Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston |
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Digging for a story - a grave tale of two Premiers
A living former South Australian Premier has been helping exhume a dead one. A couple of people believed they were descended from illegitimate progeny of the late Mr Kingston, and needed the remains for tests. The hale and hearty John Bannon said on ABC Radio yesterday morning that he and others participating in the project were assisting pro bono,pun not intended. There are no sheep stations involved in the outcome, figuratively or literally, but merely a whim of curiosity.
Naturally the story was on the front page. During the course of the morning it was suggested on ABC Adelaide radio that an Australian Story camera was present at the exhumation.
I believe in ghosts. I think that some ephemeral visions are temporal replays, "movies" of long-ago events. Many, though, are people still wandering around. I've heard too many stories from otherwise extremely straightforward people to think anything else, not to mention a couple of encounters myself.
i wonder what I'd be thinking if I was watching somebody dig up my remains?
Personally, I reckon that any self-respecting ghost would be fully entitled to give these people a bloody thorough haunting. Taking your head off, dragging your chains in the hallway.... be inventive! Rumour has it that a former publicaness of one Adelaide hotel fell out of the shower tub when a phantom decided to join her. Go for it! Channel 7 news are doing background story tonight about getting DNA from human bones. Their newly built studio probably has even less spirits in it than an alcopop bottle. For now.
The Australian has posted a version of the story as I've been writing. It quotes ex-Premier Bannon, on being asked if the gravedigging might encourage future generations to posthumously peruse phillandering pollies, as quipping "No, but it might encourage more politicians to get cremated."
There's an obvious ethical question at the back of this. When should it be considered appropriate to exhume human remains for information?
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Old bones, old bones...
I have never come across a ghost, Richard. However, having spoken to others, I find that the association of ghosts with pubs is particularly strong, and the stories are legion.
In one recently closed pub here, I am told that the staff eventually refused to go to the higher floors. ...but, that's one story among many from a cross -section of people.
I've certainly had extra sensory experiences which had the reality of real life. I understand that those who haven't had such are incredulous and dismissive. Well, that's the way we are, is it not? We don't really understand anything, or believe much, until we've experienced it for ourselves.
But, as for exhumation: I have always seen the grave as the place where the old clothes they wore lie: not where they are at, at all....and, surely, the presence of ghosts prove this? I can't believe that they care a fig what happens to this old chrysalis - unless the exhumation rights an ancient wrong, that is, in which case I assume that they would applaud.
A cold hand in the night
Well Richard, maybe cremation will become more popular amongst the pollies and the celebs.
As for digging up our ancestors, I think it would behove anyone so inclined to let sleeping skeletons lie. But it kinda adds a possible and new dimension to family history research, a hobby of mine.
Ghosts. I am sick of hearing about ghosts. There are now three rooms in the old family home that guests refuse to sleep in on their second visit.
It grabbed me by the arm with its cold hand. I was not asleep and it was not a nice thing whatever it was. It was so very cold.
So what does one do in the face of such terror in the night? I dunno, you tell me.
I just tuned my violin. I put it down and left the room and when I came back it was out and all the strings were loose. I tell you, there is something in this room.
I am fast running out of options. I am going to have to start putting people in the hayshed to share with the rats at this rate.
Ghosts
I can't answer your last question Richard but on the subject of ghosts it has come from Britain, a country otherwise richly endowed with the phenomena that since the advent of mobile phones reporting of sightings has decreased markedly.
Richard: I've always thought that pub "renos" stir things up... perhaps the phone emissions inhibit? Just an idea..