Jon's Blog

A few weeks ago, I learned of an event called "Coexist" that sought to "break down barriers and... create peace and unity within yourself and amongst others in the community." It was to be held today at the Illuminations Healing Arts Center in nearby Cedar Rapids.

I had attended a workshop with the agency's director, Michelle Stafford, last October at the 2015 Iowa City Metaphysical Expo and was curious to learn more about Illuminations. So I marked the event on my calendar and arrived for series of half-hour speakers.

Actually, I arrived a few hours late today so I missed a variety of speakers, including Jorge Pena (who spoke about Native American spirituality), Jonathan Chambers (who spoke about Bring Peace), Ashok Chawla (who spoke about Hinduism), Iman Hassan Selim (who spoke about being a Muslim), Marion Patterson (who spoke about Unitarian Universalism), and Zuiko Redding (who spoke on the Buddha's Four Noble Truths).

I arrived in the middle of a meditative workshop. So instead of disrupting the class, I decided to check out the store at Illuminations. They have a merchandise, including oils, stones, charms, and books. They also employ several healing practitioners who specialize in everything from Reiki, massage, yoga, shamanism, spiritual healing, and life coaching.

I've mentioned before that I've been told that I am a healer -- in the metaphysical sense. At least, I have that potential. Which interests me enough to look up shamanistic and energy healing material. But not enough yet to do anything about it. I decided today to purchase a book called How To Meet & Work with Spirit Guides by Ted Andrews. I will let you all know how this plays out!

I did end up attending a couple different speaker events featuring Sterling Hart on "Yoga and Evolution" and Gina Hamilton on "A Pagan Circle." Hart's partner demonstrated various yoga positions and transitions. He also discussed the benefit of using yoga for meditation and personal transformation. Hamilton sang some Pagan songs for us and then defined and discussed some basic concepts behind Paganism.

I then attended "Hybrid Spirituality" with Don Marlette. I met Don back in October when I attended a panel with him on connecting with spirit guides and departed loved one. I then ended up sharing lunch with him and chatting about his family and career. This discuss didn't have anything to do with his work as a medium, but instead spoke about spiritual development. He spoke about being a Catholic, but also about including various other religious and spiritual sources in his life. He noted four different principles that people need to incorporate into their spiritual development: 1. Prayer/Study, 2. Community, 3. Morality, and 4. Social Justice.

There was one final presentation with Michelle Stafford on Sacred Spiritual Activism, but I was starting to feel mentally exhausted and ended up not attending that presentation.

Overall, I was impressed with the event and with Illuminations Healing Arts Center. I picked up some materials about upcoming classes from the store. So don't be surprised if I end up spending some time there in the coming week and writing about them here.

Chick-fil-A is well-known as the fast food restaurant of choice for people who hate gay people. Apparently, they are now trying to be the fast food restaurant of choice for those who are trying to lose weight!

A picture has gone viral of a Chick-fil-A bag with "great idea for healthier living." First on their list of weight loss suggestions? Eat Chick-fil-A's 8-piece grilled nugget packs every 3-4 hours!

The bag also recommends that people supplement their eating with exercise.

Someone on Facebook posted some additional health information that may have you rethinking your new Chick-fil-A diet:

6 of those nuggets have: 140 Calories, 3g Fat, 1g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 70mg Cholesterol, 530 mg Sodium, 4g Carbohydrate s ,0g Fiber ,1g Sugar 23 g Protein.

Average persons need 1200 to 2000 calories a day. (most base it on a 2000 calorie diet and moderate active (which most are not expectually CP costumers)

So, if you made this your 8 snacks a day you would have exceeded your weekly intake for bad fats, sodium and sugars and Cholesterol. No dietary fiber, iron, B vitamins, vitamin C , folic acids, or potassium. (or the other daily intake of mineral and vitamin recommendations) Not to mention over half of your caloric intake.

In other words, eat the grilled nuggets if you are looking for healthier food options at CFA -- but certainly don't go there multiple times daily!

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was interviewed this morning by Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday" and asked about same-sex marriage. Trump told Wallace that he plans to work to reverse the Obergefell ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide:

Wallace: You say that now that the Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is the law of the land and that any politician that talks about wanting to amend the constitution is just playing politics. Are you saying that it's time to move on?

Trump: No, I'm saying this. It has been ruled upon. It has been there. If I’m elected I would be very strong in putting certain judges on the bench that I think maybe could change things, but they have a long way to go. I mean, at some point we have to get back down to business.

But there's no question and most people feel this way. They have ruled on it. I wish this had been done by the states. I don't like the way they ruled. I disagree with the Supreme Court from the standpoint they should have been a states' rights issue and that's the way it should have ruled on, Chris. Not the way they did it. This was a very surprising ruling. And I can see changes coming down the line, frankly. But I would've much preferred that they ruled at a state level and allowed the states to make those rulings themselves.

Wallace: But just to button this up very quickly, sir. Are you saying if you become president, you might try to appoint justices to overrule this decision on same-sex marriage?

Trump: I would strongly consider that. Yes.

In other words, Donald Trump wants to return this country to a time when gay families were at risk for harm -- both emotionally, politically, and economically -- every time we crossed borders from marriage equality states to marriage inequality states. He wants a lopsided set of rules when it comes to gay families.

You can watch the whole segment here.

This is the thirtieth in a series of blog posts dedicated to the 40th anniversary of BBC's "Survivors" television series. "Survivors" followed a core group of characters who managed to survived a devastating viral outbreak -- one which managed to kill off somewhere between 95-99% of humanity. Society has crumbled and now those who remain must relearn the old way if they have any hope of surviving much longer.

This latest episode, titled "Mad Dog," features Charles Vaughan. He has left everyone behind Edith's farm so that he can search for her missing son, Tom. Very quickly in this episode, Charles is attacked by a pack of vicious dogs. He manages to get bit by one of the dogs before being saved by a traveler.

The traveler's name is Richard Fenton. He trades guns for food and supplies.

Richard Fenton

Charles pitches his idea about federalizing Britain's survivors, which causes Fenton to scoff. Fenton think that this is "pie in the sky" thinking and that it's better to remain detached from everyone and everything. After all, society is dead and those who've survived are just remnants waiting to finish the job!

Fenton does reveal three interesting tidbits to Charles. First, he's met Greg Preston. Second, Fenton has maintained a detailed journal of everyone he's encountered since the Death. And third, there's lots of rabies in the area. So, it's possible that Charles now has rabies! But it's too late to do anything about it!

Charles has a minor freak-out, but ends up camping out with Fenton. Unfortunately, he discovers Fenton feverish and slightly delirious in the morning. It turns out that Fenton has rabies!! He asks Charles to kill him -- but Charles won't do it. After all, he needs to find that journal! Instead, he ties up Fenton and runs off for help.

Charles brings a couple of men to the house. They find Fenton foaming at the mouth and running around like a madman! After a quick chase, they manage to shoot the trader in the back!

The men quickly discover that Charles is sick. Instead of quarantining him, they decide to kill him. They are concerned that he will get killed by a pack of dogs. The dogs would get infected by his blood, and in turn will put the surrounding farmers and livestock in danger of infection.

Charles manages to escape. But ends up getting all sorts of injuries during the escape, including getting shot...

... and getting tossed by a horse... twice!

Pretty soon, the entire countryside is out searching for the possibly infectious Charles Vaughan!

Exhausted, Charles ends up collapsing outside of a farm. The farmer is a woman named Ellen, who fortunately doesn't panic like the others when it comes to rabies. She assesses Charles' injury and decides that he does have rabies! (Probably)

Ellen gives Charles some food and a horse. Unfortunately, that was the second horse to toss Charles to the ground!

But fortune continues to favor Charles as he discovers himself next to a working steam engine! He crawls on-board before the crew finishes shoveling in a bunch of coal and manages to escape to a nearby train terminal!

Charles is patched up by a medic and then the train engineers offer to transport him far, far away! But not before revealing that they've met Greg Preston and have listened to his speech about connecting Britain's people and rebuilding society!

I jest a bit when it comes to Charles' misadventures in this episode. But it really is a very strong episode -- much better than I remember it being when I first saw it a few years ago!

Morris Perry -- the actor who portrayed Fenton in this episode -- did a marvelous job, both before and after the progression of his rabies infection. His degeneration from a detached intellectual into a foaming lunatic was inspired!

"Mad Dog" also did an excellent job of balancing weighty dialogue and intellectual jousting with action-packed chase scenes. All in all, it's been my favorite third season episode so far.

Before I go, I forgot to mention that Charles actually managed to stumble upon Fenton's cottage in the midst of the hunt. He found Fenton's journal and discovered that Greg had been sent to a nearby coal mining site. He pocketed the journal, which will be an important prop in next week's episode.

We will meet up with the rest of our travelers next week in "Bridgehead."

Tonight is the 2016 Iowa Caucus.

I cannot wait. Largely because I'm tired of nonstop calls and robocalls from various political parties, campaigns, PACs, and pollsters. This goes on for months and months. And in recent weeks, it's been several calls daily! And it's made worse by the fact that I am a member of a two-party household -- so everyone calls our home!

Don't get me wrong. I like the Caucus. I will be at the Caucus. And then I will do a happy dance because everyone will abandon Iowa for New Hampshire and I will have some peace for a while!

That said, the people of Iowa City learned the results of an even more important political contest last night. I'm talking about the 2016 Iowa Coffee Bean Caucus!!

The Coffee Bean Caucus happens before every Iowa Caucus. It's sponsored and managed by the Hamburg Inn here in Iowa City. People come far and wide to place beans in their preferred candidate's jar.

Bernie Sanders won the Democratic Caucus with 4680 beans, followed by Hillary Clinton (2163 beans) and Martin O'Malley (301 beans).

Donald Trump won the Republican Caucus with 919 beans, followed by Rand Paul (511 beans), Marco Rubio (279 beans), Ted Cruz (143 beans), Carly Fiorina (129 beans), Jeb! Bush (106 beans), John Kasich (97 beans), Mike Huckabee (94 beans), Chris Christie (82 beans), and Rick Santorum (76 beans).

Caucus 2016: Way Up High at City High

The Iowa Caucus happened last night. I was there. My husband was there. All of our neighbors were there. Despite worries that nobody would show up, everybody showed up.

I'm in Precinct 17 in Iowa City and was assigned to the auditorium at City High for my caucus site. We ended up with 935 caucus participants. The room was so full that we had to open up some nearby classrooms for overflow space! It was nearly two to one in favor of Bernie over Clinton. O'Malley and the Undecideds had some supporters, but neither group ended up being viable. Somebody hissed at the Clinton representative, but it was fun and friendly otherwise -- compared to other caucus sites!

Clinton ended up winning, but it was a very tight win. I chose Bernie as my candidate months and months ago. I was told that he is a long shot. I told them that I want to support my ideals and not (just) a safe candidate. So I'm very happy with Bernie's performance, even if he didn't win.

So I got home and was catching up with my news and noticed a coastal radio host whose podcast that I recently started listening to set up yesterday's show with an anti-Iowa Caucus message. Basically, "Iowa doesn't matter! The state that hasn't picked a winner in 16 years and is 91.6% white is going to tell us who should be President?"

I got in trouble with another political radio host for responding to this type of baiting. But...

1. Feck off!

2. Obama. And we also chose Kerry. And of course Bush and Gore. All within the past 16 years.

3. Iowa isn't supposed to pick the nominee. We're supposed to kick off the nationwide nomination process. There's still 49 other states who need to make their choices!

4. I value racial and cultural diversity. I also value Iowa values, recognizing that its diversity is not as racially mixed in the country as it is in its cities. That doesn't make Iowa more or less important.

I'm glad that the politicians and the pollsters are finally leaving Iowa for another year or two. But I'm also glad that this year's Iowa Caucus was so successful!

Did you read the latest chapter of the "Many Loves of Archie Andrews" in BETTY AND VERONICA COMICS ANNUAL #240? This is an ambitious 10-part series of short stories that's been appearing at the beginning of each of the BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST comic books. Each chapter features a story involving Archie Andrews and some romantic misadventure. Stories so far have included Betty & Veronica, Noelle Claus, and Valerie Smith.

Our latest focus character? None other than Riverdale's resident rich witch, Cheryl Blossom! This latest chapter is titled "Cheryl and Cheryl Alike." It features scripts & pencils by Dan Parent, inks by Rich Koslowski, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Digikore Studios.

This was one of those stories where Archie is portrayed as a real cad (towards Betty & Veronica) and a helping friend (towards Cheryl). I was once again left wondering why "B & V" pine incessantly after Ole Chowderhead when he promised the pair a day of two-on-one entertainment, only to bail on them instantly when called by Riverdale's other red-head!

Cheryl has promised an emergency, but her definition of "emergency" translated into boredom at a family get-together! It seems that nobody in her family likes Cheryl so she invited Archie to crash the party as entertainment -- and distraction from Granny Winslow! Granny really, really hates Cheryl and loves her cousin Lily. Granny plans to hand over control of her charitable group -- "Arts For America" -- to Lily someday and Cheryl really wants it instead. For some reason. Because of her generous soul. Or something.

Fortunately for Cheryl, Granny Winslow really likes Archie! I thought for a second that Archie and Granny Winslow had once dated. But it turned out that Archie was a volunteer at Arts For America. Cheryl declares that Archie is her boyfriend. At first, I assumed that she was marking territory before Archie started making moves with either Granny Winslow or Lily. But she's actually using her relationship with Archie to win her grandmother's favor, along with control of the charity!

Granny Winslow decides to assign Cheryl and Archie a variety of volunteer opportunities in order to witness Cheryl's transformation from spoiled brat to honored grandchild. They do stuff like finger painting and interpretive dancing. They even host a folk music class for dogs! Archie does a great job of getting into the spirit, but Cheryl's rotten nature manages to ruin each of these experiences.

Of course, Cheryl Blossom's dark nature is incapable of transforming into good and her plan to win over Granny Winslow predictably falls apart -- with a little help from Cousin Lily! Safe to say, Cheryl won't become a professional goody-goody any time soon!

By the way, did you know that Cheryl Blossom and her family have a reality TV show? Me neither! It's called "Keeping Up With The Blossoms" and it seems to be very entertaining! I wonder what channel it's on??

Pick up BETTY AND VERONICA COMICS ANNUAL #240 for this humorous brand-new short story, but stick around for the numerous classic reprints featuring Betty, Veronica, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Little Veronica!

Remember how TLC canceled "19 Kids and Counting" after it was revealed that anti-gay political organizer Josh Duggar had molested several young girls -- including a few of his own sisters -- and then admitted to cheating on his wife with exotic dancers and prostitutes?

Turns out that the Duggar family may be returning to reality TV:

Fans of the TLC series "19 Kids and Counting" will be happy to know that the series will be back for another run.

The stars of the series recently suffered through some scandals when it was revealed that Joshua Duggar took part in AshleyMadison.com, a website that serves as an online dating site for married men. With the family known as devout Christians, the news of Joshua's infidelity led to the show's cancellation...

Fans are still interested in learning more about the rest of the family and how the scandal had affected them. With that, TLC released several episodes of "Jill & Jessa: Counting On," which showed the sisters coping with the scandal's aftermath.

After seeing the success of the short series, it was announced that TLC will be bringing back "19 Kids and Counting" to the small screen. Reports show that a camera crew was recently seen with the Duggar family. They were seen in several locations such as a lumberyard and a thrift store.

In addition, it was revealed that the upcoming focus of the new season will be on Jana Duggar. The premiere of the upcoming season will show her opening up about her sentiments on being single. Her younger sisters are already married and have families of their own, which causes her to compare herself to them.

Notice that the Christian Post article does not mention the child sex abuse claims at all.

In contrast, Honey Boo Boo's show was permanently canceled and an entire season scrapped for much, much less.

Terry Meeuwsen of CBN's "700 Club" did a nearly 10 minute segment with some ex-gay Christian speaker named Kegan Wesley. Wesley was raped as a child by several men. He then went several years without reporting this incident or seeking any help. He became a drug addict and struggled with same-sex attractions. He then went to a Christian concert in his late teens and became a born again Christian.

Meeuwsen really pushed him a lot about his transformation and exit from the "gay lifestyle." Example...

Meeuwsen: You have gone through all kinds of growing and changing and being loved by God and identity-writing within your heart and your mind. Do you still struggle with same-sex attraction today?

Wesley: Temptation... You can't escape. Jesus had temptation. So temptation comes, but it's not the temptation that defines me. It's what I do with it that defines me.

Meeuwsen: So what do you do with it? How did you turn that car for yourself around and head in the other direction?

Wesley: I'm a Romans 12:2 kind of dude. I don't conform to this world, but I'm transformed by renewing my mind so that I can prove the will of God that which is perfect, good, and exceptable. And I just want to be more like Jesus and less like myself. And I think every human wants to.

Meeuwsen: What do you say to people who are in the gay lifestyle who say, "I was just born this way"? Because you talk a lot about the fact that we have the power of choice in our lives. So if I say to you, "I'm born this way," then suddenly there's nothing I can do about it. I'm sort of a victim of my circumstance. What do you say to people who say that?

Wesley: Well, we all are born some way. And we're definitely born into sin, which is why we have to be saved. And be born again. So Jesus just comes and says "I set before you life and I've set before you death," but with passion he says "I pray that you would choose life." Love is a choice. And I decided with my love to choose Jesus.. And what happened is that I fell so much in love with him and out of love with the life I was living.

Meeuwsen: All of it? Because sometimes we separate out the whole homosexual experience from every other sin on the planet, but it's all a stench before the nostril of God.

When asked how to respond to Christian parents who have kids who come out as gay, Wesley advises them to "trust the Lord," pray for them, and expect that they will eventually change.

Meeuwsen praised Kegan Wesley for his story, transformation, and unique testimony. But honestly, it's nothing new. He responds with the same vague responses that conservative Christians expect (outside of outright rejection) to hear when talking about LGBT people.

Meanwhile, Wesley still struggles with "same-sex attraction." He has to mentally push back on his gay feelings on a regular basis. And he refuses to define himself by his sin, but instead through his connection to Christ.

And don't get me going on the over-emphasis on his former gay identity versus his long history of drug and alcohol abuse and severe (and untreated) childhood sexual trauma. Frankly, I am way over ex-gay speakers who hawk their stories of substance abuse and childhood trauma and then generalize their story for all gay people.

And trust me... These stories don't change. Just the faces. I anticipate that Kegan Wesley's story will follow the typical trajectory of all young ex-gay spokespeople who get experience trauma, seek help through religion, tell the Church that they're messed up because they're gay, and then they will come out after years of dating isolation.

I could be wrong, but these patterns don't often change.

You can watch the whole segment here.

This is rich! The Phoenix City Council has insisted on having public prayers kick off each of its meetings for years. Recently, a Satanist group requested the right to offer their own prayer before the City Council. And the Phoenix City Council couldn't say no. Because they've permitted this practice forever and they're technically not allowed to favor one faith over another.

So now this tradition of public prayer has been nixed in order to prevent the public inclusion of a non-preferred religion:

The Phoenix City Council has voted to replace a long-standing tradition of praying before its meetings with a moment of silence. The move prevents a Satanist group from offering a prayer at the Council's meeting in a couple weeks.

This reminds me of conservative Christians who fought for years to protect the institution of marriage from same-sex couples. And now that gay couples can get legally married, they want to get rid of marriage licenses altogether!

It's been a busy quarter with lots of new projects. All of this means that it's easy for me to fall behind with my comic book reading! Horrible priorities, I know! But it happens... But I found myself with a day at home and decided to use that time to catch of with my pile of comic book digests!

Instead of working on individual posts for each of these titles, my plan is to do a marathon post highlighting a bit from each book. So -- starting alphabetically --, here we go!!!

ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #265: This comic book digest will hopefully get you all excited for Valentine's Day. Which I just realized is one week away!!

The first story in this digest is titled "Love At First Fight." It's an original short story and it features writing by Angelo Decesare, pencils by Fernando Ruiz, inks by Rich Koslowsi, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Glenn Whitmore.

It's days before Valentine's Day and Veronica has plans for a fabulous date. She just hasn't figured out yet if Reggie or Archie will be going out with her yet! And neither have they!

Veronica is so offended by their fighting that she storms off to find another guy.

(Pitifully, Betty is such a sad sack in this story that she instantly pleads for a date with the guy who was just fighting over the right to date another girl!)

Ronnie begins planting hints for the guys that she has found the perfect Valentine's Day date. Can Archie and Reggie figure out the identity of Veronica's new boyfriend? And what will they do to him once they find him??

ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #18: Our next story is "Too Pooped Pop." This short story features a script by Bill Golliner, pencils by Fernando Ruiz, inks by Bob Smith, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Glenn Whitmore.

Pop Tate is barely functioning. He hasn't had a vacation in months. Possibly even years! The Riverdale Gang offers to run the restaurant for one weekend so that he can take off for a brief vacation. To highlight how burned out he is? He actually agreed to this idea, even after knowing these kids for the past 75 years!!

To my surprise, things actually go over fabulously. The kids are exhausted by huge crews of visitors, but they actually manage to make it through the weekend without burning things down!

My favorite customers? The folks from the Magician's Convention! Our Gang is treated to nonstop magical tricks while filling orders for these folks! How fun!!!

JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #18: This story features Archie and Juggie in a story of pranks. It's titled "Snowstruck" and it features writing by Craig Boldman, pencils by Pat & Tim Kennedy, inks by Jim Amash, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Glenn Whitmore.

Jughead pulls a snowman-themed prank on Archie. He texted Archie to arrive in a particular spot at a particular time. Archie arrives and is then promptly attacked by Juggie the Snowman! Archie is so impressed that he pinpoints the next perfect target for this prank: Veronica!

Personally, I think he should have picked Betty...

WORLD OF ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #56: Our final story is "Keep It Clean." This one is written and penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Bob Smith, colored by Glenn Whitmore, and lettered by Jack Morelli.

It's Class Picture Day and both Archie and Jughead look stunning in their dapper suits! Curiously, Mrs. Jones is in tears! Jughead looks so good in his pictures, but she knows that he'll never keep himself clean and presentable long enough for his picture to be taken. Archie volunteers to do his best to keep Juggie "squeaky clean." Wanna bet how long this will last?

The boys come up with a substitution scheme to get them to the camera without any more damage. My only advise to Archie? Next time? Go first!!

I've been a fan of The Riverdale Podcast for a long time -- and even appeared on it from time to time. Jonathan's podcast became the Official Archie Comics Podcast back in November 2014, which was pretty cool!

I became aware of some gossip last week from Jonathan himself that he officially announced this weekend: The Riverdale Podcast is back to being a fan podcast and is not officially connected to Archie Comics anymore.

There are reasons for this switch back to how things began. But switching back to fan podcast status ultimately gives him more freedom about how to run his podcast.

It's easier to justify discussions of comic books from past decades instead of new releases. He can more critically discuss news events involving Archie Comics. He can more easily justify interviews with creators who are no longer associated with the company. And it will be easier to invite fans onto the podcast as guests.

Jonathan has created a Patreon account for fans to contribute money towards the program:

My name is Jonathan. I host and produce The Riverdale Podcast, a weekly audio show devoted to Archie Comics. For the last four years I've released a new episode every week and I plan to continue that for the foreseeable future. What I'm looking for from patrons is your support in keeping the show rolling. Your pledges do two important things; first they help me to prioritize the show. Money coming in for the podcast means that I'll spend less time chasing money elsewhere and more time making the show! Second, it makes me accountable to you. Your investment in the show means that you believe in what I'm doing and that encourages me to continue to make the best show every week.

Three patrons have already pledged to the campaign and assisted him with meeting his first Milestone Goal ($30 per month) towards Hosting Fees.

I've written several times about Charlton Neo, which is a resurrection of the classic Charlton Comics lines; as well as Pix-C Web Comics, which features public domain characters from Charlton Comics as well as a few other original characters. Pix-C Web Comics features strips from a variety of genres, including superhero, horror, action, and humor romance. But Pix-C Web Comics recently launched several new strips for 2016, including a superhero-themed strip called the ALL-AMERICAN VICTORY LEGION!

The All-American Victory Legion is a World War II era team of superheroes. They are lead by Amazing Man and feature heroes such as Magno, Lightning, Blue Lady, Mystic Arrow, and Dark Spider. The team is the creation of the late Alan Kupperberg -- brother of Paul Kupperberg. Their initial story, titled "Monkey Trial" features story and art by Alan Kupperberg.

I know that I should be writing about the All-American Victory Legion and I'm a hug fan of Golden Age superheroics -- but I'm all about the apes with this Pix-C Web Comics strip!

I mentioned earlier that this story is set during World War II. Adolph Hitler has teamed up with the Green Gorilla and some Nazi super-scientists and plucked some super-powered simian soldiers from throughout the timeline and commanded them to attack New York City and kidnap Mayor Fiorello La Guardia!

We readers don't yet know a lot about this Simian Supreme Court. I actually don't even know that they go by that name, except that they used that collective name on the story's cover. But I like that name! As noted above, they are led by the Green Gorilla. Other members include Mighty Monkey, Kongster, Kingorilla, and Simia the Ultra-Ape.

The Simians surprise and overwhelm the Victory Legion, successfully managing to kidnap the Mayor. Our heroes figure out three separate energy trails left behind after the Simians' attack. This allows them to conveniently split into three teams of two members to track down our apes!

At this point in the story, we have met two of the Simians up-close so far. Blue Lady and Dark Spider go up against Simia the Ultra-Ape, who pulls a classic move out of "King Kong," way up at the top of the Golden Banana Company Building!

Lightning and Magno go up against Kongster, learning that this gorilla has more in common with these humans than they originally believed possible! Kongster manages to materialize two additional apes into the story line: Detective Philip Fullbrow and Chim Pan-Genius, Primate Investigator!

Can these two detectives figure out how to defeat the Nazis? Or will we find out that they are actually Nazi sympathizers by the end of this tale??

I have no clue where this is heading, but I can't wait for the next installment of this story when it gets posted next Sunday! You too can read the Simian Supreme Court's latest adventure (as well as the All-American Victory Legion!!) -- not to mention Yang, No Name, Tuffy Turtle, N.E.O., Kid Montana, Skyman, The Knightingales, Deathwatch, The Spookman, Sadistik, Ms. Molecule, and several other great characters, by becoming a patron of Pix-C Web Comics. Those who become patrons (for as little as $1 per month) gain access to several weekly online comic strips. The more you pledge, the more perks you qualify for. I've been contributing $30 per month towards this venture. I encourage to you to become a patron too!

Incidentally, you can now read older Pix-C Web Comics on this Free website. Becoming a Pix-C Web Comics patron will give you advanced access to new Pix-C stories that are not readily available to those who access the Free website, so definitely make your pledge today!

"Ask Amy" writer Amy Dickinson published a best-of column today while she works on her book. This one featured two questions about the difficulty that readers had with accepting the homosexuality of others. The first letter is an interesting (if sad) letter from a mother about her gay son. But I was more interested in the second letter, which was from a Colorado woman about her gay neighbors:

DEAR AMY: My husband and I have lived in our quiet suburban Denver neighborhood for six years. About two years ago, two young gay men moved in across the street. They’ve taken the ugliest, most run-down property in the neighborhood and remodeled and transformed it into the pride of the street. When it snows, they shovel out my car and are friendly, yet they mostly keep to themselves.

Last month, I went out to retrieve my newspaper and watched them kiss each other goodbye and embrace as they each left for work.

I was appalled that they would do something like that in plain view of everyone. I was so disturbed that I spoke to my pastor. He encouraged me to draft a letter telling them how much we appreciate their help, but asking them to refrain from that behavior in our neighborhood. I did so and asked a few of our neighbors to sign it.

Since I delivered it, I’ve not been able to get them to even engage me in conversation. I offer greetings, but they’ve chosen to ignore me. They have made it so uncomfortable for the other neighbors and me by not even acknowledging our presence.

How would you suggest we open communications with them and explain to them that we value their contributions to the neighborhood, but will not tolerate watching unnatural and disturbing behavior? — Wondering

Amy offered some advice that made me chuckled. She told "Wondering" that she should be glad that she's only being ignored. The guys could have began throwing Pride-themed BBQ parties in their front yard and really making a show for everyone!

But here is the gist of Amy's advice:

In your original petition to these men, you basically stated that while you value them when they are raising the standard on your street and shoveling your driveway, you loathe them for being who they are. The only way to open communication with your neighbors would be to start by apologizing to them for engaging your other neighbors in your campaign. Because you don’t sound likely to apologize, you are just going to have to tolerate being ignored.

What do you think of Amy's advice?

I wrote late last month of my time at the "Coexist" event at Illuminations Healing Arts Center in nearby Cedar Rapids, IA. One of the services that I noticed while I was there -- though I realize that I didn't write about it in my blog article -- was small animal massage and Reiki. I told one of the Illuminations' employees that I wished I had known about that service a year ago when Ms. Lion was still alive. I've believed for a long time that she would have benefited from massage, but I could never find a nearby animal practitioner. Three months after her death, I found one!

I was looking at The Gazette this afternoon and noticed an article about animal massage and Reiki, focusing on one of the women from Illuminations!:

Gina Hamilton, a licensed massage therapist and spiritual healer, has a special bond with animals. She is able to communicate with animals by “merging” with their “universal energy,” she believes. When she connects with their energy, she “sees the world through their eyes,” and uses the visions to help her determine where to concentrate healing energy because “so much is non-verbal,” she explained.

“They can’t tell you what’s wrong,” she said. “I find where they’re hurting and ask to help.”

She uses a Japanese healing technique called reiki. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, reiki is a complementary health approach that involves practitioners placing their hands on or above a person — or animal in this case — to transfer healing energy to treat pain, anxiety, fatigue and depression, among other issues...

Hamilton earned her certification in small-animal massage from the Blue Sky School of Professional Massage in Wisconsin in 2008. Since then, she’s been performing massage and reiki on humans and animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, goats and chickens.

She’s worked in veterinary clinics but currently practices at the Illuminations Healing Arts Center in the Cherry Building in the New Bohemia District. She also travels to homes in the area, seeing five to six animals each month.

Hamilton facilitated a "Coexist" speaker event called "A Pagan Circle." In the middle of her presentation, the backdoor opened and an aged dog entered the room, slowly shuffling to the front of the room and settling at Hamilton's feet. She had a very calm and centered disposition. I can easily sense her devotion of animal healing.

Senator Marco Rubio got confronted head-on by a married gay New Hampshire man today at the Puritan Backroom diner in Manchester, NH, over the issue of gay marriage. The man was eating lunch with his husband and mother when the Republican presidential candidate walked by:

The voter, who identified himself as Timothy Kierstead, was seated at a table with his mother and his husband when Mr. Rubio walked up behind him, according to pool reports of the encounter. During a brief conversation, Mr. Kierstead, 50, told Mr. Rubio that he was married but complained that the senator’s position amounted to him declaring that “we don’t matter.”

Mr. Rubio, who was standing with his youngest son, Dominick, 8, by his side, gently disagreed. “No, I just believe marriage is between one man and one woman.”

“Well,” replied Mr. Kierstead, “that’s your belief.”

Mr. Rubio continued: “I think that’s what the law should be. And if you don’t agree you should have the law changed by a legislature.”

Keep in mind that New Hampshire's legislature actually did change the law to legalize same-sex marriage.

Rubio patted Kierstead on the shoulder after saying "I respect your view."

You can watch the brief exchange here.

This is the type of interaction that really annoys me. People like Senator Rubio think that this is just a difference of opinion. People like Timothy Kierstead recognize that this is actually about his family.

Fans of JEM AND THE HOLOGRAM's original artist, Sophie Campbell, were excited to see her return to this wonderful comic book series with issue #11. This is new storyline, titled "Dark Jem," prepares the readership for the upcoming Misfits/Holograms joint band tour. Of course, everything is topsy-turvy following Pizzazz's recent car accident and fractured larynx. We've been wondering for weeks whether or not the Misfits' leader can possibly recover in time for their upcoming concert.

We get a pretty good answer in JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS #11 -- and I don't think that Pizzazz will be terribly pleased with the answer!

Anyway, here are seven great reasons to enjoy JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS #11!

1. Environmental Awareness! The Misfits are torn over their desire to tour and their dedication to injured band leader, Pizzazz. But the Holograms are just biding time until the musical fun begins! How better to spend a hot January afternoon than a pool party? The big question is whether or not the girls will let Kimber invite her secret girlfriend, Stormer, to the festivities?

2. Breach of Contract: The Misfits pushed back against Five By Five's corporate plan to replace Pizzazz. Of course, that was before they were reminded that they would have been in violation of their contract! This puts Stormer, Roxy, and Jetta in the awkward position of interviewing Pizzazz's replacement! Ouch!!

3. Malfunction!!Techrat attempted to hack into the Holograms' sentient computer, Synergy, back in JEM AND THE HOLOGRAM #9 and made a startling discovery. Something is terribly wrong with the Holograms' computer network!!

There have been hints for several issues, but Synergy's major malfunction took center stage in this issue! It's unclear if she's truly aware of what she's doing or if she's truly malicious, but Synergy demonstrated some personality-altering sonic abilities in this issue -- and the first target of her new musical talents is Jerrica Benton AKA Jem!

4. Siblings Dating Siblings -- But Not in an Incesty Way!! We already knew that Kimber is dating Stormer and that Aja is dating Craig. But we learned in this story that Stormer and Craig are sister and brother!! (Which I should have realized since I was a fan of the 80s cartoon series and Craig made appearance as Stormer's brother and Aja's love-interest in a handful of episodes!!) And of course, Kimber and Aja are sisters!! So we have siblings dating siblings in JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS!!

(humor me...)

5. But If Craig's From the Cartoon, What About Cute Bartender Tony??: Once I realized that Craig used to be in the cartoon, I got to wondering about Shana's new bartender boyfriend, Tony. Cartoon Shana dated a guy named Anthony Julian. He bears no resemblance to Cute Bartender Tony, outside of being black, having the same first name (sort of), and an interest in Shana. Which is good enough for me!!

6. The New Face of the Misfits?? The Misfits sat through a lot of auditions for the Misfits' new lead singer. As Eric Raymond put it, "They're not great." But then Blaze bursts onto the stage and I cannot help wondering if we've met the Misfits' new lead?

7. Dark Jerrica?? Check out Jerrica's new look! This is the first obvious sign of where we're heading with "Dark Jem." I can only imagine what Synergy's music has done to her personality? And what's stopping our favorite sentient hologram from playing her song for the rest of the Holograms??

I noticed that we will be treated to a JEM AND THE HOLGRAMS VALENTINES DAY special tomorrow. I wonder if we'll be seeing Dark Jem and the Darker Holograms make their debut in this new special or if this new book with be a stand alone adventure? I guess we'll find out very soon!

"Dark Jem, Part One" is written by Kelly Thompson, with art by Sophie Campbell, story by Thompson & Campbell, colors by M. Victoria Robado, and lettering by Shawn Lee.

Remember the one time when Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" visited Iowa? Jon Taffer and his group went to the O Face Bar in Council Bluffs, IA, and -- for the first time in "Bar Rescue" history -- left the bar without rescuing it! (See here, here, here, here, and here for more info and related fallout). Two years later, O Face's owner is back in the news for something really, really bad!

Matthew Overmyer (age 35), owner of O Face Bar, was arrested late last week and charged with 2nd degree sexual abuse and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse:

The alleged abuse took place at a home in the 2300 block of Old Lincoln Highway in Crescent. Overmyer allegedly attacked an adult woman, who works at O Face Bar, at midnight Tuesday. According to the arrest affidavit, Overmyer reportedly used physical force, including choking, to have sex with the victim twice. The victim called several people after the alleged attack, and one source reportedly told Pottawattamie County criminal investigators that Overmyer tried to re-enter the room after the victim locked him out. The assault allegedly took place while Overmyer’s wife was out of town.

According to the Omaha World-Herald, Overmyer plans to plead not guilty to these charges and his attorney expects that the charges will eventually be dismissed.

If convicted, Overmyer faces up to 25 years in prison.

Yet another story of Christian public service workers who made sure to take pleasure in the tears of gay people went public today in a story coming out of Glenville, West Virginia. A lesbian couple went with their parents to the Gilmer County Courthouse last week to apply for marriage licenses. They received their marriage license, but they also got yelled at and called an abomination by the deputy clerk -- and the deputy clerk's boss and co-worker weren't terribly upset or embarrassed by the woman's behavior!:

Debbie Allen, the deputy clerk who processed their marriage license, and another deputy clerk who was there, Angela Moore, disputed some of the allegations from the couple and Brookover’s mother, Jill Goff, who also was there. They disagree on how loud Allen was and whether the word “abomination” was used, although Moore said she couldn’t hear everything.

“I was working on what I was supposed to be doing and, honestly, I didn’t care to make eye contact with them,” Moore said.

The clerks don’t dispute that Allen told the couple that what they were doing was wrong and that they would be judged, but they also stressed that they did not view the statement as an “attack.”

“We did not attack them,” Allen said. “We did not yell at them. We were not aggressive with them. I felt I talked nicely to them.”

Samantha Brookover and Amanda Abramovich, though, say Allen huffed, took their driver’s licenses, made copies, slammed down the copies and then, for two to three minutes, yelled that what they were doing was wrong in her eyes and in God’s eyes and that no one in Gilmer County would ever marry them.

The couple had brought family members. They had the camera ready. It was supposed to be a happy day. Instead, in Brookover’s words, they were “flabbergasted and hurt and angry like you wouldn’t believe.”

Allen said she briefly and calmly told the couple what they were doing was wrong and that God would judge them, and then continued assisting them as she would other couples.

“I just told them my opinion,” she said. “I just felt led to do that. I believe God was standing with me and that’s just my religious belief.”

Let's pause here for a moment. What a bunch of passive-aggressive claptrap! Let's assume that she didn't yell or slam documents around and that she just calmly told the women that God would judge them and that they were an abomination. Why? What was the point other than to ruin their day and to insult some of the citizens who pay her salary?

Obviously, Allen knew that the women were upset by her words and actions. But really doesn't care:

Asked if her words could possibly have been perceived as an attack to someone of another sexual orientation, who has been belittled because of it, Allen said, “Oh, I’m sure.”

She wouldn’t say how she might treat any same-sex couples that arrive at the clerk’s office in the future.

Allen's boss is no better:

Goff had a phone conversation with Gilmer County Clerk Jean Butcher about the incident. Butcher said she told Goff that her religious beliefs are similar to Moore’s.

“They were issued the license, and that was the main thing,” Butcher told the Gazette-Mail.

Which is true. The women received their marriage licenses.

But who'd have ever thought that a group of white, middle-aged public employees could treat taxpaying citizens so horribly and not be at all concerned?

Fans of Archie Comics'Pet Posse/Power Pets were treated this week to a mini-reunion of sorts in ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #266! Not every member of our mostly four-legged crew showed up -- but most of the best members showed up. I'm talking about Vegas and Runty and Caramel, along with a newer dog who likely won't appear again named Priya!

They make their appearance in the comic book digest's brand-new lead story, titled "Lucky Dog." It features writing by Tom DeFalco, pencils by Pat & Tim Kennedy, inks by Jim Amash, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Glenn Whitmore.

Can I just pause for a second to gush yet again about the Kennedy brothers' artwork?? I cannot believe how much I hated their work when they first appeared in LIFE WITH ARCHIE and now I can't get enough of it!! Plus, Vegas appears with that adorable hat for a second time. I really need something like that for my Nero!!

Back to the story...

Archie is back to his own tricks in this short story. He's trained Vegas to wrap his leash around pretty young women, following up with a "Please forgive my dog Vegas! He has a thing for pretty girls!" He schedules a date with the hapless girl and then trips up the next girl who crosses their path!

Of course, Archie is stupid enough to stack up his new dates too closely to each other, allowing them to get wise to his caddish tricks!

But not before he meets up with Maya and her cute lapdog, Priya! Vegas quickly falls in love for this furry female. Of course, she appreciates that Vegas hasn't decided to squeeze her in between two or three other doggy dates and reciprocates his affection!

Archie and Maya are so fixated on each other -- and Archie's other three dates -- that they fail to notice when the dogs take off for the nearby forest. Unfortunately, it's right before a big blizzard and the people become understandably freaked out over their missing mutts!

The rest of the story is split between the dogs' romantic date and Archie and Maya bonding while scouring the countryside for the lovebirds -- err... lovedogs! Dont' those two make an adorable pair???

"Lucky Dog" is a great short story, featuring beautiful art and wonderful characterizations. But if doggy tales aren't your thing, definitely pick up this jumbo digest for a huge assortment of classic reprints featuring Archie, Reggie, Archie's Dad, and Little Archie!

My Afternoon at the 2016 "Coexist" Event

Are You Ready for the Chick-fil-A Diet?

Trump: I Will Reverse Nationwide Same-Sex Marriage If I Become President

"Survivors" 40th Anniversary: Episode 30 ("Mad Dog")

Bernie Sanders & Donald Trump Win the 2016 Iowa Coffee Bean Caucus!

Clinton and Cruz Win 2016 Iowa Caucus // Plus, Why Iowa Matters

Cheryl Blossom Attempts to Become a Do-Gooder in BETTY & VERONICA COMICS ANNUAL #240!

TLC Bringing Back "19 Kids & Counting"?

Terry Meeuwsen of "700 Club" Inteviews the Latest Ex-Gay, Kegan Wesley

Phoenix City Council Nixes Public Prayers Before Meetings to Avoid Satanist Prayer

Too Much to Digest! Mega-Review of Multiple Archie Comic Book Digests!

Riverdale Podcast Returns to Fan Podcast Status!

What Is the Simian Supreme Court? And Who Are the All-American Victory Legion?

"Ask Amy" Receives Question: "Our Gay Neighbors Have Greatly Improved Our Neighborhood. How Dare They Kiss In Public??"

Animal Massage Therapist & Reiki Healer Featured in the Cedar Rapids Media

Marco Rubio Confronted by Married Gay Voter in New Hampshire

The Genesis of Dark Jem! OR Seven Great Reasons to Enjoy JEM AND THE HOLGRAMS #11!

O Face Co-Owner Matthew Overmyer (Featured on "Bar Rescue") Arrested & Charged with Sexual Assault

West Virginia: Deputy Clerk Yells at Lesbians Seeking Marriage License // Calls Them Abominations and Tells Them that God Will Judge Them

Vegas Gets a Girlfriend in ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #266!