Sunday, November 28, 2004

Hell, Alaska

I was reading through Say Anything when I came across this story and then decided to go read the journal related to the story. She can't spell to save her life. But then, she doesn't have to now does she? Rachelle Ann Monica Waterman (16) murdered her mother, Lauri Waterman (48). The Anchorage Daily News reports it here:
According to court documents, Arrant helped Radel buy duct tape and gloves on Saturday to be used in the crime. He allegedly dropped Radel off near Waterman's home in Craig, where shortly after midnight, Radel kidnapped the woman, forced her into her own minivan and killed her with a blunt object, according to Alaska State Trooper Robert Claus.
The two 24-year old guys, James Allen Arrant and Brian James Radel, were accomplices. All three are charged with first-degree murder. The guys kidnapped the mom, bound her with duct tape, killed her with a blunt object, drove her minivan to the dead end of a logging road with her in the back, doused everything in gasoline, and then set it all on fire. The father reported her missing when he came back from a meeting in Juneau. Rachel was at a volleyball tournament in Anchorage. The boys knew the mom would be alone because Rachel told them.

According to her journal entry here, she wasn't the only one in her school who made the news. Exactly what kind of darkness is looming in Craig?

And as if this entry wasn't prophetic? Weapon of choice: Flamethrower. Interesting. Homocidal insanity level: 58%? Well, I guess she did share the homocide with two others making her percentage of involvement close to half. I wonder if she'll really spend 19 years in jail? Hmmm.

This is pretty insightful.

And she said "violent people suck".

If you read this entry, go to this website to see where her words came from.

And don't think for a minute that she never went to church.

Reading her journal, I learned that she was a Senior in high school, taking Calculus, accepted in Honor Choir, trying out for a play, and involved on the high school Volleyball team. I read this entry and it only says about a total of 3 lines, but so much was said and done that wasn't seen. One can only wonder if her mom truly tossed her out... or if she said, "Get out of this house!" (or something to that effect) in complete frustration (the joys of being a parent) and Rachel was so ready to go because of some rebellious streak or because she felt like her mom didn't love her and she just chose to leave on her own. Then when her mom found out where she was actually staying (which she had to have called around or searched for her - which shows she cared, whether or not someone wants to admit that)...she probably "freaked out" because she realized that Rachel would really leave. Not because she thought Rachel would tell someone. In a town of 1200 people, you pretty much know everyone. Especially, if there is only one major grocery store and high school in the area. Not much remains hidden. Flying down the stairs... was she hit and then lost balance and fell down the stairs? Was she literally thrown down the stairs? All we get to hear is her part. Her mother would probably tell a different story. That's usually how it works.
I wanted a pentogram on the upper butt cheek (hidden so say my mother doesn't see it) and it's almsot done. I ahve a star on m ybutt, I jsut need the circle. I ahve to find a big paper clip or somethign and bend it in a circle to get it all done at once. For the star at first it was bit by bit then the person got smart and went like half side at a time. that sucked massively, especially at first. Thoguh it only hurts for hte first instance, then it's just...wierd feeling. But yes I now have a burned star in my butt, when it's compeltely finished I might take a pic and put it up here, I won't show my ass the just the pentogram.
Her parents found wicca books, she has a screen name of "Satan's Mistress", her picture for her Live Journal is of a BDSM female figure, and she got a pentagram on her butt. I think this explains clearly her fascination with darkness. I bet she had no clue what it would lead to in the end. But that's what happens when you play with the wrong spiritual things. A clip from what I said before:
Wiccans are looking for a spiritual guide. They're just looking in the wrong place. It's natural to be interested in the spirit world. We're 1/3rd spirit. But it's just a matter of being interested in the right kind of Spirit. There are too many that will damage our lives.

Saturday, November 27, 2004

Holy Nuclear War, Batman!

Palestinians, Chechens, and Arabs… all working together as terrorists?
Well, at least they show they can “work together” in one area – but unfortunately that area has to be for evil? It cannot be for good? Killing people. Holding people hostage. Threatening the lives of innocents to get the world’s attention.

Muslim Chechens (see this story: Leading Islamic Leader In Russia Calls for Jihad against U.S.) and Muslim Palestinians are joining with Muslim Arabs to fight a “holy war”. What exactly started this “holy war”? What insanity provoked these terrorists into believing they have some right – granted by God a.k.a. Allah – to kill:
  • Anyone.
  • Anyone who does not believe as they do.
  • Anyone who is American.
  • Anyone who is a “Westerner”.
  • Anyone who is a foreigner working in Iraq.
  • Anyone who is a foreigner working in Afghanistan.
  • Anyone who is trying to do some good by feeding people, providing medical assistance, creating jobs, or repairing utilities and buildings.
  • Anyone who is a child.
I don’t get it – why do Muslim Terrorists target children?? In the U.S. we saw that guy from Tacoma who was going around the U.S. sniping people…and he actually had the insanity to target a child at a school. Recently, we saw Chechen Muslim Terrorists holding children hostage in a Beslan, North Ossetia school after setting off explosions and shooting schoolchildren and teachers as they tried to escape. An October 13 report says a member of Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party was holding layout plans for six (6) U.S. schools in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey and Oregon on a computer diskette because he was supposedly “collecting information from the Internet sites of American schools that would be useful for emergency planning for Iraqi schools”. I like to think well about people too – but please don’t sugarcoat a potential threat. Especially when that same report indicates that:
1. These terrorists entered Arizona from northern Mexico into an area that’s difficult for U.S. Border agents to monitor,
2. A suspected al Qaeda leader, Adnan Shukrijumah, was spotted in Mexico and is believed to be seeking ways to bring al Qaeda members into the United States, and
3. Since October 2003, authorities have arrested five Arabs attempting to cross illegally into the United States from Mexico. This is a war. Authority figures will say anything to calm the fears of people to prevent public panic, but it doesn’t hurt to know the truth so we can be a cautious public.
ABC News
The new message opens with a plea for advice from Palestinian and Chechen militants as well as Osama bin Laden supporters in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "We face many problems," it reads in Arabic, "and need your military guidance since you have more experience."
…"This particular memo asks for strategic advice, but it makes it very clear in the text that what they really want are volunteers, money and more munitions," said military analyst Tony Cordesman, an ABC News consultant.
Analysts say the message appears to be written by the same man, identified as Abu Ahmed al-Baghdadi, who posted a plan of action on the Internet a few weeks ago that included kidnapping interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's relatives and attacking British troops.
Well I guess this particular story has a theory that’s beginning to prove true:
“The Chechen group is suspected of having links to Islamist terrorists seeking to separate the southern enclave of Chechnya from Russia, according to officials familiar with intelligence reports.”
I admit something needs to be done about these terrorists, but I don’t think a nuclear weapon is the answer:
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, yesterday announced, out of the blue, that Moscow has developed a new, secret and terrible nuclear weapon unequalled elsewhere in the world.
…His announcement was all the more bizarre because the speech was aimed primarily against terrorists - the one group of enemies who are, by their nature, not best dealt with by nuclear weapons.”

C’mon Putin, put that thing away. The last thing we need in this already crazy world of third worlds at war is to think a nuclear warhead is going to resolve the third world war. Each third world country that is rising up militantly against countries like Britain, Russia, and the United States is not only going to be annihilated by the nuclear warhead, but it’s going to annihilate parts of other countries not intended to receive the blast AND it’s going to piss someone off enough to have THEM send off an additional nuclear warhead. It’s going to be more chaos than already exists. It will end this world. It will ruin us all.

What we need right now is for Muslim terrorists around the world to stop acting like the right hand of Satan and realize that their war is oxymoronic in nature. I don’t think you guys really know what Allah wants. If you did, you would not encourage others to take up arms and other weapons to kill others… or to use your bare hands to strangle them if there are no weapons available… as an alternative to prayer. Instead, you would pray.

Saddam Has No Rights

AMMAN (Reuters)

It (Saddam’s defence team lawyers) accused the United States of mass killings and of violating the Geneva Convention, and cited the actions of U.S. soldiers and their allies in Fallujah and other Iraqi cities.

"We continue to stress that Saddam is the legitimate president of Iraq and his government is the only government that represents Iraqis, thus any member of this regime is able to file the suit," he told Reuters.

The team has expressed frustration on several occasions that none of Saddam's lawyers had so far been allowed to see him. They have previously threatened legal action against the U.S. administration for that.



Maybe I’m just naïve to how this whole process works when it comes to war, but isn’t it pretty reasonable to detain a well-known dictator with a crazy following of suicidal folks just waiting for his word to do this or do that and not let anyone near him who has the potential of carrying out some message of his to his followers?

Heck, this guy - Ziad al Khasawneh - just got done saying that Iraq was still under Saddam and his government. Does that sound like a sane statement? I mean, come on, the whole world witnessed that Saddam was captured. His statue was toppled over – no longer erect. His 20 palaces – some on man-made islands surrounded by man-made lakes – were discovered and ruined.

Saddam –

*The man who permitted his sons to rape Arab women, even if they were married, in order to “punish” someone – whether it was the women or the men married to them or the brothers or …someone. But was also sadistic in permitting beheadings, tortures, and murders aside from rape. All to Iraqi women. (Read here.) (And here is a story from one Iraqi officer.)

*The man who abused the UN’s Oil For Food program – buying off Russia, China, and France with the money from the program. Three permanent Security Council members.

*The man who starved his own people as a result of this UN Oil For Food scandal – “the largest financial swindle in history”. (Story here.) [Read the story – enlightens readers everywhere about how Terrorist Leaders like to “make deals”… unchanged tune for hundreds of years.]

*The man who assassinated someone in order to rise to the top as leader of Iraq.

*The man who had “a fervent admiration of Hitler.”

And so on and so forth.
And I’m sorry, but this is a war. People will die. Innocent or not. Saddam said himself this would be a “mother of all wars”. But yet he instigated it. He had help - you know he was behind this. So come on – what kind of idiot would want ANYONE near this twisted tyrant now that he’s behind bars where he belongs?? He wants the world to feel sorry for him? He wants to repent for his sins against his own people and humanity? (I don’t think his & his followers’ version of Allah would approve.) He wants RIGHTS?? He gave those up the minute he impeded on others’ rights. What right does he have? HE has the right to remain silent. The right to await judgment. The right to know that Iraq will be freed from the 24 years of tyranny he brought to that land – oppressing people to appease his paranoid butt and make he and his sons rich.

Look what has come from his years of rule: pain, oppression, violence, death. And this kind of rule doesn't like to give up without a fight. Welp - here we are.

He has no rights now. I think these so-called “defense lawyers” are better off accepting that fact.

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

U.N. Oil For Food Scandal

Time is the sister of Truth.

Whatever is done in secret will be exposed. Just give it time.

And quit with the whining already. The war is happening – there’s no distraction from that. The very incredibly appalling story that is LINKED to this war needs to come out LOUD AND CLEAR. Now call for Kofi Annan’s resignation. He didn’t like this war to begin with – didn’t approve of it. But I think we’re beginning to understand why.

What’s REALLY going on, Private?

Story here.

Others believe the US is using the investigations as a way of distracting attention from the war. Mr Shay said: "Well, the UN is sure making it easy (to attack)."

The oil-for-food program ran from 1997 to 2003. It was supposed to allow Saddam to sell oil, provided he used the money only to buy food and medicine.

Since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, evidence has emerged that Saddam found many ways to skim billions from the program. Some of that money allegedly went to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers. It is also alleged that Saddam paid foreign journalists and sympathetic foreign officials, as a way of getting them to campaign to get the sanctions lifted. Around 270 people are alleged to have received vouchers to sell oil for millions of dollars in profit.



And we wondered where all that money was coming from, pouring into Saddam's pockets. Usually, when a country's EEEEEEEEVIL leaders *pinky to corner of mouth* are amassing weapons to fuel a war, they look for ways to amass money first. And the way they amass money is always criminal:

  1. Money Laundering,

  2. Drug Trafficking,

  3. AND NOW... having the UN as aiders and abetters to let them slide by!!

Gotta love World Security, huh? What is the UN good for if they cannot even police something like that?? They're all scammers. The whole lot of them. And they call THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA the "bad guy" because... waaaaaaah... we're tough and don't take no shit off no one. They don't like our methods because our no-nonsense, push-our-way-through, get-the-job-done, stick-our-nose-in-because-you-took-a-shot-at-us, ways are just too much for them to swallow.

Stop acting like a bunch of criminals and we'll stop kicking your arse.

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG FOLKS??


Monday, November 22, 2004

Dept. Of Peace & Conflict Research

Here is a great website to research conflict in Afghanistan. It gives the names of all the different parties warring against the government - I'll list them here:

Jamiat-i-Islami, Taleban, Hezb-i-Islami, Hezb-i-Wahdat, & Jumbish-i-Milli-ye-Islami.

I don't believe this is a comprehensive list since I did not see Jaish-e-Muslimeen (JM) - Army of Muslims - listed. But it's good research information for anyone interested.

More Hostages

Do Muslims want to be represented in this way?

BBC News - A group calling itself the Army of Muslims says it is holding the hostages, who had been helping to organise the presidential election on 9 October.
I don't think these people really think about the effect their name has on themselves or those around them when they go dubbing themselves something like "Holders of the Black Banner" or "Army of Muslims" [a.k.a. Jaish-e-Muslimeen (JM)]. This latest group was founded in December 2001 by a former Taleban commander: Akbar Agha. Those people in the group are probably all Muslim for sure, but I think the Muslim community, as a whole, really does not approve of these hostage-taking events. I’d like to think so anyway.

As for Bin Laden:

"As we all know, there are many holes in which he can hide. I am confident, however, that sooner or later we will find him. We will stick our head into the right hole and there he'll be."
I hope they find that hole by the New Year. That would be a great relief once he is finally captured. Both he & Zarqawi.

Sunday, November 21, 2004

The Passion

I finally got the courage up to watch The Passion a couple of nights ago. I feared watching it because I know what that whole thing does to me. I kept avoiding it and avoiding it. I finally bought it a few weeks ago and STILL kept avoiding watching it. I mean - I owned it now. But I was still afraid to watch it. I say "afraid" because that's the best description of the anxiety I was feeling. I know that to face actually watching what Jesus went through on his last days in fleshly form would be an incredible eye-opener and cause me to examine the pitiful existence I have mostly created for the last 31 years. To include all the relationships gone sour, the crap I've gotten involved in, the people I have hated, the things I have done, the words I have spoken to others, and all the hurtful, unnecessary, evil-minded things I've thought of, done, or said. I don't rehash all that in order to express some form of guilt. I've done it and been forgiven of it. But the fact I went through all of it and wasted that part of my life as a result is that much more amplified in the microscope of this probe into the sin-bearing death of Jesus.

Now for those of you who do not believe in God... or in Jesus… or who do not quite comprehend “the gift of eternal life” that is paid at the price of this death on the Cross by Jesus - It's simple.

You have heard, and it is whether or not we like it, that Jesus is the Son of God. Came to Earth in fleshly form. He knew what it would cost to take all of man's (that's plural by the way... that includes men, women, children... all of humankind) sin and pay for it so that man could have eternal life with a merciful, loving Father... God. This is the “new covenant”. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of it.

See, in the Old Testament, God had the Levites sacrifice a goat for the sins of all the people once a year. The Levites were the priests descended from the line of Abraham. They were an entire tribe – one of twelve tribes of Israel. They were appointed by God to serve Aaron - Moses' brother. God appointed Aaron as a priest. (Exodus 29:9, 44) The Levites were to serve in the Tabernacle, and all duties surrounding the Tabernacle were theirs. It used to be that every firstborn of a woman was given to God for service. A prime example is to read the book of Samuel I. His mom, Hannah, wanted a child but could not have one. So she prayed to the Lord and asked for a son and vowed to give him to the service of the Lord should he be born. Sure enough, she birthed Samuel and she made good on her promise. However, the Levites were instituted by God to take up that old ritual. Instead of accepting the firstborn among the children of Israel, God made the Levites that firstborn offering. They were His to serve Him. (Read Numbers chapter 3 verses 5-13.)

But a final scapegoat was needed once and for all. The blood of an animal could not save man for eternity. It was an imperfect sacrifice and had to be done repeatedly. There were too many things to do in an offering and they had to be done at certain times. (Just like the 10 commandments… there were too many laws to remember and it was hard to fulfill these laws by remembering to do or not do certain things.) A perfect sacrifice was needed. God made this sin-offering really user-friendly. But the sad thing is, there had to be an object of sacrifice. So Jesus, being the Son of God, stepped up to the plate and said, "I'll do it, Father." And with that - he was born on Earth, given to us by God the Father, to be an example to us – showing us how to walk with God and how to commune with Him. He told parables – which are stories that give a message of instruction – in order to teach us about some of the “mysteries” of our existence and God’s ways.

This is no myth, folks. But for those of you who wish to decree there is no God - or that Jesus is just another prophet - or that Satan doesn't exist - or that this is all just stories... well, it's going to be a rude-awakening when it's too late to turn back for you. Death waits for no man - and when you're no longer flesh, but you realize you’re “alive” (because, fact is, our spirits must return to God to make an account for how we lived) and you’re facing the Judgment Day with the books open and your life story is read... it would have been better if you just acted on Faith and believed... then do a little research to find out what you're believing in. Kinda like the Nike slogan: “Just do it.” What harm would it do? Ok so you might get called names, like I have been called, such as “Bible thumper” or “Holy roller”. Or you might get told you’re in a cult because you spend too much time at church or with church members. Your lifestyle might change because the things you used to do don’t appeal to you anymore. You get a little feeling inside of you when a song comes on and that feeling says, “I don’t like that.” So you stop listening to it. You stop watching certain movies. Let me say that you’re not missing out on anything if you do stop watching or listening to certain things. They just don’t appeal anymore.

The Christian walk: It’s an individual journey. Nobody can walk your walk. Nobody can walk mine. We have our own steps to travel. Nobody could do what Jesus did. Those were His ordained steps. And Thank God He had the love to do it.

At any rate, the movie was quite accurate. I was amazed. I knew what was going to happen next. The only additions that I found were:

* the actual appearance of Satan in some scenes… which in a way was necessary because it is important for people to understand that Jesus wrestled with Satan too – I mean, this was a very important event in the history of the Spirit realm and by no means was Satan going to be absent from this event. It was going to define Christianity and the church like nothing before it. It was going to spell out the defeat of Satan’s rebellion against God. A more “in-your-face” approach than ever before.
* Jesus' saying some extra things in the Garden of Gethsemane… of course He said more than “If it be Your will, let this cup (chalice) pass from me. But not my will – Yours be done.” However, we do not get to read his entire conversation/prayer with God in the Bible – we only get to read that which the disciples had heard when they saw him. Yes, Jesus was wrestling with Satan in the Garden – not physically, but mentally. So that was a good addition in the movie: to have Satan in the background asking questions like, “Who are you? Who is your father?” It shows us that there was doubt entering into Jesus’ mind and he had to overcome that doubt. By the way, “Your will be done” is part of the “Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4). We can pray for anything we want, but if God does not want it – it won’t happen. But if you push too much, He might give it – then be careful what you ask for. It’s like when children ask their parents for something. A parent may not give it because it is not good for the child. But there might be a time that a parent will give in to the pushy requests of a child just to get the child to stop begging for it over and over and over and over again.
* Peter and John saying some extra things in the Garden (they talked about Jesus looking fearful)... Okay yeah, we don’t get to read what the disciples actually discuss when Jesus wakes them up from sleeping, but I can imagine them saying something like what was said in the movie: “Dude, what was that all about?” “I don’t know. He seems afraid.” “Yeah. Totally.” (Valley version.)
* I appreciated how at different scenes, it cuts to show a past event where Jesus had spoken to people or done something, and how it related the current scene. For example, when he was hanging on the Cross, it cut to a scene where he was sitting with his disciples and broke bread and passed it around. Then a cup of wine was passed around. And he was saying to them, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19,20) The purpose of that cut scene was to remind believers that his body was broken and his blood poured out to pay the price of our sins. (Isaiah 53:12) When we go to church and we take communion, the purpose of the communion is to proclaim the Lord’s death until he returns. (1 Cor 11:26-34) We need to examine ourselves and understand the gravity of this death – how it was delivered, why it was done, what it accomplished. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) We may have sins that aren’t dealt with and they need to be removed from our lives. So we bring these things to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Don’t forget to forgive others in your life before asking God for forgiveness. It is important to forgive others first, otherwise He will not forgive you. Then, we eat the wafer (or piece of bread) and we drink the wine (or grape juice). Don’t just eat and drink this because you skipped out on breakfast or dinner and your stomach is grumbling. That would be a bad thing. You eat and drink judgment on yourself. “When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (1 Cor 11:32) He teaches you so you don’t make a grave mistake. Get it? GRAVE mistake? DOH!

I broke out the Kleenex(c) for most of it. I was angry through parts of it in the beginning and had to ask for forgiveness for how I felt.

I mean, think about it: Here is this guy and he's proclaiming to be the Son of God? Nobody even really knew God then. How were they to believe that this man was God’s Son? God was never seen. He’s invisible. But now – they can see His son? All they knew was how to be manipulated by the Sadducees & Pharisees - the supposed "Holier Than Thou" religious leaders of the time. The very men who plotted to kill Jesus. He came unto his own and his own knew him not.

Watching the movie gave me a real understanding of what He went through. The blood poured out continuously from His body. I realized some things as I watched. For instance, the final moment before he let go of the spirit he said, "It is done." I wonder if in that moment it meant that the last bit of blood was poured out from his body. The final drop of blood - that which was the full price of our sin - had dripped forth. "He was wounded for our sins, he was bruised for our iniquity; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his stripes we are healed."

The movie made his punishment more real to me. I had heard it preached a time or two, but it never had the kind of affect it did by visually taking in the immensity of his torture. Matthew 27:26 and Mark 14:15 simply states that Pilate “had Jesus flogged”. The Bible does not go into great detail what kind of torment, abuse, pain, and the such that Jesus went through when he was “flogged”. It does not describe the flogging. It was enough to explain that he was flogged. It was important to know that he was flogged, ridiculed, made to wear a crown of thorns, mocked and given the sign: THE KING OF THE JEWS, and then crucified with two robbers on the hill called Skull. For believers, this is what God wanted to bring across: He paid a price. But for those who know there is more to the word “flogging” than what is so casually broadcasted from behind the pulpit most often, they go through the extent of explaining the ritual details of a Roman flogging: The devices that are used and the order in which they are used in. For those of us who take the word “flogging” so lightly when we read those two verses (Mt 27:26, Mk 14:15), this movie makes the statement loud and clear with graphic visuals.

One thing of importance that people must understand (especially if they have not read the Bible – or any other written account of this situation) when they watch this movie is that it was the 1. chief priests, 2. the rulers of the people, and 3. the teachers of the law who wanted Jesus crucified. They were envious of him. Even the Roman governor (Pontius Pilate) to whom they brought Jesus to knew that. (Matthew 27:18) It was not the Jews – the people – who called for Jesus’ death. It was the religious leaders. The religious leaders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and have Jesus executed. (Matthew 27:20) If you watch the movie closely, you will note that the religious leaders held a meeting right after Judas betrays Jesus. The guards bring Jesus into the meeting of the Sanhedrin. The high priest, Caiaphas, presides over the meeting to bring accusations against Jesus. He is the one in the movie who grabs his shirt and rips it at the chest, splitting it at the end of the meeting, “He speaks blasphemy!”

During the meeting in the movie, one of the religious leaders comments something like, “Who called this meeting at this hour of the day?” This was to show the audience that the religious leaders did not all agree with the high priest in the matter of Jesus. Nicodemus was one such religious leader who did not agree. But he was mocked as a result. (John 7:50-52) I think they implemented his words into the meeting portion of the movie, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he’s doing?

In the movie, Mary Magdalene had tried to persuade one of the Roman soldiers to help Jesus by telling him that “they” (the religious leaders) seized Jesus in secret. Then one of the religious dudes says to the Roman soldier, “She’s crazy. It’s just some criminal who violated the temple laws.” Something like that.

Unfortunately, the religious leaders were Jewish. But they did not represent the Jewish people as a whole. They were manipulative, greedy, controlling men who used their influence on the people. Not all of them were that way though as I pointed out. If you recall in the movie, there were a few who spoke out during the meeting (such as the guy who said something about calling the meeting at that hour of the day). But they were shooed away and removed from the meeting because they were hindering the accusation process.

Another thing people need to understand when they watch this movie (if they’ve never read the Bible), is that all the things that happened to Jesus were prophesied long before he was even born. The Old Testament may seem like a bunch of old stories about the history of the Jews, but there were prophets (i.e. Isaiah & Jeremiah) and a King (David – in the book of Psalms) who spoke about Jesus’ life and acts before he even came into the world. The Old Testament confirms much of the New Testament. The Bible is written for a purpose. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16,17) By inspiration of God. Men’s hands wrote it, but God inspired it. Careful not to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (Luke 12:10) What is in the Bible was meant to be – what is not was left out for a purpose. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. (John 21:25) God does not make mistakes. He makes purposes. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10,11)

My favorite scene of the movie was…the ending, of course. It took them one day to beat him till all the blood poured from his body. He was unrecognizable after one day. The temple of God that housed his spirit - his body - was damaged to no end. And after three days of being in the grave - his flesh body was rejuvenated without a scratch to be seen (save the nail scars in his hands so Thomas the doubter could believe later on). He rose. Death and the grave were defeated. (1 Corinthians 15:54,55)

One Man laid his life down for all of us. One God loved us to do this.
No man could do this but God. What kind of Love is this?
It will never have to happen again, it was done once and for all.
All we have to do is believe. That is the Gift of God. The Gift of Love.


About Jesus' punishment

Isaiah 52
13 See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him -
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness-
15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.


About Jesus, his life, his death, the reason, and his reward.

Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

The time is NOW. Just do it.

Isaiah 55
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD , and he will have mercy on him,
and to our
God, for he will freely pardon.

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD .
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
About Satan’s Existence
Isaiah 14
5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the
wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual
stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none
hindereth.
7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break
forth into singing.
8 Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of
Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against
us.
9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy
coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth;
it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also
become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of
thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the
morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the
nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into
heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the
mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will
be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of
the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and
consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did
shake kingdoms;
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the
cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
18 All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in
glory, every one in his own house.
19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable
branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword,
that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because
thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall
never be renowned.
21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of
their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of
the world with cities.
22 For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of
hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew,
saith the LORD.
23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and
pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the
LORD of hosts.
24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have
thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it
stand:
25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my
mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and
his burden depart from off their shoulders.
26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole
earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall
disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Saturday, November 20, 2004

Nigerian Roommate Scam

While we're on the topic of Nigerian scams....
This article is incredibly humorous and I'm so glad this lady didn't get scammed.In spite of the fact that she obviously hates police officers (which -- by the manner in which she tells us about her encounter with the officers in question -- I can understand why), I decided I would add this newsletter to my list of blogs. I know: Technically she classifies this website as a newsletter. It may as well be what I’m doing here. Just much nicer and more original posters. (I am looking for other people who wish to post with me.) Besides, the word "verisimilitude" goes right along with my website’s theme of "wake up, dude". Wake up cuz yer believin' something that ain't really real. (love my English?? haha)

Here's the article.

P.S. While I'm at it - I'm going to add Breakup Babe's blog. Another amusing writer - and she also got her first book published with Random House. You can read about that here. Look at November 10's posting.

Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud a.k.a. "4-1-9" fraud

If you haven't received an email similar to the two (2) I am about to show you, then rest assured that it may soon be coming to an inbox near you. Please be assured that the United States government is well aware of this fraud; however, that does not stop the scammers from continuing in their game. Especially since so many people are duped. Those who are duped are either hurting for money, in some kind of financial distress, desperate, or plainly naive. Note the following two (2) emails and please NEVER reply to something like them.


Hello,

I am Mr. Smith Bowani, an auditor of a reputable bank
in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province in the Republic of South Africa. I have an
urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.

We had a
foreign client named Mr. Wooin Shim, who deposited a huge sum of money (18.6
Million United States Dollars), with our bank. Eventually, this client died in a
plane crash and since his death we have not had anybody come up for the claims
as the next of kin.

You may want to take a look at other
passengers, who were on the same plane; here is a site for your
perusal.

A situation I have monitored closely with my position in the bank. Now having
monitored this deposit and managed it over the years before his death, and hence
nobody has showed up as the next of kin for the past years. I now solicit for
your assistance to present you as the next of kin as every other arrangement/
processes will be monitored by me and my partners involved. However I got your
contact from a trade consultant here in South Africa, though I did not disclose
the purpose of my seeking for a foreign business partner to him. Although we
will still have to sign some agreement before the final transfer of the fund
into any of your designated bank account.

I have involved a very
senior official in the operational department, and we have agreed that after the
transfer of the money into your account, you shall be entitled to 20% of the
total sum, my colleagues and I will have 75% while 5% will be used to reimburse
any expenses incurred. All necessary precautions have been taken to ensure a
risk free situation on the side of both parties. Please note that this deal can
only take place on the following conditions;

1. You will provide
the bank account and other relevant particulars/information for easy and onward
Remittance of the Eighteen million, six hundred thousand USD.

2.
Absolute confidentiality and sincerity will be required and guaranteed,
considering our positions in the bank.

3. Assurance that our own
share will be released to us in good faith when this money finally gets into
your account.

Please treat with utmost confidentiality. Contact me
as quickly as possible through my e-mail.

Expecting your urgent
response,

Best Regards,
MR. SMITH BOWANI


Notice how they want everything to be completely CONFIDENTIAL? Anything done in secret usually is not good. Here's another email:


From : Barrister. lambert Greaney

Kindest
Attention,

Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am Barrister.
lambert Greaney,a Solicitor at law based in the United Kingdom and the personal
attorney to Late Mr. Michael Pierre a National of France, who used to be a
private contractor with the Halliburton in Saudi Arabia, herein after shall be
referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2001, he and his wife with their
three children were involved in an auto crash; all occupants of the vehicle
unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then, I have made several
enquiries with his country's embassies to locate any of my clients extended
relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful
attempts, I decided to contact you with this business partnership proposal. I
have contacted you to assist in repatriating a huge amount of money left behind
by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank
where this huge deposit was lodged.

The deceased had a deposit
valued presently at GBP30million and the Bank has issued me a notice to provide
his next of kin or Beneficiary by Will otherwise have the account confiscated
within the next thirty official working days.

Since I have been
unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three years now, I seek your
consent to present you as the next of kin / WillBeneficiary to the deceased so
that the proceeds of this account valued at GBP 30Million can be paid to you.
This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me, 30% to you and
10% to charity

I have all necessary legal documents that can be
used to Back up any claim will be obtained From the Court of England with the
Certificate Of Deposit which has been issued to me by the Bank. All I require is
your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see this
project through.

I guarantee you that this will be executed under a
legitimate Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. All the
relevant documents that will give you the legal backing to claim the fund will
be processed.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message by e-mail.
As I am based in the United Kingdom. And please provide me the following below;
this is to enable me commence immediate preparation of all legal document that
will back up our claim.

1. Full Name
2. Your Telephone Number
and Fax Number
3. Your Contact Address.

Your urgent response
will be highly anticipated and appreciated.

Best regards,
Barrister. lambert Greaney

The second email was not all about secrecy and confidentiality. But the same theme was inherent:
  1. someone died,
  2. money was left behind,
  3. you were contacted to receive that money (or a portion thereof),
  4. and now you must provide information to them to start the transaction process.
Whatever you do - don't fall for it. It's a line of B.S. that's been running for years. Replying to their emails only encourages them because they realize they're being noticed. And if they know they're noticed, they'll believe that someone will reply with what they want.

It's best to ignore them.

Here are services that can help you if you fall victim to this fraud or if you want to learn more about it in order to avoid it:
*Secret Service
*FBI
*FBI Press Release
*U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
*U.S. Department of State - Travel info
*U.S. Department of State (requires adobe acrobat)
*Federal Trade Commission
*United States Postal Service
*Internet Fraud Complaint Center
*U.S. Department of Justice - Go to Page 40 (requires adobe acrobat)
*Royal Canadian Mounted Police
*British Columbia Financial Institutions Commission (requires adobe acrobat)
*The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
*Australian Institute of Criminology (requires adobe acrobat)
*BBC News release - Morris Ibekwe arrested
*ZDNET UK article 05/01/02 – six people arrested

Friday, November 12, 2004

A Sane Perspective: Religious Fervor For Terrorists

BBC News: Mullah Omar said the jihad, or holy war, being fought by the Taleban was not aimed at "getting to power".
"If [the Taleban] wanted to secure power and material benefits, they could have made a deal with the Americans," he said.


Who are they to assume that the U.S. of A. would make any sort of “deal” with them? The history of Arab terrorists goes way back – and they simply haven’t changed their tune. (Read A brief history in terrorism written 8/24/04 – August 2004 archives.) Their past “deals” with our country started off as “tributes”. Basically, it was “you give us such & such amount of money and we promise not to bomb your ships and make your people serve as slaves”.

Here’s an example of the unchanged tune: One hundred years ago, Ahmed er Raisuli didn’t like the way the Moroccan government was being run and wanted to overthrow Abdul-Aziz. So how did Ahmed “deal” with the situation? He kidnapped someone, held them for ransom and then got the whole world’s attention to the event. (Sound familiar?) Raisuli had a reputation for returning messengers with their throats cut or just sending back their decapitated heads in melon baskets.

The United States has international business dealings all over the world, as do other countries. And technically, the Taleban (and its numerous copycat insurgent gangs like “The Holders of the Black Banner” – Read Egypt Gives Into the Bully written 9/25/04 – September archives) is kidnapping and chopping off the heads of just about everyone who is not 100% Arab and living or working in that region. So what kind of statement are they making?

In Mullah Omar's latest message he again rounded on President Hamid Karzai:
"The puppet administration and agents are installed to destroy the courage and belief of the Afghans, their fate and their morally clean society."

Mullah Omar said that the US "should know that we are determined to win the independence of our country".


What exactly is this Omar’s definition of independence? Apparently he believes the U.S. is somehow “controlling” the so-called “puppets” over there. “Controlling” and “educating” are two different things. Yet, a perverse dictator with the inability to let-go might actually combine the two. But truly, when a country cannot manage its people and resources for hundreds of years, then maybe it’s time it took a lesson in Government 101. And what better teacher than from an established country that began from scratch by a bunch of immigrants over three hundred years ago?

So the U.S. is helping Afghanistan form a government. It is not dictating how things should run, but educating those people in government how to administer the affairs of Afghanistan. The United States is a country that is For the People, By the People. When governing a country, it is important to remember that the people are what make the country. One cannot lord over them, amass abundant riches and flaunt it in the forms of 20 man-made island palaces and expect the people to show respect to such a “leader”. If Afghanistan wants independence, then it asked the right country for help. We are a generous country. We give our money, resources, man-power, and whatever it takes to help another country establish a foundation.

He added: "I will not let you and your hopes down. I will not leave a shameful history as a legacy for our future generations."
Mullah Omar has periodically issued taped messages urging his followers to maintain their attacks on Western forces.


Y’know, the more I read, the more I think that this actually sounds like someone is upset because they had plans to run the country. Sounds like frustration. Was this Omar promised the country? Is there more to this than meets the eye? Why is he so hell-bent on making sure that the U.S. has no involvement when all we are trying to do is assist? It sounds like he’s trying to sell himself to the Afghans with his words. “Vote for me.” Except in this case, there’s no voting. He just wants to take over. He’s encouraging war with “Western forces” a.k.a. United States troops.

It’s like the world just wants to say to this guy, “Step aside, buddy. Yer making this harder than it has to be. Sheesh.” People in Afghanistan obviously want our help or they wouldn’t have accepted it from us. The only persons encouraging trouble are Osama and this Omar. Can I suggest Ritalin? Better yet, Valium? Might need something stronger.

If they’re not seeking to secure power or gain material benefits, then they are a lot stupider than I initially thought they were. Basically they’ve admitted to be senselessly killing a whole lot of people because their country is receiving aide in a form they do not approve. Yeah, great leadership qualities. Super way to build international relationships. I’d give those guys two thumbs… down. If any Arab follower thinks that these guys are such great men and are willing to give up their lives to fight for these mens’ cause, then so be it. It only adds to the numbers of more senseless deaths. It’s okay to fight for a cause, but stop and think about both sides of the issue and consider other options. Death does not have to be one of those options. That’s a choice: Life or death. Which would I choose? Life – any day. In any form. If someone would rather choose death, then I have to question his or her supposed religion.

I am of the understanding that these men are conducting some kind of one-sided holy war (a.k.a. jihad). The question I ask is “Why”? I realize that Afghanistan has about five revised Constitutions and in it they indicate that the country’s main religion is Islam. So, they’ve established a country based on a religion. Just because the United States was established as a country that gives people the choice to exercise whatever religion they choose does not make our country atheist. Nor does that make our country lesser in the eyes of God.

I don’t care what name you call God. Allah. Yahweh. Buddha. Creator. As far as most people are concerned, there is only one God. From there on, each religion starts spouting off its different tangents on what comes next. However, one theme should run true for all these religions and that is: God gives life. The world and the heavens came into existence because He gave it all life.

Most Americans are Christian or Catholic. One thing we both have in common is the Bible. It reads exactly the same regardless of the translation version. Americans founded a country that allowed both religions to have a safe place to worship God. We have Russian Orthodox, Mormon, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Pentecostal, Episcopal, Islam… I hardly think that America cares to wage any kind of holy war. We unite people. We welcome people.

I think at least 90% of Americans would say that they want our military troops to come home. We do not like to see people die. Especially as senselessly as we have seen in the Arab regions. We do not like to witness or hear of suicides where people strap bombs on their bodies and walk into crowded buildings killing themselves and the people around them, including children. Most Americans literally hate seeing such death. It makes no sense to us because we live in a society where such violence is not encouraged. And those of us who believe in God know for a fact that God does not need us to make statements on His behalf. Statements like suicide bombings, holding people hostage and cutting off their heads for public display, flying airplanes into towers filled with innocent people.

But I think this is where Islam and Christianity (in its various forms) differs. Christians believe God is love. Love thy neighbor as thyself is the second greatest commandment. Faith, hope, and love but the greatest of these is love. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. The Bible is riddled with passages talking about love.

Whatever the Islam faith is, I would like to believe that it is not about hatred and killing people and threatening others. Because, truthfully, this is all I have seen about Muslims and Arabs on TV. If Islam is nothing like this, then let me just say that these men are making a bad name for this faith. And if that is what they are doing to the faith, think of how bad a shape the country would be in if it were put into their hands. Bad judgment is bad judgment no matter where it is exercised: faith or government. Perhaps the supporters being rallied should consider that. Religious fervor can be a dangerous thing. Just remember who God is - who Allah is. And remember, He doesn't need our help to make a statement. I am confident that all He wants is our love... for Him and for each other.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Bush Wins

I am glad this election is over and that we do not have to go through the same fiasco as in 2000: count the votes, re-count the count, re-count the re-count of the count, re-count the re-count of the re-count of the count.

I must admit that Kerry conceded very honorably. He had good things to say in his speech. His demeanor was very likeable - much more than John Edwards' speech. Edwards grated on me. I sat there listening to his speech and questioned: What about those of us who stood in line for 10 hours to vote for President Bush and other Republicans??? Did you hear our voices too? Did we not forego field soccer, doctor appointments, and jobs to stand in line too?

At any rate, some amazing historical facts came about in this election:
**Bush won the most popular votes ever held by a President. Ronald Reagan used to hold that claim.
**After 25 years, there is now a Hispanic Senator again: Ken Salazar (D) from Colorado.

Also, the Republicans gained 30 seats in the GOP: 230 (R) & 200 (D).

Since I voted for Bush, I am pleased that he won. I chose Bush because of his unwavering ability to make a decision after weighing out facts. He does not tell the American people what we want to hear, but rather what exists. I listened to his debates and decided that he had good values in regards to life, family, justice, science and its impacts on our society, protection to our country and people, and all in all that his words indicated that he had a good heart.

Kerry began to impress me toward the end of the campaign because it seemed he had gotten his act together. Instead of fumbling over himself by trying to explain all the details in between to only confuse us as to which way he leaned on issues, he carried himself confidently and was strong in his arguments (even though some of them were the same ones & I still disagreed with them). As I said earlier, I also admired Kerry's concession speech. Much more than Edwards'. Edwards appeared a bit too cocky for my taste. Kerry was very noble in addressing his defeat and appeared to harbor no ill feelings about the results of the vote. I appreciated seeing that because he did have some good ideas in his campaign and hoped that he would continue to be positive in looking for good results for our country.

I was also very pleased to hear that both Bush & Kerry spoke on the phone in regards to the division that appeared to be forming in this country. Watching the media and seeing the images of U.S. Americans trashing our country and its leaders was tough. The protests in New York were bothersome, resulting in people getting thrown in jail. Some were innocent, but being in the wrong place at the wrong time will get a person in jail. Better to avoid any appearance of wrong or wrong-doing.

"United we stand, divided we fall."

Now that the election is over, rather than go about crying who was elected into office where ever, I think the most intelligent thing the people of this country can do is to become a big think-tank and begin tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit that built this country into the success it became - both nationally and internationally. We need to collectively come up with ideas that will strengthen our nation economically. Where we have sent industries and companies overseas (known as "outsourcing") -- let us think of things that will create jobs in our country and then do those things. Some areas are trying to turn corn into a source of natural gas for automobiles to use. Is someone out there making this idea into an industry? Who owns cornfields? Is someone negotiating with these cornfield owners/farmers to come to an agreement on supplying a percentage of their corn for this industry? Or is that percentage too small and instead would it be feasible to grow their own corn? How many acres would be sufficient to produce enough "natural corn gas" to run one vehicle with a tank capacity of 10 gallons for one year? Now multiply that number by 300,000 vehicles (a large city). Is this do-able? No? Then, how about looking at fueling transit busses instead of private vehicles? Or fueling taxi cabs around the nation? Get the ideas generating.

Or what about international health? Can our country become the top producer of educated medical staff in this day of technological advances? With the spread of diseases, viruses and new mutations (i.e. avian influenza A, SARS, yellow fever, Dengue fever), the possibility of new strains developing in the future, and combatting the old strains by finding cures; then why not make it easier for American students to become Health care providers and scientists? Fund more grants and scholarships. Find a way to permit higher education to be more accessible both financially and locally so that low- to middle-income students can become doctors, nurses, infection control chiefs, scientists, and biomedical engineers. These professions will always be a necessity... so there needs to be thought put into retaining these workers as well. They can combat these illnesses as well as look into scientific solutions using the resources we have within our country's borders to fuel our economy and way of life.

Rather than blame some scapegoat -- which usually winds up being the Government -- let us try to be more productive and use our intellect for something meaningful rather than for debate. Put action into positive results. We are a nation that was founded "For the People, By the People". It's time the people do an extra step beyond going out to the polls to vote: Quit griping and help this country stand tall internationally.

As for the Iraq war - that will not tarnish our image. There is a history of turmoil in that land that has been going on way before our time. We're there now - we're working on rebuilding and helping that country's people establish groundwork - so let's cheer on the hardworking men & women who have put their lives in harm's way in order that another group of people in this world might know what it is like to live freely without tyranny and oppression. If we pull out and that country decides to have its own civil war, then let them have at it. Heck, we did. Which brings me to another thing: The United States of America is founded by a People that have a genuine heart to do good, build up, and see success. If not, we would not be One Nation Under God now. We would still be "the North" & "the South". We would not share public areas with mixed races. We would still be divided by color and separated with man-made prejudiced boundaries. We would not have things like Philanthropists, Grants, Scholarships, and Charities. We would still be working hard for every dime we get - all of us - and nobody would ever know the gift of these institutions.

God, Bless our President and the Leadership in our Country & Government. Give them wisdom and be an available Source of sound Counsel to them at all times. Help them to govern the People of the United States with mercy, wisdom, and truth. Bring peace and prosperity to our Country and People. Where there are divisons, strife, contentions... bring in a flood of peace and unity. Help us to prosper and encourage one another... and help us to help others. Where our military troops are stationed, Lord, protect them from destruction, harm, and evil. Watch over them and send your Spirit to comfort them, lead them, and strengthen them. Send people to them who can provide spiritual support for them to lean on You & Your understanding rather than their own. For in Your arms, Lord, we know there is strength and rest. Bless our enemies, Lord. Forgive them of their trespasses against our People and Country. Soften their hearts, Lord, and let there be peace in this world among all the Leaders of the Nations. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.