Truthquest

Is This The Year?

2011-12-30T18:24:00.000-08:00

As 2011 ends, a thoughtful blogger can't help but wonder what may come in the next year. Will 2012 be the year human civilization is changed in some dramatic or fundamental manner? And I'm not just referring to the much-mentioned '21-12-12' date that has stirred up so much controversy (and given the opportunists another pretext for making money). No; this new year presents an unusually high number of potential hazards, both human and natural in origin, that threaten the entire planet. In my own lifetime as a post-war baby-boomer, I have never anticipated a new year with the same degree of unease.

For those blissful readers who haven't yet awakened and still can't 'smell the coffee,' allow me to bring you up to speed on the critical issues that confront humanity at this time in our history.

Perhaps the most obvious or immediate threat to our status quo comes from the financial world. After prolonged months of talk about a crisis in Greece, and giant problems in the 'Euro zone,' Greece finally defaulted late in 2011, followed quickly by Italy. However, no pundit expects that those countries will be the last to have upheaval. The real action is yet to come; and given all the delay, the next defaults will be bigger and have wider impact. What that impact will be is the subject of much speculation, ranging from more of the market uncertainties we've already seen, to the collapse of the Euro currency-- and hence, probably of the EU, too. The latter scenario is often also seen as a trigger that could result in severe pressure on the US dollar... and associated chaos in the USA.

Frankly, the breakup of the EU would be welcomed by the majority of citizens of the member states, if polls are reliable indicators, altho there will be financial consequences for those citizens. The bigger problems begin in the event of a meltdown of the US currency. Things are already bad for almost half the US population, who are considered as living below the poverty level, according to recent analysis. If that proportion should suddenly balloon to some much larger figure, say 75%, you would have the makings of nation-wide, civil unrest. More and more of the once-great middle class of Americans are being sucked under the poverty line as, first, blue-collar, then white-collar jobs are lost to 'off-shoring' and other 'necessities' of the glorious, capitalist system. Americans used to the basic luxuries of life (as seen by the rest of the world) will be driven to extremes in their anger and frustration with a golden goose that now seems to eject nothing but crap on them.

Apparently, the US government fully anticipates exactly such an outcome, since they have been making elaborate preparations for widespread civil disruption. One can easily check the Net for stories, even video, of the now-famous FEMA camps, scattered in various, remote locations around the country. More ominous are the countless stacks of plastic coffins, stored in outdoor compounds, for some unknown contingency-- but one that must entail vast numbers of casualties. Is this the year that makes it clear that the American Dream is d-e-a-d?

Which brings us back to the 'natural catastrophe' possibilities. Some pundits claim that the FEMA camps and the coffins are secret preparations for 'the big one'-- i.e. a huge earthquake, but not the long-expected California quake; rather, a shaking of the 'New Madrid' fault line. Such a tremor occurred in the 19th century, reckoned at about 8 or higher on the Richter scale. It caused relatively little damage simply because the population was very low and scattered at that time. If the same level of shaking occurred today, the rates of death and injury would be overwhelming, even to a nation with the resources of the USA. Making things much worse is the fact that there are many nuclear power generating stations in this region; and as the Japan quake demonstrated, any power plant can fail catastrophically in a major tremor. Many believe that the New Madrid is due for a major quake, and that recent 'fracking' activity by petroleum companies is exacerbating the risk. Is this the year the USA experiences a calamity that exceeds the disastrous Gulf oil eruption?

Those faithful followers of the mainstream news media must be aware that the drums have been beating ever-louder for another war, or pardon me, shall we say 'intervention' in the Middle East. The Anglo-American media machine has been obediently repeating every lie that issues forth from the respective governments regarding the 'dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran.' No matter that they already used that lie to propel themselves into the Iraq debacle... if it worked once, well, heck, why not try it again?

Okay, you've been hearing about Iran for a couple of years, and nothing has happened. Well, there's now Syria to pique the interest of our dear leaders. Syria is a bit of a hard sell to Brits and Americans on the street. But, if they could 'sell' a NATO 'humanitarian intervention' in Libya, well, why not the same thing in Syria? Think of all those poor 'freedom fighters' getting killed by that evil dictator in Syria. Wouldn't you support sending in NATO jets to bomb those nasty forces, and liberate the Syrian people? You hardly noticed a thing when they did it in Libya, remember.

The trouble is, dear reader, both Iran and Syria are of strategic value to a couple of other major players on the world stage-- Russia and China. Without going into details, both of these countries have important interests in keeping Syria and Iran out of American control. Both have already indicated that an attack on these sovereign nations by 'Western' (aka NATO and/or Israeli) forces will be regarded as an act of war against them, too. If the prospect of regional war is not enough to disturb you, there's reasoned speculation that any war against Iran will, inevitably, involve nuclear weapons. Iran's nuclear research has been conducted in underground facilities. To destroy their capacities, it is likely that nuclear bombs would be used.

If nuclear weapons are deployed in an attack on Iran, and if Russia and/or China decide that the invisible line has been crossed and they must respond in kind... then God alone knows how that scenario could end. You may reason that given the global consequences of nuclear warfare, it would never be used. Well, that was the logic that prevailed during the 'Cold War' of the 20th century. Today, it seems that a new, bizarre logic prevails; one that believes in the concept of 'limited nuclear war' that, somehow, can be contained in its effects. Worse than that, there are many people who believe that the world's population is too big and must be drastically reduced. These individuals almost relish the prospect of a new, deadly influenza pandemic... or even, nuclear World War Three. It sounds unbelievable, because most people are still more or less sane, and can't fathom that the persons who run this world are insane criminals. Is this the year the sane ones will have to change their minds about the governors?

Let's see now-- in 2012 we are faced with potential global disaster from economic collapse resulting from financial meltdown; or a huge earthquake in mid-America, that may, in turn, trigger quakes elsewhere; or another military misadventure in the Middle East that could be the flash point for WW3. And I haven't even invoked the scary bogeymen conjectured by the acolytes for a '2012 Apocalypse'. These speculated disasters include close encounters of the worst kind with wayward asteroids, immense coronal mass ejections from our sun, gamma-ray outbursts from the center of our galaxy, an invasion of hostile aliens from another world, and for a cogent few-- the close passage of 'Planet X,' a mysterious member of our solar system. Is this the year of the big turning point in human history?

So, I rest my case: never has a new year commenced with so much apparent potential for the greatest crisis the world has faced since the Great Deluge. Are you prepared for the end of the world as you know it? Oh, you don't have to be squirrelling away food and guns; you just have to open your world-view, such as it is, to possibilities that have until now, remained comfortably confined to the realm of Hollywood's summer block-busters. Can you at least handle that?

Hope in the Occupied Zone

2011-11-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

As I write, common people all around the world are taking part in 'occupy' movements in various cities, in support of their confreres in New York who are protesting against the Wall Street bankers-- the '1%' who own so much wealth. Have ordinary people really awakened from the delusion, and seen the prison for what it is? Judging from the bits I've seen and read, it appears that, yes, some people have clued in, and realized that the elite who control the system have put the majority into debt slavery.

But, at the same time, the 'occupy' ranks are extremely diverse, being an umbrella group for a wide range of dissatisfied citizens. Some are there because they've seen the middle-class dream morph into a nightmare. Others are idealists who see an opportunity to finally introduce reforms for more equitable redistribution of wealth. Regardless of motivation, the occupiers agree on the big-picture problems... but not necessarily on the solutions.

Altho the occupy movement has much popular support, it also faces very significant opposition forces. The main establishment weapon is the communications media, principally TV. To begin with, the TV news machine totally ignored the Wall St. occupation for the first couple of weeks, apparently thinking it would simply dissipate by normal exhaustion of energy. Instead, concerned citizens in other cities-- first in the USA, then in other countries-- showed their solidarity with OWS by occupying local, central landmarks. It was only when the NY protesters blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge that the American, big-media networks finally decided to inform the already-aware public of what was happening in the Rotten Apple. Big deal! Suddenly, media in other Western countries made it the big story of the moment, as if it were 'breaking news.'

Since discovering this story, tho, the big tri-literal networks have been giving it short shrift. Coverage seems to focus on 'human interest' aspects, while dismissing the important, central issues with a mere summary comment. One feels almost sorry for the poor reporters who submit their on-site stories, since they seem utterly ignorant of the reality that those stubborn occupiers are sacrificing their comfort and safety for the benefit of virtually all of us-- dare I say, '99%' of us... including the TV employees.

To learn anything worthwhile about OWS, you have to go to the Internet, or if you have the range of TV channels, search for RT or some other foreign broadcast. On top of the media meanderings, some observers are convinced that the whole 'OWS' movement is yet another 'NWO' orchestrated gambit on the path towards full tyranny. If true, it would be a truly dismal demonstration of the extent to which 'we' (the great, 99% majority) have already lost the ability to mount a meaningful resistance to the elite puppet-masters who rule the world. The question is: is the allegation true?

At this stage, it is too early for the onlooker to determine. No doubt, the majority of the OWS protesters, regardless of the specific city, are sincere, genuinely seeking to redress the inequities that are now obvious, at least to this segment of the populace who have had 'enough.' Yet, every organized attempt to 'fight the system', going back to the trade unions and similar professional bodies, has almost always been perverted by the Powers that Be, and either co-opted or neutered. The PTB are utterly expert at doing this; after all, they've been at it for a very long time. If the OWS movement is not presently completely under their control, it doesn't matter to them; they always have a Plan-B. In this case, the plan seems to be to just sit back and watch as civic authorities and their police dogs run out of patience, and provoke the kind of confrontation that can be used as the convenient excuse to roust the harried occupiers with brutal force.

Sadly, then, I do not cling to much hope that the Wall St. protest will achieve much, in the end. As the winter of new discontent encroaches on the municipal encampments, only the most diehard protesters will continue the vigil. And meanwhile, the media will simple slide on to the next hot story of the moment... of which there is never a lack. As I write, it's probably the ongoing Greek economic tragedy... or is it comedy? It's been on and off the front burner for months, and never seems to be resolved. And if it is, well there's Italy right behind! And if not Italy, there's... let's see now-- who'll be next? Spain; Portugal; Ireland; France, even?

Thru A Glass, Weirdly

2011-05-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

Normal life in the abnormal, New American Matrix

Life is getting too bizarre; I have to share this with someone, anyone who'll read it. Watching the TV news or listening to radio, the big story of the past week or more has been the reported assassination of the USA's bogeyman no. one, w bin Laden. Yes, it has been widely reported by all the media news outlets as a veritable, and credible fact... although so many of us in the 'alternative news,' parallel world know that the story is complete bunkum.

I've listened to experienced journalists and media pundits analyze the story, discuss its details, muse on its implications, and so on... as if it were an indisputable 'given.' Even the 'conspiracy theories' they cite are utter nonsense: i.e. that bin Laden was not killed that day, but lives on to plot again. Nothing about the story bears the faintest tinge of reality. Yet all these interviews, words, and videos portray it as 'the real deal.'

To those of us who are aware that Mr. bin Laden has been deceased for, lo, the last ten years, all of this theatre rings weird. Can't anyone who professes the title of journalist ask any kind of penetrating questions about this whole 'incredible' narrative? Are all the media mouthpieces nothing more than PR spokespersons for the megalithic corporations that produce our news, which in turn, is little more than regurgitation of government press releases?

This latest manufactured news story does one thing very clearly-- it demonstrates just how thoroughly our world is now the post-1984 society of George Orwell's novel. Virtually everything coming from the US Whitehouse these days is pure lies. Sure, there may be elements of truth included, but overall, every message is a crafted piece of propaganda designed to advance the program of the elite.

For those of us who see the absurdities for what they are, all these lies lead to a growing sense of, what to call it?-- disconnection, is perhaps closest. Those around us seem to be content to listen to all the commentary about bin Laden's 'death,' and treat it all seriously, fully absorbed in the play-act, like participants in 'reality TV.' It's just freaking bizarre!

It's like finding oneself in a Hollywood movie-- think of The Matrix, The Trueman Show, etc.-- where we are the only few who know the whole thing is a big sham. You want to shout, to grab the sleep-walkers by the lapels, shove information in their faces. Yet you know that they aren't capable of handling it. They would treat you as a raving lunatic, and insist that they are the sane ones.

The matrix of illusion has been there for a long time, maybe centuries, but with the evolution of technology, it's becoming the 'virtual reality' of the 21st century. That may be the closest analogy-- global, everyday life is now an artificial construct of multi-media façade.

This 'Age of Illusion' started with a literal bang in 2001 with the piece of theatre known by numeric code as '9-11.' Whatever you may think you know about the attacks that day, none of us can know for certain what really happened. Yes, we saw video coverage; yet all available footage derives from either TV stations or from people with professional connections to media. Much evidence exists to support allegations that the video coverage was fabricated, or at the least, edited before airing. There is no doubt for anyone who can reason for himself or herself that the official explanations of what took place are simply outrageous nonsense.

Surely, many people have nagging suspicions over the glaring inconsistencies of the official story-lines. Yet, they see and hear all those sage journalists and their sage guests carry on discussions that treat those accounts with all convincing gravity. This incongruity between our gut sense and the prevailing consensus outlook produces true cognitive dissonance.

The easy way out, the default option, is to simply shrug and say: 'they must know what they're talking about, and I must be missing something; therefore, I'll just accept the majority opinion.' Rarely does someone stop to consider why they believe what they believe. The whole acceptance of dubious information as 'fact' is premised on the implicit assumption that the 'authorities' (be they government, university professors, professional specialists, or whatever) would not deliberately deceive us. But-- is that assumption really justified?

On one level, we acknowledge cynically that 'all politicians are liars;' yet, we then accept their lies as facts, provided they are concerned with 'the national interest.' It's another curious anomaly of human psychology. How does that patriotic halo get extended to journalists and other media mouthpieces? I'll let you readers mull over that one.

Until a sufficient proportion of the population rouses from their blissful slumber and smells the coffee, we awakened ones are forced to live this bizarre existence in the 'twilight zone' where illusion is supposed to be reality.

Daily, we have to see and hear things like a do-nothing president awarded a Nobel Peace Prize; a zombie-like man trying to light a bomb in his underwear; once-favored dictators suddenly turned into pariahs to be deposed and disposed. Now it's the strange murder of an accused terrorist figurehead who once worked for the CIA, and was never forensically linked to 9-11 that he supposedly master-minded. Please-- tell me the craziness will stop soon! Meanwhile, will the majority ever wake up?

I believe that every person on the planet will be forced to confront the challenge squarely, of whether to grow up and face reality, or else to consciously continue to maintain the charade constructed by the puppet-masters. The hard part for the few is to somehow live in the Matrix when we are painfully aware that it's all a vast deception.

Like isolated, awake members in an audience of hypnotized viewers at a magic show, we don't know whether to pretend to see the 'Emperor's new clothes,' or to project some radical 'reality therapy.' Until something 'un-ignorable' happens, we must wrestle daily with this grating conundrum, and love our complacent neighbors as best we can.

Beyond Boxes

2011-05-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

As Morpheus explains to Neo in the movie, The Matrix,

all those who haven't wakened up are your enemy.

In other words, there were only two kinds of people-- those few who were aware of the cyber-dream world, and all those who were still enmeshed in it, and worse-- would fight to maintain it. We are living in that kind of world, not physically as in the movie, but virtually, in the sense that our apparently normal reality is largely a fabrication sustained by the corporate media for the benefit of a tiny elite group.

For those few of us who have seen the Neo-matrix, a.k.a. New World Order, being erected all around us, it is a source of much frustration that the vast majority, including our own families, do not 'see' the true, dark situation. We fervently wish they could pull away the blinders and think outside the box.

I got thinking about how appropriate that metaphor is-- the box. A simple three-letter word for a simple concept with a lot of significance. We understand the box to be a paradigm, a set of beliefs that circumscribe our perceptions of reality. This box surrounds us on 6 sides, has unique faces that filter everything that enters the conscious mind, and thereby, governs absolutely how each individual understands the world. The perception box encloses its owner all around. Yet despite its authority, this box is completely transparent and non-material. Anyone can walk out of this box, if they will to do so... and if, primarily, they are aware of the box!

It's interesting that when we die, we are buried in a box, the final box made of solid material to enclose the last, material remains. Perhaps it's more remarkable that when we are born, we're placed in a cradle-- a five-sided box. It surrounds the baby protectively, but allows free access thru its open top. Symbolically, we could say it represents the reality that a child comes into the world already delimited by fixed structures of race, gender, health, etc. as determined by genetics and parental circumstances. These influences are far stronger in shaping our emergent beliefs than most of us realize. Some students of these factors can tell you an amazing outline of your basic beliefs simply from your place and year of birth, and your birth-order position. (Indeed, author Gail Sheehy and others have written books that paint such sketches of 'generations' with uncanny accuracy.)

In other words, the 'box' is subtly assembled around you, starting from the moment of your conception, and continuing thru your entire growing experience. As they say, give me your child for the first seven years, and I'll shape his character (or mind) for the rest of his life. There's also the old proverb, the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. This latter saying explains how the constraints of culture are transmitted from one generation to the next. Clearly, the forces that shape an individual's belief system conduct their work in a million incremental-- and largely unnoticed-- steps.

However, that cradle you lay your little head in had one open side, remember? That symbolizes the opportunity to escape the box-- which you can only do by 'rising upward.' As we grow up, we develop, first, self-awareness, and later, awareness of the world around us. Why are some of us so much more aware than others? I believe that the answer is a combination of environment and character. The 'Western paradigm' is preponderantly left-brained, disdaining intuition and other right-brain faculties. Those raised in this milieu learn that 'logic' and 'reason' are paramount, while imagination and creativity are only useful so long as they are 'constructively channeled,' which is code for 'stuck in the approved boxes.'

By nature, some of us are more 'rebellious,' as labeled by the mainstream society, while the majority are more compliant (since that's where the rewards lie). Those rebels who also exercise their intuition and imagination are, I submit, most likely to be aware of the box. Being aware of it, they can then make an informed choice as to whether to accept the prevailing world-view or some variation. The rest are destined to drift along in the comfort of their mental boxes, believing what the 'box-makers' want them to know.

For any who manage to escape the box of their birth/circumstances (e.g. religion, culture, caste, etc.) the greatest risk to their subsequent freedom is this: that they will simply leave box 'A' and jump into box 'B!' It's almost unavoidable, for that is what we know-- boxes; and that's where we feel comfortable. And thus, the rebel Protestant becomes a Catholic... or vice-versa. A Christian might join the Bahai's, or a Republican may become a Democrat; or an Evolutionist a Creationist; and so on. In every case, the individual gained freedom from one thought-prison only to pick up the shackles of the next... traded one box for another. Big deal!

True freedom lies in avoiding all the 'big boxes,' and keeping one's mind as open as possible. As Jesus told his followers, the truth shall set you free! And truth, contrary to the snake-oil salesmen who peddle their substitutes, does not come in a box. Only when the human mind (soul) allows itself to soar freely among beliefs does it understand real freedom.

The honest answer to most of the transcendent questions of existence is 'We don't know.' But religionists and atheists, alike, insist that their answer is correct, while all others are in error. The cynic (or realist) may assert that mere humans are doomed to live in a box of some type, and there is no total freedom for physical beings. Agreed. Therefore, the object is to live in as large a box as possible-- one that provides as much freedom as feasible for mortal minds. We want a box that encompasses as many other boxes as possible, without being enclosed by another paradigm. Those who insist that their box is the only 'true' one, simply demonstrate how firmly ensconced they are.

If I call myself a follower of Christ, it does NOT mean that I've jumped into a box called a denomination or a church. By studying the scriptures in a non-dogmatic, inquiring manner, and allowing the text to explain itself (under the unction of the Holy Spirit) I discern the themes and unifying principles underlying the words. The words are only tools, often crude ones, that attempt to convey truth. To get hung up on literalism or fundamentalism leads to the next box. Jesus told us plainly "I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Scripture also, interestingly, tells us that he is the Word. So, the object of scripture, and study, and religion, is NOT a denominational, cast-in-stone box; it is a being, the person of Jesus the Christ.

As humans, we must believe in something outside of ourselves, be it based on science (so-called) or religion, or possibly something else ('the Force?'). That outer framework provides the solidity of the reality we exist in, whether we are contemplative or not. To accept Christ as the source of that external context of our lives, without submitting to a pre-packaged credo (ie. a religion), is as free as a person can get, in my opinion.

Decoding Religion

2011-05-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

You've seen those silly symbols attached on the back of some automobiles-- the 'fish' icon, with the word Jesus enclosed.

Then, later variations quickly appeared, that include little 'feet' below the fish, and the word Darwin inside. It was the latest mutation that really triggered my thinking on the subject of symbols-- the familiar fish... with a 'Star of David' within! Now what the heck is that supposed to mean? Does it signify the assimilation of Judaism by Christianity? In a theological sense; or some other way? My final notion is that it probably indicates a belief in 'Christian Zionism,' i.e. the confused theology of certain, mostly American, evangelical sects that think they can hasten Armageddon by promoting Israeli hegemony.

In fact, if my suspicion is correct, the symbol is far more significant and nefarious than the proud bearer realizes. What the 'star inside the fish' represents to me is the insidious infiltration of Christianity by the virus of Zionism. These so-called Christians are completely ignorant of their own sacred scripture-- the New Testament-- that makes it abundantly clear that 'there is no other name (than Jesus) by which we must be saved.' Contrary to Paul's explicit advice to the Galatians, these uninformed sheep have been bewitched and seduced by the strong wine of legalistic Zionism. Thus, the symbol is entirely appropriate, and chilling to true believers in Christ.

When you examine the six-point star, you have to realize that it is really an occult symbol, the hexagram. It is no coincidence that people speak about casting a 'hex' on someone when they want to bewitch them in some way! This is exactly what has happened to that errant sect of false Christians. The hexagram has great meaning to adepts of Gnosticism and other 'mystery cults' thru the ages, that sought the keys to 'higher knowledge' that would unlock the mysteries of the universe. Composed of two interlocked, equilateral triangles, the hexagram is the two-dimensional projection of a Platonic solid. In the three-dimensional analog, there are two, interposed tetrahedrons or pyramids, whose vertices touch the surface of a circumscribed sphere. Transposing to the heavenly spheres, the planets and stars, it is believed that those points of contact (which occur north and south of the equatorial plane) represent energy points that can be mapped out and used to empower human activities.

Then, going back to the fish, I pondered about how the prophecy of Revelation 13 could actually come about-- that a restored but false Israel would effectively rule the world in the last days. How could a nation of only 6 million people rule over a world with 1000 times that population? Yet it's happening before our eyes! How can they do it? I realized that it's the 'power of the pyramid' so to speak. It's by using the classic, hierarchical, power and control system. The Zionists have installed operatives in key positions in Western (and other) countries, who exercise control over witting or unwitting agents below them, and so on, down to the functional level. Most 'awake' netizens know that the pyramid is an important occult symbol, but now we can see that it has practical significance as well as figurative. This is the occult modus operandi that has well served the satanic cabal in advancing their cause, over the centuries. It is an authoritarian, paternalistic, legalistic system, based on the pyramidal, hierarchy of management.

On the choice of a fish to represent Christianity, there seems to be some doubt. Some might suppose that it had to do with the miracle where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the crowd. But a few scholars state that it is related to the zodiacal age that began around the time Jesus lived, namely, the Piscean Age. In summarizing this still-current age, Wikipedia states succinctly, "The Age of Monotheism, Spirituality, and the Fish."

In any case, there are numerous fish swimming in these theological waters, as the profusion of denominations of ostensible Christianity attests. As for the fishy symbol I noticed, it points to a church that has swallowed the bait of Zionism, hook, line and sinker. This is a church that has no Biblical legitimacy, and depends on the ignorance of its fellowship for existence. Yet it can do much evil in its zeal to force the hand of God and impose Israeli rule over the Middle East and beyond.

Notes

Dr. John Dee, the court astrologist of Queen Elizabeth I, in his book Hieroglyphic Monad, includes the following quote:
"'Mahatma Letters,' page 345: 'The double triangle viewed by the Jewish Kabbalists as Solomon's Seal is...the Sri-Antana of the Archaic Aryan Temple, the Mystery of Mysteries, a geometrical synthesis of the whole occult doctrine. The two interlaced triangles are the Buddham-Gums of Creation. They contain the 'squaring of the Circle,' the 'Philosophers' Stone,' the great problems of Life and Death--the mystery of Evil. The Chela who can explain this sign from every one of its aspects is virtually an Adept.'"

From the Encyclopedia of Freemasonry:
"The interlacing triangles or deltas symbolize the union of the two principles or forces, the active and passive, male and female, pervading the universe... The two triangles, one white and the other black, interlacing, typify the mingling of apparent opposites in nature, darkness and light, error and truth, ignorance and wisdom, evil and good, throughout human life."
-33rd Degree Freemasons Albert G. Mackey and Charles T. McClenachan quoted from Codex Magica by Texe Marrs

Atheism and Science

2011-05-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

Atheists think they're free, because they've removed their faith from religion.... and placed it in science... believing with religious fervor that science is the route to liberty of the human mind.

But-- science is just another construct of the human mind, and subject to the same weaknesses we know so well. Viewed 'objectively,' science passes every test for religion! Here's the proof.

If, as its practitioners insist, science were truly 'objective,' there should be only one school of thought (or, shall we say, church of belief) because all objective investigation (using the touted methods of reproducible experiments, mathematical equations, etc.) should lead to the same results and conclusions. But, the fact is that there are many schools (denominations) of scientific belief.

Moreover, scientists (believers) in a given discipline object strenuously if a practitioner from another discipline should have the temerity to cross the forbidden boundaries and bring new, fresh beliefs into their hallowed halls. A classic example is the shameful treatment of Velikovsky (a psychiatrist) in the 1950s. After the early space probes sent back data that confirmed his unorthodox theories, did his critics apologize? No; they simply absorbed the new truths... and stopped any mention of his name.

Today, the battle of scientific dogmas rages between the true church of the classic, gravitational model of the universe, versus the heretical, upstart proponents of the electric universe. Like Catholics and Protestants, Sunnis and Shiites, these two camps loathe each other and their aberrant ideologies.

Clearly, scientific orthodoxy becomes as entrenched as any religious views. This is a natural outcome of human nature, and occurs irrespective of the field of knowledge (be it religious or secular). The problem in both spheres, is that true believers of any stripe refuse to acknowledge this truism, and insist that their truths are somehow immune to the human tendency to cast our biases in stone.

Added to the problem of subjectivity in all belief systems, is the influence of purely practical or operational factors, the primary one being finances. All human systems require money to fund the salaries of the priests who conduct the services/research, instruct the initiates/students, and proclaim the dogmas/theories. In this regard, science may be objectively seen as in a more precarious situation than religion. Ministers are generally paid by their congregation or denominational authority, hence find it expedient to preach the message approved by those authorities.

Scientists, as highly educated individuals, feel they deserve high salaries-- much higher than the average pastor. Those salary levels must be secured by performing research and writing papers that are sponsored by well-endowed corporations. Obviously, the research must be of some relevance to corporate sponsors; but more troublesome, it must not compromise the profits of the corporation for fear of having the funds withdrawn. It's a clear conflict of interest that everyone is aware of, but few dare to question, at peril of their income.

Yet, secular humanists cling to this pathetic faith that science is objective, impartial, and the only system capable of yielding credible models of reality. Sure, there have been great advances in the material realm. Many of the great leaps have been born of the scientific breakthroughs of the 19th century, when the pioneers of electro-magnetism laid the ground-work for much of what followed. Advances in steam, and later, gasoline engines were more due to engineering progress, which resulted in trains, automobiles, aircraft, and so forth. Those early researchers were not beholden to the corporate sector as today's graduates, and were more propelled by a true spirit of investigation.

What passes itself off for science in this 21st century, especially at the theoretical level, is really another form of religion, if only its practitioners had the honesty and courage to admit it. All belief systems, whether grounded in theology or in natural observation, are subject to all the limitations of human psychology. They would all do better to cooperate than compete. But in that regard, they behave as purveyors of consumer products, and scramble to grab as much 'market share' as possible for their stake-holders. Bottom line: in the realm of ideas, humans are as irrational as in all their other endeavors.

Only One Conclusion

2011-03-12T21:51:00.000-08:00

Are we living in the 'Last Days' of Earth, as various sources claim? Or is it all hysteria induced by the stress and pace of change in this era? In this article, I aim to show how a constellation of

widely disparate indicators are converging in our present day, and point to one unavoidable conclusion-- that we are living in the last days.

This is a stretch for many readers; but if you want to be prepared for coming calamities, you've got to stare into the dark abyss!

Regardless of your views on ‘apocalypse,’ I think every intelligent reader will admit that we are living in unpredictable, unstable times. At any moment, the broadcast news could interrupt your regular rhythms to inform you of a deadly earthquake in such a highly developed place as Japan, or of civil uprising in Libya that suddenly jolts gasoline prices skyward, or the bankruptcy of a major company that may send your investment portfolio stumbling down; and so on. That's beside the personal messages that can burst into our lives, and change them forever, such as a diagnosis of disease, a road accident involving a family member, a job loss, and on it goes. We've all had brushes with these incidents. You might believe then, that people would be quite ready to accept new information that could help them prepare for the increasing contingencies of modern life. Instead, sadly, most people take the opposite tack! They are sufficiently harried by the things they can't control, that they blissfully tune out the news that they think they can 'safely' ignore.

For those who can handle reality, aware that foreknowledge is the best insurance they can have, I present this scenario.

In what can be called Jesus' Revelation, Matthew 24, he tells us: As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (vs 37). Here, 'it' means the state of the world. So, what was the state of the world in those days of Noah? If we go back to the account of the Flood in the ancient book of Genesis (ch. 6, vs 5) we find this succinct and chilling statement: The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

Surely the degree of comparison expressed in that sentence cannot be missed-- 'every inclination' was 'only evil' and 'all the time.' These words outline a very bleak picture of the terrible moral condition of humanity at that time. Yet, here's the core of it-- and I think most persons of good will know this in their heart of hearts-- the world is today at that same degree of moral corruption that existed in Noah's day!

Our ubiquitous experts, the sage heads in the TV frame, assure us that not only is everything just fine, but society is progressing, just as implied in the dogma of Evolution. Right; just relax, folks; ignore those nagging nabobs of negativity who keep reminding us of the many indications that demonstrate a regression back to the Dark Ages. For those of us who are inveterate skeptics, let's take a survey of the factors that would validate the thesis of a moral regression that echoes the days leading up to the Deluge.

(1) Perhaps the most damning indictment of moral pretensions today is the clear fact that in this 'enlightened' 21st century, the gap between rich and poor is greater than ever, and is accelerating. This disparity occurs both within every country, as well as internationally. In the once-richest nation on Earth, the American dream has finally been definitively dashed, as millions have lost their home with no hope of regaining it.

After decades of donations of billions of dollars to the 'developing world,' (primarily Africa) nothing significant has changed. The poor in those countries are as poor as ever. And if we needed an illustration, we had the Haiti earthquake of 2010 where, a full year after the disaster, most people are still living in primitive tent cities, despite the billions of dollars of aid that was sent or pledged by concerned benefactors.

Most people take money for granted in the sense that they don't think about what it really means. We assume that coins and paper notes are convenient counters that represent a 'medium of exchange.' However, the true situation is that a small cabal of bankers devised a scheme, dating back centuries, to transform money into a debt-note, and by their machinations, that debt is owed to them. Virtually every bank in the world participates in this debt-money system, which means that most people, world-wide, hold debt owed to this monstrous system.

The financial meltdown that shook so many banks and investment houses on Wall Street in 2008/9 should have done what capitalism boasts it does-- shaken out the weak, and left the system stronger. Instead, the instigators skimmed off a goodly amount of the torrent of bail-out money, and the system is as shaky as ever. The bottom line of the world economic ledger has a big, red-ink entry for the poor, and a bloated, black-ink entry for the rich.

Each of the main 'degeneracy factors' entails subsidiary factors that exacerbate the main one. In the case of money, we have to delve into the issue of energy, since (whether we realize it or not) we live in an energy economy. What the 20th century accomplished was the total dependency of the entire world on one, vital substance-- petroleum! Regardless of all professed efforts to develop new energy sources, the petroleum industry has the world hooked on their 'black cocaine.' No alternative source could replace oil within even a decade. And the petrol-masters have no intention of helping humanity break its oil habit. On the contrary, there is evidence to demonstrate that any serious attempt to challenge the supremacy of petroleum with some new innovation is met with crushing opposition. For prime example, stories persist that the genius, Nicola Tesla, had found a means to tap the unlimited, ubiquitous energy of the universe, and intended to make it available freely to the world. He ended his days a discouraged, financial failure, and his discoveries have never seen daylight. Virtually free energy would have meant a huge step towards freedom from poverty for the world's masses. Instead, they are held in bondage to a financial prison run from Wall Street and the City of London.

(2) Another feature of modern society that betrays moral failure is the simple fact that the world is in a constant state of war, somewhere on Earth. How can we ever claim to be 'evolving' as long as this blot of warfare stains every page of human history, from the earliest records to the sorry present? Despite convening a world body, the UN, ostensibly to maintain peace, national armies have been getting ever more efficient at killing mankind. The 20th century, while bringing staggering technological advances, was the bloodiest period in known history. That century began with the latest, most efficient weapon being the machine-gun, and before it was half over, our brilliantly warped minds had devised the atomic bomb... and used it. Bravo! One bomb could now kill hundreds of thousands of our fellow humans at one blow. A true milestone of human ingenuity.

Terrible as it is, the nuclear bomb is not the last weapon to emerge from the fertile minds of military scientists. Oh no; they have been working feverishly on such things as 'directed energy weapons' (based on lasers), biological weapons (supposedly banned, but hey, ya gotta have some surprises up your sleeve), battle robots that can eliminate all worries over the political dangers of conscription, nano-weapons that can produce themselves in hordes, and of course, space-based weapons that can rain sudden destruction on targets that would have not the slightest forewarning. All of these 'advances' are ample proof of the inveterate evil-mindedness of our miserable race.

(3) Our ability to transform and apply any invention, no matter how beneficial it promises to be, into a new menace, is legendary. No doubt, the first spears were very helpful in killing game animals for food; and it's equally certain they were quickly used to skewer other humans. Dynamite was invented to facilitate mining, we're told; soon it was facilitating the murder of people. In the case of atomic energy, we managed to turn the weapon into an energy source... but without first figuring out what to do with the radioactive, spent fuel, and other risks. However, in true form, the military-industrial alliance have found a 'neat' solution to the problem: spent uranium fuel is now molded into munitions used by the US forces in their foreign adventures. First Iraq, and now Afghanistan are being changed into nuclear-radiated dumping grounds. Iraq has one of the highest rates of cancer and birth-deformities in the world. Mission accomplished, as Bush would say.

(4) A sick hallmark of the 21st century is the on-going destruction of our very environment. Everywhere one can tread, we can find the detritus of so-called civilization-- a trail of garbage marks our presence. In those giant metropolises we brag about, the air is poisonous and the known source of premature death for millions of inhabitants. In many places, the water is laced with either contaminants, or else chemicals used to remove those pollutants... a no-win choice. If the water happens to be fairly safe to begin with, our officials add sodium fluoride to it, to ensure that there's something toxic in our system (even if it takes decades to affect a given proportion of the populace). Toxic chemicals from poorly or un-regulated industries are dumped into 'tailings ponds,' or exposed mounds, and seep into the soil, down into the water table, and thence, into our bodies.

Moving away from cities with their manufacturing activity, into the countryside, other industries are extracting resources at a furious pace. Forests that took centuries to grow are torn down in mere weeks or months, leaving exposed slashes of land. Whole mountains are leveled in years by the steady carving away of their minerals by strip-mining. Cities expand by pushing roads and structures over former wilderness, destroying the habitat of the indigenous wild-life, or paving over farm land that would feed their own populations.

Sure, we 'need' space to grow; we 'need' raw material for producing 'goods;' we need industries to provide jobs. The point is that as societies, we have proceeded headlong into these activities with utter abandon. Almost two centuries beyond the start of the 'Industrial Revolution,' we have hardly raised our consciousness an iota towards conservation of the very ecosystem that, ultimately, nurtures our lives. Our leaders don't seem to 'get' that this is the only home we have; there are no more new continents to despoil. If there are cosmic spectators of this planet, they would have no alternative but to judge us insane!

(5) Transhumanism; a word that most people have never even heard of, yet its implications are eerie and far-reaching. Transhumanism intends the use of genetics, robotics, artificial intelligence and nanotechnology ('GRIN technologies') as tools that will radically redesign our minds, our memories, our physiology, our offspring, and perhaps even our very souls. This 'human makeover' includes among other things rewriting human DNA and thereby combining men with beasts. Such Frankensteinian meddling with our natural design harks back to dark myths of 'chimeras,' and forward to fantasies of cyborg hybrids. Either way, the implications are blood-curdling to God-fearing mortals, since it represents the creature arrogantly re-creating himself in his own juvenile image. Where such a path could lead is anyone's guess; but given our perversion of every other technical advance, my conviction is that it would end in horrendous disaster for the whole race. How far will we be allowed to pursue such insane interference with our very nature?

Surely it has to be clear that based on past patterns, if we continue on the present trajectory of human 'progress' we will surely destroy ourselves... and possibly, the planet itself. And there is not the slightest indication that a majority of decision-makers is prepared to reconsider our present course. When you put these characteristics of the modern age together, the inescapable conclusion is that humanity is a very sick species with an incurable death wish!

All of which brings me back to the original thesis: that the world today is in a similar condition as it was in the days leading up to the Deluge that destroyed that antediluvian society to the extent that only a few survivors remained to repopulate the Earth. Whether you believe in God or not, the outcome of present behavior is predictable. Either nature takes its course and humanity destroys itself; or, God/Nature intervenes in some manner or another, and terminates this wicked generation. I say one manner or another because God need not appear in the sky, an angry, old man swinging a celestial brick-bat against his tainted handiwork. No; He can surprise us with any number of natural calamities capable of extinguishing civilization as we know it. As part of the effort to defuse the 2012 doomsday speculation, scientists have compiled a list of ten or so disasters that they consider able to end life on Earth. It's true-- you can find them online. However-- they then assure the reader that none of the selections has much likelihood of happening anytime within eons at best.

God has other ideas about timing and probability, and can send a 'judgment' against us anytime He chooses, using any convenient phenomenon of the natural universe. At the time of the great Flood, God did not pull out a cosmic garden hose and shower the planet. There was a natural cause for that catastrophe, albeit one that so far remains a mystery to us (although some cogent theories have been put forward over the years).

Okay, some of you readers are stubborn skeptics, so there's more. You see, a calamity of the magnitude of the Deluge doesn't just strike one day 'out of the blue.' No; there had to be prior signals that 'something evil this way comes.' Perhaps there were widespread earthquakes; volcanic eruptions in diverse locations; strange formations of clouds and other atmospheric phenomena; maybe flocks of birds falling dead from the sky, and schools of fish floating dead on the shores. Hey, wait a minute-- aren't we seeing things like that happening today? Yes, my friends; that's exactly the point! Think about it... hard.

Death of an Empire

2011-03-12T21:09:00.001-08:00

We read various historical accounts of the dying days of the Roman Empire, or perhaps, the Inca Empire, or the Egyptian or Chinese dynasties, and find it all quite fascinating, but remote from our experience. Many may be lulled into thinking 'that was then... we're a long way from those days.' But, not to fret--

we're seeing the unraveling of an empire-- nay, a civilization-- before our own, glazed eyes. The problem is, that most people don't have a clue that it's happening.

But the signs of decay and disintegration are all around us, constantly. If we would but open our eyes, our ears, we'd become all too aware of it. It's often in places we don't regard as having universal importance.

For example, hardly a week goes by when we don't hear a story in the news about bullying. There are earnest programs conducted in elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools... what next, kindergarten? Yet, for all the programs, the pink T-shirts, the tears, the bullying goes on-- often with tragic results.

The bullying mentality carries into every walk of life. As I write, another professional hockey player lies in hospital after taking a brutal hit in his last game. While the police are launching an investigation, and some game sponsors are making angry noises, the head of the hockey league dismisses the incident as a legitimate contact that went wrong. In the hey-day of the Roman Empire, they had gladiatorial combats to titillate the bored crowds; today, we have ice-hockey, the ritualized combat of young men for glory and lucre. Again, some parents, certain pundits, some physicians, have spoken out over the years against the violence that can leave a player with life-long injuries; but nothing seems to change.

If the criminal element has always been violent, and now the common man increasingly resorts to bullying, it's all the more sad to see the police become casual with the use of violence at any opportunity. In any interaction with the public, the police are apt to use force far in excess of what's required... simply because they can. For every story that gets into the media spotlight, who knows how many incidents go unreported? Since it's most often the police who investigate themselves, they are quite secure in figuring that they'll get away with it. The responsible chiefs-- after they've stonewalled for as long as possible-- assure us that it's only a few 'bad actors' who misbehave. Yet the stories have been getting more lurid all the time.

Every attempt to reclaim human morality in the face of the creeping brutality gets smothered in the all-embracing fog of modern hyperactive daily existence. Actually, it's more than that, because a cycle thru the TV dial will demonstrate that violence is woven into the fabric of modern, Western 'entertainment.' After watching years of virtual bullying and 'simulated' violence, is it really a wonder why the citizenry act it out almost by nature?

Indeed, an objective survey of modern entertainment should quickly convince anyone who can recall the dawn of the TV age that the trend is rapidly accelerating to total moral anarchy. In the early days it was enough to show a white sheet covering a 'dead body;' today, we have to be shown a naked cadaver on a slab, with part of it excavated for closer examination of vital organs. A passionate kiss used to convey the desired image of intimacy between lovers; today we are titillated with ‘soft porn’ to get the point across; tomorrow, expect hard porn on the regular dramas. And so it goes.

In sexual mores, it used to be sufficient for mainstream society to show tolerance towards homosexuals. Today, we must take 'pride' in their perversion, as it is paraded annually, in big cities across the Western world. The spectacle of men and women in various costumes and lack of costumes, waving from floats and strutting on the streets can't help but conjure up images of the Saturnalia and other Roman celebrations in which effigies of giant genitalia were paraded thru the streets to the delight of the throngs. Regardless of one's enlightened views, the on-going normalization of sexual deviation is a trend with bleak prospects, and historically, a signal of the breakdown of a society.

Another barometer of societal collapse is the craving for thrills among the youth. Sociologists may argue that the popularity of risky sports, such as sky-diving, bungee-jumping, extreme skiing and snow-boarding, base-jumping, and so on, arose as a substitute for the former 'normal risks' inherent in life before the comfort of modern, urban, artificial living. That idea has a certain ring of authority to it, but does not account for the on-going presence of war as an available outlet for youthful thrill-seeking. No; today's youth seem to be cramming as much 'living' as possible into what may be a limited life-span. Demographers are already predicting that the present generation in the under 30 age bracket will actually have a shorter life-span than their parents, due to the prevalence of obesity and other health factors that modern medicine has proved incapable to eradicate.

The reckless destruction of our environment-- despite the ostensible understanding bestowed by science-- is yet another clear sign of the mass insanity that precedes collapse. Sure, our slick industry spokespersons assure us that their company exercises good stewardship with resources; but after a few decades of hearing such baloney, while the ecosystems continue to be destroyed, the rhetoric sounds sickly hollow. According to pundits like Jared Diamond, this rush to grab all the resources before the next guys is a hallmark of an empire in a tailspin.

A primary characteristic of a civilization in rapid decline is the loss of moral direction, the lack of consensus on what constitutes morality. Western society, in the main, prides itself in having broken free from the shackles of religion. Unfortunately, society has essentially failed to develop a viable alternative. We threw off the mental fetters of corrupt religions, only to joyfully accept the invisible chains of the ersatz substitute proffered by our exalted science, the doctrine of Darwin. Instead of being the creation of a Divine being, we are now the descendents of apes... How great is that? Western man worships at the altars of the pseudo-religion of science, complete with its high-priests, its cathedrals, its credos and orthodoxies. In place of the gospel of Jesus, we have the Theory of Evolution. Instead of 'love thy neighbor,' we have survival of the fittest-- interpreted as the meanest, and most ruthless among us. You may not like the pretenses of religion (neither do I); but we may have done much better to reform religion than to throw it on the scrap heap of knowledge. I hope that the sincere atheist can screw up sufficient courage to acknowledge that the abandonment of traditional religion has come at a high price-- without an agreed ethic, we are at the mercy of whatever intellectual scam can be foisted on a majority of people.

To recap the thesis: signs of the collapse of civilization are everywhere, for those with the perceptions to see them. Every TV show you watch, every commercial message, every magazine and newspaper, all our cultural reflectors, they all encode the not-so-secret message that this is an empire in terminal declension. You can train yourself, like a latter-day shaman, to open your eyes; or you can continue to exist in dreamland-- the red pill or the blue-- the choice is yours.

Lesson From Egypt

2011-02-15T16:03:00.000-08:00

The drama in Egypt from the 'intifada' of Feb., 2011, is far from over, but there are lessons that observers from the 'democratic' West can discern. Many astute pundits have already written or spoken about various aspects of the events, so I don't claim to have some completely novel insights. But I think it's worth highlighting one particular lesson that we in the West ought to take careful note of. That message is that our governments really don't give a damn about real democracy, they only pretend to support democracy.

One of the immediate hallmarks of the popular uprising in Egypt was the obvious discomfort it created in Western governments. You could detect it in the careful, calculated, half-hearted expressions of 'support' for the Egyptian people and their cause, coming from the mouths of people like Barack Obama, Stephen Harper, and their spokesmen. No doubt, they didn't know whether to laugh or cry. These leaders know very well that most thinking constituents are aware that the USA and its 'allies' have been installing and propping up dictatorial regimes all over the globe for the past half-century or more. At the same time, these leaders of the 'free World' have been touting the great benefits of democracy over the same period of time. So, when the people of a country make it clear they want an end to dictatorship, what's a president or a prime minister to do? Well, er, we are, of course, happy to see the people express their will... and 'er, we look forward to a once-more, stable 'ally' in the region. Ya, sure!

Their double-speak really decodes to something like this: we phony upholders of democracy are surprised to see a popular movement really succeed, after all the money and coaching we gave their beloved dictator, and all the money and weapons we gave their military. Damn it; now we have to pretend that we support this undesirable situation that we created in the first place by our meddling in another country's affairs! We're going to try hard to influence the outcome of this revolution and make sure that the next regime is subservient to our wishes, and friendly to our corporate pillage of their economy, like the last one.

In the case of Egypt, it's not just the USA and Europe that are flummoxed by this turn of events. It's their good friend, ally, and client state, Israel, that is particularly upset. And after all their crowing about being the 'only democracy in the Middle East,' they look truly foolish in denouncing this uprising in Egypt as somehow less than a victory for the people and the overthrow of a clear dictatorship. The Israeli government is scared spitless that a truly democratic Egypt must necessarily take a stand against the predatory, racist treatment of the Palestinians by the Israelis. To hear Israeli spokesmen lash out at Hamas, at Hezbollah, and other Arab/Islamic institutions is nauseating since Israel had a hand in creating many of these organizations in their efforts to manipulate the politics of their neighbors. The sound of Israeli mouthpieces bemoaning the Egyptian uprising as likely to go the way of the Iranian revolution that installed radical Islamicists is equally sickening. The only democracy in the region really wants to enjoy an exclusive franchise. They refused to recognize the freely elected government in Gaza-- Hamas. They refused to acknowledge the legitimate complaints that led to the overthrow of the Shah in Iran. They would like to continue covertly meddling in the politics of Lebanon and Syria. Now they are faced with the possibility that their biggest Arab neighbor will, if allowed to pursue democracy, end up with a government that is opposed to their Zionist agenda.

The whole, gripping Egypt story is far from over. But it has demonstrated the hypocrisy of our so-called democratic governments in the so-called Free, Western World. The lesson should not be lost on anyone, regardless of country of residence on this planet.

Portents of Doom? Forget it!

2011-01-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

It doesn’t take a trained observer to notice, these last few years, that there’s all kinds of strangeness going on, all around the world. You know, things like floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, fireballs, rogue waves, flood tides, sonic booms, sinkholes, not to forget earthquakes, volcanoes, and snow storms. My goodness, the list could even go on! In spite of all these numerous, accumulating examples that show that things are not normal on this planet, most people, apparently, do not get it. The majority wants to continue in blissful ignorance, pretending that these anomalies are all simply random and temporary-- we will eventually get back to normal, even if the baselines may have shifted somewhat. As my other essays indicate, I don’t believe in this fairy tale for a moment. But it’s frustrating waiting for the reality to hit home with so many of my friends, relatives, and acquaintances.

The past few weeks, something was finally reported in the media that should have made the magnitude of the present, looming crisis obvious to all.

The headline that first hit my eye read: “Light shines in High Arctic darkness,’ reported on the CBC website news, datelined Dec. 27, 2010. Well, I’d seen a similar story several years earlier, and it didn’t seem to gain any traction with the population at large.

Then, just a couple weeks later, I was startled to see this headline: “Strange Phenomenon: Sun rises two days early in Greenland?” (Notice how the headline is presented with a terminal question mark.) The story, which appeared on the news website, The Hals Report, stated, “The sun has arrived two days early in Greenland according to KNR Radio. It usually rises on January 13th but for some reason rose on 1/11/11 this year.” Since I had never heard of the Hals Report, I spotted the headline on SOTT (Signs of the Times website). Despite the fact that this sounds like ‘earth-shattering’ news, it was mostly ignored by the mainstream media. Mostly, but not totally, since they seemed to realize that this story would, if nature took its course, spread far and wide, opening a can of worms for the Powers that want to keep the masses ignorant of possible impending doom. It was time to resort to classic propaganda tactics to ensure that the troublesome story just fizzled out.

Since most readers, even those who may remember the headline (if nothing else), are unaware of how media deception is accomplished, this case is eye-opening. On the same day as the Arctic light story, another account hit the mainstream, to the effect that some astrologer claimed that the popular zodiac may actually have shifted a bit, so that: (1) the classic ‘sun signs’ may be a bit out of whack with the usual date-ranges, and (2) there may be a 13th sun sign, called Ophiuchus, between Scorpio and Sagittarius. This article went on to paraphrase the astrologer as saying that “the moon's gravitational pull has since shifted the Earth on its axis and created a one-month shift in the stars' alignment.” Articles written since that date have mostly debunked the first story, but the desired obfuscation was in full swing.

On Jan. 7, this headline was carried by many ‘MSM’ sources: North Pole Shifts, Causes Closure of Runways at Florida Airport. Now this sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? Who knew? Yet a scan of the text showed that it had to do with the well-known drift of the magnetic north pole, which every nautical navigator corrects for. Some stories advised that this ‘pole shift’ (their words) was not an indication of pending magnetic pole reversal, as has been predicted by some pundits. By this point, you should be at least a bit confused-- that’s the idea.

The story carried by the Hals Report (Jan. 13) included speculations by a few ‘experts,’ for example, local geophysicist, Wolfgang Lenhardt, assuring that “the data of Earth’s axis and rotation would be monitored minute by minute all over the world.” He
also stated it could be an ‘atmospheric phenomenon.’ Scientists consulted by other media to cover the story proposed the theory that ‘global warming’ created temperature inversions in the air that bent the sun’s light, in the manner of an atmospheric lens. The writer for Hals Report had it right when he observed: “One thing is certain, the event continues to baffle scientists who have struggled to come up with an explanation.”

On Jan. 14, the astrological aspect was again paraded in the MSM. CBC picked up the story from CP (Canadian Press) which included this statement: “Parke Kunkle, a board member at the Minnesota Planetarium Society, told a newspaper interviewer that the Earth's wobbly orbit means it's no longer aligned to the stars in the same way as when the signs of the zodiac were first conceived.” CP concluded the article with the cogent quote: "This is not new news. I have no idea why it went viral this time," Kunkle said. "Almost every astronomy class talks about it." Indeed, it’s a story that should not have ‘gone viral,’ yet apparently, some forces decided it should, and gave it the necessary legs.

So there’s the process, unfolding before our eyes. The story of the sun rising two days early in the far north ought to have been the subject of serious, rational investigation by journalists, especially ‘science journalists.’ Because, if true, it is proof that the Earth’s axis is wobbling-- which would account, not only for the sun’s untimely appearance, but also for the global weather chaos we’ve been experiencing for many years. Friends, this is very unsettling news, with far-reaching implications for the future of mankind. Yet, instead of treating the story as it warrants, the media pulled out the propaganda tricks.

They conflated the issue with the reference to astrology, already regarded by many as mere amusement at best, and quackery at worst. They created a conceptual smoke-screen by running stories about the shifting of the magnetic poles, and assurances that the Earth’s rotation is minutely monitored by ‘real scientists.’ Perhaps most damning, they failed to ask the pertinent and obvious questions, such as ‘what could be causing the Earth to wobble?’ Thus, at the end of the day, the casual reader is left to draw his/her own comforting conclusions-- to whit, that the early light in the high Arctic must be due to more ‘global warming’ effects, because if there were anything more to it, our brilliant scientists would be telling us.

An objective onlooker has to almost gasp at the audacious deployment of this ‘disinfo’ strategy... and at it’s obvious success. I mean, not only do they avoid the guano that would hit the fan if people properly understood what is at stake here (all the spin-off effects of a wobble in the planet’s rotation); they also reinforce the false notion that the Earth is undergoing warming, just as those clever scientists in the IPCC said it was. (I don’t disagree that we’re seeing huge climate chaos; but now you can see that it is probably caused by a wobble in the axis, affecting the jet stream, etc. etc.!)

Any time a once-stable system goes into unexpected instability (e.g. a wobble) the outcome is usually a catastrophic phase ending in a new state of stability (that we would regard as rubble). You can imagine why the Powers That Be do not want the general population to know about this planetary crisis. I don’t particularly believe in the ‘public panic’ line of reasoning, at least not at the early stage of an anticipated disaster. But, no doubt, the masses of people would start asking a lot of inconvenient questions, and demanding immediate, straight answers. As the crisis unfolds, widespread unrest would surely occur, and given the magnitude of this calamity, it can be predicted to be very ugly. As disasters multiply, those who planned and participated in this monstrous cover-up will be especially reviled by the deceived public.

For you casual readers/viewers of what passes for news, it is time to get serious, and start truly ‘following’ the news-- monitor a variety of sources for traces of evidence that might help you get a grasp on what is really happening in this battered world of ours. It’s time to put aside the childish trust in ‘our institutions’ and face the dark prospect that ‘thing’s ain’t what they uset’a be!’

What Will It Take?

2010-12-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

To many observers, we are living in 'end times' as prophesied in various traditions; is it all just hype?

There are a couple of Bible verses that are particularly appropriate for the tenor of these times:
(1) Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? (Jesus' words, Matt 16:3, Luke 12:56 alternate rendering). (2) Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. [4] They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (Peter's words, 2 Pet 3:3,4)

Isn't the world at large behaving precisely as these verses describe? On the one hand, there's an abundance of environmental signs seeking to be discerned. Perhaps the most notable example is the debate over 'climate change.' As I write this, a world conference on 'global warming' is wrapping up in Cancun, Mexico-- which, just recorded its lowest temperatures on record, coincidentally. Also happening presently is the simultaneous eruption of volcanoes in widely separated parts of the world-- Indonesia, Iceland, Italy, and South America, (and there may be others). Animal species are disappearing; strange sonic booms, and humming noises are reported in diverse locales; fireballs have been captured on film in various places, including the Canadian prairies. Concern is being voiced about the behavior of the earth's magnetic field, leading some to speculate if a pole reversal may be coming. The frequency of major earthquakes has increased, with devastating results. More than half a million people have died as a result of the great, SE Asian quake/tsunami of Dec. 2004, and the earthquake in Haiti of Jan. 2010, (not to forget the magnitude 8.8 quake in Chile in 2010). I could cite other calamities that can easily qualify as 'signs of the times,' but the reader can surely think of others, too, without much prompting.

And then there's the immediate chorus of the 'scoffers,' the deniers, those who would really prefer to believe in yesterday, as the Beatles' song goes. 'Climate change... what climate change?' they scoff, even as Europe digs out of another unprecedented winter blast, and transportation is paralyzed in the Mid-west and Eastern USA. Volcanoes-- so what? There are lots of volcanic mountains all over the world; some are bound to erupt simultaneously at times. And so it goes; they have a soothing rationale for any and every disturbing situation you can present. Everything is going on as it has since the world began; we're just better at detecting the little fluctuations. For those readers who are captivated by this comforting reasoning, no amount of evidence can dislodge their confidence in Darwinian uniformitarianism. Like the passengers on the steam ship Titanic, they just know that their vessel is unsinkable-- that's what all the experts told them, in any case.

Yet, if the assertion of impending doom is accurate, what would it take to get the majority to finally take note that it's not business as usual on planet Earth? We've already had numerous events that, if placed in sequence, indicate a trend of increasing severity. Suppose there occurred a major earthquake in one part of the earth that generates a killer tsunami... followed within hours by another major quake on the other side of the world, and all of this mayhem resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, possibly even into the six figures. Would such a chain of events be the tipping point of belief for a majority of the populace? I suspect it would unsettle quite a large segment; but for how long? Would the mainstream be ready to acknowledge that it may signal a new order of instability? You can be sure the Powers that Be would use all their arsenal of media manipulation tricks to smother the flames of anxiety among the great masses. Ironically, they use those tricks presently to fan the fires of apprehension over the vague threat of terrorism. In the scenario of global disaster, they would trot out all kinds of talking heads to appear on all their captive, tri-literal TV stations and utter all manner of scientific assurances that it's really just a string of bad luck.

Okay then, if it's more than the mere 'statistical variability' of the natural world, then what is happening? Well, if you examine the data-- the records of hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, over the past 150 or so years when reliable readings have been collected-- you see the trends. (I'd argue that all it takes is for anyone in the 'older age' bracket with a good memory and an unbiased outlook.) And in this case, the trend is definitely not our friend. Of all the indicators, the most telling are the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes, since this reveals the relative activity of the Earth's crust. And we humans live, like the fleas on a dog, on the very surface of the terrestrial crust. We know that the land masses constitute an interlocking set of 'plates' that are in constant, slow, minute movement caused by a number of forces acting upon them. Inevitably, they grind against each other, and 'something has to give.' The periodic adjustments in position of one plate against another are felt as tremors, and when more energetic, as quakes. The trend reveals an increase in the proportion of quakes in the more severe range, which would be those registering 5.0 or greater on the Richter scale.

The obvious question (or criticism) is, where does the earthquake trend end? And why should it be in a global catastrophe? Reasonable questions. Here's where the element of faith-- or doubt-- emerges. Yes, runaway global warming, or a world-wide re-settling of tectonic plates, might cause great upheaval for a while, but humanity would eventually readjust and life would go on. But, numerous ancient traditions, differing widely on the surface, show a surprising overlap in their depictions of the 'end of the Age.' Why should one listen to such 'antiquated myths' in this 'scientific' age? Precisely because many of these traditions describe general societal conditions in terms that sound amazingly contemporary. Again, the skeptics can unearth hoary texts from Roman, Greek or Egyptian times that sound like modern laments over the decline of society or the end of the world. That's true in some ways. On closer scrutiny, these texts are usually seen to be local and subjective complaints. What the apocalyptic prophecies of widely separated traditions describe is a set of indicators that read much like the signs of these times, that I've already outlined. Moreover, most of the ancient oracles express a cyclical model of time-- i.e. the world experiences a predetermined rhythm of cosmic influences that manifest as repeated patterns of events in the physical realm and in the affairs of mankind. In that model, the world has previously undergone global catastrophe that has extinguished all but a handful of survivors. It is this very concurrence of end-times prognostication that, I would argue, itself constitutes a veritable sign of the times.

If this story is true, why, you wonder, would the authorities want to cover up the evidence pointing to what is called an 'extinction level event' (or ELE)? The answer lies in pure yet unavoidable cynicism: because they want to keep the money rolling in! That's the dark, bottom line, folks; keep the masses ignorant and working feverishly, earning money that the elite have a dozen ways of scamming into their bloated bank accounts. Think of the alternate scenario before scoffing again. If the governors were to say, 'We think the world is headed for an ELE, so you might as well make preparations now,' what do you think would happen? Would the majority continue to toil at their odious jobs, continue to buy all kinds of frivolous 'goods,' continue to pay their rent or mortgages, and so on? Given the past deference of society to their political and scientific establishment, they would take the warning seriously, and hence, would not likely continue living as they do now. In other words, the system would break down quite soon.

You might object, why would the elite want to continue amassing money if they were certain the world was heading for collapse, where the monetary system would be useless? Good question! The thing is that the wealthy elite really believe that they can use their resources to survive the catastrophe in underground bunkers and so on, and then emerge to resume life at the top of the heap (so to speak). It's a bizarre hope, yet their experts have assured them it's do-able. Around every big-shot kingpin, there are always the sycophants who ingratiate themselves by repeating what they figure the boss wants to hear... and, who knows, they figure-- it just might succeed. Meanwhile, let the ignorant masses proceed blithely to their doom; it will be easier for the elite to reestablish their hegemony after several billion 'drones' have perished. So goes their self-serving reasoning.

What about you, dear reader-- would you gladly lap up any official blandishments that make the problem go away? Will you cling to any available scrap of denial in the hope that it's all a terrible conspiracy theory? Whether big, spectacular, and widespread, or small, negligible and local, the signs of these times will continue to occur, and call for your attention. I urge you to start thinking about such things now, because once they happen in your neighborhood, it may be too late to consider what it all means.
"Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe." (John 14:29)

Revelation Revisited - Part 2

2010-12-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

In Part 1, we looked at chapters 13 and 17, showing how they were two, complementary descriptions of world affairs in the closing years of Earth's history. This essay examines chapter 18, which I hope to demonstrate, is an extension of the prophetic views outlined in the previously studied chapters.

Chapter 18 (and bear in mind that the text was segmented into 'chapters' only long after it was written) discusses the 'fall of Babylon.' As we stated before, Revelation is written in symbols, so Babylon is to be taken as a figurative entity. In the OT, Babylon was a great city-state that once ruled a 'golden empire,' as Daniel assures King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter two of his memoir. Over time, it came to be recognized as a place of distasteful pagan practices and finally, symbolic of all that opposes true worship of the one God. Of important note, Peter refers to Babylon in his epistles (see 1 Pet 5:13) long after the destruction of the original city, and most scholars agree that he's obviously referring to Rome, in an emblematic sense.

Now, generally speaking, a woman is understood to represent a church or a religion, and there are a number of scripture verses to support this view. However, I believe that in Revelation, a woman can also represent a nation. Chapter 18's main protagonist, is called Babylon, and referred to as 'she,' and in feminine terms. My proposition is that this Babylon is a great nation-state, having a number of revealing characteristics. Let's look into them. (As usual, texts are from the NASB unless specified otherwise).

Revelation 18 Text (from NASB)	Comments
1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory.	After the vision of ch. 17, another, glorious angel comes from heaven, one who speaks with authority. [i.e. This is a new vision, from a new & credible source.]
2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.	Babylon is 'great'-- a prominent entity [nation] on the world stage. But, she has fallen to a very disgusting state of immorality. [The 'unclean birds' of scripture are primarily birds of prey, i.e. predators. See Lev 11:13-19]
3 "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality."	All nations have gotten involved in the excesses and immorality of this nation, and businessmen (and corporations) have gained great wealth by cooperating with her decadence.
4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;	A warning for God's people not to participate in the widespread corruption of this system, at risk of receiving the punishments due.
5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.	God is mindful of her vast immorality!
6 "Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.	The time of karmic retribution has come; she will reap what she sowed, in double amount.
7 "To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, 'I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning.'	This nation lives as if there was no tomorrow, thinking there would never be an end to the wretched excesses of her lifestyle.
8 "For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.	Because of her arrogance, disaster will come on her swiftly; a confluence of various calamities coming all at once.
9 "And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning,	The rulers of other countries, who had all been corrupted by her, will be upset to see her destruction come so rapidly.
10 standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'	The other rulers keep their distance from such vast destruction, but marvel how such a powerful nation could come to ruin so quickly.
11 "And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more--	Here's the thing! The businessmen mourn because their prime market for goods has disappeared.
12 cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble,	It's not the exact items that are important, but the variety ('every kind') and the value of all these commodities that one should note.
13 and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives.	As above, but this time, the items have more spiritual significance. Note, too, the inclusion of 'slaves' and 'human lives.'
14 "The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them.	Babylon becomes barren of the splendiferous things that were her hallmark.
15 "The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,	The businessmen and traders who grew rich from dealing with Babylon are afraid to get close to her, so great are her disasters.
16 saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls;	All they can do is marvel at the fate of once-great Babylon, draped in riches and wealth.
17 for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!' And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance,	More emphasis on the suddenness of Babylon's collapse, and the aloofness of her onlookers. Note reference to international traders (who 'make their living by the sea).
18 and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like the great city?'	More stupefaction by the onlooking world.
19 19 "And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!'	How much more emphasis do we need to show that this will be an unprecedented fall from wealth to ruin?
20 "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her."	Godly people should take heart that God has exercised justice on evil Babylon.
21 Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.	A graphic demonstration of how this nation will be destroyed, never to rise again.
22 "And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer;	Babylon's vaunted 'entertainment industry' will be terminated, as will her light and heavy industries.
23 and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.	Babylon's 'merchants' (corporate interests) were the de-facto rulers of earth, and she led all nations astray thru lies and elaborate deception.
24 "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth."	This nation killed those who spoke truth, and (notably) 'all' people who've been slaughtered on Earth.

Analysis

Whew! That's a difficult passage to read without feeling the immensity of judgement being exercised by God against this evil, corrosive 'city.' Yet, as I read it in light of events and revelations that have emerged in the past seven years or so, I came to a conclusion that seems inescapable-- Babylon, here, is none other than the United States of America! What other entity could possibly match the clues more closely? Some have argued that she is the Roman Catholic Church, but in view of the clear evidence, I think that is to give far too much credit to that organization. We have to consider the emphasis on 'merchants' and international trade ('all who ply their trade on the sea'), and on the list of commodities and luxury goods, including even 'slaves' and human trafficking. And the scriptures refer to her as a 'city'-- a secular term, not something with religious connotation. Most of these clues cannot be easily transposed to religion, and their sheer repetition is a significant indicator of their importance to the prophetic picture.

And what a sorry picture it is: a nation that corrupts all other nations of the world, using deception and 'sorcery,' and uses its power to kill all who dare to oppose her. This is a nation that spends huge treasure to develop technologies for more efficient ways to kill and destroy (i.e. it's 'sorcery'). It is becoming common knowledge how the USA uses the CIA and other agencies to infiltrate and overthrow 'uncooperative' regimes, using American trained 'death squads' where felt necessary to achieve their desired ends. Even Hollywood, center of the entertainment industry, has released movies based on these very tricks of international manipulation. US based multinational corporations often have larger revenues than the GDP of all but the top handful of nations, making their owners 'the great men of the earth.' And America has become so arrogant that she is blind to any suggestion that all empires have always failed, and especially when hubris reigned unchecked by either reality or morality. America considers herself a queenly kingdom that will never be without consorts and will never have to face hardships like the 'lesser' nations.

I think the fact that Peter referred obliquely to Rome of his day as Babylon provides telling legitimacy to my assertion that the USA of today is Babylon of Revelation 18. First century Rome, while technically a big city, was also a city-state, and really, the capital of a nation-state that became an empire. Likewise, the USA is a highly urbanized nation, like a collection of cities, where New York and Washington DC represent the very essence of Babylonian traits. Remember that chapter 17 ended with the statement that "(18) The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth." In part one I said that it wasn't clear whether the woman is a religious system or else a nation or political-economic system. With our analysis of chapter 18, in the light of recent and current historical events, I believe the ambiguity is resolved. First, in chapter 17, Babylon could represent failed, corrupt religion, and this part of the vision was fulfilled in a primary sense during the terrible centuries of the Dark Ages of religious ignorance and persecution. But towards the close of ch. 17, the vision shifts to a political-religious perspective, and Babylon now represents a national, perhaps even a corporatist system that dominates the geo-political sphere.

It is quite significant to observe the behavior of the other nations, those that grew wealthy thru trade and cooperation. They stand afar, and are afraid to approach Babylon in her punishment, for fear of sharing in it. That's very interesting, isn't it? In view of the utter destruction depicted in the prophecy, and the repeated mention of the reluctance of onlookers to get close to Babylon, a modern reader would immediately think of atomic bombs and the fear of radiation poisoning. Perhaps the words are not meant to be taken so literally, yet the emphasis on keeping at a distance certainly echoes the warning to Lot and his family when they fled Sodom and Gomorrah, not to even look back, lest they be affected.

To anyone who has studied the monstrous behavior of successive American administrations in the last 50 (even 100) years, it is no shock that this country is overdue for a massive karmic pay-back. The lives that have been brutally terminated as a result of US foreign misadventures; the lies that keep pouring from the White House to cover and justify their remorseless predation, all cry out to the God of justice for divine intervention. Whole countries have been ruined (think Vietnam and Agent Orange; think Iraq and depleted uranium), innocent civilians cruelly murdered (recall 'dirty wars' in Central America and elsewhere), small countries devastated (e.g. Lebanon, Rwanda, Haiti, etc.), natural resources plundered (e.g. the oil-producing nations), all to satisfy the infinite appetite for wealth and opulence of the masters of American corporate interests. It's a travesty how the mighty USA, while boasting of its huge wealth and power on the one hand, still whines about being a victim of this or that miniscule nation or group of designated 'terrorists.' Every policy promulgated by the administration is, in some degree, a self-serving attempt to accumulate more wealth, more power, regardless of consequences for anyone else. This is not to tar all Americans with a black brush; it is the rulers, the 'great men,' the 'beast powers' who are responsible. Yet, the whole populace is at risk because of their thoughtless complicity in the American lifestyle-- sustainable only by the egregious consumption of a hugely disproportionate share of Earth's resources. God warns 'his people' to get out of Babylon so that they will not receive the punishments that are to be visited upon her. In practical terms this may mean that a true believer should minimize involvement with the excesses of the modern American way of life, and perhaps more than that, should leave the big cities and live in more remote locations. One is reminded of Jesus' warning (in Matthew 24) to his disciples to leave Jerusalem when they see the 'abomination that makes desolate.' Let us hope that the picture will be (made) clear when the time is at hand.

With the study of chapters 13, 17, and 18 of Revelation, I think the broad, bold outlines of the rapidly unfolding future are defined. Furthermore, as we get closer to the end, the prophecy becomes clearer, and already it is possible to make practical sense of the text. This essay concludes my study of Revelation for the time being. If I get new inspiration, I'll contemplate another re-visit.

The Madness Increases

2010-12-04T10:54:00.000-08:00

What else can I call this essay? It's late in the year 2010, and the heat definitely has been turned up a notch, despite the cold in Europe and parts of mid-America. A few weeks ago, it was volcanoes erupting in Indonesia. Then it was the Irish Tiger suddenly mewing like a pussy cat, as they were rather coerced into applying for a bank bail-out from whoever would, please, lend them a few (quite a few) billion Euros. It seems that the way this game is played in the capitalist world, is that banks lend a crap-load of 'money' (such as it is) to 'risk-takers' (note the moniker they love to boast) who pour it into mega-projects such as big condo complexes and the like. When the economic down-turn hit these projects with the realization that there were not enough ordinary folks with money for those new homes, etc., well then the risk-takers could not pay the banks back for the loans. That's when the banks went to the governments and cried piteously that they might have to close unless they got generous sums of money from 'someone.' The governments in question (e.g. Iceland, Greece, Ireland.... who's next?) were persuaded to nationalize the debt of these banks, thus making the banks' problem into the problem of every citizen of said beset nations. In other words, it's 'capitalism' when there's money to be scooped... but corporate socialism when the risks don't pan out. Folks, there's something awfully rotten about that picture!

While the weather outside is frightful, and the economic news far from delightful, another ill wind suddenly blew onto the scene in the form of something called Wikileaks. If non-geeky people had never heard of this thing before, they now have had a solid week or more of constant spouting about it from the mainstream media (surprise! read on). Modelled on Wikipedia, the user-defined, online dictionary, Wikileaks is a website depository of information that would otherwise have been kept hidden by its government or corporate holders. There was a bit of a stir, months ago, when the site released US military video clips from Afghanistan showing helicopter gunships obliterating hapless 'enemies' (or other) on the ground, and the flyers gloating over their bloody massacre. This latest release was first announced ahead of time, then given extensive coverage (at least of selected stories) by the mainstream media. Why is this surprising? Because one would have expected the MSM-- who have demonstrated consistent protection of US gaffes and law-breaking, especially since 911-- to have, similarly, buried these unsavory revelations down the black memory-hole. Instead, they have made a big deal of them, gleefully giving us numerous examples of the dirty dealings of Uncle Sam with his minions all around this world. When you comprehend that the major purveyors of what passes for news in the Western world are owned by a mere handful of Zionist interests, and then take note that, out of a quarter million dispatches, hardly a one even mentions Israel and its besmirched activities, you have all the proof necessary to support the now widespread claim of most netizens in the know, that Wikileaks is really an Israeli weapon of unofficial war. Think about that for a while before flipping to the hockey scores.

If the preceding stories weren't enough to get our blood pressure up, we've had the stream of anecdotes from the US airports, where the traveling public gets to line up and either be scanned like a piece of baggage, or else undergo a full body feel-up that includes all the once-private parts. If someone had told you ten years ago that this is how flying would be, you might have scoffed. Incredibly, it appears that many Americans, while not exactly comfortable with the process, are nevertheless quite willing to be so humiliated and degraded, all for the cozy comfort of feeling 'secure.' (How secure can a thinking person be when treated this way... and when the 'lapses' still continue to be 'apprehended' at the last moment by authorities?) Parents warn their children about strangers wanting to touch them in inappropriate ways, and then they allow the same kids to be felt by these government-delegated perverts... how logical is that? The airlines seem to be living in dreamland, unmindful of the very real risk that, sooner than later, people are just going to forego this traumatic nonsense, and stop traveling by air. Maybe that's what the PTB want, regardless that it will send some big corporations down the tubes.

In the same vein, we had to have another (mercifully gentle) reminder that the terrorist bogey-man can strike anywhere, when a teen-aged immigrant was arrested in Portland Oregon for plotting to detonate a bomb in a public place. When you look closer into this ‘story,’ the whole thing starts to look like now-classic, ‘theatre of terrorism.’ It seems the FBI found this poor, immature dupe, cajoled him into exchanging e-mail with a supposed jihadist-- another FBI operative-- and then over a period of several months, guided him into preparing the van loaded with supposed explosives, to be triggered by a supposed phone call... which was another FBI set-up. Ya gotta wonder-- just how much input in all this ‘sting’ did Mohamed Osman Mohamud really have? This charade is similar to the big bust of 18 Arab-Canadians a couple of years ago, where a government operative had groomed the naïve participants, leading them into a plot to a point where the trap was sprung on them. One would hope that young Muslims would take a serious lesson from all these enticing operations.

As I predicted a few essays ago, the US Transportation Security Agency has set up a screening operation at a Florida bus station, subjecting travelers to the same kind of invasive checks as they do at airports. Yes, I said bus station! Apparently it’s not a permanent fixture-- not yet, at least. They plan on setting up such ‘security checks’ at various public transportation sites across the country, on a rotating or random basis. The mind-conditioning proceeds. And again, Americans were largely sanguine about the process, believing they are being ‘protected.’ The Powers That Be must be laughing their guts out. Remember, tho, that I also predicted the scans would appear at other popular venues, such as shopping malls and big office buildings. Stay tuned.

Well, I think that’s probably enough excitement for a mere 6 weeks in the life of beleaguered planet Earth. To those who aren’t in serious denial, or in total somnambulistic mode (that’s sleep-walking), it’s obvious that the shocks are coming fast and furious. It’s worth noting that various ancient traditions with a belief in the cyclical nature of time predicted that near the end of this age, events would speed up, time itself would seem to accelerate. Terrance McKenna (of 2012 fame) coined the term ‘novelty’ to refer to such societal disturbances, and saw them as increasing in logarithmic scale. The Mayan view of cosmic time includes nine levels of temporal space, each one being 20 times ‘faster’ than the previous, while recapitulating the same series of significant fluctuations within the compressed time. I’m capsulizing a great amount of research here, just to give the reader a flavor of the context for the craziness that characterizes these perilous times. It can’t all be simply ‘coincidence.’

Lest We Forget

2010-11-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

Just as individuals can suffer from a variety of delusional mental conditions, so too, whole societies exhibit signs of collective psychoses.

This hidden malady becomes especially apparent to me every year around the ironically named 'Remembrance Day.'

To me, that is the day we (society) pay special tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives or their health while serving in uniform in some military capacity... so that we can purge our emotions about the whole foolishness of war, and carry on for another year without reconsidering it.

For Canadians, it's a day when we can feed our fantasies about our military adventures with the comforting assurances that our troops, like glorified boy scouts, go abroad to bring peace, order, and good government to hapless nations. There's a whole matrix of subsidiary delusions that all contribute to the military myth. A major element is patriotism, which entails not only love of country but protection of all things Canadian, especially our soldiers... or perhaps, our illusions about our soldiers.

If we really wanted to protect our troops, we would simply not send them into far-away wars with no obvious benefit to Canada. But that little truth is always plastered over with copious platitudes about 'defending democracy,' and such flimsy nonsense. A little insight should show anyone that a poverty-stricken region like Afghanistan poses no threat to Canada, especially if we'd been prudent enough to maintain at least the thin veneer of honest broker that this country once enjoyed before becoming what amounts to 'Amerika-lite.'

Of course, any suggestion that 'our wars' are as futile as all the others is met with instant hostility and accusations of dishonoring our valiant soldiers who died so that I could make my outrageous claims. Yes, the regular soldiers place themselves in harm’s way to carry out the commands of the generals back in HQ... who are carrying out the orders from the politicians who happen to be in office when the 'threats' are addressed. We must honor their sacrifices, and that means a group pretense that it was all worthwhile, and forget about nagging doubts that haunt the memories of the survivors and their loved ones.

We are locked in this sick pattern of lamenting the loss of our youth in recurring wars, while refusing to squarely face the question of why we get involved in these conflicts in the first place. As long as society persists in this unhealthy cycle, there is no hope of ever ending it.

And so, while individuals can go to psychiatrists for deliverance from their delusions, societies simply lurch along, nurturing their myths until some national crisis arises to render denial no longer viable, and the therapy is drastic.

It's early November and, once again, time to remember, lest we forget. But, what do we choose to remember? We get focused on the departed, and invent a mythos that makes their untimely demise somehow valuable. Anyone who tries to ask the fundamental questions about how this happens, is ignored or denounced as unpatriotic.

It’s November 12, and we can now carry on sending more young soldiers off to war, satisfied with the promise that we’ll honor them next Remembrance Day if they should make the ultimate sacrifice.

I call it madness; few seem to agree.

Has Jesus Already Returned?

2010-11-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

To the majority of mainstream Christians, the assertion that Christ has already returned for the second time seems absurd, even self-evidently absurd. Yet,

there are a number of sizable cults or faiths that believe exactly that notion-- that the ‘Second Coming’ has already happened.

Let’s quickly survey some of these beliefs, and then examine whether there can be any reality to this claim.

First, as to who believes such a strange-sounding notion, there are a few notables. Perhaps the best-known of these groups are the Jehovah Witnesses (also called the Watchtower Society). In their view, Jesus returned in a ‘spiritual manner’ in 1914, and the world is living in the so-called Last Days, and awaiting Armageddon and the subsequent Millennium. How they arrive at this conclusion is not in the purview of this essay; the essential point is that they claim something like 9 or 10 million members who adhere to this view.

Another group, of similar range of worldwide membership, is the Bahai faith. In the Bahai theology, their great patron, teacher and guiding light, Baha’ulla (an adopted name meaning ‘glory of God’) is revered as the promised Second Coming, the (re)incarnation of Christ. They are convinced that their avatar represents the fulfillment of the Christian scriptures that foretell the Second Advent of Jesus, and thus, that events since his appearance in the mid-1800s, fulfill those described in the apocalyptic literature of the New Testament.

As a final example, there are the Preterists, yet another splinter group of Christianity, culled from a variety of denominational backgrounds, who are of the conviction that the eschatological (end times) writings of the NT were all fulfilled in 70 AD, at the sacking of Jerusalem by the Roman legions under their commander, Titus. This opinion is primarily based on ‘the Apocalypse of Jesus’-- i.e. the Olivet discourse recorded in Matthew 24 (and the parallel passages in Mark 13 and Luke 21). In those verses, Jesus is quoted as assuring his listeners that ‘this generation’ will not pass away before all his stated predictions would occur. Among those predictions was the one that must have been particularly chilling to his Jewish listeners-- namely, the destruction of the great Temple that had been built centuries earlier by Solomon, destroyed and rebuilt in roughly the 5th millennium BC, and again restored by Herod (then a recent event). Since the Temple and its bureaucracy (the Sanhedrin) were at the heart of the Jewish religion as it had come to exist, any prediction of its destruction was taken as signaling the ‘End of the Age,’ in the minds of Jewish listeners.

So, the question stands: did Jesus return, as promised in the NT, in year 70, or in 1844, or 1914.... or any other year following his death on the cross at mount Calvary? To begin with, it is obvious that one of the strongest arguments against an already accomplished Second Advent is the very fact that there is such a divergence of accepted dates! They can’t all be correct; and if there is such disagreement, then clearly, the matter is hardly a black-and-white case.

While one may wonder how these believers can support such a theory, you have to understand that the only resort they can employ to support their view is to invoke the spiritual realm. What they all claim is that the eschatological scriptures are not to be taken in a literal sense, but they must be interpreted symbolically and as reflecting a purely spiritual reality. Thus, for example, when Jesus states that his return will be as the lightning that flashes from the east to the west, Bahai’s regard this as a symbolic reference to the fact that their message originated in Persia, and spread from there westward, to the Middle East, Europe, and then North America, all within a very brief interval, in historical terms. Similarly, the Preterists interpret all the language in Jesus’ apocalypse as allegorical, finding plausible, local scenarios that could account for details that read as global in the literal sense. Similarly, the JWs have developed a figurative interpretation of all the Biblical scriptures that bear on the question of Jesus’ Second Advent, and make the ambiguous claim that he returned ‘in spirit’ in the early 20th century.

Any analysis of the ‘already arrived’ claim must, therefore, consider whether the scriptures invoked in that scenario are purely symbolic or literal in nature. Or, in the third situation, we acknowledge that the words remain ambiguous. In that case, tho, one can still make educated guesses based on certain ‘hermeneutic’ principles (i.e. protocols of ‘exegesis’-- scriptural analysis).

To be transparent, my outlook is that the eschatological texts fall into recognizable classes that the context itself determines explicitly. In my view, ‘context overrules pretext!’ The books of Daniel and Revelation are undoubtedly symbolic-- they are full of visions of ‘beasts,’ horns, dragons, damsels, etc. Both Daniel and John make it clear that these books are records of their ‘visions’ or dreams-- information obtained in an altered state of consciousness. On the other hand, the predictions of Jesus, recorded in the synoptic gospels, are almost undoubtedly literal. Whenever Jesus spoke symbolically, the writer tells us that he was speaking in parables. The apostles were simple men, and every time Jesus told a parable, they asked him to explain it for them. In the Olivet discourse, they do not anywhere make reference to parables. Their question that time was: ‘When will this occur (ie. the destruction of the temple), and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ (Matthew 24:2) Certainly a straightforward question... in terms of semantics.

On second glance, however, one can see clear evidence of conflating two separate events, thus leading to an unavoidable degree of confusion. You see, in the minds of the apostles-- who were either Jews or gentile converts-- the two events had to be one; i.e. the destruction of the temple would signal the End of the Age, which would occur at Jesus’ return. Remember, Jesus had not been arrested and executed at that point, so the disciples were not even necessarily thinking in terms of a Second coming; merely his ‘coming out’ as theocratic ruler. There is plenty of possibility for confusion in this whole chapter. Since the writers (the evangelists) had their own preconceptions of the Messianic Kingdom to come, it is clearly reflected in the way they asked the question. Hence, it is not unreasonable to expect that they quite likely construed Jesus’ response in a way that conformed to their presumptions. Each of us does the same thing, regularly, in understanding new information.

From that observation, we can at least suspect that Jesus’ response as recorded in scripture reflects a conflation of the two specific events-- the destruction of the temple, and his second coming. In fact, the text indicates that nowhere does Jesus try to differentiate the two! This strikes me as odd, since the question was clearly posed with two separate parts-- even if the questioners regarded them as one. Readers who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible may baulk at this suggestion! But note that I am saying that Jesus deliberately obfuscated with the intention of protecting the truth from the tampering of later interpreters. If the meaning is obscure, then there’s no obvious incentive to alter the text. As Jesus told his apostles, "From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He” (John 13:19). In other words, you may not understand a prophecy in advance, but you’ll recognize it when it happens. This is a key concept in dealing with prophecy.

In any case, Jesus goes on to describe events that seem to jump directly to the end of the age, and largely (but not entirely) skip over the sacking of Jerusalem that was to occur barely 40 years later. Verses 15 to 20, however, refer directly to the “abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel... standing in the holy place.” Now, Daniel 9:25-27, where the abomination is mentioned, clearly predict the destruction of Jerusalem that was to occur in 70 AD. [There are people like certain ‘Dispensationalists’ who disagree, but their view is influenced by the tenuous, subjective commentaries adduced in Darby’s Bible translation by Scofield. Space does not allow the required exposition, but it’s available in my other essays.] So, this segment (vs 15-20) is Jesus’ answer to the first part of the apostles question... BUT it appears that they still did not recognize that fact. That is, they still understood his words as if he were answering only one question.

Then Jesus’ apocalyptic descriptions go back to the frightening pictures of a planet and cosmos in chaos, and culminating in his coming on the clouds of heaven with his angelic host (verses 21 to the end of chapter 24). Just to illustrate the generally confusing nature of this chapter, notice verse 28, which states, “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather,” which strikes the reader as a complete ‘non-sequitur’. It appears out of nowhere, and seems to relate to nothing previously stated.

Since there is no disclaimer by the gospel writers that Jesus was speaking parabolically, two millennia of Christian faithful have looked ahead to the return of Christ in which he subdues Evil, and assumes rulership of the Earth-- as described in scripture. The primary verses used to construct this belief are the following: Matthew 24/Mark 13/Luke 21, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 15, 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Peter 3, Jude, and Revelation (esp. ch. 19, 20, 21).

If one reads all these passages, a definite pattern emerges wherein Jesus returns to Earth from the heavens, with a great deal of noise (‘shouts’, ‘trumpet blasts’, etc.) accompanied by a vast retinue of angels who go out to gather up the believers, and he establishes the final, Godly kingdom of the redeemed on a renewed Earth. It is extremely difficult to try to cast this scene into allegorical terms, such that it is all accomplished silently, stealthily, and completely unnoticed by the majority of the world’s population... as would have had to occur in order to comply with the beliefs that Jesus has already sneaked back to Earth! To forestall the insistence that this could have occurred ‘spiritually’ with the proper insight, I have to point out Jesus’ specific mention in Matt 24:37 that his coming will be just like what happened at the great Deluge. The Flood of Noah’s day was certainly not a spiritual event, but a traumatic, physical, global destruction that marked the end of that age. And to emphasize the import of his warning, he states (vs. 39): “and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” May I suggest that some of them did not understand because they insisted that Noah’s warnings must have been (only) symbolic, and not literal?

The other significant picture that emerges from the collection of apocalyptic, NT verses is that of judgement. Jesus’ Second Advent is concerned with a definitive judging of the living and the dead, and separating them into only two categories-- the saved (redeemed) and the lost (condemned). The saved are to enjoy new life in a new world under a new government. All those (of whatever stripe) who cling to an already accomplished Advent are burdened with the task of explaining how the world can exist in its present, chaotic state, where evil runs rampant, if the Kingdom of God has been secretly, spiritually installed. It can’t be logically done!

To the Bahai’s in particular, I have to point out that nowhere in scripture is it suggested that Christ will return in another incarnation, live a long life, and then die once more. This of course is what happened to Baha’ulla, who lived as an ordinary human, and died in 1892. Where is our ‘new heavens and a new Earth?’ They will respond that it is not yet revealed, but it’s coming. In that case, very little in Baha’ulla’s life corresponds with the details and sequence described in the Christian scriptures... at least not without a great deal of allegorizing and twisting of contexts.

Similarly, the Full Preterists are stuck with the task of explaining how all the details of cosmic distress, the universal appearance of Christ, and the great, White Throne judgement all occurred in 70 AD... while the world, apparently, carried on, oblivious. What they do, evidently, is invoke a yet-to-occur Third Coming of Jesus in some indeterminate future. In this regard, they are not alone, since many Christians believe in a literal thousand years of peace that is mentioned in only one place in scripture, the symbolic book of Revelation (Rev 20). If the Millennium is taken literally, then one must acknowledge that there must be three advents (as indeed, the Dispensationalists do, whether they recognize it or not). Yet, nowhere else in all of scripture is there reference to three advents of the Christ. He first incarnated in human form as Jesus, died as the redeemer, and was resurrected and returned to the heavenly dimension to await his physical return as the Lord of Lords in a renewed world. There is no intermediate coming.

The problem posed by the symbolic Millennium is similar to the problem of Jesus’ mentioning that: “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matt 24:34). In ‘solving the problem’ of how his apocalyptic prophecies could all happen before the literal generation of hearers would pass away, the Preterists create far greater problems. Likewise, in taking a literal Millennium, Dispensationalists create the problem of three comings, which is nowhere else supported. Both these instances demonstrate the pitfalls of violating the ‘rule of simplicity’ (a.k.a. ‘Occam’s Razor’). That is, wherever possible, the simplest interpretation is to be taken in preference to a complicated one. It’s an elementary hermeneutic used in every discipline, not just exegesis.

What about the thousand years, then? Well, most scholars agree that Revelation presents several ‘parallel views’ of the same period, the ‘Church era,’ which is described as: ‘a time, times, and half a time;’ or as ‘three and a half years,’ or ‘1260 days,’ in various chapters, but which is, in any case, clearly symbolic. The pattern is altered in chapter 20, where it is now called ‘a thousand years;’ but the period is really the same as the others, i.e. the Church Age. And, concerning the phrase ‘this generation,’ used by Jesus in the Olivet discourse, many commentators regard it in one of its alternate Greek renderings as referring to the people born during the whole aeon-- the same Church era. Yes, there’s a certain amount of speculation here; but overall, it entails far less subsidiary chaos than does accepting a literal interpretation and then building a whole eschatology around the ensuing ‘damage control.’

To summarize, then, about the question ‘Did Jesus return during the past 2,000 years?’

1) The preponderance of historical, physical evidence, in combination with the most direct, common sense interpretation of the relevant scriptures, overwhelmingly support the negative response-- No, Jesus has not yet returned (in glory, as world ruler).

2) To construct a scenario in which Jesus has already returned, one must invoke figurative, spiritual interpretations of the eschatological scriptures, even where such understanding is not warranted by standard, hermeneutical practice, nor by the literal contexts.

3) Jesus told his listeners “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: "As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (Matt 24:32-33). He specifically makes a parallel with something tangible and comprehensible to anyone-- a fruit tree. His example was not haphazard; Jesus said when we ‘see’ all these things, we will know. This analogy makes it clear, I believe, that he was NOT talking about symbolic (spiritual) events, but rather about physical events observable by anyone who makes the effort. It’s not something that only initiates of a school of Bible study will be capable of understanding!

"And behold, I am coming quickly: Blessed is the one who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book." (Rev 22:7)

Who's Behind the Curtain?

2010-10-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

You only have to spend hours a day, over several years, on the Internet, skulking about the 'alternative news' sites, and you will see that there exists a vast range of ideas on virtually everything. There are many individuals who are quite sure they know precisely who is to blame for the ills of the world. They can state with certainty that it's the Vatican by means of the Jesuits. Or, it's undoubtedly the Freemasons. Others are positive it's the Bilderburg group.... or is it the Trilateral Commission? No, it's really the Council on Foreign Relations. Among the popular choices are the Illuminati, and more recently, extraterrestrials, or the Zionists. You can see that there are a great many choices that the novice conspiracy fan can select from. So many, in fact, that any sincere researcher must wonder what, if anything, can be believed. To those who bother to do the research,

the world is being directed by powerful forces that keep making disastrous choices for mankind on the international, political and economic scene. Yet, who's really responsible?

Which of all the designated bogeymen is the true culprit?

Well, that, of course, is the vital question confronting the individuals who know something's wrong and want to do something about it. That's the primary reason the conspirators have enjoyed such success over the years-- the fact that their identity is so obscure that there's no consensus on who they are. Not only are there numerous schools of thought on who is to blame, but the different camps attack each other viciously, convinced that they are right and the others are all wrong. To really get things confused, it is clear by now that the conspirators, while few in number, are immensely wealthy, and know how to leverage that wealth to their consummate advantage. One of their tricks is to fund one or another, or several, of these conspiracy theory groups, and give them full rein to attack the others. It looks like a chaotic mess to the rational, unbiased mind.

Regrettably, there are few truly unbiased people. Maybe it's not possible, in the ultimate sense. Yet there must be some way that a disinterested onlooker can discern who has a valid outlook and who does not. Frankly, I haven't found the magic answer yet, but I believe that one can perceive in broad terms who are the major players. For instance, we can surely agree that our political leaders are on the payroll of the hidden manipulators. Bush (and company) and Blair were clearly the terrible twosome of the first decade of the century, humming from the same song-sheet, and leveraging their respective domestic attack incidents ('9-11' and the 'London bombing of 7/7') to justify their invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the never-ending war on terror. Today, we have Obama, Brown, Harper, and others, trying to put a friendly face on the same old imperial aggression, as the war in Iraq is privatized, and that in Afghanistan is escalated. What it is, obviously, is the old game of 'good cop, bad cop' played out on the international scene.

But, just as clearly, the political suits are just the front men, the puppets of forces behind the curtain who write the scripts and pull the stings. And these people have unimaginable wealth at their disposal, so they can buy any politician or political party they want. They control all the influential 'info-tainment' media of the Western world, can spin every event to suit their agenda, and have been mind-conditioning the 'free world' for decades. Hence, these puppet-masters are the uber-rich of the world; but don't just think of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Sure those two are super-wealthy, but our conspirators are probably much richer! It sounds incredible, but remember, these are persons from a handful of aristocratic family dynasties, mostly European, who have become fully adept at hiding their wealth and their activities from the glare of publicity. The media may make fortunes on the dalliances of royalty, or entertainers, but they simply stay silent on the missteps of the members of these elite tribes.

Similarly, the white-collar criminals of Wall Street are modern robber-barons who make fortunes selling short the companies they later purchase at fire-sale prices. They shamelessly ask for bail-outs from their friends in Washington, then award themselves 'performance bonuses' for their (apparent) gross incompetence. We saw billions of dollars vacuumed from the middle-class into the voracious maw of the investment bankers, in a process that continues unabated; but these, too, are not the real 'wizards of Oz' hiding behind the curtain. Again, the banksters are front men, bag-men, for the hidden manipulators.

On the geo-political scene, the picture is becoming clearer, too. In decades past, a great deal of trouble was covertly fomented by the United States government or its surrogates, leaving a bloody trail of despotic governments, failed states, poverty-stricken populations, and general chaos around the world. But, since the Second WW, a new force emerged, slyly, as the trouble-maker supreme. This is Israel, via its various secret agencies, but notably, the Mossad. Some can argue that it's not Israel, per se, but Zionism, the malignant political school that engineered the establishment of this nation in 1947-48, and continues as the prime mover behind everything it does. Using Israeli-American 'assets' (Jews holding dual citizenship) the Zionists have infiltrated the highest levels of successive US administrations, shaping US foreign policy, and economic planning. Under their influence, the US has been supplying something like $2 -3 billion dollars annually, to Israel, with apparently, zero accountability. Not surprisingly, Israel has never, in its 60+ years, tried to achieve a genuine peace with the Palestinians, since why should they? There is no need to find a peaceful compromise when the money allows them to build one of the largest military force on Earth with which to intimidate all their less fortunate neighboring countries.

Now, we have identified a few obvious culprits by observing real events 'on the ground.' Here's where it gets tricky. We're just one remove from the top of the pyramid, but that last step is the slipperiest, and many pundits get lost in the fervor of their favorite bogeyman theory. If you dig into the roots of Zionism, you find correlations with those elite families that sequester hidden wealth in European estates, wealth that ballooned after each World War. More telling, if you explore the origins of modern Zionism, you find a document called The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, that lays out a blueprint for the collapse of Western society with the ultimate goal of rulership of the world by the Zionist elite. This document, not surprisingly, has been denied as authentic by Zionists and Jews in general, and of course, denounced as another example of anti-Semitism. However, it is not hard to accept this manuscript as genuine, for one simple, powerful argument-- all of recent history (ie. from the approximate time of its authorship, mid-19 century) has unfolded almost exactly as prescribed in the Protocols! Unless you are a true believer in 'coincidence theory,' this is very convincing evidence.

Another factor that clarifies the once-hidden picture is its spiritual dimension. I mean Israel has this rather schizophrenic nature, purporting to be a secular homeland for ethnic Jews, while most of those Jews adhere in varying degrees to their religion, Judaism. Zionists may pay lip service to this religion when it serves their purposes, but in reality, their unspoken religion is satanic. They are steeped in occultism, based on the arcane traditions of Kabbalah, a secretive practice that was an adaptation of the cults to which the Jews were exposed during their captivity in Babylon. Some readers refuse to recognize the existence of Satan, the 'Prince of this world,' who hates God and Jesus, and who desires to be worshipped as God by humanity. But, again, viewing history thru spiritual eyes, one can see how an evil force has worked behind the scenes, over many centuries, towards the goal of 'god-ship' on Earth. Thru a succession of Jewish agents, the Illuminati was spawned in the 18th century, and set about amassing huge wealth, and employing it to reinvent the map of Europe by a series of revolutions and wars. Zionism was born of the efforts of Theodore Hertzl in the 19th century, and he immediately labored towards the establishment of a 'Jewish homeland' in Palestine. The 'Great War' that we now call World War I, was a key step towards the goal. The Balfour Declaration of 1919 gave to Jews dispersed thru-out Europe the 'right' to live in Palestine, with the proviso that the rights of the indigenous Arabs were not to be violated. Needing a more drastic impetus, the Zionists set the stage for the next big blow-up, WW-2. We all know about the 'Holocaust' of Jews by the Nazis, an event whose details are protected against serious inquiry, but that has been leveraged masterfully in achieving the Zionist dream.

While the wartime Allies looked on rather stunned, the Zionists shipped European Jews to Palestine, and by displacing the Arab population, established their Jewish homeland which they named Israel. Later, in the 1967 (and 1973) wars against the neighboring Arab states, stories were circulated of ‘miraculous’ victories over ‘superior’ enemy forces, (victories that probably should have been attributed to covert American assistance in terms of information and weapons). All this created mystique being intended to convince gullible Christians in the US and elsewhere that God is protecting this revived Israel.

Since then, this tiny enclave has grown incredibly strong, and now seems bent on greater ambitions. By means of their 'dual citizen' agents in the USA, the Zionists have gained effective control of the world's sole superpower, which magnifies their force by a huge factor. Israel is the dominant nation in their immediate region, having the biggest military and the most vibrant, if artificial, economy of all its neighbors. By instigating the US incursions into Iraq (in 1990 and again in 2003) and the invasion of Afghanistan, Israel has, by proxy, extended its influence over the whole 'Middle East/Asian' region. In addition, it is clear that Israel wants to remove all Arab presence in Jerusalem, and many believe that the goal is to replace the Muslim mosque on the 'Temple Mount' with a rebuilt Jewish Temple. That remains to be seen, but it would fit in with the notion of an emergent 'Anti-Christ', pseudo-savior who appears and installs himself in Jerusalem, as the anticipated Jewish Messiah (whom they expect for the first advent).

Whether we believe in this Anti-Christ or not, the manipulators could 'fulfill' the expectation for a Messiah by coaching and presenting a chosen agent for that role, if it suits their purposes. This is the culmination of the 'spiritual' aspect of Zionism; the crossover point between the political conspiracy of the Illuminati and the Biblical prophecies of the End of the Age. The whole aim of the Zionist scheme for global domination is the installation of a satanic, false Messiah in Jerusalem, who represents the fusion of political and religious power ruling the world. Whether they fully comprehend this or not, it is the final goal of their master, the evil presence behind the scenes, to be 'worshipped' (willingly or otherwise) as the god of this Earth. This usurpation by stealth of the legitimate role of Jesus (gained by his sacrifice on the cross) would be the crowning achievement of Satan! Apparently, he doesn't care what happens after that-- the destruction of all life (by, for ex. atomic war) matters nothing to him. Even his own destruction-- described clearly in scriptures-- seems to be of no consequence; otherwise, why would he pursue this insane plan? To deface and destroy the marvelous planet that God created for mankind seems to be the only motivation for the Prince of Darkness.

Thus, if we can't quite pull the curtain of obscurity completely aside, at least the main features of the hidden wizards can be perceived. Yes, there are Freemasons, Bilderburgers, etc., and the coordinating group, the Illuminati, all infiltrated and manipulated by the Zionists, who are acting on behalf of the master, the embodiment of pure Evil, Satan-- capo di tutti capi. Many readers will be incensed at this analysis, and write me off as an insane religious nut. Yet, you scoffers are happy to believe all kinds of other speculations dispensed as 'scientific certainty,' when there is nothing but presumption to back them up. You shut your mind and imagination from anything beyond the physical, tangible universe... and thereby lay yourself open to all manner of deception. The theory I've presented here is coherent, consistent with known observation, and internally logical. Where you disagree is at the final step-- that 'capstone of the occult pyramid' that I identify as Satan. Who or what would you prefer to install there, instead? What other conclusion makes sense? This is where the various camps of pundits diverge all over the map, thereby giving the game to the evil opponents.

The failure of modern, mind-conditioned man to believe in his creator, God, is matched, with deadly consequence, by his failure to believe in His adversary, Satan. Hence, we have no alternative but to march forward, lemming-like, to the precipice of global disaster that will bring the needed clarity. May God have mercy on us all.

Rushing Towards Timewave Zero

2010-10-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

The 20th century philosopher, Terrance McKenna, (who died in 2000) made the enigmatic assertion that time was both accelerating and compressing, spiraling inward, as it were, towards a 'zero point.' For some, the statement merely reflected his acknowledged experiments with hallucinogenic substances. But, if you take the effort to think about it, he may have hit upon an interesting, even useful, phenomenon.

It's not that history repeats 'exactly'-- that would be like Groundhog Day on a global scale. No; but the broad patterns do repeat, uncannily it seems.

In my observation, the past several years, say from about 2001, have the distinct feel of the 1930s

.... for those who happen to remember either that period itself, or the history of that era. (I fall into the latter group).

Consider that in the early 30's, a dictatorial regime had used subterfuge in a democratic system to seize power in a major country. They spent a lot of money building up their military forces, and on a relentless propaganda campaign to foster ultra-nationalism and a fascist interpretation of capitalism. This regime was virulently anti-Communist, and also began to harass one particular ethnic/religious group in their midst.

During the 1930s, there were local wars in various regions, such as the Spanish Civil War (1936), the Italian campaign in Ethiopia (1935-36), the Japan-China War (starting in 1937). There was world-wide economic turmoil triggered by the collapse of the NY stock market. Thousands of Americans, as well as millions world-wide, were unemployed as the downturn killed consumer demand and hence, manufacturing. There was widespread climate disruption, causing the great drought on the prairies of central USA and Canada, with resultant failure of the wheat crops, and widespread hunger leading to the famous soup lines.

Is all this starting to sound eerily familiar? For you younger readers, let me spell it out. In the contemporary world, we have the virtual take-over, by democratic means, of the US government by an essentially fascist cadre (whether it's called Republican or Democrat). This regime has singled out one ethnic/religious group for tarring as dangerous to the national health-- namely, the Arab/Islamic population, not just inside the USA, but world-wide. Using the power of their captive media, the Powers That Be pretend to be unbiased, while insidiously painting Muslims as sub-human terrorists.

There are bloody wars raging in Iraq, and Afghanistan-Pakistan, as well as rumblings between China and Japan (just recently, over disputed islands), and between the Koreas. The collapse of the so-called mortgage bubble, with subsequent bank failures starting in 2008, has caused international economic turmoil and a hold-your-breath 'recovery' that looks less and less like a recovery. Millions of Americans are unemployed, as once-solid jobs got exported off-shore. Millions more are living in virtual poverty as the banks foreclose on their homes. Climate change has once again created farming chaos in the various bread-basket nations-- Australia, Russia, the USA and Canada-- this time due to excessive rains, wild fires, and drought. Instead of soup-lines, Americans now have food-stamps, but the effect is similar.

On the big picture level, then, there really is a lot of substance to McKenna's analysis of the recycling of time, or more precisely, of history. The chilling thing is that we know how the 'Dirty 30s' ended-- with the big conflagration known as World War II. Little wonder that so many Internet pundits have been warning of an impending WW-III. They see the signs building up just as happened 80 years ago. This time, the psychopaths who run the world have already made it known that 'all options are possible' as far as how international disputes will be settled. In other words, as some see it, they are signaling that nuclear weapons will be used.

And that brings up another uncomfortable parallel with the 1930s. You see, it can't help but strike a student of the history of the mid-20th century how men of obvious psychopathic personality came to power in many countries, but especially in Germany and Russia (or USSR, technically). The Third Reich was populated by deviants and sexual perverts, who were in their glory in a corrupt system headed by a little mustachioed megalomaniac devoted to an occult society-- the Thule Society, that had links to Aleister Crowley and the Ordo Templis Orientis. In Russia, a ruthless struggle for ascendancy resulted in the meanest S-o-B reaching the top-- Joseph Stalin, who was arguably worse than Herr Hitler. Looking back, one must be astonished at the way that era is characterized by such rampant moral sickness.

And that's the point, dear reader. Today, if we look about with eyes free of the potent distortions of the mass media, it is obvious that national leaders are persons of huge character deficits. Men like G. W. Bush, Tony Blair, Dick Cheney, can pronounce pure lies in public without a hint of discomfort. It is second nature with them. Dig below the normal surface, and you soon discover about Bush's (and many other's) membership in occult societies like the Yale 'Skull and Bones,' and the annual Bohemian Grove dark revelry. There are rumors of Obama's gay/bisexual liaisons; of endless perversions among White House staff and DC insiders of all stripes. The stench of corruption wafts all over the landscape of America, from Wall Street to Rodeo Drive. Berlin of the 30s was notorious for its sleazy cabarets and sexual licentiousness. Modern America produces slick, packaged sleaze as TV programs and Hollywood movies, in one of the few remaining export categories where the USA enjoys a giant balance of trade surplus.

Clearly, the pattern of the 1930s is repeating, and even if the details are not inevitable, there's a strong probability that the complete cycle must play itself out. The only way a cycle can be broken is with sufficient awareness on the part of a sufficient portion of the population. Given the power of the propaganda machine at the command of the madmen, it does not appear likely that enough people can be wakened from their slumber to break the dark spell. I don't like to be the bearer of this bad news; but, on the other hand, those who heeded the signs of gathering doom in the 30s had a much better chance at escape and survival. Take heed, therefore; and pray that you may find a way off the crazy carousel of time.

Free! - BS Detector Kit - Get it Now!

2010-09-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

Many opponents of the unfolding trap of the New World dis-Order have made the observation that the criminal cabal that is orchestrating it is, comparatively, a very small minority of people relative to the masses they hope to enslave. Hence, it ought to be easy to defeat that small band, and restore some badly-needed sanity to the planet. Plainly, tho, that is not happening; not by a long shot. There are probably a million theories as to why this is so... indeed, it would accord completely with the core of my thesis.

You see, that is the problem for the 'good guys'-- there's a gazillion ideas on essentially everything, these days. And now with the Web and multiple media, they all have a platform, no matter how miniscule, from which to proclaim their zealous conjectures. If you happen to be a newbie to the field popularly (if not sneeringly) referred to as 'conspiracy theory,' and you sincerely seek some enlightenment on what's going on, and who's behind it, then you are in for a very frustrating journey. There's just no sugar-coating the situation-- it's chaotic. Just try an Internet search (better not with Google, if you want to keep it confidential) using terms like conspiracy, and see the tidal wave of 'information' that emerges. Or, if you're a book-lover, try the same tactic at amazon.com, or even go down to your local bookstore and peruse the volumes. You can't help but be overwhelmed by the number of books that's stacked on the shelves each visit, with new titles added every month, and no end in sight.

What's particularly intimidating about this tsunami of information is not just its sheer mass-- the number of websites, books, articles, newsletters, etc. The real shock is from the breadth of opinion displayed by all these sources. You'll find virtually anything you could imagine, and more; (much more, since our imaginations aren't what they used to be). This is where the problem lays for the seeker of truth who yearns for a beacon of trustworthy light in the obscurity of the information storm. These sources don't just express a variety of opinions; they frequently are diametrically opposed to each another. And the authors often state bluntly that the alternative theories are utter nonsense, never to be believed. So, for every dilemma confronting modern humankind, there's a superabundance of opinions promising to have the answer as to the why's and who's.

Given this modern 'Tower of Babel' of understanding, what is a sincere, unbiased seeker to do? Well, apparently, there are few such creatures around. It seems that most of us are biased, whether we acknowledge it or not... and most of us don't. We all are the product of cultural indoctrination of some kind, that colors our perceptions of the world and its shenanigans. Like tinted contact lenses, these world-views create a distortion of all that we see, and are often self-reinforcing since most people only believe new information that supports their old views, rarely able to accept data that contradicts their existing paradigm. In practice, this means that a neophyte seeker will do a quick survey of the vast panoply of choices of possible theories, probably examining no more than 3 or 4 'samples', and then settle on one school of thought that, generally, agrees with his/her unspoken, pre-existing paradigm ('bias' to be honest). Isn't that how it usually works? Few of us have the luxury, or interest, in screening reams of data, looking for something better than the good, old standards that have served us to the present moment.

There are a few people, however, for whom the quest will not be terminated so conveniently. No, those few have a burning desire to know the Truth, and will not rest easy until they believe they've found it. Many of those, tho, don't understand that this is a perpetual endeavor. You can acquire greater truth, but the full truth can only be approached 'asymptotically,' to use a mathematical analogy. Nonetheless, we can gain sufficient accurate information (truth) to see what is really happening in the world, and who is responsible for it. That will be seen as an arrogant, or foolish, assertion in view of what I've already stated about the babble of voices proclaiming their 'truths.' Yes; but the alternative is to be a nihilist, believing nothing, and existing as a cognitive animal.

Thus, the problem remains-- how can one discern the true amidst a thick fog of confusing data? One has to rely on principles of discernment ('hermeneutics' to the theology buffs) and apply them as diligently as possible. Listed below are the ones that work for me. I urge you to try them for yourself.

1. Be fearless! By that, I mean you have to be willing to read/hear anything, no matter how outlandish it seems, no matter how it deviates from your inherited world-view. After some time of doing this, you will start to know what has value, rings true, and what is worthless and not to be pursued. But you can't just stick with what sounds familiar and safe and 'mainstream.'

2. Trust common sense! We've been programmed from birth to defer to experts in every field, since the world is so complicated that no-one can be knowledgeable in everything. Yet, if you examine the facts, the so-called experts have been wrong (drastically wrong) many times, and with serious consequences. We have been made with a built-in sense of morality (recognized as conscience) and, moreover, an innate sense of what is true and what is 'BS.' Sadly, that latter sense, called 'common,' has been badly denigrated in the past century, and few people are capable of exercising it reliably, anymore. When you see a building collapse as if by controlled demolition, believe it! Don't swallow some cockeyed nonsense about fire weakening steel beams, etc. etc. that has never before happened in 100 years of steel-reinforced sky-scrapers. When people first attacked tobacco as dangerous to health, did it really take 3 decades of 'science' to tell us that smoking caused diseases? Some call it trusting your gut, or intuition; but it's not to be dismissed when that inner red light starts flashing, no matter what the so-called experts proclaim.

3. Don't stop searching! Just because you've currently found something that really appeals to you, and seems to provide all the answers, don't get lazy and stop the search. I've fallen for that trap, and lost years up the wrong creek. Fortunately, there's always something to learn even from error, but the point remains-- make it a life-long quest. Just when we think we've got the answers, there's always something that upsets the apple-cart. Rather than give up, we have to recognize that it's a process of constant iteration; one truth leads to another, and so on. Never stop learning.

4. Be cautious; stay skeptical! This may be obvious; yet we all have a tendency to get excited when we think we've found the pot of gold. Too often, it is merely the rainbow, which may be beautiful but proves intangible. The purveyors of world views are always convinced that their outlook is the ultimate. But no matter how attractive it appears, every paradigm has its flaws and weaknesses. You've got to find them, and judge whether the overall package retains merit. When it comes to news, you have to keep uppermost in mind that there is always a desired angle to everything they report. Too much data is at times worse than not enough, because it can obscure truth and send us chasing down worthless leads. More than ever, much of what is presented as information is really disinformation-- deliberately fabricated stories intended to lead people astray. Typically, the disinfo contains large portions of truth; but those truths are used as a Trojan Horse to entice us to accept the rest of the package as equal truth, while it is really lies.

5. Cui bono?-- Find who benefits! More and more, this criterion is becoming the litmus test of truth, as money becomes the all-consuming goal of so many. Who was funding all those 'studies' that exonerated tobacco as a cause of disease? Today, it's the studies that pooh-pooh the dangers of cell-phone use, or the risks of infant inoculations, or the effects of aspartame, and so on. It's the industries themselves-- the foxes who appoint themselves guardians of the hen houses! Who benefits from the constant wars that seem to be a vital part of the US economy? Who benefited from the 9-11 attacks? Don't settle for the canned answers spouted by the MSM (mainstream media)!

6. Dig! When you read/hear of a breaking news story, don't buy into whatever the media feed us. Remember, 96% of the mainstream media are owned by one block of six companies... all with subtle connections. There is a massive but cunning bias in all the news presented to (especially) the American/Western audiences. You must be aware of this, spot the biases, and look for supplementary sources to give a fuller and proper perspective. One useful tip is to take note of the initial details of a breaking story, since very often, useful data slips thru before the gate-keepers realize what's important and what's not. In such cases, I save those reports to my computer for later reference, because they typically disappear from view, never to be seen again (in polite company, anyway). The simple fact that these details are subsequently flushed from sight makes it obvious that they are significant, and usually damning of certain hidden factions.

7. Avoid the tradition traps! You know, 'if was good enough for my parents, it's good enough for me.' This is probably the most common trap of religion, but surprisingly often rears its ugly head in other areas. For example, if your parents were atheists, does that mean you should embrace atheism without scrutiny? You consider yourself a proud patriot, but are you aware of how your politicians jerk you around by that emotional leash? Maybe you're proud of your ethnic heritage; again, it's saddled you with a mental shackle that you've got to cast off if you really want to see the world accurately. Perhaps you're one of those recognized experts in some field of knowledge. Fine, but if you think your discipline explains the universe, you're setting yourself up for big disappointments or empty self-delusion. Anything that appeals to pride, or comes with a pre-packaged outlook, must be seen for what it is-- a superficial, distracting filter on clear vision.

8. Don't blithely trust 'them!' We've been conditioned from earliest years to respect authority, and to take it for granted that 'they' (teachers, priests, doctors, politicians, policemen, etc.) have our best interests at heart, and would not knowingly deceive us. This naïve notion must be discarded onto the remotest junk-heap of human thinking! Not that all authorities are evil. But the sad reality of this fallen Age is that many of those who rise to the upper echelons have done so by less than ethical means. And those in a position of authority often succumb to the temptation to abuse that trust. We have numerous examples of this behavior, so there should be no excuse for assuming that whatever they tell us must be true and beneficial. Instead, we should assume the opposite, and then verify how trustworthy it is.

9. Look at the big picture! This is the key step... and the one most often missed. So many people see the world in one dimension, thru a mental monocular. It's vital to consider all possible pieces of the puzzle if you want to assemble a coherent picture. Bits of information that appear unrelated to most, may have deeper connections. Slices of partial data that seem useless by themselves, can become significant when lined up with other pieces of incomplete data. Critics may say that schizophrenics can find meaningful connections between any events; but I'm talking about sensible links that are too often overlooked by people who've been trained to see what the magicians tell them is there.

Those are the main tools that I use to filter out the truth from the BS. It has taken a long time to develop that tool kit, but it has proven its value, at least to me. I offer it to all readers, free of charge, in the fervent hope that you will learn to use it fully and constantly to construct an accurate model of our reality, and protect yourself from the abuses of those who fabricate for their own purposes. You can start by applying these principles to this very essay! That's right, if this paradigm is to be trusted, it must satisfy you that it works. So go ahead; see if it resonates with your inner being, and if you can find flaws in the logic, and if it helps you decipher the signs of the times.

What prompted this article was my last foray into Amazon's recommended book list, and seeing scholarly tomes that flew in the face of everything I've come to embrace as true. What is wrong with these people?, I wondered. How can they be so blind, so incapable of seeing the truth that stares us in the face? I realize that there are traps aplenty to lead the most intelligent astray, and that, most often, those traps are of our own construction or choosing. Also, today especially, many books are published for the purpose of misleading the masses. For example, we have seen a highly concerted effort over the past decade or so, to convince the world that climate change is caused by humans ('anthropogenically caused'). Yet, if you do the research, you find that, contrary to what we are told, there is no 'consensus among eminent scientists' on this matter, at all. In fact, the opposite is the case-- eminent scientists are appalled that their views are withheld and misrepresented to make it appear that science supports human causation. It's the media that have fabricated a so-called consensus favoring anthropogenic global warming. Besides Al Gore and his road show, there are books galore in support of the desired climate agenda, all part of a vast conspiracy to impose carbon credit trading and various other 'necessary measures' that will bring more wealth and control to the ruling elites. Beware of any scheme that accomplishes those ends.

In a babble of voices clamoring their wares, there can only be one truth. The easy tactic of the puppet-masters is to bury the truth in an avalanche of information, some valid, and most of it not. It is a brilliant strategy, since it does not require heavy-handed, game-revealing actions such as imposing draconian restrictions or martial law and the like. Under the banner of freedom of information, we are supplied with a glut of data so imposing that most people happily accept the easy route to 'knowledge' by believing the major newspapers and television stations. The ultra-conservatives flock to their favorite radio talk-show hosts, who whip them into a froth over the imminent dangers of Communism and (horrors!) publicly-funded health care. Ultra-liberals must have similar havens of numb-skullery. The point is that we tend to seek the demagogue and the dogma that promotes what we already (are inclined to) believe. By applying my BS detection kit, you can filter thru all the daily nonsense, and eventually assemble a paradigm that makes sense (at least to you). Good luck to every sincere seeker of truth.

The Beast of Revelation Is Is...

2010-09-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

A ‘beast’ with seven heads and ten horns; another beast that looks innocent as a lamb but ‘speaks as a dragon;’ a mysterious mark, and that renowned number, 666-- what’s it all about?

Probably no book has been as misused as the Bible, and no part of the Bible as mystifying and misunderstood as the Revelation. In particular (coincidentally?) one of the more misinterpreted parts of Revelation is Chapter 13-- the famous source of the ‘beasts’ and ‘666,’ and so on. My contention is that the eschatological prophecies are deliberately obscure, but that they become increasingly transparent as we approach the ‘End Times’ they describe. In this regard, the puzzling chapter 13 is proving to be a key to comprehension. This essay investigates that portion of Revelation in the light of recent history.

In the interests of condensing a long discussion into a readable article, I have to assume that the reader has read (better yet studied) the book of Revelation, and moreover, understands that the book defines its strange imagery within its very pages for those who observe.

The first eight verses describe a ‘beast’ that rises from the ‘sea,’ having ‘ten horns and seven heads,’ each horn crowned by a diadem, and each head showing ‘blasphemous names.’ We are told that ‘the dragon gave him his power, and throne, and great authority.’ Verse three is crucial, and many have stumbled on it: “I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast.” This amazing beast clearly becomes very powerful, and so arrogant as to blaspheme God, and to persecute His people.

Verses 11 to 18 then turn the spotlight on ‘another beast,’ who comes out of the earth, and who looks like a lamb, externally, but who speaks ‘like a dragon.’ This beast seems to focus world attention on the first beast, and makes everyone worship it. He enforces the famous ‘mark’ on the hand or forehand that must be received in order to buy or sell. Chapter 13 ends with the infamous number, 666, ‘the number of the beast,’ that is said to somehow designate ‘a man.’

This short chapter would be pretty difficult to unlock on its own; but it so happens that chapter 17 seems to rehearse the same scenario, but from quite a different perspective. By combining the clues from the two chapters, I believe a coherent pattern emerges.

In chapter 17, John is shown a ‘harlot’ sitting on a ‘scarlet beast having seven heads and ten horns,’ clearly establishing a link with the earlier vision (of ch. 13). On her forehead is written the mysterious name ‘Babylon the great, mother of harlots and of the abominations of the Earth.’ She is described as drunk with the blood of the saints. In verse eight the beast is twice described as one that ‘was, and is not, and will come;’ a phrase that is repeated again in verse 11. That verse goes on to state that he is ‘also an eighth and is one of the seven.’ The last verses of chapter 17 describe how ‘ten kings’ will wage war against ‘the Lamb,’ but will be defeated. They turn against the harlot, and destroy her, and the last verse defines her as ‘the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.’

Now; let’s start putting the clues together, letting scripture define its own terms as much as possible, and always bearing in mind that Revelation is a symbolic book. Most of the symbols used by John echo similar ones used 6 centuries earlier in the book of Daniel, which were explained in the text. Similarly, the ‘angel/guides’ in Revelation give John the general meanings of the symbols in the visions. Summarizing very briefly, they are...
Beast = ‘kingdom,’ country, empire (Rev 17:10, Dan 7:17); Dragon = Satan, the Devil (Rev 12:9, 20:2); Sea = populous area; the ‘old world’ (Rev 17:15); Horns = kings, rulers (Dan 7:24); Heads = governments, nations; Diadems = sign of authority, rulership; Blasphemous - indicates un-Godly; Tabernacle=the ‘church’, ‘saints’, who are spiritually residents of heaven; harlot = apostate community (Ezek 23:4); judgment = fate, punishment; waters = people, populations (Rev 17:15). Also, we should know that numbers are used symbolically in the Bible, where seven indicates perfection, completion; and ten indicates (stands for) a complete or inclusive set. Many commentators, ancient and modern, have become hopelessly sidetracked because they do not accept the Bible’s own definitions, and try to impose their own! For example, many pundits have assumed that the beasts stand for people (e.g. the Pope); but the scriptures don’t say that; they tell us explicitly that they’re kingdoms (or nations, today).

Re-capping the main points of the text in plain language, we can see that :
1. The text refers to a kingdom (nation) that had disappeared (was slain) at the time of John’s writing (set at about 90 AD), yet would reappear later in history;
2. when this nation reappears it will cause people to be amazed;
3. this nation is associated with the name of a man; and perhaps aspires to attain godly heights… their way.
4. this nation was among a group of 7 that existed in a then-populous region-- i.e. the Middle East-- before it was extinguished;
5. when it reappears, it will be in some ‘new’ form (different from the 1st appearance);
6. this nation is associated with a false religion somehow;
7. there is another nation that appears later (after John’s day), that will be closely allied with the restored nation-- it wasn’t one of the original 7; but when it arises in an unpopulated area, it will enforce homage to the restored nation;
8. the ‘new nation’ will first appear benign (lamb-like), but will issue draconian edicts that will cause all other nations to ‘fall into line’ with it;
9. the new nation is being directed by a false, apostate religion;
10. there seems to be a blurring between the woman as a church and as a ‘city,’ but in any case, there is a highly urbanized nation that exercises hegemony over all other nations;
11. a set of ‘ten’ symbolic kingdoms arise in the end-times and they give their ‘power and authority’ to the restored kingdom for a brief time (17:12-13) until Jesus defeats them.

When you look at the facts laid out like this, while there may still be some fuzzy details, nonetheless, some conclusions jump out as inescapable!

As soon as you mention ‘restored nation’ the obvious candidate that leaps out is ‘Israel’. Its name comes directly from ‘a man,’ their patriarch Jacob who was renamed Israel (Gen 32:28). Ancient Israel was one of a group of seven prominent kingdoms in the Middle East that includes Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Greece, Babylonia, and Rome. With their rejection of the Messiah, Israel’s treasured cultural religion, Judaism, became an antichristian blasphemy. As a nation, Israel has always aspired to ‘help’ God do things their way. From the taking of the Promised Land, to the Pharisaical plot to eliminate Jesus, the children of Israel preferred their deeds over God’s providence. The dramatic restoration of the Jewish homeland, named Israel, in the land of Palestine in 1948 was indeed seen as amazing, even miraculous, by the on-looking world. While many assumed that it must be due to God’s intervention, others who have investigated the creation of modern Israel, find that it was, instead, due to conniving plans dating back to the late 19th century (as Zionism) and renewed following the First World War, by the Balfour Declaration. It was not God’s hand that was involved, but that of the Dragon, motivating Zionist agents behind the scenes of diplomacy.

The Bible had this insight long before any modern pundit could possibly discern the covert machinations that culminated in a restored Jewish state. However, this resuscitated nation is a pretender! Altho populated by Jews (progeny of Judah, one of Israel’s 12 sons), they call themselves Israel, in pretense of comprising the original, full 12 tribes of Jacob. Even IF all 12 tribes should be represented in today’s Israel, Jewish researchers have found that those known as Ashkenazi Jews (who engineered the takeover of Palestine) are actually descended from the Khazar people, who lived in the Caucasus region, and whose king made his whole nation convert to Judaism in the eighth century. And whereas ancient Israel, the state, occasionally worshipped the true God, the new nation follows a worldly, ultra-nationalist, anti-religion known as Zionism. Thus, ‘Israel’ has reappeared, but in a new, ersatz format, just as predicted. (See also, Rev 3:9 for another hint about Israel.)

Now, the second prominent nation, the later one that originates in a less populous region, seems to reach its zenith near the culmination of apocalyptic events. Again, on the evidence, there’s one nation that immediately springs to mind-- the USA. Obviously, it didn’t exist at the time of John. And when it did appear, it arose in the ‘new world’, far from the populations of the old world. With its declaration of the rights and freedoms of individuals, particularly in regard to religious worship, the USA indeed looked lamb-like, and the two horns could symbolize the separation of church and state. Lately, there is no doubt about the dragon-like voice with which the US government has been throwing its weight around the world over the last 60 years or more. All nations of the world are compelled to heed the voice of the US government, whether they like it or not. In the vivid imagery of Revelation, this beast calls down fire from heaven, and deceives the Earth with the ‘signs’ he has the power to perform in front of the world. This made little sense-- until the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan in 1945, and recapitulated in the ‘Shock and Awe’ invasion of Iraq, that is. Now it reads as prescient indeed!

The lobbying of the ‘religious right’ has become increasingly influential since the Reagan presidency of the 1980s-- some call it a profane, false Christianity ‘directing’ affairs in D.C. And that camp is closely linked to Zionist (‘Judaic’) interests (hence, ‘Judeo-Christianity’). That is the cursory analysis of ‘the harlot riding the beast.’ However, one could argue that the religious right is still, nominally, Christian, and not really what the prophecy points to. There exists a more covert connection between an abominable religion and the US administration. Summarizing a vast amount of evidence, let me state simply that there is undeniable evidence that the individuals who populate the US administration are linked to a panoply of occult practices and symbolism that can be traced back to ancient Babylon. These politicians congregate at the ‘Bohemian Grove’ (California) annually to indulge in bizarre, satanic rituals. That is their abominable, antichristian religion. It is well known that G.W. Bush, J.F. Kerry, and many other political figures are members of the Yale U. secret society called the ‘Skull and Bones.’ Many high-placed officials in Washington are associated with various occult/Masonic societies, as a little Internet research will attest. It could be sensibly argued that this ‘mystery cult’ of the elite more accurately represents the prostitute of the prophecy.

One can think of Zionism as a geo-political conspiracy for the ‘New World Order’ whose top names come largely from the ranks of Jews. In any case, it is indisputable that the cabinet in Washington is dominated by Zionist interests promoted by Israeli-American ‘dual-citizens.’ Leveraging these ‘inside assets,’ the Israeli government exerts influence over the USA, particularly to do its dirty work in the Middle East. For decades the US delegation has used its veto in the Security Council of the United Nations to prevent censure of Israel. Lately, US foreign policy seems to be dictated by Tel Aviv. The First and Second Gulf Wars make little sense except when analyzed in the light of Israel using US military power to subdue its enemies. When Israel invaded Lebanon in 2006, deliberately destroying civilian infrastructure and killing non-combatants, the US waited until it was too late before expressing some measure of reservation over the Israeli depredations. While Israel and the USA make an uproar about supposed nuclear ambitions by Iran, they simply ignore the open secret that Israel already possesses nuclear weapons, and has the means to deploy them. Any nation fingered by Washington must jump and salute; however, Israel gets a free pass. In other words, the ‘second beast’-- the USA-- causes the rest of the world to worship the first beast-- Israel. The trend is so marked that we can see that it’s a hallmark of the ‘New World Order.’

As many commentators have speculated, the 10 horns (of 17:12) probably refer to the countries of the European Union, that have had reservations about Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians, yet in the end, support the US-British backing of Israel. Once EU membership exceeded ten nations, some pundits abandoned this view. But they fail to note that ‘ten’ is simply a symbolic count for an inclusive set. And in any case, only ten or fewer countries have significant influence on EU foreign affairs. This view also is in accord with Daniel’s vision of the statue in chapter 2, where the feet and toes (‘of iron mixed with clay’) have long been identified as the ‘revived Roman Empire’ embodied in the modern EU, with its strained mix of strong and feeble economies.

Many commentators have taken the picture of ‘buying and selling’ in chapter 13 quite literally, and have weaved some rather bizarre scenarios based on that view (e.g. micro-chips, bar-codes in people’s flesh). However, it’s not unreasonable to take the figure as symbolic… but, of what? Perhaps Proverbs 23:23 gives a clue: “Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.” By means of so-called ‘anti-hate’ laws, it is becoming almost impossible for anyone to legitimately question Israeli policies and actions. Increasingly, no one in Western societies can dare openly criticize Israel without unleashing severe censure. It doesn’t take much imagination to foresee a time when any expression of reservation about Israel will result in prison or even death. And yet, how can we ‘get understanding’ if any criticism of Israel is crushed by so-called ‘anti-hate laws?’ Zechariah 11:4-6 is another passage that puts buying and selling in the context of duplicitous and predatory exploitation of one class by another, and God’s judgment on them. So, Rev 13:17 may be alluding to the fact that no one can speak truth about Israel and religion, but only mouth what the state permits.

Nonetheless, with the huge crises in the world banking system in recent years, it is equally possible that the ‘buying and selling’ may be literal. A little research will confirm that the global banking regime is largely in the hands of a cabal of Jews, and that they have, in fact, implemented a key strategy cited in the enigmatic ‘Protocols of Zion.’ That is, the world’s banks are under the management of a tiny elite, and all money is regarded as debt owed to them. Hence, they have total control over money, and with the advent of computerized records systems and banking cards, the banks can exert unparalleled monitoring of transactions (ie. buying and selling). Many pundits have postulated that we are heading for a system where micro-chips will replace tangible money, and the prophetic vision could be realized literally.

The one piece of the puzzle that escapes me at present is the question of the ‘image of the beast.’ While the other pieces fall into place fairly neatly, this one is far from obvious, at least at this time. I expect that it will become apparent as events unfold, but for the time being, the image is an open question. The NIV translates the passage as: “an image in honor of the beast.” The NASB and the KJV translation is: “an image to the beast.” In the Amplified Bible, the passage reads: “a statue (an image) in the likeness of the beast.” So, we have the later nation commanding the inhabitants of the earth to ‘make an image’ that represents the first (restored) nation in some manner.

My guess is that the construction of the image hasn’t yet happened, and when it does, we will be close to the end of the game. I predict that when the USA proposes some kind of ‘solution’ to the Middle East crisis that involves enforced homage to something that stands for (symbolizes, represents) the state of Israel, then we will recognize the fulfillment of this graphic prophecy. I expect that whatever it is, it will be a surprise to all, yet clear to those who remember scripture.

The other puzzle-piece is the ultimate uncovering of the false, apostate, mystic religion that masquerades as Judeo-Christianity, and that exercises covert control over the nations. It has long been realized that the Vatican, seat of Roman Catholic authority, is full of mystic symbolism derived from Egyptian and Babylonian sources. And since ‘Mystery Babylon’ is the ‘mother of ALL harlots,’ then all the Christian denominations are implicated, not just Roman Catholicism. Similarly, modern Judaism, via the Talmud, is heavily influenced by Kabbalah, a mystic school that dates back to the time of their captivity in ancient Babylon. Some investigators claim covert connections between the Vatican and Zionists, and although those theories are speculative, there’s no doubting the common lineage of their mystic symbolism, namely, Babylon.

Finally, I should anticipate one observation that some readers who are versed in history may raise. The predictive imagery of widespread, bloody persecution of true believers by an apostate church prevailing upon government to do its bidding, may ring familiar. Yes, it happened during the Dark Ages, when the official, Rome-based Church persecuted ‘heretics’ of all kinds, especially those who revered the Bible. However, it is possible for prophecy to have a primary, literal fulfillment, and a later, figurative reprise. Thus, the persecution of the first millennium could be repeated in its characteristics in this third millennium, with different actors but the same plot... and a much shorter time frame. Indeed, almost all exponents of eschatology have identified the (first) Beast (of Rev. 13) as the Roman Catholic Church or the European Union. But, the reader should see, now, that this can’t be: John repeats the phrase ‘that was, and is not, and will come’ for the purpose of making a point. That point should not be lost on us, latter day readers, who need it most! (Refer to item no. 1, above, in the summary of facts). Only Israel had existed prior to John’s last writing (ca. 90 AD), had gone into oblivion in 70 AD, and ‘re-appeared’ two millennia later. This ‘kingdom’ therefore, cannot be the Roman church or the EU... nor some yet-to-emerge 'Antichrist!' With the acuity of hindsight, I think it is clear that the prophecies of Daniel focus on the history of the early Christian church, while those of Revelation move the spotlight to the End of the Age, and the geo-political turmoil of these times.

Conclusions

What I hope this analysis demonstrates is that without imposing a lot of exogenous, novel, dogmatic interpretations on the text, and allowing the scriptures to illuminate themselves, a sensible picture readily emerges… and, without the need of a Ph.D. in something or other to do so. And another important thing is that the Bible is not a book of science-fiction or technological predictions. The abstract scenes in Revelation are sketches of geo-political and geo-religious currents, not of helicopters, atomic weapons, and so on (as sensationally claimed by some American Evangelicals). And note that the whole panorama would not be comprehensible until the time when it is needed.

We must note that the text had to be written in such a way that an accurate prophecy can be presented without being so obvious that unscrupulous forces could suppress or alter it. And yet, the clues are skillfully encoded so that someone who has a reasonable understanding of history, and allows the scripture to explain itself, can gain a fairly clear grasp of who the actors are, and what they are doing. Still, the picture only clarifies after the fact; i.e. after the forecast events actually begin, or as they unfold. In this process, it is astonishing to see how a book written millennia ago in a far-off land contains a description of the geo-political and religious situation that has unfolded over the last, mere half-century or so... within the lifetime of many who read this article. Friends, you can’t make this stuff up-- no human mind could produce the bizarre vision-clips of Revelation, and use them to accurately predict world political events 2,000 years in the future!

Clearly, the prophecies are designed to demonstrate and reveal that God is real and supreme, and that we can’t determine what will happen next-- it is entirely in His hands. Our job is just to trust and believe. I pray that sincere atheists will read this essay and have their eyes opened to the beauty of God’s scriptures. Remember, the Bible has been in a more or less final, ‘canonical’ state for many centuries. The prophecies survived intact to this day for the very purpose of demonstrating the genius behind them. No human could have achieved such a feat-- that’s why this book is truly a Revelation!

(My verse-by-verse analysis is available if a reader wants to follow the detailed study; go to http://truthquestors.blogspot.com/2008/09/revelation-re-visit-new-study.html)
© John Krzyzewski, Sept. 2010

Something Big is Coming!

2010-07-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Prepare your mind... and yes, you read it here first.

There’s been a lot of ‘buzz about impending major disaster, such as ‘2012,’ the death of the green-back (US dollar), the ‘big one’ on the West coast, war in Iran triggering WW3, and so on. As it turns out, the month of July (2010) is ending with a series of earthquakes that are ‘significant’ either because of their magnitude (three over 7.0 in the Philippines) or their ‘unusual’ locations (eg. DC). And that comes after a serious shaking in eastern Canada, in June, that seemed to parallel the tremors that took place at the G20 conference in that once-fair land. After weeks, the petroleum eruption that brought ruinous consequences in the Gulf of Mexico appears to be capped, although there are credible reports of other fissures in the nearby sea-bed.

So, there are plenty of ugly events to make anyone sleep a little more restlessly than before. And if those disturbances weren’t enough, there are various other, bleaker forecasts. Reports of fireballs and mystery ‘booms’ appear in local media, but never get out to the wider world. Similarly, an increasing number of sink-holes is appearing in diverse places, but predominantly in the eastern US states and parts of China. And again, these stories are not getting wide circulation except in the unfortunate case where there is loss of life, as happened dramatically in Quebec in May. Some more extreme prognosticators talk of ‘disclosure’ (of alien life forms) or even go beyond that with visions of a simulated, Biblical rapture (a plan known as Project Blue Beam on the conspiracy circuit).

How bad can it get? The scoffers will deny that there’s anything to worry about. “There’s always been disasters on Earth; what’s the big deal?” “It’s just better reporting,” others will confidently assert. No way! I’ve been around long enough to know that something’s up; something’s different. In more than five decades of following world news, I’ve never seen the like of what we’re seeing today. Yes, we’ve always had some sort of trouble here or there. But, there’s never been such a simultaneous confluence of ever-increasing disasters as we’re seeing this century. Whether you believe in ‘climate change’ or not, there are records being set in various parts of the world, for high temperatures or low; for early or late snow falls; for floods or bush fires. While the ‘global warmers’ want to pin the blame on human carbon use, they conveniently ignore the earthquakes that have rattled different corners of the globe with increasing intensity over the past decade. We don’t know yet what will be the ultimate consequences of the BP oil blow-out. After all, the Gulf Stream-- on which the climate of Europe is vitally dependent-- originates in the Gulf of Mexico, and who can predict how that amount of petroleum in the sea might alter the characteristics of the Atlantic ‘conveyor belt?’

Well, then, a person just needs a bit of luck, and there’s ample possibility of a disaster somewhere in the next few weeks, right? I’m going to take it a little further, tho, and predict that it’s going to be ‘big.’ How big? Big enough to join the ranks of ‘Sept. 11, 01,’ or the tsunami of Dec. 2004, or the market crash of Nov. 2008, to give some idea of the scale. An event that will shock the whole world to some degree, and get the attention of those who normally give a pass to the news.

How do I know? Of course, I can’t be sure; it’s a gut feeling. Almost literally. In the past several days, I’ve had what I can only describe as an ‘uneasy feeling.’ At first, I thought it was that cup of caffeine. Then I looked for other obvious culprits. Finally, I recalled the last time I felt like this. It was the summer of 2001, and I had a kind of queasy feeling that couldn’t be attributed to anything specific. Then came ‘9-11,’ and after the shock wore off, I felt a sort of purge, and my system went back to normal. Some people (a few) and many animals, have the ability to sense an impending earthquake. It’s not magic or mystical; they are more sensitive to the natural phenomena that precede seismic activity. (Since quakes result from colliding tectonic plates, etc., there are strains in the rock, causing ultrasonic waves and possibly, piezoelectric effects). So too, other natural (and maybe human) disasters can be preceded by a range of subtle physical effects. The skeptics may shake their heads at the notion that a human event could have precursor effects perceivable by the population, yet an ongoing experiment conducted by universities observed exactly that phenomenon. The ‘Global Consciousness Project’ has been collecting ‘random numbers’ generated by computers in stations located around the globe. Under ‘normal conditions,’ these sensors show a completely random distribution, as they are ‘supposed to.’ Yet, on Sept. 11, 2001, hours prior to the aircraft collisions with the World Trade Centre, all the generators registered a distinct ‘spike’ in coherence, ie. non-randomness. The researchers attribute this synchronistic anomaly as due to human precognition of some kind. Other events having ‘shock value’ (eg. Princess Diana’s death) produced similar patterns in the data.

It’s not as if I’m the only voice of doom out here in cyber-space, seeking some badly-needed recognition. No; there are plenty of recognized names making similar predictions. Some of them, as mentioned above, are quite specific in their forecast; for example, a collapse of the currency trading system, or an interruption of the Gulf Stream mechanism. I’m saying it could be any of the common proposals, but my sense is more towards a big, natural catastrophe. For instance, another quake in the magnitude of 8 to 9, likely in a populated region; possibly in the hitherto ‘safe’ Western world. Could one of the US West coast volcanoes explode again? Or maybe the ‘New Madrid’ fault could finally seek release on a large scale. Could the Gulf oil pocket expel a vast burst of methane and petroleum? These are, presently, looking like serious possibilities. Yet, if there’s any characteristic of this 21^st century that will be remembered, it’s the unpredictability of events.

Gentle reader, you may think I’ve had too much strong drink. Like my kid brother, you may think I’m a closet lunatic. Or like my long-acquainted friend, you may think I’m a religious fanatic with an overactive imagination. Nevertheless, as a race, humans hate bad news, and will cling to denial long beyond its useful shelf life. What I’m saying in this essay is ‘prepare your mind’ for another shock. Don’t keep hoping that bad things can’t happen in your neighborhood. Remember the Quebec family who were watching TV in their basement... when the world collapsed on top of them. We live in perilous times; don’t be caught napping or be knocked into bewilderment by the events of the day. And stay tuned to your favorite news source.

Spiritual Warfare

2010-02-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

Many readers understand that there are forces pushing society and events towards chaos for the benefit of a small elite seeking total domination. However, most people do not understand the true dimensions of those forces.

What I’m saying is that those forces are demonstrably evil, in a spiritual sense. But more than that, I’m saying that the directing intelligence behind those evil individuals is none other than Satan, as identified in the Bible.

Sure, today’s ‘modern man’ does not believe in the Devil; that’s so yesterday. Great for Satan if the majority don’t even believe he exists! What better cover could anyone have?

For the scoffers and skeptics who can’t accept this premise, how else can you explain the single-mindedness, the coherence of effort, and the success enjoyed by the forces of evil over centuries (if not millennia)? It is simply beyond human ability! No ideology has ever survived intact for such a long period as has this pernicious plan to subject all of humanity to the absolute rule of a self-appointed elite.

You have to suspend your antipathy towards religion long enough to discern the spirit behind the string of evil persons and actions down thru the ages. That spirit is Satan. And his subterfuges and modus operandi also, importantly, account for the ambiguity over a group called the Jews.

Much has been written, especially lately, concerning the Jews and their connection to Zionism, and Zionism’s connection with the Illuminati, Satanism, etc. Some people want to lump all Jews in the same class as the ‘bad Jews;’ others can distinguish between them. But, there’s a spiritual reason why Jews are over-represented in Zionist/NWO schemes.

In every age, God used certain individuals to advance His plan for mankind. After Cain killed Abel, God used Seth as His agent. After the Flood, it was Noah. After the Tower of Babel, God used Abraham. From Abraham’s line, a man called Jacob was chosen after a symbolic struggle from which God renamed him Israel. Later, the remnant of Israel’s descendents was (basically) one tribe called the Jews. From the Jews, God used Jesus, His ultimate servant, to deliver His message.

Jesus told the Pharisees (as religious leaders) that the mission was taken from the Jews and given over to ‘another people’ who will bear fruit with it (see Matthew 23:41). So for Christians to believe that the Jews continue, 2,000 years after Jesus, to be God’s chosen’ is completely unscriptural and baseless. After Christ, the Jews were as any other people on Earth in God’s eyes. The spiritual torch was handed over to ‘spiritual Israel,’ i.e. those of any background who accept the gospel message.

Satan has infiltrated and corrupted every institution created by man, especially religion. At first, Satan tried to stamp out the Christ-based faith, thru the Romans. When that failed, he had a better plan and co-opted the emerging church-- which explains all the occult/demonic symbols found in the Vatican. (By the same token, it explains the weird practices of the Freemasons, another organization effectively used by Satan to advance his cause.)

Just as God had attempted to use the children of Israel for His purposes, so too, the great pretender, Satan, is using the (once) ‘chosen people,’ the Jews, for his evil ends. This started in the 18^th century, with Adam Weishaupt, and got more serious in the 19^th century when Theodor Hertzl instigated Zionism. Today, we are seeing the final flourishing of the Zionist/Illuminati conspiracy. One reason for its success is that a large body of Christians have been duped into supporting the fiction that modern Israel still represents God’s chosen people.

Once you recognize Satan, the picture clarifies. Because Satan’s big ambition in life is to be like God-- to exalt himself over the human race as our God. And notice that this desire to mimic God also explains the demonic obsession with ‘Israel’ (geographically) and Jerusalem, its capital. These literal places have been superceded in God’s terms by spiritual counterparts; but Satan’s desire is to install himself in a temple in Jerusalem.

He’s been working at that goal for literal ages; and he sees its accomplishment as imminent.

Where Is Our Treasure?

2010-02-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” [Luke 12:34]

For the past couple of years, people living in northern BC have been troubled by a few incidents of bombs exploding at the site of natural gas installations. The company that owns the facilities, Encana, has been disrupted by these bombings to the point of offering a million dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of the culprit(s). A much less known aspect of the story is the disruption to the lives of residents living in a large area neighboring the sites of the bombings. The media and Encana would have people outside the region believe that the disruption is due to the danger of persons being injured by the blasts, perhaps even killed, as they like to emphasize.

Here’s the true story, for your evaluation. The real danger to the residents in the Ft. St. John area of BC is not from the mystery bomber, but rather from the police, who are using tactics from the cold-war Soviet countries in their pursuit of the elusive bomber. Police have adopted a kind of ‘guilty until proved innocent’ approach in intruding into residents’ farms and interrogating ‘persons of interest.’ It’s a perfect atmosphere for whisper campaigns and settling of old scores among locals. In fact, the cops have been unable to find the culprit, and must be under considerable pressure from the company, at least indirectly, thru the political figures.

While Encana foments fears of someone getting injured from the bombings, the actual facts on the ground are the exact opposite. Numerous domestic animals have been injured or killed by the escape of noxious, sulphuric gases from these ‘sour gas’ wells, and some residents have also suffered mild to severe injuries from exposure to the drifting gases. No-one has been injured or killed by the blasts, which seem to be arranged to minimize any such risk. Nonetheless, authorities are pursuing the case with great zeal, and have expanded their net to a wider area of possible suspects.

Now, think back a decade or so, if your harried memory can retrieve data from those dusty files. The place is downtown Vancouver, the seedy, notorious, ‘East Side.’ Dozens of women have gone missing over several years; the count is up over 40, and may exceed 50, depending on how it’s defined. Nothing is being done. The police are vaguely aware of the situation; but I haven’t yet mentioned that the women happen to be prostitutes, many from aboriginal background. So, apparently, what the heck-- this kind of person appears and disappears on the streets all the time; why bother? Only when enough family members of the missing women make their voices heard do the police finally decide to take the matter seriously. By now, the missing list is up over 60 human souls. Authorities take action; the prime suspect, long known to police, is arrested. And, amazingly, the disappearances stop.

Looking at the two situations-- the ‘pipeline bomber’ versus the ‘missing women,’ paints a picture of where our society’s values lie. In the one case, all efforts are expended to stop the damage to an infrastructure that is itself causing damage to the environment. In the other case, years of neglect passed before any action was taken to investigate why so many young women vanished from the streets of a big city. This is life in the ‘enlightened’ 21^st century... the final phase of the triumph of capital over humanity. It doesn’t take a tribunal to make the conclusion; the evidence speaks for itself. You be the judge.

Olympics 2010 - Are We Having Fun Yet?

2010-02-10T20:23:00.000-08:00

Well, the 2010 Winter Olympics are finally coming to the big O-- the Olympic Orgasm itself... (Ohhh....Ohhh!...). Behind the gasps and spasms of emotion, lurk the dark realities.

It's becoming quite clear that these games are another great ploy of our wealthy uber-meisters, and fulfill several useful functions.

First of all, they provide a marvelous excuse for a bi-annual (given that the summer and winter games are staggered) orgy of pageantry and celebration. This function should never be underestimated, as it has proved its value since the days of the Roman coliseum in keeping busy little minds preoccupied with trivia... as opposed to scrutiny of the machinations of the governors. Second, besides the diversion of public attention, the games provide a terrific outlet for the elite to wallow in the gravy. See, they-- the grand pooh-bahs of the 'International Olympic Committee'-- get paid flights for themselves and their entourages to the games venue. Then they demand to be housed in nothing less than 5-star accommodation; they get whisked about in chauffeur-driven vehicles; they are 'guests' at all kinds of VIP events; and they are generally fawned over by media and the over-awed masses. How nice! Wouldn't you, too, want to be reincarnated as an Olympic Committee member?

Not to worry, the governors assure us: the games will ‘pay for themselves’ in tourism, trade, and what have you. The facilities will benefit our people for years to follow, we are told. In fact, the benefits go mainly to the companies that get the contracts to build the facilities and to service the games. Sure, a number of joe-workers have jobs for several months; but the big companies just move on to the next mega-project, and joe-worker may or may not have more work. The big facilities have to charge Olympic prices to amortize their costs, so typically, it’s only the yuppy class that continue to use the sites after the hoops and hoopla leave town. It’s the tax-payers of the city, the province, and even the country who are left paying the mortgage on Olympic Games; the private investors take their gains and look for the next scheme.

Increasingly, there is a more sinister side to the sporty festivities. As the games became more politicized over the years, their visibility on the world stage makes them a tempting target for any alienated group wanting to make an un-ignorable statement-- ie. a venue for terrorism. In response, those who take on the staging of the games have to spend an increasingly bigger portion of the budget (already bloated with infrastructure costs) towards 'security.' As we are seeing with the Vancouver Olympics, security is becoming the unspoken theme of the event. Besides the inconvenience of road travel restrictions, the public has been given strict instructions as to what can and cannot be carried on one's person to the games. So it is that 'small umbrellas' are acceptable, while 'large umbrellas' are not... in a region renowned for its almost uninterrupted rainfall from November to April. Similarly, small bags can be carried, but large ones are verboten; but, in any case, the smaller, the better. Attendance at an event will require the kind of ‘security checks’ previously seen only in airports.

It gets more Orwellian. The Olympic mafia hate any public criticism of their games, and especially, they hate any kind of demonstration that denounces their 'game' (ie. the real underlying stratagems). However, since they pretend to uphold 'democracy' (as it's come to be) and 'fair play', they resort to all kinds of underhanded tactics to block dissent, and circumvent public protests. Anyone identified as an enemy of the games is kept under surveillance by the local police. Anyone from another country identified as a potential protestor, who tries to enter the host country is apprehended at the point of entry, and sent back to where he/she came from. Known protest groups are infiltrated by police agents who not only inform on their plans, but often goad the group into illegal activities to expose them to arrest and condemnation. The protestors are given strict limits and boundaries as to where and when they may 'protest,' and barriers may be placed in strategic locations to ensure that dissenters will never get close to anything interesting taking place. Oh, and there are police officers all over the place, just to make sure that everyone gets the message that 'they are watching you.' These days, you can now include the presence of para-military helicopters hovering over venues, and who knows what other 'teams' and gizmos are deployed to ensure a 'safe games?'

Yes, ve are getting our fun und games, and ve shall enjoy zem... or else! Aye, there's the pity-- the vast majority of the populace love any excuse to party, and jump right on the Olympic bandwagon of glitz and hype. And, it's a great excuse to wave the flag, and cheer our boys and girls actually doing the sports. There’s a reason why the ruling class loves to stage sports and entertainment for the masses-- because the public, by and large, loves anything that superficially promises to be fun. The Olympic Games are the very epitome of the ‘circus’ approach to governing; so despite the growing price tag for these mega-rituals, we’ll be ‘enjoying’ them for many years to come.

Oh, and one more, rather, 'er, inconvenient thing should be added, given the 'realities' of the new world order, post-9-11-01. If the Bejing Olympics were any indication, we should also expect some kind of 'moves' on the international chess-board, while the world is engrossed in the bi-annual extravaganza. Last time, it was a provoked dust-up between the Western-backed Georgia versus a rightly-stirred Russia. This time-- who could predict? It could be anything; the important thing is to be prepared for just that-- anything. Enjoy the games. ;-)

Haiti- Part 2

2010-01-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

Already, a couple weeks after the humanitarian disaster triggered by the earthquake, the event has been thoroughly analyzed by the onlooking world, both mainstream, and 'alternative.' The mainstream view has been, as always, the superficial. Haiti was already desperately poor, thanks to a succession of corrupt governments that made self-seeking bad decisions, and left the multitudes in poverty and the infrastructure woefully inadequate. Nothing in there about how those governments attained power and were sustained by Western governments acting in their own interests and those of their multi-national surrogates. Just more of the 'blame the victim' mentality that the Zionist-run press constantly program us with.

The alternative media-- meaning virtually 100%, the Internet community-- were on top of the 'newspeak' babbling of the MSM (at least the sites I frequent). Yet, one suspects they are mostly preaching to the converted. The vast masses, who really need to hear and read the 'alternative view,' probably never bother to seek anything beyond what they are fed by the tri-literal, mega-media, propaganda outlets. I think the situation in Europe is somewhat better; some major TV stations and newspapers do broadcast stories that uncover some of the machinations of the hidden hands. For instance, the French have accused the US gov't of a military occupation of Haiti, under the pretext of delivering aid and security. This is probably accurate, tho it is vigorously denied by the American authorities.

From my point of view, what Haiti represents (besides a pitiful spectacle of human misery) is a glimpse into the future. If the future unfolds as some (including me) expect, we will experience a horrendous combination of 'Katrinas' and 'Haitis' in various parts of the world, including the rich, Western nations. Perhaps Haiti represents a worst-case scenario in some ways-- a country already poor, hence having very rudimentary physical and political infrastructure. Buildings that were constructed to withstand a hurricane were, ironically, not suited to survive a bad earthquake. Concrete structures with inadequate reinforcement crumbled with deadly results, killing and trapping their occupants. New Orleans, by contrast, was a modern city in the American idiom, yet it was devastated by wind and water. Clearly, nature has more than one way to deliver a knock-out blow to human habitations; relative protection against one, does not necessarily protect against another.

Viewing footage of Haiti, I couldn't help wondering what would happen if two or more disasters of that magnitude occurred simultaneously. We saw such an outpouring of compassion and generosity for Haiti, and before that, other similar events, because they allowed us to focus our emotions in a meaningful way for an identifiable and worthy cause. But, if several situations occurred at once, my suspicion is that the 'world community' would become overwhelmed, shocked into paralysis. We can all dig into our resources for one good cause a year, and feel satisfied. Maybe we could deal with two, stretch it to three, catastrophes in the span of a year. How would we cope with a cluster of catastrophes of the same, immense magnitude? How would we cope with the images of suffering? How would we react to the appeals for immediate relief? These are a few questions we may have to deal with in the near future. How many of us will think about them before they confront us?

Haiti - Benefactors or Not?

2010-01-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

I'm puzzled. It's all because of the recent mega-benefit concert organized by George Clooney for the Haitian relief effort. The one that had all those instantly recognizable actors and musicians-- who shunned glamour and recognition and conducted themselves tastefully, and as anonymously as possible. Actresses normally viewed spilling out of scandalous dresses, actors usually heard swaggering, and musicians famous for hogging the limelight were all there, together, soberly dressed and working earnestly for the cause. A great number of them did the grunt work of answering the phones and accepting donations, introducing themselves to callers matter-of-factly. The ones who sang were not introduced or even captioned on the screen; they just did their job.

So, I'm confused. I always thought these people were born megalomaniacs, loving to strut and preen before anything resembling a camera or an audience. But, there they were, behaving as normal, regular folks... and believably. Now I don't know whether they are, basically, regular folks who put on their shtick for the sake of image and the commercial advantages thereof; or, if they are really megalomaniacs who are such good actors that they can mimic regular folks when the occasion requires. After the unrelenting lies and deceptions of the past decade, I have become very cynical about people, especially those who are in the public spotlight for whatever reason. I'd really like to believe that George and Brad are guys I could enjoy a beer with. And that Julia and Reese are totally approachable, unpretentious women who really care about the misfortunes of others.

I'd also like to know how much money all these 'artists' contributed themselves-- not individually-- but collectively... just to see if they put their own money where their mouths urged us. Did they mostly just donate their time and talent (which, I agree, is meaningful) or did they also chip in a bit of their immense wealth? If it's the latter, then I would have to change my jaundiced opinion of the Hollywood heroes, and have a little more admiration for them. Overall, tho, I expect to remain puzzled... and also cynical. Not to diminish the efforts of the cultural elite; but there is something a bit grating to hear those possessing fortunes exhorting the masses-- already suffering from the economic downturn-- to donate generously to organizations that include such dubious causes as the Clinton-Bush 'relief fund.'

As in all earthly matters, only time will tell. Eventually, the leopard's spots will appear, the skunk's scent will wrinkle noses, the wolves' disguises slip. And the genuine article will persist. I just hope all that money raised by the benefit concerts ends up going to worthy and productive causes and people.

The Missing Dot

2010-01-08T13:01:00.000-08:00

To a huge segment of netizens, the truth about the Christmas, undie-bomber is starkly obvious.

In fact, few recent false-flag psy-ops are as easy to recognize. By now, all the evidence has been exposed and analyzed by the conspiracy analysts, and there's no point in re-hashing it. The only thing that puzzles us-- those who see thru the clumsy scheme as thru a screen door-- is why the great majority just don't get it. Meanwhile, Obama sternly scolds US security officials and agencies for their 'failure to connect the dots' that would have apprehended Abdulmuttalab before he even got aboard a US-bound flight. Many of his audience presumably take him seriously.

It's great theatre-- the President berates his government's functionaries for failing to do what they have spent billions of dollars on. So, the vast herd of blinkered sheep seem to figure, right, now that there's been a new, big hole found in the system, they will throw millions of dollars at it, and we'll restore our security systems. Sure; as if reckless spending on complex technological gadgetry is going to solve all our problems. But, that's the American way.... because, you see, that way a few people are going to make their fortune selling the complex gadgetry to the guvvamint for a king's ransom-- and everyone is happy, sort of, until the next ‘failure.’

However, there is a reason why the majority can't seem to connect the ‘other dots' and see the big picture of how these so-called terrorist plots always result in greater inconvenience and restrictions of liberty for the public, greater arbitrary powers for the government, and profits for the security industry. And, more than that, good (enough) justification for the US government to meddle in yet another, far off, impoverished, Islamic country that suddenly is found to be rife with 'Al-Qaeda'. Of course, there are several contributory reasons, such as the blatant spinning of news by a completely co-opted media machine, so that the public is kept in managed ignorance. But those factors affect the rest of us, too; yet we are able to see thru the nonsense and discern the BS. No, there is a fundamental factor that constitutes the single, huge, 'dot' in the middle of the picture, and which the vast majority totally misses.

By virtue of social programming and the basic decency of the average citizen, they make one, over-riding assumption that is never even brought to the conscious level, when evaluating news stories that describe the 'terrorist' events. That assumption seems so self-evident to them that it never occurs to challenge it. That is the presumption that our governments are entirely trustworthy (on matters of national security, at least) and fully committed to ensuring the safety of their citizens. After all, they have all those pieces of 'safety' legislation (e.g. vehicle standards, the FDA, the FAA, etc.) so, surely, they are sincere in their efforts to beat terrorism. So the underlying supposition lies, and undermines every attempt at exercising logic and common sense.

It can be seen as a form of self-hypnosis, or more appropriately, as stage magic, since the illusions are sustained by the ‘magicians’ thru clever use of suggestion and neuro-linguistic programming. We never see the real magicians-- they are the agencies that concoct and instigate the plots that keep us in a state of fear and mental imbalance. What we see are the magicians’ stage actors, the politicians who rattle off their improbable monologues with practiced polish, as if bluster alone makes the lies true. The NLP preparation and reinforcement are provided by the media, thru their trusted ‘anchor-men and women,’ their barking-dog talk-show hosts, and their foxy interviews of selected experts.

Underneath all the theatrics, is the need to sustain the essential, ‘a priori’ dogma-- that our elected officials genuinely have our best interests in mind. Take that big assumption out of the way, and the whole sorry picture of deception starts to take focus, however reluctantly. That supposition is the pivot point, the lynch pin, the Achilles heel, the final straw, that could bring the sick game to a rapid collapse. Yet, precarious as it may appear, that supposition is extremely robust, and very difficult to demolish. In the old Soviet Union, especially among the satellite countries, the citizens held a high degree of cynicism towards the system and its apparatchiks. That system was held together by a network of party old-boys and bureaucrats who benefited from supporting the big lie. Eventually, even that tissue crumbled. In the West, naïve belief in the intrinsic righteousness of our system is a crippling and ultimately destructive force. While people harbor suspicions about politicians and governments, most still believe that ‘the system’ provides enough checks and balances-- via party-based opposition, ‘free elections,’ and a ‘free press,’ for example-- that the government currently ruling is kept within the bounds of legal and moral propriety.

Thus, to dismantle the illusion that ‘they’ (the governors) are benign, it is necessary to disabuse the great majority of the subsidiary illusions of free and open elections, and of an independent and multi-voiced media. Not a trivial task! You might think that after eight years of the GW Bush gang, where every boundary of political, and moral decorum was blatantly breached, that Americans would become much more sophisticated and skeptical. Altho the populace is cynical, they still cling to their most cherished comfort blankets, such as patriotism, and pseudo-religion. So, while the politicians may be scoundrels, the bureaucracy incompetent, the bankers corrupt, at least they can cheer for their glorious soldiers fighting the evil terrorists ‘over there,’ and they can worship their blood-thirsty deity in their glitzy mausoleums.

How long will those slim comforts sustain the public’s faith in their system? Will they ever realize how biased and devious are the mass media? Having admitted the lies that pushed America into invading Iraq, can the public extrapolate that idea to see that the same process is invoked every time to justify the latest intrusion into a sovereign state? How many ‘mistakes’ and ‘failures’ of the security apparatus are necessary before the public awakes to the reality that the incidents are all staged for political ends? Will Joe Public finally understand that the real conspiracies are not the ones sneered at as ‘theories,’ but the ones pulled off under his nose by his own governing elite? How many early-breaking news items that subsequently disappear forever into the memory hole will it take before the consumers notice that their news is fabricated, and therefore, their reality is artificial?

Those are the big questions; destiny holds the answers.

Feeling Secure Yet?

2010-01-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

Recently, I had occasion to take a trip by air--a mercifully short trip, I should add. You see, I have come to loathe air travel. One of the main reasons for my aversion towards flying is due to the modern fixation on 'security' at airports. Okay, I'm old enough to remember the good, old days-the days when you could smoke on aircraft (bad!) and there was no such thing as 'security scanning' and all that goes with it. How the pendulum has swung!

And my recent adventure in Wonderland took place a few months before the latest confabulated security crisis that has cranked the stress meter to new heights-- i.e. the scivvy-bomber, the mesmerized Nigerian lad who was fingered by his own father to the CIA, who got burned in a failed ignition yet ignored it, who was described by the passenger who jumped him as being in a trance state. That little incident. At that already miserable time of year for air travel, security immediately went overboard, and thousands of delayed travelers became living testimonies to the joys of feeling secure while flying. Thank God, I mused, I wasn't one of them.

On said trip, I went thru the whole experience that was 'normal' as of late 2009. You know--put little 100 ml/2 oz. bottles of gels and fluids into plastic bag; go thru scanning arch; get patted down; take my shoes off for scanning; etc. etc.-the whole humiliating and lugubrious exercise. Then, from the relative calm of the waiting lounge beyond, I watched the spectacle repeat for every traveler who came along.

With an iota of objectivity, the scene takes on a bizarre aspect. I watched as men and women, from very young to very old, were subjected to the gamut of procedures. No exceptions, no deviations from SOP. I saw young women having to remove their shoes; an obese man; little old ladies, etc. The security staff took their jobs very seriously; this is not a career for the class clown. Even their attempts to lighten up are clearly forced and stiff. The guy with the electronic wand was particularly serious, as his brow wrinkled with every spurious bleep emitted by the tool of his restricted trade. For one of my vintage, it was like a scene from a 1960s futuristic movie. Welcome to the present-day Twilight Zone.

Are we really any safer with all the increasingly invasive procedures imposed on us? We are expected to believe so. And in case we have any doubts, the Powers that Be take ongoing steps to keep the populace in a constant state of fear. Besides the daily stream of 'news,' there are special measures at the airports. A recorded voice came over the public address system at short intervals, reminding travelers to keep their baggage at hand at all times, and for everyone to be alert for abandoned luggage. Sure, you tune it out after the first few irritations; but if you stop to ponder, it is clearly reinforcing the message of fear, lest you forget. Posters in strategic places similarly give a visual reinforcement to the verbal messages. Wandering security officers keep an eye on one and all, and those are the ones you notice. Do you find air travel stressful, dear reader? Are you paying attention?

If you think security has reached some kind of plateau that we can adjust to, you'd better think again. Even before the 'gotchie-bomber,' some airports were live-testing 'full-body scans,' that give the operators a 'thru-the-clothes' view of everyone they check. Wow; those 'X-ray glasses' young readers of comic books used to long for have finally become reality! But now they are used by the authorities to peep under your undies for guns, bombs, and who knows what. Several years ago, I envisioned that in the future, air travelers would have to undress and change into an airline-supplied 'gown' before boarding. As usual, tho, reality trumps fiction. Now they can run you thru the body-scan and know it all.

If you are tempted to dream that that'll be the ultimate in security scanning, well, sorry, but there's more-- and worse. The next great thing will be mind scanners. Don't scoff! A little research will reveal that there are already experimental hardware/software systems that claim to distinguish certain 'concepts' or words by analyzing electronic brain-wave patterns. In a few years, when you go for a flight, you will go thru a full-body scan followed by a full-mind scan. The system will be programmed to detect certain trigger words that raise suspicion of possible terrorist thinking. If it detects more than three such trigger words from a lexicon of several dozen 'electronic signatures,' then woe betide--you will be pulled aside for an interview with serious-faced officials who will presume you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. It will be the 21st century reinvention of the witch-trials of a millennium ago! Even Orwell did not have the imagination to foresee this kind of mind invasion by 'Big Brother;' but he came very close. And if you still harbor doubts, you should know that we already have 'behavioral profiling.' To automate the system is not such a problem, especially with artificial intelligence and immense data storage capability. The Hollywood movie, Minority Report, was not mere fiction-- it was (more) prophecy.

The thought that really irks me about the whole security fiasco is how futile it is; how it is almost entirely artificial. It really is troubling to realize that all this imposed invasion of our physical and even mental privacy was thrust on us on the basis of a small series of mostly staged 'terrorist' events that were designed to so threaten the public that we'd be willing (even anxious) to subject everyone to the machinations of enhanced security. And in the end, it's impossible to prevent all acts of terrorism, even if they are genuine. If subversives want to cause mayhem, they will find ways. No human system is beyond corrupting. What we are witnessing is the dawn of a new era in air travel where security will get so unbearable that many people will simply give it up except for absolutely necessary trips. I wouldn't want to have anything to do with the airline industry, especially be a shareholder, from now on.

Air travel is just the Trojan Horse for the authoritarian agenda. Once the populace is resigned to the draconian ‘security’ normalized at airports, the next step is to extend those concepts to other aspects of our life. Think of security checks at shopping centers-- some merchants would welcome it as a way to catch shop-lifters. What about security check-stops on every highway trip?-- “Your papers, please! This is for your protection, you know.” Again, don’t laugh. Road checks are already routine in many countries, as anyone who has driven in our North American neighbor, Mexico, can tell you. If one goofy incident on one flight can usher in the era of invasive X-ray scanning, clearly it won’t take much to make my bleak predictions reality. An oversized fire-cracker in a DC Walmart, and presto!-- new, strict security at shopping malls. If imagination falters in what will be leveraged to restrict our road trips, I suggest reviewing past Hollywood movies for ideas. It’s ‘curious’ how accurately ‘reality’ imitates ‘art’ when it comes to Hollywood, the fatherland of illusion.

The final frontier, the Internet, may never be completely restricted, lest the whole economic system be imperiled. Yet, the capability exists to monitor every piece of communication and every web visit, to ‘identify’ potential threats to our precious ‘security.’ I hope by now, that every person who reads this essay can comprehend that in pretending to make us secure, the ‘democratic’ governments of the Western world have stolen our basic freedoms. And most people have been cheerily complicit in this robbery! How? By simply buying into the transparent lies pumped out by our governments and their media whores. By not questioning the nonsensical explanations they provide us, and the foolish measures they impose for our supposed protection. One day, soon, I expect that it will be too dangerous to post or distribute a message like this one. Hence, I am sending it now, knowing many will scoff, but hoping others will reflect. Some closing thoughts from a wise source:

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light... For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the [mentally] dead."

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

[Paul’s letter to Ephesians, ch. 5; my paraphrase]

Great Expectations, 2010

2010-01-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

By 2010, the human race was supposed to be exploring the moons of Jupiter... isn't that what the prognosticators of last century were telling us? The reality is hideously different. Just take a broad appraisal...

Coincidence Theory Strikes Again!

'The battering will continue until morale improves!' to rephrase the old joke. Just when the battering from nature was making Christmas travel difficult, the proverbial worse case occurred-- an interrupted terrorist attempt on a US airliner. If air travel was difficult before that, it became utterly grueling after the panicky imposition of new 'security measures.' But, as one who was sitting comfortably at home, one thing struck me-- how calmly the traveling public accepted the draconian inconveniences. In random, TV interviews, people just giggled, shrugged, and incredibly, stated that they were 'glad that things were being done to protect them.' Amazing!

The hidden manipulators behind the events must be ecstatic with mirth mixed with wonderment. What can't they do to this society of muddled-headed simpletons? Will nothing rouse people from their slumber and possibly provoke some serious thinking? This is too good to be true, they must be chortling. But, so preoccupied are the 'sheeple' that they can't be bothered to reflect on the absurdities of the stories they are fed, even when the subterfuge is practically thrown in their faces! Amazing!

In this latest case of a 'terrorist plot,' we have enough evidence to easily conclude that it was a deliberate set-up, designed by shadowy agencies, intended to ramp up the fear and stress already at a high level. Just to re-cap briefly: the 'terrorist's father, for heaven's sake, had fingered his son to the CIA as a suspected jihadist; the young man had 'lost contact with his family' for some six months; he had no passport-- yet was escorted thru security at Schiphol airport to board the flight; he got burned in the groin and leg, yet uttered nary a sound; the man who jumped him stated that the guy appeared in a trance. Folks, you don't get so many dots so easy to connect to spell the word 'conspiracy!' Mr. Abdulmutallab was a CIA (maybe Mossad) programmed 'asset,' primed to carry out a mission impossible for political-theatrical reasons. There may be much more to it, but those are the broad outlines that are sufficient to confirm that we are being played for suckers. And most people seem to love it. Doubly amazing!

Thus, 2009 closes as it opened, with another blow to the body societal by the heavy-weight puncher we don't even see. The year has been a succession of hooks and jabs, starting with the financial crisis carried over from '08, followed by frenetic attempts to make a pandemic out of an H1N1 virus that looked suspiciously lab-created; on-going sabre-rattling in the Middle East with threats of attack on Iran, then terror bombings in Pakistan; and late in the year, a strange shoot-up on a Texas army base by a supposedly disgruntled Arab officer. 'Curiouser and curiouser,' as Alice muses in Wonderland. Welcome to the ninth year of the 3rd Millennium-- a 'Wonderland' that would boggle Lewis Carroll himself.

The Psychology of Acquiescence

You'd think people would start to smell the rat, start to see that all this mayhem doesn't just happen because of discontented fanatics in poor countries jealous of Western excesses. Sadly, the attitude of the vast majority is to suck it all up, and pretend that the official stories really do make sense. You see, it's the psychology of ego that says: I've already invested too much time and effort-- (here at the stalled airport, or here in the army, or here in the failed investment house, or wherever)-- therefore, I have to make it somehow worthwhile. Hence, I will believe the nonsensical explanations of our authorities, because they validate my sacrifice, my futile efforts. If I admit for a moment that the official stories are incredible, then that makes our leaders and experts liars; and if they are liars then I've been believing lies all my life, and I can't countenance that thought. That means that my whole world is an illusion, a bad illusion; and I like that illusion! Now you see cognitive dissonance in action. The typical response is to retreat into what we call denial, and to re-affirm that the artificial world of lies is true and describes the real world.

At the same time, there is a strong element of 'abuse psychology' also at work here. Typically, sexual predators can operate for years within a family or society even when their proclivities are widely 'suspected.' Why? Because few individuals are willing or able to shatter the group illusion of the abuser as a solid citizen. To do so is to upset the mythos of the collective, and is usually met with fierce resistance and opposition from stalwarts who don't like their world ruined, even when their inner or moral being knows the ugly truth. In similar fashion, at the societal level, the majority have a vested, emotional interest in preserving the group addiction to unhealthy but rewarding beliefs and behaviors. This is not theoretical. Why do people line up to welcome home their fallen soldier family member, yet never question the futility of the war? The dead soldier is always a hero who fought for the group's values against evil forces who oppose those values. Why do people believe what the evidence of common sense should tell them is an impossible array of coincidences that caused the attacks of 9-11-01? Why did American voters vote for another big-party president when they've been getting shafted by the 'good-cop/bad-cop' strategy for decades? And so it goes.

The thinking behind the psycho-bashing is simple, and has been well explained by Naomi Klein in her book, 'Shock Doctrine.' It's all about keeping people emotionally unbalanced, mentally dazed, and functioning in survival mode. In that altered state of consciousness, the masses are easy to manipulate, and will accept 'solutions' that go against the very principles we say we believe in. What the forces of darkness have been doing to individuals in the notorious prisons-- the physical and psychological torture-- they are doing to the whole of society, with the same purpose in mind, which is to break the mass will. This ought to be astonishing to readers... but I hope to God, not unbelievable when you truly consider it.

Happy New Year... anyone?

The game has become almost too easy for the Powers That Be. They hardly worry about the inevitable slip-ups and contradictory news leaks, and the few individuals who blow their whistles. When you own and control all the communications media, you define reality. When you've been creating people's reality for the last half century, you have little concern about opposition. At times, TPTB almost flaunt the stratagems in our faces, arrogantly confident that their media will spin the story, and presto! the public will shrug and buy it. Yet for the minority of us who perceive the schemes, they are becoming increasingly transparent to us. And our puzzlement at why our circle of family and friends can't see it, is reaching agonizing proportions. What will it take?, we wonder. Same for the media analyses. The reporters go just so far in their questions, yet they always stop and switch topics before probing anywhere that might shed true light on the underlying causes and agents. That's why it is so important for every person to stop taking the easy route of ignoring the news, or accepting the ready-made fables of the media, and to start thinking about what we are being told about each shuddering blow to the status-quo.

We head now into 2010-- which is not the first year of the next decade, but the last year of the current decade. But, nobody cares about that, just as they don't care about all the other 'mere details' surrounding the chaos of our times. What will the new year bring? I don't pretend to be a prophet, but it doesn't take magic to predict that the new year will bring us more of the same constant pummeling on all sides. Why? Because the populace likes it! They must like it, otherwise they'd start thinking about it, and after thinking about it, they'd realize that there's something rotten in the state of this world... as it's defined by our leaders and experts. So, expect more concocted 'terrorist incidents' that will be leveraged to introduce more humiliating restrictions on our liberties... and justify new wars in exotic places. Now that they've got a choke-hold on air travel, the next incidents may well focus on other avenues we take for granted. My worst fears are that TPTB will decide it's time to unleash the dogs of daily terror in the heart of America, probably meaning, initially, more petty stuff like 'shoe-bombers', being apprehended in shopping malls and subway stations. Later, it will get serious, with explosions in those locales and blood in the streets, as they say. Don't be shocked if you have to go thru a scanner to go shopping at Walmart in a couple years.

Expect permutations of the influenza viruses to appear and create a stir in various parts of the globe. The economic recovery will continue to benefit certain already rich individuals, while keeping the masses on constant edge. Far from delivering peace in our day, Obama will expand US military operations in Yemen and Pakistan, expanding a dangerous region and making it more precarious. Israel seems bursting with a desire to strike at an enemy, especially Iran, and that rage can't be contained much longer. The hidden hands of evil-- CIA/MI6/Mossad-- will continue fomenting havoc in the Arab states (primarily) until the Muslim world is in total turmoil. Expect more news of strife in places most of us have barely heard of, and can't find on a map, such as the 'stans' of central Asia.

It's going to get ugly, because those lusting for world dominion cannot restrain themselves much longer. They almost appear to be working under a deadline. Or, perhaps they see the ages-long goal is now so close to achievement that they're in a frenzy to close the deal. Whatever the case, events are moving rapidly on the world scene. Because of their haste, 2010 will be worse than 2009. I know you don't like to read that or hear 'bad news.' Yet the time for blissful ignorance is long past; whether you like it or not, the bad news is going to hit you hard. You can either be sucker punched into oblivion, or you can brace yourself because you see it coming, and endure. It's your choice, reader. Happy New Year.

Postscript:

those who think this analysis is nonsense must surely find their comfort in this Orwellian slogan-- "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength"... good luck.

Scripture References (from the New Testament)

[Why should we pay attention to what goes on in the secular world?]

Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you." (Matthew 24:4)

[How could events move so fast as to bring about the End of the Age?]

Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:22)

[How can we know that the world is moving towards the End?]

Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. (Matthew 24:32, 33)

[Why should I care what happens in the world?]

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)

[Why has the world become so chaotic in the years since 2001?]

Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time. (Revelation 12:12)

Merry Christmas?

2009-12-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

Every year Christmas time seems to get a little more unreal.

At first I thought it was just that I was getting more cynical with age; but being aware this year, I'm sure it's really getting more bizarre... (and, okay, I'm also more cynical, too). It hit me particularly when my wife and I were in the unusual situation of sitting in a Spanish-language church for a Navidad service. Besides several Spanish versions of popular Christmas hymns, the young music group suddenly put Jingle Bells on the overhead projector, with English words. Somehow, seeing the words 'writ large' as it were, made me very conscious of how crazy they must seem to those in the congregation who understood English. What could they make of 'bells on bob-tails?' In the midst of all the religious hymns in Spanish, what was the relevance of sleigh-bells on horses? Yet there is something quite illustrative about the contradictions.

From that service, I came away hyper-sensitive to all the craziness of this season. As I listened to the old, hackneyed tunes on the radio, the weirdness factor kept growing. Every singer established enough to be called an ‘artist' has to release a Christmas album sooner or later to cement their position in the commercial music scene. So we get all those old, familiar tunes 'covered' by every artist, and each has to add his/her distinctive embellishments, with more or less success-- you are the judge. Once a year, for maybe ten days or so, we get to hear all those old saws, by a platoon of artists, and just as they almost take over our feverish minds, they mercifully disappear for another eleven and a half months.

It's those songs that set the mood for the season, and if anyone stops to ponder them, all kinds of unsettling questions arise to sour that mood. We get so comfortable with the songs that the obvious questions don't occur to us. But if you had to explain the Christmas memes to a complete outsider-- the classic anthropologist from Mars-- you'd start to see what I mean. Like, he/she might well ask 'what does an impossible reindeer with luminescent nose have to do with the birth of the Son of God? Or a zombie snowman? And all those other secular favorites, ranging from rock rhythms to almost anything? Of course, they are all examples of the de-religifying of Christmas, if I may coin a word. Over the decades, the feast has, in the pop media, lost almost all of its original religious significance, and has morphed into a kind of winter saturnalia, a warm, family get-together time that appeals to almost all 'communities' regardless of religious outlook. Even the formulized greeting ‘Merry Christmas’ begs questioning. Why should it be merry... which connotes triviality, at best? (The French ‘Joyeaux Noel’ makes more sense for a Christian).

To the beleaguered Christians, this secularization of Christmas is much lamented. But it may actually be a blessing in disguise. Rather than asking the rhetorical 'Who took Christ out of Christmas?' Christians would do better to ask the question posed by an Internet writer who pondered 'Who put Christ into the Solstice?' Yes, that makes more sense. After all, there is nothing in scripture to indicate when Jesus was born. Nor is there the slightest hint that his believers ought to celebrate his birthday. For those who dare investigate, it seems that Constantine, the Roman emperor credited with making Christianity the official faith of Rome, decided his decision would enjoy much better chances of success if he eased his subjects into the transition from paganism. So, he made Sunday the official day of religious observance, and... he transformed the old feast of the winter solstice-- the day of shortest sunlight and longest darkness. Under Constantine's plan, the 're-birth of the sun' became celebrated as the birth of the Son, and pagan symbols like evergreen trees and yule logs were adopted into the new scheme of things. Eventually, 'Father Christmas' came along in Europe, and morphed into the stereotyped, rotund Santa Claus that infests every shopping mall in America every December. The once hallowed, holy day has become the premier holiday of the modern calendar, accompanied by its commercial companion, 'boxing day.' While the religious aspect is now trivial, the holiday has become so vital to retailers that many could not survive without the buying frenzy of Christmas.

On the flip side, the expectations surrounding Christmas are so onerous that many innocent 'consumers' suffer great stress at this time of year as they try to find the right gifts for people who don't really need more stuff; and as they try to find the money to pay for all the futile presents. I've heard it claimed that the death rate from suicide and other causes peaks over the Christmas/New Year season. What seemed a good idea 17 centuries ago, in a more religious era has turned out quite differently in today's society.

Perhaps the ultimate irony lies in the efforts of some progressive reformers to enforce a non-religious Christmas, one with no hymns, no nativity scene, no mention of Christ, and no church affiliation at all. To bolster their efforts, they've tried to add Hanukah and Kwanza, and heaven knows what, to the 'generic season' while denaturing Christmas into a Santa-Claus fest. Which takes us to the wacky concoction of incongruous themes that have grated on my nerves with increasing urgency over the decades.

As I stated, all these contradictions could have a beneficial outcome if they roused Christians to really think about their faith, and its sources, and to realize that they must stop depending on institutions and start developing a personal understanding of scripture and the gospel. Is this likely to occur? No; more likely, the contradictions will increase. Maybe all mention of Jesus will be removed, and tho the day may still be called Christmas, it will be completely non-religious, maybe even irreligious. No matter; I have long ago stopped taking it seriously.

SS Titanic - 1912... 2012

2009-12-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

The sinking of the ocean liner The Titanic has become folkloric, and as I've written before, iconic, since it resonates with so many facets of human behavior. It's for that reason that I'm fascinated by the story-- a true story, well documented, and illustrative of human foible. What more could one want of a tale?

Like all events that have morphed into tradition, it's all too easy to miss the penetrating insights it offers as we simply gloss over it as the entertainment it has now become. Bearing that in mind, let's have another, measured look at the story and see if there are angles previously overlooked.

The Titanic represented the height of technological prowess in 1912. It had a double steel hull, it had steam turbines for propulsion, and electric generators for light, and even the latest communication device, called wireless telegraphy. It was outfitted lavishly, with a grand ball-room, dining rooms, and comfortable cabins (for the first and second class passengers, at least). To preside over its maiden voyage, the White Star line chose Captain Edward J. Smith, who was considered an accomplished sea captain. Given the caliber of the celebrity passengers aboard SS Titanic on this inaugural crossing-- men such as JJ Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim-- Smith must have been selected to meet their expectations. Yet the tragic sinking of this ship must be placed directly on the shoulders of this one man.

On the star-lit evening of April 14, 1912, the Titanic was slicing thru the north Atlantic waters at close to full speed. Inside, passengers were enjoying live music in the ball-room, and fine foods served on fine tables by attentive staff. Then, the watchman on duty reported to the bridge-- an iceberg had been spotted a few miles distant. The bridge officers reported the information to the captain, and the speed was reduced slightly, but still maintained at over 20 knots. You don't have to be a physicist to grasp that a large, massive steel vessel, moving at around 25 mph, has a great deal of momentum, and does not easily change direction. If it should strike another massive object at that speed, there will be 'unintended consequences.' When you are driving a vehicle on the highway and it starts to snow, you know you have to slow down to maintain control. But Captain Smith simply carried on as if it was 'clear sailing.'

What was he thinking? It's not obvious. He must have known the dangers of steaming at high speed in the North Atlantic during ice-flow season. He would have had some notion of the dire consequences of a collision. Even if he was utterly confident that the ship was 'unsinkable,' as the designers claimed, he would still have known that hitting a fair-sized hunk of ice would create 'inconvenience' at the least, such as having to proceed at much reduced speed or possibly stopping to wait for assistance. Yet Smith seemed oblivious to the risk, and ignored the warning of his look-out. Crazy behavior in retrospect. Crazy decision even at the time. Why did he do so?

The answer to the big 'why' seems to lie somewhere in the human psyche. Smith exhibited the hubris that the Greeks wrote about, a kind of arrogant contempt for displays that other humans could view as weakness. Was he so enamored of the extravagant claims of the technologists of his day, that he was ready to bet the safety of his ship on it? What was Captain Smith thinking, anyway? It makes no sense.

The whole sorry tale fascinates me because it encapsulates in cameo all the elements that one can apply to our modern age and its challenges. To cite some of the parallels, I offer the following broad strokes for the reader's meditation.

Humanity is sailing thru the cosmic seas of space on the good ship Earth on a starry night. Aboard are a handful of ultra-rich, celebrity passengers, traveling first class, and enjoying nothing but the best. In the ballroom, comfortable, middle-class passengers dance to the music and imbibe fine wines. In the lower decks, there are multitudes of poor passengers, poverty-stricken, who can only dream of having the necessities of life. Our 'watchmen' have been warning us for a long time of dangers looming dead ahead but at an unknown distance. On the bridge of spaceship Earth there is an assortment of crazed, self-seeking, madmen, seemingly bent on destruction. None of the higher-ranking officers wants to slacken the pace of life, or to evaluate the warnings coming from the look-outs. Reckless abandon seems to be the hallmark of the day, as politicians bicker and ignore the crises of climate change, global inequalities, pollution, corruption, drug-weapon-and-human trafficking, and so on. Those few who know about the dangers that lie ahead prefer to keep the masses in blissful ignorance of them; and the latter are quite happy to carry on in their willful lack of awareness. The iceberg was not some sinister, devised calamity; it was simply a normally occurring artifact, existing in accordance with the natural laws. Could an analogous, natural, cosmic event collide with the destiny of Earth in the near future?

You, dear reader, can connect the dots, and notice how the situation of the Titanic in the cold, dark Atlantic Ocean in 1912 reflects the larger reality of planet Earth in (dare I say it?)... 2012.

Fort Hood-wink?

2009-11-13T21:34:00.000-08:00

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon which refers to the discomfort felt at a discrepancy between what you already know or believe, and new information or interpretations.

Here we go again-- another mass murder committed by lone gunmen against 'innocent people.' ('Again,' referring to Columbine, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma federal building, etc.). The media seem to love these incidents, and respond almost as by formula: horrified headlines, then hand-wringing questions of Why? and Why us? Then they bring in the talking heads to explain the gory details of what happened, and more experts to opine on the 'why' questions. And then they dig out (and dare we suggest, fabricate or embellish) stories on the 'heroes.' Yes, America loves its heroes, and there are always heroes to be discovered in every human tragedy-- the teacher who made a brave choice that saved some students; the policeman who ignored danger to 'take down' the attacker; you've read all about them, or watched their stirring bio-sketches on all the major TV channels. You have to feel sorry for these people who were 'just doing their job,' then thrust into the media glare as sacrificial heroes to parade for their 15 minutes before an America reeling in shock and grasping for comfort. That's a key part of the formula you have to comprehend: implant the dominant themes in the public consciousness while it is malleable and highly suggestible from the psychological imbalance generated by trauma.

Unfortunately, the media's well-honed formula does not include any really useful, insightful analysis that would provide long-term benefits for society. Those benefits would include preventing incidents of 'unexpected, murderous rage' from happening again, by healing the disaffected individuals before they explode. Instead, the focus immediately goes to 'increasing security' to prevent the next murderers from completing their rampages. In other words, the solution is always sought in band-aids, never in going to the root of the issue, which would entail too serious introspection on the part of society. The public has been conditioned to be incapable of dealing with nuanced analysis. The emphasis on increased security is no accident; it is a deliberate move by those in authority to grab powers that were previously restrained by the laws of the land.

Take the latest example, the Islamic psychiatrist working at Ft. Hood. At first glance (even second) it appears like a straightforward case of another 'wacko who snapped,' and took out his rage against those close at hand. Indeed, the same news agencies carried another story of a shooting in Florida that followed this classic formula. But-- for the patient news watcher who didn't jump to the pre-programmed conclusions desired by the mainstream media, the picture soon started to resemble the now-familiar news-management that surrounded the 9-11 and other major 'attack' stories. What do I mean? It's the rapid accumulation of 'facts' or speculated facts that just don't make sense. That phase is quickly followed by the mysterious disappearance of certain of those factoids into the black hole of journalism, never to be seen again... at least not in the mainstream media. The first stories from Ft. Hood explicitly mentioned at least 'three gunmen,' one of them shot and presumed dead (at the time), and two others still either at large or being detained. Since Hasan was shot and hospitalized, who are these other two persons? Why were they taken into custody? And what is being done with them? Then we hear that in the midst of a military base, Hasan, with no combat experience, was able to shoot 42 people, killing 12 of them, using one or more hand-guns! We are told that he got off some amazing number of gun-shots before being finally brought down by bullets fired by (what's this?) a civilian police-woman. Later, we learn that Hasan just happened to be a graduate of Virginia Tech-- yes, that V-Tech. The one where the Korean student 'snapped' and killed 32 people on a psychotic rampage in 2007. Hmmm.

Of course, there's more. How about the 'interesting link' that has been reported in the 'MSM' between Hasan and the 911 terror plot? It's a tenuous link at best; but it doesn't even have to be true. It just has to be alleged, and the effect is the same. Similarly, early, repeated allegations that he had applied to avoid deployment to the combat zone are now found not to be substantiated. On his behavior that day, a witness at the convenience store Hasan frequented stated that he appeared completely normal. Then he 'snaps' and fires at innocent by-standers. Folks, that smells of classic post-hypnotic suggestion, or programmed response. It will be very fascinating to see if Hasan somehow survives the wounds and is able to testify... or whether he 'succumbs to his injuries' and we never hear what he might have said.

Even accepting the chaotic mainstream narrative at face value, there are troubling issues. Since the shooter had an Arabic name, the press took the easy route and jumped on his distress at being deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq where US troops are fighting Arab/Muslim 'insurgents.' Now, I don't doubt that Major Hasan was indeed distressed at being sent to assist the army to fight against people who share his culture &/or beliefs. What the media fail to deal with is the big question of whether this anguish hits on a valid irregularity of US foreign affairs. Why, in fact, is the US military in Afghanistan? What is the latest pretext for sending the troops to that far-off country that, by no stretch of imagination, poses any threat to the US? Why are Afghan and now Pakistani civilians being killed regularly by 'NATO' forces in the pursuit of the once-friend-now-enemy Taleban, and the CIA-invented 'Al-Queda?' Is the US presence based on the same kind of fabricated lies that were invoked to justify their invasion of the sovereign nation of Iraq... and to subsequently destroy the country in the interests of subduing the resistance?

These are the kinds of questions that must have echoed in the mind of Hasan while he conducted his duties on a Texas military base-- and that could have driven him over the edge if he was notified of deployment overseas. Of course, these are precisely the kind of questions that the media avoid like the simple truth. As good servants of the ruling elite, the media know better than to dig for real answers. So it was with the Columbine incident. The media obsessed about superficial matters, but few, if any, dared to question a society that revels in violence as entertainment, beamed to us 24/7 by eager, profit-driven media corporations. That could have been... 'er, embarrassing, shall we say. No, the media have become hostile to any implied criticism of the mind- and soul-numbing pop culture they so flagrantly flaunt and promote. Instead, the media have become the shapers of public perception, the ultimate propaganda machine as envisioned by Edward Bernays, the 20th century 'god-father' of modern 'public relations' and advertising. The truth is that we are living in the Matrix that defines our consensus reality. It is not a physical matrix of hardware pods, but a more subtle, virtual matrix of media-generated illusion. And it is just as vicious and subversive and totalitarian as anything imagined by Orwell, Huxley, or the Wachowski brothers. The Ft. Hood incident bears all the hallmarks of another, false-flag diversion; one that comes along just when Obama had to consider whether to send more troops to Afghanistan. Now-- if only Hasan had been of Iranian descent... Oh well, you can’t make every detail perfect when staging a phony disaster for political purposes. Stay tuned; and stay alert!

Dogmatic Certitude

2009-11-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

How many of you readers have found yourselves among a group of people who 'belong' to some religion or another, and just observed and listened to their chatter? If the people are true believers-- of whatever they call their faith-- they will exhibit certain traits that are held in common by all such cults, whether big or small. That uniformity in behavior, and often structure, can be puzzling to the objective and unfamiliar observer.

Probably the most striking characteristic that true believers manifest is that they are completely comfortable with the certainty that their religion has all the answers.

It doesn't matter what question of existence that you place before them; they unhesitatingly respond with the 'correct and only correct answer.' They alone, of all schools of thought, have the answer; all other responses are, therefore, incorrect or lacking in some way. After one has been thru this kind of situation a few times with different religious groups-- including some that appear completely different-- one can find it almost hilarious. At least it demonstrates some deeper truth about human nature and the perversity of human belief.

To give an example of what I'm talking about, let me state that I was raised as a Roman Catholic, getting the full treatment of catechism classes, the sacraments, priestly sermons, Latin masses, and so on. In those days, the RC Church had all the answers; they were found in the Church literature, or were handed down to the laity from the big guy, the Pope, via his hierarchy of clergy. Somehow (God be praised) I escaped the clutches of this General Motors of the religious world. However, I was still a prisoner of the notion of 'church,' and ended up in the camp of the Seventh Day Adventist organization. Now, here's a group that sets itself as a kind of religious insurgency against the RC Church, and has all the scriptures to back them up. Well, guess what? After almost ten years as a member of this group, I found that they are really much closer in general morphology to their designated adversary than they'd ever want to admit! Yes, it's true. Take away the ceremonial paraphernalia of the Catholics, and there are remarkable similarities in the attitudes of the clergy and of the parishioners... 'er, members.

By the grace of God, again I broke free of the benign shackles of Adventism. This time, tho, I was older and wiser; and twice-burned, I was not about to make the same mistake again. It finally dawned on me that a relationship with the Supreme Creator has nothing to do with huddling around with people who have developed a common dogma concerning the supposed nature of this unknowable Being. Far from it; these organizations inevitably become convenient vessels of the great enemy of souls, Satan, in his relentless and venomous campaign to destroy humanity. That, alas, is a consequence of fallen human nature. So I finally took responsibility for my own religious outlook, my own beliefs, and my own relationship with God. And, curiously, I found the answers and guidelines necessary in the same scriptures as do those big, organized things called churches.

But the phenomenon of 'religious isomorphism' is not restricted to Christianity. No, not at all. Over the years of open-minded pursuit of faith, I have fellowshipped with groups of various religious persuasions, including Moslems, Bahai's, and Hindus. Sure enough; each group is totally convinced that their system has all the answers. Some of them are fairly pushy in explaining their elaborate beliefs on all aspects of human existence-- from the creation of the universe, to the nature and fate of mankind, and everything in between... they all have all the answers. Of course, there's one small problem that the outsider like myself immediately realizes-- these groups often differ vastly in the details of the answers that they supply, yet they are all convinced that they alone are correct!

Well, 'duh!' They just can't all be correct. You can point this unsettling fact out to the adherents of any one of the myriad of sects... and it will have no effect on their thinking. No, they remain resolute in their certitude. God is clearly a Catholic for the Catholics, a Muslim for the Muslims, a million manifestations for the Hindus, Jehovah for the Witnesses, and so it goes. Once someone makes that commitment to a creed, he or she is highly reluctant to exercise any kind of free thinking-- what would their religious peers think? What about all the time and sacrifices they made to obtain this ‘final truth?’ They cannot even seem to exercise any imagination! They have to inhabit a fully determined world, where their group has all the answers, and no further thinking is necessary. Can thinking be so painful? Is life without all the answers so unbearable?

It stuck me that religions must attract the kind of personality that cannot cope with shades of gray, with uncertainty, with any doubts about the nature of existence and the universe. By the way; I hope the perceptive and unbiased reader can notice clearly that in this regard, even atheists who vigorously defend evolution and attack God, are themselves behaving exactly like the religious zealots I have described above! They are just as certain that they have all the answers-- at least the answers they need-- as the annoying religionists. I say to all these insecure personalities, 'What's so hard about admitting that there are many things about the cosmos that we just don't understand, and perhaps will never understand?' So what? We don't have to have 'all the answers' in order to live fulfilling lives, to make scientific progress. Why does every intentional group have to insist that they are 'right' and everyone else 'wrong?'

Well, I'm quite sure that each one of the religious sects can supply me with definitive answers to my rhetorical questions... But curse them all; I don't want their pre-packaged, black-and-white, rote responses! Probably each group has a little truth; but none has a patent on truth. And none is willing to admit it. Sadly, the whole world suffers because of their refusal to admit incomplete truth, and because of such restrictive views of reality. With their monocular outlook on world events, each group is doomed to miss things that other groups could teach them. The whole race is the poorer for this problem of the dogged certitude of human belief.

Eight Years of Deception

2009-09-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

It hit me recently-- a little flash of insight so obvious yet hidden in plain sight. With my ears, I was hearing another vacuous radio interview on the 8th anniversary of ‘9-11,’ whether the world is ‘safer’ now than before that date. My eyes were glancing over a screen full of ads for books on the 9-11 conspiracy, and the NWO, and so on. And it struck me that here we are, eight years later, with eight years of almost unrelenting evidence of global manipulation of our world, probably thousands of books and articles about the true, evil conspiracy that brought down 9-11, and yet the mainstream media still prattle on about the consequences of 9-11 as if it’s all widely accepted that the official story is unassailable, and we have only to discuss whether subsequent decisions were useful or not. It’s totally bizarre, is my immediate reaction.

When, one fine but too late day, the majority of the Western populace finally wakes up and realizes that they’ve been played for suckers, they will have to look back at the years following 9-11 and acknowledge that the facts-- not just ‘clues’-- were all around them for the whole period, glaring us all in the face. And too many chose to turn away and ignore them because they made us feel uneasy. Well by then, we’ll be a lot more than uneasy; but too bad-- ‘ve are too soon old, und too late schmart!’

Aye, that’s the irony of the illusion we are presently immersed in. The ‘truth is out there,’ all around us, but it’s just far more convenient to give it a pass. For the conspirators, the accumulating evidence of their crime is a bit of a nuisance... but only that. They are becoming quite content at mouthing the now familiar rebuttals to the facts, confident that their reality is going to prevail because it’s the more soothing. Meanwhile, they feel free to proceed with their plans using the same rationales as always, knowing that the sheeple have short memories and long tolerance for official abuse.

On the eve of the anniversary date, I watched a TV documentary produced by the BBC directed squarely at the mounting concern over ‘WTC 7’ as ‘smoking gun’ proof of insider involvement in the 9-11 attack. It was, on the surface, a bold move to address some of the most egregious discrepancies between the official story and the critics. However, as it unfolded, I could see the deft touch of ‘spin’ being administered by masters of the craft. They interviewed the prominent conspiracy theorists to present the most common ideas about the event; and then they presented their experts who gave their story supporting the incredible official line. In the end, the viewer was left with a dilemma of whom to believe: the devil they know-- their politicians and media spokespersons, or else the upstart, and upsetting critics whom they don’t know. The program made a point of presenting an outright lie as a casual but pivotal assertion by one of the official spokesmen who stated that there was no ‘wider context’ within which the ‘WTC-7 conspiracy theorists’ made their unconventional claims. That comment, quickly glossed over, was flabbergasting in its flagrant disregard for eight years of ever-broadening evidence surrounding the whole event! That one brief comment, very deliberately inserted in the middle of the broadcast, was clearly intended to discredit everything that the critics had to say about the collapse of the three towers.

That deliberate bit of disinformation also demonstrated to anyone paying attention that the BBC is undeniably an accessory to the 9-11 cover-up. Yet you have to almost admire their sheer chutzpah. Imagine; they tackle the thorny issue of WTC-7 head on... and guess what, gentle viewers-- it’s really nothing to worry about; the government was right all along; you can go back to sleep. That’s one of the main lines of attack by the disinformants for 9-11. They appear to address the critiques directly; but using television’s ‘power of persuasion,’ well-honed over decades of advertising and news-shaping, they instead create additional strength for their lies in the minds of viewers. It’s a clever tactic; but one that will, in the long run, back-fire on them. One thing the cabal can’t understand is that one day the truth will finally emerge. That is just the way the universe works. You can create all kinds of elaborate lies-- many civilizations over the millennia have fabricated them-- but in the end, these structures collapse just like the World Trade Center towers. They collapse because they are built on phony foundations, and constructed of fake materials, and held together with a web of falsehood. Such a structure cannot survive for any extended length of time; it must crumple under its own weight of deception.

For interested readers, here's another hard-hitting article that considers the present state of affairs at this momentous time in history:
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=156451

Loud Cry to Modern Christians!

2009-08-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

This is a message from a modern-day prophet, an Isaiah or Jeremiah for the times. It is not a message to tickle your ears. You will not sit there with a warm glow of satisfaction as you read. It is a wake-up call, a winnowing stick that will determine whether your faith is a solid kernel... or a thin husk of chaff that can be blown about by the winds of deception.

What are my credentials, you ask, in this age of expert-worship. What credentials did Isaiah or Jeremiah have? Jesus was a carpenter’s son and presumed apprentice; what qualifications did he have to lecture the people of his day? What enduring spiritual insight has been uttered by the mouths of the credentialed professionals, that you should seek them to soothe your itching spirit? If you are truly a Christian, the Holy Spirit should be getting your attention, and should guide your outlook, and provide you with sufficient ‘gifts’ to at least recognize truth when it hits you in the ego.

The Spirit of the Lord speaks thus to His followers in the rich, ‘Western’ lands of plenty:

if you are still under the delusion that the USA is other than a land completely and utterly under the domination of satanic forces, then you haven’t done your homework, Christian! You just haven’t been paying any attention over the last decade as events have unfolded on the world scene. You have spurned the spiritual gift of discernment, thinking it too strenuous, and turned such weighty matters over to your eager-to-please pastors. You’ve been content to sit in your pew for that pathetic hour on Sunday when you are a credentialed Christian, and listen to your hired, professional shepherd tell you what to believe about the faith and current events.

When you appear before your Lord and Judge on that Day, you will try to use the excuse that “they told us we were blessed among the nations for our Christian heritage”? Will you whine that “they said our prosperity was a sign that God was blessing us for going to church and donating to its upkeep”? Didn’t Jesus soundly chastise the Pharisees for that same smug attitude? “We are Abraham’s children, so God must be pleased with us.” Didn’t the prophets of yore raise a loud cry against their ‘blessed,’ complacent compatriots who exploited the masses while claiming the benefits of being an Israelite? Your riches are no sign of spiritual health, Christian! Far from it. If you still sit there passively or actively supporting the depredations of your government, smugly assured that it is carrying out God’s work, you are in a most sad spiritual condition. If you believe that Israel is a land blessed by God and destined to rule over the nations, regardless of the methods it employs and its treatment of its neighbors, then you are living the New Testament with a stony, Old Testament mind-set.

Mind-set is a modern word for what the Bible calls your ‘heart.’ The biblical writers were not referring to the physical organ when they talked about the heart; it’s the term used for the beliefs of your soul, your inner convictions... or lack thereof. The Christian mind-set in modern America is that of an adolescent-- ‘gimme everything I want because I deserve it.’ That’s the gospel of divine entitlement that is so prevalent in America over the last half century, and that is so eagerly lapped up by the masses of pew-warmers. While Americans have bloated their bodies on over-abundant junk food, they have likewise dulled their souls with the pop dogma of Christian prosperity. The USA must be blessed because of its surfeit of material wealth, so the logic goes. It’s so easy for the purveyors of such mind-mush to push this nonsense because their flocks are dull of mind, happy to abdicate the responsibility of discernment to ‘credentialed experts’ who make them feel so good about their wretched excess of wealth in a world where two-thirds of humanity live in pitiful poverty.

Yes, it’s so pleasant to listen to those sermons that quote scripture here and there, and supply all the Christian rationale for sitting contentedly in the land of plenty while the majority of humanity barely survives. In fact, the experts are not content with simply justifying the gross inequalities of the modern world; no, they go on to blame the victims for their poverty, their lack of initiative, their inability to hoist themselves up by the boot-straps (never mind that they can’t even afford boots-- that’s their problem). How many Christians in the US have joined the righteous battle against the ‘evil’ of universal medical care? How dare those ‘communists’ try to extend health care to the undeserving poor! Any attempt at a slightly more equitable distribution of wealth in the land of plenty is met with a storm of indignation, largely from the Republican ‘right,’ the haven of indignant Christians of various stripes, united in their fear of losing their privileges.

While Christians (some at least) rail against the false doctrine of Evolution, they have unconsciously bought into the allied, subtle dogma of economic Darwinism, or social ‘survival of the fittest.’ That cunning view has insinuated itself into the mass mind-set, and envelops a host of social evils with an air of listless inevitability. Thus, the poor get what they deserve; and presumably, so too, the rich. Hence, no need to exercise moral imperatives to address such inequalities-- they are unavoidable consequences of human, Darwinian behavior. How convenient... especially for the rich class! In this manner, the modern Christian is a dupe, speaking against anti-Christian teaching on one hand, while unwittingly accepting and promoting it on the other.

Again, in the realm of core faith, the American Christian has blindly accepted the precepts of the Old Testament while pretending to live under the New Covenant of Christ. It doesn’t occur to them that they are living a contradiction! After all, they reason, the pastors would have told them. As Hosea lamented in his day, My people are destroyed by lack of knowledge. What do I mean? Let me spell it out. The Old Covenant (or Testament) was given to a specific group of people at a time when they needed it. The Old Covenant, given thru Moses to the people of Israel, out in the Sinai wilderness, some 3,300 years ago, was like a ready-made constitution. They needed it to endure as a viable nation after leaving the ancient culture of Egypt. Over time, the Israelites corrupted their covenant, and their society broke down into the many ills decried by their God-sent prophets. The primary alarm of those prophets was the spiritual exploitation by the priests and scholars over the laity, the unschooled populace. Abusing their office, those shepherds led their flocks into spiritual destruction (and often physical destruction, as well). The same tragedy is unfolding in our midst, and this messenger condemns it!

After twelve centuries of corruption of the ‘Laws of Moses,’ God sent His Anointed One (for that is what Messiah means) to His people, Israel. By then, there remained only one remnant of Israel, the tribe known as Jews. Jesus was born a Jew, and delivered a radically new message to the Jews and to the surrounding peoples. In place of the rigid ‘Law of Moses’ with its legalistic, flinty, unbending outlook on morality, Jesus proclaimed a gospel of Love. It starts with the crazy belief that God, rather than seeking to destroy you, really loves you! Yes, God wants people to live a decent, upright, and fulfilling life... and to inherit everlasting life in the beyond. It was a radical message that upset the socio-political-religious order of his day... and continues today to fly in the face of human logic in all aspects of society. The organized Christian Church, within two centuries of Jesus, and to this very day, has not been able to accept his gospel. Instead, using human cunning, the powers that run the Christian churches have invented a hybrid gospel, one that has mesmerized almost everyone. The false, hybridized gospel proclaims the New Covenant message that God is Love, and we are saved by His grace obtained thru Christ’s ministry... and then it adds the proviso that we must thereafter live under the Ten Commandments-- which are the heart of the Old Covenant! The problem seems to be that the hierarchy cannot accept that ordinary believers could allow their mind-set, their heart, to be conditioned and directed by God’s Holy Spirit. So, in their zeal to impose external constraints (‘binding guidelines’) on their flocks, they graft Moses’ Laws onto Jesus’ gospel. Voila-- modern Christianity-- neither New nor Old, neither hot nor cold, but pitifully lukewarm (as per Rev. 3).

American Christians are particularly vulnerable to deception and manipulation. Since most believers are very comfortable by world standards, they have little to motivate them to study the deeper, spiritual meaning of life. (‘Life is good; why bother to ponder?’) All Americans have been purposely conditioned over many decades to put their trust in experts who know better than them. In the religious sphere, the same logic holds sway: don’t study the Bible because it’s too complicated; only trained pastors understand it. Thirdly, despite the promises of the technologists that life would become lazy with futuristic inventions, modern life is, instead, kept at a mad rat-race pace, so that working people have little energy or inclination to devote time to spiritual enquiry. These factors have made it easy for unscrupulous leaders to bamboozle their congregation into believing all kinds of errant articles that would be exposed with some focused Bible study.

Yet some of the worst offences of Christians are among the most obvious contradictions of the true faith of their founder. While Christians believe they are covered by God’s grace, they apparently do not believe that grace should extend to anyone else (ie. to non-Christians, or even, incredibly, to non-Americans!). Thus, they bask in assurance of the good life, here and hereafter, while supporting a government that kills women and children in other, (mostly Arab) countries around the world. Some such Christians, demonstrating the extent of their glorious ignorance, would argue with me that no, their government only kills ‘bad guys,’ and the death of innocent civilians is purely accidental (‘collateral damage;’ tut, tut). That childish response is hardly worth the effort to rebut since it merely indicates the degree of worldly brainwashing of the one who utters it. Just as comfortable Christians can’t be bothered to investigate scripture, neither can they be bothered to determine the truth behind the ‘news’ fed to them like daily pabulum by their major media outlets, the servants of the masters in Washington.

It’s hard for onlookers, whether people of faith or atheists, to comprehend ‘Christians’ who seem to honestly believe that all those fingered by their government as terrorists must be guilty and ergo, deserve whatever punishment meted out. Those ‘loving Christians’ who support the wars of aggression in Iraq, Afghanistan, and covert wars all over the globe, are a menacing mystery to a puzzled world of non-Christians everywhere. Even those with the vaguest notion of Jesus understand that he stood for ‘love thy neighbor,’ and some even know that he said ‘love thy enemies.’ But the armchair ‘Christians’ of modern America have complacently accepted the ersatz, bellicose beliefs palmed off as Christian by the crafty, religious shysters of our day. Instead of social justice and equity, Christians are tilting their rhetorical lances at the windmills of homosexuality and abortion. Sure, these may be behaviors anathema to Christian teaching; but in the big scheme of life, when the streets of poor nations are running with the blood of the innocent, Christians ought to be mature enough to know where the priorities are. Instead, Christians in America prefer to wrap themselves in the star-spangled (and blood-spattered) banner rather than the pure, white robe of Jesus.

You eat up all the nonsense about ‘spreading democracy’ with military might, and strive vehemently against phony, concocted ‘communism,’ and cower at the Oz-like specter of ‘global terrorism,’ of which your government is a major dealer. But you go to church, and call yourselves Christian! You bring only shame on his name! Christians must yearn for the gift of spiritual discernment, and learn to exercise it in every walk of life. If they are so easily deceived by their own shepherds, they will be easily devoured by the great Adversary, the Devil, who pretends to bring light... but it’s the headlight of an approaching locomotive. They must learn to hear the true shepherd’s voice-- not the dulcet demagoguery of those who make empty and hypocritical promises.

Like the hypocrites, I could have littered this diatribe with Bible verses. But this message is based on the most elemental tenets of the faith of Jesus! You don’t need a Ph.D. or doctorate in Theology to use the common sense God endowed all humans with. You don’t need a penetrating insight into scripture’s nuances to grasp what the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart. All you need is the basic Christian faith that rests in the giver of that faith, the ‘true light that gives light to every man’ (Jn 1:9). There is no excuse, Christian! You must wake up now to seek that true light... before you stand before Him, and have no defense but to point your fingers at the false prophets who sold you what your ears were too eager to hear. (2 Tim 3; 4).

© J. Krzyzewski, Aug. 2009

Stages of Grief Presage Disaster?

2009-08-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

As I observed the present state of the world and the ever-increasing craziness, and read some related commentary, the question came to me-- could the whole race be exhibiting the classic emotions associated with grieving?

It may sound bizarre, but some researchers believe that the world’s population is aware, at a level of ‘universal consciousness,’ of the spiritual sickness in society, and of the unavoidable doom toward which the global populace is hurtling (in terms of e.g. pollution, climate chaos, plagues, famine, etc.). In unconscious response, many individuals are going thru the various emotions of the grief cycle, and there’s an eruption of persons acting out these feelings in an extreme manner... as almost any news-cast will attest.

Let’s consider the typical stages in the grieving process and a few examples of how people are expressing them verbally.

1. Denial:
Example - "Everything’s fine; the world is just going as it always has." "There’s nothing happening that can’t be completely explained by science." “We’ve always had disasters-- we’re just better at recording them now.”

2. Anger:
Example - "Why are you dwelling on the negative? It's not helpful!" "How can this outrageous nonsense be true?" "Why don’t they do something?" “It’s the lunatic fringe always stirring things up, looking for conspiracies!”

3. Bargaining:
Example - "I just want to live a full life; I don’t care about politics." "I'll keep doing my own thing until I can’t ignore it any longer." “I’ll give up living here and move elsewhere if it gives me some extra time.” “If things were so bad, they would tell us about it.”

4. Depression:
Example - "I'm so scared to look at the facts, it freaks me out." "We’re all going to die some day, so what's the point?" "All is lost, there’s no future; why go on?" “The government is too big and powerful; we’re doomed.”

5. Acceptance:
Example - "It's going to be glorious, once we get thru this." "We can't fight it, but we can prepare for it." “The world is going to be renewed-- after the crisis is over.” “The Bible tells us who wins in the end, so keep the faith.” "We can handle it with God’s help."

Counsellors tell us that most persons go through these five general stages or emotions when experiencing grief over a significant loss. Altho the stages are listed in the order commonly observed, people may switch from one emotion to another at any time during the grieving process, and even feel several at once. As my examples demonstrate, we can easily find people experiencing any of the states in connection with a postulated grieving over impending racial doom.

It’s no secret that we are seeing unprecedented levels of depression and the use of prescribed anti-depressant products and of mind-numbing, illicit substances. We are also witnessing widespread anger expressed as anything from ‘road rage,’ to horrific mass murders. Moreover, it is very common for the perpetrators of these outbursts of violence to kill themselves as the culmination of their murderous frenzies, making futile the frantic calls of the frightened conservatives for capital punishment for murder.

Most significantly, the vast majority of people are in deep denial, clinging desperately-- often angrily-- to the illusion of normalcy. A few of these realize that the normal world is a fantasy, but they can’t accept this reality, so they resort to a kind of bargaining-- ‘Maybe nothing will happen for many years, so I’ll ignore the prospect of doom and enjoy life.’ Perhaps this subliminal foreboding explains the popularity of ‘extreme sports’ among the younger generation-- they have reasoned (unconsciously) that they might as well go for broke, since there may not be a world to retire into. Occasional stories from the scientific community that life on Earth could be annihilated by a collision with an asteroid or comet do nothing to assuage the fears of an already edgy modern society.

A very few have reached acceptance of the reality that the time to ‘pay the piper’ is finally at hand, and the world is about to encounter its greatest crisis of the age. As someone enquired on another website (henrymakow.com) ‘Should we be preparing for the worst?’ I think everyone should be preparing for ‘the worst.’ But-- by preparing, I don’t mean stockpiling food, water, weapons, or whatever, and heading for the hills. What I recommend is to deal with the grief! First, you have to get out of denial, and start to face the reality that the worst forecasts may be optimistic, and as the Bible warns: When men are proclaiming ‘peace and security, sudden destruction befalls them.’ Move yourself thru the feelings of anger, and depression; push beyond the bargaining, and get on to the serenity of acceptance. In the face of the kind of crisis to confront this generation in the near future, this is the only preparation a wise person can make. Turn to God; be open to His Spirit; and learn to trust in Jesus and his words.

Spiritual Gifts- Use Them or Lose Them?

2009-07-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

"Pray and give yourself anew to the Lord and His work. Then look around at what others are doing in your church and ask if you can join in. ... Your church needs you.
For a healthier church, exercise your spiritual gifts." [RBC ministries]

The above advice was recently presented in a 'thought for the day' by a popular Christian organization. The author obviously assumed first, that any Christian reading it would be a member of a church, and secondly, that 'your church' will be happy to have you exercise your spiritual gifts in their environs. Yes, it all sounds perfectly reasonable, and quite normal assumptions by most readers. Well, the surprising news for all those gullible readers is 'It ain't necessarily so!'

Take the first assumption-- that all Christians 'belong' to a church. Not! The current generation of Christians no longer simply takes it from tradition that they must belong to a recognizable church to be saved... not at all. Why should some self-generated body of people decide that they are authorized franchisees for God? Why should any believer have to subscribe to some man-made corporation to appropriate the blessings of the Creator? Why do we need professional clergy to spoon-feed religious truth to us? These are all burning questions that stick in the spiritual craw of a growing number of modern believers, and so far, there is little evidence that the mainstream churches, and also splinter groups, have any idea of how to respond.

Looking at the second assumption, we find that it is equally glib. Accepting for the moment, that one is a member of a duly constituted church, it is my experience that there is no guarantee whatsoever that either the pastor or other members will be pleased to have you 'exercise your spiritual gifts' in their midst. Far from it. Oh sure, if you are willing to just do whatever the pastor or church board wants you to do, then they'll be happier than clams. But that is hardly using your God-given gifts, is it? If your 'gift' happens to be something like spiritual discernment, or understanding the signs of the times, (perhaps fancy terms for 'BS-detecting') then you stand a high chance of being rebuffed by your church. You will be accused of being a disturber of the sheep, of not being a team player, and in the extreme, of being a pawn of Satan. If you are in a conservative church, they will ensure that you don't exercise those gifts for long, and if you don't submit to suggestions, they will impose sanctions of some kind, restricting your ability to exercise those gifts or influence anyone else in the company. If you are seen as persisting, you will end up disfellowshipped.

In a 'progressive church,' a person who upsets the doctrinal or spiritual apple-cart in some way will probably undergo more subtle, marginalizing treatment. You will be re-assigned to more suitable roles, like baby-sitting the toddlers, or making coffee for visitors, but not leading a Sunday school class, certainly. Faithful church apparatchiks will keep a wary eye and ear on your verbal or written comments, to provide early intervention in sticking to the doctrinal line. In such an environment, only the most docile continue to put in an appearance on a regular basis.

Those with an aptitude for finding discrepancies in matters of official dogma, or of voicing alternative interpretations of scripture, will eventually find themselves on the margins of their church. There's little point in fighting the system to try to convince the powers that be within the organization to change their views. Organizations do not change their official articles of faith easily, if at all. And individuals do not take kindly to suggestions that their cherished views are in need of adjustment, or that their organization needs reform. The leaders may make all the positive statements possible about encouraging diversity and promoting renewal, and so on; but, mark my words, it is pure hog-wash! Such progressives may actually believe what they are saying... at the moment. But, upon sober reflection-- and serious reprimand by the rest of the establishment-- they will find a convenient way to let hierarchical nature take its course and extirpate any and all attempts at genuine reformation. It's not a problem with churches-- it's a universal problem with all human structures.

So, in conclusion, I have to temper the enthusiastic and well-meaning advice of the writer for the electronic ministry. Within a church structure, you will be welcome to work to advance the goals of the management board-- in fact, they'll love you for it. But, dear Christian, harbor no illusions about exercising your spiritual gifts if they involve any call to seriously change the basic outlook of the organization. For that kind of exercise, you will most likely have to leave the company and operate independently. Don't lament; that's just the way things work in the realm of 'sinful flesh.'

Musings on Warnings

2009-06-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

A recent posting on probably the best ‘open’ forum on the Net had some heartfelt comments encouraging readers to pay heed to the contemporary warning signs (unspecified) and stated: “If you wait to hear it on the news, it will be too late!”

Most people do not heed warnings until it is absolutely clear they are applicable!

There are warnings (stark ones, too) printed on the packages for cigarettes; yet most smokers continue to smoke. That’s understandable, since habitual users become addicted and cannot easily stop. What’s more puzzling is that the warnings fail to deter many new, young consumers from starting the habit. Similarly, we have warning messages to wear the seat-belt when traveling in a car; to slow down when driving in inclement weather; to pull over and stop when using a phone in a vehicle. There are warnings posted at unsupervised beaches and other public places considered dangerous, yet some people simply ignore them and do their own thing. We’ve had warnings for years that our rivers, lakes, and now, even oceans are being polluted to levels that are toxic for both aquatic animals and humans. We’ve known for years that air pollution caused by vehicle and industrial emissions are causing a great number of premature deaths and medical problems, yet take only half-hearted measures in response. And so it goes.

It seems to be a hard-wired feature of the human psyche that, for a majority of people, warnings are only taken seriously when the situation is already dire.

What does it take for warnings to be heeded by the majority? It’s not impossible to reverse the proportions of those who pay attention to warnings versus those who don’t. Usually, it begins with recognition by credible sources-- e.g. a professional researcher, an academic institution, etc. Once someone regarded as believable has acknowledged a danger, the next step is usually interest by the news media. Some media agency gets wind of the ‘story,’ considers it news-worthy, and presents it. If the story ‘develops legs,’ has staying power-- not easy in today’s hyper-active world-- then it gets the attention of the public, and from there, the interest of the politicians. At that stage, we know that the apprehended risk is being taken seriously-- but there are no guarantees that anything substantial will be done. If the politicians perceive some political benefit from pursuing the issue, they will engage the process of drafting legislation, sending it to committees, and eventually introducing it for a vote. All of which takes time; time in which the situation usually gets worse, and possibly bad enough that the legislated measures are now quite inadequate. This is the normal cycle by which most societies deal with an apprehended problem or hazard.

When the normal process is inverted, there is reason for suspicion. When the politicians tell the public that there’s some problem so dire that it requires immediate legislation to address, then something is awry, I’d say. In the aftermath of ‘9-11,’ governments in the primarily English-speaking countries all introduced laws addressed at ‘fighting terrorism,’ while having the real effect of restricting, and even removing, personal liberties acquired with much bloodshed over many centuries. And the same thing is happening in the economic sphere: using the threat of bankruptcy of king-pin businesses (like GM and Chrysler) the workers are being forced to give up benefits gained over decades of hard-fought bargaining. When the politicians discover a ‘danger’ that needs immediate action, you can bet that something’s afoot; they are moving us toward some desired objective. This inverted process, then, is itself, a warning sign to those who know how to read the signs.

That probably is the key to the effectiveness of warnings: they are heeded by those who are knowledgeable in interpreting the signals. Jesus chided his listeners: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Matt 16:3). I suppose there are always a number of ‘filters’ on our interpretation of what our senses relay to our brains. We have a huge tendency to want things to be stable, and warnings are always about things that have the potential to unsettle our routine. We also want to believe that those who are in authority have our best interests at heart, and will provide warnings when necessary, and conversely, we are safe if they haven’t warned us. In an earlier essay, I wrote about the human aversion for bad news, and the lengths we go to avoid facing it. All these factors explain why the worst job in the world is to be a prophet, a look-out with a warning message.

From our distant past, such individuals have had a tough career. From merely being ignored or rejected, to ridicule and derision, to persecution and even murder, such were the fates of those with an unwanted warning message. Today, there are two looming disasters careening towards human society on this planet, like a runaway freight train rushing at a level crossing being approached by a speeding tractor-trailer. The truck is being driven by madmen on the road to their New World Order. The train is a cosmic catastrophe on a date with destiny; that destiny being the end of the present age of human existence. To those of us who have removed the main filters, those dominant themes are obvious. Our deeper implanted filters may prevent us, however, from seeing the details of the dangers before us, and also prevent us from agreeing with others who have their own, partial view.

That fragmented description of the approaching crises again takes away from the impact of the warnings. The public, seeing discord over the details of the warnings, clings to the most attractive conclusion-- that therefore, there is no danger-- rather than focusing on the broad lines of concurrence. Thus, the ‘job’ is always easier for the negative forces to advance their cause, confident in the inertia of human nature taking necessary action when, instead, avoidance is still an available option. Perhaps the best that a prophet can expect to achieve is to present the warning in the hope that the hearers will remember it when the signs are so obvious as to be unavoidable. At least then, listeners may not be completely taken by surprise. As Jesus said, "From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe...” (Jn 13:19).

To those who have eyes to see, the signs are all around in our modern, secular society. The warnings are printed right on the greenback, the US dollar bill, for all to see! You know about the pyramid capped with the ‘eye of Horus,’ the inscription ‘novus ordo seclorum,’ the number 13 embedded in numerous images, and so on. Curiously, other warnings are presented for all to see in popular movies (and many pop songs) that are used as covert vehicles for serious advisory messages. The messages are right in our faces, yet they are hidden because they are put forth as fiction-- hence, it is easy to dismiss them as entertainment. You think it is for mere amusement that movies on ‘2012’ are being released three years before the fated date?

Probably the most convincing argument the prophet of today’s signs can give to the skeptics who cannot stretch their pre-programmed imaginations around the idea of a global conspiracy is to simply ask the scoffer this simple question: if it’s really just a crazy theory, then why do they persecute those who proclaim the warnings? A crazy idea can be dismissed as such, but a theory that gets too close to the truth provokes a nasty response. Alex Jones, to take one example, has regularly been harassed and obstructed by authorities when covering the big, ‘secret conferences.’ David Icke has been denied the use of pre-booked halls on speaking engagements. British MP and critic of Western policy towards Palestine, George Galloway, has been barred from entering Canada. Jeff Rense’s website comes under periodic attack, and his character under constant attack from someone, somewhere. Those who know what’s going on, and speak up about it, are inevitably persecuted. Some, like William Cooper, end up killed by the establishment. If it’s all a load of nonsense, you’ve got to ask yourself why do ‘they’ care? The very fact that the hidden manipulators go after these individuals (through their hired proxies, of course) demonstrates conclusively that there’s fire under the smokescreens, there’s substance to the allegations!

Finally, it’s obvious that no warning is going to have any benefit if no-one knows about it. That is the biggest obstacle now facing today’s prophets-- getting their message out to the masses. You’d think in an age of global, instant communication that it would be easy to inform the public; but of course, that is completely contrary to the reality. It is harder than ever for one person to get a message to a wide audience when every message is a mere droplet in a tidal wave of ‘information’ that sweeps over the world, daily. Compounding that already daunting obstacle is the problem that the hidden puppeteers don’t want ‘unapproved’ warnings to reach the populace; and those people control the major media conglomerates. (A warning is unapproved if it does not emanate from one of their designated sources, and moves their agenda forward-- e.g. 'climate change'). Thus, the powers behind the scenes are the gate-keepers of information, keeping the world ignorant of the most important knowledge, and flooding our minds with an overwhelming tide of tera-bytes of mostly worthless data.

If a meaningful warning is to have any chance at wide dispersal these days, it would likely have to take place on the worldwide web, using a site like YouTube, Twitter, or MySpace. We’ve had examples like the demonstrations that were organized in Moldova, in early 2009, by activists using the Web. Then there was the ‘much-ado’ case of singer Susan Boyle and her flash of fame that was fanned by the video clips posted from her TV appearance. The potential is there for a message from an obscure source to ‘go viral’ on the Net, and thereby-- for the immediate future-- get around the mainstream media gate-keepers to reach a global audience. But it’s still a long-shot, and usually dependent on the ‘MSM’ to some degree (e.g. Ms. Boyle appearing on a major, national talent show). Even on the ‘un-policed’ web, any story with information ‘they’ don’t want us to know comes quickly under attack by ‘dis-information’ agents who attempt to trash it before the message gains any traction. And with web-sites now numbering in the multi millions, it is no easy feat for any single item of information to be anything greater than a fleeting, local point of interest in a galaxy of starry lights.

The bottom line for prophets and their warnings is this: we can expect that no significant warning message will be given widespread attention (let alone credence) until such time as the warned event is already well underway. ‘As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the day when the Son of Man returns’ (Matt 24:37, Lk 17:26). Even in the last moments before the great Deluge, the masses of people were carrying on life as if all were ‘normal’ and would always be normal. The warnings of Noah were ignored or ridiculed... until it was too late. Yet Jesus assures us that history will repeat. There is nothing much we can do to change the human heart. “Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy" (Rev 22:11).

The Prodigal Son - A Fresh Look

2009-05-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

If there's one parable of Jesus that gets a lot of retelling by preachers, it has to be the story of the 'prodigal son.' It has been analyzed and interpreted through the ages, and books have been written based on it. Yet, there always seems to be something new and fresh to learn from the tale. Here is still another look at this story--one with perhaps a genuinely new lesson to absorb.

The word 'prodigal' has the meaning of 'wasteful,' 'reckless,' and other rather pejorative terms.

Jesus crafted this amazingly multi-layered lesson masterfully, as the ultimate illustrated guide to salvation.

It is obviously an allegory for the story of God's dealings with mankind. The 'father' represents God. He's a kindly, tolerant, long-suffering, generous person, who allows his son to go his own way, but then waits patiently, longingly, even expectantly, for him to return home. The elder son is a typical 'first-born'--responsible, obedient, and maybe too ready to resent. He has 'high standards' of behavior, and expects it of others. On the outside, he's your average Christian, you could say.

The famous prodigal is adventurous, and curious; he wants to 'experience life.' Perhaps he represents Adam and Eve, wanting to fly on his own, without Dad around to supervise. But he is no less loved of the father. Even when he demands his inheritance before the usual obituary, his father takes no offense, and hands over the portion to his inexperienced hands. Number two son goes out, and sure enough, he blows his fortune and falls on hard times. He's the kind Christians want to 'convert.'

That's a lot like most of us. We want to get away from the restrictions of external authority and live life freely, able to do what we want. We squander the blessings of health and youth that were our inheritance, and sometime in middle age, we come to our senses. So too, the prodigal comes to his senses, and realizes he's got to go back to the ancestral home. But he also realizes he's 'blown it,' and feels pretty guilty and ashamed. He figures he'll earn his way back to his father's good books by working as a servant. It sounds quite sensible to most human listeners: acknowledge your failure and go to work to pay your way, earn your keep, merit a place in the father's house. Doesn't that have an intuitive appeal to our sense of self-worth, our sense of pride and right behavior? Of course-that's what we humans would expect!

But, is that what the father wants? Not at all! First of all, he ignores the smell--the shame and guilt--of the prodigal, and runs (not walks, not waits with hands on hips). The father runs to the returning child, and before the kid can blurt out his rehearsed confession, he hugs him close, with tears in his eyes. God wants nothing to do with a 'works' repentance; He just wants us to return in love, and be part of his family again. Then the older son gets indignant about the treatment his brother is getting, reminding Dad about how well he's performed over the years. The father gently reminds him that everything in the estate belongs equally to him; there was never any question of judging his achievements.

You can see that in Jesus' own sketch of salvation, there is no mention of 'standards,' of measuring one's behavior either before or after 'conversion,' by means of external criteria, i.e. by reference to laws. The father is a figure of grace personified. All he wants is for his children to turn to him, and love him in return for the never-turning love he bears them. He doesn't want servants; he wants family. Jesus told his disciples that servants don't know the master's affairs; but he told his followers everything he knew, and called them 'friends.'

My conclusion is that this key parable, illustrative of God's plan of salvation, shows clearly that in the New Covenant, the everlasting covenant, there is no reference to, no need for, the Ten Commandment Law. The only law Jesus was interested in was the Golden Rule: love one another as you love yourself. And importantly, this is not the only place where he makes this idea clear. In another classic, eschatological parable of 'The Sheep and the Goats,' Jesus again separates those two classes of people without reference to the commandments, but simply on the basis of what we call 'charity,' or love. It's another lesson to glean from the well-studied parables; something very provocative to think about.

The High-jacking of Christianity

2009-05-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

Mention the topic of the Christian Church among a random group today, and you will likely get a cluster of comments that portray the Church as a conservative institution, a virtual anachronism in a modern, 'progressive' world. In fact, it is surprising to see the contempt many 'outsiders' express when talking about the Christian Church. Indeed, there are many good reasons for those impressions to prevail, since they were developed over the past several decades, even centuries. Spokesmen (and they're mostly males) for Christianity in the USA have aligned themselves firmly on the far right of the political spectrum, and have even made forays into the worldly realm of politics. (While the religious scene in Canada is quite different from that in the US, Canadians are subject to heavy influence via the TV broadcasts and media stories coming from the south. By such cultural osmosis, the popular impression of 'Christianity' is much the same there as in the USA.)

And so, it has come about that in America, Christianity is virtually synonymous with the 'religious right.' Most observers probably assume that this is quite natural, that it has always been thus, that all Christians are rampant red-necks. But, is that correct?

Have Christians always been conservatives? And is that how it's supposed to be? Not at all, is my response! Quite the contrary, in fact. The primordial Christian Church, as it arose in Jerusalem from the first Pentecost after Jesus' death, was far from conservative. It was a very outward-looking, radical organization, attracting those who were not satisfied with the ages-old traditions of a dead expression of religion. Only people of courage dared to join this new sect, and they endured much hardship for the right to be followers of Christ.

Yes, they were radicals when seen in the light of their Jewish background. In proclaiming the gospel of Christ, they were overturning all the sacred cows of the traditional, Old Testament or Mosaic faith. If you doubt this, just read Acts, especially chapter 15, where the disciples decide what to require of gentile converts. Rather than dump the whole Law of Moses on these new believers, they simply required abstinence from food offered to idols, and from sexual immorality. That's it; period! Even today, most pastors of any given denomination would cringe to deliver that message to their flocks. They'd be appalled with any suggestion against the thought that there's got to be a whole bunch of rules added to the membership certificate to keep these innocent believers from going 'hog wild' in their freedom in Christ. When you contrast the early church with the hide-bound society from which it emerged, you start to get a feeling for how radical it was.

Somewhere along its track of history, though, the mainstream Christian Church (make that 'Churches,' following the Reformation) lost the radical flavor that characterized the beginning. They got high-jacked by conservative thinking men whose primary interest was in preserving the status quo. It's too hazy and protracted a process to try to pin an exact moment on when the Church swung 'right,' but it probably started after the time of persecution by the Romans. After Constantine made Christianity the national religion, the Church could relax. Without the threat of external persecution, membership became a lot more attractive to a much wider population. With the blessing of the emperor, it was a smart political move to adopt this new religion... even if one wasn't fully 'heart-converted.' Under these two factors, the inevitable happened. The Church came to adopt the hierarchical, paternalistic, bureaucratic structure characteristic of the Roman government and most human, secular organizations. Once that happened, it was not long before the bureaucrats behaved as all such officials behave. They adopted the mindset that the prime objective was to preserve the existing organization at all costs. In other words, the Church fell into the hands of conservatives. In the main thrust of its history, it has never recovered from this phase.

So today, we have arrived at the point where some Christians think that going radical means accepting the profligate ways of secular society, embracing all manner of 'progressive' ideas, until the essence of their faith is dispersed into a faint hint of vague theism. Meanwhile, the mainstream, monolithic Churches are largely populated by adherents with little Biblical knowledge, led by company men, working towards retirement on company pensions. Not much room there for radical Christianity of the first Century type. In the USA, canny 'evangelists' with a flair for theatrics have found their niche. In a country hungry for some true substance, for spiritual nourishment, these men know how to use the media, especially TV, to advance their right-wing, fear-based agenda. In a country of unparalleled wealth, there's much to conserve, and these leaders know their audience and its insecurities. Not content with getting rich, they want to gain control of the levers of power, occupy political offices in order to extend their legalistic mania over the whole population of the US.

The Christian churches themselves have long forgotten what the radical, early church looked like... and worse, they don't want to remember. They've set up a pseudo-church system that seems to work well for their purposes. Many dubious practices have been embedded as part of the machine; for eg. "we need more money to '----------' (you fill in the blanks, and oh yes, send them a cheque.) The idea that the church itself needs to be 'born again' (to use the now-tired and tarnished phrase) doesn't seem to be part of any prominent leader's agenda. But that's what's necessary. If the Christian church is to have any relevance in the modern world, any appeal to a desperate world, any credibility, it must be wrested from the sleazy hands of the conservatives who now control it, and reclaimed by souls who are radical for Christ!

As Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their dead!" The prescription above may sound altogether too drastic, but if you read the gospels with a 'free mind' rather than one conditioned by years of the traditional blandishments, you will see just how radical Jesus was, and why he was so hated by the establishment. He associated with all the 'wrong' people-- tax collectors (considered traitors by Jews), uneducated workers, foreigners, and women including prostitutes. He exposed the hypocrisy of the ultra-legalistic Pharisees, and even had the gall to attack the abomination that they had made of the Temple of God. He broke their laws, and talked about setting people free... yet he made no effort whatever to speak against the Roman occupiers. Instead of preaching 'fire and brimstone' sermons about God's wrath and severe judgement, Jesus assured people of God's love and His mercy. So you should understand, that Jesus was no conservative, fearful defender of 'traditional values.' Far from it! He was a force for change, a force majeur sweeping through the stale, decrepit, rigid structure that was contemporary Israel. His message was radical. It's no wonder that he had to be eliminated by the conservative forces of the status quo. What is a wonder is how the movement he founded has fallen in the hands of opportunists and aparachiks who want nothing to do with institutional repentance and rebirth.

For those with the spiritual eyes to see behind the human dynamics, one can see how Satan infiltrated the organized church and immediately began leading it astray. God countered with successive reformations to ensure the survival of the essential message ensconced in the scriptures so that any sincere seeker can find the Way, the Truth, and the Life, in spite of the fog of confusion and error dispersed by most churches thru their spokesmen and literature. But it takes a bit of effort, not just occupying a pew on a periodic basis. Jesus said "Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened; ask, and it shall be given." So, dear reader, don't be satisfied to listen to sermons, but open your Bible, ask for guidance, and seek the truth.

Final Stand for Truth

2009-05-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

"Truth exists. Only falsehood must be fabricated."

It's a curious thing-- for me, at least-- that when I started writing about the idea of truth, I got rather negative reactions from various people. This reaction puzzled me at first, but as time went on, I came to realize that that's what truth does-- it creates controversy. And that's a story in itself... an important one.

Consider the name I chose for my web-blog (Truthquest): it seems to elicit annoyance or sarcasm from people who may be acquaintances or strangers. Why? Well, many persons are of the conviction that there's no such thing as truth, or that it's completely relative or personal, or that it's just an abstraction with no reality. These views all strike me as incredibly naive and lacking substance. It is baffling to me to have to defend the notion of something as obvious as truth. But then, I exist in a kind of transcendent sphere, where ideals and ethical concepts have genuine reality.

The controversy over something as fundamental to our lives as truth underscores for me the crux of the looming crisis poised to strike humanity and our tenure on Earth. Along with very many traditions and predictions, I also believe that mankind is very close to the cataclysmic end of this age that will be the most tumultuous crisis in our history. However, while the coming crisis will be characterized by physical upheavals of the planet, and social and political upheavals of unparalleled ferocity, I think the underlying conflict will be the final, colossal struggle between truth and untruth.

If anything is the endemic trait of our zeitgeist, it is capsulized in one word-- deception. Maybe I'm just too hyper-sensitive to 'BS,' but to me it's the grating tenor of the times that almost everything that reaches my consciousness from 'official sources' of any kind-- be they government, corporate, religious, academic-- has the stench of self-serving deceit about it. If it's not outright lies, it is usually a noxious mix of lies and selected truth. It's everywhere; all pervasive; in every aspect of our daily lives. And the worst thing is that most people either don't even notice it... or are so inured to 'relative truth' that they accept it as normal. The current generation have grown up in an 'age of persuasion,' with ‘commercial messages' bombarding us incessantly in every corner of urban life, so that distortion and hyperbole are taken as commonplace, and an inevitable part of modern existence.

You've got to understand that this inoculation to distorted reality, packaged as advertising and promotion for every kind of cause (good or otherwise), is a purposeful strategy, one designed to devalue truth in the mind of humankind. And it has succeeded quite well. In place of truth, we have pluralism-- in a global bazaar of cultures and ideologies, your 'truths' (ie. cuisine, music, political system, religion, etc.) are no better nor less valuable than mine. Everybody's truth is equally worthy-- so say the proponents of pluralism... as long as it suits their purposes.

Why do people get so offended by mention of truth, though? It would seem innocuous enough; but no, the reaction can be quite visceral. One reason may be because many skeptics associate truth with religion; and of course, religion is a big no-no with the chic, educated, liberal-minded middle-class. There is some justification for their wariness, because if you do an Internet search on the words 'truth quest,' you will certainly turn up many sites related to churches and religion. However, why should that link to Christianity (in particular) stir such animosity? Could it be due to disgust that anyone in today's pluralistic world would dare to pretend that they possess 'the truth?' The problem is that in rejecting the idea that any creed could corner the market on truth, these opponents then throw out the notion that there is such a thing as truth, altogether. It's a fool's line of reasoning that disempowers its supporter, while playing right into the hands of those hidden powers who want to strip humanity of any hope in a transcendent order of reality above the mundane. Brilliant, on the part of the forces of darkness; and ultimately deadly for the innocent who fall into the trap. As for me, I don’t profess to possess ‘the whole truth.’ What I do know is that I am on a quest for truth; and that is more than most can say.

Note that incomplete truth is not necessarily evil, but can be hazardous. After all, in this world we will not achieve 100% absolute truth in most areas, although it is possible in a limited sense, as in some branches of mathematics, or some purely observational matters (e.g. Is it raining here or not? What color is the object? etc.). We can and do function on incomplete knowledge, because it's all we have, generally. We have to recognize, tho, when we are operating on incomplete information, otherwise we run a real risk of making mistakes when our decisions are taken on the premise that we have full knowledge. For example, an airline pilot once discovered the truth that his aircraft's fuel tanks were empty while he'd been flying under the assumption they held ample fuel. In fact, the tanks had been refueled, but the ground techs were reading the gauges in metric units and assuming they displayed 'imperial' units (ie. liters for gallons). This is a good illustration of where partial truth can get us when we fail to grasp it for what it is.

What the nay-sayers apparently are so inclined against is the intimation that there must exist 'ultimate truth.' They can concede that there exists 'relative truth,' or 'constrained truth' in the laws that govern the physical universe... but they vehemently resist any attempt to extend the phenomenon to its logical conclusion-- that there must, perforce, exist ultimate truth. What are they afraid of? It's not obvious, but appears to be the tacit assumption in this logic that recognizing Ultimate Truth is tantamount to believing in God... and that, of course, is another materialist no-no. No, we must never return to the 'primitive dogma' of believing in God, lest we... what? What would believing in God do to mankind that isn't already being done, this time in the name of godless, unfettered, capitalistic avarice? Can't people wake up and see that what was once done under the guise of religion hasn't stopped; it is now being done in the name of 'democratic capitalism?' In times past, nations were conquered, peoples were murdered and 'ethnically cleansed' in the interests of saving them from heathenism and Christianizing them. Today, nations are conquered, and peoples murdered and ethnically cleansed in the interests of big business seeking new sources of petroleum. And the atheists smugly support commercial interests over religious... because they can't even see a religion if it wears a worldly disguise! And make no mistake; you may think that, oh no, you are a socialist; you don't support big corporations and their predatory practices. Well, how do you think the capitalists justify their predatory exploitation, if not by reference to your patron saint, Charles Darwin, and his godless theory of evolution? For in the purely material, humanist paradise, there is no ethic except the ethic of evolution, which is based on mere survival. In other words, might makes right in the mechanistic universe of Darwin's theory.

A world without ultimate truth is a world without God. And such a society is a hopeless, Orwellian nightmare, not worth living, neither for the trampled masses nor for their soulless overlords. The only way to survive in such a world is to shut one's eyes to the reality of its bleakness, and live life in a constant frenzy of activity, pretending that everything is fine and dandy. That is how the 20th century was lived by a growing majority in the Western nations. While we were madly accumulating material goods, and scrambling for success, we didn't have time to think about the omnipresent question of truth. The hidden manipulators used this materialistic smokescreen to advance many of their objectives, all the while completely unnoticed by a populace drunk on the perverted, fermented fruits of science and technology, the neo-religions of the modern age. Among those objectives were the following:

- ridicule and devaluation of Christianity, making Christians look antiquated and irrelevant to the contemporary world;
- deadening of belief in a 'higher power,' a divine designer, a cosmic creator;
- belief in the triumph of materialistic science to describe reality and explain existence;
- acceptance of ultimate relativism-- since all views are valid, virtually anything goes;
- breakdown of public morality-- we make our own rules, and they are constrained only by 'common consensus;'
- disintegration of the family unit-- since all 'sexual expression' is valid, marriage is outdated, and a family is whatever you want it to be, including homosexual 'parents;'
- breakdown of social cohesion-- under Darwinian morality, it's everyone for himself, and let nature prevail with the weak; capitalism isn't sentimental, we are told;
- Hollywood and the mainstream media now define reality for the masses, and they assure us that we don't know anything-- we must be told by experts, whom they supply.

All of these goals have been largely achieved, and they have succeeded by means of deception. The proponents behind these aims have been using lies, half-truths, and psychological manipulation for over a century to mold society in the desired direction. Their most important weapon is artful lying, which is telling untruths using carefully chosen vocabulary, so that an unpalatable statement can be stick-handled past the normal mental defense mechanisms. It's brilliant, in a way; and yet it has been a favorite ploy since the invention of speech. The difference today is that we now have individuals who specialize in the art of selling lies. They are called 'public relations' specialists, and have attained indispensable status for corporations and governments around the world. Sure, you sigh, you know that; and therefore, you are on guard for such games. If so, you are truly rare, because we are all being constantly set up to fall into these word traps, without being aware of it. Yes, we all figured out pretty fast what they mean by 'collateral damage,' and a few other notable examples. But, have you stopped to consider the pedigree of such words as 'homophobic,' and 'anti-semitism,' for example? You won't find them in an older Oxford dictionary because they were coined in more recent times for very specific, political purposes. By having the media use these terms repeatedly over years, the listeners eventually assimilate not only the word, but the concept behind the word, so that it becomes part of one's background, presumptive knowledge. From the repeated context clues, one comes to 'understand' that it is unacceptable to be called either homophobic or anti-semitic; therefore, one must avoid speaking or behaving in a way that might provoke such labels from others. The original and ostensible intent of these words may have been quite legitimate-- we should, indeed, refrain from attacking people because of their differences from the mainstream. Where this 'political correctness' has led, however, is to a state wherein it is impossible to criticize any aspect of, in these examples, homosexuality or Jews, because these terms have been enshrined into 'anti-hate laws,' and protect these groups from basic freedom of speech.

The mind-conditioning that has been implemented in the Western world over the past century is astounding, and space prevents me from analyzing it further, here. (The reader can find voluminous studies to corroborate my assertions). My point is that 'untruth' (which includes all that does not aim to be 'congruent with demonstrable fact') is now endemic in our society; so much so, that we are no longer even aware of the appalling extent to which this is true. In place of truth, we now have corporate 'brands,' icons and symbols, and national myths. By the time one reaches adulthood, he or she has understood and assimilated the notion that image is everything; that illusion is more powerful than reality. Thus, when someone complains that a certain advertisement is false, or a product isn't as described, or a political party reneged on a promise, etc., the response is that you should understand that you're buying a fantasy, you're electing a perception, you can't expect correspondence with facts or statements. In other words, deceit is a 'legitimate' part of modern life... it has been normalized, just as has various sexual perversions.

The problem is that you simply cannot run a world for any length of time on rampant and institutionalized deceit. That paradigm was tried in the last century in the late, great Soviet Union, and we saw where that experiment ended. More perceptive readers may argue that 'our' society, too, has lied to itself for centuries, and I agree, but also point out that in bygone years, there was enough freedom of speech, and persons of conscience in influential positions that there were restraints on the spread of deceit. In the 21st century, those checks are being rapidly hog-tied and neutralized by the introduction of draconian limits to freedoms once taken for granted, particularly in the USA. Those retractions of hard-won civil rights are almost always based on fears whipped up on events contrived for that purpose. To quote Goethe: 'There are none so enslaved as those who believe they are free when they are not.' From a 'spiritual' perspective (however you want to interpret that notion) this age is characterized by a definitive, titanic struggle between truth and untruth, between The Truth and Deception. The battle lines are being strongly delineated so that everyone who bothers to consider it can become aware of the division. And everyone should be conscious of the split between truth and deception because we will all have to make a final choice, choosing which side we want to follow... to the end.

My purpose in this essay is to pull together the not-obviously-related strands of thought from numerous other essays into a synthesis that portrays the essence of the final battle for planet Earth. Okay, it sounds grandiose, but many commentators are seeing the same thing-- or at least parts of it. I'm trying to put all the pieces on one puzzle board. We are witnessing before our eyes the following currents:

- clear movements towards a one-world 'system' as the inevitable outcome of...
regional, political integration (eg. EU, NAFTA, ASEAN); global trade agreements (WTO); an ever-expanding NATO; reaction to exogenous threats like 'climate change,' terrorism, pandemic, etc.

- attacks on traditional stabilizing institutions such as the family, religion, common mores, all resulting in a disintegration of the social fabric (via alienation, substance abuse, mental health issues, job mobility, etc.) which engenders a state of constant disequilibrium and stress among all citizens;

- attacks and restrictions on civil liberties and free speech under the guise of 'protection of minority rights,' or 'security from terrorism;'

- the calculated transfer of the wealth of the middle classes to the banker elite, under the pretext of bailouts of sinking institutions and stimulating a moribund economy;

- the mysterious appearance or resurgence of viral diseases thought to be conquered a generation ago, among both animal populations and the human populace;

- ever-greater use of deception by governments and corporations to achieve desired aims, and in particular, the use of 'agents provocateurs' to create ersatz terrorist plots, either apprehended or accomplished.

All of these phenomena exist by design, not by mere chance, and their end goal is global domination by a small clique over the masses. Let me state this bluntly: if you can't see these 'big picture' signs of the times, you are in sad shape, and will be completely overwhelmed when the pretences are all dropped, and 'their dream' becomes our nightmare. These major indicators are all out in the open, and if you can't see the connections among them, you have been taken in by the master con-job of the satanic forces behind them.

Another open secret is that the evil cabal is obviously waging a titanic war against two groups of people in particular. Those are specifically, Christians and Muslims. The strategies employed are different. Since Christians are mainly found in the 'Western' nations, they are already in the 'belly of the beast,' exposed to all the egregious degeneration of the modern, atheist, materialist society, and very largely absorbed into that system, often quite cluelessly. Thru the use of the media and the Hollywood propaganda machine, the influence of the Christian faith has been largely neutralized. In fact, a significant sect, recently branded as 'Christian-Zionists' or 'Judeo-Christians,' has proven to be quite useful to the shadow governors, by their zealous support of any who pretend to agree with their aberrant theology and their bellicose leanings.

As for Islam, the crypto-rulers have waged all-out, shock-and-awe warfare against them, deploying all the latest expensive, grisly gadgets of destruction against poorly equipped militias, often composed of warriors who were once under the employ of Uncle Sam's covert agencies abroad. The Muslims (mostly Arabs and mostly civilians) have been subject to merciless carnage-- despite all shedding of 'crocodile tears' by Western leaders. The wars have been based on pure lies, the pretexts fabricated on 'false-flag' operations and blatant poppycock (ie. lies) about spreading democracy and freedom.

Why have the hidden 'powers that be' selected Christianity and Islam as the special objects of their wrath? The reason is simple; so simple that most 'modern' readers will reject it out of hand (ie. without serious reflection). It's because both religions are monotheistic, believing in a supreme creator who rules over the universe and will, one day, call all humanity into account. All other religions (the pagans) can be distilled into the essential belief that man is 'god,' and therefore, he can 'call his own shots.' The conspirators must defeat all belief in ultimate truth, the supreme God, because that belief will resist their real, so far unannounced agenda, which is to present their own leader as the deity, the one who functions as 'chief god,' and as the legitimate ruler of the planet. He will be portrayed as a unifier, bringing squabbling humanity into one, harmonious race, paying homage to his benevolent dictatorship. It will be Orwell's world, with a bizarre, religious twist-- 'Big Brother' will be presented as our god, and our total worship will be demanded. Yes, this will be the Antichrist, the antithesis of Christ Jesus. And his modus operandi is untruth, the antithesis of truth.

While Judaism also professes belief in one God, it appears that the PTB are not too concerned with this faith. I can only speculate on why they devote scant enmity toward Judaism, and one might suppose that it's due to the relatively small number of seriously religious Jews (compared to two billion or so nominal Christians, and another billion Muslims, worldwide). More than that, the Jews are, significantly, still awaiting the arrival of their Messiah. That belief could be quite effectively exploited by the Satanists when they reveal their hero as the 'promised one' of various traditions. In fact, the obsession that the hidden powers have towards Israel gives extra credence to the theory that they intend to install their antichrist in Jerusalem, claiming it to be the seat of their new world government.

The liberal atheists may read this article and say 'This is outrageous speculation.' Their powers of discernment are so deadened by those who put them exactly in that condition, that they can't see the menace that is lurking everywhere in this modern world that they think is marvelous because it has 'freed us from the chains of religion!' And, see-- the humanist/atheists STILL DON'T GET IT! They still think I'm trying to defend religion and sell it thru some covert, philosophical semantics. I'M NOT! The truth is that I don't believe in religion as a pre-packaged paradigm for viewing the world. What I've been trying to tell all of you in reader-land, both believers in God, and atheists, alike, is that ALL systems of viewing the universe, whether packaged as creeds or as any other paradigm, are de-facto 'religions.' How could 'science' have assured us for years that there was no link between tobacco and a panoply of diseases? Or that all kinds of chemical products are perfectly safe for human consumption, when people are dying daily from exposure to them? Ah, you retort, 'It's not the fault of science, but of the people who practice science under false motives.' No kidding? Isn't that exactly what has happened with religion over the centuries? Jesus and other spiritual leaders NEVER advocated violence in any form (indeed, Jesus stated that hatred was akin to murder); yet misguided followers have resorted to violence down thru the ages. ALL belief systems are interpreted by their believers to accommodate self-serving ends. You've got to understand that simple 'truth' if you ever want to understand reality!

So my advice to believers and atheists is to wake up, recognize that pure science and pure religion both purport to explain reality, define truth, but by different methods. Taken to the ultimate, they overlap. They should cooperate, not compete. Instead, they are engaged in a historic struggle because they are both errant, human ideologies run by human masters for purposes of enslaving the minds of their adherents. In fact, they can be seen as yet another prong of the ‘thesis-vs-antithesis’ paradigm so frequently used by the hidden manipulators. Their coming Antichrist will be offered as the solution to this Hegelian dialectic.

Numerous astute observers of the times have noticed many of the things I've described in this paper; few of them want to assemble all the pieces presented here. Especially, many would object to the final religious angle I ascribe to the anticipated ruling cabal. It seems crazy, and presently, there doesn't appear to be a lot of evidence of a 'spiritual angle' to the push towards world governance. That opacity is because many viewers do not comprehend the spirit behind those who frequent the gatherings of the elite movers and shakers at such enclaves as ‘Bohemian Grove,’ where they engage in ‘weird’ practices that can only be viewed as satanic. Freemasonry, one of the ‘fronts’ of the puppeteers, is, in its upper echelons (‘degrees’) based loosely on Gnosticism, and is definitely ‘religious’ in its cosmic outlook. To those who are dubious about the demonic nature of the evil conspirators, I say that their homage to Satan explains how they have been able to sustain their cover up and their momentum over the centuries. Without supernatural assistance, any purely human conspiracy inevitably collapses due to in-fighting, traitors, spies, exhaustion, mistakes, and so on. But the Illuminati (the general term covering all the many tentacles of this monster) have been able to survive and thrive long enough to achieve their critical objectives (back in the late 19th century), and then build on those to attain the position they presently occupy.

By seizing control of the Western world’s banking system, the cabal wields enormous power over the lives of the majority of the global population. We are seeing the early signs of that power in the current ‘economic crisis.’ Then, by gaining effective control over the communications media, the Illuminati have been able to filter and distort the information that reaches the masses, and equally important, have used the media to corrupt and disintegrate society. To those still under the spell of their cradle-to-grave propaganda, these revelations sound incredible. Yet even a little time spent investigating these claims will unveil cracks in the foundations of the illusion. But all of this-- the allegations, the denials, the doubts-- are all part of the cosmic drama that is unfolding before our contemporary eyes. It is the last battle on planet Earth, the battle for truth. As the expression goes, the truth shall prevail... but not before a period of unparalleled havoc, and it must be stated, bloodshed. To the skeptics, hold your derision for a while; keep your senses attuned to the times and their signs. And pledge allegiance only to the quest for Truth.

What's with those Web-wolverines?

2009-05-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here's another of life's little mysteries (as if we need more!). Why is it that the people who leave comments in reaction to serious articles posted on the web, or who are the most prolific participants in on-line discussion forums, all seem to have the following characteristics in common:

they are barely literate; incapable of putting together a coherent sentence in the English language... which they presumably speak, since they just read something written in English;
the only words they can, however, express very fluently are all foul, four-letter expletives that would be 'bleeped out' of any half-respectable TV/radio interview;
they are incapable of even the most basic reasoning, but simply react to certain words that trigger a short-circuit somewhere in the neural pathways of their primitive brains;
since they lack reason, their only reaction is to attack the writer of the offending article, and hurl loathsome insults of the most puerile and vicious type at someone they have never seen, met, or heard of;
besides being illiterate, they are also clueless in using computers or the web, since their diatribes are full of completely obvious spelling errors, and often are posted several times in a row, indicating their confusion over how to press the 'submit' button;
they are surcharged with self-absorbed hubris, confident in hiding behind the anonymity provided by their chosen pseudonym.

For some reason (help me understand) the worst offenders in this ignominious category seem to lurk all over YouTube, like an infestation of the vilest form of parasites. No matter how serious or valuable a posted video may be to any objective viewer, these responders feel motivated to spew their spurious verbal spittle for whatever fleeting gratification it may bring them.

Perhaps their intent is to deliberately cast slurs on anything that doesn't agree with their weird world-view, as if their meaningless meanderings held any kind of logical value. Or maybe, as some speculate, some of them are really 'disinfo agents,' paid by hidden organizations to disseminate this kind of nonsense. It may be nothing more than another indicator of the pandemic mental disintegration that is a hallmark of this decadent age.

Some of you seasoned web surfers can, no doubt, think of a few additional traits of these web vermin who pollute cyberspace with their utterly useless and inane drivel. But, those appear to be the main features. If you'd like to respond to this brief entry-- well, by all means, please do! 'Er, however, you will, of course, try to avoid the ugly trademarks of the 'web-wolverines'... won't you? ;-)

The Lure and Allure of War

2009-05-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

War-- everyone claims to abhor it, yet we go marching off to the next one with monotonous regularity. Is it an unavoidable part of being human?

The history of the world seems to be a litany of wars; one King against another; one nation against another; one sect against another; it started before we remember, and goes on and on. If we don’t like it, why does it never end? In other essays, I’ve argued that war has been a part of our society for ages, despite our abhorrence, because the rich and powerful movers behind the scenes profit greatly from wars. They profit in wealth terms because they finance both sides of conflicts, and they own the armament manufacturing companies, and so on. But they also profit in terms of furthering their maneuvers towards the ultimate goal of world domination. Every major war has reset the global chess-board in a way that has set the stage for the next step; and each step has brought the world closer to that goal.

In this essay, though, I don’t want to go over that same line of logic. This time, I want to consider the other side of the coin-- the response of the masses. Why do the majority of people so readily fall for the war-drum beat of the puppet masters? How do they stifle their revulsion for mass murder and, mostly, go along with the clarion call to put their lives on the line for the next war to be fought? The answers are not as irrelevant or obvious as they might seem. After all, the idea of dying for some rather abstract cause, as usually happens to justify war, would seem like a hard sell. And it’s usually the flower of manhood-- young men, barely adult-- who are sent off to sacrifice themselves for the purported glory. Yet, there’s rarely a problem finding plenty of recruits who step up ‘into the breach,’ to feed the insatiable war machine. The answer, I propose, rests on several pillars.

The fact that soldiers, until very recently, have always been predominantly composed of young males, from their late teen years to the twenties, is a prime explanatory factor. The old men who design and incite war know the power of testosterone in young males, and the force of peer pressure typical in that age group. A few vocal proponents of war can whip up excitement among their confreres for participation in the great adventure of carrying weapons and using them in the ultimate team sport-- war. Today, powerful advertisements portray the ‘extreme sport’ aspect of battle training, and the attraction of group solidarity among the brotherhood of the warrior. So, the main source of soldiers-- young males-- is highly amenable to the so-called glamour of uniforms, weapons, and battle... especially when a plausible and glorious-sounding pretext can be promoted. For the promoters of international wars, the recent extension to recruiting soldiers from the ranks of young women has been a boon. Now they can not only decimate the ranks of males, but they can take some females into the death machine as well. The other thing you have to keep in mind is that the great majority of ‘cannon-fodder’ (common soldiers) are drawn from the ranks of the lower economic classes, whether males or females. This has two important implications. First, these are the classes where there’s the highest incidence of high-school dropouts, and unemployed or under-employed persons. Hence, the offer of a respectable job, with training, reliable pay and benefits, and camaraderie, has a strong appeal. Second, this is the class that the Powers that Be are most desirous of eliminating in their eugenics sub-agenda. Moreover, the young are most inclined to have an ‘immortality complex,’ the notion that death may come to the next guy, but not to ‘me.’ In summation, it is pretty clear that on the ‘supply side’-- i.e. the source of the rank-and-file troops who do the actual dirty work on the ground-- there are compelling factors that predispose young males (in particular) to be quite amenable to joining the army and going to war.

What is more curious is how the families of the young men can be so willing to see their offspring participate in such a hazardous occupation as war. This is the more interesting question. For instance, in Canada since the nation’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan, there have been (as of this writing) over 100 soldiers killed in the line of duty in that far-off country. The whole cycle in each death has become sickeningly familiar. First, they conduct a ‘ramp ceremony’ at Kandahar airfield for the valiant fallen one. Then the body is flown back to Canada on an armed forces aircraft, where there’s another ceremony as the casket is transferred to a hearse and driven to a cemetery along a highway that has now come to be called the ‘Highway of Heroes.’ This sorry sequence demonstrates clearly all the clues as to how the PTB manipulate the public into full compliance with the war agenda. The conducting of emotional ceremonies complete with flag-draped coffins and military honor-guards is intended to stir the patriotic juices of all viewers, and especially to impress the families of fallen soldiers how esteemed is the sacrifice of their loved one. The renaming of a stretch of highway to honor the fallen ‘heroes’ of a disputed war fought in an obscure corner of the world is obviously designed to enhance those same feelings of patriotism and purpose. And it’s the purpose of this war that has given so many Canadians pause for questioning. By emphasizing the appreciation of the government and the military for the sacrifice made by soldiers, the decision-makers draw attention away from the proximate reasons for the war (which many contend are flimsy indeed) towards the purported valor and glory of those who serve and die.

You’d think it’s a fools’ game; that after observing this sad spectacle a dozen or a hundred times, that the populace would catch on; they’d see the puppet strings for what they are, and they’d call for a halt to the madness. But no; the leaders are able to exploit a common characteristic of human nature whereby we desire to believe that our loved ones do not die meaningless deaths, but rather that their deaths are imbued with significance and value to our society. In this case, they honor their dead as heroes who died in the cause of ‘preserving freedom,’ installing ‘democracy,’ and rendering ‘nation-building service’ to the Afghanis. This is a self-reinforcing stratagem, for once one soldier has been lauded for his/her death, then every family after that wants to believe that their fallen one also deserves hero status. And so, because no one wants to burst the illusion, to call the scam for what it is, they convince themselves that the war must be justified and even worthwhile. Thus, this desire to deny that their son/daughter died for a fabricated excuse, a useless war, forces family members to participate in the grand illusion. The families of soldiers thereby are like the people in the famous fable of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes,’ who could ‘see’ cloth that didn’t exist, while they allowed their minds to be bamboozled by the power of group-think.

I can still recall a documentary series of programs in the early days of television. It was called ‘The Valiant Years,’ and was a BBC production on the conduct of Britain during WW-2. Even the title telegraphed the desired tone of the videos. The last war was a still-fresh and still traumatic memory; but the manipulators were already hard at work putting a shiny cast on the tragedy of a 6-year war that killed millions of civilians as well as combatants. That’s how the war game is played by the real players. Notice that the soldiers who survive war do not like to talk about it, and even if they do, they cannot fully convey the true horror of what goes on in war. The few combatants who write glowing accounts of war are almost always retired generals who ‘fought’ the battles from the safe distance of a command bunker... or even a remote ‘war office.’ So, before the last war is a memory, the managers are busy sanitizing it, glorifying it, and preparing the way for the next conflict. And the next conflict has already been planned in advance by the bankster elite who pull the levers of power. Hence, there is no hope that war will end anytime soon. ‘Seems that everyone loves a good ceremony, regardless of the bloody cost. Everyone weeps... but they’ll back the next war, because that’s all they know. Pity, that.