"It was Steven Spielberg who was shaking hands with the leader of a country where a high-ranking communist military officer funneled large amounts of money illegally into Clinton's campaign in addition to millions of dollars more coming from middlemen tied directly to the communist Chinese government."

    The increasing flow of money and support to President Bill Clinton's past campaigns and to his current Legal Defense Fund has put the American moviegoing public in a quagmire that has raised a new evaluation about separating a filmmaker's political life from his professional life. Steven Spielberg has produced some of the best movies of all times, like "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan", to name only a few. Yet, immediately after being impeached, the first elected president in history to earn such dishonor, Spielberg invited Clinton to vacation with him at his home in The Hamptons. It was Steven Spielberg who was among the first in line to shake hands with Chinese Premier Jiang Zemin when he visited the White House; the leader of a country which Amnesty International calls one of the largest violators of human rights in the world whose present day atrocities make Kosovo pale in comparison. He was shaking hands with the leader of the last major communist country in the world where thousands of political prisoners are arrested, jailed, and executed in ten days or less. Some are given show trials for the cameras before they receive a bullet to the back of the head and where very often the fresh corpses are immediately dissected for their body organs to be sold on the black market with the knowledge and involvement of top party leaders. It was Steven Spielberg who was shaking hands with the leader of a country where a high-ranking communist military officer funneled large amounts of money illegally into Clinton's campaign in addition to millions of dollars more coming from middlemen tied directly to the communist Chinese government. In exchange, the U.S. allows an alleged spy to work at the top-secret nuclear lab in Los Alamos where he downloaded the nation's most confidential secrets to his laptop computer and was only fired after reporters made public the following fact: Of all wiretaps requested by the FBI for investigation into potential criminal cases nationwide for a 12 month period, only one was denied; and that order came directly from Attorney General Janet Reno, denying the FBI authority to wiretap the phone of the highly suspected Los Alamos spy, Wen Ho Lee - who was finally arrested in December, 1999.

    It is communist China that bans Christians from gathering in private homes to worship freely. And through much of the 1990's many of the home worshippers had their homes raided, the occupants beaten, and many were killed. Did anybody at the White reception bring these matters up to Premier Jiang Zemin? Was Steven Spielberg even a little reluctant to shake the bloody hand of a ruthless leader?

    None of this has stopped Spielberg from hosting Clinton at his home. Perhaps Spielberg has plans for Clinton to raise production money for Dream Works once he's left office. What better place to raise money than communist China? Spielberg's partners David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg together have funneled almost $40,000 into Clinton's growing legal defense fund, not to mention the millions they've raised for his campaigns. Could this imply that the money we spend at the box-office watching a Spielberg movie could eventually end up in the hands of the most corrupt president in American history? Can we return our ticket stubs for a refund? This is the quagmire faced by many fans who desperately want good entertainment, but at the same time are betrayed by their cinematic heroes.

    Does contributions to Bill Clinton imply support and perpetuation of official corruption in high places? You be the judge. As we mentioned earlier, the FEC records all donations to candidates for presidency in amounts of $200 or more. Many celebrities hide their contributions through Political Action Committees (PACs) and special interest groups. According to Public Disclosure, Inc. these PACs may not always provide full information on their contributors due to a little known "Exception Clause" called "Best Efforts", a shadowy loophole in FEC reporting requirements that means the following lists are probably much longer if celebrities insisted on "Best Efforts", which many have.

    So just who are these people? Take a look see at $$$$$$$$ THE LIST $$$$$$$$: Michael Douglas…………$20,000, Tony Bennett…………….$10,000, David Geffen…………….$20,000 Jeffrey Katzenberg……...$20,000, and Lew Wasserman…………$10,000.

   Then there is the list of direct contributors to Clinton's campaign in 1996, and by their contributions they have endorsed the immoral principles and perpetuated the culture of death espoused by the Clinton administration. I'm sure you'll recognize those on this list: Marlo Thomas Donahue, Mary Stuart Masterson, Ted Danson, Sally Field, Jenny McCarthy, Jeff Goldblum, Melanie Griffith, Rene Russo, Kirk Douglas, Joanna Kerns, Kathleen Turner, Tom Hanks, Ali McGraw, Tom Arnold, Richard Dreyfuss, Chevy Chase, Peter Falk and Patrick Duffy.

    Finally, there is the list of Hollywood celebrities who have contributed to organizations sympathetic to the pro-abortion platform and the crooked ways of the Clinton administration: Glenn Close, Tom Cruise, Tyne Daly, Rebecca DeMornay, Laura Dern, Jane Fonda, Danny DeVito, Marla Maples, Michael Douglas, Marsha Mason, Faye Dunaway, Rue McClanahan, Shelly Fabares, Donna Mills, James Garner, Joanne Woodward Newman, Louis Gosset, Jr., Mary Steenburgen, Shelly Hack, Barbra Streisand, Larry Hagman, Roseanne Arnold, Woody Harrelson, Roseanne Arquette, David Keith, Alec Baldwin, Nicole Kidman, Kim Bassinger, Jack Lemmon, Meridith Baxter, Amy Madigan, Ed Begley, Annette Bening, Tom Berenger, Paul Newman, Peter Coyote, Leonard Nimoy, Carol O'Connor, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gregory Peck, Sydney Pollock, Robert Redford, Rob Reiner, Jason Robards, Tony Roberts, Cybil Shepherd, and, last but not least, Michael Eisner

    Also included in the list were numerous executives from Disney, Time-Warner, Universal, and Sony Columbia TriStar. Next time you hear the president give one of those prepared "scoldings" to the entertainment industry, please read this list again if there is any question of sincerity. Stay tuned to future installments as we tell you which celebrities are buying into the 2000 elections and who their "Chosen One" will be.

   Today and tomorrow we observe the liturgy of Ordinary Time as well as today's Feast of the Seven Servite Founders. For the readings, liturgies, meditations, and vignette on the latter feast, see DAILY LITURGY.

Thursday February 17:
Sixth Thursday in Ordinary Time and
Feast of the Seven Servite Founders

Green or white vestments

First Reading: James 2: 1-9
Responsorial: Psalm 34: 2-7
Gospel Reading: Mark 8: 27-33

Feast of the Seven Servite Founders, Religious

   There were seven concilors of Florence who founded the Servants of Mary or Servites in 1233. The best known were Saint Buonfiglio dei Monaldi and Saint Alessio de' Falconieri, who served as a lay brother all his life.The other five were also from influential families in Florence and were all members of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through this association, they grew spiritually and longed for something more. Thus, under the direction and advice of their bishop, the majority became priests, forming the Servants of Mary or Servites. They adopted the Rule of Saint Augustine, wore black cassocks and strove to emulate the mendicant friars like the Franciscans and Dominicans. Their Order was officially approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1259; canonically approved by Blessed Pope Benedict XI in 1304; and canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. Their feast is celebrated in Church Liturgy on February 17th. There was also a contemplative order of Servite nuns founded by two penitents of Saint Philip Benezi and a Third Order of nuns dedicating to treating the poor and sick as well as educating children. This was founded by a relative of St. Alessio's, Saint Juliana Falconieri in 1306.

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Friday, February 18, 2000

Friday February 18:
Sixth Friday in Ordinary Time

Green vestments

First Reading: James 2: 14-24, 26
Responsorial: Psalm 112: 1-6
Gospel Reading: Mark 8: 34-39; 9: 1

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The DAILY WORD "'Who do men say that I am?' They answered Him, saying, 'John the Baptist; others, Elias; and others, one of the prophets.' Then He said to them, ' But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered and said to Him, 'Thou art the Christ.' And He strictly charged them to say nothing about Him to anyone."

Mark 8: 27-30

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Strange metamorphosis as strangers behind the wheel!

   They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"Many people who are very kind in their own homes and offices can become very unkind and selfish once they get behind the steering wheel of an automobile. This is probably due to the fact that in their own home they are known; in the automobile they have the advantage of anonymity and hence can be almost brutal without the fear of discovery. To be kind out of fear of others thinking we are unkind is not real kindness, but rather a disguised form of egotism."

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January 25th Medjugorje Monthly Message

NOTE: We respectfully recognize and accept the final authority regarding apparitions, locutions and prophecies presently being reported around the world rests with the Holy See of Rome and the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church to whose judjment we humbly and obediently submit.

  "Dear children! I call you, little children, to pray without ceasing. If you pray, you are closer to God and He will lead you on the way of peace and salvation. That is why I call you today to give peace to others. Only in God is there true peace. Open your hearts and become those who give a gift of peace and others will discover peace in you and through you and in this way you will witness God's peace and love which He gives you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

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WORLDWIDE NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant

Sorry, Iraq, but Holy Father to begin "Jubilee Journey" by following in Abraham's footsteps after all...in spirit!

   The Holy Father surprised many yesterday during his Wednesday Papal Audience by announcing he will begin his historic "Jubilee Journey" next Wednesday not in Ur in Iraq, but rather in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican where he will symbolically walk in the footsteps of the first Patriarch Abraham. Because of security problems in Iraq and the discrepancies with Saddam Hussein arrangements could not be made to travel there. But chronologically the Pope will keep his schedule by walking in Abraham's footsteps and the next day head for Egypt where he will walk in the footsteps of Moses. continued inside

POPE TO MAKE SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE ON ABRAHAM'S STEPS

    VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Having been frustrated in his desire to visit Ur of the Chaldeans, the home of the patriarch Abraham, Pope John Paul II has announced that he will make a pilgrimage in spirit.

    Speaking to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at his regular weekly public audience on February 16, the Holy Father said that he would follow in the footsteps of Abraham through a special ceremony to be held on February 23 in the Vatican's Paul VI auditorium.

    The theme of making a pilgrimage, the Pope said, is "one of the most significant aspects of the Jubilee." He had indicated in a letter published in June 1999 that he hoped to make physical pilgrimages to "the holy places that are tied to the history of salvation."

    "In the coming weeks, God willing, I will be going on a pilgrimage to some of the sites that are connected in a special way to the Incarnation of the Word of God," the Pope said. (He was obviously referring to his trip to Egypt later in February, and to the Holy Land in March.)

    "I had wished first of all to travel to Ur of the Chaldeans," the Pope continued. But his plans for such a trip had been thwarted by political difficulties in Iraq, where Ur is located. Therefore, he said, he had decided to "make such a pilgrimage, at least in spirit." On February 23, therefore, the Pope will recall the story of Abraham, who "heard God's call" and became the founder of the Hebrew race, the chosen people of the old covenant. This special ceremony will mark the first stage of the Pope's Jubilee pilgrimage. The next stage will come with his trip to Egypt, where he will follow in the footsteps of Moses on Mount Sinai. Then in March he will complete the pilgrimage by visiting the sites of the Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection.

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Pope makes impassioned plea for release of Bishop held in the Congo

   The Holy Father made a strong plea to authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to not only see to the safety of kidnapped Bukavu Bishop Emmanuel Kataliko who was ambushed by rebels a few days ago, but the Pope insisted he be escorted safely back to his diocese. His capture leaves a deep "painful wound on all Catholics" the Holy Father asserted. Like another bishop who was murdered two years ago in Guatemala Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera, Bishop Kataliko ran into trouble when he denounced human rights practices by the government. continued inside.

POPE APPEALS FOR CONGO BISHOP

    VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II has issued an appeal to authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, asking that Bishop Emmanuel Kataliko of Bukavu be allowed to return to his diocese.

    Bishop Kataliko is now staying in his native town of Butembo, having been barred by local authorities from returning to his diocese. The Pope said the incident was "a grave violation that inflicts a painful wound on all Catholics." Asking for "the immediate application of the Lusaka peace accord," the Pope invoked God's help for the cause of "unity and reconciliation in that beloved country."

    Bishop Kataliko earned the enmity of the military leaders who control the Bukavu area when he denounced the human-rights violations committed by the anti-Kabila rebel forces there.

    Those abuses are apparently continuing. The Fides news agency has reported that a Catholic priest and two laymen were killed near Bukavu on February 15, when rebel forces set fire to a parish building in the village of Kiliba.

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PLO and Vatican sign accord assuring Catholic jurisdiction, Pope adds Jericho to his Holy Land itinerary

   Following a private audience between the Pope and PLO leader Yasser Arafat at the Vatican, it was announced that the Holy See and Palestine have signed an agreement that will not only pave the way for the Holy Father's historic "Jubilee Journey" there next month, but also provide the Church a voice in the decision making peace process between Palestine and Israel and safeguard Catholics' freedom to worship there. In addition, the Pope agreed to add the ancient city of Jericho to his itinerary. continued inside.

HOLY SEE AND PLO SIGN BASIC AGREEMENT AS WELL AS ADDING JERICHO IN PAPAL PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY LAND

    VATICAN CITY, 16 (NE) The Holy See and the Palestinian Liberation Organization signed yesterday a Basic Agreement dealing with certain juridical questions regarding the presence and activity of the Catholic Church in the territory dependent on the Palestinian Authority. The signing of the agreement took place after Pope John Paul II received in audience Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority. As Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls informed, the Pope "renewed his expression of the Holy See's solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are still waiting to see their legitimate aspirations met".

    The agreement states that both sides are "deeply aware of the special significance of the Holy Land"; have "reviewed the history and development of the relations between the Holy See and the Palestinian People"; re-affirm "the need to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East"; and call "for a peaceful solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which would realize the inalienable national legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian People."

    It also affirms that "declaring that an equitable solution for the issue of Jerusalem, based on international resolutions, is fundamental for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and that unilateral decisions and actions altering the specific character and status of Jerusalem are morally and legally unacceptable."

    During his pilgrimage to Holy Land, scheduled for the 20th of March to the 26th, Pope John Paul II will also visit the city of Jericho. The visit of the Holy Father to this city was announced yesterday, after the meeting of the Pontiff with the President of the National Palestine Authority, Yaser Arafat. The news was confirmed by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, Holy See Press Office Director.

    The synoptic gospels tell that in Jesus' last pilgrimage to Jerusalem he crossed Jericho, city in which He was welcomed by Zacchaeus and where He also healed to two blind men. Jericho was already an important city in the times of the Old Testament. It is believed that it was initially inhabited toward the year 8000 B.C. Important excavations were carried out during the first decades of the twentieth century, leading some archaeologists to consider Jericho as the oldest-known city in the world.

    Herod the Great built southeast of this ancient population a new city, that would serve as his residence during winter, which is the one mentioned in the New Testament and visited by the Lord Jesus. The current town is constituted by the remains of a city built by crusaders to the east of both the ancient and the new city.

For more NEWS & VIEWS see SECTION THREE

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February 17, 2000     volume 11, no. 34
The DailyCATHOLIC is available Monday thru Friday at www.DailyCatholic.org