BPR Mailing List Digest: 03/12/00

Philologos
BPR Mailing List Digest
March 12, 2000

Digest Home | 2000 | March, 2000

To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - "Thought-controlled" neuroprosthesis
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 08:47:12 -0500

Biomedical Engineering News

"Thought-controlled" Neuroprosthesis

ROSSLYN, Va., March 6, 2000---Biomedical engineers have developed a
prototype neuroprosthesis that a quadriplegic can use to grasp and
manipulate objects just by thinking about it.

The experimental device combines muscle-stimulating electrodes implanted
under the skin with a computer sensitive to brain waves. Brain signals
activate the electrodes that cause the hand muscles to contract.

This research goes back 20 years for Hunter Peckham, Ph.D., professor of
biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University and director of
the Functional Electrical Stimulation Center, a consortium of the Cleveland
VA Medical Center, Case Western and MetroHealth Medical Center.

The work of Peckham and his colleagues has resulted in the first Food and
Drug Administration-approved neuroprosthesis that uses electrodes implanted
under the skin to give patients the ability to manipulate their paralyzed limbs.

The device, called the Freehand System, was licensed by Case Western to a
private start-up company, NeuroControl. The Freehand System is operated by
a joystick-like device worn under the clothing. The patient moves the
joystick with the opposite shoulder. The joystick activates implanted
electrodes that stimulate muscles to open and close the hand. More than 150
patients are using the system.

Now Peckham's laboratory is experimenting with other control devices.
Clinical trials are under way on a system that uses an implanted sensor at
the wrist to control muscle stimulation. It also enables patients to reach
overhead.

Another system in earlier stages of development is one that uses brain
activity as detected by an electroencephalogram to control the
neuroprosthesis.

The new prototype, which has only been tested in the laboratory, couples an
advanced, Freehand-like system with a monitor sensitive to brain waves. The
monitor is worn like a shower cap dotted with electrodes. Wires lead from the
electrodes to a computer that converts the brain signals into signals that
open and close the hand.

Jim Jatich, 51, of Akron, Ohio, a quadriplegic injured in a diving accident 20
years ago, has tested the system with some encouraging results. He gained
mental control of the device after a series of training sessions in which he learned to
regulate his beta-rhythm through biofeedback.

During the training, Jatich learned to move a cursor up or down on a
computer screen just by thinking about it. Then he was connected to the
neuroprosthesis. By thinking about moving the cursor up, he opened his
hand, and by thinking "down," his hand closed. He can use the device to
pick up objects like a drinking glass and a fork.

"Now if I think open, my hand just opens," Jatich said. "It's just weird.
But I have to keep thinking open, open, open. If I think of anything else I lose
control. So there's a switch that locks my hand in the open or closed
position."

"We just have to get rid of the cap, and that's the next step. Then we'd
have a totally implanted system under the scalp, and that would also
produce a better signal," Jatich said.

Peckham's group is also evaluating whether the brain signals will be
sufficient to give Freehand users the full range of motion now available
with the conventional device.

Contacts:

Frank Blanchard (703) 528-2430 fb@whitaker.org
Hunter Peckham (216) 778-3480 pxp2@po.cwru.edu

The Whitaker Foundation
1700 North Moore Street, Suite 2200, Rosslyn VA 22209
(703) 528-2430 info@whitaker.org

The Whitaker Foundation,
http://www.whitaker.org/news/peckham.html

via: isml@onelist.com

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To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - China demands US stop selling arms to Taiwan
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 09:02:18 -0500

US blamed for straits tension

By Fong Tak-ho in Beijing and Pamela Pun

STORY: FOREIGN Minister Tang Jiaxuan yesterday held the United States
responsible for cross-strait tensions, warning that Sino-US relations were at
a critical point.

Mr Tang also demanded Washington end arms sales to Taiwan.

``The United States . . . has inflated the arrogance of the separatist forces in
Taiwan, (and) therefore bears unshakeable responsibility for the tension on
the Taiwan Strait,'' Mr Tang said.

However, US Defence Secretary William Cohen, in a visit to Hong Kong,
dismissed Mr Tang's charges and insisted Washington would not bow to
Beijing's threats.

``There is nothing new in our policy. I think for China to suggest we are
somehow at fault really exaggerates the situation,'' Mr Cohen said in an
interview with CNN in Hong Kong.

He said Washington expected China ``to seek a peaceful resolution of the
situation with Taiwan, not try to intimidate them, or try to in any way pose an
aggressive challenge to Taiwan''.

``We have from the beginning said we recognise the one China policy, and
we do not support any move toward independence on the part of Taiwan,'' he
said.

``At the same time, we've said we support the Taiwan Relations Act. That is
to provide Taiwan with defensive equipment to the extent it needs such,'' he
said.

Mr Tang said the US had increased its arms sales to Taiwan both ``in
quantity and quality'' and was also attempting to provide the island with a
Theatre Missile Defence system.

``There is also the problem of the (US) Taiwan Security Enhancement Act,
which, in essence, is aimed at obstructing China's sacred endeavour of
peaceful reunification,'' Mr Tang said. ``All these moves by the United States
constitute serious violations of the three Sino-US joint communiques and the
express commitment that the US made to the Chinese government,'' he said.

Mr Tang warned that both Sino-US relations and cross-strait ties were at a
``critical juncture'' and said it was vital Washington stopped arms sales to
the island immediately.

The Pentagon on Tuesday approved the sale to Taiwan of guided missiles
and equipment to assist the island's air surveillance radar. Also under
consideration are sales of Aegis destroyers and Patriot missiles, systems
Beijing considers to be the basis for an anti-missile shield.

Mr Cohen said the Hawk anti-aircraft missiles the Pentagon authorised for
sale to Taiwan this week before his departure was 1960s technology with
upgraded air defence radars.

But Mr Tang blamed the US for prolonging the problem of Taiwanese
unification. Had the US not sent the Seventh Fleet into the Taiwan Strait in
the early 1950s the Taiwan ``problem'' would have been resolved long ago, Mr
Tang said.

It remained unresolved, mainly due to intervention by foreign forces and
obstruction by independence forces in the island. ``What the US says and
does on the question of Taiwan will have a direct bearing on the future
direction of Sino-US relationships,'' Mr Tang said.

``It will also directly bear on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and also
in the Asia-Pacific region,'' he said.

Chang Ling-chen, professor of the National Taiwan University said Mr Tang's
statements were Beijing's latest move to influence Taiwan's presidential
elections to be held on March 18.

In Taipei, Taiwanese Defence Minister Tang Fei said China would not hold
military exercises in the Taiwan Strait despite recent rhetoric.

``We are looking closely at any military movement there, but there is no sign
yet, at the moment,'' Mr Tang said. But he said his ministry was on alert
after tough talk by his Chinese counterpart Chi Haotian, who said
independence would mean war.

http://online.hkstandard.com/today/default.asp?PageType=afr2

via: http://www.newsviewtoday.com

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - United Religions Initiative
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 09:15:36 -0500

Toward June 2000

This June a truly global United Religions Initiative will
be chartered to perpetuate the spirit and action of the 72
Hours. The URI welcomes people of all religions, spiritual
expressions, and indigenous traditions to join in seeking a
common ground of shared spiritual values and cooperative
action for a better world.

===============

The United Religions Initiative Charter

November 18, 1999

The United Religions Initiative (URI) is a growing global
community dedicated to promoting enduring, daily interfaith
cooperation, ending religiously motivated violence and
creating cultures of peace, justice and healing for the
Earth and all living beings.

Working on all continents and across continents, people
from different religions, spiritual expressions and
indigenous traditions are creating unprecedented levels of
enduring global cooperation. In time, the URI may have the
visibility and stature of the United Nations. Today, at its
birth, people´s hopes are rising with visions of a better
world. It is a world where the values and teachings of the
great wisdom traditions guide people´s service, where
people respect one another´s beliefs, and where the
resourcefulness and passion of ordinary people working
together bring healing and a more hopeful future to the
Earth community.

Since June of 1996 thousands of people have shared their
visions and worked together to create the URI. It is a new
kind of organization for global good rooted in shared
spiritual values. People from many different cultures and
perspectives have worked to create an organization that is
inclusive, nonhierarchical and decentralized; one that
enhances cooperation, autonomy and individual opportunity.
This co-creative work offered by people of many cultures
has produced a unique organization composed of self-
organizing groups which operate locally and are connected
globally.

The URI´s Charter has been spoken into being by a myriad
of voices from around the world. Its essential spirit,
values and vision are expressed in the Preamble, Purpose
and Principles. Taken together, they inspire, ground and
guide all URI activity. The Charter includes:

Preamble – the call that inspires us to create the URI now
and continue to create it everyday;

Purpose – the clear statement that draws us together in
common cause;

Principles – the fundamental beliefs that guide our
structure, decisions and content;

Organization design – the way of organizing that enhances
cooperation and magnifies spirit;

Guidelines for Action – an action agenda to inspire and
guide the worldwide URI community.

The global URI organization will be born in June 2000. You
are warmly invited to participate in the birth and the
growth of the URI and become part of this extraordinary
force for good in the world. This Charter is your
invitation to participate in its ongoing creation. Welcome!

THE PREAMBLE, PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES

Preamble

We, people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and
indigenous traditions throughout the world, hereby
establish the United Religions Initiative to promote
enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, end religiously-
motivated violence and create cultures of peace, justice
and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

We respect the uniqueness of each tradition, and
differences of practice or belief.

We value voices that respect others, and believe that
sharing our values and wisdom can lead us to act for the
good of all.

We believe that our religious, spiritual lives, rather
than dividing us, guide us to build community and respect
for one another.

Therefore, as interdependent people rooted in our
traditions, we now unite for the benefit of our Earth
community.

We unite to build cultures of peace and justice.

We unite to heal and protect the Earth.

We unite to build safe places for conflict resolution,
healing and reconciliation.

We unite to support freedom of religion and spiritual
expression, and the rights of all individuals and peoples
as set forth in international law.

We unite in responsible cooperative action to bring the
wisdom and values of our religions, spiritual expressions
and indigenous traditions to bear on the economic,
environmental, political and social challenges facing our
Earth community.

We unite to provide a global opportunity for participation
by all people, especially by those whose voices are not
often heard.

We unite to celebrate the joy of blessings and the light
of wisdom in both movement and stillness.

We unite to use our combined resources only for
nonviolent, compassionate action, to awaken to our deepest
truths, and to manifest love and justice among all life in
our Earth community.

Purpose

The purpose of the United Religions Initiative is to
promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, end
religiously motivated violence and create cultures of
peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living
beings.

Principles

1. The URI is a bridge-building organization, not a
religion.

2. We respect the sacred wisdom of each religion,
spiritual expression and indigenous tradition.

3. We respect the differences among religions, spiritual
expressions and indigenous traditions.

4. We listen and speak with respect to deepen mutual
understanding and trust.

5. We give and receive hospitality.

6. We seek and welcome the gift of diversity and model
practices that do not discriminate.

7. We practice healing and reconciliation to resolve
conflict without resorting to violence.

8. We act from sound ecological practices to protect and
preserve the Earth for both present and future generations.

9. We seek and offer cooperation with other interfaith
efforts.

10. We welcome as members all individuals, organizations
and associations who subscribe to the Preamble, Purpose and
Principles.

11. We have the authority to make decisions at the most
local level that includes all the relevant and affected
parties.

12. We have the right to organize in any manner, at any
scale, in any area, and around any issue or activity that
is relevant to and consistent with the Preamble, Purpose
and Principles.

13. Our deliberations and decisions shall be made at every
level by bodies and methods that fairly represent the
diversity of affected interests and are not dominated by
any.

14. We (each part of the URI) shall delegate only such
autonomy and resources as are essential to the pursuit of
the Preamble, Purpose and Principles.

15. We have the responsibility to develop financial and
other resources to meet the needs of our part, and to share
financial and other resources to help meet the needs of
other parts.

16. We maintain the highest standards of integrity and
ethical conduct, prudent use of resources, and fair and
accurate disclosure of information.

17. We are committed to organizational learning and
adaptation.

18. We honor the richness and diversity of all languages
and the right and responsibility of participants to
translate and interpret the Charter, Bylaws and related
documents in accordance with the Preamble, Purpose and
Principles, and the spirit of the United Religions
Initiative.

19. Members of the URI shall not be coerced to participate
in any ritual or be proselytized.

ORGANIZATION DESIGN

Affiliates

Individuals, associations and organizations who value and
support the URI Preamble, Purpose and Principles may become
Affiliates. Affiliates are welcome to participate in URI
communications and activities and do not have the legal
rights and responsibilities of membership.

Members

Individuals, associations or organizations seeking
membership in the URI shall create a Cooperation Circle
(CC) or join an existing CC, Multiple Cooperation Circle
(MCC), or a Multi-Multiple Cooperation Circle (MMCC).
Within every CC, MCC, or MMCC members have rights and
responsibilities of participation as defined by each group
in accordance with the Preamble, Purpose and Principles.

In relation to the Global Council, CCs, MCCs and MMCCs are
Voting Members of the URI and have accompanying legal
rights and responsibilities.

Cooperation Circles

The foundation of the URI is the initiative, spirit and
commitment of people to create CCs and to join CCs. Every
CC has the right and responsibility to determine its own
unique purpose, membership, and ways of making decisions.

To provide initial stability and interfaith diversity, CCs
must have at least seven (7) members who represent at least
three (3) different religions, spiritual expressions or
indigenous traditions. CCs may accept individuals,
associations and organizations. Members of CCs are expected
to help one another act in accordance with the Preamble,
Purpose and Principles.

Multiple Cooperation Circles and Multi- Multiple
Cooperation Circles

A CC may decide to join with other CCs to enhance its work
or create a more enduring coordinating structure. If a
minimum of three CCs come together, they may form a
Multiple Cooperation Circle(MCC).

For similar reasons, a minimum of two MCCs may join to
form a Multi-Multiple Cooperation Circle (MMCC).

For example, CCs in different cities might want to create
a coordinating structure for their country (or state) and
form an MCC. Likewise, MCCs from these countries (or
states) might want to create a coordinating structure for
their entire region and form an MMCC.

Similarly, CCs devoted to interfaith education for
children in different parts of the world might want to
create an MCC to share their ideas and resources. If they
wish they can accept other individuals, associations and
organizations to join their MCC. Typically, when the MCC
meets, one or two representatives from each CC come
together to carry forward the work of the MCC.

CCs may choose to belong to more than one MCC but may vote
for Global Council trustees through only one MCC. CCs that
belong to an MCC will participate in the trustee selection
processes designed by the members of that MCC. MCCs that
belong to an MMCC will participate in the trustee selection
processes designed by members of that MMCC.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities include:

Each CC, MCC, or MMCC has the responsibility to make its
best effort to accomplish its purpose in accordance with
the Preamble, Purpose and Principles, and the By-laws,
Articles and Operating Procedures of the URI. Each CC, MCC,
or MMCC is free to organize in any manner, at any scale,
and around any issue or activity that is in accordance with
the Preamble, Purpose and Principles. Each CC, MCC, and
MMCC has the right and responsibility to determine its own
form of governance or decision-making that is in accordance
with the Preamble, Purpose and Principles. CCs , MCCs , and
MMCCs have the right and responsibility to select trustees
to serve on the Global Council and to vote on specific
issues listed in the By- laws. CCs, MCCs, and MMCCs have
the right and responsibility to develop financial and other
resources to meet their needs, and share financial and
other resources to help meet the needs of other URI groups.
CCs, MCCs, MMCCs and the Global Council seek creative ways
to help support all parts of the URI. The Global Council,
acting on behalf of the whole, may choose to require dues
from CCs, MCCs, and MMCCs to support the work of the
worldwide URI. These groups have the right to be given
appropriate notice of any financial obligation.

Application for Membership

A new CC may apply for membership directly to the Global
Council or to an existing MCC or MMCC.

Similarly, a new MCC may apply for membership to the
Global Council or to an MMCC. A new MMCC applies directly
to the Global Council for membership.

The Global Council

The Global Council´s (GC) primary purpose is to make
manifest the values expressed in the Preamble, Purpose and
Principles It is not central headquarters but the nexus
that nurtures engagement with the Preamble, Purpose and
Principles. The GC is an ear listening to the hopes and
aspirations of the whole URI community. The GC guides the
global URI to serve the whole network of CCs, MCCs, and
MMCCs. It supports the URI in galvanizing global action
through bold vision for global cooperation.

Global Council Trustees

GC members are called Trustees to signify that they are
carriers of the trust for the URI world membership. The
Trustees hold legal responsibility for the URI and provide
leadership and coordination for the worldwide URI
community.

It is envisioned that the trustees of the URI will be
exemplars who model leadership by their actions. That their
hearts and minds will yearn for the people of the URI to
fulfill their aspirations to be a positive force in the
world. It is envisioned that their discussions will be
tempered with tenderness for one another and the Earth
community and that neither anger nor self-interest shall
find lodging in their deliberations and actions.

Composition

A maximum of twenty-four (24) elected trustees by the
world membership designated according to eight (8) regions.
A maximum of twelve (12) trustees at-large selected by the
GC to meet the need for greater diversity or a particular
expertise. A maximum of three (3) trustees from among the
members of the Transition Advisory Committee composed of
members of the existing URI Board. The Transition Advisory
Committee will remain in place until June 2005. One (1)
Trustee shall be the Founding Trustee to honor the unique
role of the URI founder. One (1) Trustee shall be the
Executive Trustee to ensure that the URI staff is
represented.

Selection Process for Trustees

To ensure that there are people from diverse geographic
perspectives on the GC, 24 seats will be filled through an
election process. CCs, MCCs, and MMCCs within a geographic
region can select up to three (3) trustees from among the
eight (8) regions listed below. The boundaries of the first
seven (7) regions are based upon regions designated by the
United Nations. They are: Africa, Asia and the Pacific (to
be divided into two regions, still to be determined),
Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and
Arab Countries, and North America. The eighth (8) region is
a non- geographic region that includes CCs, MCCs, and MMCCs
that are organized around global interests.

Trustees are elected every two years to serve on the GC.

To ensure optimum diversity and to meet the need for
particular expertise at the GC, twelve (12) seats will be
filled by appointment by the GC.

Models of reflection, meditation and prayer which deepen
understanding of the qualities of leadership which embody
service and spiritual wisdom are encouraged as part of
every governance selection process.

Global Assembly of the Whole

A Global Assembly of the Whole is planned to take place
every two years in different parts of the world. Members
and Affiliates are welcome, and are encouraged to co-create
the activities that take place at the Assembly.

The purpose of the Global Assembly is to provide the
opportunity for people to share their stories, help one
another with challenges, and explore the possibilities for
the future. The Global Assembly magnifies the capacities of
members to carry forward their dreams and initiatives. It
aligns people´s strengths and offers a forum for speaking
as a collective voice. The Global Assembly celebrates the
totality of the URI and offers opportunities to give and
receive hospitality.

During the Global Assembly, there will be a Meeting of the
Members where CCs, MCCs, and MMCCs select GC trustees. In
addition, CCs, MCCs and MMCCs can introduce ideas and
issues in need of attention. If a CC, MCC, or MMCC cannot
participate in this meeting, proxy votes are acceptable.

GUIDELINES FOR ACTION

In light of the essentially self-organizing nature of the
URI that gives members freedom to choose what they want to
do, the following Agenda for Action is offered as guidance
for URI activities. Inspired by a Javanese phrase Memayu
Hayuning Bawano which means to work for the safety,
happiness and welfare of all life, the URI commits to
serving as a moral voice and a source of action grounded in
contemplation in each of the following areas:

Sharing the Wisdom and Cultures of Faith Traditions –
actions to promote dialogue and kinship among the diverse
religions and spiritual traditions of the world.

Nurturing Cultures of Healing and Peace – actions to
develop cultures in which all people can live without fear
of violence.

Rights and Responsibilities – actions that uphold human
rights.

Ecological Imperatives – actions that uphold the welfare
and healing of the entire Earth community.

Sustainable Just Economics – actions to bring a spiritual
perspective to the tremendous gap between rich and poor.

Supporting the Overall URI – local, regional and global
actions that support all URI activities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact the URI with your ideas, your hopes and
dreams, and your inquiries so that you and/or your group
might consider being part of the URI.

United Religions Initiative

P.O. Box 29242

San Francisco, CA. 94129

Web site: www.united-religions.org

Phone 415 561 2300 FAX 415 561 2313

E-mail: office@united-religions.org

http://www.united-religions.org/newsite/index.htm

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - March 12, 2000 TV Program
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 09:45:16 -0500

8:00 PM Eastern

DISC - RAISING THE MAMMOTH - A woolly mammoth is excavated
in northern Siberia.(CC)(TVG)

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Model of the Tabernacle
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 09:45:16 -0500

Model of the Tabernacle

A small-scale model to be unveiled; a life-size restoration in the works

By Baruch Kra

When retired Israel Aircraft engineer Yaakov Sharvit took on the task of
reconstructing the Tabernacle, the temporary temple erected by Moses in
the wilderness, he expected the job to be emotional. But he did not
anticipate the euphoria that came with realizing a vision of 22 years. Now,
night after night, the manager of the Tel Shilo site of the Tabernacle lies
awake with excitement, on the brink of unveiling his vision to the public.The
Tabernacle in its original dimensions has yet to be rebuilt, but Sharvit
recently completed construction on a model with modest dimensions of 1.5
meters by 2.5 meters. "With God's help, on the first day of the month of
Nissan - on the day the original Tabernacle was erected in the Sinai desert -
we'll have a dignified ceremony," says Sharvit, who plans to invite dignitaries
from chief rabbis to the minister of tourism to the opening event at Tel Shilo
in the Benjamin region.

Full Story:
http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?mador=5&datee=03/12/00&i
d=71510

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Scientist finds prehistoric 'zoo' in Siberian ice
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 09:57:43 -0500

March 5, 2000

Scientist finds prehistoric
'zoo' in Siberian ice

Nicholas Hellen
SCIENTISTS have located a frozen "zoo" of prehistoric
creatures under the Siberian permafrost which they intend to
retrieve for a cloning experiment.

Members of an expedition which last autumn airlifted a
mammoth from its icy tomb now claim to have evidence of an
extraordinary menagerie of extinct creatures.

Bernard Buigues, the French leader of the expedition, said he
knew of another 18 locations which would yield the animals'
bodies in a well-preserved state.

He is to begin the search for woolly rhino, steppe lions, giant
deer, foxes and hardy breeds of horses from 20,000BC within
the next month. He will cover an area extending 300 miles to
the northwest and northeast of the Siberian town of Khatanga,
500 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

"Evidence from bones and tusks collected by nomads has
alerted us to the location of the sites," said Buigues. He has
travelled extensively in the Taymyr Peninsula in Siberia in the
past 10 years, and believes he may also have found signs of
human settlement from 2,000BC on the shores of Lake
Taymyr.

Competition among rival teams of scientists has prompted
veiled accusations of underhand tactics. There are suggestions
that one group offered the nomads of the region villas on the
C=F4te D'Azur in exchange for successful leads.

Associates of Buigues, whose film of the recovery of the first
mammoth will be shown on the Discovery Channel on March
12, say his tactics for winning their co-operation are simple.
"He carries a Polaroid camera everywhere to remind them
who he is. Almost two-thirds of the 8,000 nomads in the region
now have a picture of him together with them."

The prospect of discovering more animal remains in the ice has
revived hopes of finding cells in sufficiently good condition to
re-create some of the animal life of the Pleistocene era.

Larry Agenbroad, professor of geology at North Arizona
University and one of the principal scientific advisers to the
expedition, believes it may be possible in the long term to
introduce the animals to North America.

Agenbroad, who has spent 30 years working with mammoth
remains, said: "There is no significant difference between
restoring prehistoric animals and restoring modern creatures
such as grizzly bear and bison. Contrary to received opinion,
hunting, not just climatic change, also played a part in the
demise of the mammoth."

Rival Japanese researchers also have ambitions to emulate
Jurassic Park with a sanctuary for the offspring of frozen
mammoths and other extinct creatures.

Professor Akira Iritani, of Kinki University, hopes to find a
suitable habitat for mammoths in a 100 sq mile wildlife reserve
in the Russian republic of Yakutia, known as Pleistocene Park.
It is currently home to Yakutian horses and Canadian bison.

This weekend Iritani said he believed mammoths would lumber
across Siberia again within the next 20 years.

"We went to the park and looked at it by helicopter. It is fine in
the summer, but we will have to provide some shelter for the
mammoth in winter. We could easily get our hands on ancient
horses and the ancestor of the Siberian tiger," he said.

He envisages releasing up to 40 mammoths in the park, and
hopes to revive the species by cross-breeding with female
elephants. He believes each generation will approach more
closely the genetic inheritance of its forefathers as the females
are impregnated with more DNA from the male mammoth.

The first step begins next month when a team of 25 scientists
starts to thaw out the mammoth hacked out of the ground by
Buigues.

Images taken with ground-penetrating radar underpin their
hopes that the 21-ton block of ice and mud contains a complete
mammoth. Previous finds have been lost because of flawed
excavation methods.

But what if, against all hope, the block contains no more than
bones and a few tufts of matted hair? Buigues insists the
search will go on. "We are already planning for the next four
years. There are many, many more carcasses in the ice."

http://www.sunday-
times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/00/03/05/stinwenws03011.html?999

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - .pdf .schmeedf
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 12:14:44 -0500

Are you like me and when you see a file with the .pdf extension you groan? If
so, put the url to the offending .pdf file in the body of an email message and
send it to: pdf2txt@adobe.com and in a few minutes (or longer if you're using
a free isp--sheesh) you will receive a text version without all the bells and
whistles (no formatting, no pictures, etc.). You can get a good idea whether
or not you want to take the time to download the original or not.

Just FYI,
Moza
moza7@netzero.net

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - (Fwd) Arutz-7 News: Sunday, March 12, 2000
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 12:21:14 -0500

------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 18:48:42 +0200
To: arutz-7@ArutzSheva.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@ArutzSheva.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, March 12, 2000
Send reply to: netnews@a7.org

Arutz Sheva News Service
<www.ArutzSheva.org>
Sunday, March 12, 2000 / Adar Bet 5, 5760
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
--- See below for subscription instructions ---

*******************************************************
Let your loved ones living or studying in Israel know
that you are thinking of them this Purim.
Send them delicious, beautifully packaged, MISHLOACH MANOT
of Yesha products -- (Badatz Hechsherim)
<a href="http://www.ComeToYesha.com/MANOT">
http://www.ComeToYesha.com/MANOT </a>
*******************************************************

TODAY'S HEADLINES:
  1. ARAB LEAGUE ABSURDITY
  2. IDF AGAINST UNILATERAL WITHDRAWAL
  3. SENTENCED TO 35 DAYS FOR SPEAKING
  4. POPE APOLOGIZES
  5. TERRORIST VICTIMS' CHILDREN SUE
  6. ILLEGAL JERUSALEM HOMES WAIT FOR REFUGEES
  7. ON STRIKE
  8. PA TO RELEASE PRISONERS
  9. NEW BILL WOULD EXEMPT NEWLYWEDS

1. ARAB LEAGUE ABSURDITY
The Arab League concluded its meeting last night of 120 delegates from 20
Arab countries with a harsh declaration calling for a "re-evaluation of
relations with Israel in light of its recent attacks on Lebanon." Lebanese
President Emile Lahoud warned Israel against a unilateral withdrawal from
his country, saying that it could lead to war. Lebanon's Prime Minister
Salim Hoss similarly called for a suspension of Arab ties with Israel if
attacks against Lebanon continue, and warned that an Israeli withdrawal
without an agreement may lead to violence. Foreign Minister David Levy
said in response, "The anti-Israeli decisions made in Beirut today prove
that the extremists, who object to the peace process, are still in control
at the Arab League."

Yediot Acharonot editorialized today that the United Arab League meeting in
Beirut was "a theater of the absurd." Referring to the Arab threats made
against Israel in the event that it withdraws unilaterally from Lebanon,
the editors comment that there have been few cases in history in which a
state has threatened an occupying foreign army for declaring its intention
to withdraw and return the areas it occupies to its proper sovereignty.
"But Lebanon is not sovereign," writes the paper. "It is entirely subject
to the selfish interests of the Syrian regime in Damascus."

The week's end saw heavy fighting in southern Lebanon. Hizbullah
terrorists fired towards IDF and SLA outposts all along the security zone,
while Israeli jets bombed terrorist targets north of the zone three times
on Friday. An SLA force discovered and safety detonated a
Hizbullah-planted roadside bomb yesterday.

Prime Minister Barak said today that it will be known within six weeks
whether the talks with Syria will resume or not. He gave an extra two
weeks - two months from now - for it to be known whether there will be an
agreement on a withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Syrian Foreign Minister
Farouk A-Shara told a prominent Lebanese paper today, "I don't know of any
proposal to resume [Israeli-Syrian] talks. The topic is not even on our
agenda."

2. IDF AGAINST UNILATERAL WITHDRAWAL
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha'ul Mofaz and other leading generals object
to a unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon. During a meeting with
Prime Minister Barak, they not only expressed their displeasure at his
tendency not to consult with them, but they also stated that a unilateral
withdrawal is likely to lead to escalated violence in the north, would make
it difficult to defend the northern communities, and would lead to the
abandonment of the soldiers of the SLA. Barak presented his withdrawal
plan to the government today, including continued ground and air attacks in
Lebanon even after a withdrawal, in light of expected continued Hizbullah
offensives. The plan also calls for the paving of new roads to the
northern towns, such that the residents will be able to reach their homes
out of sight of Lebanese terrorist-snipers.

Maj.-Gen. Rafi Noy (res.) told Arutz-7 today that the IDF's opposition to
the unilateral withdrawal is based on the feeling that the southern Lebanon
security zone provides the best method of defense for the northern
communities. "The army would agree to a unilateral withdrawal," Noy said,
"if it could feel that it has the government's go-ahead to freely and
harshly respond to any subsequent terrorist attacks on Israeli communities.
This is the only way that the Syrian and Lebanese governments would get
the message that they must rein in the Hizbullah." Maj.-Gen. Noy is
against, however, criticism by the army establishment against the
government for not accepting its views on the situation: "The government
may the army and other departments for advice on how to handle a particular
issue, but is not obligated to follow their advice."

Referring to yesterday's Arab League warning against a unilateral Israeli
withdrawal, Noy asked rhetorically: "Have you ever heard of a situation
when an 'occupied country' object to an announcement by the 'occupier' that
it intends to withdraw? It could very well be that behind the Lebanese and
Syrian warnings is the fear of a new civil war in Lebanon, or that Syria's
occupying forces will be a new target of Lebanese anger..."

Middle Eastern affairs expert Dan Shiftan painted a grim picture of
Israel's deterrence capabilities as viewed by the Arab states. Speaking
with Arutz-7 today, Shiftan said, "Relative to this region's Arab states,
Israel has basically lost it deterrence capability. The Arab leaders
believe that Israel is basically ready to accept pretty much any Arab
dictate. The Arabs assume that the Israeli public is not ready to fight,
and is prepared for diplomatic deals with its Arab neighbors pretty much at
any price.. The question for the Arabs is no longer where lies Israel's
red line, but does it have such a line?" He said that the atmosphere in
Israeli-Syrian talks of the past few years is as if "Israel was the one
that had been defeated in the Six Day War."

3. SENTENCED TO 35 DAYS FOR SPEAKING
Moshe, a resident of a community in Binyamin, told Arutz-7's Haggai Seri
today about the quick military trial and sentencing of his son to 35 days
in army prison today:
"My son is a medic, who was recently called to serve in Yeshivat Od Yosef
Chai at Joseph's Tomb in Shechem. The commanding officer immediately told
him that he was not allowed to spend time in the yeshiva, aside from taking
part in the prayers. He told my son, 'You're one of the pray-ers, so you
can't be with the yeshiva students during your free time.' My son, who
grew up here in Yesha, is very attuned to the importance of the Land to the
Jews, and particularly the holy sites, such as Joseph's Tomb. He saw how
the army reacted to the yeshiva students' putting in a new floor, and it
bothered him very much. In private conversation with some of the other
soldiers, my son expressed his opinion that the commander was acting with
political motives, and seemed to want to placate the Palestinians more than
to protect the Jews living there. These remarks somehow made their way
back to the commander, who called him in, tried him and sentenced him on
the spot to five weeks. I ask you: If a young soldier can't express his
deeply-held views in private conversation, then what is left for him? Is
it a crime to speak?!"

4. POPE APOLOGIZES
Pope John Paul II apologized today for the sins of Roman Catholics over the
last 2000 years, including their treatment of Jews, heretics, women and
native peoples. "We ask forgiveness for... the use of violence that some
Christians used in the service of the truth and for the behavior of
diffidence and hostility sometimes used toward followers of other
religions," the Pope said in the unprecedented service. The apology met
with mixed reactions among Church leaders, with some leading cardinals
criticizing the move, while others offered their own versions of the
apology. The prayer for forgiveness for sins against Jews, which was read
by a cardinal, said, "Let us pray that, in recalling the sufferings endured
by the people of Israel throughout history, Christians will acknowledge the
sins committed by not a few of their number against the people of the
Covenant...." The Pope then added, "We are deeply saddened by the behavior
of those who in the course of history have caused these children of yours
[the Jews] to suffer, and asking your forgiveness we wish to commit
ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of the Covenant."

Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau said later that he was very disappointed that
the Pope had not mentioned the silence of Pope Paul XII during the
Holocaust.

Rabbi Eliyahu Zini of the Technion University in Haifa and Rabbi Shubert
Spero, Professor of Jewish Though at Bar Ilan University, expressed
opposing views today on the significance of the Pope's apology for the
Jewish people. Rabbi Zini, speaking with Arutz-7 today, said that the
apology is not sincere, "since an apology to the Jewish people would clash
with the entire system of Catholic theology.... It is merely a ruse..."
Rabbi Spero, on the other hand, told Arutz-7's Yosef Zalmanson, that the
apology should be accepted in a "respectful but wary" manner: "The Church
conjures up immediate negative emotions for the Jewish people, both because
of the violence and death that it has brought upon us, and because of the
theological clash that it presents. A Catholic apology should definitely
be accepted, however, in a positive light, and it is not our responsibility
- nor is it within our power - to check its exact sincerity. This does not
mean that we must drop our safeguards against the Church, nor are we
required to do anything in return - we need not 'meet them half-way' or
anything of that nature."

5. TERRORIST VICTIMS' CHILDREN SUE
The children and family of Yaron Ungar, an American citizen who was
murdered - together with his wife - by Palestinian terrorists in June 1996,
will file suit this week in a United States federal court against the
Palestinian Authority, the PLO and Yasser Arafat. The Ungars are survived
by their two sons, Dvir, 5, and Yeshai, 4, who are being cared for by their
maternal grandparents, Rabbi Uri and Yehudit Dasberg of Alon Shvut. The
suit alleges that Arafat and the other defendants are liable for the deaths
of the Ungars because they provide Hamas with shelter, safe haven and a
base of operations from which to carry out terrorist attacks. The suit is
based on a U.S. federal law passed by Congress almost ten year ago to
enable the family of Leon Klinghoffer and others to file civil suits
against the PLO for hijacking the Achille Lauro ship. The amount of
damages sought by the Ungar children - $250 million - is based on the
damages awarded by the U.S. District Court to the family of Alisa Flatow,
an American Jewish student who was killed by Palestinian terrorists
sponsored by Iran.

Atty. Avi Leitner explained to Arutz-7's Yosef Zalmanson today that the
difficulties encountered by the Flatow family in collecting its judgment
against Iran are not expected to pose a problem for the Ungars: "In the
case of Alisa Flatow, the State Department stepped in, as is its right, to
prevent the seizure of another country's assets. The Palestinian
Authority, however, is not a country, and the State Department has
therefore no say in the matter. In addition, the PA also has assets in
Israel, and Israeli courts will be able to enforce an American ruling and
relay to the Ungar children whatever sums will be determined by the
American court."

6. ILLEGAL JERUSALEM HOMES WAIT FOR REFUGEES
Hundreds of houses built by the Palestinians in the vicinity of Jerusalem
over the past two years are empty, and are merely waiting for "the stream
of refugees who will return to Israel following the signing of a
final-status agreement" - in the words of Palestinian sources quoted today
in Ha'aretz. The Israeli authorities have meanwhile decided no to raze the
illegally-built buildings. The Fatah representative in Jerusalem told
Ha'aretz that the construction is "merely another step in the struggle
against the conquest."

7. ON STRIKE
Some 260 local municipal authorities were on strike today, in solidarity
with local welfare offices around the country that have been striking since
Thursday. The workers of the Beit She'an municipality protested their own
difficulties in front of the Prime Minister's Office this morning, carrying
signs that read, "No Bread, No Peace."

8. PA TO RELEASE PRISONERS
The Palestinian Authority has ordered the release of 18 members of the
Hamas terror organization imprisoned in Shechem, in honor of the Moslem
holiday Id el-Idha. A PA official told the French news agency that the
Authority is contemplating the release of 34 additional Hamas members as
well.

9. NEW BILL WOULD EXEMPT NEWLYWEDS
MK Rabbi Chaim Druckman (National Religious Party) has submitted a proposal
for a new law forbidding the army to call newly-weds for reserves service.
Basing his bill on a Biblical commandment, Rabbi Druckman explained in his
proposal that reserve duty, "especially if it is lengthy, detaches a young
husband from his home and his new wife" and makes the transition from
single to married life even more difficult. The new bill would prevent a
man from being called up for service in his first year of married life.

Hebrew News Editor: Ariel Kahane and Haggai Seri
English News Editor: Hillel Fendel and Ron Meir

To our readers: Friday's news report did not reach all of our subscribers.
To receive a copy, send a blank email to <friday@a7.org>.

***************************************
Browse through available Megilla samples from the MEZUZAH DOCTOR!
<a href="http://www.mezuzahdoctor.com/MEGILLAH/Megillah.htm">
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Torah Sensory Sensations: Visit: <a href="http://moshiach.com/studio/">
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Send Purim Shalach Manos to Friends, Relatives & Soldiers in Israel.
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*************************************

ARUTZ-7 ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Youth Beat, with Chezi Goldberg, takes an in-depth look at Zipple.com -
the Chicago-based Jewish Supersite, spearheaded by maverick entrepreneur,
Jory Rozner. Tonight at 10:05 PM; see below for details.
2. SPECIAL OFFER: Spacious suite available in Lev Yerushalayim Hotel. Fits
four people. One week minimum. $85/night (regular price: $160). Mar.
25-Apr. 17. Contact: <rivka@a7.org>.

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                 or Live on the Net
For weekly programming schedule, see
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        Monday Night:
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___________________________________________________________
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------- End of forwarded message -------

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - UK: TA seeks computer experts for new cyber-warfare unit
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 12:25:04 -0500

ISSUE 1752 Sunday 12 March 2000

TA seeks computer experts for new cyber-warfare unit
By Jessica Berry and Macer Hall

Territorial Army

Kosovo call-up lost me my job, says reservist

THE Army is recruiting a new Territorial unit of computer specialists to
counter the growing threat of cyber-warfare after fears that weapon systems
are vulnerable to enemy hackers.

The move follows reports that Serbs infiltrated British military computer
systems during the Kosovo conflict last year. Experts in the computer
industry are being informally approached about joining the Land Information
Assurance Group (Volunteers), a 40-strong Territorial Army unit sponsored
by the Royal Corps of Signals and due to be operational by next year.

Major Alan Evans, the project officer for the LIAG, said: "The purpose of
the group is to provide information technology experts able to support
formations in the field to protect their computer systems.

"We want people who are out there doing the job all the time. They will be
up to date with all the latest problems or viruses. As global computer
activity increases, the threats are likely to increase, and this is a
sensible precaution to protect our systems before anything really nasty
happens."

An information leaflet for potential recruits has been circulated within the
industry. Computer attacks, referred to as "asymmetric threats" by defence
analysts, have been identified as a growing menace. Earlier this week,
doubts were cast on the security of Chronos, Nato's coded computer
system, by reports that the Serbs had gained early warnings of allied
bombing targets. And it has emerged that Serb hackers attempted to
introduce viruses into the messaging systems used by the Ministry of
Defence to communicate with units in the field.

The need for a specialist unit to deal with such threats was outlined in the
Government's Strategic Defence Review, drawn up two years ago. At that
time, Sir Michael Alexander, now the chairman of the Royal United Services
Institute for Defence Studies, urged ministers to take cyber-warfare
seriously. Yesterday, he welcomed the initiative.

He said: "It seems to me extremely plain that information technology warfare
is blurring the dividing line between civilian and military expertise. This is an
area where the TA, bringing civilian expertise, can be extremely effective."

The Electronic Telegraph,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000140326706927&rtmo=3wxHHwrM&atm
o=3wxHHwrM&pg=/et/00/3/12/nkos212.html

via: cyberwar@onelist.com

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - The Aaronic Blessing
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 12:35:32 -0500

The Aaronic Blessing
Numbers 6:24-26

*You can hear this chanted in Hebrew at http://www.menorah.org

Ye-va-re-ch-cha A-do-nai, v'-yish m'-re-cha. (6:24)
Ya-aer A-do-nai pa-nav-ae-le-cha vee-chu-ne-cha. (6:25)
Yi-sa A-do-nai.......pa-nav ae-le-cha v'-ya-saem l'-chah sha-lom (6:26)

The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,
The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace.

B'Shem Yeshua HaMachiach,
Sar hashalom. Amen.
In the name of Jesus the Christ,
Prince of Peace

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Computer Software
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 13:24:16 -0500

...I have a computer up here...If you knew everything there is to know about
every circuit, every wire, every part in that computer--you knew everything
there was to know about it--could you tell me anything about its behavior?
No, of course not, because its behavior is determined by what?....Software,
not hardware. The hardware is simply the environment within which the
software performs.

Another fact about software....I have here a diskette...If I take this diskette,
and it's a blank diskette with nothing on it, and I put it on a postal scale it'll
weigh about 7/10ths of an ounce. If I spend several hundred dollars and load
it with over a million bytes of software and put it on that postal scale what will
it weigh? 7/10ths of an ounce. See, software has no mass, its embodiment
at some instant might have mass but software has no mass of its own. In
fact, I can send that software through the airwaves can't I? Software has no
mass.

Now, we know that time is a physical property--time varies with mass,
acceleration and gravity and that which has no mass has no time. What I'm
getting at is, we're assembled here in an audience and I can't really see you.
I can see the temporary residences that you're in and the real you, call it
"soul", "spirit," whatever label you like, is software not hardware. The real
you has no mass, it's software not hardware. Since the real you has no
mass the real you is eternal whether you like it or not, whether you're saved
or not. If you're not saved, you're still destined for resurrection, though not a
very pleasant one.

This came home to me and I'm fond of using this story of course, because
I'm very dependent on a laptop computer because I travel a lot and have an
aggressive schedule to make and so forth...and I had a black-and-white old
computer that finally died....I had a friend that treated me to a top-of-the-line
laptop. I'll never forget firing it up and loading all my favorite programs, my
word processor and all my files and all my little things...my crutches for
doing things. I remember they all came up recognizably--I was back in
familiar ground; they worked the way I remembered them. Except they
worked about 100 times faster, in full color and it blew me away. So that's
really the point I want to make...you and I are also heading for an upgrade.

Cosmic Codes #8
Metacodes: Codes of Life
Chuck Missler
Free tape series from Firefighters for Christ: http://www.firefighters.org

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

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