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This a picture of three juveniles who have committed a second degree felony, shooting and throwing deadly missiles: Brandon Padgett, 15 years old and an eighth grader, Steven Powell, 14 years old and home-schooled, and Shoun Powell, 12years old and a fifth grader. On Friday the 24th, 2012 between 8 and 9 PM they were standing on the overpass above Chaffee Road on I 10 throwing rocks at the cars below. Approximately 20 to 30 cars were hit by the two brothers along with a couple of tractor-trailers. They hit the car of Emanuel Gooden, shattering his windshield and putting him in the hospital due to the debris getting into his eyes.
This morning, Wednesday the 29th, 2012, The Jacksonville Police received a call from the Powell Brothers' mother claiming the boys confessed to the crime. Their mother did the right thing.

Racism Online Leads To Explosion For These Two Minors

This is a video of two teenage girls who attend Gainesville High School. After this video was posted these two girls were expelled, however,the explosion wasn't the beginning or the end. They also received hate mail from all over the place. The two girls even said they feared for safety and maybe even their lives. Eight local police officers had to be brought into the school after many threats had been confirmed to be made by students. One of the girls mothers said, "Our lives have changed totally, 180 degrees... This has made her an adult really quick."  In the Monday paper there was a formal apology from the girls and their parents. 
Unfortunately, there is racism everywhere.
Fortunately, these girls have learned their lesson about harassment, bullying, and racism.
I fully agree with Gainesville High principal, David Shelnutt, who said, "There's no place for comments like that, that video here at GHS. There's no place for that in the Alachua County Public School System, and my opinion, no place for that in society in general."

Wiccan Family Temple working towards a permanent home.

     A coven, a group of Wiccans, is trying to build their own, permanent home in Manhattan, New York. They want their own building with a backyard to perform their rituals. On July 8th, 2012 they are holding an event in Union Square Park. Hectuba Hestia is one of the coven's High Priestesses, much like a Pastor at a church; She says while they're raising money at the event - using strategically placed wishing wells where visors can deposit donations - they're also aiming to entertain and inform. They strain the fact that Wiccans do not believe or worship the devil. The coven is very happy living in New York where they claim people are very accepting, although some what misinformed. The band "Witches in Bikinis" will be playing at the event as well. They hope they will reach their goal this year, however, they realize they have a large objective and understand that they might have to have another event next year.
     I wish them the best of luck and hope to attend the event myself witnessing over 50 magical vendors and over 30 other guests.

Nirvana Day

Nirvana Day, or Parinirvana Day, is a Buddhist Holiday celebrated on February 8th and in some locations and in certain divisions of Buddhism, on the 15th, this year. Mahayana Buddhists are those who primarily observe this day. It is recognized as the day that the historical Buddha achieved Nirvana through his death at the age of 80. Nirvana is a state of neither pain nor care, it is a bliss and the goal to achieve by many Buddhists. Parinirvana Day is a day to reflect upon Buddha's teaching. Some places open temples and monasteries to the public for meditation, other places have festivals and great celebrations to recognize this holiday.

The first NGS Alliance Day

January 25th, 2012, today, marks the first National Gay-Straight Alliance Day. This event has been designed to enhance the bond between the LGBT community and the straight community in hopes to destroy homophobia and transphobia. Bullying in school has been an enormous problem since the beginning. Once a bully finds a reason to bully, they lock on and never let go. Homosexuality has had a great influence on bullying. There are an estimated 5,000 suicides due to bullying in schools every year, a fraction of this number is bullying because one is homosexuality. Some of the suicides due to bullying because of homosexuality include: Justin Aaberg at age 15 in July 2010, Jamey Rodemeyer at age 14 in September 2011, and Asher Brown at age 13 in September 2010. Hopefully this event NGS Alliance Day will end these young suicides and help promote Gay Rights.

Religious discrimination in elemetary school

     This is a pentacle, it is a Wiccan symbol of the elements. Some wear it as pride in their faith just as one would wear a cross as a Christian or the Star of David if Jewish. Grace, a fourth grader at Galtier Magnet School, thought the same. She wore one on a necklace to school everyday after her mother gave it to her. One day when her teacher was out her substitute pulled her aside and told her she needed to put it inside her shirt or take it off. Grace did what was asked of her, even though the remainder of the students were not asked to put any of their religious symbols aside. When she went home that afternoon she told her mother what had happened. Her mother was just upset as she was when she called the school to speak with the principal. Her mom was then shocked when she was told the same day that the substitute would no longer be teaching in her school and there was a probability that he would not be teaching in any of the local schools any longer as well. The principal also gave a contact for a follow up to see how Grace and her mother were doing.
     Pagans have as many rights as anyone else and to be treated how Grace was is completely unacceptable. Same with any other minority religious group. Every person is equal and being treated differently because of a necklace is totally unfair and uncalled for.

Imbolc, a celebration of Spring

     Imbolc is the Pagan Sabbat to celebrate Spring. It is the midpoint between the winter solstice, Yule, and the summer solstice, Ostara. It is not only a time to celebrate the new coming season, but also to celebrate life. Wiccans recognize the returning of the Goddess on this day. The Goddess is returning from her departure at Yule and life is coming back to the land from her magical touch. This year Imbolc takes place on February 2nd. Many people are already preparing for the holiday in two weeks. Gardens are being prepared, plants and seeds are being chosen, also, most are looking forward to harvesting in the fall. This is possibly one of the most important days on the year in the Pagan religion. Blessed Be and I hope your Imbolc, whether you recognize it as a holiday or not, is full of life.

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