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Post by Hunny on Sept 6, 2012 21:21:26 GMT
I’m Linda Marshall, known as Big Lin. I’d like to begin by thanking my members and staff for making the board so successful. We have a wide range of members from lots of different countries and of all political and religious persuasions under the sun! Every board I’ve come across is different and mine is no exception. I like to listen to what members say and take their suggestions and even their criticisms on board. I very much value input from members and staff and most of the time everything runs smoothly as a result. Please let me or my staff know if you have any ideas on ways we could improve the board or do things better. I’ll always listen! About “Bits”, “A Bit of This and a Bit of That” – generally called “Bits” for short – was set up because I wanted to take what I saw as the best parts of message boards I liked and admired while also putting in some of my own ideas that I hoped might be worth doing. I largely modeled my board on two forums that are sadly gone now, “The Mortal Orchard” and “Crime Debate.” Both boards were great and I’d like to say a big thank you to Chris of the Orchard and Ilene of CD for helping me get through the teething troubles when I was setting up this forum. I like to think I’ve also brought some qualities of my own that people like as well as some of my cranky tendencies and my temper! I’m always open to any suggestions from my members and staff on ways I could improve the board. A Bit of This and A Bit of ThatSome of you are regular posters and others only make the occasional posting but you’re all special and you all contribute in your own special way. ***************** I founded my board because I’d been a bit of a forum veteran for a few years and thought I’d give it a go myself. I soon found out it was no easy job! Thanks to my great staff I was able to survive and now we’ve grown and flourished and have over 100 members. ****************** If it was only silly old me talking to myself, well, that wouldn’t be much fun for anyone, would it? ****************** What’s on BitsWe have a whole range of subjects on the board – news items, crime, politics, music, literature, celeb gossip, paranormal, science, cookery, sport – I like to think there’s something for everyone on my board! My personal passions are history, writing, crime and politics but I have loads of other interests and in any case I try to put my members first and try to keep a wide range of topics and opinions. Otherwise it gets a bit boring! ********************** The Future?I’m hoping to bring this out monthly. If members would like to contribute news, articles, pictures or any other kind of stuff, I’d be happy to put it in. ****************** I’ve got no hesitation in admitting I got the idea for this newsletter from Beth and Fret’s board “Jen’s Tapestry.” Why be ashamed of copying a good idea? Anyway, I hope it will be a way of keeping in touch with members - especially the ones who don’t post or visit very often. At least they’ll have an idea of what’s going on and maybe it might even inspire them to come up with something wonderful of their own! ***************** In the meantime I’d like to say a big “Thank You” to all of you for making Bits the success it is. I love you all and am very grateful to you! ________________________________________________________ This month at BitsThis month at Bits we covered a lot of important subjects...
Should Sperm Be Controlled By law?
Can The Chinese Not Afford Sunblock?
Woman Ruins Centuries Old Painting To Create New Comic Masterpiece
And of course there were the more serious issues which bring disgruntled..erm, interesting debate and edification to our days.
Hunny did her usual
as did B.A.
Sadie
Chips
Trubble
Skylark
Anna
Jean
Lin
Mike
Lauren
Deyana
Synonym
Iamjumbo
Pumpkinpie
Alanseago
Arbuthnotperiwink
our many loyal guests
and a few new members who joined and forgot to come back
If I forgot your name, you need to come more often. (we all do) Oh! ________________
And we started a magazine! (you may have noticed)
And there's a monthly contest now, so we can have some fun!
So, folks, stick around. Get involved. Read the magazine every month. We're far from done trying new things to liven it up for everyone.___________________________________________ Member of The Month!ChipsOur member of the month is Chips, who comes here every day, tirelessly providing us with things to read and comment on. He may have been thinking about leaving after a while - I don't know - but he's a member of the family at Bits now, so he can't!! ;D (Don't worry hon, we're very humane to our prisoners here!) ...Thank you Chips Thank you for what you do!
___________________________________________ COMIC QUOTES ~Rodney Dangerfield~I tell ya', I get no respect... I told my psychiatrist everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous - everyone hasn't met me yet. This morning when I put on my underwear I could hear the fruit-of-the-loom guys laughing at me. When I was born I was so ugly the doctor slapped my mother. When I played in the sandbox, the cat kept covering me up. My mother never breast fed me, she told me she only liked me as a friend. I could tell my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio. When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them. I asked a cop, "Do you think we can find them?" He said, "I don't know. There's so many good places to hide." And man were we poor. If I hadn't been born a boy, I'd have had nothing to play with at all. SHEP - MY STORY I was not the best dog in the world, I was good, well, perhaps sometimes brilliant, but never the best. My Master was good, he was perfection, he told me where to go, how to do it, and when work was finished, we sat together. That was the best part of my day. My Master was very special and I know that he loved me. When the day’s work was done he used to tickle that special spot behind my ears, my chest, even the base of my tail and if the fancy took him, he would lift me bodily in his strong arms and cuddle me close to him. His clothing smelled of sheep, tobacco and me, the smells were warm and comfortable and I always felt safe. The familiar scents give me a feeling of security and often reminded me of my Mother. I didn’t know Mum for long, just a few short weeks, first she was just a warm lump to snuggle up to. I was blind and very small, the comfortable smell of her teats drew me to her. Gently nustling for position with my brothers and sisters I managed to find a teat and drink my fill of life. Barely old enough to stand on my own four feet and just six weeks old, my Master came and lifted me from my brothers and sisters. His huge hands descended like shovels and scooped me from the bosom of my mother, “he’ll do, just the one for me”, he said. He was both gentle and rough at the same time, lifting me by the scruff of the neck which hurt me until his other hand supported my weight. I was whisked away from all that I loved, my Mother brothers and sisters, but I felt secure, held tightly against the warm interesting smelly clothing, of the human. So began my partnership with a man who would mean more to me than anything else in the world. “I’ve a name to call thee”, he said, “I think I’ll call you Shep, sort of short for Sheepdog”. To be truthful, I didn’t really understand what he was saying, but the word Shep kept being repeated and eventually it dawned on me, that was my name. Time passed. With the help of my Master I could muster sheep in the direction he wanted them to go within minutes. Under his guidance I was able to get huge flocks moving at a pace which was acceptable to both the sheep and my master, it was a hard life but a good one. Then one day, my whole life was turned upside down. It was a hot dusty day when I found my master lying on the ground. I was puzzled, many times I had seen him on a bed, even on a couch but never on the ground. I approached with my tail wagging, ears straining to hear the tone of his gentle voice. It was going to be another busy day for us, more sheep to muster and when the work was slack I was allowed to chase rabbits, sometimes I even managed to catch one for our dinner. I sniffed at Master’s ear, gave it a lick, but he didn’t move. I sat back and pawed his still body trying to awake him, he still didn’t move. Puzzled, I lay beside him and laid my head upon his outstretched arm waiting for him to wake up. The sun was high in the sky when another human came by, he knelt by the side of my master and exclaimed, “Oh my God”. Then it seemed there were many people who lifted my master onto a litter and took him into a building. I followed not understanding what was happening. Why were we not going to muster sheep? What was wrong? For two days I lay watching the building then finally a very large box carried by two men came out of the door. Normally I wouldn’t have taken any notice but I could smell my Master. Following the box, the two men made their way to the railway depot where they laid their load onto a trestle. When they left, I worked my way unseen to the box, stood on my back legs and sniffed, “Yes, Master was there” my nose told me so. I had been without food or water for three days, that was small discomfort so long as I was back with my Master. Soon he would get out of the box and feed me, then we could round up sheep the next day. Sleeping fitfully under the box, a loud piercing whistle rent the air and one of those strange monsters that were chased by many smaller ones, stopped close to where I was lying. It was as if the whole world came alive at that moment, for amidst the smoke from the strange monster, people began to emerge from its inside while other people were climbing inside. Humans in strange hats began to handle boxes into the big hole which appeared in the side of the monster, I didn’t like it, and was very frightened. Two of the humans in strange hats approached my position. A low rumbling growl leapt involuntary from my throat and I bared my teeth. Never had I done such a thing to a human before but I considered their advance a threat to my master. One of the humans kicked at me and I had to retreat from under the trestle to avoid being hurt. I did consider biting him but I knew my master would have disapproved. My master’s box was loaded through the monster’s hole, twice I attempted to follow the box through but each time I was chased off by the human who had tried to kick me. Finally the hole in the monster disappeared, I stood up on my back legs where the hole had been and barked a warning to my Master. I whined and scratched furiously at the hard sides hoping to make a hole so that I could climb inside. Once again the loud whistle sounded and the monster began to move. I walked along side at first but the monster began to move faster and faster until I was running more swiftly than I had ever run before. Eventually the monster began to move so fast that I could no longer keep the pace. That was when I felt the pain. Not the pain of my heart beating at such a rapid rate, or the gravel tearing at my pads but the pain of failure and loss. I do not know how long I continued to run but it was for a long time after the monster had vanished from my sight. When I could run no longer I simply walked until exhaustion overtook me and I dropped wearily to the ground. I lay panting to dispel the heat of my exertions. My pads cut and torn by the gravel, were bleeding profusely, this combined with the lack of food and water made my head spin.. then blackness. “Shep, you hear me Shep?” the voice came spearing through the blackness that surrounded me, I tried vainly to open my eyes. “Shep it’s alright, I’ll wait for you dear friend”. It was my Master, he was calling me. My heart lifted at the sound of his voice and I fought to shake away the blackness that held me in its grip. Gradually the darkness receded and my eyes opened. There, standing on the monster’s track was the shadowy figure of my master. His hand was held to hold me in the ‘drop’ position, then it stretched way out and he placed it on my head in the most gentle of all touches. “I’ll wait, I promise, take care Shep”. Then he was gone. I struggled to my feet and went to the spot where my master had stood but I couldn’t scent him. But water I could. Walking down the side of the monster’s trail I found a puddle of water. I drank long and deep and with each lap of my tongue I could feel strength returning to my body. Retracing my steps to where I had last seen my master, I found the body of a rabbit on the monster’s trail. Tearing away the fur I was able to assuage my hunger before finding a sheltered spot in long dry grass and falling into a long merciful sleep. I awoke shivering in the cold night air. For a moment I couldn’t remember where I was and then it all came back to me I felt the pain and soreness in my pads, gently I licked off the dried blood and was able to extract the small particles of gravel that had entered the cuts. As I tended my hurt, the night began to give way to daylight and finally the warming sun dispelled the cold of the night. What was I to do now? -the master said he would wait for me. Struggling to my feet I limped to the spot where I had last seen my Master, it didn’t matter how much I sniffed I could not smell him. In despair, I scented the spot so that I could find it again and on painful paws retraced my steps to where they had put the Master’s box into the monster. By the time I returned, the sun was low in the sky. Hungry, tired and thirsty, I realized that until master came back for me, I would have to look after myself. Using my sore injured paws, I managed to dig out a spot under some boarding. Working at a slow pace, I was able to fashion a sort of nest that would provide me with shelter. Once again, I fell into a deep sleep and did not wake until the sun was high in the sky. The two long periods of sleep had refreshed my body but I was very hungry and thirsty. Emerging from the shelter I wandered along the wooden boards, I could smell water. Standing on my hind legs I was able to reach the tin container that was hanging from the wall and drink my fill. The water tasted stale and dirty, it had been there a long time. “Hey Pat”, a human voice called out, “Come and look at this dog drinking out of the fire bucket”. Another human emerged from the building, “You know Tony, isn’t that the dog that tried to get on the train the other day and then we chased it out of the depot?” The two humans continued their conversation and finally the one called Tony walked back into the building and returned carrying a dish in his hand. He walked toward me. Remembering the treatment I had received when I tried to follow Master, I retreated, when the human stopped, I stopped. He tried to approach me again, once more I retreated. “Have it your way fellah” he said, and with that placed he dish on the floor. He retraced his steps toward the other human, and as he did so I approached the dish; perhaps it was food. It wasn’t food but fresh clean water and even though I had my fill from the tin on the wall, I managed to drink half the dish, delighting in the freshness. The human called Pat then vanished into the building and returned holding a cloth in his hand,”Come on boy, you must be real hungry”, he said. I watched him unfold the cloth and I could smell food. Squatting on his heels he held out an outstretched arm offering the food to me. Normally, I would not have taken notice of him but I was very hungry, and because he had lowered himself he didn’t appear to be a threat to me. Cautiously I approached him, and took the proffered food from his hand, but I was ready to run in an instant should danger threaten. I gulped the food down as fast as I could and gratefully accepted a second, then a third offering. That’s how my life at what the humans called the depot began. I had found shelter and the two humans Pat and Tony always brought me a little food. During the night hours there was another human named Jim who brought me food also, my dish was always kept filled with fresh water. Sometimes they would forget to bring food for me, so I went hungry, but they would always make up for it later by giving me a bit extra. The monsters, which my new friends called trains announced their arrival with a loud whistle, I was always there to meet them, my tail wagging, waiting for my master to return. When he failed to appear, I would walk away but always had my ear open for the arrival of the next train. My master would surely be on one of them. Time passed, I met every train that arrived and got to know many humans, some often giving me food, others trying to fuss or pat me. I would have none of that, grateful for the food I just couldn’t wait for the day when my master would return. The seasons came and went, I didn’t seem to hear so well any more and I could not move as quickly as I used to. Then came the day I awoke to the sound of the whistle of an approaching train, stiffly walking along the track to the depot I knew that this train was special. “I promised you Shep, c’mon boy I’m waiting for you, c’mon my faithful friend”. It was my Masters voice. I could see the train as it came toward me but I could not hear it, only “C’mon Shep”. The train almost upon me, I tried to get off the track, but my feet slipped on the snow covered rails then, there was a bright blinding light. There in front of me, squatting on his heels with both hands reaching out toward me was Master. I ran to him on newly strengthened legs and no aches in my bones. I licked his face as he held me close to him, at last, I had found my Master. “Good faithful Shep”, he said, “Now we’re together for eternity”. It was on an August day in 1936 that the body of Shep’s master was loaded onto an eastern bound train at Fort Benton, Montana, U.S.A. For nearly the next 6 years, Shep kept a vigil at the depot, meeting every train in search of his master, tail wagging as the train pulled in, only to droop in despair when his beloved Master did not alight. In his own time, Shep became world famous for the faithfulness he displayed to his departed Master. Even today the story is one of outstanding devotion and, once again depicts that special bond that exists between humans and their canine friends. Shep’s earthly life came to an end when on Monday, 12th, January, 1942, he slipped beneath the wheels of train No. 235.
Faithful Shep was laid to rest on top of a bluff which overlooked Fort Benton station. Pallbearers of the Fort Benton Boy Scout Troop No. 47 carried Shep to his final resting place and Kenneth Vinion sounded Taps at the graveside. A service was conducted by Ref. Ralph Underwood who in the closing part of the ceremony recited Vest’s “Eulogy on the Dog”.
GENTLEMEN of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us - those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name - may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world - the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous - is his dog. Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.
Great Northern Railway employees erected a profile monument to Shep, where it still stands today, a permanent testament of a dog’s love for a man. And Shep’s story does not end there. Ed Shields a conductor for the railway, pieced together the history of Shep and wrote a booklet. The proceeds of that booklet went on to benefit the students of the Montana School for the Blind and the Deaf, Great Falls, Montana. Even after death, Shep still continues his service to mankind.Delusions of A Hopeful Pessimist by Sadie1263
WE THE PEOPLE
I hate to talk about politics. I hate for people to ask me whether I’m Republican or Democrat. I’m neither......call me a Pissed Off American.
I grew up reading the Constitution and reading and believing in the words “We the People”......but the fact is....”We the People” don’t have anything to do with how the government is run or what they do anymore. We are hallucinating if we think any of the people on Capitol Hill give a rat’s behind about any of us.
According to Amy Bingham for ABC News,12-27-11 - “The average American’s net worth has dropped 8 percent during the past six years, while members of Congress got, on average, 15 percent richer, according to a New York Times analysis of financial disclosure. The median net worth of members of Congress is about $913,000, compared with about $100,000 for the country at large, the Times’ analysis found.
This wealth disparity between lawmakers and the people they represent seems to be continually growing. Nearly half of Congress — 249 members — are millionaires, while only 5 percent of American households can make the same claim. Even among the super rich, members of Congress fare better than other wealthy Americans. While the net worth of the richest 10 percent of Americans has remained stagnant since 2004, lawmakers’ net worth has seen double-digit growth, the Times reports. Members of the House have fared especially well. From 1984 to 2009, the average net worth of the 435 House reps more than doubled, from $280,000 to $725,000, not including home equity, according to a Washington Post analysis of financial disclosures.”
Can anyone read that and still believe “they” are working for us? Yet, we are getting poorer and they are getting richer.....hmmm....somewhere I think they are making decisions that aren’t in our best interest. Maybe we should change the spelling of Capitol Hill to “Capital” Hill.
Before serving as Vice President Al Gore was worth around $1 million dollars......conservative estimates today put his worth at well over $100 million. Gosh....I wonder if any of his phenomenal investments have anything to do with possible government input or intercession??? Hmmmm....
I often hear “that we get the government we deserve”. How can we get anything or anyone better when our choices are so limited? What qualified person in their right mind would even put themselves, much less their families, through the vetting process? Let the media feed on their families and every skeleton or imagined skeleton in their closet since they were born?
Shouldn’t we have a person that knows how a business works, is willing to get their hands dirty, annoy people by making the hard decisions, and doesn’t need to take a poll before they decide what to do? Those people have learned thru experience and have overcome the hard times and probably have a few closets full of skeletons.
What about demanding that our government actually be able to balance a checkbook? My family has to live within certain means. Businesses have to do the same thing. So why does our government believe that none of those rules apply to them? Why are “We the People” accepting this? When will “We the People” decide that enough is enough and take back control of our country?
I have no idea what will happen with the upcoming election. I know that regardless of what they have promised me in the past.....there is still not universal insurance, the world is not a safer place, my bank account is not any better and a million other things I was promised haven’t happened. Guess I won’t be holding my breath over any of the promises from this election.
______________________________________________________________________________________ Member InterviewsChipsHow did you hear about Bits? What brought you here?Big Lin joined my site and out of curiosity I decided to pop into Bits and have a look around about two weeks later. I joined, decided I could make easy contributions by way of the news and became active a week later. And what keeps you here?I must admit I was hesitant early on, no one was replying to posts but gradually as I persisted, the reader numbers increased. I realize you can't make people answer posts but as long as some read them I was happy to continue. My main thrust is News and I tend to concentrate on Human interest stories where everyone should find something to interest them. What keeps me here? Well that's easy. The members, they seemed cool at first but I gradually warmed as I got to know them and that seems to be happening as they get to know me. How long have you been on the internet, at forums? Where were you before Bits?About 10 years now and while I've been a member and administrator of many, most have faded off into the mist. My one constant is my own forum, A Global Village, which soon will have 9 years of running. These days I only seem to have the energy for the 'Village' and Bits where I can relax. Please tell us your three favorite things in life (and share a picture?)1 - The Australian Bush and its fauna. I am totally and hopelessly in love with it. 2 - My best mate Sissy. Most loved and constant companion. 3 - People. What's the best advice (or lesson) you got along the way?My signature pretty much says how it is but with regard to forums I have this to say... Treat each other with respect. Attack the argument, not the person. Agree to disagree. Know when to end a discussion. _________________________________________________________________________________ Our Bits & Pieces snoop has been watching, and taking pictures of things which happen during the month...*These are actual pictures of American shoppers, at Wal-Mart (yes, they went out of their houses that way). Any resemblance to Bits members is purely coincidental. (em, don't take it seriously, it's all in fun)It's exhausting work, shopping, and no one knows this better than Deyana, who unfortunately was fallen on by this overly tired shopper who just didn't see her sitting there.Hunny debates whether she has enough eyebrow pencils to make it through the week.Sadie's new job at The Playboy Mansion includes all kinds of interesting duties,ranging from changing Mr Hefner, to keeping her mouth shut, and pie-baking...Chips brought back a little souvenir from a recent trip. Hmm..he looks a little tired from the flight. Hey, you better get some sleep. Oh wait, is it safe to go to sleep around that thing? Oh well, you’ll find out. Anna wears her tinfoil hat to the store. Juuust makin' sure.Iamjumbo doesn't really like to cook."Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep..."I hear super hero music! The Value of a SmileIt costs nothing, but creates much.It enriches those who receive without impoverishing those who give.It happens in a flash & the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.It cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen, but it is of no earthly good to anyone until it is given away!So if in your hurry you run across someone too weary to smile - leave one of yoursNo one needs a smile as much as she who has none to give. __________________________________________________ Bits & Pieces CONTRIBUTING STAFF Big Lin Sadie1263 Hunny Chips
__________________________________________________ If you have anything you'd like to submit to Bits and Pieces to be printed in next month's issue, send it to Hunny (click). We'd welcome you as Press Staff if you'd like to contribute something you do monthly. Submissions subject to approval, but we're easy, it's your magazine! "Shep - My Story" reprinted with permission. © Paul Spring - Media Production Services 1990. Extracted from, ‘It’s a Dog’s Life. All rights reserved. All other copyrighted material printed herein is with permission, or for purpose of review, or education, by allowance - in the U.S. - of the Fair Use Act. A Bit of This and A Bit of That does not claim ownership of said material. Our writers do claim copyright of their own material herein, by-lined or not. To contact the Editor, click here.
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