Jolly Roger; a Haunting Voice From the Year 2005

The New American Slavery

By Jolly Roger
slicingthroats@yahoo.com
4-2-5


The average American in the year 2005 lives a fragile existence, in a struggle for survival that can be ended by missing a few paychecks. The carrot at the end of the stick which was formerly known as "the American dream" has been replaced by a whip that can best be described as the American nightmare of homelessness, and slow, early death. You no longer work to achieve a better life for yourselves and your children. You work to keep a roof over your head, and you pray that you don't lose it. You became a slave when fear replaced incentive as your motivation to work, but I still suggest that you work while you can, because if the company you work for can't send your job overseas, the U.S. government is allowing 2000 people per day to enter this country illegally, because they're willing to do your job for less.

It doesn't matter if you're a "white collar" or "blue collar" employee. If you're an American, you're too highly paid. There are billions of people who want your job, and your government is doing all they can to see that you lose it to them. You see, we're not really Americans anymore. Now we're just anonymous faces in the "global village," because our government has sold our nation to foreigners and international bankers, and the new bankruptcy law has doomed the American citizen to a life of debt slavery. They'll insist that illegal immigrants are only doing jobs that Americans refuse to do, and you'll probably believe it, because if you're watching the TV that shovels that crap, you probably still have your job. The illegal immigrants are doing jobs that Americans always did, and every unemployed American I talk to can't find a job anywhere. And just like the European immigrants that flooded this country before the economic depression of the 1930's, today's illegal immigrants also have no gripe with a government that has allowed them work for high wages in America, and send billions back to their homeland. Nor do they care very much about our constitution, bill of rights, or way of life. They're only here for what they can grab, and our government has welcomed them with open arms, because they're grabbing it from you.

You're already working much longer, and much harder, to achieve a much lower standard of living than the previous generation, and 25 percent of working Americans no longer even get a vacation. The Social Security retirement age has been raised to match the life expectancy of American males, so apparently, you're also expected to work until you're dead. When you do finally get a vacation, they only trip you'll be taking will be in a pine box, and that's only if you're one of the lucky ones. Most of us will only get the state-issued canvas bag that gets tossed into the pit with all the others. If you don't mind the fact that you'll be working until you're dead, you might also want to consider the fact that you'll get nothing for your labor, because this nation's economy is about to crash like a freight train, and when it does, everything you've worked for will vanish. After the depression gets ugly, and your family has made the adjustment from three meals per day to three meals per week, the newspapers will blame your hunger on "the economy," as if it were some magical force that uncontrollably ruined a couple hundred million lives. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Politicians and international bankers can manipulate national economies at will, much in the way the media manipulates your mind, and a decision has been made to impoverish Americans, because global government requires that everyone in the world have an equally low standard of living. Simply put, we're being robbed of all we've worked for, because our government wants us to be poor, hungry, and docile, dependant upon them for our existence, and in fear of them for our lives. The government of the United States is intentionally destroying the economy of the United States, because the politicians and the international bankers they work for have decided that the American way of life, and catering to the demands of the American constitution, is simply too expensive.

Regardless of how wealthy you think you are, you actually have no real money at all. The "federal reserve notes" that are in your wallet, and your bank account, aren't really money, but are actually only paper on a debt that can never be paid, not even by combining all the assets and labor of every American alive today. Any loan-shark with a third grade education will tell you "the paper's no good," and naturally, the foreign investors who allow us to float this debt, have come to the same conclusion.

What is commonly known as the "U.S. dollar," represents a debt that is owed by the U.S. federal government, to the federal reserve bank. The federal reserve bank happens to be the privately owned entity that lent the money that's represented by the paper in your wallet. The federal reserve act signed away everything you own, and the fruit of your labor as collateral on this debt, and as foreign investors are becoming increasingly unwilling to invest the $2 billion per day needed to cover the interest, our creditors will want to collect it.

About 90 percent of all Americans are mortgaged to the hilt, and would have little or no assets left if all debts and liabilities were to be paid.* Most Americans have taken advantage of low interest rates, and are now paying a mortgage on their homes. The booming real estate market has made every purchase profitable, because the price of a home always rises. The problem is that the price of a home today is incredibly over-inflated, and the real estate boom that's been keeping the American economy afloat, is about to bust. Interest rates are going to rise, and the price of your home is going to drop drastically, which will leave you stuck paying for a house that probably wouldn't pay the interest on your debt if you sold it. If you're lucky enough to remain employed, inflation will shred your paycheck until you can no longer make mortgage payments. This is when you need to remember that when a nation's economy collapses, the wealth of the nation doesn't disappear, it only changes hands.

Millions of Americans are about to be tossed into the street, and because we're a kinder and gentler America, from the street they'll be tossed into shelters. Once in the shelter, they'll be wards of the social service system, which will make sure they all have food, and a bed to sleep in. In exchange for that food and shelter, the "welfare reform" act will put them to work at jobs where they will collect no additional salary. I guess the idea of "welfare reform" is a lot more acceptable to Americans than "forced labor" but regardless of what you call it, many Americans will soon experience slavery once again, and the slaves are not just sweeping public streets. Under the welfare reform act, many Americans are being put to work for private companies for no wages other than the cost of their food and shelter, both of which constitute the bare minimum requirements of survival. By causing the economy to collapse, and then "saving" the poor, our government can legally force millions of Americans into slavery. The new slavery will be blamed on "the economy," and it will employ a much larger percentage of the population than it did before the civil war.

To understand how they're accomplishing this, we need to turn our thoughts back to our monetary system, because due to the fact that it is no longer based on the gold standard, our government is in control of the money supply, and that gives them the ability to cause rampant unemployment, which is exactly what they're doing. The framers of the U.S. constitution protected us from this brand of tyranny, but because Americans were foolish enough to ignore and/or trust their government, they will become slaves, but most of them will blame themselves for their plight.

Article 1, Section 10, of the U.S. constitution clearly states that "no state shall... make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts." The constitution's prohibition of "fiat money" (what's in your wallet) guarantees that the wealth of the nation remains in the hands of the people, which leaves the government incapable of stealing the population's wealth, as they're doing today. You can collect all the dollars that you like. Our government decides what they're worth, and by keeping the presses working overtime, they're insuring that the dollar will soon be worthless.

The U.S. department of labor has also changed the way it collects data regarding unemployment, which allows for the fraudulent unemployment figures that are printed in the newspapers, and allows working Americans to believe that things aren't really that bad. Their new "household survey" system avoids counting most of the poor by basing unemployment figures on telephone surveys. A real estimate, based on population and payroll taxes, reveals that about 25 percent of the American workforce is presently unemployed, and that will eventually force them into the social service slavery system. Unless your mortgage and debts are completely paid off, and you can still pay your property taxes, there's a good chance you'll soon be joining them. Welcome to the third world, and to an American world, where slavery is legal once again.

What are you going to do when your government forces you into slavery? You can't avoid it, because if you're homeless, you'll be rounded up and brought to a "shelter", where you'll be fed, and probably medicated if you're not happy to be there. With so many people becoming homeless, it will be easy for them to find an apartment for you, and social services will pay your rent, and give you food stamps.

Soon after that they will find you a job, but naturally, you won't be taking home a paycheck because you're in debt to the social service system. They'll tell you that you're working your way back to independence, but since your salary will never be more than your expenses, you'll work for free until you're dead. If you refuse to work, the government "assistance" will be cut off, you'll be back out on the street, and you'll probably do your next job with a shackle around your ankle.

I'm not asking that you waste the time or paper required to write your congressman, because they don't care what you think anyway. What I am asking you to do is to remember something. When the economy does crash, and you're forced into the street. I want you to remember that this isn't your fault, and it's not the result of a "bad economy." Please remember that you're poor, hungry and homeless, because that's where our government wants you to be, and they intentionally destroyed the U.S. economy because they want you to suffer, and beg. And regardless of how bad things get, never sell your rifle. -- Jolly Roger

And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. (Luke 22:36)

"Lenin is said to have declared that the best way to destroy the capitalist system was to debauch the currency. By a continuing process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens..... Lenin was certainly right." - John Maynard Keynes*

*90 percent of all Americans are mortgaged to the hilt, and would have little or no assets left if all debts and liabilities were to be paid. --- Rep. Traficant to U.S. Congress.

**John Maynard Keynes is the economist for whom our present monetary system is named.

Unlike this nation's wealth, anything written by Jolly Roger is the property of the American people, and the author hereby grants permission to anyone who so desires to post, copy, forward or distribute this letter as they see fit, and in fact, the author encourages you to do so.






People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

Salbuchi - Global Financial Collapse

You need to see this my friends, Part 1

China is starting to dump dollar




People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

The Other Angel Of Iran

Mona Mahmudnizhad


So many times when you think about people being tortured and killed for religious beliefs, it’s hard to picture the person, the young girl behind the story. The story that really never made the news or got lost behind other headlines. The story of every individual persecuted for believing in something, that others see as a threat.

Well imagine being 16 years old and you and other women and girls have been teaching Baha’i children’s classes. You and nine other women and girls are arrested and charged with teaching children’s classes on the Baha’i Faith (Sunday School), Well, that is one happened in Shiraz, Iran on June 18, 1983.

Mona Mahmudnizhad was teaching her religion (the Baha’i faith) to children, something we in the U.S. take for granted every day.

In an attempt to make the women and girls recant their belief in the Baha’i Faith and Baha’u’llah, they were physically and mentally tortured. Yet, these ten women and girls, like most Baha’is arrested and tortured refused to recant their faith. The women knew that if they didn’t recant that they would be executed. The time came and the women were escorted from their cell, some could hardly walk, their feet had been beat until they were a bloody mess. The women cried quietly and stood steadfast to their knowledge that they would be reunited in heaven.

When it was time for the first to be hung, Mona Mahmudnizhad a brave young girl walks forward, choosing to lead the way to Heaven, God and Baha’u’llah, and to give the others’ courage walked up to the rope. She kissed the noose reverently and placed it over her head, before the executioner had a chance. The remaining women and girls followed Mona Mahmudnizhad into heaven and forever in every Baha’is’ heart.

There has been at least on song written about Mona by Canada music artist Doug Cameron made the top of the pop charts with his son “Mona with the Children", then a video was produced for the song, and a play was recently enacted in her honor.

Persecution of Baha’is is still goes on to this day. People are dying for what they believe in, 20,000+ have been tortured and killed, they have lost all rights to property, jobs and education in Iran.


Author - Sandy Mullins

The other nine women that were martyred in Shiráz on June 18, 1983: Mrs. Nusrat Yalda'i, Mrs. 'Izzat Janami Ishraqi, Miss Roya Ishraqi, Mrs. Tahirih Siyavushi, Miss Zarrin Muqimi, Miss Shirin Dalvand, and Miss Akhtar Sabit.

Mona's Dream is an upcoming Jack Lenz film.

People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

On the Side of Light

Why Religion has failed us as darkness continues to engulf the Earth. It is the biggest money making show known to man!

In our honest search for the face of God; we have been bedazzled by its theatrics from the first epoch of time when primitive holy men first discovered they could get fat off of the peoples generous sacrifices.

I have been open to accept the true Truths of all faiths. While at the same time acknowledging the great evil man has used religion for. Powerful text can move entire populations of people into action. By creating doctrine and dogma of fear, many a leader has controlled and manipulated his people's emotions. However I must first respect the good that religion has accomplished. I appreciate good intentions and practice. Yet, I feel that instead of allowing it to become a abstract god in itself, religion should be used as a stepping-stone, providing invaluable inspiration and wisdom towards this journey that we call life. I believe that every person should seek God first in their heart independently, as opposed to having dogma crammed down their throats at a young age. I feel that Children should be nurtured and taught to seek wisdom, and God's Love. The of the basic facts of life, will then come naturally, and then, may these precious ones be allowed to take what they have learned and make up their own mind about their viewpoints.

To keep itself alive, a controlling religion must bring forth a sense of fear and anxiety. This anxiety is not just a psychological state. Anxiety is, as Martin Heidegger says, "a type of human existence. Nor is anxiety similar to fear. Fear has an object, such as a snake or an enemy against which it is possible to defend ourselves." People's anxiety comes from the pressing down of time as we realize that we are all destined to die. Instead of worrying about today and the beauty that comes from every waking moment, I feel like some aspects of religions distract us from accepting the greatness that is right now. Should children be raised in fear?

The Qur'an tells the people of Islamic faith, "The true believers are those who feel a fear in their hearts when Allah is mentioned. This kind of a lifestyle must greatly affect an individual's existence, and how they experience their world. Take Muslim women for example. It is hard to see that beautiful smile underneath those heavy Burqas.

Further harm that I feel certain religions bring us, is it's inhibition to allow one to search for knowledge. The Holy Bible cautions against knowledge throughout. This statement is supported with the epistle of Paul in the book of Colossians 2:8. "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy… according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Christians are expected to disregard beliefs that aren't either in the bible, or spoken at church. "For the priest's lips should KEEP knowledge, and others should seek the law at HIS mouth: for he is the messenger of God." (Malachi 2:7). Religion shifts focus from an interpersonal search, into having to accept the doctrine of others. The church brings about this herd mentality that becomes accepted by their followers. People switch on their auto-pilot, accepting almost anything that is put out in front of them. Doing so, they become close minded and prejudiced.

As in the case of Jehovah's witnesses, who believe that anybody who is not in their particular sect is not capable of entering the Kingdom of Heaven, fixed judgments of other people are already in place. These preconceived opinions can hurt our society. How is one to truly love thy neighbor if one doesn't respect their differences in belief?

In conclusion, I believe that spirituality depends on a personal search for truths. I don't believe that teaching little children about an eternity of fiery agony and unending pain is the way to recruit. True seekers and free-thinkers take the initiative to consider all information without the prejudiced influence of their peers. I don't find it rational to live by a set of rules that were made for farmers, Sheppard's, and fishermen living in a time of disease and death. To end, I will leave you with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, "God has no religion."




People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

Life's Little Rotten Potatoes.

Arrr! Shiver me timbers!
I've long been plundering treasures from the Internet sea, but some marvelous plunder is too extensive or are a more appealing read just as they are posted on the grand blog galleons that bare them. There is nothing worse than carrying a bunch of rotten taters around in you head. So I will give you a little taste, then send you off to read the full story, if you like, or you could just stay here and clean the dust off this monitor.

Tao Living:

The Tao of Forgiveness

by Derek Lin

One day, the sage gave the disciple an empty sack and a basket of potatoes. "Think of all the people who have done or said something against you in the recent past, especially those you cannot forgive. For each of them, inscribe the name on a potato and put it in the sack."

The disciple came up quite a few names, and soon his sack was heavy with potatoes.

"Carry the sack with you wherever you go for a week," said the sage. "We'll talk after that."

At first, the disciple thought nothing of it. Carrying the sack was not particularly difficult. But after a while, it became more of a burden. It sometimes got in the way, and it seemed to require more effort to carry as time went on, even though its weight remained the same.

After a few days, the sack began to smell. The carved potatoes gave off a ripe odor. Not only were they increasingly inconvenient to carry around, they were also becoming rather unpleasant.

Finally, the week was over. The sage summoned the disciple. "Any thoughts about all this?" >> http://www.taoism.net/living/2004/200409.htm

My friend, the link under (Tao Living), is quicker.






People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

THE ECOKOSHER REBBE

I think he is one of us, he seems like the most appealing rabbi since the late Alvin Fine!


RABBI GERSHON STEINBERG-CAUDILL
Obtained smika (ordination) from Rabbi Gershon Winkler, who received smika from Rabbi Bentsion Bruk of Jerusalem, Israel

PROMOTING AND RECOGNIZING THE LIGHT OF THE DIVINE FEMININE FACE OF THE ESSENCE WITH MANY NAMES THAT WE CALL - GOD


לא ישא גוי אל גוי חרב ולא ילמדו עוד מלחמה


Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn about war any more. ISAIAH 2: 4


Women within Judaism were not, and are not, viewed as "inferior." Women have at various times in Jewish history been placed in a more or less subjected role, but not as inferiors. This is seen in the early creation myth of women itself. The creation story in Genesis 1: 26-28, suggests that man and woman were created equal. The later creation story in Genesis 2: has man created first and woman being separated from the man and thus shows a hierarchy of sorts (in that the man also names the woman "Passionate One - Eeshah" - from EYSH, fire, passion, and HEH, of God; a take on what the Adam (the Earth Being) called himself, an Eesh, a Fire Being) that is then modified by the statement "It is not good for the Adam to be alone; I will make an EQUAL OPPOSITE (Ezer Kenigdo) for him" (Genesis 2: 18).
Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (Nachmanides) said that the text does not imply the subordination of women to men; rather, it requires that human males are to be different from the males of the animal world, who mate and move on to the next partner. The Jewish man "wishes his wife to be with him always." This is a statement against promiscuity, which is seen as a degradation of God's intentions in creating human beings male and female. It is this promiscuity which becomes viewed as idolatry and is called TOEYVAH, an abomination.
The woman is also viewed in the role of the Messiah figure throughout the Garden of Eden story. The Adam gave the woman her name CHAVAH (Chet, Vav, Heh) which means Life Giver, but is a form of the Sacred Name Yod, Heh, Vav, Heh (Jehovah) which means All Existent Life Giver, as he saw her in the active role of animating man to fulfill his potential in life. The woman was viewed as the embodiment of the Divine in the humanly realm. Thus the Names for God Elohim, YHVH, Yah, and El Shaddai are all feminine in gender.
The fact that women served as Prophetesses, Warriors, Queens (ruling without a King), Judges and Priestesses show this to be so. In the area of ritual and governance, women normally were not present, their role being in the home and in rearing children.

RABBI GERSHON STEINBERG-CAUDILL


THERE IS NO ONE TRUE RELIGIOUS PATH


THE "ONE RELIGION" IS LIKE GOD'S PUZZLE OF THE RAINBOW. IT IS A ONENESS MADE UP OF ALL RELIGIOUS PATH TRADITIONS. IF EVEN ONE IS MISSING, THE PUZZLE IS NOT COMPLETE. EVERY RELIGION IS NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE.


The Walking Stick Rebbe, the Holy Teacher of the Ecokosher Rebbe, Rabbi Gershon Winkler שליט"ה states: "Judaism does not believe that Judaism is the only legitimate path to God. In fact, the Torah's concluding statement is that never again arose among the Israelites a prophet as great as Moses (Deuteronomy 34: 10), to which the ancient teachers add: "Among the ISRAELITES there never arose one like Moses, but among the nations of the world it is possible that such a one could arise" (Bamidbar Rabbah 14: 19). Judaism also does not see itself as the sole embodiment of wisdom (Eichah Rabbah 2: 13) or the only avenue to Paradise in the Hereafter. Rather, everyone - Jewish or not - can earn a portion of the World to Come (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 105a and Tosefta Sanhedrin 13: 1), because we are judged not by our religious affiliation, but by our actions in the world: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses that anyone, Jew or gentile, man or woman, slave or maidservant, can bring the Divine Presence upon oneself, all in accordance with one's deeds" (Tana D'Bei Eliyahu Rabbah 10: 1). Some sages even went so far as to extend the name YEHUDI (JEW) to ANYONE who denied belief in idolatrous worship (Babylonian Talmud, Megilah 13a). The fourth-century Rabbi Yirmiyahu held that a non-Jew who endeavored in the study and practice of Torah was equivalent to a KOHEIN GADOL, the Jewish High Priest (Sifra Acharei Mot 13: 12)".






People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

The Hairy Ainus of Japan II

Alas it has proven to be my most popular post ever.
At the time it was posted, the Hebrew children of the east coast were the only camp of bloggers that accepted me for who I am, almost like an honorary son of David, if not an ornery one. Just as I came into this world by the helping hand of a Jew, I became a blogger in the same fashion. If not for their kindness and encouragement, I may have never started this blog. Most have gone on to other things their blogs now like tombstones are but mute testimony to what once was a very vibrant social enterprise. It was a grand time, when I was free to write crazy things, and good humor was in abundant supply. I miss Bananaman and TAB, most of all.

The Despised Ainu People sound like Jews to me. I mean God gets around, who knows where he put the first Hebrews?

Here is a humorist's rebuttal to that hairy post of long ago.

Meanwhile, in Japan, many Jewish researchers were convinced that the long-haired Ainu people of Hokkaido were a lost tribe of Israelites, on the evidence that the Ainu are not Japanese, and therefore must be Jewish. A Jewish colony had existed in Kaifeng in China for many years, and China is, after all, *nearly* Japan. The Reverend felt it necessary to reply.



The Hairy Ainus of Japan



Oh dear. I feel this one is something of an old chestnut.



Many of my best friends are Hairy Ainus, and I can quite categorically state, after much research into this subject, that the Ainus are not descended from Jewish stock. As my Hairy Ainu friend, Levi 'Schlemiel' Matsumoto, said to me one day over a traditional Ainu meal of sushi and bagels, 'My life! These kvetches with their long beards and their skullcaps are saying to us, you are not being Japanese already! Is wahnsinnig, neh?'



The solution is simple; the Ainus are not Jews, but vice versa. All Jews originated in Japan, and have since migrated to the Middle East, where, for example, Yuri Geller is a striking example of the large hairy Ainus of Palestine. Some of them migrated further, to Britain, and became the Celts, where Mick Hucknall provides an excellent example of the ginger-haired Celtic Ainus. Some of them stayed in Kaifeng and became the Chinese Mandarins, who speak Mandarin Chinese, which is identical to Yiddish in all respects save grammar and phonetic structure. Some of these Celts, Mandarins and Jews emigrated to the New World, where they prospered and founded a race of giants; the Americans are still regarded, indeed, by many sources, as being the biggest Ainus in the world.


To cut a long story short, then, there are very few people in the world today who are not Jewish. Among those few peoples who are *not* descended from Lost Tribes of Israel are:


(1) Jews (those few Tribes of Israel with sound directional sense)


(2) Ainus


(3) Atlanteans


(4) Self-transforming Machine Elves


(5) The vast majority of Chinese persons who are descended from

dinosaurs

I hope that this will answer any queries and hope to end discrimination against Ainus everywhere.

Yours


Ignatius Churchward Von Berlitz M.A. (Dom. Sci.) Oxon. (Oklahoma ... FINN



In truth, the sad history of the Ainu is much like that of the Jews, and the American Indian.



The historical rights of the Ainu have not been given much attention until now, particularly by Japan, where most of them live. There are about 25,000 Ainu in Japan, and some on the Russian island of Sakhalin. Until the last century the Ainu lived in relative peace, living off the fish, bear, deer and other wildlife on Hokkaido and the smaller Kurile Islands to the north. But almost simultaneous expansion by Japan and Russia in the middle of the last century squeezed them out of their habitats.

A Japanese government also forced the Ainu to adopt Japanese names, and banned them from fishing and hunting, reducing them to poverty much like the dispossession of the Australian Aborigines. The Ainu are an embarrassment to Japan which likes to maintain that it is an ethnically homogenous society.

The Ainu have been constant victims of discrimination, and even today many Japanese families would strenuously object if their daughter or son wanted to marry an Ainu. Coming originally from Siberia, the Ainu have more body hair than other Japanese - leading a Japanese travel agency in 1981 to promote a tour of Hokkaido including 'a visit to a village of the famous hairy Ainu'.

But in the past 10 years, encouraged by the worldwide trend of indigenous people to reassert their own tradtions, the Ainu have grown in confidence. 'The Ainu are reviving their old culture,' said Jiro Suzuki, a professor of social anthropology at Tokyo's Sokka University.

The campaign by the Ainu to remind people of their historic ties to the Kuriles may not come to much, but Mr Akibe hopes it at least will raise the profile of the Ainu from 'famous hairy people' to human beings who happen to have a different culture to mainstream Japan.


The New York Times reports (via Japundit )that just this year, Japan has finally recognized the rights of the indigenous Ainu. This recognition was apparently timed to coincide with Japan's hosting of an international conference of indigenous peoples on the island of Hokkaido (formerly the home of the Ainu) but it comes a little late for this rapidly disappearing culture:

In a study by the Hokkaido prefectural government in 2006, just under 24,000 people identified themselves as Ainu. Most were of mixed blood and lacked the telltale fair skin or hirsute features that distinguished older Ainu from the Japanese. But it is not known how many live outside Hokkaido since Japan has never conducted a nationwide census of Ainu.




People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

New Hope for Gender Equality

INDONESIA: Using Religion to Strengthen Gender Equality
By Fabio Scarpello

DENPASAR, Indonesia, May 12 (IPS) - ‘My husband rapes me repeatedly. I asked the ulama (religious leader) for help, but he sided with him, saying that according to Islam, a woman has to obey her husband. I have nowhere else to go. I have no tears left to shed. I no longer scream.’

It was while recording stories like this that staff at Indonesia’s National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan), a branch of the country’s Human Rights Commission, decided in 2007 that they needed to focus on religious leaders if they wanted to protect women.

That insight led to intense brainstorming, studies and analysis, which with time has morphed into three books written by female scholars and religious leaders representing Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism.

Titled ‘Breaking the Silence: Religions Listen to the Voice of Female Victims of Violence in the Name of Justice’, the books in Bahasa Indonesia were launched in the capital Jakarta, late-April. They aim to break the monopoly held by men over interpretations of holy books and to challenge the hegemonic patriarchal culture upon which domestic violence is based.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46804

It's about time! No matter what I may say or think; religion is here to stay.
I really hope this goes world wide.




People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

Walking Barefoot on the path of Abraham

What is HOLY?
When Moses approached the burning bush in Shemot - Exodus - Chapter 3, the Lord spoke to him and said, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Moses found himself in the powerful, spiritual and sensual omnipresence of God. Learning to walk Barefoot with your only true Love, is not about learning to be religious; far from it! Any religion that claims to be holy, is in of it's self, little more than pure idolatry. In reading the life of Abraham, I feel have no doubts many thing were added or altered after the fact. One thing I am sure of is that Abraham understood the self edifying recognize Indeed for most it would be frighting and disconcerting to drop all doctrine dogma and tradition to stand naked before the face of God; but Abrahan knew there had to be something more, and was well rewarded for his boldness! So would this not be the proper way to respond to God's presence in our lives? Is it not ironic that so many religions, owe their origins to a man who walked away from religion and found the path to a true relationship with God. As for Moses, I doubt there was much difference between his sandals, and his stinky feet. the formality of taking them off was a sign of faith and respect. We must realize that God's holy presence is always with us in this life and it is His will, not have us separated from Him by any of our human contrivances. Your God is here and now, not off far away in some heaven. We have an ongoing relationship, as we learn to love God more deeply, trusting Him more and more, walking with Him, feeling Him inside and all around us. As we flow in His power to fulfill His purposes. The power of faith and how to activate it. The power of praying God's will and expecting to see results. The power of sharing in God's blessings and wisdom over your life. The power of agreement. The power of giving, forgiving and thanksgiving. The power of praying over your children. The power of your inheritance of divine love and how to pass it on. The universal healing power of the Creator.


Both from a generically religious and from a specifically soteriological point of view the omnipresence of God is of great practical importance for understanding the nature of your personal spiritual walk. In the former respect it contains the guaranty that the actual nearness of God and a real communion with Him may be enjoyed everywhere, even apart from the places hallowed for such purpose by a specific gracious self-manifestation. (Tehillim - Psalms - Chapter 139). In the other respect the divine omnipresence assures the believer that God is at hand to save in every place where from any danger or foe His people need salvation (Yeshayahu- Isaiah - Chapter 43:2).

What I am saying is that if we could all agree to stand together under Abraham's tent; what a wonderful world it would be. And at this moment, as I humbly present my heart to your God, I petition on your behalf this simple prayer: I pray that you experience the full power of God's Love, and that by His grace, you also learn to live and love more abundantly in return.





People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

The Bliss of Departure

When I seek to free my mind from this world, I love to read. And What good is reading if one does not share with others some of the passion, joys and mysteries one discovers?

``` The Bliss of Departure
``` Radmila Lazić

Page 2.
Translation(s):
The Bliss of Departure (English)
[Translator: Charles Simic]


The Kind of Poems I Write


I ought to have a new lover
Get rid of the one I have
As if he were a can with a past–due date.

I ought to drive fast cars,
My hair flying out of the window
As if I were some Rosamund
Riding on a horse.
That’s the kind of poems I write.

I ought to sleep till noon
Lie around on a wide bed
Like wheat over “mother” earth.

I ought not to care about time
Not to move slowly, not to hurry,
To drink each day to its dregs,
Night after night—like a chain smoker—
And step on a butt with my heel.
Words are embers. I burn myself into poetry.
That’s the kind of poems I write.

I ought to wear tight dresses,
Drape my shoulders with furs,
Wear high heels on my heels,
Paint myself and cover myself with jewels
Like a Christmas tree—
So my own mother doesn’t recognize me.

I ought to be cheerful, smiling, flirty
To sing and dance till 3. A.M.
Mindful of my sex appeal
When some stud approaches me.
That’s the kind of poems I write.

Thorns, bumbles bees and bees with their stingers
Ought not to touch me.
With my handkerchief I’ll wipe every worry and wrinkle
As if they were drops of sweat on my forehead.

I ought to have enough dough
For rent, taxes and few more things.
Money comes handy when there’s nothing else.
When kisses are misplaced, when words all trickle out.
With money one can breathe on credit!

I ought to tan my body on some rock
Far from the piers of Disaster.
I ought to emigrate from the land of Apathy
To the land of Wishes
So I can desire all and renounce nothing.
I ought to bathe myself in scented bubbles,
Draw a razor to some vein.
That’s the kind of poems I write.




People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

Auf Wiedersehen

Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehn
The last of my guest have now departed. Alas not everyone could be here for the reunion, but it was a grand event just the same. I got to embrace people I have not seen in many years, and had such a wonderful time, as we rekindled the magic memories of past glories and adventures. I will try to post some pictures as things get back to normal. Perhaps I can do it between cleaning house, and doing laundry.

Cumberland Falls




People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

Religion. Full of Deadly Pride and Arrogance

Some would say that as a Western man, I’m in no position to judge the beating and killing of women, but I am much more than the sum of my earthly domain. It is apparent that all the major religions of this world have been tainted by countless unholy acts, such as idolatry and murder. The arrogant neurosis of the dysfunctional group dynamic, is often found in the form of general collectivism in cults and religious groups. Hence most religions by default exude a corrupted group conscience, virtually imposing it as collective arrogance, and denial. Religion means salvation to many, but don't be deceived; blind faith in primitive dogma, is also the great wall, between God and the heart of man. Like everyone, I am a child of our Creator; and I know all too well what He has written on my heart! We all see the great suffering that our people endure, not in the will of God, but in the name of religion. It would be morally irresponsible of me not to rebuke any culture or faith in this world that practices such apparent evils; as barbaric, arrogant and delusional.

The long suffering women of Islam might have the greatest standing on the issue, and a reason to be heard. That is, until they lose consciousness.

On April 7, 2007, a teenage Yazidi Kurdish girl named Du’a Al-Aswad was stoned to death by a lynch-mob in Iraq, because she had violated her family’s honor. She was not the first, nor the the last, as thousands of women and children continue to meet the same tragic fate.


A year after the stoning, Saudi reformist and human rights activist Wajeha Al-Huweidar wrote a scathing article in which she harshly criticized the sexist character of Arab culture and particularly the phenomenon of “honor killings.”

"Du’a Al-Aswad is a victim of the wild male madness called ‘honor.’ This concept is prevalent throughout the Greater Middle East [Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Al-Kabir], or perhaps I should say the Greater Filthy East [Al-Sharq Al-Awsakh Al-Kabir], since it is worthy of this label from every perspective – in particular [when it comes to] the treatment of women. From Pakistan and Afghanistan through Iran, the Middle East, and all the way to Morocco, this entire part of the world [is full of] defeated and dejected men, whose only way to gain some sort of victory is by beating their women to death".

"The depraved men who participated in the stoning of Du’a – all of them [guilty of] premeditated and deliberate murder – were raised to believe that the lives of their women are theirs to control. That is why they competed with one another at stoning Du’a, and fought to film her as she gasped out her last breaths. These horrible men conspired to kill a young girl who had committed no crime and hurt no one. Each of them picked up a boulder and hurled it at her. [Feeling] prideful and glorious, they bashed in this young [girl’s] head, and her blood pooled on the ground as she lay there dead…"

"But killing her was not enough for them. After she was dead, they mutilated her young body, kicking her and piling more rocks on top of her. Then they broke out in cries of ‘Allah akbar,’ and ‘there is no god but Allah’ as though they had just won a strategic battle".

"Had Du’a been an animal, someone would have [probably] taken notice and tried to rescue her from these inhuman men. But she was a woman, and in the Greater Filthy East, the life of a woman is worth far less than the life of an animal".

Wajeha Al-Huweidar doesn't say barbaric or subhuman, but she doesn't have to. She says much more.

"Those who believe that men have more rights than women, and raise their children to believe the same, are raising [more] men who will kill another Du’a in some other place. All those who believe that they have the right to hit a woman in order to ‘educate’ her or ‘correct her ways’ might be involved in the murder or harming of a woman".

"Any legislator who passes a law dealing leniently with ‘honor killings’ is just as culpable as those who actively participated in the murder of the victims – [just as culpable as] the murderers who have the blood of Du’a and of other women on their hands".

"All governments that discriminate between men and women in rights and duties, that shelter the perpetrators of ‘honor killings,’ and that give men either partial or complete control over women’s lives… collaborate with the perpetrators of these despicable crimes…"

Riz Khan - Jordan Honour Killings - 15 May 07

Islam & Mental Illness (Arabic with Subs.)



For the heart and soul of Man, there is indeed hope for the future. We must follow what has been placed in our hearts by the Holy One; and seek liberty and justice for all women. For us to become complacent with apathy, would mean more death sentences for thousands of God's greatest gift to man. ` Hope' for abused women in Dubai - 10 11 07





People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...

Invasion!

My castle is now being overrun by handsome men. and there are more a coming!
All my male relatives are descending on this remote outpost like locus.
We are having a wonderful time, even the maid, the cook, and the dishwasher.
Oh boy do I miss having a wife.

World Wide Poverty and Survival

Many parts of the world are over populated and there is high unemployment. Then also you have the problem where corrupt employers use the system to pay as little as possible.

As in the Philippines, if you have less than 10 employees or contract employees that work for less than 6 months, the labor laws and benefits can be ignored.

Many businesses hire their employees for only 5 months, so they can pay less than the prevailing wage and give no benefits. If an employee is good, they might be offered another 5 month contract.

There is also the “It’s ok” mentality where employees are happy to have a job and if the employer is not willing to pay the “13th month” bonus, which is the law, the employee feels “it’s ok, at least I have a job.”

They do much the same with Mexicans here in America. there are also many skilled tradesmen willing to work day jobs for cash, if they can find them. With no real money to secure and protect our wealth, we find ourselves living in a slave state with only one way out.

Most folks in the States live in fair to excellent conditions. There are many who do not have a high income, and at least have an apartment or live with Kinfolks. If needed one could get roommates, but most have some kind of place to live. Yet it is the poor who best know how to live in hard times! Because they have always known it. We the middle class are the ones who will hurt the most.

In the depressed reservations and other areas of the world; there are good people. Such as the folks living deep in the mountains of Appalachia and other countries, where I have special friends so dear to my heart. Some live their lives in arcadian conditions that seem so alien, that many would not understand. But for them, they are happy to have a roof over their heads, somewhere to soft to lay down to sleep and something to eat.

Without a doubt in what I have witnessed over the years, the more humble the family, the more compassion and grace they exhibit. Having experienced their uninhibited love; I often marvel how the enjoyment of even small things means so much to them. They may seem to possess very little, but they are wealthy indeed with so much love for each other.

Whenever I see these kind of living conditions, I've been tempted to feel great sorrow, but over time, I have seen how hospitable and happy these marvelous people are with their friends and family. I pity not the humble, but only envy their path, for they are the backbone of humanity. For from the midst of adversity super souls are created. Indeed we are all the same even though many of us have forgotten our roots. If by giving up all that I have; I could find peace in my heart, I would do so gladly. But few ever take up poverty by choice. We the children of God's Earth, have all the same dreams and desires, to be all we were meant to be. As we dream of a better life, the impoverished also strive to move up in economics, have a nicer home, and a brighter future for their loved ones.
Yet despite all the meddling and exploitation they must suffer, as the world goes to Hell in a hand basket; these noble Children of God, find happiness in what they have, since they know that in this life there are those with much less.

"Be wise and help all beings impartilly, abandoning none.
Waste no opportunities!
This is called following the light".



I need not write of the dark side of poverty, we know it all too well.
Hell on earth, will be the topic for some other day.






People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...