Trivia

The question was: when were the first computer programs published?

Answer: In 1843, mathematician Ada Byron published the first computer programs. She based them on Jacquard's punch-card idea. Her programs were for the first general-purpose mechanical digital computer that had just been invented by Charles Babbage.

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb? - 15

And Finally....

How many cats does it take to change a light bulb?

Cats do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. So, the real question is:

"How long will it be before I can expect some light, some dinner, and a massage?"

ALL OF WHICH PROVES, ONCE AGAIN, THAT WHILE DOGS HAVE MASTERS, CATS HAVE STAFF!

Aging

TENNESSEE LOGIC

A couple, both native born Tennesseans, had 9 children. They went to the doctor to see about getting the husband "fixed".

The doctor asked them why, after 9 children, would you choose to do this-----now.

The husband replied that they had read a recent article that 1 out of Every 10 children being born in North America was Mexican and they didn't want a Mexican baby because neither of them could speak Spanish.

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb? - 14

Poodle

I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

The Red Cross

From Email

The Red Cross has launched its latest hard-mail fund raising campaign. This year, on the heels of Hurricane Katrina, animal lovers everywhere are outraged over the Red Cross's inhumane 'no-animals' policy.

Because of this policy, countless animals were abandoned and countless animals died. Equally sad is the heartbreak suffered by the devastated families forced to leave their animals behind.

This year, when you receive your donation request from the Red Cross, return the envelope with a MESSAGE and NO MONEY. A possible message might be:

"I can no longer support the Red Cross. Because of the Red Cross's heartless 'no animals' policy and unwillingness to coordinate and share resources with animal rescue organizations, people died in their homes to protect their animals. Countless animals died at home abandoned by their families. And millions of families are consumed by guilt having been forced to leave their animals behind.

I am part of a national campaign to change the Red Cross's inhumane 'no animals' policy. If the Red Cross wants my money, the Red Cross will have to change."

Please distribute widely and thank you for helping to make this change.

American Red Cross National Headquarters

2025 E Street

NW Washington, DC 20006

Phone: (202) 303-4498

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb? - 13

Australian Shepherd

First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle...

IT'S THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE, STUPID

"Let me put this bluntly. On no issue have a Republican administration and a Republican House and Senate more blatantly or more cynically sold out the conservative movement and our country than on immigration. Their inaction on this issue -- or worse, actions that would make the problem even worse, like the administration's proposed amnesty for illegals -- are a scandal and a disgrace. Conservatives should be hopping mad about it, mad enough to tell Republicans that they will not have our votes unless they change. I would rather stay home on Election Day than vote for someone who believes in open borders."

- Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation

Now my two cents worth: I am not interested in closing the borders, but I think as Americans we have the right to know who is entering our country. And I'm not necessarily talking about terrorists! I think it just makes sense to be concerned with those who are coming into America to work and to send their pay back to their home country. While for a good cause in itself, these same people are availing themselves of services that we are paying for through our tax dollars. Many of these illegal aliens are day laborers, meaning that they are paid in cash at the end of the day. No taxes are paid to the government.

The tax issue could be solved if we could ever get the Fair Tax passed. It wouldn't solve the immigration problem, but illegal immigrants would pay taxes just like you and me and relieve you and me of some of the tax burden of millions of illegal immigrants, be they Mexican, Canadian, from Central or South America or from another country altogether entering through either Mexico or Canada.

To me, it's sort of like people walking through your house. It doesn't matter if they aren't there to blow your house up, murder your family, or clean your house. If they aren't invited, they are in your house illegally, no matter what the reason.

I honestly don't believe it's asking too much to require people who want to live in this country, or at least earn a living here, to obey our laws by first entering legally and then pay taxes.

Unlike Mr. Weyrich suggests, I won't sit home on Election Day. I propose that you support the candidate who best represents your views. If that's a candidate from another party, then so be it. Only if no candidate represents your values, your morals, your ethics, then maybe you should consider staying home.

Trivia Answer

The question was: Which land animal, after the elephant, is the heaviest?

The hippopotamus is, next to the elephants, the heaviest of all land mammals. It may weigh as much as 8,000 pounds. It is also a close relative of the pig.

Happy Buddies Day!

Forward to all your friends, including me. And don't tell me you're too busy for this. Don't you know the phrase "stop and smell the flowers"?

See how many "bouquets" you end up with!

Happiness keeps You Sweet

Trials keep You Strong

Sorrows keep You Human

Failures keep You Humble

Success keeps You Glowing

You are so special!

Today is "online buddy day " . Send this to your online friends - even me , if I'm one of them - and see how many you get today

from email

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb? - 12

Greyhound

It isn't moving. Who cares?

Harry Reid Said What?

I read somewhere today, that Harry Reid has told Democrats that if they want to retain, or aspire to important seats in important committees, they will not support the Fair Tax (HR/S 25). I wish I could find that cite again so I could quote it directly.

If true, this is obviously why I can't get answers from either Senator Mel Martinez or Senator Bill Nelson will not answer my questions as to whether or not they support tax reform in general and the Fair Tax in particular. Nelson needs Democratic backing for his re-election campaign. Martinez wants an important committee seat.

Well, in my opinion, they have answered my questions. I will not be supporting either of these "gentlemen" in their next run for office. I will support the candidate who supports the Fair Tax.

And by the way, Katherine Harris, representative of my own Florida District 13 in the House, also refuses to answer the question. Dr. Belinda Noah is running against Rep. Harris for Senator Nelson's Senate seat. Guess who will get my money and my vote?

I can't decide whether to call Martinez, Nelson, and Harris the Three Blind Mice or the Three Monkeys - See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Do No Evil.

Jury Duty

I got a summons for jury duty today. I'm like so many other people that don't really want to serve. I know how to get off if I want to, and know what not to say to get on a panel. I wouldn't mind serving so much but, they probably won't let me because of my job. Possibly, but since I've worked for this agency, I've been called three other times and they always dismissed me.

I seem to be the only person I know who's called. That might be because I work with so many certified officers and they are automatically relieved of serving.

Sigh. It's just time wasted.

Speaking of Wyatt

I haven't bragged on him for a while. Let me tell you, he is smart as a whip. I started working with him over the weekend to show me where his leash is when he wants to go out. I had a four day weekend (yay! We like long weekends!) and by Sunday he was running to the door and touching the leash with his nose (it's hanging on the back of the front door). Everynight before bedtime, he and I go for a walk to get the mail. He sniffs and pees, and pees and poops, and sniffs again, sometimes all at the same time. When I say "mailbox" he runs to them (our's is one of a bank of mailboxes for our little complex). When I say, "let's go home" or "find our house" he turns and goes right to our front door.

I got home last night, and My Other Half turned to me and said..."Your Dog". When Wyatt is "my dog" I know one of two things. Either he's done something bad, or MOH is both proud and is trying to pretend to be annoyed. Well, it was the latter, this time. Seems that Wyatt periodically during the day, ran over to MOH, put his paws on MOH's leg and then ran to the front door and nosed his leash. MOH was proud as punch that Wyatt knows he has to be leashed to go outside, but he can't take Wyatt out. MOH is disabled and because of his disability is afraid that Wyatt will cause him to fall. This could be a bad thing. Especially if he cuts a cut or abrasion. Could end up being a very bad wound due to his diabetes. So Wyatt has to wait till Mommy gets home to go out.

Okay, it's not rocket science, but he's my baby and I think he's sharp as a tack. So there. I'm completely besotted by Wyatt and don't tell me he isn't a genius dog because you're wrong.

So there! nyahhh!

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb? - 11

Chihuahua

Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Or "We don't need no stinking light bulb."

I should have substituted my Chihuahua Wyatt's picture for this one, I thought about it. I should have done it. Well, durn it! I might not substitute it (the one above is a cutie, after all), but I can add Wyatt's picture for my own amusment. It's my blog, after all. I can do anything I want!

Is this a face to light up a room or what? Who needs a light bulb with him around??

Are RFID Chips Necessary to Homeland Security?

If you have not already done so, I need you to send an urgent message to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff that you oppose any new federal standards that would significantly increase the cost of your state-issued drivers’ license and jeopardize your personal privacy.

As I told you earlier this month, under the Real ID Act, which Congress passed without any debate in May, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is charged with developing new federal standards for drivers’ licenses, purportedly to combat terrorism and illegal immigration. One option under consideration is requiring drivers’ licenses to contain an embedded computer chip, called a radio frequency identification or RFID chip, with the capacity for carrying detailed personal information.

Currently, 49 states use either magnetic stripes or two-dimensional technology on drivers’ licenses.

Most states are making secure cards at a reasonable cost and have had minimal identity theft problems. If DHS opts to require RFID chips, more than 196 million American drivers will be forced to carry a license that has the memory to store every personal detail, including health records, family history, and bank and credit card transactions. What’s more, the information on RFID chips can be remotely accessed by unauthorized persons, making citizens more vulnerable to identity theft and government snooping. As if the threat to privacy weren't bad enough, requiring RFID chips would cost states $17.4 billion, pushing the cost of a drivers’ license from $10-$25 today to at least $90! More than 3,000 CAGW members have already contacted Secretary Chertoff, but we would like to generate at least 5,000 messages to him. Please tell the Secretary that you don’t want an RFID chip in your drivers’ license today!

Most states are making secure cards at a reasonable cost and have had minimal identity theft problems.

If DHS opts to require RFID chips, more than 196 million American drivers will be forced to carry a license that has the memory to store every personal detail, including health records, family history, and bank and credit card transactions. What’s more, the information on RFID chips can be remotely accessed by unauthorized persons, making citizens more vulnerable to identity theft and government snooping.

As if the threat to privacy weren't bad enough, requiring RFID chips would cost states $17.4 billion, pushing the cost of a drivers’ license from $10-$25 today to at least $90!

More than 3,000 CAGW members have already contacted Secretary Chertoff, but we would like to generate at least 5,000 messages to him. Please tell the Secretary that you don’t want an RFID chip in your drivers’ license today!

Sincerely,Thomas A. Schatz
President
CAGW

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation's largest taxpayer watchdog group with over one million members and supporters nationwide. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government. For more information about CAGW, visit our website at www.cagw.org. Help CAGW wage this battle to protect your personal privacy and your pocketbook by making a tax-deductible contribution today. To send a strong message to Secretary Chertoff, we need as many Americans as possible to contact him.

I'm not sure that Homeland Security needs to re-invent something that already works for 49 states. It seems to me that they are doing something right and the government should work with the one state that doesn't have the security measures the other 49 do. Perhaps that 50th state has something even better? I don't know. I just think there is altogether too much government interference as it it. Why fix something that ain't broke?

I actually think the chip including health information could be a good idea. People who currently wear medical alert jewelry could also have the information embedded in their driver's license. Or for people who have conditions that may not warrant medical alert jewelry. But it should be the choice of the person involve to have such information available for medical emergencies. Then, there is the thought that if I have need of such help, it could be a waste of precious time to find my DL and put it through a reader to find out what health information it might contain.

For a moment I also thought it would help to identlfy people in the event of an accident or untimely death. But it seems to me that most people involved in accidents or untimely deaths usually have identification of some sort on them, and the health information might not be of use - especially if they are already dead. Many of those who are murdered and found as "john" or "Jane" Doe's, have no identification because the murderer wants it that way, so the information in a DL wouldn't do any good.

I see no reason to include bank information in a DL. And I think the cost, if accurately stated above, would be prohibitve to some people. I don't see where an RFID chip would prevent terrorists from obtaining a DL with a RFID chip in it. I'm sure that if the September 11th hijackers had such ID, it would show nothing out of the ordinary.

No, I see nothing about an RFID chip that would be an improvement on what 49 states currently offer.

RED FRIDAYS

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday - and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON -- IF YOU COULD CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE. WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED ---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO BECOME ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.

From email

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb? - 10

Cocker Spaniel

Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

Tropical Depression #27????

Good Grief

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb? - 9

Old English Sheep Dog

Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb!

Pennsylvania Amber Alert

The Pennsylvania State Police has issued an Amber Child Abduction Alert For the Warwick Township Police Department , Lancaster County.

The Warwick Township Police Department is searching for Kara Beth Borden, white female age 14, 5'1", 100lbs., brown hair with blonde highlights. She was last seen wearing a black sweat shirt with "Pillar" across the front , blue jeans and black sneakers. She was last seen at 8:00 Am on Sunday, 11/13/05 at 15 Royal Drive, Warwick Township, Lancaster County. She was reported abducted at gun point, after the murder of her parents, by David G. Ludwig, white male, age 18, brown hair and eyes.

Last seen operating a red Volkswagen Jetta bearing Pennsylvania registration EHH0994. Anyone with information about this abduction should immediately contact the police by calling 911.

This has been an Amber Child Abduction Alert for the Warwick Township Police Department, Lancaster County.

Affected Counties: Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, Perry, Juniata, York, Cumberland, Adams, Huntington, Mifflin, Snyder, Northumberland, Franklin, Berks, Chester.

No photo available at this time. I'll post one when it becomes available.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Well, to this blog anyway. Two years ago today, I started blogging. I needed an outlet for my rantings and ravings and I found it here.

Come on in and join the party! Have a piece of cake, a drink, and enjoy! The band will be in later. Gifts are optional, but much appreciated and may be left on the table next to the door. I especially like anything in green with pictures of dead presidents on it. Enjoy the party and have fun!