Jul 12, 2012
Opening Strange Portals
It is my contention that advanced physics is doing the same thing that witchcraft and alchemy have always been used for. They are simply using different techniques to accomplish the same goal. The goal is to open doorways, portals to other dimensions. I admit that the specific goals of physicists may be different (sometimes) from those of witchcraft, but the basic goal of opening doorways, and the likely result of the process is the same.
By Robert Irion
Smithsonian magazine
Physicist Lisa Randall believes an extra dimension may exist close to our familiar reality, hidden except for a bizarre sapping of the strength of gravity as we see it.
In her new book, Knocking on Heaven's Door, Harvard University theorist Lisa Randall explores how physics may transform our understanding of the fundamental nature of the world. She thinks an extra dimension may exist close to our familiar reality, hidden except for a bizarre sapping of the strength of gravity as we see it. She also ponders the makeup of dark matter, unseen particles that have shaped the growth of the entire cosmos. These ideas, once the sole province of fiction writers, face real tests in a new generation of experiments. Sensitive detectors now sniff for dark matter, while the most complex scientific machine ever created, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), beneath the border of Switzerland and France, smashes subatomic particles into one another at almost the speed of light.
Do you feel the physics community is on the verge of finding something remarkable?
I certainly hope so. We have a good chance [with the LHC] to see the Higgs particle, which tells us how elementary particles acquire mass. Other deep issues include space-time symmetry and whether there are extra dimensions. We really do have a chance of making inroads on those subjects.
Can you describe the essence of your idea about extra dimensions?
There could be more to the universe than the three dimensions we are familiar with. They are hidden from us in some way, perhaps because they're tiny or warped. But even if they're invisible, they could affect what we actually observe in the universe. There are lots of things we cannot see with the naked eye that turn out to be based in reality.
Extra dimensions could be relevant to one of the questions we're trying to answer at the LHC: how particles get their mass, and why they have the masses that they do, which are far smaller than physicists would expect them to be. So our idea is there's an extra dimension that's so warped, the masses would be big in one place and small in another. In other words, gravity could be weaker in one place and stronger in another. If so, it could be a natural explanation both for why particles masses are what they are, and why gravity is so much weaker than the other elementary forces we observe.
This extra dimension could be separated from ours by a million trillion trillionth of a centimeter. Is this a parallel yet inaccessible universe?
It interacts with our dimensions only via gravity. And gravity is extremely weak. An elementary particle at ordinary energies exerts negligible gravitational force. But at the LHC, if this idea is right, we would see evidence of this extra dimension. Particles could carry momentum into the extra dimension, and that could actually be observable.
But it's not something you think of as a "parallel universe?"
Technically, yes, it could exist parallel to our universe. But it's not just a carbon copy of our universe, which a lot of people think of when they hear that phrase.
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Opening-Strange-Portals-in-Physics.html#ixzz20RdVwEPe
Physicist Lisa Randall believes an extra dimension may exist close to our familiar reality, hidden except for a bizarre sapping of the strength of gravity as we see it. In her new book, Knocking on Heaven's Door, Harvard University theorist Lisa Randall explores how physics may transform our understanding of the fundamental nature of the world. She thinks an extra dimension may exist close to our familiar reality, hidden except for a bizarre sapping of the strength of gravity as we see it. She also ponders the makeup of dark matter, unseen particles that have shaped the growth of the entire cosmos. These ideas, once the sole province of fiction writers, face real tests in a new generation of experiments. Sensitive detectors now sniff for dark matter, while the most complex scientific machine ever created, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), beneath the border of Switzerland and France, smashes subatomic particles into one another at almost the speed of light.
Do you feel the physics community is on the verge of finding something remarkable?
I certainly hope so. We have a good chance [with the LHC] to see the Higgs particle, which tells us how elementary particles acquire mass. Other deep issues include space-time symmetry and whether there are extra dimensions. We really do have a chance of making inroads on those subjects.
Can you describe the essence of your idea about extra dimensions?
There could be more to the universe than the three dimensions we are familiar with. They are hidden from us in some way, perhaps because they're tiny or warped. But even if they're invisible, they could affect what we actually observe in the universe. There are lots of things we cannot see with the naked eye that turn out to be based in reality.
Extra dimensions could be relevant to one of the questions we're trying to answer at the LHC: how particles get their mass, and why they have the masses that they do, which are far smaller than physicists would expect them to be. So our idea is there's an extra dimension that's so warped, the masses would be big in one place and small in another. In other words, gravity could be weaker in one place and stronger in another. If so, it could be a natural explanation both for why particles masses are what they are, and why gravity is so much weaker than the other elementary forces we observe.
This extra dimension could be separated from ours by a million trillion trillionth of a centimeter. Is this a parallel yet inaccessible universe?
It interacts with our dimensions only via gravity. And gravity is extremely weak. An elementary particle at ordinary energies exerts negligible gravitational force. But at the LHC, if this idea is right, we would see evidence of this extra dimension. Particles could carry momentum into the extra dimension, and that could actually be observable.
But it's not something you think of as a "parallel universe?"
Technically, yes, it could exist parallel to our universe. But it's not just a carbon copy of our universe, which a lot of people think of when they hear that phrase.
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Opening-Strange-Portals-in-Physics.html#ixzz20RdVwEPe
Cool Clouds
In a break from our regularly scheduled programming, I give you some pics of cool clouds. Enjoy!
Calls to Destroy Egypt’s Great Pyramids Begin
The short version of this story is this. Muslim extremists, who the U.S. government helped come into power, believe the Pyramid complex in Cairo was created by pagans in the ancient world. That is the basic historic story. So, they are an affront to Allah, and should be destroyed.
Israelite writer and historian Josephus hinted in his writings almost 2,000 years ago that the pyramids may have actually been built by the "sons of Seth", Adam and Eve's third son, as a warning that God would one day judge the world. That day is close.
Posted by Raymond Ibrahim
According to several reports in the Arabic media, prominent Muslim clerics have begun to call for the demolition of Egypt’s Great Pyramids—or, in the words of Saudi Sheikh Ali bin Said al-Rabi‘i, those “symbols of paganism,” which Egypt’s Salafi party has long planned to cover with wax. Most recently, Bahrain’s “Sheikh of Sunni Sheikhs” and President of National Unity, Abd al-Latif al-Mahmoud, called on Egypt’s new president, Muhammad Morsi, to “destroy the Pyramids and accomplish what the Sahabi Amr bin al-As could not.”
This is a reference to the Muslim Prophet Muhammad’s companion, Amr bin al-As and his Arabian tribesmen, who invaded and conquered Egypt circa 641. Under al-As and subsequent Muslim rule, many Egyptian antiquities were destroyed as relics of infidelity. While most Western academics argue otherwise, according to early Muslim writers, the great Library of Alexandria itself—deemed a repository of pagan knowledge contradicting the Koran—was destroyed under bin al-As’s reign and in compliance with Caliph Omar’s command.
However, while book-burning was an easy activity in the 7th century, destroying the mountain-like pyramids and their guardian Sphinx was not—even if Egypt’s Medieval Mamluk rulers “de-nosed” the latter during target practice (though popular legend still attributes it to a Westerner, Napoleon).ow, however, as Bahrain’s “Sheikh of Sheikhs” observes, and thanks to modern technology, the pyramids can be destroyed. The only question left is whether the Muslim Brotherhood president of Egypt is “pious” enough—if he is willing to complete the Islamization process that started under the hands of Egypt’s first Islamic conqueror.
Nor is such a course of action implausible. History is laden with examples of Muslims destroying their own pre-Islamic heritage—starting with Islam’s prophet Muhammad himself, who destroyed Arabia’s Ka‘ba temple, transforming it into a mosque.
Asking “What is it about Islam that so often turns its adherents against their own patrimony?” Daniel Pipes provides several examples, from Medieval Muslims in India destroying their forefathers’ temples, to contemporary Muslims destroying their non-Islamic heritage in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Malaysia, and Tunisia.
Israelite writer and historian Josephus hinted in his writings almost 2,000 years ago that the pyramids may have actually been built by the "sons of Seth", Adam and Eve's third son, as a warning that God would one day judge the world. That day is close.
According to several reports in the Arabic media, prominent Muslim clerics have begun to call for the demolition of Egypt’s Great Pyramids—or, in the words of Saudi Sheikh Ali bin Said al-Rabi‘i, those “symbols of paganism,” which Egypt’s Salafi party has long planned to cover with wax. Most recently, Bahrain’s “Sheikh of Sunni Sheikhs” and President of National Unity, Abd al-Latif al-Mahmoud, called on Egypt’s new president, Muhammad Morsi, to “destroy the Pyramids and accomplish what the Sahabi Amr bin al-As could not.”
This is a reference to the Muslim Prophet Muhammad’s companion, Amr bin al-As and his Arabian tribesmen, who invaded and conquered Egypt circa 641. Under al-As and subsequent Muslim rule, many Egyptian antiquities were destroyed as relics of infidelity. While most Western academics argue otherwise, according to early Muslim writers, the great Library of Alexandria itself—deemed a repository of pagan knowledge contradicting the Koran—was destroyed under bin al-As’s reign and in compliance with Caliph Omar’s command.
However, while book-burning was an easy activity in the 7th century, destroying the mountain-like pyramids and their guardian Sphinx was not—even if Egypt’s Medieval Mamluk rulers “de-nosed” the latter during target practice (though popular legend still attributes it to a Westerner, Napoleon).ow, however, as Bahrain’s “Sheikh of Sheikhs” observes, and thanks to modern technology, the pyramids can be destroyed. The only question left is whether the Muslim Brotherhood president of Egypt is “pious” enough—if he is willing to complete the Islamization process that started under the hands of Egypt’s first Islamic conqueror.
Asking “What is it about Islam that so often turns its adherents against their own patrimony?” Daniel Pipes provides several examples, from Medieval Muslims in India destroying their forefathers’ temples, to contemporary Muslims destroying their non-Islamic heritage in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Malaysia, and Tunisia.
The Lord Is Near
By David Wilkerson
God is more prepared to keep His promises to you than the devil is to ruin you. Indeed, no matter how near the enemy comes to you, the Lord is all the nearer.
"They draw nigh that follow after mischief; they are far from thy law. Thou art near . . ." (Psalm 119:150-151). David said, in other words, "God, if my enemies are drawing so near to destroy me, You are all the nearer in my time of need."
The Hebrew word for near in this verse connotes "defense." It means, "I am near you to defend you." God says He is especially near to defend the downcast and brokenhearted:
- "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isaiah 57:15).
- "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
Are you a child of God? Does the Lord Jesus live in you? God says He is near to you in your anguish. Here is His promise to you:
"I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
"For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. . . . Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee" (Isaiah 43:1-5).
David saw God as holding him ". . . by my right hand" (Psalm 73:23). He said, "God not only is near me, but He is walking with me, hand in hand, through this whole mess. Let all my enemies come after me. I've got my hand in the Father's!"
Moreover, David said God talked to him, giving him counsel and guidance: "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel" (verse 24).
Jul 11, 2012
Christians are being persecuted worldwide
Worst TB outbreak in 20 years kept secret
Florida rushes closure of its only TB hospital in Lantana
By Stacey Singer
By Stacey Singer
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
JACKSONVILLE —
The CDC officer had a serious warning for Florida health officials in April: A tuberculosis outbreak in Jacksonville was one of the worst his group had investigated in 20 years. Linked to 13 deaths and 99 illnesses, including six children, it would require concerted action to stop.
That report had been penned on April 5, exactly nine days after Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill that shrank the Department of Health and required the closure of the A.G. Holley State Hospital in Lantana, where tough tuberculosis cases have been treated for more than 60 years.
As health officials in Tallahassee turned their focus to restructuring, Dr. Robert Luo’s 25-page report describing Jacksonville’s outbreak — and the measures needed to contain it – went unseen by key decision makers around the state. At the health agency, an order went out that the TB hospital must be closed six months ahead of schedule.
Had they seen the letter, decision makers would have learned that 3,000 people in the past two years may have had close contact with contagious people at Jacksonville’s homeless shelters, an outpatient mental health clinic and area jails. Yet only 253 people had been found and evaluated for TB infection, meaning Florida’s outbreak was, and is, far from contained.
The public was not to learn anything until early June, even though the same strain was appearing in other parts of the state, including Miami.
Tuberculosis is a lung disease more associated with the 18th century than the 21st, referred to as “consumption” in Dickensian times because its victims would grow gaunt and wan as their lungs disintigrated and they slowly died. The CDC investigator described a similar fate for 10 of the 13 people who died in Jacksonville.
They wasted away before ever getting treatment, or were too far gone by the time it began. Most of the sick were poor black men.
“The high number of deaths in this outbreak emphasizes the need for vigilant active case finding, improved education about TB, and ongoing screening at all sites with outbreak cases,” Luo’s report states.
Today, three months after it was sent to Tallahassee, the CDC report still has not been widely circulated.
Backer of closing hospital didn’t know
Meanwhile the champion of the health agency consolidation, Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, said he had not been informed of the Jacksonville outbreak and the CDC’s role as of Friday.
Told the details, the chairman of the House Health Care Appropriations Committee vowed that there would be money for TB treatment.
“There is every bit of understanding that we cannot not take care of people who have a difficult case of TB,” Hudson said.
The governor’s office asked a reporter to foward a copy of the CDC letter on Saturday, but did not comment by press time.
Treatment for TB can be an ordeal. A person with an uncomplicated, active case of TB must take a cocktail of three to four antibiotics — dozens of pills a day — for six months or more. The drugs can cause serious side effects — stomach and liver problems chief among them. But failure to stay on the drugs for the entire treatment period can and often does cause drug resistance.
At that point, a disease that can cost $500 to overcome grows exponentially more costly. The average cost to treat a drug-resistant strain is more than $275,000, requiring up to two years on medications. For this reason, the state pays for public health nurses to go to the home of a person with TB every day to observe them taking their medications.
However, the itinerant homeless, drug-addicted, mentally ill people at the core of the Jacksonville TB cluster are almost impossible to keep on their medications. Last year, Duval County sent 11 patients to A.G. Holley under court order. Last week, with A.G. Holley now closed, one was sent to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The ones who will stay put in Jacksonville are being put up in motels, to make it easier for public health nurses to find them, Duval County health officials said.
They spoke about CDC’s report Friday, only after weeks of records requests from The Palm Beach Post. The report was released late last week only after a reporter traveled to Tallahassee to demand records in person. The records should be open to inspection to anyone upon request under Florida Statute 119, known as the Government in the Sunshine law.
That report had been penned on April 5, exactly nine days after Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill that shrank the Department of Health and required the closure of the A.G. Holley State Hospital in Lantana, where tough tuberculosis cases have been treated for more than 60 years.
As health officials in Tallahassee turned their focus to restructuring, Dr. Robert Luo’s 25-page report describing Jacksonville’s outbreak — and the measures needed to contain it – went unseen by key decision makers around the state. At the health agency, an order went out that the TB hospital must be closed six months ahead of schedule.
Had they seen the letter, decision makers would have learned that 3,000 people in the past two years may have had close contact with contagious people at Jacksonville’s homeless shelters, an outpatient mental health clinic and area jails. Yet only 253 people had been found and evaluated for TB infection, meaning Florida’s outbreak was, and is, far from contained.
The public was not to learn anything until early June, even though the same strain was appearing in other parts of the state, including Miami.
Tuberculosis is a lung disease more associated with the 18th century than the 21st, referred to as “consumption” in Dickensian times because its victims would grow gaunt and wan as their lungs disintigrated and they slowly died. The CDC investigator described a similar fate for 10 of the 13 people who died in Jacksonville.
They wasted away before ever getting treatment, or were too far gone by the time it began. Most of the sick were poor black men.
“The high number of deaths in this outbreak emphasizes the need for vigilant active case finding, improved education about TB, and ongoing screening at all sites with outbreak cases,” Luo’s report states.
Today, three months after it was sent to Tallahassee, the CDC report still has not been widely circulated.
Backer of closing hospital didn’t know
Meanwhile the champion of the health agency consolidation, Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, said he had not been informed of the Jacksonville outbreak and the CDC’s role as of Friday.
Told the details, the chairman of the House Health Care Appropriations Committee vowed that there would be money for TB treatment.
“There is every bit of understanding that we cannot not take care of people who have a difficult case of TB,” Hudson said.
The governor’s office asked a reporter to foward a copy of the CDC letter on Saturday, but did not comment by press time.
Treatment for TB can be an ordeal. A person with an uncomplicated, active case of TB must take a cocktail of three to four antibiotics — dozens of pills a day — for six months or more. The drugs can cause serious side effects — stomach and liver problems chief among them. But failure to stay on the drugs for the entire treatment period can and often does cause drug resistance.
At that point, a disease that can cost $500 to overcome grows exponentially more costly. The average cost to treat a drug-resistant strain is more than $275,000, requiring up to two years on medications. For this reason, the state pays for public health nurses to go to the home of a person with TB every day to observe them taking their medications.
However, the itinerant homeless, drug-addicted, mentally ill people at the core of the Jacksonville TB cluster are almost impossible to keep on their medications. Last year, Duval County sent 11 patients to A.G. Holley under court order. Last week, with A.G. Holley now closed, one was sent to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The ones who will stay put in Jacksonville are being put up in motels, to make it easier for public health nurses to find them, Duval County health officials said.
They spoke about CDC’s report Friday, only after weeks of records requests from The Palm Beach Post. The report was released late last week only after a reporter traveled to Tallahassee to demand records in person. The records should be open to inspection to anyone upon request under Florida Statute 119, known as the Government in the Sunshine law.
Apocalypse Dam: China's giant man-made waterfall as floodgates are opened
Okay, this is only here because of the cool pics. But they are pretty cool...
It is an scene of almost apocalyptic proportions.
Bystanders are dwarfed as they stand watching a tremendous rush of water gushing through gaps in a dam in China, part of a carefully-choreographed operation to remove silt from the Yellow River in Luoyang, in the Henan province.
This annual operation sees more than 30 million tonnes of silt sent downstream a year, with more than 390 million tonnes shifted this way over the last 13 years.
The silt-carrying water gushes out of three specialised holes in the dam of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir on the Yellow River during the annual silt-washing operation.
The Yellow River authority says such operations lowers the river bed in the lower reach of the river by an average of 2.03 meters each year.
The dam stands at 154m (505ft) tall and is 1,317m (4,321ft) wide. When it was built opened in 2000, following a six-year construction, it had cost US$3.5billion to construct
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2170185/Apocalypse-Dam-Chinas-giant-man-waterfall-floodgates-opened-send-millions-tons-silt-downstream.html#ixzz20HshACaq
It is an scene of almost apocalyptic proportions.
Bystanders are dwarfed as they stand watching a tremendous rush of water gushing through gaps in a dam in China, part of a carefully-choreographed operation to remove silt from the Yellow River in Luoyang, in the Henan province.
This annual operation sees more than 30 million tonnes of silt sent downstream a year, with more than 390 million tonnes shifted this way over the last 13 years.
A resident takes a picture as the fierce waters plunge through three open slits in the dam during the controlled operation
Floods in China: A paramilitary policeman watches water carrying silt gushing out of three specialised holes in the dam of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir on the Yellow River during the annual silt-washing operation
The lone soldier stands guard as sediment-laden flood water gushes through the Xiaolangdi Dam, unleashing tons of water
Umbrellas at the ready: Local residents turn out to watch the annual event - and try to avoid a drenching
The Yellow River authority says such operations lowers the river bed in the lower reach of the river by an average of 2.03 meters each year.
The dam stands at 154m (505ft) tall and is 1,317m (4,321ft) wide. When it was built opened in 2000, following a six-year construction, it had cost US$3.5billion to construct
A cloud of water: The floodwater churns through Yellow River as bystanders stand and stare
The Yellow River authority says such operation in the past 13 years have washed away 390 million tons of silt and lowered the river bed in the lower reach by an average of 2.03 meters.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2170185/Apocalypse-Dam-Chinas-giant-man-waterfall-floodgates-opened-send-millions-tons-silt-downstream.html#ixzz20HshACaq
The Most Dangerous Executive Order Ever issued by Barack Obama
This article centers on the premise that the President can seize and/or shutdown all communications in this country in the case of a national emergency. What most don't realize is that this country has been legally in a state of national emergency since 9/11. The presidents have continued this state of emergency for the last eleven years. So, this could happen at any time....
RT
US President Barack Obama quietly signed his name to an Executive Order on Friday, allowing the White House to control all private communications in the country in the name of national security.
President Obama released his latest Executive Order on Friday, July 6, a 2,205-word statement offered as the “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions.”
And although the president chose not to commemorate the signing with much fanfare, the powers he provides to himself and the federal government under the latest order are among the most far-reaching yet of any of his executive decisions.
In order to allow the White House to reach anyone within the US, the president has put forth a plan to establish a high-level committee calling from agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Pentagon, Federal Communications Commission and other government divisions to ensure that his new executive order can be implemented.
In explaining the order, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) writes that the president has authorized the DHS “the authority to seize private facilities when necessary, effectively shutting down or limiting civilian communications.”
In Section 5 of his order, President Obama outlines the specific department and agency responsibilities that will see through his demands.
In a few paragraphs, President Obama explains that Executive Committee that will oversee his order must be supplied with “the technical support necessary to develop and maintain plans adequate to provide for the security and protection of NS/EP communications,” and that that same body will be in tasked with dispatching that communiqué “to the Federal Government and State, local, territorial and trial governments,” by means of “commercial, Government and privately owned communications resources.”
Later, the president announces that the Department of Homeland Security will be tasked with drafting a plan during the next 60 days to explain how the DHS will command the government’s Emergency Telecommunications Service, as well as other telecom conduits.
In order to be able to spread the White House’s message across the country, President Obama also asks for the purchasing of equipment and services that will enable such.
RT
US President Barack Obama quietly signed his name to an Executive Order on Friday, allowing the White House to control all private communications in the country in the name of national security.
President Obama released his latest Executive Order on Friday, July 6, a 2,205-word statement offered as the “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions.”
And although the president chose not to commemorate the signing with much fanfare, the powers he provides to himself and the federal government under the latest order are among the most far-reaching yet of any of his executive decisions.
“The Federal Government must have the ability to communicate at all times and under all circumstances to carry out its most critical and time sensitive missions,” the president begins the order.On the government’s official website for the National Communications Systems, the government explains that that“infrastructure includes wireline, wireless, satellite, cable, and broadcasting, and provides the transport networks that support the Internet and other key information systems,” suggesting that the president has indeed effectively just allowed himself to control the country’s Internet access.
“Survivable, resilient, enduring and effective communications, both domestic and international, are essential to enable the executive branch to communicate within itself and with: the legislative and judicial branches; State, local, territorial and tribal governments; private sector entities; and the public, allies and other nations.”
President Obama adds that it is necessary for the government to be able to reach anyone in the country during situations it considers critical, writing, “Such communications must be possible under all circumstances to ensure national security, effectively manage emergencies and improve national resilience.”
Later the president explains that such could be done by establishing a “joint industry-Government center that is capable of assisting in the initiation, coordination, restoration and reconstitution of NS/EP [national security and emergency preparedness] communications services or facilities under all conditions of emerging threats, crisis or emergency.”
“The views of all levels of government, the private and nonprofit sectors, and the public must inform the development of NS/EP communications policies, programs and capabilities,” he adds.
In order to allow the White House to reach anyone within the US, the president has put forth a plan to establish a high-level committee calling from agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Pentagon, Federal Communications Commission and other government divisions to ensure that his new executive order can be implemented.
In explaining the order, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) writes that the president has authorized the DHS “the authority to seize private facilities when necessary, effectively shutting down or limiting civilian communications.”
In Section 5 of his order, President Obama outlines the specific department and agency responsibilities that will see through his demands.
In a few paragraphs, President Obama explains that Executive Committee that will oversee his order must be supplied with “the technical support necessary to develop and maintain plans adequate to provide for the security and protection of NS/EP communications,” and that that same body will be in tasked with dispatching that communiqué “to the Federal Government and State, local, territorial and trial governments,” by means of “commercial, Government and privately owned communications resources.”
Later, the president announces that the Department of Homeland Security will be tasked with drafting a plan during the next 60 days to explain how the DHS will command the government’s Emergency Telecommunications Service, as well as other telecom conduits.
In order to be able to spread the White House’s message across the country, President Obama also asks for the purchasing of equipment and services that will enable such.
Russia sends warships to the Mediterranean
I personally cannot see Russia watching from it's warships if/when NATO attacks Syria. Is there any way this does not ignite world war 3?
on
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July 10, 2012 – RUSSIA – “For the last year, the Russian government has tried to project an image of neutrality in the increasingly bloody conflict in Syria. Now, it may be sending a signal of support to its longtime ally, President Bashar al-Assad, by sending warships to the area. Russia may also want to protect its forces at its Tartus naval base. A flotilla of Russian Navy ships set sail Tuesday for the Mediterranean, where Russia maintains a small base at Tartus, Syria. A destroyer and three landing ships left the Arctic port of Severomorsk. A second destroyer left Russia’s base at Sevastopol, Ukraine. And Interfax reported that more warships from the Baltic Fleet, based in St. Petersburg, are preparing to join the flotilla. The warships set sail the day after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin accused the West of “missile bomb democracy.” In a key policy speech to top Russian diplomats gathered in Moscow, he accused the West of using deception to gain political advantage. “This can be seen from the so-called humanitarian operations, from exports of the ‘missile-bomb’ democracy, and intervention in internal conflicts, including those bred by the ‘Arab spring’,” said the president. Putin’s hardline rhetoric came as Syrian opposition groups have come to Moscow to lobby the Kremlin to stop supporting Syria’s President Assad. While briefing reporters, Basma Kodmani, a member of the executive bureau of the Syrian National Council, appealed to Russia to help Syrians turn the page and switch to a new democratic system. The Kremlin and Syria’s opposition share common ground – a fear of chaos, anarchy and religious radicalism, she said.” -VOA
When earthquakes split mountains: 6.4 magnitude quake leaves 20 meter crack in Mt. Fuji
July 11, 2012 – JAPAN - A 20-meter-long crack was found halfway up Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit on March 15, 2011, centered around eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, local authorities revealed Tuesday. They ruled out the possibility of an eruption. “No abnormalities have been observed regarding Mount Fuji and the mountain shows no signs of an eruption,” an official at the Meteorological Agency said, indicating the crack was caused not by volcanic activity but by the temblor. Both the width and depth of the crack were several centimeters, and it has subsequently been covered by sand and pebbles, according to the Yamanashi Prefectural Government. “Nothing has happened after more than a year (since the discovery of the crack), so Mount Fuji is probably not going to erupt,” said Shigeo Aramaki, head of the Yamanashi Institute of Environmental Sciences, who inspected the crack in June last year. –Japan Times 絶滅プãƒãƒˆã‚³ãƒ«
Jul 10, 2012
The Coming of the Milliennial Kingdom and New Jerusalem - Part 1
This is a brief look at the coming of New Jerusalem, the celestial city from the sky, and the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. This is just an outline with some artwork added in. I hope you will take the scriptures and study on your own. Most of all, take firm hold of this eternal hope that belongs to all who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As we are told in Hebrews 11:13-16: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly one; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a city." Let's take a look at that time period and city.
THE THOUSAND YEAR KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST
1- Satan is Restrained (Rev. 20:2-3) - This means there will be no global deception, no heresies, no false religion, and no spiritual temptation to sin.
2- Jesus Christ Reigns - (Is. 9:6-7, 62:1, Ps. 72:7, Jer. 23:5-6) - Jesus will be the only world leader. He will reign in righteousness, being just, holy and true. (Ps. 45:6-7, Dan. 2:44, Is. 11:1-5, 16:5, 32:1-5, Lk. 1:32-33) There will be no end to His government.
3- Israel will be God’s Chosen Land - (Ezek. 37:25)
4- Jerusalem will be the Capitol of the World - (Is. 2:1-5, Amos 9:11, Zech, 14:10, 16). Jerusalem will be raised up as a great mountain above the rest of the world.
5- Redemption of the Earth and all Creation - (Is. 11:6-9, 65:17-25, 66:22-24, Rom. 8:21)
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6- Characteristics of the Kingdom -
Joy - (Is. 9:3-4)
Glory - (Is. 24:23)
Comfort - (Is. 12:1-2)
Full Knowledge - (Is. 11:1-2)
No Sickness (Health) - (Is. 33:24)
Immediate Answer to Prayer - (Is. 58:9, 65:24)
WHY THE 1,000 YEARS?
1- To Fulfill the Covenants of God -
Abrahamic Covenant - (Gen. 12:1-3) Unfulfilled promises to date include Israel being a great nation and their possession of all the Promised Land.
Davidic Covenant - (2 Chr. 13:5, 2 Sam. 7:12-16) Unfulfilled promises to date include that the seed of David would rule forever on the Throne of David.
New Covenant - (Jer. 31:31-34) Unfulfilled promises to date include the Lord’s promise of a spiritual rebirth of the Nation of Israel.
2- To Answer the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-10) “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done.”
3- Rewards - (Is. 40:10, Matt. 16:27, 2 Tim. 4:8)
4- To Redeem Creation - (Acts 3:21, Rom. 8:21)
5- To Rebuild the Temple - (Ezek. 40-48, Acts 5:16)
6- The Ministry of Jesus Christ - (1 Pet. 1:11)
7- Some believe this is a completion of a 7,000 year period of mankind, with the last 1,000 years representing the Sabbath rest of the Lord. This idea is not clearly stated in scriptures. (Ps. 90:4, 2 Pet. 3:8)
THE FIRST DAY OF THE MILLENNIUM
1- Satan will be bound and thrown into the abyss. (Rev. 20:1-3)
2- The sheep and goat judgment will occur. (Rev. 20:1-4, Matt. 25:31-46)
3- Beheaded martyrs will be resurrected. (Rev. 20:1-4)
4- The creation of the new (renewed) heavens and earth will occur. (Rev. 21:1)
5- The New Jerusalem will come down from heaven to earth over Mt. Zion (Rev. 21:2)
THE NEW (OR RENEWED) HEAVENS AND EARTH
(Is. 65:17-18, , Rom. 8:19-21, 2 Pet. 3:10, 13, Rev. 21:1) - This will be a “radical renovation”, not something new created ex nihilo, or out of nothing. (Ps. 89:36-37, Jer. 31:35-36)
The word in the Greek used in 2 Peter is kainos, which means “something new as to (the) form or quality, that is the renewing of something old. If the Lord wanted to convey the idea of a brand new thng, He would have used the Greek word neos which would have meant something that was a brand new creation, not a cleansing or re-creation.
As we are told in Hebrews 11:13-16: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly one; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a city." Let's take a look at that time period and city.
1- Satan is Restrained (Rev. 20:2-3) - This means there will be no global deception, no heresies, no false religion, and no spiritual temptation to sin.
2- Jesus Christ Reigns - (Is. 9:6-7, 62:1, Ps. 72:7, Jer. 23:5-6) - Jesus will be the only world leader. He will reign in righteousness, being just, holy and true. (Ps. 45:6-7, Dan. 2:44, Is. 11:1-5, 16:5, 32:1-5, Lk. 1:32-33) There will be no end to His government.
3- Israel will be God’s Chosen Land - (Ezek. 37:25)
4- Jerusalem will be the Capitol of the World - (Is. 2:1-5, Amos 9:11, Zech, 14:10, 16). Jerusalem will be raised up as a great mountain above the rest of the world.
5- Redemption of the Earth and all Creation - (Is. 11:6-9, 65:17-25, 66:22-24, Rom. 8:21)
.jpg)
6- Characteristics of the Kingdom -
Joy - (Is. 9:3-4)
Glory - (Is. 24:23)
Comfort - (Is. 12:1-2)
Full Knowledge - (Is. 11:1-2)
No Sickness (Health) - (Is. 33:24)
Immediate Answer to Prayer - (Is. 58:9, 65:24)
WHY THE 1,000 YEARS?
1- To Fulfill the Covenants of God -
Abrahamic Covenant - (Gen. 12:1-3) Unfulfilled promises to date include Israel being a great nation and their possession of all the Promised Land.
Davidic Covenant - (2 Chr. 13:5, 2 Sam. 7:12-16) Unfulfilled promises to date include that the seed of David would rule forever on the Throne of David.
New Covenant - (Jer. 31:31-34) Unfulfilled promises to date include the Lord’s promise of a spiritual rebirth of the Nation of Israel.
2- To Answer the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-10) “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done.”
3- Rewards - (Is. 40:10, Matt. 16:27, 2 Tim. 4:8)
4- To Redeem Creation - (Acts 3:21, Rom. 8:21)
5- To Rebuild the Temple - (Ezek. 40-48, Acts 5:16)
6- The Ministry of Jesus Christ - (1 Pet. 1:11)
7- Some believe this is a completion of a 7,000 year period of mankind, with the last 1,000 years representing the Sabbath rest of the Lord. This idea is not clearly stated in scriptures. (Ps. 90:4, 2 Pet. 3:8)
1- Satan will be bound and thrown into the abyss. (Rev. 20:1-3)
2- The sheep and goat judgment will occur. (Rev. 20:1-4, Matt. 25:31-46)
3- Beheaded martyrs will be resurrected. (Rev. 20:1-4)
4- The creation of the new (renewed) heavens and earth will occur. (Rev. 21:1)
5- The New Jerusalem will come down from heaven to earth over Mt. Zion (Rev. 21:2)
(Is. 65:17-18, , Rom. 8:19-21, 2 Pet. 3:10, 13, Rev. 21:1) - This will be a “radical renovation”, not something new created ex nihilo, or out of nothing. (Ps. 89:36-37, Jer. 31:35-36)
The word in the Greek used in 2 Peter is kainos, which means “something new as to (the) form or quality, that is the renewing of something old. If the Lord wanted to convey the idea of a brand new thng, He would have used the Greek word neos which would have meant something that was a brand new creation, not a cleansing or re-creation.
Epic: northeast India floods kill 121 and displace 6 million
Posted
July 9, 2012 – INDIA - The death toll from heavy monsoon rains which have caused massive flooding in India’s northeast has risen to more than 120, with six million forced to flee their homes, officials said Saturday. The weather office forecast that more rains during the next 24 hours would lash the region, which is suffering from its worst flooding in recent years. Assam state has been hardest hit by the annual rains with the mighty Brahmaputra river overflowing its banks, while flooding has also struck the nearby states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya. “So far a total of 121 people have died in separate incidents in which 105 were drowned while trying to escape the gushing waters and 16 more were killed in landslides caused by heavy rains,” an Assam government statement said. An estimated six million people have been forced to leave their homes to escape the floodwaters and find higher ground, a separate Central Water Commission bulletin said. The monsoon, which sweeps across the subcontinent from June to September, is crucial for India’s farmers but also claims many casualties from flooding every year. Assam state officials were struggling to cope with the huge number of people displaced by the flooding, with makeshift relief camps sheltering some of those forced to leave their homes. Twenty-six of the 27 districts in the tea-and-oil-rich state have been hit by flash floods since June 24 as a result of the torrential rains while the Brahmaputra River has breached its banks in at least nine places. The flooding has also devastated the Kaziranga National Park, famous for its tigers, one-horned rhinos and elephants. The Press Trust of India quoted officials as saying more than 540 of the park’s animals, including 13 rhinos, had died. In the adjoining states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya, monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding but there have been no reported deaths. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh toured the Assam region by helicopter earlier in the week to view the effects of the rains. “The people of Assam are facing one of the worst floods in recent times that have inflicted considerable damage,” Singh said afterwards. While India’s northeast has received too much rain, the monsoon has been late arriving in other parts of the country. The monsoon is dubbed the “economic lifeline” of India, which has a population of 1.2 billion and is one of the world’s leading producers of rice, sugar, wheat and cotton. Millions of Indian farmers still rely on monsoon rains to water around 60 percent of the country’s farmland. This year, the monsoon rainfall is running at 31 percent below the normal annual average. But the weather office has forecast heavy rains in the key planting months of July and August to make up for the shortfall. –Terra Earth
Iran leader: We must prep for 'end of times'
Iran wants World War III, as it believes that such a war will bring about the appearance of Mahdi, who will save Islamic peoples and institute the age of the caliphate, or muslim world rule. What's shocking is that this hasn't begun already.
By Reza Kahlili
Iran’s supreme leader, for the first time, is telling his nation that it must prepare for war and “the end of times” as it continues to develop nuclear weapons.
State-owned media outlets, in a coordinated effort, all ran a similar story Friday highlighting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s message on the coming of the last Islamic messiah.
Until now, the Iranian media would mostly quote clerics from seminaries on the issue of the last Islamic messiah to avoid the regime being labeled messianic. However, the wide publication of Khamenei’s statements on a need to prepare for the end of times as it confronts the West over its illicit nuclear program is alarming to Western leaders.
“The issue of Imam Mahdi is of utmost importance, and his reappearance has been clearly stated in our holy religion of Islam,” Khamenei said. We must study and remind ourselves of the end of times and Imam Mahdi’s era. … We must prepare the environment for the coming so that the great leader will come.”
Shiite theology holds that great wars must engulf the Earth, during which one-third of the world’s population will die in the fighting and another third from hunger, lawlessness and havoc. Israel is to be destroyed, and only then will the 12th imam, Mahdi, reappear and kill all the infidels, raising the flag of Islam in all corners of the world.
Under the guidance of Khamenei, several centers have been established in Iran on research and information on the coming of Mahdi, and a conference is held annually on Mahdiism.
“Today we have a duty to prepare for the coming. … If we are the soldiers of the 12th imam, then we must be ready to fight,” Khamenei said.
“With the guidance of Allah and His invisible help, we shall make the Islamic civilization proud on the world stage. … This is our destiny. … The youth, the faithful must prepare themselves for this great move.”
Referring to the Quran, Khamenei said the coming has been promised by Allah. “There will come a time when all the oppressive powers of the world will be destroyed and humanity will be enlightened in the era of Imam Mahdi.”
As reported recently, the regime has distributed the booklet “The Last Six Months” among its military forces in preparation for the coming and its confrontation with the West. The material admonishes the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij paramilitary forces that they must be prepared to do their duties during the expected war.
The Revolutionary Guards’ media outlet, Mashregh, on Sunday warned Israel and America that they will have to guess as to what type of warhead the Iranian missiles will be carrying when targeting them.
In its lengthy piece, Mashregh discussed Iranian missile capability and the devastation it can wreak on potential enemies. Referring to U.S. military bases in the region, it said that in recent war games, ballistic missiles with cluster warheads destroyed targets similar to air bases and fighter craft hiding under hangers.
The piece boasts that the two-stage solid-fuel Sejil missile can pierce through Israel’s missile defense system and has had “the Zionists losing sleep.”
After a decade of negotiation with Iran, the West has yet to make any inroads in stopping the regime’s illicit nuclear program.
The latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency indicated Iran continues to enrich uranium at both the Natanz and Fordow facilities and now has enough nuclear material for at least five nuclear weapons. The regime has denied an IAEA request for inspection of a military facility where it is believed Iran conducted secret experiments of an implosion-type nuclear weapon.
While a majority of Iranians oppose the mullahs’ brutal regime, Western sanctions have not curtailed its pursuit of nuclear weapons, which not only could lead to the collapse of the global economy but the killing of tens of millions of innocent civilians, including those in Iran.
Reza Kahlili translated this Iranian video about Islamic prophecies of a coming messiah and the destruction of Israel:
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| Mahmoud Ahmadenijad, President of Iran. Waiting for Mahdi |
Jul 9, 2012
More Scientology Scams and Crimes - Narconon
Narconon is a program that advertises it's success in freeing individuals from drug addiction by natural methods. Methods like spending months in a sauna. It's actually a front group to recruit members for Scientology, the cult of Hollywood stars. The video below is an Australian expose of this particular branch of Satanist L. Ron Hubbard's cult.
This video covers some of the unfortunated folks who died going through Scientology "auditing" (brainwashing)techniques, or were simply murdered. The main center they are discussing here is located in Clearwater, Florida.
Update: Christian Fined & Sentenced to 60 Days in Jail Over AZ Home Bible Studies
We’ve told you before about government regulations hampering home Bible studies, but this story is even more pervasive, perplexing and complicated than the others. Michael Salman, who lives in Phoenix, Ariz., has been sentenced to a startling 60 days in jail, given a $12,180 fine and granted three years probation for refusing to stop hosting Bible studies at his home. Why, you ask? He‘s apparently in violation of the city’s building code laws.
(Related: Calif. City Changes Zoning Code to Allow Home Bible Study After Couple Was Fined)
City officials claim that he’s running an operation that is reminiscent of a home church — but without the required permits. And according to Fox’s Todd Starnes, Phoenix court documents show that he violated 67 codes. Unless the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals grants an emergency injunction, he will be jailed as early as next week.
(Related: Calif. City Changes Zoning Code to Allow Home Bible Study After Couple Was Fined)
City officials claim that he’s running an operation that is reminiscent of a home church — but without the required permits. And according to Fox’s Todd Starnes, Phoenix court documents show that he violated 67 codes. Unless the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals grants an emergency injunction, he will be jailed as early as next week.
Naturally, Salman believes the court’s findings amount to a crackdown on faith and religion. The city maintains that the penalties are legitimate based on the zoning laws he and his family have violated. However, Starnes was apparently unable to reach the Phoenix prosecutor’s office, the mayor’s office or code enforcement to obtain further comment.
“They’re cracking down on religious activities and religious use. They’re attacking what I, as a Christian, do in the privacy of my home,” he said in an interview with Starnes. “If I had people coming to my home on a regular basis for poker night or Monday Night Football, it would be permitted. But when someone says to us we are not allowed to gather because of religious purposes, that is when you have discrimination.”
Read the full article at - http://www.theblaze.com/stories/christian-fined-sentenced-to-60-days-in-jail-over-az-home-bible-studies/
Man Facing Jail For Hosting Home Bible Study
By Todd Starnes
A Phoenix man has been sentenced to 60 days in jail after he refused to stop hosting Bible studies in the privacy of his home – in violation of the city’s building code laws.
However, the Phoenix city prosecutor’s office said the violations have nothing to do with religious freedom — and everything to do with public safety.
“It came down to zoning and proper permitting,” said Vicki Hill, the chief assistant city prosecutor. “Any time you are holding a gathering of people continuously as he does — we have concerns about people being able to exit the facility properly in case there is a fire — and that’s really all this comes down to.”
According to court documents provided to Fox News Radio, Michael Salman was found guilty in the City of Phoenix Court of 67 code violations. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail along with three years probation and a $12,180 fine. He could be jailed as early as next week unless the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals grants an emergency injunction.
“They’re cracking down on religious activities and religious use,” Salman told Fox News Radio. “They’re attacking what I as a Christian do in the privacy of my home.”
“If I had people coming to my home on a regular basis for poker night or Monday Night Football, it would be permitted,” he said. “But when someone says to us we are not allowed to gather because of religious purposes – that is when you have discrimination.”
However, the Arizona courts consistently ruled against Salman – ultimately declaring that he was engaged in church activities and that the city did not violate his constitutional rights to religious freedom.
The long-running feud between Salman and the City of Phoenix culminated in the summer of 2009 when nearly a dozen police along with city inspectors raided their home. Armed with a search warrant, police confined the Salman family to the living room as they combed the property looking for violations.
Salman is the owner of Mighty Mike’s Burgers — and he is also an ordained pastor. He and his wife have been hosting Bible studies on their 4.6 acre property since 2005. The gatherings were originally attended by as many as 15 people.
Hill said the city became aware of the meetings after neighbors apparently complained about traffic congestion.
In 2007 they received a letter from the city informing them that the Bible studies were not permitted in their living room because it was in violation of the construction code.
A few months later, members of the Phoenix Fire Dept. broke up the family’s Good Friday fellowship. As many as 20 people were in their backyard eating a meal when firefighters threatened to call the police – unless their guests left the premises.
“Immediately after that, we decided to contact an attorney,” Salman told Fox News Radio. “The city emphasized that bible studies or church-related activities are not permitted on residences because you have non-family members coming to the home and such use is considered church use.”
In the summer of 2008 firefighters once again broke up a gathering – and Salman finally reached his breaking point. He ordered the firefighters to leave his property.
“We told them they had no right,” he said. “They had been harassing us since February. This is our home. We are a private gathering. This is Christians gathering on my private property.”
The city ignored the Salmans until 2009 – when they built a 2,000 square foot building in their backyard. Salman said he applied for and was granted the proper building permits. He also said the building has passed a city inspection.
“At that point we took our Bible study from our living room – and we moved it into that building,” he said. “We started worshipping in that building every weekend.”
However, Hill said Salman has “mischaracterized the facts” of the permit. She said he was given a permit to convert a garage into a game room.
“Any other occupancy or use – business, commercial, assembly, church, etc, is expressly prohibited pursuant to the city of Phoenix building code and ordinances,” she told Fox News Radio.
On June 11, 2009, the Phoenix Police Dept. showed up with a search warrant. When they had completed the search, Salman was charged with 67 code violations.
He was charged with not having emergency exit signs over the doors. He was charged with not having handicap parking spaces and not having handicap ramps.
“Imagine everything that a public building would have or a commercial building would have,” he said. “Anything we didn’t have was a violation.”
The largest source of contention has been whether or not Salman is running a church. He insists it is not.
But his building certainly resembles a church. It has chairs for as many as 40 people. There is a pulpit. There’s a sign out front – along with a cross.
“Just because visitors come to my home three times a week and we discuss the Bible – if that’s their definition of a church then so be it,” he said.
“At what point does the government have the right to state that you cannot have family and friends over at your home three times a week?” he asked. “People have a right to gather on their property as long as parking is available, as long as they aren’t parking in the street, as long as they aren’t violating noise ordinances.”
Hill said the facts are clear.
“He built a structure that he said wasn’t a church — that is in fact — a church,” she said. “It’s a church.”
And the courts agreed — noting in a Jan. 4, 2010 ruling: “The state is not saying the Salmans can’t run a church or have worship services at the location. But the state is saying that if they do so, they must do it properly and in accord with fire and zoning codes.”
Salman’s attorney has filed an appeal with the federal court – and unless they intervene – Salman will start serving his sentence on July 9.
A Phoenix man has been sentenced to 60 days in jail after he refused to stop hosting Bible studies in the privacy of his home – in violation of the city’s building code laws.
However, the Phoenix city prosecutor’s office said the violations have nothing to do with religious freedom — and everything to do with public safety.
“It came down to zoning and proper permitting,” said Vicki Hill, the chief assistant city prosecutor. “Any time you are holding a gathering of people continuously as he does — we have concerns about people being able to exit the facility properly in case there is a fire — and that’s really all this comes down to.”
According to court documents provided to Fox News Radio, Michael Salman was found guilty in the City of Phoenix Court of 67 code violations. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail along with three years probation and a $12,180 fine. He could be jailed as early as next week unless the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals grants an emergency injunction.
“They’re cracking down on religious activities and religious use,” Salman told Fox News Radio. “They’re attacking what I as a Christian do in the privacy of my home.”
“If I had people coming to my home on a regular basis for poker night or Monday Night Football, it would be permitted,” he said. “But when someone says to us we are not allowed to gather because of religious purposes – that is when you have discrimination.”
The Salman Family
The long-running feud between Salman and the City of Phoenix culminated in the summer of 2009 when nearly a dozen police along with city inspectors raided their home. Armed with a search warrant, police confined the Salman family to the living room as they combed the property looking for violations.
Salman is the owner of Mighty Mike’s Burgers — and he is also an ordained pastor. He and his wife have been hosting Bible studies on their 4.6 acre property since 2005. The gatherings were originally attended by as many as 15 people.
Hill said the city became aware of the meetings after neighbors apparently complained about traffic congestion.
In 2007 they received a letter from the city informing them that the Bible studies were not permitted in their living room because it was in violation of the construction code.
A few months later, members of the Phoenix Fire Dept. broke up the family’s Good Friday fellowship. As many as 20 people were in their backyard eating a meal when firefighters threatened to call the police – unless their guests left the premises.
“Immediately after that, we decided to contact an attorney,” Salman told Fox News Radio. “The city emphasized that bible studies or church-related activities are not permitted on residences because you have non-family members coming to the home and such use is considered church use.”
In the summer of 2008 firefighters once again broke up a gathering – and Salman finally reached his breaking point. He ordered the firefighters to leave his property.
“We told them they had no right,” he said. “They had been harassing us since February. This is our home. We are a private gathering. This is Christians gathering on my private property.”
The city ignored the Salmans until 2009 – when they built a 2,000 square foot building in their backyard. Salman said he applied for and was granted the proper building permits. He also said the building has passed a city inspection.
“At that point we took our Bible study from our living room – and we moved it into that building,” he said. “We started worshipping in that building every weekend.”
However, Hill said Salman has “mischaracterized the facts” of the permit. She said he was given a permit to convert a garage into a game room.
“Any other occupancy or use – business, commercial, assembly, church, etc, is expressly prohibited pursuant to the city of Phoenix building code and ordinances,” she told Fox News Radio.
On June 11, 2009, the Phoenix Police Dept. showed up with a search warrant. When they had completed the search, Salman was charged with 67 code violations.
He was charged with not having emergency exit signs over the doors. He was charged with not having handicap parking spaces and not having handicap ramps.
“Imagine everything that a public building would have or a commercial building would have,” he said. “Anything we didn’t have was a violation.”
The largest source of contention has been whether or not Salman is running a church. He insists it is not.
But his building certainly resembles a church. It has chairs for as many as 40 people. There is a pulpit. There’s a sign out front – along with a cross.
“Just because visitors come to my home three times a week and we discuss the Bible – if that’s their definition of a church then so be it,” he said.
“At what point does the government have the right to state that you cannot have family and friends over at your home three times a week?” he asked. “People have a right to gather on their property as long as parking is available, as long as they aren’t parking in the street, as long as they aren’t violating noise ordinances.”
Hill said the facts are clear.
“He built a structure that he said wasn’t a church — that is in fact — a church,” she said. “It’s a church.”
And the courts agreed — noting in a Jan. 4, 2010 ruling: “The state is not saying the Salmans can’t run a church or have worship services at the location. But the state is saying that if they do so, they must do it properly and in accord with fire and zoning codes.”
Salman’s attorney has filed an appeal with the federal court – and unless they intervene – Salman will start serving his sentence on July 9.
Six MILLION people displaced.. hundreds dead = India record monsoons
by
SIX MILLION PEOPLE evacuated… hundreds dead… India and Russia .
thanks to louise woods for sharing this.. clearly our MSM is hush hush.. they don’t want you all to panic..
however.. it is what it is folks.. be ready.. don’t be scared.. BE PREPARED !
much love during crazy times..
http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8495789/india-floods-kill-121-displace-6-million
thanks to louise woods for sharing this.. clearly our MSM is hush hush.. they don’t want you all to panic..
however.. it is what it is folks.. be ready.. don’t be scared.. BE PREPARED !
much love during crazy times..
http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8495789/india-floods-kill-121-displace-6-million
The death toll from heavy monsoon rains which have caused massive flooding in India’s northeast has risen to more than 120, with six million forced to flee their homes, officials say.
The weather office forecast that more rains during the next 24 hours would lash the region, which is suffering from its worst flooding in recent years.
Assam state has been hardest hit by the annual rains with the mighty Brahmaputra river overflowing its banks, while flooding has also struck the nearby states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya.
“So far a total of 121 people have died in separate incidents in which 105 were drowned while trying to escape the gushing waters and 16 more were killed in landslides caused by heavy rains,” an Assam government statement said.
An estimated six million people have been forced to leave their homes to escape the floodwaters and find higher ground, a separate Central Water Commission bulletin said.
The monsoon, which sweeps across the subcontinent from June to September, is crucial for India’s farmers but also claims many casualties from flooding every year.
Assam state officials were struggling to cope with the huge number of people displaced by the flooding, with makeshift relief camps sheltering some of those forced to leave their homes.
Twenty-six of the 27 districts in the tea-and-oil-rich state have been hit by flash floods since June 24 as a result of the torrential rains while the Brahmaputra river has breached its banks in at least nine places.
The flooding has also devastated the Kaziranga National Park, famous for its tigers, rhinos and elephants.
The Press Trust of India quoted officials as saying more than 540 of the park’s animals, including 13 rhinos, had died.
In the adjoining states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya, monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding but there have been no reported deaths.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh toured the Assam region by helicopter earlier in the week to view the effects of the rains.
“The people of Assam are facing one of the worst floods in recent times that has inflicted considerable damage,” Singh said afterwards.
While India’s northeast has received too much rain, the monsoon has been late arriving in other parts of the country.
The monsoon is dubbed the “economic lifeline” of India, which has a population of 1.2 billion and is one of the world’s leading producers of rice, sugar, wheat and cotton.
Millions of Indian farmers still rely on monsoon rains to water around 60 per cent of the country’s farmland.
This year, the monsoon rainfall is running at 31 per cent below the normal annual average.
But the weather office has forecast heavy rains in the key planting months of July and August to make up for the shortfall.
Jul 8, 2012
HAARP Continues To Murder Sea Life
by Zen Gardner
Serious mammal, fish and bird die-offs are occurring around the world without demanded explanations. The scientific establishment plays dumb while massive animal deaths plague the planet for “no apparent reason” when many of them know full well their insane technology is scarring the planet and its inhabitants.
Here’s the latest.
The similarities are undeniable. First, this just recently happened.
Soon afterwards, this same horrific “scorched” phenomenon is found on slain dolphins washing up on the shore.
This insanity has to be stopped.
(Turn the sound down a bit, can be a little distracting..)
Serious mammal, fish and bird die-offs are occurring around the world without demanded explanations. The scientific establishment plays dumb while massive animal deaths plague the planet for “no apparent reason” when many of them know full well their insane technology is scarring the planet and its inhabitants.
Here’s the latest.
The similarities are undeniable. First, this just recently happened.
Over 1200 Dead Pelicans in Northern Peru, Same Region as Mass Dolphin Die-Off
[Photo-Image: April 28, 2012, Mass die-off of pelicans in northern Peru, Photo source: Peru 21]
After a mysterious massive die-off of over 3,000 dolphins along the northern coast of Peru this year more than 1200 pelicans have been found dead in the past ten days in the same region. The deaths of the pelicans and dolphins, unexplained.
In the photo posted below one of the dead dolphins looks as if its skin was ‘scorched’. (Source)
Scorched Animals
Now watch the video below of similarly scorched dolphins in the Persian gulf last year, with the accompanying incriminating HAARP funnel that is filmed hitting and then weirdly illuminating the surrounding water.Soon afterwards, this same horrific “scorched” phenomenon is found on slain dolphins washing up on the shore.
This insanity has to be stopped.
(Turn the sound down a bit, can be a little distracting..)
There is a lot of great independent research on the connections of mass animal die offs to HAARP and other phenomena. It’s just so horrifically wrong yet we hear nothing – nothing about this ongoing tragedy from mainstream anything except denial or nonsense intelligence-dissing conjecture.
These Things are All Over
And these are just some of the known facilities and this particular type of array. Don’t think for a minute these idiots haven’t gone completely bonkers with these types of toys. They use ELF blasts to control crowds now. It’s insane.Maybe the Peru site is screwing around?
Jicamarca (above image), Peru is home to one of the many worldwide locations of H.A.A.R.P. (Source)
Oh, and there is other stuff…
Meet AMISR:
The Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR) is a fairly recent development, and employed in the global scientific space takeover program for the purposes of “owning the weather.”I would like to draw your attention to information regarding the global atmospheric takeover within the scientific community, in particular that from the SRI (Stanford Science Foundation) within the NSF (National Science Foundation).
- This advancement is allowing the ‘HAARP’ program to continue under a new name, on a global scale. Source
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