Subdivision bans Christmas wreath with peace sign
By ROBERT WELLER - Associated Press Writer - 11/27/06
DENVER — A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.
Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believed it was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.
‘‘Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up,’’ he said in a telephone interview Sunday.
Lisa Jensen said she wasn’t thinking of the war when she hung the wreath. She said, ‘‘Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing.’’
Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000, and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But she said she’s not going to take it down until after Christmas.
‘‘Now that it has come to this I feel I can’t get bullied,’’ she said. ‘‘What if they don’t like my Santa Claus.’’
The association in this 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by the sign and the board ‘‘will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive.’’
The subdivision’s rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_symbol
Antagonism
The fact that the symbol resembles a bird foot in a circle gave rise to spurious alternative interpretations, ranging from plain mockery of "crow's foot" or "The Footprint of the American Chicken" (suggesting that peace activists were cowards) to a number of occult meanings, such as an upside down crucifix with the arms broken downward, suggesting the way that St. Peter was martyred. Others have claimed that the symbol resembles a medieval sign known as "Nero's Cross" that represents Satanism [citation needed]. Alternatively, some have suggested that the symbol is an inverted Elhaz rune, which would reverse the rune's general meaning from 'life' to 'death'. Gerald Holtom's explanation of the genesis of the symbol and his first drawings of it, however, do not support those interpretations. [1]
Nov 28, 2006
Nov 22, 2006
Blame the critters/Letter ot the Editor
Your Nov. 12 article on cattle mutilations was of interest to me as I have had the opportunity to investigate several of these so-called ‘mutilations while serving both as a deputy sheriff and deputy brand inspector for Liberty County during the “UFO and cattle mutilation craze,” of the mid-to late 1970s.
It should be pointed out that cattle of all ages will, on occasion, simply drop dead in their tracks from a variety of natural causes. This might help explain the absence of blood, footprints, wheel tracks, and/or UFO landing patterns.
A dead bovine will naturally attract predators of all shapes and sizes to feed upon the carcass. The numbers and types of predators will vary from one area to another. The “soft” tissues, like the eyes, nose, udder, etc., are generally the first to be devoured, while natural body openings like the rectum and genitals offer a quick entry to the body cavity.
As for the “surgical precision” of the cuts or incisions, extensive studies undertaken in the late 1970s came to the conclusion that the teeth of small rodents were equally as effective as the surgeon’s knife.
And what did my investigations reveal? Nothing, but natural deaths, and normal predator feeding activities.
John L. Stoner
63 River Road
Townsend
It should be pointed out that cattle of all ages will, on occasion, simply drop dead in their tracks from a variety of natural causes. This might help explain the absence of blood, footprints, wheel tracks, and/or UFO landing patterns.
A dead bovine will naturally attract predators of all shapes and sizes to feed upon the carcass. The numbers and types of predators will vary from one area to another. The “soft” tissues, like the eyes, nose, udder, etc., are generally the first to be devoured, while natural body openings like the rectum and genitals offer a quick entry to the body cavity.
As for the “surgical precision” of the cuts or incisions, extensive studies undertaken in the late 1970s came to the conclusion that the teeth of small rodents were equally as effective as the surgeon’s knife.
And what did my investigations reveal? Nothing, but natural deaths, and normal predator feeding activities.
John L. Stoner
63 River Road
Townsend
Nov 14, 2006
Toys for Tots (All Tots)
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A talking Jesus doll has been turned down by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program.
A Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the 1 foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses, for distribution to needy children this holiday season. The battery-powered Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by one2believe, a division of the Valencia-based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., based on biblical figures.
But the charity balked because of the dolls' religious nature.
Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations," said Bill Grein, vice president of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, in Quantico, Virginia.
As a government entity, Marines "don't profess one religion over another," Grein said Tuesday.
"We can't take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family."
A Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the 1 foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses, for distribution to needy children this holiday season. The battery-powered Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by one2believe, a division of the Valencia-based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., based on biblical figures.
But the charity balked because of the dolls' religious nature.
Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations," said Bill Grein, vice president of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, in Quantico, Virginia.
As a government entity, Marines "don't profess one religion over another," Grein said Tuesday.
"We can't take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family."
Cow explosions, anyone?
By IR Staff - 11/14/06
There’s a big difference between urban legends — those almost believable but totally fictitious hair-raising little stories that never seem to die — and rural legends: Urban legends can be about almost anything; rural legends are about livestock mutilations.Well, there’s also the one about the exploding cow. But like the baby in the microwave or the hook hanging from the car door, livestock mutilations also never seem to go away.So it was déjà vu all over again Sunday when we printed an Associated Press story out of Great Falls that reported, according to the headline: “Cattle mutilation stuns ranchers.”To anyone who was around in the 1970s and 1980s, livestock mutilations are an old and fully discredited legend, despite the continuing credulity of some ranchers and investigating sheriff’s deputies.The story reported Sunday follows the legendary scenario to a fault: The cow’s udder, genitals and rectum were cut out with “stunning” precision. So was the left side of its face, the bones “stripped as clean as if they had been boiled.” No blood spatters were found. No tracks were nearby. Why wasn’t the rest of the body eaten?In the past, such gruesome findings have led to tales about how a secret government program requires organs and blood, or yarns about Satanist cults using the parts in rituals too horrible to contemplate. For a while, UFOs figured prominently in the mystery, until the aliens apparently moved on to abducting human beings instead.
Look: a dead animal’s blood flows to the parts of the body nearest the ground, making it appear bloodless, especially if it has been dead for a while and the blood has dried. Predators naturally go for the softer parts, and their sharp teeth, beaks and claws can make what appear to be “surgical” cuts. Why didn’t the predator devour the entire animal? Do you suppose it wasn’t that hungry?Somehow, that explanation sounds a bit more logical than black helicopters, evil cultists or aliens from outer space.At any rate, we need a little variety here. Did you hear about the guy milking a cow who, when the cow lifted its tail to pass some of its great load of methane, decided to light the gas? Ka-POW! (The man died in the explosion, impaled by a piece of femur.)Now there’s a story!
There’s a big difference between urban legends — those almost believable but totally fictitious hair-raising little stories that never seem to die — and rural legends: Urban legends can be about almost anything; rural legends are about livestock mutilations.Well, there’s also the one about the exploding cow. But like the baby in the microwave or the hook hanging from the car door, livestock mutilations also never seem to go away.So it was déjà vu all over again Sunday when we printed an Associated Press story out of Great Falls that reported, according to the headline: “Cattle mutilation stuns ranchers.”To anyone who was around in the 1970s and 1980s, livestock mutilations are an old and fully discredited legend, despite the continuing credulity of some ranchers and investigating sheriff’s deputies.The story reported Sunday follows the legendary scenario to a fault: The cow’s udder, genitals and rectum were cut out with “stunning” precision. So was the left side of its face, the bones “stripped as clean as if they had been boiled.” No blood spatters were found. No tracks were nearby. Why wasn’t the rest of the body eaten?In the past, such gruesome findings have led to tales about how a secret government program requires organs and blood, or yarns about Satanist cults using the parts in rituals too horrible to contemplate. For a while, UFOs figured prominently in the mystery, until the aliens apparently moved on to abducting human beings instead.
Look: a dead animal’s blood flows to the parts of the body nearest the ground, making it appear bloodless, especially if it has been dead for a while and the blood has dried. Predators naturally go for the softer parts, and their sharp teeth, beaks and claws can make what appear to be “surgical” cuts. Why didn’t the predator devour the entire animal? Do you suppose it wasn’t that hungry?Somehow, that explanation sounds a bit more logical than black helicopters, evil cultists or aliens from outer space.At any rate, we need a little variety here. Did you hear about the guy milking a cow who, when the cow lifted its tail to pass some of its great load of methane, decided to light the gas? Ka-POW! (The man died in the explosion, impaled by a piece of femur.)Now there’s a story!
Nov 13, 2006
Sex, that's all they think about!
BALTIMORE - America’s Roman Catholic bishops are focusing on the many Catholics who misunderstand or disregard church teaching, instructing them on beliefs about homosexuality, marriage, contraception and Holy Communion.
What about murder, theft, lies, violence.?
Guess the Church has better things to worry about, Espcecially with whats going on in your bedroom. It seems they are obsessed with sex. Its unhealthy.
What about murder, theft, lies, violence.?
Guess the Church has better things to worry about, Espcecially with whats going on in your bedroom. It seems they are obsessed with sex. Its unhealthy.
Elton John
LONDON, England (AP) -- Organized religion fuels anti-gay discrimination and other forms of bias, pop star Elton John said in an interview published Saturday.
"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred toward gay people," John said in the Observer newspaper's Music Monthly Magazine. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays."
"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion," he said. "From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
John also criticized religious leaders for failing to do anything about conflicts around the world.
"Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?"
John said those in his own field have been similarly lax.
"It's like the peace movement in the '60s. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts, but we don't seem to do them any more," he said. "If John Lennon were alive today, he'd be leading it with a vengeance."
"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred toward gay people," John said in the Observer newspaper's Music Monthly Magazine. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays."
"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion," he said. "From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
John also criticized religious leaders for failing to do anything about conflicts around the world.
"Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?"
John said those in his own field have been similarly lax.
"It's like the peace movement in the '60s. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts, but we don't seem to do them any more," he said. "If John Lennon were alive today, he'd be leading it with a vengeance."
Nov 12, 2006
Cow Mutilations!? Again?
Cattle mutilation stymies ranchers, investigators
By KAREN OGDEN
GREAT FALLS - Valier rancher John Peterson and his wife were recently headed out into the twilight to do chores when they spotted her.
The healthy young cow lay dead in a stubble field, just off the road.
Stopping the truck to investigate, they found the sickening, telltale signs.
The cow's udder, genitals and rectum were cut out with stunning precision. The left side of her face was carved off, the exposed bones stripped as clean as if they'd been boiled.
Peterson, who discovered a similarly mutilated cow on his neighbor's ranch five years ago, knew he was the latest victim in one of rural Montana's greatest mysteries.
Since the 1970s, Montana ranchers have found dozens of cattle carved up in similar, macabre fashion.
The first known incident was a mutilated steer reported near Sand Coulee in late August 1974. By December 1977, sheriff's deputies had investigated 67 mutilation cases in Cascade, Judith Basin, Chouteau, Teton and Pondera counties.
In each case, the cuts were made with surgical precision, often in circular shapes.
Similar cases have haunted ranchers in the Southwest since the 1970s, when a 300-page federally funded report concluded the killings were the work of natural predators.
Peterson, a lifelong rancher, says he knows a predator kill when he sees one. Grizzly bears, wolves and coyotes aren't suspects in this case, he said.
"It's the weirdest thing," he said. "A guy hates to say too much because I don't know how far you can go before they'll put you in the nut house."
Others theories, besides predators, involve pranksters, satanic cults and space aliens.
Whoever, or whatever, is responsible has left precious few clues for Pondera County Sheriff Tom Kuka. At least not the kind of clues lawmen are used to.
Like the others, Peterson's cow was found with no blood spills or splatters, no footprints and no sign of a struggle.
Nor were there footprints in past cases when the ground was muddy or snow-covered.
"There's no reasonable or rational explanation for this," said Kuka, who is investigating the case as felony criminal mischief. Peterson's cow was worth up to $1,200.
"I'm hoping to find anything that would show how did this animal come to get there," he said.
Perhaps the most unsettling hallmark of the mutilations is that hungry predators leave the carcasses untouched.
Peterson discovered the cow Oct. 9 and the birds are just now starting to peck at it.
"We had a cow die a week after this one about a half a mile away and there's nothing left of that other cow," he said.
Those oddities - no blood, no footprints and no predators - were all part of a similar spate of mutilations in the area in 2002, when ranchers reported at least 15 killings.
In one case, a rancher west of Dupuyer found a carcass with the skin peeled off the left side of the face and nose in similar fashion to Peterson's cow. The left eyeball, rectum and genitals were cut out. Part of the left ear was cut off, but the udder was intact.
On a ranch between Fort Shaw and Cascade, a carcass was missing its left eye, one teat, its genitals and rectum.
But in this latest case at Peterson's ranch, Kuka found an intriguing clue.
A few feet south of the carcass there was an impression in the stubble field, like the cow had lain down there. But there were no footprints or drag marks between the impression and her final resting place.
It was as if the bovine had fallen from the sky - and bounced.
Could she have been pushed from an aircraft?
There are numerous farmhouses in the area, and none reported hearing low-flying aircraft.
Aliens?
Even Peterson, a down-to-earth sort, admits he's pondered extraterrestrial explanations.
"You never know," he said. "I ain't gonna say they're out there. But I ain't gonna say they're not."
This story reappears like bigfoot sightings and other silly stories. I did write a letter to the editor about this very topic maybe five years ago. I need to find it and post it. I'm wondering if its the same people behind this again.
Why in g-ds name would space aliens want with so many cow parts, why not sheep? Are they not yet done with thier experiments? Its been over thirty years. Are they stupid.....
Why drop the evidence. Or is it a sick joke against those poor ranchers. Those space aliens are sooo funny. haha
By KAREN OGDEN
GREAT FALLS - Valier rancher John Peterson and his wife were recently headed out into the twilight to do chores when they spotted her.
The healthy young cow lay dead in a stubble field, just off the road.
Stopping the truck to investigate, they found the sickening, telltale signs.
The cow's udder, genitals and rectum were cut out with stunning precision. The left side of her face was carved off, the exposed bones stripped as clean as if they'd been boiled.
Peterson, who discovered a similarly mutilated cow on his neighbor's ranch five years ago, knew he was the latest victim in one of rural Montana's greatest mysteries.
Since the 1970s, Montana ranchers have found dozens of cattle carved up in similar, macabre fashion.
The first known incident was a mutilated steer reported near Sand Coulee in late August 1974. By December 1977, sheriff's deputies had investigated 67 mutilation cases in Cascade, Judith Basin, Chouteau, Teton and Pondera counties.
In each case, the cuts were made with surgical precision, often in circular shapes.
Similar cases have haunted ranchers in the Southwest since the 1970s, when a 300-page federally funded report concluded the killings were the work of natural predators.
Peterson, a lifelong rancher, says he knows a predator kill when he sees one. Grizzly bears, wolves and coyotes aren't suspects in this case, he said.
"It's the weirdest thing," he said. "A guy hates to say too much because I don't know how far you can go before they'll put you in the nut house."
Others theories, besides predators, involve pranksters, satanic cults and space aliens.
Whoever, or whatever, is responsible has left precious few clues for Pondera County Sheriff Tom Kuka. At least not the kind of clues lawmen are used to.
Like the others, Peterson's cow was found with no blood spills or splatters, no footprints and no sign of a struggle.
Nor were there footprints in past cases when the ground was muddy or snow-covered.
"There's no reasonable or rational explanation for this," said Kuka, who is investigating the case as felony criminal mischief. Peterson's cow was worth up to $1,200.
"I'm hoping to find anything that would show how did this animal come to get there," he said.
Perhaps the most unsettling hallmark of the mutilations is that hungry predators leave the carcasses untouched.
Peterson discovered the cow Oct. 9 and the birds are just now starting to peck at it.
"We had a cow die a week after this one about a half a mile away and there's nothing left of that other cow," he said.
Those oddities - no blood, no footprints and no predators - were all part of a similar spate of mutilations in the area in 2002, when ranchers reported at least 15 killings.
In one case, a rancher west of Dupuyer found a carcass with the skin peeled off the left side of the face and nose in similar fashion to Peterson's cow. The left eyeball, rectum and genitals were cut out. Part of the left ear was cut off, but the udder was intact.
On a ranch between Fort Shaw and Cascade, a carcass was missing its left eye, one teat, its genitals and rectum.
But in this latest case at Peterson's ranch, Kuka found an intriguing clue.
A few feet south of the carcass there was an impression in the stubble field, like the cow had lain down there. But there were no footprints or drag marks between the impression and her final resting place.
It was as if the bovine had fallen from the sky - and bounced.
Could she have been pushed from an aircraft?
There are numerous farmhouses in the area, and none reported hearing low-flying aircraft.
Aliens?
Even Peterson, a down-to-earth sort, admits he's pondered extraterrestrial explanations.
"You never know," he said. "I ain't gonna say they're out there. But I ain't gonna say they're not."
This story reappears like bigfoot sightings and other silly stories. I did write a letter to the editor about this very topic maybe five years ago. I need to find it and post it. I'm wondering if its the same people behind this again.
Why in g-ds name would space aliens want with so many cow parts, why not sheep? Are they not yet done with thier experiments? Its been over thirty years. Are they stupid.....
Why drop the evidence. Or is it a sick joke against those poor ranchers. Those space aliens are sooo funny. haha
Nov 9, 2006
My Email to Wal_Mart
Christmas Shopping Comment.
I hope the Wal-Mart Greeters only say "Merry Christmas" on Christmas? Since,I am not a Christian and if I have to hear "Merry Christmas" from Wal-Mart greeters for the next 45 days. I and my family will stay away from Wal-Mart and Shop elsewere.
I wrote this in response to Wal_Marts decision to replace "Happy Holdays" with "Merry Christmas" whenever a shopper walks in the door. 45 days of this! Boooooo
I have already stopped shopping there for some months now that my husband is in Iraq. My grocery bill has been cut in half, so now I shop at Albertson's instead. But now I really have a reason to stay away.
I ask everyone who agrees with me to email Wal_Mart with the same complaint. I am not asking you not to shop there, but to at least comment on thier policies.
I hope the Wal-Mart Greeters only say "Merry Christmas" on Christmas? Since,I am not a Christian and if I have to hear "Merry Christmas" from Wal-Mart greeters for the next 45 days. I and my family will stay away from Wal-Mart and Shop elsewere.
I wrote this in response to Wal_Marts decision to replace "Happy Holdays" with "Merry Christmas" whenever a shopper walks in the door. 45 days of this! Boooooo
I have already stopped shopping there for some months now that my husband is in Iraq. My grocery bill has been cut in half, so now I shop at Albertson's instead. But now I really have a reason to stay away.
I ask everyone who agrees with me to email Wal_Mart with the same complaint. I am not asking you not to shop there, but to at least comment on thier policies.
Nov 8, 2006
Thanks Stan Jones
If Montana goes Blue it is only thanks to Libertarian Stan Jones he pulled in 9,647 votes. Those almost 10,000 Montanans would have either stayed home or voted for Republican Conrad Burns. Thanks Mr. Jones!
Watching the really close elections nationwide it seems to me no one has won. The Republicans lost. The Democrats have been elected, barely.
The Demos will have to save the world in the next two years to keep the house and maybe the Senate and White House.
It is a 50/50 chance for either side 2008. Then there are the wild card third party candidates. This make everything much more interesting for both sides.
Many in Montana complain and whine about how their vote does not count. Well, after yesterday that was proven very wrong. The entire Nation is watching us and Virginia. How fun!
Stan Jones fans? What is going through your minds. Mr. Jones skin turned blue in 99 becuase he thought the world as we know was going to end New Years Eve 2000!
LOL take a breath LOL again. I can't stop.....................too funny............so sad
Watching the really close elections nationwide it seems to me no one has won. The Republicans lost. The Democrats have been elected, barely.
The Demos will have to save the world in the next two years to keep the house and maybe the Senate and White House.
It is a 50/50 chance for either side 2008. Then there are the wild card third party candidates. This make everything much more interesting for both sides.
Many in Montana complain and whine about how their vote does not count. Well, after yesterday that was proven very wrong. The entire Nation is watching us and Virginia. How fun!
Stan Jones fans? What is going through your minds. Mr. Jones skin turned blue in 99 becuase he thought the world as we know was going to end New Years Eve 2000!
LOL take a breath LOL again. I can't stop.....................too funny............so sad
Nov 3, 2006
The Rightous Right
The president of the National Association of Evangelicals resigned after accusations by a male prostitute that the pastor paid him for sex over three years. The Rev. Ted Haggard said he also is temporarily stepping aside from the pulpit of his church in Colorado Springs. The church official filling in for Haggard said there has been "some admission of guilt," but not to all of the allegations.
I squirm with glee whenever someone from the Religious Right leadership is exposed for what it really is. TWO-FACED
I squirm with glee whenever someone from the Religious Right leadership is exposed for what it really is. TWO-FACED
Nov 2, 2006
Female Circumcision
The practice crosses ethnic and cultural lines and is not tied to a particular religion. Activists say it is intended to deny women sexual pleasure. In its most extreme form, the clitoris and parts of the labia are removed and the labia that remain are stitched together.
Since 2001, the State Department estimates that up to 130 million women worldwide have undergone circumcision.
Knives, razors or even sharp stones are usually used, according to a 2001 department report. The tools are frequently not sterilized, and often, many girls are circumcised at the same ceremony, leading to infection.
It is unknown how many girls have died from the procedure, either during the cutting or from infections, or years later in childbirth. Nightmares, depression, shock and feelings of betrayal are common psychological side effects, according to a 2001 federal report.
Since 2001, the State Department estimates that up to 130 million women worldwide have undergone circumcision.
Knives, razors or even sharp stones are usually used, according to a 2001 department report. The tools are frequently not sterilized, and often, many girls are circumcised at the same ceremony, leading to infection.
It is unknown how many girls have died from the procedure, either during the cutting or from infections, or years later in childbirth. Nightmares, depression, shock and feelings of betrayal are common psychological side effects, according to a 2001 federal report.
It is so very hard not to become very cynical of humanity after seeing news like this. 1/3 of the worlds population or more are still living in the dark ages. And that is being positive its hopefully only 1/3 not 1/2.
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