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Photo Oops: History's Worst Political Photo Ops

As author Josh King recounts in "Dukakis and the Tank," the first rule of political photo ops is: Never put anything on your head. Many date this hard and fast tenet of the campaign trail to this 1927 encounter between President Calvin Coolidge and some feathers. Advisers warned Coolidge, who wore the headdress while being named an honorary chief in Deadwood, South Dakota, that he would look funny. "Well it's good for people to laugh, isn't it?" Coolidge replied.                                                    http://www.politico.com/magazine/gallery/2013/11/photo-oops-historys-worst-political-photo-ops/001446-020415.html?ml=po#.VX7eJvlVhBc        Click on bottom numbers to see more

Clinton confidant set for private Benghazi grilling : By Rachael Bade

House GOP Benghazi investigators will face off with a combative confidant of Hillary Clinton this week in a closed-door interrogation session — one of the biggest moments for a Benghazi probe that continues to dog the Democratic presidential front-runner.
The House Select Committee on Benghazi on Tuesday will depose Sidney Blumenthal — a longtime Clinton family friend — about why he emailed the former secretary of state unsubstantiated intelligence on Libya, whether he was paid for the work and whether he used his Clinton connections to help his business partners, sources familiar with the GOP plan told POLITICO.

They want to see whether Blumenthal — who earned a spot in Clinton's inner circle after his ardent defense of Bill during the 1990s impeachment trial — was able to shape or influence top-level decisions that led to the security lapse at the U.S. Libyan compound where four Americans died.
"He clearly corresponded with one of the key decision-makers with respect to the security levels in Libya, the risk in Libya, Libya policy, and provided information to her [on] threats and potential responses to those threats," said GOP panel member Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.). "So it is incumbent on our committee to learn ... what his role was in U.S. Libya policy and how it impacted decisions related to security."
Blumenthal — barred from a State position by the Obama administration but paid $10,000 a month to advise the philanthropic Clinton Foundation during that time — will face inquiries about why his emails or advice from his memos were mentioned in more than 35 percent of the correspondence Clinton received on Libya, according to the committee, which she circulated to top staff at the State Department.

 http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/clinton-confidant-private-benghazi-grilling-blumenthal-118996.html#ixzz3d8k6hlcQ

Scientists ‘Crack Code’ to Happiness : By Matt Barber

I love this quote by illustrious NASA scientist Dr. Robert Jastrow (1925-2008): "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."

I would just add to Dr. Jastrow's keen insight, that it's not merely theologians at large who have long lounged atop Mount Understanding. It is, more precisely, Judeo-Christian theologians. Indeed, with time and chance, even science can eventually catch up to God's Word.

Case in point: Minnesota's Mayo Clinic is one of the world's most prestigious health institutions. With much fanfare, researchers there announced last week that they have "cracked the code to being happy." "Imagine scientists coming up with an actual formula for happiness – a specific recipe for lifelong contentment and joy," they tease.      http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/06/05/researchers-cracked-code-happiness/

Well, my forlorn little friends, imagine no more. These scientists boast of having "created just such a formula based on neuroscience and psychology." For a mere $15.95 – less than your daily dose of Zoloft and vodka – they'll rush off to you "The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness," a "four-step self-help process" to finding "a lifetime of joy and contentment."

"Happiness is a habit," says the study's chief researcher Dr. Amit Sood in the Daily Mail. "Some of us are born with it; others have to choose it."

"Previous research has shown that our minds are hard-wired to focus on negative experiences. For our ancestors," continues the report, being perpetually PO'ed, "helped them stay alive, providing an evolutionary advantage in the face of danger." (Some of us attribute this to mankind's fallen, selfish, sinful nature, but we can go with that whole evolution thingy if it makes them feel better.)

Concludes the Daily Mail: "The book makes readers focus on a different positive emotion each day, such as gratitude, forgiveness and kindness."

Wait. Hold the Mayo. This is déjà vu all over again. What "book" are we talking about here? Where have we heard all this before – talk of gratitude, forgiveness, kindness and whatnot, leading to joy, contentment, happiness and so forth?

Anyway, click over to Mayo's related "How to be happy" page and you're given a little more detail.    http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/how-to-be-happy/art-20045714

"People who are happy seem to intuitively know that their happiness is the sum of their life choices, and their lives are built on the following pillars:

Devoting time to family and friends
Appreciating what they have
Maintaining an optimistic outlook
Feeling a sense of purpose
Living in the moment

 http://eaglerising.com/19677/scientists-crack-code-to-happiness/#YgM6eIWfFSDXPWor.99

Lindsey Graham is Single - Can He Still Be Elected President? : By Leonora Cravotta

Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has a shot at becoming the first bachelor elected president in 130 years. And he is apparently taking that distinction in his stride, telling The Daily Mail "I've got a lot of friends. We will have a rotating first lady." He took the comment one step further and offered his sister Darline Graham Nordone as first lady. Nordone, who is married, played a key role in Graham's 2016 presidential bid announcement. His colleague Mark Kirk (R-Illinois) kept the conversation going when he spewed the limerick "Graham is bro with no ho" on a hot mike.

The public's fascination with Lindsey Graham's marital status is similar to their obsession with Hillary Clinton's hairstyles and pantsuits. Who cares if he is married? Why is this even an issue? Although at 1% Graham is polling at the bottom of the 2016 GOP presidential pack, he doesn't think his marital status should hurt his campaign. "I've got a wonderful supportive family. And the last time I checked, I didn't see a sign on the White House that said single people should not apply." Only two U.S. presidents James Buchanan and Grover Cleveland assumed office single, with Cleveland later marrying while in office. Graham's comments raise a good point. After all, we are now living in a society which celebrates a 65 year old Olympic gold winner physically mutilating himself to go from Bruce the retired champion, to Caitlyn, the airbrushed Vanity Fair image. This society also applauds the demonization of a bakery which refused to make a wedding cake for a same sex couple. Yet, we are perfectly okay with questioning the viability of a bachelor in the White House.

So, what is Lindsey Graham supposed to do? Find a wife on E-Harmony so that the American public is more comfortable with him as presidential material? Furthermore, if the role of the first spouse is to support the president in his official capacity, there should be no issue with his sister playing that role as needed. Graham's close relationship with his sister can be attributed in part to his serving as her guardian when their parents died within fifteen months of each other. Do we need a first spouse? Or is the role just another piece of White House history that we are comfortable with? Some first ladies really had impact on society with their social causes such as Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Laura Bush. Jacqueline Kennedy made her mark on White House with her iconic style, sense of diplomacy and fluency in multiple languages. But then again in recent years, some of the first ladies have been distractions to the presidency. Can anyone say the name Hillary Clinton? Michelle Obama is also no shrinking violet. Imagine if Lindsey Graham was a female candidate without a spouse (the name is unisex). Can you imagine the double standard? The liberal media would be referring to this fictional candidate as "a tease without a main squeeze".

 http://eaglerising.com/19673/lindsey-graham-is-single-can-he-still-be-elected-president/#pJrPRuOdcMvJraTr.99

Remember When in 2008 ABC Predicted Global Catastrophe by 2015 Because of Global Warming? : By Onan Coca

The brilliant folks at Newsbusters took some time to remind us all about the fear mongering of global warming zealots. Back in 2008, ABC News ran a segment on Good Morning America predicting nothing but doom, gloom and global warming related disasters destroying American by 2015.

Here are some of the dire predictions that ABC News was hyping for the church of global warming:

PETER GLEICK (SCIENTIST/PACIFIC INSTITUTE): In 2015, we've still failed to address the climate problem.

JOHN HOLDREN (PROFESSOR/HARVARD UNIVERSITY): We're going to see more floods, more droughts, more wildfires.

Unidentified Voices: Flames cover hundreds of square miles.

We expect more intense hurricanes.

Well, how warm is it going to get? How much will sea level rise? We don't know really know where the end is.

Temperatures have hit dangerous levels.

Agriculture production is dropping because temperatures are
rising.

HEIDI CULLEN (WEATHER CHANNEL/CLIMATE CHANGE EXPERT): There's about one billion people who are malnourished. That number just continually grows.

Other predictions: A gallon of milk would be $12.99, a gallon of gas would be over $9 and New York City might be partially covered by rising tides.

I kid you not – watch for yourself and remember this was ABC News!  Video at : http://eaglerising.com/19641/remember-when-in-2008-abc-predicted-global-catastrophe-by-2015-because-of-global-warming/

 http://eaglerising.com/19641/remember-when-in-2008-abc-predicted-global-catastrophe-by-2015-because-of-global-warming/#kwlmibhXYGhti6UM.99

MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO DEVAL PATRICK’S HIDDEN ACCOUNTS : James Longley

Don't they all have secret funds anymore....
Check it out:

Massachusetts House investigators are looking into whether former Gov. Deval Patrick diverted state money to secret funds for travel, advertising and other off-the-books expenses.

The Boston Herald first broke the story of the money transfers earlier this week.       http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2015/06/hidden_junket_funds_how_deval_patrick_secretly_diverted_millions  http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2015/06/state_house_panel_launches_probe_into_patrick_junket_cash  https://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2015/06/hidden_junket_funds_how_deval_patrick_secretly_diverted_millions http://dailycaller.com/2015/06/12/massachusetts-house-launches-investigation-into-deval-patricks-hidden-accounts/

EVERYONE GETS A TROPHY! 3 HIGH SCHOOLS IN DUBLIN, OHIO HAVE 222 VALEDICTORIANS

Unbelievable in more ways than one....
Check it out:

Graduation ceremonies might still be going on if Dublin schools had asked all of its valedictorians to speak.

There were 222 of them.

That means two out of every 10 graduates at Dublin's three high schools received top honors this year. Dublin Scioto had 44 valedictorians, Dublin Jerome had 82, and Dublin Coffman had 96.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               "I can't say I've heard of that many," said David Hawkins, executive director for educational content and policy with the National Association of College Admissions Counseling. He's aware of high schools with 20-some valedictorians in a class but not as many as Coffman's.

The valedictorian was once the single highest-performing graduate — and some districts, such as Hilliard and South-Western, still adhere to the practice. But experts say it's more typical to see multiple valedictorians or none at all as educators try eliminate the competition among students to be No. 1 of their class.

"If you look at the big picture, in a situation where you have 96 valedictorians, you are not making fine distinctions between students who have graduated at the top of their class. ... These 96 students have attained the highest level of achievement in their school," Hawkins said.                                                                                                       http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/03/best-of-class-in-dublin-222-grads-tie.html

Never Stop Learning – Sunday Thought For The Day by Mychal Massie

The following was written for June 14, 2015, "Our Daily Bread" by Dennis Fisher.
******************************

Sheryl is a voracious reader. While others are watching television or playing video games, she is deeply engrossed in the pages of a book.

Much of this zeal can be traced back to her early childhood. Her family often visited a great aunt and uncle who owned a bookstore. There, Sheryl would sit on Uncle Ed's lap as he read to her and introduced her to the wonders and delights of books.

Centuries ago a young man named Timothy had his steps guided on the road to learning. In Paul's last recorded letter, he acknowledged that Timothy was first introduced to the Bible by his grandmother and mother (2 Tim. 1:5). Then Paul exhorted Timothy to continue in the Christian way because "from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures" (2 Tim. 3:14-15).

For the believer, learning about the spiritual life should never cease to delight us and help us grow. Reading and study can be a big part of that, but we also need others to encourage and teach us.

Who has helped you grow in your faith? And who in turn can you help? That's a great way to enhance our appreciation of God and strengthen our relationship with Him.

Lord, give us the desire to learn throughout life, so that we may grow increasingly closer to You each day. Thank You for those who have inspired us to learn about You.

Reading the Bible is meant not to inform but to transform.

INSIGHT:
Timothy was of mixed parentage, having a Greek father and Jewish mother (Acts 16:1). Although his biological father probably did not play a significant role in his spiritual development, Timothy was taught the holy Scriptures from childhood and came to faith through the teaching and godly influence of his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5). Timothy first met Paul in Derbe at the start of his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1), and Timothy soon became Paul's protégé. The apostle Paul affectionately called him "a true son in the faith" (1 Tim. 1:2) and "a beloved son" (2 Tim. 1:2).

READ: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.               http://mychal-massie.com/premium/never-stop-learning-sunday-thought-for-the-day/

“Lions,tigers and bears oh my”…. : By JENNIFER NEWTON FOR MAILONLINE

Apocalyptic scenes in Georgia as lions, bears, wolves and a hippo are among dozens of animals on the loose in the streets of Tbilisi as church leaders blame catastrophe on decision to melt down monastery's bells

These were the apocalyptic scenes in Tblisi today where lions, bears, wolves and a hippo were among dozens of animals on the loose following heavy flooding - which church leaders say is a punishment from God for melting down the monastery's bells.
The capital of Georgia has been placed on lock-down after the flooding destroyed enclosures at the city's zoo - allowing a host of dangerous and scared animals to escape and roam the streets.
The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church blamed the floods on the 'sin' of Communists who he said built the zoo using money raised from destroying churches and melting down their bells.

Residents in Tbilisi have been warned to stay indoors after more than 30 of the zoo's residents broke out during heavy rain and wind.
The flash floods have already killed up to 12 people including three workers who were employed at Tbilisi Zoo.
The zoo said one of the dead was Guliko Chitadze, a zookeeper who lost an arm in an attack by a tiger last month. The husband of zookeeper Ms Chitadze also died in the flooding.

Some of the animals have been seized but it is unclear how many are still on the loose.
Eight bears and 20 wolves are also among the animals who fled from their enclosures as well as six tigers and six lions.
It has also been reported that six wolves were killed after they were found near to a children's hospital and a video showed locals trying to save an escaped bear.                                                                                                  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3123378/A-city-lockdown-Tigers-lions-bears-wolves-hippo-loose-Georgia-s-capital-Tbilisi-freak-flood-killed-eight-leaves-dozens-dangerous-zoo-animals-roaming-city-s-streets.html

Pin Drop

Worth Repeating!!

Once upon

a time when our politicians didn't tend to
apologize
for our country's prior actions, here's a refresher on how some of our former patriots handled negative comments about our country.

These are good!

JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when

DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US

military out of France as soon as possible.

Rusk responded, "Does that include those who are buried here?"

DeGaulle did not respond.

You could have heard a pin drop.

When in England ,at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the

Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of

'empire building' by George Bush. He answered by saying,

"Over the years, the United States has sent many of

its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom

beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for

in return is enough to bury those that did not return."
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a conference in France

where a number of international engineers

were taking part, including French and American. During a break,

one of the French engineers came back into the room saying, "Have you

heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft

carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he

intend to do, bomb them?"

A Boeing engineer

stood up and replied quietly: "Our carriers have three

hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are

nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to

shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to

feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand

gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a

dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and

from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships;
how many does France have?"
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A U..S. Navy Admiral

was attending a naval conference that included

Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French

Navies At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large

group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries..

Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a

French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many

languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that

we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than

speaking French?"

Without hesitating,

the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the

Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't

have to speak German."
You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THOSE ABOVE...

Robert Whiting,

an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport

in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked

sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible.. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !"

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he

quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in

1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen

to show a passport to."

You could have heard a pin drop.