MESSAGES FROM MARS BY THE AID OF THE TELESCOPE PLANT (1892) – Written by Robert D Braine. I shortened the title for the blog post headline. The main character of this novel is a sailor named Nordhausen. After leaving Madagascar our hero winds up shipwrecked on an uncharted island.
While roaming this island Nordhausen finds plants with thick transparent leaves which refract light like lenses do. The sailor breaks off one of the leaves to study it more closely, only to be seized by the island’s native inhabitants, who have been watching him from hiding.
The natives take him through a cave entrance to their hidden village which is a blend of the primitive and the futuristic. For the “sacrilege” of damaging one of the telescope plants Nordhausen is to be executed. The means? A device formed from several of the lens-like leaves which magnify the sunlight into a makeshift heat-ray, like holding a magnifying glass over a piece of paper to catch it on fire.
Our hero is saved at the last minute by a beautiful woman named Raimonda, who wants him spared. When her own words are not sufficient to stay the execution she enlists the King of Mars to persuade the natives to spare Nordhausen. Continue reading

“Michaela Chavez (not pictured) is a former Democrat who says she’s been a supporter of Donald Trump from Day One. She likes how his administration is handling the economy and feels he’s negotiating better trade deals for the country.” (Note from Balladeer: I’m a former Democrat, too, now Independent.)
“Ernie Salazar weighed in: ““Hispanic unemployment is at a historical low,” he said. “African American unemployment is at a historic low. He’s (Trump’s) taking care of people of color. If you look in a box of crayons, you’ll see a white crayon, too.”
NUMBER FOURTEEN ROLLS – The NAIA’s 14th ranked UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS welcomed the WEBBER INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY WARRIORS last night. The Patriots dominated their opponents on both sides of the ball, leading the Warriors 28-0 by Halftime on their way to a 45-14 triumph.
UNDER THE RADAR CLASSIC – Over in NCAA Division Two the FROSTBURG STATE BOBCATS played host to the WEST LIBERTY STATE HILLTOPPERS. The Bobcats held a 17-14 edge at the Half, following which each team added another 10 points as the Bobcats won this 27-24 thriller.
TUSSLE IN THE TOP TEN – In the NJCAA the 3rd ranked NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE RANGERS battled their guests the number 8 COPIAH-LINCOLN COLLEGE WOLVES. These familiar foes went blow for blow and score for score until the Rangers emerged with a 19-15 victory.
Balladeer’s Blog presents another neglected epic myth from around the world. In this case, Liberia’s Woi Epic of the Kpelle people.
PART TWENTY-NINE – As always part of the fun comes from the way the Fool Killer’s opinions are a mix of today’s left-wing and right-wing attitudes. Some you’ll agree with, others you won’t but it’s always interesting.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Rotherham Report just do an on-line search for it and you can pick from countless articles. The report dealt with instances of over 1,400 young non-Muslim women being raped and groomed for further rape by Muslims in part of the U.K. Similar reports have emerged from other areas in the country. The report was first issued over 5 years ago.
Hello again, everyone! Like FAQ’s I figured I’d address these questions I’ve been asked a lot lately. And thank you for the good wishes regarding recent family hospitalizations.
Time for another look at how fascist Democrats have distorted the “educational system” (LMAO) and transformed schools, colleges and universities into churches of irrational thought and political intolerance.
Here at Balladeer’s Blog my skepticism of polling during such an odd time period is well known. In fact, bizarrely enough, I’d like to see a poll regarding how many people distrust polls!
NJCAA 1. HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS ### 2. BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES ### 3. TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS ### 4. EAST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE LIONS ### 5. NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE RANGERS ###
6. MONROE COLLEGE MUSTANGS ### 7. LACKAWANNA COLLEGE FALCONS ### 8. COPIAH-LINCOLN WOLFPACK ### 9. IOWA WESTERN COLLEGE REIVERS ### 10. CISCO COLLEGE WRANGLERS ###