THE PUZZLE CORNER: MARCH 29, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

The 2025 Major League Baseball⚾ season has begun.

COMMON BONDS

While everybody within the subsets below are the scoreboard designations for specific baseball teams, each group also has something else in common. Do you know what it is?

01. {LAD, OAK, PIT, SEA}

02. {ARI, MIA, TEX}

03. {DET, MIN}

FAMOUS FIRSTS🥇

Who was the very first “007”?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the March 22, 2025 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?

♫Love is but a song we sing.

Fear’s the way we die.♫

“Come on, people now.

“Smile on your brother,

“Everybody GET TOGETHER

“Try to love one another right now.”

BY THE YOUNGBLOODS.

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {keep, made} = Anadromes. They still spell words backwards, but not the same word like palindromes. (keep = peek, made = Edam, a type of cheese)

02. {Serling, Steiger} = First name Rod.

SUNDAY FUNNIES: CATTY CELEBRITY CITINGS (March 2025)

 Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here!

It's time once again for meow's favorite routine, Catty Celebrity Citings!

As usual, I'll post an actual quote from a famous person first and then make some witty/catty remark about it afterwards.

Ready?

"What we know is a drop. What we don't know is an ocean." ~~ Famous scientist Isaac Newton.

Cats are curious by nature, but you'll never get me near water unless I'm thirsty.

"I'd rather regret the risks that didn't work out, than the chances I didn't take at all." ~~ Famous Olympics athlete Simone Biles.

Being a cat, I'm quite lithe and athletic myself. But even though my people don't like some of the places I climb, if I never scaled the bookcase or some of the other furniture in this house, when would my people ever dust them? 😼

"Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact." ~~ George Eliot ~ Novelist, poet.

"Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." ~~ American founding father Benjamin Franklin.

Why don't more people remember that today?

Us cats never speak unless we have something to say but it ain't our fault most of you humans don't understand what we're trying to tell you. We have to repeat ourselves over and over and over again until you folks start complaining that we're "caterwauling". What's a cat to do?

 "Why do they keep misspelling my name?" ~~ Anonymouse.

I have no idea. Care to join me for dinner and we'll discuss it. Just show up and I know what I'll be having that meal. 😼

"We are all broken. That is how the light gets in." ~~ Famous author Ernest Hemingway.

♫How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala?♫ ~~ Three Dog Night.

Why there was never a Three Cat Night group I have no idea but seriously, we need the light to see by and find our way, both at night and at other times in our (nine) lives.

So on that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MARCH 16-22, 2025: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 

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

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED,

WEAR A MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS!

MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH.

FOR THOSE OBSERVING, RAMADAN IS MARCH 1-29.

MARCH 22 IS WORLD WATER🌊 DAY.

MARCH 23 IS PUPPY DAY.

MARCH 24 IS WORLD TUBERCULOSIS AWARENESS DAY.

MARCH 25 IS GREECE’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.

MARCH 26 IS BANGLADESH’S INDEPENDENCE DAY, “LIVE LONG AND PROSPER” DAY (STAR TREK), THE 105TH ANNIVERSARY OF F. SCOTT FITZGERALD’S THIS SIDE OF PARADISE & THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF DOCTOR WHO’S RETURN TO TELEVISION.

MARCH 28 IS THE 105TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SILENT MOVIE VERSION

OF DOCTOR JEKYLL AND MISTER HYDE.

MARCH 29 IS INTERNATIONAL MERMAID DAY.

MARCH 30 IS PENCIL ✐DAY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*Some flights at London's Heathrow Airport were delayed March 21 due to a fire.

*The United Arab Emirates plan to invest in the US.

*Fighting continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

*One French Politician thinks “America has sunk so low under the Trump regime that they should give us back the Statue of Liberty!”

*Pope Francis is expected to be released from the hospital March 23.

*The COVID state of the world, as of March 22, 2025.

*The new fossil mystery in China.

*Bottle mail pen pals.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

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

*Sadly, the killings in Syria continue, with many more people still unaccounted for.

*Israel continued their airstrikes at Gaza, claiming they only aimed at Hamas targets. Yet Israel is threatening to annex the newly occupied sections if Hamas doesn't release their remaining hostages. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues… 

*Trump has pulled America out of any investigation of who is responsible for invading the Ukraine.

*Russia has agreed to stop attacking Ukraine energy targets for 30 days as negotiations for a formal ceasefire continue.

*The latest on Ukraine and the F-16s.

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…

*Americans rally to support the US Environmental Protection Agency.

*March 22 is World Water🌊 Day.

🌌SPACE NEWS...

*Stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally back home! Guess who greeted them. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The future of Boeing's Starliner???

*Because of Trump's anti-Diversity, Equality and Inclusion position, NASA has canceled its plans to have the first woman and first person of color on the moon!😢

*Mapping the galaxies.

*Examining the sun.

*Sunset on the moon.

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.  

*The innocent lives lost during a shooting at a New Mexico, USA park March 21.

*Kitty Dukakis, wife of 1988 Presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis, is no longer with us.

*Singer/songwriter Jesse Colin Young of The Youngbloods has passed away.

*Famous heavy weight boxing champion George Foreman has stepped out of the ring for the last time.

*Former professional football🏈 players Derrick Gaffney and Kenneth Sims are no longer with us. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*George Bell of the Harlem Globetrotters🏀 has passed away.

*Former professional football🏈 player and Super Bowl 1 & 2 Champion Bob Long is no longer with us.

*TV writer David Steven Cohen (many animated productions in his career) is no longer with us.

*Former professional basketball🏀 player Vernon Hatton has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

ARE YOU AWARE OF THE TESLA CYBER TRUCK RECALL???

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

ON FOREIGN ISSUES…

*Trump has pulled the US out of any investigation of who is responsible for invading the Ukraine.

*Russia has agreed to stop attacking Ukraine energy targets for 30 days as negotiations for a formal ceasefire continue.

*Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially expelled South African Ambassador Emrahim Rasool for his anti-Trump remarks.

*One French Politician thinks “America has sunk so low under the Trump regime that they should give us back the Statue of Liberty!”

*Trump has cut off American funding to several International broadcasters, but is now being sued to get the Voice of America broadcasting again. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The United Arab Emirates plan to invest in the US.

*Canada is prepared to stand against the Trump regime, but there is already one border issue between the two countries. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Elon Musk versus Canada???

*Trump still hopes to “acquire” Greenland, but wants to buy eggs from Denmark???

*Speculation: Is the White House doing the right thing trying to find a new owner for TikTok???

*Speculation: Does Elon Musk's China business put America at risk???

*Opinion: Trump on Canada and Russia.

ON IMMIGRANT ISSUES…

*A Canadian visitor on a business trip reports her experience of unlawful detainment and horrible conditions.

*Meanwhile, Canadian tourism continues to fall.

*Keep your Immigration appointment and risk getting arrested???

*Trump has canceled the legal status of over 500,000+ immigrants.

*They deported a 10 year old child who is a legal American recovering from brain cancer just because her parents are illegal??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*A Judge wants to know why a Rhode Island doctor was deported who shouldn’t have been.

*What will happen to activist Jeanette Vizguerra???

*Georgetown scholar Badar Khan Suri gets to stay for the moment, but a professional soccer player seeking asylum was allegedly deported over his tattoo??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Apparently other deportations were tattoo based too.

*“What is my son doing in San Salvador?”—A Worried Mother.

*The court battles continue as we recap the situation. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Yet despite court orders, Trump claims innocence but has the deportations continue even as others want the Judge impeached! (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*Investigators from other agencies have been transferred (temporarily?) to Illegal Immigrant searching.

*Opinion: Trump supporter apparently has no regrets despite ICE arresting his wife!

*Opinion: Trump's "Border Czar" on current events.

ON DOMESTIC ISSUES...

*Elon Musk's controversial visit to the Pentagon.

*Veterans are turning against Elon Musk and DOGE.

*DOGE and Musk raided and closed the independent US Institute of Peace! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*A look at the Musk/DOGE effect on the US Housing Market.

*A brief review of how Musk/DOGE actions will affect future weather reports.

*Elon Musk isn’t the actual chief of DOGE???

*Apparently Trump’s Department of Justice is fully committed to protect everything Musk related. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*There may not be a DOGE "Dividend Check", for now.

*Speculation: Rural Internet users may have to suffer lousy service unless they sign up with provider Elon Musk.

*Opinion: Suffer the farmers???

*Opinion: Elon Musk on Elon Musk.

ALSO...

*Apparently Donald Trump is getting back into the real estate market. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Press Secretary’s major OOPS!

*Trump has pulled more security clearances from political rivals.

*A list of everyone who no longer has US Security clearance, to date.

*Some Republicans apparently don’t agree with Trump’s pending military plans, yet there's a new jet in the military's future. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Now in control of the organization, Trump vows to “fix” the Kennedy Center.

*Trump plans to eliminate 2/TWO California monuments. The fact that they were established by former President Joseph Biden is allegedly just a coincidence.

*Former President Biden is still getting blamed for current events while Trump takes credit for lower egg prices. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Vice President JD Vance has been named the Republican National Committee’s Finance Chair(man).

*Although a lot of documentation concerning the John F. Kennedy assassination has been released, former agents personal information should have been removed.

*Analysis: Where the administration stands at the moment.

*Analysis: Trump's poll numbers aren't good. What about JD Vance's??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: The future of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation/FDIC, which protects your bank accounts.

*Speculation: Does Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins know her job responsibilities???

*Opinion: Trump now claims every pardon former President Biden issued is “null and void”.

*Opinions: Another weekend of golf while being happy over current events. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Opinion: Does Trump hate kids???

*Opinion: Trump isn't a "morning person".

*Opinion: Trump seems to be a fan of Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos.

*Opinion: Former President John F. Kennedy’s grandson on Trump.

*Opinion: Yet even more voter remorse.

*Keeping track of all the legal actions against the current Trump Administration and its personnel: Elon Musk, etc.

*The latest from the White House. 

MEDICAL NEWS…

*The measles crisis continues. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Are cancer treatments now in jeopardy???

*Now the H7N9 version of the Bird Flu strikes! Yet Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Junior thinks it best to just let the virus “run its course”??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Right idea, wrong reason(s)???

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Chief Justice John Roberts wants Trump and company to stop threatening Judges who rule against them. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trump's response.

*Yet could the Court be responsible for a pending major shakeup???

ROE V. WADE OVERTURN>AFTERMATH

*A midwife has been arrested in Texas for allegedly performing an abortion.

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*First it was downsizing. Now Trump is closing as much of the

Department of Education as he legally can. The Consequences??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*The Small Business Administration will now handle Student Loans, with Special Needs going to the Department of Health and Human Services.

*Is the Trump regime attempting to sabotage the Social Security Administration??? DOGE/Musk does want to “fix” the SSA’s phone system, but a Judge has already ruled they canNOT have any access to personal information. Of course Trump and Musk don't like that. Nor does the acting head of Social Security??? (There are 6/SIX separate links in this item.)

*What it would mean if Social Security is "restructured".

*Since when does a peaceful protest qualify as domestic terrorism???

*A QANON member is now on the advisory board of West Point???

*Why was a Medal of Honor winner removed from the Defense Department’s website???

*What has happened to America’s heroes??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Thankfully the Pentagon has restored at least some Diversity, Equality and Inclusion/DEI entries.

*Will it soon become harder to vote in Utah???

*At the annual Press Club Dinner, a toast to journalistic freedom instead of the current President. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*An interesting arrest story from Minnesota.

*Could you qualify for free tuition from Harvard University???

*Texas wants to ban furries???

*Analysis: Trump's war on education.

*Speculation: Will the next election be safe???

*Opinion: Trump now claims every pardon former President Biden issued is “null and

void”.

STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE!

*Who opened fire in a New Mexico park March 21???

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*Donald Trump's latest comments on current events.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*Some Republicans in Congress want to impeach any Judge who rules against Trump.

*Even if Dr. Oz doesn’t become the new Director of Medicare and Medicaid, will Oz pay his back taxes???

*Could Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer be replaced???

*Trying to get Congressional Parental Rights.

*More Republicans are not having good Town Halls. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

ELSEWHERE…

*Major League Baseball⚾ has removed all Diversity references from the Careers page of its website.

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*A possibility for some future home owners.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: MARCH 22, 2025

 😎FUN FACT

When spelling numbers out, the letter A does not appear until one thousand.

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?

♫Love is but a song we sing.

Fear’s the way we die.♫

COMMON BONDS

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

01. {keep, made}

02. {Serling, Steiger}

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the March 15, 2025 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚

Who is accredited with developing the science of Microbiology?

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek was the first known to observe bacteria and protozoa via microscope in the 1670s.

REBUS

Something familiar is represented in the image below. Do you know what it is?

NEWS THAT MAKES YOU THINK: THE WORLD IS WATCHING US!

 The following is an editorial.

Time magazine recently reported that CIVICUS, a global alliance/network of civil society groups, recently added the United States to its Watch List to monitor whether or not any American's human rights are violated and are prepared to help if necessary.

This action was taken because of everything the current Republican regime has done since Donald Trump became President January 20, as reported in our The Week In Review feature posted every Saturday and other fine media outlets.

Has America sunk so low so soon?

Now no country is absolutely 100% perfect.

Each has some problems that need to be addressed.

But to do so properly requires the finesse of a skilled surgeon using a laser scalpel only when absolutely necessary, NOT anyone freely wielding a Sharpie or a figurative chainsaw at will!

Lee Houston, Junior

Editor-In-Chief: The Free Choice E-zine.

17 March, 2025

The above was an editorial.

LARRY THE LEPRECHAUN CELEBRATES SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

 HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY me fine lads and lasses.

Besides honoring the Patron Saint of the Emerald Isle, March 17 is also Saint Gertude's Day.

Patrick may have driven the snakes out of Ireland, and I haven't seen any of those reptiles around lately meself, Gertude is the Patron Saint of Cats🐱, but please don't call her a crazy cat lady.

Them felines be fine animals.

In any event Larry the Leprechaun here, pausing to celebrate with everyone as part of all the events on me long agenda for today.

If any of you are wondering, leprechauns are lucky, under certain circumstances. But ever since that one bloke hooked up with that cereal company, the rest of us can't come right out and call ourselves lucky any more.

Anyway, whether you prefer cats🐱 or shamrocks🍀, today be Saint Patrick's Day, where even those who cannot claim any ancestry to the Emerald Isle be Irish today as we honor the great Saint Patrick himself. You'll have to talk to whoever is in charge of calendars to find out why Gertude doesn't even get mentioned.

That doesn't sound fair to me.

While the day first began as a purely religious observance during Lent, it has certainly grown beyond anyone's imagination to become a holiday of anything and everything Irish, whether it be legend or fact.

However, that doesn't prevent me from telling everyone some fine Irish inspired humor.

What's Irish and stays outside in your yard all the time?

Patty O'Furniture.

Why did good Saint Patrick drive the snakes🐍 out of Ireland?

Because it was too far for them to walk.

Why should you never iron a four leaf clover?

Because ye don't want to press your luck.

What do you call a fake stone in Ireland?

A sham rock.

Of course music wise, some of us leprechauns really like shamrock and roll🎵.

What kind of bow cannot be tied?

A rainbow.🌈

What does it mean when you find a horseshoe?

Some poor horse🐎 is walking around bare foot!

Why do frogs🐸 love Saint Patrick's Day?

Because they're already green.

And now, before I must part company with all ye fine people, let me pause to wish everyone the best in life. Until we meet again...

May the road rise up to meet ye to ease your travels

May the wind always be at your back to make the journey quicker

May the sun shine warm upon your face to make your trip more comfortable

May the rains fall softly upon your fields to make your crops more bountiful.

May a rainbow always follow the rain.

May your needs never meet lack.

And may the hand of a friend always be within reach.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

HAPPY SAINT GERTUDE'S DAY!

If you're able to do so today, please party responsibly and safely.

Then again, while alcohol isn't needed to do so,

life should be celebrated EVERY day!

(All links were active at the time of posting.)

SUNDAY FUNNIES: WEEKEND PUPDATE: MARCH 2025

 AND NOW IT’S TIME FOR WEEKEND PUPDATE

WITH YOUR HOST KODA CANINE.

Hello Everybody!

I’m Koda Canine. If you see me smiling, I'm thinking about doing something. If I’m laughing, I already did it.

Our top story: Swarms of insects threaten town! Police prepared to employ SWAT team. 

A new study shows married couples have a greater risk of possibly suffering a divorce than single people.

Cars are getting so sophisticated now with all the digital equipment that they can diagnose themselves and pre-order parts if needed.

Imagine checking your bank account to find out your car ordered itself new tires, a paint job and hired a contractor to rebuild your garage to its liking.

And now, a word from our sponsor.

It's 3 in the morning and nature's calling.

Do you dare answer?

DID MY HUSBAND LEAVE THE SEAT UP AGAIN?

Starring a cast of thousands!

Featuring Joe Thousand and his wife Sally.

COMING SOON TO A THEATRE OR BATHROOM NEAR YOU!

Now, back to what passes for the news.

It’s a scientific fact that if you took all your veins from your body and laid them end to end, you'd die.

The semicolon; that broke the law was given two consecutive sentences.

Scientists who didn’t predict a single day accurately for the last two years are confident they know what the weather is going to be like in 100 years?

And finally: Please remember, even on Gilligan’s Island they listened to the Professor and NOT the Millionaire.

On that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

For Weekend Pupdate, I’m Koda Canine.

COMING MARCH 17:

LARRY THE LEPRECHAUN'S ANNUAL SAINT PATRICK'S DAY🍀 VISIT!