The following items were printed in the January, 2003 issue of The Prophetic Expositor:

Please write for further details of any items of particular interest.

The Weekly Telegraph No. 590, Nov. 13-19, 2002 -
1. 'War crimes' fear for British troops in Iraq - By Michael Smith Defence Correspondent - THE Government is concerned that British servicemen and women involved in any war against Iraq could find themselves facing action by the International Criminal Court, defence sources said. Last week's attack by a CIA Predator drone on a car containing al-Qa'eda terrorists in Yemen has intensified concerns within the cabinet, which extend to Tony Blair and Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary. Both are lawyers by training. "Lawyer Blair and lawyer Hoon are really worried about this," a defence source said. Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney General, and Harriet Harman, the Solicitor General, have warned the Government that if it attacked Iraq without the backing of a UN resolution it could find itself hauled before the ICC. But defence sources said there was just as much concern over the possibility that, even with a resolution in place, individual servicemen might find themselves subject to action. One said that if a British reconnaissance aircraft passed information to a US ground attack aircraft that subsequently attacked civilians, the British servicemen might be held responsible.

2. Casting row dogs remake of Greyfriar's Bobby - FILM makers working on the story of Greyfriar's Bobby, the faithful pet that guarded its owner's grave for 14 years, have been accused of casting the wrong type of dog, writes Auslan Cramb. The £5 million production, by a company that was involved in the film Trainspotting, promises to "set the record straight" after the allegedly less than accurate version made by Walt Disney in 1961. But the makers have infuriated dog experts by choosing a West Highland terrier for the leading role rather than the less photogenic Skye terrier. The Skye Terrier Club said that while Bobby was "not the prettiest" dog it was definitely the Skye breed and far more faithful than a West Highland terrier, which would have "gone off with a new owner in a minute". A Westie was chosen, according to Christopher Figg, the producer, because its white coat would stand out in the dark and its eyes would not be hidden from the camera by a fringe. He disputed claims that Greyfriar's Bobby, which became a tourist attraction in 19th century Edinburgh for staying at the graveside of its master Jock Gray following his death in 1858 until its own death in 1872, was in fact a Skye terrier. However, Sine Threlfall, official historian of Skye terriers, said the breed was well established at the time, adding "Admittedly Greyfriar's Bobby wasn't the prettiest example but he was definitely a drop-eared Skye Terrier.

COMMENT: The illustrated four-column article continued in the same vein. The controversy illustrates a more general very important principle, namely that truth is inestimably more valuable than creativity when recounting historic events. Distortion in historical accounts also projects into such matters as the race of those descended from Israel, and it is a deplorable practice to "bend the truth for convenience of presentations."

The Globe & Mail, Nov. 15, 2002: Inspection of ossuary produces more clues - Repaired artifact set to go on display as experts at ROM turn up evidence to undercut skeptics.

COMMENT: While the display ran until 5 January, 2003, this article, by Michael Posner Arts Reporter, does mention several points worth repeating, starting with the sentence: "Closer examination of the controversial limestone ossuary said to have contained the bones of James, brother of Jesus, has yielded evidence that adds to its authenticity, experts at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum said yesterday."
[Points include the clear outline of a carved funereal rosette - a traditional adornment on bone boxes of the first century AD, visible on the back, (two faintly incised concentric circles which probably included red-painted six-point stars.) The box might have been re-used. Analysis of the box's Aramaic inscription - Ya'akov (James) son of Yosef (Joseph) brother of Jesus (Yeshua) supports the contention that it was made by a single hand.
("...various experts and archeological enthusiasts have attacked its credibility. Studying photographs, the skeptics have suggested that the second half of the inscription - including the reference to Jesus - is visibly different from the first half and must therefore have been the work of a second artisan. If that were the case, the Jesus reference might have been added at a later time, raising the possibility of forgery. But Dr. Keall said closer inspection indicates that the only difference between the two halves of the inscription is that the second part has not been cleaned of its chemical patina, and is therefore more thickly encrusted with calcium carbonate, presumably accumulated during its 2,000- year exposure to the elements in an unidentified cave in Silwan, just east of Jerusalem. It is also now clear, Dr. Keall added, that the phrase "brother of" belongs to the first part of the inscription, which further undercuts the arguments of the box's detractors." During restoration, (using injection of chemical water-soluble adhesives) museum staff had been able to examine edges of the limestone and had found fossils of plant roots and other organic matter, as well as soil particles.]

We should note that The Biblical Archaeology Review January/February 2003, Vol 29 No.1 Bears a cover photograph to which an inside note adds the information: "Ewa Dziadowiec, a conservator at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, applies the finishing touches to her restoration of a limestone ossuary, or bone box, from first-century A.D. Jerusalem." An illustrated article bears many further details on the whole matter of restoration of this box. The issue is highly recommended for reference by your editor.

The Globe & Mail, Nov. 16, 2002:
1. Obituary: Wolfie Kodesh 1918-2002 - Anti-apartheid Communist activist hid Mandela (5-columns)

2. UN inspectors will be armed with new wave of technology (6-column, illustrated account.

COMMENT: Present results are not final but interim reports seem negative.

3. Obituary: Mark Chavunduka - Journalist exposed repression in Zimbabwe. Harare. Zimbabwean journalist Mark Chavunduka, whose arrest and subsequent torture helped to expose his government's increasing repression of dissent, died Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was 37... .

[Also: Globe and Mail , Nov. 19, 2002 carried a five-column illustrated account.]

4. Preacher throws Potter book-chopping party. Lewiston, Me. A preacher led a group in shredding copies of Harry Potter books on the eve of the release of the movie Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets... . Taylor charges the Potter books were full of witchcraft and pagan religion. AP

5. Stradivarius violin auctioned off - London. An 18th-century violin by master craftsman Antonio Stradivari has been sold to an anonymous buyer for $961,000 (U.S.) by Christie's auction house. Christie's said the violin was made near the end of Stradivari's life, when the master craftsman was over 80. He died in 1737. Born in 1644, Stradivari made violins, harps, guitars, violas and cellos in his Cremona, Italy workshop. About 650 of the instruments survive, according to the Smithsonian Institution. Christie's said the instrument sold by a private collector had remained mostly untouched and unplayed since 1800. AP

Globe & Mail Nov. 18, 2002: Obituary - Abba Eban, 1915-2002 - A founding father of Israel - Ben-Gurion lauded eloquent diplomat as 'the voice of the Hebrew nation'. By Mark Lavie, Jerusalem (5 columns, illustrated.)- Noted for moderate positions on the Arab-Israeli conflict, he could be critical of both sides. He once said that the Arabs "never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity" to make peace with Israel.
[Also in the Weekly Telegraph no. 592, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2002.]

The Weekly Review No. 591, Nov. 20-26, 2002 gives several pages to the ongoing stressful conditions in both South Africa and the Middle East.
1. Typical headings regarding the former: "White extremists seek vengeance on the veld," (Murder raids on farms have left the Afrikaners of Lichtenburg feeling vulnerable...) "Farmer saves elephants," (12 taken to Kruger Park area) "'Send cash' plea from Zimbabwe to expats." The Middle East items include: "Immigration policy blamed for anti-Semitism" (Russian immigrants to Israel) and "New protest over Iran death sentence" (supporting a dissident sentenced to hang for questioning the clerics' rule.)

2. UK: "General Synod votes to uphold the dress code," "Raves backed to attract young," "Divorcees can wed in church as strict rules are relaxed" and "Anglican bishops support 16.5pc pay rise for the clergy." Also: "Straw maligns Britain's colonial past" By Anton La Guardia Diplomatic Editor (5-columns, illustrated.) with "This view of history is bunk, say academics - Scholars condemn Foreign secretary's attack on the Empire, reports Michael Paterson." (2 columns).

3. Memories of an epic failure revived By Will Bennett Art Sales Correspondent THE BLOODY reality of the heroic but futile Charge of the Light Brigade by British cavalry during the Crimean war is graphically described by two letters that are to go on display in London. (6 columns, illustrated).

Globe & Mail, Nov. 19, 2002:
1. "Woman to bring suit against Mormon church", a 3-column illustrated account of the action, by Robert Matas, Vancouver
Drew a "clarification" the next day: "The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which promotes polygamy as important for salvation, is not associated with the Mormon church.
The Mormon church, officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890."

2. U.S. judge rules statue violates Constitution Montgomery Ala. - A Ten commandments monument in the rotunda of Alabama's judicial building violates the U.S. Constitution's ban on government promotion of religion, a federal judge ruled yesterday. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson gave Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, who had the 2,400-kilogram granite monument installed in the state building, 30 days to remove it. Chief Justice Moore testified during the trial that the commandments are the moral foundation of American law. He said the monument acknowledges God, but does not force anyone to follow the chief justice's conservative Christian religious beliefs. A lawsuit seeking removal of the monument argued that it promoted the jurist's faith in violation of the Constitution's ban on government establishment of religion. "This is a question of whether the politically powerful can impose their views on others," Southern Poverty Law Center lawyer Danielle Lipow argued. Chief Justice Moore testified that he decided to locate a monument to the Ten Commandments in the building several months after he was elected to the chief justice position in November, 2000. The monument, which features the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments sitting on top of a granite block, is one of the first things visitors see upon entering the building. An appeal is expected. Neither Chief Justice Moore nor his lead attorney, Stephen Melchior, had any immediate comment on the ruling. An assistant to Mr. Melchior said they were reserving comment until they had completely read the opinion. Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, called the ruling a set back for Chief Justice Moore's "religious crusade." "It's high time Moore learned that the source of U.S. law is the Constitution and not the Bible," Rev. Lynn said. Associated Press

Globe & Mail Nov. 21, 2002 - Obituary: Judge was a prosecutor at Nuremberg trials New York. William Zeck, a retired U.S. judge who was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg war-crimes trials after the second world war, has died. Mr. Zeck helped prosecute 23 officials of I.G. Farben, a company that produced chemicals... .

Globe & Mail Nov. 22, 2002 - Gay, lesbian choir to file complaints -Winnipeg. The gay and lesbian choir in Winnipeg plans to file a human-rights complaint against a Christian camp that will not rent its facilities to organizations that promote homosexuality. The Rainbow Harmony Project will file the complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission within the next few days, choir spokeswoman Brenda Froese said Wednesday. The choir tried to rent Camp Arnes, north of Gimli, Man., but was told the camp was unavailable because the choir violates the Mennonite Brethren camp's code of conduct. CP

Globe & Mail Nov. 25, 2002 - Obituary: Max Reinhardt - born in Istanbul to Austrian parents. Died at 86. Publisher's first author was Bernard Shaw. Later published works by Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Graham Greene.

Globe & Mail Nov. 27, 2002 - Modern war blights Iraq's ancient past - Renewed conflict could boost looting of Mesopotamia, archeologists fear By Ted Smalley Bowen. (3-columns, illustrated article.)

COMMENT: An important heritage, ancient centre of civilization, may lose important artifacts and suffer destroyed archaeological digs in a modern war.

The Weekly Telegraph No. 592, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2003:
1. Euro police to chase suspects in Britain - FOREIGN police will be allowed to operate on British soil for the first time under legislation just published. French or German officers and Customs teams in "hot pursuit" of a criminal will be allowed to continue their surveillance operations before seeking support from local forces. The arrangements, brought in under the Crime (International co-operation) Bill, will allow British police the same rights in other EU countries. The one exception will be Britain's only common border with another EU member: that with Ireland. Ireland - which, like Britain, is not a full member of the Schengen open-borders agreement in Europe - has not opted into the new provision.

2. Stop and search to be extended - POLICE are to be given sweeping new powers to search, detain and fingerprint suspects, the Government said. They will be able to question people for up to 36 hours without charge rather than the usual 24 hours, and could be allowed to enter properties without a search warrant. For the first time police will also be able to use their stop-and-search powers to check whether young people are carrying spray-paint cans or other items that could damage property. At present they have a general power to stop people or vehicles in the search for stolen property or prohibited articles on the basis of "reasonable suspicion". Police may also acquire wider powers to take fingerprints before charging a suspect. Currently there are only limited circumstances in which they can do so.

3. Churches to pay for fund-raising - CATHEDRALS and churches face charges of thousands of pounds for staging concerts or even Nativity plays. Church leaders fear that new legislation, introduced in the Queen's Speech, will prove so onerous that parishes will have to cancel vital fund-raising events. Although the singing of hymns and carols is exempt, public performances requiring an entertainment license could include children's plays, a fête featuring a band, or a disco in the community hall. Licences will be issued by councils rather than magistrates and could cost from hundreds of pounds a year to more than £15,000.

COMMENT: When the British peoples entered World War II, the impression was that they were fighting to prevent the take-over of their country by government controllers with such powers!

4. Features: 'I watched them go up, I watched them come down' - Michael Shelden talks to David Rockefeller about the destruction of the twin towers and his family history. [Items: (i) (regarding involvement with the building of the World Trade Centre towers: "For David Rockefeller, the tragedy was deeply personal. The twin skyscrapers were largely his brainchild - the creation of a development organization that he chaired in the Sixties and Seventies, with the support of his brother Nelson (then New York's governor). So great was their involvement in the project that the rising towers were often jokingly called David and Nelson in the tabloids of the day." (ii) "But now David (Rockefeller) has decided ... to publish an intimate autobiography. Titled simply Memoirs, his book is a bestseller in America."]

5. Kernewek re be grontys dewhelans - which, as Francis Elliott reports, means 'Cornish has been granted a comeback,' [Summary: Illustrated in colour, the fishing village of Mousehole, home of Dolly Pentreath, the last Cornish-only speaker is shown, and the three-column article expands on the renewed teaching in the United Kingdom of the almost extinguished language of Cornish (100 fluent and 500 conversational), which almost died out about 200 years ago, and which has now been added to the five other protected minority languages of Scots (est. 1.75 million), Ulster Scots (500,000), Welsh (508,000), Scottish Gaelic (66,000) and Irish Gaelic (1.75 million (South) 131,000 (North)). The ruling commits the Government to ensuring that lessons in the ancient and obscure tongue are available "at all appropriate stages".]

6. Vandals smash 24 cathedral windows by Richard Savill - VANDALS have smashed 24 Victorian stained-glass windows in the cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral. Security at the cathedral - the setting for Hogwarts School in the Harry potter films - is to be reviewed after the attack which caused damage estimated at £43,000. The Very Rev. Nick Bury, Dean of Gloucester, described the damage as the worst since the Reformation, when windows in the Lady Chapel were smashed by reformers. But he did not believe that there was any connection with the use of the cloisters of the 900-year-old cathedral building for the films. (6-column, illustrated article in the same vein.)

Globe & Mail, Nov 30, 2002 - Icelanders add a leaf to Viking mystery tale - Legend that begins in Newfoundland ends with a 'fantasy' discovery in field, by Alanna Mitchell Earth Sciences Reporter Glaumbaer, Iceland (6-column illustrated article.) [Brief: A California archeologist believes he has discovered what happened to Snorri Thorfinnson, who, Viking legend says, was the first European born in the New World. His parents later settled in Iceland, the saga says. Glaumbaer, site of a large turf house thought to have been inhabited by Snorri Thorfinnson is shown on a map of Iceland.]

The Weekly Telegraph No. 593, Dec. 4-10, 2002 - Obituary: Infanta Beatriz Torlonia - died in Rome, aged 93, was the last surviving aunt of King Juan Carlos of Spain and one of three remaining great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria.

Globe & Mail, Dec. 4, 2002 - U.S. al-Qaeda operatives can be killed, officials say. WASHINGTON - U.S. citizens working for al-Qaeda abroad can legally be targeted and killed by the Central Intelligence Agency under President George W. Bush's rules for the war on terrorism, American officials say. The authority is granted under a confidential document signed by the President after Sept. 11, directing the CIA to covertly attack al-Qaeda anywhere in the world. The authority makes no exception for U.S. citizens, so permission to target them is understood although not specifically described, officials said, speaking on the condition they not be named. (2 columns) AP

Globe & Mail, Dec. 6, 2002 - Obituary: Theresa Miller - Columbine High hero succumbs to cancer Littleton Colo. Theresa Miller, a Columbine High School teacher who ran through the hallways warning people during the 1999 massacre there has died of colon cancer. She was 44 ... .

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