News for February 9, 2007

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Viagra sold over counter in UK on Valentine’s Day (February 12, 2007) - Men will be able to buy impotence treatment Viagra over the counter in Britain for the first time from Valentine's Day, chemist chain Alliance Boots said on Sunday. Three Manchester Boots pharmacies will sell the prescription-only medication made by U.S. drugs group Pfizer in a pilot program from February 14. Men aged between 30 and 65 suffering from erectile dysfunction will be able to buy four Viagra pills for 50 pounds ($97) without having to get a prescription from a doctor first. Instead, they will have a private consultation with a Boots pharmacist, when their medical history will be checked and measurements taken of their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels. On a return visit patients will see a private doctor to ensure they are suitable for a further supply of pills. "By creating a service that is easily accessible on the high street we hope that we help many more men seek help for a very common condition," said Boots Director of Healthcare Alex Gourlay. He said it was estimated that only one in 10 men suffering from erectile dysfunction were currently being treated. Boots already offers similar services for weight loss, hair retention and chlamydia treatment. A national roll out of the Viagra service will be assessed later in the year.

I think this shows the mentality of today's liberal society. No wonder it's falling apart. Love is constantly associated with sex and skimpy ads tempt the mind and test the resolve of millions of men around the world. True love is selfless. True love would bring one to sacrifice their life for a friend. The sex-crazed society we dwell amongst today is not that picture of God's love. It is the picture of a self-focused and self-gratifying society blinded to reality by their own selfish desires. The judgment I pass is on myself too. Thank God for His deliverance! The love of many truly waxes colder and colder. The body of Christ must stick together and in Christ we will.

U.S. bee colonies decimated by mysterious ailment (February 12, 2007) - A mysterious disease is killing off U.S. honeybees, threatening to disrupt pollination of a range of crops and costing beekeepers hundreds of thousands of dollars, industry experts said on Monday. Beekeepers in 22 states have reported losses of up to 80 percent of their colonies in recent weeks, leaving many unable to rent the bees to farmers of crops such as almonds and, later in the year, apples and blueberries. "It's unusual in terms of the widespread distribution and severity," said Jerry Bromenshenk, a professor at the University of Montana at Missoula and chief executive of Bee Alert Technology, a company monitoring the problem. Dave Hackenberg, a Pennsylvania beekeeper who reported the so-called Colony Collapse Disorder to researchers at Pennsylvania State University in November, said he had lost about 2,000 hives, which can each contain around 50,000 bees during the summer months. He estimated that he will lose as much as $350,000 after accounting for lost income and the cost of replacing bees. Researchers from state and federal agriculture agencies have been frustrated in their search for a cause because affected hives are often empty except for the queen and a few bees. The number of bees in a hive typically diminishes over a period of days to the point where there are very few or none left, Hackenberg said. There is no indication of where the bees have gone or what drove them away, he said. more...

One of the upcoming events of scripture is the third horseman riding the black horse that brings plague and famine. Could it be that weather mixed with things like this will culminate in less productive crops in the near future and bring famine even to the US? This isn't something new, but everything adding together can have large effects. Keep watching!

Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill (February 12, 2007) - Mayor Bill Purcell vetoed a measure Monday that would have made English the official language of Nashville, saying it was unconstitutional, unnecessary and mean-spirited. "This ordinance does not reflect who we are in Nashville," Purcell said. The measure passed 23-14 last week by the Metro Council required all government documents to be in English, except when multilingual communications are required by federal rules or are needed "to protect or promote public health, safety or welfare." Opponents and supporters of the ordinance agreed it was largely a symbolic slap at illegal immigration that had no significant effect. Purcell said his legal staff had advised him the bill violated the U.S. and state constitutions and would be costly to defend. "If this ordinance becomes law, Nashville will become a less safe, less friendly and less successful city," Purcell said. "And as mayor, I cannot allow that to happen." His veto seems likely to stand. It would take 27 council votes to override it. Councilman Eric Crafton, who sponsored the measure, said it would offer an incentive for immigrants to learn English. Opponents including the Chamber of Commerce worried it would hurt the image of Nashville, which bills itself as "Music City USA." Phone calls to Crafton's home went unanswered Monday. Several smaller communities have passed similar laws or resolutions, including Pahrump, Nev.; Taneytown, Md.; and the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, Texas. Nashville, a city of more than 600,000, is home to the nation's largest Kurdish community and has been a resettlement site for refugees from Africa and Southeast Asia. The Hispanic immigrant population also has boomed. Researchers say Nashville's foreign-born population has grown 350 percent since 1990.
| America |

I don't get it, if we want to be a untied country, we need a common language. It was the creation of different languages at the tower of Babel that divided the world as it is today. I don't think it's discrimination to want a common language, I think being able to actually understand each other stops some division that occurs without understanding. The language of the US is English as it always has been. It's good to remember heritage, but not at the cost of the here-and-now in my opinion.

Snow isn't over 'til it's over (February 12, 2007) - The snow squalls that have buried Redfield and its neighbors up to their stop signs finally tapered off Monday, but forecasters warned that another storm system was on the way. Unofficially, the past week of lake-effect storms dumped 12 feet, 2 inches of snow at Redfield. If that number checks out, it would break the state record of 10 feet, 7 inches of snow that fell in nearby Montague over seven days ending Jan. 1, 2002, said Steve McLaughlin, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Buffalo. A weather service representative was sent to Redfield on Monday to verify the total. Residents of this hardy upstate New York village seem unfazed by the weather, and a bit surprised by all the attention. Their economy thrives on snowmobilers and cross-country skiers, and they usually average 270 inches of snow for the season — more than 22 feet. "It's snow. We get a lot of it. So what?" said Allan Babcock, owner of Shar's Country Diner in this Oswego County village of 650 people. The nearby community of Parish had recorded 115 inches of snow by early Sunday. Mexico had 103 inches, North Osceola had 99 and Scriba 94. The city of Oswego had 85 inches. A cold front finally stifled the lake-effect snow squalls created by persistent wind picking up moisture from Lake Ontario to the west.
| Earth Changes |

Police, rioters clash on Temple Mount (February 9, 2007) - After police managed to contain Muslim riots near the Temple Mount in protest of Israeli excavations there, Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi explained the disturbances were sparked by a group of masked youths who managed to infiltrate the site despite the over-45 age restriction. A week of tensions reached its peak Friday afternoon, when police forced their way into the Temple Mount compound, firing stun grenades at rioters who hurled stones, Molotov cocktails and metal shards at policemen shortly after Friday prayers ended. Five Arab youths were arrested outside the Old City, police said, for hurling stones and inciting for violence. A total of 17 arrests were made. A number of worshipers who barricaded themselves inside the al-Aqsa Mosque to avoid police arrest were convinced by Arab MKs to vacate peacefully after police officer promised not to arrest them for throwing stones. Over 3,000 policemen were deployed in Jerusalem as police raised the level of alert. The controversial excavations were paused for the weekend, but were slated to resume Sunday. Until then, Karadi said, the police would assess the circumstances and make recommendations according to their conclusions. Jerusalem District Police chief Ilan Franco noted that the police’s decision to “break into the Temple Mount compound was difficult and complex – but justified.” “Police were on high alert all week and have enforced age restrictions for entry to the site since Sunday. We were on the highest alert today. We knew today’s events were planned and would test our forces,” Franco said. Police said all forces would leave the Temple Mount complex once the group evacuates the mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine. The Waqf, the religious Muslim endowment that rules the Temple Mount, warned police against storming the mosque to nab the suspects. Hadash MK Mohammad Barakeh demanded that Israel withdraw its "occupation forces" from the Temple Mount and "occupied Jerusalem," describing the police's confrontation with rioters as a deliberate act of aggression. "This government is determined to play with fire that will spill blood ... It is the Palestinians' right to protest at the provocative works near the al-Aqsa Mosque," Barakeh added. more...
| Israel | Islam | Temple Mount |

Is it really possible that the Jewish temple could be rebuilt soon given the uproar over just this excavating? If God destroys the Islamic armies who are coming to wipe out Israel with fire and brimstone from heaven as prophesied by Ezekiel thousands of years ago, I believe yes. Keep watching!

Clinton slams PA indoctrination (February 8, 2007) - US Presidential candidate Senator Hilary Clinton has condemned Palestinian textbooks for school children, saying the texts indoctrinate children towards incitement, and fail to provide them with an education. "I believe that education is one of the keys to lasting peace in the Middle East and for this reason I am very concerned with these findings," Clinton was quoted as saying in a report released by the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), which monitors the Palestinian Authority for incitement to hatred and violence. "Ever since we first raised this issue some years ago there still has not been an adequate repudiation of incitement by the Palestinian Authority. It is even more disturbing that the problem appears to have gotten worse. These textbooks don't give Palestinian children an education, they give them an indoctrination," Senator Clinton said. In the press release, Itamar Marcus, head of PMW, said: "Teaching Palestinian children that the conflict is religious and not territorial will leave no possibility for compromise and could guarantee another generation of conflict." According to the PMW's report, "new Palestinian Authority textbooks for Grade 12 encourage students to see Israel, the US and the West as enemies, and portray the PA's territorial disputes with Israel as an existential religious conflict for Islam." The books teach Palestinian children to envision "a world without Israel," reject Israel's right to exist, and describes it as a "catastrophe that is unprecedented in history." "This is compounded by the presentation of the conflict as a religious conflict to defend Islamic land, and leaves no latitude or religious option for students to have positive -- or even neutral -- attitudes towards Israel," the report added. more...
| Islam | America |

Strange Sightings In Triad Skies (February 8, 2007) - Are the makings of a Sci-Fi movie happening in the Piedmont-Triad? There have been strange reports about flying objects in the skies -- and some people think they're UFOs. WXII 12's Nicole Ducouer spoke to a Kernersville man who said he captured an object on his cell phone. Jamarus Crews said he was sitting in his Farmwood Garden Apartment when he saw something in the sky. It had lots of lights and made no noise, he said. Charles Miller of Charlotte said he also caught an image of an object. "From the first time I saw it until it was gone, it was 45 seconds and it crossed the entire sky," he told CNN. Strange sightings have been reported in a number of locations in recent days. The National Weather Service said it has seen nothing out of the ordinary on its radar, and the Appalachian State University Observatory said it was probably a bolide -- a fireball-like meteor that frequently enters the earth's atmosphere but is rarely seen. To watch Ducouer's full report, use the video link on the origin page.
| UFO |

The Biblical Roses Herb L. Peters (February 8, 2007) - When news came that Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf had begun touring the Middle East peddling his own peace initiative, I didn't pay much attention. Yet as the reports of his official visits began to mount Read about it here, I began taking notice. I realized there might be something more going on. The idea that came to me was the Western and moderate Arab leaders may feel they need a Muslim to carry foreword their peace scheme in the Muslim Middle East. But, even so, what was Musharraf proposing? Well, now we may know. Musharraf apparently is telling his fellow Muslim states, in order to establish the UN's "comprehensive" peace -- as called for in UN Resolution 1701, the time has come to recognize Israel Read about it here. Friends, I've been reporting the Middle East peace process since I began my newspaper columns in 1991. What we're seeing today is unprecedented in the history of the Israeli/Arab struggle. In my last commentary, I said it was time to wake up and smell the biblical roses. I was speaking to unbelievers. Today, I'm saying it to the church. What many don't realize is God sometimes gives us what we want, even when it's contrary to His will. In the book of Psalm we read: So they [children of Israel] ate and were well filled, and their desire He gave to them. Before they had satisfied their desire, while their food was in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them and killed some of their stoutest ones, and subdued the choice men of Israel (Psalm 78:29-31 New American Standard Bible). God allows us Christians to have the teachers we want too. Paul tells Timothy: For the time will come when they [professing Christians] will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires ( 2 Timothy 4:3). Hal Lindsey's, The Late Great Planet Earth, became a global, number one best seller. When I read it, I remember thinking the time wasn't right for the things to happen that Hal wrote about. My reasoning was, the Bible suggests the end time events will happen when God's people aren't watching. And at the time, Hal seemed to have the whole world watching. My book, Recommendation 666, records events happening in Europe and the Middle East almost exactly as Hal's book foresaw. And instead of being a number one best seller, I posted it for free to get more people to read it. But, if the events that I've been reporting are the fulfillment of the prophecies, this would be the very situation that I was expecting. Friends, if the Arab world is preparing to recognize Israel, it may be time for us Christians to smell the biblical roses.
| Israel | Islam | EU/UN |

Assad: 'Syria continues to back Hamas, Hizbullah' (February 8, 2007) - Syrian President Bashar Assad said "Syria would continue to support Hamas and Hizbullah," Israel Radio reported overnight Wednesday. Assad spoke in a two-day convention of the Ba'ath Party. He mentioned "the legitimate right of these groups to continue the resistance, until we regain occupied land." Sources in the convention quoted Assad as saying that peace throughout the Middle East would only come when Israel returned "stolen Arab land", including the Golan Heights. The Ba'ath convention precedes a referendum which is in effect the Syrian form of elections. Ba'ath sources expect the party, and Assad, to continue holding Syria's reins in the coming seven years.
| Israel | Islam |

Humble vegetable that could revolutionize everything from fishing-rods to battleships (February 8, 2007) - FROM dangling to angling. The humble carrot is set to be used in ways never imagined before, thanks to a discovery by two Scottish scientists who have found a way to convert the vegetable into an advanced material to make products from fishing rods to warships. The development is the brain-child of Dr David Hepworth and Dr Eric Whale, who have created the material, named Curran, at their company CelluComp in Burntisland, Fife. Their first product - a rod for fly fishing - goes on sale next month. But they are not stopping there. The pair now plan to move on to make snowboards and car parts and say the material could also be used to make engineering components and even battleships. The material is also more environmentally friendly than current methods using glass and carbon fibres. Dr Hepworth said they believed Curran would be one of the major material innovations since the introduction of carbon fibre over 30 years ago. "It is incredibly versatile and we believe that we are launching at a time when companies are looking for that combination of quality and performance, but achieved in a way that is environmentally friendly," he said. At the moment, the company can make materials which are around 80 per cent carrot, with carbon fibre making up the remainder. The new "Just Cast" rods are around 50 per cent carrot - each made with around 2kg of the vegetables. But it is hoped that as the technique is developed, they will eventually be able to make products which are made from 100 per cent biological matter - carrots and other plants. Dr Hepworth said they were already looking at using other vegetables such as turnips, swede and parsnips. Dr Hepworth said: "We can buy in the carrots very cheaply - around 10p a kilo - so most of the cost in making the material is from the process we use. more...
| Technology |

Cool clouds turn light to matter (February 8, 2007) - The quantum sleight of hand exploits the properties of super-cooled matter known as a Bose-Einstein condensate. The emerging pulse was slightly weaker than the high-speed beam that entered the experimental setup, but was identical in all other respects. The work, published in the journal Nature, could one day lead to advances in computing and optical communication. "Instead of light shining through optical fibres into boxes full of wires and semiconductor chips, intact data, messages, and images will be read directly from the light," said Professor Lene Vestergaard Hau of Harvard University and one of the authors of the Nature paper. The Harvard team rose to prominence in the late 1990s when it slowed light from its constant 299,792km/s (186,282mps) to a leisurely 61km/h (38mph). It applied the brakes by shining light into a cloud of sodium atoms trapped in a vacuum and cooled to just above absolute zero (-273C), the theoretical state of zero heat. At this temperature the atoms coalesce to form a Bose-Einstein condensate, an exotic quantum entity first predicted by Albert Einstein and created in the lab in 1995. A second laser tuned the tiny atomic cloud to slow the pulse of light. In 2001, working with a team from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the same group brought light to a halt, by slowly turning off the second control laser. Switching the laser back on set the light free. The new experiment builds on this work. more...
| Technology |

Putin's visit to the Middle East will not be a mere formality (February 7, 2007) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan February 11-13, an official trip no Russian leader has ever made before (Boris Yeltsin's attendance at the burial ceremony for Jordan's King Hussein in 1999 does not count). As a result, the visit is expected to be highly productive. Russian cooperation with the three countries has been given a powerful boost in the past few years under Putin, but unlike previous visits by their leaders to Russia, it will be the Russian president's first trip there. Jordanian King Abdullah II has visited Russia six times since 2001. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, was in Russia in 2001, and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud visited Moscow in 2003 when he was the Crown Prince. In fact, the period between 2001 and 2003 was a time of growing political and economic cooperation between Russia and the three Arab countries. It was also a time of change in the Middle East, marked by the 9/11 tragedy in the United States, the toppling of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and the derailing of the Middle East peace process that began in 1991. The world changed, along with the lineup of forces in the region and the attitude of Middle East countries to one another and to the rest of the world. Above all, they have been forced to confront internal problems previously out of public view. I am referring primarily to their political reform programs and to the radicalization of Islam. At the same time, Russia diversified its foreign policy by revising its pro-Western leanings of the 1990s and focusing on internal stability, and by maintaining an ethnic and confessional balance also dependent on the Islamic factor. Russia has increasingly been positioning itself as an intermediary between the West and the East, although the results of those efforts are not yet clear. Russian policy in the past few years has been characterized by an unprecedented rapprochement with the Muslim world, efforts to strengthen business ties with Arab countries, and significant initiatives in the Middle East peace process. The Middle East is learning to trust Russia, as demonstrated by the observer status it was granted in the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 2005, and the establishment of the Russia-Muslim World Strategic Vision Group in 2006. more...
| Gog/Magog | Islam |

Ahmadinejad warns of 'deterioration' (February 7, 2007) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel's excavation work at the Mugrabi gate near the Temple Mount was a "provocative action which would lead to the deterioration of hostilities in the region," the Fars news agency reported Wednesday evening. The Iranian president added that "destruction, conflict and tension constitute the nature of the Zionist regime." He also called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the world Muslim states to "foil the devilish plot of the Israeli regime," and slammed the United Nations over what he described as "their silence in the face of the incident." Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini echoed Ahmadinejad's statement, claiming that "the destruction of al-Aqsa was part of a premeditated plot against Muslims." A few hours earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Jerusalem excavations and called on Islamic nations to retaliate against Israel. ''The world of Islam should show a serious reaction to the Zionist regime's insult to Al-Aqsa Mosque,'' Iranian state television quoted Khamenei as saying during a meeting with Ramadan Abdullah Shallah, leader of the Islamic Jihad organization. "Silence is not an option given these actions, the Muslim world must respond," said Khamenei. Khamenei did not say what sort of response he intended, but said Israel should be made to ''regret'' what it is doing. Khamenei also addressed the violent clashes within the Palestinian Authority: "Everyone, including the Palestinian factions and Islamic states, needs to make an effort to agree on a ceasefire soon so that the enemy's plot will fail." "Hizbullah's victory, the successes of Hamas and Iran's achievements all fulfill Allah's promises and fill the hearts of Muslims with hope and determination," said Khamenei. Meanwhile Damascus also condemned the Mugrabi works on Wednesday. A Syrian Foreign Ministry official told the state-run news agency that, "Syria strongly condemns these violations, and considers them a blatant affront to Muslim waqfs and the feelings of Muslims worldwide." Jordanian King Abdullah also had harsh words regarding the works on Tuesday: "Israeli excavation works near the al-Aqsa mosque in the holy city of Jerusalem have led to a dangerous rise in Middle East tensions and could derail revival of Arab-Israeli peace talks. "What Israel is doing in its practices and attacks against our sacred Muslim sites in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa is a blatant violation that is not acceptable under any pretext," the monarch was quoted by the state news agency Petra as saying. more...
| Iran | Gog/Magog | Israel | Islam |

No Negotiations Regarding Mt. Zion (February 7, 2007) - Minister Yaakov Edry says that contacts will not be held with the Vatican over the transfer of the David's Tomb complex on Jerusalem's Mt. Zion. Despite the repeated requests by the Vatican, Edry said that Israel views the area as totally Israel and will not hold talks on the matter. Edry was responding to a Knesset query submitted by MK Yaakov Amsalem of United Torah Judaism.
| Israel | RCC |

Well it's good to see Israel stand up for her heritage and Promised Land. I think this shows that it won't take much for Israel to return to the ways of their fathers once they see God's real protection in the Gog/Magog invasion. I think that will be one of the defining moments in Israel's modern history and they will no more profane the name of God. Ezekiel 38,39

Work Starts Near Jerusalem Shrine (February 6, 2007) - Work has begun to repair an ancient mound near Jerusalem's holiest site, raising tensions between Palestinians and Israelis. The Israeli authorities say the work is needed to restore a walkway leading to the al-Aqsa Mosque or Temple Mount compound in East Jerusalem. Palestinian leaders say it threatens Islamic archaeological remains. In 1996, work to open a tunnel alongside the compound sparked clashes in which 80 people died. And in 2000, the Palestinian uprising began at the mosque following a controversial tour of the site by Israel's then opposition leader Ariel Sharon. Israeli police are deployed throughout East Jerusalem's mainly-Arab Old City area and are blocking access to the compound to non-Muslims and Palestinians under 45. A senior Muslim cleric urged Palestinians to rush to the compound to protest against the work at the so-called Dung Gate walkway. Echoing that call, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of the Hamas-led government called for Palestinian unity amid factional fighting between Hamas and its rival Fatah. The Islamic authorities in charge of the compound say two underground rooms lie under the mound which is due for levelling. The centuries-old walkway partially collapsed in 2004. The current work is intended to secure the area and protect archaeological artefacts that have not been uncovered, Israeli officials say. The al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam, believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad made an ascent to heaven into the presence of God. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism, believed to be where Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God and the location of Solomon's Temple. Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Since then, the compound has remained under Muslim jurisdiction in conjunction with neighbouring Jordan. On Sunday, Jordan's King Abdullah warned against "any attack on Islamic sites" and condemned Israeli attempts "seeking to change the nature of these sites and erase their Muslim character".
| Israel | Islam |

Iran 'Prepared to Teach a Lesson to Possible Aggressors ... to Make Them Repent Forever' (February 6, 2007) - Iran's defense minister reportedly warned the U.S. that if it attacks, Tehran is ready to teach Americans a lesson that will make them "repent forever." Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, quoted Tuesday in an interview with the Algerian News Network, charged that U.S. troop presence in the region creates "crisis" and "insecurity" in the region, and called for the removal of American presence in the region. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) carried the defense minister's remarks on its Web site. Iran is "fully prepared to teach a lesson to possible aggressors," Mohammad-Najjar said. Iran is ready and willing to "confront any threat" from the U.S., and its "hostile approach" toward the country's nuclear installations, he added. "By resorting to psychological war, the U.S. attempts to exert pressure on Iran. But such methods will rather increase the problems and complications facing the American forces in the region," he said. Click here to read Islamic Republic News Agency version of the story. more...
| Iran | Gog/Magog | Israel | Islam | America |

Earthquake Rattles Cuba, No Injuries (February 5, 2007) - An earthquake registering 6.1 on the Richter Scale rocked eastern Cuba and parts of the Caribbean Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The strong quake was centered south of Manzanillo in Granma province rattled several nations in the region, Cuba's Prensa Latina news agency reported Monday. No one was reported hurt. Several regions of Cuba were affected by the tremors as well as parts of Jamaica and the Caiman Islands.
| Earth Changes |

Bright lights reported over Midwest skies (February 5, 2007) - From southeastern Wisconsin to as far as Des Moines, Iowa and St. Louis, people reported seeing balls of fire, possibly meteors, streaking across the sky last night. No major meteor showers were expected in the northern hemisphere on Sunday night, said Jim Lattis, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison astronomy department's Space Place. But he said it was possible that a minor shower may have been what prompted calls to authorities. The National Weather Service's Sullivan office said reports were called in from Iowa, northern Illinois and on up to Green Bay. Dozens of people throughout the St. Louis region and Illinois reported small objects that looked like bright lights or something burning, with flaming tails behind some of them, said Ken Tretter, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol in St. Louis. In Wisconsin, a Waukesha County dispatch supervisor said two callers reported a sighting around 8:15 p.m. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department said it received calls from Oshkosh, Ripon, Appleton, Neenah, and Pulaski, among others. A preliminary report Sunday indicated that the lights were from a meteor, said Maj. April Cunningham, a spokeswoman for North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, which watches for airborne threats to the United States and Canada. "We had a pilot reporting seeing a meteor and that's really all the information we have tonight," Cunningham said.
| Earth Changes |

WARNING: THE END OF AMERICA AS WE KNOW IT IS AT HAND (February 5, 2007) - The Patriot's Preamble "Let it be known far and wide that American Patriots will come together in the year 2007, to unite the citizens and statesmen of the Republic of the United States of America. They will gather with the purpose of maintaining our nation's sovereignty, to reinstate our Constitutional and Natural Rights, and to free the American people from institutional servitude. They will come to pursue this course with Honor, Dignity, and Courage, while acknowledging that unless God keeps our nation and guides her steps, we will have labored in vain." The United States of America and its citizenry has been assessed, warned, plotted against, and sold out by internationalists in government, business, and the banking industry. Its workforce has been decimated, its standard of living shredded and its working people made financial slaves through unjust taxation, socialist government practices, rules and regulations at all levels in society that would make any communist dictator grin with envy. Our role as partners in governmental affairs has been reduced to a whisper that is not heard by any elected official anywhere—with very, very few exceptions. Our representative government has become 535 regional dictators who live a life of luxury, self-importance and as arrogant master over the populace. The congress of the United States has carefully exempted itself from virtually all repressive laws they choose not to adhere to and have given themselves retirement pensions, health care and other perks, the rest of us can only dream of. They have become the Duma (Soviet Parliament) types who exemplify nothing other than crass selfishness at the expense of every American working citizen. The Bush Administration has been pursuing a blending of Canada, America and Mexico into the “North American Union.” They have done it under the cover of governmental darkness. They have been running a race as to how fast they can manipulate our great nation into a “no going back” strategic position with these other two nations. The president and his cabal of sell-out White House/Congressional turncoats have intentionally kept the American people in a state of confusion (war on terror, etc.) so that organized resistance to this national sovereignty killing plan can not be formulated. Business and banking interests are salivating at the thought of trillions of dollars in “free trade” being exchanged throughout North America.
| NewWorldOrder | America |

Prophetically, we don't have any clear indication of America's role in prophecy. Part of the issue is that the Bible is focused on Israel, which is on the other side of the earth. At the same time, we could be taken out of the picture, or more likely, the leadership of our nation will join with the "global community" in a new world order. In this, we will be no different than the Babylon we're told to come out of. Being raised a patriot and loving the freedom we've been blessed with, it's a sad thing to see fall apart, but at the same time, our home is not on this earth. We're just visiting.

Global Warming: The Cold, Hard Facts? (February 5, 2007) - Global Warming, as we think we know it, doesn't exist. And I am not the only one trying to make people open up their eyes and see the truth. But few listen, despite the fact that I was one of the first Canadian Ph.Ds. in Climatology and I have an extensive background in climatology, especially the reconstruction of past climates and the impact of climate change on human history and the human condition. Few listen, even though I have a Ph.D, (Doctor of Science) from the University of London, England and was a climatology professor at the University of Winnipeg. For some reason (actually for many), the World is not listening. Here is why. What would happen if tomorrow we were told that, after all, the Earth is flat? It would probably be the most important piece of news in the media and would generate a lot of debate. So why is it that when scientists who have studied the Global Warming phenomenon for years say that humans are not the cause nobody listens? Why does no one acknowledge that the Emperor has no clothes on? Believe it or not, Global Warming is not due to human contribution of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This in fact is the greatest deception in the history of science. We are wasting time, energy and trillions of dollars while creating unnecessary fear and consternation over an issue with no scientific justification. For example, Environment Canada brags about spending $3.7 billion in the last five years dealing with climate change almost all on propaganda trying to defend an indefensible scientific position while at the same time closing weather stations and failing to meet legislated pollution targets. No sensible person seeks conflict, especially with governments, but if we don't pursue the truth, we are lost as individuals and as a society. That is why I insist on saying that there is no evidence that we are, or could ever cause global climate change. And, recently, Yuri A. Izrael, Vice President of the United Nations sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed this statement. So how has the world come to believe that something is wrong? ... Another cry in the wildenerness is Richard Lindzen's. He is an atmospheric physicist and a professor of meteorology at MIT, renowned for his research in dynamic meteorology - especially atmospheric waves. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has held positions at the University of Chicago, Harvard University and MIT. Linzen frequently speaks out against the notion that significant Global Warming is caused by humans. Yet nobody seems to listen. I think it may be because most people don't understand the scientific method which Thomas Kuhn so skilfully and briefly set out in his book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." A scientist makes certain assumptions and then produces a theory which is only as valid as the assumptions. The theory of Global Warming assumes that CO2 is an atmospheric greenhouse gas and as it increases temperatures rise. It was then theorized that since humans were producing more CO2 than before, the temperature would inevitably rise. The theory was accepted before testing had started, and effectively became a law. more...
| Earth Changes |

A Circle of Deals Herb L. Peters (February 5, 2007) - Today's geo-strategic puzzle is fascinating. I can see how those involved could become totally engrossed in the game. In order to bring peace to the Middle East -- which appears to be the goal -- a circle of inter related deals will have to be made and joined together. You see, all the players want something. So, the secret to peace in the Middle East is finding a way to give everybody what they want. For a starting point, there can be no Palestinian state without a unified Palestinian government. So, the international community wants an agreement found between rival Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah. However, Hamas continues to call for the destruction of Israel. Fatah, on the other hand, continues to refuse Israel's demand that a Palestinian state have temporary borders Read about it here. And U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appears to be shying from Israel's demand in favor of granting Fatah's call for permanent borders Read about it here. Looking at all these contrary desires, it seems unlikely a way can be found to make all players happy. However, even while all this negative news is pouring out, we find British Prime Minister Tony Blair saying a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process could soon be made Read about it here. When I read this, I thought about how the EU's Javier Solana recently said pretty much the same Read about it here. Friends, what do Blair and Solana know that we don't? Perhaps here is where we find our answer. Evidently, Solana is talking about another breakthrough. As you may recall, the EU and Russia have failed to reach agreement over energy. The EU depends on the vast flow of energy that only Russian can supply. But, Russia has begun making demands that alarm some EU member states. You see, Russian wants a strategic partnership with the EU -- one like the EU has with America. Nevertheless, according to Solana, a deal between the EU and Russia could finally be in the works Read about it here | And here. If so, that brings up an obvious question: What is Russia really getting in return? And as far as Solana making peace in the Middle East, there's more to consider. His new deal between the EU and Russia may bring us full circle back to a possible deal between Hamas and Fatah. You see, Hamas is controlled by Syria, and Syria already has a strategic partnership with Russia. Yes, it's a circle of deals. more...
| Israel | Islam | EU/UN | Solana |

I believe we may be seeing the first seal happening before our eyes.

Revelation 6:2
And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Many people view "conquering" as having to do with war. I agree that this is usually what conquering takes. However, I would like to point out a couple things. First of all, Daniel 8:25 tells us about an antichrist named Antiochus IV. He was the cause of the Maccabean revolt that is celebrated by Israel every winter in a holiday called Hanukkah. This is what it says, "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand." How do you destroy many by peace? I believe it will be a war on religious fundamentalism prompted by the terrist activities of radical Islam. Eventually, anyone who claims sole ownership of the truth, as the Bible does, will become part of this group who is destroyed in the name of peace and security. Also, from the Watchman Newsletter September 30, 2006 edition, Fascinating or Sensationalism: "A primary purpose for the Alliance Of Civilizations is to fight all forms of religious fundamentalism See 1st pdf here. Another AOC report even discusses the importance of symbols and calls for the creation -- in as many cities as possible -- of temples and houses of religions (plural). And, it calls for the AOC to be fully operational in 2010 -- the middle of the coming seven-year period See 2nd pdf here. And, if all of this is not enough to convince us, the events in the UN are also connected to Recommendation 666. You see, the AOC was introduced to the UN by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Zapatero is a member of the same Spanish Socialist Party as is Javier Solana -- the man who negotiated the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for Peace (a covenant with many) and implemented the elements of Recommendation 666 into the EU." Do you see the pieces coming together? Keep watching!

Iran-Pakistan: Musharraf Presents Action Plan to Ahmadinejad (February 5, 2007) - President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday proposed a plan of action to bring about unity in the ranks of the global Muslim community, the Ummah, and to address decisive issues in the region particularly Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq. The President in his talks with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad at the presidential complex in Teheran said unity among the Ummah will also help defuse confrontation between Iran and the United States. President General Pervez Musharraf is visiting Iran and Turkey to discuss with them the situation in Middle East, particulary with a view to resolve the Palestinian issue. The two leaders held formal talks which lasted about seventy five minutes. The Iranian President welcomed Musharraf's action plan and assured him of all possible assistance on the part of Iran to make it a success. Giving details about the talks Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran Shafqat Saeed said bilateral matters between Pakistan and Iran, particularly the gas pipeline project, were also discussed. The Iranian President expressed the willingness to initiate implementation of the project immediately. Since the two countries have worked out the thorny issue of a pricing mechanism Iran and Pakistan will discuss an early implementation of the pipeline project. The two leaders also discussed other regional issues including security in the Gulf and Afghanistan. After a working lunch, the Iranian President accompanied President Pervez Musharraf to meet the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who welcomed Pakistan's efforts to strengthen unity amongst the Muslim countries. Later, the Pakistani leader, accompanied by foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri and foreign secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan, left for Turkey. Musharraf recently visited Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and the UAE, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia, to try to develop a strong, united Muslim voice to address the lingering dispute of the Palestinian people.
| Iran | Islam |

Knowing what the Bible says about Iran, and Ahmadinejad's own words, we know "peace" with Israel is not possible, nor will true peace come. We do know from Ezekiel 38,399that Iran, Russia, and Turkey primarily will attack Israel when they are living in peace. Peace is just what everyone is talking about, even the Muslims. However, just what is being said behind these many meetings between Muslims discussing peace. My guess given what I just went over, I think they're knowingly planning a false peace with full intention of waiting until Israel believes it and aren't prepared for the sudden attack they're planning. Then they will accomplish their stated goals of "wiping Israel off the map." Or will they? According to the Bible, they will fail when God Himself destroys them with fire and brimstone from heaven in the mountains of Israel.that Iran, Russia, and Turkey primarily will attack Israel when they are living in peace. Peace is just what everyone is talking about, even the Muslims. However, just what is being said behind these many meetings between Muslims discussing peace. My guess given what I just went over, I think they're knowingly planning a false peace with full intention of waiting until Israel believes it and aren't prepared for the sudden attack they're planning. Then they will accomplish their stated goals of "wiping Israel off the map." Or will they? According to the Bible, they will fail when God Himself destroys them with fire and brimstone from heaven in the mountains of Israel.

Colts' coach more proud of Christ than 'blackness' (February 4, 2007)- Super Bowl XLI- Super Bowl XLIhad been hyped as a major social milestone in U.S. history, since for the time, the head coaches of both teams were black. But when the game was over and the Indianapolis Colts had defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17, the winning coach said Jesus Christ was more important than any racial moment. During the nationally televised post-game show on CBS, coach Tony Dungy was asked specifically about the "social significance."had been hyped as a major social milestone in U.S. history, since for the time, the head coaches of both teams were black. But when the game was over and the Indianapolis Colts had defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17, the winning coach said Jesus Christ was more important than any racial moment. During the nationally televised post-game show on CBS, coach Tony Dungy was asked specifically about the "social significance."" Jim Nantz of CBS Sports:::This is one of those moments, Tony, where there is also social significance in this victory, and to have your hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tell me what this means to you right now.. Tony Dungy::I'll tell you what. I'm proud to be representing African-American coaches, to be the first African-American to win this. It means an awful lot to our country. But again, more than anything, I've said it before, Lovie Smith and I, not only the first two African-Americans, but Christian coaches showing that you can win doing it the Lord's way. And we're more proud of that. Thee Associated Press reported Dungy's comments about God in stories it moved on its wire service, but thereported Dungy's comments about God in stories it moved on its wire service, but the Bloomberg News Serviceeonly published the portion regarding African-Americans, and edited out the mention of Christian coaches. Colts' owner Jim Irsay credited God with the victory as he held the sparkling Vince Lombardi trophy in his hands. "Now there's an awful lot of shining glory, even more than last time up here," Irsay said. "But we're giving it all to God again because that's what got us here ... sticking together and believing that we could, and I know God has looked after us on this journey and bonded us into such a tight family." Dungy has had a close relationship with Bears' head coach Lovie Smith since 1996, when Dungy hired Smith to coach linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "My relationship, first, is with Jesus Christ, and he is the center of my life," said Smith when asked about his faith earlier this week. "I try to live a Christian life. I would like for players to know my faith based on what they see on a day-to-day basis."only published the portion regarding African-Americans, and edited out the mention of Christian coaches. Colts' owner Jim Irsay credited God with the victory as he held the sparkling Vince Lombardi trophy in his hands. "Now there's an awful lot of shining glory, even more than last time up here," Irsay said. "But we're giving it all to God again because that's what got us here ... sticking together and believing that we could, and I know God has looked after us on this journey and bonded us into such a tight family." Dungy has had a close relationship with Bears' head coach Lovie Smith since 1996, when Dungy hired Smith to coach linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "My relationship, first, is with Jesus Christ, and he is the center of my life," said Smith when asked about his faith earlier this week. "I try to live a Christian life. I would like for players to know my faith based on what they see on a day-to-day basis."" more...

Chavez May Get More Power in Venezuela, Christians are Concerned (February 4, 2007) - Venezuela's Congress Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill granting President Hugo Chavez powers to rule by decree for 18 months as he tries to force through nationalizations key to his self-styled leftist revolution. Voice of the Martyrs Todd Nettleton says, "President Hugo Chavez is gaining almost dictatorial powers over that country. He will be allowed to stay in office as long as he wants and basically rule the country by his decree." Chavez forced a U-S based mission organization out of tribal areas last year. Right now it's unclear what this will mean for national Christian workers in Venezuela, but Nettleton says Chavez doesn't have a good track record. "Chavez is very fond of Fidel Castro. We know he's not a friend of the church in his country. So, you just look at the evidence and you look at the past and you look at who Hugo Chavez' friends are, it's got to make you nervous if you have Christian workers in Venezuela." Voice of the Martyrs doesn't have work in the country yet, Nettleton says, "It hasn't been a country where we say Christians are persecuted, what we would identify as a restricted nation. Now, obviously that could change. That's something we evaluate each year." While Nettleton wouldn't say religious freedom is getting worse there, he did say, "It's definitely not on the upswing. It'll be interesting to see if there are changes towards Venezuelan national Christians and the Venezuelan church itself now that Hugo Chavez has taken these powers." Nettleton says the best thing Christians can do right now is pray. "Pray that Hugo Chavez will come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What an impact that could have, not only on that country, but on the world, if this man would say, 'I'm now a follower of Christ.' It would change the way he governs. It would change that country."

Poor Darwin's false religion (February 3, 2007) - There it was, glinting in the sand, something catching the searing sub-Saharan sun. The half conscious, desperately thirsty British airman first thought he was hallucinating. As he staggered toward the shiny object, he prayed it was something liquid, something that would cool his parched throat. But it wasn't; as he grasped it in his hand and shook the sand away, he realized he was holding a watch. A watch! And not just a watch; soon after, when he'd been rescued and returned to England, he showed it to his superior officers and then to scientific experts. At first, no one could identify the maker or even how old the timepiece was. Nothing quite like it had ever been seen. It was fashioned of finest 24-karat gold, the design magnificent, the face a gloriously transparent crystal, the wristband intricate and obviously very expensive. And the most amazing feature: The sweep second hand was moving gracefully in one fluid motion around the Roman numerals – keeping absolutely perfect time – and it seemed to need no winding or even motion to keep it running! Eventually, Darwinian scientists concluded that this exquisite artifact had not been manufactured; it had evolved, starting as a primitive sun dial from prehistoric times, swept and carried along and burnished by howling winds and abrasive sands, colliding over the millennia with other whirling objects and substances, melting and freezing and morphing finally into this magnificent timepiece, purely by happenstance. And, because of its primary ingredients and millennial buffeting by the elements, it now was so in tune with the universe that it kept atomic clock-type time! Anybody gullible enough to believe that sappy saga? No? Well, how about one even more farfetched and absurd? The vast universe, operating in such dependable precision we can confidently send human beings a quarter million miles into space, all the way to the surface of the moon, and back, safely. Our earth, moving in quiet orbit around the sun, so perfectly placed that life of all kinds flourish, while just a little distance closer or farther away, and the globe would not support life at all. And the human body, to say nothing of the mysterious brain, is made of such a myriad collection of mechanisms and infinitesimal organisms, all functioning in unexplainable synchronicity, that all the scientists who've ever lived have yet to understand more than a fraction of its workings. And all of this just "happened." No blueprint, no design, no intelligence, no creator or creation process. Just blind chance, and something called "evolution." more...

What's interesting are Darwin's own quotes debunking his own work in Origin of Species. By the way, anyone know the full title of the book? On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. Hmm... Favored races? You see, with this view, there's no real purpose for morals or right and wrong because the strongest survive, therefore do whatever you can to survive. If you don't there's nothing else and once you die, your existence is over. With no hope in death and survival of the fittest, why obey any rules, do what you want because your time is short. This is exactly one of the reasons I believe kids are so screwed up today. Of course not everyone who believes in evolution holds this extreme view, but that is the spirit behind the lies that lead people away from the truth in the Bible. 2 Peter 3:5-10 After generations of evolution being taught in schools, those parents grew up focused on themselves rather than raising their children with any kind of moral fabric. They let them do what they want and then they have kids and the decay of morality multiplies with each generation so focused on fulfilling their desires that society begins to break down. This is why I believe it's important for Christians to have an answer to evolutionists and have the duty of being a light in this darkened world because these lost people desperately want hope, they've just been deceived of what hope they could have in Christ. That's where we come in.

Iran: Giant achievements coming soon (February 4, 2007) - Ahmadinejad: On February 11, Islamic Republic's nuclear rights 'will be established' "Giant achievements" by Iran will be unveiled by its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in the coming days, the Iranian Fars news agency reported on Saturday. The Iranian news agency said an upcoming dramatic announcement on Iran's nuclear "rights" would be made on February 11. The report was accompanied by a series of announcements heralding alleged Iranian technological and medical breakthroughs, including an "AIDS cure." Ahmadinejad's "administration is going to publicize the country's remarkable progresses and achievements within the coming days," the Fars news agency said. "The Iranian president also reiterated that February 11 is the day when the Iranian nation's inalienable right to access and use nuclear technology will be established," the agency added. "The Iranian nation will celebrate stabilization and establishment of its nuclear rights during the Ten-Day Dawn, (sic)" Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. The "ten-day dawn" in early February marks the date of the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979. "When a nation decides to stand on its own feet to climb up the peaks, God helps it and that nation will embrace victory," Ahmadinejad said. The Iranian government's boasts of "great achievements" included an announcement on Saturday that Iranian scientists have "introduced an AIDS cure". more...
| Iran | Islam |

Churches: Men disrupted services (February 2, 2007) - Police in Kannapolis called incidents Sunday at several Kannapolis area churches "disruptions." They say people in some of the churches' congregations are still trying to figure out how to describe what happened. Police investigators said Thursday they were trying to learn the identities of three men who entered seven churches in the Kannapolis area Sunday and interrupted services. At least four clergymen said the men spoke in Hebrew and English, police said. At one of the churches, one of the men said he was there to deliver a message from God and that he came in peace. "They haven't participated in anything that would indicate they were a threat to anything," Kannapolis police Maj. Woody Chavis said. Pastor Walt Lyman of the Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church said the men walked to the front of his church and started speaking in Hebrew in the middle of his sermon. A former church pastor answered the men with a few words in Hebrew, Lyman said. The men fell to their knees, then left, he said. He didn't know exactly what the men said, Lyman said. Lyman said the men didn't do anything threatening, but congregation members were frightened. "It was weird. I don't know what their purpose was," Lyman said. "It would scare anybody because you didn't know what they were doing." Chavis said N.C. law prohibits disrupting a church service, but the activity Sunday didn't rise to that level. The churches haven't asked the men not to return, he said. Chavis said he just wants to know who the visitors were. "We just want to verify they're on the up-and-up," he said.

Very interesting! Especially that they spoke Hebrew. I wonder what it was all about?Very interesting! Especially that they spoke Hebrew. I wonder what it was all about? Secondary article Three men walked into Mount Zion First Freewill Baptist Church on Pleasant Avenue as Pastor Walt Lyman delivered the sermon Sunday morning. One stayed in the church vestibule while two walked to the front of the sanctuary and began speaking in what sounded like Hebrew, Lyman said. Lyman couldn't understand the men, so he motioned to former pastor J.E. Rahme, who was sitting in the front row. Rahme said he knows a little Hebrew and understood the men to say they wanted to speak right then. He told them, in English, that Lyman was the pastor and they'd have to ask him. The men then got down on their knees, put their faces to the floor and appeared to pray, Lyman said. Then, they got up and left without saying another word. Lyman described the two men who came into the sanctuary as young and well dressed. He said they appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent. He said the men were in the church only a few minutes and didn't seem intent on causing a disturbance but "kinda upset a bunch of my church members."Three men walked into Mount Zion First Freewill Baptist Church on Pleasant Avenue as Pastor Walt Lyman delivered the sermon Sunday morning. One stayed in the church vestibule while two walked to the front of the sanctuary and began speaking in what sounded like Hebrew, Lyman said. Lyman couldn't understand the men, so he motioned to former pastor J.E. Rahme, who was sitting in the front row. Rahme said he knows a little Hebrew and understood the men to say they wanted to speak right then. He told them, in English, that Lyman was the pastor and they'd have to ask him. The men then got down on their knees, put their faces to the floor and appeared to pray, Lyman said. Then, they got up and left without saying another word. Lyman described the two men who came into the sanctuary as young and well dressed. He said they appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent. He said the men were in the church only a few minutes and didn't seem intent on causing a disturbance but "kinda upset a bunch of my church members." Video

JustJust Connecting Dots Herb L. Peters (February 2, 2007) - We all have dots. The problem is connecting them. But, it's my job to try. I don't believe the street fighting between Hamas and Fatah is independent from what happened at the Quartet meeting in Washington. I notice that the on again, off again, cease-fire is being negotiated by Fatah in Gaza and Hamas, not in Gaza, but Hamas' supreme leader in Syria. This report says: The cease-fire agreement was announced late Friday on the deadliest single day of battles between the two sides, who have been fighting for control of the Palestinian government since the Islamic militant Hamas ousted Fatah from power in last year's elections. Palestinian officials said the deal was approved by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Hamas' supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal. But the cease-fire - the second announced this week - showed no signs of taking hold Read about it here. Then at yesterday's gathering of the so-called Quartet, Russian's Sergey Lavrov surprised other members of the group with an off key solo. Lavrov insisted both Syria and Hamas had to be included in the negotiations for the creation of a Palestinian state Read about it here. The interesting thing here is, Russia has recently entered into new security arrangements with Syria. In other words, Syria has become a Russian proxy and Hamas a Syrian proxy. Now, if on the side Russia is singing trio with Syria and Hamas, what would Russia be wanting from the Quartet? Perhaps this interesting piece provides a possible answer. Quoting Lavrov: "There are alarming developments. The balance of conventional weapons in East and West has shifted considerably," he [Lavrov] said, noting most former members of the Soviet-aligned Warsaw Pact had joined NATO since the break-up of the Soviet Union. "And ultimately the military presence of the United States in Europe is becoming a strategic factor," he added. Lavrov reiterated Russian concerns about U.S. plans to site a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic and noted there was little to separate this technology from systems that could be used for offensive purposes. "This is creating a completely new situation," he said. "We want to be told quite clearly why this is happening. We don't see any objective reason for this step" Read about it here. For the Israeli and the Palestinian people the sad fact is, even in the Quartet, the group of important international players that was created to bring peace to the tormented Middle East, personal interests remain the bottom line. Hamas wants to destroy Israel, Syria wants its way in Lebanon and the return of the Golan Heights, and Russia wants the growing strategic alliance between America and the EU to back away from her doorstep. That's why I suspect the fighting between Hamas and Fatah may be related to what happened at the Quartet meeting. For peace in the Middle East, a few more deals must be made. Just connecting dots.
| Iran | Gog/Magog | Israel | Islam |

If Israel fulfilled Isaiah 17's destruction of Damascus, it would make sense that both Russia and Iran would have security agreements and be very close politically. Perhaps this then is the "hooks in the jaws" that bring them against Israel? Just a thought...

Quartet StatementQuartet Statement (February 2, 2007)- The Quartet Principals - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, High Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner - met today in Washington to discuss the situation in the Middle East. The Quartet welcomed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the representative of the EU Presidency, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Recognizing the critical need to end the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, which would contribute to security and stability in the region,, the Quartet pledged to support efforts too put in place a process with the goal of ending the occupation that began in 19677and creating an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel, and reaffirmed its commitment to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace based on UNSCRs 242 and 3388. The Quartet expressed the hope that the result-oriented dialogue initiated between Israeli and Palestinian leaders will continue in the framework of a renewed political process with the aim of launching meaningful negotiations. The Quartet undertook to give active follow-up to these meetings and to remain closely engaged at this moment of increased activity and dialogue. The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to meet regularly at both the principals and envoys level according to an agreed calendar, including with the parties and other regional partners, to monitor developments and actions taken by the parties and to discuss the way ahead. The Quartet noted its support for renewed dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders and welcomed the December 23 meeting between Israeli PM Olmert and PA President Abbas, and the subsequent implementation of some steps discussed at that meeting. The Quartet urged the parties to implement fully steps discussed at the December 23 meeting, to refrain from taking any measures that could predetermine the number of issues that will be resolved in negotiations, to meet their respective obligations under phase one of the Roadmap and under the Agreement on Movement and Access, and to seek to fulfill their obligations under the Sharm el-Sheikh Understandings of 2005.. The Quartet expressed the hope that the result-oriented dialogue initiated between Israeli and Palestinian leaders will continue in the framework of a renewed political process with the aim of launching meaningful negotiations. The Quartet undertook to give active follow-up to these meetings and to remain closely engaged at this moment of increased activity and dialogue. The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to meet regularly at both the principals and envoys level according to an agreed calendar, including with the parties and other regional partners, to monitor developments and actions taken by the parties and to discuss the way ahead. The Quartet noted its support for renewed dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders and welcomed the December 23 meeting between Israeli PM Olmert and PA President Abbas, and the subsequent implementation of some steps discussed at that meeting. The Quartet urged the parties to implement fully steps discussed at the December 23 meeting, to refrain from taking any measures that could predetermine the number of issues that will be resolved in negotiations, to meet their respective obligations under phase one of the Roadmap and under the Agreement on Movement and Access, and to seek to fulfill their obligations under the Sharm el-Sheikh Understandings of 2005. more....
| Iran | Gog/Magog | Israel | Islam | EU/UN | Solana | America |

I think God has a couple things to say about this and given the history of those who try to get Israel out of the Land, I think it should be understood that God will punish those that come against Israel whom He Himself has placed there as prophesied in Ezekiel 36-37. However, God has also made it clear that Israel will be cut to pieces

Zechariah 12:1-3
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

God also promises to punish all those who oppress Israel.

Jeremiah 30:18-20
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.

As the US/EU policy moves forward to take away the Promised Land given to Israel in 1967, expect God's protection to be removed and replaced with His punishment.

Climate of 2006 (February 2, 2007) - The 2006 average annual temps for the contiguous U.S. was the warmest on record and nearly identical to the record set in 1998. Seven months in 2006 were much warmer than average, including December, which ended as the fourth warmest December since records began in 1895. The 2006 annual average temperature was 55°F - 2.2°F (1.2°C) above the 20th Century mean and 0.07°F (0.04°C) warmer than 1998 making 2006 the third warmest year on record. After a cold start to December, the persistence of spring-like temperatures in the eastern two-thirds of the country during the final two to three weeks of 2006 made this the fourth warmest December on record in the U.S., and helped bring the annual average to record high levels. For example, the monthly average temperature in Boston was 8°F above average, and in Minneapolis-St Paul, the temperature was 17°F above average for the last three weeks of December. Even in Denver, which had its third snowiest December on record and endured a major blizzard that brought the city to a standstill during the holiday travel season, the temperature for the month was 1.4°F warmer than the 1971-2000 average. Five states had their warmest December on record (Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire) and no state was colder than average in December. The unusually warm start to this winter reflected the rarity of Arctic outbreaks across the country as an El Niño episode continued in the equatorial Pacific. A contributing factor to the unusually warm temperatures throughout 2006 also is the long-term warming trend, which has been linked to increases in greenhouse gases. This has made warmer-than-average conditions more common in the U.S. and other parts of the world. It is unclear how much of the recent anomalous warmth was due to greenhouse-gas-induced warming and how much was due to the El Niño-related circulation pattern. It is known that El Niño is playing a major role in this winter's short-term warm period. U.S. and global annual temperatures are now approximately 1.0°F warmer than at the start of the 20th century, and the rate of warming has accelerated over the past 30 years, increasing globally since the mid-1970's at a rate approximately three times faster than the century-scale trend. The past nine years have all been among the 25 warmest years on record for the contiguous U.S., a streak which is unprecedented in the historical record. (NOAA / National Climatic Data Center) Image in link
| Earth Changes |

Abbas To Meet With Mashaal in Saudi Arabia (February 2, 2007) - Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will meet with Hamas' top leader in Saudi Arabia next week in another effort to negotiate a national unity government agreement, an aide to Abbas said Friday. The meeting between Abbas and Hamas supreme leader Khaled Mashaal was to take place Tuesday, the official said. The two leaders met in Syria last month, but failed to reach agreement on forming a government.
| Islam |

Iranian Weapons Experts Arrested in Gaza, Ceasefire in Tatters (February 2, 2007) - Five Iranian weapons experts were caught in a raid by Fatah loyalists late Thursday night, according to PA sources. One Iranian committed suicide during the operation. An Iranian general was reportedly one of those captured in the raid at the Islamic University in Gaza City, long considered a Hamas stronghold. No names or photos of the Iranian operatives have been released. Fierce battles between Hamas and Fatah continued on Friday, and at least another seven Gaza men were reported killed. Hamas operatives first killed two Fatah intelligence officers, and shortly afterwards, a number of Force 17 men stationed in a Fatah outpost were reported seriously wounded. Hamas fired mortar shells on Fatah positions throughout Gaza early Friday afternoon. Some 25 PA residents were wounded overnight as Fatah and Hamas warred for control of the government, tearing the ceasefire to tatters. Palestinian Authority officials called for Gazan residents to donate blood to help treat the many wounded. On Thursday, the Fatah forces also stormed and took control of Hamas-controlled PA government offices as well as setting fire to a building at the university. Between six and nine Palestinian Authority residents, including terrorists, were killed, and some 1,400 guns and missiles were found in the university and confiscated. Fatah officials said Ahmad Ja’abri, a Hamas commander believed to have planned the raid in which IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit was kidnapped last June, was seriously wounded during the raid. Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh said Friday morning that Iran has been “very intensely involved [in] upgrading the professional capacity of the terrorist groups” in Gaza. Meanwhile, an Israeli security source sided with the Fatah version of yesterday's clash that left six Gazan Arabs dead. The Israeli source told Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman that the Egyptian truck convoy that entered Gaza in fact contained no weapons - just as Fatah had claimed. The convoy contained logistical equipment such as tents, chemical lavatories and cars, the source said. Hamas had claimed that the convoy contained weapons destined for Fatah, and therefore mounted a large-scale attack upon the trucks and guards. Five Fatah terrorists and one child were killed, and a dozen Fatah men were kidnapped. more...
| Iran | Gog/Magog | Israel | Islam |

Possible tornadoes leave 14 dead in Florida (February 2, 2007) - At least 14 people were killed early Friday as severe thunderstorms and at least one tornado struck central Florida, flattening dozens of homes and a church, causing power outages and lifting a tractor trailer into the air, officials said. Lake County spokesman Christopher Patton confirmed the 14 deaths to The Associated Press. Eleven deaths were reported in Paisley and three in Lady Lake, he said, both towns in Lake County about 50 miles northwest of Orlando. No further details were available. Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency for Volusia, Sumter, Lake and Seminole counties. State emergency manager Craig Fugate estimated that hundreds of homes were destroyed. "Our priority today is search and rescue," Crist told reporters in Tallahassee at the state Emergency Operations Center. Chairs, beds and clothes were strewn about yards, with debris hanging from trees. Some homes were tossed from their foundations, while others had their roofs ripped off. Authorities blocked access to neighborhoods because of downed power lines and possible gas line ruptures. "The most dangerous tornado scenario is a threat for killer tornadoes at night, and that was the case," said Dave Sharp, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Melbourne. The Lady Lake Church of God was demolished in the storm, its pews, altar and Bibles left in a jumbled, leveled mess. The 31-year-old, steel-reinforced structure was built to withstand 150-mph winds, the Rev. Larry Lynn said. By daybreak, parishioners gathered on the lot where the church once stood, hugging each other and consoling Lynn. They planned to clear the debris and hold Sunday services on the empty lot. "That's just the building, the people are the church. We'll be back bigger and stronger," Lynn said. Damage also was severe in The Villages retirement community, where Lee Shaver shielded his wife Irene with his body while huddling in a closet as the roof peeled off their home. Fence posts launched as projectiles were embedded into the wall of their home, Irene Shaver said. "Every muscle and bone in my body shook," said Lee Shaver, 54. "We don't know what to do. We have no cell phones, wallets, IDs." more...
| Earth Changes |

Don't mess with Israel, open letter to Iranians says (February 1, 2007) - Israeli citizens write letter reading, 'Your current leadership will be held responsible for the destruction of the Iranian nation'; initiators hoping to get 100,000 Israelis to sign letter, distribute it to Ahmadinejad's blog, Iranian Mission to the United Nations and official Iranian internet sites. "People of Iran, beware. Your leaders are taking you down a dead-end street. If they continue, it will end in a terrible blow to the Iranian people and their country and bedlam in the whole region, an open letter written by a group of Israeli citizens begins. The writers of the letter are hoping to get 100,000 Israelis to sign the letter and then plan to send it to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Ran Porat, deputy editor and security affairs reporter at internet site Omedia, who came up with the idea for the letter, explains: "It is about making a statement – for the Israeli public, instilling the feeling that there is something we can do, and for international public opinion, so they realize that we, in Israel, are taking this problem seriously." In addition, he says, the letter is making a statement to the Iranian public. "We are separating the Iranian public from their leadership. We support the Iranian people in their struggle to release themselves from an oppressing regime, and we know that they are not looking for war with us," Porat says. The writers of the letter are telling the Iranian people that Ahmadinejad is "leading a monstrous and shameful attempt to vilify the memory of the six million Jews who were destroyed in the Holocaust, with a dubious academic excuse. By doing this he is viewed by the nations in a ridiculous light and he is giving Iran the image of a racist, boorish country, that propagates hatred and lacks basic humanitarian values. "Your regime is working diligently to acquire nuclear capabilities for military purposes. It would appear that they would not shy away from methods that could cause the death of thousands or even millions of you and others," reads the letter. more...
| Iran | Israel |

Ellis says he's converted to Islam and wants name change (February 1, 2007) - Macon Mayor Jack Ellis has converted to Islam and is working to legally change his name to Hakim Mansour Ellis. The mayor, raised as a Christian, said Thursday that he has been studying the Koran for years and made the religious switch at a December ceremony in the country of Senegal on the western African coast. Ellis is now a Sunni Muslim, having chosen a religion he said was originally practiced by his west African ancestors before they were brought to America by slave traders. Ellis said his decision was a personal one, though he understands his elected position breeds public interest in his choice. It was not something he decided overnight to do, he said. "Why does one become a Christian? ... You do it because it feels right. It's the right thing for you to do. ... To me it's no big deal. But people like to know what you believe in. And this is what I believe in."
| Islam | America |

Giants in Americas - Death Valley, California - Cavern Temple of Giants (February 1, 2007) - Is there proof that giants once lived and raised families in North America? Stories and newspaper accounts attest to amazing discoveries of huge elaborate caves and mines, gold spears and polished granite inscribed with mystical symbols. Witnesses have reported their discoveries to the Smithsonian Institute and have been promised compensation. Yet, the Smithsonian, archaeologists and other scientists are silent as to the discoveries and have hidden all evidence that is contrary to Darwinian theory of evolution. The following are actual accounts of giants in North America. "Atlantis in the Colorado River Desert" - 1947 Nevada news: Near the Nevada - California - Arizona border area, 32 caves within a 180 square mile area were discovered to hold the remains of ancient, strangely costumed 8 -9 foot giants. They had been laid to rest wearing the skins of unknown animals similar to sheepskins fashioned into jackets with pants described as "prehistoric Zoot- suits". The same burial place had been found 10 - 15 years earlier by another man who made a deal with the Smithsonian. The evidence of his find was stolen and covered up by Darwinian scientists. Dr. F. Bruce Russell had come to Death Valley from the east coast. He had taken up mining in the west for the sake of his health and was exploring across the Colorado River into Arizona. What he found he described as the burial place of a tribal hierarchy within the ritual hall of an ancient people. He felt that some unknown catastrophe had driven them into these caves. All of the implements of their civilization were there, including household utensils and stoves. Dr. Russell reported seeing hieroglyphics chiseled on carefully polished granite within what appeared to be a cavern temple. Another cave led to their sacred hall which contained carvings of ritual devices and markings similar to those of the Masonic Order. A long tunnel from this temple led to a room where, Hill said, "Well-preserved remains of dinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers, imperial elephants, and other extinct beasts were paired off in niches as if on display." more...

Israel Wants “Bibi” Back (February 1, 2007) - The nation of Israel, reeling from the one-two punch of its famed IDF losing the battle against Hizb’allah last July, and of political leader after political leader being accused of corruption and immoral conduct in recent months, is ready to sweep Likud Party leader and former prime minister, Binyamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, back into power. This is according to a new poll whose results were published by the most widely-read Israeli newspaper, Yedi’ot Ahronot, Tuesday. The survey found that, were elections held today, the Likud would win a whopping 32 mandates while as candidate for prime minister, Netanyahu would thrash his closest rival with more than double the number of percentage points, taking 34. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s ruling Kadima Party, which less than a year ago took the country by storm with a 29-seat victory, would plummet to 12 seats today. Olmert himself, who has been roundly criticized by Israelis for apparently “achieving nothing” during his first year in the chair, would not even feature as a serious contender for office, as just three percent of the voting public would want him to lead. His Kadima colleague and foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, would win 16 percent as would Labor Party member Ami Ayalon. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a contender for the party leadership, would garner eight percent. Netanyahu served as premier from June 1996 to July 1999. While in office he introduced and sought to insist on “reciprocity” from the Arab side in the often-stalled Israeli-“Palestinian” diplomatic process. He was not able to stick to his guns, however. Stymied by a gridlocked coalition government he buckled a number of times under US pressure, surrendering most of Hebron to the PLO. He did earn the distinction of being the only leader since the 1993 Oslo Accords were signed during whose tenure not a single successful “suicide” bombing was carried out. more...
| Israel |

The Muslim Bear? - Link broken by Mark Hitchcock - Ezekiel's prophecy and Russia's changing demographics. The prophet Ezekiel predicted almost 2,600 years ago that Rosh (modern Russia) would lead an end time invasion of Israel. The allies of Russia in this invasion are ancient places that today are Central Asia (Magog), Iran (Persia), Libya (Put), Turkey (Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Togarmah), and Sudan (Cush)—all of which are Islamic nations. In previous articles we have speculated about what could possibly draw Russia into such an alliance against Israel. Several reasons have been suggested: 1) Russia's desire for regional supremacy, 2) Russia's need to maintain a counter-balance of power against the West, or 3) Russia's reassertion of its might after its humiliation in the early 1990s when the might Soviet Empire disintegrated. All of these are plausible, reasonable explanations for Russia's involvement in this future attack on Israel. However, a recent article sheds some fascinating new light on this subject. Mark Steyn at SteynOnline recently presented some startling statistics about the rapidly changing demographics in Russia. Here's what he said. There are ten million people in Moscow. Do you know how many of them are Muslim? Two and a half million. Or about a quarter of the population. The ethnic Russians are older; the Muslims are younger. The ethnic Russians are already in net population decline; the Muslim population in the country has increased by 40% in the last 15 years. Seven out of ten Russian pregnancies (according to some surveys) are aborted; in some Muslim communities, the fertility rate is ten babies per woman. Russian men have record rates of heart disease, liver disease, drug addiction and Aids; Muslims are the only guys in the country who aren't face down in the vodka. Faced with these trends, most experts extrapolate: thus, it's generally accepted that by mid-century the Russian Federation will be majority Muslim. But you don't really need to extrapolate when the future's already checking in at reception. The Toronto Star (which is Canada's biggest-selling newspaper and impeccably liberal) recently noted that by 2015 Muslims will make up a majority of Russia's army. . . . What will happen in Russia? A remorseless evolution into a majority Muslim state? Bosnian-style civil war? The secession of a dozen or so of Russia's 89 federal regions? A Muslim military coup? Or a panicky attempt to arrest decline by selling off your few remaining assets, including national resources to the Chinese and nukes to anyone who wants them? None of us knows, but we should know enough to know we don't know. The Russia of 15 years ago is already ancient history. . . . By 2050, Russia will be the umpteenth Muslim nuclear power, but the first with a permanent seat on the UNSC. (Mark Steyn "The Bear Goes Walkabout," marksteyn.com. 2/2/07 [Scroll down the page a little]). Imagine that. The great Muslim bear poised to the north of Israel. Assuming the accuracy of these facts, or even anything close, one can see another explanation for Russia's participation in the Islamic invasion of Israel in the end times. Russia will lead this Islamic invading force, because Russia itself will be dominated by Muslims. This is something that no one could have envisioned even a decade or two ago. Yet, it appears to be happening right before our eyes. No one knows when the battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39 will occur, but if it's several years in the future, this dramatic demographic shift in Russia could very well play a key part in setting the stage for this major event of the end times.
| Gog/Magog | Israel | Islam |

Is it any wonder Russia will attack Israel too? The anti-Semitism is spreading throughout the world and Islam is helping it along quite well. This is also why I believe Islam will be one of the main tools the antichrist uses to control the world. Keep in mind that beheading is the choice of execution for Islam and also the cause of many martyrs deaths in the great tribulation. Islam is already integrated into all societies, regardless of nationality. They view their religion as the future world-wide religion. While that will morph into worshipping the man of sin and his puppet master, I'm sure many things, like execution methods, will remain quite the same. I used to think guillotines when I thought of the great tribulation, but swords work much easier and faster. The stronger Islam gets, the quicker those without any faith or grounding will join to save their mortal lives, giving up their eternal existence in God's presence for eternal separation. Many will be deceived, we who know the truth must speak up and warn them.

Russian Base in Syria, a Symmetrical Strategic Move (July 28, 2006) - Russian military officials have consistently denied reports that Russia is creating a permanent naval base in Tartus, Syria that would give it a Mediterranean outpost and represent a major shift in the regional security balance of the Eastern Mediterranean, the Levant, and the Middle East as a whole. Reports were emerging long before the Israeli attacks on Lebanon that Russia had begun work on deepening the Syrian maritime port of Tartus, used by the Soviet Union and later Russia as a supply point since the Cold War, and widening a channel in Latakia, another Syrian port. Both Tartus and Latakia are significant for both Syria and Russia in that they face the outlet of the Ceyhan end—the receiving end—of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil terminal giving Russia and its partners the ability to disrupt or secure the port and route during the possibility of the eruption of any future war(s) with the United States. The establishment of this Russian project has been presented as an alternative hub for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, based in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, in the Ukraine, but this seems to be undermined by upgrading and expansion of the Russian naval port of Novorossysk off the eastern margins of the Black Sea. The creation or expansion of naval or military bases off the Syrian coast and Russian coast off the Black Sea seem to imply the future employment of two different forces with different applications for the national and security interests of Russia. The Russian expansion of the Tartus would include the installation of an air defence system with S-300 PMU2 Favourite ballistic missile system that would be a virtual threat to the Ceyhan, maritime traffic, the flow of oil, and would provide an air defence shield for vital portions of Syria that are strategically important, especially in the event of a war. In essence Damascus, the Syrian capital, and Syria would be protected from either Israeli or American aerial bombardment. It is clear that the Russian aims in Syria are a symmetrical reaction to American objectives for the Middle East and part of a global chess game.
| Gog/Magog | Islam |