i n

F

BIGGER

SMALLER

COURIER

GEORGIA

TIMES

VERDANA

COMIC

l

RECENT

POPULAR

e

u

 ^{(it's beta!)}

Although the Long-Suffering Odysseus rejoiced, not all was well, the dead were not at rest. It had been a long while from when Odysseus had sworn a binding oath to make sacrifice of his best barren heifer, heap the pyre with treasures, and separately honor Teiresias with an offering of the finest jet black sheep of his flocks. So went Lord Achilles to Zeus, Gatherer of the Clouds. Said Lord Achilles to the Lord of the Black Cloud: “Oh Father Zeus, the souls of Hades and I have reached an agreement together. Odysseus, favorite of the gods, has not made good on an oath sworn to confront the Theban prophet . He promised to make sacrifice of his best barren heifer, heap the pyre with treasures, and separately honor Teiresias with an offering of the finest jet black sheep of his flocks. It has been a very long time since Odysseus first set foot in our dank halls of Hades, and we have become restless.” Said Zeus the Thunderer to Achilles: “I did not perceive this shady matter Achilles. I will see to it that Odysseus is punished for his blatant insolence. In fact, Achilles, you have my permission to seek out Odysseus. You and your fellow souls of Hades may haunt Odysseus and kill at whim, if he does not first make sacrifice those that he swore.”

So it was. Achilles grimly left Mount Olympus to Hades - a long perilous journey. However, because Achilles was in the form of a spirit, neither raging storm nor rampaging monster could hinder him. He reached Hades shortly, grimacing at the gloomy place he would call home for eternity. Achilles went to take council with Teiresias. “Teiresias”, spoke Achilles, “I have just been to Mount Olympus, where Zeus is resident, and I took council with him. He dictated that we may seek out Odysseus, haunt, and kill at whim; if this imperative sacrifice is not done.” Grimly spoke Teiresias “I will prepare for this journey, Lord Achilles.” As Achilles rallied souls, souls of soldiers, brides, and robbers, souls of merchants and teachers and crewman; he encountered little friends, for he himself had respected Odysseus, these vengeful dead men did not.

Meanwhile, in Ithaca Odysseus was celebrating his return and victory over the impious suitors. By this time Odysseus was somewhat tired, having just slain 108 men and twelve maids, no mean task. Wise Penelope presently stated to him: “What a strange man you are. Come, Eurycleia, move the great bed out into the hall, that this man who calls himself my husband may retire there.” Retorted the stalwart Odysseus in anger; “I made that bed from the start! First I built my room of complex stonework around a tree growing in the court, then I lopped off all the branches and rounded it with my adze! I then drilled holes in it, using it as the first bedpost, and I constructed the rest around it. So I have shown you my secret, and I can only hope that you are not some wicked enchantress, and by the gods if you have been false in the place of my wife you shall pay!” Penelope knew at last after putting the weary Odysseus to this final test that he was truly Odysseus, and having this blissful knowledge she wept and ran to Odysseus who gladly held his wife in his arms; accepting that she was his wife. That day ended happily, in the bed that Odysseus built.

Odysseus was not safe though, for in Hades tension brewed, like a wine turned sour. “Let us depart from this place.” Stated Achilles, for the whisper of souls is not loud, and he needed not to raise his voice. “Odysseus has committed a crime against the dead, and no matter if we were once allies in life or not, we here share something: death. We must now leave. Let the dark gates of Hades be open for the souls to pour out and haunt Odysseus!” Achilles turned once he had spoken, for he had no want of his ally, the noble Odysseus, being slain In Ithaca, a chill swept through the court, causing Penelope to tremble in the long suffering Odysseus’ arms.

When Dawn came fresh and rosy-fingered Penelope woke as happy as a rich minstrel, and then realized that Odysseus was not present. Faint, but audible shouts and screams swirled their way into the bed chamber. What beastly foe could be storming the castle, thought Penelope. “Odysseus!”, shouted the brave Penelope, “What misfortune befalls our home?” Answered the long suffering Odysseus “Penelope, angered spirits have breached the gates of our grounds! I fear I have angered them by some misdeed, some mistake that I have made or some action misinterpreted! I fear our lives are lost, we must try to flee!” The wise Penelope then realized how dire the situation was and dressed in less than royal garments. Then the stalwart Odysseus shouted.

Ithaca had been overrun by dead men- all hope was lost. Sadly Odysseus joined their ranks. Neither Teiresias nor Lord Achilles truly desired the Odysseus to come with them, back to Hades, but Odysseus had many dishonorable enemies, to which he fell on that dark day.

The End

God loves me I know this is true I can feel it it in my heart And you had better too I know of my benevolent Lord His loving ways and holy days Makes me a willing Jesus warrior with a love-sword Under his protection and within Our Horde God won't you save me From the others Lord I am so scared Like no other The terrorists are bombing The Antichrist speaks loud Delusioned Other Minions of yours Are foaming at the mouth All my problems will be solved When I go to Heaven Lord there's one thing I need until then Ensure me a safe life and I will join your many legions God won't you save me From the others Lord I am so scared Like no other Send me on a caimpaign of truth I'll do my best - I'll indoctrinize the youth Your wish is my command, God Just give me all that's to be got I will do anything you want

Education: it is the key to innovation and the progression of the human race. The U.S. education system is nearly standardized. Taxpayers fund schools to which almost all people under the age of 16 and many above that attend. One part of this system is secondary education, "high school", the closest you an get to the real world for free. Should we give the innovators of tomorrow more time? Would a fifth year in high school be efficient, educational and economic? I, for one, think this idea would be quite efficacious in practice.

Fundamentalists, those who grab hold of tradition and cling to it like it was their mother's hand, are afraid to change such an already effective system. In fact, they are right to be frightened - this is a big change. But it is time to realize that it is the future that we will be investing in.

Some people may not be ready to accept that more education is for the best, but those people should not fearfully look at a possible increase in taxes or a delayed life; but instead, the outcome of more intelligent Amerikans (which we are in dire need of). Even students may not understand, but competition will drive them to take advantage of this gift, and it will become the standard. This is necessary to carry Amerikan competition to a new level in global affairs.

The idea of a five year plan is a good one. In the long run, any extra time or money spent will be worth it. It is critical for Amerikans to have the capacity to lead in global competition, and this program would enable them to do so. High school should, therefore, be extended to five years.