THE SPIRITS SPEAK
This is an interview with the Spirit of Benjamin Franklin, great American statesman, philosopher, and inventor. His words are channeled through Speaker Gerald Polley. Speaker Linda J. Polley provided the questions.
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1. Who was the mother of your son William, and what is the true story of the circumstances concerning this?
A. The mother of my son William was my wife. That is all that there is to be said of that matter! Though the imaginations of men, especially those that bear ill will against you can be quite imaginitive. Indeed, can dwell even in the realm of pure fantasy.
2. Is it true you and Deborah were never legally married? If so, why?
A. That is quite untrue. In mhy day living with a woman out of wedlock was totally unacceptable and could lead even to a lynching if the members of the community were so taken to do, and besides this, I am a man who has always believed in taking the responsibilities for his actions, and not leaving them for others to tend to, if you understand where my words lead you.
3. Is it true you were never drunk or smoked?
A. I believe in the sanctity of the Blessed Temple we do dwell in, and did not approve of the poisoning of it with vile and disgusting substances. I believe my practice was well proven as that vessel served me long and well.
4. How did you develop your scientific skill?
A. Through many lifetimes of inquiring. Like yourself when I was Benjamin Franklin I was awakened, aware of the wonders of past ages, and desiring of bringing those wonders to those then living. So I banded together with a group of others who shared in that mission...to create the society you now enjoy. A rather good job, I do say! Though others afterwards have done what they can to destroy it, the True Sons Of Liberty hang on to that that they cherish.
5. Did you really have as many lovers in Europe as they say?
A. Let us just say the ladies in Europe were fond of me, and I had many companions. As to lovers, the number is exaggerated, but I will admit that there were several ladies who were more than good company, and who were more than glad for my visits. For I have always been a man that believed that it is as much the man's responsibility to please the woman, as it is the woman's place to please the man.
6. But what about your wife's opinion on these actions? Were not your marriage vows important to you?
A. Of course my marriage vows were important, but my wife was a woman who did not long hold a woman's needs, and she quickly grew tired of the acts of procreation and no longer desired its pleasures. But being a woman of reasonable mind, she did not hold me to my unreasonableness that kept me from enjoying my manliness. She even found the company of some of my associates pleasing, and would tutor them in my habits and desires. Such a woman is rare and wonderful, and I treasured her.
7. Have you influenced any of todays inventors from The Spirit World, and if so, what were the results?
A. I tend to leave the products of today to the men of today...those who live. I think I accomplished quite enough. There is still much to be built on what I did, still. So let's give others some fun. Let them do the digging and poking. I will, however, encourage young people today to be more interested in science and inquiring. There is little curiosity today and most people are content with things as they are, and do not realize the dangers approaching tomorrow. You live in a fragile world, and are neglecting it terribly. And if you are not careful there may be nothing left for the generations that are to come, except poisoned ground and water. In the words of a greater man than I, 'They have ears but they do not hear, they have eyes but they do not see.' I pity such people.
8. What is your opinion of people trying to change the Constitution?
A. Very poor, to say the least! I do not like to use the
word treasonous, but for some it applies. Of course I should state for what
reason the Constitution is trying to be changed; If it is trying to be changed
to force one's limited religious beliefs on others, then it is wrong. If
it is trying to be changed to guarantee every member of the population their
rights, no matter their gender, then change is needed. We did all we could
in our day, but we were faced with the ignorance of our era, in certain matters.
I am afraid the Revolution for individual freedom is still being fought.
Though great strides have been made, the battle is not yet over. There are
those who would still enslave everyone to their ignorance if they were given
the tiniest opportunity. Vigilance is always needed.
9. Are the accounts we have of the creation and the signing of The Declaration Of Independance correct?
A. I have yet to come across one that is totally accurate. All tend to exaggerate in their own point of view. The main thing is that we got the thing written and signed. That, in itself, was an accomplishment worth recording in history. And before you ask, YES, I will be available to answer more questions in the future. I've had plenty of life to suit me for some time! Let's let others do the work for awhile!
10. What do you think of the musical "1776"?
A. Loved it! Loved it! Laughed for days! Very well done!
11. What do you do now in Spirit?
A. Talk alot....mostly in public gatherings, and am also the head of a local council.
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The interview in our September '89 issue will be with Marie Curie, the famous French chemist who, in 1911, with her husband Pierre won the Nobel Prize for the isolation for metallic radium, and were famous for several other important discoveries in science. Any questions you have for her should be submitted by August 1st to be considered for publication in our September issue.
We take this opportunity to apologize for the shortness of
our Spirit Interviews the last couple of issues. The questions contained
were the most important ones the Spirits, Themselves, wanted answered. Many
were disappointed they received no additional questions from our readers.
It is obvious many think these interviews are purely fictictious, but we
assure you, they are not. They are exactly what they claim to be. It takes
a great deal of effort on both sides, to arrange them, and are very tiring
to produce.
Do not feel that if you missed the issue the particular Spirit spoke in,
your opportunity has passed. Most all of them would be more than glad for
follow up questions, or to clarify any statement they have made. And much
of what they say, I, for one, believe still has value, even for us, today.
But they will not speak unless questions are directed to them. Let us not
neglect this precious resource!
"Don't ask me how it works, I'm only the pilot! I don't understand how 50 of us get in there!"