Wednesday, April 30, 2008
IS LAKE OF FIRE BLACK HOLES
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Scientists seek clues as Reno earthquakes keep shaking By SANDRA CHEREB, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 29, 8:26 PM ET
RENO, Nev. - Scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno are scrutinizing seismic readings and studying damage at residents' homes to try to figure out what's happening beneath the earth's surface under a northwest Reno neighborhood rocked by a seemingly endless string of earthquakes. What they can't say is whether the hundreds of temblors that have rattled the area for two months — the largest a magnitude 4.7 Friday night — are subsiding or a prelude to bigger things to come.You're not going to get an earthquake prediction today, John Anderson, director of Seismology Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno, said Tuesday during a briefing with Gov. Jim Gibbons and emergency managers on the seismic activity.Scientists are calling the swarm of temblors that began Feb. 28 the Mogul earthquake sequence, in reference to the neighborhood where hundreds of mostly minor earthquakes have occurred.But the shaking is unusual, seismologists say, because the intensity of the quakes has increased over the past few weeks. Generally, earthquakes tend to occur and are followed by smaller aftershocks.In this case, the earth's rumblings have continued unabated, with barely negligible bumps occurring often minutes apart, followed by occasional larger shakers.It's impossible to know if the temblors are foreshocks of a bigger quake to come, or aftershocks of what has been, experts said.
Up until April 15, sizable quakes that could be felt were occurring about once every third day.Then, the rate increased, with about three, 2.0 or larger incidents occurring daily.On April 24, when the first 4.2 quake was registered, all of a sudden we were seeing 20 (of the magnitude) 2s and larger per day, said state geologist Jon Price.This is an exceptionally vigorous sequence of earthquakes, Price said.During the past week alone, more than 500 occurrences have been recorded.Most recently, two measuring 3.1 and 3.2 in magnitude occurred around 11 p.m. Monday. Another 3.1 was recorded at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday.The largest so far was a 4.7 quake that was registered at 11:40 p.m. Friday. It was preceded 11 seconds earlier by a 3.3 quake, and followed 3 minutes later by one registering 3.4.The temblors sent goods flying off shelves, cracked walls, broke glass and collapsed part of a water flume west of Reno. There were no injuries.They are mostly shallow, occurring just beneath the surface to within a mile or two.Shallow makes us believe this is absolutely not volcanic, Price said.
Mapping of the quakes shows they are clustered around the Mogul and Somersett neighborhoods in northwest Reno, in an area about 2.5 miles long and 1/3 of a mile wide. Craig dePolo with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, said he understands the anxiety of residents who have lived with the persistent shaking. What's going on is extraordinary, he agreed. People are being needled by little earthquakes ... for months.And the best we can say is we don't know what going to happen.DePolo, who said he's been through many earthquakes, acknowledged that he, too, is a little nervous.The governor and emergency managers urged residents to be prepared by strapping down water heaters or any heavy items that could fall and injure people and to have first aid and food provisions on hand.
Frank Siracusa, head of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, said state, regional and local agencies train constantly for disasters and have been in daily contact. I'd like to say we're prepared, but we can never be too prepared, he said. The governor said he's very concerned about the safety of the public, and stressed that residents need to be prepared to minimize risk in the event of a disaster. Gibbons, himself a geologist, said the earth's movement is what makes the mountains and Nevada landscape so special. I find it fascinating about our earth and how it continually evolves over time, he said. But with Nevada being the second most seismically active state in the continental U.S., he echoed the advice of experts who said large earthquakes are inevitable. At some point ... we are going to have a magnitude 6 or 7, Gibbons said. Earthquake magnitudes are calculated according to ground motion recorded on seismographs. An increase in one full number — from 5.5 to 6.5, for example — means the quake's magnitude is 10 times as great. A quake with a magnitude of 6 can cause severe damage, while one with a magnitude of 7 can cause widespread, heavy damage. On the Net: UNR Seismological Laboratory: http://www.seismo.unr.edu U.S. Geological Survey: http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latestfault.htm
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Bangladesh trawlers warned as cyclone nears APR 30,08
DHAKA (AFP) - Authorities in Bangladesh on Wednesday warned fishing crews to stay close to shore as a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal churned towards the southeastern coast, with a direct hit possible later in the week.Thousands of people in the disaster-prone country are still struggling to cope with the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr last November. More than 3,000 people died when the storm slammed into the southern coast.We have warned all fishing boats not to venture into the deep sea for fishing until further notice, said the assistant director of Bangladesh's Meteorological Department, Shah Alam.Officials said the cyclone was still around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong.The present strength of severe cyclone Nargis indicates that it will hit the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast, but we will not be sure until Thursday afternoon when and where it will make landfall, added the head of the meteorological department, Arjumand Habib.
Heavy rains force evacuations in various regions of Quebec
Tue Apr 29, 6:19 PMBy The Canadian Press
QUEBEC - Swollen rivers caused by heavy rains forced the evacuation of some homes throughout Quebec on Tuesday. People in some 40 residences in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts in central Quebec were forced out of their homes because a local river overflowed its banks.
Another 35 residences were evacuated north of Quebec City. Many people were also on standby in the Montreal area.
Rescuers amazed that 6 twisters caused no deaths in Virginia Tue Apr 29, 6:14 PM By Sonja Barisic, The Associated Press
SUFFOLK, Va. - It was a scene of haphazard destruction that stretched for 40 kilometres: Row upon row of homes reduced to sprays of splintered lumber, shopping centres stripped to bare metal, parking lots turned into junk yards. And yet no one died. The only thing I can say is we were watched over and blessed, fire Chief Mark Outlaw said. As shaken residents and rescuers returned Tuesday to survey what's left, they were amazed by both the scope of the damage and their good fortune. Even among the 200 people who were injured, most suffered only cuts and scrapes. Authorities said people in the tornado's path had plenty of warning and were fortunate that the twister struck in the late afternoon, rather than at night, when most residents would have been sleeping. The extra few minutes provided enough time for people in the storm's path to huddle in bathrooms or crouch in the back of stores as the strongest of six twisters zigzagged for 40 kilometres across central and southeast Virginia. Gov. Timothy Kaine, who declared a state of emergency in the hardest-hit areas, said about 145 homes were severely damaged in Suffolk, a city of 80,000 people west of Norfolk. Most of the injured had been released from hospitals. It is kind of amazing there weren't more significant injuries, Kaine said on WTOP radio in Washington, D.C. You are talking about 145 homes; that is probably five to six hundred people directly affected by this tornado.
At least a dozen people remained hospitalized, six of them in critical condition. The tornado that hit Suffolk touched down repeatedly between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Monday, when many people were still at work or on their way home. Brenda Williams, 43, had been getting a manicure at a nail shop in the strip when the lights went out and she saw debris flying in the wind around the parking lot. She rushed to the back of the shop for safety, but the ceiling collapsed, burying her. She wasn't sure how long she was trapped.
She prayed, then hollered when she heard footsteps. A stranger pulled her out. I'm not lucky, I'm blessed, said Williams, who had a five-centimetre gash stitched above her left eyebrow and stitches on her right forearm. I'm fine. I'm here. I'm in the land of the living.On Tuesday, she went to a shopping centre to retrieve possessions from her car, which was flipped on its roof in the parking lot. Other cars and SUVs were strewn about, some stacked on top of others. The high winds had tossed two smashed cars inside the shopping centre, which had been stripped of its facing, leaving its steel skeleton exposed. Wiring and bits of insulation hung from metal beams. Shattered glass covered the carpeting, which was soaked from the heavy rains. A lone black hiking boot lay in a parking spot. Inside a military recruiting centre at the strip mall, a phone remained in place on a desk, its cord ripped out of a wall that no longer exists. Naomi Britt, who cares for an 87-year-old woman, was at the woman's home in a Suffolk subdivision when she heard what she thought was an 18-wheeler. I grabbed her by the hand and said, Let's go, said Britt, 60. She led the woman into a bathroom just as the lights failed. I got down as far as I could and we just held hands and prayed, she said.
After the roar had quieted and the house had stopped quaking, Britt opened the door to find rubble around her. Nothing remained of a neighbour's house but a cinderblock foundation. If we hadn't been in that tub, we could have been sucked out of that attic and out of that roof, and we'd be gone, said Britt, who was at the nondenominational Open Door Church, where out-of-state relief workers were being fed and sheltered. The National Weather Service confirmed that tornadoes also hit Brunswick County, about 100 kilometres west, and Colonial Heights, about 100 kilometres northwest. Three other twisters hit in Isle of Wight and Surry counties, and along the line separating Gloucester and Mathews counties, all in southeastern Virginia. The other tornadoes caused far less damage than the twister that ravaged Suffolk.
Windy and stormy Wayne Verno Wed Apr 30, 6:07 AM ET
West
An upper-level tough will keep rain and snow showers over the Northwestern States today, along with cool, below average temperatures. As this trough shifts east Thursday, cooler air will spread into the Rockies, bringing some accumulating snow into the mountains. Another disturbance will move into the Pacific Northwest with some showers, Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, an onshore flow will bring some low clouds, fog, and drizzle into the southern California costal areas this morning, while gusty winds bring a high fire danger to parts of the interior Southwest today, and again Thursday.
Midwest
A southerly flow of warm air will take hold of the Central and Midwestern States today, ahead of a developing storm system east of the Rockies. This southerly flow will also bring gusty winds through the Central Plains, resulting in a high fire danger over the far western Plains, into the Front Range of the Rockies (see Storm Watch for more details). This developing storm system will deepen, and track across the northern Plains Thursday and Friday. Rain, perhaps heavy at times, will spread across the northern Plains, along with windy conditions. Rain may mix with and change to snow later Friday, bringing some accumulation. Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms will increase across the eastern Plains late Thursday, and spread into the Mississippi Valley and Midwest Friday. Heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms will be possible (see Storm Watch for more details). The threat for rain and thunderstorms should decrease by Saturday into Sunday, as the storm system moves east, with showery weather lingering over the Great Lakes. Cooler, below average temperatures will spread across the northern Plains and Midwest late this week.
South
After a chilly and frosty start over parts of the Southeastern States today, high pressure overhead will allow for sunny skies and warm temperatures by afternoon over all of the Southern States. Over Texas, into the southern Plains, gusty winds can be expected today as the southerly flow increases in this area. A high fire danger will also exist over parts of western Texas and the western Plains (see Storm Watch for details). Attention will then turn toward a developing storm system over the Plains, which will bring showers and thunderstorms across the eastern Plains, into the Mississippi Valley Thursday night and Friday. A few storms could be severe (see Storm Watch for more details). Showers and a few thunderstorms will spread across the Southeastern States Saturday and Sunday, as the storm system pushes a cold front east across the area. Generally, warm temperatures will dominate the Southern States through the weekend.
Northeast
High pressure will dominate the Northeastern States today, allowing for sunny and dry conditions, along with afternoon temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below average for this time of year. As a storm system develops over the central Plains, a warm front will be pushed into the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England States Thursday and Friday, bringing a chance for scattered showers. Warmer temperatures will also move into these areas, with afternoon readings at, to slightly above average. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected Saturday, as the storm system pushes a cold front east onto the area. Showers and expected to linger Sunday and Monday.
Baghdad dust storm disrupts road, air traffic APR 30,08
BAGHDAD (AFP) - A blinding dust storm hit Baghdad for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, forcing pedestrians to stay indoors and bringing road and air traffic to a halt, officials said.Fine dust from the storm, which is expected to continue for several days, has seeped into homes, depositing a thin film of yellow powder.People are afraid of storms. They do not want to leave their homes and they prevent their children from attending school, an official at an emergency department of a hospital in Baghdad said.
With traffic accidents reportedly rising due to the lack of visibility, traffic police Colonel Walid Ammar went on state television urging people to drive slowly.Flights into and out of Baghdad have been cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.I am on leave and I do not have much time, said Paul Benson, a security guard with a foreign company said who has been stuck at the airport since Tuesday.I have already spent two days at the airport but right now I am thinking of getting to Jordan as from there everything is possible.Another passenger, Sandy Mitchell, was also frustrated.This sucks, she said, but you can't do anything about a dust storm.For Baghdadis, the storm was yet another peril in the ongoing struggle of daily life in the war-ravaged capital.This may be a divine retribution, but we already had a lot and this is enough, said Haitham, a trader, who did not give his full name.As summer approaches, a dust storm is the last thing Baghdadis want, in addition to the lack of regular electricity and water supplies.These sand storms also cause asthma and allergies, Doctor Mohammed Abdel Baki said, adding there had been an increase in cases since last month.Meanwhile, militants were reportedly taking advantage of the storm and fighting security forces in and around Baghdad's Sadr City, the bastion of Mahdi Army militia of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.The storm has largely grounded the US helicopters and drones that have normally been tracking these fighters during the fierce battles of the past few weeks.The US military refused to specify the measures taken to overcome difficulties causes by the bad weather, but said ground operations were not disrupted.Regardless of the weather, that doesn't impact our requirement or objective to protect the people of Baghdad, Lieutenant Colonel Steven Stover said.
We will kill or capture the enemy, who continues to display a complete and utter lack of concern for the welfare and well-being of the Iraqi people.Whenever (a militant) engages a US patrol or outpost with small-arms fire ... he is either killed, wounded or flees like the mangy cur they represent.Under the cover of the dust, dozens of rockets and mortar rounds have been fired since Tuesday at the Green Zone, the seat of Iraqi government and the US embassy.
JUDE 5-13
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
I BELIEVE BLACK HOLES COULD BE THE LAKE OF FIRE THAT THE SINNERS GET THROWN IN AT THE FINAL JUDGEMENT AFTER THE 1000 YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST ON EARTH. AS WELL THE EU DICTATOR AND THE FALSE POPE GET THROWN IN THE LAKE OF FIRE ALIVE AT JESUS RETURN TO EARTH BODILY AT THE END OF THE 7 YEAR PEACE TREATY OF DANIEL 9:27
REVELATION 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Powerful Black Hole Jet Explained Clara Moskowitz
Staff Writer SPACE.com Mon Apr 28, 10:31 AM ET
While we may never know what it looks like inside a black hole, astronomers recently obtained one of the closest views yet. The sighting allowed scientists to confirm theories about how these giant cosmic sinkholes spew out jets of particles travelling at nearly the speed of light.Ever since the first observations of these powerful jets, which are among the brightest objects seen in the universe, astronomers have wondered what causes the particles to accelerate to such great speeds. A leading hypothesis suggested the black hole's gigantic mass distorts space and time around it, twisting magnetic field lines into a coil that propels material outward.Now researchers have observed a jet during a period of extreme outburst and found evidence that streams of particles wind a corkscrew path away from the black hole, as the leading hypothesis predicts.We got an unprecedented view of the inner portion of one of these jets and gained information that's very important to understanding how these tremendous particle accelerators work, said Boston University astronomer Alan Marscher, who led the research team. The results of the study are detailed in the April 24 issue of the journal Nature.
The team studied a galaxy called BL Lacertae (BL Lac), about 950 million light years from Earth, with a central black hole containing 200 million times the mass of our Sun. Since this supermassive black hole's jets are pointing nearly straight at us, it is called a blazar (a quasar is often thought to be the same as a blazar, except its jets are pointed away from us).The new observations, taken by the National Science Foundation's Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio telescope, along with NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and a number of optical telescopes, show material moving outward along a spiral channel, as the scientists expected.These data support the suggestion that twisted magnetic field lines are creating the jet plumes. Material in the center of the galaxy, such as nearby stars and gas, gets pulled in by the black hole's overwhelming gravity and forms a disk orbiting around the core (the material's inertia keeps it spiraling in a disk rather than falling straight into the black hole). The distorted magnetic field lines seem to pull charged particles off the disk and cause them to gush outward at nearly the speed of light.We knew that material was falling in to these regions, and we knew that there were outbursts coming out, said University of Michigan astronomer Hugh Aller, who worked on the new study. What's really been a mystery was that we could see there were these really high-energy particles, but we didn't know how they were created, how they were accelerated. It turns out that the model matches the data. We can actually see the particles gaining velocity as they are accelerated along this magnetic field.
The astronomers also observed evidence of another phenomenon predicted by the leading hypothesis — that a flare would be produced when material spewing out in the jets hit a shock wave beyond the core of the black hole.That behavior is exactly what we saw, Marscher said.
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FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
Fed expected to cut key interest rates one more time By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer APR 30,08
WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve, which began the year aggressively fighting a severe credit crunch and economic weakness, may push the pause button after delivering perhaps one more quarter-point cut in interest rates. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues were to wrap up a two-day meeting Wednesday and financial markets widely expected that the discussions will end with an announcement that the Fed will cut a key interest rate by a quarter-point.That would be the seventh reduction in the federal funds rate since the central bank began battling against the credit squeeze and the growing possibility of a recession last September.The Fed delivered two three-quarter-point moves and one half-point cut over an eight-week period from mid-January to mid-March that represented the central bank's most aggressive rate cuts in a quarter-century.
However, the central bank is expected to respond with a less aggressive quarter-point move at this meeting, in part because the financial turmoil seems to have eased and because there are growing concerns about inflation.While there is some thought that the Fed might decide to forgo a rate cut, most analysts believe that the greater likelihood is a quarter-point move.My best guess is that they want to buy a little more insurance against an economy that looks like it is in recession, said Lyle Gramley, a former Fed board member with the Stanford Financial Group.A quarter-point cut would move the funds rate to 2 percent, a full 3 percentage points below where it was on Sept. 18 when the Fed started cutting rates.
A quarter-point move would trigger a similar reduction in banks' prime lending rate, the benchmark for millions of consumer and business loans, which now stands at 5.25 percent.The Fed's rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, composed of Fed board members in Washington and regional Fed bank presidents, is split into two camps. One group is concerned that the severe credit crisis and prolonged housing slump could be pushing the country into a deep recession while a smaller faction is worried that the Fed could be running the risk of letting inflation get out of control even as the economy slows.Whatever the Fed does at the conclusion of this week's meeting, private economists believe it will leave the door open for further rate cuts, seeking to avoid the mistake made at the October meeting when it sent a pause signal, only to have to backtrack.They made a big mistake after the October meeting, implying that they would pause, and then had egg all over their face when they had to begin cutting rates aggressively because the economy weakened more than they thought and the credit crisis turned out to be more severe, said David Jones, head of DMJ Advisors, a private economic consulting firm.
While leaving the door open this time for further rate cuts if needed, the Fed may well be done, many analysts believe, if financial markets continue to improve and the economy starts to rebound with the help of the previous Fed rate cuts and 130 million economic stimulus payments, which started showing up in Americans' bank accounts this week.While many economists believe the country is in a recession, the expectation is that it will be a short one ending this summer. If that turns out to be correct, the Fed may hold rates steady for the rest of this year with the next move being a rate increase sometime next year when the economy is on sounder footing.The Fed won't start raising interest rates until the unemployment rate has peaked and started coming back down, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. He said he was looking for the jobless rate, now at 5.1 percent, to climb to 6 percent early next year before starting to fall.
EARTH DESTROYED WITH THE EARTH
GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.(WORLD TERRORISM,MURDERS)
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence (TERRORISM) through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Rights group: Zimbabwe's army unleashing terror By DONNA BRYSON, Associated Press Writer Wed Apr 30, 5:58 AM ET
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - A leading human rights group accused Zimbabwe's army Wednesday of working with ruling party militants to unleash terror and violence against dissent. New York-based Human Rights Watch joined other rights groups and Zimbabwe's opposition party in linking violence since last month's presidential vote to the security forces and so-called war veterans — groups loyal to autocratic President Robert Mugabe.Mugabe's regime has countered that the opposition groups are responsible for the violence, even arresting scores of people last week, including women and their nursing babies, who the opposition says had taken shelter from the violence at its headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital.
Lawyers for Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change said the Harare High Court ordered late Monday that everyone arrested at its headquarters last week should be freed. On Tuesday, police released the last of those still being held.Mugabe has been accused of using violence and intimidation and plotting fraud to hold onto power after March 29 presidential elections he is believed to have lost.Results from those elections have yet to be released, and ruling party officials have said a runoff would likely be necessary. Opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai says he won outright, though independent observers say Tsvangirai won the most votes, but not the 50 percent plus one vote needed to avoid a runoff.The army and its allies — war-veterans and supporters of the ruling party Zanu-PF — are intensifying their brutal grip on wide swathes of rural Zimbabwe to ensure that a possible second round of presidential elections goes their way, Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in the group's statement released Wednesday.Neither the army chief nor a government spokesman could be reached for immediate comment.The African Union and U.N. Security Council should take immediate steps to help prevent a further escalation in violence, Gagnon said.The opposition also has appealed to African leaders and to the U.N. for help.
On Tuesday, a Zimbabwe opposition leader urged the U.N. Security Council to appoint a special envoy to his country. But the deeply divided council, which was briefed on situation behind closed doors, took no action.While the United States, Britain and France back council engagement and sending a U.N. envoy to Zimbabwe, diplomats said South Africa, Russia, China and other members oppose any action now.In the hearing, Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador Karen Pierce said U.N. political chief B. Lynn Pascoe had spoken of a level of political intimidation and violence that I think many council members found quite chilling.U.S. deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff said he was struck by Pascoe's characterization of the situation in Zimbabwe as the worst humanitarian crisis since independence in 1980.Human Rights Watch said war veterans were being given guns and trucks by the army and were collaborating with the army in unleashing a campaign of terror and violence against (opposition) MDC members and supporters.The veterans groups are fiercely loyal to Mugabe and have roots in the nation's independence struggle but increasingly include militants too young to have been guerrilla fighters.In one example in the eastern province of Manicaland, Human Rights Watch said, opposition members went to an informal torture center set up by war veterans and saw 12 of their colleagues who had been abducted, bound and beaten. The war veterans fired on those who had come asking questions, hitting three and killing one as they fled. The current whereabouts of the 12 abductees were not known, Human Rights Watch said.When the victims informed the local police about the incident, the police refused to take action, claiming that such an incident could not have happened since they had no knowledge of any civilians in the area who were allowed to keep firearms, Human Rights Watch said.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks rise ahead of Federal Reserve's rate decision By MADLEN READ, AP Business Writer APR 30,08
NEW YORK - The stock market rose Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates and its assessment of the economy. Most investors expect the central bank to again lower its benchmark fed funds rate, this time by a quarter point, to 2 percent. However, many also believe policymakers will signal their intention to put rates on hold to fight inflation. The Fed is scheduled to announce its decision at 2:15 p.m. EDT.Though inflation appears to be a growing threat, that's not to say economic weakness is not a risk, either. The Commerce Department estimated that the U.S. gross domestic product rose at a very modest seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.6 percent during the first quarter, while the U.S. Chicago purchasing managers' index showed a second straight month of contraction in Midwest manufacturing.However, both readings were better than anticipated — economists had forecast a 0.5 percent rise in first-quarter GDP, and a reading of 48.0 for the April purchasing managers' index instead of the reported 48.2.Investors also pored over a mix of earnings reports from a number of consumer-oriented companies — particularly General Motors Corp., SAP AG and Procter & Gamble Co.
In midmorning trading, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 50.07, or 0.39 percent, to 12,882.01.Broader stock indicators also advanced. The Standard & Poor's 500 index futures rose 3.95, or 0.28 percent, to 1,394.89, while the Nasdaq composite index added 6.33, or 0.26 percent, to 2,432.43.Bond prices lifted as well. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, fell to 3.80 percent from 3.82 percent late Tuesday.The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices edged higher.Oil prices moved higher after sliding of more than $3 a barrel in the previous session on a strengthening dollar and data showing a dramatic drop in American fuel demand. Light, sweet crude for June delivery rose 60 cents to $116.23 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.GM lost $3.3 billion in the first quarter as strong overseas growth was offset by a strike at a supplier and weak U.S. sales. However, the loss was smaller than Wall Street analysts expected, and shares jumped $2.01, or 9.5 percent, to $23.21.Software maker SAP AG said its profit slipped in the first quarter because of the weaker dollar and its takeover of another software company, Business Objects. Though sales were higher and SAP raised its 2008 outlook, SAP shares fell $1.63, or 3.1 percent, to $50.82.
And meanwhile, Procter & Gamble Co. said price increases and cost controls helped offset higher commodity costs, pushing its third quarter profit up 8 percent. P&G also lifted its full-year outlook, and its shares rose $2.03, or 3.1 percent, to $67.93.Meanwhile, Citigroup Inc. said late Tuesday it plans to sell $3 billion of common stock to boost its capital levels. The largest U.S. bank is raising more capital to offset more than $45 billion of write-downs and credit losses it has taken since June 30. Citigroup shares fell 66 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $25.66.The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 3.15, or 0.44 percent, to 722.08.Advacing issues outnumbered decliners by about 9 to 5 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 189.7 million shares.Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.32 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.14 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.48 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.11 percent.On the Net: New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
Obama Tries to Dig Out By KAREN TUMULTY
Wed Apr 30, 3:30 AM ET
There was little nuance in Barack Obama's news conference Tuesday, as he pronounced himself saddened, angered and even outraged by the antics of his former pastor at the National Press Club a day earlier. I find these comments appalling, he said. It contradicts everything that I'm about and who I am. It was a far different tone from the finely tuned speech on race that he had given in Philadelphia in March, shortly after some of Jeremiah Wright's most inflammatory comments had first come to light. And it reflected the new political reality that Obama has confronted in what have been the rockiest weeks yet for his presidential campaign. The most important audience Obama was trying to reach in that news conference was not the voters in the upcoming Democratic primary states of Indiana and North Carolina. He was speaking most directly to 300 or so remaining undecided Democratic superdelegates, the party regulars who are likely to determine the eventual nominee - and who have become increasingly concerned in recent days that the Democratic frontrunner lacks the fire and the fight he will need to prevail in November. As one Democratic strategist put it: You could sense, if not a turning of the tide over the past couple of days, that people were getting back on the fence. Indeed, on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton picked up the endorsement of one important superdelegate: North Carolina Governor Mike Easley, who is backing her despite the fact that much of the rest of the state's political establishment has lined up behind Obama, considered a strong bet to win the state's primary next week. There's been lots of Yes we can, yes we should, Easley said in a dig at Obama. Hillary Clinton is ready to deliver.
The setbacks for Obama's seemingly charmed presidential campaign have come one on top of the other lately. There was his admittedly clumsy comments in a private fundraiser about bitter small-town voters who cling to religion and guns, questions about his association with a 1960s-era terrorist and nit-picking in a recent debate over why he doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel.
But potentially worst of all was his association with Wright, particularly after the retired pastor launched what amounted to a media tour, and suggested that any efforts that Obama had made to distance himself was posturing. Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability, based on sound bites, based on polls, Wright said dismissively of his former congregant. Even former President Jimmy Carter, who normally avoids commenting on the presidential race, told CNN that Wright had really been damaging to Obama's presidential campaign. Obama's campaign was dismayed as well by the timing of those comments, which came just as their candidate had begun to regain his political footing after being defeated by Clinton in last week's Pennsylvania primary. In particular, they overshadowed campaign events that were aimed at connecting better with senior citizens and blue-collar whites, two groups that Obama has been losing to Clinton. It's harder to break through if you're spending a lot of time on Reverend Wright, lamented one of Obama's top strategists. How combative to get in response has been a dilemma for Obama, who has built his entire candidacy on the idea that he represents a new, less corrosive brand of politics. Nor does the roughness of ordinary politics seem to fit Obama's personal style. But increasingly, Democrats have been worried about how well that style will wear if Obama gets the nomination and has to face even tougher attacks at the hands of Republicans. Sometimes, he sounds like he is writing a Ph.D., said one adviser. He has to show some passion. View this article on Time.com
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
A Europe of blocs? (TRADE BLOCKS....YES)
Mark Mardell 30 Apr 08, 12:01 AM
The French President nearly upset the EU apple-cart when he proposed a Mediterranean Union including EU and non-EU countries around that sea. How far will the Poles go when they make proposals for a similar Baltic-to-the-Black-Sea Union? The idea was a little noticed result of the European Council meeting back in March. Then, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggested that if Turkey and the countries of North Africa could link up with the EU countries bordering the Med, it was only fair the East should have the same opportunities.
He was given the go-ahead, perhaps to both balance President Sarkozy's brainwave, and perhaps to further down-grade it. Perhaps a rather brutal move, as it had already been thoroughly and efficiently eviscerated by Chancellor Merkel.Polish diplomats do not see their plan as ambitious as the Mediterranean, but argue that if the French, Italian, Spanish and Greeks can link up with countries in North Africa and negotiate with the rest of the European union as a bloc, then they should be allowed to do the same alongside Georgia and Ukraine. I presume the link-up would be between the 10 former communist countries of the East and those six in the relevant European neighbourhood policy.As far as I know, there will be no invitation to Russia to join this would-be new power bloc. The Poles point out that at the moment they, and the EU members in the region, can only talk to the European Union as individual nations. The suggestion is those next to the Med would get an unfair advantage. Part of this is no doubt there's gold in them there hills: such an organisation would of course get more EU money for the region. More cash is a reasonable goal in itself, but I wonder about the consequences.
Sometimes countries do argue within the European Union as regional blocs, but more often they don't. Mr Tusk's report, to be presented to the other leaders in June, is probably of not much moment in itself but is it the beginning of a trend? And would that trend be a dangerous undermining of EU solidarity, or a realistic recognition of other identities and alliances ?
EU attempts to woo Serbia with pre-accession deal
29.04.2008 - 17:44 CET | By Elitsa Vucheva
EUOBSERVER / LUXEMBOURG – With just over a week to go until what is being billed as decisive elections in Serbia, the EU on Tuesday (29 April) sent a strong political signal to the western Balkan country that its future belongs in the European Union.In a piece of political manoeuvring that gives the pro-EU forces in Belgrade something to use at home but upholds a key European demand, both sides signed a pre-membership deal at a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg.The deal came after the Netherlands and Belgium dropped their opposition to the move but on condition that the implementation of the agreement depends on Belgrade's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal.This is a good day, a happy day for both Serbia and the EU, Slovenian foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said after signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in Luxembourg.Europe is ready to go a common way with Serbia and now the European future of Serbia is in the hands of the Serbian people, he added.Serbian President Boris Tadic, who flew from Belgrade especially for the signing ceremony after a call from Mr Rupel earlier on Tuesday, said he was also extremely pleased that Serbia is entering a contractual relationship with the EU.
Signing the SAA constitutes an important step towards eventual EU membership and this in turn will ultimately bring about a final reconciliation of the peoples of the western Balkans, he added.The decision was taken on Tuesday morning after Belgium and the Netherlands agreed to sign the SAA.The two countries had originally said that Serbia must first fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and arrest war crimes indictee Ratko Mladic.
Signing but not implementing
They yielded to the pressure of other EU states – who have been prepared to sign the agreement for weeks - on condition that Serbia will not get any concrete benefits from the agreement until Belgrade is judged as fully cooperating with the ICTY.Normally, ratification of such documents is launched immediately after they are signed.But in this case, the lengthy process will not start until all EU member states unanimously agree that Belgrade's cooperation with the ICTY is sufficient.This could happen at the earliest in July, with a report on the matter by UN war crimes prosecutor Serge Brammertz expected in June.
Rejection by Serbia's prime minister
Meanwhile, the party of Serbia's prime minister, Vojislav Kostunica, has reiterated its opposition to signing the SAA and said the country's parliament would never ratify the document, according to Russian news agency Itar-Tass.On Monday, Mr Kostunica himself said again that the SAA undoubtedly represents an act against the state, an anti-constitutional act.The Serbian premier argues that the fact that a majority of EU countries has recognised Kosovo's independence has changed the political situation, and has called for talks with the EU on this new reality.Whether the EU's concession has worked will become evident on 11 May when President Boris Tadic's pro-Western Democrats will face off against the radical and nationalist parties in Serbia.
Link
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Scientists seek clues as Reno earthquakes keep shaking By SANDRA CHEREB, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 29, 8:26 PM ET
RENO, Nev. - Scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno are scrutinizing seismic readings and studying damage at residents' homes to try to figure out what's happening beneath the earth's surface under a northwest Reno neighborhood rocked by a seemingly endless string of earthquakes. What they can't say is whether the hundreds of temblors that have rattled the area for two months — the largest a magnitude 4.7 Friday night — are subsiding or a prelude to bigger things to come.You're not going to get an earthquake prediction today, John Anderson, director of Seismology Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno, said Tuesday during a briefing with Gov. Jim Gibbons and emergency managers on the seismic activity.Scientists are calling the swarm of temblors that began Feb. 28 the Mogul earthquake sequence, in reference to the neighborhood where hundreds of mostly minor earthquakes have occurred.But the shaking is unusual, seismologists say, because the intensity of the quakes has increased over the past few weeks. Generally, earthquakes tend to occur and are followed by smaller aftershocks.In this case, the earth's rumblings have continued unabated, with barely negligible bumps occurring often minutes apart, followed by occasional larger shakers.It's impossible to know if the temblors are foreshocks of a bigger quake to come, or aftershocks of what has been, experts said.
Up until April 15, sizable quakes that could be felt were occurring about once every third day.Then, the rate increased, with about three, 2.0 or larger incidents occurring daily.On April 24, when the first 4.2 quake was registered, all of a sudden we were seeing 20 (of the magnitude) 2s and larger per day, said state geologist Jon Price.This is an exceptionally vigorous sequence of earthquakes, Price said.During the past week alone, more than 500 occurrences have been recorded.Most recently, two measuring 3.1 and 3.2 in magnitude occurred around 11 p.m. Monday. Another 3.1 was recorded at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday.The largest so far was a 4.7 quake that was registered at 11:40 p.m. Friday. It was preceded 11 seconds earlier by a 3.3 quake, and followed 3 minutes later by one registering 3.4.The temblors sent goods flying off shelves, cracked walls, broke glass and collapsed part of a water flume west of Reno. There were no injuries.They are mostly shallow, occurring just beneath the surface to within a mile or two.Shallow makes us believe this is absolutely not volcanic, Price said.
Mapping of the quakes shows they are clustered around the Mogul and Somersett neighborhoods in northwest Reno, in an area about 2.5 miles long and 1/3 of a mile wide. Craig dePolo with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, said he understands the anxiety of residents who have lived with the persistent shaking. What's going on is extraordinary, he agreed. People are being needled by little earthquakes ... for months.And the best we can say is we don't know what going to happen.DePolo, who said he's been through many earthquakes, acknowledged that he, too, is a little nervous.The governor and emergency managers urged residents to be prepared by strapping down water heaters or any heavy items that could fall and injure people and to have first aid and food provisions on hand.
Frank Siracusa, head of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, said state, regional and local agencies train constantly for disasters and have been in daily contact. I'd like to say we're prepared, but we can never be too prepared, he said. The governor said he's very concerned about the safety of the public, and stressed that residents need to be prepared to minimize risk in the event of a disaster. Gibbons, himself a geologist, said the earth's movement is what makes the mountains and Nevada landscape so special. I find it fascinating about our earth and how it continually evolves over time, he said. But with Nevada being the second most seismically active state in the continental U.S., he echoed the advice of experts who said large earthquakes are inevitable. At some point ... we are going to have a magnitude 6 or 7, Gibbons said. Earthquake magnitudes are calculated according to ground motion recorded on seismographs. An increase in one full number — from 5.5 to 6.5, for example — means the quake's magnitude is 10 times as great. A quake with a magnitude of 6 can cause severe damage, while one with a magnitude of 7 can cause widespread, heavy damage. On the Net: UNR Seismological Laboratory: http://www.seismo.unr.edu U.S. Geological Survey: http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latestfault.htm
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Bangladesh trawlers warned as cyclone nears APR 30,08
DHAKA (AFP) - Authorities in Bangladesh on Wednesday warned fishing crews to stay close to shore as a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal churned towards the southeastern coast, with a direct hit possible later in the week.Thousands of people in the disaster-prone country are still struggling to cope with the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr last November. More than 3,000 people died when the storm slammed into the southern coast.We have warned all fishing boats not to venture into the deep sea for fishing until further notice, said the assistant director of Bangladesh's Meteorological Department, Shah Alam.Officials said the cyclone was still around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong.The present strength of severe cyclone Nargis indicates that it will hit the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast, but we will not be sure until Thursday afternoon when and where it will make landfall, added the head of the meteorological department, Arjumand Habib.
Heavy rains force evacuations in various regions of Quebec
Tue Apr 29, 6:19 PMBy The Canadian Press
QUEBEC - Swollen rivers caused by heavy rains forced the evacuation of some homes throughout Quebec on Tuesday. People in some 40 residences in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts in central Quebec were forced out of their homes because a local river overflowed its banks.
Another 35 residences were evacuated north of Quebec City. Many people were also on standby in the Montreal area.
Rescuers amazed that 6 twisters caused no deaths in Virginia Tue Apr 29, 6:14 PM By Sonja Barisic, The Associated Press
SUFFOLK, Va. - It was a scene of haphazard destruction that stretched for 40 kilometres: Row upon row of homes reduced to sprays of splintered lumber, shopping centres stripped to bare metal, parking lots turned into junk yards. And yet no one died. The only thing I can say is we were watched over and blessed, fire Chief Mark Outlaw said. As shaken residents and rescuers returned Tuesday to survey what's left, they were amazed by both the scope of the damage and their good fortune. Even among the 200 people who were injured, most suffered only cuts and scrapes. Authorities said people in the tornado's path had plenty of warning and were fortunate that the twister struck in the late afternoon, rather than at night, when most residents would have been sleeping. The extra few minutes provided enough time for people in the storm's path to huddle in bathrooms or crouch in the back of stores as the strongest of six twisters zigzagged for 40 kilometres across central and southeast Virginia. Gov. Timothy Kaine, who declared a state of emergency in the hardest-hit areas, said about 145 homes were severely damaged in Suffolk, a city of 80,000 people west of Norfolk. Most of the injured had been released from hospitals. It is kind of amazing there weren't more significant injuries, Kaine said on WTOP radio in Washington, D.C. You are talking about 145 homes; that is probably five to six hundred people directly affected by this tornado.
At least a dozen people remained hospitalized, six of them in critical condition. The tornado that hit Suffolk touched down repeatedly between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Monday, when many people were still at work or on their way home. Brenda Williams, 43, had been getting a manicure at a nail shop in the strip when the lights went out and she saw debris flying in the wind around the parking lot. She rushed to the back of the shop for safety, but the ceiling collapsed, burying her. She wasn't sure how long she was trapped.
She prayed, then hollered when she heard footsteps. A stranger pulled her out. I'm not lucky, I'm blessed, said Williams, who had a five-centimetre gash stitched above her left eyebrow and stitches on her right forearm. I'm fine. I'm here. I'm in the land of the living.On Tuesday, she went to a shopping centre to retrieve possessions from her car, which was flipped on its roof in the parking lot. Other cars and SUVs were strewn about, some stacked on top of others. The high winds had tossed two smashed cars inside the shopping centre, which had been stripped of its facing, leaving its steel skeleton exposed. Wiring and bits of insulation hung from metal beams. Shattered glass covered the carpeting, which was soaked from the heavy rains. A lone black hiking boot lay in a parking spot. Inside a military recruiting centre at the strip mall, a phone remained in place on a desk, its cord ripped out of a wall that no longer exists. Naomi Britt, who cares for an 87-year-old woman, was at the woman's home in a Suffolk subdivision when she heard what she thought was an 18-wheeler. I grabbed her by the hand and said, Let's go, said Britt, 60. She led the woman into a bathroom just as the lights failed. I got down as far as I could and we just held hands and prayed, she said.
After the roar had quieted and the house had stopped quaking, Britt opened the door to find rubble around her. Nothing remained of a neighbour's house but a cinderblock foundation. If we hadn't been in that tub, we could have been sucked out of that attic and out of that roof, and we'd be gone, said Britt, who was at the nondenominational Open Door Church, where out-of-state relief workers were being fed and sheltered. The National Weather Service confirmed that tornadoes also hit Brunswick County, about 100 kilometres west, and Colonial Heights, about 100 kilometres northwest. Three other twisters hit in Isle of Wight and Surry counties, and along the line separating Gloucester and Mathews counties, all in southeastern Virginia. The other tornadoes caused far less damage than the twister that ravaged Suffolk.
Windy and stormy Wayne Verno Wed Apr 30, 6:07 AM ET
West
An upper-level tough will keep rain and snow showers over the Northwestern States today, along with cool, below average temperatures. As this trough shifts east Thursday, cooler air will spread into the Rockies, bringing some accumulating snow into the mountains. Another disturbance will move into the Pacific Northwest with some showers, Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, an onshore flow will bring some low clouds, fog, and drizzle into the southern California costal areas this morning, while gusty winds bring a high fire danger to parts of the interior Southwest today, and again Thursday.
Midwest
A southerly flow of warm air will take hold of the Central and Midwestern States today, ahead of a developing storm system east of the Rockies. This southerly flow will also bring gusty winds through the Central Plains, resulting in a high fire danger over the far western Plains, into the Front Range of the Rockies (see Storm Watch for more details). This developing storm system will deepen, and track across the northern Plains Thursday and Friday. Rain, perhaps heavy at times, will spread across the northern Plains, along with windy conditions. Rain may mix with and change to snow later Friday, bringing some accumulation. Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms will increase across the eastern Plains late Thursday, and spread into the Mississippi Valley and Midwest Friday. Heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms will be possible (see Storm Watch for more details). The threat for rain and thunderstorms should decrease by Saturday into Sunday, as the storm system moves east, with showery weather lingering over the Great Lakes. Cooler, below average temperatures will spread across the northern Plains and Midwest late this week.
South
After a chilly and frosty start over parts of the Southeastern States today, high pressure overhead will allow for sunny skies and warm temperatures by afternoon over all of the Southern States. Over Texas, into the southern Plains, gusty winds can be expected today as the southerly flow increases in this area. A high fire danger will also exist over parts of western Texas and the western Plains (see Storm Watch for details). Attention will then turn toward a developing storm system over the Plains, which will bring showers and thunderstorms across the eastern Plains, into the Mississippi Valley Thursday night and Friday. A few storms could be severe (see Storm Watch for more details). Showers and a few thunderstorms will spread across the Southeastern States Saturday and Sunday, as the storm system pushes a cold front east across the area. Generally, warm temperatures will dominate the Southern States through the weekend.
Northeast
High pressure will dominate the Northeastern States today, allowing for sunny and dry conditions, along with afternoon temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below average for this time of year. As a storm system develops over the central Plains, a warm front will be pushed into the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England States Thursday and Friday, bringing a chance for scattered showers. Warmer temperatures will also move into these areas, with afternoon readings at, to slightly above average. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected Saturday, as the storm system pushes a cold front east onto the area. Showers and expected to linger Sunday and Monday.
Baghdad dust storm disrupts road, air traffic APR 30,08
BAGHDAD (AFP) - A blinding dust storm hit Baghdad for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, forcing pedestrians to stay indoors and bringing road and air traffic to a halt, officials said.Fine dust from the storm, which is expected to continue for several days, has seeped into homes, depositing a thin film of yellow powder.People are afraid of storms. They do not want to leave their homes and they prevent their children from attending school, an official at an emergency department of a hospital in Baghdad said.
With traffic accidents reportedly rising due to the lack of visibility, traffic police Colonel Walid Ammar went on state television urging people to drive slowly.Flights into and out of Baghdad have been cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.I am on leave and I do not have much time, said Paul Benson, a security guard with a foreign company said who has been stuck at the airport since Tuesday.I have already spent two days at the airport but right now I am thinking of getting to Jordan as from there everything is possible.Another passenger, Sandy Mitchell, was also frustrated.This sucks, she said, but you can't do anything about a dust storm.For Baghdadis, the storm was yet another peril in the ongoing struggle of daily life in the war-ravaged capital.This may be a divine retribution, but we already had a lot and this is enough, said Haitham, a trader, who did not give his full name.As summer approaches, a dust storm is the last thing Baghdadis want, in addition to the lack of regular electricity and water supplies.These sand storms also cause asthma and allergies, Doctor Mohammed Abdel Baki said, adding there had been an increase in cases since last month.Meanwhile, militants were reportedly taking advantage of the storm and fighting security forces in and around Baghdad's Sadr City, the bastion of Mahdi Army militia of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.The storm has largely grounded the US helicopters and drones that have normally been tracking these fighters during the fierce battles of the past few weeks.The US military refused to specify the measures taken to overcome difficulties causes by the bad weather, but said ground operations were not disrupted.Regardless of the weather, that doesn't impact our requirement or objective to protect the people of Baghdad, Lieutenant Colonel Steven Stover said.
We will kill or capture the enemy, who continues to display a complete and utter lack of concern for the welfare and well-being of the Iraqi people.Whenever (a militant) engages a US patrol or outpost with small-arms fire ... he is either killed, wounded or flees like the mangy cur they represent.Under the cover of the dust, dozens of rockets and mortar rounds have been fired since Tuesday at the Green Zone, the seat of Iraqi government and the US embassy.
JUDE 5-13
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
I BELIEVE BLACK HOLES COULD BE THE LAKE OF FIRE THAT THE SINNERS GET THROWN IN AT THE FINAL JUDGEMENT AFTER THE 1000 YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST ON EARTH. AS WELL THE EU DICTATOR AND THE FALSE POPE GET THROWN IN THE LAKE OF FIRE ALIVE AT JESUS RETURN TO EARTH BODILY AT THE END OF THE 7 YEAR PEACE TREATY OF DANIEL 9:27
REVELATION 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Powerful Black Hole Jet Explained Clara Moskowitz
Staff Writer SPACE.com Mon Apr 28, 10:31 AM ET
While we may never know what it looks like inside a black hole, astronomers recently obtained one of the closest views yet. The sighting allowed scientists to confirm theories about how these giant cosmic sinkholes spew out jets of particles travelling at nearly the speed of light.Ever since the first observations of these powerful jets, which are among the brightest objects seen in the universe, astronomers have wondered what causes the particles to accelerate to such great speeds. A leading hypothesis suggested the black hole's gigantic mass distorts space and time around it, twisting magnetic field lines into a coil that propels material outward.Now researchers have observed a jet during a period of extreme outburst and found evidence that streams of particles wind a corkscrew path away from the black hole, as the leading hypothesis predicts.We got an unprecedented view of the inner portion of one of these jets and gained information that's very important to understanding how these tremendous particle accelerators work, said Boston University astronomer Alan Marscher, who led the research team. The results of the study are detailed in the April 24 issue of the journal Nature.
The team studied a galaxy called BL Lacertae (BL Lac), about 950 million light years from Earth, with a central black hole containing 200 million times the mass of our Sun. Since this supermassive black hole's jets are pointing nearly straight at us, it is called a blazar (a quasar is often thought to be the same as a blazar, except its jets are pointed away from us).The new observations, taken by the National Science Foundation's Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio telescope, along with NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and a number of optical telescopes, show material moving outward along a spiral channel, as the scientists expected.These data support the suggestion that twisted magnetic field lines are creating the jet plumes. Material in the center of the galaxy, such as nearby stars and gas, gets pulled in by the black hole's overwhelming gravity and forms a disk orbiting around the core (the material's inertia keeps it spiraling in a disk rather than falling straight into the black hole). The distorted magnetic field lines seem to pull charged particles off the disk and cause them to gush outward at nearly the speed of light.We knew that material was falling in to these regions, and we knew that there were outbursts coming out, said University of Michigan astronomer Hugh Aller, who worked on the new study. What's really been a mystery was that we could see there were these really high-energy particles, but we didn't know how they were created, how they were accelerated. It turns out that the model matches the data. We can actually see the particles gaining velocity as they are accelerated along this magnetic field.
The astronomers also observed evidence of another phenomenon predicted by the leading hypothesis — that a flare would be produced when material spewing out in the jets hit a shock wave beyond the core of the black hole.That behavior is exactly what we saw, Marscher said.
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FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
Fed expected to cut key interest rates one more time By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer APR 30,08
WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve, which began the year aggressively fighting a severe credit crunch and economic weakness, may push the pause button after delivering perhaps one more quarter-point cut in interest rates. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues were to wrap up a two-day meeting Wednesday and financial markets widely expected that the discussions will end with an announcement that the Fed will cut a key interest rate by a quarter-point.That would be the seventh reduction in the federal funds rate since the central bank began battling against the credit squeeze and the growing possibility of a recession last September.The Fed delivered two three-quarter-point moves and one half-point cut over an eight-week period from mid-January to mid-March that represented the central bank's most aggressive rate cuts in a quarter-century.
However, the central bank is expected to respond with a less aggressive quarter-point move at this meeting, in part because the financial turmoil seems to have eased and because there are growing concerns about inflation.While there is some thought that the Fed might decide to forgo a rate cut, most analysts believe that the greater likelihood is a quarter-point move.My best guess is that they want to buy a little more insurance against an economy that looks like it is in recession, said Lyle Gramley, a former Fed board member with the Stanford Financial Group.A quarter-point cut would move the funds rate to 2 percent, a full 3 percentage points below where it was on Sept. 18 when the Fed started cutting rates.
A quarter-point move would trigger a similar reduction in banks' prime lending rate, the benchmark for millions of consumer and business loans, which now stands at 5.25 percent.The Fed's rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, composed of Fed board members in Washington and regional Fed bank presidents, is split into two camps. One group is concerned that the severe credit crisis and prolonged housing slump could be pushing the country into a deep recession while a smaller faction is worried that the Fed could be running the risk of letting inflation get out of control even as the economy slows.Whatever the Fed does at the conclusion of this week's meeting, private economists believe it will leave the door open for further rate cuts, seeking to avoid the mistake made at the October meeting when it sent a pause signal, only to have to backtrack.They made a big mistake after the October meeting, implying that they would pause, and then had egg all over their face when they had to begin cutting rates aggressively because the economy weakened more than they thought and the credit crisis turned out to be more severe, said David Jones, head of DMJ Advisors, a private economic consulting firm.
While leaving the door open this time for further rate cuts if needed, the Fed may well be done, many analysts believe, if financial markets continue to improve and the economy starts to rebound with the help of the previous Fed rate cuts and 130 million economic stimulus payments, which started showing up in Americans' bank accounts this week.While many economists believe the country is in a recession, the expectation is that it will be a short one ending this summer. If that turns out to be correct, the Fed may hold rates steady for the rest of this year with the next move being a rate increase sometime next year when the economy is on sounder footing.The Fed won't start raising interest rates until the unemployment rate has peaked and started coming back down, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. He said he was looking for the jobless rate, now at 5.1 percent, to climb to 6 percent early next year before starting to fall.
EARTH DESTROYED WITH THE EARTH
GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.(WORLD TERRORISM,MURDERS)
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence (TERRORISM) through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Rights group: Zimbabwe's army unleashing terror By DONNA BRYSON, Associated Press Writer Wed Apr 30, 5:58 AM ET
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - A leading human rights group accused Zimbabwe's army Wednesday of working with ruling party militants to unleash terror and violence against dissent. New York-based Human Rights Watch joined other rights groups and Zimbabwe's opposition party in linking violence since last month's presidential vote to the security forces and so-called war veterans — groups loyal to autocratic President Robert Mugabe.Mugabe's regime has countered that the opposition groups are responsible for the violence, even arresting scores of people last week, including women and their nursing babies, who the opposition says had taken shelter from the violence at its headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital.
Lawyers for Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change said the Harare High Court ordered late Monday that everyone arrested at its headquarters last week should be freed. On Tuesday, police released the last of those still being held.Mugabe has been accused of using violence and intimidation and plotting fraud to hold onto power after March 29 presidential elections he is believed to have lost.Results from those elections have yet to be released, and ruling party officials have said a runoff would likely be necessary. Opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai says he won outright, though independent observers say Tsvangirai won the most votes, but not the 50 percent plus one vote needed to avoid a runoff.The army and its allies — war-veterans and supporters of the ruling party Zanu-PF — are intensifying their brutal grip on wide swathes of rural Zimbabwe to ensure that a possible second round of presidential elections goes their way, Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in the group's statement released Wednesday.Neither the army chief nor a government spokesman could be reached for immediate comment.The African Union and U.N. Security Council should take immediate steps to help prevent a further escalation in violence, Gagnon said.The opposition also has appealed to African leaders and to the U.N. for help.
On Tuesday, a Zimbabwe opposition leader urged the U.N. Security Council to appoint a special envoy to his country. But the deeply divided council, which was briefed on situation behind closed doors, took no action.While the United States, Britain and France back council engagement and sending a U.N. envoy to Zimbabwe, diplomats said South Africa, Russia, China and other members oppose any action now.In the hearing, Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador Karen Pierce said U.N. political chief B. Lynn Pascoe had spoken of a level of political intimidation and violence that I think many council members found quite chilling.U.S. deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff said he was struck by Pascoe's characterization of the situation in Zimbabwe as the worst humanitarian crisis since independence in 1980.Human Rights Watch said war veterans were being given guns and trucks by the army and were collaborating with the army in unleashing a campaign of terror and violence against (opposition) MDC members and supporters.The veterans groups are fiercely loyal to Mugabe and have roots in the nation's independence struggle but increasingly include militants too young to have been guerrilla fighters.In one example in the eastern province of Manicaland, Human Rights Watch said, opposition members went to an informal torture center set up by war veterans and saw 12 of their colleagues who had been abducted, bound and beaten. The war veterans fired on those who had come asking questions, hitting three and killing one as they fled. The current whereabouts of the 12 abductees were not known, Human Rights Watch said.When the victims informed the local police about the incident, the police refused to take action, claiming that such an incident could not have happened since they had no knowledge of any civilians in the area who were allowed to keep firearms, Human Rights Watch said.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks rise ahead of Federal Reserve's rate decision By MADLEN READ, AP Business Writer APR 30,08
NEW YORK - The stock market rose Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates and its assessment of the economy. Most investors expect the central bank to again lower its benchmark fed funds rate, this time by a quarter point, to 2 percent. However, many also believe policymakers will signal their intention to put rates on hold to fight inflation. The Fed is scheduled to announce its decision at 2:15 p.m. EDT.Though inflation appears to be a growing threat, that's not to say economic weakness is not a risk, either. The Commerce Department estimated that the U.S. gross domestic product rose at a very modest seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.6 percent during the first quarter, while the U.S. Chicago purchasing managers' index showed a second straight month of contraction in Midwest manufacturing.However, both readings were better than anticipated — economists had forecast a 0.5 percent rise in first-quarter GDP, and a reading of 48.0 for the April purchasing managers' index instead of the reported 48.2.Investors also pored over a mix of earnings reports from a number of consumer-oriented companies — particularly General Motors Corp., SAP AG and Procter & Gamble Co.
In midmorning trading, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 50.07, or 0.39 percent, to 12,882.01.Broader stock indicators also advanced. The Standard & Poor's 500 index futures rose 3.95, or 0.28 percent, to 1,394.89, while the Nasdaq composite index added 6.33, or 0.26 percent, to 2,432.43.Bond prices lifted as well. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, fell to 3.80 percent from 3.82 percent late Tuesday.The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices edged higher.Oil prices moved higher after sliding of more than $3 a barrel in the previous session on a strengthening dollar and data showing a dramatic drop in American fuel demand. Light, sweet crude for June delivery rose 60 cents to $116.23 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.GM lost $3.3 billion in the first quarter as strong overseas growth was offset by a strike at a supplier and weak U.S. sales. However, the loss was smaller than Wall Street analysts expected, and shares jumped $2.01, or 9.5 percent, to $23.21.Software maker SAP AG said its profit slipped in the first quarter because of the weaker dollar and its takeover of another software company, Business Objects. Though sales were higher and SAP raised its 2008 outlook, SAP shares fell $1.63, or 3.1 percent, to $50.82.
And meanwhile, Procter & Gamble Co. said price increases and cost controls helped offset higher commodity costs, pushing its third quarter profit up 8 percent. P&G also lifted its full-year outlook, and its shares rose $2.03, or 3.1 percent, to $67.93.Meanwhile, Citigroup Inc. said late Tuesday it plans to sell $3 billion of common stock to boost its capital levels. The largest U.S. bank is raising more capital to offset more than $45 billion of write-downs and credit losses it has taken since June 30. Citigroup shares fell 66 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $25.66.The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 3.15, or 0.44 percent, to 722.08.Advacing issues outnumbered decliners by about 9 to 5 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 189.7 million shares.Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.32 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.14 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.48 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.11 percent.On the Net: New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
Obama Tries to Dig Out By KAREN TUMULTY
Wed Apr 30, 3:30 AM ET
There was little nuance in Barack Obama's news conference Tuesday, as he pronounced himself saddened, angered and even outraged by the antics of his former pastor at the National Press Club a day earlier. I find these comments appalling, he said. It contradicts everything that I'm about and who I am. It was a far different tone from the finely tuned speech on race that he had given in Philadelphia in March, shortly after some of Jeremiah Wright's most inflammatory comments had first come to light. And it reflected the new political reality that Obama has confronted in what have been the rockiest weeks yet for his presidential campaign. The most important audience Obama was trying to reach in that news conference was not the voters in the upcoming Democratic primary states of Indiana and North Carolina. He was speaking most directly to 300 or so remaining undecided Democratic superdelegates, the party regulars who are likely to determine the eventual nominee - and who have become increasingly concerned in recent days that the Democratic frontrunner lacks the fire and the fight he will need to prevail in November. As one Democratic strategist put it: You could sense, if not a turning of the tide over the past couple of days, that people were getting back on the fence. Indeed, on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton picked up the endorsement of one important superdelegate: North Carolina Governor Mike Easley, who is backing her despite the fact that much of the rest of the state's political establishment has lined up behind Obama, considered a strong bet to win the state's primary next week. There's been lots of Yes we can, yes we should, Easley said in a dig at Obama. Hillary Clinton is ready to deliver.
The setbacks for Obama's seemingly charmed presidential campaign have come one on top of the other lately. There was his admittedly clumsy comments in a private fundraiser about bitter small-town voters who cling to religion and guns, questions about his association with a 1960s-era terrorist and nit-picking in a recent debate over why he doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel.
But potentially worst of all was his association with Wright, particularly after the retired pastor launched what amounted to a media tour, and suggested that any efforts that Obama had made to distance himself was posturing. Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability, based on sound bites, based on polls, Wright said dismissively of his former congregant. Even former President Jimmy Carter, who normally avoids commenting on the presidential race, told CNN that Wright had really been damaging to Obama's presidential campaign. Obama's campaign was dismayed as well by the timing of those comments, which came just as their candidate had begun to regain his political footing after being defeated by Clinton in last week's Pennsylvania primary. In particular, they overshadowed campaign events that were aimed at connecting better with senior citizens and blue-collar whites, two groups that Obama has been losing to Clinton. It's harder to break through if you're spending a lot of time on Reverend Wright, lamented one of Obama's top strategists. How combative to get in response has been a dilemma for Obama, who has built his entire candidacy on the idea that he represents a new, less corrosive brand of politics. Nor does the roughness of ordinary politics seem to fit Obama's personal style. But increasingly, Democrats have been worried about how well that style will wear if Obama gets the nomination and has to face even tougher attacks at the hands of Republicans. Sometimes, he sounds like he is writing a Ph.D., said one adviser. He has to show some passion. View this article on Time.com
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
A Europe of blocs? (TRADE BLOCKS....YES)
Mark Mardell 30 Apr 08, 12:01 AM
The French President nearly upset the EU apple-cart when he proposed a Mediterranean Union including EU and non-EU countries around that sea. How far will the Poles go when they make proposals for a similar Baltic-to-the-Black-Sea Union? The idea was a little noticed result of the European Council meeting back in March. Then, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggested that if Turkey and the countries of North Africa could link up with the EU countries bordering the Med, it was only fair the East should have the same opportunities.
He was given the go-ahead, perhaps to both balance President Sarkozy's brainwave, and perhaps to further down-grade it. Perhaps a rather brutal move, as it had already been thoroughly and efficiently eviscerated by Chancellor Merkel.Polish diplomats do not see their plan as ambitious as the Mediterranean, but argue that if the French, Italian, Spanish and Greeks can link up with countries in North Africa and negotiate with the rest of the European union as a bloc, then they should be allowed to do the same alongside Georgia and Ukraine. I presume the link-up would be between the 10 former communist countries of the East and those six in the relevant European neighbourhood policy.As far as I know, there will be no invitation to Russia to join this would-be new power bloc. The Poles point out that at the moment they, and the EU members in the region, can only talk to the European Union as individual nations. The suggestion is those next to the Med would get an unfair advantage. Part of this is no doubt there's gold in them there hills: such an organisation would of course get more EU money for the region. More cash is a reasonable goal in itself, but I wonder about the consequences.
Sometimes countries do argue within the European Union as regional blocs, but more often they don't. Mr Tusk's report, to be presented to the other leaders in June, is probably of not much moment in itself but is it the beginning of a trend? And would that trend be a dangerous undermining of EU solidarity, or a realistic recognition of other identities and alliances ?
EU attempts to woo Serbia with pre-accession deal
29.04.2008 - 17:44 CET | By Elitsa Vucheva
EUOBSERVER / LUXEMBOURG – With just over a week to go until what is being billed as decisive elections in Serbia, the EU on Tuesday (29 April) sent a strong political signal to the western Balkan country that its future belongs in the European Union.In a piece of political manoeuvring that gives the pro-EU forces in Belgrade something to use at home but upholds a key European demand, both sides signed a pre-membership deal at a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg.The deal came after the Netherlands and Belgium dropped their opposition to the move but on condition that the implementation of the agreement depends on Belgrade's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal.This is a good day, a happy day for both Serbia and the EU, Slovenian foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said after signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in Luxembourg.Europe is ready to go a common way with Serbia and now the European future of Serbia is in the hands of the Serbian people, he added.Serbian President Boris Tadic, who flew from Belgrade especially for the signing ceremony after a call from Mr Rupel earlier on Tuesday, said he was also extremely pleased that Serbia is entering a contractual relationship with the EU.
Signing the SAA constitutes an important step towards eventual EU membership and this in turn will ultimately bring about a final reconciliation of the peoples of the western Balkans, he added.The decision was taken on Tuesday morning after Belgium and the Netherlands agreed to sign the SAA.The two countries had originally said that Serbia must first fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and arrest war crimes indictee Ratko Mladic.
Signing but not implementing
They yielded to the pressure of other EU states – who have been prepared to sign the agreement for weeks - on condition that Serbia will not get any concrete benefits from the agreement until Belgrade is judged as fully cooperating with the ICTY.Normally, ratification of such documents is launched immediately after they are signed.But in this case, the lengthy process will not start until all EU member states unanimously agree that Belgrade's cooperation with the ICTY is sufficient.This could happen at the earliest in July, with a report on the matter by UN war crimes prosecutor Serge Brammertz expected in June.
Rejection by Serbia's prime minister
Meanwhile, the party of Serbia's prime minister, Vojislav Kostunica, has reiterated its opposition to signing the SAA and said the country's parliament would never ratify the document, according to Russian news agency Itar-Tass.On Monday, Mr Kostunica himself said again that the SAA undoubtedly represents an act against the state, an anti-constitutional act.The Serbian premier argues that the fact that a majority of EU countries has recognised Kosovo's independence has changed the political situation, and has called for talks with the EU on this new reality.Whether the EU's concession has worked will become evident on 11 May when President Boris Tadic's pro-Western Democrats will face off against the radical and nationalist parties in Serbia.
Link
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
VIRGINIA TORNADOES INJURE 200
HOW TORNADOES FORM
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/interactives/_science/tornadoes_primer/index.html?SITE=YAHOO&SECTION=HOME
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
YOU GOTTA BE BLIND TO NOT SEE THE HAND OF GOD INVOLVED IN THESE TORNADOES. IT FLYS THROUGH A STRIPMALL LIKE A DRILL BIT OR A BLENDER, IT DRILLED A CORE OF DESTRUCTION THROUGHT THE MIDDLE OF THE BUILDING. AND TOSSING AND THROWING CARS AROUND LIKE TOYS. SMASHING AND PULVERISING WINDSHIELDS. THEN IT GOT TO A CERTAIN POINT AND JUST HEADED RIGHT.
THIS WAS JUST A MIRACLE OF GODS PROTECTION WITH ALL THE DESTRUCTION AND NOT ONE PERSON DEAD. ALL THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA GIVE GOD THE GLORY (KING JESUS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL AND THE WORLD)FOR THESE AWESOME MIRACLES DONE YESTERDAY.
3 tornadoes rip through Va.; more than 200 people hurt By SONJA BARISIC, Associated Press Writer APR 29,08
SUFFOLK, Va. - Officials say search-and-rescue operations following three destructive tornadoes in southeast Virginia have not uncovered any dead or additional injured. Suffolk Fire Chief Mark Outlaw told a news conference Tuesday that teams with search dogs found nothing more than torn up lumber and torn up houses.The storms on Monday resulted in more than 200 injuries but no deaths.
Gov. Timothy Kaine says the tornadoes caused very, very serious devastation. But Kaine told WTOP Radio in Washington that it's kind of amazing there were not more significant injuries.Kaine was to tour the area later Tuesday.
Tornadoes hit Virginia, 200 injured
Mon Apr 28, 11:05 PM
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three tornadoes swept through central and southeastern Virginia on Monday, injuring about 200 people and damaging dozens of homes and businesses, officials said.The city of Suffolk in the southeastern part of the state was hardest hit by the late afternoon storms, said Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Laura Southard. She said earlier reports of a fatality in linked to the severe weather were incorrect.Injuries and damage were also reported in Colonial Heights in central Virginia, Southard said.The National Weather Service (NWS) said three confirmed tornadoes plowed through the region.One of the tornadoes hit the Lawrenceville area in Brunswick County, said NWS meteorologist Brian Hurley. The second tornado developed to the north of Colonial Heights ... The other more significant tornado occurred in the city of Suffolk.Television pictures showed extensive property damage -- flattened homes, and lawns and streets covered in piles of debris and toppled trees.There are trees down everywhere and I've seen a half-dozen vehicles flipped over, Richard Hicks of Suffolk told the Virginian-Pilot newspaper.Another witness in Suffolk, Robert Brinkley, told the newspaper: There are tops blown off the roofs of many, many houses.More than 3,000 Dominion Virginia Power customers were without service, most in scattered outages throughout the southeastern part of the state, the newspaper said.Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine declared a statewide emergency to coordinate the state's response to what his office said was widespread damage in the wake of storms.
N.B. premier says governments will help should flooding cause major damage By The Canadian Press APR 29,08
FREDERICTON - Officials in New Brunswick remain on emergency footing with a forecast of rain expected to swell the flood-prone St. John River this week. Premier Shawn Graham says government help will be available in the event of major flood damage, if the province declares a natural disaster. There are a number of programs that (would) kick into effect in partnership with the federal government under the disaster assistance program, Graham said in an interview Monday night. Graham also praised provincial officials for their work so far. The Department of Public Safety has done a tremendous job, putting in place support groups and resources and command centres around the province where flooding is being expected.Meanwhile, more than 100 people in some low-lying areas have already left their homes voluntarily. Significant flooding is expected in areas like Maugerville and Sheffield with river levels expected to rise another 20 to 40 centimetres by Thursday. A number of roads remain under water and are closed to larger vehicles. Andy Morton, deputy director of the province's EMO, said Monday that rain forecast to begin today will likely have a significant effect on the river. There will be an increase on Wednesday and probably a further increase on Thursday and maybe even into Friday, said Morton. A lot will depend on what actual rainfall occurs. Obviously, at this point we're working off forecasted rainfall amounts.The flooding - caused by melting snow and rain - is an annual event and Morton expected a lot of people would stay in their homes despite the high water. Anybody who chooses to stay in their home should be prepared for at least a week in terms of things like drinking water, food, medications or any prescription products, and be prepared to last it out, he said.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS
REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Battle against stubborn California wildfire enters 4th day APR 29,08
SIERRA MADRE, Calif. - Firefighters battling a stubborn wildfire northeast of Los Angeles were expecting help Tuesday from cooler temperatures and calmer winds. As the dramatic blaze entered its fourth day, most of the more than 1,000 people evacuated from their homes at the foot of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains have been allowed to return. On Tuesday, public schools in the community of about 11,000 residents were scheduled to reopen.The 538-acre blaze burned dangerously close to homes early Monday, but firefighters stood their ground and turned the flames back.No homes have been lost in the blaze in the foothill suburb of Sierra Madre, 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The fire was 21 percent contained Monday.
Helicopters and airplanes bombarded the fire with water and retardant drops Monday while firefighters labored in temperatures in the 90s. Nearly 700 firefighters were on the lines.Temperatures were expected to reach the mid 70s Tuesday, with high humidity and little wind.Four firefighters had minor injuries — a bee sting, a strained knee, and two cases of heat exhaustion, authorities said. A small outbuilding was destroyed.The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.The fire broke out Saturday afternoon in a popular hiking area as unseasonable extreme heat and low humidity set in over Southern California. By late that night it was a bright orange line descending like slow-moving lava down the steep mountainside, triggering evacuations along the interface between the city and wilderness.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks edge lower with investors wary of consumer data, Fed By JOE BEL BRUNO, AP Business Writer APR 29,08
NEW YORK - Stocks edged lower in early trading Tuesday ahead of a report that's expected to show another decline in consumer confidence this month. The Conference Board releases its April survey of consumer confidence at 10 a.m. EDT. The consensus estimate of Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR is that the research group's index of consumer confidence fell to 62 from March's 64.5 amid rising prices for energy and food. In March, the index, which is approaching a five-year low, fell nearly 12 points from February.Wall Street remains worried that inflation could accelerate and curtail consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the U.S. economy. That's also of paramount concern for the Federal Reserve, which begins a two-day policy meeting Tuesday afternoon.The Fed is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter point on Wednesday, but then hold firm for the remainder of the year. The Fed is facing a difficult juggling act of trying to shore up the faltering economy without triggering inflation.The Dow Jones industrial average fell 5.21, or 0.04 percent, to 12,866.54.Broader markets were narrowly lower. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 2.02, or 0.14 percent, to 1,394.35; and the Nasdaq composite index fell 3.97, or 0.16 percent, to 2,420.43.On Monday, Wall Street finished narrowly mixed on light volume as investors were unwilling to take big bets ahead of the Fed decision. The same kind of trading environment was expected during Tuesday's session.
Bond prices rose. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, fell to 3.81 percent from 3.82 percent late Monday.Oil prices fell amid expectations that a supply disruption in Britain would soon be resolved and as the U.S. dollar strengthened further against the euro. Light, sweet crude for June delivery fell $2.65 to $116.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.In corporate news, MasterCard Inc. spiked $17.37, or 7.2 percent, to $260.00 after the company reported profit more than doubled in the first quarter. The company said more customers overseas used their credit and debit cards for purchases, though spending within the U.S. rose at a moderate pace.However, rival Visa Inc. sunk $3.05, or 3.9 percent, to $72.55 after it reported late Monday that first-quarter profit rose 28 percent. However, shares plunged in electronic trading amid concern that the world's biggest credit card processor will have a difficult time managing choppy U.S. economic conditions.There was also further anxiety about the global credit crisis' impact on financial institutions. Deutsche Bank AG said Tuesday it wrote down $4.2 billion in leveraged loans, commercial real estate and mortgage-backed securities, during the first quarter, pushing Germany's biggest bank to its first quarterly loss since 2003 amid trading losses, lower revenue and global market jitters.The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 2.23, or 0.31 percent, to 723.14.Declining issues surpassed advancers by 4 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 61.2 million.Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.22 percent. In morning trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.16 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.50 percent, and France's CAC-40 shed 0.26 percent.On the Net:New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
Palestinian groups want truce to include West Bank By Alaa Shahine APR 29,08
CAIRO (Reuters) - Several Palestinian groups said on Tuesday a possible truce with Israel must include all Palestinian territories simultaneously, opposing a Hamas suggestion that it start in the Gaza Strip. Any reasonable Palestinian should assume that this is essential, Abou Adnan al-Baba, a member of the central command of the Popular Resistance Committees, said in Cairo before a meeting between the groups and Egyptian intelligence officials to reach a Palestinian consensus on the ceasefire proposal.Egypt invited the groups for talks after Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip, proposed a six-month truce between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza, with an option to extend it to Palestinians in the West Bank.Hamas, which was not at Tuesday's meeting, said the ceasefire would also include an end to the Israeli-led blockade of the coastal strip.Israel has dismissed the proposal as a Hamas ploy to gain time and prepare for more fighting.The truce proposal emerged from several rounds of talks between Egypt and Hamas, with the blessing of the United States, which calls Hamas a terrorist group.
The failure of Palestinians to reach common ground or Israeli rejection of the truce would complicate Egyptian efforts to end violence in the Gaza Strip.The talks in Cairo were overshadowed by the killing of six Palestinians, including four children and their mother, as they were having breakfast on Monday in the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun.Israel said the deaths were tragic and occurred when an aircraft fired at two Palestinian militants carrying munitions, which exploded and destroyed the home of the family.Maher al-Tahir, politburo member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, told Reuters his group doubted any truce with Israel was viable.Israel launches aggressions against the Palestinian people every day and has not committed to any truce, he said.Hamas said several Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad and leftist groups based in Syria, had preliminarily approved the offer.But Ramzi Rabah, a senior member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said starting the truce only in the Gaza Strip would leave the West Bank prey to settlement activities and aggressions.Israel pulled troops and settlers out of the Gaza Strip in 2005 but still controls its borders and has tightened its restrictions since Hamas seized control there last year.
Sarkozy flies to Tunisia to push business, Mediterranean Union Posted : Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:56:07 GMT Author : DPA Category : Europe (World)
Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy was expected to arrive later Monday in the Tunisian capital Tunis to begin a three- day state visit during which he will push French business interests and try to shore up support for his plan for a Union for the Mediterranean. Sarkozy will be accompanied by his wife, Carla, seven ministers and the heads of some 120 companies, underscoring the economic importance of relations between the two countries.
France is by far Tunisia's most important trading partner, with bilateral commerce reaching some 7 billion euros (10.94 billion dollars) in 2007. A number of deals, worth about 2 billion euros, are expected to be finalized Monday evening, between Sarkozy's meeting with Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and a scheduled state dinner. The contracts to be signed include the sale of Airbus aircraft to Tunisian carrier Tunisair and for the construction of a conventional power station by the French firm Alstom at Ghannouch, in southern Tunisia. Sarkozy's proposal for a Union for the Mediterranean, which is to comprise the 27 EU member nations and countries situated along the Mediterranean rim, will be the main issue of bilateral discussions. One sore point between the two nations is the question of human rights under Ben Ali. On Saturday, two editors for the opposition weekly al-Mawkef said they would go on an unlimited hunger strike to protest what they called the government's harassment of their publication. Sarkozy's office said that the French president would raise human rights issues both in his talks with Ben Ali and in his public declarations.
Egypt looks for leading role in Mediterranean Union, minister says Posted : Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:42:00 GMT Author : DPA Middle East (World)
Luxembourg - Egypt wants to play a leading role in the planned Union for the Mediterranean, coordinating the states around the south of the sea, its foreign minister said on Monday at a meeting with European Union officials. Egypt accepts and endorses the idea of the union originally proposed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and it is eager to enter high-level discussions with the EU as Egypt, the coordinator of the south, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Ghreit said. Egypt will also organize meetings around the southern Mediterranean to forge a common view with Arab neighbours on issues important to the proposed union, he said at a meeting in Luxembourg. Whatever we put on the table (on the issue of the proposed union) is very much spoken about, talked about and prepared with Egypt, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana replied.
Sarkozy initially proposed the idea for a Mediterranean Union modelled on the EU in early 2007. However, EU member states without a coastline on the sea rejected the creation of a major new structure, approving instead a strengthened version of current policies. The talks in Luxembourg were the fourth in an annual series set up under the so-called Association Agreement between the EU and Egypt, which came into force in 2004, and were marked by their constructive and friendly tone, participants said. The two sides discussed Egypt's mediating role in the Middle East Peace Process, agreeing that the immediate prerequisites for progress would be a ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners and the implementation of a 2005 agreement on crossings into the Gaza Strip. They also discussed the global problem of world food prices, while Egypt presented EU Foreign-Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero- Waldner with a list of proposals for improving aspects of cooperation, Aboul-Ghreit said. They also touched on the question of the crackdown on banned opposition group the Muslim Brotherhood ahead of April 8 municipal elections in the country. When you have an illegal organization acting, trying to be legal, you arrest its operators, Aboul-Ghreit said. There are still a lot of questions that we would have to tackle in the future, but ... the fact that the (April) elections were held was certainly important, Ferrero-Waldner said. She hoped that future cooperation would allow Egypt to build on the experience of its first-ever contested presidential elections in 2005, she said.
Dear Stan, APR 29,08MIKE EVANS
I am writing you from Israel after having an emergency meeting with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom I have known since he was 26 years old. I was horrified to learn that when President Bush comes to Israel for its 60th Anniversary in May, he has made the decision to mobilize Arab nations to come for a summit on the 17th & 18th of May.The purpose of this summit is to move forward with the Annapolis Road Map, the plan that will force Israel to give up a large percentage of Judea and Samaria, which they call occupied territories, and divide the Holy City of Jerusalem.It is extremely humiliating to think this would be America’s way of honoring Israel’s 60th year of prophetic rebirth. Even more outrageous, I saw the document confirming that the plan is to have this finalized by November 12, 2008.
I am asking you to vote and let President Bush know that you oppose him organizing a summit to divide Jerusalem on Israel’s 60th Anniversary. http://tool.donation-net.net/JPT_Area/Vote/Vote_ap1.cfm?dn=1032&source=3035&id=256310&commid=80783715&CFID=4988642&CFTOKEN=34083737
He needs to hear from you loudly and clearly immediately.Send this to all of your friends and ask them to do the same. God’s words say that I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee.
Your Ambassador to Jerusalem,
Mike Evans Your Jerusalem World News: www.myjwn.com
Your Save Jerusalem Site: www.savejerusalem.org
Insights into life, ideas for personal growth APR 29,08
GOOD MORNING! This Shabbat coincides with the Seventh Day of Pesach, a full-fledged holiday which extends to Sunday evening, the April 27th. The crossing of the Yam Soof, usually translated as the Red Sea, more correctly translated as The Reed Sea or Sea of Reeds, took place on this day. And thus continued the 50 day journey of self-perfection until the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai.How do we begin to improve ourselves? It starts with a decision to change. What if you had a special clock on top of your television that was counting down the hours and minutes until you were to die? When would you get up, turn off the TV and do all the things that you planned to do, hoped to do or in passing thought about doing?
And what if in addition to your special clock, you had a special bank account where every morning you were credited in your bank account with $86,400 dollars on condition that you had to spend it all or lose it? What would you do? Spend it!! Well, you do have a special bank account called the Bank of Time! Each day you have exactly 86,400 seconds. What you don't invest wisely is written off each night. You can reap dividends, but you can't go into overdraft!
One has to value his time and know that it is limited in order to change. The Sephirat HaOmer period is about valuing time and about changing.
Q & A: WHAT IS SEPHIRAT HA-OMER?
On the second day of Pesach, the Omer offering from the new barley crop was brought in the Temple in Jerusalem. It began a period of counting and preparation for Shavuot, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah and the yearly celebration of re-accepting the Torah upon ourselves. This period is called Sephirat HaOmer, the counting of the Omer.Forty-nine days are counted and on the fiftieth day is Shavuot, the Yom Tov celebrating the giving of the Torah. There is actually a mitzvah to count each specific day which is done at the completion of Ma'ariv, the evening service.
This is a period of national semi-mourning (no weddings or even haircuts). It was during this period that Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students died for not showing sufficient respect for each other. It is a time for us to reflect how we look upon and treat our fellow Jews as well as the tragedies that have befallen us because of unfounded (self-justified) hatred. It is a wonderful time to undertake to do an extra act of kindness; this will help to help bring perfection to the world and unity amongst Jews.This is a period of national semi-mourning (no weddings or even haircuts). It was during this period that Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students died for not showing sufficient respect for each other. It is a time for us to reflect how we look upon and treat our fellow Jews as well as the tragedies that have befallen us because of unfounded (self-justified) hatred. It is a wonderful time to undertake an extra act of kindness; this will help to bring perfection to the world and unity amongst Jews.
These 50 days also correspond to the seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt when the Jewish people prepared themselves to receive the Torah at Mt. Sinai. When we left Egypt we were on the 49th level of Tuma, spiritual degradation. Each day we climbed one step higher in spirituality and holiness. Many people study one of the 48 Ways to Wisdom (Ethics of the Fathers, 6:6) each day as a means to personal and spiritual growth. Rabbi Noah Weinberg, the great educator and founder of Aish HaTorah, has his flagship series of lectures of the 48 Ways available on cassette, cd or mp3 download. You can even buy them on a specially pre-loaded mp3 player or Ipod! - available by calling (800) 864-2373 or at http://www.ShabbatShalomAudio.com! I think of this series as the Jewish Dale Carnegie Course for getting the most out of life! It will be one of the great purchases in your life! For more on Sephirat HaOmer and the 48 Ways go to http://www.aish.com/omer.
For more on Counting the Omer go to ShabbatShalomAudio.com!
Torah Portion of the Week Pesach
The Torah reading for this Shabbat is Exodus 13:17-15:26 which tells the story of the Egyptians, having changed their minds about letting the Jewish people go, pursuing us unto the Yam Soof (Red/Reed Sea), the splitting of the sea, the salvation of the Jewish people, the drowning of the Egyptians, the song of rejoicing and thanks to the Almighty. We also read Shir HaShirim, The Song of Songs, the Megillah (scroll) which describes metaphorically the love affair of the Almighty and the Jewish people.On the last day of Pesach, Sunday, we read Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 from the Torah portion of Re'eh including the Second Tithe, remission of loans every seven years, directive to open your hand to the poor, laws of a Jewish bondsman and ending with details of the three Pilgrim Festivals - Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot - when all of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel would come to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate. Also, on Sunday is Yizkor, memorial prayers for parents who have passed on.
* * *
Dvar Torah
The Torah states regarding the splitting of the Yam Soof (the Sea of Reeds which is commonly translated as the Red Sea) that:The Children of Israel came within the sea on dry land; and the water was a wall for them, on their right and on their left. (Ex. 14:22)
Seven verses later the Torah states The Children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea; the water was a wall for them, on their right and on their left. Why the change in the two reports of what happened? And why in the first report is the Hebrew word for wall spelled with the letter Vov and in the second report, it is spelled without the letter Vov? (There is significance and meaning to every word and every letter in the Torah.)The Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer, comments that there were two groups of people amongst the Jews at the Yam Soof. There were those who trusted implicitly in the Almighty and who jumped into the sea and found themselves on dry land. The other group did not have such a high level of trust in the Almighty - even though they had seen the Ten Plagues afflict the Egyptians and had witnessed the miracles accompanying the Exodus from Egypt; they waited until they saw the dry land and then went on the dry land in the midst of the sea.
Evidence for this interpretation, writes the Vilna Gaon, can be found in the Hebrew spelling of wall. Though it can be spelled and pronounced properly with or without the Hebrew letter Vov, without the Vov the word can be pronounced either Choma, wall or Chaima, anger. Thus, with the second group which expressed the lower level of trust in G-d, the continuation of the verse hints at the Almighty's anger at them for their lack of trust in Him.Our lessons: (1) realize that everything in the Torah is exact and intentional, has depth and must be studied for lessons in life and (2) We should strive to develop trust in the Almighty in our daily living.
I NTERCESSORS for the RESTORATION of ISRAEL An Intercessory Ministry Connecting Israel and the Nations A ministry of Out of Zion Ministries Mt Carmel, Israel.Website : www.iri.out-of-zion.com
Shalom Intercessors,
Deuteronomy 32:1,2 - Listen O heavens and I will speak, hear O earth the words of my mouth, let my teaching fall like the rain, and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants, for I will proclaim the name of the Lord.David is preparing to leave to travel to Germany on Tuesday April 29th for a week of ministry in Pforzheim, Munich and Bonn ( Germany )He will return late Monday May 5th.Would you once again stand with me to cover him in prayer and prepare the way..............
Please pray
1) For travelling mercies, air, road and rail
2) Good health
3) Anointing on the message and the word of the Lord as it goes forth from Zion, into German hearts
4) The anointing to bring breakthrough in peoples hearts and minds
5) As the name and the word of the Lord is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit will bring awareness and revelation
6) Words of knowledge, and for people to be healed and delivered
7) Protection on our home, and family while David is away
Two people (who do not know one another) have given an exact word for David over the last two days.
They both heard the Lord say that His banner is over David..............A banner is a proclamation, a sign, an advertisement, , something that stands out with a fact or statement or message that people will become aware of or take notice of, something that attracts peoples attention, something that will generate interest in peoples lives...........So let us pray that as David goes forth once again with the banner of the God of Israel over Him, that His word and His name would be magnified, that it will bring awareness and generate interest, curiosity, it will draw people, it will bring revelation, it will accomplish His purposes ........... pray that the Lord's name and truth would bring fruit in peoples lives ... and His word would fall like the rain to soften hard hearts, and water hearts that are already open.
Thank you all so much for your faithfulness....................
Love and blessings to each of you
Josie.
David & Josie Silver Out of Zion Ministries Mt Carmel Israel
www.out-of-zion.com
New Zealand scientists thaw 1,000-pound squid corpse By RAY LILLEY, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 29, 3:33 AM ET
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Marine scientists in New Zealand on Tuesday were thawing the corpse of the largest squid ever caught to try to unlock the secrets of one of the ocean's most mysterious beasts. No one has ever seen a living, grown colossal squid in its natural deep ocean habitat, and scientists hope their examination of the 1,089-pound, 26-foot long colossal squid, set to begin Wednesday, will help determine how the creatures live. The thawing and examination are being broadcast live on the Internet.The squid, which was caught accidentally by fishermen last year, was removed from its freezer Monday and put into a tank filled with saline solution. Ice was added to the tank Tuesday to slow the thawing process so the outer flesh wouldn't rot, said Carol Diebel, director of natural environment at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa.After it is thawed, scientists will examine the squid's anatomical features, remove the stomach, beak and other mouth parts, take tissue samples for DNA analysis and determine its sex, Diebel said.If we get ourselves a male it will be the first reported (scientific) description of the male of the species, Steve O'Shea, a squid expert at Auckland's University of Technology, told National Radio. He is one of the scientists conducting the examination.The squid is believed to be the largest specimen of the rare deep-water species Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, or colossal squid, ever caught, O'Shea has said.Colossal squid, which have long been one of the most mysterious denizens of the deep ocean, can grow up to 46 feet long, descend to 6,500 feet into the ocean and are considered aggressive hunters.
At the time it was caught, O'Shea said it would make calamari rings the size of tractor tires if cut up — but they would taste like ammonia, a compound found in the animals' flesh.Fishermen off the coast of Antarctica accidentally netted the squid in February 2007 while catching Patagonian toothfish, which are sold under the name Chilean sea bass.The squid was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep. Recognizing it as a rare find, the fishermen froze the squid on their vessel to preserve it. The national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, later took possession of it.
The previous largest colossal squid ever found was a 660 pound female squid discovered in 2003, the first ever landed.Researchers plan to eventually put the squid on display in a 1,800 gallon tank of formaldehyde at the museum in the capital, Wellington.Colossal squid are found in Antarctic waters and are not related to giant squid found round the coast of New Zealand. Giant squid grow up to 39 feet long, and are not as heavy as colossal squid.On the Net:
http://www.r2.co.nz/20080427/rotate-1.asx
Link
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/interactives/_science/tornadoes_primer/index.html?SITE=YAHOO&SECTION=HOME
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
YOU GOTTA BE BLIND TO NOT SEE THE HAND OF GOD INVOLVED IN THESE TORNADOES. IT FLYS THROUGH A STRIPMALL LIKE A DRILL BIT OR A BLENDER, IT DRILLED A CORE OF DESTRUCTION THROUGHT THE MIDDLE OF THE BUILDING. AND TOSSING AND THROWING CARS AROUND LIKE TOYS. SMASHING AND PULVERISING WINDSHIELDS. THEN IT GOT TO A CERTAIN POINT AND JUST HEADED RIGHT.
THIS WAS JUST A MIRACLE OF GODS PROTECTION WITH ALL THE DESTRUCTION AND NOT ONE PERSON DEAD. ALL THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA GIVE GOD THE GLORY (KING JESUS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL AND THE WORLD)FOR THESE AWESOME MIRACLES DONE YESTERDAY.
3 tornadoes rip through Va.; more than 200 people hurt By SONJA BARISIC, Associated Press Writer APR 29,08
SUFFOLK, Va. - Officials say search-and-rescue operations following three destructive tornadoes in southeast Virginia have not uncovered any dead or additional injured. Suffolk Fire Chief Mark Outlaw told a news conference Tuesday that teams with search dogs found nothing more than torn up lumber and torn up houses.The storms on Monday resulted in more than 200 injuries but no deaths.
Gov. Timothy Kaine says the tornadoes caused very, very serious devastation. But Kaine told WTOP Radio in Washington that it's kind of amazing there were not more significant injuries.Kaine was to tour the area later Tuesday.
Tornadoes hit Virginia, 200 injured
Mon Apr 28, 11:05 PM
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three tornadoes swept through central and southeastern Virginia on Monday, injuring about 200 people and damaging dozens of homes and businesses, officials said.The city of Suffolk in the southeastern part of the state was hardest hit by the late afternoon storms, said Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Laura Southard. She said earlier reports of a fatality in linked to the severe weather were incorrect.Injuries and damage were also reported in Colonial Heights in central Virginia, Southard said.The National Weather Service (NWS) said three confirmed tornadoes plowed through the region.One of the tornadoes hit the Lawrenceville area in Brunswick County, said NWS meteorologist Brian Hurley. The second tornado developed to the north of Colonial Heights ... The other more significant tornado occurred in the city of Suffolk.Television pictures showed extensive property damage -- flattened homes, and lawns and streets covered in piles of debris and toppled trees.There are trees down everywhere and I've seen a half-dozen vehicles flipped over, Richard Hicks of Suffolk told the Virginian-Pilot newspaper.Another witness in Suffolk, Robert Brinkley, told the newspaper: There are tops blown off the roofs of many, many houses.More than 3,000 Dominion Virginia Power customers were without service, most in scattered outages throughout the southeastern part of the state, the newspaper said.Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine declared a statewide emergency to coordinate the state's response to what his office said was widespread damage in the wake of storms.
N.B. premier says governments will help should flooding cause major damage By The Canadian Press APR 29,08
FREDERICTON - Officials in New Brunswick remain on emergency footing with a forecast of rain expected to swell the flood-prone St. John River this week. Premier Shawn Graham says government help will be available in the event of major flood damage, if the province declares a natural disaster. There are a number of programs that (would) kick into effect in partnership with the federal government under the disaster assistance program, Graham said in an interview Monday night. Graham also praised provincial officials for their work so far. The Department of Public Safety has done a tremendous job, putting in place support groups and resources and command centres around the province where flooding is being expected.Meanwhile, more than 100 people in some low-lying areas have already left their homes voluntarily. Significant flooding is expected in areas like Maugerville and Sheffield with river levels expected to rise another 20 to 40 centimetres by Thursday. A number of roads remain under water and are closed to larger vehicles. Andy Morton, deputy director of the province's EMO, said Monday that rain forecast to begin today will likely have a significant effect on the river. There will be an increase on Wednesday and probably a further increase on Thursday and maybe even into Friday, said Morton. A lot will depend on what actual rainfall occurs. Obviously, at this point we're working off forecasted rainfall amounts.The flooding - caused by melting snow and rain - is an annual event and Morton expected a lot of people would stay in their homes despite the high water. Anybody who chooses to stay in their home should be prepared for at least a week in terms of things like drinking water, food, medications or any prescription products, and be prepared to last it out, he said.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS
REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Battle against stubborn California wildfire enters 4th day APR 29,08
SIERRA MADRE, Calif. - Firefighters battling a stubborn wildfire northeast of Los Angeles were expecting help Tuesday from cooler temperatures and calmer winds. As the dramatic blaze entered its fourth day, most of the more than 1,000 people evacuated from their homes at the foot of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains have been allowed to return. On Tuesday, public schools in the community of about 11,000 residents were scheduled to reopen.The 538-acre blaze burned dangerously close to homes early Monday, but firefighters stood their ground and turned the flames back.No homes have been lost in the blaze in the foothill suburb of Sierra Madre, 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The fire was 21 percent contained Monday.
Helicopters and airplanes bombarded the fire with water and retardant drops Monday while firefighters labored in temperatures in the 90s. Nearly 700 firefighters were on the lines.Temperatures were expected to reach the mid 70s Tuesday, with high humidity and little wind.Four firefighters had minor injuries — a bee sting, a strained knee, and two cases of heat exhaustion, authorities said. A small outbuilding was destroyed.The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.The fire broke out Saturday afternoon in a popular hiking area as unseasonable extreme heat and low humidity set in over Southern California. By late that night it was a bright orange line descending like slow-moving lava down the steep mountainside, triggering evacuations along the interface between the city and wilderness.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks edge lower with investors wary of consumer data, Fed By JOE BEL BRUNO, AP Business Writer APR 29,08
NEW YORK - Stocks edged lower in early trading Tuesday ahead of a report that's expected to show another decline in consumer confidence this month. The Conference Board releases its April survey of consumer confidence at 10 a.m. EDT. The consensus estimate of Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR is that the research group's index of consumer confidence fell to 62 from March's 64.5 amid rising prices for energy and food. In March, the index, which is approaching a five-year low, fell nearly 12 points from February.Wall Street remains worried that inflation could accelerate and curtail consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the U.S. economy. That's also of paramount concern for the Federal Reserve, which begins a two-day policy meeting Tuesday afternoon.The Fed is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter point on Wednesday, but then hold firm for the remainder of the year. The Fed is facing a difficult juggling act of trying to shore up the faltering economy without triggering inflation.The Dow Jones industrial average fell 5.21, or 0.04 percent, to 12,866.54.Broader markets were narrowly lower. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 2.02, or 0.14 percent, to 1,394.35; and the Nasdaq composite index fell 3.97, or 0.16 percent, to 2,420.43.On Monday, Wall Street finished narrowly mixed on light volume as investors were unwilling to take big bets ahead of the Fed decision. The same kind of trading environment was expected during Tuesday's session.
Bond prices rose. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, fell to 3.81 percent from 3.82 percent late Monday.Oil prices fell amid expectations that a supply disruption in Britain would soon be resolved and as the U.S. dollar strengthened further against the euro. Light, sweet crude for June delivery fell $2.65 to $116.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.In corporate news, MasterCard Inc. spiked $17.37, or 7.2 percent, to $260.00 after the company reported profit more than doubled in the first quarter. The company said more customers overseas used their credit and debit cards for purchases, though spending within the U.S. rose at a moderate pace.However, rival Visa Inc. sunk $3.05, or 3.9 percent, to $72.55 after it reported late Monday that first-quarter profit rose 28 percent. However, shares plunged in electronic trading amid concern that the world's biggest credit card processor will have a difficult time managing choppy U.S. economic conditions.There was also further anxiety about the global credit crisis' impact on financial institutions. Deutsche Bank AG said Tuesday it wrote down $4.2 billion in leveraged loans, commercial real estate and mortgage-backed securities, during the first quarter, pushing Germany's biggest bank to its first quarterly loss since 2003 amid trading losses, lower revenue and global market jitters.The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 2.23, or 0.31 percent, to 723.14.Declining issues surpassed advancers by 4 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 61.2 million.Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.22 percent. In morning trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.16 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.50 percent, and France's CAC-40 shed 0.26 percent.On the Net:New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
Palestinian groups want truce to include West Bank By Alaa Shahine APR 29,08
CAIRO (Reuters) - Several Palestinian groups said on Tuesday a possible truce with Israel must include all Palestinian territories simultaneously, opposing a Hamas suggestion that it start in the Gaza Strip. Any reasonable Palestinian should assume that this is essential, Abou Adnan al-Baba, a member of the central command of the Popular Resistance Committees, said in Cairo before a meeting between the groups and Egyptian intelligence officials to reach a Palestinian consensus on the ceasefire proposal.Egypt invited the groups for talks after Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip, proposed a six-month truce between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza, with an option to extend it to Palestinians in the West Bank.Hamas, which was not at Tuesday's meeting, said the ceasefire would also include an end to the Israeli-led blockade of the coastal strip.Israel has dismissed the proposal as a Hamas ploy to gain time and prepare for more fighting.The truce proposal emerged from several rounds of talks between Egypt and Hamas, with the blessing of the United States, which calls Hamas a terrorist group.
The failure of Palestinians to reach common ground or Israeli rejection of the truce would complicate Egyptian efforts to end violence in the Gaza Strip.The talks in Cairo were overshadowed by the killing of six Palestinians, including four children and their mother, as they were having breakfast on Monday in the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun.Israel said the deaths were tragic and occurred when an aircraft fired at two Palestinian militants carrying munitions, which exploded and destroyed the home of the family.Maher al-Tahir, politburo member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, told Reuters his group doubted any truce with Israel was viable.Israel launches aggressions against the Palestinian people every day and has not committed to any truce, he said.Hamas said several Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad and leftist groups based in Syria, had preliminarily approved the offer.But Ramzi Rabah, a senior member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said starting the truce only in the Gaza Strip would leave the West Bank prey to settlement activities and aggressions.Israel pulled troops and settlers out of the Gaza Strip in 2005 but still controls its borders and has tightened its restrictions since Hamas seized control there last year.
Sarkozy flies to Tunisia to push business, Mediterranean Union Posted : Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:56:07 GMT Author : DPA Category : Europe (World)
Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy was expected to arrive later Monday in the Tunisian capital Tunis to begin a three- day state visit during which he will push French business interests and try to shore up support for his plan for a Union for the Mediterranean. Sarkozy will be accompanied by his wife, Carla, seven ministers and the heads of some 120 companies, underscoring the economic importance of relations between the two countries.
France is by far Tunisia's most important trading partner, with bilateral commerce reaching some 7 billion euros (10.94 billion dollars) in 2007. A number of deals, worth about 2 billion euros, are expected to be finalized Monday evening, between Sarkozy's meeting with Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and a scheduled state dinner. The contracts to be signed include the sale of Airbus aircraft to Tunisian carrier Tunisair and for the construction of a conventional power station by the French firm Alstom at Ghannouch, in southern Tunisia. Sarkozy's proposal for a Union for the Mediterranean, which is to comprise the 27 EU member nations and countries situated along the Mediterranean rim, will be the main issue of bilateral discussions. One sore point between the two nations is the question of human rights under Ben Ali. On Saturday, two editors for the opposition weekly al-Mawkef said they would go on an unlimited hunger strike to protest what they called the government's harassment of their publication. Sarkozy's office said that the French president would raise human rights issues both in his talks with Ben Ali and in his public declarations.
Egypt looks for leading role in Mediterranean Union, minister says Posted : Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:42:00 GMT Author : DPA Middle East (World)
Luxembourg - Egypt wants to play a leading role in the planned Union for the Mediterranean, coordinating the states around the south of the sea, its foreign minister said on Monday at a meeting with European Union officials. Egypt accepts and endorses the idea of the union originally proposed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and it is eager to enter high-level discussions with the EU as Egypt, the coordinator of the south, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Ghreit said. Egypt will also organize meetings around the southern Mediterranean to forge a common view with Arab neighbours on issues important to the proposed union, he said at a meeting in Luxembourg. Whatever we put on the table (on the issue of the proposed union) is very much spoken about, talked about and prepared with Egypt, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana replied.
Sarkozy initially proposed the idea for a Mediterranean Union modelled on the EU in early 2007. However, EU member states without a coastline on the sea rejected the creation of a major new structure, approving instead a strengthened version of current policies. The talks in Luxembourg were the fourth in an annual series set up under the so-called Association Agreement between the EU and Egypt, which came into force in 2004, and were marked by their constructive and friendly tone, participants said. The two sides discussed Egypt's mediating role in the Middle East Peace Process, agreeing that the immediate prerequisites for progress would be a ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners and the implementation of a 2005 agreement on crossings into the Gaza Strip. They also discussed the global problem of world food prices, while Egypt presented EU Foreign-Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero- Waldner with a list of proposals for improving aspects of cooperation, Aboul-Ghreit said. They also touched on the question of the crackdown on banned opposition group the Muslim Brotherhood ahead of April 8 municipal elections in the country. When you have an illegal organization acting, trying to be legal, you arrest its operators, Aboul-Ghreit said. There are still a lot of questions that we would have to tackle in the future, but ... the fact that the (April) elections were held was certainly important, Ferrero-Waldner said. She hoped that future cooperation would allow Egypt to build on the experience of its first-ever contested presidential elections in 2005, she said.
Dear Stan, APR 29,08MIKE EVANS
I am writing you from Israel after having an emergency meeting with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom I have known since he was 26 years old. I was horrified to learn that when President Bush comes to Israel for its 60th Anniversary in May, he has made the decision to mobilize Arab nations to come for a summit on the 17th & 18th of May.The purpose of this summit is to move forward with the Annapolis Road Map, the plan that will force Israel to give up a large percentage of Judea and Samaria, which they call occupied territories, and divide the Holy City of Jerusalem.It is extremely humiliating to think this would be America’s way of honoring Israel’s 60th year of prophetic rebirth. Even more outrageous, I saw the document confirming that the plan is to have this finalized by November 12, 2008.
I am asking you to vote and let President Bush know that you oppose him organizing a summit to divide Jerusalem on Israel’s 60th Anniversary. http://tool.donation-net.net/JPT_Area/Vote/Vote_ap1.cfm?dn=1032&source=3035&id=256310&commid=80783715&CFID=4988642&CFTOKEN=34083737
He needs to hear from you loudly and clearly immediately.Send this to all of your friends and ask them to do the same. God’s words say that I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee.
Your Ambassador to Jerusalem,
Mike Evans Your Jerusalem World News: www.myjwn.com
Your Save Jerusalem Site: www.savejerusalem.org
Insights into life, ideas for personal growth APR 29,08
GOOD MORNING! This Shabbat coincides with the Seventh Day of Pesach, a full-fledged holiday which extends to Sunday evening, the April 27th. The crossing of the Yam Soof, usually translated as the Red Sea, more correctly translated as The Reed Sea or Sea of Reeds, took place on this day. And thus continued the 50 day journey of self-perfection until the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai.How do we begin to improve ourselves? It starts with a decision to change. What if you had a special clock on top of your television that was counting down the hours and minutes until you were to die? When would you get up, turn off the TV and do all the things that you planned to do, hoped to do or in passing thought about doing?
And what if in addition to your special clock, you had a special bank account where every morning you were credited in your bank account with $86,400 dollars on condition that you had to spend it all or lose it? What would you do? Spend it!! Well, you do have a special bank account called the Bank of Time! Each day you have exactly 86,400 seconds. What you don't invest wisely is written off each night. You can reap dividends, but you can't go into overdraft!
One has to value his time and know that it is limited in order to change. The Sephirat HaOmer period is about valuing time and about changing.
Q & A: WHAT IS SEPHIRAT HA-OMER?
On the second day of Pesach, the Omer offering from the new barley crop was brought in the Temple in Jerusalem. It began a period of counting and preparation for Shavuot, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah and the yearly celebration of re-accepting the Torah upon ourselves. This period is called Sephirat HaOmer, the counting of the Omer.Forty-nine days are counted and on the fiftieth day is Shavuot, the Yom Tov celebrating the giving of the Torah. There is actually a mitzvah to count each specific day which is done at the completion of Ma'ariv, the evening service.
This is a period of national semi-mourning (no weddings or even haircuts). It was during this period that Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students died for not showing sufficient respect for each other. It is a time for us to reflect how we look upon and treat our fellow Jews as well as the tragedies that have befallen us because of unfounded (self-justified) hatred. It is a wonderful time to undertake to do an extra act of kindness; this will help to help bring perfection to the world and unity amongst Jews.This is a period of national semi-mourning (no weddings or even haircuts). It was during this period that Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students died for not showing sufficient respect for each other. It is a time for us to reflect how we look upon and treat our fellow Jews as well as the tragedies that have befallen us because of unfounded (self-justified) hatred. It is a wonderful time to undertake an extra act of kindness; this will help to bring perfection to the world and unity amongst Jews.
These 50 days also correspond to the seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt when the Jewish people prepared themselves to receive the Torah at Mt. Sinai. When we left Egypt we were on the 49th level of Tuma, spiritual degradation. Each day we climbed one step higher in spirituality and holiness. Many people study one of the 48 Ways to Wisdom (Ethics of the Fathers, 6:6) each day as a means to personal and spiritual growth. Rabbi Noah Weinberg, the great educator and founder of Aish HaTorah, has his flagship series of lectures of the 48 Ways available on cassette, cd or mp3 download. You can even buy them on a specially pre-loaded mp3 player or Ipod! - available by calling (800) 864-2373 or at http://www.ShabbatShalomAudio.com! I think of this series as the Jewish Dale Carnegie Course for getting the most out of life! It will be one of the great purchases in your life! For more on Sephirat HaOmer and the 48 Ways go to http://www.aish.com/omer.
For more on Counting the Omer go to ShabbatShalomAudio.com!
Torah Portion of the Week Pesach
The Torah reading for this Shabbat is Exodus 13:17-15:26 which tells the story of the Egyptians, having changed their minds about letting the Jewish people go, pursuing us unto the Yam Soof (Red/Reed Sea), the splitting of the sea, the salvation of the Jewish people, the drowning of the Egyptians, the song of rejoicing and thanks to the Almighty. We also read Shir HaShirim, The Song of Songs, the Megillah (scroll) which describes metaphorically the love affair of the Almighty and the Jewish people.On the last day of Pesach, Sunday, we read Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 from the Torah portion of Re'eh including the Second Tithe, remission of loans every seven years, directive to open your hand to the poor, laws of a Jewish bondsman and ending with details of the three Pilgrim Festivals - Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot - when all of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel would come to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate. Also, on Sunday is Yizkor, memorial prayers for parents who have passed on.
* * *
Dvar Torah
The Torah states regarding the splitting of the Yam Soof (the Sea of Reeds which is commonly translated as the Red Sea) that:The Children of Israel came within the sea on dry land; and the water was a wall for them, on their right and on their left. (Ex. 14:22)
Seven verses later the Torah states The Children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea; the water was a wall for them, on their right and on their left. Why the change in the two reports of what happened? And why in the first report is the Hebrew word for wall spelled with the letter Vov and in the second report, it is spelled without the letter Vov? (There is significance and meaning to every word and every letter in the Torah.)The Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer, comments that there were two groups of people amongst the Jews at the Yam Soof. There were those who trusted implicitly in the Almighty and who jumped into the sea and found themselves on dry land. The other group did not have such a high level of trust in the Almighty - even though they had seen the Ten Plagues afflict the Egyptians and had witnessed the miracles accompanying the Exodus from Egypt; they waited until they saw the dry land and then went on the dry land in the midst of the sea.
Evidence for this interpretation, writes the Vilna Gaon, can be found in the Hebrew spelling of wall. Though it can be spelled and pronounced properly with or without the Hebrew letter Vov, without the Vov the word can be pronounced either Choma, wall or Chaima, anger. Thus, with the second group which expressed the lower level of trust in G-d, the continuation of the verse hints at the Almighty's anger at them for their lack of trust in Him.Our lessons: (1) realize that everything in the Torah is exact and intentional, has depth and must be studied for lessons in life and (2) We should strive to develop trust in the Almighty in our daily living.
I NTERCESSORS for the RESTORATION of ISRAEL An Intercessory Ministry Connecting Israel and the Nations A ministry of Out of Zion Ministries Mt Carmel, Israel.Website : www.iri.out-of-zion.com
Shalom Intercessors,
Deuteronomy 32:1,2 - Listen O heavens and I will speak, hear O earth the words of my mouth, let my teaching fall like the rain, and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants, for I will proclaim the name of the Lord.David is preparing to leave to travel to Germany on Tuesday April 29th for a week of ministry in Pforzheim, Munich and Bonn ( Germany )He will return late Monday May 5th.Would you once again stand with me to cover him in prayer and prepare the way..............
Please pray
1) For travelling mercies, air, road and rail
2) Good health
3) Anointing on the message and the word of the Lord as it goes forth from Zion, into German hearts
4) The anointing to bring breakthrough in peoples hearts and minds
5) As the name and the word of the Lord is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit will bring awareness and revelation
6) Words of knowledge, and for people to be healed and delivered
7) Protection on our home, and family while David is away
Two people (who do not know one another) have given an exact word for David over the last two days.
They both heard the Lord say that His banner is over David..............A banner is a proclamation, a sign, an advertisement, , something that stands out with a fact or statement or message that people will become aware of or take notice of, something that attracts peoples attention, something that will generate interest in peoples lives...........So let us pray that as David goes forth once again with the banner of the God of Israel over Him, that His word and His name would be magnified, that it will bring awareness and generate interest, curiosity, it will draw people, it will bring revelation, it will accomplish His purposes ........... pray that the Lord's name and truth would bring fruit in peoples lives ... and His word would fall like the rain to soften hard hearts, and water hearts that are already open.
Thank you all so much for your faithfulness....................
Love and blessings to each of you
Josie.
David & Josie Silver Out of Zion Ministries Mt Carmel Israel
www.out-of-zion.com
New Zealand scientists thaw 1,000-pound squid corpse By RAY LILLEY, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 29, 3:33 AM ET
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Marine scientists in New Zealand on Tuesday were thawing the corpse of the largest squid ever caught to try to unlock the secrets of one of the ocean's most mysterious beasts. No one has ever seen a living, grown colossal squid in its natural deep ocean habitat, and scientists hope their examination of the 1,089-pound, 26-foot long colossal squid, set to begin Wednesday, will help determine how the creatures live. The thawing and examination are being broadcast live on the Internet.The squid, which was caught accidentally by fishermen last year, was removed from its freezer Monday and put into a tank filled with saline solution. Ice was added to the tank Tuesday to slow the thawing process so the outer flesh wouldn't rot, said Carol Diebel, director of natural environment at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa.After it is thawed, scientists will examine the squid's anatomical features, remove the stomach, beak and other mouth parts, take tissue samples for DNA analysis and determine its sex, Diebel said.If we get ourselves a male it will be the first reported (scientific) description of the male of the species, Steve O'Shea, a squid expert at Auckland's University of Technology, told National Radio. He is one of the scientists conducting the examination.The squid is believed to be the largest specimen of the rare deep-water species Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, or colossal squid, ever caught, O'Shea has said.Colossal squid, which have long been one of the most mysterious denizens of the deep ocean, can grow up to 46 feet long, descend to 6,500 feet into the ocean and are considered aggressive hunters.
At the time it was caught, O'Shea said it would make calamari rings the size of tractor tires if cut up — but they would taste like ammonia, a compound found in the animals' flesh.Fishermen off the coast of Antarctica accidentally netted the squid in February 2007 while catching Patagonian toothfish, which are sold under the name Chilean sea bass.The squid was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep. Recognizing it as a rare find, the fishermen froze the squid on their vessel to preserve it. The national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, later took possession of it.
The previous largest colossal squid ever found was a 660 pound female squid discovered in 2003, the first ever landed.Researchers plan to eventually put the squid on display in a 1,800 gallon tank of formaldehyde at the museum in the capital, Wellington.Colossal squid are found in Antarctic waters and are not related to giant squid found round the coast of New Zealand. Giant squid grow up to 39 feet long, and are not as heavy as colossal squid.On the Net:
http://www.r2.co.nz/20080427/rotate-1.asx
Link
Monday, April 28, 2008
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
VIDEO BY A JEWISH RABBI ON THE END OF DAYS IN THE TITLE.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS
REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Weather keeps Southern California wildfires burning
By Rex Crum, MarketWatch Last update: 2:53 p.m. EDT April 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Unseasonably hot temperatures are expected to continue for several days, making it difficult to continue a southern California wildfire that has so far caused the evacuation 300 homes near Los Angeles.Published reports said that the fires, centered around the city of Sierra Madre, Calif., have so far burned 350 acres as temperatures neared 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Officials in Sierra Madre, which is about 20 miles northeast of Los Angeles, said they believed it would take two to three days before the fires are under control.
Firefighters are trying to get the blaze under control in order to prevent a repeat of last year's fires that destroyed thousands of homes between Santa Barbara and the Mexican border.
Rex Crum is a reporter for MarketWatch in San Francisco.
1,000 flee foothill homes as wildfire burns near Los Angeles By JOHN ANTCZAK, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
SIERRA MADRE, Calif. - Darkness didn't keep firefighters from continuing to gain ground Monday on a 400-acre wildfire they have been battling all weekend near Los Angeles. It just meant a change in tactics.The hand crews are still making progress against the flanks of the fire, Cliff Johnson, fire information officer for the Angeles National Forest, said early Monday. (But) no aircraft are being used in the darkness.All of Sierra Madre's schools have canceled Monday classes, and the early season wildfire forced the evacuation of at least 1,000 people from their homes in the foothills. Authorities said no homes have burned.About 500 firefighters attacked the blaze, aided during the daytime by two helicopters and water-dropping air tankers, said city of Sierra Madre spokeswoman Elisa Weaver.This is pretty serious, Weaver said. Some of these areas have not burned in over 40 years.By Sunday evening crews had the fire 30 percent contained, Sierra Madre spokesman James Carlson said. Light winds and rising humidity were aiding firefighters, who hoped to have the blaze fully contained within a week, Carlson said.
Monday morning will see the return of firefighting aircraft and likely more ground crews, Johnson said.On Sunday, helicopters made water drops on a steep ridge above Sierra Madre near Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park, about 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles and just east of Pasadena. A fixed-wing water tanker also dropped flame retardant.Aircraft also were helping fire officials assess the movement of the blaze, which was had been creeping northwest into Angeles National Forest, Battalion Chief Tim Davis of the Forest Service said.It's very steep, inaccessible terrain, and it's very heavy brush, Davis said at a news conference. Very difficult and arduous labor for these crews. You can't get bulldozers into the majority of where these fingers of fire run.Two firefighters had minor injuries — one was treated for heat exhaustion, another for a strained knee, authorities said.The blaze stranded 50 guests from a wedding party at the Chantry Flats ranger's station on Saturday until they were airlifted out Sunday afternoon, Weaver said. It took five helicopter trips from the ranger's station to the wedding's parking area. The party then was escorted out by road.
Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the fire, first reported on a windy Saturday afternoon as temperatures approached 100 degrees.
Hundreds flee wildfires in Spain Sunday, 27 April , 2008, 09:18
San Sebastian (Spain): Hundreds of people fled wildfires on Saturday on the Spanish island of La Gomera, with some residents taking refuge on the beaches, provincial authorities said. Separate blazes broke out around the towns of Hermigua, Vallehermoso and Agulo in the northern part of the island. There were no immediate reports about the source of the fires. At least one house was destroyed by late Saturday. There were no reports of casualties.
Amid high winds driving the wildfires, dozens of fire-fighters and volunteers were battling the flames, with aerial support from tanker planes. Spanish military troops in the Canary Islands were expected to join the effort. La Gomera's Garajonay National Park, which is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site, could be endangered by the blazes on the island.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Series of quakes takes toll on rattled residents of Reno By MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press Writer Sun Apr 27, 10:20 PM ET
RENO, Nev. - Dozens of minor earthquakes shook Reno on Sunday as a series of temblors entered its third month and prompted some frazzled residents to leave their homes. More than 150 aftershocks have been recorded on the western edge of northern Nevada's largest city after a magnitude-4.7 quake hit Friday night, the strongest quake in a sequence that began Feb. 28. There were no reports of injuries or widespread damage.Scientists have urged residents to prepare for worse, saying the recent activity is unusual because the quakes started out small and continue to build in strength.
After being awakened as many as four times a night by quakes, retiree Sandra Petty decided to spend nights 10 miles away at the Sparks home of her daughter, Stefanie McCaffrey.The quakes have sent her emotions and nerves into a tailspin, McCaffrey said Sunday. She was exhausted, and she couldn't relax or unwind. She just needed to get away so she could have a good night's sleep.
Keith Phillips said he's going to live somewhere else, possibly with his children, until the activity settles down. He lives about a block from the epicenter of Friday night's quake, which cracked walls in his house and pushed one of his garages off its foundation.
I grew up in the Bay Area and went through some major quakes down there, Phillips told the Reno Gazette-Journal. Since we're right on top of the epicenter, I've never felt anything like this.The strongest aftershock Sunday measured 3 and was recorded shortly before 11 a.m.Three other quakes larger than magnitude 3 have struck areas scattered hundreds of miles apart across northern Nevada since Friday night's 4.7 quake in Reno.The quakes around Reno began a week after a magnitude 6 one in the northern Nevada town of Wells, near the Utah border. The Feb. 21 quake has been followed by hundreds of aftershocks.Scientists said they're unsure whether the seismic activity across the state, unusual for its basin-and-range topography, is related.Not enough is known about the faults and their history and what their role is, said Ken Smith of the seismological laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The Reno temblors have prompted a flood of calls from homeowners to insurers about quake insurance.MetLife placed a 30-day moratorium on new coverage after a 4.2 quake jolted Reno on Thursday. Until then, the strongest quake in the sequence had been 3.6 on April 16.
Other insurers were expected to follow suit.
It probably will be extended, unfortunately, because of the one (Friday) night, MetLife agent Charlotte Eckmeyer said, adding that quake coverage just about doubles premiums.Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the nation behind California and Alaska. Reno's last major quake measured 6.1 on April 24, 1914.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Flood forces 2nd day of evacuations in northern Ontario
Sun Apr 27, 12:12 PM
ST..JOHNS (CBC) - As many as 2,000 people were expected to be airlifted Sunday from three communities in northern Ontario after rapidly rising water levels and melting ice prompted local leaders to declare an emergency.The rising Albany River is threatening the communities of Kashechewan and Fort Albany near James Bay. Rising water levels were also threatening the community of Attawapiskat.
Hundreds of the most vulnerable residents were the first to be evacuated by plane on Friday and over the weekend. They were put up in motels, hotels or other accommodations in Cochrane, Greenstone, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.The Ontario communities of Kapuskasing, Elliot Lake and Geraldton and as far south as Stratford will also be receiving people.The evacuation plan had been in place for about a year, and the federal and provincial governments were awaiting a call from the community to kick their plans into gear, said Barry Radford, a spokesman for Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources in Huntsville, Ont.
Radford said the evacuations would depend on the weather and the water levels: That'll determine when we start and when we finish, he said.Although Kashechewan is perennially beset by flooding, conditions this year are particularly bad, Radford said.Residents are expected to be away from home for six to eight weeks.With files from the Canadian Press.
Fierce snowstorm temporarily closes Trans-Canada Highway
Sun Apr 27, 9:48 AM
A stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway in southeastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario was reopened Sunday, a day after poor visibility and treacherous driving conditions forced police to shut it down.The highway was closed for about 24 hours from Falcon Lake, Man., to Thunder Bay, Ont., as a snowstorm hammered the area, bringing high winds and up to 20 centimetres of snow.The closure forced dozens of cars and trucks to turn around. Many drivers waited out the storm in Falcon Lake, about a 90-minute drive east of Winnipeg.In Winnipeg, about 20 people were stranded at the Greyhound bus depot after their driver was forced to turn back from Falcon Lake.While the highway has been reopened, a Department of Transportation spokesman told CBC News that road conditions were still far from ideal on Sunday morning.Most highways in southeastern Manitoba were in poor shape with icy and snow-packed sections.
Northeast soaker ahead Mark Avery APR 28,08
Heavy rain is expected over much of the Northeast over the next couple of days. An area of low pressure will move up the Appalachians through Wednesday. This low will bring in moisture off of the Atlantic Ocean, and with an upper level trough digging into the region, brings a chance at some heavy rain particularly over New England. Rainfall amounts over 2 inches are expected from around Philadelphia to Burlington, Vermont, to near Bar Harbor, Maine. Rain over 3 inches is expected from New York City to Augusta, Maine, to near Albany. This amount of rain can and will cause localized flooding, especially in New England at least through Wednesday. Flood watches are posted for much of New Hampshire and western Maine, with more possible. The upper trough, currently moving out of the Great Lakes, will stall out over eastern Canada over the next several days, bringing a chance at some scattered showers to the interior Northeast for much of the week ahead. Farther south, locally heavy rain is also possible as far south as North Carolina. Rainfall amounts are not expected to be quite as dramatic as what is expected in the Northeast, but much of North Carolina and Virginia could see around an inch of rain before ending tonight.
FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
Oil nears $120 following labor and military strikes By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
VIENNA, Austria - Oil prices hit an all-time high near $120 a barrel Monday after a weekend refinery strike closed a pipeline system that delivers a third of Britain's North Sea oil to refineries in the U.K. The shutdown comes amid supply outages in Nigeria that have helped to support oil against a strengthening dollar.We've got a confluence of a number of events that have really disrupted crude oil supply, said Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Singapore. That's what's driving oil to a new record even though the U.S. dollar actually strengthened a bit.Light, sweet crude for June delivery rose to a record $119.93 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract eased back to $119.04 a barrel by noon in Europe, up 52cents from Friday's close of $118.52.BP PLC on Sunday shut down the Forties Pipeline System that carries more than 700,000 barrels of oil a day to the U.K. because of a 48-hour walkout by employees at a refinery in central Scotland.
Workers walked out of the Grangemouth refinery vowing not to give ground in their dispute with refinery owner Ineos over plans to close a generous pension scheme to new employees. Ineos chief executive Tom Crotty said it could take a week for the plant to return to production once the strike ends on Tuesday. BP said its pipeline could be up and running within 24 hours.BP's Kinneil plant, the onshore processing center for the pipeline system, is powered from the Grangemouth site.With the refinery being shut down, it will affect supplies from the North Sea and that has a potentially significant impact, said David Moore, a commodity strategist with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney. That comes at the same time that there's production disruptions from Nigeria so the combined effect of those is the immediate factor that's put pressure on oil prices.Analyst Stephen Schork also attributed the bullish market to the combination of events stoking supply concerns.News that BP shut-in 40 percent of the Forties Pipe compounded the latest headline out of Nigeria regarding a rebel attack near that country's largest oil and gas export terminal on Bonny Island, he said, in his Schork Report. Thus, all of that bubble talk aside, the market looks stronger than ever.In Nigeria, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, said its fighters hit an oil pipeline late Thursday, the fourth conduit the group has attacked in the past week. MEND said the pipeline belongs to a Royal Dutch Shell PLC joint venture. A Shell spokesman confirmed one of its pipelines had been hit, but provided no additional details.Separately, workers at an ExxonMobil Corp. joint venture there cut production by an unspecified amount to demand more pay.Demand is high for Nigeria's light, sweet crude, which is easily refined. After years of militant attacks, however, Nigeria's output is dropping and the country can produce only about 75 percent of its official production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day.
This week, the oil market is also expected to closely watch the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.The central bank's policymakers will meet to decide whether to lower interest rates again and to issue an updated assessment of the U.S. economy and financial system. Most investors believe the Fed will lower rates by another quarter percentage point — and that it will also suggest it may temporarily halt its round of recent cuts.There are a lot of expectations that the Fed will make an announcement that they will take a pause in interest rate cuts, Shum said. If that's the case, then the U.S. dollar may bottom out and that could cause some pullback in oil pricing.Many analysts believe the weakness of the dollar is a bigger factor than supply and demand because the soft dollar draws investors worried about inflation into commodities such as oil and gold. It also makes commodities less expensive for buyers operating in other currencies.In other Nymex trading, heating oil futures were flat at $3.310 a gallon while gasoline prices moved up slightly to fetch $3.0568 a gallon. Natural gas futures added over 10 cents to sell at $11.072 per 1,000 cubic feet. Brent crude futures rose 73 cents to $117.07 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London. Associated Press writer Gillian Wong contributed to this report from Singapore.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks head for higher open amid merger talk, earnings reports By JOE BEL BRUNO, AP Business Writer APR 28,08
NEW YORK - Stocks headed for a higher open Monday amid more speculation about mergers and acquisitions, and ahead of a handful of earnings reports on tap for the session. Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. shares will be in focus after The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported that Mars Inc. and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. may be close to buying the company for more than $22 billion. The acquisition of the maker of Doublemint gum could be announced as early as Monday.Meanwhile, Continental Airlines Inc. said late Sunday it would not be part of any merger in the near future, a surprise announcement after weeks of speculation it would link up with United Airlines to create the world's biggest airline. Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Lawrence Kellner told employees the Houston-based airline was better off alone just one week after United shocked Wall Street with a $537 million first-quarter loss.Visa Inc. will post quarterly results late in the day. The world's largest credit-card processor is expected to report strong profits for the second quarter, driven by faster growth overseas.Health insurer Humana said Monday that increased Medicare Advantage membership helped drive first-quarter profit above Wall Street expectations, as it raised its outlook for the full year.
Humana Inc.'s net income grew to $80.2 million, or 47 cents per share, from year-ago profit of $71.2 million, or 42 cents per share.
Others reporting results include Verizon Communications Inc., Sysco Corp., and Tyson Foods Inc. So far about half the Standard & Poor's 500 have reported results.Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 35, or 0.31 percent, to 12,910. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures were up 5.70, or 0.41 percent, at 1,402.80, while Nasdaq 100 index futures added 8.00, or 0.43 percent, to 1,929.00.Stocks finished mostly higher on Friday, with the Dow industrials rising 42 points and the S&P 500 up 9 points. The major indexes finished last week moderately higher.Bond prices were expected to decline ahead of the Federal Reserve policy-setting meeting on Wednesday, where central bankers are expected to lower interest rates by a quarter point. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, rose to 3.89 percent from 3.87 percent late Friday.A spike in oil prices is also expected to pressure stocks. A barrel of light crude rose 48 cents to $119 in premarket trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.The dollar was lower against other major currencies, while gold prices fell.Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.22 percent. In morning trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.67 percent, Germany's DAX index added 1.10 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.93 percent.On the Net:New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com.Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Confusion reigns on EU treaty
27 April 2008 By Tom McGurk
Do you have any idea what you’re being asked to vote on in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty? Here we go again: it’s European déja vu time. Once more, we are facing into a monumental political decision that will define our democracy for generations to come. Once more, we are being reminded that we are only being asked because apparently our Constitution is tiresomely democratic. Once more, we have hardly any idea just what it is we are being asked to do.Once more, we are being asked to trust those who apparently know better than us: the political classes and the Eurotocracy. In the meantime, as the argument rages on and on, don’t for God’s sake let anyone mention the European Constitution.If you thought the Maastricht and Nice masterpieces needed a whole afternoon in a political seminar to understand, then try Lisbon. It is the Finnegans Wake of EU treaties, a masterclass in confusion and obscurity.It would be funny if it weren’t so serious; indeed, were any student in Europe to submit the Lisbon Treaty as an academic political thesis, they might well be thrown out of their faculty.
Why is this? Why is it so beyond the literary abilities of our Brussels bureaucrats to produce something that is reasonably intelligible? The answer, I believe, is neither sinister nor conspiratorial as some have suspected, but rather more arcane.
Lisbon represents the final confused consensus of over 20 governments all seeking simultaneously to do two opposite things: to create a new governing structure for Europe, while at the same time covering their political backs.Their agreement was the mere icing on an enormous cake of confusion which now threatens to collapse under the weight of its hundreds and hundreds of parliamentary drafts and redrafts. Is it any wonder how it tastes, given the number of cooks of this broth? Here is a document of monumental confusion for a new European political experiment, which in itself reeks of monumental confusion. European federal state or European super-state or European union of states: basically, it’s whatever you are having yourself.So, let’s start this whole debate leading up to our referendum by asking some leading questions. I won’t attempt to answer them myself for the very good reason that I don’t have all the answers, but apparently those who are recommending a Yes vote to Lisbon do.
1. Does Lisbon implement the 2004 EU Constitution indirectly, rather than directly? Does Lisbon in effect make us citizens of a supranational European Federation? While we would retain our Irish citizenship, would the rights and duties attaching to our EU citizenship have primacy over those of our national citizenship in any case of conflict between the two?
For example, look carefully at the wording of part of the amendment that we are being asked to accept: No provision of this (Irish) Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the state that are necessitated by membership of the European Union, or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the said European Union or by institutions there of, or by bodies competent under the treaties referred to in this section, from having the force of law in the state. In other words, is this the moment when primacy passes from the Irish Constitution to the European version?
2.Howcan the total change in the EU’s qualified majority voting methods envisaged by Lisbon not diminish Irish ambitions? For example, when Ireland joined the EEC in 1973,we had three votes in the formation of European laws, as against ten each for the big states, slightly under one third the weight of the big boys.
Under the current Nice Treaty arrangements, we have seven votes as against 29 each, just less than one-quarter. Under Lisbon, Ireland’s vote would be based on relative populations: we would have four million people as against Germany’s 82 million, that is one-twentieth, and an average of 60 million each for France, Italy and Britain, one-fifteenth.
Under Lisbon, Germany’s relative voting weight vis-a-vis the other 26 member states would more than double, from its current 8 per cent to 17 per cent; France’s would go from 8 per cent to 13 per cent and Britain and Italy’s from 8 per cent to 12 per cent each.
Ireland’s voting weight would fall to one-third its present level of 2 per cent to 0.8 per cent. Ireland’s share in a blocking minority in Council of Ministers voting would go from its current 7.7 per cent to 2.4 per cent, while Germany’s would go from 32 per cent to 48 per cent.
3.Lisbon will reduce EU Commissioner numbers from 27 to 18, meaning that, for five out of every 15 years, there will be no Irish voice on the commission. Is this acceptable?
4.Lisbon envisages that, in future, countries can only suggest someone for membership of the commission, instead of proposing them, as is the case now. Is this acceptable?
5.Who can deny that Lisbon will utterly transform law-making in the EU? It envisages the EU- as opposed to the Dáil - making new laws in some 30 new areas, including civil and criminal law, justice and policing, public services, immigration, energy, transport, tourism, space, sport, culture, civil protection, intellectual property, public health and the EU budget.
There would be majority voting, too, by EU foreign ministers as regards implementation of decisions in foreign policy. Furthermore, under Lisbon, the Irish government has retained the right to opt into or out of specific EU laws or measures in the crime and justice area, in order to keep in line with Britain’s similar opt-out. However, the government has indicated its desire to opt in fully to EU crime and justice laws at the earliest opportunity and it states that, if Lisbon is ratified, it will review its position in three years.
Of course, there are other major questions, like the militarisation of the EU and the future power of the European Court as the final arbiter of our rights, as opposed to the current status of the Irish Supreme Court and Strasbourg.Astonishingly, the Lisbon Treaty, which will so utterly transform EU citizenship, has sought no wider popular mandate other than a parliamentary one, with the sole exception of Ireland. So are we to be seen as Europe’s democratic saviours or as Europe’s political boot-boys? As we ponder this truly unreadable document, why should we be treated with contempt by some Europeans for even pondering it? And, most importantly of all, could voting No to it be our attempt to save Europe from itself?
Finally, given that we have already rejected notions of ‘European constitutions, what did Valery Giscard d’Estaing mean when he said: The difference between the original constitution and the present Lisbon Treaty is one of approach, rather than content . . .The proposals in the original constitutional treaty are practically unchanged.They have simply been dispersed through the old treaties in the form of amendments. Why this subtle change? Above all, to head off any threat of referenda by avoiding any form of constitutional vocabulary. . .But lift the lid and look in the toolbox: all the same innovative and effective tools are there, just as they were carefully crafted by the European Convention.
Clear votes for new EU Treaty in Denmark, Austria and Germany[de] Published: Friday 25 April 2008
The ratification process for the new Treaty gained momentum yesterday (24 April) as the Danish and Austrian parliaments approved the text, which also easily passed Germany's lower House. The votes in Vienna and Copenhagen mean the Treaty has now been adopted in 11 out of 27 countries.
In Denmark, parliament ratified the new Treaty with a clear 90-25 majority, while 64 MPs, including Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, were absent during the vote. The populist Danish People's Party, which has otherwise backed Rasmussen's minority government in recent years, voted against ratification. Earlier on Thursday, Austria's upper House followed the example of the lower House in approving the treaty with a strong 151-27 majority thanks to the support of the ruling Social Democrats, the conservative People's Party and the opposition Greens. The two right-wing opposition parties, the FPÖ and the BZÖ, voted against it. President Heinz Fischer now has to sign the Treaty for it to be ratified, but this is considered a formality. Commission President José Manuel Barroso welcomed the support for the Treaty in Austria and Denmark, saying the ratification process is now well advanced and I look forward to its successful conclusion.
Meanwhile, the lower House of the German parliament, the Bundestag, approved the treaty with 515 MPs voting in favour and only 58 against it - a considerably higher show of support than the required two-thirds majority. A second and final vote is now expected to take place in Germany's upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, next month. Speaking ahead of the vote, Chancellor Angela Merkel described the treaty as good for Europe and a win for Germany. It would provide a solid basis for Europe to move forward, said the chancellor, who was one of the main driving forces towards agreeing the treaty. Joseph Daul, the leader of the EPP-ED group, called the vote a milestone in the ongoing ratification process.
Bavarian MEP Peter Gauweiler of the Christian Socialist Party (CSU) was among the few not to join the pro-European chorus, announcing that he planned to take legal action against ratification of the Treaty before the country's highest court. What the Treaty brings Brussels in terms of new competences is not compatible with our democratic principles, Gauweiler told the Saarbrücker Zeitung.
Simlar feelings are being voiced by the eurosceptic Czech parliament. It asked the nation's Constitutional Court yesterday (24April) to review whether or not the Lisbon Treaty is constitutional. The proposal was initiated by the right-wing Civic Democrats of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek. Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who founded the party, is also a critic of the treaty but has pledged not to block its ratification. For the Treaty to enter into force, all 27 member states have to ratify it. Ahead of Austria and Denmark, nine countries had already given their approval to the next, namely Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and Portugal.Ireland is set to be the only country to hold a referendum on the Treaty, which is scheduled for 12 June.
EUROPEAN UNION ARMY
DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.( BE HEAD OF 3 NATIONS)
25 And he (EU PRESIDENT) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.(3 1/2 YRS)
DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.
DANIEL 11:36-39
36 And the king (EU DICTATOR) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS JEWISH) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.(CLAIM TO BE GOD)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(WAR) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god,(DESTROY TERROR GROUPS) whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.
REVELATION 19:19
19 And I saw the beast,(EU LEADER) and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,(JESUS) and against his army.(THE RAPTURED CHRISTIANS)
Europe News
Czech Republic and Slovakia agree to form joint military unit
Apr 26, 2008, 8:14 GMT
Prague - The Czech Republic and Slovakia have agreed to form a joint military unit of 1,500 soldiers, reports said Saturday in Prague-based newspapers. The unit is expected to operate from 2009 in the European Union. The project is one of the largest between the two countries since they split amicably in 1993, Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova and Slovakian Defence Minister Jaroslav Baska said at the signing of the agreement. The unit would form part of the EU's planned rapid reaction force for international conflicts.
SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON AND STARS
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
EU's GPS satellite in orbit Sun Apr 27, 5:52 AM ET
MOSCOW - An experimental satellite for a much-delayed European Union rival to the United States' GPS navigation system blasted into orbit Sunday after a successful launch atop a Russian rocket, the Russian and European space agencies said. The Giove-B satellite shot into space atop a Soyuz-FG rocket launched from the Baikonur facility in Kazakhstan, entering orbit at 8:01 a.m. (0201GMT) as planned, the Russian space agency Roskosmos said.The EU called the launch a key step toward its planned global satellite navigation system, Galileo.The launch of Giove-B is the best possible proof that Galileo is well on its way and is the symbol of European excellence in this new and major technology, an EU statement quoted Jacques Barrot, the European Commission's vice president in charge of transport, as saying.Barrot and other senior EU officials monitored the launch from the Fucino control center in Italy.Giove-B is the second satellite to be launched for Galileo. It will test technologies to be used in the system, including an atomic clock that the EU says will be the most accurate in space.Touted as technologically superior to GPS, Galileo is scheduled to be operational by 2013 but has encountered delays. Its first satellite was launched in 2005, but the second missed its late 2006 launch due to a short-circuit problem in final testing.Late last year, European Union governments had to agree to a taxpayer bailout after a consortium of private companies from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and Italy walked away from the project in a financing dispute.
Galileo promises to more than double existing GPS coverage, providing navigation for motorists, sailors, pilots and emergency rescue teams. It would improve coverage in high-latitude areas such as northern Europe, and in big cities where skyscrapers can block signals.Galileo is to include 30 satellites. The next step is the planned launch by 2010 of four operational satellites designed to ensure that the system works.
REBUILT 3RD TEMPLE (THE EU DICTATORS TEMPLE)
REVELATION 11:1-2
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
DANIEL 9:27
27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
REBUILT 4TH TEMPLE (THE TRUE MESSIAHS TEMPLE)
ZECHARIAH 6:12-13
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
ISAIAH 60:9-10
9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
ISAIAH 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
MARK 11:9-10,15-17
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
EZEKIEL 40 TO 48 IS THIS 4TH TEMPLE TO BIG FOR THE MOUNT I BELIEVE TO BE BUILT 25 MILES FROM JERUSALEM.
Jerusalem's Wailing Wall at risk of collapse
By Carolynne Wheeler in Jerusalem
Last Updated: 2:16am BST 28/04/2008
For thousands of years it has withstood fires, floods and earthquakes. But now a portion of one of Judaism's holiest sites, Jerusalem's Western Wall, is crumbling.The rabbi charged with watching over the structure, which the faith believes to be the last remnants of a retaining wall from the ancient Second Temple, has warned that a section repaired more than a century ago is again at risk of falling.Mourning prayer: a young Jew at Jerusalem's Western Wall which is losing its mortar to the rain.Because the weakened stonework is high on the 60ft wall, the danger from any falling fragment to the crowds who pray at its foot each day is particularly acute.We found that the stones at the bottom of the wall, the stones from the Second Temple period, were strong and stable, said Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. However, we discovered that there are problems with the smaller stones, those at the top of the wall.
His warning came as Israel hosted record numbers of tourists for the Passover holiday and prepares for high-profile visitors for the 60th anniversary of its founding, next month. World leaders including the American President, George W Bush, the former prime minister Tony Blair, and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, are to be joined by others such as the Google founder, Sergey Brin, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerman at a conference hosted by Israel's president, Shimon Peres.A pilgrimage to the wall is a standard part of dignitaries' visits and it receives an estimated six million visitors each year, including Israeli army recruits and tour buses of young Jews on their first visit to the Holy Land. Last week, the grand limestone plaza in front of it, also known as the Wailing Wall or in Hebrew as Ha Kotel, was crowded with families holding bar mitzvahs for excited young sons, tour groups and visitors from around the globe.The damage was discovered just before Passover as religious leaders cleared thousands of written prayers tucked into the stones of the wall, according to Jewish tradition. Twice a year, thousands of such entreaties, which also arrive by email and post, are gathered and buried on the Mount of Olives so as not to desecrate the contents.The Western Wall is believed to date from 20BC, when King Herod the Great first ordered the construction of the Second Temple, a project that took 46 years to complete. Roman legions razed the temple in AD70, and today the wall that remains is thought to be the only surviving portion of Judaism's holiest site.Along with the massive stones commissioned by Herod, the wall contains stones placed by the Umayyad dynasty in an eighth?century restoration. But the section crumbling is at the very top, where a series of smaller, uniformly sized stones were added in the 1800s under the financing and supervision of British financier and philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore. Restoration experts say the more modern cement used as mortar to hold those stones together has been eroded more quickly by wind and rain than the ancient preparations used on the lower levels. The result is that several are now poised to fall.
Israel's Antiquities Authority has said there is no immediate risk to visitors, since the heavy winter rains have passed. But the repair work is to begin almost immediately, to ensure it is completed before the return of worse weather in the autumn.We know it is old stone and we have some crumbling, said Raanan Kislev, head of the conservation at the authority. The repair will be a delicate operation: Jewish religious law forbids the removing of any stone from the wall, and rabbis are divided over who is even permitted to carry out such work.Traditionally, Jews are forbidden to set foot on the ancient site of what they believe to be the Temple Mount, so the rabbi said much of the work would have to be conducted using cranes rather than scaffolding. Jewish workers on the project will also have to undergo ritual baths.
Jews in Israel and the Diaspora follow the peace process closely and a majority of them favour the two-state solution. As Yoram Ettinger explains below, this is due in part to their fear of the alleged Demographic Time Bomb. TED BELMAN ISRAPUNDIT
Yoram Ettinger explains.
1. Support – among Israeli Jews – for the proposed Palestinian state (Two States Solution) is soft and reluctant, according to a March 31-April 1 poll conducted by the Tel Aviv University Center For Peace Research.
2. The establishment of the proposed Palestinian state is supported by 68%, many of whom – other than the Israel ’s traditional Left – subordinate their security and historical concerns to their demographic concern. However, the demographic scare has been debunked by the Bennett Zimmerman-led American-Israel Demographic Research Group (AIDRG), as summarized below.
3. 55% of Israeli Jews define Judea & Samaria as Liberated Territory ,compared with 32% who consider it Occupied Territory , in defiance of a 15 year old Political-Correctness promoted by Israel ’s government, media, academic and k-12 education systems.
4. 57% of Israeli Jews do not accept the Green Line as Israel ’s border, compared with 23% who accept it.
5. 49%:43% oppose an agreement, which entails painful concessions -a code name for substantial withdrawals.
6. 47%:40% of Israeli Jews consider the 1993 Oslo Accord a mistake.
7. 75% of Israeli Jews don’t believe that negotiation would lead to an agreement with the Palestinians. 75% believe that even if an agreement would be concluded, the Palestinians would not consider it an end to their conflict with Israel .
8. Most Israeli Jews oppose the tangible – potentially lethal - consequences of the Two State Solution. Their soft & reluctant support of the Two State Solution has been based on unfounded demographic fatalism. It has benefited from the absence of a systematic, full scale educational media campaign, highlighting historical, security and demographic aspects of Judea & Samaria mountain ridges (the Golan Heights of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the 9- 15 mile sliver along the Mediterranean, surrounded by the conflict-ridden, volatile, violent, non-compliant Arab Mideast, which is yet to experience inter-Arab peace).The American-Israel Demographic Research Group (AIDRG) Key Findings April 2008
Western taxpayers have provided, since 1994, a multi-billion dollar foreign aid to the PA, based on dramatically inflated Palestinian numbers. President Bush stated that Prime Ministers Sharon and Olmert argued that Israeli territorial concessions were required, in order to spare Israel a demographic calamity. Really?
I. AIDRG documents a 1.1MN (46%) inflation in the official number of Palestinians in Gaza, Judea & Samaria (2.7MN and not 3.8MN) and a 53% inflation in the official number of Palestinians in Judea & Samaria alone (1.5MN and not 2.3MN). The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) includes in its census some 400,000 overseas residents, 200,000 Israeli ( Jerusalem ) Arabs who are also counted as Green Line Arabs, ignores about 200,000 emigrants (since 1997), etc. The World Bank documents a 32% gap between the PCBS and the Palestinian Ministry of Education - documented – number of Palestinian births.
II. A long-term 67% Jewish majority on 98.5% of the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean (without Gaza ). A long-term 60% Jewish majority west of the Jordan River compared with 33% and 8% minority in 1947 and 1900 respectively.
III. Arab fertility rate (within the Green Line) has declined 20 year faster than conventionally projected – due to modernity and integration - while Jewish fertility rate is rising.
IV. A 40% rise in annual Jewish births (from 80,400 to 112,000) and a stagnation of annual Arab births (39,000) in the Green Line during 1995-2007. Arab-Jewish gap of fertility (number of children per woman) reduced from 6 in 1969 to 0.8 in 2006. Arab fertility rate has declined, in Judea & Samaria, to about 4.5 since its peak (about 8) in the late 1980s.
V. Arab-Jewish fertility rates have converged in Jerusalem – 3.9 children per woman – for the first time since 1948.
VI. Net annual emigration of over 10,000 has characterized Judea & Samaria (mostly) and Gaza Arabs since 1950: 12,000 in 2004, 16,000 in 2005 and 25,000 in 2006.
VII. The Jewish State has benefited from annual Aliya (immigration) since 1882. Repeatedly, since 1948, Israel ’s demographic establishment has projected no waves of Aliya.
VIII. Secular Olim (immigrants) from the former Soviet Republics experience fertility increase from the Russian rate of one child per woman toward the average secular Israeli rate of 2.2.
IX. Repeatedly, projections of demographic doom have been refuted by robust Jewish demography between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean . For example, Ben Gurion was urged by Israel ’s demographers to delay declaration of independence, lest the 600,000 Jews of 1948 become a minority by 1967!
X. There is a demographic problem, but it is not lethal, and the demographic trend is Jewish and not Arab. The demographic momentum is shifting from the Arab to the Jewish sector. Demography constitutes a strategic asset, not a liability, for the Jewish State.
As Israelis come to understand there is no demographic time bomb, they will be more inclined to vote against the two-state solution. But many will still favour the two-state solution because they do not want another 1.1 million Arabs in the country even if Israel gets to keep the Westbank and Jerusalem.But what happens if that ratio is improved by a program to induce Arabs to leave with generous financial support and by expelling everyone connected to terror.And what if a constitution is passed which protects Israel as a Jewish state and new citizenship rules are passed which require a loyalty test and knowledge of Hebrew and National service.
This suggests they will strongly support annexation of Judea and Samaria rather than painful concessions.Ted Belman
WORLD TERRORISM
GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
2 PETER 2:5
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
2 PETER 3:7
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men
LEVITICUS 26:16
16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you( sudden) terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
GENESIS 16:11-12
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
ISAIAH 33:1,18-19 Woe to thee that spoilest,(destroys) and thou wast not spoiled;(destroyed) and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil,(destroy) thou shalt be spoiled;(destroyed) and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.
18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?
19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.
JOHN 16:2
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
American, Iraqi troops kill 38 militants in Baghdad By SELCAN HACAOGLU, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
BAGHDAD - American and Iraqi troops killed 38 militants in the fiercest clashes with militants in weeks in Baghdad, including 22 who attacked a military checkpoint in a Shiite militia stronghold, the U.S. military said Monday. Suspected Shiite extremists, apparently taking advantage of a sandstorm that blanketed the capital, attacked several checkpoints and hammered the U.S.-protected Green Zone in the fiercest salvo in weeks on Sunday. The sandstorm had grounded the American aircraft that normally prowl for launching teams.Attacks continued Monday morning as insurgents lobbed more rockets or mortar shells toward the Green Zone, which houses the U.S. embassy and much of the Iraqi government on the west side of the Tigris River, benefiting from continued limited visibility that gave cover to the launching teams. Alarms could be heard and the public address system in the area warned residents to take cover and stay away from windows.The U.S. Embassy on Monday confirmed the area was hit by indirect fire, the military's term for rocket or mortar attacks, and said there were no reports of serious injury or deaths at this time.While the sandstorm eased, the militants continued to benefit from low visibility that gave cover to the launching teams from the U.S. attack aircraft that normally target them.The fighting escalated as anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, rejected terms set by the Iraqi government for lifting a crackdown against his Mahdi Army militia.
He also has threatened to launch an open war against the U.S.-led foreign troops — a move that would lift a nearly 8-month-old cease-fire and jeopardize recent security gains.In a step to avoid a full-blown confrontation with the government, al-Sadr on Friday called for an end to Iraqi bloodshed. But the attacks against Iraqi military checkpoints Sunday suggested that patience was running thin within the ranks of the Mahdi Army.American commanders have blamed what they call Iranian-backed Shiite factions they say have broken with a cease-fire imposed by al-Sadr in late August.The clashes Sunday were concentrated in Sadr City, the stronghold of the Mahdi Army, where U.S. soldiers used Abrams main battle tanks to repel the attackers.The American and Iraqi soldiers came under attack by a large group of criminals, the U.S. military said in a statement.Fifty-eight people, including five children and eight women, were also injured in clashes in Sadr City since Sunday, local health officials said Monday.On Sunday, the U.S. military claimed success with operations that have effectively sealed off the southern section of Baghdad's Sadr City, a militia stronghold that is believed to be one of the prime launching sites for the Green Zone attacks.The Green Zone has been regularly shelled since fighting broke out over a U.S.-backed government crackdown against militias that began in late March. American commanders have blamed what they call Iranian-backed Shiite factions they say have broken with a cease-fire imposed by al-Sadr in late August.
On Sunday, Al-Sadr's spokesman in the holy city of Najaf called the Shiite-led government's terms for ceasing the crackdown against the militias illogical.Salah al-Obeidi accused Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, himself a Shiite, of wanting to resolve the problem by force instead of dialogue. Chief among al-Maliki's demands announced Friday were that the militias surrender heavy weapons and hand over all wanted people.Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the Iraqi military spokesman for Baghdad operations, on Sunday said the government would maintain the crackdown.Meanwhile, representatives from rival factions in Iraq — senior Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish politicians — said Monday that all parties agreed to renounce violence at weekend talks in Finland facilitated by former peace negotiators in Northern Ireland and South Africa. The representatives said that all parties agreed that foreign troops must leave Iraq, but only when Iraqi forces are ready to assume responsibility for security. Associated Press writer Hamid Ahmed in Baghdad and Matti Huuhtanen in Helsinki, Finland, contributed to this report.
Passenger train collision kills 70 in eastern China By ANITA CHANG, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
BEIJING - A high-speed passenger train jumped its tracks and slammed into another train in eastern China on Monday, killing at least 70 people and injuring more than 400. Authorities were quoted as saying human error was to blame. The death toll could rise, with 70 people hospitalized in critical condition after the pre-dawn crash in a rural part of Shandong province, the official Xinhua News Agency said.It said a total of 420 people had been hurt in China's worst train accident in a decade. No foreigners were among the dead.Xinhua said investigators had ruled out terrorism as a cause of the crash. Its English report said it was human error, while its Chinese-language report attributed the crash to negligence, without giving other details.Xinhua said two high-ranking railway officials in Shandong had been fired.The crash just before the May Day long weekend holiday happened when a train traveling from Beijing to Qingdao — site of the sailing competition during the Olympics in August — derailed and hit a second passenger train just before dawn. Nine of the first train's carriages were knocked into a dirt ditch, Railway Ministry spokesman Wang Yongping said in a statement.
The second train on its way from Yantai in Shandong to Xuzhou in eastern Jiangsu province was knocked off its tracks although it stayed upright. News photos showed several of its carriages sitting across the train tracks just outside the city of Zibo.News photos showed rescuers pulling passengers from a carriage sitting on its side. Survivors bundled in white bed sheets from the sleeper cars stood or sat near the wreckage.Xinhua said bloodstained sheets and broken thermos flasks could be seen on the ground beside the twisted train cars.It did not say how many people were on both trains.Most passengers were still asleep, but some were standing in the aisle waiting to get off at the Zibo railway station, one passenger surnamed Zhang told Xinhua.I suddenly felt the train, like a roller coaster, topple ... to one side and all the way to the other side. When it finally went off the tracks, many people fell on me, Zhang said.Zhang, who was on the train from Bejing, was injured when the train toppled into farmland beside the track. She said local villagers used farm tools to smash train windows to pull out trapped passengers.I saw a girl who was trying to help her boyfriend out of the train, but he was dead, Zhang said.A 38-year-old woman told Xinhua that she and daughter, 13, escaped unhurt by scrambling through a huge crack in the floor of their carriage.
Four French nationals — three from one family — were among the injured.Xinhua said heavy cranes were being used to move the wrecked rail cars, with workers aiming to reopen the line by early Tuesday, a little more than 24 hours after the accident.One villager who witnessed the rescue operation said ambulances ferried the injured away for more than three hours. There were a lot of police and soldiers around and I saw a lot of ambulances going back and forth, the villager told The Associated Press. He would give only his surname, Wang. It was the second major railway accident in Shandong this year. In January, 18 people died when a train hurtling through the night at more than 75 miles per hour slammed into a group of about 100 workers carrying out track maintenance near the city of Anqiu. According to the 163.com news Web site, it was the worst train accident in China since 1997, when another collision killed 126 people. Trains are the most popular way to travel in China, and the country's overloaded rail network carried 1.36 billion passengers last year, Xinhua said. That is slightly behind India, which had 1.4 billion passengers last year, according to the Indian National Railways Web site.
Link
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS
REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Weather keeps Southern California wildfires burning
By Rex Crum, MarketWatch Last update: 2:53 p.m. EDT April 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Unseasonably hot temperatures are expected to continue for several days, making it difficult to continue a southern California wildfire that has so far caused the evacuation 300 homes near Los Angeles.Published reports said that the fires, centered around the city of Sierra Madre, Calif., have so far burned 350 acres as temperatures neared 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Officials in Sierra Madre, which is about 20 miles northeast of Los Angeles, said they believed it would take two to three days before the fires are under control.
Firefighters are trying to get the blaze under control in order to prevent a repeat of last year's fires that destroyed thousands of homes between Santa Barbara and the Mexican border.
Rex Crum is a reporter for MarketWatch in San Francisco.
1,000 flee foothill homes as wildfire burns near Los Angeles By JOHN ANTCZAK, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
SIERRA MADRE, Calif. - Darkness didn't keep firefighters from continuing to gain ground Monday on a 400-acre wildfire they have been battling all weekend near Los Angeles. It just meant a change in tactics.The hand crews are still making progress against the flanks of the fire, Cliff Johnson, fire information officer for the Angeles National Forest, said early Monday. (But) no aircraft are being used in the darkness.All of Sierra Madre's schools have canceled Monday classes, and the early season wildfire forced the evacuation of at least 1,000 people from their homes in the foothills. Authorities said no homes have burned.About 500 firefighters attacked the blaze, aided during the daytime by two helicopters and water-dropping air tankers, said city of Sierra Madre spokeswoman Elisa Weaver.This is pretty serious, Weaver said. Some of these areas have not burned in over 40 years.By Sunday evening crews had the fire 30 percent contained, Sierra Madre spokesman James Carlson said. Light winds and rising humidity were aiding firefighters, who hoped to have the blaze fully contained within a week, Carlson said.
Monday morning will see the return of firefighting aircraft and likely more ground crews, Johnson said.On Sunday, helicopters made water drops on a steep ridge above Sierra Madre near Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park, about 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles and just east of Pasadena. A fixed-wing water tanker also dropped flame retardant.Aircraft also were helping fire officials assess the movement of the blaze, which was had been creeping northwest into Angeles National Forest, Battalion Chief Tim Davis of the Forest Service said.It's very steep, inaccessible terrain, and it's very heavy brush, Davis said at a news conference. Very difficult and arduous labor for these crews. You can't get bulldozers into the majority of where these fingers of fire run.Two firefighters had minor injuries — one was treated for heat exhaustion, another for a strained knee, authorities said.The blaze stranded 50 guests from a wedding party at the Chantry Flats ranger's station on Saturday until they were airlifted out Sunday afternoon, Weaver said. It took five helicopter trips from the ranger's station to the wedding's parking area. The party then was escorted out by road.
Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the fire, first reported on a windy Saturday afternoon as temperatures approached 100 degrees.
Hundreds flee wildfires in Spain Sunday, 27 April , 2008, 09:18
San Sebastian (Spain): Hundreds of people fled wildfires on Saturday on the Spanish island of La Gomera, with some residents taking refuge on the beaches, provincial authorities said. Separate blazes broke out around the towns of Hermigua, Vallehermoso and Agulo in the northern part of the island. There were no immediate reports about the source of the fires. At least one house was destroyed by late Saturday. There were no reports of casualties.
Amid high winds driving the wildfires, dozens of fire-fighters and volunteers were battling the flames, with aerial support from tanker planes. Spanish military troops in the Canary Islands were expected to join the effort. La Gomera's Garajonay National Park, which is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site, could be endangered by the blazes on the island.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Series of quakes takes toll on rattled residents of Reno By MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press Writer Sun Apr 27, 10:20 PM ET
RENO, Nev. - Dozens of minor earthquakes shook Reno on Sunday as a series of temblors entered its third month and prompted some frazzled residents to leave their homes. More than 150 aftershocks have been recorded on the western edge of northern Nevada's largest city after a magnitude-4.7 quake hit Friday night, the strongest quake in a sequence that began Feb. 28. There were no reports of injuries or widespread damage.Scientists have urged residents to prepare for worse, saying the recent activity is unusual because the quakes started out small and continue to build in strength.
After being awakened as many as four times a night by quakes, retiree Sandra Petty decided to spend nights 10 miles away at the Sparks home of her daughter, Stefanie McCaffrey.The quakes have sent her emotions and nerves into a tailspin, McCaffrey said Sunday. She was exhausted, and she couldn't relax or unwind. She just needed to get away so she could have a good night's sleep.
Keith Phillips said he's going to live somewhere else, possibly with his children, until the activity settles down. He lives about a block from the epicenter of Friday night's quake, which cracked walls in his house and pushed one of his garages off its foundation.
I grew up in the Bay Area and went through some major quakes down there, Phillips told the Reno Gazette-Journal. Since we're right on top of the epicenter, I've never felt anything like this.The strongest aftershock Sunday measured 3 and was recorded shortly before 11 a.m.Three other quakes larger than magnitude 3 have struck areas scattered hundreds of miles apart across northern Nevada since Friday night's 4.7 quake in Reno.The quakes around Reno began a week after a magnitude 6 one in the northern Nevada town of Wells, near the Utah border. The Feb. 21 quake has been followed by hundreds of aftershocks.Scientists said they're unsure whether the seismic activity across the state, unusual for its basin-and-range topography, is related.Not enough is known about the faults and their history and what their role is, said Ken Smith of the seismological laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The Reno temblors have prompted a flood of calls from homeowners to insurers about quake insurance.MetLife placed a 30-day moratorium on new coverage after a 4.2 quake jolted Reno on Thursday. Until then, the strongest quake in the sequence had been 3.6 on April 16.
Other insurers were expected to follow suit.
It probably will be extended, unfortunately, because of the one (Friday) night, MetLife agent Charlotte Eckmeyer said, adding that quake coverage just about doubles premiums.Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the nation behind California and Alaska. Reno's last major quake measured 6.1 on April 24, 1914.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Flood forces 2nd day of evacuations in northern Ontario
Sun Apr 27, 12:12 PM
ST..JOHNS (CBC) - As many as 2,000 people were expected to be airlifted Sunday from three communities in northern Ontario after rapidly rising water levels and melting ice prompted local leaders to declare an emergency.The rising Albany River is threatening the communities of Kashechewan and Fort Albany near James Bay. Rising water levels were also threatening the community of Attawapiskat.
Hundreds of the most vulnerable residents were the first to be evacuated by plane on Friday and over the weekend. They were put up in motels, hotels or other accommodations in Cochrane, Greenstone, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.The Ontario communities of Kapuskasing, Elliot Lake and Geraldton and as far south as Stratford will also be receiving people.The evacuation plan had been in place for about a year, and the federal and provincial governments were awaiting a call from the community to kick their plans into gear, said Barry Radford, a spokesman for Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources in Huntsville, Ont.
Radford said the evacuations would depend on the weather and the water levels: That'll determine when we start and when we finish, he said.Although Kashechewan is perennially beset by flooding, conditions this year are particularly bad, Radford said.Residents are expected to be away from home for six to eight weeks.With files from the Canadian Press.
Fierce snowstorm temporarily closes Trans-Canada Highway
Sun Apr 27, 9:48 AM
A stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway in southeastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario was reopened Sunday, a day after poor visibility and treacherous driving conditions forced police to shut it down.The highway was closed for about 24 hours from Falcon Lake, Man., to Thunder Bay, Ont., as a snowstorm hammered the area, bringing high winds and up to 20 centimetres of snow.The closure forced dozens of cars and trucks to turn around. Many drivers waited out the storm in Falcon Lake, about a 90-minute drive east of Winnipeg.In Winnipeg, about 20 people were stranded at the Greyhound bus depot after their driver was forced to turn back from Falcon Lake.While the highway has been reopened, a Department of Transportation spokesman told CBC News that road conditions were still far from ideal on Sunday morning.Most highways in southeastern Manitoba were in poor shape with icy and snow-packed sections.
Northeast soaker ahead Mark Avery APR 28,08
Heavy rain is expected over much of the Northeast over the next couple of days. An area of low pressure will move up the Appalachians through Wednesday. This low will bring in moisture off of the Atlantic Ocean, and with an upper level trough digging into the region, brings a chance at some heavy rain particularly over New England. Rainfall amounts over 2 inches are expected from around Philadelphia to Burlington, Vermont, to near Bar Harbor, Maine. Rain over 3 inches is expected from New York City to Augusta, Maine, to near Albany. This amount of rain can and will cause localized flooding, especially in New England at least through Wednesday. Flood watches are posted for much of New Hampshire and western Maine, with more possible. The upper trough, currently moving out of the Great Lakes, will stall out over eastern Canada over the next several days, bringing a chance at some scattered showers to the interior Northeast for much of the week ahead. Farther south, locally heavy rain is also possible as far south as North Carolina. Rainfall amounts are not expected to be quite as dramatic as what is expected in the Northeast, but much of North Carolina and Virginia could see around an inch of rain before ending tonight.
FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
Oil nears $120 following labor and military strikes By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
VIENNA, Austria - Oil prices hit an all-time high near $120 a barrel Monday after a weekend refinery strike closed a pipeline system that delivers a third of Britain's North Sea oil to refineries in the U.K. The shutdown comes amid supply outages in Nigeria that have helped to support oil against a strengthening dollar.We've got a confluence of a number of events that have really disrupted crude oil supply, said Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Singapore. That's what's driving oil to a new record even though the U.S. dollar actually strengthened a bit.Light, sweet crude for June delivery rose to a record $119.93 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract eased back to $119.04 a barrel by noon in Europe, up 52cents from Friday's close of $118.52.BP PLC on Sunday shut down the Forties Pipeline System that carries more than 700,000 barrels of oil a day to the U.K. because of a 48-hour walkout by employees at a refinery in central Scotland.
Workers walked out of the Grangemouth refinery vowing not to give ground in their dispute with refinery owner Ineos over plans to close a generous pension scheme to new employees. Ineos chief executive Tom Crotty said it could take a week for the plant to return to production once the strike ends on Tuesday. BP said its pipeline could be up and running within 24 hours.BP's Kinneil plant, the onshore processing center for the pipeline system, is powered from the Grangemouth site.With the refinery being shut down, it will affect supplies from the North Sea and that has a potentially significant impact, said David Moore, a commodity strategist with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney. That comes at the same time that there's production disruptions from Nigeria so the combined effect of those is the immediate factor that's put pressure on oil prices.Analyst Stephen Schork also attributed the bullish market to the combination of events stoking supply concerns.News that BP shut-in 40 percent of the Forties Pipe compounded the latest headline out of Nigeria regarding a rebel attack near that country's largest oil and gas export terminal on Bonny Island, he said, in his Schork Report. Thus, all of that bubble talk aside, the market looks stronger than ever.In Nigeria, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, said its fighters hit an oil pipeline late Thursday, the fourth conduit the group has attacked in the past week. MEND said the pipeline belongs to a Royal Dutch Shell PLC joint venture. A Shell spokesman confirmed one of its pipelines had been hit, but provided no additional details.Separately, workers at an ExxonMobil Corp. joint venture there cut production by an unspecified amount to demand more pay.Demand is high for Nigeria's light, sweet crude, which is easily refined. After years of militant attacks, however, Nigeria's output is dropping and the country can produce only about 75 percent of its official production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day.
This week, the oil market is also expected to closely watch the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.The central bank's policymakers will meet to decide whether to lower interest rates again and to issue an updated assessment of the U.S. economy and financial system. Most investors believe the Fed will lower rates by another quarter percentage point — and that it will also suggest it may temporarily halt its round of recent cuts.There are a lot of expectations that the Fed will make an announcement that they will take a pause in interest rate cuts, Shum said. If that's the case, then the U.S. dollar may bottom out and that could cause some pullback in oil pricing.Many analysts believe the weakness of the dollar is a bigger factor than supply and demand because the soft dollar draws investors worried about inflation into commodities such as oil and gold. It also makes commodities less expensive for buyers operating in other currencies.In other Nymex trading, heating oil futures were flat at $3.310 a gallon while gasoline prices moved up slightly to fetch $3.0568 a gallon. Natural gas futures added over 10 cents to sell at $11.072 per 1,000 cubic feet. Brent crude futures rose 73 cents to $117.07 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London. Associated Press writer Gillian Wong contributed to this report from Singapore.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks head for higher open amid merger talk, earnings reports By JOE BEL BRUNO, AP Business Writer APR 28,08
NEW YORK - Stocks headed for a higher open Monday amid more speculation about mergers and acquisitions, and ahead of a handful of earnings reports on tap for the session. Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. shares will be in focus after The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported that Mars Inc. and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. may be close to buying the company for more than $22 billion. The acquisition of the maker of Doublemint gum could be announced as early as Monday.Meanwhile, Continental Airlines Inc. said late Sunday it would not be part of any merger in the near future, a surprise announcement after weeks of speculation it would link up with United Airlines to create the world's biggest airline. Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Lawrence Kellner told employees the Houston-based airline was better off alone just one week after United shocked Wall Street with a $537 million first-quarter loss.Visa Inc. will post quarterly results late in the day. The world's largest credit-card processor is expected to report strong profits for the second quarter, driven by faster growth overseas.Health insurer Humana said Monday that increased Medicare Advantage membership helped drive first-quarter profit above Wall Street expectations, as it raised its outlook for the full year.
Humana Inc.'s net income grew to $80.2 million, or 47 cents per share, from year-ago profit of $71.2 million, or 42 cents per share.
Others reporting results include Verizon Communications Inc., Sysco Corp., and Tyson Foods Inc. So far about half the Standard & Poor's 500 have reported results.Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 35, or 0.31 percent, to 12,910. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures were up 5.70, or 0.41 percent, at 1,402.80, while Nasdaq 100 index futures added 8.00, or 0.43 percent, to 1,929.00.Stocks finished mostly higher on Friday, with the Dow industrials rising 42 points and the S&P 500 up 9 points. The major indexes finished last week moderately higher.Bond prices were expected to decline ahead of the Federal Reserve policy-setting meeting on Wednesday, where central bankers are expected to lower interest rates by a quarter point. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, rose to 3.89 percent from 3.87 percent late Friday.A spike in oil prices is also expected to pressure stocks. A barrel of light crude rose 48 cents to $119 in premarket trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.The dollar was lower against other major currencies, while gold prices fell.Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.22 percent. In morning trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.67 percent, Germany's DAX index added 1.10 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.93 percent.On the Net:New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com.Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Confusion reigns on EU treaty
27 April 2008 By Tom McGurk
Do you have any idea what you’re being asked to vote on in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty? Here we go again: it’s European déja vu time. Once more, we are facing into a monumental political decision that will define our democracy for generations to come. Once more, we are being reminded that we are only being asked because apparently our Constitution is tiresomely democratic. Once more, we have hardly any idea just what it is we are being asked to do.Once more, we are being asked to trust those who apparently know better than us: the political classes and the Eurotocracy. In the meantime, as the argument rages on and on, don’t for God’s sake let anyone mention the European Constitution.If you thought the Maastricht and Nice masterpieces needed a whole afternoon in a political seminar to understand, then try Lisbon. It is the Finnegans Wake of EU treaties, a masterclass in confusion and obscurity.It would be funny if it weren’t so serious; indeed, were any student in Europe to submit the Lisbon Treaty as an academic political thesis, they might well be thrown out of their faculty.
Why is this? Why is it so beyond the literary abilities of our Brussels bureaucrats to produce something that is reasonably intelligible? The answer, I believe, is neither sinister nor conspiratorial as some have suspected, but rather more arcane.
Lisbon represents the final confused consensus of over 20 governments all seeking simultaneously to do two opposite things: to create a new governing structure for Europe, while at the same time covering their political backs.Their agreement was the mere icing on an enormous cake of confusion which now threatens to collapse under the weight of its hundreds and hundreds of parliamentary drafts and redrafts. Is it any wonder how it tastes, given the number of cooks of this broth? Here is a document of monumental confusion for a new European political experiment, which in itself reeks of monumental confusion. European federal state or European super-state or European union of states: basically, it’s whatever you are having yourself.So, let’s start this whole debate leading up to our referendum by asking some leading questions. I won’t attempt to answer them myself for the very good reason that I don’t have all the answers, but apparently those who are recommending a Yes vote to Lisbon do.
1. Does Lisbon implement the 2004 EU Constitution indirectly, rather than directly? Does Lisbon in effect make us citizens of a supranational European Federation? While we would retain our Irish citizenship, would the rights and duties attaching to our EU citizenship have primacy over those of our national citizenship in any case of conflict between the two?
For example, look carefully at the wording of part of the amendment that we are being asked to accept: No provision of this (Irish) Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the state that are necessitated by membership of the European Union, or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the said European Union or by institutions there of, or by bodies competent under the treaties referred to in this section, from having the force of law in the state. In other words, is this the moment when primacy passes from the Irish Constitution to the European version?
2.Howcan the total change in the EU’s qualified majority voting methods envisaged by Lisbon not diminish Irish ambitions? For example, when Ireland joined the EEC in 1973,we had three votes in the formation of European laws, as against ten each for the big states, slightly under one third the weight of the big boys.
Under the current Nice Treaty arrangements, we have seven votes as against 29 each, just less than one-quarter. Under Lisbon, Ireland’s vote would be based on relative populations: we would have four million people as against Germany’s 82 million, that is one-twentieth, and an average of 60 million each for France, Italy and Britain, one-fifteenth.
Under Lisbon, Germany’s relative voting weight vis-a-vis the other 26 member states would more than double, from its current 8 per cent to 17 per cent; France’s would go from 8 per cent to 13 per cent and Britain and Italy’s from 8 per cent to 12 per cent each.
Ireland’s voting weight would fall to one-third its present level of 2 per cent to 0.8 per cent. Ireland’s share in a blocking minority in Council of Ministers voting would go from its current 7.7 per cent to 2.4 per cent, while Germany’s would go from 32 per cent to 48 per cent.
3.Lisbon will reduce EU Commissioner numbers from 27 to 18, meaning that, for five out of every 15 years, there will be no Irish voice on the commission. Is this acceptable?
4.Lisbon envisages that, in future, countries can only suggest someone for membership of the commission, instead of proposing them, as is the case now. Is this acceptable?
5.Who can deny that Lisbon will utterly transform law-making in the EU? It envisages the EU- as opposed to the Dáil - making new laws in some 30 new areas, including civil and criminal law, justice and policing, public services, immigration, energy, transport, tourism, space, sport, culture, civil protection, intellectual property, public health and the EU budget.
There would be majority voting, too, by EU foreign ministers as regards implementation of decisions in foreign policy. Furthermore, under Lisbon, the Irish government has retained the right to opt into or out of specific EU laws or measures in the crime and justice area, in order to keep in line with Britain’s similar opt-out. However, the government has indicated its desire to opt in fully to EU crime and justice laws at the earliest opportunity and it states that, if Lisbon is ratified, it will review its position in three years.
Of course, there are other major questions, like the militarisation of the EU and the future power of the European Court as the final arbiter of our rights, as opposed to the current status of the Irish Supreme Court and Strasbourg.Astonishingly, the Lisbon Treaty, which will so utterly transform EU citizenship, has sought no wider popular mandate other than a parliamentary one, with the sole exception of Ireland. So are we to be seen as Europe’s democratic saviours or as Europe’s political boot-boys? As we ponder this truly unreadable document, why should we be treated with contempt by some Europeans for even pondering it? And, most importantly of all, could voting No to it be our attempt to save Europe from itself?
Finally, given that we have already rejected notions of ‘European constitutions, what did Valery Giscard d’Estaing mean when he said: The difference between the original constitution and the present Lisbon Treaty is one of approach, rather than content . . .The proposals in the original constitutional treaty are practically unchanged.They have simply been dispersed through the old treaties in the form of amendments. Why this subtle change? Above all, to head off any threat of referenda by avoiding any form of constitutional vocabulary. . .But lift the lid and look in the toolbox: all the same innovative and effective tools are there, just as they were carefully crafted by the European Convention.
Clear votes for new EU Treaty in Denmark, Austria and Germany[de] Published: Friday 25 April 2008
The ratification process for the new Treaty gained momentum yesterday (24 April) as the Danish and Austrian parliaments approved the text, which also easily passed Germany's lower House. The votes in Vienna and Copenhagen mean the Treaty has now been adopted in 11 out of 27 countries.
In Denmark, parliament ratified the new Treaty with a clear 90-25 majority, while 64 MPs, including Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, were absent during the vote. The populist Danish People's Party, which has otherwise backed Rasmussen's minority government in recent years, voted against ratification. Earlier on Thursday, Austria's upper House followed the example of the lower House in approving the treaty with a strong 151-27 majority thanks to the support of the ruling Social Democrats, the conservative People's Party and the opposition Greens. The two right-wing opposition parties, the FPÖ and the BZÖ, voted against it. President Heinz Fischer now has to sign the Treaty for it to be ratified, but this is considered a formality. Commission President José Manuel Barroso welcomed the support for the Treaty in Austria and Denmark, saying the ratification process is now well advanced and I look forward to its successful conclusion.
Meanwhile, the lower House of the German parliament, the Bundestag, approved the treaty with 515 MPs voting in favour and only 58 against it - a considerably higher show of support than the required two-thirds majority. A second and final vote is now expected to take place in Germany's upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, next month. Speaking ahead of the vote, Chancellor Angela Merkel described the treaty as good for Europe and a win for Germany. It would provide a solid basis for Europe to move forward, said the chancellor, who was one of the main driving forces towards agreeing the treaty. Joseph Daul, the leader of the EPP-ED group, called the vote a milestone in the ongoing ratification process.
Bavarian MEP Peter Gauweiler of the Christian Socialist Party (CSU) was among the few not to join the pro-European chorus, announcing that he planned to take legal action against ratification of the Treaty before the country's highest court. What the Treaty brings Brussels in terms of new competences is not compatible with our democratic principles, Gauweiler told the Saarbrücker Zeitung.
Simlar feelings are being voiced by the eurosceptic Czech parliament. It asked the nation's Constitutional Court yesterday (24April) to review whether or not the Lisbon Treaty is constitutional. The proposal was initiated by the right-wing Civic Democrats of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek. Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who founded the party, is also a critic of the treaty but has pledged not to block its ratification. For the Treaty to enter into force, all 27 member states have to ratify it. Ahead of Austria and Denmark, nine countries had already given their approval to the next, namely Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and Portugal.Ireland is set to be the only country to hold a referendum on the Treaty, which is scheduled for 12 June.
EUROPEAN UNION ARMY
DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.( BE HEAD OF 3 NATIONS)
25 And he (EU PRESIDENT) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.(3 1/2 YRS)
DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.
DANIEL 11:36-39
36 And the king (EU DICTATOR) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS JEWISH) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.(CLAIM TO BE GOD)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(WAR) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god,(DESTROY TERROR GROUPS) whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.
REVELATION 19:19
19 And I saw the beast,(EU LEADER) and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,(JESUS) and against his army.(THE RAPTURED CHRISTIANS)
Europe News
Czech Republic and Slovakia agree to form joint military unit
Apr 26, 2008, 8:14 GMT
Prague - The Czech Republic and Slovakia have agreed to form a joint military unit of 1,500 soldiers, reports said Saturday in Prague-based newspapers. The unit is expected to operate from 2009 in the European Union. The project is one of the largest between the two countries since they split amicably in 1993, Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova and Slovakian Defence Minister Jaroslav Baska said at the signing of the agreement. The unit would form part of the EU's planned rapid reaction force for international conflicts.
SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON AND STARS
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
EU's GPS satellite in orbit Sun Apr 27, 5:52 AM ET
MOSCOW - An experimental satellite for a much-delayed European Union rival to the United States' GPS navigation system blasted into orbit Sunday after a successful launch atop a Russian rocket, the Russian and European space agencies said. The Giove-B satellite shot into space atop a Soyuz-FG rocket launched from the Baikonur facility in Kazakhstan, entering orbit at 8:01 a.m. (0201GMT) as planned, the Russian space agency Roskosmos said.The EU called the launch a key step toward its planned global satellite navigation system, Galileo.The launch of Giove-B is the best possible proof that Galileo is well on its way and is the symbol of European excellence in this new and major technology, an EU statement quoted Jacques Barrot, the European Commission's vice president in charge of transport, as saying.Barrot and other senior EU officials monitored the launch from the Fucino control center in Italy.Giove-B is the second satellite to be launched for Galileo. It will test technologies to be used in the system, including an atomic clock that the EU says will be the most accurate in space.Touted as technologically superior to GPS, Galileo is scheduled to be operational by 2013 but has encountered delays. Its first satellite was launched in 2005, but the second missed its late 2006 launch due to a short-circuit problem in final testing.Late last year, European Union governments had to agree to a taxpayer bailout after a consortium of private companies from France, Germany, Spain, Britain and Italy walked away from the project in a financing dispute.
Galileo promises to more than double existing GPS coverage, providing navigation for motorists, sailors, pilots and emergency rescue teams. It would improve coverage in high-latitude areas such as northern Europe, and in big cities where skyscrapers can block signals.Galileo is to include 30 satellites. The next step is the planned launch by 2010 of four operational satellites designed to ensure that the system works.
REBUILT 3RD TEMPLE (THE EU DICTATORS TEMPLE)
REVELATION 11:1-2
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
DANIEL 9:27
27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
REBUILT 4TH TEMPLE (THE TRUE MESSIAHS TEMPLE)
ZECHARIAH 6:12-13
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
ISAIAH 60:9-10
9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
ISAIAH 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
MARK 11:9-10,15-17
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
EZEKIEL 40 TO 48 IS THIS 4TH TEMPLE TO BIG FOR THE MOUNT I BELIEVE TO BE BUILT 25 MILES FROM JERUSALEM.
Jerusalem's Wailing Wall at risk of collapse
By Carolynne Wheeler in Jerusalem
Last Updated: 2:16am BST 28/04/2008
For thousands of years it has withstood fires, floods and earthquakes. But now a portion of one of Judaism's holiest sites, Jerusalem's Western Wall, is crumbling.The rabbi charged with watching over the structure, which the faith believes to be the last remnants of a retaining wall from the ancient Second Temple, has warned that a section repaired more than a century ago is again at risk of falling.Mourning prayer: a young Jew at Jerusalem's Western Wall which is losing its mortar to the rain.Because the weakened stonework is high on the 60ft wall, the danger from any falling fragment to the crowds who pray at its foot each day is particularly acute.We found that the stones at the bottom of the wall, the stones from the Second Temple period, were strong and stable, said Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. However, we discovered that there are problems with the smaller stones, those at the top of the wall.
His warning came as Israel hosted record numbers of tourists for the Passover holiday and prepares for high-profile visitors for the 60th anniversary of its founding, next month. World leaders including the American President, George W Bush, the former prime minister Tony Blair, and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, are to be joined by others such as the Google founder, Sergey Brin, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerman at a conference hosted by Israel's president, Shimon Peres.A pilgrimage to the wall is a standard part of dignitaries' visits and it receives an estimated six million visitors each year, including Israeli army recruits and tour buses of young Jews on their first visit to the Holy Land. Last week, the grand limestone plaza in front of it, also known as the Wailing Wall or in Hebrew as Ha Kotel, was crowded with families holding bar mitzvahs for excited young sons, tour groups and visitors from around the globe.The damage was discovered just before Passover as religious leaders cleared thousands of written prayers tucked into the stones of the wall, according to Jewish tradition. Twice a year, thousands of such entreaties, which also arrive by email and post, are gathered and buried on the Mount of Olives so as not to desecrate the contents.The Western Wall is believed to date from 20BC, when King Herod the Great first ordered the construction of the Second Temple, a project that took 46 years to complete. Roman legions razed the temple in AD70, and today the wall that remains is thought to be the only surviving portion of Judaism's holiest site.Along with the massive stones commissioned by Herod, the wall contains stones placed by the Umayyad dynasty in an eighth?century restoration. But the section crumbling is at the very top, where a series of smaller, uniformly sized stones were added in the 1800s under the financing and supervision of British financier and philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore. Restoration experts say the more modern cement used as mortar to hold those stones together has been eroded more quickly by wind and rain than the ancient preparations used on the lower levels. The result is that several are now poised to fall.
Israel's Antiquities Authority has said there is no immediate risk to visitors, since the heavy winter rains have passed. But the repair work is to begin almost immediately, to ensure it is completed before the return of worse weather in the autumn.We know it is old stone and we have some crumbling, said Raanan Kislev, head of the conservation at the authority. The repair will be a delicate operation: Jewish religious law forbids the removing of any stone from the wall, and rabbis are divided over who is even permitted to carry out such work.Traditionally, Jews are forbidden to set foot on the ancient site of what they believe to be the Temple Mount, so the rabbi said much of the work would have to be conducted using cranes rather than scaffolding. Jewish workers on the project will also have to undergo ritual baths.
Jews in Israel and the Diaspora follow the peace process closely and a majority of them favour the two-state solution. As Yoram Ettinger explains below, this is due in part to their fear of the alleged Demographic Time Bomb. TED BELMAN ISRAPUNDIT
Yoram Ettinger explains.
1. Support – among Israeli Jews – for the proposed Palestinian state (Two States Solution) is soft and reluctant, according to a March 31-April 1 poll conducted by the Tel Aviv University Center For Peace Research.
2. The establishment of the proposed Palestinian state is supported by 68%, many of whom – other than the Israel ’s traditional Left – subordinate their security and historical concerns to their demographic concern. However, the demographic scare has been debunked by the Bennett Zimmerman-led American-Israel Demographic Research Group (AIDRG), as summarized below.
3. 55% of Israeli Jews define Judea & Samaria as Liberated Territory ,compared with 32% who consider it Occupied Territory , in defiance of a 15 year old Political-Correctness promoted by Israel ’s government, media, academic and k-12 education systems.
4. 57% of Israeli Jews do not accept the Green Line as Israel ’s border, compared with 23% who accept it.
5. 49%:43% oppose an agreement, which entails painful concessions -a code name for substantial withdrawals.
6. 47%:40% of Israeli Jews consider the 1993 Oslo Accord a mistake.
7. 75% of Israeli Jews don’t believe that negotiation would lead to an agreement with the Palestinians. 75% believe that even if an agreement would be concluded, the Palestinians would not consider it an end to their conflict with Israel .
8. Most Israeli Jews oppose the tangible – potentially lethal - consequences of the Two State Solution. Their soft & reluctant support of the Two State Solution has been based on unfounded demographic fatalism. It has benefited from the absence of a systematic, full scale educational media campaign, highlighting historical, security and demographic aspects of Judea & Samaria mountain ridges (the Golan Heights of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the 9- 15 mile sliver along the Mediterranean, surrounded by the conflict-ridden, volatile, violent, non-compliant Arab Mideast, which is yet to experience inter-Arab peace).The American-Israel Demographic Research Group (AIDRG) Key Findings April 2008
Western taxpayers have provided, since 1994, a multi-billion dollar foreign aid to the PA, based on dramatically inflated Palestinian numbers. President Bush stated that Prime Ministers Sharon and Olmert argued that Israeli territorial concessions were required, in order to spare Israel a demographic calamity. Really?
I. AIDRG documents a 1.1MN (46%) inflation in the official number of Palestinians in Gaza, Judea & Samaria (2.7MN and not 3.8MN) and a 53% inflation in the official number of Palestinians in Judea & Samaria alone (1.5MN and not 2.3MN). The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) includes in its census some 400,000 overseas residents, 200,000 Israeli ( Jerusalem ) Arabs who are also counted as Green Line Arabs, ignores about 200,000 emigrants (since 1997), etc. The World Bank documents a 32% gap between the PCBS and the Palestinian Ministry of Education - documented – number of Palestinian births.
II. A long-term 67% Jewish majority on 98.5% of the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean (without Gaza ). A long-term 60% Jewish majority west of the Jordan River compared with 33% and 8% minority in 1947 and 1900 respectively.
III. Arab fertility rate (within the Green Line) has declined 20 year faster than conventionally projected – due to modernity and integration - while Jewish fertility rate is rising.
IV. A 40% rise in annual Jewish births (from 80,400 to 112,000) and a stagnation of annual Arab births (39,000) in the Green Line during 1995-2007. Arab-Jewish gap of fertility (number of children per woman) reduced from 6 in 1969 to 0.8 in 2006. Arab fertility rate has declined, in Judea & Samaria, to about 4.5 since its peak (about 8) in the late 1980s.
V. Arab-Jewish fertility rates have converged in Jerusalem – 3.9 children per woman – for the first time since 1948.
VI. Net annual emigration of over 10,000 has characterized Judea & Samaria (mostly) and Gaza Arabs since 1950: 12,000 in 2004, 16,000 in 2005 and 25,000 in 2006.
VII. The Jewish State has benefited from annual Aliya (immigration) since 1882. Repeatedly, since 1948, Israel ’s demographic establishment has projected no waves of Aliya.
VIII. Secular Olim (immigrants) from the former Soviet Republics experience fertility increase from the Russian rate of one child per woman toward the average secular Israeli rate of 2.2.
IX. Repeatedly, projections of demographic doom have been refuted by robust Jewish demography between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean . For example, Ben Gurion was urged by Israel ’s demographers to delay declaration of independence, lest the 600,000 Jews of 1948 become a minority by 1967!
X. There is a demographic problem, but it is not lethal, and the demographic trend is Jewish and not Arab. The demographic momentum is shifting from the Arab to the Jewish sector. Demography constitutes a strategic asset, not a liability, for the Jewish State.
As Israelis come to understand there is no demographic time bomb, they will be more inclined to vote against the two-state solution. But many will still favour the two-state solution because they do not want another 1.1 million Arabs in the country even if Israel gets to keep the Westbank and Jerusalem.But what happens if that ratio is improved by a program to induce Arabs to leave with generous financial support and by expelling everyone connected to terror.And what if a constitution is passed which protects Israel as a Jewish state and new citizenship rules are passed which require a loyalty test and knowledge of Hebrew and National service.
This suggests they will strongly support annexation of Judea and Samaria rather than painful concessions.Ted Belman
WORLD TERRORISM
GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
2 PETER 2:5
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
2 PETER 3:7
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men
LEVITICUS 26:16
16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you( sudden) terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
GENESIS 16:11-12
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
ISAIAH 33:1,18-19 Woe to thee that spoilest,(destroys) and thou wast not spoiled;(destroyed) and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil,(destroy) thou shalt be spoiled;(destroyed) and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.
18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?
19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.
JOHN 16:2
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
American, Iraqi troops kill 38 militants in Baghdad By SELCAN HACAOGLU, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
BAGHDAD - American and Iraqi troops killed 38 militants in the fiercest clashes with militants in weeks in Baghdad, including 22 who attacked a military checkpoint in a Shiite militia stronghold, the U.S. military said Monday. Suspected Shiite extremists, apparently taking advantage of a sandstorm that blanketed the capital, attacked several checkpoints and hammered the U.S.-protected Green Zone in the fiercest salvo in weeks on Sunday. The sandstorm had grounded the American aircraft that normally prowl for launching teams.Attacks continued Monday morning as insurgents lobbed more rockets or mortar shells toward the Green Zone, which houses the U.S. embassy and much of the Iraqi government on the west side of the Tigris River, benefiting from continued limited visibility that gave cover to the launching teams. Alarms could be heard and the public address system in the area warned residents to take cover and stay away from windows.The U.S. Embassy on Monday confirmed the area was hit by indirect fire, the military's term for rocket or mortar attacks, and said there were no reports of serious injury or deaths at this time.While the sandstorm eased, the militants continued to benefit from low visibility that gave cover to the launching teams from the U.S. attack aircraft that normally target them.The fighting escalated as anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, rejected terms set by the Iraqi government for lifting a crackdown against his Mahdi Army militia.
He also has threatened to launch an open war against the U.S.-led foreign troops — a move that would lift a nearly 8-month-old cease-fire and jeopardize recent security gains.In a step to avoid a full-blown confrontation with the government, al-Sadr on Friday called for an end to Iraqi bloodshed. But the attacks against Iraqi military checkpoints Sunday suggested that patience was running thin within the ranks of the Mahdi Army.American commanders have blamed what they call Iranian-backed Shiite factions they say have broken with a cease-fire imposed by al-Sadr in late August.The clashes Sunday were concentrated in Sadr City, the stronghold of the Mahdi Army, where U.S. soldiers used Abrams main battle tanks to repel the attackers.The American and Iraqi soldiers came under attack by a large group of criminals, the U.S. military said in a statement.Fifty-eight people, including five children and eight women, were also injured in clashes in Sadr City since Sunday, local health officials said Monday.On Sunday, the U.S. military claimed success with operations that have effectively sealed off the southern section of Baghdad's Sadr City, a militia stronghold that is believed to be one of the prime launching sites for the Green Zone attacks.The Green Zone has been regularly shelled since fighting broke out over a U.S.-backed government crackdown against militias that began in late March. American commanders have blamed what they call Iranian-backed Shiite factions they say have broken with a cease-fire imposed by al-Sadr in late August.
On Sunday, Al-Sadr's spokesman in the holy city of Najaf called the Shiite-led government's terms for ceasing the crackdown against the militias illogical.Salah al-Obeidi accused Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, himself a Shiite, of wanting to resolve the problem by force instead of dialogue. Chief among al-Maliki's demands announced Friday were that the militias surrender heavy weapons and hand over all wanted people.Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the Iraqi military spokesman for Baghdad operations, on Sunday said the government would maintain the crackdown.Meanwhile, representatives from rival factions in Iraq — senior Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish politicians — said Monday that all parties agreed to renounce violence at weekend talks in Finland facilitated by former peace negotiators in Northern Ireland and South Africa. The representatives said that all parties agreed that foreign troops must leave Iraq, but only when Iraqi forces are ready to assume responsibility for security. Associated Press writer Hamid Ahmed in Baghdad and Matti Huuhtanen in Helsinki, Finland, contributed to this report.
Passenger train collision kills 70 in eastern China By ANITA CHANG, Associated Press Writer APR 28,08
BEIJING - A high-speed passenger train jumped its tracks and slammed into another train in eastern China on Monday, killing at least 70 people and injuring more than 400. Authorities were quoted as saying human error was to blame. The death toll could rise, with 70 people hospitalized in critical condition after the pre-dawn crash in a rural part of Shandong province, the official Xinhua News Agency said.It said a total of 420 people had been hurt in China's worst train accident in a decade. No foreigners were among the dead.Xinhua said investigators had ruled out terrorism as a cause of the crash. Its English report said it was human error, while its Chinese-language report attributed the crash to negligence, without giving other details.Xinhua said two high-ranking railway officials in Shandong had been fired.The crash just before the May Day long weekend holiday happened when a train traveling from Beijing to Qingdao — site of the sailing competition during the Olympics in August — derailed and hit a second passenger train just before dawn. Nine of the first train's carriages were knocked into a dirt ditch, Railway Ministry spokesman Wang Yongping said in a statement.
The second train on its way from Yantai in Shandong to Xuzhou in eastern Jiangsu province was knocked off its tracks although it stayed upright. News photos showed several of its carriages sitting across the train tracks just outside the city of Zibo.News photos showed rescuers pulling passengers from a carriage sitting on its side. Survivors bundled in white bed sheets from the sleeper cars stood or sat near the wreckage.Xinhua said bloodstained sheets and broken thermos flasks could be seen on the ground beside the twisted train cars.It did not say how many people were on both trains.Most passengers were still asleep, but some were standing in the aisle waiting to get off at the Zibo railway station, one passenger surnamed Zhang told Xinhua.I suddenly felt the train, like a roller coaster, topple ... to one side and all the way to the other side. When it finally went off the tracks, many people fell on me, Zhang said.Zhang, who was on the train from Bejing, was injured when the train toppled into farmland beside the track. She said local villagers used farm tools to smash train windows to pull out trapped passengers.I saw a girl who was trying to help her boyfriend out of the train, but he was dead, Zhang said.A 38-year-old woman told Xinhua that she and daughter, 13, escaped unhurt by scrambling through a huge crack in the floor of their carriage.
Four French nationals — three from one family — were among the injured.Xinhua said heavy cranes were being used to move the wrecked rail cars, with workers aiming to reopen the line by early Tuesday, a little more than 24 hours after the accident.One villager who witnessed the rescue operation said ambulances ferried the injured away for more than three hours. There were a lot of police and soldiers around and I saw a lot of ambulances going back and forth, the villager told The Associated Press. He would give only his surname, Wang. It was the second major railway accident in Shandong this year. In January, 18 people died when a train hurtling through the night at more than 75 miles per hour slammed into a group of about 100 workers carrying out track maintenance near the city of Anqiu. According to the 163.com news Web site, it was the worst train accident in China since 1997, when another collision killed 126 people. Trains are the most popular way to travel in China, and the country's overloaded rail network carried 1.36 billion passengers last year, Xinhua said. That is slightly behind India, which had 1.4 billion passengers last year, according to the Indian National Railways Web site.
Link
Sunday, April 27, 2008
RUSSIA THREAT OF FORCE ON GEORGIA
ON THE TITLE IS VIDEO BIBLES FOR ISRAEL AND PASSOVER.
2 TIMOTHY 3:13
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
WHAT DID SATAN SAY TO EVE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN? EAT AND YOU SHALL BE LIKE GOD. SATAN WAS THE FIRST NEW AGER AND IS THE LEADER OF THIS WE ARE GOD MOVEMENT, WHICH WILL BRING TO POWER THE FUTURE DICTATOR WHO SAYS. YOU ARE LITTLE GODS I AN THE GOD OF GODS. HE WILL HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD, JESUS AND THE BIBLE. EXPOSE THIS NEW AGE CULT FOR WHAT IT IS FOLKS.
DANGER: BEWARE OF WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - OPHRAH IS SUCH A WOLF The Oprah Church Exposed YouTube Video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA
The Universal Grace After Meals
My Firstborn Child Series, Essay #194
copyright (c) 2008 by Mr. Yosef Ben Shlomo HaKohen
Reprint Notice: Permission granted to redistribute this R&B Information Services item through email Lists, and to post on Internet web sites, as long as text & title are not modified. Source (R&B Information Services) and author's copyright must be displayed.
YERUSHALIYIM, Israelite Tribal Territories of Judah and Benjamin, Kingdom of David and Solomon, United Israelite Kingdom of Judah and Joseph, Erev Shabbat (Eve of the Sabbath) and Erev Shevi'i shel Pesach (Eve of the Seventh Day of Passover), Fifth Day of Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer between Pesach and Shavuot), Twentieth Day, First Month (Nisan -- New Year for Kings of the House of David), (Shmittah/Sabbatical Year) 5768; Yom Shishi (Sixth Day of Week/Fri-day, April 25, 2008), Root & Branch Information Services [ mailto: rb@rb.org .il] [ www. rb.org .il]:
Introduction:
Birchas HaMazon -- The Blessing for Food -- is actually a series of blessings which we say after eating bread or a meal with bread. Through the Birchas Hamazon, we acknowledge that HaShem -- the Compassionate and Life-Giving One -- is the Source of our nourishment and all related blessings.
Dear Friends,
Our appreciation for the Divine nurturing of all creatures is expressed in the opening blessing of Birchas HaMazon:Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who nourishes the entire world with goodness -- with grace, loving kindness, and compassion. He gives nourishment to all flesh, for His loving kindness is eternal. And through His great goodness, we have never lacked, and may we never lack nourishment for all eternity, for the sake of His great Name. For He is God Who nourishes and sustains all, and benefits all, and He prepares food for all of His creatures that He has created. Blessed are You, HaShem, Who nourishes all.
The Talmud states in the name of Rabbi Nachman that the above blessing was composed by Moshe Rebbeinu -- Moses, our Teacher -- in gratitude for the manna with which the Nurturing One sustained Israel in the desert [Babylonian Talmud/Tractate Brochos 48b].
The universal language of this blessing seems to indicate that Moshe understood the Divine gift of manna to the People of Israel as a manifestation of the Divine love and concern for all life.
Therefore, Moshe praises HaShem as the One Who nourishes all!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach from Yerushaliyim,
Mr. Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen.Advisory Board Member, Ecology Fellowship, Root & Branch Association, Ltd.Advisory Board Member, Social Welfare Fellowship, Root & Branch Association, Ltd.
Author, The Universal Jew (Feldheim Publishers)Editor, Hazon: Our Universal Vision http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/hazon/
Related Teachings:
In addition to bread, special items such as wine, the seven species of produce for which the Land of Israel is praised, and certain grains have their own specific blessing of thanksgiving which is said after eating. For other foods and beverages, there is the following general blessing after eating, where we express our appreciation for the nurturing of all creatures:Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who creates numerous living things and their needs; for all that You have created with which to maintain the life of every being. Blessed is the One Who is the life of the worlds.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
4.7 quake rocks Reno as area's seismic activity continues By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press Writer APR 26,08
RENO, Nev. - Another earthquake struck the Reno area, dumping cans off shelves, knocking pictures off walls and sending rocks off hillsides of the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada. There were no immediate reports early Saturday of injuries or major property damage from the quake late Friday.The U.S. Geological Survey reported the 4.7 magnitude temblor hit at 11:40 p.m. and was centered six miles west of Reno near Mogul, where a swarm of more than 100 quakes rattled the area on Thursday. The biggest of those was a 4.2 event.A 3.5 aftershock followed at 12:29 a.m. Saturday, followed by at least 30 smaller ones, the USGS said.The initial quake was felt 30 miles north in Portola, Calif., and at least 45 miles south near Stateline, Nev., on Lake Tahoe's south shore.
The temblor cracked walls in northwest Reno, broke lawn watering lines and damaged a wooden flume built along the Truckee River in the late 1800s to carry lumber from Lake Tahoe down the mountain to Reno. Emergency crews responded to the flume break near Mogul but there were no immediate reports of flooding.It was the strongest quake to shake the city since hundreds of much smaller events have been recorded in the area since the end of February.Jars of mayonnaise, bottles of ketchup and shampoo fell from shelves at a Wal-Mart store in northwest Reno. It caused the overhead televisions to sway at a sports bar in neighboring Sparks, 11 miles east, where bartender Shawn Jones said the rumble was significantly stronger than Thursday's event.The bottles were shaking so I sent everybody outside, he said.Shirley Dippel of Sparks said the quake pushed her bed against the wall.That's the best one I've felt so far, and I've been here 44 years, Dippel told the Reno Gazette-Journal.High school senior Alex Hill said it was scary.It is one of those things you know that happens, he said, but you never imagine it happening in your area.Scientists said earlier Friday that Reno faces a small increase in the chance of a major earthquake in the aftermath of the seismic activity.The persistence of this particular earthquake sequence slightly increases the probability for a significant earthquake in west Reno, said a statement from the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno.However, the occurrence of additional earthquake activity in the Mogul area cannot be predicted or forecast, it added.On the Net: U.S. Geological Survey: http://www.usgs.gov .University of Nevada, Reno, seismology lab: http://www.seismo.unr.educ.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
A stormy weekend Wayne Verno Sat Apr 26, 6:13 AM ET
A potent spring storm system brought heavy snow, strong gusty winds, and blizzard conditions to parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest yesterday. As much as 10 to 15 inches of snow fell in parts of South Dakota with drifts reported several feet high. This same storm system also resulted in over 160 reports of severe weather, from the Great Lakes, to south Texas. This included numerous reports of hail, with baseball to softball sized hail reported in Texas and Wisconsin. Today this storm system will move north of the Great Lakes, allowing the Upper Midwest snow to taper off, while pushing a cold front eastward bringing showers and thunderstorms to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. A few of these storms over the Mid-Atlantic could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds the primary risk. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms cannot be ruled out across the South as well. Both areas will have the risk for heavy downpours that could bring some localized flash flooding. Meanwhile, a new storm system organizing over West Texas tonight will bring a few severe thunderstorms across west and north central Texas. Large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes will be possible. The threat for a few severe thunderstorms will spread into the Lower Mississippi River Valley on Sunday, as the storm system moves east. Flash flood producing rains will also be possible, from the Southern Plains tonight, into the Lower Mississippi valley on Sunday.
Flooding fear prompts evacuation of northern Ontario reserve Fri Apr 25, 7:24 PM
Officials began evacuating hundreds of Kashechewan residents from their homes on Friday over fears an ice jam could cause flooding in the low-lying northern Ontario reserve.Officials in the James Bay-area community say they are worried about the state of the Albany River, which is experiencing its highest recorded levels.About 245 people were expected to be moved to Cochrane throughout Friday. Another 180 are expected to be evacuated from their homes on Saturday.Those removed from their homes in the flood-prone reserve included the most vulnerable, such as infants, elderly and those with disabilities, officials said.Ontario's Natural Resources officials said aircraft have been secured to complete the evacuation.NDP MP Charlie Angus, whose riding includes the area, said local officials are monitoring ice jams about 20 kilometres up the river from the Cree First Nations community of about 1,800 people.Officials said they'll be monitoring the ice throughout the weekend.Since 2004, Ottawa has spent millions of dollars to move residents out of the remote Kashechewan community on two occasions due to severe spring flooding. Also, in 2005, residents were forced to leave their homes when the reserve's drinking water was found to contain high levels of E. coli.A report by Alan Pope, special adviser to the federal Indian Affairs minister, recommended the embattled community be relocated to the outskirts of Timmins, the closest urban centre at 400 kilometres to the south.But residents favoured a relocation to higher ground within their territory. A government deal in 2007, however, nixed any plans for relocation when the Indian Affairs department signed a $200-million deal with the community's chief to rebuild and redevelop the reserve.
The Nation's Weather By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Sat Apr 26, 7:29 AM ET
An intense storm was expected to continue moving through the Great Lakes and into eastern Canada on Saturday. Significant snow was expected to fall through the Upper Midwest, and winter storm warnings were in effect for much of Minnesota in anticipation of upwards of 12 inches of new snow. Meanwhile, areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected through the Great Lakes.The Mississippi Valley was also to receive moderate rain and thunderstorms.Severe weather including tornadoes was possible from the Gulf Coast through the Ohio Valley.Areas of snow and rain were to continue to fall in the Northern Rockies.Heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected in Texas late in the day and into Sunday.The Northeast was to rise into the 60s and 70s, while the Southeast was to see temperatures in the 70s and 80s. The Southern Plains was to be in the 80s and 90s, while in the Northern Plains temperatures were expected to be in the 30s and 40s. The Northwest was to rise into the 60s and 70s, and the Southwest was to see temperatures in the 80s and 90s.Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a low of 6 degrees at Lake Yellowstone, Wyo., to a high of 96 degrees at Yuma, Ariz.On the Net:Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com.National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov.Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com
POISONED WATERS
REVELATION 8:8-11
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood:(bitter,Poisoned) and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.(poisoned)
REVELATION 16:3-7
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.(enviromentalists won't like this result)
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they(False World Church and Dictator) have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Narwhals more at risk to Arctic warming than polar bears By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer Fri Apr 25, 2:35 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The polar bear has become an icon of global warming vulnerability, but a new study found an Arctic mammal that may be even more at risk to climate change: the narwhal. The narwhal, a whale with a long spiral tusk that inspired the myth of the unicorn, edged out the polar bear for the ranking of most potentially vulnerable in a climate change risk analysis of Arctic marine mammals.The study was published this week in the peer-reviewed journal Ecological Applications. Polar bears are considered marine mammals because they are dependent on the water and are included as a species in the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act.Scientists from three countries quantified the vulnerabilities that 11 year-round Arctic sea mammals have as the world warms. After the narwhal — which is also known as the corpse whale — and polar bear, the most at risk were the hooded seal, bowhead whale and walrus. The ringed seal and bearded seal were least at risk.
What we wanted to do was look at the whole picture because there's been a lot of attention on polar bears, said study co-author Ian Stirling, a polar bear and seal specialist for the Canadian government. We're talking about a whole ecosystem. We're talking about several different species that use ice extensively and are very vulnerable.The study looked at nine different variables that help determine ability to withstand future climate changes. Those factors included population size, habitat uniqueness, diet diversity and ability to cope with sea ice changes.This doesn't mean the narwhal — with a current population of 50,000 to 80,000 — will die off first; polar bear counts are closer to 20,000 and they are directly harmed by melting ice, scientists said.But it does mean the potential for harm is slightly greater for the less-studied narwhal, said study lead author Kristin Laidre, a research scientist at the University of Washington.Stanford University biologist Terry Root, who wasn't part of the study, said the analysis reinforces her concern that the narwhal is going to be one of the first to go extinct from global warming despite their population size.There could a bazillion of them, but if the habitat or the things that they need are not going to be around, they're not going to make it, Root said.Polar bears can adapt a bit to the changing Arctic climate, narwhals can't, she said.While polar bears are good-looking fluffy white creatures, Laidre said narwhals, which are medium-sized whales, are not that cute.
The narwhal, which dives about 6,000 feet to feed on Greenland halibut, is the ultimate specialist, evolved specifically to live in small cracks in parts of the Arctic where it's 99 percent heavy ice, Laidre said. As the ice melts, not only is the narwhal habitat changed, predators such as killer whales will likely intrude more often.Since it's so restricted to the migration routes it takes, it's restricted to what it eats, it makes it more vulnerable to the loss of those things, Laidre said in a telephone interview from Greenland, where she is studying narwhals by airplane.The paper is the talk of Arctic scientists said Bob Corell, the head of an international team of scientists who wrote a massive assessment of risk in the Arctic in 2004 but wasn't part of this study. He called it surprising because the polar bear gets a lot of attention.Inuit natives of Greenland were telling scientists last year that it seemed that the narwhal population was in trouble, Corell said.
On the Net: http://tinyurl.com/4h88qh.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Denmark tenth country to sign off on Lisbon Treaty
24.04.2008 - 17:45 CET | By Elitsa Vucheva
Both Denmark and the lower house of Germany's parliament on Thursday (24 April) ratified the EU's new treaty, just a day after Portugal approved the document.The Danish parliament passed the document with 90 votes in favour and 25 against, although 64 deputies from the 179-seat parliament were absent.The same political majority rejected a proposal to secure labour rights via a protocol attached to the treaty.Eurosceptic MPs were the only ones to vote against the document aimed at improving the EU's decision-making process and making the 27-nation bloc more efficient.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the Danish ratification, underlining that the treaty provides for a more effective, democratic, accountable and stronger Union externally.Denmark is the tenth EU country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.Prior to Copenhagen, Portugal's parliament also ratified the document on Wednesday by 208 votes to 21, and received Mr Barroso's congratulations for the large majority ... showing the unequivocal Portuguese support for the European project.
Ratification by the German Bundestag
Meawhile, Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, passed the document with 515 votes in favour, 58 against, and one abstention.Addressing parliamentarians ahead of the vote, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the treaty would be both good for Europe and a win for Germany, Deutsche Welle reports.Ms Merkel played an important role in getting all EU leaders to agree on the draft text of the document during Germany's presidency of the EU last year.The Left party – Die Linke - was the only one opposing the treaty, with its leader, Lothar Bisky, saying it was created in the spirit of neoliberalism.The Lisbon treaty is now to be voted upon by the country's upper house, the Bundesrat, on 23 May.So far, Hungary, Malta, Slovenia, Romania, France, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal and Denmark have ratified the treaty which replaced the failed European Constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.Ireland is the only country that will hold a referendum on it, expected on 12 June.Ratification by all countries is meant to be finalised by the end of this year, in order for the treaty to come into force in early 2009.
THE 11TH RATIFICATION IS ON ITS WAY.
Redrawn EU treaty clears early hurdle April 25, 2008 BOSTON GLOBE
GERMANY BERLIN - Lawmakers in the lower house of parliament yesterday overwhelmingly approved a new European Union treaty, which Chancellor Angela Merkel described as providing a new foundation for the bloc. The so-called Lisbon Treaty is expected to easily pass when it goes to the upper house on May 23. It replaces a more ambitious draft constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. (AP)
EU Constitution APR 26,08
We birds are beginning to feel great disappointment with the EU and the way that it is handling its constitution. Various statements that have been recently made by EU human politicians gives us the impression that the EU has embarked on a road to less democracy by disrespecting the voice and opinion of the European humans.We shall try to be more concrete. The Valery Giscard d'Estaing man, a former French president who chaired the convention that drafted the constitution said that the new plan was to camouflage the big changes that his constitution had tried to set out openly. Public opinion, he said, will be led to accept, without realizing, provisions that nobody would dare to present directly. This is familiar...The EU Constitution has 27,000 of pages, whereby direct order had been issued by the EUlites that this vast book could not be simplified to, lets say to 500 pages, so someone would read it. The EU constitution has 27,000 pages tied to 330,000 laws, sub-laws and references. For each line you read in 27,000 pages, you need to cross check it with a reference which then you would check with another reference, which essentially makes it impossible to read for anyone, just like the EU wants it. Someone should have raised their eyebrows when the order came strictly banning any creation of a book that would explain the EU Constitution in shorter form!?
Amato, Italy's interior minister, hailed the way it had been given an unreadable new form, full of cross-references and footnotes. This was done, according to Amato, to help governments that were struggling to avoid referendums. Now, said Amato, a British minister could say: Look you see it is absolutely unreadable, it's a typical Brussels treaty, nothing new, no need for a referendum. Finally, a few weeks ago, Dehaene, a former Belgian prime minister, in an interview with Le Soir declared it dangerous talk to want too much transparency and clarity in the EU. We were shocked hearing these statements from leading European politicians. Instead of providing a clear and understandable constitution and going to the effort of explaining it to their citizens, now they have created an unreadable and incomprehensible monster, with the objective of deceiving their citizens. Shame on them. We do not think that they will get away with it since many citizens will reject a text that they cannot understand. They will also vote down any government that attempts to deceive them. But even if it were to be accepted, then the EU would put itself in the predicament of having serious problems in implementing an unreadable text. We birds would consequently suggest to the European human leaders to stop being undemocratic and disrespectful to their voters and return to transparency and democracy and also make that special effort to explain to their humans the benefits they will get from the new constitution. We think that they will listen. Otherwise, undemocratic methods will only lead to the weakening if not the dissolution of the EU.
The biggest threat to the EU Constitution is Ireland. It was Irish politicians who discovered the nonsense document the EU had served them with. Apparently, the Irish tried to read it. After they complained, the EU, in attempt to fool them again, had presented another document, except in this one, 75 pages were missing. To compensate for it, the font was increased accross. They were caught once again. Smart Irish! Ireland is the only country, in Europe, to challenge this disaster called constitution (had been prepared in the early 70's) that will affect every European. England has ignored the wishes of its citizens, telling them there is nothing to worry, however English businessman Stuart Wheeler is challenging this in the High Court.
What is the EU Constitution:
There isn't a way to explain the type of disaster the EU constitution is, but I will give just a very simplistic example.
example: You live in Athens, travel to Rome and get a parking ticket there. You don't pay for the ticket in Rome. Next year you visit London and get pulled over there. You will get arrested on a violation for your parking ticket in Rome and will be jailed in London. One big enslaved happy family.For the Macedonian readers, you can only hope to be that lucky and not be part of the EU. Unfortunatelly, the EU will swallow you as well, because that's what they do. If the Irish dont falter, there is increasing evidence the EU is offering its soul and billions for a yes vote. The Irish could save Ireland, as well as Europe. N.R.
Egyptian president wants to boost economic ties, Mediterranean Union The Associated PressPublished: April 22, 2008
PARIS: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak urged French business leaders to boost their investment and trade partnerships with Egypt, saying Tuesday that tighter economic ties would energize the plan for a Mediterranean Union that France is pushing for.France is on track to become Egypt's No. 1 foreign investor this year with €12 billion (US$19 billion) placed in the Middle Eastern country so far this year, according to French government figures.
Mubarak urged even more.
Do the commercial ties between Egypt and France really match our historic, political and cultural ties? Mubarak said in a speech at the French employers' federation, MEDEF.France was the No. 4 investor in Egypt in 2007, with €3 billion in investments, behind the U.S., Britain and the United Arab Emirates. But then French cement group Lafarge bought Egyptian construction company Orascom Cement this year for €8.8 billion.
Today in Europe
Photo exhibit shows Paris under Nazi occupation, minus the miseryPutting pollution on grocery billsGeorgia steps up its push for NATO membership .French exports to Egypt fell by nearly 10 percent in 2007, while imports from Egypt dropped by nearly 20 percent.Mubarak vaunted Egypt's ongoing reforms to liberalize its economy, which grew more than 7 percent last year, and called on French businesses to view Egypt as the main gate to Mideast and African markets.Increased trade between the two countries would also enhance French plans for an association between Europe and nations south of the Mediterranean, said Mubarak, who is on a two-day visit to Paris.President Nicolas Sarkozy sees the Mediterranean Union as a plan to link southern European countries to the mainly Muslim nations to the south and southeast of Europe.Sarkozy and Mubarak discussed the union plan as well as Middle East issues, including Iran, Lebanon and tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, during a working dinner Tuesday, diplomatic officials said.
Jean-David Levitte, Sarkozy's top diplomatic adviser, told reporters France would favor putting the eventual headquarters of the union on the south side of the Mediterranean — and suggested Mubarak might make an excellent co-president of the body.The union is supposed be launched at a summit in Paris in July. Getting it running would be the highlight of France's turn as EU president in the second half of this year.Sarkozy hopes it will help build political ties and tackle issues such as trade, migration and security.Laurence Parisot, the director of MEDEF, told Mubarak that the recent hunger riots in Egypt underlined the extreme urgency of enhanced economic cooperation between wealthy and developing nations.Mubarak meets Sarkozy later Tuesday for a working dinner to discuss the union and regional issues.Associated Press Writer Laurent Pirot contributed to this report.
LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)
JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
THE WEEK OF DANIEL 9:27 WE KNOW ITS 7 YRS
Heres the scripture 1 week = 7 yrs Genesis 29:27-29
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.
The CARMEL ALERT April 25th 2008 A compilation of news reports from the past week for the information of those committed to praying for Israel and the salvation of the Jewish people.Guest Comment: Duplicity in Occupied Lands- Steven Shamrak-(IsraelNN )
There are many lands around the world that were occupied not so long ago by other countries. Many of them are still subjugated to the rule of an occupying power. They were conquered during offensive or defensive wars, throughout the process of establishment of statehood, or as a part of colonial and imperial policy. The following is a far from complete list of the currently occupied lands.
* Great Britain still occupies 17 provinces of Ireland, Gibraltar and is holding on to the many residual symbols of her former colonial glory around the world.
* France is still holding on to many overseas territories like New Caledonia and French Guinea.
* France and Spain divided, and have no intention to give independence to, the Basque people, the oldest indigenous living group known in Europe.
* Belgium is an artificially forged country, which was created in order to protect the Netherlands from continuous attacks by France. There is still no love lost between the French- and Flemish-speaking populations of the country.
* China: The international community has done nothing to stop the occupation of Tibet by China. Eastern, predominantly Muslim, provinces of China are still under imperial communist rule.
* Chile: From the 1840s, heavy Anglo-Chilean investments were made in nitrate mining on the Bolivian coast. Bolivia lost its coastal region after the war of 1879-1884. Since then, Bolivia has been economically stifled by Chile, with limited access to the sea ports.
* Indonesia: It was painful for Indonesia to allow freedom to East Timor. International pressure was applied only because of the huge oil reserves off the coast of East Timor were found. But there is no pressure in relation to the continuous occupation of Bali, West Papua and numerous islands that would love to obtain independence from the Muslim tyranny of Jakarta.
* Panama proclaimed its independence after the US expressed interest in obtaining the rights to the canal, which Colombia refused. US marines landed in Panama the same day independence was declared.
* Russia has no plans to return the eastern part of Poland it has occupied since before World War II, nor to end occupation of eastern Prussia, the Kuril Islands and Southern Sakhalin. Russia still retains its status as an imperial power by holding on to Chechnya, Dagistan, North Ossetia, Tatarstan and many other national enclaves which were occupied by the Czar.
* USA: The biggest and leading democracy of the world is one of the biggest occupiers as well. There is no intention of even talking about compensation for, never mind returning, the occupied land which used to be a part of Mexico. What about Puerto Rico, Hawaii and other 'strategic interests'?
The United Nations maintains a list of territories that do not govern themselves. The list was initially prepared in 1946 and adopted in 1986. It has officially endorsed control of these lands by their former colonial powers. It should be remembered that most countries around the world (including the USA, the UK, France, Germany, China and Russia) were forged and established their current borders during the last 300 years. Their creation was accompanied by dramatic conquests and destruction of unique and independent cultures.
In a Russian play, one character asked the audience: Look, who are the judges? Yes, who are they to tell Jews what is their land and to force Israel to give away Jewish land to Arab scoundrels? Israel is one of the only countries that can rightly claim its statehood and ownership of the land. Jewish people have over 3,000 years of spiritual and historical connection with the land of Israel.
Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula after it was conquered during a defensive war. In exchange, Israel received a worthless piece of paper, which is called the Peace Agreement with Egypt. And still, Israel is the only country under international pressure to surrender her own land to her enemy, a recently forged people - called Palestinians - whose only goal (they are not even hiding it) is to destroy the Jewish state. There are three reasons why Israel is under such an international onslaught: traditional international anti-Semitism; a desire to sell out Israel in exchange for a steady supply of oil; and an appeasement of Islamic terrorists in order to defer attacks on the West.
Does it make sense? What definitely takes place and makes sense is that the world's economic and political powers (the puppet masters) apply pressure on Israel and use any means at their disposal, including manipulation of international law. An example of this is how it was done after Israel won the War of Independence. Immediately, the Fourth Geneva convention ruled out population transfer as a legitimate way of resolving conflicts - but only when it suits the puppet masters' economic and political interests, with complete disregard for the historical, spiritual and even legal rights of any people, not just Jews (remember the ongoing dismantling of Yugoslavia and the non-existence of Kurdistan, homeland of 35 million Kurds, divided and occupied by five countries). A multitude of international organizations - including the United Nations, the International Red Cross, Amnesty International, etc. - are at the full disposal of the international puppet masters, and only too eager to assist by generating and manipulating public opinion, creating the illusion of propriety.
The bottom line is that it is all about power, control and money. ( and Satan's desparation to prevent the 2nd coming of Messiah - David )
Just to press the point, I received this recently - I am not sure if its true, or just some truth based humor ...........
An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently at the U.N. and made the world community smile: A representative from Israel began-Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Moses. When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, What a good opportunity to have a bath! He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Palestinian had stolen them.
The Palestinian representative jumped up furiously and shouted, What are you talking about? The Palestinians weren't there back then.
The Israeli representative smiled and said And now that I have made that clear, I will begin my speech.
The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel . Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for our son Jordan, and all of his fellow soldiers in the IDF.
Shabbat Shalom ... David & Josie
Abbas in Egypt for talks with Mubarak APR 26,08
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas arrived in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Saturday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak. He is to brief Mubarak on Sunday morning on his latest visits to Washington and Moscow, the official MENA news agency reported.On Thursday, Abbas was in the White House for a meeting with President George W. Bush, who is pushing for an Israel-Palestinian peace deal before the end of his term in January.Abbas and Bush are to meet again on May 17 in Egypt when the president visits the region to mark the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding.Negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis were revived after a seven-year freeze in the peace process following a US-sponsored conference in November.
SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ENEMIES COMES AGAINST ISRAEL TO DESTROY THEM, THE TABLES GET TURNED ON THE ENEMY NATIONS.
Arab League warns of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza APR 28,08
CAIRO (AFP) - The Arab League on Saturday warned of anunprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip after the United Nations was forced to suspend aid deliveries because of Israeli restrictions. The 22-member body expressed its grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip after the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was forced to stop delivering aid, Hisham Yussef, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa's chief of staff, said in a statement.These circumstances, as well as the Israeli armed forces' continued military action against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, will lead to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe for which the Israeli government will have to bear responsibility, Yussef said.He said the Israeli blockade on Gaza, as well as military operations and the halting of fuel supplies to the impoverished territory, is unacceptable and silence over the issue cannot continue.Yussef urged international bodies including the United Nations and the European Union to exert pressure on Israel to accept its responsibility in applying interntional law.The United Nations stopped distributing aid to the Gaza Strip on Thursday after running out of fuel as the Israeli terminal that supplies the besieged Palestinian territory remained shut.Humanitarian agencies say Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated territories with 1.5 million people living on a narrow sliver of land, is on the brink of disaster.
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE BY JACK VAN IMPE APR 26,08
Crime is a national scandal.
Every thinking American is concerned about crime. Millions are afraid to be on the streets in their own communities after dark. In official recognition of the problem in 1968, Congress passed the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, a high impact program that poured millions of dollars into major cities to fight crime. Within a few years, the program was called a flop.
Money did not buy safety . Crime marches on.
It is difficult to escape the thought of a possible encounter with a criminal. Every branch of the media keeps us aware of crime's danger. Television watchers start the day with some kind of early morning news report that describes all the violence and thievery that took place the night before. Lunch is seasoned with the noon news, and the dinner hour is treated to a full color reenactment of the crime and terror going on in the world. Viewers are then given an almost steady diet of detective shows and police shootouts until the late news, when they are offered one last opportunity before retiring to get in on the murder and mayhem that somehow might have been missed in the course of the day. It is no wonder that sleeping pills and antacids sell well. 1
If you think crime is being over covered by writers and reporters, read what former Attorney General Ramsey Clark writes in his book Crime in America.
Most crime is never reported to police, and much crime is inaccurately reported. Erroneous crime statistics are often used to create the impression that the new chief is doing a good job or to support a movement to add more police. Frequently an apparent increase in crime really reflects an improved effectiveness in law enforcement or in the reporting of crime itself.
The better the police, the more they learn of crimes that are actually committed. Today, some cities suffering far more crime than others take false comfort from lower rates of reported crime because of weaker police departments.
Wherever crime is not reported we know the police are not effective, trusted , or respected . Too many people there would rather suffer crime in silence than report it. It is a bother, useless, gets you involved-or even worse, in trouble yourself.2
The crime we know about, then, is but the tip of the iceberg. This fact presents an alarming scenario for the future .
Social scientists and criminologists seem baffled by the continued avalanche of crime. Their solutions fail or are only mildly successful.
In his book Thinking About Crime, James Wilson questions present theories about crime's causes.
The Social Science View of crime is thought by many, especially its critics. To assert that crime is the result of poverty, racial discrimination. and other privations, and that the only morally defensible and substantively efficacious strategy for reducing crime is to attack its root causes with programs that end poverty, reduce discrimination, and meliorate privation...
Such a theory, if it is generally held by Social Scientists professionally concerned with crime, ought to be subjected to the closest scrutiny, because what it implies about the nature of man and society are of fundamental significance. Scholars would bear a grave responsibility if, by their theoretical and empirical work, they had supplied public policy with the assumption that men are driven primarily by the objective conditions in which they find themselves. Such a view might be correct, but it would first have to be reconciled with certain obvious objections-for example, that the crime rate in this country is higher than that in many other countries despite the fact that the material wellbeing of even the lowest stratum of our population is substantially greater than that of a comparable stratum in countries with much lower crime rates, or that crime rates have increased greatly during the very period (1963 to 1970) when there were great advances made in the income, schooling, and housing of almost all segments of society.3
Students of the Bible are not surprised when solutions to moral and social problems based entirely on environmental conditions fail. The problem lies deeper. We are socially and morally in trouble because of man's sinful nature. The psalmist David capsulated the root cause of all of the problems of the human race,
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me (Ps. 51 :5) .
Paul's inspired observation in his letter to the Romans reads like a summary of all the newspaper and radio and TV news reports ever given.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God (Rom. 3:13--19).
Martin Luther said:
Sin is so deep and horrible a corruption of nature that no reason can comprehend it , but upon the authority of the Scriptures, it must be believed. The original sin is not like all other sins which are committed. The original sin is. It is the root of all sin.4
Jesus said:
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications , thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matt. 15:19).
Paul explained how the sinful nature of man is manifested in day-to-day living.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication , uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft , hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like (Gal. 5: 1921).
Man, then, is capable of doing terrible things.
Within him lies the potential of all kinds of crime and violence. The headlines in the daily newspaper and the violence on the evening news are but evidences of what lies within him.
If that is true, why are not all men criminals? Because of certain influences in life that restrain us.
Augustine wrote, We are capable of every sin we have seen our neighbor commit unless God's grace restrains us.5
Christians are a restraining influence on the world.
Believers are not all they ought to be, but the world is better because they are here. Jesus referred to His own as the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Those who belong to Christ and are totally committed to Him have a restraining influence on evil, and their presence in the world promotes a higher moral standard among all people whose lives are touched by them. Speaking prophetically, that is why we believe the Antichrist cannot come to power until the church is taken out of the world at our Lord's return.
The Holy Spirit, working through the church, holds back the tide of evil.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [hinders] will let [hinder], until he be taken out of the way . And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians. 2:7-10).
A nation is law-abiding to the extent that its Christian heritage is strong. A revival of a past generation may not continue to fill the churches and produce genuine Christian joy, but some of the influence of that revival may linger: respect for the Bible, an awareness of biblical standards of righteousness, traditions rooted in a more spiritual time, a form of government founded upon biblical principles.
The restraints of home and family have kept many from crime and violence. A husband may restrict his desires because of a deep love for his wife. A wife may overcome temptation to do wrong because of admiration and respect for her husband. Children may refuse to go along in some of their friends' escapades for fear of hurting their parents, whom they love .
Fear of punishment for law-breaking may loom large, deterring the tempted from antisocial behavior.
All these restraints work to hold evil in check and to give society stability. They help keep the lid on crime and immorality. They do not do away with man's potential to sin, but they help to hold him in check, and in this function these restraints are beneficial to all.
Alcohol removes restraints.
The same characteristic of alcohol that allows a drinker to relax at a party eats away at the forces that restrain him from doing wrong. The sections of his brain that are being paralyzed by alcohol, eliminating some of his fears, are the same thinking centers that keep the lion within him caged.
With the entrance of alcohol, the walls fall down.
When it penetrates the brain, it lulls the sentries to sleep, allowing man's sinful nature to show itself in behavior.
The defenders of beverage alcohol argue that drinking does not make people commit crimes. They insist that the lawbreaker had crime on his mind or he would not have committed it while under the influence of alcohol.
We could not agree more.
All people have a natural bent to sin. However, God-ordained restraining fences often prohibit the tempted one from carrying out the act. When alcohol removes the restraints, the act is committed. And people suffer. Had alcohol not been used, the crime might never have taken place, and society would have benefited.
Driving down the highway, one might have the urge to swerve from side to side or accelerate to a high speed. Laws act as restraints against such irresponsible driving. But if alcohol is traveling with the driver, toppling the protective walls, he may swerve or accelerate to a dangerous speed and injure or kill himself and others.
One may want to punch another in the nose because of some old grievance , but his better judgment and the fear of prosecution keep him under control. A few drinks can prompt the long-awaited punch, resulting in personal injury, shame, and expense. (Of course, it is also wrong to hold a grievance against someone even if you never take revenge.)
A person under severe financial pressure may be tempted to steal. Restraints may keep him a law-abiding citizen, but enter the beloved enemy and the forces that have held the pressured person steady are nullified. The crime is committed, and legal woes are likely to be added to the already burdened individual.
Along with alcohol's power to remove inhibitions, then, comes its unwanted effect of uncovering and releasing the evil in man. And the results are felt by the entire community. Dr . E. M. Jellinek, formerly of Yale University, wrote:
The death rate, crime rate ,or accident rate in a given community varies according to the average alcohol consumption; and when alcohol [use] decreases so do the death, crime, and accident rates. Relaxation of restrictions on alcohol is followed by a rise in commitments to asylums, hospitalizations, and delinquency,6
But what is alcohol's involvement in crime?
The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice says:
About 1 million violent crimes occurred in 2002 in which victims perceived the offender to have been drinking at the time of the offense. Among those victims who provided information about the offender's use of alcohol, about 30% of the victimizations involved an offender who had been drinking.
Two-thirds of victims who suffered violence by an intimate (a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend) reported that alcohol had been a factor. Among spouse victims, 3 out of 4 incidents were reported to have involved an offender who had been drinking. By contrast, an estimated 31% of stranger victimizations where the victim could determine the absence or presence of alcohol were perceived to be alcohol-related.
For about 1 in 5 violent victimizations involving perceived alcohol use by the offender, victims also reported they believed the offender to have been using drugs as well.7
How does this translate into human loss?
Who can measure the amount of grief felt by victims and their families?
And what will we learn from this information?
If past experience is a guide, criminologists and politicians will explore every avenue of combating crime except the one that could make a difference.
New studies will be made. More prisons will be constructed. More police officers will be hired. More judges will be installed. More citizens' groups will be formed.
And the enemy will be untouched.
Why? Because too many of the policymakers share the love affair with alcohol and are unwilling to touch their beloved.
To try to fight crime without facing the alcohol issue is to work blindfolded. Even if we had the most ideal system of corrections, we could not stop crime's onslaught because of alcohol's devastating effects. If we had the most stringent sentencing coupled with perfect police work and flawless penology, the best we could do would be to deal with a fraction of the total crime problem, if the issue of alcohol remained unchecked.
Most crime would keep surging on year after year.
But could our nation survive the financial impact of a meaningful drop in the liquor business?
What would happen to our economy?
How would the government continue to operate without liquor revenues?
Wouldn't taxes have to be increased?
Doesn't alcohol pay its way?
Chapter 5
Roger Campbell, Justice Through Restitution (Milford, Mich.: Mott Media, 1977), p. 1.
Ramsey Clark, Crime in America (New York : Simon and Schuster, 1970), p. 30.
James Q. Wilson, Thinking About Crime (New York: Basic Books, 1975), pp. 43-44.
Walter B. Knight, Knight's Treasury of Illustrations(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1963), p. 360 .
Ibid.
Ibid., p. 390.
Bureau of Justice Statistics report on Crime Characteristics http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_c.htm
MUSLIM NATIONS
EZEKIEL 38:1-12
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog,(RULER) the land of Magog,(RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW)and Tubal,(TOBOLSK) and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW) and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws,(GOD FORCES THE MUSLIMS TO MARCH) and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia,(IRAN,IRAQ) Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer,(GERMANY) and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (TURKEY)of the north quarters, and all his bands:(SUDAN,AFRICA) and many people with thee.
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.(RUSSIA-EGYPT AND MUSLIMS)
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
EZEKIEL 39:1-8
1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog,(LEADER OF RUSSIA) and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech (MOSCOW) and Tubal: (TUBOLSK)
2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts,(RUSSIA) and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands,( ARABS) and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
6 And I will send a fire on Magog,(NUCLEAR BOMB) and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
JOEL 2:3,20,30-31
3 A fire(NUCLEAR BOMB) devoureth before them;(RUSSIA-ARABS) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
Russian threat violates international law: Georgia Sat Apr 26, 8:24 AM ET
TBILISI (Reuters) - Russia's warning that it could use military force in Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a breach of international law, Georgia said on Saturday. And Russian Foreign Ministry envoy said on Friday that Russia might have to use military means to protect compatriots in the regions if they were attacked.The statement about the possible use of force against Georgia in Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the part of Russia is a violation of all international legal acts and agreements, Georgia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.The Russian side is taking aggressive actions, it said.Russia's ties with Georgia have been strained for more than a decade by Moscow's support of the two separatist regions, which threw off Georgian rule after wars in the 1990s.Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili says he wants to bring the regions back under Tbilisi's control.Moscow said this month it was deepening ties with the two regions, where most of the population have been issued with Russian passports.Russia is trying to justify their criminal activities in relation to the Georgian separatist regions by saying they protect Russian citizens there, the Georgian ministry said.However the actions of Russia contradict the fundamental obligations which derive from the European Convention of Human Rights, it said.
Russia and Georgia are engaged in a war of words over the downing of a Georgian spy drone over Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia, a stretch of land run by pro-Moscow separatists on the Black Sea coast.Georgia said a Russian jet shot down the drone in a deliberate act of international aggression. Russia says Abkhaz separatists downed the unmanned aircraft and that the flight itself was a breach of international agreements.(Reporting by Margarita Antidze, writing by Amie Ferris-Rotman; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Link
2 TIMOTHY 3:13
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
WHAT DID SATAN SAY TO EVE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN? EAT AND YOU SHALL BE LIKE GOD. SATAN WAS THE FIRST NEW AGER AND IS THE LEADER OF THIS WE ARE GOD MOVEMENT, WHICH WILL BRING TO POWER THE FUTURE DICTATOR WHO SAYS. YOU ARE LITTLE GODS I AN THE GOD OF GODS. HE WILL HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD, JESUS AND THE BIBLE. EXPOSE THIS NEW AGE CULT FOR WHAT IT IS FOLKS.
DANGER: BEWARE OF WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - OPHRAH IS SUCH A WOLF The Oprah Church Exposed YouTube Video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA
The Universal Grace After Meals
My Firstborn Child Series, Essay #194
copyright (c) 2008 by Mr. Yosef Ben Shlomo HaKohen
Reprint Notice: Permission granted to redistribute this R&B Information Services item through email Lists, and to post on Internet web sites, as long as text & title are not modified. Source (R&B Information Services) and author's copyright must be displayed.
YERUSHALIYIM, Israelite Tribal Territories of Judah and Benjamin, Kingdom of David and Solomon, United Israelite Kingdom of Judah and Joseph, Erev Shabbat (Eve of the Sabbath) and Erev Shevi'i shel Pesach (Eve of the Seventh Day of Passover), Fifth Day of Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer between Pesach and Shavuot), Twentieth Day, First Month (Nisan -- New Year for Kings of the House of David), (Shmittah/Sabbatical Year) 5768; Yom Shishi (Sixth Day of Week/Fri-day, April 25, 2008), Root & Branch Information Services [ mailto: rb@rb.org .il] [ www. rb.org .il]:
Introduction:
Birchas HaMazon -- The Blessing for Food -- is actually a series of blessings which we say after eating bread or a meal with bread. Through the Birchas Hamazon, we acknowledge that HaShem -- the Compassionate and Life-Giving One -- is the Source of our nourishment and all related blessings.
Dear Friends,
Our appreciation for the Divine nurturing of all creatures is expressed in the opening blessing of Birchas HaMazon:Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who nourishes the entire world with goodness -- with grace, loving kindness, and compassion. He gives nourishment to all flesh, for His loving kindness is eternal. And through His great goodness, we have never lacked, and may we never lack nourishment for all eternity, for the sake of His great Name. For He is God Who nourishes and sustains all, and benefits all, and He prepares food for all of His creatures that He has created. Blessed are You, HaShem, Who nourishes all.
The Talmud states in the name of Rabbi Nachman that the above blessing was composed by Moshe Rebbeinu -- Moses, our Teacher -- in gratitude for the manna with which the Nurturing One sustained Israel in the desert [Babylonian Talmud/Tractate Brochos 48b].
The universal language of this blessing seems to indicate that Moshe understood the Divine gift of manna to the People of Israel as a manifestation of the Divine love and concern for all life.
Therefore, Moshe praises HaShem as the One Who nourishes all!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach from Yerushaliyim,
Mr. Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen.Advisory Board Member, Ecology Fellowship, Root & Branch Association, Ltd.Advisory Board Member, Social Welfare Fellowship, Root & Branch Association, Ltd.
Author, The Universal Jew (Feldheim Publishers)Editor, Hazon: Our Universal Vision http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/hazon/
Related Teachings:
In addition to bread, special items such as wine, the seven species of produce for which the Land of Israel is praised, and certain grains have their own specific blessing of thanksgiving which is said after eating. For other foods and beverages, there is the following general blessing after eating, where we express our appreciation for the nurturing of all creatures:Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who creates numerous living things and their needs; for all that You have created with which to maintain the life of every being. Blessed is the One Who is the life of the worlds.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
4.7 quake rocks Reno as area's seismic activity continues By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press Writer APR 26,08
RENO, Nev. - Another earthquake struck the Reno area, dumping cans off shelves, knocking pictures off walls and sending rocks off hillsides of the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada. There were no immediate reports early Saturday of injuries or major property damage from the quake late Friday.The U.S. Geological Survey reported the 4.7 magnitude temblor hit at 11:40 p.m. and was centered six miles west of Reno near Mogul, where a swarm of more than 100 quakes rattled the area on Thursday. The biggest of those was a 4.2 event.A 3.5 aftershock followed at 12:29 a.m. Saturday, followed by at least 30 smaller ones, the USGS said.The initial quake was felt 30 miles north in Portola, Calif., and at least 45 miles south near Stateline, Nev., on Lake Tahoe's south shore.
The temblor cracked walls in northwest Reno, broke lawn watering lines and damaged a wooden flume built along the Truckee River in the late 1800s to carry lumber from Lake Tahoe down the mountain to Reno. Emergency crews responded to the flume break near Mogul but there were no immediate reports of flooding.It was the strongest quake to shake the city since hundreds of much smaller events have been recorded in the area since the end of February.Jars of mayonnaise, bottles of ketchup and shampoo fell from shelves at a Wal-Mart store in northwest Reno. It caused the overhead televisions to sway at a sports bar in neighboring Sparks, 11 miles east, where bartender Shawn Jones said the rumble was significantly stronger than Thursday's event.The bottles were shaking so I sent everybody outside, he said.Shirley Dippel of Sparks said the quake pushed her bed against the wall.That's the best one I've felt so far, and I've been here 44 years, Dippel told the Reno Gazette-Journal.High school senior Alex Hill said it was scary.It is one of those things you know that happens, he said, but you never imagine it happening in your area.Scientists said earlier Friday that Reno faces a small increase in the chance of a major earthquake in the aftermath of the seismic activity.The persistence of this particular earthquake sequence slightly increases the probability for a significant earthquake in west Reno, said a statement from the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno.However, the occurrence of additional earthquake activity in the Mogul area cannot be predicted or forecast, it added.On the Net: U.S. Geological Survey: http://www.usgs.gov .University of Nevada, Reno, seismology lab: http://www.seismo.unr.educ.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
A stormy weekend Wayne Verno Sat Apr 26, 6:13 AM ET
A potent spring storm system brought heavy snow, strong gusty winds, and blizzard conditions to parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest yesterday. As much as 10 to 15 inches of snow fell in parts of South Dakota with drifts reported several feet high. This same storm system also resulted in over 160 reports of severe weather, from the Great Lakes, to south Texas. This included numerous reports of hail, with baseball to softball sized hail reported in Texas and Wisconsin. Today this storm system will move north of the Great Lakes, allowing the Upper Midwest snow to taper off, while pushing a cold front eastward bringing showers and thunderstorms to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. A few of these storms over the Mid-Atlantic could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds the primary risk. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms cannot be ruled out across the South as well. Both areas will have the risk for heavy downpours that could bring some localized flash flooding. Meanwhile, a new storm system organizing over West Texas tonight will bring a few severe thunderstorms across west and north central Texas. Large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes will be possible. The threat for a few severe thunderstorms will spread into the Lower Mississippi River Valley on Sunday, as the storm system moves east. Flash flood producing rains will also be possible, from the Southern Plains tonight, into the Lower Mississippi valley on Sunday.
Flooding fear prompts evacuation of northern Ontario reserve Fri Apr 25, 7:24 PM
Officials began evacuating hundreds of Kashechewan residents from their homes on Friday over fears an ice jam could cause flooding in the low-lying northern Ontario reserve.Officials in the James Bay-area community say they are worried about the state of the Albany River, which is experiencing its highest recorded levels.About 245 people were expected to be moved to Cochrane throughout Friday. Another 180 are expected to be evacuated from their homes on Saturday.Those removed from their homes in the flood-prone reserve included the most vulnerable, such as infants, elderly and those with disabilities, officials said.Ontario's Natural Resources officials said aircraft have been secured to complete the evacuation.NDP MP Charlie Angus, whose riding includes the area, said local officials are monitoring ice jams about 20 kilometres up the river from the Cree First Nations community of about 1,800 people.Officials said they'll be monitoring the ice throughout the weekend.Since 2004, Ottawa has spent millions of dollars to move residents out of the remote Kashechewan community on two occasions due to severe spring flooding. Also, in 2005, residents were forced to leave their homes when the reserve's drinking water was found to contain high levels of E. coli.A report by Alan Pope, special adviser to the federal Indian Affairs minister, recommended the embattled community be relocated to the outskirts of Timmins, the closest urban centre at 400 kilometres to the south.But residents favoured a relocation to higher ground within their territory. A government deal in 2007, however, nixed any plans for relocation when the Indian Affairs department signed a $200-million deal with the community's chief to rebuild and redevelop the reserve.
The Nation's Weather By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Sat Apr 26, 7:29 AM ET
An intense storm was expected to continue moving through the Great Lakes and into eastern Canada on Saturday. Significant snow was expected to fall through the Upper Midwest, and winter storm warnings were in effect for much of Minnesota in anticipation of upwards of 12 inches of new snow. Meanwhile, areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected through the Great Lakes.The Mississippi Valley was also to receive moderate rain and thunderstorms.Severe weather including tornadoes was possible from the Gulf Coast through the Ohio Valley.Areas of snow and rain were to continue to fall in the Northern Rockies.Heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected in Texas late in the day and into Sunday.The Northeast was to rise into the 60s and 70s, while the Southeast was to see temperatures in the 70s and 80s. The Southern Plains was to be in the 80s and 90s, while in the Northern Plains temperatures were expected to be in the 30s and 40s. The Northwest was to rise into the 60s and 70s, and the Southwest was to see temperatures in the 80s and 90s.Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a low of 6 degrees at Lake Yellowstone, Wyo., to a high of 96 degrees at Yuma, Ariz.On the Net:Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com.National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov.Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com
POISONED WATERS
REVELATION 8:8-11
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood:(bitter,Poisoned) and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.(poisoned)
REVELATION 16:3-7
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.(enviromentalists won't like this result)
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they(False World Church and Dictator) have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Narwhals more at risk to Arctic warming than polar bears By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer Fri Apr 25, 2:35 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The polar bear has become an icon of global warming vulnerability, but a new study found an Arctic mammal that may be even more at risk to climate change: the narwhal. The narwhal, a whale with a long spiral tusk that inspired the myth of the unicorn, edged out the polar bear for the ranking of most potentially vulnerable in a climate change risk analysis of Arctic marine mammals.The study was published this week in the peer-reviewed journal Ecological Applications. Polar bears are considered marine mammals because they are dependent on the water and are included as a species in the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act.Scientists from three countries quantified the vulnerabilities that 11 year-round Arctic sea mammals have as the world warms. After the narwhal — which is also known as the corpse whale — and polar bear, the most at risk were the hooded seal, bowhead whale and walrus. The ringed seal and bearded seal were least at risk.
What we wanted to do was look at the whole picture because there's been a lot of attention on polar bears, said study co-author Ian Stirling, a polar bear and seal specialist for the Canadian government. We're talking about a whole ecosystem. We're talking about several different species that use ice extensively and are very vulnerable.The study looked at nine different variables that help determine ability to withstand future climate changes. Those factors included population size, habitat uniqueness, diet diversity and ability to cope with sea ice changes.This doesn't mean the narwhal — with a current population of 50,000 to 80,000 — will die off first; polar bear counts are closer to 20,000 and they are directly harmed by melting ice, scientists said.But it does mean the potential for harm is slightly greater for the less-studied narwhal, said study lead author Kristin Laidre, a research scientist at the University of Washington.Stanford University biologist Terry Root, who wasn't part of the study, said the analysis reinforces her concern that the narwhal is going to be one of the first to go extinct from global warming despite their population size.There could a bazillion of them, but if the habitat or the things that they need are not going to be around, they're not going to make it, Root said.Polar bears can adapt a bit to the changing Arctic climate, narwhals can't, she said.While polar bears are good-looking fluffy white creatures, Laidre said narwhals, which are medium-sized whales, are not that cute.
The narwhal, which dives about 6,000 feet to feed on Greenland halibut, is the ultimate specialist, evolved specifically to live in small cracks in parts of the Arctic where it's 99 percent heavy ice, Laidre said. As the ice melts, not only is the narwhal habitat changed, predators such as killer whales will likely intrude more often.Since it's so restricted to the migration routes it takes, it's restricted to what it eats, it makes it more vulnerable to the loss of those things, Laidre said in a telephone interview from Greenland, where she is studying narwhals by airplane.The paper is the talk of Arctic scientists said Bob Corell, the head of an international team of scientists who wrote a massive assessment of risk in the Arctic in 2004 but wasn't part of this study. He called it surprising because the polar bear gets a lot of attention.Inuit natives of Greenland were telling scientists last year that it seemed that the narwhal population was in trouble, Corell said.
On the Net: http://tinyurl.com/4h88qh.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Denmark tenth country to sign off on Lisbon Treaty
24.04.2008 - 17:45 CET | By Elitsa Vucheva
Both Denmark and the lower house of Germany's parliament on Thursday (24 April) ratified the EU's new treaty, just a day after Portugal approved the document.The Danish parliament passed the document with 90 votes in favour and 25 against, although 64 deputies from the 179-seat parliament were absent.The same political majority rejected a proposal to secure labour rights via a protocol attached to the treaty.Eurosceptic MPs were the only ones to vote against the document aimed at improving the EU's decision-making process and making the 27-nation bloc more efficient.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the Danish ratification, underlining that the treaty provides for a more effective, democratic, accountable and stronger Union externally.Denmark is the tenth EU country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.Prior to Copenhagen, Portugal's parliament also ratified the document on Wednesday by 208 votes to 21, and received Mr Barroso's congratulations for the large majority ... showing the unequivocal Portuguese support for the European project.
Ratification by the German Bundestag
Meawhile, Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, passed the document with 515 votes in favour, 58 against, and one abstention.Addressing parliamentarians ahead of the vote, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the treaty would be both good for Europe and a win for Germany, Deutsche Welle reports.Ms Merkel played an important role in getting all EU leaders to agree on the draft text of the document during Germany's presidency of the EU last year.The Left party – Die Linke - was the only one opposing the treaty, with its leader, Lothar Bisky, saying it was created in the spirit of neoliberalism.The Lisbon treaty is now to be voted upon by the country's upper house, the Bundesrat, on 23 May.So far, Hungary, Malta, Slovenia, Romania, France, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal and Denmark have ratified the treaty which replaced the failed European Constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.Ireland is the only country that will hold a referendum on it, expected on 12 June.Ratification by all countries is meant to be finalised by the end of this year, in order for the treaty to come into force in early 2009.
THE 11TH RATIFICATION IS ON ITS WAY.
Redrawn EU treaty clears early hurdle April 25, 2008 BOSTON GLOBE
GERMANY BERLIN - Lawmakers in the lower house of parliament yesterday overwhelmingly approved a new European Union treaty, which Chancellor Angela Merkel described as providing a new foundation for the bloc. The so-called Lisbon Treaty is expected to easily pass when it goes to the upper house on May 23. It replaces a more ambitious draft constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. (AP)
EU Constitution APR 26,08
We birds are beginning to feel great disappointment with the EU and the way that it is handling its constitution. Various statements that have been recently made by EU human politicians gives us the impression that the EU has embarked on a road to less democracy by disrespecting the voice and opinion of the European humans.We shall try to be more concrete. The Valery Giscard d'Estaing man, a former French president who chaired the convention that drafted the constitution said that the new plan was to camouflage the big changes that his constitution had tried to set out openly. Public opinion, he said, will be led to accept, without realizing, provisions that nobody would dare to present directly. This is familiar...The EU Constitution has 27,000 of pages, whereby direct order had been issued by the EUlites that this vast book could not be simplified to, lets say to 500 pages, so someone would read it. The EU constitution has 27,000 pages tied to 330,000 laws, sub-laws and references. For each line you read in 27,000 pages, you need to cross check it with a reference which then you would check with another reference, which essentially makes it impossible to read for anyone, just like the EU wants it. Someone should have raised their eyebrows when the order came strictly banning any creation of a book that would explain the EU Constitution in shorter form!?
Amato, Italy's interior minister, hailed the way it had been given an unreadable new form, full of cross-references and footnotes. This was done, according to Amato, to help governments that were struggling to avoid referendums. Now, said Amato, a British minister could say: Look you see it is absolutely unreadable, it's a typical Brussels treaty, nothing new, no need for a referendum. Finally, a few weeks ago, Dehaene, a former Belgian prime minister, in an interview with Le Soir declared it dangerous talk to want too much transparency and clarity in the EU. We were shocked hearing these statements from leading European politicians. Instead of providing a clear and understandable constitution and going to the effort of explaining it to their citizens, now they have created an unreadable and incomprehensible monster, with the objective of deceiving their citizens. Shame on them. We do not think that they will get away with it since many citizens will reject a text that they cannot understand. They will also vote down any government that attempts to deceive them. But even if it were to be accepted, then the EU would put itself in the predicament of having serious problems in implementing an unreadable text. We birds would consequently suggest to the European human leaders to stop being undemocratic and disrespectful to their voters and return to transparency and democracy and also make that special effort to explain to their humans the benefits they will get from the new constitution. We think that they will listen. Otherwise, undemocratic methods will only lead to the weakening if not the dissolution of the EU.
The biggest threat to the EU Constitution is Ireland. It was Irish politicians who discovered the nonsense document the EU had served them with. Apparently, the Irish tried to read it. After they complained, the EU, in attempt to fool them again, had presented another document, except in this one, 75 pages were missing. To compensate for it, the font was increased accross. They were caught once again. Smart Irish! Ireland is the only country, in Europe, to challenge this disaster called constitution (had been prepared in the early 70's) that will affect every European. England has ignored the wishes of its citizens, telling them there is nothing to worry, however English businessman Stuart Wheeler is challenging this in the High Court.
What is the EU Constitution:
There isn't a way to explain the type of disaster the EU constitution is, but I will give just a very simplistic example.
example: You live in Athens, travel to Rome and get a parking ticket there. You don't pay for the ticket in Rome. Next year you visit London and get pulled over there. You will get arrested on a violation for your parking ticket in Rome and will be jailed in London. One big enslaved happy family.For the Macedonian readers, you can only hope to be that lucky and not be part of the EU. Unfortunatelly, the EU will swallow you as well, because that's what they do. If the Irish dont falter, there is increasing evidence the EU is offering its soul and billions for a yes vote. The Irish could save Ireland, as well as Europe. N.R.
Egyptian president wants to boost economic ties, Mediterranean Union The Associated PressPublished: April 22, 2008
PARIS: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak urged French business leaders to boost their investment and trade partnerships with Egypt, saying Tuesday that tighter economic ties would energize the plan for a Mediterranean Union that France is pushing for.France is on track to become Egypt's No. 1 foreign investor this year with €12 billion (US$19 billion) placed in the Middle Eastern country so far this year, according to French government figures.
Mubarak urged even more.
Do the commercial ties between Egypt and France really match our historic, political and cultural ties? Mubarak said in a speech at the French employers' federation, MEDEF.France was the No. 4 investor in Egypt in 2007, with €3 billion in investments, behind the U.S., Britain and the United Arab Emirates. But then French cement group Lafarge bought Egyptian construction company Orascom Cement this year for €8.8 billion.
Today in Europe
Photo exhibit shows Paris under Nazi occupation, minus the miseryPutting pollution on grocery billsGeorgia steps up its push for NATO membership .French exports to Egypt fell by nearly 10 percent in 2007, while imports from Egypt dropped by nearly 20 percent.Mubarak vaunted Egypt's ongoing reforms to liberalize its economy, which grew more than 7 percent last year, and called on French businesses to view Egypt as the main gate to Mideast and African markets.Increased trade between the two countries would also enhance French plans for an association between Europe and nations south of the Mediterranean, said Mubarak, who is on a two-day visit to Paris.President Nicolas Sarkozy sees the Mediterranean Union as a plan to link southern European countries to the mainly Muslim nations to the south and southeast of Europe.Sarkozy and Mubarak discussed the union plan as well as Middle East issues, including Iran, Lebanon and tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, during a working dinner Tuesday, diplomatic officials said.
Jean-David Levitte, Sarkozy's top diplomatic adviser, told reporters France would favor putting the eventual headquarters of the union on the south side of the Mediterranean — and suggested Mubarak might make an excellent co-president of the body.The union is supposed be launched at a summit in Paris in July. Getting it running would be the highlight of France's turn as EU president in the second half of this year.Sarkozy hopes it will help build political ties and tackle issues such as trade, migration and security.Laurence Parisot, the director of MEDEF, told Mubarak that the recent hunger riots in Egypt underlined the extreme urgency of enhanced economic cooperation between wealthy and developing nations.Mubarak meets Sarkozy later Tuesday for a working dinner to discuss the union and regional issues.Associated Press Writer Laurent Pirot contributed to this report.
LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)
JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
THE WEEK OF DANIEL 9:27 WE KNOW ITS 7 YRS
Heres the scripture 1 week = 7 yrs Genesis 29:27-29
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.
The CARMEL ALERT April 25th 2008 A compilation of news reports from the past week for the information of those committed to praying for Israel and the salvation of the Jewish people.Guest Comment: Duplicity in Occupied Lands- Steven Shamrak-(IsraelNN )
There are many lands around the world that were occupied not so long ago by other countries. Many of them are still subjugated to the rule of an occupying power. They were conquered during offensive or defensive wars, throughout the process of establishment of statehood, or as a part of colonial and imperial policy. The following is a far from complete list of the currently occupied lands.
* Great Britain still occupies 17 provinces of Ireland, Gibraltar and is holding on to the many residual symbols of her former colonial glory around the world.
* France is still holding on to many overseas territories like New Caledonia and French Guinea.
* France and Spain divided, and have no intention to give independence to, the Basque people, the oldest indigenous living group known in Europe.
* Belgium is an artificially forged country, which was created in order to protect the Netherlands from continuous attacks by France. There is still no love lost between the French- and Flemish-speaking populations of the country.
* China: The international community has done nothing to stop the occupation of Tibet by China. Eastern, predominantly Muslim, provinces of China are still under imperial communist rule.
* Chile: From the 1840s, heavy Anglo-Chilean investments were made in nitrate mining on the Bolivian coast. Bolivia lost its coastal region after the war of 1879-1884. Since then, Bolivia has been economically stifled by Chile, with limited access to the sea ports.
* Indonesia: It was painful for Indonesia to allow freedom to East Timor. International pressure was applied only because of the huge oil reserves off the coast of East Timor were found. But there is no pressure in relation to the continuous occupation of Bali, West Papua and numerous islands that would love to obtain independence from the Muslim tyranny of Jakarta.
* Panama proclaimed its independence after the US expressed interest in obtaining the rights to the canal, which Colombia refused. US marines landed in Panama the same day independence was declared.
* Russia has no plans to return the eastern part of Poland it has occupied since before World War II, nor to end occupation of eastern Prussia, the Kuril Islands and Southern Sakhalin. Russia still retains its status as an imperial power by holding on to Chechnya, Dagistan, North Ossetia, Tatarstan and many other national enclaves which were occupied by the Czar.
* USA: The biggest and leading democracy of the world is one of the biggest occupiers as well. There is no intention of even talking about compensation for, never mind returning, the occupied land which used to be a part of Mexico. What about Puerto Rico, Hawaii and other 'strategic interests'?
The United Nations maintains a list of territories that do not govern themselves. The list was initially prepared in 1946 and adopted in 1986. It has officially endorsed control of these lands by their former colonial powers. It should be remembered that most countries around the world (including the USA, the UK, France, Germany, China and Russia) were forged and established their current borders during the last 300 years. Their creation was accompanied by dramatic conquests and destruction of unique and independent cultures.
In a Russian play, one character asked the audience: Look, who are the judges? Yes, who are they to tell Jews what is their land and to force Israel to give away Jewish land to Arab scoundrels? Israel is one of the only countries that can rightly claim its statehood and ownership of the land. Jewish people have over 3,000 years of spiritual and historical connection with the land of Israel.
Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula after it was conquered during a defensive war. In exchange, Israel received a worthless piece of paper, which is called the Peace Agreement with Egypt. And still, Israel is the only country under international pressure to surrender her own land to her enemy, a recently forged people - called Palestinians - whose only goal (they are not even hiding it) is to destroy the Jewish state. There are three reasons why Israel is under such an international onslaught: traditional international anti-Semitism; a desire to sell out Israel in exchange for a steady supply of oil; and an appeasement of Islamic terrorists in order to defer attacks on the West.
Does it make sense? What definitely takes place and makes sense is that the world's economic and political powers (the puppet masters) apply pressure on Israel and use any means at their disposal, including manipulation of international law. An example of this is how it was done after Israel won the War of Independence. Immediately, the Fourth Geneva convention ruled out population transfer as a legitimate way of resolving conflicts - but only when it suits the puppet masters' economic and political interests, with complete disregard for the historical, spiritual and even legal rights of any people, not just Jews (remember the ongoing dismantling of Yugoslavia and the non-existence of Kurdistan, homeland of 35 million Kurds, divided and occupied by five countries). A multitude of international organizations - including the United Nations, the International Red Cross, Amnesty International, etc. - are at the full disposal of the international puppet masters, and only too eager to assist by generating and manipulating public opinion, creating the illusion of propriety.
The bottom line is that it is all about power, control and money. ( and Satan's desparation to prevent the 2nd coming of Messiah - David )
Just to press the point, I received this recently - I am not sure if its true, or just some truth based humor ...........
An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently at the U.N. and made the world community smile: A representative from Israel began-Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Moses. When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, What a good opportunity to have a bath! He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Palestinian had stolen them.
The Palestinian representative jumped up furiously and shouted, What are you talking about? The Palestinians weren't there back then.
The Israeli representative smiled and said And now that I have made that clear, I will begin my speech.
The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel . Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for our son Jordan, and all of his fellow soldiers in the IDF.
Shabbat Shalom ... David & Josie
Abbas in Egypt for talks with Mubarak APR 26,08
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas arrived in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Saturday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak. He is to brief Mubarak on Sunday morning on his latest visits to Washington and Moscow, the official MENA news agency reported.On Thursday, Abbas was in the White House for a meeting with President George W. Bush, who is pushing for an Israel-Palestinian peace deal before the end of his term in January.Abbas and Bush are to meet again on May 17 in Egypt when the president visits the region to mark the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding.Negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis were revived after a seven-year freeze in the peace process following a US-sponsored conference in November.
SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ENEMIES COMES AGAINST ISRAEL TO DESTROY THEM, THE TABLES GET TURNED ON THE ENEMY NATIONS.
Arab League warns of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza APR 28,08
CAIRO (AFP) - The Arab League on Saturday warned of anunprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip after the United Nations was forced to suspend aid deliveries because of Israeli restrictions. The 22-member body expressed its grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip after the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was forced to stop delivering aid, Hisham Yussef, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa's chief of staff, said in a statement.These circumstances, as well as the Israeli armed forces' continued military action against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, will lead to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe for which the Israeli government will have to bear responsibility, Yussef said.He said the Israeli blockade on Gaza, as well as military operations and the halting of fuel supplies to the impoverished territory, is unacceptable and silence over the issue cannot continue.Yussef urged international bodies including the United Nations and the European Union to exert pressure on Israel to accept its responsibility in applying interntional law.The United Nations stopped distributing aid to the Gaza Strip on Thursday after running out of fuel as the Israeli terminal that supplies the besieged Palestinian territory remained shut.Humanitarian agencies say Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated territories with 1.5 million people living on a narrow sliver of land, is on the brink of disaster.
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE BY JACK VAN IMPE APR 26,08
Crime is a national scandal.
Every thinking American is concerned about crime. Millions are afraid to be on the streets in their own communities after dark. In official recognition of the problem in 1968, Congress passed the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, a high impact program that poured millions of dollars into major cities to fight crime. Within a few years, the program was called a flop.
Money did not buy safety . Crime marches on.
It is difficult to escape the thought of a possible encounter with a criminal. Every branch of the media keeps us aware of crime's danger. Television watchers start the day with some kind of early morning news report that describes all the violence and thievery that took place the night before. Lunch is seasoned with the noon news, and the dinner hour is treated to a full color reenactment of the crime and terror going on in the world. Viewers are then given an almost steady diet of detective shows and police shootouts until the late news, when they are offered one last opportunity before retiring to get in on the murder and mayhem that somehow might have been missed in the course of the day. It is no wonder that sleeping pills and antacids sell well. 1
If you think crime is being over covered by writers and reporters, read what former Attorney General Ramsey Clark writes in his book Crime in America.
Most crime is never reported to police, and much crime is inaccurately reported. Erroneous crime statistics are often used to create the impression that the new chief is doing a good job or to support a movement to add more police. Frequently an apparent increase in crime really reflects an improved effectiveness in law enforcement or in the reporting of crime itself.
The better the police, the more they learn of crimes that are actually committed. Today, some cities suffering far more crime than others take false comfort from lower rates of reported crime because of weaker police departments.
Wherever crime is not reported we know the police are not effective, trusted , or respected . Too many people there would rather suffer crime in silence than report it. It is a bother, useless, gets you involved-or even worse, in trouble yourself.2
The crime we know about, then, is but the tip of the iceberg. This fact presents an alarming scenario for the future .
Social scientists and criminologists seem baffled by the continued avalanche of crime. Their solutions fail or are only mildly successful.
In his book Thinking About Crime, James Wilson questions present theories about crime's causes.
The Social Science View of crime is thought by many, especially its critics. To assert that crime is the result of poverty, racial discrimination. and other privations, and that the only morally defensible and substantively efficacious strategy for reducing crime is to attack its root causes with programs that end poverty, reduce discrimination, and meliorate privation...
Such a theory, if it is generally held by Social Scientists professionally concerned with crime, ought to be subjected to the closest scrutiny, because what it implies about the nature of man and society are of fundamental significance. Scholars would bear a grave responsibility if, by their theoretical and empirical work, they had supplied public policy with the assumption that men are driven primarily by the objective conditions in which they find themselves. Such a view might be correct, but it would first have to be reconciled with certain obvious objections-for example, that the crime rate in this country is higher than that in many other countries despite the fact that the material wellbeing of even the lowest stratum of our population is substantially greater than that of a comparable stratum in countries with much lower crime rates, or that crime rates have increased greatly during the very period (1963 to 1970) when there were great advances made in the income, schooling, and housing of almost all segments of society.3
Students of the Bible are not surprised when solutions to moral and social problems based entirely on environmental conditions fail. The problem lies deeper. We are socially and morally in trouble because of man's sinful nature. The psalmist David capsulated the root cause of all of the problems of the human race,
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me (Ps. 51 :5) .
Paul's inspired observation in his letter to the Romans reads like a summary of all the newspaper and radio and TV news reports ever given.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God (Rom. 3:13--19).
Martin Luther said:
Sin is so deep and horrible a corruption of nature that no reason can comprehend it , but upon the authority of the Scriptures, it must be believed. The original sin is not like all other sins which are committed. The original sin is. It is the root of all sin.4
Jesus said:
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications , thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matt. 15:19).
Paul explained how the sinful nature of man is manifested in day-to-day living.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication , uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft , hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like (Gal. 5: 1921).
Man, then, is capable of doing terrible things.
Within him lies the potential of all kinds of crime and violence. The headlines in the daily newspaper and the violence on the evening news are but evidences of what lies within him.
If that is true, why are not all men criminals? Because of certain influences in life that restrain us.
Augustine wrote, We are capable of every sin we have seen our neighbor commit unless God's grace restrains us.5
Christians are a restraining influence on the world.
Believers are not all they ought to be, but the world is better because they are here. Jesus referred to His own as the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Those who belong to Christ and are totally committed to Him have a restraining influence on evil, and their presence in the world promotes a higher moral standard among all people whose lives are touched by them. Speaking prophetically, that is why we believe the Antichrist cannot come to power until the church is taken out of the world at our Lord's return.
The Holy Spirit, working through the church, holds back the tide of evil.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [hinders] will let [hinder], until he be taken out of the way . And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians. 2:7-10).
A nation is law-abiding to the extent that its Christian heritage is strong. A revival of a past generation may not continue to fill the churches and produce genuine Christian joy, but some of the influence of that revival may linger: respect for the Bible, an awareness of biblical standards of righteousness, traditions rooted in a more spiritual time, a form of government founded upon biblical principles.
The restraints of home and family have kept many from crime and violence. A husband may restrict his desires because of a deep love for his wife. A wife may overcome temptation to do wrong because of admiration and respect for her husband. Children may refuse to go along in some of their friends' escapades for fear of hurting their parents, whom they love .
Fear of punishment for law-breaking may loom large, deterring the tempted from antisocial behavior.
All these restraints work to hold evil in check and to give society stability. They help keep the lid on crime and immorality. They do not do away with man's potential to sin, but they help to hold him in check, and in this function these restraints are beneficial to all.
Alcohol removes restraints.
The same characteristic of alcohol that allows a drinker to relax at a party eats away at the forces that restrain him from doing wrong. The sections of his brain that are being paralyzed by alcohol, eliminating some of his fears, are the same thinking centers that keep the lion within him caged.
With the entrance of alcohol, the walls fall down.
When it penetrates the brain, it lulls the sentries to sleep, allowing man's sinful nature to show itself in behavior.
The defenders of beverage alcohol argue that drinking does not make people commit crimes. They insist that the lawbreaker had crime on his mind or he would not have committed it while under the influence of alcohol.
We could not agree more.
All people have a natural bent to sin. However, God-ordained restraining fences often prohibit the tempted one from carrying out the act. When alcohol removes the restraints, the act is committed. And people suffer. Had alcohol not been used, the crime might never have taken place, and society would have benefited.
Driving down the highway, one might have the urge to swerve from side to side or accelerate to a high speed. Laws act as restraints against such irresponsible driving. But if alcohol is traveling with the driver, toppling the protective walls, he may swerve or accelerate to a dangerous speed and injure or kill himself and others.
One may want to punch another in the nose because of some old grievance , but his better judgment and the fear of prosecution keep him under control. A few drinks can prompt the long-awaited punch, resulting in personal injury, shame, and expense. (Of course, it is also wrong to hold a grievance against someone even if you never take revenge.)
A person under severe financial pressure may be tempted to steal. Restraints may keep him a law-abiding citizen, but enter the beloved enemy and the forces that have held the pressured person steady are nullified. The crime is committed, and legal woes are likely to be added to the already burdened individual.
Along with alcohol's power to remove inhibitions, then, comes its unwanted effect of uncovering and releasing the evil in man. And the results are felt by the entire community. Dr . E. M. Jellinek, formerly of Yale University, wrote:
The death rate, crime rate ,or accident rate in a given community varies according to the average alcohol consumption; and when alcohol [use] decreases so do the death, crime, and accident rates. Relaxation of restrictions on alcohol is followed by a rise in commitments to asylums, hospitalizations, and delinquency,6
But what is alcohol's involvement in crime?
The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice says:
About 1 million violent crimes occurred in 2002 in which victims perceived the offender to have been drinking at the time of the offense. Among those victims who provided information about the offender's use of alcohol, about 30% of the victimizations involved an offender who had been drinking.
Two-thirds of victims who suffered violence by an intimate (a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend) reported that alcohol had been a factor. Among spouse victims, 3 out of 4 incidents were reported to have involved an offender who had been drinking. By contrast, an estimated 31% of stranger victimizations where the victim could determine the absence or presence of alcohol were perceived to be alcohol-related.
For about 1 in 5 violent victimizations involving perceived alcohol use by the offender, victims also reported they believed the offender to have been using drugs as well.7
How does this translate into human loss?
Who can measure the amount of grief felt by victims and their families?
And what will we learn from this information?
If past experience is a guide, criminologists and politicians will explore every avenue of combating crime except the one that could make a difference.
New studies will be made. More prisons will be constructed. More police officers will be hired. More judges will be installed. More citizens' groups will be formed.
And the enemy will be untouched.
Why? Because too many of the policymakers share the love affair with alcohol and are unwilling to touch their beloved.
To try to fight crime without facing the alcohol issue is to work blindfolded. Even if we had the most ideal system of corrections, we could not stop crime's onslaught because of alcohol's devastating effects. If we had the most stringent sentencing coupled with perfect police work and flawless penology, the best we could do would be to deal with a fraction of the total crime problem, if the issue of alcohol remained unchecked.
Most crime would keep surging on year after year.
But could our nation survive the financial impact of a meaningful drop in the liquor business?
What would happen to our economy?
How would the government continue to operate without liquor revenues?
Wouldn't taxes have to be increased?
Doesn't alcohol pay its way?
Chapter 5
Roger Campbell, Justice Through Restitution (Milford, Mich.: Mott Media, 1977), p. 1.
Ramsey Clark, Crime in America (New York : Simon and Schuster, 1970), p. 30.
James Q. Wilson, Thinking About Crime (New York: Basic Books, 1975), pp. 43-44.
Walter B. Knight, Knight's Treasury of Illustrations(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1963), p. 360 .
Ibid.
Ibid., p. 390.
Bureau of Justice Statistics report on Crime Characteristics http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_c.htm
MUSLIM NATIONS
EZEKIEL 38:1-12
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog,(RULER) the land of Magog,(RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW)and Tubal,(TOBOLSK) and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW) and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws,(GOD FORCES THE MUSLIMS TO MARCH) and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia,(IRAN,IRAQ) Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer,(GERMANY) and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (TURKEY)of the north quarters, and all his bands:(SUDAN,AFRICA) and many people with thee.
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.(RUSSIA-EGYPT AND MUSLIMS)
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
EZEKIEL 39:1-8
1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog,(LEADER OF RUSSIA) and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech (MOSCOW) and Tubal: (TUBOLSK)
2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts,(RUSSIA) and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands,( ARABS) and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
6 And I will send a fire on Magog,(NUCLEAR BOMB) and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
JOEL 2:3,20,30-31
3 A fire(NUCLEAR BOMB) devoureth before them;(RUSSIA-ARABS) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
Russian threat violates international law: Georgia Sat Apr 26, 8:24 AM ET
TBILISI (Reuters) - Russia's warning that it could use military force in Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a breach of international law, Georgia said on Saturday. And Russian Foreign Ministry envoy said on Friday that Russia might have to use military means to protect compatriots in the regions if they were attacked.The statement about the possible use of force against Georgia in Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the part of Russia is a violation of all international legal acts and agreements, Georgia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.The Russian side is taking aggressive actions, it said.Russia's ties with Georgia have been strained for more than a decade by Moscow's support of the two separatist regions, which threw off Georgian rule after wars in the 1990s.Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili says he wants to bring the regions back under Tbilisi's control.Moscow said this month it was deepening ties with the two regions, where most of the population have been issued with Russian passports.Russia is trying to justify their criminal activities in relation to the Georgian separatist regions by saying they protect Russian citizens there, the Georgian ministry said.However the actions of Russia contradict the fundamental obligations which derive from the European Convention of Human Rights, it said.
Russia and Georgia are engaged in a war of words over the downing of a Georgian spy drone over Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia, a stretch of land run by pro-Moscow separatists on the Black Sea coast.Georgia said a Russian jet shot down the drone in a deliberate act of international aggression. Russia says Abkhaz separatists downed the unmanned aircraft and that the flight itself was a breach of international agreements.(Reporting by Margarita Antidze, writing by Amie Ferris-Rotman; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Link
Saturday, April 26, 2008
ISRAELI OTHER FAST SCRIPTURES
OTHER FAST SCRIPTURES
TORAH SCRIPTURES
EXODUS 32:11-14
11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
EXODUS 34:1-10
1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
2 And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.
3 And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.
4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.
5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O LORD, let my LORD, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
PROPHET SCRIPTURES
ISAIAH 55:6-56:8
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
B'RIT HADASHAH SCRIPTURES (NEW TESTAMENT)
MATTHEW 17:14-21
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
LUKE 5:33-39
33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
TORAH SCRIPTURES
EXODUS 32:11-14
11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
EXODUS 34:1-10
1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
2 And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.
3 And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.
4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.
5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O LORD, let my LORD, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
PROPHET SCRIPTURES
ISAIAH 55:6-56:8
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
B'RIT HADASHAH SCRIPTURES (NEW TESTAMENT)
MATTHEW 17:14-21
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
LUKE 5:33-39
33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Friday, April 25, 2008
SYRIA - NORTH KOREA LINK
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Cooler temperatures slow flood waters on New Brunswick's St. John River Thu Apr 24, 4:31 PMBy Chris Morris, The Canadian Press
FREDERICTON - Cooler temperatures on Thursday brought relief to residents of the Fredericton area who have been bailing out basements and canoeing down streets on the flood waters of the swollen St. John River. The Emergency Measures Office in New Brunswick said it expects water flows to begin levelling off on Friday, thanks to a dip in temperature that slowed the rate of snow melt. Andy Morton, deputy director of the province's EMO, said water levels have risen about 10 centimetres since Wednesday. The cold temperatures are certainly going to help reduce the run-off from snow melt quite substantially, but that having been said, there is still a lot of water in the system, he said. With any luck, we may be entering into a sort of fairly steady state for the next couple of days.The St. John River floods every spring in New Brunswick, to varying degrees. The flood this year isn't as bad as the one in 2005, but it's worse than floods in 2006 and 2007. The unusually heavy snowfall this winter is being blamed for the high water this spring.
To date, damage has been minimal.
About 30 families have left their homes to wait out the annual flood and several sections of road that run along the banks of the St. John have been closed. The river has washed across much of the old Trans-Canada Highway outside Fredericton, a picturesque route that hugs the banks of the river and almost always floods in the spring. Only residents of the area were allowed to use the water-covered road, which is barricaded by police checkpoints. In one suburban area, next to a flooded tree nursery appropriately called Wetmore's, residents moved belongings out of lower sections of their homes as rising waters filled basements and garages. Some residents paddled along neighbourhood streets in canoes. Pauline Branston loaded a tractor-trailer parked in her driveway with such items as lawnmowers and snowblowers. You have to take precautions because you don't get compensation for items that can be moved, she said. We're taking everything out of the basement and garage.
Branston said she has been lucky so far and there was no water in her basement. But neighbour Dan Snow said his basement was under about 1.5 metres of water. He said he gave up on the job of trying to keep the water out, turned off his overheated sump pump and watched the mighty St. John bubble up in his basement. Living next to the river is a burden in the spring, Snow said, but he enjoys it too much during the rest of the year to move. The water comes up, but it goes down, he said. You just clean up afterwards and when you're done and the water is down and the place is dry, it's great.
City officials are asking recreational boaters to stay off the river. They said there's a fast-flowing current and a lot of debris in the water.
OZONE DEPLETION
ISAIAH 30:26-27
26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
MATTHEW 24:21-22,29
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened (Daylight hours shortened)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
REVELATION 16:7-9
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Using chemicals to cut global warming may damage ozone layer By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer Thu Apr 24, 6:14 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The rule of unintended consequences threatens to strike again. Some researchers have suggested that injecting sulfur compounds into the atmosphere might help ease global warming by increasing clouds and haze that would reflect sunlight. After all, they reason, when volcanoes spew lots of sulfur, months or more of cooling often follows.But a new study warns that injecting enough sulfur to reduce warming would wipe out the Arctic ozone layer and delay recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole by as much as 70 years.
Our research indicates that trying to artificially cool off the planet could have perilous side effects, said Simone Tilmes of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.While climate change is a major threat, more research is required before society attempts global geoengineering solutions, said Tilmes, lead author of a paper appearing in Thursday's online edition of the journal Science.And while one study worries that fixing climate will destroy ozone, another raises the possibility that recovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica will worsen warming in that region.
A full recovery of the ozone hole could modify climate in the Southern Hemisphere and even amplify Antarctic warming, scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA report in a paper scheduled for Geophysical Research Letters.Although temperatures have been rising worldwide, there has been cooling in the interior of Antarctica in summer, which researchers attribute to the depletion of ozone overhead.If the successful control of ozone-depleting substances allows for a full recovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica, we may finally see the interior of Antarctica begin to warm with the rest of the world, said Judith Perlwitz of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, a joint institute of CU-Boulder and NOAA.The authors used a NASA supercomputer to model interactions between the climate and stratospheric ozone chemistry. A return to pre-1969 ozone levels would mean atmospheric circulation patterns now shielding the Antarctic interior from warmer air to the north will begin to break down during the summer, they concluded.The idea of reversing global warming by injecting sulfates into the air was suggested by eruptions such as the 1991 blast by Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which produced a brief cooling.The massive 1815 eruption of Tambora in what is now Indonesia produced such a strong cooling that 1816 became known as the year without a summer in New England, where snow fell in every month of the year.
But Tilmes knew that volcanic eruptions also temporarily thin the ozone layer, which protects people, plants and animals from the most dangerous ultraviolet rays from the sun.So she and colleagues calculated the effect of suggested sulfate injections and concluded that the result, over the next few decades, would be to destroy between one-fourth to three-fourths of the ozone layer above the Arctic. This would affect a large part of the Northern Hemisphere because of atmospheric circulation patterns.The sulfates would also delay the expected recovery of the ozone hole over the Antarctic by about 30 to 70 years, or until at least the last decade of this century, they said.The research was supported by the United Kingdom Meteorological Office, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and NASA.The study comes just a day after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that despite efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, the rate of increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is accelerating.Concern has grown in recent years about such gases, with most atmospheric scientists concerned that the accumulation is causing increases in the earth's temperature, potentially disrupting climate and changing patterns of rainfall, drought and other storms. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has worked to detail the scientific bases of this problem and the Kyoto agreement sought to encourage countries to take steps to reduce their greenhouse emissions. Some countries, particularly in Europe, have taken steps to reduce emissions.
But carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas have continued to increase. Since 2000, annual increases of two parts per million or more have been common, compared with 1.5 ppm per year in the 1980s and less than one ppm per year during the 1960s, NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory said. Last year the increase was 2.4 parts per million. Meanwhile, in a separate paper in Science, researchers said human activities are at least partly responsible for the Arctic having become a wetter place over the last half century. Seung-Ki Min of Environment Canada, and colleagues, studied rain and snowfall patterns in the arctic and the factors affecting them. They concluded that human-induced greenhouse gases have contributed to the increased precipitation rates observed in the Arctic region over the past 60 years. They warned that this Arctic moistening could occur more quickly than current climate simulations indicate.
Their work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Canadian International Polar Year Program. On the Net: Science: http://www.sciencemag.org
New Zealand's largest glacier will disappear: scientists Thu Apr 24, 2:55 AM ET
WELLINGTON (AFP) - New Zealand's largest glacier is shrinking fast due to climate change and will eventually disappear altogether, scientists said Thursday. The 23-kilometre (14.3 mile) long glacier in the South Island's Southern Alps is likely to shrink at a rate of between 500 and 820 metres a year, said Martin Brook, a physical geography lecturer at Massey University.In the last 10 years the glacier has receded a hell of a lot, Brook said on the university website.It's just too warm for a glacier to be sustained at such a low altitude -- 730 metres above sea level -- so it melts rapidly and it is going to disappear altogether.The rapid melting has seen a lake seven kilometres long and two kilometres wide form at the base of the glacier. Thirty-five years ago, the lake did not exist.
The last major survey was in the 1990s and since then the glacier has retreated back 180 metres a year on average, Brook said.The lake at the foot of the glacier is speeding up the melting as more ice is submerged under the surface of the water.A study last year by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research found the volume of ice in the Southern Alps had shrunk almost 11 percent in the past 30 years.More than 90 percent of this loss was due to the melting of the 12 largest glaciers in the mountain range due to rising temperatures, the university report said.
Manitoba socked by snow, freezing rain Thu Apr 24, 1:02 PM
CALGARY (CBC) - A winter storm warning remained in effect in southern Manitoba Thursday morning as heavy snow and freezing rain fell on Winnipeg and most of the region.Winnipeg could see about five centimetres of snow before the storm system moves out of the area shortly after noon, Environment Canada meteorologist Dave Carlsen said Thursday morning.The area around Elie and Portage la Prairie, west of Winnipeg, could receive as much as 15 centimetres.
It came in two bands, Carlsen said. There was the first one that came through last night, and it was so-so, but then the second one, which is the one we're looking at now, that came from a bunch of thunderstorms that popped up in the Dakotas last night and it's moved along here to be in southern Manitoba, just [in time] for the morning commute.Several school divisions in Manitoba cancelled bus service or classes due to the inclement weather.Dozens of highways in the region were covered with snow, ice or slush Thursday morning, with poor visibility in many areas, provincial officials said.Travel was not advised on several highways, including the Trans-Canada between highways 13 and 16, around Portage la Prairie.
Ice on power lines causes lights to flicker
The stormy weather was also blamed for power problems in and around Winnipeg on Thursday.Power bumps caused by a buildup of heavy, wet snow and ice on power lines have caused lights to flicker in some areas, Manitoba Hydro spokesman Jim Peters told CBC News.It's primarily focused, I think ... just northeast of Winnipeg, he said. There's been a couple of [incidents] in Steinbach this morning and in Transcona, but those were local and quickly repaired.Hydro crews are out clearing ice off the lines, Peters said. If the weather co-operates, the bumps should be smoothed out as the day progresses.
Humidity in the air also sparked a pole-top fire in Transcona this morning, Peters said. About 200 Hydro customers in the area were without power briefly until the problem was repaired.
Stormy Friday Tom Moore APR 24,08
Midwest
A storm system across the middle of the nation will trigger plenty of thunderstorms on Friday. Some of these storms may become strong to severe across parts of Wisconsin, western Lower Michigan, eastern Iowa, Illinois, western Indiana, Missouri and far western Kentucky. A few tornadoes are also possible. Winter weather is also in the Friday forecast as rain changes to wet snow over parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota. Over 6 inches of snow could accumulate over north-central Minnesota by early Saturday, with gusty winds causing blowing and drifting. Highs on Friday are expected to range from the chilly 30s and 40s in the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota to the balmy 70s in the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Scattered thunderstorms are also in the Saturday forecast through the Ohio Valley, while another disturbance approaches the Plains with more rain and snow showers.
South
A frontal boundary will trigger showers and thunderstorms on Friday from extreme western Kentucky down to Texas. Some of these storms may be strong to severe with large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes. Highs Friday will be in the 70s and 80s region wide with a few 90s in the Rio Grande Valley. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will extend from the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians to southern Texas Saturday. By Saturday night, look for heavy rain across eastern Oklahoma and Texas Oklahoma and a new round of severe thunderstorms from the Red River southward.
West
Winter just doesn't want to give up and weather disturbances will continue to produce rain and snow to parts of the Northwest and central Rockies through Saturday. Heavy snow may fall in the highest elevations. Some changes will occur later in the weekend and early next week, however. Most of the region will be rain-free, except for a few showers over coastal sections of Washington and Oregon. Look for a gradual moderating trend in the temperatures as they reach above average levels this weekend. Highs will range from the 60s in Montana to the 90s and 100s in the Desert Southwest.
Northeast
High pressure has been in control across the Northeast lately but that high will be drifting away. That will allow showers and thunderstorms to slide into areas west of the Appalachians on Friday, as a cold front approaches. Look for more showers and thunderstorms on Saturday and they will hang on along the Eastern Seaboard Sunday, as a weakening cold front moves eastward across the area. Look for above average temperatures across much of the area into Saturday. The exception will be across New England where it will cool off on Saturday. Friday highs will range from the 70s in Upstate New York to the 80s in Maryland and Virginia. A new storm and cold front will sweep into the area Monday and linger Tuesday and Wednesday with beneficial rain and much cooler temperatures.
MATTHEW 24:36,33-35
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.(ALL THE SIGNS HAPPENING)
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.(ALL THE SIGNS COMPLETELY FULFILLED)
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
2012: Mayans, Nostradamus & The Bible
There has been much talk of late about the supposed doomsday prediction of December 21, 2012 as reflected in the Mayan long calendar. Most of the ancient Mayan codices were burned by Spanish monks in 1521 as works of the devil. A few survived including the so called Dresden Codex. This 74 page codex written on tree bark and apparently from the famous Mayan temple and observatory at Chichen Itza was sent by Cortes to Emperor Charles V in 1519. Somehow it found its way to the Royal Library at the Court of Saxony in Dresden where it was purchased from a private collector by Johann Christian Goetze. While it was damaged by the fire bombing of Dresden during WWII, much has survived.From this work, which was written between 1200 and 1250 AD, numerous astronomical and calendar data points were found including information on eclipses, the transit of the planet Venus as well as information on the motion of the moon, stars and the sun. It has been determined by research scholars that the Mayan long count calendar ends on 13.0.0.0.0 which equates to our date of December 21, 2012 at 10AM GMT. On that day it has been surmised the end will come.
According to my research, many have tried to tie this upcoming apocalyptic winter solstice day with a solar shift, solar storms, and a transit of Venus as well as with severe earthquakes. Is there any truth to these allegations? According to some astronomers, on this day our solar system will intersect with the Galactic Equator which only happens every 26,000 years. Since the Mayan calendar began in 3114 BC, they had never experienced anything like this before. The Mayans called this event the Sacred Tree. This alignment with the center of the galaxy also allows for maximum mass and thus maximum gravity.According to the National Earthquake Information Service of the US Geological Survey, earthquakes have gradually increased from 1 severe quake between 1890 and 1899 to 765 from 2000-2004. Could this be due to our solar systems movement towards this Galactic Equator? NASA predicts that a terrific solar storm will hit the earth in 2012 which will be 30-50 percent greater than anything before it. I believe that there has been global warming over the past decades but it is related to sunspot activity on the sun not carbon dioxide emissions. The sun has gotten hotter and that has affected the earth. A massive solar blast from the sun in 2012 could burn up the earth as could a collision with an asteroid or a comet.
There has even been talk of a polar shift which could disrupt the functioning of the entire earth and could change the axis of rotation. Such a shift has taken place in our geologic past and could happen again. If it happened on December, 21, 2012, it would truly be a day to remember.This apocalyptic date of December 21, 2012 is also supposedly found in Hopi myths, the I-Ching, Aztec writings, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Roman Oracles, writing of Seneca Elders, the chief Shaman of the Cherokee Tribe in NC, and even the writings of Nostradamus, The Russian mathematician Sergey Smelyakov of Khartov University taking the constant Phi (1.6180339), the so called Golden Mean or the Fibonacci sequence, and applying it to solar activity and planetary orbits, found that everything seemed to spiral in on itself on December 21, 2012 implying a time implosion or point of bifurcation.The planet Venus is set to make a transit across the face of the sun on December 21, 2012 which happens very infrequently. It did happen recently, however, on June 8, 2004 which means it will happen again in eight years which is very unusual but predicted by the Mayans.I cannot tell you for certain that the earth will be consumed by fire in 2012 or that there will be a polar shift or severe earthquakes, but I can tell you with certainty that one day in the not too distant future it will be consumed by fire and experience a polar shift and severe earthquakes. I can say that because the word of God says so and it did beginning over 2700 years ago, long before the Mayans or the Aztecs or the Hopi or the Seneca or the I-Ching or Nostradamus.
Once before because of its sin the earth was destroyed by water in the Great Flood of Noah's day but the Bible says that the world will be destroyed again, this time by fire.The present heavens and earth, by His word, are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and the destruction of ungodly men (2Peter 3:7).But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat and the earth and its works will be burned up (2Peter 3:10).The sun scorched men with fire (Revelation 16:8).
A third of the earth was burned up and a third of the trees were burned up and all the green grass was burned up. A great mountain (asteroid?) burning with fire was thrown into the sea and a third of the sea became blood and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life died and a third of the ships were destroyed. And a great star (comet?) fell from heaven burning like a torch and it fell on a third of the rivers and springs of water (Revelation 8:7-11).The inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men are left (Isaiah 24:6).The hills melt and the earth is burned up (Nahum 1:5).
Once again, many have associated December 21, 2012 with a shift in the poles as well as signs in the sky. What does the Bible tell us about these events? The stars will fall from the sky (Matthew 24:29).If the earth shifts on its axis and we are thrown around, the stars will appear to fall but it will actually be us that are moving.The earth is broken asunder. The earth is split through. The earth is shaken violently. Thee earth reels to and fro like a drunkard and it totters like a shack (Isaiah 24:19-20).
Once again a shift in the polar axis might tear the earth apart.
There will be great earthquakes. The sun became black like sackcloth; the moon became like blood.The stars of the sky fell to the earth... The sky split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up.every mountain and island moved out of their place (Revelation 6:12-14).
More shaking of the earth.
There will be great earthquakes and in various places plagues and famines and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. There will be signs in the sun and the moon and stars and upon the earth great dismay among nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves. Men fainting from fear as the powers of heaven will be shaken (Luke 21:9, 25-26).Here we see the Bible tell us about signs in the heavens spoken of in relation to December 21, 2012. But what do we do when we see these things happening? When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you that this generation will not pass away until all things take place.But when these things begin to take place straighten up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:31,32, 28).
God assures us that:
Heaven and earth will pass away but My words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35).Some people ask why God takes so long to punish the ungodly:The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2Peter 3:9).Remember this as the end fast approaches.
EU DICTATOR (WORLD LEADER)
REVELATION 17:12-13
12 And the ten horns (NATIONS) which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
REVELATION 6:1-2
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse:(PEACE) and he that sat on him had a bow;(EU DICTATOR) and a crown was given unto him:(PRESIDENT OF THE EU) and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.(MILITARY GENIUS)
REVELATION 13:1-10
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.(THE EU AND ITS DICTATOR IS GODLESS)
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.(DICTATOR COMES FROM NEW AGE OR OCCULT)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;(MURDERERD) and his deadly wound was healed:(COMES BACK TO LIFE) and all the world wondered after the beast.(THE WORLD THINKS ITS GOD IN THE FLESH, MESSIAH TO ISRAEL)
4 And they worshipped the dragon (SATAN) which gave power unto the beast:(JEWISH EU DICTATOR) and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?(FALSE RESURRECTION,SATAN BRINGS HIM TO LIFE)
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.(GIVEN WORLD CONTROL FOR 3 1/2YRS)
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,(HES A GOD HATER) to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.(HES A LIBERAL OR DEMOCRAT,WILL PUT ANYTHING ABOUT GOD DOWN)
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints,(BEHEAD THEM) and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.(WORLD DOMINATION)
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.(WORLD DICTATOR)
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.(SAVED CHRISTIANS AND JEWS DIE FOR THEIR FAITH AT THIS TIME,NOW WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE BUT DURING THE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH, PEOPLE WILL BE PUT TO DEATH (BEHEADINGS) FOR THEIR BELIEF IN GOD (JESUS) OR THE BIBLE.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
MPs seek to make concerted use of new powers under EU treaty
23.04.2008 - 07:22 CET | By Leigh Phillips
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Dutch MPs are seeking to raise awareness of the extra powers that national parliamentarians will have under the bloc's new treaty to influence EU legislation and are proposing a practical system to ensure that MPs take advantage of it.Labour Party MP Luuk Blom and his colleague, Han Ten Broeke, of the liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), met EU ambassadors from the 27 member states in Brussels on Monday (21 April) to outline how they see the new system as working.The treaty introduces a system whereby MPs can object to proposed legislation by the European Commission.The commission has to reconsider – but not necessarily withdraw - a piece of legislation if one third of national parliaments object to it on subsidiarity grounds – the principle that the EU should only legislate where it is clear that it can do better than action at a more local level. This is has been dubbed the yellow card procedure.If a majority of parliaments continue to object, then the commission has to ask member states and the European Parliament for their opinion on the matter.This closes the democratic deficit that's been around in Europe for 50 years, said Mr Ten Broeke, without introducing something like a European Senate or a veto for national parliaments.
The Dutch politicians are pushing a paper produced by the European affairs committee in the Dutch parliament in which it is proposed that a group of MPs meet every two months to examine legislative proposals to see if they overstepped EU bounds. This group would answer to COSAC, the body bringing together representatives from all member state national parliaments.Currently, COSAC, dating back to 1997, only meets twice a year. It is an inter-parliamentary body composed of members of national parliaments that are knowledgeable about European affairs.Mr Blom and Mr Ten Broeke are aiming to have this proposal discussed at the next national parliament meeting on 7-8 May.It's a fundamental reform of the way COSAC does things, but it's also an expansion of their role, said Mr Blom.In the wake of the Netherlands' 2005 No vote against the proposed constitution, the Dutch strongly pushed to give a greater role to national parliaments, elevating it to a make or break issue during last year's negotiations on the Lisbon Treaty.The proposal is also about national parliaments taking their role seriously, he added. We are forever saying It's not our fault; It's Brussels fault. In fact, the fault was with national parliaments for not defending their interests, continued Mr Blom.The leaders of the Dutch No side have given the concept a guarded welcome.Haary van Bommel, the EU spokesperson in the Dutch lower house for the Socialist Party - which played a key role in organising the No campaign in 2005 - said: We think it's a step forward if it works, as it gives a greater role to national parliaments.They still have to find ways to make it work, as national parliaments will have to work together much more closely than they do now, he added. But it doesn't compensate for the handing over of national veto rights, he said, and these two MPs may think that this addresses the No side's complaints, but it's not a sufficient answer because it doesn't address the 95 percent of the Lisbon Treaty that's the same as the old constitution.
Merkel: No more money for Mediterranean Union
www.chinaview.cn 2008-04-24 00:13:01Print
BERLIN, April 23 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday told visiting Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak that there is no more money for promoting the Mediterranean Union. Speaking to the press after their meeting, Merkel said no new funding was needed for the Mediterranean Union, a project that has been initiated and enthusiastically pursued by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Berlin was reportedly skeptical of the Mediterranean Union, fearing that the project might divide the European Union (EU) as only 13 EU states along the Mediterranean Ocean are the target members of the project. Merkel told Mubarak that she was interested in promoting a Mediterranean Union, but insisted that all European countries should be involved. The Mediterranean region is politically so important that the whole of Europe must be responsible, not just the countries along the coast, Merkel said.
She called for more contact between Europe and the countries of the southern Mediterranean, welcoming Mubarak's involvement. The process would be advanced only if top political figures became involved, she said. The budget allocated by the EU to the project totals 16 billion euros (around 25 billion U.S. dollars) for the period from 2007 to2013, and is sufficient, Merkel said. Germany is the biggest net contributor to the budget of the EU.Editor: Yan Liang.
EU wipes England off map in new European Superstate borders
England has been wiped off a map of Europe drawn up by Brussels bureaucrats as part of a scheme that the Tories claim threatens to undermine the country's national identity.The new European plan splits England into three zones that are joined with areas in other countries.The Manche region covers part of southern England and northern France while the Atlantic region includes western parts of England, Portugal, Spain and Wales.The North Sea region includes eastern England, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and parts of Germany.
A copy of the map, which makes no reference to England or Britain, has even renamed the English Channel the Channel Sea.Each zone will have a transnational regional assembly, although they will not have extensive powers. However, the zones are regarded as symbolically important by other countries.German ministers claimed that the plan was about underlying the goal of a united Europe to permanently overcome old borders at a time when the Constitution for Europe needs to regain momentum.The Tories are drawing attention to the plan today, St George's Day. Eric Pickles, the shadow secretary of state for communities and local government, said: We already knew that Gordon Brown had hoisted the white flag of surrender to the European constitution.Now the Labour government has been caught red-handed, conspiring with European bureaucrats to create a European super-state via the back door.The disclosure of the European map comes as a YouGov poll commissioned by The Daily Telegraph showed that one third of people want England to have its own parliament.
Twenty per cent want England to be an independent country and for Britain to be broken up.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Think twice about EPA, says Marshall
Published on: 4/23/08.
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which Barbados and other Caribbean countries have initialled with Europe, has the potential to undermine CARICOM. Dr Don Marshall, senior research fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, warned Monday night that the EPA can seriously restrict the power of regional leaders to frame policy and to intervene to put their economies in order. Marshall was at the time leading a discussion at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus after making a presentation on the current state of play of the Caribbean Forum/European Union EPA. He suggested that Caribbean countries should sign only the trade in goods aspects of the full EPA and give themselves time to negotiate better deals on services, investment, government procurement, competition and intellectual property.
Marshall said unless this happened, not only will our domestic national policy space and autonomy be circumscribed, even our attempts to deepen the Single Market and Economy will also be circumscribed. This was because a lot of the EPA goes way beyond and has consolidated taxing issues that still occupy the agenda of COTED [the Council for Trade and Economic Development] and the agenda of different CARICOM councils, according to Marshall. He said that initialling the EPA with a number of problem areas undermines the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). . . . . I think the person with the most unenviable task now happens to be the current Prime Minister of Barbados because Barbados has the responsibility for pushing the CSME, he told a gathering which included students. But how could Barbados be leading a CSME at a time when its policy space is virtually shut? Marshall argued that Caribbean countries would be under surveillance in a joint CARIFORUM/EU Council being set up to oversee the EPA.
Caricom threat
This council will even have more power than our CARICOM Secretariat to enforce the rules of that EPA agreement, he said. He also said that the governance arrangements that will be in place by next year for the EPA will supersede any of the arrangements that we have under CARICOM. Regional governments are now undertaking a legal review of the text of the agreement with June 30, 2008 having been proposed as the date for full signing and provisional application of the agreement. However, Marshall cautioned Caribbean countries not to rush to sign the agreement. They should sign only the aspect of the EPA that is tolerable, he said, referring to the trade in goods. According to Marshall: There are a number of things that we signed onto beyond the trade in goods arrangements that we really need to pause, reflect and come up with a different strategy.A simple matter like access into Europe to deliver services represents a quagmire, he said. (TY)
FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU Rabbis seek to counter leftist European funding. Million-dollar campaign to warn against dangerous Israeli land giveaways April 22, 2008 10:19 pm Eastern 2008 WorldNetDaily
JERUSALEM – A group of hundreds of prominent rabbis here are seeking to counter European funding to leftist Israeli organizations that promote land giveaways by embarking on a multimillion-dollar campaign to fight Israeli territorial concessions to the Palestinians.Europe is currently supporting with millions of dollars leftist elements in Israel that are calling on Israel to concede more and more land. These elements for over 30 years have been gripped with a defeatist mentality and have been brainwashing the Israeli public that peace in Israel can be achieved only by constant dangerous withdrawals, said a statement by the Rabbinical Congress for Peace, a coalition of more than 350 Israeli rabbinic leaders and pulpit rabbis.The RCP has therefore launched a million-dollar campaign to counter the millions of dollars helping those elements and are causing great damage to the security of Israel.The rabbis plan an offensive that includes lobbying efforts, demonstrations, public education and outreach against giving up Israeli land.Jewish law forbids giving up border territory, stated Joseph Gerlitzky, a senior Tel Aviv rabbi and chairman of the Rabbinical Congress for Peace.
It's in Chapter 329 of the Code of Jewish Law, a Torah and Talmud-based text considered the most authoritative compilation of Jewish laws and customs, explained Garlitsky. It states in no uncertain terms that it if you are living in a border town it is absolutely forbidden to give up even one inch of territory to those on the other side who may harm you on the grounds that it will lead to massive bloodshed.This is not merely a statement on paper but unfortunately has been proven true time and time again. Whenever Israel gave up territory to the Palestinians, they used it as a launching pad to strike at Israel again, Garlitsky stated.The RCP this month is urging a religious partner of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government to immediately bolt the Israeli leader's coalition amid rampant media reports Jerusalem is up for negotiations.The rabbis warned that if the Orthodox Shas party remains in Olmert's government, they will urge Jews against supporting Shas. If the party bolts, Olmert's coalition government could fall apart, precipitating new elections.We are seriously considering issuing a statement declaring it is absolutely forbidden for any observant Jew to vote for a party that lent its support to a government that negotiated the division of Jerusalem, a move that will place the entire population in Israel in mortal danger, Rabbi Avrohom Shmuel Lewin, director general of the RCP, told WND.In unprecedented criticism of his father, RCP member Rabbi Jacob Yosef, the son of the Shas spiritual leader Ovadia Yosef, demanded his father's party immediately bolt Olmert's government due to negotiations over Jerusalem.Jacob Yosef accused the Shas party of selling Jerusalem for 478 million Israeli shekels, or $138 million. Yosef's father serves as the spiritual leader of Shas, where he is also considered the party's more important and revered figure.
Last month, the Knesset's Finance Committee approved $138 million in government funds to Shas' educational institutions as part of the party's coalition agreement with Olmert.How dare you sell out Jerusalem for 478 million shekels. Jerusalem is worth more than all monies in the world, said Yosef, rabbi of the Givat Mordechai neighborhood in Jerusalem, addressing his father's party.The Israeli Shas party has stated it would bolt the prime minister's coalition if it becomes clear the Israeli government is negotiating to cede of any part of Jerusalem.Shas denies Jerusalem is being discussed during weekly Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, which commenced after last November's U.S.-sponsored Annapolis summit.
Nobody is talking about Jerusalem. The moment Jerusalem is being discussed, Shas will leave the government – period, Shas spokesman Roi Lachmanovitch told Israel National News.A Rabbinical Congress for Peace statement issued earlier this month retorted: Every novice journalist and anyone listening to the news in Israel knows that giving up large chunks of Jerusalem has been on the negotiating table for quite some time and is in its advanced stages. Only the representatives of Shas are burying their heads in the ground and pretend they know of nothing.They are lying to themselves and deceiving their electorate. The Shas ministers know that Olmert and Abbas have agreed not to make public any agreement on Jerusalem until after the final signature in order to keep Shas in the government, said the RCP statement.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated numerous times Jerusalem is being negotiated. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has said all core issues are being discussed during regular negotiations initiated at the Annapolis summit.Olmert's government has hinted a number of times it will divide Jerusalem.In December, Israeli Vice Premier Haim Ramon said the country must give up sections of Jerusalem for a future Palestinian state, even conceding the Palestinians can rename Jerusalem to whatever they want.We must come today and say, friends, the Jewish neighborhoods, including Har Homa, will remain under Israeli sovereignty, and the Arab neighborhoods will be the Palestinian capital, which they will call Jerusalem or whatever they want, said Ramon during an interview.Positions held by Ramon, a ranking member of Olmert's Kadima party, are largely considered to be reflective of Israeli government policy.
Olmert himself recently questioned whether it was really necessary to retain Arab-majority eastern sections of Jerusalem.Israel recaptured eastern Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount – Judaism's holiest site – during the 1967 Six Day War. The Palestinians have claimed eastern Jerusalem as a future capital; the area has large Arab neighborhoods, a significant Jewish population and sites holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.About 231,000 Arabs live in Jerusalem, mostly in eastern neighborhoods, and many reside in illegally constructed complexes. The city has an estimated total population of 724,000.
JERUSALEM DIVIDED
ZECHARIAH 12:1-5 King James Bible
1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
ZECHARIAH 14:1-9 King James Bible
1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
REBUILT 3RD TEMPLE (THE EU DICTATORS TEMPLE)
REVELATION 11:1-2
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
DANIEL 9:27
27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
REBUILT 4TH TEMPLE (THE TRUE MESSIAHS TEMPLE)
ZECHARIAH 6:12-13
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
ISAIAH 60:9-10
9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
ISAIAH 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
MARK 11:9-10,15-17
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
EZEKIEL 40 TO 48 IS THIS 4TH TEMPLE TO BIG FOR THE MOUNT I BELIEVE TO BE BUILT 25 MILES FROM JERUSALEM.
Temple replica to be erected opposite Western Wall
A grandiose museum featuring an elaborated massive replica of the Temple is currently being erected opposite the Western Wall.The three-storey museum, whose construction is valued at nearly $20 million will be erected in the Aish HaTorah (Fire of the Torah) Yeshiva complex. The museum will feature a journey through Jewish history, from the days of Abraham to the present, emphasizing the message and significance of the Jewish people’s presence in the Land of Israel and their degree of accomplishment in world improvement.Rabbi Yehuda Weinberg, in charge of the project’s establishment, told Yedioth Ahronoth Wednesday: We are not taking a political stance, and added that the museum is also being sponsored by Canadian tycoon, Leslie Dan, a shareholder in Teva pharmaceutical Industries.In addition to the great lavish interior, the museum’s crowning glory is no doubt the massive amphitheater, whose cost is being sponsored by veteran Hollywood star Kirk Douglas, and his no less famous son, Michael.The amphitheater will feature a three-dimensional film depicting the history of the Jewish nation over a huge glass screen through which one can see the Western Wall. The museum will also include a learning center with a VIP wing to host movie stars, politicians and other celebrities from Israel and abroad.
The company in charge of the museum’s construction is the same international company that built visitor sites such as the Tower of London Museum and the World Museum Liverpool. The Aloni Company will provide special technology that handles marble polishing for reproducing historical ornamentation.Ephraim Shor, in charge of the museum curation on behalf of the Yeshiva, commented that this will be an audio-visual experience incorporating scents, so that the act of entering the Temple will be done with awe of God.
Israel's UN ambassador calls Jimmy Carter a bigot By VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press Writer APR 25,08
NEW YORK - Israel's ambassador to the United Nations on Thursday called former President Jimmy Carter a bigot for meeting with the leader of the militant Hamas movement in Syria. Carter, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, went to the region with soiled hands and came back with bloody hands after shaking the hand of Khaled Mashaal, the leader of Hamas, Ambassador Dan Gillerman told a luncheon briefing for reporters.The diplomat was questioned about problems facing his country during a wide-ranging discussion with reporters lasting more than an hour. The briefing was sponsored by The Israel Project, a Washington-based, media-oriented advocacy group.The ambassador's harsh words for Carter came days after the ex-president met with Mashaal for seven hours in Damascus to negotiate a cease-fire with Gaza's Hamas rulers. Carter then called Mashaal on Monday to try to get him to agree to a one-month truce without conditions, but the Hamas leader rejected the idea.The ambassador called last weekend's encounter a very sad episode in American history.He said it was a shame to see Carter, who had done good things as a former president, turn into what I believe to be a bigot.
Telephone calls by The Associated Press to two Atlanta numbers for Carter were not immediately returned Thursday.Gillerman said Hamas is armed and trained by Iran, whose president once called for Israel to be wiped off the map.The real danger, the real problem is not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the real threat is Iran, he said.Gillerman spoke with reporters from around the world at the Times Square offices of a New York law firm on the day Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was in Washington meeting with President Bush.The ambassador said he was quite optimistic about the chances for an Israeli-Palestinian agreement because Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have met more times than any previous leaders of the two sides.I believe they've gone deeper and further than any other Israeli or Palestinian leader, and I believe that there is a very good chance (for a settlement), he said.Gillerman also was asked about another topic involving the U.S. government and Israel: the arrest last week in New Jersey of an 84-year-old man accused of passing U.S. weapons program secrets to an Israeli agent a quarter-century ago.Retired U.S. military engineer Ben-ami Kadish faces charges linking him to the same now-defunct Israeli intelligence agency that used Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a life sentence for spying for Israel.
Gillerman called it a very old matter.
It pertains to something that may or may not have happened 25 years ago and would be decided when Kadish goes to trial, he said.In the wake of the Pollard case, the ambassador said Israel had made a pledge not to spy on the United States, and that is something which I know that we have honored completely.The ambassador declined to comment on U.S. government reports that Syria was building a nuclear reactor with North Korean assistance before it was bombed by Israeli planes last year. Gillerman called Syria a destabilizing influence in the Middle East. You see Syria's hosting, very hospitably and warmly, over 10 terror organizations in Damascus, the ambassador said, adding that the country also supports Hezbollah, an anti-Israeli Shiite group in Lebanon with close ties to Iran and Syria. Basically, Syria and Iran, together with Hamas and Hezbollah, are the main axes of terror and evil in the world, the Israeli ambassador said.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Egyptian report says Hamas offers 6-month truce with Israel By OMAR SINAN, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 24, 7:06 PM ET
CAIRO, Egypt - The Palestinian group Hamas is proposing a six-month cease-fire with Israel, saying it will stop firing rockets out of Gaza if the Jewish state simultaneously lifts its blockade of the coastal strip, Egypt's state run MENA news agency said Thursday night. The report followed a day of closed meetings between Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar and Egypt's intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, who has been mediating between Israel and the Islamic militant group in hopes of halting their fighting.Hamas has taken a much softer stance the past week, but any deal appeared distant. While Egypt clearly is acting as a communications channel between the two sides, Israel insists it won't negotiate with Hamas, which it considers a terrorist group, as does the United States.Hamas officials, who previously have called for Israel to first lift its blockade before any truce, could not be reached by The Associated Press late Thursday to comment on the MENA report. There was no immediate reaction from Israel.
MENA's report came two days after senior members of Hamas said the group was willing to accept a truce limited to the Gaza Strip, dropping a long-standing demand that the West Bank be included in a halt to fighting with Israel.Israeli officials responded to those comments by saying Israel would keep up military pressure on Hamas as long as the group threatened Israeli civilians, an allusion to near daily rocket salvos at towns in southern Israel and recent militant attacks on border posts.The Hamas representatives said Tuesday that the group's position would be laid out Thursday during the meeting with Suleiman.We have affirmed the group's approval of a truce in Gaza Strip ... that could be expanded to the West Bank and would be set at six months, Zahar was quoted by MENA as saying after the meeting.The truce should be accepted by both sides, Zahar added, saying a condition was that Israel simultaneously lifts its blockade of Gaza and reopens the border, including the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.Israel shut the border passages after Hamas fighters seized control of Gaza last June in five days of fighting with the security forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose administration is now limited to the West Bank.
The blockade has cut off all but humanitarian aid, causing severe fuel shortages and emptying store shelves of many goods in Gaza.
Israel is wary of reopening the border, fearing Hamas would use the relief to rebuild its strength and consolidate its hold on Gaza. Hamas suicide attacks have killed hundreds of Israelis and the group is openly dedicated to the Jewish state's destruction.Zahar said the truce offer had the blessing of Hamas' exiled top leadership in Syria.He said Egypt would outline his group's proposal in talks with other Palestinian factions next week, after which Suleiman planned to take it to Israel for consideration.The ball now is in the Israeli field, Zahar said. If Israel doesn't comply then it will be of our right to defend our people in all legitimate ways, he said.The public shift in Hamas' position began with statements by Khaled Mashaal, the group's Syrian-based political leader, after he met with former President Carter last week.Mashaal said Hamas would accept a peace deal with Israel, provided it was approved in a referendum of all Palestinians. He also proposed a 10-year truce if Israel withdraws from the West Bank and east Jerusalem.At the same time, Mashaal offered no recognition of Israel and he rejected a request from Carter that Hamas halt rocket attacks from Gaza. Amos Gilad, a senior Israel Defense Ministry official, said Tuesday that Mashaal had offered nothing of substance.
FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
FAMINE
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Thai rice hits new record, feeding food fears By Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat Thu Apr 24, 5:10 AM ET
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Rice prices in Thailand, the world's top exporter, surged to $1,000 a tonne on Thursday, feeding concerns about food security as far as the United States after export curbs by governments worldwide. The surging price of food and fuel has sparked riots in Africa and Haiti and raised fears that millions of the world's poor will struggle to feed themselves. Some analysts, however, attribute much of the surge to panic buying by both consumers and governments rather than a dire shortage of supply.
After this week's over five percent jump rice prices stand nearly three times higher than the start of the year. With no sign of the rally relenting, as traders expect more buyers to come into the market, government anxiety about social unrest from the soaring cost of Asia's staple will deepen.The crisis, started with India's imposition of export curbs to protect domestic supplies last year, and was felt in the United States this week, with a few major retailers saying they had started to notice signs of panic buying.
Sam's Club, a unit of retail giant Wal-Mart, said on Wednesday it was capping sales of 20-pound (9 kg) bulk bags of rice at four bags per customer per visit to prevent hoarding.The previous day, rival Costco Wholesale Corp said it had seen increased demand for items such as rice and flour as customers, worried about global food shortages, stocked up.Everywhere you see, there is some story about food shortages and hoarding and tightness of supplies, said Neauman Coleman, an analyst and rice broker in Brinkley, Arkansas.
NEW ERA?
In Bangkok, some traders said Thai 100-percent B grade white rice, the world's benchmark, could hit $1,300 a tonne due to unsated demand from number-one importer the Philippines, which fell well short of filling a 500,000 tonne tender last week.There is also a big question mark over Iran and Indonesia, two countries that normally buy as much as 1 million tonnes of Thai rice each year but which have bought nothing so far in 2008 because of the soaring prices.Even though some analysts say the price, part of a wider global rally in crop prices, is based on jittery governments rather than fundamentals, Thailand's top exporters say the world is now set for an era of expensive food.Prices will remain firm for the rest of the year, Chookiat Ophaswongse, head of the Rice Exporters Association in Bangkok, told Reuters.Rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade climbed 2.5 percent on Wednesday to an all-time high of $24.85 per hundredweight.However, grain futures tumbled four percent to a five-month low due to expectations of a large global wheat crop in 2008.With the northern hemisphere harvest only two months away, officials said planting had started well in Western Australia after good rains, while India said a record harvest and bulging government stocks meant no imports were needed this year.
China's top wheat-growing provinces of Henan and Shandong were also looking at a bumper winter harvest after recent rains, the Xinhua news agency said.
CRTICISM OF EXPORT CURBS
Brazil became the latest country on Wednesday to suspend rice exports, following in the footsteps of India and its close rival for the mantle of world number-two supplier, Vietnam. Thailand, which accounts for nearly a third of all rice traded globally, has said repeatedly it would not impose any curbs, a stance that has earned it plaudits from the World Bank for being a responsible international trading partner.Thailand has even gone the extra mile to explore additional land for rice production, James Adams, the bank's Vice President for East Asia Pacific, said in a statement.
The Asian Development Bank and free-trade advocates have criticized the export curbs as an overreaction that has distorted the market.
If we restrict trade, we're simply going to add food scarcity to the already large problems of food shortages that exist in different countries, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said.
(Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Darren Schuettler and Valerie Lee)
DISEASES
REVELATION 6:7-8
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).
UN chief to announce plan to eliminate deaths from malaria By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer APR 25,08
UNITED NATIONS - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will announce a global initiative Friday that steps up the fight against malaria — seeking to eventually wipe out a tropical scourge blamed for killing a million people a year. In a video message for a World Malaria Day event at U.N. headquarters, Ban said the initiative will offer indoor spraying and bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticide to all people at risk, especially women and children in Africa. The video was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.
It will also ensure that public health facilities have access to effective malaria treatment and diagnosis, that health workers are trained to deal with the disease, and that research into its eradication is encouraged, Ban said.Ban said he wants these measures in place in just a few years. The aim is to put a stop to malaria deaths by ensuring universal coverage by the end of 2010.
The secretary-general said that several African countries have made dramatic strides in malaria control, but the most affected nations remain off track to reach the goal of halting and reversing the incidence of the disease.That is why today, together with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, I am putting forward a bold but achievable vision, Ban said.The Roll Back Malaria initiative was launched in 1998 by the World Health Organization and its partners with the goal of reducing malaria deaths by half by 2010. At the midway point, when they assessed their accomplishments, it turned out that there were more malaria cases than when they had started.
Some of the key interventions included distributing bed nets and using more insecticides — but the program never really got wide coverage. Only about 2 percent of African children sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets.Ban and the partnership decided that they want to tackle the problem on a larger scale.Malaria still kills more than one million people every year, he said. The toll it is taking is unacceptable — all the more so because malaria is preventable and treatable.American philanthropist Ray Chambers, who was appointed in February as the secretary-general's special envoy for malaria, said he is optimistic the goal of eventually eliminating malaria deaths.He (Ban) is able to call for that because we have the best technology — the long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets last approximately five years — and we have significantly more funding available than ever before in history, Chambers said in an interview.Ban is calling for bet net coverage for an additional 500 million people — which will require 250 million bed nets.That's four-to-five times what we've done in the past, so that's a real ratcheting up, Chambers said.Chambers said the Global Fund, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other groups trying to fight malaria are assembling a team to provide supervision of the campaign.We have to address everywhere, but 90 percent of the deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, so the initial concentration will be in the most endemic countries, he said.We have the resources and the know-how, Ban said in his message. But we have less than 1,000 days before the end of 2010.Chambers stressed, however, that the campaign won't be over.
Ultimately, he said, the goal is eradication. We're not likely to eradicate malaria without an effective vaccine, and that might be quite a few years away, Chambers said.
Canada in best position to weather storm of uncertain global economy: Harper Thu Apr 24, 4:53 PMBy The Canadian Press
LAVAL, Que. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada is in the best position among G7 countries to ride the unpredictable waves of today's world economy. Harper says the Canada's fundamentals are strong despite uncertain economic times.The prime minister made the comments today in a speech to a chamber of commerce in Laval, north of Montreal. He says initiatives such as lowering income taxes and trimming the national debt have been key to Canada's economic success. Still, Harper is predicting the growth of the country's trade-intensive economy to slow in the next two years. He says Canada faces challenges from the U.S. economic slowdown, difficult credit markets, global financial volatility and the drop of the American dollar. Harper also says if the government followed the wishes of opposition parties the country would have to increase taxes or run a deficit or both.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.(SYRIA DESTROYED)
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
U.S. Sees N. Korean Links to Reactor By DAVID E. SANGER
Published: April 24, 2008
WASHINGTON — After seven months of near-total secrecy, the White House is preparing to make public on Thursday video evidence of North Koreans working at a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor just before it was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike last September.
Oded Balilty/Associated Press
Christopher R. Hill, the top American negotiator in nuclear talks with North Korea. Until now, the administration has refused to discuss the video or the attack, other than in a highly classified briefing for a few allies and crucial members of Congress.But senior officials in Israel and the United States have said the target was a nascent nuclear reactor that had been under construction for years. Israeli and American analysts had concluded that it was loosely modeled on the reactor North Korea used to obtain the fuel for its small nuclear weapons arsenal. Israeli jets destroyed the site on Sept. 6, and the Syrians, after issuing some protests, bulldozed the area and constructed a building on the exact footprint of the old one. They have refused to allow international nuclear inspectors to visit the location.The timing of the administration’s decision to declassify information about the Syrian project has raised widespread suspicions, especially in the State Department, that Vice President Dick Cheney and other administration hawks were hoping that releasing the information might undermine a potential deal with North Korea that would take it off an American list of state sponsors of terrorism.Making public the pictures is likely to inflame the North Koreans, said one senior administration official who would not speak on the record because the White House and the State Department have declared there would be no public comment until the evidence is released. And that’s just what opponents of this whole arrangement want, because they think the North Koreans will stalk off.
But another senior official said it was possible that the revelations would force the North Koreans to describe their actions in Syria more fully when they issued a long delayed declaration of their nuclear activities.That proposed deal, negotiated by Christopher R. Hill, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs and the primary interlocutor with North Korea, has become the latest battleground in a seven-year struggle within the Bush administration over North Korea policy.That policy has veered from efforts to squeeze North Korea in hopes that the government of Kim Jong-il will collapse, to negotiating with the country alongside Russia, China, South Korea and Japan, each of which has pursued a somewhat different approach toward the North.
Mr. Hill was put in charge of the talks more than three years ago in the hope of finding a new way to deal with the North Koreans. But support for him has wavered, and President Bush has repeatedly warned aides not to agree to anything that makes me look weak, according to former officials who sat in on meetings with him on North Korea.Mr. Cheney’s office and other conservatives have argued that Mr. Hill’s proposed deal would amount to a huge concession. In return for a minimal declaration from North Korea — an accounting of how much plutonium it has produced — it would be removed from the terrorism list and would no longer be subject to economic sanctions under the Trading With the Enemy Act.North Korea has refused to say what, exactly, it provided to the Syrians, or what happened to an effort to start a second pathway to building arms, using uranium. The deal would allow the North to continue to fudge on those matters, leaving unexplained the question of why it appeared to be buying uranium enrichment equipment from Pakistan. That equipment, many experts believe, was intended to help North Korea build a second path to a bomb, in case it was forced to give up its plutonium program.In a presentation on Thursday to crucial members of Congress, and then in a presentation to reporters, American intelligence officials are expected to show images from a video, believed to have been obtained through Israeli intelligence services. The video, which Mr. Hill has shown to senior South Korean officials, shows Korean faces among the workers at the Syrian plant.Other pictures, officials say, show what appears to be the construction of a reactor vessel inside the building that Israel later destroyed. It is unclear what the administration is willing to release. Syria’s ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, did not answer messages left for him on Wednesday.
For weeks after the Israeli attack in September, neither Israeli nor American officials would talk about the attack, Israel’s first on a nuclear site since the 1981 attack on the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq.When The New York Times published a lengthy account of the Syria attack on Oct. 14, revealing that Israeli and American analysts judged that the target was a partly constructed nuclear reactor, Mr. Bush and the White House refused to answer questions about it. Later, officials said they feared that the Syrians would retaliate against Israel if they felt publicly humiliated. It is not clear what has changed, apart from the politics of the moment. Mr. Hill’s boss, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has not voiced strong support for Mr. Hill’s effort to coax the North Koreans along, granting them rewards for steps along the way to compliance with a deal that calls, ultimately, for the country to give up its weapons.Ms. Rice has been a strong critic of the 1994 agreement between North Korea and the Clinton administration, complaining that it was front loaded with rewards for the North.
That is exactly what critics say she and Mr. Hill have done in the most recent agreement. But Mr. Hill has argued in private that the Syrian episode and the uranium enrichment are side shows, and that the critical issue is stopping North Korea from producing more plutonium and giving up what it has. But his State Department colleagues say that he has been told not to defend the deal, or even explain it.He’s feeling pretty abandoned by Rice and Bush, one of his colleagues said Wednesday. Mr. Hill did not respond to messages.
White House says Syria must come clean about nuclear work By PAMELA HESS and DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writers APR 25,08
WASHINGTON - The White House said Thursday that North Korea's secret work on a nuclear reactor with Syria was a dangerous and potentially destabilizing development for the world, raising doubts about Pyongyang's intention to carry through with a promised disclosure of its nuclear activities. Seven months after Israel bombed the reactor, the White House broke its silence and said North Korea assisted Syria's secret nuclear program and that the destroyed facility was not intended for peaceful purposes.Top U.S. intelligence officials who briefed reporters said they had high confidence in the judgment that North Korea had aided Syria with its nuclear program and the intention was to produce plutonium. But they claimed only low confidence for the conclusion that it was meant for weapons development, in part because there was no reprocessing facility at the site — something that would be needed to extract plutonium from spent reactor fuel for use in a bomb.
The Bush administration's assertions could undermine six-party negotiations to try to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea. But a senior administration official told reporters he hoped the disclosure would instead provide leverage to officials trying to get an accurate accounting of North Korea's nuclear and proliferation activities.The White House issued a two-page statement after lawmakers were given details about the reactor in a series of briefings on Capitol Hill that included a video presentation of intelligence information the administration contends establishes a strong link between North Korea's nuclear program and the bombed Syrian site. The briefing also included still photographs that showed a strong resemblance between specific features of the plant and one near Yongbyon in North Korea.Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the revelations make it clear that any deal to eliminate North Korea's nuclear programs must also stop its proliferation activities and include vigorous verification. But he said the information in the briefings was not a cause to end the talks.To the contrary, it underscores the need for pursuing the talks, which remain our best chance to convince North Korea to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and to stop proliferation, Biden said.The White House said the International Atomic Energy Agency also was being briefed on the intelligence.While calling North Korea's nuclear assistance to Syria a dangerous manifestation of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program and its proliferation activities, the White House said it remained committed to the talks.
The United States became aware North Korea was helping Syria with a nuclear project in 2003, said intelligence officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the matter's sensitivity. The critical intelligence that cemented that conclusion, they said, came last year: dozens of photographs taken from ground level over a period of time, showing the construction both inside and outside the building.The Israeli strike on Sept. 6, 2007, ripped open the structure, known as the Al Kibar reactor, and revealed even more evidence to spy satellites: reinforced concrete walls that echoed the design of the Yongbyon reactor.After the attack, Syria tried to bury evidence of its existence and erected a new building to hide the site. The building is not believed to house a new reactor, the officials said.This coverup only served to reinforce our confidence that this reactor was not intended for peaceful activities, White House press secretary Dana Perino said. The Syrian regime must come clean before the world regarding its illicit nuclear activities.
The Syrian reactor was within weeks or months of being functional when Israeli jets destroyed it, a top U.S. official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The official said the facility was mostly completed but still needed fueling and significant testing before it could be declared operational.We had to assume they could throw the switch at any time, a senior intelligence official said.
No uranium, which is needed to fuel a reactor, was evident at the site, a remote area of eastern Syria along the Euphrates River. But senior U.S. intelligence officials said the reactor was similar in design to the North Korean reactor at Yongbyon, which has in the past produced small amounts of plutonium, the material needed to make powerful nuclear weapons.A senior intelligence official said the intelligence agencies believe North Korea was motivated by cash rather than a desire to obtain plutonium from the reactor.
Syria has maintained in the past that the site was an unused military facility, and on Thursday, its embassy denounced what it called the U.S. campaign of false allegations. It accused the administration of trying to mislead Congress and world opinion in order to justify the Israeli raid in September of 2007, which the current U.S. administration may have helped execute.Senior U.S. officials said the U.S. military was not involved in the attack, and the U.S. government, although informed in advance, did not approve it. Israel made the decision to attack, a senior administration official said. It did so without any so-called green light from us. None was asked for and none was given.It has become obvious that this maneuver on the part of this administration comes within the framework of the North Korean nuclear negotiations, the Syrian statement said. And in an apparent reference to prewar claims by the Bush administration that Iraq had possessed weapons of mass destruction, the statement concluded: The Syrian government hopes that the international community and the American public, particularly, will be more cautious and aware this time around in facing such unfounded allegations.Top members of the House Intelligence Committee who were briefed on the reactor said it posed a serious threat of spreading dangerous nuclear materials.
This is a serious proliferation issue, both for the Middle East and the countries that may be involved in Asia, said Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich. Hoekstra and Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, told reporters after the closed briefing that they were angry that the Bush administration had delayed informing the full committee for so long. That delay has created friction that may imperil congressional support for Bush's policies toward North Korea and Syria, Hoekstra said. The White House also used its statement as an opportunity to denounce the nuclear activities of Iran, which it says is a threat to the stability of the Middle East. Perino said the international community must take further steps, beginning with full implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. While Washington was awash in condemnation of North Korea's proliferation activities, the communist regime is expressing optimism about current six-party negotiations with the United States, China, South Korea, Russia and Japan. The optimism over the talks is raising hopes of breaking the impasse that has deadlocked arms negotiations. North Korea's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it had discussed technical matters with the Americans for moving forward on that and other agreements from the arms talks. The negotiations proceeded in a sincere and constructive manner and progress was made, the ministry said in a statement.
As part of that process, the North is required to submit a declaration detailing its programs and proliferation activity, but the talks are stalled over Pyongyang's refusal to publicly admit the Syria connection. However, officials say the North Koreans are willing to accept international concern about unspecified proliferation. Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann, Barry Schweid, Matthew Lee, Anne Flaherty, Edith Lederer and Bassem Mroueh contributed to this report.
Link
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Cooler temperatures slow flood waters on New Brunswick's St. John River Thu Apr 24, 4:31 PMBy Chris Morris, The Canadian Press
FREDERICTON - Cooler temperatures on Thursday brought relief to residents of the Fredericton area who have been bailing out basements and canoeing down streets on the flood waters of the swollen St. John River. The Emergency Measures Office in New Brunswick said it expects water flows to begin levelling off on Friday, thanks to a dip in temperature that slowed the rate of snow melt. Andy Morton, deputy director of the province's EMO, said water levels have risen about 10 centimetres since Wednesday. The cold temperatures are certainly going to help reduce the run-off from snow melt quite substantially, but that having been said, there is still a lot of water in the system, he said. With any luck, we may be entering into a sort of fairly steady state for the next couple of days.The St. John River floods every spring in New Brunswick, to varying degrees. The flood this year isn't as bad as the one in 2005, but it's worse than floods in 2006 and 2007. The unusually heavy snowfall this winter is being blamed for the high water this spring.
To date, damage has been minimal.
About 30 families have left their homes to wait out the annual flood and several sections of road that run along the banks of the St. John have been closed. The river has washed across much of the old Trans-Canada Highway outside Fredericton, a picturesque route that hugs the banks of the river and almost always floods in the spring. Only residents of the area were allowed to use the water-covered road, which is barricaded by police checkpoints. In one suburban area, next to a flooded tree nursery appropriately called Wetmore's, residents moved belongings out of lower sections of their homes as rising waters filled basements and garages. Some residents paddled along neighbourhood streets in canoes. Pauline Branston loaded a tractor-trailer parked in her driveway with such items as lawnmowers and snowblowers. You have to take precautions because you don't get compensation for items that can be moved, she said. We're taking everything out of the basement and garage.
Branston said she has been lucky so far and there was no water in her basement. But neighbour Dan Snow said his basement was under about 1.5 metres of water. He said he gave up on the job of trying to keep the water out, turned off his overheated sump pump and watched the mighty St. John bubble up in his basement. Living next to the river is a burden in the spring, Snow said, but he enjoys it too much during the rest of the year to move. The water comes up, but it goes down, he said. You just clean up afterwards and when you're done and the water is down and the place is dry, it's great.
City officials are asking recreational boaters to stay off the river. They said there's a fast-flowing current and a lot of debris in the water.
OZONE DEPLETION
ISAIAH 30:26-27
26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
MATTHEW 24:21-22,29
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened (Daylight hours shortened)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
REVELATION 16:7-9
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Using chemicals to cut global warming may damage ozone layer By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer Thu Apr 24, 6:14 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The rule of unintended consequences threatens to strike again. Some researchers have suggested that injecting sulfur compounds into the atmosphere might help ease global warming by increasing clouds and haze that would reflect sunlight. After all, they reason, when volcanoes spew lots of sulfur, months or more of cooling often follows.But a new study warns that injecting enough sulfur to reduce warming would wipe out the Arctic ozone layer and delay recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole by as much as 70 years.
Our research indicates that trying to artificially cool off the planet could have perilous side effects, said Simone Tilmes of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.While climate change is a major threat, more research is required before society attempts global geoengineering solutions, said Tilmes, lead author of a paper appearing in Thursday's online edition of the journal Science.And while one study worries that fixing climate will destroy ozone, another raises the possibility that recovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica will worsen warming in that region.
A full recovery of the ozone hole could modify climate in the Southern Hemisphere and even amplify Antarctic warming, scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA report in a paper scheduled for Geophysical Research Letters.Although temperatures have been rising worldwide, there has been cooling in the interior of Antarctica in summer, which researchers attribute to the depletion of ozone overhead.If the successful control of ozone-depleting substances allows for a full recovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica, we may finally see the interior of Antarctica begin to warm with the rest of the world, said Judith Perlwitz of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, a joint institute of CU-Boulder and NOAA.The authors used a NASA supercomputer to model interactions between the climate and stratospheric ozone chemistry. A return to pre-1969 ozone levels would mean atmospheric circulation patterns now shielding the Antarctic interior from warmer air to the north will begin to break down during the summer, they concluded.The idea of reversing global warming by injecting sulfates into the air was suggested by eruptions such as the 1991 blast by Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which produced a brief cooling.The massive 1815 eruption of Tambora in what is now Indonesia produced such a strong cooling that 1816 became known as the year without a summer in New England, where snow fell in every month of the year.
But Tilmes knew that volcanic eruptions also temporarily thin the ozone layer, which protects people, plants and animals from the most dangerous ultraviolet rays from the sun.So she and colleagues calculated the effect of suggested sulfate injections and concluded that the result, over the next few decades, would be to destroy between one-fourth to three-fourths of the ozone layer above the Arctic. This would affect a large part of the Northern Hemisphere because of atmospheric circulation patterns.The sulfates would also delay the expected recovery of the ozone hole over the Antarctic by about 30 to 70 years, or until at least the last decade of this century, they said.The research was supported by the United Kingdom Meteorological Office, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and NASA.The study comes just a day after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that despite efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, the rate of increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is accelerating.Concern has grown in recent years about such gases, with most atmospheric scientists concerned that the accumulation is causing increases in the earth's temperature, potentially disrupting climate and changing patterns of rainfall, drought and other storms. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has worked to detail the scientific bases of this problem and the Kyoto agreement sought to encourage countries to take steps to reduce their greenhouse emissions. Some countries, particularly in Europe, have taken steps to reduce emissions.
But carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas have continued to increase. Since 2000, annual increases of two parts per million or more have been common, compared with 1.5 ppm per year in the 1980s and less than one ppm per year during the 1960s, NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory said. Last year the increase was 2.4 parts per million. Meanwhile, in a separate paper in Science, researchers said human activities are at least partly responsible for the Arctic having become a wetter place over the last half century. Seung-Ki Min of Environment Canada, and colleagues, studied rain and snowfall patterns in the arctic and the factors affecting them. They concluded that human-induced greenhouse gases have contributed to the increased precipitation rates observed in the Arctic region over the past 60 years. They warned that this Arctic moistening could occur more quickly than current climate simulations indicate.
Their work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Canadian International Polar Year Program. On the Net: Science: http://www.sciencemag.org
New Zealand's largest glacier will disappear: scientists Thu Apr 24, 2:55 AM ET
WELLINGTON (AFP) - New Zealand's largest glacier is shrinking fast due to climate change and will eventually disappear altogether, scientists said Thursday. The 23-kilometre (14.3 mile) long glacier in the South Island's Southern Alps is likely to shrink at a rate of between 500 and 820 metres a year, said Martin Brook, a physical geography lecturer at Massey University.In the last 10 years the glacier has receded a hell of a lot, Brook said on the university website.It's just too warm for a glacier to be sustained at such a low altitude -- 730 metres above sea level -- so it melts rapidly and it is going to disappear altogether.The rapid melting has seen a lake seven kilometres long and two kilometres wide form at the base of the glacier. Thirty-five years ago, the lake did not exist.
The last major survey was in the 1990s and since then the glacier has retreated back 180 metres a year on average, Brook said.The lake at the foot of the glacier is speeding up the melting as more ice is submerged under the surface of the water.A study last year by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research found the volume of ice in the Southern Alps had shrunk almost 11 percent in the past 30 years.More than 90 percent of this loss was due to the melting of the 12 largest glaciers in the mountain range due to rising temperatures, the university report said.
Manitoba socked by snow, freezing rain Thu Apr 24, 1:02 PM
CALGARY (CBC) - A winter storm warning remained in effect in southern Manitoba Thursday morning as heavy snow and freezing rain fell on Winnipeg and most of the region.Winnipeg could see about five centimetres of snow before the storm system moves out of the area shortly after noon, Environment Canada meteorologist Dave Carlsen said Thursday morning.The area around Elie and Portage la Prairie, west of Winnipeg, could receive as much as 15 centimetres.
It came in two bands, Carlsen said. There was the first one that came through last night, and it was so-so, but then the second one, which is the one we're looking at now, that came from a bunch of thunderstorms that popped up in the Dakotas last night and it's moved along here to be in southern Manitoba, just [in time] for the morning commute.Several school divisions in Manitoba cancelled bus service or classes due to the inclement weather.Dozens of highways in the region were covered with snow, ice or slush Thursday morning, with poor visibility in many areas, provincial officials said.Travel was not advised on several highways, including the Trans-Canada between highways 13 and 16, around Portage la Prairie.
Ice on power lines causes lights to flicker
The stormy weather was also blamed for power problems in and around Winnipeg on Thursday.Power bumps caused by a buildup of heavy, wet snow and ice on power lines have caused lights to flicker in some areas, Manitoba Hydro spokesman Jim Peters told CBC News.It's primarily focused, I think ... just northeast of Winnipeg, he said. There's been a couple of [incidents] in Steinbach this morning and in Transcona, but those were local and quickly repaired.Hydro crews are out clearing ice off the lines, Peters said. If the weather co-operates, the bumps should be smoothed out as the day progresses.
Humidity in the air also sparked a pole-top fire in Transcona this morning, Peters said. About 200 Hydro customers in the area were without power briefly until the problem was repaired.
Stormy Friday Tom Moore APR 24,08
Midwest
A storm system across the middle of the nation will trigger plenty of thunderstorms on Friday. Some of these storms may become strong to severe across parts of Wisconsin, western Lower Michigan, eastern Iowa, Illinois, western Indiana, Missouri and far western Kentucky. A few tornadoes are also possible. Winter weather is also in the Friday forecast as rain changes to wet snow over parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota. Over 6 inches of snow could accumulate over north-central Minnesota by early Saturday, with gusty winds causing blowing and drifting. Highs on Friday are expected to range from the chilly 30s and 40s in the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota to the balmy 70s in the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Scattered thunderstorms are also in the Saturday forecast through the Ohio Valley, while another disturbance approaches the Plains with more rain and snow showers.
South
A frontal boundary will trigger showers and thunderstorms on Friday from extreme western Kentucky down to Texas. Some of these storms may be strong to severe with large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes. Highs Friday will be in the 70s and 80s region wide with a few 90s in the Rio Grande Valley. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will extend from the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians to southern Texas Saturday. By Saturday night, look for heavy rain across eastern Oklahoma and Texas Oklahoma and a new round of severe thunderstorms from the Red River southward.
West
Winter just doesn't want to give up and weather disturbances will continue to produce rain and snow to parts of the Northwest and central Rockies through Saturday. Heavy snow may fall in the highest elevations. Some changes will occur later in the weekend and early next week, however. Most of the region will be rain-free, except for a few showers over coastal sections of Washington and Oregon. Look for a gradual moderating trend in the temperatures as they reach above average levels this weekend. Highs will range from the 60s in Montana to the 90s and 100s in the Desert Southwest.
Northeast
High pressure has been in control across the Northeast lately but that high will be drifting away. That will allow showers and thunderstorms to slide into areas west of the Appalachians on Friday, as a cold front approaches. Look for more showers and thunderstorms on Saturday and they will hang on along the Eastern Seaboard Sunday, as a weakening cold front moves eastward across the area. Look for above average temperatures across much of the area into Saturday. The exception will be across New England where it will cool off on Saturday. Friday highs will range from the 70s in Upstate New York to the 80s in Maryland and Virginia. A new storm and cold front will sweep into the area Monday and linger Tuesday and Wednesday with beneficial rain and much cooler temperatures.
MATTHEW 24:36,33-35
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.(ALL THE SIGNS HAPPENING)
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.(ALL THE SIGNS COMPLETELY FULFILLED)
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
2012: Mayans, Nostradamus & The Bible
There has been much talk of late about the supposed doomsday prediction of December 21, 2012 as reflected in the Mayan long calendar. Most of the ancient Mayan codices were burned by Spanish monks in 1521 as works of the devil. A few survived including the so called Dresden Codex. This 74 page codex written on tree bark and apparently from the famous Mayan temple and observatory at Chichen Itza was sent by Cortes to Emperor Charles V in 1519. Somehow it found its way to the Royal Library at the Court of Saxony in Dresden where it was purchased from a private collector by Johann Christian Goetze. While it was damaged by the fire bombing of Dresden during WWII, much has survived.From this work, which was written between 1200 and 1250 AD, numerous astronomical and calendar data points were found including information on eclipses, the transit of the planet Venus as well as information on the motion of the moon, stars and the sun. It has been determined by research scholars that the Mayan long count calendar ends on 13.0.0.0.0 which equates to our date of December 21, 2012 at 10AM GMT. On that day it has been surmised the end will come.
According to my research, many have tried to tie this upcoming apocalyptic winter solstice day with a solar shift, solar storms, and a transit of Venus as well as with severe earthquakes. Is there any truth to these allegations? According to some astronomers, on this day our solar system will intersect with the Galactic Equator which only happens every 26,000 years. Since the Mayan calendar began in 3114 BC, they had never experienced anything like this before. The Mayans called this event the Sacred Tree. This alignment with the center of the galaxy also allows for maximum mass and thus maximum gravity.According to the National Earthquake Information Service of the US Geological Survey, earthquakes have gradually increased from 1 severe quake between 1890 and 1899 to 765 from 2000-2004. Could this be due to our solar systems movement towards this Galactic Equator? NASA predicts that a terrific solar storm will hit the earth in 2012 which will be 30-50 percent greater than anything before it. I believe that there has been global warming over the past decades but it is related to sunspot activity on the sun not carbon dioxide emissions. The sun has gotten hotter and that has affected the earth. A massive solar blast from the sun in 2012 could burn up the earth as could a collision with an asteroid or a comet.
There has even been talk of a polar shift which could disrupt the functioning of the entire earth and could change the axis of rotation. Such a shift has taken place in our geologic past and could happen again. If it happened on December, 21, 2012, it would truly be a day to remember.This apocalyptic date of December 21, 2012 is also supposedly found in Hopi myths, the I-Ching, Aztec writings, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Roman Oracles, writing of Seneca Elders, the chief Shaman of the Cherokee Tribe in NC, and even the writings of Nostradamus, The Russian mathematician Sergey Smelyakov of Khartov University taking the constant Phi (1.6180339), the so called Golden Mean or the Fibonacci sequence, and applying it to solar activity and planetary orbits, found that everything seemed to spiral in on itself on December 21, 2012 implying a time implosion or point of bifurcation.The planet Venus is set to make a transit across the face of the sun on December 21, 2012 which happens very infrequently. It did happen recently, however, on June 8, 2004 which means it will happen again in eight years which is very unusual but predicted by the Mayans.I cannot tell you for certain that the earth will be consumed by fire in 2012 or that there will be a polar shift or severe earthquakes, but I can tell you with certainty that one day in the not too distant future it will be consumed by fire and experience a polar shift and severe earthquakes. I can say that because the word of God says so and it did beginning over 2700 years ago, long before the Mayans or the Aztecs or the Hopi or the Seneca or the I-Ching or Nostradamus.
Once before because of its sin the earth was destroyed by water in the Great Flood of Noah's day but the Bible says that the world will be destroyed again, this time by fire.The present heavens and earth, by His word, are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and the destruction of ungodly men (2Peter 3:7).But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat and the earth and its works will be burned up (2Peter 3:10).The sun scorched men with fire (Revelation 16:8).
A third of the earth was burned up and a third of the trees were burned up and all the green grass was burned up. A great mountain (asteroid?) burning with fire was thrown into the sea and a third of the sea became blood and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life died and a third of the ships were destroyed. And a great star (comet?) fell from heaven burning like a torch and it fell on a third of the rivers and springs of water (Revelation 8:7-11).The inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men are left (Isaiah 24:6).The hills melt and the earth is burned up (Nahum 1:5).
Once again, many have associated December 21, 2012 with a shift in the poles as well as signs in the sky. What does the Bible tell us about these events? The stars will fall from the sky (Matthew 24:29).If the earth shifts on its axis and we are thrown around, the stars will appear to fall but it will actually be us that are moving.The earth is broken asunder. The earth is split through. The earth is shaken violently. Thee earth reels to and fro like a drunkard and it totters like a shack (Isaiah 24:19-20).
Once again a shift in the polar axis might tear the earth apart.
There will be great earthquakes. The sun became black like sackcloth; the moon became like blood.The stars of the sky fell to the earth... The sky split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up.every mountain and island moved out of their place (Revelation 6:12-14).
More shaking of the earth.
There will be great earthquakes and in various places plagues and famines and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. There will be signs in the sun and the moon and stars and upon the earth great dismay among nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves. Men fainting from fear as the powers of heaven will be shaken (Luke 21:9, 25-26).Here we see the Bible tell us about signs in the heavens spoken of in relation to December 21, 2012. But what do we do when we see these things happening? When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you that this generation will not pass away until all things take place.But when these things begin to take place straighten up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:31,32, 28).
God assures us that:
Heaven and earth will pass away but My words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35).Some people ask why God takes so long to punish the ungodly:The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2Peter 3:9).Remember this as the end fast approaches.
EU DICTATOR (WORLD LEADER)
REVELATION 17:12-13
12 And the ten horns (NATIONS) which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
REVELATION 6:1-2
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse:(PEACE) and he that sat on him had a bow;(EU DICTATOR) and a crown was given unto him:(PRESIDENT OF THE EU) and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.(MILITARY GENIUS)
REVELATION 13:1-10
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.(THE EU AND ITS DICTATOR IS GODLESS)
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.(DICTATOR COMES FROM NEW AGE OR OCCULT)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;(MURDERERD) and his deadly wound was healed:(COMES BACK TO LIFE) and all the world wondered after the beast.(THE WORLD THINKS ITS GOD IN THE FLESH, MESSIAH TO ISRAEL)
4 And they worshipped the dragon (SATAN) which gave power unto the beast:(JEWISH EU DICTATOR) and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?(FALSE RESURRECTION,SATAN BRINGS HIM TO LIFE)
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.(GIVEN WORLD CONTROL FOR 3 1/2YRS)
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,(HES A GOD HATER) to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.(HES A LIBERAL OR DEMOCRAT,WILL PUT ANYTHING ABOUT GOD DOWN)
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints,(BEHEAD THEM) and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.(WORLD DOMINATION)
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.(WORLD DICTATOR)
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.(SAVED CHRISTIANS AND JEWS DIE FOR THEIR FAITH AT THIS TIME,NOW WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE BUT DURING THE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH, PEOPLE WILL BE PUT TO DEATH (BEHEADINGS) FOR THEIR BELIEF IN GOD (JESUS) OR THE BIBLE.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
MPs seek to make concerted use of new powers under EU treaty
23.04.2008 - 07:22 CET | By Leigh Phillips
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Dutch MPs are seeking to raise awareness of the extra powers that national parliamentarians will have under the bloc's new treaty to influence EU legislation and are proposing a practical system to ensure that MPs take advantage of it.Labour Party MP Luuk Blom and his colleague, Han Ten Broeke, of the liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), met EU ambassadors from the 27 member states in Brussels on Monday (21 April) to outline how they see the new system as working.The treaty introduces a system whereby MPs can object to proposed legislation by the European Commission.The commission has to reconsider – but not necessarily withdraw - a piece of legislation if one third of national parliaments object to it on subsidiarity grounds – the principle that the EU should only legislate where it is clear that it can do better than action at a more local level. This is has been dubbed the yellow card procedure.If a majority of parliaments continue to object, then the commission has to ask member states and the European Parliament for their opinion on the matter.This closes the democratic deficit that's been around in Europe for 50 years, said Mr Ten Broeke, without introducing something like a European Senate or a veto for national parliaments.
The Dutch politicians are pushing a paper produced by the European affairs committee in the Dutch parliament in which it is proposed that a group of MPs meet every two months to examine legislative proposals to see if they overstepped EU bounds. This group would answer to COSAC, the body bringing together representatives from all member state national parliaments.Currently, COSAC, dating back to 1997, only meets twice a year. It is an inter-parliamentary body composed of members of national parliaments that are knowledgeable about European affairs.Mr Blom and Mr Ten Broeke are aiming to have this proposal discussed at the next national parliament meeting on 7-8 May.It's a fundamental reform of the way COSAC does things, but it's also an expansion of their role, said Mr Blom.In the wake of the Netherlands' 2005 No vote against the proposed constitution, the Dutch strongly pushed to give a greater role to national parliaments, elevating it to a make or break issue during last year's negotiations on the Lisbon Treaty.The proposal is also about national parliaments taking their role seriously, he added. We are forever saying It's not our fault; It's Brussels fault. In fact, the fault was with national parliaments for not defending their interests, continued Mr Blom.The leaders of the Dutch No side have given the concept a guarded welcome.Haary van Bommel, the EU spokesperson in the Dutch lower house for the Socialist Party - which played a key role in organising the No campaign in 2005 - said: We think it's a step forward if it works, as it gives a greater role to national parliaments.They still have to find ways to make it work, as national parliaments will have to work together much more closely than they do now, he added. But it doesn't compensate for the handing over of national veto rights, he said, and these two MPs may think that this addresses the No side's complaints, but it's not a sufficient answer because it doesn't address the 95 percent of the Lisbon Treaty that's the same as the old constitution.
Merkel: No more money for Mediterranean Union
www.chinaview.cn 2008-04-24 00:13:01Print
BERLIN, April 23 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday told visiting Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak that there is no more money for promoting the Mediterranean Union. Speaking to the press after their meeting, Merkel said no new funding was needed for the Mediterranean Union, a project that has been initiated and enthusiastically pursued by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Berlin was reportedly skeptical of the Mediterranean Union, fearing that the project might divide the European Union (EU) as only 13 EU states along the Mediterranean Ocean are the target members of the project. Merkel told Mubarak that she was interested in promoting a Mediterranean Union, but insisted that all European countries should be involved. The Mediterranean region is politically so important that the whole of Europe must be responsible, not just the countries along the coast, Merkel said.
She called for more contact between Europe and the countries of the southern Mediterranean, welcoming Mubarak's involvement. The process would be advanced only if top political figures became involved, she said. The budget allocated by the EU to the project totals 16 billion euros (around 25 billion U.S. dollars) for the period from 2007 to2013, and is sufficient, Merkel said. Germany is the biggest net contributor to the budget of the EU.Editor: Yan Liang.
EU wipes England off map in new European Superstate borders
England has been wiped off a map of Europe drawn up by Brussels bureaucrats as part of a scheme that the Tories claim threatens to undermine the country's national identity.The new European plan splits England into three zones that are joined with areas in other countries.The Manche region covers part of southern England and northern France while the Atlantic region includes western parts of England, Portugal, Spain and Wales.The North Sea region includes eastern England, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and parts of Germany.
A copy of the map, which makes no reference to England or Britain, has even renamed the English Channel the Channel Sea.Each zone will have a transnational regional assembly, although they will not have extensive powers. However, the zones are regarded as symbolically important by other countries.German ministers claimed that the plan was about underlying the goal of a united Europe to permanently overcome old borders at a time when the Constitution for Europe needs to regain momentum.The Tories are drawing attention to the plan today, St George's Day. Eric Pickles, the shadow secretary of state for communities and local government, said: We already knew that Gordon Brown had hoisted the white flag of surrender to the European constitution.Now the Labour government has been caught red-handed, conspiring with European bureaucrats to create a European super-state via the back door.The disclosure of the European map comes as a YouGov poll commissioned by The Daily Telegraph showed that one third of people want England to have its own parliament.
Twenty per cent want England to be an independent country and for Britain to be broken up.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Think twice about EPA, says Marshall
Published on: 4/23/08.
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which Barbados and other Caribbean countries have initialled with Europe, has the potential to undermine CARICOM. Dr Don Marshall, senior research fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, warned Monday night that the EPA can seriously restrict the power of regional leaders to frame policy and to intervene to put their economies in order. Marshall was at the time leading a discussion at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus after making a presentation on the current state of play of the Caribbean Forum/European Union EPA. He suggested that Caribbean countries should sign only the trade in goods aspects of the full EPA and give themselves time to negotiate better deals on services, investment, government procurement, competition and intellectual property.
Marshall said unless this happened, not only will our domestic national policy space and autonomy be circumscribed, even our attempts to deepen the Single Market and Economy will also be circumscribed. This was because a lot of the EPA goes way beyond and has consolidated taxing issues that still occupy the agenda of COTED [the Council for Trade and Economic Development] and the agenda of different CARICOM councils, according to Marshall. He said that initialling the EPA with a number of problem areas undermines the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). . . . . I think the person with the most unenviable task now happens to be the current Prime Minister of Barbados because Barbados has the responsibility for pushing the CSME, he told a gathering which included students. But how could Barbados be leading a CSME at a time when its policy space is virtually shut? Marshall argued that Caribbean countries would be under surveillance in a joint CARIFORUM/EU Council being set up to oversee the EPA.
Caricom threat
This council will even have more power than our CARICOM Secretariat to enforce the rules of that EPA agreement, he said. He also said that the governance arrangements that will be in place by next year for the EPA will supersede any of the arrangements that we have under CARICOM. Regional governments are now undertaking a legal review of the text of the agreement with June 30, 2008 having been proposed as the date for full signing and provisional application of the agreement. However, Marshall cautioned Caribbean countries not to rush to sign the agreement. They should sign only the aspect of the EPA that is tolerable, he said, referring to the trade in goods. According to Marshall: There are a number of things that we signed onto beyond the trade in goods arrangements that we really need to pause, reflect and come up with a different strategy.A simple matter like access into Europe to deliver services represents a quagmire, he said. (TY)
FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU Rabbis seek to counter leftist European funding. Million-dollar campaign to warn against dangerous Israeli land giveaways April 22, 2008 10:19 pm Eastern 2008 WorldNetDaily
JERUSALEM – A group of hundreds of prominent rabbis here are seeking to counter European funding to leftist Israeli organizations that promote land giveaways by embarking on a multimillion-dollar campaign to fight Israeli territorial concessions to the Palestinians.Europe is currently supporting with millions of dollars leftist elements in Israel that are calling on Israel to concede more and more land. These elements for over 30 years have been gripped with a defeatist mentality and have been brainwashing the Israeli public that peace in Israel can be achieved only by constant dangerous withdrawals, said a statement by the Rabbinical Congress for Peace, a coalition of more than 350 Israeli rabbinic leaders and pulpit rabbis.The RCP has therefore launched a million-dollar campaign to counter the millions of dollars helping those elements and are causing great damage to the security of Israel.The rabbis plan an offensive that includes lobbying efforts, demonstrations, public education and outreach against giving up Israeli land.Jewish law forbids giving up border territory, stated Joseph Gerlitzky, a senior Tel Aviv rabbi and chairman of the Rabbinical Congress for Peace.
It's in Chapter 329 of the Code of Jewish Law, a Torah and Talmud-based text considered the most authoritative compilation of Jewish laws and customs, explained Garlitsky. It states in no uncertain terms that it if you are living in a border town it is absolutely forbidden to give up even one inch of territory to those on the other side who may harm you on the grounds that it will lead to massive bloodshed.This is not merely a statement on paper but unfortunately has been proven true time and time again. Whenever Israel gave up territory to the Palestinians, they used it as a launching pad to strike at Israel again, Garlitsky stated.The RCP this month is urging a religious partner of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government to immediately bolt the Israeli leader's coalition amid rampant media reports Jerusalem is up for negotiations.The rabbis warned that if the Orthodox Shas party remains in Olmert's government, they will urge Jews against supporting Shas. If the party bolts, Olmert's coalition government could fall apart, precipitating new elections.We are seriously considering issuing a statement declaring it is absolutely forbidden for any observant Jew to vote for a party that lent its support to a government that negotiated the division of Jerusalem, a move that will place the entire population in Israel in mortal danger, Rabbi Avrohom Shmuel Lewin, director general of the RCP, told WND.In unprecedented criticism of his father, RCP member Rabbi Jacob Yosef, the son of the Shas spiritual leader Ovadia Yosef, demanded his father's party immediately bolt Olmert's government due to negotiations over Jerusalem.Jacob Yosef accused the Shas party of selling Jerusalem for 478 million Israeli shekels, or $138 million. Yosef's father serves as the spiritual leader of Shas, where he is also considered the party's more important and revered figure.
Last month, the Knesset's Finance Committee approved $138 million in government funds to Shas' educational institutions as part of the party's coalition agreement with Olmert.How dare you sell out Jerusalem for 478 million shekels. Jerusalem is worth more than all monies in the world, said Yosef, rabbi of the Givat Mordechai neighborhood in Jerusalem, addressing his father's party.The Israeli Shas party has stated it would bolt the prime minister's coalition if it becomes clear the Israeli government is negotiating to cede of any part of Jerusalem.Shas denies Jerusalem is being discussed during weekly Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, which commenced after last November's U.S.-sponsored Annapolis summit.
Nobody is talking about Jerusalem. The moment Jerusalem is being discussed, Shas will leave the government – period, Shas spokesman Roi Lachmanovitch told Israel National News.A Rabbinical Congress for Peace statement issued earlier this month retorted: Every novice journalist and anyone listening to the news in Israel knows that giving up large chunks of Jerusalem has been on the negotiating table for quite some time and is in its advanced stages. Only the representatives of Shas are burying their heads in the ground and pretend they know of nothing.They are lying to themselves and deceiving their electorate. The Shas ministers know that Olmert and Abbas have agreed not to make public any agreement on Jerusalem until after the final signature in order to keep Shas in the government, said the RCP statement.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated numerous times Jerusalem is being negotiated. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has said all core issues are being discussed during regular negotiations initiated at the Annapolis summit.Olmert's government has hinted a number of times it will divide Jerusalem.In December, Israeli Vice Premier Haim Ramon said the country must give up sections of Jerusalem for a future Palestinian state, even conceding the Palestinians can rename Jerusalem to whatever they want.We must come today and say, friends, the Jewish neighborhoods, including Har Homa, will remain under Israeli sovereignty, and the Arab neighborhoods will be the Palestinian capital, which they will call Jerusalem or whatever they want, said Ramon during an interview.Positions held by Ramon, a ranking member of Olmert's Kadima party, are largely considered to be reflective of Israeli government policy.
Olmert himself recently questioned whether it was really necessary to retain Arab-majority eastern sections of Jerusalem.Israel recaptured eastern Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount – Judaism's holiest site – during the 1967 Six Day War. The Palestinians have claimed eastern Jerusalem as a future capital; the area has large Arab neighborhoods, a significant Jewish population and sites holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.About 231,000 Arabs live in Jerusalem, mostly in eastern neighborhoods, and many reside in illegally constructed complexes. The city has an estimated total population of 724,000.
JERUSALEM DIVIDED
ZECHARIAH 12:1-5 King James Bible
1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
ZECHARIAH 14:1-9 King James Bible
1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
REBUILT 3RD TEMPLE (THE EU DICTATORS TEMPLE)
REVELATION 11:1-2
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
DANIEL 9:27
27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
REBUILT 4TH TEMPLE (THE TRUE MESSIAHS TEMPLE)
ZECHARIAH 6:12-13
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
ISAIAH 60:9-10
9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
ISAIAH 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
MARK 11:9-10,15-17
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
EZEKIEL 40 TO 48 IS THIS 4TH TEMPLE TO BIG FOR THE MOUNT I BELIEVE TO BE BUILT 25 MILES FROM JERUSALEM.
Temple replica to be erected opposite Western Wall
A grandiose museum featuring an elaborated massive replica of the Temple is currently being erected opposite the Western Wall.The three-storey museum, whose construction is valued at nearly $20 million will be erected in the Aish HaTorah (Fire of the Torah) Yeshiva complex. The museum will feature a journey through Jewish history, from the days of Abraham to the present, emphasizing the message and significance of the Jewish people’s presence in the Land of Israel and their degree of accomplishment in world improvement.Rabbi Yehuda Weinberg, in charge of the project’s establishment, told Yedioth Ahronoth Wednesday: We are not taking a political stance, and added that the museum is also being sponsored by Canadian tycoon, Leslie Dan, a shareholder in Teva pharmaceutical Industries.In addition to the great lavish interior, the museum’s crowning glory is no doubt the massive amphitheater, whose cost is being sponsored by veteran Hollywood star Kirk Douglas, and his no less famous son, Michael.The amphitheater will feature a three-dimensional film depicting the history of the Jewish nation over a huge glass screen through which one can see the Western Wall. The museum will also include a learning center with a VIP wing to host movie stars, politicians and other celebrities from Israel and abroad.
The company in charge of the museum’s construction is the same international company that built visitor sites such as the Tower of London Museum and the World Museum Liverpool. The Aloni Company will provide special technology that handles marble polishing for reproducing historical ornamentation.Ephraim Shor, in charge of the museum curation on behalf of the Yeshiva, commented that this will be an audio-visual experience incorporating scents, so that the act of entering the Temple will be done with awe of God.
Israel's UN ambassador calls Jimmy Carter a bigot By VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press Writer APR 25,08
NEW YORK - Israel's ambassador to the United Nations on Thursday called former President Jimmy Carter a bigot for meeting with the leader of the militant Hamas movement in Syria. Carter, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, went to the region with soiled hands and came back with bloody hands after shaking the hand of Khaled Mashaal, the leader of Hamas, Ambassador Dan Gillerman told a luncheon briefing for reporters.The diplomat was questioned about problems facing his country during a wide-ranging discussion with reporters lasting more than an hour. The briefing was sponsored by The Israel Project, a Washington-based, media-oriented advocacy group.The ambassador's harsh words for Carter came days after the ex-president met with Mashaal for seven hours in Damascus to negotiate a cease-fire with Gaza's Hamas rulers. Carter then called Mashaal on Monday to try to get him to agree to a one-month truce without conditions, but the Hamas leader rejected the idea.The ambassador called last weekend's encounter a very sad episode in American history.He said it was a shame to see Carter, who had done good things as a former president, turn into what I believe to be a bigot.
Telephone calls by The Associated Press to two Atlanta numbers for Carter were not immediately returned Thursday.Gillerman said Hamas is armed and trained by Iran, whose president once called for Israel to be wiped off the map.The real danger, the real problem is not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the real threat is Iran, he said.Gillerman spoke with reporters from around the world at the Times Square offices of a New York law firm on the day Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was in Washington meeting with President Bush.The ambassador said he was quite optimistic about the chances for an Israeli-Palestinian agreement because Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have met more times than any previous leaders of the two sides.I believe they've gone deeper and further than any other Israeli or Palestinian leader, and I believe that there is a very good chance (for a settlement), he said.Gillerman also was asked about another topic involving the U.S. government and Israel: the arrest last week in New Jersey of an 84-year-old man accused of passing U.S. weapons program secrets to an Israeli agent a quarter-century ago.Retired U.S. military engineer Ben-ami Kadish faces charges linking him to the same now-defunct Israeli intelligence agency that used Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a life sentence for spying for Israel.
Gillerman called it a very old matter.
It pertains to something that may or may not have happened 25 years ago and would be decided when Kadish goes to trial, he said.In the wake of the Pollard case, the ambassador said Israel had made a pledge not to spy on the United States, and that is something which I know that we have honored completely.The ambassador declined to comment on U.S. government reports that Syria was building a nuclear reactor with North Korean assistance before it was bombed by Israeli planes last year. Gillerman called Syria a destabilizing influence in the Middle East. You see Syria's hosting, very hospitably and warmly, over 10 terror organizations in Damascus, the ambassador said, adding that the country also supports Hezbollah, an anti-Israeli Shiite group in Lebanon with close ties to Iran and Syria. Basically, Syria and Iran, together with Hamas and Hezbollah, are the main axes of terror and evil in the world, the Israeli ambassador said.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Egyptian report says Hamas offers 6-month truce with Israel By OMAR SINAN, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 24, 7:06 PM ET
CAIRO, Egypt - The Palestinian group Hamas is proposing a six-month cease-fire with Israel, saying it will stop firing rockets out of Gaza if the Jewish state simultaneously lifts its blockade of the coastal strip, Egypt's state run MENA news agency said Thursday night. The report followed a day of closed meetings between Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar and Egypt's intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, who has been mediating between Israel and the Islamic militant group in hopes of halting their fighting.Hamas has taken a much softer stance the past week, but any deal appeared distant. While Egypt clearly is acting as a communications channel between the two sides, Israel insists it won't negotiate with Hamas, which it considers a terrorist group, as does the United States.Hamas officials, who previously have called for Israel to first lift its blockade before any truce, could not be reached by The Associated Press late Thursday to comment on the MENA report. There was no immediate reaction from Israel.
MENA's report came two days after senior members of Hamas said the group was willing to accept a truce limited to the Gaza Strip, dropping a long-standing demand that the West Bank be included in a halt to fighting with Israel.Israeli officials responded to those comments by saying Israel would keep up military pressure on Hamas as long as the group threatened Israeli civilians, an allusion to near daily rocket salvos at towns in southern Israel and recent militant attacks on border posts.The Hamas representatives said Tuesday that the group's position would be laid out Thursday during the meeting with Suleiman.We have affirmed the group's approval of a truce in Gaza Strip ... that could be expanded to the West Bank and would be set at six months, Zahar was quoted by MENA as saying after the meeting.The truce should be accepted by both sides, Zahar added, saying a condition was that Israel simultaneously lifts its blockade of Gaza and reopens the border, including the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.Israel shut the border passages after Hamas fighters seized control of Gaza last June in five days of fighting with the security forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose administration is now limited to the West Bank.
The blockade has cut off all but humanitarian aid, causing severe fuel shortages and emptying store shelves of many goods in Gaza.
Israel is wary of reopening the border, fearing Hamas would use the relief to rebuild its strength and consolidate its hold on Gaza. Hamas suicide attacks have killed hundreds of Israelis and the group is openly dedicated to the Jewish state's destruction.Zahar said the truce offer had the blessing of Hamas' exiled top leadership in Syria.He said Egypt would outline his group's proposal in talks with other Palestinian factions next week, after which Suleiman planned to take it to Israel for consideration.The ball now is in the Israeli field, Zahar said. If Israel doesn't comply then it will be of our right to defend our people in all legitimate ways, he said.The public shift in Hamas' position began with statements by Khaled Mashaal, the group's Syrian-based political leader, after he met with former President Carter last week.Mashaal said Hamas would accept a peace deal with Israel, provided it was approved in a referendum of all Palestinians. He also proposed a 10-year truce if Israel withdraws from the West Bank and east Jerusalem.At the same time, Mashaal offered no recognition of Israel and he rejected a request from Carter that Hamas halt rocket attacks from Gaza. Amos Gilad, a senior Israel Defense Ministry official, said Tuesday that Mashaal had offered nothing of substance.
FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
FAMINE
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Thai rice hits new record, feeding food fears By Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat Thu Apr 24, 5:10 AM ET
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Rice prices in Thailand, the world's top exporter, surged to $1,000 a tonne on Thursday, feeding concerns about food security as far as the United States after export curbs by governments worldwide. The surging price of food and fuel has sparked riots in Africa and Haiti and raised fears that millions of the world's poor will struggle to feed themselves. Some analysts, however, attribute much of the surge to panic buying by both consumers and governments rather than a dire shortage of supply.
After this week's over five percent jump rice prices stand nearly three times higher than the start of the year. With no sign of the rally relenting, as traders expect more buyers to come into the market, government anxiety about social unrest from the soaring cost of Asia's staple will deepen.The crisis, started with India's imposition of export curbs to protect domestic supplies last year, and was felt in the United States this week, with a few major retailers saying they had started to notice signs of panic buying.
Sam's Club, a unit of retail giant Wal-Mart, said on Wednesday it was capping sales of 20-pound (9 kg) bulk bags of rice at four bags per customer per visit to prevent hoarding.The previous day, rival Costco Wholesale Corp said it had seen increased demand for items such as rice and flour as customers, worried about global food shortages, stocked up.Everywhere you see, there is some story about food shortages and hoarding and tightness of supplies, said Neauman Coleman, an analyst and rice broker in Brinkley, Arkansas.
NEW ERA?
In Bangkok, some traders said Thai 100-percent B grade white rice, the world's benchmark, could hit $1,300 a tonne due to unsated demand from number-one importer the Philippines, which fell well short of filling a 500,000 tonne tender last week.There is also a big question mark over Iran and Indonesia, two countries that normally buy as much as 1 million tonnes of Thai rice each year but which have bought nothing so far in 2008 because of the soaring prices.Even though some analysts say the price, part of a wider global rally in crop prices, is based on jittery governments rather than fundamentals, Thailand's top exporters say the world is now set for an era of expensive food.Prices will remain firm for the rest of the year, Chookiat Ophaswongse, head of the Rice Exporters Association in Bangkok, told Reuters.Rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade climbed 2.5 percent on Wednesday to an all-time high of $24.85 per hundredweight.However, grain futures tumbled four percent to a five-month low due to expectations of a large global wheat crop in 2008.With the northern hemisphere harvest only two months away, officials said planting had started well in Western Australia after good rains, while India said a record harvest and bulging government stocks meant no imports were needed this year.
China's top wheat-growing provinces of Henan and Shandong were also looking at a bumper winter harvest after recent rains, the Xinhua news agency said.
CRTICISM OF EXPORT CURBS
Brazil became the latest country on Wednesday to suspend rice exports, following in the footsteps of India and its close rival for the mantle of world number-two supplier, Vietnam. Thailand, which accounts for nearly a third of all rice traded globally, has said repeatedly it would not impose any curbs, a stance that has earned it plaudits from the World Bank for being a responsible international trading partner.Thailand has even gone the extra mile to explore additional land for rice production, James Adams, the bank's Vice President for East Asia Pacific, said in a statement.
The Asian Development Bank and free-trade advocates have criticized the export curbs as an overreaction that has distorted the market.
If we restrict trade, we're simply going to add food scarcity to the already large problems of food shortages that exist in different countries, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said.
(Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Darren Schuettler and Valerie Lee)
DISEASES
REVELATION 6:7-8
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).
UN chief to announce plan to eliminate deaths from malaria By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer APR 25,08
UNITED NATIONS - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will announce a global initiative Friday that steps up the fight against malaria — seeking to eventually wipe out a tropical scourge blamed for killing a million people a year. In a video message for a World Malaria Day event at U.N. headquarters, Ban said the initiative will offer indoor spraying and bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticide to all people at risk, especially women and children in Africa. The video was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.
It will also ensure that public health facilities have access to effective malaria treatment and diagnosis, that health workers are trained to deal with the disease, and that research into its eradication is encouraged, Ban said.Ban said he wants these measures in place in just a few years. The aim is to put a stop to malaria deaths by ensuring universal coverage by the end of 2010.
The secretary-general said that several African countries have made dramatic strides in malaria control, but the most affected nations remain off track to reach the goal of halting and reversing the incidence of the disease.That is why today, together with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, I am putting forward a bold but achievable vision, Ban said.The Roll Back Malaria initiative was launched in 1998 by the World Health Organization and its partners with the goal of reducing malaria deaths by half by 2010. At the midway point, when they assessed their accomplishments, it turned out that there were more malaria cases than when they had started.
Some of the key interventions included distributing bed nets and using more insecticides — but the program never really got wide coverage. Only about 2 percent of African children sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets.Ban and the partnership decided that they want to tackle the problem on a larger scale.Malaria still kills more than one million people every year, he said. The toll it is taking is unacceptable — all the more so because malaria is preventable and treatable.American philanthropist Ray Chambers, who was appointed in February as the secretary-general's special envoy for malaria, said he is optimistic the goal of eventually eliminating malaria deaths.He (Ban) is able to call for that because we have the best technology — the long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets last approximately five years — and we have significantly more funding available than ever before in history, Chambers said in an interview.Ban is calling for bet net coverage for an additional 500 million people — which will require 250 million bed nets.That's four-to-five times what we've done in the past, so that's a real ratcheting up, Chambers said.Chambers said the Global Fund, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other groups trying to fight malaria are assembling a team to provide supervision of the campaign.We have to address everywhere, but 90 percent of the deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, so the initial concentration will be in the most endemic countries, he said.We have the resources and the know-how, Ban said in his message. But we have less than 1,000 days before the end of 2010.Chambers stressed, however, that the campaign won't be over.
Ultimately, he said, the goal is eradication. We're not likely to eradicate malaria without an effective vaccine, and that might be quite a few years away, Chambers said.
Canada in best position to weather storm of uncertain global economy: Harper Thu Apr 24, 4:53 PMBy The Canadian Press
LAVAL, Que. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada is in the best position among G7 countries to ride the unpredictable waves of today's world economy. Harper says the Canada's fundamentals are strong despite uncertain economic times.The prime minister made the comments today in a speech to a chamber of commerce in Laval, north of Montreal. He says initiatives such as lowering income taxes and trimming the national debt have been key to Canada's economic success. Still, Harper is predicting the growth of the country's trade-intensive economy to slow in the next two years. He says Canada faces challenges from the U.S. economic slowdown, difficult credit markets, global financial volatility and the drop of the American dollar. Harper also says if the government followed the wishes of opposition parties the country would have to increase taxes or run a deficit or both.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.(SYRIA DESTROYED)
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
U.S. Sees N. Korean Links to Reactor By DAVID E. SANGER
Published: April 24, 2008
WASHINGTON — After seven months of near-total secrecy, the White House is preparing to make public on Thursday video evidence of North Koreans working at a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor just before it was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike last September.
Oded Balilty/Associated Press
Christopher R. Hill, the top American negotiator in nuclear talks with North Korea. Until now, the administration has refused to discuss the video or the attack, other than in a highly classified briefing for a few allies and crucial members of Congress.But senior officials in Israel and the United States have said the target was a nascent nuclear reactor that had been under construction for years. Israeli and American analysts had concluded that it was loosely modeled on the reactor North Korea used to obtain the fuel for its small nuclear weapons arsenal. Israeli jets destroyed the site on Sept. 6, and the Syrians, after issuing some protests, bulldozed the area and constructed a building on the exact footprint of the old one. They have refused to allow international nuclear inspectors to visit the location.The timing of the administration’s decision to declassify information about the Syrian project has raised widespread suspicions, especially in the State Department, that Vice President Dick Cheney and other administration hawks were hoping that releasing the information might undermine a potential deal with North Korea that would take it off an American list of state sponsors of terrorism.Making public the pictures is likely to inflame the North Koreans, said one senior administration official who would not speak on the record because the White House and the State Department have declared there would be no public comment until the evidence is released. And that’s just what opponents of this whole arrangement want, because they think the North Koreans will stalk off.
But another senior official said it was possible that the revelations would force the North Koreans to describe their actions in Syria more fully when they issued a long delayed declaration of their nuclear activities.That proposed deal, negotiated by Christopher R. Hill, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs and the primary interlocutor with North Korea, has become the latest battleground in a seven-year struggle within the Bush administration over North Korea policy.That policy has veered from efforts to squeeze North Korea in hopes that the government of Kim Jong-il will collapse, to negotiating with the country alongside Russia, China, South Korea and Japan, each of which has pursued a somewhat different approach toward the North.
Mr. Hill was put in charge of the talks more than three years ago in the hope of finding a new way to deal with the North Koreans. But support for him has wavered, and President Bush has repeatedly warned aides not to agree to anything that makes me look weak, according to former officials who sat in on meetings with him on North Korea.Mr. Cheney’s office and other conservatives have argued that Mr. Hill’s proposed deal would amount to a huge concession. In return for a minimal declaration from North Korea — an accounting of how much plutonium it has produced — it would be removed from the terrorism list and would no longer be subject to economic sanctions under the Trading With the Enemy Act.North Korea has refused to say what, exactly, it provided to the Syrians, or what happened to an effort to start a second pathway to building arms, using uranium. The deal would allow the North to continue to fudge on those matters, leaving unexplained the question of why it appeared to be buying uranium enrichment equipment from Pakistan. That equipment, many experts believe, was intended to help North Korea build a second path to a bomb, in case it was forced to give up its plutonium program.In a presentation on Thursday to crucial members of Congress, and then in a presentation to reporters, American intelligence officials are expected to show images from a video, believed to have been obtained through Israeli intelligence services. The video, which Mr. Hill has shown to senior South Korean officials, shows Korean faces among the workers at the Syrian plant.Other pictures, officials say, show what appears to be the construction of a reactor vessel inside the building that Israel later destroyed. It is unclear what the administration is willing to release. Syria’s ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, did not answer messages left for him on Wednesday.
For weeks after the Israeli attack in September, neither Israeli nor American officials would talk about the attack, Israel’s first on a nuclear site since the 1981 attack on the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq.When The New York Times published a lengthy account of the Syria attack on Oct. 14, revealing that Israeli and American analysts judged that the target was a partly constructed nuclear reactor, Mr. Bush and the White House refused to answer questions about it. Later, officials said they feared that the Syrians would retaliate against Israel if they felt publicly humiliated. It is not clear what has changed, apart from the politics of the moment. Mr. Hill’s boss, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has not voiced strong support for Mr. Hill’s effort to coax the North Koreans along, granting them rewards for steps along the way to compliance with a deal that calls, ultimately, for the country to give up its weapons.Ms. Rice has been a strong critic of the 1994 agreement between North Korea and the Clinton administration, complaining that it was front loaded with rewards for the North.
That is exactly what critics say she and Mr. Hill have done in the most recent agreement. But Mr. Hill has argued in private that the Syrian episode and the uranium enrichment are side shows, and that the critical issue is stopping North Korea from producing more plutonium and giving up what it has. But his State Department colleagues say that he has been told not to defend the deal, or even explain it.He’s feeling pretty abandoned by Rice and Bush, one of his colleagues said Wednesday. Mr. Hill did not respond to messages.
White House says Syria must come clean about nuclear work By PAMELA HESS and DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writers APR 25,08
WASHINGTON - The White House said Thursday that North Korea's secret work on a nuclear reactor with Syria was a dangerous and potentially destabilizing development for the world, raising doubts about Pyongyang's intention to carry through with a promised disclosure of its nuclear activities. Seven months after Israel bombed the reactor, the White House broke its silence and said North Korea assisted Syria's secret nuclear program and that the destroyed facility was not intended for peaceful purposes.Top U.S. intelligence officials who briefed reporters said they had high confidence in the judgment that North Korea had aided Syria with its nuclear program and the intention was to produce plutonium. But they claimed only low confidence for the conclusion that it was meant for weapons development, in part because there was no reprocessing facility at the site — something that would be needed to extract plutonium from spent reactor fuel for use in a bomb.
The Bush administration's assertions could undermine six-party negotiations to try to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea. But a senior administration official told reporters he hoped the disclosure would instead provide leverage to officials trying to get an accurate accounting of North Korea's nuclear and proliferation activities.The White House issued a two-page statement after lawmakers were given details about the reactor in a series of briefings on Capitol Hill that included a video presentation of intelligence information the administration contends establishes a strong link between North Korea's nuclear program and the bombed Syrian site. The briefing also included still photographs that showed a strong resemblance between specific features of the plant and one near Yongbyon in North Korea.Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the revelations make it clear that any deal to eliminate North Korea's nuclear programs must also stop its proliferation activities and include vigorous verification. But he said the information in the briefings was not a cause to end the talks.To the contrary, it underscores the need for pursuing the talks, which remain our best chance to convince North Korea to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and to stop proliferation, Biden said.The White House said the International Atomic Energy Agency also was being briefed on the intelligence.While calling North Korea's nuclear assistance to Syria a dangerous manifestation of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program and its proliferation activities, the White House said it remained committed to the talks.
The United States became aware North Korea was helping Syria with a nuclear project in 2003, said intelligence officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the matter's sensitivity. The critical intelligence that cemented that conclusion, they said, came last year: dozens of photographs taken from ground level over a period of time, showing the construction both inside and outside the building.The Israeli strike on Sept. 6, 2007, ripped open the structure, known as the Al Kibar reactor, and revealed even more evidence to spy satellites: reinforced concrete walls that echoed the design of the Yongbyon reactor.After the attack, Syria tried to bury evidence of its existence and erected a new building to hide the site. The building is not believed to house a new reactor, the officials said.This coverup only served to reinforce our confidence that this reactor was not intended for peaceful activities, White House press secretary Dana Perino said. The Syrian regime must come clean before the world regarding its illicit nuclear activities.
The Syrian reactor was within weeks or months of being functional when Israeli jets destroyed it, a top U.S. official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The official said the facility was mostly completed but still needed fueling and significant testing before it could be declared operational.We had to assume they could throw the switch at any time, a senior intelligence official said.
No uranium, which is needed to fuel a reactor, was evident at the site, a remote area of eastern Syria along the Euphrates River. But senior U.S. intelligence officials said the reactor was similar in design to the North Korean reactor at Yongbyon, which has in the past produced small amounts of plutonium, the material needed to make powerful nuclear weapons.A senior intelligence official said the intelligence agencies believe North Korea was motivated by cash rather than a desire to obtain plutonium from the reactor.
Syria has maintained in the past that the site was an unused military facility, and on Thursday, its embassy denounced what it called the U.S. campaign of false allegations. It accused the administration of trying to mislead Congress and world opinion in order to justify the Israeli raid in September of 2007, which the current U.S. administration may have helped execute.Senior U.S. officials said the U.S. military was not involved in the attack, and the U.S. government, although informed in advance, did not approve it. Israel made the decision to attack, a senior administration official said. It did so without any so-called green light from us. None was asked for and none was given.It has become obvious that this maneuver on the part of this administration comes within the framework of the North Korean nuclear negotiations, the Syrian statement said. And in an apparent reference to prewar claims by the Bush administration that Iraq had possessed weapons of mass destruction, the statement concluded: The Syrian government hopes that the international community and the American public, particularly, will be more cautious and aware this time around in facing such unfounded allegations.Top members of the House Intelligence Committee who were briefed on the reactor said it posed a serious threat of spreading dangerous nuclear materials.
This is a serious proliferation issue, both for the Middle East and the countries that may be involved in Asia, said Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich. Hoekstra and Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, told reporters after the closed briefing that they were angry that the Bush administration had delayed informing the full committee for so long. That delay has created friction that may imperil congressional support for Bush's policies toward North Korea and Syria, Hoekstra said. The White House also used its statement as an opportunity to denounce the nuclear activities of Iran, which it says is a threat to the stability of the Middle East. Perino said the international community must take further steps, beginning with full implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. While Washington was awash in condemnation of North Korea's proliferation activities, the communist regime is expressing optimism about current six-party negotiations with the United States, China, South Korea, Russia and Japan. The optimism over the talks is raising hopes of breaking the impasse that has deadlocked arms negotiations. North Korea's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it had discussed technical matters with the Americans for moving forward on that and other agreements from the arms talks. The negotiations proceeded in a sincere and constructive manner and progress was made, the ministry said in a statement.
As part of that process, the North is required to submit a declaration detailing its programs and proliferation activity, but the talks are stalled over Pyongyang's refusal to publicly admit the Syria connection. However, officials say the North Koreans are willing to accept international concern about unspecified proliferation. Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann, Barry Schweid, Matthew Lee, Anne Flaherty, Edith Lederer and Bassem Mroueh contributed to this report.
Link
Thursday, April 24, 2008
WSI SAYS BAD HURRICANE SEASON
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
WSI raises 2008 Atlantic hurricane forecast
Tue Apr 22, 5:01 PM
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private weather forecaster WSI Corp said on Tuesday it raised the number of Atlantic hurricanes it expects this year to eight from seven due to warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures that will likely encourage storm development.We have increased our forecast slightly based on continued Atlantic warming in recent months, along with the persistence, albeit a bit weaker, of the La Nina event, said WSI seasonal forecaster Todd Crawford in a press release.Financial markets watch hurricane forecasts closely after a parade of severe storms in 2005 demolished parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing billions of dollars in damage and temporarily shutting down a quarter of the nation's refining capacity.WSI's forecast for the 2008 season calls for 14 named storms, eight of which will become hurricanes and four of which will strengthen into major hurricanes. The outlook is up slightly from WSI's outlook in December, which called for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three intense hurricanes.
The hurricane season runs for six months starting June 1.
WSI's forecast numbers are significantly higher than the 1950-2007 averages of 9.7 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes, the Massachusetts-based company said.The forecast is in line with a recent outlook from Colorado State University that called for 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
Alberta's late spring winter weather storm a boon for farmers Mon Apr 21, 8:07 PMBy Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press
EDMONTON - Western Canada's spring bout of winter weather may have people seeing red as they shovel the white stuff, but it has proven a godsend for parched prairie soil. A slow-moving upper low pressure system from the Pacific, fed by lingering Arctic cold air, continued Monday to park itself over the Prairies, delivering snow and freezing rain from Alberta to Manitoba. The snow dump - which reached 40 centimetres in some regions of Alberta over the weekend - snarled roads and led to multiple car crashes, including a collision near Olds, Alta., involving a semi-truck and a car that left one person dead. The blustery conditions were all the more irritating because Canadians in Central Canada were basking in balmy temperatures - with forecasts suggesting the sunshine was to continue through the week. But Agriculture Canada said the snowfall on the Prairies was just what farmers and ranchers needed. Trevor Hadwen, the department's agri-climate specialist, said some areas received 30 millilitres of moisture. Those areas were extremely dry throughout the winter. Quite a few of those areas received more moisture in this one storm than they did all winter, Hadwen said from Regina. The next important question is how the snow will melt.
If it melts slowly, that moisture will seep into the soil and do some good recharge.But a fast runoff won't be bad either for southern Saskatchewan and Alberta ranchers, who need the moisture for reservoirs and dugouts. Their dugouts were fairly dry and there wasn't a whole lot of runoff this spring, if any, from the winter, Hadwen said. The weekend snowfall brought an abrupt halt to a spring that featured summer-like temperatures just one weekend before. Edmonton scrambled to get graders on the road. Some contractors had already switched their scraping equipment from snow to gravel. Snow, blowing snow and snow drifts caused chaos on highways, leading to scores of pileups. Late Sunday, a Greyhound bus carrying 16 hit the ditch south of Edmonton after it slammed into the back of a pickup that had slowed down to manoeuvre around a jackknifed transport truck. No one was hurt. In Calgary, the famed Red Mile party strip south of downtown, where fans of the Calgary Flames gather to celebrate NHL playoff victories, was muted Sunday night despite the team's 2-0 win to take the San Jose Sharks to a decisive seventh game Tuesday. On Monday, a Staples Business Depot had to be evacuated when a sprinkler line burst due to the cold temperatures and flooded the store. Dan Kulak of Environment Canada said snowfall amounts were around 20 centimetres in the major cities - a big dump but far from the 48 centimetres recorded one May day in Calgary 27 years ago. It's spring, it's Canada, it's the Prairies. Deal with it, said Kulak, a warning preparedness meteorologist. Don't take the snow tires off yet. I'm not saying we're going to get a dump in May, but May is notorious for having big storms when they do happen. Temperatures were not expected to get back above the freezing mark until the end of the week, and, even then, they were expected to be 10 degrees cooler than the seasonal average.
Much of Saskatchewan was spared the full wrath of the weekend storm, but there were areas in the western part that felt the effects. Travel was not recommended Monday on many of the highways in the Lloydminster, North Battleford and Kindersley areas. RCMP said there were several reports of cars hitting the ditch on Sunday, but there were no serious accidents. In Meadow Lake, about 300 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, Daryl Wood was hoping to have at least part of the golf course open this week. But the 30 centimetres of snow that fell over the weekend put a chill on those plans. Wood said he spent four hours clearing the parking lot Monday just so people could get into the restaurant. We're behind the eight-ball now, he said. I am sure we're back at least a week to 10 days.-With files from Tim Cook in Regina.
Snow flurries continue in Saskatchewan
Mon Apr 21, 7:29 PM
SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - The frosty weather Saskatchewan residents might be wishing is winter's last gasp continued Monday.The roads in the western parts of the province from the U.S. border to Meadow Lake are in treacherous condition, said highways ministry spokesman Adam Rithaller.We have ice-covered heavy snow: that means there's at least eight centimetres of snow on the road, he said. Packed snow, snowdrifts, swirling snow, pretty much you name it, they have it there.There were also some slippery sections of highway in the northeast grainbelt, which experienced some freezing rain.Later Monday, Environment Canada was calling for snow flurries in Saskatoon, Martensville, Outlook, the Battlefords, Kindersley and Meadow Lake.Snow was also in the forecast Monday night for Prince Albert, Meadow Lake and the Battlefords.Further north, there was a freezing rain warning for Cumberland House, Pelican Narrows and Creighton.There were also winter storm warnings for La Ronge, Prince Albert National Park, Narrow Hills Provincial Park, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Buffalo Narrows and Beauval. That means freezing rain for some areas and heavy snow for others.The snow forecast was between 10 and 15 centimetres for Wollaston Lake, Collins Bay, Buffalo Narrows, Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Cree Lake, Key Lake, La Loche, Cluff Lake and Clearwater River Provincial Park.Compared to other areas, Regina was expected to get off easy Tuesday, with a mixture of sun and cloud and the high temperature hitting 10 C.
Carter denies State Dept. told him to shun Hamas By Matthew Bigg APR 23,08
ATLANTA (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter denied on Wednesday that the State Department warned him not to meet with leaders of the Islamist group Hamas before he made a recent trip to the Middle East. Carter said Hamas' top official Khaled Meshaal told him during meetings in Damascus on Friday and Saturday that Hamas would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders if approved by Palestinians.The United States brushed off the comments on Monday, arguing that Hamas' basic stance, which includes a call in its charter for the destruction of Israel, had not changed.The State Department has said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, urged Carter not to meet with Hamas, a position restated by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, but Carter denied this.No one in the State Department or any other department of the U.S. government ever asked him (Carter) to refrain from his recent visit to the Middle East or even suggested that he not meet with Syrian President (Bashar) Assad or leaders of Hamas, said a statement released by the Atlanta-based Carter Center, which speaks on the former president's behalf.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, is viewed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Israel.The Carter Center statement said the former president attempted to call Rice before making the trip and a deputy returned his call since Rice was in Europe.They had a very pleasant discussion for about 15 minutes, during which he never made any of the negative or cautionary comments described above. He never talked to anyone else, the Carter Center statement said.President Carter has the greatest respect for ... Rice and believes her to be a truthful person. However, perhaps inadvertently, she is continuing to make a statement that is not true, the statement said.Carter's reference to the 1967 borders spoke of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East War, and to a referendum on a peace deal Washington hopes to clinch this year.Hamas won a 2006 election and briefly formed a unity government with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. It seized control of Gaza from Abbas' secular Fatah faction in fighting in June.Hamas has refused to accept major conditions laid down by the quartet of Middle East peace mediators. Those nations include the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union.(Editing by Tom Brown and Bill Trott)
Apr 21, 2008 11:26 Old City of Jerusalem closed to private traffic over Pessah By JPOST.COM STAFF
The Jerusalem Municipal Council will search millions of visitors to Jerusalem's Old City during Hol Hamoed (Passover week days), according to new decisions by the municipality and Jerusalem police. Also, entering the Old City in private vehicles has been prohibited. Entry will only be granted to vehicles that have prearranged with the municipality, and to Egged public transport vehicles. Likewise, during Hol Hamoed various other main roads in east Jerusalem will be closed to private traffic. The Jerusalem Municipal Council recommends all visitors to use public transport to get to the Old City.
Thomson Financial News
EU Commission to warn clearing services over slow market reforms - report 04.21.08, 4:27 AM ET
BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - Providers of clearing and settlement services for stock exchanges will be warned on Monday by the European Commission they face their last chance to show they can create a competitive market on a voluntary basis, the Financial Times reported.EU Internal Markets Commissioner Charlie McCreevy will attack the endless foot-dragging over establishing effective links between clearing infrastructures.The EU wants more evidence that a code of conduct on inter-operability between infrastructure providers is leading to more competition in post-trade services to Europe's capital markets.McCreevy's comments will come at an ECB conference in Frankfurt.tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomsonreuters.com
EU DICTATOR (WORLD LEADER)
REVELATION 17:12-13
12 And the ten horns (NATIONS) which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
REVELATION 6:1-2
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse:(PEACE) and he that sat on him had a bow;(EU DICTATOR) and a crown was given unto him:(PRESIDENT OF THE EU) and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.(MILITARY GENIUS)
REVELATION 13:1-10
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.(THE EU AND ITS DICTATOR IS GODLESS)
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.(DICTATOR COMES FROM NEW AGE OR OCCULT)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;(MURDERERD) and his deadly wound was healed:(COMES BACK TO LIFE) and all the world wondered after the beast.(THE WORLD THINKS ITS GOD IN THE FLESH, MESSIAH TO ISRAEL)
4 And they worshipped the dragon (SATAN) which gave power unto the beast:(JEWISH EU DICTATOR) and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?(FALSE RESURRECTION,SATAN BRINGS HIM TO LIFE)
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.(GIVEN WORLD CONTROL FOR 3 1/2YRS)
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,(HES A GOD HATER) to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.(HES A LIBERAL OR DEMOCRAT,WILL PUT ANYTHING ABOUT GOD DOWN)
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints,(BEHEAD THEM) and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.(WORLD DOMINATION)
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.(WORLD DICTATOR)
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.(SAVED CHRISTIANS AND JEWS DIE FOR THEIR FAITH AT THIS TIME,NOW WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE BUT DURING THE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH, PEOPLE WILL BE PUT TO DEATH (BEHEADINGS) FOR THEIR BELIEF IN GOD (JESUS) OR THE BIBLE.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Secret deal between EU-3 blocks Blair as EU president
21.04.2008 - 09:30 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
UK prime minister Gordon Brown has agreed to a secret deal with Germany and France which effectively rules out Tony Blair as a new EU president but the British ex-leader is also interested in the new role of Europe's foreign chief, a UK daily is reporting.We have agreed with France and Germany not to back a candidate one of the others doesn't want, a British diplomat is quoted saying by the Independent.French President Nicolas Sarkozy previously backed Mr Blair as a possible candidate to head the EU's 27 member states while Mr Brown praised his potential qualities for the job but did not specifically back him.At the same time, German chancellor Angela Merkel is reportedly opposed to such a scenario, which means that - under a new deal referred to by the British diplomat in the article – her opposition would automatically spoil Mr Blair's chances of being supported by any of Europe's three biggest countries.Apart from Tony Blair, the other candidate mentioned most often and thought to enjoy backing by Berlin and Paris is Luxembourg's prime minister and veteran of the EU stage, Jean-Claude Juncker.
The position of the EU's president is contained in the bloc's Lisbon Treaty under the official heading of President of the European Council. The European Council refers to the regular meetings of EU leaders.Talks have begun on what kind of salary, personnel and other perks the president should have.But the actual job description of the EU president – a job that can be held for up to five years - still has yet to be decided. While his or her appointment would replace the current practice whereby the bloc is headed by a different EU leader every six months, it is unclear whether the role will be merely administrative or something more powerful.In chairing the 27-nation bloc, the EU president would work together with another post created by the Lisbon Treaty, the EU foreign minister.The new post will merge together the chair of Javier Solana as the EU's current foreign policy chief and that of Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the current European commissioner for external relations.According to the Independent, Tony Blair may also be interested in becoming the new EU foreign minister. The Lisbon Treaty is scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2009.
Nine member states have already ratified the treaty, others are planning to hold a parliamentary vote at some stage this year. Only Ireland will decide by a referendum, due on 12 June.
MEPs to use budget power over EU president perks
22.04.2008 - 09:22 CET | By Honor Mahony
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Members of the European Parliament are prepared to use their hold over the bloc's purse-strings to try and make sure that the proposed new EU president does not wield too much power.The treaty is very clear about the duties [of the president], the head of the parliament's budget committee, Reimer Boege, told EUobserver, noting that it says the person can have an administrative role, but not take over an executive function.Budget power is always used as a weapon. This is a principle, said the centre-right German MEP.The parliament, wary of upsetting the fine balance of power between the EU institutions, will have a chance to use this weapon when it comes to negotiations later this year on the 2009 budget.Mr Boege said that MEPs will looking out to see that if any extra perks for the president – a private plane and a residence are rumoured to be under consideration – would be linked to lowering the communitarian level in the treaty, meaning reducing the power of the European commission and boosting inter-governmental politics.The MEP urged member states who are due to deliver a draft budget to the parliament before the summer to show a flexible and responsible approach and indicated that euro-deputies would be inclined to accept a staff set-up for the president that does not exceed that of the immediate staff of the European commission president (around 20).
The first reading of the budget is due in October, but MEPs are already fretting about the institutional implications of the Lisbon Treaty, which is supposed to come into force by the beginning of next year.Earlier this month, senior MEPs, including parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering, met European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to raise certain points about the treaty, particularly concerning the remit of the proposed president.The treaty foresees a purely administrative role for the President of the European Council – the formal title of the post - organising the meetings of EU leaders.However, there is the potential for external representation overlap with the foreign minister and the commission president, while the role is also set to be defined by the person who gets the job.Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, one of those often mentioned as a contender for the post, had said the president should not be an empty figurehead or a director of ceremonies.French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who will head the EU later this year when the job description is to be decided, shares this opinion. Others, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are said to want to keep a lid on the president's powers.
A pre-democracy situation
For their part, MEPs suggest there will be a democratic legitimacy problem if the president has too much power, as the person will be chosen by the 27 EU leaders - in a closed-door process - and is not accountable to the European Parliament.They note where the president has operational powers, that person is directly elected, such as in France or the US. A powerful EU president that is neither subject to parliamentary control nor elected by citizens would lead us to a pre-democratic situation, German centre-right MEP Elmar Brok told the constitutional affairs committee earlier this month.Speaking about the possible size of the president's entourage - which some in council (the member states' body) have suggested should run to 60 people, including security officials, cabinet, chauffeurs and secretaries - Mr Brok said:
I am of the opinion that if we cannot come to agreement on this, then we should abandon the gentleman's agreement whereby one does not mess with the budget of another institution, because now we are talking about operational powers. It is no longer about the implementation of purely organisational duties.Correction. The text previously said MEPs would be inclined to accept a similar salary and staff arrangement as the European commission president for the president of the European Council. The sentence should only have said staff.
IBG Teleconference: European Union Considerations for e-Passports, Biometrics, and Border Control Programs APR 22,08
International Biometric Group (IBG) is pleased to announce its upcoming teleconference: European Union Considerations for e-Passports, Biometrics, and Border Control Programs to be held Thursday, April 24th, at 9am ET/3pm BST, which will outline requirements, specifications, and legalities EU Member States should consider when developing e-Passport, biometrics, and border control systems.
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- IBG, the industry's leading developer and integrator of biometric systems and solutions, is pleased to announce its upcoming teleconference: European Union Considerations for e-Passport, Biometrics, and Border Control Programs, to be held Thursday, April 24th, at 9 am EST/3 pm BST.
e-Passport, Visa, and border control systems regulations and specifications continue to evolve in sophistication and complexity. Understanding requirements is crucial to government agencies and commercial vendors implementing these systems. IBG Senior Consultant David Coleman will discuss requirements, specifications, and legalities EU Member States should consider when developing e-Passport, biometrics, and border control systems, including:
Interoperability and standards
System deployments
Registration, enrollment, personalization, and issuance processes
Projected developments in EU Member States
Recent IBG work for an EU member state
The teleconference will also address EU-BMS, SIS-II, Prum Treaty and National AFIS System requirements. The impact of ISO and ICAO Machine Readable Travel Document standards on European Citizen Card and Residence Permits will also be discussed. Mr. Coleman will address the use of e-Passport and Schengen Visa documents from the perspective of the border control officer and passenger, including use cases for EU, US, and third party citizens arriving from Schengen and non-Schengen destinations. These use cases will address the interfaces with appropriate SIS and VIS systems. Finally, the use of PKI and biometrics for BAC- and EAC-compliant passports will be examined, including usability of the advanced authentication mechanisms.
Web Access: http://www.biometricgroup.com/webcon
Dial-in Phone Number: 303-205-0044
Event Date: April 24th, 2008 at 9 am EST/3 pm BST
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EUROPEAN UNION ARMY
DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.( BE HEAD OF 3 NATIONS)
25 And he (EU PRESIDENT) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.(3 1/2 YRS)
DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.
DANIEL 11:36-39
36 And the king (EU DICTATOR) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS JEWISH) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.(CLAIM TO BE GOD)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(WAR) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god,(DESTROY TERROR GROUPS) whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.
REVELATION 19:19
19 And I saw the beast,(EU LEADER) and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,(JESUS) and against his army.(THE RAPTURED CHRISTIANS)
EU-NATO : European defence after Bucharest
By BabelParis on Tuesday, April 22 2008, 08:00
This year, the NATO summit took place in Romania from April 2nd to April 4th. . Besides the membership agreements which ended up with the entrance of Croatia and Albania and the refusal of Georgia and Ukraine, this should have been a crucial event of international policy. After the Nicolas Sarkozy’s statements concerning, on the one hand, France’s reintegrating NATO’s integrated command structures and, on the other hand, the common destiny of NATO and the EU, we expected revolutionary declarations… but revolutionary is not part of the international language.
A fake European summit
Since the speech pronounced by the American ambassador to NATO, Victoria Nuland, on February 22nd and 25th in Paris and at the London School of Economics, American leaders had never considered the European defence serious enough to be discussed at the international level. The ambassador recognized it herself in London : You will think this is strange, a little suspicious -- to have the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, standing here, urging you – the British and international leaders of the future to build a stronger EU. And indeed, this is a step forward. Eventually, leaders dare acknowledge the existence of another international organisation capable to secure the safety of citizens worldwide… No! We’re going a little bit too far here, aren’t we? Of course European defence does exist – quite difficult to ignore the institutional and operational reality of an organisation NATO actually sealed a strategic agreement with in 2003. But having the Americans say that the European Union is able to secure the world’s safety, there is an insurmountable epistemological obstacle. Less adventurous than his Ambassador, President Bush never took the risk of speaking about European security and defence policy, or maybe was it anecdotal.
EDSP : A legitimacy recognized
Considering what American leaders say, if ESDP is not completely finalised yet to be regarded as equal to the powerful NATO, it has reinforced European military presence all around the world – not only in the Balkans. As a consequence, EU has become a crucial political and strategic counterpart. Crucial for the future of NATO itself, which urgently needs to reconsider its priority accordingly with the new global threats; crucial also from an organic perspective as, today, 21 States over 28 which are members of NATO are also members of the EU. The United-States which, as everybody knows, handle NATO’s capacity budget cannot fairly ignore the efficiency of a European defence to which the 8/10th of its own members contribute. This leads George Bush to say, and this is unique, that The building of a strong Alliance also needs a strong European defence capacity. But, once more, be careful! Do not speak out the words of the American president because he actually speaks about strengthening the European defence capacity and not European defence as such. If he encourages the European partners to improve their defence budget, George Bush mentions nor the institutional neither the political strengthening of European defence structures –e.g. the European Defence Agency, the Operation Centre, the EU major state – and God knows that between statements and the implementation of forces and finance there is a wide gap. However, if coordination and operational structures remain minimalists, it’s just as if you were filling a hallowed basket.
What could have been interpreted as a conceptual revolution on the part of the US simply is, if you look better, just another example of its impertinence : So at this summit, I will encourage our European partners to increase their defense investments to support both NATO and EU operations. America believes if Europeans invest in their own defense, they will also be stronger and more capable when we deploy together. In other words, no way ESDP should act as a free rider? We encourage you to develop yourself only if we can benefit from it.
An autonomous European defence … but not an independent one.
As for president Sarkozy, the words he pronounced at Bucharest echoed what he had been repeating for months since his speech to the Ambassadors last August 27th This Summit is extremely important? It is a way to confirm the Alliance and to strengthen the European defence. We need the United States and the United States need strong allies. This last sentence speaks for itself: both of the institutions are inevitably linked. So even if the French president keeps on saying that he wants an autonomous and stronger Europe, he also admits that it will continue to depend on the Americans. Americans hold the defence economy to such an extent that it has become outrageous to speak about NATO’s umbrella – we should better speak about a capacity drip.
Finally, it is very laudable to support Europe’s autonomy, but until EU member States will continue to have their defence interests determined by economic and industrial agreements orchestrated by the US, there will never be any real independence. And if there’s no self appropriation of the European defence economy, then ESDP will always be the thing of an invisible hand called NATO.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks rise as Street parses earnings, oil prices decline By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer APR 23,08
NEW YORK - Stocks turned sharply higher Wednesday after an increase in oil supplies sent energy prices lower and eased Wall Street's concerns that rising inflation will force consumers to cut their spending. The rebound in stocks came a day after another record high price for oil helped send shares skidding. But selling in the oil market after the government reported a drop in inventories last week allowed investors to keep their focus on the stream of earnings reports arriving from companies.Investors also took in the news that Liberty Mutual plans to acquire Safeco. The announcement sent Safeco shares surging and perhaps helped reassure investors nervous about corporate earnings. The $6.12 billion deal would create the country's fifth-biggest property insurer.Boeing Co., one of the 30 stocks that comprise the Dow Jones industrial average, appeared to help buoy investor sentiment after reporting its first-quarter earnings rose 38 percent. However, investors also sent shares of bond insurer Ambac Financial Group, health insurer WellPoint Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. lower following their reports.
But stocks extended their gains after the government said inventories of crude oil rose last week after unexpected drops in the prior two periods.In midmorning trading, the Dow rose 97.62, or 0.77 percent, to 12,817.85 after moving in and out of positive territory early in the session.Broader stock indicators rose. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 9.21, or 0.67 percent, to 1,385.15. The Nasdaq composite index showed a stronger advance, rising 31.77, or 1.34 percent, to 2,408.71.Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 3 to 2 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 349.7 million shares.Light, sweet crude fell 46 cents to $116.71 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.On the Net:
New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
Gas prices rise further above $3.50, while oil nears $120 By JOHN WILEN, AP Business Writer Tue Apr 22, 10:45 PM ET
NEW YORK - Gas and oil prices pushed further into record high territory Tuesday, with retail gas reaching a national average of $3.51 for the first time and crude nearing $120 as the dollar fell to a new low against the euro. At the pump, the national average price of a gallon of regular gas rose 0.8 cent Tuesday to $3.511, according to a survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. Prices for diesel — used to transport most food, industrial and commercial goods — also rose overnight to a new record of $4.204 a gallon.Gas prices are nearly 66 cents higher than last year, when they peaked at a then-record of $3.23 in late May, and have prompted many analysts to raise their estimates of where gas is going to go.I wouldn't rule out the possibility that we could get to $4, said Antoine Halff, an analyst at Newedge USA LLC.
Other analysts are less certain. Fred Rozell, retail pricing director at the Oil Price Information Service, thinks gas prices will rise only another 10 cents to 20 cents nationally. That would mean they would peak near $4.15 a gallon in California, where prices are typically highest, and around $3.50 in New Jersey, where they're typically lowest.Gas prices are rising for many reasons, including oil's record run. Light, sweet crude for May delivery rose to a new trading record of $119.90 before retreating to settle up $1.89 at a record $119.37 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract expired after the Nymex closed, which contributed to its spike higher as investors scrambled to square bets. June crude futures, which now become the focus of trading, rose $1.44 to settle at $118.07 a barrel, nearly $2 shy of the $120 level.On Capitol Hill, some lawmakers attempted to escalate scrutiny of oil and gas companies.People deserve a more scrupulous cop on the beat in these markets, said Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., who along with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., called for the Justice Department to investigate possible market manipulation.
Meantime, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., praised the Bush administration's proposal to increase the average fuel economy for new cars and trucks to 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015.Soaring gasoline prices show that we have to move much more aggressively toward improving fuel efficiency and help bring relief to American consumers, she said in a statement.Many investors see commodities such as oil as a hedge against inflation and a falling dollar. Also, a weaker greenback makes oil cheaper for investors overseas.
The dollar fell Tuesday after the National Association of Realtors said sales of existing homes dropped in March while the median home price declined, raising prospects that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further this year to try to shore up the ailing economy. Fed interest rate cuts tend to further weaken the dollar.
Oil also rose on concerns about supply constraints overseas. A Royal Dutch Shell PLC joint venture declared what's known as force majeure on April and May oil delivery contracts from a 400,000-barrel-a-day Nigerian oil field due to a pipeline attack last week. The move protects the company from litigation if it fails to deliver on contractual obligations to buyers.In Mexico, oil production slipped 7.8 percent in the first quarter to 2.91 million barrels a day as output at the country's oil fields waned, state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos said. In Scotland, workers at Ineos PLC's 196,000 barrel-a-day Grangemouth refinery and petrochemical plant threatened to strike over changes to an employee pension plan.
While gas prices are following oil futures higher, they're also rising because supplies are falling. Refiners are in the process of switching over from making winter grade gasoline to the more-expensive, less-polluting, form of the fuel they're required to sell in summer. That's pushing supplies down as producers try to sell off all of their winter gas.Gasoline supplies are also being hurt by low profit margins. Refiners have to buy the crude they turn into fuel, but falling demand for gasoline has hurt their ability to raise gas prices as much as they would like. While the average profit margin on gasoline hovers above $10, analysts say margins have gone negative in some parts of the country in recent weeks. In those cases, refiners were actually losing money on every gallon of gas they made. Many refiners have reacting by producing less gas.Very high crude prices can constrain gasoline supplies as it hurts the margins, Halff said.In other Nymex trading Tuesday, May gasoline futures rose 3.73 cents to settle at $3.0164 a gallon after earlier rising to a trading record of $3.025, while May heating oil futures rose 0.55 cent to settle at $3.3169 a gallon after earlier rising to their own trading record of $3.35. May natural gas futures fell 12.6 cents to settle at $10.607 per 1,000 cubic feet. In London, June Brent crude rose $1.52 to settle at $115.95 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. Associated Press writers Pablo Gorondi in Budapest and Gillian Wong in Singapore contributed to this report.
REVELATION 6:7-8
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).
Bear gave off no reasons for concern before trainer's death APR 23,08
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. - The grizzly bear that wrestled Will Ferrell's character in the recent film Semi-Pro seemed to obediently follow cues — which made its killing of its trainer with a bite to the neck all the more stunning. Three experienced handlers were working with the grizzly Tuesday at the Predators in Action wild animal training center when the bear attacked Stephan Miller, 39, said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers.Stephan Miller is the cousin of training center owner Randy Miller, she said.Pepper spray was used to subdue and contain the bear, and there were no other injuries, Beavers said. Paramedics arriving shortly after the initial emergency call around 3 p.m. were unable to revive Stephan Miller.The state Department of Fish and Game and Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating the incident.Fish and game spokesman Harry Morse told the San Bernardino Sun Tuesday his department would not decide whether the bear will be euthanized because the attack occurred outside its jurisdiction during a training session on facility grounds.Morse speculated that the county animal care officials may decide the bear's fate. A call placed early Wednesday to the county's Animal Care and Control Program was not answered.
Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Phelps said the bear was a 5-year-old male named Rocky. The Predators in Action Web site said Rocky is 7 1/2 feet tall and weighs 700 pounds.The site, which was off-line early Wednesday due to overtaxed bandwidth, identified Rocky as the animal that appeared with Ferrell's character in the scene from Semi-Pro. Randy Miller doubled for Ferrell in the bear wrestling match, according to the site.Calls seeking comment from Randy Miller were not immediately returned Tuesday evening.The center, located in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles, has two grizzlies, and also trains lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and wolves for uses ranging from film and TV to advertising and education.In a February interview, Randy Miller called Rocky the best working bear in the business, the San Bernardino Sun reported on its Web site Wednesday. But, the paper quoted him as saying, If one of these animals gets a hold of your throat, you're finished.
Randy Miller has 25 years of experience training animals and his facility has had a perfect safety record, according to the site.
Randy Miller won a World Stunt Academy Award for his work wrestling tigers in the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator and performed stunts with his animals in films like The Postman, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and The Last Samurai. He also helped recreate animal attacks for National Geographic documentaries and the Discovery Channel.It was not immediately known how long Rocky has been at the facility.The attack prompted actress Virginia McKenna, founder of the international wildlife charity Born Free, to call for the entertainment industry to stop using wild animals.The movie industry urgently needs to use its technological and creative imagination to put an end to the use of live wild animals in commercials and movies, McKenna, who starred in the 1966 wildlife film Born Free, said in a printed release. Hollywood is a dream factory — this time the dream has become a nightmare.Denise Richards, who works with wild animals at Moonridge Zoo, a sanctuary for injured and homeless wildlife in nearby Big Bear Lake, said trained animals that turn on their handlers are often destroyed.
You can train them and use as many safety precautions as you can, but you're still taking a chance if you're putting yourself in contact with them, Richards said. It's still a wild animal. Even though it may appear that the bear attacked for no reason, there was a reason. I'm sure Randy understands why it happened. They're not cold-blooded killers.Native grizzly bears are extinct in California. Randy Miller's Predators in Action: http://www.predatorsinaction.com
* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * *
IS THE NEW HAMAS OFFER PROPHETICALLY SIGNIFICANT?
Note: I will be on The Glenn Beck Show on CNN Headline News each night this week discussing current events, Bible prophecy, and Dead Heat. On Friday, Glenn and I will do a one-hour special together.
By Joel C. Rosenberg
(Washington, D.C., April 22, 2008) -- At the end of last night's segment on CNN regarding former President Jimmy Carter's recent meetings with senior Hamas leaders, Glenn Beck asked me whether there was any Biblically prophetic significance to the meeting. It was an important question (and one not usually asked on CNN). While I only had 30 seconds to answer it, allow me to raise a few points.
First, Hamas's offer of a 10 year peace deal with Israel is a new and startling development. I personally don't believe Hamas really wants peace with Israel. What's more, the founding Hamas Charter explicitly rejects all comprehensive peace treaties with the Jews. This is simply a ruse to get Israel to stop assassinating Hamas terrorist leaders and lure Israel into a false sense of security. But that's not the point. The point is that this the first time in history that one of Israel's primary enemies has suggested forging not a comprehensive peace deal in perpetuity, but a peace treaty of a short and specific time frame. Israel's treaty with Egypt signed in 1979 was not a time-limited agreement. Neither was Israel's treaty with Jordan in 1994. The Oslo Agreements were never time-limited. Nor is President Bush's Road Map for Middle East peace. This is a new development. And I suspect the Hamas offer will eventually be taken seriously by the leaders of Israel, the U.N. and the E.U. (perhaps the U.S., too.)
Second, this time-limited peace offer by Hamas is fascinating in that it is completely consistent with Bible prophecy about the last days. In Daniel 9:27, the ancient Hebrew prophet tells us that in the End of Days, an evil leader will make a comprehensive peace deal or covenant with Israel and her many neighbors and enemies. That deal will seem firm, says Daniel, but it will not be forever. It will be for 7 years. According to the Book of Daniel and Revelation, Israel will accept the deal (fatally flawed though it is), but the evil leader will break the deal after 3 1/2 years, invade Israel, set up a global empire, and eventually trigger the War of Armageddon. Let me be clear: while Hamas leader Khaled Mash'al is without question an evil leader who seeks nothing less that the liberation of Jerusalem for radical Islam and the liquidation of all Jews and Christians in the Holy Land, I am not saying he is the evil leader of which Daniel writes. But Mash'al's proposal has now injected something new and Biblically significant into the Middle East peace process equation -- the element of a time-limited deal. Very interesting.
Third, in my new political thriller, Dead Heat, I write about this exact scenario of a time-limited peace deal between Israel and her enemies. On page 167, my fictional U.N. Secretary General says: We need to win the Israelis' confidence. We need them to lower their guard. Their Zionist ideology is exhausted. Their political leaders are feckless. Their diplomatic leaders are so desperate to be loved, to be accepted by the rest of the world, they're willing to give away almost anything. But we must not make the ridiculous mistakes of the past. We must not threaten Israel with war. We must invite them to make peace. We must not turn our backs to them. We must offer them an open hand. We must not boycott them....We must shock them. We must offer them a comprehensive peace treaty, the likes of which the world has never seen before. We must lure them into feeling safe and secure. We must lull them into trusting us, into trusting me...And then, when all this has been accomplished, when the time is right, you and I will make our move. We will seize Jerusalem. We will raze the Temple....But not now. We're not ready -- yet. Then, on p. 371 of Dead Heat, my fictional Israeli Prime Minister says: The world is suddenly very unstable and Israel, I'm afraid, is suddenly very vulnerable. [The U.N. Secretary General] is suggesting we go from Rome to Babylon and have some time alone with [the leader of Iraq]. He wants us to hammer out some kind of fast regional peace treaty -- even a temporary one, something that might last five or ten years, or so....To be honest, given all that's happening, I'm inclined to say yes.
Fourth, watch carefully to see if this concept of a time-limited Arab-Israeli peace deal gains traction. I wrote about a fictional deal like this in Dead Heat because it seemed like a plausible geopolitical scenario to get us to the Biblical prophecy of a 7-year Middle East peace deal. But until this week, no one in real life had ever talked seriously about a limited time frame for a peace deal with Israel. Now Israel's most dangerous immediate neighbor has, assisted by the architect of the Camp David Peace Accords. What's more, President Bush says he is optimistic that an Israeli-Palestinian deal can be struck by the end of 2008. Perhaps prophetic events are moving faster than most Americans think.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GLENN BECK SHOW
CNN Headline News
Monday, April 21, 2008
BECK: Call me an optimist but honestly, I didn`t think the news could get any worse. And then Jimmy Carter showed up. Let me just remind you, Jimmy Carter, horrible president. But at least we only had to deal with his energy crisis, his Iran hostage crisis, and the -- oh, yes, the economic crisis for four years. Thank goodness for Ronald Reagan. I don`t think America could have survived a second Carter term. But now I feel Jimmy Carter may actually do more harm as a former president than he did as president. And that`s saying something.I think it`s great that Jimmy Carter likes to build houses for the poor. No, I really do. But when he stops being a carpenter and starts thinking, Hey, maybe I`ll be a peacemaker, I kind of feel like boycotting peanuts. How about you?Carter has just ended his Middle East peace trip. And he says now -- and he`s bringing home a souvenir, an agreement from the terrorist group Hamas, that says, they`ll accept a peaceful co-existence with Israel. Oh, that`s great. And I believe them. This is -- even though they refuse to officially recognize Israel as a nation. And they still proclaim that they want Israel wiped off the map, which is weird because it seems like the second part negates the first part of that. But I`m sure Jim has got that all figured out. So to sum up, Jimmy Carter is a stooge. Is this just another argument against him or is this a sign of what some people have been waiting for, for like, say, the last 2,000 years.Joel Rosenberg is the author of Dead Heat and the founder of the Joshua Fund. He`ll be joining me all week to answer some of these questions about the Middle East and the end of days -- Joel.
JOEL ROSENBERG, AUTHOR, DEAD HEAT: Hey, Glenn, how are you?
BECK: Very good. President/preacher boy, Jimmy Carter, doesn`t seem to understand a little something I like to call evil.
ROSENBERG: He doesn`t. This president is literally the worst ex- president we`ve ever had. And he displayed it this week. He literally doesn`t understand the difference between good and evil.And you know, look, Hamas is a terrorist organization. They`re a genocidal organization. You read the founding document of the Hamas charter, back in 1988, 89. Read it. It says, Under no circumstances will we allow a peace treaty between us and the Jews, the Zionists. We`re going to wipe them off the face of the planet.
BECK: Well, that`s 1987 -- 1988. Those are old details. Why do you keep bringing up the past like that?
ROSENBERG: Well, because just this year, Hamas television is running cartoons of Asud (ph) the bunny. Assud the Bunny is claiming he will eat all the Jews in Palestine in order to liberate the homeland of Palestine.
BECK: It`s a bunny.
ROSENBERG: This is just the type of examples of how they are inciting children, not to mention adults, for genocide. Genocide is what Hamas wants. Carter doesn`t understand this.
BECK: Joel, children know the difference that a cartoon bunny is not going to eat all the Jews.
ROSENBERG: Well -- and yet the Hamas leaders are raising terrorists, suicide bombers.I mean, look, the problem is. And I make this point in Dead Heat the central theme of my political thriller, which is to misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it.
BECK: You know, the last time we failed to recognize evil, we failed to recognize evil in Germany. And we waited and we waited. And we said, Oh, well they don`t really mean that. They were very clear. Anybody who read Mein Kampf, you can`t deny that, you know -- look, I`m of German descent. I remember when I went in and bought Mein Kampf. Because I wanted to know if the German people really knew or not.If you read Mein Kampf, you have no excuse. He was extraordinarily clear on how he felt about the Jews. And it`s the same thing that`s happening now. And yet all of these people are just in absolute denial. Jimmy Carter, he`s got to be an anti-Semite.
ROSENBERG: You know, look, I think often of the Jerry Seinfeld episode where George Costanza -- where Jerry says, Look, George if every instinct you`ve ever had is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right. And I look at Jimmy Carter. And any instinct that he has had in foreign policy has always been wrong.
BECK: No.
ROSENBERG: And we have to just do the exact opposite. I mean this is -- look, if you read Mein Kampf in 1939, and you said, Well, Hitler wrote that years ago. What does that have to do with becoming final solution? Come 1945, everybody understood that.
BECK: OK. So let me change gears real quick. Because we`re spending time with you, because I read Dead Heat, and it`s fantastic. And I know your other books have -- have, in a way, come true. Some of the things that you`ve written about, and 9/11 was one of them. You predicted the planes and everything else.I want to talk to you a little bit about. Jeez, and I`m getting a 30- second. Quick, let`s tie it into the end time. Any sign of the end times here in anything of this stuff with Hamas and peace deals?
ROSENBERG: Well, what`s weird about this right now is that Hamas -- what Carter is coming home is saying Hamas is allowing for a ten-year hudna, a 10-year truce. In other words, Hamas won`t say they recognize Israel. But for ten years, let`s cut a deal. Let`s create a Palestinian state, and we`ll have ten years of semi-peace.What`s interesting about this is this may set into motion -- I don`t know. But it may set in motion what the Bible talks about: a seven-year peace deal in which the leader that signs the deal with Israel then breaks the deal halfway through. This comes from Daniel, comes from Revelations.
BECK: OK. Joel, we`ll talk to you more about that later on this week. Every night, join us as he joins us. And again, Dead Heat is a phenomenal book.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE USED.
REVELATION 14:18-20
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city,(JERUSALEM) and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.(200 MILES) (THE SIZE OF ISRAEL)
ISAIAH 66:15-18
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die).
ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.
JOEL 2:20,30
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
ZEPHANIAH 1:18
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
MALACHI 4:1
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
REVELATION 9:18
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
HALF OF EARTHS POPULATION DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION.(THESE VERSES ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)
LUKE 17:34-37
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.(Christians have new bodies,this is the people against Jerusalem during the 7 yr treaty)(Christians bodies are not being eaten by the birds).
MATTHEW 24:37-51
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
How Real Is the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism and What Might Happen? Tim Wilson APR 21,08
In June of 2005, Senator Richard G. Lugar published his report The Lugar Survey on Proliferation Threats and Responses. In this, he received responses from 85 of the leading experts on non-proliferation and national security. To summarize the most important findings, the average response of these experts was that there is a one in ten (10%) chance of a nuclear attack occurring somewhere in the world in the following five years and a one in five (20%) chance of that event in ten years. They also thought that there was a 79% chance that that attack would be carried out by terrorists as opposed to a 21% chance of it being conducted by a national government.Since the report was published almost three years ago, it is worth considering the implications as the chances of this event happening in the immediate future have presumably increased since then. This is especially likely in the light of the relevant events which have occurred in North Korea and Iran over the last three years: On October 9th, 2006, North Korea announced it had carried out a successful test of a nuclear weapon; and on April 8th, 2008, Iran announced it was beginning the installation of an additional 6,000 uranium enrichment centrifuges at its Natanz facility (it already has 3,000 such centrifuges operational there, and a plutonium production capability at Arak). Furthermore, we should not forget the still expanding and proven nuclear weapons program of politically unstable Pakistan, where radicals could come to power in the foreseeable future and inherit a full nuclear capability.
While it is possible that none of these nations pose a significant direct threat to the U.S., what is inescapable is that of the nations who could attack us with these appalling Weapons of Mass Destruction, these two must both be regarded as the most likely candidates. Their leaders are enemies who regard the U.S. as an evil empire which should be humbled and/or destroyed. Given the opportunity to attack, they have the motive and the will to do so. This fact alone makes it necessary to take any and every action necessary to prevent any further development in their nuclear capabilities.However, if the opinion of the experts is correct that the greater threat is from terrorists, it is essential to consider where they might obtain their weapons. On this, the experts provide a range of options with almost half of them believing that the most likely source is by black market purchase of either a complete device or fissile material, although they also acknowledge the possibility of theft, donation by a government, or a combination of means.Does it matter where the terrorists get their materials? Of course it does! If they have to assemble it themselves from fissile material then it is likely to be a relatively crude device which will limit the explosive capability (probably to a maximum of around 20KT or the equivalent to 20,000 tons of high explosive and arguably to a much smaller capability equivalent to a few hundred tons of high explosive). But if they obtain a complete device, then it will probably be both much more reliable and of much greater explosive capability (up to 200KT (200,000 tons of high explosive or even more). To put this in perspective, the smaller device would probably produce a crater only many hundreds of feet in diameter in a city (but even the smallest device would annihilate more than a city block), while the larger would probably produce a crater nearly a mile across.
I covered some of the scenarios in a previous article back in October 2007.Of course the Lugar Survey did not say which city or cities in which country would be attacked. There is a long list of likely targets including Tel Aviv, London, Paris and even Moscow. However there can be no doubt that the most attractive targets to al Qaeda and its affiliates and imitators are in the United States. At the top of the list must be New York and Washington D.C., along with Los Angeles, and it is not impossible that terrorists capable of acquiring nuclear weapons would attack more than one city at the same time.The consequences for the U.S. of a successful nuclear strike here are appalling to consider. Yet we should do so as it is no absurdity, but an ever increasing possibility. While the U.S. as a whole will not be destroyed and retaliation will certainly be possible, it will be too late for the millions of our citizens who would already have been immediately physically affected. On top of the death and destruction involved, the economic, social and infrastructure damage will affect every single one of us for a very considerable period of time. The overall financial cost of a single strike may well be in the order of $13Trillion – 100% of GDP – a cost which makes going to war look cheap. Furthermore, there will be wide scale effects on fuel, electricity, food and other vital supplies with local and national shortages, and overextended public services everywhere. All of this is the reason we must be prepared to take whatever action is necessary to prevent such an attack. This is too grave and real a threat to allow, and all the inquiries, commissions and post-mortems will not undo the terrible consequences. No matter how dreadful the prospect of attacking another nation, if it prevents a nuclear device from going off here it will have been worth the condemnation and opprobrium of every other nation and even of the dissenters here at home. This is not an implausible event to be discussed as a theoretical exercise, it is a real possibility which we should all be thinking about and preparing to deal with, preferably in a pre-emptive manner.
Link
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
WSI raises 2008 Atlantic hurricane forecast
Tue Apr 22, 5:01 PM
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private weather forecaster WSI Corp said on Tuesday it raised the number of Atlantic hurricanes it expects this year to eight from seven due to warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures that will likely encourage storm development.We have increased our forecast slightly based on continued Atlantic warming in recent months, along with the persistence, albeit a bit weaker, of the La Nina event, said WSI seasonal forecaster Todd Crawford in a press release.Financial markets watch hurricane forecasts closely after a parade of severe storms in 2005 demolished parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing billions of dollars in damage and temporarily shutting down a quarter of the nation's refining capacity.WSI's forecast for the 2008 season calls for 14 named storms, eight of which will become hurricanes and four of which will strengthen into major hurricanes. The outlook is up slightly from WSI's outlook in December, which called for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three intense hurricanes.
The hurricane season runs for six months starting June 1.
WSI's forecast numbers are significantly higher than the 1950-2007 averages of 9.7 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes, the Massachusetts-based company said.The forecast is in line with a recent outlook from Colorado State University that called for 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
Alberta's late spring winter weather storm a boon for farmers Mon Apr 21, 8:07 PMBy Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press
EDMONTON - Western Canada's spring bout of winter weather may have people seeing red as they shovel the white stuff, but it has proven a godsend for parched prairie soil. A slow-moving upper low pressure system from the Pacific, fed by lingering Arctic cold air, continued Monday to park itself over the Prairies, delivering snow and freezing rain from Alberta to Manitoba. The snow dump - which reached 40 centimetres in some regions of Alberta over the weekend - snarled roads and led to multiple car crashes, including a collision near Olds, Alta., involving a semi-truck and a car that left one person dead. The blustery conditions were all the more irritating because Canadians in Central Canada were basking in balmy temperatures - with forecasts suggesting the sunshine was to continue through the week. But Agriculture Canada said the snowfall on the Prairies was just what farmers and ranchers needed. Trevor Hadwen, the department's agri-climate specialist, said some areas received 30 millilitres of moisture. Those areas were extremely dry throughout the winter. Quite a few of those areas received more moisture in this one storm than they did all winter, Hadwen said from Regina. The next important question is how the snow will melt.
If it melts slowly, that moisture will seep into the soil and do some good recharge.But a fast runoff won't be bad either for southern Saskatchewan and Alberta ranchers, who need the moisture for reservoirs and dugouts. Their dugouts were fairly dry and there wasn't a whole lot of runoff this spring, if any, from the winter, Hadwen said. The weekend snowfall brought an abrupt halt to a spring that featured summer-like temperatures just one weekend before. Edmonton scrambled to get graders on the road. Some contractors had already switched their scraping equipment from snow to gravel. Snow, blowing snow and snow drifts caused chaos on highways, leading to scores of pileups. Late Sunday, a Greyhound bus carrying 16 hit the ditch south of Edmonton after it slammed into the back of a pickup that had slowed down to manoeuvre around a jackknifed transport truck. No one was hurt. In Calgary, the famed Red Mile party strip south of downtown, where fans of the Calgary Flames gather to celebrate NHL playoff victories, was muted Sunday night despite the team's 2-0 win to take the San Jose Sharks to a decisive seventh game Tuesday. On Monday, a Staples Business Depot had to be evacuated when a sprinkler line burst due to the cold temperatures and flooded the store. Dan Kulak of Environment Canada said snowfall amounts were around 20 centimetres in the major cities - a big dump but far from the 48 centimetres recorded one May day in Calgary 27 years ago. It's spring, it's Canada, it's the Prairies. Deal with it, said Kulak, a warning preparedness meteorologist. Don't take the snow tires off yet. I'm not saying we're going to get a dump in May, but May is notorious for having big storms when they do happen. Temperatures were not expected to get back above the freezing mark until the end of the week, and, even then, they were expected to be 10 degrees cooler than the seasonal average.
Much of Saskatchewan was spared the full wrath of the weekend storm, but there were areas in the western part that felt the effects. Travel was not recommended Monday on many of the highways in the Lloydminster, North Battleford and Kindersley areas. RCMP said there were several reports of cars hitting the ditch on Sunday, but there were no serious accidents. In Meadow Lake, about 300 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, Daryl Wood was hoping to have at least part of the golf course open this week. But the 30 centimetres of snow that fell over the weekend put a chill on those plans. Wood said he spent four hours clearing the parking lot Monday just so people could get into the restaurant. We're behind the eight-ball now, he said. I am sure we're back at least a week to 10 days.-With files from Tim Cook in Regina.
Snow flurries continue in Saskatchewan
Mon Apr 21, 7:29 PM
SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - The frosty weather Saskatchewan residents might be wishing is winter's last gasp continued Monday.The roads in the western parts of the province from the U.S. border to Meadow Lake are in treacherous condition, said highways ministry spokesman Adam Rithaller.We have ice-covered heavy snow: that means there's at least eight centimetres of snow on the road, he said. Packed snow, snowdrifts, swirling snow, pretty much you name it, they have it there.There were also some slippery sections of highway in the northeast grainbelt, which experienced some freezing rain.Later Monday, Environment Canada was calling for snow flurries in Saskatoon, Martensville, Outlook, the Battlefords, Kindersley and Meadow Lake.Snow was also in the forecast Monday night for Prince Albert, Meadow Lake and the Battlefords.Further north, there was a freezing rain warning for Cumberland House, Pelican Narrows and Creighton.There were also winter storm warnings for La Ronge, Prince Albert National Park, Narrow Hills Provincial Park, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Buffalo Narrows and Beauval. That means freezing rain for some areas and heavy snow for others.The snow forecast was between 10 and 15 centimetres for Wollaston Lake, Collins Bay, Buffalo Narrows, Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Cree Lake, Key Lake, La Loche, Cluff Lake and Clearwater River Provincial Park.Compared to other areas, Regina was expected to get off easy Tuesday, with a mixture of sun and cloud and the high temperature hitting 10 C.
Carter denies State Dept. told him to shun Hamas By Matthew Bigg APR 23,08
ATLANTA (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter denied on Wednesday that the State Department warned him not to meet with leaders of the Islamist group Hamas before he made a recent trip to the Middle East. Carter said Hamas' top official Khaled Meshaal told him during meetings in Damascus on Friday and Saturday that Hamas would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders if approved by Palestinians.The United States brushed off the comments on Monday, arguing that Hamas' basic stance, which includes a call in its charter for the destruction of Israel, had not changed.The State Department has said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, urged Carter not to meet with Hamas, a position restated by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, but Carter denied this.No one in the State Department or any other department of the U.S. government ever asked him (Carter) to refrain from his recent visit to the Middle East or even suggested that he not meet with Syrian President (Bashar) Assad or leaders of Hamas, said a statement released by the Atlanta-based Carter Center, which speaks on the former president's behalf.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, is viewed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Israel.The Carter Center statement said the former president attempted to call Rice before making the trip and a deputy returned his call since Rice was in Europe.They had a very pleasant discussion for about 15 minutes, during which he never made any of the negative or cautionary comments described above. He never talked to anyone else, the Carter Center statement said.President Carter has the greatest respect for ... Rice and believes her to be a truthful person. However, perhaps inadvertently, she is continuing to make a statement that is not true, the statement said.Carter's reference to the 1967 borders spoke of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East War, and to a referendum on a peace deal Washington hopes to clinch this year.Hamas won a 2006 election and briefly formed a unity government with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. It seized control of Gaza from Abbas' secular Fatah faction in fighting in June.Hamas has refused to accept major conditions laid down by the quartet of Middle East peace mediators. Those nations include the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union.(Editing by Tom Brown and Bill Trott)
Apr 21, 2008 11:26 Old City of Jerusalem closed to private traffic over Pessah By JPOST.COM STAFF
The Jerusalem Municipal Council will search millions of visitors to Jerusalem's Old City during Hol Hamoed (Passover week days), according to new decisions by the municipality and Jerusalem police. Also, entering the Old City in private vehicles has been prohibited. Entry will only be granted to vehicles that have prearranged with the municipality, and to Egged public transport vehicles. Likewise, during Hol Hamoed various other main roads in east Jerusalem will be closed to private traffic. The Jerusalem Municipal Council recommends all visitors to use public transport to get to the Old City.
Thomson Financial News
EU Commission to warn clearing services over slow market reforms - report 04.21.08, 4:27 AM ET
BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - Providers of clearing and settlement services for stock exchanges will be warned on Monday by the European Commission they face their last chance to show they can create a competitive market on a voluntary basis, the Financial Times reported.EU Internal Markets Commissioner Charlie McCreevy will attack the endless foot-dragging over establishing effective links between clearing infrastructures.The EU wants more evidence that a code of conduct on inter-operability between infrastructure providers is leading to more competition in post-trade services to Europe's capital markets.McCreevy's comments will come at an ECB conference in Frankfurt.tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomsonreuters.com
EU DICTATOR (WORLD LEADER)
REVELATION 17:12-13
12 And the ten horns (NATIONS) which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
REVELATION 6:1-2
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse:(PEACE) and he that sat on him had a bow;(EU DICTATOR) and a crown was given unto him:(PRESIDENT OF THE EU) and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.(MILITARY GENIUS)
REVELATION 13:1-10
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.(THE EU AND ITS DICTATOR IS GODLESS)
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.(DICTATOR COMES FROM NEW AGE OR OCCULT)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;(MURDERERD) and his deadly wound was healed:(COMES BACK TO LIFE) and all the world wondered after the beast.(THE WORLD THINKS ITS GOD IN THE FLESH, MESSIAH TO ISRAEL)
4 And they worshipped the dragon (SATAN) which gave power unto the beast:(JEWISH EU DICTATOR) and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?(FALSE RESURRECTION,SATAN BRINGS HIM TO LIFE)
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.(GIVEN WORLD CONTROL FOR 3 1/2YRS)
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,(HES A GOD HATER) to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.(HES A LIBERAL OR DEMOCRAT,WILL PUT ANYTHING ABOUT GOD DOWN)
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints,(BEHEAD THEM) and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.(WORLD DOMINATION)
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.(WORLD DICTATOR)
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.(SAVED CHRISTIANS AND JEWS DIE FOR THEIR FAITH AT THIS TIME,NOW WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE BUT DURING THE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH, PEOPLE WILL BE PUT TO DEATH (BEHEADINGS) FOR THEIR BELIEF IN GOD (JESUS) OR THE BIBLE.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (ROMANS IN AD 70) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMANS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he( EU ROMAN, JEWISH DICTATOR) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:( 7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,( 3 1/2 YRS) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Secret deal between EU-3 blocks Blair as EU president
21.04.2008 - 09:30 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
UK prime minister Gordon Brown has agreed to a secret deal with Germany and France which effectively rules out Tony Blair as a new EU president but the British ex-leader is also interested in the new role of Europe's foreign chief, a UK daily is reporting.We have agreed with France and Germany not to back a candidate one of the others doesn't want, a British diplomat is quoted saying by the Independent.French President Nicolas Sarkozy previously backed Mr Blair as a possible candidate to head the EU's 27 member states while Mr Brown praised his potential qualities for the job but did not specifically back him.At the same time, German chancellor Angela Merkel is reportedly opposed to such a scenario, which means that - under a new deal referred to by the British diplomat in the article – her opposition would automatically spoil Mr Blair's chances of being supported by any of Europe's three biggest countries.Apart from Tony Blair, the other candidate mentioned most often and thought to enjoy backing by Berlin and Paris is Luxembourg's prime minister and veteran of the EU stage, Jean-Claude Juncker.
The position of the EU's president is contained in the bloc's Lisbon Treaty under the official heading of President of the European Council. The European Council refers to the regular meetings of EU leaders.Talks have begun on what kind of salary, personnel and other perks the president should have.But the actual job description of the EU president – a job that can be held for up to five years - still has yet to be decided. While his or her appointment would replace the current practice whereby the bloc is headed by a different EU leader every six months, it is unclear whether the role will be merely administrative or something more powerful.In chairing the 27-nation bloc, the EU president would work together with another post created by the Lisbon Treaty, the EU foreign minister.The new post will merge together the chair of Javier Solana as the EU's current foreign policy chief and that of Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the current European commissioner for external relations.According to the Independent, Tony Blair may also be interested in becoming the new EU foreign minister. The Lisbon Treaty is scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2009.
Nine member states have already ratified the treaty, others are planning to hold a parliamentary vote at some stage this year. Only Ireland will decide by a referendum, due on 12 June.
MEPs to use budget power over EU president perks
22.04.2008 - 09:22 CET | By Honor Mahony
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Members of the European Parliament are prepared to use their hold over the bloc's purse-strings to try and make sure that the proposed new EU president does not wield too much power.The treaty is very clear about the duties [of the president], the head of the parliament's budget committee, Reimer Boege, told EUobserver, noting that it says the person can have an administrative role, but not take over an executive function.Budget power is always used as a weapon. This is a principle, said the centre-right German MEP.The parliament, wary of upsetting the fine balance of power between the EU institutions, will have a chance to use this weapon when it comes to negotiations later this year on the 2009 budget.Mr Boege said that MEPs will looking out to see that if any extra perks for the president – a private plane and a residence are rumoured to be under consideration – would be linked to lowering the communitarian level in the treaty, meaning reducing the power of the European commission and boosting inter-governmental politics.The MEP urged member states who are due to deliver a draft budget to the parliament before the summer to show a flexible and responsible approach and indicated that euro-deputies would be inclined to accept a staff set-up for the president that does not exceed that of the immediate staff of the European commission president (around 20).
The first reading of the budget is due in October, but MEPs are already fretting about the institutional implications of the Lisbon Treaty, which is supposed to come into force by the beginning of next year.Earlier this month, senior MEPs, including parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering, met European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to raise certain points about the treaty, particularly concerning the remit of the proposed president.The treaty foresees a purely administrative role for the President of the European Council – the formal title of the post - organising the meetings of EU leaders.However, there is the potential for external representation overlap with the foreign minister and the commission president, while the role is also set to be defined by the person who gets the job.Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, one of those often mentioned as a contender for the post, had said the president should not be an empty figurehead or a director of ceremonies.French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who will head the EU later this year when the job description is to be decided, shares this opinion. Others, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are said to want to keep a lid on the president's powers.
A pre-democracy situation
For their part, MEPs suggest there will be a democratic legitimacy problem if the president has too much power, as the person will be chosen by the 27 EU leaders - in a closed-door process - and is not accountable to the European Parliament.They note where the president has operational powers, that person is directly elected, such as in France or the US. A powerful EU president that is neither subject to parliamentary control nor elected by citizens would lead us to a pre-democratic situation, German centre-right MEP Elmar Brok told the constitutional affairs committee earlier this month.Speaking about the possible size of the president's entourage - which some in council (the member states' body) have suggested should run to 60 people, including security officials, cabinet, chauffeurs and secretaries - Mr Brok said:
I am of the opinion that if we cannot come to agreement on this, then we should abandon the gentleman's agreement whereby one does not mess with the budget of another institution, because now we are talking about operational powers. It is no longer about the implementation of purely organisational duties.Correction. The text previously said MEPs would be inclined to accept a similar salary and staff arrangement as the European commission president for the president of the European Council. The sentence should only have said staff.
IBG Teleconference: European Union Considerations for e-Passports, Biometrics, and Border Control Programs APR 22,08
International Biometric Group (IBG) is pleased to announce its upcoming teleconference: European Union Considerations for e-Passports, Biometrics, and Border Control Programs to be held Thursday, April 24th, at 9am ET/3pm BST, which will outline requirements, specifications, and legalities EU Member States should consider when developing e-Passport, biometrics, and border control systems.
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- IBG, the industry's leading developer and integrator of biometric systems and solutions, is pleased to announce its upcoming teleconference: European Union Considerations for e-Passport, Biometrics, and Border Control Programs, to be held Thursday, April 24th, at 9 am EST/3 pm BST.
e-Passport, Visa, and border control systems regulations and specifications continue to evolve in sophistication and complexity. Understanding requirements is crucial to government agencies and commercial vendors implementing these systems. IBG Senior Consultant David Coleman will discuss requirements, specifications, and legalities EU Member States should consider when developing e-Passport, biometrics, and border control systems, including:
Interoperability and standards
System deployments
Registration, enrollment, personalization, and issuance processes
Projected developments in EU Member States
Recent IBG work for an EU member state
The teleconference will also address EU-BMS, SIS-II, Prum Treaty and National AFIS System requirements. The impact of ISO and ICAO Machine Readable Travel Document standards on European Citizen Card and Residence Permits will also be discussed. Mr. Coleman will address the use of e-Passport and Schengen Visa documents from the perspective of the border control officer and passenger, including use cases for EU, US, and third party citizens arriving from Schengen and non-Schengen destinations. These use cases will address the interfaces with appropriate SIS and VIS systems. Finally, the use of PKI and biometrics for BAC- and EAC-compliant passports will be examined, including usability of the advanced authentication mechanisms.
Web Access: http://www.biometricgroup.com/webcon
Dial-in Phone Number: 303-205-0044
Event Date: April 24th, 2008 at 9 am EST/3 pm BST
IBG, the industry's premier independent developer and integrator of identification systems and solutions, provides government and industry with technology-neutral, vendor-independent engineering and consulting services in identity management and biometric technologies. IBG deploys custom solutions and standards-based infrastructures in complex, mission-critical applications. IBG also operates the National Sensors, Surveillance and Biometric Technologies Center of Excellence for the U.S. Department of Justice, located at our New York City headquarters. Additional IBG locations include London, Washington DC, and San Francisco.
EUROPEAN UNION ARMY
DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.( BE HEAD OF 3 NATIONS)
25 And he (EU PRESIDENT) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.(3 1/2 YRS)
DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.
DANIEL 11:36-39
36 And the king (EU DICTATOR) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS JEWISH) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.(CLAIM TO BE GOD)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(WAR) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god,(DESTROY TERROR GROUPS) whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.
REVELATION 19:19
19 And I saw the beast,(EU LEADER) and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,(JESUS) and against his army.(THE RAPTURED CHRISTIANS)
EU-NATO : European defence after Bucharest
By BabelParis on Tuesday, April 22 2008, 08:00
This year, the NATO summit took place in Romania from April 2nd to April 4th. . Besides the membership agreements which ended up with the entrance of Croatia and Albania and the refusal of Georgia and Ukraine, this should have been a crucial event of international policy. After the Nicolas Sarkozy’s statements concerning, on the one hand, France’s reintegrating NATO’s integrated command structures and, on the other hand, the common destiny of NATO and the EU, we expected revolutionary declarations… but revolutionary is not part of the international language.
A fake European summit
Since the speech pronounced by the American ambassador to NATO, Victoria Nuland, on February 22nd and 25th in Paris and at the London School of Economics, American leaders had never considered the European defence serious enough to be discussed at the international level. The ambassador recognized it herself in London : You will think this is strange, a little suspicious -- to have the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, standing here, urging you – the British and international leaders of the future to build a stronger EU. And indeed, this is a step forward. Eventually, leaders dare acknowledge the existence of another international organisation capable to secure the safety of citizens worldwide… No! We’re going a little bit too far here, aren’t we? Of course European defence does exist – quite difficult to ignore the institutional and operational reality of an organisation NATO actually sealed a strategic agreement with in 2003. But having the Americans say that the European Union is able to secure the world’s safety, there is an insurmountable epistemological obstacle. Less adventurous than his Ambassador, President Bush never took the risk of speaking about European security and defence policy, or maybe was it anecdotal.
EDSP : A legitimacy recognized
Considering what American leaders say, if ESDP is not completely finalised yet to be regarded as equal to the powerful NATO, it has reinforced European military presence all around the world – not only in the Balkans. As a consequence, EU has become a crucial political and strategic counterpart. Crucial for the future of NATO itself, which urgently needs to reconsider its priority accordingly with the new global threats; crucial also from an organic perspective as, today, 21 States over 28 which are members of NATO are also members of the EU. The United-States which, as everybody knows, handle NATO’s capacity budget cannot fairly ignore the efficiency of a European defence to which the 8/10th of its own members contribute. This leads George Bush to say, and this is unique, that The building of a strong Alliance also needs a strong European defence capacity. But, once more, be careful! Do not speak out the words of the American president because he actually speaks about strengthening the European defence capacity and not European defence as such. If he encourages the European partners to improve their defence budget, George Bush mentions nor the institutional neither the political strengthening of European defence structures –e.g. the European Defence Agency, the Operation Centre, the EU major state – and God knows that between statements and the implementation of forces and finance there is a wide gap. However, if coordination and operational structures remain minimalists, it’s just as if you were filling a hallowed basket.
What could have been interpreted as a conceptual revolution on the part of the US simply is, if you look better, just another example of its impertinence : So at this summit, I will encourage our European partners to increase their defense investments to support both NATO and EU operations. America believes if Europeans invest in their own defense, they will also be stronger and more capable when we deploy together. In other words, no way ESDP should act as a free rider? We encourage you to develop yourself only if we can benefit from it.
An autonomous European defence … but not an independent one.
As for president Sarkozy, the words he pronounced at Bucharest echoed what he had been repeating for months since his speech to the Ambassadors last August 27th This Summit is extremely important? It is a way to confirm the Alliance and to strengthen the European defence. We need the United States and the United States need strong allies. This last sentence speaks for itself: both of the institutions are inevitably linked. So even if the French president keeps on saying that he wants an autonomous and stronger Europe, he also admits that it will continue to depend on the Americans. Americans hold the defence economy to such an extent that it has become outrageous to speak about NATO’s umbrella – we should better speak about a capacity drip.
Finally, it is very laudable to support Europe’s autonomy, but until EU member States will continue to have their defence interests determined by economic and industrial agreements orchestrated by the US, there will never be any real independence. And if there’s no self appropriation of the European defence economy, then ESDP will always be the thing of an invisible hand called NATO.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM
Stocks rise as Street parses earnings, oil prices decline By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer APR 23,08
NEW YORK - Stocks turned sharply higher Wednesday after an increase in oil supplies sent energy prices lower and eased Wall Street's concerns that rising inflation will force consumers to cut their spending. The rebound in stocks came a day after another record high price for oil helped send shares skidding. But selling in the oil market after the government reported a drop in inventories last week allowed investors to keep their focus on the stream of earnings reports arriving from companies.Investors also took in the news that Liberty Mutual plans to acquire Safeco. The announcement sent Safeco shares surging and perhaps helped reassure investors nervous about corporate earnings. The $6.12 billion deal would create the country's fifth-biggest property insurer.Boeing Co., one of the 30 stocks that comprise the Dow Jones industrial average, appeared to help buoy investor sentiment after reporting its first-quarter earnings rose 38 percent. However, investors also sent shares of bond insurer Ambac Financial Group, health insurer WellPoint Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. lower following their reports.
But stocks extended their gains after the government said inventories of crude oil rose last week after unexpected drops in the prior two periods.In midmorning trading, the Dow rose 97.62, or 0.77 percent, to 12,817.85 after moving in and out of positive territory early in the session.Broader stock indicators rose. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 9.21, or 0.67 percent, to 1,385.15. The Nasdaq composite index showed a stronger advance, rising 31.77, or 1.34 percent, to 2,408.71.Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 3 to 2 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 349.7 million shares.Light, sweet crude fell 46 cents to $116.71 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.On the Net:
New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
FAMINE
REVELATION 6:5-6
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.(A DAYS WAGES FOR A LOAF OF BREAD)
Gas prices rise further above $3.50, while oil nears $120 By JOHN WILEN, AP Business Writer Tue Apr 22, 10:45 PM ET
NEW YORK - Gas and oil prices pushed further into record high territory Tuesday, with retail gas reaching a national average of $3.51 for the first time and crude nearing $120 as the dollar fell to a new low against the euro. At the pump, the national average price of a gallon of regular gas rose 0.8 cent Tuesday to $3.511, according to a survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. Prices for diesel — used to transport most food, industrial and commercial goods — also rose overnight to a new record of $4.204 a gallon.Gas prices are nearly 66 cents higher than last year, when they peaked at a then-record of $3.23 in late May, and have prompted many analysts to raise their estimates of where gas is going to go.I wouldn't rule out the possibility that we could get to $4, said Antoine Halff, an analyst at Newedge USA LLC.
Other analysts are less certain. Fred Rozell, retail pricing director at the Oil Price Information Service, thinks gas prices will rise only another 10 cents to 20 cents nationally. That would mean they would peak near $4.15 a gallon in California, where prices are typically highest, and around $3.50 in New Jersey, where they're typically lowest.Gas prices are rising for many reasons, including oil's record run. Light, sweet crude for May delivery rose to a new trading record of $119.90 before retreating to settle up $1.89 at a record $119.37 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract expired after the Nymex closed, which contributed to its spike higher as investors scrambled to square bets. June crude futures, which now become the focus of trading, rose $1.44 to settle at $118.07 a barrel, nearly $2 shy of the $120 level.On Capitol Hill, some lawmakers attempted to escalate scrutiny of oil and gas companies.People deserve a more scrupulous cop on the beat in these markets, said Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., who along with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., called for the Justice Department to investigate possible market manipulation.
Meantime, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., praised the Bush administration's proposal to increase the average fuel economy for new cars and trucks to 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015.Soaring gasoline prices show that we have to move much more aggressively toward improving fuel efficiency and help bring relief to American consumers, she said in a statement.Many investors see commodities such as oil as a hedge against inflation and a falling dollar. Also, a weaker greenback makes oil cheaper for investors overseas.
The dollar fell Tuesday after the National Association of Realtors said sales of existing homes dropped in March while the median home price declined, raising prospects that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further this year to try to shore up the ailing economy. Fed interest rate cuts tend to further weaken the dollar.
Oil also rose on concerns about supply constraints overseas. A Royal Dutch Shell PLC joint venture declared what's known as force majeure on April and May oil delivery contracts from a 400,000-barrel-a-day Nigerian oil field due to a pipeline attack last week. The move protects the company from litigation if it fails to deliver on contractual obligations to buyers.In Mexico, oil production slipped 7.8 percent in the first quarter to 2.91 million barrels a day as output at the country's oil fields waned, state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos said. In Scotland, workers at Ineos PLC's 196,000 barrel-a-day Grangemouth refinery and petrochemical plant threatened to strike over changes to an employee pension plan.
While gas prices are following oil futures higher, they're also rising because supplies are falling. Refiners are in the process of switching over from making winter grade gasoline to the more-expensive, less-polluting, form of the fuel they're required to sell in summer. That's pushing supplies down as producers try to sell off all of their winter gas.Gasoline supplies are also being hurt by low profit margins. Refiners have to buy the crude they turn into fuel, but falling demand for gasoline has hurt their ability to raise gas prices as much as they would like. While the average profit margin on gasoline hovers above $10, analysts say margins have gone negative in some parts of the country in recent weeks. In those cases, refiners were actually losing money on every gallon of gas they made. Many refiners have reacting by producing less gas.Very high crude prices can constrain gasoline supplies as it hurts the margins, Halff said.In other Nymex trading Tuesday, May gasoline futures rose 3.73 cents to settle at $3.0164 a gallon after earlier rising to a trading record of $3.025, while May heating oil futures rose 0.55 cent to settle at $3.3169 a gallon after earlier rising to their own trading record of $3.35. May natural gas futures fell 12.6 cents to settle at $10.607 per 1,000 cubic feet. In London, June Brent crude rose $1.52 to settle at $115.95 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. Associated Press writers Pablo Gorondi in Budapest and Gillian Wong in Singapore contributed to this report.
REVELATION 6:7-8
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).
Bear gave off no reasons for concern before trainer's death APR 23,08
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. - The grizzly bear that wrestled Will Ferrell's character in the recent film Semi-Pro seemed to obediently follow cues — which made its killing of its trainer with a bite to the neck all the more stunning. Three experienced handlers were working with the grizzly Tuesday at the Predators in Action wild animal training center when the bear attacked Stephan Miller, 39, said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers.Stephan Miller is the cousin of training center owner Randy Miller, she said.Pepper spray was used to subdue and contain the bear, and there were no other injuries, Beavers said. Paramedics arriving shortly after the initial emergency call around 3 p.m. were unable to revive Stephan Miller.The state Department of Fish and Game and Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating the incident.Fish and game spokesman Harry Morse told the San Bernardino Sun Tuesday his department would not decide whether the bear will be euthanized because the attack occurred outside its jurisdiction during a training session on facility grounds.Morse speculated that the county animal care officials may decide the bear's fate. A call placed early Wednesday to the county's Animal Care and Control Program was not answered.
Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Phelps said the bear was a 5-year-old male named Rocky. The Predators in Action Web site said Rocky is 7 1/2 feet tall and weighs 700 pounds.The site, which was off-line early Wednesday due to overtaxed bandwidth, identified Rocky as the animal that appeared with Ferrell's character in the scene from Semi-Pro. Randy Miller doubled for Ferrell in the bear wrestling match, according to the site.Calls seeking comment from Randy Miller were not immediately returned Tuesday evening.The center, located in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles, has two grizzlies, and also trains lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and wolves for uses ranging from film and TV to advertising and education.In a February interview, Randy Miller called Rocky the best working bear in the business, the San Bernardino Sun reported on its Web site Wednesday. But, the paper quoted him as saying, If one of these animals gets a hold of your throat, you're finished.
Randy Miller has 25 years of experience training animals and his facility has had a perfect safety record, according to the site.
Randy Miller won a World Stunt Academy Award for his work wrestling tigers in the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator and performed stunts with his animals in films like The Postman, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and The Last Samurai. He also helped recreate animal attacks for National Geographic documentaries and the Discovery Channel.It was not immediately known how long Rocky has been at the facility.The attack prompted actress Virginia McKenna, founder of the international wildlife charity Born Free, to call for the entertainment industry to stop using wild animals.The movie industry urgently needs to use its technological and creative imagination to put an end to the use of live wild animals in commercials and movies, McKenna, who starred in the 1966 wildlife film Born Free, said in a printed release. Hollywood is a dream factory — this time the dream has become a nightmare.Denise Richards, who works with wild animals at Moonridge Zoo, a sanctuary for injured and homeless wildlife in nearby Big Bear Lake, said trained animals that turn on their handlers are often destroyed.
You can train them and use as many safety precautions as you can, but you're still taking a chance if you're putting yourself in contact with them, Richards said. It's still a wild animal. Even though it may appear that the bear attacked for no reason, there was a reason. I'm sure Randy understands why it happened. They're not cold-blooded killers.Native grizzly bears are extinct in California. Randy Miller's Predators in Action: http://www.predatorsinaction.com
* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * *
IS THE NEW HAMAS OFFER PROPHETICALLY SIGNIFICANT?
Note: I will be on The Glenn Beck Show on CNN Headline News each night this week discussing current events, Bible prophecy, and Dead Heat. On Friday, Glenn and I will do a one-hour special together.
By Joel C. Rosenberg
(Washington, D.C., April 22, 2008) -- At the end of last night's segment on CNN regarding former President Jimmy Carter's recent meetings with senior Hamas leaders, Glenn Beck asked me whether there was any Biblically prophetic significance to the meeting. It was an important question (and one not usually asked on CNN). While I only had 30 seconds to answer it, allow me to raise a few points.
First, Hamas's offer of a 10 year peace deal with Israel is a new and startling development. I personally don't believe Hamas really wants peace with Israel. What's more, the founding Hamas Charter explicitly rejects all comprehensive peace treaties with the Jews. This is simply a ruse to get Israel to stop assassinating Hamas terrorist leaders and lure Israel into a false sense of security. But that's not the point. The point is that this the first time in history that one of Israel's primary enemies has suggested forging not a comprehensive peace deal in perpetuity, but a peace treaty of a short and specific time frame. Israel's treaty with Egypt signed in 1979 was not a time-limited agreement. Neither was Israel's treaty with Jordan in 1994. The Oslo Agreements were never time-limited. Nor is President Bush's Road Map for Middle East peace. This is a new development. And I suspect the Hamas offer will eventually be taken seriously by the leaders of Israel, the U.N. and the E.U. (perhaps the U.S., too.)
Second, this time-limited peace offer by Hamas is fascinating in that it is completely consistent with Bible prophecy about the last days. In Daniel 9:27, the ancient Hebrew prophet tells us that in the End of Days, an evil leader will make a comprehensive peace deal or covenant with Israel and her many neighbors and enemies. That deal will seem firm, says Daniel, but it will not be forever. It will be for 7 years. According to the Book of Daniel and Revelation, Israel will accept the deal (fatally flawed though it is), but the evil leader will break the deal after 3 1/2 years, invade Israel, set up a global empire, and eventually trigger the War of Armageddon. Let me be clear: while Hamas leader Khaled Mash'al is without question an evil leader who seeks nothing less that the liberation of Jerusalem for radical Islam and the liquidation of all Jews and Christians in the Holy Land, I am not saying he is the evil leader of which Daniel writes. But Mash'al's proposal has now injected something new and Biblically significant into the Middle East peace process equation -- the element of a time-limited deal. Very interesting.
Third, in my new political thriller, Dead Heat, I write about this exact scenario of a time-limited peace deal between Israel and her enemies. On page 167, my fictional U.N. Secretary General says: We need to win the Israelis' confidence. We need them to lower their guard. Their Zionist ideology is exhausted. Their political leaders are feckless. Their diplomatic leaders are so desperate to be loved, to be accepted by the rest of the world, they're willing to give away almost anything. But we must not make the ridiculous mistakes of the past. We must not threaten Israel with war. We must invite them to make peace. We must not turn our backs to them. We must offer them an open hand. We must not boycott them....We must shock them. We must offer them a comprehensive peace treaty, the likes of which the world has never seen before. We must lure them into feeling safe and secure. We must lull them into trusting us, into trusting me...And then, when all this has been accomplished, when the time is right, you and I will make our move. We will seize Jerusalem. We will raze the Temple....But not now. We're not ready -- yet. Then, on p. 371 of Dead Heat, my fictional Israeli Prime Minister says: The world is suddenly very unstable and Israel, I'm afraid, is suddenly very vulnerable. [The U.N. Secretary General] is suggesting we go from Rome to Babylon and have some time alone with [the leader of Iraq]. He wants us to hammer out some kind of fast regional peace treaty -- even a temporary one, something that might last five or ten years, or so....To be honest, given all that's happening, I'm inclined to say yes.
Fourth, watch carefully to see if this concept of a time-limited Arab-Israeli peace deal gains traction. I wrote about a fictional deal like this in Dead Heat because it seemed like a plausible geopolitical scenario to get us to the Biblical prophecy of a 7-year Middle East peace deal. But until this week, no one in real life had ever talked seriously about a limited time frame for a peace deal with Israel. Now Israel's most dangerous immediate neighbor has, assisted by the architect of the Camp David Peace Accords. What's more, President Bush says he is optimistic that an Israeli-Palestinian deal can be struck by the end of 2008. Perhaps prophetic events are moving faster than most Americans think.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GLENN BECK SHOW
CNN Headline News
Monday, April 21, 2008
BECK: Call me an optimist but honestly, I didn`t think the news could get any worse. And then Jimmy Carter showed up. Let me just remind you, Jimmy Carter, horrible president. But at least we only had to deal with his energy crisis, his Iran hostage crisis, and the -- oh, yes, the economic crisis for four years. Thank goodness for Ronald Reagan. I don`t think America could have survived a second Carter term. But now I feel Jimmy Carter may actually do more harm as a former president than he did as president. And that`s saying something.I think it`s great that Jimmy Carter likes to build houses for the poor. No, I really do. But when he stops being a carpenter and starts thinking, Hey, maybe I`ll be a peacemaker, I kind of feel like boycotting peanuts. How about you?Carter has just ended his Middle East peace trip. And he says now -- and he`s bringing home a souvenir, an agreement from the terrorist group Hamas, that says, they`ll accept a peaceful co-existence with Israel. Oh, that`s great. And I believe them. This is -- even though they refuse to officially recognize Israel as a nation. And they still proclaim that they want Israel wiped off the map, which is weird because it seems like the second part negates the first part of that. But I`m sure Jim has got that all figured out. So to sum up, Jimmy Carter is a stooge. Is this just another argument against him or is this a sign of what some people have been waiting for, for like, say, the last 2,000 years.Joel Rosenberg is the author of Dead Heat and the founder of the Joshua Fund. He`ll be joining me all week to answer some of these questions about the Middle East and the end of days -- Joel.
JOEL ROSENBERG, AUTHOR, DEAD HEAT: Hey, Glenn, how are you?
BECK: Very good. President/preacher boy, Jimmy Carter, doesn`t seem to understand a little something I like to call evil.
ROSENBERG: He doesn`t. This president is literally the worst ex- president we`ve ever had. And he displayed it this week. He literally doesn`t understand the difference between good and evil.And you know, look, Hamas is a terrorist organization. They`re a genocidal organization. You read the founding document of the Hamas charter, back in 1988, 89. Read it. It says, Under no circumstances will we allow a peace treaty between us and the Jews, the Zionists. We`re going to wipe them off the face of the planet.
BECK: Well, that`s 1987 -- 1988. Those are old details. Why do you keep bringing up the past like that?
ROSENBERG: Well, because just this year, Hamas television is running cartoons of Asud (ph) the bunny. Assud the Bunny is claiming he will eat all the Jews in Palestine in order to liberate the homeland of Palestine.
BECK: It`s a bunny.
ROSENBERG: This is just the type of examples of how they are inciting children, not to mention adults, for genocide. Genocide is what Hamas wants. Carter doesn`t understand this.
BECK: Joel, children know the difference that a cartoon bunny is not going to eat all the Jews.
ROSENBERG: Well -- and yet the Hamas leaders are raising terrorists, suicide bombers.I mean, look, the problem is. And I make this point in Dead Heat the central theme of my political thriller, which is to misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it.
BECK: You know, the last time we failed to recognize evil, we failed to recognize evil in Germany. And we waited and we waited. And we said, Oh, well they don`t really mean that. They were very clear. Anybody who read Mein Kampf, you can`t deny that, you know -- look, I`m of German descent. I remember when I went in and bought Mein Kampf. Because I wanted to know if the German people really knew or not.If you read Mein Kampf, you have no excuse. He was extraordinarily clear on how he felt about the Jews. And it`s the same thing that`s happening now. And yet all of these people are just in absolute denial. Jimmy Carter, he`s got to be an anti-Semite.
ROSENBERG: You know, look, I think often of the Jerry Seinfeld episode where George Costanza -- where Jerry says, Look, George if every instinct you`ve ever had is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right. And I look at Jimmy Carter. And any instinct that he has had in foreign policy has always been wrong.
BECK: No.
ROSENBERG: And we have to just do the exact opposite. I mean this is -- look, if you read Mein Kampf in 1939, and you said, Well, Hitler wrote that years ago. What does that have to do with becoming final solution? Come 1945, everybody understood that.
BECK: OK. So let me change gears real quick. Because we`re spending time with you, because I read Dead Heat, and it`s fantastic. And I know your other books have -- have, in a way, come true. Some of the things that you`ve written about, and 9/11 was one of them. You predicted the planes and everything else.I want to talk to you a little bit about. Jeez, and I`m getting a 30- second. Quick, let`s tie it into the end time. Any sign of the end times here in anything of this stuff with Hamas and peace deals?
ROSENBERG: Well, what`s weird about this right now is that Hamas -- what Carter is coming home is saying Hamas is allowing for a ten-year hudna, a 10-year truce. In other words, Hamas won`t say they recognize Israel. But for ten years, let`s cut a deal. Let`s create a Palestinian state, and we`ll have ten years of semi-peace.What`s interesting about this is this may set into motion -- I don`t know. But it may set in motion what the Bible talks about: a seven-year peace deal in which the leader that signs the deal with Israel then breaks the deal halfway through. This comes from Daniel, comes from Revelations.
BECK: OK. Joel, we`ll talk to you more about that later on this week. Every night, join us as he joins us. And again, Dead Heat is a phenomenal book.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE USED.
REVELATION 14:18-20
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city,(JERUSALEM) and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.(200 MILES) (THE SIZE OF ISRAEL)
ISAIAH 66:15-18
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die).
ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.
JOEL 2:20,30
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
ZEPHANIAH 1:18
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
MALACHI 4:1
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
REVELATION 9:18
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
HALF OF EARTHS POPULATION DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION.(THESE VERSES ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)
LUKE 17:34-37
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.(Christians have new bodies,this is the people against Jerusalem during the 7 yr treaty)(Christians bodies are not being eaten by the birds).
MATTHEW 24:37-51
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
How Real Is the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism and What Might Happen? Tim Wilson APR 21,08
In June of 2005, Senator Richard G. Lugar published his report The Lugar Survey on Proliferation Threats and Responses. In this, he received responses from 85 of the leading experts on non-proliferation and national security. To summarize the most important findings, the average response of these experts was that there is a one in ten (10%) chance of a nuclear attack occurring somewhere in the world in the following five years and a one in five (20%) chance of that event in ten years. They also thought that there was a 79% chance that that attack would be carried out by terrorists as opposed to a 21% chance of it being conducted by a national government.Since the report was published almost three years ago, it is worth considering the implications as the chances of this event happening in the immediate future have presumably increased since then. This is especially likely in the light of the relevant events which have occurred in North Korea and Iran over the last three years: On October 9th, 2006, North Korea announced it had carried out a successful test of a nuclear weapon; and on April 8th, 2008, Iran announced it was beginning the installation of an additional 6,000 uranium enrichment centrifuges at its Natanz facility (it already has 3,000 such centrifuges operational there, and a plutonium production capability at Arak). Furthermore, we should not forget the still expanding and proven nuclear weapons program of politically unstable Pakistan, where radicals could come to power in the foreseeable future and inherit a full nuclear capability.
While it is possible that none of these nations pose a significant direct threat to the U.S., what is inescapable is that of the nations who could attack us with these appalling Weapons of Mass Destruction, these two must both be regarded as the most likely candidates. Their leaders are enemies who regard the U.S. as an evil empire which should be humbled and/or destroyed. Given the opportunity to attack, they have the motive and the will to do so. This fact alone makes it necessary to take any and every action necessary to prevent any further development in their nuclear capabilities.However, if the opinion of the experts is correct that the greater threat is from terrorists, it is essential to consider where they might obtain their weapons. On this, the experts provide a range of options with almost half of them believing that the most likely source is by black market purchase of either a complete device or fissile material, although they also acknowledge the possibility of theft, donation by a government, or a combination of means.Does it matter where the terrorists get their materials? Of course it does! If they have to assemble it themselves from fissile material then it is likely to be a relatively crude device which will limit the explosive capability (probably to a maximum of around 20KT or the equivalent to 20,000 tons of high explosive and arguably to a much smaller capability equivalent to a few hundred tons of high explosive). But if they obtain a complete device, then it will probably be both much more reliable and of much greater explosive capability (up to 200KT (200,000 tons of high explosive or even more). To put this in perspective, the smaller device would probably produce a crater only many hundreds of feet in diameter in a city (but even the smallest device would annihilate more than a city block), while the larger would probably produce a crater nearly a mile across.
I covered some of the scenarios in a previous article back in October 2007.Of course the Lugar Survey did not say which city or cities in which country would be attacked. There is a long list of likely targets including Tel Aviv, London, Paris and even Moscow. However there can be no doubt that the most attractive targets to al Qaeda and its affiliates and imitators are in the United States. At the top of the list must be New York and Washington D.C., along with Los Angeles, and it is not impossible that terrorists capable of acquiring nuclear weapons would attack more than one city at the same time.The consequences for the U.S. of a successful nuclear strike here are appalling to consider. Yet we should do so as it is no absurdity, but an ever increasing possibility. While the U.S. as a whole will not be destroyed and retaliation will certainly be possible, it will be too late for the millions of our citizens who would already have been immediately physically affected. On top of the death and destruction involved, the economic, social and infrastructure damage will affect every single one of us for a very considerable period of time. The overall financial cost of a single strike may well be in the order of $13Trillion – 100% of GDP – a cost which makes going to war look cheap. Furthermore, there will be wide scale effects on fuel, electricity, food and other vital supplies with local and national shortages, and overextended public services everywhere. All of this is the reason we must be prepared to take whatever action is necessary to prevent such an attack. This is too grave and real a threat to allow, and all the inquiries, commissions and post-mortems will not undo the terrible consequences. No matter how dreadful the prospect of attacking another nation, if it prevents a nuclear device from going off here it will have been worth the condemnation and opprobrium of every other nation and even of the dissenters here at home. This is not an implausible event to be discussed as a theoretical exercise, it is a real possibility which we should all be thinking about and preparing to deal with, preferably in a pre-emptive manner.
Link
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
SPP SUMMIT IN NEW ORLEANS
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADE BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
I LIKE WHAT HARPER SAID IN HIS SPEECH WE NEED TO TRADE WITH OTHER BLOCKS TO BE PROSPEROUS.
HERE IS THE TEXT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with President Calderon of Mexico and Prime Minister Harper of Canada Gallier Hall New Orleans, Louisiana APR 22,08
Joint Statement by President Bush, President Calderon, Prime Minister Harper In Focus: North American Leaders' Summit
11:31 A.M. CDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all. Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, welcome to the great city of New Orleans. Thank you all for coming, as well. New Orleans is one of America's really top cities, and they -- the people of New Orleans appreciate the help you gave them right after Hurricane Katrina. And so I want to thank you very much for that. New Orleans has always been a crossroads for our continent, and today there's no better place for our nations to look forward to a bright future, and that's what we're here to do.
One of the things -- people ask, well, does it make sense for Mexico, Canada and the United States to meet? Absolutely, it makes sense. We're neighbors. A prosperous neighborhood is in our interests, a secure neighborhood is in our interests, and we share common values. So I'm not surprised we've had good meetings -- plus we like each other. It's easy to work with leaders who are straightforward and honest, tell you what's on their mind, and who care deeply about the people of their countries and who are problem solvers. That's how I have found this meeting and the previous meetings we've held.
We talked about trade. Mexico, Canada and the United States made a bold decision in the early 1990s. Our countries decided to reduce our trade barriers through the North American Free Trade Agreement. That was a visionary move by previous leaders, a move that has benefitted all three of our countries -- a lot. Trade has tripled. Our economies have grown by more than 50 percent.
Now is not the time to renegotiate NAFTA or walk away from NAFTA. Now is the time to make it work better for all our people, and now is the time to reduce trade barriers worldwide.
And so we spent time talking about the Colombia free trade agreement. Canada is negotiating a Colombia free trade agreement; Mexico has a free trade agreement with Colombia. And a lot of folks are waiting for the United States Congress to bring this issue up and pass it. It makes no sense to me to say that Colombia goods can come into our country duty-free, yet our goods can't go into Colombia duty-free. And yet that's the case.
An agreement with Colombia would level the playing field. And a failure to pass an agreement would send a terrible signal to our neighborhood. The Speaker of the United States Congress has killed this bill unless she gives us a date certain for a vote. It's a bad decision on her part. And it's bad for our hemisphere to have the United States of America turn its back on a mutual friend like Colombia.
We're working to make sure we reduce regulations and to add -- to make sure that our small businesses and farmers and producers are able to move product in a way without a bunch of government regulations in between. It's not easy work, because obviously we want to maintain high standards and work for good safety precautions, yet we're making progress.
And we've charged others to continue to work, like Carlos Gutierrez and my Cabinet will work on issues with his counterparts for more harmonized standards to reduce the cost of producing cars and trucks throughout our entire market. In other words, you've got different regulations in different countries that make it difficult to compete globally and cause our products to be more expensive than they should be.
We're talking about food and product safety standards to make them compatible in a way that guarantees safety for our consumers. We talked about the need for us to work together to promote clean, efficient, low-carbon energy technologies. Obviously, we talked about global warming and the need to make sure that major economies are all party to an agreement.
People say, well, are you really committed to global -- to reducing global warming? Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I gave a speech in the Rose Garden the other day that made it abundantly clear the United States is for an effective climate agreement that includes binding commitments from all major developed and developing economies. I will continue to work toward that end.
And then obviously we're still working to make sure our borders work well. And there's complications on these long borders; I understand that. We're making progress addressing problems, and at the same time, making sure that our people are safe.
For example, we got an issue with Mexico. The last time -- the time before last we met, the President made it abundantly clear that he felt the United States ought to do more to prevent guns from going into the -- from the United States into Mexico. I couldn't agree more with him. And we put a process in place that do a variety of things, all aiming to make sure that our neighbors and our neighborhood isn't scourged by these thugs who use guns out of the United States to hold their people hostage, hold the country hostage. And so we've got a lot of tough work to do, but we're doing it.
And finally, in terms of just bilateral relations with Mexico, the Merida Project is an important project to help implement a dual strategy to deal with crime and drugs. The President and I have talked about this initiative in a way that benefits the people of Mexico and the United States. The initiative includes a commitment this year of $550 million by the United States. And Congress needs to pass the deal, pass the bill. And they need to pass it in such a way that it conforms to the strategy that the President of Mexico thinks will best help deal with this issue.
All in all, it's been a very -- it's been a good summit. And I appreciate you all coming. New Orleans is a fun town. I'm looking at the press corps to make sure that they didn't take advantage of it. (Laughter.) You look well rested.
Anyway, it's a great place. I'm glad you're here. Thanks for coming.
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, President Bush, my friends from the media, from the press, Prime Minister Harper. First of all, I'd like to thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank President Bush and the people of the United States for your hospitality. I think that the city of New Orleans has been an ideal venue for this leaders' summit.
And I'd like to say that I congratulate the people of Louisiana for their determination, for their strength. I congratulate the people of the United States, as well, for the recovery they've shown after the effects of Hurricane Katrina. And I repeat that Americans can always count on the solidarity of Mexicans during times of tragedy as a result of, in this case, a natural phenomenon.
I'm pleased because the meeting allowed President Bush, Prime Minister Harper and myself to work on an agenda that was devoted to improving the welfare of our peoples. President Bush already mentioned some of the issues we talked about. I would simply underscore the following.
First, we reasserted commitments we adopted in Montebello last year, such as that of strengthening the competitiveness of our region, cooperation in the area of imports, products from other areas of North America, food security, and also improving the situation of all the regulation among our three countries. And our Secretary will be spearheading the work on the Mexican side in order to deregulate measures affecting trade.
Second, we talked a lot about the NAFTA, and of course we agreed that this is not the time to even think about amending it or cancelling it. This is the time to strengthen and reinvigorate this free trade agreement among our three countries. Thanks to the free trade agreement, trade exchange went beyond $900 trillion, behind which we have jobs, we have investment, we have goods and services that improve the quality of life of Canadians, Americans and Mexicans. And we want these benefits to reach more and more of all our citizens.
Third, we agreed on the need to strengthen investments and cooperation among all our nations. And the business leaders of the three countries gave us a very specific agenda that records the progress we've made, and also establishes how much more quickly we need to work within the North American Competitiveness Council, where the three leaders agreed we fully need to support the work of this Competitiveness Council.
Fourth, we recognized the progress made within the regulatory framework that's compatible for all three countries.
Fifth, we agreed that the efforts we've made in the area of intellectual property have transferred to major hits against smuggling and the work of pirates. In the case of Mexico, for example, last year we carried out the biggest seizures in the history of our country, and in fact last night we had some major efforts carried out against organized crime. And the three countries will continue to work on improving the conditions of law enforcement.
Six, we also talked a lot about border projects. Our three countries want to have safe borders and we want to have efficient borders, borders that will improve the competitiveness of our various businesses and for the entire region. We talked about how to make the flow along the borders even better, how to improve trade there.
Of course, there are issues of interest between Canada and the United States -- they're working on those issues. In the case of Mexico, we are working very hard on how to expand the border crossings between Mexico and the United States with projects that are already in course -- ones in Reynosa, others in Juarez and different points across the border.
We also exchanged viewpoints on the issues that have to do with security in the region. And in this case, we talked to President Bush about the Merida Initiative, an initiative that is focused on facing a joint strategy with regard to a joint -- a common enemy which is organized crime, which operates on both sides of the border and which does not recognize any borders, any limits. And unfortunately, it affects Mexican, Canadian, and U.S. families.
It's very important for our congresses and parliaments in our respective countries to strengthen, support the decisive actions that we are carrying out in order to eradicate this scourge that is affecting all of North America.
We also stressed the need to continue to promote growth and development in our entire region. Throughout the continent, and especially in Mexico, we're concerned about Latin America. That's why it's important for this cooperative and collaborative mechanism among the United States, Canada and Mexico to work. And that's why we also need to redouble the successful cases where trade and cooperation are fruitful and lead to tangible results for our people.
I want to talk about the efforts being made in this country to establish free trade agreements that are much more practical and beneficial for everyone, in particular, the one under discussion now in the U.S. Congress between the United States and Colombia. It's extremely important, I think, to bear in mind that when you provide more opportunities for trade in the Latin American region, there will be many more opportunities for prosperity. And it needs to be made very clear that the prosperity of Latin America, and particularly that of Mexico, is a crucial factor for the prosperity of the people of North America.
Finally, ladies and gentlemen, I'm convinced, and after this meeting even more so, that after 14 years of a very decisive step, which was the North American Free Trade Agreement, today the relations between the United States, Canada and Mexico is more dynamic, more fluid, much more successful than ever before.
In particular, I want to thank President Bush for his leadership in holding not just this meeting here in the United States, but the fact that these meetings were established in the year 2005. And President Bush's leadership has been very important for these meetings to be held among the three countries, which don't just affect the leaders attending the meetings themselves, but allow all of us to coordinate our policies and our activities and our objectives in order to ensure greater regional prosperity.
This is the last meeting for President Bush. From now on, the veteran for these meetings is going to be Prime Minister Harper. And I'm sure that whoever the next President of the United States will be, he or she will continue with this regional effort. Independently of the fact that, unfortunately, President Bush will not be with us, we have at least informally invited him to our next meeting personally.
And I'd like to announce formally, on behalf of the Mexican government, that we have conveyed to the governments of the United States and Canada a very special invitation to take part at the next leaders' summit of 2009 to be held in Mexico. And, of course, from now on, we will be preparing to make sure the summit is memorable and productive; a summit that will offer the taste of the hospitality of the people of Mexico, and will also allow us to reach various specific decisions on a number of issues which, as we have shown at this meeting, have been very carefully analyzed, and the options for the North American Competitiveness Council and the three administrations is very clear.
I hope that we will continue to have an even more prosperous North American region, a region where the United States, Canada and Mexico will gain in competitiveness vis-a-vis other regions of the world which are now leading in terms of growth and productivity. But I'm sure that we can achieve this, especially if we persevere with the goodwill that has been demonstrated at this New Orleans meeting.
Thank you so much, Mr. President, and thank you to the American people.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) We talked about common stakes for our three countries. President Bush, myself -- we have discussed commerce and the advantages that NAFTA brings to our three countries and has been doing for 14 years. We talked about the progress that we made, and we have talked about not only what has been done, but also what needs to be done.
We concluded that it's essential for the prosperity of our countries to continue this effort. And we have emphasized in particular the border crossing, Windsor-Detroit. It is evident that greater North American cooperation will lead to the creation of jobs, and will allow us to compete in a very effective way to other emerging commercial blocs around the world.
I also talked about our concern about the thickening of the border between our countries. The Chambers of Commerce of the United States and Canada are concerned about these border issues for several years. And the Council for Competitiveness has also talked about their concern about these border issues.
It was a great pleasure to come to New Orleans for this summit. And of course, I want to thank President Bush and the population of New Orleans for their great hospitality. And I'm looking forward to see President Calderón who will greet us in Mexico and welcome us to Mexico next year.
(In English.) President Bush, President Calderón and I have discussed the common issues and challenges facing our three countries. We discussed the importance of cooperation on security and trade and the benefits that NAFTA has produced for each of our three countries over the last 14 years.
We also talked about the progress we've made and are continuing to make to improve North American security. We agreed that continuing to improve and expand trade is the key to greater prosperity for our peoples, and we are putting special emphasis on the Detroit-Windsor crossing.
It's clear that greater North American cooperation is our best option to create jobs and to compete effectively with emerging trading blocs elsewhere in the world. To that end, I specifically raised concerns about the so-called thickening of the Canada-U.S. border. The Canadian and American Chambers of Commerce have been worried about this for several years and the North American Competitiveness Council raised their concerns at our meeting this morning.
It has been a pleasure to come to New Orleans for this summit. My only regret, Mr. President, is that I didn't bring my wife and decide to spend a lot more time here. But it's been wonderful to visit here, to see the rebuilding. I won't say my farewells because you and I have a few more meetings, including the G8 this summer, that we're looking forward to.
I also look forward to seeing you, President Calderón, in the future, and for your offer to host this next year. And I can tell you Canadians are always delighted to visit Mexico in the wintertime, so keep that in mind. (Laughter.) Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Okay. A couple of questions.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. I want to follow up on your comments about NAFTA. The Democratic presidential candidates in fact are talking about renegotiating that trade agreement if elected. I'm wondering if you're worried that their comments on the campaign trail are perhaps overshadowing your pro-trade agenda. In essence, do you worry that you're losing the free trade debate in the course of public opinion?
And to President Calderón and Prime Minister Harper, I'd like to get your thoughts about expanding your trade relationship with the United States. Is there a point at which you shift attention to the people running for the White House and their views, and try to reach out to them?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Actually, my biggest concern on trade right now is with Colombia. NAFTA exists, and NAFTA, when you analyze it in an objective way, it benefits -- is beneficial to America. It also happens to be beneficial to Mexico and Canada, which makes it a, I think, a very good, comprehensive agreement.
It's beneficial to us because when you're able to export to your neighborhood, it helps create jobs. Jobs are created when people find outlets for their goods and services. We have found a lot of outlets for our goods and services with our -- in our neighborhood. It also helps consumers when you import. In other words, the more choices consumers have, the more options they have, the less likely it is there will be price increases, and it's better for your consumers. This agreement has been beneficial in creating wealth in our neighborhood. Our economies have all grown.
I also happen to think it's very important for our citizens. I wish people could remember what the border looked like between Texas and Mexico before NAFTA -- I mean, it was poor, really poor, on both sides of the border. If you go down there today, there's prosperity on both sides of the border, and that's in our nation's interests.
I mean, one way to increase pressure on the border is to -- if you do away with NAFTA, there's going to be a lot of Mexicans -- more Mexicans out of work. It will make it harder on the border. It will make it harder to deal with. So people who say, let's get rid of NAFTA, because of a throwaway political line, must understand this has been good for America, and it's also been good for Mexico and Canada -- and that's what you want in your neighborhood.
Secondly, my biggest concern is to turn our back on our friends in Colombia. The Speaker of the House made a decision using an extraordinary procedure to prevent a vote on a trade bill that had been negotiated in good faith between our respective countries. You heard President Calderón say it's in the region's interest to trade freely and fairly. Well, this agreement we have with Colombia right now is not fair for America; it's not fair for our businesses, it's not fair for our farmers. And all I'm asking the Congress is to make it fair.
And if they -- if the Speaker doesn't bring -- give us a date certain on the bill, she's effectively killed it. It's her responsibility, and she's going to have to explain why the voices of false populism have been strengthened; why anti-Americanism could flourish, when America turns its back on a strong leader like President Uribe and a friend for democracy like President Uribe.
I'm concerned about protectionism in America. It's not in our interest to become a protectionist nation. And so I'll continue to speak out on it, and assure our friends that we will work hard to explain to the people the benefits of why free and fair trade is in our nation's interest.
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) First of all, what we have to do -- all of us who have responsibilities vis-a-vis our citizens -- is to objectively study the facts. What's happened with NAFTA in our three countries? Before NAFTA, there were many businesses, Mexican businesses, that were afraid, and they alleged that it was impossible to compete with sophisticated and modern U.S. companies, and they weren't going to survive. There were also many U.S. companies who thought it was impossible to compete in more open markets. Now, what was the result? The result has been that trade has grown, and that has led to gains for everyone involved.
Contrary to what they believe -- that one was going to win, the other would lose -- it was a win-win situation, and NAFTA has benefitted the three countries. Trade has grown in all three, jobs have grown in all three, and even wage levels have gone up in all three. Today the economies of Canada, Mexico and the United States are bigger and stronger than they were 14 years ago. Income per capita for all three has also grown, compared to 14 years ago. The benefits are visible. And all you need to do is to talk based on demonstrated results.
To talk about taking a step backwards, in terms of free trade in the case of Mexico, would effectively provoke considerable damage on the economy. And another factor I was discussing yesterday with President Bush, that he reiterated today and I will reiterate as well, would be a sudden loss of economic opportunities that would lead to even greater migratory pressure against -- with the United States.
We are doing everything we can in order to create job opportunities in Mexico for people so that Mexicans will not need to seek job opportunities outside their country. And the only way to do it is by creating jobs in Mexico -- and the only way is precisely multiplying our possibilities of trade.
In the case of the U.S. economy, if you were to take a step backwards with regard to NAFTA or free trade, you would be condemning Americans to have one of the least competitive economies in the developed world. While other parts of the world are accelerating their growth, their integration -- China, Japan, India, Asia -- in order to have more competitive economies and more complementary situations, and Europe is already becoming a single trade group, and they're adding more and more countries to that bloc every year, here you see protectionist voices arising. And the only thing they would achieve if they were to prosper would be to condemn North America as a region to complete backwardness in today's world. And that is the worst possible solution you can provide to your citizens.
It is not my role to talk to the three candidates or pre-candidates to the presidency. I'm very respectful of the domestic politics of this country. This is a decision that is solely in the hands of U.S. citizens. And for that reason, I must respect that process completely. It is not my role to talk to any candidates or pre-candidates. All I would do is speak to the person who will eventually be the President of the United States, and we will speak openly and sincerely about the future of both of our countries, or in this case, our three countries in the trilateral meetings that we hold.
But Mexico will have a respectful relationship with the next President of the United States and will always seek the prosperity of our nations, knowing that through free trade we have a clear, open and respectful relationship among all our countries that will achieve prosperity.
If we want to solve common problems, if we want to solve problems like security, problems like immigration, problems like economic growth in the United States and in Mexico, we need to understand that only to the extent that North America is more competitive as a region, only to that extent will we be able to successfully face our problems.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) We have been working with the current U.S. administration. We've had a very productive relationship with President Bush and his administration. And I trust that this will continue, that it will continue with any of the presidential candidates here in the United States.
Of course, it's the United States who needs to make a decision about this election, but I think that in the end, Canada really is confident that the next President will also understand the importance of NAFTA, and the importance of the commercial relationship between the United States and Canada. And I must emphasize that for energy security, the commercial relationship between our two countries is even more important today than it was 20 years ago, and I think this relationship will be even more important in the future.
(In English) -- productive relationship with the current administration, and I anticipate that Canada will have a very productive relationship with the next administration, because I'm confident that when the facts are looked at, any President, just as any Prime Minister of Canada, will quickly conclude how critically important NAFTA and our North American-Canadian-American trade relations are to jobs and prosperity on both sides of our border, and in particular, the importance of energy security that is a particularly critical part of the NAFTA arrangement.
Canada is the biggest and most stable supplier of energy to the United States in the world. That energy security is more important now than it was 20 years ago when NAFTA was negotiated, and will be even more important in the future.
Q (As translated.) Yes, good afternoon. I'd like to ask a domestic question, but hear from Mexico. President Calderón, I'd like to ask your ideas about the situation in our Congress, and also the spot that was presented lately on the statements made by Mr. Lopez Obrador and comparisons with Hitler and Mussolini. What is your opinion of this? And do you think that this helps the unity you've always called for among Mexicans with regard to the presentation of the bill on energy in our Mexican Congress?
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) This kind of attitude can only be compared to the people who are making it. Congress is working normally. There is a responsible attitude on the part of most of the political parties represented therein -- people from the PRI, the PAN, the Green Party, the New Alliance -- other political parties are working firmly. And I simply deplore this attitude, which only impoverishes the image of those behind it and weakens even more the presence of Mexicans from parties as important at the PRD, which aside from their own internal crisis, are losing their public image because of the activities of people who simply make them look ridiculous.
I hope that our institutional life will be strengthened and that we strengthen dialogue and the capacity for talking among ourselves.
This issue that you referred to is already in the hands of the authorities, and I'm sure that a new electoral authority like the IFE will make a decision according to what it deems fit based on those TV spots you referred to.
Q Prime Minister, if you would respond in both official languages. Canadians have seen the RCMP visit to your party headquarters. They've heard the allegations from Elections Canada. And they're wondering what's going on. Did you know about this scheme, and will you practice it again in the next election?
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Well, this is the same story as before. As you know, Elections Canada view is that some of our local spending should count as national spending. We have a different view. We looked into this at the time, and that's the view we've taken.
Our position is always that we always follow the law as we understand it, and more importantly, we always follow the law as it has been interpreted. We were following, in the last election, the interpretations that had been put on that law in the past. If those interpretations change, we'll, of course, conform, but we will expect the same rules for every single party.
(As translated.) As I just said, it's always the same thing in this for quite a while. Elections Canada think that some of our local expenditures should be considered as national expenses. But we do not agree with that, and that's why we went to court with this issue. And in the end, we will respect the law and the interpretations of the law as they are, as we have done in the past.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Oil prices today rose above $118 a barrel. It's another record. Are Saudi Arabia and other oil producers -- are they our adversaries, or have you had any success with your recent appeals with them? And also, the effect of the gasoline prices, isn't that about to erase or certainly erode the benefit of the economic stimulus package?
PRESIDENT BUSH: No question rising gasoline prices are like a tax on our working people. And what's happening is, is that we've had an energy policy that neglected hydrocarbons in the United States for a long period of time, and now we're paying the price. We should have been exploring for oil and gas in ANWR, for example. But, no, we made the decision -- our Congress kept preventing us from opening up new areas to explore in environmentally friendly ways. And now we're becoming, as a result, more and more dependent on foreign sources of oil.
Fortunately, Canada and Mexico are our biggest providers, for which we are grateful. But our energy policy is -- wasn't effective over the past decades, and now we're paying the price. Secondly, there's not a lot of excess capacity in the world. As a matter of fact, unfortunately, a lot of the supplies are coming from parts of the world where there's political instability. Fortunately, again, Canada and Mexico are not included in that group. There are some countries that are not reinvesting in their reserves, which decline without maintenance.
And so I'm -- I'm obviously concerned for our consumers. All the more reason to have passed a rebate, tax relief. And all the more reason for the United States Congress to keep the tax relief I passed permanent. We got people out there campaigning, well, we're just going to tax the rich. You can't raise enough money to meet their spending appetites by taxing the so-called rich. Every one of those so-called tax the rich schemes end up taxing the middle class families. And in a time of economic uncertainty we need tax certainty. In a time of rising gasoline prices, we need to be sending a message to all Americans, we're not going to raise your taxes.
Q Good afternoon, gentlemen. For President Bush, how deep and how long will the economic recession be in the United States, and how will it affect Mexico? And what is your perspective, Mr. President, of the reform presented by President Calderón in Mexico?
And for all three of you, what's the security context that exists with regards to what's happening to NAFTA and the FTA with Colombia after Colombia carried out a military invasion in Ecuador?
PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I -- we're not in a recession. We're in a slowdown. We grew in the fourth quarter of last year. We haven't had first quarter growth statistics yet. But there's no question we're in a slowdown. And people are concerned about it, obviously. I'm -- of all the three of us standing up here, I'm probably the most concerned about the slowdown. After all, it's affecting the people who I have the honor of representing.
That's why we passed, in working with the Congress, a significant pro-growth economic package that will pass back rebates to our citizens, starting in the second week of May. Part of that package also included incentives for large and small businesses to invest in the year 2008. I think this is going to have a positive effect on the economy. Experts say it's going to have a positive effect on the economy. And so we'll see what happens there.
The key is for Congress not to raise taxes during this period of time, and send a signal that they're not going to raise taxes. You know, the President is plenty capable of handling reform. She's a -- he's a good honest man, who cares deeply about the people of Mexico, and he'll do what he thinks is right for the country of Mexico.
And in terms of President Uribe, we got no better friend in South America than President Uribe. He believes strongly in rule of law. He's a reformer, and he's working hard to protect his country from a bunch of narco traffickers who murder innocent people to achieve their objectives. And he ought to have our support. He has the support of the United States of America in many ways, but if we don't agree to a free trade agreement that we honest -- negotiated in good faith with them, it will undermine his efforts, and will destabilize parts of the world. And it would be a big mistake for the Congress to turn its back on Colombia.
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) I simply want to stress the measures Mexico is adopting before this situation -- this slowdown of economic growth in the United States, which obviously affects us. More than 82 percent of our exports go to the United States, and we're adopting a number of measures. One of them is a very aggressive program for public expenditure and infrastructure -- not just private spending. To give you an idea, Mexico is going from spending 3 percentage points of the GDP per year on infrastructure to over 5.5 percent of the GDP on infrastructure.
We're talking about Mexico this year having expenses for infrastructural programs of about $500 billion for private/public programs. That's already showing up in the figures of the first quarter of the year.
We're also working on an anti-cyclic program with very aggressive tax stimulus package for investment in the poorest regions of Mexico, where whoever invests there will get a 100 percent deduction on all investments, and the federal government for a year-and-a-half will pay all expenses associated with social security, with labor -- all the labor costs associated with social security. And that's a very, very strong stimulus package.
The first data coming in indicates that for Mexico our economic activity, had 4.25 percent growth rate per year. The figures for February and March indicate that industrial activity continues to show about 4 percent growth. So it's a difficult time because of the enormous interconnection among our economies, but we are prepared to face the situation, and at a slower place than the one we've had in the past. But we are dealing with the situation. We are moving with everything at the government's disposal to accelerate the growth of the Mexican economy.
I hope that this situation will not continue for very long, and that soon the authorities in the United States will be able to completely overcome the situation. I think that the steps taken so far by the fiscal tax monetary authorities in the United States and the Bush administration, and in general, have been appropriate. They have been the right measures, and we hope that they will very soon demonstrate effects so that we have a quick recovery among all our economies.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) I would just say that in spite of a slowdown of the economy in Canada, the basis of our economy are stable and solid, and we have undertaken measures to ensure continuous growth in the future.
Now, as far as the Colombia situation is concerned, Canada has negotiated a free trade agreement with Colombia. And it's important also for the United States and for Mexico to benefit from free trade avec Colombia.
Last year, in the summit, I said that Colombia can have -- (inaudible) -- with our countries without a free trade agreement, but if you want legitimate business for all our economies, we need to pursue free trade agreements with Colombia. And I said in New York a few months ago that I worry -- I worry if the United States in the end refuses this agreement with Colombia.
We have an important alliance in Colombia. Colombia is fighting against political violence, against the FARC. They fight against drug traffickers. And I think that a rejection of, or turning our backs to such an ally as Colombia could create long-term problems for our countries in South America.
(In English) -- seen a certain slowing, but the fundamentals of the Canadian economy remain very strong. And I think confidence in the Canadian economy is strong. We've taken longer-term measures to try and ensure our continued growth in the future.
In terms of Colombia, as I mentioned, Canada is trying to negotiate an agreement with Colombia, and the kind of the agreement the United States already negotiated. And I gather Mexico has something similar. We want to be in the game. We don't want to be out of it.
That said, I did indicate a couple of times -- I've spoken on this a couple of times before -- at this summit last year I pointed that we don't need a free trade agreement to have drug trade with Colombia. You're going to have that anyway. If you want to have legitimate trade and see that country progress economically, we need to have a free trade agreement. We need to have a trade agreement with countries like Colombia.
And I do worry that if the Colombia free trade agreement is rejected, particularly when that country has taken a lot of efforts to fight political violence and corruption and FARC and drug traffickers, if the United States and our allies turn their back on an important ally in this region, that that will have long-term security consequences for all of our countries in North America. So that does worry the government of Canada.
Q (As translated.) If you will allow me, I want to go back to NAFTA. NAFTA is in place for almost 15 years now. Wouldn't it be possible to improve things, perhaps through renegotiating certain things on NAFTA? Mr. Harper, the American President said there's no -- we should not renegotiate NAFTA -- President Bush says we should not renegotiate. What do you think, Minister?
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) We would be ready to do anything that any of our partners wants to do. If one of our partners wants to negotiate NAFTA, we'll do -- we'll renegotiate. But this is not the position that we prefer, the government of Canada. We have an agreement that worked well, that created jobs -- lots of jobs in this continent, and I think that the business community is unanimous about the benefits of this agreement.
And I think that the problems that exist really call us to really perhaps improve or deepen -- deepen NAFTA even more. And the problems also justify that we do what we need to do to have trade that works better than it does now. But the right priority is not to renegotiate something that has been decided. This is not the great challenge that we have. When we meet with businessmen and businesswomen, this is not their concern -- their main concern. They're concern is in the future, not renegotiating the past. But Canada will always be ready to any possibilities that may happen.
As I said, we have a very dynamic relations with the United States. We are the first, or the greatest exporter of energy products towards the United States. And for the United States, we are the main source of energy security for the United States. And we think that now it's even more important -- this relationship is even more important now than it was 20 years ago, and it will be more important even in the future. So if we have to discuss these possibilities, we'll be in a good position, but we would prefer to talk about the future than the past.
(In English.) I just said before, we'll be prepared for any possibility. The American people are going to make a decision -- the future American administration may have a different view. I can just tell you when I meet businesspeople not just from our country, but from around the continent, the benefits of our NAFTA relationship are without question. And what all the focus is in our discussions is how to make it work better -- how to make the borders thinner, how to make commerce flow more quickly, more freely. That's -- how to make our relationship more integrated and deeper -- those are the real concerns that I experience in Canada and when I deal with people who are focused on economic development in our trade partners' economies.
But, look, as I said, we'll be prepared for any eventuality. Canada is the United States' number one supplier of energy. We are a secure and stable supplier. That is of critical importance to the future of the United States, and if we had to look at this kind of an option, I think quite frankly we would be in even stronger position now than we were 20 years ago, and we'll be in a stronger position in the future. But my preference is not to renegotiate what discussed in the past; it's to talk about the future. And I think that's what our respective -- that's what, at least, the Canadian population wants us to do.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. Good job, Stephen.
END 12:23 P.M. CDT
North America summit unlikely to yield major agreements
www.chinaview.cn 2008-04-21 09:52:38
WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The North America summit is due to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana Monday and Tuesday, but as U.S. President George W. Bush has become a somewhat lame-duck president, analysts are expecting no significant outcome from the gathering. The summit meeting between Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderonn will be the last for Bush, who has only about nine months left before he leaves the White House and whose approval rating is only 31 percent, the lowest in his presidency. His numbered days in the White House, low popularity, and the fact that the opposition Democrats have taken control of the Congress have greatly reduced Bush's capability to make big decisions, which is why analysts are widely playing down on the expectations of the yearly meeting. They believe the leaders are very likely to reaffirm their commitment to common issues including security, trade, anti-drug cooperation at the summit, or formally called the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice particularly highlighted the importance of the scheme for promoting the U.S.-Canada-Mexico cooperation at a press conference Saturday.
This SPP has been a very useful mechanism for organizing the multifaceted work that Canada, the United States and Mexico undertake together. It is work that bridges all of the important issues: security, trade, prosperity, Rice told a joint press conference with visiting Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa and Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier after their meeting to lay ground work for the summit. It has also permitted the leaders to engage the public and private sectors and civil society through the North American Competitiveness Council. And they look forward to, again, engaging that council, because obviously, trade and prosperity and a good life for the people of North America is not just the work of government alone, Rice said. What can be expected is that the leaders might put forward a few minor initiatives or agreements as Espinosa revealed at Saturday's press conference. We have spoken about one initiative, which is to act jointly in cases of disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean, he said, adding: This is, in our view, a very important initiative. We will be putting our efforts together to establish a fund so that we can act together immediately when there is a disaster situation.
Additionally, the leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitment to holding the annual summit and high-level dialogue. We have also discussed that we should strengthen and make a permanent commitment with the continuity of this high-level dialogue in North America at all levels and particularly at the level of heads of state and government, Espinosa said. The meeting of the summit of the leaders of North America reflects not only what Secretary Rice has already mentioned, the SPP agenda, but also an agenda that goes beyond these issues that have been traditionally part of their security and prosperity agenda. And this is something that we are certain that will emerge as a result of the leaders meeting, the Mexican foreign minister said. Editor: An Lu
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23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADE BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
I LIKE WHAT HARPER SAID IN HIS SPEECH WE NEED TO TRADE WITH OTHER BLOCKS TO BE PROSPEROUS.
HERE IS THE TEXT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with President Calderon of Mexico and Prime Minister Harper of Canada Gallier Hall New Orleans, Louisiana APR 22,08
Joint Statement by President Bush, President Calderon, Prime Minister Harper In Focus: North American Leaders' Summit
11:31 A.M. CDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all. Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, welcome to the great city of New Orleans. Thank you all for coming, as well. New Orleans is one of America's really top cities, and they -- the people of New Orleans appreciate the help you gave them right after Hurricane Katrina. And so I want to thank you very much for that. New Orleans has always been a crossroads for our continent, and today there's no better place for our nations to look forward to a bright future, and that's what we're here to do.
One of the things -- people ask, well, does it make sense for Mexico, Canada and the United States to meet? Absolutely, it makes sense. We're neighbors. A prosperous neighborhood is in our interests, a secure neighborhood is in our interests, and we share common values. So I'm not surprised we've had good meetings -- plus we like each other. It's easy to work with leaders who are straightforward and honest, tell you what's on their mind, and who care deeply about the people of their countries and who are problem solvers. That's how I have found this meeting and the previous meetings we've held.
We talked about trade. Mexico, Canada and the United States made a bold decision in the early 1990s. Our countries decided to reduce our trade barriers through the North American Free Trade Agreement. That was a visionary move by previous leaders, a move that has benefitted all three of our countries -- a lot. Trade has tripled. Our economies have grown by more than 50 percent.
Now is not the time to renegotiate NAFTA or walk away from NAFTA. Now is the time to make it work better for all our people, and now is the time to reduce trade barriers worldwide.
And so we spent time talking about the Colombia free trade agreement. Canada is negotiating a Colombia free trade agreement; Mexico has a free trade agreement with Colombia. And a lot of folks are waiting for the United States Congress to bring this issue up and pass it. It makes no sense to me to say that Colombia goods can come into our country duty-free, yet our goods can't go into Colombia duty-free. And yet that's the case.
An agreement with Colombia would level the playing field. And a failure to pass an agreement would send a terrible signal to our neighborhood. The Speaker of the United States Congress has killed this bill unless she gives us a date certain for a vote. It's a bad decision on her part. And it's bad for our hemisphere to have the United States of America turn its back on a mutual friend like Colombia.
We're working to make sure we reduce regulations and to add -- to make sure that our small businesses and farmers and producers are able to move product in a way without a bunch of government regulations in between. It's not easy work, because obviously we want to maintain high standards and work for good safety precautions, yet we're making progress.
And we've charged others to continue to work, like Carlos Gutierrez and my Cabinet will work on issues with his counterparts for more harmonized standards to reduce the cost of producing cars and trucks throughout our entire market. In other words, you've got different regulations in different countries that make it difficult to compete globally and cause our products to be more expensive than they should be.
We're talking about food and product safety standards to make them compatible in a way that guarantees safety for our consumers. We talked about the need for us to work together to promote clean, efficient, low-carbon energy technologies. Obviously, we talked about global warming and the need to make sure that major economies are all party to an agreement.
People say, well, are you really committed to global -- to reducing global warming? Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I gave a speech in the Rose Garden the other day that made it abundantly clear the United States is for an effective climate agreement that includes binding commitments from all major developed and developing economies. I will continue to work toward that end.
And then obviously we're still working to make sure our borders work well. And there's complications on these long borders; I understand that. We're making progress addressing problems, and at the same time, making sure that our people are safe.
For example, we got an issue with Mexico. The last time -- the time before last we met, the President made it abundantly clear that he felt the United States ought to do more to prevent guns from going into the -- from the United States into Mexico. I couldn't agree more with him. And we put a process in place that do a variety of things, all aiming to make sure that our neighbors and our neighborhood isn't scourged by these thugs who use guns out of the United States to hold their people hostage, hold the country hostage. And so we've got a lot of tough work to do, but we're doing it.
And finally, in terms of just bilateral relations with Mexico, the Merida Project is an important project to help implement a dual strategy to deal with crime and drugs. The President and I have talked about this initiative in a way that benefits the people of Mexico and the United States. The initiative includes a commitment this year of $550 million by the United States. And Congress needs to pass the deal, pass the bill. And they need to pass it in such a way that it conforms to the strategy that the President of Mexico thinks will best help deal with this issue.
All in all, it's been a very -- it's been a good summit. And I appreciate you all coming. New Orleans is a fun town. I'm looking at the press corps to make sure that they didn't take advantage of it. (Laughter.) You look well rested.
Anyway, it's a great place. I'm glad you're here. Thanks for coming.
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, President Bush, my friends from the media, from the press, Prime Minister Harper. First of all, I'd like to thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank President Bush and the people of the United States for your hospitality. I think that the city of New Orleans has been an ideal venue for this leaders' summit.
And I'd like to say that I congratulate the people of Louisiana for their determination, for their strength. I congratulate the people of the United States, as well, for the recovery they've shown after the effects of Hurricane Katrina. And I repeat that Americans can always count on the solidarity of Mexicans during times of tragedy as a result of, in this case, a natural phenomenon.
I'm pleased because the meeting allowed President Bush, Prime Minister Harper and myself to work on an agenda that was devoted to improving the welfare of our peoples. President Bush already mentioned some of the issues we talked about. I would simply underscore the following.
First, we reasserted commitments we adopted in Montebello last year, such as that of strengthening the competitiveness of our region, cooperation in the area of imports, products from other areas of North America, food security, and also improving the situation of all the regulation among our three countries. And our Secretary will be spearheading the work on the Mexican side in order to deregulate measures affecting trade.
Second, we talked a lot about the NAFTA, and of course we agreed that this is not the time to even think about amending it or cancelling it. This is the time to strengthen and reinvigorate this free trade agreement among our three countries. Thanks to the free trade agreement, trade exchange went beyond $900 trillion, behind which we have jobs, we have investment, we have goods and services that improve the quality of life of Canadians, Americans and Mexicans. And we want these benefits to reach more and more of all our citizens.
Third, we agreed on the need to strengthen investments and cooperation among all our nations. And the business leaders of the three countries gave us a very specific agenda that records the progress we've made, and also establishes how much more quickly we need to work within the North American Competitiveness Council, where the three leaders agreed we fully need to support the work of this Competitiveness Council.
Fourth, we recognized the progress made within the regulatory framework that's compatible for all three countries.
Fifth, we agreed that the efforts we've made in the area of intellectual property have transferred to major hits against smuggling and the work of pirates. In the case of Mexico, for example, last year we carried out the biggest seizures in the history of our country, and in fact last night we had some major efforts carried out against organized crime. And the three countries will continue to work on improving the conditions of law enforcement.
Six, we also talked a lot about border projects. Our three countries want to have safe borders and we want to have efficient borders, borders that will improve the competitiveness of our various businesses and for the entire region. We talked about how to make the flow along the borders even better, how to improve trade there.
Of course, there are issues of interest between Canada and the United States -- they're working on those issues. In the case of Mexico, we are working very hard on how to expand the border crossings between Mexico and the United States with projects that are already in course -- ones in Reynosa, others in Juarez and different points across the border.
We also exchanged viewpoints on the issues that have to do with security in the region. And in this case, we talked to President Bush about the Merida Initiative, an initiative that is focused on facing a joint strategy with regard to a joint -- a common enemy which is organized crime, which operates on both sides of the border and which does not recognize any borders, any limits. And unfortunately, it affects Mexican, Canadian, and U.S. families.
It's very important for our congresses and parliaments in our respective countries to strengthen, support the decisive actions that we are carrying out in order to eradicate this scourge that is affecting all of North America.
We also stressed the need to continue to promote growth and development in our entire region. Throughout the continent, and especially in Mexico, we're concerned about Latin America. That's why it's important for this cooperative and collaborative mechanism among the United States, Canada and Mexico to work. And that's why we also need to redouble the successful cases where trade and cooperation are fruitful and lead to tangible results for our people.
I want to talk about the efforts being made in this country to establish free trade agreements that are much more practical and beneficial for everyone, in particular, the one under discussion now in the U.S. Congress between the United States and Colombia. It's extremely important, I think, to bear in mind that when you provide more opportunities for trade in the Latin American region, there will be many more opportunities for prosperity. And it needs to be made very clear that the prosperity of Latin America, and particularly that of Mexico, is a crucial factor for the prosperity of the people of North America.
Finally, ladies and gentlemen, I'm convinced, and after this meeting even more so, that after 14 years of a very decisive step, which was the North American Free Trade Agreement, today the relations between the United States, Canada and Mexico is more dynamic, more fluid, much more successful than ever before.
In particular, I want to thank President Bush for his leadership in holding not just this meeting here in the United States, but the fact that these meetings were established in the year 2005. And President Bush's leadership has been very important for these meetings to be held among the three countries, which don't just affect the leaders attending the meetings themselves, but allow all of us to coordinate our policies and our activities and our objectives in order to ensure greater regional prosperity.
This is the last meeting for President Bush. From now on, the veteran for these meetings is going to be Prime Minister Harper. And I'm sure that whoever the next President of the United States will be, he or she will continue with this regional effort. Independently of the fact that, unfortunately, President Bush will not be with us, we have at least informally invited him to our next meeting personally.
And I'd like to announce formally, on behalf of the Mexican government, that we have conveyed to the governments of the United States and Canada a very special invitation to take part at the next leaders' summit of 2009 to be held in Mexico. And, of course, from now on, we will be preparing to make sure the summit is memorable and productive; a summit that will offer the taste of the hospitality of the people of Mexico, and will also allow us to reach various specific decisions on a number of issues which, as we have shown at this meeting, have been very carefully analyzed, and the options for the North American Competitiveness Council and the three administrations is very clear.
I hope that we will continue to have an even more prosperous North American region, a region where the United States, Canada and Mexico will gain in competitiveness vis-a-vis other regions of the world which are now leading in terms of growth and productivity. But I'm sure that we can achieve this, especially if we persevere with the goodwill that has been demonstrated at this New Orleans meeting.
Thank you so much, Mr. President, and thank you to the American people.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) We talked about common stakes for our three countries. President Bush, myself -- we have discussed commerce and the advantages that NAFTA brings to our three countries and has been doing for 14 years. We talked about the progress that we made, and we have talked about not only what has been done, but also what needs to be done.
We concluded that it's essential for the prosperity of our countries to continue this effort. And we have emphasized in particular the border crossing, Windsor-Detroit. It is evident that greater North American cooperation will lead to the creation of jobs, and will allow us to compete in a very effective way to other emerging commercial blocs around the world.
I also talked about our concern about the thickening of the border between our countries. The Chambers of Commerce of the United States and Canada are concerned about these border issues for several years. And the Council for Competitiveness has also talked about their concern about these border issues.
It was a great pleasure to come to New Orleans for this summit. And of course, I want to thank President Bush and the population of New Orleans for their great hospitality. And I'm looking forward to see President Calderón who will greet us in Mexico and welcome us to Mexico next year.
(In English.) President Bush, President Calderón and I have discussed the common issues and challenges facing our three countries. We discussed the importance of cooperation on security and trade and the benefits that NAFTA has produced for each of our three countries over the last 14 years.
We also talked about the progress we've made and are continuing to make to improve North American security. We agreed that continuing to improve and expand trade is the key to greater prosperity for our peoples, and we are putting special emphasis on the Detroit-Windsor crossing.
It's clear that greater North American cooperation is our best option to create jobs and to compete effectively with emerging trading blocs elsewhere in the world. To that end, I specifically raised concerns about the so-called thickening of the Canada-U.S. border. The Canadian and American Chambers of Commerce have been worried about this for several years and the North American Competitiveness Council raised their concerns at our meeting this morning.
It has been a pleasure to come to New Orleans for this summit. My only regret, Mr. President, is that I didn't bring my wife and decide to spend a lot more time here. But it's been wonderful to visit here, to see the rebuilding. I won't say my farewells because you and I have a few more meetings, including the G8 this summer, that we're looking forward to.
I also look forward to seeing you, President Calderón, in the future, and for your offer to host this next year. And I can tell you Canadians are always delighted to visit Mexico in the wintertime, so keep that in mind. (Laughter.) Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Okay. A couple of questions.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. I want to follow up on your comments about NAFTA. The Democratic presidential candidates in fact are talking about renegotiating that trade agreement if elected. I'm wondering if you're worried that their comments on the campaign trail are perhaps overshadowing your pro-trade agenda. In essence, do you worry that you're losing the free trade debate in the course of public opinion?
And to President Calderón and Prime Minister Harper, I'd like to get your thoughts about expanding your trade relationship with the United States. Is there a point at which you shift attention to the people running for the White House and their views, and try to reach out to them?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Actually, my biggest concern on trade right now is with Colombia. NAFTA exists, and NAFTA, when you analyze it in an objective way, it benefits -- is beneficial to America. It also happens to be beneficial to Mexico and Canada, which makes it a, I think, a very good, comprehensive agreement.
It's beneficial to us because when you're able to export to your neighborhood, it helps create jobs. Jobs are created when people find outlets for their goods and services. We have found a lot of outlets for our goods and services with our -- in our neighborhood. It also helps consumers when you import. In other words, the more choices consumers have, the more options they have, the less likely it is there will be price increases, and it's better for your consumers. This agreement has been beneficial in creating wealth in our neighborhood. Our economies have all grown.
I also happen to think it's very important for our citizens. I wish people could remember what the border looked like between Texas and Mexico before NAFTA -- I mean, it was poor, really poor, on both sides of the border. If you go down there today, there's prosperity on both sides of the border, and that's in our nation's interests.
I mean, one way to increase pressure on the border is to -- if you do away with NAFTA, there's going to be a lot of Mexicans -- more Mexicans out of work. It will make it harder on the border. It will make it harder to deal with. So people who say, let's get rid of NAFTA, because of a throwaway political line, must understand this has been good for America, and it's also been good for Mexico and Canada -- and that's what you want in your neighborhood.
Secondly, my biggest concern is to turn our back on our friends in Colombia. The Speaker of the House made a decision using an extraordinary procedure to prevent a vote on a trade bill that had been negotiated in good faith between our respective countries. You heard President Calderón say it's in the region's interest to trade freely and fairly. Well, this agreement we have with Colombia right now is not fair for America; it's not fair for our businesses, it's not fair for our farmers. And all I'm asking the Congress is to make it fair.
And if they -- if the Speaker doesn't bring -- give us a date certain on the bill, she's effectively killed it. It's her responsibility, and she's going to have to explain why the voices of false populism have been strengthened; why anti-Americanism could flourish, when America turns its back on a strong leader like President Uribe and a friend for democracy like President Uribe.
I'm concerned about protectionism in America. It's not in our interest to become a protectionist nation. And so I'll continue to speak out on it, and assure our friends that we will work hard to explain to the people the benefits of why free and fair trade is in our nation's interest.
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) First of all, what we have to do -- all of us who have responsibilities vis-a-vis our citizens -- is to objectively study the facts. What's happened with NAFTA in our three countries? Before NAFTA, there were many businesses, Mexican businesses, that were afraid, and they alleged that it was impossible to compete with sophisticated and modern U.S. companies, and they weren't going to survive. There were also many U.S. companies who thought it was impossible to compete in more open markets. Now, what was the result? The result has been that trade has grown, and that has led to gains for everyone involved.
Contrary to what they believe -- that one was going to win, the other would lose -- it was a win-win situation, and NAFTA has benefitted the three countries. Trade has grown in all three, jobs have grown in all three, and even wage levels have gone up in all three. Today the economies of Canada, Mexico and the United States are bigger and stronger than they were 14 years ago. Income per capita for all three has also grown, compared to 14 years ago. The benefits are visible. And all you need to do is to talk based on demonstrated results.
To talk about taking a step backwards, in terms of free trade in the case of Mexico, would effectively provoke considerable damage on the economy. And another factor I was discussing yesterday with President Bush, that he reiterated today and I will reiterate as well, would be a sudden loss of economic opportunities that would lead to even greater migratory pressure against -- with the United States.
We are doing everything we can in order to create job opportunities in Mexico for people so that Mexicans will not need to seek job opportunities outside their country. And the only way to do it is by creating jobs in Mexico -- and the only way is precisely multiplying our possibilities of trade.
In the case of the U.S. economy, if you were to take a step backwards with regard to NAFTA or free trade, you would be condemning Americans to have one of the least competitive economies in the developed world. While other parts of the world are accelerating their growth, their integration -- China, Japan, India, Asia -- in order to have more competitive economies and more complementary situations, and Europe is already becoming a single trade group, and they're adding more and more countries to that bloc every year, here you see protectionist voices arising. And the only thing they would achieve if they were to prosper would be to condemn North America as a region to complete backwardness in today's world. And that is the worst possible solution you can provide to your citizens.
It is not my role to talk to the three candidates or pre-candidates to the presidency. I'm very respectful of the domestic politics of this country. This is a decision that is solely in the hands of U.S. citizens. And for that reason, I must respect that process completely. It is not my role to talk to any candidates or pre-candidates. All I would do is speak to the person who will eventually be the President of the United States, and we will speak openly and sincerely about the future of both of our countries, or in this case, our three countries in the trilateral meetings that we hold.
But Mexico will have a respectful relationship with the next President of the United States and will always seek the prosperity of our nations, knowing that through free trade we have a clear, open and respectful relationship among all our countries that will achieve prosperity.
If we want to solve common problems, if we want to solve problems like security, problems like immigration, problems like economic growth in the United States and in Mexico, we need to understand that only to the extent that North America is more competitive as a region, only to that extent will we be able to successfully face our problems.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) We have been working with the current U.S. administration. We've had a very productive relationship with President Bush and his administration. And I trust that this will continue, that it will continue with any of the presidential candidates here in the United States.
Of course, it's the United States who needs to make a decision about this election, but I think that in the end, Canada really is confident that the next President will also understand the importance of NAFTA, and the importance of the commercial relationship between the United States and Canada. And I must emphasize that for energy security, the commercial relationship between our two countries is even more important today than it was 20 years ago, and I think this relationship will be even more important in the future.
(In English) -- productive relationship with the current administration, and I anticipate that Canada will have a very productive relationship with the next administration, because I'm confident that when the facts are looked at, any President, just as any Prime Minister of Canada, will quickly conclude how critically important NAFTA and our North American-Canadian-American trade relations are to jobs and prosperity on both sides of our border, and in particular, the importance of energy security that is a particularly critical part of the NAFTA arrangement.
Canada is the biggest and most stable supplier of energy to the United States in the world. That energy security is more important now than it was 20 years ago when NAFTA was negotiated, and will be even more important in the future.
Q (As translated.) Yes, good afternoon. I'd like to ask a domestic question, but hear from Mexico. President Calderón, I'd like to ask your ideas about the situation in our Congress, and also the spot that was presented lately on the statements made by Mr. Lopez Obrador and comparisons with Hitler and Mussolini. What is your opinion of this? And do you think that this helps the unity you've always called for among Mexicans with regard to the presentation of the bill on energy in our Mexican Congress?
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) This kind of attitude can only be compared to the people who are making it. Congress is working normally. There is a responsible attitude on the part of most of the political parties represented therein -- people from the PRI, the PAN, the Green Party, the New Alliance -- other political parties are working firmly. And I simply deplore this attitude, which only impoverishes the image of those behind it and weakens even more the presence of Mexicans from parties as important at the PRD, which aside from their own internal crisis, are losing their public image because of the activities of people who simply make them look ridiculous.
I hope that our institutional life will be strengthened and that we strengthen dialogue and the capacity for talking among ourselves.
This issue that you referred to is already in the hands of the authorities, and I'm sure that a new electoral authority like the IFE will make a decision according to what it deems fit based on those TV spots you referred to.
Q Prime Minister, if you would respond in both official languages. Canadians have seen the RCMP visit to your party headquarters. They've heard the allegations from Elections Canada. And they're wondering what's going on. Did you know about this scheme, and will you practice it again in the next election?
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Well, this is the same story as before. As you know, Elections Canada view is that some of our local spending should count as national spending. We have a different view. We looked into this at the time, and that's the view we've taken.
Our position is always that we always follow the law as we understand it, and more importantly, we always follow the law as it has been interpreted. We were following, in the last election, the interpretations that had been put on that law in the past. If those interpretations change, we'll, of course, conform, but we will expect the same rules for every single party.
(As translated.) As I just said, it's always the same thing in this for quite a while. Elections Canada think that some of our local expenditures should be considered as national expenses. But we do not agree with that, and that's why we went to court with this issue. And in the end, we will respect the law and the interpretations of the law as they are, as we have done in the past.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Oil prices today rose above $118 a barrel. It's another record. Are Saudi Arabia and other oil producers -- are they our adversaries, or have you had any success with your recent appeals with them? And also, the effect of the gasoline prices, isn't that about to erase or certainly erode the benefit of the economic stimulus package?
PRESIDENT BUSH: No question rising gasoline prices are like a tax on our working people. And what's happening is, is that we've had an energy policy that neglected hydrocarbons in the United States for a long period of time, and now we're paying the price. We should have been exploring for oil and gas in ANWR, for example. But, no, we made the decision -- our Congress kept preventing us from opening up new areas to explore in environmentally friendly ways. And now we're becoming, as a result, more and more dependent on foreign sources of oil.
Fortunately, Canada and Mexico are our biggest providers, for which we are grateful. But our energy policy is -- wasn't effective over the past decades, and now we're paying the price. Secondly, there's not a lot of excess capacity in the world. As a matter of fact, unfortunately, a lot of the supplies are coming from parts of the world where there's political instability. Fortunately, again, Canada and Mexico are not included in that group. There are some countries that are not reinvesting in their reserves, which decline without maintenance.
And so I'm -- I'm obviously concerned for our consumers. All the more reason to have passed a rebate, tax relief. And all the more reason for the United States Congress to keep the tax relief I passed permanent. We got people out there campaigning, well, we're just going to tax the rich. You can't raise enough money to meet their spending appetites by taxing the so-called rich. Every one of those so-called tax the rich schemes end up taxing the middle class families. And in a time of economic uncertainty we need tax certainty. In a time of rising gasoline prices, we need to be sending a message to all Americans, we're not going to raise your taxes.
Q Good afternoon, gentlemen. For President Bush, how deep and how long will the economic recession be in the United States, and how will it affect Mexico? And what is your perspective, Mr. President, of the reform presented by President Calderón in Mexico?
And for all three of you, what's the security context that exists with regards to what's happening to NAFTA and the FTA with Colombia after Colombia carried out a military invasion in Ecuador?
PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I -- we're not in a recession. We're in a slowdown. We grew in the fourth quarter of last year. We haven't had first quarter growth statistics yet. But there's no question we're in a slowdown. And people are concerned about it, obviously. I'm -- of all the three of us standing up here, I'm probably the most concerned about the slowdown. After all, it's affecting the people who I have the honor of representing.
That's why we passed, in working with the Congress, a significant pro-growth economic package that will pass back rebates to our citizens, starting in the second week of May. Part of that package also included incentives for large and small businesses to invest in the year 2008. I think this is going to have a positive effect on the economy. Experts say it's going to have a positive effect on the economy. And so we'll see what happens there.
The key is for Congress not to raise taxes during this period of time, and send a signal that they're not going to raise taxes. You know, the President is plenty capable of handling reform. She's a -- he's a good honest man, who cares deeply about the people of Mexico, and he'll do what he thinks is right for the country of Mexico.
And in terms of President Uribe, we got no better friend in South America than President Uribe. He believes strongly in rule of law. He's a reformer, and he's working hard to protect his country from a bunch of narco traffickers who murder innocent people to achieve their objectives. And he ought to have our support. He has the support of the United States of America in many ways, but if we don't agree to a free trade agreement that we honest -- negotiated in good faith with them, it will undermine his efforts, and will destabilize parts of the world. And it would be a big mistake for the Congress to turn its back on Colombia.
PRESIDENT CALDERÓN: (As translated.) I simply want to stress the measures Mexico is adopting before this situation -- this slowdown of economic growth in the United States, which obviously affects us. More than 82 percent of our exports go to the United States, and we're adopting a number of measures. One of them is a very aggressive program for public expenditure and infrastructure -- not just private spending. To give you an idea, Mexico is going from spending 3 percentage points of the GDP per year on infrastructure to over 5.5 percent of the GDP on infrastructure.
We're talking about Mexico this year having expenses for infrastructural programs of about $500 billion for private/public programs. That's already showing up in the figures of the first quarter of the year.
We're also working on an anti-cyclic program with very aggressive tax stimulus package for investment in the poorest regions of Mexico, where whoever invests there will get a 100 percent deduction on all investments, and the federal government for a year-and-a-half will pay all expenses associated with social security, with labor -- all the labor costs associated with social security. And that's a very, very strong stimulus package.
The first data coming in indicates that for Mexico our economic activity, had 4.25 percent growth rate per year. The figures for February and March indicate that industrial activity continues to show about 4 percent growth. So it's a difficult time because of the enormous interconnection among our economies, but we are prepared to face the situation, and at a slower place than the one we've had in the past. But we are dealing with the situation. We are moving with everything at the government's disposal to accelerate the growth of the Mexican economy.
I hope that this situation will not continue for very long, and that soon the authorities in the United States will be able to completely overcome the situation. I think that the steps taken so far by the fiscal tax monetary authorities in the United States and the Bush administration, and in general, have been appropriate. They have been the right measures, and we hope that they will very soon demonstrate effects so that we have a quick recovery among all our economies.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) I would just say that in spite of a slowdown of the economy in Canada, the basis of our economy are stable and solid, and we have undertaken measures to ensure continuous growth in the future.
Now, as far as the Colombia situation is concerned, Canada has negotiated a free trade agreement with Colombia. And it's important also for the United States and for Mexico to benefit from free trade avec Colombia.
Last year, in the summit, I said that Colombia can have -- (inaudible) -- with our countries without a free trade agreement, but if you want legitimate business for all our economies, we need to pursue free trade agreements with Colombia. And I said in New York a few months ago that I worry -- I worry if the United States in the end refuses this agreement with Colombia.
We have an important alliance in Colombia. Colombia is fighting against political violence, against the FARC. They fight against drug traffickers. And I think that a rejection of, or turning our backs to such an ally as Colombia could create long-term problems for our countries in South America.
(In English) -- seen a certain slowing, but the fundamentals of the Canadian economy remain very strong. And I think confidence in the Canadian economy is strong. We've taken longer-term measures to try and ensure our continued growth in the future.
In terms of Colombia, as I mentioned, Canada is trying to negotiate an agreement with Colombia, and the kind of the agreement the United States already negotiated. And I gather Mexico has something similar. We want to be in the game. We don't want to be out of it.
That said, I did indicate a couple of times -- I've spoken on this a couple of times before -- at this summit last year I pointed that we don't need a free trade agreement to have drug trade with Colombia. You're going to have that anyway. If you want to have legitimate trade and see that country progress economically, we need to have a free trade agreement. We need to have a trade agreement with countries like Colombia.
And I do worry that if the Colombia free trade agreement is rejected, particularly when that country has taken a lot of efforts to fight political violence and corruption and FARC and drug traffickers, if the United States and our allies turn their back on an important ally in this region, that that will have long-term security consequences for all of our countries in North America. So that does worry the government of Canada.
Q (As translated.) If you will allow me, I want to go back to NAFTA. NAFTA is in place for almost 15 years now. Wouldn't it be possible to improve things, perhaps through renegotiating certain things on NAFTA? Mr. Harper, the American President said there's no -- we should not renegotiate NAFTA -- President Bush says we should not renegotiate. What do you think, Minister?
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) We would be ready to do anything that any of our partners wants to do. If one of our partners wants to negotiate NAFTA, we'll do -- we'll renegotiate. But this is not the position that we prefer, the government of Canada. We have an agreement that worked well, that created jobs -- lots of jobs in this continent, and I think that the business community is unanimous about the benefits of this agreement.
And I think that the problems that exist really call us to really perhaps improve or deepen -- deepen NAFTA even more. And the problems also justify that we do what we need to do to have trade that works better than it does now. But the right priority is not to renegotiate something that has been decided. This is not the great challenge that we have. When we meet with businessmen and businesswomen, this is not their concern -- their main concern. They're concern is in the future, not renegotiating the past. But Canada will always be ready to any possibilities that may happen.
As I said, we have a very dynamic relations with the United States. We are the first, or the greatest exporter of energy products towards the United States. And for the United States, we are the main source of energy security for the United States. And we think that now it's even more important -- this relationship is even more important now than it was 20 years ago, and it will be more important even in the future. So if we have to discuss these possibilities, we'll be in a good position, but we would prefer to talk about the future than the past.
(In English.) I just said before, we'll be prepared for any possibility. The American people are going to make a decision -- the future American administration may have a different view. I can just tell you when I meet businesspeople not just from our country, but from around the continent, the benefits of our NAFTA relationship are without question. And what all the focus is in our discussions is how to make it work better -- how to make the borders thinner, how to make commerce flow more quickly, more freely. That's -- how to make our relationship more integrated and deeper -- those are the real concerns that I experience in Canada and when I deal with people who are focused on economic development in our trade partners' economies.
But, look, as I said, we'll be prepared for any eventuality. Canada is the United States' number one supplier of energy. We are a secure and stable supplier. That is of critical importance to the future of the United States, and if we had to look at this kind of an option, I think quite frankly we would be in even stronger position now than we were 20 years ago, and we'll be in a stronger position in the future. But my preference is not to renegotiate what discussed in the past; it's to talk about the future. And I think that's what our respective -- that's what, at least, the Canadian population wants us to do.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. Good job, Stephen.
END 12:23 P.M. CDT
North America summit unlikely to yield major agreements
www.chinaview.cn 2008-04-21 09:52:38
WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The North America summit is due to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana Monday and Tuesday, but as U.S. President George W. Bush has become a somewhat lame-duck president, analysts are expecting no significant outcome from the gathering. The summit meeting between Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderonn will be the last for Bush, who has only about nine months left before he leaves the White House and whose approval rating is only 31 percent, the lowest in his presidency. His numbered days in the White House, low popularity, and the fact that the opposition Democrats have taken control of the Congress have greatly reduced Bush's capability to make big decisions, which is why analysts are widely playing down on the expectations of the yearly meeting. They believe the leaders are very likely to reaffirm their commitment to common issues including security, trade, anti-drug cooperation at the summit, or formally called the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice particularly highlighted the importance of the scheme for promoting the U.S.-Canada-Mexico cooperation at a press conference Saturday.
This SPP has been a very useful mechanism for organizing the multifaceted work that Canada, the United States and Mexico undertake together. It is work that bridges all of the important issues: security, trade, prosperity, Rice told a joint press conference with visiting Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa and Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier after their meeting to lay ground work for the summit. It has also permitted the leaders to engage the public and private sectors and civil society through the North American Competitiveness Council. And they look forward to, again, engaging that council, because obviously, trade and prosperity and a good life for the people of North America is not just the work of government alone, Rice said. What can be expected is that the leaders might put forward a few minor initiatives or agreements as Espinosa revealed at Saturday's press conference. We have spoken about one initiative, which is to act jointly in cases of disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean, he said, adding: This is, in our view, a very important initiative. We will be putting our efforts together to establish a fund so that we can act together immediately when there is a disaster situation.
Additionally, the leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitment to holding the annual summit and high-level dialogue. We have also discussed that we should strengthen and make a permanent commitment with the continuity of this high-level dialogue in North America at all levels and particularly at the level of heads of state and government, Espinosa said. The meeting of the summit of the leaders of North America reflects not only what Secretary Rice has already mentioned, the SPP agenda, but also an agenda that goes beyond these issues that have been traditionally part of their security and prosperity agenda. And this is something that we are certain that will emerge as a result of the leaders meeting, the Mexican foreign minister said. Editor: An Lu
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Tuesday, April 22, 2008
COMING JUDGEMENT OF EARTH
WELL I WENT TO AN INTERESTING SITE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT BELIEVES JUDGEMENT IS COMING ON ALL THE WORLD.
February 1st, 2008
Linda Newkirk
www.propheticwatchmanvine.com
My Blessed Child, I am your Father Yahweh, yea Jehovah, Most High God.Listen to Me Little One and write as I say that all may be the wiser! Hearken I say, all you nations! Rise up and hear what I say!
Open your eyes to see! Burst open your ears to hear! For do you not see that the whole world stands on a precipice, that the whole world now overlooks a great abyss!Who can stay My hand of judgement?
Who can turn back My hand of timing? Who can know what I will do, or when I will do a thing? None I say! None can stay My hand, and none can know My ways! For surely many say, that is not of the Lord! He did not do such a horrible thing to His people! He has not brought such judgement! He has not destroyed in such a way! But, I tell you now, that these speak in ignorance! They speak foolishness! They speak the desires of their own hearts! For, I create, and I destroy! For I am both a God of great love, and an all-consuming fire! Oh yes, I am an all-consuming fire! And this part, most wish to leave out! They want to believe that I am love, but My love burns hot! My love cannot look upon evil and be pleased with it!
Oh yes, I strive with the sinners! I have striven with you all since the beginning! And, all of you sinners! For I am full of love, mercy, and grace toward all! But even so, I am also an all consuming fire! And when I warn, and warn, and warn, through the mouths of My prophets and you despise My warnings, mock My prophets and even throw them out of your midst, oh then, after so much of this, I will turn against the mockers!I will turn against the scorners; and I will set My eye toward you for total destruction!
I will utterly destroy the wicked! I will destroy the mockers!I will destroy the rebellious, and My word is replete with such instances of My judgement! But, I do not destroy without warning! And oh how I have warned you, you My people, all over the world! Oh yes, I have warned you! But few, and I mean few, have listened! Oh hard-necked and stiff-necked generation! A generation of vipers, mockers, slanderers, backbiters, accusers, rapists, sodomites, perverts, liars, murderers, and thieves of every description! Undisciplined and unruly! Fit for destruction! Full of every deception! Oh my whip shall fall hard on you! And of a sudden, I shall rip the rug from beneath your feet! Of a sudden, I shall take away all that you cherish and hold dear! Of a sudden, I shall break you like a twig in the wind!Of a sudden I shall destroy your families, destroy your houses, destroy your careers, and take away your easy lives! Of a sudden I shall lay waste to your cities, to your coastlines, to your high-minded governments, and to you panderers and peddlers of falsehoods and lies! In one instant I shall deal such a blow to My own house and such a blow to Satan’s Kingdom that indeed, the New World Order will go forth on wobbly knees! Oh yes! This is so, and this is at hand! For when I take My bride, I shall throw the world into such turmoil that overnite there shall come about massive starvation!
Overnite, millions upon millions will perish in the churning waters! Overnite millions upon millions will be buried beneath the crumbling rocks of earthquakes that are so great that your instruments have never measured such things! Oh yes, overnite millions upon millions without electrical power! Millions upon millions without food! Millions upon millions dead! Banks closing and no money to be had! Wars, terrible wars, quickly thereafter breaking out all over the world as Satan’s own try for world domination! Terrible torture, persecution, and killing of many Christians! Mind control re-education camps in your midst and the new world order mind control teams working feverishly to take over the minds of the weak Christians and to use them for their own!
Massive killing camps which far exceed anything Hitler ever had, as far as their grotesque horrors! A war against the so-called Christians such as never before, with any and all methodologies used against them to cause them to denounce Me and My Son!Trials by the fire! Oh, great and terrible trails by the fires of persecution, starvation, wars, and deprivations of every kind!
Harsh! Severe! Nuclear destruction! Poisoned food! Harsh! Severe! Oh the weeping! Oh the wailing, as all that all hold dear in this world, evaporates before their very eyes! Oh yes, the whole world now stands at the edge of this great abyss! And what keeps you from tumbling into the abyss? I do! I have stayed My hand and I will stay My hand a little longer! But know one thing and know this for a certainty! When Revelation 12 is ended then the whole world will go headlong into the abyss! In that I allow you a little more time, I do so that you humble yourselves unto repentance! That you get on your knees before Me and confess your sins! Forsake your sins! I forgive the truly repentant and the sincere of heart! In that I delay a little longer the coming of My Son, I do so also to allow you to prepare for the harsh times, which are ahead! To all who are able to do so, get out of the cities! Get survival-oriented! Consider the times of massive starvation, massive power failures and wars! Put away food for three and one half years! Put away seeds so that you can garden! Put away supplies, for you will find that the stores shelves quickly empty out when this devastation hits! I tell you now, massive devastation, as yet never before seen in the earth! Prepare for hard times! Yes I will soon take My Bride, but she will come back! Most wedding guests will come back, and I will keep whom I will!
But do you suppose that you are going to escape anything! I say, prepare! And get away from coastlines! Remove yourselves from the areas of the Great Lakes and the swath of land which stretches between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River, for one day these lakes will dump into the Mississippi River! Remove yourselves from California coastlines and get far inland! For one day soon, the ocean will reclaim much of this! To My people I tell you, pack up and leave Florida! That’s right! Such a judgement will come upon Florida that when I am through with it, only a string of islands will be left! Pack up and move from the Gulf Coast, and make haste! For so great shall be My destruction along this coast! Where will you go! Fast, pray, and seek My face, and I will guide you! Put Me first and I will show You My will! Yes I am tarrying a while longer, but even so, it is but a short while still! Do as I say! Live for Me! Put Me first wherever you are! Though many may soon perish I will take all who love and honor, Me and My Son! Even if your body perishes in a prison camp, you will be at peace! For My Son will be there to take you! But some, I wish to preserve! You will be here through it all! Listen to Me! Get prepared! Come out of New York City! Leave the East Coast!
Hear what I tell you now! For in one day, such a great upheaval shall strike the world, as none of you have ever seen in recent years! I am your Father Yahweh! Hear My words! Repent! Live for Me!
Stop your selfish ways! Give to Me what is Mine! Bless My prophets and My anointed servants and I bless you! Steal from Me, and I allow Satan to steal from you! You have robbed Me! You have stolen from My house, and I command that you give to Me what is Mine, and I will give to you, what is sure! Linda Newkirk
Feb 21, 2008
Matthew Steven
PENDING JUDGMENT!
I was tired, so I said Lord I am going to bed, I had my computer on and I went over to turn it off and the Lord said no, I want to speak to you, I want you to write. The Lord said remember my son, I have given my Angel charge over you, For what I am about to tell you, the time has now come, it is the appointed time. I looked at the clock at that moment it was 12:21 A.M. and the room got very bright and I looked and saw a man in white linen holding a sword.
As I looked behind him, I could see a large body of water. Just then the angel of the Lord pointed with His hand, and there appeared before me the United States of America. I saw four huge Angels one standing on the West Coast, East Coast, the Great Lakes and the Gulf Coast, They had these huge swords in their hands, they held them out to each other touching the tips of all four swords together. Then they pulled back and held up their swords in the air, just then I heard the voice of the Lord say, son of man prophesy against the holy places and to the land of America. The Lord God said tell America I am against her, at that moment I saw the righteous and the wicked running, all over America.I said Lord why are they running? He said: For they are running to hide from my Judgment. Just then I looked again and I saw the man in white linen, raise up his sword with two hands I saw His waist, there was a gold band around Him. He swung His sword in a 360 degree wave. Then He flew up in the Air and there where lightning bolts that came out from His face. I looked again at his face, it looked like lightning, then He stuck His sword down into the middle of the White House, and it just blew apart, like it was no longer needed, the president was struck.
I saw another 911 rise up that was seven times greater, and military troops were blocking all roads. At that moment the Angel on the West Coast turned to face the Pacific Ocean, I saw four demon spirits rise up, the angel of the Lord commanded, you must let go of the sea, the demons yell out two times no, no. Just then the Holy Angel of God Almighty, took His sword and struck the Pacific Ocean. Then the sea rose up hundreds of feet in the air, the demons screamed out and the Angel of the Lord struck them and they disappeared. The sea was rapidly coming towards the west coast and went towards many other countries. Then I looked at the Angel that struck the sea, and I wept, and said, the souls of men, is there not another way? The Lord God said, my son they would not repent of their wicked ways. I said Lord what about the righteous, He said I have told them to get out, and many did not listen, many of them love their homes and their lifestyle more then Me. They wanted all the comforts just like the world and when I warned them they kept going their simple way, they want to take their wealth with them, but they refuse to give it up for me. Just like Lot and all the children of Israel, all they own will be required of them. They all died and only Lot and his two daughters came out alive, with just the clothes on their backs, this my son, is how it will be for many. Just then I looked at the Angel standing over by the Great Lakes, He pointed over to me, He said you must strike the Great Lakes and tell them to repent, the time is at hand and the time is running out, you must hurry.
I fell down again and wept , I became so weak I just trembled, I heard this voice say my son, I love you, I know your heart, but you must rise up ..Then this hand touched me and stood me up, but I fell back down and wept more, I cried out, Lord God Almighty please save these people. My son stand up, I will be with you, you must warn these people, I wept more and said Lord I am incapable and I am nobody, who am I Lord that you should call upon me. Rise up, very well Lord, I will obey even to the point of death, I love you so much. Just then the Angel I saw at first with the gold band around His waist pointed up in the air. There were four Angels flying down out of heaven, they had their swords extended out in front of them. The first Angel struck the earth and America just quaked, the second struck this huge massive oil/gas tank and fires started up all over the country, the third struck the air and thousands of tornadoes started up all over the country at the same time. There were droughts and floods all over, all the crops were destroyed, and millions of homes were wiped out. The fourth one struck all the government buildings, and the whole economic wealth fell to the ground and burned up, and many politicians fell over and died. I saw the Military get attacked and the Pacific fleet get hit. Then the Angel at the Gulf Coast said to me, come closer, tell the people at the Gulf Coast and Louisiana that it will be ten times worse than Katrina, and then the Angel struck the Gulf Coast and people were being sucked out to sea, everyone that lives there.
As I looked to the East Coast I saw the Angel strike the sea just then twelve eroding hurricanes appeared up and down the East Coast and the coast line dropped off into the Atlantic Ocean from twenty miles to sixty miles inland . The Lord God Almighty said disaster has come upon the whole land. Oh America, you have refused to love the truth, therefore the Lord God Almighty has sent forth a decree of judgment upon you America. For the sins of America has reached the heavens. Woe, Woe, unto you America because you have not repented , I will not hold back my Judgment any longer. This is the hour, the time has come. You America have shed innocent blood and now even now, I have sent my death Angel upon you, I have given my command, Oh Angel of my Judgment go descend upon her, bring upon her all the innocent blood that she has slain. Tell America, I will not turn back my Judgment. Matthew Stephen
www.propheticwatchmanvine.com Moses Papers
Link
February 1st, 2008
Linda Newkirk
www.propheticwatchmanvine.com
My Blessed Child, I am your Father Yahweh, yea Jehovah, Most High God.Listen to Me Little One and write as I say that all may be the wiser! Hearken I say, all you nations! Rise up and hear what I say!
Open your eyes to see! Burst open your ears to hear! For do you not see that the whole world stands on a precipice, that the whole world now overlooks a great abyss!Who can stay My hand of judgement?
Who can turn back My hand of timing? Who can know what I will do, or when I will do a thing? None I say! None can stay My hand, and none can know My ways! For surely many say, that is not of the Lord! He did not do such a horrible thing to His people! He has not brought such judgement! He has not destroyed in such a way! But, I tell you now, that these speak in ignorance! They speak foolishness! They speak the desires of their own hearts! For, I create, and I destroy! For I am both a God of great love, and an all-consuming fire! Oh yes, I am an all-consuming fire! And this part, most wish to leave out! They want to believe that I am love, but My love burns hot! My love cannot look upon evil and be pleased with it!
Oh yes, I strive with the sinners! I have striven with you all since the beginning! And, all of you sinners! For I am full of love, mercy, and grace toward all! But even so, I am also an all consuming fire! And when I warn, and warn, and warn, through the mouths of My prophets and you despise My warnings, mock My prophets and even throw them out of your midst, oh then, after so much of this, I will turn against the mockers!I will turn against the scorners; and I will set My eye toward you for total destruction!
I will utterly destroy the wicked! I will destroy the mockers!I will destroy the rebellious, and My word is replete with such instances of My judgement! But, I do not destroy without warning! And oh how I have warned you, you My people, all over the world! Oh yes, I have warned you! But few, and I mean few, have listened! Oh hard-necked and stiff-necked generation! A generation of vipers, mockers, slanderers, backbiters, accusers, rapists, sodomites, perverts, liars, murderers, and thieves of every description! Undisciplined and unruly! Fit for destruction! Full of every deception! Oh my whip shall fall hard on you! And of a sudden, I shall rip the rug from beneath your feet! Of a sudden, I shall take away all that you cherish and hold dear! Of a sudden, I shall break you like a twig in the wind!Of a sudden I shall destroy your families, destroy your houses, destroy your careers, and take away your easy lives! Of a sudden I shall lay waste to your cities, to your coastlines, to your high-minded governments, and to you panderers and peddlers of falsehoods and lies! In one instant I shall deal such a blow to My own house and such a blow to Satan’s Kingdom that indeed, the New World Order will go forth on wobbly knees! Oh yes! This is so, and this is at hand! For when I take My bride, I shall throw the world into such turmoil that overnite there shall come about massive starvation!
Overnite, millions upon millions will perish in the churning waters! Overnite millions upon millions will be buried beneath the crumbling rocks of earthquakes that are so great that your instruments have never measured such things! Oh yes, overnite millions upon millions without electrical power! Millions upon millions without food! Millions upon millions dead! Banks closing and no money to be had! Wars, terrible wars, quickly thereafter breaking out all over the world as Satan’s own try for world domination! Terrible torture, persecution, and killing of many Christians! Mind control re-education camps in your midst and the new world order mind control teams working feverishly to take over the minds of the weak Christians and to use them for their own!
Massive killing camps which far exceed anything Hitler ever had, as far as their grotesque horrors! A war against the so-called Christians such as never before, with any and all methodologies used against them to cause them to denounce Me and My Son!Trials by the fire! Oh, great and terrible trails by the fires of persecution, starvation, wars, and deprivations of every kind!
Harsh! Severe! Nuclear destruction! Poisoned food! Harsh! Severe! Oh the weeping! Oh the wailing, as all that all hold dear in this world, evaporates before their very eyes! Oh yes, the whole world now stands at the edge of this great abyss! And what keeps you from tumbling into the abyss? I do! I have stayed My hand and I will stay My hand a little longer! But know one thing and know this for a certainty! When Revelation 12 is ended then the whole world will go headlong into the abyss! In that I allow you a little more time, I do so that you humble yourselves unto repentance! That you get on your knees before Me and confess your sins! Forsake your sins! I forgive the truly repentant and the sincere of heart! In that I delay a little longer the coming of My Son, I do so also to allow you to prepare for the harsh times, which are ahead! To all who are able to do so, get out of the cities! Get survival-oriented! Consider the times of massive starvation, massive power failures and wars! Put away food for three and one half years! Put away seeds so that you can garden! Put away supplies, for you will find that the stores shelves quickly empty out when this devastation hits! I tell you now, massive devastation, as yet never before seen in the earth! Prepare for hard times! Yes I will soon take My Bride, but she will come back! Most wedding guests will come back, and I will keep whom I will!
But do you suppose that you are going to escape anything! I say, prepare! And get away from coastlines! Remove yourselves from the areas of the Great Lakes and the swath of land which stretches between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River, for one day these lakes will dump into the Mississippi River! Remove yourselves from California coastlines and get far inland! For one day soon, the ocean will reclaim much of this! To My people I tell you, pack up and leave Florida! That’s right! Such a judgement will come upon Florida that when I am through with it, only a string of islands will be left! Pack up and move from the Gulf Coast, and make haste! For so great shall be My destruction along this coast! Where will you go! Fast, pray, and seek My face, and I will guide you! Put Me first and I will show You My will! Yes I am tarrying a while longer, but even so, it is but a short while still! Do as I say! Live for Me! Put Me first wherever you are! Though many may soon perish I will take all who love and honor, Me and My Son! Even if your body perishes in a prison camp, you will be at peace! For My Son will be there to take you! But some, I wish to preserve! You will be here through it all! Listen to Me! Get prepared! Come out of New York City! Leave the East Coast!
Hear what I tell you now! For in one day, such a great upheaval shall strike the world, as none of you have ever seen in recent years! I am your Father Yahweh! Hear My words! Repent! Live for Me!
Stop your selfish ways! Give to Me what is Mine! Bless My prophets and My anointed servants and I bless you! Steal from Me, and I allow Satan to steal from you! You have robbed Me! You have stolen from My house, and I command that you give to Me what is Mine, and I will give to you, what is sure! Linda Newkirk
Feb 21, 2008
Matthew Steven
PENDING JUDGMENT!
I was tired, so I said Lord I am going to bed, I had my computer on and I went over to turn it off and the Lord said no, I want to speak to you, I want you to write. The Lord said remember my son, I have given my Angel charge over you, For what I am about to tell you, the time has now come, it is the appointed time. I looked at the clock at that moment it was 12:21 A.M. and the room got very bright and I looked and saw a man in white linen holding a sword.
As I looked behind him, I could see a large body of water. Just then the angel of the Lord pointed with His hand, and there appeared before me the United States of America. I saw four huge Angels one standing on the West Coast, East Coast, the Great Lakes and the Gulf Coast, They had these huge swords in their hands, they held them out to each other touching the tips of all four swords together. Then they pulled back and held up their swords in the air, just then I heard the voice of the Lord say, son of man prophesy against the holy places and to the land of America. The Lord God said tell America I am against her, at that moment I saw the righteous and the wicked running, all over America.I said Lord why are they running? He said: For they are running to hide from my Judgment. Just then I looked again and I saw the man in white linen, raise up his sword with two hands I saw His waist, there was a gold band around Him. He swung His sword in a 360 degree wave. Then He flew up in the Air and there where lightning bolts that came out from His face. I looked again at his face, it looked like lightning, then He stuck His sword down into the middle of the White House, and it just blew apart, like it was no longer needed, the president was struck.
I saw another 911 rise up that was seven times greater, and military troops were blocking all roads. At that moment the Angel on the West Coast turned to face the Pacific Ocean, I saw four demon spirits rise up, the angel of the Lord commanded, you must let go of the sea, the demons yell out two times no, no. Just then the Holy Angel of God Almighty, took His sword and struck the Pacific Ocean. Then the sea rose up hundreds of feet in the air, the demons screamed out and the Angel of the Lord struck them and they disappeared. The sea was rapidly coming towards the west coast and went towards many other countries. Then I looked at the Angel that struck the sea, and I wept, and said, the souls of men, is there not another way? The Lord God said, my son they would not repent of their wicked ways. I said Lord what about the righteous, He said I have told them to get out, and many did not listen, many of them love their homes and their lifestyle more then Me. They wanted all the comforts just like the world and when I warned them they kept going their simple way, they want to take their wealth with them, but they refuse to give it up for me. Just like Lot and all the children of Israel, all they own will be required of them. They all died and only Lot and his two daughters came out alive, with just the clothes on their backs, this my son, is how it will be for many. Just then I looked at the Angel standing over by the Great Lakes, He pointed over to me, He said you must strike the Great Lakes and tell them to repent, the time is at hand and the time is running out, you must hurry.
I fell down again and wept , I became so weak I just trembled, I heard this voice say my son, I love you, I know your heart, but you must rise up ..Then this hand touched me and stood me up, but I fell back down and wept more, I cried out, Lord God Almighty please save these people. My son stand up, I will be with you, you must warn these people, I wept more and said Lord I am incapable and I am nobody, who am I Lord that you should call upon me. Rise up, very well Lord, I will obey even to the point of death, I love you so much. Just then the Angel I saw at first with the gold band around His waist pointed up in the air. There were four Angels flying down out of heaven, they had their swords extended out in front of them. The first Angel struck the earth and America just quaked, the second struck this huge massive oil/gas tank and fires started up all over the country, the third struck the air and thousands of tornadoes started up all over the country at the same time. There were droughts and floods all over, all the crops were destroyed, and millions of homes were wiped out. The fourth one struck all the government buildings, and the whole economic wealth fell to the ground and burned up, and many politicians fell over and died. I saw the Military get attacked and the Pacific fleet get hit. Then the Angel at the Gulf Coast said to me, come closer, tell the people at the Gulf Coast and Louisiana that it will be ten times worse than Katrina, and then the Angel struck the Gulf Coast and people were being sucked out to sea, everyone that lives there.
As I looked to the East Coast I saw the Angel strike the sea just then twelve eroding hurricanes appeared up and down the East Coast and the coast line dropped off into the Atlantic Ocean from twenty miles to sixty miles inland . The Lord God Almighty said disaster has come upon the whole land. Oh America, you have refused to love the truth, therefore the Lord God Almighty has sent forth a decree of judgment upon you America. For the sins of America has reached the heavens. Woe, Woe, unto you America because you have not repented , I will not hold back my Judgment any longer. This is the hour, the time has come. You America have shed innocent blood and now even now, I have sent my death Angel upon you, I have given my command, Oh Angel of my Judgment go descend upon her, bring upon her all the innocent blood that she has slain. Tell America, I will not turn back my Judgment. Matthew Stephen
www.propheticwatchmanvine.com Moses Papers
Link
Monday, April 21, 2008
80% AMERICANS SUPPORT ISRAEL
DAY 3 OF PASSOVER IN ISRAEL TODAY 6PM.
GENESIS 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram,(CHANGED TO ABRAHAM LATER) Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:(PALESTINE,ISRAEL)
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
80 percent of American Christians say they have a moral and biblical obligation to support the State of Israel
More than 80 percent of American Christians say they have a moral and biblical obligation to support the State of Israel, and half say Jerusalem should remain its undivided capital, according to a survey released on Thursday.While evangelical Christians are the strongest supporters of the Jewish state, strong pro-Israel convictions cut across all key Christian denominations in the US, according to the poll carried out on behalf of the Washington-based Joshua Fund, an evangelical organization.Eight-two percent of respondents said they had a moral and biblical obligation to love and support Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, 10% disagreed and 8% did not know.Eighty-four percent of Protestants agreed with the statement (including 89% of Evangelicals), compared to 76% of Catholics.Half of the American Christians surveyed opposed Israel dividing Jerusalem with the Palestinians in a peace agreement, 33% were unsure and 17% thought it should be divided.
Fifty-three percent of Protestants supported a united Jerusalem, as did 44% of Catholics.Evangelical Christians were most supportive of a united Jerusalem, with 62% in favor and 11% against.A plurality of the US Christians (44%) surveyed said they did not know whether a future Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip would be a peaceful moderate democracy or a terrorist state, 32% said that it would be a terrorist state and 24% said that it would be a peaceful democracy.
The survey found clear differences between Protestants and Catholics on the issue.
Protestants were more likely to say a Palestinian state would be a terror state by a 10-point margin; Catholics were evenly split. Evangelical Protestants said a such entity would be a terrorist state by a 20-point margin, but non-evangelical Protestants said it would be a peaceful and moderate democracy by six percentage points.
The belief that a Palestinian state would be a terrorist state was strongest among Republican and conservative Evangelicals.Nearly half (49%) of American Christians surveyed were interested in visiting Israel, including about quarter of both Catholics and Protestants who were strongly interested.Forty-seven percent of those polled were not interested in visiting.There are 50 million-60million evangelicals Christians in the US.Two-thirds of respondents said that if Iran developed nuclear weapons, it would eventually try to use them to attack Israel, 23% were unsure and 13% said Iran would not attack.Finally, 45% said they would be more likely to support a US presidential candidate who would protect America from Islamic terrorism, protect Israel from a nuclear attack from Iran, oppose the division of Jerusalem and refuse to pressure Israel to make concessions on issues of national security, compared to 29% who said such positions had no effect on their vote and 9% who would be less likely to support such a candidate.
The survey will be officially released on Thursday at a conference at the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyenei Ha'uma) organized by The Joshua Fund that is expected to be attended by 2,000 evangelical Christians from around the world.The non-profit organization aims to raise more than $100 million over the next three years to help Israeli victims of terrorism, and to fund humanitarian projects in Israel in education, health, welfare and immigrant absorption, and $20m. for Christians in the West Bank, Gaza, Iraq and Sudan, said Joel C. Rosenberg, the group's founder and president.Our support for Israel is unwavering and unconditional, he said.
AMERICA (POLITICAL BABYLON)
EZEKIEL 39:21
21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
ISAIAH 18:1-2
1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
JEREMIAH 50:11,37,12
11 Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;(BACKSLIDERS)
37 A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.(A NATION OF MINGLED PEOPLE)
12 Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed:(MOTHER ENGLAND) behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
JEREMIAH 51:13,7,53
13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
53 Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
REVELATION 18:3,5,7
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
JEREMIAH 50:3,24
3 For out of the north(RUSSIA)there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD. (RUSSIA A SNEAK ATTACK)
REVELATION 18:10
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Preparing For A Nuclear attack on D.C. - A Hypothetical Scenario
ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
A nuclear device detonated near the White House would kill roughly 100,000 people and flatten downtown federal buildings, while the radioactive plume from the explosion would likely spread toward the Capitol and into Southeast D.C., contaminating thousands more.
The blast from the 10-kiloton bomb — similar to the bomb dropped over Hiroshima during World War II — would kill up to one in 10 tourists visiting the Washington Monument and send shards of glass flying the length of the National Mall, in a scenario that has become increasingly likely to occur in a major U.S. city in recent years, panel members told a Senate committee yesterday.It's inevitable, said Cham E. Dallas, director of the Institute for Health Management and Mass Destruction Defense at the University of Georgia, who has charted the potential explosion's effect in the District and testified before a hearing of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. I think it's wistful to think that it won't happen by 20 years.The Senate committee has convened a series of hearings to examine the threat and effects of a terrorist nuclear attack on a U.S. city, as well as the needed response.Yesterday's panel stressed the importance of state and local cooperation with federal authorities in the wake of an attack, assistance from the private business sector to aid recovery and the dire need to boost the capabilities of area hospitals.
They recommended expanding emergency personnel by training physicians like pharmacists and dentists to aid in all-hazards care, monitoring the exposure of first responders to radiation and clearly disseminating information to the public.The scenarios we discuss today are very hard for us to contemplate, and so emotionally traumatic and unsettling that it is tempting to push them aside, said Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent and committee chairman. However, now is the time to have this difficult conversation, to ask the tough questions, and then to get answers as best we can and take preparatory and preventive action.Ashton B. Carter, co-director of the Preventive Defense Project at Harvard University, said the likelihood of a nuclear attack on U.S. soil is undetermined, but it has increased with the proliferation of weapons by Iran and North Korea and the failure to secure Russia's nuclear arsenal following the Cold War.For while the probability of a nuclear weapon one day going off in a U.S. city cannot be calculated, it is almost surely larger than it was five years ago, Mr. Carter said.Mr. Carter described a more destructive blast effect. He said the ground-based detonation of a 10-kiloton bomb would result in near-total devastation within a circle about two miles in diameter, or the length of the Mall.The zone of destruction is projected to be less than that of Hiroshima, where the bomb was dropped from an airplane and detonated above the city.
A similar blast in a more densely populated city than the District, such as Chicago or New York, would result in an injury toll up to eight times higher. A plume a few miles long could also dole out lethal doses of radiation, Mr. Carter said.However, the experts emphasized that the explosion would not impact most of a major city and that in many cases, residents could remain safe by not evacuating immediately and clogging area roadways.It is also expected that, due to lack of information getting to the public, many people will try to flee by car or on foot, often in the wrong direction, again exposing themselves to high levels of radiation, as vehicles provide virtually no protection, Mr. Carter said.
Mr. Dallas said a major problem facing most cities is a lack of available hospital beds for victims of burns that would result from a nuclear blast. He said up to 95 percent of such victims would not receive potentially life-saving care.We're completely underprepared, he said. Most of them will die.Mr. Dallas said the District also faces a unique challenge because of the way the city is configured geographically: A wind blowing west to east would gradually spread radiation from the explosion into the low-income neighborhoods of Southeast, where there are limited health care options available and only one hospital.Area officials have spent millions of dollars in recent years to develop evacuation plans and stockpile emergency supplies after a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said local preparation for a disaster was not sufficient.Darrell L. Darnell, director of the District's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said the city is continuing to develop its emergency preparedness capabilities and has numerous methods of informing residents of actions they should take, including through text messages, voice alerts and Web sites like www.dc.gov and http://72hours.dc.gov.
We are confident that the District is prepared to respond to a catastrophic incident affecting the District, Mr. Darnell said.
Still, Mr. Dallas said the majority of victims in a nuclear explosion will likely have to fend for themselves in the first hours after an attack.These people are going to be on their own, he said after the hearing. There's no white horse to ride to the rescue.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Last Updated: 20/04/2008 12:45
Lisbon treaty website launched
A new website providing information on the Lisbon Treaty was today launched to educate voters in advance of June’s crucial referendum.
Established by the Referendum Commission, the independent body set up to boost public awareness on the issue, the site sets out what the treaty is about and how the EU will be changed if ratified. The website launch comes just days after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso visited the country to highlight the importance of a Yes vote. The body will also set out the plans for its public information campaign at a
briefing on Wednesday and reveal the results of a poll assessing the level of knowledge on the treaty. Environment Minister John Gormley made an order setting up the Referendum Commission on March 6th. It has been allocated a budget of €5 million for its work.
It does not advise voters which side to take when voting, but merely informs them about the issues and encourages them to cast their ballot. Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill, Judge of the High Court was appointed as chairperson on the nomination of the Chief Justice. The other members are the Clerk of the Dail Kieran Coughlan, the Clerk of the Seanad Deirdre Lane, the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly and the Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell.
The website address is www.lisbontreaty2008.ie
Meanwhile the Government’s summary guide to the Reform Treaty is currently being distributed to all households in the State. Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said the 48-page booklet in both Irish and English sets out in a clear and factual manner the treaty’s proposed changes. The distribution of this guide is part of the Government’s efforts to ensure that the public are as well informed as possible regarding the content of the Treaty, which will be the subject of a referendum in June, he said. In addition to this guide, the Government has published a White Paper, explaining the Treaty’s content in more detail. Earlier this week, the European Union published the consolidated version of the EU Treaties, incorporating the changes to be made by the Reform Treaty, once ratified. That document shows exactly how the Reform Treaty will amend the existing Treaties. It shows the legal framework that will apply if the Reform Treaty is ratified by all Member States.Mr Ahern added that in the coming weeks the government will facilitate the best informed public debate for any referendum in our history.I am confident that when people are informed about this Treaty, they will dismiss the myths being promoted by Treaty opponents and give a resounding Yes on polling day. A reading of the Government guide will confirm that there is nothing to fear and much to gain from ratifying a Treaty whose provisions are firmly in Ireland’s and in Europe’s interests, Mr Ahern said. 2008 ireland.com
Irish farmers link EU treaty vote with trade talks
18.04.2008 - 09:21 CET | By Honor Mahony
Irish farmers were out in force on the streets of Dublin on Thursday (17 April) to protest against forthcoming world trade talks in Switzerland and warn the government that the nature of the trade deal would affect how the group votes on the EU treaty in June.Over 10,000 farmers protested in front of parliament in a rally that coincided with a visit by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to the Irish capital to persuade voters of the merits of the treaty.Padraig Walshe, president of the Irish Farmers Association, said that decisions taken by EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson in Geneva in May, where a breakthrough on the Doha round of trade liberalisation talks is expected, would have a direct bearing on the treaty referendum.Don't come back from Geneva having sold us out. Thousands of workers in the food industry will lose their jobs, hundreds of businesses will have to close down. Don't expect us to do your bidding in the referendum, he said, according to the Irish Independent.Sell us out and we will have our say on the 12th of June, said Mr Walshe to the crowd.The agricultural sector continues to represent an important part of Irish society and the government is keen to woo them into the yes camp for the treaty vote, due to take place on 12 June.
Farmers fear that any concessions the EU makes during the trade talks in order to broker a deal - both the EU and the US are facing pressure from poorer regions to cut back their agricultural subsidies and tariffs - will result in them being worse off.Mr Barroso told the Forum on Europe in Dublin that he was very attentive to the concerns of the farmers in Ireland.The Irish Times reports him as saying that it was in Europe's interests to get a deal soon at the World Trade Organisation.He pointed out that Ireland has four percent of the global market in traded services, so a trade deal would be important for the country.Mr Barroso also reassured Irish voters on tax issues - the government is strongly against any moves towards an EU tax - and said that on June 12th the Irish people will be sending a message to the rest of Europe and the wider world.
International Relations | 19.04.2008
EU Presidency Will Not Invite Dalai Lama to Brussels
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: The EU is concerned about Tibet, but will not invite the Dalai Lama to Brussels.The EU's Slovenian presidency said that it would not invite the Dalai Lama to Brussels to meet with the bloc's foreign ministers, as Paris has proposed, but would not rule out other contacts with the Tibetan leader. Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel told a special Chinese envoy in Ljubljana that the Slovenian presidency did not intend to invite the Dalai Lama to the council meeting (of EU foreign ministers) in Brussels, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday, April 19.The Slovenian presidency, however, added that contacts with him him [the Dalai Lama] on other levels were not excluded.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on April 1 that the 27 EU foreign ministers would invite the Dalai Lama once a decision had been made by the Slovenian EU presidency.At the time, Rupel said that inviting the Dalai Lama to Brussels was doable but would need to be discussed by foreign ministers from the other EU nations.
Beijing's opposition
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel spoke to a Chinese envoy in Ljubljana.China has opposed foreign nations providing support to what it has said was the Dalai Lama's attempts to split Tibet from China, in reaction to reports that he may go to Japan and Europe.On Friday, Rupel received special Chinese envoy Guan Chengyuan, who had a letter laying out Beijing's position on developments in Tibet and EU nations' reaction to them.In response, Rupel said that substantive and open dialog with the Dalai Lama could form part of the solution to the problem, according to the statement.Slovenia and the EU understand the urgency of restoring stability in China, but at the same time believe that the Chinese authorities could take more positive steps to address the situation in Tibet, the EU presidency said.
Protests in China
Meanwhile, protests were held on Saturday in at least five Chinese cities against independence for Tibet, official media reported.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Demonstrators protested in front of the Carrefour supermaket in Wuhan, China.Demonstrators gathered outside branches of French retailer Carrefour amid claims that it had links to exiled Tibetans and in the wake of widespread calls for a boycott of French goods. Carrefour has vehemently rejected the claims.A small group of young people protested outside the French embassy in Beijing's Sanlitun district Saturday and a nearby French school. Large numbers of police had earlier sealed off streets in the district.Protests were held in Beijing, Hefei and in Wuhan in the central Chinese province of Hubei, in Qingdao in Shandong province and in Kunming in the south-west province of Yunnan, Xinhua news agency reported.
Anti-French sentiment in China has been on the rise since the chaotic Paris leg of the Olympic torch relay, where pro-Tibet protesters tried to wrestle the flame from Jin Jing, a young wheelchair-bound fencer.The resentment has been amplified by French President Nicolas Sarkozy linking his appearance at the Olympic Games opening ceremony to progress on human rights in Tibet, following China's crackdown in the region.
EU concerned
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Activists all over the world have protested against the Chinese crackdown in Tibet.Last month, Tibet saw the biggest anti-Chinese protests in years on the anniversary of a 1959 uprising that sent the Dalai Lama fleeing into exile in India.Exiled Tibetan leaders say more than 150 people have died in the crackdown. China says Tibetan rioters have killed 18 civilians and two policemen.Rupel said that the EU was concerned about the lack of information about the events and reports from international non-governmental organizations of harsh measures by the authorities and that many people remained unaccounted for.The EU is concerned upon receiving such information, Rupel said. A positive step would be to allow free access to Tibet and to enable full transparency.DW staff (tt)
Europol to become EU agency in 2010
+ - 15:50, April 19, 2008
The Hague-based Europol, a police coordination office, will formally become a European Union (EU) agency on Jan. 1, 2010, the European Commission said Friday. Europol will become a full EU body, with the tools to support law enforcement agencies in the member states even more effectively. As a result, European police forces will cooperate more closely, said European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot. The decision to confer EU agency status on Europol was made after 15 months of intense discussions among EU member states. With this decision, Europol will be funded by the EU budget. The new status will allow EU to adapt Europol's legal framework more rapidly, avoiding the lengthy ratification process of protocols to the Europol Convention. Source: Xinhua
EU tightens anti-terrorism laws By Oana Lungescu BBC News, Brussels APR 19,08
Gilles de Kerchove says the internet is being used to radicalise people.European Union ministers have agreed to punish incitement to terrorism through the internet. At a meeting in Luxembourg, EU justice and interior ministers tightened existing laws. Public provocation to commit terrorist attacks, as well as recruiting and training people for terrorism will be punishable offences throughout the EU. The ministers also agreed on an action plan to prevent terrorist groups from getting explosives. EU officials said the decision to punish propaganda, recruitment and training for terrorism through the internet filled an important gap in European legislation.
Early warning system
They described the internet as a virtual training camp for militants, used to inspire and mobilise local groups. Earlier this month, the EU anti-terrorism co-ordinator, Gilles de Kerchove, said the threat of terrorism in Europe had not diminished and about 5,000internet sites were being used to radicalise young people. National courts will now be able to ask internet service providers to remove such sites. Britain, Spain and Italy already punish public incitement to terrorism. But under pressure from Nordic countries and civil rights campaigners, ministers made clear that the new provisions may not be used to restrict freedom of expression. In a separate move to combat terrorism, they agreed to establish an early-warning system on stolen explosives and detonators by the end of the year. They also resolved to create a database giving police permanent access to information on incidents involving explosive devices.
MUSLIM NATIONS
EZEKIEL 38:1-12
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog,(RULER) the land of Magog,(RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW)and Tubal,(TOBOLSK) and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW) and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws,(GOD FORCES THE MUSLIMS TO MARCH) and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia,(IRAN,IRAQ) Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer,(GERMANY) and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (TURKEY)of the north quarters, and all his bands:(SUDAN,AFRICA) and many people with thee.
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.(RUSSIA-EGYPT AND MUSLIMS)
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
EZEKIEL 39:1-8
1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog,(LEADER OF RUSSIA) and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech (MOSCOW) and Tubal: (TUBOLSK)
2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts,(RUSSIA) and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands,( ARABS) and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
6 And I will send a fire on Magog,(NUCLEAR BOMB) and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
JOEL 2:3,20,30-31
3 A fire(NUCLEAR BOMB) devoureth before them;(RUSSIA-ARABS) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
Source: U.S. Strike on Iran Nearing APR 14,08
Contrary to some claims that the Bush administration will allow diplomacy to handle Iran’s nuclear weapons program, a leading member of America’s Jewish community tells Newsmax that a military strike is not only on the table – but likely.Israel is preparing for heavy casualties, the source said, suggesting that although Israel will not take part in the strike, it is expecting to be the target of Iranian retribution.Look at Dick Cheney’s recent trip through the Middle East as preparation for the U.S. attack, the source said.Cheney’s hastily arranged 9-day visit to the region, which began on March 16, included stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Turkey, and the Palestinian territories.Tensions in the region have been rising.While Israel was conducting the largest homefront military exercises in its history last week, Israel’s National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer warned Tehran about expected attacks on the Jewish state.An Iranian attack will prompt a severe reaction from Israel, which will destroy the Iranian nation, he said.He predicted that in a future war, hundreds of missiles will rain on Israel, but added that Iran is definitely aware of our strength.In addition to long-range missiles Iran has been developing to strike Israel, Israel’s military strategists see the Iranians using terror groups they back like Hamas operating from Palestine and Hezbollah from Lebanon to launch attacks.Iran has supplied Hezbollah with an arsenal that now contains tens of thousands of missiles, according to the Washington Post.
Israel’s recent war exercises, including preparations for chemical and biological weapons attacks, drew a sharp response from Syria which held its own military drills. The Syrian government accused Israel of preparing for a war which Damascus predicted would be begin anytime between May 1 and the end of June.Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently told foreign journalists that Israel needs to confront the threat posed by Iran. Privately he has been telling associates his number one priority is have the Israeli military strike Iran if the U.S. is unwilling.The Israeli newspaper Haaretz disclosed that Israel is concerned that North Korea has transferred technology and nuclear materials to Iran to aid Tehran’s secret nuclear weapons program.Iran remains intransigent to international pressure that it offer full transparency relating to its nuclear program. On Sunday the head of Iran’s nuclear program abruptly canceled a meeting with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, dealing a blow to the U.N. monitor's efforts to investigate allegations that Iran tried to make nuclear arms, an agency official said, according to an AP report.But a senior diplomat had told the AP that IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] head Mohamed ElBaradei likely planned to use the meeting with Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, the head of Iran's nuclear program, to renew a request for more information on allegations Tehran had tried to make atomic arms.A number of signs indicate that, contrary to the belief President Bush is a lame duck who will not act before he leaves office, the U.S. is poised to strike before Iran can acquire nuclear weapons and carry out the threat of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to wipe Israel off the map:
According to intelligence sources, the administration now rejects the National Intelligence Estimate report issued in December that asserted Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program in late 2003.
The French daily Le Monde reported in March that newly surfaced documents show that Iran has continued developing nuclear weapons. In late 2006, U.S. intelligence reportedly intercepted a phone conversation in Iran’s Defense Ministry in which the nuclear weapons program was discussed.
The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon, resigned in March amid media reports that he broke with President Bush’s strategy on Iran and did not want to be in the chain of command when the order comes down from the President to launch a strike on the Islamic Republic.
Democrats suggested he had been forced out because of his candor in opposing Bush’s Iran plans, and Esquire magazine contended that Fallon’s departure signaled that the U.S. is preparing to attack Iran.
According to a Tehran-based Iranian news network, Press TV, Saudi Arabia is taking emergency steps in preparing to counter any radioactive hazards that may result from an American attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The Saudi newspaper Okaz disclosed that the Saudi government has approved nuclear fallout preparations, and the Iranian network reported that the approval came a day after Cheney met with the kingdom’s high-ranking officials, further stating that the U.S. is now informing its Arab allies of a potential war.
The American commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, has stepped up criticism of Iran, telling Congress last week that Iranian support for Shiite militias posed the most serious threat to Iraq’s stability. He told senators : Iran has fueled the violence in a particularly damaging way. Last week, the U.S. said Iran was providing insurgents with missiles that were killing Americans and hitting targets within the U.S. occupied Green Zone in Baghdad.
MSNBC Commentator Pat Buchanan said Petraeus’ remarks to Congress lay the groundwork for a U.S. attack on Iran.
President Bush said in a speech at the White House on April 10 that Iran, along with al-Qaida, are two of the greatest threats to America.
He said Iran can live in peace with its neighbors, or continue to arm and train and fund illegal militant groups which are terrorizing the Iraqi people … If Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests and our troops and our Iraqi partners.He later told ABC News that if Iran continues to help militants in Iraq, then we’ll deal with them.Members of Congress are said to have been briefed by the administration about the rising Iran threat.Iran did little to cool tensions when it announced that it had begun installing 6,000 new centrifuges at its uranium enrichment plant in Natanz.Centrifuges can enrich uranium to a low level to produce nuclear fuel or a high level for use in weapons.The announcement of the new centrifuges by President Ahmadinejad came on April 8, Iran’s National Day of Nuclear Technology, which marked the second anniversary of Iran’s first enrichment of uranium.Iran already has about 3,000 centrifuges operating in Natanz, and the new announcement was widely seen as a show of defiance to international demands to halt a nuclear program that the U.S. and its allies insist is aimed at building nuclear weapons.
NOTICE IN EZEKIEL 38 IT MENTIONS LIBYA.
Putin in Libya to close $2.5b arms deal
Only few weeks before he leaves office, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Libya on Wednesday for a two-day visit likely to be dominated by discussions on energy cooperation, arms deals and debt negotiations.Putin's visit may bring closure to several large arms deals totaling $2.5 billion, which are aimed at bolstering Libya's aging weapons arsenal, Russian media outlets reported. The deals will include anti-aircraft systems, MiG and Sukhoi aircraft, helicopters, submarines and warships, the Russian news agency Interfax said.The media are always interested in arms deals… but the main issue for Russia will be Libya as a trading partner, which is something that almost every country in the world is interested in, because Libya, with a high oil price, has a lot of money to spend, Oliver Miles, a former British ambassador to Libya, and currently deputy chairman of the Libyan British Business Council, told The Media Line.
Last week, the state-run Russian gas company, Gazprom, revealed it was negotiating with its Italian partner, Eni, about a potential asset swap involving projects in Libya. The heads of the two companies have met with Putin recently, although the content of their discussions has not been fully disclosed.International competition over foreign investments in Libya has been heightened as a result of the country's recent moves to open up.There are many things that we in Britain, for example, or the French, or other exporting countries, would wish to sell to the Libyans, and naturally we see the Russians as competitors, Miles said.Regarding the military aircraft deal, Miles explained there was direct competition between France and Russia, which are probably the most likely suppliers of military aircraft to Libya.The former ambassador explained that a French-Libyan deal for the purchase of military aircraft was considered a done deal at the time of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's recent visit to Libya.This competition also hit the news last month, when reports indicated that Algeria had decided to terminate a contract to purchase 35 MiG29 aircrafts from Russia.Algeria began refusing deliveries from May 2007, and in October it stopped payments on other military contracts, pending the return of the MiGs to Russia.The reasons for the termination of the Algerian contract are likely to lie in the realm of politics, said head of the Russian Federal Agency for Industry, Andrei Dutov.
The French media recently indicated that two months ago Sarkozy tried to persuade Algeria to purchase French aircraft with similar technical features as the MiG29.Russian arms export monopoly, Rosoboronexport, signed a contract to deliver the MiG29 fighters in March 2006 as part of an $8-billion military-technical cooperation agreement with Algeria.
The March to War: Israel Prepares for War against Lebanon and Syria by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya Global Research, April 19, 2008
By the start of 2007, reports about major upgrades to the Syrian military, including advances in missile technology, with Iranian help were widespread in Israel. [1] The impression of an imminent war existed across much of the Middle East. Syria, Hezbollah, and Iran were reported in Israel to be preparing for a war to spark in the Levant. [2]It was also claimed in Israel that Damascus had sent secret messages to Tel Aviv that should Israel continue to reject Syria’s peace overtures, a war would breakout in the Golan Heights and that Syrian reservists were forbidden from leaving Syria because of the possibility of combat. [3] In June, 2007, an inner circle of the Israeli government that would form a war cabinet in a Middle Eastern war scenario was categorically informed that a war with Syria would absolutely involve Iranian military intervention. [4]It is now 2008 and the spectre of war has remerged in the Middle East. Syrian President Basher Al-Assad revealed that his country is uneasy and prepared for the worst once again. Despite Tehran’s position that the U.S. would not dare launch a war against Iran, the Iranian military is on standby. The Lebanese military and Hezbollah have also been placed on alert. While war is not a preferable option, if Israel declares war on Syria and Lebanon or if America declares war on Iran, Syria would be prepared, the Syrian President told a gathering of Arab intellectuals according to Al-Akhbar, a Lebanese newspaper, on April 16, 2008. [5] We should analyze the situation from the perspective of American interests, because the last war in Lebanon has shown that at some point Israel wanted to stop the fighting, but was forced by the [Bush Jr. Administration] to pursue it further, Basher Al-Assad continued. [6] Thus the threat of war lives on in the Middle East in 2008…
Miscalculations in the Levant: Setting the Stage for War?
Hereto, Tel Aviv has been deliberately promoting tensions with Syria and Lebanon. In 2007, Major-General Moshe Kaplinsky, the former deputy chief of staff for the Israeli military, stated during a press briefing that war between Syria and Israel was unlikely as an answer to growing rumours of war that started since late-2006 and the commencement of 2007. The Israeli flag officer however did not rule out an eventual Israeli-Syrian conflict. Major-General Kaplinsky along with many other Israeli commanders and officials repeatedly stressed that a miscalculation on the border could spark a conflict between Syria and Israel sometime in the future. [7]Not long after the 2006 Israeli defeat in Lebanon, Tel Aviv started crafting the justifications for more wars in its surrounding neighbourhood, the Levant. [8] The Israeli definitions of miscalculation have been extremely vague and ominous.Tel Aviv has been involved in the process of creating a military carte blanche, allowing for flexibility in its regional approach towards Lebanon and Syria.Miscalculations in the eyes of Tel Aviv range from the domestic affairs of the Lebanese and the events in the occupied Palestinian Territories to the most audacious and bellicose of definitions, such as the reaction of the Syrians to Israeli hostilities.
The secretive air assault, later revealed by the codename Operation Orchard, made by the 69th Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) against an unheard of facility in Deir ez-Zoir Governorate of Syria on September 6, 2007 could have become a miscalculation on the part of Syria had it responded to Israeli provocations. The Israeli definition of a miscalculation also means any arbitrary fire into Israel. The Jerusalem Post defined a miscalculation that could spark a war with Syria as an incident along the border, in the form of a terrorist attack that escalates into a larger conflict. [9] Such an incident could easily be sparked through conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. A false flag operation could also bring such an incident about. On July 18, 2007 there was rocket fire from South Lebanon into Israel by an unknown group, something that could have been used as a pretext for war. In Syria, Lebanon, and the Arab World the incident was believed to be the work of the Israelis and their allies in an effort to justify a future war.
Tel Aviv’s Orwellian talk of Peace
In May, 2008 the head of the Mossad, the intelligence service of Israeli, said that talks of peace with Syria would lead to war. [10] Le Nouvel Observateur reported in July 2007 that the Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, ruled out the resumption of peace talks with Syria while stressing that she believed Damascus posed a problem that must be tackled on a regional scale. [11] When asked about the prospects of peace with Syria, Tzipi Livni responded, Absolutely not. Syria is pursuing the dangerous game it plays in the region [Middle East], and added that Syria remains a threat to Israel. [12] These statements reveal the conduct of Tel Aviv and its hidden agenda. Within the context of a public declaration of peace during the summer of 2007, they also reveal Tel Aviv’s duplicity. While Tzipi Livni stated that there would be no peace between Israel and Syria, Ehud Olmert stated in a televised interview with the Al-Arabiya News Channel, that he personally wanted peace with Syria. Prime Minister Olmert addressed President Basher Al-Assad, the head of Syria, directly, saying you know that I am ready for direct talks with you and added that I am ready to sit with you and talk about peace, not war. Several days later, Ehud Olmert also stated in Orwellian fashion that he wanted peace with the Syrians, but that peace did not equate to immediate peace negotiations between Syria and Israel and could mean a continuation of the status quo.Olmert’s statement is doublespeak. Hereto, according to the Israelis, the threat of war exists as a result of the status quo between Syria and Israel. This statement is very important to keep in mind because it indicates that Israel did not want to return the Golan Heights, but wanted something else from Syria as the condition of peace. This is where Tehran comes into the picture.
Israeli officials were further incriminated by the fact that in 2007Prime Minister Olmert also said he was not concerned by an imminent war with Syria, but that he was unhappy with the public discussion about peace between Syria and Israel. One should question the logic behind Ehud Olmert’s irritation regarding public overtures of peace between Syria and Israel. [13] Realpolitik is definitely being played by Israel in regards to Damascus in a consorted effort to de-link Syria from Iran and its other allies. In this regard, Damascus publicly insisted that there be no secret talks between Syrian and Israeli officials as to the conditions for peace. [14] The rationale for the Syrian insistence on transparency was to deprive Israeli of any means to covertly try to divide Syria from its Middle Eastern allies by generating suspicions of betrayal. The international press extensively reported Ehud Olmert’s statements in 2007 about wanting peace with the Syrians. Israeli officials also repeatedly claimed that the Syrians were the ones rejecting peace. [15] These claims are made despite the fact that all public records show exactly the opposite. Syria’s leadership have been calling for peace negotiations between Israel and Syria since the premierships of Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon. Israeli claims of pursing peace for the most part have been part of an international public relations campaign attempting to portray the aggressor as the victim. In the case of Syria peace means that Tel Aviv will not go to war with Damascus if it distances itself from Tehran. De-linking Syria from Iran: Israel’s Real Condition for Peace with Syria.The return of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which was was formerly called the Syrian Heights in Israel, to Syria was always the recognized condition for establishing Israeli-Syrian peace.
Dr. Alon Liel, a former director-general within the Israeli foreign affairs ministry and a former Israeli ambassador to South Africa, who was heavily involved with previous Israeli negotiations with Syria, has indicated the real issue holding Tel Aviv from accepting peace. Dr. Alon Liel went on record: he confirmed that 85% of negotiations between Syria and Israel were agreed upon by both Damascus and Tel Aviv. [16] The major issues for establishing peace between Damascus and Tel Aviv were all resolved in 2000; water rights for Israel from Syrian territory, guaranteed Israeli access to the Golan Heights upon its return to Syria, and security guarantees between both parties. [17] Peace, in the sense of an agreement by both sides, however was unachievable in 1993, 1995, 1996, and 2000 due to Tel Aviv’s internal politics. The situation became more so after 2001 with the start of an aggressive U.S. policy in the Middle East. Israel isn’t going to hand over [or return] the Golan [Heights] to an ally of Iran, Alon Liel has insisted as being the problem in regards to peace between both sides. [18]Tel Aviv has imposed broader demands on Syria as the price of peace. It is in the strategic interests of the U.S. and Israel to isolate Iran, even at the cost of peace with Syria. [19] In this regard, Syrian internal affairs and foreign relations are decisive factors for Israel in regards to negotiations. Syria and Iran are part of a strategic alliance in the Middle East resisting the interests of America, Britain, Israel, France, and Germany. Other Middle Eastern players resisting the same foreign interests are additionally allied or associated with Syria and Iran within one tangible bloc, the Resistance Bloc. [20] It is in this context that one understands Israel is no pursuing peace with Syria, but is threatening the Syrians with war if they do not abandon Iran and their allies.
On the eve of major Israeli exercises in which Israel and Syria fought a fictitious war, the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Haim Ramon, stated on a radio interview that Syrian anxiety had no basis and that Israel was pursing peace with Damascus, but added unfortunately Syria is stuck deep in the evil axis of connections with [Hezbollah]. [21] If this is not indicative enough, Haim Ramon also concluded that Damascus has made a strategic choice to preserve its alliance with Iran rather than pursue peace, which to Tel Aviv would mean a termination of Syrian-Iranian ties. Furthermore, on March 23, 2003 Shimon Peres stated that peace talks with Syria cannot begin while it keeps supplying Lebanon with weapons. [22] This was a reference to the important role of Damascus as a middle man between Tehran and the Levant.
Neutralizing Syria: Prerequisite for Neutralizing Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran
Damascus is pivotal to the framework of resistance in the Middle East against Israeli, Anglo-American, and Franco-German interests. Syria acts as a bridge between Iran and Iraq at one end of the Middle East and the Levant on the other. Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Iraq, and Iran are all tied together through Syria. [23] In this regard, Damascus serves as the central link that holds together the forces resisting a new regional order in the Middle East, also known as the Project for the New Middle East.What the Israelis have been trying to do, in coordination with the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany is to remove Syria from these alliances and thus splinter or break the link between Iran and the Levant. The main goal is to pressure Syria into making a peaceful political surrender (just as Libya did to Britain and the U.S. in 2003), and to distance itself from Iran and the Arab resistance within Palestine and Lebanon to Israel. Shlomo Ben-Ami, a former Israeli foreign minister, hinted in October 2007 that if Syria would not dissociate itself peacefully from Iran, a military solution was inevitable: Driving a wedge between Syria and Iran, drying up [Hezbollah] by cutting its lines of arms supply, allowing the vital task of stabilizing Lebanon to succeed [meaning empowering client forces in Beirut], and forestalling what now looks as a most realistic scenario of a triple front war of Israel against Syria, Hamas and [Hezbollah] are the strategic fruits concomitant to a Syrian-Israeli peace.[24]Removing Syria from the Resistance Bloc is a prerequisite for Israel, America, and their partners for tackling Iran. With Syria removed from Iran’s influence, the entire Levant could be controlled and the resistance in the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon under such players as Hamas and Hezbollah could be significantly weakened. Under such a framework, the Levant could be integrated into the economic order of the so-called Western Powers under the Washington Consensus and within the Mediterranean Union: this is where Israeli, Anglo-American, and France-German Middle East interests merge.
In 2006, the ultimate objective of the Israeli attack on Lebanon was to remove Syria from its alliance with Iran and insert Damascus within the orbit of a new regional order. With this understanding in mind, the 2006 Israeli attacks on Lebanon were revealed to have been planned to also target Syria.[25] War however became a far costlier option for America, Britain, Israel, and their partners and that is why political channels were pursued with Damascus after the 2006 defeat of Tel Aviv in Lebanon. Haaretz released a revealing report in August, 2007 about the true nature of the diplomatic mission of Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to Damascus. The intentions of her visit to Damascus were stated to help establish peace between Syria and Israel and better ties with America, but the conditions were not fully disclosed.Syria was being courted to abandon Iran, just as Italy was courted to abandon Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire by London and Paris before the First World War: The chairman of the [U.S.] House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Tom Lantos, who accompanied Pelosi, said Assad should be given a final opportunity to disengage from the axis of evil. According to Lantos, in a few years, Sunni Muslims and not Iran under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be in control in the region, and it is to the advantage of Damascus to know which side to be on.[26]
For Tel Aviv and its partners, if the goal of removing Damascus from its alliance with Tehran can not be achieved through diplomatic dialogue, economics, threats, or pressure then the original course of action, warfare, within a major three-front confrontation is the other alternative against Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories. These hostilities would also be linked to confrontation with the Iranians and could result in an broader conflict in the Middle East and Central Asia. Ehud Olmert declared I believe that we can expect a calm summer, a calm autumn and a calm winter [which runs from November, 2007 to March, 2008], when tensions were rising between Syria and Israel in 2007. [27] It is worth noting that tensions began to rise again in the Levant after Olmert’s timeframe of calm.The threats of war in 2007 were partly scare tactics to pressure Syria into yielding and conceding to the geo-strategic interests of America, Britain, Israel, France, and Germany. [28] Up to now, all efforts to remove the Syrians from their alliances have failed. Clearly, Israel has been preparing for war on a broader regional level. Simultaneously, Tel Aviv has been preparing to shift blame for any possible outbreak of a regional war on the Syrians, the Lebanese, the Palestinians, even the Russians, and foremost on the Iranians.
Operation Orchard: Fabricating a Syria-Iran-North Korea Nuclear Axis
On September 6, 2007 Israeli warplanes violated Syrian airspace and mysteriously attacked an unheard of facility. The Syrian military reported that Israeli aircraft illegally entered Syrian airspace from over the Mediterranean Sea and headed towards northeastern Syria. Air defense units confronted [the Israeli warplanes] and forced them to leave [Syria] after they drooped [sic; dropped] some ammunition in deserted areas without causing any human or material damage, the Syrian military initially claimed. [29] The Syrians immediately also stated that Israel was trying to create pretexts for another war in the Middle East. [30] The U.S. government also entered the commotion by claiming that the White House was aware of the operation and the Pentagon had assisted the Israelis. The White House also claimed that the Israelis had destroyed a facility that was linked to a clandestine nuclear program in Syria. Damascus also maintained that the attacks and the claims about a secretive nuclear program were preludes to U.S. involvement in an Israeli war against Syria. [31]In this context, Syria restrained itself, fearing that Tel Aviv wanted to entice Damascus into a war. Professor Eyal Zisser, the director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, noted Any misunderstanding could lead to conflagration. However, the Syrian announcement was surprising in its moderation. [32] The operation was also reported as being a possible test-run for an Israeli attack on Iran. The U.S. and Israel also asserted that the Russian-made air defence systems in Syria did not function. [33] The attacks could have also been a form of pressure to force the Syrians to go to the Annapolis Conference to detect if a war was intended against their country.The attack was described as an Israeli success by the Bush Jr. Administration and the mainstream media. A propaganda campaign was launched: Through media disinformation and political statements, efforts were placed on establishing the threat of a Syria-Iran-North Korea nuclear proliferation axis.[34]
The alleged nuclear facility was a Syrian project aided by North Korea and Iran according to the U.S. and Israeli governments. Trying to pin Syria for having weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs is not a fresh approach. In fact just barely a month after the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq the U.S. and Britain actively started trying to portray Syria in an Iraq-like manner claiming that Damascus also had hidden weapons of mass destruction (WMD) stockpiles.In early-April, 2008 it became clear that Israel and the U.S. had been planning on releasing details about Operation Orchard and the alleged nuclear facility attacked by Israel in Syria to further demonize Damascus and to further construct a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) link between Syria, North Korea, and Iran. [35] The Jerusalem Post subsequently reported on April 14, 2008 that Israeli experts suggested that the full disclosure about an Israeli attack in 2007 in the U.S. Congress could even embarrass the Syrians to the point of militarily responding against Israel. [36]
The Assassination of Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus: Antecedent to War?
On February 12, 2008 Imad Fayez Mughniyeh, a top Hezbollah security official, was assassinated in Damascus by means of a remote detonated car bomb. The intelligence services of America, Israel, Britain, France, Germany, Jordon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia were all suspected of some form of involvement. According to The Daily Star, an English-language newspaper based in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia had helped Israel in assassinating Imad Mughniyeh and a Saudi military att
GENESIS 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram,(CHANGED TO ABRAHAM LATER) Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:(PALESTINE,ISRAEL)
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
80 percent of American Christians say they have a moral and biblical obligation to support the State of Israel
More than 80 percent of American Christians say they have a moral and biblical obligation to support the State of Israel, and half say Jerusalem should remain its undivided capital, according to a survey released on Thursday.While evangelical Christians are the strongest supporters of the Jewish state, strong pro-Israel convictions cut across all key Christian denominations in the US, according to the poll carried out on behalf of the Washington-based Joshua Fund, an evangelical organization.Eight-two percent of respondents said they had a moral and biblical obligation to love and support Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, 10% disagreed and 8% did not know.Eighty-four percent of Protestants agreed with the statement (including 89% of Evangelicals), compared to 76% of Catholics.Half of the American Christians surveyed opposed Israel dividing Jerusalem with the Palestinians in a peace agreement, 33% were unsure and 17% thought it should be divided.
Fifty-three percent of Protestants supported a united Jerusalem, as did 44% of Catholics.Evangelical Christians were most supportive of a united Jerusalem, with 62% in favor and 11% against.A plurality of the US Christians (44%) surveyed said they did not know whether a future Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip would be a peaceful moderate democracy or a terrorist state, 32% said that it would be a terrorist state and 24% said that it would be a peaceful democracy.
The survey found clear differences between Protestants and Catholics on the issue.
Protestants were more likely to say a Palestinian state would be a terror state by a 10-point margin; Catholics were evenly split. Evangelical Protestants said a such entity would be a terrorist state by a 20-point margin, but non-evangelical Protestants said it would be a peaceful and moderate democracy by six percentage points.
The belief that a Palestinian state would be a terrorist state was strongest among Republican and conservative Evangelicals.Nearly half (49%) of American Christians surveyed were interested in visiting Israel, including about quarter of both Catholics and Protestants who were strongly interested.Forty-seven percent of those polled were not interested in visiting.There are 50 million-60million evangelicals Christians in the US.Two-thirds of respondents said that if Iran developed nuclear weapons, it would eventually try to use them to attack Israel, 23% were unsure and 13% said Iran would not attack.Finally, 45% said they would be more likely to support a US presidential candidate who would protect America from Islamic terrorism, protect Israel from a nuclear attack from Iran, oppose the division of Jerusalem and refuse to pressure Israel to make concessions on issues of national security, compared to 29% who said such positions had no effect on their vote and 9% who would be less likely to support such a candidate.
The survey will be officially released on Thursday at a conference at the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyenei Ha'uma) organized by The Joshua Fund that is expected to be attended by 2,000 evangelical Christians from around the world.The non-profit organization aims to raise more than $100 million over the next three years to help Israeli victims of terrorism, and to fund humanitarian projects in Israel in education, health, welfare and immigrant absorption, and $20m. for Christians in the West Bank, Gaza, Iraq and Sudan, said Joel C. Rosenberg, the group's founder and president.Our support for Israel is unwavering and unconditional, he said.
AMERICA (POLITICAL BABYLON)
EZEKIEL 39:21
21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
ISAIAH 18:1-2
1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
JEREMIAH 50:11,37,12
11 Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;(BACKSLIDERS)
37 A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.(A NATION OF MINGLED PEOPLE)
12 Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed:(MOTHER ENGLAND) behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
JEREMIAH 51:13,7,53
13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
53 Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
REVELATION 18:3,5,7
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
JEREMIAH 50:3,24
3 For out of the north(RUSSIA)there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD. (RUSSIA A SNEAK ATTACK)
REVELATION 18:10
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Preparing For A Nuclear attack on D.C. - A Hypothetical Scenario
ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
A nuclear device detonated near the White House would kill roughly 100,000 people and flatten downtown federal buildings, while the radioactive plume from the explosion would likely spread toward the Capitol and into Southeast D.C., contaminating thousands more.
The blast from the 10-kiloton bomb — similar to the bomb dropped over Hiroshima during World War II — would kill up to one in 10 tourists visiting the Washington Monument and send shards of glass flying the length of the National Mall, in a scenario that has become increasingly likely to occur in a major U.S. city in recent years, panel members told a Senate committee yesterday.It's inevitable, said Cham E. Dallas, director of the Institute for Health Management and Mass Destruction Defense at the University of Georgia, who has charted the potential explosion's effect in the District and testified before a hearing of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. I think it's wistful to think that it won't happen by 20 years.The Senate committee has convened a series of hearings to examine the threat and effects of a terrorist nuclear attack on a U.S. city, as well as the needed response.Yesterday's panel stressed the importance of state and local cooperation with federal authorities in the wake of an attack, assistance from the private business sector to aid recovery and the dire need to boost the capabilities of area hospitals.
They recommended expanding emergency personnel by training physicians like pharmacists and dentists to aid in all-hazards care, monitoring the exposure of first responders to radiation and clearly disseminating information to the public.The scenarios we discuss today are very hard for us to contemplate, and so emotionally traumatic and unsettling that it is tempting to push them aside, said Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent and committee chairman. However, now is the time to have this difficult conversation, to ask the tough questions, and then to get answers as best we can and take preparatory and preventive action.Ashton B. Carter, co-director of the Preventive Defense Project at Harvard University, said the likelihood of a nuclear attack on U.S. soil is undetermined, but it has increased with the proliferation of weapons by Iran and North Korea and the failure to secure Russia's nuclear arsenal following the Cold War.For while the probability of a nuclear weapon one day going off in a U.S. city cannot be calculated, it is almost surely larger than it was five years ago, Mr. Carter said.Mr. Carter described a more destructive blast effect. He said the ground-based detonation of a 10-kiloton bomb would result in near-total devastation within a circle about two miles in diameter, or the length of the Mall.The zone of destruction is projected to be less than that of Hiroshima, where the bomb was dropped from an airplane and detonated above the city.
A similar blast in a more densely populated city than the District, such as Chicago or New York, would result in an injury toll up to eight times higher. A plume a few miles long could also dole out lethal doses of radiation, Mr. Carter said.However, the experts emphasized that the explosion would not impact most of a major city and that in many cases, residents could remain safe by not evacuating immediately and clogging area roadways.It is also expected that, due to lack of information getting to the public, many people will try to flee by car or on foot, often in the wrong direction, again exposing themselves to high levels of radiation, as vehicles provide virtually no protection, Mr. Carter said.
Mr. Dallas said a major problem facing most cities is a lack of available hospital beds for victims of burns that would result from a nuclear blast. He said up to 95 percent of such victims would not receive potentially life-saving care.We're completely underprepared, he said. Most of them will die.Mr. Dallas said the District also faces a unique challenge because of the way the city is configured geographically: A wind blowing west to east would gradually spread radiation from the explosion into the low-income neighborhoods of Southeast, where there are limited health care options available and only one hospital.Area officials have spent millions of dollars in recent years to develop evacuation plans and stockpile emergency supplies after a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said local preparation for a disaster was not sufficient.Darrell L. Darnell, director of the District's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said the city is continuing to develop its emergency preparedness capabilities and has numerous methods of informing residents of actions they should take, including through text messages, voice alerts and Web sites like www.dc.gov and http://72hours.dc.gov.
We are confident that the District is prepared to respond to a catastrophic incident affecting the District, Mr. Darnell said.
Still, Mr. Dallas said the majority of victims in a nuclear explosion will likely have to fend for themselves in the first hours after an attack.These people are going to be on their own, he said after the hearing. There's no white horse to ride to the rescue.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Last Updated: 20/04/2008 12:45
Lisbon treaty website launched
A new website providing information on the Lisbon Treaty was today launched to educate voters in advance of June’s crucial referendum.
Established by the Referendum Commission, the independent body set up to boost public awareness on the issue, the site sets out what the treaty is about and how the EU will be changed if ratified. The website launch comes just days after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso visited the country to highlight the importance of a Yes vote. The body will also set out the plans for its public information campaign at a
briefing on Wednesday and reveal the results of a poll assessing the level of knowledge on the treaty. Environment Minister John Gormley made an order setting up the Referendum Commission on March 6th. It has been allocated a budget of €5 million for its work.
It does not advise voters which side to take when voting, but merely informs them about the issues and encourages them to cast their ballot. Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill, Judge of the High Court was appointed as chairperson on the nomination of the Chief Justice. The other members are the Clerk of the Dail Kieran Coughlan, the Clerk of the Seanad Deirdre Lane, the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly and the Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell.
The website address is www.lisbontreaty2008.ie
Meanwhile the Government’s summary guide to the Reform Treaty is currently being distributed to all households in the State. Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said the 48-page booklet in both Irish and English sets out in a clear and factual manner the treaty’s proposed changes. The distribution of this guide is part of the Government’s efforts to ensure that the public are as well informed as possible regarding the content of the Treaty, which will be the subject of a referendum in June, he said. In addition to this guide, the Government has published a White Paper, explaining the Treaty’s content in more detail. Earlier this week, the European Union published the consolidated version of the EU Treaties, incorporating the changes to be made by the Reform Treaty, once ratified. That document shows exactly how the Reform Treaty will amend the existing Treaties. It shows the legal framework that will apply if the Reform Treaty is ratified by all Member States.Mr Ahern added that in the coming weeks the government will facilitate the best informed public debate for any referendum in our history.I am confident that when people are informed about this Treaty, they will dismiss the myths being promoted by Treaty opponents and give a resounding Yes on polling day. A reading of the Government guide will confirm that there is nothing to fear and much to gain from ratifying a Treaty whose provisions are firmly in Ireland’s and in Europe’s interests, Mr Ahern said. 2008 ireland.com
Irish farmers link EU treaty vote with trade talks
18.04.2008 - 09:21 CET | By Honor Mahony
Irish farmers were out in force on the streets of Dublin on Thursday (17 April) to protest against forthcoming world trade talks in Switzerland and warn the government that the nature of the trade deal would affect how the group votes on the EU treaty in June.Over 10,000 farmers protested in front of parliament in a rally that coincided with a visit by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to the Irish capital to persuade voters of the merits of the treaty.Padraig Walshe, president of the Irish Farmers Association, said that decisions taken by EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson in Geneva in May, where a breakthrough on the Doha round of trade liberalisation talks is expected, would have a direct bearing on the treaty referendum.Don't come back from Geneva having sold us out. Thousands of workers in the food industry will lose their jobs, hundreds of businesses will have to close down. Don't expect us to do your bidding in the referendum, he said, according to the Irish Independent.Sell us out and we will have our say on the 12th of June, said Mr Walshe to the crowd.The agricultural sector continues to represent an important part of Irish society and the government is keen to woo them into the yes camp for the treaty vote, due to take place on 12 June.
Farmers fear that any concessions the EU makes during the trade talks in order to broker a deal - both the EU and the US are facing pressure from poorer regions to cut back their agricultural subsidies and tariffs - will result in them being worse off.Mr Barroso told the Forum on Europe in Dublin that he was very attentive to the concerns of the farmers in Ireland.The Irish Times reports him as saying that it was in Europe's interests to get a deal soon at the World Trade Organisation.He pointed out that Ireland has four percent of the global market in traded services, so a trade deal would be important for the country.Mr Barroso also reassured Irish voters on tax issues - the government is strongly against any moves towards an EU tax - and said that on June 12th the Irish people will be sending a message to the rest of Europe and the wider world.
International Relations | 19.04.2008
EU Presidency Will Not Invite Dalai Lama to Brussels
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: The EU is concerned about Tibet, but will not invite the Dalai Lama to Brussels.The EU's Slovenian presidency said that it would not invite the Dalai Lama to Brussels to meet with the bloc's foreign ministers, as Paris has proposed, but would not rule out other contacts with the Tibetan leader. Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel told a special Chinese envoy in Ljubljana that the Slovenian presidency did not intend to invite the Dalai Lama to the council meeting (of EU foreign ministers) in Brussels, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday, April 19.The Slovenian presidency, however, added that contacts with him him [the Dalai Lama] on other levels were not excluded.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on April 1 that the 27 EU foreign ministers would invite the Dalai Lama once a decision had been made by the Slovenian EU presidency.At the time, Rupel said that inviting the Dalai Lama to Brussels was doable but would need to be discussed by foreign ministers from the other EU nations.
Beijing's opposition
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel spoke to a Chinese envoy in Ljubljana.China has opposed foreign nations providing support to what it has said was the Dalai Lama's attempts to split Tibet from China, in reaction to reports that he may go to Japan and Europe.On Friday, Rupel received special Chinese envoy Guan Chengyuan, who had a letter laying out Beijing's position on developments in Tibet and EU nations' reaction to them.In response, Rupel said that substantive and open dialog with the Dalai Lama could form part of the solution to the problem, according to the statement.Slovenia and the EU understand the urgency of restoring stability in China, but at the same time believe that the Chinese authorities could take more positive steps to address the situation in Tibet, the EU presidency said.
Protests in China
Meanwhile, protests were held on Saturday in at least five Chinese cities against independence for Tibet, official media reported.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Demonstrators protested in front of the Carrefour supermaket in Wuhan, China.Demonstrators gathered outside branches of French retailer Carrefour amid claims that it had links to exiled Tibetans and in the wake of widespread calls for a boycott of French goods. Carrefour has vehemently rejected the claims.A small group of young people protested outside the French embassy in Beijing's Sanlitun district Saturday and a nearby French school. Large numbers of police had earlier sealed off streets in the district.Protests were held in Beijing, Hefei and in Wuhan in the central Chinese province of Hubei, in Qingdao in Shandong province and in Kunming in the south-west province of Yunnan, Xinhua news agency reported.
Anti-French sentiment in China has been on the rise since the chaotic Paris leg of the Olympic torch relay, where pro-Tibet protesters tried to wrestle the flame from Jin Jing, a young wheelchair-bound fencer.The resentment has been amplified by French President Nicolas Sarkozy linking his appearance at the Olympic Games opening ceremony to progress on human rights in Tibet, following China's crackdown in the region.
EU concerned
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Activists all over the world have protested against the Chinese crackdown in Tibet.Last month, Tibet saw the biggest anti-Chinese protests in years on the anniversary of a 1959 uprising that sent the Dalai Lama fleeing into exile in India.Exiled Tibetan leaders say more than 150 people have died in the crackdown. China says Tibetan rioters have killed 18 civilians and two policemen.Rupel said that the EU was concerned about the lack of information about the events and reports from international non-governmental organizations of harsh measures by the authorities and that many people remained unaccounted for.The EU is concerned upon receiving such information, Rupel said. A positive step would be to allow free access to Tibet and to enable full transparency.DW staff (tt)
Europol to become EU agency in 2010
+ - 15:50, April 19, 2008
The Hague-based Europol, a police coordination office, will formally become a European Union (EU) agency on Jan. 1, 2010, the European Commission said Friday. Europol will become a full EU body, with the tools to support law enforcement agencies in the member states even more effectively. As a result, European police forces will cooperate more closely, said European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot. The decision to confer EU agency status on Europol was made after 15 months of intense discussions among EU member states. With this decision, Europol will be funded by the EU budget. The new status will allow EU to adapt Europol's legal framework more rapidly, avoiding the lengthy ratification process of protocols to the Europol Convention. Source: Xinhua
EU tightens anti-terrorism laws By Oana Lungescu BBC News, Brussels APR 19,08
Gilles de Kerchove says the internet is being used to radicalise people.European Union ministers have agreed to punish incitement to terrorism through the internet. At a meeting in Luxembourg, EU justice and interior ministers tightened existing laws. Public provocation to commit terrorist attacks, as well as recruiting and training people for terrorism will be punishable offences throughout the EU. The ministers also agreed on an action plan to prevent terrorist groups from getting explosives. EU officials said the decision to punish propaganda, recruitment and training for terrorism through the internet filled an important gap in European legislation.
Early warning system
They described the internet as a virtual training camp for militants, used to inspire and mobilise local groups. Earlier this month, the EU anti-terrorism co-ordinator, Gilles de Kerchove, said the threat of terrorism in Europe had not diminished and about 5,000internet sites were being used to radicalise young people. National courts will now be able to ask internet service providers to remove such sites. Britain, Spain and Italy already punish public incitement to terrorism. But under pressure from Nordic countries and civil rights campaigners, ministers made clear that the new provisions may not be used to restrict freedom of expression. In a separate move to combat terrorism, they agreed to establish an early-warning system on stolen explosives and detonators by the end of the year. They also resolved to create a database giving police permanent access to information on incidents involving explosive devices.
MUSLIM NATIONS
EZEKIEL 38:1-12
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog,(RULER) the land of Magog,(RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW)and Tubal,(TOBOLSK) and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW) and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws,(GOD FORCES THE MUSLIMS TO MARCH) and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia,(IRAN,IRAQ) Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer,(GERMANY) and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (TURKEY)of the north quarters, and all his bands:(SUDAN,AFRICA) and many people with thee.
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.(RUSSIA-EGYPT AND MUSLIMS)
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
EZEKIEL 39:1-8
1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog,(LEADER OF RUSSIA) and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech (MOSCOW) and Tubal: (TUBOLSK)
2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts,(RUSSIA) and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands,( ARABS) and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
6 And I will send a fire on Magog,(NUCLEAR BOMB) and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
JOEL 2:3,20,30-31
3 A fire(NUCLEAR BOMB) devoureth before them;(RUSSIA-ARABS) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army,(RUSSIA,MUSLIMS) and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.(SIBERIAN DESERT)
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(NUCLEAR BOMB)
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
Source: U.S. Strike on Iran Nearing APR 14,08
Contrary to some claims that the Bush administration will allow diplomacy to handle Iran’s nuclear weapons program, a leading member of America’s Jewish community tells Newsmax that a military strike is not only on the table – but likely.Israel is preparing for heavy casualties, the source said, suggesting that although Israel will not take part in the strike, it is expecting to be the target of Iranian retribution.Look at Dick Cheney’s recent trip through the Middle East as preparation for the U.S. attack, the source said.Cheney’s hastily arranged 9-day visit to the region, which began on March 16, included stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Turkey, and the Palestinian territories.Tensions in the region have been rising.While Israel was conducting the largest homefront military exercises in its history last week, Israel’s National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer warned Tehran about expected attacks on the Jewish state.An Iranian attack will prompt a severe reaction from Israel, which will destroy the Iranian nation, he said.He predicted that in a future war, hundreds of missiles will rain on Israel, but added that Iran is definitely aware of our strength.In addition to long-range missiles Iran has been developing to strike Israel, Israel’s military strategists see the Iranians using terror groups they back like Hamas operating from Palestine and Hezbollah from Lebanon to launch attacks.Iran has supplied Hezbollah with an arsenal that now contains tens of thousands of missiles, according to the Washington Post.
Israel’s recent war exercises, including preparations for chemical and biological weapons attacks, drew a sharp response from Syria which held its own military drills. The Syrian government accused Israel of preparing for a war which Damascus predicted would be begin anytime between May 1 and the end of June.Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently told foreign journalists that Israel needs to confront the threat posed by Iran. Privately he has been telling associates his number one priority is have the Israeli military strike Iran if the U.S. is unwilling.The Israeli newspaper Haaretz disclosed that Israel is concerned that North Korea has transferred technology and nuclear materials to Iran to aid Tehran’s secret nuclear weapons program.Iran remains intransigent to international pressure that it offer full transparency relating to its nuclear program. On Sunday the head of Iran’s nuclear program abruptly canceled a meeting with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, dealing a blow to the U.N. monitor's efforts to investigate allegations that Iran tried to make nuclear arms, an agency official said, according to an AP report.But a senior diplomat had told the AP that IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] head Mohamed ElBaradei likely planned to use the meeting with Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, the head of Iran's nuclear program, to renew a request for more information on allegations Tehran had tried to make atomic arms.A number of signs indicate that, contrary to the belief President Bush is a lame duck who will not act before he leaves office, the U.S. is poised to strike before Iran can acquire nuclear weapons and carry out the threat of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to wipe Israel off the map:
According to intelligence sources, the administration now rejects the National Intelligence Estimate report issued in December that asserted Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program in late 2003.
The French daily Le Monde reported in March that newly surfaced documents show that Iran has continued developing nuclear weapons. In late 2006, U.S. intelligence reportedly intercepted a phone conversation in Iran’s Defense Ministry in which the nuclear weapons program was discussed.
The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon, resigned in March amid media reports that he broke with President Bush’s strategy on Iran and did not want to be in the chain of command when the order comes down from the President to launch a strike on the Islamic Republic.
Democrats suggested he had been forced out because of his candor in opposing Bush’s Iran plans, and Esquire magazine contended that Fallon’s departure signaled that the U.S. is preparing to attack Iran.
According to a Tehran-based Iranian news network, Press TV, Saudi Arabia is taking emergency steps in preparing to counter any radioactive hazards that may result from an American attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The Saudi newspaper Okaz disclosed that the Saudi government has approved nuclear fallout preparations, and the Iranian network reported that the approval came a day after Cheney met with the kingdom’s high-ranking officials, further stating that the U.S. is now informing its Arab allies of a potential war.
The American commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, has stepped up criticism of Iran, telling Congress last week that Iranian support for Shiite militias posed the most serious threat to Iraq’s stability. He told senators : Iran has fueled the violence in a particularly damaging way. Last week, the U.S. said Iran was providing insurgents with missiles that were killing Americans and hitting targets within the U.S. occupied Green Zone in Baghdad.
MSNBC Commentator Pat Buchanan said Petraeus’ remarks to Congress lay the groundwork for a U.S. attack on Iran.
President Bush said in a speech at the White House on April 10 that Iran, along with al-Qaida, are two of the greatest threats to America.
He said Iran can live in peace with its neighbors, or continue to arm and train and fund illegal militant groups which are terrorizing the Iraqi people … If Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests and our troops and our Iraqi partners.He later told ABC News that if Iran continues to help militants in Iraq, then we’ll deal with them.Members of Congress are said to have been briefed by the administration about the rising Iran threat.Iran did little to cool tensions when it announced that it had begun installing 6,000 new centrifuges at its uranium enrichment plant in Natanz.Centrifuges can enrich uranium to a low level to produce nuclear fuel or a high level for use in weapons.The announcement of the new centrifuges by President Ahmadinejad came on April 8, Iran’s National Day of Nuclear Technology, which marked the second anniversary of Iran’s first enrichment of uranium.Iran already has about 3,000 centrifuges operating in Natanz, and the new announcement was widely seen as a show of defiance to international demands to halt a nuclear program that the U.S. and its allies insist is aimed at building nuclear weapons.
NOTICE IN EZEKIEL 38 IT MENTIONS LIBYA.
Putin in Libya to close $2.5b arms deal
Only few weeks before he leaves office, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Libya on Wednesday for a two-day visit likely to be dominated by discussions on energy cooperation, arms deals and debt negotiations.Putin's visit may bring closure to several large arms deals totaling $2.5 billion, which are aimed at bolstering Libya's aging weapons arsenal, Russian media outlets reported. The deals will include anti-aircraft systems, MiG and Sukhoi aircraft, helicopters, submarines and warships, the Russian news agency Interfax said.The media are always interested in arms deals… but the main issue for Russia will be Libya as a trading partner, which is something that almost every country in the world is interested in, because Libya, with a high oil price, has a lot of money to spend, Oliver Miles, a former British ambassador to Libya, and currently deputy chairman of the Libyan British Business Council, told The Media Line.
Last week, the state-run Russian gas company, Gazprom, revealed it was negotiating with its Italian partner, Eni, about a potential asset swap involving projects in Libya. The heads of the two companies have met with Putin recently, although the content of their discussions has not been fully disclosed.International competition over foreign investments in Libya has been heightened as a result of the country's recent moves to open up.There are many things that we in Britain, for example, or the French, or other exporting countries, would wish to sell to the Libyans, and naturally we see the Russians as competitors, Miles said.Regarding the military aircraft deal, Miles explained there was direct competition between France and Russia, which are probably the most likely suppliers of military aircraft to Libya.The former ambassador explained that a French-Libyan deal for the purchase of military aircraft was considered a done deal at the time of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's recent visit to Libya.This competition also hit the news last month, when reports indicated that Algeria had decided to terminate a contract to purchase 35 MiG29 aircrafts from Russia.Algeria began refusing deliveries from May 2007, and in October it stopped payments on other military contracts, pending the return of the MiGs to Russia.The reasons for the termination of the Algerian contract are likely to lie in the realm of politics, said head of the Russian Federal Agency for Industry, Andrei Dutov.
The French media recently indicated that two months ago Sarkozy tried to persuade Algeria to purchase French aircraft with similar technical features as the MiG29.Russian arms export monopoly, Rosoboronexport, signed a contract to deliver the MiG29 fighters in March 2006 as part of an $8-billion military-technical cooperation agreement with Algeria.
The March to War: Israel Prepares for War against Lebanon and Syria by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya Global Research, April 19, 2008
By the start of 2007, reports about major upgrades to the Syrian military, including advances in missile technology, with Iranian help were widespread in Israel. [1] The impression of an imminent war existed across much of the Middle East. Syria, Hezbollah, and Iran were reported in Israel to be preparing for a war to spark in the Levant. [2]It was also claimed in Israel that Damascus had sent secret messages to Tel Aviv that should Israel continue to reject Syria’s peace overtures, a war would breakout in the Golan Heights and that Syrian reservists were forbidden from leaving Syria because of the possibility of combat. [3] In June, 2007, an inner circle of the Israeli government that would form a war cabinet in a Middle Eastern war scenario was categorically informed that a war with Syria would absolutely involve Iranian military intervention. [4]It is now 2008 and the spectre of war has remerged in the Middle East. Syrian President Basher Al-Assad revealed that his country is uneasy and prepared for the worst once again. Despite Tehran’s position that the U.S. would not dare launch a war against Iran, the Iranian military is on standby. The Lebanese military and Hezbollah have also been placed on alert. While war is not a preferable option, if Israel declares war on Syria and Lebanon or if America declares war on Iran, Syria would be prepared, the Syrian President told a gathering of Arab intellectuals according to Al-Akhbar, a Lebanese newspaper, on April 16, 2008. [5] We should analyze the situation from the perspective of American interests, because the last war in Lebanon has shown that at some point Israel wanted to stop the fighting, but was forced by the [Bush Jr. Administration] to pursue it further, Basher Al-Assad continued. [6] Thus the threat of war lives on in the Middle East in 2008…
Miscalculations in the Levant: Setting the Stage for War?
Hereto, Tel Aviv has been deliberately promoting tensions with Syria and Lebanon. In 2007, Major-General Moshe Kaplinsky, the former deputy chief of staff for the Israeli military, stated during a press briefing that war between Syria and Israel was unlikely as an answer to growing rumours of war that started since late-2006 and the commencement of 2007. The Israeli flag officer however did not rule out an eventual Israeli-Syrian conflict. Major-General Kaplinsky along with many other Israeli commanders and officials repeatedly stressed that a miscalculation on the border could spark a conflict between Syria and Israel sometime in the future. [7]Not long after the 2006 Israeli defeat in Lebanon, Tel Aviv started crafting the justifications for more wars in its surrounding neighbourhood, the Levant. [8] The Israeli definitions of miscalculation have been extremely vague and ominous.Tel Aviv has been involved in the process of creating a military carte blanche, allowing for flexibility in its regional approach towards Lebanon and Syria.Miscalculations in the eyes of Tel Aviv range from the domestic affairs of the Lebanese and the events in the occupied Palestinian Territories to the most audacious and bellicose of definitions, such as the reaction of the Syrians to Israeli hostilities.
The secretive air assault, later revealed by the codename Operation Orchard, made by the 69th Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) against an unheard of facility in Deir ez-Zoir Governorate of Syria on September 6, 2007 could have become a miscalculation on the part of Syria had it responded to Israeli provocations. The Israeli definition of a miscalculation also means any arbitrary fire into Israel. The Jerusalem Post defined a miscalculation that could spark a war with Syria as an incident along the border, in the form of a terrorist attack that escalates into a larger conflict. [9] Such an incident could easily be sparked through conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. A false flag operation could also bring such an incident about. On July 18, 2007 there was rocket fire from South Lebanon into Israel by an unknown group, something that could have been used as a pretext for war. In Syria, Lebanon, and the Arab World the incident was believed to be the work of the Israelis and their allies in an effort to justify a future war.
Tel Aviv’s Orwellian talk of Peace
In May, 2008 the head of the Mossad, the intelligence service of Israeli, said that talks of peace with Syria would lead to war. [10] Le Nouvel Observateur reported in July 2007 that the Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, ruled out the resumption of peace talks with Syria while stressing that she believed Damascus posed a problem that must be tackled on a regional scale. [11] When asked about the prospects of peace with Syria, Tzipi Livni responded, Absolutely not. Syria is pursuing the dangerous game it plays in the region [Middle East], and added that Syria remains a threat to Israel. [12] These statements reveal the conduct of Tel Aviv and its hidden agenda. Within the context of a public declaration of peace during the summer of 2007, they also reveal Tel Aviv’s duplicity. While Tzipi Livni stated that there would be no peace between Israel and Syria, Ehud Olmert stated in a televised interview with the Al-Arabiya News Channel, that he personally wanted peace with Syria. Prime Minister Olmert addressed President Basher Al-Assad, the head of Syria, directly, saying you know that I am ready for direct talks with you and added that I am ready to sit with you and talk about peace, not war. Several days later, Ehud Olmert also stated in Orwellian fashion that he wanted peace with the Syrians, but that peace did not equate to immediate peace negotiations between Syria and Israel and could mean a continuation of the status quo.Olmert’s statement is doublespeak. Hereto, according to the Israelis, the threat of war exists as a result of the status quo between Syria and Israel. This statement is very important to keep in mind because it indicates that Israel did not want to return the Golan Heights, but wanted something else from Syria as the condition of peace. This is where Tehran comes into the picture.
Israeli officials were further incriminated by the fact that in 2007Prime Minister Olmert also said he was not concerned by an imminent war with Syria, but that he was unhappy with the public discussion about peace between Syria and Israel. One should question the logic behind Ehud Olmert’s irritation regarding public overtures of peace between Syria and Israel. [13] Realpolitik is definitely being played by Israel in regards to Damascus in a consorted effort to de-link Syria from Iran and its other allies. In this regard, Damascus publicly insisted that there be no secret talks between Syrian and Israeli officials as to the conditions for peace. [14] The rationale for the Syrian insistence on transparency was to deprive Israeli of any means to covertly try to divide Syria from its Middle Eastern allies by generating suspicions of betrayal. The international press extensively reported Ehud Olmert’s statements in 2007 about wanting peace with the Syrians. Israeli officials also repeatedly claimed that the Syrians were the ones rejecting peace. [15] These claims are made despite the fact that all public records show exactly the opposite. Syria’s leadership have been calling for peace negotiations between Israel and Syria since the premierships of Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon. Israeli claims of pursing peace for the most part have been part of an international public relations campaign attempting to portray the aggressor as the victim. In the case of Syria peace means that Tel Aviv will not go to war with Damascus if it distances itself from Tehran. De-linking Syria from Iran: Israel’s Real Condition for Peace with Syria.The return of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which was was formerly called the Syrian Heights in Israel, to Syria was always the recognized condition for establishing Israeli-Syrian peace.
Dr. Alon Liel, a former director-general within the Israeli foreign affairs ministry and a former Israeli ambassador to South Africa, who was heavily involved with previous Israeli negotiations with Syria, has indicated the real issue holding Tel Aviv from accepting peace. Dr. Alon Liel went on record: he confirmed that 85% of negotiations between Syria and Israel were agreed upon by both Damascus and Tel Aviv. [16] The major issues for establishing peace between Damascus and Tel Aviv were all resolved in 2000; water rights for Israel from Syrian territory, guaranteed Israeli access to the Golan Heights upon its return to Syria, and security guarantees between both parties. [17] Peace, in the sense of an agreement by both sides, however was unachievable in 1993, 1995, 1996, and 2000 due to Tel Aviv’s internal politics. The situation became more so after 2001 with the start of an aggressive U.S. policy in the Middle East. Israel isn’t going to hand over [or return] the Golan [Heights] to an ally of Iran, Alon Liel has insisted as being the problem in regards to peace between both sides. [18]Tel Aviv has imposed broader demands on Syria as the price of peace. It is in the strategic interests of the U.S. and Israel to isolate Iran, even at the cost of peace with Syria. [19] In this regard, Syrian internal affairs and foreign relations are decisive factors for Israel in regards to negotiations. Syria and Iran are part of a strategic alliance in the Middle East resisting the interests of America, Britain, Israel, France, and Germany. Other Middle Eastern players resisting the same foreign interests are additionally allied or associated with Syria and Iran within one tangible bloc, the Resistance Bloc. [20] It is in this context that one understands Israel is no pursuing peace with Syria, but is threatening the Syrians with war if they do not abandon Iran and their allies.
On the eve of major Israeli exercises in which Israel and Syria fought a fictitious war, the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Haim Ramon, stated on a radio interview that Syrian anxiety had no basis and that Israel was pursing peace with Damascus, but added unfortunately Syria is stuck deep in the evil axis of connections with [Hezbollah]. [21] If this is not indicative enough, Haim Ramon also concluded that Damascus has made a strategic choice to preserve its alliance with Iran rather than pursue peace, which to Tel Aviv would mean a termination of Syrian-Iranian ties. Furthermore, on March 23, 2003 Shimon Peres stated that peace talks with Syria cannot begin while it keeps supplying Lebanon with weapons. [22] This was a reference to the important role of Damascus as a middle man between Tehran and the Levant.
Neutralizing Syria: Prerequisite for Neutralizing Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran
Damascus is pivotal to the framework of resistance in the Middle East against Israeli, Anglo-American, and Franco-German interests. Syria acts as a bridge between Iran and Iraq at one end of the Middle East and the Levant on the other. Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Iraq, and Iran are all tied together through Syria. [23] In this regard, Damascus serves as the central link that holds together the forces resisting a new regional order in the Middle East, also known as the Project for the New Middle East.What the Israelis have been trying to do, in coordination with the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany is to remove Syria from these alliances and thus splinter or break the link between Iran and the Levant. The main goal is to pressure Syria into making a peaceful political surrender (just as Libya did to Britain and the U.S. in 2003), and to distance itself from Iran and the Arab resistance within Palestine and Lebanon to Israel. Shlomo Ben-Ami, a former Israeli foreign minister, hinted in October 2007 that if Syria would not dissociate itself peacefully from Iran, a military solution was inevitable: Driving a wedge between Syria and Iran, drying up [Hezbollah] by cutting its lines of arms supply, allowing the vital task of stabilizing Lebanon to succeed [meaning empowering client forces in Beirut], and forestalling what now looks as a most realistic scenario of a triple front war of Israel against Syria, Hamas and [Hezbollah] are the strategic fruits concomitant to a Syrian-Israeli peace.[24]Removing Syria from the Resistance Bloc is a prerequisite for Israel, America, and their partners for tackling Iran. With Syria removed from Iran’s influence, the entire Levant could be controlled and the resistance in the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon under such players as Hamas and Hezbollah could be significantly weakened. Under such a framework, the Levant could be integrated into the economic order of the so-called Western Powers under the Washington Consensus and within the Mediterranean Union: this is where Israeli, Anglo-American, and France-German Middle East interests merge.
In 2006, the ultimate objective of the Israeli attack on Lebanon was to remove Syria from its alliance with Iran and insert Damascus within the orbit of a new regional order. With this understanding in mind, the 2006 Israeli attacks on Lebanon were revealed to have been planned to also target Syria.[25] War however became a far costlier option for America, Britain, Israel, and their partners and that is why political channels were pursued with Damascus after the 2006 defeat of Tel Aviv in Lebanon. Haaretz released a revealing report in August, 2007 about the true nature of the diplomatic mission of Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to Damascus. The intentions of her visit to Damascus were stated to help establish peace between Syria and Israel and better ties with America, but the conditions were not fully disclosed.Syria was being courted to abandon Iran, just as Italy was courted to abandon Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire by London and Paris before the First World War: The chairman of the [U.S.] House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Tom Lantos, who accompanied Pelosi, said Assad should be given a final opportunity to disengage from the axis of evil. According to Lantos, in a few years, Sunni Muslims and not Iran under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be in control in the region, and it is to the advantage of Damascus to know which side to be on.[26]
For Tel Aviv and its partners, if the goal of removing Damascus from its alliance with Tehran can not be achieved through diplomatic dialogue, economics, threats, or pressure then the original course of action, warfare, within a major three-front confrontation is the other alternative against Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories. These hostilities would also be linked to confrontation with the Iranians and could result in an broader conflict in the Middle East and Central Asia. Ehud Olmert declared I believe that we can expect a calm summer, a calm autumn and a calm winter [which runs from November, 2007 to March, 2008], when tensions were rising between Syria and Israel in 2007. [27] It is worth noting that tensions began to rise again in the Levant after Olmert’s timeframe of calm.The threats of war in 2007 were partly scare tactics to pressure Syria into yielding and conceding to the geo-strategic interests of America, Britain, Israel, France, and Germany. [28] Up to now, all efforts to remove the Syrians from their alliances have failed. Clearly, Israel has been preparing for war on a broader regional level. Simultaneously, Tel Aviv has been preparing to shift blame for any possible outbreak of a regional war on the Syrians, the Lebanese, the Palestinians, even the Russians, and foremost on the Iranians.
Operation Orchard: Fabricating a Syria-Iran-North Korea Nuclear Axis
On September 6, 2007 Israeli warplanes violated Syrian airspace and mysteriously attacked an unheard of facility. The Syrian military reported that Israeli aircraft illegally entered Syrian airspace from over the Mediterranean Sea and headed towards northeastern Syria. Air defense units confronted [the Israeli warplanes] and forced them to leave [Syria] after they drooped [sic; dropped] some ammunition in deserted areas without causing any human or material damage, the Syrian military initially claimed. [29] The Syrians immediately also stated that Israel was trying to create pretexts for another war in the Middle East. [30] The U.S. government also entered the commotion by claiming that the White House was aware of the operation and the Pentagon had assisted the Israelis. The White House also claimed that the Israelis had destroyed a facility that was linked to a clandestine nuclear program in Syria. Damascus also maintained that the attacks and the claims about a secretive nuclear program were preludes to U.S. involvement in an Israeli war against Syria. [31]In this context, Syria restrained itself, fearing that Tel Aviv wanted to entice Damascus into a war. Professor Eyal Zisser, the director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, noted Any misunderstanding could lead to conflagration. However, the Syrian announcement was surprising in its moderation. [32] The operation was also reported as being a possible test-run for an Israeli attack on Iran. The U.S. and Israel also asserted that the Russian-made air defence systems in Syria did not function. [33] The attacks could have also been a form of pressure to force the Syrians to go to the Annapolis Conference to detect if a war was intended against their country.The attack was described as an Israeli success by the Bush Jr. Administration and the mainstream media. A propaganda campaign was launched: Through media disinformation and political statements, efforts were placed on establishing the threat of a Syria-Iran-North Korea nuclear proliferation axis.[34]
The alleged nuclear facility was a Syrian project aided by North Korea and Iran according to the U.S. and Israeli governments. Trying to pin Syria for having weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs is not a fresh approach. In fact just barely a month after the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq the U.S. and Britain actively started trying to portray Syria in an Iraq-like manner claiming that Damascus also had hidden weapons of mass destruction (WMD) stockpiles.In early-April, 2008 it became clear that Israel and the U.S. had been planning on releasing details about Operation Orchard and the alleged nuclear facility attacked by Israel in Syria to further demonize Damascus and to further construct a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) link between Syria, North Korea, and Iran. [35] The Jerusalem Post subsequently reported on April 14, 2008 that Israeli experts suggested that the full disclosure about an Israeli attack in 2007 in the U.S. Congress could even embarrass the Syrians to the point of militarily responding against Israel. [36]
The Assassination of Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus: Antecedent to War?
On February 12, 2008 Imad Fayez Mughniyeh, a top Hezbollah security official, was assassinated in Damascus by means of a remote detonated car bomb. The intelligence services of America, Israel, Britain, France, Germany, Jordon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia were all suspected of some form of involvement. According to The Daily Star, an English-language newspaper based in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia had helped Israel in assassinating Imad Mughniyeh and a Saudi military att