As many of you will remember, when we first brought you this story, we started with High Priest Gilmore, of the Church of Satan's take. Now we're pleased to bring you the flipside. We don't talk to the far right often, but when we do, you can be sure it's going to be great.
For you newcomers, let me point out that, despite the title of the site, we are not Satanists. We do not worship the devil (literally or figuratively). In fact, we really don't worship much of anything. But it is a very interesting story on many levels, and it's made the major news sources. Maybe, that includes us.
Before the interview, I had a chance to chit-chat with the mayor. As expected, her speech is riddled with Bible references and talk about this God fellow. Below is a transcript of the interview, very slightly edited. We think it's a dandy, and we think you will, too.
matt: We've been doing our homework. So far, all the stories we've read concentrate on the proclamation and the controversy, not on who you are. So I thought we'd start with some personal questions about you, the Mayor.
Mayor: Okay.
matt: Okay, first off: What's your favorite movie?
Mayor: The Ten Commandments!
matt: With George C. Scott?
Mayor: No, no, no... Charlton Heston!
matt: Of course! Duh! As Moses!
Mayor: Right.
matt: Okay, favorite musical artist?
Mayor: To be honest, I'm not into that. I like gospel music.
matt: Well, then, do you have a favorite Beatle?
Mayor: I'm not into that! I'm a 61 year old lady!
matt: Okay, do you watch TV? And if so, what?
Mayor: Yeah, do in the afternoon. Discovery Channel & TBN.
matt: Of course.
Mayor: Of course.
matt: I love Discovery Channel. What's your favorite show?
Mayor: I love nature shows. I love the scenery, I love animals, I like to watch God's scenery and all the beautiful things he made for us.
matt: Sure, me too. Now let's talk about the proclamation. We'd like to know if there's a way to enforce the proclamation? Have you set aside a budget to fight Satan with?
Mayor: No. I've paid for everything, the paper, stamps, phone calls, it's all personal. I would never do anything that would cost the town a penny for my personal beliefs.
matt: That's good to hear, the people will like to hear that. What about the suit brought against you by the ACLU on behalf of Satan?
Mayor: The ACLU thought it was a commission. That the city council had voted to make it an official town ordinance. They didn't, of course. Like I said, it's personal belief. Our lawyers dealt with them about a month ago, so it's all ok.
matt: Great, good for you. Now let's ask a few more reader questions. The one question everybody has for you is this: Are you planning on banning any other major deities or demons? Like Skeletor?
Mayor: If I can get rid of the main one, I can get rid of them all. That's my goal to get rid of evil in the town.
matt: Okay, what about Satanists living within city limits? Are there any?
Mayor: I've been told there are, but I haven't witnessed any. Can't tell if it's just a rumor. Bad spirits or something. If there are, they haven't said anything yet.
matt: Ok, what about people who use the name of Satan as somewhat of a joke? Like devilled eggs or Li'l Devil Firecrackers?
Mayor: Kids still trick or treat, play fire works, they don't understand. Haven't been around it, so I don't understand it.
matt: But what about other things, like our site, named Satanosphere?
Mayor: I'm not aware of any of that around here. Sometimes, kids dress up with horns, etc. for Halloween, but that's the parents' thing. That's not up to me.
matt: We read somewhere that your proclamation had to do with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Could you elaborate?
Mayor: When I watched 9/11 on TV my heart wept. I believe that we can rid evil from the world. We need to show people the loving god. When I saw the people running, saying, "O god! O god!" I knew it was God giving a wake up call. We can rid evil. We can try to help people. Direct them to a loving god. God loves New York. But this could have happened anywhere, Matt. It could have happened to us. But God loves New York.
matt: Wow, okay.
Mayor: The best thing we can do is get people ready to meet God.
matt: Sure.
Mayor: On March 11, the six-month anniversary, we had a candlelight vigil in front of Town Hall. God was there. We had 1500 people late at night, and big, strong, six foot tall men laid their heads on my shoulders and cried. God was there.
matt: And Satan?
Mayor: (laughs) No, he wasn't there. Because I made the proclamation. And we had fireworks to reward them all for coming, then more people cried.
matt: So you've said that God told you to write the proclamation. What, exactly, were his words to you?
Mayor: Well, he didn't actually talk to me... But I felt his spirit. He talked through me, you see? I'd never written a proclamation before. I just grabbed the town letterhead and started writing, and didn't stop till the page was full. I was crying when I read what I had wrote afterwards, it was powerful.
matt: Wow, not many people get to talk to God, ya know.
Mayor: I know, I'm glad he picked me.
matt: Wow, that's fine, fine stuff. Okay, just a few more questions from friends. Do you like root beer?
Mayor: My, yes! I love it! I love the old fashioned that foams! Add ice cream, and you have a great float!
matt: Do you ever watch Star Trek?
Mayor: No, can't say I do.
matt: So you don't know who Wil Wheaton is?
Mayor: No, I'm sorry, I don't.
matt: Well, he'll be sad to hear that.
