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Issue 510 - 8/8/2011
SNIPPETZ PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL by Deborah Stumpf “...the image is one thing and the human being is another...it’s very hard to live up to an image.” -Elvis Presley, from the press conference prior to his record-breaking Madison Square Garden shows in New York City, 1972 Elvis Presley, aka the King of Rock and Roll, is a cultural icon with millions of fans around the world. Aug. 16 marks the 34th anniversary of his death and Elvis’ career is still going strong. It could be easily argued that the careers of thousands of people are going strong because of Elvis. There are hundreds of Web sites devoted to Elvis and Elvis fannery; as well as thousands of self-proclaimed Elvis biographers and folks who undoubtedly log obscene numbers of hours seeking new information about the King of Rock and Roll. So, what new information can we tell you about Elvis and his life? Probably nothing you haven’t heard before. Maybe the bigger question is: What’s with our fascination with Elvis and the impact of that fascination? A Very Brief History Unless you have been living under a rock or are under the age of 6, you know about Elvis. So, we offer only a few basic facts. Elvis Aaron Presley was born one of twins on Jan. 8, 1935 to Gladys and Vernon Presley. His twin brother was Jessie Garon, stillborn. The Presley’s lived in Tupelo, Miss. in meager financial circumstances, living in a two-room house. The family of three eventually moved to Memphis where Elvis attended and graduated high school. Elvis began his singing career in his early twenties and was heavily influenced by gospel music, rhythm and blues, pop and country music. His unique sound and style launched rock and roll and in turn influenced many a rock star that came after him, including that little group out of England that called themselves The Beatles. It goes without saying he was a talented musician and entertainer. One cannot discount the fact that talent aside, Elvis was also good looking, loaded with charisma and charm, possessed a good sense of humor, was kind and generous to others, and dare we say sexy? He also served in the U.S. Army. So you can add a uniform to the rest and there you have it – an all American heart throb! Music to His Wallet Depending on which Web site you visit, Elvis recorded anywhere between 600 and 800 songs. He did not write his own songs.
A Few That Got Away Elvis may be best known for his music, but he also starred in 33 films and made numerous television appearances. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, has had quite a bit of notoriety himself. He was thought to heavily control the star’s career and many potential deals fell apart because the Colonel felt the money offered wasn’t enough or the top billing was missing. Some major misses:
The Money Train It is rumored that Elvis died with about $5 million in the bank. Last year, the King earned $60 million in the year that would have been his 75th birthday. According to Forbes, he has been one of the highest earning dead celebrities of all time and continues to stay in the No. 1 or No. 2 spot year after year. Graceland in Memphis, Elvis’ home of 20 years, is one of the most visited homes in the U.S. today, next to the White House in Washington, D.C. Graceland Mansion has been on the National Register of Historic places since 1991 and has been a National Historic Landmark since 2006. The city of Memphis estimates that visitors to Graceland bring the city itself about $150 million in revenue each year. Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957 for $102,500. The house has 23 rooms on 13.7 acres of land. Currently, 85 percent of the Presley estate is owned by CKX Inc. and was previously owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, which was held by the Elvis Presley Trust, which was wholly owned by Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ daughter. Lisa Marie Presley now owns 15 percent of the estate, Graceland Mansion and the land it sits on, as well as an extensive amount of memorabilia from her father’s life. She and her mother, Priscilla Presley, continue to be involved in the “business.” Elvis is Alive! Have you seen Elvis at the grocery store? Has he come back to life as your dog, sister, brother, school teacher, lady next door? Run into him on the Internet? Was that Elvis as Santa Claus at Macy’s? Did he eat your homework? Don’t laugh – people really believe this. One of the biggest theories out there (see http://Elvis-is-alive.com) purports that Elvis is alive and well and working undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency. He’s doing this because he was (is?) against drugs and communism. According to this report, “Elvis was able to keep his involvement with the government, his public life and his private life completely separate but all the same. His involvement in bringing down drug dealers, and activities by the Mafioso, musicians and Hollywood actors came about as he performed and made public appearances as his family traveled and joined him most of the time. He was able to keep his activities with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and his involvement with the Federal Bureau of Investigations secret from his fans and family.” Note the quotation marks - we didn’t write this stuff. There is also an “Elvis is Alive Museum” in Wright City, Missouri and a Web site to go with it. This museum is in possession of a lab report indicating that the DNA of the alleged body of Elvis Presley is not Elvis. They also report that his life insurance was never collected and offer a lot of other evidence regarding what Elvis said and did before and after his death. For example, handwriting analysis “proves” that Elvis completed his own medical examiner’s report and made a list of his possessions. Many believe that Elvis faked his death so that he could go underground and live a quieter life. Maybe the reason so many folks think Elvis is alive is that there are so many Elvis impersonators out there. Impersonation Fascination No matter your looks, background, ethnicity, height or any other physical attribute, or singing talent for that matter, anyone can be an Elvis impersonator. Just dye your hair black, use plenty of gel to make that pompadour, don a jeweled white polyester jumpsuit and oversized aviator glasses and you are in business. And a business it is. Elvis impersonators make anywhere from $0 (they are in it just for the fun of it) to $10,000 (Las Vegas) per performance. There are thousands of impersonators and it’s hard to determine exactly how much money is being made off Elvis by impersonators and related businesses. Most cities, even the small ones, have impersonators ready to entertain at a wedding or any type of party or gathering. Notable Quotes About The King His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people. -Frank Sinatra At 9:15 Elvis appeared, materialized, in a white suit of lights, shining with golden appliqués, the shirt front slashed to show his chest. Around his shoulders was a cape lined in a cloth of gold, its collar faced with scarlet. It was anything you wanted to call it, gaudy, vulgar, magnificent. -New York Times He was as big as the whole country itself, as big as the whole dream. He just embodied the essence of it and he was in mortal combat with the thing. Nothing will ever take the place of that guy. -Bruce Springsteen Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn't been an Elvis, there wouldn't have been the Beatles. -John Lennon There you have it. Elvis remains to be a fascinating figure and many are reaping the benefit from it. Why the fascination? We really just don’t know for sure, or at least can’t pinpoint one reason, but as Huey Lewis put it: “A lot has been written and said about why he was so great, but I think the best way to appreciate his greatness is just to go back and play some of the old records. Time has a way of being very unkind to old records, but Elvis' keep getting better and better.” Issue 511 - 8/15/2011
WE DIDN'T COIN THE PHRASE, BUT SNIPPETZ SAYS SHOW ME THE MONEY! by Deborah Stumpf "The Congress shall have the Power . . . To Coin Money." (Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 8) Dough, moolah, greenbacks, bucks – whatever you call it, most of us feel like we never have enough of it. Money and things of a financial nature are complicated topics, those best left for economists, college professors and high school economics teachers. Few could argue that it’s really money that makes the world go ‘round and there’s a sense of comfort in knowing your wallet is bulging with the green. In the Beginning Before modern day currency, folks started with bartering for goods and services, using all forms of available plants and animals mostly. By about 1200 B.C., the Chinese began using the shells of mollusk’s, called cowrie shells, that became the first real currency. Cowrie shells were readily available in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and are still used in some areas within Africa. After the Stone Age, the Chinese began manufacturing cowries. They also developed some metal monies in the shape of round coins about this time. By 500 B.C., the country of Lydia (now Turkey) began making coins out of silver that were stamped with the likeness of gods and emperors. The Greeks, Persians and Macedonians quickly copied them, followed by the Romans. These coins were more valuable than Chinese coins, as they were made from precious metals rather than base metals. Leather was also used in China around 118 B.C. as a form of currency, a type of banknote. The first paper currency was started by the Chinese around the ninth century A.D. and used through the 15th century. Their production was so prolific that it eventually devalued the currency and the Chinese ceased production in 1455. Strings of white beads made out of clam shells were the earliest form of wampum used by North American Indians around 1535. Then There Was Gold England made gold its standard of value in 1816. Although the Brits had used printed banknotes for a couple hundred years before, this is the first time the banknotes represented and were tied to an existing amount of gold. The United States enacted their Gold Standard Act in 1900, which was the start of the central bank. The Depression of the 1930s was the end of the gold standard in the U.S., an action followed by the Brits soon after. In the Groove Quarters and dimes have grooves or ridges around the edges so that one cannot scrape off the precious metal and sell it illegally. The dime has 118 grooves and the quarter has 119. A Pricey Penny In 1943, during World War II, it became necessary to stop making pennies with copper and switch to steel because cooper was needed for communications equipment. The result was that the few 1943 copper-alloy pennies made in that year have become valuable to collectors. How valuable? In 1999, one was purchased at an auction for $112,500. There are estimated to be about 40 more of these in existence. When you break open your piggy bank, grab a magnet. If the magnet doesn’t pick up that 1943 penny, then you could be rich. Paper Money U.S. paper money is made from cotton fiber rather than wood fibers. The banknotes are manufactured by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, issued by the Federal Reserve. The Bureau prints 37 million bills a day using 18 tons of ink. The street value of this dough is about $700 million. Because people were hoarding their coins during the Civil War, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had to print paper notes in denominations of 3 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents and 50 cents. They were called greenbacks and were used to pay military personnel. Money is no longer printed in denominations of $500, $1,000 or $10,000. It’s All in a Name Everybody loves a nickname and currency has not been spared. The term “buck” is not only used for the U.S. dollar, but in other countries as well.
U.S. currency has many nicknames here and around the world:
No Room for Clean Freaks Bacteria, such as that found in fecal matter for example, are found in 42 percent of paper money and 13 percent of coins. That metallic odor left on your hands after handling coins does not signal the presence of any nasty germs. It is simply skin oil decomposing from touching iron. The nasty germs don’t have an odor. The Japanese have a handy ATM machine that heat presses each bill at a high temperature before dispensing it in order to eliminate germs. Laundering Money in Washington In the early 1900s, folks could ship their dirty money off to Washington, D.C. where the government would wash and iron it and then reissue the bills. Wasteful spending…or not? It’s nice to know that there is still good customer service available in Washington. If your paper money is falling apart and you can present at least 51 percent of the mutilated bill, the Office of Currency and Standards in D.C. will replace that money. Where Does The Money Go? Ever wonder where your money goes? We don’t mean what you spend your money on, but where the physical dollar bills go. If you’ve ever seen a dollar bill with the handwritten note on it, “Wheresgeorge.com,” that’s a tracking site where you can log on, enter the number of that bill and find out where it’s been. You can also start tracking any dollar bill of your choosing. Another site with similar features is trackdollarbills.com. More Money Snippetz
Issue 512 - 8/22/2011
SNIPPETZ NEARLY BLOWS OUR TOP OVER VESUVIUS DAY by Deborah Stumpf 
“Volcanoes are one way Earth gives birth to itself.”
- Robert Gross Aug. 24 is Vesuvius Day. It’s not a holiday or the birthday of a saint or the celebration of someone’s title. Vesuvius Day is a reminder that Mother Nature is powerful and always in control. In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted in southern Italy, spewing thick layers of volcanic ash and mud, burying cities and thousands of people under a mass of black caked soot. The eruption was one of the largest volcanic explosions in history. No one suspected the area’s vulnerability to a volcano; and no one was prepared for the devastation that resulted from the Mount Vesuvius eruption. During the early Roman Empire, the city of Pompeii thrived; it was densely populated with more than 20,000 people – many of whom were merchants and farmers drawn to the area because of its rich soil. The nearby town of Herculaneum – with a steady population of 5,000 – was known for decadence and grandiosity, including gambling. The town attracted hordes of rich Romans seeking a summer retreat that offered Las-Vegas-style amenities. Buried About noon on Aug. 24, Mount Vesuvius exploded – the volcano spat clouds of ash and pumice stones, up to 3 inches in diameter, and bled lava for the next 12 hours over Pompeii. Many people fled but more than 2,000 unsuspecting people remained, hoping to ride out the eruption. According to historical accounts, a westerly wind initially spared the town of Herculaneum. But when a huge cloud of hot ash and gas shot out of the western side of Vesuvius, the city and all of the people in it at the time were burned or asphyxiated, then buried by volcanic rock and mud. On Aug. 25, a mass of toxic gas poured into Pompeii, killing all of the people who remained there. The flow of rock and ash that followed buried them and all of the buildings. The Mount Vesuvius explosion destroyed the nearby town of Stabiae, another bustling resort town in the volcano’s path. Witnesses who wrote about the eruption said it lasted 18 hours and buried Pompeii under almost 17 feet of ash and pumice rock. More than 60 feet of mud and material blanketed Herculaneum. The death toll was finalized at 3,360 people. In 1631, Mount Vesuvius erupted again – equaling the devastation of the first eruption but surpassing the death toll. That volcano eruption led to 3,500 deaths. Mount Vesuvius last erupted in 1944 and is the only active volcano on the European mainland. Preserved artifacts In 1748, a farmer found bits and pieces of Pompeii under his vineyard. The remains of about 2,000 men, women and children were found – their bodies somewhat preserved by hardened ash. As their bodies decomposed, the plaster molds of ash outlined the human body. In 1927, the Italians excavated much of Herculaneum. Among the finds were treasures of art, including marble statues and paintings. In 1982, the first of human remains were discovered in Herculaneum. The skeletal remains still had the burn marks that led to their death. Vesuvius, the American village The Mount Vesuvius volcano became the namesake for a variety of sites and one company in a small area of Virginia. In northeastern Rockbridge County in Virginia, early settlers built an iron furnace to produce cast iron “parts” made from ore mined nearby. They called the furnace the Vesuvius Furnace. The Vesuvius Foundry was built in 1843, near the Vesuvius Furnace. The foundry was a manufacturing plant for farm and other equipment, but it ceased operations in 1958. The operation couldn’t keep up with advances in manufacturing, but most of the old buildings remain. The Vesuvius Furnace had stopped operating years before – in 1854. There also was the Vesuvius Mine – known for manganese. It was operated by the Vesuvius Manganese Corp. In 1882, the Shenandoah Valley Railroad extended through the area of the Vesuvius Furnace and the Vesuvius Foundry. Of course, the new railroad station, which became a bustling area for the shipping industry, was named Vesuvius. Although the railroad is no longer a stop in the area, Vesuvius is still a modern-day village, with a bit of America’s history preserved. The area is a popular destination for history buffs, fishing enthusiasts and hunters. Every year in the fall, Vesuvius residents celebrate their historic town on Vesuvius Heritage Day. The town of Vesuvius isn’t near a volcano, but the United States has its share of them. America’s Deadliest Volcanoes From least to most (The information is from May 2010: National Geographic.)
Volcano Snippetz
Issue 513 - 8/29/2011
SNIPPETZ GIVES A HOWLING SALUTE TO DOGS TO THE RESCUE by Deborah Stumpf 
"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
- Gilda Radner Dogs have been servicing man as far back as 300 B.C. One of the first dogs to aid man did so by playing detective. When King Pyrrhus of Ancient Greece passed by the body of a murdered slave and his dog, which witnessed the murder; he ordered his men to bury the slave and bring the dog to him. The dog accepted the king as his new master and became a constant companion to him. One day, the king was inspecting his troops with his dog by his side. As the soldiers marched by, the dog recognized two of them and viciously attacked them. The two soldiers, fearing the dog would kill them, confessed to killing the slave. By the fifth century B.C., dogs were used to guard settlements and control slaves. Dogs also became war dogs, deployed as the first line of attack. The Seeing Eye Dog Dorothy Harrison Eustis, a wealthy American woman and dog lover, had been living in Switzerland at the end of World War I. She was impressed with the relationship between blind German veterans and the German shepherd “service” dogs, all trained at a German school. Eustis wrote an article about the dogs’ capabilities for the Saturday Evening Post. In her article, she offered to work with one blind American at her kennel in Switzerland. Hundreds responded to her request, and Eustis chose Morris Frank, a 19-year-old male, because he had a drive to be independent and was willing to help establish a guide dog training program in the U.S. Frank went to Switzerland and, under Eustis’ guidance, worked with a female German shepherd named Buddy. When his training was completed, he returned to the U.S. and publicly touted the advantages of working with a guide dog. Eustis and Frank gained public support for the guide dog in the U.S.; and, in 1929, they founded The Seeing Eye organization.
Dogs Helping the Immobile In 1975, Bonita Bergin, with a doctorate in education, launched the first program in the U.S. to train and place service dogs to assist humans with mobility-related issues – Canine Companions for Independence. With CCI, Bergin developed important concepts involving service dog selection. Low arousal, low predation and low initiative were among the positive traits, which she coined “unobtrusive helpmate.” Bergin was also the founding president of Assistance Dogs International and helped create the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations regarding service dogs. In 1991, Bergin left CCI and founded the Assistance Dog Institute, where students are educated on training service dogs and developing service programs. The institute, which is now called the Bergin University of Canine Studies, has since been the world’s first university to award associate, bachelor and master’s degrees in dog studies. In 2001, Bergin received Oprah Winfrey’s “Use Your Life” award for developing a program where at-risk teenagers trained animal shelter dogs and later service dogs. She has received numerous other awards, including the “Presidential Points of Light Award” under George W. Bush. People with a range of disabilities, from Cerebral Palsy to Parkinson’s disease to Multiple Sclerosis to spinal injuries greatly benefit from having a service dog. Mobility dogs aid wheelchair users by retrieving dropped items, turning light switches on and off, opening and closing doors, refrigerators, etc. They also help with their human’s transfer from the wheelchair. Hearing Dogs Training dogs to assist hearing impaired people has its roots in Denver. Sally Terroux of Denver was the first person to be federally recognized for training hearing dogs. Hearing dogs alert deaf or hard-of-hearing persons by answering doorbells and signaling timers, smoke alarms, horns, emergency vehicles, crying babies and so on. Other service dog programs have identified specific traits of dogs that match with its owner’s disability; however, there has been no gene that makes one dog or another better as a hearing dog. Thus, shelter and rescue dogs have been given second chances as trained hearing dogs. Dogs and Seizures Fifteen percent of all dogs are by nature able to predict seizures in humans before they occur. The alerts happen from 10 to 20 minutes prior to the seizure, which gives the person time to call for help, take medication or move to a safe place. Although it’s not certain how dogs can predict seizures, some theories point to a dog’s keen sense of smell, such as detecting a change in a person’s biochemistry; or the ability to detect motor changes that can’t be seen by the human eye. Their training is highly specialized, as it could take a dog with this innate ability up to six months living with a seizure-prone individual to begin predicting the seizures. Other seizure dogs perform tasks for their human during or following a seizure. Some dogs roll a person to a position that opens the airway; some clear the person’s mouth, operate a call button or use a K-9 phone. Man’s Best Friend Spending time with a dog is a boon to one’s health – physical and mental. There are psychiatric and emotional/therapy dogs, too, but the latter do not have the federally regulated privileges of traveling in the passenger sections of planes or accompanying his human partner to a restaurant. Emotional/therapy dogs are widely used to visit hospitals, nursing homes and other institutional settings, but they are not service dogs. A psychiatric service dog provides assistance to people with debilitating mental illnesses. Service Dog Heroes – their stories
Issue 514 - 9/5/2011
SNIPPETZ EXAMINES COMIC BOOKS: BIG MONEY IT'S NO LAUGHING MATTER! by Deborah Stumpf 
“Comics are the rock ‘n’ roll of literature.”
- David Mack Comic books have been around since the 1800s, most of them culled from comic book strips or newspaper editorial cartoons. The latter originated in 1754, with Benjamin Franklin as the author. Franklin’s editorial cartoon was an illustration of a snake with a severed head, with the printed words “Join, or Die.” The cartoon was published in an American newspaper to persuade colonies to join what eventually became the U.S. Before the comic strip itself became popular, comical caricatures were introduced in a German newspaper in 1859. Wilhelm Bush, a German poet and artist, created “Max and Mortiz,” which became a big hit. The Strip and Book Richard Outcault is credited as the originator of the modern-day comic strip. Outcault was the first artist to use the “balloon” dialogue box. In the late 1890s, he went to work for Joseph Pulitzer’s “New York World.” In 1895, Pulitzer debuted Outcault’s comic strips in color in a single-panel cartoon on the front page, calling it “Hogan’s Alley.” The setting of the cartoon was a fictional slum, featuring a soon-to-be famous character, “The Yellow Kid.” In 1896, Outcault left the “World” for William Randolph Hearst’s “New York Journal.” The defection spawned a lawsuit that resulted in the breakup of Hogan’s Alley and The Yellow Kid. The judge ruled that the “World” would retain the rights to Hogan’s Alley and the “Journal” became the owner of The Yellow Kid. In 1902, Outcault conceived “Buster Brown,” a cartoon strip featuring a mischievous boy and his dog, Tige. It became so popular that a shoe company bought the rights to the name. Buster Brown shoes were as popular as its namesake. Swiss artist Rudolphe Topffer created the first-ever comic book, “The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck,” which was published in 1837. In many circles, he is also considered the first to write a comic strip. Topffer’s comic book was published throughout Europe before coming to the United States in 1842. The American version of the book contained six to 12 panels per page; 40 pages in all side-stitched in a booklet that measured 8 ½ by 11 inches. Instead of the “bubble or balloon” dialogue box, Topffer placed the text beneath the characters to make it easier for the reader to move forward with the stories. The plot of The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck centered on a playful bachelor and his comical attempts to engage a rather homely young woman. Comic Books as Good as Gold! Comic books have appealed to young and old alike for centuries, but they’ve also caught the eye of collectors. The value of some comic books as media memorabilia is astronomical. On March 29, 2010, a “New York Daily News” article cited the 10 most valuable comic books. Comic book issues from least to most valuable: Amazing Fantasy, No. 15 Value: $280,000 When Spider-Man debuted on the cover of Amazing Fantasy in August 1960, the comic book was on the chopping block. But Spider Man saved the day. Sales soared, and a new comic book was launched: The Amazing Spider-Man. Flash Comics, No. 1 Value: $289,000 The first issue of Flash Comics, published in 1940, brought Flash and Hawkman to the forefront of comic book characters. More Fun Comics, No. 52 Value: $316,000 More Fun Comics had a short run, from 1935 to 1947. In issue No. 52 “The Spectre” was introduced. Batman, No. 1 Value: $359,000 The Detective Comic Series brought life to Batman, but he was first introduced in 1940, along with Robin, in the comic book, Batman. Marvel Comics, No. 1 Value: $367,000 Marvel Comics, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co., features popular figures like Iron Man, X-Men, Wolverine, etc. Detective Comics, No. 1 Value: $405,000 The first issue of the Detective Comics series launched in 1937; the series made Superman and Batman renowned super heroes. All-American Comics, No. 16 Value: $430,000 Green Lantern was introduced in the 16th issue of All-American Comics. Superman, No. 1 Value: $671,000 This was the first comic book specifically dedicated to Superman. Detective Comics, No. 27 Value: $1,380,000 The 27th issue of Detective Comics debuted Batman – it went on the stands in 1939 for 10 cents. Action Comics, No. 1 Value: $1,500,000 Superman was first introduced in Action Comics. The comic book series began in 1938 and has been called “the Holy Grail” of comic books. Trading comic books is big business, especially online. E-bay has one page on Google just dedicated to how to sell comic books online. The Comic Book Enemy When something new is introduced to the world, it’s a sure bet that a naysayer will come out of the closet. One of the most famous enemies of comic books was Fredric Wertham, a child psychiatrist and the author of “Seduction of the Innocent.” In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Wertham blamed comic books for juvenile delinquency and sexual deviance. He believed that comic books ruined a child’s ability to appreciate fine art later in life. He said Shakespeare couldn’t compete after kids had a taste of blood and gore. In the eyes of Wertham, some of the best-known and beloved comic book characters were misrepresented and couldn’t be trusted. He referenced Superman in the same breath with Nazi Germany. At the time, the comic book medium was selling between 80 and 100 million copies in a myriad of genres each week, but Wertham had a following. Religious and patriotic/political groups organized comic-book burnings. Politicians held congressional hearings. William Gaines, owner of EC Comics and publisher of the satirical comic book/magazine, ‘Mad,” had to testify before the hearings; where he was grilled like a criminal. The comic book industry significantly declined as a result of the moral dousing. Many publishers and cartoonists left the comic book field; others were highly restricted. David Hajdu wrote a book about the fallout. In “The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How it Changed America,” Hadju referred to the comic-book crackdown as a precursor to moral issues that would someday plague rock ‘n roll and video games. The Other Side Charles Marston, who wrote under the pen name Charles Moulton, was a champion of comic books. Marston, a psychiatrist, created the first widely read female comic book heroine, Wonder Woman, who was a wayward princess trying to defeat the Axis Powers while seeking romance (unconventional romance, according to Wertham’s writings). Marston believed comic books were a boon to get kids to read and an avenue to spread the notion of feminism. Although Marston advocated for the feminist movement; some women might have questioned his sincerity, as his personal life unfolded. When he graduated from Harvard in 1915, Marston married Elizabeth Holloway, who later earned a law degree. In the late 1920s, Marston met a graduate student while teaching at Tufts University. The student, Olive Richard, moved in with Marston and his wife. Marston had two children with each woman, and his wife formally adopted his children with Richard. When they were adults, Marston’s children said the non-traditional arrangement worked. They were one big, happy family. Big, Happy Sales The comic book industry is one big, happy family as well, with sales in 2010 between $640 and $680 million. In June this year, Diamond Comic Distributors estimated the top five comic books sold more than $400,000. The Ultimate Spider Man, Fear Itself, Flashpoint, Avengers and FF were ranked the top five. Wertham is probably rolling over in his grave. Issue 515 - 9/12/2011
SNIPPETZ LOOKS AT CRIMINALS WITH ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT by Deborah Stumpf 
“The crime problem in New York is getting really serious. The other day the Statue of Liberty had both hands up.”
- Jay Leno About 6 percent of all criminals in the United States commit 70 percent of all violent crimes, which means 94 percent are involved in non-violent crimes, including bonehead schemes. Some criminals get away with their crime; some get arrested; and some become fodder for late-night comedians – or community newspapers. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law – or in a comedy club. Half-wit, dimly lit criminals are everywhere. Clowning Around • Frank Salvador Solorza, age 46, of Redwood City, Calif., came up with this moronic idea to extort money from his cousins. Solorza, posing as a federal immigration agent, sent letters to six cousins, accusing them of lying on their applications for permanent residency in the U.S. The letters also included this: “For $50,000, your papers will be good forever.” He instructed one cousin to meet him with the money gathered from all cousins. Solorza said the money should be handed to a man in a clown suit riding a bicycle. Solorza appeared as such: on a child’s bicycle dressed in a clown suit, a glittery wig and a pirate’s hat. When police arrested him, Solorza had the cell phone he used to call his cousin and a receipt from a costume store. http://thisistrue.com • In August, two robbers dressed in clown garb went into a jewelry store – Sonny’s Rocks – in Denver with their guns drawn. After they made customers and employees lie face down on the ground, the robbers broke into the jewelry cases and stole the goods. However, the robbers had no idea that all of the jewelry on display was fake. A couple from Aurora, Colo., was arrested in Utah but police had not officially linked them to the Denver crime. The police found diamond rings in their car – real ones, worth about $400,000. Dumb and Dumber
Dumbest In Wichita, Kan., Zachera McGrew, age 23, discovered that his car speakers had been stolen. Certain he knew the culprit; McGrew drove to a nearby neighborhood with two friends to confront the alleged thief, a teenage boy. When he arrived, McGrew jumped out of his car and demanded that the boy get in the car and take him to his speakers. The teenager refused, so McGrew drew his handgun (a stolen weapon that he had received in trade for his pit bull). The teenager ran, and McGrew fired a couple of shots at him. When the kid was nowhere in sight, McGrew slid his gun back into his waistband and accidentally squeezed the trigger, hitting his left testicle. Perhaps he was a bit disoriented from the pain, but McGrew pulled the trigger again, sending a bullet to his left calf. His friends drove him to the hospital. The police were called, and McGrew told the officers he had been shot by a stranger. He eventually confessed the truth to his embarrassment, which didn’t stop there. McGrew was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, but the press had a field day with the headlines. MSNBC, for example, published this headline on their Web site: Nobody move or the one on the right gets it, too. Worst Escapes • Bonnie and Clyde they are not. Roy and Jessica Fritts of Utah met through a prison pen-pal site and were married in prison. Roy, age 33, was serving 10 years for the attempted murder of a police officer, and his 35-year-old bride was in for bank robbery. After each was paroled, they reunited on the outside and decided to go to Nevada. Roy failed to report to his parole officer and also didn’t mention the car he was planning to steal. When a charitable man picked them up as they were hitchhiking, the Fritts shot the driver, dumped him on the road and took off in his van. The man survived and gave the police a description of the infamous couple and the van. Police caught up with them, but the Fritts tried to outrun the police car. A van and a squad car in chase is like a race between a tortoise and a hare. The cops were able to get ahead and place stop sticks across the road, which blew out the Fritts’ tires. The Fritts didn’t stop there. They took off on foot and discovered an older man nearby standing in his driveway. The ingenious couple stole his car but didn’t get too far. Neither Roy nor Jessica knew how to drive a stick shift. They ended up stalling the engine a few times before police surrounded them. • Police in Southside, Ala., were called to a home when neighbors complained of loud noise. When the cops arrived, they found a bunch of teenagers engaged in underage drinking and other shenanigans. Andrew Hank Stabler, age 18, decided to run. The police, however, caught him and put him in handcuffs. When Stabler begged the police to loosen the “tight” cuffs, one cop obliged. Stabler took off running again; and, still in handcuffs, he jumped into a river. It’s difficult to swim in river currents but especially tough with your hands cuffed. As Stabler went under, a police officer rescued him. He was booked for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, escaping and swimming under the influence of alcohol – and handcuffs. No … really
Will the Real Lamebrains Stand Up? In Oakland, Calif., police officers spent two hours attempting to lure a gunman out of his home, after he had barricaded himself inside. The officers fired 10 tear gas canisters but soon discovered that the gunman was standing beside them in the police line shouting, “Please come out and give yourself up.” You have the right to remain silent – and please remain home when it’s time to vote. Issue 516 - 9/19/2011
SNIPPETZ LOVES THIS TIME OF YEAR: ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? by Deborah Stumpf 
“I've experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I think to really appreciate anything you have to be at both ends of the spectrum.”
- John Elway This summer, football season looked a bit iffy, as negotiations between players and owners failed several times during the National Football League lockout. However, the NFL and the players finally scored a win-win just weeks before pre-season began. So … are you ready for some football? Fall is the season when Aspens turn a glittery golden; when the first snow of the season is looming; and when diehard football fans come to life. The Spectators Until Feb. 8, 2010, the last episode (1983) of the acclaimed television series “M-A-S-H” was in the U.S. history books as the most-watched T.V. program of all time. But New Orleans’ 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the 2010 Super Bowl downed the “M-A-S-H” record, generating even more viewers – about 106.5 million. In 2011, Super Bowl XLV – pitting New Orleans against the Green Bay Packers – raised the bar, with viewership at 111 million. In 2010, an average of 17.9 million people watched each game during the football season. It’s a coin toss between football and baseball as America’s most popular sport, but many polls have football on top. Women Make a Pass And save a space on the couch or bar stool for the ardent female fan. In the old days, football fans were predominantly male – their wives or girlfriends referred to as “football widows.” But into the 60s and 70s, women found themselves in the middle of the huddle, as their roles evolved from the sidelines to the grid iron. More than 375,000 women attend professional football games each weekend; more than 45 million watch football games on television. Women are not only watching football, they’re also playing. The Women’s Professional Football League is the original league for women’s professional football in the U.S. The WPFL sponsored its first game in 1999, with just two teams: the Lake Michigan Minx and the Minnesota Vixens. Other pro football leagues followed, and just this year, the Women’s Football Alliance was formed to bring teams from coast to coast (and Mexico) under the same umbrella. The WFA now has 62 teams. The other prominent league is the Independent Women’s Football League, with more than 41 teams across the U.S. that include more than 1,600 players. From the Washington D.C. Divas (WFA) to the Southern California Breakers (IWFL), women have donned helmets and shoulder pads and have played much like their male counterparts – full-contact football with NFL rules, except most of their games are played in the spring. While women continue to touch down on the football field, men have been dominating the sport for years. From the greats like the Denver Broncos’ John Elway to the … well, who cares about the rest, right? From the Hall of Fame to the Hall of Shame, football has had its moments. You’ve Gotta Laugh
A Bit of Football Snippetz
Locker Room Talk Sometimes, players and coaches put their “foot (ball)” in their mouth.
Lombardi Talk The Super Bowl trophy is named after iconic coach Vince Lombardi. The son of Italian immigrants, Lombardi became head coach and manager of the Green Bay Packers in 1959. He never had a losing season and later propelled the Washington Redskins to a winning team as well. Lombardi loved football and football loved him. He died at age 57 of intestinal cancer, but his indelible quotes live on. “Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness and respect for authority is the price that each and every one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” - Vince Lombardi Issue 517 - 9/26/2011
SNIPPETZ TAKES A SURVEY: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE GALLUP POLL? by Deborah Stumpf "If democracy is supposed to be based on the will of the people, then somebody should go out and find out what that will is." - George Gallup Whether you’re a believer in “the polls” or not, the Gallup Poll is inarguably the most respected in the country and likely the world. We can’t seem to get through a newspaper or a television news program that doesn’t cite the Gallup Poll and what people are thinking about most any topic, but mainly those of politics, economics, social issues and wellbeing. No subject is too controversial for a Gallup Poll and the company conducts 1,000 interviews by telephone each day. The Gallup Organization has four divisions: Gallop Poll, Gallup Press, Gallup Consulting and Gallup University. The company’s corporate offices are based in Washington, D.C. and operational headquarters are in Omaha, Neb. George Gallup George Gallup, founder of the Gallop Poll, was born in 1901 in Iowa. He studied at the University of Iowa and his dissertation for his Ph.D. in Psychology was called “An Objective Method for Determining Reader Interest in the Content of a Newspaper.” He used scientific methods to defend his thesis and continued to use scientific methods to pursue his passion of listening to people and studying their opinions. In 1932, Raymond Rubicam lured Gallup to New York to head the start up of the first ever research department within an advertising agency at Young & Rubicam. Here Gallup continued to hone his sharp research skills. Gallup was a man of integrity. He accepted no paid polling by any special interest group including any political party. These values are still ingrained in the organization today and undoubtedly are keys to its credibility and success of the Gallup Organization. The Defining Poll Gallup founded the American Institute of Public Opinion in 1935. His first public opinion poll asked “Do you think expenditures by the government for relief and recovery are too little, too great or about right?” The results were published in his syndicated column, America Speaks: 60 percent said “too great,” 31 percent said “about right” and 9 percent said “too little.” Some things never change. Gallup became the name on the research map when he successfully predicted Franklin Roosevelt’s defeat of Alfred Landon in the 1936 U.S. presidential election. “Literary Digest,” the respected poll at that time, had predicted Landon would walk away with a landslide win. Only a Few Misses The Gallup Poll has enjoyed tremendous success when it comes to predicting U.S. presidential elections, but is not without blunders entirely. Gallup, as did other pollsters, predicted Thomas Dewey the winner of the 1948 election. However, Harry S. Truman caused an upset that year. Gallup and other polling organizations stopped polling weeks prior to the election, neglecting to factor in the third-party voters who would ally with Truman at the polls. Undaunted by this failure, Gallop said: “As long as public opinion is important in this country, and until someone finds a better way of appraising it – I intend to go right ahead with the task of reporting the opinions of the people on issues vital to their welfare.” In 1976, the Gallop Poll predicted Gerald Ford would win by at least a slim margin. Jimmy Carter had other plans, toppling Ford by a small margin. After the fact, the size of the margin means nothing. Who Gets the Call? The Gallup Poll started by using a surveying format based on sampling the “man in the street” and canvassing door-to-door. Today, methods are more sophisticated and conducted via telephone. Simply stated, based on laws of statistics that say a random sampling of a certain amount of people or things can represent the whole of a population, Gallup uses telephone samples referred to as directory-assisted random-digit-dial (RDD) telephone numbers. A computer randomly generates the numbers, both listed and unlisted, for calling. The caller will ask the respondent to speak with the person in the house who is over the age of 18 and has had the most recent birthday. Typical sample size is 1,000 respondents and the data obtained is then broken down into subgroups for analysis. About 350,000 calls are made per year, representing more than 105 million households in the U.S. Although the number in each sample is small relative to the size of the whole population, the Gallup methods of analysis ensures that every adult is represented in the sample – race, gender, religion, etc. Each sample is also new so that everyone has an equal chance of being called upon to give an opinion every day. Gallop Goes Global In the late 1930s, Gallup reached out beyond America’s borders to begin the Gallup International Research Institute, an organization that polled people around the world about matters such as capitalism, religion, world hunger, the atomic bomb and more. Worldwide polls continue to be conducted today in 140 countries. Questions asked include a core group and then regional depending on the citizens’ locations. Core Sampling A variety of core questions are asked in subject areas to include business and economics, citizen engagement, education and families, food and shelter, environment and energy, government and politics, communications and technology, religion and ethics, law and order, health, social issues, work and wellbeing. A small sample:
Specific for Asia: • How do you get to the closest main road most of the time? • Do you think the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan poses a threat to this country, or not? • Do you think India is doing enough to control cross-border terrorism? • Some people have also had discussions about the rights that should be guaranteed to women. Please tell me whether or not you generally agree with the following, or not. Women should have the right to initiate a divorce. Specific for Former Soviet Countries: • Do you think the Soviet-era registration system is advantageous, changes nothing, or is harmful for citizens of other regions? • What influence should religion have on the political decisions in the country? • Do you think begging for money is morally acceptable, or morally wrong? • Do you think the level of corruption in this country is lower, about the same, or higher than it was in the Soviet Union days? Specific for Middle East and North Africa: • If someone wants to start a business in this country, can they trust their assets and property to be safe at all times? • Using a 5-point scale where 5 means strongly agree and 1 means strongly disagree, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? In the past year, I have learned something from someone of another religious faith. • In general, do you mostly agree or disagree with the following? Knowing people in high positions is critical to getting a job in this country. Not Just for Politics During the late 1930s, Gallup and David Ogilvy, the Gallup company’s then vice president, developed market research practices to study American movie-going habits. They polled everything from movie titles and story lines to casting. The Name Continues In 1958, Gallup organized all of his business endeavors into one, called The Gallup Organization. After he died in 1984, the company was sold to Selection Research Inc. in 1988. SRI was owned by psychologist Don Clifton. Gallup and wife Ophelia Smith Miller had two sons, Alec and George Gallup III, and daughter Julia Gallup Laughlin. Sons Alec and George were involved in the family business. Alec Gallup died in 1999 at the age of 81. Source: www.gallup.com Issue 518 - 10/3/2011
SNIPPETZ COULD EASILY ACQUIRE A HOBBIT OF READING JRR TOLKIEN By Megan Barrette 
JRR Tolkien is undoubtedly a timeless author who has written many famous fiction stories and poems complete with imaginary creatures and made-up languages which take readers into a made-up, yet believable, Middle-Earth.
The Life of JRR Tolkien John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born Jan. 3, 1892, in Bloemfontain, South Africa. His parents Arthur and Mabel Tolkien died when John was a child, leaving him and his younger brother to fend for themselves. John was sent to King Edward’s School and later attended Oxford where he studied linguistics and English literature. Soon after he received his degree, he married his childhood sweetheart Edith Bratt. Edith was three years older than John and the two had attended King Edward’s School together. John’s mentor at King Edward’s School thought Edith was too much of a distraction and John was not allowed to speak to or see her until he turned 21. John wrote her on midnight of his 21st birthday and convinced her to marry him. Obviously his letters proved effective and the two were married and had four children together. During his time at Oxford, John began experimenting with a language of his own, which was a stepping stone for his imaginary world that he would come to call Middle-Earth. After he received his degree, he took a teaching position at his alma mater. He began writing a mythology of an imaginary world that he called “Middle-Earth.” Throughout this process, “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” were born. John continued writing, citing his children as his ultimate inspiration, until he died on Sept. 2, 1973. Many of JRR Tolkien’s books were published posthumously after they were discovered by his son. One of his most famous works, “Silmarillion,” was among the works discovered after his death. The Hobbit The Hobbit was JRR Tolkien’s first work of published fiction. The story was a coming-of-age fantasy about a small man-like creature that joins in a quest to retrieve a dragon’s treasure. The story featured illustrations drawn by Tolkien himself. “The Hobbit” was so popular that the publisher asked for Tolkien to write a sequel. Seventeen years later, “The Lord of the Rings” was published. According to JRR Tolkien, he created a hobbit while grading school papers. “On a blank leaf I scrawled: in a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. I did not and do not know why.” Hobbits call themselves hobbits. There was so much debate over whether or not the hobbit was an original idea thought up by JRR Tolkien that the Oxford English Dictionary stepped in and credited Tolkien with the creation of a hobbit by giving it an official definition. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a hobbit as: “one of an imaginary race of half-sized persons in stories by Tolkien.” Hobbit Coming Soon To a Theater Near You Keeping with the current trend of turning great books into high-budget films, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is set to release in theaters Dec. 14, 2012. “The Hobbit” will star Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood. The movie features protagonist Bilbo Baggins as he journeys to the Lonely Mountain in an attempt to reclaim treasure taken by a dragon named Smaug. A Home Fit for a Hobbit Many people are so fascinated with hobbits that they make it their livelihood to eat, breath and live hobbit culture. In fact, there are many people around the world that choose to live like hobbits - in a hole. There is a quaint house located in Montana that caters to hobbit lovers from around the country. A two-room large guest house provides guests with a unique vacation experience. Hobbit house guests are greeted with furry slippers and robes as soon as they arrive to make their stay one they won’t soon forget. Who says you can’t build a house these days without breaking the bank? Not Simon Dale. A young father in England built a house for 3,000 Euros ($4,047 American dollars) in order to reduce his impact on the Earth and pay homage to JRR Tolkien himself. The man was neither a carpenter nor an architect but with the help of family and friends he created a house that would make Tolkien and hobbits all over the Middle-Earth proud. The house boasts one bedroom, a loft, a hobbit-sized living room and a kitchen. JRR Tolkien, although a fan of the hobbits himself, did not live in a hobbit-type home. Fame and fortune was never Tolkien’s goal. Tolkien preferred to live modestly among the middle class, writing in peace and quiet. Lord of the Rings: More Than Just a Book If you are unaware that JRR Tolkien’s literary work of genius, “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,” has been made into three award-winning movies, then you must be living under a rock… or be cut off from modern society. The books have inspired more than just movies, which have impacted popular culture in many ways.
Famous JRR Tolkien Quotes
Tolkien Snippetz
Happy belated birthday, Bilbo Baggins (and nephew Frodo)! Sept. 22 is recognized by Hobbit fans everywhere as “Hobbit Day.” Break out the wine and mushrooms, a Hobbit’s favorite treat, and celebrate in style! Issue 519 - 10/10/2011
SNIPPETZ ASKS: CAN YOU TELL US HOW TO GET TO SESAME STREET? By Megan Barrette Sunny day, sweepin’ the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet, can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street? If you were ever a child or have a child of your own (and let’s face it… that’s everyone), then chances are you know this song belongs to the interactive child-friendly TV show, Sesame Street! The 42nd season of Sesame Street premiered Monday, September 26th on PBS. In an effort to encourage school readiness among preschoolers, the new season of Sesame Street will focus on a STEM curriculum. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. Sesame Street is choosing to focus especially on science and math, areas where U.S. students are falling behind. New segments will include: Murray’s Science Experiments; Super Grover 2.0 stories and Abby’s Flying Fairy School animations. The Sesame Workshop The Sesame Workshop is the non-profit organization behind the hit show, Sesame Street. The Sesame Workshop strives to make a difference in the lives of children around the world by focusing on their developmental needs. The Sesame Workshop provides educational experiences for children by presenting them in interactive and engaging ways, such as television, books, radio and community programs. The Sesame Workshop was founded 38 years ago under the name “Children’s Television Workshop.” The founders were comprised of psychologists, researchers, educations, artists, writers and child development experts who shared a common goal of making learning a fun experience through the use of television. The group’s leaders strived to incorporate educational material into children’s programming that would reach disadvantaged youth. Through this collaboration and effort, Sesame Street was born. Research is the driving force behind the foundation. Current research keeps Sesame Street relevant and targeted to children’s needs while keeping preschoolers interested and engaged. Famous Guests Many famous celebrities have made an appearance on Sesame Street throughout the years. Although the children watching the show might not know what the person visiting Sesame Street is famous for, their parents and caretakers do. The addition of celebrities to Sesame Street adds appeal for moms and dads who watch the show with their children. The guest list of who’s who on Sesame Street is quite extensive, with over 500 celebrities making an appearance. Some famous men and women who have visited include:
Not only does Sesame Street have plenty of famous guests each season, but it also features plenty of pop culture spoofs and parodies. In this season, the show depicts “Glee” in a child-friendly way. In “G,” the G-club sings all about the different sounds the letter “G” makes as they prepare to go to G-gionals. Sesame Street also has a segment called “The Heaviest Catch,” similar to “The Deadliest Catch,” in which fisherman work to reel in the heaviest catch, teaching children about comparing weight and size. A Justin Beiber-like character sings with Elmo about measuring objects to the tune of his hit song “Never Say Never.” The Evolution of Characters Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppet characters, was so influential in the planning process of Sesame Street that the show’s creators decided that if he wouldn’t get on board with the idea that they would have to do without the puppets while just using human actors. It’s a good thing that Jim Henson liked the idea of Sesame Street… can you imagine the show without the loveable Muppets? Cookie Monster was originally drawn by Jim Henson for a General Foods commercial in 1966. The commercial was never used but one of the monsters was used in an IBM training video in 1967 and appeared in a Fritos commercial in 1969. At this time, Jim Henson had started working on characters for Sesame Street and decided that this messy, cookie-loving monster would move in. Elmo was originally just an extra red puppet lying around. Show producers and writers often tried to fit him in the show, but nothing seemed just right. Finally, in 1984, puppeteer Kevin Clash picked up the puppet and started doing the voice. The rest was history. Many people think Bert and Ernie were named for characters from “It's A Wonderful Life,” but according to Jim Henson, that is merely a rumor. Jim Henson always said that it was just a coincidence and that the names went well together. Jerry Juhl, one of the head writers for Sesame Street, said that Jim Henson had no memory for details like that and would have never remembered the name of the police officer and cab driver from the movie. The cute furry monster named Grover appeared on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1967. When he appeared on the first season of Sesame Street he had green fur, an orange nose, and was nameless. At the beginning of the second season, he appeared as the Grover we know today with blue fur and a pink nose. Fun Snippetz
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