An old Latin fable, The Birdcatcher And The Snake, carries a powerful lesson for any who make a practice of gang-stalking, torturing, and willfully victimizing others. I have provided the English translation below. The fable is a short but pithy warning tale for all who mistreat their fellowman.

A certain Birdcatcher went out into the woods, skilled at tricking careless birds with his bird-lime and his snares. By chance he noticed a thrush up in a lofty tree and he prepared his bird-catcher’s work the usual way. But while he was arranging the snare and hurriedly smearing on the sticky bird-lime, as he watched the bird, he pressed his heel down on a Snake who by chance was hiding in the grass, and he suffered a grievous death because of a terrible wound. As he was dying, the Birdcatcher said, “While plotting a trick for someone else, a lamentable business has caused me to perish carelessly.” Those who do not hesitate to torment others with ambushes are often accustomed to hurt themselves more than others. The person who is not ashamed to sometime carry out a wicked plan, that man is often harmed by his own deception - Hieronymus Osius (1575), translation from LatinViaFables.com

Is there truth in the lesson of this fable? While my observations may be anecdotal, I have discerned the self-destructive effects of making a career out of preying on others. Spiteful, cruel behavior is a form of self-administered poison. That poison produces pronounced psychosomatic effects. Hatred is hard on the body. Here are some general observations. Generally, they seem to age prematurely, and develop health conditions as a result of their work. Many of them have self-destructive lifestyles. Some who “live” in close proximity are observed to be heavy alcohol and drug abusers. Many of the younger participants seem aimless and empty. They are the saddest cases because they are the most exploited, not having the maturity to weigh the long-term effects of their collusion in these cruel schemes. It appears that their self destructive behavior is tolerated in exchange for their participation in gang-stalking schemes. I often wonder if children who come under state control wind up in these programs. None of them appear to come from stable households. One good example is the “family” ( a collection of adults and children who portrayed a family) in the apartment below mine in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They were employed in this program. There were teen-aged girls and boys in this “family” who spent their entire day wandering the apartment complex or playing video games. The only meaningful education they seemed to have was as participants in these harassment schemes. You never saw a book in their hands, they seemed never to be in school, and were up very late in the evening. Clearly, they had no parental supervision. Their adult handlers were not caring parents. One evening, one of the boys who appeared to be no older than 15 was up at 2:00 in the morning smoking marijuana with one of his adult “managers.” What kind of adults will they become? All of this tells me that these programs will exploit anyone. Life is cheap to the agencies that direct these schemes. Not just the lives of those they victimize, but also those they employ.

In my story you will read of one colorful participant who I named The Salesman in Newark, New Jersey. Part of his role was to mingle with my neighbors, gain their friendship, and slander my reputation. After a number of months he became comfortable with a few of the neighbors and began to drink and socialize with them. That was a big mistake. They began to complain that he became very weird and dangerous when he drank. As a result, he destroyed his own reputation, thereby limiting his effectiveness as my slanderer. Being a tormentor is weird. No doubt, his true colors began to show when he became intoxicated. Well, after more than a decade of observing these individuals I can concur with the truth found in the old Latin fable, The Birdcatcher And The Snake: Those who scheme to destroy others often become their own worst enemies!

IF YOU take a close look at the butterfly in this photo, you will see that its wings have sustained quite a bit of damage. Yet, that butterfly will continue feeding and flying in spite of damage suffered from predator attacks. In fact, butterflies have been observed going about their daily activity with up to 70 percent of their wing surfaces missing. It’s incredible that something that appears to be so delicate can live a full life in spite of suffering so much adversity. Similarly, many people can display a resolute spirit. Despite suffering from great personal hardships, they do not give up. Like the butterfly, they may appear weak or insignificant to the human eye. But they possess an inner strength that enables them to move forward.

This can be true of victims of psychological torture that includes gang-stalking and covert through-the-wall torture weapons. Their strength can be demonstrated by refusing to abandon high principles when facing the cruelty and spitefulness of their persecutors. Is such restraint an act of weakness or courage? A recent article in Psychology Today (April 2008, Second Nature) corrects a common misperception regarding courage. “It (courage) is motivated not by fearlessness, but by a strong sense of duty. People who behave bravely often say they were afraid at the time, says Cynthia Pury, a psychologist at Clemson University. But their principles forced them to take action.” Exercising restraint under a continuous barrage of aggravated provocation is a principled action that requires great courage.

The victims of long-term gang-stalking and related forms of abuse demonstrate a courageous adherence to Christian principles when they refuse to adopt the spiteful actions of their persecutors. They remain loyal to Bible principles such as “Return evil for evil to no one” - Romans 12:17. Such courage is an essential component of their success in overcoming the adversity thrust upon them.

I often use the word “victim” in my writing to describe my role as a target of long term secret police tactics (including gang-stalking) and torture with through-the-wall weapons. However, my use of that word may be a bit misleading. The truth is, I lead a meaningful, productive and happy life in spite over ten years of covert psychological and physical torture. My health is not compromised by the psychosomatic effects of bitterness and stress. Perhaps most importantly, I have not been seduced by my antagonists’ efforts to dominate and control my thinking and actions. I have resolutely rejected the seductive call of violence, spitefulness, and petty hatred. I stand as a powerful example before the criminal psychologists, weapons developers, and sociologists behind my persecution. They may understand the criminal mind, but cannot fathom the noblest of qualities such as integrity, courage, and humility. While my abusers can rightfully be accused of a myriad of injustices stemming from spite, hubris and cruelty, they cannot point to a single incident of retaliation. I have not even uttered a word of profanity in their presence. Does that sound like a helpless victim to you?

The qualities and principles I live by have served me admirably. You will often see references to Bible principles and characters in my writing. It is the best guidebook for coping with any adversity. I have not handled each situation perfectly, nor should I be expected to. However, taken on the whole, I have become the victor, not the victim. My adversaries have willingly given themselves over to the practice of cruel injustice without a struggle. I have resisted the unremitting call of barbarism and malice. In no way have I adopted the thinking and behavior of my enemies. Each days’ struggle in this regard has been met and overcome. That is true victory! In the light of this truth, who would you say is the real victim?

This past week I experienced two incidents which reminded me of the spirit and motives behind the gang-stalking and infrasonic / microwave weapons harassment I have undergone for the past few years. The first took place in my local library (Phoenix Library, Main Branch, Phoenix, Arizona). I observed a fellow in the business section poring over business journals and newspapers related to the stock market. Obviously he was a businessman of some sort, the intense look as he read revealing deep personal concern and interest. A much older, poorly dressed man approached him, evidently a poverty stricken Native American, quietly asking for a small handout. His approach was timid and apologetic, motivated by necessity. The businessman, quickly becoming irritated, began to loudly castigate the old man, demanding that he find a job rather than look for handouts. It was a humiliating display. And, judging by the businessman’s tone of voice, it was meant to be. The older Native American quietly walked away, uttering no response.

Feeling superior to others is a dangerous thing. When we are convinced that others are less worthy than ourselves, it can create a cruel and domineering spirit as that brief episode demonstrated. A simple, quiet reply by the businessman would have been a sufficient rejection, and, would have preserved the old man’s dignity as well. However, the businessman saw no need to treat someone he viewed condescendingly with even a modicum of respect.

It was with that observation fresh in my mind that a second incident occurred the following day. This time, I was personally involved. I was driving in the South Mountain Park / Preserve (Phoenix, Arizona) this past weekend to photograph the spring wildflowers that are in bloom. The part of the preserve best known for spring wildflower displays, is only open on the weekends from sunrise to sunset. At other times, a locked gate prevents entry. I drove into this area (the gate was open) about an hour before sunset this past Sunday. A Park Rangers’ vehicle was partially blocking one lane just past the entrance, having arrived just before I did. The Park Ranger had left the vehicle, and was walking in a forested area near the road. I stopped and asked him if the area was still open. I was not sure what to make of his vehicle partially blocking the road. The ranger said that they were closing the road. It was 4:38 in the afternoon, more than an hour before sunset. To my thinking, this was an odd decision. So I asked why they were closing it so early when the sign said “open sunrise to sunset.?”

Well, in less than a minute, a second Park Ranger appeared, approached my car and joined the conversation. I simply wanted to know why, just as I entered the area, that the decision was made to close it, and not at sunset as the posted sign indicates. As the conversation progressed, my manner of speaking began having a pronounced effect on these two Rangers. Let me explain why. I am the sort of person who grooms and dresses himself with dignity at all times. I have taught public speaking for over ten years, and spent many years in corporate environments. I know how to communicate respectfully yet emphatically without profanity or disrespect. Simply because of the way I spoke and conducted myself, the rangers began to think that perhaps I was a high-powered official with the Parks Department or City government who had caught them closing the gate too early. They became overly apologetic and extremely helpful as a result. I could see that they were in fear for their jobs, and were trying to find a way to know what office I held or represented. In that moment, I held a measure of power over those Park Rangers. It was the same power that businessman held as he was approached for a handout by the old man. How should I use that power? How did I use it?

I did not want to leave those Park Rangers with the wrong impression. It would be wrong to abuse the power I held at that moment. I thanked the Rangers for their work and assured them that I respected their authority. I also assured them that I was asking out of disappoint because of not being able to photograph the wildflowers (near sunset is one of the best times of the day for landscape photography) and would honor their decision. What fleeting power I held in that moment dissipated. I corrected any false impressions they held and left on good terms with both men.

However, I must admit to the brief temptation to use the power I held over those men in that moment as a tool of humiliation. After all, I have been repeatedly abused by those who hold an authority like these men. Shouldn’t I, in some way, take it out on these men, if only in speech? Never may that happen! I firmly reject the lure of power abused, sticking to the superior principles I have been taught since youth. Remember the “Golden Rule?” “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” I strive to treat others the way I want others to treat me. Not the way I am treated. That “Golden Rule” did not govern the actions of the abusive businessman I had observed earlier. Nor does it govern the lives of persons employed in gang-stalking and psychological and physical torture. Offer ordinary people a chance to employ a cruel abusive power over others, and many will accept. It is an addictive thrill to abuse others, an alluring temptation to the imperfect mind and heart. Unless we make a concerted effort to adopt and stick to higher principles at all times (such as the “Golden Rule”), we will easily be lured by the abuse of power!