And I'm proud to be an American,
                       where at least I know I'm free.
                       And I won't forget the men who died,
                       who gave that right to me.
                                                                        - Lee Greenwood
 
Good Morning and welcome to today’s patriotic edition of INSPIRATIONAL TIDBITS.  It’s Memorial Day Weekend that’s coming up already - another opportunity to remember & reflect on those who have made great sacrifice for our country and each one of us.  No funny business today (well, maybe just a little), but some great quotes from some folks who obviously “get it”.
 
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." – Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote"  - Benjamin Franklin
“Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong”  - Calvin Coolidge
 
"People say I am ruthless. I am not ruthless. And if I find the man who is calling me ruthless, I shall destroy him."  - Robert F. Kennedy
 
“We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home”  - Edward R. Murrow
 
Here’s one for today’s uncertain times:
 
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom”  - General George S. Patton
 
And that little bit of levity that was promised:
 
"A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works" - Bill Vaughan
 
Feeling un-squeezed (or is it un-squozen) lately?  I have just the answer for you – the BRAINSQUEEZERS.  Today they’re all organic – no artificial ingredients and so good for you.
 
1.  Which of these has the lowest population density, in people per square mile?  ( Australia; Canada; Saudi Arabia )
 
2.  Which of these has the highest population density, in people per square mile?  ( South Korea; The Netherlands; Hong Kong ) 
 
3.  A Tamarind is a type of ( hat; fruit; monkey )
 
4.  Which is considered to be the “lowest” form of citrus fruit?  ( Loquat; Kumquat; Pumello ) 
 
5.  At Big Tree Park in Longwood, Florida, the largest Bald Cypress tree (called “The Senator”) is approximately how old? ( 450 years; 1800 years; 3500 years ) 
 
TIEBREAKER:  Right this minute, about what percentage of Americans driving on US Interstate highways are speeding? Approximately
 
OBSCURE EXTRA BONUS QUESTION:  Which sport features a player called the “hooker”?  Rugby
 

A pretty close race today, and the tiebreaker was definitely in play.  Seems like Charley and Brian both got 4 right, but BRIAN guessed 86.7% to Charley’s 97.6275% on the TB to take the win.  Somebody in our midst actually thought that only 40% of the drivers out there are speeding – high answer was 98%.  Lacrosse, Hockey, Jai Alai, Cricket – all were guessed on the obscure question, but only Brian and Mike V got it right. One skunk on this rainy day in Paradise, woohoo woohoo.  Congrats to Brian (if you change the vowels, he’s “Brain”, which is fitting for today) – see you next week.

MJB