Maggots On A Plane

Hey, imagine you're sitting in your seat on an airplane taxing down the runway...and then see maggots falling from overhead and into your lap.

US Airways passenger Donna Adamo:

"Then I heard the word 'maggot' and that kind of got everybody creeped out...All of a sudden, I felt somebody flick the back of my hair and on the front of me came a maggot, which I flicked off me."

Flight personnel were soon alerted and an announcement made that the plane was returning to the gate because of a "minor emergency." Meanwhile...

"I felt like they were crawling all over me because it only takes one maggot to upset your world...And as they're telling us to stay calm and seated, I see a maggot looking back at me and I'm thinking, 'These are anaerobic, flesh-eating larvae that the flight attendants don't have to sit with.'"

The plane was evacuated, and the maggots traced to a container of spoiled meat in another passenger's carry-on bag. Then a crew was sent to clean those mother@$&%ing maggots off that mother@$&%ing plane.

Via SFGate

Ringling Bros. Hires Psychic To Channel The Spirit Of P.T. Barnum

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey have hired a Brooklyn psychic to channel one of the most famous circus personalities of them all: P.T. Barnum.

Gemma Deller will channel Barnum and act as his "voice" for his 200th birthday event at Coney Island on July 5th. Deller told The Brooklyn Paper:

“It’s time to communicate with him — I don’t think he’d want it any other way because Barnum did things in a grand and fabulous way. It’s very possible that he is the one orchestrating the meeting — I think that P.T. led Ringling Bros. to me.”

Will this event, dubbed "Illuscination," be the real deal -- or will it be a case of, as Barnum himself once famously said, "there's a sucker born every minute"? You will have to find out yourself at Ringling Bros. “Illuscination," Surf Avenue at W. 21st Street in Coney Island, July 5, 10 am (800-745-3000).

Giant Rat Killed In Huddersfield, UK (Pic)

This picture is of an alleged giant rat killed in Huddersfield, UK. A member on the site Reddit said the photo was found on a Facebook page.

What do you think? Is it the real deal? And if so, can humans really hope to band together and fight this furry menace?

Master Splinter?

Variety: More Cable Networks Catering To Conspiracy Theorists

Cable networks such as the SyFy Channel and TruTV are focusing more and more on believers in conspiracy theories and UFOs, Variety reports.

Television programming like "Conspiracy Theory With Jesse Ventura," a plethora of History Channel specials, and the upcoming SyFy series "Warehouse 13" all seem to be catering to what Variety tactfully dubs the "wackadoodle" market. The message of the Variety piece seems to be that regardless of the audience demand for this sort of programming, the TV networks should know better and stop making them anyway just on principle:

"One can only wonder where the wackadoodle road leads. "The Militia Hour of Power?" "This Week With Ted Kaczynski?" Paddy Chayefsky's satiric vision in "Network" -- with a TV landscape populated by raving mad-as-hell anchors, soothsayers and militant groups -- appears to come a few steps closer by the day."

Are TV shows about Mayan prophecies and UFO cover-ups just a "gateway drug" to becoming a stinky long-haired recluse bomb-maker with a hand-typed manifesto? Variety also holds disdain for those who "simply enjoy such programming for its kitsch-y charms without necessarily embracing the paranoid delusions," insinuating that they too might be seduced by programming's message and start hearing voices.

While we sympathize with Variety's views on "Conspiracy TV," we also think that they might also be just a wee bit...paranoid.

Retired U.S. Army Pilot: "I Saw A UFO in 1955"

The Desert Sun's profile on retired U.S. Army Air Corps pilot Bob Schneck yields an interesting nugget for UFOlogists: he claims to have seen seen an unidentified flying object over Newfoundland in 1955.

Schneck describes the UFO, which was seen by multiple crew members, as

"A big white spot that's way off in the distance. It moved very fast, back and forth. It's something you've never seen before it would zoom across the horizon.”

According to the official report, the speed of the unidentified craft was estimated to be about 1,500 mph. When ground control sent a fighter to chase down the object, the aircraft's radar became inoperative.

Schneck then describes being interrogated by a "special crew" back at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base about the close encounter.

Tila Tequila Vs. The Illuminati, Part 3

It was with baited breath that we at The Daily 23 awaited the 3rd installment of Internet Celebrity Tila Tequila's invective against the Illuminati and devil-worshippers in the entertainment industry. This time, her focus was mainly on Lady Gaga -- who Tila referred to as the Illuminati's "Top Puppet" -- though she threw in some other pop stars and celebrities just for good measure.

"USING HER as a human tool, a machine in disguise, to rot our brains and turn it to mush. Don’t you guys notice how everyday music video’s are becoming more and more satanic, dark , loads of overly sexual images, and VERY EVIL?? Oh don’t even let me start on deciphering each music video for you and what they all mean! I would have to write a freakin’ BOOK about all this ishh! *shudders*"

Cue:

Alberta Alien Caught On Video: Is This The Real Deal?

Some people are describing the following video footage of an alleged alien as being the most convincing yet -- while others feel it's nothing but a hoax. View it for yourself and decide!

From YouTube user MrBeeHat's introduction to the video:

"This footage was taken at around eleven or twelve at night in rural Alberta on June 7th 2010. A few days prior to this, me and my brother had been hearing noises from the yard at night and thought we had seen something out the window, so we decided to keep a camera handy in case it happened again. As you can see, the footage we captured shows a tall creature with a strange manner of walking. It had quite large hands with three fingers each and appeared to almost go completely invisible at times. One of the strangest features of this being was it's almost metallic looking skin."

Woman Falls 3 Stories, Bounces Off Car, Sleeps On Couch

A Chicago woman is lucky to be alive after falling out a third-story window and landing on a car. The unidentified woman bounced off the vehicle, and, dazed, proceeded to walk into a neighbor's house. The neighbor found her sleeping on the couch and called 911.

It is theorized that the woman slipped when opening a window in her townhouse, and then crashed through the screen onto the car below. She suffered no life-threatening injuries from her ordeal.

Police have labeled the incident a "freak accident" and said that foul play or drug/alcohol use were not factors.

Via The Daily Herald

Hardgate Horse Boy: Exposed!

An eagle-eyed reader of The Daily 23 has spotted the infamous "Hardgate Horse Boy" who has been captivating thousands of Google Maps users from the UK all day:


Who was this mysterious prankster? David Icke? We may never know.

(special thanks to Murph!)

Horse Boy Spotted In Hardgate Via Google Maps

In a development that will no doubt excite cryptozoologists worldwide, a "horse boy" was spotted in Hardgate, Aberdeen via Google Maps. The creature appears to have the body of a human but a clearly equine head. A reverse centaur, if you will.

please click for larger image

If you have any more information on Horse Boy, or would like to report a sighting, please contact our staff at thedaily23@meaningofitall.com

41% Of Americans Believe Jesus To Come Back By 2050

A recent poll by the Pew Research Center For The People revealed that 41% of Americans expect Jesus Christ to come back to Earth within the next forty years.

Americans were quizzed on a bunch of issues in the poll, and were found to be surprisingly optimistic about the future. Maybe because of the whole Jesus thing. Or the iPad. I don't know.

Some of the other findings from the poll:
71% believed that cancer would be cured
81% believed that computers will become more "human"
53% believed that ordinary people will be able to travel in space
42% believed that "brain-scanning" technology will be developed that can read minds
89% believed that a female president will be elected by 2050

Via Telegraph

Anti-Theft "Moldy" Sandwich Bags

These "moldy" anti-theft sandwich bags apparently follow a similar principle to the Dirty Underpants Safe -- said principle being that if people think there's yecch on something, they will stay away.

These plastic bags don't have genuine mold, of course. Realistic greenish mold-like spots are printed on both sides of the transparent bag, giving the effect that whatever is in it is a rapidly decomposing pile of putrid rot.

Perfect for paranoid office workers everywhere.

Via foodiggity

Bogus Piñata Bust In Arizona, Citing "National Security"

An illegal piñata ring was busted wide open by U.S. Customs trying to cross the border at Douglas, AZ. The tractor-trailer carrying 108 illegal Disney character piñatas was on its way from Mexico to Thornton, CO.

Custom officers confiscated the bootleg piñatas, citing violation of intellectual property rights. Assistant port Director Eli Villareal pointed out that while the fake Disney piñatas might seem harmless, the sales of such items undermined the U.S. economy as well as "national security."

Illegal piñatas account for several deaths in the United States each year, and might dispense such unregulated items as lead pellets disguised as bubblegum and small weapons like ninja throwing stars. Scores of children are also injured by these ersatz piñatas when they open, industrial waste metal flying out like shrapnel. OK, I'm totally lying.

The Celebrity Doppelganger Conspiracy Theory

Have you noticed that Megan Fox has been looking sort of...different lately? Not sure why? Could be botox...or the fact that she has been replaced with an Illuminati clone.

The Celebrity Doppelganger/Clone conspiracy theory is one of the fastest growing within the edgier folds of the Internet, a narrative that combines celebrity gossip, science-fiction, and the evil machinations of an elite secret society.

The "grandfather" of this theory, and possibly the most famous, is the "Faul" Conspiracy -- that Beatle Paul McCartney really died in a car accident in 1966 and was replaced with a lookalike (thus named, "Faul" for "Fake Paul"). The "Paul Is Dead" rumor falls in perfectly with this theory, as the "clues" to the singer's alleged death are supposed to reference the car accident and installation of the "double."


Much of the "Faul" theory hinges on photo analysis of McCartney pre- and post-1966. Photos are placed side-by-side and lines drawn from one feature to another, noting discrepancies. Apply this methodology to other celebrities who have seemed to "change" over the years...and you have a large part of the Celebrity Doppelganger Theory.

Take the case of John Travolta, for instance. When photos of the actor over several decades are compared, his facial features seem to be different. According to the Celebrity Doppelganger Theory, it's possible that Travolta was "replaced" somewhere between 1990-1993. In the case of Megan Fox, it's theorized that she is up to her 2nd possible replacement (which has echoes with the "Grandmoviestar" conspiracy theory & its "23 Megan Foxes").


Of course, there might be other explanations for the change in appearance in these and other celebrities. Age + heavy plastic surgery + Photoshop. Celebs these days are into such extreme -- and in many cases unnatural-looking -- plastic surgery that one couldn't be faulted for believing that they have literally changed/been replaced. And thanks to digital manipulation, any photo can be retouched to "perfection".

Perhaps the existence of the Celebrity Doppelganger Theory is just the natural result of a public who has been subjected to the very unreal world of Hollywood Beauty for far too long.

Or maybe...just maybe...it is something far more sinister.


Doppelganger and Identity Research Society forum

Catholic Movie Reviews: Jonah Hex OK, The Backup Plan Evil

Jonah Hex: Catholic Seal Of Approval

I'm not sure if the Rotten Tomatoes covers the film reviews of the United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops. Instead of stars or thumbs-up and thumbs-down, the reviews of the USCCB's Film and Broadcasting office uses the following system:

• A-I -- general patronage;
• A-II -- adults and adolescents;
• A-III -- adults
• L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.
• O -- morally offensive.

Basically, as long as your film falls between the A-I and the A-III, you're in the clear. L movies are "problematic," and Os...well, the Os are probably gonna send you straight to hell.

The Daily 23 looked over the USCCB's archive of current movie reviews to see which ones "made the grade," and which ones received the dreaded O...

A-I:

• Toy Story 3
• Marmaduke
• Fantastic Mr. Fox
  
• Princess and the Frog

A-II:

• A-Team
• The Karate Kid
• How To Train Your Dragon
• Twilight Saga: New Moon
• Alice In Wonderland
• Prince Of Persia
  

A-III:

• Jonah Hex
• The Blind Side
• Clash of the Titans
• Iron Man 2
  
• Robin Hood
• The Wolfman
• Sherlock Holmes
  

L:

• Date Night
• The Book of Eli
• The Losers
• The Bounty Hunter
• Green Zone
• It's Complicated
  

O:

• The Backup Plan
• Valentine's Day
• Sex In The City 2
• Get Him To The Greek
• Splice
  
• Legion
• Kick-Ass
• Death At A Funeral
• Hot-Tub Time Machine
• MacGruber
• Nightmare On Elm Street
• Shutter Island
• Youth In Revolt
  

What does it take to get the O? Valentine's Day was cited for "Implicit approval of nonmarital sexual activity and homosexual acts." The Backup Plan "contradicts Catholic moral teachings on the necessity of maintaining the connection between the unitive and procreative aspects of marital love." And Nightmare On Elm Street not only contains "a pedophilia theme" but an "an implied nonmarital relationship."

In contrast, while in Jonah Hex "Scores die, by gunshot, ax, fire, dynamite, even rabid dogs" -- it's also "always clear that the bad guys go to hell." And so it's OK.

"Psychic Court" To Be Paranormal Courtroom Show

A pilot is being shopped around for a new twist on the courtroom TV genre: "Psychic Court."

On the show, Judge Larry Seidlin -- who made his claim to fame handling the 2007 court battle over Anna Nicole Smith's remains -- would consult tarot readers, psychics, astrologers, and faith-based mediums when deciding the cases brought before him.

Judge Seidlin explained the premise for the show:

"Psychics, clairvoyants and the telepathic are much like judges in that they possess tremendous intuition. I often rely on my intuition to determine who's being truthful and who's lying, and in 'Psychic Court' I'll benefit from the assistance of those who are experienced in the paranormal. It's going to be amazing."

Via SunSentinel

Medical Supply Company's Sexy Skeleton Pin-Up Calendar

Fleshy pin-up girls are for snobs! The babes in medical supply company EIZO's calendar are all strictly skeletons. Literally.


The X-Ray Girls in EIZO's pin-ups are shown in every detail. Perfect for the medical professional, or just those who want something a little different.

Via Geeks of Doom

Did Doctor Who Predict The End Of The World On June 26, 2010?

Astrologers point to the upcoming June 26th lunar eclipse & full moon as being of "global significance." Susan Miller of AstrologyZone.com says of the date, "You will be hearing all sorts of news, on TV and the rest of the media," and provides all sorts of ominous portents. Astrologer Penny Thorton has this to say about 6/26:

"I have been looking at this period of the year with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Major national and international events tend to cluster around eclipses and with this lunar eclipse in the sign of Capricorn closely conjunct Pluto there is an end of an era feel to the astrology."

Enter Doctor Who.

On June 26th the season finale of Doctor Who will air on the BBC. Called "The Big Bang," the episode not only features the exact date of 6/26/2010 in the storyline but invests the day with a cataclysmic import similar to those cited by the astrologers. Coincidence? A case of synchronicity? A dark portent for the future?

The special back-to-back screenings of the first two "Twilight" movies on that date, promoting the new movie "Eclipse," only seals the deal as far as we're concerned.

"The Great Doctor Who Conspiracy III: The Big Bang Theory"

Man Sells Letter Q On Ebay, Gets $9000+ In Bids

A film student put up the letter Q on eBay -- and has $9,000+ so far in bids!

The Q was drawn in marker on a piece of cardboard. The listing reads:

"Q is the 17th letter of the alphabet and would be a timeless addition to your collection of knickknacks, as the letter Q has survived as a member of the alphabet for centuries and will no doubt last for many centuries to come. You can buy this item knowing that one day, you will have a story to tell your grandchildren about the time you bought the letter Q on ebay.

I will throw in a letter U for free since Q is useless without its companion."

The letter Q will also come with a document testifying to its authenticity, the listing says, and the proceeds from the auction will go to the seller's college tuition.

The Letter Q - eBay

23 Michael Jackson Conspiracy Theories

While the late Michael Jackson was no stranger to far-out tabloid tales and urban legends when he was alive, his death spawned an unprecedented number of conspiracy theories. Here are 23 of them.

23. Michael Jackson was killed by the greedy hangers-on in his entourage.
In July of 2009 Michael Jackson's sister LaToya made several interviews with British newspapers alleging that members of Michael's circle felt he was "worth more dead than alive" and "killed" the pop star by a combination of overwork & drugs:

"I believe Michael was murdered - I felt that from the start. Not just one person was involved, rather it was a conspiracy of people. He was surrounded by a bad circle."

LaToya vowed not to stop investigating MJ's death until she found who was responsible. link

22. Michael Jackson is alive and well and living with Elvis Presley in a bunker under Graceland.
The website 68comeback claimed shortly after Jackson's reported passing that the singer was hiding out in a seven-story-deep bunker under Graceland with fellow death hoaxer Elvis Presley. Further, not only Michael & Elvis were living there, but other dead celebrities. As we will see, this is only one of many theories speculating that MJ is still alive. link

21. Michael Jackson gave a cryptic message regarding 2012 in footage shot for the documentary movie "This Is It"
Was MJ referring to possible apocalyptic 2012 events when he was filmed telling his crew: "We have four years to get it right or else it's irreversible"? Did the Illuminati get upset at Jackson "spilling the beans" and decided to shortly thereafter rub him out? video link

20. A Michael Jackson impostor was used for his March 2009 tour announcement at the 02 Arena.
Technically, this rumor started before MJ died, but was greatly elaborated on after his passing. Paul Harris of The Mail wrote an elaborate article questioning if it was truly MJ who made the announcement at 02, or a lookalike:

"But why use a lookalike? The (speculative) theory is that Jackson - filmed falling on the steps of his minibus before it left for the Arena - was either injured or too ill to appear in person. With millions at stake in ticket sales, who would be bold enough to disappoint the waiting fans and international broadcasters now?"

Other theories speculate that MJ might have died as much as two years previous to 2009, his double making all subsequent public appearances. Since Jackson had changed his face so much over the years...who would notice his replacement? video link

19. All the child molestation charges against Michael Jackson were trumped-up by the Illuminati in order to ruin his career
This is one of the most widely-believed conspiracy theories surrounding Michael Jackson. The theory goes: Michael Jackson was getting too popular and powerful, and so the Illuminati decided to elaborately frame him as a child molester as to destroy his fame and mental well-being. These theories overlap those of less esoteric sources like GQ's Mary A. Fisher and author Aphrodite Jones, who blame not the shadowy secret society but a combination of greedy parents and an overly-zealous news media. link

18. Michael Jackson was a big fan of Aleister Crowley, and allowed the influence of the infamous dead occultist to corrupt him.
I go into some of this theory in the post "Is Aleister Crowley on the Cover of Michael Jackson's Dangerous Album?" The basic idea is that Aleister Crowley was a big influence on rock and pop musicians in general over the decades, and MJ was no exception. While it is a fact that rock idols like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin admired Crowley, whether the King of Pop did is still under debate in conspiracy circles. video link

17. Michael Jackson was killed in order to gain access to his song catalogue.
Former MJ advisor Leonard Rowe claims in his book "What Really Happened To Michael Jackson" that the singer was specifically killed to gain access to his one billion dollar song catalogue. His theory dovetails into LaToya Jackson's 2009 's allegations regarding her brother's death and possible murder. Rowe, who claims to be a close personal friend of Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson, told RadarOnline:

"Michael always felt he would be killed for his catalogue. When he was speaking about it, I paid him no attention but as the latest events have unfolded, I couldn’t help but think about his statement -- and it still haunts me today."

16. Michael Jackson's memorial was filled with "Satanic" symbols.
While much was made in conspiracy circles about the symbols shown on the screen at MJ's memorial service, it should be noted that the symbols weren't "Satanic" at all but those of a number of religious faiths, including Christianity. video link

15. Michael Jackson is alive and well and assuming the identity of childhood burn victim Dave Dave.
In one of the weirder Michael Jackson Is Alive theories, the singer faked his death and assumed the identity of Dave Dave/David Rothenberg, a victim of severe childhood burns who MJ maintained a long friendship with. The theorists claim that a recent interview with Dave Dave on CNN's Larry King shows physical discrepancies that might indicate it is not really him but Michael Jackson in disguise. Dave Dave denied this claim on his MySpace page:

"Since the untimely passing of my friend, there has been much speculation regarding what I would call a "Death Hoax." This particular hoax is just a hoax."

link link 2

14. Michael Jackson was disguised as an old man in a fedora at his own funeral.
Was MJ, no stranger to disguising himself in public, that weird old man in the hat at his funeral? Some people think so. video link

13. There is video of an alive Michael Jackson stepping out of a coroner's van.
This video caused a big stir on the Internet when it first emerged, but was later admitted to be a hoax created by the German broadcaster RTL. link video link

12. Michael Jackson was a victim of the MK-ULTRA project.
This is one example of a grander conspiracy narrative that claims various celebrities and pop stars were part of a CIA plot as children to control their minds and influence the public. MJ's own tales of being abused as a child by his father are used as evidence for the theory. Roseanne Barr is said to have stated on her blog the following:

"joe jackson is an mk ultra operative
who's abuse of his own children was used to profit the CIA's programs that follow and study the effects of child abuse on the young, and how their minds can be controlled to such an extent, and with such abuse, that they can be forced to develop talent."

link

11. Michael Jackson was sighted at a train station in Ottawa shortly after his supposed death.
The creator of the Michael Jackson Sighting Society claims to have seen MJ alive and well in Canada:

"Late on Thursday night I was at the train station in Ottawa, Canada and I saw Michael Jackson alive! I only got a quick glance but when I returned home there was already buzz in Ottawa that other people had seen him as well. I was able to meet some of the other people who saw Michael alive, and that is why we decided to start the M.J.S.S."

link

10. Michael Jackson had dated the son of his dermatologist from 2008-2009.
Jason Pfeiffer, son of MJ's former dermatologist Dr. Arnie Klein, made allegations in May that he was engaged in a "passionate and sexual" relationship with the singer for the year leading up to his untimely passing. This conspiracy included alleged multiple death threats to Pfeiffer and Klein, and the theory that the "revelations" were timed to draw attention away from a TV special with author Aphrodite Jones about his death. link

9. Michael Jackson was a victim of the "law of threes" in celebrity deaths, rounding out a trio that included Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon.
Was MJ's death merely a result of the mysterious "law of threes" in celebrity deaths? link

8. Claims regarding Michael Jackson's plastic surgery have been greatly exaggerated.
YouTube user acucena's documentary "Changes" uses photo comparisons to demonstrate that MJ did not have as much plastic surgery as alleged in the media. This video is sometimes erroneously referred to as stating that Michael Jackson didn't have any plastic surgery. video link

7. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had Michael Jackson killed.
Jackson's death in June of 09 quickly overtook the Iranian student protests as Twitter Topic DuJour. Was this all part of Ahmadinejad's evil plan to distract the West in their support for the students? link

6. Omer Bhatti is Michael Jackson's secret son.
When 25-year-old Omer Bhatti was seated in the front row of Michael Jackson's memorial service, rumors flew that he was the singer's secret son. Since then there has been seeming confirmations of the Norwegian rapper's lineage by Jackson family members, and a denial by Bhatti himself. As of this writing, the Wikipedia page for Omer Bhatti has been deleted. link

5. The movie poster for the Michael Jackson movie "This Is It" was made to resemble the "Satanic" symbol Baphomet.
Proponents of the Illuminati-killed-MJ camp allege that the image of the singer on the official movie poster of "This Is It" was purposely made in the shape of the head of Baphomet. Others also link the image to Isis and other "occult' symbology. link.

4. Michael Jackson's three kids are in danger.
There are various theories related to the idea that MJ's three children are in possible danger. One suggests infamous poppa Joe Jackson plans to turn them into the next Jackson singing group (if you've followed stories about the elder Jackson's treatment of Michael, you can see how this would be a concern). Another cites the case where Jermaine Jackson's son pointed a stun gun at the children. Finally, as MJ's heirs, the three kids might face opposition from a number of sides. link

3. Michael Jackson left behind a "death hoax" diary.
A man named Derek Klontz claims to have exclusive access to Jackson's diary through a "family friend." The alleged diary paints a picture of an exhausted MJ who compares himself to Elvis towards the end of his life. There are also several cryptic quotes from the diary that might suggest the King of Pop might have planned a death hoax:

"If Elvis … (illegible) … so can I."
"I’ll come back, but only when I’m ready. Bigger than Elvis in ’69."
"“A back-from-dead tour, a real Thriller. But I have to rest. I’m tired. I’m not (thinking) clearly."

link

2. The spirit of Michael Jackson is communicating through psychic mediums and channels.
Since MJ's passing a number of psychic mediums have claimed to be in contact with him. Some claim to be the only true channel for Jackson, and that the singer himself has denounced the others as frauds. One of the most prominent supposed channels for MJ is Bonnie Vent, who claims to have received so much sensitive information from Michael through her sessions that she chooses to keep some of it private. Here is a sample of MJ beyond-the-grave:

"I was very confused at first. I had been in similar states of being many times and always came back to my life and went through my schedule just as directed. This time was different. The environment changed suddenly and I was trying to get back. I had done this successfully before but not this time. I can see many people around me but there was no noise... complete silence and it was wonderful…"

link video link

1. Michael Jackson's ghost was recorded during a CNN video tour of Neverland for Larry King.
Was the ghost of Michael Jackson recorded by a CNN film crew walking through Neverland? video link

Examining this list of Michael Jackson conspiracy theories and rumors that have flourished after his death, we can make several conclusions:

• Some people have a hard time accepting/believing he is dead.
  
• Some people have a hard time with the notion that he could have died just as a combination of drug abuse and possible medical malpractice -- such a banal passing not befitting someone of MJ's stature (see: theories regarding Elvis and "death by constipation").
• The standard "Illuminati" conspiracy theories have now been retrofitted to include Jackson as a key celebrity figure within its narrative.

One last note: I failed to mention in this list the subject of Michael Jackson's autopsy photos. It is rumored that his autopsy photos are being (understandably) suppressed but are circulating around the Internet and even made their way into a Japanese newspaper. I have had the extreme misfortune of clicking a link to the alleged photo in the newspaper in question. Whether the photo was real or Photoshopped, it was one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen in my life. I'm not touching the possibility of running into that image again with a ten-foot-pole. However, the fact that I have never seen the image again in general Google searches for Michael Jackson photos, nor in popular picture posting sites, leads me to believe in the possibility that the pic in the Japanese newspaper was real, and subsequently "scrubbed" from the Internet.

Counterfeit Condom Crisis In NYC

It's one thing to buy a counterfeit purse or watch...maybe the quality will be a little shabby, or the logo not look just right. But if you use a counterfeit condom, you might be in for a bit more trouble.

That's why federal officials are so concerned about fake Trojan condoms being smuggled in from China. The ersatz prophylactics are described by a prosecutor for the United States attorney’s office in Brooklyn as “a danger to the public.”

Counterfeit condoms are often made in unsterile conditions and lubricated with substances like vegetable oil. Because they bear trusted brand names like Trojan, Durex, or Rough Rider, the users of these bootleg rubbers are unaware that they may be putting themselves at risk.

Feds found more than half a million fake Trojans in a recent bust. These condoms did not have spermicide as advertised on the label, and leaked during water testing.

Via New York Times

Vuvuzela Fears For Pope

The vuvuzela-hatin' continues as the Vatican fears the instrument might mar Pope Benedict's visit to England in September.

The Archbishop of Westminster had this to say about the vuvuzelas, which were made popular during this year's World Cup in South Africa:

"I have had enough of them already."

The Archbishop worries that because people have gotten so used to using the instrument during sporting events, a few rogue persons might sound the plastic horns during the papal visit -- thus damaging the delicate papal eardrums.

Special care has traditionally been afforded to the Pope during his visits so he is not inconvenienced or offended in any way, as seen in the recent case in Malta where "panda graffiti" and a phallic statue were covered up.

No word as to whether there will be an official vuvuzela ban during the papal visit.

Via The Telegraph

Tea Party Confessional: "We're Playing To The Reptilian Brain"

The latest Playboy features a "confessional" by an alleged Tea Party consultant that claims, among other things, that he was paid to play to the "reptilian brain" of average Americans:

"We're playing to the reptilian brain rather than the logic centers, so we look for key words and images to leverage the intense rage and anxiety of white working-class conservatives...In other words, I talk to the same part of your brain that causes road rage."

The anonymous K street consultant also writes that one of the organizations he works for describes the methodology they will use to win the next election as "the black arts," and that Truthers (people who think 9/11 was an inside job) and Birthers (who think President Obama is not a real United States citizen) are considered to be pariahs:

"Here’s a good example of why some Tea Party members aren’t as stupid as you may think: They know the birther argument is a loser. (That’s the theory that President Barack Obama’s missing birth certificate is the key to unlocking a vast conspiracy.) It’s no secret people think my friends are crazy; they are hypersensitive about being considered conspiracy theorists. Truthers are equally unwelcome."

So adamant is the Tea Party to distance themselves from "conspiracy nuts," the consultant alleges, that:

"Our candidate-interview process is pretty simple. The candidate is asked two questions:
(1) Are you a birther?
(2) Are you a truther?
If the answer is anything but "no" or "hell no," the conversation ends right there. If the candidate answers correctly, the conversation continues, looking at viability and whether we can have a worthwhile impact. The reality of this litmus test is as patriotic as practical. Donors don’t contribute to lunatics."

This is all very interesting in light of the fact that much of the Tea Party is seen through the lens of the media (outside of Fox News) as being very paranoid and prone to conspiracy theories. The leaders of, and consultants to, the Tea Party seem anxious to weed such people as the Truthers and Birthers out of their organization -- but one wonders how much of that very same "lunatic fringe" is fueling their grassroots efforts.

Also, the idea crossed my mind that this "confessional" to Playboy was in itself highly calculated to get the "word" out to the public that the Tea Party is in the process of ridding themselves of that fringe.

Via Playboy

Airlines Worker Finds Box Filled With Human Heads

"Eight Heads In A Duffel Bag" has nothing on the 40-60 partial and whole human heads found by a Southwest Airlines worker in Arkansas.

The heads were bound for a medical lab in Fort Worth, Texas -- but the package was flagged for being improperly packed and labeled. For example, instead of being vacuum-packed, the heads were sealed in plastic containers using duct tape.

While Southwest Airlines does ship human specimens for research purposes, the package apparently did not meet their standard. It is unclear if any headway has been made in getting the box to where it needs to go.

Via NPR

Westboro Baptist Church Hates The USA Flag

The controversial Westboro Baptist Church issued a press release just in time for Flag Day slamming the Stars and Stripes as being an "impotent blood-soaked feces-stained semen-slathered f*g flag."

Nobody knows why the ire of the WBC has suddenly turned to the flag of the United States, other than an attempt to make their brand of irrational hatred seasonal, and perhaps reuse their existing "God Hates F*gs" signs by just adding one hastily scrawled letter with a Sharpie.

The WBC also helpfully penned an anti-Flag Day song:

"You're a filthy flag; you're a red, bloody flag
And the perverts they love you to wave"

The Westboro Baptist Church is of course one of America's most edgy and original improvisational comedy troupes. They exist solely on the publicity and chthonic lifeforce generated by the media who apparently can't get enough of their adorable antics

Via Denver Westword

Editorial: The Legion Of Concerned Moms

Whether they are protecting their children from talking dolls who make death threats, or finding phallic-shaped bonbons in their box of candy, or discovering cigarettes at the bottom of a Happy Meal -- mothers are the first line of defense for the world's youth. A week does not go by in which I do not read at least two news stories about shocked moms discovering something evil. Moms are like that. Moms get things done. They'll sue you silly.

Take the recent case of the Wendy's free karaoke CD that included the Donna Summer song "Last Dance." Upset mothers complained that they could hear the phrase "so horny" in the song. As the CD was marked "safe" for three-year-olds, that sort of ribald lyric just would not fly. And so Wendy's, fearing the wrath of the Legion of Concerned Moms, pulled the CD.


But was pulling the karaoke CD enough to fix the damage done by 3-year-olds hearing the word "horny?" How do you take that time back, that fallen innocence, that moment when you were all in the car listening to a Wendy's karaoke CD and the word "horny" played? "Mommy, what does that word mean?"

Now a whole unwanted dialogue emerges, a dialogue regarding when a man and woman love each other very much, or maybe don't really love each other, or maybe it's two guys, or maybe when a man loves himself very much. The specifics don't matter. The point is: Donna Summer just borked the childhood of your spawn with her filthy lyrics. What now?


The only real remedy the Legion of Concerned Moms should take, it seems to me, is to sue sue sue sue sue. That cigarette at the bottom of the Happy Meal? Your baby could have lit that up and started a lifelong addiction to tobacco! And the Cadbury chocolate shaped like a penis? Your child could have assumed all genitalia is made out of chocolate. You know what happens to kids who are faced with such things?


Yep, that's what happens. Your child grows up to be Joran Van Der Sloot. It is rumored that Van Der Sloot accidentally listened to an adult version of Father Abraham's "The Smurf Song" on a Dutch fast food karaoke CD.

So The Daily 23 -- and the law firm of Ossning, Ossning, Ossning, and Ferrazzi -- salute the legions of concerned moms out there who keep finding messed up things and contacting the local news.

Newsweek To Feature Cover Depicting Sarah Palin As "Saint"

An upcoming issue of the magazine Newsweek is deifying Sarah Palin...literally!

The one-time vice-presidential nominee is depicted on the cover clasping her hands in prayer, a halo around her head. The headline is "Saint Sarah."

A quote from the accompanying article, "How Palin is Reshaping The Religious Right," casts her in an even more divine -- and messianic -- light:

"To millions of women, Palin’s authenticity makes her a sister in arms—“Sisters!” she called out in Washington, as if at a revival—a beautiful, fearless, principled fighter who shares their struggles. To a smaller number, she is a prophet, ordained by God for a special role in the cosmic battle against the forces of evil."

In response to the Newsweek cover, Vanity Fair came up with their own Photoshopped versions of the saintly image including one of her as "Sarahstopheles":

Researcher Says Alien Tech Could Clean Up BP Oil Spill

Denver "Alien Expert" Jeff Peckman claims that the alien technology exists to clean up the BP oil spill, citing information given to him by "whistle-blowers."

Peckman is quoted by the Denver Daily News as saying:

"More recent messages coming from this direction or that direction have affirmed that there are such technologies in existence that could be made available to us once there is open contact, acknowledgment and diplomatic relations with these advanced extraterrestrial cultures..."

Peckman is currently running a Denver ballot initiative to that would create a commission to study extraterrestrial affairs, and credits popular movies like Avatar for increasing public interest in such issues. He hopes that the proposed commission will foster better relations between humans and aliens, and allow us to benefit from the higher-advanced alien technology.

"This initiative would help just in raising the awareness that there are such technologies that have been available and even known by our government for decades that could produce clean energy technology, cure cancer, cleanup the environment — a wide range of technologies that have been there..."

The commission would feature a seven-person panel, and be funded by grants and donations. The public will vote on the initiative in November.

Keanu Reeves, Paul Mounet, and the Bill and Ted Connection

The uncanny resemblance between Keanu Reeves and 1800s actor Paul Mounet (click here for info & pics) doesn't end with just them! A past-life researcher claims that Mounet/Reeves was part of a "soul group" that all reincarnated around the same time to be together again -- and included Reeves's Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure co-stars Alex Winter and George Carlin!

Brianstalin claims that Paul Mounet's actor brother, Jean Mounet-Sully, eventually reincarnated as famed comedian/actor George Carlin:


And that Mounet-Sully's childhood friend, Samuel-Jean Pozzi, would eventually return to our time period as Reeves's movie co-star Alex Winter:


If true, this would make the film Reeves, Winter, and Carlin did together, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, especially ironic -- a story of time-travel and the past meeting the present!

Brianstalin claims to have discovered these and other reincarnated celebrities & world figures by accessing the Akashic Record -- a metaphysical repository of sorts that contains all information from everywhere -- via use of meditation and a pendulum.

The Brianstalin Keanu Reeves page

The Brief Life Of Ohio's "Touchdown Jesus"

On June 14 a familiar southwest Ohio landmark was struck by lightning and subsequently burned to the ground: "Touchdown Jesus." The six-story statue had depicted Jesus Christ, his arms raised up to heaven, apparently emerging from the water; it received the nickname "Touchdown Jesus" after the way it looked like He was signaling a touchdown in football.

Finished in 2004 by artist James Lynch, who had created other larger-than-life sculptures for Disney World and Ceasar's Big Neptune, the "King of Kings" statue was constructed from plastic foam and fiberglass over a metal frame. For six years it stood in front of Monroe's "mega church" Solid Rock, a perfect backdrop for baptisms and highly visible from the I-75. Solid Rock Church believed it might be one of the biggest Jesus statues in the world, and even submitted it to the Guinness World Records.

Reaction to the statue by the locals was mixed, however. According to the site Roadside America, a poll indicated that 25% of residents felt that the sculpture was a "Godsend, good for Monroe," while 75% found that it was an "Eyesore." And comedian Heywood Banks even created a song in its "honor"-- "Big Butter Jesus".


Now that Touchdown Jesus has essentially exploded due to an act of God, how will Solid Rock explain this event? Was it a Job-like tragedy designed to test their faith? Was the incident a warning about creating and worshiping graven images? Some sort of "divine commentary" of the state of society?

At any rate, there are already plans to resurrect "Touchdown Jesus."

52-Year-Old CA Construction Worker Caught Trying To Kill Bin Laden

Gary Brooks Faulkner didn't just talk the talk about fighting terrorism and bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice. He also walked the walk -- all the way to Pakistan. With a pistol, a 40-inch sword and night-vision goggles. So he could personally cut off Bin Laden's head.

The 52-year-old construction worker from California was detained by police in Pakistan. When asked by authorities why he was carrying the weapons, Faulkner frankly responded that he wished to "decapitate" Osama Bin Laden.

Faulkner's relatives said that he was a very religious man who was dying of kidney disease. His brother Scott told CNN,

"Osama had made some references to our God, the God of the Bible, in a poor light, and the fact that he was taunting America and getting away with killing thousands of Americans, my brother took that very personally."

Via The NY Post

Cow Executed For Seducing Man

When Busti Ngurah Alit was caught having sex with a cow, he did the only thing he could do in such an uncomfortable situation -- claim the cow totally asked for it!

The 18-year-old Indonesian man was caught standing naked while holding the back end of the cow. He claimed he thought that from behind it was the form of a beautiful woman who had seduced him. Alit's elders then made him marry the cow in a cleansing ritual, during which he understandably fainted.

Finally, the cow was drowned in a river to rid the town of any bad luck brought on by the man/cow coupling. Hardly seems fair to the hapless cow.

Via Say What?

Tila Tequila Writes About "Popstars That Worship Satan"

Online celebrity/offline pseudo-celebrity Tila Tequila has recently written extensively on her blog about "popstars that worship satan" and the Illuminati. To readers of such sites as Vigilant Citizen and Pseudo-Occult Media, Tequila's revelations might seem like old hat. But the diminutive model/personality seems determined to educate the masses as to the Conspiracy.

Among the highlights from her latest post are:

"For instance, At first I was hesitant to post and speak out about it, and expose all of the Devil Worshipers, a lot of them, who are sadly your idols. They signed a deal with the Devil and sadly, you guys fell for it, Let me start breaking it down to you deeper without going TOO DEEP, as to not cause too much influence and commotion, oh cuz you best believe they will find ways to blacklist me and shut me out. As a matter of fact, There is a certain HUUUUUUUUUGE “celebrity gossip blog” that has already put me on their “BLACKLIST” I know this because my friend works at their office. I won’t say which site but to give you a hint, this gossip site also has their own TV show and you know what’s fucked up? The big boss at that company had a group meeting and he was telling them that things are gonna start changing around the office because he has joined forces with the “NEW WORLD ORDER!” WTF!"

Is Ms. Tequila insinuating that a site like perhaps TMZ has officially joined forces with the New World Order? How would such a development impact the objectivity of their normally sterling journalism?

She also names names as to who she suspects has sold their soul to the devil for fame and riches:

"Right now I can honestly tell you a gripfull of people who have signed their soul away to the devil: Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Xtina Taylor Swift, Nichole from PussyCatDolls, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and the list goes on and on and on. For those of you who are fans of these people, I am sorry, you don’t have to believe me, but it is TRUE!"

And finally, Tequila sounds the alarms and paints a pessimistic picture of the future:

"Like I said, I have been studying and following this for 7 years now. The reason why I am speaking out now? Cuz they have sent off a “RED ALERT” that means they know something about the world ending and staring a ONE WORLD ORDER! Soon there will not be anymore “CASH” everything will be made of chips. Chips in your passport, chips will have to be injected in ALL OF THE BABIES BORN IN THE FUTURE! SO they will ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE, WHAT YOU ARE DOING! AHhhhhh! Scary shit!"

Tila Tequila promises a "Part 3" of her eye-opening series -- so stay tuned!

Tori Spelling's Dad Helping Her Marriage From Beyond The Grave

Famous dead TV producer Aaron Spelling wants to keep daughter Tori's marriage on the right track -- according to well-known psychic Kenny Kingston.

Kingston is pushing for Tori and her husband Dean McDermott to have a seance with him and contact Aaron for some good old fatherly advice. The psychic confirms that Dad is often a presence in their house.

Kingston told WENN:

"I predict that Tori Spelling and her husband Dean will realise that a good spirit is in their home. I can tell them that the spirit is her beloved father Aaron. He wants them to stay married."

Aaron Spelling created such classic TV shows as Charlie's Angels. It's great to know that now he's an angel himself.

Via Contact Music

Man Shot In The Mouth, Spits Out Bullet

Just call him "Superman!" A Chicago man was shot in the mouth as he walked down the street -- and subsequently spit the bullet out!

The bullet pierced the 39-year-old man's flesh but didn't penetrate the rest of his body. Instead, the bullet simply knocked his tooth out and was stopped in its tracks. He then spit the used shell out of his mouth. The unidentified man was then taken to Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center, where he was listed in "stable" condition.

It pays to have good dental hygiene!

Via My Fox Chicago

Scientists Map Ozzy Osbourne's Genes To Find Out Why He's Still Alive

You might be wondering how heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne is still alive after decades of intense alcohol and drug abuse. Now scientists are scouring his genetic code for a definitive answer.

Osbourne is only one of very few people in the world who has his full genetic sequence analyzed, a £27,000 test. The American company Knome will research his genes in order to figure out how hard-rockers such as Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Ron Wood, and more manage to survive more substance abuse than the average person.

Osbourne has bit the head off a rat, broke his neck, drank four bottles of Cognac in one day, tried to strangle his wife Sharon, and has been on a self-described "40 year bender."

Perhaps if we discovered the genetic secret to his longevity, we too could one day do all those things and more.

Via Sky News

How To Make A Tarantula Cocktail

A tarantula cocktail might sound frightening -- but in Cambodia it's considered quite the aphrodisiac!

The creepy-crawly cocktail is made of jackfruit, rice wine, and one live tarantula. Live tarantulas ensure the freshness of your drink. The cocktail is thought to promote heart health as well as make one more frisky in the sack.

The trade in spiders-as-food is nothing new in Cambodia, though only recently has it come to the attention of curious tourists. You can also purchase fried tarantula to nosh on.

Via MetroUK

Justin Bieber Syphilis Rumor Rises To #1 Google Trend

A rumor that teen heartthrob Justin Bieber has syphilis has made it to the top of Google's trends. The search term "Justin Bieber Syphilis" is currently #1 on Google, as legions of adolescent girls, concerned that their idol is a feverish sore-covered victim of an STD, frantically type with their little fingers all over the United States.

The rumor was started by the popular website 4chan.

4chan's "Anonymous" wrote on the site,

"Go to Google and search ‘Justin Bieber Syphilis’. Let’s get this to be No. 1 searched phrase on Google Trends. Use an autoclicker or macro if possible and get others involved. Unlike a death rumor, this will be hard for him to disprove..."

We at the Daily 23 are not necessarily fans of Bieber or know exactly what it is he does...but wish him well nonetheless.

Via Politically Illustrated