-Caveat Lector- Place Your Doomsday Bets British Bookies Will Take Your Gloomy Wager World War: 500-To-1 Global Mass Suicide: 100 Million-to-1 CBS Nearly 450 years after the seer Nostradamus is said to have predicted “terror descending on the world” this month, the British -- never shy to place a bet -- are lining up to get a piece of the action, reports CBS News Correspondent Tom Rivers. It was way back in 1555 that the French mystic predicted we’d have a rough ride in the seventh month of 1999. Graham Sharpe, from Britain’s William Hill bookmaking chain, thought he had seen it all. But because of the unique nature of the “end of world” wager, he’s letting the customers choose their own odds. “I’m pretty confident that we won’t have to pay out if they’re correct,” says Sharpe. Among the choose-your-own odds are a world war at 500-to-1 and aliens taking over the world at 5,000-to-1. The rank outsider is global mass suicide at 100 million-to-1. Sharpe acknowledges that most of the bets are done for a laugh. The tongue-in-cheek wagers are placed to obtain an “end of the world” betting slip to be framed for posterity. But, he adds, “Some are serious; their 26-page letters supporting their theories means they’ve thought about it long and hard.” In fact, “some will clearly be unhappy if the world doesn’t end.” At least Matthew Dumbrell has figured out a way to have his cake and eat it too. If the world ends, the Londoner plans to collect on his one-million-to-one bet because as Sharpe says, Dumbrell “believes that even bookmakers will go to heaven and I’m quite happy to meet them there!” So, who knows? Sharpe could well become the manager of the first celestial betting shop. But for now, the bookmaker remains philosophical. “As long as they’re 18 years old and in possession of their faculties, it’s entirely up to them. We don’t force them to come to the betting shops and give us their money. But if they choose to do that, we’re not going to turn them away.” Odds are, we haven’t seen the last bet yet. Written by Tom Rivers ©1999, CBS Worldwide Inc., All Rights Reserved. http://cbs.aol.com/flat_story_166475.html DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
