In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· The First 100 Days
· If You Are Elderly - Be Afraid, Very Afraid
· Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief Tuesday, February 10, 2009
"When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19b NKJV)
The Daily Brief
1. U.S. Taxpayers Risk $9.7 Trillion on Bailout Programs - Bloomberg
The stimulus package the U.S. Congress is completing would raise the government's commitment to solving the financial crisis to $9.7 trillion, enough to pay off more than 90 percent of the nation's home mortgages. "We've seen money go out the back door of this government unlike any time in the history of our country," Senator Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, said on the Senate floor Feb. 3. "Nobody knows what went out of the Federal Reserve Board, to whom and for what purpose. How much from the FDIC? How much from TARP? When? Why?"
· Lord, we pray for more accountability. We pray what has been kept in the dark will be brought to light. Let wisdom be upon our legislators as they make decisions that affect our families
· I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:18,19)
2. GOP Sounds Alarm Over Obama Decision to Move Census to White House - Fox News
Utah's congressional delegation is calling President Obama's decision to move the U.S. census into the White House a purely partisan move and potentially dangerous to congressional redistricting around the country. As a matter of impact, the census has tremendous political significance. Political parties are always eager to have a hand in redrawing districts so that they can maximize their own party's clout while minimizing the opposition, often through gerrymandering.The census also determines the composition of the Electoral College, which chooses the president. If one party were to control the census, it could arguably try to perpetuate its hold on political power.
· Father God, an unjust balance is an abomination to you, so we pray that people who would do unscrupulous things will not be in places of authority. Remove them as soon as possible.
· A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight. (Proverbs 11:1)
3. Stimulus Package Clears Key Procedural Hurdle in Senate - Fox News
Senate Democrats attracted just enough Republican votes to clear a key procedural hurdle for the $838 billion economic recovery bill Monday, as they worked toward hammering out a final version of the legislation by week's end. One-by-one on the floor of the Senate, Republican senators lamented the size of the package and said they were not appeased by negotiations that trimmed more than $100 billion out of a previous version of the bill.
· Lord, we pray that this stimulus plan will not pass until all the pork is removed from the bill. We pray for the Senate to slow down and devise a plan that will not burden our future generations with huge debt. Let them show restraint.
· I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him. (Isaiah 57:17, 18)
4. Obama Pushes for Stimulus Plan During News Conference - VOA
U.S. President Barack Obama is pushing hard for his economic stimulus plan and hinting of possible future contacts with Iran. He discussed both issues Monday during his first presidential news conference.
· As the Administration seeks to put into place policies, bills, and direction, we pray that You, Lord, will hold back anything that is hurtful to our nation - whether in spending, security, or our daily lives.
· Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that He have mercy upon us. (Psalm 123:2)
5. U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Jump to 26-Year High - Bloomberg
The number of Americans filing first- time claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly jumped last week to a 26-year high, signaling a deepening deterioration in the labor market. "It's astonishing how quickly American businesses are laying people off," Roger Kubarych, chief U.S. economist at Unicredit Global Research in New York, said in an interview with Bloomberg Radio."They've learned that they have probably had too much staff for the kind of economy they foresee and they're laying people off left and right."
· Lord, we continue to pray for the economy. We pray for churches to declare fasts and vigils to seek You Lord, for our provision! We humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness for our apathy toward You and Your laws and greed that has brought us to this place.
· Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" (Joel 2:17)
6. Sen. Leahy proposes truth panel on Bush era abuses - AP
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is proposing a "truth commission" to investigate abuses of detainees, politically inspired moves at the Justice Department, and whole range of decisions made during the Bush administration. He said he was offering the idea to see how much support it had."We need to see whether the American people are ready to take this path," he said, adding that he did not have anyone in particular in mind to lead the commission, but wanted "people with real credibility."
· Father God, with as many problems that we are facing in this nation, we pray that our legislators will not go off on this empty hunt. Let their focus be on job creation and national security - two areas that are of grave importance to us.
· "For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you." (Deuteronomy 23:14)
7. Arizona Rancher Who Stopped Illegal Immigrants at Border Now Fighting $32 Million Lawsuit - Fox News
An Arizona man who has waged a 10-year campaign to stop a flood of illegal immigrants from crossing his property is being sued by 16 Mexican nationals - seeking $32 million in damages - who accuse him of conspiring to violate their civil rights when he stopped them at gunpoint on his ranch on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Washington Times reported Monday.The rancher, Roger Barnett, 64, began rounding up illegal immigrants in 1998 and turning them over to the U.S. Border Patrol after they destroyed his property, killed his calves and broke into his home, the newspaper reported.
· Lord, everyone deserves to have a safe home. We pray for our borders to be guarded. For our hedge of protection to be up. And for Mexico to become a nation that can take care of its citizens well.
· Why have You broken down her hedges, So that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit . . . Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! (Psalms 80:2, 18)
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: ". . . the most high God rules in the kingdom of men. He appoints over it whomsoever He will." (Daniel 5:21)
1. Iran Releases Armenian Christian And Former Muslims; Others Detained
An Armenian Christian and a former Muslim who were among possibly dozens of Christians detained in Iran since last month were free Monday, February 9, after authorities unexpectedly released them, a well-informed source told Worthy News.
2. General elections underway - Ynet News
For the third time in nine years, and exactly 1,050 days after the previous elections, Israelis are once again going to the polling stations on Tuesday.
3. UN to resume aid shipments to Gaza - Jerusalem Post
The UN said Monday that it would resume aid shipments into Gaza after Hamas returned supplies seized several days ago.
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days: DAY 22
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. Gates Orders Review of Ban on Photos of Military Coffins
At least two Democratic senators have called on President Obama to let news photographers attend ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and other military facilities when military remains are returned to the United States. Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered a review Tuesday of a Pentagon policy banning media from taking pictures of flag-draped coffins of U.S. military dead, signaling he was open to overturning the policy to better honor fallen soldiers.At least two Democratic senators have called on President Obama to let news photographers attend ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and other military facilities when military remains are returned to the United States. Obama told reporters Monday he was reviewing the ban.
2. GOP Lawmaker Calls for Probe of Obama Decision to Oversee Census
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is calling for an investigation of President Obama's decision to move the census into the White House. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is sending a letter to committee leaders requesting a hearing."I'm deeply concerned" about "the White House controlling the day-to-day operations of the Census Bureau," Blackburn told FOXNews.com.
In a draft of the letter, Blackburn said Obama's plan "may jeopardize the important and non-partisan work product of a sensitive administrative agency, and potentially disrupt completion of a competent, reliable 2010 census.
3. Clinton Sees Opportunity for 'Serious and Responsible' Talks With Iran
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Obama administration hopes the two nations can work out "a better understanding of one another." The U.S. and Iran have a chance to "work out a way of talking" that could lead to understandings on a range of issues, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday. In a hopeful assessment of prospects for improved relations with Tehran, Clinton told reporters at the State Department that the U.S. remains opposed to Iran getting nuclear weapons.
4. Kagan Confirmation Hearing Doubles as Vetting for Potential New Justice
Elena Kagan has been nominated to be solicitor general, but senators at her confirmation hearing sounded like they were questioning a possible replacement for Supreme Court Justice Rith Bader Ginsberg. Elena Kagan, the Harvard Law School Dean and friend of President Obama, is rumored to be on the "short list" of candidates for the high court and a possible replacement for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the only woman on the court, left-leaning and in questionable health following pancreatic cancer surgery within just this past week.
5. Republican Senator Says Financial Overhaul Is Too 'Vague'
Republican Sen. Bob Corker says the multi-pronged program unveiled by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Tuesday made clear there is still "dissension" in the administration about how to approach the financial crisis. Republican Sen. Bob Corker said the Obama administration's revamped financial bailout plan is too "vague," urging the White House to take more time to develop the program. (All headlines in this section come from Fox News.)
If You Are Elderly - Be Afraid, Very Afraid
President Obama's press conference last night was big on fear and short on facts. Once again, he warned the country that our "crisis" will become a "catastrophe" if we don't immediately pass his "porkulus" spending bill. I always get suspicious when a politician wants everyone to shut up and vote on a 700-page bill. You can bet there are a lot of "surprises" hidden in the fine print. In the last 24 hours, one of those surprises has been discovered and analyzed by conservative researchers. It is now being exposed by conservative talk radio - the same folks Obama wants to force off the air in the name of "fairness." Who would have guessed that our president would hide in a "must pass" piece of legislation a provision that "rations" health care and makes it more likely that your Granny will be left to suffer or die?
The legislation sets up a new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology. This office will monitor the medical treatments your doctor is providing you to make sure that Washington agrees that those treatments are appropriate and cost effective. Another office, the Federal Coordinating Council of Comparative Effectiveness Research, will slow down the use of new medications and technologies because new treatments drive up costs.
It sounds complicated, but don't be confused. Europe already has those offices and former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle wrote about them in a book last year. It was this "expertise" that led President Obama to nominate Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services, so he could serve as the architect of the planned nationalized health care scheme. But here's the bottom line of how it works in Europe and what Daschle and others want to implement here: The federal government will decide your medical treatment with COST being the main consideration. Daschle argues in his book that instead of treating seniors, they will have to become more accepting of the conditions that come with age!
Here's the danger inherent in government-run health care. Just like a child living in a parent's house has to abide by the parent's rules, you will be treated like a child. If you expect Uncle Sam to pay for your health care, then Washington bureaucrats will dictate whether saving your health is too costly. The elderly always suffer under such a system. (Gary Bauer; End - of - Day; 2/10/09; excerpt)
· Using the site below, contact your congressman and your two senators and DEMAND that this "health care" provision be STRIPPED from this bill during the conference committee. This battle is not done: the stimulus bill is now in "conference," where members of both parties from House and Senate are working to write ONE BILL that they can agree upon. Then that final version must return to both chambers for a FINAL VOTE before being sent to the White House for signature.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT -- NOW IS THE TIME TO PRAY!!From Gary Bauer:If, as many of you have indicated, you can't get through on that number, go to our website at www.cwfpac.com and use our online Congressional Directory to look up a state or district office number for your senators and representative.
· 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt' (Job 38:11) "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
· CALL FORTH THE BLOOD OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MARTYRED FOR THE FAITH UPON OUR SOIL AGAINST ALL THE SCHEMES OF THE EVIL ONE THAT WOULD HARM OUR PEOPLE IN THIS END- TIME HOUR. PRAY!
· "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Revelation 12:11)
· "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
Good News Corner
Bleeding deer wanders into PetSmartStore's veterinary team stitches up injured leg, creature scampers off
An injured, bleeding deer that wandered into the rear of a Rossford pet store Saturday was treated by a veterinary team there, then ran free into a rural area, police reported. The deer was discovered at about 1:20 p.m. bleeding on the floor of PetSmart, 27161 Crossroads Pkwy. Rossford police Officer Mark Skala, who responded to the call, assumed the animal would have to be put down. Instead, the store's veterinary team stitched up the deer's injured leg and administered antibiotics. The deer remained calm while it was being treated, then got to its feet and fled, Officer Skala said. (Source: Toledo Blade; Feb. 8, 2009)
Editorial comment: In the face of the global economic "meltdown," and on the day that the U.S. Senate passed the stimulus package, isn't it comforting to know that God has a plan to care for ALL of His creatures? Praise His Name!
""Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:25-27)
