Monday, December 31, 2012

An Epidemic Of Chaos, Error, And Fearful Sights!



Volume XXXII       Issue        January 2013
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Fax: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org





"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
Romans 1:26-32



"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."
II Peter 3:13-18



"And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."
I John 5:19-20



In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will examine recent events which indicate the people of the earth are living in an increasingly desperate and wicked age. As I write this newsletter, another year is drawing to a close, and this has been a year of many amazing events as well as numerous incidents of unspeakable evil, treachery, and heartbreak. The contents of this newsletter will bring us face-to-face with the very harsh realities of this world, and it is my prayer that in doing so, we will all feel strongly compelled to draw nigh unto God and seek Him with a whole heart.

In Romans, chapter 1, we read of many evil characteristics that plague this sinful world. Each of these despicable sins was already common in the days of the Apostle Paul, but as we grow closer to the end of time, this profusion of wickedness has greatly intensified. Sadly, numerous atrocities were committed in the year 2012, including many senseless killings in the United States.

One such horrific incident occurred on July 20, 2012, when a gunman entered a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, and went on a murderous rampage, which claimed the lives of twelve people and wounded fifty-eight more. (1) Less than one month later, on August 5, 2012, a gunman entered a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and then proceeded to murder six people in cold blood while wounding four more. (2)

However, the most shocking mass shooting of the year took place on December 14, 2012, when a disturbed twenty year-old male brutally murdered his own mother and then traveled to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, where he mercilessly slaughtered twenty young children and six adults. (3) Amongst the dead were twelve girls and eight boys who were each between the ages of six and seven. (4) I have no doubt in my mind that this brutal assault on young children was spurred by demonic influence. In fact, it has now come to light that there is a sinister connection between the mass shooting of July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, and the mass shooting which occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The film being shown at the movie theater in Colorado when the massacre occurred was The Dark Knight Rises. It has been reported that in this movie, at the one hour and fifty-eight minute mark, a map featuring a strike zone is briefly shown, and the only visible location on the map is Sandy Hook. (5) Promotional material for The Dark Knight Rises, which was distributed in 2011, also features a map which prominently shows Sandy Hook as being located near "Strike Zone 1" which is a point of attack within the plot of the movie. (6) Is this just a coincidence? Many people would insist that it is; however, I believe it indicates a demonic synergy between the two mass shooting incidents.

Although the United States has experienced mass shootings before, this incident was unlike most of the others because the majority of the victims were of such a young age. This horrific event has sparked outrage throughout the United States, and some politicians are now using it as a pretense to enact strict gun control regulations. Regarding gun control, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated the following, "It's time for the president, I think, to stand up and lead and tell this country what we should do - not go to Congress and say, 'What do you guys want to do?' This should be his number one agenda." (7)

Numerous celebrities have also expressed support for stricter gun regulations. In fact, a full page ad, signed by over 100 notable public figures, was published in the December 19, 2012, printing of the New York Times. The ad states the following, "The time has come for courage. The courage to make our schools and workplaces, our shopping malls and movie theaters - all the places we share every day - safe from gun violence. The courage to stand up to the NRA (National Rifle Association) - to put human life ahead of extreme ideology. The courage to ban weapons of mass murder that at anytime, anywhere, can turn America into a killing field." (8) In response to the public outcry, Barack Obama has vowed to make gun control a point of emphasis in his second presidential term. "This time, the words need to lead to action. I will use all the powers of this office to help advance efforts aimed at preventing more tragedies like this," Obama declared. (9)

Unfortunately, banning firearms from private ownership would do little to alleviate violent crime. Violent offenders who commit these crimes are already breaking the law, and there will always be an underground market for guns even if they are made illegal to own. We must remember that the founding fathers of the United States wrote the second amendment of the Bill of Rights as a countermeasure to the rise of a tyrannical government. While it is safe to say that any opposition to the rising one-world antichrist government might be massively outgunned, disarming the people would only make such a takeover that much easier. It was George Mason, a delegate from Virginia to the United States Constitutional Convention, who once made the following thought provoking statement, "[W]hen the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually." (10)

It is worthwhile to note that Xinhua News Service in China, which is the official mouthpiece for the communist government of China, has published an article entitled "Innocent Blood Demands No Delay for U.S. Gun Control." (11) It is somewhat ironic that the Chinese government would voice concern over the loss of innocent young lives in the United States since they often force pregnant mothers to undergo abortions in order to comply with the regime's strict limit on family size. The Chinese government is also well-known for arresting Christians who participate in unsanctioned worship services in their country. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also made it clear that he favors disarming the populace. "I totally agree with those who are against free arms circulation. This is my principled position," Medvedev wrote on his Facebook page. (12)

Clearly, we are living in a very volatile and uncertain time in the United States. However, it is important to remember that even if the powers that be are successful in disarming the American people, we can still rely on our Lord and Savior and trust that His perfect will is always done. We do not need to be afraid of what the future may bring, for as it says in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Homosexuality: A Mainstream Lifestyle!

The year of 2012 was notable for many reasons. One of the changes we are now seeing manifested in the United States of America is a mainstream embracement of homosexuality. A recent survey published by CBS News found that 51 percent of respondents favored allowing gay marriage in the United States. Of the respondents between the ages 18-29, an astounding 72 percent expressed support for gay marriage. (13) Another example of the shift in the attitude of the American people became apparent on November 6, 2012, when the citizens of three states, Washington, Maryland, and Maine, voted to legalize same-sex marriage. (14)

Same-sex marriage has been embraced wholeheartedly by the state of Washington. In fact, the city hall in Seattle, Washington, set up five chapels specifically designated for same sex couples. "In preparation for the festivities, local artists Jennifer Zeyl and and Celeste Cooning, with help from city staff, are decking out the building's large lobby to make decorations for some 140 planned weddings. The decorations consist of several self-contained areas that will act as individual 'chapels' within the lobby space," announced the city via its website. (15) These ceremonies took place on December 9, 2012, which was the first day gay couples were allowed to get married in the state of Washington. One of the homosexual men who was married that day described the event as follows, "We're totally thrilled. We had looked at this as maybe a day we would sign a piece of paper and seal the deal, and instead we're having this huge party being thrown in our honor. It's just mind blowing." (16)

Another historic event occurred on December 1, 2012, when a same-sex couple was married for the first time at the United States Military Academy at West Point. (17) The couple's use of the facility's chapel was made possible by Barack Obama's repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" last year. In September 2011, the Pentagon issued a statement declaring that "determinations regarding the use of DOD (Department of Defense) real property and facilities for private functions, including religious and other ceremonies, should be made on a sexual-orientation neutral basis, provided such use is not prohibited by applicable state and local laws." (18)

There is a growing consensus amongst Republican politicians and public figures that they must embrace same-sex marriage if there is to be any hope that their political party will survive. Speaking of gay marriage, former House Speaker and Republican candidate for president, Newt Gingrich stated the following, "It is in every family. It is in every community. The momentum is clearly in the direction of finding some way to accommodate and deal with reality. And the reality is going to be that in a number of American states - and it will be more after 2014 - gay relationships are going to be legal, period." Mr. Gingrich further went on to say, "I didn't think [gay marriage] was inevitable 10-15 years ago… It didn't seem at the time to be anything like the wave of change we are now seeing." (19)

As Christians, we know that the Holy Bible clearly condemns homosexuality as a sin. However, there is a new effort by the homosexual community to nullify the Scriptures which disapprove of their lifestyle. On December 27, 2012, a press release was issued which announced the publication of a new Bible known as the "Queen James Bible." The front cover of this so-called Bible is adorned with a rainbow colored cross (20), and while otherwise identical to the King James Version, it edits the key verses which regard the homosexual way of life. (21) According to the editor's notes, the modified verses are Genesis 19:5, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-10, I Timothy 1:10 and Jude 1:7. (21) The editor's notes also includes this heretical statement at the end of the document, "We didn't change anything else to create this edition of the Queen James Bible. The Queen James Bible resolves any homophobic interpretations of the Bible, but the Bible is still filled with inequality and even contradictions that we have not addressed. No Bible is perfect, including this one. We wanted to make a book filled with the word of God that nobody could use to incorrectly condemn God's LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender) children, and we succeeded." (22)

Has God changed his opinion on homosexuality? In Malachi 3:6, we read "For I am the LORD, I change not…" There are very serious consequences for those who attempt to alter the Word of God to fit their own personal beliefs. In Romans 1:25 we are warned of those who "changed the truth of God into a lie." Remarkably, the next two verses in the chapter specifically identify homosexuals as part of the group who would do this. We are also warned in Deuteronomy 4:2, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."

America - A Land Of Government Dependency!

For a large segment of American citizens, the quality of life has greatly declined in recent years. We are now beginning to see the consequences of poor economic policies by the Obama Administration which has forced millions of people to become dependent on the government to care for their needs. While Barack Obama continues to insist that America is back on track, a close examination of the facts tells a different story.

In the United States, there are now over 100 million people receiving some form of welfare. (23) In fact, welfare spending has increased by 32 percent since Barack Obama began his first term as president in 2009. (24) The rapid expansion of entitlement programs has become a cause for alarm for Jeff Sessions, a Republican Senator from the state of Alabama. "No longer should we measure compassion by how much money the government spends but by how many people we help to rise out of poverty. Welfare assistance should be seen as temporary whenever possible, and the goal must be to help more of our fellow citizens attain gainful employment and financial independence," Sessions said. (25) Amazingly enough, 62 percent of the federal budget for the fiscal year 2012 was spent on entitlement programs. (26) It is interesting to note that in 1969, only 2.8 million Americans were receiving food stamps. By the year of 2009, that number had increased to 31.9 million recipients, and since that time it has reached a record high of over 47 million people. (27) According to a recent news report, the recipients of food stamps now exceed the total combined populations of Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. (28)

Sadly, a recent article in the New York Times makes the claim that many families in the United States have become so dependent on handouts from the government that they are willing to sacrifice the education of their children. In fact, some parents have intentionally removed their children from literacy programs because it put them in jeopardy of losing their monthly checks which they receive because their children cannot read or write. "One of the ways you get on this [welfare] program is having problems in school. If you do better in school, you threaten the income of the parents. It's a terrible incentive," said Richard V. Buckhauser, an economist at Cornell University. (29) Today there are more than 1.2 million children receiving Supplemental Security Income or SSI in the United States. Although some of these children suffer from a legitimate disability, others in the program do not, and they are likely to be dependent on the government for the rest of their lives. According to a study from 2009, about two-thirds of those children will continue receiving SSI after they transition into adulthood. (30)

The Bible does instruct us to be charitable and to help the poor. However, assistance given to those in need should be done with the intent of helping them rise out of poverty, not keeping them in it. I believe Obama has intentionally expanded welfare programs in the United States because he wants the masses to be dependent on the government. Such people will be far more compliant with government demands and willing to do anything to keep receiving their handouts. Many would probably even accept a mark in their right hand or forehead if it was a requirement to receive benefits from various welfare programs.

Efforts To Make Science Fiction Into Science Fact!

In this modern world, technology advances so quickly that it is often difficult to keep up with all of the latest developments. While many technologies have been developed under the pretense of making our lives easier, much of it is also being quietly designed to serve as the infrastructure for the forthcoming antichrist beast system.

How does the technology industry envision the future? A revealing article published on October 15, 2012, describes what Eric E. Schmidt, the executive chairman at Google, believes the future will be like. He describes a world with driverless cars, devices that return phone calls and schedule events automatically by using artificial intelligence, and a micro-robot which he ingests that will monitor his health. Mr. Schmidt describes a system which encompasses every aspect of the human life and grants instant access to all available information to every man, woman and child on the globe, even those in third world countries currently bereft of any technological advancements. "Imagine going from no information to all the world's information with one device. No textbooks to all textbooks. No language to all language," Schmidt said. It is Google's hope that technology will become so entwined with our human experience that it will become second-nature and that people will forget that it is even there. "Eventually technology just disappears. It's the ultimate achievement," Schmidt declared. (31)

Members of the National Intelligence Council have also offered their predictions regarding what they believe the world will be like in the future. One technology they expect to see developed by the year 2030 are artificial limbs which connect with the human neurological system. "As replacement limb technology advances, people may choose to enhance their physical selves as they do with cosmetic surgery today. Future retinal eye implants could enable night vision, and neuro-enhancements could provide superior memory recall or speed of thought. Brain-machine interfaces could provide 'super-human' abilities, enhancing strength and speed, as well as providing functions not previously available," said members of the Council in a written statement. (32)

Meanwhile, scientists are making significant strides in the field of genetic engineering. In October 2012, it was reported that two types of genetically modified animals had been born. One animal is a genetically modified cow which produces milk that is free of an allergy-inducing protein known as beta-lactoglobulin. The other animal is a pig with disrupted genes that they hope will be useful in the study of human atherosclerosis. The scientists involved with the process are very proud of their accomplishments. "In essence, we are just mimicking an evolutionary process with precise, man-made editors," stated Bruce Whitelaw, a molecular biologist at the Roslin Institute in the United Kingdom. (33)

Reports have also surfaced indicating that human cloning may be possible in the not so distant future. According to Sir John Gurdon, a scientist who has worked extensively on cloning, human copies may be occupying this planet within the next fifty years. He has suggested that parents who have lost a child may soon be able to have a new clone produced in the lab. "I take the view that anything you can do to relieve suffering or improve human health will usually be widely accepted by the public - that is to say if cloning actually turned out to be solving some problems and was useful to people, I think it would be accepted," Gurdon stated. (34) He further went on to say, "The average vote on that is 60 percent in favor. The reasons for 'no' are usually that the new child would feel they were some sort of a replacement for something and not valid in their own right. But if the mother and father, if relevant, want to follow that route, why should you or I stop them?" (35)

The rapid development of technology has also brought about advanced new weapons the likes of which have never been seen before. One such weapon is a new missile equipped with microwaves, which has the capability of disabling computer systems without harming people or building structures. The project, which is codenamed the Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project, or CHAMP, was recently tested in the Utah desert by the aerospace and defense contractor Boeing. A representative from Boeing by the name of Keith Coleman was ecstatic over the results of their test. "In the near future, this technology may be used to render an enemy's electronic and data systems useless even before the first troops or aircraft arrive. We hit every target we wanted and made science fiction into science fact. When the computers went out, it actually took out the cameras as well. It was fantastic," Coleman declared. (36) Although this technology sounds remarkable, it could be devastating to the United States and other advanced nations in the Western world if it fell into the wrong hands. Professor Trevor Taylor of the Royal United Services Institute expressed grave concern over this possibility. "The historical record shows that important technologies developed in one country are developed elsewhere within a short period - look what happened with regard to the USSR and nuclear weapons. Should the U.S. be known to have developed such a technology to the production stage, it would drive others to try to act similarly. Western countries are more dependent on electronics-based IT than others and would be vulnerable to extensive disruption," Professor Taylor opined. (37)

Intensifying Persecution Of Christians In The Last Days!

In yet another indicator of the time in which we live, persecution of the Christian people around the world has continued to intensify in these last days. In Matthew 24:9, Jesus warned us that such persecution would occur when he told us, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

According to a report published in December 2012, an estimated 200 million Christians are persecuted around the world at this present time. "It is generally accepted that many faith-based groups face discrimination or persecution to some degree. A far less widely grasped fact is that Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers," stated a report by the think tank Civitas. (38) Persecution is widespread in China, where the godless communist government believes the underground growth of Christianity is spurred on by manipulation from western countries. "Western powers, with America at their head, deliberately export Christianity to China and carry out all kinds of illegal evangelistic activities. Their basic aim is to use Christianity to change the character of the regime… in China and overturn it," insisted Ma Hucheng, an advisor for the Chinese government. (39) The persecution against Christians is most extreme in the Islamic dominated countries of the Middle East. In fact, those who convert to Christianity in Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, and Iran often face a death penalty for leaving the Islamic faith. Persecution in the Middle East is so severe that the previously cited report by Civitas claims that Christianity could soon become extinct in the region. "There is now a serious risk that Christianity will disappear from its biblical heartlands," the report states. (40)

Many of us are blessed to live in a region of the world where we can practice our Christian beliefs openly without fear of reprisal for the most part. However, we must remember that we too may face persecution in the future. In any case, we should always remember the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5:11-12, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

In closing, I know there is much more that could be said about the amazing events happening all around us each and every day. The year of 2012 was truly a significant time period in history insomuch that Luke 21:10-11 provides a very accurate description of the last twelve months. These Scriptures warn us, "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." It is of the utmost importance that we continue to watch and pray as we see the signs unfold all around us that indicate Jesus Christ is coming soon. If you have not yet completely given your heart to God, I urge you to do so now.

Thank you to all who so generously support this ministry. It is truly a blessing to be able to serve each and every one of you, and we are grateful that God has given us the resources to do so. I expect 2013 to be a very eventful year, and we at Last Trumpet Ministries will continue to work as faithfully as we can for the cause of Christ. As usual, if you have any prayer requests, please feel welcome to send them our way. Each request is always given personal attention and we fully believe in the power of prayer. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Samuel David Meyer

Acknowledgements
01. Wikipedia, 2012 Aurora Shooting, http://wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Aurora_shooting.
02. Wikipedia, Wisconsin Sikh Temple Shooting, http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Sikh_temple_shooting.
03. CBS News, December 14, 2012, By CBS News, http://newyork.cbslocal.com.
04. The Huffington Post, December 17, 2012, By The Huffington Post, http://huffingtonpost.com.
05. Natural News, December 18, 2012, By Jon Rappoport, http://naturalnews.com.
06. Ugo, December 16, 2011, By Greg Katzman, http://ugo.com.
07. The Washington Post, December 16, 2012, By Sean Sullivan, http://washingtonpost.com.
08. The Huffington Post, December 19, 2012, By The Huffington Post, http://huffingtonpost.com.
09. The New York Times, December 19, 2012, By Michael D. Shear, Washington, D.C.
10. Quotes from the Founding Fathers and Their Contemporaries, http://guncite.com/gc2ndfqu.html.
11. Xinhua, December 14, 2012, By Xinhua, http://xinhuanet.com/english/.
12. RT News, December 17, 2012, By RT News, http://rt.com.
13. CBS News, November 30, 2012, By Jennifer De Pinto and Stephanie Condon, http://cbsnews.com.
14. The Atlantic, November 7, 2012, By Ashley Fetters, http://theatlantic.com.
15. CNS News, December 10, 2012, By Penny Starr, http://cnsnews.com.
16. Associated Press, December 9, 2012, By Associated Press, Seattle, WA.
17. USA Today, December 21, 2012, By Paul Singer, http://usatoday.com.
18. Ibid.
19. The Huffington Post, December 20, 2012, By The Huffington Post, http://huffingtonpost.com.
20. Amazon.com, Queen James Bible, http://amazon.com.
21. PR Web, December 12, 2012, By PR Web, San Francisco, CA.
22. The Queen James Bible Official Website, Editor's Notes, http://queenjamesbible.com.
23. The Weekly Standard, August 8, 2012, By Daniel Halper, http://weeklystandard.com.
24. The Washington Times, October 18, 2012, By Stephen Dinan, http://washingtontimes.com.
25. Ibid.
26. The Heritage Foundation, October 16, 2012, http://heritage.org.
27. Breitbart, November 23, 2012, By Wynton Hall, http://breitbart.com.
28. Ibid.
29. The New York Times, December 7, 2012, By Nicholas D. Kristof, Jackson, KY.
30. Ibid.
31. The New York Times, October 15, 2012, By Claire Cain Miller, http://nytimes.com.
32. Wired Magazine, December 10, 2012, By Noah Shachtman, http://wired.com.
33. Nature.com, October 2, 2012, By Amy Maxmen, http://nature.com.
34. The Telegraph, December 18, 2012, By Nick Collins, http://telegraph.co.uk.
35. Ibid.
36. The Daily Mail, December 1, 2012, By Ben Ellery, http://dailymail.co.uk.
37. Ibid.
38. The Telegraph, December 23, 2012, By Edward Malnick, http://telegraph.co.uk.
39. Ibid.
40. Ibid.

Special Note: A new tribute website for Pastor David J. Meyer can now be accessed at http://pastormeyer.org.

Comments regarding this newsletter or topic suggestions may be submitted to editor@lasttrumpetnewsletter.org. If you would like to submit a prayer request, you may send email to prayer@ltmmail.org or mail it to our postal address.




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Piers Morgan: Time to Amend the Bible







About Share Add to


Published on Dec 26, 2012

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Poison Pill and Gold Debate


Sunday, December 30, 2012 10:15 PM




In Ho Hum - Fiscal Cliff Deal Stalls - Republicans Offer More and More Concessions; Poison Pill Nonsense I stated ...

"The real poison pill is allowing Social Security and Medicare costs to escalate unabated. Does anyone in either party want to admit the truth? ... the best hope still remains that all compromises fail."

The above thought prompted Uncle Frank to respond in a comment "Mish relishes chaos and financial ruin for this country so his gold holdings shoot-up in value. Everyone has an ulterior motive you know."

Ulterior Motives?

Since I get accused of this sort of thing quite frequently, please let me point out a few things:


Gold has been sinking, as it should, if Congress is fiscally prudent.
Government Should be Prudent
Government Won't Be Prudent
Should Congress be fiscally prudent (and the fiscal cliff is not close to being fiscally prudent), I would change my stance on gold in one second flat.

Nonetheless, should Congress fail to address the Fiscal Cliff, I would expect the exact opposite of what Uncle Frank suggests.

In short, regardless of my personal beliefs regarding gold (that one would be prudent to buy and hold gold), I actually advocate government and Fed policies that are contrary to my recommendations.

My reasons are easily explained:


Neither the Fed nor the government gives a darn about what is fiscally prudent.
Both the Fed and Congress are highly likely to debase currency, causing gold to rise, even if I think that is bad economic and fiscal policy, which of course I do.
Thus the accusations of Uncle Frank, and countless others before him are 100% baseless. Should Congress actually do what I expect, I think it would not be good for gold.

I recommend governmental actions on the basis of policy merit alone, not based on my stock market positioning. I find it very sad that few others do the same.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com


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Jesuit Conference Statement on Taxes and the Fiscal Cliff


28 November 2012



Editor’s Note: The U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration are working to agree to a deal that would avert the so-called fiscal cliff, the convergence of an estimated $1.2 trillion in tax increases and spending cuts over the course of the next decade that threaten to trigger another recession. As policymakers weigh their respective positions, the Jesuit Conference of the United States asks all those involved in this critical debate to remember the many Americans standing at the edge of this cliff.

Policymakers in Washington face difficult choices as they attempt to reach a deficit reduction agreement before year’s end. Their decisions will have long-lasting implications for our nation’s future, and underlying these decisions is a moral question: What kind of society do we want to be? Presumably a moral one, and being a moral society requires feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger and caring for the sick.

A moral society also shares burdens in difficult times; therefore it asks more from its members who have more. Accordingly, the Jesuit Conference, representing the Society of Jesus in the United States, the largest religious community of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church, opposes any deficit reduction plan that requires more from those who have less by balancing the nation’s budget on the backs of the poor and vulnerable. Government has a responsibility to provide for its citizens in their time of need, particularly those who cannot provide for themselves.

Recent census data reveals the wealthiest households in the U.S. saw unprecedented income growth over the past ten years while low income and middle class Americans suffered significantly from the economic downturn. Median household income has decreased for all but the top 5% of income groups. Poor and working-class Americans cannot afford to shoulder an even greater portion of our country’s economic burden.

A number of deficit reduction alternatives can reduce our nation’s debt without dramatically altering the social safety net. First and foremost is an increase in revenue, but revenues will not rise if the government continues to provide tax cuts and exemptions for top income earners.

The U.S. Conference of Catholics of Bishops stresses that, “The tax system should be continually evaluated in terms of its impact on the poor.” When faced with the choice of preserving essential services or preserving tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, the moral choice is clear. The Jesuit Conference of the United States supports a tax system that seeks more from the economically prosperous because doing so is a fiscally sound and equitable means to balance the budget. Deficit reduction must not increase the burden on members of our society who have seen incomes decline, jobs disappear and public benefits evaporate. Rather, now is the time to commit to just and fair deficit reduction policies that foster the common good and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.


,,,,

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Fathers disappear from households across America

Big increase in single mothers


By Luke Rosiak


The Washington Times

Tuesday, December 25, 2012





Fifteen million U.S. children, or 1 in 3, live without a father. ...more >


RELATED STORIES
Missing dads is a problem 
not only in poor 
homes



Nicole Hawkins‘ three daughters have matching glittery boots, but none has the same father. Each has uniquely colored ties in her hair, but none has a dad present in her life.

As another single mother on Sumner Road decked her row-house stoop with Christmas lights and a plastic Santa, Ms. Hawkins recalled that her middle child’s father has never spent a holiday or birthday with her. In her neighborhood in Southeast Washington, 1 in 10 children live with both parents, and 84 percent live with only their mother.

In every state, the portion of families where children have two parents, rather than one, has dropped significantly over the past decade. Even as the country added 160,000 families with children, the number of two-parent households decreased by 1.2 million. Fifteen million U.S. children, or 1 in 3, live without a father, and nearly 5 million live without a mother. In 1960, just 11 percent of American children lived in homes without fathers.

America is awash in poverty, crime, drugs and other problems, but more than perhaps anything else, it all comes down to this, said Vincent DiCaro, vice president of the National Fatherhood Initiative: Deal with absent fathers, and the rest follows.

People “look at a child in need, in poverty or failing in school, and ask, ‘What can we do to help?’ But what we do is ask, ‘Why does that child need help in the first place?’ And the answer is often it’s because [the child lacks] a responsible and involved father,” he said.

Dangerous spiral

The spiral continues each year. Married couples with children have an average income of $80,000, compared with $24,000 for single mothers.

“We have one class that thinks marriage and fatherhood is important, and another which doesn’t, and it’s causing that gap, income inequality, to get wider,” Mr. DiCaro said.

The predilection among men to walk away from their babies is concentrated in the inner cities. In Baltimore, 38 percent of families have two parents, and in St. Louis the portion is 40 percent.

The near-total absence of male role models has ripped a hole the size of half the population in urban areas.

Tiny selfless deeds trickle in to fill that hole as the natural human desire for intimacy is fulfilled: One afternoon last week as a girl hoisted a half-eaten ice cream sandwich high over her pigtailed head, Larry McManus, the father of the girl’s sister, bent down to eat out of her hands as he picked up the girls from school.

“I know dads that say they ain’t their kids. I see dads being disrespectful of the mothers. And I see ones who take other men’s kids to football games because they know their fathers aren’t around,” said Mr. McManus, an ex-felon who said he is “trying to make a lot of changes right now.”

Asked his daughter’s age, he consults with her sister.

“Five. She’s in pre-K,” the girl answered.

“She’s 5,” he echoed. “Mmm, that was good,” he said gently of the ice cream sandwich. “Can I have another bite, please?”

Racial divide

Though income is the primary predictor, the lack of live-in fathers also is overwhelmingly a black problem, regardless of poverty status, census data show. Among blacks, nearly 5 million children, or 54 percent, live with only their mother. Twelve percent of black families below the poverty line have two parents present, compared with 41 percent of impoverished Hispanic families and 32 percent of poor white families.

The schism is most apparent in the District, which has a higher portion of two-parent families among whites, at 85 percent, and a lower share among blacks, at 25 percent, than any state.

In all but 11 states, most black children do not live with both parents. In every state, 7 in 10 white children do. In all states but Rhode Island and Massachusetts, most Hispanic children do. In Wisconsin, 77 percent of white children and 61 percent of Hispanics live with both parents, compared with more than 25 percent of black children.

“Something has to be done about it, and it starts with the culture and reversing the attitude that marriage is not important. The president has a role to play in that. He’s a married African-American father who can probably make a huge difference with words alone,” Mr. DiCaro said.

But the move toward single-parent homes has included every race, and from Curtis Bay in Baltimore to Millcreek outside Salt Lake City to Vancouver, Wash., just north of Portland, there are 1,500 neighborhoods with substantial white populations where most white households lack fathers. Maine, Vermont and West Virginia have the lowest dual-parenthood rates for whites.

Southern cross

The decline has hit disproportionately in the South, which considers itself a bastion of traditional family values.

Even in places where the percentage of the black population declined, single parenthood increased over the past decade, The Washington Times’ analysis of census data shows. In South Carolina, where the black share of the population fell by 2 percent, single parenthood rose by 5 percent. In Kentucky and Louisiana, where the black population was constant, single parenthood increased 6 percentage points.

“In places you’d think values are at least talked about, they are not lived out necessarily. Education and income seem to trump them. The people who might not be preaching family values, like coastal upper-class communities, those are the people who are waiting to get married,” Mr. DiCaro said.

The largest geographic area of sustained fatherlessness contains the rural, largely black poor across Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, tributaries of broken homes running 400 miles along the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tenn., where in some neighborhoods 82 percent of children live with their mothers alone, to Baton Rouge, La., in parts of which less than one-fifth of children have both parents at home.

Black families differ from other racial groups in that the average black single mother has more children, not fewer, than her counterpart with a father present. Hispanic single mothers were most often dealing with the most mouths to feed but still had fewer children than their married counterparts.

To have and to hold

Mr. DiCaro points to a desire among the poor to produce something.

“When you have very little going for you in your life, having children can give purpose to it. If you’re married, you’re going to be much more cautious. There’s health care costs and our jobs, whereas if we were both just kind of doing whatever, then why not just have another kid?”

Mr. McManus is quick to blame the absence of fathers to deaths or incarcerations, though women point out that many absent fathers live around the corner. Mr. McManus attributes that to the young age of many parents who are not ready to be “tied down.” He said women who need help with their children will seek the companionship of other men who they think can be father figures.

Ms. Hawkins, the mother of three, lives with her youngest child’s father but considers herself a single parent.

“When he’s home, he’s watching TV; it’s his time. I get no help. Financially, he’s been a good provider,” she said, even for the children who aren’t his. But “as far as being involved in activities, not so much.”

Her relationship with her eldest child’s father ended over his refusal to support their offspring, and her second child’s father is in prison.

“My oldest was raised by both parents, so it’s just selfish,” she said, but “my middle one, he wasn’t raised by either parent, so he doesn’t know how.”

“We need more fatherhood initiatives,” she said, pointing to government- and nonprofit-funded programs at churches, prisons and community centers, such as those offered by Mr. DiCaro’s group, “so they can see what they’re missing.”

Just then, her daughter Nadya picked up a tree branch and strummed it like a guitar, jumping up and down, all smiles. Ms. Hawkins reconsidered her thoughts on government programs.

“Though to me, that’s the initiative right there,” she said. “You can talk till you’re blue in the face about how to do it, but ultimately, you just have to do it.”



Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/25/fathers-disappear-from-households-across-america/#ixzz2GaYwtSZL.
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Congress Extends FISA Wiretapping Act To 2017; Awaits Obama's Signature


by BILL CHAPPELL

December 28, 2012 5:45 PM





National Intelligence Director James Clapper leaves the Capitol after briefing members of Congress earlier this month. The Senate voted Friday to extend the FISA Amendments Act to 2017, granting federal agencies wide surveillance powers.J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The FISA Amendments Act has been approved for another five years, as the Senate voted to renew the law that grants the government wide surveillance authority. President Obama has said he intends to sign the measure, which senators approved by a 73-23 margin Friday morning. It had already won approval in the House.

The controversial bill, which allows federal agencies to eavesdrop on communications and review email without following an open and public warrant process, has long been a target for privacy and rights groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union, which is involved in a Supreme Court case over FISA.

The original Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act dates back to 1978; it was expanded during the Bush administration in 2008, to allow both foreign and domestic surveillance without a warrant, as long as the intent is to gather foreign intelligence.

When it was amended in 2008, FISA also provided "retroactive immunity to the telecom companies that assisted the Bush administration in its warrantless wiretapping program," as Open Congress notes in its summary.

Before Friday's vote, the 2012 FISA extension faced several attempts to amend it, including one made by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who sought to require the director of national intelligence to share information about telephone and email surveillance —how many Americans have been monitored, for instance, or whether communications between Americans is reviewed.

The Wyden amendment was rejected by a 52-43 vote, an indication of the contentiousness surrounding the bill's granting of intelligence-gathering powers. The amendment had bipartisan support that included Democratic Sens. Al Franken and Patty Murray and Republican Sens. Dean Heller and Pat Toomey, among others.

But the measure also faced bipartisan opposition. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), the ranking members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, spoke against the Wyden amendment, with Feinstein saying it would expose "information about a very effective intelligence collection program that is currently classified." She added that the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees already review all of the material.


A similar measure, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), sought to require the Attorney General to disclose some of the decisions and orders issued by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, whose records are generally not available to the public. The Merkley measure failed by a 54-37 margin.

Another amendment, offered by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), sought "to ensure adequate protection of the rights under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States" — the portion of the Bill of Rights that protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure. Paul's amendment was defeated, 79-12.




Source


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Obama Orders Pay Raise for Biden, Members of Congress, Federal Workers

12:50 PM, DEC 28, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER

President Barack Obama issued an executive order to end the pay freeze on federal employees, in effect giving some federal workers a raise. One federal worker now to receive a pay increase is Vice President Joe Biden.

According to disclosure forms, Biden made a cool $225,521 last year. After the pay increase, he'll now make $231,900 per year.

Members of Congress, from the House and Senate, also will receive a little bump, as their annual salary will go from $174,000 to 174,900. Leadership in Congress, including the speaker of the House, will likewise get an increase.

Here's the list of new wages, as attached to President Obama's executive order:



"A new executive order has been issued providing for a new pay schedule beginning 'on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning after March 27, 2013,'" reports FedSmith.com. "The pay raise will generally be about 1/2 of 1%."

Jeryl Bier points to an example of the pay increase for average government executives:




"Not much of an increase, but an increase all the same," Bier notes.

And the timing isn't great either: Just as President Obama and Congress try to avert going over the "fiscal cliff," he doles out pay increases to federal workers.

UPDATE: According to a senior Republican congressional aide who has reviewed the executive order and consulted with the Congressional Budget Office, Obama's pay raise will cost $11 billion. "The CBO told us that the President’s pay raise for federal workers will cost $11 billion over ten years," says the aide.

The aide explains, "On the cost-estimate, CBO says the (discretionary) cost of the .5% pay-hike the President is calling for in the Exec Order – relative to a freeze – is about $500m in FY 2013 and $11 billion over the ten years from FY 13 - FY 22. The reason why the FY ’13 savings is only $500 million is because the pay hike as proposed by the President’s Exec Order would not go into effect until April 1st, 2013 - when the current CR expires. So it only covers half the fiscal year. The annualized cost of the pay hike is about $1 billion/year."


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Off to Wonderland!



As I observe the proceedings on Capitol Hill (and on the media), I get an feeling of Deja Vu, as if  we are reliving Y2K all over again.    The same FEAR MONGERING that took place back in the fall of 1999.   Besides that, I also get an impression of children at play, magical thinking comes to mind.;  It's like Green Eggs and Ham time in Washington D.C.; a time of Horse play and Toomfoolery, etc... The childhood games of King of the Hill and Hide and Seek: "It's all your fault", "my Dad is tougher than your Dad" and "the sun was in my eyes', ring in my ear as I watch in amazement at another sham in the making in the halls of the Federal Government. 

Alice in Wonderland is a perfect analogy for a time such as this. 
So, in the spirit of child's play let's crawl down the Rabbit's Hole and submerge into Wonderland...

Walt Disney's "Alice in Worderalnd" (1951).

1951-

That was a time before Sputnik, before the Cuban Revolution, Patrice Lumumba, when the French pulled out of Indo-China, and the Eisenhower Administration - when Ike mentioned in his farewell speech The Military Congressional Industrial Complex...  so, here we go over the Fiscal Cliff and down the hole...


Speaking of FANtasy...

Off to Wondeland.....





Sometimes "I am not all there": Cheshire Cat.


  I'm late, I'm late...  
Arsenio.   .

Saturday, December 29, 2012

a great reformation


" The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? -- The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure."


Testimonies for the Church Vol. 7, p.39.
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The Shaking & the Sealing - Ron Spear





Published on Sep 20, 2012


No description available.


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The Feast of Trumpets .wmv





siberjohn1·

Uploaded on Oct 3, 2010


The late Dr Russell Standish went to Avondale College in Australia, he studied medicine garaduating as a physician in 1964. He has served on the boards of a number of Seventh-Day Adventist education institutions. He was dedicated to the scriptural and Spirit of Prophecy principles of education and the work of God.


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Friday, December 28, 2012

Adventist - Catholic Connection -- Bill Hughes






HistoricAdventTruth·

Published on Sep 23, 2012


See how the SDA church is connected to the beast, as arranged by the conference leaders.
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What Day is the Sabbath Day?



The Author of the Sabbath is the Author of the Christian religion --- Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

He it was who brought the world into existence, making it in six days. He it was who rested on the seventh day, and blessed that day, and made it holy. For the Son of God was and is the Creator. "All things were made by him."

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:1-3). "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not" (verse 10). "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (verse 14).

"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him" (Colossians 1:15, 16).

The time when He made the Sabbath, as we have already seen, was at the end of the Creation week. (Genesis 2:1-3) The way in which He made the Sabbath was by taking a day, the seventh day, and resting on it, blessing it, and sanctifying it.

The Sabbath a Day, Not an Institution

The material out of which He made the Sabbath was the seventh day. He took that day, and out of it made the Sabbath. The Sabbath is not something He placed on the day. It is the day itself. "The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God."

We are not commanded to "remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy." The command is, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it [the day] holy." The Sabbath is not something apart from the day, which can be shifted about and perhaps placed on another day. It is the day itself, the seventh day.

We hear much today about a Sabbath institution. But the Bible never speaks of a Sabbath institution. It talks about the Sabbath day. There is no such thing as a Sabbath institution that was blessed and made holy for the benefit of humanity, apart from the day.

It was the day that was blessed and made holy; and it is the day that thus becomes the Sabbath.

The day that God blessed can never be taken from the Sabbath. The Sabbath can never be taken from the day that God blessed. These cannot be separated. They are inseparable because they are one.

The seventh day is the Sabbath; the Sabbath is the seventh day.

Jesus made the Sabbath for the entire human race, not for one section or one nation. "The Sabbath was made for man" (Mark 2:27).

- The Attempt to Change God's Holy Day ... from Sabbath to Sunday, Carlyle B. Haynes, p. 13-14


Source
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Police say NYC subway push victim was from India, release video of woman fleeing








Video: A man was killed on Thursday night, after he was pushed in front of a New York subway train. Police are looking for a woman who was seen fleeing the area.


Read more

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Chicago Mayor Shows Support for City’s Cristo Rey Schools

20 December 2012



Jesuit Father Chris Devron, president of Christ the King College Preparatory School


Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is a big supporter of his city’s two Jesuit Cristo Rey Network schools, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School. He recently took part in an event at Loyola University Chicago with the goal of creating 30 jobs for the schools’ corporate work-study programs for students. At Cristo Rey schools, students work part-time, and their salaries help pay tuition.

“If you’re serious about education and that it can open doors, you’ll do this. You’re not leaving until you do,” Emanuel told those gathered, which included some of the biggest names in Chicago business. Emanuel also announced that he had added another work-study job to the one already in his office.

Jesuit Father Chris Devron, president of Christ the King, says the event brought commitments for 28 jobs. Four students share each full-time, entry-level position, and they work one day a week.

“The mayor might be disappointed we didn’t meet the 30 goal, but we still might get two more,” says Fr. Devron, who became friends with Emanuel when he was running for mayor.

Fr. Devron wanted Emanuel to see his school’s work-study program, and Emanuel visited Christ the King on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2011.

“He [the mayor] says, ‘I’m assuming all these kids are Catholic.’ And I say, ‘only 10 percent,’ ” Fr. Devron recalls. “You could see the light bulb go on in the mayor’s head because he saw the commitment went beyond religion.”

Emanuel promised his support that day.

“I don’t care if it’s a magnet school, baccalaureate school, military, charter, parochial,” Emanuel said in an interview after the job-raising event. “I want educational excellence, and I’ll look at anything.”

Of the work-study program, the mayor says it shows “that regardless of backgrounds of kids, you can succeed educationally.” [Crain’s Chicago Business]

Below is a recent ABC Chicago segment on Christ the King students sharing a Chicago City Hall job.



Source
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Sandy Hook: Mind control flicker effect

Mind control achieved through the “information flicker effect”

by Jon Rappoport

December 19, 2012

www.nomorefakenews.com

No, I’m not talking about the flicker of the television picture. I’m talking about an on-off switch that controls information conveyed to the television audience.

The Sandy Hook school murders provide an example.

First of all, elite media coverage of this tragedy has one goal: to provide an expanding narrative of what happened. It’s a story. It has a plot.

In order to tell the story, there has to be a source of information. The top-flight television anchors are getting their information from…where?

Their junior reporters? Not really. Ultimately, the information is coming from the police, and secondarily from local officials.

In other words, very little actual journalism is happening. The media anchors are absorbing, arranging, and broadcasting details given to them by the police investigators.

The anchors are PR people for the cops.

This has nothing to do with journalism. Nothing.

The law-enforcement agencies investigating the Sandy Hook shootings on the scene, in real time, were following up on leads? We don’t know what leads they were following and what leads they were discarding. We don’t know what mistakes they were making. We don’t know what evidence they were overlooking or intentionally ignoring. We don’t know whether there were any corrupt cops who were slanting evidence.

The police were periodically giving out information to the media. The anchors were relaying this information to the audience.

So when the police privately tell reporters, “We chased a suspect into the woods above the school,” that becomes a television fact. Until it isn’t a fact any longer.

The police, for whatever reason, decide to drop the whole “suspect in the woods” angle. Why? No idea.

Therefore, the media anchors no longer mention it.

Instead the police are focused on Adam Lanza, who is found dead in the school. So are the television anchors, who no longer refer to the suspect in the woods.

That old thread is gone down the memory hole.

What does this do to the audience who has been following the narrative on television? It sets up a flicker effect. An hour ago, it was suspect in the woods. Now, that bit of data is gone. On-off switch. It was on, now it’s off.

This is a break in logic. It makes no sense.

Which is the whole point.

The viewer thinks: “Let’s see. There was a suspect in the woods. The cops were chasing him. Now he doesn’t exist. We don’t know his name. We don’t know why he’s off the radar. We don’t know whether he was arrested. We don’t know if he was questioned. Okay, I guess I’ll have to forget all about him. I’ll just track what the anchor is telling me. He’s telling the story. I have to follow his story.”

This was only one flicker. Others occur. The father of Adam’s brother was found dead. No, that’s gone now. The mother of Adam was found dead. Okay. Adam killed all these children with two pistols. No, that’s gone now. He used a rifle. It was a Bushmaster. No, it was a Sig Sauer. One weapon was found in the trunk of a car. No, three weapons.

At each succeeding point, a fact previously reported is jettisoned and forgotten, to be replaced with a new fact. The television viewer has to forget, along with the television anchor. The viewer wants to follow the developing narrative, so he has to forget. He has no choice if he wants to “stay in the loop.”

But this flicker effect does something to the viewer’s mind. His mind is no longer sharp. It’s not generating questions. Logic has been offloaded. Obvious questions and doubts are shelved.

“How could they think it was the dead father in New Jersey when it was actually the dead mother in Connecticut?”

“Why did they say he used two handguns when it was a rifle?”

“Or was it really a rifle?”

“I heard a boy on camera say there was another man the cops caught and they had him proned out on the ground in front of the school. What happened to him? Where did he go? Why isn’t the anchor keeping track of him?”

All these obvious and reasonable questions have to be scratched and forgotten, because the television story is moving into different territory, and the viewer wants to follow the story.

This constant flicker effect eventually produces, in the television viewer…passivity.

He surrenders to the ongoing narrative. Surrenders.

This is mind control.

The television anchor doesn’t have a problem. His job is to move seamlessly, through an ever-increasing series of contradictions and discarded details, to keep the narrative going, to keep it credible.

He knows how to do that. That’s why he is the anchor.

He can make it seem as if the story is a growing discovery of what really happened, even though his narrative is littered with abandoned clues and dead-ends and senseless non-sequiturs.

And the viewer pays the price.

Mired in passive acceptance of whatever the anchor is telling him, the viewer assumes his own grasp on logic and basic judgment is flawed.

Now, understand that this viewer has been watching television news for years. He’s watched many of these breaking events. The cumulative effect is devastating.

The possibility, for example, that Adam Lanza wasn’t the shooter, but was the patsy, is as remote to the viewer as a circus of ants doing Shakespeare on Mars.

The possibility that the cops hid evidence and were ordered to release other suspects is unthinkable.

Considering that there appears to be not one angry outraged parent in Newtown (because the network producers wouldn’t permit such a parent to be interviewed on camera) never occurs to the viewer.

Wondering why the doctor of Adam Lanza hasn’t been found and quizzed about the drugs he prescribed isn’t in the mind of the viewer.

The information flicker effect is powerful. It sweeps away independent thought and measured contemplation. It certainly rules out the possibility of imagining the murders in an alternative narrative.

Because there is only one narrative. It is delivered by Brian Williams and Scott Pelley and Diane Sawyer.

Interesting how they never disagree.

Never, in one of these horrendous events do the three kings and queens of television news end up with different versions of what happened.

What are the odds of that, if the three people are rational and inquisitive?

But these three anchors are not rational or inquisitive. They are synthetic creations of the machine that runs them.

They flicker yes and they flicker no. They edit and cut and discard and tailor as they go along. Yes, no, yes, no. On, off, on, off.

And the viewers follow, in a state of hypnosis.

Why?

Because the viewers are addicted to STORY. They are as solidly addicted as a junkie looking for his next shot.

“Tell me a story. I want a story. That was a good story, but now I’m bored. Tell me another story. Please? I need another story. Tell me the beginning and the middle and the end. I’m listening. I’m watching. Tell me a story.”

And the anchors oblige.

They deal the drug.

But to get the drug, the audience has to surrender everything they question. They have to submit to the flicker effect and go under. Actually, surrendering to the flicker effect deepens the addiction.

And the drug deal is consummated.

Welcome to television coverage.



Finally, while under hypnosis, the viewing audience is treated to a segueway that leads to…the guns. Something has to be done about the guns. The mind-control operation that brought the passive audience to this point takes them to the next moment of surrender, as if it were part of the same overall Sandy Hook story:

Give up the guns.

In their entrained and tranced state of mind, viewers don’t ask why law-enforcement agencies are so titanically armed to do police work in America, why those agencies have ordered well over a billion rounds of ammunition in the last six months, why every day the invasive surveillance of the population moves in deeper and deeper.

Viewers, in their trance, simply assume government is benevolent and should be weaponized to the teeth, because those viewers subliminally recognize that the television anchors are actually government allies and spokespeople, and aren’t those anchors good and kind and thoughtful and intelligent and honorable?

Therefore, isn’t the government also kind and honorable?

Jon Rappoport


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The Last Act in the Drama



The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the exaltation, by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is the last act in the drama. When this substitution becomes universal, God will reveal Himself. He will arise in His majesty to shake terribly the earth. He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity, and the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.—Testimonies for the Church 7:141.

When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery; it will be nothing else than giving life to the tyranny which has long been eagerly watching its opportunity to spring again into active despotism.—Testimonies for the Church 5:712.

By the decree of enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.—Testimonies for the Church 5:451.

The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.—Testimonies for the Church 5:464, 465. 


Christian Service,  p.161

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Italian Christians to Decide: Help the Economy or Honor Sundays


(Photo: Reuters/Giampiero Sposito)
Pope Benedict XVI conducts the holy mass of Pentecost Sunday in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 12, 2011.



I recently interviewed more than twenty pastors who had been in ministry for at ...

By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter

December 27, 2012|12:17 pm


Italians are being asked to choose between going an extra mile to help the nation's economy or keeping the traditional Christian day of rest work-free, after Prime Minister Mario Monti announced his support for a new law that would keep businesses open on Sundays.

The Roman Catholic Church, small business owners and Christians around the country have voiced their opposition to such plans, however. Sunday is considered a day of rest and a time for corporate worship for many Christians, who also believe the Bible calls for a sabbath.

"They are one of the few occasions left for families to be together," the Rev. Marco Scattolon of Camposampiero in Italy explained about the need to keep Sundays holy, saying that it was not just a religious issue.

Catholic bishops have even launched a campaign in protest of Prime Minister Monti's plans, and are hoping to get 50,000 signatures in order to try and repeal the law, the Religion News Service reported.

Small business owners under an association called Confesercenti fear that opening stores on Sundays actually serves to benefit larger retailers.

"The broad consensus in opposing Sunday openings shows that having a common weekly day for rest is something that benefits everyone, not just believers," added Luca Diotallevi, a Catholic sociologist who works with Italy's bishops on social issues. "Sunday has not just a social value but a theological one too: Man needs to have a holy day."

"People say: 'It's nice to have shops open on Sunday.' But I don't make extra sales on Sunday," says Aldina Orlandini, who runs a clothing shop in Bologna, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

"People have the right to rest one day per week. Am I not a human being? Don't I have a family?" Orlandini added. "The law should mandate a day off."

Catholic unions from 27 countries in the European Union have at the same time formed the "European Sunday Alliance" in Brussels, in order to lobby the E.U. to keep Sunday as a day of rest all across the continent, which is still predominantly Christian, despite the influx of Muslim immigrants and the steady rise of secularism in the past decade.

The European Sunday Alliance explains in its mission statement that "a work-free Sunday and decent working hours are of paramount importance for citizens throughout Europe." The organization claims that "all citizens of the European Union are entitled to benefit from decent working hours that, as a matter of principle, exclude working late evenings, nights, bank holidays and Sundays."

The organization has also posted several studies on its website explaining the health benefits of employees taking at least one day of rest throughout the week

Johanna Touzel, the group's spokeswoman, has said: "We need one day when everyone can rest -- this is the origin of Shabbat. And in fact, even Muslim organizations support us."
Source
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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Obama holiday drama




Obama holiday drama (0:31)

Dec. 27 - Barack Obama cuts short Hawaiian holiday to return to Washington for crucial budget talks. Adam Brauner reports. ( Transcript )

U.S. President Barack Obama cuts short his Hawaiian holiday and returns to Washington. Leaving his wife Michelle and two daughters behind, Obama's getting ready for a crucial budget deadline - with the White House andRepublicans still far apart. In one sign of hope, Speaker John Boehner has urged the Democrat-controlled Senate to avoid the so called fiscal cliff. He's offered to at least consider any bill the upper chamber produces. The President was due in the White House on Thursday morning.


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Related (Hawaii):
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Congress Moves Forward On Bill Without Protection From NDAA, Indefinite Detention Of Americans

Published On: Wed, Dec 19th, 2012

By Brandon Jones




Congress stripped a provision Tuesday from a defense bill that aimed to shield Americans from the possibility of being imprisoned indefinitely without trial by the military. The provision was replaced with a passage that appears to give citizens little protection from indefinite detention.



The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 was added by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), but there was no similar language in the version of the bill that passed the House, and it was dumped from the final bill released Tuesday after a conference committee from both chambers worked out a unified measure.

“I was saddened and disappointed that we could not take a step forward to ensure at the very least American citizens and legal residents could not be held in detention without charge or trial,” Feinstein said. “To me that was a no-brainer.”

It declared that “An authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States apprehended in the United States, unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such detention.”

The provision sparked a heated debate in the Senate, but ultimately passed by a wide majority with both supporters and opponents of U.S. terrorist detention practices voting for it, citing differing interpretations.

Feinstein offered the amendment to clarify a part of the 2012 NDAA that for the first time codified the ability of the military and White House to detain terrorism suspects.

The White House had threatened to veto both the House and Senate versions over numerous other provisions included in the legislation. Among them were restrictions on the executive’s ability to transfer prisoners from the prison for terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday he hoped the changes to the 2013 measure would be sufficient to win Obama’s signature.

“You’ll have to ask them, but again, I can’t predict what they will do. I think we made some significant changes, we worked very closely with Sec. Panetta and the Pentagon. It wasn’t as if we were doing all these things on our own,” McCain said.

Liberty minded groups, like the Tenth Amendment Center, continued to call for State nullification.

“A liberty minded governor and legislature would move immediately to nullify this in their State. The AG would be directed to instruct all State LEO to arrest any federal agent attempting to implement kidnapping. Sheriffs should also inform all federal agencies NDAA is illegal and perpetrators subject to arrest. Any federal operations in our Counties are subject to Sheriff approval or they must cease. That’s how it should be done,” Andrew Nappi of Florida’s Tenth Amendment said in a Facebook post Wednesday morning.


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The Old Prophet of Bethel




1 Kings 13: 1-32: 2 Kings 23: 17, 18.

Hamilton Smith.

The events recorded in the Thirteenth chapter of the First Book of Kings transpired in a day when the nation of Israel was falling into apostacy. For this reason they have special significance, and warning, for believers whose lot, as in the present day, is cast in the midst of a corrupt Christendom fast moving on to the great apostacy.

The story unfolded is mainly concerned with three persons — King Jeroboam, "a man of God out of Judah," and "an old prophet in Bethel."

Jeroboam had received a definite word from God through the prophet Ahijah, that he should reign over the ten tribes of Israel; and, he was told, that if he would hearken unto God's commands, walk in God's ways, and keep the statutes and commandments of the LORD, God would be with him and establish his house. Alas! when Jeroboam came to the throne, instead of depending upon God and His word he sought to establish his kingdom by his own devices. Having no faith in God he fell back on natural reason, and human schemes to keep the professing people of God together. So acting, he sealed the doom of his kingdom by setting up two golden calves, and saving to the people, "Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12: 28). One calf he set in Bethel and the other in Dan. The solemn result was the people became worshippers of these false gods, "sacrificing unto the calves;" and were thus led into apostacy. Bethel, where Jacob had set up a pillar as a witness to God's unconditional promise of blessing to the seed of Jacob, and God's unchanging faithfulness to His own word, becomes the witness to man's sin and apostacy. Through their leaders the enemy had succeeded in undermining the people's confidence in God and thus separating them from Him.

God, however, raised up a witness against this fearful evil. He sent a man of God out of Judah to Bethel to condemn the wickedness of Jeroboam. "By the word of the LORD," this man was enlightened as to the evil in Bethel. He learnt that this evil was so abhorrent to God that the day was soon coming when God would deal with it in judgment (v. 1, 2). He was directed by sign and word to witness against the evil (v. 3). He was specially warned against weakening his testimony by associating with the evil. He was to deliver his message, give his sign, and then depart. On no account was he to eat bread, or drink water, at Bethel, nor was he to turn again by the same way that he came. He was to have no fellowship with the false position of those who, while professing to be the people of God, were walking in disobedience to the word of the LORD (v. 9, 10).

With great faithfulness the man of God delivers his message and gives the sign, which comes to pass. The enraged king charges his servants to lay hold of the man of God, who is silent in the presence of threats and acts in interceding grace when God smites the man by whom he is threatened. Finally he is proof against the king's offer of rewards, and, in obedience to the word of the LORD, firmly refuses to eat or drink at Bethel.

In all these ways the man of God faithfully discharges his mission, and yet withal in a spirit of grace, while firmly refusing to be drawn into association with evil.

Passing on to the latter part of this instructive story, we find that faithfulness to the word of the LORD is put to a further and yet severer test. This portion of the story is introduced with the significant words: — "Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel" (v. 11). In the very place of the evil that the man of God was sent to denounce, and with which the LORD said he was not to have any association by eating or drinking — in this place, a brother prophet had found his dwelling. He was truly a prophet, and was aware of the evil, but, dwelling in a wrong association he not only was unable to witness against it, but actually put his sanction upon it. It is through this "brother" and "prophet" that the obedience of the man of God is put to the test. It is a severe test, for not only could this old man plead that he was a brother and a prophet, but he could plead the experience of age. Moreover, he shows much gracious hospitality to a weary and hungry brother. "Come home," he says, "with me, and eat bread." Above all he claims that an angel had given him "the word of the LORD" to bring the man of God back to his house.

To refuse such an appeal would appear to be putting a slight upon a brother prophet. It would also have the appearance of disrespect for old age, it would look like indifference to brotherly kindness that was so ready to show hospitality. Above all it would have the appearance of ignoring the direct word of the LORD by an angel. Yet the story clearly shows that behind all these specious reasons that nature might plead, there was the effort of the enemy to undermine the word of the Lord by involving the man of God in a wrong association.

How does the man of God act in the presence of this strong and subtle temptation? Alas! apparently on the plea of respect for old age, response to brotherly kindness, fellowship with a fellow-servant, and professed obedience to the word of the LORD, though this communication of the old prophet plainly invalidated and contradicted his first instructions from God, he allowed himself to be drawn into a wrong association by disobedience to them. An old prophet may alas! become a deceiver and seduce one from loyalty and obedience.

It is easy to see how serious was this disobedience to the word of God.

First, in turning back to eat and drink with the old prophet at Bethel, the man of God put his sanction on an association which God's word condemned.

Secondly, he put his sanction upon the unfaithfulness of the old prophet in living in such an association.

Thirdly, he nullified his own testimony by sanctioning the very evil against which he was sent to witness.

What, we may ask, should have kept the man of God from falling into this snare? His own word gives the answer, for he confesses, "So was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest." Evidently, then, his safe-guard against every effort to draw him into a false association was unswerving obedience to the word of God. In reference to this scene one has truly said, "Whenever God has made His will known to us, we are not to allow any after influence whatever to call it in question, even although the latter may take the form of the word of God . . . In every case our part is to obey what He has said."

If the word of God charged him not to eat and drink at Bethel, in spite of the fact that a brother prophet was dwelling there, was the man of God to turn back and eat and drink because a brother prophet was at Bethel? If his eye had been single would he not have discerned why the word of God so strictly forbad him to associate with the old prophet? How was it that, when God was denouncing evil at Bethel, He has to send a prophet from Judah, seeing there was already a prophet at Bethel? Does not this action tell us that the old prophet at Bethel was not himself separate from evil, and therefore not a vessel fit and meet for the Master's use?

Being in a false position the old prophet was ready to go to great lengths to get the man of God to sanction his unfaithfulness by associating with it. Alas! the man of God fell into the snare and destroyed his own testimony by associating with one who, while admitting the evil, yet bore with it.

Thus, as it has been truly said, of this man of God, "He is proof against temptation when presented in the form of evil, and he falls when tempted by apparent good. The voice of a brother, his standing and reputation, are honoured above the word of God. He disobeys God and accredits a lie in his brother . . . He triumphed over the opposition of the world without, and is seduced into unfaithfulness by a brother within." By abstaining from eating and drinking with the king he took God's part against the evil: by returning to eat and drink with the old prophet he took his part in associating with it.

The last part of the story (verses 20 to 32) clearly shows that God is not indifferent to the unfaithfulness of the old prophet nor the failure of the man of God. In the governmental ways of God both come under His chastening.

The old prophet is justly punished inasmuch as God compels him to expose his own duplicity by pronouncing judgment upon the man of God. As to the man of God, he has to learn that, if he regards the word of his brother more than the word of God, the very one by whom he has been drawn into disobedience will be the instrument in God's hand for exposing his sin.

The severity of the judgment that overtakes the man of God clearly shows how deeply God resented his disobedience.

The LORD had given this man of God great light as to the evil of Bethel and His abhorrence of it, and the judgment that was coming upon it. Great honour had been put upon him in being used as a witness against the evil. God had plainly warned him against being entangled in a false association. In spite of light, and privilege, and warning he allowed himself to be drawn into a false association with the result that in spite of all former faithfulness, and boldness. his career as a witness for God is closed on earth. It is no small matter to disregard the word of God and sin against the light.

Nevertheless we are permitted to see that if God, in His holiness, has to chasten His people for their failure and unfaithfulness, yet He is not unrighteous to forget any work or labour of love that has been shown toward His Name. So it comes to pass that three hundred and fifty years after these events. when Josiah carries out the word of the Lord. by the man of God, and burns the bones of the false prophets, he spares the sepulchre of the man of God who came from Judah and the old prophet of Bethel. Through their unfaithfulness, the people of God may come under His chastening: but, through the faithfulness of God they will not share in the judgment that overtakes the world (2 Kings 23: 15-18).

In seeking to apply the lessons of this striking story, we do well to remember three great facts:-

First, in the day in which we live there has been, by the grace of God, a recovery of the great truths concerning Christ and the Church as revealed in the word of God.

Secondly, in the light of the recovery of the truth many have had their eyes opened to see how far Christendom has departed from the truth. Like the man out of Judah, we see that, as it was in Israel, so in Christendom, the corrupt condition of the professing mass is leading to apostacy and judgment.

Thirdly, with our eyes opened to see the departure from the truth, we have also been enlightened as to God's mind for the individual believer in relation to the corruption of Christendom. We have learned that the knowledge of the truth on the one hand, and the corruption of Christendom on the other, demands entire separation from that which is a denial of the truth and is coming under the judgment of God.

Christendom has organized itself into a number of systems and denominations which form a religion established on earth, having a human order of priests between the people and God — a religion suited to man in the flesh. Such a religion was Judaism, and such Christendom has become. God calls this system "the Camp," and from such, true believers are exhorted "To go forth ... unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach" (Heb. 12: 13),

Moreover, we read, "Let everyone that nameth the name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity," and, again, we are to "purge" ourselves from vessels to dishonour, and "flee also youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2: 19-22).

Thus the word of God makes it very clear that in a day of ruin the separation to which we are called is both ecclesiastical and personal. Alas! there may be one without the other. We may be truly separate from the ecclesiastical evil and yet fail in personal holiness. Or there may be personal separation, as in the church at Sardis where there were a few names which had not defiled their garments, but no separation from a lifeless and condemned ecclesiastical system. True separation to Christ combines both. And, as in the days of the man of God from Judah, so in ours, the power of our testimony will be in proportion to the reality of our separation.

This being so, those who have gone without the Camp unto Christ will find, as with the man of God from Judah, all the efforts of the enemy will be directed to marring their testimony by once again drawing them into associations condemned by the word of God. To gain his ends the devil employs today the same devices by which he sought to encompass the downfall of the man of God. First, he will seek to entangle us in false associations by some worldly advantage that the association may offer, even as he sought to entice the man of God into disobedience to the word of God by the King's rewards. Secondly, having failed to turn us aside by this device he will endeavour to do so by the much more subtle device of a fellow Christian in a false position.

Many, like the man of God of old, may firmly reject the first device only to fall by the second. We may see that the association is condemned by the word of God, and one, if there were no Christians in it, that we should have nothing to do with. This being so we may well ask ourselves, Are we right in going back into a false association under the plea that Christians are there? If God calls us out of the Camp, in spite of some remaining in the Camp, can it be right to return to the Camp because they are there?

Nevertheless the appeal to go back often comes with great force and under many specious pleas. Brotherly love, old friendships, the desire to help the Lord's people and strengthen the things that remain, may all be used as reasons for going back into associations condemned by the word of God. Moreover, we have the flesh in us, and at times the call to go back may flatter the vanity and self-importance of the natural heart. Nor can we shut our eyes to the fact that the brother. who seeks to draw us back, also has the flesh in him, and, as with the old prophet of Bethel, may seek to draw us into a wrong association with the low motive of seeking to justify himself in that false position.

The fact that we have left associations condemned by the word of God, is in itself a testimony against them. To go back is to annul our testimony and, in principle, build again the things we have destroyed.

Moreover, we may well ask, Does the brother by going back into a false association really help the Christians in the false position? Or, will he by so doing deliver such from a false association? It is evident that the man of God by eating and drinking at Bethel in disobedience to the word of God, neither helped the old prophet nor delivered him from his false position

Furthermore, by going back into wrong associations are we not in danger of not only destroying our testimony against the evil, but also, like the man of God from Judah, ending our career as a witness for the truth?

It is only as we walk in unswerving obedience to the word of God, that we shall escape the devices of the enemy to draw us back into the wrong position. Let us then seek that the word may have its absolute authority over our souls, and be content to take the outside path with all its obscurity, content if the Lord can say of us, "Thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word and hast not denied My Name" (Rev. 3: 8). H. S.

STEM Publishing: Hamilton Smith: The Old Prophet of Bethel.

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