In This Issue:• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• "We Don't Care"
• Barney Frank's Debacle
• The Daily Jot
• The Truth Will Set You Free
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, August 20, 2009
". . . and the government shall be upon his shoulder . . ." (Isaiah 9:6)
The Daily Brief
1. Gibbs insists Obama not backing off public option - AP
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs insists the Obama administration has not shifted its goals on health care reform or distanced itself from a government- run public insurance option. He said in a meeting with reporters Tuesday morning that news stories suggesting that the administration was ready to abandon the public option as it battles to push health care reform through were overblown. The rash of reports began after Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (seh-BEEL'-yuhs) appeared to signal the president was open to health care cooperatives as an alternative. Gibbs said there was no intention to indicate a change in policy. He said, "If it was a signal, it was a dog whistle we started blowing weeks ago."
- Lord we bind the spirits of deception and lies that pervade this administration's actions. Lord we also ask that You use the continual confusion and "misspoken" words between leaders in the cabinet and other posts to bring truth to the American people. Father, sweep away the cloaks which cover the plans of men and let every agenda of the heart be exposed.
- "Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; oh deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!" (Psalm 43:1)
2. Consulting Firm Tied to White House Given Millions for Health Care Ad Campaign - Fox News
While lobbying analysts say the move to hire a White House-connected ad agency is logical, some Republicans are questioning whether White House senior strategist David Axelrod stands to gain from the profits in the multi-million dollar deal.
- Lord, we cry out against the constant favoritism which gives at the least appearance of corruption within this administration. We call out to You for the establishment of righteousness and justice in our government.
- "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
3. Democrats Plan to Strong-Arm Obamacare Through Congress Without GOP Support - Newsmax
President Barack Obama is preparing behind the scenes to steamroll legislation into law using a tactic known as 'reconciliation.' That will allow Democrats to push socialized medicine through the Senate without the threat of a Republican filibuster.
- Father we ask that You cause Your people to rise up with strength and wisdom against the attempts to ram legislation through without bipartisan consensus. We pray that men and women of both parties will stand against any plan to "steamroll" any and all bills through either the Senate or the House.
- "For You are the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted. For our shield belongs to the Lord." (Psalm 89:17, 18a)
4. Obama Appeals to 'Religious Left' on Healthcare - NewsMax
President Barack Obama enlisted the "Religious Left" on Wednesday to help galvanise public support for his faltering drive for healthcare reform, using the language of faith as he accused some of the critics of his biggest domestic project of "bearing false witness." Obama made a brief pitch to a "call in" organized by various liberal and progressive faith groups called "40 minutes for Health Reform." It is part of a campaign launched last week to counteract a movement to stop "Obamacare" that has been driven in part by conservative Christian activists. "There has been a lot misinformation in this debate and there are some folks out there who are frankly bearing false witness," Obama said.
- Lord, Mr. Obama does not seem to realize that attempting to turn Scripture against the people of God is the real "false witness." We pray that the fear of God would fall upon Mr. Obama, that the Holy Spirit would visit Him and bring conviction to his heart.
- "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (John 16:8)
5. Federal Deficit to Hit $1.58 Trillion This Year - AP
The White House plans to announce the federal deficit will be about $262 billion less than officials predicted earlier this year -- in part because the administration has provided less aid than expected to Wall Street. The federal deficit this year will total $1.58 trillion, a senior White House official said late Wednesday. That's three times more red ink than last year. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the report before its release next Tuesday while President Barack Obama will be on vacation in Massachusetts.
- Lord as we hear of a deficit 3 times higher than last year, we are appalled. We pray for a reversal of this spending train and ask that You intervene to slow down the trend toward deeper deficits.
- "Arise for our help, and redeem us for Your mercies' sake." (Psalm 44:26)
6. Lockerbie Bomber Freed From Prison on Compassionate Grounds - AP
Scotland freed the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds Thursday, letting him go home to Libya to die and rejecting American pleas to show no mercy to the man responsible for the 1988 attack that killed 270 people.
- Lord as much of the world is enraged at the Scottish decision to free a terrorist; we ask that You will use this action to change the hearts not only of this man but those in his sphere of influence. We pray for the comfort of Your Holy Spirit to the families of the victims of the original bombing. We also pray for protection against the use of this situation as jihadist propaganda or any plans to further murder by acts of terrorism such as the Lockerbie bombing.
- "When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your Presence." (Psalm 9:3)
7. Polls Close in Afghanistan as Election Workers Begin Counting Millions of Presidential Votes - AP
Taliban threats appeared to dampen voter turnout in the militant south Thursday when Afghans chose the next president for their deeply troubled country. Insurgents launched scattered rocket, suicide and bomb attacks that closed some polling sites.
- Lord we pray for Your perfect will concerning the results of this election, and that You protect Afghanistan from political chaos or violence. We pray that a US friendly President will be chosen from this election.
- "He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings;" (Daniel 2:21a)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, says LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)
1. Peres: Israel, PA, U.S. ready for three-way summit - Ha'aretz
President Shimon Peres told reporters during an official visit to Russia on Wednesday that he welcomed a future meeting between President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
2. Raytheon eyes new anti-missile system for Israel - Reuters
Raytheon Co (RTN.N), the world's biggest missile maker, said it was developing a new system that, if deployed, could boost Israel's defenses against Iran as soon as 2013 and beef up anti-missile bulwarks worldwide.
"We Don't Care"
Washington is buzzing today with reports that the Obama White House and congressional Democrats are prepared to "go it alone" on healthcare reform - passing a massive trillion-dollar takeover of 20% of our economy without a single Republican vote. Such a move - by disregarding the polls and public protests - would send an unmistakable message to the American people: "We don't care what you think!"
If Obama goes down this road, he would be showing his true face. The façade of "transcending partisanship," of "hope and change" would be over. And, frankly, there isn't much cover left for the Democrats at this point anyway. One House Democrat was recently caught on tape saying that he would vote against his constituents' wishes no matter what.
Skimming the morning news, I noticed that 500 people turned out at Barney Frank's (D-MA) town hall meeting. More than 1,000 turned out for Rick Boucher's (D-VA) town hall event. And nearly 3,000 showed up for a town hall hosted by Brian Baird (D-WA). But who cares about the people! Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the protestors are just a bunch of un-American neo-Nazis. Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid called them "evil mongers." The media went nuts when Reagan called the Soviet Union "evil" and when George Bush said Iran, Iraq and North Korea were part of an "axis of evil." But the media elites yawn when liberal Democrats smear taxpayers.
(Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; 8/19/09)
Barney Frank's Debacle
I must admit, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching clips from town hall meetings in which liberal members of Congress have been berated by their constituents for their support of Obamacare.
Last night's town hall involving Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) was by far my favorite.
Frank has the reputation of being a "bully" in Congress. He regularly has outbursts on the floor, where he will yell at other members, and he has been known to lose his cool while on television broadcasts. I know from personal experience having debated him several times on Meet the Press and CNN's Crossfire. Last night, while getting questioned by people about why he supports ObamaCare, Frank lost his temper and essentially mocked his constituents. Paste this link into your browser to see it for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z46dbRIk5ZM
Frank is one of the most powerful members of Congress. He's the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which plays an enormous role in regulating our nation's financial institutions. Frank's boyfriend was caught running a homosexual brothel out of his Capitol Hill condo. He's even been linked to an affair with a male executive at Fannie Mae, the quasi- governmental lending corporation, that played a big part in the financial system's collapse last year. I am appalled that this man holds such a powerful position in Congress, let alone serves as a public official at any level of government. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; 8/19/09)
The Daily Jot
White House Making Subtle Policy Changes To Spy On Americans
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Executive Office of the President has posted its intent to spy on American citizens who use the internet to contact government sites by exchanging "cookies" with users' computers. These "cookies" can track the users' site visits, his preferences, and his demographics. Under the guise of "enhancing citizen participation in government through basic policy changes," the White House has asked for comments on the use of cookies. On July 27th, the White House's Office of Management and Budget published the proposed changes in the Federal Register. Citizens are allowed to comment until August 10th by emailing oira_submission@omb.eop.gov.
Since 2000, the use of cookies by Federal agencies is prohibited for privacy concerns unless there was a "compelling need." The current Administration is proposing several tiers of spying on Americans using cookies, the third tier, called "persistent identifiers" is described as "Multi-session technologies for use as persistent identifiers, which track users over multiple visits with the intent of remembering data, settings, or preferences unique to that visitor for purposes beyond what is needed for web analytics." Indeed, the government has already initiated this policy at cars.gov where if you click "I agree" to the terms of trading in your clunker, the government owns all the information on your computer.
It was less than two weeks ago that the White House urged Americans to turn in other Americans to flag@whitehouse.gov if they were suspected of passing misinformation about the healthcare socialization plan through casual conversations. The White House has moved the national census directly under its control and has already sent thousands of Census "Listeners" door to door recording your home's information on hand-held GPS computers. The Department of Homeland Security in an April 7 report listed as possible terrorists those who believe in end time prophecies, and are against abortion, homosexuality, and illegal immigration.
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution is considered the right of privacy. It reads in part: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated . . ." Often the government has gotten around this right by saying it owns the domain--such as speed cameras on public highways, and now your private information over the internet. Jesus said of the end times in Matthew 24:10, "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another and shall hate one another." Your own government is betraying you, is at war with you, and if you believe in end time prophecies, it lists you as a possible terrorist.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
The Truth Will Set You Free
Newsweek Reporter Witnesses an Abortion
by Kim Trobee, editor CitizenLink; Aug. 19, 2009
Sarah Kliff has covered abortion at Newsweek for two years. So she was surprised at the discomfort she felt when faced with the prospect of watching an abortion for a story she was doing on Nebraska late-term abortionist, LeRoy Carhart.
Kliff spent four days at Carhart's Omaha clinic interviewing patients, hearing their stories and eventually viewing at least one first-trimester abortion.
"There was a discomfort I hadn't expected," she said, "my emotional reaction to watching abortions. I had (and still have) difficulty understanding my own reaction, both relieved to have watched . . . and distressed by the emotionality of the process."
It's something many in the pro-abortion camp are reticent to admit.
Kliff faced odd reactions when she returned home. "Friends who supported legal abortion bristled slightly when I told them where I'd been and what I'd watched," she said. "Acquaintances at a party looked a bit regretful to have asked about my most recent assignment."
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst at Focus on the Family Action, said the inner struggle is hard to ignore.
"When you come face to face with the violence of what abortion really is," she said, "it can be a different story, as this reporter learned. Abortion kills children, and witnessing an abortion demands a response to that truth."
Kliff acknowledged that abortion is not just another medical procedure.
"Abortion involves weighty choices that, depending on how you view it," she said, "involve a life, or the potential for life."
Earll said, "The finality of abortion is almost palpable and once it's done, someone has died and you cannot reverse it. That may be what the reporter experienced."
The Good News Corner
Anchorage Mayor Vetoes Gay-Rights Measure
Anchorage, Alaska, Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed a pro- gay measure Monday that likely would have threatened religious liberties.
The ordinance had been approved by the Anchorage Assembly, 7-4. It was designed to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, education and other areas. Pro-family groups said it would have forced Christian ministries, churches and others in the faith community to hire people who don't share their religious beliefs.
Jim Minnery, president of the Alaska Family Council, said communities across the country have been negatively affected after sexual orientation measures were implemented.
"In each of those communities, there's been documented cases of Christian adoption agencies having to shut down, because they won't adopt out to same-sex couples," he said, "and photographers who've been taken to court because they refused to celebrate and affirm lesbian couples' commitment ceremonies. And on and on it goes." (CitizenLink)
