2. TALKS ON NORTH KOREA BEGIN IN NEW YORK
3. SPY CHIEF SAYS OSAMA BUILDING NEW CAMPS
4. EVANGELICAL LEADERS CHALLENGE GLOBAL WARMING RHETORIC
5. GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT (S. 358)
6. CEDAW ON THE HORIZON
7. GOP REGROUPS TO FOIL WAR PLANS OF DEMOCRATS
8. SEN. BROWNBACK URGES RELEASE OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES
9. PRO-GENOCIDE CONVENTION
10. U.S. TO MEET WITH IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS -- IRAN, SYRIA -- FOR TALKS
11. RUSSIA MOVES IN SUPPORT OF SYRIA, IRAN, HAMAS-LED PA
12. GRAND ISRAELI DESIGNS TO KEEP SENSITIVE AMERICAN SITES SAFE
13. PA TEXTBOOKS: A WORLD WITHOUT ISRAEL
1. PRESIDENT BUSH TO TRAVEL TO LATIN AMERICA
Today, President Bush will make remarks on Western Hemisphere Policy, in advance of a trip to Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico from March 8 – 14. This trip will underscore the commitment of the United States to the Western Hemisphere and will highlight our common agenda to advance freedom, prosperity, and social justice and deliver the benefits of democracy in the areas of health, education, and economic opportunity. (Press Release; The White House)
President Bush travels to Latin America this week to take on Hugo Chávez's militant brand of economic populism. In a speech in Washington today, Mr. Bush is expected to lay out a central theme of his Latin America tour – that democracy is key to improving life for the millions of working poor in the region. As an example, he is expected to cite the Millennium Challenge Account, a U.S. government-sponsored program set up in 2004 to channel aid to poor countries that meet certain democratic standards." (The Wall Street Journal)
• Pray for the safety of our president while he is away on this journey. We do have enemies in Central and South America, but Father God promises that He will be a Shield for us from our enemies, if we but ask Him to do so. Praise God.
• "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." (Psalm 3:3)
2. TALKS ON NORTH KOREA BEGIN IN NEW YORK
On Sunday, Christopher R. Hill, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said that at the meeting he planned to "form an agenda to work on our bilateral relationship – what's involved in the establishment of diplomatic relations, what's involved before North Korea can get off the state-sponsor-of-terrorism list, and how to get them off the Trading with the Enemies Act." He said he would be "pressing for disclosure of all their nuclear programs, including highly enriched uranium." (New York Times)
• As members of the Bush administration begin to negotiate with those who have had evil intentions against us in days past, offer up prayer that they be granted great wisdom from the Father above. Praise God that He IS omniscient, and that all is under His control! • "For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)
3. SPY CHIEF SAYS OSAMA BUILDING NEW CAMPS
Al-Qaeda Centers In Remote Area Of Pakistan
According to National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell more must be done to go after al-Qaeda, which is trying to establish training camps and other operations in some of Pakistan's most ungoverned territory. In testimony on Capitol Hill, McConnell said the U.S. believes al-Qaeda’s top two leaders - Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri - are hiding in the rugged frontiers of northwestern Pakistan and are attempting to establish an operational base there. He noted that al- Qaeda’s camps are in an area that has never been governed by any state or outside power. (AP, 2/28/07) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]
• Father, we see evil men thumbing their noses at justice - saying they are doing YOUR will, but we know that You are not a God of evil, and You will not be patient with their ways forever. We ask, Lord, for you to reveal where these men are hiding, and for YOU to bring them to justice.
• "So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves. His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step. There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide." (Job 34:10,11,21,22)
4. EVANGELICAL LEADERS CHALLENGE GLOBAL WARMING RHETORIC
In a letter to the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), James C. Dobson, Ph.D., chairman of Focus on the Family Action, joined other pro-family leaders in urging the NAE to refrain from taking a position on the controversial and divisive topic of global warming and other issues. To demonstrate that not all evangelicals are on board with global-warming alarmism, the letter references a statement by the Interfaith Stewardship Alliance that challenges common assumptions about global warming.
NAE official Richard Cizik, who works in the group’s Washington, D.C., office, has told the media it’s indisputable that human activity has contributed to global warming and has encouraged evangelicals to make it a top issue. On other occasions, he's said evangelicals “must confront population control.” “We ask,” Dobson and the others wrote, “how is population control going to be achieved, if not by promoting abortion, the distribution of condoms to the young and even by infanticide in China and elsewhere? Is this where Richard Cizik would lead us?” (Citizen Link)
• We ask Oh God for you to show Yourself strong in any needed correction in the life of NAE official Richard Cizik. That Your Words and Your Ways will come forth consistantly through the heart and mouth of Richard Cizik, for Your Glory and our good, In Jesus Name.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight oh Lord my Strength and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
5. GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT (S. 358)
The Information Nondiscrimination Act (S.358) is a bipartisan bill which would prohibit insurance companies and employers from using genetic information to discriminate. It would also prohibit insurance companies and employers from asking for genetic samples as a condition for insurance or employment. Without the bill, an insurance company could refuse to insure life or health not because of any actual illness, but just because of a genetic tendency toward certain illnesses. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) is attempting to expand the bill to cover prenatal children as well. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
• Forgive those Father who do not recognize that Life comes from You, and that we are to protect that life even in the womb. We speak and decree victory for Senator Tom Coburns' bill protecting these prenatal children from the insideous act of genetic discrimination. In Jesus our Authority, Amen.
• "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deut. 30:19)
6. CEDAW ON THE HORIZON
The chairman of the controversial compliance committee of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) told a group of UN NGOs this week that she was proud of the wide scope of the CEDAW treaty. She also said she looked forward to the day when international treaties were “self-executing”, that is that they become immediately enforceable law upon countries that ratify it.
In response to a query from the audience about CEDAW and abortion, Siminovic asserted that "[In CEDAW] there is nothing about abortion. The CEDAW Committee is very careful because there are 185 states parties and it really is up to the state parties to implement the convention.” Her response is surprising since her committee has directed 37 countries to legalize their laws on abortion precisely because of the CEDAW document. (Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute)
• Because this is a treaty, only the United States Senate would need to ratify CEDAW. Ask our Lord to cause our senators' eyes to be opened to the deception in this "treaty," and ask Him to "blow upon" this initiative, sending forth a withering spirit so that CEDAW will come to naught.
• " . . . and He shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble." (Isaiah 40:24c)
7. GOP REGROUPS TO FOIL WAR PLANS OF DEMOCRATS
Republicans in Congress -- including most who have defected from President Bush's plan to send reinforcements to Iraq -- have closed ranks and are prepared to thwart the Democrats' continued efforts to undermine the war strategy. Most of the 17 House Republicans who voted for a resolution against the troop-surge plan -- which was about half the number predicted by Democrats -- now oppose moves to cut war funding or attach conditions to appropriations bills that would hamstring the war effort. All but one of the seven Senate Republicans that backed the anti-surge resolution in their chamber say they will not support any funding cuts. The one other dissident Republican -- Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska -- declined to comment on the issue.
"I don't think we should micromanage the war or tie the president's hands," said Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, a Virginia Republican who last month voted with Democrats to pass a nonbinding resolution disapproving of Mr. Bush's plan to deploy 21,500 more troops. "The question of the surge was one of policy [and] an opportunity for me to express my frustration with the policy," Mr. Davis said. "But when it comes to conducting the war, that is the president's authority. We have to close ranks behind him and allow this [plan] to work." (Washington Times)
• We pray for unity in our country over the Iraq War on terror. Lord, please protect the freedom to accomplish the full mission in Iraq. We ask for victory over those who desire to undermine the war.
• "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4)
8. SEN. BROWNBACK URGES RELEASE OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES
U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) spoke at a rally on February 28, calling for the release of three Israeli soldiers held hostage since last summer by Islamic terrorists.
“Today, I send a message to Gilad, Ehud, and Eldad: do not lose hope, and do not despair,” said Brownback. “Your cause is just, your nation is strong, and your friends pray for and await your return. We shall look to you for inspiration as you stand at the front lines on the war against radical Islamic terrorism.”
The rally, which was sponsored by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and the United Jewish Communities, comes in response to more than six months of captivity for three Israeli soldiers. On June 25, 2006, Gilad Shalit was abducted by members of Hamas. On July 12, 2006, both Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were abducted by members of Hezbollah.
Senator Brownback continued, “To the terrorist abductors I say this: Yours is the path of despair. As more time passes, your actions strengthen our convictions and harden our resolve. We will not give in, and we will not succumb. We will continue to stand firm and demand the release of these soldiers.” (Christian Newswire, 2/28/07; IFA)
• Father, we lift these Israeli soldiers to You, and ask that You cause their captors to release them. We don't ask for lengthy words of explanation or negotiation - we ask for a supernatural move by You to bring Glory to Yourself.
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
9. PRO-GENOCIDE CONVENTION
The presidents of two of the world’s worst regimes, Iran and Sudan, held a "thug summit" yesterday and met every low standard expected of them. Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who denies the Holocaust, and Sudanese "President" Omar al- Bashir, who has been overseeing a current holocaust, proudly joined hands against "the enemies of Islam." Ahmadinejad asserted that "the Zionists are the true incarnation of Satan," while behind the scenes Bashir pursued his goal of obtaining Iranian missiles.
All of this leads me to ask once again to those urging President Bush to negotiate with these maniacs: "Negotiate what?" What is it we should put on the table that we would be willing to give to these Islamo-fascists who yearn more than anything else for the blood of Christians and Jews and the destruction of the U.S. and Israel?
Earlier in the week, the International Criminal Court in The Hague requested summonses for two Sudanese officials accused of 51 crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, torture and mass rape. There is no doubt that the Court will be ignored. Meanwhile, Europe’s left continues to shake their fists at the U.S. while ignoring the gathering evil from despots like Bashir and Ahmadinejad. Apparently our friends across the Atlantic didn’t learn very much about appeasement in the 1930s. (Gary Bauer; End-of- Day)
• Pray that our European allies will wake up and face the truth about their enemies and act with godly wisdom. Pray that the State Department and Executive Branch of the USA will also acknowledge that negotiation with these misguided dictators is futile. Bullies must always be defeated.
• "Because they [workers of iniquity] do not regard the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up." (Psalm 28:5)
10. AHMADINEJAD: "U.S.; ISRAEL RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL WARS TODAY"
COMMENT FOLLOWS ANNOUNCEMENT OF U.S. MEETING WITH IRAN; SYRIA
Days after an American announcement that it seeks a “neighbors meeting” with Iran and Syria on bringing peace to Iraq, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has blamed Israel and the United States for all the world’s wars. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the initiative, saying, “We hope that all governments seize this opportunity to improve their relations with Iraq and to work for peace and stability in the region.” The meeting represents an adoption of the recommendations of the Baker–Hamilton Report. Rice said that US and Iraqi officials agree that the future of Iraq “requires the positive support of Iraq’s neighbors.” Rice said the meeting would take place mid-March.
Following the announcement, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday [March 1] that Israel and the US stand behind every single armed conflict happening anywhere in the world. Speaking to government officials and university heads in Sudan, Ahmadinejad said, “There is no place in the world that suffers from divisions and wars unless Americans’ or Zionists’ fingerprints are seen there. Our strength and the cornerstone of the victory is in our [Muslims’] unity...We have to pay attention to the devils who want to cause divisions.” (By Ezra HaLevi, Arutz Sheva, March 2, 2007) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
• If it were not for the promises of God, we would be hopeless. Praise God for His promises and use them to counter the lies of the enemy.
• “For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more.” (Psalm 37:10–11)
11. RUSSIA MOVES IN SUPPORT OF SYRIA, IRAN, HAMAS-LED PA
Russia’s announcement Tuesday [February 27] that it would work to promote international support for the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority [PA], its intention to supply missiles to Syria, and its opposition to sanctions against Iran present a worrying trend for Israel. Russian officials said that the agreement reached between the leaders of Hamas and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas [Abu Mazen] to incorporate the latter’s Fatah terrorist organization in the PA governing coalition is sufficient cause to end the international boycott of the PA. The Western nations imposed the financial boycott of the PA in January of last year, when the Islamic fundamentalist Hamas organization swept the majority of the seats in the PA parliament in a landslide election victory. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the agreement reached in Mecca earlier this month between Fatah and Hamas shows “wisdom, reason, and responsibility before the Palestinian people.” He made the statement prior to meeting with Damascus- based Hamas politburo chief Kahled Mashaal. The agreement has not yet been implemented. “We are pushing for all members of the international community to support this process and make it irreversible, including efforts to lift the blockade,” Lavrov added. Syria’s ally, Iran, is also a beneficiary of Russian support. The ongoing assistance Russia provides for construction and operation of the Bushehr nuclear plant in southern Iran is soon to take a dangerous turn, with the start of nuclear fuel deliveries in March 2007. (By Nissan Ratzlav-Katz, Arutz Sheva, February 27, 2007) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
• Russia is taking a strong stand on the wrong side. Pray that Israel’s allies will stand boldly against this alignment. As hope dims, pray that Israel will put her hope in God.
• “But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision. I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.” (Psalm 59:8–10)
12. GRAND ISRAELI DESIGNS TO KEEP SENSITIVE AMERICAN SITES SAFE
Lighthouse, an Israeli-developed CAD (computer- aided design) program enables the automation of perimeter security planning including sensor arrays, obstacles, and other measures used to provide buffer zone protection for highways, airports, borders, military facilities, and other strategic infrastructure sites. Lighthouse is the showcase product of DefenSoft, a four-year-old company located near Haifa. According to COO Ittai Bar Joseph, concerns about terror threats, illegal immigration, and crime have made buffer zone protection at borders and strategic infrastructure sites a global priority. Security planners and infrastructure designers involved in planning defense arrays, which incorporate both physical infrastructures and advanced sensor technology, now play a key role in enhancing homeland security. [ Jews Like News ]
The system has been used successfully by Israel’s defense community for key projects on the borders with Egypt, the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], and Gaza. Civilian projects include the perimeter of Ben Gurion International Airport and strategic water installation security for Mekorot, Israel’s national water carrier. The company’s track record in Israel is so attractive that American private equity group Athlone Global Security (AGS) has acquired a minority 15% interest in the company.
According to Bar Joseph, AGS’s involvement will enable DefenSoft to expand to the US market. “The funding we’ve received from AGS will be used to introduce the Lighthouse to American homeland security industry. We’re opening a US subsidiary, to be run by local US staff. The overwhelmingly positive response is the reason we’re opening the US office.” (Bridges for Peace)
• Praise the Lord again for the technological invention and wisdom of the Israelis for a program now ready for use in the USA. Just what we need - border security and security throughout the USA! God is so good! Pray that this program can soon be in place to protect our country, land and people.
• "How good and pleasant it is for brethern [Israel and the USA] to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
13. PA TEXTBOOKS: A WORLD WITHOUT ISRAEL
The new Palestinian Authority [PA] textbooks for Grade 12 encourage students to view Israel, the United States, and the West as enemies, and portray the PA’s territorial disputes with Israel as an existential religious conflict for Islam, according to a report released today by Palestinian Media Watch [PMW]
The report, “From Nationalist Battle to Religious Conflict: New 12th Grade Palestinian Textbooks Present a World Without Israel,” was written by PMW director Itamar Marcus and associate director Barbara Crook and analyzes eight textbooks released at the end of 2006.
According to the report, the new books create for students an image, both textual and visual, of a world without Israel. While rejecting Israel’s right to exist, describing its founding as a “catastrophe that is unprecedented in history,” the books encourage students to see themselves as victims of Israel’s existence and actively prevent these young people from seeing Israel as a neighbor to live beside in peace. The history books barely acknowledge the peace process. This is compounded by the presentation of the conflict as a religious one to defend Islamic land, leaving no latitude or religious option for students to have positive–or even neutral– attitudes toward Israel.
The textbooks likewise portray the US and the West in negative terms, describing the relationship as a “clash of civilizations.” The books teach that the US is a human rights abuser and a violator of international humanitarian law. The texts assert that the US is an economic supporter of Israel, while completely ignoring US aid to the PA and to Palestinian humanitarian projects. (Palestinian Media Watch )
“• Pray that these facts will convince world leaders that the PA is no peace partner for Israel. Pray that other members of Congress will publicize this problem and that candidates for president in 2008 will also condemn the continual brainwashing of PA children and the culture of hatred and death imposed on young minds. Pray that Jesus sets them free from such mental abuse.
• “He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” (Psalm 101:7)
