On the news tonight, yet another artist who lived (and died) n virtual poverty is now very well recognized. How ironic that artists of all stripes, ethnicity, in generations past and present, almost never benefit from their works. Most often only after they die is their works acknowledged, acclaimed, and valued. I knew one of those people.
But wait! Did they really lose out on the benefits of their art? Not at all! For them, creative works of their minds, hearts, and hands, brought them joy of accomplishment materialistic Collectors can never know!
The real irony is that happiness cannot be gauged by material possessions; Artists knew that all along!
Not often, but occasionally I see an article that I believe is worth sharing with those who may have similar likes as me. The following is reproduced from a Nice News (nicenews.com) subscription for non-commercial information purposes. Imho empathy is as essential to human life as the air we breath and hope you will find it as positive as I do…
Babies Begin Developing Empathy Around 18 Months, Study Says
Past research has shown that the human brain is hardwired for empathy and forming relationships, but at what point in our development do those characteristics emerge? A new study, published in the spring edition of the journal Cognitive Development, says it’s earlier than you may think — at about 18 months of age.
Around the same time that babies are learning words beyond “mama” and “dada,” walking on their own, and starting to feed themselves, they’re also developing the first inklings of “empathic concern,” the scientists say. They reached this conclusion by analyzing 127 mother-child pairs, bringing them in for behavioral experiments when the children were 6, 10, 14, and 18 months old, per a press release from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
The researchers tracked the children’s response to another person’s “simulated pain,” finding that their concern in reaction to the strangers’ “distress” was most pronounced by the 18 month point. They also discovered that a mother’s emotional intelligence affects the child’s.
“The more sensitively mothers responded to the needs of their infants, the greater the capacity of the children was in their second year of life to show empathic concern for a stranger,” the release reads, with study author Markus Paulus adding, “Children learn from [caregivers] how to deal with negative emotions. As a result, they are subsequently able to apply these lessons themselves.” (italics added)
Please Note the comment: ‘Children learn from caregivers!’
Clipping the edges of thick cloud over the mighty Columbia River gorge, I headed for a former USAF airstrip in Eastern Washington State near the Canadian border. Sadly it would be my last flight in Mooney N1060B.
The adventure began a few years earlier as I searched for a bargain-priced airplane, straining my eyes on those tiny Aviation Plane ads. With a little extra cash sale of a fixer-upper real estate project burning a hole in my pocket, I was hoping to pursue much loved flying hobby after several years of absence.
Eureka! There it was. A vintage Mooney, the very same wood-wing 20A model I had previously owned, and at a bargain price! Of course the reason was obvious; it ‘needed work’.
Far from discouraging me however, this was an added incentive! Having owned two previous early-model M20A’s, one with a wood wing and tail, and one with a converted metal wing and tail, this fixer-upper held no undue concerns for me.
Soon I was on an American Airlines DC-10 streaking for Louisville Kentucky and a date with a car dealer, owner of several airplanes.
Although he looked a little skeptical when he met me at the airport, possibly because I was younger that his own age of approximately 40. Still, he immediately loaned me one of his used car lot vehicles, saying he would need a day or two to get the plane ready for my intended cross-country return flight to California – only after verifying my bank draft check mind you.
The next day, after returning to the airport to recover my Canadian re-routed baggage, I tried in vain to be interested in touring the Louisville area. However my mind remained focused on the purpose at hand.
Joining up with the seller on the second day, we drove over the bridge to an airplane parts supply store in Indiana. Back at the local airport garage I watched and handed tools as he confidently rolled up his sleeves and proceeded to install new piston rings in the venerable 180 h.p. Lycoming I0-360 engine.
It was quite evident Mooney N1060B had not been flown for quite some time. “Don’t worry” the seller assured me, “I’ll test fly it before you take off for home.” Always the optimist, I was only slightly less sure of his mechanical abilities when he broke one of the new oil rings he was installing!
However, true to his word, the next day he took off and briefly circled the Louisville airport without incident. I was ready to go the next morning, but bad weather brought a solid layer of clouds and drizzling rain, preventing a normal VFR (visual flight rules) takeoff.
After waiting another full day, regularly checking aviation weather reports by telephone, I felt I could not be away from wife and children any longer – never a safe reason for making a go or no-go flight decision.
Taxiing out to the runway for the obligatory runup, I proceeded to read back an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) clearance dictated by the control tower before rolling down the runway full throttle and lifting off. In a flash I pulled the familiar Johnson bar landing gear handle retracting the landing gear, and proceeded to punch through the persistent overcast cloud.
Soon I was ‘on top’ above the clouds in glorious sunshine! A fresh boost of pilot confidence bolstered my spirits. (While not recommended, in the USA it is legal for VFR pilots like me to fly above the cloud deck in US airspace.)
Now at 8,000 feet, visibility was CAVU (ceiling and visibility unlimited). I was ecstatically heading South in my ‘new’ 1950’s vintage airplane.
Before leaving home I had carefully plotted and mapped a return course, leaving a copy with my wife. Now I was en route to my first refueling stop at Little Rock Arkansas, about 500 miles South of Louisville. Running at a modest cruise rpm, I diligently checked my compass heading, radio aids, oil pressure, exhaust gas temperature, and fuel consumption, moment by moment. Happily the engine sounded good and appeared stable, so I truly exulted in the always gratification of human flight!
Unreservedly I sang out loudly, praising God for my good fortune and blessings. There is definitely something about flying, especially solo flying, that heightens your spiritual awareness. It’s clearly a ‘nearer to God’ experience.
The solid blanket of cloud below gradually broke open as I headed South by SW. By the time I reached Little Rock, visibility allowed for a normal VFR landing and I didn’t waste any time getting airborne again after refueling. After take-off I reported a good-sized funnel cloud in the area, what we pilots call a ‘pirep’ (pilot report).
My next refueling stop was Abilene Texas. By that time I was tired, but decided to continue on and make the most of good flying conditions. Finally, just after sunset, I landed at Deming, New Mexico, a non-control tower airport. The local service provider immediately handed me the keys to his pickup truck so I could travel the short distance into town and find a restaurant. That trusted pilot fraternity exists everywhere you fly, and it’s truly heart warming.
Returning later I slept under a wing on the ground in my sleeping bag, it was a warm summer night. Gazing up at the star-filled sky, with great humility, I was truly grateful to God that things had gone so well.
The next morning I took off with three full fuel tanks and an overly optimistic plan to make it to the Los Angeles basin in one hop, not a good decision as it turned out! In spite of scrupulously leaning the fuel mixture and running at an economical cruise speed of about 135 mph, by the time I reached California fuel was running very low. To make matters worse, horizontal visibility was reduced to perhaps a mile or less in smog. Descending to less than 1500 feet I strained to locate an airport, any airport!
After long minutes, with fuel critically low, my heart rate was beginning to rival engine rpm. It was definitely time to swallow pride and call for help. The L.A. traffic controller responded swiftly and efficiently, ordering me to go to the emergency frequency of 121.5.
Once in contact there he ordered me to “turn right for radar identification”, i.e. to get a sharper radar reflection and direct me to the nearest safe landing site. But the problem was that at my low altitude it was difficult for them to target me. While they were attempting to do so, mercifully, the Palm Springs airport suddenly came into view nearby!
The controller immediately cleared me with the tower for a straight in landing approach. With a huge sigh of relief I landed and taxied directly to fuel pumps, it was like an oasis in a hot dessert. My good fortune and gratitude re-doubled when refueling added up to the maximum fuel capacity of the Mooney!
After a much needed bathroom break, and a required phone call to L.A. traffic control to explain my reason for declaring an emergency, namely; ‘smog reduced visibility’, I continued on with a short hop over to Oxnard airport. It was my plan to obtain a full examination of my newly acquired gem, including air frame and engine, by a recommended shop there.
But now my solid string of good fortune was interrupted! As I landed at Oxnard airport the Mooney brakes were virtually non-existent. They had been unneeded for prior landings, but now I was directed by the control tower to turn off the runway to a taxiway. Since I couldn’t slow down enough to do so, I made a hasty decision to turn off the main runway on the grass in between taxiways, attempting to climb back onto the main taxiway which was somewhat elevated. Since the Mooney only has an 8.5″ prop clearance from tip to ground, it struck the raised asphalt taxiway!
The damage resulting in a slightly twisted prop tip. However after receiving some remedial straightening by the local shop, I was once again able to depart without incident. Finally returning to my temporary home base near Sacramento California with a friend flying escort in his Cessna 172.
Advising the Louisville Seller that I had reached home safely was a satisfying end to this highly memorable flight. It was truly a ‘flight to remember’ for me.
But now, many months later, it was time to return my beloved Mooney back to the USA after being frustrated by Canadian Transport regulations, ah but that’s another story.
It was intended only as a quick educational trip to 108 ranch resort 300 miles from Vancouver B.C. Block Bros. Realty a well known Vancouver real estate firm beginning in 1960’s Vancouver, had sponsored, and financed this recreation retreat. In spite of considerable investment and promotion it never succeeded as hoped for several reasons. For more information on this project go here: http://108 Ranch Resort by Block Bros. Realty
Despite the reasons for its eventual failure, including driving distance from Vancouver, Henry Block * had developed notable features, 18-hole PGA golf course, clubhouse, swimming pool, restaurant and lounge, and a 20-room lodge, which were completed by 1972, to encourage investors.
I was very intrigued by it as a youthful Realtor in Vancouver. So sometime after acquiring my pilot’s license, and airplane, I decided to take a quick trip from my Victoria base to take a look at it.
I left rather late in one afternoon and flew directly from Victoria airport over Georgia Straight and coastal mountains to the 108 airstrip. It was (is?) an excellent paved strip capable of handling larger airplanes as intended. However as the sun set I was amazed at the total absence of anyone in the vicinity, including a nearby store and golf course!? In fact even while I spent the night under the stars in a sleeping bag right on the golf course, yet I never saw a single person! To this day that is puzzling.
In any case the next day, perhaps because of some disappointment at the 108, I decided to fly South before returning home. As I did I noticed a small airstrip next to Green Lake and decided to land and have a look. It was a very dry dusty landing, but just across the road there was a ‘dude ranch’* where a family from the lower mainland was vacationing that welcomed me! Somewhat overwhelmed by their hospitality, I ended up joining an evening around open camp fire, but not before a trail ride that was an experience of a lifetime in the afternoon! See this great video on the Flying U Ranch!: * * * Flying U dude ranch
With very limited ‘horse sense’, I was invited to join the family galloping (and I do mean full speed) through a forested area you could hardly call a trail! I hung on for dear life as small trees and bush brushed my legs and threatened to rip me off my steed, it really was the experience of a lifetime!
Afterward we drank some beers around a large and hospitable camp fire under a starry night. I could not believe how fortunate I was, and only wish I had my own family with me there. Once again I slept in my sleeping bag out in the open under an awesome Caribou sky as can only be fully seen far away from city lights.
The next morning I took off early in a huge cloud of fine dust from the short dirt airstrip, and after doing a low pass or two over the ranch, headed South to Vernon. At an airstrip shop there I found partners who had sold me a Mooney airplane previously. As fellow pilots, typically, they gave me the keys to a vehicle in order to briefly spend a few sunny moments on a lakeside beach! However, it was past time to head home and I did so that afternoon.
Only less than a two day experience, but as memorable as ever can be for me!
It was 1982 I think. We were living in a modernized log cabin in Rock Creek. Located halfway across B.C. close to the US border crossing at Midway. It was an 8+ acre property backing on the Kettle river, last pristine one in BC some said.
I had little or no experience as a farming type but was hoping to become self-reliant, much like the hippy movement preceding that time. So when my acreage grew a fairly profitable crop of hay, I hired a neighbor with a machine to bail it for a shared percentage. Then, with the help of a visiting friend, we stacked the hay in anticipation of sales.
Some hay did sell, but a fair amount remained unsold. Noticing a large old International 4×4 pickup truck for sale along the highway one day, I offered to swap hay for the truck, partly because hay was difficult to keep. Surprisingly we made a trade; the beginning of another real life adventure for me.
My oldest daughter had secured a job eight miles away in Midway, so it occurred to me I should trade that unused behemoth for something she could use for transportation to work.
So one cold clear winter day I struck out on a back road, (Highway 33 Kelowna to Rock Creek *) and soon realized that heavy old beast, likely with age-hardened tires, was completely unstable on that icy winter road! While transiting an elevated section at slow speed, it began to spin uncontrollably! With no way to stop it, I bailed out and helplessly watched, spell bound, as it slid off the road, almost in slow motion, thundered down a 25′ bank and came to a stop with a loud bang, slamming onto a large bolder!
That was just the beginning! First I tried to restart, but ironically the ignition key broke off! At that point I thought this was definitely not my day and the truck would be a write off. Not to mention traffic on that back road was few and far between in those days. Also day’s were short with temperatures below zero at that time of year. But surprisingly a tanker truck came by before long. Driver seeing the situation stopped, gratefully I related my plight including the broken key. (This is where the story becomes truly miraculous! )
Without a word of a lie, that tanker truck driver handed me a ring full of keys he said he had no more use for, and astonishing, one of the keys on that ring worked in my vehicle’s ignition, which started right up! However being wedged up on that large rock it would not move. The driver had waited, so I climbed aboard, only slightly optimistically of finding more help somewhere down the road.
Now several miles further along there was a rare off-road dwelling came into view, so I riskily offloaded in hopes of obtaining ‘any’ help. To my utter amazement the self-reliant owner offered exactly what I needed, namely a heavy solid steel pole not less than 6′ long and 2″ diameter! (I have no idea what its intended purpose was.)
Almost as miraculous as the ignition I soon thumbed a ride back to the truck with that large steel pole in a small, convertible Triumph sports car, with the top down! Indeed the top had to be down to accommodate that large steel pole. The driver was disregarding low temperatures, while enjoying a crystal blue daylight winter sky.
Returning to the crash site, I was soon able to leverage that old bullet proof truck off the bolder with the steel pole,* * started it up, and crawled parallel to the road until able to climb back onto it! I know this all must sound unbelievable, but I swear it is the truth. And there’s even more to this story!
To return the steel pole, I drove the several miles and pulled off in the lenders driveway. At that very moment there was a loud bang under the hood! Battery damage when the truck hit the rock cracked it open and caused it to explode, spraying battery acid all over the engine compartment! It instantly occurred to me that if that battery had exploded earlier, I would once again have been stranded!
At that point I thought my good fortune must surely have run its course, but wait.. On hearing my plight the generous homesteader told my to ‘go down to his basement and take any one of his spare batteries being kept on chargers’!!
Needless to say I was dumbfounded by all this unexpected help. In conclusion; I made it to Kelowna right at sundown and stayed overnight in a motel. The very next day I was able to substitute that old beast of a truck for a reliable old Mazda! (In fact that is yet another surprising story!) That car served my daughter well for transportation to her job in Midway.
* Hwy 33, Rock Creek to Kelowna, is now ‘greatly improved’ road.
** “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.”
What’s it like to view the earth from outside the space station? After 9 spacewalks NASA astronaut Mike Fincke puts it this way;”…seeing the whole cosmos of creation….it’s just awe-inspiring”.*
However, the focus since mankind has achieved ability to circle the earth in orbit, has arguably become the exploration of other planets, including the moon. So my question is ‘why’? Hasn’t it become abundantly obvious to all thinking people, the earth, often called ‘mother earth’* is the very special, very specific, home of mankind?
Just how much scientific, factual. evidence is needed to verify this very basic, very obvious, truth?!
Exploration is apparently a natural trait of humans. However as has often been said; we actually know less about what’s in deep ocean waters than we do about near space! Doesn’t that suggest the great emphasis on space exploration is a strange, even ‘unnatural’ bias for major exploration efforts?
(quotation) “Maybe the most amazing fact about Earth is that it’s the only planet we know that supports life at all. A lot of things had to go right for this to be possible. For one, our planet is perfectly distanced from the sun in what scientists call “the Goldilocks zone,” because it’s not too hot and not too cold. The Earth is also protected from solar radiation thanks to its magnetic field, and kept warm by an insulating blanket we call the atmosphere. And most important, it has the right building blocks for life — mainly water and carbon.”
Take note of this quote by ethnobotanist and anthropologist Wade Davis: “The fact that carbon dioxide combines with water, sparked by photons of light, to give us the food we eat and air we breathe – That’s the formula of life“ (i.e. learning how the Kreb’s cycle converts the sugars assembled by photosynthesis into cellular energy through aerobic respiration, ‘was a mracle to me!)
If we are truly curious to learn more about life, why not focus our attention on life on our wondrous, beautiful, even mysterious planet, instead of making haste to explore other planets, planets so far proven to be completely lacking in the countless features of our earth, not to mention any form of life.? * And all such efforts creating serious, if not dangerous, competition between nations no less!
If you had a house needing repairs, but it was still fundamentally sound, would you simply ignore it to pursue some other far less attractive place in a hostile neighborhood?
No, the logic of space exploration, as stimulating as that may be for some, simply does not meet the litmus test of sanity! But then what grandiose human activity ever has? E.g. consider the ongoing environmental damage caused by the industrial revolution with all its now known attendant detrimental consequences to the environment! And we don’t even want to think about the ‘nuclear age’, or as yet untold damage resulting from the computer age! E.g. consider this…
In 1946 the United States chose the South Pacific Bikini Atoll as a test site to detonate 23 nuclear bombs, obviously that caused the destruction of three of the islands and left a radioactivity that even today makes it impossible to live there.
Isn’t that clear evidence governments’ are complicit in destroying planet Earth? Yet there is a genuine hope for the future, not by the hands of mankind, ratherin spite of mankind!
Indeed the Creator of this beautiful ‘blue marble’ well knows how to restore his perfect creation, to remove those who are exploiting and causing shameful environmental damage! **
Notes: “…his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship,..” (Romans 1:20)
* Indeed the expression ‘mother earth’ may be quite apropos’ given all components of the human body are most likely only found on earth – including 60% water.
* “…Mars is effectively one big desert.” (the words of Professor Rabinovich, Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey)
In His (God’s) own reliable prophetic words:* “….look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind….“(Isaiah 65:17) …“and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Revelation 11:18) Thanks for viewing,
The Book of life…
Earth is a book, our Mother indeed, chapters are seasons, timely to read. Plans for all life, real pages to turn. Cover to cover, lessons to learn. Noble blue marble, a world in decline, soon to be fixed by He who designed!
There exists a symbiotic relationship between humans and animals. We only need to hear heartfelt, passionate, experiences of pet owners to confirm this truth! That we share genetics, perhaps even physical features in some cases, with other living creatures on earth is undeniable.* And who has not been humored by similarities, even resemblances to human characteristics in many plants and animals, including marine animals? (Bird of Paradise; Orchid Owl; and many more are not a fake pictures)
No doubt those similarities contribute to belief in evolution, it’s one reason for the ongoing effort to develop that arguably overworked theory. Admittedly, evolution may superficially appear to explain similarities between humans and other life forms on earth. But is such reasoning the ‘only’ logical conclusion possible? I invite you to consider an alternative line of reasoning.
Consider famous artists, like Van Gogh, Michelangelo, or Leonardo Da Vinci. It doesn’t even take an expert to identify their particular works of art. Experts, or even qualified laymen can readily identify their distinctive style, subject matter, canvass, brush strokes, techniques and more!
I submit for your consideration, that, similarly, all life on earth is likewise a perfectly identifiable product of a single creative Artist! His distinctive style, brush strokes, and ‘living subjects’, being fully recognizable throughout the earth. In fact, the common DNA of ALL life, greatly adds to the credibility of this line of reasoning! More and more it has been revealed that genetic building blocks of DNA are, not only common, but ‘nearly identical’ to all other life forms. Yes all life on earth is based on the very same DNA constructs!
This is far different from the concept each individual life form is an accidental result of some unidentifiable force of necessity. It is not an over-simplification to say that, to the extent that geneticists have been so far able to analyze DNA/RNA, amazingly, there are only minor differences to account for all the diversity of life on earth! Yes we all share a very common basic makeup, from man to plants and animals! Simple comparisons might be an auto assembly line producing many different models of cars using the very same construction methods, or Lego blocks used to build an unlimited number of designs. Of course the building DNA strands of life are immeasurably more complex than those simple examples!
The point is, just as works produced by famous artists clearly identify those creative geniuses, fundamental makeup of all life forms on earth provides a major identifying mark for a singular, incomparable, Artist-Creator! For more detailed DNA information go to my post: Evolution vs Facts All that said, there are distinct differences between humans and all other forms of life on earth. As the ultimate Artist-Sculptor he’s made mankind the ‘apex production’ of his earthly works, how? By generously granting humans qualities in his very own likeness!You might say we are, spiritually, his self-portrait in love, wisdom, justice, and power! Clearly every form of life has unique features, abilities, and appearances to it alone. Yet we need to acknowledge human capabilities exceed all other life forms on earth. For example; ‘conscience; and free will’!
While those exceptional and unique characteristics have been suppressed and eroded by the many adverse conditions today, there is no denying they do exist from the day we are born. And when properly trained they provide a supreme separation from the animal kingdom granted by our Artist-Creator. In conclusion I want to emphasize a known common fundamental makeup of all life on earth provides strong evidence of an awesome ‘Artistic Creator’ **. One who not only designed endless forms of life using genetic programming only beginning to be understood by mankind, but at the same time he’s granted humans superior attributes in His very own likeness, plus a free will to develop them!
* Contributed comment:
“It is interesting that in some basic ways all animal creation follows a closely designed formula with overlapping characteristics. Eat, drink, eliminate, cohabit, bring forth offspring, etc., yet humans are several notches above… and consciously worship, design, plan, innovate, improve, etc. Is..life on earth designed? Only the uninformed would say no! What about our future,… only the uninformed would say it has been left to chance in the hands of problematic human creations that seem to not recognize limits…”
Ergo: “For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.” (Romans 1:20)
Please visit JW.org for more encouraging information!
Worldwide nearly 800,000 people have committed suicide dring the past year, (2020. That’s one person every 40 seconds! Many of those being youths. How incredibly sad is that!? Indeed the prospects for youths and even adults has been severely affected by the Covid-19 virus and variants. But that is only one cause for giving up on life itself. My point in addressing this tragic issue is somewhat related to John Milton’s epic poems; ‘from paradise lost to paradise regained’ * but not entirely…please read on;
No doubt the absence of hope is the root cause of most suicides. Clearly then, what is needed is real hope for the future based on solid facts!
Where can we find such real hope in a world that consistently engenders economic greed; government corruption; destruction of the environment; crime and violence; and the list goes on!?
The promise of ‘a return to paradise’ is a main theme of scripture. And scripture has been proven to be just as reliable as the rising of the sun. How can this be said? To begin with most scripture is recorded history of God’s dealings with man. That being the case, it’s possible to compare the biblical record with the known facts of history. Does it meet that litmus test, indeed it does! In fact many times the previously doubted Bible record has been proven correct when new archaeological and/or other factual historical evidence comes to light.
Indeed scriptures have shamed critics and proven to be accurate beyond any contradiction time and again, including references to known science; for example the Psalmist said ‘his makeup was written down in a book before he was born’! a clear reference to only recently known DNA! And again, the scriptures refer to the ‘circle of the earth hanging on nothing’! These words were written thousands of years before science confirmed them. Obviously the Bible was ‘inspired’ by the one who created these wonders we have only begun to appreciate!
The answer my friends is ‘written on the wind’, in a manor of speaking. The rotten conditions that exist on our beautiful planet are not in keeping with its purpose at all. ** Little wonder so many people feel hopeless. We naturally and rightly wish for a better world, a united world of mankind living in peace and security with plenty for all! And that is exactly what is promised for those who exercise faith in our Creator’s promise to regain paradise lost!
‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away,’…. ‘And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away’…. ‘And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.’….’Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.'(Revelation 21:1-5 excerpts)
** “For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Just re-read this article by Neil Macdonald and was struck by its frank truthfulness. It seems like it has not received the attention it should have, so I’m adding it to my site for that reason. This link to the published article still works; https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/grand-jury-report-1.4798291
Here is a slimmed down version:
By secular standards, the Catholic Church is a corrupt organization and
Federal authorities should treat it like one!
Neil Macdonald · CBC News · Posted: Aug 26, 2018 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: August 26, 2018
WARNING: This column contains disturbing details
Imagine for a moment that a big, admired multinational corporation, one selling a beloved product, was employing large numbers of male pedophiles and rapists, operating in rings all over the world, and that their crimes had been uncovered in Australia, Ireland, Canada, the Philippines, Belgium, France, Austria, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Britain, Germany and the United States, and, further, that senior executives had systematically covered up and suppressed evidence, transferring and enabling hundreds of predators, betraying thousands of victims.
What would happen to the company is not terribly difficult to imagine.
At a minimum, the U.S. government would likely use its Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law to go after not only the rapists and molesters, but also the company’s executives, up to and including its CEO if possible, seizing the company’s assets and seeking the harshest possible prison terms. That’s the sort of thing RICO was invented for. The company would almost certainly collapse. But of course no company’s warranty guarantees everlasting life, and no company maintains that its CEO is chosen by God.
Grand jury report: (continued) The Roman Catholic church does, which is the only explanation for why, after the release of a grand jury report that detailed more than 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania over several decades by more than 300 predators in clerical collars, many of whom are still alive, millions of American Catholics continued to attend mass.
The report detailed anal, oral and vaginal rape. It told of cases like the Pittsburgh priests who forced a young boy to strip naked and pose as Christ on the cross, then photographed him and shared the pictures for their later enjoyment – an in-church child pornography operation.
Or the priest who forced a nine-year-old boy to perform oral sex on him, then “purified” the boy’s mouth with holy water. Or another priest who forced his victim to confess to him.
More than 1,000 children abused by Pennsylvania priests, report says
‘We showed no care for the little ones’: Pope’s letter vows to end sex abuse, coverups
Pennsylvania’s attorney general, Josh Shapiro, told reporters last week that high church officials “routinely and purposefully described the abuse as ‘horseplay’ and ‘wrestling,'” choosing to transfer the pedophiles to other congregations (where they’d have a whole new selection of horseplay partners), or send them away for prayerful reflection before returning to duty.
Unfortunately, though, Shapiro said, the statute of limitations has run out in most of the cases, or the priests involved had died.
Pity, Shapiro was implying, because if they could, authorities would vigorously pursue and prosecute and imprison not only the perpetrators, but their enablers and protectors.
Or not. Actually, probably not. Inevitably, that scale of prosecution – we are talking about inflicting severe damage to the Catholic Church in the United States – would require steadfast political will, and seriously, what politician seeking re-election wants to alienate 24 per cent of Americans, many of whom, despite clear evidence of the church’s moral rot, insist on believing it is infallible? Pope Francis released an open letter to the world’s Catholics after the Pennsylvania revelations, basically repeating the company line. (Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press)
The same goes elsewhere. Revelations of horrors in all the above-mentioned Western countries (here in Canada, there was documented abuse in Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, where the church’s Mount Cashel orphanage was operated as sort of a prison for child sex slaves) resulted in dismissals of some church officials, some lawsuits and a handful of criminal convictions, but not much more than that.
Each time, the Pope or one of his high subalterns would lament human frailty, and drone on about the sacred duty to protect the most vulnerable, while privately fighting to thwart civil suits or conspiring to keep facts from investigating authorities.
Pope Francis, who enjoys the most saintly reputation of any recent pope (except for John Paul II, who was actually made a saint, despite all the ugly revelations on his watch) released an open letter to the world’s Catholics after the Pennsylvania revelations, basically repeating the company line: gosh, sorry, that was terrible, we must do better, God bless you all, go in peace.
Noting first that “most of these cases belong to the past,” (don’t all cases belong to the past?) the Pope banged on for 2,000 words about feeling the pain of the vulnerable, and the necessity of ensuring it doesn’t happen again (and again and again and again), but his central theme was expressed right off the top in a line from Corinthians: “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.”
Yes. Of course. Let’s compare the spiritual suffering the Pope claims the revelations have caused him to that of a child being sodomized by an adult stalker in a clerical collar, a monster the boy probably doesn’t think he’s even allowed to complain about.
Resisting change
The right thing for the Pope to do would be to waive his sovereign privilege (he is a sitting head of state), and invite criminal authorities to freely and fully access church records worldwide, and drain the holy swamp. He might also consider at this stage ordaining women, because women are God’s creatures too, perfectly able to spiritually guide the faithful, and, umm, don’t tend to rape children.
But the privileged old men who run the church aren’t going to allow any of that. They’re a bit like gun control opponents, opposing an obvious solution on doctrinaire grounds.
There actually have been a few attempts to use the RICO statute against priests, notably in Cleveland, but jurors did not convict
When former Oklahoma governor and former federal prosecutor Frank Keating, a practicing Catholic, compared the church’s obsession with secrecy to the Mafia’s, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles demanded his ouster from a church board examining clerical abuse. Keating resigned from the panel.
Mahony, who covered up sexual abuse by priests in California, according to church records, retired peacefully at age 75. Only after a court order compelled the Los Angeles archdiocese to open its files on abuse was Mahony gently rebuked by the church.
The National (news cast)
Pope Francis condemns priestly sexual abuse.
Pope Francis condemned priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up by the Catholic Church, in a public letter. In addition to demanding accountability, Francis begged forgiveness for the pain suffered by victims and said Catholics must be involved in any effort to root out abuse. 2:11 By any secular standard, the Catholic Church is a corrupt organization. It in fact sets the standard for impunity.
Cardinal Bernard Law, who presided over the coverup of the church’s famous Boston sex abuse scandals, was plucked and brought to Rome by Pope John Paul II, where he resided until he died at the Vatican, beyond the reach of American prosecutors.
Earlier this year, after Bishop Juan Barros of Chile was accused of covering up clerical abuse, Pope Francis denounced the accusers’ “calumny.” When it turned out that there was merit to the accusations, and that the Vatican had been informed of the problem, Francis claimed he’d been misinformed. A few weeks later, all 34 of Chile’s bishops tendered their resignations. Francis eventually accepted three of them.
And now, Catholic activist Susan Reynolds has gathered thousands of signatures on a letter demanding the resignation of all American bishops. It would be the right thing to do, but at a guess, the very notion amuses America’s bishopry, comfortable in their armour of piety.
RICO, aggressively deployed by federal prosecutors using wiretaps, search warrants and informants, would be far more effective. They can’t all flee to Rome.
This column is part of CBC’s Opinion section. For more information about this section, please read this editor’s blog and our FAQ.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Macdonald
Opinion Columnist
Neil Macdonald is an opinion columnist for CBC News, based in Ottawa. Prior to that he was the CBC’s Washington correspondent for 12 years, and before that he spent five years reporting from the Middle East. He also had a previous career in newspapers, and speaks English and French fluently, and some Arabic.
More by Neil Macdonald
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Please note; There never has, and never will be, an evolutionary jump, gradual or otherwise, from one genetic ‘kind’ to another!
I know that probably isn’t what you’ve been taught, or what the general media promotes, but I truly believe reasonable people will at least have serious doubts after considering some factual evidence.
For example; there has never been, nor ever will be, a ‘beneficial’ mutation!
Think about it; mutations, animal or vegetable, always result in degradation of some kind. Mutations simply do not result in improvements, period. In simple terms a mutation is a damaged DNA gene, causing defects or illness. And even though the theory of evolution dictates there has to have been millions of them to produce some significant change in life forms, there is simply no evidence this ever happened, not even one, except in science fiction such as ‘Mutants’ movies!
On the other hand there’s a a very natural and normal process called ‘entropy’! Entropy is literally thebreaking down to ‘disorder’ from something that is ‘ordered’. This applies to inanimate objects as well as animate (living) cells. Think about what would happen to your car if you were to park it in a farmers field and do nothing to it for years. In time it would deteriorate and eventually be reduced to little more than basic elements.
With living cells the same natural process is simply called aging (or ageing). Remember the Eagles song ‘All We Are Is Dust In The Wind’? Even better stated in scripture; “For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)
The same principle applies to any living creature born with an abnormality, not withstanding the help of modern medical science. A defect will not and cannot be an improved version of any particular kind, much less be a ‘stepping stone’ to becoming an entirely ‘different’ kind of creature!
Indeed, all biological creatures, human or animal age, (atrophy) and die, returning to dust just the same as physical objects eventually do.
This is science fact, not fiction, and it cannot be ignored. Yet that is what is done by those advocating evolution.
To further demystify this theory; within the dog ‘family’, there are a great variety of animals, all related, from foxes to wolves to jackals and coyote’s, besides a countless number of domestic dog’s. Great diversity within the dog family for sure, and all genetically linked. Yet at no time has a ‘dog kind’ of animal ever been a ‘bird kind’, a ‘fish kind’, or an ‘insect kind’ of creature, or vice versa, except in human imagination!
This must not be confused with the well proven capability of most life forms to adapt to environmental conditions, so please ‘read my lips’….
‘Adaptation is not evolution!’ It simply does not result in a stepping stone or so-called big jump change to a different family kind of creature!
A good example is Darwin’s own observation of Finches. He noted there was a change in the size and shape of bird beaks as they ‘adapted to different food sources‘. But that ‘natural adaptation’ does not begin to support evolutionary changes from a bird kind of creature to some other kind!
Variations in each ‘family kind’ are often confused by the human designation of ‘species’. For example a wolf and a fox terrier may be regarded as different species, as categorized by anthropologists etc, but that does not make them different ‘family kinds’ of animal. The same is true of black or gray squirrels, varieties of moths, or even the 10,000 ‘species’ of birds!
In other word, differentiating creatures as different species does not necessarily separate them genetically, they may simply be a member of their own ‘family kind’. Describing animals within each ‘family kind’ as different ‘species’ merely tends to obfuscate reality.* Separation of family kinds by this arbitrary and often confusing method is a little like classifying basketball players as different from each other because they play on different teams, wearing different colored shorts!
The point is that there has never been fundamental changes within each and every ‘family kind’ so as to become a member of a ‘different family kind’.
And that includes us humans. For example; Asian, Caucasian, Negroid, Germanic, et al, are all simply members of ‘human kind’. All are of the very same genetic pool, not different ‘species’. Evolutionists designations not withstanding, humans are not, and never have been, part of the ape family kind, or any other family kind of creature.
Recent genome studies are adding more proof of this every day. Humans and apes are simply unrelated, that is a science fact.**
Therefore please do not be misled by a confusing and completely unsupported theory. So-called ‘transitional’ human artifacts, namely bits and pieces of bone which likely could be contained in a single travel trunk, and do not even begin to support the idea of millions of years of so called ‘dead ends’ as required by this theory, or its many variations. Evolutionary theories, based on the mythical idea of ‘millions of years’ of mutations has been so frequently revised and re-worked is not even just a single unified theory anymore.
No matter how many millions of year’s are suggested, basic well-proven scientific principals apply, and those principles completely contradict evolution. It will always remain just a theory no matter how frustrating that is for its advocates.
Frankly, in my view, the main proponents are those who are too proud to accept the obvious… namely; all life on earth, animal and vegetable, is so highly complex and detailed that it simply could not be other than the product of a power and intelligence far beyond our human understanding, well known in most cultures as the ‘Creator‘.
Creation, often described as ‘mother nature’, should not be marginalized by theories which attempt to undermine the glory and beauty of our blue marble planet, and especially not its wise, supremely intelligent Creator.
Indeed all life on earth, including ‘mankind’, gives abundant evidence of an awesome Creator, the one who made “each one according to its kind” so that everything was “very good”. (please read Genesis, chapter 1, in the holy Bible).
But if you are still in doubt, please view this very revealing Youtube video. If your not convinced of ‘divinity’ after seeing what this Mathematician has to say, there is nothing more to be said!
** International science team concludes; “During the last decade it was commonly accepted that humans and…. chimpanzees, only differed by 1.24 % in our DNA sequences. This (new) discovery shows that this figure is absolutely incorrect and, what is more, may be ten times higher.” Also; “Humans and primates are qualitatively different.” (extract from 2009 study), click here for… 2009 science team report
For views of a DNA scientist, visit my post: ‘Evolution vs Intelligent Creation’
Noted quotation: “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will make you an evolutionist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” Werner Heisenberg (father of Quantum Mechanics.)
This is a re-print of a well-circulated email I received. I do not know the author, but am very impressed with the logic offered, perhaps you will be also…?
Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?
During a question and answer session at a recent speaking engagement, a university student asked me, “Why do you believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God?” Now this is a very interesting question; and probably one of the most important questions any Christian could ask themselves. What is so special, so unique about the Bible that Christians believe it is literally the inspired word of God?
In answering this student’s question, I encouraged him to consider the following facts about the Bible:
First, the Bible is not just one single book. This is a more common misconception than many people realize, especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background. Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books, which is called the canon of scriptures. These 66 books contain a variety of genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic just to name a few.
Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen, doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never knew one another personally.
Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1500 years. Yet again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew or collaborated with one another in writing these books.
Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different
languages. In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical and cultural circumstances in which each of these books were written.
And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents:
Africa, Asia, and Europe . Once again, this is a testament to the varied historical and cultural circumstances of God’s people.
Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents. What’s more, this collection of books shares a common storyline- the creation, fall, and redemption of God’s people; a common theme- God’s universal love for all of humanity; and a common message-salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and commit to following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. In addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no historical errors or contradictions. God’s word truly is an amazing collection of writings!
After I had shared the above facts with this student, I offered him to find an equivalent book or books. I.e. they must share a common storyline, a common theme, and a common message, with no historical errors or contradictions.” I went on to say, “If you can produce such a collection of books, I will admit that the Bible is not the inspired word of God.” The student’s reply was almost instantaneous, he emphatically stated, “But that’s impossible!”
“But that’s impossible!” It truly is impossible, for any collection of human writings. However, the Bible passes this test. The Bible contains 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents, with no historical errors or contradictions. The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine inspiration.
The next time you encounter someone who asks you why you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, try sharing this challenge with them. Better yet, don’t wait until you’re asked, just go ahead and share this challenge with a friend today. You don’t even have to mention the Bible up front, just ask them if they think it would be realistic to assemble such a collection of books. After they say, “But that’s impossible!” you’ve got a ready-made opportunity for sharing the truth of God’s word with somebody!ng challenge: I said to him, “If you do not believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, if you do not believe that the Bible is of a supernatural origin, then I challenge you to a test.” I said to the student, “I challenge you to go to any library in the world, you can choose any library you like, and find 66 books which match the characteristics of the 66 books in the Bible. You must choose 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, written on 3 different co
The following article is intended for ‘good eggs’, pardon the pun. If it offends, I’m sorry sometimes the truth hurts, but it is still ‘truth’ that should be acknowledged.
Even a rudimentary research effort will help to answer the question, ‘is the celebration of Easter an insult to our Father in heaven? Even superficial research reveals the truth; ergo Encyclopedia Britanica states:
“The English name Easter is of uncertain origin; the Ang-Saxon priest Venerable Bede in the 8th century derived it from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eostre.” Others link it to Astarte, the Phoenician fertility goddess who had the Babylonian counterpart Ishtar.
Hares, rabbits: These are symbols of fertility “handed down from the ancient ceremonial and symbolism of European and Middle Eastern pagan spring festivals.
The American Book of Days well describes the origin of Easter: “There is no doubt that the Church in its early days adopted the old pagan customs and gave a Christian meaning to them.”
My comments: The ‘adoption’ of a purely pagan custom by Churches of Christendom had the obvious political purpose of appealing to a far wider non-christian audience than the minority of purely bible-based Christians. To this day that fact holds true. So to answer the question; “Could Church ‘adoption’ have God’s blessing,” consider just one, of many, scriptural principles;
“a little leaven ferments the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9)In scripture, leaven being often used as a symbol of corruption! So you be the judge; Could the ‘adoption of pagan practices’, such as Easter, possibly have God’s approval, or is it more likely an insult to Him..?
‘EzeHomeBuyer’ ™ (ISBN 0-9734121) YOU CAN BUY OR SELL A HOME WITHOUT A MORTGAGE! by C. Eshom Update 02-2021: Prices may appear to be out-of-date in this information, however the methods and tips described are as valid today as ever, perhaps even more so! If you find this (lengthy) instructional post useful, please make a donation, thanks!
FORWARD
Home ownership is a basic human desire, perhaps even a need.
Yet there are tens of thousands even in the United States who believe they will never be able to own their own home. Does this apply to you also? If so, please take heart, this informational posting is especially suited for you! If you have regular source of income, the following example will show you how to purchase your own home, regardless of financial limitations.
All that’s really needed is the right tool. For example, did you ever try to change a flat tire without the help of a correct sized wheel-nut wrench? Using that wrench is a fairly simple matter, but without it, there is almost no way to get the leverage needed to remove those nuts!
The purpose of this posting then is to equip you with the leverage you need to deal with today’s real estate market, using whatever income or savings available. This information is solidly based on twenty years of personal and professional experience in real estate, including my own purchase of (exactly) twenty individual residential properties in the U.S. and Canada, some of which were multi-units.
HOME FINANCING ALTERNATIVE
The great majority of home buying today is based on mortgage financing. These loans are provided mainly by Banks, Savings and Loan Co’s., or Credit Unions. Unfortunately, a large number of prospective buyers have their dream of home ownership quickly trashed by the hard realities of Mortgage loan qualifications.
Even if they do qualify, high costs of arranging conventional mortgages, often added on to these loans, may severely restrict future enjoyment of these heavily mortgaged homes.
And for exactly the same reasons, Sellers often find it difficult to sell their property, even to willing Buyers, owing to mortgage loan restrictions and payout penalties among other things. In other words financial barriers.
Is there a viable alternative for both Buyers and Sellers? Yes indeed, read on!
As with most good ideas, the answer is not a deep dark secret. Described by some as creative financing, it is however, relatively unknown, often misunderstood, and rarely used! This is true even among so-called knowledgeable real estate Brokers and Sales Agents.
As you will see, creative financing is a leverage tool with virtually unlimited real estate potential! Not only can it make your home ownership dream come true, but with a little imagination the same method can be employed to purchase property of all kinds. It need not be limited to home ownership alone for those who truly take this information to heart and use it with a confident and creative attitude.
The following will serve to introduce you to the basic concept of ‘wrap-around’ creative financing. The benefits of this Seller financing method apply equally to Seller’s, but for clarity I will illustrate the method from a Buyer’s perspective with a common, real estate purchasing scenario.
FINDING YOUR HOME
Lets assume the following real estate newspaper ad has attracted your attention;
Rancher Beauty! Immaculate 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, Rancher on beautifully treed and landscaped lot. Excellent location, near shops and schools. Asking price $125,000. Call now.. Quick-sale Herbie at xyz Realty Co.
Calling the Real Estate Agency, you question the Listing Salesperson and learn the owner has an existing first mortgage loan balance of $60,000. His mortgage payments of $425. per month include 7% interest (per year).
This means the desired cash down payment is: ($125,000. – $60,000.) = $65,000. But a down payment of $65,000. is clearly out of financial reach for a great majority of home buyers, including you for puposes of this illustration at least.
Realizing this fact, the Salesperson naturally questions you about your financial capacity, perhaps suggesting a lower down payment of say, 25% of the full price, or $31,000.
His idea being for you to apply for a new first mortgage loan of $94,000. (i.e. 31,000. + 94,000. = $125,000. full price). If you qualified for that loan, and the interest rate is still at 7%, your payments would be around $665. p.m.
Possibly you have already experienced a similar situation. As with many others, you may have concluded there simply was no hope of purchasing such a home because; 1) you don’t have the suggested 25% down payment; or 2) you don’t have sufficient income to qualify for a larger mortgage loan with lower down payment; or 3) both!
If you can relate to this situation please take heart. The following steps illustrate a highly effective alternative method which can enable you to purchase a residence of your choice despite such financial barriers.
OBTAIN NECESSARY INFORMATION
In Real Estate as any other endeavor, relevant information is key to success. Gathering useful information is step number one in this creative finance process also, and it will be crucial to your success.
You must tactfully and intelligently gather sufficient information about your chosen property, and most important, you need to learn as much as possible about any future plans and goals of the Seller, before formulating your offer to purchase.
This can best be accomplished by:
a) asking tactful questions while viewing the property with or without an agent;
b) carefully questioning the Listing Salesperson apart from the owner, and/or;
c) by directly contacting the Seller yourself * preferably after you have been introduced through an Agent, (or personally if its a private seller). Remember; the more information you have in advance, the better equipped you will be to proceed to the next steps.
Note: contacting a Seller directly may bruise the listing Salesperson’s ego if he has the property listed, but there is no law against talking to a Seller without the Salesperson being present.
However you handle this, it is vital that a rapport is established between Buyer and Seller in order to build personal trust!
You will find that most Sellers are quite open about their future plans, especially as you are showing sincere interest in their property, and if you are tactful, well groomed, and polite.
However, it must be said that if a Seller, (or Buyer) is unwilling to share personal information with you, perhaps avoiding your questions about his future plans, or insisting you deal only with his Sales rep, you may be better off to resume your search for the ideal home, and Seller.
Please Note: While it is preferable to find a Seller who’s personal circumstances lend themselves to a creative financing proposal, you can be sure there is no lack of such Sellers regardless of market conditions.
Again, from the Buyer’s perspective for sake of our illustration, in the course of your conversation with the Seller two (common) facts may be mentioned;
(1) he is soon to be retired, with pension income, (and will not therefore be totally dependent on cash coming out of the sale of property to support him) and;
(2) he is presently purchasing a motor home from current savings, and has plans to travel extensively after he sells his property.
Again, it is no exaggeration to say this is a very typical scenario today! It is also true that many other Seller’s circumstances will be compatible to the creative financing proposal besides what is illustrated.
E.g. click on this link while connected to the internet for more information on creative financing. or copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://affairsoflife.com/new_page_12.htm
continuing with the illustration:
FORMING YOUR OFFER
Now that you have the necessary information about the Seller, we will assume you discussed the pro’s and con’s of the property in question with your family members. You have assessed all the basics such as desireability of location; neighborhood amenities; such as employment, schools, shopping, transportation; and physical layout and condition; all of which you have determined to be agreeable to you and your family.
In addition, you have carefully calculated the very best cash down payment you can muster is, say, $15,000. (provided you sell that second car, or the R.V. you only use twice a year, and perhaps borrow something from parents, friends, or a relative.)
We will also assume that your present family income will allow a maximum payment of, say, $775. per month, keeping in mind there will be annual property taxes; insurance; and upkeep expenses associated with your home ownership also.
Click on this link, or copy and past into your browser while connected to the internet for some excellent financial assessment help: http://www.ourfamilyplace.com/
MAKING YOUR MOVE
Having cautiously determined you can secure a modest down payment of, say, $15,000. and monthly payments of $775. what is needed now is a clear understanding between you and the Seller, preferably in a written draft-offer format.
In other words; simple, clear, communications is your next essential step.
If a Realtor has the property listed, he or she will have to be involved in the offer process. But first you need to rough out the idea yourself, in writing, so there are no doubts in your mind how your offer will look when in final form.
You will only need to obtain legal assistance when you finalize the purchase And based on my own considerable experience, a qualified Notary Public is usually quite capable of providing all necessary legal protection for both Buyer and Seller. More on this later.
To continue with our illustration; now that you have all the information in hand, or in mind, your ready to take the next step and make the formal written commitment, namely the ‘interim’ purchase offer.
Calling the Salesperson (or the Seller if he’s acting without a Salesperson), you arrange a meeting to make an offer on the previously viewed property. Most sales people will prefer an office environment to meet and discuss an offer with you because they believe they will have more control over the written offer. For that same reason I highly recommend you insist on meeting in your own home, or some neutral location instead.
Unfortunately there are also a few eager-beaver Salespersons who may try to browbeat a new buyer into terms that are unsatisfactory in order to please the Seller. Therefore you must be firm!
So now your ready to write or dictate the following as per our illustration : Here is a sample of an (abbreviated) offer to purchase according to our illustration:
I (your full name) of (address) on (date) in (City) OFFER TO PURCHASE (Address) (legal description): FOR THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE OF…………………….. $125,000. WITH CASH DOWN PAYMENT OF…………………………… $15,000. BALANCE OWING THEREAFTER………………………….. $110,00 0. TERMS ON THE BALANCE Of $110,000. SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:
“The balance shall be payable directly by wrap-around contract to the Seller in equal monthly payments of $777. per month including interest at 7 % per annum, on a 25 year term.”
“Buyer also agrees to pay annual property taxes so long as he has exclusive possession of the property” etc. Does it look too simple? Good, that is exactly what you want! Assuming neither Buyer nor Seller are Philadelphia lawyers, simplicity is the prime ingredient for all successful creative financing proposals! Please read on.
Above all, do not be intimidated, discouraged, or distracted, by any attempt to cast doubts on your creative proposal. Many real estate people suffer from an inflated opinion of their own importance in real estate negotiations, and it must be remembered that nearly all sales commissions are paid by Sellers.
As mentioned, its essential that buyers fully determine terms and conditions before sitting down to formalize an offer to purchase. Remember; you are the architect of your creative terms and conditions and so you must remain in complete control of your offer at all times.
Whether or not a Salesperson is impressed by your offer, there is both a legal and a moral obligation for him to present it to the Seller without bias, no matter how he rates the chances of acceptance.
Of course the chances of Seller acceptance may be improved if the Sales rep is onside with your offer, and most qualified Salespeople will, in fact, do their best with any genuine offer they receive. So once again, maintain your resolve!
After dictating your written offer, for legal purposes, you will be required to submit a money deposit of some kind. The amount is entirely optional, but along with your written offer, it provides proof that you have full intentions of forming a legal and binding agreement with the Seller.
E.g. a check for five hundred dollars payable to the real estate Agency in trust, deposited upon acceptance of your offer, is usually quite acceptable (even though Salespersons will often seek a larger security deposit).
The Salesperson must ensure the common address and legal description of the property are properly referenced on your written offer. If there is no salesperson involved, the Seller will usually be able to provide that information from insurance papers or other documentation.
You may obtain Real Estate Offer to Purchase forms from many stationary stores,
THE SELLER’S VIEWPOINT
Once you have done your homework, and made your written offer, success fully rests on the Seller’s viewpoint. In order for this to be an informed viewpoint we will now consider this in some detail.
First of all, once accepted by the Seller, these offered terms will create an entirely new and unique contract between Buyer and Seller alone. Of course there is room for negotiation at this formative stage. For example the Seller may wish to add a condition that all or part of the Wrap-around financing amount becomes due and payable in full at some future date, say in five years for instance, this is known as a ‘balloon payment’.
A balloon clause, simply places the Buyer under an obligation to refinance the property, or perhaps locate a new lender, on a specified date. This is a condition that the buyer must consider carefully since the property could be repossessed, and returned to the seller, if the payment is not met on that date. However in many cases it is a calculated risk that a Buyer can live with, given the outlook for future increases in property value, since he will have the option to sell and retain equity build-up until that time.
In other words if the value of property continues to rise prior to the due date for a balloon payment, the buyer will have more opportunities to renegotiate financing, with or with out the Seller, at that time.
The balloon payment can be an important motivating concession to the Seller, but each home Buyer must understand the risk/benefits before agreeing to this condition.
As you can see there are opportunities on both sides to negotiate individual terms and conditions while at the interim Offer to Purchase stage.
In our simple illustration, a creative wrap-around contract is customized and tailored to suit you r financial situation, and the Sellers, on a home of your choice.
The monthly payment will provide the Seller with an income of $350. per month (net), because he will be obliged to continue making regular payments on the existing mortgage, i.e. $ 775. less $425 . per month = $350. p.m.
Note: If real estate agents are involved, they may wish to write this in as a condition in your written offer.
Seller’s must clearly understand that they will be required to continue with payments on existing mortgage financing during the term of your wrap-around agreement, with the option of paying it off at his discretion according to the whatever terms it contains. So long as both parties clearly understand that the existing mortgage financing will remain in place until paid off, well and good!
(While the essence of this purchase method relates to a home and Seller with an existing mortgage, certainly the general principle can be applied to any direct-purchase/sales contract for real estate that is clear title, i.e. having no loans outstanding. In that case the Seller would be the sole note holder, or lender. However, as said, its the intention of this posting to explain the wrap-around creative owner-financing technique.)
To review;
The Seller’s existing mortgage is a personal loan as well as a lien on the property until fully paid off. Therefore your contract will simply wrap- around that debt. His mortgage obligation precedes your contract with him, and in that sense takes priority.
This is a powerful, creative, way for the Buyer and Seller to finance the sale of property without having to qualify for either the existing loan, or another first mortgage.
However, a sales agent, or the Seller, may want to add the conditional clause: “on approval of credit” as a condition of your purchase offer. If you accept this condition, the Seller will have the option of proceeding, or withdrawing, from completion of the sale if the Buyer’s credit doesn’t meet with his approval.
This is where the value of your initial contact with the Seller comes into full view. If you have been honest and forthcoming with the Seller, building his trust and confidence in you prior to presenting the offer, you may be able to minimize the importance of a credit check regardless of your credit history (or the lack of it) so that this condition will be waived by the Seller.
Even if the Seller, and/or his agent, insists on including the on approval of credit condition, always remember that the decision as to whether he will cooperate with your wrap-around contract proposal rests entirely with him and no others!
At first glance the idea of a Wrap-around contract agreement may not appear very appealing to the (uninformed) Seller, but closer examination should convince him of several significant advantages, such as the following;
1) To begin with, the Seller is not required to pay off his existing mortgage, even if the existing mortgage contains a ‘due on sale’ clause, (more on this issue later), since formal title to the property will remain in his name. In fact the Seller may actually be thousands of dollars ahead as a result of this feature alone. This is because there is usually a bonus of interest, or discharge fee, (or both) when the mortgage is pre-paid before the due date.
2) The Seller will most certainly appreciate the full price being offered. Assuming the full price is within the ball-park of market value for the property, no attempt will be made to whittle on his price. Not only does this give the Seller bragging rights with friends and family members that he has obtained his asking price, but the Buyer clearly demonstrated good will in his eyes also. This concession, in exchange for good terms for you, will give the Buyer a strong edge with most Sellers since cash offers are usually ‘low-ball’ offers.
An ‘all-cash’ buyer would most likely try to obtain a reduction from the asking price, likely 10-15% or more!. In addition, with a cash sale, the Seller would be obliged to pay off his existing mortgage, and quite likely pay a ‘bonus of interest penalty’, as mentioned.
3) Another thing the Seller should greatly appreciate is that, in you, he has a ‘genuine’ Buyer, someone who is ready, willing and able to buy on specific terms and conditions, right now! Your offer does not require third-party approvals, such as a mortgage company. Again, this is usually much preferred by a Seller, compared with waiting for another purchaser with more cash to come along at some unknown future time. Adding to that wait are the uncertainties created with other (non-cash) Buyers who will likely have to obtain approval on a new mortgage application.
In sharp contrast, your private contract proposal creates no uncertainties for the Seller. All terms and conditions are decided right at the time of accepting the offer!
In addition, legal fees for drawing up the contract are at a minimum, thereby eliminating fears of unexpected extra costs that frequently crop up when third-parties are involved with a real estate transaction.
Note: real estate commission, if involved, is payable by the Seller but this is also a negotiable item – and don’t allow a Salesperson to say that it isn’t! Also, as per our illustration, since the Seller probably would have typically reinvested any extra cash he might otherwise have received from sale of his property in some type of interest bearing annuity, or the stock market. Therefore he may be much better off with your agreement, both investment and income tax wise. After all he knows the value of his own property and may very well feel more secure having his money remain invested there, rather than in some other unknown new investment vehicle.
4) Income tax considerations could be a very important benefit for the Seller with this creative financing method, since he is not obtaining a lump sum capital gain at the time of sale, therefore he should be encouraged to seek an accountants advise about this.
To summarize;
Finding a willing seller as described in the foregoing example is by no means unrealistic, in fact many Sellers will quickly realize that a creative Wrap-around contract proposal can provide excellent financial advantages and benefits for them.
Of course benefits to the Buyer are self-evident. Even though title does not transfer until the wrap-around contract is eventually paid off, the Buyer will have privacy of ownership; equity build-up; appreciation potential; and the right to any income or other benefits derived from the property during the term of the contract!
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
The $15,000.cash down payment in our illustration provides firm evidence of Buyer commitment to make good on monthly payments. Remember this is simply a suggested amount for purposes of our illustration only. In fact there is no such thing as a minimum down payment requirement for the creative Buyer. You may offer whatever cash down payment, or assets in trade, you may have available, simply use your imagination! The main point is that you must convince the prospective Seller of your sincerity, not your liquidity.
As mentioned; if a Buyer were to default in his monthly payments, the Seller may simply repossess the property – similar to, but even easier than a mortgage company – resulting in the loss of down payment, and subsequent monthly payments by the Buyer.
Court time and legal costs to repossess property are at a minimum for a Seller in the event of repossession, because legal title to the property remains in his name until the Wrap- around contract is eventually paid off. While the Buyer has exclusive possession of the property, his ongoing ‘right-to-title’ is guaranteed as long as he continues to keep up payments according to the terms of the wrap-around contract with the Seller.
As an inducement for the Seller, it might be stipulated that this condition will be coordinated with the Sellers own mortgage payout terms, such as balloon payments he is permitted or required to make in his mortgage. From the buyers point of view this is a good clause to have in the event you were in a position to pay off all or part of the contract through some unexpected cash windfall, or even if you should decide to re-finance.
And with respect to refinancing; bear in mind it is far easier to refinance a home in which you are the resident-purchaser than when you are a newbie first-time home buyer. Indeed, your options are significantly enhanced once you have obtained possession and occupy the property!
As discussed, the Seller must maintain his payments to his prior mortgage company. If he should fail to meet that obligation, the Buyer can assume this role, making payment and then deducting the amount from your own payments.
Whenever the contract is paid off in full, formal title to the property will be registered in your name only. A Notary Public is well qualified to advise you on legal details, it isn’t rocket science.
I will mention only one other legal issue that is commonly believed to obstruct Wrap-around contracts, namely, the dreaded, ‘due on sale’ clause which is frequently found in the underlying (original) mortgage document. While this condition states that the entire balance remaining on the mortgage becomes “immediately due and payable in full upon sale of the property”, or words to that effect, do not let this overly concern you or the Seller.
Happily this condition is not legally applicable in regards to the Wrap- around contract. This is because the property ‘title’ is not being transferred until your private wrap-around contract is fulfilled and paid off. Until that time the title remains in the sellers name.
Therefore the ‘due on sale’ clause is really a non-issue, as experienced Notary’s will advise you and the Seller. As said, the Wrap-around financing contract is specially created between Buyer and Seller alone. This means that, normally, unless an assumption clause is included in the contract, (another option in my custom wrap-around form), re-sale of the property prior to full payment, requires the written permission of the Seller.
With the assumption clause the Buyer has more control of his interest and can re-sell at any time. Of course Buyers may sell their equity interest in the property at any time with the Sellers approval. (In which case the Seller would have the right to negotiate new contract terms with a new Buyer.) Alternatively; a new Buyer could arrange a new mortgage in order to pay you and the Seller off in full, i.e. to pay off your Wrap- around purchase contract in full.
As you can see, there are many future possibilities pursuant to this form of purchase contract, all of which adds to its practicality and usefulness.
Its truly amazing how few people are aware of the opportunities creative financing contracts can open up for them, such as the one illustrated in this posting. And don’t forget about all those other great creative alternatives for those who wish to really learn more about real estate investing. Search the net for details.
Even experienced real estate agents are often poorly informed about such practical and direct methods of selling property. Many seem to be mentally handcuffed by mortgage lenders who frequently dictate difficult terms or qualifications for both Buyers and Sellers. (Another contaminating issue is that mortgage company’s often pay referral fees to real estate agents!)
FINAL SUMMARY
The type of creative financing illustrated in this informational posting is known as the Wrap-around purchase contract. It is variously described as Agreement for Sale, Right to Purchase, Purchase Money Contract and Turst Deed, Agreement for Deed, and all-inclusive Trust Deed; or some other terminology depending on property jurisdiction (Country, State, County, etc).
However, these legal terms need not, and should not, overly concern either the Buyer or Seller provided you keep your preliminary (interim) agreement simple, and in writing!
I cannot over-state that it is the Buyers main objective to lay out a specific contract in straight-forward terms, leaving any required legal contract terminology for an experienced Notary Public.
Whatever you do, please do not allow Salespersons, Lawyers, Relatives, friends, or anyone else, intimidate or discourage you from pursuing creative finance opportunities – such as a home of your choice.
Your response to criticism from agents might be: “Lets allow my Notary to handle the legal details, just write the offer down as I outline it.” For that purpose also it would be prudent for any Buyer to get to know an informed Notary Public experienced in real estate matters, possibly discussing a specific creative financing contract before actually presenting a written offer. Doing so will definitely add to your effectiveness and confidence when negotiating the terms of your Wrap-around offer.
Sellers might also be directed to the same Notary. As a matter of fact, since Buyers are normally required to pay for the necessary legal work, that would be quite appropriate.
Your legal fees will be at a minimum for drawing up this type of private Agreement, less than even the cost of drawing up a new mortgage, and that usually involves a Lawyer.
Of course a Lawyer ‘could’ be employed to do a Wrap-around contract also, but frankly, Lawyers are often more hindrance than help with this method. In my opinion, they will raise unnecessary concerns for Sellers, and they will definitely be more expensive.
Finally; Buyers should always carefully shop before choosing a home to buy. They need to look for the home and Seller, best suited to their creative financing proposal. There is no point in wasting valuable time with a seller that is uninformed, ignorant, or inflexible in his thinking. Besides think of the fun you will have in looking!
While creative financing ideas are limited only by the imagination, the wrap-around purchase contract method illustrated in this informational posting is one of the most practical, powerful, and useful, for home Buyers and Seller’s alike.
I have personally used this ‘wrap ‘ method when conventional financing methods were not available to me with good success. The Reader should also know that there are many other types of creative contracts possible, such as lease-options; private second and third mortgages; cross- collateralization loans; lease-purchase contracts, and asset trades of all kinds, to mention a few.
These are also often overlooked, yet powerful tools to home buying and real estate investing. Using the Wrap-around method described will open up unlimited opportunities for positive-thinking real estate entrepreneurs – well proven by high-profile investors like ‘the Donald’.
There are plenty of willing real estate sellers (including corporations large and small), who are eagerly waiting for a creative Buyer to approach them with a positive, straightforward, honest, and confident, demeanor. Yes you too can achieve the goal of real estate ownership on your own good terms!
All the best in your future real estate endeavors. Remember it takes only a little bit more effort than ‘clicking your heels with your eyes closed and saying “there’s no place like home”.
end –
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The author does not guarantee whatsoever the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose. Changes may be made at any time without prior notice. All data provided on new2view.wordpress.com website or in the EzeHomeBuyer posting should be used for information purposes only, it is not intended to provide specific legal, financial or tax advice, or any other advice, whatsoever, for any individual, or company, and should not be relied upon in that regard. The informational posting described on this website is only offered in jurisdictions where it may be legally offered. Information provided in the EzeHomeBuyer posting is not all inclusive, and such information should not be relied upon as all-inclusive. While the information contained in the EzeHomeBuyer posting is based on personal experience and is deemed to be correct and reliable, new2view.wordpress.com or EzeHomeBuyer posting owner/author shall not be held responsible for incorrect information or typographical errors whether on the new2view.wordpress.com web site or the EzeHomeBuyer posting or elsewhere. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retreival system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author C. Curtis Copyright 2002.
I’m writing to extend a personal invitation for all subscribers to the most important Christian observance of the year, as Jesus himself directed. It will be held on Sunday March 24th 2024 after sundown.*
You are warmly invited to join more than 20 million world-wide in 130+ lands who will be attending either in person at Kingdom Hall’s or on Zoom. If you would like further information please email me at; email2cliff@gmail.com, or visit ‘JW.org‘.
my very best regards, Cliff
* In accordance with the Jewish 24 hour day running from sundown to sundown.
Its said that some dogs can understand 250 or more words, not to mention tail wagging sign language! Their ability being equivalent to that of a two and half year old child. Apes are well known to have similar ability, and they also communicate with body language.
Why though is this ‘natural intelligence’ (a.k.a. natures’ I.Q.) be surprising? Obviously our knowledge of nature is still in its infancy. The more we learn about natures wonders, the more we begin to appreciate and admire it. For example forms of communication appears to exist in ‘all’ creatures on earth! Clearly each and every one has a natural intelligence to do so. Could this simply result from accidental evolutionary jumps? Surely that is an impossible stretch of imagination.
It appears all living creatures, sea creatures, birds, and probably insects, have the innate ability to relate to their own kind, even with other kinds, not only to mate.
For exmple, quoting from CBC NEWS February 23, 2024 – By John Mazerolle;
“Life on Earth is a song and dance routine. “There are at least 200,000 species out there singing in ways that are silent to us, and that’s way more songs than if you add up all of the birds and the fish and the whales and the frogs out there,” says Rex Cocroft, a biologist at the University of Missouri who is fascinated by creatures that only use vibrations to communicate. For example, when a male treehopper calls out for a mate, he shakes his abdomen 100 times a second to produce a low sound that vibrates through the stem of the plant he is standing on. While that sound is audible to other treehoppers — particularly the female treehoppers he’s trying to attract — it’s outside the frequency that humans can hear. In “Love and Rivals,” the second episode of Secret World of Sound from CBC’s The Nature of Things, we listen in on dime-sized treehoppers in conversation using laser tech. Or if you prefer something more ostentatious, there’s always the sharp-tailed grouse in Alberta’s grasslands performing a synchronized dance routine as a team to attract a mate: the more males, the more impressive their performance. Check out the song here and the dance here.”
Is it such a leap to believe humans will eventually be able to understand and communicate with our fellow life forms on a much higher, more intimate level as well? After all, we are uniquely equipped with ‘natural intelligence’ to learn how!
Perhaps this should be entitled ‘Amazing Car Show’ because that was the point of this experience.
It was near sunset when I landed right behind a classic airplane called ‘Waco’, from Washington State. My Mooney airplane sppeared slightly intimidated as I parked alongside it. The Waco is a true classic bi-plane with radial engine and great performance.
When I checked in to airport registry I met the friendly owner, his wife, and friend. I accepted his kind offer to share a cab into town. Such immediate private pilot friendship and trust is common and very gratifying.
Entering a typical Reno casino, he asked me to look after his wife(!) at a bar, while he and his friend were going to do some gambling. So we had a drink together, not having any interest in gambling, (or his wife)! When they returned I went out looking for an overnight place to stay. As it turned out there were ‘no vacancy’s’ everywhere that night. So getting a little desperate I ventured into a large hotel and asked the desk clerk if he ‘had a rollaway for the laundry room?‘ To this very day I do not know where that idea came from. Actually it was said as a joke! But apparently he assumed I was a tour bus driver and the idea was not totally unknown to him – for a modest fee that is!
Needless to say it was a very odd experience to wake up early in the morning to an audience of giggling cleaning women in the laundry room!
It had been slightly more than a whim to visit the famous Harahs’ Reno car collection, a truly amazing collection of literally hundreds of cars. Some were even ‘one-of-a kind’ creations by brilliant inventors that had never reached production stage, mainly due to financial limits. All the cars were located in several large hanger-like garages.
So taking a shuttle bus that day from Harahs’ cassino bus stop, a tour group of us went to the car collection, a truly amazing experience. I doubt even Jay Lennoe’s famous car collection today would compare! But this was in the 70’s and I understand that amazing collection has since been eliminated as part of Harah’s family estate.
Without doubt this was another of my adventurous flying experiences.
The attraction of sports for us mortals is undeniable! In fact professional sports capture the attention of most of mankind, regardless of age, sex or ethnicity. The question I’d like to address is…why?
What is it within us that motivates such interest? Primarily an interest based on an inexplicable attraction to competition with and/or for a ‘ball’! Think about it; how many sporting activities require some form of a spherical object, a.k.a. ‘ball’; be it baseball, tennis, basketball, .lacrosse, golf, football, to name a few. We could add table tennis, volleyball and more. Could it be related to the fact that we live on a spherical planet? But I digress.
Besides that particular curiosity, my question is; “what is it about sporting competition that commands so much time and attention?” True; entertainment is a normal, even necessary, part of human life, a divergence from daily routines.
But does that fully explain the attraction to sports activities and competitions? I believe the underlying motivation is more basic, namely our psychological need for reality! What do I mean by that.?
We live in a world that could arguably be described as less than real, even ‘unreality!’ A world where truth and honesty are conspicuously lacking in politics, in religion, and in commercial enterprise. And that doesn’t even include movies, tv series and the like.In other words basic components of human society today are arguably ‘fictional’ in nature. Think about it; when was the last time you fully believed a politician, a clergyman, or the endless on-slot of commercial promotions? Indeed this world’s false reality may well explain why there are so many suicides.?
And now we have a new player on the block; AI, with even greater potential for creating such ‘unrealitiy’!
My point here is, Ironically; considering the facts, perhaps sports is a true blessings of reality from society today!
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