Thursday, June 05, 2008

THE MARK, THE NAME OF THE BEAST, OR THE NUMBER OF HIS NAME

Revelation 13

1And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8And 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.

9If any man have an ear, let him hear.

10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14And 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.

15And 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.

16And 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:

17And 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.

18Here 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 threescore and six.

Bolds and Highlights added for emphasis. *N. B.---------Very Important! ..............Arsenio

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

COUNTRY LIVING SEMINARS - PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

August 2 & 3 - Pasadena, CA
- Pasadena SDA Church
We are pleased to announce some upcoming Country Living Seminars on August2 and 3 at the Pasadena SDA Church in Pasadena, CA.

The exact times we will start are yet to be decided, but we should begin in the afternoon on Sabbath and then resume early afternoon on Sunday. Please check back for more details.

Location:

Pasadena SDA Church
Pasadena, CA


More details to be posted soon. Please check back.


Source: http://mountainmediaministries.org/upcoming-events/august-2-3/index.php

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN... ... ...?


Government inaction, policies, and programs



What Do You Do When ……… ?

By Ron Ewart Wednesday, June 4, 2008



So what do you do when the rising prices for fuel and food are spiraling out of control and when the reason they are spiraling out of control is because of what government does, doesn’t do, or won’t allow to be done, in the interest of all Americans?



What do you do when the federal government is talking right now about instituting cap and trade legislation for CO2 emissions that will run the price of fuel and food up even further, eliminating jobs and just possibly reduce America to a third-world country, on the way to government’s ultimate goal, one-world-order?

What do you do when the federal government, lobbied by the ever-present, incessant, out-of-control, radical environmental groups, declares the Polar Bear threatened, when in fact it isn’t threatened at all and the hidden agenda for the declaration is for stopping construction or production of anything (ANWR, off-shore drilling, nuclear, coal and gas power generation, refinery construction, etc.) that might emit so-called greenhouse gases, like CO2, for the boogey man of so-called, man-caused global warming? (And further, that the declaration will lead to other declarations for other species, supposedly threatened or endangered, to accomplish the same purpose.)

What do you do when the federal government, at the urging of environmental groups, is debating or has already passed legislation that will take control of every lake, river, stream, wetland, wet spot, or mud puddle in America, thus threatening, or altogether eliminating, constitutional property rights?

What do you do when the federal government leaves our borders so porous that millions of foreigners come into the United States illegally every year and melt into the landscape, except when they need public services like schools, bilingual education, hospital emergency care, welfare and a host of other benefits that most Americans can’t get and a government only too willing to give it to them and ignore existing laws that would remove the magnets for the illegal aliens to come here in the first place? And what do you do when that same government tries to sneak illegal alien amnesty in war-funding legislation, in the dark of night and without public scrutiny, debate, or vetting?

(Oh, and productive Americans get to pay for all this gross negligence by our government. So much for their constitutional duty to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic.)

What do you do when the government, at the urging of socialists and radical environmentalists, insert books and other curriculum material in the learning process, with the sole design of brainwashing and indoctrinating our children, creating the next generation of mindless idiots?

What do you do when our Supreme and lower courts make decisions that patently violate either the U. S. or state constitutions and essentially legislate from the bench for extreme social or environmental purposes?

What do you do when local, state and federal lawmakers raise their right hand and swear on solemn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the state constitution where they reside, and then systematically violate that oath every moment they are in office? To some of us, that is treason.

What do you do when the federal government illegally enters into treaties by executive order (Law of the Sea Treaty, etc.) and makes agreements without ratification by Congress (North American Union) with other countries, or the United Nations, or the European Union, that has the effect of reducing, or eliminating American sovereignty?

What do you do when the federal government, at the urgings of environmental groups, work by stealth, propaganda and perversion, to take over huge chunks of American land (including private land) for purposes of conservation, UN biospheres, or wildlife easements, using our tax money to do it?

What do you do when your government, at all levels, takes your money from you by force, your hard work and sweat equity, in the form of taxes and turns around and gives that sweat equity to a person or persons (usually in the millions) for the purpose of buying votes to keep the “givers” of your money in office, but has the effect of reducing the recipients to wards of the government and stripping them of their pride, dignity, self-reliance and productivity?

This is what most of the American people do! They continue to believe the hype, propaganda, lies, distortions and garbage that government shoves down their throats by any means and continue to elect presidents, legislators and judges, from either party, who extend their reign of terror, with the dedicated purpose of sending each of us deeper and deeper into the hole of abject socialism and radical environmentalism and strip us of our pride, dignity, self-reliance, productivity and our freedom. That’s what most Americans do.

“But the brutal reality is that only a ground swell of national outrage will reverse the course of socialism and environmental extremism in America and return us to a Constitutional Republic. We are ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ and we are the ‘CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED’, if and only if, we exercise, on a grand scale, our right, duty and obligation to be ‘WE THE PEOPLE’.”

United we stand, divided we fall, and as a country, we are way too divided. How close is the precipice of our destruction? Exceedingly close.




We reach thousands of Americans with our articles and essays almost every day, but each day we wonder if our efforts to awaken the American people to the imminent danger of their potential enslavement, add up to nothing more than blowing uselessly into the East Wind? We and a few others are dedicated to preserving, protecting and defending the constitution of the United States and its promise of freedom and liberty. Just think what we could do if the people would just give us the resources that would allow us to perfect that preservation, protection and defending of the document that literally stands between us and virtual slavery? We would be on their doorsteip and in every court in the nation in the defense of liberty. But billions of dollars are given to your enemy (government, socialists and radical environmental lobby groups that lobby and sue government to get what they want) with the final result being your enslavement. Most Americans stand idly by and let it happen.



In open defiance of an out-of-control government that will send American freedom and sovereignty to the scrap heap ......... if we let them:

We are increasing our carbon footprint!

Who will join us?

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RURAL LANDOWNERS


Posted 06/4 at 07:43 AM

THE WORK OF THE JESUITS IN THE NEW MILLENIUM

The Jesuit order was started
by Ignatious de Loyola (born 1491).
In 1540 the order was validated
in Rome by Pope Paul III.
The order is often described as
the Catholic Church's Militia.
Those who become members of this order
must take a brutal obedience oath,
where they commit themselves to be
a faithful soldier of the Pope,
that shall fight to forward the plans
and purposes of the church
and the Pope, at any cost.

Recently we discovered in the internet
a lot of updated information,
where the Jesuits are telling about
their work and intentions for
the new millennium. Some of this
information we would like to share
with you in this article.

It is very revealing, and also frightening,
to see how willingly the protestant
churches follow the Jesuit plans,
especially on the ecumenical level,
which is strongly emphasized.

Today the Jesuits are located
all over the world, but is
especially established in Europe,
where they number approximately 9,000.
In North America, there is about 5,500
Jesuits; in Africa, approximately 1,150;
and in Asia, approximately 5,400.
It is worth noticing that these figures
are only the "inner circle."
The Jesuits also have several lower
departments, or subdivisions that have
been formed and inspired by the Jesuits.

THE WORK OF THE JESUITS IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
as revealed by their own sources

The Jesuits are urged to increase their effort and zeal in carrying out the original purposes and goals of the order

The Jesuits are playing a central role in the evangelizing efforts of the Catholic Church, by working to bring the Christian world back to the Mother Church. In this connection it is very interesting to notice all the information that has been made available on the Internet in regard to the General Conference of the Jesuits (No 34). Never before have we recognized that they have so openly revealed the reports from such gatherings.

It is formulated, of course, in eloquent terms, but, having some knowledge and insight into the background of their work, their methods and goals, the revelation by their own sources, becomes very informative, interesting and unveiling. It cannot be said that this is outdated information that has no relevance in our day, neither can it be said that the Jesuits have changed their intentions and agenda.

In the Pope's comments and acceptance of the report from the Jesuits (GC 34), he strongly appeals to them to follow the same pattern laid out by St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. As they recruit new members to the order, it is important that they do not make the standard too low, so that the very nature of the Jesuit Order becomes too mild.

The Pope exhorts, "Your founder explicitly insisted that no one should be admitted to the profession without thorough formation... You must not `succumb to the temptation it is so easy to fall into, namely, to make the initial forming too mild, as it is of great importance in all its aspects; both the human, the spiritual, the doctrinal, the disciplinary, and the pastoral.'"

At the General Conference the Pope reminded the participants of the following: "You have clearly a strong, marked spirituality, an unequivocal identity, and a century-long confirmation which was based on the validity of methods, in spite of going through history's "meltdown," continue to carry the inscription of St.Ignatius' strong spirit. Therefore there is absolutely no need to doubt the fact that the renewed source to spiritual and apostolic fruitfulness must be a still deeper submission to the way you have followed until now — to the special charisma."

The Jesuits "new evangelization" in the second millennium.

An even greater involvement and surrender is emphasized as being essential in the new millennium. Time and again the "new evangelization" (A1, 4, 7, 9) is mentioned, where the Jesuits are going to play a special role in "the third millennium." The Pope says that this historical event "is for the most part dedicated to discover the specific contribution their institution is called to give the new evangelization on the threshold of the third millennium, as well as to update the Jesuit orders internal organization and law-giving, so it can contribute an even greater faithfulness and effective service to the church." (A1, 2)

Then the Pope is suggesting some points they ought to follow, so they can even better "define their contribution to the church's evangelizing mission in our present world, especially having in mind the "Big Jubilee" in the year 2000, where a new spring in the Christian life will be revealed..." (A1, 2)



Meditation and mysticism are some
of the positive factors mentioned
that contribute to fruitful dialog
between Jesuits and the Hindus,
and the Buddhists. In addition,
the "rich symbolism"
of the Hindus is also something the
Jesuits can identify with.
This is a well-known fact for those
that have studied how the different
organizations give signals through symbols.

To the left we see the characteristic
Pope sign given by:
Number 1, the Buddhists;
Number 2, the Hindus;
Number 3, the Catholic Church.

There are also many other symbols
that are similar in these religions.

Unification of all Christian

One of the points especially emphasized by the Pope is the "unification of all Christians." (A1, 5) The Pope is drawing attention to the fact that this point he has already emphasized in a previous letter by the name Tertio Millennio Adveniente. There he writes the following: "As we are nearing the new millennium, the church asks the Lord — as one of the most eager petitions in connection with this event — that the unification of all Christians from all church denominations must increase, so it can lead to the goal of total unification (communion)." The Jesuits shall lead out in tearing down independent tendencies and creating universal unity.

After quoting from the apostolic letter, the Pope concludes, "In this great battle the whole church must find the Jesuit Order in the front lines, as they resist every temptation in the direction of individualism, independence, or parallelism, the order is called upon to give a stirring testimony of brotherly loyalty (unity) and ecclesiastical harmony. The efforts the Order has placed upon cooperation in every branch of the church's activities is well known. In this connection, I encourage you to keep alive this fundamental display of your charisma as you serve the universal church, and overcome every temptation of provincialism, regionalism, or isolationism that could endanger the very existence of certain international and interprovincial works of great importance for the universal church..." (Ibid.) Independence will be taken away, and everything will be subjected to an international blueprint.

How then are they to reach their desired goal?

Ecumenical efforts, with the main emphasis of entering into dialogue with other religions and church denominations is the answer. "The second Vatican Council has encouraged all Catholics to enter into dialogue... so we can promote unification... The Holy Father has time and again asked the Jesuits to bring about an inter-religious dialogue, an apostolic prioritizing in the third millennium...it seems like a dialogue is developing the gathering and liberating potential for all religions..." (Dekre 5, pkt. 130 (D5, 130)) "...Inter-religious dialogues is an integrating element of the Jesuits mission..." (D5, 137) They say, "We have a special responsibility to promote inter-religious dialogues." (D5, 154) Yes, "this culture of dialoguing should become the special hallmark of our Jesuit Order."

So highly do they prioritize this work, that they will "set up a secretariat for inter-religious dialogues to promote and coordinate the Jesuit initiative in this field. The secretariat is supposed to be helpful in making sure that training programs for Jesuits are organized, having in view broader involvement in dialogues." (D5, 155)

Dialogue with Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists.

It is not only the other "Christian" church denominations the Jesuits are working to dialogue with. "The dialogue with the Jewish people has a unique place," they say, and continue, "To enter into an honest and respectful unity with the Jewish people is one aspect of our efforts to `think with and in the Church.' (D5, 149) They also desire to enter into dialogue with the Muslims. "Both the Church and the Jesuit Order have struggled to build bridges of mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims." (D5, 150)

The Hindus is another group the Jesuits wish to enter into dialogue with. They believe this can be an easier group to work with. Some of the areas they believe will open up for a "fruitful dialogue" is the Hindus' "deep meditation," "mystical comprehension," and "rich symbolism." (D5, 151) (See pictures this page.)

Also in regard to the Buddhists they have discovered areas that can be used as grounds to unite with them. Some of the things they especially emphasize as positive is, again, "meditation, that leads to a level of inner liberalism and spiritual enlightening." (D5, 152)

One of the approaches the Jesuits mention as useful to get closer to the religious fundamentalists, is to try to ask forgiveness for past mistakes, and
intolerance. "This can open the way
for dialog and unification,"
they say. Can we see this today?
Above: an article from the Norwegian
newspaper DAGEN, with the heading:
The Pope asks for forgiveness.

Religious Fundamentalists — a Problem

The last group they mention that they desire to enter into dialogue with, is what they call the "phenomena of religious fundamentalism." To bring about unity with them, they confess, "poses serious difficulties." Nevertheless, they will make their attempts to accomplish this. Their approach, as we can see it being implemented today, can appear noble.

They will seek to ask forgiveness for past mistakes and intolerance towards others. "This can open the way for dialogt should be done in these situations. (D5, 153)

We will add a warning here to keep anyone from being deceived by their subtle methods of advancement. It has been said about the Catholic Church that when it is in minority, it is as meek as a lamb. When it is an equal, it is as shrewd as a fox. When it is in majority, it is as ferocious as a tiger. Methods that appear noble and beautiful can be used, but they do not hide the fact that the Catholic Church, in the end, must be the winning party. Therefore they must, as they express it, carefully evaluate which methods of advancement they ought to use to reach this goal.

Different Types of Dialogues

There is different aspects to be emphasized in the dialogues with the various church denominations. Two of the most prominent points are the following:

"The Religious Experience Dialogue, where persons, rooted in their own religious tradition, share their spiritual treasures. For instance, with regard to prayer and meditation, faith and ways where one searches for God or the Absolute."

"The Theological Exchange Dialogue, where specialists seek to deepen the understanding of the respective religious heritages, and to appreciate each other's spiritual values." (D5,131)

The Veiled Purpose: To lead all church denominations back to the "Mother Church."

Can you see how the Protestant denominations are imitating the Catholic Church's plan to bring about a unity among Christians? In the beginning it may appear very harmless. Christians are bound together by exchanging spiritual experiences, and unite in a ministry of prayer. "After all, we do have a common goal," they insist, "to uplift Christ in a world on the brink of a crisis."

But in spite of all eloquent words and seemingly good intentions (and some of them that enter into these joint spiritual activities can also in reality have honest and good intentions), there is behind it all a subtle, slithery, deceptive strategy: to lead all religions back to the Mother Church. Therefore we must be on guard, so we too will not be deceived.

The Basis for True Christian Unity.

We are not against unity. In His last admonition to His disciples, Jesus actually prayed that His followers may be one. But please notice carefully on what foundation it should be accomplished:

"Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth... That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us." (John 17:17-20)

This is a complete different unity than the unity the Catholic Church is leading up to. And, sad to say, the Protestant denominations also are leading up to the same, with their new models of dialoguing, pastoral circles, and joint ecumenical gatherings.

The trend of fellowshipping is to have a good time together, and experience the warmth of fellowship, coupled with an exchange of personal, spiritual views, that concludes with the fact that we only need to have major spiritual points in common. The tolerance level today is broad, and no one protests if you have another view of the issues, as long as you promote the outlook, "This is just one of many ways, my way, the one I am comfortable with, or prefer — but maybe another way can suit you better — as long as we have Jesus in common, we are working toward the same goal."

But is this the way it really is? Can we profess Jesus Christ, and then select our own personal spiritual guidelines, and create our own personal spiritual "comfort zone," and serve God in this way? God forbid!

If we do, we will be led astray by our own love for comfort and ease, our own selfish heart. Listen, dear reader, to what the Bible says: "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way." Isaiah 53:6.

Is Jesus just a Name we can hide "our own ways" behind? No, not at all! The name of Jesus is very precious, because Jesus stood for something precious. He stood for precious spiritual truths found in God's Word, truths we also must stand for. We must have faith in the precious truths Jesus stood for, and had faith in. We must have the faith of Jesus. Our own will, wishes and opinions must harmonize with His, the Truth, or they are without spiritual value, and will lead us astray and do us no good, for we will only be having our own way. "Our own way" must become "HIS WAY." Jesus had implicit faith in what God said, for God's Word is Truth, and He lived so closely by this Word of Truth, that, "I am... the Truth..." John 14:6. In other words, the Truth "became flesh" in Him.

This Truth, as we read in John 17:17-20, and as we have already mentioned, expresses itself in God's Word, the Bible. In it we find a line of beautiful TRUE DOCTRINES — teachings and principles — that when followed, will ennoble and refine us into the likeness of His character. We must understand that by following this Truth, we will be sanctified by it, and it will make us in character like Him. As each one of us seek to follow the truths in God's Word (the true doctrines and teachings and beautiful principles found there), we will become ONE IN HIM. This is the basis, the foundation, of true Christian unity.

Infiltration and Global Networking

There is in particular two aspects that we notice the Jesuits will emphasize to achieve "greater cooperation and effectiveness."

1) Infiltration [Twining] (D21, 448)

2) Global Networking (D21, 446)

The Jesuits emphasize that they need close cooperation among themselves to reach their goals. By creating networks between individuals and institutions, they can gather information which they can then forward to other levels of society. They also emphasize this point in regard to their work to promote inter-religious dialogues. In this area they will divide the work into two groups of responsibility: the ones who participate in the dialogues, and those who forward the outcome of the dialogues to those in the Jesuit Order that are involved in other parts of the work. (D5, 148)

But the networking is also taking place on other levels. Especially mentioned is "Networkings in university departments, research centers, school papers, and in regional defense groups. The potential is also present to achieve cooperation by and through international troops, organizations that are not under government rule, and other newer organizations of men and women that are favorably inclined. The initiative and support for these different forms of networkings should come from all parts of society..." (D5, 446)

Total Obedience to the Church

In addition to the close ties, the coordination and strong cooperation between the brothers of the Order, they have great affection, total obedience, and submission to "their superiors." The Jesuits are asked to fulfill their apostolic mission. They are called "to carry out whatever assignment the Church should assign to them." (D6, 165) This the Pope also strongly emphasizes in his appeal: "As you follow in the footprints of your Founder and his initial coworkers, with the same gesture of loyalty to the activities of the Pontiff of Rome, you are declaring that society is totally and without reservation of the Church, in the Church, and for the Church." (A1, 1)

The Oath of the Jesuits - still one of the main elements in the Jesuit Order

In his comments to the Jesuits (GC 34), it is the Pope's desire to emphasize the two main elements that St. Ignatius emphasized in the forming of the Jesuit Order: "The priesthood, and the Oath of obedience the initiated has given to the Supreme Pontiff ." (A5, the Pope's second letter)

It is very interesting to notice that the Jesuit Oath continues to be strongly emphasized. In no way can we draw the conclusion that the Jesuit Oath is not currently important. No, in the documents that now are being made public, the original intentions, methods and laws are even more strongly being emphasized to be put into practice. "The need is therefore not a new set of laws, but that the existing laws can be more effectively implemented." (D12, 329)

In this connection we will include a portion of the Jesuit Oath — an extract of the Jesuit "Extreme Oath of Induction" as recorded in the Congressional Record of the United States of America, February 15, 1913, pages 3215-6. Also in "The Engineer Corps of Hell" by Edwin A. Sherman, pg. 118, 1883, Library of Congress Catalogue Card #66-43354. It should cause everyone to "wake up" and recognize the goals and mission of the Jesuits. It reads as follows:

'My son, heretofore you have been taught to act the dissembler: among the Roman Catholics to be a Roman Catholic, and to be a spy even among your own brethren; to believe no man, to trust no man. Among the reformers, to be a reformer; among the Huguenots, to be a Huguenot; among the Calvinists, to be a Calvinist; among the Protestants, generally to be a Protestant; and obtaining their confidence to seek even to preach from their pulpits, and to denounce with all the vehemence in your nature our holy religion and the Pope; even to descend so low as to become a Jew among the Jews, that you might be enabled to gather together all information for the benefit of your order as a faithful soldier of the Pope. You have been taught to insidiously plant the seeds of jealousy and hatred between states that were at peace, and incite them to deeds of blood, involving them in war with each other, and to create revolutions and civil wars in communities, provinces and countries that were independent and prosperous, cultivating the arts and the science and enjoying the blessings of peace. To take sides with the combatants secretly in concert with your brother Jesuit ... who might be engaged on the other side, but openly opposed to that with which you might be connected; only that the church might be the gainer in the end, in the conditions fixed in the treaties for peace and that the end justifies the means.

"You have been taught your duty as a spy, to gather all statistics, facts and information in your power from every source; to ingratiate yourself into the confidence of the family circle of Protestants and heretics of every class and character, as well as that of the merchant, the banker, the lawyer, among the schools and universities, in parliaments and legislatures, and in the judiciaries and the councils of state, and to `be all things to all men,' for the Pope's sake, whose servants we are unto death.

"You have received all your instructions heretofore as a novice, a neophyte, and have served as a coadjutor, confessor and priest, but you have not yet been invested with all that is necessary to command the army of Loyola in the service of the Pope. You must serve the proper time as the instrument and executioner as directed by your superiors; for none can command here who has not yet consecrated his labours with the blood of the heretic; for `without the shedding of blood no man can be saved.' Therefore, to fit yourself for your work and make your salvation sure, you will, in addition to your former oath of obedience to your order and allegiance to the Pope, repeat after me.

"I . . . , now in the presence of the Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessed Michael the Archangel, the Blessed St. John the Baptist, the Holy Father, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, in the Pontification of Paul the Third, and continued to the present, do by the womb of the virgin, the matrix of God, and the rod of Jesus Christ, declare and swear that his holiness, the Pope, is Christ's Vice-regent, and is the true and only head of the Catholic or Universal Church throughout the earth; and that by the virtue of the keys of binding and loosing, given to his Holiness by my Savior, Jesus Christ, he hath power to depose heretical kings, princes, states, commonwealths and governments, all being illegal without his sacred confirmation, and that they may be safely destroyed.

"I do further declare, that I will help and assist and advise all or any of his Holiness' agents in any place wherever I shall be, and do my utmost to extirpate the heretical Protestant or Liberal doctrines and to destroy all their pretended powers, legal or otherwise.

"I do further promise and declare, that notwithstanding I am dispensed with to assume any religion heretical, for the propagating of the Mother Church's interest, to keep secret and private all her agents' counsels, from time to time as they may instruct me, and not to divulge directly or indirectly, by word, writing, or circumstances whatever; but to execute all that shall be proposed given in charge or discovered unto me, by you, my ghostly father ...

"I do further promise and declare, that I will have no opinion or will of my own, or any mental reservation whatever, even as a corpse or cadaver (perinde ac cadaver) but unhesitatingly obey each and every command that I may receive from my superiors in the Militia of the Pope and Jesus Christ.

"That I will go to any port of the world, whatsoever, without murmuring and will be submissive in all things whatsoever communicated to me ... I do further promise and declare, that I will, when opportunity presents, make and wage relentless war, secretly and openly, against all heretics, Protestants and Liberals, as I am directed to do to extirpate and exterminate them from the face of the whole earth, and that I will spare neither sex, age nor condition, and that I will hang, waste, boil flay, strangle and bury alive these infamous heretics; rip up the stomachs and wombs of their women and crush their infants' heads against the wall, in order to annihilate forever their execrable race.

"That when the same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poison cup, the strangulation cord, the steel of the poniard, or the lead bullet, regardless of the honor, rank, dignity or authority of the person or persons whatsoever may be their condition in life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do by any agent of the Pope or superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Faith of the Society of Jesus."

Concealed Strategy

The goals of the Jesuits are clear, but as mentioned before, it is often concealed under a cover of apparently good intentions. The Jesuits appear with a front of good works. They aid the poor, promote education to children and youth, and are involved in environmental issues and peace corps activities, etc. But it is made clear that their humanitarian work "never must be separated from the global evangelizing mission the church has. (A1, 7)

Jesuits promote integration of Aliens

The Jesuits have established a department that especially deals with aliens called Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). This organization is dealing with refugees in various countries. They are working to integrate refugees into countries with different cultures and religions.

"...From the Churches' long experience in welcoming refugees and immigrants, we understand immigration as an opportunity for the cultural, social and economic enrichment of our society. We call upon the European Union to adopt a positive approach to immigration... individuals in need of protection are entitled to the territory of the EU... As members of a civil society, and as Europeans and Christians, we call upon the European Parliament to safeguard those who are most threatened by persecution, violence, poverty and lack of freedom. We commit ourselves to collaborate with this process." (Http://www.catholic.se/jesuit - click on current)

It looks like the issue of aliens also is favored by the leaders of the Catholic Church. At this point we have to stress the fact that we are not in any way against providing help to those in need. However, we must refrain from cooperating with the Catholic Church in the strategy of blending the different peoples of the earth, so the Protestant nations no longer are able to preserve their unique Protestant position, but the whole world become one gigantic international unit with common economy, politic, — and then unified in the most important area, religion — under the Catholic Church's principles.

The fact is that the Protestant and independent nations are entitled to have their Protestant freedom, but it looks like the Jesuits now are in the process of getting their own men and women into governing positions worldwide, and that their goals little by little are being fulfilled; actually to destroy the Protestant and independent nations. Catholic favored international laws will be enforced.

We must not forget the slogan expression, "ORDO AB CHAO," Order out of Chaos. It is the very ones holding the power (the Power Elite) that are creating the chaos, for later to bring about order in their own way. There are multiple indications that the promoted removal of people from one country to integrate them in another, is a link in the universal internationalization process.

But look at God's beautiful plan in Acts 17:26-27: "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitations: that they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us."

Political, economic, social, cultural, and religious globalization

The Jesuits are expressing how pleased they are that presently stronger and stronger ties are being formed in the political, economic, social and cultural realm. They are noticing nations that in the past were divided, but are now forming new international economic and political structures; and they say it would be a shame if this verification did not also take place in the religious realm. (D12, 326)

November 11, 1999 was a busy day for the Jesuits. In Brussels, on this particular day, they received young professionals of the French Movement of Christian Executives (MCC). They were gathered for three days, and during this time had debates and conferences in regard to the European situation. After prayer and dialogues, it was concluded that: "They understood that the upbuilding of the European Union is not only an economic construction, but a new way to think on our continent, including all the countries that are candidates. They discovered a new dimension to their nation — a European dimension."

"For us it was valuable," say the Jesuits. "We understood once more how completely different it is to come and see for ourselves, if we desire to understand the methods and reasons for building a new Europe." (Http://www.catholic.se/jesuit click on aktuelt)

The Jesuits understand that the
Catholic Church's teachings would
not be spread as effectively if
they did not get acceptance in
the schools and universities.
Ignatious de Loyola therefore strongly
emphasized the establishment of
universities where the young
people could be trained.
Today they have approximately 200
universities where around 3,000
Jesuits are working, and where more
than half a million receive
their training. They also work
to carry on their mission in other
universities.

On this picture we see the Pontifical
University in Rome, which is one of
the most prestigious universities
in the world.

The Jesuits are emphasizing education.

At last we want to consider a branch of the work of the Jesuits that they strongly emphasize: EDUCATION. They have been involved in this area ever since the Order's very beginning. "St. Ignatius was aware of the great cultural influence of the universities, and chose to send the Jesuits there, as a place where they in general would do the most good." (D17, 404)

The Jesuits emphasis on education is considered as "very important," since it can provide a solid academic and religious foundation during the formative years." (D18, 418) Their influence in this area can provide great advait. (D18, 417)

"In and through the universities, important debates take place concerning ethics and the future direction of economy and politics..." (D17, 405) Their desire is to get their men and women into decision-making positions in society, and thus form its future: "They educate their students as "men and women for others" who can usurp leadership roles in their own communities and organizations. (D18, 419)

We have learned that "within the last thirty years, the Jesuits higher levels of education has been going through a very rapid development; both in size, inclusiveness, and with more participative structures in the government."

Perhaps, especially in the USA, the Jesuit universities have received great influence, for many of the important and influential individuals in society are getting their education at these universities. The Jesuit university, Georgetown University, educated none other than Bill Clinton himself, and as a child he was trained by nuns.

In spite of this fact, the Jesuits are afraid they will not be able to maintain the control they desire over their universities — a control to the extent where these universities are their "own" in the fullest sense of the word. (D17, 407) To meet this challenge, the Jesuits are encouraged to work hard "to keep, and even to strengthen the identity of each one of our institutions..." (D17, 408) They emphasize to maintain and strengthen their "original Jesuit identity and mission in all the universities that are named Jesuit, or any university that originally operate under our responsibility." (D17, 410)

To be able to maintain the uniqueness of the educational institutions, it is emphasized that the ones in leading positions, must have received adequate forming in "Ignatius' charisma and teachings. (D18, 417)

The following information from the Catholic's own sources, in paragraph 405, Decree 17, reveals a little of the extent of the Jesuit's educational work. "Today there is about 3,000 Jesuits working in about 200 of our own institutions, in the realm of higher education. They are influencing more than a half million students." But it is not only in their own universities the Jesuits are wo. This apostolic activity not only influences the individual students, it effectively is penetrating the entire university." (D17,405) "The Jesuit order's educational department should encourage similar programs in other places, as they can provide advantages towards our desired goal." (D18, 417) We must provide information and warn!

As we observe how this system is steadily progressing, it is important that we do not just stand by idle, doing nothing, and let it take its course. We know we are unable to stop it, but as we see the great dangers connected with this system, and the subtle plans being used, it is important that information exposing what is happening is brought forth. It can help us and others to view these matters in the right light. There certainly must be many honest and sincere people that have entered into this, and similar systems, with the noblest of intentions. We must help them to understand the dangers.

Obviously, this is something the "initiated ones" and their leaders do not appreciate. This fact they openly admit: "We must be on guard constantly, so the faithful will not be confused by questionable teachings, by publications or speeches, that clearly differ from the teachings and morals of the Church, or by any attitudes that hurt the togetherness in the Spirit." (A1, 6)

Therefore it is very clear that they strongly dislike anything that exposes their tactics. However, should we for that reason not speak out? No, for only a lack of Christian love for them will do that. The Bible says: "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4) The Bible tells us clearly that the ones supporting the Harlot and her falsehoods, will be receiving the judgments of God.

Instead of adopting the Jesuit's plan for unity, by entering into dialogue with them, let us in love seek to call them out from the false system they are a part of. Clear and unmistakable information must be brouven an opportunity to make the right decision. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel... therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me." (Ezek. 13:17)

Let us stand together and give this message of warning, combined with God's merciful message of salvation. Then we will have a part in showing the world what they must turn away from, and what they should turn to!

Source: http://www.endtime.net/engelsk/jesuit.htm

A TRIBUTE TO ELDER KENNETH H. WOOD

A Tribute to Elder Kenneth H. Wood
(1917 – 2008)

Kenneth H. Wood, who served as Chairman of the Ellen G. White Estate Board of Trustees since 1980, died on May 25, 2008. He was 90 years old.

Elder Wood is best known to Seventh-day Adventists as the editor of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, which officially changed its name to the shorter Adventist Review during his tenure. He served as assistant editor beginning in 1955, associate editor from 1957, and became editor in 1966, a post he held until 1982.

For nearly 42 years, starting in 1966, Wood served as a Trustee of the Ellen G. White Estate. In 1980 he was elected the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a post he filled ably until his death. Through the turbulent 1980s and beyond, his leadership helped to increase confidence in Ellen G. White’s ministry and the White Estate, among other things supporting greater openness and access to Mrs. White’s unpublished manuscripts. Under his leadership eleven Ellen G. White Research Centers were opened at major Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions around the world, and two additional Branch Offices were opened in North America. Including the Main Office, the total number of such facilities now stands at 18.

Wood’s editorial skills have contributed much to the publications the White Estate has issued during his tenure. His own writings were models of accuracy, clarity, and grace, and his touch greatly improved the writings of others. Until his recent illness he continued to come to his office three mornings a week to work on correspondence and forthcoming publications. The White Estate staff was grateful for the opportunity to come to him with questions, which he answered with wisdom, kindness, and humor. He was a true Christian gentleman. His wife of 69 years, Miriam Wood, known to many by her books and her “Dear Miriam” column in the Adventist Review, died March 16, 2008.

The Wood family requests that those wishing to make memorial gifts direct them to Adventist Heritage Ministry, P.O. Box 1414, Battle Creek, MI 49017 or at www.AdventistHeritage.org.

Some reflections on Elder Wood’s leadership and character from friends and co-workers:

“With the passing of Elder Kenneth Wood one of the influential and significant thinkers and writers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been laid to rest. . . . Elder Wood was a man of strong convictions and absolute loyalty to historic Adventism.” ~ Jan Paulsen, World President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“[Elder Wood] was one of the most thoroughly Christian people that I have ever met in my life. He certainly loved the Lord and believed in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its mission and its ultimate success, without question. . . . He was forward thinking. He [would say], ‘I’ll never live to see it happen, but that’s what the White Estate needs to do, so get working on it.’ Everybody in the White Estate loved him.” ~ James Nix, White Estate Director.

“His Christian character was evident on all occasions, whether in the Board meetings, his office, or in his personal relationships. The Church and the White Estate will be missing a great friend, a great counselor, and a great Christian.” ~ Juan Carlos Viera, White Estate Director, 1995-2000.

For ten years I worked hand in glove with Elder Wood. Those were years of deep satisfaction. We never had a rift even though there were occasional differences of opinion. His counsel was always the best. The White Estate was fortunate to have had Elder Wood as our Board chair for so many years. Someone will succeed him but no one can replace him. ~ Robert W. Olson, White Estate Director, 1978-1990.

I’ll always remember Elder Wood’s prayers in staff and board meetings. As he talked with the Lord, it seemed that he was speaking with Him face to face. When they see each other at the resurrection, it’ll be like two long-time friends meeting again. ~ Norma J. Collins, former White Estate Associate Director.

“His contributions to the church were immense, and we have lost a great person.” ~ Denis Fortin, Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

“The gleam of his eye, his optimistic insights and positive comments always lifted my spirits. . . . He is a part of my fabric of the foundation of this church that I love!” ~ Tom Neslund, President, Adventist Heritage Ministry.

Additional biographical information and tributes may be found in the online edition of the May 22, 2008, Adventist Review: www.adventistreview.org.

A recent photograph of the five Life Trustees of the Ellen G. White Estate. (L to R: Elder Neal C. Wilson; Elder Francis Wernick; Dr. G. W. Reid; Elder Kenneth H. Wood; Dr. William G. Johnsson).

Source: http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/KHWood.asp

SATAN'S GROUNDWORK FOR THE FINAL CONFLICT


Satan's Groundwork for the Final Conflict


He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. Dan. 7:25, R.V.


During the Christian dispensation, the great enemy of man's happiness has made the Sabbath of the fourth commandment an object of special attack. Satan says, "I will work at cross purposes with God. I will empower my followers to set aside God's memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus I will show the world that the day sanctified and blessed by God has been changed. That day shall not live in the minds of the people. I will obliterate the memory of it. I will place in its stead a day that does not bear the credentials of God, a day that cannot be a sign between God and His people. I will lead those who accept this day to place upon it the sanctity that God placed upon the seventh day. {Mar 162.1}



"Through my vicegerent, I will exalt myself. The first day will be extolled, and the Protestant world will receive this spurious sabbath as genuine. Through the nonobservance of the Sabbath that God instituted, I will bring His law into contempt. The words, "A sign between me and you throughout your generations,' I will make to serve on the side of my sabbath. {Mar 162.2}



"Thus the world will become mine. I will be the ruler of the earth, the prince of the world. I will so control the minds under my power that God's Sabbath shall be a special object of contempt. A sign? I will make the observance of the seventh day a sign of disloyalty to the authorities of earth. Human laws will be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing God's law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion." {Mar 162.3}



The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. {Mar 162.4}



Maranatha, E. G. W., p.162.

Note: Red highlights and bolds added for emphasis....................Arsenio

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

HUNDREDS OF NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS BURNED BY ISRAELIS

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Hundreds of New Testament books burned by Israelis


Orthodox Jews set fire to hundreds of copies of the New Testament in the latest act of violence against Christian missionaries in the Holy Land.

Or Yehuda, May, 20, 2008 (AP) - Orthodox Jews set fire to hundreds of copies of the New Testament in the latest act of violence against Christian missionaries in the Holy Land.

Yehuda Deputy Mayor Uzi Aharon said missionaries recently entered a neighborhood in the predominantly religious town of 34,000 in central Israel, distributing hundreds of New Testaments and missionary material. After receiving complaints, Aharon said, he got into a loudspeaker car last Thursday and drove through the neighborhood, urging people to turn over the material to Jewish religious students who went door to door to collect it. The books were dumped into a pile and set afire in a lot near a synagogue, he said.

The Israeli Maariv daily reported Tuesday that hundreds of Jewish religious school students took part in the book-burning. But Aharon told The Associated Press that only a few students were present, and that he was not there when the books were torched. Not all of the New Testaments that were collected were burned, but hundreds were, he said. He said he regretted the burning of the books, but called it a "commandment" to burn materials that urge Jews to convert. "I certainly don't denounce the burning of the booklets," he said. "I denounce those who distributed the booklets."

Earlier this year, the teenage son of a prominent Christian missionary was seriously wounded when a package bomb delivered to the family's West Bank home went off in his hands. Last year, arsonists burst into a Jerusalem church and set the building on fire. The same church was burned down 25 years ago by adherents of Orthodox Judaism.

HOFFMAN'S AFTERWORD

Notice this admission: "He ...called it a 'commandment' to burn materials that urge Jews to convert."

Where is this commandment found - in the Old Testament, which we are told is supposedly the holiest book of Judaism? Not at all. It's found in the Talmud, the actual rabbinic holy book. Why doesn't the media report this? Talmudism = totalitarian mind control.

Notice too the lack of outrage over this book-burning from Churchianity, the pope of Rome and the president of the United States. If Muslims or neo-Nazis had perpetrated this outrage, condemnation would have been world wide (and rightly so) and we reckon that demonstrations against it would have taken place in the streets of France, for example. In the US, talk show hosts would be livid and the pulpits would be brimming with indignation.

Ah, but "the West" is Talmudic, not Christian, although it clings to a Christian cultural facade. The "clash of civilizations" is between Islam and Talmudic Churchianity. Jesus has nothing to do with it. His Word is burned and when it comes to rabbinic assaults upon it, defenders of His Word are few and far between. It is the rabbis who are worshipped by Churchianity, not Jesus. They are more sacred by far.

Rabbis and your college professors are still wailing about the burning of the Talmud in the Middle Ages. The burning of hundreds of copies of the New Testament this month in "Israel" doesn't register, however, and will soon be down the memory hole.

***

posted by Michael A. Hoffman II

Source: http://revisionistreview.blogspot.com/2008/05/hundreds-of-new-testament-books-burned.html

WORLD CHURCH: ADRA WORKS TO COMBAT HUNGER

FLASHBACK

World Church: ADRA Works to Combat Hunger

A new report issued by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that, despite abundance of food in industrialized nations, the world is getting hungrier.



In the rice field in Indonesia.

Two ladies in Mozambique graft cashew trees.

Kenneth Flemmer.

A new report issued by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that, despite abundance of food in industrialized nations, the world is getting hungrier. The report shows that world hunger declined during the first half of the 1990s by some 37 million, but during the second half of the decade the numbers rose by 18 million people in developing countries.

Kenneth Flemmer, bureau chief for programs of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, says that several reasons can be attributed to these statistics, but the two primary reasons are political instability and economic crises.

"In places like Congo and Liberia, agriculture production has basically stopped," he says. "Why would you invest all energy into preparing a piece of land, tilling it, planting, keeping weeds and creatures out of it, just to have a band of young boys with guns come along right at harvest time and say 'Thank you very much?'" In some areas, roads are blocked and transporting goods is too dangerous.

"Economic crises has made inputs less available, less affordable," he adds.

Flemmer explains that every region and situation has its unique solution. ADRA performs a needs assessment based on each specific region. Instead of a shotgun approach, "you've got a target," he says.

One ADRA project is based on current research that uses fewer inputs, less seed, does a better job of managing water, and rice production "doubles and triples." Flemmer explains that it was actually developed in Madagascar, "but we transferred it to Indonesia and it's working just as well in Indonesia. Here's a situation where it's costing less to produce more."

"It cost [US]$5 to train one farmer in the new rice production technique," says Tereza Byrne, ADRA bureau chief for marketing and development. "Then he will take that training and become self sufficient and train others. So training is invaluable."

Another project, which Flemmer says "wouldn't always register as a great food security project," is something ADRA has done since the late 1980s. "We get farmers to plant wood lots--an acre or two of trees, fruit trees, hardwood trees ... They've planted thousands of acres into trees as a farming practice ... In 10 to 15 years just one tree is often worth a month's salary," he says.

When one looks at the amount of food being produced across the globe and calculates that with the world's population, there is actually enough food to feed everyone in the world. "The problem is that it's not in the right places," Flemmer explains. "It's just not where it needs to be, and you can name off six or seven reasons quite easily."

Flemmer points out marketing of agriculture production as one area of concern for farm family income. "In some of our areas we're realizing that there's already plenty being grown. But how do you market what you've grown?" He says that farmers in developed nations have access to farm radio, so they know where to market their products, and newspapers have cattle and grain prices.

"We're starting to do that in developing countries for the local farmers so farmers can make a more informed choice. We have done enough to improve production of certain types of commodities that the real bottleneck now to progress ... is marketing. So we're putting more and more emphasis into that."

He says ADRA is very careful on the agricultural commodities it brings to a country. "If we were looking at a project [in a certain region], we would not bring in commodities that would be in competition with local production. And we do those studies to find out what it is they are already importing and then we bring that in and use it, which is saving more currency for the country."

Access to, utilization of and availability of food are the three concepts to food security, says Flemmer, and development is a long, slow process. But, "We can't give up, we can't get tired and say 'Oh, that should be fixed by now.' It doesn't work that way. It's a steady process."

With a presence in more than 120 countries, ADRA partners with many various relief organizations worldwide to respond to natural disasters, political unrest and instability.

"Source: Adventist News Network"

Source: http://news.adventist.org/data/2003/1070994597/index.html.en

WORLD LEADERS URGED TO ADDRESS FOOD CRISIS

World leaders urged to address food crisis

At an emergency summit, U.N. officials press for elimination of trade barriers, expansion of research and investments to increase production.
By Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 4, 2008
ROME -- World powers must act quickly and boldly to control soaring food prices that threaten nearly 1 billion people with hunger and could trigger devastating social unrest across the globe, the United Nations said Tuesday.

At a three-day emergency food summit, U.N. officials urged nations to eliminate trade barriers, expand biotechnology research and boost production with an annual investment of $20 billion to $30 billion.

    "Nothing is more degrading than hunger, especially when man-made," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told more than 40 world leaders gathered here. Hungry people, he warned, are angry people.

    Hunger breeds "social disintegration, ill health and economic decline," he said.

    Ban and other senior U.N. officials painted a dire picture of potential political turmoil fueled by starvation and shortages, and of rich countries that have failed to keep promises to confront the global food crisis.

    Jacques Diouf, director-general of the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, scolded the world's wealthy for wasteful consumption and excessive spending on weapons while ignoring the hungry.

    "How can we explain to people of good sense and good faith that it was not possible to find $30 billion a year" to feed the world's hungry, respecting "the most fundamental of human rights: the right to food and the right to life," he said.

    Ban said food production would have to grow by 50% by 2030 to stave off starvation. The global price tag could be at least $20 billion a year. Countries such as India and China that impose export bans because they are worried about feeding their own people only exacerbate the problem by forcing prices higher, he said.

    As additional measures to resolve the crisis, Ban and other officials advocated continued research to improve crop yields and animal health; more seeds and fertilizers for small-stake farmers; and more and more immediate nutritional food relief.

    Historically high fuel costs, the growing demand for biofuels, a string of poor harvests exacerbated by climate change, speculation, changing diets in Asia -- all of these factors have combined to send food prices through the roof. The greater expense makes staples unavailable or unaffordable to hundreds of millions of people, including an emerging category of what officials call the "new hungry." Experts say prices of many commodities, such as rice and wheat, have doubled in the last three years.

    The summit is also highlighting serious disagreements over the causes of the food crisis. The use of biofuels, for example, in which grains, sugar and palm oil are diverted to produce fuel for motor vehicles, quickly emerged as one of the more divisive topics. The United States is in the process of allocating about 25% of its corn crop to the subsidized production of ethanol, a move critics blame for part of the overall scarcity. The European Union is also subsidizing biofuel production.

    "Use crops as food for people, not fuel for engines," Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told the summit.

    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took the opposite stand. His nation has a booming industry of ethanol production based on sugar cane, and he argues that biofuels are a more environmentally friendly energy source.

    "It offends me to see fingers pointed against clean energy from biofuels, fingers soiled with oil and coal," he said. "Biofuels are not the villain menacing food security in poor countries."

    U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer argued that shifting to biofuels has reduced American dependency on oil while not endangering corn supplies because of a recent string of bumper crops.

    Schafer said the shift accounts for no more than 3% of the spike in food prices. U.N. agencies put the cost at up to 10 times that.

    "We recognize that biofuels are a factor in the inflation of prices," Schafer said in a briefing with reporters, "but the real cause is energy and demand."

    But Diouf, the FAO head, blasted U.S. policies, saying nearly $12 billion in subsidies have diverted 100 million tons of cereals away from human consumption "mostly to satisfy a thirst for fuel for vehicles."

    wilkinson@latimes.com


    Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-food4-2008jun04,0,5532828.story


    P.S. Of all places to hold a FOOD Summit, why Rome?
    The same Rome that brought us Il Duce-Mussolini?
    King Victor Emanuel? Berlusconi? Aldo Moro?
    In conclusion the real reason why this emergency 'global' food crisis summit is being held in Rome is because that's where the Vatican and the Club of Rome are: Two major players in world affairs.
    Let's not forget that Rome has always wanted to lead the world in a universal (catholic) religion, and influence its finances. Here we see Rome flexing its muscles before the whole world. Now even those most reluctant to believe the prophecies of Revelation and Daniel (that point to the Beast of the city of the 7 mountains), have to at least acknowledge that Rome is back at the center of world politics again. Rome, Food, and the World in its domain!
    Arsenio.

    RIGHTS GROUP TO CHINA: RELEASE TIANANMEN PRISONERS

    Photo 1 of 3

    Protesters carry a mock coffin during a march in Hong Kong on Sunday June 1, 2008 to mark the 19th anniversary of China 's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters centered at Beijing 's Tiananmen Square in June 1989. Protesters held banners that honored both the victims of the earthquake and of the military crackdown in 1989, which killed at least hundreds. The protests were ruled a "counterrevolutionary riot." (AP Photo/Melanie Ko)

    Rights group to China: Release Tiananmen prisoners

    BEIJING (AP) — Dozens of people remain imprisoned for taking part in the 1989 pro-democracy protests centered in Tiananmen Square, though releasing them would improve China's image ahead of the Beijing Olympics this summer, a human rights group said.

    New York-based Human Rights Watch said about 130 prisoners are still being held for their role in the demonstrations that were crushed in a brutal military crackdown. The square in the heart of the Chinese capital is expected to feature prominently in media coverage of the Olympics, although authorities worry about the possibility of fresh protests marring the event.

    "The Chinese government should show the global Olympic audience it's serious about human rights by releasing the Tiananmen detainees," Sophie Richardson, the group's Asia advocacy director, said in a statement released Monday in New York.

    This year is the 19th anniversary of the June 3-4 military assault on the protesters in which hundreds, possibly thousands, were killed. China's Communist leaders portray the protest as an anti-government riot and have never offered a full accounting of the crackdown.

    China pledged to improve its human rights situation in its bid to host the 2008 Olympics. But one Tiananmen activist, whose son was killed as he hid from soldiers enforcing martial law, scoffed when asked whether the August games had spurred the government to change its attitude.

    "I don't have this kind of illusion," said Ding Zilin, pointing out that some of her activist friends were placed under house arrest this year. She is the co-founder of the Tiananmen Mothers, a group representing families of those who died, and has campaigned to get the government to acknowledge those killed in the crackdown and compensate their families.

    No official figure is available of the number of people who remain jailed in connection with the protests. Liu Xiaobo, an Internet writer who was jailed for nearly five years after the protests, said he knows of up to eight people serving life sentences in Beijing's No. 2 Prison on charges of organizing people to oppose the soldiers or taking part in acts such as the burning of police or army vehicles during the crackdown.

    China Human Rights Defenders, a network of activists and rights monitoring groups, released a list Tuesday with the names of eight Beijing residents who remain imprisoned in connection with the Tiananmen protests. A handful of activists had also been placed under house arrest or monitored by police in the days leading up to the anniversary, the group said.

    Human Rights Watch said its numbers represented its best estimate based on government information and details pieced together from other sources like family members and other activist groups.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang declined to comment on prisoner numbers or any possible future releases, calling that a matter for other government departments.

    He repeated China's position that the government has been improving human rights by reforming the legal system and raising living standards.

    "We will unswervingly stand on the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the promotion of human rights of China," Qin said at a regularly scheduled news conference.

    Security is traditionally ratcheted up around the anniversary, but Liu said this year has been relatively relaxed, with police only appearing outside his Beijing apartment on June 1, several days later than usual.

    Liu is still unable to publish inside China, his phone is bugged and he is frequently called in by police for discussions on topics ranging from unrest in Tibet to the government response to last month's earthquake in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

    Despite a public taboo on discussing the protests and crackdown, Liu said interest in the events appears greater now than on the 10th anniversary in 1999.

    Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcJyjhBBLXNXdqj7OC-4vOBNogjwD912P8680

    PERPETUATING THE AL-QAEDA-IRAQ MYTH

    Perpetuating the al-Qaeda-Iraq Myth

    CIA Director, Lieutenant General Michael Hayden
    CIA Director, Lieutenant General Michael Hayden
    Kevin Wolf / AP

    In an interview with the Washington Post last week, CIA Director Michael Hayden claimed we're beating al-Qaeda. As Hayden put it: "Near strategic defeat of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Near strategic defeat of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia."

    Related Articles

    Playing the Iraq Oil Card

    Commentary: The Administration is once again preying on people's fears, says Robert Baer, by making the dubious case that ending the war will mean $10-a-gallon gas

    I'll defer to Hayden on Saudi Arabia, but when it comes to Iraq, Hayden betrayed his belief in the neo-con lie that Iraq was one of al-Qaeda's bases before the 2003 invasion and still is today. Can no one drive a stake into a lie that suckered us into a war we didn't need? Probably not.

    A friend of mine at the White House complained to me the other day that the Bush administration and the Pentagon until this day believe we are fighting al-Qaeda in Iraq. They "stand up" al-Qaeda as the enemy in Iraq, he said, even behind closed doors. In the teeth of the facts, they ignore that the enemy we're fighting in Iraq is a half a dozen homegrown insurgencies, an incipient civil war, and criminal gangs. They ignore the fact that although a handful of Osama bin Laden's followers showed up in Iraq after the invasion, in a futile attempt to hijack the Sunni resistance, al-Qaeda is not the main enemy in that country.

    It should be clear by now, but apparently it isn't: al-Qaeda is an idea, a way of thinking. Al-Qaeda thinks the world is divided between believers and nonbelievers, and the believers are divinely obliged to destroy the nonbelievers. It is a simple idea that has attracted tens of thousands of Muslims, but it is neither a political prescription nor the makings of an army. The Sunni Arabs who drifted into Iraq after the invasion and the Iraqis who embraced al-Qaeda were never an organization. They were never an army. They were never the main enemy. They numbered, what, a couple of thousand? They nearly triggered a civil war, but even that they failed to accomplish.

    The success we're seeing today in Iraq has nothing to do with rooting out terrorist cells. What we're seeing instead is a shriveling of grassroots support, Sunni Muslims turning against al-Qaeda and its messianic, dualistic way of looking at the world. It hasn't gone unnoticed in the Middle East that al-Qaeda has killed more Muslims than nonbelievers. Or that al-Qaeda has failed to take an inch of ground in the name of Islam. With this kind of record how could the Iraqis not turn against al-Qaeda?

    None of this, of course, is to take away from the turnaround in Iraq. Last month we saw the fewest American casualties since the invasion in 2003. Basra, Sadr City, and Mosul are coming back under Baghdad's control. Many Iraqis feel safe enough to move back into their houses. And none of it should take away from General Petraeus; our troops, who are bleeding and dying to hold together a country vital to American interests; or the Iraqis, who have backed away from civil war. So why should we now mischaracterize the enemy?

    The tendency will be to leave it at the lie: We fought and beat al-Qaeda in Iraq. But it's a lie we'll pay for later. By mischaracterizing the enemy in Iraq, we mischaracterize the enemy in Pakistan. Whether the car bomb that destroyed the Danish embassy in Pakistan on Monday was the work of an actual member of al-Qaeda or not does not matter — what does is that al-Qaeda's way of thinking is not defeated.

    Source: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1811318,00.html