Scripture asks if there is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, a special balm that can heal the sin-sick soul? America and the world needs healing in the worst way.

Imagine a message that can touch the hearts and souls of men to such an extent that it opens the door for a proper healing and opportunity to right wrongs and for human beings to live together in peace.

Actually you don�t have to imagine such a message, just tune in to Saviours� Day 2002, Feb. 13-17, in Los Angeles, where the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam will convene a five-day session with a message and methodology for healing at its core. The theme is "Healing the Wounds to Bring About A Universal Family."

Saviours� Day is an celebration for the Nation of Islam and this year its return to Los Angeles marks the 25th anniversary of Min. Farrakhan�s work of rebuilding the Nation as part of his ministry that is devoted to healing. It was in the City of Angels that the Minister was inspired to rebuild the work of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad.

This year, with the hard work of Western Regional Tony Muhammad and devotion of Muslims in Muhammad Mosque No. 27 and the Western Region, Saviours� Day will truly be a celebration and healing session. From the participation of a wide range of religious leaders, to peace summits with so-called gang members, to family activities, Saviours� Day will offer ample opportunity to bring people together for good.

The Final Call would like to congratulate Min. Farrakhan for his 25 years of unstoppable devotion to the cause of freedom, justice and equality. We would like to extend our prayers and best wishes for those who travel to Los Angeles and wish everyone a Happy Saviours� Day!

President Bush�s proposed 2003 budget, delivered to Congress Feb. 5, no doubt left military contractors salivating.

His call for increased spending to secure the nation�s safety would be expected in light of what happened on Sept. 11. But the American people would be wise to put pressure on Mr. Bush and Congress to bring some sanity to what is being proposed. After all, shoveling money to the military industrial complex does not necessarily translate into a stronger, more secure nation.

Mr. Bush�s budget requests $11 billion to tackle the threat of biological terrorism. The $2 trillion-plus budget increases military spending by 12 percent and calls for a 111 percent increase in homeland security. Over the next five years, the military budget would increase from the current $120 to $450 billion. It would amount to the largest military build-up since the Cold War saber rattling.

Meanwhile, the President is still trumpeting tax cuts that benefit his wealthy friends�much like the increased military spending does�while cutting into social programs and reducing the budgets of such agencies as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Forest Service.

A high concern for some politicians, particularly Democrats, is that Social Security funds are not tapped to pay down other programs.

"I think everybody understands our top obligation is to defend the nation," said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). "In effect, what the administration is doing is taking Medicare and Social Security funds and using them for tax cuts and additional spending. The question for the country is whether that�s a wise direction for America."

We think it is an unwise direction to use the "war on terrorism" to grease the wheels of those contractors who build America�s potential weapons of mass destruction. Would a missile defense shield somewhere in outer space�with a price tag that our children will be paying for�have stopped Richard Ried, the alleged shoe bomber?

Would another daisy cutter bomb have stopped an anthrax letter from being mailed?

The question that continues to be left off the table for discussion is why do these so-called terrorists hate America? If Mr. Bush would seriously entertain that question, though it might hurt and cause some trepidation in Israel, it might prove to be a better way to bring military spending under control.

A by-product of such a discussion could be another hard to find commodity�a measure of peace in the world.