In This Issue• On Capitol Hill This Week: Vol. XVI, No. 33
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
Greetings!
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On Capitol Hill This Week- Volume XVI, Number 33
October 26 - 30, 2009
"I know that My Redeemer lives." (Job 19:25)
PLEASE NOTE:
On Capitol Hill This Week will NOT be published next Monday, November 2, 2009. We will resume publication the following week.
In the meantime, the Daily Brief will be released on its normal schedule. Thank you.
1. CLIMATE TREATY WILL PUT U.S. SOVEREIGNTY AT RISK
2. OBAMA TO SKIP CLIMATE CONFERENCE
3. OBAMA DECLARES H1N1 FLU "NATIONAL EMERGENCY"
4. CBS NEWS: SWINE FLU CASES MAY BE OVERESTIMATED
5. SENATE PASSES HATE CRIMES BILL; OBAMA EXPECTED TO SIGN
6. SENATE DEMOCRATS LOSE HEALTHCARE TEST VOTE
7. ANOTHER LOOK AT THE "PUBLIC OPTION"
8. ACORN GIVEN REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
9. SUNSTEIN URGES: ABOLISH MARRIAGE
10. ISRAELI POLICE STORM JERUSALEM HOLY SITE
11. NEW IRANIAN MISSILES FOR GAZA, SYRIA LINKED TO HIZBALLAH
1. CLIMATE TREATY WILL PUT U.S. SOVEREIGNTY AT RISK
Lord Christopher Monckton, former policy advisor to UK's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from 1982 through 1986 and now chief policy advisor to the Science and Public Policy Institute, addressed the Minnesota Free Market Institute on Tuesday, October 14 (his entire address is embedded at their site). Lord Monckton warned that President Obama's signing of a probable Climate Treaty in Copenhagen in December, and potential ratification by the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate could cede U.S. sovereignty to International Law, the United Nations and International Courts.
Monckton argued that President Obama will sign the Copenhagen treaty at the December meeting, without seeking a two-thirds ratification of the treaty by the Senate, or any other type of Congressional approval.
Here is an excerpt from Lord Monckton's closing remarks at the Minnesota Free Market Institute:
At the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, this December, weeks away, a treaty will be signed. Your president will sign it. Most of the third world countries will sign it, because they think they're going to get money out of it. Most of the left- wing regime from the European Union will rubber stamp it. Virtually nobody won't sign it.
I read that treaty. And what it says is this; a world government is going to be created. The word "government" actually appears as the first of three purposes of the new entity. The second purpose is the transfer of wealth from the countries of the West to third world countries, in satisfaction of what is called, coyly, "climate debt" - because we've been [producing] CO2 and they haven't. We've been [messing] up the climate and they haven't. And the third purpose of this new entity, this government, is enforcement.
So, thank you, America. You were the beacon of freedom to the world. It is a privilege merely to stand on this soil of freedom while it is still free. But, in the next few weeks, unless you stop it, your president will sign your freedom, your democracy, and your humanity away forever. And neither you nor any subsequent government you may elect will have any power whatsoever to take it back. That is how serious it is.
- Offer thanksgiving to the Lord for sending "one from afar" to courageously warn us of impending danger to our Republic. Intercede for Lord Monckton's protection. Offer thanksgiving for, and pray for, the continuing national awakening to Constitutional principles of governance. Pray that all schemes to undermine and strip the United States of its Sovereignty and to destroy our Constitutional Republic be exposed, thwarted, and leadership removed. (Intercessors for America).
- "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (2 Chronicles 20:12)
2. OBAMA TO SKIP CLIMATE CONFERENCE
President Obama is "leaning toward not going" to the U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December, a senior administration official told Fox News. The current thinking in the administration is that since the conference is not a "head of state" event, Obama will not attend. Obama will be accepting the Nobel Prize in Oslo on the second day of the Copenhagen conference and may use that platform to address climate change issues.
One big reason the Copenhagen conference is not a "head of state" event is because of the slow progress of climate change legislation in the U.S. Senate. Absent Senate passage of a climate change bill mandating a cap-and-trade system, Obama will have nothing to bring to Copenhagen as part of a U.S.-led effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a factor likely to undermine global efforts to curb those emissions. "It's not likely to turn into a head of state meeting given the current legislative trajectory in the U.S. vis-a-vis energy policy," the administration official said.
Negotiations with India and China on setting and enforcing carbon pollution limits have become bogged down, complicating global efforts to produce a successor treaty to the Kyoto Pact the U.S. never ratified.
Todd Stern, the president's top climate change negotiator, will attend the Copenhagen conference for the administration. Other top officials may join Stern if more progress is achieved in the coming weeks, an official said. (Fox News)
- Although we are praising God for this report, we have a sense to "handle with care." There is simply too much at stake here, should Obama change his mind at the last minute and attend, anyway. Offer praise that the U.S. Congress has not yet approved any ill-conceived energy plan, and ask our Lord to continue to use the United States to put the brakes on this horrible, one- world government, global treaty. No matter what assails us, His power will ultimately conquer. Amen.
- "But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King." (Jeremiah 10:10)
3. OBAMA DECLARES H1N1 FLU 'NATIONAL EMERGENCY"
"I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America . . . do hereby find and proclaim that . . . the 2009 H1N1 influenza #pandemic in the United States constitutes a national emergency."
President Obama signed a proclamation declaring the H1N1 influenza a national emergency, giving doctors and medical facilities greater leeway in responding to the flu pandemic. Obama signed the declaration late Friday, which the White House said allows medical treatment facilities to better handle a surge in flu patients by waiving federal requirements on a case-by- case basis. "The foundation of our national approach to the H1N1 flu has been preparedness at all levels -- personal, business, and government -- and this proclamation helps that effort by advancing our overall response capability," the White House stated.
H1N1 is more widespread now than it's ever been. Health authorities say almost 100 children have died from the flu, and 46 states now have widespread flu activity. Worldwide, more than 5,000 people have reportedly died from swine flu since it emerged this year and developed into a global epidemic, the World Health Organization announced Friday. Since most countries have stopped counting individual swine flu cases, the figure is considered an underestimate.. The chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that over a thousand people have died as a result, with 46 states reporting widespread H1N1 activity. (AP)
- We hear the words "national emergency" but where are the facts and statistics supporting this declaration? And what is the help that "advances our overall response capability? Please pray comfort for these families who have lost children. Pray healing for those who are suffering with the flu. Speak a strong immune system for your family, your larger family, and yourself. Break this spirit of infirmity trying to dominate this land.
- "When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)
[Note: For an excellent article on the ramifications of this presidential decree, titled "Swine flu emergency! What does that mean?" was published by http://www.WorldNetDaily.com ]
4. CBS NEWS INVESTIGATION SUGGESTS SWINE FLU CASES OVERESTIMATED
Study Of State Results Finds H1N1 Not As Prevalent As Feared
If you've been diagnosed "probable" or "presumed" 2009 H1N1 or "swine flu" in recent months, you may be surprised to know this: odds are you didn't have H1N1 flu. In fact, you probably didn't have flu at all. That's according to state-by-state test results obtained in a three-month-long CBS News investigation.
In late July, the CDC abruptly advised states to stop testing for H1N1 flu, and stopped counting individual cases. The rationale given for the CDC guidance to forego testing and tracking individual cases was: why waste resources testing for H1N1 flu when the government has already confirmed there's an epidemic?
Some public health officials privately disagreed with the decision to stop testing and counting, telling CBS News that continued tracking of this new and possibly changing virus was important because H1N1 has a different epidemiology, affects younger people more than seasonal flu and has been shown to have a higher case fatality rate than other flu virus strains. (CBS News).
- Thank God that "Swine Flu hype" cannot and will not go viral. Ask that the mercy of God will cause the whole notion to flat-line so the public can get back to more pressing issues. Ask for forgiveness for our government not knowing, or pretending not to know, what everyone else knows. Please intercede, since they have created a national emergency, that Ms. Sebelius will back off from sending clinics into our schools, but intercede that Americans will remain vigilant and on their knees for the safety of our citizens, especially our children.
- I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. (Psalm 91:3-4)
5. SENATE PASSES HATE CRIMES BILL; OBAMA EXPECTED TO SIGN
After a decade-long struggle, Congress passed a bill Thursday evening that would make it a federal crime to attack someone based on the person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The Senate - in a 68-29 vote, with most Republicans opposed - approved the measure that was attached to the $680 billion defense spending bill. It adds sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to the existing list of categories which include race, religion, color or national origin. The measure now heads to President Obama's desk, who has vowed to sign it.
Opponents of the bill, dubbed by some as the "thought crimes" legislation, argue that it is unnecessary because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are already protected under existing state laws. They also say the bill could be used to prosecute Christian broadcasters and pastors who preach homosexuality as sin because they could be accused of inciting violence. But Attorney General Eric Holder has asserted that the federal hate crimes law would only be used to prosecute violent acts based on prejudice, not speech or beliefs. (Christian Post) Read more.
- Please pray and decree, as homosexuals and others are already protected by existing laws, that no legislation can pass that will forbid the open preaching and teaching of the Word of God in America. This is being done by and for a people who accept His blessings, but refuse His Lordship. Intercede that such an evil is never brought to fruition in this country. Ask that hearts will soften toward God and His Word and that full belief in it and adherence to it will become a prevailing phenomenon in this land.
- And many came and confessed and showed their deeds. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. (Acts 19:18,20)
6. SENATE DEMOCRATS LOSE HEALTHCARE TEST VOTE
In a 53-47 vote, the Senate yesterday dealt what media reports are describing as a blow to President Obama's plans for healthcare reform. While the procedural vote concerned a popular Medicare bill to increase payments to doctors by $247 billion, the media coverage notes that many of the Democrats who voted against the bill expressed concern that the bill was not funded and simply added to the deficit.
The New York Times reports Democrats "lost a big test vote on health care legislation on Wednesday as the Senate blocked action on a bill to increase Medicare payments to doctors." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid managed to win "only 47" votes of the 60 needed for cloture, and he "could not blame Republicans," as 12 Democrats and one independent, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, were opposed. (Christian Coalition of America)
- Praise the Lord that so many Democrats are unhappy with the contents of the health care bill now being forged together from five original bills.. Since so many Americans oppose the health care bill and its propensity for adding to our nation's deficit, Senator Reid should be representing the American public as a whole, not just the views of the president.
- "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise." (Proverbs 12:15)
7. ANOTHER LOOK AT THE PUBLIC OPTION
Getting creative with the "doc fix" didn't work, but Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) believes that trying some resourcefulness with the public option will. Together with his liberal friends, the Majority Leader is trying to reinvent government-run health care with a devious twist. Unlike the House version, his public option would allow states to opt-out. With the help of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama, the public option--which was dead on arrival just a few weeks ago--could find new life. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about America 's unborn, which, under this plan, would still be aborted with federal dollars. In the public option, there's still no option but abortion coverage. (Family Research Council; excerpt)
- Please pray and ask that the idea that babies are no longer welcome on planet earth be broken in Jesus Name. God enjoys life and growth and has us given no such report. Pray that in creating bills, our elected officials will be forced to base their claims on actual data with statistics and not on worthless fabrications to mislead the public. Thank God for what He is doing in the midst of all this chaos and that His truth will stand and, at the end of the day, all who deceive will be found out. Intercede that those legislators who fancy the notion that abortion, or murder, is ok will turn and repent now. Do pray they will not force us to fund their crimes.
- And Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! (Genesis 4:13)
8. DEMOCRATS GIVE ACORN REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
During consideration of H.R. 3126, legislation to establish a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA), Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee voted to pass an amendment offered by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) that will make ACORN eligible to play a role in setting regulations for financial institutions. . .
In light of recent evidence linking ACORN to possible criminal activity, Democrats took an unprecedented step today to give ACORN a potential role alongside bank regulators in overseeing financial institutions. This is contrary to recent actions taken by the Senate and House to block federal funds to ACORN.
A recent inquiry into bank funding of ACORN activities by three House Committees found that institutions that would be regulated by the CFPA have provided millions of dollars to the organization in the form of direct donations, lines of credit, cash, and other assets over the last 15 years. The amendment passed on a vote to 35-33. (RepublicansFinancialServiceshouse.gov).
- Please ask that firm and steady pressure be brought to bear to demand that the Democrats back-peddle on this divergence from common sense and the law. Intercede that this "Waters amendment" fails and that cases against ACORN and similar groups receiving tax- payer money will unfold without obstruction. Pray for full investigations with prosecutions, when lawful, being carried out. Ask that accountability for the collapse of the housing market and multiple other offenses in and by these organizations will no longer be able to be swept under the rug.
- Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. (Acts 19:38-39)
9. SUNSTEIN URGES: ABOLISH MARRIAGE
The U.S. government should abolish its sanctioning of marriage, argued Cass Sunstein, President Obama's regulatory czar. Sunstein proposed that the concept of marriage should become privatized, with the state only granting civil union contracts to couples wishing to enter into an agreement. He explained marriage licensing is unnecessary, pointing out people stay committed to organizations like country clubs and homeowner associations without any government interference. "Under our proposal, the word marriage would no longer appear in any laws, and marriage licenses would no longer be offered or recognized by any level of government," wrote Sunstein and co-author Richard Thaler in their 2008 book, "Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness." (WND).
- Apparently, Mr. Sunstein is in a fervent fight with the Lord, for his views break so many of God's principles! Does this man have any place in the White House? Tell Mr. Obama that Mr. Sunstein must go. Pray for the Lord to soften Sunstein's heart and then remove him from any place in American thinking! Intellect without wisdom is dead.
- "Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God." (1Chronicles 22:12)
10. ISRAELI POLICE STORM JERUSALEM HOLY SITE
Israeli forces stormed Jerusalem's holiest shrine Sunday, firing stun grenades to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing Palestinian protesters in a fresh eruption of violence at the most volatile spot in the Holy Land. A wall of Israeli riot police behind plexiglass shields closed in on the crowd, sending many protesters - overwhelmingly young men - running for cover into the black-domed Al-Aqsa mosque. The mosque is one part of the compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary.
Dozens of protesters remained holed up inside the mosque for several hours, occasionally opening shuttered doors to throw objects at police. The Israeli forces did not enter the building, and the protesters eventually left peacefully and the compound was closed, police said. There were no serious injuries.
Israel's national police chief, David Cohen, accused a small group of Moslem extremists of trying to foment violence - echoing a charge made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two weeks ago. Sunday's clashes were the most intense in the past month of unrest around the compound. Frictions in recent weeks have stemmed largely from rumors among Palestinians about Israeli plans to allow Jews to pray at the site or to dig under the compound and harm the Moslem buildings there.
The Islamic militant Hamas movement, which rules the Gaza Strip, called on Palestinians to rise up against Israel and urged Arab countries that have ties to Israel to sever them. (AP)
- Pray for the believers in Islam, for they are duped and manipulated by their leaders into violence until truth cannot exist in their lives. They need Jesus Christ as their salvation. Support with prayer the firm stand of the Israelis against these Islamic lies, asking the Lord to bring His glory down like a heavy blanket on those who claim Jerusalem as the holy city of anything but God.
- "And to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there." (1Kings 11:36)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
GOD OF JACOB (Elohay Yahahkov)
"May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you." (Psalm 20:1)
There is only One who knows my thoughts, who hears my heart, who can answer my prayers. The same God who led Jacob is the same God who leads me. There is much comfort in knowing YOU, God of Jacob. Amen.
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
