A New Male "Sport"? = “Taharrush Gamea" (Collective Harassment)

 

Lara Logan from the American network CBS

The 2011-Taharrush Gamea-attack on a well-known, high-profiled correspondent for CBS, Lara Logan, high-lighted a growing problem in the Muslim world, namely men ganging up on women to harass or rape them. This special assault happened on Tahrir Square when the American, female correspondent was reporting on the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, but it wasn't the first incident of its kind. As far as I know, the first one that was brought to the attention of the non-Muslim world happened in Egypt in 2005. At that time, Egyptian security forces and their agents resorted to it as a quite powerful weapon against female protesters, trying to terrorize them out of public life. 

You may ask, WHAT is this "Taharrush Gamea"? Well, it's the most recent abomination in the ongoing male "war" on women in the Arab world: Men create fake crowds, numerous men cooperate to sexually abuse women. I see this as a special Muslim way of "taming her with the rod": The actions are part of a well-known male suppression-system, but it takes it to a new level in countries where the idea of female virginity and chastity is very important in safe-guarding women in thoroughly misogynistic societies. 

 

To rob these women sexually means robbing them of their social status and thus also their general safety. As it is, in these Muslim countries rape and other kinds of misogynistic sexual assaults are considered a grave "shame" of the woman, but not of her male attacker.

Sadly enough, this male "taming-method" has not been put to a stop. On the contrary, it has become increasingly prevalent. Somehow, it seems that by 2012, it has become more or less commonplace for crowds of young men to sexually assault or even rape women during festivals and political protests throughout Egypt. The crime has been described by many witnesses and/or victims as a smaller group of men encircling a woman. At the same time, a larger group is forming outside this smaller group, making it impossible for presumptive helpers of the woman to save her from her ordeal. As it is a well-known phenomenon in some countries, it has been brought to the attention of e.g. The European Parliament, but it's obvious that it takes more to stop it than international laws as it's kept alive by a general misogyny in the Muslim societies. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/16/lara-logan-cbs-egypt-tahrir 

 

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2022-000346_EN.html 

 

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-000118_EN.html 

 

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=26cf592c500860d43ceab39d21816654e53e9c6c 

 

Wikipedia

 

Should Grannies Be Killed?

No matter what, it can't be denied that sooner or later all of us shall end up in one of these "one-room-flats-with-no-escape". Most of us may try to not think of it, but that's how it is, and has always been, except for the one called "God's son", namely Jesus. According to legend, he escaped his grave alive, even though he had been killed in a gruesome manner. True or not, that's not going to happen to any of us, which means that we will have to accept that we, and those we know and maybe also love, are going to die.

That being the case, we must also think of the time and how that event shall be, both for us and for relatives. I take it that most of us are dreaming of those "golden years", spent in leisure and economic safety, that former generations have had. However, lately some powerful men, who have designs upon the use of the working ability of their fellow human beings, have uttered some alarming opinions. One of them is the self-declared enemy of feelings like e.g. empathy, namely Elon Musk:
 

So, according to this individual, ordinary people shouldn't outlive their usefulness, i.e. not for themselves or their families, but for him and society at large: No "Golden Years" for Mr. and Ms Non-Billionaire, no matter how much they, after hard work for years, deserve it. One might say: "Be useful, work until you stoop or perish."

It can't be denied that society as such has to face special challenges that arise from the fact that large parts of modern society consist of elderly people. Problems which can't be ignored as they may not "only" be of an economic art, i.e. something which the younger generations may be able to pay themselves out of. Health-care and pension costs may be heavy, and non-refusable obligations, but what about special support systems for the elderly? 

Luigi Mangione

Well, The Guardian found out that the infamous health insurance company UnitedHealthcare, which Luigi Mangione made very, very famous by killing its CEO, Brian Thompson, because of its callous treatment of many insured, has their own "solution": SECRET PAYMENTS to keep elderly people away from hospitals even when they’re literally dying. The Guardian both talked to several whistleblowers and got hold of heaps of confidential documents, corporate records, court files, etc.. 

What was found out was that UnitedHealthcare had a policy of embedding their own medical teams in nursing homes and pressuring staff to avoid hospital transfers which, as we know, don't come cheap. Normally, I donøt condone murder, but it seems that Luigi Mangione may have had a point.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/21/unitedhealth-nursing-homes-payments-hospital-transfers 

 

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/03/9602550/elder-abuse-neglect-coronavirus-old-people-dying

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9347438/

 

UnitedHealthcare Got Caught Paying Off Nursing Homes to Let Seniors Die 

 

Wikipedia

Food For Thoughts: Apples

Apples are special in the mythology of the Western World as they carry a very rich tradition of all kinds of symbolism, according to culture, history and time periods. As far as I can see, they started out as symbols of love and fertility, beauty and wisdom. However, the original concept of them was corrupted by that Biblical story of sin and temptation, as well as a postulate of a certain kind of female disobedience to a male principle, which to me looks like the main part of that story. Yup, "everything is the fault of Eve, who was seduced by that devious snake to eat the forbidden fruit": Typical for a male god, like e.g. Yahweh. 

No doubt about it, apples are tasty and fruity in themselves, and they don't really need to be turned into symbols, but they were, even before that silly Biblical story of Eve and the snake. In Greek mythology, the apple holds a crucial symbolic value in the myth of the super-handsome Trojan prince, Paris, who was chosen by Zeus to resolve a conflict between three goddesses, Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. Because the goddess of discord, Eris, wasn't asked to attend the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, she threw a golden apple, which was inscribed "to the fairest", into the crowd, thus giving rise to a fierce dispute between Hera, Athena and Aphrodite.

Actually, I suspect that Prince Paris may have been the fairest at that party, but each to his or her taste. All the goddesses promised Paris a lot of wonderful rewards for choosing them, but when Aphrodite promised him "the most beautiful woman on Earth", who was Helen of Sparta, he gave her the golden apple. Because of that ill-begotten promise, Helen was abducted, which was the cause of the Trojan War.

Yes, some men really have apples in front of their faces, but it takes a painter like e.g. Rene Magritte to see that. As it is it also takes a special idea of the apple symbolism, which in my opinion is interesting, but not quite clear: Is the apple - and the hat - a challenge to the everyday perception of people or a comment on the burgeoisie ideologies, e.g. of "sin"? I find it intriguing, but not quite understandable which is part of its allurement: Apples are not only for fun, they are also provocative. 

https://humakabakci.substack.com/p/apple-food-symbolism-in-history-of?utm_medium=web 

 

https://www.canvasprintsaustralia.net.au › understanding-... 

 

Wikipedia

 

"Friend-Zoned"

54 years old Kwang Chol Joy, better known as K. C. Joy, was made famous for not so pleasant reasons in the Netflix-documentary "Worst Roommate Ever". What happened was that the young, sociable and very friendly woman, Maribel Ramos (36 years old), who became his "roommate" by letting him move in with her in her flat to cover her many expenses, disappeared without any traces. 

He tried his best to make it look like she had left on her own. He also claimed that she might have been suicidal, and that that might be the reason for her disappearance, but no matter what, he didn't succeed in convincing the police. When he was sentenced for her murder. However, everyone who knew Maribel and her roommate, said that he had been very much in love with her and had "wanted more" than the friendship she offered him. As it was, he only had one estranged sister and no friends of his own, but sort of tagged along when Maribel went out to see her many acquaintances. Also he didn't seem to have any real plans for the future, whereas she who had served in South Korea and Iraq, was a few weeks away from graduating with a degree in criminal justice.

Not being pretty and young as she was, he had cosmetic surgery in the hope that it would make him younger and more "hot". To me, it looks like she didn't even notice what he was doing, or that she just didn't see the connection between his infatuation for her and his desperate attempts at gaining access to the looks that he felt would make her fall in love with him. At some point, she must have told him off once and for all, which made him attack and kill her. A couple of weeks later, her remains were found, and he was brought in and arrested a few hours later. Ever since he was sentenced, he has protested his innocence.

In many ways, this is a well-known tale of an everyday event: Someone falls in love with a girl or a guy who doesn't love him or her like he/she does, but offers a sex-less friendship. The "suitor" has been friend-zoned, which is a kind of double-edged sword hanging over his/her head: In a way it's an act of benevolence, but it often works as an unintended torture that may turn the rejected lover from a Romeo into an Ogre. The "zone of friends" holds many bitter hearts, dreaming of revenge ....

 

https://screenrant.com/worst-roommate-ever-kc-joy-missing-information-details/ 

 

https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/shows/worst-roommate-ever-netflix-where-kc-joy-now

 

https://abc7.com/kc-joy-sentenced-maribel-ramos-murder-fullerton-kwang-chol-sentencing-silverado-canyon/306749/

 

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/true-crime/kc-joy-where-now-worst-roommate-ever/ 

Wikipedia

Life of A German Noblewoman

 

Just like e.g. Lola Montez and Helene Sedlmayr the beautiful, German noblewoman Caroline von Holnstein (1815-1859) appeared in the so-called "Gallery of Beauties" by German artist and Court Painter, Joseph Karl Steiler. Even though she was of noble birth, she met many problems in her life, thus proving that money and heritage isn't everything. 

However, it all started when she, 16 years old, married the 34-year-old Count Carl Theodor von Holnstein aus Bayern. It was no love match, and it seems that even though the couple didn't like each other they had three children. Unfortunately one daughter and one son died in infancy, and the only surviving son was Maximilian Carl Theodor, Count von Holnstein aus Bayern. He can't have been a very interesting individual as he is best remembered as the playmate of princes Ludwig and Otto, both later Kings of Bavaria. 

Maximilian Carl Theodor, Count von Holnstein aus Bayern (1835–1895) 

The marriage not being happy, Caroline may have been an easy prey for Cupid, because she fell in love with the married nobleman, Baron Wilhelm von Künsberg. Strangely enough, her husband, Count von Holnstein, closed his eyes to the clandestine love affair of his wife. He refused her a divorce, or just an official separation, although she gave birth to four illigitimate children. Not until her husband's death in 1895 she was able to marry Baron Wilhelm von Kunsberg and have their children officially legitimized: Baron Wilhelm Maximilian Künsberg von Fronberg (1838–1909), Baroness Wilhelmine Maria Caroline Künsberg von Fronberg (1841–1889), Baron Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Künsberg von Fronberg (1842–1876), and Baron Rudolf Philipp Wilhelm Goswin Karl Künsberg von Fronberg (b. 1844)

I like the idea that illegitimacy wasn't always seen as a perpetual "blemish" on one's name and character, but still, I also find it strange how some women - like e.g. Caroline - were able to "swim along" in a current of social disrespect. How did she succeed in doing that when many others were ostracized for having lovers or giving birth to illegitimate children?

https://boobytrapec.blogspot.com/2025/05/female-stereotypes-from-madonna-to.html

Wikipedia

 

Making "Love" To The Dead

Confirmed serial killer Henry Lee Lucas (1936-2001) wasn't exactly a Prince Charming, but in his lifetime he had more than what might be called "his share" of women before he perished in jail. However, most of his female victims were dead before he raped them, as death was his kind of "aphrodisiac": Being a control freak and suffering some severe childhood traumas he only succeeded in having one genuine loving relationship to one girlfriend, and when she didn't play along with his ideas anymore, he killed her too.

People are fascinated with serial killer Ted Bundy (1946-1989), who - contrary to Henry Lee Lucas - was considered a genuine charmer, as well as someone very bright and handsome. Ted had no severe problems with attracting women, but, like with many other serial killers, that wasn't enough for him. He wanted the ultimate control, which he gained by raping the corpses of some of his victims. Well, a corpse may not fight back or report atrocities that are done to it, which must be a great relief to someone who craves that special control. Or, more accurate: Who NEEDS it to function sexually. Wonder what would happen if one of the rape victims turned around and changed from the demeaned sex object to an active participant in the sex act. Well, that's what some rapists and murderers, like e.g. Rodney Alcala (1943-2021), experienced when a very young, maybe even pre-teen, victim praised his sexual skills instead of complaining of what he had done to her. It was a ruse, but one that saved her life.

Rodney Alcala

So with some of these rapists turned killers, the thrill isn't just sex, but the murder, which they see as the ultimate "proof" of their being in control, as it turns their victims into some kind of "ragdolls", whom they can use as a toy. When the female, but still alive, "toy" turns the table upon them and treats them as a male toy, they may get much too confused to follow their pre-set plan of killing her. She might have been a fine specimen in their "harem" of dead women, but being active sexually turns her from a victim into a threatening, female consumer, someone with demands, and that's not something they may be up to.

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/serial-killer-rodney-alcala-the-killing-game/ 

https://www.ipl.org/essay/Richard-Ramirez-Research-Paper-F9F08E9CC936F584 

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/necrophilia 

 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-york-city/man-sex-corpse-nyc-subway-video-r-train-body/6220060/ 

 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-york-city/nyc-subway-body-sex-corpse-r-train-arrest/6240784/ 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/16/new-york-subway-train-man-corpse 

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/nyc-subway-rape-dead-body-arrest-b2740910.html

The Insect-Warfare

 

 

 

WTF???!!!!!!!!!! So what I saw some days ago as a red, itchy mark on my neck - which still is with me although not as big - happened because this delicate part of my body was turned into a kind of lavatory by some damn insect???? And, by the way, isn't it too early for mosquitos, as the season for their warfare on humans should be in July or August? I think so, and right now it's way too cold both for them, me and all sensible creatures, so what bit me and gave me this itchy, sore wound???? 

It looks somewhat like this, which is supposed to be a mosquito bite

I'm not in favor of mosquitos, so I was genuinely shocked to learn that they were part of Nazi plans for "biological warfare", and that they made some advanced studies, both in collecting the insects, in keeping them alive and their worth as "animal bombs". Actually, it seems that they in 1944 flooded some otherwise drained areas and planted loads of starving mosquitos to see how good they were in conveying malaria to the unsuspecting population living there. According to my information, they did that in 1944 in Italy, but I'm not sure, this information is quite reliable. If it happened, then why did they choose an ally as their "research animal"??? According to this information, the area wasn't drained and cleaned up again until the 1950s and in the meantime many innocent people were killed by insects, as that's what malaria does all too often ....

On a yearly basis, those small annoying creatures, called mosquitos, kill more people than e.g. lions or tigers. Actually, they top the list of animals killing humans.

Wikipedia

This being the case, it does make sense that the Nazis planned to use mosquitos as an advanced biological weapon: They are small, but may be lethal.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/14/nazi-scientists-mosquitoes-biological-weapon 

 

https://theconversation.com/is-it-ethical-to-use-data-from-nazi-medical-experiments-39928

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26193808 

 

https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/index.html 

 

Wikipedia

Men Are So Very Easy

 

Being a man himself, that dentist knows his male patients through and through, and he doesn't need to force the mouth open on any of them. However, it may prove difficult to make these patients close their mouth again to look what women call "normal".

Are men really that easy, and do women think that's the case? Sorry, to confirm that suspicion, but I do think so, although I take it that some of it is make-believe or even play-acting on the part of the men.

A relationship made in Heaven? If that's not what he believes, then why stalk that pretty lady when it's obviously a waste of time?

Some men make a big deal out of some (maybe) not so pretty physically traits in a specific woman, especially some surplus weight, even berating her for them. However, the same men who do that will often be totally blind to the fact that their looks aren't what they may have been when they themselves were young and sexy.

What a loss for his women acquaintances!!!! Are we to surmise that they are devastated?

 

When visiting some special websites, I often see postings or comments by men who complain about the looks of women of today. (Some) women may feel the same way about men, but I seldom see postings or comments about that kind of disappointment, how come? Could it be because women are afraid to make men sad by that kind of complaints, and if so, why don't men feel that way about them? Women don't appreciate being called names or being ridiculed by men for not fulfilling their dreams of "perfect womanhood" so why would they expect that if it's not OK to do the same to them? As to those "perfect women" they seem to have tired out on all those men who are not perfect, and even proud of it ....

Build Your Own Religion

 

Actually, not a bad idea - or is it? To "shop" religions, or just parts of religions, after one's mood or wishes isn't considered all right to do, as it indicates that here we have an individual who hasn't any genuine FAITH. The "Ideal Religion" is supposed to be a fixed entity, propped up with "facts" of a certain kind: They are entirely built on beliefs and faith, wishes and fantasies, not hardcore proofs, like in a well-documented historical event.

Anyway, maybe someone just loves specific parts of The Quran, but - very understandable - hates what it says about the subjection of women. To such a person, the solution might be to ignore that part and substitute it with, e.g. some Buddhist stuff. Also, let's imagine that the same person hates what was done to Jesus and those two poor robbers who were executed with him, so he/she decides to skip that part and maybe go straight back to the much more cozy scenery of the stable where Mary gave birth to him?

Oops, that sure would transform the story and give it some new perspectives, but why not? I don't think I've ever seen any crucifixion sceneries with a girl, so by a few changes the story has been turned upside down, and it may even develop into a Happy End for the newborn baby. Actually, I think it's about time for something like that as the world needs many more happy endings, e.g. in politics of the today.

Queen Victoria's Maternal Aunt Was No Meek - Or Chaste - Wife

 

Portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1848

Juliana of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1781-1860) was the maternal aunt of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1901) as well as the paternal aunt of her beloved husband, Prince Albert (1819–1861). Her younger sister, Victoria (1786-1861), married twice and had two daughters, one of them being Queen Victoria. 

Queen Victoria's mother, "Vicky of Kent"

The sisters were young at the time that the Russian empress Catherine the Great (1729-1796) was looking for an appropriate wife for her grandson, Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich (1779-1831). He was the so-called "heir-presumptive" for most part of his elder brother, Alexander I's (1777-1825), reign. He might have become the new tsar at the death of his brother, but had - or may have? - secretly renounced his claim to the throne. Anyway, it was his younger brother, Nicholas (1796-1855), who became the new tsar in 1825.

Konstantin Pavlovich, the husband of Juliana

Court Etiquette wasn't Konstantin's favorite concern, and neither was a fitting behavior as a husband of his German bride, Juliana, who converted to Orthodoxy as Grand Duchess Anna Fyodorovna. Or put another way: He was abusive, and it was noticed by bystanders at the court. Juliana was handpicked by Constantin's grandmother, Catherine the Great, and the couple were married in 1796, but the union wasn't a success. Konstantin was a very jealous and brutal husband, who once put his wife inside an enormous vase and used it as target practice. However, she escaped him and her (childless) marriage by an annulment by tsar Alexander I in 1820. He had tried to reconcile his abusive brother with his estranged wife, but in vain, as she had settled for a new life with lovers and freedom. Also, her clandestine affairs brought her what the marriage to Constantine didn't accomplish: Children. The first one was a son, Eduard Edgar Schmidt-Löwe (1808 - 1892). His father may have been a Swiss nobleman, Jules Gabriel Emile de Seigneux, but when he turned as controlling as Constantin the relationship ended. However, in 1818 Eduard was enobled by his mother's younger brother, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, as von Løwenfels. 

Louise Hilda Aglaë d'Aubert

In 1812 Juliana gave birth to her second illegitimate child, Louise Hilda Aglaë d'Aubert. The father of the child was Rodolphe Abraham de Schiferli, a Swiss surgeon, professor and chamberlain of her household from 1812 to 1837. He had advised her during her first pregnancy and was a close friend of hers - also he was a married man. This baby was adopted by a French refugee, Jean Francois d'Aubert, but she died in her early twenties.

This young woman is Juliana as a teen, brimming with life, as well as with hopes and desires of her own, but when she grew old, her life, even dedicated to music as it was, was full of sad losses. She outlived her former, abusive husband by 29 years, and I don't think she mourned his demise, but the death of others, like e.g. her brother Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha must have been extremely sad and hard to bear. However, she may have had some relief in the fact that her illegitimate son, Eduard, married his illegitimate daughter and thus her niece, Bertha von Schauenstein.

German princess Juliane of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, who escaped her abusive marriage to the tsar’s brother

 

https://theroyalwomen.com/2021/08/30/juliane-of-saxe-coburg-saalfeld/ 

 

https://www.madamegilflurt.com/2014/02/the-scndalous-life-of-princess-juliane.html 

 

Wikipedia

 

Female Stereotypes: From "Madonna" To "The Sinful Woman"

 

Helene Sedlmayr, ca. 1830 

This 17-year-old girl (born in Munich 1813) has attained eternal fame for something that sadly enough isn't very endurable: Her beauty - and beautiful she was, no doubt about it. It was the Bavarian court painter Joseph Karl Stieler who made her portrait for inclusion in the famous "Gallery of Beauties" which was instituted by King, Ludwig I (1789-1868). This German collection of female beauties wasn't even the first one of its kind, as several other monarchs have made something like it, but this consisted of 38 portraits of women who were considered extremely beautiful. Most of them belonged to the nobility of Munich, and 36 of them were painted by Joseph Karl Stieler, who also painted the king's portrait:

Ludvig I of Bavaria 

As most, but not all, of the confirmed beauties of the king's gallery were out of nobility, what was Helene Sedlmayr doing there? OK, she was beautiful in an almost Madonna-like manner, but, being the daughter of a shoemaker, she wasn't noble, so what was going on? The king always had a keen eye for female beauty, and one of his most famous mistresses was the Irish-born dancer, actress as well as "courtesane", Lola Montez (1821-1861), whom he endowed with a noble title that turned her into "The countess of Landsfeld". Something which the Bavarian government didn't accept, and which played a crucial part in Ludvig I losing his throne. However, although she died young from syphilis in New York, her portrait may still be seen in his gallery of beauties.

Lola Montez 

As to Helene Sedlmayr then she had a much less adventurous life than Lola Montez. Was she the king's mistress? I haven't seen any notes or even rumors stating that she was, so I take it that she wasn't: She simply was a notorious beauty, and he loved female beauty, so she belonged in his gallery. Also, she married one of his valets, and they had nine sons and one daughter. Before her marriage she had been employed in a toy shop which also supplied the royal court, so, contrary to Lola Montez, she hadn't in any way been what's called "a loose woman". No, Helene was "a good girl, who happened to be extremely beautiful".

Princess Diana admirering Helene Sedlmayr

One might say that Lola Montez and Helene Sedlmayr represent two popular, but opposite, female stereotypes, the one of the chaste Madonna and the other one, the sensual, non-chaste seductress. In many ways these stereotypes are utterly ridiculous, but they have been long-lived and can't be ignored as molds for recognizable female characters in the Patriarchy. Interestingly enough, the princess whom we see admirering the portrait of Helene Sedlmayr herself changed from being an idolized Madonna-figure to a somewhat shady and sensuous character by taking a lover: That's all it takes for a woman in the Patriarchy!

By the way, King Ludvig I didn't just exploit these 38 beauties for his gallery of portraits, but he also saw to it that they had an allowance or gave them a position at court. 

https://www.artnet.com/artists/joseph-karl-stieler/

 

https://www.schloss-nymphenburg.de/englisch/palace/room15.htm 

 

Wikipedia

Respecting The Soul And Mind Of A Pet

 

Yup, pets have friends too, and being members of your family, you have to comply with their wishes for visits, food, etc. Otherwise, you would be a cruel and no-good pet-parent with a total lack of empathy.

Are they friends like humans may be friends? I suppose they are, at least in some sense of the word, but who knows for sure? Nobody, but if these weird birds strike up a friendship like humans do, it may be of great value in the continued fight for the preservation of the penguin colony. Anyway, to see such animals, who are so utterly different in looks and behavior, living together in peace and harmony, makes one think good and emphatic thoughts about both humans and animals. 

I saw a documentary about pets which were left all by themselves somewhere after their owners just took off, leaving them to fend for themselves. It was heart-breaking, as it was obvious, that the animals were scared and devastated by being abandoned like that. So very unfair to someone who was led to think of him-/herself as a member of a human family, only to be treated like garbage. There is no doubt that animals have minds to think and remember, to mourn a loss, to love and to feel happiness. They are individuals who should be respected, and not being used as expendable toys.

 

The Woman Who Died Twice

She was a young, pretty and very wealthy, Danish, a widow after a seemingly successful marriage to her somewhat older cousin, the rich ship-owner and merchant Andreas Bodenhoff. 

However, she wasn't only wealthy, but also DEAD: Giertrud Birgitte Bodenhoff (1779-1798).

The grave of Giertrud Birgitte Bodenhoff on the beautiful and stylish cemetery in Copenhagen, Assistens Kirkegården, that also holds Hans Christian Andersen

Such a rich and elaborate grave wasn't for everyone, but Giertrud really was very wealthy. Also, she was out of a well-connected family. One might assume that that ought to have been her guarantee of a peaceful and undisturbed resting place, but no, on the contrary. Not long after her burial, there were rumors that she hadn't been dead when she was interred, but only in some kind of coma. The doctors had treated her with some heavy stuff, morphine and the like when she had a boil inside one of her ears. That in itself is dangerous, and when the patient is overdosed it may even be lethal. Anyway, Giertrud was pronounced dead by her doctors and buried in her splendid grave. As it is, one of her three half-brothers wasn't too sure that she really had died, and he said: "I don't understand, why my sister is laid to rest, 17 years old and with red cheeks."

How did the rumor of Giertrud not being dead start? Well, a grave digger by the name of Christian Meisling made a confession when he lay dying: He and some of his colleagues had not only digged graves out, but had also been grave-robbers. They knew that this young and rich widow had been laid into her coffin, adorned with jewelry which any poor, pennyless grave digger would want to get his hands on, so they had dug her up. To their extreme horror, the "dead" woman woke up, when they pulled at her ear rings. When she realized what was going on, she begged them to save her life, offering them a lot of money, but they choose to kill her and close the grave upon her once more.

Had Giertrud and her family known this she might have saved herself even before the grave robbers found and murdered her, but they didn't, so this time she stayed dead, so to speak. Actually, for many years, until one of her relatives had her grave opened once more as he wanted to check up on what had happened to her. Even at the time of the death of Giertrud it was well-known that the grave-diggers had robbed several corpses, as some of them had been found in the bushes or on the ground. The dead body of one totally nude, young man, who was found robbed of everything in the bushes by his grave, made it obvious that there must be foul play on the cemetery. 

Viggo Starcke

When the grave of Giertrud was opened in 1953 by her relative, the Danish politican, Viggo Starcke, he found evidence that she had moved - or had been moved - after her interment. However, this observation wasn't conclusive, as some expert said that it happened quite often that corpses moved when their coffin was moved. 

So, WHAT happened to the rich, young widow, who even knew how to run the business she had inherited from her dead husband? I would say that that still is an open question, but I, for one, believe the grave-digger, Mr. Christian Meisling, when he said that he and his colleagues killed her.

 

https://cemeteriesroute.eu/poi-details.aspx?t=2786&p=15521

https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/920461.pdf 

Wikipedia