Brekleby Press: A New Sci-fi Novel of Time and Truth
In true sci-fi fashion, The Brekleby Press (ISBN: 978-0980107302 ) asks the questions how much do we really know about our past and do we really want to know the truth? Deborah Thomas creates a world where the reporters are no longer limited by time and space; instead, they become guardians of the past, who are not only able to observe history as it happens, but to retrieve what has been lost.
Natalie joins a motley crew of special reporters who travel thru time and space to record the little things of daily history. Natalie views her team’s abilities as lacking. They see her as inept and excess baggage, making for a rough fit until she finds her true calling. She finds the secret the council wishes to remain hidden. However, what was to remain within the council walls, she is about to set release. The time machine is the ultimate prize, and the guardianship becomes a small portion of the presence.
Describing herself as a disorganized tanzmanian perfectionist, Thomas admires Maya Angelo for her realism and old school way of seeing life. She also likes Tyler Perry; she shares his view that values and respect have been lost in the world today. She would like her readers to remember to find a little fantasy in every day.
The concept for Brekleby Press came to Thomas as concept for the National Novel Writers Month. The challenge is to write a 50,000 word story in thirty days. Brekleby Press is Thomas’s first proud attempt. Released November 2007 by Miroglyphics, it is available through Amazon.com, Cushcity.com, B&N online, Borders Books online and from the author at www.wordnthecornerstoop.ws.
Ostara takes place on the Spring Equinox and is the second spring festival. It is a celebration of rebirth, renewal and fertility as the Mother Goddess has returned to her maiden status and reunites with the young God; together they plant the seeds of the coming year in her womb. Although this festival doesn't have a strong historical connection, it is traditionally the time the ground is prepared and the early, harder crops are planted. In modern times is a time when projects are organized and set into motion. As a time of balance of not only day and night, but of the masculine and feminine energy, it is a time for new beginnings or revitalizing old projects. Many prosperity rituals are performed on this day as a way of connecting personal success to the fertility of the seasons. As the days grow longer and the crops grow to eventually bear fruit, so shall the person be blessed with their needs and wants being granted. Celebrations include lighting fires, ringing bells and decorating hard-boiled eggs. The eggs represent the Goddess of Fertility. The whites represent the feminine, while the yoke represents the masculine. Eggs were gathered to be used as talismans or ritually eaten as a fertility blessing. This day is also special to the Goddess Eostre; her patron animal was the hare. The hare and rabbit's represent fertility and prosperity. Using many of the traditional pagans symbols and traditions, Christians created Easter. Although there are several differences in the traditions, the primary focus is on rebirth and growth. Out of the Shadows and Into the Light is an ebook, which contains not only more information about Wiccan and Pagan Holidays, but also original spells and rituals for the modern day world. It can be bought at www.theresachaze.com
I never get tired of talking about my novels. Here are the synopsis and some reviews. They can be bought through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other bookstores.
Awakening the Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-0-9) is a story of magic, suspense and karmic justice combine in a tale of horror. Rachael moves to Coyote Springs to find a home and open her bookstore. Instead, she becomes the catalyst in exposing a murder and the target of a violent cult. She is forced to awaken her dragon spirit prematurely to save herself and all she loves. Will she be able to control the power of the dragon as it rises giving her the power to save all she loves or will the flames from within destroy her?
Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-1-6) Cheyenne and Celeste came to Coyote Springs to save a child; instead, Cheyenne found a home. With the help of their new friend, Jane, they created a spiritual sanctuary. But when Celeste stopped running, her past caught up with her. Dominic arrived with promises of love and passion. Instead of love, he reawakened Celeste’s dark side, turning her against those she loved the most. With the aid of the dragons, Cheyenne was barely able to ward off their first attack. With each soul they bound to them, Celeste and Dominic’s greed and hatred grew until they would not settle for less than totally destroying Cheyenne and all she loves. How do you protect yourself from someone who knows how to steal your soul?
Buy this book! I found myself smiling when I finished the last page of Awakening The Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (formally Dragon's New Home), by Theresa Chaze. I've read a pretty good number of books in my life, but none have given me quite the mix of emotions that this books has. Joe Murphy, The Dragon Page http://www.dragonpage.com/
Magic, Mystery, and Murder. The three M's! Ms. Chaze shows colorful, visual language that will even keep the romance novel buff obsessed in finishing this novel in one read! The pacing is excellent the main character strong and likeable, and the hint of romance to come in the final installments of the trilogy. I must say I'm already addicted to Ms. Chaze's writing style! A guaranteed page turner! Bring on the rest of the trilogy! Catherine J. St. Amour, author
Theresa Chaze draws her readers in from the first page and refuses to release them until the last word of this fantastic tale of witches, magic, love and betrayal. Set in the village of Coyote Springs, Dragon Domain is a book of lessons; lessons on love, forgiveness, and above all truth to oneself. In the grand traditions of Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley,
Theresa Chaze captures the imagination as well as the heart of her readers. Dragon Domain is an open door to a world of wonder, and from the first page to the last, you will be hard pressed to put it down. Linda Rucker, author
For the past several years I have been bemoaning the lack of quality, adult, Pagan fiction. Sure, there's lots of fantasy stuff out there. But good, set-in-the-real-world Pagan fiction is hard to come by. This book is one of less than a handful I have seen recently (Darksome Thirst and From the Ashes are two of the others, and Fallen Angels is one which is less Pagan-oriented but still enjoyable books which fall into this category [see my reviews at http://www20.brinkster.com/gleasonreview for reviews of all these books]).
As I said in my original review of Dragon’s New Home, this is a well-told story with characters that are both believable and familiar. By familiar, I don’t mean you’ve seen them in books before, but that you know people like them in your own life. There are no "over the top" characters here Even though some of the fantasy elements have a touch of Hollywood about them, the story relies on character development to hook and hold the reader. And let’s be honest – if you don’t care what happens to the characters, a book is a failure. This book is most definitely NOT a failure.
This second book in the Dragon Clan trilogy is a darker work than the first. Whereas the antagonists in the first book (Awakening the Dragon) were, for the most part, merely misguided albeit sincere believers in their faith's rightness, the antagonists this time around have made a conscious decision to embrace their darker sides for the simple's pleasure of power.
I am hoping that the author will be completing the concluding volume relatively soon. I hate having to wait to find out what happens to characters I have become attached to. On the other hand, the longer it takes, the more time I have before I have to say goodbye to them. Mike Gleason
Emotional and Spiritual Healing Happens When We are Open
There is the belief that wisdom and understanding comes to us when we are ready to accept it. Even though it may have been presented many times before, we are blinded to it by our own issues and challenges. However, when we have reached the point of personal growth or have hit bottom, we are open to change, then we will receive the messages we need to heal old wounds or achieve a new understanding.
My last epiphany came while watching Days of Our Lives. It was after the death of one of the characters that I saw one of my stumbling blocks through out life. On the show, the family came together in mutual support and comfort. No one person was singled out to receive all the attention nor was one person the caretaker for the rest of the family. They reached out to each other with unconditional love and support. Their grief pulled them together making each member stronger and helping each of them heal.
While I watched the characters on the screen, I flashed back to when my mother died. Her death was sudden and unexpected. Although we hadn’t been close in a long time, we had just started to rebuild a relationship. The car accident ended that healing process. Driving back to my hometown, I tried to sort out what I felt. In fact, there was so much I felt nothing. The next three days were filled with questions, arrangements and confusion. My father’s reaction was typical of his past behavior. It was like he found a new sense of power. Growing up his alcoholic actions kept the household in chaos. My three brothers and myself never knew what or when, just that it was coming. The household had to be all about him. My mother’s death was no different. Not once did he attempt to comfort us. When we reached out of to each other, he again brought the attention back to himself. He needed to be the center of attention. It was his loss. He’s grief. She was his wife, but she was also our mother. It would have been different if their relationship had been based on love and respect. Instead, she was his caretaker, not a love mate. We were related by blood, but we had never created a family bond.
My mother’s sisters and their families were more concern about who was now going to take care of the ailing matriarch of the family. Even though Mom had two sisters, she was their mother’s sole caregiver. Her sisters always seemed to be too involved with their own lives to help very often. It was only when Mom insisted that they found the time. Now that she was dead, they were trying to decide who was going to be stuck with her. I watched them plan and cry, yet I wasn’t part of it. I was separate and alone. It’s hard to break down when everyone else is already in emotional pieces; someone has to hold it together long enough to find the glue. I cooked food, made coffee, comforted others--all the things I should do, yet I couldn’t feel my own grief. It was locked away behind the closet with all the other feelings that I couldn’t or wouldn’t acknowledge.
As I sat on my couch years later, those scenes in a soap opera gave me a point of clarity. Looking back, those four days were a microcosm of what my life had been. There were those who received support and those who gave it. Rarely were the roles ever exchanged. Two incidents came to mind. I was upset over something; my father mocked me for being a crybaby. Another time, I had headphones on and was enjoying music; he ridiculed me for smiling. In the big picture, neither were earth shattering or life threatening, but they were soul and behavior altering. I learned support came with a price if it came at all and that letting others see your soft under belly made you vulnerable. However, if you held back and became a support system, you would be needed therefore you would be safe. I became a cheerleader for others. Freely giving aid, yet afraid to complete the cycle and allow others to help me. I found it easy to share to share my blessing and the good things in my life, but when I was hurt or sad, I either put it away behind the locked door of the closet or hide away to comfort myself. To the outside world, I showed the positive, happy me, while the closet became fuller.
In looking back and then forward, I realized that as adult we give to others what we wanted as children and didn’t receive. Growing up support and encouragement didn’t exist for me. I never learned how to receive without feeling that it came with a price. Life is not a tit for tat. But a share experience that needs to be in balance for it to be healthy. All the times, I thought I was being generous, the reality was that I was being selfish. I shared my things, my resources and what I have learned, but never me. I didn’t have the courage let others know the whole of me--the good, bad and the ugly. There had been glimpses when I became so over whelmed I could no longer hide it. But I would have rather ate ground glass than to show others they had hurt my feelings. The simple fact was that I didn’t trust that I would be caught if I let myself fall; after all I was all I was always the one with the glue.
For me the change came after a sexual assault that filled the closet to over flowing. There was no longer any room left for me to hide away emotional stuff I didn’t want to deal with. I had an emotional break down that nearly lead to suicide. I had a choice to make--the razor blade or dealing with old shit. Once the door came off, there was no going back and I was finally ready to emotionally hear the message. There has been and will continue to be tears. There will be anger. There will be regret and all the other emotions I never allowed myself to feel. However, there will also be healing and a new beginning as I do my best to let others help me without feeling shame or fear.
Greetings, Here is March 08 Messages from the Universe. This issue includes articles by Lynn Andrews, Theresa Chaze and many others. As always you are welcome to share the ezine as a whole; however, the articles remain the property of the authors.
There is an issue with Geocities that I will have to contact them to take care of. Normally, there would be a direct link to Messages, but until I able able to talk to a live Yahoo person, you can read Messages From the Universe on my site at www.theresachaze.com. It can also be downloaded for your convenience.
To subscribe to Messages From the Universe please join this free Yahoo group http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/MessagesFromtheUniverse/
The energy for March 2008 will be mixed and confusing on every level. Many who sought Divine enlightenment will find that they were deceived by darkness masquerading as light. Instead of ascending into the Divine wisdom, they have become obsessed with their own spiritual growth and like Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection, so their egos are becoming overly impressed with their mystical gifts. Instead of sharing their love and light with others, they brag and boast about their new connections; just like those who those who seek power for the sake of power, they will never truly find what they search for.
The energy we will bring in to March is represented by the High Priest. Those who seek to know the truth will find the balance between their truth and the truth of others. As others mirror our challenges, we need to find patience, forgiveness and understanding for them, as it is the only way we will be able to find it for ourselves. Many have chosen not to question, but to blindly follow beliefs or traditions not because that is what is in their heart, but they fear being ostracized. It is easier to go along to get along than to have the courage to pull back their curtain and expose the man behind it. They would rather listen the booming voice and relinquish their power than risk standing alone. Yet there continue to be exceptions to this trend. Those who have been following their own path will not be turned back nor will they give into the fear mongering of others. As in the Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, they refuse to listen to the sensible people and continue wishing for their dreams to come true. It is this courage that will draw fairy godparents into their lives to create the miracles they have been wishing for.
March is represented by the seven of pentacles. It is a time of growth and potential growth, depending on how open each person is to change. Miracles will happen for those who have the courage to see beyond the disappoint and the anger over what we have lost. It is not a time for stubbornness or decisions made from fear. But a time of courage and resolve as we open our heart and lives to blessings. Many of us who have had their hearts and minds in conflict will resolve the issues in such a way that they well find peace. In doing so, they will tear down the barriers, which have kept their blessings from arriving. The work and sacrifice is done; it is time to accept the rewards. However, those who chose the path of fear will continue to find disappoints as the universe creates what they have been envisioning. Worldly wants and responsibilities still need to be met, yet the means to the end will be determined on the by the faith and courage within each of us.
The energy that we will carry out of March is the ten of cups. It is the sharing of blessing and dreams. As each of us has our wishes granted, so we are able to open our hearts and grant others the same gift. Literally, our cups will over flow to fill others with hope and new possibilities. Partnerships will be created. Blessing will be shared. Gratitude and generosity will be the keywords of those who trust. The lotus is opening early for those who are able to learn and grow through their old issues and wounds. They will be the beacons to the others who have the eyes to see and the nerve to follow their example. It is not the same path or destiny they will share, but the ability to chart their own course and create their own destiny.
The energy challenge we will all face is the Fool. We are at the crossroads. One path leads to courage and leadership. The other to closed eyes and minds as we blindly follow old teachings just because of tradition. The choice will be to learn or to become stagnant. This is the energy of free will and self determination. Those who choose independence will find the blessings they seek for they have learned from their mistakes and are willing to move forward on their spiritual path. Those who chose to continue on the same path will also arrive at a goal, but it is not the one they envisioned. Closed minds lead to closed heart. A closed heart cannot share in the love and hope that is freely offered to all. It is a circular pattern of behavior and beliefs that can only be broken by having the courage to accept change.
For a more personalized Tarot reading, go to www.theresachaze.com.
Suspense and romance combine in tales of horror as the residents of Coyote Springs are forced to face their inner fears and darkest passions.
Awakening the Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-0-9) Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-1-6)
More than a fantasy series, these trilogy is a Book of Shadows set in a fiction format. Written by a Wiccan Priestess and Ordained Minster, it shows the path to karmic justice and healing
Magical fantasy author and life coach, Theresa Chaze has over twenty years experience reading Tarot, but she uses her natural born intuition and empathy to give her readings more detail. Through her maternal line, she has the ability to speak to those who have crossed over and to communicate with animals. Her life experiences have given her a unique perspective not only on life, but also has given her the ability to see how we are all interconnected and that one of us are really alone. Like pieces of a puzzle, we all have our own unique shape and image, but we are also part of one big picture. She helps others find the path to healing and regain their personal power. She can advise on any topic or concern with excellent accuracy and without judgment. Theresa is available to do online Tarot Readings. She charges 30.00 for a double Celtic Cross and 15.00 for a 7 card spread. She only accepts Paypal. Please email her at Tirgana@yahoo.com to arranged for her to help you see your options.
There are many sites, including Yahoo and Google, that have listing of the current popular key words. However, adding a phrase that has nothing to do with your topic will only annoy people and discount your credibility. If the key words have nothing to do with your site or subject matter, do not use them. Instead, be creative in the way you combine terms and topics to create your own niche market.
The following are three suggestions how effectively use key words for your project. 1. Include the most descriptive and accurate keywords on your topic even if they are not the most popular. By doing so you not only build a good foundation, but also cast a wider net for your customers to find you. Although your ranking might not spike, you will have a consistent rise in the rankings.
2. Use qualifiers to be more specific such as: romantic fantasy, occult horror, Michigan mystery, etc. It is way to catch the attention of a reader who might be looking for something more specific than just a fantasy or mystery book.
3. Create your own niche keywords or markets that haven't been made popular yet. By creating your own combination, you create a brand name that is all your own, thereby creating a market place that has little competition.
Using the previously listed sites, can also find you suggestions on which key word options will be the most beneficial to your project. By typing in the word “publishing”, the site came up with the following keywords list ranked by popularity.
412 desktop publishing 373 publishing 252 publishing companies 225 self publishing 171 southwestern publishing 158 book publishing 133 book publishing companies 130 rock publishing 117 music publishing 114 concordia publishing
These are only the first ten of the 100 possible listings. However, it is sufficient sampling to demonstrate the different combinations available for just the one key word. Correct usage and placement of key words not only increases your search engine rankings, but can also create a personalized niche market for your product.
Valkyrie Publishing is a consulting service, which helps authors create their dream without risking their royalties or answering to another. It is their job to make the publishing experience as simple and inexpensive as possible. For authors who are not technologically savvy or would just like help with the process, they are an excellent resource and beneficial asset. Valkyrie Publishing is available to help authors successfully and easily publish and market their book by going to www.theresachaze.com
If you were given one wish, what would you wish for? There was a TV ad that showed individuals using the one wish a genie gave them to manifest a pack of gum. Instead of seeking their hearts desire, they asked for something trivial. How many times a day do we do the same thing in varying degrees; we make wishes that would not be for our best and highest good or would actually harm someone else. If we were fore warned that one of our wishes would come true, only we wouldn’t be told which one, would that change our thinking process?
The nine of cups is also know as the wish card. It is a two edged sword that warns that one of our wishes will be granted; however, you never know when or what wish will be heard. Positive and negative wishes carry equal weigh in the eyes of the Divine. Whatever we focus our attention on is what we will create. When we wish for love, success or health, we must make sure that it doesn’t do harm to another. By trying to usurp their free will, we only create negative consequences for ourselves. However, when we wish a blessing be sent to another, it not only creates a miracle in the other person’s life, but opens the door for our dreams to be answered as well. The nine of cups also gives the warning that a wish could lead to heartbreak, disappointment or a long delay before a hearts desire is achieved. Wishes made while frightened, sad or angry can lead us have harmful yearnings. When others hurt us, it is a knee jerk reaction to wish the same on them. Although there are safe guards in place, visualizing the same wish repeatedly or with our whole soul, energizes it enough so that it can to over ride those protections. Yet if we quickly follow the harmful wish with one that is forgiving and loving, the negative effects are neutralized.
The nine of cups also represents the nine muses, the Goddesses of inspiration and creativity; therefore, it heralds a time of revelation and ingenuity. As the triple Goddesses are tripled, it foreshadows success and material gains, but also gives the warning to be wary of selfishness and greed. Being the most feminine card in the deck, it is connected to the Moon and to the Hermit cards as it speaks to the heart’s desires and inner dreams. It says that your dreams have already manifested in your heart so that it won’t be long before they appear in your reality.
Magical fantasy author and life coach, Theresa Chaze has over twenty years experience reading Tarot, but she uses her natural born intuition and empathy to give her readings more detail. Through her maternal line, she has the ability to speak to those who have crossed over and to communicate with animals. Her life experiences have given her a unique perspective not only on life, but also has given her the ability to see how we are all interconnected and that one of us are really alone. Like pieces of a puzzle, we all have our own unique shape and image, but we are also part of one big picture. She helps others find the path to healing and regain their personal power. She can advise on any topic or concern with excellent accuracy and without judgment. Theresa is available to do online Tarot Readings. She charges 30.00 for a double Celtic Cross and 15.00 for a 7 card spread. She only accepts Paypal. Please email her at Tirgana@yahoo.com or go to her site at www.theresachaze.com to arranged for her to help you see your options.
There are many sites, including Yahoo and Google, that have listing of the current popular key words. However, adding a phrase that has nothing to do with your topic will only annoy people and discount your credibility. If the key words have nothing to do with your site or subject matter, do not use them. Instead, be creative in the way you combine terms and topics to create your own niche market.
The following are three suggestions how effectively use key words for your project. 1. Include the most descriptive and accurate keywords on your topic even if they are not the most popular. By doing so you not only build a good foundation, but also cast a wider net for your customers to find you. Although your ranking might not spike, you will have a consistent rise in the rankings.
2. Use qualifiers to be more specific such as: romantic fantasy, occult horror, Michigan mystery, etc. It is way to catch the attention of a reader who might be looking for something more specific than just a fantasy or mystery book.
3. Create your own niche keywords or markets that haven't been made popular yet. By creating your own combination, you create a brand name that is all your own, thereby creating a market place that has little competition.
Using the previously listed sites, can also find you suggestions on which key word options will be the most beneficial to your project. By typing in the word “publishing”, the site came up with the following keywords list ranked by popularity.
412 desktop publishing 373 publishing 252 publishing companies 225 self publishing 171 southwestern publishing 158 book publishing 133 book publishing companies 130 rock publishing 117 music publishing 114 concordia publishing
These are only the first ten of the 100 possible listings. However, it is sufficient sampling to demonstrate the different combinations available for just the one key word. Correct usage and placement of key words not only increases your search engine rankings, but can also create a personalized niche market for your product.
Valkyrie Publishing is a consulting service, which helps authors create their dream without risking their royalties or answering to another. It is their job to make the publishing experience as simple and inexpensive as possible. For authors who are not technologically savvy or would just like help with the process, they are an excellent resource and beneficial asset. Valkyrie Publishing is available to help authors successfully and easily publish and market their book by going to www.theresachaze.com
Don Imus was fired after his remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team. His comments were bigoted and ignorant; he hurt feelings, but didn't propose violence against another, unlike Bill O'Reilly’s comments about Michelle Obama.
On February 19, 2008 in response to a caller identified as Maryanne, Woodbury, Connecticut, O’Reilly mentioned lynching. Although Maryanne obviously had issues with Obama's statement, it was O'Reilly who brought up the concept of violence.
O'REILLY: Maryanne, Woodbury, Connecticut: What say you, Maryanne? Maryanne --
CALLER: I'm here.
O'REILLY: -- you're on the air.
CALLER: Here I am.
O'REILLY: OK.
CALLER: I just wanted to say that I think Michelle Obama is an angry woman -- is speaking, I think, with her real voice for the first time. And --
O'REILLY: But how do you -- what do you base that on? You're basing that on what?
CALLER: Well, your representative asked me not to talk about this, but I have a friend who had knowledge of her and said to me months ago, "This is a very angry," her word was "militant woman."
O'REILLY: All right. What I want you do then, Maryanne, if -- I want you to stay on the line.
CALLER: OK.
O'REILLY: Because it's not fair to Michelle Obama for you --
CALLER: Oh no, all I'm saying is --
O'REILLY: -- because we don't know who you are, and we don't know who your friend is, but we want to know. We want to know, OK. But it's not fair at this point for you to say, "My friend said X and Y," because we just don't know. But if you would give us your information, we would like to talk to your friend. And then whatever your friend tells us, we'll track it down. We'll do it in a fair and balanced and methodical way. That's how we're going to cover this campaign -- all of them, all of them. So stay on the line, give us your information. If indeed Michelle Obama is angry about something, if she has a history, we would like to know that, and then we can put it into some kind of context so that we can be fair to everybody.
You know, I have a lot of sympathy for Michelle Obama, for Bill Clinton, for all of these people. Bill Clinton, I have sympathy for him, because they're thrown into a hopper where everybody is waiting for them to make a mistake, so that they can just go and bludgeon them. And, you know, Bill Clinton and I don't agree on a lot of things, and I think I've made that clear over the years, but he's trying to stick up for his wife, and every time the guy turns around, there's another demagogue or another ideologue in his face trying to humiliate him because they're rooting for Obama.
That's wrong. And I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that America is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down. 1-877-9-NO-SPIN. Right back.
For those who not only understand history, but who have faced bigotry, Obama’s statement is easy to comprehend. Those who that came into adulthood after the 1960's understand the political and social the disillusionment. The early to mid 1960’s were filled with optimism, hope and change. The Civil Rights movement not only helped minorities start to gain equality, but also the younger generation were actively involved in political and social reform. They were out to change the world by ending the war, protecting the environment and creating equality. People marched the streets for peace and equality. Violence was isolated and was only used in response to the harassment by law enforcement.
All that started to end on April 4, 1968 with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. which was followed by Robert Kennedy’s execution on May 4 of the same year. These two heroes were slain for the positive changes they were attempting to create; they represented the civil rights, peace and equality on all levels. They were more than just symbols of hope, but they also were representative of the younger generations. Their deaths along with the continued bigotry and persecution turned that hope into the disillusionment and violence. The more the “establishment” attempted force the old standards and to stifle civil liberties, the more unrest and violence spread. From the Weatherman and the Chicago 8 to middle Americans being assaulted in the streets by police officers, the faster the country became a pressure cooker ready to explode. The leaders of the civil rights movement were murdered, jailed or harassed into submission. It is this history that Michelle Obama and many others can’t be proud of. With the reawakening of political activism and participation, hope has been reborn as one or both glass ceilings will soon be shattered.
O’Reilly continually promotes his own narrow political, social and religious beliefs; nor is he a stranger to down playing the horror associated with nooses and bigotry. When the Jena 6 were overly prosecuted, O’Reilly ignored the social implications and focused on the teenage indiscretions of the accused, while discounting the same offenses of the so called victim. When the other nooses where hung around the country, he casually glossed over the stories if he mentioned them at all. October 2007 he mocked the protest of a Wiccan when she protested the witch being hung in effigy on her neighbor’s lawn. O’Reilly attacks what he doesn’t want to hear. While campaigning John Edwards exposed not only the poverty in this country, but the lack of support of the returning veterans. In spite, of the information released by the Veteran’s Administration and his own expert guests, he denied that 200,000 vets were homeless. He kept repeating that it wasn’t the fault of the economy that vets were without homes but the fact that they were addicted to drugs and mentally ill. No one said the economy as the source of the problem. The lack of proper physical and emotional care after their tours is the issue. PTS, closed head injuries, and loss of body parts are the reason vets are homeless. O’Reilly also turns a blind eye to civil rights violations. In nearly every case of police abuse of power that he bothers to mention, he has always come down on the side of law enforcement in spite of the evidence against them. According to O'Reilly, unless you have led a pristine life, law enforcement has the right to harass and abuse you.
In days following his remarks about Obama, O’Reilly issued a non-apology. It was clear that he feels his remarks were justified and accurate--fair and balanced. Obviously, he has different definition of those concepts than those with IQ’s over 85.
Several years ago, a woman started working at the same small factory as myself. At first, Cathy seemed like a very nice person; however, she quickly showed her true colors. Even though she was a very good worker, she was also very good at stirring up trouble between the other employees. By subtly manipulating conversations and people, she was able to cause conflicts that quickly were blown out of proportion. Even though she was the source of the conflict, she was never held responsible. Many times, I went home feeling angry, tired and ill. Many of the other employees complained about feeling the same way. I didn't understand why the atmosphere in the factory suddenly changed until I talked to a friend of mine who was more spiritually aware. Danielle told me of a of vampire that feeds off the anger energy. Like all emotions, anger has an identifiable frequency that radiates out from a person. Like love, friendship and joy, anger energy can be sensed by others even if it is not verbally or physically acted upon. Anger vampires cannot only sense it, but it is this energy that sustains them. Like all vampires, they are incapable of regenerating on their own. They need feed off others have strength and vigor. In order to maintain a constant supply of food, they will deliberately create conflicts in order to charge the atmosphere with angry energy. Danielle suggested a test to verify if Cathy was an anger vampire. The next time she attempted to start a conflict, instead of becoming angry I should visualize giving her a bouquet of flowers. If the situation calmed down, there was something else going on. However, if Cathy persisted or increased her attempts, then she was an anger vampire. The next Monday, she started to pick a fight. I smiled and visualized offering her a bunch of pink carnations. She was startled for a moment, but she increased her efforts. I had my answer. The only way to get rid of any type of vampire is to starve them out. Instead of getting angry, I started mentally blessing her and sending her love. In doing so, not only did I take myself off the menu, but also my energy actually became toxic to her. Granted the first few times, when I mentally said “bless you” it had more of the feel of two other words, but the words themselves were still effective. At first, she tried harder to goad me into an argument. Yet the more I blessed her, the easier it was to actually mean the words when I saw how effective they were. After a few days, she started avoiding me and concentrated on the other employees. There was no way I could explain to the others what was going on, so in their name I blessed her. At first, she was shocked and kept trying, but after a couple of weeks, she quit working at the factory. Suddenly everyone was feeling better and the most of the tension dissipated.
Days of Our Lives, Rape and Ignorance By Theresa Chaze
After the long and rabid debate on a storyline from Days of Our Lives, I realized that many people still don't understand what constitutes rape. Instead of seeing it as an act of violence and control, many people it as the male giving into his passion, seducing the woman--just because she says no, it doesn‘t mean she doesn‘t want it. This belief is archaic and destructive to both genders.
There are still those who not only believe, but also treat woman as second-class people without the right to determine their own destinies. To them, women don’t have rights only the responsibility to fulfill the needs of a man. It’s the wife’s duty. The husband’s right. It’s the woman’s fault, she was a tease. She’s easy. She said no, but meant yes. She wanted it. I wanted to prove I that loved her. The way she dressed made me. All excuses used to exonerate the men and blame the women. It is the same boys will be boy mentality that has been the basis of the harm done to women for eons. Women aren’t equal to men so it doesn’t matter what they want or need as long as the man is satisfied.
The old 50’s belief that woman aren’t suppose like sex still filters through society. Women who are comfortable with their sexuality are called “ball breakers” and bitches; a controlling man is congratulated for putting the little woman in her place. Back then, mothers told there daughters to close their eyes and pretend you like it. After all good girls don’t like sex, but it‘s the only way to have children. Those that enjoyed their sexually were publicly demeaned, while privately men sought them out because they were “easy.” While men who get lucky are congratulated; women who lost their virginity are discounted and considered damaged goods.
Old romance novels espoused the same theme as they told tales of women being carried away and falling love with their captor. Whether pirate, alien or the many other incarnations of villains, the plot theme said that women are incapable of knowing what they want or making decisions for themselves. In the novels, the women are kidnapped and raped, only to fall in love with their attacker by the end of the book. If the woman is force than she isn’t responsible for her actions, so she can enjoy her sexual nature without shame. The mentality also implies that women are so out of touch with their feelings that they need a third person to forcibly show them.
In the Days Our Lives story line, what started as a triangle became a rape scene as one character, forced his will on another. A quick synopsis is that Sami and Lucas were going on a weekend vacation not only for a good time. On a deserted snowy road, their car died and they sought shelter in a deserted cabin. The roof fell in and Lucas was trapped. EJ shot John. Sami went to get help. EJ was in the car that stopped. She asked him to help Lucas. He agreed if she had sex with him. Sami could either let Lucas die or have sex with EJ. She had no choice if she wanted the man she loved to live.
The definitions of rape are:
1. criminology forcing of somebody into sex: the crime of forcing somebody to have sex 2. criminology instance of rape: an instance of the crime of rape 3. violent destructive treatment: violent, destructive, or abusive treatment of something the rape of a beautiful stretch of countryside
4. abduction: an act of seizing somebody and carrying him or her away by force
First Degree Rape:
(1) A person is guilty of rape in the first degree when such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion where the perpetrator or an accessory:
(a) Uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon or what appears to be a deadly weapon; or
(b) Kidnaps the victim; or
(c) Inflicts serious physical injury, including but not limited to physical injury which renders the victim unconscious; or
(d) Feloniously enters into the building or vehicle where the victim is situated.
(2) Rape in the first degree is a class A felony.
Second Degree Rape: ) A person is guilty of rape in the second degree when, under circumstances not constituting rape in the first degree, the person engages in sexual intercourse with another person:
(a) By forcible compulsion;
(b) When the victim is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated;
(c) When the victim is a person with a developmental disability and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who:
(i) Has supervisory authority over the victim; or
(ii) Was providing transportation, within the course of his or her employment, to the victim at the time of the offense;
(d) When the perpetrator is a health care provider, the victim is a client or patient, and the sexual intercourse occurs during a treatment session, consultation, interview, or examination. It is an affirmative defense that the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the client or patient consented to the sexual intercourse with the knowledge that the sexual intercourse was not for the purpose of treatment;
(e) When the victim is a resident of a facility for persons with a mental disorder or chemical dependency and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and has supervisory authority over the victim; or
(f) When the victim is a frail elder or vulnerable adult and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who:
(i) Has a significant relationship with the victim; or
(ii) Was providing transportation, within the course of his or her employment, to the victim at the time of the offense.
(2) Rape in the second degree is a class A felony.
Third Degree Rape: 1) A person is guilty of rape in the third degree when, under circumstances not constituting rape in the first or second degrees, such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person, not married to the perpetrator:
(a) Where the victim did not consent as defined in RCW 9A.44.010(7), to sexual intercourse with the perpetrator and such lack of consent was clearly expressed by the victim's words or conduct, or
(b) Where there is threat of substantial unlawful harm to property rights of the victim.
(2) Rape in the third degree is a class C felony.
From the beginning, Sami told EJ she was not interested; EJ didn’t care. EJ proudly stated that he didn’t care what she wanted as long as he was satisfied. Sami had no choice if she wanted Lucas to; therefore, it was rape. He had a gun and threatened to harm her and her family, making it first degree rape. Those who call it a seduction or a bargan need to rethink their moral compass and their life values. Woman are equals the right to control their minds, their bodies and their destinies. They know what they want and have the right to demand respect on all levels. Those who think otherwise are ignorant and bigoted when it comes to the rights of women.
