A Truth Journal: Cool WTF? Government Officials Are Voluntarily Giving Up Salaries Back to Taxpayers?

Tired dogs (Photo credit: jimbob!)

A Truth Journal: Cool WTF? Government Officials Are Voluntarily Giving Up Salaries Back to Taxpayers?: From Denny:  Just when we are all so furiously angered at the selfishness of our government officials for the usual screw-ups, pure laziness and lack of will to make positive corrections, there happens to be two of them that rose above and beyond the call of duty.  Yes, there are two federal officials that have landed in the Admiration Corner today.  These two men are class acts.

Turns out the sequestration mess caused high levels of Pentagon civilian employee furloughs - to the tune of 750,000 people.  The plan was to lay off these unhappy folks for 22 days but that has been cut back to 14 days.  Still, it isn't easy to lose one of your paychecks - even though it's spread out over many months through September.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that huge block of civilian furloughs will save $2.5 billion for the Pentagon budget.  The sequestration across-the-board budget cuts went into effect on 1 March which amounts to $41 billion.  This $2.5 billion employee furlough will be tacked to that reduction.

Funny Friday Enthusiasm iPhone 5 Case

Make each day of the week like Friday and your life will take on new enthusiasm

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

A Truth Journal: XL Keystone Pipeline: Why Should America Take All The Risks and No Benefits?

XL Pipeline Protest (Photo credit: Talk Radio News Service)

A Truth Journal: XL Keystone Pipeline: Why Should America Take All The Risks and No Benefits?: From Denny:  Once again greedy Big Business seeks to hang the American taxpayers with all the liabilities - while they make billions in profits, free to walk away when it goes bad.

The XL Keystone Pipeline is a huge boondoggle that comes out of Canada.  Apparently, the Canadian firm, TransCanada, along with some American energy partners sum up their business mantra in one chant, "Let the Americans pay for it!"

Our State Department has been on a fool's errand writing up a study on the impact on America's environment, concluding it would not be a problem, in order to act like they are satisfying the environment folks.  As usual, everyone rivets their focus upon the distraction, taking their eye off the obvious.

American Irish Men's Fitted T-Shirt

Check out the luck of the American Irish!

Visual Insights: Obama Photo: Entering Bullet Proof Prez Limo, 5 March 2013

Visual Insights: Obama Photo: Entering Bullet Proof Prez Limo, 5 March 2013: From Denny:  The life of a president is a world so far removed from the average citizen that sometimes the only way to understand it is through the White House photos.  This White House is more accomplished at releasing candid photos of the people in government as they go about the country's business than was the Bush White House.

The Bush era was forever about manipulating public opinion to the extreme they attempted to create one too many fairy tales for posterity - and it backfired.  While every White House likes to promote their brand, as does the Obama White House, this one is more on balance delivering the mundane moments to the public as well as the promotional.  Official White House photographer Pete Souza does an outstanding job capturing a constantly moving target in a myriad of situations from the campaign trail to the Oval Office meetings.

This one was taken today of President Obama as he arrived at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  He was visiting service members to award two purple hearts.  Notice the narrow field of view composition to emotionally connect the viewer to the narrow emotional and physical spaces in which a president moves through their day.  Click on the link above to view.

Warriors Pearl Foundation Mug

Helping homeless female military veterans come home. Support the effort!

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new! 

A Truth Journal: Fiscal Follies: What Everyone Is Ignoring For The Cure

A Truth Journal: Fiscal Follies: What Everyone Is Ignoring For The Cure: From Denny:  Here we go again with the Great Republican Distraction.  This time it's the smoke and mirrors about whacking away at Social Security and Medicare and now Obamacare.

Most especially Social Security had nothing to do with running up the precious deficit but to hear the Republicans tell it all "those 47 percent moochers" are running up the deficit with all these villainous entitlements which said moochers have paid into that fund part of their paychecks for years.  If Big Business and sloppy politicians had quit slipping their greedy hands into big accounts like Social Security over the past few decades none of us would be having this discussion.

Will the Democrats allow the lies to stand?  What will they do about this constant shell game from the opposition party?  Definitely it's time for a bold stand and bold thinking to get the job done.  After all, the business community is stressing and hand-wringing about driving over the fiscal cliff.  This from the same guys who refuse to pay taxes into the system but enjoy corporate welfare taking gobs of money out of the country's collective treasury.  Yes, in case you missed it - that is the imagery of really bad sex. :)

Santa Diva Cat Snowflake Ornament

Check out Diva Cat adorned with her Santa hat just in time for the season!

The Social Poets: New Denny Lyon Designs: 11 September 2001 Anniversary Yard Sign, T-Shirt

The Social Poets: New Denny Lyon Designs: 11 September 2001 Anniversary Yard Sign, T-Shirt: From Denny:  Today is a special day of remembrance here in America and many parts of the world.  I created this design for my reader friends over at the Pentagon, White House, CIA, State Department and FBI for this anniversary to let them know I was thinking of them.

Proceeds go to funding my charity for homeless female military veterans.  Currently, there are only a couple of half-way houses in North Carolina - woefully underfunded - desperately trying to address the problem of over 5,000 homeless women vets.  The majority are young single mothers.

So, I'm raising funds using my art, creativity and photos for the effort, designing for a wide variety of products over at Cafe Press: clothing, technology, signage, home decor, drink ware, stationery and more.  Please take a look at Denny Lyon Gifts and express your support for the fallen - and those still healing.

September 11th Framed Tile

The Social Poets: Im Just Saying: Funny Political Thought About Romney

Mitt Romney - Caricature (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

The Social Poets: Im Just Saying: Funny Political Thought About Romney: From Denny: Since I could care less who wins or who loses the GOP race for president, I'm free to mock it in style.

At our house we were watching the GOP primary returns for the last three states of Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Much to everyone's surprise it was the non-candidate Santorum that ran away with two of the races.

Though delegates were not awarded it is Santorum that has basically caught up with front-runner Mitt Romney by about 86 for Santorum to 94 delegates for Romeny. The winner needs about 700 to win.

Santorum, a Catholic, has sharpened his message to be known as the middle class guy and conservative. Romney is painted as the rich guy who is out of touch.

Lately, since getting trounced in the last race Romney is working hard to overcome the perception by portraying himself as a sensitive guy. He even laid claim to being a Mormon minister for 10 years and how he truly understands the unemployed and marital difficulties as a result of not being able to pay your bills.

So, here is my I'm Just Saying:

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Funny Halloween Town Names in America

Image by solyanka via FlickrFrom Denny:  Want to scare your pants off with a new address?  Who knew that a town's name could be so creepy - just in time for Halloween.

This comprehensive Halloween list was compiled by the folks over at AccuracyProject.org.  Some of these town names are directly associated with Halloween while others were not intentionally so but sure look like a good fit.  Some towns no longer exist or are virtual true ghost towns as they have dwindled down to just a few buildings or are completely abandoned.

Look at it this way, if you are a teacher this fun list will help motivate your students to enjoy geography class during the holiday season! For people who like to meander around on educational sites, check out AccuracyProject.org.

Some of the funnier names are Hell Hollow, Half Hell (now how do you get just half of Hell??) and Little Hell, towns found in three different states.  It just goes to show you that no matter how far we live apart our thinking is pretty much the same!

Halloween-related Place Names in the U.S.

Scary, Putnam County, West Virginia Trickem, Lowndes County, Alabama Trickem, Gwinnett County, Georgia Treat, Pope County, Arkansas Treat, Polk County, Georgia Treat, Webster Parish, Louisiana Candy Town, Hocking County, Ohio Chocolate Bayou, Brazoria County, Texas Hershey, Pennsylvania Frankenstein, Osage County, Missouri Goblintown, Virginia Casper, Wyoming Boos, Jasper County, Illinois Spider, Knott County, Kentucky Spider, De Soto Parish, Louisiana Spiderweb, Aiken County, South Carolina Bat Cave, Henderson County, North Carolina Pumpkin, Paulding County, Georgia Pumpkin, San Jacinto County, Texas Pumpkin Bend, Woodruff County, Arkansas Pumpkin Center, Alabama Pumpkin Center, Coconino County, Arizona Pumpkin Center, California Pumpkin Center, Lake County, Florida Pumpkin Center, Indiana Pumpkin Center, Caldwell County, Kentucky Pumpkin Center, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Pumpkin Center, Allegany County, Maryland Pumpkin Center, Union County, Mississippi Pumpkin Center, Missouri Pumpkin Center, North Carolina Pumpkin Center, Oklahoma Pumpkin Center, Minnehaha County, South Dakota Pumpkin Center, Tennessee Pumpkin Center, Bland County, Virginia Pumpkin Hill, Genesee County, New York Pumpkin Hollow, New York Pumpkin Hook, Washington County, New York Pumpkintown, Jackson County, North Carolina Pumpkintown, Pickens County, South Carolina Pumpkintown, Macon County, Tennessee Pumpkintown, Randolph County, West Virginia Screamer, Henry County, Alabama Screamer, Maury County, Tennessee Screamersville, Chesterfield County, Virginia Yelling Settlement, Baldwin County, Alabama Yellville, Marion County, Arkansas Yell, Marshall County, Tennessee Holler, Frederick County, Maryland Witch Lake, Marquette County, Michigan Witch Hazel, Washington County, Oregon Black Cat, Mississippi County, Arkansas Spook City, Saguache County, Colorado Spook Hill, Baltimore County, Maryland Transylvania, East Carroll Parish, Louisiana Transylvania Beach, Jefferson County, Kentucky Transylvania County, North Carolina Blood, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Bloody Corners, Portage County, Ohio Bloody Springs, Tishomingo County, Mississippi Fresh Kills, Richmond County, New York Great Kills, Richmond County, New York Kill Buck, Cattaraugus County, New York West Kill, Greene County, New York Slaughter, Kent County, Delaware Slaughter, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana Slaughter, Sullivan County, Tennessee Slaughter Beach, Sussex County, Delaware Slaughter Creek, Stewart County, Georgia Slaughter Landing, Madison County, Alabama Slaughterville, Cleveland County, Oklahoma Devil Canyon, San Bernardino County, California Devil Town, Wayne County, Ohio Devils Backbone, Connecticut Devils Corner, Delta County, Michigan Devils Corner, Pepin County, Wisconsin Devils Cross Roads, Newberry County, South Carolina Devils Den, Park County, Wyoming Devils Den, Kern County, California Devils Elbow, Colusa County, California Devils Elbow, Grand Traverse County, Michigan Devils Elbow, Pulaski County, Missouri Devils Gap, Gosper County, Nebraska Devils Ladder, Adams County, Idaho Devils Lake, Lenawee County, Michigan Devils Lake, Ramsey County, North Dakota Devils Slide, Utah Devils Tower, Crook County, Wyoming Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, North Carolina Red Devil, Alaska Seven Devils, Avery County, North Carolina Satans Kingdom, Addison County, Vermont Satans Kingdom, Franklin County, Massachusetts Hell, Livingston County, Michigan Hell Hollow, Sullivan County, New Hampshire Half Hell, Brunswick County, North Carolina Little Hell, Accomack County, Virginia Hells Corners, Trumbull County, Ohio Merry Hell, Simpson County, Mississippi Firetown, Hartford County, Connecticut Pyro, Jackson County, Ohio Tombstone, Cochise County, Arizona Skull Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona Skullbone, Gibson County, Tennessee Skullhead, Ware County, Georgia Skull Run, Jackson County, West Virginia Skull Creek, Weston County, Wyoming Deadmans, Muskingum County, Ohio Deadman Landing, Volusia County, Florida Deadman Crossing, Ross County, Ohio Deadmans Corner, Converse County, Wyoming Deadmans Corner, Aroostook County, Maine Dead Mans Crossing, Posey County, Indiana Dead Women Crossing, Custer County, Oklahoma John, Russell County, Virginia Carpenter, Clark County, South Dakota Michael, Calhoun County, Illinois Myers, San Miguel County, New Mexico Lee, Fayette County, West Virginia Curtis, Lewis County, Washington Lance, Madison County, Missouri Guest, De Kalb County, Alabama Malcolm, Washington County, Alabama McDowell, Highland County, Virginia Haddonfield, Camden County, New Jersey * * * The movie Halloween was set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois.

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The Social Poets: American Flags On The Moon: What Happened To Them Since 1969?

Image via Wikipedia

The Social Poets: American Flags On The Moon: What Happened To Them Since 1969?: "From Denny: How many in America can remember where they were when the astronauts planted the American flag on the moon? You know they made six trips.

Whenever we celebrate our summer holiday on the Fourth of July, often our thoughts turn to remembering various places with which we associate it. Football games, the giant tattered flag waving back at us from Ground Zero on 911, Memorial Day parades and bedecked graves, the White House flag at half mast when a Senator or President dies, a flag draped coffin of a fallen warrior from a foreign war returned home with respect.

The space shuttle program ends this week in hot steamy July. Have you ever wondered what happened to those old flags on the moon after all these decades?"

The Social Poets: Wisconsin: Voters Slap Down GOP, Female Dark Horse Wins State Supreme Court Seat

The Social Poets: Wisconsin: Voters Slap Down GOP, Female Dark Horse Wins State Supreme Court Seat: "An obscure election got the royal treatment from activists and voters. Voters so hated Gov. Scott Walker's controversial anti-union initiatives they came out in droves to defeat a GOP incumbent for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The surprise dark horse vote came for Democrat unknown JoAnne Kloppenburg, down by an astounding 30 points right before the election. She is a state attorney general with support from several unions.

Election officials tallied her win at a razor thin 235 votes over the GOP incumbent of 12 years, Justice David Prosser, who is known to be sympathetic toward Gov. Walker's policies.  Prosser had come out of his primary with a 55 percent vote win.  Kloppenburg was second of four candidates with only 28 percent of that primary vote.  Prosser was expected to experience an easy runaway win - that fizzled because of unusually high voter turnout."