~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~Updates for the Year 2000 -- the New Millennium~*~
                                                   May 2000
                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~

                  For current updates, please see the Most Current Update Page.
                                                     
May 2000    

 Morning ~ Monday, May 1, 2000 about 10:00 am (CST)
                    Morning ~ Thursday, May 4, 2000 about 10:00 am (CST)
                    Afternoon ~ Saturday, May 6, 2000 about 4:00 pm (CST)
          ~~*~~PO Box Closed ~
                    Afternoon ~ Tuesday, May 9, 2000 about 4:00 pm (CST)~~*~~

          ~~*~~Proposal Deadline Announced ~
                    Morning ~ Monday, May 15, 2000 about 9:00 am (CST)~~*~~

          ~~*~~Proposal Deadline ~
                    Morning ~ Saturday, May 20, 2000 about 1:00 pm (CST)~~*~~

           ~~*~~John Hopkins Research Links
                      Allergic Disease and Nervous System ~
                    Morning ~ Monday, May 22, 2000 about 2:00 pm (CST)~~*~~
 
          ~~*~~An Extension of Sympathy
                   Morning ~ Friday, May 26, 2000 about 8:15 am (CST)~~*~~  

                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~
                                               
 
                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~
                ~*~Updates for the Year 2000~*~
                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~

    April 2000    *       March 2000    *     February 2000


                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~
                ~*~Updates for the Year 1999~*~
                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~

               September 1999       *         October 1999

                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~

Morning ~ Monday, May 1, 2000 about 10:00 am (CST)

Nothing to report publicly yet, but we have updated and greatly expanded
the Adverse Effects of Pesticides Page:  Migraine and "Toxic Headache"
section to include four (4) new links and some very significant research
on the neurological sensitization involved in migraine headaches.

The neurotoxic pesticides and solvents at Southwest Baptist University
caused considerable damage to Marie's central and peripheral nervous
system -- including what is known as "neurological sensitization."

Her migraine headaches are triggered solely by particular chemical triggers,
including as petrochemical, solvents, or pesticides.  She never experienced
anything remotely similar to these headaches before her exposures to the
pesticides and solvents at Southwest Baptist University.  No one in her
family history has such headaches.  

New Harvard research -- reported in the Doctor's Guide on April 27, 2000 --
has proven the clinical basis of the skin sensitivity and neurological
sensitization which accompanies these migraines.

The pain during such attacks is excruciating ...

1)  ~*~New Today~*~
Adverse Effects of Pesticides Page:  
Migraine and "Toxic Headache"
~~~*~~~

~*~Four (4) new links added to the Adverse Effects of Pesticides Page:  
Migraine and "Toxic Headache" ~*~

    a) JAMA Migraine Information Center - Common Myths About Headache Patients
    b)  JAMA Migraine Information Center - What Causes Migraine
    c)  JAMA Migraine Information Center - Types of Headache

   d) New Understanding Of Migraines:  Skin Sensitivity and Neurological Sensitization
~~~*~~~

More to come ...

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                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Morning ~ Thursday, May 4, 2000 about 10:00 am (CST)

It is said:  "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

The portion of scripture below -- from the Living Bible (which is
a paraphrase, not an exact translation) -- was written by the prophet
Jeremiah as a warning to the people of Israel.

A friend brought this to our attention and wondered if Jeremiah had
ever visited Bolivar, Missouri, attended Southwest Baptist University,
or spoken to the Missouri Baptist Convention.


1)  ~*~New Today~*~
The More Things Change,
The More Things Stay The Same
with comments
~~~*~~~

We will keep you posted on any progress.  Your prayers are appreciated.  

More to come ...

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                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Afternoon ~ Saturday, May 6, 2000 about 4:00 pm (CST)

A Mule's Tale

There was a farmer who when to the market one fine Spring day to buy
a good working mule to assist him in plowing the fields.  

After looking a good while, the farmer came upon a sullen, but sturdy-
looking mule for sale.

 "This mule is well-trained, will work hard all day, and never give you
a problem,"  the owner of the mule assured the farmer.

"That's what I need,"  the farmer smiled and after a bit of haggling,
the cost of the mule was mutually agreed upon, and the farmer left
for home, leading his new mule.

The next day, the farmer harnessed the mule and set out to plow his fields.  

It soon became apparent, that the mule had other plans, however, and
try as hard the farmer might, he could not get the mule to move.

The farmer tried to pull, and shove ,and even coax the mule with fine
oats and other morsels ... but the mule would not budge.

Dismayed and angry, the farmer returned to the market and found the
man who had sold him the mule.  

"You have cheated me," the farmer puffed to the mule's former owner,
"That mule is good for nothing and won't do a lick of work."

"No, that isn't so," the former owner protested, "That mule is a good
working mule."  

"Well, he won't work for me," the farmer retorted.

"I will show you," the other insisted.  So, he accompanied the farmer
back to his farm where the still-harnessed mule stood dozing in the
noonday sun.

"You see," the farmer said emphatically.  "He won't move."

"Not a problem," the former owner exclaimed.

Reaching for an old two-by-four from a pile of discarded lumber,
the former owner rounded on the sleeping mule and hit him on the
head -- right between the eyes.  Thwack!

Instantly, the mule was jarred into consciousness , stumbled, and quickly
began to pull the plow in a perfectly straight line.

"See how well he works? ... You just have to get his attention first,"
the former owner explained.

                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~~  
We have described the corporations of the  Missouri Baptist Convention
and Southwest Baptist University as similar to the mythical "many-headed
beast" -- each head with its own objectives, prejudices, personal and
political ambitions ... and "secrets" to keep.

It has become equally clear over the past years that at least one of beast's
heads -- is the head of a mule.

When Marie's friend told her the above story in the first months after the
second acute poisoning (in 1989), Marie argued that such drastic measures
would not be necessary as these people were "Christians "and would surely
listen to reason.

"I don't know," responded her friend, who was a non-traditional Christian,
"I don't see how they could be called 'Christians.'  ... They aren't even very
nice."

Since that time, we have all been educated in the culture and philosophy
of Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention.

We now recognize (and Marie has finally conceded) that -- due to this
mule-headed stubbornness -- it will be necessary to take some drastic
(though, of course, legal and non-violent) measures in order to
get the attention of this beast.

These measures will appear to be about as "subtle" as a two-by-four
between the eyes, but please recall that we have earnestly tried every
other conceivable means to get this beast's attention.

We mention this now, because -- from what we hear -- it is likely
that during their Spring Meeting this Monday and Tuesday, May 8 and 9
the |SBU Trustees will not vote to resolve this situation nor deal with
the irresponsible, immoral, unethical, and illegal conduct of the SBU
staff and associates.

Due to on-going threats -- in fact, promises -- of further retaliatory harm
and injury if we proceed, we will not be able to describe or report the
progress of any of these measures on this site ... until after the fact.  

In all likelihood, these measures will begin the evening of May 9, 2000 --
immediately following the Meeting of the SBU Trustees.

We will delay no further:  there will be no reprieve.

This will be the forty-sixth (46th) time that the SBU Trustees have
met without resolving this situation since September 26, 1988 --
Marie's first acute poisoning.

Would these men and woman allow one of their own children to suffer
such pain, loss, savagery, and cruelty?

We think not. ...

Though each of us hopes that this is not necessary, we all know in are
hearts that we have been attempting to deal with a very stiff-necked,
stubborn -- and astonishingly cruel, arrogant, and self-centered --
"many-headed beast".

Following this May 8 and 9 Meeting, we will no longer attempt to satiate
or communicate with this "beast."   It seems to do little good.

We simply do not know how to speak to this monster ... and no longer wish
to expend our efforts on a worthless and fruitless venture.

Again, we would like to express our regrets and sympathy to all those who
must witness or suffer the brutality of this creature.

We will make one final effort .

We will be reporting on this site the nature of the progress, if any, that
is made during the May 8 and 9 Meeting.

More to come ...

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                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Afternoon ~ Tuesday, May 9, 2000 about 4:00 pm (CST)

The Post Office Box for the Marie O'Hara Donation Drive
has been closed due logistic difficulties and opened, torn, and
mishandled mail.

Our apologies for any inconvenience.

We will be opening a new box in another location soon.

~~~~*~~~~
Gift Certificates

All Certificates may now be arranged and sent through the
participating vendor.

 ~Gift Certificates for Organic Food *   ~Gift Certificates for Household Products  

~~~~*~~~~

~~~~*~~~~
Donation Account

A donation account for Marie O'Hara
has been established at the
Bank of Hillsboro, Missouri
to assist with Marie's medical and living expenses.

Please send your donations to:

Marie O'Hara Donation Account
Account Number 75692
PO Box 708
Hillsboro, MO 63050

Please make sure to specify
Account Number # 75692

CALL:  (314) 797-3337 -- Ask for Jackie.

~~~~*~~~~

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                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Morning ~ Monday, May 15, 2000 about 9:00 am (CST)

We are still awaiting word from the administration and Trustees of
Southwest Baptist University and the officials of the Missouri Baptist Convention
regarding

"Sensitivity of the Heart:  A Proposal For Peace."

The deadline for SBU and MBC officials to initiate (through Marie's
representative) any substantive, affirmative, or constructive action
towards resolving this situation by means of this or a related proposal
                                       is 3:00 pm (CST)
                                 Saturday afternoon
                                      on May 20, 2000.

At present, we have not yet confirmed that the proposal has been distributed
to all the participants.

In any event, the majority of the proposal -- which includes open letters to
a number of former and current Southwest Baptist University and Missouri
and Southern Baptist officials -- will be posted.

Your prayers are appreciated.

Thank you.

More to come ...

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                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Morning ~ Saturday, May 20, 2000 about 1:00 pm (CST)

Early this week, it became evident that -- due to unavoidable circumstances --
Marie's representative would not be available to participate in any discussions
with officials from the Missouri Baptist Convention or Southwest Baptist
University during the early part of this week.

This temporary situation, we believed, would resolve itself quickly.

The Missouri Baptist Convention and SBU officials, we thought, would
still -- later in the week -- have ample opportunity to respond to Marie's
proposal,
          "Sensitivity of the Heart:  A Proposal For Peace."

However, this was not so.

Delays on all sides hindered communications during this week.

Due to these circumstances, the proposal and the accompanying letters
have not yet been presented to all the participants and, consequently,
all the involved officials have not yet had enough time to consider and
respond to the proposal and the letters.

We realized that, due to these communication delays, it was best that
these discussions be continued until this coming week.  

Therefore, this week, we will again, attempt to communicate with the
Missouri Baptist Convention and Southwest Baptist University.

To avoid any complication in the future, Marie has made provision for an
alternative if -- for whatever reason -- her representative is not available.

In the meantime, in order to insure some degree of security and safety in
dealing with the Missouri Baptist Convention and SBU officials, we have
been compelled to progress with other measures.

Regardless of whatever other actions are necessary, we feel that confrontation
with these officials is, nonetheless, inevitable and essential -- the only means
by which to effect a true, lasting, or reasonable resolution to the trauma of
this situation.

Marie has asked that the Missouri Baptist Convention and SBU officials 
be given one last, formal opportunity to respond and do right.

Therefore, Marie has agreed that the deadline for SBU and MBC officials
to initiate (through Marie's representative) a substantive, affirmative,
or constructive offer to resolve this situation by means of the "Sensitivity
of the Heart:  A Proposal For Peace" or a related proposal or offer
be extended to                             
                                  Thursday, June 1, 2000
                                          12:00 pm (CST).

This should allow more than sufficient time for the Missouri Baptist Convention
and SBU officials to respond and, if they so desire, initiate an offer or
counter-proposal.

We are given to understand that SBU wishes to resolve this situation before
June 5 -- the resumption of Summer classes at SBU.  

If this be true, then this schedule will permit them to do so.

If no suitable resolution is reached by this date and time, however, we will
be obligated to implement immediately -- with no further warning or discussion --
the remaining and pending actions against the Missouri Baptist Convention
and SBU officials.

We recognize that, in reality, SBU's past and current actions are worthy of
whatever swift, mitigating, and even "merciless" action is deemed necessary. 

However, our hope in seeking resolution by means of these discussions
is primarily motivated by the looming knowledge (gained by past experience)
of the potential brutish, cruel, and dangerous retaliation of which at least
several of these individuals are capable.

We wish, if at all possible, to spare Marie's life.  

Over the next week, will be posting a number of additions, including:  

    *A report on Marie's search for a new university,
    *A number of medical updates and other information,
    *An update on the Student Environmental Protection Act (SEPA),
    *A second excerpt from
      "So What About the Money?: A Conversation Among Friends"
       entitled  "Dreamers and Dreamslayers"
      and
     *The majority of  "Sensitivity of the Heart:  A Proposal For Peace"
        and the accompanying letters to various past and current officials of
        Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri and Southern Baptist
        Conventions.

Thank you for your prayers.

More to come ...

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                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Morning ~ Monday, May 22, 2000 about 2:00 pm (CST)

New medical research from John Hopkins University ...

~~~*~~~
Researchers Present New Theory for Allergic Diseases

Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered, to their surprise, that a
nervous system protein may have a significant role in asthma, hay
fever and other allergies.

According to the new research reported in the May issue of the American
Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the protein, nerve
growth factor (NGF), may be responsible for making allergy sufferers more
sensitive to irritants such as tobacco smoke.

"Hay fever and asthma now seem to derive from events not only in the
respiratory system, but also from a nervous system that is overreacting to
stimuli," says Vassilis Koliatsos, M.D., an associate professor of pathology,
neurology and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. ...

For decades, scientists have known that individuals who have allergies
and asthma are more reactive to irritants such as cold, dry air and tobacco
smoke, but until now, they haven't known why.

Please click here for the complete article on the John Hopkins Site.
~~~*~~~

Source:  http://hopkins.med.jhu.edu/press/2000/MAY/000518.HTM
~~~*~~~

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                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Morning ~ Friday, May 26, 2000 about 8:15 am (CST)

We have been notified of the passing of Mrs. Lee Lynch, the mother
of Gary Lynch, SBU's attorney.

Mrs. Lee Lynch passed away very early this past Tuesday morning,
May 23, after a brief illness.

All of us at the Marie O'Hara Donation Drive are saddened by this loss
and wish to extend our condolences, sympathy, and prayers to Gary Lynch
and his family.

As a tribute to Mrs. Lynch, we would like to offer this brief story ...

 ~*~New Today~*~
Perfection
~~~*~~~

Out of respect, we have extended the deadline for a response to the
"Sensitivity of the Heart" Proposal to
                                     Monday, June 5, 2000.

Thank you.

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