Jeff Taylor

 So this childrens TV character, Farfour (uh… meaning ‘butterfly’… odd name for a ‘mouse’), gets beaten to death in front of the young, impressionable minds of the Palestinian future, by what appears to be Israeli police.

Boy, won’t they be utterly suprised when they realize that the mouse that’s not even named after a mouse, who was an Islamic fundamentalist extremist, was actually beaten down by their own people! What a shock! To think that this icon fell victim to the same forces that have dominated the region for thousands of years… betrayal!

Obviously there are many there who want peace, but it always boils down to a small group who amount to less-than-human status, which attracts more dog-like behaviour. Someboby throw them a bone, and maybe they will take their ‘butterfly’ and go away!

 Daily we hear about different species that have become extinct, and others that very possibly will become extinct. Polar bears are a prime example, as the area they live and thrive in diminishes. Make no mistake, the only location the polar bear will live, in the near future, will be in a local zoo, until they die out there.

But how about this: What we are actually looking at is the fate of our species. Humans have the largest population of any species on earth, save for insects and microbes. The Earth, however, has ways of correcting itself, just as our bodies will kill of harmful diseases.

The pollution we are putting onto this planet will destroy life for our children or grandchildren. Anyone who declares otherwise is obtuse. The Earth has entered a phase in which it is trying to correct itself. It will become hotter, drying up our crops, then it will enter into a new ice age. The damage is done. The question is, can we change it, or can we slow it? And what do we say to our children if we don’t try?

Do you want to try? Get on Google, and contact your state politicians.

The Spear of Destiny, or the spear belonging to Longinus, the Roman who speared Jesus Christ in the side when Christ was crucified, is of legendary value. It holds as much mystery as the Shroud of Turin and the Holy Grail (Sangreal), as powerful christian relics.

Current Location:

Hofsburg Treasure House, Vienna, Austria

The History:

Objects dating back to the time of Christ tends lends to question a level of authenticity. The shroud has been tested by scientists with no proof of it’s actual date. The grail, depending on whose account you choose to subscibe to, is either missing or located in one of several locations around the globe (or was it ever an object to begin with?).

The spear has been attributed to holding powers since the time that it was bathed in the holy blood, starting with the healing of the eyes of Longinus when blood spilled onto him from Christ’s wound. He, at that time, claimed that this was the son of God.

Since that time the spear has passed among many leaders. Legend has it that the one who holds is becomes invincible, and many rulers only lost wars or battles once they lost the artifact. The myths surrounding it hold that it matters not as to whether the holders intentions are good or sinister.

Adolph Hitler, the last leader to be in possession of the spear, was always intrigued by its mysticism. Upon rising to power he marched his army to Vienna, Austria to claim it for himself. He then had it transported by armored train to Nuremburg, where it was stored in a vault beneath St. Katerine’s church. The vault was discovered by Allied troops and the spear was recovered within hours before Hitler’s demise. The spear has since been returned to Hofsburg museum, in Vienna.

Current Discussion:

Is this the spear that spilled the blood of Christ? There are others that make the claim that they, too, posess the original artifact. It has made its way into storybooks, comics and movies – recently including Hell Boy and Constatine, both of which imply or state that it was in Nazi possesion for a time. Does it have the powers that many claim? Believers and coicidence may say that it does. It’s a matter of faith.

Spear of Longinus
The Holy Lance of Longinus
The Spear of Destiny

 I have always been strongly opposed to the war in Iraq, no question. But what can bring moral down almost as much as an improvised exposive device? How about the lack of support for what our troops are trying to do.

I have received and been forwarded emails from troops stationed in Hell, with some depicting the friends and the difference they have made there, others talking about how nothing they do makes anyones lives any better, and that they need to be brought home.

Look – whether you support Bush or the war, our troops need support. They need this until our governement finds a way to end the conflict. I understand the passion for the loss of her child, but the course she took to advocate the return of the armed forces is not too unlike that of Westboro, the group that calls themselves a church.

A note to Sheehan: Everything you gave, from your son to your marraige, was based on ideals. You son was lost to the ideals of a rabid dog that only a strong house or the next election can put down. Your marraige was lost to your own ideals that ran for so long and left you with a bitter taste and the assumption that we don’t care. You’re wrong. Some of us just go about it very differently.

Depending on what side of the fence you’re on (if you are even near or on the fence at all) Halloween may hold different meanings.

Where does it come from?

Halloween seems to have originated as the Pagan celebration of Samhain, which is the harvest season and the reign of the winter (dead season) gods. Other than traditional spiritual rituals, which may involve dressing in celestial robes or nothing at all, and celebrating nature there is little similarities between the ancient beliefs and todays modern practices. It is a time when the end of summer is embraced while the living mingle with the spirits of the dead.

The celebration has nothing to do with the legend of Jack o’ the Lantern, either. The word ‘Samhain’ has been used to name the figure that often represents the story of ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’, or the like, where a character uses a Jack o’ Lantern for its head. This is a modern icon, nothing more.

All Saints Day, itself, was created by christians – not pagans. It is celebrated as ‘All Hallows Eve’, ‘All Souls Day’ and ‘Halloween’. The christian holiday was meant to coincide with the pagan festivities in order to form both into a solid christian tradition. Pope Gregory III spearheaded this idea, obviously thinking ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em’.

Current Discussion:

Halloween, by todays practices, is an entertaining community holiday. It is not recognized as a federal holiday in the U.S., though the idea of the separation of church and state would make one question the formation of a federal holiday from a christian holiday (ever think we will get federally mandated time off for Ramadan or Hannakuh?). There are still many groups that recognize it as a religously-based holiday. Some of those groups are even pushing to have the celebrations removed from schools under the laws separating church and state.

Unfortunately this holiday has also taken a more sinister turn, one which is seen far more publicly than should be. In modern times, it seems, Satanic occultists have taken the once benign holiday as a day that lawlessness reigns and sacrifices should be made to the lord of Hell. This has nothing to do with what Samhain is about.

In the end Halloween is what we make it out to be. It’s a day of ‘trick or treating’ or it’s a day to celebrate the end of summer. Perhaps it’s both. It’s a chance to have a good time in either case.

All Hallow’s Eve
All Saints
History of Halloween : Myths, Monsters and Devils
The History of Halloween — It’s Probably Not What You Think
History of the Jack O’Lantern

Location: Evansville, IN

Origins:
The library has been in service for over a century, and reporting ghostly phenomenon for much of its history. According tolegend the first reported sighting was by a custodial staff member in 1937. Since then the entity has drawn as many people looking to check out more than just a book.

The Lady in Grey:
Who is she? Many reports pay tribute to the psychic by the name of Mrs. Warren as the person to identify that the entity, named the ‘Lady in Grey’, is a spirit that belonged to the land, before the land belonged to the library. Her identity is not known, but reports suggest that her clothing is that of the late 1800s.

Another popular theory that many subscribe to is that that ghost is that of Louise Carpenter, who believed her family is the rightful heir of the estate.

Encounters:
Typical encounters of the ‘Lady in Grey’ include sightings of a ghostly figure, books ‘flying’ offof the shelves and the smell of perfume.

Links:
Willard Library
Pics at GhostStudy.com
LibraryGhost.com