THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 21, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

The Christmas Classic It’s A Wonderful Life was originally a box office flop, but the movie literally found new life through seasonal television airings.

FILL IN THE BLANKS

All you have to do is what the title says, literally fill in the blanks to acquire the answer. The given letters are all shown, none of those are missing. Ready?

(Event) HA_ _ _  H_ _ _ _A_ _!

THE LETTER SHUFFLE

How many new words can you spell out of the letters in CHRISTMAS?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the December 14, 2024 Puzzle Corner.

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

Burl Ives’ ideal Christmas. = Holly Jolly.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Below are listed a couple of famous Christmas Tunes by other names associated with the song. Do you know the official title for each tune?

01. ♫The Peanuts Theme♫ = ♫Linus and Lucy♫

02. ♫Please Christmas Don’t Be Late♫ = ♫The Chipmunk Song♫

03. ♫I Like To Sleigh Ride♫ = Rosemary Clooney’s version of ♫Jingle Bells♫

SUNDAY FUNNIES: CATTY COMEDY (misc. jokes)

 Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here!

I don't know how things are where you live right now, but in my neck of the woods the sun has disappeared behind a lot of gloomy dark clouds and the weather forecasters are expecting a lot of rain and/or snow to accompany the cold temperatures that are already here over the next couple of days.

🙀

But let me try to cheer everyone and meow-self up with some jokes. Ready?

Keeping tropical fish🐟🐠 at home can have a calming effect on the brain, due to all the indoor fins.

Then again, a lot of people feel cats think a fish tank is just an opportunity for us to dine ala cart.

Nothing can be further from the truth in my case, because I never developed a taste for sushi.😼

Remember those days when people used to write diaries and got mad when someone read them?

Now they put everything on Facebook and get mad when people DON'T read them.

Then again, the ancient Egyptians used to write on walls and post a lot of cat pictures.

Guess what people do on Facebook nowadays?

My human bought a book on pedicures and was surprised to find it full of foot notes.

But when are you folks going to develop pawicures?

Besides the fact my nails need grooming, I can't keep cleaning between my toes on my own!

What's the difference between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Dubai doesn't get The Flintstones on TV.

Abu Dhabi Do.😸

I bet jellyfish are sad that there is no peanut butter fish.

Then again, I know there are catfish, although they look nothing like us.

Can anybody recommend a better way to clean snow off a car's windshield?

My humans tried using their Credit Card and only got twenty percent off.

Of course, now they need a new card because the old one is frayed and torn.

What does a house boat becomes after it grows up?

A Township.

Do people in electric cars listen to AC/DC or something more current?

So on that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and please join me next weekend when the whole Free Choice E-zine staff gets together for our annual Christmas🎄 party here on the Sunday Funnies!—PDK.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 8-14, 2024: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

ALTHOUGH W.H.O. HAS ENDED THE PANDEMIC,

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED,

WEAR YOUR MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS!

DECEMBER 14 IS MONKEY DAY.

DECEMBER 16 IS NATIONAL DAY IN BAHRAIN AND

SOUTH AFRICA’S DAY OF RECONCILIATION.

DECEMBER 18 IS NATIONAL DAY IN QATAR.

DECEMBER 21 IS THE START OF WINTER FOR THOSE ABOVE THE EQUATOR

AND THE START OF SUMMER FOR THOSE BELOW THE EQUATOR.

DECEMBER 23 IS FESTIVUS.

DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE AND EGG NOG DAY.

DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS & THE START OF HANUKKAH.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*South Korea now has an acting President. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*France has a new Prime Minister.

*At the virtual G7 Summit...

*The COVID state of the world, as of December 14, 2024.

*The MPOX state of the world, as of December 14, 2024.

*Gen Z in today’s work environment.

*New Zealand to outlaw greyhound racing.

*The winner of the 2024 World Chess Championship is…

*The 2024 (Video) Game of the Year is...

*Has Atlantis been found???

*Another reason dark chocolate is good for you.

*December 15 marks the 35th anniversary of the start of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s downfall.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

*Concerning Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Gaza Strip and more. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*As the fighting continues… 

*Rebels seized control of Damascus as Assad fled to Russia. They have since started releasing all his prisoners. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*But what is Israel doing in Syria???

*Why is Russia in Syria???

*Humanitarian aid is still having trouble reaching Gaza.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues… 

*Poland’s concerns grow after Russia’s latest missile strike.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice through arrest and trial.

🌐THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…

*Tehran, Iran had a temporary shutdown due to bad air pollution.

*Malibu, California USA is facing another wildfire.

*Is the Mekong Catfish making a comeback??? 

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.  

*Paralympian William Arnott is no longer with us.

Former professional football🏈 player Jimmy Wilkerson has passed away.

*Former professional baseball⚾ player turned coach Merv Rettenmund has passed away.

*Actor/writer Arnold Yarrow (numerous credits from 1955-2012) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Former professional baseball⚾ player Rocco/Rocky Colavito, Junior is no longer with us.

*Artist Lorraine O’Grady has passed away.

*Actor Michael Cole (many TV and film roles from 1961-2010) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

ARE YOU AWARE OF THE REGIONAL PASTA RECALL???

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

*At the virtual G7 Summit...

*What President Biden hopes to accomplish before the end of his Presidency.

*A question of Federal Judges. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Of clemency and pardons. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*More bills were signed into law.

*Will the Equal Rights Amendment ever become part of the Constitution???

*Whether bullied or not, Christopher Wray is stepping down as Director of the FBI.

*West Virginia will get Federal disaster assistance.

*There is a difference of opinion on the current state of the economy.

*Dealing with obsolete laws in Colorado.

*The Republican who won’t quit.

*The latest from the White House.

THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION…

*Trump claims the United States could leave NATO unless…

*Trump wants a ceasefire between Russia and the Ukraine before he takes office in January.

*The return of polio???

*If President Trump does invoke mass deportations, he is apparently on his own in New Mexico.

*A potential new Ambassador to Greece is on the horizon. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The CEO of Trump's Truth Social to be head of the Intelligence Advisory Board???

*Other announced nominees.

*Kari Lake to oversee Voice of America???

*Trump’s hopeful Defense Secretary nominee’s opinions on women in the military.

*Will “old business” be addressed during the second administration???

*With Trump’s return, the trolling resumes.

*Will Trump still lower grocery prices??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trump’s opinions on who should be pardoned and who should be arrested concerning the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*“Bigotry? What bigotry?”—Donald Trump.

*Does the future Department of Government Efficiency want to eliminate the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation/FDIC, which PROTECTS banks, other financial institutions and their customers???

*Trump wants to end Daylight Savings Time.

*Would Trump privatize the US Postal Service???

*One look at Trump’s potential new Middle East adviser.

*What about those new Air Force One’s???

*Opinion: A For Profit President???

*Speculation: Will Trump’s second administration do more eavesdropping???

*Speculation: What might happen if Trump's plans for Social Security become reality.

*Speculation: Would Trump revoke a law Elon Musk hates???

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Current Congressional thoughts on the Court.

*One Justice to fulfill a personal dream.

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*Trying to prevent gender based violence.

*A suspect has been arrested in the killing of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. He has been denied bail at this time and is fighting extradition. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*A Judge has denied “Dreamers” health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obama Care.

*Gen Z in today’s work environment.

*You had to pay to be an auxiliary deputy???

*A Maryland Cracker Barrel was rude to potential customers. The employees involved have since been dismissed. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The owner of two McDonald's closed the businesses instead of honoring the new minimum wage increase!

*Remembering Sammy Davis Junior.

*Survey: Americans’ concerns about health care under a second Trump administration.

*Opinion: How do you determine financial success???

STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE!

*The murder rate in Boston, Massachusetts HAS decreased.

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*Just how big IS the Federal Government???

*There were NO FBI Agents, undercover or otherwise, involved in the Capitol Riot January 6, 2021.

*Time magazine fact checked their 2024 Person of the Year.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*A later retirement age???

*A Congressional review of the US Postal System is underway.

*Will there be further health care reform???

*Does Elon Musk want to end the IRS??? Some in Congress want to make filing harder and charge fees for doing so. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Government Operating Budget Battle begins anew.

*Trump doesn’t take office until January 20, but Congress is already receiving Department of Government Efficiency inspired bills.

*Former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s next gig.

TRUMP’S TRIAL(S)…

*Apparently what to do about Trump’s Hush Money 34 Convictions is still unsettled too.

*Depositions were underway for Trump versus ABC journalist George Stephanopoulos, but ABC decided to settle out of court. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

ELSEWHERE…

*Who’s responsible for the drones over the Eastern Seaboard???

*Sesame Street is now homeless???

*Can Elon Musk save Twitter/X???

*Musk’s disagreement with the Securities Exchange Commission continues. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Albertsons and Kroger cannot merge.

*The Onion will not be buying Alex Jones’ Info Wars after all.

*One look at Macy’s financial status. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Time magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year is…

*And Time’s 2024 Icon of the Year is...

*The 2024 (Video) Game of the Year is...

*The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner is...

*Another reason dark chocolate is good for you.

*December 14 is the 205th anniversary of Alabama joining the United States.

😁AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*The unlikely war hero.

*Celebrating life.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 14, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

Throughout the many stories recording Santa Claus’🎅 adventures, none can agree on what Mrs. Claus🤶 first name is.

RHYME TIME⏰

The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?

Burl Ives’ ideal Christmas.

AKA, ALSO KNOWN AS

Below are listed a couple of famous Christmas Tunes by other names associated with the song. Do you know the official title for each tune?

01. The Peanuts Theme

02. ♫Please Christmas Don’t Be Late♫

03. ♫I Like To Sleigh Ride♫

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the December 7, 2024 Puzzle Corner.

REBUS

Now that the yuletide season is officially upon us, we put up our Christmas tree, but there is something unique about its decorations. Do you know what it is?

Noel. (No L.)

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {♫We Wish You A Merry Christmas♫ by numerous artists, Elmo and Patsy’s ♫Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer♫} and yes, we know they’re both Christmas songs.

Both mention Fig(gy) Pudding, a traditional Christmas dessert dating back to the Middle Ages.

02. {Two toy planes, a hula hoop} and we’re looking for something very specific with this one.

They’re the gifts requested by Alvin, Simon and Theodore in ♫The Chipmunk Song♫ (aka ♫Please Christmas Don’t Be Late♫)

SUNDAY FUNNIES: CANINE COMEDY CLEARANCE (misc. jokes)

Hello Everybody! I'm Koda Canine.

I'm a dog. I tell jokes.

You buy the premise, you buy the bit.

In any event, I've got a huge backstock of jokes I've accumulated since this past January so I'm just going to bark whatever comes to mind and hope it's funny. Ready?

Are Khakis a type of pants or what people in Boston, Massachusetts use to start their cars?

Where do fortune tellers go on vacation?

Palm Beach.

If the Number 2 Pencil✎ is the most popular, why is it still number 2?

What do you call a magical dog?

A Labracadabrador.

If you have a stepladder,🪜 does that  mean you never knew your real ladder?

What kind of tables do cows🐄🐮 like most?

Vegetables.

If Cinderella's shoes fit so perfectly when the Prince put them on her feet, then why did they fall off to begin with?

"I DID NOT!"—Koda.

Does anyone remember cassette tapes?

They had an “A” side and a “B” side, so it's only logical that their successor was the CD.💿

I'm still trying to figure out how we went from CD to MP3, so I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Historians claim that some people didn't think Cleopatra was beautiful, but that's just how Julius Caesar.

If there are pronouns, does that mean there are also amateur nouns?

And how does an amateur noun turn pro to begin with?

I wonder why no scientist has ever realized that the term "Take Out" means food, dating and murder to a praying mantis?

And what do they pray about? Not getting caught?

And remember:

Peace is not when everybody agrees. It is when we can respect our disagreements and still play in the sandbox together.

So on that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and please be back next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!—KC.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 1-7, 2024: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 😀THIS IS THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE'S 3100TH POST!😁

ALTHOUGH W.H.O. HAS ENDED THE PANDEMIC,

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED,

WEAR YOUR MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS!

DECEMBER 7 MARKS THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR WHICH CATAPULTED THE UNITED STATES INTO WORLD WAR 2 THE NEXT DAY.

DECEMBER 9 IS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY.

DECEMBER 10 IS WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY.

DECEMBER 14 IS MONKEY🐒 DAY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*South Korea’s inner turmoil.

*Romania will have to restart their Presidential election.

*France needs a new Prime Minister.

*Civil War continues in Syria.

*Is there oil smuggling???

*China is now stopping some materials to the United States.

*Are we closer to understanding MPOX???

*The COVID state of the world, as of December 7, 2024.

*The MPOX state of the world, as of December 7, 2024.

*Notre Dame Cathedral has reopened.

*Remembering others.

*Apparently we don’t know everything about cats after all.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

*Concerning Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Gaza Strip and more. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*As the fighting continues… 

*What about the hostages???

*Is Israel guilty of war crimes???

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues… 

*The Russian Navy fired “a warning shot” at a German helicopter.

*More US Aid to the Ukraine is pending.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice through arrest and trial.

🌐THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…

*Scotland is rebuilding its bumblebee population.

*The United States Environmental Protection Agency made an arrest.

*A self sustaining home???

🌌SPACE NEWS...

*How much longer can Voyager stay active???

*A moon tunnel???

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.  

*Actor Wayne Northrop (Dynasty, Days of Our Lives and much more over a long career) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Anime Producer Jan Scott-Frazier (multiple duties/series for over 20 years) is no longer with us.

*Actor Tony Todd (many roles between Broadway and the Silver Screen) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*British theater performer Kyle Birch (A Strange Loop, The Color Purple) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

*Singer/actress Miho Nakayama (Love Letter, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage. 

*Former professional baseball⚾ players Al Fitzmorris and Bill Melton are no longer with us. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Actor Mark Withers (Stranger Things, Dynasty, more) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

*Thom Christopher (numerous TV, movie and stage credits over a long career) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

*China is now stopping some materials to the United States.

*Fearing the next administration’s concept of justice, President Biden pardoned his son Hunter December 1. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*President Biden has since left on a diplomatic mission to Africa. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Will TikTok be banned in the United States???

*International Trademarks will be honored in the US.

*The 2024 elections are over but people are still trying to alter the results???

*Republicans are still trying to govern North Carolina, despite a Democratic administration taking over in January.

*All donations made to Donald Trump apparently did not go to political campaigns.

*Opinions: The Hunter Pardon: Right or Wrong??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: Will there be more pardons to protect other potential Trump targets???

*The latest from the White House.

THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION…

*Trump wants another relative to advise him on the Middle East, a new head of the IRS—who wants to abolish that organization, a Florida Sheriff to lead the US Drug Enforcement Agency—who has since removed himself from consideration, a Deputy Defense Secretary, a new head of NASA, a new Social Security manager, a new Small Business administrator and a new Ambassador to China. (There are 10/TEN separate links in this item.)

*An AI/Crypto “Czar”???

*While his Inauguration isn’t until January 20, 2025; Trump will be traveling to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Forcing everyone back to the office might not be viable.

*Trump will not let Nippon Steel buy US Steel.

*Yet does Trump want to annex Canada???

*If the forthcoming Department of Government Efficiency manages to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, then who will protect consumers???

*Speculation: Will the DOGE eliminate Elon Musk’s competitors and Veterans’ medical coverage??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: What will the DOGE be able to do???

*Speculation: Will Trump get the Defense Secretary he wants??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Opinion: Who’s side is Trump on???

*Opinion: Former President Obama on Trump being reelected.

*Opinion: What a Cabinet should be.

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*The Court decision on a case concerning transgender health care is pending. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*The latest bathroom battles. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Saving a dog’s life.

*Remembering Lou Rawls.

STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE!

*Who opened fire at a California school December 4???

*Who murdered Brian Thompson, the head of United Health Care???

*A look at one case of an insurance company versus a patient in need.

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*Should you leave the airport during a layover???

*Un/safe fast foods.

*What is Chrismukkah???

THE US VERSUS COVID…

*The Congressional report on the pandemic has been released.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*Will the Senate confirm all of Trump's Cabinet nominations???

*Can Trump "dismiss" the Senate if they don't???

*All Congress has to do to reduce the Affordable Care Act, aka Obama Care, is absolutely nothing!

*The General will get his promotion after all. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The House of Representatives still won’t release the Matt Gaetz Ethics Investigation findings but does want to continue investigating Hunter Biden while spending additional tax money to see if his Presidential Pardon can be revoked.

*Analysis: The state of the House of Representatives come January 20.

*Senator Mitch McConnell's opinion of "Trump's America" on the global stage.

TRUMP’S TRIAL(S)…

*The case against Trump in Georgia is still pending at this time.

*Being reelected and the Supreme Court's ruling on Presidential Immunity may not help Trump on civil matters.

ELSEWHERE…

*How safe are your phone texts at the moment???

*The new Income Tax brackets for 2025.

*A brief look at the trucking industry.

*Elon Musk can’t get the Tesla money he hoped to, so now the judge is being harassed. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Yet did Musk sully Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s name???

*Conversations with the remaining Pearl Harbor survivors.

*Want to buy a pair of ruby slippers???

*Apparently we don’t know everything about cats after all.

*December 14 is the 205th anniversary of Alabama joining the United States.

😁AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*Notre Dame Cathedral has reopened.

*Remembering others.

THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS LOYAL READERSHIP (AND THEIR BOTS?) FOR GRANTING US 447,777 PAGE VIEWS IN NOVEMBER 2024!

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 7, 2024

 😎FUN FACT

And now that it’s December, we begin our traditional Christmas themed enigmas in earnest.

REBUS

As usual, we start by putting up our Christmas tree, but there is something unique about its decorations. Do you know what it is?

COMMON BONDS

The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {♫We Wish You A Merry Christmas♫ by numerous artists, Elmo and Patsy’s ♫Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer♫} and yes, we know they’re both Christmas songs.

02. {Two toy planes, a hula hoop} and we’re looking for something very specific with this one.

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the November 30, 2024 Puzzle Corner.

WHAT’S THAT SONG?

Words from a tune of the past are below. All you have to do is give us the song title. Ready?

♫Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool

By making his world a little colder.♫

Hey Jude by The Beatles.

THE 50/50 CHANCE

Just like a regular TRIVIA TIME question except there are only two possible answers, hence the even odds of getting it right. Ready?

TRUE or FALSE: You need a valid driver’s license to be a NASCAR racer.

FALSE! No license required, but only on an official NASCAR race track.