Monday, February 09, 2009

President & Congress Grovel Before The FED


PRESIDENT & CONGRESS GROVEL BEFORE THE FED

By Chuck Baldwin
February 10, 2009
NewsWithViews.com

According to Bloomberg News (Monday, February 9, 2009), "The stimulus package the U.S. Congress is completing would raise the government's commitment to solving the financial crisis to $9.7 trillion, enough to pay off more than 90 percent of the nation's home mortgages.

"The Federal Reserve, Treasury Department and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have lent or spent almost $3 trillion over the past two years and pledged up to $5.7 trillion more. The Senate is to vote this week on an economic-stimulus measure of at least $780 billion. It would need to be reconciled with an $819 billion plan the House approved last month.

"Only the stimulus bill to be approved this week, the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program passed four months ago and $168 billion in tax cuts and rebates enacted in 2008 have been voted on by lawmakers. The remaining $8 trillion is in lending programs and guarantees, almost all under the Fed and FDIC. RECIPIENTS' NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN DISCLOSED. [Emphasis added]

"'We've seen money go out the back door of this government unlike any time in the history of our country,' Senator Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, said on the Senate floor Feb. 3. 'Nobody knows what went out of the Federal Reserve Board, to whom and for what purpose. How much from the FDIC? How much from TARP? When? Why?'"

Senator Dorgan is exactly right. No one oversees the Fed. The Fed is held accountable to absolutely nobody. But Senator Dorgan (as with everyone else in Congress) has no one to blame but himself. Ever since the Marxist, E. Mandell House, convinced President Woodrow Wilson to create the Federal Reserve in 1913, the Congress of the United States has had virtually nothing to do with the way our fiscal policies are managed. The Fed (which is not even a government agency, but rather a private corporation consisting of mostly foreign bankers) dictates America's financial policies.

The reality of just how our civil magistrates have come to grovel before the Fed was revealed in a column written recently by Cal Thomas. Mind you, Cal was not trying to castigate President Bush in his column. Just the opposite: his column was full of praise and adulation for the former President. In recounting his last interview with President George W. Bush, however, Cal unwittingly revealed the almost limitless power that the Fed wields over even the President of the United States.

Here is what Cal wrote: "Bush defends himself against a charge by a member of the Republican National Committee that he has behaved like a 'socialist' because of his massive bailout spending. He [Bush] says he still believes in less government spending, but when Henry Paulson, secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, tell him that if he doesn't act, the result will be worse that the Great Depression, 'you can sit there and say to yourself, "well, I'm going to stick to principle and hope for the best, or I'm going to take the actions necessary to prevent the worst."'"

In other words, when the Fed says, "Jump!" the President asks, "How high?" And, with the exception of Congressman Ron Paul of Texas (and maybe one or two others), the same is true for members of the House and Senate.

In other words, ladies and gentlemen, America is being run by a private banking cartel, the majority of whom are not even citizens of these United States.

Ever since the Fed was created in 1913, America has been subjected to recession after recession, not to mention one Great Depression. Some are even predicting that the United States is now actually entering a second Great Depression. Please understand this: the Federal Reserve has manipulated every bit of this financial crisis for the express purpose of enriching the international bankers on the backs (and bankruptcies) of the American taxpayers. And what does our illustrious Congress do? They continue to give billions and even trillions of taxpayer dollars to the very same group of gangsters who created and perpetuate this financial fraud. And, as with Congress, Presidents from both major parties likewise promote and defend this chicanery.

Yet, the U.S. Constitution, in Article. I. Section. 8. Paragraph. 5., clearly gives Congress the authority "To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures."

This constitutional requirement makes two obvious demands: 1) only the elected Congress, not some private foreign (or even domestic) banking interest, has the power to make monetary policy, 2) U.S. currency must be hard currency, i.e. gold and silver. Paper money--known as the Federal Reserve Notes--is not even legal tender under the U.S. Constitution.

In truth, the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 is itself unconstitutional. In simple terms, the Act did not amend or expunge Article. I. Section. 8. Paragraph. 5. of the Constitution; it merely ignored it. (And Congresses and Presidents have been ignoring the Constitution ever since.)

In fact, Article. I. Section. 10. Paragraph 1. of the U.S. Constitution specifically states, "No State shall . . . coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts."

Can anyone not see that the Federal Reserve is an illegitimate system? I will even go so far as to say that the Federal Reserve should be regarded as a corrupt, criminal system! If I were President, not only would I do everything in my power to oppose any and all financial bailouts to these international banksters, I would instruct the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges of fraud, corruption, manipulation, and outright thievery against the Fed. Instead of padding their fat assets in a million-dollar penthouse, they should be serving most of the rest of their lives in the Big House.

Even the man who created the Federal Reserve, President Woodrow Wilson, later admitted the gravity of his sin. Years after signing the Federal Reserve Act into law, Wilson was quoted by Senator Robert Owen, Former Chairman, Committee on Banking and Currency (who was, himself, the chief sponsor of the Federal Reserve Act in the Senate, but who later vehemently repudiated it), as saying, "A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world--no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of small groups of dominant men."

Obviously, Wilson's (and Owen's) recantation was too little, too late. He created the monster that is eating our country alive--even up to this very moment.

In the meantime, Congressman Ron Paul has again introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to terminate the Federal Reserve. It is H.R. 833: To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks. The Bill was introduced on February 3 and, to date, has no cosponsors. That's right. No cosponsors.

Until the American people demand that their elected members of Congress live up to their duties and responsibilities under the Constitution, they will continue to have their pockets picked clean by these corrupt banksters in New York City (and London) and their contemptible facilitators in Washington, D.C. Passing Dr. Paul's bill would be a great place to start.


Avid sky-gazers assemble for lunar eclipse


Avid sky-gazers assemble for lunar eclipse

Press Trust of India
Monday, February 09, 2009, (New Delhi)

Avid sky-gazers who had assembled at vantage positions across the country on Monday watched this year's first and "deepest" penumbral lunar eclipse.

Parts of western and southern India witnessed the eclipse when the moon was rising while the rest of the country saw the total duration of the eclipse, NGO Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) Director C B Devgun said.

Eastern Canada and US, however, missed the eclipse, while people in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia and East Asia saw the entire eclipse, he said.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth is in a direct line between the sun and the moon and the shadow of the earth falls on the Moon, Devgun said, adding a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when moon passes through penumbra, the lighter part of the earth's shadow.

The lighter part of Earth's shadow is called the "penumbra" and the totally dark part is called the "umbra".


Faith-Based and Unconstitutional


Faith-Based and Unconstitutional


Kurt Nimmo

Infowars

February 8, 1009

On February 6, the blog section of the White House website announced a recent executive order signed by Obama establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. “Instead of driving us apart, our very beliefs can bring us together,” Obama said on February 5 during the National Prayer Breakfast. “E pluribus unum, in other words,” the blog declared.

(link to rest of article http://www.infowars.com/faith-based-and-unconstitutional/)

They fled into the wilderness

  1. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Revelation 12:6;
  2. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. Exodus 2: 15;
  3. (Elijah) But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1Kings 19:4;
  4. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Matthew 2:13.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Moral Independence


Moral Independence


Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. 6:17, 18.


Many today have veils upon their faces. These veils are sympathy with the customs and practices of the world, which hide from them the glory of the Lord. God desires us to keep our eyes fixed upon Him, that we may lose sight of the things of this world.

As the truth is brought into practical life, the standard is to be elevated higher and higher to meet the requirements of the Bible. This will necessitate opposition to the fashions, customs, practices, and maxims of the world. Worldly influences, like the waves of the sea, beat against the followers of Christ to sweep them away from the true principles of His meekness and grace; but we are to stand as firm as a rock to principle. It will require moral courage to do this, and those whose souls are not riveted to the eternal Rock will be swept away by the worldly current. We can stand firm only as our life is hid with Christ in God. Moral independence is wholly in place when opposing the world. By conforming entirely to the will of God, we shall be placed upon vantage ground, and shall see the necessity of decided separation from the customs and practices of the world. We are not to elevate our standard just a little above the world's standard, but we are to make the distinction decidedly apparent. . . .

It is no easy matter to gain the priceless treasure of eternal life. No one can do this and drift with the current of the world. He must come out from the world and be separate and touch not the unclean. No one can act like a worldling without being carried down by the current of the world. No one will make any upward progress without persevering effort. He who would overcome must hold fast to Christ. He must not look back, but keep the eye ever upward, gaining one grace after another. Individual vigilance is the price of safety. . . .

The end of all things is at hand. There is need now of men armed and equipped to battle for God.



Maranatha, p.47, E. G. W.

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Discipleship requires separation from the unbelievers


2 Corinthians 6

1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)


3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

13Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.


Saturday, February 07, 2009

'Religious department to act against any blogger who insults Islam'



December 28, 2008

Today's Religion of peace and tolerance alert:
'Religious department to act against any blogger who insults Islam'


More often than not, Islam is its own greatest proof of intolerance and that it belongs more in the dark ages than the modern world.
THE NEW STRAITS TIMES ONLINE (NST): PUTRAJAYA: The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will take stern action against bloggers who insult Islam, including non-Muslims.

Its director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the department could act against irresponsible bloggers, regardless of their religious background.

"Right now, the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are still trying to trace the blogger said to have insulted Prophet Muhammad.

"We will come in once the culprit is found," he said.

Wan Mohamad also said there were bound to be "extremists" among religious followers or leaders in view of the country's multi-ethnicity.

He also said Jakim would not lodge any police report against the blogger as the matter was still being investigated by the police.


RELATED on NST:


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God or Mammon


GOD OR MAMMON

by: Dr D. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is single, your whole body shall be full of light. But if your eye ise evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6.19-24).

In our analysis of verses 19-24 we have seen that our Lord first of all lays down a proposition or a commandment, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth ... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." In other words, He tells us that we are so to live in this world, and so to use everything we have, whether our possessions, or gifts, or talents, or propensities, that we shall be laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

Then, having given us the injunction in that way, our Lord proceeds to supply us with reasons for doing this. I would remind you. again that here we have an illustration of the wonderful condescension and understanding of our blessed Lord. He has no need to give us reasons. It is for Him to command. But He stoops to our weakness, mighty as He is, and He comes to our aid and supplies us with these reasons for carrying out His commandment.

He does so in a very remarkable manner. He elaborates the reasons and presses them on our consideration. He does not merely give us one reason. He gives us a number. He works it out for us in a series of logical propositions, and, of course, there can be no doubt at all but that He does this, not only because He is anxious to help us, but also, and still more perhaps, because of the desperate seriousness of the subject with which He is dealing. Indeed, we shall see that this is one of the most serious matters which we can ever consider together.

Again we must remember that these words were addressed to Christian people. This is not what our Lord has to say to the unbeliever out in the world. This is the warning that He gives to the Christian. We are dealing here with the subject of worldliness, or worldly-mindedness, and the whole problem of the world, but we must cease to think of it in terms of people who are in the world outside. This is the peculiar danger of Christian people. At this point our Lord is dealing with them and nobody else.

You can argue if you like that if all this is true for the Christian, it is much more so for the non-Christian. That is a perfectly fair deduction. But there is nothing so fatal and tragic as to think that words like these have nothing to do with us because we are Christians. Indeed, this is perhaps the most urgent word that is needed by Christian people at this very moment. The world is so subtle, worldliness is such a pervasive thing, that we are all guilty of it, and often without realising it. We tend to label worldliness as meaning certain particular things only, and always the things of which we are not guilty. We therefore argue that this has nothing to say to us.

But worldliness is all-pervasive, and is not confined to certain things. It does not just mean going to theatres or cinemas, or doing a few things of that nature. No, worldliness is an attitude towards life. It is a general outlook, and it is so subtle that it can come into the most holy things of all, as we saw earlier.

We might digress here for a moment and look at this subject from the standpoint of the great political interest in this country, particularly, for example, at the time of a General Election. What, in the last analysis, is the real interest? What is the real thing that people on both sides and all sides are concerned about? They are interested in "treasures on earth", whether they be people who have treasures or whether they be people who would like to have them. They are all interested in the treasures, and it is most instructive to listen to what people say, and to observe how they betray themselves and the worldliness of which they are guilty, and the way in which they are laying up for themselves treasures on earth.

To be very practical (and if the preaching of the gospel is not practical it is not true preaching), there is a very simple test which we can apply to ourselves to see whether these things apply to us or not. When, at the time of a General or local Election, we are called on to make a choice of candidates, do we find ourselves believing that one political point of view is altogether right and the other altogether wrong? If we do, I suggest we are somehow or another laying up for ourselves treasures on earth. If we say that the truth is altogether on one side or the other, then if we analyse our motives we will discover it is because we are either protecting something or anxious to have something.

Another good way of testing ourselves is to ask ourselves quite simply and honestly why we hold our particular views. What is our real interest? What is our motive? What, when we are quite honest and truthful with ourselves, is really at the back of these particular political views that we hold? It is a most illuminating question if we are really honest. I suggest that most people will find if they face that question quite honestly, that there are some treasures on earth about which they are concerned, and in which they are interested.

The next test is this. To what extent are our feelings engaged in this matter? How much bitterness is there, how much violence, how much anger and scorn and passion? Apply that test, and again we shall find that the feeling is aroused almost invariably by the concern about laying up treasures on earth.

The last test is this. Are we viewing these things with a kind of detachment and objectivity or not? What is our attitude towards all these things? Do we instinctively think of ourselves as pilgrims, and mere sojourners in this world, who of course have to be interested in these things while we are here? Such an interest is certainly right, it is our duty. But what is our ultimate attitude? Are we controlled by it? Or do we stand apart and regard it objectively, as something which is ephemeral, something which does not really belong to the essence of our life and being, something with which we are concerned only for a while, as we are passing through this life?

We should ask ourselves these questions in order that we may make quite certain whether this injunction of our Lord is speaking to us. Those are some of the ways in which we can find out very simply whether we are or are not guilty of laying up for ourselves treasures on earth, and not laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

When we come to consider our Lord's arguments against laying up treasures on earth, we find that the first is one which we may very well describe as the argument of common sense, or of ordinary observation. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." Why? For this reason: "where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal". But why should I lay up treasures in heaven? For this reason: "where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal".

Our Lord is saying that worldly treasures do not last, that they are transitory, passing, ephemeral. "Change and decay in all around I see." "Where moth and rust corrupt."

How true it is. There is an element of decay in all these things, whether we like it or not. Our Lord puts it in terms of the moth and rust that tend to lodge themselves in these things and destroy them. Spiritually we can put it like this. These things never fully satisfy. There is always something wrong with them. They always lack something. There is no person on earth who is fully satisfied, and though in a sense some may appear to have everything that they desire, still they want something else. Happiness cannot be purchased.

There is, however, another way of looking at the effect of moth and rust spiritually. Not only is there an element of decay in these things, it is also true that we always tend to tire of them. We may enjoy them for a while, but somehow or other they begin to pall or we lose interest in them. That is why we are always talking about new things and seeking them. Fashions change. And though we are very enthusiastic about certain things for a while, soon they no longer interest us as they did. Is it not true that as age advances these things cease to satisfy us? Old people generally do not like the same things as young people, or the young the same as the old. As we get older these things seem to become different, there is an element of moth and rust.

We could even go further and put it more strongly and say that there is an impurity in them. At their best they are all infected. Do what you will you cannot get rid of the impurity. The moth and rust are there and all your chemicals do not stop these processes. Peter says a wonderful thing in this very connection, "Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1.4). There is corruption in all these earthly things; they are all impure.

The last fact, therefore, about these things is that they inevitably perish. Your most beautiful flower is beginning to die immediately you pluck it. You will soon have to throw it away. That is true of everything in this life and world. It does not matter what it is, it is passing, it is all fading away. Everything that has life is, as the result of sin, subject to this process -"moth and rust corrupt". Things develop holes and become useless, and at the end they are gone and become utterly corrupt. The most perfect physique will eventually give way and break down and die. The most beautiful countenance will in a sense become ugly when the process of corruption has got going. The brightest gifts tend to fade. Your great genius may be seen gibbering in delirium as the result of disease. However wonderful and beautiful and glorious things may be, they all perish. That is why, perhaps, the saddest of all failures in life is the failure of the philosopher who believes in worshipping goodness, beauty and truth. Because there is no such thing as perfect goodness, there is no such thing as unalloyed beauty, there is an element of wrong and of sin and a lie in the highest truths. "Moth and rust corrupt."

We could even go further and put it more strongly and say that there is an impurity in them. At their best they are all infected. Do what you will you cannot get rid of the impurity. The moth and rust are there and all your chemicals do not stop these processes. Peter says a wonderful thing in this very connection, "Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1.4). There is corruption in all these earthly things; they are all impure.

The last fact, therefore, about these things is that they inevitably perish. Your most beautiful flower is beginning to die immediately you pluck it. You will soon have to throw it away. That is true of everything in this life and world. It does not matter what it is, it is passing, it is all fading away. Everything that has life is, as the result of sin, subject to this process -"moth and rust corrupt". Things develop holes and become useless, and at the end they are gone and become utterly corrupt. The most perfect physique will eventually give way and break down and die. The most beautiful countenance will in a sense become ugly when the process of corruption has got going. The brightest gifts tend to fade. Your great genius may be seen gibbering in delirium as the result of disease. However wonderful and beautiful and glorious things may be, they all perish. That is why, perhaps, the saddest of all failures in life is the failure of the philosopher who believes in worshipping goodness, beauty and truth. Because there is no such thing as perfect goodness, there is no such thing as unalloyed beauty, there is an element of wrong and of sin and a lie in the highest truths. "Moth and rust corrupt."

"Yes," says our Lord, "and thieves break through and steal." We must not stay with these things, they are so obvious, and yet we are so slow to recognise them. There are many thieves in this life and they are always threatening us. We think we are safe in our house, but we find thieves have broken in and ransacked it. Other marauders are always threatening us—illness, a business loss, some industrial collapse, war and finally death itself. It matters not what it is that we tend to hold on to in this world, one or other of these thieves is always threatening and will eventually take it from us.

It is not only money. It may be some person for whom you are really living, your pleasure is in that one person. Beware, my friends; there are robbers and thieves who are bound to come and eventually rob you of these possessions. Take our possessions at their highest as well as their lowest, they are all subject to these robbers, these attacks. "The thieves break through and steal", and we cannot prevent them. So our Lord appeals to our common sense, and reminds us that these worldly treasures never last. "Change and decay in all around I see."

But look at the other, positive side. "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." This is wonderful and full of glory. Peter puts it in a phrase. He says "to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1.4). "The things which are not seen are eternal," says St. Paul, it is the things which are seen that are temporal (2 Corinthians 4.18). These heavenly things are imperishable and the thieves cannot break through and steal. Why? Because God Himself is reserving them for us. There is no enemy that can ever rob us of them, or can ever enter in. It is impossible because God Himself is the Guardian.

Spiritual pleasures are invulnerable, they are in a place which is impregnable. "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8.38, 39).

Furthermore, there is nothing impure there. Naught that corrupts shall enter in. There is no sin there, nor element of decay. It is the realm of eternal life and eternal light. He dwells "in the light which no man can approach to", as the apostle Paul puts it (1 Timothy 6.16). Heaven is the realm of life and light and purity, and nothing belonging to death, nothing tainted or polluted can gain admission there. It is perfect, and the treasures of the soul and of the spirit belong to that realm. Lay them up there, says our Lord, because there is no moth nor rust there, and no thief can ever break through nor steal.

It is an appeal to common sense. Do we not know that these things are true? Are they not true of necessity? Do we not see it all as we live in this world? Take up your morning newspaper and look at the death column. Look at all that is happening. We know all these things. Why do we not practise them and live accordingly? Why do we lay up treasures on earth when we know what is going to happen to them? And why do we not lay up treasures in heaven where we know that there is purity and joy, holiness and everlasting bliss?

That, however, is merely the first argument, the argument of common sense. But our Lord does not stop at that. His second argument is based upon the terrible spiritual danger involved in laying up treasures on earth and not in heaven. That is a general heading, but our Lord divides it into certain sub-sections.

The first thing against which He warns us in this spiritual sense is the awful grip and power of these earthly things upon us. You notice the terms He uses. He says, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The heart! Then in verse 24 He talks about the mind. "No man can serve two masters” - and we should notice the word "serve". These are the expressive terms He uses in order to impress upon us the terrible control that these things tend to exercise over us. Are we not all aware of them the moment we stop to think - the tyranny of persons, the tyranny of the world? This is not something we can think about at a distance as it were. We are all involved in this. We are all in the grip of this awful power of worldliness which really will master us unless we are aware of it.

But it is not only powerful, it is very subtle. It is the thing that really controls most men's lives. Have you seen the change, the subtle change, that tends to take place in men's lives as they succeed and prosper in this world? It does not happen to those who are truly spiritual men, but if they are not, it invariably happens. Why is it that idealism is generally associated with youth and not with middle age and old age? Why do men tend to become cynical as they get older? Why does the noble outlook upon life tend to go? It is because we all become victims of treasures on earth, and if you watch you can see it in the lives of men.

Read the biographies. Many a young man starts out with a bright vision, but in a very subtle way - not that he falls into gross sin - he becomes influenced, perhaps when he is at college, by an outlook that is essentially worldly. Though it may be highly intellectual, he nevertheless loses something that was vital in his soul and spirit. He is still a very nice man and, moreover, just and wise, but he is not the man he was when he began. Something has been lost. Yes, this is a familiar phenomenon: "Shades of the prison house begin to close upon the growing boy." Do we not all know something about it? It is there. It is a prison house, and it fastens itself on us unless we are aware of it. This grip, this power, masters us and we become slaves.

However, our Lord does not stop at the general. He is so anxious to show us this terrible danger that He works it out in detail. He tells us that this terrible thing that grips us tends to affect the entire personality, not merely part of us, but the whole man. And the first thing He mentions is the "heart". Having laid down the injunction He says, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." These things grip and master our feelings, our affections and all our sensibility. All that part of our nature is absolutely gripped by them and we love them. Read John 3.19. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." We love these things. We pretend that we only like them, but really we love them. They move us deeply.

The next thing about them is a little more subtle. They not only grip the heart, they grip the mind. Our Lord puts it in this way: "The light of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye be single, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye be evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (verses 22, 23). This picture of the eye is just His way of describing, by means of an illustration, the way in which we look at things. And according to our Lord, there are but two ways of looking at everything in this world.

There is what He calls the "single" eye, the eye of the spiritual man who sees things really as they are, truly and without any double view. His eye is clear and he sees things normally. But there is the other eye which He calls the "evil" eye, which is a kind of double vision, or, if you like, it is the eye in which the lenses are not clear. There are mists and opacities and we see things in a blurred way. That is the evil eye. It is coloured by certain prejudices, coloured by certain lusts and desires. It is not a clear vision. It is all cloudy, coloured by these various tints and taints. That is what is meant by this statement which has so often confused people, because they do not take it in its context.

Our Lord in this picture is still dealing with the laying up of treasures. Having shown that where the treasure is, the heart will be also, He says that it is not only the heart but the mind as well. These are the things that control man.

Let us work out this principle. Is it not amazing to notice how much of our thought is based on these earthly treasures? The divisions in thought in almost every realm are almost entirely controlled by prejudice, not by pure thought. How very little thinking there is in this country at the time of a General Election for example. None of the protagonists reason. They simply present prejudices. How little thought there is on every side. It is so obvious in the political realm. But alas, it is not confined to politics. This blurring of the vision by love of earthly treasures tends to affect us morally also! How clever we all are at explaining that a particular thing we do is not really dishonest. Of course if a man smashes a window and steals jewellery he is a robber, but if I just manipulate my income tax return .... ! Certainly that is not robbery, we say, and we persuade ourselves that all is well. Ultimately there is but one reason for our doing these things, and that is our love of earthly treasures. These things control the mind as well as the heart. Our views and our whole ethical outlook are controlled by these things.

Even worse than that, however, our religious outlook is controlled by these things also. "Demas has forsaken me", writes Paul. Why? "Having loved this present world." How often this is seen in the matter of service. These are the things that determine our action, though we do not recognize it. Our Lord says in another place, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21.34-36). It is not only evil doing that dulls the mind and makes us incapable of thinking clearly. The cares of this world, settling down in life, enjoying our life and our family, any one of these things, our worldly position or our comforts - these are equally as dangerous as surfeiting and drunkenness. There is no doubt but that much of the so-called wisdom which men claim in this world is nothing, in the last analysis, but this concern about earthly treasures.

But lastly, these things not only grip the heart and mind, they also affect the will. Says our Lord, "No man can serve two masters"; and the moment we mention the word "serve" we are in the realm of the will, the realm of action. You notice how perfectly logical this is. What we do is the result of what we think, so what is going to determine our lives and the exercise of our wills is what we think, and that in turn is determined by where our treasure is - our heart.

So we can sum it up like this. These earthly treasures are so powerful that they grip the entire personality. They grip a man's heart, his mind and his will. They tend to affect his spirit, his soul and his whole being. hatever realm of life we may be looking at, or thinking about, we will find these things are there. Everyone is affected by them. They are a terrible danger.

But the last step is the most solemn and serious of all. We must remember that the way in which we look at these things ultimately determines our relationship to God. "No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." This is indeed a very solemn thing, and that is why it is dealt with so frequently in Scripture. The truth of this proposition is obvious. Both make a totalitarian demand upon us. Worldly things really do make a totalitarian demand as we have seen. How they tend to grip the entire personality and affect us everywhere! They demand our entire devotion. They want us to live for them absolutely.

Yes, but so does God. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." Not in a material sense necessarily, but in some sense or other He says to us all, "Go, sell all that you have, and come, follow me." "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." It is a totalitarian demand.

Notice it again in verse 24. "Either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." It is "either—or". Compromise is completely impossible at this point. "You cannot serve God and mammon."

This is something which is so subtle that many of us miss it completely at the present time. Some of us are violent opponents of what we speak of as "atheistic materialism". But lest we may feel too happy about ourselves because we are opponents of that, let us realise that the Bible tells us that all materialism is atheistic. You cannot serve God and mammon. It is impossible. So if a materialistic outlook is really controlling us, we are godless, whatever we may say. There are many atheists who speak religious language, but our Lord tells us here that even worse than atheistic materialism is a materialism that thinks it is godly. "If the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness!"

The man who thinks he is godly because he talks about God, and says he believes in God, and goes to a place of worship occasionally, but is really living for certain earthly things - how great is that man's darkness! There is a perfect illustration of that in the Old Testament. Study carefully 2 Kings 17.24-41. Here is what we are told. The Assyrians conquered some area. Then they took their own people and settled them in that area. These Assyrians of course did not worship God. Then some lions came and destroyed their property. "This", they said, "has happened to us because we do not worship the God of this particular land. We will get priestly instruction on this." So they found a priest who instructed them generally in the religion of Israel. And then they thought that all would be well. But this is what Scripture said about them, they "feared the Lord, and served their graven images."

What a terrible thing that is. It alarms me. It is not what we say that matters. In the last day many shall say, "Lord, Lord, have we not done this, that and the other?" But He will say to them, "I never knew you". "Not every one who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father." Whom do you serve? That is the question, and it is either God or mammon. There is nothing in the last analysis that is so insulting to God as to take His name on us and yet to show clearly that we are serving mammon in some shape or form. That is the most terrible thing of all. It is the greatest insult to God; and how easily and unconsciously we can all become guilty of this.

I remember once hearing a preacher tell a story which he assured us was simple, literal truth. It illustrates perfectly the point which we are considering. It is the story of a farmer who one day went happily and with great joy in his heart to report to his wife and family that their best cow had given birth to twin calves, one red and one white. And he said, "You know I have suddenly had a feeling and impulse that we must dedicate one of these calves to the Lord. We will bring them up together, and when the time comes we will sell one and keep the proceeds, and we will sell the other and give the proceeds to the Lord's work."

His wife asked him which he was going to dedicate to the Lord. "There is no need to bother about that now," he replied, "we will treat them both in the same way, and when the time comes we will do as I say." And off he went. In a few months the man entered his kitchen looking very miserable and unhappy. When his wife asked him what was troubling him, he answered, "I have bad news to give you. The Lord's calf is dead." "But", she said, "you had not decided which was to be the Lord's calf." "Oh yes," he said, "I had always decided it was to be the white one, and it is the white one that has died. The Lord's calf is dead.”

We may laugh at that story, but God forbid that we should be laughing at ourselves. It is always the Lord's calf that dies. When money becomes difficult, the first thing we economise on is our contribution to God's work. It is always the first thing to go. Perhaps we must not say "always", for that would be unfair, but with so many it is the first thing, and the things we really like are the last to go. "We cannot serve God and mammon." These things tend to come between us and God, and our attitude to them ultimately determines our relationship to God.

The mere fact that we believe in God, and call Him, Lord, Lord, and likewise with Christ, is not proof in and of itself that we are serving Him, that we recognise His totalitarian demand, and have yielded ourselves gladly and readily to Him. "Let every man examine himself."


.

Leaning On The Everlasting Arms


What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain

Words:
Eli­sha A. Hoff­man, in The Glad Evan­gel for Re­viv­al, Camp, and Evan­gel­is­tic Meet­ings (Dal­ton, Georg­ia: A. J. Sho­wal­ter & Com­pa­ny, 1887).

Music:
An­tho­ny J. Sho­wal­ter
(MI­DI, score). Sho­wal­ter wrote this tune and words to the re­frain after hear­ing from two friends whose wives had died, and asked Hoff­man to write the re­main­ing lyr­ics.


KUSISQA KANI


For this you were called


1 Peter 2


Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.



Superior General walks with community at Dolores Mission

Friday, February 6, 2009

Superior General walks with community at Dolores Mission

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Story by Sister Nancy Munro, CSJ
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On the first full day of his visit to California, the Superior General of the largest religious order in the world sat down to an evening meal of mole verde with five migrant homeless men at Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights.


For Jesuit Father General Adolfo Nicolas, it was an appropriate windup to a day that began at Verbum Dei High School and was followed by a lunch prepared at Homeboy Industries, interaction with former gang members, and Mass at Dolores Mission.

After all, Father Nicolas had spent more than 40 years of his priesthood in Asia, choosing near the end of his term as provincial to serve in a poor parish in Tokyo where he ministered to Filipino and Asian immigrants. That same care and concern shown in Tokyo was obvious as began his California visit by going directly to areas in Los Angeles that many choose to drive around.

Father Nicolas' busy weekend also included visits to Jesuit-administered Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood, Loyola High School in Los Angeles and Loyola Marymount University in Westchester - all in conjunction with the opening of the 100th anniversary of the California Province of Jesuits. Altogether, the recently-named Superior General was scheduled to visit 11 cities and nearly 30 different ministry sites over nine days in California.

His visit began with a tour of Homeboy Industries, where Bertha Cordova, a 33-year-old, third-generation gang member, spoke of her journey out of gangs at the lunch with Father Nicolas. Now an office clerk at Homeboy she has received "a lot of help from Father Greg Boyle [Homeboy Industries founder] and the staff. I've been through a lot. When I came here, I came as a broken soul. I had nowhere else to go. It was very hard to break the cycle."

With a 15-year-old son of her own, she told Father Nicolas that she is "trying not to let him walk in the same steps we walked. I'm letting him know that we are here to walk with him."

Cordova said she hopes Father Nicolas would see "that we are people just like anybody else. I want him to see me for who I am, just like Father Greg sees us. We make mistakes and we have a heart."

At Dolores Mission Church, the Superior General was welcomed by Jesuit Father Scott Santarosa, pastor, and parishioners Esperanza Vasquez and Rosa Campos. With a PowerPoint presentation the two women told Father Nicolas of their own personal struggles as mothers with children in gangs, jobless, living in a dangerous area and barely making ends meet, and frequently asking themselves, "What would Jesus do?"

That, they said, led to parishioners in the neighborhood forming small church communities to study Scripture and take back their neighborhoods. They held peace walks to fight the violence and established Camino Seguro (Safe Passages), with a parent at every street corner around the schools in the area to keep the children safe.

Vasquez and Campos also told Father Nicolas how they approached factories to find jobs for their children. They started an alternative school and, because the undocumented are excluded, they formed a child-care center of their own by taking turns. They turned their church into a sanctuary.

After the presentation Father Nicolas was taken on a tour of Dolores Mission, and presided at a concelebrated liturgy at which he thanked the parishioners for their warm hospitality.

For Jesuits serving in the area, the visit was especially significant.

"It was a brother coming to see what his brothers are doing," said Jesuit Father Joe Spieler, a marriage and family counselor serving at Dolores Mission. "I am filled with pride and humility at the same time. It reaffirms what we are doing. And he understands our philosophy of having the people ask the question, 'What would the Lord do?' He got that instantly."

Ineed, after the luncheon at Homeboy Industries Father Nicholas told the young women and men, "I can see and I can hear humanity here at its best. It's best because you have been able to come through terrible things and have made the best of yourselves. It's always the best of yourself when you give to others. If religion is about transformation, I think I see it here. It's not how many hours you spend in church. I see transformation here."

Chosen a year ago to be Superior General, Father Nicolas has taken on an enormous task leading over 18,000 men in 95 provinces around the world. But, as Jesuit Father John McGarry, Provincial Superior, noted, "Father Nicolas is a warm and friendly human being, a dedicated priest, a prayerful Jesuit, and a wise and learned leader. I very much look forward to introducing him to the California Province."

Source: http://www.the-tidings.com/2009/020609/jesuit.htm

Jesuit Superior General Visits USF

Recently elected Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., visited the University of San Francisco Feb. 4, celebrating Mass, meeting with students, and offering his views on martyrdom and Jesuit higher education.

Fr. Nicolás began his USF visit with a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Ignatius Church, commemorating the feast day of the Jesuit martyrs of the missions. With the church filled to capacity, Fr. Nicolás discussed in his homily how Christians could live better in the present by modeling their lives on the lives of past martyrs. At the root of martyrdom is the Christian tradition of bearing witness, Fr. Nicolás said.

Martyrdom itself is not something to be sought, he said, but the lives of martyrs can provide inspiration. Martyrdom is a fact of life in today’s church, he said, alluding to lay people and clergy alike who have sacrificed for their Christian faith. Modeling one’s life and actions on the sacrifices of martyrs requires three things: vision, to take a more encompassing view; commitment, to pursue faith even to the end; and love, of the most needy among us as well as for the pursuit of justice.

“Christianity is not about fanaticism; it is not about being unreasonable or being masochistic or wanting to suffer,” Fr. Nicolás said. “Christianity is about life and love and (giving), and only then does it make sense.”

Immediately following Mass, Fr. Nicolás greeted attendees in a receiving line and then joined several USF students for lunch at Loyola House. In the afternoon, Fr. Nicolás held a press conference, discussing his thoughts on a wide range of issues, including the role of Jesuit higher education in today’s world. He sees it as a place where students can think, learn, and grow, whether that’s in class, in a chapel or in the community at large.

“We need to give what St. Ignatius gave,” Fr. Nicolás said. “Ignatius gave heart to the whole process of learning and serving.”

Fr. Nicolás said he was excited by what he had seen during his visit to USF, complimenting the university on working to make a USF education more accessible to students whose families earn less than $30,000 per year as well as to first-generation college students. “That in itself changes a school,” he said.

Currently, 19 percent of USF students' families earn $30,000 or less annually.

Fr. Nicolás’ visit from Rome coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Society’s California Province. He arrived Jan. 29 for a nine-day visit to 11 cities. The last visit by a superior general to USF came in 1989 when Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J, visited briefly. Prior to that, the most recent visit by a superior general to USF was 1966, when Pedro Arrupe, S.J., visited campus.

Fr. Nicolás was elected superior general, the Society of Jesus’ top post, on Jan. 19, 2008 by the General Congregation in Rome, which was summoned as result of the resignation of Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. The General Congregation consists of elected Jesuit leaders from each province who are tasked with selecting a new superior general when the presiding superior dies or resigns, as well as outlining in writing the direction they would like to see the Society take in the near future.

Fr. Nicolás is the 30th superior general in the history of the Society of Jesus, founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Nicolás was born in Spain in 1936 and was ordained in Tokyo in 1967. He has extensive experience in Asia.

- Originally posted on Feb. 4, 2009 -

Source: http://www.usfca.edu/usfnews/news_stories/Fr_Nicolas_visit.html

Friday, February 06, 2009

Trade Wars: The Rise of Protectionism?


Trade Wars: The Rise of Protectionism?

By Dana Gabriel

U.S. trading partners have expressed concern that any move towards protectionism could spread and spark trade wars that could further worsen the economic crisis. Around the world, many are looking to President Barack Obama for leadership and feel that he is the one who can save the current global trading system. Does this system really work? Is it worth saving? International bodies such as the WTO and free trade deals like NAFTA, have fostered a climate of corporate dominance trapping nations in a web of treaties that in some cases, trump their own laws. The U.S. is being used as an engine for world government. The global elite seek to capitalize on the economic chaos which in many ways they engineered, in order to further restructure the world.

The Buy-American provision was added to Obamaʼs stimulus package, before it passed the House of Representatives. It blocks foreign iron and steel from being used on any projects that are part of the package. A Senate version of the bill could further expand to include other goods and materials. Although it does sound good, some feel the measure could backfire and cost more American jobs than it saves. Obama insists that he does not wish to set off a trade war and that the U.S. will honor its WTO obligations. He also warned of the dangers of protectionism, in a climate where global trade is already slumping. If he doesnʼt approve the Buy-American plan, he risks angering some of his core support, but if he doesnʼt make changes, he could alienate U.S. trading partners. It is obvious that Obama is going to have to strike a balance. He is calling for the stimulus package to be passed and signed by mid-February. Canada, the U.S.ʼs largest trading partner could be greatly affected by any Buy-American move.

For the most part, Canadaʼs response has been measured and it has refrained from further escalating the situation, believing that they will probably be exempt from the provision. Under NAFTA, Canada sends 40% of its steel across the border and the Buy-American provision could cost Canadian jobs as well as deal a significant blow to its steel industry. From 2002-2003, the Bush Administration imposed trade sanctions on foreign steel in order to protect its own industries, but Canada and Mexico were exempt because of fears that such a move would violate NAFTA. Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that the Buy-American provision not only threatens Canada, but all industrialized countries. There is a definite possibility that the situation could further escalate. The EU, Canada and other U.S. trading partners could in turn retaliate with similar measures. If some sort of resolution is not reached, there could be a rise in protectionism around the world, with the potential for international trade wars.

During the presidential campaign, Obama pledged to protect U.S. workers and industries and supported Buy-American initiatives, but at the same time cautioned against protectionist policies. He was also very critical of NAFTA during the Democratic presidential nomination race, calling the agreement a mistake and its effects devastating. He even threatened to use the opt-out clause, in order to put pressure on Canada and Mexico to agree to changes. This concerned Canadian officials, but they were reassured that NAFTA was quite safe. Later when Obama had all but wrapped up the nomination, he took a more moderate approach towards NAFTA and free trade in general. He even admitted that in regards to all the NAFTA bashing, he got caught up in all the rhetoric. Since then, he has been strangely silent on the issue, but it was recently reported by a White House spokesman that Obama is still committed to upgrading the agreement.

NAFTA essentially laid the foundation for a North American energy market. Canada is the largest U.S. supplier of crude oil and natural gas. Under NAFTA, Canada is prohibited from cutting off oil exports to the U.S., unless domestic supplies are rationed by the same amount. Canadian officials have previously hinted that oil, and a list of other conditions could be on the table, if NAFTA is reopened. Harper recently said that he doesnʼt expect Obama to push for any major reworking of the agreement. There is little doubt that Canada is in a better position of strength than when NAFTA was first negotiated. Obama is set to visit Canada on February 19 and it is expected that trade issues will be at the top of the agenda.

Even Obama supporters have to be disappointed with his cabinet appointments, which do not constitute change. His administration is full of Clinton retreads, political hacks, hawks, and those who have upheld failed economic policies. Many of his appointees are also past or present members of the Council On Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission. The new boss is beginning to look a lot like the old boss, except that I doubt if Obama will openly show the arrogance and disregard that Bush did. The best thing that Obama has going for him is that he isnʼt Bush, and although his words might have signaled a change in direction, his actions indicate that itʼs business as usual in the White House.


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Thursday, February 05, 2009

ABC Officially Responds to Stephanopoulos-Emanuel Phone Call Questions


Thursday, Feb 05


ABC Officially Responds to Stephanopoulos-Emanuel Phone Call

Since last week's Politico story about the regular phone calls between former Clinton White House'ers Rahm Emanuel, George Stephanopoulos, Paul Begala and James Carville, several conservative outlets have raised the question of a conflict of interest.

Media Research President Brent Bozell has been one of the most vocal critics (Rush Limbaugh's callers also jammed the ABC News phone lines). Bozell, who makes a claim not part of the Politico story that these are "strategy phone calls," requested ABC respond to the story on Newsbusters and in an open letter. "With each passing day, ABC's failure to speak to and about this issue tarnishes further the network's reputation as a legitimate news entity," he writes.

Today, ABC responded to Bozell and other critics, although they say there have been several prior on-the-record responses ignored by Media Research Center. "To be crystal clear, George Stephanopoulos does not advise Rahm Emanuel nor anyone else in the Obama Administration," says the letter from SVP of editorial quality, Kerry Smith. "He reports on the Obama Administration. He speaks to Mr. Emanuel, a friend he has known for nearly two decades, as a source, just as he speaks to countless sources across the political spectrum each and every day."

Politico also later wrote "I don't think they have the story quite right," regarding Bozell's claims.

Click continued to see the full response letter from ABC...


Dear Mr. Bozell,

Thank you for your letter regarding George Stephanopoulos.

To be crystal clear, George Stephanopoulos does not advise Rahm Emanuel nor anyone else in the Obama Administration. He reports on the Obama Administration. He speaks to Mr. Emanuel, a friend he has know for nearly two decades, as a source, just as he speaks to countless sources across the political spectrum each and every day. That is his job as an anchor and reporter and one that he does according to the highest standards.

In your letter and public utterances you falsely assert that ABC News has been silent on this matter. That is simply untrue. Upon reading your press release last week, we reached out to the MRC to make it abundantly clear that you had totally mischaracterized the Politico story written by John Harris last Tuesday. Indeed, Politico posted a story last Friday by Ben Smith pointing out exactly how badly you had mangled the facts. In that post, Harris stated that, " The calls are certainly a fascinating Washington ritual, but by no means do I think that George Stephanopoulos is participating in strategy sessions. To my mind, he established his journalistic bona fides more than a decade ago, even as the Clinton administration was still underway, when he showed his willingness to report aggressively on Democrats as well as Republicans." To give further lie to your claim that ABC News has not responded to your distortions, our senior vice president was quoted in the Politico story saying, "George speaks to Emanuel, but he speaks to plenty of conservatives and Republicans every single day -- that's part of his job. The idea that there is some kind of daily conference call that George hops on is just nonsense and not true."

Furthermore, last Friday, a reporter from CNS News, which was founded by you and continues to be directly affiliated with the MRC, contacted our media relations staff

for a piece he'd been assigned to write on this very topic. We cooperated immediately and provided him an on the record response. We have since learned from your reporter that his story was killed.

You have said, "if the charges are false, provide the evidence. We will gladly accept it and consider the matter closed." From the moment you issued your first press release on the Politico story last week - and numerous times since - we have made it clear to you and your staff that your assertions regarding Mr. Stephanopoulos and ABC News are false and based on a willful and knowing distortion of John Harris' original story.

Sincerely,

Kerry Smith
Senior Vice President, Editorial Quality, ABC News

Posted by SteveK 12:57 PM


Angry Voters Flood Capitol with Calls Against Stimulus

Angry Voters Flood Capitol with Calls Against Stimulus
By Mark Impomeni
Feb 5th 2009 7:00PM

President Barack Obama's presidential campaign prided itself on being a grassroots effort. Obama aimed to inspire millions of Americans to engage in the political process, some for the first time, to help bring about change. But the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats may be learning now that there is a flip side to inspiring Americans to action. If they don't get what they want, they will let their elected officials know about it.

Switchboard operators at the Capitol say that frustrated voters are jamming phone lines with calls to Senators and Congressmen against Obama's and the Democrats' proposed economic stimulus plan. Some Senators report that calls to their offices about the plan are running in the hundreds per day, up from just a handful last month. Voters are upset both at the cost of the plan, which is at over $900 billion currently, and the recent tax troubles of Obama Administration nominees, which is feeding the perception that there are different sets of rules for the well connected and the ordinary citizen.

Government and fiscal policy groups say they have seen an increase in calls, e-mails, and web site traffic from voter anger at the stimulus bill and the tax issues. David Williams, vice president of Citizens Against Government Waste, said that people are feeling like "suckers" for paying their taxes while so many Obama nominees have been shown to have not paid theirs. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Deputy Director agreed, saying that frustration among the electorate is palpable.

"I think the average American is looking at their taxes during tax time and saying 'Wow, I pay my taxes. Why aren't these guys?'"

Source: http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/02/05/angry-voters-flood-capitol-with-calls-against-stimulus/

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, ...


1 Thessalonians 5


1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16Rejoice evermore.

17Pray without ceasing.

18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19Quench not the Spirit.

20Despise not prophesyings.

21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25Brethren, pray for us.

26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

More plaintiffs join abuse lawsuit against Jesuits


Feb 5, 2009 1:20 PM (3 hrs ago) By TIM KLASS, AP


SEATTLE (Map, News) - Twenty Alaska Natives have joined a lawsuit claiming they were abused by Jesuit priests or those supervised by Jesuits, and a lawyer said Thursday the head of the Roman Catholic order has been served with court papers naming him as a defendant.
With the amended lawsuit filed Wednesday in Bethel, Alaska, and announced in Seattle, 63 Alaska Natives are suing the Society of Jesus and a number of priests, employees and volunteers, claiming they were sexually abused in remote Alaskan villages from the late 1940s to 2001.


Also added was a defendant, the Rev. Francis E. Case, who retired last year as secretary or second-ranking official of the order.


The 112-page lawsuit accuses Jesuits, employees and volunteers in the Fairbanks, Alaska, Diocese of abuse ranging from fondling to child rape in the Alaska towns of Nulato, Hooper Bay, Stebbins, Chevak, Mountain Village, Nunam Iqua and St. Michael. Jesuits known as abusers were sent from around the world to the remote hamlets, according to plaintiffs' lawyers.


The Rev. Adolfo Nicolas, superior general and top official of the Jesuits in Rome, named as a defendant when the case was filed Jan. 13 in Alaska Superior Court, was served with the lawsuit late last week in Los Angeles, said John C. Manly of Newport Beach, Calif., a lawyer for the plaintiffs.


Nicolas was handed the documents while visiting Homeboy Industries, a job program run by a Jesuit priest for young people in gangs in Los Angeles, and did not give any response to the process server, Manly said. Plaintiffs are asking that Nicolas extend his U.S. trip to investigate abuse by Jesuits, the lawyer added.


Calls by The Associated Press to the Jesuit headquarters in Rome and the Jesuit Conference of the United States in Washington, D.C., were not immediately returned Thursday.


Case was provincial or head of the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus, which covers Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Montana, from about 1986 to 1990, and knew or should have known about at least one priest, the Rev. Francis Nawn, who is accused of abusing three plaintiffs, according to the lawsuit.


Nawn is deceased. Case, who lives on the Seattle University campus, referred an e-mail request for comment to the Oregon Province in Portland, which did not immediately respond to a telephone call Thursday.


Case is described in the lawsuit as head of campus ministry and is listed on the school's Web site as being involved in campus ministry, but university spokesman Casey Corr told The Seattle Times that information is incorrect. Case is not employed at Seattle University and has no formal role or duties with campus ministry, Corr said.


Listed previously as a defendant is Case's successor as provincial, the Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, president of Seattle University since July 1997.


Sundborg and the Very Rev. Patrick J. Lee, the current provincial, have denied they knew of sexual wrongdoing or were involved in covering up wrongdoing by priests, although the order has paid millions of dollars in recent years to settle sexual abuse claims in Alaska.


In a statement issued last month through a spokesman, Lee wrote that Jesuits were assigned to the Fairbanks Diocese at their own request because of their "deep desire to spread the gospel."


AskMoses.com isn't a direct line to God, but it's quicker than climbing Mount Sinai


Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times
President Obama attends the National Prayer Service on his first day in office. The Library of Congress is collecting sermons delivered that week nationwide to preserve people’s reactions to the inauguration


Also: Jesuit leader Adolfo Nicolás visits California, the Library of Congress seeks Obama-themed sermons, and people weigh in on eternal life.

By Duke Helfand and Joanna Lin
February 2, 2009

Have you ever tried to define God? Or wondered whether it is ethical to eat meat? Or debated if pornography is a sin?

For a decade, AskMoses.com has been answering questions like these to a growing worldwide audience.

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Rabbinic scholars from the Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement dispense the free advice online 24 hours a day, six days a week (they don't work on the Sabbath).

Last month, they announced a milestone: AskMoses has surpassed 1 million online chat sessions since it was launched by Chabad of California. The queries are fielded by rabbis and knowledgeable women in the United States, Argentina, Israel, Russia and elsewhere.

"The average person on the street does not have access to a rabbi," said Rabbi Yosef Loschak, AskMoses' "chief scholar," who is based in Santa Barbara. "Here is a way they can do that. If they have a question about Judaism, Moses is a pretty good source."

People of all stripes turn to the website, accounting for 350 to 400 live chats a day, Loschak said. A voluntary online survey has shown that 30% of AskMoses users are not Jewish. Among their questions: Why don't Jews believe in Jesus as the messiah? Answer: Jesus did not fulfill the promises of the messiah, as described by the prophets, of bringing world peace and global monotheism.

The website's library has cataloged answers to numerous questions about Jewish identity, philosophy, holidays, history and the Torah.

Loschak said the questions often reflect modern life. Questions popped up about the final scene of "Schindler's List," for example, in which Jews who were saved by Oskar Schindler place rocks on his grave in Israel. Why? Stones are a mark of respect to show that the grave was visited.

Questions often come from people facing crises. On one occasion, a pregnant teen wrote to ask whether she should get an abortion or tell her parents about her condition. The rabbi urged her to speak with her parents. Because the question was posed anonymously, though, he couldn't follow up.

As to the question about defining God, the answer, according to AskMoses: God cannot be defined. He is only known by the things he does.

And is pornography a sin? According to AskMoses, the answer is yes: It is "a corruption of the mind, as it forces us to think lustful and sinful thoughts."

Jesuit leader visits

The leader of the worldwide Jesuit religious order is scheduled to deliver an address at 10 a.m. today today at Loyola Marymount University about partnership in Jesuit ministries, as part of a 10-day trip through California.

Father Adolfo Nicolás, the superior general of the Society of Jesus, as the order is known, is visiting the state to help launch the centennial celebration of the California Province, one of 10 Jesuit provinces in the United States. He will meet this week with the 10 provincial leaders in Northern California.

Nicolás, who has served in his position for a little more than a year, has spent much of his career in Asia. His LMU address will be part of Mission Day, which celebrates the university's commitment to faith and justice.

"Coming from his many years in the Far East, Father Nicolás has a strong sense that our commitment to faith doing justice means working side by side with many who may not share our beliefs but who nonetheless share our goals for a more just and peaceful world, a more sustainable environment," Father Robert Caro, the university's vice president for mission and ministry, said in a university statement.

Obama sermons

To document reaction to the inauguration of the country's first black president, the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress is collecting recordings of sermons and orations delivered during what center Director Peggy Bulger called "a real shift" in American history.

Collections at the library include inaugural materials dating back to the inauguration of George Washington in 1789 as well as recordings of many 20th century sermons and orations.

However, this is the first time the library has solicited inauguration-related preaching from the pulpit, Bulger said.

Documenting President Obama's inauguration through sermons seems fitting, Bulger said, given that the ceremony came a day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"Martin Luther King, as well as so many crusaders for civil rights, were preachers," she said. "They use a form of African American folk oratory that is so effective and so beautiful . . . almost folk poetry."

This is the third time the library has gathered recordings of people's immediate responses to an event. The first two events were the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

For its inauguration project, the center has already received 40 recordings from 15 states. Among these early submissions are sermons from synagogues, churches and a mosque in Montana.

To qualify for the project, orations must have been delivered between Jan. 16 and Jan. 25 and recorded in audio or video format at a place of worship or secular gathering.

Written texts of such sermons, as well as programs from events during which they were delivered, are also being collected. The submissions will be entered into the center's archive.

The center will accept submissions postmarked by Feb. 27. More information about the sermons and orations project is available at www.loc.gov /folklife/inaugural/ or by calling (202) 707-5510.

How to live forever

So how does one achieve eternal life -- through good deeds or beliefs?

Theologians have considered the question for centuries. Now a study released in December by the Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life shows that nearly equal numbers of Americans say actions (such as being a good person) and beliefs (such as believing in Jesus) are the way to achieve eternal life.

Responses varied among various denominations (see chart), with white evangelicals more inclined to say that beliefs matter most. White Catholics credited actions more than other groups.
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Times staff writer Steve Padilla contributed to this report.
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Note: Highlights added. ...Blogman.