Women...insecure about boyfriends?

I was perched on a comfy sofa in the lobby of Loew's in Santa Monica - as the ushers cleaned out the trash from the screening before - when an attractive young hetero couple strolled by.

The "dude" caught my eye, but - not because of his "looks" - or anything aesthetic like that.

The overly-tall twenty-something guy was tripping-the-light-fantastic in the ugliest pair of peddle-pushers (!) and what had to be the tackiest pair of white clogs (!) that I had the misfortune to take a gander at in years!

When the young Asian gal spied me gazing in the direction of her date, she immediately assumed I was cruising her better half.

So, as the couple glided up the escalator a few feet beyond me, the wacko broad proceeded to pull the guy in close to her, and passionately kiss him on the lips.

The one Michael plunked on Lisa Marie had nothing on this one, believe me.

In the midst of the stifling lip-lock, she stole a glance in my direction.

Ah, the telepathic message was crystal clear!

"He's mine. So, there!"

I laughed out loud!

Are women that insecure in their relationships with men?

If so - in this instant case, anyway - the possessive tart would be wise to ban the young Lothario from any late-night jaunts alone in West Hollywood walking Fido.

Otherwise - before you can utter up - "I do" - he'll be "out" picketing in opposition to Proposition 8 with his studly boyfriend in tow.

There's an old joke that applies here.

Ten percent of the population was born gay.
The other ninety percent got sucked into it.

Amen!

Ellen DeGeneres...uses humor to oppose Proposition 8. Unlike, Brad Pitt!

Lip service in support of gay marriage...



Sometimes the way you approach an issue can make all the difference in the world.

And, without doubt, a bit of levity never hurts.

Take the case of popular talk-show host, Ellen DeGeneres!

Instead of following Brad Pitt's misguided cue (which consisted of vulgar displays of moolah and pretentious statements to the media) the perky little blond lesbo - who recently got hitched to her long-time gal pal Portia de Rossi - used a bit of humor to get her cause across to loyal fans who surf regularly to her upbeat web site.


"I'm FOR gay marriage," she blogged.

Gee, I didn't know, Ellen!

"In order to protect that right, please VOTE NO on Prop 8."



And the punchline?

"Spread the word. I'm begging you. I can't return the gifts. I love my new toaster."

Don't worry, Ellen, if Prop 8 goes through (drats!) I'll buy 'ya a new one.


And, a pack of pop tarts to go along with it.

Los Angeles Police Department...violates rights and engages in warrantless searches! Police State "pigs"...

Early this morning, a friend of mine went for a walk around 5:10 a.m. to get some fresh air and pick up a morning paper, when he was accosted by a police officer and subjected to abuse.

The friend was on his way down the street when the officer in question cruised by, spied him, then proceeded to halt his squad car and bark out a question from the open window.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting some fresh air," my friend responded politely.

I guess that was not good enough for officer.

God forbid, a citizen should be under the false impression that they are entitled to stroll down a city street at dawn, and exercise their constitutional right to enjoy a bit of nature along the way!

At this juncture - the officer jumped out of his vehicle, strode up to my friend - and proceeded to drag him over to the police car.

"Is anything wrong?" my friend asked, who was quite distressed now by the turn of the events going down.

Before the cop had the opportunity to reply, a description of a suspect squawked over the radio of the squad car.

It was evident now that the pig-headed officer was apprehending the wrong person!

"Obviously, that is not me," the middle-aged man protested.

Without skipping a beat, the cocky cop replied,

"But, you do look familiar. Do you have a two-hundred pound parrot?"

What kind of a sick joke was that?

At the car, the officer twirled my friend around towards the vehicle.

Then, he yanked his arms and hands behind his back, without warning.

"What are you doing?" my friend asked (somewhat alarmed now) as the officer proceeded to empty his pockets and toss the contents onto the hood of the vehicle with little regard or respect for his personal belongings.

When the cavalier cop noticed my friend's car keys, he asked where the vehicle was parked.

Then, the officer proceeded to enter the SUV, and conduct a warrantless search, as my friend sat in the back seat of the police car in a state of shock.

A few minutes later, the officer returned from his wild illegal activities, and gruffly advised the law-abiding citizen that he could collect up his "things" and go.

Throughout the rogue encounter, the officer kept his identity secret, and gave no explanation as to why the resident was stopped.

My friend wanted to ask the officer for his name and badge number (since it was not in plain sight) - but was concerned that if he took that action - it might tip off the cop that he intended to file a complaint with the Police Commission.

Afraid that the officer might plant drugs on his person or in his car to retaliate, my friend was forced to struggle through the ordeal as peaceably as possible, until the wacko officer let him go.

In this instant case, it should be noted that my friend has a serious medical condition, which is aggravated by stress and anxiety.

During the course of the wrongful interruption of his "liberty", he - in fact - experienced sharp pains at the base of his spine and the crown of his head which indicated his normally high blood pressure must have literally gone through the roof.

It is wholly conceivable that the disturbing unjust action taken by the officer, could have easily triggered a stroke or a heart attack, in view of the circumstances.

In sum, the wrongful acts of the officer were not only abusive, but constituted a gross violation of rights.

Understandably, my friend intends to locate an attorney in the near future, to bring legal action against the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency.

A civilized society should never tolerate the reprehensible acts of those who would wear the "shield" - and under the color of authority - abuse their power and privilege in a bold-faced mean-spirited effort to demean a citizen unjustly.

The officer's perverse and deliberate refusal to obey the upright - "law of the land" - was wrongful, despicable, and in violation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

For this reason, the officer should be punished within the full extent of the law, and held accountable for his heinous acts which are a disgrace to law enforcement.

Gwyneth Paltrow...Goopy, dude! Web site doesn't nourish...

To be quite honest with 'ya, actress Gwyneth Paltrow lost me when she scrambled up on stage a couple of years ago, and sobbed uncontrollably for about twenty minutes, after snagging a coveted Oscar.

Goop - Paltrow's second grab for the brass ring - rubs me the same way.

Frankly, it doesn't deliver up its promises from the get-go.

On the main page on the web site - Paltrow unceremoniously dumped on unsuspecting chartered members of the Internet this past week - the high-strung actress waxes eloquently about her much-anticipated vanity offering.


"Nourish the inner aspect," the spoiled little rich girl urges her guests.

And, how she intends to dish it up!


But, not before confusing the heck out of 'ya!








For example - when a web surfer clicks on a handful of odd-ball icons arranged neatly (she likes things to be nice) across the main page - the mystical little webmaster returns the viewer ad nauseam back to the start-up page without having accomplished a single thing.

Ah, I get it.

Rearrange the letters of Goop and you come up with Pogo!

Just hop around Goop on your Pogo stick, dude!

Soon, it will be obvious to 'ya.

Goop is an exercise in futility.

If not - maybe the newsletter I signed up for this afternoon - will zip off a message over the weekend and laughingly titter the obvious.

"Julian, 'ya just got punked."

Gwyneth, your site kind of reminds me of an old joke.

An old philosopher once said,

"To be is to do"

A fellow scholar was inclined to add further,

"To do is to be"

But, Frank Sinatra said it best, when he crooned,

"Do be do be do"

Gotcha!

Geox...the shoe that breathes!

As I was perusing the morning paper, a shoe ad caught my attention.

The quarter page blurb screamed out at me:

"The shoe that breathes"

An image of the well-crafted shoe - bottom, front, and back - hinted at sure comfort, style, and practicality.

But, a shoe that breathes?

The shoe was designed by Mario Moretti Polegato.
His family history suggested that if he was going to do anything with a shoe, it might be along the lines of stomping a few grapes.

After all, Mario Moretti Polegato, was originally destined to take over the family wine-making business.

With that goal in mind, Polegato graduated from the Agricultural Faculty and joined the family business in hopes of expanding its market.

While at a wine industry conference in Reno, Nevada, he went for a jog in the dry heat. His rubber shoes were great for cushioning and support, but were like a heat chamber for his feet.

He had an idea to cut a couple of holes in his outer soles to add what he refers to as "breathability".

Eureka, as they say!

Needless to say, Polegato developed his ground-breaking idea into a viable product, with the help of his small family-owned leather goods business.

The first shoe with a perforated sole was born - which not only allowed the foot to breathe - but prevented water from penetrating the outer shell, too.

International sales have been phenomenal.

The idea was a shoe-in, obviously!

McDonald's...prices go up today! But, service remains shoddy...

If you dropped into McDonald's this morning for your favorite egg McMuffin, you must have been taken aback - like I was - when you got less cash back in your change.

The cashier must have overcharged 'ya, right?

Wrong!

Prices went up today, across the board, at the fast-food take-out!

And, their spanking-new breakfast menus reflect the changes.

The counter person shrugged.


"Prices are going up everywhere."

The hike is not outrageous.

But, for those in the lower income strata who have to pinch pennies to get by, there may be a bit of a financial strain.

Are businesses charging more for goods and services simply because the competition has begun the trend?

Or, is there a specific reason for the increase?



Business owners blame the high cost of fuel which trickles down and affects shipping and delivery costs.


In McDonald's case, there may be another reason.

Was it just a coincidence that new prices went into effect today on the heels of the announcement that the fast-food giant would boost dividends to stockholders?

It sum, it appears that McDonald's execs are taking away with one hand and giving back with another.

Clever!

Now, how about boosting the - freshness, quality, and nutrition value - of the food?

Service trends - or the lack thereof - are ready for a major overhaul, too.

For instance, of late it's rare, that the doors at the "golden arches" open promptly at 6 a.m. as advertised.

Notwithstanding, service personnel on tap at the counter tend to be inexperienced, lacking in communication skills - and quite generally - not very savvy in the customer relations department.

What ever happened to the concept of service with a smile?

Ray Kroc must be turning over in his grave!

Give 'em the old soft shoe...

Jobriath...Glam Rock star! Memories of paths that mysteriously crossed!

After a tough day of blogging, I slipped into Starbucks for a short Misto.

"Lots of foam," please I teased the cute young staffer, as I flopped into a big easy chair.

A screenwriter - just an acquaintance - sat with his head buried in his Mac as he struggled over turns-of-phrases and plotlines that obviously zig-zagged this way 'n that.

No fun, at all!

I snatched up the latest copy of Frontiers and came across an interesting newsbite.

In the music section, a reviewer was reporting on a Jobriath release.

"Creatures of the Street"

Ah, my head was flooded with foggy memories from the yesteryear.

The glam rocker was signed with Electra Records in the early seventies.

Through a contact (a roadie with a top band) - I was invited to Provincetown to meet with Jobriath (Boone) who was in search of a couple of singers and dancers to round out his upcoming stage show.

Of course, everyone in the "Big Apple" was familiar with the curious pop star, who was being promoted to the hilt.

There were huge billboards screaming from the rooftops - featuring him in an eerie pose with closely-cropped hair (unusual for the era) - and attired head-to-toe in what appeared to be a form-fitting stretch body stocking.

Was this the androgynous male of the future?

The reviewer at the little gay rag referred to Jobriath as the first "openly-gay" musical act signed on a major label.

Well, in retrospect, that may have been true.

When I crossed paths with Jobriath - his private gay life was firmly entrenched in the closet - except for his stage persona which was flamboyant and somewhat reminiscent of that being projected at the time by scintillating David Bowie.

I vaguely recall one television appearance where Jobriath strode out on stage in an other-worldly outfit - which smacked of a space suit - with shades of Ziggy Stardust written all over it.

In one bizarre unexpected moment - as all eyes stared his way in total disbelief - a helmet-style contraption crowning his head popped open - and petal-like leaves fell in unison to the lower reaches of his strangely beautiful neck.

At the Provincetown cottage he was renting for the summer, I sat in on a couple of the music rehearsals, to get an ear for the futuristic sound.

But, truly, Jobriath and I were worlds apart.

He sat there poised and aloof in a far-off world of his own.

In my long shaggy locks - a-la-Peter Frampton - I was an echo from the past.

We eyed each other suspicously as we staked out our territory for the night ahead.

Needless to say, it was an uncomfortable experience.

Jobriath appeared to be attracted to me - but for some inexplicable reason - the performer found it difficult to reach out and communicate on any significant level.

On the one Saturday Night I was a guest of Jobriath - the band and the singer and I - all trekked off to a local bar in town for a cocktail or two.

When Jobriath stepped into the down-to-earth unassuming watering hole, the patrons reacted like an alien had just alighted in the breezy little piano bar.

He offered to buy me a cocktail, but I declined.

It went downhill from there!

I came away from the experience - a bit envious of the fact that his mentor was tossing oodles of money his way - to promote his career.

In spite of it, his new release couldn't get off the ground.

Unfortunately, his "timing" was off.

The reviewer labeled the album an "adventurous experiment".

And, thought it sad that Jobriath's fantastic potential was never realized.

If anything, Jobriath thought of himself - in my estimation - as a genius who would rock the music world.

Unfortunately, life didn't pan out that way.

Intriguing tale, isn't it?

Gelsons...cat food cheaper than CVS. Meow!

Mayfair Market used to be situated where Gelsons is now.

When I was ensconced in my cozy little apartment on Flores years ago, the corner market was just a hop-and-a-skip away, so I tended to shop there.

The staff were pleasant, the products were reasonably priced, and other shops were in walking distance if there was a need to pick up specialty items.

One of the perks included the occasional glimpse of singer Johnny Mathis or Streisand's son - Jason - squeezing fruit and vegetables in the produce department.

But, I moved, and started to shop at Pavilions.

Now that the Von's grocery is under construction, and temporarily shut-down, I have been forced to seek shopping-cart adventures elsewhere.

Last week, when I succumbed to a stray's whines, I was forced to dash into Gelsons for a can of cat food.

Not being a pet owner in a couple of years, I wasn't able to gauge the prices.



Nonetheless, they appeared to be within a reasonable range, so I plucked up a bit of the well-packaged attractive-looking stuff.



Shortly after "Gonzo" (a black two-year old with skit-zoid tendencies) gobbled down the last of it - I happened to be in the neighborhood of CVS - so I lurched in there on a gamble.

Surely, with their rock-bottom prices on Gatorade and Vitamin water, cat food would be inclined to hit the lower register, too.

Wrong!


On average, every pet food product on their well-stocked shelves, was about twenty-to-thirty cents more expensive than Gelsons.

'Ya got it.

I'm a regular at Gelsons, now.

Cruising ain't so bad, either!

Say, is that a banana in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Bowser Beer...for dogs! Chug-a-lug, eh?

You plunk yourself down in front of the TV, crack open the piping-hot foil on a Hungry Man dinner, and take a swig of your favorite thirst-quenching brewski.

Suddenly, you feel guilty.

Ah, look at those sad puppy-dog eyes, staring up at you from beneath the table.

Not anymore, dude!

Bowser Beer has rustled up a beefy, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage for man's best friend!

The dog-eared ale is a - fun, healthy, and unique alternative to water - that can be served with a dog treat, straight out of the bottle, or as a topping on dry food.

Now your pouch won't be stealing sly slicks off the bottle top, when you dash off to the "john" during commercial break, to take a whiz!

The lusty brew is made with human-grade ingredients - but get this - it's also low in calories and fat.

So, there won't be any unexpected trots down the walk in the middle of the night, if you know what I mean.

What exactly are the ingredients?

The tasty beer is made of 100% American beef broth and is cooked with real beef!

It also contains smidgens of Pure malt barley - just like in real beer - which will add much-needed lustre to a pet's shiny coat.

And, there's a magical touch of glucosamine, to promote joint health!

Bowser Beer comes in a six pack of twelve-ounce size bottles.

Skoal!

Julian 1st...Caesar of Rome! A past life experience...

This morning I got a bit of a jolt when I was checking the blot stats and noticed that someone conducted a search on my wordpress blog site for information on Julian Caesar's "personal life".

Anyone who has visited the site may have wondered why I use - Julian1st - in the address line of the web location.

It was sort of an inside joke, but I guess some astute individual figured it out.

It requires a bit of an explanation, though.

Although I believe in reincarnation - up until earlier this year - I never entertained any lofty notions about being anyone in particular - such as Christ, any celebrated author, whomever!

Then, out-of-the-blue one day at the San Francisco Library, I got an inkling as to who I may have been.

Each morning - when the library opened promptly at nine - I took the long trek upstairs to a section where tomes on Eastern Religion and Philosophy were shelved, since I was avidly researching my keen interest in Buddhism.

One day, as I strode up to the spot at a long wooden table where I usually whiled away most of the early morning hours, a book was resting face-up in the location right where I usually plopped myself down.

Odd, that.

After all, when the Library first opens in the wee hours of the day, usually there aren't any books out on the tables, yet.

Curious, I plucked up the hardcover book staring up at me.

The publication was a biography on the Roman leader, Julian I.

As I turned the pages, I suddenly realized that the former Emperor of Rome, shared a number of things in common with me.

For starters, our physical appearance - curly hair and muscular build - appeared to be strikingly similar, somehow.

As I continued on and read about Julian's philosophies - and his funadamental ideas about life - I was astounded to discover how closely the musings rang true with my own theories.

Suddenly, it occurred to me, I was Julian (the) 1st in a prior life!

Flavius Claudius Julianus was born in May (I was born May) in Constantinople and was the son of Julius Constantius (a half brother of Emperor Constantine I and second wife Basilina).


His paternal grandparents were Emperor "Constantius Chlorus" and his second wife "Flavia Maximiana Theodora".

His maternal grandfather was Julius Julianus, praetorian prefect of the Orient, under Emperor Licinius from 315 to 324.

The name of Julian's maternal grandmother is unknown.

In the turmoil after the death of Constantine in 337 (in order to establish himself as sole emperor) Julian's zealous Christian cousin led a massacre against Julian's family.

Constantius II ordered the murders of descendants from the second marriage of Constantius Chlorus and Theodora.
Constantius and his brothers Constantine II and Constans I (and cousins Julian and Gallus) were the only males related to Constantine who survived.

Constantius II, Constans I, and Constantine II were proclaimed joint Emperors and each proceeded to rule a portion of the Roman territory.

Constantius II them oversaw a strict Arian Christian education for Julian and Gallus.

Most descriptions of the life of Julian speculate about his early psychological development and education.

Initially he grew up in Bithynia and was raised by his maternal grandmother.

At the age of seven, Julian was placed under the guardianship of Eusebius of Nicomedia (my own legal guardianship commenced at that age) and the semi-Arian Christian Bishop of Nicomedia.

At this juncture, Julian was tutored by Mardonius, a Gothic eunuch.

In 342, both Julian and Gallus were exiled to the imperial estate of Macellum in Cappadocia.

There, Julian met the Christian Bishop George of Cappadocia, who lent him books from the classical tradition.

At the age of 18, the exile was lifted (I was released from my own legal guardianship by the State at the same age) and Julian resided briefly in Constantinople and Nicomedia.

In his thirty-first year, Julian wrote that he had spent twenty years in the actual "way of error" and eleven in the true way.

Similarly, I have come to some of the same conclusions about myself, although the time frames differ a bit.

Julian became a lector, a minor office in the Christian church, and his later writings showed a detailed knowledge of the Bible.

My own fascination with the scriptures dovetails here, too.

Julian studied Neoplatonism in Asia Minor in 351 - at first under Aedesius (the philosopher) - then with Neoplatonic theurgy from Aedesius' student, Maximus of Ephesus.

He was summoned to Constantius' court in Milan in 354 and housed there for a year.

In the summer and fall of 355, Julian was permitted to study at Athens where he met Gregory Nazianzus for the first time.

Julian's personal religion was bookish and philosophical (like mine).

He viewed the traditional myths as allegories in which the ancient gods were aspects of a philosophical divinity.

A view I do not hold.

The chief surviving sources are his orations on Helios and the Great Mother, which are viewed by scholars as panegyrics and not theological treatises.

Julian learned theurgy (something I dabbled with in my teenage years) from Maximus, a student of Iamblichus (I was self-taught).

Certain aspects of Julian's thought - such as his reorganization of paganism under High Priests and his fundamental monotheism - displayed a Christian influence.

Unlike Julian 1st, I never recognized paganism, and have always followed the strict dictates of Christianity which I wholeheartedly adhere to.


Despite having received no military education, Julian proved to be a good military commander.

I am vehemently opposed to War and am basically a pacifist by nature.

The commander-in-chief won his first important victory at Gaul, after leading a Roman army under the walls of the Sassanid Empire's capital.

Constantine II died in 340 when he attacked his brother Constans.

Constans - in turn - fell in 350 in the war against the usurper Magnentius.

Consequently, Constantius II was left as the sole remaining Emperor.

To bolster his strength in 351, Constantius made Julian's half-brother - Gallus - Caesar of the East.

Then, Constantius turned his attention westward to Magnentius, where he won a major battle later that year.

In 354, Gallus - who had imposed a rule of terror over the territories under his command - was executed.

Julian was summoned to court and held for a year under suspicion of treasonable intrigue in view of his close ties with his brother and Claudius Silvanus.

However, Julian was cleared of any wrongdoing - the Empress Eusebia intervened on his behalf - and he was summarily sent on to Athens.

When Constantius was confronted with a Persian War, he was in dire need of a representative in Gaul that he could trust.

Julian was thus summoned to the Emperor in Mediolanum (Milan).

On November 6th (355), Julian was crowned Caesar of the West.

On the heels of this appointment, Julian married Constantius' sister, Helena.

In the years that followed, Julian fought back the Germanic tribes that vigorously sought to intrude upon the Roman Empire.

Julian won back Colonia Agrippina (Cologne) in the fortuitous year of 356 during his first campaign in Gaul, too.

The following summer, he led an army of 13,000 men to glory against the Alamanni at the Battle of Strasbourg (a major Roman victory).

In 358, Julian gained victory over the Salian Franks on the Lower Rhine.

The Chamavi were also forced back to Hamaland around the same time frame.

During his residence in Gaul, Julian also attended to non-military matters.

He prevented a tax increase by the Gallic praetorian prefect - Florentius - and personally administered the Province of Belgica Secunda.

In the fourth year of his campaign in Gaul - the Sassanid Emperor, Shapur II - invaded Mesopotamia and took the city of Amida after a seventy-three day siege.

In February 360, Constantius ordered Julian to send Gallic troops to the eastern army.

This provoked an insurrection by troops of the Petulantes - who proclaimed Julian Emperor in Paris - and led to a very swift military campaign to secure or win the allegiance of others.

From June to August of that year, Julian led a successful campaign against the Attuarian Franks.

That same June - forces loyal to Constantius II - captured the city of Aquileia on the north Adriatic coast (which was subsequently besieged by 23,000 men loyal to Julian).

Civil war was avoided only by the death of Constantius II - who, in his last will - recognized Julian as his rightful successor.

Right away, Julian reduced the expenses of the Imperial Court and removed all the eunuchs from office.

An action - I, personally - would never have taken.

In his continuing campaign of sweeping change, Julian proceeded to reduce a luxury tax established in the court of Constantius.

In addition, he cut back the number of servants and guards on the public coffers.

I'm in accord with that decision.

The young Emperor also started a Chalcedon tribunal where some followers of Constantius were tortured and killed under supervision of magister militum Arbitio

I am against the torture of prisoners under any circumstances.

After ascending to the Imperial throne, Julian instituted political reforms distinct from his religious activities.

Julian's own personal tastes tended towards ascetism (such as my own) and this was reflected in his new court after it was swiftly purged of thousands of useless servants, untrustworthy eunuchs, and superfluous officials out to stab him in the back.

Julian touted his actions as mere "attacks on a system" he viewed as inefficient, corrupt, and expensive.

The forthright leader sought to reduce - what he perceived as a burdensome and corrupt bureaucracy within the Imperial administration - which included civic officials, secret agents, and the Imperial post service.

One of my own missions in this life has been to upseat corrupt officials, expose dishonest judges, and purge a legal system that is unjust to the people.

Julian saw his role as Emperor differently than his immediate predecessors.

For example, he did not intend to rule as an absolute autocrat.

In his view, the ideal ruler operated under the same laws as his subjects.

Subsequently, he expanded the authority of the cities (at the expense of the imperial bureaucracy) as he ultimately sought to reduce direct Imperial involvement in urban affairs (I am in accord).

For example, city land owned by the Imperial government was returned to the cities, city council members were compelled to resume civic authority (often against their will), and tributes in gold (known as "aurum coronarium") were made voluntary rather than a compulsory tax.

Additionally, arrears of land taxes were cancelled. (Amen)

Any new taxes and corvees had to be approved by Julian directly rather than left to the judgment of the bureaucrats.

Julian had a clear idea of what he wanted Roman society to be - both in political - as well as religious terms.

In replacing Constantius's political and civil appointees, Julian drew heavily from the intellectual and professional classes, or kept reliable holdovers such as the rhetorician Themistius.

The choices he favored in respect to consuls - in 362 - were more controversial.

Although Claudius Mamertinus (the former Praetorian Prefect of Illyricum) was considered acceptable, the selection of Nevitta - a trusted Frankish general - raised eyebrows.

The latter appointment reflected the fact that - for all his literary refinement and philosophic ideals - Julian's authority depended on the power of the army.

After taking center stage, Julian started a religious reformation of the state, which was intended to restore the lost strength of Rome.

Julian supported the restoration of Hellenic paganism as the state religion, for instance.

A mistake, I would never make.

Julian's laws tended to target the wealthy and educated Christians.


Even so, his aim was not to destroy Christianity - but to drive the religion out of "the governing classes of the empire" — much as Buddhism was driven back into the lower classes by a revived Confucian mandarinate in thirteenth-century China.

Bad!


In sum, he ended up restoring the pagan temples, which had been confiscated during the political regime of Constantine time and/or appropriated by wealthy citizens.

The young Caesar also repealed the stipends that Constantine had awarded to Christian Bishops, and removed other privileges, including the right to be consulted on appointments.

I would strip them of their power, too; deservedly so.

He reversed some favors bestowed upon Christians.

Julian (also known as "the Apostate") presided at a conference of sectarians - held by Edward Armitage - in which he promulgated an edict to guarantee freedom of religion.


This edict proclaimed that all the religions were equal before the law - and that the Roman Empire had to return to its original religious eclecticism - according to which the Roman State did not impose any religion on its provinces.

At long last, he was making some headway and some sense, to boot!


Some historians believe the sole purpose of the calculated move was to restore paganism at the expense of Christianity.

Julian's religious status is a matter of considerable dispute.

According to one theory (G.W. Bowersock's, in particular) Julian's Paganism was highly eccentric and atypical because it was heavily influenced by an esoteric approach to Platonic philosophy sometimes identified as theurgy and also neoplatonism.

Other scholars (Rowland Smith, for instance) argued that Julian's philosophical perspective was nothing unusual for a "cultured" Pagan of his time - and that Julian's Paganism - was not limited to philosophy alone.

After all, he was deeply devoted to the same Gods and Goddesses as other Pagans of his day.

According to Christian historian Socrates Scholasticus, Julian believed himself to be "Alexander the Great" in another body via transmigration of souls as taught by Plato and Pythagoras.

And now, Julian (Emperor of Rome) has moved on to this physical realm in the modern day, in this mortal shell!

Hail Caesar!

Barack Obama...burned in effigy! American race relations still in question...

Just when it appeared that race relations in the United States were improving, startling news has filtered out of a small Christian (!) University in Newberg (Oregon), that disputes that fact.


Overnight, a cardboard image of presidential candidate - Barack Obama - was strung from a tree on campus and set ablaze.

Faculty members and students alike at George Fox University were shocked at the disturbing turn of events.


In the wake of the unexpected drama, a handful of concerned residents sadly recalled the days of the "lynchings" of blacks in America's troubled past.

Many were furious that the senseless acts of a few succeeded in casting a dark shadow over the hallowed grounds of their upstanding learning institution.

A spokesman for the University noted for the record that he has been employed at George Fox for over two decades - and that during the duration - there has never been any "overt racial act".

Maybe the idea of an Afro-American president still doesn't sit well with some Christian white folks in Oregon?

No, the times they are not necessarily a-changing!

Sarah Palin...believes in witchcraft! Heh, get behind me, Satan...

Allegedly, a "YouTube" video has surfaced in recent days, which unwittingly catches VP hopeful - Sarah Palin - bowing her head before a Kenyan Pastor as he recites a prayer to protect her from "witchcraft".

Huh?

If Palin was seeking protection from "witchcraft" as she prepared to seek higher office (as the news reports allege) then - without doubt - the Alaskan upstart obviously believes in things that go bump in the night.

As Spock would say, "It's logical".


In the event she manages to prevail in the upcoming election, it is wholly possible - given the facts to date - that Ms. Palin may be inclined to crudely scratch a cross in lamb's blood over each and every door and window at the White House.






Who wants to tempt fate, after all?





I expect somewhere down the road there will also be unsubstantiated reports that the lipstick dynamo also has a small collection of dolls with the images of her enemies sewn on their faces along with a suspicious array of pins ceremoniously poked in the head, heart, torso, and limbs of each one.

Get behind me, Satan!