BELTANE

Today is May 1.
May day.
It coincides with international Workers Day.
It is often the comes with violent worker protests.. police in riot gear.. Tear gas.. All that stuff.

The origins though can possibly be traced back as far as pre-Christian times. 

May 1 is also “Beltane,” the pagan holiday that marks the halfway point of spring. Pagans have come a long way, as well. As a matter of fact, if you celebrated Beltane back in the good ole days, chances are you would have been sacrifices children en masse..

Beltane was named after Baal. He was a fearsome divinity of yesteryear—and he was the entity to whom children were sacrificed to in fire..

In all fairness, Beltane actually took place on April 30—almost like All May’s Eve. It was one of the most important nights not he pagan calender. 

And oddly enough, it would appear according to numbers, that the highest amount of child kidnappings take place in May. Spring. Beltane-like almost, maybe.. Perhaps Baal is still getting his sacrifices all these years later. 

To condemn those who protest and celebrate “May Day” would be as unfair as it would be to say those who celebrate Christmas and Easter are wrong. After all, they are all based on paganism.

It just so happens, though, that Beltane was the most revolting of the pagan traditions with the murder of children in high numbers. All for a god who did not exist.. 

As a result of the sordid history of murder or kids, Beltane has become an especially difficult ‘holiday’ for pagan parents to explain to their own children, as this blog post from PaganParent.com would prove..

Another pagan site, Brighter Blessings, proves that you can always find a silver lining. It says that children can celebrate Beltane by gathering blossoms.. And then, in turn, the innocent children can be “rewarded with beautiful blossoms” .. No mention of whether a reward would be a fiery sacrifice to Baal. 

May day celebrations.. fine.
But remember some history.
Remember your pagan facts.

Infant sacrifice was a tenet of the pagan day of Beltane.
Modern day May day.

So it is ..

Justin Bieber scores legal victory in assault suit by Miami photog

Justin Bieber, 20, scored a legal victory against a celebrity photographer who filed a battery lawsuit against the singer and his bodyguard.

If you believe there’s a God who loves us, then ask yourself: Why is there a Justin Bieber.

Then again, there is even Christian teaching that attempts to explain why a loving God would allow evil to desecrate his creation. 

Maybe that’s a little harsh.

Nonetheless, Justin Bieber scored a big victory. And as the UK DAILY MAIL shows us, he left the court house like Moses parting the sea. In Biebs case, he parted the throngs of fans that were there to get a glimpse..

Maybe court should have been postponed. It sounds to me like the judge had severe Bieber fever.

Justin Bieber scores legal victory in assault suit by Miami photog

Money Talks. Thumbs Walk.

Megan Fox said a lot of horrible and nasty things about Michael Bay after TRANSFORMERS 2—and most of was agreed upon by people who yet to forgive him for PEARL HARBOR. 

But now, Megan Fox must have had a ‘come to Splinter’ moment (TMNT reference there, folks) .. Fox has nothing but kindness to shower on Bay in the limelight of attention over the upcoming NINJA TURTLES re-re-re-redo.

Fox said that Bay was like ‘Hitler’ on the set of TRANSFORMERS. 
No word on whether he was like Shredder this time (another TMNT reference, folks) ..

On April 10, this is what Megan Fox told ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY about her former adversary:

He was one of the most lovely people that I dealt with in making this movie. I’ve always loved Michael. We’ve had our battles in the past but even when I’ve been really outspoken about difficulties we’ve had, I’ve always followed up by saying that I have a particular affinity to him. He can be very vulnerable, and he’s very likable and lovable. I’ve always been very vocal about that as well. But, sometimes we clash because we both have very willful, powerful personalities.

The clash of the Titans.
Bay vs Fox.
Thumbs vs gums.

I still have high doubts about the new TURTLES film—I was not impressed at all with the trailer and actually thrown off a bit by the weird appearance the sewer dwelling heroes had. Also: The overabundance of Megan Fox in the trailer caused me fear. 

Her acting quality aside, the movie trailer at least appeared to focus more on her than anything else.  I assume the use of her image was done to stoke up the teenage boy crowd.. 

But even if TMNT flops and Bay vs Fox part 2 occurs, at least she will still be allowed into Disney World..

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57gQl9UMERo?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=281]

Clyde Lewis posted this UFO video on his Facebook page with this message,

This was sent to me by a very credible Journalist and colleague of mine that says that he believes that this is the best UFO footage he has seen in a long time. I would have to agree.

I agree, too. It is a compelling video.

But remember what a UFO means: Not an alien, but something unidentified.

With the amount of drones and weapons of war created over the past 20 years,I almost discount most ‘sightings’ anymore as being something from intergalactic space. Instead I have come to believe there are very human and mortal explanations for what we see in the skies—at least 99% of it. It’s the 1% that causes me concern.. The 1% are UFOs that actually may be those beings from another planet—or maybe even more so beings from another timeline.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Mayor Rob Ford takes break from campaign to seek help for alcohol abuse

Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said he is taking a break from his re-election campaign to seek help for alcohol abuse — hours after a local newspaper reported on a new video that allegedly shows him smoking crack cocaine.

The guy just cannot help himself..

It’s going to be sad without jokes at his expense, but how much can society and the media kick an already downed horse? This guy appears to be one sniff away from a massive heart attack. His entire presence is more in line with Chris Farley in the final days than a respected mayor.

I keep going back to the sweaty and weird appearance Ford made on the Jimmy Kimmel show. I often wonder if Ford thought his actions were being celebrated or if he knew the joke was on him? 

While people have mocked and paraded his image around for jest, he’s the only one not in on the joke. He became the joke.

And now his crack and booze addiction must have gotten so bad that he will break from the campaign..

Will he return? 
Something tells me “YES!”

Mayor Rob Ford takes break from campaign to seek help for alcohol abuse

Texas clinic said dog had to be killed, then kept it alive for 6 months of experiments

It sounds like the plot of a horror movie, but it’s real..

A Texas vet was supposed to put a family’s pet dog to sleep. The dog’s name was Sid. He was supposed to be put out of his misery in September 2013.

But Camp Bowie Animal Clinic doctor Lou Tierce reportedly had other plans. 

Fort Worth police and officers from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners spent hours at the facility and seized two dogs.

The owner of the dog Marian Harris, said that Sid was being “bled” for plasma and used for other experimental treatments.

For six months..

Unbelievable and disgusting..

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/04/29/5776574/fort-worth-vet-accused-of-keeping.html?rh=1#storylink=cp 

Texas clinic said dog had to be killed, then kept it alive for 6 months of experiments

Scientific American: Charles Darwin and the search of early (Extraterrestrial) Life

This is a fascinating story running about Darwin and his quest to understand what else is beyond the ‘origins’ of species on the planet earth..

Good read.

Scientific American: Charles Darwin and the search of early (Extraterrestrial) Life

Eyewitness account: A minute-by-minute look at what happened during Clayton Lockett’s execution

Tulsa World Enterprise Editor Ziva Branstetter was one of 12 media witnesses to attend a botched execution Tuesday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. 

And she wrote the gory details of the execution that went awry..

A few notable points. At 5:40 pm, she reported she heard other inmates banging loudly on  their prison cells in a sign of respect for the soon to be state killed.. At 6:28 pm fifty milligrams of midazolam were placed into Lockett’s arms. 6:31 pm: Suffering begins.. 6:36, he mumbles something .. 6:37 is when he begin to buckle and writhe in pain. 6:38, says the word “man” followed by other unintelligible statements. 6:40: Someone notices Lockett is not dying in the fashion he should. 6:50 pm, the execution is ‘stopped.’ 

Branstetter goes on to write:

Patton leaves for about 10 more minutes and reporters at the end of our row begin interviewing Sanderford and defense attorney David Autry, both clearly upset by the turn of events. “They will save him so they can kill him another day,” Autry says.

We are told to leave the viewing chamber and are escorted back to a waiting white prison van. We have to tear the notes out of the spiral notebook and leave it plus the pen behind.  Another van is on the way so I stay behind with reporters from the Associated Press, The Oklahoman, OETA and The Guardian to compare notes. After every execution, it’s important that reporters compare last words and other observations to make sure they have the most accurate version of events possible.  

7:06 p.m. Lockett is pronounced dead in the execution chamber from a heart attack. The news of his death is provided to reporters by Patton during a brief statement at the media center on the prison grounds.  He explains to reporters that prison officials do not know how much of the second and third drugs entered Lockett’s body.

Finally, the word comes: “His vein exploded.”

There are some that point to the botched execution as a reason we should bring back some more barbaric ways of death, such as the guillotine.  But should we? Is it painless as some profess? Quick? A good means to an end? As a reader to Andrew Sullivan wrote in a November 2013 blog post, explaining what a biography of Catherine the Great said, 

[W]as death by guillotine so instantaneous as to be truly painless?  Some believe not.  They argue that because the blade, cutting rapidly through the neck and spinal column, had relatively little impact on the head encasing the brain, there may not have been immediate unconsciousness… Witnesses to guillotining have described blinking eyelids and movements of the eyes, lips, and mouth.  As recently as 1956, anatomists experimenting with the severed heads of guillotined prisoners explained this by saying that what appeared to be a head responding to the sound of its name or to the pain of a pin-prick on the cheek might only have been a random muscle twitch or an automatic reflex action.

The guillotine indeed.

Eyewitness account: A minute-by-minute look at what happened during Clayton Lockett’s execution

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTWQUy76paA?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=281]

WTVA TV in Tupelo evacuates due to approaching tornado

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Supreme Court: Pennsylvania cops no longer need a warrant to search citizens’ vehicles

Previously, police officers could only search vehicles with driver’s consent or a signed warrant.

Supreme Court: Pennsylvania cops no longer need a warrant to search citizens’ vehicles

Child porn charges filed against ex-state Rep. Farnham

Former Illinois State Rep. Keith Farnham was charged Monday with using both personal and state-owned computers to trade hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography and engage in graphic online chats in which he allegedly bragged about sexually molesting a 6-year-old girl.

Even worse and more damning: Documents show that Farnham—who publicly promoted legislation to protect children—had his secret online life where he said that he could not handle a child over the age of 12.. he proclaimed he was most sexually stimulated by those who were 6,7, or 8.. 

“12 is about as old as i can handle,” Farnham allegedly said in one online chat in November, according to the charges. “i love them at 6 7 8”

It is certainly not the first time someone in power abused their rank.. Also it’s not the first time that someone in power led a double life—on one hand a model citizen protecting children from predators and on another hand being a predator himself..

Also damning: Not only did he use his personal computer for the sex trade, but allegations have also been made that he used his government computer, too. He just couldn’t get enough. He traded content directly from his legislative office, it is said..

Farmhan resigned just in March 2014—he cited health.  He said in a statement, “I have been battling serious health issues for a number of years and the coming months will require my full attention.” How true that is.. Though perhaps the ‘health’ issue is not one of the physical category.  Also in March—the same time as the resignation over health issues of course—Mr. Farnhan’s office was being searched by various alphabet agencies.. Weeks later we find out how serious and perverse the charges actually are.. 

Perhaps in the weirdest twist of fate, Mr. Farnham will now be subject to the provisions of laws he helped strengthen, and he will face tougher penalties for the crimes he committed.

He should know the penalties, he co-sponsored the bills..

Child porn charges filed against ex-state Rep. Farnham

White House opens door to tolling on interstate highway systems, removing long-standing prohibition

With transportation funds running short, administration proposes making tolls an option for states.

The free and open highways..

What would IKE like!?

White House opens door to tolling on interstate highway systems, removing long-standing prohibition

"Star Wars: Episode VII" Cast Announced

The news is broken..
Opinions are being opined..
Doubts are being cast..
Stars are being cast..
And re-cast.
STAR WARS VII is being made.

Here’s the breakdown:

Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac are in.
John Boyega and Daisy Ridley are in.

These fresh faces are going to join Hans Solo and, Luke Skywalker, and all the rest..  Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (R2-D2) … No word at this point on whether they are recording voiceovers by James Earl Jones for anything.. 

Christmas 2015, as long as the world stays on its current course, will see a rebirth of a new STAR WARS. 

Undoubtedly this will become one of the most secretive projects in modern film. But does a new generation want STARS WARS? Will it succeed as the original three, or becomes a blip on movie radar as some modern films were? The PHANTOM MENACE still has not been forgiven.. Will VII be welcomed with open arms?

We will see in ‘15. 
Christmas. STAR WARS.

"Star Wars: Episode VII" Cast Announced

'Life-Threatening' Flooding Submerges Pensacola, Florida, as the killer nationwide storm continues to roll

Wednesday night hell in the city as more than 2 feet in 26 hours fell..

2 feet of water in a day.. that is unbelievable and amazing — and obviously become a disaster situation.

For this city and area being hit with this massive nationwide killer storm, this water drop may have been worse than hurricanes slamming this part of Florida..

It’s the worst flooding in 30 years.
A state of emergency has been declared..

And the storm is not over yet. The threat today is for disaster and death along the East Coast, especially the I-95 Corridor.. 

'Life-Threatening' Flooding Submerges Pensacola, Florida, as the killer nationwide storm continues to roll

NYPD Arrests Nearly 100 Subway Break Dancers

The crackdown begins. The NYPD is busy busting up subway dancers.. apparently New Yorkers are having a tough time dodging ‘flailing legs’—so much so that cops have arrested 100 of the leg owners with charged them with disorderly conduct.

There are some incredible moves being busted in the underbelly of New York City though, as videos like this can attest to. Commuters don’t seem to mind seeing those flailing legs.  I am actually disappointing that on my many visits to the Big and somewhat rotting Apple I have never seen such talent on display. Instead I always seemed to get a little too close to someone with a mysterious odor or a dreaded mustache breather..

After reading about the police crackdown on free wheeling dance moves, the only thing I am left saying in my mind are quotes from the Jerky Boys when “Jack” called Nelson about his need to dance. I don’t think Jack would survive very well in a subway with banned dancing..

Nobody puts baby in the corner.

NYPD Arrests Nearly 100 Subway Break Dancers

Oklahoma stops execution after botching drug delivery; inmate dies

An Oklahoma inmate died Tuesday evening of an apparent heart attack after authorities botched the delivery of drugs and stopped his execution.

A story of when death goes bad.

Oklahoma was set to kill two inmates tonight.. Two for the price of one: But at a hefty cost. Things went south fast..

A purposeful state killing tonight of convicted murderer Clayton Lockett did not go as expected. . This is how CNN reported the developing story:

Convicted murderer Clayton Lockett was sedated and then given the second and third drugs in the protocol, Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton told reporters. “There was some concern at that time that the drugs were not having the effect, so the doctor observed the line and determined that the line had blown,” he said. When asked what he meant by “blown,” Patton said that Lockett’s vein had “exploded.”

"I notified the attorney general’s office, the governor’s office of my intent to stop the execution and requested a stay for 14 days for the second execution scheduled this afternoon," said Patton, referring to the execution of Charles Warner. Lockett later suffered what appeared to be a heart attack and died, the director said.

Immediately, the state’s Governor issued a stay of execution for Charles Warner.

Damage control occurred as the Governor said an investigation into how the state killing went so wrong would be conducted. 

These are certainly not ‘good guys.’ 

Lockett was convicted for a number of crimes, including home invasions and a crime spree that left someone dead. Warner raped and killed a 11-month-old .. But the notion that killing the killers is the age old moral issue which never seems to be solved. The new cocktails that are given death row inmates are controversial.. What is the ‘best’ way for the state to kill someone? 

Certainly Oklahoma’s experience tonight will be a shock heard across the nation.. And perhaps enough to bring back a debate about the death penalty to the forefront.

Ever since I read and watched the GREEN MILE I have been re-though my youthful support of the death penalty. I have come to question its sense and sensibility, and often think we applaud the killing of other humans at our own peril. Regardless of the crimes they did—and they are unspeakable crimes, for sure—it seems we should find a new way to punish. Certainly, a check on daily headlines will prove, the death penalty has done very little to do what its intended consequence was: To reduce crime.

The GREEN MILE movie presented perhaps one of the most disturbingly memorable scenes I have ever seen in a film. It showcased the electric chair’s amazing ability to cause traumatic pain when used the wrong way. In reality, we have come no further. There may not be electrocutions being botched, but instead now we have cocktails gone awry..

The comments thread on the CNN story of tonight’s botched execution says it all. The majority of writers seem happy that the convicted murderer suffered and some even suggested that shooting criminals int he head would be better than the approach taken now. Seemingly forgotten in the verbal battle over the Oklahoma heart attack is this: How a nation treats its most innocent and also most guilty tells a story about that nation. How do we treat our babies? Our pride and joy? (And yes, some would argue even our fetuses..) And how do we treat our rapists, murderers, thieves, and frauds?

How should we?
Should we care that a criminal died tonight? And does it matter how it happened?

Oklahoma stops execution after botching drug delivery; inmate dies

City doesn’t know where 851 million gallons of missing water went

It’s enough to fill 1,300 Olympic-sized swimming pools. And the city has no clue where it went..

City doesn’t know where 851 million gallons of missing water went

A toddler conversation

Ayden: My tummy hurts
Daddy: Where?
Ayden: Here.
Daddy: Why?
Ayden: Because my tummy wants junk food.

CBS NEW YORK REPORTS: Birds Slam Into Windows, Leave Long Island Couple Lying Awake

It has been a full week of rude awakenings for a Long Island couple, who said their home has been under siege by a group of birds slamming into their windows over and over again.

The CBS affiliate in New York reports this:

The loud thumps have been waking them up morning after morning.

“Boom, boom, boom – that’s what it sounds like,” said Peter Kersich.

“It’s a pretty good hit on the window,” said Lisa Kersich.

The thumping started around 6 a.m. one morning and continued throughout the day. The couple sat by their window until they caught the culprits in the act.

It turned out it was a small group of robins flying headfirst into their windows.

“Just right into the window, full steam ahead,” Lisa Kersich said.

“We don’t know how he’s not getting hurt,” Peter Kersich said.

Call my spooky, but old wives tales still exist in my mind’s eye..And if you’re anything like me, you too know of the paranormal tales of birds trying to get into houses as harbingers of doom or death..

This same thing has occurred even in my family.. I heard some tales over deceased grandparents who ended up with dead birds in their kitchens immediately after they died—birds that crashed through windows or found some other means to their end.

The story from the CBS station is New York is probably explainable.. Most likely. Maybe. Kind of.

But creepy nonetheless..

Birds attempting to fly in.. head first.

CBS NEW YORK REPORTS: Birds Slam Into Windows, Leave Long Island Couple Lying Awake

101 Things You Cared About 10 Years Ago (But Don't At All Today)

There are times when thinking back to 2004 seems like just ‘yesterday’.. most likely because I am constantly freaked by how fast time goes.

But when you see the list of what pop culture said mattered in 2004, it feels like a generation ago.

By 2018 we will be so 2000 and late..

And my God, I did have a Cingular phone. Flipped.. 

101 Things You Cared About 10 Years Ago (But Don't At All Today)