Boozing, Smoking Chimp Sent to Rehab

Charlie Sheen has (Sorry, wrong blog.)

A Russian chimpanzee which was retired to a zoo following his circus career has been taken to rehab. The chimp had picked-up two particularly nasty vices, boozing and smoking cigarettes, and was said to be pestering visitors for a drink!

Zhora learned to draw with markers and fathered several chimps at the zoo in the Russian city of Rostov, but he also took to partying like Lindsay Lohan. Zookeepers say his vices were "ruining him." Their only choice of action was to transfer him to Kazan, some 500 miles east of Moscow, for rehabilitation.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

"Secret" Source of Roman Aqueduct Discovered

The source of one of Rome's greatest aqueducts has been found after some three years of excavation. The source is still intact, though it has lain hidden for some 2000 years. It is believed to have taken workers some five or more years to build.

The caveat is that the aqueduct and its source are threatened by overgrowth of the surrounding fig trees. Archaeologists hope to save it, but are trying desperately to discover, and record, as much information as they can before this ancient treasure is lost forever.

Follow the link above for a complete video report.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Agenda

I'll be away for most of tomorrow, but will hopefully be doing better once I return and can get back to regular posting.  I know it's been hit-and-run as late.

Speaking of which, I have a plethora of stories bookmarked/started that I'll be bringing you -- stuff I usually preface as "From the Archives" or "From the Vaults," etc.  So, even though you will almost certainly have read or heard about them, you know I'll bring The OddBlog twist to it.

- MD (Night Shyamalan)

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Ghostly Image Captured at Building Site

47-year old John Fores saw nothing the day he was photographing at a work site, but when he went back through the pictures, he saw the distinct, black and white image of a boy who appeared to be in period dress standing in the foreground of one of the snaps.

Fores was a construction worker doing demolitions on part of Anlaby Primary School in East Yorkshire, where he took the photograph. He said the picture has made him a believer. The caretaker of the school says Anlaby Primary has long been rumored haunted. Anlaby Primary School was built in 1936 and is still in use.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Another California Beauty Queen Wants Gays Put to Death

Lauren Ashley, set to represent Beverly Hills in the upcoming Miss California pageant, told a reporter "The Bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman... [and] 'If a man lies with mankind as he would lie with a woman... [he] shall surely be put to death,'" quoting Leviticus. "The Bible is pretty black and white," the retard California beauty queen said.

Carrie Prejean, also a former California beauty queen turned amateur porn starlet and Christian spokesperson, didn't exactly expect homosexuals to be put to death, but echoed similarly retarded statements at the Miss USA beauty pageant last year. Prejean claimed her "personal views" on homosexuality and religion cost her the title.

Beauty queens are not known for their education, wisdom, intelligence, or empathy, but should be careful when quoting The Bible, as it clearly allows for one to offer his wife or daughter in lieu of payment - even sell them into slavery! Leviticus in particular also says the smell of burning bulls is pleasing unto the Lord and so bulls should be burned alive... to please the Hebrew God.

Christians favor homosexual sex with male children. But they won't marry them.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Depp Hopes to Help Wrongly Accused West Memphis Three

Watch CBS News Videos Online

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

1000 Architects Question the Truth Behind 9/11 Tower Collapse

Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth

While derided for years now by everyone from the mainstream press to South Park, so-called "conspiracy theorists" who have insisted the collapse of three towers on 9/11 was an "inside job" just may have a point -- according to 1000 architects who are asking Congress to re-investigate how WTC Building 7 collapsed in 11 seconds.

Richard Gage, a San Francisco-based architect who organized Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, said for the building to have collapsed as quickly and efficiently as it did, "the material must have been artificially exploded outwards."  Gage went on to say that the official reports of the incidents which occurred on 9/11 "provide insufficient, contradictory and fraudulent accounts."  

And he succeeded in convincing 1000 of his architectural peers to sign a petition asking for a new investigation, which is on its way to U.S. Congress.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

The MoD Called Us Nerds!

According to their website, the Ministry of Defense's recently released UFO documents contained many black-outs which referred to alleged UFO witnesses... in a not-so-positive light.  The specific wording says the excised passages include "...air defense matters, defense technology, relations with foreign powers and occasional uncomplimentary comments by staff or police officers about members of the public..."

The MoD decided on a policy of near full disclosure to avoid "accusations of a cover-up." 
The MoD also said they had, "no clear evidence to prove or disprove the existence of aliens, and consequently considerably less exciting than the 'industry' surrounding the UFO phenomena would like to believe."

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Angel's Trumpet

A plant which grows wild across several states in America is dangerous to ingest, yet kids are eating it up because the flowers and seeds produce hallucinations. Angel's Trumpet grows wild in California, as well as Rhode Island (clear across the country on the East Coast) and many places in-between. The flower resembles an upside-down trumpet and displays in many colors, but make no mistake: Angel's Trumpet is poisonous. It is related to Jimson Weed, another poisonous plant which is said to produce hallucinations.

Ingesting Angel's Trumpet does produce hallucinations - "at toxic levels," according to one expert - and, according to users, a sense of calm and even slight euphoria, but it also sends people to the hospital! Authorities say the practice is becoming more widespread and warn those with Angel's Trumpet to cut the plant, or at least deflower it to a height most people cannot easily reach.

Pharmacologist, David Nicholls of Purdue University warns, "Drugs like LSD or marijuana will never kill you. But angel's trumpet can."

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Gwrych Castle to Become Psychic School?

Days after a picture he took which appears to show a ghostly figure in Gwrych Castle went international, Clitheroe-based Kevin Horkin announced plans to open a "psychic school" in the building. Horkin said the deal, if it goes through, would likely be connected to already announced plans by a different group to turn the castle into a luxury hotel. The hotel would have no psychic... connection to the school.

Many critics noted the supposed ghastly photograph, which The OddBlog covered earlier, could easily have been faked, but no professional authority has examined the photo as yet. The most replete argument suggested the image of the supposed phantom was simply the picture of a young woman reflected in glass, then superimposed over the image of Gwrych Castle.

The OddBlog always remains skeptical, but we are true believers, and feel the need to point-out that if some 15-year old on the Interwebz knows how to pull-off such an effect, then it is not exactly a "Hollywood Magic"-level hoax; it is logical to think someone would have debunked the photo before now. Of course, newspapers aren't going to run a hoax photo as a hoaxed photo; they would run the photo, then debunk it - two stories for the price of one!

Is Horkin's desire to open this psychic school based on some newfound belief in ESP and/or the paranormal, or was the photo a hoax to drum-up interest in his Gwrych Castle psychic school plans? Maybe time will tell, and The OddBlog will follow!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Feng Shui Nets Australian Millions

A retired Australian policeman who wishes to remain anonymous affixed a gold coin to a step on his porch after reading about the feng shui practice. Shortly afterward, he won a couple $1000 lotto prizes, but the coup de grace came when he won the BoysTown charity lotto to the tune of nearly $2 million! Technically, the prizes included a luxury home and gold bullion, but the man said he planned to sell both to pay-off his debts.

While he admitted that he "felt silly" when he did it, the anonymous BoysTown supporter does not regret his feng shui-ing.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Celebratory Gunfire at Wedding Leads to Tragedy

21-year old Pankaj Kishore Karotia's new wife was waiting in the car. The couple was moments away from setting out on their honeymoon and their new life together when Karotia's uncle fired a celebratory shot from his licensed pistol. The bullet went astray, striking the young groom in the head and killing him.

The uncle was attempting to load his pistol when it went off prematurely. The uncle was arrested for culpable homicide. Authorities say gunfire has become increasingly common at lavish Indian weddings in recent years.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Another Apology

I hate writing these things, I really do - even worse, I hate running back through the blog later and seeing them all! At any rate, you deserve to know why it's been so spotty lately and it's the same as the last few times I've written this notice: I just had surgery. That's it, that's all.

I know regular readers, especially those who have been with us the last few years (even off and on), know all about my medical issues - it's largely "just" my neck, but it's a nerve issue, so it's basically painful... just, everywhere. I got the surgery done and it's been really touch-and-go for the last few weeks, which is why things have been so spotty here.

Anyway, there's nothing new to report, I just wanted to remind regular readers and new ones alike that I'm still recovering and ask that you bear with me (hopefully) just a little longer.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Colombian Corpse Comes Back to Life

Moments before a morgue worker was to embalm a corpse, the corpse's hand moved! Luckily, the technician noticed the movement and stopped the embalming process. The woman was moved back to the hospital where she remains in critical condition.

45-year old Noelia Serna, who suffers from Muscular Sclerosis (MS), was connected to life support for some 10 hours before authorities declared her dead of a heart attack. Serna was prepared for embalming only two hours after her passing. Luckily, the morgue technician was... kind? Attentive? There?

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Ancient Magic: Singing Spells

A Typical Skald or Bard

Singing was closely related to early wizardry. In many of the earliest legends in which they appear, the wizards and wise-women simply sing their enchantments into being. Some are as simple as love spells, while others move mountains and change the faces of entire worlds, and even raise the dead.

Most of history was passed orally through epic tales, almost always by performers known as skalds or bards. The most treasured bards wove magic through their music, primarily through their lyrics. Homer's Iliad, largely considered the first Western work of literature, was meant to be sung. This tradition continued well into the 14^th-Century, as Merlin -- the wisest and most well-known of all wizards -- employed singing in many of his spellcasting feats.

One of the most well-known of the skalds was the Welsh bard, Taliesin. Taliesin was an actual, historical poet of the 6^th or 7^th -Century, responsible for writing and popularizing many of the earliest-known Welsh myths. In legend, he was the son of a witch named Ceridwen. When Talisein, in another form, spoiled one of Ceridwen's potions meant to give her lame son all the knowledge of the world, Ceridwen pursued him in many forms until she ate him in the form of a seed. The witch then gave birth to the beautiful Taliesin, who eventually carried a magic harp, and cast magic through his songs.

This appears to have been common-thinking, worldwide: Many sorcerous operations involved singing, chanting, or playing instruments. Dancing featured prominently, as well. As late as the 18^th-Century, dancing and singing at different times of the day or year were associated with witchcraft.

By the 16^th-Century though, Magic -- Astrology and Alchemy, in particular -- had become scholastic pursuits, and the wizards of legend were revered more in theory than as actual, and possibly (once) living, beings.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Ancient Magic: Circe

Circe (Oliver Wetter)

Circe is one of the oldest and most powerful of wizards. She was also one of the many evil sorceresses who bedeviled the era's heroes at every turn -- and Circe was particularly vicious. She was a feared sorceress known for her skill with herbs, drugs, and potions, and had a fondness for transforming her victims into animals whom she, in some versions of the legend, then ate.

Circe lived alone on the island Aeaea, which was overpopulated by swine, wolves, and bears -- many of which once were sailors Circe had lured to her island with her singing. In one particularly evil display of power, Circe set upon a beautiful, young nymph named Scylla. Circe desired Scylla's shepherd lover, so she snuck down to the river where the nymph bathed each morning and poisoned the waters there with an emerald-green potion poured from a large, crystal bowl.

When Scylla entered the river, the waters churled! Emerald-green tendrils emerged and pulled her under, where she was transformed into a horrible sea-creature which became the bane of sailors throughout the area. Scylla continued to reign on her wooded isle, later turning many of Odysseus' crew into pigs, but the tale does not mention the coveted shepherd's fate.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Vampire to Wed Teen Bride?

Jonathon "The Impaler" Sharkey is a self-proclaimed "satanic vampire and hectate [sic] witch" who ran for governor of Minnesota in 2006. Now, he's run-off with his would-be teenaged bride and they're on a collision course with wackiness in a heart-warming adven... Actually, they're taunting the girl's family through blog posts on a public, area website and YouTube videos.

The 16-year old girl went willingly, which is not against the law in Minnesota as The Impaler can in no way be considered an "authority figure" of hers, and her mother admits she does not fear for her daughter's safety, but the mother called the FBI after reading a threatening blog post by Sharkey.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

'Savior' Enslaves Wimminfolk, Fathers Own Grandchildren

Israeli authorities arrested Goel Ratzon on January 15^th and charged him with rape and incest, based on evidence that Ratzon may have maintained a "harem" of up to 17 women around Jerusalem for the last two decades. Some accounts say Ratzon observed his subjects via closed-circuit camera and forced them to turn-over their earnings. Still more suggest he fathered some of his own grandchildren.

Goel's first name means "Savior" in Hebrew and the story has gripped the nation, but Ratzon denies that he was ever these women's "messiah," saying he is "just good to them." He also denies all of the charges he's facing, including enslavement and rape. He remains jailed, awaiting trial, in what his attorney claims are "inhumane conditions."

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Ancient Magic: Lemminkainen's Resurrection

Lemminkainen's Resurrection

In later times, sorcerors and alchemists needed complex formulae, laboratories, libraries, and other scholastic accoutrement.  But in the earliest times, wizards just were. These enchanters were demi-godlike figures whose very essence was imbibed with the Supernatural. Lemminkainen, one of the earliest Finnish wizards, was one of these.

While Lemminkainen would go on to have many adventures, one story tells of his mother, whose name may be lost to antiquity (or was never recorded):  She knew her son was in trouble, but knew neither its nature nor son's location. She scoured the world looking for her son and found Lemminkainen, who had died trying to win the favor of the evil sorceress, Louhi, and the hand of her daughter.

Lemminkainen's mother had another wizard fashion her a rake made of copper with which she descended into the Underworld and painstakingly collected her son's remains. Once she had them all, she carefully pieced Lemminkainen's torn body back together and sang sorcerous chants and melodies into the day and night. Some tales say her magic alone brought the fallen wizard back to life, while others say Lemminkainen's mother had to steal honey from the hall of the gods to provide him true "life."

Many early stories feature similarly fantastic impossibilities, but this is among the first to feature resurrection -- a feat generally thought of as reserved for the gods. In fact, the tale credits the gods in one version, but I do not know which version came first.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

New Series: Ancient Magic

Odin One-Eye

Today's headlines too often center on claims of witchcraft, sorcery, and injustices in the name of various religions which prohibit a belief in or practice of actual "magic." But ancient societies the world over believed in magic as an everyday element, and those who practiced it were considered wise and learned. True, some used their magic for selfish -- and often ruinous -- reasons, but it wasn't until the advent of Christianity and Islam that what was once considered magic became known as "witchcraft," and its practitioners -- both old and new -- came to be slandered as evil.

Ancient society's earnest research into such magical fields as astronomy and alchemy laid the groundwork for the scientific work which followed. Even today, archaeologists and researchers routinely uncover new pieces to ancient history which suggest our ancestors knew far more than modern scholars credit them. Much of this knowledge was considered magic, or sorcery, until about 300 years ago when Western Thought underwent an Age of Enlightenment.
In this series, we will examine some of the stories which comprise the rich mythology of magic in the ancient world, along with lists of spell ingredients and their reputed effects, and more. At various times throughout history, Man has believed we live alongside alternate dimensions, such as Faerun, and men and women possessed of supernatural powers walked between them. 

Ancient Magic will recount some of these tales, and examine these concepts.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Coincidence or Fate?: In Threes

A Jersey Central train hurtled inexplicably into Newark Bay in 1958 through an open drawbridge after the conductor breezed through three warning lights, killing 48.  One of the images captured showed the rear coach being lifted from the bay.  The number, 932, was clearly visible on this front-page picture.  That day, 932 was the number chosen by thousands throughout New York in the numbers game.  And 932 was the winning number.

This one apparently ran in the Scientific American in 1972.  Of course, we know the mob ran the numbers game in New York at that time, so it is possible that they noticed a run in the numbers and paid-out as a nostalgic sort of tribute to their community -- John Gotti threw a lavish 4^th of July party every year which included a vibrant, though illegal, fireworks display.

I don't claim to know how that works, so I'm just putting this out there.  The conductor may have suffered a heart attack, seizure, stroke, or the like.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Pics of a Ghost in Gwrych Castle?

Gwrych (pronounced "Greek") Castle was built in the first quarter of the 19^th-Century and bequeathed to King George a century later, but could not be accepted. Gwrych Castle served as the "Showplace of Wales" in the 1950s, and remained a tourist attraction through the 1980s, when it was run as a Medieval re-enactment attraction. However, Gwrych Castle's condition went into steep decline. The castle served as the backdrop of a 1997 movie, but is thought to have stood derelict since 1985.

Which is why the image of a young woman in a first-story window so shocked 48-year old photographer, Kevin Horkin, when his pictures of Gwrych Castle were developed. The sharp-chinned brunette can be clearly seen, staring intently out of the first-floor window. While it is possible a living person was there at the time the picture was taken, Horkin claims he saw no one. Further, the floorboards beneath the window have rotted away, so experts say there is no way any living person could stand there! The figure is also transparent.

Some believe the woman in the picture, who appears to be in her 20-30s or younger, to be the Countess of Dundonald, Winifred Cochrane. However, one witness who claims to have seen the very same apparition some 60 years ago, believes it to be that of a servant girl who died when she fell from a horse.

Gwrych Castle, considered one of the most haunted sites in England, has been sold to a hotel company which released plans to renovate the castle and reopen it as an upscale hotel, but these plans have yet to materialize.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Is Ralphie the Big-Assed Rabbit Possessed by a Ghoul?

Ralphie's mom, Amy, was the largest rabbit in the world until her death.  Now, Ralphie is poised to take that honor -- knocking-back a whopping $20 worth of ruffage a day, and weighing as much as your average three-year old child!  But TV medium, Derek Acorah, feels Ralphie may also be channeling the spirit... of a ghoul!

Apparently, Acorah "spoke" with Ralphie recently, and concluded the oversized bunny rabbit's ghoul-channeling was the source of "spooky happenings" about the family's estate.  Ralphie's owner calls the idea "a load of old nonsense," but agrees that Ralphie, "isn't your average rabbit."

She also said that Ralphie's local celebrity pays-off when neighbors offer to help foot the feeding bill.  Some stop her at the grocery store and offer her cabbage, carrots, and apples -- the vegetables which constitute Ralphie's ghoulish, daily intake.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Is Global Warming Real?

Amid reports that this is the coldest winter on recent record, and the handful of snowstorms America has experienced the past month or so, comes news that the raw data on which the whole climate change theory was based might be compromised! But The OddBlog wants to go on-record here with a little common sense - some points we have made here in the past, but want to revisit briefly just for clarity and, hopefully, an effect:

Though we have often questioned the veracity of the global warming theory, we know that conservation of our natural resources is an important subject. We have also been "hard" on many mainstream conservationist theories and ideas, largely because they go wa-ay overboard.

Any reasoning human being should be able to conclude that pollution is bad, mm'kay? Whether or not it has any greater change on the atmosphere, artificial "reefs" made of garbage, low-hanging clouds of smog over major metropolitan areas, and pictures of dead and dying animals, covered in oil and trash, are clear indications of a need for change. However, the truth is that such a change can be affected by everyone changing just a few, simple, almost imperceptible, habits! Furthermore, these very changes go hand-in-hand with practicing a better, cleaner, healthier lifestyle all the way around, so there is a built-in incentive for everyone to take-up these habits.

Remembering to turn off the lights when you leave a room not only conserves energy for everyone, it lowers your utility bill. Trading-in your gas-guzzling SUV for a more sensible vehicle not only conserves fossil fuels and the atmosphere, but saves you money. Recycling is another habit which takes a few weeks to establish, can save you money, conserves resources, and is easy to incorporate into your lifestyle. Diminishing your reliance on your vehicle can not only save you money and conserve resources, but the exercise is also good for your health.

These are very simple, very convenient, and very powerful changes to your lifestyle which add an extremely minimal amount of time and effort to your daily routine and reward you, as well as the rest of the world, in their practice. Instead of donating money to questionable initiatives, making major life and lifestyle changes, and going completely overboard, why not start with some of these small practices and take it from there?

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Philippine Tribe Raises the Dead

The Filipino Hanunuo Mangyan tribe's kutkot ritual is a time-honored funereal tradition in which the recently deceased is unearthed, swathed in clothing in such a manner as to resemble a sinakot (sort of a mummy), further dressed by contributions of clothing and jewelry from the surviving family members, then said to have been revived.  Kutkot actually means "unearthed."

However, the tradition of kutkot is a dying form.  Few today know the ritualistic manner for tying the funereal cloth so that it resembles the human form.  Fewer still are continuing the practice, having fallen victim to modern influences, according to researchers and reporters.  Elders say the younger generation simply cares not to learn, or perform, the kutkot ritual.

Many of the indigenous tribes and peoples are being threatened by the spread of industry throughout the region, while others have migrated to other parts of the world in search of work.  

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Don't Mix Herbs with Meds

While skeptics are busy getting retarded to prove herbal supplements have no effect, doctors and researchers are warning patients not to mix herbal supplements with their regular medications, especially heart meds. Apparently, such seemingly innocuous herbs as garlic, St. John's Wort, and ginger can have devastating effects on patients who mix them with their regular statins, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications.

Doctors note even grapefruit juice can be harmful. This is true in the case of many medications, though the truncated literature pharmacists provide with said medications do not always indicate this. I was asked to abstain from my daily multi-vitamin for one week prior to my surgery, as well as two weeks afterward and would not have known this had the nurse not informed me -- it was not written anywhere in the literature I received! This paper discusses many of the dangerous combinations and their possible interactions.

Authorities strongly suggest discussing all of your dietary habits with your doctor, including any and all supplements you take, regularly or otherwise.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Coincidence or Fate?: "Things What Done Fell from the Sky Remix"

This is a really weird one which falls into two of our ongoing series: Coincidence or Fate? and Things What Done Fell from the Sky.

51-year-old Chan Kwai-mui of Hong Kong lost her husband two years earlier in an odd accident, when a crane fell on him and another worker on a construction site.  Friends say she had just begun recovering from her loss when a 71-year-old woman on the 27^th-floor of an apartment building slipped and fell from her balcony, landing directly on top of the widow, Kwai-mui, killing them both.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Skeptic Has Close Encounter of the Third Kind

There are three types of UFO encounters, divided into "degrees." Encounters of the third kind are sometimes called "close encounters" because they are the encounters which involve two criteria: close proximity to the UFO and a sighting of an actual lifeform. A skeptic from Devon had just such an experience on a bowling green:

Roy Shaw drew two pictures of his encounter, one of which shows a craft he described as "30' in diameter and 100' long, with blue and red flashing lights on its perimeter." The other shows an amorphous, white blob which Shaw says moved slowly toward he and his dog, droning what sounded like, "My, my..." He described it as "translucent."

Though Shaw insists he remains skeptical of UFOs, he admits he cannot explain his encounter. He was so startled, in fact, that he twisted his ankle running from the scene -- just like an actress in any B-movie!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Study Finds Religious People Brain-Damaged

A new study draws a conclusive connection between deeply religious people and brain damage. According to information from an earlier study, researchers determined specific areas of the brain were related to the Self, while others related to something called "self-transcendence" - a catch-all term for spiritual beliefs, feelings, and etc. When damage occurred to this portion of the brain, major changes in a person's spiritual and religious beliefs followed quickly.

According to this information, researchers now believe that stimulating certain areas of the brain could cause major changes in a person's spirituality and religious beliefs.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

All Sorts of Problems

Sorry ab out this week, guys. For one thing, I am not feeling well. Yes, it's because of the surgery, but I also think it's a bit to do just with everything - a little run-down, bored, anxious for this whole recovery process to be over and done with, etc.

Also, Blogger has been having problems all week long. Sometime last week or so, I noticed a new option above - Edit Pages - which I have yet to mess with, but I'm sure allows me to now add pages like in WP. I'll be doing that one of these days. In the meantime however, I was trying to - you know - like, post entries and things? I keep getting a 404 (Page Not Found) error, and have been since last week!

It's really maddening and anti-productive: you write entire posts only to find they haven't been saved and you can't recover them because the fucking "auto-save" feature isn't working either, so you're forced to rewrite the entire thing! If you try to save your work as you go, it closes the whole post and you have to surf back to the Dashboard and reopen the thing. REALLY frustrating, extremely time-consuming, and pointless.

Add this to my feeling bad to begin with and I just haven't been able to do much. Anyway, I have an entire week to catch-up on here, so there should be a lot of stuff headed your way this weekend. I can make no promises about next week, though - heck, I can't make any promises about this weekend! The truth is that I'm still feeling under the weather, so...

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

11-Year Old Arrested for Pencil Attack

Growing frustrated over his math work, an 11-year old New York boy got upset with a fellow student who was there to help him. When the student would not back-up, the 11-year old swung blindly, scratching the unrepentant, unrelenting nerd. The "serious" scratch was treated by the school nurse before the 11-year old attacker was suspended.

Then arrested for misdemeanor possession of a weapon - his... you know, pencil - and felony assault.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

British Reporter Infiltrates Homosexual 'Curing' Camp

A happy, openly-gay, British reporter infiltrated the growing world of homosexual "conversion" - the practice by which Christians attempt to "convert" homosexuals into heterosexuals. The practice is apparently infecting "legitimate" psychologists in England, who consider SSA - "Same Sex Attraction" - to be an illness, despite the fact that it was de-listed as a mental illness over 35 years ago. This cult of psych-workers is being directed by American-born Christians who are known leaders in the conversion "movement." Despite all of this, the NHS (National Health Service) is actually referring patients to, and paying for, these treatments.

During his research, the reporter learns that the doctors pray before and following each treatment session, which costs about $75.00. The belief is that the desire to be homosexual originates during childhood and is spurred by overbearing mothers, distant fathers, and loneliness. So is a traumatic birth and Freemasonry.

Perhaps most telling, whenever the doctors involved do not get the answers from the patient for which they are looking, communication is broken so the doctor can pray for the patient, asking God to enter his life and illuminate the sexual abuse which "[needs] to come to the surface." Whenever tempted - by attraction to the same sex or even the desire to masturbate - the patient is told to pray, informing God that he "[knows] this is wrong." These desires, attractions, et.al. are termed "The Enemy." In Judaeo-Christian mythology, Satan is Latin for "The Opposed."

According to the reporter, there are other approaches which do not place the same emphasis on Christianity - and make no mistake about it: this is a Christian offense, not a "religious" or "spiritual" one - but the psychology behind the belief that homosexuality is a "pathology" is pinned on some sort of trauma to the patient during his childhood. Those who do not uncover, and deal with, this "wounding" tend not to be helped.

Lest you think I am being prejudiced in my assessment, I urge you to read the report for yourself. Not only does it illuminate this conversion process and the thought-process behind it, it is a heartbreaking examination of Christian intolerance - particularly since the largest branch of this religion is guilty of child sexual abuse on a massive, international scale. But looking beyond even that, which I agree is an easy and simplistic connection, though I disagree that it makes it any less valid, we see that Christianity continues to encourage separation, division, and, ironically, judgment of your fellow man (and woman) - all of which stands in stark opposition to Christ's teachings and life; Christ taught his followers not to judge others, was known to consort with prostitutes and thieves, and openly administered help to the lepers who were abandoned by their fellow Man and left to die.

It should come as no surprise that this terrible concept of "conversion" comes directly from the Southern Baptists, an abominable denomination of hatemongerers whose biggest proponents openly promote intolerance and schism. The first "conversion camps" originated - where else? - in Tennessee, the mecca of Southern Baptists, where the legal, judicial, and penal systems have been completely infiltrated and corrupted by this aggressive religious sect.

That they seek to spread their hatred is not shocking; that their infection continues to spread though, is grounds for considering the Southern Baptist denomination a terrorist organization - one whose battlecry is "God Hates Fags." While we can sit back, shake our heads, and cluck our tongues at such obviously retarded behavior, the truth is that teaching others it is right, even just, to consider others less than ourselves because they are different is nothing short of hatemongering and is dangerous, offensive on every level, and should be abolished.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Monkey Roaming Darwin Streets

Residents of Australia's Northern Territory are being warned to stay away from a monkey authorities say has been spotted roaming the Darwin suburb streets. The monkey, which is thought to have been brought into the area illegally, may bite or attack any who approach it. Monkeys are also known to be quite strong and throw their own poo at others!

Obviously, this is a serious situation, but the equally obvious humor could not be passed-up. While area Christians refuse to believe such a monkey even exists, authorities insist they refrain from approaching any small, excessively hairy, individuals uncommon to the area until further notified.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Prayer Fails Two Children of Faith Healers, Justice System Does Not

Jesus Saves... No Man

A couple -- members of the Oregon-based Christ Church which practices faith-healing -- has been found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of their 16-year old son, months after their 15-month old granddaughter died under similar circumstances. "Faith-healing" is an extremist Christian practice in which believers anoint the ill with oils and pray for their health, yet avoid doctors and traditional medicine. It has been known to cause death in... basically everyone.

Jeff and Marci Beagley refused proper medical treatment for their 16-year old son who was suffering from a congenital urinary tract blockage which doctors say could have been treated up to the very day of the youth's death. Their 15-month old granddaughter, who was also treated using "faith-healing" techniques and also died, succumbed to pneumonia and a blood infection months before. Jeff and Marci Beagley were Acquitted of Manslaughter in 2009.

The Beagleys face 16-18 months in prison, though their lawyer plans to ask for Probation. The couple is free until sentencing, later this month.

While "common sense" and logic is typically considered the enemy of faith, this is an idea subscribed to -- and forwarded by -- determined retards. If God is an omniscient being, as Judaeo-Christian mythology insists, then He obviously sanctioned -- and is even responsible for -- the development of medicines and medical practices.

Thus, the Beagleys -- and their fellow "faith-healers" -- are guilty of placing themselves before God... and murder.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Coincidence or Fate?: "Shot Through the Heart"

(With apologies to Bon Jovi)

Henry Ziegland jilted his Texas girlfriend in 1883.  The poor girl was so heartbroken that she took her own life.  Attempting to avenge her death, the girl's brother shot Ziegland.  Believing he had killed him, the girl's brother then took his own life by shooting himself in the head.  However, the bullet fired at Ziegland only grazed his cheek and embedded itself in a tree.

In 1913, Ziegland was trying to cut down that very tree, but found it so difficult that he resorted to using dynamite.  The explosion sent the bullet his ex-girlfriend's brother had fired at him 30 years earlier flying through Henry Ziegland's head, killing him instantly.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Saudi Arabian Sentenced to Death for Witchcraft

From the Vaults:

A Saudi Arabian man has been sentenced to death for practicing witchcraft after he made "psychic predictions" on TV from his home. Arrested over a year earlier while on pilgrimage, the man joins three others awaiting death for the same offense, including a woman who was arrested for making predictions. Two of these were arrested in the same month as the accused, Ali Sibat. Reports indicate officials coerced Sibat into "confessing" to communicating with spirits in return for his freedom, which was never granted; instead, he was sentenced to death for practicing sorcery.

Saudi Arabian law has no specific definition of "witchcraft," and the New York-based Human Rights Watch activist group claims officials use it as a catch-all to unjustly convict anyone engaging in any activity deemed "un-Islamic."

Human Rights Watch accused Saudi Arabia of "sanctioning a literal witch hunt by the religious police" - a practice of which all Islamic countries are guilty. The group is calling for the Saudi Arabian government to overturn these convictions and abandon the death sentence in such convictions. Amnesty International is said to have taken-up the cause, as well.

104 of the 140 people on death row in the country are foreign. One of those convicted of sorcery is an Asian man who "used his powers" to solve a marital dispute. Another is said to have defaced a copy of the abominable Qur'an.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

5-Year Old Draws UFO

A Kansas parent was too busy driving to look at whatever his/her daughter was pointing-out in the sky, but two days later, when asked to draw the object, the five-year old produced a picture of the "round plane with bolts" she had claimed to see. The result is your typical "flying saucer."

MUFON Case #21680 has yet to be investigated, and the adult obviously wishes to remain anonymous, but the resulting picture clearly shows a disc-shaped object with "bolts" around the outside of what would be the "round plane"'s hull. The child included a house beneath the object and the parent added the object had been flying south.

The adult claims to have first witnessed a UFO at age five, but claims the daughter was not privy to this. Further, this was the first time the daughter had ever mentioned anything (possibly) UFO-related.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Breast Implants Can be the Bomb

New intelligence asserts that British-trained Muslim doctors are returning to their homelands to perform plastic surgery operations in which explosives are hidden inside breast implants. These explosive implants can also be implanted in men, either in their buttocks or appendix. Intelligence agents say they learned of the plot following the failed Christmas Day bombing in the U.S. by monitoring "chatter" in the Middle East.

Top surgeons confirmed the feasibility of such operations, noting that not only would the explosives be powerful enough to damage an airplane's skin, ensuring it crashes, but also undetectable by scanning equipment.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Surgical Update

This Friday marks one month since my surgery. The good news is that I am feeling better; the bad news is that it's still pretty touch-and-go. I'm hoping things start getting back to normal soon, but I can make no promises at this moment.

The OddBlog has tons of great posts in our archives, so be sure to check them out while you wait for new content!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

75% of Teens Believe in ET Life

To coincide with the release of a movie involving aliens, 20^th Century Fox polled 1000 kids aged five to 16. According to the results, 75% believe aliens exist - and ¹/₃ believe their teacher's body is being controlled by alien forces! 72% believe that, should aliens ever invade, it would be peaceful and the aliens would be friendly.

90% of the 16 year olds were unable to name all eight planets in the solar system.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Dudes Lose Their Moobs

The fastest-growing procedure in the world of plastic surgery? Male breast reduction - for the second year running! In fact, male breast reduction (or "manboobs," aka, "moobs") procedures rose by 80% since 2008. And, just as with their female counterparts, many doctors blame men's magazines for the increase in requests.

The entire plastic surgery industry remained strong, despite the recession and world economic woes - in fact, surgeons performed 6.7% more procedures in 2009 than they did the year before. And though 90% of the work done was performed on women, procedures on men saw the most dramatic rise in numbers. Nose-jobs and blepharoplasty - surgery on the skin surrounding the eyes - were the top two procedures performed on men, but the moob-job remains the fastest-growing.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Judge Dismisses Indonesian Bee-Sting Case

You may have read about an Indonesian child who was on-trial for intentionally placing a bee on a little girl's face. The bee stung his classmate and her parents reported the incident to police, who arrested the boy; they wanted to make an example of the child. The judge in the bee-sting case dismissed it from court, said the matter came down to "normal children's naughtiness" and should have been "settled amicably by the school and the parents."

Indonesians are tried as adults from the age of eight and serve their time alongside adults, even though it is against UN regulations. Many Indonesians feel the age should be raised to at least 12. In 2009, 10 boys who worked as shoeshiners were found guilty of gambling and faced five years in prison, but a public outcry got the charges dismissed.

Had he been found guilty, the eight-year old who placed the bee on the girl's cheek could have been sentenced to three years in prison!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010