1) Pagan 4th of July Retrospective
Interview with Caroline Kenner of Chesapeake Pagan Community By Christopher Blackwell

In our Litha issue we interviewed Caroline Kenner about the planned Pagan Religious Rights Rally and Ritual on the 4th of July in Lafayette Square Park, across the street from the White House in Washington, D.C. Originally designed to push for the pentacle on VA headstones, it changed to celebrate the victory and then push for the Awen symbol for Druid veterans and Thor’s Hammer for the Asatru. It also advocated Pagan chaplains in the military.

So how did it go?

Christopher: In these days of so called “free speech zones”, often blocks away from the politicians you want to get the message to, there must be something very special to demonstrate across the street from the White House in our nation’s capital.

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2) A First Dedication at Arlington
By Christopher Blackwell

Photo to left by Leo Shane III/S&S - Rev. Barry Lynn (left) of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary in Wisconsin deliver a blessing over the grave site of Jan Deanna O’Rourke on July 4. “Used with permission of Stars and Stripes. © 2007 Stars and Stripes”

The latest dedication is the first to include both a Christian cross and a Wiccan pentacle. Captain William O’Rourke was buried under a Christian cross nine years earlier, but his wife’s side remained blank.

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3) Democrat County Chair outed as Wiccan
By Christopher Blackwell

Rita Moran is owner of Apple Valley Books, in Windthrope, Maine and also the Kennebec County Democratic Committee Chair. There was a special Maine House election for district 83 on June 12 for the seat previously held by Republican Abigail Holman.

The Democrats were running a candidate, Deanne Jones, that believed that abortions decisions should be left up to a woman and her doctor. The Republicans were running a candidate, Penelope “Penny” Morrel that was supported openly by The Christian Civic League. She had neglected to mention her support of, and being on the board of, the local Right to Life organization, which strongly opposes letting a woman have any say so on such choices.

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4) Long Bus Trip, Interesting People
By Christopher Blackwell

Going to the Tucson VA hospital for my second appointment this month, I got taught a lesson about my other duties outside of the Pagan community that were nevertheless my duty as a Wiccan. Both going and coming back proved a lot more interesting than I would have expected on a tiring Greyhound bus trip of over 200 miles each way.

On my trip I met a recently retired Air Force colonel. I listened to him talk about being shot down in Afghanistan. I mentioned some experiences in Vietnam but mostly just let him talk. It was what he needed. He told me that he no longer will ever fly on a plane, figured he used up his luck.

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5) Editorial
West Memphis 3 Revisited By Christopher Blackwell

Ten years ago, when I was just starting to get online, the West Memphis 3 were still big news in the Wiccan forums. So I noticed the announcement this last month that new DNA evidence tests had been completed. DNA testing has come a long ways since 1993 when they could tell little more than blood type.

The new tests on the evidence shows DNA from the three 8-year-old boy victims and a stepfather. But there was no DNA from any of the three young men serving time for the murders. Defense lawyers hope to get further DNA tests to bolster their chances for getting a new trial for the three convicted men.

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