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The Daily Brief - Thursday, August 6, 2009
"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." (Isaiah 60:2)
The Daily Brief
1. A) Critics Accuse White House of Playing "Big Brother" in Healthcare Debate - Fox News
A new White House tactic to control the message on health care reform has critics accusing the Obama administration of playing "Big Brother" and threatening the privacy of average Americans. "No one expects that when they exercise their First Amendment rights to ask questions or complain about a proposed government program that they're going to be listed on a database in the White House," Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told FOX News Thursday, saying the White House effort raises serious privacy concerns. "You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to see the potential for serious abuse."
On Tuesday, the White House posted a blog that asked supporters to report "fishy" information they come across about the health insurance debate. The appeal was made at the end of the blog, which showed a video that countered a set of online clips that made it look like Obama wanted to eliminate private coverage.
"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there," the blog concludes. "Since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we're asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
B) Pelosi: Town Hall Protestors Carry Swastikas - NewsMax.com
Nancy Pelosi tells a reporter that protesters at town hall meetings carry "swastikas and other symbols like that."
C) Mob Rule or Democracy in Action? Health Care Debate Focuses on Opponents Over Substance - Fox News
Democrats are stepping up their campaign against opponents of health care reforms, depicting town hall audiences protesting a Democratic-sponsored bill as angry mobs duped into hostile actions by special interest groups.
· Lord, the attempts to paint ordinary people as evil monsters in order to manipulate Americans and the media have grown exponentially since this administration took office. We take authority by the Name of Jesus and His Blood over the spirit of deception, and bind the dominion of lies perpetuated by this government. We pray that Your people will rise up in one mighty Voice and stand against the flood of corruption that has engulfed us. We ask that You bring repentance to Nancy Pelosi, and all like her, in both the Congress and Administration.
· "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice." (Exodus 23:20
2. Conservatives Vow No Let Up in Health Protests - Fox News
Conservative activists are vowing to keep up their fight against President Barack Obama's health care plans, even as the Democratic Party pushes back hard, accusing Republicans of organizing angry mobs. Democrats and the White House are claiming that the sometimes rowdy protests that have disrupted Democratic lawmakers' meetings and health care events around the country are largely orchestrated from afar by insurers, lobbyists, Republican Party activists and others.
· Thank You, Lord, for the resolve of these lawmakers who fight against socialization of healthcare. We ask that You protect them from manipulation and pressure by the administration, and give them favor to bring the grass roots voters out in force to complain to their legislators. We hold up their arms and ask the You grant us victory in this battle!
· "With whom My hand shall be established; also My arm shall strengthen him. The enemy shall not outwit him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him." (Psalm 89:21,22)
3. About Half of US Mortgages Seen Underwater by 2011 - Reuters
The percentage of U.S. homeowners who owe more than their house is worth will nearly double to 48 percent in 2011 from 26 percent at the end of March, portending another blow to the housing market, Deutsche Bank said on Wednesday.
· Father, private land and home ownership are a strength to this nation. Without it we become transient and without roots in communities or rural areas. We pray, Lord, for Your mercy over those who struggle with the instability of the housing market. We ask for Your protection over them, and for a fair and just solution from Your hand to their plight.
· "The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time" (Psalm 37:18,19a)
4. Senate Confirms Sonia Sotomayor to U.S. Supreme Court - Fox News
The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court in a 68-31 vote.
In a rare step of assembling at their desks on the Senate floor for the historic occasion, senators voted to confirm Sotomayor as the 111th justice and third woman to serve on the high court.
· Father, this vote has felt like it has been a "done deal" from the beginning. Unlike previous candidates, this nomination was shoved through in spite of serious legal concerns over her voting record and commentaries. Father we ask that You touch Ms. Sotomayor's life in a way that lets her see Your heart and truth. We pray for heart change in her that removes pride and replaces it with wisdom.
· "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil." (Proverbs 3:7)
5. House Buys $200 Million Jets for Lawmakers Travel - NewsMax.com
The House has approved nearly $200 million for the Air Force to buy three elite jets for transporting members of Congress and other top government officials. The Air Force had requested one Gulfstream 550 jet, which cost about $65 million. But the House Appropriations Committee added another $132 million to the 2010 Defense appropriations bill for two more jets, and "specified that they be assigned to the D.C.-area units that carry Members of Congress, military brass and top government officials," Roll Call reported.
It was just last year that lawmakers sharply criticized the CEOs of the Big Three automakers for traveling to Washington by private jet for a hearing about a bailout of their companies.
· Lord, apparently what was "good for the goose" was not "good for the gander." As Congress continually bashes the "rich" in all that they legislate and say, yet pay for extravagant jets, travel, and parties, we pray that You will convict them of the hypocrisy they display so flagrantly.
· "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered." (Proverbs 11:9)
6. Hackers Silence Twitter Users - Science News - AP
A hacker attack shut down Twitter on Thursday morning, and Facebook also said it was "looking into" possible site problems. Twitter said in its status blog Thursday that it was "defending against a denial-of-service attack," in which hackers command scores of computers to a single site at the same time, preventing legitimate traffic from getting through.
· Lord, as Iran sought to silence Twitter during the recent riots and were unable to do so, we ask that You intervene to stop the hackers from silencing these avenues of communication. We pray that the perpetrators would be revealed and stopped!
· "The Lord of hosts has sworn by Himself: "Surely I will fill you with men as with locusts, and they shall lift up a shout against you.'" (Jeremiah 51:14)
7. Chavez: Venezuela to Buy More Tanks - AP
President Hugo Chavez says his government plans to buy dozens of tanks because Venezuela feels threatened by pending deal to increase the U.S. military presence in Colombia. Chavez says "several tank battalions" could be acquired to boost defenses as neighboring Colombia negotiates an agreement to let U.S. forces use three airfields and two navy bases there.
· Father, we pray for protection of US interests in Colombia, and against any military action that may be in the mind of Hugo Chavez.
· "No weapon formed against you shall prosper;" (Isaiah 54:17)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mont Zion in the far north, the city of the great King. (Psalm 48:2)
1. Israel wages war of nerves against Iran and Hezbollah - Ha'aretz
This week's reports by The Times of London give the impression that Israel is raising the bar in the war of nerves against Iran and Hezbollah. On Monday the newspaper reported that Iran had completed its nuclear research program, and that its progress toward building a nuclear bomb depends only on the decision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The following day, it warned of the danger of escalation between Israel and Hezbollah on the Lebanese border.
2. 'Palestinian rift worse than Israel' - Jerusalem Post
Saudi King Abdullah told Fatah delegates meeting in Bethlehem Wednesday that divisions among the Palestinians were more damaging to their cause of an independent state than the Israeli "enemy."
3. Fatah convention suspended after stormy day two - ICEJ News
The second day of the Fatah general assembly in Bethlehem turned stormy on Wednesday as party chairman Mahmoud Abbas faced open rebellion over his refusal to present financial reports and a policy platform for the Palestinian movement, leading to an indefinite suspension of the historic gathering.
4. Ahmadinejad takes oath as protesters call for his death - ICEJ News
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was officially sworn in for a second term on Wednesday, using his inauguration speech to call for national unity and denouncing "foreign interference" in Iran's internal affairs.
The Good News Corner:
THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
In the middle of the battle, let's press in, together, in agreement with the words of this inspiring, patriotc song. Go here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWYZAnVSGKY&feature=related
