Hi, you Halloweenies! Sorry I've been away, but I am hard at work on the annual Halloween roll-out over to the main site (www.theweirding.net). New content will be arriving tonight through tomorrow.
But I would be remiss not to mention tonight's Ghost Adventures LIVE LOCKDOWN at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The seven-hour lockdown kicks-off season three over on your Travel Channel (check local listings). Zak and the crew will be introducing new scientific equipment and experts, consulting with locals and mediums, and have unprecedented access to all 21/2-miles of the Asylum's corridors, the seclusion cells where the most violent patients were shackled, and the medical center where Walter Freeman performed many of his barbaric ice pick lobotomies!
During these lobotomies, mentally-ill patients (which, at the time, largely consisted of "drug addicts and alcoholics") were given electroshock "therapy" to stun them, then Freeman used a mallet to pound an icepick into their eyesocket, where he wiggled the crude instrument, demolishing brain matter. Freeman's treatment was heralded as a medical breakthrough and he traveled the country, giving an estimated 50,000 patients ice pick lobotomies. Of course, those not housed in psychiatric hospitals were given local anesthetic.
Best of all, the investigation is completely interactive! Head over to www.travelchannel.com/ghostadventures to watch the whole thing unfold on static webcams, chat with other viewers and the team, send the crew IMs, and more!
The best moments of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Live Lockdown Event will be compiled and aired on November 6th, in a special entitled Ghost Adventures Live - Post-Mortem. Zak, Nick, and Aaron will host a round table discussion of the findings. Immediately following, the new season begins with a 90-minute special investigation of Venice's infamous Poveglia Island, said to have been formed by the ashes of the dead! This is a groundbreaking event as well - because "Italy's Darkest Haunt" is forbidden to locals and tourists alike! Then it's brand new investigations of all new locations through December 18th!
Episodes are available on-demand and you can join the Ghost Adventures' fan pages on Facebook and MySpace, and follow them on Twitter. Just check the official site to find all this and much more!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The paranormal, the Supernatural, the odd and Unexplained
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Operation: All Clear - The Oklahoma City Bombing
Oklahoma City Bombing The Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 was alleged to have been carried-out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols (alone...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Centuries-Old Tombstones Found in Man's Backyard
A retired construction worker was shocked to discover two 19th-Century tombstones while doing some landscaping in his Michigan backyard. One headstone bore a name, William E. Turner, but the name had worn-off the other. A family plot in the cemetery across the street belongs to the Turners and a city clerk said some kids used to tie headstones to horses and pull them down in acts of vandalism.
I include this account because it is evidence of how a little legwork can expose the mundanity of what might otherwise be a creepy, little mystery. Oh, and because a woman showed up at the city clerk's that same day and mentioned she was a relative of an E.D. Turner. "We were all very shocked by the coincidence," the city clerk said. Officials are hoping the woman reappears so they can question her about any historical significance.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
I include this account because it is evidence of how a little legwork can expose the mundanity of what might otherwise be a creepy, little mystery. Oh, and because a woman showed up at the city clerk's that same day and mentioned she was a relative of an E.D. Turner. "We were all very shocked by the coincidence," the city clerk said. Officials are hoping the woman reappears so they can question her about any historical significance.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
'Mermaid Girl' Dies
Ten-year old Shiloh Pepin, born with sirenomelia -- also called "Mermaid Disease" -- died this morning.
Shiloh was born with her legs fused together. Sirenomelia sufferers face many other problems: Shiloh had no lower colon, no genital organs, and only one kidney. Her kidney was only partially functional and she survived two kidney transplants. Her mom called her a "tough little thing."
When she was born, doctors told her parents she would likely live only a few hours, or days at best; this is the case with most sirenomelia sufferers. Early in October, Shiloh came down with a cold and quickly developed pneumonia. She was admitted to the hospital on October 10th and had been in critical condition since earlier this week.
Shiloh Pepin's story was told on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other news outlets. Her fight inspired many, as can be evidenced by the comments on her Facebook page.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Shiloh was born with her legs fused together. Sirenomelia sufferers face many other problems: Shiloh had no lower colon, no genital organs, and only one kidney. Her kidney was only partially functional and she survived two kidney transplants. Her mom called her a "tough little thing."
When she was born, doctors told her parents she would likely live only a few hours, or days at best; this is the case with most sirenomelia sufferers. Early in October, Shiloh came down with a cold and quickly developed pneumonia. She was admitted to the hospital on October 10th and had been in critical condition since earlier this week.
Shiloh Pepin's story was told on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other news outlets. Her fight inspired many, as can be evidenced by the comments on her Facebook page.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sick
Hi guys. Just a note to let you know I got sick Thursday night. I hadn't been feeling very well for a few days, but I was just a little rundown. I took a nap that afternoon and woke-up vomiting. It was really forceful and lasted well into Friday morning. I missed a whole lot of appointments and stuff, but what could I do?
Anyway, I'm feeling stronger and all, but I'm still not 100%. If I still feel bad, I'll go to the doc's Monday. Hopefully, things will be back to normal next week.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Anyway, I'm feeling stronger and all, but I'm still not 100%. If I still feel bad, I'll go to the doc's Monday. Hopefully, things will be back to normal next week.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bring Change to Mind
Today is the launch of a major initiative by all of the major mental health organizations to help remove, or at least alleviate, the stigma attached to mental illness. Glen Close and her sister, Jessi, appeared on the American morning talk-show, The View, today to openly discuss mental illness. Ms. Close, an Emmy-winning actress, said she hopes one day, we will openly discuss mental illness and the problems associated with it as openly as we do cancer or any other disease or affliction.
Mental illness is akin to a disease, some forms literally act as a disease - claiming more and more of the sufferer. Many forms of mental illness can be treated, but you must be careful of the medicines! I cannot stress enough how dangerous mind-altering, prescription medicines can be! The worst thing is, because of the stigma associated with mental illness and the prevailing attitudes toward it, it can be near-impossible to challenge your doctor and press for more information, but you have to do it! Antidepressants, and especially antipsychotic, drugs are literally poison and they can kill you!
This is why it is so important to remove the stigma attached to mental illness. Let's Bring Change 2 Mind.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Mental illness is akin to a disease, some forms literally act as a disease - claiming more and more of the sufferer. Many forms of mental illness can be treated, but you must be careful of the medicines! I cannot stress enough how dangerous mind-altering, prescription medicines can be! The worst thing is, because of the stigma associated with mental illness and the prevailing attitudes toward it, it can be near-impossible to challenge your doctor and press for more information, but you have to do it! Antidepressants, and especially antipsychotic, drugs are literally poison and they can kill you!
This is why it is so important to remove the stigma attached to mental illness. Let's Bring Change 2 Mind.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Witches in India Beaten, Forced to Eat Excrement
In the remote, Indian village of Pattharghatia, some believe that certain clerics are possessed of the Holy Spirit which grants them the knowledge as to whom amongst them is a witch. Too often, those accused are widows, targeted for their land.
This is believed to be the matter in a case involving five widowed, Muslim women, who were stripped naked and paraded about on a playground in front of hundreds of eyewitnesses - not one of whom lifted a hand to end the women's suffering. A video shows an angry mob viciously striking the accused "witches" before they are stripped, paraded about, and forced to eat human excrement.
When the video came to the attention of the larger population, India was outraged. A police force swept into the tiny village, arresting four and taking the abused women into protective custody. Police filed grievances against 11 people, including six women.
Hundreds of women accused of being witches are killed in India each year.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
This is believed to be the matter in a case involving five widowed, Muslim women, who were stripped naked and paraded about on a playground in front of hundreds of eyewitnesses - not one of whom lifted a hand to end the women's suffering. A video shows an angry mob viciously striking the accused "witches" before they are stripped, paraded about, and forced to eat human excrement.
When the video came to the attention of the larger population, India was outraged. A police force swept into the tiny village, arresting four and taking the abused women into protective custody. Police filed grievances against 11 people, including six women.
Hundreds of women accused of being witches are killed in India each year.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Large Hadron Collider Sabotaging Itself? From the Future!?
Two physicists working on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have developed a theory that the Higgs boson, or "God particle," may well be sabotaging itself... from the future! According to the two, the Higgs boson may be "so abhorrent to nature" that nature is "rippling back through time" to sabotage the LHC before the machine can create one.
The papers have been published online and a recent article in The New York Times explained that while there would be a paradox if one went back in time and killed one's own grandfather, there would be no paradox if one traveled back through time and stopped one's grandfather from, say, being hit by a bus. Thus, nature may be keeping the LHC from starting so that it can never create the Higgs boson. One of the writers told the NYT that, in effect, "...we have a model for God."
The LHC was set to start in 2008, but it overheated. It is rescheduled to start-up this December, but many have questioned the safety of an atom-crushing machine. Foremost in their reported fears is creating a black hole on Earth which will destroy the planet and everything on it.
More than one wry commenter has noted the LHC will eventually work... in 2012 (the year the Mayan Calendar posits for the end of the world).
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The papers have been published online and a recent article in The New York Times explained that while there would be a paradox if one went back in time and killed one's own grandfather, there would be no paradox if one traveled back through time and stopped one's grandfather from, say, being hit by a bus. Thus, nature may be keeping the LHC from starting so that it can never create the Higgs boson. One of the writers told the NYT that, in effect, "...we have a model for God."
The LHC was set to start in 2008, but it overheated. It is rescheduled to start-up this December, but many have questioned the safety of an atom-crushing machine. Foremost in their reported fears is creating a black hole on Earth which will destroy the planet and everything on it.
More than one wry commenter has noted the LHC will eventually work... in 2012 (the year the Mayan Calendar posits for the end of the world).
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Tanzania Endangers Another Albino Victim
Corrupt Tanzanian officials have ejected a 28-year old albino woman from a safe house because they claim "no albinos have been attacked in [her village] in the last year." The woman lost both her hands in an attack, then courageously identified her attackers - who have yet to be brought to justice! While the mutilated woman's attackers have been captured, they have not been sentenced and may be released without further notice.
Luckily, a wealthy businessman who heard her story has opened his home to her for a year, Her father and four siblings, all of whom were living in the safe house village with her, are not so lucky; they have no choice but to return to the village where the attack occurred. They fear reprisal - especially since some of the attackers were found "not guilty" and they, and their relatives, live in the village!
The OddBlog has been covering this story for over a year now and I simply cannot believe the rest of the world is allowing this to go on! Tanzanian officials are some of the most ardent supporters of the witchdoctors whose "potions" are made of albino body parts. These officials, and the rest of this country, should be condemned!
This is a heartbreaking saga of mutilation, ignorance, and racism which the rest of the world has chosen to overlook. It sickens me; it truly makes me physically ill.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Luckily, a wealthy businessman who heard her story has opened his home to her for a year, Her father and four siblings, all of whom were living in the safe house village with her, are not so lucky; they have no choice but to return to the village where the attack occurred. They fear reprisal - especially since some of the attackers were found "not guilty" and they, and their relatives, live in the village!
The OddBlog has been covering this story for over a year now and I simply cannot believe the rest of the world is allowing this to go on! Tanzanian officials are some of the most ardent supporters of the witchdoctors whose "potions" are made of albino body parts. These officials, and the rest of this country, should be condemned!
This is a heartbreaking saga of mutilation, ignorance, and racism which the rest of the world has chosen to overlook. It sickens me; it truly makes me physically ill.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Tweance
I swear this is what they're calling it; "Twéance" is the first séance held over Twitter. A paranormal publicity stunt, the Twéance is set to try to contact Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Patrick Swayze. You can tweet your suggestions, as well.
Séances came into vogue in the late 19th-Century and were largely discredited by such skeptics as Harry Houdini. The séance holders used various means to fool those attending - efforts as simple as rapping on the underside of the table to elaborate feats requiring no small amount of agility or even accomplices. There were, however, a handful of occurrences - and people - which were never explained-away, even by Houdini, who was forced to admit that contacting the dead just might be possible.
Houdini remained a skeptic to the day he died, though he left a special message with his wife and asked her to try and contact him by holding a séance every Halloween. The séance is held to this day!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Séances came into vogue in the late 19th-Century and were largely discredited by such skeptics as Harry Houdini. The séance holders used various means to fool those attending - efforts as simple as rapping on the underside of the table to elaborate feats requiring no small amount of agility or even accomplices. There were, however, a handful of occurrences - and people - which were never explained-away, even by Houdini, who was forced to admit that contacting the dead just might be possible.
Houdini remained a skeptic to the day he died, though he left a special message with his wife and asked her to try and contact him by holding a séance every Halloween. The séance is held to this day!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Balloon Boy Hoax
Last week, most of America watched as a flimsy weather balloon designed to look like a spaceship, floated across Colorado. Authorities were lead to believe a 6-year old boy named Falcon Heene was aboard the craft. After the balloon fell to earth and no one was discovered aboard, the family produced the boy and told the press he had been hiding in the attic because his father had yelled at him. Authorities stood behind the family and denied suspicions that the entire episode was a hoax of some kind, but evidence began mounting in rapid succession.
Falcon accidentally mentioned that his father had told him to hide as part of "a show." It came to light that the father had been shopping a reality series to several networks, which none had bought. It came to light that the Heenes had already been on the reality show, Wife Swap, not once but twice. Then, video footage of the family launching the balloon surfaced. The Gawker then paid a former associate of Heene's for his story, in which he said the whole thing was staged.
Finally, the Heene parents were grilled by police for some five hours. Though they were released, the sheriff announced yesterday that charges would be filed. Further, he said his office was working with federal authorities to bring more serious charges against the parents; "filing a false police report" seemed too lenient for the case which was covered by all the major cable networks and even the national news. It is possible the Heenes could be charged with "attempt to influence a public servant" (basically a glorified version of "lying to the police" - or "filing a false report"), which carries a maximum sentences of six years in prison!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Falcon accidentally mentioned that his father had told him to hide as part of "a show." It came to light that the father had been shopping a reality series to several networks, which none had bought. It came to light that the Heenes had already been on the reality show, Wife Swap, not once but twice. Then, video footage of the family launching the balloon surfaced. The Gawker then paid a former associate of Heene's for his story, in which he said the whole thing was staged.
Finally, the Heene parents were grilled by police for some five hours. Though they were released, the sheriff announced yesterday that charges would be filed. Further, he said his office was working with federal authorities to bring more serious charges against the parents; "filing a false police report" seemed too lenient for the case which was covered by all the major cable networks and even the national news. It is possible the Heenes could be charged with "attempt to influence a public servant" (basically a glorified version of "lying to the police" - or "filing a false report"), which carries a maximum sentences of six years in prison!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thorpe Park Haunting - Publicity Stunt?
The new Saw - The Movie thrill ride opened at Thorpe Park theme park in Surrey this March. The rollercoaster cost about $25 million to build and gets up to 55mph. But the priest wandering around in front of it this week with a Bible in one hand wasn't part of the ride; that was Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe, one of the UK's leading paranormal authorities. The Reverend was called-in after theme park owners said they'd begun receiving complaints from attendees and staff members had reported strange goings-on, as well.
According to Thorpe Park staff, guests and worker complained of a severe drop in temperature when entering the ride building. Lights were said to have gone on and off of their own accord, and even the special effects reportedly started a time or two after being shutdown. Managers investigated and claimed to have learned that some staffmembers held a small seance in the ride's building, using a Ouija board.
Thorpe Park officials said the Ouija board users had been reprimanded and called-in Rev. Fanthorpe to investigate. Rev. Fanthorpe was authorized to carry-out an exorcism, should his investigation prove any infestation.
Luckily, Thorpe Park spokespeople were sure to point-out, Saw - The Ride hasn't been closed and will definitely be open for the Halloween "Fright Nights" special, going on all this month.
Oh, and Saw VI also happens to open next Friday.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
According to Thorpe Park staff, guests and worker complained of a severe drop in temperature when entering the ride building. Lights were said to have gone on and off of their own accord, and even the special effects reportedly started a time or two after being shutdown. Managers investigated and claimed to have learned that some staffmembers held a small seance in the ride's building, using a Ouija board.
Thorpe Park officials said the Ouija board users had been reprimanded and called-in Rev. Fanthorpe to investigate. Rev. Fanthorpe was authorized to carry-out an exorcism, should his investigation prove any infestation.
Luckily, Thorpe Park spokespeople were sure to point-out, Saw - The Ride hasn't been closed and will definitely be open for the Halloween "Fright Nights" special, going on all this month.
Oh, and Saw VI also happens to open next Friday.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Schwarzhalsziegen Rustlers
German thieves rustled "a handful" of Schwarzhalsziegen - or goat-sheep - into the back of a Volkswagen and headed-off the other day. Unfortunately, they are going to have a hard time finding buyers, as the Schwarzhalsziegen are so rare that every, living one of them is accounted for!
The goat-sheep were bred to survive the harsh winters of German mountain farms. They are so few in number that "...every single one of them is accounted for around the world." The goat-sheep look exactly like you'd expect: shaggy creatures whose front is half-goat and back-end is half-sheep!
The OddBlog urges the rustlers to return the Schwarzhalsziegen unharmed.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The goat-sheep were bred to survive the harsh winters of German mountain farms. They are so few in number that "...every single one of them is accounted for around the world." The goat-sheep look exactly like you'd expect: shaggy creatures whose front is half-goat and back-end is half-sheep!
The OddBlog urges the rustlers to return the Schwarzhalsziegen unharmed.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Desperate Measures
A lot of people want to lose weight, and a lot of people need to; recent studies have shown that the U.S. and UK have some of the fattest people on the planet Earth! True story. This has made the weight-loss industry a multi-billion dollar annually! From diet books and programs to exercise equipment to mores, a lot of people are raking-in the dough.
But even though you have probably heard that overweight people just need to "eat right and exercise more," that is rarely the case. While that helps, other studies have shown that this approach works only in a few cases. The truth is that most overweight people need dietary supplements - at least until they get their weight down to a more manageable level.
But even though you have probably heard that overweight people just need to "eat right and exercise more," that is rarely the case. While that helps, other studies have shown that this approach works only in a few cases. The truth is that most overweight people need dietary supplements - at least until they get their weight down to a more manageable level.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Return of the Son of Bat Boy - The Revenge, Pt. II: The Sequel
American-based tabloid, Weekly World News, has signed with CAA, which will rep the company's 30-odd (and I do mean odd) characters in movie talks. Yes, Bat Boy could very well be coming to a theater near you quite soon! Bat Boy is, by far, the most likely candidate for a movie, TV, or new media deal, as he quickly became the tabloid's poster child after his introduction.
Bat Boy's story was simple - and simply brilliant: In 1992, the puny thing was found in a cave and taken to an undisclosed location where it was studied "and some say abused" by government agents and scientists. Bat Boy escaped time and again and Weekly World News was always on the scene, no matter where it happened.
The headlines from the August 31st, 1999 issue 1 include:
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1 : Pic coming, once I get one of the scanners working. For no good reason, they work fine until unplugged, then the drivers somehow become corrupted or something. It's weird, but this is all pretty old equipment.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Bat Boy's story was simple - and simply brilliant: In 1992, the puny thing was found in a cave and taken to an undisclosed location where it was studied "and some say abused" by government agents and scientists. Bat Boy escaped time and again and Weekly World News was always on the scene, no matter where it happened.
The headlines from the August 31st, 1999 issue 1 include:
- Scientists Discover UFO Buried in Desert
- Divers Come Face-to-Face with Their Dead Dad's Ghost
- Amazing 'Ostrich Boy' Can Swallow Anything!
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1 : Pic coming, once I get one of the scanners working. For no good reason, they work fine until unplugged, then the drivers somehow become corrupted or something. It's weird, but this is all pretty old equipment.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Devil Darts Across Devon - AGAIN!
I am proud of our ongoing "Devil's Footprints" series, because I have exhausted many resources researching it. This particular account apparently occurred in Spring of this year (about 6-7 months ago) yet slipped under my radar 1 . But I forewarn you, it's a bit specious; I include it for completeness.
Residents of Devon woke up to find a single row of 5" cloven tracks approximately 11-17" apart across the snow-covered town. While experts from the Center for Fortean Zoology investigated the tracks as a phenomenon, they were not impressed; representatives from the Center suggested the tracks may have been made by a deer.
The OddBlog gives these cryptozoologists our full support and we did not examine the tracks ourselves, but pictures accompanying the article appear to show a single track, which would mean they would have had to be made by a one-legged (maybe two-legged) deer! But I will add that nothing in this report suggests the tracks went up walls, through walls, or over houses; when similar tracks appeared in Devon in 1855, this was one of the most striking aspects of the event.
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1 : I was in the process of moving.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Residents of Devon woke up to find a single row of 5" cloven tracks approximately 11-17" apart across the snow-covered town. While experts from the Center for Fortean Zoology investigated the tracks as a phenomenon, they were not impressed; representatives from the Center suggested the tracks may have been made by a deer.
The OddBlog gives these cryptozoologists our full support and we did not examine the tracks ourselves, but pictures accompanying the article appear to show a single track, which would mean they would have had to be made by a one-legged (maybe two-legged) deer! But I will add that nothing in this report suggests the tracks went up walls, through walls, or over houses; when similar tracks appeared in Devon in 1855, this was one of the most striking aspects of the event.
---
1 : I was in the process of moving.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Nessie's Got Balls!
Thousands of them, according to new footage from a team of Loch Ness Monster hunters who first mistook them for mushrooms. The team suspects locals have been using the loch as a driving range and at least one eyewitness confirmed this. While some people make their living recovering (and refurbishing) balls lost in waterways, the area of Loch Ness where the balls were found is about 1/2-mile deep!
A conservationist said the balls posed no ecological threat to Nessie or the rest of the wildlife in Loch Ness, though he admitted it was "undesirable."
Let's go to video.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
A conservationist said the balls posed no ecological threat to Nessie or the rest of the wildlife in Loch Ness, though he admitted it was "undesirable."
Let's go to video.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Is the Military Behind the Cattle Mutilations
As we have been discussing cattle mutilations lately, regular readers know there was a flurry of cases across America in the 1970s. Cattle (and deer, horse, and other livestock) mutilations continued throughout America in the 1990s. However, the Chupacabra was big news at that time, and many of the livestock mutilations may have been attributed to it, although the Chupacabra's M.O. is well-established. In an earlier post, I told you we would get to the unmarked helicopters often sighted in/around mutilation sites:
Ted Oliphant (a.k.a., Charles Oliphant) moved to Alabama in 1990 to investigate a spate of mutilation cases in the area. He became a law enforcement officer and when the area suffered a rash of mutilations, he participated in some 40+ cases - many of which coincided with eyewitness reports of black helicopters. Ted Oliphant has come to the firm conclusion that the American military, possibly under the direction of clandestine governmental agencies (such as the F.B.I.) is behind the cattle mutilations.
In fact, in 1988, Oliphant wrote an article in The Anomalist in which he asserted law enforcement officers had traced the helicopters back to military bases, including Fort Campbell, KY and Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Oliphant goes on to say the purpose of the mutilations had to do with research on Mad Cow Disease. Others have connected the cattle mutilations to experiments related to the development of bioweaponry. However, Oliphant makes it clear that his hypothesis is purely speculation for which he lacks any hard evidence. He also says the theory does not explain all of the mutilation cases.
In the last decade, most cases seem to come from other countries, particularly South America.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Ted Oliphant (a.k.a., Charles Oliphant) moved to Alabama in 1990 to investigate a spate of mutilation cases in the area. He became a law enforcement officer and when the area suffered a rash of mutilations, he participated in some 40+ cases - many of which coincided with eyewitness reports of black helicopters. Ted Oliphant has come to the firm conclusion that the American military, possibly under the direction of clandestine governmental agencies (such as the F.B.I.) is behind the cattle mutilations.
In fact, in 1988, Oliphant wrote an article in The Anomalist in which he asserted law enforcement officers had traced the helicopters back to military bases, including Fort Campbell, KY and Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Oliphant goes on to say the purpose of the mutilations had to do with research on Mad Cow Disease. Others have connected the cattle mutilations to experiments related to the development of bioweaponry. However, Oliphant makes it clear that his hypothesis is purely speculation for which he lacks any hard evidence. He also says the theory does not explain all of the mutilation cases.
In the last decade, most cases seem to come from other countries, particularly South America.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Flying Cow, Abducted by UFO in Argentina
An Argentinian couple was visiting friends for tea when they saw something large in the sky. Training their camera on the object and zooming, they discovered it was a cow! What could make a cow fly? According to the couple, the UFO above it!
Sadly, the pictures are blurry, so the eyewitness' story is all we have to go on. And though it is easy to mistake an object so far away for something it isn't (one commenter says it is a bird), at least one of the pictures does seem to show a cow, suspended in mid-air!
Cattle mutilations were prominent in the U.S. throughout the 1970s, and continued through the 1990s (at least). In recent years, the phenomenon seems to be concentrated across the globe. Brazil has reported an outbreak of cattle mutilation cases in the last 15-20 years.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sadly, the pictures are blurry, so the eyewitness' story is all we have to go on. And though it is easy to mistake an object so far away for something it isn't (one commenter says it is a bird), at least one of the pictures does seem to show a cow, suspended in mid-air!
Cattle mutilations were prominent in the U.S. throughout the 1970s, and continued through the 1990s (at least). In recent years, the phenomenon seems to be concentrated across the globe. Brazil has reported an outbreak of cattle mutilation cases in the last 15-20 years.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Jim Morrison Ghost Pic "Simply Unexplainable"
A new book claims the infamous photograph which appears to show The Doors' Jim Morrison's ghost is "simply unexplainable." I'm not sure why it isn't inexplicable, but why mince... words?
Anywho, rock historian, Brett Mesiner, stopped by Morrison's Paris grave in 1997. His assistant took a photograph of the author and it was promptly forgotten. Five years later, they noticed something peculiar about the photo which set the Web on fire: You can clearly see what appears to be the dead Doors' singer and songwriter behind Mesiner, arms outstretched in a Christ-like position!
There were many other visitors that day and no one noticed the figure, nor was it captured on any of their photos or video (at least, none have come to light). Meisner had both the picture and the negative analyzed by experts who ruled-out a "trick of the light," and said technical manipulation seems "unlikely."
Meisner's marriage broke-up and a close friend died of a drug overdose after the picture was taken. Meisner added that hundreds of people have shown-up, uninvited, on his doorstep, claiming to have received messages from the late Jim Morrison, and so forth. Meisner is looking to donate the picture and negative to a reputable organization, as he obviously considers it unlucky.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Anywho, rock historian, Brett Mesiner, stopped by Morrison's Paris grave in 1997. His assistant took a photograph of the author and it was promptly forgotten. Five years later, they noticed something peculiar about the photo which set the Web on fire: You can clearly see what appears to be the dead Doors' singer and songwriter behind Mesiner, arms outstretched in a Christ-like position!
There were many other visitors that day and no one noticed the figure, nor was it captured on any of their photos or video (at least, none have come to light). Meisner had both the picture and the negative analyzed by experts who ruled-out a "trick of the light," and said technical manipulation seems "unlikely."
Meisner's marriage broke-up and a close friend died of a drug overdose after the picture was taken. Meisner added that hundreds of people have shown-up, uninvited, on his doorstep, claiming to have received messages from the late Jim Morrison, and so forth. Meisner is looking to donate the picture and negative to a reputable organization, as he obviously considers it unlucky.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Two Die in Arizona Sweatbox
Some 50 people were in a sweatbox while on a spiritual retreat in Arizona. For some reason(s), 21 of them were overcome and required medical attention. Nineteen were taken to the hospital, while two died. Of those, two are still in critical condition and six have been released. Authorities, including homicide detectives, are investigating but there is no immediate explanation for the deaths and illnesses.
Sweatboxes are common in many Native American religious ceremonies, usually animistic and/or shamanistic in nature. The Sedona, AZ, retreat at which this happened offers holistic treatments and spiritual retreats "in a natural environment."
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sweatboxes are common in many Native American religious ceremonies, usually animistic and/or shamanistic in nature. The Sedona, AZ, retreat at which this happened offers holistic treatments and spiritual retreats "in a natural environment."
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Man Regenerates Skull
Gordon Moore flipped his car in 1955 and suffered a vicious, and near-fatal, head injury which destroyed a very large portion of his skull. Doctors replaced the missing skull with a metal plate. The plate was dented three years later in yet another car crash.
When doctors were operating to treat an infection in the area, they were shocked to find Mr. Moore's skull had regenerated! The regenerated bone follows the contours of the dent. While experts would expect such a phenomenon to occur in a child who is still growing, it is unusual in adults whose bone structures are already formed. It is particularly unusual in Mr. Moore's case because of the large area of skull which was lost and has since regrown.
The metal plate was removed and tests are being carried-out to determine the thickness and strength of the new bone.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
When doctors were operating to treat an infection in the area, they were shocked to find Mr. Moore's skull had regenerated! The regenerated bone follows the contours of the dent. While experts would expect such a phenomenon to occur in a child who is still growing, it is unusual in adults whose bone structures are already formed. It is particularly unusual in Mr. Moore's case because of the large area of skull which was lost and has since regrown.
The metal plate was removed and tests are being carried-out to determine the thickness and strength of the new bone.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Lawyer Sues Church Praying for His Death
Mike Weinstein is suing the founders of the Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches, Gordon Klingenschmitt and Jim Ammerman, to make them "stop asking Jesus to plunder my fields ... seize my assets, kill me and my family, then wipe away our descendants for 10 generations." Weinstein's lawyer says it is not a matter of religion or free speech, but incitement. Klingenschmitt's audience contains "unstable people" who might act "in God's name."
Klingenschmitt denies the charges, and told reporters, "I never prayed for anyone's death; I pray the Psalm that [Mikey Weinstein's] days are few. All I did was quote the Scriptures." His prayers can be found online on several websites, as well as on YouTube.
Weinstein founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and says the harassment started when he objected to Christians proselytizing at the Air Force Academy. While he hopes to stop Klingenschmidt and Ammerman from "encouraging, soliciting, directing, abetting or attempting to induce others [to harass and/or harm him or his family]," he also said he hopes the lawsuit financially cripples the Full Gospel Churches.
Unknown parties have left dead animals on the Weinsteins' porch, thrown feces at their home, and emblazoned a swastika on their house.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Klingenschmitt denies the charges, and told reporters, "I never prayed for anyone's death; I pray the Psalm that [Mikey Weinstein's] days are few. All I did was quote the Scriptures." His prayers can be found online on several websites, as well as on YouTube.
Weinstein founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and says the harassment started when he objected to Christians proselytizing at the Air Force Academy. While he hopes to stop Klingenschmidt and Ammerman from "encouraging, soliciting, directing, abetting or attempting to induce others [to harass and/or harm him or his family]," he also said he hopes the lawsuit financially cripples the Full Gospel Churches.
Unknown parties have left dead animals on the Weinsteins' porch, thrown feces at their home, and emblazoned a swastika on their house.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Florida Woman "Gang Attacked" by Raccoons
A 74-year old woman from Lakeland, FL is recovering after several raccoons "gang attacked" her. According to the sheriff, Gretchen Whitted was trying to shoo the animals away from her door when they attacked. Once she fell, the raccoons "enveloped" her, delivering bites and scratches literally from head to toe.
The sheriff noted he had never even heard of such a "gang attack" by raccoons. He asked the media to help spread the word in the region about the dangerous animals. Animal Control officers swarmed the area, placing traps throughout, but there is no way to know if the raccoons they capture are the same which attacked Ms. Whitted, so all neighborhood residents should steer clear of raccoons.
All raccoons captured will be destroyed to check for rabies. The gang's symbols are unknown, but their colors are black and gray.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The sheriff noted he had never even heard of such a "gang attack" by raccoons. He asked the media to help spread the word in the region about the dangerous animals. Animal Control officers swarmed the area, placing traps throughout, but there is no way to know if the raccoons they capture are the same which attacked Ms. Whitted, so all neighborhood residents should steer clear of raccoons.
All raccoons captured will be destroyed to check for rabies. The gang's symbols are unknown, but their colors are black and gray.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Orang Pendek Spotted, Prints Discovered
A four-man crew from the Centre for Fortean Zoology in the UK claim to have spotted the elusive Orang Pendek while on a campaign for the beast in Sumatra. The crew decided to visit the island following several recent sightings. While they claim to have witnessed the Orang Pendek, or "short man," they did not get any photographs. However, they did take pictures of a strange footprint which may belong to the Orang Pendek. They also retrieved a hair sample and a palm leaf on which the creature is thought to have chewed.
The Orang Pendek is Sumatra's "bigfoot." It is said to be around 5' tall with dark fur. It is also reported to be incredibly strong and sometimes aggressive toward humans. Sightings have been reported since Colonial times and several, well-respected experts and zoologists claim to have either witnessed the "monster" themselves or evidence of its existence.
Richard Freeman, resident zoological director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology and leader of the expedition, said, "We are not talking about a unicorn or a griffin, we are talking about an ape that's unknown to science." He added that evidence of the "hidden animal" may be all around us; skulls and bones of the Orang Pendek may reside in museums and exhibits throughout the world, having been misidentified as orangutan.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The Orang Pendek is Sumatra's "bigfoot." It is said to be around 5' tall with dark fur. It is also reported to be incredibly strong and sometimes aggressive toward humans. Sightings have been reported since Colonial times and several, well-respected experts and zoologists claim to have either witnessed the "monster" themselves or evidence of its existence.
Richard Freeman, resident zoological director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology and leader of the expedition, said, "We are not talking about a unicorn or a griffin, we are talking about an ape that's unknown to science." He added that evidence of the "hidden animal" may be all around us; skulls and bones of the Orang Pendek may reside in museums and exhibits throughout the world, having been misidentified as orangutan.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Twin Cities Pagan Pride 2009
This weekend, Minnesota pagans are gathered at a community center in Minneapolis to share their knowledge and celebrate their religious beliefs and freedoms. The Twin Cities Pagan Pride 2009 weekend was kicked-off with an unspecified opening ritual and continues through tomorrow with workshops on charms and spells, panels and discussions on paganism throughout the world, activities for the children, and more.
The event is thrown annually by the Twin Cities chapter of the Pagan Pride Project, a larger network dedicated to supporting pagans the world over. If you, or anyone you know, attended the event this weekend, or have attended a similar event in the past, we'd love to hear more about it. Just drop us a line in the comments!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The event is thrown annually by the Twin Cities chapter of the Pagan Pride Project, a larger network dedicated to supporting pagans the world over. If you, or anyone you know, attended the event this weekend, or have attended a similar event in the past, we'd love to hear more about it. Just drop us a line in the comments!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Calgary's All Abuzz
Calgary residents in the northern neighborhood of Ranchlands haven't been able to get a decent night's sleep in months, thanks to a mysterious hum, the origin of which is unknown.
According to neighbors, the hum is undetectable during the day, but once night falls and everything quietens down, a low-decibel hum similar to that of "a diesel engine on low idle" can clearly be heard. The volume remains steady and neither the frequency nor tone ever change. Experts have been called in to detect the source. Theories include waterworks, phonelines, and electrical lines.
For a year or two in my youth, I suffered the same problem. I literally had dreams about this noise, which only I seemed to hear. I even wrote a dark fantasy/horror short about it! It turned out to be an old transient who had setup residence in a shed on the unsold property next to ours. The shed was well into the field beyond what were the backyards and no one saw him coming or going because he snuck in and out at night. The constant buzz was a small, gas-powered generator.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
According to neighbors, the hum is undetectable during the day, but once night falls and everything quietens down, a low-decibel hum similar to that of "a diesel engine on low idle" can clearly be heard. The volume remains steady and neither the frequency nor tone ever change. Experts have been called in to detect the source. Theories include waterworks, phonelines, and electrical lines.
For a year or two in my youth, I suffered the same problem. I literally had dreams about this noise, which only I seemed to hear. I even wrote a dark fantasy/horror short about it! It turned out to be an old transient who had setup residence in a shed on the unsold property next to ours. The shed was well into the field beyond what were the backyards and no one saw him coming or going because he snuck in and out at night. The constant buzz was a small, gas-powered generator.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
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