The M+G+R
Foundation
Private News Commentary
All Mailed Posts For June 2014
Private News Commentary
All Mailed Posts For June 2014
PURPOSE
The purpose of this News Commentary Section is to assist the faithful in recognizing the signs and lies of These End Times. Somehow, many self appointed Shepherds of These Times are trying to convince the faithful that the Apocalypse will be, using street slang, "a piece of cake" for them and "hell" for all others. They are led to believe that if they "do this" and "do that" they do not have a thing to worry about (of course, so long as that between the "do this" and the "do that" they send in a donation).
Others lead the faithful to believe that "All Is Well" and will continue to be, of course, as long as those donations keep coming in...
June 2nd, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
'The Gates of Hell' Emerged in a Soviet Desert. (1)
A fiery pit has been burning in the middle of a
Turkmenistan desert for more than four decades, and little has been done to get rid of it.
The Darvaza gas crater, nicknamed the "Gates of Hell" or
the "Door to Hell," has been on fire since 1971, when scientists were looking for oil
fields in the Karakum Desert, then part of the Soviet Union. The spot where they began drilling
turned out to be a haven for natural gas - and the site collapsed under the weight of the drilling
gear, Smithsonian magazine reports.
Several craters were formed, the biggest of which is 230 feet wide and 65 feet deep, and it was full of methane gas that began killing local animals. Soscientists decided to burn the gas away, a common practice when unwanted natural gas is sticking around.
They thought it would be gone in a few weeks; now, more than 40 years later, it's still burning, and experts aren't sure how much gas remains. Officials have called for action to stop the flames, to no avail, the Smithsonian notes.
Several craters were formed, the biggest of which is 230 feet wide and 65 feet deep, and it was full of methane gas that began killing local animals. Soscientists decided to burn the gas away, a common practice when unwanted natural gas is sticking around.
They thought it would be gone in a few weeks; now, more than 40 years later, it's still burning, and experts aren't sure how much gas remains. Officials have called for action to stop the flames, to no avail, the Smithsonian notes.
miguel de Portugal comments: As we have said before - no one can blame God for not using every imaginable channel or symbolism to alert His children of the future we are already living.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Scammers Piggyback on Recent Target Data Breach (1)
Scammers have been taking advantage of the highly publicized
breachs which affected up to 110 million Target shoppers'
to trick consumers into sharing their sensitive personal
and financial
information.
miguel de Portugal comments: Another reminder about the need to excercise great care, not only with the Internet but also with phone calls fishing for information.
_________________
(1) Equifax Reports
June 3rd, 2014
News Report No. 1
A brief but comprehensive update on the Ukrainian situation prepared by our coopeartor from Ukraine.
There was no clear official reaction from Russia so this silence is considered as a "reaction" too. This means that Russia will flood East of Ukraine with mercenaries, terrorists and special forces to destabilize this region as much as they can, at any price.
Ukraine election results are interesting not just from perspective that Poroshenko won from the first attempt. But also to show the real attitudes to "right" parties.
For comparison purposes regarding the rest of Europe, take a look at the following chart (1) which shows the right wing gains in the last European Elections.
News Report No. 1
A brief but comprehensive update on the Ukrainian situation prepared by our coopeartor from Ukraine.
There was no clear official reaction from Russia so this silence is considered as a "reaction" too. This means that Russia will flood East of Ukraine with mercenaries, terrorists and special forces to destabilize this region as much as they can, at any price.
Ukraine election results are interesting not just from perspective that Poroshenko won from the first attempt. But also to show the real attitudes to "right" parties.
For comparison purposes regarding the rest of Europe, take a look at the following chart (1) which shows the right wing gains in the last European Elections.
With those numbers Russia calls Ukraine a fascist state.
Just to compare, in Russia, there is 53 nationalistic organizations:
Just to compare, in Russia, there is 53 nationalistic organizations:
- 23 "moderate"
- 22 "radical" (fascist)
- 8 "banned" (ultra fascist, even by Russian standards)
- 22 "radical" (fascist)
- 8 "banned" (ultra fascist, even by Russian standards)
Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is heavily involved in war in Eastern Ukraine:
- Leader of terrorists from Slovyansk called "Strelok" was part of official delegation of
ROC before the war started when they traveled through Crimea and South/East of Ukraine to visit
"holy places"
- One of the captured terrorist group leader which killed people turned out to be a Russian Orthodox priest
- There were some indications that ROC was involved in assault weapons trafficking before events in Odessa
- ROC officially declined to call for peace and cease fire between Orthodox Christian brothers, but rather, citing Patriarch Kirill: "we hope Ukraine will not resists"
- Priests from ROC who openly opposed Russian aggression against Ukraine were removed from active priesthood
- ROC priests were very active (especially in East) communicating propaganda to join Russia and oppose Ukraine government even with arms
- ROC is a very active part of propaganda and brainwashing machine in Russia
- There are photos of Russian "orthodox fundamentalists" from terrorists side who have a badge with Psalm 90 on their head
- One of the captured terrorist group leader which killed people turned out to be a Russian Orthodox priest
- There were some indications that ROC was involved in assault weapons trafficking before events in Odessa
- ROC officially declined to call for peace and cease fire between Orthodox Christian brothers, but rather, citing Patriarch Kirill: "we hope Ukraine will not resists"
- Priests from ROC who openly opposed Russian aggression against Ukraine were removed from active priesthood
- ROC priests were very active (especially in East) communicating propaganda to join Russia and oppose Ukraine government even with arms
- ROC is a very active part of propaganda and brainwashing machine in Russia
- There are photos of Russian "orthodox fundamentalists" from terrorists side who have a badge with Psalm 90 on their head
miguel de Portugal comments:
Rarely one can have access to "news are they really are" and not manipulated by the media masters.
We thank (Mr.) ZM for keeping our readership (as well as some sectors of the media we regularly
contact) well informed with facts.
We also will like note how well the Roman Catholic Church "evangelized" the Russian Orthodox Church - No doubt about it.... Birds of a feather, flock together.... and are light years away from the One they claim to serve - Jesus Christ.
________________
(1) Chart Source
We also will like note how well the Roman Catholic Church "evangelized" the Russian Orthodox Church - No doubt about it.... Birds of a feather, flock together.... and are light years away from the One they claim to serve - Jesus Christ.
________________
(1) Chart Source
June 4th, 2014 [First day of Shavuot - (Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai)]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Israel to do away with cash transactions. (1)
A special committee headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Harel Locker,
has recommended a three-phase plan to all but do away with cash transactions in Israel.
... What the committee would like to see happen, pending government approval, is greater
restriction on the use of cash, limiting the use of checks as a means of payment and exchange for
cash, and promotion of the use of electronic (and therefore verifiable) means of payment.
miguel de Portugal comments: This is, so far, the closest a world government has come to start fulfilling:
And he shall make all, both little and great, rich and poor,
freemen and bondmen, to have a character in their right hand, or on their foreheads. And that no
man might buy or sell, but he that hath the character, or the name of the beast, or the number of
his name. [Rev. 13:17]
_____________________
(1) Source
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Microsoft unveils real-time voice translation using Skype (1)
Microsoft last week took the wraps of a new service for
Skype that is capable of understanding spoken words and speaking out the translation in another
language - in close to real time. The company says that research on this started 15 years
ago, and is now being jointly developed by the Skype and Microsoft Translator teams.
Microsoft chief executive, Satya Nadella, talked about the fascinating way the technology is developing, citing an aspect of it called transfer learning. "You teach it English, and it learns English. You teach it Mandarin and it learns Mandarin, but it also becomes better at English. And then you teach it Spanish, and it gets even better at English and Mandarin," he said.
In a blog entry after the event, Pall shared that Skype Translator will be available for Windows 8 as a beta app before the end of the year; though Microsoft says it will eventually be available on other platforms.
Microsoft chief executive, Satya Nadella, talked about the fascinating way the technology is developing, citing an aspect of it called transfer learning. "You teach it English, and it learns English. You teach it Mandarin and it learns Mandarin, but it also becomes better at English. And then you teach it Spanish, and it gets even better at English and Mandarin," he said.
In a blog entry after the event, Pall shared that Skype Translator will be available for Windows 8 as a beta app before the end of the year; though Microsoft says it will eventually be available on other platforms.
miguel de Portugal comments: Let's see how long it takes man to turn this potentially very useful tool into a tool for evil deeds. Maybe a week?
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
The five biggest threats to human existence. (1)
In the daily hubbub of current "crises" facing humanity, we forget about the many generations we
hope are yet to come. Not those who will live 200 years from now, but 1,000 or 10,000 years from
now.
There are some risks we cannot do anything at all about, such as gamma ray bursts (2) that result from the explosions of galaxies. But if we learn we can do something, the priorities change. These are the five biggest threats to human existence:
There are some risks we cannot do anything at all about, such as gamma ray bursts (2) that result from the explosions of galaxies. But if we learn we can do something, the priorities change. These are the five biggest threats to human existence:
1. Nuclear war
2. Bioengineered pandemic
3. Superintelligence
4. Nanotechnology
5. Unknown unknowns
2. Bioengineered pandemic
3. Superintelligence
4. Nanotechnology
5. Unknown unknowns
miguel de Portugal comments: The one "unknown" that should have been at the top of the list, and wasn't, is "human behavior". We are our worse enemy.
Anyone with a basic, but objective, knowledge of history - even the doctored up history that is pandered to the masses - will have to admit that humans, by far, have caused more destruction since human history (3) was restarted after what we know as Noah's Flood. Furthermore, the more knowledge humans gather the greater the next carnage.
A human being, without God in his/her heart, is the worse and most destructive creature in the planet. Why? Because there is no spiritual vacuum. If God is absent - satan is present.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Gamma Ray Burst
(3) The true chronology of Creation
June 5th, 2014
News Report No. 1 with comments by miguel de Portugal
The following three reports, from completely different sources, seem to confirm our position regarding NSA/CIA activities as well as the fact that our biggest concern should be with Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and not the NSA/CIA combo.
The NSA/CIA combo need better intelligence gathering techniques which can be non intrusive to the privacy to the average citizen but, should the need arise, in retrospect be able to determine all that needs to be known about a credible suspect individual... and we mean all!
No; we are not in favor of a Police State. The monitoring that we are talking about will actually prevent the U.S. from becoming a Police State after falling under the leadership of radical individuals - whether they wear three piece suits or fatigues - is all the same.
We need are indiviuals at the top of the NSA/CIA who really know the enemy and can second guess them most of the time. The "tools of the trade" may change but human behavior and stupidity is consistent, thus, predictable most of the time.
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Is your iPhone at risk after the Oleg Pliss hack? (1)
iPhone users in Australia were greeted with an alarming message this week when they tried to use
their devices. They were told that a hacker or group of
hackers going by the name Oleg Pliss had taken control of their phone and will lock it permanently
unless a $100 ransom is paid.
It's not yet clear whether the attack is likely to affect iPhone users outside Australia but even if it doesn't, the attack has raised questions about the security of the iPhone. This attack is a very clever compromise but it does not actually hack into your phone. Instead, Oleg Pliss seems to have found a way of attacking the remote server that supports an iPhone user's iCloud account.
It's not yet clear whether the attack is likely to affect iPhone users outside Australia but even if it doesn't, the attack has raised questions about the security of the iPhone. This attack is a very clever compromise but it does not actually hack into your phone. Instead, Oleg Pliss seems to have found a way of attacking the remote server that supports an iPhone user's iCloud account.
miguel de Portugal comments: That was done in Spain to computers. The twist there was that the hackers used a very believable police authorities "home" page and the extortion was dressed as a fine.
This is the type of people that NSA/CIA - and their foreign equivalents - should be in a position to identify, neutralize and arrest in less than 24 hours - maximum.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
There's A Huge New Snowden Leak - And No One Knows Where It Came From. (1)
On Tuesday, news site The Register published a story
containing explosive "above top secret" information about Britain's surveillance programs,
including details of a "clandestine British base tapping undersea cables in the Middle East."
Reporter Duncan Campbell, who wrote the story, said it was
based on documents "leaked by fugitive Edward Snowden"
that other news outlets had declined to publish.
However, it's not necessarily clear how Campbell got his hands on Snowden's document stash.
"Snowden has no source relationship with Duncan (who is a great journalist), and never provided documents to him directly or indirectly, as Snowden has made clear," Greenwald said in an email. "I can engage in informed speculation about how Duncan got this document - it's certainly a document that several people in the Guardian UK possessed - but how he got it is something only he can answer."
So it seems someone out there is in possession of Snowden documents other newspapers have declined to publish and is eager to release them. In other words, the Snowden leaks have leaked.
However, it's not necessarily clear how Campbell got his hands on Snowden's document stash.
"Snowden has no source relationship with Duncan (who is a great journalist), and never provided documents to him directly or indirectly, as Snowden has made clear," Greenwald said in an email. "I can engage in informed speculation about how Duncan got this document - it's certainly a document that several people in the Guardian UK possessed - but how he got it is something only he can answer."
So it seems someone out there is in possession of Snowden documents other newspapers have declined to publish and is eager to release them. In other words, the Snowden leaks have leaked.
miguel de Portugal comments: Well, well, well.... We wonder what other surprises will be surfacing in the near future and.... how many of them will be invented since the reporters have a right to not disclose sources.
Read: The floodgates for lies - which are more harmful than the truth - are beginning to open and we have the feeling that the Soviets are behind this too.
_________________
(1) News Report
June 6th, 2014
[First
Friday of the Month and 70th Anniversary of D-Day @ Normandy]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Pope kisses the hand of, concelebrates mass with pro-homosexual activist priest. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: To those who believe his is a Pope, Bergoglio has given the Roman Catholoc Church's blessing, thus approval, to what is the real evil associated with homosexuality - its promotion (2).
He is making every effort to drag with him to hell as many Catholics as possible. Read on.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) About Homosexuality
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Survey: Parishes get high marks; church's future biggest concern. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: As we said above.... But, read on....
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Pope Francis' Influence In World Politics Has Made Vatican Globally Relevant Again (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: What else can I say other than: "Right on schedule!"
Allow us to remind you that this is the same man who snubbed the very important, and quickly approved, Marian Apparition in his own home country at San Nicolás, Argntina. But.... should we be surprised?
Ratzinger dismissed Mary's urgent messages in Fatima (2) and both - Bergoglio and Ratzinger share this same individual as their closest personal aide: Archbishop Georg Gänswein. (3)
Nonetheless, Little Susie just does not seem to wake up. (4)
Our consolation is found in these words spoken by Jesus: And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are. [John 17:11]
That is, no one who has been given to Jesus by the Father will be lost.
My sorrow lies in the suffering that awaits those who the Father gave to Jesus and who refuse to wake up. When enough pain is allowed upon them, then they will finally "snap into attention" and will meet their requirements for Salvation.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Ratzinger on Fatima
(3) Archbishop Georg Gänswein's Home Page
(4) Wake up Little Susie
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Pope kisses the hand of, concelebrates mass with pro-homosexual activist priest. (1)
Pope Francis raised eyebrows earlier last month by concelebrating Mass with
and kissing the hand of a leading homosexual activist
priest - Michele de Paolis - campaigning for changes in the Church's teaching on
homosexuality.
In a previous book, Don Michele wrote, "homosexual love is a gift from (God) no less than heterosexual." He also disparaged the idea of homosexual couples not having sex.
In a previous book, Don Michele wrote, "homosexual love is a gift from (God) no less than heterosexual." He also disparaged the idea of homosexual couples not having sex.
miguel de Portugal comments: To those who believe his is a Pope, Bergoglio has given the Roman Catholoc Church's blessing, thus approval, to what is the real evil associated with homosexuality - its promotion (2).
He is making every effort to drag with him to hell as many Catholics as possible. Read on.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) About Homosexuality
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Survey: Parishes get high marks; church's future biggest concern. (1)
Parishioners generally like their parish and their pastor, and
for the most part think the archdiocese of Detroit is
fulfilling its mission, but could be doing more in a few key areas, according to the
results of a widely distributed survey.
A report containing the results from the "Perceptions of the Faithful" survey taken by the archdiocese of Detroit in November 2013 was officially released May 28.
A report containing the results from the "Perceptions of the Faithful" survey taken by the archdiocese of Detroit in November 2013 was officially released May 28.
miguel de Portugal comments: As we said above.... But, read on....
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Pope Francis' Influence In World Politics Has Made Vatican Globally Relevant Again (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: What else can I say other than: "Right on schedule!"
Allow us to remind you that this is the same man who snubbed the very important, and quickly approved, Marian Apparition in his own home country at San Nicolás, Argntina. But.... should we be surprised?
Ratzinger dismissed Mary's urgent messages in Fatima (2) and both - Bergoglio and Ratzinger share this same individual as their closest personal aide: Archbishop Georg Gänswein. (3)
Nonetheless, Little Susie just does not seem to wake up. (4)
Our consolation is found in these words spoken by Jesus: And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are. [John 17:11]
That is, no one who has been given to Jesus by the Father will be lost.
My sorrow lies in the suffering that awaits those who the Father gave to Jesus and who refuse to wake up. When enough pain is allowed upon them, then they will finally "snap into attention" and will meet their requirements for Salvation.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Ratzinger on Fatima
(3) Archbishop Georg Gänswein's Home Page
(4) Wake up Little Susie
June 7th, 2014 [First Saturday of the Month]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Anger grows over reported mass grave of children from Irish unwed mothers home (1)
Outrage over the reported discovery of the bodies of
almost 800 children at a former home for unmarried mothers run by nuns in Ireland prompted
calls Wednesday for a full investigation.
The children whose remains have apparently been found in Tuam, in County Galway, are believed to have died between 1925 and 1961, according to local media reports.
The grim discovery was highlighted in a front-page report in the Irish Mail on Sunday, which cited the efforts of local historian Catherine Corless to research the burial sites of 796 children listed as having died at the home, which was run by the Sisters of Bon Secours.
According to the newspaper, Corless believes their remains are all buried in the unmarked mass grave next to the place where the home once stood.
The revelation has sparked calls for an investigation and renewed questions about the treatment of unmarried mothers and their children by the Catholic Church and institutions associated with it.
The Tuam case is the latest high-profile episode in which the state and Catholic Church have been called to account over care of the most vulnerable in Irish society.
A government report last year into the so-called Magdalen Laundries, run by various Catholic orders, acknowledged that Ireland's government sent thousands of women and girls to "harsh and physically demanding" workhouses, where they worked and lived without pay, sometimes for years. The laundries operated from 1922 to 1996.
While some were sent there by courts, others were unmarried mothers, victims of sexual abuse, orphans considered a burden to relatives or the state, or were mentally or physically disabled.
The children whose remains have apparently been found in Tuam, in County Galway, are believed to have died between 1925 and 1961, according to local media reports.
The grim discovery was highlighted in a front-page report in the Irish Mail on Sunday, which cited the efforts of local historian Catherine Corless to research the burial sites of 796 children listed as having died at the home, which was run by the Sisters of Bon Secours.
According to the newspaper, Corless believes their remains are all buried in the unmarked mass grave next to the place where the home once stood.
The revelation has sparked calls for an investigation and renewed questions about the treatment of unmarried mothers and their children by the Catholic Church and institutions associated with it.
The Tuam case is the latest high-profile episode in which the state and Catholic Church have been called to account over care of the most vulnerable in Irish society.
A government report last year into the so-called Magdalen Laundries, run by various Catholic orders, acknowledged that Ireland's government sent thousands of women and girls to "harsh and physically demanding" workhouses, where they worked and lived without pay, sometimes for years. The laundries operated from 1922 to 1996.
While some were sent there by courts, others were unmarried mothers, victims of sexual abuse, orphans considered a burden to relatives or the state, or were mentally or physically disabled.
miguel de Portugal comments: What else can we say that we have not said already about using the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary to abuse and destroy?
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Vodafone: Some Governments Have Direct Network Access. (1)
The world's second-largest mobile telecommunications company today
revealed that governments in a handful of countries are
eavesdropping on citizens via a direct connection to Vodafone.
The news was revealed in Vodafone's first Law Enforcement Disclosure report, which is chock full of details on legal frameworks, governance principles, and operating procedures in the 29 countries where Vodafone operates.
Some of those procedures include lawful interception—also known as wiretapping. While most government agencies require legal notices to eavesdrop on customer conversations, others simply have a direct line to users.
The news was revealed in Vodafone's first Law Enforcement Disclosure report, which is chock full of details on legal frameworks, governance principles, and operating procedures in the 29 countries where Vodafone operates.
Some of those procedures include lawful interception—also known as wiretapping. While most government agencies require legal notices to eavesdrop on customer conversations, others simply have a direct line to users.
miguel de Portugal comments: Nothing new for us in that disclosure by Vodafone. The situation gets even "funnier" when you see incoming international calls being routed by third party monitoring systems or your phone turns off "by itself". As we have said before - they should move next door to me and help me pay the rent - it will be easier monitoring me (and if they can cook too that would certainly be a plus!)
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Astronomers Confounded By Massive Rocky World. (1)
Astronomers have discovered a rocky planet that weighs 17 times as much as Earth and is more than
twice as large in size. This discovery has planet
formation theorists challenged to explain how such a world could have formed.
“We were very surprised when we realized what we had found,” says astronomer Xavier Dumusque of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), who led the analysis using data originally collected by NASA’s Kepler space telescope.
Kepler-10c, as it had been named, had a previously measured size of 2.3 times larger than Earth but its mass was not known until now. The team used the HARPS-North instrument on the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo in the Canary Islands to conduct follow-up observations to obtain a mass measurement of the rocky behemoth.
Worlds such as this were not thought possible to exist.
“We were very surprised when we realized what we had found,” says astronomer Xavier Dumusque of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), who led the analysis using data originally collected by NASA’s Kepler space telescope.
Kepler-10c, as it had been named, had a previously measured size of 2.3 times larger than Earth but its mass was not known until now. The team used the HARPS-North instrument on the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo in the Canary Islands to conduct follow-up observations to obtain a mass measurement of the rocky behemoth.
Worlds such as this were not thought possible to exist.
miguel de Portugal comments: We read "This discovery has planet formation theorists challenged to explain how such a world could have formed." and "Worlds such as this were not thought possible to exist."
The most important lesson that they should learn from this is that "being not thought possible to exists" is not even worth thinking!
When will these two-bit (2) "scientists" realize that what we know, and can intelligently project as plausible, in comparison to what there is to know and to expect, is so small that is insignificant in comparison.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) We are being generous today since we could have referred to them as nickel-dime "scientists". (For non US readers: Two-bit signifies 25 cents and nickel-dime signifies 15 cents.)
June 9th, 2014 [Mary, Mother of Grace]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Catholic-Orthodox commission urges allowing married priests for Eastern Catholic churches in America. (1)
A joint Catholic-Orthodox theological commission has
called for an end to the ban on ordination of married
men to the priesthood in the Eastern Catholic churches in North America.
While the Eastern Catholic churches have traditionally accepted married men into the priesthood, in the US and Canada those Eastern churches have lived under a prohibition against the ordination of married men. The North American Orthodox/Catholic Theological Consultation, in a statement released June 6, called for the "lifting of the restrictions regarding the ordination of married men to the priesthood in the Eastern Catholic Churches of North America."
By allowing the Eastern Catholic churches to adhere to their own tradition, the joint statement said, the Catholic Church could "assure the Orthodox that, in the event of the restoration of full communion between the two Churches, the traditions of the Orthodox Church would not be questioned.”
The result would be a boost for the prospects of restored unity among the Eastern and Western churches, the commission argued.
In a few cases, Eastern Catholic churches in the US have ordained married men to the priesthood despite the general ban. In other cases, American married men have traveled to the Middle East, been ordained to the priesthood there, and later returned to work in American parishes.
While the Eastern Catholic churches have traditionally accepted married men into the priesthood, in the US and Canada those Eastern churches have lived under a prohibition against the ordination of married men. The North American Orthodox/Catholic Theological Consultation, in a statement released June 6, called for the "lifting of the restrictions regarding the ordination of married men to the priesthood in the Eastern Catholic Churches of North America."
By allowing the Eastern Catholic churches to adhere to their own tradition, the joint statement said, the Catholic Church could "assure the Orthodox that, in the event of the restoration of full communion between the two Churches, the traditions of the Orthodox Church would not be questioned.”
The result would be a boost for the prospects of restored unity among the Eastern and Western churches, the commission argued.
In a few cases, Eastern Catholic churches in the US have ordained married men to the priesthood despite the general ban. In other cases, American married men have traveled to the Middle East, been ordained to the priesthood there, and later returned to work in American parishes.
miguel de Portugal comments: It seems that the US Conferenec of Catholic Bishops got its information wrong or things have dramatically changed since the early 21st century. When I was intimately connected with the Orthodox Church - specifically the Patriarchate of Antioch - the rules were as follows.
(a) A married man could be ordained into the priesthood.
(b) A priest - who was single - could not become married.
(c) Bishops had to come from monastery stock and could never marry.
(b) A priest - who was single - could not become married.
(c) Bishops had to come from monastery stock and could never marry.
All of that I saw it in action as a norm - I did not read it in some rule book.
________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
US bishops to hear reports on marriage, sex abuse at meeting. (1)
The U.S. bishops are scheduled to meet in New Orleans June 11-13.
On their agenda is a discussion of today's economy and
its impact on marriages and evangelization. They are also to
review their efforts in preventing sexual abuse of
children, strengthening marriage, helping typhoon victims and preparing for upcoming
church-sponsored events on family life.
The bishops are to hear presentations on "Marriage and the Economy" and "the New Evangelization and Poverty" on the second day of their gathering before they close for executive sessions.
The bishops are to hear presentations on "Marriage and the Economy" and "the New Evangelization and Poverty" on the second day of their gathering before they close for executive sessions.
miguel de Portugal comments: Economy's impact on marriages???? On evangelization????? Lord have Mercy!
(sarcasm on) Maybe we need to give them a compass (or a Bible?) as a Christmas gift (sarcasm off) - they continue to drift without any points of reference.
________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Opus Dei prelate beatification expected to draw 100,000 attendees (1)
The first successor of St. Josemaria Escriva as leader of Opus Dei, Bishop Alvaro del Portillo,
will be beatified Sept. 27 in Madrid at a ceremony that
is expected to bring together nearly 100,000 faithful.
The prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, will preside at the beatification. Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid will concelebrate, along with the current prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria,
The spokesperson of the organization committee for the beatification, Teresa Sabada, and the vice postulator of the cause, Father Jose Carlos Martin de la Hoz, outlined numerous details about the event.
Sabada said 100,000 people from more than 50 countries are expected to attend the beatification. In addition, 3000 families have opened their homes to welcome those traveling to Madrid from abroad, and 2000 young people have already signed up to work as volunteers for the event.
The prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, will preside at the beatification. Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid will concelebrate, along with the current prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria,
The spokesperson of the organization committee for the beatification, Teresa Sabada, and the vice postulator of the cause, Father Jose Carlos Martin de la Hoz, outlined numerous details about the event.
Sabada said 100,000 people from more than 50 countries are expected to attend the beatification. In addition, 3000 families have opened their homes to welcome those traveling to Madrid from abroad, and 2000 young people have already signed up to work as volunteers for the event.
miguel de Portugal comments: Do you know how many people can be fed by the travel expenses associated with this alleged beatification?
And there is another Opus Dei beatification "on the stove" which has been given the green light recently.
Considering what Jesus said:
The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seeds
in his field. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and
went his way.
And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. And the servants of the goodman of the house coming said to him: Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it cockle? And he said to them: An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him: Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? And he said: No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn. [Matthew 13:24-30]
And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. And the servants of the goodman of the house coming said to him: Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it cockle? And he said to them: An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him: Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? And he said: No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn. [Matthew 13:24-30]
Blessedly, such self deification and ego gratification activities will make it easier for the reapers to avoid any mistakes!
_________________
(1) News Report
June 10th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Sharp increase in the number of unaccompanied children crossing into U.S. (1)
DHS' Office of Immigration Statistics reports that U.S.
Border Patrol agents apprehended 30,000 children traveling alone illegally across the Mexican
border in 2013.
The Border Patrol expects to arrest as many as 90,000 children this year, and about 142,000 children in 2015.
The Office of Management and Budget has notified the Senate Appropriations Committee that the increase in the number of children crossing the border alone would cost the government at least $2.28 billion, about $1.4 billion more than the Obama administration had budgeted for in its Unaccompanied Alien Children program.
The Border Patrol expects to arrest as many as 90,000 children this year, and about 142,000 children in 2015.
The Office of Management and Budget has notified the Senate Appropriations Committee that the increase in the number of children crossing the border alone would cost the government at least $2.28 billion, about $1.4 billion more than the Obama administration had budgeted for in its Unaccompanied Alien Children program.
miguel de Portugal comments: We must think - and then pray much about - the despair of the parents of these children who prefer the dangers that they may encounter en route to the misery, suffering and dangers that they face at home.
How could we not be in incessant prayer? Imagine - these are the ones we hear about.... can you imagine the many, many more throughout the world who are suffering even more?
Next time we are about to complain about the proverbial ingrown toe nail, let us think about the horrific suffering throughout the world and offer the discomfort our petty - yes, petty! - problems may cause us for their benefit.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Six more bugs found in popular OpenSSL security tool. (1)
OpenSSL is a security tool that provides facilities to
other computer programs to communicate securely over the public Internet. OpenSSL is also
used in some common consumer applications, such as software in Google's Android smartphones.
So when the Heartbleed vulnerability in OpenSSL was discovered and widely publicized in April this year, system administrators had to rush to update their systems to protect against it. Computer system administrators around the world are groaning again as six new security problems have been found in the OpenSSL security library.
Computer system administrators around the world are groaning again as six new security problems have been found in the OpenSSL security library.
So when the Heartbleed vulnerability in OpenSSL was discovered and widely publicized in April this year, system administrators had to rush to update their systems to protect against it. Computer system administrators around the world are groaning again as six new security problems have been found in the OpenSSL security library.
Computer system administrators around the world are groaning again as six new security problems have been found in the OpenSSL security library.
miguel de Portugal comments: Obviously the world has gone from a "Houston, we have a problem!" state to "World, we have a crisis!" condition.
Remember, the OpenSSL sytem is what we all use to transmit confidential personal and financial information in the Internet.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Improved performance of facial recognition software. (1)
Who is that stranger in your social media photo? A click
on the face reveals the name in seconds, almost as soon as you can identify your best
friend.
While that handy app is not quite ready for your smart phone, researchers are racing to develop reliable methods to match one person's photo from millions of images for a variety of applications.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reports that results from its 2013 test of facial recognition algorithms show that accuracy has improved up to 30 percent since 2010.
While that handy app is not quite ready for your smart phone, researchers are racing to develop reliable methods to match one person's photo from millions of images for a variety of applications.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reports that results from its 2013 test of facial recognition algorithms show that accuracy has improved up to 30 percent since 2010.
miguel de Portugal comments: Never mind the "crisis condition" mentioned above.... we are slipping into an all encompassing and pervasive Big Brother which is not necessarily the government.
While the government is being stripped of the necessary tools to maintain some sort of order in society, every proverbial Tom, Dick and Harry will have at their disposal tools that only the NSA can dream about legally using.
_________________
(1) News Report
June 11th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Brazil's Catholic Church Reprimands World Cup Organizers For Favoring Stadiums Over The Poor. (1)
Pope Francis may be a die-hard soccer fan, but the
Catholic church has given Brazil's World Cup organizers a "red card" for spending billions of
dollars on stadiums while failing to improve the country's notoriously poor public
services.
In a red card-shaped brochure distributed this week in churches and parishes across the world's biggest Roman Catholic country, Brazil's Bishops Conference urged the Brazilian government to respect people's right to demonstrate against the month-long tournament that kicks off next Thursday.
"The Church wants to contribute to the public debate and express its concern with ... the inversion of priorities in the use of public money that should go to health, education, basic sanitation, transportation and security," it said.
In a red card-shaped brochure distributed this week in churches and parishes across the world's biggest Roman Catholic country, Brazil's Bishops Conference urged the Brazilian government to respect people's right to demonstrate against the month-long tournament that kicks off next Thursday.
"The Church wants to contribute to the public debate and express its concern with ... the inversion of priorities in the use of public money that should go to health, education, basic sanitation, transportation and security," it said.
miguel de Portugal comments: What Bergoglio has done (again) is giving his blessings to civil disobedience which will yield, as it always does under the the guidance of "the hidden hand", to violence.
What should have been done was to organize prayers - inside the churches and chapels - invoking the Holy Spirit's illumination upon the country's leaders and those of the world who are blinded by materialism. However, it is obvious that the Roman Catholic Church only calls for prayer when they can profit from it financially.
I look forward to the soon fulfillment of the Pronouncement delivered in St. Peter's Square as God requested that I do.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Daily Report: Businesses Struggle to Obtain Insurance Against Cyberattacks (1)
Julia Roberts's smile is insured. So are Heidi Klum's legs, Daniel Craig's body and Jennifer
Lopez's derrière. But the fastest-growing niche in the
industry today is cyberinsurance.
Specialized policies to protect against online attacks are offered by about 50 carriers, including big names like the American International Group, Chubb and Ace. As data breaches have become a reality of the business world, more companies are buying policies; demand increased 21 percent last year from 2012, according to Marsh, a risk management company and insurance broker.
Yet companies say it is difficult to get as much coverage as they need, leaving them vulnerable to uncertain losses.
Specialized policies to protect against online attacks are offered by about 50 carriers, including big names like the American International Group, Chubb and Ace. As data breaches have become a reality of the business world, more companies are buying policies; demand increased 21 percent last year from 2012, according to Marsh, a risk management company and insurance broker.
Yet companies say it is difficult to get as much coverage as they need, leaving them vulnerable to uncertain losses.
miguel de Portugal comments: Isn't it amazing that the most precious commodity under our care is our soul, there is no charge for its insurance policy and few are even bothering to obtain that insurance?
That is how successful the adulterated Evangelization was. We would like to see how Jennifer Lopez's derrière and Heidi Klum's legs, as two examples, will get them into the Kingdom of God.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Opus Dei's Alvaro del Portillo app now available on iTunes and Android GooglePlay (1)
The app provides rather complete info: biography of the future Blessed highlighting milestones or
special events, testimonies of people who knew Alvaro del Portillo, news, videos, favors received,
suggested itinerary during his Beatification in Madrid this September, gallery of downloadable
photos, Google maps with info on pastoral trips made by Bishop Alvaro as Prelate as well as the
many social initiatives given a push by him as Prelate of Opus Dei, etc.
miguel de Portugal comments: The level of personality cult practiced by this sect surpasses that of the Roman Emperors and Egyptian Pharaohs.
As I was saying.... I look forward to the soon fulfillment of the Pronouncement delivered in St. Peter's Square as God requested that I do.
_________________
(1) News Report
June 12th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Archbishop Said He Didn't Know If a Priest Having Sex With a Child Was a Crime. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: These are the individuals who claim to be guided by the Holy Spirit of God and to represent Jesus Christ in their Dioceses.
These are the individuals who stain the perception of the most complete Faith on Earth - Catholicism
An organization - ANY organization - that will keep an individual like this in active duty has been clearly identified by God...
.....and are also responsible before the Eyes of God of the spiritual damages caused by their inaction, lies and duplicity. No; it is not miguel de Portugal saying it. It is Jesus Christ Who says it while spelling out the consequences....
Mr. Carlson make me nauseous.
_________________
(1) News Report
But the behavior is not limited to the Catholic
"leadership"....News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Archbishop Said He Didn't Know If a Priest Having Sex With a Child Was a Crime. (1)
Documents released Monday revealed that the current
archbishop of St. Louis had testified that he was unsure if a priest having sex with a child was a
crime back when he was auxiliary bishop in the Twin Cities.
It's all part of a lawsuit against a Minnesota priest. Carlson is not a party to the lawsuit, but said under oath that he couldn't recall details about how he handled allegations of abuse against the priest in question.
During the deposition a questioner had asked Carlson if he knew it was a crime for an adult to engage in sex with a child. Carlson replied, "I'm not sure whether I knew it was a crime or not. I understand today it's a crime."
The archbishop also said he could not remember when he first discerned that is was a crime.
Carlson also admitted that he never went to authorities after the priest in question told him in 1984 that he engaged in criminal sexual contact with a minor.
It's all part of a lawsuit against a Minnesota priest. Carlson is not a party to the lawsuit, but said under oath that he couldn't recall details about how he handled allegations of abuse against the priest in question.
During the deposition a questioner had asked Carlson if he knew it was a crime for an adult to engage in sex with a child. Carlson replied, "I'm not sure whether I knew it was a crime or not. I understand today it's a crime."
The archbishop also said he could not remember when he first discerned that is was a crime.
Carlson also admitted that he never went to authorities after the priest in question told him in 1984 that he engaged in criminal sexual contact with a minor.
miguel de Portugal comments: These are the individuals who claim to be guided by the Holy Spirit of God and to represent Jesus Christ in their Dioceses.
These are the individuals who stain the perception of the most complete Faith on Earth - Catholicism
An organization - ANY organization - that will keep an individual like this in active duty has been clearly identified by God...
Jesus turning, said to Peter:
Go behind me, Satan, thou art a scandal unto me:
because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.
[Matthew 16:23]
.....and are also responsible before the Eyes of God of the spiritual damages caused by their inaction, lies and duplicity. No; it is not miguel de Portugal saying it. It is Jesus Christ Who says it while spelling out the consequences....
And he said to his disciples: It is impossible that scandals
should not come: but woe to him through whom they come.
It were better for him, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea,
than that he should scandalize one of these little ones.
[Luke 17 1-2]
Mr. Carlson make me nauseous.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
South Korea ferry disaster: Suspects evade police manhunt (1)
More than 4,000 South Korean police officers raided a
branch of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Anseong on Wednesday.
They were searching for people thought to be linked to the Sewol ferry disaster, particularly those believed to have assisted businessman Yoo Byung-un, who is said to be the owner of the sunken vessel.
Yoo is a co-founder of the church running the Anseong compound.
He remains at large, but three church members were detained on suspicion of aiding his escape and one for interrupting the search.
Yoo Byung-un allegedly controls the Sewol ferry’s operator through a complex web of holding companies linked to his children and close associates.
They were searching for people thought to be linked to the Sewol ferry disaster, particularly those believed to have assisted businessman Yoo Byung-un, who is said to be the owner of the sunken vessel.
Yoo is a co-founder of the church running the Anseong compound.
He remains at large, but three church members were detained on suspicion of aiding his escape and one for interrupting the search.
Yoo Byung-un allegedly controls the Sewol ferry’s operator through a complex web of holding companies linked to his children and close associates.
miguel de Portugal comments: The only difference is that this group does not claim to be the sole representatives of Jesus Christ on Earth.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Microsoft Challenges Federal Warrant for Data Stored Overseas. (1)
Microsoft is challenging the authority of federal
prosecutors to force the giant technology company to hand over a customer's email stored in a data
center in Ireland, Steve Lohr reports.
The objection is believed to be the first time a corporation has challenged a domestic search warrant seeking digital information overseas. The case has attracted the concern of privacy groups and major United States technology companies, which are already under pressure from foreign governments worried that the personal data of their citizens is not adequately protected in the data centers of American companies.
Verizon filed a brief on Tuesday, echoing Microsoft’s objections, and more corporations are expected to join. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is working on a brief supporting Microsoft. European officials have expressed alarm.
The objection is believed to be the first time a corporation has challenged a domestic search warrant seeking digital information overseas. The case has attracted the concern of privacy groups and major United States technology companies, which are already under pressure from foreign governments worried that the personal data of their citizens is not adequately protected in the data centers of American companies.
Verizon filed a brief on Tuesday, echoing Microsoft’s objections, and more corporations are expected to join. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is working on a brief supporting Microsoft. European officials have expressed alarm.
miguel de Portugal comments: Have everyone lost whatever sense they had left. Microsoft is absolutely right, but federal prosecutors have the one avenue, that they should have used, still open to them through international law.
All they have to do is submit to the competent Irish authorities a document explaining the need for such search warrant. Once Ireland is convinced that the warrant is warranted (no pun intended!), the Irish government can subpoena e-mail stored by Microsoft in Ireland and that's that.
Think of it this way: If a US citizen has explosives stored in a house/storage in France and the US intelligence services are reasonably sure that the plans call for the explosives to be used against US interests in France or in mainland US, they cannot drive up to the house/storage and, with a US search warrant, enter it. They must go to the French authorities, present their case and then, with the approval of the French authorities and a search warrant issued by the appropriate authorities to enter the facilities.
Is this so hard to think-it-through?
_________________
(1) News Report
Eve of June 13th, 2014 [Feast of St. Anthony of
Lisbon (Padua)]
First Hand News Report from Ukraine
[our highlights]
Introduction by miguel de Portugal
The following was just received from a close long term cooperator from Ukraine. It is a news update of the real situation there, not from a news media reporter but from a local professional and head of a young family.
Mr. Z. M.
miguel de Portugal comments:
May God have Mercy on His Elect! Read on....
We have just come across the following news report which was in one of our many files (and about which we had no recollection). The source reads Telegraph Group Limited but no links to the original. Being that this is a private post we will reproduce the entire news report.
First Hand News Report from Ukraine
[our highlights]
Introduction by miguel de Portugal
The following was just received from a close long term cooperator from Ukraine. It is a news update of the real situation there, not from a news media reporter but from a local professional and head of a young family.
Peace!
Short but very important update about situation in Ukraine.
3 Russian tanks crossed Ukrainian border. Heavy artillery machines are just across the border.
There were no official definition of "red lines" to be crossed and the presence of 5,000-20,0000 troops was already declared by Ukrainian authorities as open war dictated by Russia. So I can't name it as crossing the red line.
But this time it is different. Presence of Russian battle tanks "bought in a convenient store nearby", as described by Putin, changes configuration of forces.
At the same time Europe is clearly on the Russian side communicating word by word what Russian MFA is saying. Expecting cease fire while exerting zero pressure on Russia to stop sending troops and weaponry (including advanced ones like the ones capable of knocking out airplanes) through holes in border.
It looks like Russia is again testing the international community reaction before doing any major strikes. And this time reaction from Europe is not just unacceptable, but disgusting.
They were speaking about the "horrors of WW2" for years and now, seeing in front of their eyes a modern day replay, they are not just distancing themselves from aggressor but even actively supporting them (like France with military ship and German media support for Russia).
Short but very important update about situation in Ukraine.
3 Russian tanks crossed Ukrainian border. Heavy artillery machines are just across the border.
There were no official definition of "red lines" to be crossed and the presence of 5,000-20,0000 troops was already declared by Ukrainian authorities as open war dictated by Russia. So I can't name it as crossing the red line.
But this time it is different. Presence of Russian battle tanks "bought in a convenient store nearby", as described by Putin, changes configuration of forces.
At the same time Europe is clearly on the Russian side communicating word by word what Russian MFA is saying. Expecting cease fire while exerting zero pressure on Russia to stop sending troops and weaponry (including advanced ones like the ones capable of knocking out airplanes) through holes in border.
It looks like Russia is again testing the international community reaction before doing any major strikes. And this time reaction from Europe is not just unacceptable, but disgusting.
They were speaking about the "horrors of WW2" for years and now, seeing in front of their eyes a modern day replay, they are not just distancing themselves from aggressor but even actively supporting them (like France with military ship and German media support for Russia).
Mr. Z. M.
We have just come across the following news report which was in one of our many files (and about which we had no recollection). The source reads Telegraph Group Limited but no links to the original. Being that this is a private post we will reproduce the entire news report.
Pro-Putin cult urges return to Soviet
'glory'
By C. C. in Moscow
(Filed: 27/01/2002)
By C. C. in Moscow
(Filed: 27/01/2002)
A SINISTER new organisation, backed by the Kremlin, is urging the Russian people to reject pro-Western views and go back to the "glory" of Soviet Russia.
The 50,000-strong group which calls itself "Walking Together" has strict rules and indoctrination methods, but unlike the Chinese group it has the support of the authorities.
"We want to create a new generation to help the president bring Russia out of crisis," said its founder, Vasily Yakimenko.
The Kremlin's clear involvement can be traced back to the group's beginnings. Mr Yakimenko left a job in the Kremlin administration, where he was overseer of state-run charities, in May 2000 to create Walking Together.
The senior patron of the movement is Vladislav Surkov, the deputy head of the presidential administration.
The group is vehemently pro-Putin and its first public action was a huge rally in November 2000 to celebrate his presidency.
Wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Putin's face, thousands gathered near the Kremlin and spoke of their love for the president. Mr Putin later received the organisers of the rally in the Kremlin.
Russian liberals fear that the group is the embodiment of persistent attempts by senior Kremlin officials to set up a new Soviet-style cult of personality around the president: nationalism thinly veiled as patriotism is a hallmark of Walking Together.
The group demands strict loyalty and discipline from its members, who are handed a long checklist on joining which includes commands to "read at least six Russian classics a year, whether you enjoy them or not, and visit the site of a battle where the Russians were victorious".
Mr Yakimenko's latest attempt to indoctrinate members, aged mainly between 14 and 30, is a proposal to "purify Russian literature". Modern "liberal" books, which depict the difficulties of modern Russian life, have been damned by Walking Together.
The group has in turn published thousands of copies of a book of stories recounting the Red Army's "glorious victories" during the Second World War. These books were offered free in exchange for "corrupting" works.
Walking Together is secretly sponsored by two companies with close Kremlin ties as well as Moscow city council.
Its outgoings are high: members are divided into groups of five called "red stars", each led by a "foreman" who receives a free pager and £30 for his services. Each of his five "soldiers" receives £1 as well as free T-Shirts.
Members are encouraged to recruit others with promises of rank and glory reminiscent of Communist indoctrination methods. "Once you have a red star, try to persuade another 50 to join.
"Give them a party if they show interest in the group. You must be able to encourage and to
punish, then you will become a commander of a division. If you persuade another thousand to put
their fate in your hands, you will be a coordinator."
Other recent (2002 vintage) news reports listed and end of above report were:
Other recent (2002 vintage) news reports listed and end of above report were:
29 December 2001: Soviet-era nostalgia reaches new height
12 January 2002: Court closes Russia's last independent TV station
20 January 2002: 50,000 children spend Russian winter on streets of Moscow
23 January 2002: Kremlin pulls the plug in vendetta with TV station
12 January 2002: Court closes Russia's last independent TV station
20 January 2002: 50,000 children spend Russian winter on streets of Moscow
23 January 2002: Kremlin pulls the plug in vendetta with TV station
miguel de Portugal comments: Do we need to call Daniel for an interpretation?
June 14th, 2014 [Eve of Trinity Sunday]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
An Ominous First: Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Food. (1)
We're growing accustomed to hearing about antibiotic-resistant bacteria in our hospitals; now the
CDC says it's entering our markets. In a report out
yesterday, the agency revealed that Canadian researchers have, as part of a pilot study,
discovered such bacteria in a single raw squid found in a Chinese grocery store in Saskatoon,
Canada; it likely hailed from South Korea.
That's the first time it's been found in food, the Washington Post reports.
The bacterium identified in the squid is a "common environmental organism," explains the Post, but in this instance, it had a gene that rendered it resistant to last-resort antibiotics called carbapenems.
That's the first time it's been found in food, the Washington Post reports.
The bacterium identified in the squid is a "common environmental organism," explains the Post, but in this instance, it had a gene that rendered it resistant to last-resort antibiotics called carbapenems.
miguel de Portugal comments: Just as expected. It was just a matter of time.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Water 'Missing for Decades' Found 400 Miles Beneath US - But the water is neither liquid, ice, nor vapor. (1)
Four hundred miles beneath the United States, there
appears to be enough water to fill all our oceans - almost three times.
Researchers have for the first time discovered direct evidence of the water, which exists as a fourth form: not liquid, not ice, not vapor, but hydrogen and oxygen molecules trapped in a mineral called ringwoodite found in the transition zone, which sits between the upper and lower mantles...
Their findings follow up on the discovery, announced in March, of a water-rich sample of ringwoodite from the transition zone that was brought to the surface via a Brazilian volcano.
Researchers have for the first time discovered direct evidence of the water, which exists as a fourth form: not liquid, not ice, not vapor, but hydrogen and oxygen molecules trapped in a mineral called ringwoodite found in the transition zone, which sits between the upper and lower mantles...
Their findings follow up on the discovery, announced in March, of a water-rich sample of ringwoodite from the transition zone that was brought to the surface via a Brazilian volcano.
miguel de Portugal comments: This certainly does not interfere with the explanation that we used to illustrate the secret concept of the Most Holy Trinity. Actually, it may add another dimension to it. Think of ourselves as "ringwoodite" .... except, of course, for the fact that there are very few ringwoodite-like humans around.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Belgian deacon confessed to killing up to 50 people in Catholic hospital. (1)
57 year old Deacon, Wevelgemse Ivo
Poppe had been arrested and charged
with 10 counts of illegal euthanasia; the deaths occurring before the Belgian law on euthanasia
was introduced in 2002.
Poppe has confessed to killing up to 50 people in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Menen from the 1980s up to 2011. Up until 2002 Poppe (2) was a nurse at the hospital and, thereafter worked in a part time capacity as a pastoral assistant.
Poppe has confessed to multiple acts of euthanasia which, according to reports, he noted in his diaries. His defence counsel, Filip De Reuse, said today that, "My client acted out of compassion for people in a desperate situation."
Poppe made his confessions after the matter was raised with local police by a third party. He admitted that he would give the patient an overdose of insulin or would smother them with a pillow.
Poppe has confessed to killing up to 50 people in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Menen from the 1980s up to 2011. Up until 2002 Poppe (2) was a nurse at the hospital and, thereafter worked in a part time capacity as a pastoral assistant.
Poppe has confessed to multiple acts of euthanasia which, according to reports, he noted in his diaries. His defence counsel, Filip De Reuse, said today that, "My client acted out of compassion for people in a desperate situation."
Poppe made his confessions after the matter was raised with local police by a third party. He admitted that he would give the patient an overdose of insulin or would smother them with a pillow.
miguel de Portugal comments: The point that we are highlighting here is not necessarily that Mr. Poppe was a deacon and it happened in a Catholic hospital. Our point is: How in the world no one caught on before? Don't they practice autopsies in Belgium?
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) What a symbolic name!
June 16th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Iran may cooperate with US against Iraq jihadists. (1)
But wait.... hasn't Iran been calling the U.S. "The Great Satan" for decades? Now they are willing to help "The Great Satan"?
The problem is not Cristianity, Islam or Judaism - the problem is that man - regardless of the faith he professes - wants to use God, as if He were some pawn, for their agendas. If all of them read their own Holy Texts they will see that it just does not work that way.... and never, ever, will!
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
ALIBABA is about to make its "splash" in Wall Street.
miguel de Portugal comments: Every time I hear that company's name, the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves comes to mind. After reading about the founder of ALIBABA, Mr. Jack Ma's, humble beginnings (2) I felt that I should look into Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves story considering the role China plays at the End of These Times.
Not remembering the details of the childhood story I looked it up (3). In a nutshell:
At the end...
Is this another one of those "coded messages" from God? Just a thought!
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Mr. Ma's biography
(3) Ali Baba's Story
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Could devastating floods help Bosnians heal their war wounds? (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: God's megaphone (2) - pain - never fails. What He tried to achieve with love through the early manifestations of the Queen of Peace at Medjugorje is being achieved now through massive suffering and loss.
Unfortunately, unless He keeps the pain at a sustainable, but humbling, level they would, eventually (were there time for that) go back to their usual "Hate Thy Neighbor" attitude.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Why Some of the Children of God Must Suffer
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Iran may cooperate with US against Iraq jihadists. (1)
Iran may consider cooperating with its arch-foe the
United States to fight Sunni extremist militants in Iraq, but has not yet received a
request to intervene militarily across the border.
miguel de Portugal comments:
Let us pray and hope that Washington does not forget what happened after we built up Osama
binLaden and joined forces with him to oust the Soviets from Afghanistan.But wait.... hasn't Iran been calling the U.S. "The Great Satan" for decades? Now they are willing to help "The Great Satan"?
The problem is not Cristianity, Islam or Judaism - the problem is that man - regardless of the faith he professes - wants to use God, as if He were some pawn, for their agendas. If all of them read their own Holy Texts they will see that it just does not work that way.... and never, ever, will!
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
ALIBABA is about to make its "splash" in Wall Street.
Alibaba is China's - and by some measures, the world's -
biggest online commerce company. Its three main sites have hundreds of millions of users,
and host millions of merchants and businesses. Alibaba handles more business than any other
e-commerce company. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: Every time I hear that company's name, the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves comes to mind. After reading about the founder of ALIBABA, Mr. Jack Ma's, humble beginnings (2) I felt that I should look into Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves story considering the role China plays at the End of These Times.
Not remembering the details of the childhood story I looked it up (3). In a nutshell:
Ali Baba and his elder brother Cassim are the sons of a merchant. After the death of their father,
the greedy Cassim marries a wealthy woman and becomes well-to-do, building on their father's
business. Ali Baba marries a poor woman and settles into
the trade of a woodcutter.
One day, Ali Baba is at work collecting and cutting firewood in the forest, and he happens to overhear a group of forty thieves visiting their treasure store. The treasure is in a cave, the mouth of which is sealed by magic. It opens on the words "open sesame", and seals itself on the words "close sesame". When the thieves are gone, Ali Baba enters the cave himself, and discreetly takes a single bag of gold coins home.
One day, Ali Baba is at work collecting and cutting firewood in the forest, and he happens to overhear a group of forty thieves visiting their treasure store. The treasure is in a cave, the mouth of which is sealed by magic. It opens on the words "open sesame", and seals itself on the words "close sesame". When the thieves are gone, Ali Baba enters the cave himself, and discreetly takes a single bag of gold coins home.
At the end...
Ali Baba is then left as the only one knowing the secret of the treasure in the cave and how to
access it and the immense treasures it holds.
Is this another one of those "coded messages" from God? Just a thought!
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Mr. Ma's biography
(3) Ali Baba's Story
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Could devastating floods help Bosnians heal their war wounds? (1)
Swelled by weeks of rain, the devastating floodwaters swamped more than 60 percent of the country
last month, killing twenty-four people, destroying more than 100,000 homes, and displacing around
950,000 citizens. The floods also damaged vital infrastructure, destroyed industrial assets, and
killed livestock.
The emotional cost is harder to calculate. The violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s and the subsequent war in Bosnia between 1992 and 1995 took the lives of more than 100,000 Bosnians and left two million homeless. Two decades later those survivors have been forced once again to abandon their homes — this time by floodwaters rather than bullets.
Over the past weeks media outlets have been flooded with stories and images of bravery, camaraderie, and community spirit where ethnicity suddenly became irrelevant. “Serbs”, “Bosniaks,” and “Croats” have become “people.” The appearance of volunteer brigades, particularly those made up of students, which travelled across the Inter-Entity Boundary Line, also seemed reminiscent of the old Yugoslav doctrine of “brotherhood and unity.”
While brotherhood in post-conflict Bosnia is a nostalgic illusion, the term unity has recently made a new appearance in public discourse. Many people affected by the floods over the past fortnight have been forced into inter-ethnic contact, either accepting help or offering it to those in life-threatening situations.
The emotional cost is harder to calculate. The violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s and the subsequent war in Bosnia between 1992 and 1995 took the lives of more than 100,000 Bosnians and left two million homeless. Two decades later those survivors have been forced once again to abandon their homes — this time by floodwaters rather than bullets.
Over the past weeks media outlets have been flooded with stories and images of bravery, camaraderie, and community spirit where ethnicity suddenly became irrelevant. “Serbs”, “Bosniaks,” and “Croats” have become “people.” The appearance of volunteer brigades, particularly those made up of students, which travelled across the Inter-Entity Boundary Line, also seemed reminiscent of the old Yugoslav doctrine of “brotherhood and unity.”
While brotherhood in post-conflict Bosnia is a nostalgic illusion, the term unity has recently made a new appearance in public discourse. Many people affected by the floods over the past fortnight have been forced into inter-ethnic contact, either accepting help or offering it to those in life-threatening situations.
miguel de Portugal comments: God's megaphone (2) - pain - never fails. What He tried to achieve with love through the early manifestations of the Queen of Peace at Medjugorje is being achieved now through massive suffering and loss.
Unfortunately, unless He keeps the pain at a sustainable, but humbling, level they would, eventually (were there time for that) go back to their usual "Hate Thy Neighbor" attitude.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Why Some of the Children of God Must Suffer
June 17th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Looking at Link Between Violent Video Games and Lack of Empathy. (1)
The sound of machine guns rattled through the building as explosions shook the walls. No, I wasn't
at a weapons convention or shooting range or in an impromptu war. I was at the annual Electronic
Entertainment Expo here, also known as E3.
With shootings happening with alarming frequency in schools, malls, movie theaters and streets across America, people are again asking if video games contribute to gun violence. And do so-called first-person shooter games have a particular impact on people — usually young men — who suffer from the types of mental illnesses that make them more prone to violent behavior?
In the halls of E3, where toy guns are everywhere and fantasy mayhem is encouraged, such questions are unavoidable.
With shootings happening with alarming frequency in schools, malls, movie theaters and streets across America, people are again asking if video games contribute to gun violence. And do so-called first-person shooter games have a particular impact on people — usually young men — who suffer from the types of mental illnesses that make them more prone to violent behavior?
In the halls of E3, where toy guns are everywhere and fantasy mayhem is encouraged, such questions are unavoidable.
miguel de Portugal comments: Really???? Such conclusion should be obvious to a first semester Psychology student.
If we as a society are that stupid, we have certainly earned what is upon us already!
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
U.S. begins evacuation of Baghdad embassy. (1)
The State Department Sunday said that non-essential
employees at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad were being evacuated, but that the United States
would remain "fully equipped to carry out its national security mission."
The Pentagon has ordered an aircraft carrier and two missile-carrying ships to the Persian Gulf, hinting at the possibility of imminent U.S. air strikes against the advancing Sunni insurgents.
The Sunni insurgents who now control about a third of Iraq said Sunday that they had executed 1,700 Iraqi soldiers, stressing that all those who killed were Shi’as. Iran had sent 2,000 advance troops to Baghdad, and General Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the Qods Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, is coordinating the defense of Baghdad.
The Pentagon has ordered an aircraft carrier and two missile-carrying ships to the Persian Gulf, hinting at the possibility of imminent U.S. air strikes against the advancing Sunni insurgents.
The Sunni insurgents who now control about a third of Iraq said Sunday that they had executed 1,700 Iraqi soldiers, stressing that all those who killed were Shi’as. Iran had sent 2,000 advance troops to Baghdad, and General Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the Qods Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, is coordinating the defense of Baghdad.
miguel de Portugal comments: Aren't our political leaders - Republican and Democrats alike! - ashamed?
After trillions of dollars and the untold suffering to our children Afghanistan is lost; Iraq is lost; Syria is lost; Egypt and Lebanon are far worse than before; there has been no progress whatsoever in the Palestine-Israeli conflict; they plan to join forces with our sworn enemy, Iran; etc., etc.
How can these people look at themselves in the mirror? Don't they realize that they are failures - incapable of any worthwhile leadership? If they had been in charge in the 1939 - 1945 period we would all be speaking German now.
Shame on all of them! The United States of America - and the world - deserve better!
...and the good news is that we, the U.S. of A., still is far better than most, if not all!
Stay tuned for the future debunking of the many myths many Americans have about the "wonderful" European socialism!
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Antibiotic-Resistant 'Nightmare Germs' Found Across Florida. (1)
The germs are dangerous, killing more than 40 percent of
those with serious infections, according to CDC estimates.
Germs resistant to virtually all antibiotics have infected patients in hospitals across Florida for at least six years, yet state officials allowed hospitals to handle the outbreaks discreetly without alerting the public, a Palm Beach Post investigation has found.
The germs have closed a burn unit, torn through an organ-transplant ICU and transformed an extended-stay hospital into a regional threat.
Germs resistant to virtually all antibiotics have infected patients in hospitals across Florida for at least six years, yet state officials allowed hospitals to handle the outbreaks discreetly without alerting the public, a Palm Beach Post investigation has found.
The germs have closed a burn unit, torn through an organ-transplant ICU and transformed an extended-stay hospital into a regional threat.
miguel de Portugal comments: Come Lord Jesus and literally renew the face of the Earth!
_________________
(1) News Report
June 18th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Does 'Putin's Brain' Believe That The United States Is The Kingdom Of Antichrist? (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: We are not familiar with the site reporting the above news so we cannot endorse what they report on their merits which are unknown to us, however, the above make sense considering the global picture that we have known otherwise, and written about, for a long time. Therefore, it is worth seeking its confirmation.
One quick look at what Wikipedia reports (2) about Mr. Dugin and images of Rasputin (3) start coming to mind.
and
In addition, there is Mr. Dugin's Letter to the American People Regarding Ukraine Posted in his own Site on March 8, 2014. (4)
Whether Mr. Dugin has the full attention of Mr. Putin, cannot be confirmed, but, that Mr. Putin is putting into practice what Mr. Dugin preaches, there is no doubt.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Who is Alexander Dugin?
(3) Who was Rasputin?
(4) Letter to the American People Regarding Ukraine
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
US-made Stinger missiles have likely fallen into ISIS hands, officials say. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: We are sure that the Military-Industrial Complex is elated with those news. They are always happy when new markets (no matter who foots the bill) open up. No; we are not being sarcastic. They constitute satan's right hand.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
satanists seek religious exemption to pro-life laws, call gay unions their 'sacrament'. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: How soon will it be before people can deduct their contributions to the satanic Temple from their reported income to the IRS? Blessedly God will not give them the time to secure that.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Does 'Putin's Brain' Believe That The United States Is The Kingdom Of Antichrist? (1)
Alexander Dugin, the man known as "Putin's Brain",
believes that the U.S.-led New World Order is the "kingdom of the Antichrist" and that it is
inevitable that it will be destroyed someday. His version of Neo-Eurasianism
envisions an inevitable conflict between Eurasia (dominated by Russia) and the Atlanticist New
World Order of the western world during which the forces of global liberal hegemony will be
defeated. In simpler terms, he is fundamentally convinced that someday there will be a major
war between Russia and the United States which Russia will win.
Before you dismiss Dugin as a “nutjob”, you should be aware that he is a professor at the top university in Russia, he is a frequent guest on all of the top Russian television networks, and his books are extremely influential. Dugin's writing about Eurasia was making waves long before Putin took office or ever came up with the idea for a "Eurasian Union". If you want to be honest about it, much of what Putin is promoting now had its genesis in the work of Alexander Dugin.
Before you dismiss Dugin as a “nutjob”, you should be aware that he is a professor at the top university in Russia, he is a frequent guest on all of the top Russian television networks, and his books are extremely influential. Dugin's writing about Eurasia was making waves long before Putin took office or ever came up with the idea for a "Eurasian Union". If you want to be honest about it, much of what Putin is promoting now had its genesis in the work of Alexander Dugin.
miguel de Portugal comments: We are not familiar with the site reporting the above news so we cannot endorse what they report on their merits which are unknown to us, however, the above make sense considering the global picture that we have known otherwise, and written about, for a long time. Therefore, it is worth seeking its confirmation.
One quick look at what Wikipedia reports (2) about Mr. Dugin and images of Rasputin (3) start coming to mind.
Aleksandr Gelyevich Dugin (born 7 January 1962) is a Russian political scientist, traditionalist,
and one of the most popular ideologists of the creation of a Eurasian empire that would be against
the "North Atlantic interests". He is known for his fascist views, and had close ties to the
Kremlin and Russian military. Dugin serves as an adviser to State Duma speaker (and key member of
the ruling United Russia party) Sergei Naryshkin.
Head of the Department of Sociology of International Relations of Moscow State University. Director of the Center for Conservative Studies at the Faculty of Sociology MSU.
Dugin was the leading organizer of the National Bolshevik Party, National Bolshevik Front, and Eurasia Party. His political activities are directed toward restoration of the Russian Empire through partitioning of the former Soviet republics, such as Georgia and Ukraine, and unification with Russian-speaking territories, especially Eastern Ukraine and Crimea. He is known for the books Foundations of Geopolitics and The Fourth Political Theory.
Head of the Department of Sociology of International Relations of Moscow State University. Director of the Center for Conservative Studies at the Faculty of Sociology MSU.
Dugin was the leading organizer of the National Bolshevik Party, National Bolshevik Front, and Eurasia Party. His political activities are directed toward restoration of the Russian Empire through partitioning of the former Soviet republics, such as Georgia and Ukraine, and unification with Russian-speaking territories, especially Eastern Ukraine and Crimea. He is known for the books Foundations of Geopolitics and The Fourth Political Theory.
and
The Eurasia Party, later Eurasia Movement, was officially recognized by the Ministry of Justice on
May 31, 2001.The Eurasia Party claims support by some
military circles and by leaders of the Orthodox Christian faith in Russia, and the party
hopes to play a key role in attempts to resolve the Chechen problem, with the objective of setting
the stage for Dugin's dream of a Russian strategic alliance with European and Middle Eastern
states, primarily Iran.
In addition, there is Mr. Dugin's Letter to the American People Regarding Ukraine Posted in his own Site on March 8, 2014. (4)
Whether Mr. Dugin has the full attention of Mr. Putin, cannot be confirmed, but, that Mr. Putin is putting into practice what Mr. Dugin preaches, there is no doubt.
_________________
(1) News Report
(2) Who is Alexander Dugin?
(3) Who was Rasputin?
(4) Letter to the American People Regarding Ukraine
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
US-made Stinger missiles have likely fallen into ISIS hands, officials say. (1)
The Stinger missile is a shoulder-fired surface-to-air weapon that is used against aircraft.
As ISIS forces have advanced through Iraq, concerns have increased that more U.S.-made weaponry could fall into the hands of the radical group.
Iraqi intelligence officials said ISIS fighters managed to take control of two big weapons depots late last week holding some 400,000 items, including AK-47 rifles, rockets and rocket-propelled grenades, artillery shells and mortars. A quarter of the stockpiles were quickly sent to Syria in order to help the group's comrades there, they said.
Also last week, according to a report from the West Point Combating Terrorism Center, the ISIS "now possesses scores of Iraqi military equipment originally provided by the United States, from Humvees and cargo vehicles to small arms."
As ISIS forces have advanced through Iraq, concerns have increased that more U.S.-made weaponry could fall into the hands of the radical group.
Iraqi intelligence officials said ISIS fighters managed to take control of two big weapons depots late last week holding some 400,000 items, including AK-47 rifles, rockets and rocket-propelled grenades, artillery shells and mortars. A quarter of the stockpiles were quickly sent to Syria in order to help the group's comrades there, they said.
Also last week, according to a report from the West Point Combating Terrorism Center, the ISIS "now possesses scores of Iraqi military equipment originally provided by the United States, from Humvees and cargo vehicles to small arms."
miguel de Portugal comments: We are sure that the Military-Industrial Complex is elated with those news. They are always happy when new markets (no matter who foots the bill) open up. No; we are not being sarcastic. They constitute satan's right hand.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
satanists seek religious exemption to pro-life laws, call gay unions their 'sacrament'. (1)
Whenever the American people try to curtail abortion or
maintain marriage laws, the followers of satan will be there to fight back, promises the national
spokesman for the satanic Temple.
"Lucien Greaves" told Detroit's Metro Times that he would like to help women avoid complying with pro-life laws by saying abortion restrictions violate their satanic religious beliefs. He added that gay "marriage" is a Satanic "sacrament."
At times, some liberal progressives have invoked demonic forces in their lobbying efforts. Last July, a group of abortion supporters chanted “Hail satan!” while pro-life Christians sang "Amazing Grace" at the Texas statehouse before the passage of that state's ban on abortions after 20 weeks.
"This move by the satanic Temple simply makes this argument that there's some deception or evil behind the worldwide attack on preborn life and marriage that much stronger," Cassandra told LifeSiteNews.
"Lucien Greaves" told Detroit's Metro Times that he would like to help women avoid complying with pro-life laws by saying abortion restrictions violate their satanic religious beliefs. He added that gay "marriage" is a Satanic "sacrament."
At times, some liberal progressives have invoked demonic forces in their lobbying efforts. Last July, a group of abortion supporters chanted “Hail satan!” while pro-life Christians sang "Amazing Grace" at the Texas statehouse before the passage of that state's ban on abortions after 20 weeks.
"This move by the satanic Temple simply makes this argument that there's some deception or evil behind the worldwide attack on preborn life and marriage that much stronger," Cassandra told LifeSiteNews.
miguel de Portugal comments: How soon will it be before people can deduct their contributions to the satanic Temple from their reported income to the IRS? Blessedly God will not give them the time to secure that.
_________________
(1) News Report
June 19th, 2014
[Actual
Feast
of Corpus
Christi]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Chemical pollution of European waters is worse than anticipated. (1)
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Chemical pollution of European waters is worse than anticipated. (1)
Until now environmental authorities and parts of the
scientific community have considered toxic chemicals to be rather a local problem affecting
only a few bodies of water.
A new study, however, reveals for the first time on a
large scale the ecological risks emanating from chemical toxicants for several thousands of
European aquatic systems.
Chemical toxicity represents an ecological threat to almost half of all European bodies of water,
and in approximately 15 percent of cases, the biota in freshwater systems may even be subject to
acute mortality.
miguel de Portugal comments: Welcome to that "idillic, pie in the sky" Europe that we have referred to in the past.
"...worse than anticipated"? By whom? By "environmental authorities" whose professional credits can be resumed into one: Well connected within the establishment!
One has to be blind in Europe not to realize the how large the ecological risks are in spite of the propaganda to the contrary.
We take this opportunity to briefly discuss some of the social "marvels" of Europe as we have announced in the past.
For openers, the sales tax that is applied in Portugal and Spain is 23 % and 21% respectively. There are items which have lower tax rates but the areas where most of the earnings are spent fall in the 23% to 21% category. Funerals included!!
Socialized medicine means - absolutely excellent emergency services (which I have experienced personally in Spain) but... if we are talking about regular service, I could write a book based on the unsolicited stories shared with me by the locals. Conclusion: It is almost better to have an emergency that to have a "normal problem" like a cancer.
People would be far better off if they had a sales tax level as we have in the US and, with the money saved, they could buy health insurance and still have money to spare. As a legal foreign resident I must have health insurance (the illegal ones get free treatment, but that is another story) and being 71 years old I pay $2,400 USD per year. Granted, it does not include medications (but they are very inexpensive here) nor eye glasses, but the insurance covers all else including ambulances, etc. etc.
$2,400 USD a year would be the IVA equivalent for purchases of $11,400 USD per year at the 21 % rate. Of course if one is 30 or 40 or 50 years old, the insurance cost is, on the average, a quarter of what I pay.
Who wants Socialized Medicine when it is not as good and it costs far more than private health insurance policies? In addition, with the private health insurance coverage one is assured of instant medical care - even if it is for an ingrown toenail! But, oh!, Socialized Medicine sounds so good....
Retirement benefits? We will not go into their Social Security equivalent at this time but "pathetic" seems to describe it well.
On another front.... Yesterday afternoon I bought some gasoline for the loaned 20 year old car I drive (for which I thank God as well as the lender!). The gasoline cost was about $7.54 USD per gallon for basic 95 octane unleaded. Of course, that was a bargain since a few meters away, in Portugal, it would have been as much as 20% more! Keep in mind that in Portugal the minimum (but most commonly paid) salary is about $600 USD per month @ 44 hours per week. In Spain.... to give you a better idea: An assistant manager for a large supermarket gets paid $1,350 USD/month @ God-only-knows how many hours per week! .... and what in the US would be considered a simple basic home, in a small town in Portugal or Spain - and I mean small! - may run about $215,000 US at today's rates.
We could go on and on but we just wanted to give people in the U.S. an idea of how good we have it there in spite of all of our mistakes and the pie-in-the-sky Europe is just a mirage concocted by the "inventors" of the European Union.
Now, in all fairness.... if you want to live on fine and very affordable wine and cheese, Europe is the place to live in!
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Putin, Poroshenko discuss possible ceasefire in east Ukraine. (1)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian
counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, discussed a possible ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and the
deaths of two Russian journalists there in a late night telephone conversation, the Kremlin
said.
The conversation "touched on the theme of a possible ceasefire in the area of military action in southeastern Ukraine", the Kremlin said in a statement.
It also said Putin had expressed his concern over the deaths of two Russian state television journalists, who were killed in shelling in clashes between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists near the eastern city of Luhansk.
The conversation "touched on the theme of a possible ceasefire in the area of military action in southeastern Ukraine", the Kremlin said in a statement.
It also said Putin had expressed his concern over the deaths of two Russian state television journalists, who were killed in shelling in clashes between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists near the eastern city of Luhansk.
miguel de Portugal comments: Pardon me, but.... how can Putin be negotiating a cease fire with the Ukrainian authorities when it seems that every day he has assured the world that Russia is not involved in the local (and, oh, so spontaneous!) revolts in East Ukraine?
Welcome to the world wide staging of Alice In Wonderland! or is it the Planet of the Zombies?
_________________
(1) News Report
June 20th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Big Food (this time is not Big Pharma) is unwittingly destroying its own market by pushing a diet that causes illness and death.
miguel de Portugal comments: This is a New York Times Op-Ed write up that merits our close attention, thus we recommend it in its entirety.
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Madrid welcomes the new king, Felipe VI.
miguel de Portugal comments: There is something about the dates chosen that rang a bell for us.
The official abdication day for King Juan Carlos I was set for June 18th. It was a legal procedure wherein the King abdicated and his son assumed the throne. However, being a Constitutional Monarchy, the proceedings would not become effective until they were published in an official government publication which would be issued right after midnight on June the 18th. That is, Felipe became officially King Felipe VI on June 19th.
So? Many will rightfully ask. In there is where a possible Red Flag came up....
Spain is the "Kingdom of the Opus Dei", so to speak, and the Royal Family is under their unofficial tutelage. Overlooked by the masses, June 19th is the official Feast of the Corpus Christi even though for convenience purposes it is celebrated on June 22nd. This subconsciously ties this new phase of the struggling Spanish Monarchy to "The Body of Christ".
Now, that may have been man's planning, with some future agenda in mind, but God always has the last Word. On the same day the protocol of the transfer of the Kingdom was being fulfilled, June 18th, the Spanish team, the defending champions of the World Cup, were eliminated from the games. That is a major blow for Spain's ego since most live for the Soccer games - most specially for international competitions.
Also, interesting enough, the elitist and super Catholic "Kingdom of Opus Dei" now has a Queen who does not have a drop of royal blood and who is a divorcee.
No prophecies.... just some observations.
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Big Food (this time is not Big Pharma) is unwittingly destroying its own market by pushing a diet that causes illness and death.
miguel de Portugal comments: This is a New York Times Op-Ed write up that merits our close attention, thus we recommend it in its entirety.
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Madrid welcomes the new king, Felipe VI.
Thousands of people took to the streets of the Spanish capital yesterday to see the new King
Felipe VI crowned.
The new monarch took the throne just hours after the Spanish defending champions were kicked out of the World Cup.
The new monarch took the throne just hours after the Spanish defending champions were kicked out of the World Cup.
miguel de Portugal comments: There is something about the dates chosen that rang a bell for us.
The official abdication day for King Juan Carlos I was set for June 18th. It was a legal procedure wherein the King abdicated and his son assumed the throne. However, being a Constitutional Monarchy, the proceedings would not become effective until they were published in an official government publication which would be issued right after midnight on June the 18th. That is, Felipe became officially King Felipe VI on June 19th.
So? Many will rightfully ask. In there is where a possible Red Flag came up....
Spain is the "Kingdom of the Opus Dei", so to speak, and the Royal Family is under their unofficial tutelage. Overlooked by the masses, June 19th is the official Feast of the Corpus Christi even though for convenience purposes it is celebrated on June 22nd. This subconsciously ties this new phase of the struggling Spanish Monarchy to "The Body of Christ".
Now, that may have been man's planning, with some future agenda in mind, but God always has the last Word. On the same day the protocol of the transfer of the Kingdom was being fulfilled, June 18th, the Spanish team, the defending champions of the World Cup, were eliminated from the games. That is a major blow for Spain's ego since most live for the Soccer games - most specially for international competitions.
Also, interesting enough, the elitist and super Catholic "Kingdom of Opus Dei" now has a Queen who does not have a drop of royal blood and who is a divorcee.
No prophecies.... just some observations.
June 21st, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Global refugee figures highest since WW2, UN says. (1)
The number of people forced to flee their homes because
of war or persecution exceeded 50 million in 2013, the first time since World War Two, the
UN refugee agency says.
The overall figure of 51.2 million is six million higher than the year before, a report by the UNHCR says. Antonio Guterres, head of the UNHCR, told the BBC the rise was a "dramatic challenge" for aid organisations. Conflicts in Syria, central Africa and South Sudan fuelled the sharp increase.
"Conflicts are multiplying, more and more," Mr Guterres said. "And at the same time old conflicts seem never to die."
Of particular concern are the estimated 6.3 million people who have been refugees for years, sometimes even decades.
The overall figure of 51.2 million is six million higher than the year before, a report by the UNHCR says. Antonio Guterres, head of the UNHCR, told the BBC the rise was a "dramatic challenge" for aid organisations. Conflicts in Syria, central Africa and South Sudan fuelled the sharp increase.
"Conflicts are multiplying, more and more," Mr Guterres said. "And at the same time old conflicts seem never to die."
Of particular concern are the estimated 6.3 million people who have been refugees for years, sometimes even decades.
miguel de Portugal comments: Now consider the following comment by William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations for NASA, in reference to the International Space Station:
"We are conducting scientific experiments in the Space
Station which are helping to improve life on Earth." (our translation from the quote
read in Portuguese)
The disconnect is complete. Not only the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing but, the right hand does not even know that there is a left hand!
Why would God have Mercy on a global leadership - and its supporters - who has allowed 51.2 million people to be forced to flee their homes after all that He has done to get us back on track during the 20th century?
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
As many as 75 CDC scientists exposed to anthrax after violation of handling procedure. (1)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday that
as many as seventy-five scientists working in CDC
laboratories in Atlanta, Georgia may have been exposed to live anthrax bacteria after
researchers deviated from established pathogen handling procedures.
The exposure occurred after researchers working in a high-level biosecurity laboratory located at the CDC’s Atlanta campus failed to follow proper procedures to inactivate the bacteria.
They compounded this initial error by moving the samples, which may have included live bacteria, to lower-security CDC labs not equipped to handle live anthrax. Scientists working in the lower security lab do not wear the protective gear necessary when handling live anthrax bacteria.
The exposure occurred after researchers working in a high-level biosecurity laboratory located at the CDC’s Atlanta campus failed to follow proper procedures to inactivate the bacteria.
They compounded this initial error by moving the samples, which may have included live bacteria, to lower-security CDC labs not equipped to handle live anthrax. Scientists working in the lower security lab do not wear the protective gear necessary when handling live anthrax bacteria.
miguel de Portugal comments: Just one simple comment: How can anyone trust the results of research in which these buffoons participate when they cannot even have the awareness necessary to avoid the acts of blatant stupidity their own employer accuses them of?
Amazing, simply amazing!
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
ISIS Militants Grab Saddam's Old Chemical Weapons Site. (1)
The facility outside Baghdad where Saddam Hussein cooked up his chemical weapons is now in the
hands of extremists trying to take over the country, reports the Wall Street Journal.
The good news is that ..... US officials don't think militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria will be able to make any use of it. The takeaway quote from a State Department spokesperson: "We do not believe that the complex contains CW materials of military value and it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to safely move the materials."
The UK Telegraph talks to an expert of its own with a similar take, along with a sliver of worry: "It is doubtful that ISIS have the expertise to use a fully functioning chemical munition, but there are materials on site that could be used in an improvised explosive device," he says.
"We have seen that ISIS has used chemicals in explosions in Iraq before and has carried out experiments in Syria." US officials tell the Journal that remaining chemical weapons stocks are sealed in bunkers at the site and would be useless even if accessed.
The good news is that ..... US officials don't think militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria will be able to make any use of it. The takeaway quote from a State Department spokesperson: "We do not believe that the complex contains CW materials of military value and it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to safely move the materials."
The UK Telegraph talks to an expert of its own with a similar take, along with a sliver of worry: "It is doubtful that ISIS have the expertise to use a fully functioning chemical munition, but there are materials on site that could be used in an improvised explosive device," he says.
"We have seen that ISIS has used chemicals in explosions in Iraq before and has carried out experiments in Syria." US officials tell the Journal that remaining chemical weapons stocks are sealed in bunkers at the site and would be useless even if accessed.
miguel de Portugal comments: If we cannot even keep the anthrax safe in our own backyard - meaning that we have no idea what is going on in our CDC laboratories - are we going to believe what the "experts" of the US and UK have to say about Iraq and Hussein's left over chemical weapons?
Safe bunkers? Don't make us laugh!
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(1) News Report
June 23rd, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Pope Francis Excommunicates Mafia Members, Says They Adore Evil. (1)
Pope Francis Saturday excommunicated members of
organized crime, saying they are guilty of practicing "the adoration of
evil."
In a visit to Calabria, one of Italy's most Mafia-infested areas, the pope drew sustained applause when he said, "This evil must be fought against, it must be pushed aside. We must say no to it," Reuters reported. He added the local Mafiosi, members of 'Ndrangheta, are guilty of the "adoration of evil and contempt of the common good."
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Ciro Benedettini said the pontiff's words stopped short of canon law. Rather, he said, the pope was pointing out members of organized crime had excommunicated themselves by committing criminal acts. He said the pope was trying to "isolate Mafiosi within their own communities."
In a visit to Calabria, one of Italy's most Mafia-infested areas, the pope drew sustained applause when he said, "This evil must be fought against, it must be pushed aside. We must say no to it," Reuters reported. He added the local Mafiosi, members of 'Ndrangheta, are guilty of the "adoration of evil and contempt of the common good."
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Ciro Benedettini said the pontiff's words stopped short of canon law. Rather, he said, the pope was pointing out members of organized crime had excommunicated themselves by committing criminal acts. He said the pope was trying to "isolate Mafiosi within their own communities."
miguel de Portugal comments: We saw Euronews footage of Bergoglio mixing with the crowds in Calabria - as safe as Hitler was, and Castro is, when mixing with their crowds.... yet most of the world cannot see the incoherence of this theatrical performance.
We are not surprised but sad. I wish that most of humanity would be among the Elect, however, I painfully know that it is only a tiny fraction of humanity that will make it through the End of These Times.
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Hackers Find New Ways to Breach Computer Security. (1)
The perpetual cat-and-mouse game between computer hackers and their targets is getting nastier.
Cybercriminals are getting better at circumventing firewalls and antivirus programs. More of them
are resorting to ransomware, which encrypts computer data and holds it hostage until a fee is
paid. Some hackers plant virus-loaded ads on legitimate
websites, enabling them to remotely wipe a hard
drive clean or cause it to overheat.
Meanwhile, companies are being routinely targeted by attacks sponsored by the governments of Iran and China. Even small start-ups are suffering from denial-of-service extortion attacks, in which hackers threaten to disable their websites unless money is paid.
Just days after the F.B.I. and international law enforcement agencies teamed up earlier this month to kill one ransomware program, CryptoLocker, which had infected over 300,000 computers, another pernicious program, Cryptowall, popped up and began spreading rapidly.
Meanwhile, companies are being routinely targeted by attacks sponsored by the governments of Iran and China. Even small start-ups are suffering from denial-of-service extortion attacks, in which hackers threaten to disable their websites unless money is paid.
Just days after the F.B.I. and international law enforcement agencies teamed up earlier this month to kill one ransomware program, CryptoLocker, which had infected over 300,000 computers, another pernicious program, Cryptowall, popped up and began spreading rapidly.
miguel de Portugal comments: It seems to be that the best policy is not to click on any ad link or any other link that is unknown to the user.
The worse part of this is that it will get worse.... like with everything else.
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(1) News Report
June 24th, 2014 [Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Bobby Jindal- Louisiana Governor - 'People Are Ready for a Hostile Takeover ...' (1)
"I can sense right now a rebellion brewing amongst these United States," Louisiana Gov. Bobby
Jindal said Saturday night, "where people are ready for a hostile takeover of Washington, D.C., to
preserve the American Dream for our children and grandchildren."
Jindal's keynote address at the annual conference hosted by the Faith and Freedom Coalition accused President Barack Obama and other Democrats of waging wars against religious liberty and education.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal delivers the keynote address during Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority event in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2014. Jindal emphasized that there was a "silent war" on religious liberty being fought in the U.S. - a country that he said was built on that liberty.
"I am tired of the left. They say they're for tolerance, they say they respect diversity. The reality is this: They respect everybody unless you happen to disagree with them," he said. "The left is trying to silence us and I'm tired of it, I won't take it anymore."
miguel de Portugal comments:
As "crazy" and "insane" as all of that may sound, we believe that it reflects reality. We had
already written our response to today's Private FYI&R post when we saw the above quoted news
and..... the relationship could not be closer.Jindal's keynote address at the annual conference hosted by the Faith and Freedom Coalition accused President Barack Obama and other Democrats of waging wars against religious liberty and education.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal delivers the keynote address during Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority event in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2014. Jindal emphasized that there was a "silent war" on religious liberty being fought in the U.S. - a country that he said was built on that liberty.
"I am tired of the left. They say they're for tolerance, they say they respect diversity. The reality is this: They respect everybody unless you happen to disagree with them," he said. "The left is trying to silence us and I'm tired of it, I won't take it anymore."
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Rand Paul On Iraq: "I'm Not Sure Where The Clear Cut American Interest Is," During Meet The Press" (1)
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has enough criticism to go around when it comes to the Iraq crisis and
America's Middle East policy in the last 13 years.
In interview with David Gregory on NBC's "Meet The Press," Paul questioned the Obama Administration's foreign policy and the decisions of lawmakers a decade ago. He mulls on the deeply complicated nature of the situation in Iraq and Syria and advocates for a more hands off approach to American foreign policy in the Middle East.
"I see mostly confusion and chaos and I think some of the chaos is creating from getting involved in the Syrian Civil War ... They [ISIS] are emboldened because we are supporting them," Paul said. "I personally believe that this group would not be in Iraq and not be as powerful had we not been supplying their allies in the [Syrian Civil War] ..."
In interview with David Gregory on NBC's "Meet The Press," Paul questioned the Obama Administration's foreign policy and the decisions of lawmakers a decade ago. He mulls on the deeply complicated nature of the situation in Iraq and Syria and advocates for a more hands off approach to American foreign policy in the Middle East.
"I see mostly confusion and chaos and I think some of the chaos is creating from getting involved in the Syrian Civil War ... They [ISIS] are emboldened because we are supporting them," Paul said. "I personally believe that this group would not be in Iraq and not be as powerful had we not been supplying their allies in the [Syrian Civil War] ..."
miguel de Portugal comments: Regardless of what Sen. Paul's stand may be in any and all affairs - he has this one right! Our Middle East foreign policy seems designed by a blind man, in a dark room (2) who has never been out of his honky-tonk town of 54 inhabitants and just now got a television set he is unable to watch, of course!
Having traveled abroad as much as I did before my conversion and living abroad, and in so many different countries/towns/cities after my conversion, it has become painfully obvious that our policy makers in W. D.C. are completely ignorant of the reality of the countries outside our borders.
Our policy makers know more about the proverbial man-in-the-moon than about the "man on the street" of any of our major allies and potential enemies. We must acknowledge that politicians are that, politicians, and that foreign service posts are mostly in payment for favors received, however, a really bright politician can surround himself with practical and intelligent men and women and take advantage of their knowledge/experience to discharge the functions of their elected office.
Let's face it - most politicias are only good for one single thing: Being elected. Outside of that there is precious little they can do - exceptions noted, of course.
Please Note: If you are going to share this mailing with anyone, please delete this line as well as the text that follows and which is colored blue
We will share with you an example very close to me. When I was born my father was the right (and left!) hand of a very influential Senator who, on top of everything else was a millionaire and controlled the world sugar markets. He turned to my father for advice on everything and followed it faithfully and successfully. My father even wrote his key speeches. Now, conversely, my father could not even be elected for city dog catcher. They had a perfectly symbiotic relationship which should be used as template for politicians. We all have our gifts as dispensed by the Holy Spirit of God and should use them accordingly. [1Cor 12: 28-31]
No; my father was not an "intellectual". Just like politicians are only good for being elected, intellectuals are only good to think about platitudes which are just that - platitudes which are not worth a wooden nickel in the real world.
My father was well educated, well read and traveled - thus a very practical man.... and so was his advice.
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(1) News Report
(2) "Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed." Anon.
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Iran rejects U.S. action in Iraq, ISIL tightens Syria border grip. (1)
Iran's supreme leader accused the United States on
Sunday of trying to retake control of Iraq by exploiting sectarian rivalries, as Sunni
insurgents drove towards Baghdad from new strongholds along the Syrian border.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's condemnation of U.S. action came three days after President Barack Obama offered to send 300 military advisers to help the Iraqi government. Khamenei may want to block any U.S. choice of a new prime minister after grumbling in Washington about Shi'ite premier Nuri al-Maliki.
"We are strongly opposed to U.S. and other intervention in Iraq," IRNA news agency quoted Khamenei as saying. "We don't approve of it as we believe the Iraqi government, nation and religious authorities are capable of ending the sedition."
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's condemnation of U.S. action came three days after President Barack Obama offered to send 300 military advisers to help the Iraqi government. Khamenei may want to block any U.S. choice of a new prime minister after grumbling in Washington about Shi'ite premier Nuri al-Maliki.
"We are strongly opposed to U.S. and other intervention in Iraq," IRNA news agency quoted Khamenei as saying. "We don't approve of it as we believe the Iraqi government, nation and religious authorities are capable of ending the sedition."
miguel de Portugal comments: As we were saying....
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 4
[our highlights]
Polish minister calls US ties worthless (1)
A Polish magazine said Sunday it has obtained recordings of a private conversation in which
the foreign minister says Poland's strong alliance with
the U.S. was worthless and "even harmful because it creates a false sense of security."
Using vulgar language and expletives, Sikorski argued that the Polish-U.S. alliance could alienate two key neighbors of Poland, Russia and Germany.
Using vulgar language and expletives, Sikorski argued that the Polish-U.S. alliance could alienate two key neighbors of Poland, Russia and Germany.
miguel de Portugal comments: And continue to repeat that our policy makers know more about the proverbial man-in-the-moon than about the "man on the street" of any of our major allies and potential enemies
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(1) News Report
June 25th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Putin withdraws request to use force in Ukraine. (1)
Russian President Vladimir Putin asked parliament Tuesday to cancel a resolution sanctioning the
use of military force in Ukraine, a move his Ukrainian counterpart heralded as a "practical step"
toward bringing peace to a region roiled by a separatist insurgency.
Putin's announcement comes after pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine said Monday they would respect a cease-fire declared by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, raising hopes for an end to months of fighting that have killed hundreds and driven thousands from their homes.
Putin's announcement comes after pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine said Monday they would respect a cease-fire declared by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, raising hopes for an end to months of fighting that have killed hundreds and driven thousands from their homes.
miguel de Portugal comments: Putin et al are "cooking" something. This is just a diversionary tactic so that the "enemy" drops its guard or does something that justifies Putin's counterattack..
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
FBI: 168 kids rescued, 281 pimps nabbed in sex-trafficking crackdown. (1)
Nearly 170 victims of child sex trafficking, many of
whom had never been reported missing, were rescued in the last week as part of an annual
nationwide crackdown, the FBI said Monday.
Besides the 168 children rescued from the sex trade, 281 pimps were arrested during the same period on state and federal charges.
"These are not faraway kids in faraway lands," FBI Director James Comey said in announcing the annual enforcement push known as Operation Cross Country. Instead, he added, "These are America's children."
This is the eighth such week long-operation, which this year unfolded in 106 cities. The FBI says nearly 3,600 children have so far been recovered from the streets.
Besides the 168 children rescued from the sex trade, 281 pimps were arrested during the same period on state and federal charges.
"These are not faraway kids in faraway lands," FBI Director James Comey said in announcing the annual enforcement push known as Operation Cross Country. Instead, he added, "These are America's children."
This is the eighth such week long-operation, which this year unfolded in 106 cities. The FBI says nearly 3,600 children have so far been recovered from the streets.
miguel de Portugal comments: Your prayers can effectively aid this type of rescue - whether by the FBI of by a neighbor who noticed something odd and reported it to the local police.
Join us in praying daily - as we have for quite some time - for the locating and release of those enslaved in the sex trade business or for the "personal use" of some deranged individual - most specially the children and young adults.
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Why Icelanders are wary of elves living beneath the rocks. (1)
From his desk at the Icelandic highways department in Reykjavik, Petur Matthiasson smiles at me
warmly from behind his glasses, but firmly.
"Let's get this straight before we start - I do not believe in elves," he says.
I raise my eyebrows slightly and incline my head towards his computer screen which is displaying the plans for a new road in a neighbouring town. There are two yellow circles marked on the plans, one that reads Elf Church and another that reads Elf Chapel. Petur sighs.
"Ok," he acknowledges wearily. "But it's not every day in Iceland that we divert roads for elves. It's just in this case we were warned that elves were living in some of the rocks in the path of the road - well, we have to respect that belief." He grins shyly and picks up his car keys.
"Come on, I'll show you where the elves live," he says indulgently.
"Let's get this straight before we start - I do not believe in elves," he says.
I raise my eyebrows slightly and incline my head towards his computer screen which is displaying the plans for a new road in a neighbouring town. There are two yellow circles marked on the plans, one that reads Elf Church and another that reads Elf Chapel. Petur sighs.
"Ok," he acknowledges wearily. "But it's not every day in Iceland that we divert roads for elves. It's just in this case we were warned that elves were living in some of the rocks in the path of the road - well, we have to respect that belief." He grins shyly and picks up his car keys.
"Come on, I'll show you where the elves live," he says indulgently.
miguel de Portugal comments: I thought that this was a joke.... but it was not!
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(1) News Report
June 26th, 2014
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Kerry In Egypt: Support For Sisi Despite Jailed Journalists. (1)
Secretary of State John Kerry visited Egypt over the
weekend, voicing strong U.S. support for newly elected President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi -- a
man who stands for everything revolutionaries fought against more than three years ago during the
Arab Spring. Kerry’s statements on the new Egyptian government seemed to signal the U.S. has
decided it must forget the revolution that President Obama once said "bent the arc of history
toward justice."
Back in 2011, the Obama administration praised the Egyptian people for defining a future that they wanted -- one without a ruthless dictator.
"The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people ... They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfill their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential," Obama said in a statement on Feb. 10, 2011.
Back in 2011, the Obama administration praised the Egyptian people for defining a future that they wanted -- one without a ruthless dictator.
"The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people ... They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfill their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential," Obama said in a statement on Feb. 10, 2011.
miguel de Portugal comments: Anyone who really thought the Arab Spring was "here to stay" probably also believed that when Africa was freed from their colonizers it would become a democracy and not what it became: "A den of blood thirsty local dictators who cannot even spell 'democracy'".
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Ebola epidemic in West Africa is "out of control". (1)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned that the ebola epidemic in west Africa is "out of
control" and will not be contained unless politicians, religious leaders, and aid agencies
urgently improve their response to the unprecedented outbreak.
The deadly disease is continuing to spread through Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says the outbreak has so far claimed 337 lives. WHO says that the confirmed, probable, or suspected cases stands at 528, with the disease identified in more than sixty locations across the three west African countries.
The WHO said on Saturday that a failure by the authorities in Guinea to gauge the severity of the initial outbreak, and a subsequent relaxation of counter-measures, had created a "second wave" of the disease.
The deadly disease is continuing to spread through Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says the outbreak has so far claimed 337 lives. WHO says that the confirmed, probable, or suspected cases stands at 528, with the disease identified in more than sixty locations across the three west African countries.
The WHO said on Saturday that a failure by the authorities in Guinea to gauge the severity of the initial outbreak, and a subsequent relaxation of counter-measures, had created a "second wave" of the disease.
miguel de Portugal comments: It will be one disease or another but eventually a pandemia will explode worldwide.... unless, of course, the world has not been "disinfected" before by a Gamma Ray Burs.
We are not losing any sleep over it. It is just a matter of time.
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(1) News Report
June 27th, 2014 [Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary of Perpetual Help]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Beating of Roma Boy Exposes Tensions in France's Underclass. (1)
It was in the Cité des Poètes housing project this month in this poor, largely immigrant suburb
north of Paris that a 17-year-old Roma boy,
Gheorghe, known as Darius, was beaten unconscious by a
gang of as many as 20 young men wielding wooden and metal sticks, according to prosecutors.
His limp body was dumped in a shopping cart, and his swollen face frozen into a mask of pain.
Darius, a Romanian citizen, remains in a coma in critical condition. Nearly two weeks after the attack, no arrests have been made in a crime whose sheer brutality has shocked France, drawing condemnation from President François Hollande, who called it “beyond words and unjustifiable.”
"Those who live here are losers, the majority don't work, and then these people dare to settle near here," said Aka, 45, who like most residents declined to give his last name for fear of retribution from other residents. As a group of Roma rummaged through the garbage for scrap metal near his building complex, he said: "It's poor picking on poor. They come into our homes and wreck, steal and vandalize. It's an outrage.”
Darius, a Romanian citizen, remains in a coma in critical condition. Nearly two weeks after the attack, no arrests have been made in a crime whose sheer brutality has shocked France, drawing condemnation from President François Hollande, who called it “beyond words and unjustifiable.”
"Those who live here are losers, the majority don't work, and then these people dare to settle near here," said Aka, 45, who like most residents declined to give his last name for fear of retribution from other residents. As a group of Roma rummaged through the garbage for scrap metal near his building complex, he said: "It's poor picking on poor. They come into our homes and wreck, steal and vandalize. It's an outrage.”
miguel de Portugal comments: We will use this very sad story to explain another of the negative corollaries of the Oh! The Great Socialist Europe. This information also comes right "from the field" and is just one example.
Because the authorities refuse to acknowledge what is really taking place, the whole of Europe is becoming like a pressure cooker about to exceed its pressure limits.
(a) Borders are open. People travel freely, with those in most need seeking "greener
pastures".
(b) "Romas" who used to be called gypsies but, God forbid such "derogatory" name being used!, have spread throughout the European Union. Instead of having the opportunity to come out of the traditional "gypsy trades" (2) they continue to practice it.
(c) As an example which should serve to convey the situation.... In Madrid there are many of the them "practicing their trade" - pick pocketing being a preferred one. Whenever the authorities catch one, if the amount stolen is less than 400 Euro ($ 540 USD) they are immediately released so that they continue "their work".
(d) Now, multiply that same official mentality and behavior for all their illicit activities against the average citizen. Eventually said average citizen "has had enough" and take the Law into their hands as they did with poor Darius.
(b) "Romas" who used to be called gypsies but, God forbid such "derogatory" name being used!, have spread throughout the European Union. Instead of having the opportunity to come out of the traditional "gypsy trades" (2) they continue to practice it.
(c) As an example which should serve to convey the situation.... In Madrid there are many of the them "practicing their trade" - pick pocketing being a preferred one. Whenever the authorities catch one, if the amount stolen is less than 400 Euro ($ 540 USD) they are immediately released so that they continue "their work".
(d) Now, multiply that same official mentality and behavior for all their illicit activities against the average citizen. Eventually said average citizen "has had enough" and take the Law into their hands as they did with poor Darius.
Of course we do not agree with what happened to Darius but it is inevitable and will get worse. People have just had it with everything - politicians included.
I have heard locals (in Spain and Portugal) whom I have known for 20 years as level headed peaceful citizens go into tirades against politicians - all parties! - that have shocked me. I do not how many times I have heard said erstwhile peaceful and level headed citizens says something like: "I feel like taking a machine gun and go into (wherever their lawmakers meet) and pepper them with lead."
"Hot heads" - are that - hot heads, but when peaceful and level headed citizens begin rhetorically exploding in such a manner, their political leaders should take not.... yet, they do not. They have forgotten what triggered the French Revolution and how much it applies to today. (3)
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(1) News Report
(2) I had the pleasure of being the unofficial Godfather to a large (9 children) gypsy family in Portugal. They were taught about what they could do and as opportunities arose they took advantage of them and progressed. Without losing their ethnic identity they became integrated in the work force and society at large. The problem is that most are let in the countries and are not given any guidance or coaching or direction so they just have to make do as they had been doing back at home.
(3) The French Revolution and Today
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Oklahoma residents seek answers on quakes. (1)
Oklahoma residents whose homes and nerves have been shaken by an upsurge in earthquakes want to
know what's causing the temblors — and what can be done to stop them. Earthquakes used to be
almost unheard of on the vast stretches of prairie that unfold across Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma,
but they've become common in recent years.
Oklahoma recorded nearly 150 between January and the start of May. Though most have been too weak to cause serious damage or endanger lives, they've raised suspicions that the shaking might be connected to the oil and gas drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, especially the wells in which the industry disposes of its wastewater.
In Texas, residents from Azle, a town northwest of Fort Worth, who have endured hundreds of small quakes, went to the state Capitol earlier this year to demand action by the state's chief oil and gas regulator, known as the Railroad Commission.
Oklahoma recorded nearly 150 between January and the start of May. Though most have been too weak to cause serious damage or endanger lives, they've raised suspicions that the shaking might be connected to the oil and gas drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, especially the wells in which the industry disposes of its wastewater.
In Texas, residents from Azle, a town northwest of Fort Worth, who have endured hundreds of small quakes, went to the state Capitol earlier this year to demand action by the state's chief oil and gas regulator, known as the Railroad Commission.
miguel de Portugal comments: Read on....
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
Groundwater could be polluted with heavy metals by fracking flowback. (1)
The chemical makeup of wastewater generated by
"hydrofracking" could cause the release of tiny particles in soils that often strongly bind heavy
metals and pollutants, exacerbating the environmental risks during accidental spills,
Cornell University researchers have found.
Previous research has shown 10 to 40 percent of the water and chemical solution mixture injected at high pressure into deep rock strata, surges back to the surface during well development.
Researchers found that the same properties that make the mixture so effective at extracting natural gas from shale can also displace tiny particles that are naturally bound to soil, causing associated pollutants such as heavy metals to leach out.
Previous research has shown 10 to 40 percent of the water and chemical solution mixture injected at high pressure into deep rock strata, surges back to the surface during well development.
Researchers found that the same properties that make the mixture so effective at extracting natural gas from shale can also displace tiny particles that are naturally bound to soil, causing associated pollutants such as heavy metals to leach out.
miguel de Portugal comments: As a Chemical and Environmental Engineer I can attest that no research is needed to ascertain that the water and chemical solution mixture injected at high pressure into deep rock strata indeed leaches out minerals from the rock it flows through.
That would be obvious to a freshman student taking his first course in water pollutants.
We suspect that stopping the fracking business will be as hard as stopping cell phone usage (due to the effect of the radiation to the brain) and the proliferation of violent video games.
There is too much money in it and "they" will not give that up!!
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(1) News Report
June 28th, 2014
[Feast
of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Vatican ex-ambassador convicted of sex abuse. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: Before uncorking the champagne bottle and celebrate, we shall await and see what will be the final result of this saga. It sound excellent on the surface but we do not trust the Vatican on anything. All we have to go by is the local archbishop denouncing Wesolowski based on rumors. We are more inclined to believe the whole thing is fueled by a personal, political or turf vendetta - typical of the Roman Catholic Church Administration.
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
The universe shouldn't exist - at least according to a new theory. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: "Extend" their theories to explain this anomaly or do they mean "invent" new theories to keep research money coming in?
(sarcasm on) Maybe they are right and the universe that collapsed was the one God had in mind and not the one man had turned into a trash bin. (sarcasm off) ...of was that really a sarcastic remark? May those who have Eyes, See and ears, Hear!
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
The New, Creepy Way Your iPhone Passcode Could Get Stolen. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: Hi-tech thievery continues on the rise.
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(1) News Report
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
Vatican ex-ambassador convicted of sex abuse. (1)
The Vatican's former ambassador to the Dominican
Republic has been convicted by a church tribunal of sex abuse and has been defrocked, the
first such sentence handed down against a top papal representative.
The Vatican said Friday that Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski was found guilty by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in recent days, and sentenced to the harshest penalty possible against a cleric under canon law: laicization, meaning he can no longer perform priestly duties or present himself as a priest.
Wesolowski has two months to appeal. As a papal diplomat and citizen of the Vatican City State, he also faces criminal charges by the tribunal of Vatican City, which can carry a prison term. The Vatican said it would take "adequate measures" to ensure he doesn't flee pending the outcome of that investigation.
The Holy See recalled the Polish-born Wesolowski on Aug. 21, and relieved him of his job after the archbishop of Santo Domingo told Pope Francis about rumors that Wesolowski had sexually abused teenage boys in the Dominican Republic.
The Vatican said Friday that Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski was found guilty by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in recent days, and sentenced to the harshest penalty possible against a cleric under canon law: laicization, meaning he can no longer perform priestly duties or present himself as a priest.
Wesolowski has two months to appeal. As a papal diplomat and citizen of the Vatican City State, he also faces criminal charges by the tribunal of Vatican City, which can carry a prison term. The Vatican said it would take "adequate measures" to ensure he doesn't flee pending the outcome of that investigation.
The Holy See recalled the Polish-born Wesolowski on Aug. 21, and relieved him of his job after the archbishop of Santo Domingo told Pope Francis about rumors that Wesolowski had sexually abused teenage boys in the Dominican Republic.
miguel de Portugal comments: Before uncorking the champagne bottle and celebrate, we shall await and see what will be the final result of this saga. It sound excellent on the surface but we do not trust the Vatican on anything. All we have to go by is the local archbishop denouncing Wesolowski based on rumors. We are more inclined to believe the whole thing is fueled by a personal, political or turf vendetta - typical of the Roman Catholic Church Administration.
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
The universe shouldn't exist - at least according to a new theory. (1)
Modeling of conditions soon after the Big Bang suggests
the universe should have collapsed just microseconds
after its explosive birth, the new study suggests.
Physicists draw that conclusion from a model that accounts for the properties of the newly discovered Higgs boson particle, which is thought to explain how other particles get their mass. Faint traces of gravitational waves formed at the universe's origin also inform the conclusion.
Of course, there must be something missing from these calculations.
"We are here talking about it," Hogan told LiveScience. "That means we have to extend our theories to explain why this didn't happen."
Physicists draw that conclusion from a model that accounts for the properties of the newly discovered Higgs boson particle, which is thought to explain how other particles get their mass. Faint traces of gravitational waves formed at the universe's origin also inform the conclusion.
Of course, there must be something missing from these calculations.
"We are here talking about it," Hogan told LiveScience. "That means we have to extend our theories to explain why this didn't happen."
miguel de Portugal comments: "Extend" their theories to explain this anomaly or do they mean "invent" new theories to keep research money coming in?
(sarcasm on) Maybe they are right and the universe that collapsed was the one God had in mind and not the one man had turned into a trash bin. (sarcasm off) ...of was that really a sarcastic remark? May those who have Eyes, See and ears, Hear!
_________________
(1) News Report
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
The New, Creepy Way Your iPhone Passcode Could Get Stolen. (1)
If you've ever felt a little paranoid while entering your iPhone's passcode in public, consider
yourself justified.
A startling number of common electronic devices can be used to figure out your iPhone's four-digit PIN from afar, according to a new study from the University of Massachusetts set to be presented in August.
Potential thieves don't have to see the screen to figure out what you're typing. They just have to take a video of the way your fingers move.
The study's team of researchers -- led by Xinwen Fu, an associate professor in the school's computer science department -- determined that webcams, smartwatches, regular cameras, iPhones and Google Glass can all be used to steal the four-digit personal identification numbers of iPhones, as well as those of iPads and Nexus tablets.
The team was able to successfully recognize people punching in randomly generated passcodes with three different types of cameras -- the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, iPhone 5 and Google Glass.
A startling number of common electronic devices can be used to figure out your iPhone's four-digit PIN from afar, according to a new study from the University of Massachusetts set to be presented in August.
Potential thieves don't have to see the screen to figure out what you're typing. They just have to take a video of the way your fingers move.
The study's team of researchers -- led by Xinwen Fu, an associate professor in the school's computer science department -- determined that webcams, smartwatches, regular cameras, iPhones and Google Glass can all be used to steal the four-digit personal identification numbers of iPhones, as well as those of iPads and Nexus tablets.
The team was able to successfully recognize people punching in randomly generated passcodes with three different types of cameras -- the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, iPhone 5 and Google Glass.
miguel de Portugal comments: Hi-tech thievery continues on the rise.
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(1) News Report
June 30th, 2014 [First Martyrs of the Roman
Church]
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
A Cornucopia of Travel Tips from the Transportation Security Administration
miguel de Portugal comments: The best traveler is an informed traveler
_________________
(1) Travel Tips Summary
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
miguel de Portugal comments: As the scams and dangers associated with hi-tech "progress" increase, whenever we see something that could easily endanger someone who may not be hi-tech savvy, we share it and we ask you to do the same with people on your mail list.
We are so serious about this problem that the mobile phones we use do not even have a camera!
_________________
(1) Learn more about protecting yourself
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
How to erase some details from the on-line photographs of your home and its environments from Google Maps. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: Yes; you read that right! The situation is so bad that people who may, by the Grace of God, learn about it can erase some details of their home and its environments from cyberspace. The majority will never know until someone uses the information for criminal purposes.
And people keep worrying about the NSA, CIA and FBI!
_________________
(1) How to do it
News Report No. 1
[our highlights]
A Cornucopia of Travel Tips from the Transportation Security Administration
Memorial Day has come and
gone, and no matter what the almanac says, it’s officially summertime to many eager
travelers.
With so many gearing up for summer travel, we figured it would be helpful to list all of our weekly travel tip posts on one page (1).
With so many gearing up for summer travel, we figured it would be helpful to list all of our weekly travel tip posts on one page (1).
miguel de Portugal comments: The best traveler is an informed traveler
_________________
(1) Travel Tips Summary
News Report No. 2
[our highlights]
Protect Yourself From Text Message Spam
Spam text messages can be annoying, but did you
know they are illegal?
Some common scams use text message spam to lure you into revealing personal information in
exchange for a “free gift” like a gift card or vacation package.
The tricks used: In order to collect your gift, the message will instruct you to reply to the text with your personal information such as a bank account or your social security number. The spammer may charge your bank account so you can claim your “free gift” that you will probably never receive.
The tricks used: In order to collect your gift, the message will instruct you to reply to the text with your personal information such as a bank account or your social security number. The spammer may charge your bank account so you can claim your “free gift” that you will probably never receive.
In certain situations, spammers then sell your personal information to outside parties, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft.
Take these step to limit your chances of getting scammed:
Register your number on the Do Not Call List.
Delete spam messages.
Never click on links provided in spam messages. Links often carry malware or send you to fake websites.
Never reply to these text messages or give out your personal information.
Report the text spam to your cell phone carrier by forwarding the message to 7726 (SPAM).
And last but not least -
Report any unwanted
commercial text messages to the FTC.
miguel de Portugal comments: As the scams and dangers associated with hi-tech "progress" increase, whenever we see something that could easily endanger someone who may not be hi-tech savvy, we share it and we ask you to do the same with people on your mail list.
We are so serious about this problem that the mobile phones we use do not even have a camera!
_________________
(1) Learn more about protecting yourself
News Report No. 3
[our highlights]
How to erase some details from the on-line photographs of your home and its environments from Google Maps. (1)
miguel de Portugal comments: Yes; you read that right! The situation is so bad that people who may, by the Grace of God, learn about it can erase some details of their home and its environments from cyberspace. The majority will never know until someone uses the information for criminal purposes.
And people keep worrying about the NSA, CIA and FBI!
_________________
(1) How to do it
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