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The American showman Phineas T. Barnum was best remembered for his entertaining hoaxes and for founding the circus that eventually became the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. He was attributed for originally stating "there's a sucker born every minute" (which he didn't) ...but he did say that "every crowd has a silver lining," and acknowledged that "the public is wiser than many imagine." Barnum was shameless when it came to being a huckster and making money. This incident details one of his oddest stunts. The following excerpt is from James W. Shettel's 1929 book Circus Scrap Book:The Barnum Museum, Menagerie, and World's Fair, in its second annual tour of the United States, arrived May 14, 1872, in York, Pa., where it was to give performances in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. Posters on dead walls and handbills distributed around the town and neighboring country had proclaimed the fact that the show was "positively the largest and most attractive combination of exhibitions ever known and without a parallel in the history of the world." Using the press and posters interest was worked up to a high pitch. It was not a little cause of wonder that the "combination" was to arrive by rail, for only once before - about 17 years previously - had a circus, the Spaulding and Rogers, been transported to York in cars. All others had traveled in wagons.The shrewd Barnum, whose agents had been liberal in bestowing free passes among the ministers, boldly announced that his "was the only exhibition in America recognized and endorsed by both the religious and secular press and daily visited by eminent clergymen." This pronouncement was not without its influence upon a church-going community, to a part of which circuses had generally heretofore been taboo, although menageries were an allowable diversion because they were instructive.Barnum seems at this time to have recognized the fact that a certain class in every community disapproved of the circus and made a distinct effort to overcome this prejudice. The word, "circus," an investigation shows, had a small part in the advertising. Attention was directed principally to the merits of the museum, menagerie, and world's fair, "exhibited in six separate colossal tents.""Chaste and refined" were the terms used in referring to the circus performance. Sometimes it was announced in these words: "In the department of the hippodrome and circus, which is strictly moral and high-toned, are 100 of the best performers in the world - 11 first-class bareback riders, Including the great Melville and Stokes families. The first and only show in the world that uses a double circus ring and requires a double troupe of performers, acrobats, gymnasts, &c." The glories of the circus, however, in the advertisements at York occupied a second place in the appeal to the public. Taking precedence were:The Four Wild Fiji Cannibals, Captives of War, lately ransomed from King Thakembau, by Mr. Barnum for $15,000.Live Digger Indian from the Yosemite Valley.The Only Giraffe in America.The Only Group of Living Monster Sea Lions kept in Massive Water Tanks.The Famous Riding Goat, Alexis.The Wonderful African Snake Charmer.Of the Fijis, Barnum had written in his book, which was sold at the circus:"I have tried in vain for years to secure specimens of these man eaters. At last the opportunity came. Three of these cannibals having fallen into the hands of their Royal enemy, who was about to execute and perhaps to eat them, the missionaries and my agents prevailed upon the copper-colored king to accept a large sum in gold on condition of his majesty granting them a reprieve and leave of absence to America for three years, my agent also leaving a large sum with the American consul to be forfeited, if they were not returned within the time stipulated."Accompanying them is a half-civilized Cannibal woman, converted and educated by the Methodist missionaries. She reads fluently and very pleasantly from the Bible printed in the Fijian language and she already exerts a powerful influence over these savages. They take a lively interest in hearing her read the history of our Saviour. They earnestly declare their convictions that eating human flesh is wrong and faithfully promise never again to attempt it. They are intelligent and docile. Their characteristic war dances and rude marches, as well as their representations of cannibal manners and customs are peculiarly interesting and instructive. It is perhaps needless to add that the bonds for their return will be forfeited. They are already learning to speak and read our language and I hope soon to put them in the way of being converted to Christianity, even if by so doing the title of "Missionary" be added to the many already given me by the public."The impression the Barnum show made in York, PA is expressed in this afternoon's notice in one of the local newspapers:"The day was pleasantly cool and agreeable and thousands of people from the rural districts poured into town at an early hour. The huge canvas, under which the attractive sights were to be seen, covered a large portion of the (Civil War) hospital grounds and immediately after the hour of opening, dense masses of human beings thronged in its direction and soon filled every available space and avenue leading to and from the different places of exhibition."The presence of such an immense concourse of people, representing every district in our large and populous county, was itself worth the price of admission, but when the wonders which Barnum had collected and brought together from the remotest and most distant parts of the world, burst upon the eye, the spectators were more than satisfied that taking it all in all, they ne'er should look upon the like again. It was decidedly the greatest and most complete combination which has ever been seen in York and will certainly hold preeminence over all exhibitions until Barnum comes again."An attempt to give a detailed description of the great show is impossible and will, therefore, not be attempted, nor is it necessary, as those who care to have anything said about it in these columns were no doubt present and saw it."The museum was an object of interest to many, who lingered long in their examination of its wonders and curiosities, while there were others who passed it by without deigning once to pause for a moment, in their desire to reach other departments, which to them were more attractive."The collection of living animals, found under canvas No. 2, was very fine and there were some specimens in it, which had never been seen in this latitude before. The sea lions were objects of special interest and attracted far more than usual attention. They kept up considerable noise during the exhibition and manifested a great deal of uneasiness, and from their frequent divings into their tank, it is judged they miss the ice of their native Alaska, in which alone, it seems, they can thrive and be comfortable. They are a hardy animal, and it is doubtful if they will live long in this climate. Whether Barnum will succeed in piloting them through the hot summer that is before us is exceedingly questionable."The canvas under which the circus or hippodrome was held was spread over an immense area and was capable of seating at the lowest calculation 5,000 persons. It was filled to overflowing. There was scarcely a seat unoccupied. This branch of the exhibition has an advantage over all others of the, kind, yet seen here, in its high moral tone and bearing and in the entire absence of anything and everything, which could be calculated to displease the most fastidious. Quite a number of the clergymen of the town and from the country were present and seemed to enjoy themselves amazingly. The performances were exceedingly chaste and interesting."The riding goat, Alexis, did his part remarkably well, although the poor little fellow did get a tumble from his horse, which alarmed him for the time being very considerably. The performance throughout, - riding, tumbling and the doings of the elephant and trick horse - gave universal satisfaction; and the appearance in the arena of the armless woman, the bearded child, the man in miniature, the strange and brainless being, Zip, said to have been captured somewhere in Central Africa, and whose face and head are scarcely human, were never witnessed here before. The sixteen huge camels and dromdaries, richly caparisoned, as they swung around the circle, excited much interest and attracted a large amount of attention. They were the finest looking, most perfectly formed and seemingly healthy animals of the kind ever seen."Much more might be written about Barnum and his great combination, but as his name and fame are world-wide and he is known to be a man who never does things by halves, it can only be added that this exhibitions is the greatest in the country, as any one will be convinced by a visit."The people who visited the exhibition were disappointed, however, In one particular. They did not see the Fiji cannibals. The reason for the non-appearance of "the man-eaters" Is explained in the account - highly colored it must be admitted - which appeared in the York Daily the following day:"Barnum's Museum, Menagerie and Hippodrome met with quite a loss yesterday," said the Daily, "in the death of the notorious cannibal dwarf, which occurred at the Pennsylvania hotel. The little Fiji exhibited symptoms of indisposition several days ago, and the manager, W. C. Coup, sent 'the General,' as he is called to New York to be cared for by Mr. Barnum's family physician. But the little savage, becoming restless in the absence of his associates, he was returned to the company. Like all of his race, he had a native horror of shoes and clothing and even in the wet, cold days that came upon the company in New Jersey, the manager was unable to force shoes upon 'the General' and make him dress with sufficient warmth."Yesterday, the man in charge noticed that his fingers were constantly in motion, while he muttered continuously the only word he pronounced intelligently, 'Fiji.' He refused anything like food or nourishment and apparently thought of nothing but his native island. Dancing or violent gesturing of any kind was always a source of great merriment to 'the General,' but now the keeper could not provoke even a smile. The miniature being was dying and while the keeper was doing his best to cheer him up and make him take his medicine, he rose up in bed, muttered 'Fiji' in a whisper and fell back dead. His three native companions, who up to this time were wholly indifferent, now exhibited all the symptoms of genuine grief. They howled incessantly and such fearful physical contortions were probably never before witnessed in a civilized community."The death of this dwarf savage was not an unexpected event. The scene subsequent, however, sent a thrill through the very few conversant with the facts. Shortly after the corpse was placed in the coffin last evening, S. S. Smith, the keeper, locked the door upon the three companions in an adjoining room and left the building for the purpose of consulting the manager at the National Hotel. He states that he was not absent 30 minutes, but that upon returning a scene presented itself too horrible to detail. The two male associates had gained access to the corpse and were biting and gnawing at the fleshy parts of the body with all the eagerness of their native cannibalism. The female stood aloof in one corner and by sign, word and gesture was entreating them to desist. It is understood the woman is a convert to the teachings of English missionaries and looks with abhorrence upon all the unchristian habits of her tribe. Mr. Smith promptly interfered and the two miserable beings went sullenly to their apartment. All regret the unnatural affair and none more than the parties directly interested. The remains were buried in the evening."Whatever may have been the purpose of the publication of such a story, it is doubtful if it was realized, unless it was aimed to start a controversy. Surely Barnum took no pride in the work, for in none of his autobiographies has he referred to the incident. The people of York were indignant. They had not only missed seeing the "cannibals," but later learned Barnum had perpetrated one of his humbugs.The True Democrat came forward with the following:"A few days ago the York Daily had an article in its columns, stating that the cannibal belonging to the Barnum show that died here last Tuesday, was partly eaten up by his companions, during the temporary absence of their keeper. We have since learned that there is not a word of truth in the story, that the Daily was liberally paid for the insertion and the whole thing was furnished to that paper, cut and dry, by the proprietor, as an advertising dodge."Barnum, although confessedly a great showman, is determined not to be outdone in the work of humbugging, a reputation for which he has sustained through a long life of singular changes and fluctuations. It is now positively averred that the female member of the cannibal troupe was born in the state of Virginia and was at one time a domestic in the house of a gentleman at present residing in Baltimore. This, had it been known in York last Tuesday, we venture to say, would have raised a loud laugh, if not something worse, at Barnum's expense and his man-eating party."The True Democrat's story, exposing the Fiji humbug, was widely copied by the press and read by as many persons as had been the press agent's yarn in the Daily. Among those under whose observation it came was George Boyne, Sacramento, Cal. Boyne with a family of six children had resided in the same locality in the Fiji islands, from which "the cannibals" came. He asserted in a letter to the Trust Democrat after giving a personal history of the Fijis accompanying the Barnum show that they had been under Christian training for several years. From a personal acquaintance with the Fijis, he was able to speak with authority and declared that town and I am very sure that very few typos would like to reside within a quarter of a mile so near to such people as described in the York Daily. If the deceased dwarf had a native horror of shoes and clothing and in the wet and cold days that came upon the company in New Jersey, the manager was unable to force shoes upon 'the General' and make him dress with sufficient warmth, why is it that in California, which is warmer than your state, the little fellow went in this city with my children to purchase articles of clothing and was always forced to wear them?"The truth is the exigencies of the show will not admit of it. When the Fijians know how they have been placed in this show for years, they will soon despond and there will be another for the Daily to serve up. If they even received pay, it would make no difference, their love for their island home is so strong."I cannot conceive how they can be kept there by their own free will by a gentleman, who professes Republican principles. I promised the poor woman to send for her when I got home, but I knew she is in too safe keeping to escape, especially as she is of a quiet disposition and lacks confidence among strangers. She could not get away without assistance. I am prepared to send her the means. I thank you for your expose of the late humbug."Potter's field became the burial ground of the little Fiji. It was adjacent to the circus grounds and convenient for the show people who desired to witness the burial. At the time on the islands from which they were brought cannibalism never came under his observation."There are now 3,000 European residents in Fiji, and the number is constantly increasing. They are principally engaged in cotton planting and trading with the natives. The Christian king, Thakombu, has formed a parliament. Two-thirds of the members are Europeans. The Methodists have published the following statement of their mission: 'There are 617 churches, 10 English missionaries, 40 native missionaries, who are trained at a native college, 23,233 members; 905 catechists, 10,666 Sabbath schools, 1,549 day schools and 105,000 attendants on public worship.'"The European town of Sevukee, Island of Bralam, Fiji, has a municipal council, mayor, I. Morey. A lodge of Free Masons was opened in due form last December. The lodge was opened by permission of the king. The town possesses two newspapers, the Fiji Times and the Fiji Gazette."The eldest of Barnum's cannibals lived very near to this there was much said about an appropriate grave stone which Barnum was to purchase to mark the place of burial. This it was expected the great showman would certainly do. The years have, however, passed and there is nothing to distinguish the grave of the Fiji from the hundreds of friendless paupers buried on the plot. Barnum failed to keep his promise. Some years ago Potter's field was moved to a new location north of the city, and it was then that the exact spot where "the General" was buried was identified with great difficulty. - James W. Shettel. Circus Scrap Book, Vol. 1, No. 4 (Oct), 1929, pp. 43-50The Life of P. T. Barnum, Written by HimselfThe Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. BarnumArt of Money Getting: Golden Rules for Getting Money (P.T. Barnum)**********DISTURBING 'MIMICS!' - NATURAL, CRYPTIDS, or SOMETHING ELSE? | LIVE CHAT | Q & A (WITNESS REPORTS!)PHANTOMS & MONSTERS VIDEO LIBRARYPOLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK? Vote & comment on paranormal, cryptid & unexplained mysteries!LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS & MONSTERS REPORTS & CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHAREPHANTOMS & MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on SpotifyPHANTOMS & MONSTERS READING LISTCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSBigfoot and Other Cryptid Videos on YouTubeLYCANS! - PENNSYLVANIA'S CRYPTID CANINES UPDATE'KILLER BIGFOOT' HUNTED BY U.S. SPECIAL FORCES / GLIMMER MAN / MANTIS HUMANOIDSCRAWLER HUMANOIDS - GRUESOME INVADERS! (REAL EYEWITNESS ENCOUNTERS!)WEREWOLVES: DO THEY EXIST?'DOGMAN IN OUR YARD!' - AN OHIO FAMILY'S 12-YEAR SAGA WITH CRYPTID CANINESHey, folks. Thanks for the congrats on 'The Mothman Revisited' episode on Unsolved Mysteries. As a result, we are receiving more sighting reports and are very excited and grateful for the new information!I sincerely thank the Unsolved Mysteries team and Netflix for allowing us to tell the world about this phenomenon.If you have information about this or any other cryptid or unexplained sighting or encounter, please feel free to contact me by email or at 410-241-5974. Thanks again! LonCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistChicago / Lake Michigan Winged Humanoid Regional Interactive MapHey, folks. Please feel free to share your thoughts & comments on the recently uploaded video of the CHICAGO MOTHMAN. I'm interested in what you have to say. Thanks. LonEXCLUSIVE VIDEO of CHICAGO MOTHMAN RECORDED----------Become a Phantoms & Monsters Radio Insider - just $2.99 monthly, and receive these perks. Thanks for your support!-Members-only live chats-Exclusive members-only videos-Priority reply to members' commentsHave perks suggestions? LMK-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. Lon Noted UFOlogist Dr. Raymond Keller believes the idea of extraterrestrials and even ultra-dimensional beings from many different planets and alternate realms living and working among us clandestinely is more than just another conspiracy theory.Available on Amazon.comSan Francisco Book Festival Honorable MentionNew York Book Festival Honorable MentionAlso available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs,CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.OUR PRIVACY POLICYThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS & MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms & Monsters - All Rights Reserved

As she looked around she heard a faint voice that started to get stronger. Sitting on the bed something touched her hair, then a female voice whispered in her ear, "He wants you!"I received the following account:"Hi, Lon. I have been reading your blog for a few months. I am writing you about personal experiences and would like you to contact me to discuss. You have my permission to publish with a few conditions.I grew up in a large two-story house in Georgia (I want to keep the location private). I lived there from the time I was three years old until I was in my late twenties. As long as I could remember I experienced plenty of weird things. Many times I heard my name being called nearby and at a distance as well as being touched.My family also experienced a variety of strange events. My mother told me that she and my father would hear doors slam downstairs at night. When they would go and investigate all the doors were wide open just as they had left them before they went to bed.One night just before bedtime, my sister and I were in the living room listening to music when I noticed my sister get up from her chair and walk towards the stairs. Suddenly she started to scream and ran to our mother in the kitchen. I quickly ran after her. She said that a "pale old man" was gliding down the stairway. My sister was absolutely terrified, so much so that she urinated on herself and could not stop shaking. Not long after this incident, I started experiencing strange phenomena.One night I had a particular dream in which I was standing at the bottom of the stairs next to an elderly man. He was wearing overalls and a blue flannel shirt. His hair and face were very neat but his skin was a very pale gray. He was staring straight ahead and didn't seem to notice I was standing there. My next impression was standing at the top of the stairs when I started to hear footsteps going towards my bedroom door. Suddenly I woke up and realized that I had been dreaming, but I continued to hear the footsteps getting closer to my bedroom door. I know for a fact that I was awake. I waited for whatever it was that was getting closer to my door to open it. Then suddenly something picked up my long hair and tossed it over my right shoulder. I jumped out of bed and just stared at the bed. There was a voice calling my name and fading as I heard the same footsteps move away from my bedroom. I went to the door and slowly opened it. There was a terrible stench in the hallway so I closed the door and went back to bed.A few years later my boyfriend at the time needed a place to stay so he moved in with us and slept in my old bedroom. One day I was downstairs in the living room watching TV. My boyfriend, who was in his bedroom, came running downstairs. He came into the living room and quickly dropped to his knees. As he looked up at me he appeared to be in shock. His hands then covered his face and he started to shake violently. After a few minutes of me prodding him for an explanation, he finally told me that he had been sitting on the bed watching TV when a young woman with long blond hair wearing a white shroud-like dress appeared and sat next to him on the bed.He froze and looked at her as she continued to look back and smile. He asked her what she wanted and she said "you...he wants you", then she vanished. I never witnessed anyone so scared before. He grabbed me by the hand and led the way back up to his room. I walked into the room first and hoped I wouldn't see a ghost or anything else unusual. He abruptly pulled his belongings out of the drawings, threw them in a laundry bag, and stormed out of the house. It may sound cliche but, honestly, I never saw him again.A few years later, I moved out of the house and got married. We currently live in northwest Ohio. A few months ago we took a trip back to Georgia and to the old house. My mother still lived there.We decided to stay for a few days not expecting any problems. My mother said that she had not experienced any weird activity for those several years after I had moved out. The week seemed to go smoothly.A few days after we returned home, my 8-year-old daughter asked me if someone had died in Grandma's house. I looked back at her and said that I wasn't sure and asked "Why?" She said that on the last day of the visit when we were getting ready to leave, she went upstairs to my old bedroom to get something. As she was about to walk out of the room she heard her name being called...when all of a sudden she felt a hard slap on her right leg. She said it hurt so bad that it brought tears to her eyes. She ran down the steps as fast as she could and stayed on the porch until it was time to leave.Last week I received a telephone call from my mother letting me know that she had decided to sell the house and move in with her friend. I asked if I should come back to Georgia and help her pack and move. She paused a bit, then said not to bother. She had already left the house and was going to sell everything in it. I was somewhat surprised by her statement and asked her why she was doing this. That's when I found out the real story of the house.When I was three years old, we moved into the house. At the time, my parents had little money and needed a cheap place to live. My father's employer had recently placed a house up for sale and offered it to my parents at a very reasonable price. The employer provided the financing as well.A few days after we moved in there was a knock at the door. The elderly gentleman introduced himself to my mother and asked if he could look around because he had grown up there. She agreed and offered the elderly man a cup of coffee or tea but he just shook his head. My mother said he walked to the stairway landing, looked up the stairs, stared for a few seconds, then disappeared! My knees suddenly went weak. My mother never told anyone about the incident and said that she didn't encounter him again until the day after our visit.The night after we had left for home, my mother was in the upstairs hallway about to enter my old bedroom to do some cleaning. As she grabbed the doorknob she felt a hard slap on her backside. She flung the door open and stumbled into the bedroom. As she looked around she heard a faint voice that started to get stronger. Sitting on the bed something touched her hair, then a female voice whispered in her ear, "He wants you!" She hurried out of the bedroom into the hallway and towards the stairs when she noticed the elderly man, smiling and staring back at her.Within the hour, my mother collected everything she wanted and left the house forever." S**********DISTURBING 'MIMICS!' - NATURAL, CRYPTIDS, or SOMETHING ELSE? | LIVE CHAT | Q & A (WITNESS REPORTS!)PHANTOMS & MONSTERS VIDEO LIBRARYPOLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK? Vote & comment on paranormal, cryptid & unexplained mysteries!LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS & MONSTERS REPORTS & CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHAREPHANTOMS & MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on SpotifyPHANTOMS & MONSTERS READING LISTCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSBigfoot and Other Cryptid Videos on YouTubeLYCANS! - PENNSYLVANIA'S CRYPTID CANINES UPDATE'KILLER BIGFOOT' HUNTED BY U.S. SPECIAL FORCES / GLIMMER MAN / MANTIS HUMANOIDSCRAWLER HUMANOIDS - GRUESOME INVADERS! (REAL EYEWITNESS ENCOUNTERS!)WEREWOLVES: DO THEY EXIST?'DOGMAN IN OUR YARD!' - AN OHIO FAMILY'S 12-YEAR SAGA WITH CRYPTID CANINESHey, folks. Thanks for the congrats on 'The Mothman Revisited' episode on Unsolved Mysteries. As a result, we are receiving more sighting reports and are very excited and grateful for the new information!I sincerely thank the Unsolved Mysteries team and Netflix for allowing us to tell the world about this phenomenon.If you have information about this or any other cryptid or unexplained sighting or encounter, please feel free to contact me by email or at 410-241-5974. Thanks again! LonCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistChicago / Lake Michigan Winged Humanoid Regional Interactive MapHey, folks. Please feel free to share your thoughts & comments on the recently uploaded video of the CHICAGO MOTHMAN. I'm interested in what you have to say. Thanks. LonEXCLUSIVE VIDEO of CHICAGO MOTHMAN RECORDED----------Become a Phantoms & Monsters Radio Insider - just $2.99 monthly, and receive these perks. Thanks for your support!-Members-only live chats-Exclusive members-only videos-Priority reply to members' commentsHave perks suggestions? LMK-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. Lon Noted UFOlogist Dr. Raymond Keller believes the idea of extraterrestrials and even ultra-dimensional beings from many different planets and alternate realms living and working among us clandestinely is more than just another conspiracy theory.Available on Amazon.comSan Francisco Book Festival Honorable MentionNew York Book Festival Honorable MentionAlso available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs,CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.OUR PRIVACY POLICYThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS & MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms & Monsters - All Rights Reserved

I received the account after an appearance on Coast to Coast AM:"Hello, Lon. I heard you on Coast to Coast with George Knapp on Sunday night and how people send you stories about things they have seen. I decided to share mine. I've only told a few people this, but it is 100% true.I'll keep this story brief. This happened to me one day when I was 10 or so. Both my parents left for work early in the morning. It was a school day and my brother and I were already up and dressed just waiting around till it was time to head off to school. He was 2 years older than me so he left before me to catch his bus. I didn't have to leave for another hour or so and I just walked to school nearby. He left and it's just me there now. About 5 minutes later I'm on the couch just watching TV, and from our guest bathroom by the living room I hear the toilet flush on its own. It was a loud toilet anyway, and never really worked right so it was easy to hear. I was kind of startled because I thought someone had sneaked into our house, maybe through a back bedroom window. I quickly jumped up and grabbed this crystal dove candle holder as a weapon just in case this person walked out before I could get out of the house. I started running towards the door and as I went past the bathroom I looked. I noticed the bathroom door was 3/4 shut so I couldn't see who was in there.This is where it gets weird. Something made me want to turn back and see what or who was in there. I knew I could still get away if they opened the bathroom door and came walking out, I'd just take off out the door. So I walked up to it kind of slowly. This is all happening in a few seconds from the first flush and I can still hear the toilet water running. So I kick the bathroom door open with my foot and nobody is in there. I looked up and right above my head, I saw this tiny golf ball-sized circle of bright light appear. It soon grew to the size of a soccer ball. I thought it may be some type of portal, wormhole, vortex, or whatever you want to call it. I'm right in front of it and I'm staring right into it; point-blank and dead on center. I'm looking into this circle with a hole of bright light and I see this little speck of black moving through it. The speck was getting bigger and bigger, and when looking into this light hole it had a curvy road-type angle to it. The black speck is now growing larger and getting closer. It was traveling through this hole but I still couldn't make out what it was.The black speck finally got large enough to where I really got a good look at what it was. It looked like a big black moth about the size of a bat or bird, and it had red eyes. There were also a bunch of sharp little teeth. I was staring at it 2 feet in front of my face. When it reached the front of the hole it quickly swooped out in the direction of my face. I ducked my head and put my arm up to block it but I didn't feel anything brush off my arm. I again looked up at the hole and the moth wasn't there and the hole of light was now closing up. It was about the size of a tennis ball and getting smaller. It eventually closed up and disappeared.At that point, I ran out of the house and got the hell out of there. I told my brother, mom, and dad what I saw when I got home but nobody believed me. For about a week or two afterward, I was kind of afraid to be in there by myself. I'd leave early for school when my brother would leave. But after a couple weeks, it all was back to normal." JNOTE: The witness didn't mention a location. I received a similar account several years ago. I believe it came from northern Utah. In that instance, a rancher and his wife had noticed a brightly lit white orb in the yard near the barn. They described it as hovering just above the ground and that it was at least 2 feet in diameter. It started to shake violently when a dark figure formed and grew larger. They described it as a huge dark moth, that shot out of the orb and quickly flew toward the west. They never saw it again, the orb simply vanished. Did these witnesses encounter a portal? Does the moth shape have any significance? I suppose some people may think that this could possibly be the inception of a 'mothman' or other flying cryptid. Have others witnessed this phenomenon? What are your thoughts? Lon**********DISTURBING 'MIMICS!' - NATURAL, CRYPTIDS, or SOMETHING ELSE? | LIVE CHAT | Q & A (WITNESS REPORTS!)PHANTOMS & MONSTERS VIDEO LIBRARYPOLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK? Vote & comment on paranormal, cryptid & unexplained mysteries!LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS & MONSTERS REPORTS & CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHAREPHANTOMS & MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on SpotifyPHANTOMS & MONSTERS READING LISTCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSBigfoot and Other Cryptid Videos on YouTubeLYCANS! - PENNSYLVANIA'S CRYPTID CANINES UPDATE'KILLER BIGFOOT' HUNTED BY U.S. SPECIAL FORCES / GLIMMER MAN / MANTIS HUMANOIDSCRAWLER HUMANOIDS - GRUESOME INVADERS! (REAL EYEWITNESS ENCOUNTERS!)WEREWOLVES: DO THEY EXIST?'DOGMAN IN OUR YARD!' - AN OHIO FAMILY'S 12-YEAR SAGA WITH CRYPTID CANINESHey, folks. Thanks for the congrats on 'The Mothman Revisited' episode on Unsolved Mysteries. As a result, we are receiving more sighting reports and are very excited and grateful for the new information!I sincerely thank the Unsolved Mysteries team and Netflix for allowing us to tell the world about this phenomenon.If you have information about this or any other cryptid or unexplained sighting or encounter, please feel free to contact me by email or at 410-241-5974. Thanks again! LonCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistChicago / Lake Michigan Winged Humanoid Regional Interactive MapHey, folks. Please feel free to share your thoughts & comments on the recently uploaded video of the CHICAGO MOTHMAN. I'm interested in what you have to say. Thanks. LonEXCLUSIVE VIDEO of CHICAGO MOTHMAN RECORDED----------Become a Phantoms & Monsters Radio Insider - just $2.99 monthly, and receive these perks. Thanks for your support!-Members-only live chats-Exclusive members-only videos-Priority reply to members' commentsHave perks suggestions? LMK-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. Lon Noted UFOlogist Dr. Raymond Keller believes the idea of extraterrestrials and even ultra-dimensional beings from many different planets and alternate realms living and working among us clandestinely is more than just another conspiracy theory.Available on Amazon.comSan Francisco Book Festival Honorable MentionNew York Book Festival Honorable MentionAlso available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs,CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.OUR PRIVACY POLICYThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS & MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms & Monsters - All Rights Reserved

An experiencer writes to me about a series of unexplained events, including the possibility that she had been abducted and subjected to surgery by otherworldly beings.I received the following email:"Hello, and good day. I hope you are well. I'm writing to report an incident that occurred on November 9, 2015. I've been chased by high strangeness my whole life, but this is strange on a whole other level for me.On this day I was leaving my landlord's house in Denver at about 6:30 pm which is after dark. He didn't follow me out which I thought was very unusual. I took about 4 to 5 steps and was violently pushed down. There was no one there. About halfway down to the concrete porch, I heard the strangest noise I have ever heard. A moment later I hit the concrete with my left wrist and right kneecap immediately injuring them. I thought they might be broken at the time. My landlord heard my scream and ran out. He told me, "You tripped right here" and helped me up. I made it to my car and around the block to my house. I iced my injuries and fell asleep at 2am.When I awoke at 5 am to the alarm, I realized that both injuries were healed completely. No pain or scratches or marks. However, I had most definitely undergone arm surgery. I should have been in recovery. I left for work and couldn't use my right arm at all as it felt as if I had been hung or drug by my right arm. I arrived and asked my co-worker to please lightly rub it. He asked me what this scar was at the point on my shoulder where the pain was truly horrible. I looked at this very fine and healed incision scar with disbelief. As the day became night and closer to closing time, the arm healed. The only thing I could still feel there was something deep inside of it. I could feel it easily in my shoulder for three months, but now it is more healed inside and I can feel it when the arm is worked hard. The scar is a very fine laser-healed incision but easily visible when you know where to look.This incident took place one week after my doctor discovered that my third kidney was missing (born with 4 kidneys). My fourth kidney was missing when I was 16. I had un-elective surgery that day too. So, as odd as it sounds, I was pushed down by an unseen force, heard an unnatural sound on the way down, healed miraculously from my injuries in three hours, and had arm surgery somewhere in there. Have you ever heard another story like mine? Thank you for taking the time to read this account. I'd love any advice or resources that you may have." DNOTE: I referred the experience to an abductee support group after offering my opinion. LonThe Custodians: Beyond AbductionInsiders Reveal Secret Space Programs & Extraterrestrial AlliancesThe Messengers: Owls, Synchronicity and the UFO AbducteeWalking Among Us: The Alien Plan to Control Humanity**********DISTURBING 'MIMICS!' - NATURAL, CRYPTIDS, or SOMETHING ELSE? | LIVE CHAT | Q & A (WITNESS REPORTS!)PHANTOMS & MONSTERS VIDEO LIBRARYPOLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK? Vote & comment on paranormal, cryptid & unexplained mysteries!LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS & MONSTERS REPORTS & CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHAREPHANTOMS & MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on SpotifyPHANTOMS & MONSTERS READING LISTCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSBigfoot and Other Cryptid Videos on YouTubeLYCANS! - PENNSYLVANIA'S CRYPTID CANINES UPDATE'KILLER BIGFOOT' HUNTED BY U.S. SPECIAL FORCES / GLIMMER MAN / MANTIS HUMANOIDSCRAWLER HUMANOIDS - GRUESOME INVADERS! (REAL EYEWITNESS ENCOUNTERS!)WEREWOLVES: DO THEY EXIST?'DOGMAN IN OUR YARD!' - AN OHIO FAMILY'S 12-YEAR SAGA WITH CRYPTID CANINESHey, folks. Thanks for the congrats on 'The Mothman Revisited' episode on Unsolved Mysteries. As a result, we are receiving more sighting reports and are very excited and grateful for the new information!I sincerely thank the Unsolved Mysteries team and Netflix for allowing us to tell the world about this phenomenon.If you have information about this or any other cryptid or unexplained sighting or encounter, please feel free to contact me by email or at 410-241-5974. Thanks again! LonCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistChicago / Lake Michigan Winged Humanoid Regional Interactive MapHey, folks. Please feel free to share your thoughts & comments on the recently uploaded video of the CHICAGO MOTHMAN. I'm interested in what you have to say. Thanks. LonEXCLUSIVE VIDEO of CHICAGO MOTHMAN RECORDED----------Become a Phantoms & Monsters Radio Insider - just $2.99 monthly, and receive these perks. Thanks for your support!-Members-only live chats-Exclusive members-only videos-Priority reply to members' commentsHave perks suggestions? LMK-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. Lon Noted UFOlogist Dr. Raymond Keller believes the idea of extraterrestrials and even ultra-dimensional beings from many different planets and alternate realms living and working among us clandestinely is more than just another conspiracy theory.Available on Amazon.comSan Francisco Book Festival Honorable MentionNew York Book Festival Honorable MentionAlso available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs,CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.OUR PRIVACY POLICYThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS & MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms & Monsters - All Rights Reserved

A private-public partnership has paved a section of Minnesota road with an experimental low-carbon concrete mixture that resulted in greater strength and lesser cement use, saving money and carbon. Concrete and its most important ingredient, cement, is one of the most carbon-intensive industries on Earth because it’s used so often in construction. It has virtually […] The post New Low-Carbon Concrete Outperforms Today’s Highway Material While Cutting Costs in Minnesota appeared first on Good News Network.

News In the Lost Lands First Look at George R.R. Martin’s In the Lost Lands Is a Blurry Milla Jovovich & Dave Bautista By Vanessa Armstrong | Published on November 20, 2024 Credit: Vertical Comment 0 Share New Share Credit: Vertical Remember back in February 2021 when we reported that Paul W.S. Anderson was directing an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s short story, “In the Lost Lands”? I didn’t either, but it seems we have proof that the production actually happened, and that it stars Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista. Today, Vertical released a first look image from the film. In it, we see a blurry Jovovich unleashing what looks like some cosmic power with a blurry Bautista standing dumbfounded behind her. Jovovich’s powers make sense given she’s playing Gray Alys, a sorceress who, hired by a queen, heads into the so-called lost lands with Bautista as her guide. The script for the adaptation comes from Anderson and Constantin Werner. According to a LiveJournal post Martin made way back in 2015, Werner bought the rights to three of Martin’s stories—1982’s “In the Lost Lands”, 1976’s “The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr”, and 1977’s “Bitterblooms”—and integrated them into one screenplay with the “Lost Lands” title. How much of those other stories made it into this film, however, is unclear, much like this first look image.   Beyond being dark and blurry, the photo doesn’t tell us much about what the film will be like, though we do get a glimpse of Jovovich’s makeup as the magic-wielding sorceress. One thing we do know, however, is that we’ll be able to see the film in all its glory when In the Lost Lands premieres in theaters on February 28, 2025. [end-mark] The post First Look at George R.R. Martin’s <i>In the Lost Lands</i> Is a Blurry Milla Jovovich & Dave Bautista appeared first on Reactor.

Excerpts Young Adult Read an Excerpt From Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee’s Breath of the Dragon A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting for himself—and the fate of everything he loves. By Fonda Lee, Shannon Lee | Published on November 20, 2024 Comment 0 Share New Share We’re thrilled to share an excerpt from Breath of the Dragon, a new young adult fantasy novel by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee, out from Wednesday Books on January 7th. Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Heaven to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his father’s pride—righting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.But Jun’s father strictly forbids him from participating. He believes there is no future in Jun honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place.As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life, but the fate of the country itself and the very survival of everyone he cares about. PROLOGUETEN YEARS AGO Two strangers arrived on a midautumn morning, as if swept in by the cold wind rustling the drooping branches of the elm trees. Peering through a crack in the folding screen, Jun couldn’t see his mother’s face as she opened the door, but he noticed how her back and shoulders stiffened. She stepped aside and bowed low, speaking in a soft and respectful voice. “Venerable Aspects, I … wasn’t expecting your visit today. I’m afraid I haven’t prepared any meal to welcome you…” “No need to trouble yourself.” The man who entered first was tall and stern of face, with a high forehead accentuated by his tidy topknot. The woman who followed after him was younger, with her long black hair in a single plait down her back. Both of them wore the black tunic with yellow sleeve cuffs that unmistakably identified them as Aspects. Even six-year-old Jun knew that the Aspects of Virtue were the most elite of government servants, but what were they doing in his house and why was his mother acting so nervous? Why had she told Jun and Sai to stay in the family’s sleeping room? The visitors took off their shoes but remained standing near the entryway. “You may call me Compass,” said the man. “This is my sister Aspect, Water.” Jun’s mother bowed again and hurried to bring over clay cups and a teapot, still warm from the hearth after breakfast, but Compass waved aside the hospitality. “Where is your husband, Mrs. Li?” “He’s … out getting firewood,” Jun’s mother said with a casualness Jun could tell was forced. “He should be back soon.” Jun pressed his eye to the crack in the screen, trying to get a better look. Sai motioned urgently for him to move aside so he could see, too, but Jun wouldn’t give up his spot. Aspects were trained to be the best fighters in the world, that was what Jun had heard. Compass and Water didn’t look frightening, but they were carrying swords at their waists. Real swords! Compass looked past Jun’s mother, straight toward the folding screen behind which Jun and his brother were concealed. “Have your children come out, Mrs. Li. There’s nothing to fear. We should all strive to make this process joyful and easy, not sorrowful.” Jun saw his mother’s face sag with a resignation she tried unsuccessfully to conceal. “Jun. Sai,” she called to them. “Come greet our respected guests.” Jun scampered out from behind the screen; he was already bursting with a thousand questions and wondered if the strangers might let him touch or hold their weapons. Sai hesitated for a moment, then followed right behind Jun as he always did. Their mother brought them to stand in front of the Aspects. She gripped each of their shoulders with a trembling hand. “Identical twins.” Surprise lifted Water’s melodious voice. She smiled down at the children. “Which one of you is older?” Sai straightened importantly, his confidence restored by the question that people always seemed to ask them. “I’m older by eight whole minutes!” Jun scowled down at his feet. He didn’t see why that was anything for his brother to be proud of. Sai had been the first one born, but Jun had been first to crawl, to walk, to talk. That seemed like a much bigger deal, in his opinion. He opened his mouth to tell this to the strangers but didn’t get the chance; Compass turned to Jun’s mother and remarked with sharp disapproval, “It is law that a breathmarked child must be presented to the Council by the time they reach six years of age.” Jun’s mother lowered her eyes and muttered, “Venerable Aspect, forgive me. My sons only turned six last month. I was sick at the time, so we put off the journey to Yujing. I … I thought we might have a little more time. More time for the boys to be together.” Her hand tightened on Jun’s shoulder, and he squirmed, trying to shrug her off. “The delay was a dereliction of your duty as a citizen and a mother.” Water touched her colleague on the arm. “Fortunately, Brother Aspect, we’re here now and the child is still well within the age to begin proper training.” She gestured to the boys. “Which one is it?” Compass brought his attention back to Jun and his brother. “Strange,” he said slowly. “It was easy enough for me to sense the child’s location, but with the two of them standing together, I can’t tell which one we came for. Could it be that both of them are breathmarked?” Buy the Book Breath of the Dragon Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee Buy Book Breath of the Dragon Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee Buy this book from: AmazonBarnes and NobleiBooksIndieBoundTarget “No,” Jun’s mother said quickly. “Only one of them has the mark. Sai, show the venerable Aspect.” She helped the twin on her left shrug out of his plain linen shirt. The boy stood bare-chested, shivering a little under the gaze of all the adults in the room. Jun frowned and fidgeted. He crossed his arms and huffed. He and Sai were the same height; they had the same face, the same voice. They were indistinguishable in every way except one. In the center of Sai’s chest rested a spearhead-shaped patch of green scales, each one smaller than a pinkie fingernail, bright and iridescent. Jun, on the other hand, had smooth, ordinary skin all over his body. Jun had asked his parents many times why he and his twin possessed this one glaring difference. “No one knows why Dragon’s blood shows up in some and not in others,” they answered him. When he pouted at the nonanswer, his mother always looked inexplicably sad. “Don’t envy your brother,” she told him. “His path is laid out, while yours is open. Just because you don’t have a breathmark doesn’t mean you’re not gifted in your own way.” The reassurance had always felt hollow to Jun, now more so than ever, as Compass gazed down at Sai with intense interest in his steady gaze. “Sai, was it?” When Sai nodded shyly, the Aspect said, “Do you know what it means to be breathmarked?” Sai said quietly, “It means that Dragon gave me a special ability that I’m meant to use.” “That’s right.” Compass’s smile did not entirely reach his eyes, but it did soften his features, and he spoke to the boy in a soothing manner that suggested he was practiced at meeting and explaining things to children. “I was born with a breathmark as well.” He pulled back the sleeve of his tunic to reveal a line of silver scales running along the underside of his right arm. “I have the ability to find other breathmarked people. My gift from Dragon has led me to many children like you. Those of us with Dragon’s blood have a responsibility to use our gifts for the greater good. We must train to become Aspects, to serve and protect East Longhan.” Sai wrapped his thin arms anxiously around his mother’s waist. “Will I have to leave Mama, and Baba, and Jun?” Water crouched down to the boy’s eye level and spoke kindly. “As an Aspect initiate, you’ll live and train in the Sun Pagoda in Yujing. It’s a very special place where the Scroll of Earth is kept. If you work very hard, one day you might even become a Keeper, one of the esteemed warriors who guard the pagoda’s floors. Your instructors will help you identify and hone your natural ability. You’ll receive the best scholastic and martial education the nation can provide. And although you’ll have to give up living with your family in order to devote yourself to the country, you’ll gain many new brother and sister Aspects.” Sai kept his eyes fixed on the floor. “But I don’t want other brothers and sisters. I have Jun.” Jun’s mother swiped at her eyes with the back of her hands. She enfolded Sai in a tight embrace before holding him out at arm’s length. “Do you remember the times I talked to you about how this day would come? And how you would make our family very proud?” Her voice was quavering, and she was smiling through her tears. Sai’s lips trembled and he looked at Compass and Water. “Will my family still get to visit me?” “Yes. On special occasions,” Compass promised. “The families of Aspects are honored. They’re given a place of residence in the inner quarter of Yujing, where government officials and the families of the Virtuous live.” “What about me?” Jun broke in, bewildered that none of the adults were including him in the conversation, or paying attention to him at all for that matter. Surely, if Sai was going to go to a special place to be trained as an Aspect, Jun would go as well. No one ever singled one of the twins out from the other. He and Sai were always together. They’d never spent a day apart. “Do you know what your breathmark ability is?” Water was still speaking to Sai in a friendly and gentle voice. “Don’t worry if it hasn’t manifested yet, but at your age, some children already know.” Sai hesitated and shuffled his feet. He glanced guiltily at Jun. “Sometimes, after I see someone do something, I can do it, too. I don’t have to practice or have someone tell me how to do it. I just know how.” Compass and Water exchanged an impressed glance. Water said, “A gift of perfect mimicry is a rare and powerful breathmark ability.” Jun couldn’t take it anymore. “It’s not that special, all he does is copy me!” he blurted, stamping his foot. “You can’t take him and not me! We’re twins! If Sai gets to live in a pagoda and train in martial arts, then I should, too. I’m just as good as he is. Actually, I’m better! Look at what I can do!” “Jun, stop it,” his mother ordered, anger and panic flying into her voice. “Go back into the other room right now and—” With a shout, Jun dropped into his lowest horse stance and unleashed a flurry of punches, snapping them out straight and strong, showing off his very best form. From a standstill, he leapt straight up into a double front jump kick, then followed it with a spinning double smash kick. Grabbing his mother’s broom from the corner, he spun it around his head and body like a staff, then lunged and punched the end of it through the folding paper screen like a spear, demolishing the piece of furniture with all his boyish strength. Turning back around with the broom held high, he flashed the watching adults a look of triumph. His mother’s hands were clapped to her mouth in horror. The two Aspects were glaring at Jun with very different expressions than they’d been using with Sai mere seconds ago. The grin slid off Jun’s face. Compass strode over and snatched the broom from Jun’s hand, tossing it aside and towering over him. “Who taught you to do that, boy?” he demanded. Jun’s mother went very pale. “Please,” she whispered, “I can explain—” The door opened. Jun’s father came in with a bundle on his back, accompanied by a blast of chilly air that buffeted the room before he shut it out. “Dragon’s piss, it’s getting cold out—” Abruptly noticing the two Aspects standing in the house, his wife’s frightened expression, and Jun posed defiantly in front of the damaged paper screen, the rest of the words died on his tongue. The knob of his throat bobbed in an apprehensive swallow. “What … is happening here?” At last, someone who would listen to him! Jun rushed to his father and pointed at the two strangers. “Baba, these people say they’re taking Sai away to be trained as an Aspect. It’s not fair! Either he should stay with us, or I should get to go with him.” Jun’s father placed a hand on Jun’s head but didn’t answer. His eyes were on Compass as the man approached with slow steps. “Li Hon, one of your sons is breathmarked by Dragon and destined to serve East Longhan. Ordinarily, your family would deserve a place of honor.” The Aspect’s voice and expression turned very grave. “But it appears you’ve been practicing and teaching forbidden knowledge. You’ve been instructing your sons in the ways of violence.” From Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee. Copyright © 2025 by the authors, and reprinted with permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group. The post Read an Excerpt From Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee’s <i>Breath of the Dragon</i> appeared first on Reactor.

President Joe Biden met last week for the third time with Chinese President Xi Jinping—the leader of a regime Biden’s own administration has repeatedly declared is engaging in genocide. No White House statement about any of these three meetings has indicated that Biden specifically made this genocide an issue with Xi. The day before Biden was inaugurated, as this column has noted before, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that the People’s Republic of China was engaging in genocide against the Uyghur people in China’s Xinjiang region. “After careful examination of the available facts, I have determined that the PRC [People’s Republic of China], under the direction and control of the CCP [Chinese Communist Party], has committed genocide against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang,” Pompeo said. “I believe this genocide is ongoing, and that we are witnessing the systematic attempt to destroy Uyghurs by the Chinese party-state.” “The United States has worked exhaustively to pull into the light what the Communist Party and General Secretary Xi Jinping wish to keep hidden through obfuscation, propaganda, and coercion,” he said. Two months later, Biden’s State Department issued its report on human rights in China in 2020. “Genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang,” it said. “These crimes were continuing,” it said. In April 2022, Biden’s State Department released its report on human rights in China in 2021. It reiterated that “genocide and crimes against humanity” were occurring in Xinjiang. In November 2022, Biden held his first summit with Xi in Bali, Indonesia. “I’m really glad to be able to see you again in person,” Biden told Xi in public remarks at the opening of the summit. “We spent a lot of time together and—back in the days when we were both vice presidents, and it’s just great to see you.” Biden also expressed gratitude to this leader of a genocidal regime for having congratulated him on his election. “You were kind enough to call me to congratulate me, and I congratulate you as well,” Biden told Xi. “So, President Xi, I look forward to our continuing and ongoing open and honest dialogue we’ve always had,” said Biden. A “readout” on this meeting published by the White House after it was over did mention that Xinjiang had been an issue—but it did not specifically cite the genocide taking place there. “President Biden raised concerns about PRC [People’s Republic of China] practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, and human rights more broadly,” it said. Four months later, in March 2023, the State Department released its report on human rights in China in 2022. It once again cited the “genocide and crimes against humanity” in Xinjiang. In November 2023, Biden and Xi held their second summit in Woodside, California. “Well, Mr. President, it’s good to see you again,” Biden told Xi at the beginning of the summit. “And to host you in the United States is a great honor and a pleasure,” Biden said. The White House “readout” noted that Biden once again mentioned Xinjiang and “human rights abuses”—but it did not specifically cite the genocide. Biden “raised concerns regarding PRC [People’s Republic of China] human rights abuses, including in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong,” it said. Five months later, the State Department released its report on human rights in China in 2023. Its first sentence said: “Genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year in China against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.” This Nov. 16, Biden met with Xi in Lima, Peru. “It’s good to see you and see all of you again,” Biden told Xi in his opening public statement. “You know, one year ago, we met in the Woodside Summit in San Francisco. And I’m very proud of the progress we’ve both made together.” In the readout published by the White House after this summit, there was an unspecific reference to human rights—but not genocide. “The president noted the importance of human rights and the responsibility of all nations to respect their human rights commitments,” it said. From January 2021, the month Biden was inaugurated, through September 2024, the latest month for which the numbers are available from the Census Bureau, the United States imported approximately $1.79 trillion in goods from China—while running a bilateral trade deficit of approximately $1.23 trillion. Former President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News in February that if he were elected to another term, he would seek to impose tariffs on Chinese imports that may exceed 60%. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, whom President-elect Trump has now named to be his secretary of state, sent out a message on X in August: “Communist China has been able to get away with a campaign of widespread evil,” he said. “From committing acts of genocide against religious and ethnic groups, to spearheading forced sterilization and abortions, as well as dominating crucial minerals and technologies, and impeding the sovereignty of several regional partners, the U.S. will not tolerate these practices.” Now, Rubio has the opportunity to lead U.S. policy on China in the right direction. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Biden Met 3 Times With Leader of Genocidal Regime appeared first on The Daily Signal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled support for banning incoming Rep. Tim McBride, who identifies as a woman and wishes to be called Sarah, from women’s spaces in the Capitol, in comments Wednesday. “All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings—such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms—are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” Johnson said in a statement. Johnson, R-La., who had commented Tuesday that he wanted to “treat everybody with dignity” even as he believes that “a man cannot become a woman,” stressed in his remarks that McBride would have options besides using the men’s bathrooms. “It is important to note that each member office has its own private restroom, and unisex [single occupancy] restrooms are available throughout the Capitol,” the speaker added. “Women deserve women’s only spaces,” the Louisiana lawmaker concluded. Johnson’s remarks come after Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., had announced a resolution that would have limited House members and staffers to using restrooms matching their birth sex. McBride, D-Del., has previously posted a photograph of himself in a women’s bathroom in 2016 amid a North Carolina political fight over bathrooms and transgender people’s access to single-sex spaces of the opposite sex. Here I am in a NC women's restroom that I'm barred from being in. Stop this. We are good people. #ThisIsTransgender pic.twitter.com/7AEykwZfUW— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) August 31, 2016 “If someone with a penis is in a women’s locker room, that’s not OK,” Mace told reporters earlier this week. “I’m a victim of abuse myself. I’m a rape survivor. I have [post-traumatic stress disorder] from the abuse I’ve suffered at the hands of a man, and I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces.” “I’m absolutely 100% going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms. I will be there fighting you every step of the way,” the South Carolina congresswoman added. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has also spoken out against McBride’s access to women’s spaces. “He’s a man,” Greene said, according to The New York Times. “He’s a biological male. So, he is not allowed to use our women’s restrooms, our women’s gym, our locker rooms. He’s a biological male. He has plenty of places he can go.” A 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that 41% of Americans agreed that trans people should use the bathroom that matched their birth sex, while 31% opposed. Twenty-eight percent of Americans were undecided on the issue.  Democrats continue to advocate for McBride to have access to women’s restrooms in the Capitol. “The notion that this incoming small House Republican Conference majority is beginning to transition to the new Congress by bullying a member of Congress, this is what we’re doing? This is the lesson that you’ve drawn from the election in November?” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said according to CNN. The post ‘Women Deserve Women’s Only Spaces’: Johnson Says Capitol Bathroom Access Should Be Based on Biological Sex appeared first on The Daily Signal.