Last week the coffin that once held the body of Lee Harvey Oswald was sold to an anonymous bidder for the sum of $87,469.00.
Robert Oswald, older brother of the man accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy, say's he bought the wooden coffin himself upon Lee's death in 1963. He believes the object legally belongs to him and that he does not want the coffin to be sold for monetary gain. He would rather see the item destroyed than be regarded as some kind of morbid souvenir with shameful historical significance. Robert attempted to stop the coffin from being sold by contacting the auctioneer, but his calls were never returned.
Lee Oswald's body was exhumed in 1981 to prove to conspiracy theorists once and for all that without a doubt it is his body in the coffin. Testing proved conclusive; DNA samples were a match for Oswald. His remains were then put into a new coffin and once again laid to rest.
Note: Although it is generally accepted that Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK, technicially he is still only a suspect because he was never convicted of the crime. He never got the chance to stand trial because he was fatally wounded by Jack Ruby as he was being transfered by police to a new location.
During a quick jail visit Lee told Robert not to believe all the "so-called" evidence against him, but never got to the chance to clarify what he meant by that. Robert beleives that Lee is guilty and acted alone, but to this day is not sure of the motive.
Fast Fact: Robert Oswald claimed he never considered changing his last name because he is proud of his heritage. He went on to say that he and his brother Lee shared names with famous distant relative Confederate General Robert E. Lee. No, he is not ashamed of their names.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Remembering the Day of Infamy
Sixty-nine years have passed since the day that the Japanese bombed American troops at Pearl Harbor. The US military sufferred tremendous losses of life and destruction that day. But we press on.
It is my honor to have served as a soldier in the United States military. For us veterans and for those still serving, we know there is no greater sacrifice than to give your life for God, country, and family.
This blog entry is in memory of all those men and women who have died while serving our country. Your sacrifice is appreciated...and you are not forgotten.
- Honorably Discharged Veteran, SSgt, USAF.
It is my honor to have served as a soldier in the United States military. For us veterans and for those still serving, we know there is no greater sacrifice than to give your life for God, country, and family.
This blog entry is in memory of all those men and women who have died while serving our country. Your sacrifice is appreciated...and you are not forgotten.
- Honorably Discharged Veteran, SSgt, USAF.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Cancer detection using jellyfish!
A revolutionary new concept in cancer detection uses proteins from jellyfish.
Some cancers in the human body develope too deep for modern X-ray's to penetrate. Scientists at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Laboratory at York University are getting around this problem by using virimaging technology.
Green flourescent proteins (GFP) derived from the common jellyfish are attached to a virus which are then manipulated to search out cancerous cells. A specialized camera causes the cells to "flare-up"...making them easier to be seen.
Both scientific and medical communities are enthusiastic about the technique's potential impact on early cancer detection, however, clinical trials won't start for another five years.
May God grant cancer patients hope and a cure.
******************************************************************************
Special recognition goes to 2008 Nobel Prize winner and American biochemist Roger Y. Tsein for his leadership in isolating the flourescent cells.
Some cancers in the human body develope too deep for modern X-ray's to penetrate. Scientists at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Laboratory at York University are getting around this problem by using virimaging technology.
Green flourescent proteins (GFP) derived from the common jellyfish are attached to a virus which are then manipulated to search out cancerous cells. A specialized camera causes the cells to "flare-up"...making them easier to be seen.
Both scientific and medical communities are enthusiastic about the technique's potential impact on early cancer detection, however, clinical trials won't start for another five years.
May God grant cancer patients hope and a cure.
******************************************************************************
Special recognition goes to 2008 Nobel Prize winner and American biochemist Roger Y. Tsein for his leadership in isolating the flourescent cells.
Did You Know: Presidential Trivia
Did you know that President...
1. John Adams got lost and wandered around for hours before finally finding his way to the White House. Why won't men ask for directions?)
2. James Monroe was shot in the shoulder during the Revolutionary War; the bullet was never removed.
3. Martin Van Buren was given two tiger cubs by a Sultan; he planned to keep them for himself at the White House, but Congress made him give them to a zoo. (Imagine what they would have done to the White House?)
4. James Polk had gallstone surgery without anesthesia. (Ouch!)
5. While in office Franklin Pierce was arrested for running an old lady over with his horse; he got off on lack of evidence. (I wonder what that did to his popularity?)
6. Richard Nixon used money won from gambling to fund his first political campaign. (Can't say I'm surprised over that one.)
7. When FDR was a child Grover Cleveland told him to never become president. (Obviously he didn't listen.)
8. William Taft was so overweight that he got stuck in his White House bathtub. (That's embarrassing.)
9. JFK could speak 350 words per minute. (He was a silver tongue devil.)
10. Barack Obama collects Spiderman and Conan the Barbarian comic books. (I would never have guessed that.)
11. James Buchanan was forced to sleep in a hallway when the Prince of Wales visited the White House; the Prince had too many servants with him. (Talk about needing to "downsize.")
12. Having already been shocked once, Benjamin Harrison slept with the lights on because he feared touching the lightswitch. (There goes our tax money.)
References: Farmer's Almanac 2011 and the internet.
1. John Adams got lost and wandered around for hours before finally finding his way to the White House. Why won't men ask for directions?)
2. James Monroe was shot in the shoulder during the Revolutionary War; the bullet was never removed.
3. Martin Van Buren was given two tiger cubs by a Sultan; he planned to keep them for himself at the White House, but Congress made him give them to a zoo. (Imagine what they would have done to the White House?)
4. James Polk had gallstone surgery without anesthesia. (Ouch!)
5. While in office Franklin Pierce was arrested for running an old lady over with his horse; he got off on lack of evidence. (I wonder what that did to his popularity?)
6. Richard Nixon used money won from gambling to fund his first political campaign. (Can't say I'm surprised over that one.)
7. When FDR was a child Grover Cleveland told him to never become president. (Obviously he didn't listen.)
8. William Taft was so overweight that he got stuck in his White House bathtub. (That's embarrassing.)
9. JFK could speak 350 words per minute. (He was a silver tongue devil.)
10. Barack Obama collects Spiderman and Conan the Barbarian comic books. (I would never have guessed that.)
11. James Buchanan was forced to sleep in a hallway when the Prince of Wales visited the White House; the Prince had too many servants with him. (Talk about needing to "downsize.")
12. Having already been shocked once, Benjamin Harrison slept with the lights on because he feared touching the lightswitch. (There goes our tax money.)
References: Farmer's Almanac 2011 and the internet.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Did You Know: Gilligan's Island
Here are some interresting tidbits about the TV show Gilligan's Island.
The Skipper and Gilligan are supposed to have served in the Navy together. The Skipper rescued Gilligan when he fell overboard the ship they were stationed on.
Gilligan's first name is rumored to be Willie according to the show's creator Sherwood Schwarz. Bob Denver (Gilligan) say's he wasn't aware of this until after the show was already off the air.
Shapely actress Jane Mansfield turned down the role of Ginger.
In the show's opening credits (season one) a flag can be seen flying at half mast in the background; this is because JFK had just been assassinated.
The props on the show were limited to materials that could be scavenged on an island. Later, though, the coconut cups were replaced with plastic repplicas because the real ones leaked.
The S. S. Minnow was named after a man...not a fish. The creator of the show disliked the boat and named it after Newton Minow, whom he also disliked. Minow refered to television as "America's vast wasteland."
The Skipper and Gilligan are supposed to have served in the Navy together. The Skipper rescued Gilligan when he fell overboard the ship they were stationed on.
Gilligan's first name is rumored to be Willie according to the show's creator Sherwood Schwarz. Bob Denver (Gilligan) say's he wasn't aware of this until after the show was already off the air.
Shapely actress Jane Mansfield turned down the role of Ginger.
In the show's opening credits (season one) a flag can be seen flying at half mast in the background; this is because JFK had just been assassinated.
The props on the show were limited to materials that could be scavenged on an island. Later, though, the coconut cups were replaced with plastic repplicas because the real ones leaked.
The S. S. Minnow was named after a man...not a fish. The creator of the show disliked the boat and named it after Newton Minow, whom he also disliked. Minow refered to television as "America's vast wasteland."
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Miner's Miracle
After 69 days of being trapped underground in the San Jose Mine, all 33 Chilean miners have finally emerged at the surface. It is the longest time anyone has been trapped underground and come out alive.
Families and nations celebrate as miners were rescued one-by-one via a custom-made capsule that descended down a 2,041 escape shaft. It was equipped with oxygen and sensors were attached around the miner's midsection's to monitor pulse, respiration rates and skin temperature.
Aspirin was taken and compression socks used to keep the miners blood from clotting during the trip to the surface. Sweaters were donned in order to combat the drastic change in climate temperature.
A major concern throughout the rescue process was the potential for panic and claustrophobia. The capsule design allowed for room to stand-up, but was only 2 ft. wide. It narrowly fit through the hole burrowed to reach them.
The equipment could have failed at any point in the operation potentially trapping a man yet again...and with an even more limited oxygen supply. The trip to the surface took no less than 25 minutes per man and was no doubt one of the scarriest rides on earth. It was truly a life or death situation.
News camera's captured the varied emotions of family members as they stood by anxiously awaiting the safe retrieval of their loved ones. Cheers, tears, and seemingly endless clapping serenade the couples as they embrace for the first time in over two months. It has been hell for both the miners and their families.
Throughout the ordeal the miner's steadfastly held to their promise to "never give up." Their triumphantly positive attitudes have given hundreds of thousands of people around the world a renewed sense of inspiration, hope, and a belief that miracles do happen.
Praise the Lord!
Families and nations celebrate as miners were rescued one-by-one via a custom-made capsule that descended down a 2,041 escape shaft. It was equipped with oxygen and sensors were attached around the miner's midsection's to monitor pulse, respiration rates and skin temperature.
Aspirin was taken and compression socks used to keep the miners blood from clotting during the trip to the surface. Sweaters were donned in order to combat the drastic change in climate temperature.
A major concern throughout the rescue process was the potential for panic and claustrophobia. The capsule design allowed for room to stand-up, but was only 2 ft. wide. It narrowly fit through the hole burrowed to reach them.
The equipment could have failed at any point in the operation potentially trapping a man yet again...and with an even more limited oxygen supply. The trip to the surface took no less than 25 minutes per man and was no doubt one of the scarriest rides on earth. It was truly a life or death situation.
News camera's captured the varied emotions of family members as they stood by anxiously awaiting the safe retrieval of their loved ones. Cheers, tears, and seemingly endless clapping serenade the couples as they embrace for the first time in over two months. It has been hell for both the miners and their families.
Throughout the ordeal the miner's steadfastly held to their promise to "never give up." Their triumphantly positive attitudes have given hundreds of thousands of people around the world a renewed sense of inspiration, hope, and a belief that miracles do happen.
Praise the Lord!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Deaths linked to 1924 storm.
"I don't think you actually conquer the mountain. You sneak up on it and then get the hell off!" - Krakaur
On June 8, 1924 British explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted to reach the summit of Mount Everest; they were last sighted by their comrades at 28,000 feet. Then...nothing.
Down at base camp their comrades, knowing full well the perils of the mountain and what little tolerance it had for the tiniest mistake, waited anxiously for their return. It soon became clear that tragedy had struck.
At the first opportunity, search parties scoured the area hoping against all odds for some sign of life; it was not to be. The tempestuous mountain left no trace of Mallory or Irvine and their mysterious dissappearance became legend.
Some decades later, in 1999, a group of scientists calling themselves "The Mallory-Irvine Research Expedition" made an amazing discovery. They found Mallory's mummified body face down in a mixture of ice and gravel on the side of the mountain.
Forensic analysis suggests that Mallory fell some distance and, although knowing he would surely die, it is clear that he fought for survival right to the bitter end. His arms were frozen in place above his head and his fingers clawed out as if still unwilling to let go of the phantom stone or ice chunk that broke his fall. Having little oxygen, water, or warmth he wouldn't have sufferred long.
But what went wrong?
Members of the original expedition agree that all was going well up until their last sighting of them (at approximately 28,000 feet). The weather on that day had been as obliging as one could possibly hope for. Without realizing it, they may have already had the answer.
When the 1999 expedition took barometric readings they recorded 8mbar. A look back at the 1924 recordings revealed a shocking 18mbar... making the chances for disastrous weather most imminent.
But how can the weather be different for the climbers vs. the men back at camp? Remember they are on a mountain. With the changes in elevation also comes changes in atmospheric conditions. What one person sees at the base of a mountain is not necessarily what is going on at the top.
The fluctuation in barmoetric pressure could warn of sudden blizzard-like conditions and a drop in available oxygen..which is now almost certainly the case with Mallory and Irvine.
It is not known if they ever made it to the top.
In the end, Mallory and Irvine received the fame they were longing for, although, now their names are forevermore synonymous with that of the dark mystique of the mountain.
Irvine has never been found.
On June 8, 1924 British explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted to reach the summit of Mount Everest; they were last sighted by their comrades at 28,000 feet. Then...nothing.
Down at base camp their comrades, knowing full well the perils of the mountain and what little tolerance it had for the tiniest mistake, waited anxiously for their return. It soon became clear that tragedy had struck.
At the first opportunity, search parties scoured the area hoping against all odds for some sign of life; it was not to be. The tempestuous mountain left no trace of Mallory or Irvine and their mysterious dissappearance became legend.
Some decades later, in 1999, a group of scientists calling themselves "The Mallory-Irvine Research Expedition" made an amazing discovery. They found Mallory's mummified body face down in a mixture of ice and gravel on the side of the mountain.
Forensic analysis suggests that Mallory fell some distance and, although knowing he would surely die, it is clear that he fought for survival right to the bitter end. His arms were frozen in place above his head and his fingers clawed out as if still unwilling to let go of the phantom stone or ice chunk that broke his fall. Having little oxygen, water, or warmth he wouldn't have sufferred long.
But what went wrong?
Members of the original expedition agree that all was going well up until their last sighting of them (at approximately 28,000 feet). The weather on that day had been as obliging as one could possibly hope for. Without realizing it, they may have already had the answer.
When the 1999 expedition took barometric readings they recorded 8mbar. A look back at the 1924 recordings revealed a shocking 18mbar... making the chances for disastrous weather most imminent.
But how can the weather be different for the climbers vs. the men back at camp? Remember they are on a mountain. With the changes in elevation also comes changes in atmospheric conditions. What one person sees at the base of a mountain is not necessarily what is going on at the top.
The fluctuation in barmoetric pressure could warn of sudden blizzard-like conditions and a drop in available oxygen..which is now almost certainly the case with Mallory and Irvine.
It is not known if they ever made it to the top.
In the end, Mallory and Irvine received the fame they were longing for, although, now their names are forevermore synonymous with that of the dark mystique of the mountain.
Irvine has never been found.
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