The advent of the internet brought about lots of changes for newspaper writers. In the past, it was newspaper subscribers who read our work. Now, our stories and columns are posted on the internet and therefore available to millions of people. Things really changed when people figured out you can have your computer alert you when stories about certain topics are posted online.

That’s how the person – anonymous, of course – came across my column I wrote last week about psychic Blossom Goodchild’s prediction that aliens would come to Alabama Oct. 14.

There’s an old saying that you shouldn’t talk about politics, religion or money. I think you can add Goodchild and aliens landing in Alabama to that list.

The email started like this:

“I think you should get your information correct before you publish something like this, brandishing Blossom Goodchild as a fool. If you actually read her messages, she doesn’t come out and say they will be in Alabama, but Alabama was mentioned as being in the Southern Hemisphere.”

I had to laugh. First of all, I did read Blossom’s messages and may I say they are enlightening. Blossom said she channeled a Native American named White Cloud who brought her the information from the Federation of Light. Her exact prediction was: “We wish it to be understood that on the 14th day of your month of October in the year 2008 a craft of great size shall be visible within your skies. It shall be in the south of your hemisphere and it shall scan over many of your states. We give to you the name of Alabama.”

Hmm. Sounds pretty definitive to me. The email continued:

“It’s backwoods hillbillies like you that make the possibility of an event like this even more unbelievable.”

Ouch. Backwoods hillbilly?   Me? Do you mean to tell me if I don’t believe the words of some Australian psychic who gets her advice from an Indian who just happens to share the name of a popular toilet paper brand then I’m a hillbilly? 

Well, yee-haw I guess.

The end of the e-mail was my favorite part: “I’m not saying I myself believe it will happen for sure, but honestly I’m looking for something more than what’s currently being offered by our country, politics, economy or man-made religion… And what if this really does happen? I hope you soil yourself.”

Oh, don’t you worry. If aliens land in Alabama Oct. 14 I can guarantee you there will be lots of soiling that day. And if there’s not? Well, let’s just say I may be sending an email or two of my own.