1. Vikings were a nation.
Vikings were not a nation as such, but groups of warriors, explorers and merchants led by a chieftain. As often as not, in the expeditions to the west Vikings were Norwegians, Danes and Swedes, but also anyone who joined them. The point is that the Old Norse word víkingr denoted not a nationality, but occupation: a Viking was anyone who took part in an overseas expedition.
2. Vikings wore horned helmets.
Gjermundbu helmet, the only extant authentic Viking helmet, does not have horns. No depiction of Viking helmets dating to the Viking Age represents horned patterns. There are two or three representations of ritual processions where warriors wear helmets with protrusions ending with stylized bird heads or resembling to snakes, but even the ritual use of the horned helmets by Vikings remains unproven.
3. Vikings’ preferred weapon was a massive double axe.
Vikings did use axes in battle, as the Lindisfarne tombstone graphically illustrates. However, they were of a very different type than suggested in the modern popular culture. It should be remembered that no double-headed axe has ever been found from early medieval Europe. Viking axes were light and used single-handed. The most common weapons found on Viking sites are spears.
4. Vikings had tresses.
As for hairstyle, to proclaim their Viking roots, Norman men shaved the back half of their head entirely, behind a line drawn from over the crown from ear to ear. On the front half of the head, forward of this line, the hair was left to grow long. There is an 11th-century letter in Old English, which mentions “Danish fashion with bared neck and blinded eyes.” There is no historical evidence of Vikings wearing tresses.
5. Viking armies were huge.
The sources cite wild numbers for the size of Viking armies. P. Sawyer noted that they could be more specific on the size of the fleets. On the basis of the archeological evidence for the size of the boats, he suggested that Viking ships may have held fifty to sixty men. It means that Viking armies have to be numbered in the hundreds, not even in the thousands.
6. Vikings were exceptionally cruel and bloodthirsty.
Vikings indeed were sometimes very violent. However, the question is whether Christian armies of the time acted in any substantially different manner. For instance, Charlemagne, who was Vikings’ contemporary, virtually exterminated the whole people of Avars. At Verden, he ordered the beheading of 4,500 Saxons. Vikings certainly were not as bloodthirsty as many Christians of their time.
7. Abroad, Vikings did nothing except fighting and pillaging.
Vikings did pillage many lands. However, plunder was only one among many other goals of their overseas expeditions. Vikings peacefully colonised Iceland, Greenland and many smaller islands. As explorers they crossed the Atlantic and reached America 500 years before Columbus. As international merchants of their time, they also peacefully traded with almost every country of the then known world.
8. Vikings used human skulls as drinking vessels.
This misconception goes back to Runer seu Danica literatura antiquissima by Ole Worm, published in 1636 and reprinted in 1651. There the phrase saying that the Danes drink ór bjúgviðum hausa (”from the curved branches of skulls,” that is from horns) was translated into Latin as ex craniis eorum quos ceciderunt (”from the skulls of those whom they had slain”).
9. Vikings were unclean.
In England, because of their custom of bathing every Saturday, Vikings had a reputation of excessive cleanness. Ibn Rustah, a 10th century Persian explorer, explicitly notes the eastern Vikings’ cleanness. During excavations of Viking sites, combs are among the most frequent objects found. Vikings used tweezers, razors and special “ear spoons” to keep their ears clean. They also produced soap.
10. Viking ship from Oseberg was a war ship.
Oseberg ship is a very well preserved Viking ship found in a burial mound in Norway. In modern popular culture Vikings are often depicted crossing oceans and engaging in battles on ships that are copies of the Oseberg ship. However, her freebord is so low and the scantings so light that she could be nothing more than a ceremonial vessel that never left coastal waters.
With courtesy of Vikingrune.com
Alright, the last few weeks things got a bit serious on Eur0trash.net. Politics, religion, or even worse: religious politics… no more of that, for today at least; It’s time now for some old fashioned sex. And by that I don’t mean the missionary position.
Speaking of positions, even though many people think that the Kama Sutra is purely a reference guide for special sex positions, they’re wrong. Yes, the Kama Sutra does pay a lot of attention to highly stimulating positions, but it’s also about creating the right atmosphere, sexual tension and treating your partner and her/his erotic zones with the fullest respect. That’s at least how I understand it.
The following video will help you on your way. It’s a bit old, I copied it from a VHS tape of all things, but it’s still one of the best Kama Sutra documentaries I’ve ever seen. (not that I’m an expert, but I did seen a few)
And there’s more. If you feel like studying this a bit more, feel free to download these 4 eBooks on Kama Sutra. Some of it is very visual and it should help for inspiration.
Also, if you’re looking for some appropriate music, then play this playlist. It’s an album by Enigma. It works extremely well for me and my girlfriend. Perhaps it works for you and your partner as well.
Enjoy. 
Further below there is the English version of this letter. The English version is directly translated from the original Dutch version. It loses some with the translation because of typical expressions — the original version is better, I assure you — but it is just to give non-Dutch readers a fair impression of what this is all about.
Geachte heren Henny Kreeft en Mohamed Rabbae,
9 dagen geleden schreef ik jullie een open brief waarin ik de drie volgende zaken aan de kaak stelde, namelijk: 1) Dat nóg een religieuze partij erbij niet meer van deze tijd is; 2) dat de NMP meteen wel erg discutabel en onkundig personeel aanneemt; en 3) dat als de NMP zichzelf volop gaat etaleren in gemeentes waar de PVV mateloos populair is dat je als het ware afstevent op een soort volksopstand. Stuk voor stuk zaken die niet te negeren vallen. Alleen al daarom vind ik het ronduit onbeleefd dat ik nog geen antwoord van jullie heb gekregen. U heeft het druk zegt u? I’m not impressed. Ik heb het ook druk, uiteindelijk weet ik daarentegen toch de tijd te vinden voor dit onderwerp. Of is de stilte van uwer zijde te wijten aan dat u enerzijds zowaar geschrokken bent van de plausibiliteit dat met de komst van de NMP er eerder aan kloofuitdijing gedaan wordt dan aan kloofverdichting (waar u zo voor predikt), maar dat jullie anderzijds niet kunnen accepteren dat alle tijd en energie wat gestoken is in de NMP tevergeefs zou worden?
Of nee… vergeet tijd en energie. Wat te denken van geld? Uiteindelijk is dat wat de wereld doet draaien, is het niet? De NMP zou niet de eerste islam-gerichte organisatie in west-Europa zijn dat financieel gesteund wordt door islamisten uit Saoedi-Arabië. Is het ook niet zo dat vooral wanneer het om geld gaat dat er voor wat hoort wat-principes waaraan gehouden dient te worden van kracht zijn? Ik weet het, ik suggereer maar wat hoor. Des te meer reden om nu eens wèl terug te schrijven en verontruste burgers te woord te staan. Ik herinner u eraan dat dit een open brief is en dat alles wat door de NMP verzonden wordt gepubliceerd zal worden. Dwing mij alstublieft niet om na enige tijd een lege witte pagina te publiceren, wat wellicht zelfs meer zeggen zal dan een geschreven pagina.
Enfin, buiten alle zojuist genoemde en in de vorige brief genoemde issues, zouden wij graag ook nog, als het even kan, het volgende beantwoord willen krijgen. Inderdaad; wij. Ik heb enigzins aan wat opiniepeilingen gedaan. Aan de hand daarvan komen we op vraagstukken en stellingen zoals:
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In afwachting van uw antwoorden, of zij nu komen of niet;
Met vriendelijke groet,
Richard Groenendijk.
——————————–[ENGLISH VERSION]—————————————–
To mr. Henny Kreeft and mr. Mohamed Rabbae,
9 days ago I wrote you an open letter in which I brought up three matters, namely: 1) That yet another religious party is no longer of this day of age; 2) that the DMP already accepts highly doubtful and inadequate personnel; and 3) that if the DMP is going to put itself emphatically on display in cities where the Freedom Party is immoderately popular, you’d basically be heading towards some sort of uprise by the people. All matters which can not be ignored. Even only because of that I find it flatout rude that I still have not received any reply. You are busy you say? I’m not impressed. I am busy as well, yet ultimately I do on the other hand find the time for this subject. Or is the silence from your side due to being somewhat startled by the plausibility that with the arrival of the DMP a further gap expanding would be more likely than gap narrowing (of which you say you stand for), but that you can not accept that all time and energy invested in the DMP would be in vain?
Or no…. forget time and energy. What about money? Ultimately that is what makes the world go round and round, is it not? The DMP would not be the first islam-oriented organisation in western Europe being financially supported by islamists from Saudi Arabia. Is it not true that especially when it is about money that there are give some, take some principles, which are to be upholded, applying? I know, I am just making suggestions. All the more reasons to actually write back and to speak to worried citizens. I remind you that this is an open letter and that everything the DMP sends will be published. Please do not force me to publish an empty white page after some time, what perhaps will even say more than a written page.
Anyway, besides all the issues mentioned just now and in the previous letter, we would like to, if possible, have the following answered. Yes; we. I have been doing some surveys. On this basis, we end up with questions and theses such as:
.
Pending your answers, whether they come or not;
With friendly regards,
Richard Groenendijk.
Crickey! Look over there mate, those creatures… they’re very dayyyngerous… for themselves, as the life expectancy of spoiled brats in the real world would be around 30 seconds flat. Please refrain yourself from punching your screen. Roll call!:
Alicia Guastaferro, 15 y/o
Audrey, 16 y/o
Brogan Mackay, 11 y/o
(news paper article: click image to open)
.
Alright. After seeing what spoiling can result to, it might be a good idea for you (if you happen to be a parent with a very needy kid) to watch the following video and actually do something with this info. I’m not trying to be teh Dr. Phil here, but fuck me sideways if there aren’t enough of these spoiled little shits on this planet already. (pardon my French)
Thank you.
In the night of 12 to 13 august 2009 a group of Iraqi refugees, who were hiding in the Brorsons Church at Rantzausgade in Copenhagen, were evicted by the police by direct order of the government. Among these refugees were the elderly, children and people who are sick. In case you haven’t noticed, there is a (uncalled for) war going on in Iraq. Locals verbally protested against this eviction and formed a human blockade. In response, the police removed the protesters, after several (and severe) rounds of ‘target practice’, and a whole bus load of people were taken away. See it for yourself.
Further below there is the English version of this letter. The English version is directly translated from the original Dutch version. It loses some with the translation because of typical expressions — the original version is better, I assure you — but it is just to give non-Dutch readers a fair impression of what this is all about.
Geachte heren Henny Kreeft & Mohamed Rabbae,
Sta mij toe om deze brief te beginnen met een zucht. Een hele diepe zucht, terwijl ik nog eens de definitie van seculariteit nog maar eens in het woordenboek opzoek. Nee, blijkbaar heb ik mij niet vergist, terwijl sommigen echter nog steeds menen dat Nederland een seculiere staat is. Nederland is geen seculiere staat, met partijen als het CDA, de ChristenUnie en de SGP in de gelederen. Helaas, deze partijen zijn al gevestigd, met wortels die nog uit totaal andere tijden stammen en daar valt niet bijzonder veel meer aan te doen. De Islam-Democraten is een eenmans eendagsvlieg, gelukkig. O ja, de nieuwste partij, nog een, heeft een religieuze grondslag. De Nederlandse Moslim Partij. Met een website zo nieuw, dat het nog niet eens van de grond is. Wat er niet is kan nog komen, absoluut, maar wat er niet is hoeft er per definitie ook niet persé te zijn.
Datzelfde geldt ook voor zetels in de gemeenteraden. Recentelijk kwam het naar voren dat de NMP mikt op steden zoals Amsterdam, Den Haag en Rotterdam. In laatstgenoemde stad ben ik geboren en getogen. Ik heb voornamelijk in wijken zoals Spangen en Bospolder/Tussendijken gewoond, wijken met veel allochtonen en veel moslims, waarmee ik beduidend meer positieve dan negatieve ervaringen mee heb. De tofste en beste buurman die ik ooit gehad heb is een Turk. Wat ik hiermee wil zeggen is dat mijn kritiek op de moslimpartij geenzins gebaseerd is onderbuikgevoelens. Wat ik hiermee eveneens wil zeggen is dat ik weet wat er zich in steden zoals Rotterdam afspeelt, van straatniveau tot Coolsingel nr. 40.
De kloof tussen allochtonen en autochtonen en moslims en niet-moslims worden met name in steden zoals Rotterdam alsmaar groter en groter, iets wat jullie ongetwijfeld ook is opgevallen. Voor zover ik begrepen heb is dat zelfs precies de reden, of in ieder geval de voornaamste reden, waarom de NMP opgericht is. Ik twijfel dan ook niet zozeer aan jullie intenties, heren Kreeft en Rabbae. Echter kunnen zelfs zij met de beste bedoelingen de plank finaal mis slaan. En hoe. Kijk, een politieke partij dient de belangen van zo’n beetje iedereen te behartigen. Sommigen menen dat dat op meer socialistische en progressieve wijzes gedaan dient te worden, anderen weer op meer liberale en conservatieve manieren. Niet iedereen is het altijd even met elkaar eens, wat heet, dat is nogal een understatement. Maar het zijn aardse en (ervanuitgaande dat het binnen de perken blijft) gerationaliseerde manieren om tot overeenkomsten te komen. Wanneer theologische leren (geschreven in tijden toen men nog niet eens wist wat een cel was) daarbij om de hoek komen kijken dan vervalt dat. Het plan is dan om regels door te voeren die overeenkomen met wat al dan niet direct religieuze dogma’s zijn, waarvan het laten wij zeggen lang niet zeker is dat de bronnen ervan überhaupt enige overeenkomsten vertonen met de realiteit.
Twijfelen doe ik niet aan de bekwaamheid van de NMP. Ik ben er namelijk zeker van dat er een schrikbarend gebrek aan is, al is het alleen maar omdat het bovenstaande met de oprichting van de NMP klaarblijkelijk niet begrepen is. Vervolgens komen jullie nog eens met Bouchra Ismaili of all people aanzetten, die de afdeling Rotterdam onder haar hoede zou moeten nemen. Deze mevrouw zal heus wel geleerd hebben om voortaan niet zulke e-mails te verzenden gezien de commotie die het veroorzaakte, daar niet van, ik verwacht dan ook geen Tirade Part Deux in mijn inbox n.a.v. deze kritische open brief, gelukkig. Maar wat is nu echt de reden dat zij haar spijt betuigd heeft? Zou zij ooit vrijwillig haar spijt betuigd hebben als niemand er ophef om maakte? Het kwam sterk over met een hoedanigheid van “ow, ze zijn boos, nou ja, één twee streep erdoorheen en weg ermee, en ik ga gewoon weer lekker aan het werk.” Ik weet het, ik gis maar wat…. het zal u daarentegen wel verbazen hoe ver men kan gaan in non-spijt spijtbetuigingen. Dan ga ik nog niet eens dieper in op hoe luchtig Ismaili haar ondertekening voor de Hizb ut-Tahrir afdoet. Want het is toch allemaal best, blijkbaar. Hoe lang wordt de hand nog boven haar hoofd gehouden? Wat is ervoor nodig om voor altijd verbannen uit de politiek te zijn?
Wisten jullie, beste heren Kreeft en Rabbae, dat het juist vanwege dergelijke toestanden is dat hele volksstammen gedreven worden tot het zoeken van hun heil bij de PVV? Burgers, (w.o. zelfs sommige moslims) krijgen het idee dat de Islam en/of moslims een aparte status genieten in dit land. Natuurlijk, er zijn genoeg Nederlanders die zich op wel erg bedenkelijke wijzes afgeven op moslims en altijd wel een zondebok nodig hebben, dus het is prima te begrijpen dat er onder een aantal moslims de wens bestaat om dit tegen te gaan middels de politiek. Wishfull thinking is dat daarentegen, wederom. Behalve redenen zoals bijvoorbeeld dat er erg veel onvrede bestaat over het huidige kabinet, is het (potentiële) PVV-stemmers minstens net zoveel te doen om specifiek islam-gerelateerde zaken in de samenleving. Als het zo ver gaat dat een moslimpartij zich in typische PVV-bolwerken (zoals Rotterdam en Almere dus) breeduit manifesteert, dan raakt het hek van de dam en ontstaat er hoogstwaarschijnlijk een dusdanige kloof dat het welhaast onherstelbaar is omdat uitersten elkaar altijd in stand zullen blijven houden. Behalve dat het bestaan van de NMP zowaar het gevolg kan zijn van het bestaan van de PVV, dikke kans dat iedere stem voor de NMP zal uitlopen op twee extra stemmen voor de PVV en geraken wij allemaal nog verder van huis.
Maar hé, als jullie dergelijke gokken willen wagen: be my guest. Ondertussen lig ik wel (soms letterlijk) wakker van de toekomst van Nederland, met name als het om verstandsverhoudingen gaat tussen bevolkingsgroepen. Ik weet dat het reeds een groeiend probleem is, maak het alleen niet nóg erger door de grote doorvoering van nóg een religieuze politieke partij aangezien dat wel het laatste is waar Nederland op wacht. Iedereen, zijn er echt geen andere manieren? Voordat u, meneer Kreeft, of u, meneer Rabbae mij eventueel terug schrijft, denk alstublieft nog eens na over wat hier zoal aangehaald is, over de toekomst van uw mede-moslims en niet-moslims, over hoe plausibel het scenario van kloof-verdichting is ten opzichte van hoe plausibel het scenario van verdere kloof-uitdijing is met de komst van de NMP in de grote steden en daaromtrent. Denk diep na. Het is nog niet te laat. Trek uw conclusies, hoe hard deze wellicht voor u kunnen zijn.
Met vriendelijke groet,
Richard Groenendijk.
—————————–[ENGLISH VERSION]———————————
To mr. Kreeft & mr. Rabbae,
Allow me to start this letter with a sigh. A very deep sigh, as I look up the definition of secular in the dictionary. No, apparently I am not mistaken, even though some still claim that The Netherlands is a secular state. The Netherlands is not a secular state, harboring parties such as the Christian Democratic Appeal, the ChristianUnion and the Reformed Political Party. Unfortunately, these parties are already established, having roots from completely different times, and there’s not much to do about it anymore. The Islam-Democrats is luckily a one man’s one day fly. Oh yes, the newest party, another one, is based on religious grounds. The Dutch Muslim Party. With a website so new, that it is not even launched yet. What is not there can still come, absolutely, but what is not there does not necessarily have to be there.
The same goes for seats in the city councils. Recently it came forward that the DMP is aiming on cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam. In the latter city I was born and raised. I mostly lived in neighborhoods such as Spangen and Bospolder/Tussendijken, neighborhoods with lots of immigrants and lots of muslims, which I have considerably more positive than negative experiences with. The coolest and best neighbor I have ever had is a Turk. What I am saying with this is that my criticism on the muslim party is not based on prejudices. What I am also saying with this is that I know what is happening in cities such as Rotterdam, from street level to city hall.
The gap between natives and immigrants and muslims and non-muslims are, mainly in cities such as Rotterdam, becoming bigger and bigger, something that you have undoubtedly noticed yourself as well. In fact, as far as I am aware of, that is exactly the reason, or at least the main reason, why the DMP was founded. I do not doubt your intentions so much, mr. Kreeft and mr. Rabbae. However, even those with the best intentions can completely miss the point. And how. Look, a political party needs to serve the interests of just about everyone. Some think it should be done through more socialistic and progressive means, others feel that more liberalistic and conservative ways should do the trick. Not everyone agrees with each other, I’d say, that is quite an understatement. But they are worldy and (provided that things are not being taken too far) rationalized means to come to agreements. When theological teachings are (written in times when people did not even know what a cell was) getting involved with it, then it becomes due. The plan is then to come up with rules that match with what are indirectly or directly religious dogmas, of which it is not even, let us say, quite sure if the sources match with reality, at all.
I do not doubt the competence of the DMP. I am actually very sure that a shocking amount of shortcomings are present, even if it is only because of the above, which has clearly not been understood. Then you are coming along with Bouchra Ismaili of all people, who is to suppose to take control over the Rotterdam branch. This lady has likely learned to not send such e-mails again from now on, given the commotion it caused, I’m sure, therefor I do not expect Rant Part Deux in my inbox, fortunately. But what is really the reason that she regretted? Would she ever apologized if no one ever made a fuss about it? It came off strongly with an attitude like “oh, they’re upset, oh well scrap it, gone! and i’m just gonna go back to work.” I know, I am just guessing…. but you’d be sursprised about how far people can go with non-apology apologies. And I am not even going to go deeper into how light-minded she explained her signing for the Hizb ut-Tahrir. Because apparently everything is considered as just alright. How much longer can she hide behind all of this? What does it take to be ejected from politics permanently?
Did you know, mr. Kreeft and mr. Rabbae, that it is because of matters like these that entire populations are driven to seek their resort with the Party for Freedom? Citizens (of which even some muslims) get the idea that the Islam and/or muslims obtained a special status in The Netherlands. Of course, there are plenty Dutchmen who exclaim themselves in questionable fashions towards muslims and always need a scapegoat, so it is perfectly understandable that a certain amount of muslims have the wish to remedy this through politics. That is wishfull thinking on the other hand, again. Except for reasons such as the impopularity of the current government, for (potential) Freedom Party voters the presence of specific islamic related matters is another prime reason to vote on this party. If it goes as far as having a muslim party manifesting in typical Freedom Party epicenters (such as Rotterdam and Almere), then the you-know-what will hit the fan and it will be highly likely that there will be a gap which is practically impossible to recover because each other’s opposites will always cancel each other out. Besides that the extistence of the DMP could very well be the result of the Freedom Party, there is a big chance that every vote for the DMP will turn out to two extra votes for the Freedom Party, which brings all of us even more into awkward positions.
But hey, if you’d like to gamble on that: be my guest. In the meanwhile the future of The Netherlands (sometimes literally) keeps me awake at nights, and especially when it comes down to the reciprocity between population groups. I know that it is a growing problem already, just do not make it worse by introducing yet another religious party as that is just about the last thing The Netherlands needs. Everyone, are there really no other ways? Before you, mr. Kreeft, or you, mr. Rabbae, contingentally reply, please think about what is brought up here, about the future of your fellow muslims and non-muslims, about how plausible the scenario of gap compaction in compared to the scenario of further gap expanding with the introduction of the DMP in the big cities and beyond. Think hard. It is not yet too late. Draw your conclusions, no matter how tough they may be.
With friendly regards,
Richard Groenendijk.
Many people think atheism is pretty much about ‘believing’ in The Big Bang and see science more or less as a god. Though I must admit that the findings of scientists usually appeal more to me as well to most other atheists than the words of the Pope do, there’s not much I can say about the Big Bang, or how else everything that we know (and will know) for that matter came into existence, and I’m definitely not the only one who’s puzzled by that. Based on the level of plausibility, which is as microscopically low as the odds that the universe was created by a can of beans from the future which was being sent back by Felix the Cat, it is quite certain on the other hand how things did NOT came into existence.
With that in mind, atheism has various interpretations and people may be atheists for different reasons. Still, it is literally what it says: A-theism. The lack of theism, thereby automatically making the concept of religion obsolete. There are also deists, those who believe in some higher power, but are doing that without religion and such. Deism and atheism are similar in the sense that they directly oppose religion.
Why some people oppose religion, you ask? Because we care about religion. And we care about religion because of how the religions of this world effect entire civilizations. Please watch the following video and listen to it carefully.
Made by Brian from the Imrational YT-channel.
Ah, internet in the mid-90’s… oh memories…. some of us have memories of 14K4 dial up connections which resulted in fat phone bills. While loading an average (1994) website, there was just enough time to poor in yourself another drink. And for downloading a 5 minute video, you’d might as well just fix yourself some dinner in the meanwhile. And the websites looked really really basic.
But despite the slowness and lack of aesthetics, it was in those times a true luxury to be able to browse on the internet. This is how the internet in 1994 was, this is how the internet in 1994 looked like.
- “And? Do you sell more guns since Obama is the big boss?”
- “Yes of course, have you seen the matters on his website? Everyone is buying guns as long it’s possible.”
Through three highways we reached the suburb. The big houses are spread out and desperate housewives drive, with their new hairdos, over the wide lanes in their spacious cars.
Nazis and weapons
In the suburb there’s all of a sudden a National Guards Center and we’re following the signs to a recreational hall. In this area about fifty white men settled their tables. The treasures of these men may be looked at for five dollar. Here Goebbels is still an item for sale.
Between the Nazi medals and flags there are knives, pistols, semi-automatic guns, automatic rifles, shotguns and sniper rifles. “This knife is used a lot by women while jogging”, tells a friendly salesman with long gray hair. “Like this, to be precise”, and acts as if he runs with the knife in his hand. “But, then the perpetrator might may die” I respond shocked. He looks at me in a friendly way: “Whatever happens, happens little girl.” I nod, and move rapidly on towards the next table where a cute pink little gun stares at me. “You can hold it if you like”, says the next salesman politely. He’s wearing a Hells Angels vest.
Anyone who wants to order a beer in Minnesota must identify him or herself. A Dutch drivers license is usually not enough - they want to see passports. And it doesn’t matter if you have two cute pigtails, or a bald head: everyone until way in the forties is subjected to the regime. Under 21 and you want a beer? That can’t be right! No, how about the weapons fair then. I pull out my passport and the bouncer looks at me in a surprised fashion: why should you identify yourself? Children under twelve may visit the fair for free.
I take the deadly pink weapon in my hand. Loaded weapons are prohibited in the room. Would all these men really walk around with empty holsters? Just because it’s their right? The gun is light, lighter than I expected and I hold it next to my white-with-pink-dotted handbag. Looks nice. “Just don’t lay your hand on the trigger”, warns the salesman. Quickly I put back the accessory. Oh yeah, even though it matches your pink phone and your pink lipstick nicely: you can kill people with it. One would almost forget…
(by: Jonkvrouw Jet, translated by EurØtr@sh.)
Do you have a cat who suddenly for no apparent reason just stares at some seemingly random points from time to time? Well then congratulations; your cat has excellent senses, as it should have. Natural senses, rather than supernatural perhaps.
Logically, people who believe that their cat just saw a ghost, are people who believe in ghosts; much like people who don’t believe in ghosts, don’t think that cats see ghosts either. So what we basically have here is a debate about whether ghosts exist or not. Let’s hold that thought for a while, as there are some things you should know about cats first.
.
If you’re like “Well, yeah, cats are ultra sensitive and obsessive predators, I know. Perhaps all the more reasons why they’re spotting ghosts, eh?”
Mind bogglingly enough, you’re absolutely right with such a statement. However, just think about the following for a bit, when it comes down to the definition of “a ghost”:
The world of a cat is fundamentally different than our world. Cats aren’t brought up with ghost stories in their kittenhood. Their brain functionality is relatively uncomplexed, which reduces the chances to psychosis considerably. Cats are never influenced by Hollywood blockbusters (such as The Sixth Sense), even if they would actually watch them. The world of a cat is such a constant hurricane of sounds, visuals and smells, that the cat experiences its own ghosts in that world. Ghosts of nature, from the footsteps of a beetle (which is seen as an intruder) in the other end of the room to the change of light strength when a cloud (partially) starts blocking the moon. Cats live in the here and now. And most importantly; cats don’t bullshit themselves. We on the other hand do. Oh how we do.
It’s all a matter of plausibility. Think about it.
A social chat site
