Mark Armstrong: "Everything We Value in This Human Life is About to be Lost"

Mark Armstrong continues posting his bizarre weekly updates in which he goes on political rants and writes as though he is quite angry instead of managing the Armstrongite splinter group he inherited from his father, namely the Intercontinental Church of God. 

This time, on his November 20, 2020 update, he complains that the media's warnings about the new third spike of infections of the coronavirus are starting to sound boring to him.

If there's one thing everybody knows it is that, “The numbers don't lie!” Nearly every news station is carrying numbers on screen throughout the day and night. Every radio news-break warns that we're drowning in the virus. They've doubled down on every superlative in the English language, and it's beginning to get a little repetitious.

Over a quarter of a million Americans have died from this terrible disease. The rate of deaths per day in the US is in the thousands. Hospitals are running out of space for patients. And meanwhile Armstrong minimizes the ongoing crisis by insisting that most deaths were caused by other underlying conditions and not the coronavirus itself.

Not only that, the numbers coming out of the CDC show that only a fraction of the deaths constantly reported on the news are exclusively attributed to the virus. But if some want to take the network reporters' word for it, they're welcome to do that.

He then spends the rest of the update complaining about the media making everyone scared and trying to somehow censor him. He never uses the word after this.

(While in this train of thought Armstrong implies that he might not be able to post these strange, bitter and angry tirades as much as does now. Such a statement appears to be an attempt to gain sympathy from his lay member followers.)

It's a little astonishing that Americans who love freedom would be prepared to relinquish it at the drop of a hat over the word of those who've made a career of lying to us. When you consider the fact that so many have died fighting for the rare blessings of freedom, the respect and debt we owe to those who came before, it becomes a little emotional. 

You can look forward to these updates being dialed back somewhat. Our beliefs and doctrines certainly don't hinge on my attitude, which has admittedly become somewhat jaundiced. But it does get a little tiresome, having a lot of tripe jammed down the throats of us all. We seem to be well down the road from a situation where the “truth has fallen in the streets.” None plead for justice, surely not from any mainstream networks or social media titans. When you look at the priorities of those promoting fear, it feels a lot like they intend to rule over what we can and can't know, and what we will or won't do.

He makes the hysterical and nonsensical claim that "everything we value in this human life is about to be lost." Words like this are to incite fear of the world outside his organization and loyalty from his followers towards him. Staying with Mark Armstrong's organization is presented as an act of defiance against bad people.

Having said that, we all want the best for those we love and it surely looks as if everything we value in this human life is about to be lost. 

To his shame Armstrong presents emergency measures designed to save lives and ease the burden facing hospital staff as somehow leading to the mark of the beast. This is shameful demagoguery that puts his followers at greater risk of getting the dreadful disease.

Shutdowns and masks won't be the end of the demands made upon the American people. They're just warming us up. Will we also curl up in the fetal position when they roll out demands that we all receive a Mark that violates our free will, not to mention God's Laws? No doubt it will be promoted as the only assurance of everyone's health and safety.

Please take the coronavirus seriously. Shutdowns and masks help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Shutdowns reduce social interaction which makes it harder for the virus spread. Facemasks makes it harder for the wearer to pass on any disease he or she may happen to have. Including the coronavirus.

Observe shutdown regulations. Minimize social contact, especially indoors. Wear your face mask. Wash your hands. Listen to your doctor. Listen to science. Of course discouraging social interaction is painful but that is how one fights a pandemic. It appears there will vaccines eventually but it will take months before the general public get it. Until then we must be careful not to catch or spread the coronavirus.

Mark Armstrong Complaining About California's Lockdown

Here's Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, in his October 16, 2020 weekly update stating that his Armstrongite splinter group has observed their idiosyncratic version of the Feast of Tabernacles.

He also appears to imply that lockdown orders in the State of California were ignored.

The good news is that we observed the Feast of Tabernacles at all planned locations, save California, which apparently is still in “lockdown,” per the all-knowing governor's orders. Services were still held on the Holy Days at an undisclosed location. Not many churches are claiming Constitutional protection, thinking it safer to cooperate with the local “authorities,” lest preachers be hauled away in handcuffs. We don't want to sue or see anyone arrested, but we will obey the mandates from on High long before some governor, drunk on his own “authority.” These vain dictators never wielded this kind of power before, but they're clearly enjoying telling everyone what they can and can't do. Constitution? What Constitution!

Did Mark Armstrong just admit to breaking the law? We should follow the law including lockdown restrictions. If he and his followers did not break the law then he should not imply otherwise.

Mark Armstrong Displays Shocking Ignorance About the Coronavirus

It is becoming increasingly clear that despite widespread public discussion of this topic Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, has a dreadfully abysmal understanding of the coronavirus. He is listening to bad advice.

It is well known that many people who get the coronavirus only have mild symptoms and some have no symptoms at all but they are still spreading it to other people who are vulnerable. Consequently they are isolating themselves and informing people they had been in contact with in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. 

But Mark Armstrong ignores these vital facts and promotes his ignorance among his followers.

But who knows what's going on with these 99.9% accurate tests? We don't give medical advice, but possibly the worst thing one could do, from the standpoint of retaining any modicum of personal freedom, is to go get tested. 

We know from numerous anecdotal stories and reports that a lot of people test “positive” who aren't sick, haven't been sick and don't plan on being sick. Once somebody tests positive, they're liable to lose whatever freedoms they thought they still had. You'll likely be told (not asked) that you must take yourself out of circulation for ten days to two weeks. Official state agencies may try to contact you, demanding to know every place you've been and everyone with whom you've had contact. They're called “contact tracers,” by media. We have other terms. Surely the information being gathered isn't going into some politically-oriented database? (Mark Armstrong, Weekly Update, August 7, 2020.)

Who is he listening to? Mark Armstrong's sources of (mis)information have left him badly informed about this topic. His followers would be well advised to ignore his scare mongering.

Mark Armstrong is playing with fire choosing to ignore the seriousness of the current crisis and to indulging in partisan mud slinging instead of helping people to get through these trying times. 

Mark Armstrong Complains About Lockdown Restrictions

Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, grandson of HWA, has released his July 17, 2020 weekly update. Let us see what he has to say this time.

At present America is enduring an increased wave of coronavirus infections. The evidence of this latest tragic development are many and varied. In response Mark Armstrong desperately insinuates the figures cannot be trusted.

Having suspected it all along, we're now hearing that the “numbers” (which of course never lie) are being juiced in Florida and Virginia at least. The “testing stations” that have popped up all over the state of Florida are reporting that 100% are infected, and there are zero who are not.

But what about the rest of America? Why is the rate increasing just about everywhere else? This crisis is happening. He continues.

It's doubtful that their numbers are anywhere near accurate, but news anchors are nevertheless using the reported infections to panic everybody into emergency submission.

The problem with anecdotal evidence is that it is difficult to determine if a single incident can be used to explain wider trends. Even if these specific allegations happen to be true what about the rest of America. What about California?

Mark Armstrong continues to insist the figures are wrong. He cites certain anecdotes but the problem with anecdotal evidence is that these incidents do not why infections are increasing in so many parts of America.

You know from the reporting that anyone who tests positive is subjected to daily testing, even if they're not sick or showing any symptoms. Every time there is a “positive” test result, it is recorded as an additional case in Virginia. There is a single individual who has accounted for FIFTEEN cases, and that's been verified according to Laura Ingraham's reporting on her FOX news program.

Even if this story was true what about the other states? Why are their infection rates increasing as well? Analysts do not rely on one or one testing station but rather many different sources. Even if a few sources had problems the rate of infection would still be detectable. He continues.

There's also news that Texas has had to alter their “numbers,” after realizing that many sicknesses and deaths had been incorrectly blamed on the virus. Surprise, surprise!

This epidemic is an ongoing cataclysm. Doctors and nurses are witnessing first hand what this terrible disease is doing. They worry they might get it. Some have. So no wonder there happen to be some errors in some places. But there are many sources of information and, used properly, they will still reveal what is happening.

He then talks about tensions over the South China Sea then complains of the possibility of schools in his hometown, Tyler, Texas getting their names changed.

He ends his update by  seemingly implying it is fine to defy officials for religious reasons. He is talking about governmental attempts to save lives by stopping and reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

But we're about to take a respite from all of it for the Sabbath day. We plan to obey the “mandates” of God's Law, whether or not they run afoul of some power-drunk official, wielding un-Constitutional “emergency powers” to keep everyone safe. I think you know who wins in the end. The meantime may try all our souls.

He then introduces an article complaining about lockdown restrictuions. Bizarrely he writes as though the media is doing this, not the government.

News networks have deputized corporations, private businesses, and the public at large to enforce mask mandates.

He appears to equate his hostility to emergency measures with "inviolable rights handed down from the Creator God ...  our Declaration and codified in Constitutional language."

For some time they were patient with those who believe in inviolable rights handed down from the Creator God. It's in our Declaration and codified in Constitutional language. But they've had enough already. Now, you will submit on the basis of keeping everybody safe, or they'd have you believe that you're risking “killing people” by transmitting a disease you don't know you have.

What is wrong with trying to keep everyone safe? That seems like a strong argument to follow the recommendations.

So you're not sick? That's what you think. Why, this virus can hide out for at least a couple of weeks while you spread it to people who'll die.

It is well known that the coronavirus can infect some people without causing symptoms. That is a major reason why this disease has been so difficult to control.

He writes as though the current attempts to slow this present wave of coronavirus infections are some petulant temper tantrum against people choosing not to follow regulations. The posibility that these measures are being done in good faith is ignored.

Because many have refused to play by the new rules, governors are threatening to shut down everything completely. In California, business concerns were “allowed” to begin working again as long as all COVID protocols were followed. But then a funny thing happened. Hardly anyone showed up anywhere with masks and gloves. It's not nice to flaunt official MANDATES. So now everything has to be shut down again! That ought to teach the public that when the governor or mayor gives an order, you better obey their mandates, or suffer their wrath.

There is a deadly disease running out of control at the moment. Saying the authorities have malevolent motives does nothing about the ongoing epidemic.

The article ends with a complaint that the lockdown applies to churches.

Maybe you've noticed, the lock-downs include churches! You will NOT assemble to worship God, or the police might show up! So who do you fear? The rioters obviously don't fear the authorities or God. We fear and worship God, and the local “authorities” will learn to sooner or later, assuming they ever get over their power trip.

There have been incidents in America in which people have caught this coronavirus in church meetings. Such restrictions are in force to prevent people from getting this deadly disease. Attempting to save lives by mitigating an epidemic is not an attack on anyone's religion.

We must face reality. While it would be comforting to believe that the figures are wrong it is clear: the coronavirus is spreading to a large extent. Infections are increasing.  It is shameful Mark Armstrong is minimizing this dire development.

Mark Armstrong Uses Ethnic Slur and Moans About Gun Control After Anti-Muslim Massacre in New Zealand

Mark Armstrong, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of Herbert Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, has another weekly update posted (March 15, 2019). He constantly bad mouths immigrants and Muslims so let us see what he has to say this time after the Islamophobic terrorist massacre in New Zealand in which 49 people, Muslims worshipers at their mosques, were murdered.

First Mark Armstrong talks about Brexit.

Greetings from Tyler, They're still wrangling, unsuccessfully, with so-called Brexit. Some have said they'd sign the (EU crafted) deal if Prime Minister Theresa May would resign. The complications are such that most of us wouldn't want to know the technicalities of all that is in play. The short version is that everything is delayed, again. Apparently a three month delay is in the offing, but that would take Britain into the EU elections as an active member. The fallout from that possibility is impossible to fathom. Obviously, Britain got itself into a royal mess by hooking up with the EU in the first place. It's been a roiling disaster, and it's not over yet. It may never be over. 

Mark Armstrong constantly speaks harshly about immigrants, Muslims and the political left in general. He now mentions the recent anti-Muslim massacre in New Zealand but in this paragraph he seems to be more concerned that it may lead to stricter rules about the possession of guns.

Our news is brimming with reports of the New Zealand massacre of Muslims in their mosques, with 49 dead. The shooter memorialized and live-streamed his gruesome actions on social media, though thankfully it's not being beamed into our living rooms. But yes, New Zealand has strict gun laws. Citizens have to be licensed by Police to possess a firearm, and records are kept along with driver's license data. But the record shows that New Zealand, like Australia and Britain have used the national horror in the wake of mass shootings to confiscate and outlaw firearms. We'll see if it happens again. 

Lives have been shattered in the massacre. Even little children were murdered. But Mark Armstrong makes no attempt to think about the pain and suffering of the victims and their loved ones. Instead he moans that this anti-Muslim massacre will make his preferred president look bad and makes his followers fearful that some sort of violence might happen to them.

It was all too predictable that President Trump would be blamed, as he was by the shooter himself and in at least one prominent British publication. The Iranians said it was because of our Constitutionally guaranteed free speech. The media darling who would destroy all of western civilization with her squeaky genius and flailing arms blamed the NRA. Undoubtedly we'll be treated to plenty more idiotic explanations and half-cocked solutions in the days ahead. Presumably, those who deserve the blame will pay dearly, as they should. There's simply no excuse for the cold-blooded murder of unsuspecting human beings, no matter what. But ISIS wants revenge, as if they've not committed similar atrocities and worse. 

(The "media darling" mentioned above refers to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.)

Mark Armstrong then discusses recent tensions between the State of Israel and Gaza. The COGs tend to think that events concerning the State of Israel will be a sign that the Second Coming will soon occur hence why they often focus on matters concerning that nation state. While discussing this matter he uses a disgusting ethnic slur so soon after 49 Muslims were murdered in their places of worship in New Zealand.

Hamas made the mistake of firing rockets into Israel, one targeting the modern city of Tel Aviv. Unbelievably, the launches took place while Hamas representatives were meeting with an Egyptian delegation of mediators. The Egyptians were flabbergasted, and said so. Hamas claimed it had no idea about the rockets and would investigate. Israel suggested the Egyptian delegation depart Gaza, then proceeded to pound one hundred targets with air strikes. Apparently, the Israeli military believes the explanation that the rocket launches were in fact not planned but set off accidentally by rookie ragheads. Had Israel believed the rocket attacks to have been approved by Hamas, they'd have retaliated with five times the air strikes. Just another day in paradise. 

Mark Armstrong then moans about the widespread concern about climate change, as he often does.

It seems everyone's having another global warming meltdown. Maybe the temperature will rise by a degree or two in the next several generations. If it does, it will have little if anything to do with American energy policies. All but the true fanatics know that China and India are the world's premier polluters, but these wild-eyed arm flappers are determined to rule over us by government mandate. That'll be the day. 

Mark Armstrong then mentions attending a funeral. He cites an article by the Armstrongite Bob Theil while discussing this funeral.

We attended the funeral of Mr. Les McCullough yesterday. He was a close friend of my Dad's and we have a lot of fond memories, from Big Sandy to the hunting camps of Colorado. There was quite a turn out for his funeral held yesterday in the town of Gladewater, and our sympathies go out to Mrs. McCullough, Kim, Lynne, Michael and extended family. Have a good Sabbath,  

Mark

It is unsurprising that Mark Armstrong continues to show the world what sort of character he possesses. The tithes paying followers of Mark Armstrong enable him to spread his disturbing views and must bear a certain share of responsibility in empowering him.

Mark Armstrong: "Global Warming Hysteria" Will Destroy American Sovereignty

The whole world has witnessed with horror the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael as it advanced into inhabited land. At present seventeen fatalities have been noted. Many people are suffering and in distress because of this particularly powerful hurricane. It is in the midst of this severe crisis Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of Herbert Armstrong, made yet another weekly update for his followers (October 12, 2018).

Let's see what he has to say this time.

Greetings from Tyler, 

It looks as though Panama City Beach fared comparatively well, with downed trees, broken power poles and mostly superficial damage.  However, the devastation of Mexico Beach, Florida is complete.  Looking at some of the aerial footage, it's hard to imagine anyone surviving the awesome power of that storm.  So far, reports confirm thirteen dead, but we may not know the full extent of losses for days to come.  

He states that at present it is not yet possible to confirm the status of all Intercontinental Church of God members who might have been affected by the hurricane.

There are some members in the general vicinity, and so far we've been unable to contact them.  However, there are widespread service outages and presumably we'll hear from them in due time.  None to our knowledge were living in Mexico Beach or in the direct path of the storm. 

And at this point Mark Armstrong switches to the main theme of this weekly update: a shrill denunciation of those who speak out about the ongoing climate change crisis. People are pointing out that the altered climate has caused the hurricanes of today to actually be more severe than hurricanes in the past. But instead of learning about this topic Mark Armstrong insists that he is a victim for denying that climate change is happening. 

But they (mainstream publications and politicians) couldn't wait, even until the dead can be counted, to turn this hurricane into a political issue.  It was the fault of “global warming” when Florence stalled and dropped feet of rain on North Carolina.  Trump, they said, was “complicit,” with the disastrous flooding because he pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accords.  Now that Hurricane Michael blasted through the Florida coastline of Mexico Beach and moved on rapidly it's the fault of, you guessed it.

Mark Armstrong insists he and his followers are victims of those who discuss the ongoing climate change crisis.

Global warming “supercharged the storm,” and this storm has “a human fingerprint.”  Man-made global warming, get it?  All the mainstream publications have it all figured out.  It's man's fault the Gulf waters were warm this year.  It's Americans' fault for being prosperous and Donald Trump's fault for being a skeptic, at least of their ruinous solutions as laid out by those who want the U. S. to pay with its existence.  CNN says it's not a “natural disaster,” because they want us to believe that humans, and that means us, are to blame.

He vilifies those he oppose as having "no bounds of decency."

At least the mainstream outlets are true to their strategy of never letting a crisis go to waste.  As the death toll rises, we can expect the rhetoric to go as crazy as it did during the Kavanaugh debacle.  They simply know no bounds of decency.  First thing you know they'll be saying that those who don't believe their theory have blood on their hands, they've said it before. 

He then denounce Atheism, acceptance of transgender people and "socialism," which in his vocabularly could mean anyone left of his preferred president.

The interesting thing about all this from our point of view is that people who promote and believe their own “scientific” hype are the same ones who deny the existence of God, promote 56 genders and think socialism is the answer to all the world's problems.    

He mocks those who are concerned that the ongoing climate change crisis could have a terrible impact on how we humans can live on Earth.

There is no “Planet B!” the signs warn us.  No logic can compete with brilliance like that!  They're so proud of that little play on words, it's all over TV and displayed with the articles that shame the American president and his supporters.  We'll surely be put in our place by such insightful brilliance.  Well, at least until we have a look at who's carrying the sign.

He indulges in bewailing his supposed victimhood at the hands of the scientific consensus that climate change is happening and is being caused by human activity.

Only a matter of years are left!  Say, 20.  If we don't limit the rise of earth's temperature to less than 2 degrees centigrade we'll face catastrophes that'll make the two devastating hurricanes this year look like a picnic.  That's the claim every time there's any weather event.  They'd have liked to make “climate change denial” a crime if only they'd had a little more time.  It's already a “virtual crime” in the universe of social media.  And note this.  Total and utter global catastrophe is never, NEVER more than ten to twenty years away.   If their claims of recent decades were true, the equatorial rain forests would have been long gone by now.  The polar ice-caps would have long since melted.  The Himalayan glaciers would have disappeared and the world's coastal cities would be underwater. 

He implies that those warning about climate are relying on fraudulent information.

Hurricanes and typhoons were a fact of nature long before the global warming hysteria took hold.  History shows that the earth and seas have been a lot warmer than now in centuries past.  We've also seen that the primary sources of global-warming dogma have not been shy about altering data to make their case.  When caught, they just scream the louder.

He then makes this very ironic statement considering the many false prophecies the purveyors of Armstrongism have made over the years. He also implies that those concerned about climate change will destroy American sovereignty.

But just like every other false prophet, they just change the dates and keep preaching disaster unless we conform to their One World solutions.  By the way.  Their solutions do not include a sovereign and prospering United States of America.  No, we're the problem and they've got all the answers.  And none of those answers include God because, scientists and socialists know better.     

Mark

Overall this missive of his seems to be in particularly bad taste considering the ongoing disaster caused by Hurricane Michael. Also Mark Armstrong was born in the 1950s but the rest of us who were born later and are being born at present will have to face the consequences of climate change long after Mark Armstrong goes the way of all humanity. Hopefully the climate change crisis will be manged effectively by future generations. If so it will be without the help of deniers like Mark Armstrong.

Mark Armstrong on the Kavanaugh Controversy

On October 5, 2018, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of Herbert Armstrong, released yet another of his weekly updates. Let's take a look at what he has to say.

He discusses the recent observance of the Armstrongite Feast of Tabernaces, which is very different from how the Bible describes it or how Jewish communities celebrate it.

Greetings from Tyler, 

We hope you all had a joyful Feast of Tabernacles, wherever you may have been.  We had to cancel our Myrtle Beach site within the last week due to road closures and knocked out power at our facility.  Some were able to come down to Panama City Beach, and others went to Lake Barkley or Branson.  But some may not have been able to relocate, and we hope they were able to salvage the occasion in spite of everything. 

He contrasts the joy of their Armstrongite Feast of Tabernacles with current political developments. Mark Armstrong happens to be staunchly right wing and he constantly denounces anyone left of his preferred president.

There were warm and joyful crowds at each of the other Feast sites, and I know that some were sorry to see it come to a close.  But having returned back, we're more keenly aware of the fragile state of decency and decorum, especially in the highest of chambers and just outside.  Some three hundred were arrested in and around the Capitol just yesterday.  They're screaming at the top of their lungs, scared half to death that their socialist dreams are going up in smoke.

This is not an apt comparison since those who attend the Intercontinental Church of God's Armstrongite version of the Feast of Tabernacles chooses to attend but the United States of America is composed of many different communities and interests which inevitably have disagreements with each other in managing society. Whereas Mark Armstrong leads an organization composed for the most part of people who agree to follow him.

Mark Armstrong scare mongers that some sort of civil war may soon erupt in the United States. He completely blames the left as he is wont to do even though it is mainly right wing individuals who speculate that a civil war may soon occur.

Some are warning that a “civil war,” a real one, is on the brink of breaking out in America.  That's pretty hard to imagine, particularly seeing how reserved and polite the masses seem to be, aside from the university snowflakes and legions of professional activists.  But there's no doubt in the wake of the battle over a single Supreme Court nominee, that the social justice “protesters” have descended to new depths in their accusations and behavior.

He constantly insists that there is some sort of "massive conspiracy" to unseat his preferred president. Even though he is careful not to say it directly nevertheless he implies that the women who has accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct were somehow not telling the truth. He once again expresses his hope that this "massive conspiracy" will one day be exposed and those involved in it will be humiliated in front the entire nation.

It is apparent that the same tactics were deployed against the prospective Justice as were used against President Trump before, during and ever since his electoral victory.  They simply made up, or paid others to make up the most unbelievably disgusting tales imaginable.  The info-garbage was laundered through the CIA (John Brennan), Congress (Harry Reid), the FBI (James Comey) and NSA (James Clapper).  That's nowhere near the end of the list.  Many others in the last administration and in the Department of State also have their fingerprints all over the attempted coup to overthrow the presidency of Donald Trump.  We know many of their names, some of which are very prominent figures in the previous administration.  They'll all achieve fame beyond their wildest imaginations if there's any justice to be had. 

He implies that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was part of this "massive conspiracy" against his preferred president and now, he says, this "massive conspiracy" is directed at Brett Kavanaugh.

And what a coincidence!  Though the information will likely not be recognized by mainstream outlets, several are players attached to the same corrupt agencies and firms that are deeply involved in orchestrating and choreographing the late hit on Judge Kavanaugh.  It turns out that one of the “witnesses” named by Ford was pressured to change her testimony by (former FBI agent) Monica McLean-- which has been reported to the WSJ and to the Judiciary committee, with saved texts as proof.  Ford's attorneys also have curious connections with players involved in the plot to destroy the Trump presidency. 

He rallies his followers to adopt his political stance by insisting that the "massive conspiracy" against his preferred president somehow threatens American sovereignty. He also once again dismiss the severe problem of climate change and dismisses it as a plot to weaken American power.

Regardless of tomorrow's outcome, the battle will rage on in ways that will shock us all.  At stake is the whole “globalist” plan.  It's not just the sacraments of the left, a woman's “right to choose,” queer matrimony, global warming and open borders.  It's the whole prospect of American sovereignty which was being erased by a series of administrations, federal agencies and many in Congress.  Some of the players in the background are foreign actors and entities, whose power would be increased exponentially if U. S. sovereignty could be suborned to international courts, the UN and the international arbiters of “global warming.” 

He once again vilifies the political left as he so often does.

The stakes are so high now that the socialists have discarded their masks, with the exception of Antifa.  That bunch of rag-tag domestic terrorists will continue to commit crimes while concealing their own identities.  They are loud, proud and there are seemingly no depths below which they won't stoop.

He descends into the darkness of promoting baseless conspiracy theories by shamefully implying that Seth Rich was somehow murdered for political reasons. There is no evidence to support that outlandish claim.

Remember what happened to Steve Scalise?  That fate and worse could easily have befallen a great many members of the House.  And why has there never been any progress toward solving the murder of Seth Rich?  Those are only a couple of well-known names, but there are others that if the mainstream media has its way, will never enter public consciousness.

Mark Armstrong somehow ignores the problem of political violence committed by right wing extremists. Somehow that terrible problem is not worth mentioning here.

He then complains that accusations will follow those accused for life. The possibility that such accusations just might be true is somehow completely ignored.

The more outrageous the accusations against anyone that might promote the Trump agenda from any office of power, the more the mainstream media loves to repeat them endlessly.  The damage is not temporary or limited.  It has become part of the public record that will follow the accused, and those who love and respect them to the end of their days.  Regardless of the final outcome of any investigation, the slander has already done permanent damage.  Judge Kavanaugh will no more be able to extricate his name from the accusations oft repeated by national outlets than was Justice Thomas.  Now, thanks to the media's lust for the most shocking of tales against anyone perceived as leaning conservative, the accusations are permanently attached. 

He ends his missive by denouncing lies and bearing tales thus implying that those he oppose on political matters are guilty of such things.

One of the things listed among those that God hates, is a lying tongue.  This premise is spelled out in the new monthly letter which you'll soon receive.  The Bible also has plenty to say about the “talebearer,” in Leviticus and more-so in the Proverbs.  It indicates that dredging up tales creates useless strife.  Put that together with breaking the Commandment against bearing FALSE witness and you see exactly what we have.  A nation on the brink.  We can take heart in the Proverb (26:27) regarding he who “digs a pit” or “rolls a stone.”  God will not be mocked.  Let's hope the professional agitators don't tear this country apart with their violent, insane tactics in the days or weeks ahead.  Thank God for the unexpected miracle that has given America one last opportunity to revive.

Mark

And so once again Mark Armstrong has shared his political opinions in his weekly update to his tithe paying flock.

Mark Armstrong on Criticism of Trump and "the Worldwide Queer Priest Situation"

Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of HWA, has released another weekly update (September 7, 2018.) Let us see what he has to say this time.

In this weekly update Mark Armstrong denounces criticism of his preferred president and delights in hoping that Pope Francis may be compelled to resign over instances of clerical abuse.

First he speaks up in defense of his preferred president.

Greetings from Tyler, 

In the case of the “Senior Administration Official” who saw fit to write an unsourced editorial for the New York Times.  Not only was the writer hidden away, so were all the members of the “resist” movement he (the NYT called the writer “he”) claims are working tirelessly inside the Trump administration to “protect” Americans from the most lunatic, unhinged directives of the president they despise.

Then he discusses Bob Woodward's new book, Fear: Trump in the White House.

Odd that no one who we know for sure works in close proximity to President Trump in the White House will vouch for any of the outlandish claims in the article.  It's also interesting that it was published alongside the release of Bob Woodward's book.  But the book does name names to go with the quotes.  He's got first-hand quotes attributed to General Kelly, General Mattis, the President's lawyers and others saying that Trump is like a big baby when he doesn't get his way; he's crazy; he's going to end up in an orange jump suit; and on and on.

There is no need to take their concerns seriously, Mark Armstrong assures his audience. It is all merely an echo chamber to slur Mark Armstrong's preferred president. If they all say the same thing it must be false.

The claims are nearly identical to those made in the Wolff book, those “reported” on CNN, MSNBC and mainstream outlets too numerous to mention.  They're the same “talking points” that have been trotted out daily for longer than we care to remember.  It's a lot like what they've done with the fake dossier and subsequent investigations.  They corroborate their own nonsense, and then claim it's further “proof” of what they've heard and known all along.

Mark Armstrong dismisses the the concerns raised about the administration of his preferred president by suggesting that these rumors spread by officials with a proverbial ax to grind.

It is pretty unusual to have men of the stature of those quoted come out and say it's not true, none of it, but that's just what has happened.  Maybe the author had sources, but apparently they had an ax to grind.  Maybe you've noticed how many in high positions have been willing to take enormous personal risks to rid the White House of one Donald Trump.  The number of officials willing to break rules, regulations and for that matter the law, is nearly endless.  They're like kamikaze pilots who expect to survive and win the war.

Mark Armstrong assures his audience that scare mongering about an alleged "deep state" cabal is true.

After two years of denying that there is any such thing as the Deep State, somebody (in the NYT editorial) is telling us that it not only exists, but that we should be comforted in the knowledge.  We should feel secure in the knowledge that there are “adults in the room,” and that many are working hard behind the scenes to counter the Trump agenda.  There's even the claim that papers have been pilfered from the resolute desk before the president could sign them, thus preventing actions intended to proceed.  And they (members of the Deep State) are proud, so proud to be able to serve their country in such a way.

Mark Armstrong ends this discussion by stating his hope that whoever wrote the New York Times op-ed will be exposed and face negative consequences.

Needless to say, there is now a furious hunt for the identity of the author and others he mentions as part of the cabal.  Rand Paul made news when he said lie-detector tests for all these employees would be justified.  The President himself questioned whether their actions were tantamount to “treason.”  Maybe not in the strictest definition, but sedition, maybe.  May they all be identified and subjected to the same kind of “justice” they've visited on the president's allies.  Hopefully the President will declassify the warrants and papers that will expose their sedition and we won't have to wait forever for resolution.

Mark Armstrong then discusses ongoing issues regarding clergy abuse within the Roman Catholic Church. Shamefully he implies that the problem of clergy abuse is because they are, he implies, gay once again reinforcing the vilification of LGBT peoples which is so common among the Armstrongite COGs. Some of the more inflammatory portions of his bitter tirade are highlighted.

The pope may be in a heap of trouble.  When offered the opportunity to respond to accusations from within the Catholic hierarchy, that he was personally informed of the hideous activities of certain high-ranking priests he did nothing.  In the case most visible, he allowed the offender to represent the Vatican in high profile missions and international negotiations.  When asked about it, the pope said he would “not say one word about this.”  And with good reason.  It appears that there is, and has been for decades, an epidemic of child molestation and rape of the homosexual variety. 

He continues with these words.

We haven't seen much in the way of follow-up to the police raids upon priestly residences within the Vatican, where men of the holy robes were engaged in “drug-fueled, gay” orgiastic behavior.  Presumably the “church's” superior power and wealth have been brought to bear to squelch further mention of the reports in the Italian media.  It's beginning to look as though the whole procession of ridiculous hats and frocks, hands held in a steeple and mournful facial expressions, are a bunch of screaming queens when they're not shuffling around in slow motion.

For some reason Mark Armstrong insists on calling Pope Francis a "twerp" once again. Shamefully Mark Armstrong calls the clergy abuse crisis within the Roman Catholic Church as "the worldwide queer priest situation" once again vilifying LGBT communities as is so often done within the Armstrongite COGs.

 Now there's another one that we might never have heard of were it not for all the crush of unresolved scandal and the pope's trip to Latvia.  It's too evil, too filthy for description in these pages.  It involves an elderly priest having a mentally deficient young man, the “victim of human traffickers” delivered to him.  It's beyond ugly, and will hopefully result in criminal charges and convictions.  But the pope?  He's in this up to his goofy hat.  Maybe not the Latvian situation, but the worldwide queer priest situation.  Might this twerp be driven from his velvet perch? 

He ends his tirade by condemning Pope Francis as being "pro-gay, pro-global warming, pro-immigrant, pro-socialism and anti-Western civilization" and strangely refers to the Vatican City as a "powerful nation state".

Who knows.  Usually, there are angry apologists who go on TV and threaten and warn any outlet of severe consequences for any “defamation” of the powerful nation state or its “holy” leaders.  Lately however, they're nowhere to be seen.  Maybe it's different this time.  The metastasizing scandal could be so huge that the pope will be forced to resign just to change the subject.  In that case there would be three living popes at the same time, an historical oddity to say the least.  We know this pope's posture.  We probably know more about his social posture than anything to do with his religious beliefs.  He's pro-gay, pro-global warming, pro-immigrant, pro-socialism and anti-Western civilization.  Trouble is he was chosen by Collage of Cardinals at the Vatican, and it was no accident.  Given the opportunity to choose a successor the pious so and sos might do even worse. 

When Mark Armstrong talks of "angry apologists who go on TV and threaten and warn any outlet of severe consequences for any “defamation” of the powerful nation state or its “holy” leaders" it sounds almost like he is describing how he himself talks of anyone who happens to criticize his preferred president.

He ends his weekly update announcing who will gave the sermon on Saturday and mentioning the upcoming Feast of Trumpet to be observed this Monday. Mark Armstrong's grandfather, HWA, appropriated the beautiful and ancient Jewish festival that is named the Feast of Trumpets and turned it into a festival to promote his teaching that (his heretical, non-trinitarian version of) Christ would soon return.

Dr. Ricks is in town for our annual board meetings along with others, and will deliver the main message at tomorrow's Sabbath service.  As you know, this Monday is the Feast of Trumpets, remembering Israel's ancient plight and picturing the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Have a wonderful Sabbath and Holy Day.

Mark 

And so Mark Armstrong's missive ends.

HWA was but a false prophet. Predictions based on his false prophecies are bound to fail.

Mark Armstrong on John McCain's Funeral

Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of HWA, had released another weekly update (August 31, 2018).

In this weekly update Mark Armstrong focuses on John McCain's funeral and once stir up xenophobia against Middle Eastern peoples by citing an incident in Chemnitz, Germany.

He begins by mischaracterizing the mourning for Senator McCain as some sort of "deification" of him.

Greetings from Tyler, 

For a week now we've witnessed the deification of departed Senator John McCain.  The mainstream media has fallen all over themselves in praise and glorification.  Odd, they weren't feeling so magnanimous toward him when he ran for president against Barack Obama.  He certainly wasn't depicted as the saint they've presented upon his death. 

When Senator McCain ran for the there is of necessity much debate and contention about how the nation is to be governed. But when Senator McCain passed away naturally everyone who knew him mourned his passing away. Somehow Mark Armstrong does discuss the difference of the two different situations.

Mark Armstrong then parrots how he says the mainstream media negatively characterized Senator McCain's presidential campaign in 2008.

No, he was the candidate who “surrounded himself with ideological and political extremists.”  He was the warmonger who would commit America to endless war in Iraq and probably attack Iran.  His presidential campaign, in fact his whole career was “riddled with lobbyists and special interests.”  He sided with supporters, “who believe Islam is evil and gays are immoral.”  He would pack the Supreme Court “with extreme conservatives” to see abortion banned.  He had a notoriously volatile temper, and had frightened members of his own party.

Mark Armstrong adores the president. So much so that even though so many were in mourning upon the occasion of Senator McCain's death he condemns him for opposing Mark Armstrong's preferred president.

That was 2008, when Senator McCain was running for president with the lovely and outspoken Sarah Palin, who he later snubbed repeatedly.  But on this week-long occasion of ceremonial speeches he's a saint who was less than perfect.  Certainly everyone must respect his military service, the injuries he sustained and the brutality he suffered at the hands of the North Vietnamese.  But where he really earned his stripes in the eyes of the mainstream media was his bitterly “Never-Trump” posture and the recent actions he took in resistance to the Trump administration.  One of his last votes in the Senate was to stop the abolition of Obamacare, when his was the deciding vote.  But he really propelled himself into the stratosphere of sainthood when he dis-invited the President from attendance at his funeral.  Talk about mainstream rehabilitation! 

Mark Armstrong often says that mainstream media outlets are engaged in some sort of "massive conspiracy" to oppose his preferred president. He continues this theme by citing the coverage of Senator McCain's death.

Maybe you've seen the tone of the week-long coverage and some of the headlines, but just in case… From the New York Times, How McCain Got the Last Word Against Trump; Independent.uk, John McCain funeral was 'unmistakable rebuke' to Donald Trump; Business Insider, DC is going all-out for John McCain's funeral, but Trump's not invited; Express.uk, Trump BANNED in final SNUB; NBC news, McCain doesn't want Trump at funeral; CNN, McCain didn't want Trump...Fox News, Sarah Palin not invited to McCain funeral; The Hill, Trump won't attend McCain's funeral, (and a personal favorite)  Guardian.uk, Trump sits alone sulking as Washington pays respects… 

Mark Armstrong fantasizes about this "massive conspiracy" among the mainstream media outlets will collapse and face retribution.

Having witnessed one of the more rousing rally appearances ever last night (Evansville, IN), Trump wasn't sitting alone, and he was anything but “sulking.” But we've become mighty accustomed to the relentless spin (and worse) from the mainstream media.  It seems all the practice they've put in is actually hurting their effectiveness.  In their desperate campaign to see President Trump charged with a crime or impeached and removed, they've employed the sloppiest of tactics.  They've used anonymous sources by the score, and it seems likely that one day (if not soon) we will learn that their secret sources are often household names.  In some cases, they were the same individuals being used as on-air intelligence experts. 

He continues with his fantasy of the defeat of mainstream media for opposing his preferred president.

CNN really bit one off with the farcical tale of Clinton hack Lanny Davis, now representing the(“Trump fixer”) beleaguered Michael Cohen.  Now they've become the story, and look to be stubbornly clinging to an impossible position.  But hey, it’s CNN, the least trusted name in news.  We can't begin to deal with all the twists and turns of the media-wide mission to “dump Trump.”  Let's just say that everything that looked to be evident last year is being borne out through documentation, revealed communications and testimony.  What will be most entertaining, if and when the time finally comes, will be watching the mainstream admit the hoax they've been salivating over, force-feeding whatever audience remains with their “Russian-collusion” fantasy about the Trump campaign.  Here's hoping we all live long enough to see it happen.

At this point Mark Armstrong changes topics to once again stir up xenophobia about immigrants in Europe. Mark Armstrong often scare mongers about the immigration situation in Europe. He often bring up this issue in a crude and sensationalist manner. This time he mentions tensions in Chemnitz, Germany.

There's been another “incident” in Europe's immigrant disaster.  A couple of Middle Easterners (Syrian and Iraqi) were hassling German girls in the city of Chemnitz in southern Germany recently when three German young men happened along. They intervened to tell the “migrants” to leave the girls alone, and were attacked by the immigrants wielding knives.  Two of the German men were slashed and injured, one was killed having been stabbed to death.  But that's not the story, in fact it was probably never to have been reported at all. 

He makes the inflammatory accusation that the German government is hiding crimes committed by migrants.

The story is that someone leaked the information, including the arrest warrant identifying the “migrants.”  That's just not supposed to happen anywhere in Europe, but particularly not in Germany.  So they've had demonstrations in Chemnitz every day for a week, which has seriously upset Angela Merkel and the European media.  The most grievous crime committed apparently wasn't the murder of a young German man at the hands of Middle Eastern “migrants,” as you'll see if you search the subject.  The real crime was leaking information regarding the circumstances of the murder.  And authorities are all over it.  They've got to find out who was responsible for letting the information out.

Mark Armstrong then indulges in some Islamophobic revisionism by saying that "the Nazi's [sic] were allied with the Muslims during WWII, both having a visceral hatred of Jews." This is a dreadful mischaracterization of the situation in World War II that slurs a major world religion as being somehow allied with Nazism.

According to reports the protesters numbering close to ten thousand people have clogged the streets of Chemnitz every day this week.  They are “Nazis” according to the press, and some have been arrested for having given the “Nazi salute.”  Funny thing is the Nazi's were allied with the Muslims during WWII, both having a visceral hatred of Jews.  That aspect of history is readily available.  Now however, anyone worrying about the immigrant crisis in Europe is automatically labeled a hate filled Nazi.  Sound familiar?

Mark Armstrong ends this weekly update insisting that major changes will soon occur as Armstrongites have constantly insisted since the 1930s.

With the Catholic church mired in a scandal of monumental proportions, now rising to include the pope himself in having supported and hidden out abusive (in the worst sense of the word) priests;Europe in the middle of a Muslim immigration crisis of its own making, and the press trying its level best to manage (withhold) information to the masses, something is going to give.  Bible prophecy indicates that major changes are coming in Europeand to the Middle East, and when they do it will be no secret.  

Mark

Armstrongites have been waiting since the 1930s for America to be conquered just before Christ's return and yet that has never happened. HWA was merely a false prophet so making predictions based on his false prophecies are bound to fail.

Mark Armstrong on Turkish Crisis, Alex Jones, Portland Protest and Social Media

Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of Herbert Armstrong, has released another weekly update of his (August 10, 2018). Let us see what he has to say this time.

In this weekly update Mark Armstrong discusses the fall of the Turkish lira, Alex Jones expulsion from various social media outlets and more vilification of various left wing persons and movements.

First he mentions the current economic crisis in Turkey.

Greetings from Tyler, 

The big story today is Turkey, and how its currency is collapsing.  You can read headlines about sanctions against Turkish officials freezing their assets in the U. S. and retaliatory sanctions against American officials.  But that doesn't explain why the Turkish lira is in free fall.  The recent poor relations with Turkey come from the fact that an American pastor is being held in prison on charges of “Christianization.”  Plus, Erdogan claims that a man who helped organize an attempted coup against him is hiding in the U. S. and there is no effort to extradite him back to Turkey to face legal charges.  If Turkey's fate depends on waiting for President Trump to blink, good luck to them.

Below Mark Armstrong incorrectly labels Turkey as a member of the European Union. While Turkey has tried to join the EU and its predecessor, the European Economic Community, since 1987 it is still waiting to join.

He also speculates that the economic situation's negative effects for Europe may prove "to be the big story." Armstrongites have constantly fear mongered that Europeans would soon conquer the United States since the 1930s. That dire prediction is nothing but a false prophecy. There is no need to be afraid of such dire predictions.

As Turkey's economy falters, Erdogan is blaming the United States, whatever that's worth.  But Turkey is a member of the EU and of NATO.   Several European nations, notably Spain, loaned fabulous sums to Turkey and its financial institutions when the outlook was rosier.  Tremors rumbled through the world's financial markets with the news of Turkey's currency devaluations but seem to have stabilized.   Longer term, EU exposure to a Turkish collapse, at a time when European nations are already faltering, may turn out to be the big story.

He then discusses the recent banishment of the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from various social media sites. He never mentions that this move occurred in response to an apparent threat Jones made towards Robert Mueller. However Mark Armstrong uses this issue to make people afraid of the potential power of social media websites.

Here's a lesson that should have been learned long ago.  Banning a book, movie, or in this case an alternative media outlet, is likely to make it more popular than ever.  From what we can tell so far, people who believe in freedom of speech but who would never otherwise go to Alex Jones or INFOWARS as their source of news or opinion, are acquiring the app in large numbers just to go against the apparent social justice monopoly that exists among social media companies.  For several of the top tech outfits to all banish somebody on the same day indicates coordination.  After all, the occasionally offensive, sometimes bogus content of Alex Jones rants has been out there for ages. It didn't just emerge this week, it's been part of the background static since before the Internet was conceived.

So often Mark Armstrong uses these weekly updates to vilify and demonize the left. He continues with that theme again here but this time seeks to blame social media companies as being supportive towards left wing movements that Mark Armstrong opposes.

We've noticed that the corporate giants have behaved as enforcers of every politically correct doctrine, demanding that neither terrorists nor criminal aliens be insulted while working to legitimize radicals, whether Black Lives Matter or Antifa.  Network outlets and the flagship newspapers that steer their content practice censorship on a continuing basis. They publish what they want their audiences to react to and don't pay any attention to anything that goes against their socialist narrative.  Everyone who notices is either “doing the bidding of Vladimir Putin,” or Nazis, according to them and their apologists.

He then accuses social media companies of supporting protesters who opposed a far right, racist rally in Portland, Oregon.

It's not just the way they report, it's what they won't report.  A current example is what happened this week that, if roles were reversed, would have been wall-to-wall.  In Portland, the black-clad, masked and misnamed Antifa “protesters” hurled racial epithets into the faces of black ICE officers calling them names that have been effectively banished from the English language.  There are of course exceptions made for rappers, gang-bangers and residents of the “hood.”  They can scream out whatever they want, at anybody they want.  That's understood and accepted by pretty much everybody, because you see, they are the “victims,” lashing out against their oppressors.  Antifa is not a “protest” at all.  It's mob is made up of fascist thugs (mostly white) who hurt people or damage property to intimidate all opposition.  They demand open borders, free stuff and government mandates to punish and do away with capitalism. Notice how the Portland, Oregon mayhem this week went almost completely unnoticed by mainstream outlets.

He seeks to portray himself and his intended audience as being better than the mainstream media and leftists he so often condemns.

Radicals are the media darlings.  Journalists and networks largely understand their logic even when there is none, promote their demands, attack their detractors, participate in calling patriots racist bigots and run perpetual interference.  Don't they realize that their own round the clock attempt to humiliate and destroy Donald Trump helped result in his winning the presidency?  Calling him and any who would dare vouch for him every evil epithet has not worked.  They've apparently convinced themselves that EVERYONE, save the deplorable, irredeemable garbage people in flyover country, detest him and therefore cheer their efforts to destroy his presidency.  It's not working.

Mark Armstrong indulges scare mongering that the mainstream media are preparing to silence right wing voices like Fox News and himself. He even insists "dozens of stories" have been kept hidden by mainstream media outlets.

There are parallels in these situations that highly educated (indoctrinated) elite opinion makers just can't grasp.  Maybe in hindsight, but not yet.  In the meantime, this may just be the beginning.  The primary networks still operate in lock step.  They (including former star anchors and some in the Senate) dream of the day when there is a single authority sitting as judge and jury presiding over the distribution of information.  This may be the “tip of the iceberg,” as they say.  Fox News already is no panacea.  They have an equal share of naysayers, emotional defenders of Antifa, BLM, Obama, Hillary and the obvious corruption of the premier agencies.  But dozens of stories, particularly those that show corruption in the FBI, CIA, Department of Justice and others, have reportedly been spiked.  Only when a story goes so viral that one of the other mainstream outlets publishes it, will it see the light of day on Fox News.  But that's not good enough.  The radical socialists (including some in very high office) would love to see it banished.  The Trump era has them so rattled, they've dispensed with the “moderate” routine and shown their true socialist colors.

He accuse those he opposes of wanting "conservative speech completely banned" encouraging a sense among his intended audience of being persecuted by those Mark Armstrong opposes.

Most of us realize that loads of false and misleading information is spilled into the public discourse daily.  We either look in on it occasionally to see what others are banking on, or ignore it altogether.  That's not nearly good enough for those that want conservative speech completely banned for the “survival of our democracy,” which to them means mob rule.  May freedom of speech prevail over the machinations of the enforcers, the violent “protesters,” the network anchors, their expert panels, and the tech companies that are pushing the limits of monopolistic censorship.  And they have the nerve to call everybody else “fascist!”

He then complains that these social media companies have hindered his organization's attempts to gain more converts by promoting their writings.

Either you hate Trump and want the U. S. to get back to the Obama transformation or face banishment by the self-appointed guardians of socialist snowflakes.  They've intervened in some of our efforts as well, rejecting boosts for The Answer to Unanswered Prayer.  Arguing with them via e-mail gets nowhere, so we'll find other ways.  We will keep pumping out the Good News and the bad news as it plays out.  Truth is, it feels a lot safer now than it has for many years.  

Mark

And we see that Mark Armstrong continues his rant against the political left and to stir up hostility against the left.

Mark Armstrong Blames "Condescending Homosexuals" for President's Troubles

Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of Herbert Armstrong, has released yet another weekly update (August 3, 2018). Let us see what he has to say this time.

The media are so mean to his preferred president, Mark Armstrong exclaims as he so often does.

Greetings from Tyler 

Is there some news in the world that doesn't contain an angle that involves President Trump?  Apparently not.  In truth, the networks can't believe he's still in office. They've reported his demise 24 hours a day ever since his inauguration.  Across the board coverage is 90% negative, and if you look in on the mainstream outlets the number seems low.  It implies that there's 10% positive reporting and there is no such thing, unless you count the perfunctory duty of passing along the financial data dealing with jobs added, unemployment numbers and improving trade deficits.  That must be the explanation for the missing 10 percent.  But those passing along the information can't see it as positive.  After all, it contradicts every expert they've trotted out to foretell catastrophe.

Then Mark Armstrong complains about social media companies and scare monger that they are hiding the truth making it harder for Mark Armstrong's intended audience to adopt the same conclusions as himself. The implication is that other sources of information are not to be trusted.

We think we've got the answer to every question, the resolution of every dispute on the gadget in everyone's pocket.  Now we're finding out that every social media platform is manipulating the information they provide.  They've managed to banish what they'd rather you not know, while promoting things they do want you to believe.  Maybe that's why they lost incalculable sums last week.  Both Facebook and Twitter had a mighty bad last week, losing a substantial percentage of their net worth.  

And mentioning Facebook prompts Mark Armstrong to talk about Xinjiang, China. He says the Chinese government is treating the Muslim communities there harshly even though Mark Armstrong himself has often vilified Muslims in these weekly updates. Islamophobia is very common among the Armstrongite COGs.

Facebook has reportedly agreed to launch a search engine in China, censoring information to include only what the communist Chinese officials want published.  There will be no mention of Taiwan, because the Chinese insist that it is their sovereign territory.  This comes at a time when the Washington Post is reporting that China is arresting Muslims wholesale, sending them to reeducation camps so large that they can be seen from space.  They've outlawed long beards, banned the name Mohamed, and the few family members that have escaped to the United States or some refuge of relative freedom elsewhere say that their family members have not been heard from since they were hauled off.  

He says all this about Xinjiang to insist that his preferred president is not so bad. He then condemns the New York Times for hiring Sarah Jeong, who is not even mentioned by name by Mark Armstrong.

But President Trump is Hitler.  The Asian woman who was just hired to the New York Times editorial board brags that she was calling Trump Hitler before it was cool, along with her musings about using her guns to kill cops and her blatant hatred toward “white men” in particular and “white people” in general.  Her defense, and that of the Times is that she intended the comments as satire, and was only using the kind of language that had been directed toward her on social media.  Oh, now we understand.

Mark Armstrong complains that so many people are fact checking his preferred president. How dare Americans should expect accountability from their elected president. He says that such people are "depending on condescending homosexuals to inform them" making the absurd and hateful accusation that members of the LGBT community are somehow orchestrating a campaign of slurs against his preferred president.

Meanwhile, every uttered syllable by the President is diagrammed, fact checked (by left-wing group-think tanks), and deemed to be fraudulent LIES.  They're keeping track, and send out their mouthpieces to gleefully claim that he's told thousands of them.  Apparently, there are enough people depending on condescending homosexuals to inform them that it keeps the outlets in business.  They speculate endlessly on the smoking gun that may emerge, while standing up to their ankles in smoking guns.  Those are all conspiracy theories hyped by the president's handful of supporters in Congress.  You know, Bob Goodlatte, Devin Nunes, Jim Jordan, Ron De Santis, Matt Gaetz and Mark Meadows.  That's about it.  The other 429 members of the House are hiding out or waiting for impeachment proceedings to begin, because no news is good if it benefits the president. 

He once again complains that people not on board with his devotion for his preferred president are lacking in humor.

So you better not laugh out loud when you see any portion of the rallies that took place in Tampa or Wilkes Barre, PA.  Nothing is allowed to be funny anymore, particularly if it disputes the rulings of the truth detectors.  You may chuckle in derision if you must, but you'd better role your eyes in disgust at the same time.  The most trusted name in news has pronounced fifty percent of the American population racist, deplorable bigots who go along with the success story being told on stage.  Toothless garbage people who demean the media as FAKE NEWS and the enemy of the people.  They keep telling us, “Somebody's going to get hurt!”

Even though most politically motivated violence in the United States are committed by right wing extremists Mark Armstrong dismiss fears that belligerant rhetoric against the mainstream media will lead to violence by scare mongering of violence by leftists.

Ever heard of Steve Scalise?  He got hurt, nearly killed.  If not for quick intervention a whole segment of legislators might have been killed by a deranged leftist who thought he'd fix everything.  What about Antifa, the hooded enforcers of the kind of mandated socialism the networks and the leftists politicians demand for us?  Portland, Oregon has apparently become the new battle ground, one of many, and is bracing for conflict this weekend.  They demand that ICE be abolished and apparently want to see the whole landscape over-run at taxpayer expense. 

He then brings up Obama even though he is no longer in power. He also says that white farmers are about to lose their land in South Africa and are facing much instances of violence. Without question the situation in South Africa is dreadful. Why is it that he only mentions the plight of white farmers in regards to South Africa? He effectively ignores the fact that criminal violence affects everyone in South Africa, not just white farmers.

Meanwhile our former president visits South Africa, where white farm owners are being murdered and their land confiscated by government decree, and he praises the South African president for being such an inspirational figure. 

Mark Armstrong insists that the media are hiding the "many, many" successes of the administration of his preferred president. Perhaps he should detail these "many, many" successes in future weekly updates. Surely it would be better than these bitter missives of his.

Hilariously he scare mongers about the "purveyors of information" supposedly trying to remove his preferred president from power. Does this mean anyone purveying information are a threat to his preferred president?

He also claims that those he oppose teach an "ideology that America is intrinsically evil because slavery was practiced everywhere during the period of our national inception." This is a crude straw man argument against those who study the issue of slavery in American history.

Liberty within Law was God's intent for mankind.  Most of western civilization has squandered its blessings, run over by the arguments and word games of Marxism.  Fairness, equality, diversity, you know the drill.  The United States, against all odds, has a leader who is not impressed with globalism, diversity, climate-change mandates or the ideology that America is intrinsically evil because slavery was practiced everywhere during the period of our national inception.  He may have the support of approximately half of the population who cares but the whole bureaucratic government sees any success as a threat to their way of life.  The media sees every success (and there are many, many) as another chink in their dwindling credibility.  Enjoyable as the spectacle may be, it rests on very few shoulders that matter.  The pendulum could swing back, and the purveyors of information are doing everything in their power to see that it does. 

He then ends his missive by stating how thankful he is that his preferred president is in power. His assumption of the presidency is hailed as "a miracle of national revival". He also insists that "our blessings, our identity" and "our liberty" was on the verge of being "lost" before the rise of his preferred president.

When it looked like all was lost, our blessings, our identity, our liberty, we witnessed a miracle of national revival that has infuriated the media, the educational institutions and for some reason the corporate giants.  We'd better not take it for granted.  There's a chance now to express our faith openly, and repent of the heinous national sins heaped upon us by wretched ideological judges who not only think themselves above the Constitution, but way above the Laws of God.  That appears to be changing, but we can't afford to squander the opportunity that presents itself. It may be our last chance. 

Mark

He then adds in a postscript discussion of how his organization is trying to recruit new tithe paying members.

P. S.  We were welcomed warmly by David Overstreet, Jr., his wife and the people in Tampa last Sabbath.  With 28 in attendance, thirteen very fine people were new to us and we surely enjoyed their participation.  My son Michael was on hand to provide statistics from our on-line advertising.  Here's the latest.  Our posts have been viewed by almost 4 million, with 1,200 new page “followers,” and 39,000 NEW visitors to our website.  One current campaign is directing “Is God a Mystery?” to people who are specifically interested in the “Trinity.”  That should get interesting.  More to come...

May such attempts of gaining new tithe paying recruits fail miserably.

Mark Armstrong on Supreme Court Nomination, Facebook, Iran, the Trade War and Immigration to the EU

Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of Herbert Armstrong, has released another weekly update (July 27, 2018). Let us see what he has to say this time.

This week Mark Armstrong boasts about his preferred president being able to appoint right wing judges to the Supreme Court; scare mongering about Iran; and once again complaining about immigrants.

Greetings from Tyler, 

It seems we're caught in something of a whirlwind. The press slavering for something, ANYTHING that might bring the Trump agenda to a screeching halt.  All but one mainstream network has been trying and convicting the president of every conceivable evil motive, perpetual lying, conspiracy and probable obstruction of justice. 

News programs on television networks cannot try or convict anyone of criminal offenses. That role is fulfilled by the judicial authorities, not TV news programs.

After this Mark Armstrong hysterically insists that should the government enforce laws he claims contradict his religion then it is usurping the power of God.

But we've seen our religious liberties reaffirmed by the current administration and by the Supreme Court.  For a while it looked like anybody, or any business could be baited into refusing to provide service in violation of their conscience.  Who do you want to be in trouble with, the STATE or God?  The STATE seemed to think it had replaced God.  Forget all that racist, bigoted, anti-gay stuff in the Bible.  No, the demonstrators know better.  They've decided what our values are, or what they should be, and the demand that the STATE not only adhere to their “progressive” (as they call them) “values” or prepare to be sued out of existence.  No wonder they're freaking out.  That may no longer be possible.

Mark Armstrong rubbishes the law of the land for contradicting his hostility against the LGBT community.

The fact that Constitutionalists are being appointed to the Supreme Court, means we're not going to see the kind of rulings that legalized and sought to MANDATE cooperation with every perversity, or else!  “It's the law of the land!”  How often were we lectured about “respect” for gay marriage?  As we noted many times over recent years, any law that contradicts the Laws of nature, God's Laws, is no law at all.

Mark Armstrong then exploits the recent fall in the stock market price of Facebook to insist that right wingers are skillfully putting pressure on Facebook for supposedly marginalizing right wing commentators.

Chances are we're going to see cases before the Supreme Court in the months and years ahead that won't go the way they'd been going for the last thirty some odd years.  These involve some of the most crucial national sins, having become not only legal, but nearly impossible to criticize. The social media phenomenon became an enforcer, and is to this day.  Maybe that's why Facebook  lost $100 billion dollars in two days this week. Their technical explanations about algorithms being to blame for banning conservative ideas didn't wash.  The notion that these mysterious algorithms have a mind of their own, and accidentally banish content that doesn't square with political correctness would be like saying CNN is the most trusted name in news.  Everybody, except the most committed of angry socialists, sees exactly what is going on.

Mark Armstrong's preferred president has initiated trade wars with the European Union and China. It is hard to know how this could disrupt the world economy. Americans will have to pay more for goods from these nations and get less profits exporting to them as well. No one wins a trade war. This will probably reduce the income for the COGs including the Intercontinental Church of God. But Mark Armstrong, receiver of the tithes, seems unworried. If anything he seems content to condemn anyone badmouthing his preferred president.

He also mischaracterizes an investigation seeking to uncover possible criminal activity as a "coup attempt to topple a presidency".

We've got scandals, corruption, and a (so far) failed coup attempt to topple a presidency that is projecting American success.  Whether internal dealings in economic matters, such as the rollback in the mandate-happy regulatory bureaucracy, or international relations with foes like North Korea, China, Russia and Iran, or allies like the the EU, France, Germany, the UK and Canada, the status quo has been turned on its head.  We heard not only the mainstream news but some of the most revered conservative voices scream bloody murder.  They said friendly nations are being punished by tariffs that will lead to a full-blown trade war, and that it is the American consumer who will pay.  But, as seen with this week's visit of the EU's Junker, tariffs, or the threat of them, may be a ploy to bring them to the negotiating table, and that looks to be what is happening. 

And just after talking about the trade war with the European Union he suddenly muses that Americans are quite focused on internal affairs.

Maybe we can be forgiven for being wrapped up in domestic drama. Much of the rest of the world is watching it closely and are wrapped up in it too. After all, the stakes are massive with implications for everything you can imagine. But there are other matters that scarcely make mainstream mention, even with round the clock news coverage.  

Mark Armstrong then scare mongers about Iran by mentioning Saudi Arabia's decision to avoid sending ships past war torn Yemen following an attack by the Houthis against Saudi shipping. Curiously he makes no connection between Saudi Arabia's involvement in fighting the Houthis and how that would give an incentive to the Houthis to attack Saudi shipping.

Saudi tankers were just attacked, apparently from Yemen, at the southern most strait of the Red Sea. For years there has been concern about the Straits of Hormuz, where oil shipments exit the Persian Gulf. But now Saudi Arabia has said it's curtailing shipments through the Bab al-Mandeb strait. How long might this go on, and with what effect on oil prices worldwide?  Yemen is in the midst of a years' long civil war, with Iran believed to be deeply involved. Needless to say, Saudi Arabia and Iran are enemies. 

Mark Armstrong then scare mongers about Iran as he has often done.

President Trump warned Iran this week about their penchant for threats against the United States and dire, apocalyptic  predictions if they are hindered in any way. Now they've threatened Trump's personal holdings, hinting they will use terrorism to “destroy everything you own.”  This should get good. Iran's leaders have been talking through their turbans (to put it kindly) for nearly forty years.  This time they just might get their bluff called.  They talk in terms of “the Iranian people.”  But the Iranian people are hostage to a troubled and brutal theocracy with tens of thousands (maybe more) in revolt. The leadership, however is involved in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and the results are pretty clear. You wouldn't want to vacation at any of those destinations. No doubt President Trump would be open to some kind of diplomatic deal, but chances of that are waning.

He then switches his attention to scare mongering about the European Union. He scare mongers that the arrival of immigrants has created a rise in crime but this is unlikely to be true. Generally immigrants are so busy trying to establish themselves that they tend to stay away from criminal activities in order to be allowed to stay where they are.

Europe is in political and economic turmoil. Angela Merkel is barely afloat in Germany and nobody seems to know what to do next about the mass migration she welcomed into all of Europe. Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal are economic basket cases and the whole thing is held together with baling wire and chewing gum. European news is so convoluted as to be exhausting in its complexity. The immigrant problem with its resulting crime has become a massive political issue, with some nations pulling the plug regardless of EU mandates.

He praises Prime Minister May for making a joke while trying to negotiate Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

Two years later, since the British voted to get out from under EU rule, everybody's still arguing and there seems to have been very little progress if any.  President Trump, it has emerged, suggested that Prime Minister sue the EU, which she related to an interviewer with good-natured levity.  It's good to see the she has retained her sense of humor in the whole mess. Everybody else seems to have lost theirs. 

He ends his missive by implying that these events point to Christ's return in the future.

It is a unique time, not only in the United States but in Europe, the Middle East and pretty much everywhere else. We know the outlines of Bible prophecy, and the table is not yet set.  However, you can clearly see that Europe is in economic and political tumult, as is the Middle East, and the onslaught of North African and Middle Eastern immigrants is just liable to upend the status quo, just as it has here in the United States. They're not sending their best. 

Mark

And so Mark Armstrong's weekly denunciation of the world outside of right wing America ends. He does not tend to vary his topics that often.

It is to be wondered if the income for his organization should just happen to go down in the near future would he realize that it could be because of the trade war initiated by his preferred president?

Mark Armstrong on NATO Summit, Brexit, Peter Strzok and Separated Children

Mark Armstrong, leader of the Intercontinental Church of God, son of Garner Ted Armstrong, grandson of Herbert Armstrong, has released another weekly update to his followers (July 13, 2018). Let's see what he has to say this time.

One common theme of his weekly updates is defending his preferred president and blaming just about any problems his preferred president faces on negative reporting by the media. It is often assumed that the media is doing this maliciously as part of a massive conspiracy to remove his preferred president from power.

Greetings from Tyler, 

You know of the NATO summit that took place this week. Our media reported it as President Trump bullying the leaders and “polite diplomats” like a bull in the china closet, throwing everything into disarray, and the emerging to declare victory. The first issue to be brought up in a “photo op” with live cameras was a big one. The President declared Germany a “captive” of Russia saying they've closed their coal and nuclear plants and are now relying on Russia for close to 70% of their energy needs. It's a deal worth untold billions of dollars and was made possible largely because the chairman of the Nord Stream pipeline corporation is Gerhard Schroeder, the former Chancellor of Germany.

Mark Armstrong also often dismisses environmental concerns as being alarmist and as an opening to being ruled over by foreigners.

Against the hopes of European leaders attending the summit, President Trump raised the issue even before official meetings got underway. Nord Stream 1 is already in operation, transporting natural gas to Germany. The second pipeline, Nord Stream 2 is intended to dramatically increase the amount of natural gas Russia can sell to Germany. It is being blocked, for now, by east European members of the EU who see their countries being bypassed by the pipeline, while Germany, Norway, Sweden and others have already signed on. Trump had the unmitigated gaul to ask what sense it makes for the United States to be providing military protection for Europe, from Russia, while energy security is being outsourced to Russia. “Explain that,” the president said. But there is no good explanation, other than Germany decided to go “green,” shutting down traditional energy production, and has inexplicably made itself hostage to Russian supplies.

Mark Armstrong complains that the United States had paid the majority of defense expenses in the NATO alliance casually ignoring that such expenditure makes it easier for the United States to exert influence upon the world.

Though the mainstream media will dispute this, NATO members appeared to have agreed to pay their share, two to four percent of GDP for NATO military defense, which mostly has been shouldered for decades by the United States of America. 

Mark Armstrong discusses the fallout after his preferred president made comments criticizing Prime Minister May for not advocating for a hard Brexit.

The President then went to London, where massive protests were organized against him while he met with Prime Minister Theresa May and visited Windsor Castle to meet the Queen. Though those visits appear to have been cordially diplomatic, statements were attributed to the President saying that May had botched Brexit, and that the U. S. may be unable to conclude a bilateral trade deal with the UK if the EU continues to exert control. We have no reason to doubt those sentiments were indeed expressed. Theresa May has put her government in jeopardy by negotiating a “soft exit” from the EU, leaving many European controls in place. Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, has resigned, citing her proposed deal with the EU. Now her position as Prime Minister is in serious jeopardy.

He then discusses the testimony of Peter Strzok. His testimony was rather well received outside of Republican audiences. Even Mark Armstrong obliquely admits this by describing the hearing as "not particularly productive." Mark Armstrong responds by insisting that Strzok is being "protected by the FBI and those running interference in the hearing."

While those events were playing out across the Atlantic, we've been treated to the three-ring circus that took place on LIVE television from the intelligence committee hearing in the House of Representatives. Peter Stzrok [sic] has become a household name. He gave a performance, punctuated by facial contortions we haven't seen since James Comey was mildly nauseated. Strzok was defiant, proudly lambasting President Trump despite being nailed to the wall by his own digital communications. But he was insufferably smug nevertheless, apparently confident that he'll be protected by the FBI and those running interference in the hearing. Most of us weren't able to watch the whole charade play out, but we've all seen clips that betray his denials. It was another necessary, if not particularly productive, step in proving what we've known for the better part of a year. He had no choice but to deny, deny and continue denying that his own words meant what they said. To do otherwise would amount to an admission to the dictionary definition of sedition, a high crime. 

No mention is made of Strzok's statement that he was disgusted at comments then candidate Trump made concerning a Gold Star family, namely Khizr and Ghazala Khan.

He claims that the investigation by Special Council Mueller is merely based on accusations from "Hillary's campaign ... against the Trump campaign". He also blames the Steele dossier even though rival Republican presidential candidates were among the initial sponsors of the dossier. Little did Mark Armstrong know that Mueller would issue indictments against twelve Russian military officers charging them with hacking the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic National Committee and other offense related to the matter. Mark Armstrong makes no mention of that indictment indicating that it was only released after the weekly update was posted. 

What they did is clear and has been since at least last December.  Hillary's campaign generated accusations against the Trump campaign, laundered them through the State Department, through “reliable sources” such as Christopher Steele and Glenn Simpson, and made sure numerous versions of the “dossier” were handed off to the FBI for investigation.  That's given us the diatribe that dominated every news report, generated the appointment of the Special Council.  That a “hostile foreign entity tried to control the outcome of an American election, subverting our democracy.”  Peter Strzok offered that same rendition, pretty much verbatim, and they're still feigning suspicion that Trump was in on it.  In Proverbial terms, they dug a pit for President Trump and covered it with branches and leaves.  While chasing him down, he skipped over their pit and they fell in it.  What can they do but claim amnesia?  

He then mentions the issue of children of undocumented immigrants being ripped away from their parents. He responds to this by insisting that children are being taken by persons unrelated to them. He makes no mention that the Trump Administration has now admitted that it is unable to return about twenty percent of the younger children that have been separated from their parents. But Mark Armstrong expresses no sympathy regarding this terrible problem.

(Please note: the following passage is presented as it was written.)

During the hearings, some of the hacks in Congress objected to the subject matter and started referencing children separated from parents at the border. You know, the real crisis that should have the full attention of every American. You can be sure they don't want anybody to see this, from Fox News. Migrant Children being used as a “commodity to circumvent loophole,” border agent says. Heightened concern over fraudulent family claims
Border patrol agents say they are alarmed by the growing number of migrants illegally crossing the border with children, who are not their own.
MCALLEN, Texas – Border patrol agents say they are alarmed by the growing number of migrants illegally crossing the border with children – who are not their own – to avoid long-term federal custody.
Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz said he’s seeing a growing number of migrant children crossing the border with adults pretending to be their parents. 

Even though it seems all too likely that some of the separated children will never be reunited with their families Mark Armstrong insists that people concerned about this issue are just showing off their virtue.

Do you still get points for compassion, if you're whipped into a frenzy but have no idea what you're talking about? The abolish ICE protesters better hope so. It's really just “virtue signaling,” another phrase necessitated by the practice of political correctness. They REALLY CARE, and you rotten patriots (racists) don't. It's false, no matter how big their signs or how loudly they shout, but they've got allies in Congress sponsoring a bill to abolish ICE. It won't go anywhere. But the record will show they care and those that want a nation with a border, don't. 

Mark Armstrong ends his weekly diatribe by ranting that those people will not judge him in the afterlife.

Those that CARE so much and want open borders and political correctness enforced around the world won't be our ultimate judge. They can call us names, claim they're smarter than we are and that we smell (what did Podesta say Hillary smelled like? Might have been worse than Strzok's Walmart shoppers. Yes, I believe it was.) But they won't judge us in the end, and with God's help we'll escape their socialist paradise permanently.  

Mark

And so Mark Armstrong ends his weekly diatribe defending his preferred president. Somehow managing the affairs of his organization is not worthy of being mentioned in these weekly updates of his.