The Continuing Ballad of O.J.

I've been thinking a lot about this O.J. Simpson robbery case and there is something rotten in Denmark, as the old saying goes!

As we all know by now, Simpson, 60, and five other men were arrested after they allegedly stormed a Las Vegas hotel room Sept. 13 to seize items that were believed to include family photos and the suit Simpson wore the day he was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and her friend.

Well, it was just announced over the last few days that U.S. federal agents learned three weeks in advance that O.J. Simpson and a memorabilia dealer planned an operation to retrieve personal items Simpson said were stolen from him, according to FBI reports obtained Friday by the Associated Press.

O.J. Simpson, left, stands in Las Vegas Justice Court for his arraignment on Sept. 19 with his attorney Yale Galanter.

Dealer Thomas Riccio told FBI agents Aug. 21 that Simpson wanted to televise the operation as he confronted a collector who was peddling thousands of pieces of Simpson's memorabilia.

"Riccio and Simpson want to do a television broadcast confronting Beardsley regarding the items that were stolen," one report said. "Simpson wanted Riccio's assistance in setting up the operation and helping obtain interviews for Simpson through various media outlets after the fact."

As it turns out, not only did the F.B.I. let the operation go ahead, but the guy that had the gun was given immunity for testifying against Simpson.

Las Vegas Police Det. Andy Caldwell, the investigator handling the case, said Friday the FBI did not alert his department before the confrontation between Simpson and collectors Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong in a room at a Las Vegas casino hotel.

"They contacted us afterward and provided us with the documentation," Caldwell told the AP. He said he had no information about any FBI investigation into the incident and said he has no idea about the nature of the contact between federal agents and Riccio "or why they were talking with him."

FBI spokesman Laura Eimiller declined to comment on the interview but it seems rather strange that not only did the F.B.I. not let anyone know about the confrontation, but there was suddenly a gun involved, the guy with the gun (which made it a much more serious crime)will get off.

A simple incident (to be recorded) turned into a major crime as far as Simpson is concerned.

I might be way out in left field here, but could this be a payback sting for O.J. walking on the murder rap?

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Godzilla

Our favorite monster passed a milestone today!

Godzilla The Movie, (And Tokyo's nightmare) made its debut exactly fifty years ago today.

Godzilla, in a statement from the Hollywood Old Actors Retirement Home, sent a message of thanks to his many fans that have congratulated him on a half century in show business but despite many requests, does not think he will do any more movies.

Apparently an old knee injury makes it impossible to do any stunts and Godzilla thinks that any stunt double just couldn't do the part justice. Pity!

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Asshole of the Week! #16

Everyone qualifies at one time or another........ this week it's me!

Don't ask why, just take my word for it!

Saturday Morning Confusion #245

Here we are at the end of the week again.

We start out on Monday....
Feeling so well.
We end up on Friday........
Confused as hell!

Hope these help! Shows you're not alone.

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and used against you.

In a world of nonsense, everything something is, it isn't, everything it would be wouldn't, and everything it wasn't, was.

"Most people learn by observation, and there are the few who learn by experimentation. And then there are those who actually TOUCH the fire to see if it's really hot."

If everything is coming your way you're in the wrong lane!

When ya got em' by the balls...their hearts and minds will follow.

Reality is an illusion created by lack of alcohol.

Excuse me... have you seen my sanity... I think I lost it.

"No Matter what you do there will be critics."

"There are people I would take a bullet for and people I would like to put a bullet in."

"If God didn't want me to do it he would have stopped me."

"The lesson is in the struggle, not in the victory!"

"Knowledge talks, wisdom listens"

I can resist anything but temptation

"I've been rich and I've been poor… rich is better"

If you do it you’ll regret it, if you don’t do it you’ll regret it, either way your going to regret it, you might as well just do it

"Even If It Kills Me, I'm Gonna Smile."

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)

Press Release Announcement - No. 47
November 2, 2007 No.47

Islamist Websites Monitor Website – Statement of Purpose

Project Description

The purpose of MEMRI's Islamist Websites Monitor Project, launched by MEMRI in 2006 as part of the Jihad & Terrorism Studies project, is to keep Western audiences informed about the steadily growing phenomenon of jihadist sites on the Internet, which are used by terrorist organizations and their supporters to spread their extremist message and to raise funds and recruit activists.

MEMRI's Islamist Websites Monitor Project monitors a wide range of jihadist websites on a daily basis, and publishes the most important items posted on them. In addition, it analyzes the materials on these sites with the aim of identifying crucial developments in the world of jihad, such as disagreements among jihad groups or the emergence of new ideological trends and operational strategies.

Finally, the project exposes the Internet service providers (ISPs) that host the jihadist websites, particularly ISPs in Western countries, with the aim of encouraging these companies to remove jihadist websites from their servers.

Please note that MEMRI's Islamist Websites Monitor Project is the largest open archive of translated material from Islamist websites.

Go to MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE.... Click H E R E

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Is Life Getting You Down Bunky.........?

.....................Then put on your HAPPY FEET!
Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Multi-culturalism running wild!

In a follow-up to the article below teachers at a primary school in Britain have been ordered to dress up as Muslims to promote multi-culturalism.

The West Midlands school is belatedly celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid and told its pupils and teachers to don traditional Muslim dress for the day.

All 257 pupils, most of whom are Christians, and 41 teachers - two of whom are Muslims - dressed up.

Teachers were told to dress as Muslims to promote diversity at a primary school

A morning assembly was held to mark the event and an afternoon party was strictly for women only, because Muslim husbands object to wives mixing with other men.

Sally Bloomer, head of Rufford primary school in Lye, West Midlands, told The Sun: “I have not heard of any complaints. It’s all part of a diversity project to promote multi-culturalism.”

But a relative of one of the staff reportedly said: “Who would put their job on the line? They have been told they have to embrace the day to show their diversity.

But they are not all happy.”

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Easter Cow

News out of Britain today that says Christmas should be downgraded in favor of festivals from other religions to improve race relations.

This explosive report from Labor’s favourite think-tank says that because it would be hard to “expunge” Christmas from the national calendar, ‘even-handedness’ means public organisations must start giving other religions equal footing.

The leaked findings of its investigation into identity, citizenship and community cohesion also propose:

• “Birth ceremonies”, at which state and parents agree to “work in partnership” to bring up children

• Action to “ensure access” for ethnic minorities to “largely white” countryside

• An overhaul of Britain’s “imperial” honours system

• Bishops being thrown out of the House of Lords

• An end to “sectarian” religious education

• Flying flags other than the Union Jack.

The report by the Institute for Public Policy Research was commissioned when Nick Pearce, now head of public policy at Downing Street, was its director.

IPPR has shaped many Labour policies, including ID cards, bin taxes and road pricing.

The report robustly defends multiculturalism - the idea that different communities should not be forced to integrate but should be allowed to maintain their own culture and identities.

And it says immigrants should be required to acquire some proficiency in English and other aspects of British culture “if - but only if - the settled population is willing to open up national institutions and practices to newcomers and give a more inclusive cast to national narratives and symbols”.

It adds: “Even-handedness dictates that we provide public recognition to minority cultures and traditions.

“If we are going to continue as a nation to mark Christmas - and it would be very hard to expunge it from our national life even if we wanted to - then public organisations should mark other religious festivals too.

“We can no longer define ourselves as a Christian nation, nor an especially religious one in any sense.

“The empire is gone, church attendance is at historically low levels, and the Second World War is inexorably slipping from memory.”

Scarborough Christmas lights

National celebration: But could Christmas soon be ‘downgraded’?

The report, written by IPPR advisers Ben Rogers and Rick Muir, calls on Ministers to launch an “urgent and upfront campaign” promoting a “multicultural understanding of Britishness”.

“Multiculturalism can be shown to provide for a fairer and more liberal society and does not necessarily lead to social division and community conflict, as its critics have claimed,” it says.

Councils must act to “ensure children mix and are able to form friendships with pupils from different backgrounds”. The report adds: “Any liberal state should recast the civic oaths and national ceremonies, or institutions like Parliament and the monarchy, in a more multi-religious or secular form and make religious education less sectarian.”

The presence of bishops in the House of Lords, for instance, is condemned as an “anachronism” that should be removed.

The system in which parents are required to register a new baby at a register office is dismissed as “purely bureaucratic”.

The occasion should be transformed into a “public rite”, using citizenship ceremonies for immigrants as a model, the report says.

“Parents, their friends and family and the state [would] agree to work in partnership to support and bring up their child.”

Rural Britain, the report complains, “remains a largely white place”.

Much more needs to be done to “ensure access” to the countryside for black and ethnic minority groups, disabled people and children from inner-city areas.

Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative spokesman on community cohesion, said: “Their comments betray a breathtaking misunderstanding of what it is to be British. These proposals could actually damage cohesion.”

She added: “You don’t build community cohesion by throwing out our history and denying the fundamental contribution Christianity has played and does play to our nation.

“As a British Muslim I can see that - so why others can’t just staggers me.”

And she attacked ceremonies to mark the registration of a baby.

“The thought of Gordon Brown sharing responsibility with me for bringing up my children sends a shiver down my spine. I thought we got rid of communism?”

If this keeps up we will have Muhammad born in a manger, Buddha delivering Christmas presents, and eggs delivered by the Hindu Easter Cow.

The bottom line in all this comes down to the fact that there is nothing wrong with celebrating other religions and beliefs, but to do so by denigrating your own is the worst form of cultural suicide.

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

10 Best Ways to Live Cheap!

With Christmas coming, the yearly round of bills and bill paying starts again.

Unless of course you're still working on last years bills.

With this in mind, here is a list of 10 ways to live BELOW your means and get ahead.

1. Whenever possible, buy store brands. Nearly half the cost for name brands goes to advertising. Usually their quality isn't any better than store brands, which frequently carry a money back guarantee. This is true not only with food, but also cleaning supplies and paper products. Even if the savings are small on an individual item, using this strategy every time you shop makes a big difference. Remember, this is a long-term plan.

2. Avoid prepared foods.We're all pressed for time, but buying prepared foods can be expensive. You pay extra for the convenience and get a meal full of chemicals and preservatives too. Instead, put your main course in a Crock Pot before you leave for work, or put frozen meat in the refrigerator to thaw before you go to bed. Once you learn to plan ahead, you'll be surprised how much you'll save.

3. Shop at "you-bag-it" supermarkets. Stores like Aldi and Save-a-Lot can cut your grocery bill substantially. When you're not subsidizing a store's deli section, flower shop, or bakery, you'll find the rest of the food cheaper. No-frills supermarkets cut overhead by having fewer employees, smaller buildings to heat and cool, and primarily store brands. You'll quickly notice the savings.

4. Brown bag your lunch. I did this for years and it saved me thousands. Brown bagging has three benefits: You'll avoid greasy, high-calorie fast food; you'll save money; and you'll be more satisfied on your job, since lunch with coworkers often turns into gripe sessions.

5. Don't buy clothes or shoes with designer labels. Who do you want to make rich, some fashion designer, or you? That trendy label will cost you at least 50% extra. Instead of impressing your friends, impress yourself by adding that savings to your bank account.

6. Use coupons, but be smart about it. When a name brand product still costs more than a store brand, even after the deduction for a coupon, it's no bargain. Most coupons are for new products companies want you to try, so be selective. You can get coupons online at sites like Coupons.com or Couponcabin.com, or search under "coupons."

7. Buy used books instead of new. I visit two used book sales a year put on by local charities and get an armload of reading for less than $15. I choose used books on Amazon.com. I got my copy of The Purpose Driven Life on Amazon, paying the standard $3.99 shipping and handling, but only 39 cents for a used copy. Even better? Check out books for free at your local public library. Most libraries have DVDs and CDs, too.

8. Keep your car as long as you can. A shiny new car may impress your family and friends, but it simply costs too much. My current car is nine years old and runs like a dream because I have it serviced regularly. Today's cars, with electronic ignition, fuel injectors and superb rust protection, can last well past 150,000 miles if taken care of.

9. Severely restrict your credit card spending. Credit cards make money unreal. They take the thought process and discipline out of your buying. Before you know it, you're deep in debt and getting further behind because you can't make even the minimum monthly payment. When you pay in cash and watch those bills disappear from your wallet, you become much more careful. You relearn the value of money. You question every purchase, and that's when you become smart.

10. Reward yourself for your efforts. Your goal is to be frugal, not a miser. Small rewards--within your budget--are a wise way to keep fun in your life. Living beneath your means takes self-control, but the emotional and financial benefits are tremendous. An occasional treat energizes you to keep up the good work.

Much of living beneath your means requires seeing through the false promises of prestige and fulfillment found in advertising. You're too smart to fall for that.

Remember, it takes discipline to resist peer pressure, but whenever you're doing something worthwhile, you have to stand up for your convictions.

Living beneath your means is a proven way to avoid debt and the stress that goes with it.

If I can do it, anyone can.


Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

The Secret.

One day, I saw a wonderful old gal sitting on her front step, so I walked up to her and said, "I couldn't help noticing how happy you look. What is your secret for such a long, happy life?"
"I smoke ten stogies a day," she said. "Before I go to bed, I smoke a nice big joint. All my life, I've eaten only junk food, and I put away at least a fifth of Jack Daniels every week. On weekends, I pop pills, and never do any exercise at all."
"Absolutely, absolutely amazing," I thought, and asked, "How old are you?"
"Thirty-one," she replied.

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Scientology

If you can believe that we are descendants of a race of Aliens called Thetans then whether you're a Christian or not doesn't enter into the equation! I guess!

To show how insidious different belief systems are, and how they are not that much different from each other whether they be Christian, Islam, Judaism or Scientology, I give you this example.

Some Christian congregations, particularly in lower income, urban areas, are turning to an unlikely source for help — the Church of Scientology.

So, why are observant Christians embracing some its teachings you ask?

Two pastors who spoke recently with CNN explained that when it comes to religion, they still preach the core beliefs of Christianity.

But when it comes to practicing what they preach in a modern world, borrowing from Scientology helps.

The Scientology Comparative Theology Page “was created to promote the scholarly study of the public and private beliefs of Scientology and Dianetics.

These beliefs are then contrasted with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.”The Rev. Charles Kennedy, of the Glorious Church of God in Christ, a Pentecostal church in Tampa, Florida, and the Rev. James McLaughlin, of the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, are among the theological hybrids.

They say they are not scared off by programs with ties to a church that critics say has aggressive recruiting, secretive ways and rigid theology.

As men of God rooted in Christian values, they do not see Scientology as a threat to their faith, but rather as a tool to augment it.

(There is no compatability between the teachings of Christianity and those of the Church of Scientology - regardless of which ‘moral codes’ Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard borrowed from to start his commercial enterprise. -Ed.)

Scientology was founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer. Followers are taught that they are immortal spiritual beings called thetans. Although the church says there is a supreme being, its practices do not include worshipping God.

“I’m looking for solutions, and the people that I help, they don’t ask me who L. Ron Hubbard is,” said McLaughlin, who works with addicts. “You know what they say? ‘Thank God.’ ”

Critic Rick Ross, a court-certified Scientology expert, sees something more sinister at work. He warned that mainstream acceptance makes it easier for the Scientologists to achieve their ultimate goal — new recruits.

“Their hope is that through these programs, people will become more interested in L. Ron Hubbard, what else Mr. Hubbard had to offer, and this will lead them eventually to Scientology,” Ross said.

Hubbard, the man who created Scientology in 1952, has an unusual CV for a religious and spiritual leader. As well as being a writer, he was a congenital liar: quite simply a “charlatan”. That was the view of a High Court judge in 1984, who said Hubbard’s theories were “corrupt, sinister and dangerous“.

Research resources on L. Ron Hubbard The church has long been in the headlines for practices critics say are little more than cult-like mind control. It is also known for its stable of devout celebrity followers.

And according to published reports, Scientology has been recently diversifying its outreach to include other religions and ethnic groups.

“Scientology is evil; its techniques are evil; its practice is a serious threat to the community, medically, morally, and socially; and its adherents are sadly deluded and often mentally ill… (Scientology is) the world’s largest organization of unqualified persons engaged in the practice of dangerous techniques which masquerade as mental therapy.” - Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia, quoted atWhat judges have to say about Scientology

Kennedy admits other pastors have criticized him, but the disapproval is not enough to discourage him. He insists that he has witnessed the changes “The Way to Happiness” has inspired in people. He also maintains that the Scientologists, many of whom he calls friends, are successful at outreach and getting desired results.

At Kennedy’s C. L. Kennedy Center, free tutoring based on Hubbard’s “study tech” philosophies is provided to dozens of children and some adults. Kennedy’s daughter, Jimirra, is one of the instructors. She said “study tech” and the Scientology orientation classes she attended helped her graduate from high school and become a poised woman.

Though Jimirra Kennedy insists she does not ascribe to the religious side of Scientology, she still considers herself, at least in part, Scientologist. “We say this all the time and I know my father says this, but I am like a Pentecostal Scientologist, that’s what we are.”

Critics like Ross are alarmed by such a blurring of the lines. They consider it a marketing win for Scientology.

In Houston, McLaughlin says he is not one to argue with success. Driven by a need to address the rampant drug problem in his community, McLaughlin spent years searching for a solution before he discovered “Narconon,” Scientology’s nonprofit drug rehab center, in 2001.

McLaughlin trained at Narconon and brought the techniques back to his community to launch “First Step Faith Step,” a program that combines Hubbard’s methods with the teachings of Christianity.

He claims a 70- to 80-percent rehabilitation success rate.

Kennedy and McLaughlin said they have never lost a member of their congregations to Scientology.

“I think that they truly believe that this may help their communities, but in my opinion, they’re naive,” Ross said. Scientologists, he added, “have their own agenda.”

The Church of Scientology would not grant CNN an interview, nor would its representatives answer questions about the Hubbard-based programs.

Constant efforts to contact them by our crack "Perspective" research staff have failed as well!

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Oh, what a wicked web we weave, or along came a spider!

I keep saying; "Tell people something enough times...... with enough conviction....... and they will believe just about anything.

This seems to work real well with religion and politics but doesn't do much good in a court of law!

We have a guy from Australia who tried to pull this one on a Judge in Sydney.

An Australian man who kidnapped and raped a woman blamed his actions on a spider, local media reported on Thursday.

Philip Spiers pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape, but told a court that the poison from a funnel-web spider bite had left him with a viral illness which led to his actions.

But a toxicologist told the New South Wales state District Court there was no medical evidence to suggest a spider bite could be responsible for anger and hatred.

Spiers, who kidnapped and raped the woman in 1997, was sentenced on Wednesday to eight years in jail.

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

Coffee Break is Over.

A much needed break and now down to business. I have been writing this blog with an eye for what readers would like, but then, this week, over half the viewers to this blog are going to an old site I wrote a year ago about "Borat's Halloween Costume!"

I don't think it's really indicative of the general level of readers to this site but for the sake of my own sanity I am going to start writing more of what interests me, and not what I think other people want.

This Borat thing proves that I don't have a clue!

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com