The largest city state ever to exist in Mesoamerica may have drawn its power from a spine-chilling lust for shiny objects and human blood‚ both of which could be satisfied by the razor-sharp volcanic glass known as obsidian. According to a new analysis of a sacrificial temple within the pre-Columbian city of Teotihuacan‚ the populace’s fascination with this reflective material resulted in a cult-like obsession with mirrors and blood-spilling‚ all of which became inextricably linked to the expansion of the empire.Predating the Aztec civilization by over 1‚000 years‚ the ancient metropolis of Teotihuacan thrived in central Mexico from 100 BCE to 800 CE. As in many other Mesoamerican cultures‚ the city’s elites suffered from what scholars refer to as a “reflective surface complex”‚ and regularly used pyrite and obsidian mirrors as oracular tools to divine the future and communicate with the gods.However‚ according to a new study by Dr Trenton D Barnes of Williams College‚ this magpie-esque fancy for shimmery surfaces ran much deeper than mere soothsaying and inspired some truly horrifying practices. Evidence for this bloody mirror cult‚ he says‚ can be found at the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent‚ the third largest structure in the iconic ancient city.According to Barnes‚ the temple was adorned with hundreds of “monumental sculptures [depicting] mirrors from which emerged the deity Feathered Serpent‚ later called Quetzalcoatl among the Nahuatl-speaking Mexica Aztecs.” Sadly‚ the site has been repeatedly ransacked since it was constructed in around 200 CE‚ yet one of the statues still retains the reflective obsidian disks that were originally embedded within its eye sockets.“Potentially hundreds of mirrors of this sort were originally incorporated into the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent's facade‚” writes Barnes. “Towards the end of a clear day‚ as the sun neared the western horizon‚ the sculptured heads’ black eyes would have burst aflame with reflected light.”Yet the temple was far more than just a glorified disco ball. Beneath the pyramid‚ archaeologists have discovered the skeletons of around 200 human sacrifices‚ making this the largest ritual killing ever to have occurred in Mesoamerica at the time.Deposited among these sacrificial remains are large numbers of obsidian blades and projectile points‚ suggesting that the material was used as a means of spilling blood and ritually extinguishing human life. Thus‚ through obsidian‚ a clear connection between mirrors and blood is established.Putting this into historical context‚ Barnes notes that the construction of the pyramid coincided with a massive increase in obsidian mining and importation at Teotihuacan. Not only did this provide access to more mirrors‚ it also secured the raw materials with which the bloody weapons of the empire were crafted.It is therefore significant that many of the sacrificial victims found beneath the pyramid appear to be from foreign lands. Seen in this light‚ Barnes argues that the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent was constructed as a means of cementing Teotihuacan’s power by codifying the connection between blood and mirrors‚ thus standing as a monument to the city’s “martially expansionist and imperialist state ideology”.“From the time of this structure's completion‚ blood and mirrors‚ obsidian implements preeminent among the latter grouping‚ became paired in the Teotihuacan [cosmology]‚” he writes. In other words‚ the mirror cult appears to have really taken off in Teotihuacan just as the use of obsidian for warring weapons and sacrificial blades became widespread. Given that both war and human sacrifice were fundamental to the establishment of political control‚ the religious association between blood and mirrors can be seen as a key component of the state’s imperial ambitions.“More metaphorically‚ the mirror alluded to the state's capacity to spill blood with obsidian‚” concludes Barnes.The study is published in the journal Ancient Mesoamerica.

Get ready for a story that’s guaranteed to warm your heart. This tale transcends the age-old debate between dog lovers and cat aficionados‚ proving there’s plenty of love to go around for both. As we embark on this journey‚ prepare to become a fan of both furry friends‚ as their story is nothing short of... The post Giant 135-pound Mastiff becomes completely ‘obsessed’ with tiniest kitten appeared first on Animal Channel.

In the enchanting realm of animal friendships‚ there’s a tale that warms the heart with its sheer adorability and wonder—a kitten leading a trio of ducklings on an afternoon escapade through the wilds of a riverside. This delightful‚ bumbling‚ and curious assembly has captured the hearts of viewers across the globe. Their video is proving‚... The post Adorable video of a kitten chaperoning 3 ducklings on an outdoor playdate gets 2.8M views appeared first on Animal Channel.

I hate to say it  - but this isn’t shocking information. A study published in The Journal of Urology indicated that the attempted-suicide rate among transgender women‚ so men‚ was twice as high after those “women” received a vaginoplasty than before. That’s right‚ it appears that surgically harming yourself doesn’t solve depression. Journalist Benjamin Ryan tweeted about the study on Monday and pointed out how gender-transition treatment isn’t life saving. Though the study is from 2021‚ this is the first many of us have heard about it‚ likely because it’s results point out the fact that these treatments are the opposite of “care.” Researchers analyzed data on 868 people who got their penis turned into a “vagina.” I placed air quotes around that word because the only one who can actually make a vagina is God. Nonetheless‚ the study also looked at 357 people who did the reverse and got their vagina turned into a “penis.” “Among those receiving a vaginoplasty‚ the rate of suicide attempts was twice as high after the surgery‚ at 3.3%‚ compared with before‚ at 1.5%‚” Ryan wrote on X. This makes total sense. If I cut off my genitalia‚ I’d probably be suicidal too. Other than suicide rates‚ the study indicates that patients who experience a vaginoplasty have other complications as well. The study refers to these people as having an “adult acquired buried penis (AABP). “Patients living with AABP experience profound negative impacts on quality of life including urinary and sexual function‚ social life‚ and mental health‚” the study pointed out before emphasizing that these types of patients are worse off after receiving such “care.” Rates of psychiatric emergencies are high both before and after gender affirming surgery. Although both the phalloplasty and vaginoplasty patients have similar overall rates of psychiatric encounters‚ suicide attempts are more common in the later. In fact‚ our observed rate of suicide attempts in the phalloplasty group is actually similar to the general population‚ while the vaginoplasty group's rate is more than double that of the general population. Patients undergoing GAS [Gender-Affirming Surgery] with a history of prior psychiatric emergences or feminizing  transition  are  at  higher  risk  and  should be counseled appropriately. The results of this study should be shared everywhere so the public is made aware of the fact that we’ve been touting this whole time: Healthcare shouldn’t cause harm. If it does‚ it’s not “care.” Then again‚ it wouldn’t surprise me if‚ even knowing the results of this study‚ the left chooses to ignore the facts to push their agendas and pro-trans ideologies. After all‚ that's what they're best at.    

The network evening newscasts all led their programs on Tuesday night with the House testimony of special counsel Robert Hur‚ presenting it as a bipartisan grilling over his report declining to prosecute President Biden for his willful retention of classified documents for decades. All three surely upset Democrats by putting Hur's words on screen that Biden would present to a jury was a well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. But that's why Hur declined to prosecute: that Biden did willfully retain classified documents‚ but that a jury would find reasonable doubt in Biden's intentions. If your standard was letting both parties and the special counsel have their say‚ the networks all satisfied that standard. NBC and White House reporter Gabe Gutierrez was the sharpest and most substantive‚ while ABC and their White House repeater Mary Bruce concluded with spin that Biden’s interview with Hur had “vivid” moments and he was “joking” with interviewers. Gutierrez went back to underline that Biden yelled at a press conference that Hur bringing up his son Beau was none of his "damn business." He noted "the transcript of Hur's interview released today confirmed it was the president himself who brought up his son's death‚ as NBC previously reported." Then viewers say Gutierrez pressing White House counsel spokesman Ian Sams "Why did the president say it was Robert Hur who brought up his son's death when the transcript shows otherwise?" Sams evaded the question.   On ABC‚ anchor David Muir summarized that Hur "recently decided not to prosecute President Biden for his handling of classified documents‚ but went on to criticize Biden's memory in his report." Mary Bruce spun Biden's memory -- never noting Biden couldn't remember on multiple occasions whether he was vice president in 2009 (he was). Bruce said "he can recall the day his son died‚ but not the year‚ and has to be prompted by the staff. But the president offers vivid descriptions of years-old events. he's conversational‚ he jokes around with interviewers‚ and yes‚ he does go off on tangents‚ but that is not unusual for this president." On Tuesday's 'World News Tonight‚' ABC gave a whopping 29 seconds to Hur "forcefully pushing back" on Pramila Jayapal's spin of "exoneration." Mary Bruce touted Biden as "nuanced‚" sure‚ he had a few lapses‚ but he was also "vivid" in his answers and "joking" with interviewers. pic.twitter.com/jyjRCtCRdJ — Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) March 13‚ 2024 It was odd that Muir pitched the Jayapal-Hur exchange on exoneration as "That sums up the day." By the morning‚ the Hur story receded. All three networks led with the debate over forcing TikTok to divest from its communist-China backers. ABC seemed eager to “move on‚” as Biden spokesman Ian Sams insisted. Hur was nowhere in their top of the show summary. Their lead items (all deemed more important than Biden's misuse of classified documents) were: Putin throws another nuclear threat over Ukraine The TikTok debate in Congress Boeing trying to regain its image Measles on the rise The dark side of Nickelodeon for child actors Ikea price cuts Actress Christina Applegate’s interview on her multiple sclerosis. In the morning report‚ Mary Bruce found "both sides furious‚" tilted the spin and soundbites toward the Democrats‚ airing only one soundbite from Rep. Tom McClintock‚ but airing Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff‚ Ted Lieu‚ and Pramila Jayapal. None of the networks made one important point about oversight and politics: the House Republicans are holding hearings on Biden where the Democrats are allowed to staunchly defend their leader and viciously attack Trump....unlike the airless Pelosi-Picked Panel hearings‚ which never allowed in any Republicans to defend Trump‚ even the witnesses (live and on videotape). 

MRC Free Speech America Vice President Dan Schneider spoke up in favor of a congressional bill forcing Chinese Communist Party-controlled company ByteDance to sell TikTok‚ ending a major foreign influence threat.  During the March 13 edition of First Edition on Newsmax 2‚ Schneider called for action against TikTok. Schneider told First Edition hosts John Burnett and Betsy McCaughey that “Right now‚ China is such a threat to America that they are actively infiltrating America right now with troops with data‚ scouring the internet for all of our information. They are working to control us and TikTok is their number one tool and it’s got to be stopped." The interview took place shortly before the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” to ban TikTok by a vote of 352-65 with one abstention.  In response to criticism of the bill‚ Schneider pointed out that the legislation only applies to a narrow group of American adversaries: China‚ Russia‚ North Korea and Iran. Schneider expanded on the specific threat posed by TikTok to young American minds. Schneider said that the “Chinese have already been forcing TikTok to promote Chinese propaganda and to promote the policies of the Chinese Communist Party. Right after the Hamas attacks on Israel‚ we saw this where the Chinese Communist Party policies were being pushed onto TikTok viewers.”  Schneider noted that the threat was not limited to just propaganda‚ giving several examples of how the CCP could benefit from continuing to mine data on Americans. “When we have U.S. servicemen‚ U.S. Air Force pilots‚ Navy seals who may have a TikTok account‚ the Chinese communists know exactly where they are at all times‚” Schneider warned. “They know if Seal Team Six has been deployed to the Taiwanese Strait. They know whether U.S. Servicemen in the First Infantry Division are being sent to South Korea. They can track where we are.”  But the data mining gets even scarier. Schneider noted that Beijing — through TikTok — has “access to our bank accounts. If you’ve got TikTok on your phone‚ the Chinese own your phone.” He continued: “They own your data‚ they own everything about you. And that is a serious threat that has got to be addressed.” Conservatives are under attack! Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency‚ clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored‚ contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form‚ and help us hold Big Tech accountable

Throughout the annals of history‚ mankind has derived immense pleasure from the art of storytelling‚ a cherished tradition that transcends generations. The post Four survival stories that can teach you a lot appeared first on Survivopedia.

A retired Oakland‚ California‚ judge told KTVU on Saturday that the mayor‚ Sheng Thao (D)‚ has "ruined our city."Alameda Superior Court Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte is spearheading a recall effort to oust Thao over claims the mayor has "caused a number of problems.""She didn't inherit all these problems‚" Harbin-Forte told KTVU. "People who say give her more time. More time to do what? She has ruined our city."Thao removed Harbin-Forte from the Oakland Police Commission last year. The retired judge called her removal a "badge of honor."Victory Baptist Church Pastor Marty Jenkins expressed his frustration with the mayor during a recall rally over the weekend."Look at the potholes. Look at homelessness. Look at the jobs. Look at the businesses that are leaving Oakland‚" he stated.Edward Escobar of Citizens Unite told the rally attendees‚ "We are not getting the services we deserve throughout‚ and the crime is spreading."Tuan Ngo of Asians Unite remarked‚ "She either resigns or gets recalled because she's not doing her job‚ and we see the consequences for her failure every day."The recall effort must collect at least 25‚000 signatures from registered voters by July to get on the ballot. According to Seneca Scott‚ the recall's organizer‚ the campaign should reach the minimum number of signatures months before the deadline."Twelve-thousand five-hundred people plus who have signed already to recall Mayor Sheng Thao‚" Scott said. The recall petition is only three weeks into the signature gathering. Taco Bell recently announced that it would no longer offer indoor dining at its Oakland locations‚ citing an uptick in crime. Scott responded to the news in a recent post on X‚ writing‚ "Oakland is ground zero for 'progressive' policies that intentionally fail the working class. It's all part of their sick‚ twisted plan. Oakland neighbors have awaken [sic] and we are now fighting against these bad actors."The area's crime wave has also pushed many other businesses to announce closures‚ including Denny's‚ In-N-Out‚ Black Bear Diner‚ Subway‚ and Starbucks. Some business owners recently declared that they would refuse to pay taxes if the city continues to ignore the uptick in criminal activity. Thao told KTVU‚ "My focus is fighting for a safer‚ more affordable and more prosperous Oakland. I ask Oaklanders to help me achieve that vision with hope and collaboration and push aside fear and division. Let's bring our community together to fight for the city we love."Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price‚ known for her progressive‚ soft-on-crime policies‚ is also facing a recall effort launched by fed-up Oakland residents. The campaign submitted signatures for verification earlier this month.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The latest research from Pew showed that nearly three-quarters of teenagers feel at ease without their phones at times‚ but half of teens surveyed also said they still feel anxiety without their device.New data from the Pew Research Center titled "How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time" explored how teens and parents are reacting to the amount of time they use their devices‚ how it makes them feel‚ and how they feel without it.While four in 10 teenagers said they spend too much time on their phones‚ just 27% of American teens said they spend too much time on social media.It is generally girls who are more likely to say they have tried to cut back on their use of their phone or social media‚ although the majority (61.5%) of both genders said they have not.However‚ it is teenagers' emotions regarding how they feel when they are not with their devices that is perhaps most telling. When it comes to what they feel when they do not have their smartphone with them‚ 74% said they often or sometimes feel happy. At the same time‚ 72% said that they often or sometimes feel peaceful.The troubling responses come in the form of feelings of anxiety‚ which 44% said they often or sometimes feel‚ while becoming upset or lonely was noted by 40% and 39% of teenagers‚ respectively.Older girls are the most likely category to feel anxious without their phones. The majority of girls 15 to 17 years old (55%) have felt this‚ which was 15 points higher than the next closest demographic of younger teen girls ages 13 to 14. — (@) The children believe that their phones' benefit outweighs the harms they may cause‚ however‚ with 70% agreeing with that sentiment. Why? They say phones make it easier to pursue their hobbies and interests (69%) or be creative (65%)‚ while around half of the responding teenagers said that it helps them "do well in school" (45%).Teens and parents have different views on adults' cell phone usage‚ too. Teenagers who say that their parent is often or sometimes distracted by their phone when having a conversation with them totaled 46%. Parents disagreed‚ with just 31% saying they were too distracted to carry on conversations with their kids at times. None of this has stopped parents from looking through their teenagers phones‚ however.Half of parents surveyed said they look through their teen's smartphone‚ and most of the kids have noticed‚ too. It seems 43% of teens seemed to be aware their parents were looking into what they do on their phones‚ although that figure could also include kids who were suspicious of innocent parents.According to Pew‚ 1‚453 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17‚ along with their parents‚ were surveyed between Sept. 26 and Oct. 23‚ 2023‚ for the study.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Fulton County judge who will soon determine whether DA Fani Willis will be dismissed from the alleged election interference case in Georgia has just tossed a number of charges in that same case.On Wednesday‚ Judge Scott McAfee dismissed six total counts of solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer — essentially asking officials‚ such as the Georgia secretary of state or members of the state legislature‚ to violate their sworn duties — issued against six co-defendants in the case. Three of those six counts had been assessed against former President Donald Trump.In his ruling‚ McAfee suggested that the charges were simply too vague‚ claiming that they "contain all the essential elements of the crimes" but "fail to allege sufficient detail regarding the nature of their commission.""They do not give the Defendants enough information to prepare their defenses intelligently‚ as the Defendants could have violated the Constitutions and thus the statute in dozens‚ if not hundreds‚ of distinct ways."McAfee likewise added that the charges were "so generic" and their flaws so "fatal" "as to compel" him to side with the defendants who had petitioned for their dismissal. Those defendants include Trump‚ Rudy Giuliani‚ Mark Meadows‚ John Eastman‚ and others. Defendants Kenneth Chesebro‚ Sidney Powell‚ Jenna Ellis‚ and Scott Hall have already accepted plea deals in the case.Trump was originally charged with 13 counts in Georgia last August‚ and he pled not guilty to all of them. Now that Judge McAfee has quashed three of them‚ he is down to 10.Judge McAfee is also expected to rule sometime this week whether Willis will remain as lead prosecutor in the RICO election interference case. Willis has been accused of misconduct after her romantic relationship with fellow prosecutor Nathan Wade came to light. As some have alleged that their relationship began before Willis hired Wade and that Wade's position on the prosecutorial team put hundreds of thousands of dollars in his pocket that he could then use to wine and dine Willis‚ the relationship is seen as a possible conflict of interest.There are also allegations that Willis and Wade lied to the court on the stand and in some court documents regarding their relationship.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!