from The New American: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Matt Margolis‚ PJ Media: During his testimony in the impeachment inquiry‚ James Biden admitted that a Chinese government-linked company‚ CEFC China Energy‚ funded a $40‚000 check that went to Joe Biden in 2017. James Biden claimed that he did not believe that CEFC China Energy was under the control of the CCP. He clarified‚ […]

from DailyClout: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

Have you ever wondered why opening something as innocuous as Tylenol is so difficult? Or why all over-the-counter medication bottles seem to have that annoying seal? You may have heard these precautions called child-proof lids–but there’s also a much darker history behind them.  In 1982‚ between September 29 and 30‚ seven people died sudden‚ shocking deaths seemingly out of nowhere. It would soon be revealed that the same thing had killed all of them–cyanide-laced Tylenol. These deaths would come to be known as the Tylenol murders.  In this article‚ we’ll recount the tragic timeline of the Tylenol murders‚ explain how poisoning so many people in different parts of Chicago was possible‚ and what exactly we know today about the mysterious poisoner.  The seven victims of the cyanide-laced Tylenol. Clockwise top left are Adam Janus‚ Mary McFarland‚ Mary “Lynn” Reiner‚ Terri and Stanley Janus‚ Paula Prince and Mary Kellerman. Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tylenol Murders: A Timeline of Events  While the effects of the Tylenol murders spanned months‚ all seven deaths occurred in just two days–September 29 and 30. It was a frantic race to find the connection between the deaths to prevent more. Here is a timeline of events: September 29‚ 1982 Mary Kellerman‚ a 12-year-old girl from Elk Grove Village dies after taking Extra Strength Tylenol. Adam Janus dies after taking Tylenol for chest pains.  Stanley Janus‚ Adam’s brother‚ takes Tylenol from the same bottle as Adam before offering it to his wife. Stanley dies shortly after. Theresa Janus‚ Adam’s wife‚ takes the pills offered to her by her husband‚ and also dies. Five bottles of tainted Tylenol are found at the various crime scenes. Nurse Helen Jensen connects the deaths of the three Janus family members to Tylenol. September 30‚ 1982 Mary Reiner‚ a new mother‚ takes Tylenol and dies almost immediately.  Mary McFarland takes Tylenol while on break from her mall job and collapses‚ later dying. Paula Price was alone in her condo when she took contaminated Tylenol. She was found dead in her home 2 days later.  Cyanide is found to be the cause of death in the murders. Tylenol begins to be pulled from store shelves.  October 1‚ 1982 Johnson &; Johnson‚ the manufacturer of Tylenol‚ launches a nationwide recall and ceases production of capsule Extra Strength Tylenol. It’s determined that the bottles of Tylenol were purchased‚ the capsules pried open‚ cyanide added‚ and then the bottle was returned to the shelves.  October 5‚ 1982 It’s discovered that the tainted Tylenol came from multiple production facilities‚ so it had to have been poisoned after it reached store shelves‚ not during manufacturing. After early October‚ multiple agencies‚ including local Chicago police and the FBI‚ continued full-scale investigations into the Tylenol murders. Other tainted bottles are found on store shelves‚ but there are no leads on who the actual poisoner was.  Meanwhile‚ Johnson &; Johnson was beginning damage control. They made nationwide announcements that acetaminophen capsules were the only sort of medication found to be affected by the poisonings and urged the public to dispose of any Tylenol capsules they still had.  But Johnson &; Johnson went a step further and created the first tamper-proof packaging for their medications. The company was lauded for its efforts to tackle the controversy of the Tylenol murders head-on–their recall of Tylenol capsules was the first mass recall in American history. This likely saved lives with how swiftly it was implemented following the initial poisonings. So the public was safe. But who was guilty of this terrible crime? Did They Ever Find the Tylenol Killer? The Tylenol murders are still unsolved. No one has ever been officially charged with the Chicago Tylenol murders‚ but authorities do have a few ideas of who the perpetrator might be.  In the early days following the murders‚ police tried several methods to flush the murderer out‚ including releasing the address and location of the grave of the youngest Tylenol murder victim‚ Mary Kellerman. There was a hope that the killer might show up at either place‚ and they were monitored‚ but the killer never appeared.  Suspicious individuals were also found in security footage from the stores where the poisoned bottles had been found‚ but nothing conclusive was ever worked out.  Who Were the Suspects of the Chicago Tylenol Murders? There were two main suspects investigated for the Chicago Tylenol murders: Roger Arnold and James William Lewis.  Roger Arnold was a dock worker who was reported to police by the owner of a bar he frequented. According to the bar owner‚ Marty Sinclair‚ Arnold had become increasingly unhinged after his marriage failed and mentioned using a white powder to kill. There was also a tenuous connection in the fact that Arnold had worked with Mary Reiner’s father at one time. Ultimately DNA collected from Arnold did not match DNA found on the tainted Tylenol bottles. However‚ the accusation by Marty Sinclair made the already disturbed Arnold seek revenge. In 1983‚ Roger Arnold shot and killed a man named John Stanisha after mistaking him for Sinclair. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.  The suspect who all but delivered himself into the hands of authorities was James William Lewis. While the investigations were still underway for the Tylenol murders‚ he sent Johnson &; Johnson a letter‚ demanding $1 million in exchange for the killings to stop.  He was quickly arrested‚ but despite admitting to writing the letter‚ there was never enough evidence to charge Lewis for the murders. Instead‚ he was sentenced to 10 years for extortion for sending the ransom letter.  Investigators still believed‚ despite the lack of DNA evidence‚ that Lewis was guilty of the Tylenol murders. He had a criminal record and had provided a detailed description of how the pills might have been tampered with‚ but denied that he was the actual killer.  We may never know the truth about whether James William Lewis was responsible for the Chicago Tylenol murders–he died in July of 2023. The families of the victims still hold out hope that justice can one day be served. References “James Lewis‚ the suspect in the 1982 Tylenol poisonings that killed 7 in the Chicago area‚ has died”-Mark Pratt  https://apnews.com/article/tylenol-killings-chicago-suspect-death-af8a7b44d2f45cb438bd7caf8cdb171c “How the Tylenol murders of 1982 changed the way we consume medication”-Dr. Howard Markel https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/tylenol-murders-1982  The post The Chicago Tylenol-Cyanide Murders of 1982 first appeared on History Defined.

Thoth is the Greek name for the ancient Egyptian god Djehuty. Most often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis‚ he was also sometimes shown as a baboon.  The ibis-headed man was often shown with the moon on his head in the form of the lunar disc resting atop a crescent moon. At times he wore the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt or the Ates crown of Osiris. He often held an ankh‚ the symbol of life.  At times‚ he acted as the voice of Ra and carried the Eye of Ra‚ symbolizing the power of the sun.  This god was revered as a source of knowledge and reason‚ having revealed to the ancient Egyptians the secrets of written language and geometry. He was also associated with astronomy‚ art‚ and science (which was often indistinguishable from magic in ancient Egyptian culture). In addition to the ibis and the baboon‚ symbols for Thoth included the moon disk‚ papyrus scroll‚ stylus‚ reed pens‚ writing palette‚ and scales. It is thought that the ibis came to symbolize Thoth because its beak resembles the crescent moon.  Thoth and Ammit in the Book of the Dead. British Museum‚ London The Many Roles of Thoth Thoth was so ancient that he had no mother or father. He begot himself and emerged from the nothingness. Some said that he created the stars themselves along with the Earth and the moon‚ willing creation into being and setting the divine rules that control the heavens.  In his most basic form‚ Thoth was a moon god. The moon provides light through the darkness and allows people to track the days and months of the year. And so Thoth became associated with knowledge‚ wisdom‚ magic‚ measurement‚ and regulation. He was sometimes credited with the invention of music as well.  In some eras of Egyptian history‚ Thoth was said to have created Ra himself. In the form of an ibis‚ he laid the egg from which the sun god hatched. In other stories‚ his song brought the other old gods into existence through the power of language.  According to his priests‚ Thoth was the original author of every sacred text. He was also credited with the creation of the Egyptian lunar calendar.  Legend held that Thoth added an extra five days to a year that originally held only three hundred and sixty. The goddess Nut was unable to have children until Thoth’s bet with the Moon afforded creation an extra five days of light. In those five days‚ Nut gave birth to Isis‚ Osiris‚ Set‚ and Nephthys. In the Osiris myth in which the god is murdered by his brother Set and restored by Isis‚ Thoth gave Isis the magic words that would restore her husband for long enough for her to conceive a son. This thereby ensured the creation of the god Horus. When Horus fought with Set‚ Thoth restored Horus’s left eye (which symbolized the moon). The scribe of the gods‚ Thoth was said to have invented both ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and later forms of writing. He was often shown holding a writing palette and stylus.  The Judgement of Thoth Thoth was also associated with judgment‚ including the arbitration of disputes between gods. He also appears as a wise counselor and persuasive orator‚ two qualities held in exceptionally high regard in ancient Egypt. In the underworld‚ Thoth took the form of a dog-headed ape called Aani. He was a paragon of wisdom who played a role in judging the dead before they moved on to their next life.  Thoth in his baboon form. The British Museum Thoth examined the scales when the heart of the deceased was weighed against a feather. If the scales were balanced‚ he recorded their name and they would be admitted to paradise. If their heart was heavy with sin‚ then it would be devoured‚ and the deceased would cease to exist.  When their heart was being weighed‚ the human being judged would stand before the gods and proclaim the sins they had not committed. Examples from ancient texts include:  I have not stolen. I have not slain men or women.  I have not told lies. I have not destroyed grain.  I have brought no lawsuits.  I have not been neglectful of truthful words. I have not cursed. I have not bragged.  I have not been violent.  I have not had intercourse with a married woman. Thoth also ruled over the Land of Caves in the underworld‚ where he kept records of mortal transgressions and assigned punishments for their sins. Thoth appeared in many ancient stories in the role of wise counselor. He was often connected with Seshat‚ the ancient Egyptian goddess of writing and wisdom. Most often‚ however‚ Thoth was paired with Maat. Thoth and Maat Thoth’s consort was Maat‚ the daughter of Ra and Hathor. She represented truth‚ justice‚ balance‚ harmony‚ morality‚ order‚ and law. She was often shown with wings on her arms and/or with an ostrich feather on her head.  Maat predates Thoth. She is mentioned in the Pyramid Texts of Unas‚ the oldest ancient Egyptian funerary texts ever found. They were written between 2375 and 2345 BC. Thoth and Maat served as secretary and counselor to the sun god Ra. They accompanied Ra on his solar barque as he rode through the sky each day‚ bringing light to the world.  Maat represents order. In later traditions‚ when she was said to be the daughter of Ra‚ the sun god installed her in place of the chaos that had reigned before. It was the job of each pharaoh to keep Maat in place‚ holding chaos at bay and maintaining order. Some pharaohs adopted the title Lord of Maat or Meri-Maat‚ meaning Beloved of Maat. Maat was the owner of the feather used in the weighing of the heart ceremony that every Egyptian must pass through between this life and the next. In some versions‚ she was the feather.  Maat wearing the feather of truth She was the paragon of morality that Egyptians sought to emulate. Truth and honor were held in high regard. Egyptians were expected to uphold those values in their interactions with others and with the natural world as well. She was associated with honesty‚ good faith‚ and righteousness.  She was also associated with the daily practice of law‚ and the vizier who oversaw all legal proceedings was called the Priest of Maat. Egyptian law gave women significant power‚ such as the legal capacity to own land independently of any male relatives or other men. Like Thoth‚ Maat was also associated with the order that governs the heavens‚ the cycle of the seasons‚ religious observations‚ and balance itself.  One ancient text preached:  Be generous as long as you live What leaves the storehouse does not return; It is the food to be shared which is coveted‚ One whose belly is empty is an accuser; One deprived becomes an opponent‚ Don’t have him for a neighbor. Kindness is a man’s memorial For the years after the function. Maat became a concept that transcended the personification of the goddess. To do Maat meant to do what was to do good‚ or to act in a manner that was above reproach. It was also to practice balance‚ both in life and in rhetorical arguments.  Sesh Thoth was the favorite god of scribes‚ who often had a picture of him in their workspace. The hymns sung in praise of this god warned scribes that he oversaw their work and would frown upon them if they slacked.  Scribes held prestigious positions in ancient Egyptian society. They maintained tax records‚ recorded petitions‚ and facilitated communication across vast distances.  Both Thoth and Maat influenced the creation of the sesh‚ an intellectual class that often held bureaucratic roles. They debated and maintained the moral principles set forth by Maat.  Systematic schools for scribes became common in the Middle Kingdom Era (2060 to 1700 BC).  Students as young as five sometimes enrolled‚ though they might also start closer to age ten. The boys – and a few girls! – who attended these schools studied two types of writing: sacred writing that focused on Maat and morality‚ and instructive writing that focused on bureaucracy. Following four years of instruction‚ they became apprentices.  Hermopolis The main temple for Thoth / Djehuty was located in Hermopolis‚ an ancient Egyptian city known as Khemenu by its early residents. Because they associated Djehuty with the god Hermes‚ the Greeks named the place Hermopolis.  Located between Upper and Lower Egypt‚ Khemenu was a major city and provincial capital during the Old Kingdom (2700 – 2200 BC). The cult of Thoth became particularly prominent during the Late Period‚ (666 – 300 BC) and millions of ibis birds were mummified in honor of the god. Thoth-Ibis and devotee statue attributed to Padihorsiese‚ 700 – 500 BCE. Metropolitan Museum of Art By this time‚ Maat had faded and Thoth’s consort was Nehmauit‚ the goddess of protection.  At its height‚ Khemenu was an opulent resort town. Passing riverboats paid tolls‚ enriching the centrally located city. The Ptolemies expanded the Temple of Thoth to grand proportions with stone pillars painted vibrant primary colors‚ but it was reduced to ruins in later centuries.  Hermopolis remained a significant location through Roman times. By the third century of the common era‚ the city boasted multiple seven-story buildings.  The city was abandoned during the Muslim Conquest of Egypt in the seventh century. What little remained of the temple of Thoth was demolished and used as the foundation of a sugar factory in the eighteenth century.  References https://www.crystalinks.com/thoth.html https://egyptianmuseum.org/deities-thoth https://www.worldhistory.org/Thoth/ https://www.huntmuseum.com/stories/objects-in-focus/thoth-baboon-and-ibis-god-of-the-moon/ https://www.thecollector.com/thoth-egyptian-god-aspects/The post The Many Roles and Powers of the Egyptian God‚ Thoth first appeared on History Defined.

Che Guevara is one of the most notable Latin American leaders in history. He was a revolutionary who inspired many and fought against injustices until the end of his life. Let’s take a deep dive into the life of Che Guevara and what he stood for.  Portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Early Life Ernest “Che” Guevara was born on June 14‚ 1928‚ in Argentina. His parents were Ernesto Guevara Lynch and Celia de la Serna y Llosa. He had four younger siblings‚ and the Guevaras were an upper-class family with Spanish and Irish ancestry.  It wasn’t until he became a revolutionary that he used the nickname “Che‚” which he earned because of his propensity to use it. It is a common term in Latin American countries to get someone’s attention. It is akin to saying‚ “Hey‚” “mate‚” or “muddy.” It can also be a filler term when talking like “right” or “so.” Growing up‚ Che was interested in the life of revolutionaries and often sought to learn about Irish rebels. He also developed sympathy for the poor and vulnerable population‚ even as he grew up in a family with means.  Che Guevara at 1 years old‚ 1929 His introduction to politics came early‚ as his father Ernesto often hosted political meetings in their house. The patriarch supported the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War.  Che had many interests aside from politics. Despite bouts of asthma‚ he was quite athletic and enjoyed swimming‚ football‚ and rugby. He also competed in local chess tournaments.  Poetry was also a passion of his‚ citing Pablo Neruda‚ Walt Whitman‚ and Antonio Machado among his favorites. He was a wide reader and also enjoyed the writings of Karl Marx‚ William Faulkner‚ and Jules Verne. As he grew older‚ he pored over the words of Latin American writers like Horacio Quiroga‚ Jorge Icaza‚ and Miguel Asturias.  The Birth of a Revolutionary Che enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires to study medicine in 1948. However‚ he dropped out of school shortly before he completed his degree to travel around South America on his motorcycle. He embarked on an 8‚000-mile drive for eight months between 1951 and 1952 with a close friend‚ Alberto Granado.  It was during his travels that he witnessed the inequalities in South America. He got a closer look at people living in poverty‚ which ignited his disdain for capitalism and drove him closer to communism.   He famously wrote in his memoir: “I will be on the side of the people. I will take to the barricades and the trenches‚ screaming as one possessed‚ will stain my weapons with blood‚ and‚ mad with rage‚ will cut the throat of any vanquished foe I encounter.”  After his motorcycle adventure‚ Che completed his medical degree in 1953. Shortly after graduating‚ Che joined the Guatemalan Revolution instead of donning the white coat. Guatemalan Revolution of 1954 At the time‚ President Jacobo Arbenz was a central figure in the 10-year Guatemalan Revolution. He maintained a democratic rule and introduced a model agrarian reform program that became influential across Latin America.  The problem with his program was that the United Fruit Company‚ a vast enterprise‚ would have to reduce its share of the land. And agrarian reform would not benefit those who maintained power because of their land ownership. Because of this‚ Arbenz became an enemy of the United Fruit Company‚ wealthy Guatemalan landowners‚ and the army. Furthermore‚ the United States government‚ via the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)‚ supported a group of rebels to destabilize Arbenz’s government.  Seeing the good that Arbenz tried to do for Guatemala‚ Che helped form local militias to defend the government. However‚ the destabilizers were too strong‚ and Arbenz’s government fell. Guevara fled the country and crossed to Mexico after seeking refuge before the Argentine Embassy.  Che’s anti-imperialism stance was only heightened by this situation.  President Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán‚ 1951 Meeting Fidel and Raul Castro In Mexico City‚ Che met and married his first wife‚ Hilda Gaeda. She was a Peruvian economist and an intellectual fueled by communism.  Che also met the Castro Brothers of Cuba in Mexico City in 1955. He found that they shared the same ideologies: they had become communists with a deep hatred for Americans. Fidel and Raul Castro’s anti-imperialist principles stemmed from the injustice their father‚ Angel‚ experienced at the hands of the Americans in their own country of Cuba.  Che was impressed with Fidel and described him as “extraordinary.” They developed a friendship that evolved from table chats to the frontlines of the successful Cuban Revolution in 1959. Che became a Cuban citizen shortly after and divorced Gaeda to marry Aleida March‚ a Cuban. Che served as a prison executioner under Fidel Castro’s government and oversaw the death of around 500 men who were convicted as traitors and spies.  He also held positions in the finance sector and became the head of the Ministry of Industry. This allowed him to travel the world‚ which was Fidel Castro’s ploy to distance himself from Che’s Marxist ideologies that many of his allies frowned upon.  Fidel Castro‚ 1950s Pushback Against His Ideals While traveling the world‚ Che made sure to draw attention to the oppression he encountered.  In his 1964 speech before the United Nations‚ speaking as the head of the Cuban delegation‚ he touched on many social issues: Apartheid in South Africa Racism against Black people in the United States Hungry Indian masses Peasants without land Exploited workers Imperialism There were two attempts on Che’s life during this trip. Two Cuban exiles headed these attacks‚ and both failed. His final trip as Cuban ambassador was in Africa in 1965. When he returned to Cuba‚ he disappeared from the public eye. It was speculated that he had huge disagreements with Fidel Castro‚ who was more pragmatic as a leader. Castro was eventually forced to make a public statement that Che would make his whereabouts known when he wanted to.  On October 3‚ 1965‚ Fidel Castro released Che’s undated “farewell letter” telling of his intention to leave Cuba‚ resign from all his government positions‚ and renounce his Cuban citizenship.  Famed Revolutionary When he left Cuba‚ Che already had a strong reputation as a revolutionary leader. Many countries would invite him for public speeches as they wanted to hear his thoughts on various world crises.  Congo Conflict Che had traveled to Africa many times while he was Cuba’s Minister of Industry. He believed that Africa would be the United States’ Achilles heel.  Cuba helped liberate Algeria in 1961 by providing them with American weapons seized from a failed coup against Fidel Castro.  In 1965‚ Che went to Congo to help with the chaos caused by warring politicians. He was highly critical of the interference of the United States and Belgium‚ whose governments ruled over Congo throughout the domestic conflict.  Guevara planned to lead a guerilla in Congo to overthrow the American- and Belgian-backed government. The plan failed‚ and Guevara secretly returned to Cuba. He went in and out of Cuba clandestinely since the “farewell letter” had been publicized.  Che Guevara at his office as Minister of Industry‚ while being interviewed by Laura Berquist for Look magazine. 1963 One Socialist Latin America One of Che’s dreams was to establish a united socialist Latin America. He shared this plan with former Argentine president Juan Peron‚ who was exiled in Spain. Peron wasn’t keen on this plan.  However‚ Che was adamant about his mission. He sought to start his dream IN Bolivia.  Bolivian Insurgency Che went to Bolivia after shaving much of his hair and all of his beard. He successfully led guerilla forces at the beginning of the revolution‚ but the primary campaign failed as Che and his troops faced the CIA-backed Bolivian army. Che also could not recruit locals to take up arms against the government.  On October 8‚ 1967‚ Bolivian forces captured Che while he was leading guerilla operations in the Yuro ravine. He was seriously wounded from the encounter. And when he was about to be killed‚ he reportedly bargained with the soldiers‚ telling them who he was and that he was worth more alive than dead.  The next day‚ Bolivian President Rene Barrientos ordered Che’s death. He was executed via gunshot‚ and the Bolivian government made it look like he was killed in action. He left behind five children.  Che Guevara and his children‚ 1963 Che Guevara in the Movies As a world-renowned revolutionary‚ it is no surprise that Che has been depicted in many films.  Evita (1996) Antonio Banderas played Che in the musical Evita‚ starring Madonna in the eponymous role. While Che was not a main character in the film‚ he served as the film’s narrator.  Motorcycle Diaries (2004) Che’s South American travels on his motorcycle were depicted in the film Motorcycle Diaries in 2004. The film was also based on a memoir of the same name written by Che and his travel companion Alberto Granado. Mexican actor and producer Gael Garcia Bernal played Che in the film.  Che (2008) Famed director Steven Soderbergh directed a two-part film on the life of the Argentine revolutionary. Part one is The Argentine‚ and part one is titled Guerilla. Academy Award winner Benicio del Toro played Che Guevara.  Che Guevara: A Voice Against Injustice Born in an upper-class family‚ Che didn’t experience poverty firsthand but left behind comfort to take up arms against imperialist governments. Che may have won some battles and lost others‚ but his ideologies lived on. He remains an important revolutionary legend in Latin America and an inspiration to those who continue to stand up to injustices worldwide. The post The Revolutionary Life of Guerilla Fighter Che Guevara first appeared on History Defined.

Every society in the world has taboo practices‚ things that immediately cast you as a social outcast or criminal deviant if you do them. In the United States‚ this includes myriad sexual acts that deviate from the norm of heterosexuality. While homosexuality has become more widely accepted in recent years‚ there are still numerous behaviors that are unacceptable in American society‚ with mutilation of dead bodies considered one of the worst. This act is considered blasphemy by many and transgresses not only social norms but also many religious ones. But Ed Gein‚ a psychopath in the 1950s‚ did not care about social norms. He left a disturbing setting filled with the body parts of others after his capture.  From the true-crime docuseries “Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein.” John Croft/Star Tribune Early Life Born in 1906 in La Crosse‚ Wisconsin‚ Gein was the second of two sons to George and Augusta Gein. His father was an alcoholic who was consistently unable to hold down a job. He owned a small grocery store while the family lived in La Crosse. But early in Gein’s life‚ his father sold the store and the family moved into the rural fields surrounding La Crosse‚ to a town called Plainfield. George then spent the rest of his life moving from job to job‚ reinforcing his wife’s perception that he was a useless alcoholic. He died in 1940 of heart failure‚ related to his alcoholism. He left his two sons‚ now in their 30s‚ alone with their mother.  Gein did not mind this new world‚ however. Augusta was his best friend and the most cherished person in his life‚ the result of a lifetime of abuse and manipulation. Augusta was a fervent Lutheran who believed that the world was an awful‚ sinful place. She believed that all men were violent alcoholics‚ and that all women were sexual demons who were the root of evil in the world. When her first son‚ Henry‚ was born‚ she was distraught. She became miserable in a life surrounded by men and convinced herself that having a daughter would resolve her problems and restore meaning to her life. At the end of her second pregnancy though‚ she once again bore a son and swore that she would raise young Edward to not be like other men; a promise that she would unfortunately keep.  A Turbulent Upbringing Gein was raised within the iron grip of his mother. He developed a distorted view of the world from the family’s isolated farm in Plainfield. Augusta would read passages from the Bible to the children daily. She typically focused on the threatening or macabre stories that left the boys fearing divine retribution for their sins. She also isolated the children to the best of her ability‚ only sending them to school because it was the law. Any time young Gein tried to make friends though‚ Augusta forbade it. She would punish him‚ so he learned to not seek out any kind of companionship. Ed Gein‚ and his mother‚ Augusta. This meant many of the people he met‚ such as his teachers‚ saw Gein as a bit odd and socially underdeveloped. However‚ he did well in school and was able to communicate with those around him well enough.  Compounding on his social isolation‚ Gein was also a victim of Augusta’s twisted sense of the world. Since she did not give birth to a daughter‚ she decided to instead raise Gein as close to a daughter as she could. She forbade the young boys not only from friendships but also any kind of “sinful activity‚” which included any kind of sexual feeling. This repression of sexuality would define Gein’s life. Early in life he established a strong attraction to women after seeing his mother slice open a pig during slaughter. Once he saw how powerful women could be‚ he was strongly attracted to women but could do nothing to act on it without committing what his mother deemed a sin. This was an internal conflict that would drive his psychopathy for years. Augusta’s method of raising Gein left young Ed as a very quiet‚ passive‚ and emotional young boy who was forced to reconcile his developmental needs with the distorted social standards his mother enforced. As a result of his isolation and despite the abuse‚ Gein became obsessed with his mother. He remained fiercely loyal to her throughout her life‚ developing an unhealthy emotional attachment to her that psychologists would later analyze for decades.  An Unhealthy Connection and First Brush with Death After their father passed‚ Ed and Henry had to support the family and took on assorted jobs. Ed typically got along well with children since he was underdeveloped socially‚ so he excelled at babysitting roles. As they got older though‚ Henry began to critique their mother. He met a woman. Once he planned to move in with her‚ he began making disdainful comments about their mother to Ed. Ed was shocked and hurt‚ unable to imagine betraying their mother or her vision of the world for them. Shortly after‚ Henry was found dead in a field on the family farm. Ed had spent the day lighting the brush on fire in a nearby marsh to clear it. This quickly got out of hand and required the local firefighters to assist in putting it out. It was after the fires were extinguished that Ed reported his brother missing. A search party with flashlights found his dead body in one of the fields that night. Although the investigation would rule that Henry died of heart issues‚ it has been hypothesized that Ed may have punished his brother for questioning and insulting their mother. This may have been the beginning of his descent into madness.  Police Discover Ed’s Secret Shortly after‚ Augusta suffered a paralyzing stroke that left her nearly helpless‚ so Ed dedicated his life to taking care of her for just over a year. Even as he waited on her hand and foot‚ catering to her every need‚ Augusta was not grateful towards Ed. She continued to belittle him‚ insisting he would turn out to be useless like his father. On the rare occasions she had the energy to leave the farm‚ she raged against what she deemed the sinful acts of others. When she passed in December of 1945‚ she left Ed alone with no family or friends‚ a broken psyche‚ and a twisted view of the world.  For over a decade after his mother’s death‚ Ed would spiral into a pattern of psychopathic behavior. He would not be discovered until 1957 when police investigated the disappearance of Bernice Worden. Gein was suspected in her disappearance. When police entered his home‚ they were met with a gruesome scene. Except for the two rooms where Augusta had spent most of her time while alive‚ which Ed had boarded off as shrines to her‚ the house was filled with assorted body parts‚ bones‚ and skin from dead bodies. After he was taken in for questioning‚ it was discovered that Ed had made over forty trips to local cemeteries over the past decade. While in a dissociative state‚ Ed would locate bodies of recently buried women who resembled his mother and he would steal parts of their bodies to keep in his home. He used these women’s skin as upholstery for his furniture or lampshades‚ as well as used it for crafting clothing. Ed even created a full-body suit which he would sometimes don while he danced in the fields as a way to feel like he was crawling inside of his mother and getting close to her again.  Ed’s Confession When police first attempted to charge Ed with the murder of Worden‚ he pled not guilty by way of insanity. Psychologists deemed him unfit to testify. They sentenced him to stay in a hospital for the criminally insane‚ where he would spend the next decade of his life. Although he had originally confessed to the crimes‚ the sheriff at the time was so distraught by Ed’s crimes that he assaulted Ed‚ deeming the confession inadmissible. But in 1968‚ Ed was deemed sane enough to stand trial and after one week of testifying. He was found guilty of one count of murder. However‚ he was also ruled not guilty by insanity and spent the rest of his life in a mental hospital.  Gein died in 1984 of lung cancer‚ but his legacy lives on. He was interred in the same cemetery as his family‚ buried between his parents and brother. His notoriety attracted visitors‚ however. They would chip chunks of his tombstone off until it vanished entirely in 2000 for over a year. A photo of Ed Gein’s gravemarker with pieces chipped off the sides Since it was recovered in 2001 it has been held in storage at the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department. Gein would also inspire the creation of disturbed characters in media‚ such as Norman Bates in Psycho‚ Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs‚ and Dr. Oliver Thredson in American Horror Story: Asylum. References Biography.com Editors and Tyler Piccotti. “Ed Gein.” Biography.com‚ November 27‚ 2023. https://www.biography.com/crime/ed-gein.  johnjenn. “Parenting Gone Wrong.” Lived Local Histories of Wisconsin‚ 2013. https://michaeljfaris.com/bgswisconsin/parenting-gone-wrong/. The post Ed Gein and his Twisted Collection of Body Parts first appeared on History Defined.

Take a moment and think back to the early 2000s‚ a time when technology was just starting to ramp up into an integral part of daily life it is today. It’s almost hard to believe how many gadgets and tools we relied on are now practically museum pieces. Remember how it felt to physically flip open a phone or wait with bated breath for a dial-up connection to click through? These memories are a testament to the rapid pace of technological advancement. Here are 13 common items from the 2000s that feel like ancient history now.  Flip Phones Back in the day‚ owning a flip phone was the ultimate cool factor. The Motorola Razr‚ in particular‚ was the pinnacle of phone fashion. Flipping it open with a swift motion felt so satisfying‚ a feature modern smartphones can’t replicate. They were simpler‚ yes‚ but also surprisingly sturdy. It’s amusing how we’ve transitioned to large touch screens when those compact flips did everything we needed. Thai Nguyen | Unsplash Portable CD Players Portable CD players were our lifeline to music before the era of streaming. Crafting the perfect mix CD was an art‚ a personal touch that playlists can’t quite capture. Lugging around a case of CDs made you feel like you had the world’s music at your fingertips. Nowadays‚ any song is just a tap away‚ but there is something special about the physical connection to music. The ritual of swapping out CDs on the go is a cherished memory for many. Digital Cameras Having a separate digital camera was essential for capturing moments. We used to take pictures‚ then connect the camera to our computers to see them. Sharing meant emailing photos or posting them on nascent social networks. Our phones have since taken over this role‚ streamlining the process but diluting the anticipation. The excitement of seeing how your photos turned out is a fond memory for many. MP3 Players The iPod was a game-changer for music lovers‚ offering a way to carry thousands of songs in your pocket. But as smartphones began to include music apps‚ MP3 players fell by the wayside. It seems quaint now to have a device dedicated solely to music. The simplicity of it made listening feel like a dedicated‚ personal experience. It’s a bit nostalgic to think about the days when music required a separate gadget. Dial-up Internet Modems The unmistakable sound of a dial-up modem is a hallmark of the early Internet era. The patience required as you waited for a connection is unthinkable now. In today’s world‚ even a second’s delay is frustrating. The evolution to high-speed internet has transformed how we access and use the web. Yet‚ a part of us misses the anticipation and triumph of finally hearing that connection sound. VHS Tapes and VCRs VHS tapes were the original binge-watching medium. Picking out movies at Blockbuster was a Friday night tradition for many. The shift to DVDs and streaming services has made access easier but less eventful. Rewinding a tape before returning it was part of the rental etiquette. There’s a nostalgic charm in the physicality of inserting a tape and waiting for it to rewind or fast-forward. Floppy Disks Floppy disks were once the epitome of cutting-edge data storage. The thought of using something with such limited capacity today is laughable. We’ve moved on to USB drives and cloud storage‚ which offer exponentially more space and convenience. Yet‚ floppies symbolized progress‚ a step towards the digital age. They serve as a reminder of how quickly technology evolves. Vincent Botta | Unsplash PDAs Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were the precursors to smartphones‚ offering organization at your fingertips. Carrying another device for contacts‚ calendars‚ and notes seems unnecessary now. The integration of these functions into smartphones has made PDAs obsolete. Yet‚ there was a time when having a PDA meant you were organized and ahead of the tech curve. It’s funny how what was once essential is now an amusing memory. Tube Televisions The bulky‚ heavy tube TVs were once the living room’s centerpiece. Upgrading to a flat screen felt like stepping into the future. Now‚ with smart TVs‚ entertainment options are endless. Adjusting antennas and dealing with static are things of the past. The communal experience of gathering around a tube TV for a show has its own nostalgic appeal. Fax Machines Fax machines were crucial for sending documents quickly over long distances. Today‚ digital records and emails have made faxing nearly obsolete. The process of feeding paper into a machine and waiting for the transmission seems quaint. Digital communication is undeniably more efficient. Yet‚ the distinct sound of a fax machine is a reminder of office life in the 2000s. Phone Booths and Landlines The decline of phone booths and landlines is a testament to the rise of mobile phones. It’s hard to imagine being unable to call someone anytime‚ anywhere. Landlines had their advantages‚ like never worrying about battery life. The convenience of mobile phones‚ however‚ is unmatched. Still‚ the concept of a shared family phone line holds a certain nostalgic value. Uyen Nguyen | Pexels Encyclopedias and Physical Dictionaries Before the internet‚ encyclopedias and dictionaries were our primary sources of information. Something was rewarding about flipping through pages to find an answer. Now‚ a quick search online gets us the information instantly. While convenient‚ it lacks the tactile pleasure of research with physical books. The shift to digital has made knowledge more accessible‚ but the learning experience has changed. Paper Maps and Printed Directions Using paper maps and writing down directions was an adventure in itself. GPS and digital maps have simplified navigation‚ making it nearly impossible to get lost. Planning a trip involved studying maps and landmarks. This process added an element of discovery to travel. While GPS is convenient‚ there’s a sense of nostalgia for the times when getting there was half the fun. Wrapping Up  Reflecting on these items brings a mix of amusement and fondness. Technology has undoubtedly made life easier‚ but these relics from the 2000s remind us of simpler times. They mark the journey of progress‚ each step bringing us closer to the interconnected world we live in today. Let’s cherish these memories as we continue to embrace the future of technology. The post 13 Common Items from the 2000s That Feel Like Ancient History Now appeared first on Fun Facts For Days.

The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards‚ held on February 24‚ 2024‚ was a spectacle that offered both the glitz of Hollywood and genuine‚ unscripted moments that resonated with audiences worldwide. As stars gathered to celebrate the pinnacle of acting achievements‚ the evening was punctuated by instances that were as diverse as they were memorable. Pedro Pascal Was Drunk! “The Last of Us” Star Admitted on Stage Adding a touch of relatability to the night’s proceedings‚ Pedro Pascal’s acceptance speech for his role in “The Last of Us” was as heartwarming as it was humorous. His candid admission of being “a little drunk” and his playful forgetfulness regarding the names of his fellow nominees brought laughter and a sense of camaraderie to the prestigious event. Pascal Mania / IG / “The Last of Us” star‚ Pedro Pascal admitted onstage that he was “lil drunk!” Pascal’s moment on stage was a reminder that behind the polished performances are individuals who‚ much like the rest of us‚ navigate their moments of triumph with a mix of emotions and‚ sometimes‚ a bit of inebriation. This honest and light-hearted speech not only endeared Pascal further to his audience but also added a memorable twist to the evening’s celebrations. Barbra Streisand Made Hathaway Cry in A Good Way! The night took an emotional turn when Barbra Streisand‚ a beacon of perseverance and talent in the entertainment industry‚ was honored with the 2024 SAG Lifetime Achievement Award. Streisand’s acceptance speech was not just a recount of her illustrious career. It was a heartfelt narrative of overcoming doubts and industry stereotypes to achieve her dreams. This message struck a chord with Anne Hathaway‚ who was visibly moved to tears by Streisand’s words. The moment highlighted the profound influence of Streisand’s legacy on the current generation of actors and underscored the power of cinema to inspire and transform lives. Hathaway’s reaction was a testament to the deep connections formed in the world of storytelling‚ where mentors and icons pave the way for future talents. Billie Eilish Autographed Melissa McCarthy’s Forehead! In a turn of events that felt straight out of a fan’s daydream‚ the renowned singer Billie Eilish found herself signing Melissa McCarthy’s forehead. This reversal of roles‚ where the celebrity became the fan‚ was a delightful surprise that captured the whimsical spirit of the SAG Awards. Jared / IG / One of the best moments that stole the 2024 SAG Awards was Billie Eilish autographing Melissa McCarthy’s forehead. This interaction was more than just a quirky anecdote. It was a moment of genuine fun and mutual admiration that reminded everyone of the joy in unexpected encounters. Eilish and McCarthy’s playful exchange served as a light-hearted interlude. Thus‚ highlighting the genuine connections that can form in the glitzy world of Hollywood‚ where admiration for one’s peers knows no bounds. Ali Wong Joked Abot Her 83-year-old Mom! Leading the charge in memorable moments was Ali Wong‚ who arrived with her 83-year-old mother‚ turning heads not just for their star power but for the statement they made. Wong’s mother‚ adorned in pearls and Tevas‚ became an unwitting fashion icon‚ embodying a spirit of nonconformity and zest for life that left a lasting impression. Tara / IG / “She doesn’t give a f*ck‚” said Ali Wong‚ spotlighting her 83-year-old mom who was at the 2024 SAG Awards. This moment transcended mere fashion commentary‚ evolving into a powerful message about the importance of authenticity and the beauty of standing out. It was a celebration of individuality‚ with Wong and her mother at the heart of it‚ inspiring attendees and viewers alike to live boldly and without apology. The post 2024 SAG Awards Best Moments That Stole the Show appeared first on Fun Facts For Days.