simple maxim, we face dark days ahead.

For the sake of our nation, and of all nations who seek freedom for their citizens, we must clearly identify the 21st century battlefield and ensure we are victorious on it.
Rep. Allen West

(R-Fla.), a retired Army lieutenant colonel, serves on the Armed Services Committee.

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Now why couldn’t THIS have been the freshman Black Congressman running for the Presidency instead of the Obamanation in 2008?

Better yet why aren’t Republicans putting him up for consideration as their Candidate instead of the host of buffoons currently staring in the Monkey House Debates?

Good Morning Campers…What an interesting week this has been for the military.  Yesterday was Veterans Day, a day that was lovingly celebrated in Dragon Laffs by our own Lethal Leprechaun.
But did any of you know that the day before was the Birthday of the United States Marine Corps? 
Yup.
It was.  10 November was the 236th birthday of the USMC.  And as all of you know, our own Leprechaun is a member of that proud fraternity.  So, let’s all say a special Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps and a congratulatory handshake (for all you civilians) or salute (for those of you vets out there that feel motivated in that direction) to LL

Here’s an odd one…go to the Google home page and do a search for “do a barrel roll”, without the quotes.  Pretty funny really.

The picture was taken by the pilot of the other F-4, and the timing was right after General Creech had issued his “Doctrine on Aircrew Discipline” which included more rules about not carrying a camera in the cockpit. The photograph became an instant success within the crew-dog underworld, and late in 1979, when the F-4 Wing Commander was fired for having lost so many crews and jets during a Red Flag, this photo was at the last minute inserted into his going away picture, signed by all of the wing’s crew members. This Colonel was well liked by all, and to repay the kindness for having given him this moon shot, he emptied his lawn mower’s supply of gasoline into his on-base back yard, and spelled the F___ word in large enough letters that everyone could see it from the traffic pattern—his parting shot. 

The pilot of the F-4 was never admonished for this incident, but was later in trouble for having sonic boomed his hometown on a cross-country flight.  He was then selected for an assignment to the first F-16 squadron.  

The pilot that took the picture, a Flight Commander at the time, was recalled by SAC and flew B-52’s until he retired. He is now a Captain with American Airlines.  

And now you know the rest of the story. 

The nurse, by the way, loved the gesture and met the pilot that night at the O’Club—but that is another story. 

Here’s an update on Mr. Crockett Keller’s fight to teach handgun safety to whomever he chooses.

Anti-Muslim, anti-liberal Texan changes gun class policy under pressure

http://blog.chron.com/believeitornot/2011/11/anti-muslim-anti-liberal-texan-changes-gun-class-policy-under-pressure/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Ftopheadlines+%28chron.com+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+International

Check the sign in the background of the picture

From our great friend and oft contributor K²

This just might make your day a little brighter!! You, who worry
about democrats versus republicans — relax, here is our real problem.

In a Purdue University classroom, they were discussing the
qualifications to be President of the United States. It was pretty
simple. The candidate must be a natural born citizen of at least 35
years of age. However, one girl in the class immediately started in
on how unfair was the requirement to be a natural born citizen.

In short, her opinion was that this requirement prevented many
capable individuals from becoming president. The class was taking it
in and letting her rant, and not many jaws hit the floor when she
wrapped up her argument by stating,

“What makes a natural born citizen any more qualified to lead this
country than one born by C-section?”

Yep, these are the same kinds of 18-year-olds that are now voting in
our elections!

THEY BREED AND WALK AMONG US…
LORD —WE NEED MORE HELP THAN WE THOUGHT WE DID!

My friend, who is a the head of Human Resources at a very large bank, says that the best excuse for absenteeism, that he had ever received in his career of almost 22 years, was from a female Indian employee, at their bank’s head quarters at Mumbai, India, in July, 2010. He says when the lady, was questioned on why she remained absent the previous day, she simply replied …….

” But sir, I had no option. My husband was on casual leave yesterday and was at home. By mistake he took pills from the wrong bottle in our medicine cabinet and ended up consuming an over-dose of Viagra ! Now how could I have left him, all alone at home, with the house-maid ? “

The orchestra leader quit because there was too much sax and violins.

He was teed off with his bad start, driving the ball almost beyond

the green, but he was able to putt it behind him.

The new weed whacker is cutting-hedge technology.

Drug research companies have created their own cold rush.

Some people like raw meat on rare occasions.

And here we go with a second installment of Diaman’s Puns…and we start out with a graphic pun.   You only get this service here, folks!

During his air test a young pilot flew through a rainbow, and then passed with flying colors.

People who make motor oil are very refined.

An author who wrote from his basement had a best cellar.

Today’s Last Word…comes to us courtesy of my dad. 

Click here: The American form of government. [VIDEO]

A bit long, but well worth watching and listening.

Very educational and interesting.  Logically, it makes some sense, but realistically…. well…I don’t know.  What do you think?  Do you think that there are basically, only two forms of government for us to choose from?

Are you surprised that neither of those choices is Democracy?

 

Sometimes something “get lost in the translation” between the program we use to assemble the blog and the blog getting posted.

I can’t be sure if it occurs in uploading to the blog server or when an issue sits a day or two before autoposting very early the morning of the edition. All I am sure of is there was supposed to be a Message from the DragonLAffs Staff regarding Veterans Day that was to appear that does not.

Here then is that message I apologize both to Impish and to you readers for any problems it inconvenience these errant electrons might have caused.

 

 

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf – attributed to both George Orwell and Winston Churchill.

‘Tis time we thanked these honorable and loyal rough men and women for many a good night’s peaceably sleep – Lethal Leprechaun.

This Friday marks Veterans Day 2011 which should make this issue come as no surprise, especially in light of the technical malfunction on last Friday cause a portion of the very early framework for the issue to be erroneously posted to the blog. Ergo this isn’t an overly humorous issue. However it does have the honor of marking something that has never happened before in the history of the holiday, marking the observance of it falling on the date numerically represented as 11-11-11, something only possible every 100 years!

Veterans Day in United States

In the USA, Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans Day was originally established to honor Americans who had served in World War I. Today Veterans Day honors veterans of all wars for their patriotism and willingness to  serve in the military and sacrifice for our country. The main event in the nation’s capital is the observance at Arlington National Cemetery.

History

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory”. There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am.

In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should “issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved on May 13, 1938, which made November 11 in each year a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later, World War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the United States and the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954, the veterans service organizations urged Congress to change the word “Armistice” to “Veterans”. Congress approved this change and on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans, where ever and whenever they had served.

In 1968 the Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) made an attempt to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The bill took effect in 1971. However, this caused a lot of confusion as many states disagreed with this decision and continued to hold Veterans Day activities on November 11. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which stated that Veterans Day would again be observed on November 11 from 1978 onwards. Veterans Day is still observed on November 11.

Here is the schedule of events for 2011:

Arlington National Cemetery
November 11, 2011, 11 a.m. Across the Potomac from Washington at the west end of the Memorial Bridge, Arlington, Virginia. (703) 607-8000 This is the national Veterans day service with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Seating in the amphitheater is limited, so visitors should plan to arrive at least a half hour before the ceremony.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
November 11, 2011, 1 p.m. Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Dr. NW, Washington, DC. Color guard, speakers and a wreath-laying ceremony pay tribute to all who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War America’s other conflicts.
Vietnam Women’s Memorial
November 11, 2011, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW Washington, DC. (301) 314-8505. Vietnam-era veterans and the children of veterans tell stories “in their own voices” about their experiences. There will also be stories featuring soldiers of the current struggles in Iraq and Afghanistan and other locations around the world.
World War II Memorial
November 11, 2011, 9 a.m. 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW Washington, DC. (202) 619-7222. Wreath laying ceremony.
Navy Memorial
November 11, 2011, 1 p.m. 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC. (202)737-2300. The Naval District of Washington will lay a wreath, at the Lone Sailor Statue in commemoration of Veterans Day.
Air Force Memorial
November 11, 2011, 11 a.m. One Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington, VA. Wreath laying ceremony and a two-minute moment of silence will be observed to commemorate those members of the U.S. armed forces who were killed during war.
National Marine Corps Museum
November 10, 2011, noon. 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, Virginia. (800) 397-7585. Celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day with a ceremonial sword cake cutting.
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
November 11, 2011. Mount Vernon, Virginia. Special activities include a patriotic community concert by the all-veteran barbershop chorus at 11 a.m., at 2 p.m. wreathlaying at the tomb of our first commander-in-chief, George Washington. Active duty military personnel and veterans are admitted free-of-charge. The wreathlaying is included with regular Mount Vernon admission. The barbershop concert and Martha Washington program are free.
Manassas Veterans Day Parade
November 12, 2011, 11 a.m. Manassas, Virginia. The community parade includes military and high school bands, pipe and drum corps teams, military units from the various Armed Services, military vehicles, and members from local veteran organizations.

Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war. – Otto von Bismarck

Too bad this isn’t true of every politician, despot and ruler of every country in every corner of the world.   If looking into those eyes were a requirement for governing the world would be a much more peaceable place– Lethal Leprechaun

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

November 03, 2011

Presidential Proclamation — Veterans Day, 2011

VETERANS DAY, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Today, our Nation comes together to honor our veterans and commemorate the legacy of profound service and sacrifice they have upheld in pursuit of a more perfect Union.  Through their steadfast defense of America’s ideals, our service members have ensured our country still stands strong, our founding principles still shine, and nations around the world know the blessings of freedom.  As we offer our sincere appreciation and respect to our veterans, to their families, to those who are still in harm’s way, and to those we have laid to rest, let us rededicate ourselves to serving them as well as they have served the United States of America.

Our men and women in uniform are bearers of a proud military tradition that has been dutifully passed forward — from generation to generation — for more than two centuries.  In times of war and peace alike, our veterans have served with courage and distinction in the face of tremendous adversity, demonstrating an unfaltering commitment to America and our people.  Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the country they loved.  The selflessness of our service members is unmatched, and they remind us that there are few things more fundamentally American than doing our utmost to make a difference in the lives of others.

Just as our veterans stood watch on freedom’s frontier, so have they safeguarded the prosperity of our Nation in our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our homes.  As teachers and engineers, doctors and parents, these patriots have made contributions to civilian life that serve as a testament to their dedication to the welfare of our country.  We owe them a debt of honor, and it is our moral obligation to ensure they receive our support for as long as they live as proud veterans of the United States Armed Forces.  This year, as our troops in Iraq complete their mission, we will honor them and all who serve by working tirelessly to give them the care, the benefits, and the opportunities they have earned.

On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families.  To honor their contributions to our Nation, let us strive with renewed determination to keep the promises we have made to all who have answered our country’s call.  As we fulfill our obligations to them, we keep faith with the patriots who have risked their lives to preserve our Union, and with the ideals of service and sacrifice upon which our Republic was founded.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation’s veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2011, as Veterans Day.  I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers.  I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities.  I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Damn! Wadda Ya know! The Socialist Towelhead in Arrogance got one right!

 

 

Oregon veteran faces eviction if he hangs US flag

AP – 23 hrs ago

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) — Edward Zivica, a 70-year-old who served in the Navy in the 1960s, faces a hard choice come Veterans Day next week: He can obey the rules and remain in his apartment complex, or he can follow his tradition of hanging the American flag outside his place.

The managers at his subsidized housing project in Springfield, Ore., have given him notice he’ll be evicted if he again violates the rules against putting anything on the exterior walls.

That notice came after the flag went up on Oct. 27 for Navy Day, one of several that Zivica marks by hanging it outside the community room near the main entrance. He’d gotten a letter from the management in June telling him to quit.

Zivica was in the Navy’s Submarine Service from 1960 to 1967, the Eugene Register-Guard (http://bit.ly/sNKhiN) reported.

The flag, he said, was one the Army sent when his dad, a World War II veteran, died. Zivica says a brother also served, in Korea, as a Marine.

He told the paper he doesn’t have many options for housing, so he would knuckle under and sign a compliance notice, which he called “a confession” and “an apology.”

But he also said he finds it hard not to hang the flag on Veterans Day.

“It’s one of the biggest days of the year for us,” he said. “… I guess we’ll see what happens.”

The downtown apartment complex is managed by St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, which opened it in 2009 with Zivica as one of the first tenants. CEO Terry McDonald said the action wasn’t aimed at the American flag as such but rather at preventing a precedent that could lead to more-controversial flags or banners.

“If you’re going to live in a situation where there’s lots of other tenants, you need to follow the rules that are set up,” McDonald told KVAL-TV, which first reported the story (http://bit.ly/vLRh9f).

After residents requested one, management has put up a flagpole. Zivica calls it “flimsy and cheesy-looking,” plastic with no lanyard to hoist the flag or lower it to half-staff. The small flag, he said, has faded to orange after less than a year.

Less than one day later after this making the AP Wire Service this statement appears on the St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County website which I found when I went to locate an e~mail address to offer you so that you might tell them what a bunch of (multiple expletives deleted) liberal democratic (more expletives deleted) they were.:

Tenant’s Personal Flag Will Be Displayed at Apartments

St. Vincent de Paul has received a lot of attention today regarding a tenant who was asked to stop hanging a flag from the side of the apartment complex without permission.  We would like to share the following updated information.

This morning our tenant agreed to provide a list of dates when he would like to fly his flag. St. Vincent de Paul granted him permission to fly the flag on those dates, provided it is done in a manner that’s respectful to the flag and our other tenants. In accordance with the rules of the complex, St. Vincent de Paul will be happy to grant permission to put an additional  American flag at the complex if tenants inform us in advance. Our tenant feels this issue is resolved, and we are pleased to accommodate his request.

Some additional information:  

• This was never an issue about patriotism or respect for veterans.  St. Vincent de Paul sponsors numerous emergency assistance, housing and job training opportunities for veterans.
• This was never about the American flag;  a lit American flag flies on a flagpole at the complex 24/7.
• We are pleased that this issue has been resolved and we sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding.  

Thanks to tactical support, this time by a local news station ( http://www.kval.com/news/local/133100768.html ) and the AP Wire Service who picked up the story and took it national, it looks like us Veteran’s won another one! From where I stand however it’s still a crime we even have to engage in these battles.

SPEAKING of crimes against Vets, not only is the above one but the length show below that Vet’s and supports of our Armed Forces have to go to to see that they have the respect and dignity their final honors deserve is also a crime!

 

 

News America Marketing Supports Believe in Heroes™ Campaign This Veterans Day

More than 50 Brands in SmartSource Magazine’s Sunday Coupon Insert Also Support the Believe in Heroes™ Campaign

NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2011 — /PRNewswire/ — News America Marketing, a division of News Corporation (Nasdaq: NWS), today announced that Sunday’s (November 6th) issue of its widely distributed SmartSource coupon insert is dedicated to Wounded Warrior Project’s Believe in Heroes™ campaign, which heightens awareness for all that today’s veterans have done for our country and encourages Americans to put the veteran back in Veterans Day. More than fifty brands have pledged their support for this cause and are offering coupons with a total value of more than $50.

Veterans Day, November 11, honors the courage and patriotism of all the men and women who have served in the United States military, and this year the day falls on 11-11-11, a date that comes only once every 100 years. News America Marketing is commemorating this unique anniversary of Veterans Day by joining the Wounded Warrior Project’s Believe in Heroes™ campaign to meaningfully honor the sacrifices, challenges, and triumphs our nation’s military members and their families experience.

This weekend, SmartSource Magazine will feature a special Wounded Warrior Project insert that will be distributed to over 50 million households. The insert will feature coupon information from Heinz, Clorox and many other favorite household brands, each of which have donated and supported Wounded Warrior Project and the injured veterans the organization serves.

News America Marketing is a strong supporter of our country’s service men and women. For the past three years, the organization has sponsored an all-expense paid trip to the Super Bowl for two marines and a guest, and will do so again for the 2012 game. News America Marketing has also held fundraisers in its individual offices for the Wounded Warrior Project as well as Operation Gratitude, an organization that annually sends 100,000 care packages to U.S. service members and their families. This weekend’s issue of SmartSource Magazine will be the company’s first effort to raise the awareness of the American consumer to this important cause.

“Our support of Wounded Warrior Project solidifies our dedication to the men and women who fight for our country every day. News America Marketing has always been a proud supporter of our armed forces, and being able to dedicate an issue of SmartSource Magazine to such a great cause is an honor for us,” said Paul Carlucci, CEO and Chairman, News America Marketing.

Wounded Warrior Project’s vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of injured service members in our nation’s history. Thousands of Wounded Warriors and families receive support each year through programs designed to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment.

“We are trying to change the lives of the people who have fought for ours,” said Steven Nardizzi, Executive Director, Wounded Warrior Project. “We are thankful for News America Marketing’s participation in our Believe in Heroes™ campaign and appreciate their commitment to our nation’s wounded veterans.”  

Wounded Warrior Project does not accept any government funding, so it is the support of generous Americans that allows the organization to provide programs to aid in the healing of these brave warriors and their families. News America Marketing strongly encourages Americans to visit believeinheroes.org to take advantage of all the special Veterans Day savings offerings and to make a donation to this worthy cause.

Help support our troops by supporting these companies, and put a little back in your pocket at the same time!

 

The thing is this didn’t just happen in 2004, I see it happen every year. Texas National Guardsmen out placing flags on graves at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery here (amazingly enough sans interference by the Draconian cemetery director or the VA) taking the time to stop what they are doing and thank VFW and family members who come to visit the graves of the fallen.

Dining Notes: See which restaurants are honoring veterans with free eats on Nov. 11

Posted: November 4, 2011 – 12:06am  |  Updated: November 4, 2011 – 7:04am

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2011-11-04/story/dining-notes-see-which-restaurants-are-honoring#ixzz1cnVwJFxB

Several restaurants will honor America’s military veterans and active-duty personnel with special deals this Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11.

Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active service members. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required. Find locations at http://applebees.com/.

Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available during business hours on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.
Special thanks to Golden Corral: To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.5 million free meals and contributed over $4.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization

Hooters – Free Meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Choose one of the new specialty items on the Hooter’s menu. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. Drink purchase required. For more information, visit, www.HootersVeteransDay.com.

Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Friday November 11th. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating. If they are not, do you really ever need a Krispy Kreme donut again that badly?

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 13, 2011: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Veterans must provide proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also, Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. For more information visit: M&S Veterans Appreciation Event.

Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is available to Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of identifications: U.S Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform. For more information, visit, http://outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday.aspx.
The Outback understands commitment. For the past two years, The Outback, with the help of their patrons, has donated $2 Million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing everyday and emergency support for active troops, wounded warriors and their families.

Subway – Free Six Inch Sub. Select Subway locations offer a FREE six inch sub to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. However, Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead. If they are not, do you really ever need a sub par cold cuts Subway sandwich again that badly?

Texas Roadhouse – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Offer varies by location; our local Texas Roadhouse is offering a free meal from opening until 4pm. Other locations may vary in offer, hours, or availability. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11-14. At participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID. November 11-14. I’m getting tired of saying it so here’s a blanket comment; if they are not participating in this program you really need to ask yourself if you need to be giving them your business in such hard economic times or spending that money where the company supports and thanks our troops. This goes for all these places.

Uno Chicago Grill, Friday, Nov. 11. Uno’s is offering a free entree or individual pizza with a purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value. Offer good for all military for veterans and active duty military. ID or proof of service required: Show up in uniform (if your service permits), provide military ID, show a picture of yourself in uniform, or have other ID showing proof of service.  Leprechaun Note: There was a link with this but the page is down currently. I ahve no way of knowing what that means.

Home Depot: The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran’s Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 and is available at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations. The 10% discount is available everyday for active duty and retirees, but not all veterans. Home Depot makes this offer available to all veterans on most military holidays. Update: Home Depot and Lowes 10% Military Discount Available Everyday.

Lowes: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available Nov. 7 – Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards. Like Home Depot, Lowes offers this discount daily to active duty military members, but not to veterans. However, they extend the offer to military veterans on military holidays.

Bed and Breakfast for Vets
In the third year of the program, B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485 (and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night’s stay on November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this promotion and reservations must be made directly through the participating Inns and B&Bs. For more information visit B&Bs for Vets.

Other Veteran’s Day Discounts
Here are some additional Veteran’s Day Discounts. In all cases, be sure to provide proper ID or proof of service. In addition, some of these stores are franchises, so verify participation before assuming the discount is in place.

 Free Car wash. Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.
 Amazon.com – Discount “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album download. This downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon on Veteran’s Day to download the album. In fact you can download it now!

 Sport Clips – FREE haircut to active-duty military & veterans. Offer only available at select locations. Please call to verify local participation.
 Tim Hortons – all US locations are offering a free donut to all veterans (check out the Star Spangled donut!).

 

Wow! Everyone needs to watch this one.

If this doesn’t speak volumes to you, then you aren’t paying attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=hxlcVAEj0sM&vq=large

 

 

Actually there are 3 separate P.S.As dealing with Veterans issues here. Please give your kind attention to all 3.

 

We are losing these figures of Living History at an alarming rate. Many of the WWII Museums like The National Museum of the Pacific War have oral history programs where these living pieces of history are interview usually via telephone at no cost to them. These taped interviews are then transcribed and preserved as the voices of a living breathing bit of a historic event told from each ones unique perspective. With most of these Vets in their late 80s and early 90s, time on interviewing them is rapidly running out.

My wife serves as one of multiple  transcriptionists for her grandfather who is a tireless volunteer for this project and has to date done over 670 such interviews despite being over 80 himself. If you have a WWII vet in your family or know of one please consider asking them about their willingness to be interviewed and then contact me off blog. 

Also if your grandmother or some other member of your family was a “Rosie the Riveter” a WAC or a WAVE or something along those lines  please ask them if they would be willing to be interviewed also as Home Front and Women’s War Contributions are also being documented.

You can find an e-mail address for me personally in the closing credits.

CALL FOR PHOTOS

Help VVMF and HISTORY® Honor Service Members Memorialized on The Wall

HISTORY is proud to join the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) Call for Photos, a nationwide campaign to collect a photograph for each of the 58,272 men and women whose names are inscribed on The Wall. Collected photographs, like the ones below, will be displayed in the future Education Center at The Wall and will also appear online on the VVMF’s Virtual Memorial Wall.

This October and November, HISTORY will host a series of Call for Photos events in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago with VVMF to advance the collection of the more than 35,000 photos still needed to complete the display. Anyone with a photo of a service member listed on The Wall is urged to scan and submit their photo online or bring it to the event where it can be scanned.

Please join us at these Call for Photos events and help us put a face with a name.

1. NEW YORK, NY
   Times Square, Military Island
   Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets
   Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 from 12:00 – 6:00PM
   Featuring The Wall That Heals

   To learn how to submit a photo of someone from NYC or the State of New York, click here.

2. PHILADELPHIA, PA Independence National Historical Park
   Adjacent to the Visitor Center on N. 6th Street and Market St.
   Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 from 1:00 – 5:00PM
   Featuring The Wall That Heals

   To learn how to submit a photo of someone from Philadelphia or the State of Pennsylvania, click here.

3. ATLANTA, GA
   Centennial Olympic Park
   Directions to Park
   Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 from 12:00PM – 6:00PM
   Featuring The Wall That Heals

   To learn how to submit a photo of someone from Atlanta or the State of Georgia, click here.

4. CHICAGO, IL
   Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial
   The Riverwalk between W. Wacker Drive & N. State Street
   Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 from 10:00AM – 2:00PM

   To learn how to submit a photo of someone from Chicago or the State of Illinois, click here.

*If you have a photo of a service member who is not from one of the 4 states above, you can submit it here.

Visit www.veterans.com to learn more about other veterans initiatives and activities from HISTORY.  

We made the commitment never to forget them, now help keep that promise, if someone from your family or a family you know is on the Vietnam Memorial Wall please help ensure their photo gets submitted. Help make them more than just a name chiseled on a cold stone slab, help put a face with that name, help make them a whole person for all to remember. Don’t we owe them at least that much?

 

Vietnam in HD – 3 Night Event Begins Nov. 8 at 9/8c

http://www.history.com/shows/vietnam-in-hd/interactives/vietnam-veterans-memorial

 

  Placing this as The Last Word should be in no means interpreted as a slight to Andy Rooney who’s work and commentary I always enjoyed, though didn’t always agree with. It was difficult to find a place in an issue dealing with a specific subject where this would appear to fit in.

Andy was in fact a Veteran himself and in some ways both his world view, his honest blunt and to the point writing style as well as his penchant for writing and saying clearly and openly what other people were thinking have influenced my writing style and thought process when it comes to this blog.

Andy Rooney, Mainstay on ‘60 Minutes’, Dead at 92

Andy Rooney, whose prickly wit was long a mainstay of CBS News and whose homespun commentary on “60 Minutes,” delivered every week from 1978 until 2011, made him a household name, died Friday in New York City.

He was 92 and lived in Manhattan, though he kept a family vacation home in Rensselaerville, N.Y., and the first home he ever purchased, in Rowayton, Conn.

CBS News said in a statement that Mr. Rooney died after complications following minor surgery.

In late September, CBS announced that Mr. Rooney would be making his last regular weekly appearance on “60 Minutes” on Oct. 2. After that, said Jeff Fager, the chairman of CBS News and the program’s executive producer, he would “always have the ability to speak his mind on ‘60 Minutes’ when the urge hits him.”

But a little more than three weeks after that appearance, CBS announced that Mr. Rooney had been hospitalized after developing “serious complications” from an unspecified operation.

Mr. Rooney entered television shortly after World War II, writing material for entertainers like Arthur Godfrey, Victor Borge, Herb Shriner, Sam Levenson and Garry Moore. Beginning in 1962, he had a six-year association with the CBS News correspondent Harry Reasoner, who narrated a series of Everyman “essays” written by Mr. Rooney.

But it was “A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney,” his weekly segment on “60 Minutes,” that made him one of the most popular broadcast figures in the country. With his jowls, bushy eyebrows, deeply circled eyes and advancing years, he seemed every inch the homespun philosopher as he addressed mostly mundane subjects with varying degrees of befuddlement, vexation and sometimes even pleasure.

He admitted to loving football, Christmas, tennis, woodworking and Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the few politicians who won his approval because, as an Army general during World War II, he had refused to censor Stars and Stripes, the G.I. newspaper for which Mr. Rooney worked. He also claimed to like shined shoes and properly pressed pants and had machines in his office to take care of those functions, although somehow he always managed to look rumpled.

But he was better known for the things he didn’t like. He railed against “two-prong plugs in a three-prong society,” the incomprehensibility of road maps, wash-and-wear shirts “that you can wash but not wear,” the uselessness of keys and locks, and outsize cereal boxes that contained very little cereal.

“I don’t like any music I can’t hum,” he grumbled.

He observed that “there are more beauty parlors than there are beauties” and that “if dogs could talk, it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one.”

He made clear he thought that Gen. George S. Patton and Ernest Hemingway, both of whom he had known personally, were gasbags. He actively disliked New Year’s Eve, waiting in line for any reason, and the bursars at whatever colleges his children attended.

He once concluded that “it is possible to be dumb and be a college president,” but he acknowledged that “most college students are not as smart as most college presidents.”

On the subject of higher education, he declared that most college catalogs “rank among the great works of fiction of all time,” and that a student of lackluster intellect who could raise tuition money would find it “almost impossible to flunk out.”

Time magazine once called him “the most felicitous nonfiction writer in television.” But Mr. Rooney was decidedly not everyone’s cup of tea.

The New York Times columnist Anna Quindlen, for example, took strong issue with Mr. Rooney’s dismissive comments after Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana committed suicide in 1994. It was not surprising, she wrote, that Mr. Rooney “brought to the issue of youthful despair a mixture of sarcasm and contempt,” but it was “worth noting because in 1994 that sort of attitude is as dated and foolish as believing that cancer is contagious.”

Mr. Rooney’s opinions sometimes landed him in trouble. In 1990 CBS News suspended him without pay in response to complaints that he had made remarks offensive to black and gay people.

The trigger was a December 1989 special, “A Year With Andy Rooney,” in which he said: “There was some recognition in 1989 of the fact that many of the ills which kill us are self-induced. Too much alcohol, too much food, drugs, homosexual unions, cigarettes. They’re all known to lead quite often to premature death.” He later apologized for the statement.

But the gay newspaper The Advocate subsequently quoted him as saying in an interview: “I’ve believed all along that most people are born with equal intelligence, but blacks have watered down their genes because the less intelligent ones are the ones that have the most children. They drop out of school early, do drugs and get pregnant.”

Mr. Rooney denied that he had made such a statement, and because the interview had apparently not been taped, the reporter was unable to prove that he had. “It is a know-nothing statement, which I abhor,” Mr. Rooney said.

He said that he had accepted the suspension rather than end his relationship with CBS News. He said that when he was an Army trainee, he had been arrested in the South because he insisted on riding in the back of a bus with some black soldiers who were friends of his.

Many of his colleagues rushed to his defense. “I know he is not a racist,” Walter Cronkite said.

Mr. Rooney was suspended for three months but was brought back after only one. During his absence the ratings for “60 Minutes” declined by 20 percent and the network received thousands of letters and telephone calls from viewers who missed his commentaries.

Mr. Rooney generated more criticism in 2002, when he said in an interview on a cable sports show that women had “no business” being sideline television reporters at football games because they did not understand football. He did it again in 2007, with a newspaper column complaining about the current state of baseball. “I know all about Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, but today’s baseball stars are all guys named Rodriguez to me,” he wrote.

He subsequently acknowledged that he “probably shouldn’t have said it,” but denied that his intent had been to denigrate Latin American players.

Andrew Aitken Rooney was born on Jan. 14, 1919, in Albany, the son of Walter and Ellinor Rooney. His father was in the paper business. After his graduation from Albany Academy, he worked as a copy boy for The Knickerbocker News before attending Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., where he played left guard on the football team (even though he was only 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds) and worked for the weekly newspaper, The Colgate Maroon.

In 1941, three months before Pearl Harbor, he was drafted into the Army and used his powers of persuasion to get himself assigned to Stars and Stripes. He didn’t know much about reporting, but he learned his craft by working with journalists like Homer Bigart, Ernie Pyle and Cronkite.

He became a sergeant, flew on some bombing missions, covered the invasion of France in 1944 and won a Bronze Star for reporting under fire during the battle of Saint-Lô in Normandy. A year later, he was among the first Americans to enter the concentration camps at Buchenwald and Thekla, Germany.

In collaboration with Bud Hutton, a Stars and Stripes colleague, Mr. Rooney wrote two books: “Air Gunner” (1944), a collection of sketches of Americans who had been stationed in England, and “The Story of the Stars and Stripes” (1946).

After his discharge, Mr. Rooney returned to Albany and worked as a freelance writer.

By 1949 he had persuaded Arthur Godfrey to hire him as a writer. He continued writing for several entertainers, but also became involved in news and public affairs when he was asked to write some scripts for “The Twentieth Century,” a documentary series narrated by Cronkite. That led to his long-term association with Harry Reasoner, which led to his involvement, initially as a writer, with “60 Minutes.”

In the early 1970s, after briefly working for PBS, Mr. Rooney returned to CBS and began appearing on camera in a series of specials, one of which, “Mr. Rooney Goes to Washington,” won a Peabody Award.

Mr. Rooney was as outspoken about CBS, his longtime employer, as he was about everything else. He made no secret of his dislike for Laurence A. Tisch, the network’s chief executive from 1986 to 1995. Protesting Mr. Tisch’s cost efficiencies and job cuts in 1987, Mr. Rooney said CBS News “has been turned into primarily a business enterprise, and the moral enterprise has been lost,” and threatened to quit if a writers strike against CBS News was not settled.

Although his commentary was mostly written for CBS News, he also had a syndicated newspaper column for three decades, for which he was given a lifetime achievement award in 2003 by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. (That same year he received a similar award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.) He published a number of books, primarily collections of his commentaries, most recently “Out of My Mind” (2006), “And More by Andy Rooney” (2008) and “Andy Rooney: 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit” (2010).

Mr. Rooney’s wife of 62 years, the former Marguerite Howard, died in 2004. Mr. Rooney is survived by their four children: Ellen Rooney of London, Martha Fishel of Chevy Chase, Md., Emily Rooney of Boston and Brian Rooney of Los Angeles, along with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Rooney frequently said he considered himself “one of the least important producers on television” because his specialty was light pieces. “I just wish insignificance had more stature,” he once said.

But he put things in perspective in his 1,097th and last regularly scheduled “60 Minutes” appearance.

 

“I’ve done a lot of complaining here,” he said then, “but of all the things I’ve complained about, I can’t complain about my life.”

Neither can anyone else Andy. I hope that someday as a blogger I will be thought of as 10% the writer and Social Commentator you were and 5% as well thought of.

 

Leprechaun here Folks-

OK I think that’s enough graphics to get the point across that this is an important announcement. Ahem…here we go

We interrupt you regularly scheduled mundane Monday existence to bring you this DragonLaffs Electronic Media LLP Breaking News Public Service Message Extras Edition.

Some of you may already know of this others of you probably heard something about it and put it out of your mind. Still others of you who live in caves under rocks or are liberals will probably have heard nothing of this. SO at the behest of our feckless I mean fearless leader I am send out this reminder and notice.

 

Subject: National Test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System

For your information and situational awareness

National Test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System

On Wednesday, November 9, 2011, FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test. This nationwide test will kick off at 2 pm (EST) and run concurrently across all time zones.

This system test is the first of its kind designed to broadcast a nationwide message to the American public. In the history of the country, nothing like it has been conducted on such a level. As you may be aware, there have been tests in the past, but not of this magnitude encompassing all regions of the Nation simultaneously. The three (3) minute test will run concurrently on all radio and TV band stations exceeding the previous messages broadcast which were anywhere from a 30 second to 1 minute message.

There is great concern in local police and emergency management circles about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation regarding the message might create panic. Please share this information with your family and friends so they are aware of the test.

FEMAs website provides more information regarding this test: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/offsite/?pg=http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

Now PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT send us 500 e-mail regarding how this is a “Big Brother” or Obama taking over the media conspiracy theory event.

Some of you already have, and bluntly that’s utter crap and you should be ashamed of yourself for buying into such schlock. I’m not even you and I’m ashamed for you for embarrassing yourself like that!

This test represents a good thing and is a long time coming and in the making. It is part of the reason for the digital media initiative to allow for simultaneous communication with all homes in the event of a National disaster. This test will prove wither or not what used to take up to an hour for national networks and regional carriers to get ready for can be accomplished in the blink of an eye. No delay in times of crisis means better and more timely discrimination of information and the possible saving of lives by it.

This concludes our test of the DragonLaffs Electronic Media LLP Breaking News Public Service Message Extras Edition System.

This was a Public Service Announcement, it was only a Public Service Announcement. Had this been an actually DragonLaffs or Leprechaun Laughs Issue it would have been much longer and there would have been jokes, mirth, opinions and  coffee aplenty.

We now return you to your regular Monday mundane existence.