Queerly Beloved, Something Wicked This Way Comes, -and- Rock On

Queerly Beloved - South African Parliament okays same-sex marriage
Something Wicked This Way Comes - widows sue over Wicca symbols
Rock On - amazing T-shirt plays air guitar

On this day in history: November 14, 1993 - Michael Jackson checks into a drug rehabilitation program in order to treat his addiction to painkillers, taken in response to media allegations that he is a homosexual pedophile. According to his publicist, Jackson was "barely able to function adequately on an intellectual level."

Born on this day in history: November 14, 1900 - Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990) composer. He was one of America's best-known composers whose works include "Billy the Kid," 1938 and the Pulitzer-winning "Appalachian Spring," 1944.

Today's Video: Submitted by Laura. Family Walks on All Fours

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We had intended to grill last Sunday, but the weather did not permit it. The rain ceased yesterday afternoon, and we planned to grill last evening. It was simply too windy and cold when Laura returned from a meeting at Harvest Christian Center at 7:15 PM. The top sirloin steaks were marinated in teriyaki sauce, extra-virgin olive oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, ground black pepper, and crushed red peppers. The giant shrimp were marinated in extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, seasonings, lime juice, and crushed red peppers. I pan-seared the steaks. They were wonderful—charred on the outside and rare in the center. I sautéed the shrimp. They were delicious. The marinade reduced to a delightful nectar that was so tasty we drizzled it on our baked potatoes.

Highway to Hell, Have It Your Way, -and- Dynamic Duo

Highway to Hell - Elton John wants religion banned completely
Have It Your Way - Burger King manager shoots unruly teen dead
Dynamic Duo - cops dress like Batman and Robin to catch drug suspects

On this day in history: November 13, 1805 - Johann Georg Lehner invents the hot dog.

Born on this day in history: November 13, 1850 - Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) author, poet, essayist, critic. He is best known for "Treasure Island," "A Child's Garden of Verses," and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

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We watched "God's Army." [Brandon Allen (Matthew Brown), a Mormon missionary in Los Angeles, has to confront the harsh challenges of his life in this inspirational drama. With the help of his unrelenting mentor Marcus (Richard Dutcher, who also directed), Brandon looks inward and realizes that his first convert just might have to be himself.] Laura placed this movie in our Netflix queue based on her assumption that the synopsis indicated that the main character was delivered from the Mormon cult. Unfortunately, he was delivered into that sect! The movie is unabashed Mormon propaganda—replete with non-Christian devices and references, the most unsettling of which is the healing of a cripple by invocation of the powers of a Mormon elder. Another abhorrent scene shows the "conversion" of a devout Catholic! Interestingly, one of the group reads a book entitled, "The Truth About Mormons" and poses several questions to the group's leader, who chastises him for reading the book and asking questions. Ultimately, this man rejects the cult and is shown in the bus depot, awaiting a bus to take him home. The group, in general, and the leader, in particular, dismiss him as "lost," while in actuality, he is the only one of the group for whom there is hope! I strongly discourage viewing this movie.

We watched "Bells of Innocence." [Jux Jonas (Mike Norris) is stuck deep in the heart of Texas with his friends Oren (Carey Scott) and Conrad (David White) after an emergency plane landing. Soon, they realize they're far from safety, stranded in a strange community where the locals seem under the spell of a voice from a short-wave radio owned by a local rancher (Marshall Teague). Will they ever escape? Also co-stars Norris's famous father, Chuck, in a supporting role.] This movie was very entertaining, uplifting, and dramatic. Chuck Norris is very believable as an angel of God, and his real-life son, Mike, turns in an excellent performance as a believer tormented by demons and tempted by Lucifer. It is a classic "good versus evil" story. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Our only disappointment was that there was none of the martial arts for which Norris is famous. I highly recommend this movie.

What's Up Doc?, Speak Up!, -and- Fetch!

What's Up Doc? - physicians using Google to diagnose illnesses
Speak Up! - woman regains voice after nearly three years
Fetch! - Japanese unveil robot wine steward

On this day in history: November 10, 1940 - Walt Disney begins serving as a secret informer for the Los Angeles office of the FBI, to report back information on Hollywood subversives. He was made a "Full Special Agent in Charge Contact" in 1954.

Born on this day in history: November 10, 1925 - Richard Burton (1925 - 1984) actor. He was a well-known British stage and motion-picture actor; won Tony, 1961, for "Camelot."

Today's Video: Ultimate Japanese Dance Video

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This kitty is angry, and he is not going to take it anymore!

It is beginning to look a lot more like Christmas at Wal-Mart. This holiday season, Wal-Mart is bringing "Christmas" back into its marketing, after several years of playing down the term. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Christmas cheer seems to be a hot trend this season as several other retailers, including Kohl’s Corp. and Macy’s are also stepping up their Christmas marketing. The moves respond to mounting criticism from religious groups that staged boycotts against Wal-Mart and other merchants after they eliminated or de-emphasized "Christmas" in their advertising.

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY! Here is a recent photograph of Chuck Norris in Iraq with our troops! This photograph was sent to Laura by the father of one of the soldiers in the photograph! Click to enlarge.

No Show, Ouch!, -and- Slimed

No Show - "Borat" barred from Russian movie theaters
Ouch! - rocket stunt backfires as soldier aims too low
Slimed - ravenous giant snails invade Barbados

On this day in history: November 9, 1997 - Michael Paul Lookinland, aka "Bobby" from "The Brady Bunch," charged with drunk driving in St. George, Utah. With a BAL of 0.258, the 36-year-old former child star was very drunk.

Born on this day in history: November 9, 1934 - Carl Sagan (1934 - 1996) astronomer. He provided insight in the origin of life by producing amino acids in a mixture of chemicals irradiated by ultraviolet light; wrote "Contact."

Today's Video: Referee Accidents

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He is sorry!

The Eyes of a Ranger, Have It Your Way, -and- Paint the Town

The Eyes of a Ranger - Chuck Norris to appear on Hannity and Colmes tomorrow
Have It Your Way - Burger King sued for pot in cop's burgers
Paint the Town - $5 junk-shop purchase could net woman fortune

On this day in history: November 8, 1991 - Convicted crack smoker Marion Barry, who served six months in prison in 1990, is re-elected mayor of Washington D.C.

Born on this day in history: November 8, 1900 - Margaret Mitchell (1900 - 1949) novelist. She won Pulitzer for her only book "Gone with the Wind," 1936.

Today's Video: Pre-school Political Ad

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If you receive an email announcing the cost-of-living increases scheduled for 2007 Social Security benefits—purported to be from the Social Security Administration—do not answer it, and do not click on any links in the email. It is a scam. The Social Security Administration on Tuesday warned of a new email scam in which recipients are asked to update their personal information or risk having their Social Security "account" suspended indefinitely by November 11. Recipients are then directed to click on a link in the email that takes them to a Web site designed to look like the Social Security Administration's Web site. The scam is a classic example of "phishing," whereby thieves send emails to consumers in which they claim to be from a bank or government agency. They then try to get the consumer to unwittingly give up valuable information, such as a Social Security or bank account number.