|
Life-Net Raw
November 14, 2002 |
RET Z. CONFRONTS CHRISTIAN TALK-SHOW HOST WITH QUESTION POSED BY BIN LADEN TAPE
Transcription by Ret Z.MAPLE SHADE, New Jersey (11/14/2002)--This morning I read a CNN report about the audiotape that was broadcast by Al-Jazeera on Tuesday. US government linguists are "almost certain" it's a recording of Osama bin Laden. Whether it's bin Laden or not, the CNN report quotes a question that the voice raises on the tape.
After reading it, I was shaken by conviction, and I wanted to pose this question as publicly as possible. It just so happened that one of my favorite talk-radio shows was on: The Joy of the Lord, aired weekdays from 10am to 11am on WTMR-AM 800, hosted by Arthur Melanson. I called; I was put on the air within less than a minute, and the following is a transcription of the conversation we had. Make of it what you will.
ARTHUR MELANSON: This is Arthur Melansen, you're on the air. ... [no reply] ... Good morning ...
RET ZOGRESO: Would that be me?
AM: Yeah, that's you.
RZ: Oh, hi! [laugh] I didn't hardly hear the usual kind of clicky sort of transition that I hear when I get on-- Well, not that I call that much anyway.
AM: Okay.
RZ: Ummm, let's see. I was reading about the audiotape that Osama bin Laden has apparently put out.
AM: Yeah.
RZ: They're not entirely sure it's bin Laden. But, for the sake of argument, I'll say it is, 'cause if not, it's a sympathizer.
AM: Yeah.
RZ: And, the tape asks a profound question, a question that I believe comes straight out of the heart of Scripture. Now, I'm an American, OK? I'm a European-American, I'm of northern European stock, I mean, I'm a white guy. And I'm a Christ--
AM: I get the picture.
RZ: --and I love the Lord. And the question comes straight out of the heart of Scripture, something like a Hebrew prophet would have asked, and that is, "Why it is acceptable for [Muslims] to live with fear, murder, destruction, displacement, the orphaning of children and the widowing of women, but peace, security and happiness should be for you?"
[long pause]
AM: And you want me to address that question? Or you just-- Why do you bring it forth? I haven't heard that tape and all that's on it, and you apparently have.
RZ: Yeah, well, I just read that question directly from a news story here on CNN. It's a quote from the tape, and it's a question that seems to me oughtta strike to the heart of people who love God.
AM: Yeah. Well, do you--
RZ: 'Cause it's the kind of question the Hebrew prophets challenged the Israelites with, back in the Old Testament.
AM: Do you think this gives Osama bin Laden new credibility because he asked an intelligent question?
RZ: Um, I don't give any particular credibility to the man whatsoever; I certainly don't like his tactics, but--
AM: Yeah.
RZ: But I mean, this, it's a profound question.
AM: Yeah.
RZ: It really isn't fair.
AM: Hitler asked some profound questions as well. That didn't make him anything that was anywhere near a decent human being. Osama bin Laden is an extremely intelligent individual. He's all mixed up spiritually. In fact, he's a real mess. But that doesn't mean he hasn't got a high IQ and doesn't give deep thought to some things. Some of the monsters of history have been extremely intelligent, but nevertheless, do they know the way of life? Are they coming through Christ, or are they led by "he who was a murderer from the beginning", the father Satan? It's pretty obvious which camp [bin Laden] operates from. But profound statements have been made by some of the true monsters of history. Some of the people who gave us Communism were profound thinkers and wrote books and so forth, but "always learning, never coming to the knowledge of the truth", because they ended up becoming atheists, with their high IQs 'n' all. You understand what I'm saying.
RZ: Mm-hm. But the question makes me wonder whether we know life, because if we're gonna know life, we gotta know love.--
AM: Do you know Jesus?
RZ: --and if we're gonna know love, we gotta know compassion.--
AM: Do you know Jesus as your Savior?
RZ: --It should disturb us that people have to live with fear, murder, destruction, displacement, the orphaning of children and the widowing of women--
AM: Do you know Jesus as your Savior?
RZ: [unintelligible under AM]
AM: Do you know Jesus as your Savior?
RZ: Oh yeah.
AM: All right. Well, He is life. Who is love? God is love. So those questions answer themselves, if you stop and think about it. "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
"God is love," John tells us, very simply, very flat statement in his little letters, of 1 John. God is love, and so when I look to love, I wanna see these things that are being talked about. These qualities exist in the true and living God, the One that Osama bin Laden and the other monsters of history deny. Osama bin Laden looks to another god called Allah. The propagators of Communism went off into atheism, "there is no God; we are the highest form in the universe". But nevertheless, it's a-- they deny the very essence of life and love which are God Himself, so it's rather easily answered, even though they go off into these perplexing social questions that they try and justify their actions with. You understand what I'm saying.
RZ: Well, myself being posed such a question, I would certainly consider entirely different actions justified.
AM: Well, you might look upon it as an opportunity to introduce him to Jesus Christ. He is the answer to all those questions, isn't He? He is the answer. "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
RZ: He is the answer to the extent that we are obedient to God.
AM: Well, when God lives within you, you can't really be any different.--
RZ: I mean, God is the answer within Himself, but--
AM: If God lives within you, we walk in the Spi-- "If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit". If God lives in us, we can't help but be that obedience to Him, because for us, to live is Christ. "In Him we live and move and have our very being," it says in the book of Acts. I'm sure you're familiar with that verse. In Him we live and move and have our very being. There's the answer. And when you have that perfectly centered, then all of these other things that would come forth as profound questions automatically have answers 'cause you're coming from the center of truth, which is, in essence, Jesus Christ.
I wanna have a word of prayer with you; I have to move on quickly; my time grows short, but I appreciate your call.
Father, bless our caller, we pray. In Jesus' name we ask. Amen.
Thank you. Bye-bye.
All right, 856-962-8178, 1-800-850-0468 Our program, The Joy of the Lord, we're kept on the air only by the freewill offerings of God's people. ...
[END OF TRANSCRIPT]
Arthur Melanson is the most audible Delaware Valley exponent of the preterist school of eschatology, which holds that the Book of Revelation and related prophecies speak figuratively, placing the Second Coming of Christ in the past, at the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. See Arthur Melanson's bio with study links at the Preterist Archive.
TOWN SELECTMEN OPPOSE 'HOMELESS PROJECT' HOLIDAY PHOTO SHOW
By Helen GutekunstWILTON, New Hampshire (11/13/2002)--I spent over an hour speaking to Preston Heller last evening regarding the Wilton Photo Exhibit of his pictures of both homeless and low income folks which is drawing so much attention. Seems that the Wilton Town Selectmen feel they are too harsh and distracting. They would like more upbeat photos on display for the holidays - such as typical New England's scenes of red barns, etc.
Hello! Excuse me but is this not the time of the year when we all Give and Show thanks for our blessings and look toward helping those less fortunate and in need? We should be pushing our comfort zones and help those that we can especially at this time of year!
Was there no room at the inn when Mary and Joseph came to bed down so that Mary could give birth to our Lord Jesus? Were they not homeless themselves?
One selectman was quoted in the Nashua Telegraph as saying that there are no more homeless people in the Town of Wilton, as they take care of them so well. Is he for real? Is that just a wee bit of narrow-minded thinking on his part?
This photo exhibit, I understand is not much different than last year's - with the exception that a human face has now been put on homelessness and low-income folks. I looked at all of Preston's Photos which can be viewed at http://www.prestonheller.com and I did not feel uncomfortable with any of them. I felt that the detail of humanness that he saw and captured through his camera lens is a gift to behold and share with others - which is exactly what he is doing. He makes no profit from these pictures. Rather, he requests that you make a donation to the Food Pantry in Wilton or any other agency or charity that does some form of outreach to the homeless and low-income folks. If you would like one of his photos, send him a receipt to prove you have made a donation and he will in turn send you the photo you have chosen at no charge.
Folks should have no problem finding an agency or charity to donate to. I just returned from a Homeless Conference in Houston where Philip Mangano was the keynote speaker. We were told that there are an average of 200 programs per state (40,000 in country) targeting homeless people. These are folks that the American Promise of living with a roof over their heads if they held a full-time job has been broken and shattered! He shared the words to an old hymn: Save us, Lord from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.
In essence, by the selectman attempting to end the show, they are actually saying they are against raising funds for these agencies, charities and programs that rely on public donations.
The selectman are holding a meeting on Monday evening, November 18th at 7:00pm at the Wilton Town Hall to vote and decide to end the show. We are attempting to form a grass roots effort to show the Town of Wilton how many people are concerned for those less fortunate than themselves. Please come in person and show your support for the Photo Exhibit to continue in its present form!
Media attention has already taken place and it is reported that NPR, the Telegraph, and many other newspaper and TV stations will be present.
Come and voice your support for this project - and help stop an injustice! Bring a friend!
The Wilton Town Office can be reached during regular business hours at 603-654-9451. E-mails of support can be sent to writer Helen Gutekunst at gnihn@mac.com.
SURVEY FINDS STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR POLICIES TO COUNTERACT EFFECTS OF RADIO CONSOLIDATION
From the Future of Music CoalitionWASHINGTON (06/19/2002)--The Future of Music Coalition today released a portion of the results of a public opinion survey that it commissioned regarding citizens’ satisfaction with commercial radio. The survey found strong public support for policies to counteract the effects of radio consolidation.
The survey is part of a larger research study looking at the effects of radio consolidation on musicians and the public. The study is being conducted in partnership with Media Access Project and the Rockefeller Foundation.
The telephone survey, conducted May 13-20, 2002, asked respondents a wide variety of questions about radio; from basic listening habits, to opinions about programming and available content, to opinions about the role of Congress in addressing issues such as radio station ownership consolidation and "pay-for-play" issues.
Specifically, the survey indicates the following:
- Consolidation of radio station ownership is not popular. Eight of ten favor congressional action to protect or expand the number of independently owned local stations
- By a better than ten to one ratio--76 percent to 7 percent--radio listeners believe that DJs should be given more air time for songs they think will be of interest to their audiences rather than be required to mostly play songs of artists backed by recording companies
- If it can be substantiated that radio stations are paid to give air time preference to the music artists supported by record companies, the public approves by a 68 to 24 percent ratio for Congress to consider passing laws to ensure that all artists have a more reasonable chance of having their songs heard
- Half of the respondents--52 percent--say radio would be more appealing to them if it offered more new music, less repetition and more music of local bands and artists
- By a ratio of six to one, radio listeners prefer a long, rather than a short, playlist that provides them a greater variety of songs and less repetition during the week
- Seventy-five percent would like to see low power FM stations (LPFM) expanded in their communities, especially if they offer (a) the music of local bands and artists, (b) talk shows on issues of local interest, and on local issues and (c) health, science or fitness programming. Additionally, 74 percent favor legislation to expand the number of LPFM stations in the United States.
The public opinion research firm Behavior Research Center conducted the survey from May 13-20, 2002 via 500 in-depth telephone interviews on a random sample of adults throughout the United States.
Commenting on the study results, Earl de Berge, Research Director of the Behavior Research Center and Editor of the Rocky Mountain Poll, said: "Since its inception, radio has been a vanguard technology that Americans have relied on to deliver information and music. Today, half of listeners say radio no longer delivers well on the music side of the equation and another fifth of the public (17 percent) does not listen to radio at all. This seems to reflect their desire for a menu of music that is both more varied and more reflective of cultural change as measured by themselves, and not by folks in media boardrooms."
"We see these results as an affirmation that citizens are not just passive listeners; they care about the quality and diversity of music available on the airwaves," said FMC’s Executive Director, Jenny Toomey. "More importantly, they’re clearly unsatisfied with programming trends that have come into effect as a result of bandwidth consolidation in the recent years."
Radio is a public resource that has been managed on the public’s behalf by the Federal Communications Commission since 1934. In a country as large and culturally diverse as America, radio remains an important localized medium for the transmission of news and entertainment.
Radio is also important to the music industry. In the traditional music business model, radio is seen as the best--and possibly only--way to "break" a record. Except in some rare cases, breaking a record on commercial radio is prerequisite to the sale of the hundreds of thousands of copies that are needed for labels to recoup costs.
Despite its importance to broadcasters, advertisers, musicians, labels and the listening public, there is mounting evidence to support the theory that the traditional commercial radio model is broken. The consolidation of radio station ownership that has occurred since the 1996 Telecommunications Act has had a dramatic effect on the state of radio. The FMC, funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, is currently conducting extensive research on how these regulatory and economic changes have affected two constituencies that are often left out of the debate--musicians and the general public. The other portions of the study will analyze the effects of consolidation on the radio industry, playlist content, and musicians’ access to commercial radio. The FMC expects to release its complete report in September 2002.
The Future of Music Coalition is a Washington, DC-based not-for-profit collaboration between members of the music, technology, public policy and intellectual property law communities. The FMC seeks to educate the media, policymakers, and the public about music / technology issues, while also bringing together diverse voices in an effort to come up with creative solutions to some of the challenges in this space. The FMC also aims to identify and promote innovative business models that will help musicians and citizens to benefit from new technologies.
See the original article with survey data and methodology at the Future of Music Coalition.
HAUDENOSAUNEE ('IROQUOIS') NATIONS PUBLISH PRINICIPLES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
From Oneidas For DemocracyFrom the Constitution of the 5 Nations
"We now crown you with the sacred emblem of the deer's antlers, the emblem of your lordship. You shall now become a mentor of the people of the five nations. The thickness of your skin shall be seven spans----which is to say that you shall be filled with peace and goodwill and your mind filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people of the confederacy. With endless patience you shall be tempered with tenderness for your people. Neither anger nor fury shall lodge in your mind , and all your words and actions shall be marked with calm deliberation. In all your deliberations in the council, in your efforts at lawmaking , in all your official acts, self-interest shall be cast into oblivion. Cast not away the warnings of any others, if they should chide you for any error or wrong you may do, but return to the way of the Great Law, which is just and right. Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the earth -- the unborn of the future Nation."
Ten Important Points to Remember About the Haudenosaunee
We exist as distinct peoples in the 20th century. The Haudenosaunee are unique in that we maintain one of the very few traditional governments in North America, free from the oppression of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and free from the lunacy of tribal elections. Our leaders are selected according to the oldest constitutional democratic systems.
We live a contemporary lifestyle and are not frozen in the past. While we still maintain practices that are rooted in the past, we apply those practices to define our place in the modern world. Our traditional culture is forward thinking, to assure our long-term survival. Our culture allows us to deal with the realities of the modern world, not by embracing any new fad, but continuing to absorb new traditions on our own terms.
We, like other peoples, continue to maintain our culture. Culture is not just the relics of the past, but patterns of thought and cycles of behavior that form the basic building blocks of our lives.
We, like other peoples, have our own world view. To say we are Haudenosaunee means that we have deep seated beliefs in our traditions and are committed to their survival. We are connected to a living earth and a spiritual universe. We have sacred duties to fulfill.
We continue to live on portions of our original territories. Our lands were never conquered by outsiders. We never consented to American or Canadian authority over our territories. Our lands were never placed in trust with the United States, as are most other Indian reservations. Our current territories were defined by four federal treaties.
We maintain our distinct laws and customs. Within our territories, where the Council of Chiefs are the sole governing authority, our own laws are in place, not the laws of the United States or Canada. We operate the Grand Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations under the Great Law of Peace which promotes peace, power and righteousness.
We have made many contributions to world culture. The Haudenosaunee have been instrumental in colonial history. After two hundred years of contact, the emerging American settlers adopted many Iroquoian ideas and practices in order to survive in our land.
We have a unique relationship to the United States and other nations. The federal treaties we have are very distinctive and provide the Haudenosaunee with a special status in Indian law. We maintain a government to government relations. We are not wards of the United States. We are independent nations, sovereign and free in our own territories.
The portrayal of Indians in the media perpetuates stereotypes that effect our relationships to non-Indians. Most people are seriously uniformed about the Haudenosaunee because of distorted textbooks, misguided movies and biased history books. Seldom have people been able to hear directly from the recognized traditional people of the Haudenosaunee to counteract the negative racial and cultural stereotypes perpetuated by American popular culture.
We are committed to maintaining our survival as distinct peoples. We believe that the lessons from Creation; the guidance of the Original Instructions; the unity of the Great Law of Peace, and the moral imperatives of the Gaiwiio provide the roadmap to our future.
Who Are the Haudenosaunee?
Haudenosaunee is the general term we use to refer to ourselves, instead of "Iroquois." The word "Iroquois" is not a Haudenosaunee word. It is derived from a French version of a Huron Indian named that was applied to our ancestors and it was considered derogatory, meaning "Black Snakes." Haudenosaunee means "People building an extended house" or more commonly referred to as "People of the Long House." The longhouse was a metaphor introduced by the Peace Maker at the time of the formation of the Confederacy meaning that the people are meant to live together as families in the same house. Today, this means that those who support the traditions, beliefs, values and authority of the Confederacy are to be known as Haudenosaunee. ...
What is the Seventh Generation?
We must also recognize that the life in our communities has changed dramatically over the generations. Change is inevitable, but culture is a mechanism to make sure that the changes are not detrimental to the social, ceremonial, economic, educational and political life of the community. Each generation of Haudenosaunee must apply all of the principles, beliefs and values described above to assess the world in which they find themselves, and they formulate a response to their world that allows them to survive on their own terms.
We have even been given a way to accomplish this. It is called the Seventh Generation philosophy. The Chiefs are instructed to that when they deliberate on the serious matters of the Council, they are to consider the impact of their decisions on seventh generation into the future. This way, they are to proceed cautiously, thinking of what effect their decisions will have on the welfare of their descendants. It requires a special attention to the future. But it also produces a sense of stability.
Some things will always need remain the same because we still live on the same earth, we still live in same areas, we still have many of the traditions that allowed our ancestors to survive. These very same traditions will be essential for the future generations. Keeping the traditions alive and viable is the responsibility of this generation. Our gift to the future is all of the things that have been described above. But these traditions are not simply words on paper that can be studied when needed. The traditions must be practiced each and every day. The Haudenosaunee way of life requires a commitment to make it happen, sometimes, in spite the current trends and desires of the people to change those traditions.
Quotations
"We also have a religion
It teaches us to be thankful for the favors that we receive
To love each other and to be united
We never quarrel about religion"
--Chief Red Jacket Seneca"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."
--Ancient Indian Proverb"I do not see a delegation for the Four Footed. I see no seat for the Eagles. We forget and we consider ourselves superior. But we are after all a mere part of Creation. And we must consider to understand where we are. And we stand somewhere between the mountain and the Ant. Somewhere and only there as part and parcel of the Creation."
--Chief Oren Lyons, Onondaga, From an address to the Non-Governmental Organizations of the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, 1977"Nature is the storehouse of potential life of future generations and is sacred."
--Audrey Shenandoah, Onondaga"When we walk upon Mother Earth, we always plant our feet carefully because we know the faces of our future generations are looking up at us from beneath the ground. We never forget them."
--Oren Lyons, Onondaga Nation"Music is known as the universal language, a healing force. Hopefully, when people hear my music, it will inspire them to fulfill their responsibilities to protect Mother Earth."
--Joanne Shenandoah, Oneida"We must always fight for what we believe in. We must never tire in our fight. It does not really matter how we fight, what matters is what we are fighting for."
--Dino Butler, American Indian Movement"The Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy was the first United Nations of the North American Continent. Our Great Law of Peace serves as a guideline for our people and was used by Thomas Jefferson when the Constitution of the United States was being drafted. Our laws of Democracy have been admired and adopted by many different cultures. Not many know how important these natural laws are."
--Howard Lyons, Mohawk Wolf Clan"We need to all work together as a nation of one tribe, the tribe of Human Kind, to make this world a good place for all. That all starts with education of the young."
--Howard Lyons, Mohawk Wolf ClanPeople in the Oneida territory are currently being threatened with intrusive inspections, condemnations, and demolitions of their homes. Read more about it at Oneidas for Democracy.
SUPPORT OUR SOURCES!
Life-Net Raw material is used without permission. Please show your appreciation for their services to us by paying some of them a visit or sending them a responsive e-mail.