Odeo podcasts for tag: historic

History Capsule Feature Episode 27

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 21:02:43 GMT

The History Capsule presents the original 1935 boxing match Joe Louis vs Max Baer. An historic fight for the rising boxing star Joe Louis.

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Wyoming's Historic Governor's Mansion Tour

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:33:05 GMT

An audio tour of Wyoming’s Historic Governor’s Mansion

Where Is the Church? (James E. Faust)

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:05:00 GMT

James E. Faust, First Presidency

BYU Devotional, March 2005

“Some time ago I was walking in the center of Salt Lake City on my way to City Creek Canyon. A car with an out-of-state license plate was driving by. The driver pulled over and asked, ‘Where is the church of the Mormons?’ I assumed that he was thinking of some place or building. I took time to point out the tall Church Office Building, the stately Church Administration Building, the magnificent temple, and the historic tabernacle (the Conference Center had not yet been built). He thanked me and went on his way. . . . I could have answered differently. I could have pointed to my chest and said that the Church should be first and foremost in our hearts. Then the traveler would surely have been somewhat bewildered. But that response would have been more accurate than my directing him to our beloved, magnificent, sky-piercing spires; the great majestic dome; and the other world-famous monuments and edifices—wonderful and unique and great as they are. It would have been more correct because the Lord said, ‘The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.’ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be in our hearts, and, when it is in our individual hearts, it will also be in our great buildings of worship, in our lovely educational institutions, and in our magnificent temples, as well as in our homes and families.”

Transcript – Transcript of Elder Faust's remarks.

Audio Download (24:07 min / 5.5 MB)

Where Is the Church? (James E. Faust)

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:05:00 GMT

James E. Faust, First Presidency

BYU Devotional, March 2005

Transcript – Transcript of Elder Faust's remarks.

Audio Download (24:07 min / 5.5 MB)

Ampguy's Podcast #9

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:12:34 GMT

Ampguy Podcast # 9, June 19, 2005.

Well I met some native American’s who wanted to jam along with me with their instruments, which consisted of a very primitive drum, probably covered with an animal skin, and another native American who was playing a stringed instrument, probably a very rare pre-cursor to the guitar. In respect of their deep historical heritage, I turned the volume down to a very low level on the electric guitar.

TVoF Podcast # 15

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 06:05:08 GMT

On TVoF Podcast #15: Includes a history of fanzines, interview with Scott Anderson of Xanadu Las Vegas convention, report on upcoming comic/anime/RPG cons from Pacific Fen Spotlight, Joyce and Arnie Katz explain Corflu conventions and give their personal p.o.v., excerpt from “Long” John Nebel’s 1958 radio show “The Party Line” with Arthur C. Clarke, listener audio comments, some music and some fannish fun! Hosted by Bill Mills (time: 57:38) An Audio Feature of The Voices of Fandom – http://TVoF.info Web Sites Mentioned In This Program: Las Vegrants Xanadu Las Vegas convention info Corflu.org Corflu Silver Virtual Con Suite eFANZINES.com Pacific Fen Spotlight The Ghastly Love of Johnny X web site TVoF.info – The Voices Of Fandom web site Email Bill/TVoF ARCHIVE OF ALL PREVIOUS TVoF PODCASTS Do You Have a Microphone Attached To Your Computer? LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE USING THE NEW TVoF COMMENT RECORDER (from MyChingo)CLICK HERE! (*Note: recorder will open in a new window!)

Coachman

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 13:00:00 GMT

Chuck Wood loves working with horses and people every day driving carriages in the Historic Area.

Radio Journeys ... Episode 22

Sun, 02 Oct 2005 05:12:00 GMT

This week: A little history of the Great Northern Railway, then the fourth or our episodes of “Empire Builders,” the classic program of 1930-31 that the GNR produced. This one is from January 5, 1931, and it concerns the impact of the Great Depression. Historic radio to take us along…another radio journey.

Will the Next Elections Save Japanese Democracy - by Karel van Wolferen (Robot Books Rebotcast)

Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:03:15 GMT

Karel just sent me an article he wrote for the Asahi about the recent election. I’ve posted it on my wiki.

Karel van Wolferen via email Dear Joi, The widespread ~~- and I mean truly widespread -~~ misconception that Japan has been pushed by Koizumi in a market-capitalism direction should teach us something about the function of the world’s media as agents of ignorance. Like with subjects such as Iraq or Russia those who ought to know do not have a clue of what is actually going on. Herewith my article as it appears this morning in the Asahi Shimbun. best wishes Karel

Will the Next Elections Save Japanese Democracy – by Karel van Wolferen – September 12, 2005

Comment – TrackBack

Friends for a Non-Violent World with Phil Steger & Jonathan Schell

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 10:00:00 GMT

FNVW Executive Director Phil Steger joins Flo & Timothy to talk about teaching nonviolent conflict resolution in schools, prisons, churches and communities while supporting ex-prisoners transitioning back into their communities. Later, they’ll be joined by Jonathan Schell, author of The Fate of the Earth and The Unconquerable World and columnist for The Nation magazine to talk about his Presentation with Q & A at the Historic Fitzgerald Theater on Saturday, September 17th at 8:00pm entitled “Will peace Win? The Will of the People & the End of the War” – an event to benefit Friends for a Non-Violent World. Download MP3 Audio

SS4-Taichung Jade market Soundseeing Cast

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 01:18:00 GMT

Soundseeing cast from Taichung’s historic Jade market-some traditional chinese Music in there to round it out.

NPR: New Hope for Revitalizing a Civil Rights Classic

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 16:36:22 GMT

Eyes on the Prize, the historic documentary of the civil rights movement, is getting a new life, thanks to a grant from the Ford Foundation and philanthropist Richard Gilder. There are plans to release the restored documentary to educational institutions next summer and have it shown again on public television next fall.

NPR: New Hope for Revitalizing a Civil Rights Classic

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 16:36:22 GMT

August 6, 2005 - Herbalism and Oxmoor Farm

Mon, 08 Aug 2005 11:10:00 GMT

HomeGrown goes back in time this week with interviews with a fourth generation herbalist – and a visit to historic Oxmoor Farm (Louisville). The herbalist is Phyllis Light, director of Herbal Studies at Clayton College in Alabama, who also explains its use in the modern world. Patrick Snider, gardener at Oxmoor Farm, has a history of that 1780s farm, along with some insight on its varied gardens and what crops are still grown there today.

Sinead O'Connor

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 14:00:01 GMT

Over the last few years we’ve seen an increase in the number (and variety) of anti-war albums and tracks released by indie and mainstream artists alike. From Green Day and Jada Kiss to Trans Am and Steve Earle, there’s been an overwhelming response to our aggressive global politics through song. In the back of my mind however, I always thought there was one person missing from the melodic protests, an individual who for better or worse has always worn her opinions not just on her sleeve but visibly as a second skin. Sinead O’Connor’s history is well know but for many, she has become simply an afterthought. Yet someone with such an iconic, controversial past cannot â?? should not â?? simply sublimate away into thin air, thus scissorkick is excited by the release of her newest project this September. O’Connor teamed up with the legendary reggae/dub producers Sly and Robbie to record an album of classic reggae covers at the historic Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica including tracks by Lee Perry, Peter Tosh and Burning Spear. I’ve decided to post a poignant rendition of Burning Spear’s “He Prayed,” a track whose lyrics seem appopriate to welcome back a sorely missed, undeniably honest superstar. Resources

For more information on Sinead O’Connor check out her homepage. Sinead O’Connor :: “He Prayed” (Burning Spear Cover)

World View : July 29 2005

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 14:00:00 GMT

In today’s program we hear about the enduring mystery of sunken historical treasure off the coast of Australia…and an eye surgeon’s legacy in the Australian outback… but first, there’s more political turmoil for Fiji.

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 12:16:00 GMT

Canyon Ranch Living on Miami Beach Located at 6801 Collins Avenue. Accessible to Miami’s high-lifestyle, these luxurious condominiums and all their amenities are a well-crafted extension of the renowned Canyon Ranch experience. With direct access to over 750 feet of white-sand beach, these condo masterpieces will stun guests with their gorgeous views of blue water and the city lights. The pristine penthouses have designer kitchens with top of the line appliances, a stunning master suite with spa- inspired bathrooms, two guests bedrooms and two elegant secondary baths and powder room all with imported stone flooring. World-renowned Canyon Ranch has created the first healthy living community called Canyon Ranch Living in Miami Beach where residents can enjoy luxury and optimum health. Residents and guests will have exclusive access to more than 75,000 square feet of leisure and lifestyle space, including a SpaClub with fitness and spa treatment facilities. Also the Health & Healing Center, will be offering preventive medicine and wellness services along with walking and biking paths; and of course, the Canyon Ranch Café will be serving nutritious and gourmet cuisine. Call us now for more information at 305 742-4656 or visit us on the web at www.podcastrealty.com. Year Built: 2005 (under construction) A professionally staffed valet and concierge provide discreet personal service. To ensure your privacy and piece of mind at any time day or night, lobby, reception and valet staff are at your disposal. CONDO BATHROOMS INCLUDE SUMPTUOUS MASTER BATHS, COMPLETE WITH WHIRLPOOL SOAKING TUBS, LIMESTONE FLOORING AND GRANITE COUNTERTOPS, EVOKING THE SPA ENVIRONMENT YOU LOVE. The six-acre oceanfront community is a collaboration between Canyon Ranch and WSG Development Company. Canyon Ranch Living in Miami Beach will be the nation’s first community dedicated to healthy living, and will occupy the site of the former Carillon Hotel, late 1950’s historic hotel known for its distinctive mid-century modern style, located at 6801 Collins Avenue. The world-renowned architecture firm of Arquitectonica will preserve the Carillon as part of the development. The firm’s design features three buildings containing 151 condo-hotel suites and 467 condominium residences. The high-profile design firm, Rockwell Group, has created the property’s interiors. The property’s Sales Pavilion and interactive Experience Center is open on-site. Four interactive kiosks bring to life the essential components that comprise the Canyon Ranch lifestyle: health and healing, movement and fitness, nutrition and abundance, and spa and meditation. A fully furnished model bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen are also available for preview. Listen to our downloadable Podcast description below and contact us right now for more Canyon Ranch listings or to view this amazing project! Call 305 742-4656 or email us at realtor@ZaharaProperties.com

Sinead O'Connor

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 11:35:00 GMT

Over the last few years we’ve seen an increase in the number (and variety) of anti-war albums and tracks released by indie and mainstream artists alike. From Green Day and Jada Kiss to Trans Am and Steve Earle, there’s been an overwhelming response to our aggressive global politics through song. In the back of my mind however, I always thought there was one person missing from the melodic protests, an individual who for better or worse has always worn her opinions not just on her sleeve but visibly as a second skin. Sinead O’Connor’s history is well know but for many, she has become simply an afterthought. Yet someone with such an iconic, controversial past cannot — should not — simply sublimate away into thin air, thus scissorkick is excited by the release of her newest project this September. O’Connor teamed up with the legendary reggae/dub producers Sly and Robbie to record an album of classic reggae covers at the historic Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica including tracks by Lee Perry, Peter Tosh and Burning Spear. I’ve decided to post a poignant rendition of Burning Spear’s “He Prayed,” a track whose lyrics seem appopriate to welcome back a sorely missed, undeniably honest superstar. Resources

For more information on Sinead O’Connor check out her homepage. Sinead O’Connor :: “He Prayed” (Burning Spear Cover)

Weekday for 2005-07-25

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 11:30:00 GMT

[ Download MP3 ] The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, a bill currently in the US Senate, has propelled Hawaii from the newspaper travel section to the front page. The bill would grant native Hawaiians the same legal standing as Native Americans and Native Alaskans. But how much do we on the "continent" really know about Hawaii? What historical happenings led to this point? What was Hawaii like as a monarchy, before it was a US state? What are the major historical milestones? What parts of native culture are still prevalent and what has been lost? How does the ecology of the islands affect the state’s development and culture? How have humans historically interacted with the environment? What creatures and plants are unique to this area? Which species are extinct or endangered? How have foreign diseases affected things? How were the islands formed?

ACTS PART 28 - "An Undesirable Destination" Chapter 21

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 07:20:00 GMT

This is vacation season for many people, and for most of us, that means long hours of driving. In two weeks, my family and I will embark on a 20-hour road trip to see my sister and her family in Colorado. A thousand miles of highway stretches between us and them. I’m not psychic, but, based on past road trips, I can make a pretty accurate, mile-by-mile prediction of what the trip will be like. At mile 1, we’ll turn around and go back home because someone will have forgotten something. This will happen a total of three times. By the third time, everyone will decide that they have to use the bathroom, and we won’t end up actually getting on the road for another 30 minutes. At mile 5, the first child will ask “are we almost there?” This question will be asked a total of 92 times, each way, by each child. At mile 12, there will be a skirmish when one child complains that the other is “looking at him.” At mile 20, Anna will have to use the bathroom. This will happen every 20-30 miles, depending on her fluid intake. By mile 75, the kids will have fallen asleep from sheer boredom. My wife will do the same at mile 80, And I’ll spend the next 300 miles listening to my family’s incessant snoring, interrupted only by Anna periodically waking up to go potty or ask “are we there yet.” And so it will go, and 20 hours of it may get a little tedious. But we’re really looking forward to going to Colorado and seeing our relatives. The destination makes it worth it. A journey is bearable when the destination is somewhere that we want to go. But our text today is the story of a journey that did not have a desirable destination. In fact, from a human perspective it was a very undesirable destination, and that’s what I’ve titled today’s study in Acts chapter 21. I. On Route to Jerusalem It’s there that we’re told about the Apostle Paul’s momentous return to Jerusalem, the Holy City, after years in Asia Minor and Greece, preaching the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. You see, Paul was a fervent Jew,.both politically and religiously. But the fact that he had been called by God to bring the gospel to the Gentile world made him a very controversial figure. Paul’s position was that Gentile Christians need not include all the observations of Judaism in their faith and practice. They didn’t need to be circumcised and observe the holy days and avoid bacon and spare ribs. They only needed to turn from their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved. That seems very reasonable and logical to us. But for fervent Jews, this was an abomination and it made them believe that Paul’s agenda was to stamp out Judaism which made him a traitor to the nation of Israel and a dangerous, detestable human being, and nowhere did the Jewish hatred for Paul burn hotter than in Jerusalem. But Paul is compelled to go to Jerusalem for two reasons. Number one, he wanted to present a financial contribution to the Jerusalem church. He had been collecting contributions from all the churches he had helped plant, a monetary gift intended to help and alleviate some of the hardship experienced by the Jerusalem church. But this gift was as much symbolic as it was practical. This giving and receiving of this gift symbolized a unity of heart and purpose between the Jewish and Gentile Christians. Paul saw it as a statement that “we’re in this together.” The second reason he wanted to go to Jerusalem was that Paul deeply loved his countrymen. Though he was largely hated by them, his heart burned for their salvation. Listen to the words Paul wrote not long before returning to Jerusalem: Romans 9.1-4 ¶ I speak the truth in Christ – I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit – I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. He had such a heart for them, and he wanted to do all that he could to communicate God’s love and truth to them. So, at great personal risk, Paul is compelled to go to Jerusalem, where he will most likely face abuse, arrest, and maybe even death. His destination was not a humanly favorable destination. It’s not the kind of trip where you’d be asking “Are we almost there yet?” But Paul’s sights weren’t set on earthly destinations. His hope wasn’t in earthly objectives. He had given up on those things because they hold so little promise for any of us. Paul’s destination was complete surrender to God and doing all that God called him to do. For Paul knew that at the end of this brief journey we call life, he would hear his Father say “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And so I pose this question as we begin our study today: ‘What is your destination?” Ultimately, what is your primary objective? Is it a happy life? A fulfilling, profitable career? Is it a comfortable retirement? Plasma TV? Those things aren’t necessarily bad. They’re just not worthy of being life destinations. We’ve got to know where we’re going if we’re to get anywhere. If your destination is an earthly place, then you will be subject to inevitable disappointments and fears and insecurities and your plans will always seem threatened. But if you make your destination the same as Paul’s, that is, complete surrender to God’s plan for your life, whatever it is, then you will not be disappointed. Though your earthly journey may take you to places you don’t want to go, you’ll know and have the confidence that these are only brief stops along the way. That’s why Paul, who suffered more than any of us will probably have to suffer, was able to say of his sufferings 2Corinthians 4.17 “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Even if your earthly life takes you some nice places, if you’re ultimate destination is ultimate surrender, you’ll be able to keep them in perspective and not hold too tightly to them. Let’s get into the Word today and look at Paul heading towards his destination of Jerusalem. We concluded last week by reading of Paul’s farewell to the leaders of the church of Ephesus. Dr. Luke is writing and he says…. *Read verses 1-14. Let’s see if we can trace Paul’s journey. From Miletus to Cos to Rhodes to Patara. At that point they found a ship and they embarked on the four hundred mile voyage to Tyre in Syria, north of Judea. Paul and his companions are logging quite a few sea miles here. No luxury liners, no deck lounges or first class cabins, no shuffle board or midnight buffets, no “love, exciting and new…” nothing like that on these voyages. The ships were cargo ships, so you traveled about as comfortably and with about the same amenities as a sack of corn. Remember that the next time you complain about flying coach. In most of the cities that they stopped in, they were always hoping to hook up with some Christians, and it seems that they always find some sort of Christian community. It’s amazing to me how the message of the gospel had penetrated so many towns and regions and had spread so far so fast in the space of just a couple of decades since Christ had come. Several factors contributed to this, including a common language throughout the empire. Pretty much everyone spoke Greek. It was also a time of uncommon military peace. The Pax Romana, which means Roman Peace prevailed throughout the empire during this period. There were no real wars or major military conflicts going on at this time, which greatly improved the early missionaries’ abilities to travel between countries. These and other factors enabled the early church to spread and grow at an amazing rate. It was the perfect time in history for God to send His Son and send forth the message of the gospel throughout the world. Galatians 4.4 when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son Not any earlier. Not any later. At just the right time, the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son. The historical timing of Christ’s advent is really a macro example of the kind of precision timing God employs in micro ways in our lives. God alone is able to know and to bring circumstances together in convergence. If we seek Him and obey Him, He brings things about “in the fullness of time.” God can make things happen in such a harmonious way, and his timing is worth waiting on. What I’m saying is Learn to trust the Lord’s timing. You might be waiting for something in your life, something you believe so strongly that needs to happen. A relationship or an opportunity that you’re just yearning for. Don’t try to strive and force things to come about before the Lord’s blessing is present. God is the master orchestrator of situation and circumstance, and if He is making you wait, it’s for a reason. He wants you to keep praying, to keep seeking His face. Choose to confess your faith in His timing rather than voicing your impatience and confusion about His timing. It will make a difference. And when God does bring about whatever you’re waiting on, in His time, in accordance to His will, it’s likely that you will be able to see in hindsight how perfectly His timing was. From Tyre on to to Ptolemais, from Ptolemais to Caesarea, and whenever an overnight stay is necessary in any city, again, they always seek out disciples, believers, to be with. Oh, how Paul treasured the fellowship of saints! He loved being with other Christians. Because, in the fellowship of saints, you can be complete strangers, humanly speaking, yet have an instant connectedness and kinship, because you know and serve the same Heavenly Father. You have the most important thing in the world in common. Within the church, don’t avoid people who are different than you. Seek them out. Talk to them and listen to them. Plant seeds of relationships with them. It adds a real richness and depth to you life and walk when you really begin to treasure the fellowship of the saints. You know, in today’s mobile society, people relocate a lot. And if the people in question are Christians, then relocation usually involves a church search. I wonder how many people on a church search are actually looking for disciples, are actually looking at the relational potential of a church? They’re evaluate the parking and the preaching and the music and the comfort of the pews and the quality of the nursery, but are they looking for fellowship with saints? Wherever you’re at, whatever situation you find yourself in, stay on the lookout for disciples. Look for people who love and serve the Lord, and hang with them. Learn to value the things you share in Christ. We have different interests and pursuits in life, but when we love the Lord, all those differences sort of melt away. That’s true fellowship and that’s something to treasure. Once in Caesarea, Paul and his companions meet up with Philip. Philip was one of the original seven deacons. You’ll remember that he was first mentioned back in Acts chapter 6, in the early days of the church. That was when thousands of Jews and Greeks in Jerusalem were receiving Christ and administrative problems started emerging. The believers were sharing with one another and trying to provide food for widows who couldn’t provide for themselves, but allegations were made that Jewish widows were being given preferential treatment over Greek widows, and it began to be such a time consuming issue for the original twelve apostles that they said “We have got to delegate this out. It’s needful for us to stay in prayer and in the Word so we can continue preaching and feeding the flock spiritually. Others need to handle this responsibility of distributing physical food.” So they chose seven godly men, Philip among them, to over see the distribution of food. Philip went on to have a very effective and powerful ministry of evangelism. He was the one who shared the gospel with the travelling Ethiopian dignitary in Acts chapter 8, after which he devoted much of his life to going from town to town, preaching the gospel. Years later, he welcomes Paul into his home. You know, having put in some years in under the golden arches, it’s gratifying for me to see that such an effective, mature servant of God started out in food service. Makes me think there’s hope for me. And it reminds me that an effective life starts with servanthood. Whatever heights of effectiveness and accomplishment that God leads you to, hold onto and maintain that attitude of servanthood. 1Peter 4.10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. We’ve got a very gifted congregation here. Some of you are marvelous with kids. Others are great with words. Some are musical, some are handy with tools. Some have a great ability to extend hospitality. So many gifts. Are you using your gifts to serve others? If not, you’re missing out. You’re missing out on the joy of seeing God use you to bring someone to faith in Christ, or to encourage and strengthen someone in their walk. You’re missing out on knowing that your efforts here are laying up eternal reward for you in heaven. An effective journey starts and ends with servanthood. Interesting mention of Philip’s four daughters. It says they were unmarried and that they prophesied. Single Prophetesses – Babes in Christ! Sounds like the title of a TV series. “I thought women weren’t supposed to ever talk in church?” Well, I’ve never heard of a silent prophet. Prophesy is one of the more highly authoritative gifts. And these four single women operated in that giftedness. “I thought all that women were supposed to do was submit to their husbands.” Apparently not if they’re single. You may not know it but Singleness is esteemed in scripture. Sometimes there can be a belittling attitude in churches in regard to unmarried believers. I remember a cartoon in a Christian magazine in which a church secretary is telling her pastor “The Singles’ ministry didn’t appreciate your suggestion of referring to their group ‘The Leftovers.’ While it’s true that the bible lifts up and esteems marriage, it esteems singleness no less. 1Corinthians 7.32-34 An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs – how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world – how he can please his wife – and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world So, if you’re married, stay that way, but if you’re single, don’t make marriage your ultimate destination. If very well may be in your future, but in the meantime, cherish your singleness as a place of blessed availability to God. And let me take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the way some of you single sisters serve this flock! Young people, don’t be in an all-fired hurry to get hitched. A season of singleness can be an incredibly rich time of drawing near to the Lord and serving Him in ways that you may never get to do again. Now, one thing really puzzled me as I read and pondered this chapter. Why was everybody trying to talk Paul out of what He believed the Lord wanted Him to do? Agabus does that belt thing and everybody with Paul pleads with him not to proceed to Jerusalem. They knew that he would be in extreme danger there. The believers in Tyre pleaded with him in the same way. And what really confused me was that the scripture said in verse 4: “Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” Through the Spirit? What Spirit? The holy Spirit? The same Holy Spirit that was compelling him to go? How could that be? It seems contradictory. “Go to Jerusalem. No, don’t go. Was the Spirit playing games with Paul? Like the guy who named his dog “Stay” just to mess with his mind? “Here, Stay, here, stay!” Why was God’s Spirit compelling Paul to travel this hard road to this undesirable destination and, at the same time, warning him so fervently against it? You know why? Because God was causing Paul to really count the cost of obedience. “Paul, I want you to go to Jerusalem , but if you do, here’s what will happen. You will be arrested and your life will be in extreme peril, for my name.” This is one of those occasions where complete obedience to God will bring painful consequences. We think that obedience should automatically yield blessing. Not necessarily. The same Jesus who said: Matthew 11.28 ¶ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ... also said Luke 9.23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” As much as I would like to paint the Christian life as perpetually easy, I can’t. It’s hard and it costs you. So if you are one who can’t think of any reasons not to follow Christ, let me give you some. If you follow Christ: You can’t set your own course. By becoming His follower, You grant Him the right to be your Leader. That means you will follow. That may sound like simple logic, but it’s a hard truth for most Christians to embrace. We want His Lordship, but we don’t want to surrender our autonomy. You’re not going to be able to sing like Sinatra sang: “I did it my way!” No, you’ll do it His way. If you follow Christ,,,, Christ must become your standard. No longer will you be able to derive satisfaction and self-worth by comparing yourself to other people. The other night we were watching Zach test for his high brown belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a little girl began throwing a fit over something. Screaming at her mom, kicking and hitting. Mom exits the gym with her little demon spawn and there’s a brief second of complete silence, then Anna says “I sure glad I’m not like her.” If you follow Christ, then that kind of smug satisfaction can’t be a part of you any longer. Christ is your standard. It doesn’t matter how you’re doing compared to someone else. How are you doing compared to Christ? Not so good. Therefore I will continually be asking God to make me more Christ-like. Because I can’t compare myself to anyone but Him. He is our template of Holiness. Finally, if you follow Christ, Your life no longer belongs to you. 1Corinthians 6.19-20 You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” When you give your life to Christ, it isn’t a time-share deal. “Lord, I’m yours from 10-11:30 am every Sunday morning, except when I’m on vacation, and every third Thursday evening. If you want me outside of those times, then you can fill out a special request form and I’ll take it under consideration.” That’s not the way it works. You are His, lock, stock, and barrel. He has a profound interest in everything you do from here on out. He wants to be a the center of everything you do. If you follow Christ, your life no longer belongs to you. But here’s a secret: It never did. If you’re going to follow Christ, then count the cost. It’s a paradox in that salvation is a free gift but discipleship costs all that you are. I believe that God was both warning Paul and compelling him so that he would really count the personal cost of obedience. He counts it and reckons it well. He says: “I am ready, not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” And so II. Arriving In Jerusalem So, somberly they set off on the last leg of their journey. What would they find upon their arrival in Jerusalem? Would soldiers be waiting to take Paul into custody at the city gates? If he made it in, would the Jerusalem church want anything to do with him, or had they bought into all the slanderous lies that were being spread? *read verses 15-26. Upon arrival, Paul’s first concerns are alleviated. No immediate arrest and he is received warmly by the brothers, who listen as he recounts all that the Lord had done through his ministry over the past several years. There was a lot to tell. The first trip to Cyprus, where a powerful politician had believed their message and many people had accepted Christ. There was the time in Lystra where everyone thought Paul and Barnabas were gods. There was that deal in Philipi, where Paul and Silas were beaten and put in chains and God busted them out of jail with a midnight earthquake. There was the huge, 2 year revival in Ephesus. Just so many things that God had done, and I imagine the James and the other Jerusalem saints sat there in awe and wonder at Paul’s mighty testimony of God’s faithfulness. I bet Paul himself was pretty encouraged too, as he brought to mind all these things. Just a tip: Take opportunities to recollect what God has done in your life. Take moments to think back and thank him for those times when He showed Himself powerful and faithful on your behalf. This is a powerful parenting dynamic. Parents, take opportunities to talk to your children about what God has done in your life, about specific occasions of God’s goodness and faithfulness. That way your children will know that you don’t just talk about God, you experience Him. Exodus 10.2 “tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.” We have all these commercials urging us to talk to our kids about drugs, talk to them about sex. Talk to your kids about Jesus. Tell them what God has done and is doing in your life. That’s not a subject we should be shy about. So the brothers in Jerusalem receive Paul warmly, but they are all too aware of the danger that he is in. So they say ‘here’s what you do Paul. We have four brothers here who have taken Nazarite vows. Go with them to the temple and endorse their vows by paying for their expenses.” Their thought is that anyone who might be watching Paul will see that, by supporting these orthodox Jewish men in their Jewish vows, he must be still full-on Jewish himself, even though he’s a Christian. Paul agrees to this, but I have to wonder if it was with a fair amount of skepticism. I think he was already resigned to the fact that the plan wouldn’t work. *Read verses 27-36. Someone from Asia Minor, probably from Ephesus, where the huge riot occurred two chapters ago, recognizes Paul. And in the heat of the nationalistic fervor that would have been present in the Jerusalem during the time of a high holy festival like Pentecost, they stir the crowd into a riotous state. Imagine if you were downtown in Riverfront Park on the 4th of July, during the big Independence Day Celebration, and someone shouted “Hey I just saw Abu Musab Al- Zarqawi selling falafels over on by the pavilion!” It’d turn riotous pretty quick, don’t you think? That was the kind of patriotic climate in Jerusalem on this day. In their minds Paul was something of a religious terrorist, someone they perceived as a severe threat to their culture, their way of life, and their national security. And his high level of visibility had made him notorious among the orthodox Jewish national community. So when these guys recognize Paul and start shouting “This man is telling people everywhere to hate us! He speaks against our nation and our temple and our God! And he defiles the temple by bringing in a Gentile!” It doesn’t take long for things to turn ugly. Incidentally, Paul hadn’t actually brought Trophimus into the temple, but it was a good way to get the people really mad really quick. You didn’t bring Gentiles any farther than the outer courts of the temple. It was a capital offense. Archaeologists have found inscriptions at this point of the temple that read: “No foreigner is to enter within the balustrade and embankment around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death which follows.” They start beating Paul mercilessly. Thankfully, the commander of the local Roman military garrison rushes to the scene with soldiers at which point the crowd stops thumping on Paul and calms down momentarily. Now, this marks a major transition in Paul’s life. From this point on, the majority of his life will be spent in custody. This was his earthly destination. What a letdown! What a raw deal for such a godly man who had served so boldly and faithfully. Had I been writing Paul’s story, I probably would have given him a happier ending. He’d have some hard years early on, he’d have to pay some dues, but by this time in his life, I’d want him to have some security. Good solid speaking engagement schedule, selling out stadiums all over Palestine and Asia and Greece. A home of his own, couple of best selling books. Couple of good lawyers to keep the Judaizers off his back. I probably would have given Paul a more desirable earthly destination. But it pleased God for Paul to suffer what he did. It served God’s purposes to take Paul down an ever-descending path of earthly decline. It’s not like he had a completely miserable life. Far from it. He had some high times, and he had some hard times. In his own words: Philippians 4.12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4.13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Granted, his earthly journey did not have a desirable destination. But it didn’t matter to him. Paul had realized the wonderful truth that every born-again, blood bought child of God needs to take hold of, that’s this: The world is not our destination. Say it with me. Take hold of that. Live in the light of that truth. Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. WRAPUP *Read Isaiah 35:8-10. In his book The Calvary Road, author Roy Hession says: “Let God make you really hungry for the Highway; let Him really drive you to your knees in longing prayer. Mere sightseers won’t get very far. “Ye shall find me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”

CAPITOL RECONSTRUCTION TOUR

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Construction workers have all but gutted Utah’s historic State Capitol building. The three-year, $200 million retrofitting project is well-underway. KCPW ’s Julie Rose takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour.

The Treasure Detector

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 21:05:00 GMT

Listen to the podcast (downloadable mp3 file) “You might think that treasure would have a positive reading,” said Dad. There was something about the tone of his voice that made me look at him sharply. “But, it doesn’t. Generally speaking, the aura of hidden or buried treasure is negative—usually infinitely negative.” His new piece of equipment flickered blue plasma and tiny purple bolts of magnetically charged light as the Vector Generator, a shiny gold, quartz, and palladium cylinder, turned slowly on its base. I averted my eyes. I knew by now that if I stared at it too long, I would either go into a trance-like state or worse. I had just entered Dad’s basement laboratory to review the Blue Cave near Jacob Lake, Arizona, and to take a look at the original historical documents. According to numerous accounts, a team had made a name for itself in the late 1860s and 1870s as the Pink Lady Bandits. While they targeted outlaws and bank robbers, they saved their real energy and innovation for the bands of outlaws that preyed upon wagon trains of settlers heading to California , or on cross-country stagecoaches carrying coins and jewels back from the gold fields. Sometime later, it was discovered that one of the ladies was a man, and that they were a husband and wife duo. Dad opened the shutters to a row of windows that extended the length of the wall. As bright sunlight poured in, I was reminded that the lab was not completely underground like a typical basement, but was partially a split-level affair, with a wide, high window where the chin-level sill was at ground level. “History is a construct. It is an invented narrative,” he read slowly from a yellowed pamphlet. “This is a translation of a Russian historian who died in the gulags in the 1930s.” “Do you go along with that?” I asked. “And if so, why do you collect all these maps and books on the gold fields of Nevada , California , and Arizona ?” The vertigo that Dad’s Vector Generator had created in me was beginning to subside. I was still feeling mentally vulnerable, and apt to blurt out any kind of thing that came to mind. Impulse control was an afterthought at best. “I’m just saying that there’s a lot of window-dressing on the truth,” he said. He leaned over the map he had been examining. “Window-dressing?” I asked. “Embellishment. Exaggeration. Cleaning up.” Dad held the map up to the light. “I’m not sure what to believe about the history of the Blue Cave and the so-called The Pink Lady Bandits, for example.” “Do you remember when you and I went to the Blue Cave ?” I asked. “It was the summer after we lived in Lovelock, Nevada . We were on our way back.” “Yes. That was interesting. I didn’t have the information I have now – but, perhaps it would not have made any difference. The ownership was problematic. That’s why we never did anything with it, even though the copper mineralization was pretty high grade,” said Dad. “I’d like to go back in the next month or so.” “I was eight years old,” I said. “Yeah. What a time. Right after that, when we stayed in Flagstaff , I had my first seizure.” I looked down, suddenly filled with sadness. Life with a seizure disorder had not been an easy one, but now was not the time or place to indulge myself with a round of self-pity. Perhaps we were onto something with this. The palladium inserts in the Vector Generator were definitely giving it a magnificent charge. It could, in theory, be used to calculate the distance between two places bearing the same charge. If we put old gold coins in the Vector Pod, it would calculate the distance between that and all the old gold coin occurrences of like frequency. To make it effective, we needed something that had once belonged to one or both of the Pink Lady Bandits. Suddenly an ear-piercing animal shriek rent the air. Without thinking, I stared into the Vector Generator, which had flared with a thousand simultaneous miniature lightning bolts. As much as I tried, I could not seem to detach my gaze from it, even as I heard more screams from outside the laboratory door. “Dad,” I felt myself starting to tremble. “Dad. Please. Help me.” Dad moved swiftly across the lab, grabbed a large canvas rock bag and shoved it down over my head. An eccentric remedy, by any stretch of the imagination. However, it worked. I found myself coming back around. Grabbing me by the arm, Dad helped me up the stairs and out of the basement laboratory. Once into the fresh, cool morning sunshine, my head cleared. Dad stopped abruptly as the hideous shrieks erupted again. “You didn’t tell me Stanton was going to come by,” Dad said. His tone was dark, but amused. “Where did he get that thing?” “That?” I looked at the back of Stanton ’s pickup truck. He had a large cat carrier, and in it was an extremely bulky and extremely unhappy feline. “Perhaps the better question is “why.” What are you planning to do? Do you really imagine you can make something work this time?” said Dad softly. He paused, then continued. “Don’t set yourself up to be hurt.”

Episode 3

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 05:34:38 GMT

This episode contains ideas for using magic items in new ways, online historical map and building plan resources, and an interview with Mur Lafferty from the Geek Fu Action Grip podcast.

Soundseeing Tour no.2 - Clinton Academy, East Hampton, New York with Elizabeth Bowser

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 06:23:00 GMT

Elizabeth Bowser, 86 year old docent of The Clinton Academy, leads us on a tour of this historic East Hampton building and museum. Look for more Soundseeing tours on Podarama.com or iTunes.

Phils Garage Surfs Up - KFJC - Los Altos Hills - Underheard.org

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 22:00:05 GMT

Surf’s Up! is the longest running instrumental surf show in the world, and has been the catalyst for the Bay Area surf music scene. Surf’s Up! is more than just surf music. Phil Dirt provides color with facts and rumors about the artists. He doesn’t just play “Pipeline” and “Wipe Out”. Surf’s Up is not the Ventures and the Beach Boys. It is REAL surf music—no vocals. It is filled with obscuros and unreleased gems, live performances, new releases, and special remixes. It is Surf Beat from all over the world, both historic and leading edge. (underheard.org)

Stonehenge - WREK - Atlanta - Underheard.org

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:00:02 GMT

Blowing your mind every week, your host Tim plays the music that really existed back in the sixties and seventies, not just “Rock-N-Roll Hoochie Koo” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” Fight the historical revisionism of those commercial classic rock stations by tuning into Stonehenge. It’s one heavy trip. (underheard.org)

Podclag.com - e4 - German Grand Prix, Danica Patrick Crashes, Fantastic Trans Am Race, Weak AVA Award

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 16:20:00 GMT

Voxan is having a bad week but he and Bad Andy muster through another episode. Audio levels are much much better, so you can actually hear them talk about the German Grand Prix, Danica Patricks Big Crash, the historic Trans Am Race, and they even issue an AVA Award even though there wasn’t much to choose from.

The Great Mortality

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 08:44:00 GMT

John Kelly revisits the horror of the Black Death in The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, The Most Devastating Plague of All Time. This historical investigation combines the personal accounts of those who experienced the horrors of the plague with modern scientific perspectives on the disease. Music: From the Motion Picture The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship off the Ring tracks The Treason of Isengard and Flight To The Ford composed, orchestrated and conducted by Howard Shore

The Rove Scandal is So Last Week (and what we can do)

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 06:27:00 GMT

listen podcast What a difference a week (and a Supreme Court nomination) makes. You don’t hear a peep in the media about Rove. Does it mean that the Rove matter has really quieted down? His crimes are not important anymore? He’s less of a traitor? Not at all. But for the media, its less of a story. Democrats and Republicans are in trenches. We call for the White House to fire Rove, and they say ‘wait for the investigation.’ The news media says ‘boring’ and moves on. How did this happen and how do we keep this thing going. (Yes, it’s our job to keep it going. ) The Underdog Democrat sees this lull with absolute clarity. It is a stark reminder that Democrats need to be in control, not let the media control. Media is passive, we are active. We all loved when Rove was in the headlines and flashed on news screens, when even Fox News was having to admit that the White House made mistakes. It was great. We could sit back and the White House was being put through the ringer. Rove was the word. But that was so last week, my friends. Keep in mind that the reason for the media buzz last week had more to do with the media being pissed about their relationship being broached than about what is really good for Americans. We loved the moments of the July 11th, press conference, and its going to be historic, but let’s get real – that had more to do with the media upset that Scott McClellan committed a cardinal sin – lying to the Washington media pack. Now Democrats must assume active responsibility to keep this story churning. Here’s what we can do: Give ‘Em New Stuff. Media likes new stuff, hates old stuff. There have been new developments in this story and Democrats should be pushing them. There should be Message of the Day and press conferences specifically for each new development as it occurs. Libby is involved? Bolton is involved? Fleischer may be involved? Each on of these questions requires a specific event of the day. Otherwise, these new actors and their roles in it will not be known to the public, and most Americans will think this ends at Rove. People will no doubt email me that Democrats have been doing it, the media is just not reporting it. No, I would answer, not in the right way. Message of the Day means every Democrat who can make news John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid – says the same thing on the given day That’s how you create a news story. Today is Bolton day, tomorrow is Libby day. Even the idea that President Bushn the idea of President Bush hiring a lawyer for the Plame case, as John Dean says raises real questions, should be a press conference and message of the day. -Introducing the Time Clock: It’s not enough to call for the White House to answer questions. It’s not enough to call for a Congressional Inquiry. We know that’s not going to happen. Now we have to the clock. When you call your cable company and complain, and you don’t get satisfaction, what do you say? You say. ‘This has been my 5th phone call’ or ‘This has been going on for 3 weeks.’ Guess what? You get more attention, because you have introduced time into the equation, and time creates pressure. Democrats should do the same. They should be attaching time to statements, such as ‘It is now X days since we asked for a congressional investigation. It is now 16 days since the July 11th press conference, and the White House has provided nothing.” I see some of this among Democrats and on the DNC website, but there needs to be more; every statement must introduce time. Repackage the ‘Brewster-Jennings’ Affair – The Rove story is tied to a whole national security scandal that Democrats should be careful to separate and re-package for maximum advantage. When Rove leaked Plame’s identity, a whole CIA operation critical to national security had to be shut down. Valerie Plame worked at Brewster Jennings and associates, which the CIA has admitted is a front company. This begs for a Congressional investigation and oversight because it’s not the job of prosecutor Fitzgerald to reveal all the damage done to national security – his job is uncovering the crime. So given that a block has set up on investigation on the criminal actions (wait for the probe?) democrats should be asking for a separate Brewster-Jennings hearing. Personalize this..There’s a Victim Here – It’s about Valerie Plame. She’s the victim here, and that is what in the end of the day will keep Americans interested in this story. A wrong was committed, she is the victim, and there is so far no justice. It seems like, true to her CIA minutes, Valerie Plame will probably not say much. That’s up to her. But Democrats should be bringing her up. Her image should be on those protest signs outside the White House, on the backdrop of press conferences and even something as simple as wearing pins with her face would help keep this matter alive.

The Yahweh Brethen

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 18:45:00 GMT

Listen to the podcast—the downloadable mp3 file “Would you rather be wearing a rocket pack or a gown and veil outfit made of burlap?” Stanton asked me as he gestured to a garish 1950s cut-out of a deer wearing a rocket pack, and nodded toward an employee who was dolloping lumpy gray oatmeal into a bowl. The Yahweh Springs “Speedie Trip Gas Mart + Groceries” was once a flag-bearing member of a flourishing chain of convenience stories whose logo – a goofy-looking leaping deer wearing a rocket pack – was almost as well-known in these parts as Sinclair dinosaur (green brontosaurus) or the Mobil flying horse (Pegasus). I looked at the young woman, then at the flimsy Space Age deer. For some reason, all I could think of was the footage of the Challenger as it broke into three parts and plummeted to earth. “The rocket pack,” I said without hesitation. We were having in breakfast in one of the weirdest convenience stories I had ever seen. It was even stranger than the old Wichita Mountain gold mining camp converted into a restaurant famed for its one-pound “Meersburgers” and seismic monitoring station where I purchased pierced earrings with dangles made of rattlesnake “buttons.” “I think I know where you’re coming from,” said Stanton . “By the way, those rattlesnake earrings look quite attractive on you. They’re nice with the little silver skull and crossbones charm. Trying to make a statement?” He grinned and shoved his olive drab t-shirt sleeve up over his deltoid muscle. In the bulge just before the arm hit the shoulder was the tattoo he got in Germany just before he went to Kuwait with his unit. It was a small skull with roses flowering from the eye sockets. “It hasn’t faded at all,” I said, leaning to get a close look. I looked at the tattoo, and then, for some unexpected reason, I found myself caught in the magnetic pull of Stanton ’s eyes. His eyes locked onto mine. For an instant, the world cracked beneath my feet. I felt my stomach tremble, my heart pound, liquid heat pour into my core. His hand pulled my head swiftly and gently toward him, and he touched my jaw with a hard, fiery yet delicate kiss. It happened so quickly I felt quite certain no one noticed. I sank back across the table onto the hard bench. “Would you like a warm-up for your coffee?” asked the woman who had brought our homemade raisin bread toast, rose-hip jelly, alfalfa honey, and creamery butter to us a few minutes earlier. “Yes,” I said. “Please.” Stanton ’s face grew hard as he looked down. I had an idea what he was thinking about. I reflected upon the history of this town – the town where he had lived briefly with his mother before she divorced her father during his last tour of Vietnam . I wondered what the Speedie Trip had looked like when Stanton was young. I imagined it was more or less the same. In Yahwah Springs, “Speedie Trip” had found an uncomfortable home in an elegant, old carriage house constructed of pink Tishomingo granite and rust-red native stone, which looked to me like the Garber sandstone. After the Yahweh Brethren bought land and established their compound on the outskirts of town, the historical tourists attracted to the old Victorian spa architecture decided it was just too creepy to walk around town. “You got the feeling that you were being watched,” said one person in a letter to the editor after the Dallas Morning News had tried to compare Yahweh’s charm with that of Eureka Springs and had made a valiant attempt to air brush the photos to take out the weeds in the sidewalks and the broken windows. After members of the Yahweh Brethren populated their compound, even the fly fishermen and canoers brave enough to tackle collapsed infrastructure and Three Horse River, the Class III “wild river” that raged over drops, “haystacks,” and waterfalls fed by underground rivers and artesian springs, started to by-pass the town. The final blow came when the owner of the Speedie Trip threw in the towel. The town was about to lose its only commercial enterprise. The regional rural economic development board was afraid it would lose its federal grant money if small businesses continued to collapse. In desperation, Jack Landsdowne, the chair of the board, approached the Yahweh Brethren. “Would you mind trying to make a go of the Speedie Trip?” he asked awkwardly. Inwardly he sighed. He hoped he wasn’t dealing with another David Koresh, or an eastern branch of some sort of polygamous cult. That last thought lifted his spirits somewhat. The idea of nubile young women who had been trained to be “obedient” started him down the path of a rather pleasant erotic fantasy. The thought of his own teen-age daughter caught him up short, though. He would be sure to warn her away from this neck of the woods. He’d hate to see her kidnapped and made to be some mad messiah’s newest bride. “I think it’s a “left behind” cult,” said Jack to his wife when he arrived home that night. She looked at him with interest. She had read all the Tim LaHaye novels and was looking forward to the television series. “Oh? I don’t think those things work out too well in real life,” she said thoughtfully. “I mean, you can’t just sit around and wait for The Rapture. If you do, you start making bad decisions.” She was referring to her marriage to Jack, but thankfully, he was oblivious to the fact that he had proposed to her at a weak moment, just after she had finished attending a week-long tent revival outside Righteous City . She had just rededicated her life to Jesus, and was waiting for a sign to tell her what to do with her life. Before that, she had been toying with the idea of joining the Peace Corps or becoming a Wycliffe Bible translator. When Jack proposed, she thought that it was a message that she was not supposed to be spending her life being mistaken for a spy or some sort of agent provocateur working for the CIA. Instead, she was being guided to be an instrument of God’s will, to bear witness to His greatness here in southeastern Oklahoma . Overall, she did not regret it. She just wished she had made one small trip to the wilds of Guatemala or New Guinea to learn an unwritten language and to teach English while spending her nights under mosquito netting. “They are a strange bunch,” he said. “They seem to have their own culture – they make all their own clothes from natural fibers. At least they’re not nudists.” The last disastrous economic development experiment had involved a nudist cult. They had not realized that winters got downright cold in southeastern Oklahoma and that nosing around on what appeared to be abandoned property could get you a face-to-face encounter with a not very happy meth cook. One night, after an awkward trip to the emergency room to where a medic dug buckshot out of the left cheek of one of the plumper members, the entire group vanished into thin air. “I don’t think they vanished,” said Jack. “I just think they put on clothes and cut their hair. What better disguise? They’re probably back at work as teachers and librarians.” We finished our breakfast and walked up to the cash register to pay. “This is my wife, Ophelia,” said Stanton , with obvious pride. My cheeks burned. “I don’t know why you keep saying that,” I said under my breath. I felt my jaw clench. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you I’m sorry I divorced you without telling you.” Stanton looked at me and his eyes glittered with determination. “I love you, and we are here for a reason. I know you believe this as much as I do. We will get to the bottom of this.” He paused. The sound of bacon thrown on a skillet filled the air. He continued softly, intensely. “Yes. Even if it kills us.”

San Diego Mayoral Election, Part II

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Just a few years ago, good-government types loved San Diego. Today it’s plagued by administrative incompetence and political corruption as voters trudge back to the polls for the third election in 16 months. In today’s special election, six candidates are running for Mayor, but victory could be a mixed blessing. Donna Frye, the only Democrat running against five Republicans, is thought to be leading. Meanwhile, two councilmen have been convicted of bribery, the city manager and controller have both resigned, and the city attorney is feuding with other officials. Bankruptcy is a real possibility. What happened to one of America’s best-governed cities? We ask Philip LaVelle, who writes about politics for the Union-Tribune, and architect Alan Rosenblum, professor at the New School of Architecture and Design. Reporter’s Notebook: LAUSD Gets Permission to Raze the Ambassador Hotel A superior court judge has given the LA Unified School District permission to tear down the Ambassador Hotel, , the historic Wilshire Boulevard landmark where movie stars mingled and Senator Robert Kennedy was assassinated after winning California’s 1968 presidential primary. LAUSD will house 4200 students on its 24 acres. The judge turned down an alternate plan hammered out by the Los Angeles Conservancy. We hear more from Ken Bernstein, Director of Preservation Issues at the Conservancy, and businessman David Abel, leader of a group advocating coordinated planning for all civic projects.

TeleSUR: Launch DAY 1

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 21:00:00 GMT

This weekend saw the launch of a historic television collaboration in the Americas. The new network, TeleSUR, has been in the works for six years and is a collaboration of several Caribbean, Central and South American nations; Venezuela, Argentina, Cuba a

TeleSUR: Launch DAY 2

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 21:00:00 GMT

"V" for Victory?

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 17:57:46 GMT

It is one of those stories that you would assume was made up by the Daily Show. Future terrorists bonding by going on a rafting trip? And the "V" sign…it has various international meanings: V for victory; V for Peace; V as lewd gesture, etc. As far as I know it has no usage in historical Islam (readers?), but is widely seen (Palestinian prisoners, Iraqi Voters, Lebanese Democracy Protesters). In the Bosnia War Muslim troops raised one index finger as the sign for Victory (meaning "One God"); The (Orthodox Christian) Serbs raised 3 to signify the Trinity. Maybe the terror-gang was "westernized" after all. Wonder if this was the song they played on the trip?Download panzerlied.mp3 —paleologos