Where evil reigns -- Burma

"Myanmar is at risk of famine" following this month's cyclone. So says the European Union's Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, M. Louis Michel.



Meanwhile, the government o the country refuses to allow British, America, and French ships -- with thousands of tons of supplies -- into the country.

Tuesday Quiz note

There has not been much activity on this, so far, but two people have 4 out of 5 correct.  

Thursday Morning Smile-Maker (45)

A Face Wash for Ben 

Myanmar update

More reason why
Crimes Against Humanity
charges should be filed against this man, Burmese tyrant Than Shwe.

As of just today, May 21, the Secretary General of the United Nations was still waiting in Thailand for permission to enter Myanmar (Burma) with the "hope" of seeing the ruling military dictator. He wants to pressure that government to allow in more international aid.

The situation in the storm ravaged country was described by the Secretary General as "critical." It is thought that at least 130,000 people are dead so far, with hundreds of thousands now facing illness and starvation.

Republican Humor (51)

A needy Democrat died and friends went around collecting for a fund for his funeral.

A woman was asked to donate. "How much are most people giving," she asked.

"About ten dollars," was the answer.

"Just ten dollars?" she said. "If it only takes ten dollars to bury a Democrat take this hundred and go bury a whole bunch of them!"

They're Coming to Take Me Away (File #18)

OTTAWA (Reuters) - "A Canadian man who asked his lover to carve a heart-shaped symbol on his chest during a rough sex game almost died when she accidentally pressed too hard and punctured his heart, a newspaper said on Thursday. The Winnipeg Free Press said the 25-year-old woman had been sentenced to three years' probation..." click

A Light Through the Leaves

We must not be selfish or timid if we hope to have a decent world for our children and grandchildren.

We simply must balance our demand for energy with our rapidly shrinking resources. By acting now, we can control our future instead of letting the future control us.
-Jimmy Carter in a televised speech, April 18, 1977.

Tot Not Shot By Intruder; accident defending home

Child dies of self-inflicted gunshot

May 20, 2008 at 12:43 AM

PHOENIX, May 20 (UPI) -- A 3-year-old boy died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound Monday in Arizona, police said.
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We think probably that the boy had legally registered the gun with the local police after passing a firearms safety course given by the local NRA. Deatils not immediately available. click

Tuesday Evening Quiz

SKYLINES:
Which city is shown in each picture?
(clicking on picture will enlarge it)

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.

A Crime Against Humanity

The small voice of this blog, BIRCHES, contributes its support for the position taken by the European Union:

EU warns Myanmar of a "crime against humanity"

"The European Union has warned Myanmar's military leaders that they could be committing "a crime against humanity" by blocking aid deliveries to cyclone survivors. The European Development Commissioner, Louis Michel, is on his way to the former Burma to try to convince them to open up their borders."

The denial of assistance to its own people from the outside world is ipso facto a Crime Against Humanity. Refusing to allow delivery of life-saving food , water, and medical supplies to suffering people, is a crime. The US and its allies should take the initiative in pursuing these charges in the World Court.

What Bad People Do

US sniper shot at Koran in Iraq


Baghdad Iraq (BBC) - An American sniper has been sent home from Iraq for using a copy of the Koran for target practice at a shooting range near Baghdad, the US military says. The Muslim holy book was found riddled with bullet holes last week by Iraqi police, who also discovered offensive graffiti inside its cover.

A US military spokesman said the soldier had been removed from his unit, sent home, and would be disciplined

Monday Morning Friends Report, May 19, 2008

A lot is going on under the BIRCHES these days, and we find ourselves busy, yet happy. Some of our friends are too busy, and we worry about them.

What's been happening
PAT W - if even a few people has as much fun at her post-theater gathering as she had preparing for it and hostessing it, then the total amount of happiness in the universe has grown tremendously. Everyone had a nice evening, we think, although BOB had this to say: "Too Many Words!" OLYMPIA was the cutest lady at the party. TIM showed his new convertible, a Saab that everyone thought was perfect for him. HOWARD found himself surrounded by Democrats, something he doesn't often experience. LORI introduced the crowd to her brother whose birthday it was, and he proved to be as witty, pleasant, and sociable as she is. BUD drank too much wine.

MARSHA - reporting that the Gamecocks of South Carolina are in the baseball playoffs again this year. She also reports that her 'Spring Homecoming' at the University was a great success (and we know that's because of her.)

BUD - notes that the Michigan Wolverines are still in the baseball playoff picture, too.

STEVE - making a list of U.P. log cabins for sale. This is very interesting to the whole family who have that "up north" urge. Steve says the prices are down-down-down. Hmm But gas prices are up-up-up: a new meaning for the initials UP. But STEVE and BRENDA plan to spend Memorial Day weekend at the "camp" in the woods up north. Their dogs are counting on it.

to CLAF - it has been noted that once again you have won your own horse racing pool. At some point, a major investigation will be called for.

IRISH MIKE - here's something we didn't know. When he was a kid, he was an altar boy. Anyone see the resemblance now?

FELIX - with so much depending on spring work in his artistic landscaping endeavors, the rain has been "driving me crazy." He promises pictures of some of his work soon.

GIGi - her new room is done. So, when's the party? She's also very proud of her nephew, despite his devilish giggle. The kid did a great job!

MARIE - has escaped her brush with death, and is doing much better at last report.

BILL from WNNCO - has become a promoter of Cindy McCain for First Lady. "She has been a positive force in many charities and activley participates in them instead of just making appearances and donating money. She seems to be different from most celebrity wives or personnas." Bill announces that Christian Conrad is the new addition to the family. Congratulations to the whole clan!

MIKE CARROLL almost from CARROLLTON - is a grandfather! This new grandson is named Levi Michael. Congratulations to you and your children!

SCOT - is doing some "pro bono" work for the Ann Arbor Soccer Association. He also says that while he spent the weekend helping his brother with some home maintenance projects in Grand Rapids, he was lulled to sleep at night by the sounds of gunshots in the neighborhood.

ALICE - continues to recover from her bout with bad health, is still on leave from work, and is spending her tax rebate.

DASHMANN - has a birthday on Saturday. I won't tell you what gift he wants, children may be reading.
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What some folks are Talking About

BIRCHES RECEIVED, from a good friend, a promotion for the idea of boycotting everything Chinese-made from June 4 to July 4.
EXCERPT: "While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Bush Administration for perceived errors. Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF!!"

You might want to know that the effort is being pushed by the American WHITE PEOPLE'S PARTY, and you can read about it here: CLICK

Now the fact that fanatics may have an interest in the idea doesn't necessarily make it bad, so you can decide for yourself whether or not the boycott has merit.

Meanwhile, we've had a good laugh over the whole thing. It's the wolf in sheep's clothing thing all over again.
----------------------

BILL from WNNCO - says about a Chinese boycott: "What good would it do? Everything we do involves China. Turn almost anything over and see where it's made!"

ALICE - is passing on news that maybe the Justice Department will collect DNA from political protesters. Peace groups are worried about this and spreading the news. Such a thing would be a real threat to free speech. Read more about it here CLICK We don't know how much of this is true.

SEVERAL friends have forwarded e-mails lately about the dangers of stroke, and how to identify the symptoms. The advice always includes: Don't waste time. If you think a person has had a stoke, get them emergency aid as quick as possible.



TRY THESE QUICK TESTS:

S: Ask the individual to SMILE.

ST: Ask the indidivdual sto stick out his tongue.

TS: Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE

R: Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY of these tasks, get them to emergency.
==

HILLARY AD SPOOF - was forwarded by a reader, and it was was pretty funny. A low quality copy of the ad is shown on YouTube here: CLICK

DASHMANN - sent this caustic "If I Were A Terrorist Video": CLICK

SANDY - says that the idea of boycotting a particular brand of gas to force the prices down sounds like a good idea. We have passed the boycott date of May 15, but the idea is discussed here in more detail: CLICK

====
What Some Folks Are Laughing At
JERRY:

====

OFFICER ED:
Lawyers should never ask a Mississippi grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer.
In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know me?' She responded, 'Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you'll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.'
The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said,
'If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair.'

JOE:

Monday Morning Friends Report is delayed

Quiz answers revealed

Here is the answer

The A-B-C-D pictures were in this order:
B - Bixby, Bill
C - Cougat, Xavier
D - Day, Dennis
A - Aznavour, Charles
====

SPARTY gets the gold star!

A Light Through the Leaves

"Trying is the first step towards failure."
-Homer Simpson

Sunday silly Sites #25

World's most dangerous hike: click 

(Strongly recommended for Bush who told the President of France he wanted to go mountain climbing.)

Selling crap to Christians. (A little satire here!) click

OBAMACORN - 'Obama and the unicorn' shirts for sale: click

Recommended Reading

The value of the male schoolteacher
Opinion by Derrick Jackson, Boston Globe
EXCERPT:

According to the National Education Association, 9 percent of elementary school teachers are men.

Education researcher Shaun Johnson of Indiana University says low wages and prestige relative to what men can find elsewhere, plus notions of masculinity, fears of being accused of sexual abuse, and even undercurrents of homophobia dissuade men from the craft.

"There are so many elephants in the room with a man in a classroom of young children," said Johnson, 30, who was a fifth-grade teacher in Washington, D.C. "Token males routinely say they are under higher scrutiny by principals and parents. Men get the message something is wrong with them, from being told they can't change diapers in child care to you must always leave your classroom door open. Even when they are valued, it often comes with a stereotype. I've heard men teachers complain that they're always sent the problem students because people see them as the disciplinarian who strikes the fear of God in them."

CLICK

"...an isolated incident..."

We must never cease to be amazed at the nonsense that surrounds the gun culture.  For example, some patriotic deer hunter with a SEMIAUTOMATIC rifle, shot his wife and two other people at a Catholic church gathering.   And what do the cops say about this? 

"We believe this is an isolated incident, a domestic-violence dispute," said police Captain Steven Ruiz.
click

Isolated? Incident?
Well, it happened before the opening prayer, so perhaps it was not a sin.

Wacko of the Week, 05/17/08

There are some easy nominees for any wackiness award this week. One of them is Bush the Bombastic for his comments in Israel about Nazis and Americans. The Nazi comparison has grown so tired and it's usually - as in this case - misused.

Another nominee might be the military government of Burma for letting its people suffer and die while the world begs to help them after a horrific cyclone.

However, both of these are not really good cases for our Wacko of the Week Award because they're too extreme. Bush is more than wacky, we think. He's just plain malicious and dumb and was reading the words written for him by someone else. The Burma government is evil, not merely a little looney. (This is a truer Nazi comparison if Bush wishes to feel around for one. Instead of looking among the peace-makers of the world, he should look among the devils of the world.)
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So, here's our winner:

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn

(find him somewhere in this picture)

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn, an Obama supporter, compared Clinton to the Glenn Close character in "Fatal Attraction" -- a spurned woman turned stalker who was apparently drowned in a bathtub only to jump up one more time to be shot dead.

"Glenn Close should have stayed in that tub, and Sen. Clinton has had a remarkable career and needs to move to the next step, which is helping elect the Democratic nominee," Cohen said during a local TV interview. CLICK

Why is he wacky?
1. Because he later apologized for one of the funniest things anyone has said in this election cycle.
2. Because he could find Hillary in any way as sexy as Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction."
3. Because he has definitely alienated liberal women in his state whom he will need for the next election. To suggest drowning the first woman ever to have a serious chance at the presidency is a screw-up he will come to rue.
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RUNNER UP:
1. CLYDE BRIDGES of Barnstable, Mass. - There is a church out there in Massachusetts called the Portuguese Foursquare Church, and it has a congregation. Mr. Bridges attempted to steal the collection plate at lighter point. It was a gun shaped cigarette lighter, but the folks weren't fooled. They knocked him down, pinned him to the floor, and called the cops. Christian charity hath its limits.

2. JOEL DAVID ARSENEAU of Halifax, Nova Scotia - Until his court appearance, he was homeless. Now he has a home. During his hearing before Judge Barbara Beach, he dropped his pants and asked her for oral sex. Imagine this: They locked him up. CLICK
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[Dear Reader: Your nominations are welcome.]

without further comment

What else is our Valorous Decider saying these days?

"A lot of times in politics you have people look you in the eye and tell you what's not on their mind."—
in Russia, April, 2008