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Monday, March 31, 2014

I Knew It, I Knew It...,

Finally a study that makes sense.

Brains of the elderly slow because they know so much......

The brains of older people only appear to be less speedy, because they have so much information to access, much like a full-up hard drive, scientists believe.


Elderly people have so much information in their brain that it takes longer for them to access it, scientific studies show.

Older people do not decline mentally with age.  It just takes them longer to recall facts, because they have more information in their brains, research suggests.

Much like a computer takes longer as the hard drive gets full up, so to do humans take longer to access information, it has been reported.

Researchers say this slowing down it is not the same as cognitive decline. 

“The human brain appears to work slower in old age,” said Dr. Michael Ramscar, “but only because so much information has been stored over time.  Older people simply know more, so selecting a correct choice from the trove of stored data may take a bit longer.”

                                        So there now!!!!!!

The Free-Marketing Gravy Train Is Over On Facebook


Facebook CEO Zuckerberg addresses the audience during a media event at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park
Robert Galbraith—Reuters

Over the past several months, Facebook has been reducing the organic reach of Pages. A recent study found that companies' posts dropped from reaching 12% of their followers in October to just 6% by February

Facebook and its popular Pages platform have been a cornerstone of most companies’ social-media marketing strategies for years. But if the brands, organizations and celebrities that use Pages want to continue to reach Facebook’s 1.23 billion monthly users in the future, they’re going to have to pay up.

Over the past several months, Facebook has been reducing the organic reach of Pages. Even if a person Likes a company or organization on the social network, they’re unlikely to naturally see that Page’s content in their News Feed. In a recent study of more than 100 brand Pages, Ogilvy & Mather found that
companies’ posts dropped from reaching 12% of their followers in October to just 6% by February. The tech blog Valleywag reports that Facebook is planning to dial reach down to 1% to 2% of followers eventually.

Facebook declined to comment on the percentage of fans that see posts from a typical Facebook Page (the last publicly disclosed figure was 16% in the summer of 2012), but the company admitted in December that posts from Pages are reaching fewer users. Facebook attributes this change to increased competition as more people and companies join its service. The typical user is inundated with 1,500 posts per day from friends and Pages, and Facebook picks 300 to present in the News Feed. Getting squeezed out are both posts from Pages and meme photos as Facebook shifts its focus to what it deems “high quality” content.
The solution for brands with declining engagement, according to Facebook, is to buy ads. “Like many mediums, if businesses want to make sure that people see their content, the best strategy is, and always has been, paid advertising,” a spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.

The transition to paid marketing on what has long been a free-distribution platform may be a tough sell for some brands, particularly small organizations or individuals who have built up audiences over years. So far, though, pressing the screws to Pages hasn’t hurt Facebook’s bottom line — the company generated $7 billion in ad revenue in 2013, and research firm eMarketer projects that figure will grow to about $10.8 billion this year. That’s good news for the company’s investors, but maybe less so for the people suddenly being asked to fund the social network’s financial growth.

Source: Time.com

Burglars Aren’t Scared Of Anything — Except This

adt-article8,000 Burglaries and home invasions take place every single day.

It’s just a fact of life in today’s world – there are people out there who want to steal your things, and perhaps even hurt you and your family.

Whether it’s from desperation or something more nefarious (such as a gang initiation that randomly targets your family), your home is not the castle it was in the past.

Here are some troubling points:
  • Deadbolts don’t help. They can be “bumped” (a new technique that can unlock 90% of all locks*). Or, in the case of home invasions, the invaders will just kick the door in. No deadbolt can withstand a kick-in.
  • Fido is hungry. A piece of steak (or a bullet) takes care of your dog. Sorry, but it’s true. Gang members aren’t afraid of your dog.
  • A gun won’t help either – A burglar will come when you aren’t home. And home invaders or gang members expect (and may even want) a confrontation, and are ready with their own guns.
  • Fake alarm signs are useless too – Criminals know your “electronic security” is a bogus sign. They go to Home Depot too. In fact, they know all the fake names.

However, criminals, gang members, and home invaders fear ONE thing:

And that’s getting caught. They do not want the police showing up when they are inside.

And there is only one way to ensure the bad guys know the police will show up if they mess around with your home: having a genuine monitored home security system with a name everybody knows.

Not fake signs; not something you buy in the store; but a big national name that criminals know by heart. A name that’s advertised heavily, and says “the police will come immediately if you enter”.

One of the most common national alarm companies is ADT. Companies like ADT, advertise heavily for two reasons. The first is to (obviously) get customers. But the second reason is the more they advertise, the more effective their systems are in preventing break ins and home invasions. Criminals know the name, and avoid those homes displaying the sign and stickers, because they realize the alarm system is real, and has teeth.

Thus, the lesson is simple. If you want to protect your home from criminals, go with a monitored alarm company that you already know.

Source: ADT.com

Are You Snoring Yourself To Death?

snoring_articleQuick question: did you get 8 hours of sleep last night? And even if you did, do you feel well-rested?

Don’t feel bad – most people answer “no” to those questions. We’re all pretty busy, so sleep is at a premium. It’s the lucky (and rare) person who gets a solid 8 hours every night.

But even worse is the fact that for many of us, the sleep we do get isn’t “good sleep”. And you know what? That’s not healthy, and could lead to bigger problems.

If you’re always feeling tired, get headaches for no reason at all, or perhaps have high blood pressure and you can’t figure out why, you may want to look at your snoring as a clue. Because snoring is the #1 symptom of a potentially serious health issue – Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

It’s no joke – snoring is serious

Yea, yea yea, we’ve all seen the sitcoms of the wife muffling the snoring husband with a pillow, and we laugh. But snoring isn’t funny – it can be a serious health problem.

In fact, snoring and OSA can lead to other health issues, such as Acid Reflux Disease, Memory Loss, Stroke, Depression, Diabetes, Heart Attack, and more. Even frequent nighttime urination can be the result of snoring and OSA

What is OSA exactly?

More than 18 million people suffer from OSA (all of them snore). OSA means you actually stop breathing at night due to an involuntary muscular obstruction of your airway. This occurs hundreds of times each night, causing you to constantly wake to catch your breath.

But here’s the kicker – you don’t remember waking!! So the problem goes untreated. You’re just tired all the time, buying little energy drinks to keep from falling asleep at work at 2pm.

Sure, you can go for a “sleep study”, if you have the time, and are lucky enough to have the $5,000 bill covered by insurance (most don’t cover this.) Then they’ll prescribe an uncomfortable (and loud) CPAP breathing machine that you have to wear every night.

However, there is a better solution. One that’s simple, comfortable, and affordable. It’s a carefully researched high-tech chinstrap available from a company called MySnoringSolution.

Proven Effective

A recent case study published by Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine concludes that wearing a simple chinstrap while you sleep can be an effective treatment for OSA.

The chin strap from MySnoringSolution works by supporting the lower jaw, which keeps the muscles and your tongue from involuntarily obstruction your airway. But it’s so comfortable that you won’t even know you have it on. You just won’t snore, and you won’t stop breathing.

Instead, you’ll sleep. Deeply.

Thousands of people have reported exceptional, restful results. They are sleeping better, and their spouses partners sleep better too (no snoring tends to make everyone happy.)

Right now, you can get the MySnoringSolution chinstrap for just $119.97. Plus, there’s a 100% money-back guarantee.

The “My Snoring Solution” Chinstrap is available exclusively from the company’s website which is currently offering a special 2 for 1 deal. That means they will send you two chinstraps for $119.97. Use one for vacation, maybe give it to your spouse or that friend who you know snores. Either way, it’s a great deal, and great for your health.

Click here for a limited time buy 1 get 1 free offer.

Source: lifestylejournal.com

The Hidden Obamacare Taxes That Will Crush The Middle Class

Get ready to be blindsided by a barrage of new taxes. $1 trillion worth…

They’ll be coming courtesy of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

And they won’t just be affecting those who make over $250,000. The bulk of these taxes will be passed on directly to the middle class.

That’s because while a majority of these “stealth taxes” were designed to be taxes on businesses, they’re actually transferred directly to ordinary citizens.
How much extra will you have to pay? To see how Obamacare taxes will directly affect your paycheck, go here.
They include the investment income surtax, a Medicare payroll tax, even a “tanning tax” on those who utilize indoor tanning services.

“Many of those [hidden] taxes, especially those on hospitals, insurers and medical device manufacturers, will ultimately be passed on through higher health costs,” said Michael Tanner an expert on the healthcare law.
In fact, analysts estimate Obamacare will cost the average taxpayer nearly $6,000 in extra taxes as early as next year.

Obamacare Tax Hikes Stoke Outrage

Many of the Obamacare taxes are already in effect, others will hit January 1 2014. But they are already infuriating millions of Americans.

While even Obamacare detractors applaud the requirement that insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions and put a stop to lifetime caps on benefits, they say these laudable benefits don’t compensate for the bills high cost – especially in new taxes.

According to most experts, Obamacare will create a total of twenty new taxes or tax hikes on the American people.

In fact, the Obama administration has already given the IRS an extra $500 million to enforce the rules and regulations of Obamacare.

The new taxes don’t bode well for millions of middle-class Americans. Incomes for the rich have soared this decade but middle class workers have seen their wages stagnate and even drop since the 2008 Great Recession.

Many fear Obamacare with its high insurance costs and new taxes, could provide the middle class a fatal blow.

Of course, the Obamacare plan was primarily designed to decrease the number of uninsured Americans and reduce healthcare costs.

Many experts are saying it will have the exact opposite effect.

That’s just one of the reasons why Republicans hope to defund Obamacare before January.

They claim that the taxes and costs needed to pay for Obamacare will crush the middle class and most U.S. taxpayers, as well as trigger job losses in affected industries.

Tax experts say you should try to estimate how much you will have to pay when the law goes into full effect – and take precautions to limit the damage to your bottom line.
What the Experts Say: How to avoid getting your financial neck broken by Obamacare… Watch this video.
One expert, Dr. Betsy McCaughey, a constitutional scholar with a Ph.D. from Columbia University, recently wrote a best-seller showing Americans how they can not only survive Obamacare, but prosper through it.

McCaughey claims to be one of the only people in the country – including members of Congress – who has actually read the entire 2,572 page law.

Her book, titled Beating Obamacare: Your Handbook for Surviving The New Health Care Law, breaks the huge bill down into 168 pages of actionable advice.

The book, written in an easy going, easy to read style, shows some startling facts about Obamacare not seen in the mainstream press.

For example, she points to a little known passage in the bill that shows how you could get slapped with a $2,000 fine for not having health insurance – even if you do actually have it.

She also goes into detail explaining how a third of all U.S. employers could stop offering health insurance to their workers.

In one chapter, she shows how ordinary Americans will get stuck paying for substance abuse coverage – even if they never touched a drink or drug in their life.

According to McCaughey’s research, senior citizens will get hit the hardest.

Hip and knee replacements and cataract surgery will be especially hard to get from Medicare in the months ahead thanks to Obamacare, according to McCaughey.

She warns seniors to get those types of procedures done now before Obamacare goes into effect January 1.

Real facts and figures about the hidden Obamacare taxes and fees and how they will affect everyday Americans and seniors are hard to find. As a courtesy, Money Morning is offering readers a free copy of Betsy McCaughey’s new book Beating Obamacare: Your Handbook for Surviving The New Health Care Law. But only a limited number of copies are available. Please go here to reserve yours today.

Source: lifestylejournal.com

Michael Lewis: “The Stock Market Is Rigged”

The financial journalist explores legalized front running in his newest book, "Flash Boys"


Click here for post and to watch the video.


Source:  salon.com

The #1 Anti Cancer Vegetable




Source: tv.greenmedinfo.com

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Little Wonders

Little stones make big mountains,
Little steps can cover miles,
Little acts of loving-kindness
Give the world it's biggest smiles...

Little words can soothe big troubles
Little hugs can dry big tears,
Little candles light the darkness,
Little memories last for years...

Little dreams can lead to greatness,
Little victories to success
It's the little things in life
That bring the greatest happiness...

When I think about all the little things,
warm thoughts of my friends come to mind
and all the joy that friendship brings,
always and forever sharing it with you.

(author unknown)

He Changed The Lyrics To An Insanely Popular Song, And Now I Can't Get Them Out Of My Head

George Carlin (R.I.P.) was famous for being hilarious but also for being in-your-face honest about the state of humanity and the planet. His version of the lyrics for "America the Beautiful" are pretty halting. I prefer the original song, but it's hard to hear it with my head in the sand like this.

Image Detail
Source: Upworthy.com

Watch A Powerful Twist Happen As This Girl Grows Up A Second Per Day

What this young girl lives through here is happening in several countries around the world today. And children are often the ones who suffer the most.

Could this happen where you live?



Three years since the start of the Syrian crisis, 10,000 children have died and 2.3 million people have become refugees. Seeing this little girl bear the brunt of the violence is a powerful way for the issue to resonate with the public a little closer to home.

Source: Upworthy.com

Ten Advantages Of Growing Older

 
1. Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.

2. Kidnappers ignore you.

3. Sexual harassment charges against you just don't stick.

4. People no longer think you're a hypochondriac.

5. Your secrets are now safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

6. Your eyes won't get much worse.

7. You're no longer expected to run into a burning building.

8. Whatever you buy now won't wear out.

9. In a hostage situation, you're likely to be released first.

10. There's nothing left to learn the hard way.


How To Tell If You're A High-Tech Redneck!


You take your net connected cell phone to the outhouse to read your email.

Your email address ends in ".over.yonder.com."

Your computer is worth more than all of your cars combined.

You ever refer to your computer as "Old Bessie."

You start all of your emails with the word "Howdy."

You can fix a trolling motor with a set of PC tools.

You've ever used a CD-Rom as a coaster to sit your drink can on.

Your screen saver is a bitmap image of your favorite tractor.

You think re-booting is getting new soles on your boots.

Source: Internet

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Political Science For Dummies

(udderly ridiculous)

DEMOCRATIC

You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
You feel guilty for being successful.
Barbara Streisand sings for you.

REPUBLICAN
 
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
So?

SOCIALIST
 
You have two cows.
The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.

COMMUNIST
 
You have two cows.
The government seizes both and provides you with milk.
You wait in line for hours to get it.
It is expensive and sour.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE
 
You have two cows.
You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.

BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE
 
You have two cows.
Under the new farm program the government pays you
|to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain.

AMERICAN CORPORATION
 
You have two cows.
You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do
an IPO on the 2nd one. You force the two cows to produce
the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one
cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts
stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.
Your stock goes up.

FRENCH CORPORATION

 
You have two cows.
You go on strike because you want three cows.
You go to lunch and drink wine.
Life is good.

JAPANESE CORPORATION
 
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an
|ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.
Most are at the top of their class at cow school.

GERMAN CORPORATION
 
You have two cows.
You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer,
give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.
Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.

ITALIAN CORPORATION

 
You have two cows but you don't know where they are.
While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.
You break for lunch.
Life is good.

RUSSIAN CORPORATION
 
You have two cows.
You have some vodka.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You have some more vodka.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
The Mafia shows up and takes over
however many cows you really have.

TALIBAN CORPORATION
 
You have all the cows in Afghanistan, which are two..
You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's
private parts. You get a $40 million grant from the
US government to find alternatives to milk production
but use the money to buy weapons.

IRAQI CORPORATION
 
You have two cows.
They go into hiding.
They send radio tapes of their mooing.

POLISH CORPORATION
 
You have two bulls.
Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them.

BELGIAN CORPORATION
 
You have one cow.
The cow is schizophrenic.
Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.
The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.
The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.
The cow asks permission to be cut in half.
The cow dies happy.

FLORIDA CORPORATION

 
You have a black cow and a brown cow.
Everyone votes for the best looking one.
Some of the people who actually like the brown one best
accidentally vote for the black one.
Some people vote for both.
Some people vote for neither.
Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.
Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you
which one you think is the best-looking cow.

CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
 
You have millions of cows.
They make real California cheese.
Only five speak English.
Most are illegals.

Source: Internet

Just Wondering

Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'...
but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'?
Where's that extra penny going to?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box? 
Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby'
when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court,
is it still called a hearing?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway...

Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp,
which no decent human being would eat? 

If the professor on Gilligan's  Island  can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead? 

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone  believe you when you say there are four billion stars,
but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?

If people evolved from apes,
why are there still apes?

Is there ever a day that mattresses
are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to
give the vacuum one more chance?

How do those dead bugs get
into those enclosed light fixtures?

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons are suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends --
if they're okay, then it's you.

To A Beautiful Friend

  Description: cid:1.1932749648@web181303.mail.ne1.yahoo.com

To A Beautiful Friend


There comes a point in your life when you  realize:

Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will. 


So, don't worry about people from your past

that you never hear from or see
,
There's a reason why they didn't make it to your future. 

Give these flowers to everyone you don't want to lose in 
2014
Including me, if that's what is in your heart.  


Try to collect 5; it's not easy!


Source: email

The Law No Lawyer Or Judge Will Tell You About That Could Get You Kicked Off A Jury

No one ever accused the American legal system of being uncomplicated.



Source: upworthy.com

Old Age Quotes

Gray hair is God's graffiti.Bill Cosby

Old age is no place for sissies.
Bette Davis

Age is a question of mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
Satchel Paige

Just remember, once you're over the hill,
you begin to pick up speed.
Charles Schulz

"Don't worry about senility,"
my grandfather used to say.
"When it hits you, you won't know it."
Bill Cosby

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.
Mark Twain

Inside every seventy year old is a thirty five year old
asking, "What happened?"
Ann Landers

The secret of staying young is to live honestly,
eat slowly, and lie about your age.
Lucille Ball

My parents didn't want to move to Florida,
but they turned sixty, and it was the law.
Jerry Seinfeld

It's no longer a question of staying healthy.
It's a question of finding a sickness you like.
Jackie Mason

Put cotton in your ears and pebbles in your shoes.
Pull on rubber gloves.
Smear Vaseline over your glasses,
and there you have it: instant old age.
Malcolm Cowley

Old Age Symptoms

When you like to be in a crowd because they keep you from falling down. 

When the parts with arthritis are the parts that feel the best.

When your favorite section of the newspaper is "25 Years Ago today."

When a big evening with your friends is sitting around comparing living wills.

When your knees buckle but your belt won't.

When your clothes go into your overnight bag so you can fill your suitcase with pills.

When somebody you consider an old-timer calls you and old-timer.

When your idea of a change of scenery is looking to the right or left.

When your back goes out more than you do.

When you want to be nostalgic and you can't remember anything.

When you don't care where your spouse goes, as long as you don't have to go along.

When it takes longer to rest than get tired.

When getting "a little action" means you don't have to take a laxative.

There are three signs of old age. The first is your loss of memory, the other two I forget.

Source: Internet

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Geriatric Traffic Jam

This is what happens when you come to Florida. 

 Kudos to the geriatric bunch who pulled this off so seamlessly. It had everyone in stitches except those caught up in their well performed prank. 
 
Click Here for video.

Source: Internet

Today's Lesson On Irony

These three statements tell you a lot about our government and our culture:
 
1.    We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics.  Funny how that works.
 
And another statement for consideration--
 
2.    We constantly hear about how Social Security is going to run out of money. How come we never hear about welfare running out of money?  What's interesting is the first group "worked for" their money, but the second didn't.
 
Finally ..  
 
3.    The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever --- to 47 million people, as of the most recent figures available in 2013 .  
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us "Please Do Not Feed the Animals."
The stated reason for this policy is because "The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves."
Thus Ends Today's Lesson On Irony 
Source: email

Mom Tries To Teach Adorable Daughter A Life Lesson


This may just be the cutest thing in the history of the world, ever. A Korean mother tries her best to teach her little girl an important lesson about stranger danger, and the results are less than effective, but more than adorable.



The cuteness never stops! Watch Korea's adorable Emmy-nominated "Pororo the Little Penguin" here in English or Korean.


It's no surprise that the video has gone viral in Korea. Share it to see if we can get it to go viral internationally!

Source: Via / dramafever.com

Saturday, March 15, 2014

This Elderly Woman Has Been Waving At Students For Years. They Finally Did Something About It



Tinney and her husband used to sit in their living room and wave at the students passing by on their way to school every day. After he passed she decided to keep up the tradition. The students felt it was time to show Tinney their gratitude for brightening their day all these years.

Source:  twistedsifter.com

An Injured Dolphin Approached This Diver For Help. Then This Happened



During a night dive last January at Gadren Eel Cove in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; a bottlenose dolphin caught in a fishing line approached scuba diver Keller Laros for help.

The dolphin’s left pectoral fin was stuck, wrapped around fishing line with a hook embedded into its body. Laros, who was equipped with scissors, was able to free his fellow mammal and the amazing rescue was caught on film by Martina Wing.

Source:  twistedsifter.com

The Real Truth About Sarah Palin - Ouch!

Truth about Sarah Palin
Re-Posted from FB
By Rollan Ross

Very interesting facts on two very different ladies. Sarah Palin

Whether you’re a Democrat, Independent, or Republican….the second half of this email should make all of us very sick,

send this on …..especially the second half……

READ TO THE VERY END! VERY ENLIGHTENING!!! AND VERY DISTURBING!!!

By Dewie Whetsell, Alaskan Fisherman.

As posted in comments on Greta’s article referencing the MOVEON ad about Sarah Palin.

The last 45 of my 66 years I’ve spent in a commercial fishing town in Alaska . I understand Alaska politics but never understood national politics well until this last year. Here’s the breaking point: Neither side of the Palin controversy gets it. It’s not about persona, style, rhetoric, it’s about doing things. Even Palin supporters never mention the things that I’m about to mention here.

1. Democrats forget when Palin was the Darling of the Democrats, because as soon as Palin took the Governor’s office away from a fellow Republican and tough SOB, Frank Murkowski, she tore into the Republican’s “Corrupt Bastards Club” (CBC) and sent them packing. Many of them are now residing in State housing and wearing orange jump suits The Democrats reacted by skipping around the yard, throwing confetti and singing, “la la la la” (well, you know how they are). Name another governor in this country that has ever done anything similar.

2. Now with the CBC gone, there were fewer Alaskan politicians to protect the huge, giant oil companies here. So she constructed and enacted a new system of splitting the oil profits called “ACES.” Exxon (the biggest corporation in the world) protested and Sarah told them, “don’t let the door hit you in the stern on your way out.” They stayed, and Alaska residents went from being merely wealthy to being filthy rich. Of course, the other huge international oil companies meekly fell in line. Again, give me the name of any other governor in the country that has done anything similar.

3. The other thing she did when she walked into the governor’s office is she got the list of State requests for federal funding for projects, known as “pork.” She went through the list, took 85% of them and placed them in the “when-hell-freezes-over” stack. She let locals know that if we need something built, we’ll pay for it ourselves. Maybe she figured she could use the money she got from selling the previous governor’s jet because it was extravagant. Maybe she could use the money she saved by dismissing the governor’s cook (remarking that she could cook for her own family), giving back the State vehicle issued to her, maintaining that she already had a car, and dismissing her State provided security force (never mentioning – I imagine – that she’s packing heat herself). I’m still waiting to hear the names of those other governors.

4. Now, even with her much-ridiculed “gosh and golly” mannerism, she also managed to put together a totally new approach to getting a natural gas pipeline built which will be the biggest private construction project in the history of North America. No one else could do it although they tried. If that doesn’t impress you, then you’re trying too hard to be unimpressed while watching her do things like this while baking up a batch of brownies with her other hand.

5. For 30 years, Exxon held a lease to do exploratory drilling at a place called Point Thompson. They made excuses the entire time why they couldn’t start drilling. In truth they were holding it like an investment. No governor for 30 years could make them get started. Then, she told them she was revoking their lease and kicking them out. They protested and threatened court action. She shrugged and reminded them that she knew the way to the court house. Alaska won again.

6. President Obama wants the nation to be on 25% renewable resources for electricity by 2025. Sarah went to the legislature and submitted her plan for Alaska to be at 50% renewable by 2025. We are already at 25%. I can give you more specifics about things done, as opposed to style and persona. Everybody wants to be cool, sound cool, look cool. But that’s just a cover-up. I’m still waiting to hear from liberals the names of other governors who can match what mine has done in two and a half years. I won’t be holding my breath.
By the way, she was content to return to Alaska after the national election and go to work, but the haters wouldn’t let her. Now these adolescent screechers are obviously not scuba divers. And no one ever told them what happens when you continually jab and pester a barracuda. Without warning, it will spin around and tear your face off. Shoulda known better.

You have just read the truth about Sarah Palin that sends the media, along with the Democrat party, into a wild uncontrolled frenzy to discredit her. I guess they are only interested in skirt chasers, dishonesty, immoral people, liars, womanizers, murderers, and bitter ex-presidents’ wives.

So “You go, Girl.” I only wish the men in Washington had your guts, determination, honesty, and morals.

I rest my case. Only FOOLS listen to the biased media.

NOW If you’ve read this far ………………………………………..now
,open your eyes……….

First Lady Michelle Obama’s Servant List and Pay Scale
 
TheFirst Lady Requires More Than Twenty Attendants (Thats 22 Attendants to be exact)

1. $172,200 – Sher, Susan (Chief Of Staff)

2. $140,000 – Frye, Jocelyn C. (Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy And Projects For The First Lady)

3. $113,000 – Rogers, Desiree G. (Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary)

4. $102,000 – Johnston, Camille Y. (Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady)

5. $100,000 – Winter, Melissa E. (Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)

6. $90,000 – Medina , David S. (Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)

7. $84,000 – Lelyveld, Catherine M. (Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady)

8. $75,000 – Starkey, Frances M. (Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady)

9. $70,000 – Sanders, Trooper (Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady)

10. $65,000 – Burnough, Erinn J. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)

11. $64,000 – Reinstein, Joseph B. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)

12. $62,000 – Goodman, Jennifer R. (Deputy Director of Scheduling and Events Coordinator For The First Lady)

13. $60,000 – Fitts, Alan O. (Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady)

14. $57,500 – Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady)

15. $52,500 – Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary to The First Lady)

16. $50,000 – Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special=2 0Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide to The First Lady)

17. $45,000 – Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady)

18. $43,000 – Tubman, Samantha (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office)

19. $40,000 – Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)

20. $36,000 – Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary)

21. $35,000 – Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant)

22. $35,000 – Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady)(This is community organizing at it’s finest.)

There has NEVER been anyone in the White House at any time who has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady’s social life. One wonders why she needs so much help,at taxpayer expense, when even Hillary, only had three; Jackie Kennedy one; Laura Bush one; and prior to Mamie Eisenhower social help came from the President’s own pocket.

Note: This does not include makeup artist Ingrid Grimes-Miles, 49, and “First Hairstylist” Johnny Wright, 31, both of whom traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe.

FRIENDS…..THESE SALARIES ADD UP TO SIX MILLION, THREE HUNDRED SIXTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($6,364,000) FOR THE 4 YEARS OF OFFICE????? AND WE ARE IN A RECESSION????? WELL….MOST OF US ARE. I GUESS IT’S OK TO SPEND WILDLY WHEN IT’S NOT YOUR OWN MONEY?????

Copyright 2009 CanadaFreePress.Com

Yes, Yes, I know, The Canadian Free Press has to publish this because the USA media is too scared they might be considered racist.

Sorry USA !

Friday, March 14, 2014

Original Blue Dawn Can...,

The Real Reason Why McDonald's Burgers Don't Rot

my burger mcdonalds contest
Click Here to read the post.

Source:  businessinsider.com

7-Eleven Is Testing A Bizarre New Doritos Product


stuffed dorito

Click Here to read this article.


Source: businessinsider.com / foodbeast.com

Pho, Bruschetta And 13 Other Common Food Words You’re Mispronouncing



Click Here to read the article.

Source: foodbeast.com


Lobster Used To Be ‘The Cockroach Of The Sea’ And Only Fed To Servants And Cats

lobster-was-a-sign-of-poverty
Click Here to read the article.

Life's Unanswered Questions

Why do black olives come in cans and green olives come in jars?
If someone leads but no one follows... are they just out for a walk?
Did Washington flash a quarter when asked for ID?
Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If Wiley E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME stuff, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

How can something be 'new and improved'? If it's new what was it improving on?
If all of the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?
If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?
Why do fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing?
Why do we say that an alarm goes 'off?'
Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?
If you get cheated by the Better Business Bureau, who do you complain to?
Do you realize how many holes there could be if people would just take the time to take the dirt out of them?
Have you ever wondered what the other side of your belly button looks like?
Once they figured out how to put food in a can, how long was it before they invented the can opener to get it out of the can?
How many parking spaces do you need to make a parking lot? Is it just a few or a lot?
Why can’t you break a bubble underwater?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

Could crop circles be the work of a cereal killer?

Do cemetery workers prefer the graveyard shift?

How come when you are driving through a neighborhood looking for an address, you turn the radio down?

How do the skittle company people know what a rainbow tastes like?

How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?

If a train station is where the train stops, what is a work station?

If knees were backward, what would chairs look like?

Are part-time band leaders semi-conductors?

If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

If we're not supposed to eat late-night snacks, why is there a light in the refrigerator?

If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn?

Crime doesn't pay... does that mean my job is a crime?

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice, do you get a Phillip's screw driver?

Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?

If your clone kills you, is that suicide?

Sooner or later, doesn't EVERYONE stop smoking?

What do sheep count when they can't get to sleep?

What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?

If a word in the dictionary were misspelled, how would we know?

What is a near-miss? If you nearly miss something, don't you hit it?

How come wrong numbers are never busy?

How do you know when it's time to tune your bagpipes?

If quitters never win, and winners never cheat, who's the idiot that said: Quit while you're ahead?

If we find life on other planets, what would happen to the Miss Universe pageant?

Does the fountain of youth and the fountain of knowledge come from the same fictitious underground stream?

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked and dry cleaners depressed?

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

If cocaine were legal, would they sell it in little packages like Sweet N' Low? Would they call it Sweet N' High?

If drinking and driving is illegal, why do bars have parking lots?

Is it possible for someone to become addicted to therapy? And if so, how would you treat them?

After eating, do amphibians have to wait one hour before getting out of the water?

After they make Styrofoam, what do they ship it in?

Can a storm be officially designated as a tornado without touching down at a trailer park?

Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?

Can I yell MOVIE in a crowded firehouse?

Can fat people go skinny-dipping?

Did Noah keep his bees in archives?

Do files get embarrassed when they get unzipped?

Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?

Do stars clean themselves with meteor showers?

Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Do you need a silencer if you are going to shoot a mime?

Does a person ever get sick without being tired?

Does Mr. Rogers really want us to be his neighbor?

Does the Little Mermaid wear an algae-bra?

Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

How can there be a limited lifetime warranty?

How can there be self-help GROUPS?

How can you be ALONE with somebody? Think about it...

How come the bullets that work are fired, and the ones that don't work are not?

How do 'Do Not Walk on Grass' signs get there?

How do I set my laser printer on stun?

How do they get the deer to cross at that yellow road sign?

How do you get off a non-stop flight?

How do you know if honesty is the best policy unless you've tried some of the others?

How do you remove a club soda stain?

How does a thermos know whether a drink should be hot or cold?

How does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work in the mornings?

How is it possible to have a civil war?

How much would they pay the matador if the bull had no horns?

If 7-11 is open 24-7 and 365 days a year why do they have locks on their doors?

If a book about failure doesn't sell, is it a success?

If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

If a stealth bomber crashes in a forest, will it make a sound?

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to see it, do the other trees make fun of it?

If a tree falls on a mime in the forest, does anyone care?

If aliens are smart enough to travel through space, why do they keep abducting the dumbest people on earth?

If all those psychics know the winning lottery numbers, why are they all still working?

If atheists say there is no God, who do they think pops up the next Kleenex in the box?

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

If con is the opposite of pro, then what is the opposite of progress?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

If it's called a boxing RING, then why are they square?

If knowledge is power and power corrupts, doesn't knowledge corrupt?

If Mike Brady was supposed to be this groovy architect, why did he force 6 kids into 2 bedrooms?

If most car accidents occur within five miles of home, why doesn't everyone just move 10 miles away?

If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?

If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too?

If Superman is so smart why does he wear his underpants over his trousers?

If the only thing to survive a plane crash is the black box, why don't they make the whole plane out of the black box?

If they're psychic and I need them so much, why don't they just phone me?

If vegetarians love animals so much, why do they eat all their food?

If you ate pasta and anti pasta, would you still be hungry?

If you saw with a sawhorse, do you seesaw with a seahorse?

If you throw a cat out a car window, does it become kitty litter?

If you try to fail, and then succeed, what've you really done?

If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?

In a country of free speech, why are there phone bills?



Is a metaphor like a simile?

Is Santa so jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live?

Is there another word for synonym?

May I refuse to inherit the earth?

On Gilligan's Island, if the professor could build a radio out of coconut, why couldn't he fix a hole in the boat?

Practice makes perfect, but if nobody's perfect, why practice?

Should you trust a stockbroker who's married to a travel agent?

Shouldn't the cosmic stupidity hopper be empty by now?

What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

What does Geronimo say when he jumps out of a plane?

What does the hotcake seller say when his hotcakes are selling quickly?

What happened to the first 6 'ups'?

What happens to an 18 hour bra after 18 hours?

What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?

What if you're in hell, and you're mad at someone, where do you tell them to go?

What is a 'free' gift? Aren't all gifts free?

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

What year did Jesus think it was?

What's the speed of dark?

When it rains, how come cows don't knock on the farmer's door and say, "Hey, let us in, we're all wearing leather out here!"

When it rains, why don't sheep shrink?

When sign makers go on strike, is anything written on their signs?

When your pet bird sees you reading the newspaper, does he wonder why you're just sitting there, staring at carpeting?

Whenever you're holding all the cards, why does everyone else turn out to be playing chess?

Where are the bacteria that cause 'good' breath?

Where do forest rangers go to 'get away from it all?

Where in the nursery rhyme does it say Humpty Dumpty is an egg?

Why are there 5 syllables in the word 'monosyllabic'?

Why are there Interstates in Hawaii?

Why are they called apartments if they are stuck together?

Why aren't there ever any GUILTY bystanders?

Why do doctors call what they do practice?

Why do gas stations lock their bathrooms? Are they afraid that someone is going to clean them?
Why do hot dogs come ten to a package and hot dog buns only eight?

Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

Why do they call it instant credit when it actually means instant debt?

Why do they report power outages on TV?

Why do tourists go to the top of tall buildings and then put money in telescopes so they can see things on the ground in close-up?

Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?

Why do we kill people for killing people to show that killing is wrong?

Why is Greenland icy, and Iceland green?

Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?

Why is it that night falls but day breaks?

Why is it that normal people are the ones you don't know?

Why is it that when our kids are naughty we ask "do you want a spanking?" What are they going to say, "Yes please, may I have two?"...

Why is it that when a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment, but when a woman talks dirty to a man, it's $3.95/minute?

Why is it that when we ship something by truck, it's called a shipment but if we send something by ship, it's called cargo?

Why is it you must wait until night to call it a day?

Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song?

Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?

Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin?

Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?

Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?

Why is a boxing ring square?

Why is it called lipstick if you can still move your lips?

Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?

Why is it that rain drops but snow falls?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the third hand on the watch called second hand?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why is the word dictionary in the dictionary?

Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor when you can't drink and drive?

You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes? …Why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance?

Source: Email

It Hep's Me Spell Thangs Y"all

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea,
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rarely ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect in it's weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.

Source: Internet

Humor From The South

The owner of a golf course in Kentucky was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help. He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the University of Kentucky and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?" The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everything but my earrings."
You gotta love those Kentucky women.

Alabama:

A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in two's for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. "Where's Henry?" the others asked." Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied. "You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired. "A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"


Louisiana:

A senior at Louisiana State was overheard saying... "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana." When asked why, he replied he'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world.

Mississippi:

The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, "Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!" Bubba replied, "Did you see who it was?" The young man answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the license number."

Tennessee:

A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65. The trooper asked, "Got any ID?" The driver replied, "Bout whut?"

A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was. The man replied, "I have a flat tire." The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?" The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put "flares" in the front and "flares" in the back. I never did understand it neither."

A Georgia State Trooper pulled a car over on I-95 about 2 miles south of the Georgia/South Carolina state line.

When the Trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver answered that he was a magician and a juggler and he was on his way to Savannah to do a show that night at the Shrine Circus and didn't want to be late.

The Trooper told the driver he was fascinated by juggling, and if the driver would do a little juggling for him that he wouldn't give him a ticket.

The driver told the Trooper that he had sent all of his equipment on ahead and didn't have anything to juggle.
The Trooper told him that he had some flares in the trunk of his patrol car and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler stated that he could, so the Trooper got three flares, lit them and handed them to the juggler.

While the man was doing his juggling act, a car pulled in behind the patrol car.

A drunk good old boy, from S.C., got out and watched the performance briefly, he then went over to the patrol car, opened the rear door and got in. The Trooper observed him doing this and went over to the patrol car, opened the door and asked the drunk what he thought he was doing.

The drunk replied, "You might as well take me to jail, cause there's no way I can pass that test."

Source: Internet

Only A Southerner

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is -- as in: "Going to town, be back directly."

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.

Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines. We don't do "queues," we do "lines"; and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody!

Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

The First Ladies Trip To China

  • The trip will likely cost taxpayers several millions of dollars
  • The Obamas' trip to Africa for Nelson Mandela's funeral cost taxpayers $11 million while the president was only in the country for 13 hours
  • A 2013 trip to Africa for the president cost taxpayers more than $100 million 

  • Michelle Obama, her daughters and her mother plan a week-long solo visit to China this month that includes meetings with China's first lady and high school and university students - and that will likely cost U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars.

    President Obama and his family have come under heavy scrutiny for the unprecedented high travel costs during his time in office - and a week-long trip to China for four members of the First Family, members of the Secret Service and other members of the White House staff will likely cost several millions of dollars.

    The president's pricey travels have become so controversial that Judicial Watch was forced to sue the Secret Service and Defense Department to get them to turn over records on the amount of taxpayer money used to fly the First Family all over the world - in many cases for vacations or fundraisers - over the last two years of his administration. 
    Far East: Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha (left) and Malia (center) will travel to China this month Far East: Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha (left) and Malia (center) will travel to China this month
     
    What the records show was startling. 

    According to Judicial Watch, it cost more than $11 million for the president and his wife to travel to Africa to attend Nelson Mandela's funeral in December of last year. According to the New York Daily News, the Obamas were only in Africa for 'less than 13 hours.'

    But that trip was nothing compared to a 2013 visit the Obamas made to the Dark Continent, which reportedly cost tax payer more than $100 million.

    On the 2013 trip, some of the reported expenditures include the stationing of a Navy aircraft carrier off the coast of Africa equipped with a fully staffed medical trauma center, military cargo planes to fly a fleet of 56 support vehicles to transport the Obamas - complete with 14 limousines and three trucks carrying bulletproof glass to cover the windows of the hotels where the Obamas were to stay - and fighter jets that flew in shifts to provide coverage over the president's airspace for the entire trip.
    In June, the first lady went to Ireland for a two-day trip. The cost to taxpayers: $5 million.

    Michelle Obama reportedly stayed at a $3,300-per-night hotel in Dublin, and needed to book 30 rooms at the posh Shelbourne Hotel for her staff and security detail.
    Expensive: Travel expenses for the First Family have cost U.S. taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the last two years alone
    Expensive: Travel expenses for the First Family have cost U.S. taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the last two years alone

    For two vacations the Obamas took in 2013 - one to Hawaii and one to Martha's Vineyard - records show that it cost taxpayers a whopping $7,396,531 in flight expenses alone. That figure also includes travel expenses for the president's trip to California to file the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

    During an August trip to California, during which Obama attended a party held by Democratic fundraiser Jeffrey Katzenberg and again appeared on the Tonight Show, taxpayers paid more than $2 million in travel expenses for the president and his security detail.

    The president will not be joining his family on what will be the first lady's first visit to the Asian economic powerhouse.

    In an announcement Monday on the White House blog, the first lady says a China visit is important because it is the most populous country in the world, with more than 1.3 billion people, and is an important world actor.

    Mrs. Obama will travel from March 19-26, spending several days in the capital of Beijing before stops in the central city of Xian and the southwestern city of Chengdu, the White House said. Her schedule includes a meeting with Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
    Tonight: Taxpayers footed the more than $2 million bill so Obama could appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno
    Tonight: Taxpayers footed the more than $2 million bill so Obama could appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno

    Mrs. Obama missed meeting China's first lady last June when the newly installed Xi, accompanied by his wife, traveled to Southern California for a summit with President Barack Obama. The presidential-level meetings were around the time of Sasha Obama's 12th birthday, and the White House said Mrs. Obama stayed in Washington with family.

    She wrote a letter to Peng Liyuan welcoming her to the U.S. and expressing hope that they would meet soon in China, the White House said.

    In China, Mrs. Obama will focus on the power and importance of education, including in her own life, during visits to a high school and a university in Beijing, and a high school in Chengdu.

    She recently began an effort to encourage America's young people, including some of the most economically disadvantaged, to pursue a college education. On past trips outside the U.S., she also has made the same point to students from the host country. Mrs. Obama grew up in a poor Chicago family, but earned degrees from two of America's best universities.
    Africa: It cost taxpayers $11 million when the Obamas went to Africa for Nelson Mandela's funeral. They were there for 13 hours
    Africa: It cost taxpayers $11 million when the Obamas went to Africa for Nelson Mandela's funeral. They were there for 13 hours

    In China, she will be accompanied by daughters, Malia and Sasha, and her mother, Marian Robinson, who lives at the White House. President Obama will not be on the trip; he is scheduled to depart the U.S. later that week for stops in the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

    Mrs. Obama is encouraging American students to follow her trip on social media and the White House website, where she will post a daily travel blog. In preparation for the trip, she scheduled a visit Tuesday to a Washington charter elementary school with a Chinese-immersion, international baccalaureate program.

    In her blog post, the first lady said countries today are no longer isolated and face many of the same challenges, whether it is to provide students with a good education, combat hunger, poverty and disease or address threats like climate change.

    'These issues affect every last one of us, so it's critically important that young people like you learn about what's going on not just here in America, but around the world,' Mrs. Obama said. 'Because when it comes to the challenges we face, soon, all of you will be leading the way.'

    'That's why everywhere I go, whether it's here in the U.S. or abroad, I meet with young people to hear about your challenges, hopes and dreams — and that's what I'll be doing in China as well,' she said. 'I'll be focusing on the power and importance of education, both in my own life and in the lives of young people in both of our countries.'
    History: First families going back to Richard Nixon have visited China on diplomatic trips, including the family of Bill Clinton, seen here
    History: First families going back to Richard Nixon have visited China on diplomatic trips, including the family of Bill Clinton, seen here

    Among recent first ladies, Laura Bush traveled to China with President George W. Bush, and Beijing was the place where Hillary Rodham Clinton made her now famous declaration at a United Nations women's conference in 1995 that 'women's rights are human rights.'

    Mrs. Obama's trip will be a highly visible endeavor, but the fact that she's taking the rest of her family suggests 'she's not going in search of a crusade of one sort or another,' said Jonathan D. Pollack, a senior fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington. 'The clear intent here is not to touch any particular hot buttons.'

    Mrs. Obama's previous solo travels outside the U.S. as first lady were to Mexico in 2010, and Botswana and South Africa in 2011.