Reply from CEO Herald Tribune

To: Samael A Tanner (S.A_Tanner@morningstar.com)

From: Godfrey O ‘Dell (G.O_Dell@heraldtribune.com

Subject: Re: It has been a long time.......

Dear Samael

I would like to take this time to thank you for your letter, and it is nice to hear how you are doing.

I appreciate your feedback with regards to the appointment of my Son, however his popularity and unique story has certainly increased our customer base and somewhat polarised us from our competitors. I do not regret that decision.

Through-out the letter you made many references to our ‘new mandate’, we are an organisation which prides ourselves on being traditional and consistent. However, some customers who have been exposed to your message have somewhat taken a different view.

I feel that we would dilute our message by constantly justifying ourselves, so we never appear defensive. We just exist.

We ask people to have faith, not unbridled worship that skews the message. I feel this is how the situation between us has gotten to this point; your drive to become my favourite is what brought about the unforgivable sin. Thus you were cast out.

There is some confusion, and that is that we are to blame for people’s actions, even if they choose negative, violent actions in my name. Surely, if anything I taught you is that you are responsible for your own behaviour. Every person is equal.

I agree with your point on morality, however we all make mistakes and our code of conduct is a just a guide. We all decide how we should live, it is just one path will always lead towards happiness. This is the path that we choose to illuminate. This is an irony that we must show as your mandate is to enlighten. However, we like to illuminate and radiate. It is all semantics.

You talk of paradox, which did make me smile. You know about equilibrium and you made mention to it. Then surely paradox itself is included and the normal to the absurd is featured between the lines of balance.

I do not think you thought that one through!

The point regarding the disaffected youth is not new. Every generation claims to have a higher knowledge or superior view point. This goes round in cycles. However, this is done because deep down they have the comfort and knowledge to know that we are always here, consistent and can be slipped on like a pair of warm winter slippers.

The accusation of propaganda is certainly interesting; I must admit that it does take a special type of person to be in marketing and Public relations. I think our combined effort cannot save these people.

Not for one moment, do I think that ‘The Dawkins Standard’ and when it comes to the crunch will disappear quicker than an X Factor finalist.

I have to admit that my nature is usually that of good nature, and most please that your two children Jon and Edward are doing so well on X-Factor. I bet you are a proud father.

It was nice to hear from you, and maybe add me as a friend on Facebook? We did have a mutual friend in Scott Everest, but we agree that he is beyond help these days. He does seem to have declared himself ‘King of the World’ and bestowed upon himself the role of a Jedi. This, I blame you for!

Anyway, Tally ho!

Godfrey O ‘Dell
Chief Executive Officer
Herald Tribune

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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E-mail from CEO of the Morning Star

To: Godfrey O ‘Dell (G.O_Dell@heraldtribune.com

From: Samael A Tanner (S.A_Tanner@morningstar.com)

Subject: It has been a long time.......

Dear Godfrey

How are you?

It has been quite a few years since we last spoke, with the last meeting as you recall ending quite abruptly. This meeting, as you are of course aware, ended with my leaving the established Herald Tribune.

I thought after all this time I had better try and clear the air, and to explain my position. I was of course upset at the time when you brought your son to the organisation; all of the staff at the Herald Tribune was upset as we all wanted that position in the office – the right of yours. We did all feel that our hard work at the time was not going noticed and the appointment of your son was pure nepotism.

I have a lot of pride, some say this led to my downfall, but at the time I felt that I had to say something. I do regret that some of my colleagues, whilst they colluded did not all stand with me. However, that says more about their behaviour than mine.

During my tenure at the Herald Tribune, I did learn a lot, and this grounding experience did put me in good stead to create my own organisation, The Morning Star.

Our businesses of course, were at the opposite end of the spectrum with regards to view points and political leanings. I purposely tried to stir up apathy towards your regime, so that we can compete equally. This of course led to a long propaganda war, for which you have endless resources.

I write today to mainly point out a paradox; the political agendas and morality of each of our messages have become blurred. Whilst I have been consistent, albeit scarred by the false hoods and your sheep-dipping of the weak willed. The actions of your loyal clients have been somewhat of a concern.

There was a time were the disaffected youth of the world were easily sold our message, however the seven step anti-morality code you preached and subscribed to has now become the behaviour of choice towards our clients and my loyal team.

Our mandate, which was always to enlighten and to test the political leanings of your clients and convert them across to us, was always a strategy which garnered us followers. However, we never persisted just existed in reflection and a viable alternative towards your intense message.

I think that would appreciate the point of the e-mail, and that is for us to return back to the status quo. All these acts that are widely reported around the world that have fatal consequences are being carried out to your new mandate. Although this has not been reported, I fear that the whole industry is in danger of collapsing because of this.

The conclusion that would satisfy our company and hopefully stabilise the industry is for both of our messages to be consistent and that each of set of clients, colleagues and affiliates all act accordingly to own code of practice.

I not sure that you are aware, that even some of your most loyal clients see us now as a viable alternative. I am not however, changing our philosophies to fit with your disenchanted followers and your disenfranchised affiliates.

Another paradox, which I am pains to point out of course follows from your propaganda, which states than any one of my followers, or people who breach your 7 anti morality codes would forever live and be tortured in eternity. This utterly laughable, however the paradox does lie when in your name, people breach these codes regularly inwardly, outwardly and to us. You seem to attack us with the very thing that should separate us. Not a very clever strategy.

You were, and still are my hero, however we both still need to make a living in this industry and there does seem to be an opportunity for the Dawkins Standard to steal the majority of the market share if we procrastinate any longer.

The greater good of this industry is in your hands.

Faithfully yours

Samael A Tanner

Chief Executive Officer
The Morning Star
“Not creating delusions is enlightenment.”

PS. I will be away from my desk for the next 7-days, my secretary Madame Lilith Blackwing, will forward the return message to my blackberry.

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The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient, please return this e-mail to e-security@themorningstar.com
The contents of this e-mail must not be disclosed or copied without the senders consent.
We cannot accept any responsibility for viruses, so please scan all attachments.
The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the company. The company does not take any responsibility for the views of the author.
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The Jedi and the Force

“[Luke:] I can’t believe it. [Yoda:] That is why you fail.”

I was 6 years old, and at that age you are fully aware of the world surrounding you, soaking up every experience like a sponge. There is still important emotional learning for every child, to filter out the difference between right and wrong. In 1980 parental guidance and my own peer group took a back seat as the ultimate reference for me was ‘The Empire Strikes back’.

The playground legends were true, and the future battle, today, for the entire universe as we know it, was being played across our cinema screens. The thirst for this new knowledge, allowed us to absorb the first part of the sci-fi genesis as we first consulted the oracle of Star Wars.

I made my decision as soon as the wise sage Obi-Wan Kenobi presence crossed my screen and my lucid childhood fantasies; I am going to be on the good side of the force. The over merchandised world youth agreed too.

During the middle ages the romantic notion of a young boy being a noble warrior, a Knight of the round table or an altruistic forest dwelling thief, was our aspiration. The dream mutated, evolved but continued through the late 1970’s until today.

The paradigm was the same, but the adventure fresh; it encouraged us to look forward and into the future. Coupled with Man’s successful mission to the Moon (insert own conspiracy theory here), being an Astronaut, Buck Rogers a Rebel Fighter was the playground fantasy of every adolescent boy.

There was something obvious, familiar, a repackaged paradigm designed to inspire a new generation. This was a religious concept or a way of life. This was the ‘Force’. A cosmic unified energy that was abundant in every corner of the universe. It was split between the light (Jedi) and dark (Sith / Empire). The practitioners are at the extreme polar opposites of morality.

As we always keep the ascent on the positive, we are going to look at the light side of the Force. The way is based on real aspects of various religions. The discipline of Taoist Monks, the nature and actions of Japanese Shinto, the mysticism of Sufism, Hinduism and the unifying belief of a Braham energy, the inner peace of Buddhism and the contact with the past much like Spiritualism. The truth is that all esoteric aspects of every religion have been melded into one true form.

The subject is huge, and like a lantern with infinite genies, you get a different one appear every time it is rubbed, and a different reason to rub it.

I would like to pay homage to the force by talking through three quotes by the Jedi Master Yoda, each one can provoke us to think about our lives and how we live.

“Do or do not.......... there is no try”

There are a few masters out there, in today’s reality and fast paced world. I will give you one example. Brian Tracy, I have picked this example as he has the message.

Now the message itself is a call to achieving anything you want and can, by doing three things. I will change the format of what the master Brian Tracy teaches, and although plagiarism saves time, it is lazy.

Brian Tracy does however, mocks procrastination with the story of us all visiting Someday Isle (Some day I will). His formula is unique, and would encourage everyone to invest an hour reading ‘eat that frog’

The example I will give is Imagine, Plan & Action................. To successfully achieve something you have to begin with an end in mind (Stephen Covey – 2nd Habit of highly effective people). You can do this by using the one uncensored personal entertainment system, the imagination. You have to know what it is you want to achieve, the imagined desired outcome is always the beginning.

The next stage is planning, the boring bit, the unsexy bit, the sitting down with a pen and paper mapping every move in timed sections. Sure, you can imagine something and do it! However, this rarely brings sustained success. This is the nuts and bolts, the laying out the whole flat pack assembly kit. If this part is not down, do not be surprised when in pure frustration you smashed up that wardrobe with a hammer.

The world’s worst planners are also the world’s worst diary keepers, time keepers, dieters, Christmas shoppers, Jedi Knights, parents and an endless list.
The simple truth is that more time planning will always reduce time in action. If anything energy conservation, and greater energy to achieve even more is motivation enough.

Anyone can have a dream; imagine anything that can be achieved. However trying to do it without a valid plan, is just foolish. A circle of personal error.

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

I fear that I have belaboured this point over the past 7-weeks with my series on deadly sins; in summary we must learn our triggers. Once known we can master control of our emotions. We embrace every day as it comes, as we do not have control of what crosses our paths, only our reaction to it. Why curse the darkness? As its existence is the axiom and equilibrium to light.

Do something every day that scares you, is the saying. This can be as simple as showing no fear to the unknown, this is the true meaning behind this quote from the Dalai Llama.

“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.”

Fear is irrational, and is held deep within us with various phobias borne from limited beliefs. It can manifest itself to such a point it can consume someone’s life. However, more often than not this fear is unspoken and the intensity builds within oneself until the phobia does overtake us.

Fear does not define you, does your name cease to exist and your fear is now you?

This is power of therapy and self healing; I have spoken of the Sedona method before and simple affirmations can help. You have convinced yourself through limited irrational beliefs and you can likewise, undo these.


Jedi is a real religion (a unified commitment to good), the last national census in 2001 in the United Kingdom, it was first officially recognised with nearly 1% of the population declaring their faith (in Brighton this is 2.6%). It is quite sad that before this census Satanists had a higher official status than Jedi.

The largest cultural phenomenon is happening today in New Zealand where in again 2001, Jedi has risen to the 4th largest religion. Although this part of a practical joke and petered out in the 2006 census.

However, New Zealand is also the home of the Jedi Church. There a support website, where for a small donation you can become ordained, online. I have chosen to do so, not to mess with the system but a commitment to live my life according to the positive aspects and natural moral code.

The church of Jedi doctrine states that all living things share a living force and we are all born with the innate sense of what is right or wrong. The existence of good and evil is necessary for freewill.

So there you have my commitment, I have said it out loud and declared my Jedi status, and I have also become ordained as a minister in another new religion Dudeism. This following the teachings of ‘The Dude’ the main protagonist in the Coen brothers film, The Big Lebowski.

To join the church of Jedi, you can make a small donation. They are a charity and any surplus funds find their way back to back worldwide charities. Click the link and see what it is about.

http://www.jedichurch.org/

Is the Jedi religion real, surely it is concept from a film?

All religions claim to be the one and only, and in summary, no religion is truth...... it is just a matter of faith.

I will be back next week, with something quite controversial and provocative. It will be a two part blog in the format of an open letter. The week after that will be the reply.

See you next week, thank you for the support and my continued efforts to introduce Jedi teachings into my everyday work.


Cheesy chips and mango dips.......... Scott xx

PS, My Religions gained so far are.... Church of England, Dudeism, Spiritualism, Vampirism and Jedism

Part VII - Anger

‘Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured’ - Mark Twain

I am writing this blog quite early in the day, and I am fortunate enough to be looking after my daughter. She is coming up to two years old and is quite talkative and even though she is attaching pegs to my laptop and asking me to the whereabouts of her shoes, I am not angry.

So why do we get angry? A different answer from everyone I expect, however there are things that trigger these angry moods, outburst or regrettable actions.

I have many, which I will list. For some reason admitting those, puts them out in the open and dilutes the pent up rage.

· Slow Drivers / Walkers / shop assistants
· Old people who go shopping on weekends, who clearly have all week to shop
· Simon Cowell and any related person or TV show
· Soap Operas
· Newspapers
· Lateness

I think Freud would have suggested that as a child I had to wait too long for a cuddle, but maybe patience is not my strong point.

However, an irony is that I have stood on street corners in my youth, waiting hours for girls to turn up and remained as enthusiastic upon their arrival as if they were there on my arrival.

So this confusion as to why anger affects different people needs to be explained, but each case is full of ironic hypocrisy and overriding limited beliefs.

How to explain?

The most suitable metaphor would the case of the ‘Incredible Hulk’. The human element in this story is played by Bruce Banner, who as a brilliant scientist but totally emotionally withdrawn. He is described as a genius; however this higher knowledge led him to design a Gamma Bomb which was capable of killing millions of people.

A test goes wrong, and there is an irony that the Bomb causes an affliction which heightens the emotions that have been withdrawn for so long.

Now the very thing that Bruce Banner avoided before the accident is the very normality he craves, and now has to avoid emotionally charged situations, as fear of the monster erupting within.

Anger is a complex emotion, but for a 1000 word blog will try and simplify and look at two different types.

The first one is INWARD anger, and keeping with the theme of deadly sins one of the worst sins was to take one’s life. To be angry within was deemed as spite and suicide was the final act of wrath and rejection of god’s gifts. (As per the Catholic Religion)

This is the origin as to why suicide is classed as morally wrong and illegal, as it a rejection of god itself as his manifestation is every man. This subject can be argued and debated upon, and without having either viewpoint with this scenario, my bum with feel the splinters as I sit on the proverbial fence.

Inward anger can be externally expressed through self harm, with examples of cutting, over eating and sexual promiscuity. This list is not exhaustive.

There are many reasons but self-loathing through limited beliefs is usually the seed that sprouts into full inward rage. So before the shouting begins, there are genuine victims, however once the person makes the choice and decides that it will not be the status quo the healing process begins.

One example of this is the mother of the murdered 8-year old Sarah Payne. You will expect this woman to be raging with the authorities and the world because her daughter was murdered by a well known and released paedophile. Yet when asked she states, that she can’t hate the person as that will overshadow the love and memories of her daughter.

I for one do not have the self-control and strength to do that. I sincerely hope that is never tested and will be happy in my ignorance and my character not to be tested.

‘For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.’ - Ralph Waldo Emerson

We often have triggers that ignite our outward anger, and this emotion can stay with us for a long period. We often use the trigger as the excuse for the projected emotional trauma we put our colleagues, friends and loved ones through. We almost try to justify our behaviour.

The trigger can more often than not be a person and the most evil part of anger is the act of vengeance. It is when we act upon our anger, and the trigger is the target of elimination, is when we truly lose control.

Dante described vengeance as “love of justice perverted to revenge and spite” and we all have the warped sense of righteousness in all of us. This level malevolence manifests itself in many ways from Hitler’s, Pol Pots, Genghis Khan’s, Saladin’s and British led genocides have all been born from vengeance. These acts have all come from one place or emotional act.

They are called limited beliefs.

These are learned from your social environment, but can be unlearned.

So I sign off from this series and will be back on form next week.


TTFN

Scott