Wednesday, January 31, 2007

THE YEAR OF FEAR






The Year Of Fear




Suddenly, Nukes are the New Black
New York Post January 29, 2007
Adam Buckman


WHAT'S that on the horizon? It's a mushroom cloud -something we haven't seen this often on TV since the Cold War.
But this season, mushroom clouds are back as TV taps into our worst fears - namely, terrorist attacks with nuclear weapons - and makes them real.
"I think that's what we're all afraid of," says Carol Barbee, executive producer of "Jericho" on CBS. "We're all afraid that some crazy person will get hold of a bomb and will blow up the United States."
On her show, that's exactly what happened, though the details of the conspiracy have yet to be revealed. "Jericho," starring Skeet Ulrich and Gerald McRaney, is the series about a town in Kansas whose approximately 5,000 residents have survived a nuclear attack that wiped out at least eight major cities and probably more. (New York is not one of them, Barbee assured me on the phone from L.A. last week.)
"Jericho" is the nuclear-destruction champ so far this season, but catastrophic explosions have also been glimpsed on "24" and "Heroes." One nuke has gone off (so far) on "24"and the blast seen on "Heroes" is positioned as an event prophesied for the very near future. Whether or not it actually takes place depends on whether the heroes of "Heroes"can prevent it.
The season's first mushroom cloud was seen last fall in the premiere episode of "Jericho"as the citizens of Jericho witnessed the apparent destruction of Denver on the far western horizon.
This explosion will be seen again when "Jericho" resumes its season next month after a 10-week hiatus. The episode - titled "The Day Before" - explains what some of the show's characters were up to in the 36 hours leading up to the bombings.
The Denver tragedy is seen from a distance, a perspective Barbee feels is necessary for telling such a terrible story.
"There was a lot of concern when we started out that the show would be too dark or that people wouldn't want to watch it because it would be too frightening or this is not something people want to think about,"she said.
"Our story is not told in the middle of Denver, ground zero," she says. "It's told in a town that was safe from the blasts and they watched it from a distance. And yet they see from a distance something that is obviously going to affect their lives."
In "24," however, the dirty nuke that detonated in the southern California community of Valencia was viewed from up closer - just a couple of miles - by the show's anti-terror superman Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and, by extension, us.
The yet-to-happen blast seen on "Heroes" is even closer - in the middle of a large city (possibly New York) just blocks away.
So, why nukes and mushroom clouds?
To put it bluntly: Because people are afraid of them. And TV people are not shy about admitting they're trying to scare people.
"Certainly we're trafficking in fear - that's the point," said Joel Surnow, executive producer and co-creator of "24," in an interview last week in the London newspaper, The Guardian. "If the show's not scary, we haven't succeeded."
And why now?
Barbee feels it's not just the rise of terrorism.
Part of it is that the sight of nuclear holocaust is not really all that unfamiliar anymore.
"The two events that we look to when we're writing the show are 9/11 and Katrina,"she said. "Both of those events showed us that we could watch what looked like the end of the world on television."

Source: www.inforwars.com

Sunday, January 28, 2007

SECRECY IS AT ISSUE


January 26, 2007

Secrecy Is at Issue in Suits Opposing Spy Program
By ADAM LIPTAK

The Bush administration has employed extraordinary secrecy in defending the National Security Agency’s highly classified domestic surveillance program from civil lawsuits. Plaintiffs and judges’ clerks cannot see its secret filings. Judges have to make appointments to review them and are not allowed to keep copies.
Judges have even been instructed to use computers provided by the Justice Department to compose their decisions.
But now the procedures have started to meet resistance. At a private meeting with the lawyers in one of the cases this month, the judges who will hear the first appeal next week expressed uneasiness about the procedures, said a lawyer who attended, Ann Beeson of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Lawyers suing the government and some legal scholars say the procedures threaten the separation of powers, the adversary system and the lawyer-client privilege.
Justice Department officials say the circumstances of the cases, involving a highly classified program, require extraordinary measures. The officials say they have used similar procedures in other cases involving classified materials.
In ordinary civil suits, the parties’ submissions are sent to their adversaries and are available to the public in open court files. But in several cases challenging the eavesdropping, Justice Department lawyers have been submitting legal papers not by filing them in court but by placing them in a room at the department. They have filed papers, in other words, with themselves.
At the meeting this month, judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit asked how the procedures might affect the integrity of the files and the appellate records.
In response, Joan B. Kennedy, a Justice Department official, submitted, in one of the department’s unclassified filings, a detailed seven-page sworn statement last Friday defending the practices.
“The documents reviewed by the court have not been altered and will not be altered,” Ms. Kennedy wrote, and they “will be preserved securely as part of the record of this case.”
Some cases challenging the program, which monitored international communications of people in the United States without court approval, have also involved atypical maneuvering. Soon after one suit challenging the program was filed last year in Oregon, Justice Department lawyers threatened to seize an exhibit from the court file.
This month, in the same case, the department sought to inspect and delete files from the computers on which lawyers for the plaintiffs had prepared their legal filings.
The tactics, said a lawyer in the Oregon case, Jon B. Eisenberg, prompted him to conduct unusual research.
“Sometime during all of this,” Mr. Eisenberg said, “I went on Amazon and ordered a copy of Kafka’s ‘The Trial,’ because I needed a refresher course in bizarre legal procedures.”
A federal district judge in the case, Garr M. King, invoked another book after a government lawyer refused to disclose whether he had a certain security clearance, saying information about the clearance was itself classified.
“Frankly, your response,” Judge King said, “is kind of an Alice in Wonderland response.”
Questions about the secret filings may figure in the first appellate argument in the challenges, before the Sixth Circuit, in Cincinnati, on Wednesday. The three judges who will hear the appeal met with lawyers for the Justice Department and the American Civil Liberties Union on Jan. 8 in a judge’s chambers in Memphis.
“The court raised questions about the procedures the government had used to file classified submissions in the case and the propriety and integrity of those procedures,” said Ms. Beeson, associate legal director of the A.C.L.U., which represents the plaintiffs in the appeal.
“They were also concerned about the independence of the judiciary,” given that “the Justice Department retains custody and total control over the court filings.” Ms. Beeson said.
Nancy S. Marder, a law professor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law and an authority on secrecy in litigation, said the tactics were really extreme and deeply, deeply troubling.
“These are the basics that we take for granted in our court system,” Professor Marder said. “You have two parties. You exchange documents. The documents you’ve seen don’t disappear.”
A spokesman for the Justice Department, Dean Boyd, said employees involved in storing the classified documents were independent of the litigators and provided “neutral assistance” to courts in handling sensitive information. The documents, Mr. Boyd said, are “stored securely and without alteration.”
The appellate argument in Cincinnati will almost certainly also concern the effects of the administration announcement last week that it would submit the program to a secret court, ending its eavesdropping without warrants.
In a brief filed on Thursday, the government said the move made the case against the program moot.
Ms. Beeson of the A.C.L.U. said the government was wrong.
At least one case, the one in Oregon, is probably not moot. It goes beyond the other cases in seeking damages from the government, because the plaintiffs say they have seen proof that they were wiretapped without a warrant.
In August 2004, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which was investigating an Oregon charity, al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, inadvertently provided a copy of a classified document to a foundation lawyer, Lynne Bernabei.
That document indicated, according to court filings, that the government monitored communications between officers of the charity and two of its lawyers without a warrant in spring 2004.
“If I gave you this document today and you put it on the front page of The New York Times, it would not threaten national security,” Mr. Eisenberg, a lawyer for the foundation, said. “There is only one thing about it that’s explosive, and that’s the fact that our clients were wiretapped.”
Ms. Bernabei circulated the document to two directors of the charity, at least one of them in Saudi Arabia, and to three other lawyers. She discussed them with two more lawyers. A reporter for The Washington Post, David B. Ottaway, also reviewed the document.
The full significance of the document was apparently not clear to any recipient, more than a year before The New York Times disclosed the existence of the N.S.A. program in December 2005.
The F.B.I. learned of the disclosure almost immediately in August 2004, Judge King said at a court hearing last year, but made no effort to retrieve copies of the document for about six weeks.
When it did, everyone it asked apparently returned all copies of the document. In a statement reported in The Post in March, for instance, Mr. Ottaway said he the F.B.I. had told him that the document had “highly sensitive national security information.”
“I returned it after consulting with Washington Post editors and lawyers, and concluding that it was not relevant to what I was working on at the time,” Mr. Ottaway said.
In a sworn statement in June, a lawyer who had the document, Asim Ghafoor, said the bureau took custody of his laptop computer “in order that the document might be ‘scrubbed’ from it.”
The computer was returned weeks later.
In February 2006, the charity and the two lawyers who say they were wiretapped sued to stop the program, requesting financial damages. They attached a copy of the classified document, filing it under seal. They have not said how they came to have a copy.
Three weeks later, the lawyers for the foundation received a call from two Justice Department lawyers. The classified document “had not been properly secured,” the lawyers said, according to a letter from the plaintiffs’ lawyers to the judge.
As Mr. Eisenberg recalled it, the government lawyers said, “The F.B.I. is on its way to the courthouse to take possession of the document from the judge.”
But Judge King, at a hurriedly convened hearing, would not yield it, and asked, “What if I say I will not deliver it to the F.B.I.?”
A Justice Department lawyer, Anthony J. Coppolino, gave a measured response, saying: “Your Honor, we obviously don’t want to have any kind of a confrontation with you. But it has to be secured in a proper fashion.”
The document was ultimately deposited in a “secure compartmented information facility” at the bureau office in Portland.
In the meantime, copies of the document appear to have been sent abroad, and the government concedes that it has made no efforts to contact people overseas who it suspects have them.
“It’s probably gone many, many places,” Judge King said of the document at the August hearing. “Who is it secret from?”
A Justice Department lawyer, Andrew H. Tannenbaum, replied, “It’s secret from anyone who has not seen it.”
He added, “The document must be completely removed from the case, and plaintiffs are not allowed to rely on it to prove their claims.”
Judge King wondered aloud about the implications of that position, saying, “There is nothing in the law that requires them to purge their memory.”
Mr. Eisenberg, in an interview, said that was precisely the government position. “They claim they own the portions of our brains that remember anything,” he said.
In a decision in September, Judge King ruled that the plaintiffs were not entitled to review the document again but could rely on their recollections of it. In October, they filed a motion for summary judgment, a routine step in many civil litigations. In a sealed filing, they described the classified document.
Government lawyers sent Judge King a letter saying the plaintiffs had “mishandled information contained in the classified document” by, among other actions, preparing filings on their own computers.
In a telephone conference on Nov. 1, Judge King appeared unpersuaded. “My problem with your statement,” he told Mr. Tannenbaum, “is that you assume you are absolutely correct in everything you are stating, and I am not sure that you are".
Mr. Boyd of the Justice Department said the government “continues to explore with counsel ways in which the classified information may be properly protected without any intrusion on the attorney-client privilege.”

Saturday, January 27, 2007

THE 12 APOSTLES


One in Messiah Congregation

The 12 apostles

Please see the 4 lists below. Each shows three groups of four apostles. When grouped together, you can see many similarities between them.

Matthew 10:2-4
Mark 3:16-19
Luke 6:13-16
Acts 1:13, 16-19
Simon Peter, Andrew, James & John
Simon Peter, James, John & Andrew
Simon Peter, Andrew, James & John
Peter, James, John & Andrew
Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas & Matthew the publican
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew & Thomas
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew & Thomas
Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew & Matthew
James son of Alphaeus , Lebbaeus Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite & Judas Iscariot
James son of Alphaeus , Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite & Judas Iscariot
James son of Alphaeus , Simon Zelotes, Judas brother of James & Judas Iscariot
James son of Alphaeus , Simon Zelotes & Judas brother of James (Judas is dead)


The names that are not exactly the same in all four lists are:

Matthew 10:2-4
Mark 3:16-19
Luke 6:13-16
Acts 1:13, 16-19
Matthew the publican
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
Lebbaeus Thaddaeus
Thaddaeus
Judas brother of James
Judas brother of James
Simon the Canaanite
Simon the Canaanite
Simon Zelotes
Simon Zelotes
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
(Judas, which was guide to them which took Jesus)


The differences come down to this:

Matthew is Matthew the publican.
Lebbaeus surnamed Thaddeus, is Judas brother of James. Lebbaeus means a man of heart. Thaddaeus means large-hearted or courageous. Both are the apostle named Judas. They are one and the same person.
G3002 Λεββαιος Lebbaios
Thayer Definition: Lebbaeus = a man of heart
one name of Jude, who was one of the twelve apostles
G2280 Θαδδαιος Thaddaios
Thayer Definition: Thaddaeus = large hearted, courageous
Simon the Canaanite is Simon Zelotes. The term Zelotes means "zealot." "Canaanite" simply describes where he is from, and "Zelotes" tells us he was a zealot.
G2208 Ζηλωτης Zelotes - dzay-lo-tace'
The same as G2207; a Zealot , that is, (specifically) partisan for Jewish political independence: - Zelotes.
As we can see, these lists do not contradict each other.
PS:
G2469 Ισκαριωτης - Iskariotes
Thayer Definition: Iscariot = men of Kerioth - Judas Iscariot , the apostle who betrayed Yeshua / Jesus.

Shalom

Source: http://www.oneinmessiah.net/THE12.htm

PSALM 91


Psalm 91


1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Friday, January 26, 2007

SIGNS


Luke 21


1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19In your patience possess ye your souls.
20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
37And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

FORD POSTS RECORD LOSS


Ford Posts Record Loss of $12.7B in 2006
Email this StoryJan 25, 7:44 AM (ET)By TOM KRISHER

(AP) The company logo glimmers off the grille of an unsold 2007 Five Hundred sedan while a 2006 Mustang...Full Image

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Ford Motor Co. (FPA) lost $5.8 billion in the fourth quarter amid slumping sales and huge restructuring costs, pushing the fabled automaker's deficit for the year to $12.7 billion, the largest in its 103-year history.
The annual loss reported Thursday surpassed its previous record for a year of $7.39 billion set in 1992. It earned $1.44 billion in 2005.
The Dearborn-based company expects continued losses for this year. It expects to burn up $10 billion in cash on automotive operations through 2009 and spend another $7 billion to invest in new products.
Excluding special items, Ford lost $1.50 per share in all of 2006, worse than Wall Street predicted. Fourteen analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected a loss of $1.35 per share for the year, excluding special items.
Ford said that special items associated with restructuring costs totaled $9.9 billion for the year as the company continues efforts to shrink itself to match reduced demand for its cars and trucks.
---
On the Net:
http://www.ford.com/

Thursday, January 25, 2007

PRESIDENT ODERS TO BEGIN JAILING


US President Orders Military To Begin Jailing All Civilian Protestors To War
By: Sorcha Faal, and as reported to her Western Subscribers


In yet another shocking prelude towards becoming a Total Police State, Russian Intelligence Analysts are reporting today that the American War Leaders have issued orders to the United States Military Northern Command authorizing the jailing, and military tribunals, for any American citizen critical of the ‘war effort’.
These reports state that the American President has ‘lost his confidence’ in the American Judicial System and has further ordered his War Cabinet to begin attacking civilian judges, and as we can read as confirmed by the MSNBC News Service in their article titled "Gonzales: Judges unfit to rule on terror policy", and which says:
"Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says federal judges are unqualified to make rulings affecting national security policy, ramping up his criticism of how they handle terrorism cases.
“We want to determine whether he understands the inherent limits that make an unelected judiciary inferior to Congress or the president in making policy judgments,” Gonzales says in the prepared speech. “That, for example, a judge will never be in the best position to know what is in the national security interests of our country.”
The American War Leaders have further launched attacks against their own civilian judiciary from the Pentagon, and as we can read as reported by the Jurist Legal Research and News Service in their report titled "US law deans 'appalled' by Stimson criticism of law firms for representing detainees", and which says:
"More than 130 deans of US law schools signed a statement released Monday expressing their dismay at comments made last week by DOD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Detainee Affairs Charles "Cully" Stimson in a radio interview critizing top US law firms for providing pro bono representation to Guantanamo detainees.
"We," the deans wrote, are appalled by the January 11, 2007 statement of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Charles "Cully" Stimson, criticizing law firms for their pro bono representation of suspected terrorist detainees and encouraging corporate executives to force these law firms to choose between their pro bono and paying clients.”
Furthering the complete destruction of the rights of the American people to ‘due process’ and ‘fair trials’, the American War Leaders have passed a new law subjecting their citizens to Military, instead of Civilian trials.
According to reports from the United States, this little known law was ‘slipped into’ a large spending bill unbeknownst to US Congressional Leaders, and though ‘seemingly’ applying to American contractors in fact subjects all American citizens to Military Arrest and Trials.
The most destructive of these ‘new’ laws ‘slipped into’ much larger legislation, and bypassing the notice of US Lawmakers, has overturned over 200 years of American procedures for appointing US Federal Prosecutors, and who are, according the American Constitution, charged with being ‘politically neutral’ so as to afford the citizens of the United States protection against prosecution by a vengeful government, and as we can read as reported by the Associated Press News Service in their article titled "2 U.S. Attorneys in Calif. quit, critics say Bush forced them out", and which says:
"Two U.S. Attorneys in California announced they are stepping down, as critics alleged political pressure from the Bush administration was pushing them and others out of their jobs. Kevin Ryan, chief federal prosecutor for the state's Northern District, and Carol Lam, who headed the state's Southern District, both announced Tuesday they would be leaving their positions.
The two are among 11 top federal prosecutors who have resigned or announced their resignations since an obscure provision in the USA Patriot Act reauthorization last year enabled the U.S. attorney general to appoint replacements without Senate confirmation."
Russian Legal Analysts familiar with American Law state in these reports that the significance of these actions being taking against American citizens by the US War Leaders shows the ‘complete ascendancy’ to ‘total power’ of the American President, and who now is free to rule his Nation by decree free from interference by either the US Congress, or the American people themselves.
So powerless have the US Congress and American people become, that as outrage continues to build within the United States against the expansion of the war in Iraq, and the planned US attack upon Iran, the spokesman for the American War Leader has stated in response to a US Congressional move to block further war making:
"Presidential spokesman Tony Snow said resolutions passed by Congress will not affect Bush's decision-making. "The president has obligations as a commander in chief," he said. "And he will go ahead and execute them."
Russian Intelligence Analysts in these reports to President Putin have asked, “If President Bush feels that he is not constrained by either the elected representatives of the American people, or the American people themselves, we must then consider that he, and his Administration, have become powers unto themselves and that the United States should therefore be considered a dictatorship, not a democracy.”
To the American people themselves, they remain in abject denial of the dark Fascist forces descending around them; but soon, and much sooner than they could believe, and with their families and neighbors disappearing into the vast American Gulag, what they once believed in as the American Dream, will soon be shown for what it really is, an American Nightmare.

January 18, 2007 EU and US all rights reserved.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

SERMON ON THE MOUNT (MAT. 7)

Matthew 7

1Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Monday, January 22, 2007

AFFORDABLE HOUSING


Americans Struggle to Afford Housing

An annual income of about $85,000 is needed to afford median-priced homes; salaries have not seen modest gains, according to a study.
CHICAGO (Reuters) -- U.S. home prices may have dipped over the past year, but many American workers would still struggle to afford a median-priced home in major cities, a new study said Wednesday.


"American workers are really not gaining ground and they're so far behind in the first place," said Barbara Lipman, research director for the nonprofit Center for Housing Policy, which conducted the study.While the median home price in the 202 largest metropolitan areas declined 2 percent from a year ago to $248,000 in the third quarter of 2006, mortgage rates rose enough over the year that homes actually became less affordable as pay did not keep pace."The real story is what happened to salaries," Lipman said. "Lower-paid occupations -- such as in retail, or home health workers - their salaries went up only about 3 percent."The study found an annual income of nearly $85,000 was needed to afford the median-priced U.S. home.In the New York metropolitan area, a $500,000 median-priced home required a $171,000 annual salary. The median-priced home in San Francisco, the most expensive U.S. market, was $759,000, requiring income of $260,000. In less-expensive Chicago, the median-priced home cost $254,000, requiring an $87,000 salary.On the opposite end of the spectrum, Mansfield, Ohio, homes cost a median $85,000, requiring $29,118 in income.The study assumed home buyers needed a 10 percent down payment and could afford to pay 28 percent of their income on mortgage payments, property taxes and home insurance.Unstructured Blog: Share Your ThoughtsIn reality, many households expend a much higher percentage of their incomes on mortgage payments, Lipman said. To afford that, consumers cut other expenses such as for health care and transportation, she said, citing research showing unaffordable housing is the major reason families lack health insurance.Other ways families cope with high housing expenses is to work longer hours or extra jobs, or by crowding in more income producers, she said.An October 2006 survey by the group found families who seek to buy less-expensive homes in further-out suburbs -- adding to urban sprawl -- pay so much more for transit that it eliminates the savings.While home prices range widely across the country, wages for low-wage jobs -- from teachers to janitors -- are about the same no matter where they are located, Lipman said.The report cited housing aid programs offered by some big-city hospitals that have plenty of modestly-paid workers."For the low- to moderate-income individuals that we're talking about, they're not going to be helped by marginal declines in home prices," Lipman said. "The only way to address the problem is to create more affordable units [homes] -- which may mean higher density units, townhouses and condos."
2006-11-28 14:55:00
Source: http://realestate.aol.com/article/_a/americans-struggle-to-afford-housing/20070112115409990001

Sunday, January 21, 2007

TWO CLINTON PRESIDENTS: HILARIOUS

--------------------------------- IT'S OFFICIAL SHE'S RUNNING: Hillary released a video on her website announcing that she will start a "dialog", to see if she will run for president of the U.S.
Hillary wants to up the ante; If the Bushes can do it, so can the Clintons. Apparently tossing her weight around on Capital Hill (with her Secret Service Detail), just isn't enough for HillBill. She longs to once again reside at 1600 Pensylvannia Avenue, a.k.a. The White House. What a shame that she un-abashedly makes a spectacle of herself, with no one to publicly remind her that she is a has-been, washed-up, reached her ceiling opportunist.

Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton please have your transparent dialog, then just disappear, please, let someone else make a fool of themselves. There are more important things in life, and in this world than your urge to be "Queen of the Hill".

Could all that hot air Hillary is emitting contribute to "global warming"? Or to smoke screens and mirrors? Either way she quite a "one woman show".

DANIEL PRAISES GOD

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. --------------------Daniel 2: 19-24.

(Bold type added)

Saturday, January 20, 2007

HISTORY REPEATS




HISTORY REPEATS

In 1606, many Pilgrims were driven out of England because they illegally separated from the Church of England. Many were betrayed or lost personal property and dignity. Others were imprisoned, forcibly separated from their families, or driven into exile in Holland.
In the 1630's, the Puritans were persecuted for their efforts to reform and purify the Church of England from within. Unauthorized assemblies for religious worship were prohibited under penalty of imprisonment, exile, torture and death.
Quakers were also persecuted in England because of their refusal to conform to the Church of England. They believed each person could experience God directly, without benefit of church building, clergy or liturgy. Thus, these Quakers were burdened with excessive taxes and charged with blasphemy, disturbing the peace, disorderly behavior, and contempt of court. Many were sentenced to a whipping. Their goods and property were confiscated, and some meeting houses were destroyed. By 1680, 10,000 Quakers had been imprisoned in England, and 243 had died of torture and mistreatment in the King's jails.
In 1685, the Huguenots (Protestants living in Roman Catholic France) were denied their free exercise of religion. Their options were death, imprisonment, or emigration.
The plain, moral lives of the Swiss Brethren, nicknamed Anabaptists, attracted many converts from the state church in Germany. However, around 1700, they were persecuted when they insisted that only believers should be baptized.
October 31, 1731 (on the 214th Anniversary of Martin Luther's Reformation) a Roman Catholic Archbishop in Salzburg, Austria, demanded that all Protestants recant their non-Catholic beliefs or be banished. All Protestant Bibles, books and hymnals were burned. Over 21,475 Protestants were forced into exile. Many fled through snowstorms and icy winds. Their money was soon spent to pay for excessive taxes, tolls, and protection by soldiers from robbers. Despite this adversity, they sang inspirational hymns: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "Now Thank We All Our God."
By establishing a rich heritage of religious freedom, America became a refuge from religious persecution for thousands of these Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, Huguenots, Anabaptists, and Protestants from Salzburg. In 1620, Pilgrims came to America on the Mayflower. In the 1630's, as many as 20,000 Puritans immigrated to New England. Quakers and Anabaptists escaped to Pennsylvania. By 1685 as many as 8,000 Quakers had come to William Penn's haven for religious tolerance. In the hundred years before 1725, about 5,000-7,000 Huguenot religious refugees came to New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina.
On January 19, 1734, 78 Salzburg exiles sailed for Georgia. Upon their arrival, they named their new home Ebenezer (stone of help or monument to God's protection) according to the sermon they had just heard from I Samuel 7:12.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all those who live in this country. Yet despite our reputation, rich heritage, and the guarantees of the Constitution, many American Christians are today being denied freedom of religion.
Quoted from: The Legal AlertDavid C. Gibbs, Jr., Attorney Email: DavidGibbs@ChristianLaw.orgWebsite: http://ChristianLaw.org
------------------------------------------

Seventh-day Adventists have long predicted the repeat of history with respect to religious intolerance, even in this "haven of religious liberty" -- the United States of America. With "worldly policy" governing the actions and reactions of "the church" of today, we see on the horizon -- a "civilized inquisition" unfolding. The "overwhelming surprise" comes as this "inquisition" now originates with the Seventh-day Adventist Church itself.


CHRISTIAN ADMONITION



The Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White

Page 353

"Behold," said Jesus, "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Christ Himself did not suppress one word of truth, but He spoke it always in love. He exercised the greatest tact, and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved, that refused to receive Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. They rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness, and sorrow so deep that it broke His heart. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He always bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen souls whom it was His mission to save.

The servants of Christ are not to act out the dictates of the natural heart. They need to have close communion with God, lest, under provocation, self rise up, and they pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew or the still showers that refresh the withering plants. This is what Satan wants them to do; for these are his methods. It is the dragon that is wroth; it is the spirit of Satan that is revealed in anger and accusing. But God's servants are to be representatives of Him. He desires them to deal only in the currency of heaven, the truth that bears His own image and superscription. The power by which they are to overcome evil is the power of Christ. The glory of Christ is their strength. They are to fix their eyes upon His loveliness. Then they can present the gospel with divine tact and gentleness. And the spirit that is kept gentle under provocation will speak more effectively in favor of the truth than will any argument, however forcible.

Those who are brought in controversy with the enemies of truth have to meet, not only men, but Satan and his agents. Let them remember the Saviour's words, "Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves." Luke 10:3. Let them rest in the love of God, and the spirit will be kept calm, even under personal abuse. The Lord will clothe them with a divine panoply. His Holy Spirit will influence the mind and heart, so that their voices shall not catch the notes of the baying of the wolves.

Page 354
Continuing His instruction to His disciples, Jesus said, "Beware of men." They were not to put implicit confidence in those who knew not God, and open to them their counsels; for this would give Satan's agents an advantage. Man's inventions often counterwork God's plans. Those who build the temple of the Lord are to build according to the pattern shown in the mount,--the divine similitude. God is dishonored and the gospel is betrayed when His servants depend on the counsel of men who are not under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Worldly wisdom is foolishness with God. Those who rely upon it will surely err.

"They will deliver you up to councils, . . . yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for My sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." Matt. 10:17, 18, R. V. Persecution will spread the light. The servants of Christ will be brought before the great men of the world, who, but for this, might never hear the gospel. The truth has been misrepresented to these men. They have listened to false charges concerning the faith of Christ's disciples. Often their only means of learning its real character is the testimony of those who are brought to trial for their faith. Under examination these are required to answer, and their judges to listen to the testimony borne. God's grace will be dispensed to His servants to meet the emergency. "It shall be given you," says Jesus, "in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." As the Spirit of God illuminates the minds of His servants, the truth will be presented in its divine power and preciousness. Those who reject the truth will stand to accuse and oppress the disciples. But under loss and suffering, even unto death, the Lord's children are to reveal the meekness of their divine Example. Thus will be seen the contrast between Satan's agents and the representatives of Christ. The Saviour will be lifted up before the rulers and the people.

The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed. Then the Saviour's promise was fulfilled. When Peter and John testified before the Sanhedrin council, men "marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13. Of Stephen it is written that "all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." Men "were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Acts 6:15, 10. And Paul, writing of his own trial at the court of the Caesars, says, "At my first defense no one took my
Page 355
part, but all forsook me. . . . But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." 2 Tim. 4:16, 17, R. V.

The servants of Christ were to prepare no set speech to present when brought to trial. Their preparation was to be made day by day in treasuring up the precious truths of God's word, and through prayer strengthening their faith. When they were brought into trial, the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the very truths that would be needed.

A daily, earnest striving to know God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, would bring power and efficiency to the soul. The knowledge obtained by diligent searching of the Scriptures would be flashed into the memory at the right time. But if any had neglected to acquaint themselves with the words of Christ, if they had never tested the power of His grace in trial, they could not expect that the Holy Spirit would bring His words to their remembrance. They were to serve God daily with undivided affection, and then trust Him.

So bitter would be the enmity to the gospel that even the tenderest earthly ties would be disregarded. The disciples of Christ would be betrayed to death by the members of their own households. "Ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake," He added; "but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Mark 13:13. But He bade them not to expose themselves unnecessarily to persecution. He Himself often left one field of labor for another, in order to escape from those who were seeking His life. When He was rejected at Nazareth, and His own townsmen tried to kill Him, He went down to Capernaum, and there the people were astonished at His teaching; "for His word was with power." Luke 4:32. So His servants were not to be discouraged by persecution, but to seek a place where they could still labor for the salvation of souls.

The servant is not above his master. The Prince of heaven was called Beelzebub, and His disciples will be misrepresented in like manner. But whatever the danger, Christ's followers must avow their principles. They should scorn concealment. They cannot remain uncommitted until assured of safety in confessing the truth. They are set as watchmen, to warn men of their peril. The truth received from Christ must be imparted to all, freely and openly. Jesus said, "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."

Source: http://www.whiteestate.org/books/da/da37.html

FALSE PROPHETS (PROFITS) CONDEMNED



Ezekiel 13






1And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
3Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
5Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
6They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
7Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
8Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
9And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
10Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
11Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
12Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?
13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
14So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
15Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;
16To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
17Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
18And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?
19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
23Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.


(EMPHASIS ADDED).

NOTE: CONDEMNATION CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 14.

Friday, January 19, 2007

JOHN THE BAPTIST'S TESTIMONY OF JESUS




John 3:25-36




25Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.


(Emphasis added)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

CHALLENGE FROM THE CHAIR


Challenge from the Chair

By Mark J. Wolff, KM
Jan 18, 2006

View all articles by Mark J. Wolff, KM


It is with a deep sense of humility and sincere gratitude that I compose this column for the inaugural issue of The Malta Messenger. Alice M. Carney, DM had always taken the responsibility for our quarterly newsletter and she performed the task, as always, with her usual graceful efficiency. Her leaving us here on earth for Heavenly rewards with Our Lord and Savior remind us of how hard she worked and how much she accomplished without a whisper. In this issue Thomas F. Carney, Jr., KMOb writes a touching salute to his mother, A Dame For All Seasons.
Our 7th Annual Gala will be held this year at the Surf Club on March 11th 2006. This year’s Gala will celebrate and honor the life, works and legacy of The Mother of Malta in Florida, Alice M. Carney, DM. The Board of Directors of the Order of Malta South Florida, and in particular Loraine Kayal and Frank and Dottie Crippen, has been working closely with the Carney family to insure The 7th Annual Gala will be an evening that every knight and dame should attend and will never forget; a fine tribute to A Dame For All Seasons!
Since I had the pleasure of being with so many of our members at The Crippen’s in North Carolina for our Annual Summer Retreat, I do not have to describe the growth and increasing success of this spiritual and social event. I thank Frank and Dottie for their hospitality and financial generosity in hosting this spiritually invigorating event each summer in an idyllic mountain setting. Special thanks are also due to Rev. Dr. Dave G. Caron, OP, our Deputy Chaplin, who always develops the spiritual dimension and thereby our depth of faith.
The Annual Christmas Mass at the home of Jim and Grace Colross in Coral Gables had just the right touch for the Holy Season. Many gifts were collected for Saint Ann’s Mission and, as always, Grace and Jim were the perfect hosts. I have asked that they open their home again next year as their Christmas Mass has become a great tradition for The Order of Malta in South Florida. I would like to thank Jim and Grace for their graciousness and largesse.
In November in New York, The Order of Malta South Florida had nine new members invested. In the next issue of The Malta Messenger we will feature a short story on each of our new knights and dames, with pictures so you will recognize them at our upcoming 7th Annual Gala in March. Next November, 2006 I would like to reinstate the Florida Dinner that was historically organized by Allie Carney. I have asked Board member and Treasurer, Hershel F. Smith, Jr., to coordinate this event. With Hershel and Cynthia’s fine epicurean taste, I feel confident that this will be an event to remember!
In the last several years, under the leadership of Frank Crippen as our Area Chair & President of The Order of Malta South Florida, Inc., we have raised and contributed in excess of 1 million dollars to projects in Florida. These projects include, but are not limited to: Saint Ann’s Mission; The Marian Center; New Hope Charities; Nazareth Homes; BirthLine; Beyond Abortion: Healing and Understanding; Safe Haven for the Newborns; Women’s Circle; Camillus House; Providence Place; and Genesis House, among others. Perhaps of equal or greater importance, Knights and Dames of Malta have contributed untold hours of service to the sick, poor, economically, mentally and physically challenged, as well as to teenage mothers and newborns.
We must continue this good work even as dollars from the American Association have and will continue to diminish. Our work at, for example, Saint Ann’s Mission is in dire need of an infusion of both financial and human capital in order to further assist and rebuild. We are attempting to reopen the medical clinic at the Mission, obtain a new van for transporting patients to and from the medical clinic, and establish a legal clinic to assist undocumented workers. Please read the The Malta Messenger article, Our Mission at St. Ann’s: Serving the Least, the Lost and the Last.
The new incarnation of our Area newsletter entitled The Malta Messenger is my way of paying a personal tribute to Allie Carney, who for so many years worked virtually alone to produce the newsletter. Allie, who I know is listening, let me thank you for your incredible work on behalf of the Order. After just one edition and much more help than you ever had, I truly appreciate this one aspect of your many contributions to the Order.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to H.L. Alberola “Bert” for his dedication and hard work in accepting my challenge to and taking the lead on the development and completion of this project. The inauguration of The Malta Messenger is coupled with the launching of a website by the South Florida Area. We are the first Area in the American Association to establish its presence on the Worldwide Web. The Area Website will publish The Malta Messenger on-line, along with other information on the Order of Malta regionally, nationally and internationally with great links and contacts around the Americas. Special thanks to Philippa Leslie of the Grand Magistry and to John Bycraft and Jack Shine, from the American Association Board of Councillors, for their prompt and critically important assistance in providing guidance and graphics in connection with the development for our Area’s new Website.
The Malta Messenger welcomes your comments and article submissions. Please visit the Readers’ Forum.
Both The Messenger and our new Website are fully funded by private sponsors. Let me extend to all of our Charter Sponsors my sincere appreciation and gratitude, this publication would not be possible without their support. If you want to be a sponsor or know of a business that would be interested in becoming a sponsor, please give me a call, drop me a line, or send me an e-mail.
Finally, on the occasion of the 7th Annual Order of Malta South Florida Gala, the Board of Directors has voted to bestow The Honorable Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida with its Ethic of Life Award for Outstanding Service towards the defense of life and human dignity of the unborn. Congratulations Governor!
Professor Mark J. Wolff, KM is Area Chair & President, The Order of Malta South Florida, Inc., and serves as Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of The Malta Messenger©.


U CAN'T BE BOTH


Recently while driving home from work, I spotted a peculiar "bumper sticker", and its content stuck on my mind. It states that "you can't both be Catholic and pro-choice". Bravo, but then I thought; What are the fundamental Catholic "doctrines and dogmas"? Are they not a celibate priesthood? Are they not idol worship? Are they not considering that the pope is in-fallible, and represents Christ to all mankind? Is Mary worship a prominent part of this religion, when The New Testament gave no "exalted" status to the mother of Jesus? Do they re-crucify Jesus Christ during every Mass? Do they baptize infants? Do they recite and manipulate The Rosary (borrowed from The Muslims, after the Battle of Lepanto)? Do they confess their sins to priests? When there's only one mediator between man and God, Jesus.

I was really troubled that such a bumper sticker could pass for a conservative value manifestation. Here you have a tyrannycal religio-political government that "dictates" to its followers, what it considers to be right or wrong. This is contrary to the Holy Scriptures that I have read. Then, I remembered that the Catholic faith, considers of equal value the traditions of the Church and The Bible. Case in point: The Catholic Catecism; In it there are considerable traditions and practices that are "extra-scriptural", or not suggested by a THUS SAITH THE LORD.

If you simply look up The Ten Commandments in this Catechism (book), you'll see a discrepancy so obvious that 10 is always 10: Not 10, minus 1, plus 1 equal 10. The Catechism has omitted the second command which forbids fashioning and worshiping idols. It is removed (for obvious reasons), yet the 10th Commandment is dissected to complete (the 10th becomes two), The 10 Commandments. How crafty? I happen to own a Catholic: The New American Bible (1970). In it, in Exodus 20, it shows the Ten Commandments similar to the King James Version (except for its modern English verbiage). How then can their be two separate versions of the Ten Commandments according to this observation? The current Catholic Catechism (1992) bears the IMPRIMATUR of Joseph Ratzinger, the current Pope.

At that said, back to the "bumper sticker". It's ironic that the Catholics are the only religion that voices opposition to the barbaric pratice of Abortion; However, its clergy (priests and nuns), are not free to marry and pro-create? Getting back to the subject without straying from the issue. What will they do to those that are Catholics and pro-Abortion, forbid them from taking their Eucharist? Or will they put them in Dungeons; Like in the good olde "Mid- evil" days? Or put them on the rack? Or Flog them?

This really has me thinking about the possiblities that are inferred in that "bumper sticker". Actually it is just as intimidating as the front-end novelty plate of the car behind me, who was riding my bumper. As he got closer and closer to my rear-end, I read: "TAIL GATOR".



RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, EVEN HERE THEY'LL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO!

FORGET OSAMA, WE FOUND OBAMA




PERVERTED AMERICA


Perverted America

John LeBoutillier
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007

Last week's miraculous recovery of two missing teenage boys near St. Louis is a tiny window into a nether world of perversion, abduction, pedophilia, drugs, rape, sex slavery, pornography, and other unimaginable horrors.
Indeed, we live in a bifurcated country: While many yearn for the wholesome days of good values and clean memories, we are also surrounded by so much sickness that we don't always recognize it.
Abducting innocent children, terrorizing them, and plunging their families into permanent despair is about the worst imaginable crime.
Sadly, this is quite common today in this "free" society. We are indeed free — and that freedom is often exploited by these deranged sickos who live among us and often are even known to their victims and/or the police investigating the crime.
The number of convicted sex offenders is on the rise — yet the law allows these people to live among us after they have completed their time in prison.
Communities resist but are forced to accept these criminals, many of whom repeat their crimes when given the opportunity. Yes, there are Web sites available to find these people in your community, but the information provided is not as good or accurate as we have been led to believe.
Our children are not only the victims of the crimes — but they are also victims of a system that targets them through violent video games and violent movies. The result is de-sensitized kids who do not value life the right way; certainly some of these people grow into the monsters who commit these horrific crimes.

We are surrounded today by sex.
Everywhere you go, it is sex, sex and more sex.
The ads, the movies and television shows, the magazines, the billboards all trumpet raw sex. True, sex sells.
Clothes, lingerie, beer — all use sex and sexy-looking models and stars to see these products. But the effect on the young is to cheapen sex and the result is a relatively new phenomenon: kids having sex in their early teens, often with multiple partners.
What effect does this have on some people as they become adults?

Does it somehow damage them?
Does it do something to their still-developing brains to launch them into a world of perversion? Or would these child-abductors have been that way anyway?
Dateline NBC's wonderful ongoing series of reports into pedophilia and sex offenders is an eye opener. NBC should be congratulated for helping to catch so many of these people. But it is just the tip of the iceberg; sex scams and online perversions are a national phenomenon.
The Internet is the best example of all that is great — and much that is bad — about the freedoms we enjoy.
While the Internet has revolutionized so many lives for the better, there is also a dark side: Grotesque and perverted material predominates many sites. It is the flip side of our freedom: We are free to choose — and many choose the wrong and sometimes-evil path.
America is in trouble.
Not just in Iraq and in our war against radical Islam. We are in trouble in our national soul. We are often undisciplined in the use of our endless freedoms.
Those who think a new or better government can change this are mistaken; reforming our morals and our behavior is up to individuals, families, parents, and people in positions of authority such as teachers, coaches, mentors, and role models.
We, as a country, need to look in the collective mirror and see the truth: We are becoming what we detest.

Source: http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/1/16/131120.shtml

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

TOP FAITH IN CONGRESS


By the NewsMax.com Staff
For the story behind the story...

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007 4:51 p.m. EST

Catholicism Top Faith in U.S. Congress

Roman Catholics are the largest single U.S. religious denomination among members of the new U.S. Congress which also includes two Buddhists and a Muslim.
A survey published by Americans for Religious Liberty finds Baptists the second most common faith, followed by Methodists, Presbyterians and Jews.
The breakdown for the 535 members of the 110th Congress being sworn in Thursday:
Catholic 155; Baptist 67; Methodist 61; Presbyterian 44; Jewish 43; Episcopal 37; Protestant nondenominational 26; Christian nondenominational 18; Lutheran 17; Mormon 15; United Church of Christ 7.
Eastern Orthodox 5; Christian Science 5; Assemblies of God 4; Unitarian Universalist 2; African Methodist Episcopal 2; Buddhists 2; Evangelical 2; Seventh Day Adventists 2; Christian Reformed 2; Disciples of Christ 2; Church of Christ 2; Congregational Baptist 1; Anglican 1.
Reorganized Mormon 1; Quaker 1; Church of God 1; Muslim 1; Evangelical Lutheran 1; Church of the Nazarene 1; Evangelical Methodist 1.
No affiliation 6.

© Reuters 2007.

Source: http://www.newsmax.com

Monday, January 15, 2007

HILLARY AND HAMID'S FIRESIDE CHAT

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON STOPPED IN TO SEE AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI.

YESTERDAY (JAN.14, 2007), WHILE STROLLING "THE GLOBAL VILLAGE" IN THE AFGHAN SECTOR, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON DECIDED TO STOP IN AND CHAT WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THAT BELEAGUERED NATION, HAMID KARZAI. WHO KNEW? WAS SHE USING UP FREE-QUENT FLYER MILES?

I WONDER WHAT PROMPTED HER INTO FLYING HALF-WAY AROUND THE WORLD, TO A WAR TORN NATION TO CALL ON ITS PRESIDENT? COULD SHE BE LOOKING FOR THE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY TO KICK-OFF HER CANDIDACY? OR PERHAPS, TO LOOK DIPLOMATIC? MAYBE, MR. KARZAI INVITED HER OVER TO GIVE SOME CREDENCE TO THE ADVANCES FEMALES HAVE MADE IN THE "POST TALIBAN" AFGHANISTAN? SHE SHOWED UP FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT IN PANTS AND NO "BERKA".
NOW THAT'S SHOWING THE WORLD HOW FAR THAT MUSLIM NATION HAS PROGRESSED; AND ALSO SHOWING THEM HILLARY "WEARS THE PANTS". HILLARY HAS COME ACCROSS LIKE JESSE JACKSON; WHEN HE DECIDES TO GO CALLING ON IMPORTANT PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL. COULD THAT BE CLASSIFIED AS AN INTERLOPER COMPLEX?

HILLARY SHAMELESSLY SEEKS FOR THE LIMELIGHT. SHE IS THE EPITOME OF THE TYPE "A" FEMALE. I BELIEVE THERE AREN'T ENOUGH HURDLES FOR HER TO LEAP OVER, THAT WOULD MAKE HER FINALLY GIVE IT A REST. SHE STARTED IN CHICAGO, THEN WENT TO YALE AT NEW HAVEN, CT., THEN ON TO LITTLE ROCK (ARKANSAS), THEN TO THE WHITE HOUSE, NOW CHAPPAQUA, NY. TO REPRESENT THE STATE OF NEW YORK?.
SHE'S A REAL GLOBE-TROTTER, GO-GETTER, AMBICIOUS POLITICAL ANIMAL. YOU WOULD THINK THAT HAVING BEEN THE "FIRST LADY", WOULD QUENCH HER LUST FOR PROMINENSE AND POWER ? NO WAY JOSE, SHE WANTS TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING SINCE SLICE BREAD.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT WAS VERY ACTIVE IN CIVIC MATTERS, AND SHOWED THE WORLD THAT "FIRST LADIES" CAN ALSO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY BEING ACTIVE IN SOCIAL CAUSES. JACKIE KENNEDY WAS ALSO AN EXCELLENT AMBASSADOR FOR HER HUSBAND, AND COUNTRY. BUT, HILLARY, JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH. WHAT DOES SHE WANT A MEDAL FOR TENACITY? OH, I GOT IT! SHE WANTS TO HAVE A LIBRARY ON 161 STREET AND JEROME AVENUE, IN THE BRONX, WITH A FREE MEDICAL CLINIC ATTACHED, NAMED: THE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (THE YANKEE FAN) GLOBAL- PRESIDENT COMPLEX. WHAT A PHILANTROPIC AND UN-PRECEDENT WOMAN? NOW, ISN'T THAT PRESIDENTIAL ENOUGH?
SHE'S REALLY COME A LONG WAY SINCE THOSE "HOT" WATERGATE DAYS IN WASHINGTON DC.

P.S. SHE BECAME THE JUNIOR SENATOR (WHILE SHE WAS OFFICIALLY FIRST LADY) FOR NEW YOR STATE, ON JANUARY 3, 2001. THAT WAS 17 DAYS PRIOR TO GEORGE "DUBYA" BUSH, REPLACING HER HUBBY AS PRESIDENT OF THE USA.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

HOUSING BUBBLE


Housing Bubble Bloodbath
By Mike Whitney

“The crash of the housing bubble will not be pretty. Millions of people stand to lose their homes and life savings. However, it was inevitable. The bubble created a fantasy world that could not continue. At the peak of the bubble, 160,000 people a week were buying a home, most at bubble inflated prices. The longer the bubble persists, the larger the group of people who paid way too much for their home. While it is not good that so many dreams had to be ruined, the number will be even larger if the bubble deflates slowly. So I make no apologies about hoping for the hasty demise of the bubble.” Dean Baker, “Slow Motion Train Wreck” The American Prospect, Aug 2, 2006
“No question about it, the housing downturn is here now, and it’s big.” Jim Hamilton “New Home Sales continue to Fall”, Econbrowser Aug 25, 2006
01/13/06 "Information Clearing House" -- - I wonder if Alan Greenspan takes a copy of the business page along with him on the chair-lift at the Aspen, so he can read about the plummeting housing market before swooshing down the well-groomed bunny-slopes at his favorite ski resort. After all, no one played a larger role in inflating (what the “Economist” called) the “biggest equity bubble in history” than the retired Fed-master. His low interest-rate bonanza triggered a stampede of speculation in the real estate market sending prices through the stratosphere and setting the stage for the biggest economic bust in American history. The whole catastrophe was cooked up Sir Alan and his coterie of brandy-drooling elites at the Federal Reserve. Thanks, guys. Greenspan has undoubtedly taken note of the sudden spike in foreclosures which have set off alarm bells from Wall Street to the American heartland. The effects of his “cheap money” policies are finally sending tremors through America’s fragile economic landscape. In September, 2006 the US Foreclosure Market Report released a statement that over 112,000 homes had entered some stage of foreclosure “a 63% increase from September 2005!?! September was the second straight month in which more than 110,000 new foreclosure filings were reported nationwide, evidence that the spike in August was not just a one-month anomaly.” No, it is not a “one-month anomaly” and it is bound to get considerably worse as $1 trillion of ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages) reset in 2007. The rising foreclosure numbers are the result of rising monthly payments on the new-fangled loans which have low introductory interest rates, but can unexpectedly double after a two or three year period. Imagine mortgage payments that suddenly jump from $1,300 per month to more than $2,000 on a $129,000 house. That’s what many people will be facing in 2007 when their loans reset and they are suddenly forced out of their homes and onto the streets. The housing bubble is actually an extension of the stock market bubble; Greenspan’s earlier swindle which cost American investors $7 trillion in retirement and life-savings. Both equity balloons can be attributed to the shabby and exploitative monetary policies of the Federal Reserve. By expanding credit and money supply via low interest rates, the Fed has kept the economy whirring along creating the impression of prosperity when it’s all just smoke and mirrors. America’s opulence is built on a mountain of debt that’s piled a mile high. Regrettably, that mountain is about to cascade-down on the American people sometime in 2007-2008. There’ll be no escaping the fallout from the $4.5 trillion dollars of new mortgage debt that’s built up in the last 7 years. By the end of 2007 we should be able to identify many of the painful trends that accompany a deep recession; prices of homes will steeply decline, GDP will fall, and Greenspan’s mighty Temple of Debt will crash to earth. Don’t believe me? The New York Times reported last week that “about 2.2 million borrowers that took out sub-prime loans from 1998 to 2006 are likely to lose their homes”. That translates into about 10 million people! But that, of course, is just the beginning of the bloodbath. The real fun begins when the whole, ugly ball-o-corruption starts to unwind and we get an insider’s-view of a system that is rotten to the marrow. The housing industry is saturated with fraud; the banks, the mortgage lenders, the Fed and the homeowners themselves have all played a major role in this sordid confidence game. Consider this, for example: In 2006 the Mortgage Brokers Association for Responsible Lending (MBARL) said that “Liar’s Loans” (those based on what you TELL the bank you are earning, rather than what you are REALLY earning) “shot up to an estimated 62% of mortgage originations…A recent sampling of 100 stated income loans by an auditing firm in Virginia (based on IRS records) found that 90% of the income statements were exaggerated by 5% or more, WHILE ALMOST 60% OF THE STATED AMOUNTS WERE EXAGGERATED BY MORE THAN 50%”!?! (Dan Dorfman New York Sun) Are you kidding me? A majority of loan applicants are grossly exaggerating their income and the banks are handing out hundreds of thousands of dollars WITHOUT EVEN CROSS-CHECKING IRS STATEMENTS? It’s mind-boggling! The question is, how many of these “liars” will be unable to meet their mortgage obligations when the bill comes due in 2007-2008? And, how will their (myriad) defaults affect housing prices for everyone else? Another indication of hanky-panky appeared in the back-pages of the New York Times last week under the appropriate title “A Phantom Rebound in the Housing Market” by Daniel Gross. The article points out that while the Commerce Dept was celebrating the latest rise in new home sales (in Nov) the reality was quite different. In fact, the government is overstating sales “by up to 20%”. The Commerce Dept failed to subtract the thousands of people who signed contracts but “simply walked away from their deposits when they realized they couldn’t flip the houses for a quick profit.” Ooops! So the government is falsifying the figures to make things look better than they really are? You bet. And, most of the high-end home builders like Toll Bros are reporting cancellations in the neighborhood of 37%! The Times adds that, “Mr. Zandi of Economy.com estimates that the differential is even greater. ‘Given the rise in cancellation rates, it suggests that between 150,000 and 200,000 home sales are being counted that actually did not occur.’” “Did not occur”! So, the government is beefing up their stats with an extra 200,000 homes a month!?! Gadzooks! Okay, so the homeowners are lying on their loans, and the government is lying about the sales (and inventory) figures; is that it? No. In an earlier article (The Fed’s role in the Housing Crash of ’07) we already covered how the banks are loaning out as much money as possible through all kinds of “untested” Mickey Mouse mortgages so that unqualified borrowers can get-on-board the housing gold rush. These are the ARMs; the “no-down payment, “interest-only” loans which Business Week magazine called “the riskiest and most complicated home loan product ever created”. Many of these ARMs are timed to explode sometime in the next 2 years and the aftershocks from the defaults are expected to be felt throughout the economy. Of course, the banks never would have exposed themselves to such extraordinary risk if they weren’t able to bundle-up these dubious loans and ship them off to Wall Street. Fund managers have been more than eager to take this “collateralized debt” and use it in the booming hedge fund industry. No one really knows what will happen to the stock market when foreclosures begin to skyrocket and the banks and hedge funds are unable to recoup their losses. But a major “correction” (meltdown) is certainly not out of the question. Once again, all of these problems originated at the Federal Reserve where interest rate manipulation and the loosey-goosey approach to money supply have created the potential for an economic firestorm. Bubble, bubble; toil and trouble So, what can we expect when interest rates tighten up and the market begins to slump. Well, first off, according to the Wall Street Journal, lenders will get “more cautious in initiating new loans and have been setting aside more reserves for potential loan losses.” The banks are battening down the hatches and preparing for the worst. This just confirms that the real hurricane hasn’t even touched down yet and that America’s over-leveraged consumers should try to straighten out their financial affairs as swiftly as possible. (Get out of debt, pronto!) A USB study indicates that a “high percentage of borrowers with delinquent, defaulted and foreclosed loans have second mortgages. These borrowers are so overburdened by the added debt that THEY HAVE TROUBLE MAKING THE PAYMENTS ON THEIR FIRST MORTGAGES. This is an ominous development since 34% of all mortgages in 2006 were second mortgages.” In other words, it’s not simply people in the sub-prime market who are feeling the pinch. Millions of Americans either have loans that will reset at significantly higher monthly rates (which they won’t be able to pay) or they are completely maxxed-out financially after draining every last farthing out of their home equity. In fact, falling prices have decreased the amount of money that homeowners are able to take out of their home equity. (Equity withdrawals decreased by 70% in the last year alone!) That means that there is $525 billion less fueling the overall economy (GDP). As housing prices steadily decline, we can expect that America’s growth will shrink accordingly. The American consumer is hobbled by debt and has no way to increase his revenue as long as wages remain stagnant. Additionally, US households are now showing negative savings. (minus .2%) When the home equity “punch bowl” dries up, it’ll be hard times for the average over-leveraged American consumer. He’ll have nothing left for his buying sprees but the plastic in his wallet. (Credit card debt is soaring) It’ll be tough on the banks and Wall Street, too. After all, over 50% of all mortgages since 2003 have been these shaky, non-conventional loans which have ignored the standard criteria for loaning money (20% down payment, fixed interest rate, sufficient collateral and earnings) Now they’ll have to “pay the piper” and accept the dismal aftereffects of their profligate lending. The banks should have spotted this disaster a mile away. Instead, they decided to improvise on mortgages so they could keep the money flowing and maximize profits. Now, there’s not a life boat big enough on Planet Earth to bail us out. Glub, glub. Once again, we need to remind ourselves that the housing boom was not created by market forces, but by cheap money pumped into the system (via the “creative financing” rip-off) by our friends at the Federal Reserve. They are responsible for this whole bloody boondoggle. When the Fed cut short-term interest rates from 6.5% to 1% in 2001, they knew that they were simply leaping from one equity-bubble to another. In the next 5 years, total mortgage debt increased by a whopping 82% and total real estate value nearly doubled to $21 trillion dollars. These are huge numbers and, of course, the Fed knew exactly where the money was going, just as they knew what the outcome would be in the long term. The effects of low interest rates and increases to the money supply are like the immutable laws of science. In this case, they act like gravity pulling the whole battered US economy into a bottomless black hole. It was entirely predictable. So, what happens now? What can we expect from the architects of this colossal rip-off in the next year or two? Well, the Fed, the US Treasury and the Bush administration--the real axis of evil--would like to forestall the inevitable recession-depression until they carry out their forthcoming attack on Iran. That’s why Bush is sending another carrier group to the Gulf as well as a squadron of F-16s to Turkey. (It also explains why the US forces seized 5 Iranian hostages in Irbil, Iraq yesterday) The US is clamping down on transactions with Iran’s main banks (“unilateral sanctions”) and has coerced the Saudis into “discounting their top-line sweet crude by $1.75 to US customers” (Jim Willie “Golden Jackass.com”) to put additional pressure on Iranian oil exports. As Willie says, “This is the real story behind the falling (Gas) prices, not the silly (East Coast) weather”. Uncle Sam is gearing up for another Middle East dust-up in Iran and the lower gas prices are (temporarily) averting a US recession. The longer term prospects, however, are not so rosy. The “sunny Jim” reports in the media about a “soft landing” will have no affect on the impending housing collapse or on America’s downward economic spiral; the numbers are simply too enormous. By spring 2007, the Fed will have to lower rates to stop the hemorrhaging and to avoid a full-blown depression. When that happens, the last wobbly bit of scaffolding that’s propping up the greenback will be kicked-out and the dollar will slip into oblivion. As long as the Fed keeps rates fixed, the pressure on housing will continue to intensify; pushing prices lower and inventories higher. GDP and home equity will continue to shrivel. It’s all bleak, bleak, bleak. I’ll leave you with a final comment from Michael Hudson’s “The New Road to Serfdom: an Illustrated Guide to the Coming Real Estate Collapse” (Harpers May 2006) Hudson, who may well be the foremost authority on the housing bubble says: “Although home ownership may be a wise choice for many people, this particular real estate bubble has been carefully engineered to lure homebuyers into circumstances detrimental to their own best interests. The bait is easy money. The trap is a modern equivalent to peonage; a lifetime spent working to pay off debt on an asset of rapidly dwindling value. Most everyone involved in the real estate bubble thus far has made at least a few dollars. But that is about to change. The bubble will burst, and when it does, the people who thought they’d be living the easy life of a landlord will soon find that what they really signed up for was the hard servitude of debt serfdom…America holds record mortgage debt in a declining housing market. Even that might first seem okay—we can just whether the storm in our nice new houses. And in fact things will be okay for homeowners who bought long ago and have seen the price of their homes double and then double again. But for more recent homeowners, who bought at the top and now face decades of payments on houses that soon will be worth less than they paid for them, serious trouble is brewing. And they are not an insignificant bunch. The problem for recent homeowners is not just that prices are falling; it’s that prices are falling even as the buyer’s total mortgage remains the same or even increases. Eventually, the price of the house will fall below what the homeowners owe, a state that economists call negative equity. They can’t sell—the declining market price won’t cover what they owe the bank—but they still have to make those (often growing) monthly payments. Their only “choice” is to cut back spending in other areas or lose the house—and everything they paid for in it—in foreclosure. Free markets are based on choice. But more and more homeowners are discovering that what they got for their money is fewer and fewer choices. A real estate boom that began with the promise of “economic freedom” will almost certainly end with a growing number of workers locked into a lifetime of debt servitude that absorbs every spare penny.” It can't be stated more succinctly than that. Thanks, Michael Hudson, for your insightful analysis, but it may be too late.