AND THE THIRD ANGEL FOLLOWED THEM, SAYING WITH A LOUD VOICE, IF ANY MAN WORSHIP THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE, AND RECEIVE HIS MARK IN HIS FOREHEAD, OR IN HIS HAND. *** REVELATION 14:9
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
T is open, but thousands without power due to morning blizzard
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
The number of homes and businesses without power is steadily escalating in Massachusetts this morning as heavy, wet snow and powerful gusting winds are downing power lines and causing whiteout conditions on the highways where dozens of crashes have already been reported.
Public officials are urging the public to stay home or use public transportation if necessary.
MBTA General Manager Richard Davey said the sprawling transit system is experiencing some delays, and has had to start shuttle bus service when a tree took down the power supply near the Green Line’s Riverside station.
“Ridership is light, but we are open for business to the extent that folks cannot stay at home today,'' he said.
Davey said mbta.com is experiencing heavy usage. Riders can also call 617-222-3200 where operators can provide the same information usually available on-line.
As of 7:30 a.m., buses are in use between Riverside and Newton Highlands stations because of a downed power line. Buses are also being used to replace the Red Line’s Mattapan high speed line. Commuter boat service from Hingham has been canceled, Davey said.
Logan Airport is open, but Massport spokesman Phil Orlandella said today that airlines have already canceled some 350 flights and the prospects for anyone flying out of East Boston today are not good.
“It looks like gloom and doom today,’’ he said. Orlandella said Massport will get an update from airlines later today on when flights will resume. The storm system is impacting air travel in other parts of the country.
Orlandella urged travelers to check with their airlines before coming to the airport. He noted many airlines are waiving fees for rebooked flights.
At 7:45 a.m. today, National Grid reported that 58,000 customers are now without power in a band that stretched from the Rhode Island border to the North Shore. Heaviest hit, however, are Plymouth County where 25,000 customers have lost power and Essex County where 11,000 are in the dark.
NSTAR reported 5,000 customers without power mostly on Cape Cod.
The National Weather Service said this morning that the worst of the blizzard will hit Massachusetts by 8 a.m., before ending this afternoon. Snow will fall 2 to 3 inches an hour at the height of the blizzard and could total 16 inches or more in parts of the region, the weather service said.
Peter Judge, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, said the main concern for today will be damage to energy supplies from the heavy, wet snow. He said the coastal regions, which saw damaging flooding in last month's nor'easter, are likely to be spared this time because of astronomically low tides and the path the storm is taking.
All state offices and courthouses are closed and dozens of school systems, colleges, and religious institutions are also closed today.
Nearly 4,000 pieces of plows and snow moving equipment have been at work on the state highways since 4 a.m., according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. State Police has lowered the speed on the Massachusetts Turnpike to 40 miles per hour.
State Police spokesman David Procopio said this morning that dozens of crashes have been reported on state roads. None, however, resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. Roads are icy and whiteouts have led numerous drivers to head the wrong way on highway ramps.
Boston.com’s traffic partner, sigalert.com, is indicating speeds major roads in greater Boston are generally well below normal.
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Source
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The Invention of Money
Five reporters stumbled on what seems like a basic question: What is money? The unsettling answer they found: Money is fiction.
Play episode
This episode is produced by the Planet Money team.
Ira Glass speaks with several members of the Planet Money team, who all found themselves—in the course of their reporting—independently asking the same stoner-ish question: What is money? Ira and Planet Money producer Jacob Goldstein discuss a pre-industrial society on the island of Yap that used giant stones as currency. The book that Jacob read about Yap is called The Island of Stone Money. (10 minutes)
Act One. The Lie That Saved Brazil.
A trip to a country where the fiction that is money completely fell apart. And in this same country, through a truly incredible piece of policy making, the government tricked a 150,000,000 people into believing their money had value again. Chana Joffe-Walt reports. (16 minutes)
Act Two. Weekend At Bernanke's.
Though the name of the Federal Reserve includes the word "federal," it's not actually part of the government. It's an independent institution tasked with something very simple, but very huge: Creating money out of thin air. And during this last financial crisis, the leaders of the Fed did things that they would never have considered doing in the past. Alex Blumberg and David Kestenbaum report on what the Fed usually does, and how, since 2008, it's taken a trip to what amounts to Fed Crazytown. (26 minutes)
Photo: Paul Williams
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Arizona Shooter Jared Loughner is Jewish
NOVANEWS
1/10/2011
Arizona Shooter Jared Loughner is Jewish
by James Buchanan
The man who shot 19 people in Arizona, killing six and severely wounding Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, is Jewish according to an interview by a reporter from Mother Jones magazine. The Mother Jones article notes “about eight hours before he allegedly killed six people and wounded 14, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), in Tucson—Jared Lee Loughner phoned an old and close friend with whom he had gone to high school and college. The friend, Bryce Tierney, was up late watching TV, but he didn’t answer the call. When he later checked his voice mail, he heard a simple message from Loughner: ‘Hey man, it’s Jared. Me and you had good times. Peace out. Later.’ That was it.
But later in the day, when Tierney first heard about the Tucson massacre, he had a sickening feeling: ‘They hadn’t released the name, but I said, ‘Holy sh-t, I think it’s Jared that did it.’ ‘ Tierney tells Mother Jones in an exclusive interview that Loughner held a years-long grudge against Giffords and had repeatedly derided her as a ‘fake.’ ….Tierney believes that Loughner was very interested in pushing people’s buttons—and that may have been why he listed Hitler’s Mein Kampf as one of his favorite books on his YouTube page. (Loughner’s mom is Jewish, according to Tierney.)” Loughner also listed the Communist Manifesto as one of his favorite books.
There was a speedy attempt by the left-wing media to portray Loughner as a right-wing lunatic even though other statements by people familiar with Loughner described him as a leftist.
So a mentally ill, left-wing Jew shoots a Congresswoman and the mainstream media tries to pin the blame on the Tea Party, on right-wing White Gentiles and on the pro-White movement. This should be a good reminder to everyone to be suspicious of the mainstream media.
Source
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Tucson Shooting Victims
Dead
Six people were killed in the attack.[78] All but Christina Taylor Green died at the scene of the shooting.[79]
Christina Taylor Green, 9, of Tucson. Green was accompanied to the meeting by a neighbor.[28] Green died at University Medical Center.[5][80] Born on September 11, 2001, she had appeared in the book Faces of Hope: Babies Born on 9/11 (page 41).[81][82][83] She was the daughter of Los Angeles Dodgers scout John Green and Roxanna Green, the granddaughter of former Major League Baseball player and manager Dallas Green[82][84] and second cousin to actress Sophia Bush.[85] She was in third grade and had recently been elected to the student council at Mesa Verde Elementary School.[4][28][80][82]
Dorothy "Dot" Morris, 76. A retired secretary from Oro Valley. Her husband George survived two gunshot wounds while attempting to shield her.[78]
John Roll, 63. Roll was the chief judge for the U.S. District Court for Arizona. Roll was a native of Pennsylvania and a 1969 graduate of the University of Arizona. He began his legal career as a bailiff in Pima County Superior Court and in 1980 joined the office of the U.S. Attorney. He was appointed to the Arizona Appeals Court in 1987 until he was named to the federal bench by President George H. W. Bush in 1991. He had served as presiding judge since 2006.[28][86]
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Roll moved to Arizona as a child. He was born into a Roman Catholic family, and attended Salpointe Catholic High School.[1] He received his B.A. from the University of Arizona in 1969, a J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1972, and an LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990.[3]
...
In 1994, Roll was one of several district court judges who held that provisions of the Brady Law violated the Tenth Amendment,[4] a holding upheld by the Supreme Court in the related case of Printz v. United States.
In 2009, Roll ruled that the case Vicente v. Barnett could go forward. The $32 million lawsuit brought by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) against Arizona rancher Roger Barnett on behalf of 16 Mexican plaintiffs charged that the plaintiffs were assaulted, threatened, and held at gunpoint by Barnett and members of his family. After Roll's ruling and prompted by several talk-radio programs, he was the subject of hundreds of complaining phone calls and death threats and he and his family were under the protection of the U.S. Marshals Service for a month.[5][6][7] Roll declined to press charges when some of those who made threats were identified.[8]
...
Roll was shot on January 8, 2011, outside a Safeway supermarket in Casas Adobes, Arizona,[9] when a gunman opened fire at a "Congress on Your Corner" event held by Democratic U.S. House Representative Gabrielle Giffords; he later succumbed to his injuries, as did five other people. Fourteen others were wounded including Giffords. Roll attended Mass earlier that morning and had decided to attend the event about an hour before the shooting.[10]
Other plaudits came from Senator John McCain, who had recommended Roll for appointment to the federal bench; from Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik; and from Bishop Gerald Kicanas of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, who noted that Roll was an active parishioner who "lived his faith".[12] Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, whose jurisdiction includes Arizona, stated that "Judge Roll was a widely respected jurist, a strong and able leader of his court, and a kind, courteous and sincere gentleman".[12] President Barack Obama commented on Roll's death in his statement issued after the shooting, noting that Roll "served America's legal system for almost 40 years".[13]
Jared Lee Loughner has been charged by federal prosecutors with Roll's murder. Evidence gathered by federal investigators indicates that Rep. Giffords was Loughner's main target. Roll was apparently not specifically targeted - Loughner might not have even known who he was. Roll lived in the area, and a staff member of the targeted Representative suggested that Roll "had simply gone to the Safeway where the shooting occurred to shop."[12] Roll was the first federal judge murdered in office since Robert Vance in 1989.[8]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Roll
Dorwin Stoddard, 76. Shot in the head while trying to protect his wife Mavy. She spoke with him for 10 minutes before he died of his injuries.[78]
Gabriel "Gabe" Zimmerman, 30. Zimmerman worked on Giffords's staff as a community outreach director.[4][28] He was engaged to be married.[28]
Gabrielle Giffords, U.S. Representative from Arizona.[28]
Bill Badger, 74. A retired army colonel whose head was grazed by a bullet, moments before subduing the suspect.[21]
Ron Barber, deputy director for Giffords.[28]
Susan Hileman, shot in the leg, hip, abdomen and chest while accompanying Christina Taylor Green.[87]
George Morris, a retired marine and former airline pilot, survived two gunshot wounds while trying to shield his wife Dorothy, who died.[78]
Pam Simon, staffer for Giffords.[28]
Mavy Stoddard, shot in the leg three times while shielded by her husband Dorwin.[78]
No Dots To Connect This Time Around?
However, this past weekend in Tucson a crazed civilian gunman killed 6 and wounded 14; There was a prompt effort made by Law Enforcement, the media, politicians, and the Administration to spin the event as having been influenced by the lack of civility; The lack of unity, the inability to see things the way they do...
Discourse?
They quickly blamed the usual vast right wing conspiracy, et al.
The 13 killed were:
Michael Grant Cahill[37] 62 Spokane, Washington Civilian Physician Assistant
Libardo Eduardo Caraveo[38] 52 Woodbridge, Virginia Major
Justin Michael DeCrow[39] 32 Plymouth, Indiana Staff Sergeant
John P. Gaffaney[40] 56 Serra Mesa, California Captain[41]
Frederick Greene[37] 29 Mountain City, Tennessee Specialist
Jason Dean Hunt[37] 22 Tipton, Oklahoma Specialist
Amy Sue Krueger[37] 29 Kiel, Wisconsin Staff Sergeant
Aaron Thomas Nemelka[37] 19 West Jordan, Utah Private First Class
Michael S. Pearson[42] 22 Bolingbrook, Illinois Private First Class
Russell Gilbert Seager[35] 51 Racine, Wisconsin Captain[43]
Francheska Velez ‡[44] 21 Chicago, Illinois Private First Class
Juanita L. Warman[35] 55 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Colonel[45]
Kham See Xiong[37] 23 Saint Paul, Minnesota Private First Class
The Fort Hood shooting was a mass shooting that took place on November 5, 2009,
at Fort Hood—the most populous US military installation in the world, located
just outside Killeen, Texas—in which a gunman killed 13 people and wounded 30
others.[2]
The sole suspect is Nidal Malik Hasan, a U.S. Army major serving as a psychiatrist. He was shot by Department of the Army Civilian Police officers,[3] and is now paralyzed from the chest down.[4] Hasan has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; he may face additional charges at court-martial.[5][6]
Hasan is an American-born Muslim of Palestinian descent. Internal Army reports indicate officers within the Army were aware of Hasan's tendencies toward radical Islam since 2005. Additionally, investigations before and after the shooting discovered e-mail communications between Hasan and Yemen-based cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who quickly declared Hasan a hero, as "fighting against the U.S. army is an Islamic duty". After communications between the two were forwarded to FBI terrorism task forces in 2008, they determined that Hasan was not a threat prior to the shooting and that his questions to al-Awlaki were consistent with medical research.
In November 2009, after examining the e-mails and previous terrorism
investigations, the FBI had found no information to indicate he had any
co-conspirators or was part of a broader terrorist plot. The U.S. has since
classified Anwar al-Awlaki as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the
UN considers Awlaki to be associated with al-Qaeda.[7] Yet a year after the
attack, questions lingered of whether the incident was caused by mental health
issues or Hasan was a terrorist, as government agencies have still not
officially linked Major Hassan to any radical groups. [8]
Monday, January 10, 2011
"I suppose when the bullets are fired, they are unlikely at me. They're just ricocheting"
Can anyone remember last month when the President brought Bill Clinton to the White House Briefing Room and left him at the Podium?
(Obama left to attend a Christmas party.)
Well, Bill Clinton said the following while charming the press corps:
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik definition of VITRIOL
Sarah Palin? Glenn Beck, hah?
Well, Sheriff Dupnik how's this for incendiary?
How's this for making references to the use of violence against a politician?
And to add insult to injury by one of their own...
Who's feeding the disturbed individuals with ideas, Mr. Dupnik?
How's this rhetoric in your opinion?
........................
"I've been keeping the first lady waiting for about half an hour, so I'm going to take off," Obama said."I don't want to make her mad," Clinton said, smiling. "Please go."
"You're in good hands," Obama joked.
...
One reporter asked Clinton whether he enjoyed being at the podium without having to govern.
"I had a good time governing," Clinton said. "I am happy to be here. I suppose when the bullets are fired, they are unlikely at me. They're just ricocheting."
Source: Bill Clinton, back in the White House briefing room
.Arsenio
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Sunday, January 09, 2011
State, New Orleans activate emergency weather plans
Updated: Sunday, January 09, 2011, 4:45 PM
By Dennis Persica, The Times-Picayune
Associated Press archive
Gov. Bobby Jindal
Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency Saturday night in advance of wintry weather headed into the state, and the city of New Orleans implemented its freeze plan to help homeless people find shelter.
Jindal's declaration helps the state better facilitate its response to parish reqests for assistance.
While the weather is expected to impact north and central Louisiana more seriously than the southern portion of the state, high winds forced the closure of the Causeway bridge across Lake Ponchartrain by about 3 p.m. Sunday.
New Orleans, meanwhile, implemented its freeze plan as of about 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness's Crisis Action Team is monitoring for rain, sleet, snow and other possible hazardous conditions that could impact parts of Louisiana over the next couple of days. GOHSEP also remains in contact with the National Weather Service and parish officials in the event state resources are requested. GOHSEP personnel are located in each region to assist affected parishes.
Louisiana State Police has extra troopers on standby to monitor hazardous road conditions, the Department of Transportation and Development remains on standby to assist with the de-icing of roads and the Louisiana National Guard is also on standby and prepared to assist if needed, the governor's office said in a press release.
GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper urged residents to pay attention to local weather forecasts, especially advisories to stay off icy roads.
Under the New Orleans freeze plan, people needing shelter will be accepted at the following locations under the following conditions:
•The Salvation Army, 4500 South Claiborne Ave. - Is accepting males and females.
•The New Orleans Mission, 1130 Oretha C. Haley Blvd. - Will accept males and females starting at 7 p.m.
•The Ozanam Inn, 843 Camp St. - Will accept males only starting at 7 p.m.
•The Covenant House, 611 N. Rampart St. - Will accept males and females between the ages 16-21, their dependent children, and any female with dependent minor children starting at 7 p.m.
All shelters will be opened free of charge to persons seeking shelter during this period of inclement weather.
Source
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John Boehner offers prayers, help
House Speaker John Boehner said the lower chamber is ready to assist in the aftermath of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords being shot, and asked lawmakers and staff to keep her and her aides in their prayers.
Speaking from his hometown of West Chester, Ohio, Boehner struck a somber tone, reflective of the situation he confronts just days into his speakership.
“To the members of the house and their staffs, I ask that you, on this Sabbath day, that we keep Gabby and her staff in our thoughts and prayers,” Boehner said. “Public service is a high honor but these tragic events remind us that all of us in our roles in service to our fellow citizens comes with a risk. This inhuman act should not, and will not, deter us from our calling to represent our constituents and to fulfill our oaths of office. No act, no matter how heinous, must be allowed to stop us from our duty.”
That risk was realized in the Giffords shooting, and reflected by the Republican majority with an altered schedule this week, which will push of the vote to repeal Democrats’ health care reform.
What Repeal Of Healthcare?
No way! They have their work cut out for them...
This coming week Congress will be engrossed in another type of concern, Hate Crime Laws.
Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, Sean Hannity, etc.; When the shooter of Arizona was an anarchist, probably a mind-control candidate, not a right-wing fanatic...
The Sheriff of Pima County has already started the ball rolling by blaming the horrendous shooting on the lack of discourse, the lack of civility:
Democrat Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik exploits Gabrielle ...
I wonder if the recent bomb (parcel) threats in Mary-Land were a harbinger of Saturday's attack?
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Arizona Rep. Giffords shot
By Shailagh Murray and Clarence Williams
Saturday, January 8, 2011; 4:33 PM
Tucson - Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot and critically wounded Saturday morning while hosting an event outside a Tucson grocery store, according to local news reports, a tragic turn of events after an unusually heated campaign season.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head and an unknown number of others were wounded Saturday when an assailant sprayed bullets into an area where the lawmaker was meeting with constituents.
» LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER
President Obama said in a statement that some people had died in the shooting, and that Giffords was "gravely wounded." However, she survived surgery and hospital officials said they were optimistic about her recovery.
Federal law enforcement sources said that John M. Roll, the senior U.S. District judge in Arizona, was shot and killed in the incident. The Pima County Sheriff's office said that five others including a nine-year-old child had died, and a total of 18 people were injured.
A 22-year old man was taken into custody after being tackled by people on the scene after the shooting. One pistol was recovered and it had what police described as "an extended clip."
The man was identified as Jared Loughner of Tucson, according to the Associated Press.
Giffords, who in November narrowly won reelection to a third term, was hosting her first "Congress on Your Corner" event when a gunman ran up and began shooting her and others in her entourage with a Glock handgun, according to law enforcement sources.
According to a local news report, Giffords was shot in the head at point-blank range. She was taken to University Medical Center in Tucson, but was reported to have been responsive immediately after the shooting. Earlier in the afternoon, CNN and NPR reported that she had died.
"We do not yet have all the answers. What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society," Obama said. "I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers."
Last March, Giffords was one of ten House Democrats who were the subject of harassment over their support for the national health care overhaul. At the time, the front door of Giffords' Tucson office had been shattered in an early morning incident.
Giffords had been a top target by Republicans in the 2010 midterm elections, but managed to win a tough re-election battle against a tea party candidate.
The up-and-coming lawmaker, known as a moderate Democrat who paid close attention to constituent concerns, had been singled out by Sarah Palin's SarahPac as one of the 20 Democrats on the ballot in November who represented states that supported Sen. John McCain for president in 2008. "It's time to take a stand," Palin's fundraising appeal said of Giffords and the other Democrats, who had all supported the health-care bill.
House Speaker John Boehner (R.Ohio) put out a statement saying: "I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords... An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society."
Read more
Related:
Covetousness
I saw that Satan carries out his plans well. As the servants of God appoint meetings, Satan with his angels is on the ground to hinder the work. He is constantly putting suggestions into the minds of God's people. He leads some in one way and some in another, always taking advantage of evil traits in the brethren and sisters, exciting and stirring up their natural besetments. If they are disposed to be selfish and covetous, Satan takes his stand by their side, and with all his power seeks to lead them to indulge their besetting sins. The grace of God and the light of truth may melt away their covetous, selfish feelings for a little, but if they do not obtain entire victory, Satan comes in when they are not under a saving influence and withers every noble, generous principle, and they think that too much is required of them. They become weary of well-doing and forget the great sacrifice which Jesus made to redeem them from the power of Satan and from hopeless misery. {EW 267.1}
Satan took advantage of the covetous, selfish disposition of Judas and led him to murmur when Mary poured the costly ointment upon Jesus. Judas looked upon this as a great waste, and declared that the ointment might have been sold and given to the poor. He cared not for the poor, but considered the liberal offering to Jesus extravagant. Judas prized his Lord just enough to sell Him for a few pieces of silver. And I saw that there were some like Judas among those who profess to be waiting for their Lord. Satan controls them, but they know it not. God cannot approve of the least degree of covetousness or selfishness, and He abhors the prayers and exhortations of those who indulge these evil traits. As Satan sees that his time is short, he leads men on to be more and more selfish and covetous, and then exults as he sees them wrapped up in themselves, close, penurious, and selfish. If the eyes of such could be opened, they would see Satan in hellish triumph, exulting over them and laughing at the folly of those who accept his suggestions and enter his snares. {EW 268.1}
Satan and his angels mark all the mean and covetous acts of these persons and present them to Jesus and His holy angels, saying reproachfully, "These are Christ's followers! They are preparing to be translated!" Satan compares their course with passages of Scripture in which it is plainly rebuked and then taunts the heavenly angels, saying, "These are following Christ and His Word! These are the fruit of Christ's sacrifice and redemption!" Angels turn in disgust from the scene. God requires a constant doing on the part of His people; and when they become weary of well-doing, He becomes weary of them. I saw that He is greatly displeased with the least manifestation of selfishness on the part of His professed people, for whom Jesus spared not His own precious life. Every selfish, covetous person will fall out by the way. Like Judas, who sold his Lord, they will sell good principles and a noble, generous disposition for a little of earth's gain. All such will be sifted out from God's people. Those who want heaven must, with all the energy which they possess, be encouraging the principles of heaven. Instead of withering up with selfishness, their souls should be expanding with benevolence. Every opportunity should be improved in doing good to one another and thus cherishing the principles of heaven. Jesus was presented to me as the perfect pattern. His life was without selfish interest, but ever marked with disinterested benevolence.
Early Writings, E.G. White, pp. 266-269.
Friday, January 07, 2011
"And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment"
15And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
passing the baton in the relay race for total control
IN:
.,
Both bios above are from wikipedia.
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Daily News: New Daley
The choice draws on Obama's Chicago background. Daley is the brother of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and son of Richard J. Daley, the city's mayor from 1955 through 1976. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70540N20110106
Daley to replace Emanuel... Emanuel left to become Mayor of Chicago;
Lose a friend, gain a Daley; Business as usual.
Daley graduated with a B.A. from Loyola University Chicago, and an LL.B. from John Marshall Law School. Daley later accepted an honorary Doctor of Law degree from John Marshall Law School. Except for a period from 1977 to 1980, during which time he sat on the Advisory Council of Economic Opportunity, Daley practiced law privately with the firm Daley and George.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Hate Crime Legislation is here!
Capt. Owen Honors was asked to step down from his Navy post because of gay slurs. Honors played "lewd" videos making fun of homosexuals on an Aircraft Carrier he commanded a few years ago.
What do they have in common?
Neighborly Love
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Monday, January 03, 2011
Christian Group Says Apocalypse Coming on May 21, 2011
Breen
AP
RALEIGH, N.C. -- If there had been time, Marie Exley would have liked to start a family. Instead, the 32-year-old Army veteran has less than six months left, which she'll spend spreading a stark warning: Judgment Day is almost here.
Exley is part of a movement of Christians loosely organized by radio broadcasts and websites, independent of churches and convinced by their reading of the Bible that the end of the world will begin May 21, 2011.
Gerry Broome, AP
Allison Warden of Raleigh, N.C., posed last month with her car, showing a message about the rapture.
"A lot of people might think, 'The end's coming, let's go party,'" said Exley, a veteran of two deployments in Iraq. "But we're commanded by God to warn people. I wish I could just be like everybody else, but it's so much better to know that when the end comes, you'll be safe."
In August, Exley left her home in Colorado Springs, Colo., to work with Oakland, Calif.-based Family Radio Worldwide, the independent Christian ministry whose leader, Harold Camping, has calculated the May 21 date based on his reading of the Bible.
She is organizing traveling columns of RVs carrying the message from city to city, a logistics challenge that her military experience has helped solve. The vehicles are scheduled to be in five North Carolina cities between now and the second week of January, but Exley will shortly be gone: overseas, where she hopes to eventually make it back to Iraq.
"I don't really have plans to come back," she said. "Time is short."
Not everyone who's heard Camping's message is taking such a dramatic step. They're remaining in their day-to-day lives, but helping publicize the prophecy in other ways. Allison Warden, of Raleigh, has been helping organize a campaign using billboards, post cards and other media in cities across the U.S. through a website, We Can Know.
The 29-year-old payroll clerk laughs when asked about reactions to the message, which is plastered all over her car.
"It's definitely against the grain, I know that," she said. "We're hoping people won't take our word for it, or Harold Camping's word for it. We're hoping that people will search the scriptures for themselves."
Camping, 89, believes the Bible essentially functions as a cosmic calendar explaining exactly when various prophecies will be fulfilled.
The retired civil engineer said all his calculations come from close readings of the Bible, but that external events like the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948 are signs confirming the date.
"Beyond the shadow of a doubt, May 21 will be the date of the Rapture and the day of judgment," he said.
The doctrine known as the Rapture teaches that believers will be taken up to heaven, while everyone else will remain on earth for a period of torment, concluding with the end of time. Camping believes that will happen in October.
"If May 21 passes and I'm still here, that means I wasn't saved. Does that mean God's word is inaccurate or untrue? Not at all," Warden said.
The belief that Christ will return to earth and bring an end to history has been a basic element of Christian belief since the first century. The Book of Revelation, which comes last in the New Testament, describes this conclusion in vivid language that has inspired Christians for centuries.
But few churches are willing to set a date for the end of the world, heeding Jesus' words in the gospels of Mark and Matthew that no one can know the day or hour it will happen. Predictions like Camping's, though, aren't new. One of the most famous in history was by the Baptist leader William Miller, who predicted the end for Oct. 22, 1844, which came to be known as the Great Disappointment among his followers, some of whom subsequently founded the Seventh Day Adventist church.
"In the U.S., there is still a significant population, mostly Protestant, who look at the Bible as kind of a puzzle, and the puzzle is God's word and it's predicting when the end times will come," said Catherine Wessinger, a professor at Loyola University in New Orleans who studies millennialism, the belief in pending apocalypse.
Sponsored Links"A lot of times these prophecies gain traction when difficulties are happening in society," she said. "Right now, there's a lot of insecurity, and this is a promise that says it's not all random, it's part of God's plan."
Past predictions that failed to come true don't have any bearing on the current calculation, believers maintain.
"It would be like telling the Wright brothers that every other attempt to fly has failed, so you shouldn't even try," said Chris McCann, who works with eBible Fellowship, one of the groups spreading the message.
For believers like McCann, theirs is actually a message of hope and compassion: God's compassion for people, and the hope that there's still time to be saved.
That, ultimately, is what spurs on Exley, who said her beliefs have alienated her from most of her friends and family. Her hope is that not everyone who hears her message will mock it, and that even people who dismiss her now might still come to believe.
"If you still want to say we're crazy, go ahead," she said. "But it doesn't hurt to look into it."
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day

1These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
2And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;
3The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
4Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
5And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
6Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.
7And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:
8And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
9Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
10Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,
11Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:
12That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:
13That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
14Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;
15But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:
16(For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;
17And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
18Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
19And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
20The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
21And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
22So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it;
23And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
24Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?
25Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:
26For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
27And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
28And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.
29The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
King James Version (KJV)
Saturday, January 01, 2011
The Call To Watch And Pray!
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Fax: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Ephesians 6:13-18
"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."
Revelation 16:15
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Mark 13:32-37
"And 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 ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Luke 21:34-36
In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will once again examine the current events of these last days as we obey our Saviour's command to "watch and pray." I write this newsletter with the full knowledge that many will reject it because the subject matter is so often uncomfortable to deal with. Yet, we are admonished many times in the Bible to "watch," and we obey that command by focusing our attention on what is happening in the world, watching for signs, looking for fulfillment of prophecy, and comparing what we see and learn to God's Holy Scriptures. The purpose of this newsletter has always been to encourage Christians and unbelievers to open their spiritual eyes to the truth so they can see what is happening all around them.
Unfortunately, we live in a time period where most people would rather escape reality than face it. I've talked to numerous people who say they no longer watch the news or read the newspaper because they consider it too depressing. It is those type of people who will hate this newsletter. However, if you are a Christian, I ask you to prayerfully consider the content. Wouldn't you prefer to know what is happening rather than be ignorant of current world events and be caught off guard by the adversary?
In addition to watching, the Bible often includes the admonishment to pray. If you watch only, the cares of this life, the trouble in this world, the spiritual darkness, the lies, the corruption, the deceit, and the wickedness in high places can tear at your soul and bring you down to the depths of despair. We need prayer to renew our spirits and to bring us comfort, peace, and inexplicable joy. Yes, we can be happy in the Lord even though we see the world crumbling around us.
We serve a mighty God who loves us and will protect us and provide for our needs if we only learn to trust Him. If you have not yet repented of your sins and given your heart to God, I encourage you to do so now. He will bless you mightily, and as you grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, your life will never be the same.
The Theft Of American Dignity!
When I think back to the summer of 1997, I recall the first time I flew in an airplane. It was a simpler time when all you had to do to get through security was empty your pockets and walk through a metal detector. Since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the Department of Homeland Security and its division, known as the Transportation Security Administration or TSA, has been working non-stop to make air travel as miserable as they possibly can for the American people. Now, if you want to get through security, you have to take off your shoes, remove your belt, take your laptop out of your bag, make sure all your soaps, gels, and liquids are in tiny bottles placed in a one quart zip-top bag, and submit yourself to a rigorous and intrusive pat-down or scan. Every American is now considered a potential terrorist by the TSA, and because of that, everything about them is carefully scrutinized, including their bodies.
The TSA is now using full-body image detectors at many airports in the United States. The full-body scanners see through clothing and provide TSA screeners with what amounts to a black and white photo of a passenger's naked body, including the passenger's private areas. Many people view this as an invasion of privacy, and there's also a great deal of concern over the low-level radiation emitted by the scanners. (1)
If a passenger should refuse a full-body scan, the only other option he or she has is to be subjected to an invasive pat-down by a TSA screener. The TSA refers to this procedure as an "enhanced pat-down," and it includes touching people in areas that would ordinarily be grounds for a sexual assault charge. To make matters worse, it has been reported that TSA screeners do not change their gloves between screenings and therefore put passengers at risk of bacterial infections. Patrick Schlievert, a microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, stated, "When you touch people, you start picking up their organisms. That might be ok if you wear gloves, but what about everyone else you're touching down the road?" (2)
TSA chief John Pistole has made it very clear that every passenger is to be subjected to either the full-body scanners or the intrusive pat-downs. "I see flying as a privilege that is a public safety issue. Passengers have a number of options as they go through screening. But the bottom line is, if somebody decides they don't want to have screening, they don't have a right to get on that plane," said Pistole in an interview with the Christian Science Monitor. (3) When asked about the possibility of exempting grandmothers, he stated, "I hope no grandmother would ever be a suicide bomber. There have been two 64-year-olds who have committed suicide attacks in the world. What I'm concerned about is terrorists going out and getting someone who is 65, so where do you draw the line?" (4)
The new pat-down procedure has been humiliating for many travelers. One such example is Thomas D. Sawyer of Lansing, Michigan. Sawyer is a bladder cancer survivor who now wears a urostomy bag, which collects his urine from an opening in his abdomen. While being subjected to a pat-down by TSA officers, Mr. Sawyer tried to warn them of his medical condition. Describing the pat-down incident, Mr. Sawyer stated, "One agent watched as the other used his flat hand to go slowly down my chest. I tried to warn him that he would hit the bag and break the seal on my bag, but he ignored me. Sure enough, the seal was broken and urine started dribbling down my shirt and my leg and into my pants." The TSA officers never apologized, and Mr. Sawyer was forced to walk through the airport soaked in his own urine. Sawyer later stated, "I am totally appalled by the fact that agents that are performing these pat-downs have so little concern for people with medical conditions." (5)
So what could happen to a passenger if he should enter a screening line and then later refuse to undergo either the full-body scan or the pat-down? ABC News reports that as of August 20, 2009, the TSA has the authority to fine passengers up to $11,000 for refusing to be screened. (6) Although the TSA has yet to levy any fines, they have threatened to do so when dealing with uncooperative passengers. One such threat was issued by a TSA official to a passenger named John Tyner, who is now famous for having posted a video of his screening ordeal on YouTube. (7)
I suspect the new security screening procedures have less to do with safety and more to do with demoralizing and controlling the population. They want to herd us through like helpless cattle while we submit to their will and obey their every command regardless of how unreasonable it is. It has been the trend since the 9/11 attacks to slowly strip us of our rights. We are now starting to see the results of this gradual process as those of us in the United States now enjoy far fewer freedoms than we did on September 10, 2001. Yes, those were simpler days when neither the US Patriot Act, nor the Department of Homeland Security existed and your grandmother was not considered a potential terrorist.
End Times Economic Plight!
As the days, weeks, months, and now years continue to tick by, Barack Obama and his cronies continue to insist that our economy is recovering. In October 2010, the United States added 172,000 new jobs, and the headlines across the nation were suddenly jubilant and optimistic. The news stories left the impression that maybe the economy had finally turned the corner and the recovery was gaining momentum. Then November came along.
In a stunning turn of events, the United States added only 39,000 jobs in the month of November 2010. Based on positive reports from the previous month, economists had predicted an addition of 150,000 jobs. The official unemployment rate now sits at 9.8% with 15.1 million Americans considered unemployed. Paul Dales, U.S. economist for Capital Economics, had this to say, "November's U.S. employment report is a painful reality check for those hoping that a meaningful acceleration in economic activity was underway. The truth is that the economy is going nowhere at a time when companies are not willing to boost hiring." (8) According to a report by the Associated Press, the United States needs to add at least 120,000 jobs every month just to prevent unemployment from rising. (9) With so many millions of people out of work, it only takes common sense to realize that even within a growing economy, it would take several years for unemployment to recede to pre-recession levels. However, despite the so-called recovery, the unemployment rate has not been dropping. In fact, the official unemployment rate in the United States has been over nine percent for a record nineteen months. (10)
Even Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is expecting the unemployment rate to remain high for an extended period of time. "Between the peak and the end of last year, we lost eight-and-a-half million jobs. We've only gotten about a million of them back so far. And that doesn't even account for the new people coming into the labor force. At the rate we're going, it could be four, five years before we are back to a more normal unemployment rate," said Bernanke in an interview with the CBS News program, "60 Minutes." (11)
Unless Congress acts soon to prevent it, millions of people will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming months. Considering there are not enough jobs to go around and many people may soon have no income coming in, we will likely see an increase in instances of adult children moving back in with their parents, multiple families sharing homes, a continued increase in reliance on food stamps, and even homelessness. Carol Hardison, executive director of Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, stated, "We're going to have to have a new conversation with the people who are still suffering, about the potentially drastic changes they're going to have to make to stay out of the homeless shelter." (12)
Unemployment isn't the only issue plaguing the United States' economy. The housing market remains weak, the cost of food is rising, and many Americans are up to their ears in debt. In fact, nearly forty percent of retired Americans surveyed by CNBC said they've accumulated credit card debt during their retirement years and admitted they aren't planning to pay off the debt before passing on. Neil Ellington, executive vice president at CESI Debt Solutions, was quoted as saying, "At the end of the day, some people of a certain age say, 'it's too late in the game for me to do anything about it. I can't win. So I'm just going to stop playing the game.'" (13)
These are amazing and shocking times that we live in. For years our American money has been colloquially known as the "almighty dollar." Yet, Bloomberg News reported in November 2010 that the U.S. dollar may soon become the world's weakest currency. Tohru Sasaki, head of Japanese rates and foreign exchange research at JPMorgan & Chase stated, "The U.S. has the world's largest current-account deficit but keeps interest rates at virtually zero. The dollar can't avoid the status as the weakest currency." (14) It certainly appears that based on the news reports that we have been seeing over the last few months, the United States of America is on the decline.
When we consider the state of our American economy, it is easy to feel stressed out, worried, or angry as we struggle to get by. In fact, a recent ABC News/Yahoo poll found that 85 percent of respondents were angry about the state of the economy. (15) But as my father used to say, "This world isn't fair. There is no level playing field." However, there are manifold blessings in store for those who love and obey God. For as Jesus preached in the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew, chapter 5, "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." We serve a mighty God who can send manna from heaven, provide an endless supply of flour and oil, or feed a multitude with five barley loaves and two small fishes. God has promised to take care of us, and I believe that He will.
Witchcraft - Is It Real Or Make Believe?
We're living in a time when witchcraft and paganism permeate throughout world culture. Pagan beliefs and philosophies have found their way into books, television programs, movies, and in the day-to-day lives of people around the world. One such example can be found in the days of the week. Every single weekday in the English language is named after a false god or goddess. Sunday was named after the sun god. Monday was named after the moon goddess. Tuesday was named after the Germanic god Teiwaz (Tiw in Old English, or Tyr in Norse). Wednesday was named after the English god Woden (or Odin in Norse). Thursday was named after the Norse god Thor. Friday was named after the goddess Frigg. Finally, Saturday was named after the ancient Roman god Saturn.
Considering the origins of the names of our days, it is not surprising that pagan influence is found throughout pop culture as well. I recall reading a plot summary for the movie "Avatar" when it was first released. In the description of the film, it was mentioned that the inhabitants of the fictional planet Pandora worship a "mother goddess." James Cameron obviously has a level of familiarity of paganism since the concept of worshipping a mother goddess is pure witchcraft.
Of course, few icons of pop culture have done more to raise awareness of witchcraft than the Harry Potter franchise. Many people, including Christians, claim it's just fantasy, and that there's nothing wrong with reading the books or watching the movies. However, the Bible makes it very clear that God hates witchcraft. Anything that attempts to put forth witchcraft in a positive light is contrary to the Word of God. Presenting witchcraft as child-friendly fantasy doesn't make God hate it any less.
Yet many Christians can't seem to get enough Harry Potter, and a theologian by the name of Dr. Stephen Holmes has even gone as far as to claim that Harry Potter should be seen as "Christ-like." Dr. Holmes has made the claim, "The behavior that is recommended in the Potter books is profoundly Christian." Holmes further stated, "JK Rowling is not saying to people 'you ought to be a witch'. She is trying to imagine a world in which wizardry and witchcraft are a reality and that is an important distinction." (16) It is not necessary to imagine a world where witchcraft is a reality. It already is a reality and has been for thousands of years.
Examples of witchcraft and paganism can be easily found all over the world. In fact, there are more "occult healers" in Russia than medical doctors. (17) At the recent climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico, the proceedings were opened with a woman named, Christiana Figueres, praying to the ancient pagan goddess known as Ixchel. (18) According to a recent news story, prisoners in the United Kingdom will now be given four days off per year to celebrate their pagan festivals. Prisons have also been told they must prepare special food for its pagan inmates if it is required for them to properly celebrate their customs. (19) Yes, witchcraft is real; it is dangerous too, and as Christians we should follow the Biblical admonishment to abstain from all appearance of evil.
Science Fiction, Minus The Fiction!
My father used to say that if Frankenstein were a real person and alive today they would award him the Nobel Prize. That seems like a very poignant observation when we consider some of the projects scientists are working on these days. Researchers at John Hopkins University are working on a pill that could permanently erase memories. Those involved in the study say it could be an effective treatment for people suffering from such afflictions as post traumatic stress disorder or other instances of painful memories. Kate Farinholt, executive director of the mental health support and information group, NAMI Maryland, was rather critical of the idea. "Erasing a memory and then everything bad built on that is an amazing idea and I can see all sorts of potential. But completely deleting a memory, assuming it's one memory, is a little scary. How do you remove a memory without removing a whole part of someone's life, and is it best to do that, considering that people grow and learn from their experiences?" (20) I'm sure there are many nefarious entities out there who would just love to have access to such a convenient and handy brainwashing tool.
A Technology Review article published by MIT has reported that researchers at Tufts University have now made a small implantable antenna from liquid silk and micropatterned gold. The antenna is designed to detect specific proteins and chemicals in the body and then send wireless alerts to doctors to warn them of signs of disease. (21)
As most of you probably already know, I've covered the advancement of cashless payment systems in previous newsletters. I've already written about various systems that are being developed to use smart phones for monetary transactions. Now another system is being designed through a joint venture with AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile. (22) The system is known as Isis, and the wireless companies are hoping to roll out the system in about a year and a half. Michael Abbott, the chief executive officer of Isis, seems to have big plans for the program. "While mobile payments will be at the core of our offering, it is only the start. We plan to create a mobile wallet that ultimately eliminates the need for consumers to carry cash, credit and debit cards, reward cards, coupons, tickets and transit passes." (23) It is interesting to note that the new system is called Isis, which is named after a pagan goddess from ancient Egyptian mythology. Isis was believed to be the mother of the Egyptian god Horus. Horus also has ties to our money system as his all-seeing eye is prominently featured on the back of the United States' one-dollar bill.
The Declining Health Of Americans!
In the United States we often hear about new breakthroughs in medical research. Yet, despite all the progress that has been made over the last century, Americans are facing an increasing number of health risks all the time. Obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are all widespread and seem to be growing worse with every passing year. In fact, recent studies indicate that over half of all Americans will either be prediabetic or diabetic by the year 2020. The projected medical cost for the affliction is expected to rise to $500 billion per year. (24)
CNBC reported in November 2010 that 45 million Americans, or 20 percent of the adult population, were suffering from a mental illness in 2009. (25) A recent government survey found that one out of every ten children supposedly suffers from ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (26) Of course, diagnosis of a mental illness or ADHD is usually left to the interpretation of doctors and those in the medical or psychiatric profession. Many patients may not actually be suffering from the disorders they're diagnosed with. The unfortunate end result is millions of Americans being put on drugs. Those drug prescriptions result in vast profits for the pharmaceutical companies while inhibiting the ability of a large portion of the American population to think clearly. In some cases, the side effects from drugs can be worse than the symptoms of the disorder. I recall seeing a recent commercial for an antidepressant which had an extensive list of side effects, including "suicidal thoughts" and "death."
As if Americans were not sick enough already, the state of California recently approved the use of a pesticide which had been previously linked to cancer. Officials in California have insisted that the chemical, which is known as methyl iodide, is safe to use despite the fact that it is toxic. (27) John Krist, CEO of the Ventura County Farm Bureau stated, "I appreciate people's concerns about the health risk, but the mere fact that the chemical is toxic is not an issue." Among those protesting the approval of methyl iodide was Assemblyman Bill Monning, who was quoted as saying, "I think there is sufficient scientific evidence to say that this chemical is unsafe at any speed." It is expected that California fruit producers will widely use the chemical on strawberry crops. Unfortunately, methyl iodide is already registered in 47 states and used on tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other crops. (28)
The Growing Korean Crisis!
On November 23, 2010, North Korea attacked South Korea with what has been called the most aggressive act of war in Korea since the 1950s. After the South refused to heed warnings from the North to halt military drills near disputed waters, North Korea shelled the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, which is home to military installations and a small civilian population. The attack resulted with the death of four people: two civilians and two marines, and it left eighteen people wounded. (29)
South Korea is understandably upset and has issued several threats of war to the North. The South's newly appointed defense minister, Kim Kwan-jin, stated in a speech, "If North Korea carries out a military provocation on our territory and people again, we must retaliate immediately and strongly until they completely surrender." (30) In response, North Korea has threatened the South with nuclear war. (31) North Korea already has nuclear weapons and is believed to be enriching weapons-grade plutonium at up to four sites, according to a report by The Daily Telegraph. (32)
Ultimately, the direction this crisis takes could depend on the actions of China. China is North Korea's only major ally, and without the Chinese aid they receive, North Korea would have likely collapsed a long time ago. The United States has been hoping that China would rebuke North Korea over the recent attacks, but so far China has continued to express support for North Korea. This situation has been quite distressing to the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Mullen stated, "The Chinese have enormous influence over the North, influence that no other nation on earth enjoys. And yet, despite a shared interest in reducing tensions, they appear unwilling to use it.... Even tacit approval of Pyongyang's brazenness leaves all their neighbors asking, 'What will be next?'" (33)
A Fatal Mix Of Sin!
Although God has a remnant people, there is wholesale sin taking place all over the globe twenty-four hours a day. Here are a few shocking examples of things taking place around the world. A New Hampshire couple pulled their son out of high school after he was given an assignment to read a book entitled "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America." In the book, the author referred to Jesus Christ as "a wine guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist." (34)
Life News reported in November 2010 that the United States has aborted 53 million babies since the Roe Vs. Wade decision in 1973. (35) That number must seem quite delightful to Ted Turner who recently urged world leaders to adopt a global one-child per family policy in order to "save the earth's environment." (36) Here let it be noted that the hypocritical Mr. Turner is the father of five children.
Twenty-nine percent of children under eighteen in the United States now live with a parent or parents who are unwed or no longer married. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that 39% of respondents believe marriage is becoming obsolete. (37)
In November 2010, Muslims set fire to at least ten houses belonging to Christians in Egypt after rumors spread that a Christian man had an affair with a Muslim girl, according to a report by the Associated Press. (38) Once again, the true colors of Islam are showing, and it certainly is not a religion of peace.
In closing, I want to encourage you all to stay strong in the faith. The reality we face is a world that is growing ever harsher to the remnant Christian people. While many of the current events now happening are hard to bear, we can take comfort in the fact that all the signs we see point to the soon return of our Lord and Savior. Let us continue to watch and pray and look up, for our redemption draweth nigh. If you have any prayer requests, please do not hesitate to send them our way. Our teams of intercessors will give each prayer request individual attention. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Samuel David Meyer
Acknowledgements
01. Associated Press, November 16, 2010, By Joan Lowy and Adam Goldman, Washington, D.C.
02. MSNBC, November 24, 2010, By Amanda Chan, http://today.msnbc.msn.com.
03. The Christian Science Monitor, November 26, 2010, By Dave Cook, Washington, D.C.
04. Ibid.
05. MSNBC, November 22, 2010, By Harriet Baskus, http://msnbc.msn.com.
06. ABC News, November 23, 2010, By Susanna Kim, http://abcnews.go.com.
07. Ibid.
08. Associated Press, December 3, 2010, By Jeannine Aversa, Washington, D.C.
09. Ibid.
10. Politics Daily, December 6, 2010, By Carla Baranauckas, http://politicsdaily.com.
11. Ibid.
12. Associated Press, December 1, 2010, By Tom Breen, http://associatedpress.com.
13. CNBC, November 16, 2010, By Cindy Perman, http://cnbc.com.
14. Bloomberg News, November 17, 2010, By Shigeki Nozawa, http://bloomberg.com.
15. The Christian Science Monitor, November 24, 2010, By Patrik Jonsson, Atlanta, GA.
16. The Telegraph, October 24, 2010, By Auslan Cramb, http://telegraph.co.uk.
17. RIA Novosti, January 11, 2010, By RIA Novosti, Moscow, Russia.
18. Washington Post, November 29, 2010, By Juliet Eilperin, http://washingtonpost.com.
19. The Daily Mail, December 7, 2010, By Jack Doyle, http://dailymail.co.uk.
20. Baltimore Sun, November 22, 2010, By Meredith Cohn, http://baltimoresun.com.
21. MIT Technology Review, August 18, 2010, By Jennifer Chu, http://technologyreview.com.
22. Fox News, November 30, 2010, By John R Quain, http://foxnews.com.
23. Daily Tech, November 16, 2010, By Shane McGlaun, http://dailytech.com.
24. Medical News Today, November 23, 2010, By Christian Nordqvist, http://medicalnewstoday.com.
25. Reuters News Service, November 18, 2010, By Julie Steenhuysen, Chicago, IL.
26. Associated Press, November 11, 2010, By Mike Stobbe, Atlanta, GA.
27. Associated Press, December 1, 2010, By Garance Burke, Fresno, CA.
28. Ibid.
29. Associated Press, November 24, 2010, By Hyung-Jin Kim and Kwang-Tae Kim, Incheon, South Korea.
30. Associated Press, December 4, 2010, By Kim Kwang-Tae, Seoul, South Korea.
31. Associated Press, December 13, 2010, By Hyung-Jin Kim, Seoul, South Korea.
32. The Daily Telegraph, December 14, 2010, By Peter Foster, http://telegraph.co.uk.
33. The Christian Science Monitor, December 9, 2010, By Tom A Peter, http://csmonitor.com.
34. Fox News, December 06, 2010, By Diane Macedo, http://foxnews.com.
35. Life News, November 26, 2010, By Steven Ertelt, http://lifenews.com.
36. The Globe And Mail, December 5, 2010, By Shawn McCarthy, http://theglobeandmail.com.
37. Associated Press, November 18, 2010, By Hope Yen, Washington, D.C.
38. Associated Press, November 16, 2010, By Salah Nasrawi, Cairo, Egypt.
Special Note: A new tribute website for Pastor David J. Meyer can now be accessed at http://pastormeyer.org.
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