United Nations Declaration (Articles 1 - 30):

Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Incoming UN chief names three women to top posts

Incoming UN chief names three women to top posts
Nigerian Minister of the Environment Amina Mohammed, seen in 2015, will be the UN's number two official (AFP Photo/Mireya ACIERTO)

Sustainable Development
"A Summary" – Apr 2, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Religion, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Intelligent/Benevolent Design, EU, South America, 5 Currencies, Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Middle East, Internet, Israel, Dictators, Palestine, US, Japan (Quake/Tsunami Disasters , People, Society ...), Nuclear Power Revealed, Hydro Power, Geothermal Power, Moon, Financial Institutes (Recession, Realign integrity values ..) , China, North Korea, Global Unity,..... etc.) -
"The Timing of the Great Shift" – Mar 21, 2009 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Text version)

“ … Here is another one. A change in what Human nature will allow for government. "Careful, Kryon, don't talk about politics. You'll get in trouble." I won't get in trouble. I'm going to tell you to watch for leadership that cares about you. "You mean politics is going to change?" It already has. It's beginning. Watch for it. You're going to see a total phase-out of old energy dictatorships eventually. The potential is that you're going to see that before 2013. They're going to fall over, you know, because the energy of the population will not sustain an old energy leader ..."
"Update on Current Events" – Jul 23, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Subjects: The Humanization of God, Gaia, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Benevolent Design, Financial Institutes (Recession, System to Change ...), Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Nuclear Power Revealed, Geothermal Power, Hydro Power, Drinking Water from Seawater, No need for Oil as Much, Middle East in Peace, Persia/Iran Uprising, Muhammad, Israel, DNA, Two Dictators to fall soon, Africa, China, (Old) Souls, Species to go, Whales to Humans, Global Unity,..... etc.)
(Subjects: Who/What is Kryon ?, Egypt Uprising, Iran/Persia Uprising, Peace in Middle East without Israel actively involved, Muhammad, "Conceptual" Youth Revolution, "Conceptual" Managed Business, Internet, Social Media, News Media, Google, Bankers, Global Unity,..... etc.)


The Declaration of Human Freedom

Archangel Michael (Via Steve Beckow), Feb. 19, 2011

Every being is a divine and eternal soul living in a temporal body. Every being was alive before birth and will live after death.

Every soul enters into physical life for the purpose of experience and education, that it may, in the course of many lifetimes, learn its true identity as a fragment of the Divine.

Life itself is a constant process of spiritual evolution and unfoldment, based on free choice, that continues until such time as we realize our true nature and return to the Divine from which we came.

No soul enters life to serve another, except by choice, but to serve its own purpose and that of the Divine from which it came.

All life is governed by natural and universal laws which precede and outweigh the laws of humanity. These laws, such as the law of karma, the law of attraction, and the law of free will, are decreed by God to order existence and assist each person to achieve life’s purpose.

No government can or should survive that derives its existence from the enforced submission of its people or that denies its people their basic rights and freedoms.

Life is a movement from one existence to another, in varied venues throughout the universe and in other universes and dimensions of existence. We are not alone in the universe but share it with other civilizations, most of them peace-loving, many of whom are more advanced than we are, some of whom can be seen with our eyes and some of whom cannot.

The evidence of our five senses is not the final arbiter of existence. Humans are spiritual as well as physical entities and the spiritual side of life transcends the physical. God is a Spirit and the final touchstone of God’s Truth is not physical but spiritual. The Truth is to be found within.

God is one and, because of this, souls are one. They form a unity. They are meant to live in peace and harmony together in a “common unity” or community. The use of force to settle affairs runs contrary to natural law. Every person should have the right to conduct his or her own affairs without force, as long as his or her choices do not harm another.

No person shall be forced into marriage against his or her will. No woman shall be forced to bear or not bear children, against her will. No person shall be forced to hold or not hold views or worship in a manner contrary to his or her choice. Nothing vital to existence shall be withheld from another if it is within the community’s power to give.

Every person shall retain the ability to think, speak, and act as they choose, as long as they not harm another. Every person has the right to choose, study and practice the education and career of their choice without interference, provided they not harm another.

No one has the right to kill another. No one has the right to steal from another. No one has the right to force himself or herself upon another in any way.

Any government that harms its citizens, deprives them of their property or rights without their consent, or makes offensive war upon its neighbors, no matter how it misrepresents the situation, has lost its legitimacy. No government may govern without the consent of its people. All governments are tasked with seeing to the wellbeing of their citizens. Any government which forces its citizens to see to its own wellbeing without attending to theirs has lost its legitimacy.

Men and women are meant to live fulfilling lives, free of want, wherever they wish and under the conditions they desire, providing their choices do not harm another and are humanly attainable.

Children are meant to live lives under the beneficent protection of all, free of exploitation, with unhindered access to the necessities of life, education, and health care.

All forms of exploitation, oppression, and persecution run counter to universal and natural law. All disagreements are meant to be resolved amicably.

Any human law that runs counter to natural and universal law is invalid and should not survive. The enactment or enforcement of human law that runs counter to natural and universal law brings consequences that cannot be escaped, in this life or another. While one may escape temporal justice, one does not escape divine justice.

All outcomes are to the greater glory of God and to God do we look for the fulfillment of our needs and for love, peace, and wisdom. So let it be. Aum/Amen.


Pope Francis arrives for historic first US visit

Pope Francis arrives for historic first US visit
Pope Francis laughs alongside US President Barack Obama upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, on September 22, 2015, on the start of a 3-day trip to Washington (AFP Photo/Saul Loeb)


Today's doodle in the U.S. celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech on its 50th anniversary (28 Aug 2013)

'Love is love': Obama lauds gay marriage activists in hailing 'a victory for America'

'Love is love': Obama lauds gay marriage activists in hailing 'a victory for America'
The White House released this image, of the building colored like the rainbow flag, on Facebook following the supreme court’s ruling. Photograph: Facebook

Same-sex marriage around the world

"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it), Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse), Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version)

… The Shift in Human Nature

You're starting to see integrity change. Awareness recalibrates integrity, and the Human Being who would sit there and take advantage of another Human Being in an old energy would never do it in a new energy. The reason? It will become intuitive, so this is a shift in Human Nature as well, for in the past you have assumed that people take advantage of people first and integrity comes later. That's just ordinary Human nature.

In the past, Human nature expressed within governments worked like this: If you were stronger than the other one, you simply conquered them. If you were strong, it was an invitation to conquer. If you were weak, it was an invitation to be conquered. No one even thought about it. It was the way of things. The bigger you could have your armies, the better they would do when you sent them out to conquer. That's not how you think today. Did you notice?

Any country that thinks this way today will not survive, for humanity has discovered that the world goes far better by putting things together instead of tearing them apart. The new energy puts the weak and strong together in ways that make sense and that have integrity. Take a look at what happened to some of the businesses in this great land (USA). Up to 30 years ago, when you started realizing some of them didn't have integrity, you eliminated them. What happened to the tobacco companies when you realized they were knowingly addicting your children? Today, they still sell their products to less-aware countries, but that will also change.

What did you do a few years ago when you realized that your bankers were actually selling you homes that they knew you couldn't pay for later? They were walking away, smiling greedily, not thinking about the heartbreak that was to follow when a life's dream would be lost. Dear American, you are in a recession. However, this is like when you prune a tree and cut back the branches. When the tree grows back, you've got control and the branches will grow bigger and stronger than they were before, without the greed factor. Then, if you don't like the way it grows back, you'll prune it again! I tell you this because awareness is now in control of big money. It's right before your eyes, what you're doing. But fear often rules. …

Merkel says Turkey media crackdown 'highly alarming'

Merkel says Turkey media crackdown 'highly alarming'
Reporters Without Borders labels Erdogan as 'enemy of press freedom'

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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

How India's Modi is seeking to charm US audiences

Once shunned by the US, India's PM Narendra Modi received a rock star welcome in New York's Madison Square Garden. Analyst Michael Kugelman talks to DW about how the premier is seeking to reshape India's image abroad.

Deutsche Welle, 29 Sep 2014


The Indian PM Narendra Modi appeared before an enthusiastic crowd of more than 18,500 people from the US and Canada - mostly of Indian origin - in Madison Square Garden, New York's famed sport arena. Modi came into the auditorium under a spotlight, leading many to compare the event to a political rally, with the audience wearing T-shirts bearing his picture and periodically chanting "Modi! Modi!"

Ahead of his first White House summit on September 29, Modi - speaking in Hindi from a rotating stage - vowed that he would build a strong and confident India, and fight corruption. He also touted India's promise as a tech giant, joking that it was no longer known as a nation of "snake charmers." A day before, in his debut at the United Nations, the Hindu nationalist had presented a worldview shaped by ancient tradition, promoting multilateralism as well as yoga.

Modi is currently on a five-day visit to the United States aimed at improving bilateral ties which have seen some irritants over the past years, including the revocation of Modi's visa after the 2002 Gujarat riots where some 1000 people - many of them Muslims - were killed, and, more recently, the spat over the arrest of an Indian diplomat in the US and India's refusal to sign a global trade deal.

Kugelman: 'Modi's visit has surprised many
 Americans - including the members of Congress
present at the Madison Square Garden event'
Michael Kugelman, South Asia analyst the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, says in a DW interview that the PM is using the US visit to send out the message that India is strong, ready to engage with the US, and that he has clearly moved on from the visa ban that aggrieved him for so many years. But despite the pageantry, there are many tricky issues which will have to be discussed and won't magically go away, he adds.

DW: How well has Narendra Modi been received in the US?

Michael Kugelman: The reaction to Modi has been nothing short of extraordinary. This is a leader who was effectively persona non grata in the US for nearly 10 years, and yet now he is speaking to huge and adoring crowds, and sharing stages with members of Congress and even the singer Jay-Z. It is a dramatic transformation. We should keep in mind, however, that most of these audiences are members of the Indian diaspora - a very large community that is a strategic source of support for Modi.

How has Modi been trying to charm American audiences and especially the Indian- American community?

I think he's trying to convince the diaspora that he is capable of righting the Indian ship, which has been slowly sinking in recent years - as evidenced above all by India's struggling economy, but also by unusually costly corruption scandals. Modi's message to this diaspora -which has voiced its anxieties about India's recent struggles - is that happy days are here again, and that he will make sure they stay happy for years on end.

But it hasn't just been rhetoric. Very significantly, Modi announced in his speech at Madison Square Garden in New York that he will implement a series of policies that make it much easier for Indian-Americans and Americans more generally to travel and visit India. If India's economy is to improve, it will need to facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) in India, and FDI flows are dependent not only on flows of capital and goods, but also of people. These new announced policies will be very helpful in this regard.

Shortly before his arrival in the US, a federal court in New York summoned Modi to respond to a lawsuit accusing him of human rights abuses. How much has this cast a shadow over Modi's visit and what role does the issue of the 2002 Gujarat riots still play in bilateral ties?

A very small shadow at best, and at any rate an irrelevant shadow for Modi given that as prime minister, he will have immunity from any such legal challenges while he in the US. And yet the fact that this lawsuit will simply be shrugged off is another indication of how far Modi has come from pariah to celebrity in such a short time.

There have been a number of anti-Modi protests in New York - small in number yet still very much happening - and yet interestingly enough the Indian media, which is providing intense, minute-by-minute coverage of Modi's visit, has paid little attention to them.

There has also been a new revelation appearing in the Western press and circulated widely on social media that Modi allegedly refused to help a Muslim MP while he was surrounded by a Hindu mob and later killed. And yet, once again, this won't affect the PM's visit or the perception of him. In this regard, one must credit Modi's PR machine, which is operating on all cylinders throughout this visit and has resulted in very little critical accounts of him at all within the mainstream media.

What has been at the core of his message to American audiences?

The basic, fundamental message is that India is strong, and that India is ready to engage with Indian-Americans and the US more broadly.

What image is Modi presenting of himself while abroad?

A very similar message to the one he presents at home - that he is a tireless, determined, and patriotic leader who will do everything possible to get India back on track. He has also sought to project a softer side - perhaps to soften the perception that he is ultra-serious and stern and not afraid to upbraid his subordinates - by making jokes about his visa difficulties, calling for more focus on yoga, and even quoting lines from Star Wars.

In all of this, Modi is trying to do something very simple: Introduce himself to a general American public that really doesn't know him at all, given his inability to come to the US to engage with them for nearly 10 years.

How may this image and style help improve bilateral ties with the US, both politically and economically?

Kugelman: 'How this all translates to
 the official level is a much more open
question'
I think the visit has surprised many Americans - including the members of Congress present at the Madison Square Garden event - because it's not too often that a foreign leader, and particularly a brand new one, takes the country by storm by barnstorming the US' financial capital and being met by huge and adoring crowds. Since most Americans - other than Indian-Americans - probably knew very little about him, his visit likely impressed them as well.

How this all translates to the official level is a much more open question. US-India relations have certainly come a long way over the last few decades, but they have faced a raft of crises in recent months, and these won't be easy to overcome - even with the repository of goodwill for Modi now overflowing. Obama and Modi will need to discuss tricky and tension-filled issues - such as policies in each country that the other deems prohibitively protectionist - that won't magically go away.

What Modi's New York itinerary does show, however, is that he is ready to engage, and that he has clearly moved on from the visa ban that so aggrieved him for so many years. Forget all the pageantry and big crowds: The mere fact that he came to the US is a big achievement for the bilateral relationship. And it can also serve as a big confidence-building measure as Obama and Modi sit down to discuss some pretty serious issues.

Michael Kugelman is senior program associate for South and Southeast Asia at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, where he is responsible for research, programming, and publications on South and Southeast Asia.

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