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Another TSA Outrage

Shared by David

The sad part is I actually believe this story. I was once detained in airport security (in full military uniform) because inspectors found traces of gunpowder on my ammo pouches.

A friend of mine sent me this about his TSA experience. He, unlike most of us, was coming back into the country from Afghanistan on a military charter.

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As the Chalk Leader for my flight home from Afghanistan, I witnessed the following:

When we were on our way back from Afghanistan, we flew out of Baghram Air Field. We went through customs at BAF, full body scanners (no groping), had all of our bags searched, the whole nine yards.

Our first stop was Shannon, Ireland to refuel. After that, we had to stop at Indianapolis, Indiana to drop off about 100 folks from the Indiana National Guard. That’s where the stupid started.

First, everyone was forced to get off the plane–even though the plane wasn’t refueling again. All 330 people got off that plane, rather than let the 100 people from the ING get off. We were filed from the plane to a holding area. No vending machines, no means of escape. Only a male/female latrine.

It’s probably important to mention that we were ALL carrying weapons. Everyone was carrying an M4 Carbine (rifle) and some, like me, were also carrying an M9 pistol. Oh, and our gunners had M-240B machine guns. Of course, the weapons weren’t loaded. And we had been cleared of all ammo well before we even got to customs at Baghram, then AGAIN at customs.

The TSA personnel at the airport seriously considered making us unload all of the baggage from the SECURE cargo hold to have it reinspected. Keep in mind, this cargo had been unpacked, inspected piece by piece by U.S. Customs officials, resealed and had bomb-sniffing dogs give it a one-hour run through. After two hours of sitting in this holding area, the TSA decided not to reinspect our Cargo–just to inspect us again: Soldiers on the way home from war, who had already been inspected, reinspected and kept in a SECURE holding area for 2 hours. Ok, whatever. So we lined up to go through security AGAIN.

This is probably another good time to remind you all that all of us were carrying actual assault rifles, and some of us were also carrying pistols.

So we’re in line, going through one at a time. One of our Soldiers had his Gerber multi-tool. TSA confiscated it. Kind of ridiculous, but it gets better. A few minutes later, a guy empties his pockets and has a pair of nail clippers. Nail clippers. TSA informs the Soldier that they’re going to confiscate his nail clippers. The conversation went something like this:

TSA Guy: You can’t take those on the plane.

Soldier: What? I’ve had them since we left country.

TSA Guy: You’re not suppose to have them.

Soldier: Why?

TSA Guy: They can be used as a weapon.

Soldier: [touches butt stock of the rifle] But this actually is a weapon. And I’m allowed to take it on.

TSA Guy: Yeah but you can’t use it to take over the plane. You don’t have bullets.

Soldier: And I can take over the plane with nail clippers?

TSA Guy: [awkward silence]

Me: Dude, just give him your damn nail clippers so we can get the f**k out of here. I’ll buy you a new set.

Soldier: [hands nail clippers to TSA guy, makes it through security]

This might be a good time to remind everyone that approximately 233 people re-boarded that plane with assault rifles, pistols, and machine guns–but nothing that could have been used as a weapon.

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Dulce de Leche Brownies

Shared by David

Can someone make me some of these?

Happy voting day to all my American readers (to everyone else, happy Tuesday (or Wednesday!)). I hope everyone who is eligible is voting today because it is so important. How many people in the world right now have the right to vote and can execute that right without fear? Not enough. I am thankful to live in a place where I can hold on to such a wonderful right. No matter who or what you believe in – just vote! Then make these brownies.
Recipe Rundown
Taste: Rich, chocolaty, with a subtle caramel flavor.
Texture: The brownie texture was a little crumbly, but the swirls of gooey dulce de leche are mouthwatering. 

Ease: Fairly easy.
Appearance: Any treat that has something swirled in will look pretty, no matter how sloppy the swirls.
Pros: Interesting twist on a typical recipe.
Cons: The texture of the brownies wasn’t my favorite.
Would I make this again? Maybe after I’ve exhausted every possible topping I could swirl onto brownie batter.

Dulce de Leche Triple Chocolate Brownies
From Treats who adapted from Baking Illustrated 
  • 5 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped 
  • 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 4 oz butter, at room temperature
  • 3 Tbls Dutch-processed cocoa
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbls vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup dulce de leche*
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line an 8×8 square baking pan with an aluminum foil sling.  Spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. 
2. Put the chocolates, butter and cocoa in a medium heatproof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water.  Melt the chocolates and butter, stirring occasionally until smooth.  Remove  from heat and set aside to cool.

3. In another medium bowl whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt until combined.  Whisk the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.  Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon until just combined.  

4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spread into the corners, and smooth out the top.  Dollop spoonfuls of the dulce de leche all over the top.  Take the spoon and swirl the caramel into the brownie mixture.

5. Bake in the oven for approximately 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a small amount of sticky crumbs clinging to it.

6. Let cool completely.  Remove the foil sling from the brownie and cut in to squares.

*A thick, sweet sauce made from caramelized sugar in milk or from sweetened condensed milk; available at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores and at Latin markets.

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It's official: The Cars, Rick Ocasek reunite

Shared by David

I loved the cars, glad to see they are back!

cars.jpgForget my best friend's girl. This is just what I needed: The Cars have reunited with original frontman Ric Ocasek, Rolling Stone magazine confirmed today.

After 23 years apart and repeated assurances from Ocasek that no reunion would ever happen, the band (minus the late Ben Orr) is working on a new album. According to Billboard, tour dates will come next.

There’s even a video clip of a new song called Blue Tip on the Cars’ official Facebook page.

The band hinted at a possible reunion back in July, but it’s great to hear word that it’s official.

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FROM A LISTENER:

I recently asked my friends’ little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President of the United States . Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there. So I asked her, “If you were President, what would be the first thing you would do?” She replied, “I’d give food and houses to all the homeless people.” Her parents beamed.

“Wow…what a worthy goal,” I told her. “But you don’t have to wait until you’re President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and sweep my driveway, and I’ll pay you $50. Then I’ll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house.”

She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, “Why doesn’t the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?”

I said, “Welcome to the Republican Party.” Her parents still aren’t speaking to me.
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Searching for Popcorn

Whre does all that popcorn come from that scouts sell?
Well, don’t try finding it at any of these places – you’ll most likely get lost in your efforts. There are corn mazes across the country this month and many of them have been designed with Boy Scout themes to commemorate the centennial.

There are way too many to list, but here’s a few…

Scout On