Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies."

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."-- Thomas Jefferson

"When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout." .... jbd

"When once a job you have begun, do no stop till it is done. Whether the task be great or small, do it well, or not at all." .... Anon

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein

Television is one daylong commercial interrupted periodically by inept attempts to fill the airspace in between them.

If you can't start a fire, perhaps your wood is wet ....

When you elect clowns, expect a circus ..............




Monday, March 3, 2014

High court to examine facial hair, teeth-whitening

"and then, there will be peace."

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facial hair and teeth-whitening will be getting unusually prominent attention from the Supreme Court.

The court agreed Monday to hear two cases during its next term that involve matters of personal hygiene in vastly different settings.

In one case, the court will decide whether an Arkansas prison inmate must be allowed to grow a short beard in accordance with his religious beliefs. The justices will hear an appeal from inmate Gregory Holt, who says his Muslim beliefs require him to grow a beard.

State corrections officials say their grooming policy prohibiting beards promotes hygiene and safety. The court previously blocked the state from forcing Holt to shave the beard while the appeal was under consideration.

The 38-year-old Holt is serving a life sentence for domestic violence and burglary. Prosecutors alleged that Holt cut his girlfriend's throat and stabbed her in the chest at her mobile home.

Holt's appeal was handwritten and filed without the benefit of an attorney, and the court rarely accepts such cases. The justices will appoint a lawyer to assist Holt in presenting his arguments.

Separately, the high court is taking up a North Carolina case in which the state's dental regulatory board argues that only dentists should be allowed to whiten teeth. The state Board of Dental Examiners is challenging a lower court ruling and an order by the Federal Trade Commission that said the board engaged in unfair competition in the market for teeth-whitening services by shutting down businesses such as day spas and tanning booths that offered the service.

The board sued the FTC in 2011, saying the agency overstepped its authority. But the federal appeals court in Richmond, Va., sided with the FTC.

One appeals court judge said the board would have had a stronger case if its members were elected or appointed by state government officials rather than by other dentists.

Both cases will be argued in the fall.