Global warming refers nothing but the climate changes that causes an increase in average temperature of the environment. For the last period of a few decades the average temperature of all the areas of the world has been increasing at a very fast rate. Scientists have shown that the average temperature of the world has already increased by around 2 degree Celsius during the past period of around five decades.

The increasing temperature has helped melting more snow in cold area and. As a result the average water level of the oceans and sea has increased rapidly day to day. Again the increased water level has already flooded several island area of the world. People who were living in those islands had to shift themselves in a safe area or foreign countries for endurance.

Scientists associated with several developed countries specially Britain and USA have warned that the threat of increasing trend of global temperature could be more dangerous than global terrorism. So the scientists called to take some radical steps, so that the trend of increase in global temperature could be minimized.

The scientists place their opinion that highly release of carbon dioxide and several other gases in the atmosphere was highly responsible for the increase of global temperature. It was pointed out by the scientists that during the past few years there were high incidents of natural disasters around the world which were the mainly caused of increase of global temperature. So, the scientists called the global communities to take various corrective steps to improve the situation.

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Today, the well known journal “Science” will be publishing an article about the possibility of using bacteria to alter the weather.

These bacteria actually lower the temperature at which ice crystals can form. This cycle may have evolved because the bacteria need to return to land in order to continue to multiply.

Biological precipitation, or the “bio-precipitation” cycle, as Sands calls it, basically is this: bacteria form little groups on the surface of plants. Wind then sweeps the bacteria into the atmosphere, and ice crystals form around them. Water clumps on to the crystals, making them bigger and bigger. The ice crystals turn into rain and fall to the ground. When precipitation occurs, then, the bacteria have the opportunity to make it back down to the ground. If even one bacterium lands on a plant, it can multiply and form groups, thus causing the cycle to repeat itself.-David Sands

Some of the samples taken by David Sands’ team indicated that up to 85% of the precipitate was the result of bacteria.

Introducing more of these bacteria into drought areas could increase rainfall. Additionally, bacteria could be engineered that are better at increasing the temperature that ice-crystals can form than the current bacteria. In our very water dependent world, this is an important discovery that is only beginning to be studied.

Apparently David Sands proposed the idea of bio-precipitation 25 years ago. But at the time, few people accepted his view.

In a few years this could be information found in our children’s textbooks.

Science Fiction, Philosophy, and the Future: http://boldlygo.org/blog/

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Does baptism matter? Most Americans have come to the conclusion that it does not, a person can be saved and go to heaven baptized or not. It is such a settled conviction with most that they are not willing to give the study of the topic the time of day. It is ridiculous to even consider it as they see it. Only the spiritually blinded, only the cult faction, could think otherwise from their point of view.

It seems to me this is taking the same attitude the Pharisees took back in the first century. They had their settled law and there was no point in thinking there was any possibility that they might be in error. When Jesus came along and started questioning some of their beliefs and practices there was nothing to do but crucify him for there was no possibility in their mind that they could be wrong in their religion. What he had to say had to be heresy.

A man ought to be cautious in reaching conclusions in spiritual matters for once this life is over and the next one has begun there is no going back a second time and getting it right. There are no second chances and eternity is a long, long time. I would like to look at baptism and want to start with an account that is often overlooked - the baptism of Jesus when John baptized him.

It is certainly true that the baptism of John differs from that which the Lord commanded in the great commission as given in Matthew 28 and Mark 16. If I was to be baptized with the baptism of John today it would not do me an ounce of good for its time has long since come and gone. Nevertheless, that was not the case when Jesus came to John to be baptized approximately 2,000 years ago.

Mark tells us (Mark 1:4 NKJV), “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” We know that Jesus never sinned and when Jesus comes to John to be baptized John is hesitant. In Matthew 3:14 we are told that, “John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’”

Now note carefully how Jesus responds. “But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.” (Matt. 3:15 NKJV)

Why was Jesus baptized? To fulfill all righteousness for that is what he says. What did he mean by that? The answer is found in Psalms 119:172, “My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.” Jesus was baptized because it was the righteous thing to do for God had commanded it and all of God’s commandments are righteousness.

In Matt. 21 Jesus is being confronted by the chief priests and the elders who want to know by what authority he is doing the things he is doing. The Bible says, (Matt. 21:24-26 NKJV), “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?’ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ‘But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.’”

Jesus is saying John’s baptism has to be either from God or from man, which was it? Jesus believed (knew) it was from God and was baptized. The Pharisees did not believe it was from God and thus were not baptized. In Jesus’ case belief led to obedience, in the Pharisee’s case disbelief led to disobedience.

In Luke 7 Jesus has been talking about John the Baptist and the Bible says, beginning in verse 29, “And when all the people heard Him (Jesus - DS), even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” (NKJV) This provides further proof that John’s baptism was from or of God.

The counsel of God was that men receive John’s message and be baptized. John’s message was that men repent and be baptized, a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

The Good News Bible translates Mark 1:4 as follows: “So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. ‘Turn away from your sins and be baptized,’ he told the people, ‘and God will forgive your sins.’” This was the message of God for the people that was rejected by the Pharisees, lawyers, chief priests, and elders.

But, the Bible says “even the tax collectors justified God, have been baptized with the baptism of John.” (Luke 7:29 NKJV) What does it mean “justified God”, how is that done? The New American Standard translation of this verse clarifies it a lot. It reads, “And when all the people and the tax-gatherers heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.”

Part of John’s message was that there was to be wrath to come and the way of escape was to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. When men obeyed John’s preaching they were in affect saying by their actions that God was just in bringing this wrath upon them unless they did repent and obey and that it was just of him to demand their repentance and baptism.

Now what does all of this have to do with you and me today, with men and women in general? There is a direct application and an argument I think no one can reject save at their own peril.

Jesus asked the question where did John’s baptism come from, from God or man. Here is the question for you and me today, where did the baptism Jesus commanded come from, from God or man?

Why would it be wrong to reject John’s baptism in its time but right to reject Jesus’ baptism in our time? Jesus made it clear that to reject John’s baptism in its time was to reject the counsel of God against themselves. Are we not doing the same thing today, rejecting God’s counsel against ourselves, when we refuse to be baptized with Jesus’ baptism, the baptism of the great commission. If not why not?

One cannot reason his way out of this dilemma but it gets even worse for those who want to reject baptism. Please note it was a salvation issue with Jesus concerning John’s baptism. Are you going to say it is not a salvation issue today with Jesus’ baptism?

How much difference is there in the meaning of the words, “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4 NKJV) spoken concerning John’s baptism and the words “repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38 NKJV) spoken concerning the baptism Jesus requires in our own time? The words sound very similar to me.

Am I saying that both baptisms were identical? No, but the difference lay not in the end to be achieved. John’s baptism ultimately would have done no good had Jesus not died on the cross. In that sense it looked forward and was a promise. We have this in our everyday lives all of the time. If I do this then I am promised that even though that may be down the road a ways. Paychecks are like that. We work trusting by faith the promise that we will be paid. This was John’s baptism.

Does this mean their actual forgiveness lay down the road somewhere in the future and was not immediate? No, for it was a certainty, not just a promise, that Jesus would die on the cross. The deed was as good as done the day it was first prophesied. When Moses and Elijah met Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus had not yet died on the cross. Was their salvation hanging in the balance until he did die? To ask is to answer. So it was with those who obeyed John’s teaching. Their sins were forgiven then and there or else John misled them for he said it was for the forgiveness of sins.

The baptism Jesus gave man by way of the great commission was based on the fact that Jesus had already died and shed his blood for the remission of sins and the salvation of man. Man has to believe the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4). In short, for a man to receive the baptism of Jesus he must believe in the historical Jesus, the Savior of the world.

If a man today refuses to obey the command to be baptized he refuses to do what Jesus said he was doing when he said, “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt. 3:15 NKJV) It has already been pointed out that all God’s commands are righteousness (Psalms 119:172). If we have a command to be baptized today, as far as I know all agree we do, should we not obey it and fulfill all righteousness? Why is it wrong to follow Jesus’ example?

Does Jesus” baptism condemn you? It well could for when all is said and done you will either make camp with the Pharisees and other unbelievers who could not take God’s word at face value, believe and obey it, or you will camp with those who did believe and did obey. You will either reject the counsel of God against yourself refusing to be baptized or else you will accept it, believe and obey it. Make no mistake about it, for there are way too many passages that teach it, God has commanded baptism for you and me today thus it becomes a matter of either we will or we won’t. We will either accept his counsel or we will reject it.

I am sometimes taken aback by how people can just blow off baptism as being an insignificant thing unworthy of time or trouble. It is a reflection on God. Really is that not what Jesus was saying way back when - you don’t believe God? So many want to be saved by faith today apart from baptism and cannot see, as though blinded, that baptism is a part of faith, a part of the faith that saves. You are either going to believe God or you are not going to believe him when he speaks of baptism in his word. Why is it we can see this when Jesus addresses the subject of John’s baptism but cannot see the direct application to our own response in our time to Jesus’ baptism?

I doubt any of us can fully grasp the power that tradition exerts on us when it comes to how we see things and how we think. Add to that the influence of friends and family and the desire for it to be the way we want it to be often because of family. All that be as it may God’s word stands and so what are we going to do about it becomes the question. Many have answered “I am not going to believe it” as did the Pharisees. They did not believe it because they did not want to believe it. We pretty much end up believing what we want to believe instead of what we ought to believe.

I close this now just adding one final thought. The decision is yours.

For more articles by the same author on Christian topics go to: http://www.studiesinthelordssupper.com/Unrelated_Subjects.htm

For Christian audio sermons your author highly recommends sermons by Waymon Swain found at: http://www.studiesinthelordssupper.com/Waymon_Swain_s_Audio_Sermons.htm

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Why does the rabbi always answer a question with a question?

Answer: Is there any other way?

The Power of Questions

Ancient Greek philosophers since Thales, (624?-546? B.C.) followed by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, have used questions as the driving force of philosophical inquiry… the search for rational understanding and truth.

The concepts and process of the book Optimize Your Life! by Bernie Dahl are based on the power of questions, opening with the most important question of all in your life:

“Who are you?”

It then goes on to ask nine more questions about you and your world:

•What am I doing now?

•What do I value?

•What am I good at?

•What are my passions in life?

•What is a “successful” life to me?

•What are the “toxic” forces in my life?

•What do I want to have/do/be in life?

•What is my risk tolerance?

•What do I need to do to “clean up” my life?

As you answer these basic questions, new, deeper and more personal questions will arise for you to ponder, puzzle out, write down and set about to answer, as you take that exciting adventure of The Journey Into The Self.

“Our minds, bodies, feelings, relationships are all informed by our questions. What you ask is who you are. What you find depends on what you search for. And what shapes our lives are the questions we ask, refuse to ask, or never think of asking.”

-Sam Keen, philosopher and theologian, from Spirituality & Health, Spring 2000

Above all…

“Ask an impertinent question, get a pertinent answer.”

-Agent Fox Mulder, The X-Files

The #1 Question

Who are You?

You are a unique product of the cosmos. No one else in the universe has your exact genetic makeup unless you are an identical twin. Even if you are an identical twin, you will still be special in matters of the mind and soul. You have been given the greatest gift of all: the gift of life. The underlying existential question is:

“What will you do with the gift of your life?”

Since the dawn of time, humans have pondered that greatest of all personal questions. The Ancient Greeks advised us to view ourselves from three vantage points: body, mind, and soul. Addressing your body type and its current status is relatively easy, for your body is exceedingly tangible and readily identified, examined, and defined. However, dealing with your mind-your intellect-is more difficult, more mystical. The challenge of defining your soul, spirit, or psyche is greater, for that world is one of pure mystery.

Take a moment and a blank sheet of paper and write down up to 100 words that describes you as an individual, sort of a brainstorming view of yourself. You can also revisit that list and rework and focus your list along the lines of your body, mind, and soul. Remember, you can always return to this list in order to expand it or even correct some of the entries.

Next you may wish to rework your list based on anything that may define you, such as favorite foods, movies, music or even your dislikes. You may include good friends or evil enemies. You may include joys as well as sorrows. Just go for it… as many sheets as you wish!

On a new sheet you can list the highlights of your life, such as your birth, early life, education, family, skills development, and achievements. Next you can list the influential people who have impacted your life, past and present.

All this list making is in preparation for a concise statement of “who you are,” but before we address that, make yet another list in response some other powerful questions:

•What am I motivated by?

•What am I angered by?

•What do I like about myself?

•What do I not like about myself?

•What are my key roles in life…now?

•What are the “toxic” people/forces in my life?

•What is/are the purpose(s) of my life?

•What are my ideas of a successful life?

Once again, you can take a blank sheet of paper and create your own worksheet on which you can answer these questions and update them later.

Note: These worksheets, as well as others, are available in the Optimize Your Life! books. The Optimize Your Life! Interactive Worksheet Edition also includes a CD with the worksheets in electronic form so you can enter your data on your computer, with password protection as well as the ability to edit, update, and print out your completed worksheets. Both are available at TrionicsUSA.com!

Yes, we are asking a lot of you here! Diogenes of Sinope, who lived in a barrel, walked the streets of ancient Athens, carrying a lantern as he searched for an honest man. This process is, metaphorically, Diogenes’ lantern, providing light for you to better look honestly into your being.

Enjoy the adventure.

Next you can assemble all of this material into a complete statement, a personal inventory, answering the question:

“Who are you?”

“Knowing others is wisdom; knowing the self is enlightenment. Mastering others requires force; mastering the self needs strength.”

-Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Bernhoff A. Dahl, M.D., pathologist, author, keynote speaker, consultant, humorist and veteran mountaineer, shares his experience with prostate cancer and his efforts to maintain his masculinity and sexuality during and after his 28-month period of maximal therapy. He is currently writing a book about this experience entitled Sex and Prostate Cancer.

Dr. Dahl is the author of the International Bestseller Optimize Your Life! Visit http://www.TrionicsUSA.com for details.

Contact: Bernhoff Dahl, M.D. http://www.DrBDahl.com

9 Shore Lane

Winterport, ME 04496

DrBDahl@aol.com

Phone : 207-223-9998

Cell phone: 207-745-7272

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An ancient blessing on black people will take full effect in 2009. Thousands of years ago God had placed a blessing on black Israelites through Jeremiah. It was not to come about until a certain number of years expired. Those years will have expired in 2009. There might be a spectacular manifestation of God’s blessing as two black men, Barack Obama and Colin Powell, ascend to the very top of national and world power.

God’s 2500-year span for Israel and Judah

Standard lengths of Biblical dispersions have been 2500 and 390 years. This information is not new.

Researchers have already noted that the modern nation of Israel (Judea) began to form after the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which was 2500 was years after Jews were dispersed in 583 BC. Researchers have also noted that the United States began in 1776, which was 2500 years after Old Testament Israel was dispersed in 724 BC.

Applying the 2500-year dispersion to the black experience

Researchers have always applied the 2500-year span to the white experience. I believe I am adding completely unique and original information to studies of the 2500-year span by applying it to the black experience. This information provides the Biblical significance of Barack Obama’s meteoric success in his campaign for the White House. Obama would not have been successful if God had forgotten the blessing that He had made to black Israelites through Jeremiah.

Refreshing your memory about the 2500-year span

The Israelite capital of Samaria was built in 880 BC. Israelites were dispersed by God to be without a homeland for 2500 years. Those 2500 years ended in exactly 1620 when Pilgrims built the Plymouth Colony in the New Testament Promised Land of North America.

The people of Israel had lost their nation in 724 BC after their defeat by Assyria. God set a span of years for them to go without a nation. Exactly 2500 years later, in 1776, New Testament Israel won a war of independence and again became a nation.

The 2500-year blessing on black Israelites

My study explains the timely rise of black Americans to the top leadership positions in New Testament Israel (USA). Their rise was set to occur in 2009, which seems to be the year Barack Obama will become President or Vice President of the United States. It appears that God will make a spectacular and welcomed manifestation of a blessing He once pronounced through the prophet Jeremiah.

In order to comprehend black Israelite history, you need to review the Books of Kings and recognize the distinction between Israel and Judah. Israelites left the Promised Land when Assyrians dispersed them in 724 BC. Jews were dispersed by Babylonians over a hundred years later.

A black Remnant was left behind

In my opinion, Assyrians and Babylonians ignored black and white laborers when they sought captives to take back to their countries. The Biblical account seems to indicate that captors took only nobility and highly skilled artisans. Everyone else was left behind. I think that many black and white laborers remained in the Promised Land after wealthy Israelites and Jews were taken captive. Jeremiah called them the Remnant.

The government in Jerusalem had remained for over a hundred years after Assyrians took the Israelite government away. So, for a while the government in Jerusalem protected the Remnant from raiders. But, after Jewish leaders were taken captive by Babylonians, the remaining government was gone. Police protection was gone. The black Remnant was left without protection from hostile tribes that stole their harvests and burned their homes. So, they decided to give up on the Promised Land and move to Egypt, which was part of Africa.

Jeremiah’s promise of a blessing for the Remnant

The prophet Jeremiah was dispatched by God to announce a double-edged blessing for black Israelites. Essentially God said that He intended to make the black Remnant into a great nation. The Remnant would have become a world empire if it had remained in the Promised Land. I hope nobody passes up an opportunity like that again.

God essentially said, “We can do this the short way or we can do this the long way (Jeremiah 42-45). Either way, you are going to be my people and I am going to bless you.”

The Remnant decided to do it the long way and they proceeded into Egypt and Africa. The Remnant also decided to continue to celebrate Ishtar (Easter) and make Easter cakes. They didn’t want to give up pagan observations. If a lesson were to be learned, it would be to drop the pagan aspects of the Resurrection celebration.

It must have been a spectacle to behold. Jeremiah was a blue-eyed white man according to an account written by the Jewish Princess Tephi. He probably stood on a rock to address the Remnant and announce God’s blessings. I assume Jeremiah was very disappointed when the Remnant chose to proceed to Egypt/Africa. In retrospect we see that the blessing to the Remnant was postponed for the same 2500-year span that had been applied to those Israelites who had been taken captive by Assyrians. We shall see that additional time was added. Eventually, God’s blessing would take effect in 2009.

God’s blessing is becoming apparent as the year 2009 approaches. Amazingly enough, another blue-eyed white man is addressing black Americans and reminding them that God is keeping His promise and will now bless them. The elections of Barack Obama and Colin Powell are proof that God is keeping his word.

Black American researchers have believed that Isaiah 45:14 was a prophecy of African slaves brought to America. I will add my belief that God brought His wayward Remnant back to Him when slave ships landed in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. Recall that Israelites who had once been taken captive by Assyrians had completed their 2500-year dispersion in 1620? Normally, the Remnant would have also finished their dispersion in 1620. But, God added time to the Remnant because they had once refused to return to the Promised Land. The time that was added matched standard Biblical lengths.

If you are doing the math as you read along, you need to understand that the year 1919 is the same as 1620. This is because spans of years from one date to another can be figured inclusively and exclusively. Plus, Old Testament Israelites used the Hebrew Calendar, which began in September. The point is that 1619 and 1620 can be reckoned to be the same year.

An additional 250-year span

You might ask why the Remnant continued as slaves after the 2500-year curse ended in 1620. The answer is that God had told the Remnant they would lose their connection to Him. This disconnection happened over time. The Remnant blended into African populations and lost its connection to God and the Promised Land.

Because the Remnant became disconnected from the true God, it had to be reconnected. This is where an additional 250-year span came in. Disobedient forefathers in the time of Jeremiah had condemned their descendants to an additional 10% (2500 x 10%=250). During this additional 250-year period the Remnant reconnected to the God their ancient ancestors had forsaken.

This additional 250-year span ended in 1868 when black men were finally given American citizenship as a result of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. By 1868, the Remnant had thoroughly reconnected with God and God rewarded them with citizenship in their New Testament Promised Land. What’s more, black Americans have become champions of Christianity. In contrast, many white Americans are dangerously drifting from God. White Americans ought to consider the severe punishment that God has had for backsliders.

390 years and God’s fulfilled promises

The Remnant had another span of time to fulfill before they could rise to the blessing God had promised them. God said He would make the Remnant a great people. in retrospect we see that God’s promise would come about 390 years after they arrived in Jamestown in 1620. That would be 2009. In 2009, when Barack Obama takes office, we will see that God did indeed keep His promise. And it would not surprise me to find that both Barack Obama and Colin Powell are the descendants of the very leaders to whom Jeremiah promised this blessing 2500 years ago.

In Ezekiel 4, we see that God applied a 390-year time span to Israelites. it is now apparent that the 390-year span was applied to the Remnant. The Remnant had been brought back to God in 1619/1920. But, it would not be for another 390 years that the blessing would take full effect. After 390 years, which will be exactly 2009, God will raise black leaders up to the height of power in God’s great nation. God had promised the Remnant through Jeremiah that He would do this- and we are about to see God fulfill His promise in 2009 in a spectacular way.

Barack Obama is the champion of the Democratic Party and Colin Powell will become the champion of the Republican Party. It appears that a black person will henceforth be in the White House simply to capture the black vote in every future presidential election.

I brought up the 2500-year span for Judah. I believe when we see that the 2500-year time span for Judah was fulfilled, we will be assured that the 390-year time span for black Americans will be fulfilled.

Researchers have noted that a 2500-year time span applied to Judah. In 533 BC some Jews had returned to Jerusalem after their Babylonian captivity. 2500 years later, in 1969, they took possession of the City of Jerusalem after the 6-day War.

What is the message and the moral?

The message is that God controls everything He wants to control, including presidential elections. If you think the election of Barack Obama and Colin Powell are God’s decisions, you are right. If you think the return of Jews to Jerusalem was God’s decision, you are right. And the Bible clearly states that Palestinians and Jews will live in peace. That now seems impossible but prophecy states it will happen.

The moral of this research is that Christians and Jews, whether black or white, had better remain close to God and do what He tells them to do. Also, do not adopt foreign religions, pagan practices and atheism. 2500 years is a long time to wander the earth as prey to other people. It is a long time to be without a place to call home. Chains of love can be miserable, even when they are God’s chains.

Do the math

I am including the math for your convenience and I hope you will search the Internet for related information provided by other researchers.

Judah:

583 BC Diaspora + 2500 = 1917 Balfour Declaration & return of Jews.

533 BC Reenter Jerusalem + 2500 = Jews Reenter Jerusalem- 6-Day War.

Israel (White and Black):

880 BC Samaria built + 2500 = 1620 Pilgrims built Plymouth Colony.

724 BC Israelites lost nation + 2500 = 1776 Americans became a nation.

1620 black slaves from Africa + 250 = 1868 14th Amendment citizenship.

1619 + 390 = 2009 election of Barack Obama to White House.

2012 Election of Colin Powell to Presidency.

(C) COPYRIGHT. Use the article but do not change it or change the identity of the author from Edward McKinney.

The work of Edward McKinney is featured at http://www.twoprophets.org and http://www.researchliterature.com

If you want to stay updated on information from this fascinating Bible study, visit the web site and ask for a newsletter that contains updated research on this subject and related subjects.

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Barack Obama’s horoscope is not totally verified at this time. We have the date and place, but the time is under question. He is certainly the radiant Leo, born 8/4/61. The late astrologer, Frances McEvoy, reported 1:06 pm from his memory. To test this time, astrologers need to check it against known dates in his life to see if the passages of the planets were triggering this horoscope.

One timing observance is in 1995 Pluto went into Sagittarius, putting it in opposition to this Gemini Moon. That year his book, “The Audacity of Hope” was published and his mother died of ovarian cancer. Since Pluto has to do with transformation and letting go, it is often seen engaged with the natal horoscope during life changing events that stay with us a long time. One of the areas of life the sign of Sagittarius symbolizes is publishing. It is also related to inherent exuberance, which is reflected in his book’s title. The moon represents among other things, the mother. Although this seems a good fit, this is only one timing observance. However, I’m of the belief system that since this is the information we have for this point in time, it probably has a synchronistic veracity that should be explored (with reservation!)

In this chart, the Moon (how we react to things) has just slipped into the sign of Gemini. Obama is known for his elocution, his ability to feed energetically from ideas. If this time is accurate, the moon shows a supportive connection to his Mercury (how we communicate). This shows a gift for connecting with listeners through his heart, which can make him likable because people feel he understands them. The other reason this placement of the moon looks right is his youthful appearance and appeal to young voters.

This quote from the NY Times about Obama on 1/26/08, describing him the week of the SC primary: “One day he seemed angry, another day he seemed flustered, another day he seemed frustrated and, finally, he resorted to humor. It is a range of emotions that may well be unfamiliar to Americans who have watched this normally easy-going, sure-footed politician.”

A person’s moon sign will show its colors in a crisis or under stress. If he had a steady Moon in Taurus, I don’t think we’d see this range of emotions. This does not mean he is too mercurial for a role of stature, it simply means he processes quickly and does not get stuck in one emotional place. Some people can view this as flighty and unstable, but weighing it with the rest of his makeup, it shows a resistance to holding grudges and an aptitude for adapting.

JFK had the Gemini connection to the USA chart’s Uranus (change, individuality, freedom) and the US people like to feel someone capturing that part of them. A country has a chart, which represents among other things, its people. In a democracy, the people don’t vote for a candidate who doesn’t have a relationship with their country’s horoscope. If the candidate and the people aren’t relating, s/he won’t win.

Regardless of what his moon sign is, his Venus in Cancer is conjunct the US Venus, so the US people like him and he is devoted to his country. Venus in Cancer softens the imperious Leo ego; his family and his home rule his heart. He is certainly a dynamic Leo in public, having become comfortable in the limelight, in spite of his Sun’s (ego, sense of self) challenge from a Neptune square. This shows a man who can be captured by a dream (positively) or an illusion (negatively). Neptune symbolizes a person’s need to escape into the void or pursue a high ideal. He has talked and written openly about his youthful trials of defining himself.

The strong Leo Sun burns through the Neptune haze. His early experimentation with drugs succumbed to the seduction of a greater lure. His Sun (ego) needs to guard against being caught by Neptune (glamor), keeping instead conscious to the spiritual motivation of his quest for power. Being the glamorous candidate can be terrific as long as he keeps his objectivity. He may not be consciously aware how important to his spirit this race is. He does need to be careful about his close advisors, because those who don’t mean what they say may shadow him; he may take people on face value more than is prudent. Fortunately, he is married to a Capricorn (and the moon in his 7th shows his need for a wife’s counsel) and her instincts about people are keener than his. Actually, looking at Michele Robinson’s chart is essential for completing the potential of winning for Obama (as with any candidate’s spouse), but that’s for another day.

His Saturn (discipline, responsibility) works nicely with his Mars (how we assert ourselves), both in earth signs- showing a steadiness and ability to stay the course. His Mars is in Virgo, so even though the Sun/Mercury show his ability to command a room, the Mars indicates he will roll up his sleeves and work when needed (the snare here is can he effectively delegate, or does he think only he can do certain jobs very well?) This is a man who measures and dreams, who believes in change but in the end, will move cautiously.

It is part of his karmic destiny to lead (north node in Leo in the 10th house) but he must lead his way. His Uranus is in square to the asteroids Vesta and Ceres, so his tendency to go his own way can get derailed by his commitment to nurture. This is emphasized again in his Venus in nurturing Cancer in hard aspect to his expansive Jupiterian vision. This schism contributes to his strength in negotiating, because he does not want to give away his integrity but he wants very much to serve the greater good. He is not giving lip-service to education and health care. He has a strong sense of responsibility to these fundamental rights for a functioning human community.

As of January 2008, looking at transits (where the planets are now in the sky) in relation to his natal horoscope, Saturn (limits, structure) is conjunct his Pluto. This can indicate an upheaval as he revamps his life for change. As he continues to move forward in this election, Obama will have to steer with focus if he is to create stability. Any attachments he has to how he holds power may no longer serve him. Behind the scenes, this may be particularly critical in relationship with his wife (transiting Pluto in opposition to his Venus). These two will be forced to come to terms with their strong wills and desire to be with one another, pitted against the demands of a greater goal. Not just in marriage, Venus is also symbolic of any partnership and of what we value. This can also suggest a coming to terms with a running mate.

He has terrific goals and is that great combination of a charismatic leader who is also hard-working with solid values. But he may be sending out messages (he should avoid coffee with sleep-deprivation) that sound erratic to the public. He may not do as well as he would like and start to show signs of perceived instability. His ego could get in the way. If I were his astrologer, I would suggest he get rest, do some yoga or martial art to direct the restructuring in a way he can control. Avoid the swirling distractions and stay the course.

But if his Moon is in Gemini, this may be difficult for him to do. And with Pluto in Capricorn now, even though the people like him they may opt for someone who seems more tempered, more predictable and experienced, especially if he gets thrown by blind spots that come at him. Barak Obama has the “bones” to be an awesome leader, but astrologically it may not be his time.

Part of the Pluto oppose Venus conversation he may be having with his wife over the next several months will be if she is willing to go the Vice President’s wife route. Or the reality of her sacrificing her own ambitions to settle into the role of First Lady. She will be his mirror as he works out if his willingness to serve his country is strong enough to endure the cost of his privacy and/or being second in line for the next eight years. Reflecting on his natural Leo arrogance, it’s questionable if that’s a role he can comfortably play.

But in the end, it’s impossible to forecast with conviction his chance of winning without an accurate birth time and accurate horoscopes of all his opponents. Nonetheless, he has great promise and provides the US with a viable candidate to change the status quo.

Pamela Cucinell is an astrologer certified through the National Council of Geocosmic Research. She has studied symbols and psychology at the CG Jung Institute in NYC and is a tarot consultant. She is a Reiki Master, a sensitive and an artist, working with the symbols of her disciplines in a spiritual and mythological way. Phone sessions available. Pamela is the owner/caretaker of SunburstOasis.com, an online gift store as well as offering professional astrology services. Find out more at http://www.sunburstoasis.com

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Without a doubt America - the United States faces huge challenges at this time. Health, Education, welfare, international politics, terrorism, a looming recession - the ending of the oil economy all mean the next decade could be the most important yet.

As the U.S.A. is a moving and shaking of much of what happens in the world - even here in Australia we are interested in the current political developments occurring in the United States. Senator Obama and Clinton continue to struggle to win the democratic nomination - whilst McCain - an unusual Republican has sewn up the Republican nomination. Without a doubt the U.S. is at a crossroads - as new technology fights to overcome the old oil based economy and millions are close to diving into the depths of poverty with huge numbers of foreclosures and job loses - the question is where is America heading. George BUSH legacy is to have the majority of Americans wanting something different. I think George BUSH lost it when he gave tax cuts to the richest Americans - they didn’t need them. Unless the middle class is again raised up to a position of prominence the United States as well as many other countries face a return to a feudal economy with the aristocracy owning most of the land and the rest of us being nothing more than tenants. With this as the gloomy future the current battle looms as the most important of this generation.

The general public as not as dumb as every makes out - they know this is the case - hence the call for change - hence why Obama has been successful - because he represents something new. Americans are big enough to look past race and look at the person and what they see in Obama is someone who might make their lives better. We all want to own our own home, have the overseas trip and see our children have a better future than all own - the status quo has not brought this about - Bush with his ivy league secret society club was never going to bring the average American what they wanted - the question is who can do this - who can save the American middle class?

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Fayetteville NC, home of the fabled All American 82nd Airborne Division and the legendary Special Forces of the U.S. Army. A former soldier and his wife meet clandestinely at a local bar and restaurant with an Army official. This is not the first meet that they have had. They are meeting so that the former soldier may receive crucial documents regarding the series of events that led to his early discharge.

The soldier is former Staff Sergeant Andrew Curtiss. Staff Sergeant Curtiss was a former soldier who served in the war in Afghanistan for the 3rd Special Forces Group. He was a Green Beret; who was nominated for the “Silver Star Medal” for his courageous actions while facing a “Determined enemy” as the write up states. He was awarded the “Bronze Star Medal with a “V” device for valor”. By any general observation he is one of our nations heroes. The truth is; he has spent nearly the past 3 years of his life investigating his own case and defending his honor in a scandal which rocked the 3rd Special Forces Group.

The Army official will remain anonymous, however this official has played an important role in up holding justice in the matters pertaining to Staff Sergeant Curtiss. Curtiss, now a civilian and a service connected disabled veteran; discretely walks into the room with his wife and cordially greet the Army Official. The are all in casual civilian attire and demeanor. After a short while of conversing; Curtiss accepts a rather hefty pile of Manila folders chuck full of papers and documents. They all bid farewell to each other and part ways. The work has begun once again for Curtiss. He will now return to his home and sift through file after file searching for pieces to the puzzle that ended his promising career as a soldier and destroyed everything he once believed.

“Four names.” he says. “Colonels Higgins and Slemp; and Generals Jones and Mulholland”. “They are the ones who really have the answers.”, he says, with a sarcastic grin. General Jones is better known in the Special Operations community for his role in the Pat Tillman cover up. The Associated Press published several articles in 2007 linking Jones to the Pat Tillman Cover up. This retired Special Forces General is now facing the possibility of being pulled out of retirement and prosecuted for his role in covering up the death by friendly fire investigation of Former NFL Star Pat Tillman. Curtiss stated, “If I have anything to do with it he’ll be facing more than one charge of conspiracy.” General John Mulholland, Colonel Patrick Higgins and Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Slemp are also being accused by The former Special Forces Sergeant, of conspiring and wrongfully interfering with adverse administrative proceedings. “This started over three years ago when a relatively small matter was blown way out of proportion into a large matter.” Curtiss explained.

According to Curtiss; on May 12, 2005 He and 2 other Special Forces soldiers from the 3rd Special Forces Group at Ft. Bragg North Carolina, were released early from a civilian ran training course, that was of a “classified ” nature. They ate lunch in town where each of them had consumed some alcohol. During lunch one of the soldiers had mentioned in conversation that he was having difficulties with some of the training. Curtiss then offered to assist the soldier with the issues he was having difficulties with, by actually going out to a previous training location and going through the process with him step by step. All three of the men agreed and after lunch they went to the outskirts of Fayetteville and Ft. Bragg. It was a heavily wooded area and although they had been out there once before they were not given maps or GPS devices to find the exact location. They were going by memory. “That is the nature of the training; nothing left to compromise you , in case you get caught.” Curtiss added.”Finding the exact location was very difficult as there weren’t too many distinguishing land marks to go by.” Curtiss.

They had passed the exact location and had to change direction in order to go back to the right area. This is when the event occurred that changed it all for the then Staff Sergeant Curtiss and his counterparts. As they were heading back in the direction from which they came one of the soldiers, who was riding in the passenger seat; suddenly spotted the fire break, which was naturally hidden away by dense vegetation along the road side. Curtiss quickly decelerated and began a sudden turning preparation. He quickly flashed his turn signal and came to an abrupt stop. He hesitated to turn as he noticed a Minivan in oncoming traffic. he waited for it to pass and then quickly accelerated into the fire break; moving from a North, South direction to a West , East moving direction. Curtiss says that is when he spotted another minivan moving in his direction that had appeared to be in the oncoming traffic lane. The two passengers called out that the oncoming minivan was going to hit them. Curtiss stated that; that is when he had heard screeching breaks, and he noticed that the minivan had nearly clipped the back end of his truck. Curtiss slammed on the breaks and came to a complete stop. “I thought that the vehicle was going to crash into the tree line; so I stopped to assist in case of injury.” Curtiss states. The minivan which had swerved from one lane to the oncoming traffic lane and back to the original lane and then off road nearly colliding with Staff Sergeant Curtiss’s vehicle; had again swerved back on to the road and out of sight from the soldiers. The soldiers then had an awkward moment and continued to drive away on their intended route. Curtiss remarked, “I had several issues at that point.” “First I had a road raged jerk behind me riding my tail and shaking his fists.” “Then I almost missed my mark to turn again.” “Then I had this person in front of me who had panicked , or over reacted by swerving into my lane, trying to predict what I was going to do.” “This is everyday in Fayetteville.” Statistically Fayetteville is known to have some of the most chaotic driving in the U.S. according to the Department Of Insurance. Many attribute this to the fact it is a military town with one of the largest bases in the U.S..

Minutes later as the men were searching for a secreted location amongst the series of fire breaks less than 1 Kilometer from the near collision; when they had noticed an MP vehicle approaching from a distance with it’s lights on. as they continued along they ran into a check point where a different MP cruiser had stopped another vehicle. Curtiss and the two others were boggled as to what the MPs were doing off post. Curtiss says he waited for the stopped vehicle to move along and then was about to approach the check point when suddenly the patrolling officer had pulled his issued weapon on Curtiss’s vehicle. Then, two more vehicles came one patrol car from behind and another from the oblique drivers side. with in minutes there were three MPs pointing weapons in the direction of Curtiss’s vehicle, and subsequently flagging each other. Curtiss explains that for approximately 10 minutes after that they played the MP rendition of “The Hokey Poky” ; till finally Curtiss was placed in an MP patrol car in restraints and was accused of attempting to run Mrs. Faya Lippert off the road. One of the other soldiers was directed to drive Curtiss’s vehicle to the main road. When they reached the main road Curtiss observed the two other soldiers were pulled from his vehicle and apprehended as well. Curtiss was then approached by another MP and asked if he had consumed any alcohol. Curtiss affirmed that he had drank two beverages with his lunch. Curtiss and the two others taken to the MP station on Ft. Bragg where Curtiss had submitted to a blood alcohol test. his level was .05%. The legal limit for an alcohol impairment charge is .08%. Curtiss was then subsequently charged with DWI, Reckless driving, Leaving the scene of an accident, Improper U Turn, No registration, Invalid license and no insurance. The other two soldiers were charged with aiding and abetting a DWI. Curtiss states that by the time they were released to the command, the story had been blown way out of proportion.

Apparently, the soldiers were reported by MPs drunk and trying to smash into traffic. They were said to have actually nearly side swiped Mrs. Lippert’s Vehicle and did a U Turn moving from East to West across the North South running road; then back to the East where they originated from. The soldiers stopped only after they saw that they had succeeded in running Mrs. Lippert off the road and then led the pursuing MPs on the chase of a lifetime through the heavily wooded outskirts of Ft. Bragg. They only stopped when they were outsmarted by and surrounded by the MPs. It was said that they were extremely violent and found the entire incident humorous. General Gary Jones; then, United States Army Special Forces Commander was immediately notified in Washington; that he had a band of renegades creating serious havoc at Ft. Bragg. Curtiss and the other two men were held captive by the command after being released from MP custody. They were held till General Jones returned from Washington DC. Over the next several months that followed. Curtiss was removed from his team and placed on administrative status. General Jones issued an order to Colonel Higgins that an example would be made of these soldiers. There was no investigation further into the matter and the soldiers statements were not taken into consideration. Curtiss was blackballed by his peers under a verbal order from Colonel Timothy Slemp his Battalion commander. Other soldiers were”strongly encouraged to not fraternize with him. Although initially charged by the MPs for the events of May 12, 2005; the charges were dropped. 3rd Special Forces Group Command decided to charge Curtiss with everything but the DWI. Instead they wrote an erroneous letter to the Cumberland County DA to gain jurisdiction of an actual DUI charge from 2004 against him. The letter had stated that he was charged with another DUI and that he had attempted to intentionally harm a civilian in the process. They failed to mention the MP report was erroneous and that the charges were dropped by the Provost Marshal. A member of Curtiss’s command had came to his off post residence and illegally confiscated his personal collection of firearms and threatened a civilian that if they were not given access to search her home they would federally detain Curtiss. Unbelievably enough there is documentation that backs all of this to include witness statements.

Ultimately, under the orders to make an example of Curtiss and the two others; Colonel Higgins requested that Curtiss be tried by Court Martial and the other two be given non judicial punishment. The other two soldiers were reprimanded and charged under UCMJ article 15 for aiding and abetting a DUI and drunk on duty. These are two charges that they can not even legally be charged with. Curtiss was among several other things; reprimanded, tried by Court Martial, Removed from the Special Forces and his ID card was flagged; so that when ever he entered Ft. Bragg and his card was magnetically swiped he would be required to be detained by MPs. The other two soldiers were also threatened and coaxed to give false testimony against Curtiss at his trial. They were also told that if Curtiss was found not guilty of the charges for May 12, 2005; their Article 15 would be dismissed. August 15, 2005 Staff Sergeant Curtiss was tried by Court Martial and found NOT GUILTY of all charges on May 12, 2005. He was found guilty for leaving the scene of an accident on 18 September, 2004. His defense was not valid due to the fact that he did not have an expert witness to verify the ER and medical reports that he was unconscious and suffered a concussion during his collision with another vehicle. Although this is a fine-able offense 3rd Special Forces Prosecutors specifically requested that he be incarcerated for the maximum allowed, and that he be dishonorably discharged from the Army with maximum deduction in money and grade. Curtiss was reduced the minimum 2 grades and sentenced to the minimum time imprisonment as well. Curtiss was sentenced to 30 days incarceration at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Brig in NC. Colonel Higgins specifically requested that he be sent out of state; so that he not be given visitation privileges. Curtiss was then sent to Jacksonville FL. During his imprisonment he was required to receive command visits; yet his command neglected to check on his welfare as required by UCMJ.

After his sentence in October, 2005; he was supposed to have returned to duty; in another unit, yet 3rd Special Forces Group retained him in order to attempt to administratively separate him for the same thing he was imprisoned for. Although they were notified that they could not do this legally they initiated the paperwork anyway. Curtiss then contacted Congressman John McHugh in New York and requested assistance. By January, 2006; Congress had requested a written response from the 3rd Special Forces Commander as to why all of this had taken place and to why wasn’t the situation handled in a fair manner, according to UCMJ. Curtiss was then immediately called into speak to each and every level of the command. According to Curtiss; he was threatened that if he did not request an end to the Congressional inquiry; he would be incarcerated once more for violating orders. Curtiss reported that he blatantly called their bluff and told officials that he would rather see justice take place. He was even called to the command headquarters under Colonel Higgins’s order to speak with Command Sergeant Major McFadden. McFadden then offered to go easy on Curtiss at the Separation Board and that he would give Curtiss a referral to a high paying Security Consultant Job overseas with a Defense Contractor; if he ceased the Congressional. Curtiss declined the offer and in his words told the Command Sergeant Major, that he thought he’d let the inquiry decide what happened. He was then threatened with a series of possibilities and was immediately dismissed. Immediately following this secret session. Curtiss was told by “acting” Sergent Major of 1st Battalion Joe Martinez; that it was not just a matter of fact, but a matter of time that he would be going back to jail. With in a week of that meeting, that is indeed where Curtiss ended up.

January, 23, 2006 then Specialist Andrew Curtiss was called to the 3rd Special Forces Headquarters at Ft. Bragg at approximately 1:30 AM, by Joe Martinez. He was told to show up in uniform. Curtiss had to enter Ft. Bragg through the civilian line and be searched because of a measure on his ID card that required he be detained by MPs if his ID card was swiped. Coincidentally this measure was supposed to be lifted; but his command refused to aid in the process as required. When Curtiss arrived to Headquarters at approximately 2:30 AM the parking lot was empty. he changed into his uniform in his truck and then approached the Headquarters building. As he neared the building he was then assaulted by MPs in full tactical attire complete with assault weapons. He was apprehended for threatening the lives of the people in the city of Fayetteville and assaulting a female. He was accused of planting several bombs under strategic locations in the city of Fayetteville. Andrew was taken immediately into custody of US Marshals and federally detained with out being charged for 78 days. Days after his apprehension he was afforded a pre trial release hearing in Raleigh NC. It was then that General Mulholland had sent an eleite cadre of JAG officers to make statements that would keep him in custody. Captain Pete Fischer made statements to the Judge that Curtiss was trained to escape and that Ft. Bragg did not have the personnel nor the facilities to contain him. He also stated that Curtiss had contacts in remote locations of the world, held several passports and spoke many languages. He posed a serious flight risk. Captain Fischer also took the liberty to perjure himself by saying that Curtiss was found guilty of several DUI offenses and had killed numerous people. Curtiss was portrayed by 3rd Special Forces as a soldier who had lost stability due to the rigors of war.

It was from that point on that Curtiss says he took on the key role of investigating his own case. During his detention he was scheduled to have an administrative separation board as requested by the 3rd Special Forces Command. He was visited by a defense counsel as requested by Congress and presented with the opportunity to sign a waiver for the board and accept an Other Than Honorable Discharge. This was Curtiss’s best bet since he was being detained indefinitely for an unknown period of time. If he did not sign the waiver the board would take place anyhow and he would not be present. He would lose and be given a Dishonorable Discharge. Curtiss signed and was told his unit would out process him with in 2 weeks. After nearly 2 months of detention Curtiss was told that he would be given the opportunity to plea to a misdemeanor charge of improper storage of an explosive device. The equivalent of a seatbelt fine he was told. Curtiss was with no contact to the outside and was still clueless to exactly how all this had happened. “I needed to find answers so I could clear my name and set things straight; so I took the plea just to get out.” Said Curtiss. He was told that there were at least two people who would testify against him; some of those people were Senior Army officials. In the federal system testimony is evidence Curtiss was told. March 28, 2006 Curtiss was released from custody and sentenced to probation.

April 10, 2006 Curtiss was with his then girlfriend Yaracelys Demuro; when she received a phone call from Major Banneut 3rd SFG JAG. He told her that she was requested to speak and testify against Curtiss at a separation board proceeding later that month. She was told that Captain Denny would meet with her and tell her exactly what to say. When she asked what if Curtiss found out. He told her that, “Curtiss had been locked up and the key thrown away.” “Don’t worry about him ; no one will be seeing him anytime soon.” The entire conversation was heard over speaker phone. Curtiss immediately realized that he was indeed still in the Army. Curtiss then contacted his Congressman, former defense JAG Attorney and Probation Officer, to notify them. There was only one issue during Curtiss’s sentencing the Judge made a restriction that Curtiss was not to go on or near Ft. Bragg NC. This was explained because of the drama between he and his command that had transpired at the pretrial release hearing. Curtiss was still a soldier but under orders of a Judge to not enter Ft. Bragg NC. A deal was then worked out between the Federal Probation office and the 3rd SFG. Curtiss would not enter Ft. Bragg till the board. If Curtiss was retained by the board then all rights and privileges would be restored and Curtiss could return to duty under the stipulation that what ever hatchet between he and his command be buried. The 3rd Group Command agreed.

After several reschedules the board finally took place May 5, 2006 Andrew appeared once more to the same Headquarters that had caused him so much grief and was escorted by his counsel. after the entire day of board proceedings; Curtiss was retained for service and all rights and privileges were restored. Curtiss had finally come out on top. Things were in the works by the Federal Probation office to set Curtiss free. Curtiss had been steadily reporting to different Sergeant Majors assigned to him by phone daily as part of the agreement. that was Curtiss’s assigned place of duty. Then in June, 2006 Curtiss was called to meet with his command representative to sign some paperwork. Curtiss was excited to get back to duty. When he met with Command representatives he was served with a packet from General Mulholland that requested the Secretary of The Army Discharge him and go against the board decision. Also in this packet was an erroneous charge that made Curtiss to be a convicted and registered sex offender. Curtiss immediately refused to sign and requested legal assistance.

From June, 2006 to August 10, 2007 Curtiss had battled this latest injustice. Finally August 10, 2007 Specialist Andrew Curtiss was discharged from the Army with no notification. He was given a separation under the” Needs of the Army” by Secretarial Authority. He was entitled to close to $30,000 for early separation severance, however; Curtiss discovered that, once again this command was corrupt. Someone in that command had illegally and retroactively place him under an erroneous Administrative leave since March 26, 2006 and the Defense Finance And Accounting System had taken approximately $30,000 in owed money for his paid absence. By the way they based this status on an invalid leave form with absent signatures for a status that he couldn’t legally nor possibly be on. Curtiss also received his DD Form 214 which is his proof of military service and somehow the last 7 years of his life were wiped from the record; as well as the fact that he was allegedly given a completely different military specialty. By the time Curtiss found out all of this it was too late. he was told by Army officials that since he was no longer a soldier; he would have to hire an attorney and appeal the decision. There is currently an ongoing Congressional Inquiry on this matter.

September, 2007; Curtiss was reading the front cover of the Fayetteville Observer when he read an article about General Kessinger and the scandal over Pat Tillman. He also found out that General Jones had been implicated in this. For Andrew Curtiss it is apparent that Jones indeed covered up for his officer counterparts. He is a living example of what the Government will try to hide. Curtiss is convinced that the “Big Army” isn’t even aware of his situation. He tells,”The hardest part is getting someone to listen.” “They all act like I’m crazy or something when I try to explain the (Harry Potter story)”. He has contacted several agencies and offices; even the ACLU. He has letter that tell him he needs an attorney and that they can only help victims who’s civil liberties have been violated. Andrew Curtiss tells a story that includes everything from conspiracy to wiretapping; and although he seems to have taken the worst of it, he says he is just getting warmed up. The Army and Special Forces may feel they are through with him; but he says he’s not done with them. He is currently seeking legal aid for a corrective records board; and that is where he says this battle will be won.

I find it strange that now; when America needs heroes the most is when they discard battle tested warriors like trash. In Times of a Global War On Terror; Uncle Sam’s finest and most elite can do nothing but conspire against their own. To coin the phrase “Military Conspiracy”; is nothing more than a microcosm of the society surrounding it. Yet we recognize the top brass for smothering and choking those who serve below them. We as society congratulate them for a job well done and ostracize those they persecute. There is no justice here; only injustice! What’s worse in times of people that complain their rights are violated by the government; is that these same people pretend they know nothing as they watch it happen to someone else. It is up to us as a society and a nation to show the government that it is for the people and by the people. People should not fear their Government. Their Government should fear them!

For anyone interested in assisting Mr. Curtiss you may visit his online petition
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ac111478/petition.html

David Allen Webb is a freelance reporter and photographer who specializes in military and government affairs topics. He is based in Fayetteville North Carolina.

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Not long ago a Russian Bomber was circling a US Carrier in a cat and mouse game similar the cold-war decades ago. Let me explain, there were two-bombers one circling closely near the carrier within its safety zone. The other was quite a bit of miles away, perhaps out of the blast zone of a “FOB” or Father of All Bombs.

The way that the FOB works is that it uses incendiary particles through dispersion process (first aircraft - to be sacrificed) and then a missile is sent in from afar, which could either be from the second aircraft by way of air-to-air missile or by the challenging force firing at the first aircraft, which would have already unloaded its cargo of incendiary particles and be filled with fuel to really get the fire started so to speak.

Was this a test to see how far the Russians could push without being shot at? Were those aircraft prepared to launch an FOB attack - Dispersion, Ignition and Implosion? Could have been, that’s what a recent think tank discussion came up with. It is for this reason that a carrier group must in the future maintain its barriers and fire upon and destroy anything that enters there comfort zones. We cannot risk a carrier or its crew. The FOB although a non-nuclear weapon, is just a powerful, even more so.

Perhaps it is time for a defensive demonstration, next time our US military is pushed. Obliterating an unfriendly or uninvited target that comes within the comfort safety zone of the fleet is unacceptable. Consider this in 2008.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow’s Bio

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Author, Peter B. Kyne makes mention in his book, Soldiers, Sailors and Dogs, New York: H.C. Kinsey & Co., 1936 of what appears to be a number of expressions that probably originated during the Spanish/American War and which might have survived until the early part of American involvement in World War I. Kyne evidently had some military experience or knowledge thereof. In his book, some of the fictional stories occur in America and in France during the World War. Kyne uses such expressions as:

“Bluebird”-evidently a reference to someone who left the service for a period of time and then re-enlisted in the army. The connotation could be made here with the homing instinct of a bluebird, which returns to the same nest year after year. Lighter makes no mention of this term.

“Bob” -a dishonorable discharge from the service. To receive a “bob” or to be “bobbed” was to get a dishonorable discharge. “Bobtail” is the Indian Wars slang for a dishonorable discharge. “His bobtail’s coming back by mail, O’Reilly’s gone to hell.”

In Paul Dickson’s book, War Slang…we read: “bobtailed. Dishonorably discharged; from the practice of removing (”bobbing”) the portion of discharge papers that confers honor. Dickson, Paul. War Slang…Pocket Books, 1994, page 44. Also the act of cutting off the discharge below the character section denoted “no character.” Rickey, Forty Miles a Day on Beans and Hay. Elting’s “A Dictionary of Soldier Talk” features the definition “bobtailed discharge-bobtail (Old, Old Army). A discharge from the service under less than honorable conditions. Not a dishonorable discharge, but the next thing to it. The term came from the practice of clipping off the final section of the discharge form, which covered the dischargee’s character. In World War II called a ‘discharge without honor.’

In his article “Slang of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, 1917-1919 (American Speech, 1972) Joathan Lighter identifies:
–bobtail as dishonorable discharge, an expression dating back to the U.S. Army of the late 19th century.
Paul Dickson’s “War Slang” has “bobtail hotel-an army disciplinary barracks.”

“Soldier up to the handle” was to be an exemplary soldier. To “the handle” of what?

“Fogie”-a service stripe. Lighter makes no mention of this term. Elting also has “fogy, fogey, fogie (All Services). A word whose origin and history would probably be very interesting, if precisely known. The earliest form, which is civilian and from the middle of the 18th century, is “fogram,” meaning a superannuated person, an old fuddyduddy. 1. (Late 18th and early 19th Centuries, British and American). An old or invalided soldier; hence, a garrison soldier. 2. (19th Century, with some survivals; USA) Longevity pay, increase of pay for length of service. “I get another fogy next month, but my wife’s already spending it.” Also called fogey pay, fogy pa. Both fogy and fogy pay (with variants) are now becoming obsolete.

Dickson’s “War Slang” offers a similar, much shorter, definition without reference to date or the background. Lighter says that Fogy or fogey was a longevity bonus paid to officers and NCO’s dating back to the Civil War; from “old fogey.”

In the late 1960’s a “fogie” was an incremental step in your pay due to longevity. It may be that it is the outgrowth of the service stripe since service stripes were awarded for longevity.

One correspondent sent in that fact that his father was in the U.S. Army from 1910 to 1940 and that during that period of time the army slang for a “loose woman” was “biscuit shooter.” Nothing is known of the origin of this expression.

Are these all Spanish-American war army expressions and did any of them survive until World War I? Although author Kyne uses these expressions in the context of Spanish-American War veterans serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, I have never seen these terms used in any other American World War I writings.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dickson, Paul. War Slang. NY: Pocket Books, 1994
Elting, A Dictionary of Soldier Talk.
Kyne, Peter B. SOLDIERS, SAILORS and DOGS. NY: H. C. Kinsey & Co., 1936.
Lighter, Jonathan. “Slang of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, 1917-1919. American Speech, 1972.

About the author:

David C. Homsher, a veteran of U.S. Army service during the Korean War, and now retired, is a historian/author of and about the American soldier of World War I and his battlefields. Dave has traveled extensively over many of the battlegrounds of both World Wars and he is has written and published the first of a series of guidebooks to the American battlefields of the World War I in France and Belgium.

Copyright April 2007 by David C. Homsher.
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