USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Pancakes on Wednesday ~ 10 December 2003

Canteen FRiends

[Radix]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

Pancakes on Wednesdays

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Welcome to Pancakes on Wednesdays.

Wednesday, December 10, 2003

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Here is an amalgamation of trivial facts and seemingly useless data.

Do not forget to hit the hyperlinks.

We have links, lots of them.

COULROPHOBIA

An irrational fear of clowns.

What, fear those delightful purveyors of slapstick comedy? One may as well go in terror of Santa Claus (but then a few people do that too, sad cases of Santa Claustrophobia). But clown humour has always embraced cruelty in its teasing and insulting of other clowns and members of the audience. Clowns represent anarchy, the personifications of unreason, and a force of nature out of control. Who knows what really lies behind their unchanging painted faces and outlandish costumes? These are all good enough reasons for even the strongest and most adult of us to feel unease in the presence of a clown. Some children are terrified by them and a surprisingly large proportion of adults confess to finding them creepy and disturbing, so much so that this word for their condition has had to be invented. It’s not old—perhaps from the 1980s—and has been taken from Greek kolon, a limb, which seems strange until you find the related kolobathristes was a stilt-walker. This seems to have been the nearest its coiner could get to a suitable classical allusion, since ancient Greek didn’t have a word for a clown in our modern sense.

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Happy Birthday

Arthur Fiedler 1896

Conductor; born in Boston, Mass. Trained as a violinist in Boston and Berlin, he joined the Boston Symphony (1915--30), first playing violin, then viola. Determined to conduct, he founded his own chamber orchestra, the Boston Sinfonietta, in 1924. In 1929 he launched the Esplanade summer series, free concerts by the Boston Symphony, along the Charles River. In 1930 he took over the Boston Pops Orchestra and for almost a half century he was the most beloved conductor of light-classical music in the U.S.A. Active in promoting music through various mediums, he was also made an honorary fire chief because of his practice of chasing every major fire, day or night, and became a familiar figure to Bostonians at the scene of the fires.

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Todays Wednesday field trip takes us to Riverside California.

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Happy Birthday

William Safire 1929

William Safire's Rules for Writers:

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Two confirmed bachelors sat talking, their conversation drifed from politics to cooking.

"I got a cookbook once," said one, "but I could never do anything with it."

"Too much fancy work in it, eh?" asked the other.

"You said it. Every one of the recipes began the same way -
'Take a clean dish'".  

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Happy Birthday

Bob Guccione 1930

Who let the dogs out?

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On this day:

1969 - TV history was made when Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki Budinger were married on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

Tiptoe to the window, by the window that is where I'll be
Come tiptoe through the tulips with me!
Tiptoe from your pillow, to the shadow of a willow tree
And tiptoe through the tulips with me!
Knee deep in flowers will stray, we'll keep the showers away.
And if I kiss you in the garden, in the moonlight, will you pardon me?
Come tiptoe through the tulips with me!

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On this day:

1777 - France recognized American independence.

 

 

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On this day:

1791 - A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go "One Way."

I am an excellent driver.

We are counting cards!

Home of Laminates.

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On this day:

1843 - "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was published.

 

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New Atomic Discovery...

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by GM Research physisists. The element, tentatively named Administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of zero. However, it does have 1 neutron, 125 asistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons, and 111 assistant vice neutrons. This gives it an atomic number of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, Administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction that it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of Adimnistratium caused one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occuered in less than one second. Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not actually decay but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons, and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that Administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations and universities and can usually be found in the newest, best appointed and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that Administratium is known to be toxic at any detectable level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how Administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising.

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Would you like some more Lynx with your pancakes?

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On this day:

1903 - The first successful gasoline-powered airplane flight took place near Kitty Hawk, N.C.

 Orville and Wilbur Wright made the flight.

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1969 - The U.S. Air Force closed its Project "Blue Book" by concluding that there was no evidence of extraterrestrial spaceships behind thousands of UFO sightings.

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1978 - OPEC decided to raise oil prices by 14.5% by the end of 1979.

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Real Doughboys....

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2000 - Terrell Owens (San Francisco 49ers) caught an NFL-record 20 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears. The previous record was held by Tom Fears (Los Angeles Rams) with 18 catches on December 3, 1950, against the Green Bay Packers. Owens also broke Jerry Rice's franchise record of 16 receptions set in 1994 against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Would you like an abacus with your pancakes?

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We are counting cards.

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Pancakes Wednesdays

Definitely

 

[SevenofNine]

Good morning Canteen members

Breaking news off KYdto news report that Taiwan is run smack chat say to US Oh yeah we going vote for independance at CHina

And breaking news off Fox news alert report that some dude went into Pet shop and shot and wounded store clerk and killing dogs and kitties

TOMKOW your cat went off

[Fawnn]

tomkow6!!! #250!!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy ! Thanks for all your hard work keeping this place running so well ! ...

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy ! Doin' pretty good. Trying to keep warm ...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Busted: In Abu Dis, West Bank, a Palestinian boy cries as he is hauled away by an Israeli border police officer who didn't appreciate being used as a target for knife throwing.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Thanks for all your hard work keeping this place running so well ! ..."

Credit for that belongs to EVERYONE here.
I just make sure the doors stay open.

[MoJo2001]

Headlines that just make ya chuckle sometimes!

Mom leaves kids at home...to help pay the rent!
Click here to find out how she decided to do this!
(This lady deserves a Darwin Award! Honestly!)

Sex Club raid called "harassment".
Click here to see how you can avoid being harassed or sign up.
(Just kidding! LOL!)

Bring Back The Reindeer!
Click here to see why Muslims are offended by Rudolph and crew.
(Isn't this a violation of the Reindeers civil rights! Unite and Join the Fight! Hehe!)

The Definitive Episode 3 Spoiler Synopsis [Star Wars III spoilers already released]
(Honestly! This movie can't possibly any worse than the first two, right? Oops!)
MoJo actually loves Star Wars, Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, SG-1, and other stuff.
The suspense is a bit stupid. Who knew that Jar Jar Binks would be Darth Vader.
Oops! That was probably a spoiler!

Sax, Lies And Video (Review of E! television’s “Bill Clinton – The True Hollywood Story”) ^

Honestly, if he had spent more time practicing the Sax instead of other things..maybe we would all have been spared his cigar and altoids moments.

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Oh!! Let's get one thing straight!

NOT ONE PENNY OF AMERICAN TAXPAYING DOLLARS!

No France, Germany, Russia!!

If you don't sacrifice from your country, don't waste our time.

You've lied, cheated, spewed hatred, and mocked us.

Suffer the Consequences!!

Our Soldiers are over there bravely trying to clean up the mess that Old Europe wouldn't take care of. Why should Americans be asked to spend money on Iraq and then let the French come in.

I am worried that our government will buckle under pressure. I'm praying that it doesn't, but we should stand firm!!!


 

[Fawnn]

I'll check your headlines in a minute. LOL ...after I show you guys the new postcard I made for the Canteen:

[tomkow6]

Ummm, Fawnn? How you doing with your WRITING?????

[Fawnn]

Let's just say I'm not under contract anywhere at the moment. (Some prayers would be nice!) ... Aside from -- or because of -- that, I have been working on proposal stuff.

BTW, when did YOU start keeping score? LOL

[tomkow6]

Ma asked me to keep an eye on you............

[Fawnn]

Admit it! You don't care about my writing! You're just upset that I'm spending more time at coloring than I am at baking Christmas cookies. ;)

[tomkow6]

......perhaps, the way the LAST batch of cookies you baked tasted, you should stick with coloring?????

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"the new postcard I made for the Canteen"

That's really nice!
Thanks

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Fawnn]

......perhaps, the way the LAST batch of cookies you baked tasted, you should stick with coloring?????

Perhaps you should keep your stupid fried spaghetti out of my cookie batter the next time!

[Fawnn]

I'm glad you like it!

[TexasCowboy]

From my e-mail:

THE GIFT:

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT , A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES , AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE.
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I’D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON AROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWN-UPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN’T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
“SANTA DON’T CRY, THIS LIFE IN MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON’T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.”

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED OFF TO SLEEP,
I COULDN’T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT’S CHILL.

I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, “CARRY ON, SANTA. IT’S CHRISTMAS, ALL IS SECURE.”

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT,
“MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT”

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The following is his request. It think it’s reasonable:

‘PLEASE: Would you do me a kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.’

Let’s try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.”

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for posting this in the Canteen!

[StarCMC]

I got this from my brother today and wanted to share it. Now I'm off to catch up on all I messed yesterday and today!

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I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?" Now I know why.

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?" Now I know why.

Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people.

On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.

On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered
because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.

I will not be manipulated.

I will not pretend to understand.

I will not forget.

I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting.

I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."

I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington."

And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely -- nor should they be expected -- to show deference."

I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America.

I will not forget the Clinton administration equipped Islamic terrorists and their supporters with the world's most sophisticated telecommunications equipment and encryption technology, thereby compromising America's ability to trace terrorist radio, cell phone, land lines, faxes and modem communications.

I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration.

I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly, "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport.

I will not be influenced by so called,"antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.

I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines.

I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality.

I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told the Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?

There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such error. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"

I will force myself to:

-hear the weeping
-feel the helplessness
-imagine the terror
-sense the panic
-smell the burning flesh
-experience the loss
-remember the hatred.

Now I know.

We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living.

-- Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.)
Not as lean, Not as mean, But still a Marine.

Keep this going until every living American has read it.