Paranormal expert and author Joel Martin returned to share a history of ghostly activities that have occurred in the White House, which he has documented in his book The Haunting of the Presidents. Witnesses generally report seeing apparitions of the Presidents whose lives were cut short or they may be seen during a time of great conflict, such as Lincoln's appearance during WW II, he detailed.

In fact, the ghost of Abraham Lincoln is the most frequently seen of all the Presidents, said Martin, who added that a number of these sightings were made by unimpeachable witnesses. The assassination of Lincoln may have been part of a "20 year curse" that was originally placed on William Henry Harrison (who died during his brief tenure in the White House in 1841). Because Harrison had earlier angered some American Indians,Tecumseh's brother Tenskwatawa, who was nicknamed "The Prophet," allegedly made the curse that a "great white leader will die every twenty years," Martin explained.

The curse seemed to hold up with Presidents that were elected in 20 year cycles ending with 0, such as 1860 and 1960, but it may have finally ended with President Reagan, who was elected in 1980. He speculated that Nancy Reagan's consultations with an astrologer may have helped to avert a tragedy. Martin also announced that the History Channel will be creating a special based on his book.

Morgellons Update

First hour guest, Dr. George Schwartz of the Healing Research Institute shared his research into Morgellons Disease, the baffling skin ailment that produces crawling sensations and the appearance of odd fibers. After culturing a sample from one of his patients, a bacteria that was a variant of Pseudomonas was discovered. It is found in some bottled and spring waters, he said, and was previously considered to be relatively harmless.

Schwartz speculated that because the bacteria has flagella (whip-like structures used to move), this may be what causes the itching sensation in those afflicted. "We're witnessing an epidemic of this condition," and at least some of the cases are caused by this organism, he declared. He was able to greatly reduce the symptoms in the woman who had the bacteria by giving her high doses of a sulfa drug, he added.