Would You Believe A Deposit from Divinity in Your Bank Account? September 7, 2010

Do you believe that God would put money into your account if you asked?

 On This Date in History:  When Stanton Lee Powers went to a County Bank branch in Santa Cruz, CA  he had but $1.17 in his account.  The 40-year-old artist had a tough time making ends meet on his Social Security disability payments and the few pen and ink drawings that he managed to sell.  He said that when he went to the automatic teller machine on that early fall evening, he began to pray.  As he told the story, when he finished his prayer, he checked the account balance and the machine said he had $1600.  Two days later, on this date in 1982, he returned to the same machine and prayed again before checking his balance.  This time, his account balance had mushroomed to over $5 Million.    Powers then made a withdrawal.

Powers' Claim Was Akin To God Turning the ATM Into a Winning Slot Machine

But, he didn’t just take the money and run.  Instead, he contacted a lawyer and his counsel did a brief analysis of the facts.  Needless to say, the lawyer decided that more research was in order.  But, before he got too deep into the case, he had Powers sign an agreement that stated that the lawyer would receive a third of the proceeds of any future movie, book or tv deals that may come about in relation to the “Miracle of the Automated Teller.”    Then, the lawyer had the artist take him to the teller machine in question.  A balance inquiry revealed that over $5 Million was still in the account and so the lawyer told Powers to withdraw some cash.  They went to another machine and repeated the procedure and they continued the process over the next few days.  A total of about $2000 was withdrawn from the miracle account. 

ATMs love to eat the card of a cheat

They say that glory is fleeting and, in this case, the miracle didn’t last long either.  The bank froze Powers’ account and the next time that he tried to withdraw money, the machine ate his card.  The counsel responded by demanding that the bank prove that the money in the account had not appeared due to Divine intervention.  He argued that if the Lord could turn water into wine and feed 5000 people with a basket full of bread and fish, then putting $5 Million into Stanton Lee Powers’ account should not be a problem.   But bank officials weren’t about to give up $5 Million on Faith alone.  One banker said, “It’s the first time I’ve heard of God being active in this type of thing”  while another noted that, in order for the deposit to be valid, then there had to be wire transfer or check from God in the record.  Stanton Lee Powers was charged with grand theft.

Do You Trust Your Money With God or Trust God with your Money?

At the trial, Powers changed his story.  He explained that he met a psychic named Fortune who told him things about his past life that he had told to no one.  She told him that she could rid his life of all obstacles. Powers told Fortune that he had “visualized the color green flowing into my (Powers) aura” and she told him that was the color of “self-love.”  The fortune teller suggested that, since he was in touch with his aura that he should turn up his “shock roots” and “experience a havingness machine.”   I’m not sure if Powers told Fortune or not, but the state of transcendence felt by Powers may have been helped just a bit by 16 Ritalin pills, a few codeine tablets and 10 or 12 wine coolers.    It was after having popped the pills and visiting Bartles and James, as well as Fortune, that Powers visited his “havingness machine” which just so happened to belong to County Bank.    Powers shared the story of his windfall from his “havingness machine” with some people who told him that no one would believe the story and he should merely claim that it was cash from God instead of advice from Fortune.

I guess that Powers first lawyer got out of the game when he found out that the cash machine was empty because he didn’t represent the starving artist at the trial.  But, his new attorney thought that the truth would set Powers free as he surmised that no jury could hold Powers responsible for his actions.  However, the prosecutor showed how Powers had actually entered large deposits on the cash machine keyboard without actually depositing much money at all.  Because there was a bank holiday, the bank had not reconciled the account, thus, the phoney deposit amount remained in the machine when Powers made his withdrawals.  He then blamed a glitch in the computer for having deposited over $5 Million into the account without putting a hold on it. 

In the end, one might say that justice was passed out in the court of state as well as a higher judging authority.  In spite of what Powers’ trial lawyer thought, the artist was found guilty.  However, the sentence was lenient as the court took his mental condition into account.   He had to pay the bank back the money and peform 750 hours of community service, which is did by teaching art classes to senior citizens.   Power said that he lost all of his money and all of his friends.  He also suffered the indignity of being rear-ended by hit and run drivers four times.  I guess God doesn’t take kindly to those who fraudulently use his omnipotence as much as banks don’t like defrauding their teller machines.  

Follow the Path of Truth

Nevertheless, it brought to mind an experience that I had when a very devout lawyer that I met told me that he had prayed for a new car and he wanted a Triumph TR 6 but he didn’t have the money.  Then one day, the money appeared in his account and that is how he came to own the snazzy sports car.  I told him that I thought that he should have notified the bank because it was obviously a mistake.  But, he said he did all of that and the bank let him keep the money.  I asked him why God would provide him with a fancy, somewhat expensive car and he said it was because He wanted him to have it.  Now, I certainly do not claim to know the Will of the Almighty and perhaps He really did want this young lawyer to have a sports car and maybe He did, in fact, put money into his bank account.  I never knew what happened to the lawyer I knew 30 years ago. But, after learning how County Bank reacted to the miracle money of Stanton Lee Powers and his ultimate fate, I wonder how the young lawyer has faired and if he’s been rear ended a few times in his life.  For me, honesty and integrity is all that I have and if I scuttle that then, I am nothing. 

Weather Bottom Line:   Temperatures warmed up on Labor Day but it was still rather dry and that lack of moisture will most likely limit our rain chances on Tuesday as a cold front slips through.  Compression may work with a southwesterly flow to take us up to 90 but I doubt if we’ll get much in the way of rain.  If memory serves correctly, September is climatogically the driest month in Louisville so that’s not too surprising.  The front will overnight lows for the rest of the week in the low 60′s and highs in the low to mid 80′s with relatively low humidity so you can probably save on your air conditioning bill.  But, our much needed rain is not in the cards at this time except for maybe some help from Tropical Storm Hermine that came ashore late Monday night south of Brownsville.  That moisture may eventually work its way up through Texas and into the Midwest and then eventually into the Ohio Valley but that is several days away if it does occur.  So, while we need some rain, you may as well enjoy the nice stretch.

Easter Sunday 42 Years Since Death of MLK April 4, 2010

If you don't know what happened on April 4, 1968, you should

MLK in Montgomery, AL 1955

On this date in history:  On January 15, 1929 Michael Luther King, Jr was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Michael L. King, Sr and Alberta Williams King.  King, the elder following in the footsteps of his father, was the pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.  I have read numerous sources that have all sorts of claims as to how his name was changed and why.  But apparently when he was young, both father and son changed their names and it doesn’t really matter how and why.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at age 35.  But, even that doesn’t really live up to the billing of the man.  Dr. King has now been dead longer than he was alive.  On this date in history, he was taken from the world, but he lives in the words and ideals that he set forth. 

King on the Mall in Washington: "I Have a Dream"

The text of the famous “I have a Dream” speech is sometimes quoted but probably never fully read.  While many have tried to live up to those ideals, more often than not collectively and individually we often have fallen short.  It should be noted that 42 years to the day after that terrible day in Memphis, Tennessee Christians around the world mark the day of the rising of the man about whom Dr. King preached.  The ideals of Jesus of Nazareth are something that believers and non-believers alike strive to acheive.  Both King and Jesus spoke of love of fellow man, humility and sacrificing of oneself to the service of others.  The night before Dr. King was killed, he made a speech in which he said in what is known as the “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, he said,  “We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”   It is so eery because he was dead less than 24 hours later. 

Lincoln Supposedly Dreamed of His Own Death in the White House

It is said that, toward the end of the Civil war, Abraham Lincoln  dreamed of his own death.   He saw a funeral at the White House and he asked who had died and was told, “the President” and in the coffin he saw himself.  Jesus of Nazareth knew his death was imminent but faced it anyway.   King’s words echoed the tale of Moses who did not reach the promised land with the people whom he led for 40 years through the wilderness. Lincoln did not live to see the world after his leadership through the Civil War.  King did not live to see the world after his leadership through the Civil Rights movement.  Yet, all are remembered and their legacy lives  with them.  Jesus of Nazareth is called on today among the living, not as a legacy.  Historians Dennis Sherman and Joyce Salisbury say that “the most influential religious transformation in the ancient West came with the life of Jesus.”   He lived 2000 years ago and only preached about 3 years, yet his influence shaped the world. 

Modern Forensics Speculate This is What Jesus Looked Like

If you study the historiography of Abraham Lincoln you will find that the “father Abraham” we know really only existed for the last 9 years of his life.  We know of the resolute, wise man whose words resonate in American history and not the one whose words brought women to tears and men to challenge him to a duel on at least two occasions.  We know of Martin Luther King, Jr from his 1955 Montgomery Bus boycott to the last public words uttered just before his death just 13 years later.  Keep your dreams alive.  Don’t despair and give up hope.  None of these men gave up and each perservered in difficult circumstance.  None chose the easy path.   All  three promised greater things to come.  While it is disputed by many, I believe that there is evidence to support that in his later years, Lincoln tried to follow the lead of Jesus.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. certainly tried to do the same.   Perhaps if everyone truly made a consistent attempt to follow suit and recognize the even the shortest amount of time in our life can produce remarkable change and inspiration, then maybe the ideals of Dr. King may no longer be just a dream.

Weather Bottom Line:  Hope you enjoy the great Easter weather.  Cool start warm afternoon.  As mentioned yesterday…front comes back as a warm front so we’ll push back to the upper 70′s on Monday but rain is likely and t’storms possible on Monday.  Tuesday looks warm with sun and highs in the mid 80′s.  Then comes Wednesday.  Nothing really jumps out at me right now regarding some mischief but it’s worth looking at and we’ll take a closer look on Monday and Tuesday.

1st “Christmas Parade” casualty of the season; Amelia, Ohio mayor gives tradition tapeworm November 14, 2009

No Parade for Santa This Year in Amelia, Ohio

It’s not even Thanksgiving yet and we’ve already had our first Christmas Parade casualty. Not long ago, the village of Amelia, Ohio voted to remain classified as a village and not dissolve. For the past 28 years, the Amelia Business Association had sponsored the annual Christmas Parade but this year did not do so. The event was taken over by the village but the mayor was advised by attornies that the name should be changed to a “Holiday Parade.” The reason was a fear of lawsuits. Yet, no one is reported to have threatened to sue. The key word is “fear.” Unhappy citizens wanted a “Christmas Parade.” Church groups threatened a boycot and one church denied the use of its parking lot for the event. A group of citizens were working feverishly to fund the “Christmas Parade” going so far as to get insurance. But, lacking the wisdom of Solomon, the mayor of the village of Amelia cancelled the parade altogether. Read the first paragraph of the story carefully. It says that they were afraid of possible lawsuits from “religious groups.” However, nowhere in either story does it say anything about a religious group threatening a lawsuit. The threat from the lawsuit was apparently from no one except the minds of the lawyers and the mayor. Fear and possibility trumped reality…and as usual, the media got it wrong.  But, one thing I’ve always pondered.  These Christmas Parades typically are filled with more secular entries such as snowmen and Santa Claus.  If it is truly to be a “Christmas” parade, why haven’t there been calls for the elimination of the secular portions of the parade that have nothing to do with the real meaning of Christmas but instead secular tradition?

Fishing For Worms

A Nutty and somewhat disgusting This Date in History:

Figure 1

I guess in the 19th Century the tapeworm was a problem in the United States.   The tapeworm is relatively
common in the 21st century in Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. It comes about because of poor hygiene or undercooked meat. It’s really pretty nasty as it lives in one’s intestine and the only real clue that one has it is when it appears…use your imagination of how that happens. From what I have read, there really isn’t a symptom of weight loss. Anyway…so there may have been a problem of tapeworms in 19th Century America. Along comes American ingenuity, which isn’t always so great.

Dr. Alpheus Myers was a doctor in Logansport, Indiana and he came up with a “cure.” He called it a “tapeworm trap” and he received a patent(read details here) for it on this date in 1854. His invention was one that involved no surgical procedure or medicines. All a patient had to do was swallow a capsule of sorts that had bait inside it. Not sure what he used for “bait.” The patent said, “any nutritious substance.” Wonder if a Twinke would work?

figure 2

The capsule was attached to a string and the patient swallowed it “for a suitable duration to make the worm hungry.” What does that mean? An hour? A week? Someone was expected to walk around with a string hanging from his mouth waiting for the worm to get hungry. The worm was then expected to “seize the bait” at which time the trap catches its head in the trap. The string is then pulled out of the patients mouth and the head and entire length of the worm soon follows. I have no idea when one knows he’s caught a worm…does it tug on the line? Can you use a bobber?

If you try this at home, make sure that “in constructing the trap, care should be taken that the spring is only strong enough to hold the worm, and not strong enough to cause his head to be cut off.”

I’ll make a note of that.

Weather Bottom Line:  Enjoy the weekend.  Saturday some folks could kick up toward 70.  Sunday we’ll be in the upper 60′s as clouds increase but I really think that it will be dry for Sunday.  Cooler weather next week with a frontal boundary that will bring some rain.

“Christmas” Parade Name Change OK For Christians? What About Evacuation Day? November 25, 2008

And Take Your King With You!!

As expected, we had our rain on Monday. Most places got between a half inch and an 8th of an inch. A shade more than I had thought but my plants are happy. Its gong to be chilly on Tuesday then the sun breaks out on Wednesday and Thursday. Not out of the question that we have consecutive days in the 50′s on Wednesday and Thanksgiving. That’s a nice change. Last week, we averaged a low of 27 and a high of 44. The average high and low for February 7th are 44 and 27. Yes, it’s too cold so enjoy Thanksgiving while it lasts because chillier air returns at the end of the week and holds through the weekend into next week. We had rain in the forecast for Friday but this weekend the models were coming around to advertise a low coming out from the west would stay to our south so we took the chances out. Early Tuesday morning, that data continues to be coming more in the form of a consensus so Light Up Louisville still looks to be dry.

Christmas tales: We watched a story on TV Monday night regarding Patchogue, New York that changed the name of their Christmas Parade from the Christmas Boat Parade to the Holiday Boat Parade. Of

Patchogue Holiday Boat Parade?

course, the interviews were all of people who objected for a variety of reasons. Most of the reasons had to do with the religious aspects of the day though some were more into the tradition angle. But, Snow White came up with an observation that I had never thought of before. The origin of the term comes from what was celebrated in the church, which was the Mass of Christ. Now, over the years, people have long complained about the commercialization of Christmas. It took Linus to explain the true meaning of Christmas to Charlie Brown. So, people didn’t like the Santa Claus and presents and decorations and stuff because it was overwhelming the meaning of the day, as

Linus Talks to Chuck

Charlie Brown found out. So, the question then arises, shouldn’t these folks be happy that they have taken Christmas off the title of these events? I mean, in doing so, they don’t take the commercialization of the season out of it but instead, takes out the religious reference involved in the commercialization. It seems to be a plausible discussion point that the term Christmas should be disconnected from the secular aspects of the season, thereby elevating the day back to one of Holy reverence. By insisting that the reference be included in parades that generally are filled with elves, candy canes and winter scenes but are generally absent of religious symbols it can be argued that doing so merely perpetuates the distraction of the meaning of Christmas. It could be considered wanting things both ways. Just some things to consider…

From Left To Right: John Jay, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Henry Laurens, William T. Franklin...the rest were too Chicken to Show up

On This Date In History: On September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed by Ben Franklin and his

Van Arsdale Raises The Stars and Stripes

delegation as well as representatives of the English Crown. The Revolutionary War was officially over. On November 25 1783, the last of the British forces left the US on what is known as “Evacuation Day.” The Brits thought they’d get the last laugh by nailing the Union Jack atop a greased flag pole in New York. Much to their chagrin though, an American Patriot named John Van Arsdale put on spiked boots and climbed the pole, replacing the British Flag with an American Flag. The Brits on the ships leaving New York Harbor must have been very disappointed when they looked through their spy glass and saw old glory flapping in the breeze.

Apparently, there was a lady named Mrs. Day who got a little overzealous and whipped out the American flag on her flag pole before the redcoats had left. A British officer yelled at her so she pummeled his face with a broom stick.

Gen. Washington Entered New York After the Redcoats Left

There were really a bunch of Evacuation Days as various towns celebrated the day that the British troops left their particular town. I believe that there are still some towns that have holidays marking the day. But, in New York, after celebrating big time on the centennial of Evacuation Day in 1883, the celebratory atmosphere began to wind down. By the turn of the century, many New Yorkers didn’t even know what was evacuated or by whom. Following World War I, the day sorta fell by the wayside…I mean the English were our allies during that conflict.

Regardless of the public memories, the British memories at the time were quite scarred. They were sore losers. Prior to the shenanigans of the flag episode, a painter asked that the members of the peace delegations at the Treaty of Paris to pose for a painting of posterity to commemorate the occasion. Note that painting above by a man named Benjamin West. It is incomplete because the British delegation refused to pose like the sore losers they were.

DB Cooper: Where Is He? Autumn: Where Is It? November 24, 2008

QPF Rain Totals Monday 11.24.08

this is an outstanding link for thanksgiving travel forecast. you get airport delays and road conditions for all 50 states, among other things

Someone stole Autumn: This past week, we had highs in the 40′s and Friday and Saturday only made it to 36. Keep in mind that our average high toward the end of January and early February, the coldest time of the year, is about 41 degrees. We had a nice reprieve on Sunday as we got to 51 but that is still a couple of degrees below the seasonal average. High pressure to the east is drawing up Gulf Moisture, the subtropical jet stream is bringing up energy and moisture from the Pacific. A cold front is also approaching. Bottom line: It’s going to rain on Monday. Tuesday looks lousy with clouds and highs in the low 40′s. The sun comes back on Wednesday and Thanksgiving looks like the pick of the week with highs in the low 50′s…before clouds and chillier conditions for next weekend.

DB Cooper: Mystery Man Dead or Alive

On This Date in History: On this date in 1971, one of the biggest law enforcement mysteries in US

Old 727 With Rear Stairs Extended

history began. A man, commonly referred to as DB Cooper, hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines Boeing 727. The Boeing 727 was a relatively small jet that featured a stairway that lowered from the rear of the plane near the tail and was often used for short hauls. This particular flight was to go from Portland to Seattle but this guy, wearing wrap around sunglasses showed a flight attendant a brief case filled with red sticks, some wires and a battery, said it was a bomb. He claimed it was a bomb and he wanted $200,000 and four parachutes. He got what he wanted and he let the 36 passengers on board off the plane while in the ground in Seattle. They took off again with Cooper and a flight attendant and he ordered the pilot to fly to Mexico City. At 8:13 pm, not long after take off, the pressure in the plane fell, indicating that the rear door had been opened. Cooper was gone. He had jumped over very very rough terrain, in the dark, at ten thousand feet, in a rain storm from a jet flying at nearly 200 mph. Survival of a jump like that would be difficult to say the least. Cooper’s remains nor Cooper have ever been found.

Cooper Ticket Receipt

Many things have changed since then. First off, crooks are not going to go to all that risk and trouble for a lousy $200,000. I mean, ballplayers make more than that before the first pitch, the opening kickoff or before the ref tosses up the opening tip. Even the President makes twice as much as that. Northwest Orient is now Northwest Airlines. The Boeing 727 is not used much any more but you can’t open the rear door while its in flight any more. That changed not long after Cooper’s escape. Also security measures for air travel began escalating after Cooper’s achievement.

Remains Of Cooper Money

He also inspired some copy cats…though not very good ones. A guy named McCoy tried the same thing four months after Cooper but asked for $500,000 but still wanted the 4 parachutes. He got failed and went to prison. He was shot while trying a prison escape. Then a guy named Tripp boarded the same flight that Cooper did…but he only asked for $100,000 and 4 parachutes. The flight attendant slipped him 3 valiums. He reduced his demands to 3 cheeseburgers and a rental car. After being released on probation, Tripp tried again..same flight…same routine only this time his “bomb” was a shoebox instead of a briefcase. He wanted to be flown to Afghanistan. Instead, he was shot and killed by the FBI in a standoff. By this time, it sounds as if J. Edgar Hoover and the G-Men were getting pretty tired of the hijack stuff.

Was It the Purser?

In 1980, a kid found $5800 in deteriorating bills along the Columbia River in Washington. It was in the form of a bunch of stacks of $20 bills that were in a state of deterioration. The bills were later identified as part of the loot. But, what happened to the rest of it? In March of 2008, the case got new life when a parachute was found when a guy plowing his field came upon it. As it turned out, the chute was later found to not be the one from Cooper. A couple of things have not changed. Reporters still get stuff wrong but don’t correct the record. Apparently, it was initially stated that the man in question was Dan Cooper, as was clearly printed on his ticket. But, a reporter somehow thought they said DB Cooper and so that moniker stuck. The other thing that remains the same is that no one knows what happened to DB Cooper. Below are some stories that have people claiming to be Cooper, but the FBI dismisses all reported leads.

In fact, it is kinda interesting that they have eliminated their original idea that he was an experienced

Alice Cooper: Mr Green Jeans or DB Cooper?

parachute expert. That is because that no expert would attempt such a jump under those circumstances or really any circumstance. Besides that…the man who jumped from the plane was wearing loafers. No self respecting parachutist jumps from 10,000 feet in the dark, in a thunderstorm from a plane doing 200 mph over some of the roughest geography in the country wearing penny loafers.

When I was a kid, there was a rumor going around that Alice Cooper was really Mr. Green Jeans from Captain Kangaroo. I think Alice Cooper just may be DB Cooper.

Here are some stories in which people claim that they know who Cooper was…including one that claims he was really a she who used to be a he…yes indeed…DB Cooper had a sex change to a woman before she hijacked the plane dressed as a man.

Time Line and Facts Regarding DB Cooper

Cooper and interesting sidelights and circumstance

DB Cooper was a woman posing as a man, whom she used to be before the operation

Duane Weber Kinda Looked like him

It Was the Purser!!

FBI Separates Facts From Fiction-Still Needs Help Finding a Real Suspect