Just got into Seoul about an hour ago and updated with the station. The State of Emergency is due to be lifted tonight at midnight. There is no further word regarding discussions in parliament to outlaw foreign ownership of media. The APCs are off the streets and all is quiet. I was talking with someone just before I left San Francisco. Part of our discussion swirled around whether martial law might be declared and whether this was a first move by the MPRP to sezie control of the country. My response was that I seriously doubted it and didn't see the usual signs for that kind of action. Things may be different after today, but democracy is certainly not over. The situation on the street today would seem to vindicate that position. Besides, why would they MPRP feel a need to "take over" when their election victory has already been affirmed?

I'm meeting with the Foreign Minister this weekend to discuss the situation relative to Eagle TV.

It does seem, however, that some propaganda might be on the way to ramping up against us. We saw the same kind of thing following the mining protests almost two years ago. Today's edition of the Today Newspaper (a pro-MPRP paper) featured this little quip:


A few people have wondered how much of Elbegdorj's letter to U.S. supporters is true (see my previous post). That's not something I can attest too. I will leave that to others (see this post at Mongolia-Web). My concern is not with the right or wrong of the political parties involved. That's for them to work out. Our station remains nuetral, as it always has, and we do not have a Mongolian political agenda other than supporting Mongolia's freedom of speech and press through independent news.

Mongolia's political intriques are not my primary concern. My concern, as always, is with Eagle TV and any discussion relevant to our work and investment in Mongolia's freedom and democracy. Elbegdorj's letter does demonstrate something important for our purposes—multiple TV stations were carrying the events of the day. Thus, the talk of targeting Eagle TV for closure simply because of its 15-year foreign ownership seems less than reasonable. Especially considering the historic position Eagle TV occupies in Mongolia.

Eagle will resume broadcasting at 7am Saturday with live calls from viewers about the State of Emergency and live input from people on the street. The day's broadcast will focus on reflection of the last four days and the direction average Mongolian citizens think the nation should head. As always, Eagle TV shall act as an open conduit for the Mongolian people to express their own hearts and minds.

We are still asking friends to fast and pray for us as we prepare to meet with the relevant authorities.

Boarding the plane to UB in 90 minutes. Expect more updates tomorrow.

We received word today from a member of parliament that during the closed session the discussion regarding the media's role in the July 1st protests centered exclusively on Eagle TV. According to the member of parliament who contacted us, the parliament appears to be moving to outlaw all foreign ownership of media in Mongolia as a way to eliminate Eagle TV from the landscape.

Certain members of parliament hold Eagle TV responsible for the riots, even though there were multiple stations providing coverage of the events at different points throughout the day.

Though there has not been a vote in parliament as a result of this discussion, it bears ominous signs not only for Eagle TV, but for Mongolian journalism. Eagle TV has long been recognized as a significant leader where freedom of press and speech is concerned.

Therefore, we are asking for all of the friends of Eagle TV to pray and fast during the next two days (until the State of Emergency ends), that the Lord would intervene with parliament, and give our Board of Directors, me, and our Management team a greater measure of wisdom during the coming days.

I was stuck in San Francisco one more day than planned. I'm on way back to UB now to assess the situation for Eagle.

I'm between flights, sitting in a Mexican cafe in San Francisco with a little extra time to catch up on the aftermath of the riots back home in Mongolia. I long to get back home quickly.

Here's the latest, this time gathered from a variety of sites and minor info funneled back to me from our staff. Parliament is in a closed door session discussing the election and riots. Justice Minister Munhk-Orgil and Foreign Minister Oyun conducted a briefing for Ambassadors and made statements to the media. All is apparently quiet on the day after as tanks and large numbers of police made their rounds through the center portion of the city to guarantee calm. A small group of new protesters did gather downtown, but apparently in regret for what happened during the riots.



The MPRP HQ is all but destroyed. The Culture Palace, home to many Mongolian art treasures, was gutted by fire and many of its works looted.

5 people are dead. 108 police officers were injuried. Nineteen have serious injuries. 221 protesters were injured, with 19 hospitalized. Security around embassies has been beefed up and foreign citizens have been warned to either remain home during the State of Emergency or restrict their movements.

Staff from State TV and Eagle TV were assaulted and injured by the rioters. Equipment was broken or destroyed. And for the purposes of this blog, this is where I want to make a comment.

Protests after Mongolian elections or controversial political decisions is nothing new. Some protesters have been known to get violent, as well as the police, but certainly nothing to the extent seen on July 1st. While Mongolian protesters have never before gone to such lengths (destroying buildings, killing and severely injuring people), there is something else that makes this protest different.

Mongolian protesters don't attack journalists.

Both, foreign and domestic journalists were indiscriminately attacked by protesters. A Japanese and British journalist had to be hospitalized. The offices of two newspapers were destroyed. State TV's remote equipment was damaged by protesters early in the rioting. An Eagle TV cameraman was attacked and had to be taken to the hospital with leg injuries. Eagle TV journaists and cameramen were assulted when trying to leave the roof of the democratic party headquarters and had to flee back to the roof to save their lives. As midnight approached the staff were still unable to escape and greatly feared for their safety. Various other journalists were threatened, and the offices and key staff of Eagle TV received numerous threats that required a security contingent to be put in place to protect the premises. Staff leaving for home had to be escorted by security for their protection.

Mongolian protesters don't attack journalists.

There has been, until July 1st, a general understanding among people that Mongolian journalists, and especially those with Eagle TV, exist to tell the story of the people. Protesters have always tended to view journalists, especially Eagle TV journos, with some level of regard. When protests take place and clash with police as sometimes happens, journalists are usually left untouched (there are exceptions) so they can document and tell the story. In fact, up until July 1st the most significant offenses against journalists were usually by police attempting to prevent them from covering stories (which is illegal under Mongolian law).

But on July 1st journalists were indiscrimately targeted, even it appears, when it was clear that they were not political operatives or police officers. Charges of corruption against the Mongolian government and political parties aren't anything new. Neither are charges of fraud in elections. Sour grapes seem to be a regular course in Mongolia's political diet. Journalists have been viewed as an important part of maintaining Mongolia's freedom, all the way back to the days of Eagle TV's conception when a small group of political leaders asked AMONG Foundation to start the first independent TV station in Mongolia because "without an independent TV station we cannot maintain our freedom."

July 1st crossed a line for Mongolian media so that even journalists, traditionally regarded with a "hands-off" approach by protesters are now left to fend for themselves, or take the risk of being attacked even when they are trying to tell the protester's story. How significant is this? Police don't attack journalists who are trying to tell their story. Prior to 9/11, even Osama Bin Laden didn't attack journalists who came to interview him and tell his story.

Mongolian journalists have always complained bitterly about the government's lack of cooperation when it comes to freedom of information, political influence/ownership in media, and party control of content. Everyone is waiting to see if the status quo that existed before the riots will be restored or if there will be new restrictions on media, since it is clear that some on the political landscape want to hold media party responsible for the riots. But now there is a new factor in the equation.

Democracy protesters may indiscrimately target independent media.

To that I can only say to my collegues in the media: Congratulations. Welcome to democracy. You've just graduated to what many other media experience around the world. Now you will have to work even harder, and take even more risks, to get the story. From now on during tough and dangerous assignments you will have to decide what true journalistic independence and integrity is worth to you, and whether you will report fairly and objectively, even when you are being attacked from both sides.

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Photos from left to right: Reuters, MIchael Kohn, Reuters

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For continuing web updates on Mongolia's State of Emergency see:

I'm waiting for an update from the staff before I provide any new details here. However, it's clear after the events of last night that Mongolians are going to wake up to a new dynamic in their political life. This is the first time Mongols have rioted so violently.

The situation is heartbreaking. We don't know what the long term effects will be, yet, on media freedom in Mongolia. Clearly, there are government officials that strongly desire to hold the media at least partially accountable for what took place—especially Eagle TV.

I'm going to write a commentary on the events later tonight. Suffice it to say, President Enkhbayar did the right thing by declaring the State of Emergency. I'm not a fan of the idea of shutting down all media (except State TV), in fact, I'm not sure it was 100% necessary. In the U.S. the model is to channel all emergency information through a single master media outlet, with all other outlets slaved to the master outlet to ensure everyone receives the proper information. But, all things considered, what else could the President do?

More later...

UPDATE (12:12AM ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA): PRESIDENT ENKHBAYAR HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND ORDERED THE SHUT DOWN OF ALL MEDIA EXCEPT STATE TV FOR FOUR DAYS.

EARLIER: I haven't gotten much sleep since the station began phoning me reports that protests over Mongolia's election results have turned violent. The MPRP HQ is under attack. Police have fired into the crowd. Protesters have become violent. There is bloodshed. Ambulances are on their way to address the injured. The MPRP building is on fire. Protesters are becoming more violent and blocking the access of emergency vehicles to the building and even pelting the fire engine with rocks. Army troops have been called to the scene. Eagle journalists estimate there could be as many as 20,000 protesters involved. If so, this would be the largest anti-government protest since Mongolia's peaceful democratic revolution.

While watching the events online through Skype, one our employees exclaimed, "I've never seen such a thing in Mongolia before! This is so scary!"

Eagle is broadcasting the events live, but apparently no other stations are reporting the events live. State TV did for a while, but for reasons unknown to me they have ceased. Though we did receive a report that their microwave equipment was damaged in the protest.

We are scrambling extra resources to cover the events. Associated Press is resourcing Eagle TV video for international coverage.

We have received some minor pressure to stop the broadcasts, but are continuing.

It amazes me that out of 12 terrestrial competitors, and additional cable only TV stations in the capital city, that no one is covering these breaking events. Thousands are people are involved in the protests. The HQ of the ruling party has come under violent attack. These are unprecedented events in Mongolia.

Finally, other stations have started giving coverage.

UPDATE: An informant in the government has let us know that officials are discussing the forced shut down of Eagle TV for our coverage—even though other stations are also now covering the event.

UPDATE: We've received a number of threats against Eagle for the coverage, including threats against the building (set it on fire). Security is moving to protect the property against potential overnight threats.

UPDATE: Most of the protests have died out, but a few small fires are still burning. Party and government leaders called a joint press conference to call for calm, but also blamed one another's parties for the day's events. Holy cow, I just got word that protesters are regathering at the MPRP building again.

UPDATE: Our staff are trapped on the roof of the MPRP building. When they try to leave the premises, they are attacked and beaten. They have been unable to escape. We are trying to alert the crowds to allow our crew to leave.

COMMENT: It is alarming how many protests we received from government officials and the Mongolian CIA demanding the news coverage be shut down. There is clearly some discussion going on at high levels that part of this protest was fomented by Eagle TV.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Our policy on such coverage would be no different if it were MPRP protesters attacking the Democratic Party building. There is a great deal of pressure upon our management team to force our shut down. However, this would be a critical mistake for Mongolian democracy. Most stations did not provide coverage until long after Eagle TV began rolling live footage of the thousands in the street. Our competitor stations were calling our station manager to congratulate us on our coverage (including those who refused to do any coverage themselves). One competitor even provided dual coverage by running our video on their channel live. In addition, the world is now alerted to the situation in Mongolia. Video from AP, fed to CNN, BBC, and other outlets, was all Eagle TV video, with AP using Eagle TV as their base of operations for their coverage.

The attacks against Eagle TV are unjustified. Though today's events are tragic, trying to cojole or force the shut down of media coverage through Eagle would be a major step backwards for this democracy. The move by certain officials and party members to pressure the shut down of coverage is a clear sign that even though Mongolia has "freedom of press" it is still fragile and suffers under the influence of those who desire to control all media for their own benefit. We therefore believe that the need for a completely independent channel such as Eagle TV is more critical than ever.

My assistant back in Mongolia, Amgaa, sent me pictures of our Steppe-by-Steppe team posing next to the new land cruiser that was sponsored by Casas Church in Tucson. When I received the pics, the guys were not smiling but a little. So I sent Amgaa a message back saying, "Hey, we westerners like to see smiling people in our pictures." The whole Mongolian stoic pose doesn't really shake with us. So Amgaa sent a new set of pictures, including one with her in it.

Okay smarty pants.

Amgaa is a gem, and she knows me pretty well. This works for me.

(The REAL picture is on the right.) Casas Church in Tucson sponsored the Land Cruiser for our Steppe-by-Steppe ministry. We had two vans before this, but one was destroyed in a rollover accident in the countryside last fall. Thankfully the guys were not injuried, though the van was good for nothing except to part it out and sell it for scrap. That helped to pay for repairs to the other van that was also damaged from countryside trauma. Standard vans really just can't handle the deep countryside areas where our teams have to minister. The land cruiser will finally open up some areas that were previously closed off to us—minus camels, horses, and mountain climbing for the really rough spots.

I should mention, by the way, that our team returned last week from Altai Gobi where more than 1,500 attended SBS movie events, Bible studies, and training. In fact, there are very few believers in the area. Most of these attendees were from Buddhist or Animist backgrounds, and many received Christ after learning about the Bible and the history of Jesus.

While the ministry continues in Mongolia, so the ministry continues in the U.S. as I'm traveling here until July 2nd speaking to potential partners about Eagle TV. I landed this week in Gig Harbor, Washington, about an hour from Seattle. It's my first time in Washington State, much less this little haven in the mountains. All I can say is: Oh. My. Gosh. Can I live here? This little community is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Paradise. And having been to at least half of America and 12 countries, that's saying a lot. I started falling in love with this little town before I even hit the city limits.

Though I'm here to speak at an event tonight at Rock Church on behalf of AMONG and Eagle TV, I get an extra day here with my daughter, Rochele, who is staying with a local family until September. She's playing nanny (okay, not playing, she's working her skinny little tail off!) for the family that helped her during her RSD crisis last year. I haven't see her in 6 weeks, which in Tom years is at least a life time. But of course, just like Amgaa, she's another little smarty pants. I walked to the door of the house. She gave me a big hug and said, "You smell like airplane."

Okay. I don't know what airplane smells like. Jet fuel? Oh...how about the sweat of 300 passengers crammed into a hollow alluminum tube? Maybe both.

Cris Bayar, my host and the pastor of Rock Church here, took us around town yesterday to show us the sites, including a walk by the harbor. We had a great time. And with Chris, getting a tour of Gig Harbor is like getting a local geography lesson. Will there be a quiz at the end? I now know more about Gig Harbor than the Mayor.

BTW, for my friends in Arizona and New Mexico, forgive me, but the best Mexican food I've ever had in my life was today, for lunch, in Gig Harbor. Oh. My. Gosh.

Though I had a great time with Rochele seeing this absolutely georgous town, I could not help but think, every time I turned the corner, "Diane would love this. I need to bring Diane here on vacation. Why can't Diane come with me to places like this? Diane's not here. That's not fair. Where's my wife!?"

I've already pledged to bring my wife here on a vacation as soon as I can afford it. If you want to help us afford it, that would be a really nice thing. ;-)

In about 5 hours I'm off to Rock Church for tonight's speaking engagement. If you're in the neighborhood, come. We have free dessert: chocolate cake, cheesecake, apple pie, key lime pie. You may not want to actually listen to me speak, but the food will make it worth the trip.

UPDATE: Event is over. Things went well and I truly appreciate the hospitality and high interest that was shown by everyone who attended. Thanks also for the invitation to return later this year to speak to even more people about Eagle TV's impact in Mongolia.

I've spent the last few days in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Minneapolis, Minnesota meeting with donors. While here I spoke at a Lutheran church about the impact Eagle TV and Steppe-by-Steppe is having on Mongolians. The response was tremendous! And I was happy to have parted with a few copies of City of Heaven as well.

WARNING! SHAMELESS PROMOTION TO FOLLOW: Have you seen the website for City of Heaven?

I'm flying out at 6:30am and looking forward to a lunch meeting with pastors in Gig Harbor, Washington and an evening event at Church on the Rock. If you are in the Gig Harbor area, swing by at 7:00pm on Thursday.

I'm short on things to say, which is a good thing for you. ;-). Back at'cha later.

I hit the tarmac again in a few hours for a two week jaunt to the States—fund raising for Eagle TV to keep our operations going.

I was planning on hitting Illinois this trip, but other circumstances required a change in schedule so I'll be in South Dakota longer, before zipping over to Washington State and New Mexico. I'll be back in the office July 7th, after the morning wedding of our station manager, Bairsaikhan. We are all very excited and happy for her.

BTW, I'll have about 50 copies of my new novel, City of Heaven, with me on this trip to give as gifts.

A few minor things of note: Scripting for the next season of Together Through The Bible began yesterday. We're also working on a new set design for the program. The new set for Supermom is nearly complete as well.

Mongolia's parliamentary elections are ten days away. There are an unusual number of independents and third party candidates running this go around. Unless one of the two major parties receives a simple majority, it looks like the next four years of governance will be another round of power-sharing alliances. A lot of people aren't very happy with the current party in charge (MPRP). Of all of the Mongols I've asked only one intends to vote for an MPRP candidate. Of course, my little sampling doesn't really tell us much, but watching the results should be interesting.

We're planning live all-day coverage of the election with live remote points through the day. I'm kinda bummed I won't be here for it. But our staff knows what they're doing and they certainly don't need me butting into the coverage. Besides, I've got some funds to raise so they can keep getting paid.

After nearly eight years of writing and editing, City of Heaven was released this week. City of Heaven is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, other retailers online. The Amazon Kindle ebook version is nearly $10 off the normal retail price.

City of Heaven is a reformation epic set in a post-millennial world.

"Death on the ground, death in the sky, the days of renewal are at hand…"

Fourteen hundred years after the millennial reign of the Great King has ended, the world still lives in relative peace and safety but has strayed from the principles that led to humankind's greatest era: the Great Generation. The principal system of faith, Royalism—once a global theocracy under the King—has degenerated into a politically oriented belief system. In response to the growing threat to their beliefs, factions of the Royalist Social Movement, from the violent to the reformist, seek to restore the principles and former glory of the Great Generation.

High above Terra, connected to the planet by a system of orbital tethers stretching from the surface to sixty-four thousand kilometers in space, the civilian space station City of Heaven is home to more than a million citizens. A futuristic Tower of Babel, City of Heaven is humankind's greatest achievement.

Enter the Ar'chay Order, a radical sect of Royalism determined to force the movement and the world to bend its knee, with Ar'chaists assuming the Regency. In a single act of terror, they sever the tethers connecting City of Heaven, killing nearly all of its inhabitants and sending the city on a collision course with Terra, where millions more will surely die.

On both Terra and the remains of City of Heaven, survivors battle for control and the polifaith movement reaches a crisis that threatens to unleash a new global era of faith-cleansing that will rid the world of Royalism once and for all.

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While there have been several books and scripting projects I've developed over the years, this is the one that has been closest to my heart.

Your purchase of City of Heaven will help support us with our work in Mongolia. Please purchase your copy online through this link to Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

I look forward to hearing reader reaction to City of Heaven.

I just finished posting the last new episode of Together Through The Bible for this season. We originally planned 26 episodes, but because of time constraints with my travel and other responsibilities, we had to knock it down to 21 episodes. This episode concludes the series on humanity with a look at The Future of Man.

We've also settled on our episode plans for season two. Four major discipleship series are planned: What Does the Bible Teach About the Church, The Superiority of Jesus Christ, Stages of Spiritual Growth, and God's Will. Only 5 episodes remain unplanned, but we have plenty of time for those. We'll start shooting season two in July.

Today, Friday, is also my last day in the office until the 16th. I'm taking a brief vacation next week before I fly back to the States on the 18th for board meetings and fund raising events for Eagle TV. We thought about spending a week in Seoul or Beijing to chill out, but, we just can afford it right now. So we're going to hang out here. We'll probably go see a couple of sites, like the Chinggis monument, now complete, but other than that I'll just hang around UB, do some shopping with my family, and try to finish the second When Shadows Dream installment.

As for my U.S. trip, if I'm in your neck of the woods and you'd like to meet, give me a ring on my U.S. number at (520) 777-9251, or email me here. I'll be in the following cities:

• Sioux Falls, South Dakota - June 19th through 22nd
• Chicago and Bloomington, Illinois - June 22nd through 25th
• Gig Harbor, Washington - June 25th through 28th, and
• Albuquerque, New Mexico - June 28th through July 2nd

I'll be back in the office July 7th.

Blog'cha later, baby.