Horror In America.

Why does horror sell so well?

Saw III has entered the theaters today as the #1 movie in America. When did gore become such a hot item in this country?

hor-ror/ an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by something frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting; a shuddering fear

Christmas Eve of 1896, in the very early days of movies, a French film titled Le Manoir du diable (House of the Devil) was released. The film starts off with a large bat flying into a medieval castle. Once in, the bat circles slowly while flapping its monstrous wings before suddenly changing into Mephistopheles. After preparing a cauldron, the demon produces skeletons, ghosts, and witches from its bubbling contents before one of the summoned underworld cavaliers holds up a crucifix and Satan vanishes in a blast of smoke.

Mephistopheles is actually a demon in Christian mythology. In the story of Faust, the main charactor, Faust, sells his soul to Mephistopheles or The Devil. Faust, a scholar in a quest for the true essence of life. He summons the devil and strikes a bargin with his soul as collateral. Mephistopheles will serve Faust for the duration of his life and will only acquire his soul once Faust has reached the Zenith of human happiness.

This begs the question if Hollywood has sold its soul for the happiness of the box office? From the humble beginnings of Horror films, the industry has become an evil and vile interpretation of Christian mythology....and it sells!

Ironically, this day, All Hallows Eve, marks the day before a celebration of the Virgin Mary. November 1 was established as a dedication to the Virgin Mary (All Saints Day) by Pope Boniface IV in the year 609 after he consecrated the Pantheon in Greece. Consecration, in general, is an act by which a thing is separated from a common and profane use to a sacred use, or by which a person or thing is dedicated to the service and worship of God by prayers, rites, and ceremonies. So, tomorrow, will our cities and towns be consecrated by the rituals of this night?

In the modern world, where the secular-progressives have twisted any and all religious ceremonies, we have no real connection to All Hallow's Eve. We dress our children up in costumes and send them to strangers' homes, asking for tricks or treats. Mostly, they receive treats. It would be a real trick to teach them about history and the real meaning behind this day. But, they will grow up to understand and correlate this day with horror and will, one day, make Hollywood rich....when Saw IV hits the big screen with even more blood and gore, distorting our traditions and killing our country.

The 700 Lb. Gorilla.

Over at City Lights by Ed Kemmick there is an interesting article about our Governor's brother, Walter.

As you may remember, Gov. Schweitzer raised a record amount of funds for his campaign in 2003.
"Schweitzer, who narrowly lost to U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., raised $254,903 from Jan. 8 through March 31, despite refusing to take money from political action committees and political parties.

His campaign reported $229,377 in the bank at the close of the reporting period."

Schweitzer claims fund-raising record in governor race
The Billings Gazette ^ April 8, 2003 CHARLES S. JOHNSON

Who helped raise that money? We know that Walter has influence in Helena and that he raised the money for the Inaugural Ball in which the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan attended. That is some pretty big pull.

The real question is whether or not Walter and Brian are breaking nepotism laws in the State of Montana.

"You asked me to summarize my research regarding nepotism. "Nepotism" is defined by state statute as "the bestowal of political patronage by reason of relationship rather than merit." Section 2-2-301, MCA. Under Montana law, it is unlawful "for a person or any member of any board, bureau, or commission or employee at the head of any department of this state or any political subdivision of this state to appoint to any position of trust or emolument any person related or connected by consanguinity within the fourth degree or by affinity within the second degree." Section 2-2-302, MCA. It is also unlawful to "enter into any agreement or any promise . . . to appoint [a relative] to any position of trust or emolument." Section 2-2-303, MCA. Copies of the statutes are attached as Attachment A."

From a legal document gleaned from the Web.

There also seems to be a certain fear eminating from this brother team in the Governor's office. As one lawmaker, from this Independent article, put it: “I can’t cross these guys,” one said, “or I’ll never get anything done this winter.”

There just haven't been enough questions answered to let this just wash away under a bridge.