Mad pilot schemes, hot jazz and mystic dwarfs: a world gone crazy
You know how they say, ‘There is a time and a place for everything?’
So, you don’t suggest to your prom date to have one for the road at the local Hooters. You also don’t wear your Man. United kit to your gran’s funeral or sell pig trotters next to the Wailing Wall.
Same with religion. Freedom of religion is great, of course; and a deep and abiding faith can be, well, a God-sent, I suppose – but maybe not at 35.000 feet:
Yelling, crying and invoking God, the co-pilot of an Air Canada flight from Toronto to London had to be forcibly removed from the cockpit of his jetliner after suffering an emotional collapse as the plane flew over the Atlantic.
Shackled by the wrists and ankles, the shoeless first officer had to be restrained by crew members with the help of a traveller who was a member of the Canadian Forces.
Left alone in the cockpit, the captain cut short the journey of Flight AC 848 by diverting to Ireland’s Shannon airport. Meanwhile, the first officer was crying and screaming as he was cuffed on a free seat.
After the plane and its 146 passengers landed on Monday morning, the co-pilot was taken by ambulance to a psychiatric ward.
Ah, let us pray that this poor man soon will make a full recovery. That should be doable, with the help of a dedicated pastor, a cartful of tranqs, a few gallons of camomile tea and some soothing mellow jazz from the asylum’s hidden speakers.
Well, maybe not the jazz. Some people with a nervous disposition would do better to stay away from mellow jazz:
AUSTIN — A volunteer at a community radio station set fire to the station because he was upset that his song selections for an overnight Internet broadcast were changed, police said.
Paul Webster Feinstein, 24, has been charged with second-degree felony arson for the Jan. 5 fire that caused $300,000 damage to the studios of 91.7 FM KOOP. He faces from two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.
Station president Andrew Dickens said Feinstein had been in a dispute with another volunteer about what kind of music should be put into a digital library for the Internet program.
Feinstein was a jazz fan and his Internet program was called “Mellow Down Easy,” Dickens said.
Now, before you shut off your computer in despair and disgust, muttering things like, ‘Has the whole damn world gone stark raving mad?!’ just remember what the Good Book says:
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
So there.
Talking of which; judges I mean - and yes, okay, you’re right, the world has indeed gone totally and pathetically, poop-on-a-Popsicle crazy:
A Philippines judge who said he consulted imaginary mystic dwarves has failed to convince the Supreme Court to allow him to keep his job. Florentino Floro was appealing against a three-year inquiry which led to his removal due to incompetence and bias.
He told investigators three mystic dwarves - Armand, Luis and Angel - had helped him to carry out healing sessions during breaks in his chambers.
The Manila trial judge had asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the complaint and return him to the bench, after being sacked in April. “They should not have dismissed me for what I believed,” Mr Floro told reporters after filing his appeal in May.
The judge said he had made a covenant with his dwarf friends that he could write while in a trance and that he had been seen by several people in two places at the same time. In a letter to the court he said: “From obscurity, my name and the three mystic dwarves became immortal.”
However, the Supreme Court said dalliance with dwarves would gradually erode the public’s acceptance of the judiciary as the guardian of the law, if not make it an object of ridicule.
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January 31st, 2008 at 08:40
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Florentino_floro
http://angelofdeathluisarmandandangel.blogspot.com/
The name of this writer is Florentino V. Floro, Jr. Born in Manila on November 5, 1953, he hails from Calvario, Meycauayan City, Bulacan. The name of Meycauayan came from the Tagalog may kawayan (lit. “a place full of bamboos”) alluding to the presence of large bamboo groves in the town. It was founded in 1578 by the Franciscan Catholic missionaries. Floro lived in Bulacan province where the historic Barasoain Church is located and produced notable Filipinos:
Marcelo H. del Pilar, the Great Propagandist
General Gregorio del Pilar
Mariano Ponce
Pio Valenzuela.
Florentino V. Floro is of Filipino and Chinese ancestry.
He is currently a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines.
The eldest of five brothers of (both deceased) Florentino C. Floro and Milagros Velasquez, in his youth, Floro was an accomplished student, graduating with honors in both elementary and high school levels. Florentino floro graduated elementary (1965) from St. Mary’s College of Meycauayan, high school (1969) from St. Vincent’s Seminary, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, and college, Bachelor of Arts, pre-divinity and philosophy, from the Ateneo de Manila University. He earned the degree of Bachelor of Laws (1982) at the Ateneo School of Law, with FULL SECOND HONORS. He made the 10 years unbroken record of 91% in criminal law review under Dean Antonio L. Gregorio. He placed 12th in the 1983 Philippine Bar Examination, with a bar rating of 87.55% in one of the hardest examination, where only 21.3% passed.
On his natal day November 5, 1997, his gabays or spirit guides, the 3 angels or dwarves ordered him to cleanse the Philippine judiciary, by applying with the Judicial and Bar Council for the position of RTC Judge. He was duly appointed RTC, NCJR Judge of Br. 73, Malabon City, the northern section of Manila, on November 4/5, 1998, his birthday, at the age of 45, as the youngest RTC NCJR Judge. Barely 6 months from his inagural session on January 5, 1999, he was INDEFINITELY suspended on July 20, 1999 (the longest judicial suspension in world history, until the day he) was separated on April 6, 20007, fined 40,000 pesos (US$775), but paid 3 years backwages by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The three-year investigation found that he’d claimed he could see into the future and admitted that he consulted privately with mystical magic dwarfs. He argued that his personal beliefs were being questioned. He told investigators that the invisible dwarfs – Armand, Luis and Angel – helped him carry out “healing sessions” during breaks in his chambers.[1]
Florentino floro, the dwarf judge lost his final appeal (August 11, 2006) to keep his job, with the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ 75-page ruling - that Florentino’s “dalliance” with Luis, Armand and Angel demonstrated he had a “medically disabling condition of the mind” which made him “unfit to discharge the functions of his office” and accordingly could “erode the public’s esteem of the judiciary” and made it an “object of ridicule.” The Court was worried regarding Judge Floro’s belief and claim that as the Philippines’ angel of death, he could inflict illnesses, deaths and accidents to cleanse the judiciary. Judge Floro claimed special powers as “the No 5 psychic in the country”. In a variation of dress-down Fridays, Judge Floro changed from blue court robes to black each Friday “to recharge his psychic powers”. Florentino Floro claimed to write in trance, and he had, he insisted, “been seen by several people to have been in two places at the same time”, Bilocation. Floro had made a covenant with “three dwarf friends named Luis, Armand and Angel”, who would, unseen by others, provide him with assistance in court (presumably when lawyers were unable to provide page references in the tons of evidence)”.[2] [3][4]
Citing equity, the Court paid Floro 3 years back wages and ruled that he was not insane, but merely affected by psychosis which appeared to “cloud his judgment” and so undermined his competence and objectivity. Justice Minita Chico-Nazario concluded that psychic phenomena, “even assuming such exist”, has no place in jurisprudence. On December 5, 2006 Floro was awarded “Judge of the Year” by The Times - “A chilli-hot year for whiny garbage, David Pannick, QC, presides over the memorable legal appearances of 2006″[5]
On December 6, 2006, Floro testified in the Senate of the Philippines to oppose the confirmation of former Philippine Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. for the post of permanent representative,wa United Nations. Davide was by-passed, that is, he failed to be confirmed but was issued an ad interim appointment.[6] On January, 2007, the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed with finality the August 30, 2006 landmark Disbarment administrative suit filed by Floro against Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. and 9 other top court officials.[7] On July 12, 2007, the Court finally denied Floro’s final appeals to be reinstated with indirect contempt of court warning against further filing of any pleading.[8][9] On November 5, 2007, Floro asked the Court to order its Clerk to issue entry of judgment or the certificate of finality on the non-reinstatement of the jobless dwarf judge.[10]. 3 days later or on November 8, Floro’s counsel of record in the dwarf case, Rene Saguisag suffered dire accident with 7 broken ribs and his wife Dulce Saguisag died forthwith.[11] On November 9, 2007, Commission on Elections legal division chief Dalaig was gunned down.[12] And on November 13, 2007, the Batasang Pambansa bombing caused death of 6 and Congressman Pryde Henry Teves’ face was badly burned. [13] On November 20, 2007 the court noted without action or did not act on Floro’s final motion. On November 20, 2007, the Court of Appeals (Philippines) dismissed Floro’s disbarment case against the Court of Appeals Dirty Dozen and Justice Romeo Barza.[14][15]
Floro’s interests are horse riding, hiking, travel, seeing movies, and his favorites are Superman, James Bond, Artificial Intelligence and The Count of Monte Cristo. His favorite music is Impossible Dream, Ave Maria, Candle in the Wind, and Lion King. His favorite Books are Le Petit Prince by Antoine de St Exupery and The Life of St. Therese of Lisieux.
This writer also contributes to the Wikipedia and expresses his views in his blogs LUIS, Armand, Angel and Judge Florentino V. Floro & ANGEL OF DEATH, LUIS ARMAND and ANGEL. He is a practicing Roman Catholic; a mild environmentalist; and a strong advocate of healthy living.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! portrayed him, to wit: “Hello judge…” Florentino Floro, a Philippines judge, was relieved of duty in April 2006 after claiming to have seen the future and to be able to communicate with magic dwarves!”[16]
Amazing James Randi, (who was operated angioplasty) in his “Filipino Justice” article, created a picture of Floro’s 3 dwarves.[17]
Wall Street Journal reported that “for consulting his 3 wee friends Floro lost his job but became a celebrity, using a little elfin magic.”[18]
Robert Todd Carroll, in his Skeptic’s Dictionary, Newsletter 67 wrote on Floro and the 3 dwarves in “Hi! I’m psychic and I’m here to help!”[19]
News of the Weird by Chuck Shepherd’s LEAD STORY headlined Floro and the dwarves in “Judges Gone Wild!”[20]
Philippine television’s ABS-CBN, Associated Broadcasting Company, Q (television network), GMA Network and Radio Philippines Network regulary featured Floro and the dwarves in more than 10 news and documentary videos from August 1999 to 2006 (all of which can be viewed on YouTube)[21]
CNN’s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT’s A. J. Hammer and MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann both televised Floro’s separation from service.[22] [23]
In Rush (band)’s Counterparts Message Board, Floro’s “The Earth is not only for humans and animals” on his 3 dwarves’ thread held the record since 1995 of 1,345 replies and 38,870 views as of December 17, 2007.[24]
Philippine paranormal expert Jaime Licauco (who was operated angioplasty), in his published book “Practical guide to Philippine Healers” included Floro as one of the top Philippine healers.[25]]
Floro wrote the 400-pages Book on his/dwarves’ saga “World-famous Mystic Armand, LUIS and Angel, the Three Dwarves MEET THE JUDGE, Psychic and Healing Martyr or Filipino Justice” .[26]
[edit] Contributions to WikiPedia
Floro has an eclectic range of interests, but is primarily concerned with editing and creating well-written pages relating to my own country, specifically, concerning Law, the Philippine Judiciary and Filipino people. Contributing to WikiPedia since 2007 gave him a sense of fulfillment as he was able to share to others what he knew. He hopes to expound more on articles related to Law. Florentino V. Floro is well-versed in subjects relating to Philippine politics, Law, media, society, popular culture, and entertainment.
[edit] Articles and categories created
Gregory S. Ong - Sandiganbayan Justice
Teresita De Castro - Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan promoted to Supreme Court Justice
Antonio Z. Atienza, Jr. - Noted Philippine Jeweler
Thriller (Cebu, Philippines Inmates’ Video) - Bryon Garcia’s Cebu inmates YouTube hit
Butanding - Philippine whale shark
Regino C. Hermosisima, Jr. - Former Philippine Supreme Court Magistrate and incumbent 3-termer S.C. Judicial and Bar Council Member
WikiPilipinas - Philippine WikiPedia
March Tian Boedihardjo - Child prodigy
The Joseph Estrada Verdict - The landmark decision which convicted former President Estrada
Joey Marquez - Philippine actor, comedian and politician
Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data (Philippines) - Judicial remedies to Philippine political killings and desaparecidos
Coconut Charcoal - Quick lite and charcoal of the future
Gamet: Philippine Black Gold - Ilocos, Philippines rare red seaweeds
Coconut healing oil - Philippine virgin coconut oil
Timeline: Philippine Standout Events (2006-2007) - The most read and shocking events which landed in Philippine newspapers’ front pages
Philippine Extrajudicial Killings and Desaparecidos - Illegal political murders and enforced disappearances in the Philippines
William W. Bedsworth - California District Court of Appeals Justice
Agnes Devanadera - Philippine Solicitor General
Fernando Suarez - Filipino healing priest who is building the Montemaria mega-shrine global healing center at Batangas City Bay
Vincent Bueno - First Filipino / Asian to win the “Musical! Die Show” (Musical! The Show)
[edit] Articles expanded, revised or improved with minor edits
Reynato Puno - Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court
Eddie Panlilio - Governor of Pampanga
Jovito Salonga - Former Senate President of the Philippines
Philippine Court of Appeals - On the July 26, 2000 Fire
Ronato Alcano - Philippine Bowling Champion
Minita Chico-Nazario - Supreme Court Associate Justice
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - President of the Philippines
Jose de Venecia, Jr. - Speaker of the House of Representative
Antonio Trillanes IV - Jailed Philippine Senator
Manny Villar - Senate President
Supreme Court of the Philippines - The High Tribunal
Moro Islamic Liberation Front - MILF
Alfredo Lim - Mayor of Manila
Anti-terrorism legislation - On the Philippine Human Security Act
Miriam Defensor Santiago - Senator of the Philippines
Aquilino Pimentel III - Former Senate President and Incumbent Senator
Raul Gonzalez (Philippines) - DOJ Secretary
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines - CBCP
Eddie Villanueva - JIL Philippine Evangelist
PinoyExchange - Largest Filipino Forum
Ferdinand Marcos - Former Philippine President
Jaime Licauco - Filipino paranormal Researcher
Eliseo Soriano - Filipino Evangelist, Ang Dating Daan
Philippine coup attempt of 2007 - The Manila Peninsula Hotel Rebellion
Jollibee - Philippines’ Top Food Chain
Consuelo Ynares-Santiago - Philippine Supreme Court Justice
Joseph Estrada - Deposed Philippine President
Pervez Musharraf - Pakistan President
Benazir Bhutto - Exiled Leader of Pakistan
Imelda Marcos - First Lady, widow of President Ferdinand Marcos
José María Sison - Exiled CPP Leader
David Pannick - UK Silk Barrister, former Deputy High Court Judge
Burma - Union of Myanmar
Kristie Kenney - USA Ambassador to the Philippines
May 1st, 2008 at 08:56
Nice. I don’t get the idea though.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:06
Thanks for the comment. No overall idea there, I’m afraid, just some overall weirdness.
J.