Where was man supposed to draw the line? It seems that many of the things that man is attempting to achieve, or is acutally doing, are unethical. For instance, who gave man the right to determine if someone should live or die? Who gave man the authority to decide who should be born and who shouldn’t? Here is a list of 10 ways that man tries to play the role of God:

10. Predicting Armageddon

The Bible says that only the creator knows when the end of the world will take place. However, man insists on trying to induce worldwide chaos with constant predictions of when they believe the world is going to end. Most of the predictions are usually based on some form of science or archeological find. There have been predictions by lost civilizations and numerologists.

Many people with foundations in religion find it easy to ignore the maniacal rants of those who swear they know when the world is ending. However, there are also those who feel the need to have underground bunkers and stashes of food and other goods, in an effort to be prepared. What they are preparing for is unknown.  The end of the world isn’t something that can be predicted. It’s something that is just going to happen…

9. Life Support System

No one likes to be faced with the loss of a loved one. However, what happens when you know there is no chance of them coming back. Life support systems were designed to keep people alive; who would surely die without them. Basically, it’s sustaining something that is already gone.

There have been instances where someone was on a life support system for years and recovered. There are also the instances where a family has waited prolonged amounts of time, only to have to decide to turn the machines off. Of course, by not using the system, you never know if they would have come back or not. Yet, isn’t it God who decides when someone is born and when someone dies.

The use of life support systems is another example of man stepping in to God’s shoes. By artificially sustaining a life that God has already taken back, man is attempting to override the decision as a creator of life.

8. Slavery

Slavery isn’t used in terms of just the enslavement of African American people for approximately 400 hundred years. African Americans weren’t the first people to be enslaved. There were slaves in the Bible. Native Americans were enslaved. Jewish people were enslaved. There are still nations across the world that believes another race of people was meant to be enslaved.

Slavery has been justified by oppressors, in so many ways. Many use their religious books as a means of proving that slavery isn’t wrong. This was especially so in the instance of the enslavement of African American in the Americas. White Christians used the Bible to try to persuade others to believe that God said these people of dark skin were nothing but animals; uncivilized, they were meant to serve.

Who is to determine master from slave? Who is to determine civilized from uncivilized? Who is to determine which race of man is to oppress another race of man?

7. Genocide

Genocide is the purposeful annihilation of an ethnic group or nation. There are other methods used to commit genocide; like taking away the capability to reproduce. Any step taken to rid the planet of a particular group is considered genocide.

What makes it right for any one person or group to decide that an entire race of people aren’t deserving of life. Unfortunately, this scenario has replayed itself throughout the world’s history. The largest example of genocide is present in the Holocaust. Hitler caused the death of millions of people; the majority of them were Jewish. African militant leader, Idi Amin, wiped out more hundreds of thousands of people; based on their ethnic groups.

If God made these people, should anyone have the right to say they are worthless? The killing of any man based on ethnicity is wrong. Think of it this way… if God decided that only animals were worthy of living on Earth and allowed man to know. How would it feel knowing that you were about to die because you were human?

6. Genetic Engineering

Also referred to as genetic modification, genetic engineering is man’s manipulation of an organism’s genetic content through the use of technology. It is centered on the introducing DNA that isn’t natural to the genome or artificial genes into the organism. Once a host gene has been isolated, new DNA material is inserted to it. This type of technology is used in research, for industrial purposes and for agriculture.

The problem that genetic engineering poses is that it alters the natural state of an organism. It has been argued that through this technology, people can pick and choose the types of physical characteristics they want their children to have. For example, they can now choose the color of their child’s eyes and the color of their hair. Instead of being happy with what God has blessed them with, parents can now create the child of their dreams. Research has proven that with the use of genetic engineering, man can control the genetic make-up of any organism. Science may be headed in a direction that may offer some benefits but may also bring about something that they lose control over.

At the time of conception, biology makes decisions. Is it alright for man to make changes in what has naturally occurred?

5. Stem Cell Harvesting

The stem cell controversy is the moral debate that addresses the conception, conduct and annihilation of human embryos in order to conduct research involving embryonic stem cells. There are other forms of stem cell research that don’t include any of the aforementioned steps. For instance, stem cells that are taken from adults, amniotic fluid or induced pluripotent stem cells have nothing to do with the use of human embryos at all.

The position taken in regards to stem cell harvesting is that technology requires the destruction of human embryos in order to obtain the stem cells. This causes an issue for pro-life activists who believe that at the moment of fertilization, an embryo becomes a life. In their eyes, stem cell harvesting is the same as committing murder. Creating a life only to destroy it is considered inhumane.

If research being conducted through the use of harvested stem cells can help man find cured for deadly diseases or prevent deformities, should it be allowed? If a person can be saved through the creation and destruction of another living organism, should it not be done? Or, are those the decisions that should be left to God.

4. Artificial Insemination

Often referred to as AI, Artificial insemination is the unnatural process of introducing sperm into the reproductive system of a woman to induce pregnancy by means other than the natural act of sex. For human beings, this process is completed using the sperm of a woman’s male partner or the sperm of a male donor. It is commonly used by couples who cannot reproduce on their own or by women who want children but are not interested in becoming impregnated the natural way. Ironically, artificial insemination was a technique that was widely used on animals such as dairy cattle and pigs and modified to be used by humans.

Many in society feel as though this is an example of man playing a role in a part of life in which he has no business. There are those who believe that all lives that are intended to be in existence will be; if it’s the will of God. It is also argued that artificial insemination is used by parents who want to make choices in reference to their child’s physical characteristics.

Is it right to prevent a woman or couple from giving birth, simply because she cannot conceive naturally? Was it not God’s intention for women to bring forth life? Yet, if he created a particular woman without the ability to do so, is it man’s place to change the life that God had intended for her?

3. Human Cloning

Science truly overstepped its boundaries with this one. The biological technique that is used to create like populations of genetically duplicated persons that naturally occurs when natural bacteria, florae or bugs are duplicates asexually is called cloning. There are two familiar types of human cloning, therapeutic and reproductive. Therapeutic cloning uses adult cells for medicine and research. Reproductive cloning is the process of replicating human beings.

There is another type of cloning that is possible. It would be a combination of the other two. Replacement cloning would be used to replace damaged body parts and to conduct whole or partial brain transplants.

All human cloning is controversial and demands to put a stop to it are widespread. Believe it or not, there are even scientific organizations that are against human cloning. Some believe that there are issues with safety, while others feel as though it’s a violation of ethics.

What happens in the instance that identical cells are needed in an effort to save another life? Is it then okay to reproduce an exact replica of the organism that is already in existence? Or should man make the decision to just let nature takes its course?

2. Capital Punishment

Also known as the death penalty, capital punishment is the sentence of death that is handed down to a person as a penalty for a criminal act; these criminal acts are usually referred to as capital crimes. The word capital is derived from the Latin term, “capitalis”. Ironically, it translates to ‘regarding the head”. Before the invention of the electric chair and prior to lethal injection, capital crimes were punished by the severing of the head.

Only 58 nations practice the death penalty and it has been outlawed in 96 countries. Countries that still have it on their books haven’t used it in decades and preserve it for special circumstances; like wartime.

The stance that is taken in regards to the death penalty is the same as any other that has to do with  man deciding who is worthy of living and who isn’t. Many feel that the government oversteps its boundaries when it begins ending lives, for whatever reason it may be done. Those who take a religious stance say that it’s murder. However, some say that the Bible also says an “eye for an eye”.

So, which stance is the right stance? If a man kills a man, does the judicial system have the right to take the murders life? Is it right to spare his life, if he took another life in order to save his own. Murder is murder, right? When is it justified?

1. Abortion

An abortion is a medical process by which a pregnancy is intentionally terminated via the removal or expulsion of the fetus or embryo before it can survive on its own. Spontaneous abortions, which occur naturally, are called a miscarriage. When the term abortion is used, it’s usually in reference to a miscarriage that has been induced on purpose.

From the time of its legalization, induced abortion has been the center of controversy, debate and activism. Many times the position that one takes on the topic is based on a moral or ethical viewpoint. It can even be political when it comes to women’s rights groups. Religiously, abortion is man playing God, once again.

There are many arguments made when it comes to this. Some will say a woman knows that one of the risks of having unprotected sex is pregnancy. If God deemed her ready to be a mother, who is she to change that. Many stand firm on the belief that all life is ordered by God. God decides who is born and when; he also decided who dies and when. If you look at it that way, with man making decisions about when to terminate a life, they are essentially messing with what God has willed to be.

As you can see, many of the things on this list deal directly with human life. Whether it should be spared…whether it should be terminated….whether it should be destroyed for advancement in science. When and where did man lose sight of the fact that there is a creator of all things; and that the creator of them should decide what happens to them?

With the direction that man is headed at the present time, this same list will have a few different things on it in approximately five years. Man doesn’t seem to understand that there are times when nature should be left alone to do what it’s intended to do naturally. Is man setting himself up for disaster?

10. Television

You can’t understate the hypnotic powers of television. From commercials wrought with subliminal messages, to 24 hour TV show marathons, to recycled episodes and reruns of Sportscenter and CNN, there is no shortage of contemporary television programs. Nowadays, a basic cable connection comes complete with about 100 channels. Digital cable and satellites have literally thousands of channels available. It doesn’t help we spend countless hours sitting in front of a television screen.

Why do televisions make this list? Simply put, televisions are the primary means of conditioning for the big broadcasting companies. When leaders have a message, they take it to the screen. When there’s a new product launch, it’s taken to the screen. Newscasters plaster television screens with killing and murder so we stay glued to their. Most of what we know about the outside world comes from what we see on television. It is doubtful that televisions will ever stop being relevant.

9. Women

Women possess an interesting combination of beauty and cunning. Their ability to bear children also makes them uniquely important to the cycle of life. Women also have the unparalleled ability to persuade and influence their male counterparts. Their sensuality gives them worldwide appeal. While not all societies regard them with the respect they deserve, there is no denying a woman’s inherent significance.

We are in a new generation, a new era when it comes to women. Unlike the past, women today have more rights and opportunities than ever. They have seized the opportunity to display their array of talents and abilities and made it clear they are every bit as capable as men. Despite the fact society is still mainly male dominated, women have moved far from their once domesticated lifestyle. They have become leaders of businesses and nations, exhibited political acuity, and continue to be at the forefront of higher education.

It’s not difficult to imagine how important women are. Like a rare, delicate flower we are very protective of our women. This isn’t because they’re weaker, but more because they represent the preciousness of life, beauty, and vitality.

8. Sex

Aside from its obvious significance as the natural means of reproduction in humans, sex is also a very popular source of pleasure. We love to do it, watch it and probably think about it a lot more than we’re willing to admit.

Sex is big business as well. It is said that prostitution is the world’s oldest occupation. We may never know if there is any truth in that but the fact remains people are willing to pay top dollar to experience sexual pleasure. On the legal side, porn industry is a multi-billion dollar industry.

Sex represents a very important type of human bonding. Although not everyone subscribes to abstinence, sex is still to some a very spiritual act, used to consummate marriage, a lifetime bond. Sex has a profound effect on the development of emotional bonds in humans.

7. Drugs

Everybody loves to get high…Ok, perhaps not everybody but drugs have become a huge part of human society and culture. On a number of levels, they contribute to a lot of very important aspects of human life. Drugs have the power to influence the economy, arts and entertainment, politics, class structure, and medicine. That list is in no way exhaustive.

Drugs are big business both in a legal and illegal sense. The drug trade has influenced many a political campaign since politicians and leaders are keenly aware of the effects drugs continue to have on communities across the nation. Drugs are the foundation of medical treatment and keep many people alive despite chronic or otherwise life threatening diseases. Unfortunately, multi-million dollar lawsuits come with the territory as well.

Drugs are also a source of pleasure and inspiration. Some of the greatest minds of our time were cultivated with lots of weed, cocaine and opium. Writers, artists and musicians have all credited drugs with altering their state of consciousness, giving them fresh perspective to create. Entire generations have used drugs to fuel their counter-culture beliefs.

6. The Internet (World Wide Web)

No place is the impact of technology more evident than within the development of computers and the internet. The World Wide Web, perhaps technology’s greatest gift, has singularly changed the way we learn, teach, communicate, entertain and inform. It has made the world smaller and allows the unprecedented spread of information and knowledge.

Never has a creation so recent in its development been able to impact and change so many different things so fast and with such power. The internet has brought us closer each other as a people. It has made us a more intelligent people by allowing us to access what is essentially our past, present and future. With the internet, we no longer need textbooks to learn about the history of the world. We don’t need a television to be entertained or updated on the latest news. With the advent of smartphones, we don’t need a computer to access technology to improve our lives. At the root of this new age we live is the internet.

While natural resources remain the foundation of human life—things like water, air, oil and such—information is and has always been the key to properly utilizing those resources. The internet is the face of the information age.

5. Technology

Technology and its role in shifting the way we live have influenced the entire world on a number of levels. The cars we drive, our cell phones, computers, traffic lights, medical technology, they have all impacted the way we think, act, and live. Technology has become so commonplace and so many things have been invented for the sake of convenience that we sometimes for technology’s role in our lives.

The most obvious way we can see technology’s significance is by looking at how we judge human advancement. While there are many constants, things that fundamentally never change over time, one thing is perfectly clear. As the world and the human race grows, so does technology and at an alarming rate. Technology allows us to both organize and utilize the entire body of knowledge we possess.

4. Religion

It’s said that God rules the world. So naturally, religion should make this list, right? Religion has been around since the beginning of time. Wars have been fought over religion. Societies have been founded on the premise of religion. As a way of thinking, religion has provided billions of people with a reason to live. All in all, religion and spirituality are fundamental parts of human existence.

Many nations came to be as a result of religious persecution and the pursuit of religious freedom. Religion has remained a consistent source of personal conviction and principles by which we live every day. There are even those who use religion to justify actions that are deemed “evil” like terrorism. Religion is also a source of world history. Much of human society was developed on principles of religion and universal concepts of God and spirituality. Christianity was the motivation for the Great Crusades. The bible is the bestselling book of all time. The never ending conflicts in the Middle East have religious roots. Many of our greatest monuments were created to honor religious and heavenly beings.

Even on the individual level, faith in religion dictates the everyday lives on billions of people. Religious doctrines and teachings help many to find purpose in living and a reason to exist. Without religion, one might argue the world and its existence is but a byproduct of science and coincidence. One of the greatest debates of our time relates to religious beliefs concerning the origin of our world. Given the historical significance of religion, its continued influence over the world and its inhabitants, and the veracity of its power, religion is definitely worthy of placement on this list.

3. Science

Science is the basis of what we know about the world around us. Discoveries in science have led to the development of countless laws and theories that shape how we live and interact with the planet. Experiments and research still to this day provide hope for everything from cures for chronic diseases like HIV and cancer to increased life expectancy.

Science remains one of the most fundamental aspects of our world. Our understanding of science affects us every day. Weather forecasts, fallout plans for disaster, global warming, the laws of physics, space travel—it is all predicated on scientific knowledge.

Without science, many of the items on this list might not exist. If not for the study of electricity, we would have no technology. There would be no televisions or the internet. Without science, we wouldn’t understand architecture to build homes, or even know how to cook. Science is ever present and continually influences everything we do.

2. Politics and Government

Without politics and government, there would be total worldwide chaos…Scratch that, politics and government allow us to structure the chaos that already exists in the world. Whether you’re living in a democracy or a dictatorship, anarchical societies are few and far between. Pretty much everyone has come to the conclusion that a central government is necessary to control the day to day dealings of a nation. It also provides a means for leadership to convene and make important decisions. No matter the type of government politics and government have played a vital role in our world’s development and is the hallmark of human civilization.

Politics and government, though powerfully significant aren’t always good. They have been vehicles for mass destruction and fear and the central motivation for conquest and invasion. Entire peoples have been oppressed through government. Corrupt politics are also a major part of our world. Ruthless dictators and power seekers trigger happy rulers and underhanded politicians manipulate government to work for them in spite of their constituents. As unfortunate as it may be, people are killed and assassinated for the sake of political interests all the time. Government cover ups and scandal are at the foundation of the world’s history.

Politics and government have been and remain a powerful influence over the world as we know it.

1. Money

You’ve heard it a million times and a million different ways—“money makes the world go round”, “money is the root of all evil”, “time is money”, “if it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make sense”. No matter how you slice it, it’s difficult to argue with money being the driving force behind much of everything in the world. Money has a sphere of influence that doesn’t include many exceptions. Money affects everything, big or small.

On a large scale money affects entire societies, builds and destroys nations, determines the depths of social class and education, and is the unit by which entire economies are measured. On a smaller scale, it can have a profound effect on our individual quality of life and as such, can easily influence individual behavior. With money you can get away with murder…literally. Money can determine the outcome of political races. Without money, you cannot keep your lights on; have food, or even running water. If you have no money, you are essentially annexed from the civilized world

Money is by far the most powerful and influential thing ever created. It is so powerful that in many ways, it dictates the presence of every other thing on this list. Without money, you won’t be watching much television. The biggest crimes are motivated by the money associated with trafficking drugs. Money can buy you women and sex. The pulse of politics and government is dictated by debt ratios, campaign funding, war costs, economic status and the like. The best and latest technology costs lots and lots of money and is rarely available to those without financial resources. Access to the latest in scientific discoveries relating to medicine and health will ultimately depend on your health insurance, also money motivated.

It’s an unfortunate truth. Money is the glue that holds the world together.

Each of the items on this list has its place. Every one of them is arguably more important than its ranking might suggest. What we do know however, is that these ten things all have significant influence on how we live, communicate, learn and ultimately survive. They are each connected to the world and to each other. So whenever you’re in a bind and having trouble figuring out what really matters in the world, refer to this list. More likely than not, you’ll find answers in the top ten things that rule the world.

10. Mass Organization and Mobilization

The Black Panther Party believed in an approach that highlighted “serving the people.” This key concept was at the root of the BPP’s philosophies and beliefs. The BPP believed in a shared experience with the Black masses. Rather than operate as a separate, distant entity, the BPP mobilized throngs of Black Americans by living with them, experiencing their trials, and dealing with the daily struggles of Blacks in America. No other group was more concerned with creating solutions from the inside. This made the BPP appear more relevant and in touch with the harsh realities of living Black in America. Many of the programs implemented by the BPP emphasized community and togetherness. Rallies, community service, and strikes were an effective part of the BPP’s plan for action. They also used these mass meetings to further educate Black Americans on their beliefs concerning Black liberation and provided inspiration for those involved with the struggle. Their campaigns were not only revolutionary but effective means for combating drugs, violence, and brutality in the inner city. The mass organization of Blacks provided them with a renewed sense of self-reliance. Many of the programs created by the BPP to help address issues created by the inherent inequality in the Black community were later emulated by the American government. These programs, such as free school lunches and health care for the poor are still active in some forms today.

9. Promoting Equality for Women

Equality for women was another radical initiative put in place during the height of the Black Panther Party. The organization believed in the capabilities of women and valued them for their contributive worth. Women like Angela Davis were able to make a name for them self and participate fully in the efforts of the Black Panther Party. At all levels, women had access to all the benefits of the Black Panther Party. This was very significant in empowering Black women in particular. Even today, Black women face unique challenges to equal treatment and opportunity. During the era of blatant racism in America, Black women had to deal with even more obstacles. The BPP sought to include women in their mission to teach self-reliance and independence. It was a bold move on the part of the BPP and helped set the stage for later feminist movements. The BPP’s belief and faith in women was unusual at the time since even other Black organizations believed that women had no place in the Black Liberation Movement. It was widely believed women’s roles should be minimal at best, emphasizing their place in the home.  Women in the BPP were empowered and learned to believe they too were capable of attaining independence.

8. Revolutionary Approaches to Propaganda

The Black Panther Party was notorious for their use of propaganda and rhetoric. There was certainly an art to their oration and persuasive techniques. The BPP understood that the only way to incite significant change was to effectively mobilize their members and attract new ones daily. This led to their aggressive approach to spreading the word about the BPP and educating the masses on the issues at hand. The BPP created their own newspaper and publications, held numerous rallies and took full advantage of the speaking abilities of its leaders. The BPP created catchy, impactful slogans and posters and used radical means of promotion and publicity. The BPP had their own radio stations, animated cartoons, tags and print media which they used to inspire and inform many Blacks. There was no stone left unturned as they even held their own trials and funerals. There was a political system put in place and the BPP went to great lengths to create their own brand, one that was easily recognizable to the people. One lasting image of the Black Panther Party is the ominous “clenched fist.” The propaganda of the BPP also sought to rebuild and improve the image of Black Americans as well. The portrayal of Blacks in American media, much like today, was meant to instill fear and mistrust in other communities and promote a negative perception of Blacks. The BPP sought to eradicate such efforts with more positive, insightful rhetoric and images.

7. Free Breakfast for School Children

One of the most famous programs created by the Black Panther Party was the Free Breakfast for School Children initiative. Established at St. Augustine’s Church in Oakland, CA, the BPP fed more than ten thousand youth daily before the start of their school day. Members of the party actually cooked and served meals to youth of the inner city. Many of the children were from families too poor to provide regular, balanced meals. The program expanded to many other American cities and provided a model for soup kitchen programs still active today.

6. The Implementation of “Survival Programs”

The Black Panther Party was more than talk and rhetoric. They were about action they started a number of programs that directly impacted the Black community. One of their more famous programs was “Free Breakfast for Children”, but they also started other programs dealing with a plethora of problems unique to the Blacks who lived during oppressive periods in American history. In the midst of their militant actions, they still showed sensitivity for issues affecting the health and welfare of the Black community. The Black Panther party fed more than ten thousand youth through the program. The social issues Blacks faced were numerous and were especially ravaging to low income areas. The BPP started “survival programs” to help address the difficulties Blacks had living abundant lives. This included providing Blacks with access to medical clinics, free education, lessons concerning first aid, and rehabilitation programs for drugs and alcohol.  Below is a list of 20 survival programs, compiled by Stanford University students, started by the Black Panther Party. There were many more.

1. Alameda County     Volunteer Bureau Work Site

2. Benefit Counseling

3. Black Student Alliance

4. Child Development Center

5. Consumer Education Classes

6. Community Facility Use

7. Community Health Classes

8. East Oakland CIL (Center for Independent Living) Branch

9. Community Pantry (Free Food Program)

10. Drug/Alcohol Abuse Awareness Program

11. Drama Classes

12. Disabled Persons Services/Transportation and Attendant

13. Drill Team

14. Employment Referral Service

15. Free Ambulance Program

16. Free Breakfast for Children Programs

17. Free Busing to Prisons Program

18. Free Clothing Program

19. Free Commissary for Prisoners Program

20. Free Dental Program

5. Influence and Inspiration of Other Oppressed Groups

America’s social scene was wrought with contradictions and class conflicts were prevalent. Minority populations, including Mexicans, Chinese, and Puerto Ricans also faced issues of discrimination and inequality. Inspired by the zeal and apparent effectiveness of Black Panther Party efforts, these groups started their own resistance efforts. This suggests the sheer universality of the BPP vision. The Chinese created a group in the San Francisco Bay Area called the Red Guard. The Gray Panthers, as funny as the name sounds, were concerned with the human and civil rights of seniors in the community. Puerto Ricans in the northern US founded the Young Lords. Mexican Americans came together to form a group known as the Brown Berets. Needless to say the impact of the BPP spread across the entire nation. The increased action helped promote an environment ripe for party growth as the BPP expanded as well. There were BPP chapters in 48 states. Soon, international populations in Japan, England, Mozambique, China, Israel, Uruguay, and South Africa also started groups focused on the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Movement.

The Black Panther Party and their philosophies of revolution helped bring forth the plights which Black Americans faced. They encouraged the protection and preservation of human rights, the significance of cultural pride, and the importance of service to those in impoverished communities. Their theories concerning self-defense were at the time radical and their rhetoric in establishing a “by any means necessary” attitude helped mobilize ultimately, millions of people. The Black Panther Party made major contributions to society and their legacy helps inspire others to stay cognizant of the issues facing Blacks in America. Although their efforts were ultimately thwarted due to poor execution of some of their plans, the spirit of their philosophy remains a beacon for social resistance and activism.

4. The Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation

One of the most important and lasting contributions of the Black Panther Party was the founding of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation. Dr. Newton was one of the founders of the BPP and his commitment to realizing the ideals of the BPP led to great change, but also to his death. His foundation, founded in 1993 emphasizes community and is a non-profit center dedicated to the research, education and advocacy in social progression. The foundation remains a beacon for social change in America is renowned for programs encouraging activism and independence among all cultures, especially those of the minority. Huey Newton was a teacher first and foremost. He believed that by increasing our knowledge of history we could affect change in the future. His foundation continues its goals of empowerment and enabling urban youth to help build better communities for Blacks across the nation.

3. The Black Panther Party Ten Point Program

The Black Panther Party believed in a ten point program that outlined the primary goals and mission of the entire organization. Whether they achieved all these goals is irrelevant. The fact remains that their ten point program enlightened the community and nation at large of the needs of the Black Community. The list is highlighted below in its entirety. It provides a foundation for the Black Panther Party philosophy.

• We want freedom.
• We want full employment for our people.
• We want an end to the robbery by the capitalists of our black and oppressed communities.
• We want decent housing, fit for the shelter of human beings.
• We want decent education for our people…
• We want completely free health care for all black and oppressed people
• We want an immediate end to police brutality…
• We want an immediate end to all wars of aggression
• We want freedom for all black and oppressed people now held in U.S. federal, state, county, city and military prisons and jails…
• We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice, peace and people’s community control of modern technology.

2. Self-Defense in the Black Community

One of the most significant contributions of the Black Panther Party was their emphasis on self defense. This was a focal point of their beliefs and it empowered many Blacks to defend themselves in the face of great adversity. While Martin Luther King emphasized non-violent retaliation, the fact remained that during the Jim Crow Era and into the sixties and seventies, Black people were very vulnerable to the violence and brutality inflicted by Whites. The BPP instilled spirit and a new set of values into the Black community. For better or worse, there is no denying that Blacks had to be willing to defend themselves in the face of grave danger. The Black Panther Party gave many Blacks, especially youth, the courage to stand up to oppressive forces.

The Black Panther Party’s theory of self-defense was a very radical concept at the time. This is what made the BPP an attractive alternative to Blacks at the time. Although there are certainly risks attached to such a philosophy, fundamentally the BPP had the right idea.

1. Black Nationalism and Black Pride

During the height of Black oppression in America, The Black Panther Party believed in Black Nationalism. Their goal of liberating Black Americans and returning to African roots was the catalyst for a renewed sense of belief in the power of Black people. The concepts and theories, many based on socialist principles, emphasized revolution in America. This ideology condemned many of the capitalist philosophies that dominated American life. Capitalism in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, but Blacks had to deal with the fact that as it was, American capitalism had no place for the upward mobility of Black Americans. For this reason, the revolutionary beliefs of the Black Panther Party were significant and provided a definite sense of Black pride for the community to latch onto.

The BPP educated many Blacks, and inevitably, other races on the contributions of Africans to American development and the significance of Black heritage. The BPP’s unprecedented emphasis on Black American’s relation to Africa, the motherland and its struggle for independence provided a nice backdrop for their goals and missions.

10. Esteban Carlon

In a case of burglary gone horribly wrong, Estaban Carlon and his brother attempted to steal a truck in the Deerbrook Mall parking lot in the Humble region of Houston. After police began to surround the two, the brothers had nowhere to go. Estaban, believing an escape was still possible, climbed into the passenger side of the stolen truck and told his brother to book it. His brother refused. Little did Estaban know that going to jail would turn out to be the least of his concerns.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Estaban Carlon are murky at best. What we do know however, is that Estaban Carlon was “accidentally” shot and killed by Detective Craig Miller. According to Detective Miller’s story, he attempted to break the passenger window with his gun and it went off by mistake. Interestingly enough, Estaban Carlon died as the result of a single shot to the head. It appears that even by accident, Detective Miller is a pretty good shot.

Needless to say, some were a bit suspicious concerning the nature of the events that took place. Even some of Millers police buddies questioned his intentions, referring to Miller’s actions as unusual and not a part of protocol. These other officers didn’t believe Miller would have attempted to break out the window because it could have caused the gun to malfunction and break, putting his own life at risk. Miller left the force on administrative leave with pay.

9. Kenneth Harding

This case went far beyond controversial. Regardless of who was in the right, it was downright sickening. Let’s start with the graphic video of an unarmed Black teenager, Kenneth Harding, lying in a pool of his own blood, still alive, but slowly dying from gunshot wounds inflicted by police officers. Those same police officers stood around Harding, guns drawn while an angry San Francisco crowd gathered. Add to that Kenneth was being chased by police for (get ready) dodging two bucks in bus fare! Obviously, this story created a lot of drama in the Bayview area when it happened and everyone was forced to get their story straight.

After the initial incident, the San Francisco Police department was taking a lot of heat from the community. A reconstruction of the event showed that ten shots were fired in a matter of 6 seconds. According to the police, the first shot came from Harding who was firing at police with reckless abandon and no concern for others around. Police then fired back. Yet, by the time it was all said and done, Harding was dead, no weapon had been recovered, and police were being accused of excessive force.

Eventually, the police did recover a weapon and found it belonged to Harding. Autopsy results revealed that the bullet that killed Harding came from his own gun, suggesting suicide. The community however didn’t buy it and was vocal about their feelings concerning police corruption.

8. Stanley Gibson

What happens when you mix a disabled war veteran and police? Who knows, but death most certainly isn’t the first thing to pop into most people’s heads. Stanley Gibson was a veteran of the first Gulf War and was having it pretty rough in the country he once defended with his life. He was suffering from cancer related to his time overseas and had been diagnosed with a kind of chronic paranoia. He even took medicine. Apparently one night he forgot to take his meds and was driving around, trying to get home. He wound up in a neighborhood where suspicious residents phoned the police. His car was pinned by squad cars and police surrounded his vehicle. In yet another police shooting caught on tape, officers fired shots into Gibson’s vehicle, killing him. Oh, another small detail: Gibson was unarmed.

Police claimed the shooting was the result of tactical miscommunication and a misunderstanding of the circumstances surrounding the incident. No one had a story that would stick. The subsequent uproar led to discussions ranging from racism to the way America has failed to support war veterans upon their return to the states.

7. Caroline McGehee Small

Caroline McGehee Small was apparently in the parking lot of a hotel where a man saw her “heating something in her lap.” He subsequently called 911 and police located and approached Small. Small’s eyes were glazed and it was apparent she was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. However, after the incident, no paraphenelia was recovered—just a half empty bottle of vodka. Small then drove off slowly, beginning a four mile “slow-speed” chase. She drove erratically, but never reached speeds higher than 35 mph. After she reached her neighborhood, police were able to pin her vehicle. Small, after a brief stop began to accelerate toward a gap between the squad cars. There were two police officers standing in the gap. They yelled for Small to stop nearly a dozen times before firing eight shots into the front windshield. Small was hit in the face and lost consciousness. One week later, she died in the hospital. Her autopsy results were not revealed.

The police maintain that they feared for their lives and believed they were in danger when Small began to advance toward them with the car. There is now debate over whether the officers should be charged in a court of law with either voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.

6. Patrick Limoges

Police were responding to a call about a man who was armed with a knife and causing havoc in downtown Montreal. After they found him, they fired ten shots, killing the suspect. Unfortunately, Patrick Limoges, a hospital tech who was walking to work, was hit by a stray bullet and killed as well. As if the circumstances surrounding the incident weren’t enough, more controversy was created when the public began to criticize the decision making skills of the officers. The community pleaded for an independent investigation. They were rewarded with an investigation by a neighboring police force already notorious for looking the other way. Rather than question the shooter and those involved directly, the investigating agency used statements written by police officers whole days after the incident happened. Needless to say the public wasn’t happy and advocated the creation of a separate investigating entity chaired and run by a civilian.

5. Antonio Cooks

Antonio was gunned down after police officers responded to a call from a woman who claimed there was a man with a ski mask on, dressed in all black attempting to break down her door. Once the police arrived, armed and ready to respond, they encountered Cooks along with another man and opened fire. Cooks died on the scene. Minutes earlier, Cooks had been standing side by side with police officers. Cooks and his partner were actually bail bondsmen and were attempting to apprehend a criminal who was apparently trying to jump his bail. Both of the bondsmen were wearing black shirts which read “Surety Agents”.

The bondsmen had called the police earlier for backup. When they knocked on the door initially, no one answered. After the officer left, Cooks put on a ski mask and attempted again to get into the house. Unfortunately, the house was in a patrol zone serviced by two different police departments. The second set of officers had no idea that the men outside the home were bail agents, no clue about their call to police just minutes earlier, or any information about the situation at all. So when they arrived and saw the armed masked man, the officer immediately shot Cooks down.

4. Deonte Rawlings

The case of Deonte Rawlings is a bloodsoaked tale that includes two off duty police officers, a stolen mini-bike and a fourteen year old boy. The two officers, James Haskel and Anthony Clay were driving around a neighborhood in Southeast DC looking for Haskel’s stolen bike. Both were officers and both were off duty. After searching for a bit, they find Deonte sitting on the bike. Haskel yells for the boy to drop the bike and by his account, was then fired upon with a gun. Haskel then fires eight shots from the driver side window with one hitting Rawlings in the back of the head. Without even checking to see if Rawlings is alive, Haskel flees on foot and flags down another police officer who is on duty. Haskel reported shots fired to the police department and he is then dropped off at his mother’s house. All the while, Rawlings died on the scene.

The fallout from this incident was major. There were press conferences, FBI investigations and a host of very angry DC citizens demanding justice for the brutal slaying of a child. Despite Haskel’s account of the incident, no evidence was found at the scene to suggest that Rawlings fired a single gunshot or that he even had a gun.

3. Mark Duggan

In August of 2011, Mark Duggan was shot dead after reported shootout. Police had been following Duggan in what was supposed to be a pre-planned arrest. Duggan was in a minicab. Eventually, shots rang out and Duggan was dead. Initially, the reports were that Duggan fired first mainly because of a bullet lodged in one of the officer’s radio. Duggan’s death led to a riot that required officers from at least four different towns in London and that went down in English history.

After an independent investigation into the matter, there was no evidence found to suggest that Duggan fired a gun. The lead investigator admitted his mistake that initial reports that Duggan shot first were inaccurate. Duggan’s family had lost all confidence in the police investigation and felt their chances of receiving justice were slim at best. They were upset that the media attempted to portray Duggan as a gang member and thug who fired at police officers. There were even members of the investigation committee who quit because of foul play during the process

2. Amadou Diallo

While standing near his apartment, Amadou Diallo was spotted by a group of officers dressed in plain clothing. They believed he fit the description of an at large serial rapist. The officers yelled for Diallo to put his hands up and identified themselves as NYPD. A confused Diallo ran and belted up the stairs toward his apartment. Breaking the cardinal rule, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a dark object. One of the officers, Sean Carroll yelled out to his other officers that Diallo had a gun. The other police, believing themselves to be in immediate danger, opened fire on Diallo. To make matters worse, Carroll fell backwards off of the stairs leading the other agents to believe he was shot. A grand total of 41 shots were fired, 19 hitting Diallo. He died on the scene. Turns out the dark object was his wallet and the serial rapist was later apprehended.

1. Sean Bell

Sean Bell was attending his bachelor party at a club Jamaica Queens. He and several of his friends, including Joseph Guzman were in attendance. A group of seven undercover police officers were in attendance as well, dressed in plain clothes. At some point Guzman got into an argument with someone outside of the club. One of the officers claimed to have at that point heard someone mention a gun, prompting him to notify the other officers. They met up with Bell and his entourage as they attempted to get in the car and leave. While Bell and his friends were preparing to leave, an unknown male approached the car with a gun. One of the detectives, Gescard Isnora claimed to have identified himself as a police officer and ordered Bell to stop. Bell, however, did not stop and accelerated, only to be hit by an unmarked, police vehicle. At this point, Isnora thought he saw Guzman reach for a gun and yelled out “Gun!” to his fellow officers. They all opened fire at the vehicle resulting in 50 shots. Bell was killed from shots to the neck and torso.

Guzman survived and claimed the officers never identified themselves at any point, including as they approached the car with a gun. A number of other conflicting accounts would eventually emerge, including some suggesting that the officers started firing immediately upon leaving their vehicles with no warning whatsoever.

When dealing with life and death, there is a very low margin for error. Inevitably however, mistakes will be made, lives will be lost, and people will be disappointed. In a number of these cases, the officers who made those mistakes were exonerated of any wrongdoing. That just goes to show, what may seem obvious to one person isn’t always apparent to others. Perception is reality and the gaps between what we see set the stage for controversy. What we’ve done here is try to count down the top ten most controversial police shootings.

10. Amenhotep 1

Amenhotep ruled for twenty years from 1526 BC to 1506 BC. His ascension to the throne came as a result of the deaths of his two elder brothers. This cleared the way for Amenhotep to become ruler. He is most known for his military dealings. His conquest included moving his empire southward to Nubia, where he secured Egypt’s border at the second cataract, now known as the Great Cataract, of the Nile. Amenhotep’s reign coincided with a period of great splendor and beauty in Egypt. His empire was markedly peaceful despite conflicts with the Bedouins and Hittites. His invasion of Syria was significant due to the fact he was able to secure captives and bring them back to Thebes.

According to historical records, Amenhotep was very skilled in the art of hunting. He was also an excellent horseman. During his rule, there were great expansions in Egyptian architecture and a number of elaborate sculptures built in his honor. In addition to building all over the region, he expanded the use of alabaster stone from Hatnub in his sculptures. He also rebuilt many temples. Amenhotep was deified in his death and given the status of a god.

9. Pyrrhus of Epirus

A leader prone to shifts and change, Pyrrhus was not renowned for his wisdom. However, for his time, he is considered part of the pantheon of great military leaders. Hannibal, quite famous in his own right, is recorded by Plutarch as having considered Pyrrhus the most astute and effective commander of all time. Appian, another ancient historian, considers him the second best following Alexander the Great.

Despite his fame for military leadership, Pyrrhus maintained a reputation of goodwill and consistent benevolence. The most common political criticism of Pyrrhus was his inability to remain focused and his poor handling of finances. He is known to have spent a great deal from his treasury on soldiers for war. Despite this, Pyrrhus’ efforts at military advancement in Italy were significant. Pyrrhus’ campaign essentially represents Greece’s only opportunity to suppress Rome’s military aggression in the Mediterranean

Pyrrhus was an avid writer and penned a number of books on the art and practice of war. Although none of these writings are preserved today, they are known to have influenced other leaders like Hannibal and the philosopher, Cicero.

8. Shah Tahmasp I

Tahmasp was only ten years old when he came into power and inherited the throne of his father, who had began Safavid rule. Due to his age, Tahmasp answered to the leaders of the Qizilbash, a group of men from the Turkic tribe that provided the basis of Safavid power. Leaders of the Qizilbash battled for the status of regency over Tahmasp. Eventually, Tahmasp gained complete control. When he became an adult, he was able to use his full power as Shah, controlling all the tribesmen of the Qizilbash.

Despite a number foreign threats during his reign, Tahmasp helped usher in a period of peace that lasted three decades. He did this by consummating relations with the Empire by way of the Peace of Amasya, an agreement which settled border disputes between Iran and the Ottoman Empire.

Shah Tahmasp’s economic contributions are known and respected. He encouraged the Persian rug industry and helped spread it nationally. This helped inject life into the Persian economy after the Ottoman wars interfered with trade routes.

As Shah of Iran, Tahmasp had the longest period of rule of any member of the Safavid dynasty. He was very influential.

7. Anne de Bretagne-Jean Bourdichon

A Breton ruler, Anne, Duchess of Brittany was born on January 25 1476 and lived until 1514. She was the queen to two consecutive French Kings. Her birthplace and country of rule was Nentes, Brittany.

Anne was known for her mental acumen and she was exceedingly committed to the administrative affairs of Brittany. She was of haughty nature and made it no secret she was very a proud woman. Her priorities included Breton independence and maintaining the seat and title of Duchy outside the French monarchy, a goal she failed after death.

Anne is also famous for her cultural tastes. She enjoyed the arts and was a fan of music and collecting. It is believed that Anne made a special request for the unicorn tapestries, now displayed in The Cloisters museum in New York City, to honor her marriage to Louis XII. She also oversaw the creation of a book of French manuscripts in her name: The Great Hours of Anne of Brittany. Anne originated the practice of keeping junior attendants in the royal court, known as the Queen’s Maids of Honor.

6. Louis the Child

Louis the Child, born in 893, only lived to 911. Of the Carolingian rulers of East Francia, his reign was the final one. At the age of only six, he ascended to his father’s throne. Unfortunately, his reign is famous for having taken place during the continued raids of Magyar people. His coronation in 900 is oldest on German royal record.

Louis was a very small boy and his stature was far from intimidating. He is known for his weak constitution and tendency for sickness. Although he occupied the throne, power over the government and politics was in the hands of his nobles and bishops. It is believed his coronation was more political than anything else. As a result of the death of Zwentibold in 900, Louis’ half-brother, Louis gained the kingdom of Lotharingia.

As he got older, Louis decided to take the reins of his military. However, he would eventually experience many losses at the hands of the Magyars. His military was demolished in 907 and just four years later, Louis died at the tender age of eighteen.

5. 11^th Dali Lama

Khedrup Gyatso was acknowledged as the Eleventh Dalai Lama in 1840 due to similar roots as the seventh Dalai Lama, Kelzang Gyatso. It was in 1841 that initial measures were taken to ordain Gyatso as he cut his hair and was given his new name

Gyatso was placed on the throne in 1842 in the Potala Palace. In 1849, at the age of eleven, he took the novice vows of monkhood, formally cementing his status as the next Dalai Lama. The government wished for him to take full power in 1855, but Gyatso died before this could occur. He was the third consecutive Dalai Lama to die before he could fully assume the position and all the powers that came with it.

Gyatso wrote a collection of stanzas relating to the war between the Tibetans and Gurkhas. It was called Story of the Monkeys and Birds.

4. The Shunzhi Emperor

Fulin, The Shunzhi Emperor was chosen to take the place of his father Hung Taiji when he was only five years old.  He was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty and first to control China. His reign over China lasted from 1644 to 1661. His time in power is collectively known as the Shunzhi.

As with most of the young rulers on this list, Fulin was appointed regents and they maintained authority over most political and governmental matters. One of Fulin’s regents, Dorgon, had most power from 1643 to 1650, when Dorgon died. It was in 1951 that Fulin began to take control of his government affairs. Although not successful on all fronts, Fulin attempted to address corruption and the influence of the Manchu on political matters in China.

The Qing dynasty capitalized on much of the territory of the fallen Ming dynasty, establishing the foundation for Qing power. There were a number of policies put in place by the Shunzhi Emperor, some of which were not well received including a requirement that citizens cut their hair into a queue.

Smallpox was an endemic in China, claiming the lives of many. Fulin was no exception and succumbed to the disease. His successor Xuanye already had immunity to the disease and ultimately reigned for 60 years.

3. Christina, Queen of Sweden

At the age of six years old, Christina of Sweden ascended to the throne after her father’s death in the Battle of Lutzen. Her protestant heritage was noted since her father fought valiantly in the Thirty Years’ War. However, Christina was the subject of scandal when she gave up her throne and became a Catholic in 1654.

Christina advocated and embraced culture and education. Though particularly mood, Christina was an avid reader and very smart. She had a range of interests and studied manuscripts dealing with spirituality, the sciences and even alchemy. She wished for Stockholm to become the “Athens of the North.” Christina was not in the least bit concerned with the Protestant culture many thought she’d embrace. In fact, she was very attached to the Baroque and Mediterranean practices that steered her away from Protestantism.

She was seen as unusual by some because of her radical lifestyle and masculine behavior. Christina is featured in a number of creative works. In the 20^th century in particular, she is regarded as a symbol of inspiration for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In addition to her masculine mannerisms, she preferred to spend her time with men. The only time she made exceptions was in the presence of very attractive women, whom she courted. Christina spent the latter part of her life heavily involved in the arts.

2. Sobhuza II

Despite his extremely young age, Sobhuza became Paramount Chief of Swaziland in 1899, when he was but a few months old. As is customary for rulers in their youth, Sobhuza maintained a regent, his grandmother, during the first two decades of his reign. In all of recorded time, Sobhuza documented reign of eighty-years and nine months is the longest of any monarch.

During his reign, Sobhuza helped lead Swaziland into independence and freed his kingdom from the control of Great Britain in 1968. His title was subsequently changed to King of Swaziland and there were major changes to the structure of his tribal government. It became a monarchy with a constitution. However in 1973, Sobhuza did away with parliament and cancelled the constitution, declaring himself supreme leader.

Polygamy was common in King Sobhuza’s tribe.  He kept up this practice and according to record; he married seventy women who birthed two-hundred and ten children over a fifty year span between 1920 and 1970.  Ninety-seven of his children are still alive today and at his death, Sobhuza had more than one-thousand grand children.

1.Tutankhamen

King Tut, also known as Tutankhamen was only nine when he came to power and his reign lasted for almost a decade. His fame stems primarily from his willingness to move away from the philosophies of his father, Akhenaton. The tomb of Tutankhamen, located in the Valley of the Kings, is the only Egyptian tomb to be found completely and wholly preserved. However, given his very young age, his most trusted advisor, Ay likely was in charge of major decision making that affected the politics of Egypt.

Tutankhamen was revered and honored greatly during his reign. Although rare for pharaohs and kings at the time, Tutankhamen was regarded with Godlike status. His followers behaved very similarly to the followers of a cult. Historical discoveries suggest that citizens of his kingdom commonly sought him for the forgiveness of sins and shortcomings, similar to the way Christians look to Christ and God for forgiveness, further suggesting his position as a deity. Temples were built to honor him across the world and as far away as Nubia.

Despite the fact the rulers on this list were children; many of them went on to make significant contributions to their kingdoms. Although some died early, others would go on to enjoy long reigns and would become significant parts of their land’s history. Interestingly enough, there is as much variety in the types of child rulers on this list as rulers of any other kind. Among this list were rulers involved in scandals, successful and unsuccessful military leaders, writers, educators, cultural enthusiasts, peacemakers, economic geniuses, and innovative leaders. It just goes to show that age indeed is nothing more than a number.

Of course, some of these people are or were together for love. Then there are those who are rather questionable. Their actions or the circumstances of the relationship, make some wonder what the man’s motives were when he decided to take up with his lady love. This isn’t a man-bashing list, it’s a list of men who would probably not be as noticeable as they are if it weren’t for the lifestyles that they share with their signficant other’s, that is afforded on the finances of their partner’s. Here are 10 men, who live or have lived the life of luxury and splendor, coutersy of their Mrs:

10. Kendu Issacs

If you aren’t into “urban” music, you probably have no idea who this is. Well, meet Mr. Mary J Blige, Kendu Issacs. Mr. Issacs met the super star singer when he was married to another woman. After an intense romance, he parted ways with his wife, to take up with the R&B songstress. He swept her off her feet and to the altar.Issacs is credited with some creative work in relation to his wife, however, he doesn’t have much to stand on of his own. With a wife that is one of the hottest acts in the music industry, he probably doesn’t see the need to have his own foundation. The two seem to be very happy. However, when you leave one wife to take on another, especially one with loads of cash, questtions about motive are sure to arise. For the moment, Mr. Issacs is enjoying the good life with the Queen of Hip Hop Soul.

9. Rene Elizondo Jr.

In 1991, Janet Jackson secretly married her longtime friend, Rene Elizondo Jr. That secret was kept for nine years and only became public because Mr. Elizondo filed for divorce. Within his filings were claims that he was one of the creative forces behind Janet’s success. He also claimed that he was manipulated into signing papers that were designed to keep the assets of the couple separate and cheated from money that was rightfully his from work he had done for his wife, over the years.

All of that aside…can you imagine the life that this man had!?!? He had to keep his marriage to one of the sexiest women on Earth a secret, in order to protect her. Not only a home in Malibu but this man had access to any and everything he wanted, especially since he was giving up his entitlement to anything dealing with his spouse; including his work credits.

No wonder the man was able to be kept silent for 9 years. However, even that gets tiring. Eventually, an artist needs artistic freedom. Whether his “mental: condition, that he claims makes him easy to manipulate, was cured; or he simply got tired of being a secret…..Rene no longer wanted to be anyone’s best kept secret. Kept husband or not….

8. David Furnish

David Furnish is a producer/director that was introduced to Elton John by a mutual friend, during a dinner party that was held flamboyant star’s mansion in 1993. The two were married in a civil ceremony in the UK in December of 2005, formalizing their union in a small ceremony that was attended by close friends and family. The couples’ parents served as witnesses. The couple strengthened their union by becoming parents of baby boy on Christmas Day 2010.

It’s no secret that Sir Elton John loves the good life. It would only make since that his Canadian born husband enjoy the living in the lap of luxury with him. Truthfully, it probably makes him the envy of all of his friends! Very few people may know David for what he actually does but everyone in the world knows him for who he is….Elton John’s husband.

7. Howard K. Stern

This familiar face wasn’t anyones  husband. However, he was someone’s well-kept boyfriend. As boy toy and attorney to the late Anna Nicole Smith, Howard K. Stern lived the good life via proxy. Upon the death of the troubled star, he became the acting executor of her sestate. Yet, Stern enjoyed all of the benefits of being Anna Nicole’s long-time partner throughout their relationship.

Although he had a career of his own, Howard K. Stern is far from Johnny Conchran. Honestly, not many people knew or remembered that the man was an attorney. Not until there was a reason for Anna Nicole to go to court. His role as her legal advisor was very low key until her unfortunate death.

Howard K. Stern fought for the estate of Anna Nicole after she died, claiming that it would be in the best interest of her daughter to have someone with knowledge of the woman’s business to remain in control of it. That may be very true. Yet, it’s quite ironic that Stern may not be living as comfortably as he did before his lady love died; but he’s damn sure living a good life on what little legal practicing he’s doing.

6. Al Reynolds

Prior to marrying lawyer and television host, Star Jones, Al Reynolds had a career of his own; as a banker. Not a bad living at all. However, that money was nothing compared to Star’s money. You can be certain that he thought about that when he married her. During their very public marriage, the couple shared a life of luxury. Surely, it was a life that the former Wall Streeter couldn’t have afforded on his own income.

However, the marriage didn’t end on a nice note. Although reasons for the divorce were never made public, there was a lot of speculation. Among them, questions of his sexuality and whether or not the relationship was really based on love. Many believed that Ms. Jones had finally become aware of her husband’s love for her lifestyle and not her.

5. Frederic Prinz Von Anhalt

Frederic Prinz Von Anhalt was born Hans Robert Lichtenberg. He was Zsa Zsa Gabor’s ninth husband and her longest lasting marriage. He was also 26 years her junior. The late star may have been under the impression that she was marrying royalty at the time of her marriage. However, there have been reports that Frederic got his title when he paid the Princess of Anhalt, Marie Auguste to adopt him.

Still, it’s no secret that Zsa Zsa loved to live. And it’s no secret that she didn’t mind sharing her wealth and good fortune with her lovers. Her young husband has openly admitted to his desire to marry a Hollywood star and Zsa Zsa’s desire to marry a prince. In the end they both got what they wanted. Unfortunately, marrying this man didn’t make the famed glamour girl royalty since he wasn’t legally heir to anyone’s throne.  Frederic has no problem publicly admitting that everything he owns, even the things he has two of, are because of his wife.

4. Bobby Brown

Not all kept husbands are unknown names. Bobby Brown came to fame as one of the five members of New Edition. As popular as the group and their songs were, it’s safe to say that Brown will be collecting royalties from that era in his life until the end of his time on Earth. However, he had lost his relevance in the creative world, even after a successful solo career.

It was his marriage to mega-star Whitney Houston that put Bobby’s name back in circulation. And let’s just say…he milked it for all it was worth. Aside from the couple coming into legal troubles together, they did a lot of other things that aided in boosting the former male sex symbol back into superstardom. Singing duets together and doing a reality show put the couple at the forefront of pop culture.

However, people may not like to admit that the lifestyle Bobby lived once he married the powerhouse vocalist was far beyond the one that he had lived on his own. Whitney’s money was way longer than Bobby’s. Trying to prove a point to all of the people that disagreed with the marriage, she put her husband on a thrown. He lived a royal lifestyle for the duration of his marriage to the queen of songbirds, mostly on her bankroll. Since the divorce, Bobby is never too far gone from the public eye. Still, he isn’t as visible as his marriage to Whitney made him. Truthfully, it would take more than a miracle for him to ever be again.

3. Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon is familiar to many for his acting and different appearances on various television shows. He has held the title of host, Dee Jay and comedian. Nick’s fame was never really minimal but it wasn’t maximal either. That is until he became Mr. Mariah Carey and the father of her beautiful twins.

Granted, Nick’s acting career put him in a position to explore other talents; such as acting, producing and directing. A love of music has him now trying his hand in the music industry but he is far from super stardom. He is a recognizable name in his own right. However, his marriage to one of the biggest stars in the world has taken his name and lifestyle to a whole other level. Where he may have been able to afford nice things before, Mariah is known for her extravagant taste and diva desires. Frankly, she has earned it.

Being Mr. Carey has to come with some of the best benefits in the world. Needless to say, no man likes to be called by his wife’s last name. Yet, in this case, you can be sure Nick brushes it off and deals with his frustrations through retail therapy…on his wife’s accounts.

2. Kevin Federline

What can be said about K-Fed? Well, let’s be honest…the only reason his name is recognizable is because he’s the ex-husband of one of the world’s biggest pop stars, Britney Spears. This is evident since prior to Britney, he was the boyfriend and children’s father to another star; actress Shar Jackson. Obviously, her name wasn’t enough to do what he wanted to do and this creep left his girl and 2 children, when the opportunity to be with Spears presented itself.

From the beginning of their relationship, it became evident to the world what Mr. Federline was after. He tried to seize any and every chance that presented itself as an opportunity for fame of his own. Although he was quite handsome when he came on the scene, the man had no true talent of his own. Instead, he enjoyed the life of a superstar on his wife’s dime.

After the split, K-Fed made use of a few opportunities offered to him. Still, he will always be known as the man who rode Britney’s name to stardom…or should we say her bankbook.

1. Steadman Graham

Anyone who is asked to think of a kept man would most likely think of this man first. Although Steadman Graham is a business owner and has quite a bit of money of his own, his money doesn’t come close to the money of his long-time lover and partner, Oprah Winfrey. Steadman and Oprah have been together for more than two decades. They are more than a couple; they are also partners in various business ventures.

There was an engagement and plans to be married in 1992. The world was shocked when it didn’t happen. However, the couple is still together and going strong. It may be a sad thing but Steadman is primarily known for his relationship with the media mogul. They share a lifestyle that is the envy of nearly everyone in the world. Of course, it would only make sense to believe that the majority of that lifestyle is paid for by Ms. Money Bags, herself. Still, you can be sure that Mr. Graham could care less what the world thinks and who could blame him?

There is no doubt that some will look at this list and debate some of the men on it. Still, you have to admit that these men are or were in a far better position than they could have ever been on their own because of the women they were with. Although a few may have not been too bad off; the love and money of their woman made them way better. This is especially true for those who came from nothing to something.

So, as you can see, the world is full of both kept women and kept men. Sometimes it’s love, sometimes it’s money. Unfortunately, the ones with the money will have a hard time trying to learn the difference. Hopefully, the majority of them find that the love is for them as a person, not a check book.

There are no limits to the damage chemical warfare agents can cause by virtue of the way they work. The use of these weapons has been largely condemned by those who consider themselves a part of the “civilized world”. However, as we continue to see in the world today, there are many nations run by callous, cold military leaders who will stop at nothing to inflict pain on others—even if it means stockpiling weapons considered to be too dangerous for even war.

Here are the top ten chemical warfare agents on the market at this very day and age. Let’s hope we never get the pleasure of experiencing these effects firsthand.

10. HN3 Nitrogen Mustard

HN3 Nitrogen Mustard hits the enemy hard and deep. Its effects penetrate at the molecular level, even affecting human DNA. It also disintegrates bone marrow. HN3 nitrogen mustard causes interruptions in the body’s immune responses and can damage the respiratory tract as well, essentially shutting down airways and passages in the body. It also damages the eyes and skin tissue. To make matters much worse, the cellular effects, although immediate, don’t necessarily cause immediate pain. Most of the symptoms relating to HN3 nitrogen mustard are delayed. It should go without saying that if exposed to too much of this agent, death is certain.
HN3 has never been used on the battlefield or in war. If inhaled, easily permeable membranes in the body are at risk and sweaty skin as well enhances the effect of HN3. As a spray, HN3 can contaminate food, water and crops.

9. Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile

Tear gas is a very popular agent of chemical warfare. It’s usually the quickest way to quell a crowd. Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malonitrile or CS is one of the most common forms. Its effects include affecting circulatory functions, vomiting and just flat out bringing people to their knees. CS is low on the toxic scale and as such has become a regular part of most countries’ chemical arsenal. But don’t let that fool you because its strong effects, while not deadly are known to be extremely debilitating.

Depending on the concentration and dosage, the effects CS has on humans vary. Sweaty soldiers are in for it since CS burns when in contact with moisture on the body and also causes uncontrollable tears, coughing and extreme amounts of mucus coming from the nose. Interference is also caused with breathing and CS also causes confusion and a loss of bearings. Luckily, most of these effects wear off in a short time.

8. Adamsite

When someone makes you sick, return the favor with a sickening compound of your own. Adamsite will definitely do the trick. This chemical warfare agent appears as a crystalline solid that becomes smoke when heated. It causes massive onset of vomiting and is particularly effective in closed spaces, common in hostage situations or standoffs. It is typically used for riot control. Although the effects of adamsite typically wear off in thirty minutes or so, prolonged exposure to high concentrations can result in chronic illness or even death.

Through aerosol, adamsite can be spread in thin layers in the air. It’s difficult to dissolve so it’s not a reliable weapon to contaminate water sources. With that said its primary effectiveness as a weapon of chemical warfare is inhalation and contact with the skin or eyes.

7. Diphosgene

Diphosgene appears as a gas with no color and has a white, cloud like form. It can also be found as a light golden liquid at lower temperatures. Diphosgene has become a staple in the chemical warfare arena since its original use in the First World War by Germany. When released in high amounts, it has the power to suffocate the enemy. Diphosgene has a very undesirable odor which can make it difficult to breathe and affect the senses. However, the odor only lasts for a short time. So in addition to its suffocating effects, enemies may not know if they’ve been exposed to lethal doses until it’s too late.

While known for its quick effects, diphosgene breaks down too rapidly to effectively contaminate water, food or crops. Given that, it has more use in stunning an opponent on the battlefield. It is typically inhaled by the enemy and its immediate effects include severe irritation to skin tissue and the eyes.

6. Diphenylcyanoarsine

The Germans used Diphenylcyanoarsine gas as a weapon in World War I. This agent appears as small crystals and has a distinct odor. Its effects range from nausea and motion sickness to headaches and vomiting. It can also cause uncontrollable crying. One of its more devastating effects however, is the buildup of fluid on the lungs which can cause death.

Although not particularly flammable, diphenylcyanorasine can explode in the air as a result of compounds formed. It is also dangerous when in close proximity to metals and while in containers. The tendency of this agent to contaminate waterways makes it a dangerous weapon to use in sewers and in close quarters. It is highly toxic and even small contact with the skin can result in injury or death. To make matters worse, its toxic effects are sometimes delayed making for one heck of a weapon on the battlefield.

After the Second World War, large amounts of diphenyclyanoarsine were dumped and disposed of in Japan and Europe. Today, many are concerned about the impact this may have had on the environment and rightly so.

5. 3-Quinuclidinyl Benzilate

What better way to stun your enemy than to get them high? Quinuclidinyl Benzilate otherwise known as QNB is known to cause mass discombobulating effects and hallucinations. This drug causes severe sweating episodes and can even cause over-salivation. How annoying is that? While not necessarily a deadly chemical weapon, the effects can be extreme if the dosage is high. It also causes problems with circulation in the body and can disrupt the digestive system. Aside from the hallucinatory effects, QNB can impair vision as well.

QNB appears a solid, white crystal and can be ground into powder for dissemination. Like other agents, it can be spread through aerosol and can contaminate air, water, food and crops. It can also be inhaled, swallowed (when dissolved in a liquid), and affect enemies through contact with the skin or eyes.

4. Chloropicrin

When the riots break out, Chloropicrin is the weapon of choice. It has effects similar to that of tear gas and can irritate the eyes and lungs. It was used initially in the First World War and stored for later use during World War II. It is no longer allowed as a weapon in the war zone. It is a slightly yellow liquid and has a very pungent odor. It also has painful effects on the eyes and nasal cavities. One of the worst fears related to this agent is pulmonary edema or fluid buildup in the lungs. Pulmonary edema can lead to failure of the entire respiratory system and heart attacks. In World War I, Germans used the agent successfully against Allied troops. While chloropicrin itself wasn’t as lethal as some of the other chemicals used, troops were forced to take off their gas masks and vomit. Consequently they were exposed to other deadly gases. A large number of soldiers on the Italian front died as a result. When Chloropicrin makes contact with the eyes it can cause them to swell and liquefy the cornea. Imagine your eyes literally leaking from the socket. This agent is truly one of the most horrifying on this list.

It can be spread through aerosol sprays and can contaminate water, food and crops. Given its high stability, it is not easily broken down like other chemicals which make it that much more difficult to treat when exposure occurs.

3. Methyldichloroarsine

The best way to describe Methyldichloroarsine is poison ivy on steroids. First used in World War 1, it is a violent irritant and used by militaries who desire a biting effect on their enemies. Its effects are almost instantaneous when it makes contact with the skin or is inhaled. The effects of Methyldichloroarsine can linger for days if not addressed immediately. Within 32 hours, blisters can form and it can kill in minutes if the dosage is high enough. This agent can also penetrate rubber and even gas masks. This agent is particularly dangerous to its effects on muscles. It can cause spasms and involuntary muscle contractions including affecting the eyelids. Imagine being effectively blinded because you can’t open your eyes. For this reason Methyldichlorarsine was the first of its kind to be used in war by the Germans.

Methyldichloroarsine can be spread through aerosols, explosions, and other gas based methods like foggers and humidifiers. Inhalation of Methyldichloroarsine is extremely dangerous. The agent is poisonous and can have disastrous effects on the lungs and respiratory system.

2. Phosgene Oxime

One surefire way to turn your enemy red with anger is phosgene oxime. As a nettle agent, phosgene oxime is highly corrosive and can cause hives and insatiable itching. Ouch! It has a variety of appearances including as a solid, crystal like structure or as a liquid. Although little is known about its direct effects on humans, what we do know is phosgene oxime works extremely fast. In fact, this chemical warfare agent is in a class of its own, as no other chemical agent produces pain at a quicker rate than phosgene oxime. It immediately destroys tissue (known as necrosis) and can work its way through clothing, rubber or other protective barriers much faster than other chemical warfare agents. Although phosgene oxime is yet to be used in an actual war zone, militaries around the world are wary of its devastating effects on the skin and how that can make soldiers more vulnerable to other chemical weapons. To add insult to grave injury, phosgene oxime really stinks.

Like many other chemical weapons, phosgene oxime is generally disseminated as vapor. Subsequently, it can contaminate air, food, and water. It is a deadly chemical if it is inhaled, contacts the skin or gets in the eyes.

1. Cyanogen Chloride (CK)

If you think you’re going to survive one dose of this chemical, don’t hold your breath…literally. As either a liquid or gas, cyanogen chloride interrupts the body’s respiratory system and makes it difficult to use oxygen. A fast killer, cyanogen chloride affects the entire body. Low oxygen levels affect a number of vital organs including the brain, lungs, heart and blood vessels. In its gaseous form, it can even choke a person to death if the vapors are inhaled. Although used for commercial purposes as well, it is noted as a possible chemical warfare agent.

Highly toxic, the effects of CK are rapid. It can cause drowsiness in the enemy and symptoms of nausea. It can even paralyze humans rendering them defenseless and can cause them lose consciousness. Significant swelling can come as a result of edema or the buildup of fluid beneath the skin. This can impair movement and be extremely painful.

There are a variety of ways it can be used in war. Cyanogen chloride can be disseminated through the air as a gas or through aerosol. Using the latter method of liquid spray, it can contaminate water supplies, crops and food. It can also be deadly if it is ingested or makes contact with the skin or eyes. It is possible that CK can penetrate gas masks as well. Due to CK’s reactive nature, it can explode unexpectedly.

There are number of reasons why chemical warfare has become a common practice among nations. Rather than blunt destruction, damage can be dealt through toxic contamination and effects at the nuclear level. They are far from conventional and make for new, creative strategies that can turn the tide in battle. Depending on the method of delivery, chemical weapons have the potential to do lots of damage on the field. Elements and their atoms are unique in their reactive properties and there are a myriad of known and unknown compounds that are capable of causing death or severely hindering enemy resources. From incapacitating the enemy for the purposes of surprise attacks to contaminating resources for a slow and painful death, chemical weapons are some of the most dangerous means available to those involved in war. Nations have gone through great trouble to stockpile these weapons for future use despite efforts by international entities such as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CVC) to eradicate them. Given that, there are number of agreements and treaties already in place to curb their use. Hopefully, those agreements and treaties do their job.

• There are civilizations known to man that no longer exist.
• These civilizations spoke to one another, just as people do today.

A question that many people have asked is, “What happened to those languages when the civilizations that spoke them vanished?” The answer is rather simple; they became the lost languages that helped to make this list possible.

Although some lost languages are still used in religious and scholarly circles, the people who considered them their native tongues are no longer around. As a result, they fall into the abyss of history. Many remain hidden until someone trips across a trace of them. However, they leave behind a reminder of people who may have once wondered the same questions about those who came before them.

10. Ge’ez

Ge’ez is also referred to as Ethiopic due to its development in Ethiopia and southern Eritrea. It’s an ancient Semitic language, which became the official tongue of the Kingdom of Aksum and the imperial court of Ethiopia. Since this language is no longer spoken, by anyone, the correct pronunciation of some of the consonant sounds isn’t known. They are often pronounced using the sounds of Ethopian Semitic, although the difference in letters clearly proves that there is some other way to pronounce the letters. Today, value is given to letters using the Proto-Semitic consonants that they are believed to have been derived from.

Ge’ez is a language that can be considered as completely lost. It only remains as the primary tongue of a variety of churches in Ethiopia and the Beta Israel Jewish Community. Aside from being used in sermons and religious services, there is no trace of it among the people of the land.

9. Avestan

This ancient Eastern Iranian tongue is only familiar due to its use in the Zoroastrian scripture, which is how it got its name. The area from which it derives has often been thought to be a picture of East Iranian culture for archaeologists. Because of changes in linguistics, it became very important to create a writing system for the language before it disappeared.

By the time the 3^rd century came around, an alphabet system had been put in place to document the language. This alphabet was derived from another script, which had been modeled after Aramaic. Like most writing of that time period, script was read from right to left. There are more letter in the Avestan alphabet that the other two. In addition, there were a lot of consonants in the alphabet. Time was taken to learn to pronounce the letters of this language in order to preserve the hymns that were originally written in the sacred language.

8. Coptic

Also known as Coptic Egyptian, this northern ancient, Afro-Asiatic language was spoken until the 17^th century. By the time of the 1^st century, the Greek alphabet had begun to be used as the new writing system. The Coptic script also included about seven symbols that were used to represent the Egyptian sounds that weren’t represented in the Greek alphabet. There are a multitude of Coptic dialects. The most notable, however, are Sahidic and Bohairic.

Coptic was a written in Hieroglyphics and was closely related to Late Egyptian. The language began to grow between the 2^nd and 13^th centuries. The Bohairic dialect is still classified as the official language of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. To date, it’s believed that Coptic was only spoken by 300 people. This may suggest that it was a local dialect and more of tribal language.

7. Old Church Slavonic

The first Slavic language, this ancient tongue came about in the 9^th century.  It was preserved in the form of several written documents and inscriptions in the areas that were once the Moravian Empire.  Is writing system was developed by missionaries, Saint Cyril and Methodius, who did their first missionary works in the region. The two were later hailed for using the language to translate the Bible and other ancient texts; in an effort to bring Christianity to Slavic people. It is still considered the primary, base language of many Slavonic churches.

Old Church Slavonic is the most aged, attested Slavic language. However, it isn’t the primary language from which other Slavic tongues were derived. It is more so a single dialect of another branch of the languages.

Although there were multiple versions of the language, the Old Church version stayed the same, for the most part. It went through minor changes over time; that only affected its name. For example; there is Church Slavonic, which is also called Church Slavic. Yet, for historical documents, the terms “Old Church Slavonic” or “Old Church Slavic” are used. The language is also referred to as Old Bulgarian at times, as a direct reference to the location of which the original manuscripts were located.

One should keep in mind that there are no precise events that clearly separate the periods to determine which would be considered the “Old Church” period.

6. Cochimi

This language has been attached to Jesuit documents of the 18^th century. Texts written in this language have provided proof that it is a relative of the Yuman languages. The Yuman languages are spoken by the aboriginals that lived in the valley along the Colorado River, in the western parts of Arizona and in Mexico. There are 10 languages in the Yuman-Comichi family. Of them all, the only one to become extinct is ironically called, Cochimi.

Cochimi once consisted of two dialects. One was spoken to the north and the other to the south. The language became extinct in the early part of the 20^th century. With so many other languages in the family, great lengths are being taken to ensure that the rest of them remain. Groups have taken to learning and teaching their children more than one language from the family, in an effort to keep the languages alive.

5. Akkala Sami

This Sami language was spoken in the A’kkel and Cu’kksual villages, located in the inlands of the Koala Peninsula in Russia. At one time, the tongue was thought to be a dialect of Kildin Sami. However, it was recently determined to be a totally independent Sami language; which may closely be related to the west’s Skolt Sami.

Akkala Sami is considered to be the most endangered version of the language. One of the last fluent, native speakers died at the end of 2003. There are two other people, both older in age, that have some sort of knowledge of the dying language. Once they have passed on, the language will be extinct.  Unfortunately, Akkala Sami is the most poorly recorded or documented version of the Sami language. With nothing for historians to go on, there is little chance of reviving the lost language. The only way is to try to use the last survivors to gather as much information as possible.

4. Sanskrit

One of the most popular lost languages is historically categorized as Indo-Aryan. It is the primary basis of languages related to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Although Sanskrit is considered among the many lost languages, it’s listed as one over two dozen scheduled languages of India. It is also known as the official language of Uttarakhand. Sanskrit is a language that is held in the same regard as Latin and Greek in Indo-European studies.

There are two distinct versions of Sanskrit. The first, classical Sanskrit is the typical grammar used in Panini. It is one of the major influences of the languages spoken India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, today.

However, before there was classical Sanskrit, there was Vedic Sanskrit. One of its subfamilies, Rigveda, is the oldest form of the language to be preserved; dating back to at least 1500 BC. At one time, there were 14,000 people who spoke the language. The last recorded Sanskrit speaker died in Monterey, California in 1939. Sanskrit is still used in some Indian institutions; all in an attempt to revive the language.

3. Mayan Languages

The language family that was spoken in the northern region of Central America and in Mesoamerica was created by the Mayan languages. The Mayan languages are spoken by at least a half dozen million Mayans, locates in Guatemala, Mexico, Belize and Honduras. Towards the end of the 1990’s, Guatemala officially recognized nearly two dozen Mayan languages, by their proper names. In addition, Mexico formally recognized close to 10.

This language family is one of the most accurately recorded and studied languages in South, North and Central Americas. The modern versions of the language are descended from Proto-Mayan; which is believed to have been spoken at a minimum of 5,000 years ago.

Among the earliest people in the civilization, there was a single version of the language. That Mayan language went through conversions due to interactions between people in Mesoamerica. However, all versions of the language bear similarities. For one, they all use relational nouns. As well, they are set apart from other languages of the area by grammatical and typological characteristics. In Mesoamerican history, pre-Columbian, there were a few Mayan languages that were written using a Mayan hieroglyphic system. The use of this writing system became popular throughout the Mayan civilization’s classic period.

It is believed that the last fluent speaker of the language died within the last 5 years.

2. Biblical Hebrew

Often referred to as Classical Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew is a Canaanite Semitic language that originated in Canaan. It is believed to have come from the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Biblical Hebrew has been dated back to approximately the 10^th century BC. However, it survived through the Second Temple period, which ended in 70 AD. In other words, this language was the language spoken at the time of Jesus Christ!!!

This ancient language evolved over time; transforming to another language, called Mishanaic Hebrew. This version of Hebrew was spoken until the second century AD. Biblical Hebrew is mostly recognized as the language of the Hebrew Bible; making it one of the most well-known lost languages in the world.

A vocalic system was added around the Middle Ages. There have been noted differences in the language as it is spoken in different parts of Israel. This was mostly visible in vocabulary, noun usage and phonology. The language has been written with the use of various systems. In the 12^th century, BC, the Phoenician script was used. As the language began to evolve, so did the writing system. Eventually it began to be written using the Paleo-Hebrew script.

1. Latin

Latin is the original language of Latium and Ancient Rome. It is a derivative of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language and its origin has been traced back to want is now known as the Italian peninsula. The language, although considered dead, is still fluently spoken amongst intellectuals and members of clergy in the Christian faith. In addition, it is still taught in many schools and institutions of higher learning.

The Latin language had its own alphabet, which was taken from the Old Italic one. The latter was taken from the Greek and Phoenician alphabet systems. Oddly, classical Latin was written without punctuation, without lowercase letters or spacing; spacing was replaced with what is known as an interpunct. Furthermore, the Latin alphabet’s letter count has varied at different periods in history.

One of two surviving languages of the Italic language family, the tongue is still often used to create new words for many other languages; English included. Any other branches of the Italic family are only referred to in documents from early Italy.

The dead language is used in it’ Ecclesiastical form when laws and decrees are issued by the heads of the Catholic Church. It can also be found in writings that are produced by the world of science. Classical Latin can be found in the course study of some schools as part of lessons in “Classics”; it’s often paired with Greek. However, Latin has become more and more unpopular since the early years of the 20^th century. Still, Latin will always be known as one of the original languages of romance.

This is merely a short list of languages that are no longer spoken. It’s amazing that at some point within the last 10 years, there was still someone who fluently spoke at least 3 of these languages. With those sole carriers gone, their native tongues are lost forever. Only giving hope that they left records of what they were sure to know was the end of a civilization, in any form.

Many of these languages are traced back to eras that were significant to the world. Some are linked to civilizations that left their mark and have taken historians on wonderful journeys into the past. Some may have left no clues. The one thing they all have in common is that at one time, they existed.

10. K-2 or Spice

This product is actually a ‘legal’ potpourri product that is produced in China and imported into the United States. K2 or spice has been advertised as an herbal blend of potpourri that is to be inhaled and not ingested. K-2 is alleged to produce the same or similar effects as smoking marijuana. The problem with this product is that teenagers and young people have resorted to smoking the “Imitation Marijuana Potpourri”, which has resulted in symptoms like hallucinations, vomiting, and schizophrenia. In 2009 Germany banned the substance, stating that is was a hazardous drug and just recently several states have passed state legislation to make the substances illegal, a total of 11 states have taken the necessary actions to make the purchase of K-2 or spice illegal.

9. Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine made its debut in the 1970’s and was estimated to contain 75-90% pure cocaine. In 1985 it was reported that 4.2 million people in the United States were admittedly using crack cocaine and the addiction rate of this substance increased dramatically. The crack cocaine epidemic began in the 80’s, raged into the 90’s and continued on into the twenty-first century. State law enforcement agencies have been enforcing the distribution and possession of crack cocaine for nearly 40 years and have continuously felt the negativity of this illegal substance. This has been reported to be one of the most highly addictive drugs currently on the market. Many officials have suggested that the high addiction rate is attributed to the cost of crack cocaine, which has been called “the poor man’s drug” and the accessibility, because it is easy to make. Many crack cocaine addicts have felt the repercussions and devastation of addiction; losing everything that they have worked for in a matter of years. The euphoric effects are short lived, forcing the user to want more and more of the drug, resulting in addition. It has been stated by many crack cocaine addicts that “One hit was all it took” and the damage was done.

8. Molly Plant Food: The Ecstasy Pill

Molly is a form of ecstasy that has been recently developed and is ones of the most dangerous street drugs currently available. This drug is normally in capsule form and is crushed and snorted by users. Molly has been suspected to provide a “rolling” high similar to ecstasy. The Manufactures of this drug, like many other producers of designer drugs has advertised this as “Plant Food.” Law officials have struggled with the legality of these new and up-coming substances and in some reported instances law enforcement agencies can only confiscate the drug, because Molly plant food is currently legal to possess and distribute in many states within the United States. The side effects associated with Molly are teeth grinding, nausea, paranoia, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, dehydration, organ failure, and in some instances death. States, like New York has experienced the destruction of the Molly Drug and are fighting to make this drug illegal to possess or sell; punishable by the New York judicial system.

7. NRG-1

Naphyrone is the chemical compound that makes up NRG-1. Sold as an Energy enhancement and produced in China, this deadly street drug has found its way to the hands of youths throughout the UK. This substance is suggested to be stronger then crack cocaine and highly addictive, allegedly even more addictive then heroin. The side effects are as follows, brain damage, hallucinations and paranoia, suicidal tendencies, and even death. NRG-1 is a supernova combination speed ball with the attributes of combining, cocaine, crystal methane, and ecstasy together, and has been suggested that NRG-1 produces the ultimate high. What they neglect to mention is the physical and mental damage that has been associated with this sought after highly addictive street drug that has swept across the UK like a plague. This drug is no longer legal in the UK and like the popular Bath salts that were being sold in the United States NRG-1 was being falsely advertised as ‘Plant Food.”

6. Whoonga

With 5.7 million reported HIV cases in South Africa the thought of HIV patients and clinics being robbed for the anti-retroviral prescription (ARV) is unsettling. Like the HIV virus, whoonga addition has spread across South Africa and other surrounding countries like an epidemic. This highly addictive street drug is a lethal cocktail combination of (ARV), rat poison, laundry detergent, and marijuana. Whoonga has been reported to have a very high addition rate and one of the reasons may be the effects associated with withdraw symptoms, which include, headaches, severe abdominal cramping, and night sweats. Users avoid these unpleasant symptoms by using again, and again, in return creating a whoonga addict. There has been no suggestion that crushing and smoking (ARV) provides the user with any mind altering effects, but the popularity of whoonga continually increases throughout South Africa just like other myths like sleeping with a virgin will cure and individual of the HIV virus.

5. Prescription Drugs

The abuse of prescription drugs is nothing new, but within the last decade we have seen an increase of substance abuse and addiction in association to medication being subscribed by physicians. Pain pills are forever in high demand, being snorted, ingested, and injected such as Vicodin, Percocet, and Oxycodone. Each year it is estimated that over 500, 000 people are rushed to the hospital because they have overdosed and abused the prescription directions, or taken the substance illegally. Narcotic painkillers are not the only prescription drugs that users are abusing, sedatives and tranquilizers like Xanax and Valium are also in high demand and have been known to produce a competitive street value for prescription drug pushers. In addition, stimulants and medications that have been prescribed for ADHD and other behavioral diagnoses have made their way to the streets in many areas throughout the United States, medications such as, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin have been reportedly abused and sold for profit. Prescription drug abuse requires constant awareness and random monitoring by the prescribing physicians.

4. Bath Salts

Manufactured and produced in China and India ‘Bath Salts” or “Plant Food” is being sold at convenience stores, head shops, tobacco shops, and your everyday service stations. The warning label clearly states “Not for human consumption.” Yet, law enforcement officials and Emergency Room Physicians throughout The United States may be questioning the manufactures intent for distributing this deadly and toxic product. Bath salts or being snorted, smoked, and injected, which has resulted in life threating situation for many users. The side effects have been likened to Chrystal Methane and Cocaine, and until recently could be purchased at any local convenience store. The side effects associated with Bath Salts are irritability, delusional paranoia, aggression and psychotic behavior, accelerated heart rate, suicide, hallucinations, seizures, and even unexplainable murder has been reported as a result to the use of bath salts. State officials throughout the United States quickly recognized the life threatening dangers associated with bath salts and twenty five states have made the purchase of bath salts or plant food illegal, now punishable by law for possession or distribution.

3. “Cheese” Black-Tar Heroin

Opiates have been cultivated from the poppy plant since as early as 3400 BCE. Heroin was introduced to the market as a non-addictive morphine alternative and cough suppressant (cough medicine) from 1898-1910. Scientists thought that Heroin was less addictive then morphine, but soon discovered that the pain relief substances was potentially more addictive then morphine. In 1924 The United States concluded that Heroin had no known medical benefits and would no longer be manufactured, sold or prescribed or imported into the United States; hence, the first heroin addiction outbreak of the 30’s. While heroin addiction has been a global concern and it is estimated that 50 million people throughout the world from the ages of 15-64 either use or have used this illegal substance, no one was prepared for the production of black-tar heroin or “Cheese”. Black-Tar heroin is illegally produced in Mexico and transported into the United States for distribution. This form of heroin is a low-grade opiate that is normally mixed with over the counter sleep enhancements drugs, such as Tylenol PM and is inexpensive. Users become addicted quicker as the effects of black-tar heroin doesn’t last very long and withdraw symptoms begin to settle in quickly, which include bone aches, severe headaches, cold sweats, and vomiting. Rehabilitation facilities have felt the impact of “Cheese Heroin” treating patients as young as 9 years old for addiction. Mexico is now ranked the 2nd opiate producer in the world drug mules have been apprehended by border patrols, one of the oldest and shocking participants was and elderly grandmother trying to smuggle black-tar heroin into the United States.

2. Crystal Methane

The Chinese have been using ephedrine (amphetamine) as a natural healing agent for thousands of years. It was purchased by the United States in 1937 and its initial purpose was to treat sinus inflammation and later used to treat sporadic sleep disorders.
The first recorded addiction outbreak was during World War 2. Allied forces received “The work pill” in their MRE‘s (meals ready to eat) alongside the gum, toilet paper, and chocolate. Government officials thought the “work pill” could be beneficial to soldiers in relationship to coping with fatigue.
Since then, Crystal Methane has become one of the most abused and highly addictive street drugs currently being manufactured throughout the United States. The ingredients are all lethal and poisonous substances not intended for ingestion, such as, farming fertilizers, ether, battery acid, cold medicine, and many other everyday household items that can be harmful and life threating if consumed. Yet, addicts continue to use this deadly substance and some users have even attempted to cook the crystal meth from their kitchens, which has in many instances ended with an explosive outcome.
Each year thousands of Americans are arrested for either the possession of crystal methane or operating an illegal cook lab; where meth is being produced. The effects that this venomous street drug has on users could be compared to the deadly ingredients used to make it.

1. Crocodile or Krokodil

While the United States is dealing with Meth labs and manmade illegal substances like Crystal Methane, Russia has experienced their own fatalities related to drug addiction. Crocodile (one of the latest manmade drugs to sweep across Russia has produced epic drug addiction numbers that continue to rise throughout the country. Crocodile is a synthetic substance that is alleged to produce the same effects as heroin or morphine, and the results have left governmental officials speechless. Made up of deadly ingredients such as, paint thinner, gasoline, and red phosphorus (found on the tip of matchsticks) and several other lethal combinations, a crocodile user’s life expectancy is three years from the moment they begin using. With that said, if an addict would seek treatment with a rehabilitation program, there is a good chance that they have already began to experience the long term effects of this illegal street drug. The consequences and health risks attributed to this street drug are anything but mild, disfigurement, speech impediments, brain damage, blood poisoning, meningitis, pneumonia, gangrene and the most punishing side effect, is simply watching your flesh rot away from your body. This deadly street drugs named crocodile was given by users and Russian law enforcement officials, because the injection sight turns green with days of using the drug and the skin around the injection site begins to appear scaly like a crocodile, because the drug it eating away at the dying flesh.

As you can clearly see this list is composed of many new over the counter street drugs that have been falsely advertised, such as, bath salts, and K-2. Each of these now illegal substances were manufactured and produced in China and imported into the United States, European countries, and the United Kingdom for consumer purchase. The results have been deadly; hospitals have found that treating an overdosed individual on bath salts different and more challenging then treating someone that has overdosed on heroin. Law enforcement agencies across the world have felt the devastating impact that these designer street drugs have left among teenager, college students and anyone searching for a quick and cheap high.

The effects of 21 century designer street drugs have been proven to be life threating and have resulted in catastrophic drug addiction throughout the world, leaving addicts with long lasting and physically damaging side effects, incarceration, and sometimes even death.

Many things can result in religious persecution, especially in lands where the State imposes its views on citizens. Anyone bold enough to publicize their opposing views is often criticized, shunned and even viewed as a threat to that States security. Socially, demeaning the religious view of any group can lead to violent uprisings, at the least. Unfortunately, the violence that religious persecution has led to in many lands has become so bad that it can be referred to as a human rights issue.

10. Africa’s Cry for Religious Freedom

Even today, religious persecution exists. Over the span of more than 10 years, starting in the late 1990’s, more than 12,000 Nigerians died in the violent war between Christians and Muslims. Nigeria is located on the nation’s fault line. To the north, the population is mostly Muslim. To the south of the fault line, the population is mostly of the Christian faith. To date, no one has been charged, convicted or sentenced in the deaths. This is merely a small stain left by religious persecution in today’s day and age.

In Eritrea, another African nation, those citizens that follow the Catholic, Muslim, Orthodox or Evangelical faiths are safe. Often people who have beliefs outside of the four are persecuted. A registration system was formed that made it mandatory for groups, outside of the aforementioned faiths, to provide information about themselves in order for them to worship. In addition, aside from the four faiths that have been listed, none other is recognized. Human rights groups often complain to practitioners about the many people throughout the African states that are being harassed and persecuted because of their religious beliefs.

Religious groups are forced to meet in secret. They have to meet in small groups to avoid the chance of someone going to the authorities. There have been beatings and arrests. Force and intimidation is even used to convert members of other faiths to those faiths that are accepted by the Eritrean leaders. Otherwise, they are declared as enemies of the state.

9. American Outcry

Not only is religious persecution still a problem on the western hemisphere, it can still be found in the United States as well. Although less likely to be heard of and often non-violent, instances of religious difference can be found throughout the country. Many people who live in the country may not agree with some beliefs, yet they have learned to be more tolerant. Still, there are some beliefs which are misunderstood, resulting in scrutiny.

Since the events of September 11^th, 2001, it is believed that the Muslim faith is the most persecuted. Ignorance to the faiths true meaning, Muslim followers find themselves clumped with the maniacal sector responsible for terrorist attacks around the world. Ignorance has given way to fear. Fear has given way to insecurity. Insecurity has given way to anger. And anger has given way to retaliation.

8. Falun Gong

Falun Gong translates to “Law Wheel Practice”. It is also known as Falun Dafa. This spiritual system first came to China in 1992 and was introduced by Li Hongzhi through his many public speeches. This spiritual discipline is a combination of meditation and qigong movements, which focus on moral viewpoints. Truthfulness, compassion and forbearance are all virtues that are stressed.

One of the most recognizable differences in Falun Gong is that it lacks many of the other aspects of spiritual systems common to China. For example, there are no fees associated with membership, no daily worship rituals to follow and it’s primarily focuses on moral teachings, in addition to teachings of theological nature. Many western brains have referred to Falun Gong as a movement that is based on the spiritual teachings of its founding leader.

In the beginning, the practice was supported by Chinese officials. However, in July of 1999, the Communist Party of China imposed a ban on Falun Gong. Three months later, the Party declared the practice a heretical and banned internet access to any website that so much as mentioned the practice. Groups that focus on human rights have since admitted to the abuse and imprisonment of practitioners. Those imprisoned have been forced into labor and suffered abuse of various natures.

7. Martin Luther

This German priest is an icon in the Protestant Church. A theology professor, he openly opposed the idea that one can escape God’s punishment with money. In 1517, his written work, Ninety-Five Theses; he called out the salesman responsible for the spreading the ridiculous thought. Pope Leo X ordered the author to withdraw his statements, in 1520. A year later, at the Diet of Worms, the same was done by the Holy Emperor Charles V. His refusal on both occasions led to his excommunication from the Catholic Church and being titled and outlaw by the Roman Emperor.

Martin Luther translated the Bible into the people’s language, Latin. He also spoke of salvation as being a gift from God and not something that can be purchased with money or good acts. His teachings were a direct challenge to the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and sacerdotalism; by declaring all who are baptized as a part of a priesthood of holiness. Those who followed the teachings of Martin Luther are referred to as Lutherans.

In his last years, Martin Luther was anti-Semitic. He called for the destruction of Jewish homes and synagogues and the seizure of their monetary resources. This led to many of the controversial debates that are still held about him today.

6. Charlemagne’s Pagan Persecution

Charles the Great served as the King of Franks from 768 and the Emperor of the Romans from 800, until he died in 814. Known as Charlemagne, he was astonished when Pope Leo III crowned him. He spent many years, using military force to expand his Kingdom. Eventually, it would include a large portion of Western Europe. Those who were conquered were forced into Christianity.

Between 774 and 804, the Emperor was continuously at war with the Saxons. He made it a point to make them aware of the fact that he would kill any of them, who did not convert to Christianity. By the end of wartime, Charlemagne had achieved his goal. Missionaries were sent to teach the Saxons the laws of their new religious faith.

5. Stalin’s Deadly Rule

Sadam Hussein’s idol was no stranger to committing religious persecution during is horrific rule. Iosif Vissarionovich Dzugashvili, commonly known as Joseph Stalin, became the Premier of the Soviet Union on May 6th 1941 and served until March 1953, when he died. He supported the religious view of his predecessor, Lenin; believing that religion had no place in an ideal communist society. The government that he ran promoted atheism in an effort to make that perfect society, a reality. Atheism was taught in school and there was a horrid campaign against any religious belief and its followers. By the time the end of the 1930’ had come around, being associated with any form of religion was deadly.

The Russian Orthodox Church was almost obliterated as a result of Stalin’s ongoing revolution against religion. Congregations began to dwindle, churches were torn town and tens of thousands of religious works were killed; more than 100,000 were shot in a one year period. Just before he died, Stalin outlawed the following religions like Baptist, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and many more. Monks and nuns persecuted; while religious monuments, temples and other artifacts were burned to the ground.

4. Hitler’s Horrendous Hatred

Adolf Hitler once supported positive Christianity, a strict, non-denominational sect of Christianity. In this form of the religion, Christ was am organized preacher that opposed Judaism. All Jewish aspects of Christianity were removed from the religion and replaced with more radical, anti-Semitism. Unbelievably, the terrorist never aimed his hate attacks on Jesus Christ. It may be because he viewed the religious figure as an Aryan that was against the Jews. Hitler considered the traditional form of Christianity as an exploitation of Jesus’ original intentions, as passed on by his apostle, Paul. By 1940, Hitler’s support of positive Christianity no longer existed.

The world is all too familiar with Hitler’s heinous crimes against people for their religious beliefs and affiliations. He single handedly orchestrated the deaths of more than 6 million Jewish people as a result of his anti-Semitism. Although he was also responsible for deaths based on racial discriminations; it’s his hatred for Judaism that lands Adolf Hitler on this list.

3. Constantine

Christianity was the dominating faith when Constantine became ruler of the Roman Empire. After the Battle of Milvia Bridge, he had a life changing experience. No one has ever found concrete reason for his dedication to the Christian faith. In addition, no one has ever been absolute as to which form of the religion he converted to. However, he is still considered a saint and Christian Monarch in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church.

In 313, Constantine legalized Christian worship by issuing the Edict of Milan. His actions and beliefs led later Emperors to deem themselves spiritually responsible for the people they led. Their jobs were to enforce doctrine that was handed down from bishop, alleviate heresy and keep the church unified.  Constantine’s view points on religion evolved during his time as Emperor. In the beginning, he banned any new temples from being built and refused to tolerate the practice of traditional sacrifices. However, by the time his reign was nearly over he had given instruction to destroy Roman Temples.

With the construction of his new capital, Constantinople, the Emperor began to reject all things that were not of the Christian faith. Ironically, he plundered the treasures and statues of pagan temples to decorate it. Many Hellenites were arrested and executed. He even ordered the death of anyone caught worshipping idols.

2. Bloody Mary (Mary Tudor)

Many would think that this Queen of England and Ireland would be most remembered for her work to restore the Roman Catholic Church after its stint with the Protestant faith. However, it’s the acts that she committed while enforcing the reform that earned her the nickname, Bloody Mary. In the five years that she reigned, Mary was responsible for more nearly 300 religious rebels being burned at the stake, these deaths are known as the Marian Persecutions. Although she was successful in re-establishing the Roman Catholic Church, her half-sister reversed the decision when she ascended the throne upon Mary’s death.

1. Jesus of Nazareth

Often referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus or Christ; this is the man at the center of the Christian faith. A result of Immaculate Conception, he is believed to be the incarnation of the son of God. Three days after his crucifixion, he is believed to have risen from the dead.

Jesus spent is life teaching and preaching the ways of the “one true God”, his father who resided in Heaven. The word and works that Jesus was spreading, with Pontus Pilate or any of the high priests. However, it was the accusation that he had proclaimed himself the King of Jews that led him to be tried. Due to his place of birth, Pilate had no jurisdiction and handed Christ over to King Herod.

Jesus didn’t answer any of the questions or respond to the accusations once he came before the King. He was mocked, and with a beautiful robe placed on him, returned to Pilate; being found innocent of any wrong doing. Pilate makes his mind up to have nothing more to do with the man from Galilee, after his wife has a horrible dream. Yet, he orders Jesus to be nailed to the cross for blasphemy to appease the desires of an angry public.

He is whipped and a thorn of crowns is place upon his head. After carrying his cross to the top of Mount Golgotha, he is nailed to it.

As you can see, religious persecution is nothing more than an oppressive act. If it were meant for all people to believe the same things…would we not have been created with the same brains? How long will it take for those in positions of power to understand that eventually the subjects of their oppression will grow tired of being victimized? How long will it take those being victimized to find a way to break free?

For so long, so many people have been robbed of so many freedoms. If one man wasn’t better than another because of the color of his skin; can he be better than him because of his faith? There are two themes that seem to be prevalent in almost every religion known to man; love and peace. How much peace can there be if one man can’t love another, simply based on which or how many God’s they serve? Is anyone’s God really happy with their behavior towards another human being? Most of all, does anyone really believe they’re guaranteeing their place in their faith’s Eden by exhibiting what can clearly be called hatred?

There is an old saying in regards to female dogs that reject their pups; “Any bitch can have a baby but that don’t make it a mother.” This same adage can be associated with multiple women, who have come before the courts with murder charges over their heads. Their victims are the innocent children that they have given birth to. Some of the stories are horrendous; while all of them are unbelievable. Here are 10 women who will forever be remembered for the murdering monsters that they truly are:

10. China Arnold

China Arnold was spared the death penalty in Ohio but sentenced to life, without the chance of parole. Arnold was convicted of murder after placing her 3 week old daughter in a microwave, following a fight about paternity with her intoxicated boyfriend.

The young mother placed the child in the appliance and turned it on. It was determined by medical experts that she was in the oven for more than 2 minutes, raising her body temperature to nearly 110 degrees.

9. Madeline Carmichael

(A picture of Madeline was not available. The woman in the picture is the murdered child’s older sister, Sabrina. She is holding the book which tells Latanisha’s story.)

In 1999, at age 61, Madeline Carmichael found herself on trial for the murder of her daughter, Latanisha. The 3 year old had been dead for 20 years. The story unfolded when the toddler’s twin brother began to ask questions in regards to a sister that he remembered having. Upon speaking to his older sibling, Sabrina, his memories were confirmed. Yet, he also discovered that his twin had been beaten to death by his mother and brother in 1979.

The siblings took their astonishing story to authorities, who at first had a hard time believing it. After conducting some in depth research, it became evident that the child did exist but had suddenly fallen off of the face of the Earth. Armed with a search warrant, police entered the home of Madeline Carmichael; in search of a trunk that the living twin remembered getting in trouble for touching. Inside, were the mummified remains of 3 year old Latanisha Carmichael. Her body had moved with the family for 20 years. Madeline Carmichael didn’t serve much of her life sentence. She died of cancer shortly after being incarcerated.

8. Melissa Drexler

Melissa Drexler will forever be known as the “Prom Mom”. In June of 1997, the teenage girl attended her high school senior prom; where she gave birth to a baby in a toilet of the ladies room. She cut the cord with the sharp edge of a feminine product dispenser, swaddled the newborn in garbage bags and put the baby in the trash. Then, she went back to the prom.

The teen was able to keep her pregnancy a secret for the entire 9 months. No one suspected a thing since her small frame showed no signs. However, the jig was up when the janitor found the baby after reports of blood led him on a cleaning mission in the ladies room. Attempts to revive the infant were abandoned after two hours.

Drexler was charged with murder but managed a plea that allowed her to plead guilty to aggravated manslaughter. As a result, in 1998 she was sentenced to the maximum 15 years. Yet, after serving just over three years, she was released on parole.

7. Darlie Lynn Routier

Darlie Lynn Routier is a Texas woman that is sitting on death row; waiting to die by lethal injection. Accused by authorities for the stabbing deaths of 2 of her 3 children, she was only convicted of the death of one. In the beginning, the mother was adamant that an intruder came into her family home and attacked her and her three children. However, forensics showed that there was something fishy about her story.

The children were covered in wounds that deeply penetrated their bodies. However, the wounds on Routier were superficial. It was later found that they were self-inflicted. The crime scene had also been cleaned. Darlie Routier never confessed to murdering her children, yet the evidence against her was staggering. In 2010, she was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Her family and friends still promote her innocence and are fighting for an appeal.

6. Diane Downs

Elizabeth Diane Downs was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1984. This was her punishment for the shootings and attempted murders of her three children. One of them died as a result of her actions. At the time of the incident, Downs told authorities that there was an attempted carjack. Of course, this later proved to be a lie. In 1987, Downs escaped prison and was on the run for a short period of time before being recaptured.

In the spring of 1983, Diane Downs shot her three children, with all intentions of killing them. To make the story of the attempted carjacking more realistic, she went so far as to shoot herself in the arm. However, witnesses saw Downs’ car as she drove the children to hospital in an attempt to save them. She was so desperate for help that she drove a mere 5 miles per hour. Her calm demeanor at the hospital raised red flags. And it all came to a head when one of her surviving children, unable to speak after suffering a stroke, expressed fear and an increased heart rate when Downs came to visit her. Forensic evidence didn’t support Diane’s story either. She was arrested 9 months after the shooting.

5. Fionna Donnison

The UK was rocked when 45 year old Fionna Donnison showed up in front of local authorities to confess that she had killed her two small children and was turning herself in. Police in Heathfied, Sussex thought that the woman was intoxicated when she arrived at their offices. Suspicion was raised when they noticed the cuts on her wrists.

Fionna Donnison smothered her three year old son and two year old daughter, as a way to pay their father back for leaving her. When he began another relationship with an old school friend, Donnison showed up at the lover’s home to warn that he would never see the children again. She suffocated the children, placed them each in a duffel bag and placed them in the trunk of her car. She turned herself in later on that evening.

After her incarceration, it came to light that Fionna may have also been the cause of the death of the couple’s first child, Mia, when the infant was nine months old. It was originally believed that the child died from what is known as “cot death”; the equivalent of America’s SIDS. After re-examination, Fionna Donnison was charged with the death of the infant, in addition to the other 2 deaths. It was alleged that to strike back at her lover for attending a function for his ex-wife, Fionna smothered the child. A judge later dismissed the additional charges. Donnison was convicted of 2 counts of murder and sentenced to 32 years in jail.

4. Theresa Riggi

Scotland shocked when 47 year old mother, Theresa Riggi, plead guilty to culpable homicide  in the case brought against her in the death of her 3 children. The original charge was murder. The body of her 8 year old twins and 5 year old daughter were found in her home in 2010, after what was thought to be a gas explosion in the apartment. The problem was that the bodies were covered in stab wounds.

While speaking with her estranged husband, 48 hours before the murders, Theresa was made aware of his intentions to seek custody of the children. She reportedly told him that he should say goodbye. She stabbed each child 8 times and then threw herself off of the balcony, with all intentions of killing herself. Riggi was sentenced to 18 years, which was reduced by two years due to her entering an early plea.

3. Susan Smith

In July 1995, Susan Smith was sentenced to life in prison. The charge was murder. The victims were her 3 year old and 14 month old sons.

On October 24^th 1994, the 24 year old mother put the boys in the car and strapped them into their car seats. She would later confess that she was having suicidal thoughts and her first thought was to travel to her mother’s home. However, she changed her mind somewhere along the drive. She detoured and drove to the John D. Long Lake.

When Susan arrived at the lake, she positioned the car on the lake’s ramp. She then exited the car, leaving her two small children inside. She put the care in drive, disengaged the brakes and watched as her sleeping children drifted away and the car disappeared.

Susan ran to a nearby home and concocted a story about an African American man abducting her children. She stuck to her original story for more than a week. Unbelievably, Smith’s story unraveled behind a simple lie about a red light. She reported that the car was stopped at a red light when the carjacking and abduction took place but there were no other cars around to bear witnesses. What Susan didn’t know was that the light stayed green unless it was tripped by a vehicle in the crosswalk. On November 3^rd 1994, Smith confessed to killing her sons and gave authorities the location of her car. The boys were still in their car seats.

2. Andrea Yates

In 2002, Andrea Pia Yates was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in the 2001 drowning deaths of her five children. However, that conviction was overturned in 2005, after a major outcry in regards to the woman’s mental state at the time of the murders.  As a result of the appeal, Yates was tried again and in 2006, she was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Her defense relied on the effects of sever postpartum depression and psychosis. Andrea was committed to a high security mental facility in Texas. In 2007, she was transferred to a low security facility.

Andrea Yates never denied drowning her children. In fact, she admitted to thinking of committing the crime 2 years prior to actually doing it. Facts that were revealed about the day the deaths took place made it hard for many to believe that the mother wasn’t fully aware of what she was about to do; like the fact that she locked up the family dog before killing the children. Yates will spend the rest of her life in mental facilities, which should make it easy to prevent her desire to have more children.

1. Marybeth Tinning

Marybeth Tinning (Roe) killed nine of her children, over the course of more than a decade. She was sentenced to 20 to life sentence in 1987. Ironically, it was only after being charged and convicted in the death of only one of those children.

Between 1965 and 1970, Marybeth had 2 children with her husband, Joe. In 1971, she gave birth to Jennifer, her third child; who died a few weeks later without ever leaving the hospital. A month later, in January of 1972, Marybeth rushed her 2 year old son to the hospital with claims he had suffered a seizure. Finding nothing wrong, doctors sent the boy home. Only for him to return to the emergency room later on the same night. Except this time he was dead.

Over the next 13 years, this pattern would be repeated. Tinning’s children would be rushed to the hospital on a regular basis, none of them ever surviving. It wasn’t until the death of her ninth child, in 1985 that any suspicions were aroused around the fact that Tinning was always alone when the deaths of her children occurred. After an investigation, Marybeth Tinning confessed to smothering some of her children. She tried to recant the statement but it was too late. Since her incarceration, Tinning has been denied parole multiple times. She will try again in 2013.

As you can see, unfortunately, it was very easy for some women to commit the ultimate crime. Cold and callous, none of these women thought twice about the actions that they took. In fact, the only time they thought again was to calculate in-depth lies and deceit, to make sure that they had a story that would cover their evil deeds. It will always boggle the mind of anyone sane when a mother kills her child. Common sense will surely tell any thinking person that something is wrong with a person who can commit such a heinous crime. The problem is, common sense isn’t all too common. If it were, this list wouldn’t be here.

After all, with the current advances of technology in today’s society, we can’t be sure that the way we learned things in school (memorizing facts, repeating experiments, etc.) is appropriate or applicable now or will be relevant to situations and environments of the future. We may need to learn how to learn in a new way. Today’s generation needs to be flexible, open to other ways of thinking, and confident in adapting to new contexts and situations.

Read through this list of (my) top 10 interesting mathematics anomalies and hopefully you’ll see how looking at things in a different light can result in good things for all of us. And don’t be surprised if you have fun along the way!

10. Interesting Multiplication Facts

All sorts of unexpected things can be found when looking through multiplication tables, such as the multiplication factoids shown below:

12,345,679 x   9 = 111,111,111

12,345,679 x 18 = 222,222,222

12,345,679 x 27 = 333,333,333

12,345,679 x 36 = 444,444,444

12,345,679 x 45 = 555,555,555

12,345,679 x 54 = 666,666,666

12,345,679 x 63 = 777,777,777

12,345,679 x 72 = 888,888,888

12,345,679 x 81 = 999,999,999

12,345,679 x 999,999,999 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

Truly amazing facts you can use to impress your friends!

9. The Kruskal Count

Martin Kruskal, a Princeton physicist, discovered a strange mathematical property that appears to apply to all written text. Follow the steps listed below to discover this weird phenomenon.

Consider Steve Jobs’ famous commencement speech to Stanford University students in 2005:

Step 1: Select any word from any of the first ten words and count the number of letters in that word.

Step 2: Count that many words forward through the passage to land on a new word. (For example, if you chose “limited” in Step 1, count forward 7 words to “else’s”)

Step 3: Count the number of letters in the new word and move forward that many words.

Step 4: Repeat Steps 1 through 3 until there are not enough words to complete the last word count.

Step 5: Write down the last word on which you land.

No matter which word you use to start the steps, you will always land on the same word (In this case “to”). Weird, huh?

8. PI Day

By definition, ∏ (pi) is the number you get when you divide a circle’s circumference by its diameter. It doesn’t matter what the size of the circle is – pi is always the same number: approximately 3.14159. Pi is an infinite decimal, which means when written in decimal form; the numbers to the right of the 0 do not end and never repeat in any pattern.

For centuries, scholars have tried to find the exact value of ∏ and to understand its characteristics. In the 3^rd century BC, Archimedes of Syracuse approximated the value of ∏ to be 3.14. With the advent of computers in the 20^th century, the value of ∏ has been computed to more and more digits. Today, over a trillion digits past the decimal are known.

∏ is an incredibly popular mathematical anomaly, and Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14^th (get it!? Pi = 3.14)

7. Fibonacci Numbers

Many people who read Dan Brown’s best-selling book The Da Vinci Code may be familiar with the works of the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci who lived in the 12^th century A.D. In the book, the main characters use the Fibonacci numbers (a very famous mathematical progression) to crack secret codes to uncover a sinister conspiracy.

A Fibonacci number is any of the numbers that appear in the sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, …., where each number, starting after the second number, is the sum of the two preceding numbers. (For example, 2 = 1 + 1; 3 = 2 + 1; and 21 = 13 + 8.)

If F_n is used to denote the nth Fibonacci number, the sequence can be described by the following formula:

F_n = F_n-1 + F_n-2   with F₁ = F₂ = 1

Fibonacci described how he came up with this formula when trying to answer the following rabbit-breeding problem in his text Liber abaci: “How many rabbits would be produced in the nth month, if starting from a single pair, any pair of rabbits of one month produces one pair of rabbits for each month after the next?”

By using the Fibonacci’s formula, this question can be solved. But what may be the most surprising thing about Fibonacci numbers is how often they occur in nature. For example, pineapples often have 5 diagonal rows of hexagonal scales in one direction and 8 in the other. Large sunflower species have 89 spirals arcing in a clockwise direction and 144 spirals in a counterclockwise direction.

When you have a chance, check out other spiral, petal and seed patterns occurring in nature:  pine cones, artichokes, nautilus, and strawberries. They are quite fascinating!

6. Zeno’s Paradoxes

During the 4^th century B.C., the Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea proposed 40 different paradoxes (convincing arguments) that challenged and influenced the Greek perception of time, space and motion. Zeno’s Paradoxes were devised in such a way that whatever side side of the argument you try to defend, you are not going to be correct.  Although the text in which these paradoxes were written did not survive, Zeno’s paradoxes were found in the writings of others.

Aristotle, the Greek logician who lived in the 3^rd century A.D., describes four of the most challenging and famous paradoxes in his work Physics.  These four paradoxes have remained unresolved for over two millennia: Dichotomy, Achilles and the Tortoise, The Arrow Paradox, and the Stadium Paradox.

Consider the Dichotomy Paradox that states: “That which is in locomotion must arrive at the half-way stage before it arrives at the goal.”

This means that in order for you to reach a goal, you must reach the half-way point for each step, an infinite number of times. How can this be? No wonder mathematicians have been trying to solve this dilemma for so long!

5. Fermat’s Last Theorem

Pierre de Fermat was a French mathematician who lived in the 17^th century and is famous for his work in the theory of numbers, calculus, probability theory and analytic geometry. Although he followed a career in law throughout his life, Fermat had a passion for reading and restoring classic Greek texts. While completing the mathematics passages that were missing from the original works from other records that survived from ancient times, Fermat reached out to other notable scholars with questions on the theory of numbers and to discuss ways he devised to solve geometric problems.

Some of the questions Fermat asked his colleges were often seen as too specific to be worth their time and were ignored. However, Fermat knew that by developing an understanding of the solutions to very specific questions, a gateway to great insight on the very general and mysterious properties of whole numbers could be opened.

After his death in 1665, Fermat’s son published Fermat’s annotated copy of the Arithmetica text by the classic scholar Diophantus of Alexandia. A note scrawled in the margin by Fermat stated that no positive integer solutions exist for the equation  with n greater than 2.

This famous note sparked an interest in number theory and resulted in a 350 year effort to reproduce Fermat’s alleged proof. And while the problem doesn’t appear to have any practical application, the work undertaken to solve it helped to advance the development of the mathematics field.

In the mid-1700s, Leonhard Euler proved that the equation with n = 3 has no positive integer solutions. Through the extensive work performed by Marie-Sophie Germain at the end of the 18th century, mathematicians were able to show that the theorem holds for all values of n less than 100.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the fields of algebraic geometry and arithmetic on curves were developed, enabling mathematicians to look at the problem in different ways. In 1995, English mathematician Andrew Wiles presented a long and complicated proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem that is based on using mathematical approaches developed in the last century.

And although Wiles’ proof is highly regarded, he needed a computer to figure it out. Mathematicians are still searching for a simplified argument. So that leads us to the real question: How did Fermat prove it?

4. Riemann Hypothesis

George Friedrich Bernard Riemann is considered to be one of the greatest mathematicians of the 19^th century. In 1859, little known Riemann presented the paper “On the Number of Prime Numbers Less Than a Given Quantity” to the Berlin Academy of Sciences. An incidental remark included in the paper has proven to be cruelly compelling to countless scholars over the years.

That remark, known as the Riemann Hypothesis may seem as nonsense to anyone but a mathematician. Seriously, to explain what “All non-trivial zeros of the zeta function have real part one-half” means would take hours, if not days. So let’s skip the details.

But one of the most interesting things about Riemann’s Hypothesis is that Riemann’s work on the zeta function completely changed the direction of mathematical research in Number Theory. Riemann connected the notions of geometry and space to complex functions, and then to the study of numbers. By building off of his work, scientists and mathematicians have been able to investigate a wide variety of things, including code breaking and the physics of the atomic nucleus.

And although the Riemann Hypothesis has yet to be resolved, the significant achievements made during the attempt to do so have provided mathematicians with the means to translate insights and advances from the math field into results and discoveries in others (physics, geodesy, nuclear chemistry, etc.).

If you can solve this problem, you may be eligible to win one of the Clay Mathematics Institute of Cambridge, Massachusetts (CMI) Millennium Prizes, valued around $1 million.

3. Mӧbius Bands

A Mӧbius band (also called Mӧbius strip) is a one-sided surface that can be obtained by gluing two ends of a half-twisted long rectangular strip. They look cool in M.C. Escher’s drawings and in real life:

Mӧbius bands were independently discovered by German mathematician Johann Listing and German scholar August Ferdinand Mӧbius in the 1850s. Some interesting things about these shapes are as follows:

• If you draw a line down the middle of the strip, you will eventually reach the starting point after drawing on what appears to be both sides of the strip – proving that there really is only one side.
• By tracing one’s finger along the edge of a Mobius band, every possible point on the edge of the object will be touched – proving that the surface has only one edge.
• It is impossible to cut a Mobius band in half. If you cut a Mobius band along the centerline, you will end up with one long strip with two full twists, rather than two separate strips.
• The B.F. Goodrich Company utilized Mӧbius-like shapes to design conveyor belts. Because the “wear and tear” was distributed throughout the entire shape, these belts lasted twice as long as conventional belts.
• Mobius bands have been in the design of electronic resistors, compact resonators and superconductors for complex electrotechnology applications.

After years of searching for examples in natural materials, U.S. Department of Energy scientists have recently discovered Möbius-like shapes occurring in metamaterials – that is, materials engineered from artificial “atoms” and “molecules”. This is big news for scientists who want to create structures with shapes that aren’t naturally occurring in materials or molecules, and up to this point were limited to only mathematical imagination.

2. Number 1 is not a Prime Number

This may come as a shock to you. It did to me. When I learned about prime numbers in elementary school, I was taught that 1 was a prime number. Things have changed though. Here’s what the mathematicians have to say about the prime numbers now.

A prime number is a whole number possessing just two positive factors.

For example, the number 5 has only two positive factors (1 and 5) and so it is a prime number. The number 24 has eight positive factors (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24) and is not a prime number. Since the number 1 only has 1 factor, it is not a prime number.

A composite number is any number greater than 1 that is not a prime number.

It is vital that the number 1 not be considered as a prime or composite number for the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic (Unique Factorization Theorem) to hold true. This theorem states: Every integer greater than one can be expressed as a product of prime factors in one and only one way, up to the order of factors.

The smallest prime is 2. Oddly, 2 is the only even prime and it is ironic that the set of all primes excluding 2 is called the “odd primes.”

I was shocked to find out that 1 is not considered a prime number. But then I found about the Number 1 Most Interesting Mathematic Anomaly and I have been motivated to keep looking for more…

1. Gӧdel’s Incompleteness Theorem

• Godel on the left

In 1931, the young Austrian logician Kurt Gӧdel rocked the world with his famous pair of incompleteness theorems that dashed the hopes of all the scholars who had been obsessively searching for a set of fundamental axioms from which all mathematics could be logically deduced.

Gödel’s discovery not only applies to mathematics but literally all branches of science, logic and human knowledge. It has earth-shattering implications. And few people know anything about it.

Gödel’s first incompleteness theorem says: “Any effectively generated theory capable of expressing elementary arithmetic cannot be both consistent and complete. In particular, for any consistent, effectively generated formal theory that proves certain basic arithmetic truths, there is an arithmetical statement that is true, but not provable in the theory.”

In other words: he proved that no formal mathematical system can demonstrate every mathematical truth.

Gödel was a dream killer, a modern day Zeno of Elea. Postmodernists have used his theorems to undermine scientists’ claims of certainty, objectivity and rationality. But to the contrary, Gӧdel contended that a transcendent mathematical reality exists independent of human logic.  Feel free to draw your own conclusions!