I would like to tell you about a splinter group in the Book of Mormon you might not even recognize in the dark chiasms of its Lamanitish mysteries. By the end of Mosiah I's reign in the church of God, Nephites are distinguished as those who believe in Christ, and Lamanites as those who don't--more following the faith of their fathers who came out of Jerusalem than their lineage.
It is by this distinction we can verily see that in the latter half of the Book of Mormon, those militant Laminites we read as Zoramites are other than the descendants of Zoram, friend of Nephi. For if they were, then we would lex them as believers in Jesus Christ. But rejoicing in bloodshed and doctrines of devils as they do, this cannot be the case.
In the 15th chapter of Alma, the high priest sends one ZORAM, with his sons LEHI and AHA, to destroy the bloodthirsty Lamanites in the city of Ammonihah to avenge their faithful brothers. You will remember that the people of Ammonihah once mocked Alma and Amulek, even to the point of boasting that not even GOD could destroy their city--let alone two solitary missionaries.
ZORAM and his captain sons handily destroy the city and heap up the dead bodies in such a manner that the land was not inhabited for many moons.
After Alma and Amulek minister to one ZORAMITE population years later, several are converted to believe in Christ--many do not. When converts join the people of Ammon in Alma 35, the remainder of the Zormaites are stirred up to anger and join the Lamanite troops and mentality of guerilla warfare.
In chapter 48 the Lamanites appoint Zoramite captains over their squadrons because of their extensive knowledge of Nephite fortifications. This is becasue back in chapter 15, they were the Nephite commanders sent in to destroy Ammonihah.
In chapter 49 the Lamanites and their Zormaite captains turn tail and run from LEHI, whose name alone strikes mortal terror in their cowardly hearts. This is because LEHI, the son of ZORAM, remained true to his faith while his father and much of the rest of the army forsook their faith for power, corruption and the pride of the world.
Alma had appointed ZORAM a chief captain in his army. ZORAM abused that power to become a poweful and disturbing dissenter who turned militant when some of his ZORAMITES were turned again to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
'We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of ALMOST ALL MEN, as soon as they have gained a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediatley begin to exercise unrighteous dominion . . .
05 December 2009
30 November 2009
reflections pt. 3
And what shall we say then, am I no longer a journalist because I have left that description behind for something better suited to my talents? And do I now detest journalism because of the pathetic industry it has become?
No. I am a journalist because I base my life on truth. No. I am a journalist because I share important information with friends and family. No. I am a journalist because I influence people for the better and I am not swayed simply by a slight change in the status quo.
I am a journalist. I believe journalism is more of a lifestyle and an attribute than it is a true profession. I am an honest, caring, hard-working, listening individual who rejoices in truth and I believe that it will set me free.
How's that for a mission statement? See you around, bitches.
No. I am a journalist because I base my life on truth. No. I am a journalist because I share important information with friends and family. No. I am a journalist because I influence people for the better and I am not swayed simply by a slight change in the status quo.
I am a journalist. I believe journalism is more of a lifestyle and an attribute than it is a true profession. I am an honest, caring, hard-working, listening individual who rejoices in truth and I believe that it will set me free.
How's that for a mission statement? See you around, bitches.
reflections pt. 2
There is no such thing as journalism. There is a slough of data available through the internet upon which people base their lives. Thats all.
Dr. Cressman himself shared that Wikipedia is just as credible as any other dictionary in the world, yet Wikipedia could be run by five-horned chimpanzees for all we know.
It's like the scriptures say about how the gospel will be in the last days: 'heaping unto themselves teachers, having itching ears. (2 Timothy)" We are in cultural apostasy, and will be until the poles flip.
Dr. Cressman himself shared that Wikipedia is just as credible as any other dictionary in the world, yet Wikipedia could be run by five-horned chimpanzees for all we know.
It's like the scriptures say about how the gospel will be in the last days: 'heaping unto themselves teachers, having itching ears. (2 Timothy)" We are in cultural apostasy, and will be until the poles flip.
reflections pt. 1
Five years ago I was a paid journalist working for multiple newspapers in Southern Utah. I was primarily a sports writer, secondarily an opinion columnist. I thought for a time I would be writing to make a living by the time I was 23.
As my junior year in high school passed by, I saw a lot of corruption in the industry of journalism. I was misquoted time and time again, a picture of mine was thrown on the front of the SL Trib next to my headline about a 'high school troublemaker,' a journalist with whom I was working had an affair with my editor.
Since I left the Southern Utah News our copy editor has been fired for pilfering subscription funds.
But what I have learned in Comms 239 has turned me off of journalism in a totally new way: there is no such thing as journalism anymore. There are people sharing ideas and information and the people far out number (and therefore out wit, out research, and out date) the so-called professionals.
And I had an impossible time getting a second date with a hot gymnast girl in my class, I blame that on journalism too.
As my junior year in high school passed by, I saw a lot of corruption in the industry of journalism. I was misquoted time and time again, a picture of mine was thrown on the front of the SL Trib next to my headline about a 'high school troublemaker,' a journalist with whom I was working had an affair with my editor.
Since I left the Southern Utah News our copy editor has been fired for pilfering subscription funds.
But what I have learned in Comms 239 has turned me off of journalism in a totally new way: there is no such thing as journalism anymore. There are people sharing ideas and information and the people far out number (and therefore out wit, out research, and out date) the so-called professionals.
And I had an impossible time getting a second date with a hot gymnast girl in my class, I blame that on journalism too.
30 October 2009
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Matt Livingston interview with NPR’s Doug Fabrizio
Host of KUER RadioWest on FM 90.1
In Studio Tuesday 27 October 2009
ML: How did you get into journalism?
DF: I studied theater in college, you see I was going to be an actor! My scholarship to the U of U was in theater, that’s what I was going to do! I chickened out! When you’re young, and you’re concentrated on a career with an unclear future, you think: how long will it take to be discovered? The same question applies to writers, singers, etc. So I switched to something more practical. I don’t know how much more practical radio is . . . I just started volunteering at KUED, and loved listening to NPR. But I had intended on studying theater.
ML: I think a lot of college students would agree with your statement on uncertainty. Anything further?
DF: You have to take a leap of faith. I follow what Joseph Campbell said, “follow your bliss.” You’ll always have to make compromises, but do what you love. Follow your bliss.
ML: Do you get personal satisfaction from your work?
DF: Everyone gets burned out from time to time, but I do love it. If I didn’t I would quit. There’s always something different, every day I’m on deadline, it’s scary! I love it.
ML: How would you define good journalism?
DF: First, you need to have a powerful sense of integrity. Be aware of what influences you and acknowledge it. Objectivity is important, I agree that none of us can be totally objective—we are all influenced by everything: faith, friends, family—not to say that we shouldn’t aspire to it! That to me is really critical, know what influences you and be willing to resist them. If my sons play lacrosse, can I still do a show about it? If my daughter goes to Africa, can I still showcase volunteer work there? Always ask yourself two questions: 1) Can I resist? And 2) What am I gonna gain?
Second is the power of observation. Be aware of what goes on in culture, place; when you leave a place, what did you notice? If you can be observant, you will bring things to life.
Third you need to be a good storyteller. There is always a story. You need to develop the ability to tell a story.
ML: Where do you place your profession in this definition?
DF: Not different from any conventional journalism. The show has the same intent as when I was a field reporter.
ML: Is it different being in a studio and working with just people than out and about?
DF: If I do it right, it’s not that different. It’s when we lose the big picture and focus too much on an individual that we might get into trouble.
ML: So, in some ways is a person like a place that you can observe, define, etc?
DF: Oh yes people can be characters, places can be too, especially in the West.
ML: How do you feel about movements in citizen journalism?
DF: Skeptical. If it has fat-checking, and balance, then its good. Often I find ‘citizen journalism’ is only opinion. It is good that people want to report, but if it doesn’t have the basics, frankly I don’t give a damn!
ML: Do you see good journalism in today’s media?
DF: Mostly I see deviation. Journalists feel a need to be a part of their story—express opinions on Facebook, Twitter, etc. The news cycle is 24/7, and there is lots of temptation. All the aggregation like Huffington—I see a trend the other way. But there are some really good reporters out there. Honestly I worry more about the economic model.
ML: Are you worried in a personal way?
DF: Not right now—public radio audiences are growing, our audience is bigger than ever. Here’s what I think: in the end, quality journalism will win out.
ML: I love your questions. What is the power of a question in journalism?
DF: First be genuinely curious! Be naturally inquisitive and honestly inquisitive—find a way to be honestly curious in the subject. You see a nice sports car: why does it go so fast? It’s shiny yes, but how do you shine it?
You also need to be interested in the process of things. I believe people want to know that kind of stuff. The minutia, you will find it if you’re observant.
ML: Finally now, your favorite show of all time?
DF: We’ve had some good ones. They had nothing to do with me. Jean Jacobsen, a World War II vet who wrote about the Baton Death March. The book wasn’t the greatest, and he’s dead now, but he was so human, so real, just an ordinary guy, and he just connected. He was so human, so authentic, I just loved the guy.
Host of KUER RadioWest on FM 90.1
In Studio Tuesday 27 October 2009
ML: How did you get into journalism?
DF: I studied theater in college, you see I was going to be an actor! My scholarship to the U of U was in theater, that’s what I was going to do! I chickened out! When you’re young, and you’re concentrated on a career with an unclear future, you think: how long will it take to be discovered? The same question applies to writers, singers, etc. So I switched to something more practical. I don’t know how much more practical radio is . . . I just started volunteering at KUED, and loved listening to NPR. But I had intended on studying theater.
ML: I think a lot of college students would agree with your statement on uncertainty. Anything further?
DF: You have to take a leap of faith. I follow what Joseph Campbell said, “follow your bliss.” You’ll always have to make compromises, but do what you love. Follow your bliss.
ML: Do you get personal satisfaction from your work?
DF: Everyone gets burned out from time to time, but I do love it. If I didn’t I would quit. There’s always something different, every day I’m on deadline, it’s scary! I love it.
ML: How would you define good journalism?
DF: First, you need to have a powerful sense of integrity. Be aware of what influences you and acknowledge it. Objectivity is important, I agree that none of us can be totally objective—we are all influenced by everything: faith, friends, family—not to say that we shouldn’t aspire to it! That to me is really critical, know what influences you and be willing to resist them. If my sons play lacrosse, can I still do a show about it? If my daughter goes to Africa, can I still showcase volunteer work there? Always ask yourself two questions: 1) Can I resist? And 2) What am I gonna gain?
Second is the power of observation. Be aware of what goes on in culture, place; when you leave a place, what did you notice? If you can be observant, you will bring things to life.
Third you need to be a good storyteller. There is always a story. You need to develop the ability to tell a story.
ML: Where do you place your profession in this definition?
DF: Not different from any conventional journalism. The show has the same intent as when I was a field reporter.
ML: Is it different being in a studio and working with just people than out and about?
DF: If I do it right, it’s not that different. It’s when we lose the big picture and focus too much on an individual that we might get into trouble.
ML: So, in some ways is a person like a place that you can observe, define, etc?
DF: Oh yes people can be characters, places can be too, especially in the West.
ML: How do you feel about movements in citizen journalism?
DF: Skeptical. If it has fat-checking, and balance, then its good. Often I find ‘citizen journalism’ is only opinion. It is good that people want to report, but if it doesn’t have the basics, frankly I don’t give a damn!
ML: Do you see good journalism in today’s media?
DF: Mostly I see deviation. Journalists feel a need to be a part of their story—express opinions on Facebook, Twitter, etc. The news cycle is 24/7, and there is lots of temptation. All the aggregation like Huffington—I see a trend the other way. But there are some really good reporters out there. Honestly I worry more about the economic model.
ML: Are you worried in a personal way?
DF: Not right now—public radio audiences are growing, our audience is bigger than ever. Here’s what I think: in the end, quality journalism will win out.
ML: I love your questions. What is the power of a question in journalism?
DF: First be genuinely curious! Be naturally inquisitive and honestly inquisitive—find a way to be honestly curious in the subject. You see a nice sports car: why does it go so fast? It’s shiny yes, but how do you shine it?
You also need to be interested in the process of things. I believe people want to know that kind of stuff. The minutia, you will find it if you’re observant.
ML: Finally now, your favorite show of all time?
DF: We’ve had some good ones. They had nothing to do with me. Jean Jacobsen, a World War II vet who wrote about the Baton Death March. The book wasn’t the greatest, and he’s dead now, but he was so human, so real, just an ordinary guy, and he just connected. He was so human, so authentic, I just loved the guy.
29 October 2009
NPRs Doug FABrizio
I turned the tables on world-class radio interviewer Doug Fabrizio Tuesday. The inquisitive questioner, and host of Utah's RadioWest for the past several years, became my thoughtful responder for our brief interview. The two things I found most interesting were his thoughts on question-asking and his love for journalism.
Doug shared two tips to good question-asking in the journalism profession. First, be genuinely curious about the world around you. Don't settle for definitions and labels, seek deeper to find out how and why.
This brings up his second point, to be interested in and determined to show people the process of things: show the world how things work. Why are cars fast, why do doors open; Doug believes that people are interested in the process.
His love for journalism is evident in how he defines the field, the joy it brings him and what he defines as his best moment on the air. Doug believes that good journalism is based on integrity, it is not self-serving, and it is the art of great story-telling. 'Everything deserves a story,' Doug says.
He finds great joy and personal fulfillment from the work he does, otherwise he wouldn't do it. To others pursuing careers in the arts and life sciences, Doug pushes doing what you love regardless of the odds. The moments you have in doing what you love are priceless, he says.
His best show ever came not from interviewing a Pulitzer writer, nor a Grammy actor, but a war veteran who loved to serve. 'I just loved the guy,' says Doug. The show repeats every Veteran's day.
Doug shared two tips to good question-asking in the journalism profession. First, be genuinely curious about the world around you. Don't settle for definitions and labels, seek deeper to find out how and why.
This brings up his second point, to be interested in and determined to show people the process of things: show the world how things work. Why are cars fast, why do doors open; Doug believes that people are interested in the process.
His love for journalism is evident in how he defines the field, the joy it brings him and what he defines as his best moment on the air. Doug believes that good journalism is based on integrity, it is not self-serving, and it is the art of great story-telling. 'Everything deserves a story,' Doug says.
He finds great joy and personal fulfillment from the work he does, otherwise he wouldn't do it. To others pursuing careers in the arts and life sciences, Doug pushes doing what you love regardless of the odds. The moments you have in doing what you love are priceless, he says.
His best show ever came not from interviewing a Pulitzer writer, nor a Grammy actor, but a war veteran who loved to serve. 'I just loved the guy,' says Doug. The show repeats every Veteran's day.
17 October 2009
Mark 6, Prayer and Kolob
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mark/7
Sum= loaves and afew liddelfishdishes, glive glee glem glue gleet gloat glut glum aglossles. Sum= ofew stoney-corazoney seenosum feefofum yew arr nearr clestrral wharr larr cum frrum; preparrations of an unusual victual ritual now send the starrs upon the seasharr.
Faith haileth strait over the see He gait a wraith pon the waives to saive because He can hairl praiyrs. But stony-bones scresus the Jewsus and Jesus wesus passing besus succoresus assonnashhehearsus 'itisI.' isitI?
Petrach bedrach n petros stumblestones can yousee they bothseenk but Peter tha liter drieup sies and siesup skies if youwill oneleye beleeeeve!
Heseesus allus and willsalveus saveus alwus. Loavesand fishesand prayersand sunsand Hemadethem canchangethem canchangeus wechangethem.
Sum= loaves and afew liddelfishdishes, glive glee glem glue gleet gloat glut glum aglossles. Sum= ofew stoney-corazoney seenosum feefofum yew arr nearr clestrral wharr larr cum frrum; preparrations of an unusual victual ritual now send the starrs upon the seasharr.
Faith haileth strait over the see He gait a wraith pon the waives to saive because He can hairl praiyrs. But stony-bones scresus the Jewsus and Jesus wesus passing besus succoresus assonnashhehearsus 'itisI.' isitI?
Petrach bedrach n petros stumblestones can yousee they bothseenk but Peter tha liter drieup sies and siesup skies if youwill oneleye beleeeeve!
Heseesus allus and willsalveus saveus alwus. Loavesand fishesand prayersand sunsand Hemadethem canchangethem canchangeus wechangethem.
11 October 2009
TRUTH
The way things are, the way things were how thingswillbe I want to see thesthings to know seership. A sailboat and that for the soul of someone, a greater gift we cannot knowabout, were it to God that all journeylists might be seers? Aseer can knowabout the pastthings to bringabout good choosingness for citysins, seerverus snape the sorcyror has a stoneto.
If I wanto be a seeurim the apathway follojews kingship Lordy, the attaboyutes are listed in petros to knot be bearin untruthful.
But the journeylist want truthiness lye a littlecheat and digga pit a pit a pity truth it isnot whatyewsow you arenot a seer.
If I wanto be a seeurim the apathway follojews kingship Lordy, the attaboyutes are listed in petros to knot be bearin untruthful.
But the journeylist want truthiness lye a littlecheat and digga pit a pit a pity truth it isnot whatyewsow you arenot a seer.
04 October 2009
happy book
is there a recipe for HAPPINESS? an equation a reaction an ontological epiphany a written diagnosis a map or a crystal ball that leads us to a BLISSFUL life? in previous lives he has shied from the pursuit because admitting that he wants to be HAPPY means 1 that he looks for a character beyond what hes gotten on his own and 2 he will therefore need to receive it from some else. but he, finding now that HAPPINESS is what he wants, knows it cannot come from any of the aformentioned THINGS because they are >less than he, then what shall we say is greater and whereto shall he seek?
he's heard mentions that belief is happiness, that FAITH swells up inside and buds and blossoms and sprouteth and beginneth to grow and now is not your faith perfect? if i can see i will believe, that is contrary to the NATURE of faith: if faith hath power to change the state of him, it cannot come from without, from exo-, it MUST come from WITHIN re-pen-tance gr: change of 'breath' first the inner vessel then the outer their hearts are changed through FAITH on HIS NAME. ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST.
and in him what then shall be the end-all of it all, for what purpose, for the homo sapiens is unique in its contemplating DEATH, its celebrating of LIFE above all other creatures under heaven, what is his seeking HAPPINESS were it not for HOPE? and if he with faith wait for the prize will he not with patience HOPE for it? o god wilt thou grant me a place at thy right hand, which HOPE cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men which would keep them sure and steadfast THE BOOK OF MORMON.
shall this then save him have we not walls in FAITH and a LIGHT in hope, but what is that sound when i clink on this crucible it still sounds empty on the inside where is this HAPPINESS i made place for you not sounding brass not tinkling cymbal! LOVE as he loved and have LOVE one to another, this one gift ONE greater than he could offer and he requires it back of us, jesus gave his will 'send me' and 'not my will but thine be done'; he gave his soul an offering for sin he gave his heart and blood and water came out HE LOVES and we must, i don't want to i don't have time i have to go too much to do fine then you won't survive anyway, and he must, I I MUST FATHER, I WILL: THE BOOK OF MORMON: ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST.
atonement 39 times and it came to pass and it came to pass and it came to pass and thus we see and thus we see and thus we see
stick of joseph voices form the dust treasure hunter a pearl of great price a seed in his field three measures of leaven the kingdom of heaven
the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, and i will declare the truth unto you by the voice of three witnesses
the one thing on earth that makes in me faith, hope, and charity and makes me HAPPY. 0530 arise eat broccoli workout 0630 shower eat more 0700 THE BOOK OF MORMON time to have my first feast of the day.
http://tinyurl.com/bulldogtalk
he's heard mentions that belief is happiness, that FAITH swells up inside and buds and blossoms and sprouteth and beginneth to grow and now is not your faith perfect? if i can see i will believe, that is contrary to the NATURE of faith: if faith hath power to change the state of him, it cannot come from without, from exo-, it MUST come from WITHIN re-pen-tance gr: change of 'breath' first the inner vessel then the outer their hearts are changed through FAITH on HIS NAME. ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST.
and in him what then shall be the end-all of it all, for what purpose, for the homo sapiens is unique in its contemplating DEATH, its celebrating of LIFE above all other creatures under heaven, what is his seeking HAPPINESS were it not for HOPE? and if he with faith wait for the prize will he not with patience HOPE for it? o god wilt thou grant me a place at thy right hand, which HOPE cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men which would keep them sure and steadfast THE BOOK OF MORMON.
shall this then save him have we not walls in FAITH and a LIGHT in hope, but what is that sound when i clink on this crucible it still sounds empty on the inside where is this HAPPINESS i made place for you not sounding brass not tinkling cymbal! LOVE as he loved and have LOVE one to another, this one gift ONE greater than he could offer and he requires it back of us, jesus gave his will 'send me' and 'not my will but thine be done'; he gave his soul an offering for sin he gave his heart and blood and water came out HE LOVES and we must, i don't want to i don't have time i have to go too much to do fine then you won't survive anyway, and he must, I I MUST FATHER, I WILL: THE BOOK OF MORMON: ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST.
atonement 39 times and it came to pass and it came to pass and it came to pass and thus we see and thus we see and thus we see
stick of joseph voices form the dust treasure hunter a pearl of great price a seed in his field three measures of leaven the kingdom of heaven
the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, and i will declare the truth unto you by the voice of three witnesses
the one thing on earth that makes in me faith, hope, and charity and makes me HAPPY. 0530 arise eat broccoli workout 0630 shower eat more 0700 THE BOOK OF MORMON time to have my first feast of the day.
http://tinyurl.com/bulldogtalk
27 September 2009
judas iscariot
the only of the twelve to come out from JUDEA, the one closest to JHVH by divine election of grace; he who exalteth himself above the hills and maketh himself a star in the firmament as the scripture saith. COME FOLLOW ME kerioth and think not for the morrow, the morrow will take care of itself and you must FORSAKE ALL and i will give you a new life. i will give you a ROBE for your sackcloth, and i will require your life. this man turned WATER to wine this man raised the dead this man raised my own father from the filthy spotted garments for i am he, simons SON as the scripture saith. his feet i rinsed with tears alone i knew it and i know he knew my KISSES on his feet are eternal life. i know him, i am RICH that filthy ointment, that dirty superstitious whore she doens't know him like i do, she knows nothing, adulteress whoremonger harlot of edom curse bethany
his words will last forever with me i was his chosen ELIAS i prepared for him the great and last and i did not desert him i am ELIAS in the holy temple
he made me a RICH man. i did not wash his feet when he entered my house for i am not worthy, though and the ten received a washing of him in the upper room and it was night. he sent me to do his bidding how i love him they don't love him like i do they don't, that sop he washed me clean and me alone not that which goeth into a man defileth him but that which proceedeth . . . adulteries, blasphemies, wicked thoughts i am clean the KISSES proceeded from within i know him and the atonement whole, the power manifest in him so strong and clouds of glory and yet so weak, the blood and WATER came from the SON to sanctify us all and he laid under gethsemane. the guards the elders sanhedrin government upon his shoulders it all went down we came down from the mount it was all down down oh valley of chinneroth why don't i see you now it wasn't meant to be and the ROBE he had of them it all came down. and i FORSOOK ALL and those damn silvers i raca i dont see thou to that thou doest i did it quickly i did well, a fatithful servant where am i now how can i FOLLOW HIM he is alone this cannot be his glory golgotha i cannot see it such perfect crosses from aceldama and now its all forsaken and INRI i am the first to go out JUDAS.
his words will last forever with me i was his chosen ELIAS i prepared for him the great and last and i did not desert him i am ELIAS in the holy temple
he made me a RICH man. i did not wash his feet when he entered my house for i am not worthy, though and the ten received a washing of him in the upper room and it was night. he sent me to do his bidding how i love him they don't love him like i do they don't, that sop he washed me clean and me alone not that which goeth into a man defileth him but that which proceedeth . . . adulteries, blasphemies, wicked thoughts i am clean the KISSES proceeded from within i know him and the atonement whole, the power manifest in him so strong and clouds of glory and yet so weak, the blood and WATER came from the SON to sanctify us all and he laid under gethsemane. the guards the elders sanhedrin government upon his shoulders it all went down we came down from the mount it was all down down oh valley of chinneroth why don't i see you now it wasn't meant to be and the ROBE he had of them it all came down. and i FORSOOK ALL and those damn silvers i raca i dont see thou to that thou doest i did it quickly i did well, a fatithful servant where am i now how can i FOLLOW HIM he is alone this cannot be his glory golgotha i cannot see it such perfect crosses from aceldama and now its all forsaken and INRI i am the first to go out JUDAS.
18 September 2009
Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol Review
Did you know that the holy apostleship in the Mormon church has a line-up of 33rd degree Freemasons? No, you’re right, the Mormon church does not, and Dan Brown’s latest thriller makes no such claims. His release of early this week, The Lost Symbol, offers an entertaining tour through the ornate occult past of Freemasonry in the United States in Washington, DC. It concludes with Robert Langdon’s (Brown’s main character) discovery of arguably the two most perfect symbols on earth for man’s quest up to God.
The novel follows the same plot pattern as his first two (Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code). The reader may, therefore, as I did from time to time, get the more sure word of prophecy about what will still take hundreds of pages to develop. These pages contain buckets of symbolic interpretations and provide etymology and syntax for several ancient phrases we use in complete ignorance today. The ancient mysteries, key words, talismans, and hand positions may be of interest to you as presented in the novel. Especially if you’ve never learned the significance of the symbols of, e.g. (Latin exempli gratii, for example), the dollar bill or the number 33. These tidbits make the novel a very quick read.
In other words, id est (Latin ‘that is’, commonly i.e.), at least read the end of the novel. If you don’t want to buy it, just stop next time you see it on the shelf at the bookstore and read the last hundred pages or so. At least the last 50. The novel may be a flop, but the symbol itself won’t let you down.
For more on occult (Latin occultus, hidden) symbols in the United States, see Mitch Horowitz’s new release, Occult America.
The novel follows the same plot pattern as his first two (Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code). The reader may, therefore, as I did from time to time, get the more sure word of prophecy about what will still take hundreds of pages to develop. These pages contain buckets of symbolic interpretations and provide etymology and syntax for several ancient phrases we use in complete ignorance today. The ancient mysteries, key words, talismans, and hand positions may be of interest to you as presented in the novel. Especially if you’ve never learned the significance of the symbols of, e.g. (Latin exempli gratii, for example), the dollar bill or the number 33. These tidbits make the novel a very quick read.
In other words, id est (Latin ‘that is’, commonly i.e.), at least read the end of the novel. If you don’t want to buy it, just stop next time you see it on the shelf at the bookstore and read the last hundred pages or so. At least the last 50. The novel may be a flop, but the symbol itself won’t let you down.
For more on occult (Latin occultus, hidden) symbols in the United States, see Mitch Horowitz’s new release, Occult America.
07 September 2009
What is journalism? Who is a journalist?
What is Journalism?
History contains the marks of society—what people eat, how they talk, where they work, how they live, etc. Journalism is written history. Journalism is the true account of a civilization as collected by people within it for the improvement of the whole. These writings can be about families, farming and athletics; these writings can be about wars, greed and crime. They can be recorded by a nationally-renowned writer or by a confused schoolboy. But journalism always presents both sides, because every story has two sides, and a journalist understands that.
Who is a journalist?
A journalist is, in many ways, an annoyer and a disturber to the general population. They write time-specific stories that are not based on popular opinion or belief. Journalists base their stories on the truth. They find the source of an event or an idea and scrutinize the details to uncover both sides of the story. Their loyalty to the truth allows them an equal obligation to all men, because personal beliefs or biases are not credible sources for a journalist.
I came to learn many of these principles on Wednesday, the 7th of March, 2006. Having read the local newspaper I became apprised of a ‘Natural Family Resolution’ that isolated single-parent homes, alienated working mothers and banished adult singles to social darkness. My position at the newspaper office enabled me the tools to respond, and as a journalist I felt the stirring obligation to my fellow-man that prompted me to respond. I gathered information from the website of the right-wing think tank which published the document, and called a help line to verify what I read. I gathered the details from the city office regarding the climate and clientele of the city council meeting wherein the document was adopted by the city of Kanab, UT. I published my column of findings in the next week’s newspaper, giving voice to those citizens who were voiceless in the matter of said ‘Family Resolution.’ The response I received from those in power was alarming because of their neglect. The response from those who were neglected was incredible because of their joy at being heard. The class divisions within the city were melted by my newspaper over the next few months, because a journalist was willing to let both sides of the story out.Journalism is about real people living real lives who both need to hear and to be heard. A journalist is someone willing and able to make that possible, through the medium of the written word. Thus journalism is a true account of life, a journalist is anyone who keeps it.
History contains the marks of society—what people eat, how they talk, where they work, how they live, etc. Journalism is written history. Journalism is the true account of a civilization as collected by people within it for the improvement of the whole. These writings can be about families, farming and athletics; these writings can be about wars, greed and crime. They can be recorded by a nationally-renowned writer or by a confused schoolboy. But journalism always presents both sides, because every story has two sides, and a journalist understands that.
Who is a journalist?
A journalist is, in many ways, an annoyer and a disturber to the general population. They write time-specific stories that are not based on popular opinion or belief. Journalists base their stories on the truth. They find the source of an event or an idea and scrutinize the details to uncover both sides of the story. Their loyalty to the truth allows them an equal obligation to all men, because personal beliefs or biases are not credible sources for a journalist.
I came to learn many of these principles on Wednesday, the 7th of March, 2006. Having read the local newspaper I became apprised of a ‘Natural Family Resolution’ that isolated single-parent homes, alienated working mothers and banished adult singles to social darkness. My position at the newspaper office enabled me the tools to respond, and as a journalist I felt the stirring obligation to my fellow-man that prompted me to respond. I gathered information from the website of the right-wing think tank which published the document, and called a help line to verify what I read. I gathered the details from the city office regarding the climate and clientele of the city council meeting wherein the document was adopted by the city of Kanab, UT. I published my column of findings in the next week’s newspaper, giving voice to those citizens who were voiceless in the matter of said ‘Family Resolution.’ The response I received from those in power was alarming because of their neglect. The response from those who were neglected was incredible because of their joy at being heard. The class divisions within the city were melted by my newspaper over the next few months, because a journalist was willing to let both sides of the story out.Journalism is about real people living real lives who both need to hear and to be heard. A journalist is someone willing and able to make that possible, through the medium of the written word. Thus journalism is a true account of life, a journalist is anyone who keeps it.
04 September 2009
Journalism in Danger
Many of you will remember two female reporters who were released from a 4-month plus imprisonment in North Korea the first week of August. Laura Lee and Euna Ling, two God-fearing American journalists, had been working on a series to portray the unfavorable condition on North Korean women in their native country. They made several contacts in China throughout the course of their lengthy documentary, including founders of a foster home in China and a Mission in Seoul. No doubt their footage provides a sad display of life many Americans may never understand. We will surely never know what their cameraman shot; Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Ling destroyed said footage in detainment. Their entourage came to a sudden stop when, after a brief early morning visit to the North Korean mainland, the two were captured and imprisoned until Mr. Clinton and Mr. Gore came for a diplomatic rescue.
The results of their well-intenioned visit to the Orient: the reporters' own jailing, the mortal endangerment of their contacts (at least one house was raided and emergency deportations were arranged), and another less-than-favorable interaction with a country waging nuclear rebellion! I should mention Mr. Clintons nice dinner with NK's leader Mr. Kim.
The questions I ask you: how far does a journalists' obligation to the truth go? To the soil of North Korea, or not? . . .
The results of their well-intenioned visit to the Orient: the reporters' own jailing, the mortal endangerment of their contacts (at least one house was raided and emergency deportations were arranged), and another less-than-favorable interaction with a country waging nuclear rebellion! I should mention Mr. Clintons nice dinner with NK's leader Mr. Kim.
The questions I ask you: how far does a journalists' obligation to the truth go? To the soil of North Korea, or not? . . .
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