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My home phone rings; I answer it, saying "Hello."
A prerecorded voice says: "This call is for " (pause and then a different voice continues) "Henry Armstrong." (Long pause here) -- then, "If you are" (pause and that other voice returns), saying "Henry Armstrong" and original voice says, "please press '1'" -- continuing, "If you are not Henry Armstrong and would like your number removed, please dial 1-800-555-5555 now."
What are the chances that I am going to dial that number?
Ass-hats!
The problem is, after several days of repetition, when they finally stop calling me with that same routine, a new name is inserted and they begin again. I don't know which is the more persistent, the robot or the people behind the robot.
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I was informed of a get-together of alumni from Valparaiso Technical institute in Valparaiso, Indiana from which I graduated in 1982, and an interview with one of my instructors was posted on Youtube. This particular instructor was a WWII veteran, a radioman in the navy, and I remember him well. His name is Gene Wiggins and he was the sponsor of the Ham Club, of which I was a member (then during my last year, I was the Ham Club's president.)
Wiggins, in the 12 minute Youtube interview tells of the whereabouts (and sometimes deaths) of many of the faculty and staff of VTI.
Interview with Gene Wiggins
The video would be boring and tiresome for those with no knowledge of VTI, but viewing it certainly heightened my ever-present level of nostalgia.
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TRIVIA
In 2000, Publishers Weekly listed The Poky Little Puppy, by Janette Sebring Lowrey, the best-selling hardcover children’s book of all time. Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White was No. 1 on the paperback list.
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HISTORICAL EVENT
Czolgosz moved over the president with the intent of firing a third shot, but was wrestled to the ground by McKinley's bodyguards. McKinley, still conscious, told the guards not to hurt his assailant. Other presidential attendants rushed McKinley to the hospital where they found two bullet wounds: one bullet had superficially punctured his sternum and the other had dangerously entered his abdomen. He was rushed into surgery and seemed to be on the mend by September 12. Later that day, however, the president's condition worsened rapidly and, on September 14, McKinley died from gangrene that had gone undetected in the internal wound. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was immediately sworn in as president.
Czolgosz was found guilty at trial and was electrocuted by three jolts, each of 1800 volts, in Auburn Prison on October 29, 1901, just 45 days after his victim's death.
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WORD FOR TODAY
abuse [uh-byuz']
verb
1. To use wrongly or improperly; misuse: abuse a privilege.
2. To hurt or injure by maltreatment; ill-use.
3. To force sexual activity on; rape or molest.
4. To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.
abuse [uh-byuce']
noun
1. Improper use or handling; misuse: abuse of authority.
2. Physical maltreatment: spousal abuse.
3. An unjust or wrongful practice: a government that commits abuses against its citizens.
4. Insulting or coarse language: verbal abuse.
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise verbal aggression
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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
(born September 6, 1958)
Jeff Foxworthy is an American comedian, television and radio personality and author. He is a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, a comedy troupe which also comprises Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall and Ron White. Known for his "You might be a redneck" one-liners, Foxworthy has released six major-label comedy albums. His first two albums were each certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Foxworthy has written several books based on his redneck jokes, as well as an autobiography entitled No Shirt, No Shoes... No Problem!.
Foxworthy has also made several ventures into television, starting in the mid-1990s with his own sitcom, The Jeff Foxworthy Show. He has also appeared alongside Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy in several Blue Collar television specials, most notably Blue Collar TV. Since 2007, he has been the host of the quiz show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? on Fox (2007–09) and in syndication (2009–11). Foxworthy hosted a nationally syndicated radio show called The Foxworthy Countdown from April 1999 to December 2009. For two seasons, he has hosted GSN's The American Bible Challenge.
(born September 6, 1947)
Jane Curtin is an American actress and comedienne. First coming to prominence as an original cast member on the hit TV comedy series Saturday Night Live in 1975, she went on to win back-to-back Emmy Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series on the 1980s sitcom Kate & Allie portraying the role of Allison "Allie" Lowell. Curtin later starred in the hit series 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001), playing the role of Dr. Mary Albright.
Curtin has also appeared in many movie roles, including Charlene in the The Librarian series of movies (2004–2008). She also reprised one of her Saturday Night Live characters, Prymaat (Clorhone) Conehead, in the 1993 film The Coneheads.
(born September 6, 1962)
Chris Christie is the 55th Governor of New Jersey, and a leading member of the Republican Party in the United States.
(born September 6, 1937)
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What I fear most is power with impunity. I fear abuse of power, and the power to abuse.
--Isabel Allende
NASA TV
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