WEEKLY UPDATES FROM Cutting Edge Ministries

Can you imagine this precious insight? God makes a strong connection between kneeling in prayer and receiving His blessing! During my years of going to church, I have heard many references to the physical position a Christian should be in when praying. All the preachers to whom I have ever listened have concluded that a person can pray in any position -- standing, sitting, kneeling, in bed. However, this verse strongly states that God gives His best blessing to the saint who humbles himself enough to kneel. Since kneeling is one of the most submissive physical pose humans can assume, the Christian in that position is coming to God in a humbled spirit.

No wonder God gives a blessing to those who kneel before Him in prayer! What a precious, added insight to this simple word, "bless". ["Key Word Hebrew-Greek Study Bible"]

--------Focus: Key Doctrinal Truth----------"Grace"

"A mode of the goodness of God, often described as 'undeserved favor'. It is more than that. It is 'undeserved favor' bestowed upon those who are positively deserving of the wrath of God. Theologians often speak of grace as the goodness of God dealing with the guilt of the sinner's condition, whereas mercy is the goodness of God dealing with the misery of his condition." [Alan Cairns, "Dictionary of Theological Terms", p. 199, Emphasis added]

---------- Bookstore Resource Update ----------

SPECIAL NOTE: Once again, we are bringing in a large number of new items as we continue to build our Cutting Edge Bookstore into a well-rounded, Fundamental Christian bookstore. We have ensured that we have not cheated you on the news covered within our news section. Please now enjoy our newest selections.

New Items -- Note The Many Which Are On Sale

Audio Bibles

* "KJV Entire Bible On Audio Cassette" - 45 Cassettes, Black Nylon Case - Regularly $79.95, Sale $59.95, Save $20 - Stephen Johnston - Listen to the beloved King James Version of the Bible,narrated word-for-word over a soft music background. Entire Bible, 45 cassettes in a Black Nylon Case. Great for listening to the Bible in your car, home, or office -- http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=869

* "KJV New Testament On Audio Cassette" - 12 Cassettes, Black Nylon Case - Regularly $29.95, Sale $19.95, Save $10 -- Stephen Johnston - Listen to the beloved King James Version of the Bible,narrated word-for-word over a soft music background. Complete New Testament Great for listening to the Bible in your car, home, or office 12 Cassettes, Black Nylon Case - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=870

* "Scourby KJV Entire Bible On Audio CD - 62 CDS, Black CD Wallet - Regularly $99.95, Sale $79.95, Save $20 - Alexander Scourby - The world's best-loved translation of the Bible is brought to life in this powerful, word-for-word narration by renowned dramatist Alexander Scourby. Great for listening while in your car, your office, or at home. - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=868

* "Scourby KJV New Testament Audio CD" - 15 CD's, Black CD Wallet - Regularly $39.95, Sale $29.95, Save $10 - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=867

Reference Works

* "School of Biblical Evangelism", Soul-Winning Instruction, by Ray Comfort - 768 page Book -- $24.95 - In this comprehensive study course, you will learn how to share your faith simply, effectively, Biblically -- just the way Jesus did. Discover the God-given evangelistic tools that will enable you to confidently talk about our precious Savior. With 101 lessons, you will learn: 1) How to prove the authenticity of the Bible; 2) Learn how to argue effectively for Creation as the Bible teaches, while learning to refute Evolution; 3) Understand beliefs of the cults and other religions; 4) Teaches you how to reach both friends and strangers with the Gospel. Researcher and Cutting Edge author, Mac Dominick, loved this book and said it was so well written, it was a pleasure to read it. 768 pages - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=853

* "Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible" - FREE CD-ROM Included -- Regularly $25.95, Sale $15.97, Save almost $10 - This hardcover edition now includes a FREE CD-ROM. Strong's is an indispensable tool that all readers of the Bible will want to own as part of your library. Includes: 1) A monumental reference work containing every word in the KJV and its meaning; 2) Allows you to easily find all Biblical occurrences of a word; 3) The Strong's numbering system is used, and cross-referenced; 4) Includes complete Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, organized by Strong's numbers, which give brief lexical definitions of each word in the original languages.

This CD includes interactive, interlinked versions of Strong's and many other valuable reference works - easily accessible with either a PC or PDA. This CD-ROM provides ready access to all Strong's information, including enhanced Strongs Hebrew and Greeks Dictionaries, along with commentaries, Bible and Topical Dictionaries, plus reference works revealing manners and customs of Ancient Judaic culture and maps/site data. - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=864

* "The Works of Josephus - Complete and Unabridged" - Updated Hardcover - Regularly $24.95, Sale $14.97, Save almost $10 - Josephus was a historian who lived from 37 A.D. to about 100 A.D. He was a member of the priestly aristocracy of the Jews, and was taken hostage by the Roman Empire in the great Jewish revolt of 66-70 A.D. Josephus spent the rest of his life in or around Rome as an advisor and historian to three emperors, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. For centuries, the works of Josephus were more widely read in Europe than any book other than the Bible. They are invaluable sources of EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY to the development of Western civilization, including the foundation and growth of Christianity in the 1st Century.

This is the best one-volume edition of the classic translation of Josephus' works. Important improvements include: 1) an entire text reset in modern, easy-to-read type; 2) New numbering system corresponding to the Loeb edition; 3) Citations and cross-references updated from Roman Numerals to our Arabic system. - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=862

* "Cities of the Biblical World: Introduction to the Archaeology, Geography, and History of Biblical Sites - Hardcover - Regularly $29.95, Sale $17.97, Save nearly $12 -- This volume is user friendly and full of relevant historical and geographical information. The broader Biblical world comes into focus and the Bible's setting is illumined. This is a handy reference volume for reader's study. - Hardcover - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=865

* "Concise Bible Atlas" - Hardcover - Regularly $16.95, Sale $10.97, Save nearly $6 - This popular historical and geographical survey of the Bible aids the reader in becoming familiar with the main physical and climatic features of the Holy Land. The style of writing combines "easy-to-read" commentary with many maps and photographs, examining historical periods in the context of their geographical settings. "Study to show thyself approved", the Apostle Paul admonishes. This Bible Atlas will greatly aid in your understanding of both the Old and New Testament Biblical accounts. Hardcover - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=866

* "Manners and Customs of the Bible" - Book - $13.99 - Most Christians have trouble studying the Bible because ancient Judaism is now a foreign culture to them. They do not understand the symbols in the Bible, nor the meaning of many passages, simply because they do not know the "Manners and Customs of the Bible". This 600-page book has been a reliable reference book for Christians for the past 100 years. - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=852

* "How To Win Souls and Influence People", by Ray Comfort - Book - Do you feel uncomfortable speaking to someone about Jesus Christ? Is your tongue tied whenever you try to begin speaking to someone about the Gospel? When you see a door opening in a conversation where you might speak about personal salvation, is your tongue tied? Fear no more! Ray Comfort teaches all timid and reluctant Christians the simple but effective techniques to witness to others. - 318 pages - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=854

* "In His Steps" -- A Christian Novel by Charles M. Sheldon - Regularly $9.95, Sale $6.97. Save almost $3 - Originally published in 1896, and enthusiastically rediscovered by today's believers, this provocative novel testifies dramatically to the value of Christian witness in all of life. When several members of an ordinary American Christian church are challenged to not take a single action without first considering what Jesus would do, they discover the power of God to completely transform their own lives. Hardcover - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=861

* "Commending The Faith", The Preaching of D.L. Moody - $16.95 - D. L. Moody (1837-1899) was an American evangelist who founded the Northfield Schools in Massachusetts, Moody Church and Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and the Colportage Association. He was honest and was a master of an effective style. His sermons and shorter addresses abound in personal allusions, in shrewd remarks and home thrusts. In this selection of sermons, prayers, and talks that showcase the wonderful qualities which accounted for Moody's mass appeal. His sincerity, humility, enthusiasm, generosity and clarity of focus will thrill your heart. - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=863

* "Forever Young - Voice of the Martyrs" - Book - $12.99 - This wonderful book was created by "The Voice of the Martyrs" working on behalf of persecuted Christians throughout the world. This book was patterned after the best-selling classic book about Christian persecution "Foxe's Book of the Martyrs". Is aimed right at the Youth of today. Our young people need to know how much our forefathers struggled and died in loyalty to Jesus Christ. - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=857

* "Martin Luther's Table Talk" -- 530 Page Book - $14.99 - "Martin Luther's Table Talk" is a compendium of excerpts taken from conversations with his students and colleagues, who furiously scribbled notes as he spoke. Reading these snippets of Luther's wisdom and spiritual insights, it is easy to imagine these students sitting around the table, eating, drinking, and discussing issues of great concern to the Reformists. These excerpts are frequently anecdotal, highly opinionated, sometimes sublime, sometimes sophisticated and always unequivocating. Right or wrong, Martin Luther has his say. 530 pages - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=860

* "Pilgrim's Progress - One Syllable Adventure For Kids - Book - $9.99 - Written for kids, ages 6-10 years old. This old, beloved Christian classic story is rewritten specifically so children of today may enjoy this wonderful allegorical story written so many years ago. Written creatively in one-syllable wording! 216 pages - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=855

* "Scientific Facts In The Bible - Hidden Wealth: Incredible Series" - Book - Only $5.99 - I have heard many preachers and Bible teachers say that, when the Bible presents a scientific fact, it is always correct. This 96-page book proves it! Explore a wealth of incredible scientific, medical, and prophetic facts presented in the Bible, may of which have only recently been corroborated by modern science. Cutting Edge Webmaster, an amateur astronomer, absolutely loves this book! - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=856

* "The Classic Collection of Prayer", by E.M. Bounds - 490 page book - $15.99 - Rev. Edward M. Bounds (1835-1913) served God faithfully through the Civil War, witnessing great atrocities during the war. For the last nineteen years of his life, E.M. Bounds gave himself to intercessory prayer. He was deeply burdened because of the backslidden condition of his Church, the lukewarmness of ministers, the moral decay of his nation and for the lost condition of his fellow-countrymen. He spent a minimum of three to four hours each morning in fervent prayer, prostrate before the throne of heaven. He truly communed with his God in close fellowship and deep conviction.

Quotable Quotes which reveal the true heart of Rev. Bounds: 1) "Man is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men. Men are God’s methods." 2) "Revivals are among the charter rights of the Church...a revival means a heartbroken pastor. A revival means a church on its knees confessing its sins - the sins of the individual and of the Church - confessing the sins of the times and of the community." - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=859

* "With Christ In The School of Prayer", by Missionary Andrew Murray - Book - $12.99 - A missionary of such great stature, Andrew Murray (1828-1917) can be mentioned in the same breath as John "Praying" Hyde. "Few books have had the impact on calling the Church to prayer as Andrew Murray's classic, 'With Christ in the School of Prayer'... I encourage you to saturate yourselves in this timeless classic and learn how you can prepare yourself for effective participation in the highest calling Christ has given the Church--the call to intercessory prayer." (Dick Eastman, Founder & Director Change the World Ministries, sponsoring 'Change the World Schools of Prayer') Andrew Murray, like "Praying Hyde", discovered the "Secret Place of the Most High", where truly intercessory prayer/communion with the Holy Spirit takes place. God stands ready to give you this power also! 318 pages - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=858

Extreme Environmentalism - "Sustainable Development"

* "DVD - Liberty? Or Sustainable Development? - 6 Hours of Presentation! -- "Sustainable Development" rules are sweeping America, implementing both a new system of justice and a new system of economics. Determined to use the environment as society's central organizing principle. Sustainable Development will eliminate private property, indoctrinate children and destroy liberty in America and throughout the world. You will hear some of the foremost experts in issues of the environment, law, and government in the world, all committed to fighting this creeping encroachment of our lives, liberties, and private properties, all done under the lying guise of hurting the environment. - http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=851

---------- This Weeks Hot News ----------

I. As the Republican National Convention sped toward its scripted ending, did anyone notice that the fearsome terrorist attack which Homeland Security said was possible against New York City did not occur? Let us review the original warning which shook America way back on August 2 (Quoting from NEWS1943, "New York City Goes Orange"):

NEWS BRIEF: "Al Qaeda plot targets us", New York Daily News, Monday, August 2, 2004

"Top authorities ratcheted up security in New York and Washington yesterday amid frightening new evidence of Al Qaeda plots to blow up the New York Stock Exchange and other key financial centers. 'We do have new and unusually specific information about where Al Qaeda would like to attack', Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge revealed. The stock exchange and Manhattan's Citicorp Center appear to be in the terrorists' cross hairs - along with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank buildings in Washington and Prudential Plaza in Newark, Ridge said ... The new intelligence, which grew out of the recent arrests of two terror thugs in Pakistan, includes many unsettling details."

For days after this "terrorist alert", we heard many such warnings from other officials, as they stretched this "threat" to include both the Republican National Convention and the general election campaign. In response to this "terror alert", New York City Mayor Bloomberg greatly ratcheted up armed patrols of police, some of which were as heavily armed as a special forces soldier. New Yorkers were jolted by the sight of armed soldiers riding subways, patrolling public streets, and guarding public mass transit centers. Ridge's sudden, bleak announcement sent American hearts to palpitating just a little faster.

However, as we discuss in our article, Ridge's "intelligence facts" were shown to be over three years old! In NEWS1943, we discuss all the reasons why we believe no terrorist attack would occur, either during the Republican Convention or during the national campaign. We stand by this detailed analysis. As the campaign unfolds, we shall be surprised if a major terrorist attack does occur; we might see a series of car bombs, or shootings, but nothing yet of a Mass Destruction weapon used against a city. That scenario is planned, but must wait until all elements are in place, ready to go all at once. Watch Israel's planned separation of populations; once Israel has separated her Jewish citizens from the Palestinians, she shall be ready to go to war. After this war begins, and envelopes all the Middle East, then the planned terror attacks will occur.

In the meantime, this alert from Homeland Security will have to take its place in the repeating terror headlines of NEWS1888.

II. As the Republicans traveled along the path toward nominating President Bush for re-election, some very interesting events occurred which should inform the seasoned observer as to the true nature of the Republican Party and its standard-bearer. Let us review these stories.

A. In the days prior to President Bush's acceptance speech, his verbal gaffes provided some interesting nuggets of information, as well as some campaign fodder for the Democrats.

** Iraq - A "Catastrophic Success"!?

NEWS BRIEF: "Bush stumps in West Virginia, defends Iraq war", SFGate.com, 8/30/2004

"President Bush on Sunday defended the invasion of Iraq, calling it a 'catastrophic success' despite continued violence and the lack of weapons that drove the country to war. 'We did not find the stockpiles that we thought would be there', Bush said at a rally in the northern part of West Virginia, a swing state he won in 2000 that remains vital to his re-election."

What kind of oxymoronic statement is 'catastrophic success' ? For those of you who do not know what the word. 'oxymoron' means, let me quote from my Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

If ever there was an oxymoronic statement from a public official, this one certainly qualifies. Remember when American forces were jubilantly tearing down Saddam's statute in Baghdad as the rest of this country celebrated? Cutting Edge was alone in warning that, over the long term, this war has to evolve to the point where people will consider it a disaster. Now, nearly 17 months later, a great many Americans now consider this war to be a disaster. At least, the President recognized that his war was a "catastrophe"; yet, in the typical manner of most politicians, he tried to wring some good out of a very bad situation. This is when these oxymoronic statements usually occur.

However, note the President's admission that the major reason he took us to war has proven to be deadly wrong, i.e., the assertion that Saddam possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction. At least, Bush is now admitting that Iraq had no WMD. However good that news is, we shall see in a few moments that the United States is using the same flawed logic to justify an attack on Iran.

** Bush: "We can't win the terror war"

NEWS BRIEF: "Bush's loose lips give Democrats more firepower", Washington Times, August 31, 2004

"NASHUA, N.H. — President Bush, who had hoped for a triumphant, gaffe-free entrance to the Republican National Convention, instead has spent the past few days giving rhetorical ammunition to Sen. John Kerry. In an interview aired yesterday on NBC's 'Today' show, Mr. Bush said of the war against terrorism: 'I don't think you can win it. In other recent interviews, he called Operation Iraqi Freedom a 'catastrophic success' and his postwar plan a 'miscalculation'."

Democrat Presidential Candidate John Kerry immediately pounced upon the President. He said that, if elected, he would make sure that his policies would most definitely produce a "win" for America in the "War On Terror". Just hours later, the President tried to backpedal from his original statement, but the damage to his credibility was irreversible. Many Americans undoubtedly will view President Bush in a less than favorable light, not only from his original statement, but from his transparent attempt to backtrack. This picture does not square with his public image of a steadfast, wise President whose policies are guaranteed to gain success -- if voters only give him "four more years".

** Bush said he "miscalculated" Iraq

NEWS BRIEF: "Bush admits he misjudged Iraq situation: Interview with NYT", Dawn: The Online Internet Edition, 28 August 2004

"WASHINGTON, Aug 27: President George Bush, in an interview with The New York Times published on Friday, said he miscalculated post-war conditions in Iraq and that the long insurgency was the product of a 'swift victory'. In what the daily said was the US president's first acknowledgment on the issue, Bush said he made a 'miscalculation of what the conditions would be' in post-war Iraq. He said the miscalculation was an unintended by-product of a 'swift victory', adding that Saddam Hussein's forces quickly went into hiding in cities where they mounted a rebellion far faster than the Americans had anticipated."

Once again, this statement wreaks great damage to President Bush's re-election image. How are we to have confidence in this President to lead us for four more years if he admits that his post-war plan for Iraq was plainly wrong? Furthermore, his statement that insurgents were able to quickly mount their offensive because our forces achieved a victory too quickly smacks once again of an oxymoronic statement. Our military strategy is built around the concept that you end the war as quickly as possible. To suggest that their "swift victory" might have encouraged the insurgents is nonsense, especially when you realize that the major insurgent offensive began in early April, this year, fully one year after our "swift victory".

B. President Bush's daughters took to the podium, trying to boost their father's campaign in the same manner as Kerry's daughters boosted his. The result was less than satisfactory and proved the truth of the old maxim that the "fruit does not fall too far from the tree".

NEWS BRIEF: "Bush Daughters a Bust", Detroit News, TalkLeft Section, September 1, 2004

"The bad reviews are universal. Worse than bad. They made a sex joke about their grandmother? Even the conservative press is appalled ... Amy Sullivan and Kevin Drum at Washington Monthly say the Bush daughters were a bust. So did the Fox News commentators tonight. Even Conservatives Hated Them ... Mort Kondracke: 'Those two girls were 'ditzes'. I'm surprised they were allowed on the program' ... So do the TalkLeft commentators in the open thread on tonight's speeches. One wrote: How crass were the Bush girls - no sophistication, no depth, no shame. Like father, like daughters ... The fate of the free world lies upon the outcome of this election and they introduce their father with references to 'Sex and the City' ..."

We are not told what the sex joke was that the daughters Bush told on their grandmother, but it does not matter. The fact is, they told a sexual innuendo joke on their grandmother on worldwide television! But, like this article states, "Like father, like daughters". Was this columnist speaking of the penchant to tell dirty, sex jokes in public? Has President Bush ever told a dirty sex joke in public? Yes, absolutely. Let us go back to our Ozzy Osbourne article of May, 2002, quoting excerpts:

NEWS1758, "OZZY'S WHITE HOUSE -- 'Bush's Headbanger's Ball' "

"NEWS BRIEF: "Blue Elephants?", by By Lloyd Grove, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, May 10, 2002; Page C03.

"Republicans have been surprising us lately with their ribald humor. First President Bush made an off-color joke about Vice President Cheney during Saturday's White House Correspondents Association Dinner. Then an R-rated movie featuring female frontal nudity was shown Monday aboard Air Force One ... Mr. Grove characterized Bush's comments at the same White House Corespondents Association Dinner at which Ozzy Osbourne was an honored guest."

Note that Mr. Grove used the word "ribald" to describe the remarks of President Bush:

* Ribald humor -- Dictionary definition of ribald: "Indulging in vulgar, lewd, coarse humor." Definition of lewd: "Licentious, lustful, obscene, indecent. wicked." Definition of licentious: "lacking in sexual restraint". Therefore, by using the word, "ribald", to characterize the President's presentation, this journalist clearly was referring to sexual innuendo. Now, let us see exactly what President Bush did and what he said, by returning to our Washington Post article.

With Ozzy Osbourne sitting in the audience, the President explained a slide-show photo of Cheney peering through a peephole into the Oval Office, holding his hands down at his crotch level. A man usually looks through a peephole when he is viewing something sexual; Cheney's hands down in front of his crotch seems to indicate that he was sexually aroused while looking at whatever sexual scene he was viewing through the peephole! [While this article does not say so, I would guess this "photo" was a drawn one, maybe a cartoon. The point is that the president approvingly and jokingly spoke at some length about the sexual scene implied in the "photo"].

Obviously, no genuinely Born Again President would ever engage in this type of sexual innuendo. But, not only did President Bush speak this awful "joke", but he did so in front of hundreds of invited guests at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner. Therefore, why should we be surprised that the Bush daughters thought it appropriate to tell a sexual innuendo joke on their grandmother? Truly, the "fruit does not fall too far from the tree".

C. Religion was on display during the convention, but it was not the old-fashioned Fundamental Christian religion. At best, the type of religion the Republicans allowed on their convention floor was distinctly Ecumenical -- that hated type of a mixing of various religions which is leading the world into the global religion of the False Prophet.

NEWS BRIEF: "GOP Includes Christian Right but Stresses Party Diversity", by Fred Jackson and Bill Fancher, Agape Press

"The Republicans so-called 'big tent' philosophy appears to be in high gear in New York, including the promotion of religious diversity. Some believe the GOP leadership is anxious to demonstrate that the Republican Party gives no special status to conservative evangelical Christianity. The variety of religious groups who were asked to offer prayers during yesterday's convention opening would seem to confirm that effort."

The word, "diversity" is a code word which means accepting everyone for whom they are, without reaching any negative conclusions, especially conclusions based upon eternal, unchangeable Biblical standards. This word is a favorite amongst homosexuals, for it literally means a forced acceptance of the Gay - Lesbian lifestyle without reservations. If you go on to the Gay Log Cabin Republican website you shall see the word, "diversity" used a great deal. During the first 2 years of the Bush Administration, Gays loved Bush's pro-gay policies (NEWS1652, NEWS1600), and loved to say that the President had learned that "diversity wins" elections.

Now, let us see which religions were represented at the podium at some point during the convention.

Evangelical Christian: "Conservative evangelicals such as Joni Eareckson Tada were certainly part of the mix. Her prayer was unapologetically offered in the name of' our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ'."

Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons): "Also, a Mormon representative prayed 'We love thee, Father, and we thank thee for loving us'."

Islam: Then there was a Muslim imam, who read from the Koran. Part of his message was, "Whoever obeys God and his messenger will indeed achieve a mighty success."

Make no mistake about the fact that President Bush is leading the American people into the amalgamated world religion called Ecumenism, just as we saw him do following the attacks of 9/11. No truly Born Again Christian would ever allow this kind of religion mixing at a convention in which his people control every tiny detail.

But, this convention also straddled both sides of the fence on Abortion. Given Bush's appeal to Evangelical Christians, you would think he would not allow any pro-Abortion speaker to address the delegates. But, then, that would not be consistent with "diversity", would it? Let us continue with our Agape Press article:

Pro-Life Speakers: "Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas spoke on Tuesday, and he points out that he is not the only pro-life Republican who will be taking the podium. Brownback notes that others slated to speak at the convention include Senators Rick Santorum and Bill Frist, and House Speaker Denny Hastert, who are all committed pro-lifers. And, the Kansas senator adds, "of course the President is, and he's the ultimate spokesman for the party."

Wait a minute! Sin ce when is Bill Frist a pro-life politician? WorldNetDaily noted in December, 2002, that Senator Frist had strong pro-abortion ties. Listen to an excerpt from our NEWS1829:

I tell you, a person today cannot unquestioningly, blindly accept anything he reads, even if it is printed in a Christian publication! At this End of the Age, we must be "wise as serpents, harmless as doves", just as Jesus told us to be. Isn't it amazing that the public Senator Frist has been changed into a "pro-life" politician? Truly, this country is in the grip of unprecedented deception, just as Jesus prophesied (Matthew 24:4, 11, 24).

Now, look at the reality that Pro-Abortion Speakers were also invited to speak at the Republican National Convention:

"But the senator notes that convention planners 'are putting a number of pro-choice speakers up as well, showing the diversity of the overall party'. He feels the GOP leaders are working hard to demonstrate the broad range of thought and variety of background among the nation's Republicans, including the moderates. 'I think they're doing a good job of providing a mix and showing the breadth and strength of this party' ... Brownback contends that, far from snubbing conservative Christian speakers at the national convention, the GOP is trying to give them a voice while showing the party's overall diversity."

There is that awful word again: "diversity". Once limited to Gay - Lesbian issues, that word is now being regularly applied to religious issues as well. God will not allow Himself to be mocked by a political party and a leader who insist upon hugging both sides of the issues; it does no good to have Christians represented at the convention if you then turn around to allow pro-abortion, pro-gay speakers full representation as well. In fact, the latter group enjoyed the major limelight. As Paul so eloquently warned that God will not allow a person or an organiation to embrace both sides of an issue. You either serve Jesus or Satan; you cannot embrace, or tolerate, both:

D. While the official Bush campaign appeared to snub Gays and Lesbians at the convention, President Bush ensured that certain pro-gay GOP politicians quietly acted to draw the homosexual faction under their "Big Tent". Listen:

NEWS BRIEF: "GOP Gays Find Allies", Yahoo News, August 30, 2004

"NEW YORK — A handful of prominent Republicans declared solidarity Sunday with gay GOP activists on the eve of a party convention poised to take a forceful stance against same-sex marriage. The show of support from New York Gov. George E. Pataki, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld heartened members of the Log Cabin Republicans..."

Thus, the Bush campaign quietly, without fanfare, acted to garner the support of the Gay community, telling them, in effect, support us now even though political necessity dictates that we officially take anti-gay positions, and after Bush is reelected, he shall again be your friend, just as he was during the first 2 years.

E. Democrat Zell Miller "jumped ship" during this convention, just as he was rumored to be ready to do, in order to support President Bush. However, he apparently let a "big cat" out of the proverbial bag during his speech, for anyone astute enough to understand.

NEWS BRIEF: "Zell Jumps Ship...Exposes A Hidden Bush Agenda Item", Detroit News Opinion, by Benjamin W. McDuffee, September 2, 2004

"Democrats weren't really too surprised to hear Miller support Bush today. It just fits the mood for this election season. But I for one, was surprised that the Bush White House allowed him to let one of their big cats out of the bag. As Zell spoke today, he talked about the opposition giving way to FDR in tough times, to allow a peace-time draft, the first of its kind. Why did FDR need that Peace Time Draft? Why? Because he knew that a big war was on the horizon. He was right. Today, Miller pretty much said that Democrats should do the same. Support 'W' and allow us to prepare for war."

"WHAT?! I know we are spread thin as a military, but what is this big World War we are preparing for? Is Iraq not stomped enough? Is Iran just too tempting to Bush that he can't get the message from his failed judgments in Iraq?"

My hat is off to Benjamin McDuffee! He caught exactly what Zell Miller was telling the delegates and by extension, the rest of the world. A big world war is coming after the election, so Miller was urging Americans to follow the lead of the politicians of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who backed his call for a "Peace Time Draft" simply because he knew the plan to bring America into the war.

Similarly, President Bush -- and John Kerry -- knows that the plan calls for a World War III; therefore, America is going to have to reinstate the draft. Tough times are coming, and it will not make one whit of difference whether our President is Skull & Bones Bush or equally Skull & Bones Kerry.

By the way, the very fact that this planned war can be seen after the election lends credence to our belief that the catastrophic terrorism in our cities -- especially using Weapons of Mass Destruction -- will not occur until all the elements of this war are in place, just as we show in NEWS1943 (quoted above). After all, General Tommy Franks told the nation in November, 2003, that the next major terrorist attack would cause the collapse of our Constitutional form of government. Thus, the next terrorist attack will not be carried out until all elements of World War III are in place and ready to go.

Whether the President is Bush or Kerry, this march toward World War III will continue.

(NOTE: Full Text of Zell Miller's Speech)

III. After weeks of being pummeled by 'Swift Boats Veterans' for supposedly lying about his wartime record and getting his medals cheaply, John Kerry welcomed a major gift from the man whom he pulled out of a river in Vietnam during this time period. Remember, in last week's newsletter, we noted that President Bush had been forced by the facts to recant his earlier position that Swift Boats Veterans were trumpeting about Kerry; the President said, "I don't think John Kerry lied about his record".

NEWS BRIEF: "Rescued Swift-Boat Vet Stumps in W.Va. for Kerry", By Paul J. Nyden, West Virginia Gazette, Thursday 02 September 2004

"The man who John Kerry pulled from a river in Vietnam in March 1969 came to West Virginia on Wednesday and denounced ads questioning Kerry’s heroism as lies. 'People are angry at the Bush administration', Jim Rassmann said. 'And a lot of veterans are offended by the swift-boat ad controversy. What is being said in these ads is absolutely not true'.”

Also in last week's newsletter, we noted that the Bush campaign had been caught supplying high-powered legal counsel to the Swift Boats group -- lawyers on the President's staff. Since this represents a clear violation of the law, several of the lawyers were forced to resign and the President found himself on the defensive just days before his acceptance speech. This article speaks clearly to this issue.

"The group called Swift Board Veterans for Truth, financed by backers of President Bush, has run ads attacking Kerry on television stations in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. They question whether Kerry deserved the medals he received in Vietnam, and say Kerry dishonored his fellow soldiers when he returned to the United States and protested the Vietnam War."

“ 'When I saw the ads, my first reaction was extreme disappointment', Rassmann said. 'They all served this country faithfully. When they first came out with their story, I said, ‘Why?’ They were calling John Kerry a liar, a traitor. They were saying the same about me. The longer this dispute goes on, and the more people report it in the press, the more the truth will come out', he said."

"Rassmann says Kerry rescued him, under gunfire, from the Bay Hap River in South Vietnam on March 13, 1969. Kerry received a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart for a wound that day, and a citation signed by U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. 'If it wasn’t for John Kerry, I’d be dead meat', Rassmann said, recalling his rescue after a mine exploded under his boat and blew him into the water." (Ibid.)

Now, can you see why John Kerry is anxious to compare his war record to that of President Bush? During his time as a reserve pilot, Bush apparently played hooky a great deal of time. Since he was an officer, and since his family was so very well connected, George W. was allowed to not show up during many times when he was scheduled to report for duty. Perhaps this issue will come out more clearly in the planned debates.

IV. Since the plan to unite the world calls for a manufactured worldwide crisis, we should not have been shocked that terrorism has indeed, gone global. Listen to the Illuminati plan before we review the news.

NEWS BRIEF: " 'War on terror' difficult to define", By Todd Richissin, The Baltimore Sun, reprinted in The Seattle Times, September 02, 2004

"LONDON — When gunmen took Russian schoolchildren hostage yesterday, their actions came on the heels of Islamic fundamentalists killing 12 Nepalese nationals in Iraq, which came about the time Palestinian suicide bombers blew up two buses in Israel and about the time a bomb exploded outside a Moscow subway station."

This sentence hits this nail right on the head, even though the rest of this article falls back on the tired old cliché' that terrorism has no military solution, and speaking of this crisis as one that lacks 'any cohesiveness or logic'. Of course, we know this is simply not true. The Illuminati has planned a global terrorist campaign for nearly 100 years, as this quote from Bill Cooper demonstrates. After 9/11, I had no doubt that terrorism would expand globally; the only question I had was "when" this expansion would occur. The news from this week showed that this globalization is now underway.

Multiple Disasters In Russia:

Twin Suicide Attacks On Russian Airliners

NEWS BRIEF: "‘Russia’s 9/11’: Russian Air Disaster Was Suicide Attack", ABC News, August 27, 2004

"Aug. 27, 2004 — Suicide bombers destroyed two Russian domestic airliners Tuesday in precision attacks that killed 90 people ... Traces of explosives found in one of two downed Tupolev planes match explosives used in the 1999 bombing attacks of Moscow apartments by Chechen separatists, according to Russian officials ... Russian officials suspect two female passengers of being the bombers. They seem to have been Chechen and are the only bodies not claimed by relatives or friends. The ITAR-TASS news agency reported today that, according to air traffic controller sources, the Tu-154 signaled three times that it had been hijacked before it crashed."

One intelligence news service hypothesized that one of these highjacked airplanes might have been targeting Putin's personal residence, thus providing a similarity to the 9/11 attacks, where news reports indicated that the flight downed over Pennsylvania might have been aiming for the White House. Now, these suicide bombers have put Russia through her own "9/11".

Furthermore, when this news story reports that the suicide bombers are "Chechen separatists", that facts means they are Muslim. All over the world, Muslim extremists are allowing themselves to be used as pawns by the globalists driving the world into the New World Order.

Suicide Bomber Strikes Crowded Subway Station

NEWS BRIEF: "Russians Mourn Victims of Suicide Bombing at Subway Station: Militant Group Purportedly Claims Responsibility", AP Breaking News, September 1, 2004

"MOSCOW (AP) - Distraught Moscow residents laid flowers Wednesday outside a subway station where a suicide bomber killed 10 people, while a militant Muslim group that claimed responsibility for the crash of two Russian airliners last week said it was also behind the latest attack."

NEWS BRIEF: "Mutilated Bodies, Debris Left Behind in Suicide Attack in Moscow", AP Breaking News, September 1, 2004

"MOSCOW (AP) - A blast-blackened car, chunks of debris strewn across the pavement, a mutilated body beneath a black covering. Those were the gruesome remains of what Moscow's mayor called Russia's latest terrorist attack, a blast that sent body parts flying and left injured victims struggling for their lives. 'There was a very powerful bang', said Alexei Borodin, 29, who said he was walking with his mother when the explosion ripped through an open area between a subway entrance and a department store. Officials said at least 10 people were killed and more than 50 injured in the attack, which was blamed on a female suicide bomber."

Suicide Muslim Fighters Attack and Take Over A School In Southern Russia

NEWS BRIEF: "150 Dead, 646 in Hospitals After School Storm in Southern Russia", MosNews, 03.09.2004

"Over 150 hostages were dead in the stormed school in southern Russia, adviser to Russian president Aslambek Aslakhanov says. Russian Emergency Ministry says 646 were wounded or injured and delivered to hospitals in the cities of Beslan and Vladikavkaz, Itar-Tass reports. 332 of them are children, Interfax wrote. Two law enforcement officers also died during the fight with the terrorists who took over the school ... In the meantime, the fighting with terrorists hiding in a school annex continues. The fighters are continuing fire on special forces."

Westerners have always held children near and dear to their hearts. Muslims could not be striking at a more sensitive target than they did in this attack on a school. At the beginning of the hostage situation, one communiqué from the Muslim kidnappers was that they would kill 50 hostages for every single fighter they lost. We know that at least 150 hostages are dead, but as of this moment, we are not sure as to how many Muslim kidnappers were killed.

What a tragedy!

Muslim Suicide Bombers Strike In Israel

NEWS BRIEF: "16 Murdered in Double Terror Attack in Be´er Sheva", Israel National News, September 1, 2004

"Double bus bombings have rocked the southern town of Be'er Sheva, killing 16 - and wounding over 100, including close to 15 seriously. Police are on high alert nationwide. The twin bus bombs were detonated at around 2:55 P.M. on Rager Boulevard, near Be'er Sheva's City Hall. The buses were approximately 100 meters apart when suicide terrorists detonated their explosives. Over 100 people were evacuated to Soroka Hospital, including 23 with moderate wounds."

Since Israel has completed almost 30% of its Security Fence, and since the IDF had launched a series of aggressive strikes at terrorist leaders, their infrastructure and their weapons, Israel had gone weeks and weeks without a major terrorist attack. Nearly daily, however, we saw reports where alert IDF forces had caught and detained suicide bombers trying to reach their targets. The Palestinians were most definitely attempting to strike, but Israel was interdicting them.

The Hamas terrorist group quickly claimed responsibility for this atrocity.

"Hamas claimed responsibility for the double attack, saying it was a response to the recent wave of immigration to Israel. Be'er Sheva is home to a large number of new immigrants." (Ibid.)

Thus, the common element in all these terrorist attacks is the Islamic religion. No matter how people tried to state that not all Muslims are fanatical militants, these coordinated suicide attacks throughout the world are convincing people that Islam IS the problem. Once this point is reached, the dreaded "Clash of Civilizations" will be inevitable.

V. As we post this article, Hurricane Frances is churning toward the south and east coast of Florida. The hurricane looks like it will hit at Florida City and is as large as the state of Texas. Even though Frances has downgraded to a Category 3 storm, she will still pack a wallop of 125 miles per hour, and may yet strengthen back to a Category 4. She has slowed down to less than 9 miles per hour, which means she seems likely to get stronger.

Since Francis is due to hit the Florida coast some time in the early afternoon on Saturday, September 4, she follows Charley by exactly 22 days. In our analysis of Hurricane Charley (NEWS1953) we neglected to mention that the storm hit on Friday, the 13th of August. Now, Frances is following just 22 days later.

One Accuweather model showed that Frances is likely to hit on roughly the opposite side of Florida as Charley. The storm is expected to cross Florida in the opposite diagonal path as did Charley; this projected path, if it materializes, will cross the path traversed by Charley. The city of Orlando experienced 105mph winds from Charley ("Mighty Charley loses steam", CNN News, Friday, August 13, 2004); therefore, some residents and homeowners suffered significant damage. Additionally, public officials have not yetremoved all the debris that Charley scattered all over the region; Hurricane Frances is likely to pick up this debris and sling it like missiles. The situation could become very deadly very fast.

In NEWS1953, we demonstrated our belief that Hurricane Charley was steered so she would strike exactly at one of the major Biodiversity locations on the Florida map -- Punta Gordo. In fact, as Charley moved diagonally across the state, traveling northeast, she struck two more Biodiversity areas shown on the map as red. We shall have to wait to see how Hurricane Francis tracks.

However, if our contention is correct that government scientists are creating these storms and directing them in order to achieve the planned relocation of our population in accordance with the United Nations Biodiversity plan, we should see evidence that powerful hurricanes are increasing in numbers and intensity. Do we see such an indication? Yes, we certainly do!

NEWS BRIEF: "Monster storms increase since ’95", Knight Ridder Newspapers, carried by The State, September 3, 2004

"WASHINGTON — If it seems as if more monster hurricanes, such as the soon-to-strike Frances, are swirling off the U.S. coast, you’re right. We’re in the midst of a record-breaking decade of hurricane activity ... The past nine years, from 1995 through 2003, mark the busiest, most intense nine-year storm period on record, based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s hurricane season index ... Since 1995, there’s been an average of 13.3 named storms, 7.7 hurricanes and 3.6 major hurricanes (with winds of more than 111 mph) each year. That’s 50 percent higher than the 118-year average of 8.6 named storms, 5.1 hurricanes and two major hurricanes a year.'

The past nine years have seen a 50% increase in powerful hurricanes over the previous 118-year average! This is exactly what we would expect if government scientists were creating storms of such intensity that they could be used for mammoth "society re-engineering". Thus, we have depicted the "Hurricane" card from the Illuminati Card Game (Read NEWS1753, NEWS1855, NEWS1856, NEWS1857, and NEWS1859 to read all about the Illuminati Card Game and its relation to the plan to overthrow this "Old World Order" so that the planned "New World Order" might be set in place].

This next news article tells us that hurricane/cyclone/typhoon activity is hitting worldwide.

NEWS BRIEF: "Storms wreak havoc worldwide", Mail & Guardian Online, 01 September 2004

"Japan's death toll from Typhoon Chaba rose to 13 on Wednesday as another powerful Pacific storm threatened to hit its southern island of Okinawa. Another four people are missing since Chaba hit Japan on Monday and wrought havoc across much of the country, flooding homes, uprooting trees and causing transport chaos.The typhoon is the third deadly storm to hit the country in two weeks."

Don't you find it interesting that multiple typhoons have hit Japan in two weeks, since Frances is following Charley in just 22 days?

"Typhoon Songda is also threatening to make landfall on Japan. Songda lashed several islands in the Northern Marianas chain on Wednesday, sending the tiny population fleeing into Japanese World War II bunkers for shelter. Songda battered Pagan and Agrihan islands, which have a combined population of 33 and are at the northern end of the United States territory. Despite winds of 193kph, officials said there have been no reports of injuries and the main islands of Saipan and Tinian have escaped damage ... The Honolulu-based Joint Typhoon Warning Centre said Songda, named after a Vietnamese river, was headed towards the Japanese island of Okinawa and would then move north toward South Korea and southern Japan." [Ibid]

This Asian region has seen its share of powerful typhoons this season, storms which have caused great damage. This article then notes the effects from Bonnie and Gaston in the United States.

"Meanwhile, Richmond, the capital of the US state of Virginia, was cleaning up on Wednesday after tropical storm Gaston stalled over the city, causing widespread flooding and reportedly killing at least five people ... Gaston ... had been expected to pass quickly over the Richmond area. But instead, it stalled for several hours, causing the James River to overflow its banks and flood several low-lying neighborhoods, turning numerous cars into a floating parade." [Ibid.]

In numerous regions of this world, hurricanes are causing havoc, especially against countries which possess an Industrial Civilization.

Please send me any interesting articles you might see regarding Hurricane Frances -- at dbay@cuttingedge.org

VI. Taiwan's President may have taken his nation closer to war with China this week. President Chen verbally poked China right in the eye with a surprising announcement.

NEWS BRIEF: "Chen wants name change - from 'ROC' to 'Taiwan' ", The Straits Times, September 3, 2004

"TAIPEI (Taiwan) - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Friday that this island's official name, Republic of China, or the ROC, is confusing and that he just wants to call it Taiwan during trips abroad - a remark that Beijing might interpret as a new step towards formal independence. 'When we just say 'Taiwan,' everyone understands where we are,' Mr Chen told reporters ..."

China is likely to get very angry over this announcement. While Chen's statement may seem innocent to most people, it implies that Taiwan wants to be an independent state. The existing name, "Republic of China, or the ROC", implies that Taiwan recognizes she is part of Mainland China -- a stance upon which China has always insisted. For four decades, American presidential policy has been to quietly guarantee Taiwan's existence while publicly discouraging her from making any statement which would infuriate the Chinese Mainland.

For the most part, Taiwan has played this game. However, lately, she has been taking a more independent stance, prompting China to repeatedly threaten her with military invasion, and causing China to repeatedly stage war games whose only objective is to conquer Taiwan. For more information about how serious this matter is in the End of the Age scenario, please take a few moments to read our most recent article on this subject: "China Surges Toward All-Out War With China", NEWS1944.

Remember, Taiwan's sell-out began 200 years ago!

VII. During this past week, the United States began to repeatedly beat the drums of war against Iran. The rhetoric seems virtually identical to the flawed public campaign against Saddam Hussein and his phantom Weapons of Mass Destruction. However, with Iran, it appears she already possesses nuclear weapons.

Let us first hear from the United States:

NEWS BRIEF: "UN should act against Iran, says Powell", Dawn, The Internet Edition, 03 September 2004

"WASHINGTON, Sept 2: US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Wednesday the time had come for the United Nations to take punitive action against Iran for its alleged nuclear weapons program. Speaking to reporters flying back with him from a one-day trip to Panama, Mr Powell said he would urge members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at its board meeting on Sept 13, to refer the issue to the UN Council. 'We still believe that the Iranians are not fessing up to everything. They still have a program that, in our judgment, is a nuclear program designed to develop ultimately a nuclear weapon', said Mr Powell. 'Our view is that it should have been referred to the (UN Security) Council long ago and that is still our position, that it ought to be referred to the Council'."

This rhetoric is very close to the repeated charges our officials leveled at Saddam and his Weapons of Mass Destruction program. If you go back through Daily News Updates through all of 2002 and the first three months of 2003, you will discover how close Powell's rhetoric now against Iran is to the previous rhetoric of the Bush Administration against Iraq.

In the Iraq public campaign, the IAEA and the United Nations weapons inspectors teams repeatedly countered American insistence that Iraq has nuclear weapons. Time after time after time, these United Nations experts would categorically state that no evidence existed showing that Iraq had WMD. Is the IAEA backing Iran in this debate? They certainly are.

NEWS BRIEF: "IAEA: No Iranian nuclear arms plans", Al-Jazeera.net, 02 September 2004

"The International Atomic Energy Agency has said its inspectors have not found any evidence to support US accusations that Iran has a secret nuclear weapons programme. The nuclear watchdog reported that Tehran may not have produced highly enriched uranium (HEU) - a key ingredient needed to produce nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Wednesday the time had come for the UN to take punitive action against Iran."

Thus, if the rhetoric against Iran is much the same as it was against Iraq, does this mean that America is about to go to war against Iran? We doubt it, for the following reasons:

1) Iran seems protected by Biblical prophecy against an American-led attack which would topple the present hardline anti-Israel government. You see, Iran (Persia) is named as one of the countries which will march with Russia during the invasion of Israel as foretold in Ezekiel 38-39. Since the End of the Age seems close, it seems doubtful that a "Regime Change" will occur which will install an pro-American and pro-Israel government in Tehran. The Iranians have exactly the type of government they need to be willing to march with Russia in the prophesied invasion of Israel.

2) On April 12, 2003, Russia's Putin, along with the Chancellor of Germany and the President of France, warned President Bush that they would not tolerate another invasion and "Regime Change" of another country in the Middle East (Read NEWS1802). France and Russia possess scalar weaponry (NEWS1776) while the United States does not possess such weaponry (NEWS1776b).

Therefore, if American forces attempt an invasion of Iran, either with standard military forces or with our own Weapons of Mass Destruction, the credibility of Russia, Germany and France would be at stake. However, since scalar weaponry is so incredibly advanced over anything we possess, these countries could intervene with devastating force without the world really understanding what has just occurred. If we do invade Iran, our forces would be just as devastated as Col. Byron Weeks warned in Fall, 2002. Just because our forces have not yet been devastated with the scalar weaponry Col. Weeks described does not mean they never will be destroyed in that manner. If Bush invades Iran, the likelihood is that our forces will be annihilated with scalar weaponry, both in Iran and conceivably in Iraq.

3) A Russian general revealed almost two years ago that Iran already possessed nuclear weapons! Listen:

NEWS BRIEF: "RUSSIAN GENERAL CONFIRMS IRAN HAS NUCLEAR WEAPONS!", Stratfor Intelligence, Week of June 4, 2002.

""A Russian general's statement about Iran's nukes fails to register with media. Sometime a slip of the tongue is so incredible that no amount of doctoring can explain it. And sometimes a slip of the tongue is as intentional as could be. Take an appearance by Russian Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky. He gave a briefing on Friday in Moscow during the Bush-Putin summit and was asked about whether Iran actually fired the Shihab-3 intermediate-range missile in a successful test earlier this month. The second question was whether Iran can threaten Israel, Russia or the United States with its nuclear and missile programs.Then the Russian general takes a surprise turn: 'Now, as to whether or not Iran has tested something like that. Iran does have nuclear weapons,' Baluyevsky said. 'Of course, these are non-strategic nuclear weapons. I mean these are not ICBMs with a range of more than 5,500 kilometers and more."

Now this is shocking news, indeed! This Russian general has just confirmed that Iran has nuclear warheads and theater missiles with which to deliver them! And, he seems not to be concerned because these warheads cannot yet hit Russian soil. If Iran has nuclear weapons and the missile capability with which to deliver them all the way to Israeli targets, then the entire calculation of military balance in the Middle East may just have changed. Our forces invading Iran would most definitely face real nuclear weapons.

America has been warning Iran, "you're next" for over one year now. We have been huffing and puffing and threatening to blow their house down ever since we toppled Saddam's statute. Is the reason we have not invaded because Iran DOES have nuclear weapons? We shall just have to wait to see.

VIII. Iraq turned into a real disaster last week, just as the Republican National Convention was about to begin.

NEWS BRIEF: "Insurgents strike as Iraq parliament convenes", ABC News Online, September 1, 2004

"Five mortar bombs have hit the heavily-fortified zone where the 100 members of Iraq's interim parliament have been sworn in. Delegates ducked for cover as insurgents fired into the Green Zone, which houses the Iraqi administration and the US embassy. A woman waiting outside the Green Zone was injured in the attack, while the 100 delegates were startled but unhurt ... When 1,300 delegates from across Iraq met to select the assembly last month, insurgents fired mortars at the meeting venue, killing two civilians nearby."

Time after time, Iraqi insurgents have warned Iraqi leaders cooperating with the United States that they were playing with fire. After many assassinations of individual Iraqi leaders, and numerous near-assassinations, you would think that all such Iraqi officials would get the message and refuse to cooperate with Coalition Forces anymore. However, at least 1,300 delegates were willing to select the new national assembly, only to be met with a mortar barrage. When will these officials finally get the message?

NEWS BRIEF: "Head of Iraqi City Education Dept. Killed", Las Vegas Sun, August 31, 2004

"KIRKUK, Iraq (AP) - Gunmen shot dead the head of this northern city's education department on Tuesday ... Ibrahim Ismael was killed in a drive-by shooting as he drove to work in Kirkuk ... In other violence, insurgents opened fire on three policemen as they left a restaurant in Kirkuk early Tuesday, wounding three of them ... Another policeman was injured when a roadside bomb exploded near his police patrol late Monday..."

These are not good times for an Iraqi national to be working for the American forces in Iraq.

NEWS BRIEF: "Militants Say They Tried to Kill Chalabi", Daily News.com, September 3, 2004

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A militant group has claimed responsibility for an assassination attempt against former Iraq Governing Council member Ahmad Chalabi ... Gunmen attacked a convoy carrying Chalabi, a prominent Iraqi politician and one-time U.S. ally, as it was traveling south of Baghdad on Wednesday. Chalabi was uninjured but four bodyguards were reported missing ... Chalabi, who heads the Iraqi National Congress party, was a Pentagon favorite before a recent fallout with the Americans."

NEWS BRIEF: "Iraqi terror gang admits execution of 12 Nepali hostages", The Scotsman, 1 Sep 2004

"AN IRAQI militant group yesterday claimed it had killed 12 Nepali hostages and showed pictures of one being beheaded and the others being shot dead, the worst mass murder of captives since a wave of kidnappings erupted in April ... The Nepalis were kidnapped earlier this month when they entered Iraq to work as cooks and cleaners for a Jordanian firm. The killing of the men from a country that has had nothing to do with the invasion or occupation will send shock waves through foreign companies doing business in Iraq."

More and more foreign nationals are going to be targeted in the coming weeks and months as Iraqi insurgents attempt to drive out all foreign troops.

NEWS BRIEF: "Al-Sadr Aide Assassinated Near Baghdad", Bloomberg.com, September 1, 2004

"Sept. 1 (Bloomberg) -- A senior aide to militant Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was assassinated yesterday in Iraq on the road between Najaf and Baghdad, a spokesman for the cleric told Agence France-Presse. Sayed Bashir al-Jazaeri was killed when his car came under fire as he was returning from Najaf ..."

This assassination might have been in retaliation for the trouble Al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army has caused American forces in the past few months, in such places as Falluja and Najaf. I would not be surprised if this assassination were a "Black Box" operation carried out by American forces.

NEWS BRIEF: "Samarra becomes latest no-go zone in Iraq", Detroit News, September 3, 2004

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Over the past few months, insurgents in Samarra have deposed the U.S.-picked leaders and put to death people suspected of collaborating with them, making the northern Iraqi city the latest no-go zone for Iraqi and American troops. With preparations beginning for Iraq's nationwide general election, scheduled for January, the attacks in Samarra and other cities where officials cannot safely travel could present a major barrier to carrying out a credible poll. "It's true that we can't go into Samarra very often," said U.S. Army Capt. Scott Synowiez, an intelligence officer at a 1st Infantry Division base on the outskirts of the city. "Whenever we go into Samarra we do get attacked, without a doubt."

In our newsletter for last week, we reported that the deal by which "peace" was achieved in Falluja and Najaf in effect handed over control of these cities to a combination of a very weak Iraqi police and a very strong Iraqi insurgency. The net result is that American forces are not allowed in these two significant cities. We postulated then that, if this trend continues, American forces might lose control of all Iraq except for the major roads.

Here, we see a very similar situation seems to be developing in Samarra. Is this the "victory" our "War President" is trumpeting?

IX. As the Torture and Sexual Humiliation scandal continued to unfold, one has to really wonder how long it will take for this scandal to taint President Bush as he runs for re-election.

NEWS BRIEF: "Army report faults Sanchez on Iraq prison abuse", by Douglas Jehl and Eric Schmitt, New York Times, azcentral.com August 27, 2004

"WASHINGTON - Classified parts of the report by three Army generals on the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison say Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the former top commander in Iraq, approved the use in Iraq of some severe interrogation practices intended to be limited to captives held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Afghanistan."

In one fell swoop, this sentence verifies that General Sanchez, the top commander in the Iraqi region, not only knew of and approved, the torture and sexual humiliation tactics, but that these tactics were originally used in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay Prison. Remember, General Janice Karpinsky has repeatedly stated that these techniques were originally perfected at Guantanamo Bay and then transferred to her prison at Abu Ghraib.

Remember, also, that public allegations have also been leveled as high as Defence Secretary Rumsfeld, although these charges have been limited to incompetent leadership, not direct culpability.

NEWS BRIEF: "Judge adjourns Iraq abuse hearing", BBC News, 1 September, 2004

"The US military hearing investigating charges against a woman soldier accused of abusing soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq has been adjourned. The judge in charge of the case is expected to decide within a week whether Pte Lynndie England should face a court martial ...Pte England's lawyers have argued she was following orders to soften prisoners up for interrogation."

If this judge rules that Pfc England should not stand trial, Muslims throughout the world will view that verdict as proof that America plans to sweep this entire sorry episode under the rug.

X. As the terrorist trial is set to begin at Guantanamo Bay Prison, a lawyer verbalizes what Cutting Edge has been teaching ever since 9/11: prisoners arrested under anti-terrorism laws will not get a fair trial. The entire system is rigged against the accused in almost exactly the same manner as under Communist dictator, Josef Stalin!

NEWS BRIEF: "Guantanamo 'designed to convict', says expert", By Eli Clifton, The Dawn Internet Edition, 27 August 2004

"WASHINGTON: Pre-trial hearings that began on Tuesday at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba of prisoners taken in the US 'war on terrorism' are 'designed to convict,' says one expert. The lack of attorney-client confidentiality, absence of an appeals process, classified testimony and the two and a half years that many detainees have been held without access to lawyers has produced a legal system tilted against the defendants, says Michael Ratner, president of the Centre for Constitutional Rights (CCR) ... International human rights groups and legal scholars have labeled the hearings 'unfair,' saying they violate fair process guidelines of both civilian courts and military court-martials ... Adding to the flawed process being used in the hearings, says Ratner, "the judges are all handpicked."

"Evidence gleaned over the past two and half years of detention can be used in the government's case, despite the fact that, for most of their detention, the detainees had no contact with attorneys.

"They've been in custody for two and a half years without lawyers so by definition (their testimony) is coerced," said Ratner. Hearsay evidence gained from other detainees or informants can also be used in the tribunal hearings, and the government has defended its right to monitor conversations between attorneys and their clients, despite committing not to do so in some cases ... The hearings at Guantanamo will take place largely in secret, and details of the events are not expected to be made public any time soon."

Pay close attention, for the time is not too far off when American citizens will be charged as "terrorists" under the expanded government definition. [NEWS1553, posted in October, 2001]

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