Saturday, May 05, 2007

FIRE IN FLORIDA


State works to contain Florida wildfires

Related Links
Video: State works to contain wildfires
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Gov. Charlie Crist declares a state of emergency, Florida National Guard air crews are mobilized and weary firefighters are returning from Georgia as the state works to contain wildfires in several rain-starved areas.
On Friday, the state was fighting 123 working wildfires, burning some 12,000 acres of brush and trees in parched areas of the state. There were no mandatory or voluntary evacuations as most of the fires were burning in areas where they were not a threat to homes or businesses.
Crist's emergency order Thursday opens the door to federal funds to help fight fires and allows him to use the Florida National Guard.
His proclamation states that the ongoing wildfire season threatens the state "with a major disaster."
Since Jan. 1, there have been 1,860 fires, charring about 160,000 acres, said Jim Karels, assistant director of the Division of Forestry.
One of the largest wildfires in the state Friday was a blaze located on the Flagler-Volusia county line, west of Interstate 95 and north of State Road 40.
That fire grew to 3,700 acres Friday, expanding to the northwest toward the Relay Management Area in southern Flagler County. It jumped fire lines Thursday night on the northwest and west ends of the blaze.
"It has an extremely heavy fuel load in a very tough area," Karels said.
The state has dispatched a team to work with 70 firefighters who are trying to contain the massive blaze. In July 1998, the entire county was evacuated as wildfires scorched 56,000 acres, destroyed 46 homes and caused heavy damage to about 179 others.
Karels said the fire is about 60 to 65 percent contained.
"That means we've just barely got a hold on it," he said, adding there is a potential for flames to jump fire breaks.
On Saturday, the Florida National Guard will join the fight, Karels said.
The Guard is standing by in Brooksville with a Fire Hawk helicopter, which is a Black Hawk with a water tank, and another Black Hawk with a sling bucket to carry water. Additional helicopters are available if needed.
A crew of about 20 Division of Forestry firefighters helping with the massive wildfires in southern Georgia were ordered to return to the state Wednesday to help quell the outbreaks in Florida.
Rain was predicted for northern Florida on Saturday and Sunday, but Karels fears it will bring with it lightning and winds, which could aggravate the work of firefighters.
Meanwhile, a lightning-sparked wildfire continued to burn Friday on the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge near Boynton Beach. The blaze had burned about 1,300 acres over three days. Afternoon rain Thursday and high humidity brought the blaze to 95 percent containment, officials said.
The fire was not threatening any homes, and no evacuations had been ordered. Refuge spokeswoman Serena Rinker said officials had ordered a helicopter to drop water on the fire Thursday, but it was redirected to other fires in the state.
Officials were hoping the blaze would burn to a nearby canal and a backfire could then contain it completely.
In Lake County, an 875-acre fire was burning Friday within containment lines. Karels said it was 70 percent contained.
Meanwhile, Alex Sink, who serves as state fire marshal and the state's chief financial officer, called on Floridians to take precautions and she pledged to aggressively pursue anyone found responsible for setting fires.
"Our landscape is extremely dry and vulnerable to forest fires. I am urging Floridians to take precautions to protect their families and homes, take steps to ensure they are practicing fire safety and to immediately report suspected arson," Sink said Friday.
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson urged state residents to report instances of price-gouging in the wake of the growing drought and wildfire risk.
Since Crist has declared a state of emergency, Bronson said it is unlawful to charge exorbitant or excessive prices for essential items, including shelter, gasoline, water, food, water, ice generators or lumber.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Local News
Officials: Flagler County wildfire consumes about 5,000 acres

HAZAELS AMONG US




HAZAELS AMONG US!



Most people do not understand the things happening to our church in this modern time. They see many problems within the church structure, yet ministers on the pulpit, continually tell them in their sermons that they are not to mind nor even look at the church lest they take their eyes off of Jesus. The ministers tell us that we shouldn't worry about apostasy within the church, for "God has charge over His church." They therefore tell us that we show a lack of faith when we worry about apostasy in the Church when God is pledged to have a watch over His people.
Now all of a sudden, these same ministers tirelessly expend much effort in preaching against and opposing private ministries which have arisen in protest of our preventable, yet everlasting and well defended "problems." They tell us as a point of fact that they have to "defend the church" from the attacks of these ministries. Obviously these ministries are a great concern to those who tell us we should not be concerned about all the bad things happening within the church since God has charge over His people and since all eyes are to be merely kept on Jesus. It is also amazing the timetable our shepherds commonly possess: If I was to take a video from an independent ministry and hold it before an apostate minister and say, "This video shows some of our leading brethren denying key points of our faith on public media. I am going to copy and distribute this video to as many members as I can. Yet I will time you by the calendar and see how fast you are at attacking the problems of the church, in comparison to attacking those who point them out." Dear brother, what do you suppose will happen?
[There was an actual video which had an Evangelist representing one of the conferences, among other things, denying that the Pope is Antichrist and that Sabbath observance will be an essential requirement for the Christian according to the Everlasting Covenant on public television].
The church is now on a grand campaign to attack those who point out her "problems," while the problems themselves, along with those who cause them, more and more flourish. I put quotations around the word "problems," because most every problem that is pointed out to the church she verily denies, making the excuse that it's merely the perception of the one who sees a problem that makes it a problem. Remember well that this was one of the major reasons why diversity was so important. Without it, corruption could not be preserved. Yet this denial attitude of the church is contrary to the example given by Joshua, who was accused by Satan (the accuser of the brethren) in the book of Zechariah. In that book the accusations of Satan were true, and Joshua became victorious through his repentance and humiliation. The example of Joshua for the church organization and Satan the accuser for those who point out her "problems" would therefore be an incompatible representation.
Many can't understand this phenomenon. Yet some are realizing that independent ministries now can probably produce three videos for every one they produced say five years ago. Our church leaders cry out against what they conceive to be the worst sin in the church: criticism. Unlike most every other controversial issue within the denomination, our leaders will not allow the members to come to that conclusion themselves in figuring out what they may consider to be the worst sin in the church. In every public media they are pushing upon the multitudes the belief that criticism is the worst sin in the church today; yet the very things that are being criticized are becoming worse, and these leaders know this. If "problems" can grow so well under a barrage of "destructive criticism," can you conceive what would happen if these "problems" faced no criticism at all? We would probably be kissing the Pope's ring by now, well before any Sunday law comes to fruition.
Our prophet predicted that a time would come when men in responsible positions within our church would acquire a strange desire to retain her "problems."
The Lord has a controversy with His professed people in these last days. In this controversy MEN IN RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS WILL TAKE A COURSE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE TO THAT PURSUED BY NEHEMIAH. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. IN CHURCHES AND IN LARGE GATHERINGS IN THE OPEN AIR, MINISTERS WILL URGE UPON THE PEOPLE THE NECESSITY OF KEEPING THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. -- RH, Vol. 1, pg. 405.
Do you remember the example of Nehemiah? Remember the things that he did for Israel? Remember that he built up the walls of Zion? Walls ALWAYS signify SEPARATION. Today, men in responsible positions are telling us that we must break down all walls of separation between us and the fallen churches. To even suggest "coming out of Babylon"--to make a separation between ourselves and the rest of the Sundaykeeping Christian world--to these men would cause them to return a charge of you being an "Isolationist." But the walls Nehemiah was building was for the protection of the people of God. Nehemiah worked for the mission of Israel in the world, and for God. He also armed the people with swords INDIVIDUALLY.
This portion of inspiration is telling us that the Lord has a quarrel with us. Yet we are seeking for the Holy Spirit without knowing what that quarrel is and not caring to remove it. Part of this quarrel is that we allow and support men in responsible positions in the denominational organization who are determined to destroy our mission and message. What happens when people inform us that such men have greatly infested our positions of leadership? Do we not tell them that worrying about such conditions "is not our salvation?" There is therefore no more question in my mind why the Lord wrote Hosea 4:6 and did not spare so many of the Children of Israel in times past when apostasy swallowed them up and caused them to lose their eternal hope. There is no mercy for those in willful ignorance.
Yet, lest we stray off of the real topic to be discussed here, consider one very outstanding example of the actions of Nehemiah, since the Spirit of Prophecy has declared that our leading brethren today would take the exact opposite course:
Through intermarriage, a friendship had been brought about between Eliashib the high priest and Tobiah the Ammonite, Israel's bitter enemy. As a result of this unhallowed alliance, ELIASHIB HAD PERMITTED TOBIAH TO OCCUPY AN APARTMENT CONNECTED WITH THE TEMPLE, which heretofore had been used as a storeroom for tithes and offerings of the people.
Because of the cruelty and treachery of the Ammonites and Moabites toward Israel, God had declared through Moses that they should be forever shut out from the congregation of His people. (See Deuteronomy 23:36). IN DEFIANCE OF THIS WORD, THE HIGH PRIEST HAD CAST OUT THE OFFERINGS STORED IN THE CHAMBER OF GOD'S HOUSE, TO MAKE A PLACE FOR THIS REPRESENTATIVE OF A PROSCRIBED RACE. GREATER CONTEMPT COUNLD NOT HAVE BEEN SHOWN THAN TO CONFER SUCH A FAVOR ON THIS ENEMY OF GOD AND HIS TRUTH.
On returning from Persia, NEHEMIAH LEARNED OF THE BOLD PROFANATION AND TOOK PROMPT MEASURES TO EXPEL THE INTRUDER. "It grieved me sore," he declares: "therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and frankincense." -- PK p. 669, 670. See Nehemiah 13.
Here we see that Nehemiah had expelled what God's word had declared was an everlasting enemy. Is our church organization doing opposite to this? Is our church leadership allowing people which the scriptures have declared to be its everlasting enemies into positions within the church organization? We hear now how criticism is such a terrible thing in the church. Is there anything more terrible than allowing the mortal enemies of the cause of truth into our church? You can curse and spit on God's name and you would not show greater contempt than to let God's enemies into the Seventh-day Adventist Church organization! Yet here now is the awesome answer to that question.
Some of your church leaders also noticed something strange happening, so, in their quest for answers, they came across a certain man who was an ex-Jesuit priest. His name was Dr. Alberto Rivera. They interviewed Dr. Rivera, where which they were confronted with some very ominous words. You will have to excuse his use of words, since he did come from a Hispanic background. Also, as you hear these words, you must understand that he was not a Seventh-day Adventist, and also that his life was in constant peril for his revelations of secret plottings within the Vatican to take over the world:
"What the Roman Catholic system has, all the time, as her own purpose, is to infiltrate to penetrate all the areas of life where the Roman Catholic can have control and access for the coming world government. What that means is that in preparation for that world government, the Roman Catholic institutions, especially since the establishment of the Jesuit order in 1541, to all these 500 years, they've been in preparation into infiltration and penetration of every level of society in order to take over the world politically and religiously.
Many of these militarist organizations, I TRAIN them to prepare how they can become Baptist, how they can become Adventist, how they can become Methodist, how they can become Presbyterians, how they can become Pentecostals, and all these areas where they must infiltrate any area."
These words are alarming enough. Yet take note of these more dangerous words as he was asked whether or not OUR church was infiltrated, and if it was, to what extent:
"What I know is this: THAT EVEN THE SEVENTHDAY ADVENTIST CHURCH HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER THE GREATEST SETUP, AND A REAL SETUP OF ALL THE HISTORY OF THE DENOMINATION. And the proof and the evidence is that now the leadership is already in a position where they themselves cannot play the role of Frankenstein no longer, because they've been on bail--they've been discovered--and their intents, and their true intents, and cases where already MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN ALREADY TRAINED, PREPARED BY JESUITS TO BE WHERE THEY ARE."
So here we see who those enemies are. God's word has declared that the Papacy would be His and our enemy to the close of time. Are we letting him into positions within our church organization?
You may be mockingly shrugging off the thought that this is true or that this can ever happen to our church, especially since many ministers are telling us that "God has charge over His church!" If so, your questions may very well parallel the thoughts of this Seventh-day Adventist minister who witnessed the same words you just heard:
"Oh friend, do you comprehend what he just said? Is he a madman? Would the Papacy even dare think of such a thing against God's Remnant church that we love so much and that the lovely Jesus died and shed His blood for? Here's another question: Would our great and mighty God in heaven even allow such a thing? Nothing touches God's church without His permission. Do you believe that? If the members and leaders in God's church are in great apostasy and rebellion, worldliness, debauchery, would God permit it? If He did, what good would it do His church which is the apple of His eye?" -- Pastor Jan Marcussen.
We therefore see relentless forces being pushed in the secular realm for changes in light of an emerging New World Order. We also see that relentless forces are urging change in the church. We see that the worldly media cries out for "Unity in diversity" in preparation for this New World Order, and the experience is being copied in the church. We note that the old ways of doing things are continually being spat upon and crowded out in the world field, and that the same thing is happening in the church despite the pleas for diversity. In both cases, we see hostility toward the old Protestant morality. We hear pleas in the world field that we should not halt progress through a policy of "fear" or "cynicism" or "negativism." Again, startlingly, we find our church media urging us to step out into unknowns or "uncertainties" and magnifying for us the opportunity loss that would come upon us if we accept a policy of "fear" or "cynicism" or "negativism" or "criticism." Our media is urging us to "jump" out--out of our former "pet theories," and to ignore anyone who tells us to consider what we are getting into, and to ignore the fact that the path we are jumping into is not documented by the Scriptures.
We observe Catholic officials addressing our General Conference Session and notice some of them even taking positions within our church. What form of intelligence would justify our remarkable converted leading brethren for committing such an act like this?!
We see Catholic pictures and symbols all over the yearbook of one of our colleges (the main seminary for SDA ministers!) in violation of the clearest guidance given from inspiration, and yet our denomination uses relativism--a common Jesuit tool--to squelch the justified backlash against this abomination! We notice that the Vatican flag was placed among the flags of the other nations in our 1995 General Conference Session even in the midst of the greatest distrust of leadership because they are suspected by their consistent actions of working for the Papacy.
We also observe that the Roman Catholic Church in the 1893 Catholic Mirror under the auspices of James Cardinal Gibbons, has declared that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the most Protestant of Churches. Though this document blasts the other Protestants for keeping Sunday and seemingly defends the position of Seventh-day Adventists, it should be clearly understood, that declaring us to be the most protestant of churches makes us her very worst enemy.
In light of all this evidence of something ominous taking place behind the scenes, can you imagine our denomination creating articles in the Review ridiculing the idea that there is any Jesuit infiltration going on within the Seventh-day Adventist Church?! Can you imagine all these evidences of Jesuit infiltration taking place in the world field, and yet the Vatican would ignore doing the same with the Seventh-day Adventist Church: HER WORST ENEMY! Now how really dumb do our denominational leaders think the Vatican is? Do they not know that we have a message with the potential to shake her to her very foundations?! Where will anyone find an answer for the intelligence of so many of our leading brethren today. . . EXCEPT IN ROME?!
Allow me therefore to remove the confusion around your mind by showing you the answer to the questions asked by Pastor Jan Marcussen:
"God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures and a most CRITICAL examination of the positions which we hold. God would have all the bearings and positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer and fasting." -- 5T p. 707, 708.
We now witness many heresies within the body, yet God's people are still not roused to their task. The Lord therefore leaves this message to His people which will help in figuring out the answer to those questions pastor Jan Marcussen asked. Pay close attention to the word "TRAINING" in this quotation, comparing it to what Dr. Rivera said:
"The patience of God has an object, but you are defeating it. HE IS ALLOWING A STATE OF THINGS TO COME THAT YOU WOULD FAIN SEE COUNTERACTED BY AND BY, BUT IT WILL BE TOO LATE. God commanded Elijah to anoint the cruel and deceitful Hazael king over Syria, that he might be a scourge to idolatrous Israel. WHO KNOWS WHETHER GOD WILL NOT GIVE YOU UP TO THE DECEPTIONS YOU LOVE? Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? IT MAY BE THAT THE DESTROYERS ARE ALREADY TRAINING UNDER THE HAND OF SATAN and only wait the departure of a few more standardbearers to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, "Peace, peace," when the Lord hath not spoken peace. I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write. It may be that erelong all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers." -- 5T p. 77.
Are there people around now crying "Peace! Peace!" and telling us that we must celebrate? Are they yet showing their grave concerns about independent ministries identifying them as workers for the Papacy?
Now you see that after ministers are found in the open air teaching the necessity of strict Sunday observance, you would ask the question: how can this condition exist while our leadership is in power? The statement itself shows that leadership will not only allow them in, but will protect them. NOTE WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS TRAGIC OCCURENCE IS POINTING. Is this quote pointing at "critical" and "divisive" selfsupporting ministries? Do such ministries control what goes on in our campmeetings? We're not dealing with the Alpha apostasy now you know: we're dealing with the Omega.
That's why the next quotation regarding the attitude of the Protestant churches toward the Catholic church appropriately states:
"As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but that it is right to believe good of all evil, and as the inevitable result they will finally believe evil of all good." -- GC p. 571.
There we see why those who point out the "problems" within the church get kicked out so readily, while leadership is strengthening those "problems." This falls in line with what the ex-Jesuit priest, Dr. Rivera said about our leadership being "discovered." He was in essence inviting everyone to test his words. He was saying that if most of our leadership are conspirators as he claimed, as soon as they are discovered, they would not only refuse to correct the denominational "problems," but they will push those problems even more stridently: the very "problems" they are being criticized for. We see that is exactly what is happening.
Says the prophet:
"There are men among us in responsible positions WHO HOLD THAT THE OPINIONS OF A FEW CONCEITED PHILOSOPHERS, SO CALLED, ARE MORE TO BE TRUSTED THAN THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE, OR THE TESTIMONIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Such a faith as that of Paul, Peter, or John is considered oldfashioned and insufferable at the present day. It is pronounced absurd, mystical, and unworthy of an intelligent mind.
GOD HAS SHOWN ME THAT THESE MEN ARE HAZAELS TO PROVE A SCOURGE TO OUR PEOPLE. THEY ARE WISE ABOVE WHAT IS WRITTEN. This unbelief of the very truths of God's word because human judgment cannot comprehend the mysteries of His work is found in every district, in all ranks of society. It is taught in most of our schools and comes into the lessons of the nurseries. Thousands who profess to be Christians give heed to lying spirits. Everywhere the spirit of darkness in the garb of religion will confront you." -- 5T p. 79.
The conceited philosophers our prophet refers to are those who teach the world ethical relativism: who teach them about this "wonderful" diversity: that they can set their own moral norms and values, and that there is no one clear standard of living for all. This caused the destruction of the ancient Grecian world. This relativism is now being taught and is spreading like wildfire throughout every media of our church through the famous term, "diversity."
Now brethren, is criticism worse than allowing the eternal enemies of the truth into positions within our structure? Do you frown and move away from detestable criticism, yet you sit and listen to heresy, or sit and watch Christ's enemies come into our positions and address our General Conference Sessions? Observe how it is shown that in the quotation here (Prophets & Kings pgs. 269, 270) it is impossible to show greater contempt for God and His truth than what our new theology apostates have already done.
Dear people: When all the faithful standard-bearers are gone, and they are replaced by new theology babylonian shepherds, THESE WILL BE YOUR HAZAELS! Then peace and safety will leave you forever. These will show their true colors. The smokescreens of their "love" and "gentleness" will leave, and the marks of their success will be seen in your blood and the blood of your children.
Next time be a little more careful who you tell, "Don't be critical man! Don't bring down this movement!" We are not trying to bring down the Seventh-day Adventist Movement: we are trying to stop this present movement which is guiding the Seventh-day Adventist Church to Sunday and to the Pope!
The Lord has a controversy with His professed people in these last days. In this controversy MEN IN RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS WILL TAKE A COURSE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE TO THAT PURSUED BY NEHEMIAH. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. IN CHURCHES AND IN LARGE GATHERINGS IN THE OPEN AIR, MINISTERS WILL URGE UPON THE PEOPLE THE NECESSITY OF KEEPING THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. -- RH, Vol. 1, pg. 405.
According to the following quotation, it will soon be sanctioned and FORCED by the leadership of the Adventist Church for ministers to urge the necessity for keeping Sunday. The events stated in this quotation cannot possibly come true without the sanction of the denominational leadership.
Yes, the Adventist Church is soon going to push for Sunday.
YES the Adventist DENOMINATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT IS GOING TO FALL!!
Brace yourselves, AND DON'T FOOL YOURSELVES!!


NOMINAL SDA: WORDLY CONFORMISTS


NOW President Kim Gandy joined Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) at a May 12 news conference criticizing the FDA's decision to block easier access to emergency contraception. Photo by Lisa Bennett

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., stands next to President Bush as he signs the bill he sponsored. On Monday, July 24, 2006, the President signed into law:
H.R. 42, the "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005," which prohibits restrictions on displaying the U.S. flag on certain residential property.



"The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us. The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges." {5Testimonies 463.2}

A FIRM PLATFORM


"I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fal­len churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God Is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant."-Early Writings (Ellen G. White), 261.

Friday, May 04, 2007

PUT ON THE NEW MAN


17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But ye have not so learned Christ;
21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27Neither give place to the devil.
28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4: 17 - 32.

5 DE MAYO


SINKO-DAY MY-OH!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

ORGANIC VS CONVENTIONAL


Organic vs. Conventional?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov) the most contaminated produce, ranked from highest to lowest are:
1 Strawberries 189

2 green and red bell peppers 155

3 spinach 155

4 cherries (USA) 154

5 peaches 150

6 cantaloupe (Mexico) 142

7 celery 129

8 apples 124

9 apricots 123

10 green beans 122

11 grapes (Chile) 118

12 cucumbers 117


Source: Environmental Working Group, compiled from FDA and EPA data.


These 12 foods account for more than half of the total pesticide exposure. They should be avoided unless they are organic.Peel all non-organic fruit and remove the outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage. Washing produce with plain water can remove from 25-50% of pesticide residue. Eat to LiveJoel Fuhrman, M.D. pages 236,237



VERBAL ATTACKS ON POPE = TERRORISM

Vatican calls verbal attack on Pope "terrorism"

By Robin Pomeroy
Wed May 2, 1:11 PM ET

ROME (Reuters) - The Vatican's official newspaper accused an Italian comedian on Wednesday of "terrorism" for criticizing the Pope and warned his rhetoric could fuel a return to 1970s-style political violence.


In an unusually strongly worded editorial, L'Osservatore Romano said a presenter of a televised May Day rock concert, which is sponsored by Italy's labor unions, had launched "vile attacks" on
Pope Benedict in front of an "excitable crowd."


"This, too, is terrorism. It's terrorism to launch attacks on the Church," it said. "It's terrorism to stoke blind and irrational rage against someone who always speaks in the name of love, love for life and love for man."
At the concert, held every year in front of the Saint John in Lateran basilica -- Rome's cathedral where Pope Benedict sits as bishop -- one of the presenters, Andrea Rivera, spoke out against the Pontiff's stand on a number of issues.
"The Pope says he doesn't believe in evolution. I agree, in fact the Church has never evolved," he said.
He also criticized the Church for refusing to give a Catholic funeral to Piergiorgio Welby, a man who campaigned for euthanasia as he lay paralyzed with muscular dystrophy. He died in December after a doctor agreed to unplug his respirator.
"I can't stand the fact that the
Vatican refused a funeral for Welby but that wasn't the case for (Chilean dictator Augusto) Pinochet or (Spanish dictator Francisco) Franco," he said between musical acts at the open-air concert.
The latest salvo between the Vatican and its critics in Italy comes a few days after the head of Italy's bishops' conference, Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, received a bullet in the post after making comments that his critics say compared homosexuality with incest and pedophilia.
The Osservatore said Rivera's monologue came amid growing anti-clericalism in Italy which included graffiti and Internet messages supporting the Red Brigades, the Marxist group involved in political violence particularly in the 1970s.
"Some people have even twisted (Bagnasco's words) to start an insidious 'war', a new season of tension, which is inspiring those who are looking for motives to return to taking up arms," the newspaper said.
Prime Minister Romano Prodi, a devout Catholic who is backing legislation to give legal rights to unmarried couples, including homosexuals -- a bill opposed by the Church -- called for calm.
"We have to have calm and good sense," he told reporters. "Unfortunately the rhetoric has continuously been getting harsher over recent months. This country doesn't need it."


POPE TO VISIT U.N.






27-April-2007 -- Catholic World News Brief

Pope Benedict Will Visit U.N.

Vatican, Apr. 27, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI has accepted an invitation to visit UN headquarters in New York, the Vatican announced on April 27.
Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, said that the Holy Father has accepted the invitation that was extended to him by Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, who met with the Pope at the Vatican on April 18.
For now "there is no date or program" for the Pope's trip, Father Lombardi said.
Pope John Paul II visited the UN twice during his pontificate: in 1979 and in 1995. Pope Paul VI became the first Roman Pontiff to speak at the UN, and the first to visit the Western hemisphere, in 1965.


Source: http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=78150

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER




National Day of Prayer, 2007


A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America



A prayerful spirit has always been an important part of our national character, and it is a force thay has guided the American people, given us strenght, and sustained us in moments of joy and in times of challenge. On the National Day of Prayer, we ackowledge God's grace and ask for His continued guidance in the life of our Nation.
Americans of many faiths and traditions share a common belief that God hears the prayers of His children and shows grace to those who seek Him. Following the tragedy at Virginia Tech, in towns all across America, in houses of worship from every faith, Americans have joined together to pray for the lives that were lost and for their families, friends, and loved ones. We hold the victims in our hearts and pray for those who suffer and grieve. There is a power in these prayers, and we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God.
At this important time in our history, we also pray for the brave members of our Armed Forces and their families. We pray for their safety, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace we all seek.
The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to respect the freedom of religion by recognizing each year a "National Day of Prayer."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2007, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH


MYSTERIOUS HONEYBEE-KILLER




Mysterious honeybee killer could make dinner bland


POSTED: 4:50 a.m. EDT, May 3, 2007








Story Highlights• USDA official: "This is the biggest general threat to our food supply"• One-quarter of U.S. colonies vanish, about five times the normal winter loss• Honeybees pollinate more than 90 of the tastiest flowering crops in U.S.• Not all scientists foresee a food crisis, noting prior large-scale bee die-offs


BELTSVILLE, Maryland (AP) -- Unless someone or something stops it soon, the mysterious killer that is wiping out many of America's honeybees could have a devastating effect on the country's dinner plate, perhaps even reducing its people to a glorified bread-and-water diet.
Honeybees do not just make honey; they pollinate more than 90 of the tastiest flowering crops the country has.
Among them: apples, nuts, avocados, soybeans, asparagus, broccoli, celery, squash and cucumbers. And lots of the really sweet and tart stuff, too, including citrus fruit, peaches, kiwi, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, cantaloupe and other melons.
In fact, about one-third of the human diet comes from insect-pollinated plants, and the honeybee is responsible for 80 percent of that pollination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Even cattle, which feed on alfalfa, depend on bees. So if the collapse worsens, Americans could end up being "stuck with grains and water," said Kevin Hackett, the national program leader for USDA's bee and pollination program.
"This is the biggest general threat to our food supply," Hackett said.
While not all scientists foresee a food crisis, noting that large-scale bee die-offs have happened before, this one seems particularly baffling and alarming.
U.S. beekeepers in the past few months have lost one-quarter of their colonies -- or about five times the normal winter losses -- because of what scientists have dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder.
The problem started in November and seems to have spread to 27 states, with similar collapses reported in Brazil, Canada and parts of Europe.
Scientists are struggling to figure out what is killing the honeybees, and early results of a key study this week point to some kind of disease or parasite.
Even before this disorder struck, America's honeybees were in trouble. Their numbers were steadily shrinking, because their genes do not equip them to fight poisons and disease very well, and because their gregarious nature exposes them to ailments that afflict thousands of their close cousins.
"Quite frankly, the question is whether the bees can weather this perfect storm," Hackett said. "Do they have the resilience to bounce back? We'll know probably by the end of the summer."
Experts from Brazil and Europe have joined in the detective work at USDA's bee lab in suburban Washington. In recent weeks, Hackett briefed Vice President Dick Cheney's office on the problem. Congress has held hearings on the matter.
"This crisis threatens to wipe out production of crops dependent on bees for pollination," Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said in a statement.
Taken for granted
A congressional study said honeybees add about $15 billion a year in value to the U.S. food supply.
Of the 17,000 species of bees that scientists know about, "honeybees are, for many reasons, the pollinator of choice for most North American crops," a National Academy of Sciences study said last year. They pollinate many types of plants, repeatedly visit the same plant, and recruit other honeybees to visit, too.
Pulitzer Prize-winning insect biologist E.O. Wilson of Harvard said the honeybee is nature's "workhorse -- and we took it for granted."
"We've hung our own future on a thread," Wilson, author of the book "The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth," told The Associated Press on Monday.
Beginning this past fall, beekeepers would open up their hives and find no workers, just newborn bees and the queen. Unlike past bee die-offs, where dead bees would be found near the hive, this time they just disappeared. The die-off takes just one to three weeks.
USDA's top bee scientist, Jeff Pettis, who is coordinating the detective work on this die-off, has more suspected causes than time, people and money to look into them.
The top suspects are a parasite, an unknown virus, some kind of bacteria, pesticides, or a one-two combination of the top four, with one weakening the honeybee and the second killing it.
A quick experiment with some of the devastated hives makes pesticides seem less likely. In the recent experiment, Pettis and colleagues irradiated some hard-hit hives and reintroduced new bee colonies. More bees thrived in the irradiated hives than in the non-irradiated ones, pointing toward some kind of disease or parasite that was killed by radiation.
The parasite hypothesis has history and some new findings to give it a boost: A mite practically wiped out the wild honeybee in the U.S. in the 1990s. And another new one-celled parasitic fungus was found last week in a tiny sample of dead bees by University of California San Francisco molecular biologist Joe DeRisi, who isolated the human SARS virus.
However, Pettis and others said while the parasite nosema ceranae may be a factor, it cannot be the sole cause. The fungus has been seen before, sometimes in colonies that were healthy.
Too dependent on honeybees?
Recently, scientists have begun to wonder if mankind is too dependent on honeybees. The scientific warning signs came in two reports last October.
First, the National Academy of Sciences said pollinators, especially America's honeybee, were under threat of collapse because of a variety of factors. Captive colonies in the United States shrank from 5.9 million in 1947 to 2.4 million in 2005.
Then, scientists finished mapping the honeybee genome and found that the insect did not have the normal complement of genes that take poisons out of their systems or many immune-disease-fighting genes. A fruitfly or a mosquito has twice the number of genes to fight toxins, University of Illinois entomologist May Berenbaum.
What the genome mapping revealed was "that honeybees may be peculiarly vulnerable to disease and toxins," Berenbaum said.
University of Montana bee expert Jerry Bromenshenk has surveyed more than 500 beekeepers and found that 38 percent of them had losses of 75 percent or more. A few weeks back, Bromenshenk was visiting California beekeepers and saw a hive that was thriving. Two days later, it had completely collapsed.
Yet Bromenshenk said, "I'm not ready to panic yet." He said he does not think a food crisis is looming.
Even though experts this year gave what is happening a new name and think this is a new type of die-off, it may have happened before.
Bromenshenk said cited die-offs in the 1960s and 1970s that sound somewhat the same. There were reports of something like this in the United States in spots in 2004, Pettis said. And Germany had something similar in 2004, said Peter Neumann, co-chairman of a 17-country European research group studying the problem.
"The problem is that everyone wants a simple answer," Pettis said. "And it may not be a simple answer."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

MARK 16


Mark 16


1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
3And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
7But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
8And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

DOMESTIC SPYING PROPOSAL




Senators wary of domestic spying proposal

AP May 02, 2007
Michael J. Sniffen



Citing FBI abuses and the attorney general's troubles, senators peppered top justice and intelligence officials Tuesday with skeptical questions about their proposal to revise the rules for spying on Americans.
Senate Intelligence Committee members said the Bush administration must provide more information about its earlier domestic spying before it can hope to gain additional powers for the future.
"Is the administration's proposal necessary, or does it take a step further down a path that we will regret as a nation?" asked Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-V.Wa., as he convened a rare public hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee he chairs.
For two hours, National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell, National Security Agency Director Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein and their lawyers tried to parry increasingly dubious and hostile questions. They deferred many answers to a committee session closed to the public.
With little apparent success, they portrayed the administration bill as merely an adjustment to technological changes wrought by cell phones, e-mail and the Internet since the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was enacted in the 1970s. Under current rules, McConnell said, "We're actually missing a significant portion of what we should be getting."

But Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., responded, "We look through the lens of the past to judge how much we can trust you." Like other senators, he said that trust was undermined by recent disclosure that the FBI had abused so-called National Security Letters to obtain information about Americans.
Whitehouse added another factor. "The attorney general has thoroughly and utterly lost my confidence," he said in reference to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' shifting explanations for the dismissals of eight U.S. attorneys.

Source: http://www.infowars.com/articles/bb/domestic_spying_senators_wary_of_spying_proposal.htm

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

NEW WORLD ORDER RELIGION?




Hey Stupid, The New World Order IS About Religion



By Sherry Shriner

With thunderous applause liberty dies and those who fight to maintain liberty can't even grasp the entire picture of what the fight is about.
I don't know how many times I have seen patriots get angry or enraged in public forums because the mention of God is made when it comes to the New World Order. They proclaim the New World Order is about politics and not religion as they task away at bits and pieces exposing the lies and deceptions of the order. How shocked will they be to find out soon enough that the New World Order is a politicalization of religion and that the two can't and won't be separated.
The entire purpose of the New World Order is to bring Lucifer down to earth and enforce worldwide worship of him as God. Satan's right hand man on earth whom the Bible calls the False Prophet, will implement and enforce worldwide worship of Lucifer as God. The Bible refers to them as beasts because that is exactly what they are.
Most know Lucifer as one of these last days beast's as the Antichrist. The occultic groups call him "the One" or the "God of Light." Some say Lucifer will just arrive as himself masquerading as an angelic being, others declare it will be a human political or religious figure who dies and then comes back to life and then visibly descends to earth from heaven.
The New World Order is about dictatorial control. Not just here in America or over America, but an order which will govern over the entire world as a 4th Reich. It is about worldwide government and control over the masses. It is about one leader rising to take rule and control over all the governments of the world and the nations. And for what? Worship. Not just to lead a dictatorial world empire, but to be worshipped as God. You cannot separate politics and religion with the New World Order. Neither can you understand what it really is by ignoring the religious aspect.
The Bible is far ahead of any political or economic analyst today. It forewarned about the last days rise of a one world government. In fact the political leader is referred to as the False Prophet and he makes proclamations that the entire world must implement:
In Revelation 13:14-18
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

__
The leader of the New World Order will have the legislative authority over the nations to force them to adhere to the rules of the order.
He will pull his political authority and weight over them and demand legislation be passed that calls for an image, statue, or monument of some kind be erected of the descended or resurrected beast and demand that every person on the planet bow down and worship the image of this beast.
Worship of this beast will be enforced through worldwide legislation. And anyone who refuses to bow at this image will be killed. It will be a mandatory death sentence for those who refuse.
Another act of legislation that will be implemented and enforced worldwide is that every person born will have to get this beast's name, number, or image put on or in their right hand or forehead. Most people believe this will be some kind of implantable chip that they are conditioning the masses with now as they promote the health advantages and consumer aspects of it to gain acceptance and popularity.
Eventually, this mark, number or name of the beast will become mandatory. Those who refuse to get it will not be able to buy or sell anything worldwide. You won't be able to buy food, clothes, gas, oil, deposit money or withdraw money from the banks, you literally will be held hostage to having to get this chip to survive.
But many will refuse. Why? Because the Bible and the Prophets have forewarned that anyone who receives the mark of the beast or worships his image will be cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. When you die, your body may experience physical death but your spirit is still alive, and this is the judgment for those who worship the beast and join his Satanic kingdom on earth (Revelation 19:20). Upon their physical death here on Earth, they are cast alive into a lake of fire.
Those in the New World Order who are in control of most of the governments of the world already today declare that to become a citizen of this order will require a Luciferian oath.
Accordingly those in the implementation stages proclaim:
"No one will enter the New World Order unless he or she will make a pledge to worship Lucifer. No one will enter the New Age unless he will take a Luciferian Initiation."
---David Spangler, Director of Planetary Initiative, United Nations
Amongst all the global governing changes and wars that are taking place to accommodate this New World Order many are overlooking the most dominant aspect of it, its religious and occultic nature.
The New World Order IS about religion. It is about worshipping Lucifer.
Wake up folks!


MAY DAY


MAY DAY, MAY DAY.

TODAY IN TAMPA, PRESIDENT BUSH SPOKE TODAY TO THE COALITION OF THE WILLING; VOWING TO CONTINUE HIS "WAR ON TERROR". MEANWHILE, UPON HIS RETURN TO THE CAPITAL, HE VETOED THE $124 BILLION WAR SPENDING BILL WHICH STIPULATES TIMELINES ON REMOVING TROOPS FROM IRAQ. WAR IN IRAQ, WAR AT HOME. PROMISE THE WORLD. YET, FIGHT OVER PARTICULARS WITH FELLOW AMERICANS?

MAY DAY, MAY DAY.

$3 PER GALLON OF GAS. $124,000,000,000 TO CONTINUE THE POLICE ACTION IN MESOPOTAMIA. YET, JOHN Q. PUBLIC (WHO IS FINANCING THIS FIASCO), BARELY AFFORDS TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. BUT, MORE BILLIONS ARE NEED TO BE SPLURGED ON THAT "HELL-HOLE" IRAQ, aka BABYLON.


MAY DAY, MAY DAY.


ILL-EaGLe ALIENS MARCH (ON THE TRADITIONAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE DAY) IN SEVERAL U.S. CITIES "DEMANDING" RIGHTS AND CITIZENSHIP. MEANWHILE THE SOUTHERN BORDERS REMAIN WIDE OPEN 'TIL THE COWS COME HOME. YET, WE'RE BUILDING FENCES IN IRAQ?


MAY DAY, MAY DAY.


THE PRESIDENT WHILE AT MCDILL AFB IN TAMPA, SPOKE OF THE OPPONENTS OF HIS TACTICS, AS LOVING CHAOS. WAIT, YOU MEAN ORDER OUT OF CHAOS? I THINK WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT CONCEPT. AIN'T THAT RIGHT KOLVENBACH?

NOAH'S ARK OPENS


Working Replica of Noah's Ark Opens


By TOBY STERLING


AP


SCHAGEN, Netherlands (April 28) - The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday - you could say it was the first time in 4,000 years - drawing a crowd of curious pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder.

Set to Sail
Talk About It: Post Thoughts
Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark, built by Dutch creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible. Reckoning by the old biblical measurements, Johan's fully functional ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house. Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold. "The design is by my wife, Bianca," Huibers said. "She didn't really want me to do this at all, but she said if you're going to anyway, it should look like this." A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine - biblical scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been. Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005.

The Search for Noah's Ark
On the uncovered top deck - not quite ready in time for the opening - will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats. And one camel. Visitors on the first day were stunned. "It's past comprehension," said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape. "I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big." In fact, Noah's Ark as described in the Bible was five times larger than Johan's Ark. But that still leaves enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater, where kids can watch the segment of the Disney film "Fantasia" that tells the story of Noah. Another exhibit shows water cascading down on a model of the Ark. Exhibits on the third level show ancient tools and old-fashioned barrels, exotic stuffed animals, and a wax model of an exhausted Noah reclining on a bed in the forecastle. Genesis says Noah kept seven pairs of most domesticated animals and one breeding pair of all other creatures, plus his wife, three sons and three daughters-in-law together on the boat for almost a year while the world was deluged.

The Creation Museum
A museum depicting exhibits based on literal interpretations from the Bible is scheduled to open in Kentucky in May.
Perhaps it was only logical that the replica project would be the brainchild of a Dutchman: fear of floods are ingrained in the country's collective consciousness by its water-drenched history. Lois Poppema, visiting from California, said she thought the Netherlands was exactly the right place for an ark.

Just a few weeks ago we saw Al Gore on television .. saying that all Holland will be flooded" due to rising sea levels, she said. "I don't think the man who made this ever expected that global warning will become (such an important) issue - and suddenly having the ark would be meaningful in the middle of Holland." Under sunny clear skies Saturday, Huibers said he wasn't worried about another biblical flood, since according to Genesis, the rainbow is the sign of God's promise never to flood the world again. But he does worry that recent events such as the flooding of New Orleans could be seen as a portent of the end of time. Huibers said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands, where churchgoing has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years. He also plans to visit major cities in Belgium and Germany.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2007-04-28 18:49:42

Monday, April 30, 2007

POLICE ADMIT MANSLAUGHTER OF SENIOR


3 Atlanta Police Officers Charged in Drug Raid
Death of 92-Year-Old Woman 2 Plead Guilty

Harry R. Weber, Associated Press


April 26, 2007

San Diego Union-Tribune

ATLANTA — Two police officers pleaded guilty Thursday to manslaughter in the shooting death of a 92-year-old woman during a botched drug raid last fall. A third officer still faces charges.
Officer J.R. Smith told a state judge Thursday that he regretted what had happened.
"I'm sorry," the 35-year-old said, his voice barely audible. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter, violation of oath, criminal solicitation, making false statements and perjury, which was based on claims in a warrant.
Former Officer Gregg Junnier, 40, who retired from the Atlanta police in January, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, violation of oath, criminal solicitation and making false statements. Both men are expected to face more than 10 years in prison.
In a hearing later in federal court, both pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to violate a person's civil rights, resulting in death. Their state and federal sentences would run concurrently.
The charges followed a Nov. 21 "no-knock" drug raid on the home of Kathryn Johnston, 92. An informant had described buying drugs from a dealer there, police said. When the officers burst in without warning, Johnston fired at them, and they fired back, killing her.
Fulton County prosecutor Peter Johnson said that the officers involved in Johnston's death fired 39 shots, striking her five or six times, including a fatal blow to the chest.
He said Johnston fired only once through her door and didn't hit any of the officers. That means the officers who were wounded likely were hit by their own colleagues, he said.
Junnier and Smith, who is on administrative leave, had been charged in an indictment unsealed earlier Thursday with felony murder, violation of oath by a public officer, criminal solicitation, burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and making false statements.
The third officer, Arthur Tesler, also on administrative leave, was charged with violation of oath by a public officer, making false statements and false imprisonment under color of legal process. His attorney, William McKenney, said Tesler expects to go to trial.
Tesler, 40, is "very relieved" not to face murder charges, McKenney said, "but we're concerned about the three charges."
Both men could have faced up to life in prison had they been convicted of murder. Instead, Junnier will face 10 years and one month and Smith 12 years and seven months. No sentencing date was immediately set, and the sentences are contingent on the men cooperating with the government.
The deadly drug raid had been set up after narcotics officers said an informant had claimed there was cocaine in the home.
When the plainclothes officers burst in without notice, police said, Johnston fired at them, and they fired back.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Yonette Sam-Buchanan said Thursday that although the officers found no drugs in Johnston's home, Smith planted three bags of marijuana in the home as part of a cover story.
The case raised serious questions about no-knock warrants and whether the officers followed proper procedures.
Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington asked the FBI to lead a multi-agency probe. He also announced policy changes to require the department to drug-test its nearly 1,800 officers and require top supervisors to sign off on narcotics operations and no-knock warrants.
To get the warrant, officers told a magistrate judge that an undercover informant had told them Johnston's home had surveillance cameras monitored carefully by a drug dealer named Sam.
After the shooting, a man claiming to be the informant told a television station that he had never purchased drugs there, leading Pennington to admit he was uncertain whether the suspected drug dealer actually existed.
The Rev. Markel Hutchins, a civil rights activist who serves as a spokesman for Johnston's family, said the family was satisfied with Thursday's developments.
"They have never sought vengeance. They have only sought justice," he said.
Hutchins said the family is considering civil action against the police department.
"I think what happened today makes it very clear that Ms. Johnston was violated, that her civil rights were violated," he said.
Associated Press writer Jason Bronis in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1847069&ct=3829713

BUSH ON CHANGE IN CUBA




Bush predicts change is near for Cuba


Sat Apr 28, 2007 6:06pm ET






MIAMI (Reuters) - President Bush took fresh aim on Saturday at Cuba's communist government, calling it a "cruel dictatorship" and predicting that democratic change was near.The U.S. president's comments came amid signs that Cuban leader Fidel Castro was recovering from an intestinal ailment that has kept him out of the public eye for the past nine months and may soon resume some government duties.Bush, who has tightened economic sanctions on Havana and boosted aid to dissidents with a goal of hastening the end of Castro's grip on power, said in a commencement speech at Miami Dade College that many Cubans were dreaming of a better life. "Unfortunately, those dreams are stifled by a cruel dictatorship that denies all freedom in the name of a dark and discredited ideology," Bush said, noting that many people at the graduation had roots in Cuba, which is just 90 miles (140 km) from Florida."Some of you still have loved ones who live in Cuba and wait for the day when the light of liberty will shine upon them again," Bush said. "That day is nearing."Since Fidel Castro, 80, handed over power temporarily to his brother in July, he has since been seen only in videotaped footage and in photographs.A few months ago, U.S. intelligence agencies appeared to be expecting Castro's demise. In fact, former U.S. intelligence chief John Negroponte said in a December interview he was near deathHowever, recent photographs of Castro's meeting with a senior Chinese Communist Party official showed he has regained some weight. And U.S. officials have since acknowledged he may be improving.Many Cuba watchers say Raul Castro, 75, is likely to remain in control but there is still some speculation that Fidel Castro will assume a role as elder statesman or return to help set and even dictate policy.In Bolivia, President Evo Morales said he was sure Castro would resume power during May Day celebrations in Havana, a Bolivian television station reported on Saturday."I'm sure, my Cuban brothers, that on May 1 comrade Fidel will return to governing Cuba and Latin America," Morales said, according to the private Unitel network.After Castro's illness was announced last year, Bush reiterated a desire to see democratic change in Cuba but he has said little about the situation in Havana since then.Bush did not mention either of the Castro brothers by name in his speech.Among those at the commencement were some of the most vocal anti-Castro politicians in the U.S. Congress: Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. All three are Republicans from Florida.Bush also made a push for Congress to take up his proposal for broad immigration reform that would include steps to tighten the border along with a guest worker program."Our current immigration system is in need of reform. We need a system where our laws are respected," Bush said. "We need a system that meets the legitimate needs of our economy. And we need a system that treats people with dignity and helps newcomers assimilate into our society."Bush said in his weekly radio address he saw signs that some in Congress who had been hesitant to move forward on immigration last year now seem "open to supporting it."


WAY TO GO BILLARY


Sunday, April 29, 2007

FIRE AT WAYCROSS GEORGIA

ALERT - April 26 - 11:30 AM

As many of you know, there is a large forest fire burning near Waycross Ga., the site for THE NEXT STEP. As of this writing, the fire is approx 4 miles from Laura Walker State Park. All campers have been evacuated and the camp has been closed for the time being. We have tried to find another camp to hold the seminars at, but with the shortness of time, this has not worked out. So, unfortunately, we have come to the difficult decision of cancelling THE NEXT STEP.
More info below
If you have already registered, we will be trying to notify you ASAP. Please email us to let us know you are aware of the cancellation, as otherwise we will be trying to contact you and this would save us much time as we are travelling to upcoming meetings in Orlando this weekend. Your registration fee will be refunded. We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this may cause with plane tickets, etc. Unfortunately, there is nothing anyone can do about a situation like this. We felt that it would be unwise to try and continue with this under the current situation.
We would like to take this opportunity to announce that we have reserved Bear Paw Camp, near Newport, Washington, to hold another THE NEXT STEP Country Living Seminars & Workshops on Oct. 24-28, 2007. While the topics may not be identical, they should be similar in nature to these meetings that were to take place. We will try to post more info and launch the online registration for the October meetings in the next month or two. We hope to see you there.
If there are any questions you may have regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact us. Also, we would very much appreciate your help in notifying anyone you might know of who was planning on coming of the cancellation.
Many thanks for your understanding and prayers,
The MMM Staff

Source: http://www.mountainmediaministries.org/seminars/index.htm

Sunday, April 22, 2007

ELIAN'S LIBERATION DAY




MIAMI, FLORIDA: Saturday, April 22, 2000, 5:00 AM

THE BUSH-CHENEY IRAQ WAR


April 23, 2007
The Bush-Cheney Stupid Iraq War
by Rodrigue Tremblay




"We know where [the weapons of mass destruction] are. They’re in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat."
Donald Rumsfeld, (March 30, 2003)

"The intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy [to invade Iraq]."
Downing Street Memo (July 2002)

"Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception."
Mark Twain. The Mysterious Stranger 1916


Now Karl Rove, Bush's political brain, says that the Iraq War was "Osama bin Laden’s Idea." —This is crazy.

The fact is that the world was ready to accept a case for destroying and eradicating the terrorist-training camps located in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, after 9/11. That is the reason the United Nations Security Council passed two resolutions to that effect in the fall of 2001 and in early 2002. These were Resolution 1373, adopted on September 28, 2001, and Resolution 1390, passed on January 16, 2002.

But the case for going to war against Iraq is entirely different: It was a fabrication from day one. That is the reason the United Nations Security Council refused to pass a resolution authorizing it, in January 2003. The Bush-Cheney regime nevertheless went ahead with this illegal war and will carry the historical opprobrium for having done so. It took the low moral road, thus reducing the moral stance of western civilization in the world and doing irreparable damage to international law and order. It has also brought discredit on the very institution of representative government and on democracy in general. This is a scandal of high proportions, above and beyond all the crimes being carried out on the ground in Iraq.

The British ambassador to Australia and former British cabinet minister Helen Liddell recently rendered a service to many when she stated the obvious, i.e. that the Bush-Cheney war of aggression against Iraq had little to do with a war against terrorism. The Bush-Cheney regime is marketing any imperialistic and colonialist adventure around the world as an "anti-terrorist" mission and a push for democracy. —This is a lie. It is a propaganda trick to silence critics and chloroform the American public. All these wars of aggression are illegal attempts by the United States and its willing co-conspirators to dominate militarily the strategic oil-rich Middle East and Caspian region in order to displace Russia, China and even Western Europe from this region of the world. It has nothing to do with fighting Islamist terrorism. In fact, it feeds and exacerbates terrorism. Iraq has become a "university of terror".

Therefore, the historical reality remains that the Bush-Cheney regime disregarded truth and international law in order to justify taking military control of oil-rich Iraq, without provocation, even though it knew perfectly well that this country had no ties to the 9/11 attacks nor to bin Laden's terrorist organization, and that it had no weapons of mass destruction. In the process, however, this Karl Rove-inspired Republican regime took partisan advantage of the anger present in America after 9/11 to run two elections, in 2002 and in 2004, on the theme of national security and on a platform of war hysteria, thus profiting immensely politically from this propaganda scam.

Now that hundreds of people die daily in occupied Iraq, that they have triggered a religious and sectarian civil war, and that a majority of Americans have seen through their lies and machinations, the architects of this disaster are trying to shift blame and find new excuses. But to no avail. The truth is now too powerful to be extinguished by crude propaganda tricks and by lies.
For a while, however, the campaign of disinformation and propaganda worked remarkably well. For example, immediately after the events of 9/11, only three percent (3%) of Americans made a link between the terrorist attacks and Iraq; by February 2003, weeks before the March 20, 2003 onset of the Iraq War, a whopping seventy-two percent (72%) of Americans had been persuaded by the Bush-Cheney regime and their sycophants in the media that the president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, had been personally involved in the 9/11 attacks. Political analysts will study this propaganda coup for decades to come.

Even the Democrats in Congress—goaded by the pro-Israel Lobby—were suicidally content to go along with the Bush-Cheney's scam until the 2006 elections. They now adopt the majority view that there is no military solution in Iraq, that to believe so will only lead to bad policies and make matters worse, and that a promise to withdraw all American troops from this country is a prerequisite to reintroduce some stability in this ravaged country.

But how many thousands more deaths must occur before sanity prevails?

_____________________________________________
Rodrigue Tremblay lives in Montreal and can be reached at rodrigue.tremblay@yahoo.com
Visit his blog site at: www.thenewamericanempire.com/blog.
Author's Website: www.thenewamericanempire.com/
Check Dr. Tremblay's coming book "The Code for Global Ethics" at: http://www.thecodeforglobalethics.com/
_______________________________________________
Posted, April 23, 2007, at 5:30 am

Email to a friend:
Source: http://www.TheNewAmericanEmpire.com/tremblay=1063