Dark side of the moon.. didya hear?

[Barefoot In Kailua]

How Embarrassing.....

www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/06/21/moon/story.jpg[/img]

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. On Wednesday we reported on a largely ignored story -- investigated in depth by journalist John Gorenfeld -- about Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) having participated recently in a bizarre DC event featuring purported Korean cult leader Sun Myung Moon. Moon -- the leader of the Korean-based Unification Church cult, a convicted felon, and owner of the Washington Times newspaper and the UPI press service -- was previously involved in the "Koreagate" Congressional scandal in the late 1970s. We mentioned yesterday how Davis wore white gloves, read Moon's "Crown of Glory" poem, and carried a golden crown that was placed on Moon's head after Moon proclaimed himself the "Messiah", the "King of Peace" and "Returning Lord." The crowning relates to Moon's push over the past year to urge Christian churches to remove crosses from their walls and replace them with a crown -- honoring the King of Kings (which, of course, he says is himself). Now, if you thought that was bad ... well, keep reading because it gets much worse!

The huge event was held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building -- a US government building -- on Capitol Hill. Not only were there Congressional Co-Chairs of the event (Congressmen Danny Davis, Curt Weldon, Roscoe Bartlett, Sanford Bishop and Chris Cannon), others played roles that evening. US Senator Lindsey Graham, NRCC Chair Tom Davis and Congressman Phil Crane served on the Host Committee, as did noted GOP political consultant Charlie Black. Weldon -- who had his staff initially deny he even attended, then claimed he possibly popped in briefly on his way to a meeting -- actually delivered the official "congratulatory remarks" welcoming the guests. Weldon, however, seems to have a good reason to fear exposure of how closely tied he is to Moon. On June 19, 2003, the Congressional Record shows that Davis introduced remarks on behalf of himself and Weldon for last year's Amassadors of Peace Award ceremony held in the Rayburn House Office Building. "Many of my colleagues will join me and the Gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Weldon], co-chair, in giving tribute to ... those honored with the Ambassadors for Peace Award ... We are grateful to the founders of Ambassadors for Peace, the Reverend and Mrs. Sun Myung [Moon], for promoting the vision of world peace, and we commend them for their work," said Davis. Weldon has even gone so far as to apparently organize a Congressional fact-finding mission to Libya to create an opportunity for him to present dictator Moammar Khadafy with one of Moon's Ambassadors of Peace pins. Don't believe me, check out the photo at left (which was also displayed by Weldon at the Moon event in the Dirksen Building).

So, what else went on at the Dirksen event? Famed civil rights activist and retired Congressman Walter Fauntroy (D-DC) presided at the event. A welcoming letter from House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) was read. Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) praised Moon for "always standing up for what is right." Is Cummings aware that Moon supports the eradication of homosexuals (who Moon calls "dirty dung-eating dogs")? Utah State Senator Howard Stephenson (R) spoke "as an ancestor of the white settlers, the pilgrims, and those who moved westward ... as a representative of my people in a spirit of repentance for the 'Trail of Tears' which we imposed upon the Native Americans." Bartlett next was proclaimed to be one of Moon's Ambassadors of Peace, and received a medal for this from Moon. Then came the Davis poem reading and the crowning ceremony. The narrator of the official Moonie-produced video of the event -- when showing this part -- stated that "the Honorable Roscoe Bartlett [was] representing the United States" at the crowning and "Senators and Congressmen and representatives of all the [religious] families of the world joined in." The Moonie video even claims that "81 US Senators and Congressmen" attended the event, although nowhere near that number appear in the video.

In a related development, it seems the Washington Post's "Reliable Source" column on April 4 unsuccessfully attempted to report on Moon's remarks at the event. They quoted Moon as proclaiming (and this is the same quote that appears in Moon's own video): "The five great saints and many other leaders in the spirit world, including even communist leaders such as Marx and Lenin, who committed all manner of barbarity and murders on Earth, and dictators such as Hitler and Stalin, have found strength in my teachings, mended their ways and been reborn as new persons. Emperors, kings and presidents who enjoyed opulence and power on Earth, and even journalists who had worldwide fame, have now placed themselves at the forefront of the column of the true love revolution. ... They have declared to all Heaven and Earth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon is none other than humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent." However, shortly after it first appeared on the Post site, it was deleted by the Post and oddly replaced by a paragraph about Celebrity Jeopardy.

In recent years, former Vice President Dan Quayle and Attorney General John Ashcroft (in 2001) and former President George H.W. Bush (in 1988) also attended events with Moon. Bush even called him "the man with the vision." Finally -- as if you aren't sick already -- senior Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) signed a proclamation on Congressional letterhead in April 2004 recognizing Moon as the "True Parent" and "King of Peace."

Bottom line: Why did elected officials actively and tacitly participate in crowning this ex-felon as the Messiah and King of Peace? Where is the public outrage demanding that these officials -- both Democrats and Republicans -- answer for their fawning ties to this cult leader?
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 06.17.04 |

[Barefoot In Kailua]

U.S. Lawmakers Fete Rev. Moon

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2004


(CBS/AP) More than a dozen U.S. lawmakers turned out for a Capitol Hill reception honoring the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the controversial leader of the Unification Church.

Some of the lawmakers later said they were duped when questioned about their presence at the event held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 23.

The Washington Post reported that Moon received a crown that was placed on his head. The crown was carried on a pillow by Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., who wore white gloves, the newspaper said. [Details of the reception were first reported by Salon.com.]

The Post said Moon, 85, delivered a lengthy speech at the "Crown of Peace" ceremony. The newspaper quoted Moon as saying he was "sent to Earth . . . to save the world's six billion people. . . . Emperors, kings and presidents . . . have declared to all Heaven and Earth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon is none other than humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent."

Congressman Davis told the Post that he was a Methodist who disagreed with many of Moon's religious teachings. But the Illinois lawmaker praised Moon's efforts on behalf of world peace.

About 100 people were honored for their work on behalf of peace at the local and national level. The Rev. Moon and his wife received "international crown of peace" awards.

The bipartisan turnout included both of Minnesota's U.S. senators, Democrat Mark Drayton and Republican Norm Coleman.

A Drayton spokeswoman said the senator ducked in for a few minutes, got his photo taken during an awards ceremony, and then left. There was no indication Moon would be there, the senator's staff said.

"We went to greet constituents," Coleman said. "We weren't present for any strange activities that took place."

But the Post quoted George A. Stallings, an organizer of the event, as saying an invitation faxed to lawmakers stated that Moon and his wife would be honored at the reception.

Use of the Senate office building for the event would have to be approved by a senator. The identity of that senator is "shrouded in mystery," Stallings told the Post.

The Washington Times Foundation was listed as one of the sponsors of the gathering, and some GOP lawmakers told the Post they attended the reception to honor the conservative newspaper, which is owned by Moon.

One of them, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Maryland, said he had no idea Moon would receive an award and deliver a speech.

Moon's controversial career includes a 1982 conviction for tax fraud and conspiracy to obstruct of justice. According to the Post, the religious leader told the gathering that even "... dictators such as Hitler and Stalin, have found strength in my teachings, mended their ways and been reborn as new persons."

[Barefoot In Kailua]

Lawmakers attend Moon ‘coronation’ in Dirksen
By James Kirchick


Coronations are not everyday occurrences on Capitol Hill — the Capitol being the people’s house, an indelible symbol of the republic, etc.

So it’s odd that a man was crowned in the Dirksen Senate Office Building earlier this year in the presence of several lawmakers and that the event is only now drawing attention.

It appears that at least some lawmakers were drawn to the event unaware of what would happen and who would be there. Others who the organizers claim were present say they were not.

The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, former felon and current owner of The Washington Times, was the man in the spotlight, declaring himself humanity’s “savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent.”

The event, which took place March 23, was sponsored by the Washington Times Foundation and the International Interreligious Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), a Moon-led group. Present at different points during the event were Reps. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Sen. Mark Dayton (R-Minn.).

One of Moon’s claims that evening was that “Hitler and Stalin have found strength in my teachings, mended their ways and been reborn as new persons.”<br>
In a video on the IIFWP website, Cummings is seen giving a speech saying Moon is “always standing up for what is right.” Davis, wearing white gloves, places a jeweled crown on Moon’s head. The video, and articles about the event, were taken down from the website Friday.

Asked if he thought the crowning unusual, Davis, who has attended several Moon events, replied, “I see people crowned. I go to parades quite a bit … [and see] the queen of the homecoming parade, queen of the festival.”<br>
Moon founded the Unification Church in Seoul, Korea, in 1954 and moved it to the United States in the 1970s. In 1982, he received an 18-month prison sentence for tax fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice. He has been derided as a megalomaniac cult leader and is most famous for mass weddings at which he marries thousands of couples simultaneously.

“I’m not involved in any cult activities,” Davis said. In an interview with the Chicago Reader newspaper published last week, Davis said Moon’s organization “put together a little fundraiser one time and gave me a few thousand dollars.”<br>
The invitation for the event lists Davis, Weldon and Bartlett and Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Chris Cannon (R-Utah) and Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) as “Congressional Co-Chairs.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Reps. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Phil Crane (R-Ill.) and GOP consultant Charlie Black were listed as members of the “Host Committee.”

In an e-mail sent to reporters, Dayton said he “stopped by” the ceremony “to greet” Minnesota Rev. Rosilyn M. Carroll, who was honored by the IIWFP. Dayton denied he helped reserve the Dirksen room or accepted an award.

“I did not see anyone identified as a Rev. Moon during the brief time I attended the reception to visit with Rev. Dr. Carroll,” wrote Dayton, “nor did I see any award given to a Reverend Moon.”<br>
Devika Koppikar, a spokeswoman for Cummings, said the “only reason [Cummings] went was at the request of his constituent” Bishop Joseph Showell, who was honored by Moon. She added that Cummings did not support Moon’s claim that he is the Messiah.

Weldon, whose office initially denied that he attended the event but retracted that claim upon being shown photos, gave a brief speech about his recent trip to Libya.

Michael Conallen, a spokesman for Weldon, said he “was not there for the crowning” and “had no idea that the Reverend Moon was going to be at this event. … If we had known that Reverend Moon was going to attend the event, be crowned and make an unbelievably interesting speech, the congressman likely would not have attended.”

Bishop said he did not attend and added, “My Messiah is Jesus Christ.” His spokeswoman, Jennifer Hoelzer said a woman came to Bishop’s office “frequently” inviting him and Bishop eventually decided to accept an award in absentia. Bishop did, however, attend a Feb. 4 event at the Ronald Reagan Building presided over by Moon’s son.

Mark Sherman, a spokesman for Ford, denied any association with Moon, saying, “If we were contacted [about the event] it’s not clear that they represented themselves as being with Reverend Moon’s church.”<br>
Lisa Wright, a spokeswoman for Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md), upon whom Moon bestowed an Ambassador of Peace Medal at the ceremony, said Bartlett was “notified that he was a recipient [of the award] by the Washington Times Foundation” and Bartlett “does not recall” being there for Moon’s speech. She said, “Congressman Bartlett will decline to attend future and similar events to receive awards from the Washington Times Foundation. … There was no representation of personal involvement by the Reverend Moon in connection with the event.”

Tami Stough, a spokeswoman for Crane, said he “was absolutely not there” and was at other events that evening.

The offices of Rep. Tom Davis and Sen. Graham did not return calls seeking comment.

An outside group must be sponsored by a senator to get a Dirkson room. Susan Irby, spokeswoman for the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, refused to say which senator sponsored the Moon event.

Archbishop George Augustus Stallings Jr., a member of the invitation committee and founder of the Imani Temple in Northeast Washington, D.C., said letters were sent to all Congress members stating that Moon and his wife would be at the event and “every member on the host committee agreed to be on the original [Feb. 4] event.” Stallings said “a follow-up letter” went to those members, confirming their status on March 23 and that unless they opted out in reply their names would remain on the invitation as such.

Lawmakers are regularly asked to serve as honorary co-chairs of such events, he said. It’s “so common that congressmen … would not have the slightest idea” they were named as sponsors.

Asked if Weldon’s name appeared incorrectly on the event invitation, Stallings said the lawmaker had been to several previous Moon events: “I can state clearly that Congressman Weldon’s name did not appear for the first time on an invitation for an event that the IIFWP has sponsored.”

The Washington Times Foundation could not be reached for comment.

[Gorf]

What's the deal with the editors and reports for those news sources not being able to figure out the correct spelling of a senators name?

Are you an undercover moonie BiK?

[Barefoot In Kailua]

{ said:

>-(Gorf)-<[} link=board=news&thread=1088058153&start=3#0 date=1088091075]What's the deal with the editors and reports for those news sources not being able to figure out the correct spelling of a senators name?

Are you an undercover moonie BiK?

Nah, I can think for myself.

[Deleted]

Barefoot said:

Nah, I can think for myself.

Who told you that?

[IdahoBoy]

Did you guys really read through all that crap?

My attention span is starting to rival that of Princess Poppy.

[Gorf]

You're ADHD IB?