Philologos
BPR Mailing List Digest
August 29-31, 1999


Digest Home | 1999 | August, 1999

 

To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Has God decided it's payback time?
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 08:56:48 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

MEDIA IS NOT INNOCENT IN MESSAGE OF HATE: The following is
excerpted from an editorial by Emanuel A. Winston, a Middle East
analyst & commentator (www.gamla.org.il): Tuesday morning, August 10th
(and again on August 18th with 3 guest experts) NPR (NATIONAL PUBLIC
RADIO), affiliated in Chicago with WBEZ, broadcast an interview of a
man who researches hate crimes. The interviewer carefully guided the
expert to basically repeat all of the reasons and underlying beliefs
for shooting Jews. He explained that these various Christian groups
held the belief that "Jesus would not come back to earth unless all
the Jews were gone" and "Jews were believed to be disciples of the
Devil". NPR, among others in the media, broadcast a curriculum on how
and why to kill Jews. He calmly pumped out all the buzz words which
could incite all aberrant people who may be listening with the urge to
murder Jews. As Buford O'Neal Furrow issued his alert call to White
America, the media passed it on with full intensity and meaning. NPR,
along with the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, CNN, the NEW YORK TIMES, and other
flagship media outlets, have frequently slanted their reportage
against the Jewish State of Israel and, by connection, American Jewry.
But, if they can get their message out by quoting and interviewing
White Supremacists or so-called "Hate Researchers", the Ku Klux Klan,
the radical Muslim movement in America, why then they are innocent of
inciting anti-Semitism. The media is not an innocent group of people
who merely conduct sophomoric campaigns with no knowledge of what they
do. They do know what they do when they carry the message of hate into
the public arena. In effect, they become collaborators and inciters of
that part of the population who hate enough to kill ... But, there is
a problem. The Jews will simply not disappear. Despite pogroms, the
Inquisition, massacres, the Holocaust, they remain - developing even
more cures and beautiful music for mankind and it is maddening. The
Jews simply will not stay down even as the Arab children are taught to
despise the Jew in anticipation of endless war ... If the growing
calamities of world- wide drought, earthquakes, tornadoes, and
unbearable heat are any indication, it seems as if G-d has decided
that this is payback time.
(WINSTON MIDEAST ANALYSIS & COMMENTARY)

Tzemach News Service
Week Ending: 28 August 1999 / 16 Elul 5759
fyi@tzemach.org


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Aug 29, 1999 TV Programs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 08:56:48 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

8:00 PM Eastern

 TLC - ANCIENT PROPHECIES IV - Secret manuscript of Jules
   Verne; predictions of H.G. Wells; earthquakes; prophetic
   warnings of the Virgin Mary.(CC)(TVPG)

9:00

 DISC - NAPOLEON'S LOST FLEET - Marine archaeologists search
   for Napoleon's battleship, L'Orient, in the
   Mediterranean.(CC)(TVG)

 HIST - SWORN TO SECRECY - "German Intelligence in World War
   II" - Rival Nazi master spies work at cross
   purposes.(CC)(TVG)

10:00

 HIST - HISTORY UNDERCOVER - "Secret Luftwaffe Aircraft
   of WWII" - Third Reich military aircraft designs are far
   ahead of Allied counterparts.(CC)(TVG)

 TLC - PROPHECY: ORACLES & REVELATIONS - Predictions
   from the Bible, Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce and American Indian
   myths.(CC)(TVPG)


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Probable Meteor Flashes Across Sky
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 08:56:48 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

Probable meteor flashes across sky
BY FRANK SWEENEY
San Jose Mercury News
August 26, 1999

What was probably a sizable meteor flashed across the morning sky
Wednesday, giving Bay Area residents a spectacular but extraordinarily
brief light show in broad daylight.

The fiery demise of a chunk of rock or iron from space entering
Earth's atmosphere at cosmic speed -- described as a bright blue
streak, heading toward the Pacific -- was reported by observers from
Napa to Hollister. It disappeared in a couple of seconds.

Based on descriptions from observers, astrobiologist Kevin Zahnle at
NASA/Ames Research Center in Mountain View estimated the
space-traveling rock was about 100 to 150 miles high when it flared
bright enough to be seen in sunlight.

Full story here:

http://www7.mercurycenter.com:80/premium/local/docs/meteor26.htm


via: SEDSNEWS@listserv.tamu.edu

--- BPR

BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Catholic missionary's arm to be brought to Japan
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 09:11:40 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

Catholic missionary Xavier's arm to be brought to
Japan

Copyright 1999 by Agence France-Presse

TOKYO, Aug 29 (AFP) - The right arm of Catholic missionary Francis
Xavier, who brought Christianity to Japan in the 16th century, will
come to Japan in October, reports said Sunday.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan has obtained approval from
the Society of Jesus and the Italian government to bring the Spanish
missionary's sacred relic to Japan from Rome, the Sports Nippon
newspaper said.

Xavier's arm, cut off upon his death in China, will be brought to the
southern prefecture of Kagoshima to mark the 450th anniversary of his
landing in Japan, it said.

It will be shown to the public at the St. Xavier Cathedral of
Kagoshima and also in other southern and western Japanese cities
during October.

Xavier, a member of the Society of Jesus, reached Kagoshima in 1549.
The arm was last brought to Japan in 1949.

Japan's principal religions are Shinto, Buddhism and Christianity.


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - St. Peter's 'Purified' After Suicide
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 09:12:35 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

St. Peter's 'Purified' After Suicide

Copyright 1999 by The Associated Press
August 28, 1999

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Sprinkling holy water toward the marble walls, a
Vatican priest symbolically cleansed St. Peter's Basilica after the
suicide there of a distraught Italian pensioner.

The man, identified as 64-year-old Benedetto Minnini of the port city
of Bari, shot himself in the mouth Tuesday afternoon while the
basilica was crowded with tourists. A woman videotaping inside
happened to catch the suicide on tape, and apparently was the first to
alert authorities in the vast church.

On Friday, Vatican parish priest the Rev. Giovanni Ferrotti performed
a purification rite under canon law, casting holy water toward all
sides of the basilica from the nave where the man killed himself.

``We entrust to the mercy of God the spirit of our brother,'' Ferrotti
said.

The archbishop of St. Peter's, Cardinal Virgilio Noe, determined a
fuller reconsecration ceremony was unnecessary because the act was
neither a deliberate profanation of the church nor a sacrilegious act
in itself, although suicide is a grave sin under church law.

The Vatican briefly cleared the basilica of tourists after the
suicide.

There was no explanation for why the man killed himself; a message on
his family's answering machine in Bari said they themselves were
trying to understand why.

Italian media called it the first recorded suicide within the
basilica.

There have been several past suicides outside the Roman Catholic
faith's most prominent church, including a man who set himself on fire
in St. Peter's Square last year to protest society's treatment of
homosexuals.

In 1981, a would-be assassin shot and badly wounded Pope John Paul II
in the square.

Security officers at St. Peter's said metal detectors are used at the
entrance only on Wednesdays, when Pope John Paul II holds his regular
weekly audience. Guards at the door at other times chiefly check
whether visitors are properly attired.


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - China's nuclear threat to US
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 09:15:56 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

China's nuclear threat to US

Weekend News Today
By Andy Laurents
Source: The Sidney Morning Herald

Sat Aug 28,1999 -- China warned yesterday that it was ready to fight
over Taiwan and that its nuclear weapons could "deal with" aircraft
carriers if the United States dared to interfere. A hard-hitting
editorial in the official Global Times newspaper, a subsidiary of the
Communist Party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, said the US and other
Western countries were mistaken if they believed China lacked the
ability or will to use force in a dispute over Taiwan. "If the US
makes the wrong calculation on its abacus and goes on interfering in
China's domestic affairs, it will eventually draw fire against
itself," it said.

via: bible_prophecy-l@onelist.com


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Russia, Central Europe, China news (8/29/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 09:22:13 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

TOURISTS TRAVEL TO NUCLEAR NO MAN'S LAND
KIEV -- "Just one day in the Chernobyl radiated zone will leave you
with fond memories," brags a tour operator in Kiev as if he was
selling a trip to the Caribbean.
http://www.russiatoday.com/news.php3?id=88495&text

RUSSIA TO SELL FIGHTER JETS TO CHINA
MOSCOW -- Russia will sell advanced SU-30-MKK fighter jets to China as
part of an arms deal worth two billion dollars, one of the largest
defense contracts won by Russia in recent years, the Interfax news
agency reported Sunday.
http://invest.russiatoday.com/business.php3?id=88509&text

Russian Military Claims Victory, Displays Failings In
Dagestan (http://www.russiatoday.com/features.php3?id=88019)

Half Of All Poles For Euthanasia,
(http://www.centraleurope.com/features.php3?id=88246) A Third Against

Turkish Army (http://www.centraleurope.com/features.php3?id=88308)
Circumcising Muslim Kosovar Boys

CZECH PRESIDENT THREATENS TO QUIT OVER POWER-CURBING AMENDMENTS
PRAGUE -- Czech President Vaclav Havel on Saturday threatened to quit
his job if proposed constitutional changes limiting the powers of the
head of state are adopted by parliament.
http://www.centraleurope.com/news.php3?id=88507&text

CZECH PRESIDENT THREATENS TO QUIT OVER POWER-CURBING AMENDMENTS
PRAGUE -- Czech President Vaclav Havel on Saturday threatened to quit
his job if proposed constitutional changes limiting the powers of the
head of state are adopted by parliament.
http://www.centraleurope.com/news.php3?id=88507&text

CHINA AND RUSSIA TO HOLD SUMMIT IN BEIJING IN AUTUMN
BEIJING -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin will visit Beijing in the
autumn for a meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, the official
Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.
http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=88484&text


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Arutz-7 News (8/29/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 18:34:14 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

WITHDRAWALS MAY BEGIN IN TWO WEEKS
The talks with the Palestinians continued this afternoon, following a
three-hour meeting last night. Prime Minister Ehud Barak told the
Cabinet today that there is still a chance that the Palestinians will
agree to delay the third stage of the second Wye withdrawal, in
exchange for Israeli concessions in other areas. The Palestinians,
however, reported today that Israel had dropped its "demand" to push
off the third stage. Israel's Gilad Sher and the Palestinians' Saeb
Erekat are attempting to conclude an agreement before the arrival of
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the end of the week. If
so, a signing ceremony may take place in Cairo this Thursday.

Both sides say that it is up to the other to come forward with new
proposals. The main sticking points continue to be the release of
Palestinian terrorists, and the date of the final withdrawal. A
senior Israeli official said today that if the agreement is not
finalized by tomorrow, Israel will announce that it is carrying out
the Wye Agreement as it stands, without the concessions to which it
has already agreed.

The agreement being hammered out, according to press reports, includes
the following points: Israel will begin withdrawing from additional
areas of Yesha, and will release the first group of prisoners, ten
days after the signing. By October 1, the Palestinians will submit to
Israel their plan for collecting illegal weapons, as well as a list of
their para-military policemen. On that day, the "free passage" for
Palestinians from Gaza to Hevron will be opened, and work will begin
on the Palestinian seaport. A week later, the second group of
prisoners will be released, and Israel will complete the three stages
of the withdrawal by late January. Ehud Barak considers that one of
his main achievements in the present negotiations is the Palestinian
consent to begin six months of intensive, continuous talks for the
purpose of formulating a framework for the final-status agreement. If
these talks are completed by early 2000, Barak feels that it is
possible to reach a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians by the
end of the year.

 JEWS PLAN TO BOYCOTT BURGER KING
The Zionist Organization of America is considering calling for a
worldwide Jewish boycott against Burger King, in protest of its
surrender to Arab threats and the closure of its branch in Ma'aleh
Adumim. Many elements in Israel have already called for Israelis to
boycott Burger King branches in Israel. Abe Foxman of the B'nai Brith
Anti-Defamation League said that he will act to have Congress
strengthen the legislation against cooperating with the Arab boycott
against Israel. "If we succeeded in having Coca-Cola and Pepsi rescind
their decisions to boycott Israel, we can do the same with Burger
King," he said. Ma'aleh Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel said today that
he does not accept Burger King's statement that the closure was purely
a commercial decision, and will call upon "Christian and Jewish
friends around the world to fight this development. If the Arab
pressure succeeds, then even Jerusalem neighborhoods such as Gilo and
Ramat Eshkol will also be in trouble."

Arutz Sheva News Service
     <http://www.a7.org>
Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999 / Elul 17, 5759

--- BPR

BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr

To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Aug 30, 1999 TV Programs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 08:27:28 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

9:00 PM Eastern

 NBC - LAW & ORDER (Repeat) - "DWB" - Detectives
   discover a shocking twist involving unlikely suspects when
   they investigate the brutal beating of a black man dumped
   near the highway.(CC)(TVPG)

 PBS - IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT - "Son of
   God; Lord of Asia" - Alexander and his Greek army invade Asia
   and overthrow the Persian Empire.(CC)(TVPG)

 DISC - A SENSE OF DISASTER - Some cultures look to nature
   rather than science to forewarn of disaster.(CC)(TVG)

 TLC - KILLER VIRUSES - A historical record of infectious
   diseases features interviews with the people trying to combat
   them.(CC)(TVG)

10:00

 DISC - SPYTEK - "The Deadly Game" - The world of
   assassination and espionage.(CC)(TVG)


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - 'Smart gun' technology
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 08:46:00 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

From The Washington Post,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-08/28/052l-082899-idx.html

Glendening Vows to Push 'Smart Guns' By Manuel Perez-Rivas
Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, August 28, 1999; Page B01

Gov. Parris N. Glendening vowed yesterday to use the full strength of
his office to win passage of a law requiring that all guns sold in
Maryland feature technology that would allow only their owners to fire
them.

The governor's comments came as he met with the 21-member task force
he appointed to recommend how the state should mandate the sale of
so-called "smart guns," weapons equipped with such high-tech
components as fingerprint sensors. Glendening (D) said he wants
legislation approved during the next General Assembly session that
would put Maryland at the forefront of an issue gaining national
attention.

"I am very, very serious about this issue," he said. Glendening first
proposed mandating smart--or "childproof"--guns during his reelection
campaign two years ago. The issue was dropped last year, but the
governor is promising to make it a priority during the coming year.

Smart gun proposals have been introduced in several state legislatures
in recent months, most notably in New Jersey, where one bill passed a
Senate committee before stalling. A congressional bill introduced by
U.S. Rep. William J. Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) would provide $100 million
over four years in grants for research and development of smart guns
and then require gun manufacturers to produce them if the technology
is deemed feasible by the National Institute of Justice.

The debate about smart guns centers on the question of whether the
technology is sufficiently developed or can be developed. Although
some gun makers, most notably Colt's Manufacturing Co., are developing
guns with high-tech safety features, there is opposition within the
industry and from the National Rifle Association to any legislative
mandates. Even Colt's, which carries a smart guns update on its Web
site, is opposed to mandating use of such weapons.

"You can't mandate technology. You can mandate the study of
technology, and you can promote its development," said Jeffrey K. Reh,
general counsel of Beretta U.S.A. Corp., which is headquartered in
Prince George's County. The company's position on smart guns is that
the technology is "undeveloped and unproven" and that its use could
increase the number of gun-related fatalities. Reh also criticized
Glendening for not appointing a representative from a gun
manufacturing company to the task force.

Yet Glendening and other supporters of a smart guns law said the
technology is available and can be made reliable. The governor
compared the issue to the efforts that led up to federal mandates
requiring air bags in cars and child-proof caps on medicine bottles.

"It can be done. It absolutely can be done," he said. "It's just like
air bags. The car manufacturers insisted it couldn't be done. The law
was passed and air bags have saved lives."

"That technology, I know for a fact, is available," said Col. David B.
Mitchell, the superintendent of the Maryland State Police and the task
force chairman. "The question is cost. The question is when can we
reasonably expect to see it come forward."

Stephen P. Teret, the director of the Center for Gun Policy and
Research at Johns Hopkins University and a member of Glendening's task
force, said he believes smart guns that use high-technology features
such as fingerprint sensors or sensors that are activated by a
separate device, such as a ring worn by the owner, could be ready in
about a year.

Teret said the recent spate of high-profile mass shootings have
increased public support for requiring such high-tech safety features.
In addition, some of the recent lawsuits against gun manufacturers
have cited the lack of smart gun features in their products. And, he
said, proposals similar to the one being considered in Maryland have
been gaining ground.

"All of this makes what I think is a very compelling argument for the
gun manufacturers," he said.

Yet some staunch opponents of gun control said that Glendening's
proposal is an underhanded way to ban the sale of guns altogether.

"The technology does not exist. Show me one," said Bob McMurray, of
Silver Spring, who is the chairman of Marylanders Against the Gun Ban,
a decade-old umbrella group representing gun owners. "He knows that if
he introduces a bill to ban handguns outright he won't win. So he's
trying to do it this way."

Glendening asked the task force to study the technology available and
to meet with community groups, legislators and gun makers to discuss
the issue. He asked the group to try to find common ground with the
gun industry, but said they should move ahead anyway if that was
impossible.

"If we cannot [find common ground], we will use the full strength of
the office to try to protect our children," he said, cautioning task
force members to brace themselves for a tough fight.

"Recognize that this will be a death struggle in many ways, but it's
one that we've fought before and won before, and there are people
alive because of this," he said, citing 1996 legislation limiting
handgun purchases in the state to one a month.

c Copyright 1999 The Washington Post Company

via: isml@onelist.com


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Head transplants give paralysed new hope
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 08:46:00 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

From The Sunday Times,
http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/99/08/29/stinwenws03005.html?999

August 29 1999 BRITAIN c

Head transplants give paralysed new hope
Jonathan Leake
Science Editor

A LEADING brain surgeon has unveiled plans to perform the first human
head transplant. The operation, already carried out successfully on
dogs and monkeys, would initially cost =A3800,000.

Among those who could benefit are quadriplegics with conditions
similar to that of Christopher Reeve, the Superman actor paralysed
after a fall from a horse. The operation may also appeal to rich
people with terminal illnesses.

The technique for transplanting heads was proven in principle with
small mammals in the early 1990s. However, it was abandoned when
scientists realised that the extra time needed to reconnect larger
human arteries and muscles would deprive the brain of oxygen and cause
tissue damage.

Last week it was claimed that this obstacle has finally been overcome.
Robert J White, an American neurosurgeon, said he had developed a
blood-cooling system that meant a living head could be disconnected
from its blood supply for up to an hour without ill-effect.

White and his team, based at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio,
claim they have already practised the techniques on corpses retained
for medical research at the American hospital where he works.

The White machine cools the brain from 37C to 10C. "This slows the
metabolism and allows plenty of time to reconnect a head to its new
body. All we are waiting for now is the money and the patients," White
said last week.

White has carried out more than 10,000 brain operations on humans. His
work on monkeys, which started over 20 years ago, culminated in the
full head transplants.

The animals survived for more than a week with no impairment of mental
faculties before they were put down, for humane reasons.

Head or brain transplants have long been seen as the holy grail for
neurosurgery. In theory, they offer the nearest anyone could get to
immortality.

In reality, however, White's technique would initially have a more
limited application. Despite many recent advances, surgeons still
cannot reconnect or regrow severed spinal nerves. This means that,
like the monkeys, anyone who underwent a head transplant would be
paralysed from the neck down.

It also means that the first candidates for such surgery would
probably be people, like Reeve, who had already been paralysed.
Quadriplegics often die prematurely from multiple organ failure.
Transplanting their head to a new body could, however, give them the
chance of a normal lifespan.

White believes that, although the idea might shock the able-bodied,
many quadriplegics would welcome it. "It would be hard to deny them
that chance through squeamishness when we are already transplanting
lungs, hearts and livers," he said.

Most of the subsequent demand for head transplants would, however,
almost certainly come from a group presenting far greater ethical
problems - elderly or dying millionaires with enough money to pay for
the operation and the years of aftercare.

The operational procedure, described by White in a paper published
last week, would involve two teams of surgeons. Deep incisions would
be made around the necks to expose the six major blood vessels and the
spine. The next step would be to cool the head by connecting it to
White's new cerebral perfusion machine. Initially this would carry
blood from the original body but, as the operation progressed, a
second set of tubes from the machine would be hooked up to blood
vessels of the recipient body.

Then, taps would switch off the head's blood supply from the original
body and replace it with blood from the new body.

At this point the head would be detached, by severing the spinal cord,
and then attached to the new body. Such procedures could mean halting
the blood supply but the brain's low temperature would minimise the
risk of damage. Then the blood vessels, muscles and skin could be sewn
together using standard surgical techniques.

Reeve, who has set up a foundation to promote research into the causes
of paralysis and potential cures, is understood to have taken a close
interest in White's research.

White refused to reveal his future clients but was confident many
would come forward. He said: "The Frankenstein legend, where a human
being is constructed by sewing parts together, will become a reality
early in the 21st century."


via: isml@onelist.com


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Geography News
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 08:51:49 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

ONE BILLION IN INDIA
According to population estimates, India's population recently crossed
the one billion threshold (the U.N.'s Population Division precisely
placed the date of the one billionth resident as Sunday, August 15.)
India's population grows by about 16 million people each year (which
is like annually adding a country the size of the Netherlands to the
population). India's population has tripled since its independence in
1947 and is expected to surpass China as the world's most populous
country by 2040, when India is expected to be home to 1.6 billion
people.

TEXAS CITY SAYS "ADIOS INGLES"
The border city of El Cenizo, Texas (population 1,700) declared
Spanish to be the official language for all public meetings.
Government officials estimate that over 90 percent of the city's
population speaks Spanish so wanted to make government accessible to
the citizens. English translations of meetings will be available upon
advanced request.

El NINO WHEN?
U.N. forecasters predict that a moderate El Nino event might follow
the current La Nina event, possibly in 2000 or 2001. However, U.S.
forecasters don't foresee any El Nino for the next year. The two
(somewhat different) El Nino predictions were released within a day of
each other from the World Meteorological Organization and National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

TURKISH COAST MODIFIED BY QUAKE
Researchers at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota found that
slumping of underwater slopes following the severe August 17
earthquake in Turkey caused major changes to the Turkish coast.

Matt T. Rosenberg
About.com Guide to Geography
http://geography.about.com
geography.guide@about.com


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Largest known biblical temple discovered in Jordan
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 08:55:30 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

                            Largest Known Biblical
                         Temple Discovered In Jordan

          PELLA, Jordan (EP) -- Massive stone and brick remains,
          believed to be the largest known temple from the Bronze and
          Iron Ages, were recently uncovered by Australian-Jordanian
          archaeologists in Pella, Jordan. The remains are expected to
          shed important new light on the emergence of monotheism in
          the region.

          The archaeological team uncovered a tower-temple, measuring
          96-by-72 feet, built of massive stones on a 15-foot-deep
          podium. Team members believed the structure to be a
          four-story temple that measured over 33 feet high. The size
          of the temple suggests a high level of affluence of the
          settlement that could afford to build such a massive
          structure and maintain it for nearly eight centuries. During
          the 800 years of the temple's use, the practice of
          worshipping many shared gods by local populations gave way
          to monotheism, such as that practiced by the Israelites.

          Inside the temple, archaeologists have identified worship
          and storage rooms, as well as furniture used in religious
          ceremonies and offerings to the gods.

          "This excavation is very important for scholars studying the
          change in people's mentality towards worship and their
          belief in God," said Malia Asfour, managing director of the
          Jordan Tourism Board North America. "It is one of several
          developments in the past few months that has enhanced
          Jordan's position as a crucial part of the biblical land.
          Many other locations, including the baptism site of Jesus
          Christ, and Listib, home of the prophet Elijah, are also
          currently under excavation."

          Pella is located in the eastern foothills of the north
          Jordan Valley, about 90 minutes by car from Jordan's
          capital, Amman. It was a city of the Decapolis region at the
          time of Christ and has considerable standing remains from
          the Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic periods.

          (c 1999, Evangelical Press News Service)

http://www.mcjonline.com/news/news3367.htm


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Banks offer free Y2K sermon
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 08:57:08 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

                   Banks Offer Free Y2K Sermon

          NEW YORK, NY (CHARISMA) -- Banks are offering an unlikely
          new service in an attempt to quell fears of a Y2K
          catastrophe--a free sermon. The ready-to-preach message
          assuring people that the bank system won't collapse at the
          stroke of midnight Dec. 31 is being offered to ministers,
          priests and rabbis by the American Bankers Association
          (ABA).

          The sermon aims to counter the belief fostered in some
          religious and survivalist literature that the year 2000 will
          bring an apocalypse, the Associated Press reported. "Things
          will work," the draft says. "Hospitals will be open. Police
          and fire departments will be prepared. Power companies will
          be fully staffed. Banks will keep your money safe."

          The four-page document urges: "We want to go into the new
          millennium with hope, eagerness and faith in this new
          century of promise. We don't want to be crouched in our
          basements with candles, matches and guns. There are, after
          all, two ways to cross the Red Sea: with Moses, who with
          God's help, led the children of Israel into a bright,
          hopeful future, or with Pharaoh, who in trying to preserve
          the old, hurled his chariots, his officers and his army into
          the sea."

          ABA spokesman John Hall said: "We wanted to reach out to the
          religious community."

          (c 1999, Charisma News Service)

http://www.mcjonline.com/news/news3369.htm


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Inside China Today items (8/30/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 08:59:21 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

U.S., CHINA RESTART EMBASSY BOMBING COMPENSATION TALKS
BEIJING -- U.S. and Chinese officials began talks Monday on
compensation for the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade,
which sparked furious anti-U.S. protests in China, officials said.
http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=88608&text

TAIWAN'S RULING PARTY ENGRAVES STATEHOOD CLAIM IN STONE
TAIPEI -- Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party enshrined President
Lee Teng-hui's claim of statehood in a party document on Sunday
despite China's war of words over the statement.
http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=88583&text

NATIONAL POWER GRID TO UNDERGO Y2K TEST TUESDAY
SHANGHAI -- China's national power grid will be put to the test this
week as authorities begin a series of night-time trial runs to assess
any impact from the year-2000 (Y2K) computer bug, the Liberation Daily
reported Monday. http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=88640&text


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Misc news
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 09:03:11 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

FBI WIRETAPPING CELL PHONES APPROVED BY FCC August 29, 1999

Wired News reported: The FBI should be able to do what it
takes to keep up with advances in surveillance technology according to
a Federal Communications Commission endorsement that left some privacy
groups understandably shaking their heads. The FCC largely gave a
rubber stamp on Friday to a series of convoluted technical standards
that will finally enable the Communications Assistance For Law
Enforcement Act (CALEA) to be enforced.The FBI has been pushing
reluctant telephone and wireless companies to implement the standards
since the law was first approved by Congress in 1994. The standards,
which are to be implemented by 30 June, 2000, will allow police for
the first time to track cellular phone users. Law enforcement must
first obtain a court order showing probable cause of criminal
activity. "Our actions today will help ensure that law enforcement has
the most up-to-date technology to fight crime," FCC chairman William
Kennard said. The FCC stepped in last year as an arbitrator between
the FBI and the telecommunications industry, which had initially
rejected the specs as being too costly and time-consuming.

ADDITIONAL RADICAL MUSLIMS ATTACKS IN RUSSIA EXPECTED August
29, 1999

Associated Press reported yesterday: Rebels recently driven
out of a southern Russian region have not given up their quest
for an independent Islamic state, Russian military commanders
said Friday. Chief of the armed forces general staff, Gen.
Anatoly Kvashnin, said even though the first
stage of fighting against the militants in the Caucasus Mountains
region was over, Russia expected that they would strike again. "We
know full well that the bandits have plans to tear Dagestan away from
Russia and we expect them to change tactics in order to achieve their
goals," he said, according the Interfax news agency...

SPY MAY HAVE BETRAYED STEALTH FIGHTER August 28, 1999

BBC reported yesterday: A spy may have leaked the flight plan
of an American F-117A stealth fighter shot down by Yugoslav
forces during the Kosovo conflict, according to a British newspaper
report. The Scotsman - published in Edinburgh - alleges that an
unidentified Nato officer leaked top secret flight plans and mission
targets to Russian intelligence. Moscow then passed the information on
to the Serbs, according to the article, which was written by military
analyst Paul Beaver. The shooting down of the supposedly undetectable
Nighthawk aircraft on 27 March was highly embarrassing for Nato and
the US defence establishment. The wreckage of the fighter was shown
repeatedly on Serbian state-run television...

NEW KILLER BEE ATTACK August 28, 1999

Fox New reported: Killer bees attacked a group of women and
children heading for a swim in a river in southwest Mexico,
killing one and injuring 12, officials said Wednesday. They
said Matilde Bernal, 28, died from hundreds of stings while
12 others, including five children, had to be taken
to a hospital after being attacked by Africanized bees Tuesday
near the town of Tixtlancingo, 20 miles (30 kms) northwest
of the Pacific coast beach resort of Acapulco. It was the second
reported attack by Africanized bees in Mexico this month. On Aug. 10
bees disrupted the burial of a man in the western state of Nayarit,
stinging 60 people...

via: pre-trib-news <rapture77@bigfoot.com>


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Jordan said ready to give up Jerusalem sites
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 16:02:10 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

Jordan Says It's Ready To Give Up Jerusalem Sites

AMMAN, Jordan (Reuters) - Jordan is ready to relinquish its religious
authority over Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem to the Palestinian
Authority, Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul-Raouf al-Rawabdeh has said.

``If our Palestinian brothers want to take over this responsibility,
Jordan is willing to cede this responsibility to them,'' Rawabdeh said
in an interview broadcast Sunday night by the Saudi-owned radio
station Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC).

Rawabdeh said Jordanian religious authorities were now running the
sites in agreement with the Palestinians. ``Our interest in Jerusalem
is because we are part of this (Muslim) nation and we are not an
alternative to our Palestinian brothers.''

Jordan has in the past said it would hand over the authority to
Palestinians once ``final status'' talks between the Palestinians and
Israel are completed. Rawabdeh made no reference to the final status
talk.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be capital of a future Palestinian
state. Israel says undivided Jerusalem is its eternal capital.

Jordan's 49-year-old role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem
is recognized by the 1994 peace treaty with Israel. The sites in the
walled Old City include al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques, Islam's
third holiest site after Mecca and Medina. H AMMAN, Jordan (Reuters) -
Jordan is ready to relinquish its religious authority over Muslim holy
sites in Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority, Jordanian Prime
Minister Abdul-Raouf al-Rawabdeh has said.

``If our Palestinian brothers want to take over this responsibility,
Jordan is willing to cede this responsibility to them,'' Rawabdeh said
in an interview broadcast Sunday night by the Saudi-owned radio
station Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC).

Rawabdeh said Jordanian religious authorities were now running the
sites in agreement with the Palestinians. ``Our interest in Jerusalem
is because we are part of this (Moslem) nation and we are not an
alternative to our Palestinian brothers.''

Jordan has in the past said it would hand over the authority to
Palestinians once ``final status'' talks between the Palestinians and
Israel are completed. Rawabdeh made no reference to the final status
talk.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be capital of a future Palestinian
state. Israel says undivided Jerusalem is its eternal capital.

Jordan's 49-year-old role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem
is recognized by the 1994 peace treaty with Israel. The sites in the
walled Old City include al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques, Islam's
third holiest site after Mecca and Medina.

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19990830/wl/mideast_jerusalem_1.html


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Arutz-7 News (8/30/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 16:10:36 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

 BARAK THREATENS TO IMPLEMENT WYE
"Satisfactory answers have still not been received from the
Palestinians" regarding the outstanding issues between the Israelis
and Palestinians, according to the Prime Minister's Office. Barak has
"made it clear that if no understanding is achieved in the coming
hours, he will consider ordering the original Wye Agreement to be
implemented as written - [although] according to his knowledge, it
does not serve the sides' common interests particularly well." This
stance was reiterated to Egyptian envoy Osama El-Baz, who met with
Barak yesterday.

Israeli officials estimate that Arafat is attempting to stall until
the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright this
Thursday, in the hope that she will rule in the Palestinians' favor on
the remaining unresolved issues: the release of prisoners, the date
of the third stage of the second Wye withdrawal, and a target date for
the formulation of final-status principles.

The Prime Minister's Office also stated that "there is no intention
whatsoever to release even one prisoner who belongs to Hamas or
Islamic Jihad." It was reported today, however, that the government
intends to free 350 imprisoned terrorists, including those who
murdered Palestinians and others who injured Jews. The Likud party
has gathered the necessary signatures for a special Knesset session
this Wednesday in light of the government's intention to release
prisoners with "blood on their hands."

See our Special Insert below for additional background on Barak's
stance in the current talks with the Palestinians.

 JORDANIAN GESTURE TO PALESTINIANS - AT ISRAEL'S EXPENSE
Jordan's Prime Minister, Abdul Raouf Rabda, announced today that his
country is willing to concede its authorities over the holy sites in
Jerusalem, if the Palestinians so request. Speaking with the Arab
radio station MBC, Rabda explained that his country is part of the
greater Arab nation and does not see itself as a substitute for the
Palestinians.

BURGER KING BOYCOTT?
Jewish leaders in the U.S. and Israel are currently deliberating on
how best to respond to the closure by Burger King - in response to
Arab pressure - of its Ma'aleh Adumim branch. Though some groups are
considering boycotting the 45 other Israeli branches, others argue
that it is not appropriate to punish the Israeli franchisee, Rikamor,
which is itself a victim of the situation. In the U.S., Jewish
religious groups question the logic of boycotting a non-kosher
restaurant [several of the Burger King branches in Israel have full
rabbinical supervision].

Ironically, Burger King itself might have provided an alternative
approach for those wishing to express their disapproval of the
company's surrender to Arab pressure: In its August 26th press
release
<http://www.burgerking.com/company/press_releases/08_26_99.htm>
explaining its decision to close the Ma'aleh Adumim branch, Burger
King gives its customers a brief summary of its holdings: "Burger
King Corporation is a part of Diageo [www.diageo.com], the
international food and drinks company... In addition to Burger King,
other brands [of Diageo] include Pillsbury, Haagen Dazs, Johnnie
Walker and J&B Scotch whiskies, Smirnoff vodka, Gordon's gin, Baileys
cream liqueur, and Guinness stout."

Arutz-7 has also learned that Harp Lager and Kilkenny beer are brewed
by Diageo's Guiness subsidiary, and that Green Giant and Old El-Paso
brands are produced by the Pillsbury subsidiary. Other Diageo
holdings include: Guinness World Records, producer of the "Guinness
Book of Records," and a 34% stake in spirits maker Moet Hennessy.
Jewish leaders note that many of the above products have kosher
certification, and are produced internationally.

 "WE'RE ON THE MAP" SETS OUT
A new association called "We're on the Map" is in its final stages of
formation, and will begin operation in the coming weeks. Its goal: to
bring one million Israelis to participate in guided tours in the Golan
and Judea/Samaria by the end of the year 2000. Among the organizers
are Moshe Leshem of Gamla Shall not Fall Again, Yaakov Katz and Uri
Ariel of Beit El, and Mateh Binyamin official Natan Natanzon. Katz
told Arutz-7's Haggai Seri today that most Israelis think of the Golan
as a place to hike and Yesha as hills and mountains. "When they come
to vote on the future of these areas," he said, "they should know of
the 200,000 Israelis who live here in thriving communities."

Using various marketing techniques and grass-roots local teams, the
organization will offer tours to either the Golan or Yesha, according
to the visitors' preferences. The first project: to bring
half-a-million people over the coming holiday of Sukkot to Hevron,
Yesha, and the Golan. The Yesha Council is also heavily involved in
the program. A group of high school graduates from Netanyah visited
the Golan last week, and today a busload of youth from Kfar Sava and
Ra'anana made its way among various towns in Judea and Samaria. Most
of the funds for the project are being raised abroad, concluded Seri.

Arutz Sheva News Service
     <http://www.a7.org>
Monday, Aug. 30, 1999 / Elul 18, 5759


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Jordan says ready to cede Jerusalem sites
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 16:22:10 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

A list member sent this in and it goes along with the earlier piece
on this topic. There doesn't seem to be too much difference between
the two pieces but yahoo did put them in two files so maybe I missed
something.

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19990830/wl/mideast_jerusalem_2.html

Jordan Says Ready To Cede Jerusalem Sites
AMMAN, Jordan (Reuters) - Jordan is ready to relinquish its religious
authority over Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem to the Palestinian
Authority, Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul-Raouf al-Rawabdeh has said.


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Infobeat News items (8/30/99)
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 21:27:46 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

*** Crew warns of possible Mir accident

MOSCOW (AP) - Members of the Mir's last full-time crew warned Monday
that the Russian space station may spin out of control now that they
have left it unmanned. The last crew, which arrived safely on Earth
Saturday, was not replaced because the cash-starved Russian government
has said it could no longer pay for the 13-year-old Mir's operation.
But instead of bringing the Mir down with the crew, space officials
decided to leave it orbiting the Earth in hopes that they can find
private funds to keep it aloft. There is no guarantee that the
station, which has been plagued by accidents, will remain in good
enough shape for the docking with its final crew. In fact, the Mir's
unmatched endurance has been largely due to its crews constantly
fixing malfunctions. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560935165-1e6

*** 11 people treated for E. coli

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A 2-year-old boy being treated for kidney
failure was among 11 people sickened by E. coli bacteria after
swimming in a lake in southwestern Washington, health officials said.
Battle Ground Lake was closed Sunday as a precaution. Jonah Runde, of
Brush Prairie, Wash., became violently ill after swimming in the lake
Aug. 15. He was listed in fair condition Sunday and was undergoing
dialysis. The boys' father, Neil Runde, said four members of his
family became ill within days of swimming in the lake. Health
officials said they are not sure the lake north of Portland is the
source of the E. coli, but it will remain closed for a week as a
precaution. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560931889-f19

*** Britain's South Park school renamed

REIGATE, England (AP) - A school is being renamed to shed unwelcome
associations with the often-profane cartoon television show "South
Park." It was bad enough when the comedy series, with its quartet of
foul-mouthed, moronic 9-year-olds, became a cult hit after hitting
Britain's TV screens last year. But as the feature-length movie
version - which boasts 399 swear words, 128 crude gestures and 221
violent scenes - packs audiences in across Britain in its opening
week, education chiefs at South Park Infants school have decided
enough is enough. The school in Surrey, south of London, is to be
renamed The Orchards, a name chosen by the majority of the parents.
See http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560932153-4a0

*** Remains of Hitler aide put to sea

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Genetic tests last year put to rest rumors
that Hitler's secretary had escaped postwar Germany and was living in
exile. Now, German authorities have taken precautions to ensure that
Martin Bormann's remains don't become the focal point of a memorial
for neo-Nazis. After consultations with the Bormann family,
prosecutors ordered the remains cremated and committed to the Baltic
Sea in an area outside territorial limits, a lawyer for the Bormann
family said Monday. "It must be guaranteed that no possibility exists
around which to establish any sort of memorial," said Florian Besold,
a Munich attorney. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560934653-601

--- BPR

BPR Web Site - http://philologos.org/bpr


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Space calendar
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 21:43:08 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

Subject: Space Calendar - August 28, 1999
From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

This Space Calendar covers space-related activities and anniversaries
for the upcoming year [I am only forwarding August as the
formatting is too confusing--Moza]. It is available on the World
Wide Web at:

     http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/

The WWW version of the Space Calendar includes over 1,000 links to
related home pages.

This calendar is compiled and maintained by Ron Baalke. Please send
any updates or corrections to baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov. Note that
launch dates are subject to change at any time. Also, note that
anniversary dates are listed in 5 year increments only.

The following people have contributed to this month's calendar:

o Gaga Markovic, Philippe Berthe, David Legangneux, Antonin Vitek

                          =========================
                               SPACE CALENDAR
                               August 28, 1999
                          =========================

* indicates changes from last month's calendar.

August 1999
* Aug 28 - Space Station Mir To Be Abandoned
  Aug 28 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #70 (OTM-70)
  Aug 28 - Johnson Space Center Open House
  Aug 28 - Asteroid 1993 HA Near-Earth Flyby (0.358 AU)
  Aug 28 - 210th Anniversary (1789), Herschel's Discovery Of Saturn
           Moon Enceladus
  Aug 29 - Asteroid 1999 HE1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.330 AU)
  Aug 29 - Asteroid 7682 (1997 CY19) Closest Approach To Earth (1.964 AU)
  Aug 30 - Comet Forbes Closest Approach To Earth (0.978 AU)
  Aug 31 - Comet Ciffreo Closest Approach To Earth (1.754 AU)


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Aug 31, 1999 TV Programs
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 21:45:34 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

9:00 PM Eastern

 FOX - FOX FILES - Atheist's son turns proponent of
   school prayer; college courses allegedly allow students to
   create pornography; teacher may be running criminal empires
   for jailed felons.(CC)

 TLC - DOOMSDAY ASTEROID - Using computer graphics,
   scientists describe the cataclysmic effects of a comet
   colliding with Earth.(CC)(TVG)

10:00

 HIST - NEWSPAPERS - Publishing tycoons; printing
   press; news rooms; Internet.(CC)(TVG)

To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Watchers and Scoffers
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 09:10:58 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

By Jim Bramlett:

While no one I have heard has assumed to be a prophet and is saying
"thus saith the Lord," based on a number of biblical, historical and
other factors many are sincerely seeing the possibility of the rapture
during September 10-11, 1999 during the Feast of Trumpets.

Yet, like hungry hyena, known to be cowards, the predicted scoffers
and mockers are already circling the soon-to-be, they believe, wounded
victims, salivating for their expected delicious meal, impatient to
pounce, denounce and shout "I told you so!" if it doesn't happen.
They are warming up their favorite "false prophet" labels. Oh, they
can't wait!

But again, to my knowledge no one has "prophesied" this event so if
there is no prophecy there can be no false prophecy. No one has
claimed to be a prophet, but only watchers. People have merely said,
"Based on such and such, then such and such may happen." This is
legitimate. This is good watching. This watchfulness, as we are
commanded, is surely pleasing to the Lord, even if in our humanity we
see through a glass darkly. We are watching, seeking, groping for the
return of the glorious Prince of Peace and His promise to come again,
and receive us unto Himself, that where He is, there may we be also,
in His presence of total joy, total peace and total love forever more.
 How can any sane, saved person opt for this evil world? The scoffers
think they have a 100 percent safe, no-lose situation. First, if the
rapture happens, they think they will be safe as no one will remember
their folly, second, if it doesn't happen they will also be safe and
gleefully proven right. They will be so proud of themselves! Maybe
they are safe, humanly speaking, but God knows, and will remember.

Because there has never been a general rapture of believers in
6,000 years, odds are that the scoffers will be right. Statistics are
on their side. However, we are talking about a unique,
once-in-history event which will some day happen, more sure than the
sun rising and setting. When it does happen, of course, the scoffers
will be there, as in Noah's day, doing their thing, mocking and making
fun_that is, until the trumpet sounds. Some will be listening for the
trumpet, and some not. I am not sure that those not listening will
even hear it. And if they even make the rapture, it will probably be
kicking and screaming, protesting, "This can't be happening!"

I would rather have an over-zealous watcher any day, excited about the
Lord's return and all the wonderful ramifications, than a mocking
scoffer, who serves no good purpose.

Actually, the scoffers are an encouragement to me, and further
prove that we are in the last days, because the Holy Spirit says,
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his
coming?" (2 Peter 3:3-4).

He is coming. He is coming. He is coming. Soon.

If not September, 1999, then later in 1999; if not then, soon
thereafter.

He is coming. You can bet on it.

via: "Koenig's International News" <bill@watch.org>


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Environmental News Service items
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 09:10:58 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

HEALING OUR WORLD: WEEKLY COMMENT
By Jackie Alan Giuliano, Ph.D.

WITH THIS RING, I THEE ... RADIATE?

Previously I explored how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and
the Department of Energy (DOE) have recycled millions of pounds of
low-level radioactive material into the commercial marketplace.
Recently, new evidence has surfaced that suggests that gold from
dismantled nuclear warheads, some of it highly radioactive, has made
its way into the jewelry industry over the last 50 years. Gold
jewelry, if made from this contaminated material, could give the
wearer twice as much radiation in one hour as most people get in a
year. Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 1999 For full text and
graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/aug99/1999L-08-30g.html

U.S. DROUGHT SIGNALS WORLDWIDE WATER SHORTAGE

WASHINGTON, DC, August 30, 1999 (ENS) - As much of the eastern United
States suffers through the third worst drought of this century,
experts say the crisis could foreshadow future water shortages
throughout the world. The Worldwatch Institute warns that steps must
be taken now to ensure sufficient food and water supplies in the next
millennium. Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 1999 For full
text and graphics visit:
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/aug99/1999L-08-30-06.html

via: "Environment News Service (ENS)"
<ENS-NEWS@PEACH.EASE.LSOFT.COM>


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Russia Seabirds Die in Mass
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 09:32:07 -0500

From: <owner-bpr@philologos.org>

11:11 AM ET 08/30/99

Russia Seabirds Die in Mass

MOSCOW (AP) - More than 2,500 dead seabirds have been found in
Russia's Far East and scientists are not sure why, a news agency
reported Monday. About 2,500 birds have been found on Kunashir
Island in the southern Kurils, and another 100 on Sakhalin Island, the
Interfax news agency said.

People started reporting unusually large numbers of dead birds this
month, and some experts say it could be caused by unusually hot
weather. Zoya Revyakina, the chief of the state environmental
protection authority on Sakhalin, said the same phenomenon had been
reported in Japan, the Interfax said. The birds' bodies have been lying
for many days in hot sand, making it hard to researchers to discover a
trace of disease or poisoning, the report said.

via: hblonde1@tampabay.rr.com


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Arutz-7 News items
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 15:43:34 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

 IN VIOLATION: PA HAS NAVAL COMMANDO UNIT
Yediot Acharonot reported today on yet another Palestinian Authority
violation of Oslo - one that could have serious implications for
Israel's security. "Under Israel's nose," reported Limor Shmuel, "the
Palestinians have established a naval offensive commando unit," two of
whose members were killed in a training exercise several weeks ago
while practicing the attachment of explosives to ships. The unit's
equipment was apparently smuggled into Gaza via the underground
tunnels from Egypt. The Oslo Accords permit the Palestinians to
operate a Coast Guard, but prohibit offensive activity such as the
formation of a commando unit.

MK Dr. Yuval Shteinitz (Likud) commented on Arutz-7 today about the
double murder and the reports of the Palestinian naval commando.
Shteinitz observed that the killings "show once again that terrorism
has returned to the political sphere both in threat and in practice...
 Palestinian terror does not operate in a vacuum: its infrastructure
and development receives a blind eye, encouragement, and even active
support from the PA. Egypt is also involved; the army has recently
found another tunnel between the Sinai and Gaza for the smuggling of
ammunition to Palestinians - raising serious suspicions about Egypt's
real intentions... What Oslo essentially created was a light
Palestinian army adjacent to our main cities. The Palestinian
paramilitary land forces, and now the sea commando, could seriously
hinder the ability of IDF reserves to reach their positions in case of
war with another Arab state."

Shteinitz agreed with startling statements made yesterday by a leading
IDF Military Intelligence official to the members of the Knesset
Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The officer said that Islamic
terror represents a "strategic threat" to Israel.. This contrasts with
expert opinions heard by the committee during previous sessions,
according to which terrorism could not threaten Israel's existence.
He said that Hamas is preparing to carry out major attacks on Israel,
and that Hizbullah has received enhanced arms shipments from Iran, via
Damascus. He emphasized the dangers to Israel from Iran and Iraq, as
well.

For the third time in two months, shots were fired last night towards
Kibbutz Migdal Oz in Gush Etzion. IDF forces returned the fire, but
the attackers were not caught.

 JORDAN ACTS AGAINST HAMAS
The Jordanian government has closed the Hamas offices in Amman, and
has issued an arrest warrant for four top Hamas leaders. The four -
Khaled Mishal. Mussa Abu Marzuk, Muhammad Nazal, and Ibrahim Gusha -
are presently in Iran. Twelve other Hamas members in Jordan were
arrested. The government accused them of "illegal political
activities," referring to their recent anti-Arafat statements and
activities.

Arutz Sheva News Service
     <http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, August 31, 1999 / Elul 19, 5759


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Arabia On Line items
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 16:06:56 +0000

From: "Moza" <moza@butterfly.mv.com>

Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Christians Pray for Peace
The religious congregation joined Indians in praying for peace in the
conflictive Mexican state of Chiapas.
http://www.arabia.com/content/culture/8_99/peace_31.shtml

Israel Ready to Recognise Palestinian State
Barak is ready to recognise a Palestinian state as early as next
January, the Financial Times said
http://www.arabia.com/content/news/8_99/state_31.shtml

Woman Divorced from Husband Seeking Exorcist for her
An Egyptian woman wins divorce from husband who sought an exorcist to
dispel bad genies.
http://www.arabia.com/content/living/8_99/genies_31.shtml


========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Al-Taqiya
From: bpr-list@philologos.org(BPR)
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 12:11:16 -0500

From: owner-bpr@philologos.org

"Before signing the Camp David accords with Israel, Egypt's
leader Anwar Sadat sought the counsel of an important Islamic
leader in Cairo. Sadat wanted to know whether it was all right
to make peace with the infidel. Was there any precedent?
Indeed there was, he was told. The prophet Muhammad made peace
at Hudayblya.

"Hudayblya is a small oasis between Mecca and Medina where
Muhammad fought a battle in the early years of Islam. When he
saw he was losing the struggle, Muhammad signed a 10-year peace
agreement with the people of Mecca. Two years later, when his
forces were stronger and the Meccans were living securely and
off their guard, Muhammad marched into the city and captured it."

(Lindsey, Hal. "Planet Earth--2000 A.D.," pp. 256-257)

-------

"Hypocrisy and deception are no innocent matters, for people
begin to follow Jesus 'who pretend to be sincere' but are spies
who try to catch him in his words (Luke 20:20). And one of the
Twelve proves to be the greatest of hypocrites, pretending
loyalty to Jesus but plotting his betrayal (John 13:27-30). The
presumption arises that one's world is full of disguised
enemies; it is difficult to tell friends from foes and the
stakes are high: loss of honor and even bodily harm and death...

"In the Mediterranean world, deception is a legitimate strategy
at the service of honor; it is a means value. Those who excel
in deception are cheered by the crowd, even as those they have
'taken in' smart from the shame and plot retaliation."

("Handbook of Biblical Social Values," John J. Pilch & Bruce J.
Malina, editors, pp. 42-43, 44)

---------

http://freeman.io.com/m_online/dec97/phares.htm

AL-TAQIYA
The Muslim Method Of Conquest
By Professor Walid Phares

In the early years of the Tawheed (Islamic conquest of the
Arabian peninsula) and in the Fatah (Arab-Islamic invasion and
conquest of the upper Middle East and the outside world), a
Muslim concept was devised to achieve success against the enemy,
Al-Taqiya.

Al-Taqiya, from the verb Ittaqu, means linguistically dodge the
threat. Politically it means simulate whatever status you need
in order to win the war against the enemy.

According to Al-Taqiya, Muslims were granted the Shar'iya
(legitimacy) to infiltrate the Dar el-Harb (war zone),
infiltrate the enemy's cities and forums and plant the seeds of
discord and sedition. These agents were acting on behalf of the
Muslim authority at war, and therefore were not considered as
lying or denouncing the tenants of Islam. They were "legitimate"
mujahedeen, whose mission was to undermine the enemy's
resistance and level of mobilization. One of their major
objectives was to cause a split among the enemy's camp. In many
instances, they convinced their targeted audiences that Jihad is
not aimed at them, that indigenous people are not targeted, only
Bysantium power. They convinced many Jews that they will be
protected from Christians, called pagans, and they convinced
many Christians that Jews were the mortal enemies, because they
killed Issa (Jesus). They convinced the Aramaics, Copts, and
Hebrews that the enemy is Greece, and signed peace agreements
with the Bysantines Greeks at the expense of Maronite Aramaics,
etc.

This Jihadic agency of subversion was one of the most
fascinating and efficient arms of the conquest. In less them
[sic] four decades the Middle East fell to the Arab-Islamic
rule, followed by north Africa and Central Asia.

Al-Taqiya was a formidable weapon, used by the first dynasties
and strategists. Today, scholars may identify it as deception.
But the Jihadic deception was and still is more powerful than
the James Bondian methods of Western classical intelligence
tactics, for the simple reason that it has a civilizational,
global dimension versus the narrow state interest of the regular
Western subversive methods.

Al-Taqiya is still in use today but not necessarily state-
organized. One can easily detect Taqiya in the two discourses
used by Islamist strategists. On the one hand, one comprehensive
Islamist theory is attempting to mobilize Middle East, and
sometimes Western Christia [sic] leaders and intellectuals, against
"evil Jews." We see considerable success on that level. And on
the other hand, another Islamist comprehensive theory is
attemting -with success also- to mobilize the Jews against "evil
and pagan Christians." One can easily detect the sophisticated
work of Taqiya, for the strategic objective of Islamists is to
destroy the foundations of the Judeo-Christian civilization, as
a prelude to the defeat of an isolated Israel.

Taqiya is not a unique phenomenon in History, many strategists
from all backgrounds implemented subversion. But the uniqueness
of today's Taqiya is its success within advanced and
sophisticated societies. Taqiya is winning massively because of
the immense lack of knowledge among Western elites, both Jewish
and Christian.

For interesting examples of Taqiya methods, visit Christian
discussion groups and forums and note the discourse of Islamist
visitors, aimed at undermining the Christian perception of Jews,
and visit Jewish discussion groups and forums and note the
subtle anti-Christian discourse of Islamists visitors. It is
really informative and fascinating.

 

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