Treacherous Aaron Burr

"He is a dangerous opportunist; I feel it is my religious duty to oppose his career!" - Alexander Hamilton

Aaron Burr is best known as the American Vice President who got away with murder. Serving under Thomas Jefferson from 1801-1804, he shocked the nation by mortally wounding his prominent political opponent Alexander Hamilton in a duel; Hamilton died a few days later.

Hamilton detested Burr. When Burr ran against Jefferson in 1800 for the presidency, it was Hamilton's vote that cost Burr the victory. The two vehemently disagreed with one other over many topics, but it was Hamilton's unfavorable statements to the public that ignited Burr's fury.

Insulted, Burr demanded restitution. Their encounter, which could have ended with a simple apology, escalated to tragedy. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel.

A sad irony was the fact that the ground chosen for the "affair of honor" happened to be the exact same place where Hamilton lost a son two years before. Burr shot Hamilton in the stomach; the bullet lodging next to his spine. Although undeniably guilty of murder, Burr remained untouchable by the law as long as he was serving as Vice President.

After yet again losing a bid for the presidency, Burr plotted to create an independent empire out of the Louisiana Territory...whereas he would immediately assume the role of emperor. But before he could put his traitorous plan in to action, he first had to find a powerful ally to back him. He looked to the British Empire.

When England denied him assistance, Burr found a co-conspirator in Col. Wilkerson, the leader of the U.S. Army. Wilkerson led a band of rebels toward New Orleans, but soon thought better of it. Attempting to save his own skin, Wilkinson turned on Burr exclaiming, "it was all his idea."

Burr was captured in the Louisiana Territory and sent to Virginia to be placed on trail. Miraculously, Burr was acquitted of all the charges due to a technicality and was subsequently set free. He then fled to Europe where he continued to solicit support for his self-righteous revolution.

With no one to back him, Burr eventually returned to New York and resumed his occupation as lawyer. And although all the charges against him had been dropped, including Hamilton's death, his reputation remains forever tainted.

His greatest sadness, however, was the death of his daughter Theodosia whose ship had been lost at sea. From that time forward Burr said he felt "severed from the human race."

Bomb Detecting Plants?

Move over bomb sniffing dogs, now we've got plants to do the job.

Researchers at Colorado State University are bio-engineering a new species of plant specifically designed to detect bombs and odorless fumes. The hope is that we can use this new science to aid in the fight against terrorism and for more domestic use (i.e. airport security, private home gas leak detection, and etc.).

Their theory is based on the idea that they can manipulate a plants natural defense mechanism through its DNA to create a desired effect. When a plant senses danger it naturally reacts by releasing chemicals specifically designed to ward off bugs or whatever else might be threatening it. Researchers believe all they have to do is tweak the DNA responsible for controlling the chemicals. The plant's new reaction is to visibly change color. And already results are promising.

Reportedly leaves turn from green to white when in contact with certain specific substances. Only, at this stage the change takes time to occur and at its present speed would not be very helpful in identifying any immediate danger. But researchers are confident that with each new generation of plant they come closer and closer to reaching their goal.

The Grattan Massacre and the Birth of Crazy Horse

Sometimes the greatest happening's are born from the most trivial of circumstances.

In the days when white settlers were looking for a new start on the west coast, travel across country was harsh. If the elements didn't get you then hunger would, it seemed. Food was scarce and that made livestock a valuable commodity. A single cow could mean the difference between life and death.

One day in 1854 a cow wandered away from his wagon train and into the lair of the Brule' Lakota (Sioux) Indians. The owner of the cow went to the camp to reclaim his property and found that it had already been devoured. The furious owner then demanded that whoever killed the animal be handed over to pay for his crime. The chief refused. The chief then offered several fine horses as payment for the cow, but the cow's owner refused to negotiate. The situation was reported to the military at Ft. Laramie, Nebraska.

A young military officer named 2nd Lt. John L. Grattan had been looking for a way of making himself stand out among his peers. This was just the opportunity he had been waiting for and he arrogantly decided to handle the situation himself. He took a company of armed men to the camp and yet again asked the chief to surrender the offender. When the chief would not submit to Grattan's request a soldier took aim and shot him. This was the moment that forever changed history.

In that instant any restraint there had been between the two societies vanished. Bullets flew wildly and dead bodies lay all around. Enraged warriors immediately retaliated. Ninety percent of the soldiers who accompanied Grattan were wiped out. The cold blooded event was later labeled the Grattan Massacre and resulted in a war that lasted nearly thirty years.

There was no doubt that the situation was handled badly, but to kill a military man was to take on the entire establishment...and the establishment had been embarrassed. There was no other option for the military but to impose greater restrictions on the Lakota and force them into submission.

The Grattan Massacre was seen through the eyes of a young native boy which forever imparted on him the determination to be a great leader among his people. He trusted no white man and became a relentless thorn in their side. He was the mighty Crazy Horse.

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There is no official picture of Crazy Horse. He stood out among his own people not just mentally, but also physically. He was fairer skinned, and had lighter brown curly hair. And he had a vision that he could not be killed during battle.

It is believed that Crazy Horse was the first warrior across the river when Custer's troops attacked at the battle of the Little Big Horn and that he is responsible for the regiments complete annihilation.

Crazy Horse didn't have a legitimate title of chief, though, warriors eagerly followed him. He had an intense warrior's spirit, lethal skill with a weapon, and natural leadership abilities.

He wore an embellished buckskin shirt that his people gave to him to symbolize his value in their society (the shirt had previously been taken away from him for irresponsibly taking another man's wife).

Crazy Horse realized that the situation between his nation and the white man was dire. He understood that he may have won battles, but was ultimately losing the war. It was with a heavy heart that he made his way to Fort Robinson, Nebraska to talk of peace. And although he knew there was little chance of his return, he risked his life for the good of his people.

The long anticipated meeting convened as planned, however, a disgruntled interpreter intentionally miscommunicated Crazy Horse's words; Crazy Horse felt something was terribly wrong and that he was being led into a trap.

Just short of the guard house, Crazy Horse bolted. Caught and detained by one of his own, Crazy Horse was bayoneted in a kidney by a soldier. He died a painful death with his father at his side. It was his vision come true.

Crazy Horse died not on the battlefield, but in the midst of betrayal. Tragic though it was, he died a hero to his people and as an inspiration to others. Long live the memory of Crazy Horse.

Play Polo, Not War!

In 336 B.C. Alexander the Great was busy making the world his empire. Knowing that time to defend his homeland was drawing near, Persian Emperor Darius III sent Alexander a polo mallet and ball along with a note saying, "Play polo, not war!" It is not known if the match was ever played, but Alexander did indeed take over Persia.

Why Bad Things Happen?

Why does God let bad things happen?"

This is a topic that has left most of us confused or at least questioning our Christian beliefs in some way. I know my human brain can not fully comprehend it entirely, but here is a Christian answer.

In the beginning the system that God had put in place did not include pain and suffering. It was only when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit did sin (evil, pain, suffering) enter the world. It is not God but humans who are to blame for this.

You may ask, "if God is so powerful then why can't he step in?" "Why did this child have to die?" "It's not fair!" Well...the answer is yes he could intervene in times of tragedy, but in order to do so he would have to take away our free will and we would become like robots. This is not what he wants.

More than anything else, God wants to know us in our fullest capacity. If he takes away our freedom to choose and we become like robots he can not truly know us and we can not truly know him. So He endures our pain along with us...and probably even more so.

The next best thing was to send his son to die for us on the cross. Blood is Life. When Jesus sacrificed himself for us His blood symbolically washed over all of us...giving us a clean slate with which to start over.

There is still pain on the earth, but at least we have another chance to develop an intimate relationship with God and eventually be with Him in heaven. For this I am grateful.

Florida's Coral Castle

In Florida there exists a true love story come to life. Although the story doesn't end as ideally as we often would like, it is possible to experience part of the grandeur for ourselves.

In 1921 Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskelnin decided to build a castle on the coast of southern Florida designed to impress and win the heart of his beloved Agnes. Constructed entirely out of coral harvested and transported from the ocean floor about ten miles away, it took him twenty-eight years or nearly three decades to complete.

Working only under cover of darkness, Leedskelnin claimed to have unlocked the mystery behind the building of the pyramids and used that technique to maneuver the massive blocks into place. He told no one how he did it. Once he died, the secret died along with him. Architects and engineers have been unable to duplicate his technique even today.

Unfortunately Agnes was resolute in her decision not to marry Edward, but his structural masterpiece still stands as a monument of his love and devotion to her.

Thousands of tourists flock to take in this enchanting coastal atmosphere every year.  The castle's coral majesty and timeless fairytale-like origin lends a romantic yet tragic effect to every imagination.

Understandably Leedskelnin was extremely proud of his work and loved to show it off. While he was still alive he led private tours and charged no more than twenty-five cents per person.

Unfortunately, the one person for which the castle was built never laid eyes on his creation.

Exhuming Leonardo's Muse

She has been heralded as the most famous painting in history. Her enigmatic smile casts a spell on all who view her. But ...who is she?

The identity of the lady who posed for Leonardo's famous Mona Lisa painting has been a subject of debate for centuries. New evidence brought forward in 2005 suggests that she is Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, a one-time neighbor of Ser Piero da Vinci, Leonardo's father.

Lisa Gherardini was born in 1479 and after marrying Francesco di Bartolomeo di Zanobi del Giocondo at age 16 she moved with him to various places around Italy...including Santa Croce where da Vinci lived. They were a middle class family who aspired to up their rank in society.

It is speculated that Francesco had commissioned the painting of his wife when she was 24 and pregnant with their 2nd child. In the painting Lisa is portrayed as a faithful and virtuous wife as was the custom in that time period. Her clothes are that of a noble woman, perhaps suggesting a higher station than the life they truly led.

Lisa was descended from a line aristocrats, however, the family had lost most of their power and influence over the years. Although not considered wealthy, she and her family lived a good life off the profit gained from their farm's bountiful harvest.

Francesco, who was a silk merchant by trade, later became a local official and member of the Priori. For this the fearful Italian government accused him of siding with the banished Medici clan who had previously ruled over the region. He was sent to prison. The Medici's did return to power, however, and subsequently set him free. Their exact relationship remains open to debate, but scholars suggest it could have been for political reason's and commercial gain.

After his release, Franceso fashioned a will for his beloved wife intending to take care of her after his death (exact details of his death unknown). He wrote that throughout their long marriage Lisa had been a good and faithful wife of noble spirit and simply wanted to provide for her future. He is thought to be in his early 80's at the time of his death.

One of their daughters, Marietta, who became a nun and adopted the name Suor Ludovica while serving the Lord at Sant'Orsola convent, cared for Lisa after Francesco's death.  According to a note on her death certificate Lisa was buried in a crypt below the convent.

In May 2011 scientists began the search for underground chambers using ground penetrating radar; in the 1980's the floor had been completely cemented-in during a renovation attempt. So far ancient bricks have been discovered in a location consistent with a stairway shown on the old church's floor plan. The plan shows a staircase leading down to burial chambers.

Once accessible DNA samples will be taken from bones and compared to DNA belonging to Lisa Gherardini's children. Further analysis will include reassembling facial bones using a combination of sculpture and forensics to re-create the likeness of the person lying in the crypt. With luck it will resemble that of the remarkable woman in the painting.

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Did you know that the Mona Lisa painting was a prized object enjoyed for 200 years by the Kings of France from the reign of Francis I through Louis the XIV; it hung in the royal bath house. The painting was also on intimate terms with Emperor Napoleon Boneparte having hung for several years in his bed chamber.