How can you know when someone is telling you the truth?

Good Day World?

How can you know when someone is telling you the truth?

Do you have a built-in sh**t- meter? Can you read body language and detect a liar?Are you psychic? Do you research everything you read to verify facts?

I’m curious.

These days, I don’t know who to believe. When it comes to watching/reading the news I often suspect I’m not getting the whole story – or someone (world figure, ect) is out-right lying like a rug!

An example:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the rejection of the framework of a multi-country deal that with Iran that seeks to limit the country's nuclear capability.

He claims the current plan "leaves the preeminent terrorist state of our time with a vast nuclear infrastructure."

Is that true? Does Netanyahu know something the US doesn’t? I wouldn’t be surprised. Israel’s spy system is superb.

On the other hand, there’s reason to doubt Netanyahu’s claims. The man will say anything to see the US back off from any kind of deal with Iran – their hated enemy.

When you infuse politics into the media mess, truth is one of the first victims. So what are we left with in the pursuit of truth?

Good question.

Take everything with a grain of salt for starters. After that, just try to use common sense whenever possible. That’s not as easy as it sounds.

It also really helps if you can separate yourself from political parties and allow yourself to remain open to the truth.

Independent thought is rapidly diminishing in this sound-byte age, but if your not afraid to question/research issues in depth, chances are you’ll get closer to the truth than you are now.

Time for me to walk on down the road… 

 

On April 6th,1954, the original TV Dinner sold for 98 cents

Good Day World!

I grew up in the fifties, a time when home-cooked meals were first being challenged by TV Dinners.

TV Dinner is a genericized trademark originally used for a brand of packaged meal developed in 1953 by C.A. Swanson & Sons (the full name was TV Brand Frozen Dinner).

The original TV Dinner came in an aluminum tray and was heated in an oven.

The first Swanson-brand TV Dinner was produced in the United States and consisted of a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, cornbread dressing, frozen peas and sweet potatoes packaged in a tray like those used at the time for airline food service.

TV DINNER INVENTION HISTORY

The identity of the TV Dinner's inventor has been disputed.

In one account, first publicized in 1996, retired Swanson executive Gerry Thomas said he conceived the idea after the company found itself with a huge surplus of frozen turkeys because of poor Thanksgiving sales.

Thomas' version of events has been challenged by the Los Angeles Times, members of the Swanson family and former Swanson employees. They credit the Swanson brothers with the invention.

Either way, Swanson's concept was not original.

In 1944, William L. Maxson's frozen dinners were being served on airplanes. Other prepackaged meals were also marketed before Swanson's TV Dinner.

In 1948, plain frozen fruits and vegetables were joined by what were then called 'dinner plates' with a main course, potato, and vegetable.

Later, in 1952, the first frozen dinners on oven-ready aluminum trays were introduced by Quaker States Foods under the One-Eye Eskimo label.

Quaker States Foods was joined by other companies including Frigi-Dinner, which offered such fare as beef stew with corn and peas,veal goulash with peas and potatoes, and chicken Chow Mein with egg rolls and fried rice.

However, Swanson, a large producer of canned and frozen poultry in Omaha, Nebraska, was able to promote the widespread sales and adaptation of frozen dinner by using its nationally-recognized brand name with an extensive national marketing campaign nicknamed "Operation Smash" and the clever advertising name of "TV Dinner," which tapped into the public's excitement around the new device. (via Wikipedia)

The rest, as they say, is history.

Have a look at the old newspapers from April 6, 1954 and get them!

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Jesus Christ Walked Away From the USA One Day

Good Day World!

Here’s a thought…

Jesus Christ walked away from the USA one day

fed up with intolerant churches and what they had to say

disgusted with the games So-Called Christians have to play

Jesus walked far far away.

Leaving the hypocrites and the money-changers

HE turned his back on the hatred being shared

by Christian churches and their phony dangers

stigmatizing non-believers, their bigotries bared

 

So, Jesus Christ walked away from the USA one day

and the churches in America didn’t notice

because they had long ago went another way

far from his teachings and focus.

                                             ***    

-Dave Stancliff – 4/1/15

 

 

  

Whose the Winner? Iran, or USA in Nuke Deal?

Good Day World!

When America and Iran agreed on the framework of a deal regarding the use of nuclear energy who emerged victorious?

Should American’s be stomping their feet in approval? Do the Iranians feel like they pulled a fast one on stupid Westerners? Or, is it the perfect deal where both sides are happy with the result?

And while I’m asking questions, what was the real result of this political breakthrough with our sworn enemy?

President Obama has been confronted with skepticism and hostility by Republicans in Congress who say that he's being conned by Iran. Expect to hear from them next week.

Obama contends the inspections – which are part of the deal - are the toughest in history.

 "If Iran cheats, the world will know it. If we see something suspicious, we will inspect it," Obama told reporters. "So this will be a long-term deal that addresses each path to a potential Iranian nuclear bomb."

Translation: We’re not going to let them build a nuclear bomb. Iran is supposed to be okay with that in exchange for the US dropping economic sanctions that have been crippling the country.

It all sounds very simple. So, why do I suspect there’s another story that’s not being told concerning this “historic” arrangement/framework?

• Iran Deal Shows the Obama Doctrine in Action
• Deal Means Peaceful Enrichment: Rouhani
• Is World Safer or Not? What's Being Said

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Rock On! Rolling Stones Announce Tour Dates

Good Day World!

Back when I was a teenager, The Rolling Stones were in the vanguard of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in America in 1964–65.

This year marks 53 years of continuous entertainment provided by the original “Bad Boys” of rock. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are considered legends in the industry.

GET SOME SATISIFACTION

Their first international number 1 hit was "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", recorded in May 1965 during the band's third North American tour. "Paint It, Black" is one of my favorite songs of theirs.

I have to admit that I’m amazed at the “Stones” staying power. The fact that they are appreciated by generations of new young fans is proof enough of their greatness.

The "Zip Code" tour will make stops largely in the middle of North America this year. This is the first time the band will have toured in North America since 2005-07's "A Bigger Bang Tour."

In addition, a re-mastered edition of 1971's "Sticky Fingers" album will be released May 26.

Here's the list of planned shows:

May 24 San Diego, CA Petco Park
May 30 Columbus, OH Ohio Stadium
June 3 Minneapolis, MN TCF Bank Stadium
June 6 Dallas, TX AT&T Stadium
June 9 Atlanta, GA Bobby Dodd Stadium
June 12 Orlando, FL Orlando Citrus Bowl
June 17 Nashville, TN LP Field
June 20 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Field
June 23 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest / Marcus Amphitheater
June 27 Kansas City, MO Arrowhead Stadium
July 1 Raleigh, NC Carter-Finley Stadium
July 4 Indianapolis, IN Indianapolis Motor Speedway
July 8 Detroit, MI Comerica Park
July 11 Buffalo, NY Ralph Wilson Stadium
July 15 Quebec, QC Le Festival D’Été de Québec

For more information, check out the band's website.

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Conservative Christians: ‘Relax, No One’s After You in America’

                                  Good Day World!

There are countries in this world – Pakistan for instance – where it’s not safe to be a Christian. Christians are marginalized and treated like criminals across the middle east.

Thank God then, if you’re a Christian in America where you’re treated with respect and protected. The First Amendment protects Christians, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindu’s, Buddists, etc. al.

When I see a law passed that pretends to defend the Christian faith by rationalizing injustice against people that are not approved of by the church, the hypocrisy sickens me. Somehow, I don’t see Jesus as being that judgmental. 

When Indiana’s Gov. Mike Pence signed the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act he effectively sent out the wrong message to the world, “Indiana is NOT an all inclusive state welcoming everyone – just the opposite!”

The new law has the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality.

Social conservatives say their fight to preserve their beliefs is to protect what they say is religious freedom, arguing that Christians or people of other faiths who oppose same-sex unions should not be required to take actions that could be seen as condoning gay marriage.

"Christian businesses and individuals deserve protection from those who support homosexual marriages and those who support government recognition and approval of gender identity (men who dress as women)," reads a message praising the new law on the website of the Indiana group Advance America, whose executive

Pence and Indiana lawmakers rejected the idea of inserting provisions into the law that would have specifically added protections for people who are gay.

The interstate backlash to Indiana's new religious freedom law is growing even as state lawmakers move to clarify the legislation, with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray vowing to issue an executive order this week banning city workers from taxpayer-funded travel to the state.

The Seattle mayor's statement is the latest boycott threat to emerge over claims that the law has the potential to discriminate against gays and others.

MORE ON THE SUBJECT

Tim Cook: Pro-discrimination ‘religious freedom’ laws are dangerous

What the 'religious freedom' law really means for Indiana

Indiana law: Does freedom of religion mean freedom to discriminate?

Connecticut bans state-funded travel to Indiana over anti-gay law

One last thought: If Christians can get away with discriminating against the LGBT community because it goes against their religion, what about the other religions, and their laws? Like Sharia Law. Muslims who don’t want to obey the secular laws in our country could fall back on this new law.

Time for me to walk on down the road…

 

Independent Party Invitates Stancliff to Run for President

Good Day World!

I’m truly honored to accept the Independent Party’s nomination for President of the United States.

It’s not every day an old Vietnam veteran with PTSD is picked to lead the country. One of the first things I’m going to do is legalize marijuana. My VP, Tommy Chong, will be the point person for that process.

Send any donations for my campaign to my personal PO Box in southern Oregon.

Thank you, and don’t forget to vote for me – Dave Stancliff. That’s Dave Stancliff. Sounds kinda catchy doesn’t it?

Here’s 17 morning pranks to start April Fools' Day right.

If you want to get into the spirit of the day check out:

The Top 100 April Fool’s Day Hoaxes of All Time

If your curious about the origins of such a silly day then go here and get the full story.

Meanwhile, why not take a peek at April Fools' Day 2015: The best spoofs and pranks, in pictures

Time for me to walk on down the road…

3 things you should know about Carly Fiorina before she announces her bid for the presidency

Good Day World!

It’s about time a woman has cast (or will soon) a hat into the GOP primary for president.

Former technology executive Carly Fiorina says she is more than 90 percent likely to seek the Republican presidential nomination.

Here’s 3 things you should know about her:

1) The Los Angeles Times noted that Fiorina has conservative positions on certain social issues. She personally opposed abortion and, as a private citizen, stated that she voted for Proposition 8, which defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman, overturning a court ruling that same-sex couples had a right to marry.

2) Fiorina has called climate change a "serious issue" but claimed that the science surrounding global warming is inconclusive, saying "I think we should have the courage to examine the science on an ongoing basis."

She also accepted large contributions from the coal industry as well as Koch Industries and opposed the cap and trade legislation supported by Boxer.

3) In 2008, Fiorina worked for Senator John McCain's presidential campaign. On September 3, 2008, Fiorina defended the selection of Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. Yet, in response to questions about her during a radio interview, she stated that Palin lacks the experience to run a major company like Hewlett-Packard, "…but that's not what she's running for.”

Running a corporation is a different set of things." Fiorina later amended her comment, stating that none of the candidates on either ticket had the experience to run a major corporation.

That’s about it. A mixed bag to be sure. There’s certainly very little buzz about her right now. Perhaps by the time she announces her candidacy we’ll get an opportunity to learn more about what she currently stands for.

Based upon her past politics and corporation ties, I think it’s apparent she’s already sleeping with such luminaries as the Koch brothers; which doesn’t speak well for her character, or intentions. 

Time for me to walk on down the road…

No Regrets About Stigmatizing LGBT Community

Good Day World!

Religious tolerance is an oxymoron in Indiana.

Organized religion there is not tolerant.

Indiana’s Gov. Mike Pence, a self-avowed protector of the faith, certainly didn’t show tolerance towards the LGBT community by signing a discriminative law into effect last Thursday. 

Pence said he was proud of the law and "absolutely" did not think it was a mistake to sign it.

Critics have spoken out against Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act since Pence signed it, but he stubbornly claims he’s protecting people's religious freedoms. 

Pence tells his critics that the new law was not intended to make it easier for people to discriminate against same-sex couples. Yet, what happened when he was questioned by a reporter?

Asked repeatedly whether the new law would make it legal for a merchant — a wedding florist, for instance — to refuse service to gay couples, Pence declined to answer yes or no.

As far as I’m concerned that’s a cowardly yes, by remaining silent. How else can a logical person take that kind of response?

Which is why Pence’s claims ring false.

This law doesn’t strengthen the foundation of our constitutional First Amendment rights. It threatens to stigmatize a segment of our society by not treating everyone equally.

There’s been no threat to our religious freedoms in recent years that require a new law to protect them. We can still worship whatever entity we wish without fear of persecution, as per the 1st Amendment.

For the record, The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It doesn’t say anything about stigmatizing a section of the population.

In response to the new law Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle said it has caused his company to put on hold an expansion of the company's headquarters in Indianapolis.

• Hundreds Protest Indiana's 'Religious Freedom' Law
• Tim Cook Blasts Indiana's 'Religious Freedom' Law

Time for me o walk on down the road…

Your poop can yield gold and other precious metals

Good Day World!

EEeeuuuuuuu!

Researchers have been playing with poop lately and they think they’ve struck it rich.

Instead of flushing millions down the toilet, humans could be mining their poop for gold!

That's at least what some researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) think. They're looking for ways to squeeze metals like gold and silver out of solid waste.

When poop arrives at a wastewater treatment plant, it is separated into biosolids and treated water. Inevitably about half of the biosolids (3.5 million tons in the United States alone) is sent to landfills or incinerated, while the other half is used as fertilizer. [The Poop on Pooping: 5 Misconceptions Explained]

Kathleen Smith, a USGS geologist, thinks people could make more of these biosolids; they're full of tiny particles of metals that find their way into waste through beauty products, detergents and even odor-resistant clothing.

There are two good reasons to try to pull these metals out of poop, according to Smith, who's presenting her research on the subject at an American Chemical Society meeting this week. (Condensed version – read full story here)

Time for me to walk on down the road…