Vamps.

The time of year for spooky things is here.  Yes Halloween, which was originally Samhain (sowen) which has become a dress up and get goodies fest.  Let's not forget, however, that soon after comes election time.  Coincidence?  No lol.

I'm thinking of the old vampire movies, not this special effects stuff with guts and blood and, God help us, glowing vamps.  There used to be suspense and yes melodrama involved.  But there was something more.

It was elemental, what with crosses, wolfbane and holy water along with stakes to the heart as weapons against the bloodsuckers.  Maybe symbolically that's all it takes.  But one element is/was essential: Faith.  Belief in good, Light, God that these things worked.  These ingredients have/had very powerful foes.

The lure of the vampire was enchanting.  Forbidden acts became naughty indulgences.  As the pleasure increased, so did the waning of life.  This led to others succumbing to the lure of the undead.  The false promise, eternal life, was shown as a sham.  It was at best some kind of half life, restricted to the night (unless among the most powerful, some existence in daytime) and fraught with the lust to suck blood.

Dracula argued that it was no different than humans eating a cooked bird.  He was merely sustaining his 'life'.  It goes back to humanity created in the image of God however.  The vampire defiles that image and becomes a luciferian monster trying to rewrite creation in its own image.

Hope you indulge my symbolisms here.  I believe the metaphor and even analogy is obvious.  Just look at how collectivism enchants many especially the young, with promises of a better life.  Seduction continues with indulgence, the anything goes outlook.  As with vamps, the price paid is overlooked or shut up and out.

So as elections hover, be ready with all the instruments to fight the seductive darkness.

True life or at best restricted half life.  Which will it be?

Jack Cottey

Jack Cottey, former Marion County Sheriff, crossed over Tuesday October 28.  He succumbed to cancer after a long illness.  It's something I know of well, with many friends and family preceding him.

I'm not going to reprise all the bios and obits.  They speak for them selves.

Jack was what's called progun by some.  He held the infamous to some gun auctions for unclaimed weapons in Marion County Indiana.  He believed people should be armed.

He also refused to supply any men for the US Marshals' raid of Baptist Temple.

Jack had my back several times when drug dealers and a couple of child rapists threatened my family and myself.  He vouched for me, as did a number of cops and legislators (even a couple of lawyers -s-) when these perps tried to frame me.  Didn't even go to court. 

He also didn't tolerate improper behavior on the Department.  Several Deputies were actually punished and some fired as a result.

He was down to earth and didn't mince words.  He would tell you what he honestly thought.  Made him some enemies of course.  The antigunners locally hated him.

Jack also advised me and offered support for my intention of making Heart in the City, a movie about Victim Assistance and the folks who risk much to help victims get through and become survivors then victorious.  We both had known Ruthann Popcheff, who directed the program and passed away in 1986.  Support included getting me approval to film in Indianapolis.

As for more, go to a search engine and type in his name.  Below are a couple obits:

http://www.wthr.com/story/26851780/2014/10/21/former-marion-county-sheriff-jack-cottey-dies


http://www.crownhill.org/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/696849/obit/Sheriff-Jack-Leroy-Cottey

Comment was made about his passing being the end of an era.  Considering the state of affairs in our Republic, I agree.

Here's to you Jack.  Thanks.

Pivotal

A common word, a general term.  A pin on which something turns. 

We are in the middle of Autumn in the northern hemisphere.  We turn from summer to winter by way of this season.  Gradually, the heat and light wane as cold and darkness wax.  Could this be metaphor concerning the fate of our Republic?  Maybe.

The wealth nd power amassed against us is formidable.  But they simply cannot stop us unless we ourselves give up.  That's why massive efforts to undermine and dispirit us are underway.  The devil's trick is to deceive us into thinking our cause is hopeless.  It is not.

Speak up, speak out, reveal tyranny.  Counter their moves and motives with our own. 

Election time is here and the same tired pap is being shoveled.  We are playing the hand we are dealt.  Within the miasma, seek out those who can counter the tide of tyranny.  Fight every day in word and deed.  For those in office are accountable to US.  Many are the arrogant who believe otherwise.

Many are those who amazingly buy the same tainted product.  Some are just stupid, others think there is no alternative, that a deal with the devil now will buy time.  You know, like feeding others to the alligators as we are a$$ deep.  Maybe zombies is a better analogy today -s-.

Am I inside an empty fuel tank, my words echoing hollowly?  You decide.

Listen to these words:

"And because it may be too great a temptation to human frailty, apt to grasp at power, for the same persons, who have the power of making laws, to have also in their hands the power to execute them, whereby they may exempt themselves from obedience to the laws they make, and suit the law, both in its making, and execution, to their own private advantage, and thereby come to have a distinct interest from the rest of the community, contrary to the end of society and government: therefore in well ordered commonwealths, where the good of the whole is so considered, as it ought, the legislative power is put into the hands of divers persons, who duly assembled, have by themselves, or jointly with others, a power to make laws, which when they have done, being separated again, they are themselves subject to the laws they have made; which is a new and near tie upon them, to take care, that they make them for the public good."-- John Locke(1632-1704) English philosopher and political theorist. Considered the ideological progenitor of the American Revolution and who, by far, was the most often non-biblical writer quoted by the Founding Fathers of the USA.


For the cold and darkness are coming.  Will you fight?

Open Letter To Ron Casey

Dear Ron:

I wanted an opportunity to say hello.  All other efforts have been fruitless.  So, I have been puzzled and simply ask 'why'.

I remember the referral I got some twenty five years ago.  It led to an association of several years for which I am thankful.

You guided and protected me in court concerning my oldest daughter and the machinations of her mother, as well as other legal matters.. 

You were a source of legal advice locally concerning certain aspects of show business inquiries.

You aided Ruthie and me to amicably end our marriage.

Through the years, you were a source of wisdom and comfort, a lawyer with heart.

You knew when to help and when it was unwise for me to proceed.

The incident when I was mugged and my gun stolen was tumultuous and a bit confusing.  Naturally I sought your advice concerning the matter.

I recall explaining in brief about the circumstances.  You agreed to talk to me further about it.

I remember your calling back one day.  I was outside where the wind and traffic interfered, in spite of you calling to try reconnecting, communications were. spotty.

I managed to tell you about my gun being taken and my belief that Detective Bill Cincebox 'dropped the ball' re my identifying the perpetrators.

I can tell you that I didn't feel it was worth pursuing his ineptitude.  He would have said he did his job and the 'blue line' would back him up.

The prosecutor eventually released my gun as I had properly identified it.  It was a strange catch 22.  I couldn't testify re the perps, but it was my gun stolen.

Before this, on the street, because of the cell fritzing in and out, You asked me to call you at the office the next day.

I agreed and duly returned your call.  I got you voice mail and left the ball in your court to once again call back.  I never received a call.

Several times, I left polite inquiries when we could talk.  The silence was deafening.  This included getting your secretary on the phone.  First time, she said you weren't there so I left another message reminding you of your agreement to talk with me.  Next time she just switched me to voice mail.  Over the next two weeks, I left maybe three-four are further polite inquiries.  You never responded

Obviously there may have been little you could have done.  However, to have thrashed it out would have harkened back to that lawyer with a heart I thought I knew.

I had dismissed the whole affair until 10/15/14.  Ruthie called you in re a matter which I will not speak of here.  It is a matter of some importance and again your wise counsel was sought.

She connected with the secretary who beeped you.  The secretary said she forgot you were in conference with a client.  So Ruthie left a message.  If there is any further communication on the matter, that is between her and you of course.

But it brought to mind what appeared to be stonewalling on your part with me two years ago.

So I ask why Ron?  What happened?

I could speculate.  That would be as fruitless as events of two years ago.  And what I think of Detective Cincebox is irrelevant.  Irritating but irrelevant.

I had hoped to continue an association with you as a trustworthy legal counsel for personal matters locally. 

That may be beside the point or not. 

Please do me the common courtesy of responding.

Thanks for all you did.  I hope we can continue.

Sincerely,

Michael Hiland