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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 1992)
»»»'•»»« *•»»< •*» / ï f f .»► J» |>,r- — > * * / * > > » K »Portland Observer Page 8... The Portland Observer ...April 15, 1MQ2 RELIGION What Can We Replace Congress With? BY PROF. MCKINLEY BURT Now that we have more properly identified our national legislative body as “The Nauonal Assoc iation ot W imps, Knaves,Corruptible, Greedy and Arro gant,” let us citizens consider L E I- T1NG OUT THE W HOLE BUSINESS ON CONTRACT! Surely there cannot be any greater harm if we were to follow the prevailing trend in industry where former in-house functions are let out on bid to PRI VATE ENTREPRENEURS. We un derstand that not only does one get more “bang for the buck,” but just think of the money saved as we dispense w ith the huge free health bills, cheap meals and haircuts, stationery, gyms, parking, limousines, personnel for the private bank and post office, and Lord knows what else. It occurs to you, I’m sure, that the same Government Accounting Office is just beginning to audit those perks including $23,000 an hour Air Force I trips to out of town golf courses. But not to despair, there is hope that the treasury may not be completely depleted: President Bush has PUT SKIRTS ON WILLIE HORTON. He made a national radio address to an nounce that he has signed a waiver that w ill stop W isconsin W ELFA RE MOTHERS in their reproductive tracks. “The next baby is out!” Of course he had nothing to say or offer in terms of a meaningful process for a translation to training or jobs, which along with daycare is the only solution to the prob lem. Now, what else is engaging our attention on center stage at the National Comedy Store? The CNN Network car ries a Michigan prosecutor’s proud dec laration that his state has “met the drug 4 * * F problem head on and the people will be freed from its terrible grip." Been to Detroit lately? For possession of sev eral ounces of cocaine, Michigan law prescribes LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE as the mandatory sentence. It is inter esting that this is the amount of the drug most commonly found on bush league street peddlers; consequently 50% of the lifers arc black-while only 15% of Michigan’s population is black. It is even more interesting that several decades ago a congressman by the name of GEORGE BLSH V 0 1 ED FOR REPEAL OF FEDERAL MAN DATORY DRUG SENTENCING - upon which the Michigan bill wits mod eled. And now State Senator Rosenbaum who sponsored the Michigan bill says, “it has failed. THE WRONG PEOPLE ARE GOING TO JAIL.” Everybody knows that as we sec General Noriega convicted as a drug lord while the coun try of Panama is acknowledged to have become a greater transhipper ol drugs than ever. We believe it was the Bush White House that engineered this great coup (like it permitted drug exchanges to facilitate the Iran/Contra operations). And we have a trightened, do-noth ing Congress that knows as we do who the real pushers and facilitators of the drug trade are; From the bankers who wash the money, aided and abetted by scores of top lawyers with political clout (like the Bank of Credit and Com merce International) to the White House- controlled State Departmentand Armed Services who evidently are ordered “NOT TO STOP THE FLOW OF DRUGS ACROSS OUR BORDERS.” They could, you know! The word “Wimp” has its very personification in those congressmen \ Z' ' 1 M N» *\ f 284*6977 hm. 284*1324 bu*. PO BOX 6090 Portland, OR 97208 «gass a i / ? 4<-i / » -4 •' K youth groups o f Mallory and Piedmont Church of Christ «A- P ro c e e d s go to w a r d s y o u th a t t e n d i n g re g io n a l y o u th c o n fe re n c e presents 1 st A n n u a l F a s h io n S h o w F u n d r a is e r "Fashion Safari" •A>- <; ‘x A n E th n ic E x p e rie n c e A V i s u a l T rip T h r o u g h T h e W o rld o f •\ < << B A fr ic a n A m e ric a n F a s h io n s :o Saturday, A pril 25th 8PM W hittaker M iddle School . .1 ' ■' i P e rfo rm a n c e by: T h e A frican A m eric an B allet R e c e p tio n to F o llo w D o o r P riz e s 42nd & K illin g sw o rth D on ation : $10.00 Contact: W anda at 288*1092 o r D w ayn e at Z19-0193 T A FU N ERA L > V: iT < * h ; ’>> D IR E C T O R S Family Owned and Operated Since 1954 Serving the City of Portland for over 37 years In your hour of need Vann &Vann are 1 here to serve r'.-M ’t •* b ’â “. ’ V*i Cleodus Vann 53>.-«'S 503/281-2 ■ f i St-âMSj ■•ó :¿-y 5211 N. W illiam s Portland, Or. 97217 w, who refuse io stand up against the National Rifle Association and who also will not design legislation that can and will effectively remove the most dangerous of automatic weapons trom our streets. It has come to our attention that the old and revered C OLT’S M ANUFACTURING CO. is one American industry that has survived foreign competition and surged ahead with a good profit showing on its bal ance sheet. Is it nostalgia and a rever ence for the old west and its six guns that have saved this 150 year old-firm from bankruptcy? No, this premier fire arms com pany has come out with its most deadly weapon yet, the “A-15, Model 2 (the Held Hostage by Satan BY MATTIE ANN CALLIER-SPEARS age, such as: being redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, power to resist Satan, having all your sins forgiven (starling all over again with a clean slate), mercy, grace, salvation. Those arc some pretty good benefits. If we are supposed to have those bonuses, how can we be held hostage by Satan? How? Bccausc-we let him. Yes! We let him! Stupid isn’t it! No one wants to be called stupid-but, that’s exactly what you are when you allow Satan to reek havoc in your life. Espe cially when Jesus has already paid the price. Especially when Jesus has al ready won the battle with Satan. Espe cially when clear instructions have been carefully laid out for us in the Holy Scriptures. So-w hy do we still allow this to happen? We are not exercising that very important tool, “FAITH.” When faith is in place, we trust in God with all our hearts and all our minds. We won’t take foolish chances by go ing out onto dangerous limbs unpro tected... unshielded... ungirded... unshod... without a helmet...without your fighting tools. Over two thousand years ago, Christ Jesus took that long walk down that road and up to a hill called “C al vary” to save us from these kinds of attacks. When the Blazers and the Lakers arc on the basketball court together and the Blazers have the ball, the team members have confidence in the one handling the ball. Each team member believes that he will take that ball down the court and put it in the basket; but, along the way, the player gets dis tracted and passes the ball to the other team. Well! Needless to say, we all know how his team mates feel about him; but, more importantly, how he feels abouthimself. You know the rules of the game, you know the play because you have been practicing for a long time, you arc expert in ball-handling and you’ve made this play time-after- timc. B ut-lhis time you allowed your other thoughts to enter into your mind while you were on your journey of • -trying to r each your i»o:tl.’’ Don’t be easily distracted! I l is during times like this that Satan makes In the m idst of die seventies and the eighties, everywhere you looked and every place you read—there were sto ries of hostages being taken for various reasons. The airlines were having an awtul problem. Different groups were snatch ing planes right-and-left. Every lime you looked in the papers or listened over the air-waves, this headline seemed to be a carry-over from week to week- -’’Hostages Taken!” street wiper). Some people in Iran, the Irish Re While Colt’s says the weapon “is difficult to convert to lull automatic, public, the Palestinians, just to name a there coincidently has suddenly ap few, were hijacking planes or planting peared on the market a number of maga bombs in buildings that were densely zine articles and manuals detailing how populated. And the why for this kind of to quickly convert the guns to full auto action was, they were terribly unhappy matic. We do note that the guns are not with the way their government was Japanese made. The Attorney General handling things-so, they held people, of Ohio, a slate where there are strong human lives, against their w ills-to make sales, is suing the Colt’s company and their demands known. Some people STATE OF CONNETICUT. It seems were killed, Some were imprisoned for the company was bailed out of finan years scantily clad and under-fed. When cial difficulties with slate (tax payer) the hostage takers decided to return their hostages, many were malnour funds—now the A-15. This is not exactly what we ex ished or very ill or damaged beyond pected when some of our industrialists repair. There was such a rash of these promised to mend their ways and begin to push production and jobs instead of occurrences until it seemed to be a JU NK BONDS. Again, perhaps it is not “fad.” Disgruntled children tried their too far-fetched to contemplate hiring hands at it. Vietnam Vets and many, specialists with demonstrated exper many others all made attempts to voice tise to carry out the prime functions of their plights by using other human lives this republic and to prescribe reason as shields and/or bargaining tools. As Christian Believers, wc have able rules and laws that would endure been given the ability to make choiccs- our security and well being. -by God Almighty. And why do I say this? Because--we, as Christian Believ Virgin’s Real World ers, cannot be held hostage by Satan Label Releases unless we k l him. The people who were captured and JUBILATION From The held hostage from the planes or Irom Holmes Brothers the buildings were all held against their Virgin’s Real World labcl--the wills. Without their permission. B u t- imprint founded by Peter Gabriel to we,Christian Believers, allow ourselves record and promote a wide range of to be captured, tormented, raked over music, from the traditional to the mod the coals and agitated beyond limits by em from all parts of the w orld-has Satan, the evil one. The problem with released Jubilation from The Holmes this situation is—as Christian Believers, Brothers. The album was recorded in we chose to be in those precarious August 1991 at Gabriel’s Real World situations. Studios in England during the first an Yes! Once you have made the nual Real World Recording Week, wficn choice to follow Jesus, your choice over 75 musicians and producers from came with some bonuses in the pack around the world convened to record and perform together. Jubilation has the distinction of being the first Real Program. Ecumenical Ministries has 1992 marks the 75th anniversary of World album by artists from the United assisted hundredsof farmers throughout Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. For States: The Holmes Brothers were raised the state, who are facing the loss of the 75 years, churches and denominations in Virginia and arc currently based in family farm, by distributing $100,000 have worked together to enrich and New York when not on tour. of Farm Aid money, and advocating for enhance the quality of life in Oregon Jubilation is a rousing collection the family farmer at the state legislature. and S.W. W ashington. Ecumenical of traditional gospel songs, including Camp Odyssey is held each sum Ministries has worked todcvclopa broad “Jesus Is Alright” and “A Closer Walk mer for one week where 60 teenagers of partnership between the church and the With Thee.” It was produced by Andy diverse racial, ethnic, cultural and eco Breslau and Scott Billington, and fea community; a partnership which has nomic backgrounds from all regions of tures The Holmes Brothers, bassist focused much of its resources in ad the state come together to experience dressing the needs of the sick, the ad Sherman Holmes, quitarist Wendell the rich diversity that makes up the state dicted, the homeless, the refugees, and H olm es, drum m cr/vocalist Popsy of Oregon. The long-term goal is best the poor. Dixon, and pedal steel guitarist Gib expressed in the words of a camper from As Ecumenical Ministries moves Wharton. On various tracks they were last year: “The experience was the most into the 4 th quarter-century of ministry, joined by a number of international memorable and intense thing in my life. musicians who participated in the Re it is happy to announce that the Collins I discovered myself as well as other Foundation has awarded it a $10,000 cording Week’s work, including mem cultures and became life-long brothers matching grant. For every dollar raised, bers of Rcmmy Ongala’s Orchestra and sisters with fellow Camp Odyssey the Collins Foundation will match it Super Matimila(from Tanzania), singer people...” dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Ecu Mari Boinc Person (from Samiland), Each year the Collins Foundation menical Ministries has sent this news to and flutist Guo Yuc (from China). provides a grant to Ecumenical Minis its seventeen denominations and 2000 Earth Day Project local congregations and is now appeal tries to sponsor the Collins Lectures Encourages Region’s when a renowned theologian comes to ing to the wider community for assis Oregon to give a scries of lectures for the tance. Drivers to ‘Give Earth public. This year scripture scholar, Dr. Ecumenical Ministries was able to A Breather’ Raymond Brown, will be the featured open the first freestanding HIV Day Northwcstcmers can breathe easier speaker. Center in the country that serves lunch on Earth Day if they’ll stop to give the These arc just a few of the ways The to over th irty people cac h weekday. The earth a breather on Wednesday, April Collins Foundation works in partner Old Town Clinic last year cared for over 22, say sponsors of the second annual ship providing ministry to the people of 5,000 patients, many of whom were public affairs project, “Give Earth A women and children. In November 1991, Oregon through its support of the 30 Breather.” programs of Ecumenical Ministries of the Hopewell House was opened as a Northwest Natural Gas, KATU hospice facility and is already at capac Oregon. As wc move into the 90’s, Channel 2, Tri-Mct and the Oregon ity. Last year 7,500 persons were pro Ecumenical Ministries looks forward to Department of Energy have combined vided with emergency food from Ecu maintaining a close partnership with the efforts to ask residents of the Portland menical Ministries NE Emergency Food Collins Foundation. metropolitan area to take action to pro mote clean air and reduce air pollution. Since pollution from cars and trucks is the biggest source of the greenhouse Guaranteed Results in 24 Hours gases that contribute to global warm ing, collectively altering transportation Rev. Cooper Spiritual Reader & Advisor habits could make a significant differ 75th Anniversary of EMO DON’T GIVE UP!! ence. Business and professional people, students and families can “(live Earth A B reather” by lcav ing the car at home for the day and riding the bus or MAX; carpooling lor work and school as well as for recreation, and walking or biking whenever possible. When people must drive, planning errands and appoint ments in advance can help them con solidate trips. Also, using fleet vehicles that operate on alternative fuels like natural gas can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 percent and limit other pollutants as well. Are you sick suffering with bad luck? Hair falling our? Loss of nature? Someone crossed you? Need help in any problem'7 My work is with God Get rid of your problems If I cannot do it, it cannot be done Readings by phone or by mail. Also lucky numbers Call for appointment or directions. (215)333-5763 FREE READING BY PHONE •— jr . -Z *»** Í* ,"Vu '**8 V '* ‘V ZÎ !*. *’• * * * f v 4. «' • 4 f » • * • ‘ “• *~ l -e ♦ * t * a * . * M A W frV M ’ ’• * * •**-'K*-*-* * ? * MJB (R) Coffee has introduced MJB Lite (TM) 50 percent caffeine coffee, a revolutionary addition to the full line of MJB premium coffees. MJB Lite, oncof the first“Half-Caff” coffees on the market, responds to the con sumer demand for increasing options in coffee. No longer do coffee lovers have to choose between the extremes of regular coffee and decaf. MJB Lite is blended from the lincstregular and decaffeinated coffee bcans-carcfully roasted for a smooth, mild taste. “Research shows that 80pcrccntof consumers polled are interested in buy ing a half-caffeine coffee,” said Andrea Cook, Assistant Public Relations Man ager. “MJB Lite gives consumers an additional option regarding their caf feine intake. It is a great way to cut down on caffeine without going all the way to decaf.” MJB Lite is available in 12oz.,24 oz., and 36 oz. cans. A special 1.75 oz. trial size, ideal for brewing justone pot, is also available to encourage product trial. ■ •» <% 1 f MJB Debuts MJB Lite (TM) Half Caffeine Coffee • Portland Obseiver encourages our readers to write letters, to the editor in response to any articles ........ * _ *1 r-X • 1 l • < C"' 5 r • . • * ....... i j i J. . ♦ • i • we 4AV’. . his move. And you can assuredly be lieve that he will be right there waiting for you to flub-up and make a boo-boo. However, instead of being too cocky and being side-tracked, look to Christ Jesus for your strength and direction. He is right there by our side. Not on the side-lines but by your side. He’s on the court of life with you. Before C hrist ascended up to Heaven, he assured us that he would never leave us or forsake us. He prom ised! Yes! He promised to never leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with us. Not just sometimes but very second, every hour and every minute of every day. Keep in touch with your Heavenly Father through prayer. Prayer is a com munication tool that has to be used often if you want results. Take a child, for instance: When a child wants something, he/she never lets you forget it. The child will tug at your coat or dress-tail. He/she will per sist until you comply with his/her wish. Well! We are God’s children. We must talk to him on a regular basis. Prayer! Tug at God’s coat-tail and get his atten tion. Prayer! There is an old song that says..... “Jesus on the main line tell him what you want. Tell him what you want right now. When you re sick and can’t get well, tell him what you want. When you're down and can't get up, tell him what you want. When you're broken hearted and all alone, tell him what you want. Yes! Tell him what you want right now." Oh! You’ve got to know Him! He will be your friend! Yes, he will! Don’t let Satan get so close to you until he feels comfortable. Kick him to the curb in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Tell him to get away from you because you have been redeemed by the Holy and Precious Blood of Christ Jesus. Halle lujah! This Easter season remember to celebrate LIFE. Christ died that we might have life and have it more abun dantly. O, Praise his Holy Name!
