April 15, 2007 (The Independent / Ruth Elkins) -- A Malaysian state has closed down an exhibition on ghosts, ghouls and supernatural beings after Islamic clerics declared it detrimental to Muslims' faith.

The exhibition at the state museum capitalises on widespread fascination in Malaysia with other-worldly creatures from local mythology. Artefacts on display reportedly included alleged carcasses of vampires and a phoenix.

Abdul Shukor Husin, chairman of the fatwa council which advises the government on Islamic regulations, was quoted as saying: "We don't want to promote a belief in tahyul [supernatural] and khurafat [superstition] which we do not know about. We do not need to focus on such things or play them up by having such exhibitions." Some 60 per cent of the 26 million population are Muslims.

Last year, a three-month exhibition on "Mysteries, Genies, Ghosts and Coffins" drew tens of thousands of visitors to view, among other objects, a preserved mermaid, the shrivelled skeletal remains of a half-woman, half-snake, and a goblin in a bottle. Critics were divided between those who accused it of being un-Islamic and others who suggested the items could be fakes.

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Posted by Vladimir Wed, 04/18/2007 - 07:53

 

The Morning After

Pressed against shadowers wall that gave sanctuary
Pressed palms against the sides of shades
Bile rising yet stayed
Shoulder blades pressed
Cold darkness harassed

Sun rising
Blackbird has spoken
Rays prizing
At nights last breath

Neon blades of light
Reflected from a window into sight
Across the street blinded briefly
Confide, small world of light

Thunderbolts of pain through eyes
Caustic white
Sickness in the gut withering a snake
Cursing, turning on shaken legs seek flight

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Vampires in Afghanistan?

October 29, 2007 (Salem-News.com / Tim King) -- During my two months on assignment in the Afghanistan combat theater last winter, I covered all kinds of military operations for Salem-News.com and Oregon's KPTV FOX-12. While I was there I spent time on forward combat bases, I went on infantry foot patrols, flew in helicopters, and witnessed levels of disparity that were hard to imagine.

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Chapter 04

"I am so happy you came," Reginald Clarke said, as he conducted Ernest into his studio. It was a large, luxuriously furnished room overlooking the Hudson and Riverside Drive.

Dazzled and bewildered, the boy's eyes wandered from object to object, from picture to statue. Despite seemingly incongruous details, the whole arrangement possessed style and distinction.

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my now even more pathetic life....

well... my life is now even more pathetic than it was before. all i can do is sit in a small, dark corner and try to stay alive. alive for wat?

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Chapter 13: A New Home

After being kicked out of her last home, Saraphine has wonder aimlessly about looking for a place that would accept her unique views.

After hearing roomers that the long time shut down Black Raven Inn was finally reopened, she decides go for a visit and to see if maybe, just maybe, she will fit in.As Saraphine neared the road that led up to the Inn she could her laughter and talking. A man and a woman.

"Should I go up and inquire or should I leave them alone?" Saraphine wonders.She stands at the end of the road for quiet some time. Wondering.

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