The Reason Why You Must Not Postpone Travel Plans Till Retirement

Kitten Brings The Whole Family . . .

"My parents started feeding a stray kitten a couple 

weeks ago. This was their front porch today."

How Much Do You Know About The Constitution?

Constitution Day is set aside to commemorate the development, drafting and signing of the country’s most important document. For more than 230 years, our constitution has stood as both the plan for the American system of government and, through its 27 Amendments, a summary of the political principles of generations of Americans.

The reason we celebrate our constitution on Sept. 17 is because it is generally regarded as the day, in 1787, that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed it.


This quiz, from the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio, provides an opportunity for you to test your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and those who drafted it.

1. Which of the following provisions in the Bill of Rights fueled the most discussion during the debates in the First Congress?
A. Freedom of speech clause
B. Freedom of religion clause
C. Equal protection clause
D. Right to bear arms clause

2. Which of the following are stated goals in the Preamble to the Constitution?
A. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
B. Equal protection of the law
C. Liberty and justice
D. States’ rights

3. Which is the only state delegation to have a perfect attendance record at the Constitutional Convention?
A. New York
B. New Jersey
C. North Carolina
D. South Carolina

4. Which of the following two delegates at the Constitutional Convention were directly related to each other?
A. Alexander Martin and Luther Martin
B. Charles Pinckney and C.C. Pinckney
C. Robert Morris and Gouverneur Morris
D. William Pierce and Pierce Butler

5. According to The Federalist Papers, in a representative democracy the people should “indulge all their jealousy and exhaust all their precautions” against which branch of government?
A. The legislative branch
B. The executive branch
C. The judicial branch
D. All three branches

6. James Madison, in The Federalist Papers, identifies which of the following as the most common and durable source of faction?
A. Religion
B. Property
C. Race
D. Political party

7. In which city was the Constitution signed on September 17, 1787?
A. Baltimore
B. Philadelphia
C. Boston
D. New York

8. What was the average age of the 39 delegates who signed the Constitution?
A. 44
B. 51
C. 56
D. 62

9. The Northwest Ordinance, passed in July 1787 by the second Continental Congress, specifically banned which of the following from the Northwest Territories?
A. Alcohol
B. Witchcraft
C. Religion
D. Slavery

10. Which of the following events had a direct influence on the call for a Constitutional Convention?
A. Russian Revolution
B. Whiskey Rebellion
C. Shays’ Rebellion
D. French Revolution

ANSWERS

1-B

2-C

3-D

4-B

5-A

6-B

7-B

8-A

9-D

10-C

BY GORDON LLOYD
Gordon Lloyd is a senior fellow at the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University and author of the Ashbrook Center’s compendium “The Constitutional Convention: Core Documents.” He wrote this for InsideSources.com .

Some of Buster Keaton’s Most Amazing Stunts

Joseph Frank “Buster” Keaton 

October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966

was an American actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname “The Great Stone Face. Keaton performed all of his stunts, he never refused a stunt, however dangerous; in fact, he frequently doubled for other actors when they needed to take a fall. That’s because he was a pro, who had learned to land soft and withstand a few knocks. Some stunts require agility, others an inner strength. The crowning glory of Steamboat Bill Jr, possibly Keaton’s greatest gag of all time, was a stunt as beautiful as it was potentially lethal but it required him simply to stand still. And he didn’t get a scratch on him. The celebrated moment in Steamboat Bill Jr when the facade of a house drops to the ground with a two-ton thwack, leaving Keaton serene amid the debris, relied on precise mathematics and nerves of steel. Keaton’s position on the ground had to line up exactly with an open window in the top of the house; thankfully for him, it did. More importantly, he had to be sturdy enough to trust the sums, and not flinch.

The Meaning of the FLAG-Draped Coffin

All Americans should be given this lesson.

Our founding fathers used GOD's word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it's high time Americans get re-educated about this Nation's history.

Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers: Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.'

The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic..

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their Nations motto, 'In God We Trust.'

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning.

In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why.

Please share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to as the symbol of 'Liberty and Freedom.'

MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR DECISION ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS.
ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

Significance
Flags draped over coffins honor the memory of military members who serve the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Qualifications
Most veterans and active-service members of the military qualify for flag-draped coffins at their funerals. The Department of Veterans Affairs states that veterans with dishonorable discharges are not eligible for an official burial flag.

Obtaining Flags
Those seeking a burial flag must complete an application and submit the veteran's discharge papers along with the form. The application--Form 21-2008 or the Veterans Affairs Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes--can be found at regional VA offices and most post offices (or see Resources). The form should be submitted to the funeral director or representative of the veterans group in charge of the service member's funeral.

Protocol
Burial flags should never touch the ground, and when being used to drape a coffin, should never be lowered into the grave. The flag should be removed from the casket and folded into a triangle with only the union, or the blue field, showing. It will then be given to the deceased's next of kin, friend or specified associate, according to the Maine Military Funerals Honor Program. Qualified veterans may receive only one burial flag.

On Display
American flags that draped the coffins of the unknown soldiers of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are on display in the Memorial Display Room of the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.