Ramblings of a Pagan Guy: Stupid Cliches We Use (2)

Over the years, I have found that many a person has this strange idea when it comes to the Pagan faiths. It as if, you know as soon as one converts, they [the pagan] are thrown back to the middles ages. People have this rather quirky notion that pots and pans turn into wands and broomsticks, that tables and chair turning to sacrificial altars and stone circles. At best, many people think that once one devotes themselves to the God and Goddess, reality bleeds away is magically replaced with Hogwarts schools and Weasly like houses. At worse, they believe that our God and Goddess are just whores, or the Christian devil. With this miniblog series, it is my hope to not only document my time growing as a Pagan, but to address these and many more misunderstood concepts so that we will be see as people. We are not the demons some people try to make us out to be.

You know, when I first began a few musings that would later become this series, a few things came to light... and promptly smacked me in the face. The first and foremost of these, was my terrible spelling and grammar. Coming in a very close second, was the amount of time it took me to get anything done. I can't tell you how many times I had to rewrite something just because I hated even just a single word or phrase. Even now, I want to stop writing this installment to completely rewrite everything on my blog. Thanks scumbag brain!

But let’s not digress there just yet.

As I pressed on, continuing to write about this or that experience, working past personal inadequacy and such, something completely unexpected happened. Just days after posting my first issue, I started receiving emails about my ramblings. This in itself wasn’t all unexpected; in fact you might even say I was awaiting "you're stupid die" emails. So, unsurprisingly, I ignored my email box, unable to bring myself to even look at it. Working in customer service, and having to deal with joyful customers on a daily basis, you can imagine the things I conjured up with. But you know what, my curiosity got the better of me. It's like saying "don't press the big red button"! As I read over them, one by one, I got a feeling I never thought I would get. Email after email was filled with words of encouragement, of stories relating to my own, and of thanks for doing what I did.

How awesome sauce is that?

With the dealings with my earlier life scribed and posted, and when I began throwing around ideas for the first draft of "Stupid Cliches we use" I thought all of that would come to a end. Surely someone would take major offense, no matter how nicely I put it, and the "Let's bash Ash" bandwagon would roar into life. But you know what? That totally didn't happen. Once again the awesomeness of the community shined like the summer sun. Just a few days ago, when I thought about abandoning this series, the emails started pouring in again. "I'm glad someone finally said it!" "It's about time someone posted about this crap!" "Just read your article, flipping amazing! When's part 2?" For a person who believes their rambling the akin to crap, I can honestly tell you such emails do a lot for me. So before I go off on a rant, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who took the time to write in, to say a few words, and to keep me going. I actually have a special folder in my gmail account just for these, so I can read them often.... Ialso have a few of them posted at work to keep my spirits up. So again thank you, you're awesome sauce.

Oh and one final note:
In the the Witches’ Voice version of this posting, I had a disclaimer going on how I didn't want to offend anyone and even going so far as apologizing for it. This was brought up in a few of your emails, and all I have to say is you are all 100% right. When dealing with the problems with ourselves we can not afford to baby it or even sugar coat it. So how about we get to some more feather ruffling, and get to some rambling!

"I'm a great and powerful witch in possession of the original necronomicon (or some other  mystical sounding book)."

As humans, and social animals, we love to show off. Be it a sexy dress, killer hair style (redheads are hot), rocking pack of abs, amazing HD video card or what now, we want to be noticed. We love things like Facebook and YouTube because it helps us achieve this. We want to be the center of attention, even if it's for a brief time. While there is nothing wrong with this, taking it to far or going about it the wrong way, can be devastating. The jersey shore or spreading gods love by wanting to lock gays behind electric fences are just two ways how this can be bad in everyday and religious life. So how does this apply to us? Let me tell you a story of the first time I heard the above.

I was at New Hope for the local Samhain festive celebrations and enjoying the company of fellow Pagans. Hailing from a largely Catholic area, it can sometimes be good to mingle with like minded people. Something I think all people of all faiths share. If I also recall, I made for a rather sexy elf. But I digress again... As I was enjoying myself talking to this person and that, I literately ran into this poor woman. I wasn't paying attention and I think we both might have had a few to many. Already being being in such high pleasant spirits, we both laughed at the moment and quickly got to talking. I was enjoying myself even more since I was talking with a pretty girl, until she mentioned her path. "Yep" she said, "I'm a seventh generational witch and get this, I own a orginal copy of the necronomicon!" I laughed, thinking it was a pretty good joke and told her that Alhazred stole my copy (if you get the joke, give yourself a cookie). She made a sour face but we continued on. We conversed for a bit more than merrily parted ways, all in all a good time. It wasn't until later that I learned that she was being 100% serious and that other people actually believed her.

For my readers who may not know, The Necronomicon is a fictional grimoire appearing in the stories by horror writer H. P. Lovecraft and his followers. It was first mentioned in Lovecraft's 1924 short story "The Hound", written in 1922, though its purported author, the "Mad Arab" Abdul Alhazred, had been quoted a year earlier in Lovecraft's "The Nameless City". Among other things, the work contains an account of the Old Ones, their history, and the means for summoning them.Other authors such as August Derleth and Clark Ashton Smith also cited it in their works; Lovecraft approved, believing such common allusions built up "a background of evil verisimilitude." Many readers have believed it to be a real work, with booksellers and librarians receiving many requests for it; pranksters have listed it in rare book catalogues, and a student smuggled a card for it into the Yale University Library's card catalog.

A book, that was neither fully completed by the author nor actually ever created in real life, is still often mentioned as a great book of magical workings (as in Pagan magical) and even brought up frequently in the churches around me as proof the Wiccan and Pagan religions are evil. That's right, a book of pure fiction is used as evidence that we are all pure evil. The loud thumping sound? That would be my head hitting the desk a few times. This is not a actual book, HP Lovecraft never actually traveled the cosmos to learn from it, and last time I checked New York was still around*1. Don't get me wrong, I truly believe there are ancient books of wisdom and magic out there (hell I have half of them on my kindle), but for the love of Odin, if anyone tries to use the above crap on you they are either mentally touched or playing a con. I know I've mentioned this before, but I think it is so important (or should be) to us that it must be said again. Being of the Pagan faith was never about who has the most powerful book, wand, or popularity meter. It's about connecting with nature, with the divine and most importantly seeing we are all connected in this wondrous beautiful thing called life.

...Don't ruin it with MTV reality TV show crap.

"As a witch I have to wear...."

Once or twice a year, I have the pleasure of attending the renaissance fair. For anyone who may not know what this is, it's a giant con that takes you way back in the day of kings and castles, of magic and fairy tales.  After a twenty buck admission fee, which is only cheaper if you come in costume, you are given a day long event of good food, games, shows and times with friends. Even better, I get to walk around in my druid outfit without getting my normal questionable looks. When the day is done and the sun has set (place closes at sunset), I return home to the crappy thing called reality. I don't like it much either. When I do, I also make a return to my everyday style of clothing, which is conveniently wearing anything that is not dirty. When it comes to matters of faith, I wear what ever makes me feel comfortable and proper for the occasion... or if the weather is right, nothing at all.

What does any of this have to do with the point? 

Wicca and many Pagan faiths is not based on what you wear, or even how you look. It is a religion of the heart and soul. What you wear does not make the Wiccan/Pagan, and in fact clothing is entirely optional.
While it may be cool to cosplay your favorite anime character or pretend your a Celtic warrior of old, keep in mind this is your own personal tastes, and not matters of faith. As a member of the Pagan faiths, you do not "omg I so have to wear" robes, elegant dresses, silver moon armor or other crap from hot topic. Faith should never dictate what you must wear during your everyday life. Declaring yourself a Pagan doesn't automatically compel you to get a Hot topic members card and as much black makeup as you can get. If anything that would be a mockery. Wear what feels right, what feels proper and what helps best connect you to nature, and with the God and Goddess.

Fashion is a invention of humanity, not of nature after all....

"I'm Wiccan, so I hate all Christians."

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit my friend in Texas. Not only was the weather amazing, but everyone was so nice and polite... a big change from the people I have to deal with here at work. While I was down there, and in one of our many conversations, my friend mentioned how it seems that Christians have become more and more of a punching bag as of late. I'm, or should I say we, are not referring to the "let's burn gays and throw them behind electric fences" Christians, we are talking about every day people who follow Christ. And you know what? After thinking it over, I came to the conclusion that he was right. Because of the over vocal idiots of the faith (and seriously who doesn't have them?) and because it seems very little or nothing at all is being done to put down the vocal idiots of the faith, Christianity has been taking a lot of cheep. While some/many/all of it may be justified (I'm not going to go into that here), this is not a matter of faith.

To become a Pagan, or to join any faith for that matter, to simply spit upon another is a horrid reason to convert. Not to mention shallow and just stupid. But yet, I still see it far to much. I can't tell you how many Facebook groups I have join hoping to find a nice Pagan community to socialize with, only to leave moments later because every frigging post was anti-Christian. Oh their god is a lie, oh their god is totally evil, oh their god is ok with molesting children, oh blah blah blah. Seriously, bitter old lady much? Yes, I know many of us (myself included) are ex-catholics, and have some really bad experiences from it, but that doesn't give us a free pass to be bash them every single second we can. I thought we where all better than this? I thought, that because of our many stereotypes, that we knew the actions of a few should never judge the whole.... Which brings me to the final point today:

"Since I'm a Pagan, I'm better than... "

One does not prove they are better with petty words, but with actions that benefit and better themselves, their family and the world around them.




Well I hope you enjoyed the second half the of the Stupid Cliches We Use, and for now I would like to close the book on this part. I really want to return to my experiences and how life has been walking with the Gods. I hope you will join me then!



*1 One of the many stories in the book was about how Cthulhu ruined New york. 

Ramblings of a Pagan Guy: Really Fox? Really?

Over the years, I have found that many a person has this strange idea when it comes to the Pagan faiths. It as if, you know as soon as one converts, they [the pagan] are thrown back to the middles ages. People have this rather quirky notion that pots and pans turn into wands and broomsticks, that tables and chair turning to sacrificial altars and stone circles. At best, many people think that once one devotes themselves to the God and Goddess, reality bleeds away is magically replaced with Hogwarts schools and Weasly like houses. At worse, they believe that our God and Goddess are just whores, or the Christian devil. With this miniblog series, it is my hope to not only document my time growing as a Pagan, but to address these and many more misunderstood concepts so that we will be see as people. We are not the demons some people try to make us out to be.
 
Last night I while I was suppose to be working on part two of the stupid cliches we use, I was of course distracted by facebook and playing games. Cause that's what hard working people do apparently.... Following various liberal and progressive groups on facebook, I get a lot of news that just makes my head hurt. Honestly, I should just stop following all news all together because it's just stupid. And I know what you're going to say, every news outlet has some type of bias out there, so why are you getting upset? Because the news story I read hit to damn close to home, and the video was even worse. Being a good red blooded Irish American I can always fancy myself a drink, a love of life, red heads and a good fight. As a Pagan, I am also tempered with the calmness of the water. You can imagine that rather amusing conflicts they create in my life. In any case, when the muse hits me and I write my ramblings for what ever reason, I try to be direct and least insulting as possible, especially when it comes to religion. While having a go with the "elect" members of the WBC, I must know and remember they do not represent all of the followers of Christ. Just like pedophiles, "holy" murders and so on. The moment I forget myself and this, I become no better than them. Sure have I been harsh to fake Christians in the past? Have I maybe gone to far. Do I slip up from time to time? Sure I am only human after all, and to claim perfection on my part would just be stupid. But like I said, I know who the good ones are, who the bads ones are, and never willingly apply the few to the whole.

But you know what really pisses me off? Like "Omg I just my hot topic membership card, I am so Wiccan  now." piss me off? When we have grown adults, who are responsible and portray "fair and balanced" aura on national TV, resemble immature children in order to obtain ratings and attention. What am I talking about? Yesterday, or February 15th to future folks, Fox and Friends (I know my first mistake was watching them) aired what contained one the biggest demonstration of ignorance I have seen this year. Not only do the openly mock another faith, my faith, while whining about being persecuted, they do with mirth seen at good times with friends. Seriously they do it while smiling and laughing on national tv. How professional of them...

The whole thing was so horribly wrong it was painful to watch, that I'm not even sure I'll get to it all in this posting... but I shall try me best.

                                                                  The video in question.


Oh Mother Goddess, giver of life and worker of the forge, give me strength to deal with humanity and it's great amounts of stupid... When I first viewed the above, you can say I was annoyed at it with a "what ever" attitude attached. After all, I thought this was just another case of some stuck up religious nitwit with a big mouth and some air time. Do a search on youtube and you can find a million other videos with the lack of intelligence. But as I watched it again, and then again, paying attention to each of her words, my blood really began to boil. This person portrays herself as doing a favor for us... what she is doing is showing just how much more real Christians need to do to clean up the members of their faith. The amount of under handed insults she makes, and her utter audacity in the way she tells us we should be grateful for her expert advice makes me sick to my stomach. People like this.... well there is no curse in the tongues of man, elves or ents to properly state how I feel about her. But for my readers who many not honestly get it, who may not understand just how many underhanded insults there are, and well I just want to rant.... I'm going to break down this video just like I did the WBC ones, and (for now) glaze over the fact she thinks Pagans and Wiccans are the same thing.

What they said: "How many Wiccans are there? Is that a big religion? No not may, but maybe you and I should go for it, we get a heck of a lot more days off."

With the first things they say I was very tempted to draft a letter to the studio, "While we always welcoming additional members in the Pagan faith, we regret to decline your application based on the understanding that you lack not only wit and intelligence, but just want to exploit us for days off. This is not a reason to convert or adopt any faith and I strongly suggest you reevaluate yourself and your deep desire to exploit things for personal gain." However even after I send them this entry, we both know they would never read as they are above such things. Next I want to address her comment about numbers. After a five second Google search I found a US census report for 2011 stating their where 700k Pagans in America, how a news show with resources that dwarf my own could not find this, well who knows why. But honestly what do numbers matter when it comes to faith? When did faith become a popularity content? When did faith become "oh look I have more followers then you, I must be right!" Not only does that make you look increasingly stupid and shallow, but opens you up to a whole can of worms. How would she, as a member of such a outright majority religion, address pedophile priests and what seems to be the church's reluctance to do anything about it? Would she agree with the Archbishops that all lawsuits should be dropped because they have ill effects on the church? See I can relate stupid crap to faith as well! Go me! Numbers to not determine validation or even invalidation. It just means more people believe in some particular path than another. And honestly, if she think numbers is even a consideration in the authenticity of any faith, she really has big mental problems. Find Christ Tammy, you really need him in your life.
 

What he said: "20% of the holidays listed in the MU holiday guide are Wiccan, what's going on here? That seems bizarre."

When you work with children, you not only get a lot of joy out of it, you also get a lot of headaches too. There is always a lot that must be done, a lot that must be cared and watched over, and every moment can become a teaching lesson in life. Having worked with kids and know how their brain work,  Mr Carlson's comments come as little surprise to me. You see as any parent, guardian or babysitter will tell you, our younger generation lives in a type of bubble world that can be a blessing and a curse. Assuming normal circumstances, our children have everything handed to them, and their happiness a top priority. And what parent wouldn't do anything for a smile on their kids face? Sometimes, this can cause a spoiled or "I'm the center of the universe" type attitude. Tolerating just for a time, we (as in parents) work hard to prepare them properly for the world ahead. So it is... let's go with disconcerting, when we she such childish behavior emulated in adults. Mr Carlson, one would have thought that after the elections and just how badly you "predicted" the election results, that your bubble world would have been discarded as utter silliness. I guess I was wrong.

Mr Carlson, I would like to introduce a new world into your vocabulary. It's a scary word true, but with time, I think you can handle it. The word is inclusion. That is, despite differences in age, sex, race, or religious beliefs all are welcome to practice without being mocked or degraded. Sure we may disagree, but rights should never be trampled on. I know crazy right? In a world of six billion people, not everyone is going to agree with you or even share in your narrow view of the world. There will be people of different social, political and religious thinking who believe they are just as right as you are. Sure this can cause some drama down the road, but as long as we remember we are all human, and all should be granted respect, then humanity will be stronger with this inclusion. Regrettably, this means you will have to abandon your bubble world that has you as center of attention, but even you will be better for it. 

 

 What she said: "Look I'm a big fan of people living lives that best suit them, and uh I don't know any Wiccans, maybe on a really bad day I might turn into one, I'm not sure...."

When making a effort to convince a audience (either in person or on TV) that you are all for inclusion and free religious pratice, it's generally not a good idea to follow such a statement with a insult found in most grade schools. When you have to resort to cheap insults, much like the WBC in a argument or discussion instead of focusing on the actual discussion, then you succeed in only making yourself the fool. To degrade others in such a manner, is not the sign of a enlightened person, no matter how much you try to make yourself out on TV. Would she find it acceptable to say "Well I'm all for Catholics, but since they rape kids I hate them." Since it's a complete rubbish and untrue statement, I would assume no. Do unto others remember Tammy?

So, not only is Tammy full of crap, but her run on blabbering was so offensive, I had to split it into many parts. How can you sit there, televised on a station that claims "fair and balanced", and with a straight face and say you are huge fan of people living their lives the way they want? If you are as you claim, then why are you, not even three seconds later, condescendingly speaking down to a belief system? What's with the cheap joke? That's not being mature, it's not being professional, and it's not being "fair and balanced".

It's being a prissy jerk that I abandoned back in grade school.  

What she said after: "...but you know what I think this is? It's really it's it's actually i think its about people who are not chirstians, you know the majority, Christians, Jews, Muslims, this is the majority of Americans, certiantly a majority of americans are christain well close to 80% at this point..."

I have to apologize for for any mistakes above. Her bumble mumbling made it exceedingly difficult to transcript what the hell she was saying. You would think something who is this "educated" and works on the radio would be able to speak well. And what the hell does she keep looking at? So listen little lady, you really need to go home, you're obviously drunk. You can't even complete a sentience without inserting some demented pissing contest in it. Your host is really no better, but let's not digress to that yet. When speaking about religion, if you must throw out you are a majority religion (protip: you shouldn't) then you only need to say it once, maybe twice. Congrats, numbers don't mean shit if you lack true faith in your heart, just saying... Any way, you do not have to mention majority this and that every other word like some self important git. What do you hope to accomplish? That you have a ego you can't control? That you are somehow better than everyone else because your a majority? Yea that doesn't work in the real world, you know that thing you need to join. While we are on this, what possible faith connection could you find between a over inflated ego about Christianity and the Pagan faiths? You have one God, we have many. You believe earth was given to you, to do as you please. We believe that everything is alive, and we must work with the Earth not against it. You erect church as your place of worship, the outdoors is our church. We let both sexes serve in rituals, while only some sects allow women to be priest. Some of us like to skyclad, many of  you think nakedness is a sin. We also allow homosexuals in, and I won't even bother to say what Fox has said about that. I could go on and on, but I think everyone gets the point. We both have our good, we both have our bad and we both have our differences. Just because we are different does not make one or the other inherently bad. Open up that holy book of yours, it even says it in there.

Sigh.

You also have the audacity to say that Jews and Muslims fall under the Christian umbrella. I'm honestly not sure if this stems from ignorance or just ego, but either way you are insultingly wrong. Seriously, how completely mental do you have to be to make that connection? Jews, who predate your faith by a thousand or so years and suffered more than you ever will, do not believe Jesus is the son of your God and still are waiting for the savior. They do not follow the commands of the pope and actually find some of his practices hateful. They also are pretty good with the peace and love part, something you fakes still as of yet to grasp. With Muslims, perhaps you have heard "there is only one God and Mohammad is his prophet"? Or are you still to busy thinking they are all terrorist?

Another thing for you to think about.... just saying.

 What she said after that: "...but the fact is it's less about elevating other religions and individuals and more about diluting the dynamic about what's imporant in peoples lives. 

By this point in the video, my Irish blood was boiling so much that I think my face was on fire. I was also flinging profanities at my monitor like explosions occur in a Die Hard movie. Seriously this is her example of how a person who is accepting act? How a educated person acts? Rubbish, all rubbish. But hey with such a high point hit so quickly, the rest of the video wouldn't be as insulting right? ... I was so wrong.

The pagan faiths are, by large, about connecting with our natural world, the divine and seeing the beauty of life in all things. We respect all life and do our best to do no harm, you know what the non-jerk Christians do too. These things are important in our lives, they reflect how we live our lives and interact with others. Let me say that again, these things are important in our lives. How is that diluting in any way? How is actually living and following the things that are important to us diluting? And Tammy dear, do you even know what dynamic means? You use the word, but I don't think it means what you think it means. Since I'm going to send this to the people at Fox, I'll keep it simple. It means ever flowing, ever changing, NOT static. What does this mean? It means that just because you are part of some made up attention seeking religion that you claim is Christianity, it doesn't mean you are right. They you have the sole right to dictate what is important in peoples lives and what they should care about. Hell you're not even a religious leader, so what are you doing commenting like that anyway?
 
Sadly I already know what your reasoning will be, because I have heard it a million times before. It's because you believe your holy book gives you the right to say anything and insult everyone not like a carbon copy of you. First and foremost, if you honestly think Jesus intended the bible to be used as a personal ego boost, stop shoving it down peoples throats and read it. He suffered died and on the third day rose from the dead to use his blood to cleanse us of our sins,  not so you could be a self important douche. As you finally read  your holy book, you will find he was not only humble to a fault, he used is time to help others, not cry and whine about a store sign at Christmas. Oh and second of all, if you really want to throw around a attitudle like that, allow me to reflect it right back at you. All the stuff that your book says Jesus did? Pagan gods did it first, sometimes thousands of years before he did... and they say they are right as well.

Boom. 

What they said: "Look i think if you are Wiccan or pagan type you're really anti-establishment. I don't think you need the establishment to recognize you. That's a really good point."

Oh darn, you found us out. That's right everyone, Tammy found out our deep dark evil secret. We Wiccans and Pagans are nothing more than a bunch of sex crazed, church burning anarchists that just want to watch the world burn as we drink and make love to our hereto and homosexual partners. Que eye roll animation here. Oh but wait, if we look outside your little bubble world we see that your statement is utter bs. Seriously, anti-establishment? Ok sit down Tammy, this is going to come as a huge shock to you. Now princess, believe it or not we Pagans work, love, live and and fight for America. We work in shops, gas stations, as IT's and clerks. We love our friends and neighbors and take a mate when the time is right, if it ever is. We worship in peace and do no harm to life. This is who we are and we love our (sometimes) dysfunctional country. You may recall when your own news station reported when a group of us "anti-establishment" Wiccans went to DC to sweep away the negativity so Obama could start fresh? So take a moment to think,  why would we want to bring down the country that supports us? It's not a good point you bloody git! Hell it's not even a factual point, it's just something she made up!

You then go on to say that we don't need the establishment to recognize us. Re-watch your interview Tammy, actually pay attention. With your completly and utter lack of care for any faith that is not your own, do you think any minority religion would do well? Do you honestly think people like yourself would be able to hold back from mocking, discriminating and eliminating us from your bubble perfect world? Since you can even do it in a three minute clip, I shall assume no. So yea, we do need the establishment to recognize us so we have legal protection aginst small minded egotical bigots like yourself.

Oh yea, we are protected and recognized under the law, deal with it. 

 What he said: "I would like to do a poll, who could name 8 Wiccan holidays, I don't think your average Wiccan could." 

Samhain, Yule, Imbolic, Ostara (my favorite), Beltane (my favorite with a red head), Litha, Lammas and Mabon. Any other dumbass condescending statements you want to make?  Oh wait we still have another minute and a half of video...

What she said: "Look Halloween is their new year. So I guess you get Halloween off now."

Look, Halloween is not the new year. Halloween is the day kids (and many awesome adults) play dress up for free candy. Samhain, and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat. It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.

Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits. Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Third Harvest, Samana, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega), and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (that day actually falls on November 7th), and Martinmas (that is celebrated November 11th), Samhain is now generally considered the Witch's New Year. If your Christian, you also happen to call it All souls days, day when you remember the ones who have passed and pray for them. This too is a silly and stupid holiday too right? After all you're all about fair and balanced right? 

 

We call that a burn by the way....

What she then said: "you knwo there is ten of them (holidays) and they out number all the other..."

Ms Tammy, might I suggest a trip to the wizard of Oz, if you ask nicely he may be able to grant you a brain. With it you can see that ten is not the same as eight. I wish you the best of luck in this journey. As a side note, later in the show one of your co-hosts makes the mention multiple times that we MU makes inclusion for twenty pagan holidays instead of the eight mentioned. Perhaps they can follow you to the land of OZ and learn that twenty percent does not equal twenty. Oh and before we move on to your next point, I would like to point out that Christianity has 192 days of celebration, not including days of prayer or "instead of a unity week lets pray to god instead". So no, we evil Wiccans and Pagans don't outnumber you. Your "more than everyone else" penis is till bigger.

Another deep sigh.

Then she said:  "You know religions, actual religions. " 

Deep. Breath...

Remember when Tammy said she respected all faiths and how people live? Remember when Fox claimed to be fair and balanced? Yea good times...  Anywho guys, welcome to America, a land founded on religious freedom for all people, not just you. No, keep your revised history to yourself and your crazy notions Christians came over here because they wanted to spread Christianity to everyone. Pro-tip; people that came here where fleeing religion. You know the amendment that states freedom of religion? How about the court case that established Wicca as a legally recognized religion? Of course you have, you guys over at Fox are all about the proper rule of law! So then why the comment? If you have such a huge problem with freedom of ALL religion, that you are compelled to insult other faiths on live TV, maybe you should either consider moving or joining a faith that actually enforces its "loving" nature.

 What she said: "There are ways that people can take off for their specials, but your going to get looked at funny if you ask for Halloween off." 

I wonder how she would respond if she was forced to take vacation days for taking off for Christmas. Judging from her attitude this whole time, not to mention how other people act on Fox, I'm going to guess not very well. So then why resort to yet another insult about people asking for the same thing? We don't want special treatment, we don't want special rules or anything silly like that. We only want what you have enjoyed for so long. Why is this a bad thing?

What she said: "I do think its insulting if you are a wiccan or pagan."

If you want to see something that is truly insulting, replay your interview. If you want me to put it into context for you, I'll be happy to do that as well.

What she said: "And besides if your atheists or even a pagan isn't every day a holiday? If your celebrating nature that's a every day experience."

It is highly encouraged that each day be glory of the lord (in this case Christ). Each moment should be a reflecting and emulation of the life Christ so the world can know just how great and loving he is. So then Tammy, if you are bound (or should be bound) by such advice and teachings, why are you insulting others for doing the same? And why the hell do you think atheists are religious? Do you have a computer or smart phone? Google what you say before you open your mouth and look like a total idiot. They don't believe in God or any divine figure. Gods above, someone introduce this woman to Wikipedia!

What she said: "Only a country that has been to rich for to long could be this frivolous... *reads MU statement on inclusion* So they hate Orthodox Christianity. " 

Wut...

Really? Like really really? Ok you know what, screw Fox News, screw the rest of the blog and screw this git. There is only so much stupid I can take before I want to punch a wall.. and that was a few comments ago. If you want to piss and moan about how your so discriminated against, while discriminating against others, do it on your own time. I'm sick of hearing about some fake war on Christmas, on how everyone hates Christianity and how you're all going to be locked up, when none of this crap isn't actually happening. Keep this crap to your own churches, don't lie to the public just for attention.

No wait, you know one more comment....

What she said: "This is about Wiccan's and Pagan being used for a political agenda to down grade what is important to the majority of Americans. I think this is a anti-traidition action, and I think wiccans and pagans should be angry for being used."

You are 100% right, we hate being used by Fox News for ratings. Please stop.



UPDATE:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4618588662885

If the above isn't shocking enough, you should see bill O'reilly weighing in on the "issue". Yes, that's really him, the loud mouth idiot... actually being civil and fair about it. Perhaps all the doomsday people are right, the end is near >_>

Ramblings of a Normal Guy: A Rambling for Gay Marriage Part 2!

Welcome to another addition of ramblings of a normal guy. This is my special column where I go off on wild rants complaining about the things that happen and effect my (and ours) every day life. Because of the excessive amounts of stupidity that will be featured, a large amount of inappropriate language will most likely be used. Also expect a large helping of calling out and "I don't give a crap". Rated M for mature, and read at  your own risk.

WARNING: There might be some disturbing images in this rambling of people that where beaten and abused. This is the world we live in, and a world which such utter bullshit happens. I ask you not to look away, but if you must just be warned. Also as a note, this was suppose to be just a part two, but because of the length and amount of ranting, I had to move this to a three part project.

And so... here we are again.

When I was first considering writing the previous rambling for equal rights and equal marriage, it took a considerable amount of time to get from start to finish. Formulating the how and why took far more time than I first anticipated, my fault it would be a quick fix. Eventually it took a mental push in the form of being forced asked to write this, to finally get the ball rolling and the paper finished. As I began to write, and the paragraphs started forming, I knew this wasn't going to be pretty. When one challenges a long held religious beliefs, especially when they are considered so central to ones faith, one must go about it slowly, logically and with care. If one does not, the entire thing will turn into nothing more than a bitch fest. After all, saying "You're stupid" doesn't even work for kids anymore... So then, when the job was finally completed, five big points where addressed that opponents like to use to justify their mistrust/hate/oppression with equal rights. When I hit the publish button I knew it wouldn't take long to get interesting emails. Oh boy where they fun too. But all in all, I was pretty much done with the subject. I was also content to have just one issue of it because, if you allow me a moment of pride, I thought one was enough. Anything more would just be an annoying circle jerk and saying the same bloody thing over and over and over again.


Then I had the unfortunate pleasure of being refereed to NOM's recent video.

How does one put into words the chaotic array of emotions one feels when they are so completely and utterly disgusted with something? Can words even do the emotions justice? To say I felt disgusted to be human would have been a understatement, I wanted to weep for the future of humanity. Even now as I scramble to put words to thoughts, (it's going to be another long one) and even more so coherent thoughts, I can not fathom nor comprehend such blind ignorance to the world. How anyone could so calmly, collectively and without care discount a portion of the population and then assert false witness about them chills me to the core. How many times will humanity have to engage is this oppressing malarkey before we learn from our mistakes? Just how many cases could I list here that are as examples of human bigotry... to damn many. In a time when the world is at our finger tips, when TV and the internet can show you every corner of our world and beyond, when mundane things like skin, sex and love should not matter for we all live on the same Earth, we have people still using their "faith" to force the world to be what they want... and everyone else be damned. To use "faith" to repress other, to discount them as less then human... What has happened to us? What has happened to concepts of assuming not harm is being done, live and let live? Where is the acceptance of all people? Where the hell has our humanity gone? 

But now I am dangerously getting close to rant inside a rant.

So ... here we are again.

As I have already stated in the warning label above, this was suppose to be just another few page rant and then being done with it. As much as I love working with human rights, being fired up all the time and pissed off at the idiocy/mistrust/misunderstand of this world is not good for ones health. However just like before, I find myself taking far to much time putting proper words to thought, and even more time deal with idiots who should not speak. Where once this was suppose to be just part two and nothing more, I now must once again split the project to multiple parts. As I reviewed more and more of the comments attached to the NOM video, as my disgust for such blanket hatred grew, I felt that quickly referencing the comments would not be enough. Such disgusting displays of hate must not be abllowed to go unchecked or unchallenged. To many bad things already happen when good people do nothing, and now it's time to take another stand for my friends. Today's posting will deal with a handful of comments from the self appointed mouth pieces of Christ, who still make the claim to serve a loving God with their whole heart and souls. They are also people I like to describe as giving a bad name to a good thing.

This is the best one I've seen too, [name]. I particularly love the part when they play cricket sounds when it's time to explain the benefits of ssm to society. Also to go with this Still waiting for that explanation myself. Whenever I've asked it, either it was ignored or the subject changed.

Ignorance is like fear, it can be the mind killer and the destruction of all that is good. When we live in a glorious age when information in written, audio and video formats, is but a click away, allowing oneself to be ignorant (and self important about it) should be a punishable crime. How can anyone make a informed decision, one that may effect the lives of so many, when so many of the facts are either ignored or never searched for? When a individual says and promotes things like above, when they purposely stay ignorant and then LIE about the subject, they become are no better than the ghosts they are trying to demonize. Never once, has anyone ignored or backed down when asked how SSM benefits society, it has always been answered, and answered at length. Putting your fingers in your ear and singing to yourself so you can't hear it doesn't change this.... and it's honestly shameful to think otherwise. 

• If marriage in general is a benefit to society, and not just to the man and woman who are part of it, then gay marriage would have the same benefit. The union of two people in what ever pairing it happens to come in also causes the relationship to solidify and cause a stable household to form. Children are not needed for this to occur, as shown by naysayers and the Church not going after childless couples.
• In cases forming the "family unit" or procreation, the benefit are two fold. Since it is a biological fact that homosexual couples can not produce children on their own, they also have zero chance of producing children in poverty. This mean they are not burdening the system or the community with children they can not afford. Aka less children on welfare. Secondly, it is a unfortunate cold hard fact that we as a nation either can't or refuses to take care of all the children we already have. While many "religious" groups and people express the need to aid their fellow human, it seems many of them would rather spend money on big houses and cars, then actually helping people. Again giving a bad name to a good thing.  Gay marriages, and the union that comes with it, would allow another option for children who have no family. I am speaking about adoption. Having two loving parents, that have to go about a very LONG process to adopt the child, is far better than having none at all.
• While the current health of America may be improving, and will hopefully continue to improve now that Obama has won a second term, this recovery is still occurring at a slow pace. This is mostly because our leaders are too busy fighting each other instead of doing their jobs. When times are hard, and even harder to make ends meet, additional sources of income can not only be amazing, but also a life saver. The additional revenue generated from any marriage is just one instance of this. Not to mention once they are married they will need a house, then insurance, then cement, concrete, wood, grass seed, sprinklers for home improvements and maintenance, security systems to protect the home.. well the list really does go on and on. 
• Married couples also spend more money supporting their families than single people.
• Gay marriage is also about acceptance. By allowing gay to be citizens and people like the rest of us, it allows the person to freely live their life in a manner that serves their own interests and happiness. Personal interest, happiness, and the ability to choose our own destiny, and in this case life partner, are inherently beneficial to the success of a society by allowing each person to achieve their own personal greatness without fear of reprisal or restriction. In short, being able to freely and truly love another without some nut screaming in your ear about hell, is really good for one's mental health.
• The promotion of a more open and secure atmosphere. This can not be stated enough! Having homosexuality not seen as a sin or crime would be akin to how we no longer see slavery as acceptable, blacks as a cursed races, or anyone not a Christian American as devil worshipers.
• America needs more marriages, not more stupid ass made for TV and attention 60 second marriages. America also needs to rid itself of religion in politics, because no one religion should ever be made to rule them all.
• Another benefit is in the very children homosexual couples seek to love and protect. Imagine you are a child, who was adopted by a homosexual couple. From having no family, to having two loving parents things seem great! No longer are you just a number and a face, you are a child who is loved and cared for. WTF does it matter who the parents are, two dudes, two chicks, a man and woman? If the love and support is there, what more do you need? Now imagine if these children have to witness "religious groups" proclaiming the union of their adopted parents as sinful and a crime. What does that say about the kids? It that shows those kids that they are worthless. Is that the example we should be giving to our kids? Especially those kids who are otherwise unwanted by the rest of society, but gay families accept with open arms? People against SSM like to talk about doing it for the kids, but how is traumatizing them doing the children any good? 
• Finally all people of this once great nation will finally be equal under the law, just like the Constitution and Bill or Rights demands. Everyone will be much happier having been granted equal treatment under the law, which also leads to less frustration, anger and discrimination Everyone will finally find out that the myths, lies, negative innuendo and stereotypes were wrong all along and society will become 'more fair' for everyone. Intelligence, compassion, tolerance, understanding, righteousness and freedom will take a HUGE step forward

As I write the final statments concerning this comment, I am reminded of two rather famous statements. The first was by Pope John Paul II to which he said "A society will be judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members and among the most vulnerable are surely the unborn and the dying," Can we as a society, a society of many faiths and ideas, say we are so morally and ethically high and mighty when we allow how ever many of our minorities (in this cases homosexuals) to be treated and regarded as less than human? Do you honestly think such injustices will not be laughed at in years to come? See how idiotic we consider people forty plus years ago who thought blacks where not people, and should not attend white schools. It wasn't right then, and it sure in hell isn't right now. Oh and before anyone says "We don't do that, we just don't want ....", when anyone denies another the same rights they enjoy, rights that where not earned but given at birth, then you are treating the person as less then human. The color of your skin, the country of your birth, or the person you love should never deny anyone rights. The final of the two statements goes along very one to my opinion of equal rights. Equal rights is not only the fight to assure all people are treated fairly, it's also the fight to keep your rights from being taken. This final quote is from Pastor Martin Niemoller;

 "In Germany
They first came for the communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade-unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me–– and by that time
no one was left to speak up"

Something to think about...

"But what about tolerance? Yes, SSM advocates need to be more tolerant."

As I have already mentioned above, we live in a wonderful gifted world where information, ideas, images and sensations are moments away. We can boot up our home computers, laptops or even phones and within moments be cruising the streets of Japan in real time, watching the birth of a new island because of a underwater eruption or even watching a revolution in the middle east play out. It seems like everything in the world is at our finger tips! In a world of such glorious free access of information, long held beliefs are bound to clash and this my readers, is where tolerance comes in. While I personal hope of a world where we all get along famously will probably never happen, we must always work too a place were, at the very least, we  repesect each others right. We respect each others right to live by their own code, their own faith, and their own way assuming they do no harm of course. The above comment does not of this, and even as a straight white man, I am horridly offended by it. Tolerance must not only must be shown in the first place, but tolerance is a two way street. Labeling part of the population as "abominations", "freaks of nature", and "f-gs", is not tolerance... it's hate speech. When you dehumanize a part of the population, preach that it is a good idea to throw them behind fences and the government should kill them, that isn't free speech, some bullshit religious right, or tolerance... it's hate speech. By the way, this goes both ways too. Saying "death to all priests/Catholics/[insert group here]" because the actions of a few isn't free speech, its hate speech.

If you also allow me a bit of regression and immaturity, I would like to throw out "If you want tolerance, lead by example..."

26 year old Damian Furtch was on his way home from work at a restaurant late Sat night (Sunday morning), when he stopped off at a McDonalds in NYC’s West Village to get some food.While inside the restaurant Damian noticed 2 men staring at him, giving him “looks”. It was late, Damian was tired, he felt uncomfortable and he didn’t want any trouble so he left. He was across the street, walking away while on the phone to a friend when the 2 men from McDonalds approached him and asked him “if he had a problem” before he knew it he was punched in the face by one man, then instantly felt another punch by the second perp, and then he heard it – “You Fucking Faggot” , the words as hurtful as the punches. Source

Mark Little and his partner, Dustin Martin, visited Asheville a few weekends ago. The couple say they were walking down the street when people in a passing car began harassing them. Little told WBTV, when they asked the people to stop, a passenger jumped from the car and attacked them. Little says he and his partner are concerned police aren't taking the crime seriously. Source

Laura Gilbert, 25, told WRBL 3 News that she had gone to The Villa outside Opelika with her friend from high school, Sheila Siddall, to celebrate Siddall’s birthday by singing karaoke. Gilbert said she felt uncomfortable as soon as she walked into the bar and people began staring at her, but she stayed because she didn’t want to ruin Siddall’s birthday celebration. Source

Bishops in Chile have condemned the murder of Daniel Zamudio, a gay man who was gruesomely beaten and succumbed to his injuries on March 27 after being in a coma for nearly four weeks.

Chilean bishops' conference leader and Archbishop of Santiago, Ricardo Ezzati, voiced solidarity with Zamudio’s friends and family and called for justice in the case. Source

Sorry, can't hear you over the sound of your awesome examples of tolerance...

This is the best ad I've ever seen for saving traditional natural marriage!!! It needs to be run in every state that is considering denying children the right to a mother and father this election.

Where is a good face palm graphic when you need one... If the commenter, or anyone for that matter, honestly thinks having a mother and father is the only thing you need for a child to be raised right, you are suffering for a serious case of delusions. Having some with the "right equipment" accounts for less than nothing, its the love and support behind that, that actually matters.

Children have a right to both biological and legal ties to both parents. Only marriage can offer that. NO SS union can do so. It's a biological impossibility.

Opponents of same sex marriage often reference how biology can be used against same sex marriages. Since the parents often lack biological ties, there is nothing said parents can do to raise the child effectively or properly. Inso facto, they are purposely hurtful to the child. Ignoring the fact that their are plenty of cases where SSM children where raise just as well as heterosexual couples for  moment, I wonder why this person also hates heterosexual adoption so much. After all, adopted parents are not biological parents, but I have not once seen NOM go after adopted parents...

I would also like to point out the children put up for adoption can (and are often encouraged) to seek out their biological parents to form some type of connection with them. I am unsure why the comments is stating otherwise, but there it is. Oh and legal ties are also forfeit during the adoption process..

 Gay marriage is an empty pretense and like most counterfeits it cheapens and degrades the real thing.  Great video, NOM.

The act of marriage has change a lot over the years, from property (the woman) being purchased for a few animals, from arraigned marriages, to union of power and wealth, to finally for love. The evolution of marriage, and any previous incarnations and unmentionables it may have represented, no longer binds or influences us today. Where am I going with this? It was my hopes to address such commentator's of bullshit mountain on the actual NOM article, but I have since been banned for exposing their hate organization. So I must now do so here,  if you honestly feel that some outside force cheapens and degrades your marriage, then the problem lies with YOU not the outside force.

NO!!! The government purpose of marriage is procreation and doing what is best for all of us including children. NO SSM!

When comments like this come up, it really saddens me to know that NOM moderates it's comments and does not allow for free discussion on the posted topic. When such comments (as the one above) are moderated and allowed, NOM send the clear message that they either do not care about the truthfulness of comments, or do not bother to check anything out. Honestly I think it is both. The owners of NOM seem to only care if the comments are anti-gay, and if so they are happy with it. So since I am unable to give them a verbal bitch slap on their own turf, I shall have to do it here. Summarized from Wikipedia:
 

According to the United States Government Accountability Office there are statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining benefits, rights, and privileges. These rights and responsibilities apply to only male-female couples, from the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act defining marriage as between a man and a woman.Prior to the enactment of DOMA, the General Accounting Office identified 1,049 federal statutory provisions in which benefits, rights, and privileges are contingent on marital status or in which marital status is a factor. An update was published in 2004 by the GAO covering the period between September 21, 1996  and December 31, 2003. The update identified 120 new statutory provisions involving marital status, and 31 statutory provisions involving marital status repealed or amended in such a way as to eliminate marital status as a factor.

Rights and benefits

• Right to benefits while married:
  • employment assistance and transitional services for spouses of members being separated from military service; continued commissary privileges
  • per diem payment to spouse for federal civil service employees when relocating
  • Indian Health Service care for spouses of Native Americans (in some circumstances)
  • sponsor husband/wife for immigration benefits
• Larger benefits under some programs if married, including:
  • veteran's disability
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • disability payments for federal employees
  • Medicaid
  • property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans
  • income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates
  • wages of an employee working for one's spouse are exempt from federal unemployment tax
• Joint and family-related rights:
  • joint filing of bankruptcy permitted
  • joint parenting rights, such as access to children's school records
  • family visitation rights for the spouse and non-biological children, such as to visit a spouse in a hospital or prison
  • next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions or filing wrongful death claims
  • custodial rights to children, shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
  • domestic violence intervention
  • access to "family only" services, such as reduced rate memberships to clubs & organizations or residency in certain neighborhoods
  • Preferential hiring for spouses of veterans in government jobs
  • Tax-free transfer of property between spouses (including on death) and exemption from "due-on-sale" clauses.
  • Special consideration to spouses of citizens and resident aliens
  • Threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime
  • Right to continue living on land purchased from spouse by National Park Service when easement granted to spouse
  • Court notice of probate proceedings
  • Domestic violence protection orders
  • Existing homestead lease continuation of rights
  • Regulation of condominium sales to owner-occupants exemption
  • Funeral and bereavement leave
  • Joint adoption and foster care
  • Joint tax filing
  • Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society
  • Legal status with stepchildren
  • Making spousal medical decisions
  • Spousal non-resident tuition deferential waiver
  • Permission to make funeral arrangements for a deceased spouse, including burial or cremation
  • Right of survivorship of custodial trust
  • Right to change surname upon marriage
  • Right to enter into prenuptial agreement
  • Right to inheritance of property
  • Spousal privilege in court cases (the marital confidences privilege and the spousal testimonial privilege)
  • For those divorced or widowed, the right to many of ex- or late spouse's benefits, including:
    
    • Social Security pension
    • veteran's pensions, indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, medical care, and nursing home care, right to burial in veterans' cemeteries, educational assistance, and housing
    • survivor benefits for federal employees
    • survivor benefits for spouses of longshoremen, harbor workers, railroad workers
    • additional benefits to spouses of coal miners who die of black lung disease
    • $100,000 to spouse of any public safety officer killed in the line of duty
    • continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits
    • renewal and termination rights to spouse's copyrights on death of spouse
    • continued water rights of spouse in some circumstances
    • payment of wages and workers compensation benefits after worker death
    • making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts

  Responsibilities

• Spousal income and assets are counted in determining need in many forms of government assistance, including:
  • veteran's medical and home care benefits
  • housing assistance
  • housing loans for veterans
  • child's education loans
  • educational loan repayment schedule
  • agricultural price supports and loans
  • eligibility for federal matching campaign funds
• Ineligible for National Affordable Housing program if spouse ever purchased a home:
• Subject to conflict-of-interest rules for many government and government-related jobs
• Ineligible to receive various survivor benefits upon remarriage
• Providing financial support for raising children born of the marriage.

Even with the final bullet point mentioned children born of the marriage, there is still nothing in these guide lines stating marriage is only for procreation. I also find it odd that a group of people who so readily complain about the government interfering with their personal lives, now wants the government to infer with others personal lives and dictate what they can and can not do, and who they can and can not love.


And the final comment for today:

You forget--tax breaks are benefits--not rights. You have a right to marry, according to the parameters of the institution. You do not enjoy unalienable rights to benefits. If there were no tax breaks, would you SSM?

Under the current tax code and law, (I had to look it up, I am so dumb when it comes to taxes) various benefits such as deductions, shared tax forms and tax credits are granted to couples that are married. In addition to this, rights to house, home, and visitations are granted. When a group, organization or government does not allow for the same benefits to be shared by all couples regardless of age,sex or gender, what is being said is that one is a valid marriage and one is not. What equal right groups are fighting for is not to save a couple bucks on their tax returns but to have both heterosexual and homosexual marriage to be treated the same. Why is this such a sin?

I would also like to point out that because of increasing amount of religious interference in law, homosexual couples are not even allowed to visit loved ones in the hospital "if they don't agree with being gay".. that is unacceptable. A persons religion should NEVER be allowed to deny a loved on the right to see a ill family member or mate. Never!

....Oh and same sex couples, even without tax breaks, still get married, so I guess they still SSM. *rolls eyes*

/sigh

Today I have addressed but a few of the disgusting comments that frequently show up on the NOM website either by their hand or by the hand of their supporters. Join me next time, when I take a great deal of pleasure ripping apart their video, and once again exposing them as a hate-filled organization. I will also be sharing the personal stories of two of my gay friends, who as point of fact, I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.


Blessed be.