National Senior Citizens Day,

National Senior Citizens Day - National Senior Citizens Day honors our elderly population. On this day, we are encouraged to recognize and show appreciation for the value and contribution of elderly people to home, family and society.

In his Presidential Proclamation (August 19, 1988), President Ronald Reagan said "For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older."

On National Senior Citizens Day, we should:

Spend some time with senior citizens

Show our appreciation for senior citizens

Do volunteer work in support of the elderly

If you are a senior citizen, enjoy your day any way you desire. After all, this is your day! Make sure to take advantage of senior citizens specials and discounts. There's bound to be plenty offers today.

Here is a senior citizen that is a paradigm of the armed citizen!

Chortle -It is now time to chortle!

Up in Smoke, What Stinks?, -and- Never Too Old

Up in Smoke - Kellogs to drop Olympian Phelps
What Stinks? - New York City solves syrup smell mystery
Never Too Old - 60-year-old Canadian woman gives birth to twins

On this day in history: February 6, 1951 - Radio personality Paul Harvey is arrested for trying to break into Argonne Atomic Lab.

Born on this day in history: February 6, 1911 - Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) Fortieth president of the United States, governor, actor. Born Ronald Wilson Reagan on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. Leading what was known as the Reagan Revolution, Ronald Reagan ushered in a new era of conservatism in American politics when he became president of the United States in 1981. Perhaps as a precursor of things to come, he served as student body president in high school. He was also active in sports, such as football, and in drama.

After high school, Reagan attended Eureka College where he continued to participate in student government and theater. He graduated in 1932 with a degree in economics and sociology. Working as a radio announcer and sportscaster for a time, Reagan made his way to Hollywood after securing a film contract with Warner Bros. in 1937. His first film, "Love is on the Air," was released later that year.

During his Hollywood years, Reagan made more than 50 films of varying quality. One of his best remembered roles was as George "The Gipper" Gipp in the sports drama "Knute Rockne All American" (1940). He also turned in strong performances in "Brother Rat" (1938) and "Dark Victory" (1939) with Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. Reagan earned his greatest kudos, however, for "Kings Row" (1942), in which he played a rich young man who loses it all, but later redeems himself.

In addition to a successful film career, Reagan's personal life was also thriving. He married actress Jane Wyman in 1940. The following year, the couple welcomed their first daughter Maureen. Four years later, they adopted son Michael. Their marriage, unfortunately, did not last. They divorced by the end of the decade.

During World War II, Reagan served in the Army Air Corps, making several training films for the military. Reagan was honorably discharged in 1945, having reached the rank of captain. In 1947, he was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild-a post he would hold several times during his career. He also testified in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee that same year. Initially a Democrat, Reagan became more conservative over the years. He also held strong anticommunist views and was a member of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, an industry organization opposed to communism. Other members included actors John Wayne and Gary Cooper.

By the 1950s, Reagan's film career was in decline. One of his most famous films from this time was his co-starring role opposite a chimpanzee in the family comedy Bedtime for Bonzo (1951). Finding love again, Reagan married actress Nancy Davis in March of the following year. Their first daughter, Patricia, arrived that fall. The couple appeared on screen together in the war drama Hellcats of the Navy in 1957. Their son Ronald Prescott was born the next year.

In 1962, Reagan officially became a Republican and soon focused much of his time on politics. He ran for governor of California in 1966 and enjoyed the support of such stars as friend John Wayne. Taking office in 1967, Reagan soon announced his presidential ambitions. He failed in his 1968 bid for the Republican nomination, but he was reelected governor in 1970. One of his most notable acts was his effort to cut enrollment in the state's welfare program by signing the California Welfare Reform Act in 1971.

Undeterred by his earlier failure, Reagan pressed on in his quest for the highest office in the nation. He lost the 1976 Republican nomination to then-president Gerald Ford, but he was victorious in his efforts to represent his party in the 1980 election. Scoring a huge upset against Democratic president Jimmy Carter, Reagan took office in 1981.

Only months after becoming the country's commander in chief, Reagan shot by a would-be assassin on March 30. He was wounded, but later made a full recovery. In the interim, vice president George Bush briefly took over as president.

Reagan is remembered for advancing his conservative policies. He lobbied for increased defense spending, especially such programs as the so-called Star Wars missile defense system. His fervor over military expansion and arms development earned him the nickname "Ronnie Raygun" in some circles. In foreign affairs, Reagan remained true to his anticommunist views. He maintained a tense and sometimes adversarial relationship to the Soviet Union and other communist states.

On the domestic side, Reagan seemed to take a hands-off approach to improving the economy. He did work for tax cuts, but he sought to reduce the government spending by cutting social programs, which caused some uproar. He did, however, make history at home by appointing Sandra Day O'Connor as the female judge to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. No matter what happened, Reagan remained quite popular with most voters, easily winning re-election in 1984 against Walter Mondale.

After leaving office in 1989, Reagan maintained a busy schedule of events and other activities for a number of years before being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He spent his final years in seclusion. On June 5, 2004, Reagan died in his Los Angeles home from pneumonia. He was given a national funeral in Washington, D.C. and later laid to rest at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

Scripture of the Day: No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. - 1 John 4:12

Video of the Day: Tribute to Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan. Click to enlarge.

Ronald Reagan:As you will most likely surmise, Ronald Reagan is my favorite President. His moral values and conservative positions mirror my own. No other American President has ever embodied the spirit of pride and faith in this country and its citizenry. In fact, none have ever come close to doing so.

Sleep: I generally retire of an evening at 11 PM or shortly thereafter. Last evening, Laura declared herself to be most tired and expressed the desire to go abed at 9 PM. She cautioned me that it would be far too early for me to repose, yet—albeit in full agreement with her caution—I retired at that hour. I awakened at 3:45 AM and knew that more sleep would be difficult and would, most likely, result in prolonged lethargy. I arose, performed toilet, brewed a large mug of green tea with honey, toasted two blueberry waffles, nestled into my recliner, pulled my HP notebook to me (It resides upon a wheeled notebook table.), and began my day. At a time when the sun rises earlier and the weather is more seemly, I would have journeyed to my office to begin my day. With the wind howling, the temperature low, and the sky dark, I did not feel an invitation to do so. Three hours later, Laura was astir, the cats were beginning their day of frolicking, and daylight was beginning to pierce the darkness. I clutched the large bag that holds my Nikon camera gear and drove to my office. Here I am. It appears that today shall be a day most pluvial.

Don't Push Me!, Grand Theft Cart, -and- Mommy Dearest

Don't Push Me! - man spends 53 hours in shopping cart
Grand Theft Cart - golf-cart thief caught on interstate
Mommy Dearest - mother charged for leaving baby to die in car while she drinks in bar

On this day in history: July 15, 1869 - During war with Prussia, French ruler Napoleon III commissions Hippolye Mege Mouries to find a butter substitute. A patent for margarine is issued, it being based on beef fat instead of milk fat. But even with the tactically superior spread, the war is still lost.

Born on this day in history: July 15, 1951 - Jesse Ventura (1951-) Born James George Janos in Minneapolis, Minnesota, professional wrestler and politician Jesse Ventura served in Vietnam in 1970, and, afterward, a popular wrestler and movie actor. In 1998, Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota, the first Reform Party candidate ever to hold state or federal office. Ventura chose not to run again.

Scripture of the Day: "Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'" - Mark 7:15

Video of the Day: Dragon the Leopard Gecko - submitted by Cindy

Ronald Reagan Quotes

It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.

Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.

Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.

Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.

Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.

Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.

How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.

I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress.

I've never been able to understand why a Republican contributor is a 'fat cat' and a Democratic contributor of the same amount of money is a 'public-spirited philanthropist.'

If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.

No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!

One way to make sure crime doesn't pay would be to let the government run it.

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.

Recession is when a neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours.

Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.

The taxpayer - that's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.

There are no easy answers but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.

They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong.

Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.
To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will.

Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse.

We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

We have the duty to protect the life of an unborn child.

We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

We should measure welfare's success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added.

Welfare's purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence.

When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.

Fighting Back, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, -and- No Emergency

Fighting Back - burglar makes the mistake of choosing 308-pound mastiff's home
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes - tomatoes pulled off shelves amid salmonella scare
No Emergency - police arrest teen for making 1,650 prank calls to 911

On this day in history: June 10, 1692 - Bridget Bishop is hanged at Gallows Hill near Salem, Massachusetts after having been convicted of "certaine Detestable Arts called Witchcraft & Sorceries." Bishop is just the first casualty of what will come to be known as the Salem Witch Trials.

Born on this day in history: June 10, 1922 - Judy Garland (1922 - 1969) Born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids, MN, actress and singer Judy Garland was a child star in The Wizard of Oz, but career demands and drug problems caused difficulties. Concerts and occasional films continued with public success, but her private life was full of overwhelming difficulties, and she died from an apparent overdose of sleeping pills.

Scripture of the Day: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. - Galatians 6:10

Video of the Day: Will it Blend? - Pens

Ronald Reagan Quotes:
'Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.'

'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'

'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.'

'Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.'

'I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.'

'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'

'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.'

'The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.'

'It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.'

'Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.'

'Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.'

'No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world , is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'

'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.'

Fighting Back, House of Filth, -and- Noisy Neighborhood

Fighting Back - Vietnam vet strangles rabid bobcat
House of Filth - over 50 dogs seized from Long Island home
Noisy Neighborhood - couple faces jail over kids' pool noise

On this day in history: June 21, 1982 - Using an innovative Jodie Foster defense, John Hinckley is found not guilty by reason of insanity for the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan.

Born on this day in history: June 21, 1732 - Martha Washington (1732 - 1802) first lady She was America's first First Lady; also the first U.S. woman to have her likeness appear on a U.S. stamp.

Today's Video: Cats and Dogs