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Boston Tea Party Day

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By Diane Forrest

In the 1700's the Europeans discovered a fondness for tea, however, it was not grown in Europe, and had to be imported from India.  England began to run low of their supply of tea because of the 7 years’ war, so King George decided that in order to replenish the supply, and to cover additional costs, he would place a tax on the American Colonies.  Well, Parliament didn't appreciate the tax on their tea, which was being obtained through England, then sold to the colonies.  So they decided to find their tea elsewhere, which was illegal at the time.

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The Whigs, the political party at the time...decided to hold a strike, and stop drinking tea all together.  Then the King passed the Tea Act.  This made the patriots furious, because it was done in secret, so they took a stand.  On December 16, three ships entered the Boston Harbor and the Boston officials refused to return it.  That night, colonists boarded the ships, and began to throw the tea in the harbor.  Some of them even dressed as Indians to prevent being recognized.   This angered Parliament, and they issued more acts against the colonies.

The colonies rebelled, and in 1775 the Revolutionary War began near Boston.  Historians suggest that had it not been for the event of the Boston Tea Party, the America's would have remained under British rule for quite some time. The uprising was caused by a series of unfortunate events on the side of Bostonian s caused by British oppressors. It all started from the love of tea.

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Today, we recognize the men who took part in this historic event that changed the course of history and our country as we know it.  I think it is amazing that a cup of tea would start a war and free us from British rule, so today, have a nice cup of tea, or some iced tea, and remember those Patriots to fought for our freedom,

Our Bill of Rights – Update 2012

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By Terry Orr

Last year’s article http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2011/12/our-bill-of-rights.html we focused on the basic – who, what, where and when if you will.  This year’s focus will be on those individuals, organizations and government entities that have, are and planning to infringe or skirted the intent of the Bill of Rights.

Most American citizens have their favorite or special Bill of Rights they would fight to protect. I personally believe that these collectively the foundation to our Nation and are essential core values of America.

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Research on Infringement of the bill of rights on Google resulted in three interesting articles:

• Bush's War on the Bill of Rights by Anthony Gregory; 
• Infringements upon the Constitution… a Criminal Act by A.O. Kime; and
• R.I.P. Bill of Rights 1789 – 2011 by Mark Adams

Here’s an excerpt from Anthony Gregory’s article:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

George W. Bush has shown an outright hostility to freedom of speech. In the name of combating "indecency," the FCC under Bush has raised its punitive fines to outrageous new levels, wasted money on an "investigation" of Janet Jackson's breast, and pressured Clear Channel to drop the Howard Stern Show. Bush has applied and maintained draconian restrictions on the press in Iraq, even forbidding the photography of flag-draped caskets returning home.

Here’s an excerpt from A.O. Kime’s article:

The American apocalypse

Infringements upon the U.S. Constitution or Bill of Rights - or even the attempts - are clearly criminal acts. In terms of the long-lasting negative effects, successful degradations can easily be proven far worse than the consequences from a major military attack such as against Pearl Harbor or the World Trade Center. It is the equivalent to high treason and those legislators responsible should be imprisoned.

Undermining the Constitution

While attempting to undermine one’s own government (in the various ways) is commonly considered treason worldwide, attempting to undermine a constitution should be no less a crime. While some countries do consider it treason (i.e., Germany, Ireland) it must be through acts of violence. Except, one doesn’t necessarily have to resort to violence to undermine a constitution. Certainly not legislators and certainly not the ‘freehand bureaucrats’ who devise the regulations.

The aspects of treason

Every vote cast for a law or provision later deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court should be (and must be) legally quantified as treason. Likewise applicable to regulations and those who wrote them. While any real American would agree - those true patriots who know what our forefathers fought for - the most fervent voices come from our fallen warriors… those who gave their lives to protect this way of life. Nothing else explains why the word ’traitor’ blows in the wind.

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Spineless guardians

Currently only the Supreme Court stands between us and tyranny… but its faults equates to long-lasting and reverberating faults. While Obama was right in accusing the Supreme Court justices of “political activism” but gone unmentioned was that it is those on the left - those he and Bill Clinton appointed - who are the most guilty. That liberals are the most guilty appears historically true as well.

But, whether liberal or conservative, to rule along contrary party-lines is the equivalent to spitting on the graves of our fallen soldiers. Moreover, it is a national disgrace. Since surely the justices know this is destroying the Supreme Court as an honorable and dependable institution - but nonetheless do it anyway - then it means they are letting agendas be the trump card.

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Here’s an excerpt from Mark Adams’ article:

One of the most extraordinary documents in human history -- the Bill of Rights -- has come to an end under President Barack Obama. Derived from sacred principles of natural law, the Bill of Rights has come to a sudden and catastrophic end with the President's signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a law that grants the U.S. military the "legal" right to conduct secret kidnappings of U.S. citizens, followed by indefinite detention, interrogation, torture and even murder. This is all conducted completely outside the protection of law, with no jury, no trial, no legal representation and not even any requirement that the government produce evidence against the accused. It is a system of outright government tyranny against the American people, and it effectively nullifies the Bill of Rights.

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Our friend about is not smiling and for good cause – he knows America in heading down the wrong road that will destroy this great democratic republic by the few special interest and greedy.

References and Links:

• http://www.matrixbookstore.biz/infringement.htm
• http://www.lewrockwell.com/gregory/gregory10.html
• http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/1304
• http://www.naturalnews.com/034537_NDAA_Bill_of_Rights_Obama.html

Buy a Christmas Tree Day

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By Diane Forrest

One of my favorite scenes in the movie A Christmas Vacation is when the Griswold family heads out to the Christmas tree farm, trek through the woods in search of the best tree ever, then forget to have an ax to chop it down.  The next scene is showing the tree tied to the roof of the car, roots and all!  I love this because it is exactly something that would happen to me!  Eventually the tree, which covers Clark and Ellen with sap, houses a squirrel which causes havoc in the home, and burns down because Cousin Eddie's dog drank the water causing the tree to dry out.

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Today is Buy a Christmas Tree Day.  There are many different options available, you can go to a tree farm and purchase one like the Griswolds, or you can go to several retail outlets in town and pick out a tree, you can even purchase an artificial tree to keep year after year.  You can buy a full size tree, or a smaller potted plant size tree. I like that size for older folks who don't want to do much decorating, but still want the symbol of Christmas in their home or room.

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According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime"  Records of the first tree in America was noted in 1776.  Trees were decorated with lighted candles and fruits, usually apples.

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Whatever type of tree you like, if you don't already have one, take some time today to buy one on Buy a Christmas Tree Day, and don't forget to check for hiding squirrels!

Griswolds

National Geographic Readers Pics

National Geographic reader pics

National Geographic highlights the top photos from users in its ongoing gallery called Your Shot. Here are some of the best from this week.

Please follow this link to several breathtaking and amazing images from around the world.

National Cocoa Day

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By Chef Diane

If it's chilly outside, and Jack Frost is finally nipping at your nose, it’s the perfect day to have a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Today is National Cocoa Day, and it’s a perfect cold weather drink to get you warmed up for the day.

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As many of you know, I love all things chocolate, well except bugs!  When I was younger, we used to go Christmas caroling for shut-ins from my church.  At the end of the night we would always have hot chocolate and cookies for our efforts.  This was always such a treat for me, since I never had it at home.

Not too long ago I discovered that McDonald's had hot chocolate.  Well, it was summer time, and not really the season for it, but I couldn’t resist when I saw those words on the menu, so I ordered a cup.  I instantly fell in love!  I went daily for a week and got a cup.

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Two years ago, when my son got married, I made some spice tea mix and put it in bags placed in a coffee cup from the place where he was married.  I learned then that most people aren't fans of spiced tea, so last year, for Christmas gifts I decided to make hot chocolate mix instead.  I found a recipe for a mix, placed it in jelly jars, added a peppermint stick for stirring, and bagged it up with a bright bow on top.  It was a success!  If you would like a nice easy gift for teachers or neighbors, or anyone, try this recipe from spoonful.com for a great success!

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Best Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients

• 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended.
2. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you're ready to package it. Makes about 4 cups of mix.

The secret ingredient in this mix is the mini chocolate chips, which melt when combined with the boiling water and give the cocoa an extra-rich flavor. The recipe makes enough for four gift-size portions, each of which can be measured into a small plastic bag and tucked into a cup or mug filled with mini marshmallows, candy stick stirrers, and a spoon. Wrap each filled gift cup in cellophane and don't forget to include a tag with the following instructions: "Spoon 3 or 4 generous tablespoons of cocoa mix into your cup (depending on the size), add boiling water, and stir well."

Jack Frost Day – December 11th

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By Diane Forrest

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

During the holiday season, Jack Frost returns along with Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch, and the rest of favorite seasonal characters. Jack Frost is a mischievous, but mostly benign, figure. Often portrayed as a white-haired, blue-skinned, figure, he is said to paint designs on our windows and nip at unsuspecting noses (and fingers and toes) during the winter months.

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My first meeting with Jack Frost was in the movie Frosty the Snowman.  If memory serves, he is the one who saved Frosty from melting so that he could board the train to cooler climates.

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Jack was also seen in the movie Santa Claus is coming to town  I think my favorite is Jack in the Santa Clause 3 movie played by Martin Short.  He is very mischievous, and steals Santa's powers to take control of Christmas.  His powers become useless after he warms up with a nice hug from a little girl.

There is another movie where a man named Jack Frost is turned into a snowman, and reconnects with his son.

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This holiday season has had an unusually warm spell after a chilly end to November, but hopefully today, on Jack Frost Day, he will come out of hiding and nip on your nose!

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