Jan 19, 2011 -- Updated 0936 GMT (1736 HKT)
The future of health care reform repeal
By Ed Hornick, CNN
Washington (CNN) -- Republicans have put the wheels in motion to try to repeal President Obama's health care reform law. CNN breaks down the issue and the efforts' future.
What's behind the push for repeal?
Simple: It's a campaign promise that House Republicans are trying to honor.
During the runup to the midterm elections, Republicans campaigned heavily on repealing and replacing the law. They cited the "will of the people" -- noting that voters, especially members of the Tea Party movement, overwhelmingly rejected the Democrats' policies.
After their historic gains in the midterms, Republicans now control the House and hold a large number of seats in the Senate, and they are living up to that promise. The GOP has been saying that the law as currently written will hamper prospects for long-term economic growth while doing little to slow spiraling medical costs.
House Speaker John Boehner, who used to refer to the bill as a "jobs killer," now says that repealing the "job-crushing" health care law is critical to boosting small business job creation and growing the economy, reflecting sensitivities in the wake of the mass shooting this month in Tucson, Arizona, that critically injured a Democratic colleague, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
What are the chances of repeal?
Nearly nil.
The measure is expected to pass the House, where Republicans have the numbers, but has little chance of clearing the Democratic-controlled Senate. Obama will veto it if it gets to his desk, and there are not enough votes in either chamber to override his veto.
Most Republicans acknowledge the virtual impossibility of an outright repeal but have indicated that there will be attempts to defund portions of the measure or eliminate specific provisions in the months ahead.
But the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office analysis indicates that Republicans may have trouble moving ahead with defunding the law. The measure includes $106 billion in new spending authorizations that Congress will eventually need to appropriate, according to CBO Director Doug Elmendorf. But $86 billion of those authorizations cover politically sensitive programs that were in existence before the passage of health care reform.
What do Americans think?
Polls suggest that Americans are not so happy with the law.
According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Tuesday, when asked whether they would rather see Congress vote to repeal all of the provisions or keep them in place, 50 percent of all Americans favored repeal -- even though only one in six dislikes everything in the bill. Four in 10 oppose such a move.
A Quinnipiac University national poll also released Tuesday offered similar results. According to the survey, Americans by a 48 percent to 43 percent margin want Congress to repeal health care reform.
A GOP defection
A top Republican recently said that the law should not be repealed. And he has the credentials to back it up.
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a surgeon who retired from Congress in 2007, said Tuesday at the Bipartisan Policy Center -- an organization he chairs with former Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, among others -- that the law should stand.
"It is not the bill that (Republicans) would have written," he said. "It is not the bill that I would have drafted. But it is the law of the land, and it is the platform, the fundamental platform, upon which all future efforts to make that system better, for that patient, for that family, will be based."
He added: "(The bill) has many strong elements. And those elements, whatever happens, need to be preserved, need to be cuddled, need to be snuggled, need to be promoted and need to be implemented. But how do you do it? How do you do a lot of what is in this law?"
Other doctors-turned-lawmakers, such as Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, are staunchly opposed to the law.
What do Democrats say?
Top Democrats, meanwhile, argued that the public is behind the law, which they say is already helping millions of Americans, and lashed out at the GOP's efforts.
The Department of Health and Human Services released an analysis warning that almost 130 million non-elderly Americans with pre-existing conditions would be at risk of losing their insurance without the guarantees provided by the legislation.
"The new law is already helping to free Americans from the fear that an insurer will drop, limit or cap their coverage when they need it most," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "Americans living with pre-existing conditions are being freed from discrimination in order to get the health coverage they need."
Democrats have pointed out, among other things, that an increased number of Americans are covered by the law.
Going South ? Buying foreign currencies made easy online
Buying U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies is the next frontier for people who like the convenience and money-saving potential of doing business online.
Still obscure compared with online investing and banking, online foreign exchange has a lot of potential for snowbirds and others who travel out of country and are sick of lining up at forex offices where the rates aren’t very good.
The newest entrant into the business is a U.K.-based company called Travelex that specializes in handling foreign currency exchanges for individuals travelling overseas. Travelex is a big player in online currency exchange in Britain, and now it’s branching into both the Canadian and U.S. markets.
At travelex.ca, you can exchange Canadian dollars into 70 or so international currencies. You pay for the transaction online using your credit or debit card and Travelex then sends your foreign banknotes to you by courier for free (next-day delivery is available at no extra cost). If you have some foreign currency left over when you return, Travelex will buy it back from you at the same wholesale rate that the financial big boys get.
“It’s definitely our experience that people have a tendency to bring back some currency with them,” said Jon Dario, president of Travelex Currency Services Inc. “They’ll scrounge all around to get the best exchange rate before they travel, and then they spend $30, $40, $50 to exchange back their leftover currency at the end of their trip.”
Travelex is about convenience as opposed to offering the lowest possible exchange rate. “Our online price is better than some other locations,” Mr. Dario said. “The main value for customers is going to be the convenience factor – free delivery to homes – and no service fees.”
Clearly displayed pricing that helps you comparison shop is something else Travelex offers. In the late morning Monday, it priced a Canadian dollar at 93.94 cents (U.S.) on its website. Over at the TD Canada Trust branch in my office building, the dollar was pegged at 95.62. At an Accu-Rate Foreign Exchange office across the way from the TD branch, the dollar was pegged at 96.42.
Even better was the price of 97.50 cents that was offered by Western Union Canada’s online FX service, formerly known as Custom House. Setting up an account requires you to provide a copy of a bank letter or a statement for a saving or chequing account at a Canadian financial institution. Once you’re up and running, you can log in to the Western Union website, buy however much foreign currency you want and have it deposited into a U.S.-dollar chequing account held at any bank.
Payment for your transaction is carried out by having Western Union debit your bank account, or by sending money to the firm through your online banking website. If you buy some foreign currency on Monday morning, the transaction should be completed by Wednesday.
Andrew Endl, senior foreign exchange dealer at Western Union in Calgary, said the firm uses wholesale rates that undercut the retail rates used by the banks. “I’ve seen us anywhere from half-a-cent to 2.5 cents better than the banks on some transactions.”
Western Union has an additional price advantage in that it resets its exchange rate every 30 seconds, compared with as infrequently as once or twice at day at other forex outlets. If the loonie moves to your advantage, you can capitalize instantly with your Western Union account by booking a foreign exchange transaction.
If you’re a snowbird bulk-buying $10,000 or more in U.S. dollars, Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange Inc. says it offers competitive rates for currency exchange.
“We have an online bill payment capability with some banks so clients can transfer funds online, which is convenient and free,” Rahim Madhavji, Knightsbridge president, said in an e-mail.
For snowbirds, one more option for buying U.S. dollars is the currency exchange service run by the Canadian Snowbird Association. This service will take money out of your Canadian bank account and then pool it with other CSA members to make a bulk buy. Rate comparisons on the CSA website show substantial savings over bank rates.
Speaking of the banks, they compare well on an international basis when it comes to pricing foreign exchange transactions for clients.
“I know it’s probably going to be a surprise to you, but Canadians are paying pretty good rates relative to a lot of other countries,” Travelex’s Mr. Dario said. “That’s particularly true in the United States – Canadian rates are much, much better, without a doubt.”
The Online Forex Alternative
Four cheaper and/or more convenient ways to exchange Canadian dollars into U.S. currency than using your bank...
Canadian Snowbird Association currency exchange program
Details: Bulk purchasing of U.S. dollars cuts your cost. Funds are withdrawn from your C$ account and transferred into your US$ account. Fees of up to $5 per month for each month a transfer is made.
Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange
http://knightsbridgefx.com/index.htm
Details: Competitive exchange rates for transactions of $10,000 or more. You can pay for transactions through online bill payment on some bank websites.
Travelex
http://www.travelex.ca/CA/Home
Details: Buy foreign currency online and have it couriered to you at no extra cost. Pay online by credit card or debit.
Western Union Canada online FX (formerly Custom House)
Details: Lets you pull money out of your Canadian chequing account, convert it into U.S. dollars at an attractive rate and then deposit it into a U.S.-dollar account.
Rob Carrick
Womens tears lower mens testosterone...
JOSEPH HALL
If women’s tears can make men melt, it’s because they’re meant to.
Israeli scientists have discovered that emotional tears shed by women have a hidden scent that lowers male testosterone levels significantly.
The scent may well be an evolutionary adaptation meant to protect women against aggressive or sexually charged men, says neurobiologist Noam Sobel, whose study was released Thursday by the journal Science.
“In our view this study opens a new field,” says Sobel, who studies biochemical signalling agents — often known as pheromones – that are secretly sent between humans.
So far, research on such subliminal substances has concentrated on human sweat, says Sobel, an assistant professor at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science.
“But sweat is not the only way humans emit chemicals, and that’s what led us to consider tears,” he says.
Earlier research had shown that tears shed from sadness or fear contained about 25 per cent more proteins than could be found in the eye-cleansing variety, produced when chopping onions or dusting furniture.
To see if these extra chemicals might be sending out signals, Sobel’s team recruited a contingent of six readily weeping women.
“Each one of these women has their own favourite tear-jerking film,” says Sobel, senior author on the three-year study. “And they sit down in a room on their own with the video film and a vial.”
These tears were then whisked off to be smelled, fresh, by any of the study’s 50 male subjects. Half the time the males were given ordinary saline water to sniff, while the other half they were presented with the tears.
The men, who were not told which liquid they were smelling, could identify no apparent odour difference between the two. But when sniffing the emotional eye effluence, they showed a number of marked physiological and psychological changes.
In one experiment, men viewing images of women’s faces found them less sexually attractive when they had smelled the tears than they did when presented with the saline solution.
As well, men reported being less sexually aroused in general after whiffing tears than they did when the salt water was used.
“But what told a more pronounced story were the physiological measures,” Sobel says. “Tears reduced testosterone compared to saline very significantly.”
Measured in saliva samples, testosterone levels were lower in 40 of the 50 men after sniffing the tears than they were with the inert saline water.
Sobel does not know yet what the active tear chemicals are, or where or how they are produced in the body.
And the study could not say whether male tears have the same calming effect. When researchers advertised for crying recruits, there simply were no male takers, Sobel says.
“We posted an ad looking for individuals who could cry with ease and we obtained an overwhelming reply from women volunteers and absolutely no men.”
If women’s tears can make men melt, it’s because they’re meant to.
Israeli scientists have discovered that emotional tears shed by women have a hidden scent that lowers male testosterone levels significantly.
The scent may well be an evolutionary adaptation meant to protect women against aggressive or sexually charged men, says neurobiologist Noam Sobel, whose study was released Thursday by the journal Science.
“In our view this study opens a new field,” says Sobel, who studies biochemical signalling agents — often known as pheromones – that are secretly sent between humans.
So far, research on such subliminal substances has concentrated on human sweat, says Sobel, an assistant professor at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science.
“But sweat is not the only way humans emit chemicals, and that’s what led us to consider tears,” he says.
Earlier research had shown that tears shed from sadness or fear contained about 25 per cent more proteins than could be found in the eye-cleansing variety, produced when chopping onions or dusting furniture.
To see if these extra chemicals might be sending out signals, Sobel’s team recruited a contingent of six readily weeping women.
“Each one of these women has their own favourite tear-jerking film,” says Sobel, senior author on the three-year study. “And they sit down in a room on their own with the video film and a vial.”
These tears were then whisked off to be smelled, fresh, by any of the study’s 50 male subjects. Half the time the males were given ordinary saline water to sniff, while the other half they were presented with the tears.
The men, who were not told which liquid they were smelling, could identify no apparent odour difference between the two. But when sniffing the emotional eye effluence, they showed a number of marked physiological and psychological changes.
In one experiment, men viewing images of women’s faces found them less sexually attractive when they had smelled the tears than they did when presented with the saline solution.
As well, men reported being less sexually aroused in general after whiffing tears than they did when the salt water was used.
“But what told a more pronounced story were the physiological measures,” Sobel says. “Tears reduced testosterone compared to saline very significantly.”
Measured in saliva samples, testosterone levels were lower in 40 of the 50 men after sniffing the tears than they were with the inert saline water.
Sobel does not know yet what the active tear chemicals are, or where or how they are produced in the body.
And the study could not say whether male tears have the same calming effect. When researchers advertised for crying recruits, there simply were no male takers, Sobel says.
“We posted an ad looking for individuals who could cry with ease and we obtained an overwhelming reply from women volunteers and absolutely no men.”
Money laundering thru government Casinos...
Security staff at two B.C. casinos intercepted four attempted transfers of gaming chips worth $1.6 million during a period of suspected money laundering at gambling establishments in the province, CBC News has learned.
Documents obtained from a Freedom of Information request revealed that casino staff watched as about $800,000 worth of chips changed hands in two incidents at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, B.C., in May 2010.
Another two incidents, also involving a total of about $800,000, were caught while underway at the Gateway Casino in Burnaby, B.C., in August, the documents show.
Passing any amount of chips from one person to another is strictly prohibited and casinos post signs to that effect.
Casino security personnel noted the incidents and the casinos reported the activity to the B.C. Lottery Corporation, but police were not informed, according to the documents.
The attempted transfers occurred during a three-month period in which a combined $8 million worth of other suspicious or unusually large transactions took place at River Rock and at the Starlight Casino in New Westminster, B.C., the documents reveal.
An RCMP investigator told CBC News that authorities suspect the intense activity was part of a money-laundering initiative by gangsters.
Form of currency
The chip transfer incidents lend credence to police concerns that chips are becoming a form of currency for people involved in organized crime.
Depositing large amounts of cash will attract the attention of bank employees, who are quick to inform police.
Chips can be an ideal currency for people who generate high cash flows illegally, according to Douglas College criminology professor Colin Campbell.
"The fact that [chips] are acquired in a casino and can be redeemed in a casino allows bad guys to money-launder," said Campbell.
Gaming chips are issued in denominations up to $5,000 and it is not illegal to take them out of casinos and is difficult for authorities to control how the chips are traded before they are taken back and cashed in.
"It's not improbable for organized crime to have a number of associates simply purchase chips ... then cash them in at a later time," said RCMP Insp. Barry Baxter.
Minister responds
The B.C. minister responsible for gaming, Rich Coleman, said Wednesday that he is concerned about the information revealed in the documents, but urged people not to make assumptions.
"I have requested additional information about the cases in question, to ensure that proper procedures were followed and that the integrity of casino security is upheld in the province," Coleman said in a release. "My understanding is these are not all alleged cases of money laundering and I encourage people to avoid jumping to conclusion."
B.C. NDP gaming critic Shane Simpson said the activity revealed in the documents is unacceptable.
"I think it's a stunning revelation, some $8 million of unexplained transactions in a period of three months," he said.
"It's just unacceptable for anybody to suggest you can walk into a casino with $500,000 in $20 bills and cash them in in some way and there's nothing suspicious about it. Try doing that at your local bank and see what happens."
Documents obtained from a Freedom of Information request revealed that casino staff watched as about $800,000 worth of chips changed hands in two incidents at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, B.C., in May 2010.
Another two incidents, also involving a total of about $800,000, were caught while underway at the Gateway Casino in Burnaby, B.C., in August, the documents show.
Passing any amount of chips from one person to another is strictly prohibited and casinos post signs to that effect.
Casino security personnel noted the incidents and the casinos reported the activity to the B.C. Lottery Corporation, but police were not informed, according to the documents.
The attempted transfers occurred during a three-month period in which a combined $8 million worth of other suspicious or unusually large transactions took place at River Rock and at the Starlight Casino in New Westminster, B.C., the documents reveal.
An RCMP investigator told CBC News that authorities suspect the intense activity was part of a money-laundering initiative by gangsters.
Form of currency
The chip transfer incidents lend credence to police concerns that chips are becoming a form of currency for people involved in organized crime.
Depositing large amounts of cash will attract the attention of bank employees, who are quick to inform police.
Chips can be an ideal currency for people who generate high cash flows illegally, according to Douglas College criminology professor Colin Campbell.
"The fact that [chips] are acquired in a casino and can be redeemed in a casino allows bad guys to money-launder," said Campbell.
Gaming chips are issued in denominations up to $5,000 and it is not illegal to take them out of casinos and is difficult for authorities to control how the chips are traded before they are taken back and cashed in.
"It's not improbable for organized crime to have a number of associates simply purchase chips ... then cash them in at a later time," said RCMP Insp. Barry Baxter.
Minister responds
The B.C. minister responsible for gaming, Rich Coleman, said Wednesday that he is concerned about the information revealed in the documents, but urged people not to make assumptions.
"I have requested additional information about the cases in question, to ensure that proper procedures were followed and that the integrity of casino security is upheld in the province," Coleman said in a release. "My understanding is these are not all alleged cases of money laundering and I encourage people to avoid jumping to conclusion."
B.C. NDP gaming critic Shane Simpson said the activity revealed in the documents is unacceptable.
"I think it's a stunning revelation, some $8 million of unexplained transactions in a period of three months," he said.
"It's just unacceptable for anybody to suggest you can walk into a casino with $500,000 in $20 bills and cash them in in some way and there's nothing suspicious about it. Try doing that at your local bank and see what happens."
Homeless Man w/ Golden Radio Voice - Lands a job!
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan 5, 2011 (AFP) - A homeless man whose vocal skills became a U.S. Internet sensation has been offered a two-year job with the Cleveland Cavaliers that includes having his living expenses paid by the NBA club.
Ted Williams, who had struggled with drugs an alcohol, became a celebrity when a video clip of his voice skills filmed while he was on the side of highway was posted on the Internet by the Columbus Dispatch newspaper.
With his deep tone and polished pronunciation, Williams was so impressive that in addition to his job offer from the Cavaliers, American football voiceover work could also be on the horizon after interest from NFL Films.
"We hope Ted accepts our offer," said Cavaliers announcer Olivia Sedra.
Williams, who pleaded guilty to theft charges after being arrested last May, had been living in a tent.
"We believe in second chances and second opportunities," Cavaliers marketing vice president Tracy Marek said.
"When you know something's right, you just have to launch. The important thing that we wanted to do is to let Ted know that we have something here for him."
Williams, 53, told the Dispatch, "I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times" and was shown holding a cardboard sign with a plea for help from motorists.
Ted Williams, who had struggled with drugs an alcohol, became a celebrity when a video clip of his voice skills filmed while he was on the side of highway was posted on the Internet by the Columbus Dispatch newspaper.
With his deep tone and polished pronunciation, Williams was so impressive that in addition to his job offer from the Cavaliers, American football voiceover work could also be on the horizon after interest from NFL Films.
"We hope Ted accepts our offer," said Cavaliers announcer Olivia Sedra.
Williams, who pleaded guilty to theft charges after being arrested last May, had been living in a tent.
"We believe in second chances and second opportunities," Cavaliers marketing vice president Tracy Marek said.
"When you know something's right, you just have to launch. The important thing that we wanted to do is to let Ted know that we have something here for him."
Williams, 53, told the Dispatch, "I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times" and was shown holding a cardboard sign with a plea for help from motorists.
Jackpot not first for bell employees
Back to Jackpot not first for Bell Canada co-workers
Jackpot not first for Bell Canada co-workers
January 05, 2011
Brendan Kennedy
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is interviewing the winners of Monday's $50 jackpot after “extra claimants” said they deserved a portion of the winnings.
TONY AW/SING TAO DAILYBell Canada should prepare for a flood of applications to its Scarborough call centre — it may be the luckiest workplace in the world.
Four of the 19 co-workers who won a $50 million Lotto Max draw on Monday were part of a group of Bell employees who won $1 million with Encore in 2007.
The odds of winning both jackpots is 1 in 280,633,528,000,000 (that's trillion).
But celebrations were put on hold Tuesday when additional claimants came forward to say they, too, deserved a cut of the historic payout — the largest ever single-ticket win in the province. The money is being withheld as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. investigates.
Are you one of the new lotto claimants? Send us an email
The original group of 19 claimants were individually interviewed by investigators from the OLG's Office of Player Protection on Wednesday.
The group's members were counting on each collecting $2.6 million.
But the OLG said the interviews were simply the next step in claiming the money.
“Any prize over $10,000 goes through a claims review process,” said spokeswoman Sarah Kiriliuk.
Since there is a large group of claimants, the validation process will take longer than usual, she said.
After freely speaking to media earlier this week, the claimants, who formed their lottery pool only a month ago, are now refusing to comment — brushing past reporters on their way up to OLG's Toronto offices Wednesday morning.
Some, however, celebrated on Facebook.
Annette Anderson, whose profile lists Bell Canada as her employer, received many offers of congratulations on Monday. Her husband, Don, updated his status on Monday to “OH HAPPY DAYS!!!” and later explained: “Annette was once [sic] of the 19 who won the $50 million. So that amounts to 2.6 million each :D :D :D :D”
On Wednesday one friend expressed disbelief that others are “trying to jump in” on the lotto win.
“No kidding,” Don wrote. “But this is just so open and shut.”
He said he and his wife are “blue-in-the-face” over the media attention and the fact that some people “are trying to stick they're (sic) smelly hands on the jackpot. They won't succeed.”
OLG would not disclose the names of the claimants, but pool leader and buyer of the lucky ticket Natalie Damianidis showed CTV a checkmarked list of the 19 members she says paid to be part of the draw.
Rumours swirled Wednesday at the claimants' call centre at Brimley and Ellesmere Rds. Several workers said the winners quit en masse Monday, while others said the extra claimants were jilted lovers and ex-husbands. There was talk of dueling office lottery pools, and speculation the winning group may have split from a larger one after a dispute.
Kiriliuk wouldn't confirm the number of additional claimants other than to say there is “more than one.” They will be interviewed over the next few days, she said.
“As the week goes on we'll be able to update you on further advancements in this case.”
But it could be much longer before the money is paid out.
All of the original claimants were asked to demonstrate ownership of the ticket, said Don Pister, another OLG spokesman, adding that typical questions included where the ticket was purchased, by whom and under what circumstances.
“In cases of group wins we would ask, ‘What is your understanding as to who is a member of this group and who is a winner of this prize?'“
Where there are disputes, the OLG tries to reach an agreement among all claimants. When an agreement can't be reached, the OLG awards the prize to a court, as it did in 2008 when a group of Powco Steel employees in Barrie disputed the rightful claimants of a $24.5 million lottery prize.
Last month, nearly three years after the draw, Slawomir Kowalewski was awarded an undisclosed settlement following an OPP probe.
The jackpot for Friday's Lotto Max is an estimated $23 million.
With files from Dan Robson and Amy Dempsey
Double lotto winners
April, 2007, Manitoba: Phyllis Thomas won her second $1 million prize in two years the same way she won her first — by buying a $5 Set For Life Scratch ‘N Win lottery ticket. She became a millionaire the first time on March 18, 2005.
June 2007, Mississauga: Jadwiga and Rudy Taylor of Mississauga won a $20 million Lotto 6/49 prize — their half of the June 13 draw. The Taylors had also picked up a $1 million prize in 1999 with a quick pick ticket.
Nov. 2007, Ontario: Robert Hong won a $15 million Lotto 6/49 prize. In April, Hong and a friend won 6/49’s second prize — they split the $340,500 winnings.
Feb. 2000, Toronto: Doug Russell won $1 million with an Ontario Instant Millions millennium ticket. Three months earlier, he shared a 6/49 lottery jackpot of $73,316 with nine co-workers at Intria-HP.
Compiled by the Toronto Star Library
Pakistani governor killed by his own bodyguard
Police in Pakistan say the governor of Punjab province was killed by his own bodyguard in a gun attack Tuesday in an Islamabad market area.
Police official Mohammad Iftikhar said Salman Taseer was shot by one of his elite protection squad. Five other people were wounded in the attack.
Taseer was a vocal member of Pakistan's ruling party and recently spoke out against Pakistan's blasphemy law.
The shopping area where the attack took place is known as Khosar market and is popular with westerners and wealthy Pakistanis. The market has long been regarded as a potential target of a militant attack.
with files from The Associated PressBilly the kid NO pardon 13O years later
- The New Mexico governor will announce Friday whether he will pardon the Wild West's legendary outlaw Billy the Kid in the death of a law enforcement officer more than a century ago.Gov. Bill Richardson will make the announcement during a live broadcast of ABC's "Good Morning America," his office said. The announcement will be about 7 a.m. ET on the same day the governor leaves office.
Update...no pardon
Update...no pardon
When the door bell rang...
Jehovah's Witnesses Came Calling With The Watchtower and Awake Magazine
Where it all started (above)
The Watchtower Society misprophesied that the world would end in 1914. In this photo Charles Taze Russell, Joseph Rutherford and others of Watchtower's main heads along with family members are on the Mount Of Olives in Jerusalem. Why? Because they believed Christ was about to return and start resurrecting people there. They wanted to be present for the resurrection and hoped to go on up to heaven. If they had read the Bible better and been more honest to themselves and other people, they would have known that Christ says nobody knows when the end will come except for the Father.
And today more slaves
(below)
What do you say when they come knocking?
Listen To Frederick Franz President Talk About 1975
Franz can be heard in the you-tube clips below as he confirms 1975 as the date that would see the end of the world and the start of the resurrection into a paradise reign of Christ for 1000 years, this is in one of his convention keynote addresses at an international convention. Watch and don't allow JW's to tell you that they never said it, and that the over zealous emotional flock distorted what was said about 1975.
Listen to the words of Frederick Franz in 1966-1967
( became the President years after in 1977 )
( became the President years after in 1977 )
On Saturday December 11 2010... Jehovah's Witnesses were on my doorstep
So this time I decided to have a talk with them, the 2 men both looked like they could handle themselves.
So I asked them how they could claim being guided by the holy spirit when the holy spirit picked false prophets?
The first 5 Presidents of their organization, all five predicted wrong dates or significantly changed the interpretations because they ran out of time for the predication to come true.
1874 The Flock Goes To Heaven - Charles Taze Russell
1914 The Followers Go To Heaven WW1 Is End Of The World-Charles Taze Russell
1925 The End Of The World Resurrection -Princes To Paradise - Joseph Franklin Rutherford
1975 The end of 6000 Years- Nathan Knorr and Frederick Franz
The first false prophet was the founder CT Russell predicted the end of the world in 1874 and 1914. ( part of the Scottish Russells all masons by the way)
He was a pyramidologist . He was the person who talked Pyramidology the best in writings and appearances. His charts would project time thru the shafts Jewish slaves built in the pyramids of Egypt. The time channel from the exodus of the Jews from Egypt Thru to 1914.
Now that's an elaborate story and the believers held firm to the beliefs from 1870's to 1916. And CT Russell wrote plenty of books and articles about his pyramidology chronology.
Russell Blood Line and Illuminati Connection
Russell Blood Line and Illuminati Connection
When all his brothers and sisters did not fly up into heaven as he predicted he died a broken man and the organization drifted aimlessly until Rutherford seized it!
CT Russell vanished, he died Halloween night Oct 31, 1916!
Jan 17 1917, less then 3 mths Rutherford took over the control
Wikipedia states:
After Russell's death, a leadership crisis arose surrounding the new president of the Society, Joseph Rutherford, resulting in a movement-wide schism. As many as three-quarters of the approximately 50,000[11] Bible Students who had been associating in 1917 had left by 1931,[12] resulting in the formation of several groups that retained variations on the name Bible Students. Those who maintained fellowship with the Watch Tower Society adopted the name Jehovah's witnesses in 1931, while those who severed ties with the Society formed their own groups including the Pastoral Bible Institute in 1918, the Layman's Home Missionary Movement in 1919, and the Dawn Bible Students Association in 1929.
CT Russell beliefs and writings were scrapped by JF Rutherford the 2nd President of the WTB+TS.
The Watchtower Bible And Track Society WTB+TS, was controlled by Judge JF Rutherford who completely reversed the CT Russell belief that GOD had the pyramid of Giza built as a Stone Witness, a monument used by Jehovah God as a permanent Prophetic Calendar built by
Jewish slaves.
Rutherford stated that the chronology that CT Russell taught about the Pyramid of Giza were the works of Satan not God. God would not use slaves to build the Pyramid, it was of the Devils work. Now that's a complete reversal of ALL the major beliefs of CT Russell.
And instantly a new religion was born in the years JF Rutherford
There are some incredible stories about him whining about Prohibition , he loved the spirits you can count on that. But is alcohol the spirit that was guiding Rutherford or some other devil that transforms himself into an angel of light,
"He was good at quoting scriptures. He also drank and was said to often be drunk. During Prohibition he had alcohol smuggled by truck across from Canada into a room in Brooklyn. Edmund Gruss and others have noted that Nathan Knorr, the next Watchtower President, may have assisted or directed in getting the liquor to Rutherford." Source
Interesting that both Russell and Rutherford had roots back to Scotland,
Rutherford and six other Watch Tower executives were imprisoned in 1918 after charges were laid over the publication of The Finished Mystery, a book deemed "seditious" for its anti-war comments.[3]
Now Rutherford had a problem...2 failed prophesies of the 1st President CT Russell ,
Funny thing but these two men never agreed on the WTB+TS fundemental beliefs
Rutherford knew he had to make some fast maneuvers make a big prophetic move, to keep this business of publishing going strong, after all the founder is dead after false prophesies. And that he did. He scraped all the books CT Russell used authored...
JFR saw this huge publishing business 1916 with a committed list of 200,000 followers not just readers but religious zealots who he could marshal to protest the Catholic Church and others with placards. Stand on street corners, and go from house to house preaching salvation the the Watchtower.
Rutherford introduced many organizational and doctrinal changes that helped shape the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses.[4][5] He imposed a centralized administrative structure on the worldwide Bible Student movement, which he later called a theocracy, requiring all members of the religion to distribute literature and preach door to door and provide regular reports of their activity.[6][7]
He also instituted public speaking training programs as part of their weekly worship meetings. He established 1914 as the date of Christ's invisible return, asserted that Christ died on a tree rather than a cross,[8][9] formulated the current Witness concept of Armageddon as God's war on the wicked, and reinforced the belief that the start of Christ's millennial reign was imminent.
He directed that adherents not observe traditional celebrations such as Christmas and birthdays, salute national flags or sing national anthems. He introduced the name "Jehovah's witnesses" in 1931 and the term "Kingdom Hall" for houses of worship in 1935.[10]
JFR saw this huge publishing business 1916 with a committed list of 200,000 followers not just readers but religious zealots who he could marshal to protest the Catholic Church and others with placards. Stand on street corners, and go from house to house preaching salvation the the Watchtower.
Rutherford introduced many organizational and doctrinal changes that helped shape the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses.[4][5] He imposed a centralized administrative structure on the worldwide Bible Student movement, which he later called a theocracy, requiring all members of the religion to distribute literature and preach door to door and provide regular reports of their activity.[6][7]
He also instituted public speaking training programs as part of their weekly worship meetings. He established 1914 as the date of Christ's invisible return, asserted that Christ died on a tree rather than a cross,[8][9] formulated the current Witness concept of Armageddon as God's war on the wicked, and reinforced the belief that the start of Christ's millennial reign was imminent.
He directed that adherents not observe traditional celebrations such as Christmas and birthdays, salute national flags or sing national anthems. He introduced the name "Jehovah's witnesses" in 1931 and the term "Kingdom Hall" for houses of worship in 1935.[10]
He wrote twenty-one books and was credited by the Society in 1942 with the distribution of almost 400 million books and booklets.[11] The number of adherents increased more than sixfold during Rutherford's 25 years as president.[12][13]
From Rutherfords point of view as the Legal counsel to the President who just died, leaving the Highest Ranking employee of WTB&TS to continue the work to the end of the world, which Rutherford would decide was 1925. He seized the corporation by disposing of the board of directors in a legal move and had them ousted. Leaving him in total control to pick his own board. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governing_Body_of_Jehovah's_Witnesses
Yes...Rutherford 2nd President stole the religion and made it his own , it should have been called Joes Witnessess. He was use to a court of law, and he constructed this storyline that there was a universal court case in which each human would be judged according to God's exacting policies. and each of Joe's Witnessess would go from street corner to street corner and house to house as Watchtower slaves, and sell his books and magazines. a Publishing Genius using slaves!
Being a prince upon earth, Rutherford had the most regal of cars for his time - a 16 cylinder Cadillac. Actually he kept on hand not one but two of them. Supposedly they were for King David and other "Ancient Worthies" but in fact Rutherford used them while waiting for thos Princes to be resurrected. (Sharp Legal Mind)
"Rutherford often flew from the East Coast to California where he resided in his mansion named Beth Sarim that few of the mostly poor rank-and-file Jehovah's Witnesses knew anything about. A second mansion in California was Beth Shan. Supposedly the mansions (as with the Cadillacs) were for Ancient Worthies like Abraham and David who would return someday, but Rutherford and his intimates actually used them." Source
Beth Sarim (Hebrew for 'House of the Princes') was a ten-bedroom mansion in San Diego,California, constructed in 1929 in anticipation of various resurrected Old Testament biblical patriarchs or prophets such as Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and Samuel. It was maintained by the Watch Tower Society, the parent organization used by Jehovah's Witnesses, and was also used as a winter home and executive office for Watch Tower president Joseph Franklin Rutherford.
Judge Rutherford pointed out that the ancient witnesses or princes were promised an earthly resurrection by the Lord. In that year 1920 he delivered a public address at Los Angeles, California, entitled 'Millions Now Living Will Never Die,' in which he called attention to the expectations of the return of the men above mentioned. All the publications since emphasize the same fact. It therefore appears that the return of the princes is a fundamental teaching of the Scriptures.
Rutherford ever the legal genius, deeded the mansion to the Princes of the earth ,
This sharp legal arrangement from the mind of a judge... demonstrates how to live in a mansion, purchased by the church and never pay taxes, and never be accused of using religion for personal wealth.
He simply deeded the house to the Princes of the Earth who were to be resurrected in 1925. And he would live in the house till the Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and Samuel were resurrected 1925.
1925 came and went and he was wrong ... so are you counting thats 3 errors!
Three (3) serious error between 1874-1925 between the 2 Presidents/False Prophets
and there are still more false predictions to go. 1975 and 1994 change in the reference to the "Generation"
and there are still more false predictions to go. 1975 and 1994 change in the reference to the "Generation"
And whats more...They believe that they will live on earth in Paradise and NOT go to Heaven unless you were born before 1935.
The Great Crowd , or other sheep would not be part of the "small flock" going to Heaven,
the special remnant the faithful and wise steward that remained on the earth to give meat in due season.
Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
My those people are now 96-97 years of age? Most who were alive in 1915 must be dead?
Yet the JW's keep reporting Memorial Numbers each year and funny thing there has been no change in the number of people that believe they are in this little flock.
30 years of no drop in memorial partakers. It seems that more and more people are replacing the little flock as they all die off. Hmmm? Seems strange that there is virtually no change in 30 years of memorials.
http://watchtowercomments.com - Jehovah's Witnesses meet on April 9, 2009 to observe the memorial of Jesus' death. Why do increasing numbers of Witnesses claim the heavenly calling on this date, in spite of Watchtower teaching?
Franz claimed to be able to translate from Hebrew To English, but in truth he failed to do so in a court of law in a trial in Scotland,
Life everlasting in freedom of the sons of God by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania., 1966,Watchtower Bible and Tract Book contains the chronology started with CT Russell thru Rutherford then thru Mr. Organization President Nathan Knorr.
Knorr was into running the business whereas Franz was the Oracle who wrote the book in 1966 Life Everlasting in Freedom Of The Sons of God.
Frederick Franz 5th President preached the end of the 6000 years of mankind's history would come to an end in October 1975 . And the 1st You Tube Video Is The Voice and pictures of Franz preaching about 1975.
It is well documented in this book, now off the minds of JW's, since it proves 1975 was not the over enthusiastic reaction by the worldwise flock, but rather a very specific message driven into Jw's in 1966 by Franz and endorsed by Knorr.
How could Gods Holy Spirit be so wrong so many times in the last 135 years?
It because the spirit that guides JW's is NOT the Spirit of God, its another spirit that deny's the blood of Christ's sacrifice to anyone born after 1935. Keep reading...
No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
"The Society's publications has revealed that there is a spiritistic foundation to the teachings of Charles Taze Russell, and his writings continue to this day to influence the direction in which the Governing Body is taking the organization. I believe the Society's basic message about a kingdom government born in heaven in 1914 is completely out of harmony with the simple teaching of the Bible that when Jesus returns "every eye will see him." (Revelation 1:7) I do not want to be classed by God as accursed for accepting or teaching a so-called "good news" that is different from what the apostles taught. -- Galatians 1:8.
Russell's belief in pyramidology is the basis for his date setting. He said the last days began in 1799, Christ's presence began in 1874, the heavenly resurrection began in 1878, the heavenly calling ended in 1881, and the end of the world and the resurrection of "the anointed on earth" would take place in 1914. All his prophecies failed, yet the Society still holds to the 1914 date, but with a different application. The Society claims this date is established by Bible chronology that starts with the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 BC. However, not even one reputable scholar agrees with the Society that Jerusalem was destroyed that year. So, in the face of all this scholarly opposition, the Society unashamedly claims its own scholarship is superior. Due to Russell's and Rutherford's practices of spiritism, millions of Jehovah's Witnesses are banking on Armageddon to come within the next few years. Just as Russell and Rutherford deceived the "International Bible Students" in their day, the teachings of the Governing Body are deceiving Jehovah's Witnesses today.
Nathan H. Knorr was also addicted to spiritualism. As shown in the May 27, 1942 issue ofConsolation, Knorr and the Society went to court over a silly matter having to do with their fanciful belief in "the King of the East, and the Chief King of the Sunrising," calling for Rutherford to be buried at "Beth-Sarim" at sunrise! Knorr lost the case, but his action postponed Rutherford's burial for three and a half months after he died! And since Fred Franz was a prominent member of the Society during the presidencies of Rutherford and Knorr, I have to conclude that he too was a spiritualist. No wonder his prophecies on the world's end for the 1940's and for 1975 did not come true. Nor will his prediction regarding the "generation" of Matthew 24:34. Incidentally, though we have often thought of Fred Franz as some sort of amazing Bible and language scholar, in the door-to-door work I have met rural church pastors and Sunday school teachers who I believe know just as much Bible Hebrew and Greek as he did. -- Matthew 24:23-26, 44.The Society claims to be an advancing into more and greater light, but over the decades it has bounced back and forth on doctrine. The true God speaks and teaches eternal truths, but not the Watchtower Society..With Him there is never a variation or a shadow of a turning. -- James 1:17." Excerpts from resignation letter to WTB+TS Jw's , written by Frank J. Toth after50 years a Watchtower slave. SourceAfter all this spirit picked 5 false prophets who were interested in profit from selling subscriptions,and books, CT Russell, Rutherford, Knorr and Frederick Franz, And Milton Henschell all false prophets.
He's why they were wrong...
“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. (Deut. 18:22). “But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true” (Jer. 28:9). |
The bottom line is that all made predictions that never came true, (its a matter of written record forever on the Internet.
1874,1914,1925,1975, and most currently 1994 that the "Generation" the was alive 1914 would se the end of the conclusion of the sysytem of things.
Anyone who was at an age of understanding you stated 15 years of age in 1914 would now be 97 years of age.
So I asked? How many times can the holy spirit be wrong? It picked four false prophets, who had people like you as Watchtower Slaves going door to door in a zombie like trance to be a one of Joseph's Witnesses The 2nd President is the one who changed the name to Jehovah's Witnesses.
And by the time I was done they looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming MAC TRUCK.
And I introduced myself and I shook each of their hands and then I question the big heavyset guy in his 55-59's But I invited them back anytime they would like to chat about these topics I have researched for 46 years.
I recall the conversation in closing..."And you say your name is Daryl, Daryl whats your last name I know a Daryl who was a JW in this city and I said take of your glasses so I can see your eyes."
And he took off his dark glasses where he was hiding on an overcast day in cold December 2010.
And he proceeded to give me his last name his initials are DD. Yes I remember him from 1990.
And although he couldn't remember my face my name rang a bell for him, and I am sure he took note to go and find out who I am.
But I invited him to come back and he we can talk , now he said " as long as we stick on one subject I don't want to jump all around"
DUH DARYL am I talking too fast for you, the facts are written in print over the last 135 years and thats what we shall discuss, not the bible...we will discuss whether JW's have the truth when its whole history is based on lies.
Come on down, I will always be here to talk with you about the 4 Presidents Failed Prophesies and more. I wonder if he comes back? I'll keep you posted.
I'm pretty sure he went back to the Kingdom Hall to do some research, and if he views me as an apostate he will mark the house and never return.
But if he has any back bone at all and believes he has the Truth, then he will be back and I will share the internet knowldge that is opening the eyes of the Watchtower Slaves.
Slaves bang on your door and mine out of fear of God's wrath at Armageddon while praying for everlasting life here on the earth not heaven. That's why they knock on your door, they are working out their salvation and following Joes Organization and NOT Jesus Christ.
Now if you enjoyed that little story and you want to read the mountain of research that I have done on this topic , simply scroll down and watch the You Tube videos for some mind opening information. And also look thru the list of topics on the left side of this blog.
I cover topics about this Watchtower Organization and their religious zealots and volunteers and being Watchtower Slaves generate hundreds of millions of dollars for this man made publishing organization.
On a happier note...I learned today that I won an iPad in a contest that I entered.
I'm delighted to say the least. I count that as a blessing. I wanted an iPad but couldn't justify the $700.00 cost (taxes in) So when I learned about the win I decided to reflect and count my blessings that came to me after I broke rank with JW's.This has been a great recovery year for my business affairs after going thru the worst recession since the great depression of 1929. Business is doing very well.
The health of the writer is very good, financial investments have all increased on the stock market and so have my real estate holdings and new acquisitions in investment properties.
My circle of friends have grown and we are planning trips to Sarasota Florida leaving boxing day and returning Jan 16th 2011.
We have family and friends who enrich our lives and we look forward to spending time with them over Xmas Holidays.
I wish you all the best health wealth and happiness for this Holiday Season.
TSJ Websmaster
Check Out These Videos, and Be Amazed By JW Twisted Ideas
607 BCE Another Wrong Prediction
Sweden appeals UK granting bail for Julian Assange
LONDON – A British judge ordered Julian Assange released on 200,000 pounds ($316,000) bail Tuesday, but the WikiLeaks founder will remain in custody for at least two more days after Swedish prosecutors challenged that decision.
Assange has spent a week in a U.K. jail following his surrender to British police over a Swedish sex-crimes warrant. He denies any wrongdoing but has refused to voluntarily surrender to Sweden's request to extradite him for questioning — arguing that he could be questioned from Britain.
In a day of courtroom drama, the 39-year-old Australian was first told by a judge that he would be freed, then less than two hours later was informed he had at least another 48 hours in custody.
Britain's High Court will hear the Swedish appeal, but it wasn't clear exactly when.
"They clearly will not spare any expense to keep Mr. Assange in jail," his lawyer Mark Stephens told journalists outside the entrance to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. "This is really turning into a show trial."
Lawyer Gemma Lindfield, acting for Sweden, had asked the court to deny Assange bail, arguing Tuesday that the allegations against him were serious, that he had only weak ties to Britain and that he had "the means and ability to abscond."
Reminding the court that it had already labeled Assange a flight risk, she argued that "nothing has changed since last week to allay the court's fears in this regard."
She also rejected attempts to link Assange's case with the work of WikiLeaks — which last month deeply angered U.S. officials by beginning to publish its trove of 250,000 secret U.S. diplomatic cables.
"This is not a case about WikiLeaks, rather a case about alleged serious offenses against two women," Lindfield told the court Tuesday.
Celebrity supporters in the court — including socialite Jemima Khan and actress Bianca Jagger — and hundreds of pro-WikiLeaks protesters outside the building cheered at District Judge Howard Riddle's decision to grant Assange bail.
Under the ruling, Assange must wear an electronic tag, stay at a specific address in southern England, report to police every evening and observe two four-hour curfews each day in addition to putting up the bond.
Lindfield has said Assange is accused of rape, molestation and unlawful coercion by two women for separate incidents last August in Sweden. She said one had accused him of pinning her down and refusing to use a condom. A second woman says Assange had sex with her without a condom while he was a guest at her Stockholm home and she was asleep.
In Sweden, a person who has sex with an unconscious, drunk or sleeping person can be convicted of rape and sentenced to up to six years in prison.
Assange has not been charged in Sweden. His lawyers say the allegations stem from a dispute over "consensual but unprotected sex" and argue that he has offered to make himself available for questioning via video link or in person in the U.K., where Scotland Yard has facilities for foreign prosecutors to quiz people.
Several wealthy supporters — including filmmaker Michael Moore — have put up a total of 240,000 pounds ($380,000) as a guarantee for Assange, his lawyers said.
Vaughan Smith, founder of the Frontline Club — a restaurant and forum for journalists in London — told the court Tuesday that Assange was misunderstood. Under the terms of his bail, Assange would be ordered to live at Ellingham Hall, Smith's 10-bedroom country mansion in Suffolk, southeastern England.
Riddle said he had granted Assange bail because — unlike a week ago — he now had a verified address to live at and had cleared up confusion over when he arrived in Britain.
Assange's next court appearance was set for Jan. 11, ahead of a full hearing on Feb. 7 and 8.
Outside the court, Smith said Assange feared that the Swedish extradition case was an attempt to punish him for WikiLeaks' publication of the U.S. diplomatic cables and that legal challenges from U.S. authorities were coming in the future.
Although Assange's supporters have raised fears that Washington will try to extradite him from Sweden, legal experts and Swedish officials say such a move would be impossible without British approval.
"Sweden cannot, without such consent, extradite a person, for example to the USA," a statement posted to the Swedish prosecution website said last week.
Assange's mother Christine, who was flown to Britain by Australian media outlets, watched the hearing nervously from a public gallery about six feet (two meters) from her son's seat. She gave a huge smile as Riddle granted bail.
"I just want to thank everyone who's turned up to show their support and who's taken an interest," Christine Assange told The Associated Press as she waved to her son.
She was not in court later to hear that her reunion with her son had been thrown into doubt by the Swedish appeal.
___
Raphael G. Satter, Cassandra Vinograd and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
British Court Orders Leader of WikiLeaks Freed on Bail
British Court Orders Leader of WikiLeaks Freed on Bail
By RAVI SOMAIYA and Alan Cowell from Berlin
LONDON — After a week in detention facing possible extradition, Julian Assange, the founder of the WikiLeaks antisecrecy group, was ordered released on $310,000 bail by a court on Tuesday as he challenges a Swedish prosecutor’s demand that he return to Stockholm for questioning about alleged sex offenses.
However, Mr. Assange remained in custody pending a hearing on an appeal by the prosecutor, which would take place within the next 48 hours.
In granting bail, Judge Howard Riddle ordered that Mr. Assange appear again in court on Jan. 11. He also said that between then and now he must reside at Ellingham Hall, a Georgian mansion in Bungay, in eastern England, owned by Vaughan Smith, the founder of a club for journalists. Mr. Assange must spend every night at the mansion and will be electronically tagged so the police can track his movements, the judge said.
Additionally, Mr. Assange will be under curfew every day from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be required to report daily to the police from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. His passport is already with the police and, under the terms of his bail, he is not permitted to travel abroad.
Judge Riddle said he granted bail on Tuesday, after denying it a week ago, because Mr. Assange was now able to provide an address where he would be staying. The judge described his earlier decision as “marginal” and said that Mr. Assange had now met that condition of his bail “handsomely.”
Mr. Assange was wearing a dark blue suit and a white shirt open at the collar. Reporters said he seemed paler and more fatigued than at the first hearing on Dec. 7 when bail was denied. When the judge announced that bail would be granted on Tuesday, Mr. Assange gave a thumbs-up sign to the packed courthouse.
The case has generated enormous international interest, with figures in the Obama administration weighing whether to prosecute him, critics vilifying him and supporters depicting him as a hero and martyr. Crowds of media crews and reporters built up around the court near Parliament early on Tuesday, mingling with Mr. Assange’s followers.
An Australian newspaper, the Sunshine Coast News, reported on Tuesday that his mother, Christine Assange, had flown to London to be with him.
In a 10-minute telephone conversation with his mother, the newspaper said, Mr. Assange declared: “My convictions are unfaltering. I remain true to the ideals I have always expressed. These circumstances shall not shake them. If anything, this process has increased my determination that they are true and correct.”
Mrs. Assange was among around 100 people — mainly lawyers and journalists — crammed into Court No. 1 at City of Westminster Magistrates Court for her son’s arrival. Mr. Assange arrived in the court building several hours before the afternoon hearing, according to reporters at the court house.
The legal wrangle over Mr. Assange’s future erupted after WikiLeaks posted troves of classified American documents on the Internet, the most recent of them drawn from some 250,000 diplomatic cables between the State Department in Washington and American missions abroad.
While Mr. Assange has ascribed the sex offense charges — which he denies — to “dirty tricks” related to his antisecrecy operations, Swedish prosecutors insist there is no link. A week ago, Mr. Assange surrendered to British authorities and was jailed after a judge reviewing the extradition request found him to be a flight risk and denied bail.
Despite his release Tuesday, a final decision on whether he is to be extradited could take weeks or longer.
Speaking about the case in recent weeks, Mr. Assange has said that he had consensual relations with two young Swedish women. He said he met them during a trip to Sweden in August that he made in a bid to establish a haven for himself and WikiLeaks under Sweden’s broad laws protecting press freedoms.
The charges relate to the question of whether these encounters ceased to be consensual when a condom was no longer being used. Sweden’s request for extradition is designed to enable prosecutors to question Mr. Assange about charges of “rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion.”
The latest twist in the drama began a week ago when officers from Scotland Yard arrested Mr. Assange after he went to a central London police station by agreement with the authorities.
In a packed courtroom hearing lasting nearly an hour a week ago, Gemma Lindfield, a lawyer acting for the Swedish government, outlined some of the detailed allegations against Mr. Assange made by the Swedish women, both WikiLeaks volunteers. They involved three incidents, including one in which Mr. Assange was alleged to have had unprotected sex with one of his accusers while she was asleep.
In court last week, Mr. Assange refused to give a current address, giving first a post office box, then an address in Parkville in the Australian state of Victoria, where he lived before adopting a peripatetic lifestyle since founding WikiLeaks in 2006.
The exchange appeared to have weighed against his request for bail, which was supported by financial guarantees of more than $150,000 from a cast of well-known supporters present in court, including the filmmaker Ken Loach and Jemima Khan, a socialite and political activist.
The judge, Howard Riddle, agreed with Ms. Lindfield that there were “significant grounds” for thinking Mr. Assange posed a flight risk, because of his “nomadic lifestyle,” his lack of ties in Britain, his network of international contacts and his access to substantial sums donated by WikiLeaks supporters.
His week of imprisonment has had little evident impact on the flow of leaked documents from an archive that was made available to five news organizations, including The New York Times. In the telephone conversation with his mother, Mr. Assange said: “I am calling on the world to protect my work and my people from these illegal and immoral acts.”
Many of the communications between the State Department and 274 overseas embassies and missions remain to be released.
According to WikiLeaks, only 1,344 of a total 251,287 documents have so far been published on its Web site since it began releasing the latest batch of documents on Nov. 28. Previously the organization had publicized confidential material about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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