In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Proposed Bill Would Track All Firearms
· Planned Parenthood Applauds Senate Legislation
· Barack Obama, Meet Mohammed al Qahtani
· The Daily Jot
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The Daily Brief Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)
The Daily Brief
The Daily Brief
1. New York governor declares a 'miracle on the Hudson' - AP
A US Airways jet crashed Thursday in the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey after a flock of birds apparently struck its engines - but all 155 people on board are thought to have survived, and the pilot is being hailed as a hero."We've had a 'Miracle on 34th Street' and now we have a miracle on the Hudson," said New York Gov. David Paterson.
· Tonight, we are rejoicing with the Governor of the State of New York at the miraculous landing and survival of all 155 passengers and crew aboard this flight. After all the "hits" that New York City has gone through in recent years, we pray that this incident would serve as a healing balm to the souls of its citizens, and that God would use this near-death experience to draw MANY to Him . . . while there is yet time.We rejoice, too, that the mainstream media IS reporting that the passengers "were praying" as the plane went down. This, clearly, IS an answer to prayer!
· Rejoice with those who rejoice . . . (Romans 12:15)
2. House Approves SCHIP Expansion Bill that Bush Vetoed Twice - AP
The House voted Wednesday to expand government- sponsored health care to 4 million more children of working families, making a down payment on President-elect Barack Obama's promise to provide universal health care to all Americans who want it.
· This bill that we prayed against last time it was brought up has once again been pushed through. Pray that the our leaders will receive God's wisdom and rise up to prevent socialized medicine in whatever form it takes.
· "I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered." (Proverbs 1:24-25 NLT)
3. Obama to End Military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy - Fox News
President-elect Barack Obama will allow gays to serve openly in the military by overturning the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy that marred President Clinton's first days in office, according to incoming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
· Lord we repent for our President-Elect, and the masses of Americans who believe the lie that homosexuality is "normal" or pleasing to You. We ask that You grant mercy to America and grace for Your people in the midst of this sinful generation. We ask that You stop this action from occurring, but if not, we ask that Your Holy Spirit will begin to convert souls in the midst of it.·
"Make the Lord of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe." (Isaiah 8:13,14a NLT)
4. Guantanamo Bay Prisoners Could Be Arraigned Before Inauguration Day - Fox News
The suspected Sept. 11 conspirators held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center could be arraigned the day before Inauguration Day, sources tell FOX News, even though President-elect Barack Obama is planning to order the facility shut down. The reasons behind the possible arraignment are described as administrative. But defense attorneys were told in an e-mail from the court clerk Tuesday that they should be prepared to argue whether an arraignment is necessary, and that an arraignment could take place. This means some prisoners could enter guilty pleas the day before Obama is sworn into the office and two days before the president-elect is expected to issue an executive order shutting down Guantanamo. One source told FOX News that guilty pleas would complicate the incoming administration's efforts to put military commissions on hold, specifically for the Sept. 11 conspiracy.
· Pray that the guilty will be punished and that justice will prevail over this plan. Let the guilty not go free to harm America again.
· "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. . ." (Psalm 89:14a NLT)
5. Military Report: Mexico, Pakistan at Risk of Sudden Collapse - Fox News
Mexico and Pakistan are at risk of a "rapid and sudden collapse," according to a recent report from the U.S. Joint Forces Command. The Joint Operating Environment report, meant to examine worldwide security trends, says Pakistan, in the event of such a rapid collapse, would be susceptible to a "violent and bloody civil and sectarian war" made more dangerous by concerns over the country's nuclear arsenal. The report says that "perfect storm of uncertainty" by itself might require U.S. engagement.
The report says a collapse in Mexico seems less likely, but noted that the government infrastructure is "under sustained assault and pressure" from drug cartels and gangs. A collapse within the United States' southern neighbor would also "demand an American response based on the serious implications for homeland security alone."The assessment comes as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to tackle international challenges including the conflict in Gaza, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and tensions between India and Pakistan.
· Pray that the Lord will move in these areas of possible collapse, bringing righteous governments to power. As the drug wars in Mexico threaten our borders, and the conflicts in Pakistan threaten their nuclear arsenal, ask the Lord for mercy and protection.
· "They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright." (Psalm 20:8)
The Middle East in Focus
The Middle East in Focus This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch." (Zech. 9:8)
1. Israel-Hamas urban fighting intensifies as Gaza death toll mounts - ICEJ News
Over 1000 Palestinians now believed killed in 18- day warIsraeli and Hamas forces continued to engage is intense clashes in outer neighbourhoods of Gaza City as night fell on Wednesday, with Palestinian casualties reportedly mounting to over 1000 in 18 days of fighting while the number of rockets fired into Israel has fallen off noticeably this week.The IDF has tightened it ring around Hamas strongholds in Gaza over recent days, hoping to complete its mission to significantly weaken Hamas before a ceasefire likely takes hold by the time Barack Obama is inaugurated as US president next Tuesday.
2. Israel Shells Gaza City U.N. Compound - Says Troops Responded to Militant Gunfire - AP
2. Israel Shells Gaza City U.N. Compound - Says Troops Responded to Militant Gunfire - AP
Israeli tanks shelled downtown Gaza City on Thursday and ground troops thrust deep into a crowded neighborhood for the first time, sending terrified residents fleeing for cover and increasing pressure on Hamas rulers to accept a proposed cease-fire to end Israel's offensive.
· Pray that the Lord will allow Israel to accomplish the goal of preventing Hamas from having the ability to launch rockets into their land.
· "O, Lord they pay no attention to Your upraised fist. Show them Your eagerness to defend Your people. Then they will be ashamed. Let Your fire consume Your enemies." (Isaiah 26:11 NLT)
3. Strike Kills Hamas Minister - AP
Israeli airstrike kills Hamas Interior Minister Saeed Seyyam in the Gaza Strip; U.N. headquarters in Gaza shelled.
4. Gaza City Christians Facing Battle - Worthy News
Christians in the Gaza Strip faced another terrifying day Thursday, January 15, as Israeli forces pounded the Gaza Strip and Hamas militants fired rockets towards Israel, believers said.
5. Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, accuses Olmert's cabinet of 'war crimes' - ICEJ News
5. Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, accuses Olmert's cabinet of 'war crimes' - ICEJ News
Bolivian President Evo Morales, who has close ties to the renegade regimes in Venezuela and Iran, said on Wednesday that his country is breaking diplomatic ties with Israel over its 19-day-old campaign against Hamas in Gaza, while adding that he will ask the International Criminal Court to bring genocide charges against top Israeli officials.
6. Clinton focuses on Mideast at Senate confirmation hearings - ICEJ News
Israel, Iran and the Palestinian conflict were front-and- center during US Secretary of State -designate Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearings in Washington on Tuesday. Appearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the body charged with approving her nomination, Clinton stressed that both she and President-elect Barack Obama "understand and are deeply sympathetic to Israel's desire to defend itself under the current conditions and to be free of shelling by Hamas rockets." But she added that she was "pained by the suffering of Palestinian and Israeli civilians" and called the current fighting in Gaza a reminder of the "tragic humanitarian costs" of the conflict. Clinton upheld US demands that Hamas renounce violence, recognize Israel and abide by past agreements and assured the president-elect adhered to this same policy.
7. Clinton Comments on Iranian Policy During Senate Hearings - ICEJ News
''Questioned on Iran, the retiring Senator and former First-Lady said that the US has "a big stake" in preventing the rogue regime in Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. "We have no illusions . . . that even with a new administration, looking to try to engage Iran in a way that might influence its behavior, that we can predict the results."
8. Olmert in rare public spat with Bush team over UN Vote - ICEJ News
8. Olmert in rare public spat with Bush team over UN Vote - ICEJ News
The warm relationship over recent years between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and US President George W. Bush appears to be ending on a sour note, as Olmert is in an open spat with the Bush administration over his claims that he cajoled the president into abstaining in last Friday's UN Security Council vote on a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza.Both the US State Department and White House strongly refuted Olmert's claim on Monday that he swayed Bush at the last minute to instruct Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to abstain in the UN vote. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said yesterday that Olmert's version of events was "just 100 percent, totally, completely not true." McCormack went on to say that Rice had decided to abstain the day before the vote, an account indirectly confirmed by comments made by Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister. Livni was quoted earlier in the week as saying that she had seven "difficult" phone conversations with Rice on the day of the vote before receiving an assurance that the US would abstain, even though Rice had helped draft the resolution. While aides to Olmert said on Wednesday that the caretaker premier stands by his claims, Rice weighed in today as well, insisting that "his rendering of this is fiction."
9. A "Prayer Under Fire" Brings Hope to Israel - Worthy News
A song written by American Christians to encourage embattled Israel, entitled, "A Prayer Under Fire," has aired for the first time on Israeli radio and television, Worthy News learned Wednesday, January 15.
Proposed Bill Would Track All Firearms
Big Brother's new target: Tracking of all firearms 'This is nothing less than a declaration of war on American gun owners' (Source: WorldNetDaily)
U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, (D-Il) is hoping to pass a firearm-licensing bill that will significantly rewrite gun- ownership laws in America.
Among the more controversial provisions of the bill are requirements that all handgun owners submit to the federal government a photo, thumb print and mental health records. Further, the bill would order the attorney general to establish a database of every handgun sale, transfer and owner's address in America. The bill claims its purpose is "to protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with the unrecorded sale or transfer of firearms to criminals and youth." Columnist David Codrea of Guns Magazine, however, calls it a "ridiculous affront to liberty."
Rush's proposed bill, H.R. 45, is alternatively known as "Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009," named after an Illinois teenager killed by a gunshot. The bill then argues that interstate firearm trafficking and children dying from gun violence create legitimate cause for the federal government to monitor gun ownership and transfers in new ways. If passed, the bill would make it illegal to own or possess a "qualifying firearm" - defined as any handgun or any semiautomatic firearm that takes an ammunition clip - without a "Blair Holt" license. Further, the bill makes it illegal to transfer ownership of a qualifying firearm to anyone who is not a licensed gun dealer or collector.
Exceptions to this rule include transfer to family members by gift or bequest and loans, not to exceed 30 days, of a firearm for lawful purposes "between persons who are personally known to each other." The bill also requires qualifying firearm owners to report all transfers to the attorney general's database.
H.R. 45 is a resurfacing of 2007's H.R. 2666, which contained much of the same language and was co- sponsored by 15 other representatives and Barack Obama's current chief of staff, Rahm Emmanuel. H.R. 2666 was assigned to the House Judiciary committee, where no action was taken. H.R. 45 currently has no co-sponsors and is likewise assigned to the House Judiciary committee.
Among the more controversial provisions of the bill are requirements that all handgun owners submit to the federal government a photo, thumb print and mental health records. Further, the bill would order the attorney general to establish a database of every handgun sale, transfer and owner's address in America. The bill claims its purpose is "to protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with the unrecorded sale or transfer of firearms to criminals and youth." Columnist David Codrea of Guns Magazine, however, calls it a "ridiculous affront to liberty."
Rush's proposed bill, H.R. 45, is alternatively known as "Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009," named after an Illinois teenager killed by a gunshot. The bill then argues that interstate firearm trafficking and children dying from gun violence create legitimate cause for the federal government to monitor gun ownership and transfers in new ways. If passed, the bill would make it illegal to own or possess a "qualifying firearm" - defined as any handgun or any semiautomatic firearm that takes an ammunition clip - without a "Blair Holt" license. Further, the bill makes it illegal to transfer ownership of a qualifying firearm to anyone who is not a licensed gun dealer or collector.
Exceptions to this rule include transfer to family members by gift or bequest and loans, not to exceed 30 days, of a firearm for lawful purposes "between persons who are personally known to each other." The bill also requires qualifying firearm owners to report all transfers to the attorney general's database.
H.R. 45 is a resurfacing of 2007's H.R. 2666, which contained much of the same language and was co- sponsored by 15 other representatives and Barack Obama's current chief of staff, Rahm Emmanuel. H.R. 2666 was assigned to the House Judiciary committee, where no action was taken. H.R. 45 currently has no co-sponsors and is likewise assigned to the House Judiciary committee.
· What a travesty to the US Constitution this bill is! The right to bear arms is part of our Bill of Rights! Pray that this bill never sees the light of day in both houses of Congress. Ask the Lord to send mighty Christians repeatedly across the path of Rep. Rush, the same Congressman who brought racism into the debate of seating Roland Burris. A powerful spirit of control seems to be emanating from Rep. Rush.
· "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)
Planned Parenthood Applauds Senate Legislation
Planned Parenthood is applauding the introduction of a bill in the Senate called the Prevention First Act, which life advocates say will do little to decrease abortions, as it claims; and will give more funding to the nation's largest abortion provider.
The legislation would improve awareness about contraception, restore affordable birth control and protect teens' health. But Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst at Focus on the Family Action, said bills like this falsely claim that greater access to contraception means fewer unintended pregnancies.
"Contraceptives are readily available to most women in the U.S.," she told CitizenLink."Yet, according to the Guttmacher Institute, nearly half of the women with unintended pregnancies and seeking abortions were using contraception when they became pregnant." (CitizenLink; Jan. 7, 2009)
Barack Obama, Meet Mohammed al Qahtani
The Obama transition team leaked yesterday that the president-elect intends to issue an executive order shortly after Inauguration Day ordering the closure of "GITMO." Wild celebrations will no doubt take place at ACLU offices and jihadist hangouts at this news. But I doubt most Americans will celebrate. Here's why.
Last year, when the liberal majority on the Supreme Court granted certain constitutional rights to foreign terrorists, Justice Antonin Scalia warned, "America is at war with radical Islamists. . . today's opinion . . . will make the war harder on us. It will almost certainly cause more Americans to be killed." Justice Scalia's commonsense warning was prophetic.
The Pentagon announced yesterday that 61 former GITMO prisoners released in recent months have rejoined their holy warrior colleagues on battlefields around the world, where they are doing their very best to kill our sons and daughters serving in the U.S. military. Don't blame the Pentagon. Blame the political Left and its politically-correct cheerleaders in the media and legal establishments who have rallied in defense of "terrorist rights" as if the GITMO detainees were 1960's civil rights activists instead of men who burn with a desire to kill you and your family.
There are still 255 men in GITMO, and you wouldn't want any of them over to your house for tea. One of them is Mohammed al-Qahtani, widely acknowledged as the man who was supposed to be the "20th hijacker" and part of the 9/11 attacks. He was kept out of the country by a suspicious immigration inspector. Qahtani was captured in Afghanistan four months after 9/11 and was sent to GITMO.
The Washington Post reports today that Mr. Qahtani did not have a pleasant stay during the 50-day period after his imprisonment. Our government, charged with protecting us from our enemies, aggressively perused a plan to obtain information from him about other possible attacks. He was interrogated hour after hour, subjected to strip searches and sleep deprivation, exposed to cold temperatures and forced to hear insults about his mother and sister. He was even (oh, the horror!) forced to wear a bra and thong.
His attorney is outraged and says Qahtani now suffers from lack of concentration, memory loss and paranoia. Since he is a jihadist, I am willing to guess that his paranoia predates his time as a guest of the U.S. government. Susan Crawford, who is reviewing practices at GITMO for the Bush Administration, agrees that Mr. Qahtani was "tortured." But she also adds this: "There is no doubt in my mind he would've been on one of those planes had he gained access to the country. He's a muscle hijacker. He's a very dangerous man. I would be hesitant to say, 'Let him go.'" Ms. Crawford won't be making that decision. President Obama will.
The radical Left and various "apologists" for radical Islam want men like Qahtani released because he was not given the rights we enjoy as U.S. citizens. Many on the Left want the soon-to-be empty jail cells at GITMO to be filled instead with former Bush Administration officials, personnel from the CIA and the Defense Department that tried its best to obtain the information necessary to prevent more of us from being slaughtered.
The Associated Press reported yesterday that Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a report recommending a criminal investigation of the Bush Administration's anti-terror policies. Conyers met with the Obama transition team to discuss the report and has drafted legislation to authorize the investigation.
Your move, President Obama. America's families are hoping and praying that you realize your first job is to keep us safe from men like Mohammed Qahtani. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day)
The Daily Jot
Russia Prophetically Rises Against Israel As America Withholds Historic Support
There are protests around the world against the Israeli defense of its citizens from terrorists in Gaza, but relatively nothing has been said about Russia's move to cut heating and cooking gas supplies to 20% of Europe during the coldest part of winter. Apparently, in the court of world opinion, it is more inhumane to snuff out terrorists that kill innocent civilians and use their families as shields against attack then it is to purposely try to freeze people in mid-winter to gain a financial advantage in a contract. In fact, those AK-47's and Qassum rocket materials used by terrorist must originate from somewhere-Egypt from Iran from Russia. Perhaps Russia is the one that the UN Security Council should be dealing with for world unrest.
The Israeli Defense Forces have been eradicating the infrastructure for the democratically elected terrorist group Hamas. An extensive network of tunnels has been built between Gaza and Egypt to smuggle weapons and supplies to terrorists. On January 10, the Israeli Embassy supplied evidence of a map confiscated on an operation. General Yuval Halmish said the map described the location of explosive devices and firing positions in the middle of the civilian population in a densely populated neighborhood. General Halmish says, "That's what Hamas has been doing throughout the entirety of the operation-perversely using civilians as human shields."
Meanwhile, Russia and 13 nations on the UN Security Council voted to condemn Israel for Gaza. The US shockingly abstained. Reuters reports that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert interrupted a Bush speech in Philadelphia to intervene. Olmert recounted the conversation during a recent speech: "I told him, 'You can't vote in favor of this resolution.' He said, 'Listen, I don't know about it, I didn't see it, I'm not familiar with the phrasing.'" Olmert said "I'm familiar with it. You can't vote in favor. . .He gave an order to the secretary of state and she did not vote in favor of it--a resolution she cooked up, phrased, organized and maneuvered for. She was left pretty shamed and abstained on a resolution she arranged."
The Bible prophesies in Ezekiel that in the latter days, Gog, generally considered Russia, will lead Iran and northern Africa in a colossal battle against Israel. The United States has been standing as the only superpower preventing such an attack, even though world opinion against Israel is overwhelming. Yet, at the beginning of 2009, the US for the first time in history has cast aside its support of Israel's right to defend itself. The Bible also prophesies in Zechariah 12:3 that all that burden themselves with Jerusalem "shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." The Evil Empire referred to by President Reagan is on its prophetic rise, while the light of America is dimming.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
