Cracker Barrel is in the News Again and This Time It’s the Food

Cracker Barrel is known for its signature comfort food dishes that taste homemade — as in fresh out of the oven. Quality is always a hallmark of a good restaurant chain, and recently Cracker Barrel has been under scrutiny for compromising on the quality that most expect from the chain. Employees at Cracker Barrel revealed online that the company has started to sell day-old meatloaf. As one of Cracker Barrel's staple menu items, this has led to widespread criticism……..again. In an effort to cut back on their resources and save some money, Cracker Barrel management advised employees to prepare the meatloaf the day before and then warm it up in the microwave before serving. This preparation affects the taste and texture of the meatloaf, which flies in the face of quality. Another menu item the company has also decided not to serve fresh are their biscuits, which are prepared the day before and reheated. Cracker Barrel’s new procedure has left a bad taste in its customers’ mouths, and that’s something the chain can’t afford right now.

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Why Do We Yawn?

Yawning is a common reflex in which you open your jaw wide, take a deep breath, and then quickly breathe out. It lasts 4-7 seconds and often happens when you’re waking up or falling asleep. Yawning begins in the womb as early as the 11th week of pregnancy and continues for a lifetime. When you yawn, a wetting agent known as a surfactant coats the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs, which helps keep them open. Although no one knows exactly why we yawn, new studies suggest that yawning may not always be a sign that you’re tired or bored, as most people believe. Interestingly, many people feel more relaxed after yawning. As for why you yawn, there are several reasons, including the need to equalize the pressure in your ears when flying, because you’re tired and your brain needs to be alert, because your brain needs cooling during exercising, and as a side effect of certain anti-anxiety medications. Yawning is usually not bothersome, except when it happens too frequently in a short time. Consider seeing a doctor if it bothers you or if sleep problems are causing you to yawn often.

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Dead Red Laws: States Where It’s Legal For Motorcycles to Run a Red Light

The most common traffic light detection system is the inductive loop sensor, which uses coils of wire under the pavement to detect vehicles entering its magnetic field. Unfortunately for motorcycles and cyclists, there's often not enough magnetic material in a bike to change the light. Consequently, motorcycles can end up sitting at an unchanging red light until the cows come home. To prevent an unending cycle on for motorcycles, many states have enacted "Dead Red" laws. These laws let motorcycles run red lights, but there’s a catch. Motorcycle riders aren't allowed to just speed through a red light whenever they want. Each state with a Dead Red law has specific language regarding proper Dead Red etiquette. If you happen to live in a state that has no Dead Red law, you’ll just have to get yourself a motorcycle with more metal.

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Secret Service Code Names For the Last 14 U.S. Presidents

It all started with Harry S. Truman in the mid-1940s. Since then, all presidents have been given (or selected) descriptive code names used by the Secret Service to provide a layer of anonymity when discussing the movements of the commander in chief. The process of selecting these code names is somewhat shrouded in mystery and the agency has never revealed the exact process, but a spokesperson once said the words are usually determined by “sheer whim.” So, who got what moniker?

Harry S. Truman: “General” — though not a military title he ever held, but perhaps reflects his leadership prowess.

Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Providence” — this echoed his reputation for being a guiding force of virtue and purpose for many Americans.

John F. Kennedy: “Lancer” — Lancelot, a legendary knight of King Arthur’s court, was the inspiration for the charismatic president’s code name. Following John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Kennedy administration’s nickname of “Camelot” was popularized by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, solidifying this romanticized vision of JFK’s presidency.

Lyndon B. Johnson: “Volunteer” — In 1941, when he was serving as a Texas Democrat in the House of Representatives, the U.S. entered World War II. In a move that likely inspired his nickname, Johnson became the first member of Congress to volunteer for active duty.

Richard Nixon: “Searchlight” — This Secret Service code name took a prophetic turn when an early morning break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters led to the unraveling of the Watergate scandal.

Gerald Ford: "Passkey" — A name that was somewhat prophetic as he locked the door on any possibility of criminal prosecution against Richard Nixon by granting him “a full, free, and absolute pardon.”

Jimmy Carter: “Deacon” — He was a devout Christian before, during, and after his presidency, with the name referencing a church official particularly appropriate.

Ronald Reagan: “Rawhide” — This moniker probably draws from his acting career in Hollywood Westerns. 

George H.W. Bush: “Timberwolf” — Another code name without any known or particular backstory.

Bill Clinton: “Eagle” — This one is also a bit of a mystery but some think that it had to do with his connection to the Boy Scouts of America. 

George W. Bush: "Trailblazer" — As the son of President George H.W. Bush, he was given the code name “Tumbler” because of his propensity to party in college. When he became president, he insisted on changing the moniker to something more dignified.

Barack Obama: "Renegade" — He reportedly picked this moniker from a list of code names that started with R. No word on what the other choices were.

Donald Trump: "Mogul" — The name is self-explanatory. He retained this code name during his current second term.

Joe Biden: "Celtic" — A reference to his Irish heritage. 

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