Frugal Living: 23 new messages in 11 topics

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

* Food shortage ethanol follies, I've planted a food garden. - 8 messages, 3
authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c2b74d91aeaefb6f?hl=en
* Where the cyclists in America belong: back alleys, gutters and sidewalks - 3
messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/8ec3161db9d48413?hl=en
* TV on Your PC - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/f115ec190faf3906?hl=en
* Coupon for digital Tv converter - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/dae5c3a13fe8def8?hl=en
* It's like a jungle out there for bike riders - 3 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/0390ec7887de566f?hl=en
* one moment please - 2 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/2becea39b8b0a7fd?hl=en
* For Sale: Premodded Video Game Consoles, Games & Retro Stuff - 1 messages, 1
author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/0a45c4ba16e74bdc?hl=en
* viagra suisse bon marche femme en termes de viagra canada viagra suisse dans
commande viagra us usa corpus viagra suisse viagra suisse sans ordonnance - 1
messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a19d67149a129424?hl=en
* viagra suisse soft bon marche generique pharmacie viagra suisse au rabais en
ligne sans prescription viagra bon marche Sans Prescription generique
pharmacie en France Acheter viagra canada en ligne sur internet - 1 messages,
1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ec5f328526129a2b?hl=en
* femme en termes de cialis us usa cialis commande en ligne pharmacie en ligne
acheter du cialis commander cialis en France par mail cialis pharmacie - 1
messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1c0b9b6a9d08df83?hl=en
* INDURA - INDURA is another popular brand, the trademark of Westex. It is 100%
flame resistant cotton, and its higher version, INDURA Ultra Soft, is a blend
of 88% cotton and 12% high tenacity nylon. Both these flame resistant fabrics
are prime choice in welding industries and in places where there is a high
exposure to flames. They are fire retardant fabrics, which repel flames and,
even if they accidentally catch fire, will extinguish as soon as they are
taken away from the source of the fire. The best part of INDURA is that it is
light in weight and is extremely comfortable to the wear, since it is
basically a cotton product. - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/287338ce4392a901?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Food shortage ethanol follies, I've planted a food garden.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c2b74d91aeaefb6f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 7:27 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
> Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com> wrote
>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>>> HeyBub <heybub@NOSPAMgmail.com> wrote
>>>> aspasia wrote

>>>>> Or rather corn ethanol demand was craftily engineered by
>>>>> influential agribusinessmen in certain "heartland" states,
>>>>> shoveling out their contributions to our beloved Congress-whores.
>>>>> They did not care what ripple effects this would create in the
>>>>> Third World, where people are now starving. Effects even felt in
>>>>> our neighbor to the South, where the price of corn went through
>>>>> the ceiling, affecting tortillas -- a standard food, like wheat
>>>>> bread in the States.

>>>> There has never been a famine in a democracy.

>>> Wrong.

>> Name one, if you would be so kind.

> Depends on what you call a democracy. They had some in ancient times in Greece etc.

> There were some in India after independance too.

> And the Irish Potato Famine etc too.

And Japan after it lost WW2 and was returned to a democracy by the Allies too.

>> I can't think of any.

> Your problem.

== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:13 pm
From:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Cindy Hamilton" <angelicapaganelli@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5cc53294-5dca-4986-b9b0-91560a6ae95b@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On Apr 24, 2:57 pm, <h> wrote:

> But...are there really people in the US who still eat lots of grains,
> corn,
> and rice? As a low-carber with a gluten sensitivity, I can't imagine that
> stuff fed to anything but livestock.

>>Of course. What ivory tower do you live in? Carbohydrates are the
>>staple
>>food of millions of Americans.

Yep. And that's why so many Americans are so fat.

== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:22 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)

In article <4811a037$0$30226$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>, h wrote:
>
>"Don Klipstein" <don@manx.misty.com> wrote in message
>news:slrng12a9m.dk4.don@manx.misty.com...
>> In article <4810d69e$0$30157$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>, h wrote:
>>>
>>>"George" <george@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
>>>news:ydWdnS3VDu63Ko3VnZ2dnUVZ_uadnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>> Frank wrote:
>>>>>> U.S. Rice is abundant. We grow twice as much rice as we eat. Sam's
>>>>>> Club
>>>>>> is rationing only ethnic rice. Ordinary long-grain, white rice is
>>>>>> cheaper than dirt - take as much as you want.
>>>>>
>>>>> That maybe the case in your area, but we couldn't find any either at
>>>>> the
>>>>> local Sam's Club or Costco stores. No Texas long grain or other type of
>>>>> rice. I'd checked Costo again yesterday, the shelves were empty of rice
>>>>> as usual for the last few weeks, lots of beans though, LOL. Rice prices
>>>>> are very high and if I'm not mistaken, it has already triple for the
>>>>> year.
>>>> What we are seeing is the result of deciding to grind up food (corn,
>>>> grains, rice) to make ethanol to keep the SUVs going without planning
>>>> where that extra food will come from. At least we have alternatives
>>>> here.
>>>> How about the people in poor countries who depend on rice for food but
>>>> we
>>>> bought it to make ethanol?
>>>
>>>But...are there really people in the US who still eat lots of grains,
>>>corn,
>>>and rice? As a low-carber with a gluten sensitivity, I can't imagine that
>>>stuff fed to anything but livestock.
>>
>> The low carb craze has increased grain demands by increasing demand for
>> livestock. Ethanol demand came in time to rescue grain farmers from the
>> decline of the low carb craze.
>
>Wow. Eating a healthy diet is now a "craze"? You are aware that the hog
>fattening diet is exactly the same as the USDA's food pyramid except for one
>more serving of grain, right? Yeah, eating grain is good for you. Right.
>That's why so many Americans are orca fat.

Hogs get fat from high calorie intake. Keep in mind that when the low
carb craze was expanding, America's waistlines and diabetes rates
continued expanding.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:26 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)

In article <481208f5$0$31736$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>, h wrote:
>
>"Norminn" <norminn@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>news:VvKdnV_2qoq3L4zVnZ2dnUVZ_sednZ2d@earthlink.com...
>> clipped
>>
>>>>>But...are there really people in the US who still eat lots of grains,
>>>>>corn,
>>>>>and rice? As a low-carber with a gluten sensitivity, I can't imagine
>>>>>that
>>>>>stuff fed to anything but livestock.
>>>>>
>>>> The low carb craze has increased grain demands by increasing demand for
>>>>livestock. Ethanol demand came in time to rescue grain farmers from the
>>>>decline of the low carb craze.
>>>>
>>>
>>>Wow. Eating a healthy diet is now a "craze"? You are aware that the hog
>>>fattening diet is exactly the same as the USDA's food pyramid except for
>>>one more serving of grain, right? Yeah, eating grain is good for you.
>>>Right. That's why so many Americans are orca fat.
>> I've never paid attention to diet crazes, so I'm not conversant in the
>> "low carb" fad. All I know is that
>> carbs have a little more than half the calories, per gram, that fats. If
>> I want a plate full of food, then my
>> reasoning is carbs are better than fat. Of course, plenty of veggies. I
>> hear about people who have tried
>> every diet craze and still "can't" lose weight. I call them "tasters".
>> Pure bunk. They must think their
>> energy stores are some kind of nuclear reactor that keeps turning without
>> burning up the fuel. When
>> I decided to lose weight, I quit eating butter and gravy. Never loaded up
>> on the stuff, but I lost 40
>> pounds without doing anything else. The fat people I know keep a bag of
>> Oreo's and a liter of pop
>> next to their chairs at all times.
>
>Carbs are sugar,

Many are starch.

>and that's absolutely terrible for most people. Unless you are very
>active, you will not use up all the carbs and then store the excess
>as fat.

That is true of all forms of calories.

> If you eat predominately protein and fat you become a fat burning
>machine instead of a sugar burning machine, which is better for your body.

More work on the liver and kidneys. And muscles burn sugar more readily
than anything else.

>Also, you don't experience the highs and lows of the sugar rush.

I eat most of my calories from starch and I don't suffer sugar highs and
lows.

> The only carbs I eat are veggies and fruit, and I only eat the
>lower-carb ones. And the idea of drinking any beverage with sugar in it
>just amazes me. I can't quite comprehend how anyone can eat pre-packaged,
>processed food. How hard is it to make a salad and broil some chicken,
>meat or fish?

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:29 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)

In <42afee40-6b3f-4b3b-aa4b-fb9c243d2ea0@s33g2000pri.googlegroups.com>,
Seerialmom wrote:

>I wish I could find soda with "sugar" in it; very few do
>anymore...instead it's the HFCS (another dead horse that's been beaten
>into the ground) which is worse.

HFCS is usually 55% fructose 45% glucose. Sucrose is half fructose half
glucose. I don't think the difference is great.

But soda in Canada usually has sucrose - they don't boycott Cuba so
sugar is cheaper in Canada.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:37 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)

In article <Tt2dnRKEpsF16Y_VnZ2dnUVZ_ramnZ2d@comcast.com>, Frank wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The low carb craze has increased grain demands by increasing demand
>>>> for livestock. Ethanol demand came in time to rescue grain farmers
>>>> from the decline of the low carb craze.
>>
>>> Wow. Eating a healthy diet is now a "craze"? You are aware that the hog
>>> fattening diet is exactly the same as the USDA's food pyramid except for
>>> one more serving of grain, right?
>>
>> Pig ignorant lie. There is no meat in the hog fattening diet. No veg
>> either.
>
>When farmers recycle the meat waste product back into the animal feed the
>consequence was mad cow disease. What do they do with the meat waste
>products now?
>
>>> Yeah, eating grain is good for you. Right. That's why so many Americans
>>> are orca fat.
>>
>> Nope, the problem is the amount of it they shovel into their mouths, not
>> the detail of the form its in.
>
>I think its both quantity and quality. From what I understand, most of our
>meat, beef for example, are exclusively corn fed. There is no natural corn,
>only hybrid genetically altered and selected for high packing density, fast
>growth, resist diseases and pesticides and various characteristics to suite
>the farmer's need. This genetic corn has low nutritious value and results in
>six times more bad cholesterol and fat than grass fed beef. It worries me
>when super strong pesticides kill the toughest weeds but couldn't touch the
>corn stocks. Further, chemicals, antibiotics and growth hormones are added
>to the feed. At one time, don't know about now, Europeans and even starving
>Africans refuse to accept corn for the US. Alls I know is Americans are
>different when compared with decades ago to the present, relative of weight,
>health and behavior and I think it has to do with our food source in some
>way.

Our beef would be about the same even if the corn was "older tech"
corn - just more expensive from the corn being more expensive. Beef from
cattle grown largely standing still on feedlots is different and a lot
fattier than beef from cattle that lived on grazing land and had to walk
and run a lot.

Americans are different from decades ago by getting a lot less exercise,
and eating more of everything, with a notable exception of veggies.
Americans consume especially more fast food, junk food and soda than
before. And trans fats have been used a lot mainly during and after the
second half of the 20th century.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:42 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)

In article <4812aa8a$0$3369$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>, h wrote:
>
>"Cindy Hamilton" <angelicapaganelli@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:5cc53294-5dca-4986-b9b0-91560a6ae95b@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>On Apr 24, 2:57 pm, <h> wrote:
>
>> But...are there really people in the US who still eat lots of grains,
>> corn,
>> and rice? As a low-carber with a gluten sensitivity, I can't imagine that
>> stuff fed to anything but livestock.
>
>>>Of course. What ivory tower do you live in? Carbohydrates are the
>>>staple food of millions of Americans.
>
>Yep. And that's why so many Americans are so fat.

Then how does that explain America continuing to get fatter when the low
carb craze came in, and low carbers failing to lose weight as much as
everyone else? And most of the few skinny Americans eating at Old
Country Buffet having their calorie intake mainly from carbs?

And overweightness increasing in Japan when the diet there gained fat
and protein content, especially fat content? What about the diets and
overweightness rates in India and China?

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 10:20 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)

In <ce35f13a-121c-4c6e-897c-c7407801b303@w7g2000hsa.googlegroups.com>,
annezie wrote:

>I think growing a garden is the smart thing to do this year.
>
>I went and got some more plants today.
>
>About high prices: I have noticed that bread is a lot higher too. At
>least a dollar more per loaf here in Kentucky, which to me is a lot.

Even at today's high prices, the wheat in a loaf of bread costs about
20 cents or somewhat less.

If I understand right, wheat prices at the Chicago Board of Trade most
recently went for $8-$8.09 per bushel. (The price peaked in late
February, a bit over $12 at Chicago Board of Trade and about $17 at
Minneapolis Board of Trade IIUC.)

A bushel of wheat weighs 60 pounds. That has wheat costing about 8.3
cents per pound. A loaf of bread usually weighs 22-24 ounces, including
some added water.

I would encourange gardening to combat the inflation in whatever/whoever
is increasing the size of their slices of the pie.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Where the cyclists in America belong: back alleys, gutters and
sidewalks
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/8ec3161db9d48413?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 8:16 pm
From: "marika"

"Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net> wrote in message
news:0vydnRvKMrGE9ozVnZ2dnUVZ_rGhnZ2d@prairiewave.com...
>
> Please be more cryptic. You are starting to make some sense to me.
>
> Regards,
>
>

I looked it up and he is from SYRACUSE>..but he doesn;t say HAYAT or CAYAT
or anything like those upstate new yorkers.
It is just weird. the inflections. not the voice.
the way he would drag certain words out.

mk5000

Martine Love: I know you, Terry. And I know your mates. You've always been
looking for the big score. The one that makes sense of everything. I have it
for you.
Terry Leather: What?
Martine Love: A bank.
Terry Leather: A bank, as in rob? How would you know about a bank?
Martine Love: I've been seeing this guy, runs his own business - security
systems. Next month they're installing new alarms in a bank in Marylebone.
Seems like the trains have been setting off the tremble alarms in the vault,
and so they've had to turn them off. So for a week or so, they won't have
any.
Terry Leather: Now why would he tell you all this?
Martine Love: We were having a laugh about it. Imagine if half the villains
in London knew about this, he said. And I thought, I know half the villains
in London. I grew up with some of them. --The Bank Job

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 8:20 pm
From: "marika"

"Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net> wrote in message
news:f-2dnU0XwftN8IzVnZ2dnUVZ_rKtnZ2d@prairiewave.com...
>
>
> Maybe Gunner Ass hails from India too for all I know.

hhahaaa@!!!11!! SMART boy

Plus I think Roanoke area is big enough for 2

>But I don't think he is a pacifist since all he wants to do is to run over
>cyclists and children with his gdf truck if they get in his way.

That is obviously correct. If you guys said well WE are breaking off from
the
show and if someone else wants to run one up there, we have no control
over OTHER PEOPLE!. Or if someone started a second one SAME THING. WE KNOW
THEM but they are not us

>I also think he is heavily into cocksucking since he keeps bringing up the
>subject at every opportunity.

MONOPOLY IS ILLEGAL IN US!!!!

>I don't think Gandhi was a cocksucker like Gunner Ass.

Anyway, I figgered you would figger that out on your own

mk5000

"Such projections may suggest exagerated warts from an
Amanita, especially a species with a wide volva.
Of course, there is yet another possibility: you may well have found a
species novum! "--
Daniel B. Wheeler, Truffler

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 8:55 pm
From: "Edward Dolan"

"marika" <marika5000@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:fOqdnTM63LgrAo_VnZ2dnUVZ_qKgnZ2d@rcn.net...
>
> "Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net> wrote in message
> news:f-2dnU0XwftN8IzVnZ2dnUVZ_rKtnZ2d@prairiewave.com...
[...]
>>I don't think Gandhi was a cocksucker like Gunner Ass.
>
> Anyway, I figgered you would figger that out on your own

Pacifists like Gandhi are capable of any preversions. Anyone who thinks
'figger' is a good substitute for 'figure' is also capable of preversions.
But it is your lack of a period at the end of your sentence that tells me
everything I will ever have to know about you. Now go fuck yourself s'il
vous plait.

Fucking Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

==============================================================================
TOPIC: TV on Your PC
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/f115ec190faf3906?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 8:44 pm
From: Gordon

Gordon <gonzo@alltomyself.com> wrote in
news:Xns9A88CB9A1A7CCgreederxprtnet@199.45.49.11:

> At the risk of looking like a spammer...
>
> This is actually a follow up to a post I made
> last week. I have uncovered some services that
> will stream network video and video on demand
> to your PC.
>
> I have not fully checked out these services, and
> I have no relationship with any of them.
>
> Check them out at your own risk.
>
> www.direct-pctv.com
> www.dishnetpc.com
> www.priemiumtvforpc.com
> www.watchtvonyourpc.net
> www.johnQ.com
>

FORGET THEM ALL. FORGET THAT I EVEN MENTIONED THEM
They are apearently not worth the money of the
bandwidth to download them. JohnQ is particularly
bad. THey just link you to the shows on Youtube.

That is not to say it is all bad in the IPTV world.
I found a few usefull links.
First: The TV over IP fourm on DSLreports.com.
Then these web sites:
www.Joost.com
www.Hulu.com
www.tvuNetworks.com
www.getmiro.com
www.in2streams.com (this one is subsription based)
wwwitv.com/portal (no dot after the wwww)
www.global-itv.com
www.dailyiptv.com

(an industry news letter with some
good articles, reviews, and lists.

Not related to IPTV, but go to sourceforge.net and
get a copy of IpodMyTube. It puts Youtube videos
on iPods.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Coupon for digital Tv converter
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/dae5c3a13fe8def8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 8:54 pm
From: Jamie

I finally got the coupon in the mail today. It expires on July 10. I
did not count on getting a converter that soon. But I guess I'd
better not put it off. I asked about the converters at Best Buy a few
days ago.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: It's like a jungle out there for bike riders
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/0390ec7887de566f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 8:54 pm
From: Aeek

On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:02:56 -0700, Gunner
<gunner@NOSPAM.lightspeed.net> wrote:

>On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:19:27 -0700 (PDT), ComandanteBanana
><nolionnoproblem@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>So it is that cyclists must stay in
>>constant alert for predators, like the monkeys of the jungle.
>
>Monkeys are well known for throwing shit at passers by and making lots
>of noise.
>
>Perhaps that explains some of the posts from bike riders?

What, because of the morons who like to throw things from cars?

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 10:59 pm
From: Myal

ComandanteBanana wrote:
> On Apr 25, 1:17 pm, Gunner <gun...@NOSPAM.lightspeed.net> wrote:
>> On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:19:27 -0700 (PDT), ComandanteBanana
>>
>> <nolionnoprob...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> *Riding a bike is good for the environment, great for peace, and
>>> excellent for your health. We need facilities, though, like BIKE LANES
>>> to be safe.
>> Yes Indeed.
>>
>> Btw..we managed to successfully avoid the democracy trap here in the
>> US, fortunately the Founders realized how dangerous a democracy is,
>> and gave us a constitutional republic.
>
> I just have a problem with the language "by the people and for the
> people..."
>
> I wonder what the type of democracy they are exporting to Iraq... ???

they are killing outthe people who dont support the will of the people
... the people that count that is .

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 10:57 pm
From: Myal

ComandanteBanana wrote:
> On Apr 25, 11:15 am, Peter Clinch <p.j.cli...@dundee.ac.uk> wrote:
>> ComandanteBanana wrote:
>>> "The bicyclist is under attack from all directions - the streets are
>>> ragged, the air is poison, and the drivers are angry."
>> It doesn't sound much like my experience. I don't find I'm "under
>> attack", and furthermore that if I give drivers due consideration then I
>> get due consideration back (just as when I'm driving, I give cyclists
>> due consideration and get it back).
>>
>> Go out there spoiling for a fight and you'll find one though.
>
> But then again, you don't seem to live in the DEEP jungle.
>
> The UK has one of the safest drivers in the world.

but how long is that guy gunna last tho ? and what happens when he karks
it ?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: one moment please
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/2becea39b8b0a7fd?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:05 pm
From: islam_discover

Twelve Proofs that Muhammad is a True Prophet
Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq
Originally published by IANA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My brothers and sisters everywhere! With this essay, I am not singling
out the adherents of Islam - to which I ascribe - but rather I am
writing this essay to every man and woman throughout the whole world.

I ask Allah that He facilitates tat this essay reaches every ear,
falls under the sight of every eye, and is understood by every
heart...

Muhammad the son of `Abdullah is Allah's Prophet and the Final
Messenger Sent by Allah to the Inhabitants of Earth.

My brothers and sisters everywhere! You should know that the
Messenger, Muhammad the son of `Abdullah (may Allah's blessings and
peace be upon him) is Allah's Messenger in reality and truth. The
evidences that show his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel,
who out of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.

Among these proofs:

1. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) was raised
illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like that till his
death. Among all his people, he was known as being truthful and
trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of
Religion or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his
first forty years. Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Koran
that we now have between our hands. This Koran mentioned most of the
accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these
events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These accounts
came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses and
in the Gospel sent down to Jesus. Neither the Jews or Christians were
able to belie him regarding anything that he said.

2. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also
foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after
him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of
Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and
Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the
earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad foretold, as if he
was reading the future from an open book.

3. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also brought
an Arabic Koran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Koran
challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially
belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Koran. The
eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Koran.

Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been
able to compose words that equal-or even approach-the order, grace,
beauty, and splendor of this Glorious Koran.

4. The life history of this Noble Prophet was a perfect example of
being upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous,
distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters,
while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in
all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of
Allah.

5. Allah instilled great love for Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and
peace be upon him) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him.
This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would
willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him.

Till today, those who believe in Muhammad honor and love him. Anyone
of those who believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to
see him, even if but once.

6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the
manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad, who is the most
influential human in history.

Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and
evening, and many times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of
by those who believe in him. Upon remembering Muhammad, the believers
in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him. They do such with
full hearts and true love for him.

7. Nor has there every been a man on earth whom is still followed in
all his doings by those who believe in him.

Those who believe in Muhammad, sleep in the manner he slept; purify
themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he
purified himself; and adhere to his practice in the way they eat,
drink, and clothe themselves.

Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad adhere
to the teachings he spread among them and the path that he traveled
upon during his life.

During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in
this Noble Prophet have fully adhered to his teachings. With some,
this has reached the degree that they desire to follow and adhere to
the Prophet's way in his personal matters regarding which Allah has
not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will
only eat those specific foods or only wear those specific garments
that the Messenger liked.

Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad repeat those
praises of Allah, special prayers, and invocations that he would say
during each of his actions during day and night, like: what he would
say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house,
entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom,
going to sleep and awaking from sleep, observing the new crescent,
observing the new fruit on trees, eating, drinking, dressing, riding,
traveling and returning from travel, etc.

Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad fully perform-
even to the minute detail-every act of worship-like prayer, fasting,
charity, and pilgrimage-as this Noble Messenger (may Allah's blessings
and peace be upon him) taught and as he himself performed.

All of this allows those who believe in him, to live their lives in
all aspects with this Noble Messenger as their example, as if he was
standing before them, for them to follow in all their doings.

8. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon
this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience
in all matters-small and large alike-as has this Noble Prophet.

9. Since his day, in every region of the earth and during every
period, this Noble Prophet has been followed by individuals from all
races, colors and peoples. Many of those who followed him were
previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any
religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were
known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight.
They chose to follow this Noble Prophet after they witnessed the signs
of his truthfulness and the evidences of his miracles. They did not
choose to follow Muhammad out of compulsion or coercion or because
they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.

Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (may Allah's blessings
peace be upon him), chose to follow him during the time when Islam was
weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe
persecution of his followers on earth. Most people who have followed
this Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) have done
so not to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers
have suffered the greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result
of following this Prophet. Despite all this harm and persecution, this
did not turn them back from his religion.

My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any
sense, that this Prophet was truly and really Allah's messenger and
that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about
Allah without knowledge.

10. With all this, Muhammad came with a great religion in its credal
and legal make-up.

Muhammad described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at
the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any
imperfection. Neither the philosophers or the wise could ever describe
Allah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human
mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete
ability, knowledge, and greatness; Who has subdued the creation; Who
has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large; and Who
possesses such perfect mercy.

Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law
based upon justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human
activity on earth like the laws that Muhammad brought for all spheres
of human activity - like buying and selling, marriage and divorce,
renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are
necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.

11. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom,, morals, good
manners, nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet (may
Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought.

In a full and complete manner, Muhammad spread a teaching regarding
character and manners toward one' parents, relatives, fiends, family,
humanity, animals, plants and inanimate objects. It is impossible for
the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or come with a
similar teaching.

All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger did not bring
an) of this religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a
teaching and inspiration that he received from the One Who created the
earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its
miraculous architecture and perfection.

12. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger,
Muhammad, (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought
resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that
indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who
sent down this great law and upright religion.

The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon
Muhammad is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation
of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this
universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like
Allah's law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad
(may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him).

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Apr 25 2008 9:06 pm
From: islam_discover