Today is Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day. It was set for September 17th, the day the Constitutional Congress signed the Constitution in 1787. It’s interesting to contemplate the Constitution in the year of a Presidential Election. For such a simple document there seems to be a lot of “interpretation” going on.
Check out a previous post here from 2009 that includes links if you are interested in finding out more.
The Clean Cut Dispenser from Smart Product Innovations, Inc. has created a hands-free paper towel dispenser that dispenses paper towel cut to the length you need using your preferred brand of paper towel.
The dispenser mounts under the counter. It has a light beam on either side. Break the beam on the right and paper towel is dispensed. Allow the length you need to roll out. Remove your hand and the dispenser will stop. Break the beam on the left and the paper is cut. You can then take the cut sheet to use without ever touching the remaining paper. This allows the paper to be used cleanly without contaminating the unused portion of the roll.
At our house we’ve started using the half sheet paper towels. Often that is sufficient for the need. This device would allow you to use quarter sheets, half sheets, three-quarter sheets or however much is sufficient for the task. This is a green option since you only use what is needed.
The device is $126 at Amazon.com. It comes in four finishes including the stainless steel option shown here. It requires a wall outlet to plug in a low voltage power adapter.
This is a picture taken on 9/11/01 from the International Space Station borrowed from an MSN article here. Wow!
Patriot Day, not to be confused with Patriots’ Day commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord, was created by Congress in October of 2001 and signed into law by President Bush on December 18, 2001 in remembrance of the 2,977 people that perished in the Terrorist Attack on September 11, 2001. This is a solemn day of reflection on the lives lost, rather than a holiday to be celebrated. Flags are to be flown at half staff across the nation.It is hard to believe that we’re eleven years past that fateful day. It is unfortunate that so many of our troops have perished bringing those responsible to justice, but we should all be proud of their efforts and sacrifice. It makes me cringe that one of those accomplishments has been reduced to a bumper sticker slogan in the current election campaign. It strikes me as disrespectful… Necessary and Just, but not something to boast about.
I have a nephew that has served in the Army in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past six years. My college roommate recently retired from the Army and was also involved there. They are among many that we all know who have served our Country and moved the conflict overseas and away from our shores. They all deserve our thanks on this day as well as every day. Flying flags at half staff is a simple way to show that we remember their sacrifice.
In doing a little research today, I ran across this site: Half Staff American Flag Notifications It has a widget to display the American flag and will show it at half staff with the explanation of why it is at half staff if you want to add it to your website.
I also found this site: What on Earth is that Flag? It’s where I borrowed the picture in the upper left from. It is in a blog format and has lots of different flag information, not only about about the American flag, but State flags, other country’s flags and common flags such as the Olympics’ flag as well.
Take time to think about those that lost there lives this day eleven years ago and how that event has changed all of our lives to this day. Please lower your flag in respect.