Tuesday, May 13, 2008

VATICAN: IT'S OK TO BELIEVE IN ALIENS

Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens

5/13/2008, 12:48 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican's chief astronomer says that believing in aliens does not contradict faith in God.

The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, says that the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

In an interview published Tuesday by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Funes says that such a notion "doesn't contradict our faith" because aliens would still be God's creatures.



The interview was headlined "The extraterrestrial is my brother." Funes said that ruling out the existence of aliens would be like "putting limits" on God's creative freedom.

© 2008 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
Note: Jesuit boldened for emphasis. Arsenio

AMERICANS ARE LIVING IN A MILITARIZED POLICE STATE



Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Americans Are Living (And Dying) In A Militarized Police State

Dave Gibson
May 05, 2008


Today, police departments across the United States more closely resemble an occupying army than they do public servants responding to calls for help. Police officers can now be seen wearing helmets and body armor and carrying AR-15's, just to deliver simple warrants. The militarization of our police departments not only gives the appearance of a military dictatorship but places the public at great risk.

No less than 70 percent of U.S. cities now have SWAT teams. In cities with a population of 50,000 or more, 90 percent have SWAT teams.

Eastern Kentucky University professor Peter Kraska told the Washington Post that SWAT teams are currently sent out 40,000 times a year in the U.S. During the 1980's, SWAT teams were only used 3,000 times a year. Most of the time, SWAT teams are being sent out to simply serve warrants on non-violent drug offenders.

Many municipalities are using Homeland Security grants to even purchase large armored vehicles. The Pittsburgh Police Department now uses their 20-ton armored truck complete with rotating turret and gun ports to deliver many of their warrants. Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Barry Budd recently told the Associate Press: "We live on being prepared for 'what if'."

Our police departments now regularly receive free surplus equipment from the U.S. military, which they readily accept. The training being given at many police academies appears to be the type of tactics one would use in Baghdad, rather than Baltimore. It would seem that our police officers are being readied for war, with the American public as the enemy. In the last several years, there has been a transformation from community policing to pre-emptive assaults

On January 24, 2006, Dr. Salvatore Culosi was shot and killed outside his house by a Fairfax County SWAT officer. Police used the SWAT team to serve a documents search warrant, after Dr. Culosi came under suspicion for taking sports bets. The investigation began after Fairfax Detective David Baucom solicited a bet with Dr. Culosi at a local sports bar.

Dr. Culosi was standing outside his home while talking with Det. Baucom, when SWAT Officer Deval Bullock quickly approached with his gun drawn and fatally shot Dr. Culosi in the chest. Court documents report that Culosi never made any threatening movements and made no attempt to run as he watched the SWAT team move in around him.

Dr. Culosi had no history of violence nor any criminal history whatsoever. He operated two successful optometry clinics at Wal-Marts in Manassas and Warrenton, Va. His parents have filed a $12 million lawsuit against the county of Fairfax, Va.

On the night of January 17, 2008, a police SWAT team surrounded Ryan Frederick´s home in Chesapeake, Va. The police were there to serve a drug warrant based on a tip from a criminal informant.

As usual, 28 year-old Ryan Frederick had gone to sleep early in order to leave the house before dawn for his job with a soda distributor. He awoke to a commotion of screams and the distinct sound of someone breaking down his front door.

Frederick´s house had been broken into a few days earlier, being a slight man of only a little over 100 pounds, Frederick feared for his safety. After the break-in, he purchased a gun.

Understandably frightened, Frederick grabbed his gun and when he got to the front of his house, he saw a man trying to crawl through the bottom portion of his door. Terrified that the intruders had returned, he fired.

The man he shot was not an aggressive burglar, nor a drug-crazed murderer, he was Det. Jarrod Shivers. The police detective and military veteran died almost immediately. Frederick was charged with first-degree murder and now sits in a jail cell awaiting trial.

As for the marijuana-growing operation for which police were looking, nothing was found. Only a very small amount of marijuana was discovered on the Frederick property, only enough to charge him with misdemeanor possession. Frederick has admitted that he uses marijuana occasionally but has never been involved with producing nor selling the drug.

Ryan Frederick has no prior history of violence, nor any criminal history whatsoever. He took care of his grandmother until her death two years ago, had a full-time job, and recently became engaged. In his spare time, he worked in his yard and tended to his Koi pond…Not quite the drug kingpin type!


However, based solely on the word of an informant, police obtained a warrant and stormed into this man´s house in the dark of night. The information turned out to be false, a police officer and father of three is dead, and a decent young man´s life is now over.

When Ryan Frederick awoke to the sounds of his home being invaded, he did what many of us would do. He acted reasonably when he grabbed his gun to defend himself and fired at a man who he believed was breaking into his home to do him harm.

Had the police simply went to his home during the daytime and knocked on his door, they could have questioned Frederick and found their information to be groundless. A little traditional police work could have saved the life of a police officer and the Shivers and Frederick families would have remained whole.

The Ryan Frederick story is truly frightening because this same scenario could play itself out in your home or mine. In the age of militarized police departments, we are all in danger.

Here are a few more recent victims of our militarized police departments:

Cheryl Lynn Noel, a mom who was shot by police for picking up her legally registered handgun. She went for her gun to defend herself after a SWAT team in the middle of the night, broke into her Baltimore, MD home. Police stormed her house that night because they claim to have found marijuana seeds in the family's trash can.

Rev. Acelyne Williams, 75 of Boston, died of a heart attack as a SWAT team broke into his home. Police actually had the wrong address.

92 year old Kathryn Johnston who was so fearful that she never left her home and would only open her door after friends who placed her groceries on the front porch had left, was killed by an Atlanta SWAT team last year. An erroneous tip from an informant was enough for the Atlanta Police Department to invade her home. Police have since admitted to lying to obtain a search warrant and to planting drugs in her home after killing her.

In 2006, a 52 member SWAT team stormed into a Denver home in search of a friendly small-stakes poker game. The same thing happened a few months later when SWAT and K-9 units barged in on a charity poker game in Baltimore.

When someone straps on body armor and large caliber weapons, their adrenalin levels begin to surge. As they arrive at the scene, those levels increase. When these now militarized police officers actually break into a dark home and begin shouting at terrified citizens, severe injury and death is likely to occur. It is beyond reason to employ these tactics on anyone other than hardened, violent criminals.

SWAT teams were created in the wake of the 1966 University of Texas sniper shooting spree by ex-marine Charles Whitman. Police did not have the firepower to reach Whitman, who was perched atop the 27-story clock tower. Civilians with hunting rifles came to the scene and joined with police in the effort to stop Whitman. Eventually, police officers and a well-armed citizen scaled the stairs of the tower and killed Whitman, but not before he killed 17 people and injured another 31. As a result of the incident, police departments began to assemble small teams of highly trained officers with equipment specific to sniper shootings, hostage situations, bank robberies, etc.

SWAT teams were designed to deal with very violent individuals who represent a clear and present threat to the public. However, they are now being used to execute warrants on non-violent offenders and even those who have no prior criminal history at all. Turning our neighborhood cops into shock troops will do nothing but erode public confidence in the police and endanger the lives of innocent Americans.

Recently, Boston´s new police commissioner William Fitchet announced that the department´s Street Crimes Unit will begin wearing military-style black uniforms, to instill a sense of "fear." At last week´s city council meeting, police Sgt. John Delaney told council members that the black uniforms would send the message that officers were serious.

Did someone declare martial law?


Source: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/60717



PASTORS CALLED TO DEFY IRS CENSORSHIP RULES

LAW OF THE LAND
Pastors called to defy IRS censorship rules
New campaign challenges 1954 tax law banning speech on candidates' positions

Posted: May 09, 2008
4:10 pm Eastern

By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

Christian pastors should stop censoring themselves in fear of an "unconstitutional" 1954 provision in the IRS code that has threatened to eliminate their church tax-exempt status if they speak out against positions held by political candidates, urges a leading legal alliance.

The Alliance Defense Fund today announced a new initiative that will challenge the IRS ban on political comment from churches and their pastors.

"Churches have for too long feared the loss of tax exempt status arising from speech in the pulpit addressing candidates for office," the ADF's white paper on the campaign confirmed. "Rather than risk confrontation, pastors have self-censored their speech, ignoring blatant immorality in government and foregoing the opportunities to praise moral government leaders.

"ADF believes that IRS restrictions on religious expression from the pulpit, whenever the IRS characterizes it as 'political,' is unconstitutional. After 50 years of threats and intimidation, churches should confront the IRS directly and reclaim the expressive rights guaranteed to them in the United States Constitution," the group said.

The ADF said its program will "equip, protect, and defend pastors who wish to exercise their First Amendment right to openly discuss the positions of political candidates and other moral and social issues from the pulpit."

The group is encouraging pastors across the U.S. to "deliver a sermon along these lines in their own churches Sept. 28," which is just days before the 2008 presidential election, a debate that has been rife with moral questions.

Before 1954, churches freely evaluated the politicians of the day on moral issues without fear of retribution.

That year, Democratic Sen. Lyndon Johnson amended the tax code to add the threat of IRS action against churches if their pastors mentioned the positions of specific candidates from the pulpit, the ADF said.

"No official reason was given for the amendment, but scholars believe that Johnson offered the amendment to restrict the speech of a private foundation that supported a political opponent," the ADF said.

However, the prosecution of such limits has been based on religion, because the same restrictions do not apply to other tax-exempt groups, including civil leagues; labor, agricultural, or horticultural associations; business leagues; chambers of commerce; real estate boards; boards of trade; and other groups.

"The intimidation of churches by leftist groups using the IRS has grown to a point that ADF has no choice but to respond," said Erik Stanley, senior counsel for the ADF. "The number of threats being reported to ADF is growing because of the aggressive campaign to unlawfully silence the church. IRS rules don't trump the Constitution, and the First Amendment certainly trumps the Johnson amendment."

Pastors who want to participate can find information at a special page assembled on the ADF website.

"The government can't demand that a church give up its right to tax-exempt status simply because the pastor exercises his First Amendment rights in the pulpit. Groups like Americans United [for Separation of Church and State] intentionally trigger IRS investigations that will silence churches through fear, intimidation, and disinformation," the ADF said.

Mike Johnson, another counsel for ADF, told WND the goal really is to "take the muzzle off" Christian churches.

"We're reminding them that they have the right to openly discuss the positions of political candidates, and we're going to be there for them if there's a challenge," he said.

"There's a very aggressive campaign to unlawfully silence the church," he said. To opponents who want to take to court the issue over such First Amendment restrictions, he said, "It's time to have that test."

Ironically, the ADF said, to date there's never been a reported case of a church losing its tax exempt status for sermons delivered from the pulpit evaluating candidates for office in light of Scriptures.

"This may be because the IRS does not want to encounter the constitutional issues raised by punishing speech from the pulpit. … Unfortunately, many churches either accept the IRS interpretation of the code or simply avoid these topics altogether," the ADF said.

But the simple interpretation is that such speech restrictions violate the First Amendment, according to the ADF.

"The restriction excessively entangles the government with religion, violates a chuuch's right to free exercise of religion, and violates a church's right to free speech," the white paper said.

"The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that there is no compelling purpose for the government to extend a statutory privilege (like tax exemption) only on the condition that the recipient gives up a fundamental right (like free speech). In fact the opposite is true. The 'exaction of a tax as a condition to the exercise of the great liberties guaranteed by the First Amendment is … obnoxious,'" the group wrote.

WND has reported a number of such cases, including ones against California and Kansas churches. It also has reported a case sought by Christian pastors who are accusing one of their critics of "intervening" in a political campaign by seeking to have their comments limited.

In one case, Wichita, Kan., Pastor Mark Holick's church, Spirit One Christian Center, was targeted by the IRS for moral statements he posted on the church's sign.

The notice Holick got from the IRS warned him about putting his Christian beliefs on the sign, and he responded that he would continue to preach the Word of God. Attorneys said the church has responded to the IRS demands and has not had further contact.

In that case, Holick explained the signs all "are spiritual messages that communicate God's truth or are directly related to messages in the Bible." He also provided the IRS with a list of dozens of biblical instructions "to lift up Jesus, to rebuke sin, to save babies, to be honest, to take a righteous stand" and others.

WND also reported when Internet evangelist Bill Keller suggested that Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a leader in filing such complaints, report his own denomination, the United Church of Christ, to the IRS.


Bill Keller

Keller, who operates LivePrayer.com, says the suggestion follows the decision by the tax-exempt UCC to open the podium of its general synod meetings to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

While in the podium, Obama lambasted the "religious right" for "hijacking" Christianity. "Faith got hijacked partly because of the so-called leaders of the Christian right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us," he said.

Lynn earlier had asked the IRS to investigate the Florida ministry of Keller, who hosts the Live Prayer TV program and LivePrayer.com, for his comments about Mormonism.

Source: http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63865

POPE IN AMERICA


Brethren and Freinds,


Look what I recently dredged up at an Adventist Forum:



Pope in America


Did you know that during Pope Benedict’s visit, when asked what he saw when he looked into the Pope’s eyes, President George Bush responded, “God”?
God?
And an American rabbi even addressed the Pope as “His Holiness” and quoted Psalm 133:1: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
Brethren?
Moreover, about 250 Protestant, Orthodox, and Evangelical church leaders, including Pat Robertson, attended an ecumenical prayer service led by the Pope — in a Catholic Church no less!
And then, as if following the script from The Great Controversy, Chicago Cardinal Francis George addressed the Pope on behalf of Catholic leaders in America. He listed theirs and the Vatican’s common priorities over the next several years. Among them was “handing on the faith in the context of sacramental practice and the observance of Sunday worship.”
The observance of Sunday worship!

If you have ever wondered what it would look like and feel like to have prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes … this is it!

You want to accuse me of being sensational? Go right ahead. But the fact is — this is sensational! The Pope of Rome — whose church at its core stands for numerous teachings that are directly opposed to Protestantism — comes to a nation founded on Protestant principles and is paraded around as if he were all but Jesus Himself!

I find this incredible. When the two primary powers of end-time prophecy come together like this, we who believe have a sacred duty to stand up and give the trumpet a certain sound!

And Amazing Facts won’t be intimidated by political correctness. We know that there are many sincere souls worshiping in the Catholic Church, but we also know what the Bible clearly teaches about that church … and as long as we have breath in our lungs and the financial means, we will proclaim the truth. After all, how could we be faithful to the calling of the three angels’ messages if we didn’t?

You might not remember, but there was a time when it would have been inconceivable for the Pope to come to this country and get the kind of reception Benedict got. In 1965, for instance, when Pope Paul VI visited New York City, President Lyndon Johnson met with him in a private hotel room because of the unpopularity of the papacy in America.

What a big change during this recent visit, in which President Bush actually went to the airport and met Benedict when he arrived — something that he has never done for any other visiting world leader!

Yes, prophecy is fulfilling right before our eyes! What a privilege to see it happening. And what a privilege it is to have a role in teaching others what these startling events really mean!

In fact, it just might be providential that during the very same time the Pope was conducting what he called “his mission to America,” I was in the studio recording one of the most important segments of Amazing Facts’ upcoming great controversy DVD: “The battle between Christ and Satan”!

No question, the Pope’s recent visit should open our eyes to the times in which we are living. We have a message to proclaim. Maybe you can’t produce a DVD or hold a satellite evangelistic series — but you can support those of us who can, those who have dedicated our lives to doing those very things.

Friend, if you recognize that we are living in the last days, I ask you to please stand with us now — that we might bravely proclaim the unchanging truth of God’s Word. This time of year, we often experience a dip in financial support. This is especially unfortunate, because now is the time when we need every possible resource to broadcast the good news.

The prophetic significance of the Pope’s visit is unmistakable. It’s almost as if the beasts of Revelation are jumping off the pages of Scripture right before our eyes.

So any help you give right now will allow us tell many others about what all this means and where it will lead. Would you please prayerfully consider a generous gift to help us with our many evangelistic efforts, such as the Cosmic Conflict project?

Considering what’s been happening, how can we keep silent?

Click here to make your donation.
Watch Pastor Doug's latest sermon: The Last Little Big Horn

XSXSXSXSXSXSXS
P.S. A POST MORTEM Declaration?
As it's popularly expressed: You're a day late, and a dollar short!
If Doug needs more money, he should get in touch with Media-Mogul Rupert Murdoch; He's always looking for journalists to fill 'his' newspapers! That might prove to be a more lucrative arrangement;
Working for "the man", and covering 'relevant stories' at your own pace.

FEMA EMERGENCY RESPONSE MANUAL 1997




In 1997, the US Department of Justice and FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency published this self-study course with this cover. Only the North Tower of the twin towers of the World Trade Center has a mast.

On September 11, 2001, the target was struck. Four years prior someone in our government must have known the target. Or perhaps this was just a coincidence. What do you think?


"We get all kinds of manuals here at my agency, this one came from FEMA. Notice the date on Emergency Response to Terror - June 1999. After 9-11, we got a notice from FEMA to tear the covers off of all of these." on Jeff Rense His cover shows a later date of June 1999.



If they haven't already removed this page, see for yourself at http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/fema/ertss.pdf



Source: www.the7thfire.com/.../FEMA-on-Target.html

.

FEMA DRILL IN SC INVOLVING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT



FEMA DRILL IN SC INVOLVING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT on 05-13-2008

http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/614766.html

Mock emergency evacuation set for Tuesday at Lake Wylie

On Tuesday, Lake Wylie will be swarmed by law enforcement officers from both Carolinas and surrounding counties.

The two-state effort is a mock evacuation mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It will simulate a catastrophic incident at Catawba Nuclear
Station.

Participating agencies include the York County Sheriff's Office, Gaston County Police Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, S.C. Department of
Natural Resources, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and emergency planning agencies from the three counties surrounding the lake. FEMA investigators will
evaluate the drill. -- John Marks, Lake Wylie Pilot

TURMOIL IN THE CITIES


Turmoil in the Cities

Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Tim. 3:13.

It was not God's purpose that His people should be crowded into cities, huddled together in terraces and tenements. In the beginning He placed our first parents in a garden amidst the beautiful sights and attractive sounds of nature, and these sights and sounds He desires men to rejoice in today.

Light has been given me that the cities will be filled with confusion, violence, and crime, and that these things will increase till the end of this earth's history.

It is time for our people to take their families from the cities into more retired localities, else many of the youth, and many also of those older in years, will be ensnared and taken by the enemy.

"Out of the cities; out of the cities!"--this is the message the Lord has been giving me.

The turmoil and confusion that fill these cities, the conditions brought about by the labor unions and the strikes, would prove a great hindrance to our work. Men are seeking to bring those engaged in the different trades under bondage to certain unions. This is not God's planning, but the planning of a power that we should in no wise acknowledge. God's word is fulfilling; the wicked are binding themselves up in bundles ready to be burned.

We are now to use all our entrusted capabilities in giving the last warning message to the world. In this work we are to preserve our individuality. We are not to unite with secret societies or with trade-unions. We are to stand free in God, looking constantly to Christ.

The ungodly cities of our world are to be swept away by the besom of destruction. In the calamities that are now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities God is showing us what will come upon the whole earth. He has told us: "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [the coming of the Son of man] is near, even at the doors." Matthew 24:32, 33.

Maranatha, E. G. White, p.141.

Monday, May 12, 2008

AS IN THE DAYS OF NOE (NOAH), DAYS OF LOT

26And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

31In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

32Remember Lot's wife.

Luke 17: 26-32.


U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and his wife Laura (L) at their daughter Jenna's (R) Texas wedding, May 10, 2008. Also, their other daughter, Barbara Bush (1st L). [Agencies]

People pose during a performance at the Ernst Happel soccer stadium in Vienna May 11, 2008. About 1,800 people stripped naked on Sunday for US photographer Spencer Tunick at the stadium that will host the Euro 2008 soccer final. [Agencies]

EARTHQUAKES, TORNADOS, AND CYCLONES

Several children were killed after a school building collapsed in Dujiangyan in Sichuan province [AFP]

Thousands are feared dead after a major earthquake hit Sichuan province (Xinhua/AFP/Getty Images)

Sean Steffen/The Morning Sun, via Associated Press

Residents sorted through the remains of their home on Sunday in Picher, Okla., after a tornado moved through the town Saturday evening.

Aid agencies were scrambling to distribute tents, food and plastic sheeting from stockpiles in Burma (Hla Hla Htay/AFP/Getty)

Sunday, May 11, 2008

RUSSELL'S REPORT (1998 A.D.)

Chapter 33

Russell’s Report

REPORT ON:

Russell Standish’s Candidature For The National Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention to be held in Canberra, February 2–13 1998, is a significant historic event. As one of Australia’s most renowned political commentators, Lauri Oakes, stated, "Those who have dismissed the Constitutional Convention as a time-wasting talkfest, are almost certainly wrong." (Bulletin, Nov. 18 1997)

An editorial in the Melbourne Age, Nov. 20 1997, referred to the Convention as the body which would "discuss proposals for what may be the most far-reaching change in Australia’s system since Federation."

Federal Senator Grant Chapman of South Australia, has written, "The Constitution will be the most significant event in Australia’s Constitution history since Federation in 1901. As a proud Australian, I support the retention of the existing Constitution; however, I strongly urge all South Australians to exercise their democratic right to vote in this voluntary election. If you want to have a say in Australia’s future, please fill in your Ballot form and return it promptly." (Brochure delivered to every householder in South Australia)

Senator Chapman went on to say, "This is an election to decide the future of Australia—not for three years, but for the next century. This election will send delegates to a meeting which could decide on a new system of government for Australia.

"Let’s be clear on the system we now have. The Australian Constitution ensures that no one person can hold absolute power—not a Judge, not a Prime Minister, not a Governor-General and certainly not the Queen. Separating power between people and institutions (the High Court, the Parliament, the Crown) makes sure that the whole system of government must act before laws are enforced on the people. It is a Constitution designed for freedom. The Crown—the State Governors and the Governor-General—is the non-political heart of our democratic system. It is the umpire in a sea of ambition and political intrigue. In a Republic, the umpire is also one of the players. Power is concentrated in the hands of politicians, who want to appoint the President as well as the Judges. Perhaps that is why Republics have so much political unrest. Ask the crucial question, ‘Will I be happy, safe and free in a Republic run by politicians?’" (Ibid., emphasis supplied)

Following the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) Radio 8.00 am News bulletin on Jan. 2 1998, two delegates to the National Constitutional Convention—one a Republican, the other a Monarchist—were interviewed. Both asserted that the scope of the matters that will be discussed at the February Convention has greatly expanded since the Parliament voted the Act to establish a National Constitutional Election. Initially, it was thought that the delegates would confine themselves to the issue of whether Australia should become a Republic or not. Later, the Prime Minister stated that he desired that the Convention would produce a consensus as to the type of Republic which should be placed before Australian voters in a Referendum to decide the issue. Now the scope of the discussion is bound to include details of proposed Constitutional Articles. Each of the delegates interviewed stated that if Australia became a republic, this would require massive alterations to our Constitution. In this, I believe, lies the peril of the wholesale alterations implicit in the design of a Republican constitution. Both interviewees were agreed that if all participants treat it very seriously, the Convention will be a Once-in-a-Century stocktake, and that in another one hundred years, we will know if we have received value for money from the Convention deliberations, which will cost $14 million. A century is a very long time to endure the consequences of a faulty Constitution.

My decision to stand as a candidate was based upon three matters:

First, that in my third year of History at Sydney University in 1957, I had studied the History of the Federation movement of the late nineteenth century and the various Constitutional Conventions of the 1890s; which led to the six Australian colonies federating as the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1 1901. This had aroused my interest in our Constitution.

Second, I have a deep appreciation of the civil and religious liberties this nation affords its citizens. Having resided overseas for twenty years, and because my speaking appointments take me to every inhabited continent, I have first-hand experience of the restrictions of liberty in the majority of over eighty nations I have visited. I believe that with current trends in our nation, both political and social, there is a decided danger that the liberties we tend to take for granted in this country could be seriously curtailed in the process of the wholesale alteration of our Constitution, which would likely result if we adopted a republican form of government. Further, all Christians should be mindful of the plain words of Scripture which describe the imperiling of religious liberty throughout the world in the days prior to Christ’s Second Coming. It is not the purpose of this report to undertake a detailed exposition of the symbolic terms "image to the beast" and "mark of the beast." Those who requested and received the 2,000 year history of civil and religious liberty from an historical and Scriptural viewpoint in the book, The Great Controversy, will have in their possession an insightful and masterful analysis of these terms. Any who do not possess this book may receive it free upon request from my office (P.O. Box 175, Kalorama 3766). I cite the significant scriptural prophecy which warns of both an economic boycott and death decree upon religious dissenters:

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 that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six. Revelation 13:14–18 KJV, emphasis supplied

It will be observed that the key issue is one of worship (verse 15). In the same chapter, verse 1, the prophecy foretells an era when almost all the world would adopt a common worship—a few, faithful to God, excepted:

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8, emphasis added

This prophecy should cause us to pause and consider the thrust of the current ecumenical movement, which is moving beyond the bounds of Christianity to non-Christian faiths. I have no sympathy for wild-eyed alarmists, but I do possess a profound belief in the plain words of Scripture, and I am convicted that it is our duty to delay, as long as possible in God’s providence, the fulfillment of these prophecies, so that our citizens in Australia’s secular society may be acquainted with scriptural truths.

My third reason for standing in this election is that I am a Seventh-day Adventist minister. I was not personally aware of the profound impact of Seventh-day Adventists upon the religious aspects of our Australian Constitution until I purchased the book Unto God and Caesar – Religious Issues in the Emerging Commonwealth 1891–1906 authored by Richard Ely, now Professor of History at the University of Tasmania. Professor Ely is an ordained Presbyterian minister. The book was published by Melbourne University Press in 1976. The author devoted two of his fifteen chapters to the impact of Seventh-day Adventists (chapter 3, "Campaign and Counter Campaign", and chapter 6, "The Adventists Persevere"); and provides mention of their work in respect of the Constitution in five further chapters. I purchased this book in 1993. It had a profound impact upon my thinking. When the Constitutional Convention was called, I was impressed to nominate as a candidate. Ringing in my ears was Professor Ely’s judgment that,

There was about the Adventist campaign a professionalism, an efficient adjustment of small means to large ends, which the recognitionist’s [those who desired some measure of union between church and state] effort mostly lacked. For a church that so rigorously and with such determination believed in the separation of Church and State, the Adventists played politics very well." Richard Ely, op. cit., pp, 44, 45

In the 1890s there were fewer than 1,000 Seventh-day Adventists in the entire nation. I cherish their insistence that religious liberty be granted to all, believer or non-believer, and that there be a marked separation of church and state; in this they demonstrated profound wisdom, for history testifies to the fact that the union of Church and State almost always leads to persecution of dissenters. It was largely due to this small group of Seventh-day Adventists that Article 116 of the Australian Constitution, which has protected our religious liberties so well for the past 97 years, was inserted. It contains two important clauses: an—

Anti-establishment clause, and a—

Free exercise clause;

and is demonstrably patterned upon the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Article 116 states:

The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

Unlike the Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership a century ago, the Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership of today decided: "The church isn’t making recommendations on which way to vote [in the Constitutional Election]." (South Pacific Record, Nov. 29 1997)

This decision reflected the commendable policy of my church in eschewing interference in politics, associated with what I believe to be an underestimation of the significance of the Constitutional Convention. Thus I felt it a personal duty to stand in the tradition of the Seventh-day Adventist pioneers in this nation, not for political motives, but in order to uphold the great religious and civil freedoms essential to our well-being.

1. Brochures - 150,000 distributed by friends and supporters throughout the state.

2. Public Addresses (1997):

Nov. 2 Wodonga, Victoria

Nov. 13 Lilydale (Melbourne), Victoria

Nov. 15 Pinjarra, Western Australia

Nov. 17 Goodwood (Adelaide), South Aust.

Nov. 22 Auckland, New Zealand

Nov. 29 Clayton (Melbourne) Victoria

Dec. 1 Hobart, Tasmania

Dec. 2 Launceston, Tasmania

Dec. 3 Davenport, Tasmania

Dec. 5 Arcadia (Sydney), N.S.W.

Dec. 9 Port Macquarie, N.S.W.

Dec. 13 St. Lucia (Brisbane) Queensland

Dec. 16 Atherton Tableland, Queensland

Dec. 17 Cairns, Queensland

Dec. 20 Morisset, New South Wales

3. Newspaper Advertisements

a. Melbourne Metropolitan Weekly Newspapers – Week Oct. 27–31 & Week Nov. 3–7 - 30 newspapers each week.

b. Victorian Rural Newspapers - Week Nov. 3–7; Week Nov. 10–14 - 21 newspapers each week.

c. Stock & Land (Farmers’ Newspaper) November.

d. The Strategy, October 1997.

4. Newspaper Articles

a. Yarra Valley Post Oct. 14 1997

b. Lilydale Express Oct. 20 1997

c. Melbourne Sunday Age Nov. 9 1997

5. Internet

a. Candidate Bill Liao’s Personal Home Page

b. http://www.the menu com./russell standish

6. Radio Interviews

a. A.B.C. Radio 3LO Oct. 14 1997

b. F.M. Radio South East Nov. 9 1997

c. Commercial Radio 3AK Nov. 19 1997

(interviewed from Adelaide)

d. ABC Radio National Dec. 3 1997

(interviewed from Swansea, Tasmania)

7. Media Release

Sent to newspapers, radio, and television stations.

8. Billboards

200 placed on busy highways around the state.

9. Free Books – Great Controversy and New World Order

- Number requested: 360

1. Number of Candidates for Victoria . . . . . . . . . 158

2. Number elected as delegates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3. Number of Primary Votes received by me . . . 10,896

4. My position in Primary Votes . 17th of 158 Candidates

5. A preferential system of election was utilized. As a result, 8 of the 16 elected delegates received fewer Primary Votes than I received. These were:

Mary Delahunty (Aust. Republican Movement) –

Primary Votes received. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,187

Steve Vizard (Aust. Republican Movement) –

Primary Votes received. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,608

Moira Rayner (Real Republic) –

Primary Votes received. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,340

Lindsay Fox (Aust. Republican Movement –

Primary Votes received. . . . . . . . . . . . 2,735

Poppy King (Aust. Republican Movement) –

Primary Votes received. . . . . . . . . . . . 1,833

Jim Ramsey (Australians for Constitutional

Monarchy) – Primary Votes received. . . . . 803

Sophie Pannapoulos (Australians for

Constitutional Monarchy) –

Primary Votes Received. . . . . . . . . . . . 788

Vernon Wilcox (Safeguard the People)

[Monarchist]) – Primary Votes received . . . 595

6. Of the 158 Victorian candidates, 91 received less than 1,000 votes. Of these, 23 received less than 100 votes.

7. Throughout Australia, there were 609 candidates for a total of 76 seats at the Convention: Number of delegates:

N.S.W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Victoria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Queensland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Western Australia . . . . . . . . . . 9

South Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Tasmania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Australian Capital Territory. . . 2

Northern Territory. . . . . . . . . . 2

Of these 609 candidates throughout Australia:

Number receiving less than 10,000 Primary Votes 539

Number receiving less than 1,000 Primary Votes 332

Number receiving less than 100 Primary Votes 114

8. Lowest number of Primary Votes by any candidate 5

9. Lowest number of Primary Votes received by any candidate in each state and territory:

N.S.W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Vic.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Qld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

W.A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

S.A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Tas.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

A.C.T.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

N.T.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

10. Since Victoria had 158 candidates and only 16 were elected, 142 candidates had to be eliminated by the tedious process of eliminating first the candidate with the least votes and distributing his/her votes to the candidates who received the second preferences of those voting for this least successful candidate. The new totals were then inspected and the candidate with the least votes of those remaining was then eliminated and his/her votes were distributed to candidates who were placed second on the ballot papers of his/her primary votes. This process was repeated until 142 candidates were excluded.

In this complicated procedure, I was the 132nd candidate to be eliminated.

11. I thank God, and the citizens of Victoria who supported my candidature, that I came so close to success, since I was hardly known in Victoria, having resided in the state only five years since my return from overseas mission service. In that time, I have spent well over half of each year away from the state on overseas and interstate speaking appointments. I conduct a self-supporting ministry—Remnant Ministries. I also stood as an Independent. Yet many candidates of stature in the state of Victoria were eliminated before me. These included:

Sir Richard Hamer, former Premier of Victoria,

eliminated. . . . . . . . . . . . . 131st

John Stone, former Australian Senator and head of the

Federal Treasury, eliminated. . . 126th

Peter Ross-Edwards, former Leader of Victorian

National Party, eliminated. . . . . 109th

Numbers of others with honours from the Queen, city

councillors, city mayors and national organization leaders.

I placed my candidacy in God’s safe hands. With unsolicited financial assistance from wonderful friends and acquaintances in the five mainland states, I was able to mount a satisfactory campaign in which a percentage of the citizens of the state were able to judge my convictions and vote according to the support or otherwise of those principles.

Percentage of citizens voting for republican candidates in each state were:

N.S.W. 60.4

W.A. 60.2

Qld. 54.8

Vic. 54.4

S.A. 48.4

Tas. 46.3

Thus I rest perfectly content in the results obtained.

In a secular sense, had the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy and the Safeguard the People groups, demonstrated more wisdom in their distribution of preferences, they could possibly have propelled another candidate supporting the present Constitution into the Convention. But both apparently failed to understand adequately the preferential system of voting, and thus squandered many preferences, when many of their candidates were eliminated early in the count and their excess preferences were then discarded. Instead of providing support of our present Constitution, they simply chose to exchange preferences with one another (the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM) had sixteen candidates and the Safeguard the People (STP), six, and thus provided no preferences after twenty-two. The ACM achieved three candidates elected and the STP, two, but their other candidates were eliminated early, and thus their excess preferences went nowhere. The thirteen ACM candidates who were not elected were eliminated in the following order: 15, 20, 25, 31, 35, 44, 49, 50, 59, 73, 99, 105, 109. The four STP candidates not elected were eliminated at numbers 28, 60, 65, 80. Besides myself, another candidate supporting the present Constitution remained well after these groups were eliminated at 109. We would have greatly benefited from their excess preferences. Altogether over 102,438 votes were lost in this manner by candidates who did not utilize the preferential system wisely.

The Declaration of the Poll on Dec. 23, 1997, was a highly emotional affair. Although all 158 Candidates had the right to speak, only thirteen did so—eight successful candidates and five unsuccessful ones. The leading republican delegate, who spoke first, set the tone by claiming a mandate for the republic before the deliberations of the Convention had commenced. Further, apparently a couple of people were very quietly speaking during this candidate’s speech and he exclaimed:

"I trust we will be accorded more respect in Canberra [The Australian capital city, where the Constitutional Convention was held] than I am receiving here with people trying to talk over my speech!"

Some of those present interpreted this statement as unwarranted arrogance. One delegate, whose party is as yet uncommitted, sternly took the republican to task for declaring the republic to be a fait accompli. Most of the delegates who spoke gave uninspiring speeches, but it was John Cleary, one of only two independents elected in Australia, (the other was a Tasmanian), who gave easily the best speech among those elected. He was a two-term member of the House of Representatives as an Independent with strong socialist leanings. He succeeded to the seat of Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister, when Mr. Hawke vacated the House of Representatives. Mr. Cleary stood in this election as an Independent Republican. Although I do not share his republican views, nevertheless I felt that Mr. Cleary spoke forcibly, responsibly, and with some substance. This distinguished him from other delegates who spoke on this occasion.

Three of the five unsuccessful candidates who spoke, really brought heat into the Declaration of the Poll. One Monarchist candidate indicated by name that the leading Republican elected delegate, who is a renowned football commentator, was a disgrace, and proceeded to launch into a personal diatribe against him. Another candidate, an independent republican, congratulated the sixteen elected as delegates "in this unjust and unfair election"! Emotionally, he demanded that they remember that they were elected unjustly and thus were duty bound to serve Victoria well. He complained that the candidates representing groups were arbitrarily placed in the ballot paper before the independents, and thus received the "donkey vote" (the votes of those who simply vote for the first name on the ballot paper).

At the time of the draw for position on the ballot paper, one republican with an Irish accent stated:

"It would save a whole lot of trouble if you’d just wipe the monarchists off the ballot!"

He said it, not in humour but in venom. Bruce Ruxton, the President of the Victorian Returned Servicemen’s League, who lead the Monarchist group, "Safeguard the People," shouted in retort:

"You mean to tell me that you [underlined] are a candidate in this election! If the likes of you are standing, then there’s no hope for Australia!"

This same man spoke, unnecessarily emphasizing his Irish genes three or four times, at the Declaration of the Poll. He launched into a vitriolic attack on the Queen, determining to write her a letter advising her to "pack her bags" and stay home in England. He then spitefully attacked the Monarchist candidates, declaring that they did not possess a brain in their heads. It was just as well that Bruce Ruxton was not present, or we might have seen Armageddon.

Officials of the Australian Electoral Commission were bemused by the extent of the emotional outbursts. They said to me privately, "This was much more fun than Senate elections!"

At the Declaration of the Poll, I took the opportunity to speak. I urged the delegates to remember that the citizens of Victoria were counting upon them to promote our religious and civil liberties. I also warned them of the dangers inherent in promoting anti-vilification articles in our Constitution. Last, I courteously suggested that the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy and the Safeguard the People groups could have demonstrated greater wisdom in the cause they espoused, had they distributed their preferences more effectively. I urged them to think more wisely at the Convention, and in the run-up to the almost inevitable Referendum on the Republic. I was surprised that my speech was accorded the largest ovation of all presented. One independent Monarchist candidate later apologized for not getting his preferences in before the deadline, as he had left it to his wife to submit them. He thus wasted 3,259 votes as he was eliminated number 112.

I was a delegate to the Moreland Council Local Constitutional Convention held November 9 1997, chaired by former Victorian Premier, John Cain. Similar local Constitutional Conventions are being held around Australia and their recommendations will be sent to the National Constitutional Conventional for consideration.

The Centenary Constitutional Foundation constructed the questions posed for these Conventions. Half the twenty-four questions dealt with the type of republic desired, while the other half significantly dealt with citizens’ freedoms. The morning session was devoted to eight sub-groups composed of about fifteen delegates in each. In the afternoon, a plenary session was conducted at which each sub-group rendered its recommendations and the delegates voted their suggestions for the National Convention.

Although I made a number of contributions in the sub-group to which I was assigned, I determined to confine any comments I made in the plenary session, to the matter of liberty. Such an opportunity arose on two occasions.

In discussing the subject of the liberties which should be enshrined in our constitution, concern was expressed that such a list could not be comprehensive, and the absence of some liberty may disadvantage some citizens. Thus there was a growing mood to adopt an article in the Canadian Constitution which provides that rights "are subject on to some reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." Some delegates admired the vagueness of this statement and suggested that a similarly vague statement to cover all liberties would be a greater protection than an article which specifically stated rights.

For a time it seemed that this suggestion would prevail. This trend of thought greatly concerned me and I spoke to the point, emphasizing the need to specify salient freedoms such as conscience and religion, thought, belief and expression, peaceful assembly, association, movement within the country as well as the right to leave Australia and return, and a number of others. I conceded, of course, that such a list could never be exhaustive. Thus I felt it appropriate to complete the list with a "cover-all" article to which those whose liberties were breached in a manner not specified in the rights accorded citizens in the Constitution, could appeal. This suggestions was accepted.

My second and last contribution, was, I believe, even more important. The body had already added a clause akin to that in the South African Constitution which forbids the "advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion and that constitutes incitement to cause harm."

In the Federal and Victorian parliaments there have been moves during the present decade to enact similar measures, known as anti-vilification laws. Clearly, no true Christian would wish to vilify any individual, but the history of such anti-vilification laws is a poor one.

I lived in a non-Christian country which had an anti-vilification article in its Constitution prohibiting vilification of the state religion and its holy book. A New Zealand Christian simply spoke of his love for Christ and the blessings he obtained from the reading of the Bible to a man professing the state religion. The New Zealander was arrested on the grounds that his words contained an implied denigration of the state religion and its holy book. Had it not been for the diligent efforts of the New Zealand High Commission, he would have faced a long gaol sentence. A New Zealand Consular official attended every day of the court hearing. As a result the individual, although found guilty, was sentenced to one day’s gaol, immediate deportation, and a lifetime ban from entering the country.

I spoke against the antivilification measure, suggesting that such an article could seriously jeopardize the liberties we were agreed to recommend. I mentioned the matter described above. My submission proved effective and the anti-vilification matter was expunged from the recommendations.

We can, each one, make a real difference. I suggest you inquire as to whether your local council is holding a Constitutional Convention and seek to be accepted as a delegate. Further, every citizen has the right to write to Senator Nick Minchin, Parliament House, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600, with his or her concerns related to our Constitution. These letters will be registered as official Convention documents and you will be given their official document number. When I sent my document, fewer than 500 had been received.

I desire three major alterations to our Constitution but these can only safely be made in single referendums, not as part of a major reconstruction of our Constitution. We need time to analyze carefully each alteration to ensure its long-term as well as short-term benefits to the nation and each individual citizen. We must be wise to discern any unintentional opportunities for future governments to imperil the liberties we now enjoy.

The three additions to our Constitution which I would recommend are:

1. The exclusion of United Nations Conventions and Foreign Treaties from our Australian law. These breach the sovereignty of our nation.

2. High court Justices should confine their decisions to the interpretation of law, not engage in the making of law. It is unsafe to have non-elected judges making decisions which in effect become laws. In this manner they usurp the prerogatives of parliament.

3. Civil liberties should be guaranteed in our Constitution. Presently, our religious liberty is guaranteed, but very few civil liberties are specifically written into our Constitution.

It is likely that in 1999 a referendum will be held throughout Australia to determine whether Australia will retain its monarchist Constitution or become a republic. I believe that despite the present omens, there is a real possibility that the people of Australia, if properly informed, will reject the republic. I propose to hold a series of meetings around Australia in 1999 concerning this issue. As a minister, I shall speak both from a Biblical and historical viewpoint, for I believe that Christians need to be alert to the full implications of any measure likely to reduce their religious and/or civil liberties. Already I have two locations tentatively booked. If you desire to arrange such a meeting series in your locality, I would welcome your suggestions, although time constraints will limit my ability to accept all offers. I am convicted that I have a duty to continue the fight for the preservation of our precious, God-ordained liberties.

The defence of our Constitution is not yet completed. I believe that the fact that in the States of Tasmania and South Australia, candidates supporting our present Constitution received more votes than those desiring to alter the Constitution by changing to republican form of government, is a positive sign. For a referendum to succeed, there must be an overall majority of the citizens of Australia in support, and at least four of the six states must provide a majority. Therefore, one further state only needs to be convinced of the dangers of a wholesale reconstruction of our Constitution, for the move to a Republic to be defeated.

Incredibly, I have received two offers of support to stand for parliament, one of which was for the Senate. But I am a minister of the gospel. This is my calling.

Thank you ever so much for your support for my candidacy. I feel humbled by your confidence in me, a man almost none of you have met. May our dear Lord bless you and your families in 1998 and may each grow in grace.

FROM THE BOOK:

Liberty
in the

Balance

by

Russell R. Standish, founder,
Remnant Ministries

and

Colin D. Standish, president,
Hartland Institute

Source: http://www.sundaylaw.net/books/other/standish/liberty/litb33.htm

SUSTAINED HIGH INFLATION A DANGER

sydney opera house

Sustained high inflation a danger

Alan Wood, Economics editor May 10, 2008

THE Australian economy is a powder keg of rising prices, rising inflation expectations and accelerating wage demands. And there is a real risk Tuesday's budget will put a match to it.

This isn't a message the Reserve Bank headlines in its latest Statement on Monetary Policy, but all the elements are there in its analysis of the forces at work in the economy.

What is more likely to catch the headlines are its latest forecasts for economic growth, which are certainly dramatic enough. They show real non-farm GDP growth plunging from 4 per cent in the year to the December quarter of last year (the most recent figure we have) to 1.75 per cent in the December-half of this year.

But I think this should be seen as the path the central bank would like to see the economy follow rather than the one it is yet convinced it will follow.

And even with these forecasts, with growth only picking up to 2.5 per cent in 2009 and not much more in 2010, inflation runs at 4.5 per cent (4 per cent underlying rate) in the six months to December this year and then only declines gradually to 2.75 per cent in the half year to December 2010.

This means that inflation will remain at dangerously elevated levels for the next two years, presenting the Reserve Bank with a serious policy challenge: how does it keep inflation expectations under control for such a long period?

It is inflation expectations that really matter, because once they start to rise it becomes much harder and much more painful -- politically, in terms of jobs, profits and growth, and socially as unemployment rises -- to get inflation back under control.

Inflation expectations are starting to rise. The RBA's survey of market economists shows that their expectations of inflation in the year to June 2009 have risen from 2.6 per cent last November to 3 per cent this month. More worrying, the expectations of union officials have jumped form 3 per cent to 4 per cent over the same period. The various wage measures cited by the bank, such as the wage price index, show wage rises stepping up to match rising inflation.

The RBA comments that wage rises in the private sector, at 4.3 per cent, are rising at the fastest rate of growth in the monetary statement's 10-year history.

Equally worrying, these are averages and many workers are seeing their wages falling behind inflation, causing growing union agitation for bigger wage rises. In both the private and public sectors, there have been recent settlements of 5 per cent.

If the RBA is to avoid further interest rate rises, it has to convince the corporate sector and wage earners that despite high inflation running on for an extended period, it will bring it back under control. Its forecasts of a sharp slowing in economic growth, its implied squeeze on consumer spending and a rise in unemployment are aimed at doing this.

The message of the forecasts is that this is no time to be seeking higher wages.

But as the RBA concedes, with Australia's terms of trade set to record their biggest one-year jump since the China boom began, at more than 20 per cent, it is difficult to know what the net balance will be between the forces of expansion and contraction operating on the Australian economy.

We are told that: "On balance, the board's assessment is that a period of below-trend growth in the Australian economy is now in prospect. If sustained, this will mean a gradual easing in capacity pressures, which in turn can be expected to have a restraining influence on inflation over time."

Yet while we are told the available economic data for 2008 suggests a significant moderation in domestic spending is now occurring, the evidence cited is less than convincing.

For example, we are told that after strong growth last year, the volume of retail sales is estimated to have fallen "slightly" in the March quarter.

Similarly, while surveys in the business sector point to a noticeable fall in confidence, trading conditions are reported to have softened only "moderately".

As for the labour market, the RBA says indicators have remained strong, with employment continuing to expand in the March quarter and unemployment remaining close to record lows.

This doesn't sound like a central bank convinced it has done enough to bring inflation under control and anchor inflation expectations. And remember, its growth forecasts are just that -- forecasts.

Have a look at the two tables, the first showing the RBA's latest forecasts for growth and inflation and, the second, its forecasts in May last year. A year ago, the RBA didn't publish detailed forecasts for non-farm growth, but it did tell us in the text of its monetary policy statement that it expected it to run on at 3.25-3.5 per cent.

Growth was stronger than that in 2007, as the first table shows. But its latest forecasts mark a substantial cut in its growth expectations going forward.

On the other hand, it is now distinctly less optimistic about inflation.

None of this is surprising, since it has put up interest rates a full percentage point since then, there has been a global credit meltdown, rising food and oil prices and so on. But it is a salutary reminder of the margin for error in any set of economic forecasts.

We should see its latest forecast as what it wants to achieve, and assume it will do whatever is necessary to do so if there isn't further evidence of clearly contracting domestic spending or wages growth continues to rise.

Attention now swings to next Tuesday's budget. Treasurer Wayne Swan assures us that the RBA's Glenn Stevens "will be quite happy with the (fiscal) settings we announce".

Despite the tough talk, I think there is a good chance he won't be. To have a significant influence on interest rates and inflation, the budget surplus will need to be genuine -- no fudges -- and in the range of $25-30 billion for 2008-09, and it doesn't sound like it will be.

This raises the danger of a financial market backlash once the budget's details are absorbed, if the reality falls short of the expectations of blood-on-the-floor decision-making built up by Kevin Rudd and Swan.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23672511-643,00.html

CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT CHRIST?

Christianity without Christ?

No creeds, no miracles, no Resurrection: Minister preaches faith without the symbolism

Charles Lewis, National Post

Published: Saturday, May 03, 2008


There is a Bible on a pedestal in Gretta Vosper's West Hill United Church in Toronto. She would prefer it did not have a special place, she said, because it is just a book among other books. In a similar way, the cross that is high above the altar has no special meaning, but there are a few older congregants for whom the Bible and the cross are still nice symbols so there they remain. Though an ordained minister, she does not like the title of reverend. It is one of those symbols that hold the church back from breaking into the future -- to a time "when the label Christian won't even exist" and the Church will be freed of the burdens of the past. To balance out those symbols of the past inside West Hill, there is a giant, non-religious rainbow tapestry just behind the altar and multi-coloured streamers hang from the ceiling. "The central story of Christianity will fade away," she explained. "The story about Jesus as the symbol of everything that Christianity is will fade away." Ms. Vosper does not believe in the Virgin Birth, the Resurrection, the miracles and the sacrament of baptism. Nor does she believe in the creeds, the presence of Christ in communion or that Jesus was the Son of God. In With or Without God, her book that was formally launched this week, she writes that Jesus was a "Middle Eastern peasant with a few charismatic gifts and a great posthumous marketing team." The Bible is used in her services, but it gets rewritten to be more contemporary and speak to more people. Even the Lord's Prayer -- also known as the Our Father -- does not make the cut because it creates an image of a God who intervenes in human existence. And then there is the "Father" part that is not inclusive language and carries with it the notion of an overbearing tyrant who condemns people to hell. So why exactly does she still call herself a Christian, let alone a minister?.......... read more

Source: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=490325&p=1

AS SHEEP HAVING NO SHEPHERD


35And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 9:35-38 (King James Version)

Saturday, May 10, 2008

THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD

THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD


This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

Music: Ter­ra Be­a­ta, tra­di­tion­al Eng­lish mel­o­dy, ar­ranged by
Frank­lin L. Shep­pard in his Al­le­lu­ia, 1915

(MI­DI, score).

THE HISTORY 'UNFIT' TO PRINT

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

In Love With the History Our Teachers Never Told Us


French Huguenots murdered by Spanish Roman Catholics.

Much like the inability of it and other newspapers, notably the Washington [a]Post[ate], regarding Roman Catholic terrorist Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up the British Parliament in 1605, the New York Times fails to mention the religion and hence the religious motives of the Spanish murderers of French Protestants.


(excerpt)

CUTTYHUNK ISLAND, Mass. — Tony Horwitz’s new book, “A Voyage Long and Strange,” is about the American history most Americans never learned, including the story of the short-lived, early-17th-century colony established on this windswept island eight miles west of Martha’s Vineyard.

The book starts with the Viking discovery of North America, dispels a number of myths about Columbus (a much lousier navigator than we were taught) and then traces the various Spanish and French explorations of America before turning to the English settlements at Jamestown and Plymouth.

That the Pilgrims were very tardy latecomers is one of the themes of “A Voyage Long and Strange,” just published by Macmillan. Another is that much of what we think of as heroic exploration was bumbling and misguided. And a third is that large chunks of our past are preserved these days less by scholars than by passionate amateurs. Who knew, for example, that some evangelicals in Jacksonville, Fla., were keeping alive the memory of the French Huguenots who settled there and were massacred by the Spanish?


The author Tony Horwitz on windswept Cuttyhunk Island
(photo and caption from The New York Times)


Posted by Douglas A. Willinger

Source: http://continuingcounterreformation.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=50

IMPOSTORS WILL IMITATE THE MESSIAH'S RETURN

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Behold, I have told you before.

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:23-30.