Saturday, April 02, 2005
le pape, les phoques et la princesse des paralytiques...
A lot of death this week - and terrorists are not to blame, for once...
In my town alone, spouses killed each other, twentysomethings were brutally stabbed to death on the street... one was even bludgeoned to death.
And then there was Terri...
And open season on the babyseals again...
And today, the Pope.
The 265th Pope is no longer - the next one could be a doozy...
On par with that, the chief helper to the poor (officiously anyway), the World Bank, announced this week a somewhat... poor choice for successor to THEIR own pope of sorts - am talking about the World Bank presidency here - of course. Paul D. Wolfowitz ("Witz" to his buddies - I wonder if the D stands for Diddy... P. Diddy Witz... naaaaah!) is a choice that is quite on par with that of John Bolton as U.N. representative for the USA... Add in the next Pope, rumoured to be a prime candidate for "false prophet" status and to be in cahoots with the antichrist, and things are not exactly looking rosey right now. In fact, things outright suck! ALL of these guys could be in cahoots with the antichrist - but the antichrist simply cannot be Dubya! Nope - I refuse to have evil personified by an adversary I cannot respect let alone dread - taking thy adversary seriously is step one on the journey to victory after all... ;)
In my town alone, spouses killed each other, twentysomethings were brutally stabbed to death on the street... one was even bludgeoned to death.
And then there was Terri...
And open season on the babyseals again...
And today, the Pope.
The 265th Pope is no longer - the next one could be a doozy...
On par with that, the chief helper to the poor (officiously anyway), the World Bank, announced this week a somewhat... poor choice for successor to THEIR own pope of sorts - am talking about the World Bank presidency here - of course. Paul D. Wolfowitz ("Witz" to his buddies - I wonder if the D stands for Diddy... P. Diddy Witz... naaaaah!) is a choice that is quite on par with that of John Bolton as U.N. representative for the USA... Add in the next Pope, rumoured to be a prime candidate for "false prophet" status and to be in cahoots with the antichrist, and things are not exactly looking rosey right now. In fact, things outright suck! ALL of these guys could be in cahoots with the antichrist - but the antichrist simply cannot be Dubya! Nope - I refuse to have evil personified by an adversary I cannot respect let alone dread - taking thy adversary seriously is step one on the journey to victory after all... ;)
Friday, April 01, 2005
tell a lie day...
The greater part of the world - or is it just North America and its "we are the world" attitude dictating this...? - knows April 1st as APRIL FOOL'S DAY.
Others also know it is DON'T GO TO WORK UNLESS IT'S FUN DAY...
But in certain Slavic countries, it is TELL A LIE DAY - inspired as it is by the politicians that they have... Baffles the thinking man's mind that this is not a North American tradition too, with the presidents, prime ministers and senators that we have... however, I sincerely doubt that anyone NEEDS a three-in-one NON-HOLIDAY...
Speaking of the "we are the world" AMERICAN attitude... Senator John Bolton is set to be the United Nations ambassador for the U.S. - yet another dumba$$ move from Dubya! Bolton - who thinks that the U.S. is what makes the U.N. work - when it wants it to work! Bolton - who thinks that if ten floors of the U.N. disappeared, it wouldn't mean squat - as long as the U.S. remained there! Bolton must have been the reason why the Tower of Babel split up as it did - he must have been there, waaaaay back then, somehow, and everyone else, well... bolted out of there! NOT in speaking terms either... *LOL* Bolton - the consummate ugly american! Wish his appointment would be an April Fool's indeed - but it appears to be true!
Oh well - the USA has only been good at making enemies lately, so, this fits the programme they have been on for the last two if not four mandates now...
Others also know it is DON'T GO TO WORK UNLESS IT'S FUN DAY...
But in certain Slavic countries, it is TELL A LIE DAY - inspired as it is by the politicians that they have... Baffles the thinking man's mind that this is not a North American tradition too, with the presidents, prime ministers and senators that we have... however, I sincerely doubt that anyone NEEDS a three-in-one NON-HOLIDAY...
Speaking of the "we are the world" AMERICAN attitude... Senator John Bolton is set to be the United Nations ambassador for the U.S. - yet another dumba$$ move from Dubya! Bolton - who thinks that the U.S. is what makes the U.N. work - when it wants it to work! Bolton - who thinks that if ten floors of the U.N. disappeared, it wouldn't mean squat - as long as the U.S. remained there! Bolton must have been the reason why the Tower of Babel split up as it did - he must have been there, waaaaay back then, somehow, and everyone else, well... bolted out of there! NOT in speaking terms either... *LOL* Bolton - the consummate ugly american! Wish his appointment would be an April Fool's indeed - but it appears to be true!
Oh well - the USA has only been good at making enemies lately, so, this fits the programme they have been on for the last two if not four mandates now...
Thursday, March 31, 2005
ante mortem - post mortem
Terri Schindler (for her maiden name is her true name - moreso for her than for any other lady) has departed her mortal coil - and her dire situation has indeed brought to light many things of importance; the, apparently, all-important need for a living will. The willingness of a Bush administration to step in and then, their usual cold feet routine with things that really matter (it should be life over any abstract war on terror concepts, I always say...). The hypocrisy, yes, but of the medical Establishment and judicial system - pretending to be doing the "right thing" while being substantially less than humane and being, instead, downright barbaric. Some would say the same of "right-to-life" organizations who decried her impending death but have no mercy for those killed in war or for prisoners executed by the state. I see not those as hypocrites at all; some innocents are to be found on death row, surely... but those who are willing to serve their country know the risks it entails. They had a choice; Terri had none since her devastating and debilitating brain damage occurred...
Whatever made Terri the Terri of old - that girl so full of life that she used to be - had been made prisoner of her body for more than a decade. Her soul is freed now - freed to be, once again, what she really is. I hope her family will see things in that perspective - for it is the appropriate one. They are people of faith, so I think that they will. As far as blaming others for the physical death of what some have called "her empty shell of a body" goes... I am ALL FOR IT. Those who "helped" her pass on in this manner could have just as well put a pillow on her face... or gone the lethal injection route... shot her in the head... it would have been swifter. It is - in all scenarios - still the same damn thing - MURDER.
As long as doubt subsists, that Terri wanted to LIVE, and not the other way around... all who partook in this contributed to this murder. Earthly justice is flawed - I will never repeat it often enough - but the Italian judicial system would be perfect for this case; and Michael Schiavo would simply NEVER prove his "innocence" here, just as he can not prove that it was Terri's will to go if she was ever like this. SHE HAD NO LIVING WILL. Mikey here, that judge and all who agreed with them can go straight to hell as far as I am concerned - if only figuratively...
Link
Whatever made Terri the Terri of old - that girl so full of life that she used to be - had been made prisoner of her body for more than a decade. Her soul is freed now - freed to be, once again, what she really is. I hope her family will see things in that perspective - for it is the appropriate one. They are people of faith, so I think that they will. As far as blaming others for the physical death of what some have called "her empty shell of a body" goes... I am ALL FOR IT. Those who "helped" her pass on in this manner could have just as well put a pillow on her face... or gone the lethal injection route... shot her in the head... it would have been swifter. It is - in all scenarios - still the same damn thing - MURDER.
As long as doubt subsists, that Terri wanted to LIVE, and not the other way around... all who partook in this contributed to this murder. Earthly justice is flawed - I will never repeat it often enough - but the Italian judicial system would be perfect for this case; and Michael Schiavo would simply NEVER prove his "innocence" here, just as he can not prove that it was Terri's will to go if she was ever like this. SHE HAD NO LIVING WILL. Mikey here, that judge and all who agreed with them can go straight to hell as far as I am concerned - if only figuratively...
Link
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
irreversible, irrepairable, irrevocable damage... no kidding
Our poor hapless planet has been used (up) and abused to the limit - Mother Earth is one sorry wretched up pale shadow of its former self - Gaea is a goner...
NOW they realize that?!? Sheesh...
One does NOT need any scientific studies to see that, methinks - only ONE hand can turn the clock for the planet and undo all -yes ALL- of the terrible damage WE have done to it; and that hand is The Creator's Hand! The one rightful owner of any piece of landscape and real estate that there ever was down here "up for sale"... Beyond that, any mortal's hope of "salvaging" what's left of the planet - and delaying the inevitable for it - rests in either the space program (lo, this many generations from now, mankind will get a crack at moving to ANOTHER planet and pollute it thoroughly and completely as well...) or... living below the sea surface?!? With the barracudas and the sea slugs, oui, oui...! (My Cousteau impersonation - much better in person! Maybe one day I'll bother with an audio post here on the blog and deliver it THEN...!).
Oh, yeah - all of those scenarios do NOT factor in a World War Three though...
Earth has suffered irreversible damage: study - CTV.ca News Staff
Humans are damaging the Earth at such an unprecedented rate that the strain on the planet may destroy about two-thirds of its ecosystem services, according to a landmark international study.
The consequences of humans' activities are severe and include: new diseases, sudden changes in water quality, creation of "dead zones" along the coasts, the collapse of fisheries, and shifts in regional climate, according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report.
"At the heart of this assessment is a stark warning," said the 45-member board.
"Human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted," it said.
The four-year, 2,500-page assessment was drawn up by 1,300 researchers from 95 nations in an effort to inform global policy initiatives.
Scientists warn that about 60 per cent of the ecosystem services that support life on Earth, such as fresh water, air and water regulation and natural hazards, are being destroyed.
The report warns that the consequences of this degradation of the environment will significantly worsen over the next 50 years.
"Any progress achieved in addressing the goals of poverty and hunger eradication, improved health, and environmental protection is unlikely to be sustained if most of the ecosystem services on which humanity relies continue to be degraded," said the study.
The report says humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly in the past 50 years than any other period.
"This was done largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber and fuel," a statement said, adding that this resulted in an irreversible loss of life on Earth, with some 10 to 30 per cent of mammal, bird and amphibian species threatened with extinction currently.
The changes in the ecosystem are owing to humans' efforts to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel, the report says.
"More land was converted to agriculture since 1945 than in the 18th and 19th centuries combined," according to the report's authors.
"More than half of all the synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, first made in 1913, ever used on the planet has been used since 1985."
And the current state of affairs is likely to be an obstacle to meeting the Millennium Development Goals agreed to by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000, the report says.
"The over-riding conclusion of this assessment is that it lies within the power of human societies to ease the strains we are putting on the nature services of the planet, while continuing to use them to bring better living standards to all," said the MA board of directors in a statement.
"Achieving this, however, will require radical changes in the way nature is treated at every level of decision-making and new ways of cooperation between government, business and civil society. The warning signs are there for all of us to see. The future now lies in our hands."
In a message launching the reports, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said the environment can only be protected by understanding how it works.
"Only by valueing all our precious natural and human resources can we hope to build a sustainable future," Annan said.
Other warnings:
Deforestation influences the abundance of human pathogens such as malaria and cholera
Scientists project there will be progress in eliminating hunger but at rates too slow to halve the number of the hungry by 2015.
It is the world's poorest people who suffer the most from changes to the ecosystem.
Only four ecosystem services have been improved in the past half-century. These include: increased crop, livestock and aquaculture production, and increased carbon sequestration for worldwide climate regulation.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment's work was prepared under the supervision of a 45-member board of directors, co-chaired by Dr. Robert Watson, chief scientist of The World Bank, and Dr. A. Hamid Zakri, director of the United Nations University's Institute of Advanced Studies.
NOW they realize that?!? Sheesh...
One does NOT need any scientific studies to see that, methinks - only ONE hand can turn the clock for the planet and undo all -yes ALL- of the terrible damage WE have done to it; and that hand is The Creator's Hand! The one rightful owner of any piece of landscape and real estate that there ever was down here "up for sale"... Beyond that, any mortal's hope of "salvaging" what's left of the planet - and delaying the inevitable for it - rests in either the space program (lo, this many generations from now, mankind will get a crack at moving to ANOTHER planet and pollute it thoroughly and completely as well...) or... living below the sea surface?!? With the barracudas and the sea slugs, oui, oui...! (My Cousteau impersonation - much better in person! Maybe one day I'll bother with an audio post here on the blog and deliver it THEN...!).
Oh, yeah - all of those scenarios do NOT factor in a World War Three though...
Earth has suffered irreversible damage: study - CTV.ca News Staff
Humans are damaging the Earth at such an unprecedented rate that the strain on the planet may destroy about two-thirds of its ecosystem services, according to a landmark international study.
The consequences of humans' activities are severe and include: new diseases, sudden changes in water quality, creation of "dead zones" along the coasts, the collapse of fisheries, and shifts in regional climate, according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report.
"At the heart of this assessment is a stark warning," said the 45-member board.
"Human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted," it said.
The four-year, 2,500-page assessment was drawn up by 1,300 researchers from 95 nations in an effort to inform global policy initiatives.
Scientists warn that about 60 per cent of the ecosystem services that support life on Earth, such as fresh water, air and water regulation and natural hazards, are being destroyed.
The report warns that the consequences of this degradation of the environment will significantly worsen over the next 50 years.
"Any progress achieved in addressing the goals of poverty and hunger eradication, improved health, and environmental protection is unlikely to be sustained if most of the ecosystem services on which humanity relies continue to be degraded," said the study.
The report says humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly in the past 50 years than any other period.
"This was done largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber and fuel," a statement said, adding that this resulted in an irreversible loss of life on Earth, with some 10 to 30 per cent of mammal, bird and amphibian species threatened with extinction currently.
The changes in the ecosystem are owing to humans' efforts to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel, the report says.
"More land was converted to agriculture since 1945 than in the 18th and 19th centuries combined," according to the report's authors.
"More than half of all the synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, first made in 1913, ever used on the planet has been used since 1985."
And the current state of affairs is likely to be an obstacle to meeting the Millennium Development Goals agreed to by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000, the report says.
"The over-riding conclusion of this assessment is that it lies within the power of human societies to ease the strains we are putting on the nature services of the planet, while continuing to use them to bring better living standards to all," said the MA board of directors in a statement.
"Achieving this, however, will require radical changes in the way nature is treated at every level of decision-making and new ways of cooperation between government, business and civil society. The warning signs are there for all of us to see. The future now lies in our hands."
In a message launching the reports, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said the environment can only be protected by understanding how it works.
"Only by valueing all our precious natural and human resources can we hope to build a sustainable future," Annan said.
Other warnings:
Deforestation influences the abundance of human pathogens such as malaria and cholera
Scientists project there will be progress in eliminating hunger but at rates too slow to halve the number of the hungry by 2015.
It is the world's poorest people who suffer the most from changes to the ecosystem.
Only four ecosystem services have been improved in the past half-century. These include: increased crop, livestock and aquaculture production, and increased carbon sequestration for worldwide climate regulation.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment's work was prepared under the supervision of a 45-member board of directors, co-chaired by Dr. Robert Watson, chief scientist of The World Bank, and Dr. A. Hamid Zakri, director of the United Nations University's Institute of Advanced Studies.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
two for tuesdays; alarming health news bits this week...
One of the fears for the next few years - aside from war, cataclysms and death - is a pandemic of apocalyptic proportions. Everybody know that antiviral drugs will be the weapon of choice when health-care declares war on the next influenza pandemic. But for Canadians in particular, things are not looking rosey at all - for their doctors have little experience with antivirals... eh? Experts and the thinking men among us are thus understandably concerned that lack of expertise could impede proper usage during a pandemic - and lead many to the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, the afore-mentioned Death...
With a proliference of viruses to die from - include this Ebola-like virus in Angola now - combining with inefficiency in the all-important medecine men themselves when faced with THE one... hmm... no wonder thinking men (such as myself) think things are a bit... bleak indeed! :(
Gloomy (and doomy?) details - in the comments section!
With a proliference of viruses to die from - include this Ebola-like virus in Angola now - combining with inefficiency in the all-important medecine men themselves when faced with THE one... hmm... no wonder thinking men (such as myself) think things are a bit... bleak indeed! :(
Gloomy (and doomy?) details - in the comments section!
Monday, March 28, 2005
puny penalties? puny drama! florida has better drama going on right now than baseball... far more dramatic stuff indeed
Terri Schiavo may be brain-damaged - but she had the right to have easter COMMUNION AT LEAST... but nooooooooooo - the GOD-DAMN JUDGES did not even okay THAT... the only thing that is right and fine in their infinite wisdom (NOT) is to bestow upon Terri THE LAST RITES - ASAP!!! Sheesh... they display more leniency towards CRIMINALS (with good lawyers) than they do a poor woman who has not hurt a FLY... But of course, such is not the heart of the matter in this controversial case... the s.o.b. hubby has a legal right to be freed of this burden - right? His rights first and foremost people - even if we have to stampede all over the basic right to LIVE of our more underpriviliged of all... Just my luminous take on things...
The silly baseball steroid scandal - and all those players being caught taking them - and the meek (and downright laughable) punishment that they will be getting for playing "dirty" in a way - getting that unfair advantage certainly... now THAT is no drama at all. Whoever said baseball is a metaphor for life... hmm? You will never see a metaphor for Terri Schiavo in any "field of dreams" out there, if you live to wait and see the Cubs win a World Series - NEVER! Not even Kirk Gibson limping around the bases after a miracle at-bat for the Dodgers against then-unhittable Dennis Eckersley... not even THAT comes close to Terri Schiavo! Because, unlike the Eck, the judges of Florida will not even PITCH to Terri Schiavo, see...? They want to give her a walk - straight to oblivion.
Well - guess what, your honor (s) of the not-so Supreme Court... you're headed for oblivion too - Dante's style!
And just so you all know, I find completely idiotic the mere idea that the souls of dead ballplayers would be playing ball still, in some corn field... By the same token then, Wyatt Earp and company are still settling their scores at the O.K. Corral...!!! At least THAT would make some sense - because it is at the original locale! Spirits likely wander like crazy now that they are freed of their mortal coil - but if they are to haunt some spot in particular, it has to be their old stomping grounds! Thus, ballplayers' ghosts are likely moping around and wailing even in and around Wrigley Field... partying like crazy in Fenway Park... and I expect lots of revengeful poltergeist activity in Yankee Stadium... *LOL*
And Terri Schiavo? When she passes, her soul will be freed... and she will know the bliss that was denied to her on this Earth... on this cold cruel world.
The silly baseball steroid scandal - and all those players being caught taking them - and the meek (and downright laughable) punishment that they will be getting for playing "dirty" in a way - getting that unfair advantage certainly... now THAT is no drama at all. Whoever said baseball is a metaphor for life... hmm? You will never see a metaphor for Terri Schiavo in any "field of dreams" out there, if you live to wait and see the Cubs win a World Series - NEVER! Not even Kirk Gibson limping around the bases after a miracle at-bat for the Dodgers against then-unhittable Dennis Eckersley... not even THAT comes close to Terri Schiavo! Because, unlike the Eck, the judges of Florida will not even PITCH to Terri Schiavo, see...? They want to give her a walk - straight to oblivion.
Well - guess what, your honor (s) of the not-so Supreme Court... you're headed for oblivion too - Dante's style!
And just so you all know, I find completely idiotic the mere idea that the souls of dead ballplayers would be playing ball still, in some corn field... By the same token then, Wyatt Earp and company are still settling their scores at the O.K. Corral...!!! At least THAT would make some sense - because it is at the original locale! Spirits likely wander like crazy now that they are freed of their mortal coil - but if they are to haunt some spot in particular, it has to be their old stomping grounds! Thus, ballplayers' ghosts are likely moping around and wailing even in and around Wrigley Field... partying like crazy in Fenway Park... and I expect lots of revengeful poltergeist activity in Yankee Stadium... *LOL*
And Terri Schiavo? When she passes, her soul will be freed... and she will know the bliss that was denied to her on this Earth... on this cold cruel world.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
kill the wabbit... bash the bunny... expose the easter bunny... it's all the same thing to me *lol*
Many of my friends complained to me over this week that it did not feel like Easter at all yet - that they would rather wait for Pesach, the Jewish Passover, to celebrate it - and yes, they are Christians and Unorthodox to boot... *lol*
Me, I always look at the origin of things to locate the source of any misunderstanding, apprehension or plain old discomfort! I guess it's just me...!
Whereas the French word for Easter (Pâques; Pascoa in Portuguese - so we share the same problem... again.) originates from the Jewish Passover... Anglo-Saxons have the misfortune of owing their precious "Easter" to... a bunny-morphing, fertility-sponsoring Fairy Queen of sorts... That is, THE NAME comes from this rather odd source... but, really, what's in a name?
The name Easter comes from Eastre, an ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess, originally of the dawn. In pagan times an annual spring festival was held in her honor. Some Easter customs have come from this and other pre-Christian spring festivals. Others come from the Passover feast of the Jews, observed in memory of their deliverance from Egypt. The resurrection of Jesus took place during the Passover. In the early days of Christianity Easter and the Passover were closely associated.
Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. They issued the Easter Rule which places Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox (first day of Spring). Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 & April 25. This year, it does come very early indeed... though, clearly NOT the earliest it could be!
Preceding Easter Sunday is the 40-day penitential season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding at midnight on Holy Saturday. Lent is a season of prayer, abstinence, and fasting. This is observed in memory of the 40 days' fast of Christ in the desert. Orthodox churches used to advocate 40 days without meat in some countries! Lent is observed for six weeks and four days by the Western Christian churches that include Saturday and Sunday into the total. In Eastern Orthodox churches Lent is 50 days since they do not count Saturdays or Sundays.
Shrove Tuesday, the day before the beginning of Lent, was designed as a way to "get it all out" before the sacrifices of Lent began. Known the world over as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) or Carnival. It is celebrated in many cities, the most famous American city being New Orleans, LA.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, gets its name from the practice, mainly in the Roman Catholic church, of putting ashes on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them that man is but dust.
The actual Holy Week goes as follows:
Palm Sunday: This is held on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem one week before his execution.
Holy Monday: commemorates Jesus' cleansing of the temple, when he assaulted money changers and overturned their tables. Some believe that this triggered his arrest and crucifixion. (A violent Jesus is soooooo much like the Jesus of the Book of Revelation - sword in hand! I like that - a whole lot! ;)
Holy Tuesday: recalls Jesus' description to his disciples on the Mount of Olives of the destruction of Jerusalem.
Holy Wednesday: (once called Spy Wednesday) recalls Judas' decision to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. (Mel Gibson and others believe Judas is the MOST FAITHFUL OF ALL OF JESUS' DISCIPLES - for he somehow understood, even before, say, Nicodemus, and certainly all eleven other disciples left, WHY CHRIST HAD TO DIE ON THE CROSS... to give us all a chance to be FORGIVEN! I think Mel Gibson's favorite expression is also "with friends like these..." *LOL*).
Maundy Thursday: commemorates the Last Supper, Jesus' agony in the garden and his arrest. (Maundy - yes... the name actually describes the foot-washing ceremony).
Good Friday: recalls Jesus' death on the cross. The origin of the word "good" has been lost. Some claim that it is a corruption of "God" and that the early Christians called this day "God's Friday." Others claim that "good" refers to the blessings of humanity that Christians believe arose as a result of Jesus' execution.
Holy Saturday: (a.k.a. Easter Eve) is the final day of Holy Week and of Lent.
Easter Sunday: commemorates Jesus' resurrection. In the early church, converts were baptized into church membership on this day after a lengthy period of instruction. This tradition continues today in some churches. Today, HE HAS RISEN! ALELUIA!
Many Easter symbols and customs come from the Old World though - unfortunately. And some have nothing to do with Christ...
The Cross though, obviously does - the Cross is the symbol of the Crucifixion, as opposed to the Resurrection. However, at the Council of Nicaea, in A.D. 325, Constantine decreed that the Cross was the official symbol of Christianity. The Cross is not only a symbol of Easter, but it is more widely used, especially by the Catholic Church, as a year-round symbol of their faith. AND one could say A SYMBOL OF THE SACRIFICE AND LOVE OF GOD FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF HIS CHILDREN... whether they embrace the Cross (as their own cross as well) or not...
The white lily symbolizes the Resurrection. Yet, lillies have long been revered by pagans of various lands as a holy symbol associated with reproduction. It was considered a phallic symbol!
The Easter Bunny also originated with the pagan festival of Eastre. The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.
The Germans brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America. It was widely ignored by other Christians until shortly after the Civil War.
Easter itself was not widely celebrated in America until after that time.
The Easter Egg though goes waaaay back to that old world mentality that I qualified as... a tad unfortunate? *LOL*
The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a custom that was centuries old when Easter was first celebrated by Christians. The egg was a symbol of rebirth in most cultures. Eggs were often wrapped in gold leaf or, if you were a peasant, colored brightly by boiling them with the leaves or petals of certain flowers.
Today, children hunt colored eggs and place them in Easter baskets along with the modern version of real Easter eggs -- plastic eggs filled with chocolate candy.
The English and German words for "Easter" derive from the name "Ostara," (variant spellings: Eostra, Eostrae, Eostre, Eástre, Austra.) the Germanic Goddess of Springtime. (or... the moon. Or... fertility... or... likely a dozen other things, surely...). All other European words for "Easter" derive from the Hebrew word "pasah," to pass over, thus reflecting the Christian holiday's Biblical connection with the Jewish Passover.
As Spring reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase. The belief was, eons ago, that the "young Sun God" now celebrates a hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the "young Maiden Goddess", who conceives. In nine months, she will again become the Great Mother. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals. (The original baby boom... eh?). *LOL*
The next full moon (a time of increased births) is called the Ostara and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon "Lunar Goddess of fertility" (from whence we get the word estrogen, whose two symbols were the egg and the rabbit. Wow - legitimate egg-laying claims for the odd critter known as the easter bunny... RIGHT. *LOL*).
The Christian religion adopted these emblems for Easter which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, in the hopes of REELING IN THE ATTENTION OF UNBELIEVERS towards the SALVATION offered by CHRIST's Sacrifice. The theme of the conception of the Goddess was adapted as the Feast of the Annunciation, occurring on the alternative fixed calendar date of March 25 - Old Lady Day, the earlier date of the equinox. Lady Day may also refer to other goddesses (such as Venus and Aphrodite), many of whom have festivals celebrated at this time. Neo-pagans see this pre-dating as "exposing" Mary... not at all, my pagan friends - not at all! JESUS WAS BORN - it is FACT. He Walked the Earth, lo 2000 years ago... so, He surely had to have a MOTHER... eh? Who cares if Eostre was reputed to have conceived on that date too, in some ancient fairytale... and who really cares about Venus/Aphrodite as well! Mary was flesh and blood - I have yet to see any evidence that Eostre/Ostara/Austra OR Venus/Aphrodite ever were...!
But now, back to the bunny-bashing...
Apparently, I am not the only who hates the damn "easter bunny" either... (lest it is some kid who mistook it for Donnie Darko's ghastly imaginary friend - which I sincerely doubt even remotely possible!)
Easter Bunny claims he was assaulted by 12-year-old boy at Michigan mall
25/03/2005 12:36:00 PM BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) -
The Easter Bunny is hopping mad.
Bryan Johnson, who portrays the furry character at the Bay City Mall, says he was pummelled in an unprovoked attack while on the job. Police say the attacker was a 12-year-old boy who sat on Johnson's lap the day before the March 18 incident.
Johnson, 18, suffered a bloody nose. He kept his cool during the attack, deeming it inappropriate for the Easter Bunny to fight back. But he's not willing to forgive and forget.
"They (the sheriff's deputies) told me it was up to me, and I feel that the boy should be prosecuted," Johnson told the Bay City Times.
Johnson told Bay County Sheriff's deputies that the boy hit him in the face at least six times before running away.
Bay County Sheriff John Miller said the youth has been in trouble in the past. The case will be forwarded to the Bay County prosecutor's office next week for action, he said.
Johnson, meanwhile, is back on the job at the mall, where he had been working as the Easter Bunny for about a week before the attack. He says he took the job to help support his girlfriend and three-month-old daughter.
"I just like getting the kids to laugh and have fun," he said
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Funny stuff - I figured the bunny was easy pickings too.
As a kid, I always knew that either Yosemite Sam or even the lame-o Elmer Fudd could have easily have taken out Bugs, if only the Looney Tunes had been... oh, I don't know... REALISTIC? *LOL*
Happy Easter - belatedly, surely - f-f-f-f-f-folks...!!!
Me, I always look at the origin of things to locate the source of any misunderstanding, apprehension or plain old discomfort! I guess it's just me...!
Whereas the French word for Easter (Pâques; Pascoa in Portuguese - so we share the same problem... again.) originates from the Jewish Passover... Anglo-Saxons have the misfortune of owing their precious "Easter" to... a bunny-morphing, fertility-sponsoring Fairy Queen of sorts... That is, THE NAME comes from this rather odd source... but, really, what's in a name?
The name Easter comes from Eastre, an ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess, originally of the dawn. In pagan times an annual spring festival was held in her honor. Some Easter customs have come from this and other pre-Christian spring festivals. Others come from the Passover feast of the Jews, observed in memory of their deliverance from Egypt. The resurrection of Jesus took place during the Passover. In the early days of Christianity Easter and the Passover were closely associated.
Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. They issued the Easter Rule which places Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox (first day of Spring). Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 & April 25. This year, it does come very early indeed... though, clearly NOT the earliest it could be!
Preceding Easter Sunday is the 40-day penitential season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding at midnight on Holy Saturday. Lent is a season of prayer, abstinence, and fasting. This is observed in memory of the 40 days' fast of Christ in the desert. Orthodox churches used to advocate 40 days without meat in some countries! Lent is observed for six weeks and four days by the Western Christian churches that include Saturday and Sunday into the total. In Eastern Orthodox churches Lent is 50 days since they do not count Saturdays or Sundays.
Shrove Tuesday, the day before the beginning of Lent, was designed as a way to "get it all out" before the sacrifices of Lent began. Known the world over as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) or Carnival. It is celebrated in many cities, the most famous American city being New Orleans, LA.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, gets its name from the practice, mainly in the Roman Catholic church, of putting ashes on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them that man is but dust.
The actual Holy Week goes as follows:
Palm Sunday: This is held on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem one week before his execution.
Holy Monday: commemorates Jesus' cleansing of the temple, when he assaulted money changers and overturned their tables. Some believe that this triggered his arrest and crucifixion. (A violent Jesus is soooooo much like the Jesus of the Book of Revelation - sword in hand! I like that - a whole lot! ;)
Holy Tuesday: recalls Jesus' description to his disciples on the Mount of Olives of the destruction of Jerusalem.
Holy Wednesday: (once called Spy Wednesday) recalls Judas' decision to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. (Mel Gibson and others believe Judas is the MOST FAITHFUL OF ALL OF JESUS' DISCIPLES - for he somehow understood, even before, say, Nicodemus, and certainly all eleven other disciples left, WHY CHRIST HAD TO DIE ON THE CROSS... to give us all a chance to be FORGIVEN! I think Mel Gibson's favorite expression is also "with friends like these..." *LOL*).
Maundy Thursday: commemorates the Last Supper, Jesus' agony in the garden and his arrest. (Maundy - yes... the name actually describes the foot-washing ceremony).
Good Friday: recalls Jesus' death on the cross. The origin of the word "good" has been lost. Some claim that it is a corruption of "God" and that the early Christians called this day "God's Friday." Others claim that "good" refers to the blessings of humanity that Christians believe arose as a result of Jesus' execution.
Holy Saturday: (a.k.a. Easter Eve) is the final day of Holy Week and of Lent.
Easter Sunday: commemorates Jesus' resurrection. In the early church, converts were baptized into church membership on this day after a lengthy period of instruction. This tradition continues today in some churches. Today, HE HAS RISEN! ALELUIA!
Many Easter symbols and customs come from the Old World though - unfortunately. And some have nothing to do with Christ...
The Cross though, obviously does - the Cross is the symbol of the Crucifixion, as opposed to the Resurrection. However, at the Council of Nicaea, in A.D. 325, Constantine decreed that the Cross was the official symbol of Christianity. The Cross is not only a symbol of Easter, but it is more widely used, especially by the Catholic Church, as a year-round symbol of their faith. AND one could say A SYMBOL OF THE SACRIFICE AND LOVE OF GOD FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF HIS CHILDREN... whether they embrace the Cross (as their own cross as well) or not...
The white lily symbolizes the Resurrection. Yet, lillies have long been revered by pagans of various lands as a holy symbol associated with reproduction. It was considered a phallic symbol!
The Easter Bunny also originated with the pagan festival of Eastre. The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.
The Germans brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America. It was widely ignored by other Christians until shortly after the Civil War.
Easter itself was not widely celebrated in America until after that time.
The Easter Egg though goes waaaay back to that old world mentality that I qualified as... a tad unfortunate? *LOL*
The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a custom that was centuries old when Easter was first celebrated by Christians. The egg was a symbol of rebirth in most cultures. Eggs were often wrapped in gold leaf or, if you were a peasant, colored brightly by boiling them with the leaves or petals of certain flowers.
Today, children hunt colored eggs and place them in Easter baskets along with the modern version of real Easter eggs -- plastic eggs filled with chocolate candy.
The English and German words for "Easter" derive from the name "Ostara," (variant spellings: Eostra, Eostrae, Eostre, Eástre, Austra.) the Germanic Goddess of Springtime. (or... the moon. Or... fertility... or... likely a dozen other things, surely...). All other European words for "Easter" derive from the Hebrew word "pasah," to pass over, thus reflecting the Christian holiday's Biblical connection with the Jewish Passover.
As Spring reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase. The belief was, eons ago, that the "young Sun God" now celebrates a hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the "young Maiden Goddess", who conceives. In nine months, she will again become the Great Mother. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals. (The original baby boom... eh?). *LOL*
The next full moon (a time of increased births) is called the Ostara and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon "Lunar Goddess of fertility" (from whence we get the word estrogen, whose two symbols were the egg and the rabbit. Wow - legitimate egg-laying claims for the odd critter known as the easter bunny... RIGHT. *LOL*).
The Christian religion adopted these emblems for Easter which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, in the hopes of REELING IN THE ATTENTION OF UNBELIEVERS towards the SALVATION offered by CHRIST's Sacrifice. The theme of the conception of the Goddess was adapted as the Feast of the Annunciation, occurring on the alternative fixed calendar date of March 25 - Old Lady Day, the earlier date of the equinox. Lady Day may also refer to other goddesses (such as Venus and Aphrodite), many of whom have festivals celebrated at this time. Neo-pagans see this pre-dating as "exposing" Mary... not at all, my pagan friends - not at all! JESUS WAS BORN - it is FACT. He Walked the Earth, lo 2000 years ago... so, He surely had to have a MOTHER... eh? Who cares if Eostre was reputed to have conceived on that date too, in some ancient fairytale... and who really cares about Venus/Aphrodite as well! Mary was flesh and blood - I have yet to see any evidence that Eostre/Ostara/Austra OR Venus/Aphrodite ever were...!
But now, back to the bunny-bashing...
Apparently, I am not the only who hates the damn "easter bunny" either... (lest it is some kid who mistook it for Donnie Darko's ghastly imaginary friend - which I sincerely doubt even remotely possible!)
Easter Bunny claims he was assaulted by 12-year-old boy at Michigan mall
25/03/2005 12:36:00 PM BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) -
The Easter Bunny is hopping mad.
Bryan Johnson, who portrays the furry character at the Bay City Mall, says he was pummelled in an unprovoked attack while on the job. Police say the attacker was a 12-year-old boy who sat on Johnson's lap the day before the March 18 incident.
Johnson, 18, suffered a bloody nose. He kept his cool during the attack, deeming it inappropriate for the Easter Bunny to fight back. But he's not willing to forgive and forget.
"They (the sheriff's deputies) told me it was up to me, and I feel that the boy should be prosecuted," Johnson told the Bay City Times.
Johnson told Bay County Sheriff's deputies that the boy hit him in the face at least six times before running away.
Bay County Sheriff John Miller said the youth has been in trouble in the past. The case will be forwarded to the Bay County prosecutor's office next week for action, he said.
Johnson, meanwhile, is back on the job at the mall, where he had been working as the Easter Bunny for about a week before the attack. He says he took the job to help support his girlfriend and three-month-old daughter.
"I just like getting the kids to laugh and have fun," he said
---------------------------------------
Funny stuff - I figured the bunny was easy pickings too.
As a kid, I always knew that either Yosemite Sam or even the lame-o Elmer Fudd could have easily have taken out Bugs, if only the Looney Tunes had been... oh, I don't know... REALISTIC? *LOL*
Happy Easter - belatedly, surely - f-f-f-f-f-folks...!!!
