#our governor sent out a letter saying this is a fight between good and evil and that isr**l has his full support

[heartcountry]

i am forever and irrevocably changed. i will never forget this. i will never forget.

[phaedrecameron]

The Accused, James Fraser Chapter 9 Transactional Immunity

She laughed and swatted his hands away. Jamie reached out again. This time she came to him; her musk filing his lungs. She smiled a secret smile, her hair curling around her face. He lay back as she lowered herself onto him. Her movements slow and rhythmic. He grabbed her hips and made to match her pace, but she quickly pushed him down by his shoulders. “Stay still,” she commanded. Her voice breathy and yearning. He let his body go slack as she took what she needed. Slowly, she leaned down to kiss him. Her nipples grazing his chest. Unable to resist, Jamie brought his right arm around her back; securing her to him as she continued to move. His left hand reached over her hip and around her arse to their joining. She bit the side of his jaw. He felt her slick and warm as she pressed her forehead to his and spoke, “I’ll never leave you.”

Jamie awoke to the force of his release. The cell was dark, save the small flicker of a florescent light shining through the bars. His breathing was labored and his heart felt fit to burst. He curled on his side, wishing for a warmth and a smell that wasn’t there. He closed his eyes. It was the first time Claire had come to his dreams. Served him right. What had he been thinking? He’d allowed her to touch him; invited it even. And she had responded. A small terror reached his heart. What if it was an act, some psychological mind game for the eval? Could she be safely asleep in the arms of her husband? A part of him wished it so. No. He wiped his hand across his face. There was a truth to her; what was between them was real. And he knew she wouldn’t let him be. She’d lose her job and worst trying to help him. He knew she would because he’d do no less.

Jamie reached for the rosary Jenny had mailed to him. There was one person who might help him, but how he could he ask? What of Laoghaire and her baby? Should no one be punished for their deaths so he could pursue a married woman he barely knew? Could he risk Jenny and Willie to be with Claire? Would Claire even want him?

But, God had sent Claire to him. Why else if not to be with her? Claire belonged with him. He knew it when she took his hand. He was here so she could find him; it was the only way he could make sense of it. He had to trust she was his redemption and he must protect her.

Jamie rose from the small cot. He decided he must fight for his family, fight for Claire, fight for his life.

*************

“Fraser’s claiming insanity. He has no history of violence and barely knew the victim. Seems to me something an insane person would do,” Grey argued as he looked directly at Det. Tom Christie.

Fresh from the gym, John Grey was spending his Saturday in the DA’s office working on the Fraser case. He’d ordered the Detectives to his office. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.

“A beautiful young woman is motive enough. Most men understand that.” Christie retorted.

John leveled an eye, but before he could respond to Christie’s inanity, his phone buzzed.

From Hal Grey

Sending car at 5.

Hal was heavy-handed, but this was ridiculous! Does he think I can’t get to Pardloe Estate on my own?

“…..don’t need to prove motive,” Christie was saying.

“Yes, but if you’re asking a jury to execute someone, evidence of evil intent would help,” Detective John Cinnamon smoothly added.

At least someone with a functioning brain.....

“She was pregnant, he didn’t want to be stuck for 18 years supporting a gold digger’s spawn.” Christie responded. He smiled smugly and continued, “if Fraser were innocent, he would have identified the attacker, he would have given a statement instead of walking back into the bar, covered in the victim’s blood, murder weapon in hand.”

Grey put down his double shot Americano, “that’s a nice bit of speculative fiction, but you’ve uncovered no evidence that MacKenzie knew she was pregnant or told Fraser that she was. And because there’s no video surveillance showing the other entrances to the alley, all we have is a lot of loose ends. Loose ends equal reasonable doubt.”

Christie bristled.

“Well, we’ve got more info on the murder weapon and Fraser’s movements before the murder,” Cinnamon stated, swiftly diffusing the tension in the room. He handed Grey a stack of papers. The top was a photo of the knife used to kill Laoghaire MacKenzie. “It’s a Scottish dagger called a sgian dubh. And,” Cinnamon pointed, “it’s a replica of one stolen from the National Museum of Scotland a little over a year ago.”

“Oh?” Grey’s interest piqued.

“I had it sent to Harvard.” Cinnamon was thumbing through a small notebook until he came across the right information. “Yeah, a Dr. Frank Randall. He’s the resident Scottish expert. He identified it as a good likeness of daggers used in early to mid 18th century Scottish highlands. Even though it’s a replica, Randall said it’s worth several thousand dollars.”

Christie sniggered. “Yeah, because random Boston dirtbags carry fake medieval European daggers. It clearly belongs to rich boy Fraser.”

“Well medieval is a different period, but it does point to Fraser,” Cinnamon nodded.

Grey examined the photo. “What’s this?” Grey motioned to carved lettering on the hilt of the dagger.

“That indicates the clan.” Cinnamon was reading from his notes. “Society in the Scottish highlands was organized around clans. Think the Houses from Game of Thrones. This dagger is from Clan Grant. That’s the Grant motto in Latin.”

Grey continued looking at the photo. “Could this be a type of honor killing?”

Grey knew quite well the cost of family honor.

“Dead-end. Fraser and the Vic have historical ties to Clan Grant, but so does half the Scottish diaspora. Dr. Randall didn’t believe there was a cultural basis for the murder.”

“Hmmm,” Grey sighed. He felt he was going in circles. “And Fraser’s movements?”

Grey looked to Cinnamon, but Christie replied. “He arrived in the U.S. three weeks before the killing. Flew into D.C. and spent time in North Carolina before catching a flight to Boston.”

Christie held up his hands, anticipating Grey’s next question. “We don’t know what he did there or why he went. Victim has no ties to the south.”

**********************

John was greeted by the smell of old leather and even older books as he walked into the library at Pardloe estate. It was unchanged since his father’s death. His sister-in-law, Minnie, entered handing him a glass of single malt scotch. “I thought you might like a drink.”

“Thanks,” John smiled at her. Minnie always bridged the gap between John and his brother Hal.

“I bought that, special for you. It’s MacKenzie Whisky. It’s quite good.” She winked at him.

John sputtered, “I’ll be sure to pass your praise to James Fraser.” He shook his head and took a sip. It was good.

“I hope the trial is televised, Fraser is a stone fox. Does he have a sexy accent?”

“Good God Minnie, the man is accused of killing a helpless woman!”

“Well, you think he’s innocent.” She smirked as she took a sip from her own glass. “Is that your plan? To exonerate him in some spectacular fashion. Take all the credit for righting a miscarriage of justice and crushing Brown in the process. It’s a good plan to prove your mettle to the public and the party.”

John gaped at her. Minnie worked in PR crisis management. She had been invaluable to Hal when he served as a US senator.

“Oh, come off it, John. You used the word ‘accused’ and described a woman as ‘helpless’. You know there’s no such thing.”

John began to respond as Hal entered the library. Minnie walked to Hal, placing a a hand to his chest and whispered something to him that John couldn’t hear. She turned to exit the library and yelled over her shoulder, “be sure to find the true killer before letting him off.” She quietly shut the door behind her.

“You should’ve told me my daughter was about to marry Che Guevara,” Hal began without preamble.

“That’s a tad harsh. Denzell is a good man, if a bit naïve. And I’m under no obligation to inform you of information given to me in confidence.”

“No obligation! You have every obligation when it concerns this family! Dottie has a chance to be someone. To do something. All you care about is doing what you want, while others are left dealing with the consequences.”

John thought of Hal’s words from the 4th.

You’ve learned nothing, our father died knowing our sacrafice was wasted on you.

John turned from Hal. Memories long buried came to the fore. He could almost smell Hector’s cologne. While John was a junior at Yale, he fell hard and fast for Hector, a first year. It was a reckless, all encompassing first love. Hal was serving as the junior senator from Massachusetts. He and Minnie warned him to be cautious. Not everyone accepted John’s nature and their father didn’t know. But John felt the invincibility of youth and privilege and did as he wanted.

That was until his father, the former governor, received an envelope. The Grey’s were blackmailed by Hal’s main political rival with the accusation that John had sex with Hector when he was a minor. While not true, hush money was paid and Hal was forced to withdraw from politics as part of the deal.

John was sent to Europe to finish his studies. He never knew the specifics, but John was led to believe Hector had set him up. Upon his return to America, Minnie assured him those involved has been ‘dealt with’. Outwardly, Hal and his parents forgave him, but their disappointment was right below the surface. John felt it was his responsibility to continue what Hal could not.

Hal, I’m sorry. I know what I cost you. I know you don’t believe me, but I live everyday trying to make it right. But I can’t do that under your thumb. I can’t let you control me if I��m to honor our father and your sacrifice. I must do what’s right and destroying your daughter’s happiness is not right.”

John left the estate without another word. *************** On the drive back to Boston, John’s thoughts drifted to Fraser. If Fraser were innocent and wasn’t insane, what would explain his subsequent actions? What would induce a man with everything to sacrifice his life? John’s phone buzzed.

Hal I forgive you. I’m proud of you brother.

John felt a relief he didn’t know he needed.

Then the answer came to him easily. Family. The protection of it. That could be Fraser’s only motive. But John had a job to do; find Laoghaire MacKenzie’s killer or killers and he was betting Fraser would lead him to them. Decision made, tomorrow, John would grant James Fraser pre trial release.

[besidethestillwaterrrs]

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

II Corinthians 11:16-33

16 I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Because...

• We live in a fallen world

Genesis 3:1-19

3 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

• Because of the Sin of others

II Samuel 11:14-17

14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

• To teach and prepare us

I Samuel 17:31-36

31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

— The lion, the bear, were only part of God's training; designed to prepare David for bigger challenges later.— God sometimes allows bad things to come your way, so you will be equipped to work in bigger ways later.

• To bring glory to GOD

Job 1:8-12

8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

• To remind us to trust God

Psalm 42:11

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 118:8-9

8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

— It is easy to talk about how great God is, how we trust Him, but it is often only when we have no where else to turn that we begin to mean what we say.

• To remind us we are not home yet

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

— When bad things happen to good people, how God's people respond?

1. BY TRUSTING GOD

Romans 8:28, 31-32

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

2. BY REMEMBERING GOD'S LOVE

Romans 8:35, 37-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. BY LOOKING AHEAD

I Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

— January, 2019 / Ptr RIF

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE FIRST BOOK OF MACHABEES. - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 10

INTRODUCTION.

These Books are so called, because they contain the history of the people of God under the command of Judas Machabeus and his brethren; and he, as some will have it, was surnamed Machabeus from carrying on his ensigns, or standards, those words of Exodus xv. 11., "Who is like to thee among the strong, O Lord;" in which the initial letters, in the Hebrew, are M. C. B. E. I. It is not known who was the author of these books. But as to their authority, though they are not received by the Jews, saith St. Augustine, (liber[book] xviii., City of God, chap. xxxvi.) they are received by the Church; who, in settling her canon of the Scriptures, chose rather to be directed by the tradition she had received from the apostles of Christ, than by that of the Scribes and Pharisees. And as the Church has declared these two books canonical, even in two general councils, viz., Florence and Trent, there can be no doubt of their authenticity. (Challoner)

Chapter 10

Alexander Bales sets himself up for king: both he and Demetrius seek to make Jonathan their friend. Alexander kills Demetrius in battle, and honours Jonathan. His victory over Apollonius.

1 Now *(Year of the World 3851, Year before Christ 153) in the hundred and sixtieth year, Alexander, the son of Antiochus, surnamed the Illustrious, came up and took Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned there.

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 1. Illustrious. He falsely asserted that he was the son of Epiphanes, being of very mean birth. (Just. xxxv.) (Worthington) --- Others say that he was illegitimate, and styled Ballas after his mother Bala, though the name in Syriac may denote "a worthless person." In his medals he styles himself Deopator Eúergetes, as if "God were his father," and himself "beneficent." (Calmet) (Usher, the year [of the world] 3851.) --- At any rate the Romans and Egyptians acknowledged him, being glad to find a rival for Demetrius, who was become odious likewise to the Jews and Syrians. Heraclides had been deprived of his government (Calmet) by the king, (chap. vii. 8.) and in revenge (Haydock) took Alexander, and Laodicea, daughter of Epiphanes, to Rome, where he gained over many of the senators, who agreed to help them to recover the kingdom. Heraclides then levied forces at Ephesus, and Ptolemais was delivered up to Alexander, whence he wrote to Jonathan. Nothing contributed more than these divisions to secure the liberty of the Jews.

2 And king Demetrius heard of it, and gathered together an exceeding great army, and went forth against him to fight.

Ver. 2. No explanation given.

3 And Demetrius sent a letter to Jonathan, with peaceable words, to magnify him.

Ver. 3. Magnify, "extol," or grant him fresh dignities. Soter wished to gain over Janathas, to prevent his rival from receiving supplies from Egypt. (Calmet)

4 For he said: Let us first make a peace with him, before he make one with Alexander against us.

Ver. 4. No explanation given.

5 For he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brother, and against his nation.

Ver. 5. No explanation given.

6 And he gave him authority to gather together an army, and to make arms, and that he should be his confederate: and the hostages that were in the castle, he commanded to be delivered to him.

Ver. 6. No explanation given.

7 And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people, and of them that were in the castle.

Ver. 7. No explanation given.

8 And they were struck with great fear, because they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an army.

Ver. 8. Fear. The Syrians in the castle would fear, while the Jews would rejoice, and particularly the hostages, chap. ix. 53. (Haydock)

9 And the hostages were delivered to Jonathan, and he restored them to their parents.

Ver. 9. No explanation given.

10 And Jonathan dwelt in Jerusalem, and began to build, and to repair the city.

Ver. 10. No explanation given.

11 And he ordered workmen to build the walls, and Mount Sion round about with square stones for fortification: and so they did.

Ver. 11. Did. The wall built by Judas had been demolished, chap. iv. 60., and vi. 62.

12 And the strangers that were in the strong holds, which Bacchides had built, fled away.

Ver. 12. No explanation given.

13 And every man left his place, and departed into his own country:

Ver. 13. No explanation given.

14 Only in Bethsura there remained some of them, that had forsaken the law, and the commandments of God: for this was a place of refuge for them.

Ver. 14. No explanation given.

15 And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius had made Jonathan: and they told him of the battles, and the worthy acts that he and his brethren had done, and the labours that they had endured.

Ver. 15. No explanation given.

16 And he said: Shall we find such another man? now, therefore, we will make him our friend and our confederate.

Ver. 16. No explanation given.

17 So he wrote a letter, and sent it to him according to these words, saying:

Ver. 17. No explanation given.

18 King Alexander to his brother, Jonathan, greeting.

Ver. 18. Brother; the style used between kings, (3 Kings ix. 13.) governors, (2 Machabees xi. 1.) and friends. (Calmet)

19 We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and fit to be our friend:

Ver. 19. No explanation given.

20 Now, therefore, we make thee this day high priest of thy nation, and that thou be called the king's friend, (and he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold) and that thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep friendship with us.

Ver. 20. Make. The king could not make him high priest, as he was that already: but he acknowledges the title. (Worthington) --- Crown: both the badges of kings, or granted by them, ver. 62., and Daniel v. 29.

21 Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the seventh month, in the year one hundred and threescore, at the feast day of the tabernacles: and he gathered together an army, and made a great number of arms.

Ver. 21. Vestment, at the feast of tabernacles, the year [of the world] 3852, seven years after the death of Alcimus, and nine since Judas fell. It is not clear from Josephus, ([Antiquities?] xiii. 5., and xx. 7.) whether the people chose him high priest, or they rather pressed him to accept the king's offer. (Calmet)

22 And Demetrius heard these words, and was exceeding sorry, and said:

Ver. 22. No explanation given.

23 What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath prevented us to gain the friendship of the Jews, to strengthen himself?

Ver. 23. Prevented, by sending presents. Demetrius had sent a letter and liberated the hostages, whom Jonathas might justly receive without declaring for the king. (Menochius)

24 I also will write to them words of request, and offer dignities, and gifts: that they may be with me to aid me.

Ver. 24. No explanation given.

25 And he wrote to them in these words: King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greeting.

Ver. 25. Jews. He perhaps wished to set them at variance with Jonathan, to whom alone Alexander had addressed his letter. (Haydock)

26 Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have continued in our friendship, and have not joined with our enemies, we have heard of it, and are glad.

Ver. 26. Heard. He scruples not to tell a lie, for he had been informed of the contrary, ver. 22. (Worthington) --- "He prudently chose rather to appear to find them innocent, than to make them so," (Grotius) by granting them pardon.

27 Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity towards us, and we will reward you with good things, for what you have done in our behalf.

Ver. 27. No explanation given.

28 And we will remit to you many charges, and will give you gifts.

Ver. 28. No explanation given.

29 And now I free you, and all the Jews, from tributes, and I release you from the customs of salt, and remit the crowns, and the thirds of the seed:

Ver. 29. Salt, of which there were pits in the country, chap. xi. 35. --- Crowns. Antiochus the great had before granted this exemption to the ministers of the temple. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 3.) (Calmet) --- The Jews, after its ruin, used to present such to their patriarchs. But the Roman emperors claimed them. (Grotius)

30 And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my share, I leave to you from this day forward, so that it shall not be taken of the land of Juda, and of the three cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth, and for ever:

Ver. 30. Cities, or cantons. Greek, "nomes," specified [in] chap. xi. 34.

31 And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the borders thereof: and let the tenths, and tributes be for itself.

Ver. 31. Free; "an asylum" (Josephus) without any foreign troops, like Delphi. (Grotius) --- Tyre was also "a sacred asylum." (Vaillant, the year [of the kingdom of the Greeks] 174.)

32 I yield up also the power of the castle that is in Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, to place therein such men as he shall choose, to keep it.

Ver. 32. Castle. Yet Jonathas was afterwards forced to besiege it. (Calmet)

33 And every soul of the Jews that hath been carried captive from the land of Juda in all my kingdom, I set at liberty freely, that all be discharged from tributes, even of their cattle.

Ver. 33. Cattle, so that they shall not be forced to work for the public. (Josephus)

34 And I will that all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and the new moons, and the days appointed, and three days before the solemn day, and three days after the solemn day, be all days of immunity and freedom, for all the Jews that are in my kingdom:

Ver. 34. Appointed "of lots," Judith, the dedication, &c. These days were privileged, that the people might go to the temple without being molested, and carry what they would free of all taxes.

35 And no man shall have power to do any thing against them, or to molest any of them, in any cause.

Ver. 35. No explanation given.

36 And let there be enrolled in the king's army to the number of thirty thousand of the Jews: and allowance shall be made them, as is due to all the king's forces, and certain of them shall be appointed to be in the fortresses of the great king:

Ver. 36. Let. This is not required, but a proof of confidence. (Calmet) --- Great king. He assumes the titles of the Persian monarchs. (Haydock)

37 And some of them shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, that are of trust, and let the governors be taken from among themselves, and let them walk in their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Juda.

Ver. 37. Trust, to guard the king, (Josephus) or be in the treasury. (Tirinus) --- Laws. He revokes the impious edicts of Epiphanes.

38 And the three cities that are added to Judea, out of the country of Samaria, let them be accounted with Judea: that they may be under one, and obey no other authority but that of the high priest:

Ver. 38. No explanation given.

39 Ptolemais, and the confines thereof, I give as a free gift to the holy places, that are in Jerusalem, for the necessary charges of the holy things.

Ver. 39. Ptolemais. This was not a great present, as it was in the hands of his rival. But he wished the Jews to retake it.

40 And I give every year fifteen thousand sickles of silver out of the king's accounts, of what belongs to me:

Ver. 40. No explanation given.

41 And all that is above, which they that were over the affairs the years before, had not paid, from this time they shall give it to the works of the house.

Ver. 41. Above. He was not in a condition to force the payment of these arrears, and is liberal of what he does not possess. (Calmet)

42 Moreover, the five thousand sickles of silver, which they received from the account of the holy places, every year, shall also belong to the priests that execute the ministry.

Ver. 42. They: former kings. (Haydock) --- Bagoses exacted fifty drachmas for every lamb, before the daily sacrifice could be offered. (Josephus, Antiquities xi. 7.)

43 And whosoever shall flee into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and in all the borders thereof, being indebted to the king for any matter, let them be set at liberty, and all that they have in my kingdom, let them have it free.

Ver. 43. Free. Their persons and goods are protected in this asylum. Even the king's debtors are not excluded. (Calmet)

44 For the building also, or repairing the works of the holy places, the charges shall be given out of the king's revenues:

Ver. 44. No explanation given.

45 For the building also of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, the charges shall be given out of the king's account, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.

Ver. 45. No explanation given.

46 Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit to them, nor received them: because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel, for he had afflicted them exceedingly.

Ver. 46. No credit. Thus would all prudent people judge. (Worthington) --- Alexander had moreover made the first offers, and was supported by the Romans. The Jews had not to examine his title, which was admitted by many in Syria.

47 And their inclinations were towards Alexander, because he had been the chief promoter of peace in their regard, and him they always helped.

Ver. 47. No explanation given.

48 *(Year of the World 3854, Year before Christ 150) And king Alexander gathered together a great army, and moved his camp near to Demetrius.

Ver. 48. No explanation given.

49 And the two kings joined battle, and the army of Demetrius fled away, and Alexander pursued after him, and pressed them close.

Ver. 49. No explanation given.

50 And the battle was hard fought, till the sun went down: and Demetrius was slain that day.

Ver. 50. Day. The year [of the world] 3853. (Calmet) --- The left wing proved stronger. But the right, where Demetrius fought in person, was forced to yield; and the king plunging with horse into a bog, was pierced with arrows, fighting bravely. He had reigned twelve years, and fell a victim to the surrounding kings, whom he had not conciliated. (Josephus, Antiquities xxxv., &c.)

51 And Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee, king of Egypt, with words to this effect, saying:

Ver. 51. Ptolemee, surnamed Philometor, (Challoner) by whose aid Alexander had obtained the victory. (Calmet) --- This Philometor decided in favour of the Jews against the Samaritans, because the succession of priests was preserved among the former. (Josephus, Antiquities xiii. 6.) --- Our Saviour also judged their cause preferable, John iv. 22. (Worthington)

52 Forasmuch as I am returned into my kingdom, and am set in the throne of my ancestors, and have gotten the dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius, and possessed our country,

Ver. 52. No explanation given.

53 And have joined battle with him, and both he and his army have been destroyed by us, and we are placed in the throne of his kingdom:

Ver. 53. No explanation given.

54 Now, therefore, let us make friendship one with another: and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will be thy son-in-law, and I will give both thee and her gifts worthy of thee.

Ver. 54. No explanation given.

55 And king Ptolemee answered, saying: Happy is the day wherein thou didst return to the land of thy fathers, and sattest in the throne of their kingdom.

Ver. 55. No explanation given.

56 And now I will do to thee as thou hast written: but meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another, and I may give her to thee as thou hast said.

Ver. 56. No explanation given.

57 So Ptolemee went out of Egypt, with Cleopatra, his daughter, and he came to Ptolemais, in the hundred and sixty-second year.*(Year of the World 3854, Year before Christ 150)

Ver. 57. No explanation given.

58 And king Alexander met him, and he gave him his daughter, Cleopatra: and he celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great glory, after the manner of kings.

Ver. 58. No explanation given.

59 And king Alexander wrote to Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.

Ver. 59. No explanation given.

60 And he went honourably to Ptolemais, and he met there the two kings, and he gave them much silver, and gold, and presents: and he found favour in their sight.

Ver. 60. No explanation given.

61 And some pestilent men of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: and the king gave no heed to them.

Ver. 61. Pestilent. So the impious are styled, Psalm i. 1., &c. (Calmet)

62 And he commanded that Jonathan's garments should be taken off, and that he should be clothed with purple: and they did so. And the king made him sit by himself.

Ver. 62. No explanation given.

63 And he said to his princes: Go out with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.

Ver. 63. No explanation given.

64 So when his accusers saw his glory proclaimed, and him clothed with purple, they all fled away.

Ver. 64. Away. When calumniators see the innocent honoured, they are afraid to persecute them. (Worthington)

65 And the king magnified him, and enrolled him amongst his chief friends, and made him governor, and partaker of his dominion.

Ver. 65. Dominion. General of his armies, (Vatable) or in Judea. (Sacy.) (Menochius)

66 And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with peace and joy.

Ver. 66. No explanation given.

67 In the year one hundred and sixty-five, *(Year of the World 3856, Year before Christ 148) Demetrius, the son of Demetrius, came from Crete into the land of his fathers.

Ver. 67. Son. The king had sent his two sons, this Nicator and Sidetes, to Cnidus, that they might be out of danger. The eldest being informed that Alexander had given himself up to debauchery, put himself at the head of an army which Lasthenes of Crete had raised.

68 And king Alexander heard of it, and was much troubled, and returned to Antioch.

Ver. 68. No explanation given.

69 And king Demetrius made Apollonius his general, who was governor of Cœlosyria: and he gathered together a great army, and came to Jamnia: and he sent to Jonathan, the high priest,

Ver. 69. Apollonius, who had deserted Alexander, the year [of the world] 3856, though appointed governor of Cœlosyria by him.

70 Saying: Thou alone standest against us, and I am laughed at and reproached, because thou shewest thy power against us in the mountains.

Ver. 70. Mountains. I seem to be fighting with them. Come out, and shew your valour.

71 Now, therefore, if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try one another: for with me is the strength of war.

Ver. 71. No explanation given.

72 Ask, and learn who I am, and the rest that help me, who also say that your foot cannot stand before our face, for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own land:

Ver. 72. Twice. He alludes perhaps to the defeat of Azarias, and to that where Judas was slain. (Calmet) --- This captain had also twice thought proper to retreat, chap. vi. 47., and vii. 32. (Haydock)

73 And now how wilt thou be able to abide the horsemen, and so great an army in the plain, where there is no stone, nor rock, nor place to flee to?

Ver. 73. No explanation given.

74 Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind: and he chose ten thousand men, and went out of Jerusalem, and Simon, his brother, met him to help him.

Ver. 74. No explanation given.

75 And they pitched their tents near Joppe, but they shut him out of the city: because a garrison of Apollonius was in Joppe, and he laid siege to it.

Ver. 75. No explanation given.

76 And they that were in the city being affrighted, opened the gates to him: so Jonathan took Joppe.

Ver. 76. No explanation given.

77 And Apollonius heard of it, and he took three thousand horsemen, and a great army.

Ver. 77. Army. Josephus says eight thousand foot, &c.

78 And he went to Azotus, as one that was making a journey, and immediately he went forth into the plain: because he had a great number of horsemen, and he trusted in them. And Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, and they joined battle.

Ver. 78. No explanation given.

79 And Apollonius left privately in the camp a thousand horsemen behind them.

Ver. 79. No explanation given.

80 And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him, and they surrounded his army, and cast darts at the people from morning till evening.

Ver. 80. Army. Literally, "camp," which the Vulgate puts for an army chiefly of foot. Josephus intimates that Jonathas drew up his forces in the shape "of a tile," or phalanx, and ordered them to face about on every side. (Calmet) the enemy could only throw darts, but could not penetrate. (Worthington)

81 But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so their horses were fatigued.

Ver. 81. Fatigued. In the evening, Simon seeing the enemy's cavalry tired, fell upon the infantry.

82 Then Simon drew forth his army, and attacked the legion: for the horsemen were wearied: and they were discomfited by him, and fled.

Ver. 82. No explanation given.

83 And they that were scattered about the plain, fled into Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol's temple, there to save themselves.

Ver. 83. And. Et qui seems to be mistaken for equi, "the horsemen," as the Greek, Syriac, and Josephus read. --- Bethdagon, "the house of Dagon." --- Temple. This is the sense of the Greek. (Calmet) --- Vulgate has literally, "their idols." See Judges xvi. 23. (Haydock)

84 But Jonathan set fire to Azotus, and the cities that were around it, and took the spoils of them, and the temple of Dagon: and all them that were fled into it, he burnt with fire.

Ver. 84. No explanation given.

85 So they that were slain by the sword, with them that were burnt, were almost eight thousand men.

Ver. 85. No explanation given.

86 And Jonathan removed his army from thence, and camped against Ascalon: and they went out of the city to meet him with great honour.

Ver. 86. No explanation given.

87 And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with his people, having many spoils.

Ver. 87. No explanation given.

88 And it came to pass, when Alexander, the king, heard these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.

Ver. 88. No explanation given.

89 And he sent him a buckle of gold, as the custom is, to be given to such as are of the royal blood. And he gave him Accaron, and all the borders thereof, in possession.

Ver. 89. Buckle, to be worn on the shoulder. (St. Isidore) --- This honour was very extraordinary, 2 Machabees xi. 35. (Alex. Genial. ii. 29.) --- Blood. Literally, "relations of kings." (Haydock) --- The highest officers of the court of Persia bore this title, chap. xi. 31., Esther xvi. 11. (Xenophon, Cyr. viii.)

[xtruss]

ARGUMENT

Pope Francis’s Silence on Xinjiang Speaks Volumes

A pope dedicated to human rights has said nothing on China, thanks to a secret deal with Beijing.

BY BENEDICT ROGERS | JULY 29, 2020 | Foreign Policy

Pope Francis leaves the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square in Vatican City after the Sunday Angelus prayer on July 22, 2018. ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

This month, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews wrote a most courageous letter to the Chinese ambassador in London.

In the letter, Marie van der Zyl took an extraordinary step for the leader of Britain’s main Jewish organization—she drew comparisons between the plight of the Uighurs in China today and the Holocaust. Nobody could see the evidence and fail to note, she wrote, “the similarities between what is alleged to be happening in the People’s Republic of China today and what happened in Nazi Germany 75 years ago: People being forcibly loaded on to trains; beards of religious men being trimmed; women being sterilised; and the grim spectre of concentration camps.”

Van der Zyl is just one of many faith leaders to speak out against the atrocities being committed in Xinjiang. But one voice has been strangely absent—that of Pope Francis, ordinarily a powerful advocate for the oppressed. His silence speaks to the dangers of the deal made with China by the Vatican—and demands that others in the church speak out.

Before van der Zyl’s letter, there was the decision by Jewish News to highlight the discovery of 13 metric tons of Uighur hair—with “Nazi resonance”—on the front page of the newspaper.

The letter was followed by a Twitter thread by the widely respected former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who wrote: “As a Jew, knowing our history, the sight of people being shaven headed, lined up, boarded onto trains, and sent to concentration camps is particularly harrowing. That people in the 21st century are being murdered, terrorised, victimised, intimidated and robbed of their liberties because of the way they worship God is a moral outrage, a political scandal and a desecration of faith itself.”

Around the same time, Maajid Nawaz, a prominent Muslim counterextremism activist, went on hunger strike for the Uighurs. Nawaz, a former radical Islamist who now devotes his time to fighting intolerance of all kinds courageously and successfully, promoted a petition for a parliamentary debate on imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions on the Chinese regime for its treatment of the Uighurs.

And last Saturday, the president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, the outspoken Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar, released a statement mostly about Turkey’s Hagia Sophia mosque—but which included: “In China, the Uyghur Muslims are facing what amounts to some of the contemporary world’s worst mass atrocities and I urge the international community to investigate.”

Yet so far, the world has heard nothing from the world’s major Muslim and Christian leadersYet so far, the world has heard nothing from the world’s major Muslim and Christian leaders. Muslim-majority countries have, mostly, sided with China—shamefully and in pursuit of narrow and elusive economic interests. The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has said nothing. Neither has Francis.

“Yet so far, the world has heard nothing from the world’s major Muslim and Christian leaders.”

It is Francis’s silence that shocks me most. Almost every Sunday, as he prays the Angelus, he rightly references some injustice somewhere in the world. He has spoken often in the past not only of the persecution of Christians around the world but of the plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar; the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, and Nigeria; and religious freedom for all.

One country—and one country alone—is noticeable by its absence in his prayers and statements: China.

In China today, we see one of the 21st century’s worst crimes—perhaps a genocide—being perpetrated against the Uighurs. But in addition, we see the most flagrant violation of an international agreement in China’s imposition of the new national security law on Hong Kong—a law that destroys Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy. We also see the worst crackdown on Christians since the Cultural Revolution, while the repression in Tibet continues.

Yet in the face of all of these crimes, Francis remains silent. He has not uttered a public prayer (I hope he has at least said a private one) for the Uighurs, Hong Kongers, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetans, and others who are increasingly feeling the pressure of the Chinese Communist Party’s boot—at all.

Why?

Two years ago, the Vatican made a deal with Beijing that bought the pope’s silence.Two years ago, the Vatican made a deal with Beijing that bought the pope’s silence. When I say “bought,” I am not suggesting impropriety. I love this pope and his focus on mercy and forgiveness. On almost every other matter—and I write as a Catholic who converted seven years ago and came into the church in, of all places, Myanmar—I agree with Francis. So I write not as a hard-line conservative hostile to Francis but rather as someone who loves him but is perplexed by how badly wrong he has gone on China.

“Two years ago, the Vatican made a deal with Beijing that bought the pope’s silence.”

One of the most troubling aspects of the Vatican-Beijing deal is that the text remains secret. If it is such a good arrangement in the eyes of the Holy See, why can’t ordinary Catholics—and the world at large—know what it says? What we do know is that it gives the Chinese Communist Party—an avowedly atheist regime—a direct role in the appointment of Catholic bishops and that it has already led to the forced retirement of several underground bishops loyal to the Vatican in favor of state-approved bishops until recently out of communion with the church.

And it has not led to any improvement in freedoms for Catholics. If anything, the situation has worsened. No clergy imprisoned before the deal have been released, and several have been arrested, detained, and disappeared since the deal was agreed. Far from bringing the desired unity or protection for the church, it has caused greater division and more repression.

But that deal had the effect of silencing Francis, for whatever reason, and it breaks my heart. As the last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, wrote in the Tablet recently, it seems that the Vatican “may be cosying up to a Chinese Communist Party at the worst conceivable moment, just as it is embarking on a loutish rampage in China and beyond.”

I spoke out early on, two years before the deal with Beijing was signed, in an open letter. I tried to warn the Holy See again of the dangers it may be entering into. And while never questioning the pope’s motivations—which are noble and are about protecting people in China and renewing his fellow Jesuit Matteo Ricci’s engagement with the country—I profoundly question the judgment of those around him. Out of naivety, Francis’s Vatican has sold out to one of the world’s most repressive and aggressive regimes.

That is the story so far. But it need not be the end of the tale.

It is not inevitable that the wonderful Board of Deputies of British Jews, Britain’s former chief rabbi, Nawaz, a few of my friends, and I stand with the Uighurs in the face of one of the contemporary world’s worst atrocities and that Francis and Welby do not. Welby’s silence is difficult to explain—other than, like Francis, a naive belief that China’s is a regime with which one can still engage and reason. The reality is that the regime has moved from a pragmatic desire to exercise certain controls over religion to one driven by a repressive, ideological urge to tighten its grip. That was clearly signaled by the abolition of the State Administration for Religious Affairs in 2018, which had working relationships with most faiths. Those relationships are now handled, much more crudely and brutally, by the United Front Work Department, which is directly responsible for ideological control of non-party groups.

So it is now time that these two key Christian leaders wake up, review their position, cross the Rubicon, and say enough is enough.

They need to signal clearly that they believe in the teachings of their faith—of human dignity, freedom, and justice—which matter more than any shady deals with brutal regimes.

They need to abandon naivety. They need to say they won’t compromise when it comes to human life and dignity.

And they need to recognize that Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Protestant pastor who stood up against Adolf Hitler, was right when he said: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. … Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

They need to respect the memory of Maximilian Kolbe, venerated as a saint for giving his life for another’s at the gas chambers of Auschwitz.

They need to say clearly: We are all Uighurs, Hong Kongers, Chinese Christians, Tibetans, and Falun Gong practitioners now.

Let Francis and Welby say so.

Or forever lose their—and our—peace.

[khalilhumam]

In eastern Sudan, a bloody intercommunal conflict raises national security concerns

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/in-eastern-sudan-a-bloody-intercommunal-conflict-raises-national-security-concerns/

In eastern Sudan, a bloody intercommunal conflict raises national security concerns

Violence erupted allegedly along tribal lines in Port Sudan city

A shopping area in Port Sudan, eastern Sudan, November 2008. Photo by Bertramz via Wikimedia CC BY 3.0.

Last year, the Sudanese people held a revolution under the slogan of “freedom, peace and justice.” But until now, no peace agreement has been signed and blood continues to spill — most recently in Port Sudan, a port city in eastern Sudan.

On August 9, violence erupted in Port Sudan, allegedly along ethnic and tribal lines, exposing the nation’s fragile security situation.

Port Sudan is home to the Nuba people of Sudan, and the Beni Amir, a group of people whose origins span western Eritrea and eastern Sudan. To some, the Beni Amir people are considered “foreigners” from Eritrea, who were granted citizenship in Sudan under the former Omar al-Bashir government.

The violence allegedly emerged out of tensions from previous homicides among the two groups, who have been clashing since at least 2019. A Nuba-Beni-Amir peace agreement was signed by tribal leaders in March but has not held.

The recent fighting in Port Sudan ended after Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdock sent in the Central Reserve Forces and Red Sea State governor Abdallah Shangrai enforced a strict curfew.

The Ministry of the Interior released a statement about the four-day period of violence that left at least 98 people injured and 32 dead. At least 72 suspects were arrested and criminal cases were opened against them.

بيان صحفي حول أحداث مدينة بورتسودان، ولاية البحر الأحمر.

وزارة الداخلية pic.twitter.com/MiR17DQK6G — وزارة الداخلية السودانية (@SMOI_2020) August 12, 2020

Press release about the events of Port Sudan, Red Sea State.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD), described the clashes as having a “tribal character.” In another statement, the committee offered more details on the violence in an attempt to “prevent the spread of rumors”:

لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية فرعية ولاية البحر الأحمر ((تقرير حول مستجدات الأحداث بالولاية)) فى يومها الثالث تتواصل الأحداث الدموية المؤسفة فى مدينة بورتسودان، التى راح ضحيتها الكثير من الأرواح البريئة من أبناء وبنات الولاية، وإننا إذ يؤلمنا أن نُعلن عن أعداد الضحايا ولكن واجبنا pic.twitter.com/MWYmzz0WjX — لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية-CCSD (@SD_DOCTORS) August 11, 2020

[Tweet 1]: On its third day, the unfortunate bloody events continue in the city of Port Sudan, in which many innocent lives, sons and daughters of the state, have been lost. It hurts us to announce the numbers of victims, but it is our professional duty to do. [Tweet 2]: So, in order to prevent the spread of rumors that benefit the owners of the political agenda alone. The total number of injuries reached (87) cases of varying severity. The number of deaths has reached (25) since the outbreak of the events until the moment. We hold the Security Committee and the state government fully responsible for protecting the citizens and the security stability [Tweet 3]: and we denounce the position of the federal government, which stands by watching what is happening in the state without moving. May God protect the state and the citizens from the evil of seditions. Urgent recovery for the sick, mercy and forgiveness for the deceased.

Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok tweeted about his pledge to uphold human rights in Sudan, with apparent disregard for the clashes:

I was pleased to speak today in a virtual meeting with human rights and civil society organisations from around the world, who remain strong allies of the Sudanese people in the path to change and democratisation. pic.twitter.com/fwj6MbYnX7 — Abdalla Hamdok (@SudanPMHamdok) August 11, 2020

Citizens directed their discontent by insulting the federal government for its blatant inaction.

Netizen Munta retorted:

هل تعلم سيدي في نفس الوقت الذي كنت تتكلم فيه اسفيريا مع منظمات اجنبية كانت هناك مدينة سودانية اسمها بورتسودان تسيل دماءها جراء فتنة قبلية?? و انه كان الاولى تخصيص هذا الوقت الذي قضيته اسفيريا ان تقضيه واقعيا تبحث و تتقصى و تحاول وقف النزيف.?? انت تضيع وقتا نحن في امس الحوجة له

— Munta (@proud_111) August 11, 2020

Did you know, sir, at the same time that you were speaking foreign organizations, there was a Sudanese city called Port Sudan whose blood flowed due to tribal sedition? I think it’s better to devote the time that you spent on a video conference to spend it realistically searching, investigating, and trying to stop the bleeding. ?? You waste time we badly need.

Khalid Omer wrote:

السيد رئيس الوزراء د. حمدوك بعد السلام عليكم هل تعلم أن لديك مدنا تنزق في الشرق والغرب ولايوجد بسط أمن ولاهيبة دولة الحقو البلد قبل الإنفجار اللهم بلغت اللهم فاشهد — Khalid Omer (@KhalidO40086283) August 12, 2020

Mr. Prime Minister Dr. Hamdok, Peace be upon you. Did you know that we have cities bleeding in the East and the West, and there is no security or state prestige? Please stabilize the country.

A day later, Hamdak responded with a letter explaining that he had met with tribal leaders and politicians and decided to: Send a team from the Central Reserve Forces (CRF) to Port Sudan; create a quad committee from the council of security and defense to investigate; request that Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) participate in making a proposal to solve the conflict, and support the strict curfew implemented by the Red Sea State governor to help quell the violence.

تصريح صحفي بخصوص الأوضاع في شرق السودان. pic.twitter.com/uUbRYP3Oui — مكتب رئيس الوزراء – السودان (@SudanPMO) August 12, 2020

A press release regarding the situation in eastern Sudan.

External interference?

< p class="p1">Some say these clashes stem from chronic conflict between the Nuba and Beni Amir people that flares from time to time. Recently, netizens have raised the question of “hidden hands” playing with Sudanese security. Eritreans rely on eastern Sudan as a source of goods, usually through smuggling and, therefore, have a stake in the region’s peace and security. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has had its eye on Sudan's main port, Port Sudan. Analyst Ahmed Shekay, a Sudanese activist from eastern Sudan, speculates that Emiratis may be trying to extort the government through these conflicts — but there is currently no evidence of this.

Hanadi Siddig, a Sudanese journalist, writes that the recent conflict has less to do with tribal or ethnic identities and more to do with foreign interference and their political agendas.

The authorities have not yet acknowledged the reality of the ferocious conflict between the components of the eastern community, which clearly shows the hands of the intelligence services of foreign countries, while it is clear to some that it is a tribal conflict — that reeks of racism.

Siddiq says that that the “heavy foreign presence in eastern Sudan raises serious concerns and puts the country in a volcano…”

Under the Bashir regime, “most of the foreigners [who live in eastern Sudan] were granted Sudanese nationalities and passports by the former Ministry Interior of the ousted government.” When the transitional government took power, Hamdok’s government did not “pay any attention” to this matter, writes Siddiq.

She continues, “Hamdok's government is required to [take] quick [actions] to this crisis, educate citizens about what is going on, and calm them as much as possible until the crisis is over … before our beloved east turns into another Darfur.”

A march calling for accountability

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) organized a march on Monday, August 17, calling for an urgent evaluation of the government.

According to the SPA’s statement on Twitter, protesters arrived in front of the prime minister’s office in Khartoum and requested a meeting with Hamdok, but his office sent a representative instead, whom the protesters refused to meet.

Soon after, police used tear gas to scatter the gathering. Several protesters were arrested and detained. Some witnesses said protesters burned tires in front of Hamdok's office. Several protesters suffered injuries related to fractures, wounds and suffocation, according to a CCSD field report.

The new governor of Khartoum, Ayim Nimir, went to the police station a day after the march and demanded the release of detained protesters. He also published an apology.

It is clear to many Sudanese people that Hamdok’s popularity is dwindling daily due to Sudan’s fragile security and economic situation. Without guaranteed security, Sudan’s economy will continue to careen toward disaster and foreign investors may flee.

Written by Khattab Hamad · comments (0) Donate · Share this: twitter facebook reddit

[thisdaynews]

Obasanjo ambushes Soyinka on Olumo Rock

New Post has been published on https://www.thisdaynews.net/2018/07/10/obasanjo-ambushes-soyinka-on-olumo-rock/

Obasanjo ambushes Soyinka on Olumo Rock

Obasanjo ambushes Soyinka on Olumo Rock

Humanity oscillates between extreme opposites; darkness paints the beauty of light; fear skirts the periphery of bravery; ugliness envies beauty; falsehood stalks truth, death ambushes life; good wrestles evil; all in an everlasting tussle. And science cements this eternal truth into reality, combining negative and positive poles to produce light.

The ubiquitous beauty of social media is also its blight. Social media, a nonphysical marketplace of ideas where information is served online among human communes, is a bittersweet leveller. It’s the color-blind arena where the walls of difference separating the rich and the poor; the young and the old; the literate and the illiterate; the weak and the powerful, are pulled down to kindle seamless social interaction.

I trod the online space some few days ago and a roar jangled my eardrums. The rumble shattered the time-worn witty saying, “Egba meji o j’ara won niyan,” meaning: two Egba indigenes don’t quarrel. But last week, the white-mane lion of letters, Oluwole Soyinka, attacked the Ebora Owu (Gnome of Owu), Olusegun Obasanjo. The Nobel laureate advised Obasanjo to desist from struggling to restore Nigeria to the path of sanity, urging the Ota farmer to head for a monastery for purgation, instead.

Though both prominent octogenarians are from the same Egba community of Abeokuta, where they grew up, age hasn’t thawed their icy relationship. Soyinka’s mother, Eniola, was the daughter of Rev. Canon J. J. Ransome-Kuti, and sister in-law to Mrs Olufunmilayo Kuti, the mother of the late Afrobeat great, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Although conjoined to his art, Soyinka’s political activism propelled him in 1965 to seize the Western Nigerian Broadcasting Service studio, Ibadan, and force a broadcast of the demand for a cancellation of the rigged western Nigerian regional election about to be announced. Predictably, the election turned out to be the bloodiest in the country’s history. Both the laureate and the three-time Nigerian ruler, Obasanjo, an Army General, have always been locked in a battle of wits as far back as 1967 when Soyinka described the Nigerian Civil War as a pogrom. At great personal risk, Soyinka secretly visited Enugu in 1967 when the clouds of war were about bursting into flaming rains. Soyinka dialogued with the charismatic Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on the need to nip the impending war in the bud. Obasanjo, who fought on the side of Nigeria against the Igbo in the 30-month bloodbath, however, believes that the Biafran agitation for self-rule was treasonable.

Baba Iyabo tops the list of men most favored by Nigeria’s political dynamics. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan ranks second on the list. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is also prominent on the list. With military discipline and self-motivation, Obasanjo, whose parents were nobodies, rose from nothingness to excel in the Army and lead Nigeria for 11 years as military head of state and civilian president. By providence, Obasanjo it was, to whom Biafra surrendered on January 12, 1970, ending the Civil War. Religious, Obasanjo is a Baptist, who recently bagged a PhD in Theology. Spiritual, Soyinka sees Ogun, the Yoruba god of Iron, as a pathway to a better understanding of humanity, underlining Ogun’s creative force as an ironsmith, and his destructive force when seeking justice.

If the Ebora Owu and the Eni Ogun meet on top of Olumo Rock, here’s what’s likely to transpire:

Ebora: (Pele, Wole) Hi, Wole! I knew a day like this would come when we shall meet face to face, alone.

Ogun: Aremu, tani egbe e? Clearly, your parasitic happenstance in political leadership has vitiated your sense of respect. You call me Wole? Is 1934 the same as 1937?

Ebora: Ha, sorry o. (Igbawo lo ma ge wigi e yi?) When are you cutting this your wig?

Ogun: When you desist from corruption, deceit, vainglory and distractive powwowing!

Ebora: Ha! Powwowing ke? Wole has come again o, Mr Dictionary!

Ogun: It’s meet I give you a verbal hiding to exorcise the demons torturing your putrid being. You’re the very grief of this country.

Ebora: You nko?

Ogun: Me? Did I oversee the treacherous impeachments of Senate Presidents Evan Enwerem, Chuba Okadigbo and Ken Nnamani? I neither sought third term nor enthrone brigandage as state policy which saw the dehumanization of sitting Governor Ngige and the annihilation of Odi. Go and look at my records when I oversaw the FRSC. What light did you provide Nigerians with after guzzling billions of dollars? Did I corral people in government and the private sector to build a personal library for me? Your party was a nest of killers, Bola Ige was killed, and his killers weren’t arrested…

Ebora: Dake jo! Stop all that nonsense! Look at his biabia! I should’ve sent you to jail when I was president! You’re talking big grammar like Zebrudaya, abi? Who’s the great grandfather of cultism in Nigeria? Do you know how many people cultism has killed in this country? In fact, you should be tried for genocide, you killer!

Ogun: (E ma wo were yi!) Look at this madman! Your claim to knowledge through your recently purchased Oshodi PhD is hereby exposed. In your depth of debilitating ignorance, you didn’t know that confraternities are part of university culture? In the dawn of our youth, six other visionary youths and I, at the University College, Ibadan, formed the Pyrates Confraternity in 1952 to fight societal ills. Did you ever hear about cult killing during my years in the university? Why should I be held responsible for the violence in tertiary institutions arising from your misgovernment? When you polluted the education system, and violence became the order of the day, I stopped Pyrates from operating in tertiary institutions. When splinter groups emerge years after and began unleashing terror, should I be held responsible? The National Association of Seadogs is a responsible organization.

Ebora: Shut up there, killer! You didn’t form a football club; it’s a cult that you could form. And you’re here making a noise like a misfiring generator. Even if you had inaugurated a beauty pageant, it would’ve been better. You can’t blame campus violence on me, Oluwole the cultist!

Ogun: I sure can, Aremu the zombie! Weren’t you the one at the helm when Nigerian university students were killed in UNILAG and ABU in 1978 during the Ali-Must-Go riots? Wasn’t that the beginning of campus violence in Nigeria? Ashewo, beauty pageant ko, beauty detergent ni.

Ebora: (Laughing, he bites at his bitter kola, clears his throat) (Wole, o gbadun) Wole, you’re sick. Did you hear me complain when you made all your accusations against me? I gave you just a small teargas, you went berserk. I‘m going to shave your wig today! (Laughs)

Ogun: So, you know?

Ebora: Know what?

Ogun: That if your leprosy hands touch my hair, you’ll be made whole.

Ebora: There he goes again, arrogant Capon Seadog! Black white man!

Ogun: Aloku soja! Useless ex-soldier, if my words can’t penetrate your waxed ears, read my lips: the greatest hallmark of existence is giving your all to humanity and your spiritual essence.

Ebora: Ignorance kills the cat. You can give your all in teaching and among your seadogs, not in Nigerian politics. I was military head of state and civilian president. I know better. The society gets the leaders it deserves. I heard you tore your Green Card. How more stupid can you be, Wole? You’re too impulsive.

Ogun: Impulsiveness is a virtue needed to needle government into action where wastefulness, inaction, corruption and injustice roam.

Ebora: Zebrudaya, tell your friend, Buhari, that he’s going back to Daura in 2019.

Ogun: Were you not in the country when I told him he’s treating herdsmen killings with kid gloves and that he should stop venerating Abacha?

Ebora: Na you sabi, Professor Ahoy!

Ogun: Jazz away, you little-minded lubber or I skin you!