ufos as mind control: the subliminal contradiction

Writer Charles Upton believes the UFO phenomena can be explained by demonic activity and invocation in the article, "UFOs as Mind-Control". "Demons are subtle beings who can temporarily materialize themselves and various objects in this world, but who cannot remain on our material plane for very long. And the deception activities of human groups, besides being attempts to piggyback on a phenomenon that the deceivers didn't originate and can't control, may be designed not simply to imitate the "aliens" to influence mass belief, but to actually invoke them. This suggests the possibility that elements of the intelligence community and various arcane technologists are involved in Satanism," speculates author. Upton suspects, "..powers that be are playing a game of both debunking the reality of UFOs and covertly planting evidence of their reality as a method of mass mind-control, using a technique I call 'subliminal contradiction.'"

aclu tackles the 'occult' category in internet filtering software

from patheos.com: ACLU announced that it has filed a lawsuit against a library in Salem, Missouri (download the full complaint) for using Internet filtering software that blocks websites pertaining to Wicca and Native American religions. As Ars Technica notes, sites blocked by the library’s software include Wikipedia’s page on Wicca, but not Christian-run pages that are critical of Pagan religions. According to the ACLU filing, Salem’s library director, Glenda Wofford, said “she would only allow access to blocked sites if she felt patrons had a legitimate reason to view the content and further said that she had an obligation to report people who wanted to view these sites to the authorities."

12/29 pop occulture: in the name of god, amen

mexico expects 52m tourists in maya region in 2012*

the top religion and ethics stories of 2011*
top ten ignored religion stories of 2011*
top 2011 religion stories that weren't*
top ten horror films of 2011*
beardless matisyahu still rocks hard, with dreidel mirror ball*
hitchens was an atheist who believed*

say it ain't so, joe

Joe Bodolai, television writer, found dead on Dec. 26, 2011 at age 63 in a Hollywood hotel room. Bodolai, obviously talented, scored 1600 on SATs and smart enough to resist Vietnam War. You have to love his last blog entry, where he describes difference between Dubya, Cheney and himself, "...leaving for Canada as a draft resister, not 'dodger'. (Dick Cheney and George Bush are dodgers. I resisted. I was wanted by the FBI.)". Bodolai wrote scripts for such notables as Saturday Night Live, Wayne's World and helped create the Comedy Network.  There are suspicions of foul play, but Bodolai lists his chief regrets, alcoholism and move to Los Angeles. Some suspect Bodolai's demise hastened by his views, quite clear, for a confessed alcoholic, and perhaps, got him black-balled?

police storm church of the nativity to break up brawling priests

clerics clash in bethlehem brawl at jesus' birthplace*

from beliefblog: Clergy from two Christian sects came to blows in the Church of the Nativity on Wednesday morning, prompting police to storm the Bethlehem holy site. Several dozen Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests were cleaning the interior of the church Wednesday morning when, according to witnesses, two of them began fighting. The fight quickly escalated, and soon, 50 to 60 priests were exchanging blows with broomsticks. Bethlehem police were sent in to quell the fighting, Palestinian police Maj. Ahed Hasayen said... In 2007, clergy from the same sects came to blows in a similar incident.

uk's office of communication issues regulations on occult advertising

from wildhunt: The UK broadcasting regulatory body Ofcom (Office of Communications) has issued a new set of guidelines for ads peddling psychic and occult services. The new rules outright ban the selling of occult services on British television, and place restrictions on tarot and astrology programs.

“Television advertisements must not promote psychic practices or practices related to the occult [...] Psychic and occult-related practices include ouija, satanism, casting of spells, palmistry, attempts to contact the dead, divination, clairvoyance, clairaudience, the invocation of spirits or demons and exorcism. [...] Advertisements for personalised and live services that rely on belief in astrology, horoscopes, tarot and derivative practices are acceptable only on channels that are licensed for the purpose of the promotion of such services and are appropriately labelled: both the advertisement and the product or service itself must state that the product or service is for entertainment purposes only”.

vigilant citizen's holiday greetings

A Seasons Greetings of sorts goes up at Vigilant Citizen (VC) website. VC dismisses traditional cornball folly of gratuitous exchanges, but settles instead on earnest message to readers. The message is the revelation of "Truth".  First, VC sums up "our civilization" with little effort. Education is obedience training. Politics is little more than a puppet show and the Agenda will proceed regardless of election outcome.  People are taught to be shallow, materialistic and to immediately gratify their impulses.  There is a point - even if not looking - the lie exposes itself!  The present writer would cite 9/11 as a very good example.  It is clearly a process that takes time and effort to rise above!

murder/mayhem: silent night, deadly night

update: police say texas gunman dressed as santa

police find 7 dead in texas apt
from ap: Seven people who were believed to be related had opened their Christmas gifts and started cleaning up the wrapping paper when they were shot to death in a suburban Fort Worth apartment, police said Sunday. Authorities said they believed the killer was among the dead.

40 killed in nigerian christmas day bombings
from vanguard: It was a bloody Christmas Day celebration, Sunday, when the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram carried out bomb attacks in some northern Nigerian cities, killing at least 40 people with several others injured.

fire at ad exec's connecticut home kills 3 kids, grandparents
from newscore: A fire tore through the home of an advertising executive in a tony neighborhood along the Connecticut shoreline Sunday, killing her three children and both of her parents on Christmas morning. Madonna Badger, who bought the large Victorian home last year, was able to get out of the house, along with an acquaintance.

charges filed in illinois christmas eve murder
from ksdk: Bond is set and $1,000,000 for a man arrested in connection with a Washington Park murder. Officers found Edward Austin, 35, shot to death inside a home on North 49th Street early Saturday morning. Officers arrested Ramos Sanders, 26, a short time later, after finding him lying in a field near the murder scene. Sanders is charged with First Degree Murder.

update: missing ind. girl found dead, babysitter charged*

spiritual wake-up call just ahead

Zen Gardner writes in recent article, "Why The Globalist Agenda Is Backfiring," about positive reasons to hang in there and endure the world oligarchs' engineered econo-crash! Gardener implies the human dilemma, can indeed, be paradoxocal!  The devilish-in-appearance Zbigniew Brzezinski is quoted to make clear the course an average person can expect from puppetmasters behind the scenes - AKA, the oligarchs. "'...To put it bluntly: in earlier times, it was easier to control one million people than to physically kill one million people; today, it is infinitely easier to kill one million people than to control one million people,'” coldly accesses Brzezinski!  Gardner expresses his human outrage at the callousness of Brzezinski's statement. "'Infinitely easier.' No options there. This wicked snake is one of Obama’s mentors and current advisers," Gardner aptly describes Brzezinski!

der krampus: santa's alter ego

"You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why; because Santa [and his clean up man for children with bad behavior, Krampus,] is coming to town!" Wikipedia's entry describes Krampus as a tradition of Austrian Alpine villages and thought to be a holdover from pagan times, "Krampus is a mythical creature recognized in Alpine countries. According to legend, Krampus accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children. When the Krampus finds a particularly naughty child, it stuffs the child in its sack and carries the frightened child away to its lair, presumably to devour for its Christmas dinner." A nice description of the Krampus myth can be viewed on You Tube. There is also a short 1919 silent film, "Aleta Und Der Krampus," available for viewing. Clyde Lewis provides his view on myth in article, "Der Krampen - The Return of Satan's Claws". Is it worth considering, Krampus myth, may have been useful and constructive means to bring children's behavior in line without psychoactive pharmaceuticals?  Or is it just more fear-based culture?

timeline of pat sullivan meth-for-sex scandal

Pat Sullivan meth-for-sex scandal update: A timeline of former Arapahoe County Sheriff's Pat Sullivan meth-for-sex arrest and investigation is available here - thanks to Denver area 9News. An overshadowed case without element of rah, rah college sports perhaps, it is more corrupt with sex, drugs and death intimately involved with "law enforcement". The spectacle includes curious Sean Ross death, who died with large amount of meth and date rape drug GHB in blood.  There's also reputed "Sullivan sex tapes" supplied to authorities by Tom Martino and Jonathan Elinoff of Troubleshooter Network. Is it simply mistake of falling prey to meth addiction or is a grimmer degeneration of mind and soul at work?

Another Victim Comes Forward With Lawsuit Against Sandusky

Jerry Sandusky-Penn St scandal update: Charles Schmidt Jr, lawyer representing twelfth victim, files lawsuit in Philadelphia county, PA, in order to beat statute of limitations. The alleged victim was 12 at time of incident and will be 20 yr old next month. A CBS21 news story and video provide details. Schmidt states, his client was taken to Sandusky's office at the Second Mile Charity, handed a glass of whiskey and subsequently sexually assaulted. Victim revealed only happened once but scarred him for life.

scientists conclude no scientific explanation for shroud of turin

from whtc: Italian researchers concluded Wednesday that there is no scientific explanation for the image that appears on the Shroud of Turin. For believers, the Shroud of Turin is thought to have on it a chemical copy of the face of Jesus Christ. In 2006, the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development had believed the imprint on the cloth to have been created by an “ultraviolet flash of light.” Further research by the agency was necessary to investigate the fact that ultraviolet technology was not available during that time period. As a result, after 5 years of research and experiments, the agency has concluded that the image is not the result of any process known to modern world. Additionally, the study showed that imprint left on the shroud may have been created by an intense light source, but no manmade source could have produced the strength required to leave the image. The new information doesn’t prove, however, that the Shroud of Turin is an imprint by Jesus, but supporters are likely to take the research as proof of divine power.

institutional dutch catholic abuse 'affected thousands'

from bbc: Tens of thousands of children have suffered sexual abuse in Dutch Catholic institutions since 1945, a report says. The report by an independent commission said Catholic officials had failed to tackle the widespread abuse at schools, seminaries and orphanages. But the report also found that one in five children who attended an institution suffered abuse - regardless of whether it was Catholic. "This episode fills us with shame and sorrow," said a bishops' statement... The report estimates that 10,000-20,000 minors were abused in the care of Catholic institutions between 1945 and 1981, when the number of Church-run homes dropped. In the years between 1981 and 2011, several more thousands suffered at the hands of priests and others working for the Church.

pope benedict peace message calls for wealth redistribution

from rns: Noting a "rising sense of frustration" at the worldwide economic recession, Pope Benedict XVI said that a more just and peaceful world requires "adequate mechanisms for the redistribution of wealth." The pope's words appeared in his message for the World Day of Peace 2012, released on Friday (Dec. 16) at the Vatican. The message laments that "some currents of modern culture, built upon rationalist and individualist economic principles, have cut off the concept of justice from its transcendent roots, detaching it from charity and solidarity."

menorahs lighted in new york, nation's capital

from cnn: From big balloons at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to a big Christmas tree at Manhattan's Rockefeller Center, the Big Apple is known for going big around the holidays. And on Tuesday, the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, New Yorkers went big again, lighting a massive menorah outside the south side of Central Park.

The nine-branched candelabra is 32 feet tall, 28 feet wide, weighs 4,000 pounds, and is considered the world's biggest, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, director of the city's Lubavitch Youth Organization, said the gold-colored steel structure is equipped with oil lamps and has special glass chimneys to protect the flames from wind.

The Brooklyn-based group has coordinated the lighting ceremony since it began in 1977, then coinciding with the administration of Abraham David Beam, the first Jewish mayor of New York City.

The massive structure was designed by renowned Jewish artist Yaacov Agam, according to Butman.

During the celebration, one candle is lighted the first night, and an additional candle is lighted each subsequent night for eight nights, earning Hanukkah the name "The Festival of Lights."

"The menorah is a symbol of inspiration not only for the Jewish people, but all people, regardless of race, color or creed," Butman said.

In the nation's capital, a special lighting ceremony near the White House also marked the start of the holiday.

"Tonight, as families and friends come together to light the menorah, it is a story that reminds us to count our blessings, to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors," President Barack Obama said in a statement. "To believe that through faith and determination, we can work together to build a brighter, better world for generations to come."

The White House menorah lighting dates to 1979 with President Jimmy Carter.

vatican goes high-tech to preserve fragile ancient tomes

from msnbc: One of the world's oldest libraries in Rome faces a huge problem — how to preserve 1,800-year-old manuscripts in a digital format that's readable for next-generation computers. A format designed to store images taken by satellites and orbital telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope could offer a solution to the Holy See's Vatican Library. Archivists have already begun scanning the fragile, ancient tomes in the Vatican's collection with software that can transform old pages pressed against glass into an accurate, flat digital image. Such images saved in the flexible image transport system (FITS) format — designed by NASA and European space scientists in the 1970s — will allow computers built even 100 years from now to decode whatever information is stored.

winter solstice 2011: pagan celebrations mark shortest day of the year

from national post: Depending on where you are in the world, December 21 or 22 marks the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere: the official beginning of winter, and the longest night of the year. (In Canada, the switch happens either late at night on the 21st, or early in the morning on the 22nd; for those on Eastern Standard Time, the new season begins at 12:30 a.m. December 22).

The days may seem dark, with those living in Vancouver getting a little more than eight hours of daylight, Calgarians a little under. And pity light-deprived Iqaluit, which at this time receives a little over four hours of daylight, while places north of the Arctic Circle are dark for several months.

The bright side? The days will start — imperceptibly at first — to get progressively longer, up until the summer solstice in June.

The word “solstice” is Latin for “sun-stand still,” and the annual celestial event is celebrated in many cultures around the world. In Stonehenge, England, thousands gather to dance and sing while watching the sunrise over the stones. For the Chinese, the winter solstice brings families together as many take part in the tradition of making glutinous balls of rice. Street processions are a common feature on this day in Japan and Ireland.

update: solstice means 'illumination' at california mission

Bernie Fine Scandal Update: Third Accuser Pleads Guilty

Bernie Fine Syracuse sex scandal update: Is coverup already at work? CNN reports, "Zachary Tomaselli, the third man to publicly allege that former Syracuse University coach Bernie Fine molested him, pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that he sexually abused a teenage boy." The only eligible charges for prosecution, as previously reported, Fine's lawyers have already attempted to shoot down Tomaselli.

Tomaselli has fought back by filing a civil lawsuit, as reported in news article, "...filed in Allegheny County court by Zachary Tomaselli...one day after a prosecutor in Syracuse said he had records that could disprove the allegations. Fine's attorneys also say travel records prove that Tomaselli is lying." Tomaselli appears as much victim and abuser as accuser! Zachary Tomaselli plays similar role in Syracuse to Mike McQueary's in Penn St. scandal. Tomaselli and McQueary are key targets.

Associated Press: Penn State Scandal 2011's #1 Sports Story

Jerry Sandusky-Penn St scandal update: Associated Press (AP) voted Jerry Sandusky scandal the No.1 Sports Story for 2011, according to NBC Sports.

What McQueary And Others Said At Friday Hearing

Mike McQueary spent over two hours on stand Friday at preliminary hearing for former Penn St athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz, reports ESPN. The pair of former Penn St officials are charged with failure to report child sexual abuse and perjury. McQueary held up well by all indications, providing credible account, dispelling previous criticisms. "McQueary...said he had stopped by a campus football locker room to drop off a pair of sneakers in the spring of 2002 when he heard slapping sounds in a shower and happened upon [Jerry] Sandusky and the boy. He said Sandusky was behind the boy he estimated to be 10 or 12 years old, with his hands wrapped around the youngster's waist. He said the boy was facing a wall, with his hands on it. McQueary, 37, said he has never described what he saw as anal rape or anal intercourse and couldn't see Sandusky's genitals, but that "it was very clear that it looked like there was intercourse going on." ESPN legal analyst, Lester Munson, referred to McQueary as a strong witness.

Tom Farrell, Schultz's lawyer, made perhaps most interesting comment with shot at ex-coach Joe Paterno, "'I'm an Italian from Brooklyn, and he may not have called the police but he may have done what I would have done, which is get the boys in the car with a few baseball bats and crowbars and take it to the fellow.'"

wewelsburg: grail castle of nazi regime

SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler envisioned Wewelsburg Castle as an SS occult center when leased in 1934 - a place for marriage rites, celebrations and research. Writer Phillip Coppens in his article, "The Wewelsburg: The Nazi Grail Castle," provides survey of present castle constructed in 1603 to 1609. Coppens writes, "...the Wewelsburg was going to be the “Grail Castle” of the Nazi regime, once it had established itself as rulers of the world."

mcqueary: whistleblower and whipping boy in penn st scandal

It's a sad day in America when "morally right" decision to report child sexual abuse, gets condemned! Assistant Coach Mike McQueary could've remained silent as janitors chose to do in 2000. Bob Braun reveals 2000 incident as choice between livelihood or moral course in a detailed blog entry. A Boston Herald article accurately summarizes McQueary's dilemma, "instead of a whistle-blower, he became a whipping boy." There's no truer words as many would like scandal to simply go away, such as Jerry Sandusky's wife, Dottie, as she maintains in article, "Wife: Jerry Sandusky didn't harm kids". A reader suspects a difficult reality too hard to accept, underscores denial of multiple reports of Sandusky's alleged offenses. The present writer, believes, McQueary can still do the right thing and be a whistle-blower as well as whipping boy of the powerful. The Penn St power structure will make every effort to assure scandal goes away! Will McQueary be able to withstand pressure and do the right thing?

12/15 pop occulture: osama, occupy & more

poll: osama tops religion news for 2011*

occupy 2.0? church leaders join movement*
satire: 5 subtle ways to convince co-workers that you're evil*
atheists embracing faith for their kids*
senate action averts shutdown of US religious freedom commission*
christopher hitchens dead at 62*

a fourth man accuses bernie fine of sexual abuse

A prison inmate steps forward to become fourth man to accuse former Syracuse coach Bernie Fine with sexual abuse. "Floyd VanHooser, 56, currently serving 16 years to life at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y., for a string of burglaries, says that he lived with the Fines on and off for more than 40 years, beginning when he was orphaned at age 13. He says that Fine began sexually abusing him in 1969, when he was just 14 years old, and was pressuring him into giving blowjobs for money as recently as last summer, " according to Deadspin article. Wow!

mcqueary will testify at key friday hearing

Jerry Sandusky-Penn St scandal update: Mike McQueary, assistant coach, will testify at Friday hearing in Harrisburg, PA against -ex athletic director Tim Curley and -ex vice president Gary Schultz, according to thedenverchannel.com. Curley and Schultz are charged with perjury and failure to report child sexual abuse.

original offering found at teotihuacan pyramid

from ap: Archaeologists announced Tuesday that they dug to the very core of Mexico's tallest pyramid and found what may be the original ceremonial offering placed on the site of the Pyramid of the Sun before construction began. The offerings found at the base of the pyramid in the Teotihuacan ruin site just north of Mexico City include a green serpentine stone mask so delicately carved and detailed that archaeologists believe it may have been a portrait. The find also includes 11 ceremonial clay pots dedicated to a rain god similar to Tlaloc, who was still worshipped in the area 1,500 years later, according to a statement by the National Institute of Anthropology and History, or INAH. The offerings, including bones of an eagle fed rabbits as well as feline and canine animals that haven't yet been identified, were laid on a sort of rubble base where the temple was erected about A.D. 50. "We know that it was deposited as part of a consecration ritual for the construction of the Pyramid of the Sun," said INAH archaeologist Enrique Perez Cortes.

$666k in federal research to determine prayer could not heal aids

from chicago tribune: Thanks to a $374,000 taxpayer-funded grant, we now know that inhaling lemon and lavender scents doesn't do a lot for our ability to heal a wound. With $666,000 in federal research money, scientists examined whether distant prayer could heal AIDS. It could not.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine also helped pay scientists to study whether squirting brewed coffee into someone's intestines can help treat pancreatic cancer (a $406,000 grant) and whether massage makes people with advanced cancer feel better ($1.25 million). The coffee enemas did not help. The massage did.

NCCAM also has invested in studies of various forms of energy healing, including one based on the ideas of a self-described "healer, clairvoyant and medicine woman" who says her children inspired her to learn to read auras. The cost for that was $104,000.

A small, little-known branch of the National Institutes of Health, NCCAM was launched a dozen years ago to study alternative treatments used by the public but not accepted by mainstream medicine. Since its birth, the center has spent $1.4 billion, most of it on research.

'wonderful blood': christian cannibalism in the middle ages

from strangehistory.net: Christian ‘cannibalism’ refers to the Eucharist when Christians (or at least non-Protestant Christians) believe that the bread and wine transmute, in mass, into the blood and body of Christ. Modern Christians are for the most part blasé about this: no one really thinks of the Eucharist as eating the flesh of another human being. In fact, it only really came home to Beachcombing a few years ago when explaining Christian belief to a class full of Chinese students: he can still remember the looks…The pagan Romans too were horrified to learn that Christians ate each other: memories of rumours of sexual impropriety among antique followers of the cross. There is a lot of room for cultural (mis)understanding here. The Middle Ages, however, positively made hay with the subject. There are several saints lives where the wine and bread miraculously transform into dripping hunks of, well, body parts and the congregation celebrate as the miracle of the mass is confirmed. In the later Middle Ages, meanwhile, as the Reformation comes closer there are particularly worrying final hurrahs as Catholics celebrate the consumption of blood. An excellent book here is Wonderful Blood: Theology and Practice in Late Medieval Germany and Beyond by Caroline Walker Bynum. Just to give a sense, her chapters include 'Blood Frenzy' and 'Blood as Drops' and 'Blood as Social Survival'.

horror stories from christian tough-love teen homes

from mother jones: New Beginnings describes itself as a character-building facility for "troubled teens," and what Jeannie Marie heard in church that day was that this might be a place for her daughter to heal..."It sounded like a discipleship program," Jeannie Marie recalls. "A safe place where a daughter can go to have time alone to find God and her direction." Instead, Roxy found herself on the receiving end of brutal punishments. A soft-spoken young woman, blonde and blue-eyed with a bright smile, Roxy confided to me that she found it easier to discuss her ordeal with a stranger than with the people closest to her. She told me how, in her first weeks at the academy's Missouri compound — a summer-camp setup in remote La Russell, population 145 — she and other girls snuck letters to their parents between the pages of hymnals in a local church they attended, along with entreaties to congregants to mail them. When another girl snitched, Roxy said, McNamara locked some girls in makeshift isolation cells, tiled closets without furniture or windows. Roxy got "the redshirt treatment": For a solid week, 10 hours a day, she had to stand facing a wall, with breaks only for worship or twice-daily bathroom trips. She was monitored day and night by two "buddies," girls who'd been there awhile and knew the drill. They accompanied her to the shower and toilet, and introduced her to a life of communal isolation and rigid discipline. Girls were not allowed to converse except from 6 to 9 p.m. each Friday. They were not allowed contact with their families during their first month, or with anyone else for six months. By that time, Roxy said, most girls are "broken," having been told that their families have abandoned them, and that the world outside is a sinful, dangerous place where girls who leave are murdered or raped.

is tim tebow god's quarterback?

video: but what if #timtebow was muslim?*

from patch: Tim Tebow is the most talked about, and perhaps, the most polarizing figure in the sports world. He's been called the "Mile High Messiah" for bringing the Denver Broncos back to life with his magical play at quarterback. Tebow has also been mocked openly by other NFL players and criticized by many for his religious beliefs.

"Everybody seems to be looking for some kind of deep meaning in what he does," said Father Robert Crofut of the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Norwalk. "I believe that Tebow is just expressing thanks for who he is and the gifts that he is blessed with."

Those who criticize Tebow for pointing to the sky after completing a touchdown pass or taking a knee to pray before a potential game-winning field goal, feel he should keep his gestures private. Others say that Tebow is just being himself and staying true to his faith.

odd legal move by jerry sandusky

Was Jerry Sandusky forgetting, he's no longer in front of cameras for football? "We fully intend to put together the best possible defense that we can do, to stay the course, to fight for 4 quarters. We want the opportunity to present our side," Sandusky to media as reported in a TMZ.com brief. There are legal experts whose opinions fall on either side of Sandusky's decision to waive preliminary hearing. Reuters headline, "Analysis: Waiving hearing was Sandusky's best option: experts," leans heavily towards waiver as a signal open to plea bargain, even if only later? Another TMZ.com article, "Jerry Sandusky's Legal Move Worst Strategy Ever," condemns missed opportunities at a hearing for chances victim's testimony might contradict prior statements. One legal expert offered his own coaching tip in article, "'waiving the preliminary hearing is like laying down on the field for the first half of the game'". The choice to confront one's accusers, would be obvious one if Jerry Sandusky's defense is primary concern - but is it?

rabbi destroys tv's in religious ritual

from forward: Check out this video. What’s the story? Any guesses? It looks like a video of a garbage processing plant, or maybe a recycling project. In fact, as the noisy truck starts to tip out its load, so begins the newest bizarre religious ritual in Israel. Amnon Yitzhak, the charismatic outreach rabbi, decided to hold a ceremony in Jerusalem destroying televisions to make the point that they are a corrupting influence, bringing harmful secular values to the lives of viewers. Part of the ritual destruction was held opposite the offices of the Israel Broadcasting Authority headquarters in Jerusalem. Yitzhak is a secular-born Israeli who became religious at age 24 and has, for the last 15 years, been running Shofar, an organization that encourages people to follow his footsteps and make the same change.

saudi woman beheaded for 'witchcraft and sorcery'

from cnn: A woman was beheaded in Saudi Arabia for practicing witchcraft and sorcery, the kingdom's Interior Ministry said, prompting Amnesty International to call for a halt in executions there. Amina bint Abdel Halim Nassar was executed Monday for having "committed the practice of witchcraft and sorcery," according to an Interior Ministry statement. Nassar was investigated before her arrest and was "convicted of what she was accused of based on the law," the statement said. Her beheading took place in the Qariyat province of the region of Al-Jawf, the ministry said.

mcqueary is key (target)

The Patriot-News article by Sara Ganim titled, "Another version of Mike McQueary's story about Jerry Sandusky surfaces," reveals who will be on receiving end of pot shots if her story is any indication? Ganim is given good reason however, as versions of McQueary's story keep growing! Sportswriter Mark Madden's question is key to entire case! "McQueary destroyed his own eyewitness account in such systematic fashion, you wonder if he did it on purpose. What would he possibly have to gain," asks Madden in November piece "Stupidity or Sabotage?" McQueary would gain relief from tremendous legal pressures. The assistant football coach would - in effect - clear not only former coach Sandusky but also fired ex-coach Joe Paterno of damning child abuse testimony, by rendering, his credibility invalid with so many versions.

There's also former athletic drector Tim Curley and fomer vice president Gary Schultz, whose lawyers will have McQueary in their crosshairs, according to recent USA Today article. The defendants' lawyers will make every attempt to impugn star witness's testimony! Tomorrow's hearing is possibly the biggest, since 1994 O.J. Simpson' murder trial, where preliminary hearing lasted six days.

where is the stone of destiny?

Where is the Stone of Destiny? The stone known also as the Coronation Stone, the Stone of Scone and the Lia Fail (Gaelic: Stone of Destiny), possesses heritage traceable to time of Jacob in the Holy Land. Phillip Coppens writes in article, "The Stone of Destiny: sacred kingship in the 21st century," "...the Stone is believed to have been 'Jacob’s Pillow', referring to the Biblical story in which Jacob falls asleep on a stone and has a dream in which he sees angels descend and ascend to Heaven”. The stone is also called 'Jacob's Pillar'. It's long suspected the sacred stone was stolen and replaced with a poorly faked replica, but where is it?

bernie fine scandal update: only eligible charges in question

Bernie Fine Syracuse sex scandal update: Huffington Post reports third accuser - and only eligible charges - may be lying?  The article informs, "Fine's lawyers say the school records for Zach Tomaselli and travel records for the basketball team appear to prove Tomaselli fabricated his claim that Fine abused him in January 2002 at a hotel when the team played in Pittsburgh...Tomaselli, 23, is one of three men who accuse Fine of molesting them when they were boys. Tomaselli's claims are the only ones among the three that are eligible for prosecution within the statute of limitations." Are curtains closing on Syracuse sex scandal before opening act even unfolds?

jerry sandusky updates: no cameras, app denied, plea bargains

Jerry Sandusky will likely have print-only media coverage according to a Washington Times' article: Gameday blackout: Cameras barred from Jerry Sandusky hearing Tuesday. "Pennsylvania Judge John M. Cleland barred cameras from the hearing. He also barred the use of personal computers for anything other than notetaking, meaning no tweeting, live blogging, or real time website posts. Judge Cleland will provide a courtroom sketch artist. How cutting edge. Welcome to the 1950s era of public transparency... Pennsylvania is one of only three states that routinely bars television and radio coverage from its courtrooms..." comments Gayle Falkenthal.

A Fox Sports story, "Background check denied Sandusky job," reports former Penn St assistant applied for volunteer coaching job at a central Pennsylvania college. "Officials at Juniata College said Wednesday that Sandusky applied for the volunteer football coaching job in May 2010 and rejected the following month after a background check showed a high school where Sandusky previously volunteered was investigating him," reveals article.

author/expert nick bryant comments on sandusky/penn state case

from peterbcollins.com: Nick Bryant, author and expert on child sex predators, talks about the Sandusky case at Penn State, and the Nebraska child sex trafficking ring he exposed in his book, The Franklin Scandal. Listen to the full interview here. For many years, Bryant has been studying cases of child sex exploitation and pandering. His book, based on 7 years of research, exposed a Nebraska scandal involving Larry E. King, who ran a credit union called Franklin. Bryant reports King was a pedophile who pimped underage boys and girls to powerful clients, and he compares King to Sandusky in their ability to prevent investigations. One of King’s victims was sent to prison for perjury when King beat the rap! Bryant warns that grand juries at the state and federal levels are subject to influence and manipulation, but says this week’s new indictments of Sandusky are encouraging.

sean moss and pat sullivan: meth connection

Sean Moss, an adult film star, gained job as a security guard on recommendation of former Sheriff Pat Sullivan. Sullivan bailed Moss out of jail just 12 days prior to gay actor's body found in river just north of Coors Field, according to TheDenverChannel.com article. Moss was jailed on domestic violence charges. The article concludes, "an autopsy found that intoxication from methamphetamine and GHB, a rave drug also known as "Liquid Ecstasy" and a date-rape drug, contributed to Moss' death". Sullivan used his own get out of jail card and released, Tuesday, just one week after arrest for soliciting sex for meth.

ashes of the nameless & unclaimed buried in los angeles ritual

ashes of 1,639 people buried in common grave in ceremony*
from latimes: They are the unidentified, the estranged, those whose loved ones just couldn't afford to bury them. In a simple yet poignant ceremony Wednesday near a busy Boyle Heights intersection, the ashes of more than 1,600 people who had never been identified or whose bodies were never claimed were buried in a single grave. The mass burial has become a custom each December at the Los Angeles County Crematory and Cemetery. This year's ceremony was attended by just a few, none of whom knew the deceased. The Rev. Chris Ponnet, a chaplain at County-USC Medical Center, led the service for "the nameless and the named but unclaimed" — 1,639 bodies in all. Interfaith burial rites and prayers were included, with readings from the Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish and Christian traditions. The ceremony concluded with the Serenity Prayer, Psalm 23 and a blessing of hands over the burial site. "I think it's commendable that the county doesn't bury them in the dead of the night," Ponnet said. "It says we have a depth of humanity."

related update: air force dumped ashes of more troops' remains in virginia landfill than previously acknowledged

the devil's 11

an opinion/analysis by zach bosart on 11/11/11 being a possible catalyst for the week of violence that erupted across the globe
The date was 11/11/11. For believers in numerology, the date held significant meaning and was seen by some as being a day of energy accumulation for the days ahead. It is also seen as a bad omen by some. There were also mass weddings that day, for those who treated the date as a positive force for their future lives together. Rituals planned around the pyramids at Giza had to be turned away by the local authorities, as too many different groups all wanted to conduct their ceremonies at the same time that day. Even children born on the date are given significant media attention. These seemingly paltry and somewhat vague examples of numerical influence upon human behavior are only somewhat noteworthy to perhaps psychologists or social commentators.

However, there were other events that day. Events with a subtle effect upon our consciousness, perhaps altering the events in the days to come. Usually a coincidence is just that and nothing more. However, when they begin to stack upon each other and interconnect, patterns in the seemingly random events can be found. An order hidden in the chaos, as it were.

workmen make 'bewitching' discovery in uk countryside cottage

witches' coven site thought found in british ruins*
from ukpress: Water engineers have unearthed what could prove to be one of the most infamous sites in England's history of witches and warlocks. United Utilities' workers were "stunned" to discover a 17th century witch's-style cottage, with a mummified cat sealed into the walls, during a routine construction project in Pendle, Lancashire. The "spellbinding" find occurred near Lower Black Moss reservoir in the village of Barley, which nestles in the shadow of Pendle Hill - the UK's premier witching hotspot. Speculation is already rife among local historians that the building could be the lost Malkin Tower - the site of a notorious meeting of the Pendle witches on Good Friday, 1612. Archaeologists brought in by the North West water firm to survey the area found a remarkably well-preserved building from the 1600s, hidden beneath a grass mound. The building contained a sealed room, with a mummified cat bricked into the wall. It is believed the cat was buried alive to protect the cottage's inhabitants from evil spirits. Carl Sanders, United Utilities' project manager, said: "It's not often you come across a fairytale cottage complete with witch's cat. The building is in remarkable condition. You can walk through it and get a real sense that you're peering into the past." Simon Entwistle, an expert on the Pendle witches, said: "In terms of significance, it's like discovering Tutankhamun's tomb. We are just a few months away from the 400th anniversary of the Pendle witch trials, and here we have an incredibly rare find, right in the heart of witching country."

sandusky cuffed on new sex abuse charges

from cbs/ap: Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky has been arrested on new sex abuse charges brought by two new accusers. Authorities say Sandusky was arrested and arraigned Wednesday.

The charges were brought after the new accusers were questioned by a grand jury. Both alleged victims were part of Sandusky's Second Mile charity. One claims he was assaulted in 1997 and the other in 2004.

Attorney General Linda L. Kelly said the two young men, identified as Victim 9 and Victim 10, were allegedly targeted by Sandusky when they were children.

"As in many of the other cases identified to date, the contact with Sandusky allegedly fit a pattern of 'grooming' victims," Kelly said, "Beginning with outings to football games and gifts; they later included physical contact that escalated to sexual assaults."

At Sandusky's first arraignment last month on the original charges involving eight alleged victims, bail was set at $100,000, which he made allowing him to be free on bail. The prosecutor at that time asked for $500,000 bail but that was denied. He is expected to ask for the same bail this time, CBS News has learned.

north miami beach police dept fires two in alleged santeria plot

casting spells on your boss could get you fired*

from patheos: For those faith traditions that incorporate magic and spellwork into their practices, Wicca, Santeria, Vodou, and any number of modern Pagan faiths, the urge to invoke supernatural help to solve a problem is sometimes overwhelming. This is especially true when an individual feels limited in what they can do in their day-to-day lives to remove an obstacle or improve their situation. That said, if you’re careless, casting spells on your boss could get you fired.

“Officer Elizabeth Torres, a 24-year department veteran, was terminated by City Manager Lyndon Bonner for conduct unbecoming of a police officer, according to a city news release. [...] Torres and office manager Yvonne Rodriguez had been accused of targeting Bonner with birdseed, which they believed to be part of a Santeria practice. The two had allegedly planned to scatter the seeds in and around Bonner’s city hall office in August. The alleged plan was concocted after Bonner had planned to cut the police budget, but was discovered after Torres and Rodriguez asked a janitor to help sprinkle the seeds, and the janitor turned them in.”

Both parties involved in the spell plot claim nothing malicious was intended, but it wasn’t enough to save their jobs. So, I guess there’s something of an object lesson here. At the very least, it reinforces the need to not incriminate yourself through accomplices or risky physical manifestations of your work. If it can’t be accomplished at home, or at a private temple, it might not be worth it.

However, underneath this cautionary tale is the larger issue of how businesses, law enforcement, and government should approach spells and spellwork. What’s protected expression, and what’s harassment, or improper conduct? As religions and traditions that engage in magic increasingly enter the mainstream, a larger ethos as to what’s acceptable and what crosses the line will increasingly be needed. What if there wasn’t birdseed, what if they were merely caught after hours chanting, praying, or reading from a book? What if, as Tim Elfrink at the Miami New Times posits, they were Christians caught praying? Would that still be improper conduct? I think we’ll continue to see cases like this in the news, and working their way through the court systems. Until then, I would keep the curses at home.

jerry's kids will testify at preliminary hearing

Jerry Sandusky update: "All eight of the boys allegedly sexually abused by former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky will testify against him when preliminary hearings in the case begin next week, according to people close to the case," as reported today at ABC News.

fmr sheriff pat sullivan trades blue uniform for orange jumpsuit

A highly-regarded former sheriff Patrick J Sullivan Jr. of Arapahoe County, Colorado traded in blue uniform in 2002 for an orange jumpsuit, this year, after attempting to trade meth for sex with a man! Sullivan, 68, was arrested last Tuesday and housed in detention center that bears his name, according to ABC News article.  Peter Boyles, KHOW talk host, conducts probing on air discussion of scandal Thursday and former sheriff's role. Boyles interviewed Jonathan Elinoff, who broke scandal to media, to learn more details! Boyles can only compare evil to that of Jerry Sandusky at Penn State, possibly, an allusion to organized sex trade?  It's a must listen interview!

weekend pedorama: penn state scandal's deep background

Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State asst. football coach, provides more details on relationship with Joe Paterno, fired Penn State head football coach, in a recent New York Times interview at his lawyer's home. A WPXI.com article nicely highlights additional aspects in Sandusky-Paterno relationship from the interview, which will be crucial in any legal proceeding. Sandusky is scheduled for preliminary hearing on Dec. 13."Penn State's board of trustees fired Paterno on Nov. 9 because it felt the football coach didn't go far enough in alerting authorities after an assistant coach said he told Paterno he saw Sandusky assaulting a young boy in the football building showers in March 2002," recaps article. An additional detail provided by article, "...Sandusky told the newspaper he and Paterno never spoke about the alleged 2002 incident or a 1998 child molestation complaint investigated by the Penn State campus police," may prove damning for Paterno.

weekend pedorama: syracuse pedo-scandal

Syracuse coach, Jim Boeheim (right), reversed direction in his defense of fired assistant Bernie Fine (left). The recent release of recorded conversations between Mrs. Fine and former ball boy, Bobby Davis, quite incriminating, forced Boeheim's change in course. Boeheim, by making an unqualified defense of Fine, leaves a sense of anxiety on Syracuse campus by what may still come to light? Mrs. Fine, in the recorded conversation, expressed opinion that Mr. Fine felt he was "above the law".

related update: recent charges of sexual abuse of children in hollywood just tip of iceberg
flashback: actor corey feldman says pedophilia no. 1 problem for child stars

newt gingrich: illuminati choice for 2012

Texe Marrs provides insight into background of presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich, which can't be found in mainstream media with article, "The Illuminati Choice for 2012".  Marrs exposes Gingrich for loyalty to the Zionist agenda, also, his recent "conversion" to Catholicism and ties to Opus Dei, "another group of money men." Mitt Romney and Rick Perry may be corporate puppets, but remain orders of magnitude less dangerous than Gingrich. Former Speaker Gingrich, a loose cannon, changed his positions with the years mostly to highest bidders.  Alex Jones on his Dec. 2 program (near end hour one), calls Gingrich the Fox candidate, an illuminist and questions accuracy of polls that show Gingrich in front? Jones and Marrs seem in agreement most dangerous of all is  Gingrich involvement in the "Third Wave".

occult symbolism of movie 'metropolis'

The 1927 silent movie "Metropolis" is more than science fiction. The Vigilant Citizen (VC) notes occult symbols in movie and its influence on pop occulture, in article, "The Occult Symbolism of Movie “Metropolis” and its Importance in Pop Culture". VC sees clearly, "...'Metropolis' is increasingly relevant as many of its predictions are becoming reality...a silent science-fiction movie released in 1927 by Fritz Lang, a master of German Expressionism. Set in a futuristic dystopia divided into two distinct and separate classes—the thinkers and the workers—Metropolis describes the struggles between the two opposite entities. Knowing that it was produced in 1927, viewing this movie today is quite an experience as many “sci-fi” aspects of the plot are eerily close to reality".

12/1 pop occulture: good spirits & the last taboo

an evil force lurks among us*

preachers confront 'last taboo':
condemning greed amid great recession*
billy graham in 'good spirits' in hospital*
video: israel's anti-US ads not kosher*
iran's leaders believe 'end of days' here*
3 in s. african court for church attack plot*
uk cops hunt relative of 'demonic women'*
therapist 'brainwashed' woman to think she was in satanic cult; is castlewood center in st-louis a mind control site?*
woman 'imprisoned' on scientology ship for 12yrs; church denounces claim*
cop accused of theft uses paranormal defense*
kentucky church bans interracial couples*
pat robertson says that the peace sign is a broken, upside down cross*
yoga is the work of the devil*
'harry potter & yoga are evil', says catholic church exorcist*
new film to highlight mystery of elvis' faith*
video: new 'devil inside' ad is creepy, unsurprising*
a second look at: 'american horror story'*
the satanic ritual stabbing retrospective*
video: who was missing from obama's thanksgiving day message?*
update: obama delivers very christian message at christmas tree lighting*