James Arthur Ray Sweat Lodge Trial: Day 40

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Judge Darrow Hears Arguments

Judge Darrow made a written ruling on the most recent mistrial motion yesterday, without even hearing oral arguments this morning. I read it last night and I think it was a big defeat for the defense. Not just because they did not get the requested mistrial but because they didn't get much of anything they wanted. And I'm reading between the lines but I pick up a certain impatience from Judge Darrow, with the defense team.

He did preclude Richard Haddow from testifying for the prosecution as requested by the defense. Personally, I don't think the prosecutors were serious about that. I think they were just calling the defense's bluff. They forced the defense to discredit him as an expert and state once and for all that they would not be calling him. Very well played, I must say. Not only did Judge Darrow affirm that the defense will not be calling Haddow, he stated that the defense has chosen not to call another expert on the matter. He also reiterated that they can't cite the Haddow report in a way that doesn't comply with the rules of evidence. Finally, he ruled that there will be no further sanction against the State over this Brady violation, beyond his preclusion as a State witness. So this decision all but completely puts the Haddow matter to bed.

Also settled in this ruling, is the matter of the prosecutorial misconduct claim that I described here as their accusing the prosecution of lawyering. He ruled that whatever occasional, leading questions were asked or hearsay evidence elicited were properly dealt with through objections and stricken testimony.

Judge Darrow also reiterated his now clear understanding that there is nothing new or novel in the carbon dioxide issue, nor the matter of where participants were seated in the sweat lodge. This means the defense can no longer argue that the State is using Brady material every time they talk about carbon dioxide poisoning, which was largely their basis for this last mistrial motion. Frankly, they looked like fools, arguing passionately that carbon dioxide had never been mentioned and then having transcripts of their own year old discussions of carbon dioxide read to them.

Washington Times Takes On Air Force Pagans

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Photo: Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette

The Founding Fathers: What a bunch of PC tree huggers, what with all their kooky ideas about religious freedom and tolerance. So sayeth the Washington Times. Alright... I'm paraphrasing.

I'm not surprised but I am dismayed to see the albeit ludicrous paper take aim at religious freedom in the military. Early last year I reported impressive strides in the Air Force when a Pagan temple was constructed at the installation in Colorado Springs. Well, the Washington Times isn't taking this lefty incursion into our ranks lying down and, somewhat unsuprisingly, has even found a way to work in a glorification of the imperial conquest of indigenous peoples.

The U.S. military’s success in Pakistan this week proved the importance of maintaining a team focused on accomplishing dangerous missions. Others on the left prefer to look upon the armed forces as a playground to experiment with fringe ideas. Take the Air Force Academy which reportedly held a ceremony on Tuesday to dedicate a pile of rocks in the academy’s “worship area for followers of Earth-centered religions.”

. . .

All of the actual Wiccans and Druids died out hundreds of years ago. The religions of the barbaric tribes of Europe faded away as the Roman conquest brought civilization to the region. Teachings once handed down by oral tradition were entirely forgotten over time. Around the 1950s, fringe leftists enamored by the concept of worshipping the Earth adopted the ancient labels and pretended to follow the old ways. They just left out the inconvenient bits, like human sacrifice. “They have likenesses of immense size, the limbs of which are composed of wicker, that they fill with living men,” wrote Julius Caesar, describing a Druid ceremony. “After these are set on fire, the men inside perish in the flames.”

Cafe

Buy at Allposters.com

Around the Web, Around the World

"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Power and Responsibility with Jonathan Horwitz

"With great power comes great responsibility." What will come of contemporary shamanism if we only focus on learning new skills to access greater and greater power? The helping spirits are trying to teach us to be better humans, but are we listening? Traditionally, the practice of shamanism requires significant and constant personal sacrifice, not so much to gain power, but to be come the person who can weld that power with responsibility. The responsible use of power is no small task when each act must be good for all living things. Join us this week as host Christina Pratt explores the relationship between shamanic power and responsibility with Jonathan Horwitz, co-founder of the Scandinavian Centre for Shamanic Studies with Annette Høst. Jonathan is an elder and teacher in the UK, Scandinavia, Russia, and Hungary. His teaching focuses on shamanism as a spiritual path and is centered around his Three R's - Re-connecting with being alive, Re-discovering the spiritual power we are all born with, and Re-learning what it means to be a part of the whole. The shamanic path is excellent for learning these things about being human and learning how to use these gifts and powers with responsibility.

This week's guest:
Jonathan Horwitz

Jonathan Horwitz has studied and worked with shamanism since 1972. For eight years he was on the staff of The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, USA. Jonathan has an M.A. in anthropology, and is a shamanic counselor (HMSC).

In 1986 Jonathan and Annette Høst began the Scandinavian Center for Shamanic Studies where the courses are centered on learning to use the ritual tools of shamanism, experiencing shamanism as a spiritual path, shamanic healing, and embracing the Circle and all of Nature. He also runs a small retreat centre, Åsbacka, in southern Sweden where her offers training in personal healing retreats, Sitting Out weekends and shamanic guidance for those who have previously worked with him.

Jonathan now lives in southern Sweden at the Åsbacka Center for Shamanic Healing with his partner Zara Waldebäck. He feels his role in life is to help people to see where they are in the world, in their lives. "We never get anywhere alone. We're always being helped, although often we do not recognize this. But the shaman works by asking for help."

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM Pacific

Log on to Listen
Why Shamanism Now? on Co-Creator Network
Questions? Comments? Call: 1-512-772-1938

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

Horoscope for May 9-15

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)
Pulling out all the stops and going for broke are two expressions that can apply to you this week, Aries. You may shock yourself and people around you with your aggression and resourcefulness when it comes to achieving your desires now. I think you may be sensing the approaching shift of three planets from your sign to that of Taurus this week, which is making you scramble for creative ways to make your plans work at the last minute. Images of various game shows where contestants are racing against a clock flash through my mind. A major shift in a relationship or your own feelings about relationship and romance may occur later in the week.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)
The planets are giving you lots of power this week, Taurus. First Mars, the planet of action, then Venus, the planet of pleasure and affection, and Mercury, the planet of communication, all enter your sign. The moon will move through your houses of home and family, creativity, work and health, and relationship as the week unfolds. The best part of things going your way, creativity flowing, and wishes coming true is that other people are loving you and sincerely want you to be happy. Everything you have done so selflessly for others tips the scales in your favor now. Say, "Yes, please," and, "Thank you!" Appreciate the goodness in other people, too.

Astrological Trends for May 9-15

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

A stimulating start to the week is promised on Monday, May 9th, as the moon in the fixed fire sign of creative Leo forms a supportive trine to Uranus, the planet of change and genius, in the cardinal fire sign of Aries, encouraging big, bold plans or projects that are innovative, dramatic, or exciting. If you are taking a vacation this week, you are sure to enjoy anything that involves physical action or exploration under this planetary influence. The moon also exchanges a favorable quincunx with Neptune and Chiron in the inspirational sign of Pisces, indicating that you may have a major breakthrough or realize a lifetime goal or dream now. This morning brings the right combination of faith, courage, and openness to change required to manifest something wonderful. Transformation, healing, and dreams are stabilized and rooted in reality thanks to a supportive sextile between Neptune conjunct Chiron in Pisces and Pluto in Capricorn bringing an element of Divine grace and right use of will. Neptune and Chiron are activated even more by Mars, the planet of action, conjunct Jupiter, the planet of growth, in the cardinal fire sign of Aries. You can easily take a leap of faith in any new endeavor or situation where you feel you must take a stand, and you can expect to win or succeed. The planets say, "Go for it!" today. More strength to follow through on plans comes your way later this afternoon, when the Leo moon makes a quincunx to potent Pluto in enduring Capricorn. You may feel this as a deepening of your emotional conviction or a physical "second wind." In the early evening, a yod, or "Hand of God," forms with the Leo moon quincunx both Pluto in Capricorn and Neptune conjunct Chiron in Pisces that feels like a crowning or ordination to me. Success, accompanied by a feeling of "This is how it was meant to be," is a strong potential if you have used the dynamic energy gifted to you by the planets today. Later this evening, the yod fades, but the Leo moon now forms a sextile to stabilizing Saturn in diplomatic Libra. On some level, you have written a new law or personal ordinance into being. On the emotional level, you have completed something or achieved a level of success that has brought you to a new maturity and inner wisdom.

The royal crowning energy of Monday's Leo moon spills over into Tuesday, May 10th. The moon is still in the fixed fire sign of Leo on Tuesday morning, but makes no major aspects until the afternoon. The moon is contra-parallel Neptune, and the sun is contra-parallel Pluto, though, indicating that some potent impressionable, dramatic energy is present today. Personal presence matters more than action now. Sit like a queen or a king on a throne and radiate the new state of being you achieved yesterday. Don't do, just be. A test of your new inner strength may come around lunchtime, when the Leo moon forms a challenging square to the sun in Taurus. At the very core of this square, the humble Taurus sun is telling you that you are just one of the herd and you should work quietly alongside everyone else. The Leo moon is creative, dramatic, and craves personal attention and recognition when it performs. Pride versus humility - you may have a lesson in one or the other, or both. A favorable flowing trine forms early this evening between the moon in Leo and Venus, the planet of pleasure and affection, conjunct Mercury, the planet of communication. Agreeable, stimulating conversation combines with an ardent pursuit of play. Pursuing a new romantic interest or competing in sports or games that test your physical or mental skills can be a great stress release.

James Arthur Ray Sweat Lodge Trial: Day 39

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Truc Do Continues Cross of Dr. Mosley

Whenever I watch Truc Do in action, I find myself wondering how this could possibly be the LA prosecutor with a spotless conviction record, who brought down Phil Spector. She's insufferable. The sound of her voice actually makes my eyes ache. I don't even know how that's possible.

Do invariably makes me think of a really snotty teenager pretending to be a grown-up. I can't help wondering if this isn't some Freaky Friday, body-swap, kind of thing. Could the real Truc Do be sitting in junior high school classroom somewhere wondering how she's going to get her body and impressive law career back?

I also don't know what to make of the dynamics between Do and Dr. Mosley. At times he seems like he's toying with her; even openly mocking her. At other times I think they're flirting in this really disturbing way. That too feels like some weird, teen comedy, in which the geeky, science nerd, and comic book fanboy, is awkwardly trying to get the attention of the pretty cheerleader who is way out of his league. Meanwhile, the cheerleader wants him to do her science homework so she's manipulating him with a game of come here, go away -- alternately insulting him and taunting him with casual flips of her shiny, shiny hair.

James Arthur Ray Sweat Lodge Trial: Day 38

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Judge Darrow Hears Mistrial Motions

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling agitated today. The possibility of losing the CNN feed hangs over all our heads as does the possibility of mistrial. Tom Kelly moved for a mistrial twice today. The first such motion, Judge Darrow dismissed immediately. The second, he took under advisement, but continued with the trial for the day.

Tom Kelly's first mistrial motion started out the day. He argued that during Det. Diskin's redirect yesterday, improper questioning introduced inculpatory material from the Haddow email.

Sheila Polk maintained that her questions were in response to the carbon dioxide question I noted last Friday, in which Kelly said he'd look at the transcript, but never did.

Judge Darrow quickly dispensed with that motion. But later in the day, Kelly argued that the situation created by the Brady violation was "unworkable." I must confess that once again I missed a chunk of this. CNN is less and less concerned with starting the stream on time.

Kelly said that the whole process has been "infected" by the Brady violation. His motion, though, appeared to be at least partly based on erroneous information. He asserted that the defense has been disallowed from using the Haddow report. Judge Darrow disagreed saying that he has never said that they couldn't talk about it but warned that it opened the door to redirect by the State.

James Arthur Ray Sweat Lodge Trial: Day 37

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

James Ray and His Defense Team

ALERT: CNN is planning to pull the plug on its live coverage of the James Ray trial as of Friday. If you enjoy these updates, which are based almost entirely on that live footage, please contact CNN and ask them to continue its coverage. Thanks to Connie Joy for finding the contact information for Viewer Communication Management on the CNN website. They don't make it easy. Here's the email address: VCN@cnn.com

James Ray's defense team never ceases to amaze me. Over the weekend I downloaded their motion to preclude Dr. Kent from testifying. It seems a bit thin to me but I'll wait and see what Judge Darrow has to say on that. More to the point, attached to that motion is a list of every person who has ever attended Spiritual Warrior since 2003, including their addresses, phone numbers, and email. Connie Joy posted an alert on her Facebook page and the State was apparently deluged with complaints from people who were unhappy about having their private data available for download from the court website. Prosecutor Sheila Polk filed a motion and Judge Darrow ordered it removed and sealed. But, for the love of God, this thing was available all weekend because it was posted on a Friday. They're very vigorous about protecting Ray's data and incredibly cavalier about everybody else's.

I don't know if any of that was addressed in legal arguments this morning because legal arguments were well underway when CNN finally started the live feed this morning. This and failing to turn on the sound were recurring themes throughout the broadcast day. I do know that two jurors have been excused -- one, no doubt, was the sick juror for whom court was canceled yesterday.  I also know that the defense is objecting to prosecution witness Douglas Sundling but this was not discussed in depth.

The day was fraught with legal argument, throughout, as Det. Diskin continued his testimony. There continued to be multiple objections, sidebars, and arguments over the breaks. So the actual testimony was rather limited.

Cafe

Buy at Allposters.com

Around the Web, Around the World

"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Why You Need to Heal Your Ancestral Lines

What does it really mean to heal our ancestral lines? To truly heal what lies unresolved in the ancestral lines, we must go to the source of the problem. We must go to the first person by journeying back who knows how far in time, explains host and shaman, Christina Pratt, to that first person who made that one bad decision that changed his or her life and then all of the lives of all of the descendants who followed. These decisions become the unresolved energies of the ancestors. If left unresolved they continue to limit, manipulate, and overshadow our lives today. Why do we need to heal the ancestral lines? It is the only way that we-the living-will ever be truly free to make new decisions. The only way we will ever be able to engage our wisdom, innovation, and co-operation and make the high quality decisions needed today is to clear this unresolved ancestral energy. If we want a different answer for healthcare, war, economics, how we treat the environment, education, homelessness, joblessness, and child poverty we must stop living the answers of our ancestors. Join us this week as we explore what it could mean for our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual heath to heal the ancestral lines?

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 11:00 AM Pacific

Log on to Listen
Why Shamanism Now? on Co-Creator Network
Questions? Comments? Call: 1-512-772-1938

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

Horoscope for May 2-8

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)
Career, money, and success have been important areas of life for you in the last few months, Aries. You love success because it usually means having money, and money opens doors to experiences, which is what Aries loves the most. This week, meaning, purpose, values, and spirituality become as important as money to you. You may infuse your work with spirituality or become more vocal in expressing your own individual values when the new moon activates your 2nd house of money and personal values on the 3rd. Expect some backlash and be prepared to walk your talk. Those who don't support you now will either come to accept the new you or be replaced by new friends in the weeks to come.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)
Some things are still going on behind the scenes for you, Taurus, but when the new moon arrives in your 1st house of self this week in your sign, it's time to shine. Even if you don't feel all-together yet, or fully confident in new plans, put a big smile on your face and fake it. Affirmations of your self-worth and internal pep-talks can go a long way toward making you feel better and helping you achieve goals. Why not coin a cheer for yourself. It may sound silly, but some silliness is what you need most now. Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't real, and just because something you desire hasn't arrived yet doesn't mean it won't. Keep focused on the desired result.

Astrological Trends for May 2-8

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

The month of May begins steadily and confidently with the sun in the fixed and stable earth sign of Taurus and five planets in the cardinal air sign of pioneering Aries. Uranus, the planet of change, is still in the early degrees of Aries. Venus, the planet of comfort and affection, and Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, are conjunct in the middle degrees of Aries, opposing Saturn in the cardinal air sign of Libra. This opposition, which has been holding relationships in a critical light, loses its effect after today, and relationship issues should be gentler this week as a result. Jupiter, the planet of growth, and Mars, the planet of action, are also conjunct in Aries, but in later degrees. The potent force of Mars and Jupiter combined in initiating Aries can give you the extra physical stamina and optimism you may need to launch new endeavors or break through your own self-imposed limitations. On Monday, May 2nd, the day begins with the moon in the fixed earth sign of Taurus sextile Chiron conjunct Neptune in the mutable water sign of Pisces. This aspect pattern can tone down the usual Monday morning frantic rush or Monday blues. You may be feeling the afterglow of a pleasant weekend, which makes you more patient, kind, and forgiving of others. The Neptune/Chiron conjunction forms a supportive sextile to Pluto in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn. This aspect holds a special promise of success and rewards if you apply your energy consistently, steadily, and purposefully to a given task. The Neptune/Pluto sextile will be assisting you to succeed all week long, giving you another good reason to put plans in action now and follow through. At midday, the Taurus moon makes a favorable trine to powerful Pluto in serious Capricorn. The key word for this aspect is endurance. Like the Little Engine, you can do much more than anyone else might think is possible - as long as you think you can and stay on track. On the mundane level, this aspect also deepens your appreciation of nature, so do some gardening now or enjoy the splendor of spring. The moon is also semi-sextile Uranus in Aries, which encourages a mild degree of originality and can be the spark that ignites your creativity and desire to begin a new project. A pleasant semi-sextile between the sun in Taurus and Venus in Aries further supports appreciation of art, beauty, and design and can make work feel like a pleasant and satisfying pastime. The sun, planet of presence, in Taurus is quincunx Saturn, the planet of work, in Libra until the 4th, encouraging people to cooperate with each other and do substantial things. Ideas or theories are nothing unless they can be put to good use or create something material or useful under the influence of this energy. Later this evening, as the Taurus moon joins the sun, it also forms a quincunx to Saturn. You, and everyone else, will have a greater emotional desire to connect with purpose and bring harmony to relationships of all kinds.