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Death Deities & Gods of the Underworld: Understanding Humanity’s Fascination with the Afterlife.

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Death—a force inevitable and universal—has always loomed large in human imagination. How do cultures across time make sense of this great mystery? The answer has often come in the evocative form of death gods and rulers of unseen realms. These figures are not mere harbingers of doom—they are complex, sometimes compassionate, and brilliantly symbolic. Join us as we travel through myth and legend, unraveling tales of awe, fear, hope, and transformation. From Egypt to the Aztec world, from Norse winterlands to Celtic battlefields, discover how humanity’s gods of death reflect not just endings, but the promise of something more. Meet the Masters of the Beyond Below are a selection of some of the most evocative deities and personifications linked to death and the afterlife, each brimming with unique legends and cultural roles. Osiris: Egypt’s Lord of Death—and Rebirth Once murdered by his treacherous brother Set, Osiris was lovingly reassembled and resurrected by Isis...
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Alligator Alcatraz: Trump’s Everglades Detention Camp Is a National Disgrace

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Donald Trump’s latest stunt in immigration enforcement has arrived in the form of “Alligator Alcatraz,” a sprawling detention camp hastily erected in the heart of the Florida Everglades.  With a name that sounds more like a theme park attraction than a government facility, this new site is an alarming symbol of how far the administration is willing to go in its crusade against undocumented migrants. A Remote Prison in the Swamps Located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, miles from civilization and surrounded by dangerous wetlands, the camp is as inhospitable as it gets.  The choice of location is no accident: the Everglades’ alligators, snakes, and isolation serve as natural barriers, making escape nearly impossible and sending a chilling message to anyone who might be sent there. The facility itself is a patchwork of tents and trailers, thrown together in a matter of days.  There’s no pretense of comfort or dignity—just a clear intent to wa...
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America’s Big Beautiful Betrayal: How the Senate’s Latest Bill Sacrifices the Vulnerable for the Wealthy—and Explodes the National Debt

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In a dramatic turn on July 1, 2025, the Senate was deadlocked on President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”  The final tally: 50-50, with three Republican senators—Rand Paul, Thom Tillis, and Susan Collins—breaking ranks to oppose the sweeping legislation.  Vice President JD Vance cast the decisive vote, pushing the bill over the finish line and sending it back to the House for final approval. **Austerity for the Many** At the heart of the bill are sweeping cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other critical social services.  Medicaid, the backbone of healthcare for low-income Americans, faces nearly a trillion dollars in funding reductions over the next decade.  The bill imposes harsh new work requirements, targeting able-bodied adults under 65 and threatening coverage for millions—including families, people with disabilities, and rural residents.  Projections show that at least 7.8 million people will lose their Medicaid cove...
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King Yeonsangun: The Tyrant of Joseon

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The Rise of a King Born Yi Yung in 1476, Yeonsangun became the 10th monarch of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty in 1494, succeeding his father, King Seongjong. His mother, Lady Yun (later posthumously honored as Queen Jeheon), had been executed by poison for striking her husband and angering the Queen Dowager Insu. For much of his youth, Yeonsangun did not know the truth about his mother’s fate, and when he finally learned, it fueled a deep resentment and paranoia that would shape his reign. Early Reign and Hidden Darkness At the start, Yeonsangun’s rule appeared promising. He strengthened national defense and aided the poor, showing himself to be a capable administrator. However, even early on, there were signs of a violent temperament. Soon after ascending the throne, he killed one of his tutors, foreshadowing the brutality to come. The Literati Purges Yeonsangun is infamous for two major purges of scholars and officials—the Muosahwa (1498) and Gapjasahwa (1504) massacres....
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Trump, Putin, and Ukraine: The Illusion of Influence and the Reality of Escalation

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In recent weeks, the war in Ukraine has entered a new phase of intensity, marked by some of the most destructive Russian missile attacks since the conflict began. These developments have unfolded against a backdrop of shifting political rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed a unique ability to influence Russian President Vladimir Putin.  However, a closer look at the events and statements from both sides reveals a troubling dynamic: Trump’s approach has not only failed to restrain Putin but has actively emboldened Russian aggression. Trump’s Position: Concessions Without Reciprocity Donald Trump’s proposed solutions for ending the war in Ukraine have consistently placed the burden of compromise on Ukraine, rather than Russia.  His public statements suggest that Ukraine should accept Russian control over Crimea and much of the eastern regions—territories that Russia has seized and occupied since 2014.  Trump has offered little in...
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The Nature of Existence: A Philosophical Invitation

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Why This Question Matters One of philosophy’s most fundamental and enduring questions is: **What is the nature of existence?** This question is both basic and universal—it asks what it means for anything to “be” at all, and in what way things exist. Before we can debate the existence of gods, morality, or meaning, we must first grapple with the very ground of being. The Heart of the Matter Existence is the state of having reality—of being rather than not-being. Philosophers have long wrestled with whether existence is a property of individual things or something more abstract. Is existence like color or shape, something that objects possess, or is it a higher-order property, a way of talking about what kinds of things are real? Different Ways of Existing There are many ways to approach existence: - Concrete vs. Abstract: Physical objects exist in space and time, while numbers and ideas exist in a more abstract sense. - Possible, Contingent, Necessary: Some th...
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The Incredible Survival Saga of Valerie the Dachshund

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Deep in the wilds of Kangaroo Island, a tiny dachshund named Valerie proved that even the smallest dogs can have the biggest adventures—and the toughest survival instincts. It all began during a family camping trip in November 2023.  Valerie’s owners had brought her along for the adventure, but when they stepped away for a quick fishing excursion, Valerie slipped out of her pen and disappeared into the wilderness.  Heartbroken, her owners searched for five long days, combing through the remote bushland, calling her name, and setting out food and familiar scents.  But Valerie was nowhere to be found. With heavy hearts, they had to return home without her, fearing the worst. But Valerie wasn’t done with her journey—not by a long shot.  For an astonishing 17 months, this little dog survived on her own in the rugged landscape.  Locals and visitors occasionally spotted her, her pink collar a bright splash against the wild backdrop. She became a legend on ...
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