A Mental Ecosystem

Crytek invites a revolutionary masterpiece in Crysis 2

2011-03-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

“Crysis 2″
5/5 Pitchforks
Released on March 22
PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Photo courtesy of Crytek Press Relations

It’s 2023 and New York City is in shambles. The Statue of Liberty’s dismembered arm lies crumbling in a crater, for not even its torch can pierce through the darkness brought on by devastatingly powerful aliens who swarm throughout this capitalist hallmark with a sole objective of annihilating mankind.

This is the cataclysmic setting in which players find themselves throughout the phenomenal experience that is “Crysis 2.”

Teetering on the edge of photorealism, the graphically surreal sequel follows the escapade of Alcatraz, a force-recon marine who is synergized with a cybernetic combat armor known as the Nanosuit 2, and his death-defying task of saving New York City from the terrifying grasp of an alien invasion and a lethal plague epidemic.

Within the first 10 minutes any hopes of a continuing storyline utilizing “Crysis’s” main character, Prophet, are dispatched by having the original cybernetic soldier adorn Alcatraz with the Nanosuit 2 and then promptly commit suicide.

Nevertheless, author Richard Morgan delivers a stellar, but slightly confusing, plot within “Crysis 2” that mainly focuses on the importance and power of the Nanosuit 2.

While the storyline is above average for a 13-hour-long first-person-shooter game, its immersion could have been vastly improved with more development of the Ceph invasion and Crynet organization.

For the first couple hours of story development, Alcatraz is tossed into the pit of a flaming New York City as he eludes the Crynet agency by skillfully slaughtering hordes of C.E.L.L. soldiers in order to rendezvous with conspiracy-loving computer geek Nathan Gould.

During these two hours campaign developer Crytek GmbH’s allure of creative violence is clearly signified with “Crysis 2’s” unique combat featuring the Nanosuit 2 and staggeringly brilliant artificial intelligence.

Unlike the typical first-person-shooter, Alcatraz isn’t able to pull a “Rambo” and attack his enemies head-on, expecting to survive unscathed. Attempting an action movie firefight results in an incredibly swift demise because every enemy works together better than the most polished military unit by quickly seeking cover, aggressively flanking Alcatraz and silently slipping behind him for disastrous coordinated assaults.

The only hope of survival is properly employing the powerful Nanosuit 2’s modules that bestow inhuman strength and speed, invisibility, and increased armor; however, regardless of what Nanosuit 2 ability is used, expect an enemy team to remain one step ahead of Alcatraz.

Luckily, New York City is an urban jungle made for the cybernetic war suit and provides a variety of explosive toys and destructible cover necessary to turn the tide against perhaps the most impressive artificial intelligence in video game history.

However, even though the enemies are incredibly intelligent, once dead they still on occasion partially glitch into walls or hover in mid-air.

Despite the AI’s frustratingly impressive fighting abilities and occasional bug, several exploitable weaknesses appear by thinking outside of the box.

A personal favorite is turning invisible and throwing three gasoline-filled barrels into a crowed roadblock of seven C.E.L.L. infantry. Once the enemy unit deployed small squads to search for who threw the barrels, I attach C-4 to a taxi cab and then kick it from the top of a parking garage directly in front of the opposing forces, shoot the car’s fuel tank, and watch the glorious explosion of elimination.

Best of all, this action is doable in the multi-player as well.

Multi-player developer Crytek UK, the team formerly known as Free Radical who is recognized for the “TimeSplitters” series, created the best combative first-person-shooter multi-player available by incorporating the best aspects of the “Battlefield,” “Call of Duty,” and “Halo” franchises.

Every player is adorned with a Nanosuit 2 with most of the abilities found within the campaign, which allows everyone to have a unique combat style and revolutionizes the combative first-person-shooter environment.

A player who prefers assimilating with New York’s towering scenery as a sniper may choose to cloak, sprint and then climb to higher ground for the best possible vantage point, making Swiss cheese out of adversaries along the way. While perhaps someone prefers the personal connection of close-quarters combat will activate the sprint function, grappling rails and performing incredibly epic parkour feats until he or she is close enough to fire a well-placed slug into the target’s head.

Nearly every problem found within the previously released multi-player demonstrations has been fixed. The final product does, however, leave the maximum armor function feeling a bit underwhelming, leaving players to rely more upon stealth before engaging in combat.

The game features 12 very well made multiplayer maps, five unlockable preset and custom load outs, six different game modes, 20 Nanosuit modules, 50 ranks and 200 dog tags.

Even though “Crysis” still feels more at home on a PC, by pushing the technical limits of the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, “Crysis 2” provides a wider audience of players with an incredibly rewarding campaign and remarkable combative multi-player that will awe players as a revolutionary adventure. Splicing “Crysis 2’s” fantastic gameplay with its surreally beautiful graphics sets this title up to be 2011’s game of the year.

Reach the reporter at tdmcknig@asu.edu

'Bulletstorm' excitingly redefines destruction

2011-03-01T22:03:00.001-08:00

TRAVIS MCKNIGHT
|The State Press|

4.5/5 Pitchforks
Released on Feb. 22, 2011.
PS3, Xbox 360
Rated Mature

Photo Courtesy of Electronic Arts, Inc

“Bulletstorm” is an innovative tale of revenge that pushes the boundary of creative destruction and over-the-top innuendo through wonderfully mindless violence that entices from the first fired round.

The 26th-century first-person-shooter game follows Grayson Hunt, the leader of a military sanctioned assassination squad known as Dead Echo, and his plan to murder General Sarrano – Grayson’s foul-mouthed commander who betrays the trust his assassination force after they discover Sarrano’s ordered targets have been civilians.

“Bulletstorm” kicks off to a fantastic cinematic beginning with Grayson and his comrade Ishi Sato interrogating a bounty hunter. The questioning sequence is spliced with crude sexual jokes and a slew of vulgarity. Once the duo is finished toying with the stuttering hostage, the hostage is jettisoned from an airlock into the cold depths of space.

Playing through this opening scene immediately establishes “Bulletstorm’s” playful mood of obscenities, defamations, innuendo, and ingenious violence.

Creatively murdering any opposing force that stands in between Grayson and his revenge is the pivotal attraction developers Epic Games and People Can Fly sought to instill within “Bulletstorm.”

The development duo completes their objective seamlessly.

Revitalizing the concept of utilizing destructive combat in order to progress, players must slaughter enemies by performing “skill-shots.”

Completing skill-shots reward a player with points to be spent on ammunition and weapon upgrades. Points are assigned depending on the creativity or difficultly a kill.

For example, shooting an explosive barrel to dispatch of an enemy battalion rewards players with the “Enviro-Mental” skill shot and 50 points per death, and if their bodies land in a cactus another 50 is rewarded for being “Pricked.”

Many skill shots also include “Bulletstorm’s” racy humor with kill rewards such as sausage fest, gang bang, gag reflex, drilldo and carpet bombing.

Several skill kills are only achievable by using the game’s wonderfully balanced stasis ability. By kicking an adversary Grayson releases a static charge within his boots and the opponent will electrically frozen while drifting through the air. These helpless lambs may also be encountered by employing Grayson’s leash augment.

The leash ability is akin to a whip and works quite well. Players can latch onto soldiers and throw them into the air. Paralyzed through stasis electrocution Grayson’s enemies are helpless as they slam into a hail of bullets and environmental hazards, which gruesomely pierce heads, limbs, and shower Grayson in blood.

However, If an opponent was firing when put into stasis, his finger stays frozen on the trigger and the storm of bullets can still cause moderate damage.

One of “Bulletstorm’s” greatest moments is destroying an enemy outpost via a Godzilla-sized mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex. The robotic machine of chaos easily leveled a force that would have annihilated Grayson.

The most innovative aspect to “Bulletstorm’s” combat is the sniper rifle. Akin to the 2008 film “Wanted,” bullets lock onto an enemy and are guided. This concept is really neat but quite tricky to get the hang of because enemies dodge the fired rounds.

The campaign is well paced and lasts about six hours. The game also contains co-operative play through horde onslaught modes similar to “Gears of War 2.”

Featuring an above average darkly humored plotline, a wide array of destructive weapons, extraordinary cut scenes, and surreally crisp graphics, “Bulletstorm” leaves players without a dull moment.

Reach the reporter at tdmcknig@asu.edu

Original 'The State Press' Article

Hands-on with "Rift: Planes of Telara"

2011-02-08T00:52:00.000-08:00

Travis McKnight

|The State Press|

(Photo courtesy of Trion Worlds, Inc.)

“World of Warcraft” is the epitome of an online video game. It has millions of dedicated players, meaning its revenue is arguably insurmountable by competitors. However, a new game is directly challenging Blizzard Entertainment’s giant.

Developed by Trion Worlds, Inc., “Rift: Planes of Telara” is an upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that is designed for experienced massively multiplayer online gamers and includes several unique evolutions to the online gaming scenario. With enough of a following behind “Rift,” it may pose a formidable threat to “World of Warcraft.”

In many ways, character creation in “Rift” is more analogous to a tabletop role-playing game than most other MMORPGs. “Rift” allows players to choose from four different base classes: Cleric, Mage, Rogue, and Warrior, each with seven unique talent specialization sub-classes.

By the time a player has acquired enough experience points to progress a character’s first eight levels, they have chosen three specialization sub-classes and are able to harmoniously play them all at once, creating a uniquely synergistic character.

After each level is achieved, the player is given two talent points to distribute as her or she feels fit between the multiple trees. However, once the character reaches level seven, only one point is given per odd level and two for every even level attained.

The story of “Rift” initiates with inter-dimensional time travel and planetary destruction. Two factions, the Guardians and the Defiant, are in dispute over how to save the world from an impending Armageddon by Telara’s supreme adversary, the death god Regulos.

For the seven hours I explored what “Rift” had to offer in its early adventure, I allied with the Defiant, playing a swift attacking Rogue with my sub-class talent specializations being Blade Dancer, Assassin and Rift Stalker.

One of the first things I noticed about “Rift” is the simplistic user-interface configuration. The game’s user-interface is well created, showing health and energy bars, combination points and status ailments hovering directly above the player’s character and target.

This allows more focus on combat and situational awareness than watching health bars and status modifiers does. Furthermore, at the low levels in which I played, “Rift’s” built in user-interface gives enough customization to avoid third party add-ons.

After the game’s introduction to character control, quests, looting, and combat, I was teleported back in time through a machine that fissured in the time-space continuum with the purpose of defeating Regulos.

Soon after my physics-defying journey ended, I noticed “Rift’s” golden attraction — tears between dimensions known as planar rifts. When a rift is opened, hordes of elementally inspired creatures whose purpose is the obliteration of Telara are summoned.

The best and worst aspect of the rift portals is their unpredictability. I had logged out for thirty minutes when everything was peaceful, fairly green and sunny. Once I logged back in, a death rift gate had been opened in the sky only yards away from where I stood; lighting strikes flashed across the sky and hordes of enemies attacked the friendly non-player-controlled characters immediately surrounding me. Caught off guard by the sudden change and overwhelming opposition, I ended up meeting a hasty demise.

Once dead I was given the options of “Soul Walk” and “Respawn.” “Soul Walking” allows a player to merge with a character’s body after 15 seconds has passed; however, during this time lapse, players are able to walk as a soul to wherever they would like, spawning at their current location once 15 seconds has passed. Choosing “Respawn” transports a player’s soul to a spirit healer. At this point the character must run to wherever his or her body is rotting to continue exploration.

A welcome change to many MMORPGs is that the soul receives durability damage upon death instead of instead of armor and weapons. This reduces combat effectiveness by 10 percent each demise, but a healer can repair the soul for a fee. Overall, the healer’s fee is vastly cheaper than repairing individual inventory items.

With “Rift,” Trion Worlds, Inc. has effectively created a fun and worthwhile alternative to “World of Warcraft” and the slowly improving “Final Fantasy XIV.” However, “Rift” may befuddle many novice MMORPG players with its over-zealous class customization, complicated move rotations and rampant situational awareness experiences.

“Rift: Planes of Telara” is scheduled to release on March 1, 2011.

Reach the reporter at tdmcknig@asu.edu

Original 'The State Press' Article

Preview: Hands on with Crysis 2 multiplayer

2011-02-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

Travis McKnight

|The State Press|

(Photo courtesy of Electronic Arts)

As much of the competitive video gaming community is inconceivably transfixed by today’s newly released map pack for “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” a slightly less notorious game is about to snipe Activision’s love child back to the respawn point.

“Crysis 2” is a futuristic first person shooter set in an alien-ravaged New York City that offers an elegant form of satisfaction while annihilating opponents. Although the game immediately feels familiar by incorporating the best assets of the heavy hitting “Battlefield,” “Call of Duty,” and “Halo” franchises, it adds a unique layer of strategy through the Nanosuit and verticality.

Cybernetic combat armor known as a Nanosuit, originally featured in the award winning “Crysis,” adorns every player and bestows the ability of sprinting beyond Olympian speeds, becoming a bullet absorbing carnage wreaker, and turning invisible.

Each ability used drains an energy meter that slowly refills when it’s unexploited. Failure to properly manage this meter will result in an untimely demise.

Moreover, unique to “Crysis 2” players may combine particular armor abilities together, creating a new form of choices such as sliding attacks and an aerial ground-pound that incapacitates or kills any opponent caught in its shock wave.

While the invisibility capability is a bit overpowered, “Crysis 2” includes a kill-cam similar to the one introduced in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” that, with a smidgen of teamwork, prevents invisible players from camping for too long.

Furthermore, unlike “Call of Duty,” the kill-cam isn’t longer than three seconds and provides a stellar slow-motion death cinematic when killed by a head shot.

Perhaps the best exclusive aspect of “Crysis 2” is verticality. The multiplayer maps are designed with New York City’s infamous skyscrapers in mind to utilize the Nanosuit’s ability to leap into the air and automatically grab onto any nearby ledge, swiftly mantle it, and continue fighting.

The hyper-jump function is irrefutably useful in countless situations and allows for every player to have a unique combat style.

A player who prefers assimilating with New York’s towering scenery as a sniper may choose to cloak, sprint and then climb to higher ground for the best possible vantage point, decapitating adversaries on the way. While perhaps someone who prefers the personal connection of close-quarters combat will activate the sprint function, grappling rails and performing incredibly epic parkour feats until he or she is close enough to assassinate the target.

A multiplayer beta demo was released on Jan. 25, exclusively for the Xbox 360. Included in the demo is the rooftop-garden map “Skyline” and a small taste of unlockable content.

The demo contained two playlists: Team Instant Action, a typical team death match, and Crash Site, a capture and hold variation.

While the public beta still has several technical issues, such as graphical inconsistencies pertaining to melee attacks and the outbalanced invisibility, the game is certainly a revolutionary first person shooting adventure.

With retina-melting visuals and fantastically fast-paced gameplay, “Cryis 2” will dominate 2011’s first quarter by easily identifying skilled players from novices, and swiftly becoming one of the best multiplayer experiences available.

The full game will feature 12 unique multiplayer maps, five preset and five custom load outs, six different game modes, more than 20 Nanosuit modules, 50 ranks and 200 dog tags.

Crytek UK, the team formerly known as Free Radical who are recognized for the “TimeSplitters” series, is solely dedicated to creating the “Crysis 2” multiplayer and has promised to observe the demo results and modify any combat inequalities.

“Crysis 2” publisher Electronic Arts and developers Crytek GmbH and Crytek UK announced that a PC version of the demo will be launched in the upcoming weeks.

“Crysis 2” is scheduled to release on March 22.

Reach the reporter at tdmcknig@asu.edu

Original 'The State Press' Article

Hopkins makes "The Rite" worthwhile

2011-01-28T23:30:00.000-08:00

Travis McKnight
|The State Press|
3/5

A demonic possession would be preferable to sitting through “The Rite,” if it weren’t for the sadistically marvelous performance of Sir Anthony Hopkins.

The inspired-by-true-events film, directed by Mikael Håfström, explores the story of Michael Kovak, admirably played by Colin O’Donoghue, and his harrowing struggle with faith while attending the Vatican’s exorcism training in 2007.

The film begins at a snail’s pace watching an at-home mortician beautify a suicide victim and progresses even slower; out of the two hours, it’s only captivating for about the last 40 minutes.

Although the dialogue is excellent, injecting clever comic relief appropriately, “The Rite” is too drawn out and struggles to maintain your full interest. A few cheap scares will momentarily speed up the story, but the stale soundtrack and mostly uninteresting plotline make it painfully obvious how many grains of sand have drained from the hourglass.

Luckily, the movie’s two stars provide several enjoyable moments during the first humdrum hour.

In his second silver-screen appearance, O’Donoghue depicts Kovak as dubious about religion, and unsure where he wants life to take him. As Kovak says, everyone in his family is either a mortician or a priest, so he may as well stick with tradition.

At first Kovak plans on attending seminary school for a free university education – anticipating resigning from the program after his courses are over, due to a conflicting absence of faith. But his plans soon change when Father Matthew, played by Toby Jones, informs Kovak that if he were to resign from seminary school, the Catholic Church might bill him for the education. As a compromise, Matthew recommends Kovak enlist in the Vatican’s new exorcist program; informing him if he hasn’t found faith after the course he may withdraw without cost.

The film’s connection with the audience begins to dissipate as Kovak arrives at the Vatican, and questions the Church’s religious teachings, skeptical of their value over psychiatrists and medicine. Thankfully, Hopkins’ introduction is at hand, and immediately his wit and charm command attention, purging “The Rite” from boredom.

What truly makes “The Rite” a watchable film, instead of a two-hour snooze, is Sir Anthony Hopkins, who portrays Father Lucas Trevant, an exorcist with more than 2,000 exorcism rituals completed. From the subtle twinkle in Hopkins’ eyes to sly facial expressions and perfectly toned witty comments, your interest in the otherwise underwhelming tale is permanently established.

Convincingly proving his mastery of acting, Hopkins’ incredibly powerful performance, of both savior and possessed, will immerse you to the point where the idea of demonic enslavement doesn’t sound farfetched.

Initially Hopkins represents Trevant as a clever priest who has experienced the life of a saint and a skeptic. However, after the loss of a patient the priest appears exhausted, demoralized and spiritually defeated.

Hopkins’ performance is so vigorously reminiscent of the actor’s Academy Award-winning role as Hannibal Lecter, at times it’s difficult to tell the difference. However, he does noticeably separate from his prior cannibalistic role, and exquisitely embraces the character of Trevant; his immersion into the priest is so compelling, when backhanding a child into a state of unconsciousness you truly believe Trevant thoroughly enjoyed the devious act.

Horror and thriller films open almost weekly, and while “The Rite” doesn’t stray far from normalcy, it’s a rare occurrence for such a motion picture to feature an exquisite actor such as Sir Anthony Hopkins. Simply to witness the masterful Hopkins at his best is certainly worth surviving through the movie’s underwhelming first half.

Original 'The State Press' article

Microsoft: Rumored Kinect update already happened

2011-01-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

Travis McKnight

|The State Press|

(Photo courtesy of Microsoft)

Kinect, Microsoft’s motion-controlled Xbox 360 video game accessory, has already received an update that is currently making the rumor rounds, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft Representative Chris Newton said the quiet Kinect update quadrupled the sensor’s accuracy and allowed Kinect to recognize finger movements and wrist angles with games that incorporate the new patch.

He said the update, which was rumored to be released in the next few weeks, was actually integrated right before Christmas.

“It was prior to Christmas, and it’s already gone through,” Newton said.

Newton said the increase in accuracy will occur by modifying Kinect’s intake of frames per second and by changing the resolution between the sensor’s two cameras.

The depth sensor used by Kinect is currently established at a limit of 30 frames per second, and its maximum resolution is 320-by-240 pixels. The update has effectively altered the peak resolution to 640-by-480 pixels, which allows Kinect to detect diminutive details concerning hand positioning, successfully quadrupling its accuracy.

He said the update affects currently released Kinect games by “making them better and more accurate.”

The update will also allow video game developers to be more precise with their games.

“[Developers] will make their upcoming games better,” he said.

Kinect’s technical qualities are created by firmware, and thus can be added to and upgraded frequently and automatically without having to physically modify the sensor itself — which is why no one noticed when the rumored update became real.

At the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft announced the company will incorporate the Xbox 360 Avatar feature with Kinect.

The Xbox 360 Avatar feature will make a player’s avatar more realistic by allowing Kinect to recognize facial expressions and follow the player’s eyes, and will include the recently released finger and hand rotation update.

At CES it was also announced that Kinect would be receiving integration with Netflix, allowing users to command the program by voice and hand gestures alone.

The updates will be free for Xbox LIVE gold subscribers and is expected to be released in the spring.

Microsoft was unable to give an exact date of the upcoming Kinect updates in development announced at CES.

“We’re constantly working to expand and improve on experiences for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE,” said Xbox 360 Representative Alyssa Odle in an e-mail.

Original 'The State Press' Article

In Review: "Dead Space 2"

2011-01-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

Travis McKnight

|The State Press|

9/10

(Photo courtesy of Electronic Arts

“Dead Space 2” is the unnerving sequel to an abominably violent escapade that will leave you flabbergasted and screaming with delightful terror.

Once again you play as Isaac Clarke, a deep-space engineer caught in a daunting fight for survival against gruesome parasitic corpse-reanimations called Necromorphs.

After narrowly escaping from the USG Ishimura, Isaac awakens from a coma in the hospital of a gargantuan space station called “The Sprawl,” a civilian-colony on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan.

Unfortunately for Isaac, chaos has followed him to his new home.

Previously, Titan was a bustling colony. The new station features dangling ceiling lights dripping entrails onto convulsing bodies and the incessant wails of ravished survivors who litter the crumbling complex.

These transfixing sequences of awe-inspiring repugnance are a change of pace from the spaceship found in the first game. The “Dead Space 2” development studio, Visceral Games, traded in the Ishimura’s cramped atmosphere for an array of less enclosed apartment complexes, Laundromats, churches, shopping malls and an elementary school.

Although the change of pace is welcoming, much of the best game play still takes place in very claustrophobic hallways and air ducts.

Throughout the well-paced adventure, Isaac searches for a solution to the infestation, twiddles away time hacking computer consoles and tries to survive with the assistance from two mentors — each with his and her own goals.

Isaac is also haunted by the recent suicide of his girlfriend Nicole Brennan. Without warning, unplayable flashes of baleful hallucinations featuring his deceased lover flitter across the screen, alluding to the impression that Isaac is teetering over the line of insanity.

In the original game, Isaac felt far too slow and clunky; however, the protagonist has received a noticeable speed boost that allows for a nimbler character and a smoother gaming experience.

Moreover, the curb-stomp action in “Dead Space” was a painfully useless tactic; in “Dead Space 2,” curb-stomping an enemy is much more efficient and in many cases a necessity.

The previously showcased stasis ability was another rarely used tool in Isaac’s corpse-rendering arsenal. The sequel’s addition of constantly recharging Isaac’s stasis fuel allows the player to actually make use of the time-slowing tactic, employing it from a more strategic angle.

Stasis is especially useful against becoming a gooey pile of remains when confronting misleadingly cute infants — who just happen to explode on contact.

The days of Necromorphs lumbering after Isaac in single-file with limbs exposed are all but gone. An impressive and immediately obvious improvement is the way in which a Necromorph attacks Isaac.

Often following shrill taunts, Isaac is lured into a shadowy claustrophobic trap where a battle against one insidious monster will transform into a seven-on-one survival game, with every creature more vicious and bloodthirsty than the last.

Initially, excitement was abounding when Visceral Games announced that “Dead Space 2” includes competitive multi-player. However, the hopeful anticipation for a unique experience swiftly dissipated. Horror-survival junkies will immediately recognize the creature versus human survival scenario from “Left 4 Dead 2.”

A team of four humans is assigned the objective of activating a series of computer consoles, gathering a data pack and returning it to base. These tasks would be simple, if not for the four varieties of opposing Necromorphs who are unwaveringly intent on devouring a still-beating human heart.

Even though the multi-player experience is essentially a remake with a few modifications, the experience is still fantastic. The objective-based multi-player system alongside a traditional survival atmosphere leaves the multiplayer game memorable, unbelievably unsettling and quite enjoyable.

Commencing with its story-driven paralytic scenes of anxiety that lead you into a truly unique realm of sleep-depriving exhilaration, to the nostalgic but addicting multiplayer, “Dead Space 2” is a wonderfully twisted masterpiece executed in such a glorious way that it will revolt mothers worldwide, and snare any horror fan for years to come.

Original 'The State Press' Review

In 2011, U.S. Government-led Wildlife Conservation Will Suffer Largely- Please Help Stop This

2010-12-22T05:12:00.000-08:00

The natural welfare of Earth is in dire shape, and the planet needs human intervention more than ever, instead of the ongoing human mutilation. The under-represented voice of wildlife conservation advocates such as myself must be heard, and the current deplorable ecological preservation is a crucial threat to the prosperity of Earth and we, as human beings, are actively destroying the astounding beauty found within the natural world. I implore you to help counteract this tragedy.

In 2011 Republicans have estimated the party will slash billions in federal funding towards wildlife conservation programs. Please contact your political representatives and urge them to support wildlife conservation; furthermore, encourage your congressional and state representatives to draft powerful legislation that gives incentives to people who and company's that commit to wildlife preservation. As with most pressing issues, the first step is raising awareness. Even something simple such as using the pre-created support letters at wwf.org to take action against the ongoing global horrors will make a difference. If nothing else, forward my letter to your e-mail contacts; create an annoying chain letter. Eventually someone will read it and choose to create a difference. I'm not trying to clog anyone's e-mail inbox; simply attempting to use a digital tool to raise awareness to an issue I find valuable.

Illegal animal trade, big business interests, and sheer ignorance have plagued this nation, and our planet for far too long. I have attached two hyperlinks below describing different ongoing environment dangers on international and localized levels. The first to a video that illuminates one of the greatest environmental threats to society today, it was created by Photojournalist Patrick Brown; the second link is to a news article written by myself that discusses the need for greater conservation efforts- for although wildlife preservation is actively taking place, an estimated one-fifth of vertebrates are continually heading towards extinction.

http://www.mediastorm.com/publication/black-market

http://www.statepress.com/2010/11/02/wildlife-diversity-decreases-despite-phoenix-zoo-global-efforts/

I ask of you to please heed my words and take my message to heart. The essence of life, as mankind currently experiences it, is not an eternal value. Why should the often disgraceful self-interest of human beings be achieved at the cost of an animal’s expense?

As a fellow global citizen, I hope you will help end wildlife genocide.

Thank you for a moment of your valuable time. I earnestly hope you make the correct choice by raising awareness and help create a beautiful future.

Sincerely,

Travis McKnight

The Ignorance of Failure

2010-12-17T18:18:00.000-08:00

Success is a non-existent and unattainable measurement of experience without the alternative consequence of failure. Every choice an individual acts upon has two opportunities, the triumphant outcome he or she desires or less sought after conclusion of defeat. Reflecting upon my introduction into the public school system in 1995, to my current sophomore year at Arizona State University, I recognize a worrisome conclusion that public education in the United States of America has raised a generation of un-acknowledging failures.

The K-12 education system in the United States has transformed from delivering an actual education, to being a government mandated baby-sitting service. No longer is the average student sophisticated enough to properly function in society once he or she graduates from high school- if the student graduates at all. According to a report by the Alliance for Excellent Education, as of February 2009, 1.2 million American students annually drop out of high school. But why wouldn’t they? These students are raised in a society that propagandizes the perception that failure doesn’t exist. Throughout their grade school career students are encouraged to be creative and expressive individuals. Mathematical command and the basics of comprehensive writing and reading appear to barely qualify as educational endeavors; in consequence, schools inadvertently deprive students of societal success and prepare only a future of failure.

In the YouTube video featuring Mr. Michael Goodwin, “Goodwin on the Freedom to Fail,” the speaker raises several vitally important points discussing the real threat for American students, who he claim lack freedom to fail. While I feel Mr. Goodwin’s argument has multiple valid topics, his presumption that students lack the freedom to fail is erroneous. The prevalence of failure and success in a person’s daily routine is astounding; everyone fails, it’s an unavoidable consequence of choice and the American education system is simply manipulating students into ignorant fools by sheltering them from this reality.

Throughout my experience in the United States’ K-12 public education system instructors attempted to weave an idyllic utopia in which everyone, regardless of effort put forth, is successful; alas, once one leaves the protective womb of high school this fantasy quickly diminishes. When students discover the failure they are already taking part of daily is an all too real event, societies’ “system” has already beaten them. The American public school system needs to be reformed, otherwise the poorly educated citizens of the country will crumble into oblivion.

Souls of Darkness-Reworking Part of the First Chapter.

2010-10-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

--- The content hereafter is the exclusive intellectual property of the author, Travis McKnight; with the exception of any posted artwork, which is property of Clint McKnight. No portion of the forthcoming tale or illustrations may be reproduced, in any form, without the written consent of the author. ---

My story begins like many others, on a cold and stormy April morning. I recently returned home from a lecture, where I presented a newly unearthed collection of poetry belonging to Paul Cézanne, and now stand at my study window. Darkness settles into the chilled morning sky as impenetrable clouds drift in front of the full moon, blotting out its majestic white light. Soon flashes of lighting and bellows of thunder commence. Deafening whispers of wind rip through the tendril-like leaves of my yard’s willow trees; morsels of green life wither away at the wind’s icy touch.

Figuring it’s time to lock-up the house, I turn from the window and exit the study. Walking gingerly down the small flight of redwood stairs, I descend into the parlor. Even though I attempt to be quiet, each footstep creates a sickeningly audible smack against the wood. At the base I stroll across a crimson shag carpet; its hairy tendrils tickle the soles of my naked feet. A lamp emanates dim light throughout the room causing a personally excavated Egyptian vase to glisten. Arriving at my destination I twist the sterling silver deadbolt door lock to the left to secure my estate.

Daring to take a glance at my pocket watch, its analog face designates the time 3:10. Turning to the left I push black velvet drapes aside, unlock the window latch, shove the cold glass panes open, and stick my head out into the chilly early morning air. A thin seam of silver moonlight filters through the dense cloud cover. The storm’s preface appears to be at its climax. Soon the weather’s restraint will shatter and its unbridled wrath will be released upon anything that crosses the storm’s path.

Averting my eyes ahead I notice a narrow white beam of light penetrating through the icy darkness at ground level. As the bobbing light approaches, I am barely able take notice of the repetitive sound of loud curses being uttered in a thick Irish accent. Straining to spot who was mentally unstable enough to venture out into the brewing storm, I hear the muffled sounds of barking and a petite shadowy figure blazing an eager path in front of the bouncing light.

Disbelievingly shaking my head, I shout into the dank weather at my crazy neighbor. A gust of wind seizes the heartfelt greeting and swiftly turns it into an inaudible yelp. The Irishman glances in the foreign noise’s direction and then smiles as his dilated eyes finally settle on my broad grin. Struggling against the ferocious wind, the shivering figure of Owen Finnegan appears before my eyes. A thin layer of scarlet hair peeks out underneath a beaten wool knit cap. The burly 5’3” man is wrapped from head to toe in heavy grey wool clothes. His face is drained of its normal rosy hue looking as if he had been out in a subarctic gale, instead of just a rather brash Oregon storm.

Yelling what I can only assume was “Morning Dirk,” Owen finally reaches my open windowsill. His vivid emerald eyes twinkle with distress. Dark crescent shaped circles tattoo their undersides, alluding to a sleepless week. We shake hands as flashes of lightning sizzle through the air, giving the appearance of generals meeting behind the scenes during a World War II air-raid. A tremendous boom of thunder shakes my house- causing ancient paintings to rattle along the white walls. After reassuring myself nothing was going to take a plunge off towards destruction, I address my neighbor.

“Ejected by the Mrs. approximately 17 minutes ago in respect to a dispute concerning fiscal independence from your bookie, which you now have hounding you due to recent unemployment, I perceive,” I quip.

Owens scrawny excuse for a dog, which I can only accurately described as a labradoodle, began to relive itself on my grass as the man answered.

“How on earth could you possibly deduce that?” he asked flabbergasted.

“Never mind it,” I chuckled.

“You’ve always been a queer one Dirk. While Marty and I are here do you mind if we come in for a couple of shots of that English whiskey you’ve got stashed inside of the liquor cabinet? I need something to take my mind off of this financial extravaganza.”

As almost in agreement the small mutt barked and nodded its shaved head.

A strong blast of frigid air saps away his warmth and Owens chest begins heaving with every breath. With nubby pale fingers he fumbles with his Maglite until I respond.

“Your presence would impose a detriment to my studies tonight, Owen. I understand you’re in despair, but I am unable to house you. You have a home and a wife to return to; I suggest you do just that.”

“Not for much longer…” Owen muttered.

Staring at him blankly, I emphasize that he must return home. After a few excruciatingly long seconds of Owen returning my stare, rather blankly, I inform him that I must retreat up to my study to continue a current project.

“Ah right, it’s always work with you.”

Owen’s expression hardens and his once stunning eyes glaze over in a defeated haze. Bidding my neighbor farewell I watch as the man slumps away, with his head drooped and shoulders flaccid. The flashlight beam bounces up and down with each of Owen’s heavy footsteps. Soon he and his insufferable dog turn the corner and disappear from sight.

Withdrawing back into the comfort of my warm home, I shut the window, turn off the lamp, and nonchalantly migrate back upstairs to my study. Bookcases filled to the brim with a libraries’ variety of literature and topography collections line the walls. Coffee tables imported from many foreign countries litter the floor; on each of them lay an artifact from one of my many excavations. My eyes finally rest upon the smooth manzanita desk standing in the middle of the room. Laying upon its glassy surface is an ivory lamp and an unorganized scatter of books and papers. Yet through all of this jumbled mess my eyes only noticed one item.

Worn throughout the ages, it is still able to retain a dark color; a shade so sinister that the darkest regions of space appeared to be brighter than heavenly clouds in comparison. Along its old leathery cover, ancient druidic runes skittered from left to right. The symbols created a pentagram if looked at from a 45º angle. The binding was bound together, by what appears to be bones of an infant. An aura of pure evil loomed menacingly around the item. Simply approaching it makes hair on the back of my neck tingle and stand on end. Adding to my unstable nerves is how the item came into my possession. Two days ago, a plain brown package was left on my doorstep; the only marking was this letter.

Dear Dr. Devlin,

If you have received this parcel, that means I have failed to unlock its power. The unimaginable horrors withheld inside its cover was too much for my mind to comprehend. You were the only suitable option of who may be able to learn the books secrets, and correctly use them. I inform you that the following item on your doorstep is dangerous. Please be careful, if this book were to fall into the wrong hands, the impending disasters would be unfathomable.

“It appears I may as well examine this to see if the anonymous sender’s claims are true.” I mutter aloud.

Moving to my oversized leather office chair, I slide inside and slowly begin to relax in its comforting embrace. Mentally preparing myself for whatever atrocities the sender of the tome mentioned, I cautiously move to grab the artifact off my desk.

As if on cue lightning and thunder crackle above me; rain pounds on the windows so vigorously that it sounds as if the glass may shatter. Nervousness floods my spine, causing waves of shivers to roll through my body. My hand trembling, I pick up the item.

Opening the book I turn to the front page. An eerie amount of dust floats away as I lift the cover. Some of it gathers in my eyes and I shut them quickly. I begin to hold my breath and the beating of my heart hastens. My entire body begins to tremble and goose bumps flourish over its surface. Simultaneously exhaling I rapidly open my eyes and they rest upon the book’s cover page. Unbelievable, it was blank! Why would these pages be blank? Flipping through the 83 pages I discover that the inside of the whole diary was blank, not a single mark anywhere. What type of prank is this? Perhaps there something I’m missing.

Extracting a magnifying lens from my middle-most desk drawer, I return to the item’s cover page. Under magnification and amplified light, faint traces of scratch indentations are apparent. Grabbing a small vial of iodine and a petri-dish from the desk’s upper right drawer, I pour out a small amount of the concentrated liquid into the saucer. Dipping my finger into the solution, I gently rub the book’s indented scratch marks. No reaction occurs.

Retracting my legs and arms into my chest, I place my hands together, fingertips skyward, and rest them upon my knees. Drumming my fingers together I close my eyes and reflect upon what other methods can be used to illuminate the book’s hidden lettering.

Metaphysics of the Soul

2010-05-25T02:01:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons to raise difficult questions. Whether the inquires are about sentient existence, the universe, and origins of life, or God, death, and the after-life, questions will and should surface. By questioning human existence and surroundings we allow ourselves to become vastly more intelligent and earnestly attempt to solve some of the deeply rooted philosophical issues all humans contemplate, such as the aforementioned. Today I will address my own beliefs -what I have amounted thus far in my quest- about the metaphysical qualities pertaining to the soul.

First off, what is this ‘soul’ and what characteristics does it acquire?

Through meditation and some knowledge of eastern and western philosophy, I have come to my conclusion in regards to this query. I believe the soul is: a combination of infinite spiritual energy that emanates throughout the physical memory of a sentient host and strives to achieve that being's intrinsic aspiration of happiness. Unless you have studied some amount philosophy and modern physics, I suspect that definition may have been a little too much to handle; in consequence, to understand this explanation, it is crucial to comprehend the individual aspects of it.

I shall start with energy, as it is the ultimate element permeating throughout the universe. Every single spiritual and physical molecule in the universe is pure energy in its basic form. According to quantum mechanics, energy is the amino acid of all elements; it cannot be created or destroyed, only reused and harnessed. Consequently, because the soul is energy, it must be infinite as well. The borrowed Greek term, Monad, is used by philosopher Gottfried Leibniz, and chiefly describes the ‘energy’ I am discussing. Leibniz states that one simple element is the build of the universe and creates a three-tiered hierarchy of entelechies, souls, and spirits. Another philosopher, Lady Anne Finch, also uses the term ‘Monad’ in regards to the basic element, in her case God, which is the building block of the universe. I too shall borrow the Greek term for my metaphysical purposes; although, my definition will be different from Leibniz’s and Conway’s for I do not concern the Divine within the energy. This being said, there are two different “types” of Monads; some are spiritual and become harnessed in the creation of sentient beings, and the other energy is used to create physical bodies. My definition for spiritual Monads is not the nature of the divine; however, a spiritual Monad is any element or physical being which is alive or creates life- thus the spiritual energy is exclusive to all forms of life. As for physical Monads, this form fabricates structures and substances with the purpose of supporting spiritual beings. Due to the limits of these individual roles, Monads may combine to serve purposes that a singular type of energy may not be able to fulfill. Such combination between spiritual and physical energy is the formation of terrestrial planets such as Earth-physical bodies that are not necessarily alive, yet harness factors such as regeneration in order to harbor life and allow for its creation.

The physical memory refers to the physical body of a sentient being. Through the body every experience a being encounters is saved through what I call physical memory. Be it a human or animal biological system- bones, skin, organs, blood, and other elements- a tree’s branches and trunk, grass blades, an orange’s peel, and the list continues, this physical memory affects them all. In the case of humans and animals, when the skin or hair contacts any surface, or the organism breaths, a transfer of energy is completed and a permanent effect is rendered upon that life form. This effect is infinitely accumulated throughout that creature’s body, and in turn, its’ spiritual Monads. Since energy is an infinite substance, when an organism “dies,” or ceases to exist in its current state of being, the body will decompose until it is returned to the basic form of pure energy and then it is reused in the fabrication of some other form; thus a state of atomist reincarnation. Along this fathomless journey, the amassed memories will remain within the spiritual Monad and when a new form is created, the memories partake in forming the creation. It is through this theory that the idea of the universe being in everything, and everything is within in the universe gains solidified ground to stand upon.

There are many spiritual and physical levels of consciousness that sentient beings are attracted to; nonetheless, only one of these is intrinsically desired and pursued by all conscious bodies. From plants and animals, to humans and bacteria, the universal goal of happiness is present for it is the ultimate ambition of every living being, and is the intrinsic will behind all action. I define happiness as: the enlightened fulfillment of any physical or spiritual desire. This desire accounts for every activity a conscious life form partakes in. From listening to music, to physical nourishment, even negative procedures such as murdering a stranger, all action done by a conscious being is done to make one happy. If this concept is difficult to grasp perhaps Socrates will illuminate the darkness in your mind. Socrates would argue no one knowingly and deliberately does evil; meaning if one’s actions are intended to create happiness for the self, then in the moment of action, regardless of what the proceedings may be, to the individual his or her action is righteous as it brings that person happiness. If happiness is the will behind all action and the soul’s ambition is to achieve this enlightened state, where does happiness originate?

Through the soul’s physical memory, the knowledge of happiness is present prior to the spiritual being’s involvement. When spiritual Monads combine to create a life form, the intrinsic happiness which will drive that organism is already programmed into the being. In consequence, every form of happiness a being is able to experience is predetermined at conception. It is because of this predetermined aspect of the soul ultimate free will is eliminated. By ultimate free will I am discussing the idea that a being is free to choose to enact whatever action he or she wishes at any time, regardless of the consequences or motivation behind said action. Perhaps further along in my quest of life I will discover a new definition that leaves the proponent of free will intact; alas as for now the findings of the soul presented to me during mediation do not allow for the ultimate state of free will.

This is an incomplete definition of the soul. As my ideas stand right now, they are highly controversial since I place the soul into a physical category, and paradoxes are created. I am striving to obtain a clearer and more concise definition; for now however, this is what I have. It is only the beginning; there is an abundance of meaningful questions and answers on the way.

The "I am," an improperly used description of a human life.

2010-05-17T17:30:00.000-07:00

How often does someone say "I am" in reference to their occupation, activities and values?
This is a virtually daily phenomenon in which humans describe themselves to others.
In example, with my case it would be "I am a journalist and a student," however, does that actually represent who I am, or just what I do with my life? The correct answer is what I, and the rest of us do with our lives, for who we are is far more intricately complex than our environmental surroundings and involvements. If these exercises and values do not describe who we are, but what our lives involve; why does virtually every person I have encountered upon my journey characterize who he or she is by announcing what that person does along their path between life and death?

The obvious answer is social conditioning, especially here in the United States. The advertising media and government portrays what a person does with his or her life as who he or she is; the more noble the profession, activity or belief, the nobler and more valued said person is. Yet is it ethical or even wise to allow an advertisement or public figurehead to describe who one is? Granted, I don't believe individuals truly believe that his or her "I am" characterization's truly describe who that person is; however, this occurrence is one to be aware of as words hold unfathomable power- especially during the first encounter with another person, for first impressions matter to a great extent.

I am guilty of describing myself to strangers as "a journalist, or a rock climber," and so forth; nonetheless, I am attempting to stray away from this path and enlighten the descriptions I give myself to others in hopes that those others will follow and create a different path for themselves. Through this role of characterizing who one is through his or her activities, instead of said individual's life experiences, personality, ethics, and intrinsic desires, it's plausible that one could lose sight of who he or she truly is. Yet if one instills the idea that what he or she does or embodies is only part of their life, it will make a superior impression upon any newcomer in your journey. This is especially crucial in interviews, dates, and introductions as it demonstrates that you're not a simple minded being who doesn't truly know themselves- or the world they live in, but has an in-depth comprehension of what makes them and others "tick."

It may sound weird at first to announce, "my occupation is a journalist," to those who ask what I do or who I am, but that's the truth. Who I am is not solely a journalist. I am who I am, and a journalist or hiker are only minute aspects of my being.

So next time you're describing yourself, take a deep breath in order to pause and think about your answer. Is what you're about to announce truly characterize who you are? Or does it only inform of one aspect in your being? Think about it and tell the truth. For even if you think it doesn't matter, what we say has a magnificent impact upon everyone's life.

5/11/2010-The last day of my freshman year in college.

2010-05-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

I finally finished off my first complete year of college. I'm pretty pleased for several reasons. First, I'm the first person to accomplish such a feat within my mothers family, second, I've found my niche of a career in journalism and hold a bright future within the field, and lastly because I managed to do this mostly on my own. Granted, I had help with finances from my mother and without her help I wouldn't have even gotten past the first semester; yet the work and multiple essays and hours of work a week were solely my accomplishment.

As for the next three years, I am looking forward to attending ASU in the fall until I earn my Bachelors Degree in 2013, but I'm nervous at the same time. I've never lived in such a large metropolis as Phoenix and the change will be rather drastic. The traffic is another issue I'm concerned about as I'm not a strong driver and am not used to the bustling traffic of insane drivers. It will be an interesting challenge, but as I see it, every challenge is an opportunity.

Well that is it for today.

Defiance

2010-05-11T03:18:00.001-07:00

A lone blade of grass stood defiantly against the ensuing tempest,

Wisps of green defiance are slowly peeled away by the blades unpleasant guest,

Soon nothing remains but a detestable shallow stalk,

Grey and barren it no longer stood pretentious and rebellious, but humble and subordinate,

The deafening gale easily lifted the blade of grass from it's rooted home in the filthy dirt road,

To tear this wretched soul apart was the storms goal,

Ferocious lies of hope and wishes shred the blade until it explodes and rains down upon the world,

Unable to look beyond troubled times the grass lost it's defiant nature in the battle for life,

Chasing the day it would regain it's boisterous self,

The tempest continues to tear across the unearthly plains of the abyss,

Destroying every lone soul in it's path,

The gale only fuels its unbridled wrath,

Left to rot in the settling dust,

Disfigured and distraught in the aftermath of that ever powerful gust,

The shattered grey blade of grass regained it's hope,

Then passed from this life to the next,

As it's seeds defiantly began to grow.

Mirrors

2010-05-11T03:11:00.000-07:00

The shimmer of white light dances across the glassy water,

Cracked cobblestones and weeds grow throughout,

My pieces

Have vanished

They've gone

Missing.

The Family: a Puppet Master of Religious Politics

2010-05-11T02:31:00.000-07:00

“It's the ideology of the cancer cell, undifferentiated growth, power for power's sake.”

These are the words of Journalist Jeff Sharlet in regards to the secretive Christian Fundamentalist international ministry known as The Fellowship Foundation; or better known as “The Family” through Sharlet’s book, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, in which he uncloaks the group from the inside.

The organization has also been known as: International Christian Leadership, The International Foundation, Fellowship House, and A Family of Friends in Christ.
Origins of the Family

The Family was founded in 1935 by Norwegian immigrant and Methodist minister Abraham Vereide. Sharlet states that Vereide initiated the organization in order to oppose President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's “New Deal” and the spread of trade unions by promoting those in power through the name of Jesus.

According to Sharlet, Vereide believed that God came to him and reveals that all economic suffering is punishment for disobedience of God’s laws. God gives Vereide a second revelation saying that Christianity has been getting it wrong for 2,000 years. At its best it talks about the poor, the weak, the suffering and the down and out. “He believes that god tells him, using these words, ‘Abraham your mission is to serve the up and out. Those who are already powerful and if you can get their hearts rights with God, then they with their positions God has given to them will dispense blessings to those underneath them.’”

Sharlet states the group’s only publically known event is the annual National Prayer Breakfast which draws around 3,000 dignitaries representing scores of nations and corporate interests. Every United States President since Dwight D. Eisenhower has attended. Sharlet says that since 2002, participants have paid $425 each to attend, which allows the Family to make a profit of over $47,000.

According to Collection 459 in the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College, the following are some of the high end American political members of the Family:

Former President Jimmy Carter, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, Sen. John Ensign, Gov. Mark Sanford, Sen. Mark Pryor, Rep. Randy Forbes, Sam Irvin, former Attorney General John Ashcroft, former Ambassador Tony P. Hall, Sen. Jim DeMint, Rep. Bart Stupak, Rep. Joe Pitts, former President Ronald Regan, former Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, former President Franklin Roosevelt, former President John F. Kennedy, former Sen. Ted Kennedy, former Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury and Reagan Chief of Staff James A. Baker III, and Sen. Sam Brownback
President Obama, Uganda and the 2010 Prayer Breakfast

In a video posted by whitehouse.gov President Barack Obama is shown delivering a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb.4, in which he addresses a proposed Ugandan law that would make homosexuality a capital offense, punishable by death; a proposition the Family is allegedly supporting in hopes of making law.

The allegations come from a National Public Radio interview with Sharlet in which he accused Fellowship associates, Ugandan Legislators David Bahati and Nsaba Buturo, of initiating the recent Ugandan bill.

Addressing the proposed bill, Obama stated, “we may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are. Whether it’s here in the United States or…more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda.”

However, some believe Obama isn’t doing enough to combat the proposed law in Uganda and the power of groups such as the Family. One such person is Author of Patience with God, Frank Schaeffer.
In an interview with grittv.org Schaeffer states, “when the Family…organizes the National Prayer Breakfast it really ought to raise eyebrows in the least; especially now since the Family is so closely associated with this anti-gay legislation in Uganda which would seek the death penalty of gays.”

Schaeffer states that on Feb. 2, 2010, he met with “a number of religious leaders” in Washington D.C. to urge Obama to boycott the National Prayer Breakfast and to “name the Family and ask Doug Coe why he had not spoken up against this legislation and used his considerable international, behind the scenes, some would say nefarious power to do something about this.” He also stated that Obama needs to denounce and expose “these far right groups which are waiting in the wings to turn both this country and countries around the world into a theocracy.”
What is the Family?

According to The Fellowship Foundation’s 501(c)(3) mission statement, they strive “to develop and maintain an informal association of people banded together, to go out as ‘ambassadors of reconciliation,’ modeling the principles of Jesus, based on loving God and loving others. To work with the leaders of other nations, and as their hearts are touched, the poor, the oppressed, the widows and the youth of their country will be impacted in a positive manner. It is said that youth groups will be developed under the thoughts of Jesus, including loving others as you want to be loved.”

In an email from Sharlet he disagreed with the organization’s statement claiming that what they truly promote is “Jesus plus nothing; that is, really Jesus plus everything. Everything gets filtered through Jesus. They want the ‘totalitarianism of Christ,’ where 200 world leaders are bound together through their organization seeking stability not democracy, peace, not freedom.”

“I find the critique of the Rev. Rob Schenck, himself a fundamentalist activist, persuasive: he calls it a religion of the status quo. That is, it's a religion dedicated to the maintenance of things as they are. They contribute to stasis of inequality, the repression of democracy, the celebration of the elite,” Sharlet states in the email.

Rev. Robert Schenck is the founder of the Washington, D.C. ministry, Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital; a Christian outreach organization that reaches top-level government officials located in Washington, DC, throughout the United States and around the world.

In agreement with Sharlet is former University of California, Berkeley, Philosophy Professor and Author Dr. Michael Bradburn-Ruster, who states, “[the Family] is a complete absurdity of corrupt politics and complete blasphemy of Christianity… it’s a diabolical amalgam between Fundamentalism and Machiavellian politics. I don’t know how much more toxic you can get.”

According to Bradburn-Ruster, the Family is the combination of a long history of American imperialism and exceptionalism. He says that the organization’s real concerns are always power and money and what the Family indicates is how deeply and secretively this pattern is continuing.
There are few who are willing to publicly speak about and support the Family. Those who do so, however, are members of the organization.

According to the Newsweek article, “House of Worship,” by Lisa Miller, David Kuo, a staffer in President George W. Bush's Office of Faith Based Initiatives, who has been affiliated with The Fellowship since college disagrees with Sharlet’s discoveries.

“For all the hysteria about Christian organizations, the irony that The Fellowship is being targeted as a bad egg is jaw-dropping. This is so not Focus on the Family, this is so not the Christian Coalition. There are other Christian groups that are truly insane. Who purport to follow Jesus Christ and who I would submit do not. The Fellowship is a loosely banded group of people who have an affinity for Jesus,” Kuo stated.

The Newsweek article states that Fellowship member and former U.S. Representative Tony Hall is another Family supporter. Hall states that the fellowship is “men and women who are trying to get right with God. Trying to follow God, learn how to love him, and learn how to love each other." When the congressman’s son died from leukemia, he states that "this family helped me. This family was there for me. That's what they do."

Nonetheless, there are more who support Sharlet’s discoveries than Kou and Hall’s refutation, such as Presbyterian Minister Ben Daniel, who himself is a former Family member.

In the article, “Doug Coe, The Fellowship, Hillary Clinton and Why You Should Care” by Daniel, he states, “it is an organization with eccentric beliefs—any group that tolerates the use of Nazis as positive role models should raise eyebrows—but it’s not just inappropriate heroes that are a problem. In my own personal experience as a former member of the Fellowship and through my research into the Fellowship’s work I have found strong evidence that the Fellowship can be spiritually abusive, particularly toward the young people who pay for the privilege of working long hours at retreat centers run by the Fellowship in and around Washington D. C.”

Daniel writes in the article that “life among the young people who live in the Fellowship’s homes is spiritually, emotionally, and physically regimented in ways that are cult-like in their intensity. Absolute commitment is required. In all things members are obliged to subject themselves to the will of the group, becoming empty vessels ready to be filled with Jesus and a vaguely articulated Fellowship vision.”
A Secret Society

Another principle Sharlet and Daniel expand upon is that secrecy and transparency is promoted throughout the entire organization.

“They are notoriously secretive. In fact they jokingly call themselves The Christian Mafia,” Sharlet states.

In his book Sharlet discusses a member of the Family's inner circle who wrote to the group's chief South
African operative “The Movement, is simply inexplicable to people who are not intimately acquainted with it. The Family's "political" initiatives have always been misunderstood by outsiders. As a result of very bitter experiences, therefore, we have learned never to commit to paper any discussions or negotiations that are taking place. There is no such thing as a confidential memorandum, and leakage always seems to occur.”

Prominent political figures have insisted that confidentiality and privacy are essential to the Fellowship's operation. In 1985, United States President Ronald Reagan addressed the issue of the Fellowship stating, "I wish I could say more about it, but it's working precisely because it is private."

In 2009, Reverend Chris Halverson, said that a culture of pastoral confidentiality is essential to the ministry, “If you talked about it, you would destroy that fellowship.”

Members of the Family are instructed to pursue “political jujitsu” by making use of secular leaders "in the work of advancing His kingdom," and to avoid whenever possible the label Christian itself, lest they alert enemies to that advance, Sharlet writes in “The Family”.

One way this group keeps its secrecy is through the use of “Prayer Cells” in which high ranking political officials gather under the name of Jesus.

“The Family's use of the term "cell" long predates the word's current association with terrorism. Its roots are in the Cold War, when leaders of the Family deliberately emulated the organizing techniques of communism,” Sharlet wrote.

Sharlet states that the reason the Family operates primarily out of “cells” is they believe “democracy inadequate to the fight against godlessness.” The organization promotes that such cells should function to produce political "atomic energy," which creates deals and alliances that “could not be achieved through the clumsy machinations of legislative debate [and] would instead radiate quietly out of political cells that will appear to the world to be unrelated to any centralized organization.”

Discussing the after affects of the Family’s cells, Sharlet wrote in an email, “they've poisoned the [political] well for a lot of people through what I'd argue is their dishonesty. It's one thing to make a religio-political case in the public square, where people can agree or disagree. It's another to work behind-the-scenes, leaving people with a sense that they've been excluded from the main action, that democracy is a privilege, not a right.”

The Fellowship maintains a database of associates and members; but it issues no cards, collects no official dues and members are asked not to speak about the group or its activities.

In a 2002 article on the Family by the Los Angeles Times, it is stated that the group’s members share a vow of silence about Fellowship activities. Members cite biblical warnings against public displays of good works, insisting they would not be able to tackle their diplomatically sensitive missions if they drew public attention. Members, including congressmen, invoke this secrecy rule when refusing to discuss just about every aspect of the Fellowship and their involvement in it.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Jennifer Thornett, a Fellowship employee, went so far as to state that "there is no such thing as the Fellowship."

Daniel reports that “questions also are being raised about the Fellowship’s honesty. The Fellowship Foundation is registered as a public charity in IRS Publication 78. According to a September 2002 article in the Los Angeles Times, they have a large annual budget, significant real estate holdings worth millions and dozens of employees. The Fellowship also has a clear leader in the person of Doug Coe, and their records are archived at Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Library. Yet publicly the Fellowship claims not to exist as an organization. Followers insist they are a ‘movement,’ a ‘vision,’ a ‘family,’ a ‘network of brothers,’ but they tend to downplay and even deny the existence of the Fellowship as a legal entity.”

Daniel writes that Fellowship members downplay and deny that the Fellowship’s primary goal is to evangelize wealthy and powerful men. There are frequent reminders that the Fellowship is a cross section of the Kingdom of God and that it’s for everyone, though according to Sharlet, “you don’t ask to join, you’re recommended.”

“People can only make choices based on their range of knowledge. They use concepts to base their reality and can’t understand the importance of something like this. [The Family’s secrecy] completely blinds people of their capacity to understand what’s going on,” Bradburn-Ruster says.
Political Role Models

Furthering his stance upon The Family, Sharlet drew attention to the group’s leader, Douglas Coe. In a report by NBC News Correspondent, Andrea Mitchell, Coe is shown on video expressing admiration for Nazi Dictator Adolph Hitler and the dedication of Chinese soldiers to the People’s Republic of China.

“I’ve seen pictures of young men in the Red Guard of China. They would bring in this young man’s mother and father, lay her on the table with a basket on the end, he would take an axe and cut her head off. They have to put the purposes of the Red Guard ahead of the mother, father, brother, sister, their own life. That was a covenant; a pledge. That was what Jesus said,” Coe states on the video.

“We were being taught the leadership lessons of Hitler, Lenin, and Mao. I would say, isn’t there a problem with that and they would even seem perplexed by the question. Hitler’s genocide really wasn’t an issue for them; it was the strength he emulated.” Sharlet stated.
Questionable Support

The Family has ties within every country on the globe and supports powerful leaders within them without discrimination, Sharlet states in an email.

In the interview with Newsweek, Kuo stated that, “the Fellowship’s reach into governments around the world is almost impossible to overstate or even grasp.”
Dictators, liberators, CEO’s, presidents and social nobodies; as long as the person in question has power, the Family will support them through the name of Jesus, Sharlet stated in the email.

Among the supported is former Salvadoran Gen. Carlos Eugenio Vides Casanova, who in 2002 was found accountable for the torture of thousands of civilians in the 1980s. Also assisted was Gen. Gustavo Alvarez Martinez, former head of the Honduran armed forces who was linked to a death squad and the CIA before his death. Another despot the Family has lend a hand to is one of the century's most murderous dictators, Indonesian Gen. Suharto, Sharlet states in the Harpers article, “Jesus Plus Nothing.”

In a rare interview by Doug Coe, the Los Angeles Times quotes him addressing this issue stating that, "the people that are involved in this association of people around the world are the worst and the best, some are total despots. Some are totally religious. You can find what you want to find."
Corruption of Power

“[The Family] completely corrupts the congressional process. It is entirely divorced from the political process because they can justify whatever they do in politics by stating that God has chosen them,” Bradburn-Ruster states.

“Some of it feels like the worst kind of Nominalism. Where they are using the words of Jesus to make some people obscenely rich and justify mass slaughter,” Bradburn-Ruster said.

Sharlet writes that in 1979, the former Nixon aide and Watergate felon Charles W. Colson, born again through the guidance of the Family and the ministry of, Thomas L. Phillips, CEO of arms manufacturer Raytheon, estimated the Family's strength at 20,000. The number of "dedicated associates" around the world is smaller, around 350 as of 2009.

“[Michael Lindsay,] a conservative sociologist at Rice University, tried to quantify their power. He surveyed some 350 leading American Christian politicians. The Family got more votes as the most influential group in Washington than any other,” Sharlet said through email.

According to Bradburn-Ruster, “it’s profoundly dangerous. The people in the Family are not accountable; there is no system of checks and balances. They are absolutely convinced of their righteousness and it allows them to eliminate people and cultures to support a power system by using the word Fundamentalism or Jesus.”