I was touched by the story of this man, a true hero, who layed his ife down for his fellow man. He layed his life down for his students with no fear so they could get away through the windows.

Professor Liviu Librescu

He was a Holocaust survivor who died on Holocaust Remembrance Day, giving his own life to block the door to the killer so that his students could escape through the windows.

When his son in Israel was being interviewed, he said simply that his father did not fear anything, which explains why the students said he seemed very calm when he walked to the door to face the killer so his students could get away. This man faced one of the worst horrors in human history, the Holocaust, using the experience to live well and die well. Pray that his example will be the way that all who have been touched by this tragedy at Virginia Tech react to it, with a greater resolve to live well.

*Compliments of Rick Joyner*

This story brings to mind ths favorite psalm of mine.

Psalm 103:20-23

20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
         Who excel in strength, who do His word,
         Heeding the voice of His word.
 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
         You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
 22 Bless the LORD, all His works,
         In all places of His dominion.
         
         Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Please keep all involved in this tragedy in your thoughts and your prayers.

Holy Squid! Photos Offer First Glimpse of Live Deep-Sea Giant

Editor's Note: For the latest on this story, see this update from December 22, 2006: "Photo in the News: Giant Squid Captured, Filmed for First Time"

Like something straight out of a Jules Verne novel, an enormous tentacled creature looms out of the inky blackness of the deep Pacific waters.

But this isn't science fiction. A set of extraordinary images captured by Japanese scientists marks the first-ever record of a live giant squid (Architeuthis) in the wild.

The animal—which measures roughly 25 feet (8 meters) long—was photographed 2,950 feet (900 meters) beneath the North Pacific Ocean. Japanese scientists attracted the squid toward cameras attached to a baited fishing line.

The scientists say they snapped more than 500 images of the massive cephalopod before it broke free after snagging itself on a hook. They also recovered one of the giant squid's two longest tentacles, which severed during its struggle.

The photo sequence, taken off Japan's Ogasawara Islands in September 2004, shows the squid homing in on the baited line and enveloping it in "a ball of tentacles."

Tsunemi Kubodera of the National Science Museum in Tokyo and Kyoichi Mori of the Ogasawara Whale Watching Association report their observations this week in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

"Architeuthis appears to be a much more active predator than previously suspected, using its elongated feeding tentacles to strike and tangle prey," the researchers write.

They add that the squid was found feeding at depths where no light penetrates even during the day.

Giant Breakthrough

Despite people's fascination with this deep-sea behemoth, the giant squid's life and habits have remained largely a mystery. The little information known has been mostly based on dead and dying specimens that were caught by commercial fishing boats or washed ashore.

The mysterious creature has inspired countless sea monster tales and has been the subject of various scientific expeditions.

Since the mid 1990s there have been a number of research trips in search of giant squid. Cameras attached to deep-diving subs or sperm whales have been used to try to capture the elusive animals on film, but without success.

The Japanese researchers used sperm whales as guides to help them pinpoint likely giant squid haunts. Over the years whalers have reported finding a high number of large squid beaks in the mammals' stomachs, pegging sperm whales as primary predators of large squid.

The images are generating considerable excitement among squid experts.

"I think it's wonderful that we've finally got a picture of a living giant squid," said Richard Ellis, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and author of The Search for the Giant Squid.

"I thought it would only be a matter of time before someone got images of Architeuthis," he added.

"After all, it's not an endangered species, not even all that rare, and it's one of the largest of all invertebrates. So the Japanese film finally breaks through and renders the statement 'nobody has ever seen a living giant squid' inoperative."

Squid expert Martin Collins of the British Antarctic Survey based in Cambridge, England, says the new images are a "fantastic" achievement.

The marine biologist says he was skeptical that a dedicated giant squid hunt would succeed. He thought the first wild sighting would probably come by accident.

"Fair play to these guys who've made the effort, gone out there and looked in what they thought was a good area, and found it," he said.

Hunting for Clues

Collins is especially interested in clues the images might provide to the way giant squid swim and hunt in the deep ocean.

"Seeing the animals on film gives you a tremendous insight into how they live down there," he said. "It shows they are pretty active animals, and that answers a big question that's been out there for some time."

Collins says there were two competing schools of thought among giant squid experts.

"One was the idea that [giant squid] were fairly inactive and just drifted around, dangling their tentacles below them like fishing lures to catch what came by," he said.

"The other theory was that they were actually quite active. This new evidence supports this, suggesting they are active predators which can move reasonably quickly."

"The efforts the squid went to untangle itself [from the baited fishing line] also shows they are capable of quite strong and rapid movement," he added.

The study team reports that the severed tentacle repeatedly gripped the boat deck and crew after it was hauled aboard. The squid's tentacles are armed with suckers, each ringed with tiny teeth to help snare prey.

Measuring 18 feet (5.5 meters) long, analysis of the tentacle confirmed it came from a giant squid and allowed the researchers to estimate the total length of the animal.

But the researchers caution that their data assume the tentacle was severed at its base. If not, the squid may have been considerably larger. The longest giant squid on record measured 59 feet (18 meters), including its two elongated tentacles.

Shedding Light on Giant Squid

Giant squid, along with their close cousins colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis), have the largest eyes of any animal.

"Giant squid do have particularly large eyes, which would suggest vision is important to them. Having a large eye isn't unusual in deep-sea animals—you see it quite often in fish."

The fact that the animal caught on film was swimming in total darkness suggests the species detects prey using alternative light sources. "The only light down there is likely to be light produced by other animals," said Collins of the British Antarctic Survey.

The Japanese team thinks that research techniques similar to their own could be used to bring about more close encounters with giant squid. Ellis of the American Museum of Natural History agrees.

"I'm sure we can learn a lot from an analysis of these images," he said. "And now that we have an idea of where to look for [the squid], we will undoubtedly get more pictures."

Video Link here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3738248642864400317&q=type%3Agpick

      

A Heartbroken Family's Request

JUNNY RIOS-MARTINEZ Please view this video: http://www.eyesofamerica.org/EyesofAmericaTrailer.wmv The article below can be viewed here: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007702120323 Years after murder, a boy's family waits Man who raped, tortured and killed 11-year-old edges closer to death BY JOHN A. TORRES FLORIDA TODAY The crime gripped Central Florida more than 15 years ago. A convicted child rapist, released early from prison, tried to befriend a local family in order to kidnap their 11-year-old son. He raped the boy. He tortured the boy. And he killed the boy. Vicki Rios-Martinez knew it would take years to see her son's killer put to death. But she never thought that 16 years after Mark Schwab brutalized and murdered her 11-year-old-son, Junny, Schwab would still be on death row. Now, with all appeals exhausted, one obstacle stands in the way of Gov. Charlie Crist signing a death warrant: a clemency hearing. Kathy Torian, deputy press secretary for Crist, said she could not confirm or deny whether Schwab has already asked for a clemency hearing, in which the governor would be asked to commute the death sentence. However, the Rios-Martinezes said the governor's office recently asked them to write letters explaining how their son's murder affected them -- proof to them that a clemency hearing is being scheduled. "I'm frustrated, but I realize it's the end of the line," said Vicki Rios-Martinez from the old-fashioned beauty salon she owns on Merritt Island. "I'm looking forward to closure. It's been dragging on for 16 years. Talk about swift justice, huh? This will allow us to move on with our lives." Junny Rios-Martinez Sr., the boy's father, is less patient. "How can they allow a maggot like this to ask for clemency?" he said last week, before flying to Puerto Rico for his mother's funeral. "My son was the light of my life. I can't imagine the fear and the shock during those few minutes when my 11-year-old boy realized he was in the wrong place. "The last seconds of my boy's life were filled with agony. He's asking for clemency? That tears me apart. It goes beyond anger and rage. I can't understand how a government that is by the people, for the people has a provision like this." On April 18, 1991, Schwab called Clearlake Middle School pretending to be Junny's father. He asked school officials to have the boy meet him at a nearby baseball field. Just a month earlier, Schwab was released from prison after serving less than half of an eight-year sentence for raping a 13-year-old boy in Cocoa Beach. He saw a photo of Junny flying a kite published in FLORIDA TODAY and became fixated. He called the family and said he wanted to do an article about Junny, who loved surfing, for a fictitious magazine. He attended one of Junny's Little League games. He gave the family an Easter card. He asked to take the boy to Daytona Beach for a photo shoot. The family said no, and Schwab became bolder and more desperate. "He did not befriend the family," Junny Rios-Martinez said. "Every time he tried we said no." Schwab met Junny at the baseball field, and the boy was never seen again -- alive. A massive manhunt ensued. Police received a break in the case when Schwab, in Ohio, called an aunt there and told her that he couldn't handle the death penalty or a life sentence. Police monitored and traced the call. He was arrested while still on the phone in a phone booth. Five days after Junny disappeared, Schwab led police to a rope-tied footlocker in the woods in Canaveral Groves. Inside was the boy's body. "They say, 'Forgive and forget.' But this is one of those things you can't forget," Vicki Rios-Martinez said. "If you can forget, then it might be easier to forgive." The trial In a rare maneuver, Schwab's defense attorneys and State Attorney Norman Wolfinger waived the right to a jury trial and allowed Circuit Judge Ed Richardson to hear and decide the case. "This was a serious case and was very difficult for me," Richardson said last week from his Colorado home. "It was the hardest case I've ever had to do, especially because I was the judge and the jury." The proceedings were marked by some extraordinary revelations that included: A photo of the boy's decomposed face and another of his buttocks to prove he was raped. A taped confession, in which Schwab told police that he raped and killed the boy on orders from someone named Donald. The suicide of a Delta Airlines mechanic who felt responsible for the boy's death because he encouraged him to pursue surfing. A letter, written by Schwab before his trial, in which he threatened that Junny's 9-year-old brother would be tortured and killed. The rejection, by Junny's family, of a plea deal that would have seen Schwab spend life in prison. Richardson found Schwab guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery on a child under the age of 13 and kidnapping a child under the age of 13. Junny's classmates marched outside the courthouse, holding signs urging the judge to impose the death penalty. Schwab was sentenced to death for the murder and two life sentences for the other crimes.r "In the end I was very satisfied with the decision I made," Richardson said. "If we are going to have a death penalty, then it is for someone like him. He deserves it. This was heightened premeditation. Junny was a beautiful child who had a lot going for him." 'Not a shot in hell' Schwab is now out of avenues for appeal. He filed a direct appeal in the Florida Supreme Court in 1992. It was denied. He also filed appeals with the U.S. Supreme Court in 1994; in Brevard County court and the Florida Supreme Court in 1999; and with the Florida Supreme Court in 2000, the U.S. District Court in 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals in 2005 and the U.S. Supreme Court last year. "Nope. He has no shot, not a shot in hell," Wolfinger said Friday regarding clemency. "We've been waiting a long time to get to this point. This is taking far longer than I think it should." For Judge Richardson, the time spent serves as a safeguard against executing the wrong man. "The system takes long because the death penalty is final," he said. "It's built so that only the worst of the worst are executed. I don't expect clemency to be a realistic option. I would be shocked and very disappointed." And even though Schwab is one of the next death row inmates up for execution, a recent moratorium on executions could cause more delay. A commission studying lethal injection protocols has a March 1 deadline to make recommendations to the governor. The moratorium was instituted after the botched Dec. 13 execution of Angel Diaz, in which death took twice as long as normal. At the time, doctors said drugs might have been put into his tissue, delaying death and causing Diaz pain. Wolfinger said the Schwab case affected so many in the community because of the terror someone like that can cause. "Schwab is evil personified," he said. "This is like a nightmare every time it comes back up." Wolfinger remembers every child murder case he has worked on. But Junny's is different. "Some cases, like this one, just never leave you," he said. "Junny will never be forgotten." Contact Torres at 242-3649 or jtorres@floridatoday.com. This family needs your help! Here is the letter from little Junny's sister: This is a request from Junny's sister: There is good reason for Governor Charlie Crist to ask us to write letters of impact. It is part of the process for death penalty. Our family would absolutely be devastated beyond anything capable of description, if this 16 year process of appeals through our judicial system, makes a slight mistake, and Mark Schwab is released by default. I wrote an e-mail about these impact letters our family was requested to write, and sent it to everyone I knew... My e-mail was sent around like wild fire. Enjoy: TO EVERYONE WHO'S LIFE WAS TOUCHED BY LITTLE JUNNY RIOS-MARTINEZ. My Parents, Vicki and Junny Rios-Martinez, just received a very important letter from the governor's office informing them that Mark Schwab has petitioned the courts for Clemency. Let me refresh your memories... Please click on this link below for a quick video about the death of my brother, Junny Omar Rios-Martinez. http://www.eyesofamerica.org/EyesofAmericaTrailer.wmv And now....Mark Schwab has petitioned the courts for Clemency. In other words, this is Mark Schwab's last effort to avoid the death sentence. The governors office has asked our family to put in writing how this crime has impacted our lives. I believe that this crime has had an impact on MORE lives than just our family, but the entire central Florida and beyond. I would like to extend an invitation for you too!!! To put down in writing how Little Junny's death has impacted you and your family for Junny's Justice. Letters need to be received by March 5th, 2007, for them to be considered. Please use the following information in your letter: RE: SCHWAB, MARK. DC# 111129 EEC# D-200297 (address) Governor Charlie Crist Victims Services Specialist - Jessica Willson Office of Attorney General Bill Mcullum PL-01, The Capital Tallahassee, fl 32399-1050 Please Pass this information on to everyone!!!! I also think that this conversation forum should be printed and sent as an impact letter for the Governor to read. Junny's Big Sister, Kellie

Hello My Memoirs,

Good to see you tonight.

My *Me* project continues and has been on a new path for the better.

I cant believe its been 2 years since I started really working on *me*.

Im glad its now in my early 40's than in my death bed in my 80's.  According to statistics, I have another 1/2 a life to go, its great to get another chance.  I feel like I have been giving another chance to get this 1/2 right.

Alot of business has and is being taken care of.  Alot of wonderful people have come into my life.  I feel like I have a new family of people.

My house feels like a home again.  Its amazing how *human* you feel when you clear out all the clutter.  Not only that, but get papers and other things organized.

Alot of blessings have come this way, things I never thought were possible.  The confidence to get certain things put in progress is one of them.  I even took a leap of faith to get a small home loan to cover the legal fees for now.  A year ago I still wasnt able to do that.  Its amazing what some therapy and self analyzation will do for you. 

One of the big projects is taking care of legal issues that shouldve been taken care of starting 10 years ago.  The thing that we are able to reopen the case with has no statute of limitations.  The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they are turning.  Just waiting for the next step.  Wish me luck, send positive thoughts, say prayers, whichever is your thing , I will be appreciative of anything.

There are birthdays coming up in the near months.  My twins will be 17 and my younger son 15.  Time goes so fast, its amazing.  But the thing is, I still feel like a kid in the mind, so I guess thats a good thing.  My mother never felt *old*.  She always felt like a kid in the brain LOL.

Well I must sign off for now. Will be back soon with more updates.

nite nite for now my memoirs,

I love u,

anne :)