Send in the Clones, Eat Your Vegetables, -and- Somebody's Watching You

Send in the Clones - FDA says food from replicants safe
Eat Your Vegetables - PETA requests meat-free diet for cannibal
Somebody's Watching You - FCC asks Comcast about Internet filter

On this day in history: January 15, 1919 - In Boston, an immense storage tank alongside a rum distillery suddenly explodes, producing a flash flood of 2.3 million gallons of sticky molasses. Whole buildings are knocked off their foundations and reduced to rubble by an eight-foot wall of liquid traveling 35 miles per hour. 21 killed and 150 injured as a result of this industrial accident.

Born on this day in history: January 15, 1913 - Lloyd Bridges (1913-1998)Actor. Born Lloyd Vernet Bridges, Jr. in San Leandro, California. Bridges, who began his film career with B-grade movies for Columbia in the 1940s, starred in more than 150 films in his fifty year Hollywood career. After memorable roles in Home of the Brave and High Noon, Bridges career was interrupted when he was blacklisted by the FBI during Hollywood's infamous Red Purge. He rebounded with a starring role in the television series "Sea Hunt," which ran from 1958-61 and continued to star in films through the 1980s, including "East of Eden" and "Airplane." Of his four children, two, Jeff and Beau, also embarked on careers in Hollywood.

Scripture of the Day: To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. - Titus 1:15

Video of the Day: Office Fight - submitted by Frank

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ICE! Mr. Nitro was sheathed in ice this morning! Obviously, it became very cold during the night! It is clear, however, and there is no wind. The fog that plagued us yesterday morning is gone, and this promises to be a beautiful, sunny day.

Chuck Norris invites voters to Huckabee fundraiser
Visit ranch barbecue through Internet streaming - © 2008 WorldNetDaily.com

Martial arts champion and television and movie star Chuck Norris is inviting voters to see a fundraiser for GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee on his Texas ranch.

When Chuck Norris endorsed Huckabee in his WND column, support for the former Arkansas governor rocketed by 50 percent within days. A few more days, and a report came out that the endorsement sparked a 66 percent hike in Internet posts about Huckabee. Even other GOP candidates have noted the Chuck Norris endorsement.

Now voters across the country are being invited to "attend" a fundraiser for Huckabee at WND columnist Chuck Norris' private ranch, via the Internet.

Norris will act as host to an old-fashioned Texas-style barbecue fundraiser for Huckabee Jan. 20 at Lone Wolf Ranch. Voters across the country can join them by logging to the Chuck 4 Huck website, and following a link to the Huckabee campaign site, where for a donation they will be given a password that provides live online access to the event.

Among the highlights will be a performance of Huckabee's rock band, Capitol Offense, as well as a martial arts demonstration, according to a spokesman for Chuck Norris.

The band, led by the bass-playing candidate, is an eight-man musical group formed in 1996. "Not your average garage band, they have been an opening act for musical headliners such as Willie Nelson and Grand Funk Railroad," Chuck Norris said.

"Mike Huckabee is a gifted leader and a man of the people and he will change politics in this country," Chuck Norris said in his announcement. "Given his unprecedented success in this primary season, he already has.

"But the job is not finished by a long shot. He still needs our help as well as our vote. That's why I am calling upon my friends and people in my community to joint me on Jan. 20 in support of 'The People's President' – Mike Huckabee," he said.

"I am tremendously honored and grateful for Chuck Norris' support – and I am pleased that we can provide an opportunity for the online community to join us via the Internet," Huckabee said during a campaign stop in Michigan.

Ahoy!, Little People, -and- Hic!

Ahoy! - Atlantic sailor sends mayday to pub
Little People - hobbits not different species, say scientists
Hic! - school-bus driver DUI, 4 times legal limit

On this day in history: January 14, 1998 - Jewish extremists Avigdor Eskin and Haim Pakovich are charged in a plot to catapult a pig's head containing the Koran into Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock mosque, in order to spark tensions between Jews and Arabs.

Born on this day in history: January 14, 1968 - LL Cool J (1968-) Born James Todd Smith in Bayshore, NY, hip hop artist LL Cool J (or, Ladies Love Cool James) released his first hit, "I Need a Beat," while still a teen. His fourth album, “Mama Said Knock You Out,” was a mainstream success, popular with mid-America and urban kids. LL Cool J has also pursued an acting career and, in 1996, launched a clothing line, FUBU (For Us, By Us).

Scripture of the Day: [You were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:14

Video of the Day: Snoring Maggie - submitted by Laura

Monster Fish! The monster sun fish caught by W.N. McMillan of E. Africa, at Santa Catalina Island, California on April 1, 1910. The weight was estimated at 3,500 lbs. Click to enlarge.

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Be Careful How You Vote in 2008!
Morals! (Before 1960)


OLD VERSION: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house, and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.

The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!

-------------------------------------------

MODERN VERSION: (Today)

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house, and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well-fed while others are cold and starving.

CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.

How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'

Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.

Nancy Pelosi & John Kerry exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government.

Hillary gets her old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill Clinton appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients.

The ant loses the case.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.

The ant has disappeared in the snow.

The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once-peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2008

Past Due!, Watch Where You Step!, -and- Double Trouble

Past Due! - FBI wiretaps cut over unpaid bills
Watch Where You Step! - dog-doo footprints lead to DUI arrest
Double Trouble - twins marry by mistake

On this day in history: January 11, 1962 - In the Peruvian Andes, an avalanche buries 3,000 people alive as the volcano Huascaran erupts.

Born on this day in history: January 11, 1946 - Naomi Judd (1946-) Born Diana Judd in Ashland, KY, singer Naomi Judd and daughter, Wynonna are considered the most successful country duo of the 1980s, earning four Grammy Awards. In the early 1990s, Judd contracted chronic hepatitis, forcing her to retire. She returned to performing 10 years later. In 1993, Judd published bestselling autobiography, "Love Can Build a Bridge."

Scripture of the Day: "And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'" - Mark 1:11

Video of the Day: Amazing Coordinated Samsung Dance - submitted by Jay

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It is dry today. The rain has abated for now, but it is forecast to return tomorrow. There is no wind, and it is not particularly cold. This could well be a nice (given the season) day!

I grilled Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts on the indoor grill last evening. I seasoned the chicken with Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning and ground black pepper. While the chicken grilled, I brushed it with a mixture of extra-virgin olive oil and butter. The chicken was delightful—beautifully charred on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. Baked red potatoes and steamed sugar snap peas accompanied the chicken. Two chicken breasts remain. They shall be shredded and made into chicken quesadillas.

Tonight, we shall have the leftover beef enchiladas. I shall make guacamole and refried black beans to accompany the enchiladas.

Weapons of Choice, Mommy Dearest, -and- Beep! Beep!

Weapons of Choice - court rules against San Francisco handgun ban
Mommy Dearest - woman sells teen son's car after finding booze
Beep! Beep! - Tata Nano, $2,500 car, unveiled in India

On this day in history: January 10, 1998 - German psychologist Heidi Fittkau-Garthe was charged in the Canary Islands with a plot of murder-suicide in which 31 cult followers, including five children, were to ingest poison. After the suicides they were to be picked up by spaceship for an unspecified destination.

Born on this day in history: January 10, 1945 - Rod Stewart (1945– ) Born in London, singer-songwriter Rod Stewart began as a soloist, then joined The Faces (1969-75). In 1971, he topped both UK and U.S. music charts with album, "Every Picture Tells a Story" and single "Maggie May." Stewart has gone on to numerous hits. His 1975 song "Sailing" has become the unofficial British Navy anthem.

Scripture of the Day: "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." - Proverbs 1:10

Video of the Day: The Death and Life of Ice Cream - submitted by Danica

Great Scott! It is Frankenhillary! Run for the hills! Click to enlarge.

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More rain! It is raining once again—albeit very gently. It began raining lightly as we left Bible class at Harvest Christian Center, and it appears (based upon the quantity of standing water) that it rained throughout the night. It is not particularly cold, however, there is almost no wind, and the rain is very light. There are still many thousands in the area without power, and the damage to buildings and trees was great during the recent storm. I pray that the rain continues to fall gently and that the 70+ MPH wind does not reappear!

For dinner last evening, we had the enchiladas and guacamole I described in yesterday's blog entry. It was a delicious meal. Leftovers from this delightful repast shall entertain us Friday evening. A quantity of enchiladas remains, but the guacamole was completely consumed. I shall make more guacamole. The local market (Sav-Mor Foods—a mere block from our house) is featuring beautiful, ripe avocados for $ .88 each. This is a great bargain, and I intend to take full advantage of it. Avocados are wonderfully nutritious and delicious!

No More Classes, Stupid Criminals, -and- Bad Hair Day

No More Classes - boy glues hand to bed to escape school
Stupid Criminals - man hiding knives in pants stabs self
Bad Hair Day - Texas students suspended for refusing haircuts

On this day in history: January 9, 2002 - The DOJ confirms reports that a criminal investigation of mega-corporation Enron has begun. The Texas energy profiteers gave loads of cash to the Republican party before accounting fraud and insider trading caused thousands of Enron employees to lose their savings and pensions.

Born on this day in history: January 9, 1913 - Richard (Milhous) Nixon (1913–94) Born in Yorba Linda, CA, 37th President Richard Nixon (1969–74) was Eisenhower's vice-president in 1952. After several political setbacks, he won the presidency in 1968, and was re-elected by a landslide in 1972. He was then brought down by the scandal known as "Watergate." Facing certain impeachment, in August 1974, Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign.

Scripture of the Day: "Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." - Colossians 1:9

Video of the Day: Le Cadeau du Temps – submitted by Cindy

Here is this morning's poll from World Net Daily. Click to enlarge.

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Dry Streets! The streets are dry this morning. While it sprinkled during the night, the heavy rains that plagued us yesterday appear to be gone, for now. The weather forecast is for clear weather for the next several days. More rain is certain to be on the way, but for now, at least, we can enjoy a break.

I produced beef enchiladas last evening. Laura had a large lunch and was not sufficiently hungry to properly enjoy the enchiladas, so we shall dine upon them following Bible class this evening.

I simmered a pound of Sierra Nevada ground beef, a large white onion (sliced very thin), three large Jalapeño peppers (diced), four tablespoons of minced garlic, a liberal shaking of Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning, two tablespoons of Gebhardt's Chili Powder, a tablespoon of ground black pepper, and a cup of red chili sauce for an hour. I set this aside to cool. When it had cooled sufficiently, I filled ten Mission flour tortillas with the mixture, rolled them, and placed them in a Pyrex baking dish that was first coated with red chili sauce. I covered the enchiladas with sauce and placed eight squares of sliced Colby-jack cheese atop them.

I made some guacamole to accompany the enchiladas. I am eager for them.