The Disappearance And Murder Of Caylee Anthony

He Was In Search For The Elixir Of Life

When Ying Zheng was 13 he changed his name to Qin Shi Huang and became China's first emperor.  He was the founder of the Qin Dynasty and put an end to the warring states, unifying China.

He had a vast network of roads and canals built throughout the country, which helped improve trade and travel.

He had the Great Wall of China built in an attempt to keep out invaders.

He was a tyrant and introduced a common school of thought, called Legalism. This system required the Chinese people to follow the laws that the emperor decreed or be punished. The emperor ordered the destruction of the vast majority of printed books and scrolls, since they used other languages or advocated different points of view. Hundreds of people who were found to have banned books were burned as well. He also outlawed most forms of religion requiring people to be loyal and obedient only to the government

The emperor had many assassination attempts on his life. He was also getting older and wanted to live forever, so he made it his mission to find the Elixir of Life. He visited a supposedly sacred island, Zhifu Island, three times, searching for the legendary elixir.  He pursued other means of immortality as well, including taking mercury pills. 

He died in 210 B.C. from an overdose of mercury at age 49. 

His body was laid to rest in a city-sized mausoleum guarded by the life-sized Terracotta Army, which he had built before his death.

The empire collapsed only three years after his death.

Spies Like Us: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were spies for the Soviet Union. They were caught, convicted and executed for their betrayal to the United States.

Julius Rosenberg was born on May 12, 1918, in New York City to Harry Harris Rosenberg and Sophie Rosenberg, Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. His parents worked in the shops of the Lower East Side, as Julius attended Seward Park High School. He became interested in politics at an early age, participating in City College of New York's chapter of the Young Communist League. He graduated from City College in 1939 with a degree in electrical engineering. That same year, he married Ethel Greenglass and became a member of the Communist Party.

Ethel Greenglass was born on September 25, 1915, as the oldest child of Barney and Tessie Greenglass, a Jewish family in Manhattan, New York City. She stared out as an aspiring actress and singer, but eventually took a secretarial job at a shipping company. She became involved in labor disputes and joined the Young Communist League, where she met Julius in 1936. They married in 1939 and together they had two sons, Michael and Robert.

In 1940 Julius Rosenberg joined the Army Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he worked as an engineer-inspector until 1945. He was fired when the US Army discovered his previous membership in the Communist Party. It was also around this time that he began working as a spy for the Soviet Union. Julius was originally recruited to spy for the interior ministry of the Soviet Union, NKVD, on Labor Day 1942 by former spymaster Semyon Semyonov. 

Julius provided thousands of classified reports from Emerson Radio. He procured information on how to make a proximity fuse, which is an electronic detonator that allows the weapon to explode when it comes within a preset distance of its target. He gave this information to his Soviet handler Alexander Feklisov in late 1944. The fuse was used in a weapon that shot down a U-2 spy plane in 1960 with the plane's pilot, Francis Gary Powers, being captured by the Soviets.

He also supplied thousands of documents from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, including a complete set of design and production drawings for Lockheed's P-80 Shooting Star, which was the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces.

He recruited sympathetic individuals into NKVD service. Julius reportedly convinced his brother-in-law, David Greenglass, to gather information for the Soviets. David was a member of the U.S. Army, and was stationed at a base in Los Alamos, New Mexico, He was assigned to work on the Manhattan Project, which focused on the development of the atomic bomb.

In February 1944, Julius recruited Manhattan Project engineer, Russell McNutt, who worked on designs for the plants at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. McNutt's employment provided access to secrets about processes for manufacturing weapons-grade uranium.

In 1949, the Soviets detonated their first atomic bomb, this sent the U.S. government on a crusade to find out who had provided the Soviets with the knowledge on how to make the catastrophic weapon.

Even though the U.S. army broke the code Soviets used to send messages, some of which revealed Julius, code name "Liberal" was working with them, he wasn't the first to be caught. His brother-in-law David was and he informed the authorities about Julius activities. He initially left out his sister, Ethel's, involvement. 

On June 17, 1950, Julius Rosenberg was arrested on suspicion of espionage. A few weeks later, On August 11, 1950, Ethel was arrested after testifying before a grand jury.

On March 6, 1951, proclaiming their innocence, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's trial began. The prosecution's primary witness was David Greenglass. He said that he turned over a sketch to Julius Rosenberg of the cross-section of an implosion-type atom bomb also called the "Fat Man". This was the nuclear bomb that was detonated over the Japanese city of Nagasaki by the United States on 9 August 1945. David also testified that his sister Ethel,  typed notes containing US nuclear secrets in the Rosenberg apartment in September 1945. When asked about their involvement in the Communist Party or their activities with its members, both Julius and Ethel plead the fifth.

On March 29, 1951, Julius and Ethel were both convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage. And on April 5th, the couple was sentenced to death under what is now 18 US Code 794 under section 2 of the Espionage Act of 1917. This code  prohibits transmitting or attempting to transmit to a foreign government information "relating to the national defense." 

The presiding judge, Irving Kaufman, noted that he held the Rosenbergs responsible for espionage and that he considered their crime worse than murder. He stated,

“I consider your crime worse than murder ... 

I believe your conduct in putting into the hands of the Russians the A-bomb years before our best scientists predicted Russia would perfect the bomb has already caused, in my opinion, the Communist aggression in Korea, with the resultant casualties exceeding 50,000 and who knows but that millions more of innocent people may pay the price of your treason. 

Indeed, by your betrayal, you undoubtedly have altered the course of history to the disadvantage of our country. 

No one can say that we do not live in a constant state of tension. 

We have evidence of your treachery all around us every day for the civilian defense activities throughout the nation are aimed at preparing us for an atom bomb attack."

Julius claimed they were framed.

A series of appeals delayed Julius' and Ethel's execution for more than two years. They also had supporters who requested clemency for the couple from presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Both presidents denied to issue a pardon.

The Rosenbergs were transferred to New York State's Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York, for execution. On the night of June 19, 1953, Julius Rosenberg was executed, he died after the first electric shock. Minutes later, his wife died in the same electric chair, however, it didn't go as smoothly with her execution. After she was given the normal course of three electric shocks, attendants removed the strapping and other equipment. When doctor's checked Ethel, they determined that her heart was still beating, so they gave her two more electric shocks. Eyewitnesses reported that smoke rose from her head.

I think they should have just let her live if the first round didn't kill her.

They were the only two American civilians to be executed for espionage-related activity during the Cold War

On June 21st, 500 people attended their funeral in a Jewish cemetery in Brooklyn, while some 10,000 stood outside in the sweltering heat. The night before an all night vigil was held for the couple.

Julius and Ethel's sons, Michael and Robert Meerpool, spent years trying to prove their parents innocence. They and many others believed that Julius and Ethel were victims of the Cold War paranoia going on at the time. But with Rosenberg's college friend, Morton Sobell's, public confesssion in 2008, where he admitted that he had been a spy for the Soviet Union and his detailing of some Julius illicit activities, Michael and Robert concede that their father was a spy. However, they both still believe that their mother was innocent.

In 2015, Michael and Robert called on then US President Barack Obama’s administration to acknowledge that Ethel Rosenberg's conviction and execution was wrongful and issue a proclamation to exonerate her.

Also in 2015, the 100th anniversary of Ethel's birth, 11 members of the New York City Council issued a proclamation stating that "the government wrongfully executed Ethel Rosenberg," and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer officially recognized, "the injustice suffered by Ethel Rosenberg and her family," and declared it, "Ethel Rosenberg Day of Justice in the Borough of Manhattan."

In March 2016, Michael and Robert launched a petition campaign calling on President Obama and US Attorney General Loretta Lynch to formally exonerate Ethel Rosenberg.

As of yet, no US administration has taken action.

President Trump Was Claiming He Was Trying To End The War On Coal.

Last year at this time, President Trump signed "The Energy Independence Executive Order", which suspended more than half a dozen measures enacted by former President Obama. When Obama was president he argued that climate change was "real and cannot be ignored". 

Among those measures that was rescinded is the Clean Power Plan, which required states to slash carbon emissions. The Trump administration said that scrapping the plan would put people to work and reduce America's reliance on imported fuel.

Well i'm all for our country being self-sufficient, why not promote solar energy and other resources that are better for our environment? Instead of letting big companies do whatever they want?

There is also less restrictive rules on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry and more freedom to sell coal leases from federal lands.

Does Trump believe in climate change? Does he even care? Well back in 2015 he said that it was a "Hoax".

Diana's Husband Made His first Appearance In Court In This Week On Charges Of Her Murder.

Lynn Keel was in court this last Tuesday and his being charged with first degree murder. He made no statements, but did request a court-appointed attorney. 

Lynn's second wife's, Diana's, body was found in a wooded area, not far from the home they shared with their 10 year old son. Initially, Lynn told investigators that he left his wife home alone while he ran some errands before she disappeared. Since he was the last person that saw her, he was considered a person of interest and questioned by investigators. He then disappeared for at least two days before he was found last weekend in Arizona.

Authorities are certain they have a strong case against Lynn.

Although there is no official cause of death yet, it appears that she has been stabbed.

Diana's murder has led investigators to re-examine Lynn's first wife's death, but her case hasn't been officially reopened yet.

Lynn Keel’s next hearing is scheduled for April 11.

Diana's Body Was Found On Tuesday, Now Police Her Looking Into The Death Of Her Husband's First Wife As Well.

Diana Keel Was And Lost Then Found, Now Her Husband Is One Of The Persons Of Interests In Her Death

Trinity Love Jones' Laid To Rest As Her Mother Is Booked In Her Murder.

Trinity Love Jones' grandmother, Asunoya Sanni, walked away in tears Monday after touching the casket of her granddaughter. 

The interfaith "Memorial of Light" service was held at St. John Vianney Parish in Hacienda Heights. Mourners saw 90 candles lighted in honor of Trinity’s life, 10 for each of her nine years, and heard the church’s bells toll for 90 seconds.

The Rev. Egren Gomez, said that despite the “destruction and darkness” that inevitably occur in life, “Today, Trinity comes down from heaven and blesses the darkness with her eternal life.”

9 year old Trinity Love Jones' body was found partway in a duffel bag on March 5th, in an embankment near a hiking trail in Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles California. Her death was a homicide and are not ready to release the cause of death. The Coroner hypothesizes that she was killed on March 1st.

Trinity's mother's boyfriend and convicted child abuser, 38 year old Emiel Hunt, was arrested and is being charged with her murder. His arraignment has been postponed until April 16th.

Trinity's mother is also being charge as a second suspect in her murder.

The Life and Death Of Kurt Cobain

Irish Folklore: Merrows or Mermaids and Mermen

Merrows

A merrow is a mermaid or merman. The Female merrow's top halves are human and their bottom halves are like the tails of fish. They are beautiful and have little duck-like scale between their fingers. Male merrow, on the other hand, are more like the "creature from the black lagoon". They have green teeth, green hair, pig's eyes, and red noses. Both genders possess a magical little hood, which gives them the power to live underwater. If they were ever to lose it, they would be exiled to land until they could find it again.

The fishermen do not like to see them, for it always means coming gales. Sometimes the mermaids prefer good-looking fishermen to their sea lovers. In the last century, there is said to have been a woman covered all over with scales like a fish, from a tryst between a mermaid and a fisherman. Sometimes they come out of the sea, and wander about the shore in the shape of little hornless cows. 

Irish Folklore: Tuatha Dé Danann Or Faries

Tuatha Dé Danann 

Tuatha Dé Danann or the People of Goddess Danu, were one of the great ancient tribes of Ireland. They inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Milesians (the ancestors of the modern Irish). They are said to be the predecessors of Irish fairies and elves. 

They were led by King Nuada and when they came ashore they set fire to their ships to hide their arrival but also to stop themselves from having to retreat from Ireland. Smoke from these fires could be seen for miles and filled the sky for 3 days and 3 nights.

A poem in the Lebor Gabála Érenn says of their arrival:

It is God who suffered them, though He restrained them

they landed with horror, with lofty deed,
in their cloud of mighty combat of spectres,
upon a mountain of Conmaicne of Connacht.

Without distinction to descerning Ireland,
Without ships, a ruthless course
the truth was not known beneath the sky of stars,
whether they were of heaven or of earth.

They came from four mythical cities of islands in the north called Findias, Gorias, Murias, and Falias where they learned the skill of wisdom and magic. They brought four treasures to Ireland, Dagda’s Cauldron, the Spear of Lugh , the Stone of Fal, and the Sword of Light of Nuada.

Dagda’s Cauldron was said to be bottomless and supplied endless food and drink to whoever deserved it. It was said to have a ladle so big that two people could fit in it. The Spear of Lugh was a fiery lance or spear that never missed it's mark and protected the bearer from battle. The Sword of Light of Nuada, or shinning sword, no one ever escaped from it once it was drawn from its sheath. The Stone of Fal stone, speaking stone of Ireland, would cry out under kings of Ireland.

The Tuatha Dé Danann won the battle with the Fir Bolg. Out of respect for the manner in which they had fought, they allowed the Fir Bolg to remain in Connaught while the victors ruled the rest of Ireland.

King Nuada having lost an arm in battle, it was decreed that he could not rightly be king. Breas, a tribesman of Fomorian descent, was then made king. He turned out to be a tyrant and ruled for seven years until he was ousted by his people who had become disenchanted with hunger and dissent. Nuada returned as King with his replacement arm made from silver.

Breas raised an army of Fomorians battled with Nuada at Moytura in County Sligo. The Tuatha again prevailed and the power of the Fomorians was broken forever. Nuadha died in the battle, so hero of the conflict named Lugh was instated as the new King of Ireland.

The grandsons of the next King, Daghda, ruled during the invasion by the mighty Melesians. The Tuatha Dé Danann were defeated, but they were allowed to stay in Ireland but only underground. Not having nutrients from their goddess, they shrunk. They became the bearers of the fairies of Ireland.

Investigators Are Now Building A Case Against 9 Year Old Trinity Love Jones' Mom For Her Murder Along With The Mother's Boyfriend.

9 year old Trinity Love Jones' body was found partway in a duffel bag on March 5th, in an embankment near a hiking trail in Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles California. Her death was a homicide and are not ready to release the cause of death. The Coroner hypothesizes that she was killed on March 1st.

Trinity's mother's boyfriend and convicted child abuser, 38 year old Emiel Hunt, was arrested and is being charged with her murder.  His arraignment has been postponed until April 16th. 

Trinity's uncle, Jamiel said,

"Trinity was trapped with a monster. 

Nobody knew."

Now investigators are preparing a criminal case against Trinity's mother, Taquesta Graham. The specific nature of the charges that might be filed were not specified. She was extradited from Texas to Los Angeles on Thursday and is being held on an unrelated warrant. She was subsequently interviewed regarding her daughter's murder.

Investigators learned Hunt, Graham and Trinity were homeless just prior to her death and were residing in a Santa Fe Springs motel or in their vehicle.