When bargain is too good to be true, its too good to be true

The subject line reads “Urgent Business Request,” and in the body of the message a seemingly desperate person asks the recipient to help transfer money out of Nigeria and into the U.S. The message, in broken English, is sprinkled with words like “top secret,” “trapped funds,” “utterly confidential,” and promises a cut of the funds in returnMost people who get these messages know it’s a common scam referred to as the “Nigerian e-mail scam” — officially called the “419 scam” and also called the Advance Fee Fraud — and they delete them.But others are falling for the 90-year-old trick, and it’s costing them hundreds — even thousands — of dollars.

Mary Winkler, the woman accused of killing her pastor husband in Tennessee, was said to have been duped by the scam, causing tension in her relationship with her husband. Her family members just this week claims she was abused by her spouse.A 76-year-old woman in Port Charlotte, Fla., recently reportedly lost $42,000 to the scam; she wired $30,000 to a person in New York and $12,000 to alleged employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a local paper in Florida reported.The number of people falling for the scam is steadily increasing, with 55,419 lodging complaints in 2005 of at least receiving an e-mail that appeared to be a scam, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That’s almost three times the amount received in 2002, which was 21,616.Because the scam takes so many forms and affects so many industries, it’s impossible to nail down exactly how much money is lost to the fraud, according to Patricia Armstrong of the Postal Service Inspection.But Audri Lanford, co-director of

Scambusters.org, a service that helps fight Internet fraud, estimates that $200 million a year is lost to the Nigerian e-mail scam or variations of it.There are three types of people who fall for Nigerian e-mail scams, according to Lanford, who says she has heard from hundreds of victims. Many who fall for it are typically under extreme financial difficulties.“They’re at the end of their rope,” Lanford said. “They look at this as a potential saving thing for them.”

The next group of victims typically expects something for nothing, she continued.

“They haven’t heard of it before, which at this point is surprising, and they’re excited that they can get this money for nothing — and they don’t wonder why someone’s going to give them millions of dollars.”

Lastly, she said, people affiliated with religious groups tend to fall victim to the scam. Frauds often target ministries, Lanford explained, because they are hoping to give large amounts of money to charity. “It isn’t for personal gain,” Lanford said.

Church leaders will receive an e-mail saying that the sender’s deceased spouse wanted their estate to go to a good cause, and the sender has picked this particular parish after praying to God. Then the minister or church leader is asked to send money to cover wire transfer costs and other incidentals.

Kim Bruce, spokeswoman for the U.S. Secret Service — the agency charged with investigating the fraud — said it’s nearly impossible to prosecute the scammers because they live in other countries.“It’s very prevalent,” Bruce said. “It’s out there, because we get word of it all the time. There aren’t a lot of arrests because it’s in other countries.”The Secret Service once kept a branch office in Lagos, Nigeria, to help investigate financial fraud stemming from that African country, according to the FTC.

The Nigerian government says the country is a hotbed for scammers because of mass unemployment among an educated population and large extended families for whom people have to provide for, according to an advisory issued by the Secret Service.

One of the reasons people are still getting swindled, Bruce said, is because there are several new twists to the same old scam.

Last month, an e-mail circulated posing to be from FBI Direct Robert Mueller, telling recipients they’ve inherited a large sum of money, and in order to retrieve it, they must obtain a special FBI-approved certificate. Of course, responders must send money in order to get the certificate.In another scam, instead of claiming to have inherited a large sum of money, some potential swindlers will pose as soldiers from Iraq needing to transfer money to a U.S. bank account. Then, just like the traditional scam, they will ask victims to wire them money to cover endless transfer fees, promising a cut of the final amount. Of course, there is no final amount. If a check is ever sent, it’s sure to be counterfeit.Another new trend, Bruce said, comes with the rise in popularity of auction Web sites.

“It’s very prevalent on Ebay, and people selling things online,” Bruce said.

Scammers will bid on an item for sale and tell the seller the check is in the mail. The seller ships off whatever he is selling — a $1,500 laptop computer, in the case of one trusting New Yorker, as reported by the New York Daily News — before receiving money for the purchase. Or the victim may do receive a check, but it bounces when cashed.

“The person will send the item, and then find out the check is counterfeit,” Bruce said.

Another trend involves classified ads. Scammers will post fake job ads, and interested parties are asked to fill out an application, complete with personal information that includes date of birth and Social Security number — everything the scammer needs to swindle the victim.

In the Iraq scam, the swindler poses as soldier needing to transfer money into a U.S. account. The victim then is asked to send money to cover the transfer fees.

The Army Criminal Investigation Command recently issued a press release warning people stationed overseas against e-mail scams. But Christopher Grey, chief of public affairs for the command, said the warning was only precautionary, and that soldiers aren’t being targeted by the scam.

“It is intended to assist our Army families. We just wanted to make sure we protect our force,” Grey said, adding that there are “very few, less than a handful” of reported cases of fraud in the Army.

This is as real as it gets folks

I am sure you saw the tape of “Kramer “doing his comedy routine and lost his professional cool and went ballistic on a black gentleman because of his comments about the show not being funny.

Which he had every right to do so, just as the comic had every right to work as a professional and would like a little respect from the audience. I am sure everyone would agree, that if someone came to your job and told you how poor of a worker you are and you are doing a shitty job you might have done worse and maybe even use physical force. I found this on the Internet and though I need to share it to broaden people horizons about people acting hypocritical towards each other.Please try to be civilized and think about this deeply before you comment.

Were you ever in that situation when you had to be a racist?

You can only be honest with yourself and in your heart you know if you did or did not, you dont have to tell us if you feel ashamed.

Someone finally said it. How many are actually paying attention to this?

There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Native Americans, etc. and then there are just Americans.

You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction. You call me “Whiteboy”,”Cracker”, “Honkey”, “Whitey”, “Caveman” and that’s OK.

But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towelhead, Sand-Nigger, Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink you call me a racist.

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

You have the United Negro College Fund.

You have Martin Luther King Day.

You have Black History Month.

You have Cesar Chavez Day.

You have Yom Hashoah

You have Ma’uled Al-Nabi

You have the NAACP.

You have BET.

If we had WET(White Entertainment Television) we’d be racists.

If we had a White Pride Day you would call us racists.

If we had White History Month, we’d be racists.

If we had any organization for only whites to “advance” our lives, we’d be racists.

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that?

If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships, you know we’d be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US, yet if there were “White colleges” that would be a racist college.

In the Million-Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.

You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you’re not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

Why is it that only whites can be racists?

Weight gain means lower gas mileage

10/25/2006, 4:49 p.m. ETBy LINDSEY TANNER The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Want to spend less at the pump? Lose some weight. That’s the implication of a new study that says Americans are burning nearly 1 billion more gallons of gasoline each year than they did in 1960 because of their expanding waistlines. Simply put, more weight in the car means lower gas mileage.

Using recent gas prices of $2.20 a gallon, that translates to about $2.2 billion more spent on gas each year.

“The bottom line is that our hunger for food and our hunger for oil are not independent. There is a relationship between the two,” said University of Illinois researcher Sheldon Jacobson, a study co-author.

“If a person reduces the weight in their car, either by removing excess baggage, carrying around less weight in their trunk, or yes, even losing weight, they will indeed see a drop in their fuel consumption.”The lost mileage is pretty small for any single driver. Jacobson said the typical driver — someone who records less than 12,000 miles annually — would use roughly 18 fewer gallons of gas over the course of a year by losing 100 pounds. At $2.20 per gallon, that would be a savings of almost $40.

Outside experts said that even if the calculations aren’t exact, the study makes sense.

“If you put more weight into your car, you’re going to get fewer miles per gallon,” Emory University health care analyst Kenneth Thorpe said Wednesday.

The same effect has been seen in airplanes. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that heavy fliers have contributed to higher fuel costs for airlines.

The obesity rate among U.S. adults doubled from 1987 to 2003, from about 15 percent to more than 30 percent. Also, the average weight for American men was 191 pounds in 2002 and 164 pounds for women, about 25 pounds heavier than in 1960, government figures show.

The study’s conclusions are based on those weight figures and Americans’ 2003 driving habits, involving roughly 223 million cars and light trucks nationwide.

Shootout At The Philli Coral?

By Pat Kirwan NFL.com Senior Analyst (Sept. 30, 2006) — Two weeks ago, Brett Favre discovered the old Brett Favre and the results have been impressive. Two straight games of 340 yards passing with six touchdown passes and just one interception suggests the ole’ No. 4 still can play this game at a high level — and he loves Monday Night Football. On the other side of the field in Monday night’s Packers-Eagles matchup will be Donovan McNabb and the league’s No. 1 offense — 436 total yards per game. This matchup should be full of big plays and lots of scoring, especially when you drill down into both defenses. The Eagles defense can get after the passer with pressure, but the secondary hasn’t held up well against the pass. The Packers defense will face Philly’s no-huddle offense, which will exploit a Packers secondary that struggles and gives up big plays. SOME FAST FACTS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU LIKE THE EAGLES 1. The Eagles have defeated Green Bay eight straight times in Philadelphia. 2. The Packers defense gave up 24 points to Detroit. 3. The Eagles defense has 16 sacks in three games and it has forced seven fumbles. 4. Last week, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook had 164 total yards on 12 touches. 5. Packers RB Ahman Green had a fourth-quarter fumble in the last two games. 6. Philadelphia is 7-0 against NFC North teams since the realignment in 2002. SOME FAST FACTS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU LIKE THE PACKERS 1. Favre has thrown 18 touchdowns to just four interceptions in his last seven MNF games. 2. In Favre’s last 91 pass attempts, his O-line has only given up two sacks. 3. In the last two weeks, wide receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings have combined for 20 receptions and 351 yards. 4. Favre completed passes to 10 different receivers in Week 3. 5. The Eagles defense has allowed five TD passes and opponents completed 65.5 percent of their passes. 6. The Eagles defense has surrendered 250-plus yards passing per game and no picks. WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL Eagles coach Andy Reid and his high-powered offense will come right out of the blocks at home with an aggressive attack that is more pass than run until he gets a solid lead. Facing McNabb will be the 31st-ranked defense that will absolutely struggle to slow the Eagles down. McNabb will make sure Westbrook gets most of his plays to keep his 140 yards-per-game average. But the place McNabb wants to go is up top.   Donovan McNabb and the top ranked Eagles offense will look to exploit the Packers’ porous defense.     The Packers defense gives up big plays and opponents have averaged seven explosive pass plays per game. The Eagles’ L.J. Smith has the most receiving yards for NFL tight ends so far this season and the Packers safeties will be his prime targets. Receiver Donte Stallworth should be ready to play, which means Charles Woodson better have his ‘A’ game. The Eagles always seem to be under criticism about their running game, but the truth is they average 129 yards per game behind a massive offensive line. If and when the Eagles take a substantial lead and want to utilize the ‘four-minute package’ to eat up some clock to keep Favre off the field, I have two concerns: 1) Do the Birds have the big back to pound the running game? And 2), is there any truth to the idea that coach Reid’s conservative game plans late in games have led to recent comebacks by opponents? My response is they still need a big back to move the chains and the play-calling is just fine. The Packers defense only has eight sacks and the Eagles have only given up five. Green Bay is looking at a QB who gets taken to the ground just once in every 23 pass attempts. Packers coordinator Bob Sanders might have to consider some more blitz pressure if he wants to disrupt McNabb’s flow. Only one Packer sack is from a non-defensive lineman. WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL As well as Favre is playing recently and his outstanding MNF record, the Packers must still establish a running game to keep the Eagles offense off the field. The problems are Green Bay averages 3.2 yards a carry, it doesn’t have a rushing touchdown in three games and the offensive line has a number of rookies starting. The problem the Packers O-line faces in this game is that Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will rotate four defensive tackles all game long and keep the pressure on the run game. The Birds defense keeps opponents under 4.0 yards a carry and hasn’t allowed a rush for over 22 yards. It will not be long before coach Mike McCarthy is forced to surrender the running game and a balanced attack for the passing game on a steady diet. Keep in mind, Favre had to throw 55 times last week to beat the Lions.   Brett Favre looks to have another spectacular night under the spotlights of Monday Night Football.     Favre had great success with the short passing attack against the Lions, especially from the shotgun and his teammates made a lot happen after the catch. No better example than the 75-yard touchdown reception by rookie Jennings, which was little more than a 5-yard completion. I’m all in favor of the quick pass attacks in this contest to keep Trent Cole (five sacks) and his teammates from forcing Favre into a series of bad decisions. As long as the Hall of Fame QB doesn’t turn himself into the ‘gunslinger’ he used to be, the less trouble his team will get into. Green Bay will still give the ball to Green 20 times and hopefully he has worked on his fumble issues this week. I’m not sure drills eliminate fumbles, but an attitude about ball security, especially with the Eagles defenders trying to strip the ball, is a necessity. CONCLUSION I’m looking forward to an offensive shootout as Favre inches closer to Dan Marino’s touchdown record and McNabb brings his team back to the NFC East title and a playoff run. Neither team had any success on MNF last season with a combined record of 0-6. One team will stop the losing streak at three, while the other team makes it a fourth straight loss on the national stage. McNabb told me this summer that he’s prepared to run when he has to move the chains and score in the red zone. Westbrook doesn’t practice very much these days, but he performs at game time and this game will be no different. Green Bay’s scoring has gone up every week — from 0 to 27 to 31 — and the Eagles convert a very impressive 48.7 percent of their third downs. I like the Eagles to win this game with close to 30 points and the Packers to hang around by putting up close to 24 points. Three or four lead changes wouldn’t surprise me one bit. Don’t fall asleep on the couch during this one.

Best Review About The Monday Night Football Contest

 

By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.

After watching a lot of film on both the Falcons and Saints, talking to coaches and scouts and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their Monday night game (ESPN 8:30 p.m. ET). Atlanta Falcons • Atlanta’s rushing numbers in their first two games — 558 net yards on 91 rushes — are simply mind boggling, considering they don’t have a marquee offensive lineman. They do have a good fullback in Justin Griffith, but they have an undersized back in Warrick Dunn and don’t have great blocking downfield.A big reason for their success is quarterback Michael Vick, who is still a threat every time he touches the ball. He is also doing a much better job of using the threat of the run to set up the pass. Dunn is a perfect fit in the Falcons’ zone blocking schemes that require only one cut. As long as they keep running the ball, it will keep their defense off the field and Vick from forcing the ball in the passing game. • The new stretch option play with Vick worked well against a veteran Tampa Bay defense. While it is a fairly basic play, it is lethal because of Vick’s and Dunn’s speed and running ability. Vick simply takes the snap and has the option to give it to Dunn or keep it himself. What makes it tough on defenses is that the two guys run in opposite directions. This is a play that Vince Young ran well at Texas, but how long will it take for NFL defenses to adjust to it? • An individual matchup that may fly under the radar this week is Atlanta left offensive tackle Wayne Gandy versus New Orleans right defensive end Will Smith. Although Gandy is an aging veteran, he has played really well in pass protection in the first two weeks and has been a stabilizing influence for this unit. The NFC South has quality pass rushers at RDE and the LOT position is very important. • When you watch the Falcons’ run game on film, it is easy to be impressed with their zone blocking schemes, especially on inside runs. On almost every run play between the tackles, the Falcons get double team blocks on both defensive tackles and get a great push, making it tough for the LBs to scrape and get off those blocks. • A big challenge for the Saints’ defense is defending Vick when he is on the run. They are an aggressive defense that likes to pursue, but the best way to play against Vick is to stay in a contain mode and guard against the cutback run. They must also be prepared to flow fast if he doesn’t cut back against the grain. It is a tough assignment for any defense. • Another big factor in Vick’s early success is the fact that he is running the option offense out of the shotgun formation. It gives him a lot of room to see the defense and make decisions. Even though Vick may run this offense only 20 snaps a game, it is so unusual that defensive coordinators spend an inordinate amount of time preparing for those 20 plays, which takes away from preparation for the other 40 to 50 snaps. • The Falcons are starting to incorporate RB Jerious Norwood into the running game as a nice changeup to Dunn. Norwood gives them some physical, inside running, which sets up Dunn for outside runs. The Saints are very active on defense, but they are not very big and physical. They depend on one-gap quickness and penetration to have success, and the Falcons’ offensive line should be able to get a big body on defenders and move them out of the hole. An underrated player in this run game is Griffith, who does a nice job as a lead blocker and is also excellent in pass protection and blitz pickup. He also catches the ball well out of the backfield. • A fun individual matchup to watch is Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall versus New Orleans wide receiver Joe Horn. Hall is developing into a shutdown corner. While he can outrun the veteran Horn, he is not big and physical. Horn will look to push off to get separation on quick crossing routes and hitches. Drew Brees will have to be smart in this matchup and not force the ball to Horn, who will want the ball often in this national spotlight. Hall can jump routes and take chances because he has the ability to recover if he makes a mistake. This may be a frustrating night for Horn and I think Brees may have to look elsewhere for success in the passing game. • Reggie Bush could have a significant role in this game as a receiver out of the backfield. If Horn is neutralized by Hall, he may become a little bit of a decoy by running vertical routes and clearing out some zones for Bush. If he lines up in the backfield, Bush will likely be covered by a linebacker and that is a matchup he will win every time. We know that New Orleans likes to put Bush in motion or play him in the perimeter, but when he is in the backfield he has a much better chance to get the individual matchup he likes. The Falcons might counter with Hall covering Bush at times, which is a great athletic matchup. • This Atlanta defense may be for real. We know that ends John Abraham (who won’t play) and Patrick Kerney are excellent edge rushers, and Hall is becoming a true shutdown corner, but where they get my attention is up the middle. They have two physical tackles in Grady Jackson and Rod Coleman, which allows middle linebacker Keith Brooking to fly to the ball without a lot of contact. Behind Brooking they have two physical safeties — Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker. It is tough for offenses to attack the inside of this improving defense. New Orleans Saints • When you break down Brees on film, the first thing you examine is his arm strength and the velocity of his passes because of his shoulder surgery. He looked good against Green Bay a week ago. He threw an excellent deep ball with a lot of air, and his intermediate passes had decent zip and excellent accuracy. He is also taking hits and responding well. He has a good command of this offense and is the face of this team.• Speaking of Brees, a big play in the second quarter typifies the intelligence and grittiness that makes him such a good leader. He threw a 26-yard TD to WR Devery Henderson, set up by a great double pump that froze corner Ahmad Carroll, allowing Henderson to get behind him. Brees also made a perfect throw. However, what most fans didn’t realize is the play before the TD, Carroll went to the ground with leg cramps and muscle spasms. Brees saw it and knew he had a good one-on-one match on the outside. He went right after Carroll one play later for the touchdown. • The right side of the Saints’ defensive line — tackle Bryant Young and end Will Smith — has combined for five sacks in the first two weeks of the season, and the Saints are playing solid overall run defense. They have given up only 74.0 yards per game on the ground in the first two weeks, but they have not seen a run offense like the Falcons. This is a defense that is overachieving and playing smart football (only two penalties versus Green Bay) • The Saints are opening up the passing game to stretch defenses and set up the run game. Brees is doing a great job of recognizing positive individual matchups. Against Green Bay, the Saints had six receivers catch a pass for 20 yards or longer. We think of Brees as a QB who excels in a short passing game, but his ability to go vertical with good touch makes this offense much less predictable. • One reason the Saints may be playing so well on defense so far is they put a premium on conditioning in training camp and this is a unit that is in good physical shape. The other reason is they are using a rotation, not only in their defensive line, but also in their back seven. They are playing a lot of different defensive packages and appear to be fresher in the fourth quarter than opposing offenses. • It is imperative for the Saints to run the ball well this week against an aggressive and athletic Atlanta defensive front seven. Last week, they only ran the ball 22 times against Green Bay. They must control the clock on offense and keep the Falcons’ offense off the field. They cannot afford a lot of three-and-outs or they will let this game get out of control early. • The Saints will play some Cover 2 schemes versus the Falcons. On paper, this is a good defense against Vick, as there are seven defenders sitting in coverage facing Vick, in position to come up and contain him. However, because the Atlanta running game is so good right now, the Saints will be tempted (and possibly forced) to bring at least one safety in the box in run support, creating a huge matchup problem versus tight end Alge Crumpler. He can beat most safeties or linebackers in coverage, and can exploit the middle of the field, especially if Vick freezes the Saints’ defense with his option reads. The Saints love to play downhill on defense, but Atlanta has so many offensive options with Vick, the Saints may be forced to be less aggressive. • Brees is doing an excellent job of spreading the ball around and managing the game. He gets the ball to his best playmaker in Horn, but also knows how to incorporate rookie Bush into the offense. He is also not afraid to get the ball to his other receivers such as Marques Colston and Henderson. Brees takes what the defense gives him and his best feature may be his composure under pressure. He is the perfect guy right now to lead this team. • Brees will face a Falcons defense that may try to blitz him and force him throw on the move, which is not his strength. However, he does process information very quickly and has a quick release. The key will be to get the ball out faster than usual and the passing game on Monday night may consist of more short passes, quick slants and hitches. • A very tough matchup for the Saints is Atlanta DT Rod Coleman versus the interior of New Orleans’ offensive line. Coleman is one of the most dominating inside penetrators in the NFL and is an excellent pass rusher for a big man. If he gets a good inside push, it will negate Brees’ ability to step up in the pocket, forcing him to move sideways. Controlling Coleman is critical, because he can totally take over a game at the line of scrimmage. Gary Horton, a pro scout for Scouts Inc., has been a football talent evaluator for more than 30 years. He spent 10 years in the NFL and 10 years at the college level before launching a private scouting firm called “The War Room.”

Does Brent Need A Beating or Something?

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California formally complained that ABC-TV’s Brent Musburger revealed privileged information in play-by-play commentary during Saturday’s game against Nebraska.

The university sent a letter to ESPN, which oversees sports programming on ABC, saying Musburger, with less than 10 minutes to play and the Trojans leading 21-10, began describing how USC quarterback John David Booty lets receivers know he has spotted a certain kind of coverage.

“John David told us that his signal when he finds one-on-one and they’re coming, it’s that ‘hang loose,’ that familiar sign you’ve seen surfers use,” said Musburger, referring to the sign where the thumb and little finger are raised.

USC sports information director Tim Tessalone sent a formal complaint to ESPN/ABC game producer Bill Bonnell on Monday and sent a copy to the Pacific-10 conference office.

“We’re supposed to be partners in this, but this is certainly going to make us think twice about trying to help them have as good a broadcast as possible,” Tessalone said. “What he did was unconscionable.”

Last Friday, announcers and producers met with coaches and star players as part of their game preparation. During the meeting, there was discussion about how a replay of the Ohio State-Texas broadcast showed Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith tapping the top of his helmet to let receiver Ted Ginn Jr. know he’s noticed one-on-one coverage.

Booty was asked if Southern California had a similar signal, and Booty told Musburger about his “hang loose” signal.

“We are very mindful of what we learn in pre-game meetings in terms in what is appropriate for broadcast and what is for our background. We’re sorry this led to an unfortunate misunderstanding, which was never our intention,” ESPN said in a statement released by spokesman Josh Krulewitz.

Musburger said in a statement late Monday that the network regretted the confusion.

Asked about Musburger’s on-air revelations, USC coach Pete Carroll said with a laugh, “Just wondering what they’re going to tell us next. I’m not worried about it. There’s a million signals, a million ways to do it.”

Tiger Woods for a Day..

There was this preacher who was an avid golfer. Every chance he could get, he could be found on the golf course swinging away. It was an obsession. One Sunday was a picture perfect day for golfing. The sun was out, no clouds in the sky, and the temperature was just right.

The preacher was in a quandary as to what to do, and shortly, the urge to play golf overcame him. He called an assistant to tell him that he was sick and could not do church, packed the car up, and drove three hours to a golf course where no one would recognize him. Happily, he began to play the course.

An angel up above was watching the preacher and was quite perturbed. He went to God and said, “Look at the preacher. He should be punished for what he is doing.”

God nodded in agreement. The preacher teed up on the first hole. He swung at the ball, and it sailed effortlessly through the air and landed right in the cup three hundred and fifty yards away. A picture perfect hole-in-one. He was amazed and excited.

The angel was a little shocked. He turned to God and said, “Begging Your pardon, but I thought you were going to punish him?”

God smiled. “Think about it — who can he tell?”

HIV/AIDS Needles hidden under gas pumps

In Florida and other places on the East Coast a group of people are putting HIV/AIDS infected and filled needles underneath gas pump handles, so when someone reaches to pick it up and put gas in their car, they get stabbed with it. 16 people have been a victim of this crime so far and 10 tested HIV positive. Instead of posting that stupid crap about how your love life will suck for years to come of you don’t re-post, post this. It’s important to inform people, even if you don’t drive, a family member might, and what if they were next? CHECK UNDER THE HANDLE BEFORE YOU GRAB IT!!! IT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE! Tell as many people as you can about this serious issue!!!!